THOM 10 | Spring / Summer 2018

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a mighty Everyone has a story to tell. Especially when you ask them what made Thomasville what it is today. Meet <strong>10</strong> of our city’s greatest storytellers, who told us about ideas they believe made a difference. I learned so much from my time with them, but there’s one thing I’ll never forget: This is one fine city, and behind it are some fine people. fine town 27
As told to Michele Arwood Photography courtesy of The Thomasville History Center TOM BERRY The decision by our city, in 1908, to accept a contribution from R.H. Neel and other citizens to buy the dynamo generator was a turning point for Thomasville. I believe it cost the city $32,000 and they paid <strong>10</strong> percent of that. Originally it only provided for centralized water pumping and street lighting downtown but grew to a utilities department that equipped Thomasville to become financially independent. It provided for a revenue stream that allowed us to have control over our economic development. It helped attract manufacturing, retail and small business, and that diversity is what makes our economy successful. Today it means we reap more than $9 million each year in dividends that support our police, fire and public works departments. It also gives us the flexibility to say to industry and other business, “We can do things to get you here and keep you here.” But it’s what followed the development of our utility company that makes Thomasville special. The progress with our utilities provided opportunities for businesses and large landowners. They moved their families here and created a leadership base critical to the advancement of our city. They were businesspeople who were certainly interested in growing their businesses, but they were unique because they tied their interests to the community’s. They knew that if the community succeeded, they would succeed. They were willing to share their resources to make our community work, and that base of leadership is still here today. 28
Page 1 and 2: Volume 6 | issue 1 SPRING/SUMMER 20
Page 3 and 4: contents Spring/Summer 2018 5 10 As
Page 5 and 6: THOM THOM | SPRING/SUMMER 2017 4
Page 7 and 8: Concepted & Photographed by Ronnie
Page 9 and 10: S A M ARW OOD 8
Page 11 and 12: I am... a producer. A storyteller.
Page 13 and 14: D E V ON GL OV ER 12
Page 15 and 16: I am... not there yet, but it’s a
Page 17 and 18: SA R A AN DE R S 16
Page 19 and 20: I am... a beautiful spirit embraced
Page 21 and 22: MC- KL AY 20
Page 23 and 24: I am... passion. I am a dreamer. I
Page 25 and 26: BL A D E GE ER 24
Page 27: I am... a ceramicist. Using wheel-t
Page 31 and 32: his surgery he thought a new hospit
Page 33 and 34: among a group who were invited to d
Page 35 and 36: where we were marching and fighting
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Page 39 and 40: Could the 10-year-olds of today’s
Page 41: appreciation of Thomasville’s cob
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Put more life in your time. Nestled
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VERLON THOMPSON Mama’s Boy. Every
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His friend had a collection of eigh
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First-timers. Charlie first hit it
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Greer Cox YMCA of Thomasville Stren
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10 stops in 10 hours between Thomas
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03 04 Inlet Beach, Florida Amici 30
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07 08 Covington, Louisiana Abita Br
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Enjoy the Ride! Stephanie Burt is t
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THOM 10 | Spring / Summer 2018

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