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Categories: on Saturday, July 30, 2011
2011 International Blind Golf Championship in Columbus, GA
Golf is a sport enjoyed by everyone regardless of age, gender, physical condition or physical challenge. It's a great way to enjoy nature, friendship & exercise while providing an opportunity for personal challenge & growth. There is no reason why the sport should not be enjoyed by everyone, & that includes people with limited or no vision. While we think of golf as an activity requiring eyesight, that's not necessarily the case. The game is enjoyed by thousands throughout the world who have someone else be their eyes.
The International Blind Golf Association is the governing & sanctioning body of blind golf events world wide. The IBGA is dedicated to promoting the sport, and assisting blind golfers enjoy golf. The IBGA was formed in 1998 with the United States Blind Golf Association one of the founding members.
The organization now has 13 member countries around the world. The sport can be traced back to 1924. Clint Russell of Duluth, Minnesota lost his sight when a tire exploded in his face. In 1925, he began playing blind golf. Clint slowly reduced his scores and by early 1930 had shot an 84 for 18 holes.
Columbus, GA is lucky to have so many notable and accomplished golfers here for this event. Take just a moment to meet some of them and learn a little about their lives.
David Charles Hughes Blyth
Chairman of the International Blind Golf Association
David was born in a small town towards the middle of Australia in 1934.David was Blinded in an accident with a Land Mine when he was 14 years of age. This was war surplus, which he found near Darwin in the Northern Territory of Australia. After many months of hospital he went to work in Brisbane. David soon became an advocate for Blind and Vision Impaired Persons. After many positions on small self help organization he moved to Melbourne, Victoria. He soon established himself as a strong advocate and set up the first National Organization of Blind and Vision Impaired Persons in Australia in 1975. The organization, National Federation of Blind Citizens, (NFBC) soon became the major force for change for Blind persons in Australia. In 1984 David was elected to the International Blind Federation and was one of the Constitution committee which established the World Blind Union(WBU).David served for 8 years as chairman of the East Asia region of WBU. HE was elected as President of WBU in 1992 and served his 4 year term with distinction. At the 2000 WBU General Assembly he was awarded, as one of the first two ever given, the Louis Braille Medal. WBU has only awarded 4 Louis Braille medals in it’s history. At the same General Assembly he was given Life Membership of WBU. David joined Lions Clubs International in 1970.He held most club positions along with District Offices, and was awarded the star award for his work in Save Sight projects. He served as a District Governor in 1979 / 1980.David chaired the steering committee to establish the International Blind Golf Association (IBGA). He chaired the meeting in Florida that established the IBGA. He was Secretary/Treasurer from 2000 to 2004 and was elected chairman of IBGA in 2004 to present time. David was the inaugural President of Blind Golf Australia. He served in this position from the beginning in 1992 till 2010. He is presently a director of Blind Sports Australia. David has held the Australian B1 Championship title for the last 7years. He also holds most of the State titles in Australia. He won outright the New South Wales Blind Golf Open in 2009. David won the B1 net Canadian Open title in 2008. He won the B1 titles at the 2008 and 2009 Nova Scotia Opens. Bob Cunningham is David Coach when he travels to North America and last year in Italy. Bob met David when he visited Nova Scotia in 2006 and they have developed a strong friendship ever since. Bob lives in Anti Gosh, Nova Scotia.
David Meador
Nashville, TN
Motivational Speaker, Author and Former National Champion
David is a B1 (totally blind) golfer, having lost his sight in an automobile accident at age 18. He went on to graduate from Southern Illinois University and Loyola University of Chicago and later worked 20 years as a successful sales representative with Northwestern Mutual Financial Network.
David and his bride, Connie, are this year celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary, and live in Nashville, Tennessee. They have two daughters and two grandchildren. After retiring from Northwestern Mutual in 2002, David began a natural followup career in motivational speaking. A two-time cancer survivor, David has since written and published his 2010 autobiography, Broken Eyes, Unbroken Spirit– available from www.amazon.com or personalized, from www.davidmeador.com.
In 1977, David won the United States Blind Golf Association National Championship at the world famous Firestone Country Club. He jokes that in the 30-plus years that followed, he "kindly allowed others to have the lime-light," finishing second to Pat Browne and others more times than he would care to count!
David's long-time eyes on the golf course, Everett Davis, is happily retired after a long career in banking. He enjoys traveling with his wife, Judy, playing golf and volunteering his time and talents serving his church and other causes. He and Judy are likewise celebrating a milestone wedding anniversary, their 50th!
Neil Baxter
North Weald, England
Member of England And Wales Blind Golf since 1989. Winner of the order of merit in 1995 and 2001.Third in the overall net in the World championships in 2000. Regular member of the England team. Secretary from 2002 to 2008. Director of I.B.G.A. since 2002 and Vice Chairman/Administration since 2004.
Guided by wife, Clara , herself a keen golfer.
George Pilz
King of Prussia, PA USA
George Pilz, who is totally blind, is an Air Force veteran and avid sportsman who loves the challenge of playing a good game of golf. Pilz was a lineman for Philadelphia Electric before injuries from a car accident took his sight at age 22. He was introduced to golf as a VA rehab patient in Hynes, Illinois in the early 1960s.
Pilz put golf on hold to run his own woodworking business. That was followed by a 26-year career with AT&T. In 1984, he was one of the runners who carried the Olympic Torch up the steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum. When AT&T closed, Pilzopened his own business providing adaptive technology services for the blind.
Now retired, Pilz golfs several days a week with his buddies in the Middle Atlantic Blind Golf Association. In 2008, Pilzwon first place in the Senior Division at the USBGA National Championship held in Tunica, Mississippi.
Sheila Drummond
Lehighton, Pennsylvania USA
Sheila was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 8 and lost her sight from complications of the disease in 1981. She was employed as an X-ray Technician before losing her sight and worked at a large trauma center in Allentown, PA.
Sheila never played golf as a sighted person but started playing 10 years after going totally blind. She took some lessons from a local Pro and 3 years later qualified to join the United States Blind Golf Association and was the first female member.
Sheila have served on the USBGA Board of Directors for 10 years and currently serves as President.
Sheila had a hole in one on August 19, 2007 and was the first totally blind female to ever score an Ace. Keith and Sheila appeared on Good Morning America.
Keith Drummond is Sheila’s Husband and coach. They are members of a local country club where theytry to play golf several times a week. Keith is employed as a Supervisor at LAMTEC Corporation. They have been married for 20 years.
Mario Tobia
Mt. Laurel, New Jersey USA
Mario Tobiais 55 years old and lives in Mt. Laurel, NJ with his wife Ann. He has two boys, his oldest son, Matthew, is a full-time student at Fordham University and is pursuing his MBA in Finance. His younger son, Michael, is a senior at Seton Hall University and is getting his undergraduate degree in Information Technology Management.
Mr. Tobiagraduated LaSalle University and obtained his degree in Marketing with a minor in Computer Science. He then worked as a Computer Consultant and managed a staff of 30 people performing various functions for a major Publishing company in their Information Technology department. He continued with that company until his vision deteriorated to the point where it became too difficult to perform his job duties. He now works part time for the Philadelphia VA and the NJ Commission for the Blind as a Training Consultant, instructing visually impaired individuals on using the computer with the aid of adaptive technology.
Mario began playing golf at the age of 30 years old and had already lost enough of his sight that he could no longer follow the ball in flight. At the age of 40, he gave up golf due to his eye condition. It was not until five years later did he pick up the sport again when he discovered the Middle Atlantic Blind Golf Association. In 2007, Mr. Tobiacompeted in his first National Blind tournament with the United States Blind Golf Association and was hooked on playing competitive golf. Along with his son, Matthew as his swing coach, Mr. Tobiadropped 10 strokes off his handicap and in 2010; Mr. Tobiatook third place in the USBGA National Championship in the totally blind division and one month later, won the American Blind Golf National Championship in the B1 division. In June of 2011, Mario took 2ndplace honour at the Guiding Eye Classic Golf Tournament in Mt. Kisco, NY. This event is considered the Masters of Blind Golf.
This year, Mario is looking to continue to improve his golf and repeat as national champion and play in the world championship in 2012 held in Nova Scotia, Canada.
Ty Thompson
Lexington, Kentucky USA
Ty has won several USBGA Regional golf tourneys in the B2 division. Past US National B2 champion and past Net National Champion. Lost vision due to PXE. Past jobs include IBM/Lexmark and National Sales Manager.
Jan Dinsdale
County Down, N. Ireland
Jan Dinsdaleand her guide, David McVeigh are delighted to come back to the U.S.. They look forward to meeting up with old friends and maybe making some new ones!
Jan is a member of Blackwood Ladies Golf Club, County Down where she enjoys playing golf with her sighted peers. Her most proud achievement was winning a monthly medal last year.
Takeo Maruyama
Pearl City, HI USA
Began to play as a caddie at 14. Lowest handicap; 11 in 40s (age). Broke 80 6 times during this period. Handicap ballooned from 18 to 26 in last 15 years as vision got worst. Currently plays only once/week. No nat'l or int'l experience. Membership connection: Just got accepted to USBGA last year. Was not eligible for Int'l Tournament in England.
This is first chance to participate in Nat'ls this August at Columbus, GA. Heard about USBGA through my niece who lives in Lompoc where a satellite, non USBDA sanctioned tournament is held each October.
Details on Coach; Michael, his son and eldest of four children. Michael plays golf only a couple of times/year. Has broken 100 and got close to breaking 90 once or twice. Hansen's Disease Branch Chief in HI State Dept of Health and 53 years old.
From early days (8th grade) Takeo could not pass the eye exam so he memorized it until his junior year in High School when he could no longer get by. Finally he got corrective glasses at that time. Takeo’s eyes were already not correctible to 20/20, only 20/30. Eyes deteriorated to the point he could not pass the eye exam for the drivers' test, 13 years ago. He has not driven a car since 1998, In the early days optometrists always called over co-workers to look at his paled nerve endings. No diagnosis so far. His nerves are atrophying as in glaucoma and Liebers Optical Neuropathy. The test turned out negative for the latter but being treated for low pressure glaucoma with zalatan. Takeo got a waiver to enter the Air Force.
Jobs: He worked as a meteorologist in the USAF and retired after 20 years service at rank of Lt. Col, Spent 7 years as a stock broker with Paine Webber after retirement from the Air Force and 13 years as a stock portfolio manager in the Trust Dept of Bank of Hawaii. Takeo has been completely retired for the last 16 years.
Derrick Sheridan MBE
Berkshire, England
Blind Golf History : Derrick became involved in Blind Golf in 1989 after hearing about it on the radio. He was the first President of the IBGA from 1998 to 2004 and is currently Chairman of England & Wales Blind Golf (EWBG) and a Director of IBGA. He has won many EWBG events including their Matchplay Championship on three occasions. His best finish internationally was runner up in the British Open in 1991 and he has represented England several times against Scotland and the USA.
Derrick’s guide is his wife Matt who is also a golfer.
Golf outside EWBG : Before joining EWBG Derrick and his wife had identified golf as a sport they could play together. They joined a golf club and on one occasion he won the men’s monthly medal competing against over 100 fully sighted golfers, a success of which he is still very proud. After relocating to Berkshire he became a committee member at his new club.
Personal Background : Derrick is a 67 year old Welshman who has lived in England for the past 44 years. He lost his eyesight at the age of 10 and attended a Blind School from the age of 14 where he received training as a shorthand typist. He retired 15 years ago after 33 years in government service. He started his career as a shorthand typist and moved on to jobs such as a Senior Industrial Relations Officer, Personnel Manager and finally as Manager of a group of offices helping unemployed people to find work and paying social security benefits. He made a member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 1990 for his services to the Employment Service and received his honour from the Queen at Buckingham Palace. His wife and guide, Matt, was made an Officer of the Order in 1998.
Geoffrey Bull
Kalamazoo, Michigan USA
Geoffrey Bull is totally blind, is 76 years old, and was born in England. He moved to the States 30 years ago, and now spends six months in Florida and six months in Michigan. Geoff has been playing golf for ten years – he has yet to feature prominently in any USBGA tournament. He is retired; his employment career included physical therapy, computer programmer, data processing manager, and Company president. He is in his second marriage of eighteen years. Walter Calhoun is 64 years old, was born in Colorado, and moved to Michigan 40 years ago. Walt has helped Geoff on the golf course over the past three years; this will be Walt’s second tournament as Geoff’s "coach". Walt served as a Marine in Vietnam. His professional career was as a cartographer.
John Casolo
Waterbury, Connecticut USA
At 18 months old, John lost the sight in his right eye via an accident. Growing up he played all the sports, but never really got hooked on golf until 1965. Between 1965, and June 1968,Around the end of June 1968, his left eye began hemorrhaging severely causing complete blindness which lasted until early 1970. From 1970 to 1978 his sight gradually improved to 20 over 200. In 1979 the retina began to deteriorate and in March of 84 the retina tore and left him sightless. In November of 1987, he obtained his first guide dog, which turned his life around. In March of 1988, John began down hill skiing as a totally blind skier. Presently, he’s a black diamond skier. In 1989 he enrolled in a local college and completed a computer course and a refresher course in typing. In January 1990, because of his computer skills, he was elected treasure of the Greater Waterbury Chapter of the NFB, A position he held for the next seven years.
In 1993, John heard that blind people were playing golf, and he figured if they could do it, so could he. What he didn’t realize was that playing the game wasn’t the hardest part, but finding a good coach was. Because of this, he played very little golf for the next 4 years.
In the spring of 1997 John attended a blind golf demonstration presented by Bill McMahon, which sparked his interest in USBGA. Later, in June of that year, Bob Andrews, then president of the USBGA, invited him to be his guest at the Guiding eyes tournament and play the first 9 holes of his practice round with him. Not only was this quite an honor, but it cemented him in to the USBGA. John only missed 3 national events in the past 13 years, primarily due to the lack of a coach. This has always been his major problem. John has a few dedicated coaches for home course play, but none that can take time off or afford to travel. John won his only first place trophy at the Wisconsin Regional in 2005, with his son as coach. Two years ago John was once again in need of a coach to play in the National championship in San Antonio. Harry Hester, a B3 vision impaired golfer, called John. Harry knew of his dilemma and informed him that his very good friend, David Mouton, his former coach/golfing buddy was willing to coach John, if he was interested. Needless to say, John jumped at the opportunity. Dave and John hit it off just great. Dave has been a God send. They played in 3 tournaments in 2010 and have already signed up to play in 4 this year, and possibly one more if they can find a sponsor. At the young age of 79, John says he couldn’t be happier. He has a great coach and is playing better golf now, than he ever played when he had sight.
MILLARD G. REED
Reno, Nevada USA
BEGAN PLAYING GOLF AT AGE 16. HOWEVER, TENNIS WAS HIS SPORT OF CHOICE. PLAYED ON AN IRREGULAR BASIS UNTIL THE BEGINNING OF HIS SIGHT LOSS IN 1996. FINALLY TOOK LESSONS AND PLAYED AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE. MILLARDWAS ABLE TO GET HISHANDICAP DOWN TO 22 BEFORE SIGHT LOSS TO LEGALLY BLIND. HE HAS PLAYED IN THE VETERANS TEE TOURNAMENT, 2, PLAYED IN THE VETERANS GOLDEN AGE GAMES IMPAIRED VISION CATEGORY AND WON GOLD IN 2010 & 2011, 75-79 AGE GROUP. HE HAS PLAYED IN TWO USBGA SPONSORED EVENTS; US NATIONALS, SEP. 2010; TUCSON, REGIONAL, APR 2011.
David Wall
Wymark, SASK Canada
David Wall is a sports enthusiast. When he was sighted, he enjoyed playing hockey and baseball as well as competing in track and field. When David lost his sight, he became interested in golf. Over the years, golf became a lifestyle, and David has the winning record to prove it. He is a six time Western Blind Golf titlist, and he has won the Provincial tournament eight times. David was inducted into the Saskatchewan Sports Hall Of Fame for his achievements in blind sports. David is a family man with two children and five grandchildren; they all share his love of athletics. He received his bachelor’s degree in administration in 1978 and currently operates a lake resort. Educator Lloyd Dressler is David’s longtime coach and friend. The team has worked together in ten international tournaments, one Canadian championship, and two WBGA wins. Lloyd is also an accomplished curler.
John White
South Perth, Western Australia
John has been a member of the Western Australian Blind Golf Association for 7 years and played each week with the
Westerners Blind Golf Club. He is coached by Mr. Brad Logan, Professional at Royal Perth Golf Club in Perth, where John
has been a member for 46 years, and continues to play in their weekly competition.
Brad Eaton
Harwich, Massachusetts USA
Brad began playing golf in 1973 while working as a greens keeper for the local golf course. He continued playing until 1978 when he enlisted in the US Coast Guard. 1981 he was diagnosed with RP. He did not play again until 1987 when he learned about a veterans group from NJ that sponsored a blind golf tournament. It was at that time that he met Dr. Dennis Wyantt( blinded veteran), who informed him of the USBGA. Over the years Brad played tournaments in Japan, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Canada and the United States. This year he is coached by Linda Smith, a Lions Club member from Talladega, Alabama.
Diane Wilson
Seattle, Washington USA
Diane is part of a golfing family so most of their vacations have included at least one round of golf. Her brother, Ron Plath, has been a member of the USBGA since 2003 and has taught Diane everything. She knows about blind golf. Living in Alaska for 30 years limited her playing time so now she am ready to go. Diane and husband/coach are retiring after 43 years of teaching so now they can devote their time to golf. Prior to 2011 she competed in the US Open in San Antonio in 2009 and in the Nova Scotia Open in 2010. She hopes to do much better this year and play in many more tournaments
Richard (Dick) Pomo
Green Valley, Arizona USA
Dick became a member of the United States Blind Golf Association in 2002. Prior to him joining USBGA he had some limited vision and had played golf with sighted friends. After loosing his remaining vision, he discovered USBGA and joined in 2002. For a number of years he served on the board of directors and held the position of Vice President.
Dick says he has been fortunate enough to have participated in every national tournament since joining USBGA and has had the opportunity to participate in a number of regional tournaments. He has hosted several regional tournaments while living in Wisconsin and in April of this year, he and his wife Sharon coordinated a regional tournament in Tucson Arizona.
Several years ago he had the opportunity to participate in a tournament in Japan with his wife Sharon as my coach. While his golf left much to be desired, it was wonderful meeting and sharing experiences with folks from various parts of the world.
As a legally blind child, he attended the Oak Hill School for the Blind in Hartford Connecticut. After receiving a bachelors degree and a subsequent masters degree in social work, he eventually moved to Wisconsin where he lived for 40 years before retiring to Arizona. His professional career was spent in the human services field with his last position serving as the director of the Wisconsin Council of the Blind.
Dick was fortunate to have the opportunity to spend time both in Wisconsin and Washington D.C. working along side of other folks with disabilities to get the American’s With Disabilities Act, ADA, passed.
“Golf to me has always reflected a philosophy that most individuals with disabilities embrace. This philosophy is reflected both in ADA and the spirit of blind golf. You do not change the rules of the game because of a disability, you simply allow for a few reasonable accommodations.”
Pat Browne III
New Orleans, Louisiana USA
Pat attended Jesuit High School in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he was born and raised. A captain of the basketball team and two-year letterman in baseball, Pat received numerous accolades while at Jesuit, including All-State honors and election to the American Legion All Star Team, where he hit a league-leading batting average of .484. After graduating in 1950, Pat continued his athletic success at Tulane University, where he lettered three times in both golf and basketball and was named Captain of each team for two years. During his senior year, Pat set the single-game scoring record for Tulane Basketball. Upon receiving his Law Degree from Tulane in 1956, he practiced law for eighteen years in New Orleans, before becoming President and C.E.O of Hibernia Homestead Bank, an office he held for thirty years. He is presently the Chairman of the Board.
In 1966, Pat lost his sight and sustained multiple injuries as a result of an automobile accident. After a long recovery process he was introduced to the idea of blind golf by his close friend, Henry Sarpy. A 2-handicap prior to his accident, Pat’s return to golf proved to be a difficult transition, but after a few years of struggles, he eventually won his first USBGA National Championship with Henry as his coach in 1975. Thereafter, beginning in 1978, Pat and his coach, Gerry Barousse, won the USBGA National Championship 20 consecutive years. On two other occasions, Pat won the USBGA National Championship, one of which was with David Clark as his coach, and, most recently in 2005, with his son Patrick at his side.
At the Ken Venturi Guiding Eyes Golf Classic, which has been referred to as the “Masters of Blind Golf” due to its invitational nature, Pat and multiple coaches have been the champion 18 times, 16 years consecutively. The most recent of these victories took place in 2007, with his son Patrick as his coach. In his blind golf career, Pat, through the aid of many dear coaches, has 65 blind golf victories around the world. Pat recorded the lowest four consecutive rounds ever by a blind golfer, shooting rounds of 75, 74, 79, 75 at Mission Hills Golf Club in Palm Springs, California. He and Gerry Barousse shot 85 at St. Andrews and 80 at Pinehurst, as well as recording the lowest ever nine holes of competitive blind golf, shooting an even par 36 on the back nine of the USBGA National Championship in Greensboro, North Carolina.
In 1990, Pat and Gerry played a 9 hole exhibition match with two-time U.S. Open Champion, Payne Stewart, in which Payne blindfolded himself for the entire match and played with the aid of a coach. Payne shot 62 and Pat and Gerry managed to shoot 42. Pat has been elected to the Tulane University Athletic Hall of Fame, the Sugar Bowl Athletic Hall of Fame and the Louisiana State Sports Hall of Fame. In 1988, the United States Golf Writers Association presented Pat with the Ben Hogan Award in Augusta, Georgia during the Masters. This award is presented to a golfer who has overcome great adversity. In 2007, New York Metropolitan Golf Writers Association presented Pat with the Mary Bea Porter Award, which “recognizes an individual in golf who, through a heroic or humanitarian act, saves or betters the lives of others.”
Pat is father to three daughters and one son, and has eight grandchildren. He lives in New Orleans with his wife, Sherry.
Greg Hooper
Powder Springs, Georgia USA
First year in USBGA! Greg has played golf for 40 years. He became visually impaired 16 years ago due to complications from PXE. Currently retired volunteering at the local High school.
Ron Murner
Wellington, Ohio USA
Even though Ron had vision problems since a young man, he was able to work as a carpenter and construction superintendent in northeastern Ohio. When his vision worsened in 1988, (he lost all vision in one eye and the other became severely impaired) he was no longer able to drive or do his job. In 1999 he lost his remaining vision due to a severe infection in the eye. Ron played golf for many years and he still wanted to play. He became involved with the Cleveland Sight Center golfers, thanks to help from Walter Dietz, another blind golfer. Since Ron joined the USBGA in 2000, he has played in over 35 tournaments across the U.S. and in Canada. His highlights so far are being repeatedly invited to the Guiding Eyes Tournament in Mt. Kisco, New York and winning low net in a regional in Florida in 2003. He won the Boswell Trophy (low net in the B 1, or totally blind division) at the USBGA 2007 and 2010 National Tournaments in Philadelphia, PA. In 2009 he was the Modified Stableford Grand Champion in the Dennis McCulloch Memorial Tournament in Ohio.Ron has many friends who coach him, but his wife Pat accompanies him and coaches him in most tournaments. Through blind golf Ron and Pat have met and become friends with so many wonderful people. It has truly been a blessing in their lives.
Barry Bonnell
Meadville, Pennsylvania USA
Barry was born and raised in New England, primarily Boston. He owned a commercial art business in Boston until he was about 30 years old, and then moved to Arizona. He went back to school to complete a PhD in cell and molecular biology at Arizona State University. It was during the course of his studies that his eye problems were finally diagnosed as some form of macular degeneration, later to be specified as Stargardt's Disease. He completed his post-doc at University of California, Davis; then taught at University of Pittsburgh-Titusville and Westminster College.
Barry was made aware of blind golfers through the Erie, PA, Center for the Blind and Visually Handicapped, and served as President of the Northwest PA Blind Golfers Association for 3 years. He has played in Blind and Visually Impaired Tournaments since 2003, starting with the "Keep Your Eye on the Ball Tournament" in Erie, PA, USA. He has played in IBGA tournaments in Nova Scotia, Canadian tournaments in Ontario, USBGA tournaments in Portland, Philadelphia, San Antonio, and the Heather Farr Tournament in Arizona. His memorable win was over Charlie Adams in 2009 at the Dennis McCullough Memorial Tournament in Ohio.
Phil Hubbard
Orange City , Florida USA
Golf History:
Todd has been a member of the USBGA since 2004. He has participated in many tournaments since then. From his first tournament in Raleigh , North Carolina in 2004, he has participated in many regional tournaments in Fort Wayne Indiana , Scottsdale Arizona , Philadelphia Pennsylvania , and Valders Wisconsin . Phil has played in several national championships, Ft. Lauderdale Florida 2004, Raleigh North Carolina in 2005, Philadelphia Pennsylvania in 2007 mad 2010 and Tunica Mississippi.
Membership:
United States Blind Golf Association
Board Member
Coaches Information:
Todd Gariepy
Todd and Phil have been playing golf together since 2000. He has been the only coach that Phil has had. He is a husband and a father to 3 boys ages 13, 5, and 8 months.
Zohar Sharon
Afeka, Tel-Aviv Israel
Sharon Zohar, aged 57, is married and father of two children. He has an Arts degree from the AVNI Institute and is also a physiotherapist.
Zohar served as a sniper in the paratrooper unit and lost his sight during his service at the age of 26.
Despite the fact that he lost his eyesight 29 years ago, Sharon has developed a remarkable ability on the greens of fairways of local courses. He took up the sport four years ago. Initially, it took him almost three months just to hit the ball. Once he made contact, he continued practicing until he reached his actual level- he can now complete a full 18 hole.
In July 2005 Sharon won the Caesarea Golf Club's Level Three Tournament for individual players and a month later, together with sighted golfer Asher Siso, he came in the first place in the Level three Israeli pairs championship. In both competitions Sharon beat a large group of non-disabled golfers.
He also took part at the World Blind Championships tournaments in September 2006, 2008 and 2010 in Scotland and won the first place. In 2007 and 2008 he also won the first place in his category - B1 - at the Blind Golf British Open Championships in York, UK.
Paul Wiese
Lexington, Kentucky USA
Paula Wiese
Played in three USBGA regional tournaments in the past three years.
Member of USBGA for three years.
Spouse for 46 years. First year coaching.
Michael McKone
Warwick, Rhode Island USA
Michael began playing at age 10. Played on the Bishop Hendricken High School Golf Team.
Played college golf at Providence College
2nd Place finish in the 2010 USBGA Championship
Affiliation: USBGA member since 2010
Robert Curtin
Adelaide, South Australia
Robert started playing Golf just over 15 years ago. He has competed in almost all of our state Opens in that time.
Robert also played in the World Championship at Rosebud, Victoria, and the Japan Open in 2009.
He won the net B3 in the New south wale Open in 2009, and the net B3 in the West Australian Open in 2010.
This year, he will be competing in the British Open, The Canadian Open, and the US Open.
Wife Yvonne, 4 Children, and 10 Grandchildren, 2 of whom live with them (Girl 9 & Boy 8)
Scott Wilson
Ontario, Oregon USA
Scott has participated in Blind and Visually Impaired golf for three years. In that time he has competed in the United States National Championship, IBGA World Championships (England), and several regional events in the United States and Canada. Scott is a member of the USBGA. His coach is also his wife, Vicki. She travels with and coaches in events outside of their local area
William H. McMahon, IV
Framingham, Massachusetts USA
Bill began playing golf as a totally blind person in 1985. He made the qualifying scores in 1986 and competed in his first USBGA tournament at the Ken Venturi Guiding Eyes Classic in June of 1986. Bill and his coach, Kevin Sullivan, began working together in 1991 and have been teammates ever since playing together at a Lions Club event in October 1991.
Bill and Kevin traveled across the pond to compete in the World Championship that was held in Edinborough, Scotland in 2000 and also to Belfast, Northern Ireland in 2008. Bill has competed in over 20 USBGA National Championships and has served on the USBGA Board of Directors since 1987. When not working on USBGA matters, Bill also serves on the Board of Directors for the Lions Club of Framingham and for the Carroll Center for the Blind in Newton, Massachusetts. Bill lost all of his eyesight due to complications from diabetes, which he has had since 1966. Bill also received a kidney transplant in 1996which was donated by his brother Kevin.
Kevin Sullivan is the instructor of golf at the Millwood Farms Golf Course in Framingham, Massachusetts and is also a member of the teaching staff of the Southborough Golf Training Center in Massachusetts.
Dr. William E. Pease
Charlottesville, Virginia USA
Dr. Pease is the Director of Bands and Director of the Cavalier Marching Band at the University of Virginia since 2003. Dr. Pease was hired to start a college marching band program. Since 2003 the band program has grown to have 280 members. The band performs at over 80 athletic events during an academic year. Dr. Pease also directs the Men's basketball band, and UVA Wind Ensemble. Dr. Pease is an Associate Professor at the Mcintire Department of Music.
Dr. Pease is the 2009 and 2010 B3 National Champion. Dr. Pease has been married to Linda Pease for 21 years. They have four children Casey 20, Neal 17, Madison 13, Nick 13. Dr. Pease is coached by his hero in life, his father Maurice E. Pease Jr. His father a former all state football player in Virginia, enjoys coaching his son with rather unusual motivation techniques taken from his days as a football player. "Bad shot, give me 20 push ups son"
Brian Macleod
Truro, Nova Scotia
Brian MacLeod was born and still lives in Truro, Nova Scotia, with his wife, Joanne, and daughter, Sarah, the two people that mean more to him than anything in the world. Brian worked at Superior Propane, as office manager, until his accident when he was 29 years old. He started the Nova Scotia Blind Golf Association in 2002 and this year will be the ninth tournament in Nova Scotia.
Brian was named Athlete of the Year for Colchester County in 2004 and 2007; he received the Canadian Order of Merit.
Brian has played in sixty golf tournaments around the world and has won forty; he has placed second in the last two world championships.
Brian has helped raise money for Mother’s Against Drunk Drivers, Canadian Breast Cancer Association, Canadian Sports Hall of Fame, CNIB, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Halifax Progress Club, Nova Scotia Sports Hall of Fame and Sport Nova Scotia.
Ronald Boef
Bovenkarspel, The Netherlands
Born on 22 September 1976 Blind at Birth. From age 7 till 20 was at a special blind school. Studied Music and Keyboard. Lives alone in his own apartment in Bovenkarspel which is about 45 min drive from Amsterdam.
Last 12 months: 1st in Tournament in Germany, 8th in Italy, 3rd in Egypt, 1st West Australian Open and 1st Australian Open 2010 all in the B1 category.
Awards:Handicap Sportman from the Year – North Holland
George Thirkill
Langley, British Columbia Canada
George was born in Sudbury, Ontario in 1939. George is married and has two daughters and a son. He played hockey and ball until he was over fifty years of age. He discovered golf at Deep River in Ontario in 1960 and has played off and on since then. George was the low gross winner at the WCBGA in 2008 and the low gross Canadian winner at the Canadian Open Blind Golf in 2008. In 2009, George was the low gross winner at BC Blind Sports tournament in Burnaby, BC as well as the Pacific Coast Blind Golf Tournament in Kelowna. He participated in the Nova Scotia Blind Golf tournament placing first in the low gross B3 division at River Oaks Golf Course in Meagher’s Grant in 2009. In 2010, he represented Canada at the McCulloch Cup in Cleveland, Ohio and was voted Most Valuable Player for the event. He presently resides in Langley, British Columbia and golfs at Eagles Quest and Coyote Creek Golf and Country Club in Surrey, British Columbia.
Bruno Boucher
St- Gean Sure Richelieu, Canada
Bruno was born September 5th, 1951, in St-Jean sur Richelieu, Quebec. When Bruno was a young boy, his dream was to fly an aircraft but the destiny sent him to work for an aeronautic company instead for 20 years. In 1992, that is when the great turning point of his life occurred, by losing the use of his central vision to both eyes. Bruno has played golf for 40 years and will still play all his life even as a visually impaired golfer. Bruno enjoys playing chess during the winter season, which has been a passion since his youth. He has just recently won the Canadian championship for the blind and visually impaired chess tournament and is also currently the Canadian champion for the sport of blind and visually impaired players.
Ron Plath
Lake Oswego, Oregon USA
Ron has lived in Oregon all of his 60 years and has played golf about 55 of those.
Ron's entire family loves the game and all of their vacations involved a round of golf together.
Prior to his vision loss he was an educator in Beaverton Oregon working with children with special needs. Ron's wife Carolyn, was also a teacher in Beaverton before retiring in 2007.
Ron joined the USBGA in 2003 when their national championship was held at his home course in Oregon. Ron has been fortunate to win the b3 national championship five times, the Canadian Open in 2006 and the British Open and World Championship in 2008. He appreciates having the opportunity to compete against the best visually impaired golfers in the world and thoroughly enjoys meeting new players from around the world.
Ron and his wife/coach Carolyn are looking forward to their trip to Georgia in August.
Jack Herbert
Wallingford, Pennsylvania USA
Jack Herbert became legally blind in 1998 due to Macular Degeneration, Jack worked as a Mechanical Engineer for Sun Shipbuilding and DryDock Company for 35 years. Jack won the Delaware County Senior Games Golf Tournament in 1994 at age 70 with a Low Gross score of 78.
Harry Hester
Austin, Texas USA
Harry Hester, 58, lives in Austin, Texas with his wife, Margaret. They have one grown son, Ryan. Harry was a Rural Mail Carrier with the U.S. Postal Service for twenty-five years before he became legally blind in 2003. He now works as a Special Education Teaching Assistant at a neighborhood elementary school. Harry says, "Being able to continue playing golf has enabled me to build close friendships, travel, and play competitively. Blind golf is truly a team sport and I am blessed to have good friends who are willing to coach me." He looks forward to playing golf in new destinations and enjoying the camaraderie of other blind golfers for many years to come.
Also participating…
Ron Derry- Baltimore, Maryland USA
Gerry Nelson- Saskatoon, SASK Canada
Harry Hester- Austin, Texas USA
Jim Durand- Longview, Washington USA
Chiara Pozzi- Milan, Italy
Andrea Calcaterra- Milan, Italy
Categories: Events, on Friday, July 29, 2011
Make Some Noise for the Weekend!!!
There is a lot going on in and around the Columbus area this weekend, including stuff for kids before they head back to class. Get all the details for things to do in Columbus, GA on the Community Calendar.
Oxbow Meadows Grand Opening!
The staff at Oxbow Meadows is inviting everyone out to announce the grand opening of their new facility. From 10am- 11am, guests will enjoy a guided tour of the new building & get their picture taken with an oxbow animal. At 11am, staff naturalists will place tortoises in their new habitat & offer a program on these cool creatures. At 11:30am, The Rat Pack, a group of rat snakes will move into their new home & at noon, there will be a special program on aquatic animals & the habitat building process. Cupcakes will be offered at 12:30pm and lots of door prizes will be given away including local honey, birthday parties, & more. At 1pm, learn all about alligators & at 1:30pm, native tree frogs will make their new home. It’s all FREE! Call 706.687.4090 or click here for more info.
"The Phenix City Story" at the Springer Opera House
As part of it’s Classic Film Series, The Springer Opera House will show “The Phenix City Story” tonight, July 29, on the big screen set up on their main stage. This historic theatre is the perfect venue to show such a great old movie, especially since it sits just blocks away from where the movie was set. If you don’t know, Phenix City was once known as Sin City and had quite a reputation around these parts. Of course they really cleaned up their act and it’s now a great town, but they do have some neat stories to tell. One in particular about what was called The Bug House. Now if you don’t know these stories, I’m not going to give them away but I highly recommend you go see this classic film tonight. Call 706.327.3688 or click here for more information. Admission is $10.
Uptown Columbus Antique Show a the Columbus Convention & Trade Center
Antique shoppers, listen up! You’ve got a great opportunity this weekend to find some really unique items that you might normally have to go out of town for but for 3 days they’ll be in your own backyard. At the Convention, & Trade Center, the Uptown Columbus Antique Show will run for 3 days. It will feature dealers from the Atlanta area who will be selling wares from sterling silver to furniture, to fine estate jewelry, to Persian Rugs and more! It’s a great time to pick up some cool things for your house. Admission is only $3 so it’s an affordable way to beat the heat and shop until you drop. Hours are Friday from 10am to 6pm and Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4pm. Call 706.570.4030 for more information.
36th Annual Summerfest Family Cultural Festival at the Liberty Theatre
If you need to get out of the house and do something with your kids today, July 29, this is perfect for you! The 36th Annual Summerfest Family Cultural Festival is being held at the Liberty Theatre this afternoon from 1 – 6pm and will have all kinds of things for the entire family. There will be a children’s and family health fair, children’s sports expo, a youth talent explosion competition, and lots of yummy food. There will also be gifts, prizes and back-t0-school supplies. I can’t believe it’s already that time to start thinking about going back to school but it really is just around the corner and this is the perfect event to make sure everyone’s healthy and prepared for that first day back to classes. Call 706.324.2404 for more information.
What’s There to do in Columbus, GA? Plenty!
It's never too early to start thinking about lining up some fun stuff to do on the weekend, so let's take a look at just a couple of things you might want to put on your "To Do" list! We sure can't fit in all the happenings here, so you've got to go explore the Community Calendar for lots more ideas.
How about we do a little antique shopping this weekend? Head to the Columbus Convention & Trade Center this Friday-Sunday (July 29-31) for the Uptown Columbus Antique Show. They've got dealers from the Atlanta area shows and they're bringing everything from furniture, sterling silver, fine estate jewelry, Persian rugs, and many other unique decorative items. You can even bring your gold to sell to some of the dealers. Admission is $3. (706.570.4030)
The 3rd Annual Southeastern Bikefest is happening this Saturday at the old Farmer's Market (318 10th Ave). Sounds like a fun day with stunt shows, music, games for kids, food, and trophies presented to Best Bike in Show. Gates open at 10:00am and the show starts at 12:00pm. Admission is $5. (706.536.7898)
I know it doesn't feel like it outside…in fact, far from it…but this weekend there's a Christmas in July event happening at McGraw Village Clubhouse at Ft. Benning! They'll have lots of different vendors on hand so you can get a head start on your Christmas list. There will also be a drawing every hour for prizes beginning at 9:30am. The event will be held from 9:00am-4:00pm and is free and open to the public. (607.232.3088)
The staff at Oxbow Meadows (3535 South Lumpkin Rd) is thrilled to announce the public grand opening of our the facility on Saturday, July 30 from 10:00am-3:00pm. From 10am-11am, visitors will enjoy guided building tours and free photos with an Oxbow animal. The first fifty guests will also receive a free Oxbow Meadows t-shirt. At 11:00am, staff naturalists will place tortoises in their new habitat and present a program on these special creatures. At 11:30am, a group of rat snakes affectionately known as "The Rat Pack" will be placed in their enclosure. Jody Karlin, owner of Just Add Water and Oxbow aquaria designer, will present a program at noon on aquatic animals and the intricate process of building habitats. Cupcakes will be offered at 12:30pm, and a number of door prizes will be given away, including local honey, birthday parties, and free outreach programs for educators. At 1:00pm, animal coordinator Jason Clark will present a program on our amazing alligators, and native tree frogs will be introduced to their new environment at 1:30. This event is FREE and open to the public. (706.687.4090)
And, if you're in the mood for a classic movie in a great setting, make plans to head to the Springer Opera House this Friday night for a screening of "The Phenix City Story." Show starts at 7:30pm and admission is $10. (706.327.3688)
Yep, the weekend isn't that far away so let's get planning!
Now, go have some fun,
shelby
Categories: on Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Tons of Things to do in Columbus, GA!
First the good news…there are plenty of things to do in Columbus, GA this weekend. Now for the even better news…there are a lot of FREE things to do this weekend, too! What a great combination. Here are just a couple of ideas of things you might want to check out and don't forget to tiptoe through the Community Calendar for a complete listing of happenings in and around Columbus.
How about a Movie Under the Stars Friday night (July 22)? And not just any movie…but a FREE movie! Navy Federal is putting this on outside at the National Infantry Museum and they’ll be featuring Iron Man 2. Great movie!! You can even get there early with the kids and let them enjoy the jump houses and inflatable slides. They’ll have concessions available…all you need to do is bring your lawn chair or beach towel. Festivities begin at 7:30pm and the movie starts at dark. (706.685.5800)
They’ve go a lot going on at FDR State Park this weekend as well, so if you’re looking to get out from the fluorescent lights we sit under all day, this should do the trick! First up, Friday night, it’s Night Hike Under the Stars. It kicks off right at sunset and it’s a way to discover your five senses through lots of different activities. It’s only about a half-mile guided hike, but make sure you take your flashlight and wear good walking shoes. Then on Saturday night, head back up the mountain to take in a free movie at the Trading Post Pavilion by the campground. They’ll be showing a movie the whole family will enjoy…”Tangled.” The movie starts at 8:00pm. (706.663.4858)
How about something to look forward to on Monday (July 25)! The crew from the Coca-Cola Space Science Center is having one of their Mobile Astronomy Nights at Callaway Gardens this Monday night. They’ll set up a couple of their fancy-schmancy telescopes and through those, they’ll take you on a tour of the Moon, planets, star clusters, and other bright objects in the night sky. If you have a telescope of your own, bring it with you! Just remember that the presentations are subject to weather and sky conditions, but if you’ve never had the chance to view the heavens through their telescopes, you’re going to be amazed at what you can see! It's free and everything should kick off around 9:00pm. (706.649.1477)
And just a reminder…it’s the last weekend to catch a production of one of the best-loved classic children’s books coming to life on stage at the Springer Theatre’s Foley Hall with their production of “Go, Dog. Go!” Based on the book by P.D. Eastman…which up until today, I always thought it was written by Dr. Seuss, but funnily enough, Eastman was a protégé of Dr. Seuss so their works were very similar! This production designed for kids ages kindergarten and up is an exploration of movement, color and space. These dogs delve into life with gusto…They snorkel. They howl at the moon. They ride a ferris wheel. They sing and dance and climb trees. This is a rollicking free-for-all…kind of like a pop-up book that comes to life and never stops! Tickets range from $5-$10. (706.327.4522)
Sounds like a weekend waiting to happen to me! Don't forget, if you want to find out more, just head to the Community Calendar and take a look at everything going on.
Now, go have some fun…
shelby
Categories: Arts, Events, History, on Thursday, July 21, 2011
Fro-Yo! Delicious and Good For You!
I am absolutely in love with the new Chill Frozen Yogurt Cafe that opened recently in Columbus Park Crossing! I love everything from the huge selection of frozen yogurt flavors to the wide assortment of toppings including fresh fruit to the cute decor and atmosphere…It's fantastic! They change the flavors our periodically and usually have at least 20 to choose from at any given time. Right now they have a few Fall flavors like Pumpkin Spice and Snickerdoodle. So far, my favorites are Peanut Butter, Peach, and Banana Pudding. Yummy! It's very affordable and you pay by the ounce. You also get to fix your own so you get exactly how much of that Heath bar topping you want…which in my case is A LOT! If you haven't been, you really need to make it a point to stop by and treat yourself. It's located in Columbus Park Crossing near Subway. I promise, it's worth the trip!
Categories: Good Eats!, on Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Pat on the Back
The Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau (CCVB) learned last week that it had been awarded by the Georgia Association of Convention & Visitors Bureau its Benchmark of Excellence Certification (BEC). The Columbus CVB is the second in the state to reach this standard of excellence and the first Bureau in the state to carry both the GACVB designation and national accreditation by Destination Marketing Association International; Columbus's national designation ranks it within the top 10% of CVBs worldwide.
BEC is an organizational program that measures CVBs on certain standards that demand excellence from marketing, human resources, technology, strategic planning, etc. This dual designation raises the awareness from within the community that the Columbus CVB has established itself among the some of the best CVBs as well with providing customers with the assurance that Columbus' official destination marketing organizations is dedicated to meet and exceed expectations.
Categories: The Good Guy File, on Saturday, July 16, 2011
So What’s There to do in Columbus, GA this Weekend?
Well, I'm glad you asked and the answer is plenty! You'll find anything from a classic kid's book brought to life on stage to a hike under the stars. Here's a quick look at just a few of the things going on, but don't forget, you can find out lots more about these events and tons of others by visiting the Community Calendar.
One of the best-loved classic children’s books comes to life on stage at the Springer Theatre’s Foley Hall with their production of “Go, Dog. Go!” Based on the book by P.D. Eastman…which up until today, I always thought was written by Dr. Seuss, but funnily enough, Eastman was a protégé of Dr. Seuss so their works were very similar! This production designed for kids ages kindergarten and up is an exploration of movement, color and space. These dogs delve into life with gusto…They snorkel. They howl at the moon. They ride a ferris wheel. They sing and dance and climb trees. This is a rollicking free-for-all…kind of like a pop-up book that comes to life and never stops! Performances are scheduled for this Friday at 7:00pm and Saturday at 2:00pm & 7:00pm and admission ranges from $5-$10. (706.327.3688)
Speaking of books, this weekend is one of only two chances you have all year to pick up some really good reads at the Biannual Book Sale at the Columbus Public Library. It’s all sponsored by the Muscogee County Friends of Libraries and when they say you can get a bargain on books, they aren’t kidding! There will be thousands of books to choose from and most of them are priced at $1 or less!! There’s still plenty of Summer left to do some serious (or not so serious) reading at the beach or wherever you head for vacation…or get stocked up for when the colder months get here. What’s really great about this sale is that all proceeds help support Library programming activities, author events, volunteer services and more. Check it out Saturday from 10:00am-5:00pm and Sunday from 2:00-5:00pm and admission is free. (706.243.2674)
If you have a love and appreciation for the culture and language of French-speaking countries, check out the Bastille Day Celebration at Lakebottom Park this Saturday from 10:00am-12:00pm. It's brought to you by Les Amis Francophones and they’ll have refreshments and a French ball game called “Boule.” It's free, but please RSVP to 404.939.7055…so they can have enough food for everyone! (In case of rain, meet at Loco’s on 13th)
Last week we talked about going ice-skating at the new ice rink to cool off, so this week, let’s head to the Coca-Cola Space Science Center and take in some of the shows in the Omnishphere Theatre! They have all sorts of titles to choose from and something for all ages…younger kids will really enjoy “In My Backyard” and “Secret of the Cardboard Rocket,” and there’re also shows like “Ice Worlds,” “Secrets of the Sun,” and shows a little later at night for a bit older audience with LASER shows like Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon and LASER U2. Admission ranges from $3-$6. (706.649.1470)
If somewhere deep inside there is an artist just waiting to bust loose, but you’ve never had the nerve or the outlet to test your talent…well, this Saturday there is a one-day workshopat CSU called “Watercolor Crash Course” that’s designed for beginners. And the best part…there’s no drawing or painting skills required! They’ll put you right to work mixing colors and learning a few of the basic painting techniques on an original drawing created just for this class. The instructor will lead you step-by-step through the process and by the time the workshop is over, you’ll have created your very own small masterpiece to take home with you. And just so you can be thinking about it, the subject will be a sunflower! Cost to join in is $59 and the class will be held at the Elizabeth Bradley Turner Center for Continuing Education on CSU's Main Campus. (706.507.8070)
Finally, there are lots of fun things going on at FDR State Park near Pine Mountain, GA including a Night Hike (Friday beginning at 8:30pm)…bring a flashlight for this half-mile hike. Then on Saturday, it’s Free Movie Night with a showing of Toy Story 3 at the Trading Post Pavilion by the Campground. (706.663.4858)
That should be enough to get you started on making some plans for the weekend!
Now, go have some fun…
shelby
From Icky to Sticky, There’s Something for Everyone this Weekend in Columbus!
Don't sit around the house this weekend….get out and have some fun! Here's a few ideas…
Cool History - Medical Mysteries at the National Civil War Naval Museum at Port Columbus
So, we all (hopefully!) learned about the Civil War in school…who was fighting, where, why, when…but then there are those aspects that didn’t get that much coverage in the history books but are really fascinating. Well, you have a chance to learn about something a little out of the ordinary this weekend at Port Columbus—-Medical Mysteries…it’s all about Civil War surgery and medicine at sea! There will be a “surgeon” on-site who will explain his techniques, tools & medicines, so visitors will gain a unique perspective on combat medicine…in other words…it’s VERY realistic! In fact,during combat, the ship’s surgeon would typically set up on the dining table in the officers’ wardroom, as it was usually the only large table on board the ship. After any needed surgery was completed, the table would simply be wiped off, and diner would be served!
The program will be Saturday and Sunday, July 9 & 10 from 1 pm to 4 pm. Admission ranges from $6 - $7.50. Visit PortColumbus.org for more details.
Second Sunday at Oxbow Meadows - Honey Extraction!
Let’s move from something icky to something sticky! Believe it or not it’s already the Second Sunday of July, so Oxbow Meadows has a sweet treat for you! The Chattahoochee Valley Beekeepers Association will be on hand collecting honey from the hives at Oxbow Meadows. And don’t think you’ll just be standing around watching…you’ll get a chance to help out by removing the waxy coating from frames and spinning the extractor that pulls honey from the comb! Everybody will get to taste a delicious sample, but better still…because a sample is just enough to make you mad as a hornet (pardon the pun!)…the honey that gets extracted will be available for purchase. Can you say biscuits & fresh honey for dinner?!
From Icky to Sticky, There’s Something for Everyone this Weekend in Columbus!
Don't sit around the house this weekend….get out and have some fun! Here's a few ideas of all sorts of things to do in Columbus, GA!
Cool History - Medical Mysteries at the National Civil War Naval Museum at Port Columbus
So, we all (hopefully!) learned about the Civil War in school…who was fighting, where, why, when…but then there are those aspects that didn’t get that much coverage in the history books but are really fascinating. Well, you have a chance to learn about something a little out of the ordinary this weekend at Port Columbus—-Medical Mysteries…it’s all about Civil War surgery and medicine at sea! There will be a “surgeon” on-site who will explain his techniques, tools & medicines, so visitors will gain a unique perspective on combat medicine…in other words…it’s VERY realistic! In fact,during combat, the ship’s surgeon would typically set up on the dining table in the officers’ wardroom, as it was usually the only large table on board the ship. After any needed surgery was completed, the table would simply be wiped off, and diner would be served!
The program will be Saturday and Sunday, July 9 & 10 from 1 pm to 4 pm. Admission ranges from $6 - $7.50. Visit PortColumbus.org for more details.
Second Sunday at Oxbow Meadows - Honey Extraction!
Let’s move from something icky to something sticky! Believe it or not it’s already the Second Sunday of July, so Oxbow Meadows has a sweet treat for you! The Chattahoochee Valley Beekeepers Association will be on hand collecting honey from the hives at Oxbow Meadows. And don’t think you’ll just be standing around watching…you’ll get a chance to help out by removing the waxy coating from frames and spinning the extractor that pulls honey from the comb! Everybody will get to taste a delicious sample, but better still…because a sample is just enough to make you mad as a hornet (pardon the pun!)…the honey that gets extracted will be available for purchase. Can you say biscuits & fresh honey for dinner?!
Monthly Jazz Jam at the Liberty Theatre
If the weekend has to end, you might as well end it on a high note! This Sunday brings us another in the series of concerts, or Jazz Jams, from the Columbus Jazz Society. In the spotlight for this performance is Eric Thomas featuring Elevate the Quest—a 5-piece jazz, hip-hop, R&B, funk, and soul collective. And you’ve got to love their philosophy…”If it’s good, it’s good!” This group has managed to capitalize on the idea of cultural diversity in music by bringing together musicians from various walks of life to display their talents and produce a brand new vibe.
The jam is Sunday, July 10 and the concert starts at 6 pm and the jam starts at 8 pm. Admission is $10. Visit ColumbusJazzSociety.com for more info.
Cool Off on the Ice!
Needless to say, it’s been a HOT summer already! There have been all sorts of record-breaking high temperatures, electric bills through the roof, and enough humidity to wreck everyone’s hair. Welcome to summer in the South! Here’s a great solution to beat the summer heat…check out the new Columbus Ice Rink and do a little ice skating!! At this point, I’d pay the admission fee just to go stand inside and cool off! It’s a lot of fun and great exercise for kids of all ages. What’s cool about this new facility is there’s a lot more going on than just lacing up a pair of skates and then hugging the wall…or the ice!...trying to figure out how to glide along gracefully. They’ll be offering classes and camps for all ages…in fact, the promise they can teach anyone to skate! Just remember, no spins, jumps or flying camels allowed!!
The new ice rink is open for public skating Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Times Vary. Admission is 47 and skate rental is $3. Visit ColumbusIceRink.org for all the details.
Categories: Arts, Events, History, History, on Friday, July 8, 2011
4th of July Weekend Fun!
Lots of fun things to do in Columbus, GA this weekend to celebrate the 4th of July! Keep reading to get all the details!
Thunder on the Hooch:
Everyone’s gearing up for the holiday weekend and all of the 4th of July celebrations and there are several going on the area. Of course, the big one is WTVM’s Thunder on the Hooch happening on Monday evening in Uptown Columbus. This is a FREE family event that continues to grow and get bigger and better every year. There will be all sorts of entertainment and activities from live music, to fun activities like face painting, water balloon and egg toss, pony rides, games, firing of the National Infantry Museum cannon and much more. And of course, no Independence Day celebration would be complete without a huge fireworks display. Everything starts at 5 PM and the fireworks will light up the sky at 9 pm. Don’t miss it!
When: Monday, July 4 at 5 PM
Where: Chattahochee RiverWalk
Admission: Free
More Info: Click Here
Fort Benning's Independence Celebration:
Another patriotic event that people look forward to every year is the Independence Celebration on Fort Benning. It’s an afternoon filled with live music including Peggy Jenkins, Chris Collins and a Jimmy Buffet Tribute band. There are all kinds of activities for kids of all ages as well as plenty of food and refreshment vendors. This event is free and open to the public and you will not be required to stop for an access pass but everyone in the car over 16 will have to show an ID. The night will end with a fantastic fireworks display. Another great thing about this event is that it’s on Saturday so you wont have to choose…you can celebrate a little early at Fort Benning and then party again at Thunder on the Hooch on Monday. It’s a win/win and both events are free!
When: Saturday, July 2 at 4 PM
Where: York Field on Fort Benning
Admission: Free
More Info: 706.545.3328
Independence Day Celebration at Historic Westville:
Celebrate America’s Birthday the old-fashioned way at Historic Westville! There will be fun activities and entertainment all day long! The Wildwood Bluegrass Band will be performing from 10:30 AM to 3:30 PM for your listening pleasure. But if you’re ready for action there will be watermelon eating and seed spitting contests, 3-legged, Sack, and Hoop Races, Bobbing for Apples, a Dunking Booth, Tomahawk Throwing, Horseshoes and much much more. You can even try your luck at the greased pole to win the cash prize at the top. And since now 4th of July celebration is complete without loud noise, Westville will blow the anvil every hour. If you work up an appetite, the Kiser House will have fantastic BBQ available to purchase.
When: Saturday, July 2 from 10 AM to 5 PM
Where: Westville
Admission: $8 - $10
More Info: 888.733.1850
July 4th Star Spangled Beach Party:
Callaway Gardens is celebrating the 4th of July all weekend long. On Friday night they’ll have the Callaway Gardens Farmers Market, an FSU Flying High Circus performance, a BBQ dinner at an additional cost and live music by Smith & Lewis. The fun continues on Saturday with 2 more circus performances, beach volleyball and sandcastle building and live music by Ricky Gunn. Then on Sunday there will be beach games, more circus antics, and even more live music by Running Down Romance. And Finally on Monday, the fun starts early with a Red, White and Blue pancake breakfast at an additional cost, 2 more circus performances, a Swingin’ Medallions concert and of course a big fireworks display.
When: Friday - Monday, July 1-4
Where: Callaway Gardens
Admission: $12.50 - $25.00
More Info: 1.800.CALLAWAY
Categories: Events, Ft. Benning-Military, on Thursday, June 30, 2011
Summer is Here! Bring on the Fun in Columbus, GA!
No doubt Summer has officially arrived, so that means there's plenty of fun stuff to get out and do in and around Columbus, GA! Want a sneak-peak at just a few of the events on tap for the weekend? Then just keep reading but don't forget, you can always visit the Community Calendar to get full details on all the happenings.
Here’s something a little different to kick off the weekend! It’s the first-ever “Uptown Columbus Summer Solstice Drum Circle” happening during Market Days on Broadway this Saturday (June 25) and it’s all to benefit a great cause…The American Red Cross. You can bring your own instrument to be a part of this drum circle and Art of Yoga will also be there set up in the median of Broadway doing a yoga class from 10:30-11:30am. So not only will you find tons of fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, fresh baked goods, arts and crafts and entertainment, but you can also check out this really cool addition with the drum circle and yoga class. Remember, all proceeds benefit the American Red Cross! Market Days is held from 9:00am-12:00pm and there's no admission, but if you'd like to join in on the yoga class, there's a small fee of $5. (706.596.0111)
Talk about an out-of-this-world celebration! It’s the 15th Anniversary at the Coca-Cola Space Science Center and to mark the occasion, they’ve planes a Family Free Day that includes all sorts of cool things…children’s shows, physics demonstrations (fun stuff—not like the kind of stuff you had to do in high school physics!), Laser in the planetarium, T-shirt giveaways, astronomy night program, and something every kid should know all about…air rockets!! Something extra special is a presentation from Jay Honeycutt, former director of NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. This presentation is free, but seating is limited so you need to pick up a ticket in advance at the Center. And to top it all off…they’ll be serving up slices of birthday cake!! (706.649.1477)
If you’re interested in philosophy, debate or apologetics (which is the branch of theology concerned with the defense or proof of Christianity), there’s an informal group starting up in Columbus for people to share their opinions and discuss a range of subjects from a philosophical point of view! The first meeting is this Sunday (June 26) at 3:00pm at the Columbus Library and the topic is Free Will. No cost to join in on the conversation. (404.939.7055)
Not only is romance in the air…romance is also at the Rankin House! This just happens to be one of THE most beautiful historic homes in Columbus, so what a great setting for a wedding or to renew your vows! So here’s what you need to do…if you’ve been thinking about getting married or eloping or you want to celebrate a special anniversary and renew your vows…whatever the reason, you can make an appointment between for this Saturday ONLY between 11:00am & 7:00pm. Couples will be saying “I Do” every 30 minutes and you’re allowed up to 20 guests. Just make sure you take a valid marriage license. They’ll even provide a special treat for each couple to share as they toast their love! See…how romantic is this?! The cost is $400 for the ceremony, but that's just a fraction of what any other rental facility would cost you! And remember, all proceeds benefit Historic Columbus Foundation. (706.322.0756)
How about some music this weekend? The Maneuver Center of Excellence Band will present a free concert this Sunday (6:30pm) called “Movies & Musicals” on the lawn of Riverside, the commanding general’s quarters. The band will be playing musical selections from West Side Story, James Bond, Pirates of the Caribbean, and other popular movies and musicals. You can take a blanket, lawn chairs, picnics and coolers…but they do ask you not to bring pets (think about it…you’ll be in someone’s front yard and they wouldn’t appreciate any little surprises left behind!!). Everyone is invited to attend and it’s absolutely free! And since the weather has been kind of wacky lately, they have a rain plan just in case. (Building 7, which is just across the street from Riverside.)
If you’ve got kids who love sports, they might want to check out the “Y Kids Tri” Kid’s Triathlon (swimming, biking & running) designed specifically for ages 6-12! It’s taking place at the Downtown YMCA this Saturday at 9:00am and registration is $25. (706.243.8133)
Good stuff this weekend…don't forget to take a tour of the Community Calendar to find out more details on these and lots of other events!
Now, go have some fun…
shelby
Categories: Arts, Events, History, Ft. Benning-Military, on Wednesday, June 22, 2011
The Ultimate Dream Vacation
I was thinking about vacations today and what my ultimate dream vacation would be. Sure, I want to go to exotic places, meet interesting people and savor wonderful new flavors. Of course, I would love to travel to the four corners of the earth and experience new cultures. But when I think about "dream" vacations, I realize that I actually dream about the beach that I've visited too many times to count and lounge on at least three times a year. Another popular setting for my dreams is the tiny cabin in the mountains that has been my home away from home for a week every year since I was 8 years old. And I usually wake up from these dreams with a smile on my face. These are the vacations that have shaped my life. Yes, I have unforgettable memories from trips to far off places where I didn't even understand the native language and pictures from places that I'll probably never get back to again. But it's the places that I choose to return to year after year, time after time that are the featured stars in my dreams. So the ultimate dream vacation is different for everyone. Some may just want a week off of work to not leave their house. Others may want to take a road trip across the country. But the truth is, many people are over-worked and suffer from severe time poverty so vacations remain a dream. I say make it a reality.
Categories: on Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Plenty to do in Columbus, GA this Weekend!
Yes it's hot. And yes, it's humid. But do we let a few (ok, several week's worth) record-breaking temperatures stop us from having a little weekend fun? I don't think so! Let's take a quick look at just a few of the events happening in Columbus, GA this weekend, but remember, this is just a few of the things going on so make sure you head to the Community Calendar to find out more.
The 67th Annual Miss Georgia Pageant will be in Columbus this weekend at the Bill Heard Theatre in RiverCenter for the Performing Arts. That means 40 talented young women from all over the state are here to compete for the title of Miss Georgia and the chance to compete in the 2012 Miss America Pageant. Also in town are 35 teens in running for Miss Georgia’s Outstanding Teen competition. The girls have actually been in Columbus for most of the week for preliminary competitions and this weekend will culminate in lots of excitement. All the nights guarantee great entertainment as contestants compete in fitness, talent and evening wear, but there can only be one winner…and the new Miss Georgia and Miss Georgia’s Outstanding Teen will be announced Saturday night! Admission is $60 Friday night (June 17) and $80 on Saturday evening (June 18) and the event begins at 7:30pm each night. (706.256.3612)
This Friday night (June 17), Fort Benning and Navy Federal are offering a chance for families to enjoy an affordable and awesome evening of entertainment with their Movie Night Under the Stars. The movie will be held at the National Infantry Museum & Soldier Center located just outside the gates of Fort Benning (between South Lumpkin & Ft. Benning Roads) so you don’t have to worry about access and security. Iron Man 2 will be the feature movie and it will start as soon as it’s dark outside, but festivities will begin at 7:30pm with jump houses and inflatable slides. Don’t forget to bring your blankets and chairs and concessions will be available for purchase. (706.685.5800)
Here's something Dad might enjoy doing for Father's Day! Head to West Point, GA with your own pole, bait, tackle and chair and enjoy a day on Oakhurst Farm Lake with the Family Fishing Day! You even get to take everything you catch home with you. Your welcome to bring picnics and snacks and they'll event have awards for the smallest and biggest fish. You do need to pre-register and the cost is $8 per person. Fishing will be from 9:00am to 3:00pm on Sunday, June 19. (706.289.8762) for more information.
No doubt we could always use a little comedy in our lives and this might just do the trick! Nunsense begins when the Little Sisters of Hoboken discover their cook has accidentally poisoned 52 of the sisters and they are in desperate need of funds for the burials. They decide the best way to raise the money is to put on a variety show so they take over the school auditorium which is currently set up for Grease. Wackiness ensues with characters like the Reverend Mother, a former circus performer, Sister Mary Leo, a wannabe ballerina, and Sister Mary Amnesia, the nun that lost her memory when a crucifix fell on her head. The show, featuring tap, ballet, an audience quiz and comic surprises, has become an international hit. Get your tickets now so you don’t miss out! It's being held this Friday and Saturday at CSU's Theatre on the Park (6 W. 10th St. in Uptown) and admission is $20 for adults and $17 for kids, Seniors, and students. (706.507.8444)
This is one of those great events that lets you do something different and it’s completely free! The Coca-Cola Space Science Center offers star-gazing through their Mobile Astronomy Nights. They’ll bring the telescopes so don’t worry if you don’t have one, but you are also welcome to bring your own. Experts will talk you through what you’re seeing and how to properly use a solar telescope. You’ll be able to see the moon, planets, star clusters & other bright objects in the night sky. The program starts at 9:00pm and this is a special weekend because you’ll have two chances to do this; on Saturday night at FDR State Park and on Monday at Callaway Gardens. (706.649.1470)
Friday (June 17) is National Flip Flop Day, so Tropical Smoothie Café is celebrating by offering the first 500 customers that come in wearing flip flops a free 24oz Jetty Punch Smoothie. Donations will be collected all day long to send a local child and their family to Camp Sunshine, a camp in Maine for terminally ill children and their families. Call 706.257.1751 for more information. That's pretty cool!
So there you go—just a few ideas to get you started on your weekend plans!
Now, go have some fun…
shelby
How about a big ol’ pat on the back?
This is a comment one of our Facebook Fans left on out page! We love to hear feedback of all kinds but really LOVE when it's positive!
"I came to Columbus, GA for a visit recently (May 20-23) and I must say we stopped by the visitor's center on the way out of town and the staff who were working made my day!!! They were so kind and helpful and incredibly nice! Thanks to you for making my trip to Columbus one that I will make again!!!! Such an amazing town and I can't wait to come back and explore more!"
Make sure you stop by the Visitors Center next time you're in town to get the scoop on all the things to do in Columbus, GA! You can also visit us a visitcolumbusga.com fi you want to explore our beautiful city in advance.
Categories: The Good Guy File, on Monday, June 13, 2011
Things to Do in Columbus, GA this Weekend!
Have you started making your list of things to do this weekend? I don't mean the "I have to go grocery shopping, mow the lawn, clean the house and do a week's worth of laundry" list…I'm talking about the "I've worked hard all week and I deserve to get out and have some fun" list of things to do! Well here you go…here's a quick list of some of the events going on in and around Columbus or if you want to get the full lowdown, check out the Community Calendar.
I don’t know about you, but thanks to ridiculously high gas prices, my vacation plans are going to keep me a little closer to home, which really isn’t a bad thing…especially when you live in a state that’s as diverse as Georgia. Think about it…we have mountains, a coast, big cities, small towns, lots of history and even a swamp! So if you’re planning to explore our own backyard this summer, then check out the special event going on at the State Welcome Center (just off I-185 at the Williams Road exit) this Friday (June 10-11:00am-2:00pm) called “Georgia On My Mind Day.” They’ll have folks set-up from all over the state to tell you about attractions, events, places to stay, coupons, and they’ll even have games, entertainment, Callaway Blue water and Country’s Sweet Tea and grilled peanut butter and jelly sandwiches…my new favorite!! It’s free and it takes place outside, so dress cool! (706.649.7455)
The main season for the Springer Opera House may be over (it’ll crank back up in September), but that doesn’t mean you can’t still go and get a good dose of theatre! It’s something called “No Shame Theatre” and if you haven’t experienced this yet, you’re in for a treat and if you’ve been before, chances are you’ve been back a few times because it’s always different! These are performances by area artists and there’re only 3 rules that must be followed: performances must be original (comedy, dance, theatre, music, whatever); can’t be longer than 5 minutes; & finally…you can’t break anything (like the space, yourself, the law!). They usually have about 15 acts and everyone performing has to be at least 18 to perform or to attend. It’s held in the Springer’s Studio Theatre and you’ll know you’re in the right place when you see the blinking, one-legged mannequin at the door! Admission is only $5 and the show starts at 10:30pm.
Here’s a reason to look forward to Monday…join the crew with the Coca-Cola Space Science Center as they let you gaze through their telescopes to view the moon, planets, star clusters and more. (Subject to weather & sky conditions!) It's happening Monday, 9:00pm at Callaway Gardens. (706.649.1477)
If you’ve got small kids, they are going to love this because chances are…they LOVE Blue’s Clues!! And sometimes it can be hard to find things to do for the youngest members of the family, so this is especially for them. Columbus State University’s Theatre Department is presenting “Blue’s Clues Live—Blue’s Birthday Party!” Blue is celebrating her birthday with all her best friends—Joe, Tickety Tock, Slippery Soap, Magenta and Periwinkle. But what really makes this show fun is that there is a lot of interaction between the actors and the audience, so the kids really feel like they are a part of it all! Performances take place Friday: 9:30am, Saturday: 10:00am, Sunday: 2:00pm and admission is Adults: $12, Ages 12 & Under: $6 (706.507.8444)
Here’s one more thing that kids…ok, kids of all ages…will get a kick out of—especially if they love creepy crawly things! Oxbow Meadows Environmental Learning Center is taking their show on the road this Saturday and they are headed to The Landings (Airport Thruway) with an event called “Reptile Encounters.” They’ll have experts on hand teaching kids about the different reptile creatures that call Georgia their home. And they promise this will be very interactive!! Programs take place at 10:30am and 11:30am and it's free! (706.323.6401)
In the mood for some sports action this weekend? Then check out the Columbus Lady Wings Semi-Pro Basketball Team who is having a home game at Northside High School on Saturday (June 11) at 6:00pm. Admission is $8 (706.610.3092). If football is what you need, head to the Columbus Civic Center Saturday night (June 11) beginningat 7:30pm for the Columbus Lions Arena Football Team taking on the Carolina Speed. Tickets start at $10.50 (706.653.4460)
Looks like something for everyone this weekend!
Now, go have some fun…
shelby
Memorial Day Weekend Fun in Columbus, GA!
All I can say is that it's a good thing we have a nice, long 3-day weekend ahead because we're going to need that extra bit of time to get in all the fun things happening! Believe me when I tell you this quick list below is just enough to whet your appetite, but if you want to get the full scoop on all the weekend activities, check out the Community Calendar for a complete listing…then you can make your plans.
Since it is the unofficial beginning of Summer, let’s kick it off at Callaway Gardens this Friday through Monday and watch the world’s best water skiers and wakeboarders compete for the coveted title of “Masters Champion!” About 14 countries are represented in this 52nd annual competition and they are going after a purse of $110,000! And there’s more action off the water with live music, a low country boil, beach Olympics, and new activities like Light Striker Laser Tag, Blaster Boats, and Aqua Island. Something else new you need to check out is TreeTop Adventure, which features 24 aerial challenges and zip lines! Or you can just take your beach towel, lots of sunscreen, and find your perfect spot on the beach and just relax! Admission is $25 for adults and $12.50 for ages 6-12…and something really cool Callaway is doing for active military—you get in FREE! (800.callaway)
If you do head to Callaway this weekend, you should really schedule in a little extra time to scoot over the Warm Springs and head to the Little White House. They are doing something this weekend that happens only a couple of times a year. They’re filling up the swimming pools that were built by Pres. Roosevelt and used by him and others that suffered from polio in the hope that it would help alleviate some of their symptoms. The water does come from a nearby spring and it’s exactly 88 degrees and is very buoyant and relaxing. Normally, the pools are kept drained to preserve them for historical reasons, but this is one of two weekends a year they do this. They limit the number of swimmers each session, so you need to make reservations! Sessions will be held at 10:00am, 12:30pm and 2:30pm and the cost is $20 for adults and $12.50 for ages 6-17. (706.655.5870)
A little south of Columbus, there’s lots going on at Florence Marina State Park this Friday through Sunday with boat rides, games and activities at the Educational Center. Take a picnic and make a day of it! Parking Pass: $5. (229.838.4706)
Let’s face it…we’re all excited about this weekend being the start of the Summer fun season, but let’s not forget the reason for this special day! While you’re out and about this weekend, if you see someone who’s in the military…tell them how much you appreciate their service to this country. One way you can do that is by heading out to the National Infantry Museum because they’ll have several special events going on. Saturday, they’re launching the Memorial Tree Program with the dedication of a tree on the museum’s Memorial Walk of Honor. Then on Monday, they’ll hold a paver dedication ceremony at 10:00am, and in the IMAX theatre, there will be free screenings of a film produced by Ft. Benning soldiers serving in Iraq. All the activities are free, but donations will be accepted at the IMAX theater if you'd like to watch the film. (706.685.5800)
The crew at the National Civil War Naval Museum at Port Columbus (Victory Drive) are planning a day of commemoration on Monday (beginning at 10:00am) to recognize the sacrifices of all those who’ve fought and died for their country. There will be a brief service on the grounds and then a cannon salute from the Museum’s original Civil War naval cannon, crewed by uniform sailors and marine reenactors. No charge for this one! (706.327.9798)
And finally, I can't think of a better way to kick off this party weekend than with the last of the Spring concerts in Uptown Columbus. Not only will be have some great music with the Loft All-Stars & Friends, but the city of Columbus is welcoming home the Miracle Riders who have been on the road on their Harley's visiting all of the lower 48 states to raise funds and awareness of the Children's Miracle Network. This is going to be a HUGE party that the entire family will enjoy!! It's free and it'll all be happening in the 1000 block of Broadway from 7:00-10:00pm.
Wow…what a weekend coming up! Whatever you plan to do, just make it a safe one.
Now, go have some fun…
shelby
Categories: Arts, Events, History, History, Ft. Benning-Military, on Thursday, May 26, 2011
More Springtime Fun in Columbus, GA!
Lovin' this weather! Lots of sunshine, a bit of a breeze, tempuratures we can all stand…all combine to make the perfect scenario for fun in the Spring in Columbus, GA! So what's on tap for this weekend? Glad you asked! Here's just a sampling of some of the events happening but remember, you can find out more about these events and lots of other ones of the Community Calendar. I say it's never too early to start making plans for the weekend!
The music is going to be great and it's going to be a big party, but there's also a serious side to the Uptown Concert this Friday night (May 20). As we all know, many of our neighbors in the Southeast were very much impacted by the recent tornadoes and on Friday, the city of Columbus has a chance to help out, while hearing some great music. Columbus State University has partnered with Uptown Columbus & other local organizations to provide much needed supplies for the victims. You can bring your donations to CSU’s Continuing Education parking lot between 8 AM & 6 PM, but why not wait and bring them to Broadway in Uptown Columbus from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM where you’ll also have the chance to dance the night away to the musical talents of Big Woody & the Splinters during the 2nd show of the FREE Miracle Riders Concert Series. Don’t forget these concerts happen every Friday night in May & are always FREE and family-friendly!
If you’re one of those competitive, adrenaline addicted, active types, this event is for you. Also happening in Uptown Columbus, starting at Woodruff Park, it's the first Strong4Life Urban Adventure Race. Whether you are cycling through a parking garage, racing down an alley on foot or searching for a mystery clue, you’ll experience a very different mind and body challenge. I have a feeling the Chattahoochee River may even play a part in this big adventure. Teams of two will participate in different activities using communication, problem solving and interpersonal skills. There is an Open Race for those over 16, a Youth Race for ages 10 – 15 and a Junior Race for those 4 – 9. This adventure will not only be a blast but is meant to encourage an active and healthy lifestyle and to combat childhood obesity. Registration is at 9 AM and the race begins at 10 AM and the fee is $60.
And while you're in Uptown, don't forget that every Saturday, now through November, from 9 AM to noon, it's Market Days! Get fresh produce, baked goods, arts and crafts, and so much more…in fact, they have about 70 vendors participating this year. Call 706.596.0111 for more information.
Alright kids…just because you're getting out of school doesn't mean you have to stop reading. Take a look at this…you can go around the world this Saturday at the Aflac Vacation Reading Program Kick-Off Celebration at the Columbus Public Library. The theme is One World, Many Stories and many stories you’ll get! There will be fun games, prizes, free snacks & a chance to dunk your favorite librarian in the dunk tank. But the party doesn’t stop when Saturday is over. Read 10 books or log 10 hours of reading time and you're eligible for some fabulous grand prizes. To participate, get your log sheet from the library, and every time you read or listen to stories this summer, write the titles or the amount of time you spend on each book and return the log back to the library. Every time you complete another 10 books/hours you get another entry in the grand prize drawing. Everyone that completes the program will be invited to an end of the summer party as well. It's all taking place from 10 AM - 1 PM and admission is FREE!
I know we mentioned it a couple weeks ago, but I have to remind you that this is the last weekend to see Lakebottom Proper at the Springer Opera House! It’s all about a pair of social climbing 30-somethings, Tad & Rowena, that live on the “good” side of Lakebottom Park & are desperate to get their dumbbell daughter, Portia, into Brookstone. After a chance meeting at the Lewis Jones deli, they invite the Brookstone president over for cocktails, which is when Rowena’s half-crazy mother arrives in her rusted pick-up with a mutant farm animal by her side. Then a ransom note arrives & it appears that Portia’s been kidnapped. I have heard nothing but wonderful reviews for this production! I’ve also heard that people were laughing so hard they were gasping for air. A must! Tickets are $35 and the performance begins at 7:30pm.
And to wrap up this list of ideas, there's a Classic Car and Truck Show at the National Infantry Museum. The Fort Benning Sergeants Major Association is kicking off its 1st Annual Classic Car and Track Show on Armed Forces Day, Saturday May 21. This is an open event, so come register your ride and enjoy good food and music. All registration fees and donations help the Fort Benning Sergeant Majors Assoc. support charitable the community. Call 706.653.8368 for more information.
So there you have it…just a few ideas to get you started on your plans for the weekend, but don't forget to take a look at the Community Calendar and there's no telling what else you might find to get into!
Now, go have some fun…
shelby
Categories: Arts, Events, Good Eats!, River Fun, on Thursday, May 19, 2011
Come on Weekend!
Seems like just about everyone I've come in contact the past few days is having a crazy week. Could it be that we all just have a really bad case of Spring Fever? It's nothing that a little bit of fun won't cure, so how about some ideas of things you can get into this weekend? Hopefully this quick list will get you started, but if you want all the details, just head to the Community Calendar...it's a great resource for finding out about events going on in Columbus and the surrounding area.
One of the highlights of the month of May has to be “Arts in the Park” and it’s happening this Sunday (May 15) at the band shell in Lakebottom Park. This is the 15th year for this event and it’s just a laidback, relaxing day in the park that's full of music, art and food! It features works of area artists…with pieces available for sale from 12:00-6:00pm, as well as performances by local musicians like the Justice Family Bluegrass Band, the Fort Benning Band, and the Columbus Jazz Quartet. There will also be all kinds of stuff for kids to do…face painting, clowns, pony rides, petting zoo, puppet shows, and amusement games & rides. Take a lawn chair and a picnic basket (or you can buy food on site) and enjoy a day in the park! Here's the best part…it's all FREE!
This concept has been so popular in the past that it’s coming back for its 4th installment! It’s the high-energy musical “I Got the Music in Me” at the Liberty Theatre (821 8th Ave) and this one is being called “Back Down Memory Lane.” If you’re a lover of old-school music, you’re going to love this one…it features music from the Chi-Lites (yep, I remember slow dancing to those guys in Junior High School!), The Emotions, The O’Jay’s, The Stylistics, even Prince, TLC and Mary J. Blige! If this music doesn’t make you want to get up and groove, I don’t know what will and it’s a show the whole family can enjoy. There are performances Friday, Saturday and Sunday and admission is only $15 for adults, $13 for Seniors, students, and military and $10 for kids. (706.653.7566)
There's also more music in Uptown Columbus this Friday night as part of the Concert Series. Throw your lawn chair into your car and head to the 1000 block of Broadway for a 3-hour performance with none other than Peggy Jenkins and The Bizness! Man, can she ever put on a show! Admission is free and everything gets underway at 7:00pm.
The toys are back in town! Disney on Ice presents “Disney/Pixar’s Toy Story 3” at the Columbus Civic Center! One of the biggest and best animated movies of all time comes to life on ice with the whole gang…Buzz Lightyear, Woody, and Jessica and all the others…and they are all trying to escape from the rambunctious tots of Sunnyside Daycare and race for home. There’re also a few new faces joining in on the fun like Barbie’s groovy bachelor Ken and Lot’s-O-Huggin’ Bear. And expect the unexpected…there’s anything from a galactic battle between Buzz and Emperor Zurg to a hoe-down at Woody’s Roundup! There’s no doubt that kids will love this, but adults seem to love Toy Story just as much if not more! Performances are scheduled for 7:00pm on Friday, 2:30pm and 6:30pm Saturday, and Sunday at 2:00pm and tickets range from $17-$42. (800.745.3000)
If you’ve never had a chance to visit Hills & Dales in LaGrange, GA, this may be the perfect weekend to do so. It’s the historic home of the Fuller Callaway Family and when I say home, it’s probably unlike anything you’ve ever seen! It’s a Georgian Italian villa surrounded by some of the most beautifully formal gardens to be found anywhere in the country. And this Saturday (May 14) is a great time to go and be a part of their 4th Annual Picnic in the Gardens, just make sure you take your picnic basket with you and here’s why…you’ll get in free! They’ll also have pony rides and games like horseshoes, ladder ball, bocce, croquet, beanbag toss and badminton. And there will even be some live music to entertain you while you picnic! Once you get there, you can walk to the picnic area or ride the tram. (706.882.3242)
If you need a good laugh this weekend, check out the brand new production at the Springer Opera House called “Lakebottom Proper,” all about a pair of social climbing 30-somethings who live on the "good side" of Lakebottom Park! Rated PG-13. Performances held this weekend and next weekend and tickets are $35. (706) 327.3688
That should be enough to get you started making some plans for the weekend, but don't forget to explore the Community Calendar for tons more options!
Now, go have some fun…
shelby
Categories: Arts, Events, History, Good Eats!, on Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Perfect Weekend for Springtime Fun!
This is shaping up to be a great weekend…tons of fun things to do and it looks like the weather will actually be cooperating, so let's get out and enjoy! Because there are so many things going on in and around Columbus, GA, make sure you take time to visit the Community Calendar…it's an invaluable tool to help get your weekend plans in order.
There is so much going on in Uptown Columbus this weekend…you can tell they are kicking off the Spring Broadway Event Series in a big way. On Friday night the FREE concerts start back up in the 1000 block of Broadway with Classic Addict from 7-10 PM. These concerts will run every Friday night in May and they have been named "The Miracle Riders Concert Series" in honor of Scott Ressmeyer’s Ride for Miracles. Also happening this weekend is the 4th Annual Charbroil Pig Bowl. The public will be able to taste the BBQ on Friday night for $5 and the food will be judged and awards given out on Saturday at 4 PM. Saturday also brings the return of Market Days on Broadway, where you can get fresh produce, flowers, baked goods & much more every Saturday from 9 AM to noon. I sure hope the lady with the giant cinnamon rolls is back this year…wow. Don’t forget, all of these events are family-friendly! (706.596.0111)
It’s the first weekend of May, which means it’s time for the 74th edition of the Cotton Pickin’ Fair in Gay Georgia! This is a favorite event for many people in our area and this year is sure to be no exception. With over 300 artisans and antique dealers you can really score some unique finds and good deals…and just in time for Mother’s Day! In fact, why not spend the day with mom at the fair. Because everyone will love the delicious southern food for sale…which is the main reason many of us go. From fried apple pie to fried green tomatoes to a big plate of southern veggies and cornbread…and top it all off with a bowl of fried ice cream…that's what I'm talking about! Seriously though, it is a great way to spend the weekend and just a short and beautiful drive up the road. Admission is only $7 and the fair will be open Saturday and Sunday from 8 AM-5 PM.
Here's something else just in time for Mother’s Day…check out the cool and unique art and pottery for sale at Britt David Studios this Saturday, May 7. The show starts at 9 AM and is free to walk in the door. This is the play all of Columbus has been waiting for. (706.653.4196)
The WORLD PREMIERE of Lakebottom Proper: A Weracoba Farce opens this weekend at the Springer Opera House! If you’re from Columbus or have lived here just a little while, you are going to love this original play. It’s all about a pair of social climbing 30-somethings, Tad and Rowena, that live on the “good” side of Lakebottom Park and are desperate to get their dumbbell daughter, Portia, into Brookstone. After a chance meeting at the Lewis Jones deli, they invite the Brookstone president over for cocktails, which is when Rowena’s half-crazy mother arrives in her rusted pick-up with a mutant farm animal by her side. Then a ransom note arrives and it appears that Portia’s been kidnapped. And it all hits the fan! A wild new comedy sure to have you rolling with laughter. Tickets are $35 and the performance begins at 7:30 PM. (706.327.3688)
Attention all animal lovers! The Columbus-Phenix City Auburn Club has teamed up with PAWS Humane in Columbus to host the second annual “Two Paws, One Cause” event on Saturday, May 7th at the PAWS Humane shelter at 4900 Milgen Road, next to Cooper Creek Park. To show their appreciation, the Columbus-Phenix City Auburn Club will pay half of the adoption fees for any military family that wishes to adopt a homeless pet during this event. Military I.D.s are required. There will also be free hot dogs and hamburgers, drinks, face painting, a U.S. Army tank, and more! Aubie will be available for pictures from 12:30 – 1:15 PM. (706.888.0981)
Get out your fancy hats…no, not for the royal wedding…it's Kentucky Derby time! The 7th Annual Derby Day hosted by St. Francis will be Saturday, May 7 in Woodruff Park in Uptown Columbus. Big screen TVs showing the Kentucky Derby, dinner stations, gaming, a hat contest and silent auction are some of the featured festivities. Admission is $75 per guest and proceeds benefit the St. Francis’ Trinity Center for Women. (706.653.9375)
See what I mean about lots of fun things to do this weekend? And believe me, I'd run out of room if I tried to list everything…that's what's so great about the Community Calendar...you can find out about tons of event in and around the area.
Now, go have some fun…
shelby
Categories: Arts, Events, Good Eats!, Shopping, on Thursday, May 5, 2011
Does anything beat the smell of bbq wafting through the summer air? - link details
Protect your eyes with new sunglasses from Columbus Eye Associates! - link details
Come to the Infantry Museum on Sat. for the Ft. Benning Sergeants Major Association Armed Forces Day Celebration! link details
Have you noticed all the new sculptures in Uptown Columbus? details
Fort Benning will hold it's annual Memorial Day Observance at the NIM parade field on May 24th at 9 a.m. link details