Columbus and the Valley Magazine

01/14/2025

Open Door Community House Celebrates 90 Years of Love

In 1935, the Chattahoochee Valley was in crisis mode. A global economic downturn compounded Southerners’ struggles as years of drought and boll weevil infestation decimated cotton fields and ruined countless industries depending on the vital cash crop. Its labor force, many of whom had moved to Columbus seeking employment, reeled from setbacks caused by job scarcity and layoffs. Often, hardships ere unrelated to the economy and more personal—family disruption, relationship conflict, medical injury or chronic illness.
Women from St. Luke Church dreamed of better living conditions for those facing poverty. They knew they had to open their hearts to help residents get back on their feet and achieve self-sufficiency with dignity.
Inspired by settlement houses established in other cities, these visionaries began advocating for better living conditions through organic social change. They proposed a facility to care for the children of women fortunate enough to gain employment in the tough job market. It would operate in a donated cottage on the grounds of Hamp Stevens Methodist Church in the North Highlands district, but they’d need capital to extend a helping hand and an open door.

Read more here: https://issuu.com/columbusandthevalley.com/docs/jf25_cvm_lowres/25

01/13/2025

We’ve rung in the New Year, and the Academy Awards are right around the corner on March 2nd. Which films were the best of 2024? Here are some of my favorites that you can now see in the comfort of your own home:

Anora: Ani is an es**rt who finds herself spending a week with Ivan, the son of a Russian businessman. By the end of their week, they’re headed to Vegas to get married, but Ivan’s wealthy influential parents have other ideas. Sean Baker’s brilliant screenplay explores the nature of love and s*x in the 21st century. Every relationship is filled with transactions, so how are Ani and Ivan any different than the rest of us? Mikey Madison gives a breakout performance as Ani.

Read more here: https://issuu.com/columbusandthevalley.com/docs/jf25_cvm_lowres/64

01/10/2025

Valley Scenes📸

Garry Pound Receives Governor’s Award
Dr. Garry Pound of Columbus was one of a handful of artists or artistic organizations across the state honored with the 2024 Governor’s Award for the Arts and Humanities. Dr. Pound and his fellow recipients were recognized for significant contributions to Georgia in these fields. The awards were presented in partnership with the Georgia Council for the Arts, part of the Georgia Department of Economic Development and Georgia Humanities.

See more here: https://issuu.com/columbusandthevalley.com/docs/jf25_cvm_lowres/65

01/09/2025

Library Gala Hosts Author Fiona Davis

The Muscogee County Library Foundation (MCLF) will welcome bestselling author Fiona Davis as its special guest to this year’s highly anticipated Founders Society Gala. Known for her compelling historical fiction, Davis will share insights into her latest novel, which weaves together rich narratives between the New York City party scene and the streets of Egypt. The gala, set to take place on Thursday, January 23, promises to be a memorable evening, filled with literary conversation and a celebration of the foundation’s continued impact on the community.

Read more here: https://issuu.com/columbusandthevalley.com/docs/jf25_cvm_lowres/45

01/08/2025

Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue

For centuries, brides have come up with creative ways to check all four of the wedding day “good luck” boxes, and for recently wedded Katie Bishop, the “something old” and “something new” categories were fulfilled in one very special dress.
Born and raised in Columbus, Katie has spent much of her career working to support and improve her hometown. Her roots go deep not only in our city, but also in her close relationships with her family. So when it came time to plan her wedding, Katie knew she wanted to honor her parents on her special day, and, working with a local dress designer, she found a way to do just that, while staying true to her own style.
“I didn’t grow up dreaming about my wedding day,” Katie admits.“It really all started after I got engaged when I put on my mom’s wedding dress.” With a style always tended towards casual, Katie hadn’t put much previous thought into her wedding dress preferences. Not long after Katie got engaged, she decided on a whim to try on the wedding dress her mother had worn more than four decades ago. The dress had been preserved throughout the years and had stayed tucked away but not forgotten, and Katie was curious to try it on and see how she liked it. “My mom got married at 23, and I was 33, so I wasn’t even sure if it would fit,” Katie said with a laugh.

Read more here: https://issuu.com/columbusandthevalley.com/docs/jf25_cvm_lowres/19

01/07/2025

Don't let that wintery feeling keep you inside! Come visit all these amazing events coming up!

01/06/2025

NEW ISSUE ALERT ❗Bridal Edition 💒

On the cover: Cameron Saunders and Lucy Pound on their wedding day at the The Country Club of Columbus. We are delighted to feature them as they embark on their future together.

📸Miranda Beason Photography

Read our digital issue here: https://issuu.com/columbusandthevalley.com/docs/jf25_cvm_lowres

01/02/2025

🎉 BIG NEWS! The Columbus Museum has won first place as USA Today’s 10Best New Museum for 2025!

This award celebrates our transformation into a vibrant and visitor-centric space where art, history, and community come together. We’re SO grateful to everyone who voted and helped us stand out among 16 amazing museums nationwide. This award is a reflection of our vibrant community and we’re so proud to represent Columbus, Georgia, on this national stage.

Come see why we’ve been named one of the best—plan your visit today! 💫


USA TODAY 10Best USA TODAY

01/01/2025

12/30/2024

Today, we honor and remember the incredible life and legacy of Jimmy Carter. From his humble beginnings in Georgia to his dedication to human rights and global peace, Carter's impact will forever inspire generations.

If you missed it, take a look back at our article celebrating his remarkable 100th birthday in our Sept./Oct. issue. It's a tribute to a life well-lived and a heart devoted to service.

📖 Read it here: https://issuu.com/columbusandthevalley.com/docs/linkedso24_cvm_lr/64

Jimmy Carter at 100: Thoughts on America's Greatest Post-President

Allegedly, my dad retired eight years ago. I say “allegedly” because that retirement still involves him driving from Pine Mountain down to Piedmont Columbus Regional’s Midtown Campus, about 50 minutes each way, two days a week. Strictly speaking, he’s not seeing patients anymore; rather, he’s teaching residents fresh out of medical school how to see patients. Either way, it’s not my idea of retirement, but I guess I should’ve known better than to think a nearly half-century medical career was going to end just like that.

I mention this not to brag on what a great dude my dad is (though he is), but rather to point out how certain careers can be hard to let go of. It turns out that—in spite of what F. Scott Fitzgerald once said—second acts in American life are quite possible, particularly when you find your career has turned into a calling.
Former President Jimmy Carter, who celebrates his 100th Birthday on October 1 is a prime example of this, though his calling isn’t what many people would assume of an ex-president. It certainly wasn’t politics—well, not politics as we’ve come to understand it in these cynical and divisive times. Mr. Carter’s true calling was, and is, service to others. And it’s something you don’t have to be president to do.

Read more here: https://issuu.com/columbusandthevalley.com/docs/linkedso24_cvm_lr

12/25/2024

As the year draws to a close, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to all of our readers. Your continued support, feedback, and engagement have been a true gift to us, and we are honored to be part of your daily lives.

Whether you’ve followed us for years or have just joined our community, you have made this year truly special. Your loyalty, enthusiasm, and dedication inspire us to keep bringing you the local stories that matter most to you.

As we celebrate this holiday season, we send our warmest wishes to you and your loved ones. May your holidays be filled with joy, peace, and plenty of good moments to cherish.

This next year will be full of surprises so stay stunned!

12/20/2024

Valley Scenes 📸

Friends and family gathered at the Butler Pavilion
Lobby at St. Francis-Emory Healthcare to honor of
Representative Richard H. Smith and Jerry “Pops”
Barnes and the dedication of the newly constructed
spaces for the Graduate Medical Education Learning
Centers on the main campus and at The Bradley Center.

See more here: https://issuu.com/columbusandthevalley.com/docs/nd24_cvm_lr/70

12/16/2024

Columbus FEMA Gets New Vehicle

Columbus Homeland Security and Emergency Management received delivery of the new unified mobile command vehicle. The state-of-the-art, custom-built vehicle replaces the outdated command model purchased in 2002.

See more Valley Scenes here: https://issuu.com/columbusandthevalley.com/docs/nd24_cvm_lr/72

12/13/2024

2024 Historic Columbus Foundation Preservation Awards

HCF’s celebrated the recipients of the 58th Annual Preservation Awards held at the W.C. Bradley Company Museum on October 14th.

Columbus Historic District
Jacqueline Boling - 514 First Avenue
Larry Bussey and Shaun Bussey - 600, 604 & 608 Second Avenue CAZOHGA, Debbie Young, Renee Roth - 745 First Avenue
MG Bibb, LLC - 802 Second Avenue

The Mill District
Mollie Jenkins - 3506 Second Avenue
Brad Turner and Justin Krieg - 3500 Second Avenue

Uptown Columbus
Buddy Nelms - First National Bank Clock
Nonic Bar & Kitchen - 207 13th Street
The Cotton Companies - 207 13th Street
Wynn’s Hill - Overlook Historic District
The Columbus Museum - Reimagining The Columbus Museum
Wynnton Village Historic District
Jennifer Flournoy - 2101 and 2213 Wynnton Road

Around Town
Mr. and Mrs. Scott Jones - 2300 Preston Drive
Schuster Enterprises, LLC - Clifton Woods Neighborhood Revitalization

2024 Sarah Turner Butler Heritage Award
Kenneth M. Henson, Jr.

See more Valley Scenes here: https://issuu.com/columbusandthevalley.com/docs/nd24_cvm_lr/71

12/12/2024

Christmas is around the corner! Check out our gift guide for that special someone in your life! All local of course 😉

Our holiday gift guide is out! Searching for that perfect gift for a certain someone? These Columbus businesses have what you need!

Check out our full list here: https://issuu.com/columbusandthevalley.com/docs/nd24_cvm_lr/25

12/11/2024

IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO RAISE A CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

A dedicated children’s hospital has been a longtime dream for Piedmont Columbus Regional. There was a pediatric unit on the fifth floor of Piedmont Columbus Midtown, but “it’s very little, a confined space,” says Aline Lasseter, executive director of the Piedmont Columbus Regional Foundation. “It’s limited our ability to expand quite a bit.”

A number of ideas were floated over the years, but none of them were determined to be feasible, Fellows says. The worldwide COVID-19 pandemic of 2020-21, though, convinced Piedmont Columbus Regional that a children’s hospital had become a pressing need that could no longer go unfilled. “That was such a critical time for healthcare in this community,” Fellows remembers, “and at Piedmont, we realized that when something like this happens, children need their own space. They don’t mix well with adults, and vice versa, if we have to put them in the same wing or unit.”

Read more here: https://issuu.com/columbusandthevalley.com/docs/nd24_cvm_lr/10

12/10/2024

12/10/2024

Valley Scenes 📸

Highland Galerie Wild & Precious Exhibition
Kellie Newsome and Libbie Rothschild collaborated on an exhibition bringing together the vibrant energy of Kellie’s whimsical floral paintings with the intricate world of Libbie’s ceramic artistry.

See more here: https://issuu.com/columbusandthevalley.com/docs/nd24_cvm_lr/70