Whitfield tag office closed Wednesday and Thursday

DALTON, Ga. — The Whitfield County tax commissioner’s tag office will be closed Wednesday and Thursday for employees to train on a new state computer system. “They are also shutting our system down,” said Tax Commissioner Danny Sane. “We won’t even be able to issue temporary tags. It’s a big system. It’s statewide. They’ve been working on it for two years. My employees will have to be certified to even get on the new system.” The tag office will reopen on Friday. The property tax office will remain open on Wednesday and Thursday.

Sip and Strolls continue with Fiesta Friday theme

THOMASVILLE, Ga. — Bring your dancing shoes and join the fun at this month’s First Friday Sip and Stroll in downtown Thomasville. With Cinco de Mayo just around the corner, this month’s theme is Fiesta Friday.  “There is no better time to enjoy strolling through downtown Thomasville before catching a free outdoor concert than the spring when the weather is perfect,” said Madison Eaton, City of Thomasville special events coordinator. n“From 6-8 p.m., you can grab a beer or wine from your favorite downtown merchant and stroll the bricks for one-of-a-kind shopping finds and great dining options. Artists will also be displaying their work throughout the downtown area.” Eaton said to be sure you head to The Ritz Amphitheater by 8 p.m. to catch The Bay Kings Band. This fun band will bring a Latin flare to the stage from 8-10 p.m. The Bay Kings Band are the perfect fit for the Fiesta Friday theme because they are known for their high energy shows that include covers, pop hits, and crowd pleasers,” Eaton said. The West Jackson Streetscape project will be in its beginning stages on Friday. A detour will be set up on West Jackson Street to accommodate the work being done. Participating First Friday Sip and Stroll merchants will be open late, with many offering retail specials and themed food and beverage options to get you into the Fiesta Friday spirit. First Friday Sip and Stroll events are family-friendly, free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.thomasvillega.com or call the Thomasville Visitors Center at 229-228- 7977. 

North Florida botanical garden set for grand opening

WELLBORN, Fla. — This weekend will mark the realization of a lifelong dream for Judee Mundy. On Saturday, Hearthstone Gardens, a 35-acre botanical garden, will celebrate its grand opening, starting at 8 a.m. “It feels great, it’s exciting,” said Mundy, Hearthstone Gardens’ owner. “It’s my idea that I’ve had all my life. I always wanted to have a large garden with flowers, trees, shrubs, everything that I could imagine that would grow in a particular area. I could give it as my way of giving back to the public.” Hearthstone Gardens is located at 3300 134th Place in Wellborn, one mile west of the Columbia County line off of U.S. Highway 90. Hearthstone is Mundy’s vision come to life. It features plants native to North Florida and will provide a peaceful place for people to visit. Mundy also hopes the botanical garden can help provide some inspiration to area gardeners as well. “They will be able to sort of renew, renew themselves, renew their spirit,” she said. “But we’ve also planted things in certain ways and maybe they might see something and learn something and decide they want to try that in their own garden. It has both components, the relaxation, the sanctuary idea and the learning part of gardening.” For the grand opening, a bird walk is scheduled to launch the day at 8 a.m. A plant ID scavenger hunt is planned for 9:30 a.m., followed by a live bee presentation at 10 a.m. and a live animal presentation at 11 a.m. Mundy said there will be vendors on hand, with raffle baskets, prizes, baked goods for sale and giveaways throughout the morning. “People are free to stay all day, we’ll be there,” she said.