Before we criticize, consider the heart

Local pilot flies over D.C. Mall

Thomasville native and U.S. Army Maj. Andrea Bagley Bynum had one of the best seats for the nation’s 250th birthday celebration on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Bynum observed the festivities from the cockpit of an Apache helicopter as she participated in a military flyover of the July 4th event. Bynum grew up in Thomasville and attended Clarke Prep School in Grove Hill, where she graduated in 2010. She was Clarke Prep’s first appointee to West Point, graduated in the top third of her class in 2014 and embarked on a military career. A variety of aircraft participated in... Article Link [https://www.clarkecountydemocrat.com/articles/local-pilot-flies-over-d-c-mall/]

Clearing away what holds us back

I remember when I was a little girl, my mama told me about my daddy coming home from work with nails stuck in his pants. He’d ripped them at work, but rather than miss a day, he grabbed a handful of nails and “stitched” the tear shut. Problem solved. She said he’d sometimes come home with a rope for a belt or his tool apron hitched up like a fashion statement, just trying to keep his britches where they belonged. Daddy was a workaholic. If something broke, he fixed it. If something ripped, he patched it. Missing work was never... Article Link [https://www.clarkecountydemocrat.com/articles/clearing-away-what-holds-us-back/]

Roll into fun: Adventure Acres opens

GROVE HILL — A familiar building in Grove Hill has taken on new life with the grand opening of Adventure Acres, a new family entertainment destination. Owners Mike and Bri Johnson purchased the former Twin Rivers Roller Rink building and transformed it into Adventure Acres, creating a venue designed to provide family-friendly entertainment for Grove Hill and the surrounding communities. “Seeing so many families and friends come together to laugh, skate, play games and make memories reminded us exactly why we started this journey,” the Johnsons said in a statement following the grand opening on July 3. The Johnsons said they... Article Link [https://www.clarkecountydemocrat.com/articles/roll-into-fun-adventure-acres-opens/]

Hardie Bradford Kimbrough

The Honorable Hardie Bradford Kimbrough, 88, passed away peacefully on June 30, 2026. Hardie was born in Selma on Jan. 4, 1938. Raised in Thomasville, he graduated from Thomasville High School in 1955 before attending the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. Hardie was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon social fraternity and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics in 1959. He married Deanna, the love of his life, on Jan. 2, 1961. He served honorably in the United States Army, including time in Germany during the Berlin Wall crisis in 1961. Upon returning from Germany, he was... Article Link [https://www.clarkecountydemocrat.com/articles/hardie-bradford-kimbrough/]

Chloe Drinkard found her purpose in community theater

Long before she graduated from Thomasville High School in 2021, Chloe Drinkard had already found the place she belonged. It wasn’t on a basketball court or a ball field. It was under the bright lights of a stage, telling stories through song and performance. Today, the Thomasville Arts Council actress continues to devote herself to community theater, not only because she loves performing but because she believes the arts have the power to change lives just as they changed hers. “ From a very young age, I knew I wanted to perform,” Drinkard said. “ Looking back, I don’t remember... Article Link [https://www.clarkecountydemocrat.com/articles/chloe-drinkard-found-her-purpose-in-community-theater/]