b'EDITORS LETTEROn the Road AgainThressea H. Boyd, EditorThis years fall schedule will include theIf youre in Pelham, its not hard to find Willacoochee fall foliage rides and dinnerthe Hand Building. The massive four-trains, holiday-themed Santa train rides,story structure has been part of the and Willacoochee to Valdosta trips ondowntown landscape for more than 100 Nov. 6 and Dec. 4 that includes a barbecueyears. Once a bustling department store boxed lunch.that sold everything from groceries to Consider Willie Nelsons popular tune: Onclothing and houseware items to farm the road again, goin places that Ive neverMitchell County Has Deep Roots equipment, the building sat empty for been, seein things I may never see again, INestled in Southwest Georgias primarilyseveral decades. Now, with a new purpose, cant wait to get on the road again.rural landscape, there is more thanthe Hand Building provides affordable agriculture growing in Mitchell County.housing, something the rural community For some people, that might be easierWith the Flint River defining its westerndesperately needs. said than done. In 2018, about 40 percentborder, Mitchell Countywith less than of Americans had unused vacation days25,000 peoplespans 514 square milesAre You Listening?at the end of the yearthats nearly 768and is home to Camilla, Pelham, Baconton,South Georgia Insider Podcast features million lost days.and Sale City.conversations with business and civicIf you find it hard to unplug from your day-to-day activities, especially for a weeklong break, join an increasing number ofThe Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over workers that are opting for mini-vacations. According to a survey from Cornerstone,your life. The Lord keeps watch over you as you come 87% of American workers consider three- and go, both now and forever.day weekends as a better option for stress- PSALMS 121:7-8relief than more extended vacations. In this issue, were giving plenty of options for weekend trips to Discover Scenic Southwest Georgia, including quaintleaders and community influencers about downtowns, outdoor excursions, vineyardsEncompassing more than 171,000 plantedthe regions exciting and sometimes and wineries, museums, historical sites,acres of rich farmland, Mitchell Countychallenging issues. A supplement to unique accommodations, and locallyis among the states top-producingSouth Georgia Business Magazine, the owned eateries sure to impress even theagricultural counties, generating morepodcast provides another platform to most discerning of foodies.than $370 million annually, according toshare engaging stories that promote South the 2019 University of Georgia Farm GateGeorgia as a great place to live, work, play, South Georgia WelcomesValue Report.and visit.Excursion TrainFor Jamie Cater and Chris Parrott, ownersMitchell County is also home to numerousDont forget to listen and subscribe on of CaterParrott Railnet, operating abusinesses supporting the ag industry,Apple Podcast, Spotify, iHeart Podcast, or passenger train has been part of theincluding Hays LTI. This family-owned andonline at southgeorgiainsider.buzzsprout.companys big picture for many years.operated company has grown its businesscom.Finally, that dream became a realityin Camilla for more than 50 years. editor@sgamag.comwith the start of the Azalea Sprinter, theWhen Darwood Manufacturing announced regions new excursion train.its closingafter 60 plus yearsPelhamsgamag.com The Azalea Sprinters primary routeand Mitchell County officials immediately is a relaxing 34-mile journey throughstarted looking for a suitable replacement. fields and woodland before crossing theWithin a few months, Ohio-based Fire-Alapaha River on its way to the ruralDex, a manufacturer of personal protective community of Willacoochee.equipment for first responders, purchased the Darwood facility.BUSINESS + CULTURE 5'