Newsletter

Thursday, July 24
Esther-Marie Lawrence: Chamber of Commerce

Esther-Marie was named executive director of the Chamber in May, after a stint as development director there. She has a BFA in public relations, speech communications from Valdosta State University, and has worked in a variety of fields, including banking, real estate, community relations, event planning, and home-based education. She serves on the board of directors for the Valdosta YMCA, the Valdosta Junior Service League, the VSU Alumni Advisory Board, and Literacy for Thomas County.

Thursday, July 31
Shelley Zorn: Development Authority

On Thursday, July 31 our guest speaker will be Shelley Zorn, president and CEO of the Thomasville Payroll Development Authority, a role she's held for the past 11 years. Shelley manages new industry recruitment, retail recruitment, and existing industry support for all of Thomas County. She has more than 20 years of economic development experience as well as 15 years of banking experience, specializing in commercial lending and marketing.

She will discuss the current state of economic development in our community. 

Thursday, Aug. 7
Wine or Whine + Going Away Party for Ivan

August's Wine or Whine is Thursday, Aug. 7 at Kin Wine Market & Lounge, 204 S Broad St. It also a special event: a going away party for Ivan Santoyo, our first-ever Rotary Youth Exchange student who will study in France for the 2025-2026 academic year.

Wine or Whine will feature a French theme. Vive la France!

Please RSVP by Thursday, July 31. We will provide drink tickets and hors d'oeuvre based on the RSVP list. 

Saturday, Aug. 23
Rotary Golf Tournament

The Rotary Club of Thomasville and United Way Golf Classic, benefitting our Rotary Big Impact community projects and the Thomas County United Way, is Saturday, Aug. 23 at Country Oaks Golf Course.

United Way supports 18 local agencies, directly impacting the lives of countless residents. Your participation and support are vital in making this event a success. We need volunteers on the afternoon of Friday, Aug. 23 and morning of the golf tournament.

To volunteer, sign up here or contact Scooter Grubbs or Mary Beth Donalson. 

Sponsors should complete this form and return it to Mary Beth. 

Upcoming Events
Mark Your Calendar

Here's your running look at the calendar for the remainder of this month and heading into August.

• Thursday, July 24: Esther-Marie Lawrence, the new executive director of the Thomasville-Thomas County Chamber of Commerce 
• Thursday, July 31: Shelley Zorn: President and CEO, Thomasville Payroll Development Authority
• Thursday, Aug. 7: Georgia State Rep. Darlene Taylor will give a report on the Georgia legislature, sharing important legislation that came out of 2025 and items to look for in 2026.
• Thursday, Aug. 7: Wine or Whine, Kin Wine Market & Lounge, 204 S Broad St. Please RSVP here by Thursday, July 31 or text Devona Thompson at 678.770.0535.
  Wine or Whine will be also be a going away party for Ivan Santoyo, our Rotary Youth Exchange student who will study in France for the 2025-2026 academic year.
  
• Saturday, Aug. 23: Rotary-United Way Golf Tournament
  To volunteer, sign up here or contact Scooter Grubbs or Mary Beth Donalson. Sponsors should complete this form and return it to Mary Beth. 

The calendar is subject to changes. Find the most updated Rotary calendar anytime:

• Add any individual calendar item from the Rotary calendar to your personal calendar.
• Subscribe to the Rotary calendar for automatic updates.