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Hello Valdosta! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning.
In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Azalea Festival, barbecue and blues at Big Nick’s Juke Joint, and Free Cone Day + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Today’s sponsor, Spot Pet Insurance, is something I wish I had before a late-night emergency vet visit left me with a $10,000 credit card bill. It’s cheaper than Netflix… and means you never have to choose between your pet and your savings. It takes less than 5 minutes to sign up – get started here.
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📰 In the news
Homemade rubs and sauces: Valdosta’s Big Nick’s Juke Joint serves slow-smoked barbecue, soul food sides like collard greens and mac and cheese, and live blues, soul, and R&B that keep the room buzzing — read the full story.
Community programs set to expand: Greater Valdosta United Way reached its $1.3 million goal for the 2026 United WE Thrive Campaign, supporting youth opportunities, financial stability, healthy communities, and community resilience across South Georgia — see where funds will go.
A tribute to local dedication: VSU’s Monica Haynes was honored as the Valdosta Tree Commission’s Local Arboreal Legacy, recognizing her dedication to the city and its surroundings and her significant contributions to the community’s growth — read the full story.
Gold & silver are hot: Coming off gold’s best year since 1979, the momentum is carrying well into 2026 with silver remaining one of the most talked-about assets. Curious why they’re back in focus? American Hartford Gold has a free guide that explains what’s happening and how people are approaching it today. It’s free – and definitely worth a read.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
Highlights this week:
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🐾 One pet emergency can cost $10,000+
Together with our sponsor Spot Pet Insurance
Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache.
From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving.
As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Spot.
It’s super affordable and reimburses up to 90% on qualified vet bills. It was too late for me, but it’s not too late for you. Sign up today.
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🫶 We got your back
Tapas night, upgraded: When the week needs a reset, The Southern Cellar delivers cozy vibes, smart pours, and shareable plates for lingering with friends. Expect wine tastings, pick a couple of bites to pair, and make it your midweek ritual… low-key, welcoming, and always well-poured.
Get your fins wet: Southern Ocean Sports outfits you for the dive life with mask fits, nitrox fills, and courses from beginner to advanced. They run monthly group trips to Florida springs like Devil’s Den and Blue Grotto. Dusty gear? Their techs will tune it and get you underwater again.
Big screen escape: Valdosta Stadium Cinemas is the low-effort, high-reward move when you want a proper big-screen fix. Expect new releases, occasional special showings, and those shared-laughter gasps you can’t stream at home. Rally a friend, pick something fun, and call it self-care.
Access cash without selling your home: A reverse mortgage can help anyone over 62 cover everyday expenses, support healthcare needs, fund home improvements, or even reduce pressure on 401(k) withdrawals – all while staying in your home. Longbridge offers a free calculator to estimate how much flexibility your home could provide, with no commitment required.
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📆 Fun for the whole fam
Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
🥚 Sugared Egg Culinary Class – Youth @ Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts | Saturday (3/7) at 10:00 AM – Sugared egg magic is happening, with kids turning hollow sugar shells into tiny spring scenes you’ll actually want to keep, or gift for Easter. Ages 8-12, all supplies included, taught by Katharine Courson, and yes, members save. Register at https://turnercenter.org/sugared-egg-class-youth-booking-form.
🌺 Azalea Festival @ Drexel Park | Saturday (3/14) at 10:00 AM – Grab a lawn chair and hit Drexel Park for the Azalea Festival as 25,000 of your neighbors browse 250-plus arts and crafts vendors, six stages, classic cars, a 5K, frisbee dogs, falcons, lumberjacks, and Touch-A-Truck. Admission is free, the soaps and jams are not.
🐾 Azalea Festival Pet Contest @ Drexel Park | Saturday (3/14) at 2:00 PM – Think your mutt is cuter than the azaleas? The Humane Society of Valdosta/Lowndes County is hosting the festival’s beloved Pet Contest on Saturday, inviting pups, cats, and questionable costumes to strut for bragging rights, treats, and hometown glory. Low-stakes, high-smiles, and plenty of tail wags.
☘ St. Patrick’s Day Craft @ Valdosta Mall | Monday (3/16) at 5:00 PM – Need a pre-St. Patrick’s diversion that tires out the kids and keeps the glitter at the mall? Valdosta Mall hosts a leprechaun trap craft night, with shamrocks, glue, and pint-sized scheming. Bring the crew, snag a little luck, while supplies last.
🍦 Free Cone Day @ Dairy Queen Grill & Chill | Thursday (3/19) at 11:00 AM – Swing by DQ for Free Cone Day, the day-before-spring tradition we can all get behind. Free soft-serve, all day, one per human, while supplies last. In-person is the move, and yes, you’re allowed to pretend it’s for the kids.
🛍 Made In Lowndes Market @ Historic Lowndes County Courthouse | Saturday (3/21) at 9:00 AM – If you’ve been waiting for a sign to swap big-box blah for the good stuff, here it is. Courthouse Square turns into an open-air showcase of Lowndes talent, Georgia Grown produce, and handmade treasures you’ll actually use, admire, and gift without regret.
🛁 Bath Bomb Workshop @ City of Hahira Depot | Saturday (3/21) at 3:00 PM – If you’ve been meaning to upgrade bath time beyond Epsom salt and a prayer, Hahira’s quarterly bath bomb workshop delivers. Make and paint your own fizzers, no experience needed, kid friendly, and there are extra bombs for purchase when you inevitably get carried away.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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🔥 Worth a peek
We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.
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📻 Valdosta report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 83°F – Low: 59°F – Precip: 1%
Areas of fog before 9am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. East wind 0 to 5 mph. Later: Patchy fog after 4am. Mostly clear, with a low around 59. East southeast wind around 5 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 85°F – Low: 63°F – Precip: 11%
Areas of fog before 9am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. South southeast wind around 5 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 63.
Someone Googled you this week 👀
It may feel like an invasion of privacy, but unfortunately It’s the new normal. Whether you’re joining a committee, selling something locally, dating again, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up online.
Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are.
Thankfully, there’s a really easy way for you – or someone you care about – to clean up outdated results that no longer tell the real story. Learn more here.
This house is wild
This 3,313 sq ft custom home in a golf community pairs an in-ground pool with a dramatic two-story living and dining area. A wall of French doors frames the floor-to-ceiling fireplace. Kitchen features a grill-topped island and prep sink. The spa primary has double rain shower, jacuzzi, and walk-in. The home includes 3 beds and 2.5 baths with Jack-and-Jill secondary.
Take a peek inside →
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