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What if you were told that living an ordinary life is exactly where you're meant to be? Join us as Annie Jones, in conversation with Sally Bradshaw, helps us realize that ordinary life is bigger and better than you could imagine with her biography, Ordinary Time: Lessons Learned While Staying Put.

About Ordinary Time:

Annie Jones always assumed adulthood would mean adventure: a high-powered career; life in a big, bustling city; and travels to far-flung places she’d longed to see. But her reality turned out differently. As the years passed, Annie was still in the same small town running an independent bookstore —the kind of life Nora Ephron dreamed.

During that time, she hosted friends’ goodbye parties and mailed parting gifts; wrote recommendation letters and wished former shop staffers well. She stayed in her small town, despite her love of big cities; stayed in her marriage to the guy she met when she was 18; and she stayed at her bookstore while the world outside shifted steadily toward digital retailers. And she stayed loyal to a faith she sometimes didn’t recognize.

After ten years, Annie realized she might never leave. But instead of regret, she had an epiphany. She awakened to the gifts of a quiet life spent staying put.

In Ordinary Time, Annie challenges the idea that loud lives matter most. Rummaging through her small-town existence, she finds hidden gifts of humor and hope from a life lived quietly. Staying, can itself be a radical act. It takes courage to stay in the places we’ve always called home, Jones argues, as she paints a portrait of possibility far away from thriving metropolises and Monica Gellar-inspired apartments.

We’ve long been encouraged to follow our dreams, to pack up and move to new places and leave old lives—and past selves—behind. While there is beauty in these kinds of adventures, Ordinary Time helps us see ourselves right where we are: in the middle of messy, mundane lives, maybe not too far from where we grew up. We don’t have to leave to find what we yearn—we can choose to stay, celebrating and honoring our ordinary lives, which might turn out to be bigger and better than we ever imagined.

About Annie Jones:

Annie B. Jones owns The Bookshelf bookstore in Thomasville, Georgia, and hosts the book review podcast From the Front Porch.

The Grove Museum has an extensive collection of personal effects that belonged to Governor LeRoy Collins. Morgan Stutler, Curator of The Grove Museum, provides an in-depth look at never-before-exhibited clothing and suit accessories that range from cuff links and tie pins to items from his inaugurations.

The program and parking are free and open to the public.

Join Domi and Living Tallahassee for our Foundation for Founders series—an essential event for entrepreneurs looking to master marketing, legal, accounting, and operations!

Kicking off the series, business attorney Curt Bender will dive into the key legal considerations every business owner needs to know. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain expert insights, network with fellow founders, and set your business up for success.

Secure your spot today for just $49.99 by following this link!
https://www.zeffy.com/ticketing/foundations-for-founders

Join us for ASF’s 23rd Annual Tails & Trails, one of our most popular family-friendly events! Whether you’re a fast walker, avid runner, or experienced marathoner, there’s something for everyone. Plus, you’ll have the best cheer squad—adoptable dogs from Tallahassee Animal Services!

Choose your challenge: 1-Mile Fun Run, 5K, 10K, or Half Marathon—and know that every registration supports ASF’s work to provide supplemental vet care, enrichment, spay/neuter services, adoption incentives, and more for animals in the care of Tallahassee Animal Services.

Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum in Carrabelle is presenting an exhibit on the Liberation of Paris during World War II. This exhibit will open on Tuesday, May 6 and be on display at the museum until Saturday, May 31. The museum is open every Tuesday through Saturday from 11 am to 5 pm. There is no charge for admission, but donations are gladly accepted.

The exhibit will present the military and civilian efforts that led to the liberation of Paris on August 25, 1944, after four years of German occupation. The liberation was a turning point in World War II, involving the strategic efforts of the Allied Forces, Free French forces, and the French Resistance. As Allied troops advanced through France following the D-Day invasion, the citizens of Paris, led by resistance fighters, initiated an uprising against the occupying German forces. The Allies initially did not consider Paris to be a priority at first, but the push by the French, who felt the need for this symbolic city to be cleared of Germans, changed their mind.

Supreme Allied Commander General Dwight D. Eisenhower ordered the intervention of the Free French 2nd Armored Division, led by General Philippe Leclerc, alongside the U.S. 4th Infantry Division. After intense fighting and the strategic surrender of German forces under General Dietrich von Choltitz, Paris was officially freed on August 25, 1944.

The exhibit features compelling historical photographs and firsthand accounts from soldiers in the U.S. 4th Infantry Division - one of the first American units to enter Paris. Known as the “Ivy Division,” the 4th played a crucial role in the D-Day landings at Utah Beach and the subsequent campaign across Nazi-occupied France. Their dramatic entry into Paris along with the French 2nd Armored Division marked a defining moment in the war. The 4th Infantry were trained in amphibious assault at Camp Gordon Johnston. This preparation proved vital throughout their combat operations.

Visitors to the exhibit will gain insight into the soldiers’ experiences and the broader significance of their actions, from their training at Camp Gordon Johnston to their role in liberating one of Europe’s most iconic cities.

Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum is located in Carrabelle, directly across from Carrabelle Public Beach Park at 1873 Hwy 98 West. For more information, contact the museum at (850) 697-8575 or museum@campgordonjohnston.com. Funded in part by the Franklin County Tourist Development Council.

You’re Invited
LeMoyne Arts proudly presents the 37th Tri-State Water Media Exhibition — a juried showcase celebrating the finest in water-based media from across Florida, Georgia, and Alabama. This highly anticipated annual event features diverse and imaginative works that highlight the expressive power of watercolor, ink, and more. From breathtaking landscapes to bold abstract pieces, each artwork offers a glimpse into the unique vision of its creator.

Explore the versatility and vibrancy of water media in this dynamic celebration of technique, creativity, and inspiration.

Join us for these special events:

Opening Reception
Thursday, May 15 | 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Be the first to experience the exhibition, meet the artists, and enjoy an evening of art, conversation, and community.
Admission: $5 for non-members, free for members. Includes access to our in-house bar and light refreshments.

Muffins & Mimosas
Saturday, May 17 | 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Spend a relaxed morning surrounded by art and music with live entertainment by Hot Tamale, delicious offerings from Uptown Cafe, and coffee by Argonaut Coffee.
Admission: $5 for non-members, free for members. Includes mimosas, brunch fare, and gallery access.

Gallery Hours
Tuesday – Saturday | 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM

LeMoyne Arts is proud to serve as a cultural hub where creativity thrives, and community comes together. We hope to see you there.

Celebrate the Art of Water Media with Us!
Join us at LeMoyne Arts for the Opening Reception of the 37th Tri-State Water Media Exhibition — a vibrant evening showcasing the very best in watercolor, ink, and other water-based media from across Florida, Georgia, and Alabama.

This juried exhibition highlights breathtaking landscapes, bold abstracts, and imaginative techniques that reflect the incredible creativity of our region’s artists.

Date: Thursday, May 15
Time: 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Location: LeMoyne Arts | 125 N Gadsden St | Tallahassee, FL

Admission: $5 for non-members | Free for members
Includes access to our in-house bar and light refreshments.

Mingle with fellow art lovers, meet the artists, and be among the first to experience this year’s stunning collection in a warm, creative atmosphere.

Gallery Hours: Tuesday–Saturday | 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Muffins & Mimosas at LeMoyne Arts
Join us for a refreshing Saturday morning experience at LeMoyne Arts with Muffins & Mimosas, part of the 37th Tri-State Water Media Exhibition celebration.

Date: Saturday, May 17
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Location: LeMoyne Arts | 125 N Gadsden St | Tallahassee, FL

Enjoy live music by Hot Tamale, delicious bites from Uptown Cafe, and coffee provided by Argonaut Coffee. Sip on mimosas, mingle with fellow art lovers, and take in the inspiring works featured in this year’s Tri-State Water Media Exhibition.

Admission: $5 for non-members | Free for members
Includes mimosas, muffins, and gallery access.

Gallery Hours: Tuesday–Saturday | 11 AM – 6 PM

This is the perfect opportunity to enjoy great art, local flavors, and lively conversation in a welcoming atmosphere. We look forward to seeing you there.

Venvi Art Gallery is delighted to exhibit "Locust Technician", a showcase of Florida State University (FSU)'s BFA and MFA student artwork. It will be on display from April 4th to May 18th, with its art reception on May 2nd from 5-8pm.

This exhibition features the work of Florida State University students, whose artworks navigate themes of resilience, transformation, and shared humanity in the face of adversity. In “Locust Technician,” the artists take inspiration from the complex symbolism of locusts—creatures that straddle the delicate line between destruction and abundance, silence and cacophony, devastation and renewal.

The title, "Locust Technician", evokes a tension between the organic and the mechanical, suggesting the meticulous, almost surgical examination of life’s unexpected challenges. Locusts are reminders of cycles that challenge us to find meaning in their duality. Artists approach these challenges with the same thoughtful attention that transforms small studies into larger, more impactful works. Through interrogating how these small studies function, the artist shapes and layers insights and revisions into their larger creations. This exhibition invites viewers to reflect on how individual studies are part of the process that adapts and contributes to a process of continual refinement to become a finished work of art.

"Locust Technician" shares new perspectives, engaging deeply with issues of shared experience and personal introspection. The exhibition provides a space for reflection, transforming adversity into creativity and signaling the limitless potential for change. By interpreting the locust not merely as a harbinger of disaster but as a symbol of strength, multiplicity, and transformation, this exhibition challenges what we might see as adversity as a catalyst for growth.

"Locust Technician" will be on display from April 4th to May 18th, with its opening from 5-8pm. Venvi Art Gallery is located at 2901 East Park Avenue Unit 2800 Tallahassee, FL 32301. To learn more about this exhibit, please visit our website at www.venviartgallery.com.

Students featured: Alexis Benavent-Rivera, Anna Parsons, Anna Speer, Audrey Femia, Benjamin Bio, Clay Barczak, Devin Box, Hannah Keats, Jilian Heushon, Kim Springs, Nicolina Morra, Rachel Holsonback, Rachel Ostrander, Sarah Kate Evans and Ysabel Flores.

Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum in Carrabelle will present a special exhibit commemorating the anniversary of D-Day. This exhibit opens Tuesday, June 3 and will be on display until Saturday, July 12. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 am to 5 pm. Admission is free, though donations are welcome.

Camp Gordon Johnston was established in 1942 in Carrabelle to train entire infantry divisions, including the U. S. Army’s 4th Infantry Division and their support units, in amphibious warfare. That training and the men who received it would be put to the test on the heavily fortified beaches of Normandy, France on D-Day, June 6, 1944. The first amphibian infantry assault teams to arrive on French soil were from the 4th Infantry Division at Utah Beach. The D-Day invasion, the largest seaborne invasion in history, included over 100,000 Allied troops.

The exhibit will include personal papers, historic photos, and artifacts belonging to Capt. John E. Mellen, generously shared by his family. Capt. Mellen commanded the 818th Amphibious Truck Company and served with them from their training at Camp Gordon Johnston through the end of the war. The 818th trained at Camp Gordon Johnston in late 1943 and early 1944 before deploying to England in preparation for the Normandy invasion. On June 6, 1944, they landed on Utah Beach as part of the 1st Engineer Special Brigade, supporting the 4th Infantry Division. For this the 818th received a Meritorious Unit Citation and Croix de Guerre with palm and five members received Bronze Stars.

A video of amphibious assault training on Carrabelle Beach will play continuously during the day, with a new showing every 10 minutes. This Army training short film, captured by the U.S. Army Signal Corps, documents the D-Day preparations as they happened in March 1943. Several well-known photographs of this training were taken from this footage. These exercises were to be the last training before troops shipped out to England.

The exhibit also features personal interviews with members of the 4th Infantry Division and accounts from German defenders. These, along with other tributes to D-Day, offer a more complete perspective on this historic event. The museum’s three WWII military vehicles will also be on display.

Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum is located at 1873 Hwy 98 West, directly across from the very beach where the beach assault training occurred. For more information, contact Camp Gordon Johnston Museum at (850) 697-8575 or museum@campgordonjohnston.com. Funded in part by the Franklin County Tourist Development Council.