The Thomasville Exchange Club members recently held their officer installation banquet at the Deep South Fairgrounds. The new 2017-18 club officers are President Otis Boyd, Vice President Dustin Thomas, Secretary/Treasurer Stacey Thomas, Chaplain C.J. Rehberg (Chaplain) and Immediate Past President Ron Dixon.

Officers for the Deep South Fair Association are President Tommy Palmer, Vice President Benny Buford, Secretary Keith Stone and Treasurer Eddie Freeman.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the the Thomasville Exchange Club. Accepting the award for the club in recognition of this milestone was longtime member and club leader Ken Wright and newly-installed club President Otis Boyd.

Deep South Fair Association President Tommy Palmer awarded Patrick Scarbrough with the Oscoe Hughes Rookie of the Year Award. This award to goes to the new member who best shines at work details and at meetings in those weeks leading up to the Deep South Fair.

Jimmy Dukes, 2015-16 club president, accepted the award for the Exchange Club with the Highest Membership Increase in the state of Georgia. This increase in membership occurred during his term as club president.

The Exchangite of the Year Award was presented to Dukes. He has held nearly every position in the Thomasville Exchange Club and the Deep South Fair Association. Dukes has over 20 years under his belt as a member. The entire membership of the club votes on this award. It would not be reckless to assume that many a member of the Thomasville Exchange Club has asked the question, “What would Jimmy do?”, when faced with a difficult decision regarding the club or life. Certainly, the Thomasville Exchange Club is better for having Dukes as a member, club officials said.

Together, the Thomasville Exchange Club and the Deep South Fair Association work together to pull off their annual fundraiser, the Deep South Fair and Demolition Derby. The Thomasville YMCA, Thomas County Board of Commissioners, Thomasville Police Department, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Thomasville High School, Thomas County Central High School, Allen Cook VFW-Post 4995, Hopes and Dreams and Camp Arrow are just some of the groups that the Thomasville Exchange Club has helped support this past year.