While a number of people have discovered the delightful winery in our midst, some may not yet know about Horse Creek Winery.

Row upon row of grape vines greet customers to the winery, which is located off the Adel Highway just a few miles outside Nashville in Berrien County. Owned by longtime residents of the region, Ed Perry takes pride in the quality of the Muscadine grapes they produce, which are handpicked only when ripe.

You can read all about the winery, which recently won an astounding number of awards at an international wine competition, earning one gold and five bronze medals, in the latest copy of the Valdosta Scene magazine.

The winery is open for tastings as well as special events, and Perry is hopeful that the Muscadines may one day replace tobacco as a major cash crop for South Georgia.

Other stories this month focus on Peach State Summer Theatre, a local clothing designer with a flair for fashion, and a feature on the Georgia Pasty Company (pronounced Paa-stee), a restaurant and bakery located in the Lake Park Mill Plaza.

The Scene features great photos from events plus lots of fun and interesting stories from our area.

Pick up a copy today at the Times office or Books a Million.

Banking news

Synovus Financial Corporation announced this week that it is consolidating 30 separate bank charters into one. First State Bank in Valdosta is one of those being consolidated.

Several members  of the top management team at First State are pursuing other opportunities at this time.

A number of other banks in the area are reconfiguring staff, eliminating positions and streamlining their operations, so there are a few things changing on the local banking scene.

Business Roundup

Folks at Cheddars have confirmed that the restaurant is coming to town, saying they are planning to break ground in July with an eye towards opening in late fall. The restaurant is supposed to be going on property near Wal-Mart on Norman Drive.

There is a large area of land being cleared on Bemiss Road close to town, but there is no sign there to indicate what it’s going to be, although I heard it’s probably going to be condos.

There is a new Dairy Queen opening in Nashville this week, with the ribbon cutting set for Tuesday. The new Turn the Page bookstore held its grand opening in Nashville last week.

And it looks like Hildegards in downtown Valdosta is closed, but I’m not sure if it’s temporary or permanent this time.

On the plus side, though, downtown is gaining a new restaurant, the Rhythm and Blues Cafe, which held its grand opening on First Friday last week. It’s located where Luna’s and Lulu’s used to be.

The Taco Bell should be moving next door to where the green building that used to house a buffet is on N. Ashley Street sometime later this summer.

With the holiday week, things are slow, but hopefully will begin to pick up soon. And if there’s anything I missed, please let me know!