About Sumalee and Sanford-Centric

Hi there! I'm Sumalee, a single gal living, working, and playing on First St. in Historic Sanford. You may know me as the Gidget of Sanford or the First Street Fox (and if you don't, please start using those names until they catch on.) I began Sanford-Centric as a way of sharing the downtown lifestyle, including where we live, drink, dine, and shop as a community. I also write for Sanford365 about Sanford events and other things.

But really, who are you?

I come from a (for lack of a better term) super bohemian family. We (my parents, my little brother Sada, and myself) moved to Sanford when I was about eleven, into the back of a bookstore on Commercial St. Despite strange circumstances, we felt at home in the Downtown Sanford community and were lucky enough to move into the entire upper story of the Hotchkiss Block, located at the southwest corner of First St. and Palmetto Ave. 

Growing up in a small town was great, but when I turned 18, I was dying to get out of Sanford. I went to school in New Jersey for a year, traveled a bit and did all the other silly things young people do, and finally returned to Sanford in March of 2013.

And damn. What a change!

Sanford is now a kick-ass place to live, and grows more awesome by the minute. Now, I find myself living on Laurel Ave, working at Hollerbach's and Washburn Imports, and meeting amazing and eclectic people every day.

You might know me as Christina and Krisada's daughter or Sada's sister. You might know me as that little girl who used to perform cabaret at the gay bar downtown. You might know me as the only girl who ever works at the Imperial. You might know me as that girl who is constantly posting on Facebook about Sanford.

You might know me, you might not. Hi, I'm Sumalee!

What does Sanford-Centric mean?

When I get up everyday, I know I'm in Sanford. I can hear cars rumble slowly down the brick roads and I can look out my window and see a street full of beautiful historic architecture. I can take a quick seven block bike ride to my very favorite coffee shop, where my very favorite people are likely hanging out. When it's time for work, I can mosey down the sidewalk to the restaurant five minutes before I have to be there (but I'm usually pushing it because I can't usually get there without running into someone I know!). At night, I can pick up imported cheese and house roasted meat from around the corner before a cocktail party down the block. If I go out by myself, there is always someone I trust around to walk me home.

Being Sanford-Centric means centering one's life around Sanford. It means appreciating the amenities and advantages of living in a unique town that is continually renewing itself. It means contributing to a community of eccentric personalities that come from all walks of life but have one thing in common, Sanford.

Living a Sanford-Centric life is about living here, now. And I'm enjoying every minute of it!

You can reach me on the Sanford-Centric Facebook page, or by email at sumaphelia@gmail.com.