Elegant Island Living Februay 2016 by Elegant Island Living Media Group

PUBLISHER’S LETTER

Ring Me Up

Happy Hour EVERY DAY FROM 5-7

OPEN EVERY DAY AT 5PM FOR GOOD TIMES & GREAT FRIENDS

Live Music

T H U R S D AY- S AT U R D AY

912.634.6056 500 Mallery Street villageinnandpub.com 8

ELEGANT ISLAND LIVING

e all know that February is the month of love. According to the internet (which means it must be true), six million couples are likely to get engaged on February 14. Of course for a man, the only thing scarier than proposing, is picking out the engagement ring! That reminds me of a great joke. A balding, white-haired man walked into a jewelry store this past Friday evening with a beautiful, much younger gal at his side. He told the jeweler he was looking for a special ring for his girlfriend. The jeweler looked through his stock and brought out a $5,000 ring. The man said, “No, I’d like to see something more special.” At that statement, the jeweler went to his special stock and brought another ring over. “Here’s a stunning ring at only $40,000” the jeweler said. The lady’s eyes sparkled. The old man seeing this said, “We’ll take it.” When the jeweler asked how payment would be made, the man replied, “By check. I know you need to make sure the check is good, so I’ll write it now and you can call the bank Monday to verify the funds. I’ll pick the ring up Monday afternoon.”

On Monday morning, the jeweler angrily phoned the old man and said, “Sir, there’s no money in that account!” “Oh, I know that,” the man replied calmly, “but let me tell you about my weekend!” Valentine’s Day falls on a Sunday this year. Maybe I should go see Kent at Joseph Jewelers on Friday evening!

PUBLISHER

Elegant Island Living is published monthy.

David Butler

Reproduction of any photographs, artwork, or copy prepared by Elegant Island Living

Athletic

ART DIRECTOR

Beth Rowen

Yoga

is strictly prohibited without prior written permission of the publisher. All advertised properties are subject to prior sale or withdrawal without notice. Elegant Island Living

E D I T O R I A L A N D S O C I A L MEDIA DIRECTOR

Leisure

Kathi Williams 912.399.8797

is not a registered real estate broker, and this magazine is not an effort to assist in the buying or selling of real estate. The advertisers and publisher are not responsible or liable for misinformation, misprints, or typographical

PRODUCTION MANAGER

Terry McCarthy 912.399.3699

errors. Real estate advertised in this magazine is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968 and its amendments. All electronic files submitted to Elegant Island Living become property of the magazine. ©2016 Elegant

26 MARKET STREET SUITE 114 ST. SIMONS ISLAND

ADVERTISING SALES

L O C AT E D B E H I N D Z A X B Y ’ S

Yolanda O’Hern

912-268-2375

Senior Account Manager 912.634.3856 (p) / 770.490.3348 (m)

Give the gift of total relaxation to the one you love

Molly Duckworth Regional Media Sales 912.506.1115

Island Living. P.O. Box 21763 St. Simons Island, GA 31522. All Rights Reserved. FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION: 912.399.3699 or 912.399.9969 FOR SOCIAL SCENE PHOTOS: If you would like ElL to cover your NFP or community event for Social Scene, please contact Terry McCarthy at least 2 weeks prior to the event at 912.399.3699 or terryinssi@

Julie Andrew Tharpe Marketing Consultant 912.269.0476

comcast.net. FOR WEBSITE CALENDAR & SOCIAL MEDIA NOTIFICATIONS: To request that your special event be placed

Todd Baker Real Estate Manager 912.506.3625

on the EIL website calendar and shared through our social media network, please email your request to Kathi Williams at kathissi@comcast.net.

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS:

Trish Anderson Leslie Faulkenberry

FOR DISTRIBUTION:

912.506.3625 www.elegantislandliving.net

Tom Purdy Mason Stewart

GIFT CARDS AVAILABLE

CONTRIBUTING P H OTO G R A P H E R S :

Bobbi Brinkman AVAILABLE

FAC I A L S • M A S S AG E S E RV I C E S • BO DY T R E AT M E N TS N A I L S E RV I C E S • F U L L S E RV I C E H A I R S A LO N • EY E L A S H EXT E N S I O N S 60 CINEMA LANE, SUITE 140, ST. SIMONS ISLAND (next to Island Cinemas) 912.638.7799 l www.theislanddayspa.com

ELEGANT ISLAND LIVING

J.D. Dickerson Benjamin Galland, h2o creative group Joe Loehle, Loehle Photography Sarah Spivey, The Darkroom Photography

On The Cover: February’s cover model Alexis Bell helps us kick up the heat to introduce our Red Hot Romance feature just in time for Valentine’s Day. We’ve got spice, celebration, and plenty of adoration. Makeup by Emma Collins Beauty. Cover photo by Sarah Spivey, The Darkroom Photography.

ELEGANT ISLAND LIVING

37 16 24 RED

H OT

R O M A N C E

16 A Burning Passion

L AW

F I N A N C E

50 “Celebrating” Tax Season

contents

24 Mazel Tov! 30 Timeless Love

EV E N TS

34 A Sunrise Valentine

54 Transformations

37 Beachcombing 38 For the Love of Louboutins

COMMU NI TY

44 A Foundation For a Solid Second Chance

I SLAN D

I M P R ESSI O NS

48 Just Be Kind

SHOES STUART WEITZMAN • DONALD PLINER ICON • KATE SPADE • AMALFI • COLE HAAN GENTLE SOULS • MICHAEL KORS • MEPHISTO NAÖT • JACK ROGERS • MARC JOSEPH FRENCH SOLE • TONI PONS • WONDERS • AUDLEY SESTO MEUCCI • VANELI ERIC JAVITS • BUTTER • GEOX THE FLEXX • CLOUD

58 Business Buzz 62 What’s Happening 64 Social Scene 74 Real Estate

APPAREL FRANK LYMAN • HANRO LYSSE • GERRY WEBER

ACCESSORIES M.Z. WALLACE • LODIS • SUZI ROHR ERIC JAVITS • SUNGLASSES BY GUCCI • MICHAEL KORS

3419 Frederica Road, St Simons Island 912.638.1413 Monday-Saturday 10:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

106 SSI Archives

FEBRUARY 20 16

ELEGANT ISLAND LIVING

B P

Rarely do foods invoke passion to the extent that chili does. It doesn’t exactly have the same amorous connotations as, say, chocolate, but fiery debate, heated competition, and spicy stories surround this staple of American cuisine. While its origins are a bit hazy, chili appears to be an American creation influenced by Mexican or Navajo cuisine that was popularized by the cattle drivers and trail hands in Texas who enjoyed the mix of chile peppers, garlic, onion, and oregano and whatever meat was available. There’s no question that San Antonio is where chili (continues)

FEBRUARY 20 16

first became a popular dish and gained national notoriety. The earliest written mention of chili came from J.C. Clopper in 1828 when he described a dish eaten by families there while he visited: “a kind of hash with nearly as many peppers as there are pieces of meat – this is all stewed together.” This original “Chili Con Carne,” as it was called by the Spanish term for “peppers and meat,” had a simple recipe shared by range cooks: Cut up as much meat as you think you’ll need (beef is probably best, but any kind will do) into small pieces, about the size of a pecan. Put it in a pot with enough suet so the meat won’t stick to the pot, and cook it with about the same amount of chiles, wild onions, garlic, and oregano as you have meat. Put in some salt. Stir from time to time and cook until meat is tender. That wasn’t terribly complicated and whatever meat was handy could easily be made into a spicy stew with peppers, onions and herbs that were easy to grow or find along the trail. It was likely the “Chili Queens” who sold chili from festive decorated carts in San Antonio’s Military Plaza from the late 1880s until the 1930s that refined and added sophistication to the dish. The Queens made their chili at home and then loaded colorful chili wagons with their pots and cookware to the plaza, where they built mesquite fires to keep the chili warm. From nightfall until just before sunrise, when the vegetable vendors would appear, the Queens, dressed in fancy costumes and flowers, dished out chili to customers from beside the wagons they lit with colored lanterns. Diners sat on wooden stools placed nearby to enjoy the fiery concoction. What a sight that must have been! A testament to the popularity of the dish is the fact that in 1893 there was a “San Antonio Chili Stand” at the World’s Fair in Chicago. 18

ELEGANT ISLAND LIVING

In 1977, chili was proclaimed the official “state food” of Texas “in recognition of the fact that the only real ‘bowl of red’ is that prepared by Texans.” Texas Red is all about the chiles! This recipe secured from the Institute of Texan Cultures (updated for current shopping) is probably close to the “original” San Antonio Chili served in the plaza:

1 Tbsp. cumin seeds, freshly ground 2 Tbsp. Mexican oregano Salt to taste PREPARATION:

Place lightly floured beef and pork cubes in with suet and pork fat in heavy chili pot and cook quickly, stirring often. Add onions and garlic and cook until they are tender and limp. Add water to mixture and simmer slowly while preparing chiles. Remove stems

ORIGINAL SAN ANTONIO CHILI INGREDIENTS:

2 lbs. beef shoulder, cut into ½-inch cubes 1 lb. pork shoulder, cut into ½-inch cubes ¼ c. suet ¼ c. pork fat 3 medium-sized onions, chopped 6 garlic cloves, minced 1 qt. water 4 ancho chiles 1 serrano chile 6 dried red chiles

and seeds from chiles and chop very finely. Grind chiles in molcajete or mortar and add oregano and salt to mixture. Simmer another 2 hours. Remove suet casing and skim off some fat. BY THE TURN OF THE CENTURY,

chili had definitely become a national dish, with chili parlors popping up all around the country. During the Depression era, chili shacks were in almost every town. For many of those on the streets seeking work, chili was the meal that kept them from starving. The chili was cheap and filling and the crackers were free.

The chili queens of Haymarket Plaza in San Antonio, Texas, pictured in 1933.

By the 1950s, with the spread of the dish’s popularity beyond Texas to other cities, everyone was talking about chili and writing about it too. Variety and preferred ingredients became a hot topic and the bean versus

generally served “Five Way” over spaghetti and topped with chopped onion, red kidney beans, and lots of shredded cheese, along with oyster crackers and a side order of hot dogs topped with more shredded cheese. Not too

The Queens, dressed in fancy costumes and flowers, dished out chili to customers from beside the wagons they lit with colored lanterns. no bean argument got much attention. A Texas journalist named Joe Cooper, who had spent much of his life studying chili, wrote With or Without Beans. In the book, he discusses the best chili on record to date and released his own recipe, which used dry chile pods or chili powder instead of diced peppers and, notably, did not have beans. Whether the use of tomatoes and/or tomato sauce was acceptable for “proper” chili also sparked debate. Variations on that traditional Texas Red were gaining ground and establishing their own place in the chili world. Out in the Midwest, Cincinnati-Style Chili (popularized by Skyline Chili) was making a name for itself. Created as a spaghetti sauce made with Middle Eastern spices such as cinnamon, allspice, cloves, and cocoa, it’s

far away, in Springfield Illinois, SpringfieldStyle “Chilli” was being made as a loose ground beef mixture with a more cumin-heavy spice mix, and generally a generous portion of beans. In California, the famous Chasen’s restaurant in Beverly Hills became well-known for serving up their “Soup of the Devil” to international celebrities, including Jack Benny, J. Edgar Hoover, Clark Gable, and Elizabeth Taylor, who it is said had some flown to Rome when she was filming Cleopatra. Owner Dave Chasen kept the recipe a closely guarded secret, divulging only “It is a kind of bastard chili.” When First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt requested the recipe, she was refused, and they graciously sent a complimentary order of the chili instead. Chili was served just about everywhere from jailhouses to fire stations and each had its own recipe. (continues)

FEBRUARY 20 16

ELEGANT ISLAND LIVING

Will Rogers was said to have judged towns by their chili and kept scores of places he visited.

CINCINNATI CHILI

PREPARATION:

Place ground beef in large pan, cover with water, and bring to a boil, stirring and breaking up beef into a fine texture. Slowly boil until meat is thoroughly

INGREDIENTS:

cooked, about 30 minutes, remove from heat and

2 lbs lean ground beef

refrigerate in pan overnight. The next day, skim solid

1 qt. water, or amount to cover

fat from top of pan, and discard. Place beef mixture

2 onions, finely chopped

over medium heat, and stir in onions, tomato sauce,

1 (15 oz.) can tomato sauce

vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, chocolate,

2 Tbsp. vinegar

chili powder, salt, cumin, cinnamon, cayenne pep-

2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce  4 cloves garlic, minced  1/2 (1 oz.) square unsweetened chocolate 1/4 c. chili powder 1 1/2 tsp. salt 1 tsp. ground cumin  1 tsp. ground cinnamon 1/2 tsp. ground cayenne pepper 5 whole cloves 5 whole allspice berries  1 bay leaf

per, cloves, allspice berries, and bay leaf. Bring to boil, reduce heat to simmer, and cook, stirring occasionally, for 3 hours. Add water if necessary to prevent chili from burning. ALL THESE VARIATIONS have inspired passionate debate about the “best” way to make the dish. Today, however, many chili aficionados take a view like Carroll Shelby’s, “The beauty of chili to me is that it’s really a state

“The beauty of chili to me is that it’s really a state of mind.” of mind. It’s what you want when you make it. You can put anything in there you want, make it hot or mild, any blend of spices you feel like at the time. You make it up to suit your mood.” What we do know is that everyone loves chili. In fact, February 25 has been named National Chili Day! There’s no single “right” way to make it and they’re all good! Preferences for different varieties, flavors, and ingredients have spawned innovative and delicious creations like the white chicken chili that Boz made (continues)

FEBRUARY 20 16

a staple at Gnat’s Landing and a winner at our local chili cook-offs.

WHITE CHICKEN CHILI INGREDIENTS:

1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, chopped 1 medium onion, chopped 1 Tbsp. olive oil 2 garlic cloves, minced 2 cans (14 oz. each) chicken broth 1 can (4 oz.) chopped green chilies 2 tsp. ground cumin 2 tsp. dried oregano 1 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper 3 cans (14 1/2 oz. each) great northern beans, drained, divided 1 cup (4 oz.) shredded Monterey Jack cheese Chopped jalapeno pepper, optional PREPARATION:

In Dutch oven over medium heat, cook chicken and onion in oil until lightly browned. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in broth, chilies, cumin, oregano and cayenne; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low. With a potato masher, mash one can of beans until smooth. Add to saucepan. Add remaining beans to saucepan. Simmer for 20-30 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink and onion is tender. Top each serving with cheese and jalapeno pepper if desired. CHILI VARIATIONS AND PERSONAL TASTE

are the basis for chili cook-offs all across the U.S., where chefs, restaurants, teams, and home cooks pit their own special and unique recipes against each other to settle those longstanding debates over which is “best” (at least until the next cook-off). These culinary competitions are a time-honored tradition and range from church fundraisers to the annual World Chili Cook-Off held by the International Chili Society. (And by the way, Texas purists, that governing body recently added a division specifically for chili with beans, so it IS acceptable.) PREFERENCES

Here on St. Simons Island, the Red Hot Rotary Chili Cook-Off is now in its 15th year. This spring island tradition presented by the Golden Isles Rotary includes a Judged Competition 22

ELEGANT ISLAND LIVING

where chili is rated based on taste, consistency, aroma, appearance and heat, and a People’s Choice competition for the popular vote of the attendees at the event. Additional trophies are awarded for Best Heat, Most Unusual Chili, and Best Themed Chili Booth. On Saturday, March 5, Postell Market in the Village will be filled with teams from restaurants, local businesses and community organizations competing for bragging rights. To get sampling and voting privileges, buy a ticket to become an Official Taster and get your spoon. Tasting begins at 11:30 a.m. and the fun-filled day of live music, community fellowship, and spicy sampling wraps up with presentation of awards at 2:15 p.m. Last year the weather was sunny and in the 80s and a crowd of more than 2,000 came out to taste and choose their favorites. Move over Chili Queens, Elegant Island Living’s Team Chill-E still has our tiaras and cowbell, and we’re ready to take on the competition. Our

resident chef and crew will be bringing out the cooking pots once again and join the other teams in competition. We’re ready to ring that cowbell when we get your vote, so come out to sample what WE consider to be the best chili in town. Advance tickets can be purchased from Golden Isles Rotary Club members for $5 adults/$3 children in advance or $8 at the gate on the day of the Cook-Off. If you want to show off your own chili chops and compete, team entry deadline is February 12 and you can contact Emily Coiner at ecoiner@bellsouth. net to get registration information and Cookoff rules. We look forward to seeing everyone there! (Red Hot Romance continues on page 24)

FEBRUARY 20 16

ove is just one of the things being celebrated at the 2nd annual Jewish Food and Culture Festival that will be held in the Morningstar Marina courtyard on St. Simons Island on Sunday, March 20. Presented by Historic Beth Tefilloh, with the help of Coastal Kitchen, this event will feature a traditional Jewish wedding with its ceremonial rituals and dancing. A Klezmer band will perform traditional Israeli music. A wide variety of Jewish delicacies from latkes to kugel and rugulah to matzoh ball soup and beverages will be available for purchase from Temple members, with proceeds benefiting the restoration and building fund of the stately temple with its beautiful stained glass windows located in Historic Downtown Brunswick that is more than 125 years old. Admission (continues)

ELEGANT ISLAND LIVING

FEBRUARY 20 16

The kiddushin begins with greetings, a blessing over the wine, and a sip taken by the bride and groom. The groom then recites an ancient Aramaic phrase as he places the wedding band on his bride’s right index finger (the finger believed to be directly connected to the heart). If the ceremony is a double-ring ceremony, the bride will also place a ring on the groom’s index finger while repeating a feminine form of the Aramaic phrase, or a biblical verse from Hosea or Song of Songs. The ketubah is then read aloud in English and Aramaic. to the festival itself is free. The community is invited to come out between noon and 4:00 p.m. to learn more about Jewish culture and tradition and join the celebration. If you’re not sure what to expect at a traditional Jewish wedding, we’ll give you an overview of some of the customs and rituals (minhag) that are performed to create a meaningful link between the couple’s past, present, and future. From the signing of the ketubah (Jewish marriage contract) to the dancing of the hora, the Jewish wedding has many important symbolic elements. The betrothal ceremony (kiddushin) takes place under a wedding canopy called the huppah. Historically, Jewish wedding ceremonies were held outdoors, and the huppah was used to create an intimate, sanctified space. The huppah can be as simple or as elaborate as the couple chooses. Often they are decorated with flowers and greenery, but can be a simple white draped arch on the beach. When the couple first enters the huppah, the bride circles the groom seven times to represent the seven wedding blessings and seven days of creation, and to demonstrate that the groom is the center of her world. Many couples make this reciprocal with the groom also circling the bride. 26

ELEGANT ISLAND LIVING

The Sheva B’rachot, or seven blessings consist of praise for God, a prayer for peace in Jerusalem, and good wishes for the couple. In Sephardic weddings, before the Sheva B’rachot are recited, the parents wrap the couple in a tallis, literally binding them together. The tinkling sound of wineglasses breaking is part of the very essence of a Jewish wedding. The symbolic shattering of the glass represents the permanent change in the lives of the newly married couple, the fragility of human relationships, and is also a symbol of the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. It’s also the official signal for everyone to congratulate the bride and groom with the shout of “Mazel Tov!” and start the party! (continues)

FEBRUARY 20 16

Choose a beautiful hand painted Tierra Fina pot from Spain, Portugal, Morocco or Mexico and a plant from our seasonal garden and we will pot it for you!

COME IN AND SEE OUR FABULOUS INDOOR/OUTDOOR VINTAGE FLOORCLOTHS

269 REDFERN VILLAGE

3405 Frederica Road, St. Simons In the Old Bedford Sportsman Cottage w w w. c u l t i v a t e d l u x u r y. c o m Landscape Design / Plant Rental

LOCAL, PERSONAL, QUALITY, CUSTOM WORK WHERE FRAMING IS AN ART

THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR CUSTOMERS WHO HELPED VOTE US BEST FRAME SHOP AGAIN THIS YEAR. WE APPRECIATE YOUR BUSINESS AND YOUR SUPPORT THROUGHOUT THE YEARS.

Main Street Frame Shop Your Bridal & Graduation Framing Headquarters 1403 Newcastle Street • Downtown • 262-0050

ELEGANT ISLAND LIVING

l STORE 912.434.9050 l WWW.CACHETTES.NET

A truly beautiful ritual that immediately follows the ceremony under the huppah, is the yihud, or seclusion. The bride and groom retreat to a private room or separate area for 15 minutes of personal time. This allows them to focus on their new partnership, the true purpose of what is often a chaotic wedding day. No cameras, no videographers, no parents or bridal party members, just the newly married couple and a little quiet time alone to breathe and enjoy each other’s presence before stepping out into the reception. The wedding reception is known as the “S’eudah Mitzvah.” The wedding meal, in Jewish tradition, is to be prepared Kosher style, within the laws of the Torah, which means no mixing of meat and dairy and no pork or shellfish. The meal begins with a blessing over a wedding loaf of braided challah bread. Often the bride and groom lead the blessing and will then bring a piece of challah to each table, greeting their guests. The traditional Jewish wedding meal involves several prayers at specific times and dancing after the meal. Lively Israeli folk music creates the involvement of the

guests at the wedding rather than just couples. The wedding celebration is meant to be a community event. The Jewish wedding dance most widely known is the hora, or traditional dance of celebration, where the bride and groom are lifted in chairs on the shoulders of their guests. It can be a simple dance where the bride and groom are lifted and the crowd circles around them or, they may be paraded around the room or circled around each other, holding the ends of a handkerchief. While the dance can occur whenever “the spirit hits” during the reception, it’s probably a good idea to keep it early in the festivities before lifters (and a few of those should be designated and taught how to lift properly) partake in too much celebration. No one wants to have hora horror stories! The Jewish Food and Culture Festival is the perfect opportunity for the uninitiated to be

part of this wonderful Jewish ceremony filled with romance and tradition. It is also an excellent occasion to eat delicious food, learn more about Judaic culture and heritage, and Temple Beth Telfilloh’s 125-year history in the Golden Isles. For more information about the Jewish Food and Culture Festival and Temple Beth Telfilloh, visit their website at bethtefilloh.org. Come raise a glass in fellowship. L’chaim!

Love is in the Air Happy Valentines Day! Complete Pet Care, Health Service & Lodging Dr. Taylor and Dr. Hornbuckle provide just the kind of personalized care and attention you demand for your pet.

Merritt Hornbuckle and Peanut

9 Glynn Avenue, Brunswick • 912.267.6002 goldenislesanimalhospital.com

$10 off for a new client visit

FEBRUARY 20 16

ELEGANT ISLAND LIVING

Timeless Love

ecluded pathways under centuries-old Live Oak trees dripping with Spanish moss. Stunningly colorful beach sunrises and sunsets. Quaint historic squares with benches for languid summer afternoons. Live music on a seaside lawn under the glow of a lighthouse. It’s no wonder that Travel + Leisure named St. Simons Island and Brunswick in their list of America’s Most Romantic Towns last year. There’s just something about the Golden Isles and that appeal is timeless. When you drive through Historic Downtown Brunswick, it’s hard to miss the sign for “Lovers’ Oak.” Just a short distace away, an enormous oak tree reputed to be more than

900 years old is located at the intersection of Albany and Prince Streets. According to local legend, Native American braves and their maidens would meet and kiss their tree love under the majestic spread limbs of the huge oak. The tree’s trunk is 13 feet in diameter and its limbs, which branch out approximately 3 feet above the ground, measure between 12 and 30 inches in diameter. A plaque at the base of the tree states: “1787-1987. The National Arborist Association and The International Society of Arboriculture jointly recognize this significant tree in this bicentennial year as having lived here at the time of the signing of our Constitution.” The grand oak’s branches have provided a leafy canopy for many a couple throughout the centuries and there are (continues)

ABOVE: Lover’s Oak (veneer) ©Heather L. Young. For more of her work, please visit FLYoungStudio.com or theinklab.etsy.com.

FEBRUARY 20 16

JOE LOEHLE PHOTOGRAPHY

weather-worn initials among the limbs that continue to tell their stories. The shores of our beaches beckon lovers as well. Local legend tells a tale of true love in which a beautiful young woman named Mary who lost the man to whom she was to be wed. He had gone out in his boat in a ravaging storm and when she went out to find him, armed with a lantern on that dark and

BOBBI BRINKMAN PHOTOGRAPY WITH STRATON HALL EVENTS

stormy night, she discovered that his boat had capsized near shore and he had drowned. Distraught, she let the ocean claim her life as well. Now, late at night, many claim to see Mary carrying her lantern and walking the beaches and Village paths as she continues to search for her lost love. This tale of Mary the Wanderer’s enduring love goes to show that romance abides on the island, even beyond death. Even Christ Church is a testament to that fact, with the story of Anson Dodge’s legacy of love for his wife Ellen well-documented Eugenia Price’s historic romance Beloved Invader. An abundance of picture-perfect settings and the love in the air draw couples from far and wide to the Golden Isles as a wedding destination. From the opulent rooms of Brunswick Manor to the quaint charm of Lovely Lane Chapel to the beaches on Jekyll Island, couples pledge their love to each other and start their lives together right here almost every day. And many continue to return to celebrate that occasion and other special events in their lives. Coincidentally, EIL contributing writer Mason Stewart and his wife will be renewing their 50th wedding vows under the huppah at the March Jewish Food and Culture festival that we referenced in the prior story. Mason shares with us his story about a special time in that budding romance. (Red Hot Romance continues)

ELEGANT ISLAND LIVING

SHOPS AT SEA ISLAND Monday – Saturday 10AM-6PM Closed Sundays

638-1776

GLYNN PLACE MALL Monday – Saturday 10AM-9PM Sunday 12:30-5:30PM

264-1023

FEBRUARY 20 16

A Sunrise Valentine

512 Ocean Boulevard St. Simons Island, GA 31522 912.634.9977 www.mulletbayrestaurant.com Live Music on the Deck

Y O J H&

S FI EN SH OD

E O FR EAF S

YIR L I A

E OP DhA e

C E D

t was six o’clock Saturday morning May 28th, 1960. We sat quietly on top of “our” sand dune about 100 yards north of the South picnic area on Jekyll Island. Official sunrise was still about thirty minutes away, but the eastern sky was already ablaze with a bright orange glow. A glow whose warm reflection danced and shimmered off the glassy smooth ocean surface illuminating the horizon with a million tiny sparkles that chased away any hint of evening chill while beckoning all to stop and stare at the awesome spectacle about to unfold. It was our first sunrise together. We had pleaded with our parents to let us stay out all night following our high school graduation, but in those days, “decent girls” just didn’t do that. What would people think! So, following a traditional graduation dinner at the King & Prince Hotel, the two of us, armed with a promise to be home by 1:00 a.m., escaped in my aunt’s 1954 Chevy and headed for our secret spot among the sand dunes of Jekyll Island. There was just a sliver of a moon out that night, but a million

ELEGANT ISLAND LIVING

by Mason Stewart

bright stars filled the night sky. A slight breeze blew in off the ocean. Occasional flashlights danced along the largely deserted beach as lovers strolled leisurely by, perhaps looking for their special spot, like us, oblivious to the rest of the world. Time stood still as we kissed and shared private feelings that only lovers can express. We talked of a future we hoped would

be and looked for shooting stars that make wishes come true. Alas, time did not actually stand still, so at 12:30 a.m., true to our promise, we reluctantly packed up our dreams in a beach blanket and headed back to Brunswick. I dropped her off at her house, and drove home alone for a few hours of fitful sleep. (continues)

“MULTIPLES” FOR SPRING! Now Available in Sizes 4-16 & 1x-3x

Infant and Children’s Clothing, Gifts and Accessories

SPORTSWEAR 2-16 PLUS SIZE SPORTSWEAR 1X-3X ACCESSORIES • GIFTS IN-HOUSE MONOGRAMMING 276-A Redfern Village, St. Simons Island, GA / 912.434.9372 cutiepatootiesga.com

1616 Frederica Rd • 912-638-3995 Mon.-Sat. 10-5:30

FEBRUARY 20 16

At 5:00 a.m., a car horn blew outside my house on Reynolds Street. Even though “decent girls” might not be able to stay out all night, if a decent girl happens to have an older brother who’s a good guy, there’s a chance he might just wake up at 5:00 a.m. and drive you back to Jekyll to watch “your special sunrise.”

watched in awe as our sun came up on our beach; a giant fire ball that spread its warmth over the island and told the world of our special love. In truth, that sunrise back in 1960 was probably not unlike most other sunrises, but when you are in love, it is clearly unlike any other sunrise that has ever been or will ever be.

So there we sat, arms and hearts entwined on our special sand dune on Jekyll Island watching our first sunrise together. I gave her my ring, which she put on a chain around her neck, and we

On May 29th of this year, my girlfriend and I will return to Jekyll for our 50th wedding anniversary sunrise. This time, if we want to and our kids will let us, we can even stay out all night!

ELEGANT ISLAND LIVING

BENJAMIN GALLAND, H20 CREATIVE GROUP

hether you’re in the Golden Isles for Valentine’s Day, a romantic weekend, or just want to add a little extra “amour” to the everyday, there are abundant opportunities to show your affection. Stop in RaeLou’s Edible Art, the new sweet shop in Retreat Plaza, to grab an assortment of truffles or other adorably cute and delicious hand-dipped treats. Drop by Joseph Jewelers to pick up the perfect adornment and present it to her during a sunset beach walk. Follow it up with an intimate Valentine’s Day inspired menu and champagne toast at Delaney’s Bistro & Bar. Seaside Home

has a wide array of candles and fragrances if you’d rather stay in for the night. For the ultimate indulgence, book a room at The King and Prince Hotel & Beach Resort and a spa package at The Royal Treatment Cottage. No matter what you choose to do, let love rule the day!

ue island dant is a tr n e p and ld o g 14KT e designs This solid day. Uniqu B y A n r a R r ie C o P A y 6 a S D o., 10 HAPPY A Valentine’s Bracelet C perfect for olden Isles G . t a m o u keepsake .c yo it celets uality awa , GIBCoBra 6 3 6 .3 exquisite q 8 3 rket, 912.6 Village Ma

SWEETS FOR MY SWEET Cup cakes in various Valentine’s Day assortm ents are a great way to say “I love you” or “Will you be mine?” Smallcakes , 1600 Frederica Rd, Ste. 6, 912.434.9 106.

Make SNUGGLE UP ntine’s every day Vale , soft, m Day with war e “Up ec fle easy care ear in w ge un lo 8” Past for s colorful pattern rls gi d both boys an ts. in Pr s h’ ra from Sa 4-16. s ze si in e bl Availa s n’ re Carousel Child at tre Re 6 Clothing, 13 . 60 30 8. 63 2. Plaza, 91

LOW COUNTR Y ROMANCE Hand-poured Southern thin in the South, gs we adore, and named fo Low Country in scents like r Luxe Candles peach, garden an d diffusers co ia an Island, 600 Se d jasmine. In m e a Island Rd., digo & Cotton, 912.634.8884 Shops at Sea . indigossi.com .

de andma cious h li e d k e r s a The nd d EART” terior a E MY H chocolate ex orated for the 30 L O T S “ ite ec ,1 with wh rfectly d top! RaeLou’s truffles center are pe e th n o . ht te m chocola ith a heart rig 66, raelous.co w 8 n .9 io 2 s 0 a c .2 oc 12 Plaza, 9 Retreat

FEBRUARY 20 16

ELEGANT ISLAND LIVING

arilyn Monroe once said, “Give a girl the right shoes and she can conquer the world.” The Hospice of the Golden Isles Auxiliary has learned that if you hold a fundraiser that involves shoes and wine, the community can benefit in amazing ways! This will be the third year for Wine Women & Shoes Benefiting Hospice of the

Golden Isles, the sipping, shopping, fashion show-luncheon extravaganza that has proven to be an incredibly popular and successful tool to raise money for HGI. On Saturday, February 20th from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., you can sip and shop a designer marketplace at The Cloister on Sea Island, while a new batch of handsome (continues)

FEBRUARY 20 16

Shoe Guys circulate with the latest in glamorous shoes and accessories on silver trays. There will also be a silent auction with fantastic items waiting for your bid. Once you and your friends are seated for the luncheon and fabulous fashion show, those charming Shoe Guys will keep the world-class wines flowing at the table. Shoes, handbags, accessories, and jewelry will be available for purchase from vendors that include Alma Handbags, Cloister Collection, Cloth + Label, Evelyne Talman, Gunner’s Daughter, Julie

Bee’s, Love Thirteen, PK Collection, Shackelford Shoe Boutique, Sparkle n’ Bloom, Susie O’s Handbags, and Ward and Whitney. The designs are absolutely swoon-worthy!

I took ballet for 20+ years and loved every

White Keds! I

minute of it. It was my heart and gave me so much more than just learning how to dance, like an appreciation for the arts, confidence to stand in front of people, charisma, and ability to express myself through movement. They say every girl feels like a princess in pointe shoes and dancing. I Prenatal Care

felt that way every time I put on those shoes. - Lora Lee Frazier

Infertility Workup/Treatment Menopausal Care Osteoporosis Treatment Nutrition Counseling 4D Ultrasound • Colposcopy Menstrual disorders Gyn Surgery

912. 638.1801 3 Convenient Locations ST. SIMONS • BRUNSWICK WAYCROSS

lilyobgyn.com

ELEGANT ISLAND LIVING

I gave my 6 year-old daughter, Charlotte, a pair of ballet shoes and she has worn them around the house and to sleep for the past two months. Her enthusiasm for ballet has encouraged me to recently join an adult ballet class and purchase my own pair of ballet shoes. – Tara Harper

And speaking of swooning, everyone knows that nothing inspires passion in a woman quite like an amazing pair of shoes. To learn a little more about the women working behind the scenes of this year’s event, we invited them to tell us about their favorite shoes:

lived in them in college, upon the recommendation of my mother, who did the same thing when she was in college. For me, it was the early 80s and the days of The Preppy Handbook, so they were perfect. I still wear them today. They go with almost anything! – Sharon Proudfoot Without a shadow of a doubt, my all time favorite shoes were my Land’s End clogs – the wooden ones that made just the right amount of obnoxious clunking as you walked down the halls of school.

My mother gave me a pair of her peep toe

I think I had a pair in every

heels when I was 6 years old. I loved to wear

color imaginable. They made

them so much and would even wear them to drive

me THAT much taller than

the go-cart I had then! I have given them to my

all of the boys, so naturally they

daughter and she loves them just as much. They

were the best.

still have a blue streak on the back from the go cart pedals.

- Mary Catherine Sexton

- Jeanie Beth Baxter

(continues)

Come to Butler’s Stash and fill out your

list. Valentine wish

Then send your hubby in on r February 9 from 5:30- 7:00 fo A BOURBON TASTING

with The Still and Winery!

LADIES BOUTIQUE

26 Market St., Suite 112 • St. Simons Island • Mon.-Sat. 10-6 LOCATED BEHIND ZAXBY’S

Owned & Operated by Felicia Braden and Nicole Dowling

Wishing you Love and Light this Valentine’s Day.

125 Gary L Moore Court – located off Demere Road and Airport Road St. Simons Island

912-638-8815

100 Sylvan Drive Suite 150 St. Simons Island

(912) 638-8344 Monday-Saturday 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Home Accessories and Lamp Repair

lampandshadecollection.com

Bedding • Rugs • Furniture • Pillows • Accents Lamps • Jewelry • Candles Pottery • Ceramic Dishes • Glass Stemware French Reproductions, Hand Painted-Distressed

FEBRUARY 20 16

I have a weakness for shoes. My friends will tell you that when I find a pair that I love, I get every color in the same shoe. I just love shoes! I also adored playing dress-up as a child, and heels were a must to complete my fashionable - Cissy Thompson look!

s part of the Wine Women & Shoes fundraiser, there are also Crowdrise sites (crowdrise.com) for the Shoe Guys to compete for “King of Sole” and, new this year, a “Queen of Sole” addition for our stylish local ladies. The man and woman who raise the most money in donations during the

ELEGANT ISLAND LIVING

of Jack Rogers. Platinum Navajos. I think I wore them every day the first summer I had them! They’re in shoe heaven now thanks to a puppy with an appetite for quality leather. – Heather Kingsley Burrell I’ll never forget my first pair

to boots snagged from a vintage store in Denver, but my latest are from a good oldfashioned department store: Frye slip-on leather loafers. My mom gave me a tan pair for Christmas and since then I’ve ordered more, including gold! For my life they’re a perfect fit. – Stephanie Jacobs

I used to love The Wizard of Oz and had a pair of red sparkly heels like Dorothy’s. I wore

My cousin and I grew up best friends and had

them everywhere! From that point on, I have

a matching pair of hot pink, pointed toe, glitter

always loved getting dressed up with some

jelly shoes. We had pink skirts and hair bows to

snazzy heels!

wear with them. We dressed up, danced and

- Anna Hopkins

played so joyfully in those shoes. We even wore Through the years I’ve had several favorite pairs of shoes...clogs from San Francisco

multiple colors of stacked layered socks with our

campaign will be crowned during the Saturday event. Additionally, you’ll want to wear your own show-stopping footwear that day because will be judges circulating and evaluating bodacious boots, power pumps, sassy stilettos, classy classics and more to choose a “Best in Shoe” winner from the attendees. If you want

to bring home the prize, be sure to put your best foot forward!

jelly shoes when winter began!

– Keri Anderson

For more information about Wine Women & Shoes 2016 and to purchase tickets, visit winewomenandshoes.com/goldenisles. Follow them on Facebook for updates too!

PRICING TO PREPARE AND E- FILE

NO BILLABLE HOURS OR HIDDEN FEES STATE RETURN FILED FOR FREE

Trish Anderson CPA, LLC 301 Sea Island Road / St. Simons Island (Next to the Market at Sea Island.)

1040A $100 1040 (without Schedule A) $150

1040 (with Schedule A) $200 Schedule C (Profit or Loss from Business) $200 Schedule D (Capital Gains and Losses) $125 Schedule E (Supplemental Income and Loss) $125

912.634.5300 trishandersoncpa.com trishandersoncpa@gmail.com PERSONAL FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT Tax • Retirement Planning Wealth Management • Elder Care BUSINESS SERVICES Tax • Accounting • Capital

FEBRUARY 20 16

A Foundation For a Solid Second Chance

Heather House board members (from left) Lucy Bryson, Founder Luck Flanders, Executive Director Heather Rosenberg, Alexandra Carlyle, and Rebecca Robinson.

en years ago, the doors to a little brick house out on Old Jesup Road opened to help women in need in our community. Ever since that day, Heather House has been a powerful force in changing lives.

In 2005, at an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting at a local jail, Luck Flanders met a young woman who lacked funds to enter a live-in treatment center to continue. It was at

ELEGANT ISLAND LIVING

that point that Luck realized the need for a local residential recovery home that did not require a large entry fee. She and her friend, Gaby, who had dreamed about running a halfway house, began the process of achieving non-profit status and establishing Heather House, a non-profit long-term residential recovery program. Davis Love III and his wife, Robin, offered the services of the Love Foundation to help raise startup money, and thanks to their generosity and the AA community, Heather House was able to open three months

later, in February 2006. Women in recovery now had an affordable, loving, supportive, and safe, drug and alcohol free environment to call home while they work to maintain sobriety. Heather House is a 12-month residential program with up to ten women in the program at one time. In accordance with the AA Twelve Steps of Recovery, residents are required to attend AA meetings, which helps build a community of sponsors and supporters outside the house. Education is another important requirement of the Heather House program. Any women lacking a high school diploma or GED must attend classes to earn their GED. Luck explains, “Many of these girls think that they aren’t capable of academic success, but often we find they excel and graduate with honors.” She shared stories with EIL of a program graduate who Current residents gather over coffee and enjoy hearing inspirational stories of past successes.

has made Dean’s List each semester she has been in college and others who have received Certified Nursing Assistant Certificates. She says, “The success these women experience in these settings encourages them to work harder and raises their self-esteem when they realize they are smart and capable of more than they once believed.”

Current Heather House residents are all smiles as they pose with Executive Director Heather Rosenberg (4th from left).

In addition, all residents must work to support themselves and actively participate in community service. They do regular volunteer work with Manna House, Faithworks, and Alcoholics Anonymous. The Heather House staff helps the women find jobs in the community. Maggie Baumann of the new Jekyll Market store employs two Heather House residents. She shares, “It has been our absolute delight to have staff members join us who are with Heather House. Each employee brings their own unique talents and experiences to the table, whether they are with us long term or just short-term. Being able to see their growth and

share their successes, both personally and professionally, has been quite rewarding. While they appreciate the second chance that we have offered them, we appreciate their hard work and dedication to our store and customers.” The program also includes individual goal setting, in-house and outside counseling, and opportunities for residents to complete education and job training programs. Rent includes utilities, food, transportation to work, meetings, and sober group activities. When the women are ready to transition out of the home, the Heather House staff assists them with finding and setting up a new residence. Flipping through scrapbooks with current residents and board members, Luck says (continues)

THE BEST PRIVATE CLUB VALUE IN THE SOUTHEAST!

www.brunswickcountryclub.com

Contact: Dan Hogan at 912-264-4377 ext. 5

OUR JUNIOR, CORPORATE AND FULL MEMBERSHIP RATES CAN’T BE BEAT!

FEBRUARY 20 16

H A R D T O F I N D, IMPOSSIBLE TO FORGET!

SPRING SPORTSWEAR & SPECIAL OCCASION ARRIVING DAILY

Dresses & Shoes

ENGLISH MAHO GANY & C OUNTRY FRENCH FURNITURE

•

Jewelry & Accessories

L AMPS • AC CESSORIES • GIFTS

•

Destination Bridal Gowns •

One of a Kind “Treasures.” Located Between Redfern Village and St. Simons Drugs.

Mother of the Bride •

Special Occasion Dresses & Separates •

Prom & Pageant 3421 CYPRESS MILL, SUITE #5 BRUNSWICK, GA

(912) 638-1216

912-265-2392

Free Delivery & Set-Up

Come see us at The Patio Store!

LARGE DISCOUNTS

ON A WIDE VARIETY OF FLOOR MODELS Owner Emily Bennett

AVEDA HAIR CARE started with one shampoo and a mission to create naturallyderived products that care for your hair and the world we live in. Today our ingredients are over 95% naturally derived and harvested worldwide. Our hair care systems deliver salon-proven results and feature unique flower and plant pure-fume™ aromas that can improve your mood while you cleanse and condition your hair. Book a styling session at A New Horizon and see for yourself.

A NEW HORIZON: The Island’s Only Full Service AVEDA Concept Salon & Day Spa 507 Ocean Boulevard, Suite 101-A, St Simons Island 912.634.0227 anewhorizonssi.com

ELEGANT ISLAND LIVING

BRANDS WE CARRY: Breezesta, Chicago Wicker,

Erwin & Sons Wicker, Lloyd Flanders, Tropitone, Windham Castings, Castelle, Casual Line PVC, Oriflamme Fire Tables, Treasure Garden Umbrellas, Royal Teak, Windward Design Group

Located 1.7 miles East of I95 at exit 3 in the Three Palms Plaza in Kingsland. Open Tuesday – Saturday

(912) 729-1173 thepatiostorega.com

with a bit of surprise, “There are a lot of sober women out there today!” There are so many stories about the women who passed through these doors and how much their lives have improved since their time at Heather House and how that has touched others in their lives as well. A letter from Jolea, the 15 year-old daughter of Kristy T, a Heather House “graduate” who has been sober for 5 years now speaks volumes. “Heather House affected my life in a very positive way. Not only did it teach my mother how to live a sober life, but it also showed her how to build genuine relationships with family members and other addicts and alcoholics. I learned through the Heather House girls how easy it is to get on the wrong track. But I also learned how easy it is to get help for your addiction.” Heather House volunteer Norma Hatfield says that it’s that type of story that shows the profound impact the program has in the community. “One of my favorite stories is that Kristy and her daughter, Jolea, were talking one night and Jolea was telling her mom about a friend whose dad drank a lot and tended to get mean when he did. Jolea shared with this little girl about her mother’s experience with Heather House and that there are solutions. When Kristy praised her for being so supportive, Jolea said, ‘But mama, isn’t that what we’re supposed

to do?’ Recovery has a ripple effect and her friend could help somebody else only because Kristy came to Heather House.” What might be even more astounding is that Heather House has been helping women to learn to live a drug and alcohol free life for ten years without any type of state or federal government assistance. Heather Rosenberg recently took the helm as Executive Director, joining Luck, and a small but very actively involved board of directors made up of Lucy Bryson, Alexandra Carlyle, Rebecca Robinson, and Brad Butler. Aside from some small community grants, all funds to support the program have been raised through bake sales and yard sales and an annual oyster roast. They welcome financial contributions as well as additional community involvement and support. Luck and Heather stress that Heather House residents can provide needed services such as pick up and haul away of unwanted household items and clothing, painting and odd jobs for local individuals and businesses. Any financial contributions allow the residents to have low rent so they can save money for their transition to living independently. They have also initiated a GoFundMe campaign to obtain a new van for transportation, since the one they have is also ten years old. Visit gofundme.com/wcakf4us if you would like to donate.

Other ways to help Heather House are to volunteer for a position on the board to assist with grant writing, fundraising efforts, and community outreach. Mentor or offer workshops in skills like basic personal accounting or computer literacy. Share your passion by leading a workshop in art, gardening, music, or other talents. Help with the upkeep of the house, yard, or landscaping at the property. Offer to provide transportation for residents to work, doctors’ appointments, and meetings. There are so many opportunities for our community to show our support for these women on the path to a lifetime of sobriety. Please call 912.996.3950 or 912.554.3660 if you would like to make a financial contribution or talk about volunteer opportunities. Also put March 5 on your calendar and plan to come out for the oyster roast. For only $20, you’ll be treated to a feast and what is reputed to be the best crab stew in town. We’ll be sharing more information on the EIL online calendar and Facebook page as the event nears. Heather House was founded on the belief that through hard work and community support, the women in the program can become sober, self-supporting, productive members of society. Now as Luck looks back over ten years, she is able to proudly say this is proving to be true.

FEBRUARY 20 16

ISLAND IMPRESSIONS BY TOM PURDY

Just Be Kind

he other day as my wife and I were walking into Harris Teeter on St. Simons Island, an SUV zipped into a space reserved for senior customers. We had just driven by the empty space to park ten spaces further away in the next open space. From the large, luxury SUV a late twenty-something woman hopped out. She was well dressed and, ironically, quite fit. She appeared to be someone who spends many hours in the gym to maintain a certain level of fitness, yet instead of parking further away to leave that space open for the store’s senior patrons and getting a few extra steps on her Fitbit, either impatience or self-importance told her she could ignore the sign and park there anyway. This is not like seeing someone park in an accessible space, unsure if a disability is visible or not. Those situations can be deceiving. But unless Rodan + Fields’ creams are literally able to work miracles, this woman was probably about 35 years younger than what most of us would consider an appropriate age to legitimately use one of those spaces. After debating whether I should say something, I decided to let it go. The bonds of our common humanity can be fragile, and sometimes I feel like being a civility traffic cop. When I see someone acting like a jerk I am tempted to make a citizens arrest, or at least issue a citizens citation. I appreciate that the folks at Harris Teeter have

parking spaces for veterans, expecting and new mothers, and senior citizens, in addition to the required accessible parking spaces near the front of the store. There are groups of people who deserve a little consideration if for no other reason than it’s what good people do for one another. It doesn’t take grand gestures to make the world a better place. In my tradition we’re called to care for “the least of these.” Such acts might be as simple as offering a cup of water to a thirsty person or sharing food with one who is hungry. And if Jesus isn’t your thing, perhaps the wisdom of Tolkien spoken through the wizard Gandalf resonates: “I have found it is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love.” It matters if we offer to share our umbrella with a stranger, hold the door for others, smile supportively at the mother with the screaming kids, and yes, leave the parking spaces close to the store for those who might not be able to walk as easily or as far as we can. It also matters when we don’t. The good news about our experience on the way into the grocery store is that the space was initially empty despite a very full parking lot. Many people drove past that particular space. That tells me there’s plenty of light and love in the world after all. An act of kindness here or there makes all the difference.

EIL WELCOMES REV. TOM PURDY AS A CONTRIBUTING WRITER, sharing his impressions of life in our community on a regular basis. Tom moved to St. Simons Island in 2013 with his wife, Donna, and daughters Eva and Calleigh, to take his current position as Rector at Christ Church Frederica. He and his family enjoy outdoor adventures, travel and exploration, and good food. Tom fancies himself a funny fellow, but we hear that when it comes to puns, he should be discouraged. Photo by Benjamin Galland, h2o creative. 48

ELEGANT ISLAND LIVING

FEBRUARY 20 16

IT’S ALL

ABOUT THE

CHILL ourE C I A L S H y app W I N E S P

TE OYS

EER, AY! R S , B EVERY D

4-6PM

“Celebrating” Tax Season b y T r i s h A n d e r s o n , C PA

he Sixteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution gave Congress the power to “lay and collect taxes on income, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the states …” The result of this amendment was a broad income tax and the “celebration” of tax season.

Open

Monday-Thursday 4-10 p.m.

The deadline to file income taxes this year has been pushed back to Monday, April 18th due to the observance of Emancipation Day in Washington D.C. on April 15th. If you are expecting a refund, the earlier you file the better. On average, the IRS pays out more than $3.6 billion in fraudulent refunds a year and it takes on average 312 days to resolve tax related theft cases. In other words, try to beat the criminals to your refund!

SERVING LUNCH

Friday, Saturday & Sunday 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. 228 REDFERN VILLAGE, Like Us on

912.634.6228

ELEGANT ISLAND LIVING

If you are making a tax payment and still can’t get it together by

April 18th, make sure you file for an extension and make an estimated payment so you’re not hit with a late filing fee or a latepayment penalty. That will buy you an additional 6 months and extend your filing until October 15th. Maybe it’s not the most celebrated time of the year but we can still get a good chuckle out of the more outrageous income tax

deductions that have succeeded and failed over the years. Typically, pets that you own are not considered dependents and their medical expenses cannot be written off. However, in a landmark court case, a California woman was able to deduct 90 percent of the $12,000 in deductions she claimed for the 70 cats she fostered. Since the (continues)

FEBRUARY 20 16

woman was working with a legitimate charity with 501(c)(3) tax status, she was therefore able to deduct these expenses. You’ve heard of junkyard dogs, but how about junkyard cats? In another feline-related tax case, the owners of a junkyard claimed a deduction for the money spent to put out bowls of pet food to attract stray cats. The couple argued that the cats were used to ward off snakes and rats that were living in the junkyard, making the junkyard safer for customers and providing a useful business service. The couple took the case to court and won! The IRS agreed that the cats kept the property safer for customers and the pet food was a legitimate business expense. Believe it or not, there’s even an infamous case where breast implants were claimed as a business expense! The majority of breast augmentations are cosmetic in nature, therefore, there is no deduction for tax purposes. Implants after a mastectomy, however, are generally tax deductible since this is considered part of medical treatment. It was an exotic dancer with the stage name of “Chesty Love” who tried to deduct her $2,088 breast implants. The IRS rejected her claim and she sued the IRS in U.S. Tax Court. She was able to prove that the breast implants that left her with a size 56FF allowed her to make more money than she otherwise would have. Not sure what’s more shocking, the decision by the tax court to allow the deduction or the size 56FF! 52

ELEGANT ISLAND LIVING

After a Pittsburgh businessman collected $500,000 in an insurance claim following the destruction of his furniture business by a fire, he decided to deduct the $10,000 paid to an arsonist as a “consulting fee.” He probably should have consulted with an attorney before admitting this to the IRS during an audit. He didn’t need that tax deduction after the insurance company reclaimed the proceeds and he was charged with insurance fraud. In 2008, a man in New York City, made regular deposits at his local sperm bank. He tried to offset his income with a deduction. Not sure if the deduction was related to “labor” or “depletion.” Either way I give it an A for creativity. He took it all the way to the US First Circuit Court of Appeals but lost. Most jobs call for you to look the part. Uniforms are a necessity for some jobs. Business attire is a requirement for most office jobs. Although business attire often comes with a high cost, because you can wear these outfits outside of the work place, you generally

cannot deduct your work clothes as a business expense. Actress Dinah Shore tested that argument during the 1950s when she claimed the cost of formal dresses she wore on her variety show. Dinah claimed that she couldn’t possibly wear them for personal reasons because they were so tight

she couldn’t actually sit down in them. The IRS didn’t believe her so they sent a representative to judge which dresses really were too tight to sit down in before they allowed the deduction. The deductibility of your expenses might make perfect sense to you, but remember the IRS will be the final judge, so it’s always best to run your situation by a CPA before you go ahead and take that deduction.

TRISH ANDERSON is a certified public accoun-

tant with more than 20 years of business and accounting experience in public accounting, wealth management, asset based lending, government auditing, corporate accounting and auditing and not-for-profit accounting and auditing. She offers Concierge Accounting Services to individuals and small businesses including individual tax planning and preparation, family office services, and elder care, small business and HOA accounting, debt advising and angel investing. Trish’s office is located at 301 Sea Island Road, Ste. 3, and she can be reached by phone at 912.634.5300, or feel free to visit her website at trishandersoncpa.com.

312 Mallery Street • St. Simons Island – In the Village • 912-634-2764

FEBRUARY 20 16

ELEGANT ISLAND LIVING

A FRESH

~transformations~ by Le s l i e Fa u l ke n b e r r y , Fa u l ke n b e r r y C e r t a i n A d ve r t i s i n g Photos by J.D. Dickerson

very two weeks, Dan Meyers masterminds the transformation of The Market at Sea Island into the Farmers Market, an entertaining, upscale openair event offering locally-sourced fresh vegetables, crafts and a fabulous array of food. Inside, his congenial staff creates soups, salads, and epic sandwiches in flavor combinations to satisfy any palate. On April 3, Dan and chefs from The Market at Sea Island will take their magic on the road to the King and Prince Golf & Beach Resort for the 16th annual A Taste of Glynn, a fundraiser for the Glynn Community Crisis Center. They will join other leading culinary establishments in the Golden Isles to compete for top honors in seven categories. The favorite spring event offers superb food, a wine

auction, live music, a silent auction and a chance to join friends on the oceanfront lawn of the historic hotel. As appealing as winning awards might be, Dan has another reason to pack up his team and hand out up to 1,000 taste-sized por-

tions of their very best dishes. “A Taste of Glynn is a lot of fun for us and for everyone who comes out to enjoy the evening,” he noted. “It’s great to win prizes, but that’s not why we participate. This is a perfect opportunity for community involvement. The Glynn Community Crisis Center

APPROACH TO

GREAT

FOOD SERVING BREAKFAST AND LUNCH DAILY DINNER THURSDAY-SATURDAY

is the best at helping their clients understand exactly what their needs are, then helping them to reach their goals in life.” The Glynn Community Crisis Center serves men, women and children who have experienced domestic violence. The organization operates Amity House, the emergency shelter; a 24/7crisis line; Hope House, a transitional living residence and outreach for those who do not require shelter. Far from being a simple residential refuge, the Glynn Community Crisis Center is all about moving ahead safely with positive change. Services such as counseling, legal assistance, life skill training and help with applying for employment are arranged as needed. Once victims are financially and emotionally ready to move into their own homes (continues)

Enjoy Indoor or Outdoor dining Pet Friendly Wi-Fi Live Music on the Patio Craft Beer, Wine and Specialty Cocktails

318 Mallery Street St. Simons Island, GA 912.634.7515 www.palmcoastssi.com

FEBRUARY 20 16

I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR WHAT THE GLYNN COMMUNITY CRISIS CENTER AND AMITY HOUSE HAVE DONE FOR ME,” SHE SHARED. “THEY ARE MORE THAN WHAT PEOPLE USED TO CALL A ‘BATTERED WOMEN’S SHELTER.’ GETTING MY INDEPENDENCE BACK WAS HUGE.” homes, they can continue to receive ongoing support as outreach clients.

The next five months were spent on the move, with her abuser isolating and assaulting her. When Perhaps no one is better qualithey arrived in Brunswick, Agnes Presenting sponsor, Stambaugh fied to tell the story of how the heard about Amity House. She Aviation, joins other community Crisis Center changes lives than seized a rare opportunity to call business partners to bring A Taste Agnes, a former victim turned the Crisis Line and escape. Durof Glynn to life. Owners Mark victor over abuse. At age 34, she ing her stay at Amity House, (JR) and Scott Stambaugh supbecame involved with her abuser Agnes worked with her Victim’s port the organization’s concept of after a brief, but intense, online Advocate to secure her safety and renewal and rebuilding. “Stamcourtship. In less than a month, receive counseling. She began a baugh Aviation has been the prehe had moved into her home. new job, and through the rapid senting sponsor for the Taste of A few weeks later, the abuse re-housing program, she was Glynn for the past soon in a home of five years,” JR Stamher own. In seven baugh noted. “Our weeks, her life was commitment to this transformed from event is based on one of pain and our desire to supdespair to a positive, port the Crisis Censafe and peaceful ter and its mission existence. She celeto reach out to the brated Christmas in victims of domesher own “really nice” tic violence, and to apartment, and now offer those victims a Scott and Mark (JR) Stambaugh of presenting sponsors Stambaugh Aviation looks toward a much hand up and a way support Glynn Community Crisis Center’s mission to help domestic violence victims brighter future. “I renew and rebuild their lives. Photo by Terra Winslett out of abusive situam so grateful for ations. Each year, we are always began. His temper was volatile what the Glynn Community Criproud and honored to take a leadand unpredictable, and he never sis Center and Amity House have ing role in helping victims as our let her out of his sight. Her life done for me,” she shared. “They friends and neighbors show outquickly deteriorated into dodging are more than what people used standing support for the event.” his often drug-fueled wild mood to call a ‘battered women’s shelswings. She could not escape his ter.’ Getting my independence Funds raised by A Taste of Glynn dark world. “I lost everything,” back was huge.” help provide the resources needed she recalled. “My career and my to grow the Glynn Community home were gone. He would go A Taste of Glynn will be held at Crisis Center’s community educato ATMs anywhere we went and the King and Prince Beach & tion and awareness work, as well as force me to withdraw my savings. Golf Resort on April 3, from 5:00 expand services it can offer victims. He took everything I had.” She to 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $40 in Programs for pre-teens and teens to remembers, “I used to laugh at advance, $50 at the door, and are prevent dating partner violence are girls like me. I would make fun of available for purchase online at highly effective to break the cycle them for not leaving. But I didn’t atasteofglynn.com or at locations of abuse. The organization also understand then.” listed on the site. 56

ELEGANT ISLAND LIVING

offers speakers to educate groups about domestic violence.

We may be off the beaten path

but who wants to travel that road anyway?

Un i q u e Fi n e Ho m e Fu r n i s h i n g s Ho m e D é c o r • A r t a n d G i f t s

Affordable Island Elegance

Tuesday - Saturday 10am - 5pm 1607 Frederica Road Suite 103 (between Outback and CVS) 912-434-9517

200 Hyde Park Commons Winn Dixie shopping center, exit 29 / Brunswick,GA 31523

912-275-7174

satillafamilydentistry.com

FEBRUARY 20 16

BUSINESS BUZZ

FESTIVAL FUNDS AT WORK Members of the Saint Simons Food & Spirits Festival Board recently presented a check to Hospice of the Golden Isles (HGI) in the amount of $17,000, representing the total proceeds raised from the 2015 festival. “Hospice of the Golden Isles is deeply grateful to everyone involved with the Saint Simons Food & Spirits Festival for their efforts to benefit our non-profit agency,” said Karen Brubaker, HGI CEO. “Our hospice has served this community for 35 years, and we rely on the generosity of our donors to continue to deliver expert, compassionate care

to all in need, regardless of ability to pay. In 2014, the funds received from the Festival paid for one of our new residential patient rooms in our Hospice House. In 2015, the Festival’s donation helped cover

uncompensated care for some of our most vulnerable patients. We truly appreciate the Festival Team’s faithful support of our Hospice.” The festival will return October 5-9 in 2016.

TOGETHER AGAIN Dee Simmons Interiors welcomes Cara Wommack as a senior designer. Cara, a Georgia native, holds a Bachelor of Interior Design from Auburn University. She is NCIDQ certified and a member of ASID. While interning at their first interior design firm in Atlanta, Dee and Cara became fast friends and colleagues, working together for six years both in Atlanta and then later on St. Simons Island. Cara then married Michael and took some time off to raise their three children, MJ, Lura, and Annie. Cara’s energy and creativity were put to good use designing and planning the new home she and Michael built in 2014. Recognizing Cara’s strong creative abilities, Dee asked Cara to join her established design firm. Dee and Cara’s style merge together both modern and classic design resulting in an ideal mix of old and new that is timeless. For more information, please visit deesimmonsinteriors.com. HOPE STARTS WITH U United Way of Coastal Georgia is creating lasting change in our community. Their awareness campaign Hope Starts With U launches this month. Hope Starts With U will show how far United Way’s impact reaches across our community. Their collaboration with local organizations is helping to improve education, financial stability and health for individuals in Glynn and McIntosh counties. They work with hundreds of volunteers and 58

ELEGANT ISLAND LIVING

donors, providing a platform to make a bigger, deeper difference. Hope Starts With U focuses on improving lives by mobilizing the caring power of our community. It will bring awareness of what our community faces, what United Way is doing and the opportunity to change the lives of thousands of people across the region, generating a ripple effect of economic growth and stability. To find out how you can help, visit the United Way website at LiveUnitedNow.com.

BUSINESS BUZZ

FOUNDATION NAMES NEW BOARD MEMBERS The Communities of Coastal Georgia Foundation recently elected three new board members to four-year terms. Sandi Channell is an active community leader who has served as Finance Committee chair for Frederica Academy, president of Cherokee Garden Club, and board member of St. Simons Land Trust and Hospice of the Golden Isles. Mac Nease, President of Nease, Lagana, Eden & Culley, has served in numerous leadership roles in the insurance industry, was elected to the National Association of Estate Planning Councils’ Hall of Fame, is the Past Chair of the Georgia Tech Foundation, and sits on the numerous corporate and charitable boards. Rene’ Shelnutt, partner at Schell & Hogan, has held several offices of the local chapter of the Georgia Society FROM TOP: Mac Nease, Rene’ of CPAs and has also Shelnutt and Sandi Channell served in a financial capacity on the boards of several volunteer organizations.

DONATIONS THAT KEEP GIVING Hello Goodbuy Community Thrift Store celebrated their final Quarterly Giving Back Ceremony of 2015 with a bang by distributing over $34,000 to 15 Glynn County organizations. That means they distributed in excess of $135,000 for the entire year. Louisa Nightingale, hello Goodbuy Community Liaison says, “It is truly a blessing to be able to walk beside these organizations who do such amazing work in our local community. I believe that one of the greatest benefits in bringing these groups together at the store for our Quarterly Giving Back Program is the opportunity for them to network in order to build bridges and strengthen our community’s foundation for future generations. Alone we can make an impact, but together we can truly make a difference within the community for those who need it the most.” Hello Goodbuy, 1523 Glynn Ave, 912.264.8181.

FROM LEFT (front row): Martha Grant (Coastal Animal Rescue Society), Kaki Thurber (Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church Back Pack Program), Steve Oldaker (Bwk-Glynn Co Mayor’s Committee for Disabled), Faye Boddiford (St. Mark’s Choir School), Martha Gant (Coastal Coalition For Children); (middle row): Amy Taylor (Burroughs Molette Elementary), Steve & Debby Temmer (Centered for Life), Cary Greenfield (CASA Glynn), Jameiah Jones (Knit Wits), Cheryl Ussery (Speech, Hearing, & Rehabilitation Enterprises of Coastal GA); (back row): Sheila Glaeser (hello, Goodbuy Board of Advisors), Rose Wilson (HG Board of Advisors Chair), Tracy Quintanar & Angela Scott (Girls on the Run of the Golden Isles), John Girton (Manna House), Heather Heath & Brad Butler (Golden Isles Arts & Humanities), Ellen Murphy (STAR Foundation)

NASH CONTRACTORS

35 years of expertise in commercial and residential building. NCI will handle every detail from design to completion. • Premier Licensed General Contractor • New Construction • HVAC Install & Service • Custom Remodeling • Electrical and Plumbing

(912) 634-1598 / nash@nashcontractors.com 60

ELEGANT ISLAND LIVING

• Custom Closets

FEBRUARY 20 16

W H AT ’ S H A P P E N I N G READY, SET…GO! Dolly the Dolphin and crew will be hitting the streets again on Saturday, February 27 for the 38th annual Super Dolphin Day Run to benefit St. Simons Elementary and Oglethorpe Point Elementary schools. Races begin at Neptune Park and include certified 5 & 10K races and a 1-mile fun run through the St. Simons Island Village. The race day Expo includes silent auction items, information booths from community organizations and vendors. After the race, enjoy free refreshments, music, family-friendly games. Medals are awarded to the top finishers. Friday night, participants can pick up their race packets and do a little carb-loading at the Pasta Party at St. Simons Elementary, sponsored by Del Sur. Dine in with friends and family between 5:00-8:00 p.m. and check out all of the terrific Silent Auction items that have been donated by local retailers and restaurants. More details, course map, and registration information are available at superdolphinday.com. LACE ‘EM UP It’s time for the Southeast Georgia Health System 2016 Bridge Run! Benefiting the Health System’s cancer care programs, and certified by the U.S. Track and Field Association as “the toughest 5K in Georgia,” the run takes place on Saturday, February 13. Participants will start on the southbound side of the bridge, go over, and return back, crossing the bridge twice. The Bridge Run also includes a fun walk after the race, followed by a family-friendly festival featuring community vendors, food and drink, entertainment and children’s activities. On Friday night, February 12, pick up your bib and shirt and grab a plate of pasta for only $5 at the Pre-Run Pasta Party and Runner’s Expo from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at the foot of the Sidney Lanier Bridge. On Saturday, race day events begin at 7:00 a.m. Cash awards presented by Pinova. Register at sghs.org or active.com. Runner registration deadline is February 10.

LET’S DANCE Daddies, shine up your shoes and get your favorite little ladies to don a dress for the 2016 Father-Daughter Dance presented by the American Cancer Society Victory Board. There will be music and dancing, food and fun for all ages at Ziggy’s from 4:007:00 p.m. Sunday, February 7. The Darkroom Photography will be on hand to take candid photos of you and your best gals. The Vine will offer long-stemmed roses, and there are also some great raffle items from local merchants. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased online at acsvictoryboard.org or at Jill Stanford Dance Center, Cutie Patooties, Whippersnappers Toys, and The Bailey Boys, Inc. If your little girl needs a new frock for the occasion, Bailey Boys is donating 10% from any dresses sold for the dance to the Victory Board. Just mention that the dress is for the dance when you make your purchase.

Award-Winning, Southern Cooking That will Bring You Back Because Barbara Jean’s and her family know how to get it done, just ask Coastal Living, Southern Living, Georgia Trend …

Bread & Rolls, Crab Cakes, Meatloaf, Southern Cooking, Vegetable Platter Selection

Crab Cakes, She Crap Soup, Cornbreads And More Can Be Shipped From Our Online Store. Makes a Great Gift! barbarajeans.com

Barbara Jean’s Restaurants St. Simons Island 214 Mallory St. 912.634.6500

ELEGANT ISLAND LIVING

Porte Vedra Beach 15 S Roscoe Blvd. 904.280.7522

Amelia Island 960030 Gateway Blvd. 904.277.3700

Open Daily at 11:00 am

R PLAN OU UT ANCE O AB FIN ASKFFICE O N WI

Dr. Charles T. Hopkins III, D.M.D., Dr. Jack H. Melton, D.M.D. and the staff of Plantation Dental Associates.

Your smile is our business.

At Plantation Dental Associates, we know the value of a healthy, happy smile. That’s why we keep abreast of the latest restorative, cosmetic, and oral surgical techniques — to provide you with the level of care you have come to know for the dental health you deserve.

P L A N TAT ION DE N TA L AS S O C IAT E S General, Cosmetic, and Restorative Dentistry

300 Main Street, Suite 101 | St. Simons Island, Georgia 31522 | 912-638-9001 w w w .plan t at io n de n t alssi.c o m

FEBRUARY 20 16

S O C I A L

S C E N E

THE MERRY MIXER TO BENEFIT THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF SOUTHEAST GEORGIA’S ELIZABETH F. CORRELL TEEN CENTER IS ALWAYS A FUN EVENT. Holiday revelers enjoyed delicious food and drinks from Halyards and Tramici while cheering on their favorite teams in the college football division championship games. 1. Erica Pearce, Michael Torras. 2. Carol Adams, Brenda Kilgore. 3. Emily Parkerson, Rick Harker. 4. Tami and Michael Stogner. 5. Mitchell and Susan Davenport, Mark Popwell, Jordan Brown. 6. Todd Jones, Cathy Clements, Jeannie Jones, Sharon Toscano, Joanie Nicholas, Nick Toscano. 7. Marcus and Geri Mullis. 8. Sean and Lindsay Stewart. 9. Gayle and Al Brown, Tina Owen, Debbie and Bill Strother. 10. Tom and Jane Eason. 11. Dayton Austin, Brian Dolan. 12. Raybun and Terri Matthews. 13. Rick and Jackie Fishman. 14. Kim and Jimmy Maupin. 64

ELEGANT ISLAND LIVING

D I D Y O U S AY…

O U R N E W E S T LO C AT I O N :

Village Creek Landing

CALL STRATON HALL EVENTS Creative Cuisine. Fabulous Flowers.

912.275.8294 / stratonhall.com

WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Award 2014 & 2015

• • • • • • Taste of Glynn 1st Place in BBQ, Main Course Seafood and People’s Choice 2014 • • • WeddingWire Brides’ Choice Award 2012

As seen in Weddings Unveiled, The Knot, Style Me Pretty and Occasions magazine

FEBRUARY 20 16

S O C I A L

S C E N E

DANTANNA’S DOWNTOWN WAS THE PLACE TO BE IN ATLANTA FOR PRE-GAME FESTIVITIES WHEN THE GLYNN ACADEMY RED TERRORS CAME TO TOWN FOR THE 5A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME. Allatoona may have taken home the victory that night, but the Terrors are still champs in our book! Great season, guys!

1. Ray Middleton, Jason Hyde, Harrison and Brent Sapp. 2. The Gashes. 3. David Butler, Scott Valentine, Erin Shaw. 4. Jon and Terri Langford. 5. Alison Berry, Johnny Adams, Gena Berry. 6. Scott and Glenn Ferrell. 7. Pete English, Larry Delaney, Bob McLeod. 8. Rebecca Robinson, Eric Davis. 9. Cathy Weaver McAfee, Susie Slade Hale. 10. Chrissy Johnston, Lynn Lewis, Gloria Shivers. 11. The Scarletts. 12. Debbie Hutcherson, Joan Lewis. 13. Mary Bishop, Marybeth and Scott Steilen. 14. The Essermans. 66

ELEGANT ISLAND LIVING

Take Good

Care

Of Your

Best Friend

Coastal Cat Clinic’s primary goal is providing each and every patient and owner with the latest information/medicine to prevent illness or shortened life span. Medical care should be customized to each individual. Customized care should meet the needs for each cat’s lifestyle and age.

280 Redfern Village • St. Simons Island, GA 31522 912-634-2119 • www.coastalcat.com

Lisa J Ryan DVM

FEBRUARY 20 16

S O C I A L

S C E N E

GLYNN VISUAL ARTS RECENTLY HOSTED AN OPENING RECEPTION FOR THE “NEW BEGINNINGS” JURIED EXHIBIT that featured new work by members. Guests were invited to meet the artists and discuss their use of new materials, techniques or approaches. 1. Susan Ryles, Rick Clements. 2. Ann Williams, Ruth Uhlig, Bonnie Rabert. 3. Albert and Joyce Fendig with Albert’s Juror Selection winning painting Retreat Plantation. 4. Sue Clements with her painting that won First Place in Show. 5. Amy Roberts, Katie Williams. 6. Leah Curtis, Deborah Mantick. 7. Elizabeth LeSueur, Lisa Torbett, Sue Cansler. 8. Doug Richard, Bunny Holman, Dan McGrath. 9. Syd Summerhill, Sam Slayton, Madeline Barridge. 10. Justine Pais, Karen Keene Braswell. 11. Bonnie Roberts, Louis Barton. 12. Carolyn and Tom Diener. 13. Anne Brown, Carol Grant. 14. Betty Oliver and Hamp Stevens with Golden Sphere, his Second Place in Show winning sculpture. 68

ELEGANT ISLAND LIVING

S O C I A L

S C E N E

HOSPICE OF THE GOLDEN ISLES HAS BEEN KEEPING BUSY OVER THE WINTER. They held a reception, sponsored by Edo Miller/Dignity Memorial, to honor Dove Society

members ($1,000+ donors) prior to the Lights of Love remembrance service. At the Hospice Holiday Tea, nationally renowned interior designer, HGTV reality show star, and Today Show contributor, Elaine Griffin, spoke to attendees about decorating and remodeling trends and tips. 1. Ashley Hudson. 2. Karen Clark, Janice Beauchamp, Libby Madray. 3. Karen Brubaker, Elaine Griffin, Sharon Craw. 4. Janice Beauchamp, Frank Zagami. 5. Don and Helen Billings, Julie and Mike Martin. 6. Alice Johnson, Maryalice Kimel. 7. Margie Dorsey, Rev. Marcia Cochran. 8. Debbie Holland, Karen Brubaker. 9. Julie Martin, Vickie Currier. 10. Marion and Teri Moore. 70

ELEGANT ISLAND LIVING

A Feast of Homemade Candies, Confections and Ice Creams

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK In Pier Village at 229 Mallery Street 912.638.0150

FRESH

SEAFOOD

TERIYAKI HIBACHI TEMPURA

WINE & BEER 211 Redfern Village 634-9570 Monday-Thursday 11:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday 11:30 a.m.-11:30 p.m. Sunday 12:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m.

FEBRUARY 20 16

S O C I A L

S C E N E

THE COASTAL SYMPHONY OF GEORGIA’S DECEMBER CONCERT “CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS,” FEATURED EVERYTHING FROM FAVORITE CAROLS AND SINGALONG CHRISTMAS SONGS to a performance of the “Grand Pas de Deux” from The Nutcracker Suite by Bess Chambliss and Val Salnikov, principal dancers from The Golden Isles Ballet

Company. 1. Bess Chambliss and Val Salkinov dancing the “Pas de Deux” from The Nutcracker. 2. Jan Nicholson, Bill and Ida Walker, Frances McCrary. 3. Joe Lyons, Michael Flores, Millard Allen, Jackie Lyons. 4. Timme Feininger, Carolyn Hearn. 5. Sara and Wayne Sheffield, Melinda Laager, Chris Triplett. 6. Kylee Brown, Ellie Chambliss, Courtney Reid, Stacy Paulk, Jordan Nielsen. 7. Janice Lamattina, Jack Dinos. 8. Dennis Burgess, Pamela Hamilton, David Lowe, Kay Harrell, Beth Thrift. 9. Bo Chambliss and daughters, Julianne Chambliss. 10. Tom Kitchin, Anne Futch. 72

ELEGANT ISLAND LIVING

SSI ARCHIVES

Bessie Jones and the Georgia Sea Island Singers

hough born in the southwest region of the state, Bessie Jones became one of the most acclaimed interpreters of the African American musical heritage of the Georgia coast. As a child, Jones learned the “old ways,” including songs, stories and games, from her grandparents. Her grandfather, Jet Sampson, was born in Africa and was brought across the Atlantic as an enslaved worker in the 1840s. Bessie Jones married twice; both of her husbands had connections to St. Simons Island. In 1933, she moved to the island with her second husband, George Jones. Bessie Jones met the Spiritual Singers of Coastal Georgia, an ensemble encouraged by Lydia Parrish and dedicated to the preservation of the music of their forebears. Impressed with her repertory and singing style, they invited her to join their group. She was one of the only mainlanders to be so honored. They performed at The Cloister and at the cabin behind Parrish’s home near Bloody Marsh.

Musicologist Alan Lomax met Bessie Jones in 1959. He had returned to the coast to re-record singers he had encountered in 1935. Lomax recruited Bessie Jones, John and Peter Davis (uncles to Jones’ first husband), Emma Ramsey, and Mabel Hillery for a film about the music of Colonial Williamsburg. By 1963, with Lomax’s assistance, the group had organized as the Georgia Sea Island Singers. They appeared at Carnegie Hall and across the country at festivals, schools and special events. During the 1960s they participated in civil rights activities including the Sing for Freedom Workshop in Atlanta and the Poor Peoples March on Washington. In January 1977, the Singers performed at President Jimmy Carter’s inauguration. Later that year, Jones, with the help of Frankie Quimby and folklorist-activist Bernice Johnson Reagon, put on the first Georgia Sea Island Festival celebrating African American music, crafts and food. After Bessie Jones died in 1984, the Georgia Sea Island Singers continued under the

leadership of Frankie and Doug Quimby, performing at the Lillehammer Olympics and the G-8 Summit on Sea Island. On Thursday, February 25, the Coastal Georgia Historical Society will host a tribute to Jones and the Singers at the A.W. Jones Heritage Center, when digital copies of the music, interviews and images collected by Alan Lomax will be donated to the Society’s archives by the Association for Cultural Equity and the American Folklife Center, Library of Congress. For information, call (912) 634-7090. Among the digital images donated to the Society will be the one shown here of Bessie Jones (front row, center) and other singers, circa 1960. Since its founding in 1965, the Coastal Georgia Historical Society’s archival collection has grown to over 15,000 historically important artifacts, documents and photographs.

Our monthly images on this page are from the vast archives of the Coastal Georgia Historical Society. The Society’s mission includes the “administration, restoration and maintenance of historic facilities and resources … preserved as a living part of the historical and cultural foundations of our coastal community.” Society facilities include the St. Simons Lighthouse and Museum, the A.W. Jones Heritage Center, and the Maritime Center (formerly the U.S. Coast Guard Station). To learn more about the Society, its diverse programs, and the benefits of Society membership, please call (912) 638.4666, or visit www.saintsimonslighthouse.org.

106 E L E G A N T I S L A N D L I V I N G

COMBINING OLD WORLD CHARM WITH MODERN ELEGANCE ... UNPARALLELED.

Villa de Sueños Oceanfront Vacation Home Available for Rental Long Weekend, Weekly or Monthly villadesuenosssi.com 912-230-9923

Elegant Island Living Februay 2016

Articles inside

What’s Happening

Business Buzz

SSI Archives

Transformations

“Celebrating” Tax Season

Just Be Kind

Timeless Love

A Foundation For a Solid Second Chance

A Burning Passion

Mazel Tov

For the Love of Louboutins

A Sunrise Valentine

Beachcombing