GIM January/February 2023

50 SOLE SHINE:

Local ninth grader Riley Letson founded a charity, Riley’s Souls for Soles, when she was just a child, and now she continues to offer shoes to those in need.

56 JOURNALING JOURNEY:

Artist Mandy Thompson has been a proponent of journaling for more than a decade, and she shares some tips for beginning this cathartic daily practice.

63 COMFORT IN DISCOMFORT:

Brunswick native Shakir Robinson has excelled in the classroom, on the gridiron, and in the philanthropic world, but one of his greatest achievements is embracing change as he travels the world as a U.S. Marine.

69 THE ART OF INTENTION:

St. Simons Island artist, author, and motivational speaker Randy Siegel shares some thoughts on using art to shape one’s destiny.

76 JUSTICE, LOVE, AND MERCY:

Rabbi Rachael Bregman, a member of Glynn Clergy for Equity, reflects on the push for peace and change in the wake of Ahmaud Arbery’s murder.

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Force

Hand

Iman Ali Rabbi Rachael Bregman Taylor Cooper Derrick Davis Sebastian Emanuel Sam Ghioto Pamela Bauer Mueller Rhonda Rich Randy Siegel Dresses, Dresses, Dresses

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Submissions

Golden Isles Magazine is in need of talented contributors. Unsolicited queries and submissions of art and stories are welcome.

Please include an email address and telephone number. Submit by email to the editor, Lindsey Adkison: ladkison@goldenislesmagazine.com or by mail to 3011 Altama Ave, Brunswick. Only work accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope will be returned.

Advertising

Information regarding advertising and rates is available by contacting Jenn Agnew at 912-265-8320, ext. 356 or by email at jagnew@thebrunswicknews.com; Kasey Rowell at 912-2658320 ext. 334 or krowell@thebrunswicknews.com; or Joy Kendricks, jkendricks@thebrunswicknews.com or call 912-265-8320 ext. 303.

All content is copyright of Golden Isles Magazine, a publication of Brunswick News Publishing Company. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without express written permission from the publisher. We have sought to ensure accuracy and completeness of the content herein, but neither Golden Isles Magazine nor the publisher assumes responsibility for any errors, inaccuracies, omissions, or other inconsistencies, including those related to quotations. We reserve the right to refuse advertising. All advertisements appearing herein are accepted and published on the representation that the advertiser is properly authorized to publish the entire contents and subject matter thereof. All ads are paid advertisements and/or gifts given as part of a contractual agreement regarding Brunswick News Publishing Company. Neither Golden Isles Magazine nor the publisher is responsible for any statements, claims, or representations made by contributing writers, columnists, or photographers. Golden Isles Magazine and the publisher are also not responsible for anyone’s reliance on the content included in the publication. All projects described in this publication are for private, noncommercial use only. No right for commercial use or exploitation is given or implied.

Editor’s Note Perspective from the Press

Working for a newspaper, as I have for the last 15 years, presents a daily dose of seemingly insurmountable challenges. That is why it’s often called, “the daily miracle.”

And with the changing times, it proves more miraculous every day. No matter what though, there is an element that hometown journalism offers that no other platform can match — it gives unsung heroes their due. Sure, there’s social media.

But, there is just something that hits different about being in the paper. It’s an impartial third party that can validate and legitimatize one’s work through recognition. And so many deserve that. For all the negativity that nabs headlines — which is critical, we need honest reporting on real issues — sharing bright lights in the community is equally important.

In my career, I’ve been so fortunate to be able to write about these local superstars. They’ve inspired me to do and be better. I know they’ve had the same effect on the readers who’ve enjoyed their stories. This particular issue is filled with these magnificent humans who’ve come to be my personal heroes.

In our Coastal Queue, we have some wise words from the ever effulgent Iman Ali, a former broadcast journalist turned Reiki master, who shares her thoughts on healing through sound. She’s left me spellbound since our very first meeting. That’s also true of another Que guest, Pamela Bauer Mueller, a beloved local author who unearthed the story of a little-known aviation pioneer, Hazel Jane Raines, who hailed from Macon.

Moving into our features (and on our cover), we have my darling Riley Letson. I first met this sweet soul when she was nine and her parents shared the story of the charity she founded, Riley’s Soles for Souls. Fast forward nearly six years and it’s become a rousing success, benefiting countless people from Glynn County to the hills of Kentucky.

Next up, we have Shakir Robinson, who I met when he was in high school. Since then, he’s played college football at Navy, traveled the world with the Marines, and established a

charity that’s gifted thousands to local students.

Like Shakir, I’ve known artist and author Randy Siegel for quite a long time and have loved learning from his brilliant musings. In this edition, he offers ideas on how to use art to develop intention.

Mandy Thompson is another brilliant artist, one I’m so grateful to call a friend. She is deep, genuine, and inspires me daily through her words and her work. Here, she shares some ideas on how to develop a thriving journaling practice, which offers a wealth of benefits for one’s mental and spiritual wellbeing.

And last but never least, Rabbi Rachael Bregman. I was absolutely overcome when she agreed to write about her experience as part of Glynn County Clergy for Equity and the work done in the wake of Ahmaud Arbery’s murder. As always, Rachael’s words offer a perspective and a power mine never could.

I hope you find meaning, hope, and insight in these pages. I hope their stories help you to become who you want to be in 2023.

In love and light —  Lindsey

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Cover

Jasmine Zust: Love it!

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June Crumpler Snellgrove: THIS is PHENOMENAL!!! Love the colors!

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Zack of All Trades

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Word On The Street

blessing to know you Zack and your family!

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If you prefer to send us your comments by email, contact Editor Lindsey Adkison at ladkison@goldenislesmagazine.com. Anything posted to our social media accounts or emailed directly to the editor will be considered for publication. Comments may be edited for clarity or grammar.

Elizabeth LeSueur: Zack is the very best!

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Shrimp and Grits Festival

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AN INFORMATIVE LINEUP OF THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE GOLDEN ISLES

A Taste

of Glynn:

Fundraiser

For many, A Taste of Glynn is simply a fun afternoon in support of a good cause — the Glynn Community Crisis Center (GCCC) and Amity House, the GCCC’s shelter for women and children fleeing domestic violence.

And that it is, but not by accident. Restaurants from around the Golden Isles come together to compete for a slate of awards while having fun in the process. Attendees get to sample a broad swath of the smells and tastes the Golden Isles culinary experts offer.

It’s very hard to take a fundraiser for domestic violence and turn it into a good time, however.

Kay Hampton, as a crisis center board member and 20-year supporter of the GCCC’s mission, is more aware than most just how little people want to talk about the issue.

WORDS BY TAYLOR COOPER PHOTOS BY DERRICK DAVIS AND PROVIDED

spearheaded by hope, heroes

“It’s ugly. It’s just ugly,” she says. “When we have fundraisers, you want to have a fun time and a positive outlook. So think in terms of the cancer fundraisers. The ARTrageous Bra Fundraiser (held by the Southeast Georgia Health System during Breast Cancer Awareness Month). You try to put a positive spin on it because domestic violence is just ugly.”

The Glynn Community Crisis Center provides a broad slate of services to the public, Hampton explains, and A Taste of Glynn provides the largest single funding source for the center.

A Taste of Glynn allows people to get involved and to make a difference, but without having to commit to helping the organization long-term. It’s also a great method for spreading the word about domestic violence and the people out there trying to help victims, she says.

It started relatively small-scale in the Glynn Place Mall. Hampton says the first one raised around $2,500. Last year’s event brought in around $50,000.

Grant money pays for much of the center and Amity House, but often comes with a catch or a narrow set of uses it can be put toward. The $50,000 from A Taste of Glynn is invaluable in that it gives the organization some flexibility to start new programs, try new things, or simply fill in the gaps that grants don’t cover, she said.

“No. 1 is providing shelter for women who have to leave their homes for safety reasons,” she says. “There are women who can go to a family member, who, depending on their economic status, can find themselves another place to live. A lot of the people who are in domestic violence situations have nowhere else to go.”

Amity House is that shelter. It’s for women who have nowhere safe to take refuge after a domestic violence incident.

At Amity House, guests also have access to counseling, legal assistance, and child care to help them get back on their feet and into safe accommodations.

Many of the same services are also offered to women who don’t need the shelter, Hampton says. Mostly, that involves legal counsel and learning what to do to protect their children.

One of the more visible services the GCCC provides is education and outreach to the public. It’s sad, but some people don’t understand they’re victims of domestic violence until they learn the signs, Hampton says.

“Because it’s so commonplace in their life,” Hampton says. “Abuse doesn’t have to be hitting, it’s emotional abuse as well. Isolation, they don’t want them to be around anyone but them, that kind of thing.”

Most recently, the GCCC has expanded to tackle dating violence.

There are a lot of similarities between dating violence and domestic violence, says Charmaine Thomas, client services manager who’s worked with the GCCC for 14 years. Dating violence, however, typically involves more social control.

“We see, with the dating violence, it’s going through each other’s phones, controlling friends, controlling Instagram accounts, and then it turns into a physical violence thing,” Thomas says.

The GCCC has seen its presence erode in school, Thomas says, with the Glynn County School District adopting its own programs. It’s not something she discourages, but she says the school’s programs typically don’t focus enough on what young kids deal with — social and emotional abuse.

“The mental and verbal stuff, for me, outweigh the physical stuff sometimes,” says Thomas, who is a domestic violence survivor. “The broken bones, the black eyes heal, but the ‘Oh, you made me do this,’ or ‘You’re not worth anything,’ that plays in your mind over and over again.”

It was a years-long struggle, but Thomas says she was able to get out of an abusive relationship she felt stuck in. If she’d known about Amity House, she would have been much better off. Everyone the center helps is a victory for her now.

“Had I known that, it would have been very instrumental in getting out of my situation sooner,” Thomas says. “This work has been healing for me. If I can help one victim not go through the years I went through, it’s rewarding to me.”

Advance

The 22nd annual A Taste of Glynn will be held on Jan. 15 at The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort on St. Simons Island from 5-8 p.m. All proceeds support Glynn Community Crisis Center’s programs and Amity House.

tickets are available for $50 online at atasteofglynn.com. Tickets are $65 at the door.

Keeping The Spirit Alive Q

WORDS BY SEBASTIAN EMANUEL PROVIDED PHOTOS

The AJ Donohue Foundation started in 2006 as a remembrance of AJ, who passed away as a teenager in 2006 after being diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer.

Sixteen years after his death, his family continues to carry on the legacy AJ brought as a patient, raising money for Wolfson Children’s Hospital in Jacksonville.

Putting together a yearly charitable golf tournament on Jekyll Island, the AJ Donohue Foundation has had strong support from close family friends to secondary support groups who may not know about the cause at first, but they continue to come yearly to help raise money. All told, #TeamAJ has raised more than $750,000.

While the pandemic limited the scope of the foundation’s work in recent yers, this year it will return in full force. It is set to be held from Feb. 24 to 25 on Jekyll Island.

AJ’s brother Luke Donohue, who serves as the vice-president and secretary of the charity, is excited to bring back the full fellowship aspect of the fundraiser without COVID restrictions.

“Golf you can do in COVID, but now we are really excited because we do a Friday night dinner and gala the night before for the people who are coming for the tournament but also just for community members who don’t golf or who want to support and kind of have a fun night on Jekyll,” Donohue says.

“After the tournament, we traditionally have a very casual celebration. Last year, we had some live music and this year we are going to try to do that again at the golf course. Those are the things that we weren’t able to do during COVID. Those are things we are excited to emphasize this year. We encourage folks who are coming to make it more of a weekend and enjoy all that Jekyll has to offer. We want the attendees to bring families and spend time together outside of just a couple of hours playing golf.”

Donohue says the relationships they have built with Wolfson Children’s Hospital and the Southeast Georgia Health System have brought forth an immediate impact on children and families who are fighting cancer.

“For example, two tournaments

staff who use the space. That was incredible to see the physical manifestation of what we are supporting,” he says.

“Last year, we were able to pay for a patient and family suite in Wolfson Children’s Hospital in Jacksonville that’s going to allow parents with infant patients to actually sleep in the same room rather than having to get a hotel or stay somewhere else.”

“I’m excited for the next couple of months to go down and see that room, take pictures of that and talk to people who use the room. We will present and show that to the people who are golfing. Every year, not only are you supporting a good cause but you are already seeing the benefits and what you contributed to the year before.”

While still considering specific proj ects, the foundation reaches out to both hospitals and asks them what

“We know we are going to look for anything that focuses on the actual patient and family experience. Whether that is equipment that will make visits efficient, easier, and quicker. We have done a toy and game room to give the patients something fun to do in between treatments, and the sensory room that we did two years ago that increases the offerings of the hospital that Brunswick has,” Donohue says.

“Those are the type of things that we are looking out for. What we have always been dedicated to. We are not the organization to pay for research, grants, or that type of thing. We want to use this money to make an immediate impact on the families to get these treatments at the children’s hospitals, improve their experiences, and help the hospitals provide as much quality service as possible.”

Last year, the foundation had an eye on raising $50,000 and quickly found the number to be crushed

with a record $75,000 in donations. It’s something they hope to continue in 2023.

“We are going to come up with a number that is probably bigger than our normal ask because we want to really try to move up and make a bigger impact as our tournament grows,” he says.

“One thing that we have considered is whether it’s time for us to do a multi-year project. Something that is truly a big number that will take a couple of tournaments to hit. The ultimate decision will be made by the needs of the hospitals.”

Looking back on how far the foundation has come, Donohue can’t help but be proud and he feels that AJ would feel the same.

“I think if AJ were here to see what we’ve done in his memory, he would be secretly/internally moved and touched by our resilience and the increasing support from our growing community. But more than likely he would just give us a hard time for not hitting a million dollars yet, and challenge us to do better and make the weekend bigger,” he says with a laugh.

The AJ Donohue Foundation will host its tournament kickoff gala at 6 p.m. Feb. 24 at the Westin Jekyll Island. There will be music, dinner, a live auction, raffles, and a brief presentation. Tickets are $125 per person but discounted tickets are available for sponsors. The tournament will kickoff at 10 a.m. Feb. 25 on Jekyll Island. Spots for teams and sponsorships are still available. For more information on the AJ Donohue Foundation or to register, visit ajdonohuefoundation.org.

THE SKY IS MY HOME:

The Heroic Tale of Georgia Native Hazel Jane Raines

WORDS BY PAMELA BAUER MUELLER PHOTOS BY MIKE FORCE HISTORICAL IMAGES COURTESY OF THE HAWKINS FAMILY

During the COVID lockdown period, I was walking with my neighbor when she asked me who I would write about next. I told her I wanted to honor a Georgia woman — someone whose story hadn’t been told. After a few days, she brought me a list of Georgia women from the last 100 years. I eagerly read each of their stories, and then chose Hazel Jane Raines from Macon, Georgia. I felt she left a vivid legacy to women in aviation (and all of us) by helping shape our country’s history during World War II.

Why did I choose her? Because of her bravery and her determination to make her dreams come true. She broke barriers in many ways. She was a pioneer woman who learned to prevail in difficult and dangerous situations. During World War II, America’s patriotic female pilots were not allowed to fly military aircraft. So, Hazel Jane and 25 others followed famous aviator Jackie Cochran and traveled to England to fly for the Royal Air Force. In order to fly undetected by enemy radar, they could use only a compass and their intuition — no radio contact as they soared unarmed through the hostile skies patrolled by the German Air Force to deliver bombers and fighters.

After the war ended, Hazel Jane Raines became a

WASP and worked as a test pilot for damaged and recently repaired aircraft. She pulled “flying targets” to train young gunners, using live ammunition in mock dog fights. Then, she learned Portuguese in order to instruct Brazilian pilots in their own language. After her time in Brazil, she went back to the U.S and was the first female reserve pilot called to active duty in 1950. She returned to England as a Women’s Air Force advisory for the Third Air Force, and flew top-secret missions to NATO bases across Europe.

She also had an honest, charming personality. Lady Astor visited her in the hospital during an illness, and was so taken with her that she invited Hazel Jane to her home during the Christmas holidays. Hazel Jane accepted the invitation and became good friends with the Astors’ four “eligible” sons. Lady Astor admitted to playing matchmaker for any one of them, hoping Hazel Jane might fall for one of them. Realizing this, Hazel replied: “I’m not interested in a romance, not even with an Astor. I’m here to work, and that’s what I’m doing.”

Hazel Jane was driven to do the impossible. She logged 6,400 flying hours and flew 44 different aircraft. Flying was her life, and the sky was her home.

— Pamela Bauer Mueller was raised in Oregon and worked as a flight attendant, commercial model, and actress language teacher during the 18 years she lived in Mexico City. She then moved to San Diego with her two young daughters, and became an officer for the U.S. Customs Service. She and her husband, Michael, now live on Jekyll Island, and this is her 14th book. It is being sold at major retailers, online, and at local bookstores beginning Jan. 1, 2023.

Pamela has a number of book signings and appearances planned this spring. The Friends of Historic Jekyll Island will host her at 6 p.m. February 16 at the Mosaic Museum, 100 Stable Road, Jekyll Island.

She will speak at the Meet the Author event hosted by the Literary Guild of St. Simons Island at 10:30 a.m. March 21 in room 108 of the St. Simons Casino. The talk is $10 for guests. It is free for guild members.

For for information, visit kiskalore.com.

Nestled beneath the ancient live Oaks of St. Simons Island, Village Inn & Pub offers something for everyone. Located in the heart of the historic Village and Lighthouse District, the best of St. Simons Island is at your doorstep.

The Science of the

Sound Bath

WORDS BY IMAN ALI PHOTOS BY LESLIE HAND

mind,

You probably have been hearing, seeing or even perhaps experienced this “new” way to cleanse and be renewed called, “a sound bath.”

But what is it and how does it actually work to make you feel so relaxed, like you’ve had a physical bubble bath?

The fact is sound baths aren’t new at all. The ancient sound healing practice of relaxing musical presentations actually predates Christ and have been scientifically proven to reduce stress and anxiety.

It’s about how our bodies respond to frequencies.

We are all made up of atoms, which are the basic building block of all living things. An atom is 99.9999999% empty space or energy and only .00000001% physical matter ... 99% of our bodies are made up of atoms — and atoms vibrate which means we are more vibration than stagnant solid material.

In 1992, scientists coined the term “biofield,” referring to a large field of energy that surrounds and extends out from the body about 8 feet. This field of energy can be measured and felt.

Biofield tuning refers to the use of sound that brings balance to all dimensions of health. This therapy clears congestion and stress in your energy field.

So a sound bath can re-calibrate the body, turning off the sympathetic nervous system — which is best known for its role in responding to dangerous or stressful situations — and stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system, which is how bodies naturally repair and heal.

A sound bath is a deeply immersive, fully-body listening experience that uses sound to stimulate therapeutic and restorative healing for the mind, body, and spirit.

QThe experience begins with each person lying down or seated comfortably, often with a blanket and an eye pillow. Sound baths typically include healing instruments such as gongs, singing bowls, chimes, tuning forks, rain sticks, and even the human voice.

The idea is to bathe participants in waves of sound to balance and unblock the body’s energy centers, known as chakras, which simply means “wheel of energy.”

There are seven main energy centers in the body that correspond with our endocrine system or glands.

To function at our highest physical and mental level our chakras or energy centers need to be opened

body, and spirit

and balanced. If they are blocked or in discordance, you may experience physical or mental pain depending on where that chakra is located and the parts of your body that are near that chakra.

The sound baths help to rebalance and open those energy centers.

Some noted benefits for those who participate in sound bath include lowering stress and anxiety, improved sleep, deepening relaxation, boost of energy, clarity and focus, physical pain reduction and so much more as each person responds differently to sound.

You can experience a sound bath session with me called Moon Aura during the week of the full moon each month at Sea Island Resort or enjoy a Levitate Sound Bath session in silk hammocks or a Chakra Opening Sound Bath session at Salt AER Studios in Brunswick.

Around the Town

January

Throughout January

Jekyll Island will host its Island Treasures event, an open hunt for handcrafted glass floats. They will be hidden all over the island for visitors to find. For details, visit jekyllisland.com.

January 15

Glynn Community Crisis Center will host A Taste of Glynn from 5 to 8 p.m. at the King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort on St. Simons Island. Area restaurants will serve up food for sampling. Advance tickets are $50. They are $65 at the door. Tickets are available at atasteofglynn.com.

Golden Isles Arts and Humanities will host Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” at 7 p.m. at the Ritz Theatre in downtown Brunswick. It will be performed by the Aquila Theatre from New York City. For details or to purchase tickets, visit goldenislesarts.org.

January 17

The Literary Guild of St. Simons Island will host author Deborah Goodrich Royce, author of Reef Road, at 10:30

a.m. at the Casino Room 108, 530 Beachview Drive, St. Simons Island. The cost is $10 for non-members and is free for members. Reservations are required and may be made at LitGuildSSI.org.

January 21

The St. Simons Land Trust will hosts its annual Oyster Roast from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Gascoigne Bluff on St. Simons Island. Various restaurants will offer samplings of food and beverages. Tickets are $75 for members and $95 for non-members. For details, visit sslt.org.

January 29

Golden Isles Arts and Humanities will host the Peach State Opera of Atlanta. They will perform “Operatizers — Dream and Desires” at 3 p.m. at the Ritz Theatre in downtown Brunswick. For details or to purchase tickets, visit goldenislesarts.org.

February

Through February

Golden Isles Arts and Humanities will host its annual Big Read literary event with a number of events planned throughout the month. This year’s book is “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen. For a listing of events, visit goldenislesarts.org.

Photo By Kyle Morgan

The Coastal Symphony of Georgia will perform a concert at 8 p.m. at Wesley United Methodist Church on St. Simons Island. The program will include selections from Benjamin Britten, Johan Hugosson, Arvo Part and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Tickets are $50 per person. For details, visit coastalsymphonyofgeorgia.org.

February 11

The American Cancer Society’s 23rd annual Breast Cancer Fashion Show and Luncheon will be held from noon to 2 p.m. at Sea Palms on St. Simons Island. Doors open at 11:15 a.m. Live and silent auctions will be held. The pink boxes will also return. Tickets are $50. They can be purchased from Jan. 13 to Feb. 3. They are available at Daisy Mae’s Hallmark Store in Brunswick and Maggie’s Boutique and St. Simons Drugs on St. Simons Drug Co. on St. Simons Island. They are also available at BCFS. givesmart.com.

February 17 and 18

The Southeast Georgia Health System will host its annual Bridge Run on the Sidney Lanier Bridge in Brunswick. The Pasta Party and Vendor Expo will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. February 17 at Hwy 17 South at Conservation Way, Brunswick. On Feb. 18, the races will begin at 7 a.m. For details, visit the-bridge-run.org.

The 8th Annual St. Simons Island Storytelling Festival will be held from Feb. 17 to 19 at Epworth By the Sea on St. Simons Island. For details, visit stsimonsstorytellingfestival. com.

February 18

Wine Women & Shoes will return for its 10th year from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Frederica Golf Club on St. Simons Island. The event will feature a fashion show, silent auction, raffles, and more. All proceeds benefit Hospice of the Golden Isles. For more information, visit winewomenandshoes.com.

February 24

Golden Isles Live will host Divas 3 in concert who will present A Tribute to Divas of the Past. They will perform at 7:30 pm. at Wesley United Methodist Church on St. Simons Island. Tickets are $35 per adult or $25 for students.

Guided bicycle tours showcasing the historic district of Old Town & Downtown Brunswick. Includes one free pint glass from Silver Bluff Brewing Company. Book online.

GROUP TOURS • PRIVATE TOURS • BIKE RENTALS 912.584.0165 • brunswickoldtowntours.com Thursday - Sunday • 212 Monk Street

JUST THE

It’s a challenge unlike any other. The Southeast Georgia Health System Foundation’s Bridge Run has been certified by the U.S. Track and Field Association as the toughest 5K in Georgia. Each year, thousands of runners sign on to scale the formidable Sidney Lanier Bridge in mid-February. After a hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic, the event is returning for 2023.

All of the funds raised benefit the Foundation,

2003

Facts

which raises financial support and awareness for health system services, and also coordinates the Nunnally House, a facility that supports families of critical care patients and cancer care patients traveling from outside of Glynn County.

In addition to the 5K — or 3.1 mile — distance, there are several other races being held. At 7 a.m. Feb. 18 there will be a 10K Double Pump (forward and back twice) fol-

WORDS BY LINDSEY ADKISON WITH ASSISTANCE BY THE SOUTHEAST GEORGIA HEALTH SYSTEM

lowed by the First Responder’s Challenge at 8:30 a.m. The 5K runners start at 9:30 a.m. An hour later, at 10:30 a.m., the walkers will start their ascent. To prepare for the challenge, there will be a Pasta Party and Vendor Expo from 5 to 8 p.m. Feb. 17. Runners and walkers are welcome to visit the-bridge-run.org to register or for more information.

In the meantime, check out these fun facts about the Bridge Run:

The Bridge Run was established in 2003

7,780 70

is raised each year

for the cancer and cardiac

With each serving of pasta weighing about 1 to 1 ½ lbs, that totals about 700 to 800 lbs each year

17

The Pasta Party will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Feb. 17. Participants can pick up their shirts and bibs early and purchase a pasta dinner, listen to music, and visit the Vendor Expo

WORDS BY RONDA RICH

In the years that followed, he became a dear friend who gave endless wisdom and guidance to me. He is one of the makers of the person I became.

TWhen I saw his wife and my dear friend, Barbara, after his homegoing, she placed her hands on my shoulders, looked me straight in the eye and asked, “Do you know how deeply he loved you?”

Sadly, I nodded. “And it seems like all the ones who loved me are dying and the ones who don’t are going strong.”

She started laughing. This is my adored Barbara Dooley. No matter what the subject is, she always has a funny anecdote.

“The last time I ever wore a bikini was on St. Simons. Now, it wasn’t the kind of bikini you see these days but it was two pieces. Green. Every morning, I went for a run on the beach. I was in my early 30s. One morning, I wore my bikini for my run and when I came back, my 10-yearold son, Daniel, looked at me and asked, ‘Aren’t you too old to wear THAT?” She stopped to laugh again. “That’s the last time I ever wore a bikini.”

It’s been close to 20 years ago that I was visiting the Dooleys in Athens. We were in their kitchen, talking about my recent trip to St. Simons, when Barbara rolled her eyes in extreme exaggeration.

“Let me tell you about Vincent and St. Simons.” She always called him Vincent. I always called him “Dooley.” His contemporaries called him “Vince” and everyone else referred to him as “Coach.”

Dooley had been to St. Simons for a conference. He returned and informed Barbara that they were going to build a house there. Dooley often let Barbara do what she wanted, but when he put his foot down, the matter was settled.

“Vincent, we are NOT building a house on St. Simons. We have a farm. We have a lake house. We will never use it.”

This column was already in the making before the news came that former University of Georgia football coach, Vince Dooley, was edging toward the end of his life.

The appreciation I felt for his investment in me is something that I said to him often over our 40 years of friendship. Still, I would have liked for him to read this story.

When I learned this month’s issue of Golden Isles would salute heroes, I knew I should select a hero with a tie-in to St. Simons. The perfect candidate? Vince Dooley. He is one of the people who shaped my life, going back to the days when I became the first female sports reporter to cover SEC sports. In the early days, Dooley was kind and respectful.

Even in her bone-deep sorrow, she laughed.

Before he left this mortal coil, I called Barbara. “Do you mind if I tell the story about Dooley wanting to build a house on the island?”

“Absolutely not! Please tell it.”

The Dooleys loved St. Simons. It had always been their special place, going back to the summers they spent there as a young family.

“He always gave us two full weeks every summer,” Barbara recalled. The rest of the year was devoted to Georgia football and recruiting. “We took those two weeks and went to St. Simons, where we rented the same little cottage every year. We made such great memories.”

Steely-eyed, he replied. “Barbara, I said that we are going to build a house there and I mean it. I want a house on St. Simons.”

The debate went on for a while until Barbara said, “Okay, I tell you what: We will buy a condo down there and see how much we use it. If we stay there a lot, we will build a house.”

Dooley agreed to the compromise. They bought a condo as well as a building site on Frederica. “You know how many times he has stayed there?” she asked me that day in the kitchen. She held up one finger. “One night. We rent it out. We either stay with friends or at the Cloister or King and Prince.”

They still own the lot. And they’re still renting the condo.

About 10 days before Dooley died, I heard that he was scheduled to do an

My Hero, Vince Dooley

event on St. Simons the following week. I called their daughter, Deanna, my dear friend, as well as the business affairs director for her parents. Knowing he was ailing gravely, I offered to fill in.

“I’ve already canceled it and he is furious with me,” she said with chuckle. “He keeps saying, ‘I gave my word. When you give your word, you keep your word!” This was a philosophy he lived by. My daddy taught me that lesson. Dooley reinforced it.

Dooley died less than 24 hours after he would have made that appearance, had he kept the engagement. Trust me, he would have been there, had the family allowed it.

My hero. My island. One will always remind me of the other.

Fiduciary - noun: One who must prioritize their client’s interests above their own.

A Certified Financial Planner (CFP) is required to act as a fiduciary.

Mark DiGiovanni founded Marathon Financial Strategies in 1995 and has been a CFP since 1997.

A Registered Investment Adviser (RIA) is a firm that is paid only by client fees and is required to act as a fiduciary.

Marathon Financial Strategies Inc. is an RIA firm.

QUALIFIED

Isn’t this what you want from your financial adviser?

www. marathon - forthelongrun.com 770 985 - 0650

member Brunswick-Golden Isles Chamber of Commerce

New year, new vibes

WORDS BY LAUREN MCDONALD | PROVIDED PHOTOS

TBut for many shoppers, facing a showroom full of items can be a bit overwhelming. Many don’t even know where to begin. That’s why Gio Carranza, head of marketing at Dutchmans, suggests speaking to one of the company’s seasoned designers.

“We have fabulous designers that can guide you from custom pillows to custom furniture. We can guide and lift your home for a fresh start to the year,” he says.

The dawn of a new year can be all the inspiration one needs to freshen up home interiors by adding new colors and pieces to a space.

Those looking to celebrate the start of 2023 by revitalizing their decor at home should look no further than Dutchmans Casual Living, where they’ll find eclectic, well-made, and colorful home decor.

The St. Simons store is located at 505 Beachview Drive and is filled to the brim with exciting patterns and fresh furniture.

Dutchmans offers furniture to outfit most rooms, as well as lighting, rugs, bedding, wall decor, and more. These smaller pieces can prove to be an easy way to transform a room, making a space feel renewed. While they may be small changes, they cost little, but truly make a big difference.

“We find that it’s always an exciting journey to go on with our clients because what starts with a few decorative items becomes an inspired oasis of creativity,” Carranza says.

“Quick advice we can offer is that sometimes the best way to freshen a

space is to buy new pillows, rotate decorative coffee tables and mantle decor, and possibly even freshen a space with a new rug. These are simple and cost effective for an immediate lift.”

Many in the world of interior design are looking now to Earth tones and organic shapes, he says.

“It’s refined, it’s organic, and it reminds us of the perfect imperfections of the natural world,” he says.

Dutchmans aims to cater to those with unique tastes, not only at its store on St. Simons but also at Atlanta and North Carolina locations.

“We love our St. Simons Island client base. We get to meet people from all over,” Carranza says.

“One of our favorite moments is when a customer comes in that has been to our Atlanta store or our Highlands, N.C., store and they recognize us. Our client base can be found at the lake in Cornelius, N.C., or in the mountains of Highlands, N.C. We have customers

that look for home furnishings or unique decorative items.”

The Dutchmans franchise is the brainchild of Stephanie Bramble. The Australian native came to the United States more than 20 years ago. Back then, she worked as a floral designer but was working toward the goal of opening her own store, which she did in North Carolina in 2000.

She called her renovated space Dutchmans Designs, a tribute to her heritage — her Dutch family name of Nieuwendijk and her creative parents.

The Highlands businesses expanded quickly. By 2006, Bramble had moved into a 6,000-square-foot space, and in the next 10 years, she opened three additional Dutchmans Designs stores in other cities — each offering unique furniture and home accessories.

The vision has continued to grow and expand ever since. Now at their storefront off Ocean Drive, they continue Bramble’s mission of making every client’s space into their dream home.

“We have incredible talent amongst our design consultants. They can do everything from a mountain home to a beach home. We can source the perfect match of furniture and decor for all homes,” Carranza says.

“And we don’t want you to be intimidated by our services. We are here for you and we will be there every step of the way to consult, guide, and ultimately, install. We love what we do and we are proud of our work.”

Exceptional, same-day outpatient surgical care at Premier Surgery Center

gery needs. Our entire team of orthopedic specialists are known for their expertise and their innovative and minimally invasive approaches to resolving both basic and difficult orthopedic issues.

At Premier’s state-of-the-art Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC), you’ll find an alternative to hospital-based surgical care for common and complex orthopedic conditions. Our orthopedic surgeons and interventional pain management specialists perform a variety of procedures — including total hip and knee replacement surgery — that don’t require an overnight hospital stay.

Many of the region’s top orthopedic surgeons have chosen Premier Surgery Center for their patient’s same-day sur-

Orthopedic surgeons focus on diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal problems, which includes injuries and conditions that affect the bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. The orthopedic specialists at Premier Surgery Center are highly trained in their specific area of expertise. They use the latest and best pain control techniques so that people are able to undergo most orthopedic procedures in a surgery center setting and safely go home the same day.

We offer the full spectrum of orthopedic and interventional pain management care, including:

Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

Orthopedic spine surgeons specialize in

minimally invasive surgical treatments to relieve pain from herniated discs and degenerative conditions in the back and neck. Our surgeons perform common surgeries such as discectomies, fusions, and laminectomies with small incisions that result in less bleeding, less discomfort after surgery, and a quicker recovery time.

Joint Replacement

Same-day joint replacement is available for arthritic hips, knees, and shoulders. Our orthopedic surgeons perform hundreds of these procedures each year helping people get back to full and active lives that are free of joint pain. Joint replacement removes painful arthritis in the joints and replaces the joint with an implant, which can immediately relieve the chronic aching and swelling in the joint and get you on the road to recovery.

Sports Medicine

The team of orthopedic sports medicine surgeons at Premier Surgery Center

PROVIDED CONTENT

are experts in caring for injuries to the knees, hips, and shoulders. They offer minimally invasive, arthroscopic surgery to address ligament and tendon tears in the knee and frequently repair ACL, MCL, and meniscus tears. They also perform common shoulder surgeries such as rotator cuff and labral repairs. Our surgeons are experts at restoring function as safely and quickly as possible so you can get back to your favorite activities.

Hand Surgery

The complex structures and small bones of the hand and wrist require highly specialized care. The orthopedic hand surgeons at Premier Surgery Center are experts in addressing all types of hand, wrist, and elbow injuries, as well as chronic conditions such as carpal and cubital tunnel syndrome, joint pain, and stiffness from an injury or arthritis, nerve and tendon injuries, and fractures of the hand and wrist.

Foot and Ankle Surgery

Our orthopedic foot and ankle surgeons are specialists in treating all types of injuries, deformities, fractures, and arthritis in the foot and ankle. They can repair complex fractures in all areas of the foot and ankle, treat common deformities such as bunions and hammertoes, and repair tendons and ligaments in the ankle. Arthritis in the foot and ankle is common, and they offer both ankle fusions to the newest ankle replacement options to relieve arthritis pain in ankle without compromising motion.

Interventional Pain Management

Steroid Injections

These injections are commonly used for acute pain relief. They are popular as a treatment for facet joint arthritis or pain that is related to inflammation in a joint space. Epidural steroid injections can be guided directly into a joint or the spine to reduce or alleviate pain from arthritis, herniated discs, or sciatica. In the surgery center, we utilize fluoroscopic or x-ray guidance to make sure your doctor is able to inject the medication in just the right place to provide pain relief.

Radiofrequency Ablation

This is a safe and minimally invasive technique that is often used to treat chronic lower back and neck pain that is caused by arthritis or other degenerative conditions. Only a local anesthetic is needed to numb the treatment area, and a light sedative is given to make you comfortable and relaxed during the procedure. Most people report only minimal discomfort.

Conserving Cumberland

Growing up on St. Simons Island, I always felt like I knew what a barrier island truly looked and felt like. Driving under the lush oak canopies on Frederica Road is a unique experience. However, over the years I’ve seen tremendous economic growth in this small town that is slowly and surely reducing the natural landscape to a bare minimum. Forests are turning into neighborhoods. Parks with oaks are becoming roundabouts. I’ve become very curious about what this place would look like in its natural state without houses, concrete, or cars.

Sometimes people would ask me if I had been to Cumberland Island, and after a while, I began to get annoyed

at the fact that I’ve never been. So, in the last year, I’ve touched Cumberland Island on five separate occasions, and I’ve learned quite a bit about the conservation history of Cumberland. Last November, my good friend, Sergi, and I went camping on the island. In three days, we hiked 35 miles in the maritime forest covered under oak, magnolia, and pine canopies that competed for sunshine real estate. We walked over layers of ancient dunes formed by the raging winds of the sea.

Our plan was to hike to Whitney Lake on the northeast corner of the island to witness the place where Charles Fraser had plans to create a housing community called Cumberland Oaks. In 1969, John McPhee organized a meeting between Fraser, a self-titled conservationist developer, and the former director of the Sierra Club, enigmatic conservationist “Archdruid” David Brower. The fate of Cumberland at the time seemed to be development, and Brower believed that what Fraser was going to do to the island would be a virtuous alternative to the contemporary model of coastal development: bulldoze the sand dunes, create tall

buildings, and fit as many people as possible into a small space.

Eventually, Fraser’s vision came to a sputtering halt as various groups stepped in as opposition. Although Fraser considered himself a conservationist through the way he developed with a conscious eye for the natural environment, many of the Carnegies and conservation groups held great distrust and distaste for his business and political connections. In the end, Fraser had little support on the island and had no other option beside selling his parcels to the National Park Service, which had been determined for several decades to make the island a national seashore.

Sergi and I camped at Yankee Paradise in the interior of the 10,000 acres of wilderness. On the second day, our plan to make it to Whitney Lake began around 8 a.m. as we hiked to the beach. Layers of ancient sand dunes were evident in the island’s interior. Eventually, we made it to a depression in the elevation where wetlands formed. We kept our eyes peeled for an alligator that Marcia, a lady who we camped with, said was on the trail. Scouting the surrounding waters and watching our step, we saw the 12-foot alligator whose body was on the surface of the water.

The barrier island landscape changes drastically in a matter of yardage. Right after sunrise we made it to the end of the wetlands and ascended a 50-foot dune formation where pleasant white sand began. We had another 200 yards to the beach, and we’d crossed two sand dunes so far. On top of the hill, we met pines stretching 100 feet in the air. We trekked three miles up the beach on a cool, windy morning.

At noon, we decided to stop for water and a dip in the ocean. We placed our packs on some marsh wrack on the dune line and walked toward the water. I looked south and thought I saw a person, “wow how did they get here so fast?” As I kept walking, I saw a side profile, and it was a horse running very fast toward us. When it got close, it slowed down, took a good look at us, and then galloped fast into the dunes.

WORDS AND PHOTO BY SAM GHIOTO

I turned to Sergi, “why was that horse running?”

“I have no idea… wait, look!”

Sergi pointed toward to a massive dark cloud over the ocean, and we both realized that a storm was heading our way. We returned to our packs quickly, put our socks and shoes on, and prepared for the incoming storm. We went through the winding dune crossing and out of nowhere it started to pour. Roller Coaster Trail was right around the bend, so we continued through the rain onto the trail, a dune ridge, surrounded by wetlands on both sides. We went through dense saw palmettos, encountered the wild horse of the trail, and contemplated if we should continue.

“Is this horse going to charge us?,” we wondered.

We didn’t see the horse again, but its tracks were on the path before us. We made it to Whitney Lake where two additional horses were soaking in the water. I guess they weren’t concerned about alligators. I wondered what this place would look like if it had hundreds of houses surrounding it.

On the hike back, I felt like I was in an animated Disney movie. It was raining and we had to push through dense saw palmettoes. A buck with massive antlers took off after we met eyes on the trail. Wild turkeys flew to treetops. Rare nonvenomous snakes and frogs made appearances on the trail. All I could think about was Mary Bullard’s quote on Cumberland, “Without humans, history lacks meaning, can no longer be remember and dies. When that happens, the landscape becomes memorialized, leading quickly to a Disneyfication… Without the human presence, there can be no history. Without figure, there can be no landscape.”

The rawness of the maritime forest and dune system is a feat of nature and deserves to be cherished on the quiet Georgia Coast. No wonder, I thought, that this is a National Park.

Our Bird Girl, A

Tribute to Lydia Thompson

WORDS BY LINDSEY ADKISON

When someone has a passion, a deep love that feeds their soul — it shows. For Lydia Thompson, it was a spark that couldn’t be missed.

The naturalist, birder, artist, print maker, author, and of course, columnist for Golden Isles Magazine, absolutely adored nature. She thrived in it and it showed. It was a shine that glistened within her. That was true whether she was writing about sea gulls or sand dollars, cedar trees or sea turtles.

If it was a part of the coast, it was a part of her.

Lydia continued to share this passion even when she received a recent cancer diagnosis. She never let the illness clip her wings.

On Nov. 7, 2022, Lydia flew home.

Those who knew her — through her art or her conservation efforts — all agree that she had a very special gift. Not only did she live a life filled with compassion and awe for the natural world, she took up the calling to share it.

It was often seen at ArtTrends Gallery, where Lydia was an avid exhibitor and beloved member. Her fellow members there will always hold a special place in their hearts for her.

“Lydia was widely known as an extraordinary artist who had the remarkable ability to render wildlife, especially birds, in such a way that one could feel their personalities coming through. She had a secret, of course, and that secret had relatively little to do with her extraordinary mastery of so many varied artistic techniques; her secret to rendering these animals with such singular distinctiveness was pure love,” artist Michael Jenkins shares.

“This is why she insisted on getting every detail of a juvenile kestrel just so, or carefully distinguishing between one or another sort of miniature owl. She loved these animals. She respected them as individuals, and she honored them by rendering them as perfectly as she could.”

While her artistic talents were exceptional, it was Lydia’s joie de vivre that truly set her apart.

“As her colleagues, we were inspired by her technical competence as a draftsman, a painter, master engraver, and printer. And these gifts will all be missed. But more than anything else, it is her loving, generous, joyful presence we will miss more than anything,” Jinkins says.

Artist Ella Cart agrees.

“Lydia and I were both in the Georgia Coastal Artists Guild for at least 20 years together. It was a thrill for ArtTrends when she joined our gallery,” she says.

“Her knowledge of printmaking combined with her knowledge of birds was inspiring, as well as her eagerness to share her knowledge of art and birds.”

For our readers, we hope you enjoyed Lydia’s words as much as we did. We hope you will continue to be inspired to discover more about the world around you.

In her memory, we encourage you to take a walk on the beach. Listen to the birds. Feel the sunshine. Watch the breeze blow through muhly grass. Smell the sea. Take it all in ... just as she did. We know she’d appreciate being honored in this way.

Fly high, sweet bird girl. We will miss you.

MONEY TALKS

Looking for Love

Country music artist Johnny Lee sang about looking for love in all the wrong places. If social media sites and dating apps had been prevalent in 1980, Lee might have encountered a romance scammer on his quest.

What is a romance scam? You might meet someone special on Facebook or another app. They’re charming, engaging and share lots of common interests. Plus, they spend lots of time talking or otherwise communicating with you — but they purport to be in the military or working overseas. These

logistics make it easy to avoid meeting you in person. Still, the perpetrator’s really pulling at your heartstrings. Then the requests for money start — money to buy plane tickets to visit you, to cover unexpected medical emergencies, to invest in cryptocurrency or something else. Part of the ploy is pressuring you to act quickly before you have second thoughts. That plane trip? It never pans out. That promise to repay? It doesn’t happen. There’s always an excuse. And the requests keep coming.

You might believe your sweetheart is real and you can trust them. Not so fast. Scammers adopt fake online identities and build trust before they ask you for money. You might hear from them multiple times a day, all while they’re gaining your affection. That special someone is a con artist, often part of a criminal gang skilled at taking money from multiple victims at a time.

Losses from romance scams are not only staggering, but skyrocketing: The Federal Trade Commission reports that Americans

lost $547 million to romance scams in 2021, up 80% from 2020 and up six times from 2017. Cumulatively, $1.3 billion has been lost to romance scams in the last five years. All age groups from 18+ are affected, but people 70 and older reported the highest median individual losses at $9,000. Unfortunately, these losses are likely understated; many victims don’t report due to embarrassment and other factors.

In 2021, scammers were most often paid with gift cards, but other payment methods included wires, bank transfers, cash apps like Venmo and cryptocurrency. Scammers often convince their victims to provide credit and debit card credentials as well as access to online banking accounts.

At Southeastern Bank, we’ve seen customers fall prey to romance scams and some have lost sizeable amounts of money. Here are a few tips to help you avoid getting victimized by a romance scammer:

• NEVER send money to a sweetheart

you haven’t met in person and don’t act on their “investment” advice.

•Resist pressure to act quickly.

•Ask family and friends what they think about your online love interest; if they’re concerned, you should be, too.

•Do a reverse image search of the person’s profile picture. If it’s associated with another name or details that don’t match, it’s likely a scam.

•Don’t click on links or attachments sent in emails or texts as doing so may download a virus or other malware onto your desktop or other device. Also keep your internet browser, anti-virus protections and security software up-to-date.

•Safeguard personal identifiable information such as your Social Security number as well as your credit and debit card information, bank account numbers and credentials used to access online banking and other apps.

•In the same vein, don’t open bank accounts or transfer money for such person; you might be unwittingly participating in money laundering, which is a criminal offense.

•If you suspect a scam, STOP communicating with that person immediately. Call the police if you believe you or a loved one are in danger.

If you have been victimized:

•Consider filing a report with law enforcement.

•Contact your bank immediately if your bank accounts may have been compromised or your identity stolen.

• Place a fraud alert with the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion).

Resources to learn more include:

• Federal Trade Commission: www.ftc.gov

• AARP: www.aarp.org

Southeastern Bank, established in 1888, wishes everyone a Happy Valentine’s Day. We have two locations in the Golden Isles — 15 Trade Street, Brunswick, and 21 Market Street, St. Simons Island;

love of the sport

GAME CHANGERS

be applying, and only if they could produce a handicap of 6 or below.

Thus, Jeremiah set out on a mission to add more rounds to his ledger and lower his handicap, accomplishing both in a matter of months that saw him spend nearly every day on a golf course.

Playing in six Georgia State Golf Association events, Jeremiah saw his handicap plunge from a 10 down to a 3 with three wins, as well as a second- and a thirdplace finish. That run saw him rise up to 13th in the junior tour’s Boys 15-18 Intermediate Division rankings and earned him an automatic invitation to the GSGA Tour Championship in November.

WORDS AND PHOTOS BY DERRICK DAVIS

Jeremiah has already proven he has what it takes to succeed and go far in a sport that requires resolute dedication. There was no better representation of his extraordinary efforts than his recent trip to Pebble Beach to compete in the PGA Tour Champions’ PURE Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee.

Jeremiah Austin dons a black cap of his own design, emblazoned by a majestic lion chowing down on a golf ball, as he strolls out onto the course to crush a drive 170 miles per hour.

The 16-year-old Brunswick High School junior has flash, but it is built upon years of tireless work and a genuine love of the sport.

Austin is changing the game, but he’s doing it the old-fashioned way — hours upon hours on the golf course.

Although he’s just learned to drive,

It’s not so much Jeremiah was picked to be a part of an exclusive competition that paired 78 junior golfers from around the country into teams with PGA Tour Pros in front of a television audience on Golf Channel, obviously a major honor in its own right, but the long, arduous road he took to get there.

The field of juniors was selected by a national panel of judges based on their personal growth and life skills learned through First Tee’s programs, in addition to their playing ability.

Anyone familiar with Jeremiah had no doubts about the former two qualifications, but a lot of talented golfers would

He also came up with a way to pay for part of his busy itinerary, creating the One United Jeremiah Austin Benefit Classic, which was held at Sapelo Hammock Golf Club in September.

Now averaging scores of 75-76 per round, Jeremiah has come a long way from his days knocking pinecones around his yard. Well, everything but his swing.

Jeremiah comes from a family line of state-champion wrestlers, and he played football, soccer, and baseball. He ran track. But he quickly gave it all up upon discovering golf.

Impressed by his grandson’s hacks at yard debris, Richard took Jeremiah to the Golden Isles chapter of the First Tee to see if the sport would stick for the 10-year-old.

Six years later, it’s safe to say it was a good decision. Jeremiah has found a home on the golf course, where he’s made a name for himself as an affable student of the game, as well as a trailblazer in what is still a predominantly White sport.

It was at the inaugural Mack Champ Invitational in Houston last March that he first had the opportunity to be around other Black golfers in a premier tournament for juniors of diverse backgrounds.

Jeremiah received words of encouragement from guest speaker Lee Elder, the first Black golfer to compete at the Masters, and he was chosen to log a journal of his experience for PGATOUR.com. It also served as the catalyst for Jeremiah’s burgeoning brand: One United, which looks to unite a generation and inspire it to its fullest potential.

Jeremiah is doing his part. His average is down 40 strokes from where it was when he entered high school. His event list is extensive: from The Junior Tour powered by Under Armour Winter National Championship to the Jim Thorpe Invitational. He studies the sport in his free time.

An underdog from humble beginnings to a certified game-changer.

He’s also into Caribbean, Italian, and Asian food, and he counts himself lucky he’s been able to cook much of it professionally. He worked in a broad range of restaurants, from American fare to manning the wok at an Asian restaurant since graduating from culinary school in 2005.

It wasn’t an easy road to get there, though. Calloway wasn’t even convinced a culinary career was for him, and he had something of a bad start in culinary school, with his first two courses being a class on sanitation and nutrition and the other on wine tasting.

“It was a shot in the dark,” Calloway jokes. “I’m not a big drinker, so that was a really hard class for me.”

Sago at Sea Palms

WORDS BY TAYLOR COOPER | PHOTOS BY DERRICK DAVIS

Sago is the in-house restaurant of Sea Palms Resort. It’s usually pretty busy during lunch and supper when resort guests, golfers, and the general public stop in for a bite. The crowds are large enough for his favorite technique for gauging food quality to work.

“I always like to take a peak around the dining room and see how loud it is,” Calloway says. “If it’s loud, they’re not eating.”

Deciding what one wants to do with their life is an extremely personal process that’s never the same for any two people.

Despite knowing what he liked to do, Sago Chef Travell Calloway wasn’t quite sure what career to pursue after graduating roughly two decades ago. He liked cooking, but could he do that throughout his whole career?

“I like it because people like it,” says Calloway, a Florida native. “I like to make food people like.”

Fortunately, the meals are good enough that they leave no room for excessive chatter. The menu changes seasonally, but the general flavors tend to lean toward Southern and especially coastal tastes — which fits right into Calloway’s wheelhouse.

“I grew up in the South. My mom, dad, grandma, aunts — everybody was cooking,” Calloway says, laughing.

When he starts to serve a new audience, he likes to find out about their tastes. His personal tastes line up with most of the locals around here. In fact, he wishes he liked Southern food a little less, if only for his own health.

He even admitted it wasn’t until nearly halfway through the four-year Le Cordon Bleu College at the Orlando Culinary Academy that he started to pick up on the fact that he was really enjoying himself in the kitchen.

At first, he thought it was just a lot of fun to learn how to use new toys and learn the terminology, but even after becoming familiar with the tools and the language of cooking, he still found the craft fascinating.

The most important lesson, however, was to “stay in sponge mode.”

It’s a term he picked up for keeping one’s mind open and receptive to any and all new knowledge and techniques.

He’s continually adding to his repertoire of cooking skills, but Chef Calloway is a quiet and humble person generally. He’s not in the kitchen for fame and doesn’t seem too concerned whether anyone recognizes his dishes in a lineup. But putting one’s own twist on a dish is the prerogative of any chef. If asked, Calloway would say he doesn’t have a signature twist of his own.

“I don’t like to limit myself to just one signature thing,” Calloway says. “I like to challenge myself to make everything better than the last thing.”

He also normally likes to keep some propriety secrets, but Calloway was willing to reveal what the spin is on this dish, chicken piccata.

A piccata is normally served with a white wine and lemon caper sauce reduction with butter and salt to taste, but this take includes a little more dairy — some cream.

“I don’t know many who make it with cream, but it’s a binder for the white wine and butter. It’s normally more of a scampi,” Calloway says.

Chicken piccata is a pan-fried chicken breast, he said, battered in a combination of corn meal and flour breading and lightly seasoned. Typically very savory, the cream adds another dimension to the already solid menu item.

It’s also a dish one can try at home.

“The people like it, I’ve heard some great things about this one in particular,” Calloway says.

Chicken piccata

1 ea. Airline chicken breast

4 oz. market vegetables

6 oz. linguini pasta

Directions: Lightly dust chicken with flour and corn meal mix and pan sear. Finish in the oven. The chicken’s internal temperature must be at least 165 degrees. Boil linguini pasta per instruction, or al dente. Add spinach and tomatoes to the cooked pasta and saute.

Lemon caper reduction sauce

1 cup white wine

1 whole lemon

1 cup capers with juice

1 stick butter, cubed and cold ¼ cup cream

Directions: Add cup of wine, squeeze lemon juice into pan and add capers. Reduce mixture by 50%. Add in cream and butter, melt and mix thoroughly. Serve over chicken and pasta.

A Little Girl’s Dream Becomes Reality

WORDS BY LINDSEY ADKISON PHOTOS BY PRISCILLA RING, DEVOSS PHOTOGRAPHY

Some people just have it — a spark, a light, a joie de vivre ... something that glows from the inside with a blinding sense of divine radiance.

Riley Letson has it.

I noticed it the first time I met the then 9-year-old little girl. She was physically teeny, nowhere near the height she is today, but she was armed with a brilliant smile and a vocabulary that extended well beyond her years.

Baby Riley packed quite the punch.

I had befriended her mother Kim, a local teacher, and dad, Brandon, who helms the college’s landscaping program during the day and serves as a much-beloved bartender at Zachry’s Steak and Seafood on nights and weekends. They suggested I speak to their daughter about her newly-formed charity, Riley’s Soles for Souls.

That initial story became a saga as the charity grew to surpass anything she or her parents ever imagined.

I reminded her of our first meeting in 2016, when we caught up for a phone interview for this piece.

“Oh my gosh,” she says with a giggle. “That was a long time ago.”

But even so, her mission has never changed. It started when the then 6-year-old had a dream which she interpreted as a directive from the Almighty himself. It has since become a bonafide 501c3, which has donated more than 15,000 pairs of shoes to those in need.

“I remember watching a show on the Disney Channel where a girl had donated shoes overseas. I thought it was really cool and was just really impressed by it, so I went to sleep and had this weird dream,” she recalls.

“I dreamt that God told me to give shoes away. He said, ‘there are people who have never had the experience of having a new pair of shoes, or any shoes at all.’ I woke up and told my parents ... ‘this is what I needed to do.’”

Of course, her parents were a bit skeptical.

“They just kinda laughed it off,” she says. “But I kept telling them ... ‘this is what God wants me to do,’ and so finally, they just said, ‘OK what’s the worst that can happen?’”

They put out the call for shoes on Facebook, as well as through friends and family. Then, the Letsons reached out to leadership in their church at the time, which helped them connect to existing shoe ministries.

While Riley had hoped to found an international mission, it made more sense to start closer to home.

“We found a connection overseas, but they would end up paying more than the shoes were worth with the shipping costs,” she says.

Instead, the family formed a relationship with Bill Barker of Appalachian Regional Ministries, who helped organize the charity’s first donation.

“He told us about a town in West Virginia that was just devastated by a flood a few weeks before. Everything was just destroyed. It was so bad that he came to get the shoes ... he didn’t even want us going up there,” Riley remembers.

That first round yielded 530 pairs, an impressive start. But they kept going. With her parents, Riley continued to collect shoes, personally delivering many truckloads to Richwood, West Virginia, then expanding to Kentucky and the Florida Panhandle.

Seeing the sea of grateful faces of those receiving the shoes left a lasting impression on her, and it solidified the fact that what she was indeed doing God’s work.

“I was able to personally go to West Virginia about two years after the flood. The town was still destroyed. The people just couldn’t pick themselves up. They were just utterly and completely lost,” she says. “I remember this one 6-year-old walked three miles to pick up a pair of shoes, and it just broke my heart.”

But being able to lend a hand fed her spirit. She knew she had to do her best to reach even more people. Eventually, the family registered Riley’s Soles for Souls as a 501c3 which helped garner more local support.

“It was a really good thing because people can be skeptical if you’re asking for donations and don’t have those credentials. After we got that, everyone wanted to help which was amazing,” she says.

But with the additional aid came a logistical problem.

“We were outgrowing our house. We just couldn’t fit all the shoes in. Our guest room was just covered with shoes,” she says with a laugh. “But right about the time things began to open back up after the COVID shutdown, I was invited to make a speech at a meet and greet.”

There, she shared their need for additional storage, ideally a 14-foot enclosed trailer that would house the shoes in between deliveries.

As the book of Matthew observes, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.”

“The next my dad told me that someone had donated a 14-foot enclosed trailer. It was pretty sweet,” she says. “We renovated it and put our stamp on it with some special touches.”

That wasn’t the only blessing that came their way. The charity was also selected to receive one of Hello Goodbuy’s grants. The mission of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Brunswick doles out thousands to area nonprofits each year, and Riley’s Soles for Souls was selected to receive $5,000.

“It was amazing ... just an amazing opportunity. We were able to go and pick out pairs of new shoes. Then, we partnered with Communities in Schools here to give them to students,” she says.

“Also my dad’s friend who owns a running shop told us that he had a surprise … they were donating 30 pairs of brand new shoes through (shoe brand) HOKA, and we were able to give those to students in the school system too.”

Having reached those in need locally and regionally, Riley also realized her dream of donating overseas.

“We were able to accomplish my dream of donating overseas with Chad Robinson of Mountains to Sea. We sent shoes to Honduras and Venezuela,” she says.

While the now 14-year-old has done more in her young life than most adults, she remains a typical teenager. Riley, who makes impeccable grades, also runs track and cross country with teams at Brunswick High School.

“I really just love getting out there and running. You don’t have to worry about anything,” she says. “The team environment is really open and inviting.”

She is also a member of the school’s Model UN team and an active participant in her youth group at First Baptist Church in Brunswick. Riley can also be found serving as a hostess at Zachry’s where she often works alongside her dad.

On top of all of that, she’s also looking toward the future, touring college campuses, and plotting out her charity’s future.

“We’re traveling to all these colleges. It’s really amazing to see the hard work starting to pay off,” she says. “My goal is to never stop with the charity though, even though it’s a little scary thinking about going to college and not knowing what will happen with it. But I do know that whatever challenge comes, there’s nothing we can’t overcome.”

She includes her parents in that “we,” giving them a huge amount of credit for helping her succeed.

“I’m lucky that I have a good family. I have parents who loved me enough to help me realize this vision. It’s been very rewarding to see the amount of lives that can change just from a pair of shoes,” she says.

• To learn more about Riley’s Soles for Souls, visit the charity’s Facebook page. Donations may be made via Venmo.

JOURNEY Journaling

THE of

WORDS BY LINDSEY ADKISON | PHOTOS BY LESLIE HAND

Gather your friends and family for Jekyll Island’s annual hide-and-seek tradition! Each day of the season, treasures are hidden for visitors to find and exchange for dazzling handcrafted glass floats.

Join the hunt starting January 1!

As a child, Mandy Thompson’s world was clay dirt roads and tiny white churches, the Ohoopee River and colossal oak trees.

“I grew up in Tattnall County, in Glennville, Georgia, which is about an hour and 15 minutes from here. You wave at everybody because you know that they know your mama even if you don’t know who they are. If you don’t, you’re going to have a talking to about it,” she recalls with a giggle.

It was in this rural and rustic landscape that Thompson began to walk the path that would lead her through life, that of a creator.

“I was either outside playing, roaming around in the woods by our house ... or I was drawing. I was coloring. I was getting my hands on every piece of Lisa Frank I could find,” she says.

“And when my mom would take me shopping in Savannah, I would beg her to take me by Michaels because I loved all things visual arts. I loved drawing and I was actually into very realistic drawing when I was a kid.”

She took a slight detour through music, but after moving to Brunswick, Thompson was drawn back to the world of color and crafting. Many locals likely equate Thompson — a highly respected and thoroughly beloved painter — with that particular medium. Fewer likely realize that it was journaling that brought her back to painting.

But it wasn’t all rainbows and daisies. Thompson’s journey into the world of journaling began in a rather dark place.

“I was in my early 30s, around the time we were starting our family, and I went through some pretty significant grief. I was also realizing that the way I felt inside was actually anxiety and wasn’t normal. I just thought everybody was terrified inside all the time. I had no idea,” she says with a shrug.

“So, I was talking to a mentor of mine and she suggested that I get a mixed media journal, then flip through magazines, find images that felt true to me, cut them out, and glue them down. That was the start of my entrance into journaling, specifically art

While the goal of art journaling is much the same as the traditional method — logging feelings, emotions, and happenings for a cathartic release — the process is different. Rather that using complete sentences and narration, art journaling allows participants to paint, sketch, color, or list out words that encapsulate their inner world.

Since beginning, Thompson has found it to be incredibly helpful in nurturing her mental health and relieving her anxiety.

“The reason that was so significant for me and the reason it seems to work for a lot of people is that art journaling allows us to put on paper what we have a hard time putting into words,” she says.

“In some ways, it’s safer. You don’t have to be so specific. It doesn’t have to be so on the nose, like a confession, but you can still cathartically release. There’s something about entertaining that inner voice, releasing that voice, getting it out on paper, and separating it from ourselves that makes anxiety calm down.”

It’s a way to acknowledge any brooding storms and help to quiet the internal tempest.

“We can say to our worries, ‘I heard you. I see you. I’m getting you out and down on paper. Collecting you and putting you on paper.’ Then, you can close your journal and walk away.”

Thompson’s journaling practice has become a grounding force, something she uses everyday in a number of ways. Not only does she spend time sketching and coloring. She’ll also often list words that capture her emotional state. And she even incorporates some of the daily to-dos into the notebook.

“My journaling practice has two rhythms. Nearly every day I spend some early morning time in my journal. In that time, I am turning my mind to my to do list. I might make a small piece of art in my journal or write out some of what is bouncing around inside of me,” she says.

“My journal is also my planner. I live out of it — but not into it. My journal goes with me through the day. I keep track of important conversations,

events, and ideas that I have. I make notes. Just today, I glued tiny thumbnails of art from an artist I really like into it. I do all of it there. There are so many parts and pieces of me that I need to find a way to pull them all together.”

About eight years ago, Thompson shared some of her journal entries on Facebook and received many inquiries from followers who wanted to purchase the pieces.

“I told them that these were in a notebook but I could put it on a canvas for them, so that’s what got me back into the visual arts as an adult,” she says.

Prompted by her friend, Megan Davis, who formerly owned Color Me Happy downtown, Thompson started teaching the technique in class settings. She expanded to other circles, reaching even more people through her church. Prior to the pandemic, she began offering courses at Coastal Pines Technical College.

“During the pandemic, I did Zoom classes which really focused on journaling from the spiritual, soul care side. It was incredible to be able to do that since journaling is a very physical experience, but we were able to include some meditative readings and poetry, just vibing off of that. I loved it,” she says.

Thompson is getting back into the rhythm of leading classes, and she’s also always willing to offer tips. She shares many through her Facebook page. One of her first and foremost pieces of advice is to start small.

“Start simple with bare minimum goals. You want to do something that will allow you to create a regular practice. You don’t have to build a home studio or spend two hours journaling every day. You can do small, bite-sized things. Do a thumbnail sketch of items on your kitchen table or your favorite bird bath in your backyard,” she suggests.

“Then, maybe scratch notes about what’s going on inside and outside that day — your brain and your environment. It doesn’t have to be complete sentences. It can be a list of what’s in my head. Write for five minutes and let that be your journaling time.”

Designating a time for journaling can be the key to sticking with and building a rewarding practice. Thompson typically embraces the stillness of the morning (and coffee) to journal, but that doesn’t work for everyone.

“It may be a lunch break or every day in the carpool pick up line. Just find a time when distractions are minimal. Then, spend whatever you want to put into it — 5 or 15 minutes. But keep it regular, our brains respond well to external cues of ‘hey, it’s time to do this thing,’” she says. “If you set a regular time, that choice is already made. You don’t have to negotiate with yourself about when you’re going to do these things you want to do.”

As far as what to put down, that is as individual as the person doing the writing. However, Thompson has found that a few, open-ended prompts can help open the flood gates.

“There are two to three prompts that I might use when I don’t know what to do on the page. They’re all subjective but one I like a lot is: I think ____, I feel ____, I want ____, I need ____, I can ____, I have ____, I love ____. That is a very quick self check. You can fill in those blanks and decorate the spots around it. Within five minutes, you have a check-in for the day and I don’t have to worry about myself. I can get on with what’s happening.”

One thing Thompson encourages newbie, artistic journalers to avoid is prompts that are too broad or that target a specific area of one’s life or past. Instead, the idea is to cultivate an artistic bloom by keeping it open.

“You want prompts that are super open-ended, rather than something like, ‘my favorite childhood memory,’” she says with a laugh. “Just no, no, no. We want a way to crack the door open and let whatever needs to flow flow.”

• Mandy Thompson is a professional artist with work featured in a number of galleries and shops around the Golden Isles. For more information about her journaling classes or art work, visit mandythompson.com.

COMFORT IN DISCOMFORT:

A conversation

WORDS BY LINDSEY ADKISON | PHOTOS BY DERRICK DAVIS AND THE BRUNSWICK NEWS

with Shakir Robinson

When I first met Shakir Robinson, he was an 18-year-old Brunswick High School football star with long, locked hair and a flawless GPA. We met for an interview in the school’s library in 2011 where his dark eyes glistened as he told me all his plans for his future.

I had no doubt that he would go on to do all of the things he planned — and more. And one thing I’ve learned about Shakir, he doesn’t disappoint.

On a grey September afternoon, the very day that Queen Elizabeth II passed away, we met in a different setting, on Zoom, to talk about all of the things that have happened in the years since our first encounter. Shakir, now a logistics officer in the United States Marine Corp, was logging on from his apartment in Mexico City, Mexico, where he was serving while pursuing a master’s degree. He’d lost his long hair but his exuberant gleam was precisely the same.

“I have a great opportunity to study for a master’s degree here. So I’ll be here for three years. The first year actually is just really learning Spanish on an academic level — to read, write, speak. That’s what I’m doing,” he says with a grin. “But it’s another instance of being in a foreign country, taking the challenge of expanding myself and being uncomfortable. After this, it’s all going to be taught in Spanish. So I’ve got my work cut out for me.”

That idea of finding comfort in discomfort and pushing through adversity has proved a defining characteristic of his life. It was a lesson forged in on the gridiron when he first put on pads as a little leaguer. It was further refined as an student at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, and continued to develop as he served across the globe as a Marine.

But the path to a life of service began when he was just a child, growing up in a house where both parents were members of the military.

“I was actually born on an Air Force base in Little Rock, Arkansas. I only lived there for six to nine months, then my family moved to another base in New Jersey. My dad retired after 23 years in the Air Force, but my mom was also in the Air Force for eight years,” he says. “All my dad’s family is from Brunswick, so after he retired, we moved there.”

“I started playing football in second grade, I think, with a local team the Brunswick Titans ... same team Darius Slay played for. I think from an early age, I was an extroverted person. I enjoyed being around others and being on team ... also, having a platform to measure progress of personal goals and physical success. I think that’s the beauty of sports. It allows you a way to measure yourself and they test you physically and mentally. It’s about showing up every day on time, even when you don’t want to,” he says.

Shakir embraced those challenges and not just in football. He also excelled in track, soccer, and basketball. But that wasn’t the only place he shined. He was a rockstar in the classroom, making only one B during his high school tenure.

“It was my freshman year ... I think it was geometry. And it was an 89. I think it helped me more than having the teacher bump me up to a 90 (an A), because it always reminds me that you can’t blame other people when you come up short. You have to look in the mirror. It’s not other people’s responsibility to give you something, you really do have to earn it,” he says.

He forged ahead, simultaneously training on the field (actually fields), serving in clubs like the Student Government Association, as well as volunteering in the community. But he also started thinking about college.

Their household includes Shakir and his twin, Jabari, as well as two other brothers. After they relocated to Brunswick, the youngster picked up football.

“I applied a lot of places but it came down to finances ... I’m from a family with four boys and that’s a lot for our parents to pay. I think it was second semester senior year when Coach Floyd asked, ‘have you ever thought about going to the Naval Academy?’ I had never heard of it,” he recalls.

“But he told me you get an Ivy League education, you get to play Division 1 football, and when you get out you’re an officer. With the mentorship he gave me, I just took a leap of faith and basically said, ‘sign me up.’”

Soon, he was off to uncharted waters — the frigid northeast. First, he had to shear his famous hair and then packed to join students from every state and territory in the union.

“Right away though, you bond with them. It really reinforced the beauty of America. Our strength comes from our diversity and being able to work together as a team,” he says.

He brought his trademark work ethic, even though he didn’t see a ton of playing time.

“That was a humbling experience. You go from getting 100 tackles as a senior to not really getting a lot of playing time. But what I took away from that experience was that not everyone is going to be shining all the time ... not everyone can be the quarterback. But I still had a role on the team and I wanted to do it to the best of my ability,” he says.

After he finished college, he was offered a position as an officer in either the Marines or the Navy — he chose the former and set off on a career that’s stationed him in multiple countries including Japan and the Philippines. But his heart has never ventured far from his hometown. While serving abroad, he’s also spearheaded a scholarship fund called Dare to Be Your Best, which has gifted funds to local students for the last 12 years.

“I had a heart for people who did have money to pay for college. That first year was $250, and on the 10th anniversary we did $10,000. We’re back down now but we’re continuing to work on funding. These students work hard and want to take it to the next level. They’ve gone everywhere from College of Coastal Georgia to Harvard,” he says.

He hosts a Zoom series called Brunswick and Beyond, a discussion panel featuring former graduates who share insights on their profes-

“This is the third year. It’s usually a four week series and we bring graduates from Glynn Academy or Brunswick High. So we take three people ... doctors or teachers or HVAC people, all different careers and we ask them what they did to get to where they are,” he says. “What were the difficulties and what did you wish you’d known when you were in high school. Teachers have supported me fully, even assigning it sometimes, but it helps the students plan for the future.”

As for his own future, Shakir will continue to lead by example, encouraging others to step out of their comfort zones in the name of personal growth.

“One of the greatest ways to be comfortable in life is actually to do the opposite — to be uncomfortable and seek discomfort. For me, going through those challenges whatever it may be — the Naval Academy, living in different countries or learning a new language — what it produces in the future are the diamonds of the success,” he says. “Going through those processes is what allows you to have an open mind, to think different ways, to be a better, overall human.”

THE

OF INTENTION: Art

WORDS BY RANDY SIEGEL | PHOTOS BY DERRICK DAVIS

FFacing a white 18x20 canvas, I’m lost in a limitless sea of possibility. Taking a deep breath, I dip the brush into a rich dab of red paint. Green, purple, orange, and yellow follow. Within minutes, I’m one with color, mark, shape, and texture.

I am what some call an “intuitive painter.” I may or may not begin with a subject in mind, but after surrendering to the process I discover the painting has its own outcome in mind. I’m almost always pleased with final result.

A collector once remarked that my work was like “postcards from the psyche.” Influenced by Jungian psychology, spirituality, and a love for outsider or folk art, I strive to paint from the unconscious. The deeper I dive, the richer the treasure. A painting of a marsh evolves into an interior landscape conveying a felt sense of silence, solitude, and stillness. A portrait of a young man becomes a celebration of vulnerability, authenticity, and courage. Whatever the subject, my intention is to invite viewers to remember or discover something of themselves once lost.

Just as a full life is found on the journey, not at the destination, the joy of painting lies in the process, not in the product. Painting has taught me much about life, as life has taught me much about painting. If there’s anything I’ve learned it’s this: a stunning painting or rich life is the direct result of intention.

Intentions describe how we want to meet a goal; they are the goal behind a goal. For example, a goal may be to build a house, but the intention is to create a home. Intention reminds me of a child who pesters his parents by constantly asking, “Why?”

Brad Brown, Branch Manager

Because they are good for you?

Why?

Because there are children in the world with not enough to eat.

After a while, we become exasperated and curtly reply, “Because we said so!” Could it be the child is only seeking to understand our deepest intentions?

“Intent is to humans what software is to a computer. When installed into your psyche, intent gives you access to new capabilities, which opens up new realities,” author and lecturer Debbie Ford once said. There’s a cause-effect relationship between intentions and outcomes. We affect positive outcomes by becoming aware of our intentions and fo cusing on the one that’s in everyone’s highest and best interest. This universal truth holds for both large and small events.

A while back, I cooked dinner for a friend. David was polite saying it tasted fine, but I knew better. I had prepared the same recipe only a month ago, and it had been delicious. I used the same ingredients; I even purchased the same brands. What happened?

Nothing was different — except my intention. I’d been resentful while making dinner. Work had been especially hectic that week, and I would have rather eaten out. David probably wouldn’t have minded, but instead of speaking my truth, I chose to become a martyr, forgetting that the outcome of every task we undertake — even cooking — is flavored by intention.

More often than not, we have multiple intentions, many of which are conflicting. When we have conflicting intentions, the strongest dominates. Quite often, we find the strongest intention is the one that’s less-than-noble. This was true for an artist friend who donated a painting to a charity auction. On the surface her intention appeared noble, but in truth she wasn’t invested in the charity nor the piece she gave away. She agreed to participate only because she felt pressured by the collector who asked her. Her painting did not sell, and my friend was embarrassed. She now only donates to charities with which she has a strong affinity, and she donates only those pieces she loves.

It’s helpful to remember intentions are grounded in either love or fear. We can determine which by tuning into our bodies. The body responds to fear by constricting. An animal in fight, flight, or freeze intuitively draws in to protect itself. We humans share the same response. When our intention is based on love, we respond differently by expanding and occupying more space. At no time do I feel more expansive than when lost in the process of painting. I feel as if I’m floating in space. I can quickly plummet to earth, though, when thoughts such as these appear: What will they say about this piece? How many “likes” will it garner on Facebook? Will it sell?

Ego replaces essence; fear overruns love. When my focus is on product rather than the process, the final outcome suffers. If I closely examine my intentions, I often see my primary intention is recognition. I’m measuring success by sales. While sales are not crucial for me, I am still a marketer and someone who hungers for approval. When unguarded, this shows in the quality of my work.

A while back, I founded a program, From the HeART, where instead of selling my art, I gave it away. Working with nonprofit organizations in Brunswick and Brevard and Asheville, North Carolina, I donated more than 100 framed original paintings to those who — due homelessness, spousal abuse, natural disaster, or similar tragedy — were forced to start anew and move into a new home.

On the back of each painting, I affixed a blessing for the recipient’s new home. Like so many teachers, sages, and saints, I believe blessings possess the power to consecrate, sanctify, purify, and heal. It was my hope that these paintings would become talisman for hope, healing, and new beginnings. The paintings were well received, and I was able to realign intentions and take my painting to a new level.

Through the art of intention, we have the power to shape our destiny and make the world a better place. Choose love — or choose fear — the choice is ours. Our choices determine outcomes, and outcomes compose our lives. Noble intentions create noble lives, and no intentions are nobler than those grounded in love.

Justice, Love + Mercy

WORDS BY RABBI RACHAEL BREGMAN PHOTOS BY THE BRUNSWICK NEWS AND LESLIE HAND

IIt was a rainy-yet-warm weekday morning. A pretrial motion was being heard in the Glynn County Courthouse in the murder of Ahmaud Arbery. Not knowing what else to do, a few of us clergy people went to offer support, prayers, and to bear witness to whatever would be. I put on my tallis, my prayer shawl, to signal that I belonged there and that I was safe. I also wore it to settle my nerves. Because I was not sure if indeed, I really did belong. As a White woman not born to this community, as a Jew and a Rabbi, was I an outsider?

I spent that morning walking around and introduced myself; “Hello, I am Rachael, and I am the rabbi here. Where are you from?” What I wanted to ask was, “what compelled you to be here today?” But wasn’t it obvious? A young man with all the potential of a life not-yetlived had been chased down and killed in the street for being Black. An injustice had been committed. And, a wondering; Will the people of this county rise to the occasion?

The beginning of Belonging, the beginning of Hope

I learned that morning that everyone approached that space with uncertainty.

As Glynn Clergy for Equity, a newly formed organization dedicated to combatting “disequity” in our community, navigated how to manifest our mission, commanding this space of uncertain-belonging has become of critical importance. As the trial loomed, as the pain of what happened settled in, I heard many times, “I don’t know what to do or where to go to show support.” As clergy we recognized the need to have a place to go, to show up. For many, it was the courthouse and the prayer vigils our county clergy organized throughout the months of both the state and then federal trials. For some, it was sending in prayers to post on a prayer flag we raised.  For some it was attending the Equity Dinners our group has been hosting for the last year and a half.

We saw how the idea that “I don’t belong” is a cornerstone of the systems which create and maintain inequality. When Ahmaud Arbery went out for a run that fateful February day, it was the idea that “someone who looked like him” didn’t belong poking around an unfinished house that made him a target. Someone like him didn’t belong in a particular neighborhood. I live in Brunswick. When I first moved here a decade ago, I was warned to be careful walking around certain neighborhoods. There were places, I was told, I didn’t belong.

I reject the idea of Black neighborhoods and White neighborhoods, places of poverty and places of wealth. I have long ignored these messages that the color of one’s skin-color, gender, religion, or any identity determine where anyone can or cannot go. So, I was walking through these neighborhoods, passing time with my young child on an early pandemic morning, as we have often done. Like a sucker punch to the gut, I could see. I had known all along we had a belonging problem. We had a racism problem, a segregation problem.  That the killing of Ahmaud Arbery was an extension of the segregation of people, of access, of care that was plain before me. Whatever walks I had taken or ideas I had refused, we had not yet done enough to truly belong to one another.

Because if we truly belonged to one another, we would not leave parts of our community living in conditions which other parts of our community would find absolutely unacceptable. We wouldn’t make some people send their kids to schools which cannot provide for their students. We wouldn’t even set up a system where academic access was tied to housing like we do. Because these systems allow us to disavow one another. I don’t belong to or in that neighborhood. This is not my problem.

There are so many moments which stay with me from the experiences around the trial for the men who murdered Ahmaud Arbery. At that first gray-dayed, pretrial motion, an older White man emerged from the crowd and took to the courthouse steps.  He turned to face those assembled and we could see his t-shirt said “Sons of the Confederacy.” He opened his mouth to speak and was swiftly escorted away. A small gathering of young Black men followed after him. I felt scared of what would happen next. As I examine my fear, I see my own bias.  I was so sure these men would do harm, I stepped up to one man I had earlier met at the front of the group. Please don’t. Just let him go. He looked at me. No, he said. It isn’t like that. We want to talk to him. I stepped back, uncertain. The small group of young Black men surrounded the older White man. And they began to speak. We love you. We love you. We love you. Was all they said.

We all belong. I have heard from many White

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friends and strangers alike; I didn’t go to the courthouse because I didn’t know what to say. I wasn’t sure if I belonged. And I was so afraid I would make a mistake that I just didn’t go. As one of many who faced that discomfort, those fears, and showed up anyway, I learned that it is better to show up, awkward and uncomfortable and even “do it wrong” than to not be there at all.

One last story. In the middle of the state trial, one hot and sunshiney fall day, a White, St. Simons Island friend joined me on the expanse of lush, green courthouse lawn with those gathered for one of the many quiet days of the trial. We were talking with several of the courthouse regulars. All people who are Black. She bravely said, “My friends don’t know what to do, how to help. What do I tell other White people who want to engage but do not know how?” Ms. Annie Polite, a fixture of the courthouse lawn at 90-plus years old, not quite five feet and certainly not more than 90 pounds, pulled herself up using the arms of her wheeled walker, pointed an arthritic, gnarled finger at my friend and I and said, “You tell them to get down here and join the fight.” Ms. Polite died a few months ago and I consider it one of the highest honors of my life to have known her.

What gives me hope is that the message of belonging can grow and flourish here. While the trials are no longer in the news, what happened here is still emblazoned on each one of us.

The hatred and exclusion which chased Ahmaud Arbery down a sleepy neighborhood street still lives here. And yet, the the tender shoots of belonging to one another have been planted. May we all continue to nurture the seeds of change which echo forth from Satilla Shores on Feb. 23, 2020: This is no us and them.

There is only us and us.

SALTWATER GYPSEAS

For Misty McGee, the search for a guitarist turned out to be a bit more than she bargained for.

“I met (husband) Shawn on Facebook when I was looking for a guitarist. The husband part was a bonus,” the singer says with a laugh.

That was more than eight years ago. But the serendipitous meeting is pretty characteristic of how SaltWater Gypseas formed. The group started to take shape in the early days of the coronavirus quarantine.

“We started playing with Will, just piddling around … making quarantine parody songs,” Misty recalls. “Then when Side Pokkets was closed, they let us practice there.”

Eventually, the piddling morphed into a full-fledged five-piece, country-rock band.

It’s comprised of seasoned musicians

Fwho’ve been active in the local music scene for decades.

That includes guitarist Will Aspinwall; Darin Harlow, bassist; and Scott Thibodeau, drummer. These three were also the musicians behind the popular group, Dennis & the Menace.

“Scott was in the Navy and we thought we were going to lose him to Iraq. We had two going away parties … then we blamed him and said he just wanted free meals out of it,” Aspinwall teases.

While each member’s musical chops are hard-earned, it’s clear that the humor and friendship is truly the heart of the Gypseas. It’s something that allows the group to enjoy themselves at every gig while giving audiences their all.

“I like to say, ‘we’re just five dudes having fun,’” Misty says with a giggle.

“We take the gigs seriously, but we don’t take ourselves seriously,” Harlow adds.

That’s an important quality, especially for a band that boasts lifelong, professional musicians, many of whom started playing when they were children.

“I’m from Tennessee,” Shawn McGee says. “My family had a Southern gospel group, so that’s how I grew up with that music. That and country.”

Thibodeau has a similar background.

“We had a family band growing up,” he says. “That was our profession.”

“… which is why he joined the Navy,” Aspinwall quips without missing a beat.

This particular evening the band was readying for a performance at the aptly named venue Fish Tales. Tucked off Hwy. 303, it’s just the kind of camp one would expect “gypseas” to frequent.

“Toi (Aspinwall) was the one who suggested spelling it ‘gypseas,’ We love it,” Misty says of the punny moniker. “And

WORDS AND PHOTO BY LINDSEY ADKISON

I’ve always loved the idea of getting a house boat and just rolling with the waves. We even named our dog, Gypsy.”

While the nautical theme is key for their band’s persona, their tunes definitely appeal to land lovers. Their setlists often include covers of rock legends like Fleetwood Mac and Tom Petty.

“Misty does an awesome Stevie Nicks,” Harlow says.

They also incorporate a lot of country music into the mix. Go-to covers include songs from Miranda Lambert or Dennis Walker.

But they ultimately let the crowds determine what they play.

“We learn a bunch of songs and after playing them a few times, if it clicks, we will keep it … but if it doesn’t, we’ll move on,” Aspinwall explains.

That’s the beauty of having experienced bandmates who are able to pick up tunes quickly. It’s also a plus that all members are open to change and aren’t too attached to a particular genre.

“It really makes a difference when the people in the band are doing it because they want to and not because they have to,” Aspinwall says.

The members all nod in agreement.

“These are all people who have been in a lot of bands for a long time. We do it because we just love being in a band,” Thibodeau says.

The group shares that passion with crowds at restaurants and local watering holes throughout the Golden Isles. They’ve made appearances at the Shrimp and Grits Festi val on Jekyll Island and the Catfish Festival in Kingsland.

They have been tapped as the first night’s headline enter tainment for the 2023 Blessing of the Fleet in Darien, which will be held in April.

They’re also very popular for weddings and private events.

“(Misty and Shawn) have a DJ company too, so it’s really the best of both worlds. After the band finishes at a wed ding, we can keep the party going,” Misty says.

But whenever they play together, the “job” never feels like work.

“It’s just so much fun,” Misty says, her husband nodding in agreement. “It’s just amazing for us to be in a band with three of the most talented musicians around.”

“Yeah, then they left and you got stuck with us,” Aspinwall zings as Thibodeau and Harlow cackle with laughter.

TASTE OF THE WILD

The Boys and Girls of Southeast Georgia recently hosted a fundr aiser at the newly opened Oaks on the River, a luxury boutique hotel in Darien. The menu featured wild game prepared by the property’s chef. Proceeds benefited the McIntosh Boys & Girls Clubs. For details on the clubs, visit bgcsega.com.

Missy and Mark Neu Pauly Meacham, left, and Beth Walters Perry and Rhonda Rowell

Bernard Sarme, left, and Daniel Echasseriau

Chris and April Harper, from left, and Jay Torbert

Dan and Sue Martin

Dianne Martin, from left, Art Lucas, and Judy Dodd Kathleen Russell, left, and Martha Newberry

Lynn and Jamie Brenton

Rob Ginn, from left, Laura Ginn, and Anita Ginn

Tina and Chuck Gaskin, from left, and Fontaine and Sam Souther

Vance and Shuntelle Mason

JEKYLL ISLAND’S SHRIMP AND GRITS FESTIVAL

The Jekyll Island Shrimp and Grits Festival recently returned to the historic district to celebrate its 15th year. The three-day event featured music, art vendors, and food, including the signature dish. In addition, there was a craft brew “festival within a festival.” It was hosted by the Jekyll Island Authority. For details on the event, visit jekyllisland.com.

Jack and Kristi Madden

Richard and Melanie Finley Ricky Ducilla, left, and Zoe Willis

Roxanna Flagg, left, and Kyli Duke

Chloe Bogdajewicz, from left, Olivia Bogdajewicz, and Jen Bogdajewicz

Claire Tweed, left, and Sydney Loveless

Kellie Parr, from left, Crawford.Perkins, and Michelle Hanneman Natalee and Josh Greene

BRUNSWICK’S PORCHFEST

Lance and Kate Sabbe

Nicki Schroeder, from left, Keith Schroeder, and Madison Schroeder Rande Simpson, left, and Nancy Rowan

Angela Stanfield, left, and Marielle Volland

The Brunswick PorchFest was recently held in downtown Brunswick ’s historic district. During the event, more than 60 performers took to porches to entertain thousands of attendees. For details and in formation on the 2023 incarnation, visit hbrunswicknpa.org/porc h-fest.

Brad, Lucy, and Rawley Butler Jayson Avad, left, and Mandi Farfar

Jennifer and Mike Hatcher John Neundorfer, left, and Meghann Tucker Lamar White, left, and Johnny White

On the back row are Jake O’Neal holding Lucas O’Neal, from left , Ashlyn Elze, Jonathan Elze, Sandee Williams, Clay Elze, and Mallory Hanak. On the fr ont are Hayley O’Neal, from left, Libby Elze, Reid Williams, and Aria Newmans, holding Lucy O’Neal.

Traci Wyland and Paris Wyland

RSM CLASSIC AND MEET THE PROS

Michael Sawyer, left, and Cece Sawyer

The Golden Isles PGA Tour event, the RSM Classic, inspired a number of activities tournament. In addition to the action on the course, the Rotary of St. Simons also hosted its annual Meet the Pros event at the A.W. Jones Heritage Center on St. Simons Island. For more information on the tournament, visit rsmclassic.com.

Coastal Georgia men’s golf coach Mike Cook, left, and PGA pro Davis Love III

Dawson Cartwright, left, and Dialo Cartwright Michael Manis, and Katie Vrabel

Cal Fisher, from left, Amariana Mungin, and PGA pro Justin Suh

Sage Campione, from left, Kimberly Skvasik, John Skvasik

Reilly Robbins, from left, Jonathan Sweat, and Isabella Williams

MOXIE CRAFT FEST

Michelle and Wes Harris

Scott Hümmel, from left, Evie Hümmel, and Marrianne Stonefield

Kelly Murphy, left, and Sara Buckley

Lorena Gannon

Cate, from left, Michael, Wyatt and Walker Mock

The Moxie Craft Festival’s Handmade Holiday Market was recently held at Old City Hall in downtown Brunswick. The event feature d dozens of crafters and creators from the Isles and beyonds. For more i nformation about the Moxie Craft Festival, visit moxiecraftfest .com.

Dani Buham, left, and Jenny Van’t Land

Emily Davidian

Greer and Mobley Anderson

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