GIM March/April 2023

A WORLD TO EXPLORE, a vibrant community to come home to. A lifestyle that embraces true independence, friendships, culinary celebrations, and the safety of community. It’s time to enjoy retirement the way it’s meant to be.

50 SPRING FLING:

Model Adair Werley shares fresh styles — courtesy of Two Friends on St. Simons — in the Jekyll Island Historic District.

59 INSIDE OUT:

Chef Nicole Monier is done with the old platitudes about food. Instead her business, Mystical Kitchen, seeks to nurture nutritious and sustainable diets.

64 BUILDING A BEAUTY BRAND:

Aspen LaPierre is new to the Golden Isles but she’s bringing her crisp Northwestern vibe to the coast through her clean skincare line.

71 GLAM KAM:

Stylist, mom, and professional confidence-booster Kam Throckmorton makes it her business to lift other ladies up while helping them find their best look.

78 KICKS + CONFIDENCE:

Kylie Harrison has nabbed all sorts of awards for her karate practice, but the gift of self-assureance is the most prized honor of all.

Dresses, Dresses, Dresses

Publisher Buff Leavy

Editor Lindsey Adkison

Director of Advertising and Marketing

Jenn Agnew

Assistant Editor Lauren McDonald

Proofer

Account Executives

Heather Murray

Kasey Rowell

Joy Kendricks

Contributing Writers Al Brown

Taylor Cooper

Sebastian Emmanuel

Sam Ghioto

Ronda Rich

Contributing

Photographers

Kelli Boyd

Derrick Davis

Sam Ghioto

Tamara Gibson

Haley Jane Holland

Sarah Lawless

Priscilla Ring

Shirley Robinson

Contributing Designers

Stacey Nichols

Donte Nunnally

Terry Wilson

Golden Isles Magazine is published six times per year by Brunswick News Publishing Company

To subscribe online to Golden Isles Magazine, go to goldenislesmagazine.com/subscribe

About the Cover: Our gorgeous gal, Adair Werley, is pictured modeling a look from Two Friends on St. Simons Island. Her hair and makeup were done by Brittany Gault of Island Day Spa. She was photographed in the Jekyll Island Historic District by Tamara Gibson.

Fifty Oaks is an enclave of 53 new luxury townhomes on St. Simons Island, located near Bennie's Red Barn north of the intersection of Sea Island Road and Frederica Road.

Trending Now .... Our 5th Anniversary Exhibit ion

Art for Springtime!

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.

“Spirit of Trees ” Through August 15th

Susan Anderson • Tori Anderson • Ella Cart

Dottie Clark • Suzanne Clements • Roz Harrell

Joan Hilliard • Joyce Ledingham • Trish Rugaber

Ute Kleemann-Sportschuetz

Michael Jinkins

Deborah Jinkins

Ella Cart • Dottie Clark • Trish Rugaber

Joan Hilliard • Cheryl Keefer

Ute Kleemann-Sportschuetz

Deborah Jinkins • Michael Jinkins

Editor’s Note Balancing Beauty

I’m not going to lie to y’all — this may be the hardest issue to write an editor’s note for. It seems like there are no words on this topic — Beauty — that won’t come off as cliché.

Every angle has been done to death even, I’m sure, by me in previous musings. But here’s what I know — first and foremost, the beauty industry is set to top out at $571.1 billion this year. It is an enormous economic force. Because of that, it’s easy to feel pressured to participate in the hype.

My only stipulation here is ... whatever you do, whether it’s buying new eyeshadow or plumping your pout, do it for yourself. No one else. Not for a partner, not for society, not for trends or TikTok. For you. Do it because it makes you feel good and happy and confident. (*hops off soapbox*)

And now, for the other predictable turn. While I support whatever aesthetic choice anyone makes, at the core, I don’t think it’s necessary. Yep, here comes the good ol’ “you’re beautiful just the way you are” spiel. I know. It’s a tired argument and a quick stroll through Instagram will make you seriously question this perspective.

I still believe it. There is nothing that you can find in a bottle, cream, or syringe that will make you feel good about yourself if it’s not cultivated on the inside. There will always be something else. One more treatment. One more cream. One more ... whatever. And that’s fine. But just know, you’re enough as you are — really and truly.

We always walk this tightrope in this edition. We seek to balance the “live your best life, whatever that looks like,” theme and the “girl, you don’t need one single thing outside yourself to be fabulous” theme.

I hope we give you both perspectives this go around.

To attempt that, we’ve got a healthy mix of brilliant, beautiful women who are here to inspire you.

First up, there’s our annual beauty spread. We teamed up with the gorgeous Adair Werley, who modeled styles from Two Friends on St. Simons. Her hair and makeup were done by Brittany Gault

at Island Day Spa. And the incredible Tamara Gibson was behind the lens at the shoot in Jekyll Island’s historic district.

Next, we have Kam Throckmorton. Known as “Glam Kam,” she’s a stylist that embraces bold color and patterns. And she never shies away from the highest of heels (and she’s 6’2, y’all). Her gorgeous vibe motivates us to embrace authenticity and feel confident in holding our own space.

Another lady in that same vein — Kylie Harrison. She’s a staunch feminist who’s also a second degree black belt. Kylie has placed in martial arts tournaments around the world, proving once again that there’s nothing better than fighting like a girl.

Newcomer Aspen LaPierre (seriously, how cool is that name?) met with me to share her journey from college student to mom of four to beauty boss. An Oregon native, she created her own clean skincare line and is now embracing life with her family on the East Coast.

And last but not least, writer Taylor Cooper hit the kitchen with Chef Nicole Monier to learn about how to create nourishing, healthy dishes that will help you feel good from the inside out.

We hope all of these stories will serve as inspiration to live life out loud ... in whatever way makes you feel safe and supported, fresh and fabulous. And always remember, I think you’re a beauty, no frills needed.

With my love —

Lindsey

SMALL BUSINESS LENDING. BIG OPPORTUNITIES.

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Cover

@jennifermiawaters: What a beautiful representation of our precious community. Thank you.

Word On The Street

Cheryl Sykes: Excellent article, wonderful food for thought as we begin a new year.

Ella Mcbee Cart: Great article!

Leslie Scoles Provence: Wonderful article! Loved reading this.

Ute Kleeman-Sportschuetz: Great article, Randy!

Shakir Robinson: Comfort in Discomfort

Wanda Ellis Mayhugh: Love this so much!!!

Scott Strasemeier: Love it.

Amy Lessing Dudeck: Great article! Great person!

Duane Harris: Great read, Lindsey!

Tanya Bruner-Erwin: LOVE this!

Belinda Thomas: I love this!! It’s simply fabulous! Riley is amazing and I know her family and friends are very, very proud of her. Beautiful cover, Lindsey! Good job, girl.

Jennifer Tacbas: I love it! And love the Leston fam and this nonprofit. Much deserved!

Connor Burke: Go Riley!

Brandi Blackmon: This is amazing, Lindsey!

Emily Burton:

Tori Payne: This is simply amazing.

Ariel Lawless: Oh my gosh, I absolutely LOVE IT!!!

Cassie Busby: So fabulous.

TIME TO GET SOCIAL

facebook.com/goldenislesmag twitter.com/goldenislesmag

Heather Watkins: Love Shakir Robinson!

instagram.com/goldenislesmag

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.

Susan Ryles: Very cool!

Mandy Thompson: The Journey of Journaling

Annie Dekom Akins: Lovely article about a lovely lady. Congrats, Mandy. Well done, Lindsey.

Rebecca Quick Scarbrough: This is totally you, Mandy! I’m thankful that I go way back with you.

Michele Martin: Beautiful! I took one of those journaling/planner classes and I would recommend it to anyone. It was quite therapeutic!

Jessica Ferrell Grant: Love this so much!!

Randy Siegel: The Art of Intention Hillary Lydon Kent: Really good. I love that intention is so woven into art.

Stacy Gowen: I enjoyed the article and it has inspired me to work on my art and get a journal!

All that comes later... starts now.

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In Lower School, educational foundations are firmly established, enriched by world language, music, drama and visual arts. In Middle and Upper School, these fundamentals support students who are eager in their studies, involved in school activities, and engaged in the community and world around them.

Our class sizes are small. Our child-centered teachers are gifted. Our dedicated coaches are fully committed to each student-athlete. Our facilities are improving to meet a growing demand for the FA experience. And our students are well-rounded in their experiences and well-prepared for all that lies ahead. The benefits begin now!

To schedule a campus visit or to learn more about the school’s expansion and programming enhancements, call today.

Helen Rentz, Director of Admission | 912.638.9981 ext. 106

AN INFORMATIVE LINEUP OF THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE GOLDEN ISLES

Jekyll Island Arts Festival to return

WORDS BY LAUREN MCDONALD | PHOTOS BY DERRICK DAVIS

The group of volunteers who organize the Jekyll Island Arts Association’s annual Spring Art Show consider the effort a labor of love.

They meticulously plan each detail of the event, set this year for March 10-12 at historic Goodyear Cottage on Jekyll, and their devotion to creating a memorable three-day festival is evident in the end result.

The Spring Art Show showcases the work of more

Qthan 400 artist members. The show will include indoor and outdoor demonstrations and sales, as well as many family-friendly hands-on activities for kids, including weaving, trying out a potter’s wheel, and the RAKU (a form of Japanese pottery).

“The priority of the Arts Festival and JIAA at large is the opportunity to give the community an exposure to art forms and encourage participation,” says Pam Mueller, a member of the JIAA and an author who will have many books for sale at the event.

Artists are able to submit special pieces to the “juried art” section of the show that will be judged by outside experts in each field. Artists involved are JIAA members and include authors, potters, painters, weavers, and many individual art forms.

Attendees will get to see the artists in action and find works from both experts and beginners for sale. There will also be book signings hosted by numerous authors, including Mueller.

Demonstrations and hands-on activities will be offered each day of the festival.

“We believe that much of the fun in this event is the opportunity to participate, try your hand at weaving, make a dish, paint a picture, or learn paper bead making,” Mueller says. “Visit the weaving room and see what weavers are creating, walk through the pot shop and feel the clay.”

This will be the 49th year of the festival, which is a beloved local event. Many were disappointed when the 2020 show had to be canceled due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and planning for the 2021 festival began slightly later than usual. But this year’s festival is expected to be a return to the event in full force.

“There’s an army of volunteers that pull all this off and people who pour their hearts and souls into this place to make it happen,” says member Christie Kinsey.

When the festival began about five decades ago, it was meant to be an opportunity for members of the arts association to celebrate the artwork they created during winter classes. Many members — then and today — spend winter months on the island and return home in the early spring. The Spring Art Show is a chance to get together one more time before some members depart for the year.

New arts have been added to the festival through the years as well.

Mueller says she remembers when only a few books were featured during the market sales.

“Now we have so many writers who are here,” she says. “I’d say 15 to 20 people have books here, which is really neat.”

The Jekyll Island Arts Association will host its annual Spring Art Show from noon to 5 p.m. March 10; from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 11; and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 12 at Goodyear Cottage on Jekyll Island. Various mediums will be on display and demonstrations will be held. For details, visit jekyllarts.com.

Many of the artists are talented and passionate about their craft, using their years of experience or love for the work to create unique, quality pieces.

The arts association operates out of Goodyear Cottage, built in 1906 for the family of Frank Henry Goodyear, a lumber baron from Buffalo, New York. The house was restored in 1974 and is used today as a space for creative arts, housing the Jekyll Island Arts Association and the Jekyll Island Pottery Guild.

The building is open every day, through volun teer support.

Along with a gallery on the main floor, the cottage has upstairs classroom space and workshops.

In the basement, members of the pottery guild have free rein to work on their craft any time. Beverly Hopkins, Pottery Guild president, described it as a space where other stresses or concerns can, at least temporarily, fade away.

“One of the very first classes I took, I told the instructor it made me forget about every thing else,” Hopkins says. “You’re so focused on what you’re doing, the rest of the world is gone. You’re really focused on what you’re doing. And people find creativity they didn’t know they had.”

Pottery Guild members have a key and can come in whenever they wish to work, Hop kins says. Some early birds spend time at the cottage soon after the sun rises, while others wander in during the afternoons and eve nings.

Some of the pieces created in their workshop will be among the many on display during the Spring Art Show.

This year’s festival will also feature a children’s play area, live music, as well as grilled hamburgers and hot dogs.

Every facet and detail of the event is meant to demonstrate the devotion of JIAA members and their love for art.

“You feel the energy when you come into one of these shows,” Mueller says. “It’s wonderful. This is all a work of love. All art is a work of love.”

Jewish

Food Festival

WORDS BY LINDSEY ADKISON

IIt’s been said, “to understand a culture, you have to taste it.” And that’s the foundation of the Jewish Food Festival.

First hosted by members of Temple Beth Tefilloh in 2015, there have been several incarnations of the springtime event, which shines a light on the dishes that have been gracing tables for generations.

“We did the first one at Morningstar Marina,” explains Rande Simpson, an organizer and temple member. “Then we moved to downtown. We had it for three years until 2020 when we canceled it due to the pandemic.”

But come March 12, it will be back. The festival will be held from noon to 3 p.m. in Jekyll Square, next to Tipsy McSway’s in downtown Brunswick. Athens-based band Klemzer 42 will perform.

“We’ve had them before and they’re great,” Simpson says.

As with years past, they will feature a number of booths featuring traditional Jewish dishes.

“Some of the food is provided by temple members. A lot of it can’t be bought here,” she says. “I know that we’ve had someone make kugel in the past, which is a noodle pudding with cheese. We have had matzo ball soup and latkes.”

Of course, bread is another key element and often appears on Jewish tables. Challah bread is made weekly for the Friday evening Shabbat service and has become a tradition for many in the faith.

Dr. Carla Bluhm started baking bread in the early days of the pandemic.

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302 Plantation Chase St. Simons Island, GA 31522 912-268-2655 (office) 912-223-3257 (mobile)

302 Plantation Chase St. Simons Island, GA 31522

302 Plantation Chase St. Simons Island, GA 31522

912-268-2655 (office) 912-223-3257 (mobile)

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“… almost every Friday starting in April 2020. So it’s been going on for a while,” Bluhm says with a laugh. “It’s the woven bread that we use in the ceremony with a specific prayer each week. There are a lot of different holidays that are marked by different kinds of food.”

While Bluhm, a Temple Beth Tefilloh member and college professor, is an avid baker, she also understands as a psychology professor the deeper link between food and culture.

“It actually becomes a dialogue. It’s called gastrodiplomacy, and it’s the idea that if you really want to understand a people, you eat their food,” she says.

“If you live in more urban areas, you’re exposed to these foods more frequently than we are here. In less urban places, it’s really exciting to bring these foods together so that they can be accessed easily. You don’t have to travel. At the food festival, they are there for everybody to try.”

While the public will be able to enjoy a flavorful afternoon, the temple also benefits from the exchange.

“It’s a fundraising opportunity for us,” Simpson says. “And of course, we want to be able to introduce the community to the music and food. In the past, we’ve even had a Jewish wedding or vow renewal. It’s always a big hit.”

• Temple Beth Tefilloh will host its annual food festival from noon to 3 p.m. March 12 in Jekyll Square, next to Tipsy McSway’s in downtown Brunswick. Jewish food and music will be shared. For details, visit bethtefilloh.org.

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garden to return April 29 walk

TThe winds of winter swept through the Golden Isles this year. December saw area temperatures dip into the 20s, and even down into the teens. That proved to be a challenge for local gardeners and certainly for members of the Cassina Garden Club. Not only were their personal yards impacted, but plans for their signature event, the Tabby and Tillandsia Garden Walk & Plant Sale, also felt a blow.

“We start lining up the gardens in September and try to have them all set by Christmas,” explains garden walk co-chair Judie Mattingly, who is heading up the event with Julie Sellers. “But then, we had that freeze so a couple had to drop out.”

While they were sad to see them go, the team regrouped and quickly found replacements. Of course, it wasn’t a huge challenge considering there are ample gorgeous gardens on St. Simons.

“We were really fortunate. We were able to find others very quickly,” she says.

The additions fit right into their list, rounding out a tour filled with stunning landscapes. Six private St. Simons gardens will be open for perusing from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 29. The route will take participants to Frederica Township, Black Banks, Sea Palms, and the Commons, as well as the Butterfly Garden at Demere Park and the Grey Owl Inn. Docents will be available at each location to provide information on garden designs, features, and plants.

“I’m always so blown away by the variety we have on the tour. We have some large-scale gardens that require help to manage, but we also have some that are smaller that anyone can manage themselves,” Mattingly says. “There’s truly something for everyone to draw inspiration from.”

In addition to the tour itself, the garden club will also host its members-cultivated plant sale, which will be held at their historic Hamilton Plantation Cabins at Gascoigne Bluff, 1195 Arthur J. Moore Drive, St. Simons Island. Live music, plein air artists, and food trucks (along with some adult beverages) will be on scene. Tours of the cabins will also be available.

Tickets to tour the gardens will be $35 in advance and $40 on tour day. They may be pre-purchased online at cassinagardenclub.org or at local businesses including ACE Garden Center, GJ Ford Bookshop, St. Simons Drug Company, and Righton Books, all on St. Simons Island. They may be bought at the Will Call table at the Tabby Cabins, 1195 Arthur J. Moore Drive on Gascoigne Bluff. Proceeds from the Garden Walk and Plant Sale will help maintain and preserve Cassina’s historic Tabby Cabins and gardens.

Cassina Garden Club’s Tabby and Tillandsia Garden Walk 2023 Garden Descriptions:

• A Coastal Classic in Sea Palms: This home’s front garden is anchored by an expansive date palm, surrounded with layers of boxwoods, sunshine ligustrum, and seasonal color. Carex grasses and Agapanthus frame the front of this traditional ranch home with shades of green. The rear garden overlooks the golf course and lake, framed by oak trees. Hydrangeas, Ligustrum, and basket grasses thrive in this shady space.

• Grey Owl Inn: Built in the 1950s, the Grey Owl Inn, owned by the Gray Family, was a private home for many years. Ancient oaks define the grounds, which flow into a manicured park complete with a fish pond, water garden, boardwalk, and bridge. A gazebo serves as the focal point. The landscaping has been professionally designed to include many native plants, enhanced by the mature gardens left behind by the Grays.

WORDS BY LINDSEY ADKISON | PROVIDED PHOTOS

Cassina Garden Club’s Tabby and Tillandsia

• Black Banks Garden: This Black Banks renovation epitomizes the charm of coastal living. The garden is entered through a jasmine-trimmed pergola framed with queen palms, cabbage palms, and African Iris. A circular path leads to a modern fire pit surrounded by three Bismarck palms. The pool is accented by containers of Agave and Carex Evergold grasses.

• High Heel Farms at Frederica: This estate is home to a devoted gardener and bee-keeper. It features a manicured lawn and urns overflowing with seasonal color. Beds of tropical plants mingle with raised vegetable gardens adjacent to the backyard’s pool. There’s also a well-appointed shed that functions as a hub of all things garden — from potting and repotting plants to harvesting honey from the hives at the Frederica Community Garden.

• Perfect Porches at Frederica: This Southern-style brick home is accentuated by wide porches and beds filled with seasonal plants. An antique syrup kettle planter and dramatic Little Gem Magnolia trees are highlights of this landscape. A pebbled path, hedged by Awabuk, leads to the rear of the property. There, a terrace boasts a plunge pool for cooling off on hot summer days.

• The Butterfly Garden at Demere Park: The Butterfly Garden at Demere Park has been designed to entice butterflies and support all four stages of butterfly development. Frequent guests often include Monarch, Tiger Swallowtail, Gulf Fritillary, and Painted Lady butterflies. There’s plentiful milkweed to invite the butterflies to lay their eggs, as well as abundant flowers for food and water. The Live Oak Garden

Club redesigned the park in 2019, adding more than 200 new plants, and the club continues to maintains the garden.

• Garden at the Commons: Hardscapes define this compact, charming space filled with materials such as rock, iron, and brick. Recycled Brunswick brick, pavers, and curb stones are incorporated by the owners into pathways, barbecue pit, poolside cabana, and children’s playhouse. A pool with a nearby waterfall and goldfish pond are other key points of interest. Colorful plants, garden ornaments, stately stag-horn ferns, and Lady Sago Palm complete the landscape.

Cassina Garden Club will host its Tabby and Tillandsia from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 29 at gardens around St. Simons Island. Tickets are $35 per person in advancer or $40 on the day of the tour. They may be pre-purchased online at cassinagardenclub.org or at local businesses including ACE Garden Center, GJ Ford Bookshop, St. Simons Drug Company, and Righton Books, all located on St. Simons Island. They may be bought at the will call table at the Tabby Cabins, 1195 Arthur J. Moore Drive on Gascoigne Bluff. For details, visit cassinagardenclub.org.

Christ Frederica Tour of Homes returns Church Q

TThe Golden Isles is filled to the brim with tradition. From Fourth of July fireworks to the Jekyll Island Shrimp and Grits Festival, our events draw families from near and far to Georgia’s coast.

One of the most celebrated is the Christ Church Tour of Homes. The springtime fundraiser, hosted by the Episcopal Church Women, became a part of the community in 1953.

This year will mark the 70th anniversary of the tour and a welcome return after a three-year hiatus. It was canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic, which also continued into 2021 and 2022.

But at long last, it is back. The tour will be from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 18. While the event is steeped in history, there will be a number of new elements this year.

For starters, all of the six homes will be located on Sea Island. Participants will be offered the convenience of parking at the church or its neighbor, Wesley United Methodist, to board the buses to be shuttled to the private location, courtesy of the Sea Island Co.

The streamlined approach isn’t the only change. According to Sharon Altenbach, who is co-chairing the event with Gayle McAlister, there will be additional points of interest at the historic church, which was founded in 1736.

“One of the things that is different this year is that the tour is also focused on the church itself. It will begin and end at Christ Church, which has not happened in the past. Previously (attendees) boarded buses at Gascoigne to go to Sea Island,” Altenbach says.

“We’ve also added some special historical narratives that will be taking place in the church’s cemetery. Those will be really interesting and helpful in understanding the historical facts and figures that are important to the location.”

Another addition will be food trucks that will offer tour-goers a bite to eat before or after their trip to Sea Island.

“There’s also going to be hospitality in the parish hall. Then, outside we’ll have the food trucks, which will be new,” she says.

The six Sea Island homes are varied in styles, locations — marshfront, lakefront, oceanfront, and design — but Altenbach notes they’re all fabulous.

“They’re really special and there’s no two alike,” she says. One stop that’s quite unique is a newly-constructed guest house. The three story design offers ocean views from its top level along with its own putting green on the ground floor.

“For another we have, the owners have gone in and recreated or brought back historical components from their trips to Israel. One room is a chapel inside the house. They’ve recreated a lot of mosaics in the floors that are representations of mosaics in and around historic sites in Jerusalem and in Magdala,” Altenbach says.

Another home features other pieces including a family painting that dates back to the 1700s.

“They have a long, local family history and one of the paintings is of Captain Demere,” she says.

WORDS BY LINDSEY ADKISON | PHOTOS PROVIDED

The homes, the decor, collections, and gardens are sure to impress and inspire. And while that’s certainly a major element of the tour, the true meaning goes deeper. Ticket sales and money raised from sale of the church’s beloved cookbook go to local charities. Each year, the event raises upward of $100,000.

“The proceeds go to support local charity, focusing on women and children primarily,” Altenbach says.

The Episcopal Church Women of Christ Church Frederica will host its annual Tour of Homes from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 18. All participants will begin at the church, located at 6329 Frederica Road, St. Simons Island. Ticket prices begin at $75. They are only available online. For details or to purchase those, visit christchurchtourofhomes.org.

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Event to support Memory Matters Music + Memories: Q

WORDS BY LINDSEY ADKISON

Fear, despair, and uncertainty — all are common feelings for those crossing the threshold of Memory Matters.

The nonprofit center, located at 2803 Sherwood Drive, Brunswick, has welcomed countless patients and families who are facing one of life’s worst fates — losing precious memories.

It’s something Julie Tharpe understands well. The executive director of the center has experienced it herself.

“I know how hard it is. I know what these caregivers go through. I reached out to (Memory Matters) when my mom was first diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, that was back when it was Alzheimer’s of Glynn, right before they switched over in 2016. That’s when they rebranded to Memory Matters to expand and include all types of dementia,” she says.

“It was such a huge help for the road I was about to go down. Later, I went to a fundraiser for Memory Matters and found out more about who they were and what they do, so I joined the board.”

The residential location, owned by the hospital but rented to the organization, is stocked with games, educational materials, and space for all. Most importantly, the programs and support they offer are all free to those who seek them out.

“The hospital rents it to us for basically nothing and we are eternally grateful for their support. We couldn’t do it without them,” she says.

“We have a lending library where people can come in and check out books. We have something on every form of dementia for caregivers and patients. We have resources from all of the Alzheimer’s organizations in one place. We keep it all here so they don’t have to call 900 places to get it.”

In addition to offering resources, they also offer critical socialization programs.

“We offer caregiver connections and support groups five times a month. We do those in Brunswick, St. Simons, Jekyll,

and Darien. They’re able to come and share what they’re going through,” Tharpe says.

“We also have events at the house where patients can socialize, which is so important. It’s so easy to become isolated, both for the caregiver and the patient.”

There are weekly yoga classes, Bingo games, movie screenings, Musical Mondays, and light brain teasers.

“… just little ones to get them thinking. We have a little social event every month, a little party where we sit and talk,” she says.

“Sometimes we have dances. We have lunch and learns about different topics that they can benefit from.”

Patients must be accompanied by their caregivers during the activities, but they’re incredibly beneficial for both.

But in order to keep the mission going, they must have funds. That’s where one key annual event comes in — Music and Memories. The evening, set for 4 to 8 p.m. April 24 at the A.W. Jones Heritage Center on St. Simons, offers attendees auctions and raffles in addition to plenty of music.

“Music is one of the last memories that people lose. At Memory Matters, we can play the piano and sing the words to a song … and while they might not know the name of the song, they remember the words. It’s amazing,” Tharpe says.

“So the night will be a celebration of music. We will start out with classical music. Then, we will have Michael Hulett, who will play some jazz. We will end with Yolanda Neely, who’s a DJ and can play all kinds of music,” she says.

“All these artists donate their time. I cannot tell you what it means to us.”

• Memory Matters will host its Music and Memories fundraiser from 4 to 8 p.m. April 23 at the A.W. Jones Heritage Center. For tickets, visit memorymattersglynn.com.

Around the Town

march

Throughout March

Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation will host its annual Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the site, 5556 U.S. Hwy. 17, Brunswick. It will continue each week, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday. Admission is free for those 5 and under. It is $5 for youths (ages 6 to 17); $8 for adults; and $7 for seniors. For more information, visit gastateparks.org/hofwylbroadfieldplantation.

March 4

The Golden Isles Rotary Club will host its annual Red Hot Chili Cookoff from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Postell Park on St. Simons Island. Teams will serve up their best versions of chili for attendees to taste and vote on. Live music is also planned. Tickets are $10 for adults and are available at EventBrite.com.

Glynn Visual Arts will host its 70th anniversary gala Art of the Lowcountry from 6 to 10 p.m. at the A.W. Jones Heritage Center, 610 Beachview Dr., St. Simons Island. The Phil Morrison Trio will perform. Tickets are $150 per person. There will be a live painting session, as well as silent and live auctions. For details, visit glynnvisualarts.org.

March 5

Golden Isles Arts and Humanities will host Katie Deal in “Crazy for Patsy Cline” at 3 p.m. at the Ritz Theatre, 1530

Newcastle St., Brunswick. Tickets may be purchased at goldenislesarts.org.

March 9

The St. Simons Literary Guild will host its Meet the Author series featuring Jennifer Coburn at 10:30 a.m. in room 108 of the St. Simons Casino, 550 Beachview Dr., St. Simons Island. She will discuss her book, Cradles of the Reich. It is free for members and $10 for nonmembers. For details, visit litguildssi.org.

March 9 to 12

The Brunswick Tribute Festival, formerly the Georgia Elvis Festival, will feature a number of performances paying homage to musical legends like Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Wayne Newton, Frank Sinatra, and others. The performances will be held at the Ritz Theatre in downtown Brunswick. For a complete listing of shows, visit tributefestival.rocks/georgia.

March 10 to 12

The Jekyll Island Arts Association will host its annual Spring Art Show from noon to 5 p.m. March 10; from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 11; and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 12 at Goodyear Cottage on Jekyll Island. Various mediums will be on display and demonstrations will be held. For details, visit jekyllarts.com.

March 12

Temple Beth Tefilloh will host its annual food festival from noon to 3 p.m. in Jekyll Square, next to Tipsy McSway’s in downtown Brunswick. Jewish food and music will be shared. For details, visit bethtefilloh.org.

March 18

The Episcopal Church Women of Christ Church Frederica will host its annual Tour of Homes from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 18. All participants will begin at the church, located at 6329 Frederica Road, St. Simons Island. Tickets begin at $75. They are only available online. For details or to purchase those, visit christchurchtourofhomes.org.

april

April 6

The CASA Glynn Fashion Show will be held at 11:30 a.m. in the Mizner Ballroom of The Cloister on Sea Island. Ticket prices are based on seating. For details, visit casaglynn.org.

April 7

First Friday, a monthly downtown block party, will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. along Newcastle and surrounding streets. For details, visit discoverbrunswick.com.

April 21

The Blessing of the Fleet will be held from April 21 to 23 at the Darien waterfront. Food, music, and entertainment will be offered. The blessing will be held at 2 p.m. April 23. For details, visit mcintoshchamber.com/blessing-of-the-fleet.

April 23

Music and Memories, benefitting Memory Matters, will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. at the A.W. Jones Heritage Center, 610 Beachview Dr., St. Simons Island. There will be live music, a raffle, and a silent auction. For details, visit memorymattersglynn.com.

April 29

Cassina Garden Club will host its Tabby and Tillandsia Garden Walk from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at gardens around St. Simons Island. Tickets are $35 per person in advancer or $40 on the day of the tour. They may be pre-purchased online at cassinagardenclub.org or at local businesses including ACE Garden Center, GJ Ford Bookshop, St. Simons Drug Company, and Righton Books, all located on St. Simons Island. They may be bought at the Will Call table at the Tabby Cabins, 1195 Arthur J. Moore Drive on Gascoigne Bluff. For details, visit cassinagardenclub.org.

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Facts JUST THE

St. Patrick’s Day

1861

WORDS BY LINDSEY ADKISON

While Americans hail from a multitude of countries, one thing is for certain — come March 17, we’re all Irish. St. Patrick’s Day has become a tradition across the world, and in America, the green beer flows from sea to shining sea. Of course, this holiday honors a fourth century priest, but other elements may be a bit murkier. To dispel the truth from the Blarney, read on:

The standard St. Patrick’s Day fare — corn beef and cabbage — was served as a part of President Abraham Lincoln’s inaugural luncheon, which was held on March 4, 1861.

1600

The first St. Patrick’s Day parade was held in the Spanish colony of St. Augustine in 1600.

March 17th

was the day St. Patrick died, and not as some may think, his birthday.

1914

The first green beer was the brainchild of Dr. Thomas Hayes Curtin in preparation for a St. Patrick’s Day dinner at the Schnerer Club in New York City in 1914. The cheer Sláinte means “health” in Irish and Scottish Gaelic.

50 pounds

The Chicago River is annually dyed green for the Windy City’s festivities. It takes 50 pounds of dye and about 45 minutes for the river to become fully colored. And it takes a few days for it to disappear.

3-leafed clovers

Shamrocks were first called “seamroys” by the ancient Celts. Then as now, they heralded the arrival of spring. Later, the three-leafed clover came to symbolize the Holy Trinity and was often used during conversion efforts.

Cedric King, Director

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“She always knew she wanted to married at Christ Church because it meant so much to her,” recounts her mother. “She served as an acolyte, was Mary in the Christmas play, and participated in all the Episcopal youth programs.”

The inside of the invitation envelope had a watercolor rendering of Christ Church.

“It was the most perfect day ever on the island,” Sara recalls. “It was crisp, cool, and sunny.”

Sara and Bryce had known each other since elementary school, but never dated until after college when they bumped into each other while both were visiting home for Thanksgiving.

For the bride, the perfect moment came when she stepped to the door, on the arm of her father, smelled the fragrance of the flowers (by longtime friend Edward Armstrong), heard the music, saw her heart’s most special people, and her beloved waiting at the altar.

WORDS BY RONDA RICH

Weddings in the Golden Isles P

Bobby Haven) and a bouquet that cost $186. Its dried remains are plopped in a clear vase on a red corner kitchen cabinet to serve as a precious reminder.

But other weddings on the islands are usually grander or, at the very least, more populated. I wanted to share the weddings of three friends, all of whom married on St. Simons Island.

All weddings call for some problem solving but for Sara and Bryce, it was unique: Sara’s “uncle” is Uga, the bulldog mascot of the University of Georgia; a tradition begun by her grandfather, Sonny Seiler. Since the McKinnons were marrying in the autumn, that meant they had to choose the only “off weekend” for the Bulldogs — October 22. Uga did not attend because he was resting up for the Georgia-Florida game.

Kelly Bennett and Robbie Ross

Perhaps the most inexpensive wedding ever performed in the Golden Isles was mine and Tink at the Cloister’s gorgeous chapel. It included us, the preacher, three guests, the adorable photographer Nancy Reynolds (with her “assistant”

Sara grew up on the island and faithfully attended Christ Church with her brothers and parents, Shannon and Bess Thompson. At age 14, she was confirmed in the church which was rebuilt in 1886 by the legendary Anson Dodge.

Kelly, the granddaughter of the island’s much beloved Roy and Anne Hodnett, grew up at St. Simons United Methodist Church near the village. Her first wedding, at Cabin Buff, had been large and grand. Robbie’s first wedding in Augusta was big enough that an entire street had to be shut down to accommodate the crowd.

For this second marriage, the pair agreed that they wanted a small, mean-

Sara Thompson and Bryce McKinnon

Sara and Bryce McKinnon’s wedding

Photo by Haley Jane Photography

ingful event with close family and friends. They chose the picturesque chapel of the church. In the main sanctuary, one of the beautiful stained windows was placed in memory of her uncle and namesake, Kelly Hodnett, who died in a traffic accident at age 14.

Everything from flowers to the bride’s non-bridal grown was simple and tasteful. I was among the handful of invitees and can attest to the power of the simplicity, enhanced by the participation of Kelly’s son, Colton, and Robbie’s children, Ginna and Ray.

“We both had the big weddings,” explains Kelly. “But nothing could compare to the beauty of a simple wedding attended by the people we love most. It was perfect.”

Jules Foxworthy and Brendan Corley

Jules is a young woman who is a perfect blending of her parents. She is gregarious and fun like her father, comedian Jeff Foxworthy, and pretty and thoughtful like her mother, Gregg. Though raised in Atlanta, she always knew that she want-

ed a destination wedding to marry her longtime sweetheart.

“I chose Sea Island because it was a special place to Brendan, who grew up going there with his family,” Jules explained. “It had everything I could have imagined plus it was still in my home state of Georgia.”

Jules, her mother, wedding planner, Suzanne Reinhard, and the Cloister folks went to work to create a wedding that was the opposite of mine and Tink’s at Sea Island — glittering, fantastical, and unique. One special detail was the guests’ room key card with a photo of Jules and Brendan rather than the Cloister logo.

Despite the best-laid plans, rain threatened to upset the evening. “The Cloister folks leapt into action,” Gregg recalls with appreciation. “In six hours, they transformed one of the ballrooms into a garden feel. It was stunning. It was a joyful experience working with the Cloister staff.”

“Did you cry?” I asked Jeff a few weeks after the wedding.

He nodded. “Yeah, I did.”

Jules and Brendan still cry when they rewatch the video of that night. “The Cloister at Sea Island made all my dreams come true,” Jules says. “It was everything I had dreamt of since I was a little girl.”

Kelly and Robbie Ross’ wedding

Photo by Kelli Boyd Photography

Jules and Brendan Corley’s wedding

Photo by Sarah Lawless

Taking to the Sea

1. GO ON A GUIDED TOUR

If you’re new to kayaking or the saltwater marsh, nothing is better than direct experience with a local guide. This year alone I have heard about several rescues where people didn’t have knowledge of their boat, the tide, or the general conditions. Everyone was OK (including a dog), but it’s worth mentioning that guided tours are invaluable for two reasons:

2. GET YOUR TIDE CHART READY

Sea kayaking is a moving meditation and a low-impact way to explore the incredibly beautiful and unique Golden Isles at walking speed. From the massive cypress trees in the Altamaha corridor, to the seemingly endless 400,000 acres of salt marsh, the temperate weather along the Georgia Coast from fall to spring makes kayaking easily one of the best ways to get outside and get to know the intricacies of the natural landscape. However, knowledge of winds, tides, and places to go are paramount. The following is a guide on how to get into sea kayaking.

- Knowledge of waterways and conditions

- Knowledge of nature and human impacts

Go out with a local kayak tour company. I recommend South East Adventure Outfitters, not only because I worked there for three years, but the guides have tremendous knowledge about the local environment. Nothing is better than direct experience and accumulated knowledge learned from others.

Tides are the biggest determinant of when and where you should paddle. I often see people make those happy accidents of leaving at the wrong tide and coming back to the boat put in only to have to walk through mud. That’s why proper shoes like Chacos are needed. The plough mud that lines the marshes will take flip flops or shoes right off your feet. Not to mention, oysters can be at the bottom. You do not want to step on those. Local bait shops and outdoor recreation companies typically have physical tide charts. There are some apps like Nautide that work. Many websites, in my experience, are not as good as a paper tide chart.

3. WIND – KNOW THE WIND AND KNOW YOUR STRENGTHS

Wind can be cruel, but sometimes no wind will bring sand gnats and make your life miserable. When I was a tour guide, I would say, “pick you poison.”

WORDS AND PHOTOS BY SAM GHIOTO

The wind is a big factor when kayaking on the coast, espe cially in bigger, more open waters such as Village Creek, the Hampton River, or other less-protected areas such as the sounds between islands. In those areas, it can often be dangerous to paddle when the wind is raging. However, the marsh grass in the creeks often provides protection from the wind, so it can be crucial to find those areas next to the marsh grass where the water is still to take a rest or paddle the creek strategically.

4. GET TO KNOW THE LOCALS

Do you ever look out your window while driving on the causeway and wonder what kind of bird that is? I saw a meme once that said, “as you get older, birding becomes your favorite hobby.” Once you begin to learn more about the sheer number of birds that call the saltwater marshes and beaches their home, you realize that you really know nothing. In the past 70 years, shorebirds have experienced a 70% decline in North America. Their decline is related to increase development along the coast and sea level rise. That is staggering. Knowing how humans impact shorebirds is the first way to reducing impact on their natural habitats.

5. BONUS – YOU DON’T NEED MUSIC

The sounds of the creaking creeks, clapper rails, marsh wren, merganser wings, tern dive bombs into the water, and spooked great blue herons are nature’s music. Some times people play music on their phone when they are kayaking. I just don’t get it. When you’re deep in the marsh and there is no sign of human civilization around, you’re in the heart of a beautifully robust ecosystem full of nuances that deserve presence. There is a growing body of scientific literature that is indicating being in nature, listening to birds, and paying attention to the small details promote mental health. All the more reason to get outside!

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Sprucing Up for Spring

WORDS BY LAUREN MCDONALD

BY DESIGN

Spring is a time of transformation. And the months leading into the new season offer an opportunity to prepare gardens to reach their full potential.

“Our gardens this spring are apt to test our patience as we should take a ‘wait and see’ approach in determining if the Christmas freeze of 2022 did irreversible damage to our plants and landscapes,” says Dawn Hart, owner of ACE Garden Center on St. Simons. “Also keep in mind that our weather is unpredictable and that our last killing frost could occur between mid-to-late March.”

SThe way to determine if a plant was killed or just “burned” by the cold weather requires a scratch test, Hart says, which is done by taking a small sliver of the stem or limb to see if there is visible green tissue underneath.

“Where there is green tissue, the plant will regenerate any melted foliage, but in some cases plants, shrubs, trees, and vines will need to have burnt, brown and wilted foliage removed and cut back to the point you do see green tissue,” Hart says. “Dead foliage will drain energy from a plant.”

In some cases, she added, some plants may just present some surface burn on what was new tender growth. Gardeners can selectively prune the brown out or just leave it to be camouflaged by new spring growth.

Now is an important time to prepare a garden for the warmer, vibrant spring months.

Dolomitic lime and organic compost poured into flowers beds, most shrubs, vegetable gardens, fruit trees and lawn

grasses will help raise the pH of the soil and ultimately make fertilizers more available to plants, Hart says.

“Once temperatures are sustainably close to 70, they may be safely fertilized to push new growth,” she says. “Some plants, especially those with tubers like cranium lilies, daylilies, irises, elephants ears, etc., may not put out until very late spring when the ground temperatures warm up.”

Soft tissue plants that have not rebounded by late May may need to be replaced. Some examples of these might include bananas, philodendroms, crinum lilies, and tender perennials.

It’s also important to keep a lawn well maintained so that it may look its best this spring. Leaves should be kept raked up to prevent a build-up of moisture and prevent fungus while the nights are still cool. This will also keep the grass free of stress as it greens up coming out of dormancy, Hart says.

“Treat for weeds now with a pre-emer -

gent spray or granular herbicide,” she says. “Do not drop your lawnmower deck as a means to get the leaves up at this time, as this practice can damage already compromised grass runners and expose them to any late cold temperatures.”

And do not apply fertilizer until the lawn is actively growing, Hart says, which usually occurs in mid-to-late March.

“It’s better to wait until it’s 100% green,” she says. “Be sure to always water your lawn fertilizers in well and return to a normal irrigation schedule. Early morning is the best time to irrigate as cool nights may still be a factor at this time.”

If rye grass was grown over the winter, Hart says the granular herbicide will kill the remaining rye.

“This is desirable due to the fact that struggling rye grass in spring will draw away nutrients and water from a rebounding turf grass,” she says.

Azaleas, roses and boxwoods in particular may have succumbed to what growers refer to as “winter look,” Hart says, where the extreme cold temperatures present in the plant foliage a red or bronzy appearance to accompany their first blooms.

“The normally green foliage will eventually push past this but may be considerably into late spring before emerging,” Hart says.

Shrubs and azaleas blooming in early spring should not be pruned until after they bloom, while summer blooming shrubs — or those that bloom in May or later — may be safely pruned through the end of March, Hart says.

“In mid-to-late March, the first fertilization may be applied around the drop line of shrubs, roses, ground covers, vines, palms and trees including fruit and citrus trees,” she says.

“Pre-emergent herbicides can be applied to landscape bed, taking care not to spray on a windy day when drift can affect desirable plantings.”

To prevent the spread of disease during cooler nights, Hart says pruners should be sterilized often with an alcohol/water solution in a household sprayer bottle. Boxwoods are particularly susceptible to blight if they are pruned when their foliage is wet from dew, irrigation, or rainfall, she says.

“So avoid pruning under those circumstances,” she says. Safely prune back Lantana and other perennials to about 5-6 inches from the ground now before plants start putting on new spring growth, Hart says.

“Remove any dead material from perennial, annual, and vegetable beds,” she says. “If leaves have accumulated over the season, be sure to rake out and apply a new 3-inch layer of mulch, which will help suppress any emerging spring weeds.”

This is also a good time to divide or move perennials, groundcovers, or ferns, she added, while simultaneously eliminating any diseased or dead growth.

“Keep fertilizing pansies, violas, snapdragons, and other winter flowers if still viable to prolong their color and health and kiss the winter doldrums goodbye,” Hart says.

Medical spa treatments offer options for brides

PROVIDED CONTENT

Wmedical staff are personable and professional. From the consultation, through treatment, recovery and beyond, they will be with you every step of the way. To not add stress to the wedding planning, ensure that any treatments received are completed with plenty of time for any needed healing.

Here is a suggested timeframe for rejuvenation treatments:

Wedding planning can be extremely stressful and time consuming. Every bride wants to look stunning and walk down the aisle with confidence, which is why medical spa treatments and plastic surgery to enhance your natural beauty have become popular in the wedding planning line up. Dr. Diane Bowen, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, at Golden Isles Center for Plastic Surgery offers a wide range of rejuvenation treatments to help any bride or bridal party member get ready for the big day.

At Golden Isles Center for Plastic Surgery, located on Saint Simons Island, Dr. Diane Bowen and her highly trained

six months prior to the wedding

Surgical Procedures: This allows time for healing. Also note that you want to be healed from any surgical procedure before any alterations are completed.

• Breast Augmentation — This is a surgical procedure using implants to enhance the shape and volume of the breasts.

• Breast Lift — This is a surgical procedure to raise and firm the existing breast tissue. It can also reduce the size of the areola. In some instances, a breast augmentation and lift will need to be combined.

• Breast Reduction — This is a surgical procedure to remove excess breast fat, tissue, and skin to achieve a breast size that is more in proportion with your body as well as alleviate any discomfort that comes along with overly large breasts.

• Abdominoplasty or Tummy Tuck — This is a surgical procedure that removes excess fat, skin, and can restore weakened muscles to create a smoother, firmer abdominal profile. Having a flatter, firmer midsection can dramatically improve the way clothing fits and looks, helping you fell more confident and comfortable in your body.

six months prior to the wedding

Minimally invasive procedures

• BodyTite & FaceTite — This is a minimally invasive procedure that uses radio frequency to melt unwanted fat cells in those stubborn or hard to reach areas. Common treatment areas include abdominals, flanks, upper arms, thighs, and double chin. There is no cutting, no

anesthesia, and minimal downtime.

• Lipocontouring — This is a minimally invasive procedure that sucks out unwanted fat cells. Dr. Bowen’s artistic ability as a surgeon allows for her to contour the body into a desired silhouette. This procedure can be done without anesthesia and in the comfort and privacy of our treatment facility.

• Morpheus8 — This is the new, stateof-the art rejuvenation treatment that combines radio frequency with micorneedling to lift and tighten any area. This treatment can also be used to treat hyperhidrosis (excess sweating), acne scarring, and stretch marks.

• YLift — Dr. Diane Bowen is the St. Simons’ only certified facilitator of the YLift. This procedure uses dermal fillers below the muscle to restore structure loss to the cheeks and jawline. This procedure is suitable at any age and helps to bring back that youthful definition without going through a surgery.

six months prior to the wedding

Facial Rejuvenation treatments — Address any uneven skin tone issues, such as rosacea, broken capillaries, brown spots, melasma, hyperpigmentation. In some instances more than one treatment is needed so better to have a consultation early on and create your treatment plan with a stress free timeline in mind.

These treatments include:

• Lumecca Photofacial

• Vi Peel

One to two weeks prior to the wedding

Finishing touches — Many brides and members of the bridal party will treat themselves to injectables and facials leading up to the special day. These treatments help to provide the makeup artists with a “fresh canvas” and give you the glowing confidence for the big day.

• Botox — Most recognize this injection by name, but for those who don’t know, this is used to improve the look of both moderate to severe wrinkles

at the corners of the eyes, frown lines in between the eyebrows, and the forehead.

• Fillers — Dermal fillers come in a variety of thickness that allows for a custom-tailored treatment plan. Fillers can be used to restore lost volume in the lips, cheeks, and around the mouth area. We suggest that you have any filler at least one to two weeks before the wedding to ensure any bruising and swelling that may occur has subsided.

• Micropeel Facial — Not all peels are created equal, and not all peels come with “downtime.” This facial treatment uses SkinCeuticals professional skincare products. This facial removes unwanted vellus hair, or peach fuzz, and you are left with a radiant, healthy glow. This facial is referred to as the “red carpet” ready treatment. It’s ideal for any bride or bridal party member before applying makeup and being camera ready!

Each bride is different and enhancing your natural beauty is not a one size fits all. Dr. Bowen suggests a consultation to determine what treatment plan is best to suite your individual needs. Call Golden Isles Center for Plastic Surgery at 912-634-1993 and a member of her friendly staff will be happy to get you schedule for a consultation today.

Tabby & Tillandsia Garden Walk

Sat, April 29, 2023

Shop the Plant Sale

Enjoy the Garden Party

GJ Ford Bookstore, Righton Books &

Land Lovers: Factors To Consider When Buying Property

WORDS BY AL BROWN

OWhere’s the water: The No. 1 enemy of a lot or house is water. Therefore, drainage and elevation come into play. For drainage, look at the subject site and also the adjoining properties. Are they draining towards the “dream lot?” Look also at the street drainage. And are wetlands present on the site?

Over the years, I have helped hundreds and hundreds of people buy land, mostly single-family building sites, and that will be our focus today. Most times, a buyer sees a site with pretty trees and says, “That’s the one!”

I walk them through a number of other factors that must be considered. Here are some of them:

What’s the elevation: While everything to the untrained eye looks flat in Glynn County, we do have elevation, subtle as it may be, but very important. A foot or two can make a big difference. The bigger question: Is it a low lot? Ask for the elevation of the finished grade. It will be given to you in MSL (Mean Sea Level).

Preferred exposure: Is it westerly? Easterly? By exposure, I mean the

direction the back of the house faces. After all, the rear of the property is where you spend most of your time outside. To stress the importance of this factor, let’s take, for example, a marsh front site. If the house has a westerly exposure, and you are living here full time, you know how hot July, August, and part of September are. That afternoon sun, at times, can be unbearable thus rendering your activities on the deck, terrace, or pool very uncomfortable. This is when “sun management” comes into play with the use of wide overlaps, porches, and tree canopy to provide as much shade as possible. An easterly exposure for this same house doesn’t have this problem since the house itself provides a sun blocker. A point to consider: If you primarily only spend winters here, you welcome the warmth of a westerly exposure.

Site within a neighborhood: The location of the site within a neighborhood. Does it give you the privacy you may seek? What about light pollution from street lights, traffic, or a cell tower?

Location within the community at large : Do you want the energy, vibe, and activity of a higher density area or do you prefer privacy? The issue of traffic is not to be forgotten either.

Zoning as to the site: What are the trends? Is commercial encroachment headed this way?

The life stage of the neighborhood: Neighborhoods (and cities, too, for that matter) go through three cycles: growth, stabilization, decline. I’ve seen some complete the cycle in a very short time, others take a long, long time and get settled into one stage. Warning signs in the neighborhood: unkept yards and houses, an abundance of rental houses, foreclosures.

Covenants: Are there deed restrictions and enforcement of architectural standards? Too little or too much restriction can be a negative.

Lot size: Is the site large enough to build within the setback area and home size maintaining a sense of scale and proportion?

Easements: Are there utility or drainage access or other easements impacting the site? Get a survey and title work before closing.

Utilities: Is there public sewer or is a septic tank system required? Public water? Gas? Cable TV?

Private clubs: If there is a private club involved? Check out the financial stability.

Trees: Their type and condition. Do you lose the most important one(s) in the building envelope?

In the end, I ask : What is most important to you? What is your deal breaker? Okay, now let’s go put our boots on and do some walking.

Al Brown is the owner of Al Brown Company, 60 Cinema Lane, Ste. 120. St. Simons Island. He has been in the real estate business for 50 years. For more information or to arrange an appointment, call 912-268-2671 or email albrown@albrowncompany.com.

Memory Care

Frederica’s Academy’s Mary Ford Fitzjurls has donned No. 10 jersey on the pitch, No. 45 on the gridiron, or even the occasional cross country uniform. And while she’s obviously a sports fan, her first love will always be soccer.

“I started playing when I was 3 for the U4 team, and my dad was always my biggest supporter,” Fitzjurls says.

“He would take me and my brother out (who’s two years younger) and just practice with us, since we loved it so much. I just kept progressing with it and played with the boys team when I was around 8 because we didn’t have a girls team my age since there was really no one around here that played. I joined the girls team that were a little older than me and that’s been my soccer path.”

That path led her to becoming a starter for the Lady Knights as an eighth grader and earning a semi final spot in the GISA soccer championships. Fitzjurls says soccer will always be her No. 1 sport even after adding two new activities to her schedule.

Joining the JV football team on a whim to be the place kicker, Fitzjurls recalls when the varsity head coach Brandon Derrick went to the storage room and picked out a random jersey. Fitzjurls stuck with No. 45 and the sport when she was advised that she would have an open spot on the varsity team.

Having fun with the sport, Fitzjurls didn’t know how nerve-racking it would be to execute an onside kick when she first learned about her role.

“I had never done it before. I didn’t have to do them in eighth grade, but this year in practice Coach Derrick said hands team and I honestly didn’t know what that meant. But when he explained that I was going to onside kick and I just thought why not. (Assistant) Coach Bo Yeargan told me that I should just back straight up off the ball,” she says.

“In soccer you use both feet, so I was used to using both and when he told me I should just go straight back off the ball and then I could choose which side I would want to go. I would trick the other team and sometimes my own teammates, whichever side I decided to go to and kick. I don’t know, I guess I have a thing for onside kicks. I hadn’t really practiced them before that.”

Balancing two sports at once, Fitzjurls got caught up in a last minute addition when she joined the cross country team to simply help out her best friend.

“I keep getting caught up in these things where I join on the spot,” Fitzjurls says with a smile.

“My best friend, Maggie Dorminy, is a really good cross country runner and she asked me one day after school if I wanted to run with her for the region meet because they needed three extra people to run. So three girls from my grade — me, Brianna Kohlhof, and Ryan Hoffnagle — we all just went out there and ran. I wasn’t expecting to do well at all. I was just trying my best out there, but we had Kaitlyn Sunderhaus, Megan, and myself place all-region, so that was really cool.”

Garnering such success in a sport that she wasn’t planning to join, Fitzjurls says the atmosphere of being at Frederica Academy has allowed her and others to try everything.

“For cross country, Coach Nash was telling me that I should totally do it. Coach Derrick told me after my eighth grade season that I should keep doing varsity. Coach Gabe was my coach for travel soccer and he told me that I should play varsity (as an eighth grader),” Fitzjurls says.

“They are really welcoming and at the same time whenever you join a team you have friends on the team from school, so everyone encourages new girls if they want to come out and try it … they always say yes you should. It’s a good friendship.”

Fitzjurls questioned how one student can stay at the top of their game while playing two sports in the same season. She soon realized the effort pays off.

“For the fall season of travel soccer and football, I would go from school straight to football practice (4 to 5:30) and then I would have to leave early after special teams and go to Jekyll for soccer practice and come home at 9 p.m. and do homework,” Fitzjurls says.

“It was definitely challenging, and I had a lot of nights where I had to stay up late and I was wondering if it was worth it or not to be so busy and have to work so hard to stay on top of things. But, then the next day as I’m in football practice and soccer practice again, I knew it was worth it. It brought a lot of joy. It was definitely worth it in the end.”

Having three sports checked off thus far as a Knight, Fitzjurls plans to add another one.

“I think I’m gonna try track this spring and see how it goes,” Fitzjurls says as she laughs.

WORDS AND PHOTO BY SEBASTIAN EMANUEL

Mary Ford Fitzjurls

“You

it!”

Freshness reigns at Farm 99

WORDS BY TAYLOR COOPER | PHOTOS BY DERRICK DAVIS

the McCleerys at the time they were being interviewed for this column — in the early days of a nearly weeklong cold snap that saw temperatures drop below freezing several nights in a row.

They moved to Georgia in 2019 to get away from the hustle and bustle of New Jersey along with the cold, but both have always been partial to living on the coast. That narrowed down their options somewhat.

But there was no local produce stand like the McCleerys envisioned, despite the fact you can garden all year round in South Georgia.

“When we asked where the local produce was, they said ‘Winn Dixie,’” Amanda says, pulling a face that clearly indicated her disdain for the produce aisle.

No offense to the supermarket chain, but in Dante’s opinion, there’s no comparison between what you get from a store and what you’ve just pulled out of the ground.

“I’ve never had a good salad out of a bag,” he confirms.

There’s no telling what the future holds, but for now, Farm 99 is focused on growing veggies, not livestock. Local options are limited, but there’s a network of small farmers across the state, you just have to know where to look. Dante freely admits he didn’t when they started Farm 99, but it didn’t take long to get some friendly advice.

Dante has a circuit he runs to other farms for various things they don’t grow or make themselves.

“The farmers really have each other’s backs,” Dante says.

A local farm also has the benefit of being resilient. When the COVID-19 pandemic spread around the globe, it brought to a crashing halt many modern, globalized industries that rely heavily on manufacturing and shipping.

When you start your own farm, it gives people certain ideas, says Amanda McCleery.

“We do get asked to bring salads everywhere,” Amanda says with a laugh. It’s fortunate that she and her husband Dante both love salads and are often happy to oblige. That’s part of the reason they founded Farm 99 on a parcel of wooded land on — where else — Ga. Highway 99, just west of Sterling.

Both hail from New Jersey, which tends to get a mite colder than Southeast Georgia. That wasn’t much comfort to

Both Amanda and Dante had dreams of starting their own farm at some point as well, which narrowed it down even more. Rural Georgia stood out as the perfect combination of both in an upand-coming location.

“For us, it’s a win-win. The best of both worlds,” Dante says.

After moving to the area, they discovered only a few options for locally-owned fresh produce.

St. Simons Island boasts a few fresh produce markets. Brunswick hosts a regular farmer’s market, and Potlikker Farm produces fresh veggies for local restaurants and the public at Three Little Birds.

The pandemic brought its fair share of problems and sorrows, but for an openair farm stand, it could not have been better for business.

“We were actually, at the time, thinking of enclosing this,” Amanda recounts, gesturing to the prefabricated metal structure that shelters the farm stand.

On top of that, it’s been nothing but good for the couple’s children. Their daughter, once quiet and reserved, has grown into a much more outgoing person than she was, and “actually knows how to talk to people now,” Amanda says. Their son has taken a liking to work in the garden. It’s almost therapeutic, what Amanda termed “garden therapy.”

All that plant life they pick is good for you in many ways. Aside from tasting better, it also tends to taste different, Amanda notes.

“The carrots are crazy sweet out of the garden. I’ve never had them this sweet,” she says.

The McCleerys say they’ve been spoiled. There’s no sign of downturn anytime soon — new faces show up every day at the stand — but if anything should force them to close, neither thought they could go back to eating run-of-the-mill veggies.

“I’m a salad guy,” Dante tells GIM. “You can always add fresh fish or chicken to your dish to make it dinner.”

This article is called The Dish, so it’s time to get to the dish — a salad, in case you were wondering. While these ingredients were plucked in winter, they’re all year-round crops. You can find them in stock at the Farm 99 stand.

The lemon kumquats are what Amanda most likes about the dish. They’re something new for the farm and her palate, and the tartness contrasts well with the other flavors in the salad, especially the sweet carrots — which is not a particular type of carrot, but Amanda finds most carrots right out of the garden tend to be sweet.

“I love the sweetness of the carrots with the tartness of the kumquat dressing,” Amanda says.

Sticking to the recipe is not required, and if you ask the McCleerys, it’s not necessarily encouraged either. As Dante put it, “Don’t be afraid, throw different stuff in there and make it a meal.”

• Farm 99 is located at 4023 Ga-99, Brunswick. It is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Friday. It’s open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

Lemon kumquat vinaigrette

2 Tbsp. local honey

⅔ cup apple cider vinegar

¾ cup extra virgin olive oil

4-5 lemon kumquats, juiced Salt and pepper to taste

Directions: Mix together ingredients in a cup or bowl. Stir well until the ingredients are completely mixed together.

Farm 99 spring salad

1 head Gem butter lettuce

1 head La Rosso lettuce

1 head Mayqueen lettuce

3 hard-boiled eggs

2-3 watermelon radishes

2-3 trio heirloom carrots

2-3 golden beets

Directions: Tear lettuce and either slice thin the radish, beets, and carrots or use a mandoline slicer. Quarter hard-boiled eggs. Toss in a large bowl, drizzle vinaigrette over the top and serve.

SpringFling

Like an artist with a brush, Brittany Gault expertly wielded her curling iron. Little by little, she effortlessly wove Adair Werley’s ombre locks through the tool, creating a head of cascading curls.

“Curls always last longer on second or third day hair,” Gault says with a nod.

And she certainly knows. The hair stylist and makeup artist at Island Day Spa has created countless looks for ladies, ranging from prom to weddings and everything in between.

On this bright spring day, Gault was tapped with creating a chic yet natural stye for our model, the stunning Adair. She’s the kind of gal who doesn’t need any embellishments to sparkle, so Gault opted to accentuate her beauty by keeping things soft and natural.

She started with the hair.

“First, I spray on a protectant and brush that through to distribute it through the hair. Then, I divide the hair and start in the front with a two-inch section. I, personally, like to curl away from the face,” she says, demonstrating as she spoke.

“I also start at the top of the strand, rather than at the bottom. That’s the way most of us have been taught to curl our hair but it puts a lot of strain on the ends and it can cause a lot of damage.”

After winding the iron through the hair, Gault gently pulls down as she releases the piece.

“That creates a more natural, relaxed, beachy wave,” she says.

It’s a popular request for clients visiting the day

spa for hair services. The location, situated at 60 Cinema Lane, Suite 140, St. Simons Island, offers everything from massages to facials, nails to hair extensions.

And being on the frontlines of the beauty industry, Gault has definitely noticed the trends. One of the things she’s found is that many are moving away from the dramatic toward the soft.

“I think it’s a lot softer than what we’ve seen over the past few years. We’ve gone from a more chiseled contoured look to something much more natural,” Gault says.

She used Adair’s look as a prime example of a more subtle, yet still sizzling style. Gault began with a primer, then added foundation and under eye concealer.

“One thing that I really like to do is go just a little bit higher with everything ... like put the bronzer a little higher on the face than you usually would. It lifts everything,” she says.

Another key element, according to Gault, is the eyebrows. In recent years, they have been elevated to the next level in the glam game.

“If it were between doing eyebrows or mascara, I would go with eyebrows. They’re so important and really just frame the face so well,” she says.

Gault adds blush and a bit of shimmer to Adair’s lids. She completes the look by delicately adding lashes and applying mascara.

“I really think that any time you do photos or have an event ... you should do lashes. They really make a difference,” Gault says.

WORDS BY LINDSEY ADKISON | PHOTOS BY TAMARA GIBSON

This Millie Resort & Travel cream Maja Dress is ideal for a stroll on the riverfront lawn of the Jekyll Island Club Hotel. It features pearl eyelets and romantic puff sleeves.

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This Watts Midi Dress is a perfect look for spring. The green mingled with the color reflects the vibrant mood of the season.

ABOUT OUR SPRING SHOOT

Model: Adair Werley

Photographer: Tamara Gibson

Outfits: Two Friends on St. Simons Island

Hair and Makeup: Brittany Gault of Island Day Spa

Bicycle: Jekyll Wheels

Flowers: Merci Bouquet

Living well, looking good, feeling great. All fantastic goals, but what — or who — defines them? If you ask Chef Nicole Monier, and I did, the answer you get is “You do.”

“I am a huge believer in ‘pretty is as pretty does,’” Monier says.

What’s the purpose of these goals, she asks? Is it happiness? Confidence? Some people spend their entire lives in pursuit of a way to maintain these states of mind. In reality, some of the people who outwardly appear to have the most success in the realms of fitness, beauty, or confidence all have troubles of their own.

In Monier’s estimation, “it’s actually really sad because they’re missing the joy.”

We spend hours of our lives planning, preparing, waiting for, and eating meals, she says, and if you’re not enjoying being in the kitchen or eating, that’s time wasted.

That’s the point of The Mystical Kitchen, Monier’s business. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, she had a brick-and-mortar location on St. Simons Island but has since moved everything in-house — literally.

Inside Out Eating Well to Feel Good

WORDS BY TAYLOR COOPER | PHOTOS BY PRISCILLA RING, DEVOSS PHOTOGRAPHY

In the kitchen of her home on a balmy winter afternoon, Monier gave a quick lesson for GIM like she would one of her customers. She helps walk people through the process of not creating a diet but being comfortable with a diet. You try as hard as you like, she says, but trying to force yourself to stick to a diet you hate won’t net you the results you want.

“You can have all the fancy foods, but if you are miserable in your job or unhappy with your body, you will not get anything out of it,” she says.

She was there once herself. Monier is a graduate of the Cordon Bleu School of Cooking in Paris, and her career from France back to the U.S. was accompanied by the typical lifestyle one falls into when one works high-stress jobs, especially in food service.

“Yeah, I could cook, but I wasn’t eating well at all,” Monier recalls.

Unfortunately — or perhaps, fortunately — there’s no real secret behind it. Everyone is different and what works for one doesn’t work for all. The operative words in Monier’s world are “comfortable” and “confident.” If you’re comfortable and confident in the kitchen and with your diet, you will naturally stick to it.

If you have all these other stressors, she says, it’s taking away from your willpower — willpower you won’t have when it comes time to make a decision on what to eat. There’s no shame in it, we all default to what’s

comfortable when we’re in a stressed-out mindset. That’s why, in Monier’s experience, making a healthy diet one you’re comfortable with is the only way to achieve longterm health benefits.

That’s probably the crux of all her efforts with her clients. It’s true that a good diet is essential to good health, but a good diet is also only a fraction of a good life. Part of living a good life is knowing when to take care of yourself first, and “this is the most fundamental self-care, how you feed yourself,” Monier says.

Changing people’s behavior, especially around food, can seem like an impossible task sometimes. She’s made a career out of figuring it out, and it often comes down to what works for each individual. An easy way to change behaviors is to offer an alternative that’s even easier, she says. Recipes that are quick, easy, and make plenty of leftovers work well for most.

Sheet pan dinners are good example. They’re ideal for making lunch for a few days ahead or for a family dinner. Take a bunch of foods you like and that cook well together and mix them together in a sheet pan. Spread some olive oil on there first, or some cooking spray. You can find good, organic and olive oil-based nonstick spray online. Drizzle a little more olive oil on top.

Monier prepared two for this article, one incorporating bell peppers, onions, potatoes, and chicken sausage. Monier always goes for peppers with four sides, which makes it easy to cut them into the right size. Julienne cut the peppers to make sure they all get cooked properly. Dice the onions and cut the potatoes to bite-sized pieces. The vegetables will take longer to cook than the sausage, if left whole, so they need to be sized accordingly. You can make up your own sheet pan recipes, just make sure all the ingredients will cook at about the same rate.

Preheat the oven to 375 and once everything is arranged on the sheet pan — spread out so it all cooks evenly — pop it into the oven. She recommends 375 degrees over the more standard 350 degrees because it helps with browning the vegetables.

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After about 15 minutes, open the oven door to let out some steam. It also helps with browning the vegetables, but be very, very careful that you don’t burn yourself with the heat. When demonstrating, she came at the oven from an angle and leaned her face away from the door until a huge steam cloud dissipated.

The meal itself was hot and extremely savory. She places the sausages on top of the vegetables, so any juices that run off get soaked up by the potatoes, bell peppers, and onions.

The second sheet pan she prepared swapped out the vegetables for a whole slew of mushrooms, three varieties — shiitake, button, and bell. She’s particularly partial to the shiitake, but the other two came in a box of mixed mushrooms.

In this case, Monier did very little prep work. Most of the mushrooms were close to the same size, and the few that were smaller turned a little crispier, adding some crunch to the dish.

She finished up the meal with a personal favorite, something both tasty and healthy — sunflower seed butter cookies.

A few days after the interview, she followed up with another sheet pan recipe that might be popular with those of us from Southern families … a low country boil.

It can’t be done one-to-one, to my chagrin, but take the traditional sausage, shrimp, and small red potatoes and substitute smaller chunks of corn or kernels for the cobs.

“Taylor, as I have been thinking about your idea of low country boil sheet pan supper, I think a few additions are important,”Monier says.

“We need to add some corn and 1-2 teaspoons of Old Bay seasoning. Frozen kernels would work well. Obviously, this isn’t an exact replica, more the idea of it. I think it comes closer with the addition of corn and Old Bay. Please feel free to ask any questions about food or otherwise.”

• For details, visit themysticalkitchen.com or call Monier at 210-381-9335 for a free consultation.

Building a

Beauty Brand:

The Journey of Aspen LaPierre

WORDS BY LINDSEY ADKISON

PHOTOS BY PRISCILLA RING, DEVOSS PHOTOGRAPHY

Aspen LaPierre is definitely a product of her environment. She blossomed amidst the crisp Pacific Northwest amongst farmland and Douglas fir trees.

“I grew up on a cattle ranch in Eastern Oregon. There wasn’t much out there. We had to drive an hour for groceries,” she says. “But I had a pretty diverse upbringing. My dad did a lot of healthy stuff, hiking and what not, and my mom worked with my step-dad on the ranch.”

The natural world played a huge role in her path. It first started when her aunt sent her a story about clean beauty products.

“I was going to school for psychology. I really didn’t have a ton of interest in skincare or beauty,” she says. “But my aunt just randomly sent me an article about how women use 265 harmful chemicals in their products every day. It’s everywhere ... even in the candles we burn.”

It made a real impression on her and LaPierre started picking up products that scored in the green zone on the EWG Skin Deep database, a site that ranks toxicity of skincare and beauty items.

But even more than swapping brands, she also started doing more research. Eventually, it led to the decision to create her own clean beauty line — Aspen Natural Skincare.

Spring INTO OUR FABULOUS FASHIONS

“I just used a simple Google search to research clean beauty manufacturers, initially with an interest in clean cosmetics. I ended up finding a clean skincare manufacturer in Canada whose standards aligned with what I was looking for,” she says.

“Vancouver, British Columbia, where the products are made, is still often considered part of the Pacific Northwest, and they were sourcing clean ingredients as close to home as possible, using some eco-certified ingredients. They were wonderful to work with, and once I began conversing with them, they worked with me closely until I had product in hand.”

She created sleek, fresh packaging to accompany her marketing, targeting women who enjoy active, healthy lifestyles. As of now, LaPierre has 11 products including the Kombucha Energizing Cleanser, Avocado Basil Intensive Moisturizer, and Invigorating Spearmint Moisturizing Mask, among others.

“My favorite ingredient throughout my products is the kombucha — hands down. Everything that is kombucha-based has come out with an amazing, fresh scent that I love,” she says.

As someone who enjoys trying out new and exciting skincare, LaPierre jumped right in. She was able to find a space in the market by using herself as her primary demographic.

“.... above 30, concerns about aging, hydration, and brightening — and very active toward the outdoorsy, wellness. I didn’t see any products marketed toward the outdoorsy wellness crowd,” she says with a laugh.

Many of the products’ active ingredients are “wildcrafted,” which means they are foraged. LaPierre says these ingredients specifically are more potent and more effective.

“They were fed and watered by nature instead of man making them more resilient. Some examples are the fucus, or seaweed extract that shows up in many products, especially our Restoring Herbal Mist. It is actually harvested right out of the bay in Vancouver,” she says.

“The wild cherries in our Wild Cherry Regenerating Peel grow naturally throughout the northwest as well. We use meadowfoam, a flower that grows all up and down the west coast. The plants and ingredients that are not foraged are still harvested sustainably. I tried really hard to channel the beauty and bounty of the Pacific Northwest into the products and the branding.”

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able beauty. That’s when she discovered Operation Underground Railroad. The non-profit works to support victims of sex trafficking. Five percent of her company’s proceeds go toward the cause.

“They are a highly effective and transparent group of people that rescue and rehabilitate victims of sex trafficking and modern day slavery. They really bust in and make things happen for these children, so I really hope that as the brand grows, we can become a major contributor to their effort,” she says.

After taking the leap of faith on her company, LaPierre and her family took another. A mother of four, she and her husband decided to move from their home in Oregon to the beaches of the Southeast.

“We moved here in July. We’d been talking about moving to the South for a while and it’s so beautiful here. It feels similar in the way that people love nature ... but the weather is much better,” she says with a laugh.

Now, LaPierre is working to make more connections and possibly expand her product line. While the brand is available online at aspennaturalskincare. com, LaPierre is looking to partner with brick-andmortar stores locally.

“I do have my products in a clean beauty store in Fernandina Beach. It’s called Willow Beauty. It’s been pretty cool because we actually connected before we moved, so it’s been great to get to know her,” she says.

And while she’s still figuring out how to balance being a mother and a beauty entrepreneur, LaPierre is always quick to encourage other women to take a chance on their dreams.

“You can learn everything by trial and error, worst case scenario,” she says. “But you just have to get out there and start trying.”

Kam Throckmorton believes a confident woman can conquer the world. She leads by example. Often ensconced in shimmer and shine — bold patterns and bright colors — she is easily spotted in any crowd.

It may also help that this fashionista is 6’2.” But instead of causing her to shrink, it’s moved her to bloom, becoming comfortable in her body.

“I have been about this tall since the seventh grade. I have always loved fashion, but for most of my life felt like fashion wasn’t meant for me,” she says.

“Growing up, my only sartorial selections were men’s clothing, or as I would find out, maternity clothes. My mom was pregnant for a lot of my formative years and she would buy me maternity clothes because they were longer in the torso.”

But the challenge proved to be fortuitous. It motivated her to find ways of accessorizing to embellish her outfits.

“Thankfully, I had inherited a lot of my grand-

mother’s costume jewelry. I noticed at a young age the power of a well-placed accessory,” Throckmorton says.

“When I would wear something interesting, people would comment on my creativity or style versus commenting on my size, which was much better for my self-esteem.”

Her experiences helped pave the way for her career. For the last 19 years, the UGA graduate has been sharing what she’s learned.

“I am a plus-size woman who treats self-worthiness like a full-time job so that I will inspire other women — most importantly, my daughter — to not spend one second of their beautiful life trying to shrink their bodies for the sake of vanity,” she says.

“Being 6’2” and plus size, I am going to take up space. I grew up in a time when the messages I was getting were just the opposite. I had to get comfortable with not only taking up space but being OK if I got attention for wearing a bright color or bold accessory.”

For her personal style, Throckmorton showcases her self-assuredness in pairs of high heels and widebrimmed hats.

“It’s impossible to look at a tall woman wearing head-turning accessories and think she is insecure about her height. Every time we leave the house we tell the world how we expect to be treated, I want to be treated like a confident woman,” she says.

That’s what she offers clients. Her business model is based on the show “What Not to Wear” and the process is similar.

“Unlike the show hosts, I am much kinder and it’s more of a collaboration than me telling my clients to throw out their entire wardrobe,” she quickly notes.

“I start with a client profile to get an idea of your lifestyle, wardrobe needs, desired style, and most importantly, your body shape. Your body shape (not size) is the most important element of dressing well.”

She begins with a closet edit to assess what one has and identify any buying patterns that might be holding you back.

“For example, I had one client who had 27 of the same shirt in different colors. When she looked in her closet, she had a lot of clothes, but the shirt she was buying was the wrong silhouette for her shape, so she never felt great in her outfits,” she says.

After the closet edit, Throckmorton and her clients make a plan. Sometimes that involves shopping (either virtual or in-person), and sometimes they create looks with what clients already own.

“Every client is different so I tailor each package to fit those needs,” she says.

The biggest challenge is often squaring off against a person’s perceived flaws. To counteract those, many opt to hide, but the result could create the opposite effect.

“We tend to hide the things we don’t like, which usually is the worst thing you can do. For example, if you think your hips are big so you wear a long top to cover them, now you have made your entire body look as big as your hips,” she says.

“If you will define your waist and draw attention to your neck, your overall look will be balanced. I often find my clients want to have fun with their style but lack the tools and the ‘permission’ to do so. They need someone to affirm they are doing it right. A lot of my clients have great style and beautiful clothes, they just need an unbiased opinion.”

Glam Kam’s Fashion tips

• Start with what you have: Always start with your closet before you buy new pieces. What could you style in a new way, or alter to give it a different look?

“For example, I took all of last season’s tired maxi dresses and had them shortened. Now, they are the perfect casual running-around dresses,” she says.

• Embrace color and accessories: These elements are the easiest way to make your look feel modern.

“My closet is full of many of the colors trending for spring, like vibrant red, orange, fuchsia, blue, and green, so I will be looking for fresh ways to wear what I already own,” Throckmorton says.

• Don’t dress to stress: Pay attention to the situations that cause you the most stress when getting dressed and get a plan

to address that. “I found that getting dressed to pick my daughter up from school was a stressful event for me, so I took some time to create some outfits that work for that part of my life,” she says. “We often think of the big events as the only time we need to plan our looks, but I believe life is more fun if you like your outfit.”

• Be inspired, not confined: Be inspired by trends but don’t feel like you must follow them.

“I will be stocking up on the colors I love, chunky jewelry, oversized bags, and all things fringe, but will skip the beige, hot pants, and supersized bows,” she says.

• Keep it real: Be realistic about what you will and won’t wear. “The magic happens when you get outside of your comfort zone, but it doesn’t serve you to buy this season’s sculptured heels if you only wear flats,” she notes.

• Do it for yourself: Wear clothes that make you happy. If you are breathing, it’s a special occasion, Throckmorton believes. Wear something special to do mundane things. “I can’t tell you how many connections I have made because someone noticed and commented on something I was wearing,” she says. “Don’t wait until you lose weight or have a special occasion to wear the things you want to wear.”

WORDS BY LINDSEY ADKISON

PHOTOS BY PRISCILLA RING, DEVOSS PHOTOGRAPHY

Kylie Harrison has always been proud of fighting like a girl.

A second degree black belt (and staunch feminist), the 22-year-old has spent the majority of her life as a martial artist. Along the way, she’s accumulated an impressive resume with a multitude of honors, titles, and championships to her name.

But perhaps the biggest prize of all has been the sense of confidence her journey has cultivated.

“I definitely know how to throw a punch and I’m not afraid to hit something with my hand. I’ve hit a lot of hard things over the years,” she says with a laugh and a shrug.

Of course, that’s only one small piece of what the discipline has taught her. Other lessons have included self-control, body awareness, perseverance, and respect for others. Truly, the list goes on and on.

Her journey began in 2010, when Kylie was just 10 years old. Her father, Joey, worked as a professional golfer but had stepped away from the sport. The economic downturn prompted him to explore opening a martial arts school, a pastime he enjoyed in his teens.

“My dad’s instructor, Mr. Duncan, competed with Chuck Norris. He learned in Korea. He’s taught a bunch of other students,” she says.

“Originally, my dad wanted to get his old martial arts buddies back into the school. Teaching kids wasn’t even on his radar, so my mom had to have a talk with him and say, “If you want to make any money, we have to teach kids.’”

At that time, Kylie was in the fifth grade and the only kicking she was interested in involved a soccer ball.

“I had just made the traveling team for soccer,” she says. “So my parents sat me down and had a talk with me. They were like, ‘We know you love it, but we’re not going have time to take you, we’d really love it if you’d try karate,’” she says.

After a little soul searching, Kylie agreed. Together, the family poured everything they had into the

new venture — The Brick. The martial arts academy opened at 20 Airport Plaza on St. Simons Island in 2010. Kylie, her brother, Boston, as well as her parents, Tavia and Joey, all became a part of the business.

Every week, Kylie would spend hours at The Brick, attending classes, helping to wrangle young students, and filming forms (a choreographed series of movements and skills used to test students for belt progression, also known as “katas”). It just so happened that while she was filming, she was also training herself. After learning the form from the video, she asked to test for her green stripe.

“That’s the first milestone — the green stripe. It’s when you learn your first form. It’s only 20 moves, three techniques, but you have to get up in front of your class and perform it,” she says. “There’s a lot to think about for a very young kid.”

She became The Brick’s first green stripe. From there, Kylie was off to the races, proving to be the test subject for the new school’s programs. She earned her yellow belt and began sparring. She also started competing, which took her across the country, as well as on international trips.

“From 2012 to 2018, I would do six or seven tournaments a year. Within a few years, I had 50 tournaments under my belt. You’re ranked and you earn points based off the size of tournament and how you place,” she says.

Considering she was placing and winning in a majority of those, Kylie was ranked high — that is, within the national top 10 for traditional kata (or forms). She also scored big when it came to fighting.

“I won my first national championship in fighting at 15,” she says. “I would say 2014 to 2017 were my prime competitive years. I was placing in all three division in every tournament sometimes with upwards of 15 competitors.”

Later, while she was attending college in Atlanta, she received second place in sparring and first place on a team fighting division at the World Games in London. But through it all, Kylie never let the success go to her head. In fact, one of the skills she had to cultivate was fighting negativity that tried to invade her mind.

Kicks + Confidence

“My mom and dad would never make me feel bad, even if everyone in the room knew I flopped. But if I didn’t do as well as I wanted, I would have to fight off that negative self talk. I think I also took a lot of other people’s talk and internalized it. I would make myself feel really bad if I didn’t do as well as I wanted. But I had to learn that it didn’t have anything to do with my self-worth,” she says. “Even now, I have to check the voice in my head that says my self-worth is tied to my achievements in any way.”

Perhaps surprisingly, the competition environment actually helped to nurture her. Over the years, she connected with many strong, gifted women, all of whom supported one another.

“The women’s divisions are just as fiery and competitive as the men’s. I think that’s true with a lot of sports, but you don’t get to see that because we don’t get put on TV like the men do. But the women have also created this beautiful environment where there is so much fellowship and so much sisterhood. They’re so supportive of each other, especially in the upper women’s division, which is incredibly competitive,” she says.

Generating confidence and respect have been the cornerstones of Kylie’s martial arts career. It’s something that she now passes on to her students, especially the girls. She encourages all girls — and women — to train in some form of self defense, karate, certainly, but also grappling disciplines, like Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and firearms training.

“I feel like if you have all three, then you really have the basics. You’re going to be able to defend yourself on the street,” she says. “You know, I wouldn’t fight someone on the street the way I would in the tourna-

ment ring. But my training there has taught me to look for someone’s vulnerable spots, so I could take them down.”

It’s this sense of strength and independence that helps girls shine. And it’s something that she hopes others, like herself, will develop in their early years.

“When you’re young, six or seven, you’re completely on an even playing field with boys. I think psychologically that’s so important for girls. You’re actively competing against classmates who are boys. It helps build this healthy mental sphere,” she says.

“It shows you that, physically, there are times when you could overpower them. It makes you realize that, when people tell you women’s sports aren’t as interesting, you know that isn’t true.”

THE KICKLIGHTER BROTHERS

Many roads to stardom have begun with a simple premise: Right time, right place.

That’s certainly true for the Kicklighter brothers.

The trio — Baxter, Hunter, and Asher — who hail from Woodbine, grew up playing music as a hobby. But over the years, they realized that it might be something more.

“We started a band called Card,” says Baxter, a drummer and the oldest of the three.

That group featured Baxter and Hunter paired with another set of brothers, the Drurys — Adam and Dalton.

“Eventually, one of them had to step down. Our brother, Asher (a guitar-

Mist and vocalist) stepped in. But we played with the four of us for a while,” Baxter says. “We had all of these different plans that we were going to do. But when COVID happened, it all fell through. In 2021, as kind of a last ditch effort, we recorded a song and released it. Then, we set up two shows.”

One of those was in Savannah. The other was in Jacksonville, and that particular show had a lot riding on it.

“It was a one in a million shot. It was opening for our childhood musical icon, like our hero,” Baxter says. “He inspired us to make music, write music … my drumming style is very reminiscent of his. It’s what he ‘taught’ me through watching his videos.”

That musician was Aaron Gillespie. He’s been a pivotal member of a num-

ber of bands, serving as the touring drummer for the rock band, Paramore. He’s currently working on a number of projects including metalcore group, Underoath. The Kicklighter brothers decided to try their hand at being selected as an opening act for his show.

“I told these guys and told (his brothers) that I applied to open. It was 14 days and we hadn’t heard anything … so we just assumed we didn’t get it. But then we got a call saying that we got it,” Baxter says.

That news kicked the band into high gear. They threw everything they had into practicing for two weeks. Then, the big day came.

“We worked so hard and we were pretty excited. We didn’t know if we would ever play again after this,” Bax-

WORDS AND PHOTO BY LINDSEY ADKISON

ter says. “We would’ve just been happy to just meet the guy and to have gotten a handshake.”

It turned out to be so much more.

“We talked after the show. It was this effortless connection,” he says.

“I think it has to do with how easy going he is,” adds middle brother Hunter, the group’s bass player.

The brothers even went out fishing with the star the day after, a shared pastime they bonded over.

“Our dad owns a charter business,” Hunter says.

After spending time together, the group exchanged numbers and planned to stay in touch. Gillespie even mentioned that he may produce them in the future.

“He alluded to, jokingly, that he may produce us one day before he left,” Baxter says.

“We didn’t realize he wasn’t (joking),” Hunter says.

Turns out, it was not. Over a period of several months, the Kicklighters stayed in contact with Gillespie, sharing music that they were writing along the way.

“One day, I was in a cabin our parents own in middle Georgia, just writing music,” Baxter says. “I sent something that I had been working on to Aaron. You know, why the heck not. And his response was, ‘we should do an album together.’”

After reality set in and details were nailed down, the group got to work.

“He said, ‘I have time to produce one or two bands a year and I want to produce you guys.’ He lives in Utah and he winds up packing all of his recording gear and shipping it over 2,000 miles … to the house we grew up in, in Woodbine,” Baxter says, eyes wide.

The brothers started writing, playing, and discovering their signature sound.

“Being honest was really important,” Asher notes.

“That’s true. We gravitate toward artists

who are honest. Not cookie cutter,” Baxter agrees.

The group also morphed into its final form with just the three Kicklighters and the band became known as Kicklighter. “Simple is easy,” Baxter says.

“At the beginning (of 2022) Adam had to leave, so we just decided to do that name for this project,” Hunter says.

And they’ve been making a point to get their name out. The trio has been booking gigs around the region, as well as developing a steady online presence on Spotify, Instagram, and Facebook. Three of the groups original singles have been circulating but soon, their full album — published by their musical hero — will be released soon.

The Kicklighters are now all based in the Golden Isles now, where they plan to officially launch their album. For all three, it’s proving to be a surreal moment.

“It’s pretty intense but it’s very fulfilling, seeing the work we’ve put in come to life,” Asher says.

THE BLUE JEAN BALL

Glynn

GLYNN VISUAL ARTS EXHIBITION

Island recently hosted an opening reception for a new exhibition titled, “Organic Forms in Nature.” The show featured a variety of mediums and artists from across the region. For details on the gallery and its ongoing programs, visit glynnvisualarts.org.

on St.

Alex and Daniela Reinshagen, from left, and Louise and Tim Lanier

The Humane Society of South Coastal Georgia recently hosted its Blue Jean Ball at Forbes Farm on St. Simons Island. The event featured a live auction, an artists’ marketplace, and entertainment by the Kinchafoonee Cowboys. For more informatio n on the humane society, visit hsscg.org.

Casey Igel, left, and Kate Dart

Donna Johnson, from left, JoAnna Wilkinson, and Wayne Johnson

Jennifer Butler, left, and Carrie Anne Rillo

Jim and Linda Henderson

Karen Grogan, left, and Nicole Wareen

Brenna Serby, from left, Sharon Greene, and Paula Eubanks

Visual Arts

Simons

Catherine Fleming, left, and Mimi McGee Doug and Emelie Tingle Elizabeth LeSueur, left, and Mary Kline

JoAnna Hill, left, and Shirl Woodruff

Kenneth Carroll

Linda Woodall, left, and John Adams

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY’S FASHION SHOW MEET AND GREET

Models for the 23rd annual American Cancer Society Fashion Show and Luncheon recently gathered with the event’s presenting sponsors and representatives from local boutiques providing fashions for the show. It was hosted at the home of Andrea Dawn Vacheron in Sea Palms. The fashion show is held each February at Sea Palms and features models who are breast cancer survivors. For more information, visit acsevents.org.

The committee members are Rhonda Barlow, from left on the front row, Joy Cook, and Jackie Mull. In back are Raylene Grynkewich, from left, Andrea Vacheron, Karen Haven, Peggy Tuten, and Kathleen Orians Dawson.

The models are Tracey Meazell, on the front row from left, Kathleen Orians Dawson, Ruby Jackson, and Willetta Hullett McGowen. On the back row are Lynda Houghton, from left, Karen Haven, Bonnie Newell, Deena Hoch, Mitzi Antonio, Tracie Beane, Kenneth Gaubert, and Sandra Langford.

In front are Kathleen Orians Dawson, left, and Willetta Hulett McGowen. In back are Mitzi Antonio, from left, Palmer Bliss, and Ashley Ruff.

Joy Cook, from left, Andrea Vacheron, and Debra Case

Karen Haven, from left, Lou Ann Grabo, and Kenneth Gaubert

Kathleen Dawson, left, and Tracey Meazell

Photo assistance by Pam Mathis

ST. SIMONS LAND TRUST’S OYSTER ROAST

The St. Simons Land Trust recently hosted its annual Oyster Roast at Gascoigne Bluff on St. Simons Island. Restaurants and other vendors served food and drinks, along with the titular dish. Musicians offered live music. Proceeds from ticket sales benefit the nonp rofit’s conservation work. For details, visit sslt.org.

A TASTE OF GLYNN

Glynn Community Crisis Center recently hosted its 22nd annual A Taste of Glynn event at the King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort on St. Simons Island. Restaurants from across the area were on hand to share samples of their menu. A silent auction was held as well . For more information about Glynn Community Crisis Center and Amity House , visit amityhouse-gccc.com.

Allyson and David Garrison

Bill and Lisa Carmichael

Bob and Jennifer Broadus

Dr. Valerie Hepburn, left, and Emily Ellison

Jane Tracy, from left, Emma Tracy, and Nancy Tracy

Lauren Smith, left, and Hannah Patton

Bill and Tina Kirby

Carl Rhodes, left, and Kari Hess Elizabeth Baker, left, and Laura Moore

Jan Copher, left, and Meredith Deal Jonathan Currier, left, and Cindy Click

Walter and Sandra Rafolski, from left, and Lea and Sandra White

OPEN THE DOOR TO A HEALTHIER FUTURE.

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