Riley Brown

RILEY BROWNE: Making a Mark That Matters

Story by Katrice Williams | Photography by Leidi Lester

Riley Browne is proud to give back. “I want to give back to those who gave up everything for me and you. These men and women have given the ultimate sacrifice by giving up everything for our country. They gave their lives for us. Being able to give back was amazing. It’s something I’m really proud of,” Riley says.

Riley, a senior at South Effingham High School, moved to the local area in 2009, along with her mom Kelly, dad Wilfred and sister Brittany. Like many young children, Riley had big dreams and aspirations for the future. She liked science a lot, especially learning about the human body. Riley was also quite athletic and enjoyed participating in various sports throughout her childhood. As she grew up, she became drawn to the field of sports medicine.

“I always wanted to know more about the body. I also have always been interested in sports; I grew up playing sports since I was about four. I was drawn to sports medicine,” she says.

Upon graduating, Riley plans to obtain a degree in the field to fulfill her dream of becoming an athletic trainer.

The bright and talented honor student is a track and field athlete, plays flag football and has been a cheerleader for over 12 years, which includes time on the Cheer Savannah Allstar Team.

Riley is also a member of National Honor Society, National Beta Club and Spirit Club; she is a part of the Mustang Mentors—an organization made up of model students chosen to spend time with elementary and middle school students in order to help and mentor them in various areas of learning and achievement.

One of Riley’s biggest accomplishments is something she would never have imagined. This past August, she was crowned Miss Southeast Georgia’s Outstanding Teen 2022.

“I never really planned to do pageants; the opportunity just sort of fell in my lap,” she says.

Road to the Title

Riley began her pageant run in middle school, where she won her very first title, Miss South Effingham Middle School.

“I did my first pageant in seventh grade, and I won, but winning wasn’t the best part. Preparing and practicing for the pageant was so much fun, and I was able to meet so many different people. My love for pageants just grew from there,” she says.

Riley was elated and has continued competing each year throughout her high

school career, winning titles including: Miss Freshman (South Effingham High School), Miss Effingham College & Career Academy (ECCA) 2022, Miss South Effingham High School (2nd Runner-Up), along with Miss Crossroads of the South. Further, Megan Johnson, a close friend, encouraged Riley to compete for the title of Miss Georgia’s Outstanding Teen. “She told me to give it a shot, and I loved it. I had the best time. I met so many smart, talented and truly amazing young women,” Riley says.

That paved the way for Riley’s current reign as Miss Southeast Georgia’s Outstanding Teen.

Riley is honored to have the privilege to represent young ladies throughout Southeast Georgia. She was thrilled to meet the many remarkable individuals she competed alongside, making the achievement all the more special to her.

Riley’s Gold Star Platform

Riley had been a military child most of her life, as her dad had served in the U.S. Army for 26 years before retiring last October.

Prior to receiving her title, Riley knew exactly what service platform she wanted to support. She was familiar with Gold Star Families, a U.S. based organization serving the “families of fallen service members who died while serving in a time of conflict.” She wholeheartedly admired the cause and wanted to help.

Riley’s mom was one of her biggest inspirations in choosing her platform, as she had been involved with Family Readiness Groups (FRG) while her husband served. FRG is “a unit’s command program,” providing activities and overall support to unit soldiers and their families. Riley knew, first-hand, the undeniable benefit of such programs.

Begun by the immediate family members of fallen comrades, Gold Star’s mission is to “provide honor, hope and healing to those who are grieving.”

“Unfortunately, as a military child, I’ve seen a lot of heartache and loss. My family lost friends, and my friends lost family. That is how I chose my service platform. Those families sacrificed everything for us. I want them to know that their sacrifice is appreciated and will never be forgotten. I want them to know that they are not alone,” Riley says.

Nine Line Partners for the Cause

Riley was afforded the opportunity to take action and help the notable cause. In order to raise money for Gold Star Families, she partnered with Nine Line Apparel, under the leadership of owner and CEO Tyler Merritt. Tyler actually had served in the same Army unit as Riley’s dad. Both Riley and Tyler wanted to create something to “show people what Gold Star Families is all about.” Riley told Tyler about her vision, and he was on board. A t-shirt was created featuring a silhouette image of her dad on the back.

“I decided to design a t-shirt to sell which incorporated a silhouette of my dad on the flight line in another country with helicopters in a missing man formation. Our hope was for everyone to be able to envision their loved one in the silhouette,” she says.

Riley enjoyed working with the Nine Line Team to create the t-shirts. Even more, she was thrilled to support such a beneficial and meaningful cause.

“The t-shirts came out beautifully, and we raised over $8,000 in just two weeks. All of that money goes straight to Gold Star Families. The money can be used for schooling, family emergencies or whatever they may need that their loved one provided when they were with us,” she adds.

Riley appreciates all the efforts of the Nine Line Apparel Team, who helped create a stunning end product.

“Working with Tyler and his team was an incredible experience. They were so helpful,” she says.

A World of Gratitude

Riley is grateful for all the individuals who have supported her endeavors over the years, helping her to become the young lady she is today. However, one person, in particular, stands out.

“My mom is a very big supporter and the one person who stuck by my side throughout the entire [pageant] process. She is probably my biggest cheerleader in anything I do,” Riley says.

Riley is thankful for all the kindness and support her community has shown her, and she has been truly proud to call Effingham home throughout the years.

“I’ve loved having a small town to represent. The community has always treated us like family; it’s great. I love Effingham County,” she says.

In her spare time, Riley likes to spend quality time with her family and friends. She also enjoys reading and running 5K races.

Even at a young age, Riley Browne has already begun making a beautiful difference in the world. She is a young lady who is certainly making her own phenomenal mark—a mark that matters. ◆

Best of 2022 EFFINGHAM Best of EFFINGHAM PRESENTED BY EFFINGHAM MAGAZ I N E

Readers’ Choice Awards

108 ALEHOUSE: Best Bar, Burger, Steak, & Wait Staff in Effingham

Lizzie Kieth and Kelly Douglas opened 108 Ale House seven years ago, realizing a lifelong dream that exceeded anything she ever expected.

“Our parents owned restaurants the whole time we were growing up, and all we’ve ever really done is work in restaurants,” Lizzie said. “And we figured, why not take a stab at it?”

With some help from her parents, she secured their location in Rincon and opened their doors in 2015.

They quickly saw success serving up great burgers, sandwiches, steaks and a selection of craft beers served by a friendly and welcoming staff.

“The food really took off more than anything,” Lizzie said. 108 Ale House is known for their burger of the month, a rotating special where the kitchen lets their creativity shine. Previous creations include “The Goonie,” a crab rangoon-inspired burger topped with fried wontons and sweet chili sauce, “The Georgia Scorcher” topped with pimento cheese, jalapeño slaw, crispy bacon and Carolina Reaper mayo, and “Jamaican Me Crazy” topped with melted pepper Jack, grilled onions and peppers, bacon, grilled pineapple, and a Jamaican style relish and jerk style mayo. These creative spins on the classic burger are why 108 Ale House was voted Best Burger in Effingham.

“I just sat down one day at my kitchen table and was like, ‘This sounds cool, this sounds cool,’” Lizzie said. “Me and my sister made our menu top to bottom.”

Treating Staff Like Family

108 Ale House is truly a family affair. Lizzie and her sister Kelly Douglas are co-owners, their sister Kathleen bartends, and their mother Patricia helps out as well. Kelly’s husband Jason and Lizzie’s boyfriend JP also work in the restaurant. While their strong family ties build the foundation, their success would not be possible without their dedicated staff.

“We work alongside everyone. As owners, we’re there every day. We cook in the kitchen alongside them. We’re very hands on,” Lizzie said. “We’re never going to ask anyone to do anything we’re not willing to do.”

Kelly’s role is centered on the back of the house. You can find her cooking in the kitchen but also handling inventory, paying bills and other operational tasks that keep the restaurant running.

“When everybody at one time is successful, the whole entire operation is successful,” Kelly said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re the head grill guy or the dishwasher. Everybody just works together and plays a part.”

Lizzie and Kelly’s can-do attitude has contributed to the longevity of their business. They have faced staffing challenges through COVID but have several staff members who have been with them for years.

“We’re in the trenches with them,” Lizzie said. “I think that has earned us a lot of respect from our employees.”

While previous experience plays a key role in the success of 108 Ale House’s operations in the front and back of house, a willingness to learn and work hard have gotten staff far.

“Some of my best employees never worked a day in a restaurant,” Lizzie said. “[I look for] open-mindedness, being ready to work and a good attitude.”

Creating a Great Customer Experience

Taylor Pevey started working at 108 Ale House when she was 16. She began as a hostess and now at 22, she is the restaurant’s general manager. She is responsible for training all new front of house employees, setting a high standard for the restaurant’s hosts, servers and bartenders. In her role, she places a premium on good customer service.

“I’ve always been really good in the customer service area,” Taylor said. “If something is wrong, I make sure to fix it right away for them and give them the best service that I would want if I was in their place.”

At 108 Ale House, training is a handson activity, where new hires shadow existing employees to learn the ropes. Taylor leads staff training with a direct management style that is rooted in empathy.

“If there’s ever something I need to address with someone, I pull them aside and show them what I would expect to see in that situation,” Taylor said. “I always tell them that if it was you, you would want to receive good customer service if you were out to eat with your family. So that’s what you should give them.”

This approach has been a recipe for success, because the waitstaff at 108 Ale House was also named Best of Effingham.

“Our wait staff has not only put in a lot of time and commitment to what they do, but I think they also actually enjoy their job,” Taylor said.

Savoring Success

The honor of winning four Best of Effingham awards has not gone unnoticed by Lizzie and the 108 Ale House staff.

“Not only have the owners worked really hard for it, but so have I and the rest of the employees that work here. So it makes me proud of all of us,” Taylor said.

Creating a community hangout has made Lizzie’s hard work worth the long days she’s put in.

“I’m so grateful that the community as a whole thought we were the best,” Lizzie said. “I couldn’t ask for anything more.” (912) 826-0117 108 Weisenbaker Rd , Rincon, GA,

INTERNATIONAL PLAZA AT MCCALL

B U S I N E S S S O L U T I O N S

EFFINGHAM MAGAZINE BEST

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS in Effingham —2022—

GROW IT WE MOW IT, LLC

Steven Highsmith’s Company Offers Excellence in Lawn Maintenance

Best of 2022 EFFINGHAM Best of EFFINGHAM PRESENTED BY EFFINGHAM MAGAZ I N E

Readers’ Choice Awards G row It We Mow It, LLC has been raising the bar in exceptional lawn maintenance since the familyowned company officially opened its doors in 2019. Steven Highsmith, owner and founder, is a Savannah native and has been living in Effingham for nearly 12 years.

Steven developed an undeniable interest in the craft as a young boy, and it has been full-steam ahead ever since. “The passion for lawn care has always been there. I’ve been doing it all my life,” he says.

Steven, however, never would have imagined that his passion would develop into a professional career. In fact, by trade, he is an ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certified master technician.

Character Counts

Even at a young age, Steven knew the intrinsic value of strong character and an uncompromising work ethic. Raised by a single mom, he found reward in hard work and diligence, understanding the value and necessity of being financially prudent.

“As a kid, I had a bicycle, a push mower and a two-gallon gas can. That’s how I bought my school clothes,” he says.

Over the years, Steven has maintained that same work ethic, as he feels it is always a professional standard. In addition, the knowledge and plethora of experience he has obtained throughout the many years contributes to him being the industry expert he is to this very day.

A Passion Pursued

The story surrounding the inception of Grow It We Mow It is an interesting one. Many years ago, Steven noticed a real need for lawn maintenance in his own neighborhood. He began gaining business that kept growing as time went by. The proof was in the pudding, as individuals were able to see first-hand the quality services Steven offered, revealing his noteworthy skill set. The word-of-mouth marketing spread like wildfire.

“It just started growing. I knew it was getting serious when I started receiving calls outside of the neighborhood before I even started advertising,” he states. Over time, Steven did begin posting advertisements, not only in his neighborhood, but throughout the surrounding areas.

During this time, Steven was still maintaining his full-time career as a fleet

manager. He had come to a crossroads, as his lawn care business was massively growing, and he knew it would be difficult to accommodate both professions. Hence, he followed his heart –- his passion. He dedicated all his efforts to being a full-time lawn care professional. He began to expand his business, providing services throughout the local region and becoming Grow It We Mow It, LLC in 2019.

Steven noticed that the demand for reliable professionals in the industry was at an all-time high. Many customers expressed their disdain with lawn maintenance services they had previously encountered. Steven always listened to their concerns and was committed to implementing the needed services, keeping those issues in mind. “I found out what needed to be improved. I always want to make sure my customers are happy with the services they’re paying for. I put myself in my customers’ shoes,” he comments.

Quality is Key

In the current era where the so-called “new normal” of workforce issues and supply chain shortages has become an excuse for poor service, Steven does not comply with that philosophy; instead, he takes immense pride in offering quality service.

He firmly believes that effective communication and consistency are essential, as he continuously persists to be in line with customer expectations.

“Just by communicating and building that work relationship, it builds trust. Grow It We Mow It is a family-owned business. You can trust us to do what we say and be reliable,” he says. Steven enjoys providing services that best meet his customers’ needs.

Counties. The company provides residential and commercial lawn maintenance and landscaping services, including: hedge and shrubbery maintenance, mulch and pine straw installation, sod installation, The passion for lawn care has always “ irrigation installation and repair, along with flower bed restoration (to name a few). Steven appreciates his staff for been there. I’ve been doing it all my life “ all their efforts. Even more, he is grateful for the love and support of his wife Ashley over the years. “If you want reliable, dependable service from a family-owned business, we would be the best fit for you. And remember, all you have to do is grow it, we’ll mow it.”

Exceptional Services

Grow It We Mow It services Chatham, Effingham and Bryan

(912) 695-9551 407 E. U.S. Highway 80 #291, Bloomingdale GA www.EFFINGHAMMAGAZINE.com | October/November 2022 33

Jamie’s Pet Sitting

Jamie Collins started her petsitting business in 2016 as a way to occupy her time and generate income as a stay-at-home mom. As a former vet tech, her skills translated well into caring for people’s animals while they’re away.

“With the animals, you stay busy,” Jamie said, “I enjoy being around the animals and the clients that have been with me since day one.”

She visits clients’ homes to care for animals and boards animals in her own home, with the help of her three children.

She started out with just a few clients and grew to having more than 50 today who call her first for their petsitting needs. She is well known for her reliability and availability on short notice.

“I’m a small facility, so the animals get a lot more one-on-one

EFFINGHAM MAGAZINE

time and time outside,” Jamie said. “I don’t keep more than ten pets at a time because if you keep too many, it gets overwhelming and they can’t get the time that they need.”

While Jamie mostly works with dogs and cats, she’s had some interesting petsitting charges in the past, including a gecko and a guinea pig!

She was delighted to be named Best of Effingham for her efforts.

“I never would have imagined that in a hundred million years,” Jamie said.

Jamie extends the same care to her own pets that she gives to her clients. She has a golden retriever named River and a French bulldog named Sweet Pea.

BEST PET SITTING in Effingham —2022—

912-536-1002 | 468 Honey Ridge Rd. Guyton, Ga.

Wizard of Paws

After 15 years of grooming pets, Kourtney Moore opened Wizard of Paws in 2018 to create the grooming experience she wanted to see.

“I wanted to focus on quality and patience and compassion. [I didn’t want to] feel like we have to rush dogs in and out of the door,” Kourtney said.

Her patient approach has paid off, because she has built a following of return clients who consistently book every four to six weeks.

“I see dogs that I know and love every day. I get excited when I see my friends on the schedule,” Kourtney said.

Kourtney specializes in making a dog’s first grooming experience a positive one.

“I like to meet new dogs, especially puppies for their first grooms. It’s a very important day and [puppies] need a lot of attention and a lot of patience,” Kourtney said. “I feel really good when I send them home knowing that they had a great experience for their first haircut.”

She has three groomers on staff to work their magic on the dogs (and sometimes cats!) that come through their doors. Her groomer Sydney May was voted the Best Pet Groomer in this

EFFINGHAM MAGAZINE

year’s Best of Effingham Awards.

“She was my first employee,” Kourtney said. “She started as a bather and then decided she wanted to be a groomer. She’s picked it up very well. I’m very proud of her.”

Sydney started working at Wizard of Paws in 2019 and has fallen in love with working with animals in the past three years.

“I couldn’t see myself doing anything differently,” Sydney said.

She loves the variety that pet grooming brings to each day.

“Every day is a different hand of cards, and you see it and figure out what you’re going to do with that day’s cards,” Sydney said. “The fact that I enjoy it is an added bonus.”

Sydney is always up for a challenge, which shows in her choice of favorite breed to groom.

“A lot of groomers are going to call me crazy, but I really like grooming goldendoodles,” Sydney said. “Everyone says they’re so time-consuming and so much work, but I love them.”

Kourtney and Sydney may work with dogs all day, but they carry that same care and compassion that they give to their clients home to their own pets. Kourtney is the proud pet parent of a pit bull named Rona and a Carolina dog named Sushi, and Sydney has a golden retriever named Riley.

BEST PET GROOMING BUSINESS in Effingham —2022—

912-308-3634 | 101 Springfield Ave. Guyton, GA 31312

Dr. Michael Bailey: Effingham Animal Hospital

Dr. Michael Bailey grew up on a farm in rural Alabama caring for livestock, chicken and rabbits among other animals, and channeled that experience into his first job at a vet’s office at 15 and then a veterinary degree from Auburn University.

“My whole life’s been about taking care of animals,” Dr. Bailey said.

After practicing in Dalton, Ga. for several years, he decided to purchase Effingham Animal Hospital in 1998. He and his family drove through the area on their way to the beach and saw the practice up for sale. From there, they made their next move to southeast Georgia, drawn in by the small-town atmosphere of Effingham County.

His decades of experience with a wide variety of animals have made him the top pick for Best Veterinarian. Pet parents in Effingham County have trusted him with their animals as regular patients or when they’re unable to see their regular vet.

“[I’m motivated by] trying to help animals have a better quality of life and trying to help them not be in pain,” Dr. Bailey said. “[I enjoy] seeing a really sick animal recover and seeing it be able to go home, that’s the best part.”

His level of care has not gone unnoticed by his peers in the animal care field. “Mike Bailey is the best vet and diagnostician in Effingham County,” said Russ Deen, owner of Guyton Pet Lodge. “I’ve been blessed by Dr. Bailey; he’s been a wealth of knowledge.”

Despite a busy schedule, Dr. Bailey works hard to make time for an individualized approach to patient care.

“Being a small business versus a large company. I am able to help a pet owner focus on their individual needs, and I think that’s a plus.” Dr. Bailey said. “If I’m taking care of the animals, my living will be there.”

Dr. Bailey’s team helps him maintain his high standards even as their patient roster has grown.

“I wouldn’t be who I am without my staff, and I’ve got the best staff in the world to work with,” Dr. Bailey said.

Outside of work, Dr. Bailey enjoys spending time with his wife Lisa, daughter Tenley and son Michael and their menagerie of pets: five cats (Azul, Layla, Ollie, Fluff and Baby Kitty) and two dogs (Kuma and Dobbie).

VETERINARIAN in Effingham —2022—

912-826-5251 | effinghamanimalhospital.com 119 S. Columbia Ave Rincon, Ga.

Guyton Pet Lodge

In addition to being the mayor of Guyton, Russ Deen is endearingly known as “Grandma Russ” to hundreds of dogs in the Effingham area.

As owner of Guyton Pet Lodge, he’s created a welcoming environment for families to board their pets while they’re away. Several large yards for dogs to run around, indoor/outdoor runs and plenty of socialization opportunities make Guyton Pet Lodge a happy place for dogs, much like going to Grandma’s house.

“People aren’t just trusting us with the family dog, they’re trusting us with a family member,” Russ said. “When that customer goes from being anxious to completely trustworthy of me and just dropping the dog off and heading off on their adventures, it makes me feel amazing.”

Russ strives to provide a more homelike experience rather than the clinical setting of a vet’s office. “Whenever you’re going away on a trip, where would you stay? Would you stay at a hospital or would you stay at a hotel?” Russ said.

He has been part of Guyton Pet Lodge since 2003 when he purchased it from his parents. His years of experience working

EFFINGHAM MAGAZINE

with pets have given him the knowledge to know when something is amiss with a pet in his care.

“I like being the person who knows how to take care of them, knows what to do when they get sick, and knows how to keep a facility in the shape it needs to be in to make sure their dog is healthy, happy, and cared for when they get back,” Russ said.

Guyton Pet Lodge often books months in advance, especially during school holidays. Repeat clients are reassured by the familiar faces that staff the lodge and take great care of the animals.

“We’re blessed to have a great staff,” Russ said. “One of our managers has been with us for over ten years, and all but two of our staff have been with us for three years plus.”

Russ is delighted that his family business was voted Best of Effingham, as the whole Deen family is involved in the day-today operations of Guyton Pet Lodge. His two children Grace and Miles often help keep the dogs entertained and his wife Amanda is also involved.

“It’s a great honor. We love our customers and we love our community, and it is a blessing to be a part of so many people’s families through their pets,” Russ said.

Outside of the business, the Deens are proud pet parents to a cat named Monkey.

BEST PET DAYCARE in Effingham —2022—

Effingham is chock-full of adorable pets! Here are just a few of our favorites!