Liberty County Magazine 2024

LIBERTYCOUNTY

Liberty County School System

J. Noel Osteen

Luke R. Moses

Billy N. Jones

Linnie L Darden, III

Andrew M. Ruberti

LIBERTYCOUNTY MAGAZINE 2025

10 TAKE A CULINARY ROAD TRIP

Here in Liberty County we pride ourselves on being diverse, and our dining options are no exception to that!

CONTENTS

22 COUPLES THAT ARE BUILT TO LAST

As embedded in the Hinesville community as Shawndra and Karl Riles are they are truly a power couple.

34

BRIDGING THE GAP

Liberty County is fortunate enough to have several Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) programs that provide tools and resources for parents to aid in creating new and effective dialogues with their children.

62 SERVICE WITH SMILE

a company’s success is determined by how well it is able to differentiate itself from the competition, and no one understands the importance of this more than April Burriss with VIP Office Furniture and Supply.

46 A CHANCE WORTH TAKING

Liberty County has always and will always continue to be open for business. Small businesses play a vital role in the success of our community.

75 TAKE THE BACK ROADS

Immerse yourself in the simplicity of coastal living when you take the back roads in Liberty County.

68

IT’S A VIBE

Liberty County is an incredible community filled with small businesses whose owners give their all to their companies and our county!

PUBLISHER / Liberty County Chamber of Commerce

PRESIDENT & CHIEF EXCUTIVE OFFICER / Leah Poole

CREATIVE+DESIGN / Jane Roberson

PHOTOGRAPHERS / Bianca Croft, Camera Koala, Katrina Barrow Photography, Leah Poole, Joanna Ng Photography, Ralph Daniel, Stanley Peter Kane, Tammy Lee Bradley and Tommy Long

SALES / Leah Poole, Alexis Hoggard, Desiree Riley and Bobby Reynolds

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS / Leah Poole, Desiree Riley, Emma Faircloth and Bobby Reynolds 68

Kimberly Hardin. (See

Photography by Joanna Ng Photography

Community Banking in Hinesville!

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Whether you’ve lived in Liberty County for a day—or a lifetime—we’re excited you’re here!

We guarantee that our unique perspective on the community, presented here in our Membership Directory and Magazine will offer you an intriguing and engaging perspective on the place we love to call our home. Whether it’s our cover story featuring those who work behind the scenes in Liberty County or our favorite local restaurants, we hope you learn something new and fall in love with Liberty County all over again.

We have also given you some truly noteworthy and astoundingly beautiful photography courtesy of Ng Photography and several local amateur photographers. And of course, we love to feature some great photos from our fabulous staff!

Liberty County is rich in both history and culture, with three signers of the Declaration of Independence, a Revolutionary War fort that still holds the original earthen works, Dorchester Academy—where Civil Rights leaders like Martin Luther King, Jr. came to plan important marches like the ones that took place in Selma, Alabama and so much more. We have the original rice dikes at LeConte Woodmanston Plantation, beautiful camellia gardens in the historic district of Allenhurst and one of the most picturesque coastlines on the eastern seaboard.

Those of us who are native to the county are fond of telling newcomers and old timers alike that there is always something to do and something new to see or explore; however, these adventures that await you will require a little searching on your part! The Chamber/CVB is an excellent place to start mapping out your journey. With an active website at www.libertycounty.org, several Facebook pages and Instagram where we are @ExploreLiberty, there are many ways to get plugged in and get active!

We are also home to the 3rd Infantry Division and Fort Stewart, the largest military installation east of the Mississippi River, with 20,000+ soldiers in residence at any given moment. Formed as Camp Stewart during the advent of World War II, soldiers from our military installation have fought in every major conflict since. Our pride and commitment to making our soldiers and their families at home is rock solid, much like their go to phrase “Rock of the Marne!”

We are proud to be your 7C Chamber: we are catalysts, conveners, champions, collaborators, cheerleaders, connectors and contributors. We are successful because we step up to the plate every time to face and address the greatest challenges of our community. While we work closely with local government, we are not part of government; although, many consider the process of influencing public policy to recognize the needs of the business community to be one of our most important functions.

Peace of mind for us doesn’t always come easy. It takes a staff committed to the core values we have adopted to run this organization every day. As well as a dedicated Board of Directors to steer, lead and guide the organization in the right direction. Our Board plans, implements and works hard year-round to ensure that our businesses and community partners are receiving, not only the best value for their investment, but the highest success rate for Liberty County overall.

That’s what a Chamber is, and that’s what your Liberty County Chamber of Commerce has been for the last 47 years!

Leah Poole CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Liberty County Chamber of Commerce

Liberty County Convention & Visitor’s Bureau

TAKE A CULINARY ROAD TRIP THROUGH LIBERTY COUNTY

Prepare yourself to join us as we go on a culinary road trip through Liberty County! From Walthourville all the way to the coast, our community is filled with delicious options for everyone. Fill your belly with fresh seafood, Afghan-Persian cuisine, good ole’ southern BBQ and so much more. We are going to make a couple of pit stops to quench our thirst and re-fuel our tanks along the way! Come along with us to learn about the endless dining opportunities that are waiting for you.

1 DULCE DELICIA

This Puerto Rican style bakery is known for their delicious pastries and amazing customer service. Each time you walk in the door, you will be greeted by a smiling face who is ready to prepare all the sweet treats your heart desires. The cakes are to die for along with the donuts covered in oreos! Our personal favorite is what we like to call the donut sandwiches. It’s a donut cut in half filled with guava and cheese. Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it, and you can thank us later! You’re always in for a surprise with the delicious baked goods at Dulce Delicia! They may even have some empanadas or a pork sandwich on fresh baked bread waiting for you to try.

2 SHO NUFF SMOKIN’ GOOD BBQ

Mr. Garrett’s tender, slow cooked BBQ is a local favorite and will make your mouth water just by smelling it. We are so excited that Sho’ Nuff has a brickand-mortar location here in Liberty County to visit any day of the week. Located in the building formerly known as Izola’s Country Cooking, stop by and try some of the best pork, chicken, ribs, sausage and more! We especially love his mac and cheese and cabbage. If you’re looking for true southern country cooking, Sho’ Nuff is guaranteed to be your new favorite spot.

THE GYRO SHOP

If you’re looking for the perfect mixture of freshness and flavor, you have to stop by The Gyro Shop! Conveniently located in the shopping center attached to Kroger off Highway 84 in Hinesville, we consider it to be a true hidden gem. If you’ve never tried Greek style cuisine, today is the day! The nachos are our favorite thing on the menu. They come with a bed of fresh pita chips covered in hummus, lamb meat, feta cheese, tomatoes and olives and topped with a creamy cucumber tzatziki sauce. You will be ready to go back for more!

DOODLES BILLIARDS

Make a pitstop at Doodles Billiards in Hinesville if you’re in the mood for a cold beverage and some fun. Order a mixed drink from the fully stocked bar or a bucket of your favorite beer. While you’re there, play a game or two of pool because a little friendly competition never hurt anybody. Did we mention they have food? They’ve got some of the best wings in town, and you can get them tossed in the flavor of your choice. If you like something with a little flavor, we recommend the garlic parmesan, but you can never go wrong with something classic like mild or hot!

LATIN DREAM

Calling all foodies! If you’re looking for a plate of food that is flavorful, unique and truly Instagram worthy, make your way over to Latin Dream in Hinesville. It sits right off of General Screven Way and is easy to find. Enjoy a huge platter of crab legs and shrimp in an atmosphere that will have you. The atmosphere and service are just as amazing as the food! Make sure you go early or call ahead because this place is so amazing that the dining room stays full and you’ll want to secure your spot.

6

BALDINOS

Grab your favorite sub sandwich on fresh baked bread every day of the week at baldinos Giant Jersey subs! With a different special each day, you’ll always have the opportunity to try something new. Get your sandwich cold, grilled and toasted or try a big one! It comes with extra everything. They’re known for their killer philly cheesesteak, but you can’t go wrong with the meatballs or the original Italian!

TAZZA KABOB

Try something new when dining at Tazza Kabob Grill House. The Afghan-Persian cuisine will have you itching to go back for more! This family owned restaurant serves up the most delicious lamb, chicken, steak and more. Order a gyro or a kabob plate served with rice, beans and a salad for a delicious meal packed with flavor. Don’t forget your desert! We recommend the baklava or tiramisu.

7

ZUM ROSENHOF

Immerse yourself in German cuisine and culture at Zum Rosenhof! As soon as you walk in the door, you become a part of the family, and don’t be surprised when you see that the wait staff is dressed from head to toe in traditional attire. If you’ve never tried this kind of authentic food or beer, you’re in for a treat because the flavors are very unique! Dig into the salad that’s made up of lettuce, cucumbers and green beans. Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it! For an entree, you can’t go wrong with a plate of the rahm schnitzel and potato salad. Wash it all down with a cold glass of Warsteiner, and you’ve had the perfect traditional German meal!

9 THE PARROT AND FROG

Our next pit stop is a cozy little spot in downtown Hinesville! The Parrot and Frog is conveniently located on Commerce Street across from Bradwell Park.They offer a wide variety of brews on tap, bottled or canned as well as mixed drinks! Grab a beverage of your choice and kick back and relax. They serve pizza and wings or you can bring your own food in! During football season, this is a great place to catch your favorite game. What are you waiting for?! Head over and get hydrated.

10

RODEO

You can’t go wrong with a basket of fresh tortilla chips paired with salsa and queso! Rodeo Mexican Restaurant is conveniently located off of Highway 84 in Hinesville. It’s a great spot to stop by for a quick lunch or to grab some drinks and a meal for dinner. No matter which one you choose, we can guarantee that the food will be delicious. If you haven’t tried their Texas rice, you’re missing out! It’s a bed of rice covered with chicken, steak, shrimp and lots of delicious veggies! Top it off with some cheese dip, mix it up and put it in a warm tortilla. You can thank us later.

11 FLACOS TACOS

You never know when you’ll stumble across a hidden gem in Liberty County, and we’re here to let you in on all of the secrets! Flacos Tacos is located in Hinesville across the highway from Ole’ Times. From the outside it may not look like much, but once you step inside and place an order, you’ll see exactly what we mean. The cheesy birria tacos are the best that you will ever put in your mouth, and don’t get us started on the street corn! Let them know you’d like the coke in the glass bottle to wash it all down.

THE YELLOW BEE

Did someone say chicken and waffles?! The Yellow Bee is known for their eclectic brunch style menu in addition to tasty chicken wings, fried catfish and more. You’ve never had anything quite like this. The main location is off of E.G, Miles Parkway in Hinesville, but you can also find them on DoorDash, Uber Eats, and they have a food truck that travels to many different locations. Search for them on Facebook to find out where the food truck will be located each day!

13

MELODY’S

COASTAL CAFÉ

Tucked away off of Highway 17 in Midway, you’ll find this full service, family-owned restaurant. Melody’s Coastal Cafe has been cooking up a little taste of everything for years. The menu is vast and ranges from sandwiches to wings to tacos and New York style pizza! There is truly something for everyone. Keep an eye out for the daily and weekly specials, and make some time to stop by for a visit. Make sure you order the fried cheesecake for dessert!

14

SMOKIN’ PIG

If you find yourself traveling on Interstate 95, take exit 76 and stop in Midway at the Smokin’ Pig! If you like pulled pork, ribs or smoked chicken, you’ve come to the right place. The meats and sides are made fresh and from scratch every single day. You will fall in love with these family recipes that have passed down for generations. If you like banana pudding, grab a container to take with you! Even if you don’t like sweets, you’re going to love it.

SUNBURY CRAB COMPANY

Once you’ve had a taste of the fresh caught seafood at the Sunbury Crab Company, you’ll never want to eat it from anywhere else again. The Sunbury Crab Company is a family owned and operated restaurant located right along the coast in Liberty County. They have made quite the name for themselves by winning a whole bunch of awards. Try the Georgia blue crabs or the fried shrimp. You will never taste anything as amazing as this!

Food truly is the way to a person’s heart and from one end of Liberty County to the other, we know you will find something that will make your stomach and taste buds happy. Plan your visit and try something new! Our culinary road trip is waiting for you.

Liberty County was founded February 5, 1777, and named for the American ideal of Liberty.  It is ideally located between Savannah and Brunswick, with local access via I-95 to beaches and coastal recreational activities.  A community of 65,256 residents, the area is proud of its cultural diversity and hometown atmosphere.  Liberty County is home to Fort Stewart, home of the 3rd Infantry Division (Mechanized).  The county “boasts” a mild coastal climate that fosters year-round family-oriented events.  The county is home to several historic sites and museums and proudly offers 19 recreational venues.  In addition, the county has two colleges and a regional airport.  Visit Liberty County and experience firsthand southern hospitality at its best and why others have chosen it as their home.

LIBERTY COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

“Come visit us and see why so many have discovered that Liberty County is a place to live for a lifetime.”

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT:

Commissioner Marion Stevens, Sr. ~ District 1

Commissioner Justin L. Frasier ~ District 2

Commissioner Connie Thrift ~ District 3

Chairman Donald L. Lovette

Commissioner Maxie R. Jones, IV ~ District 4

Commissioner Gary Gilliard ~ District 5

Commissioner Eddie J. Walden ~ District 6

LOVE IN LIBERTY COUNTY: COUPLES THAT ARE BUILT TO LAST

EVERY DAY WE HAVE DOZENS OF SMALL INTERACTIONS WITH PEOPLE. SOME ARE BRIEF, BUT SOME CAN LAST A LIFETIME. WE SAT DOWN WITH A FEW OF OUR FAVORITE COUPLES TO EXPLORE HOW THEY TURNED THEIR MOMENTS OF INTERACTION INTO STRONG AND LASTING RELATIONSHIPS.

JENNIFER & ERNIE ONTANO

Having family who love you and want to see you happy is always a great thing, and our first couple found love through their amazing love of family, great food and great times! For this family-oriented couple, they both agree wholeheartedly that your number one must always be each other.

“You have to remember that you need time for yourself and for each other. Your kids are important of course, but we always remember that we have to be happy for those around us to be happy,” said Jennifer. Keeping that in mind this couple relishes playing Yahtzee together and whoever wins gets to plan date night! Pro tip: don’t play against Ernie, he apparently wins a lot!

Finding compromise has always been important to Jennifer and Ernie and knowing that an ability to adapt is hugely important. Part of that adaptability allowed them to be married for the last 20 years, even though Ernie was deployed for roughly half of that time serving our country in the US Army.

BY LEAH POOLE PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOANNA NG PHOTOGRAPHY

Jennifer flourished as a stay-at-home mom and has truly relished the chance to watch her children grow and see who they become. Currently the couple has 3 daughters and 2 grandchildren. With two grown daughters, Courtney and Sienna, they love visiting them and having them visit. And they also have little Petra who is only 9! Both Jennifer and Ernie unequivocally recognize that they are sports junkies, football especially! Jennifer follows the Packers and Ernie roots for the Jets; however, they also

follow tons of other sports like baseball, college football and really anything sports related. They have also recently found that they like to golf together.

With a backyard that resembles an oasis, the couple spends tons of time outside and very rarely turns the TV on unless it’s to find out a score for some game they want to watch. “Really with Petra in volleyball and gymnastics, we’re on the go,” said Jennifer.

A career soldier and now Realtor® with SL Realty Group/ Coldwell Banker Southern Coast, Ernie has turned his natural leadership talents into helping people find their dreams. “We decided to settle here, it was my last duty station, honestly you can’t beat the weather and the people are amazing,” said Ernie. “I enjoy helping people fulfill their dreams and find the right place to raise their family,” he said.

In addition to all of their outside time Jennifer is also an amazing cook and the couple loves to entertain, often hosting a neighborhood game night. Specifically, she loves to make Italian food which is ironic because Ernie is Italian! “When his mom asked ME for my lasagna recipe, I knew I had done something special,” Jennifer said. “The best part of my day, hands down, is coming home and being with my wife,” said Ernie. I mean come on, who can argue with that?

BRITTANY AND JUSTIN FRASIER

Our next couple went from casual acquaintances to so much more. What began as meeting at an event in Savannah for the Georgia Black Legislative Caucus blossomed into love! Was it easy? Justin would say no because he asked Brittany out that very evening and she said no! Even though it took them a while to realize it, this was in 2013, it was clear from the beginning that these two were a perfect match.

Brittany’s reason for saying no? She could buy her own drink. This independent woman from a small town in Connecticut attended Hampton University and would later become a member of Delta Sigma Thera Sorority. As a newly elected County Commission, Justin didn’t let this discourage him. She did later say yes, of course and the rest as they say is history! It wasn’t until 2016 that the

couple married and it was months after that first meeting before Brittany ever reached out to Justin. She called because a friend needed a favor and agreed to have breakfast with Justin and that it, “was not a date.”

A Nurse Practitioner with Dr. Ajayi at Phillips Pediatrics, Brittany serves as the FNP-BC specializing in Pediatrics and Adolescent care and has been there for the last 4 years. She has spent roughly 14 years in the medical field. The mother of Justin’s youngest child, Brittany is brilliantly balancing mom, wife and professional life, realizing that marriage is about, “hearing each other out without talking over one another.”

With so much time under their belt this comfortable couple knows each other like the cover of a book. They love to travel, listen to live R&B and soul music and spend time with their combined 5 children.

Their favorite place so far has been Brazil. “It really feels like a second home, the culture, the people they are amazing. Brittany’s dad and family also live in Rio,” said Justin. Another favorite is Jamaica, they try to go there at least once a year. They agreed that really any place with access to a beach and water is where they want to be! When they are not traveling, they enjoy eating the Sunbury Crab Company and visiting their home church, Mt. Zion Baptist Church.

Justin has several entrepreneurial interests, not the least of which is Huta Essentials, a dispensary and lounge located in Hinesville, his barber shop, Just Kutz and numerous other real estate holdings. “As an entrepreneur I van tell you that you have to keep going, do everything with heart and everything else will fall into place,” he said. Having attended Morris Brown University Justin is a Phi Mu Alpha and was in the drumline and on the golf team.

This couple also loves giving back to their community because they truly believe that they can help make Liberty County a great place to live and raise kids. “The diversity here is truly amazing, and we are blessed,” said Justin. They both pledge time to help Atlantic Area CASA, and Justin spearheaded the formation of the Liberty County Youth Commission and the Liberty County Youth Employment Program.

This couple knows that the secret to success in having a joy in each other, having great communication and support, and they look forward to creating even more memories together.

SHAWNDRA AND KARL RILES

Our final couple has been married the least amount of time, but man what a rockin’ 5 years it’s been! As embedded in the Hinesville community as Shawndra and Karl Riles are they are truly a power couple.

Meeting in Hinesville, the two have dedicated their lives to public service, just in different ways. Shawndra graduated from Bradwell Institute after moving here, the daughter of a military family. Originally from California, she went to 4 different high schools before moving to Georgia. A graduate of Armstrong Atlantic State University (now Georgia Southern University), Shawndra has been a teacher for the last 13 years. She currently teaches at Taylor’s Creek Elementary (TCE) in the 3rd grade and was just named Teacher of the Year by TCE!

“I love spending my whole day with children, knowing that I make a difference and seeing the change and impact that I can have,” she said.

Shawndra also recognizes an important part of marriage is having your own friends and knowing how to do things alone. While she and Karl enjoy each other’s company (of course!) she thinks a big part of a successful marriage is to act like you’re always dating.

“Marriage should be 100/100, you shouldn’t need someone else to fill in your gaps, you should work to fill your own gaps,” she said. Her compassion truly shines through as she recognizes that so many other people have bad situations so your marriage shouldn’t be one of those.

This family-oriented couple loves doing things with both their friends and family members. Specifically they love watching Georgia football and just being around the people that they care about. They have 3 children: Cameron, Sydney and Ashley and one precocious and precious granddaughter, Olivia.

Karl graduated from Bradwell Institute and later attended both the University of Georgia and Armstrong. He spent over a decade working for Hinesville Ford and now he has his own tax preparation business. But the most important thing to know about Karl, other than he’s Olivia’s grandpa and Shawndra’s husband? He’s the Mayor of Hinesville!

After serving on the City Council, he was encouraged to run for Mayor, and he encourages people to, “get involved in politics to ensure the representation you deserve.”

“Plus, I’m home, and I get to be in the room where change happens, what can be cooler than that?”

This couple makes it look easy, when we all know marriage can be anything but, and they credit that success to their ability to communicate and share responsibility.

LOVE COMES IN MANY SHAPES AND SIZES, BUT THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT THESE COUPLES WERE BUILT TO LAST.

WHILE LISTENING TO THESE STORIES, ONE THING IS CLEAR: EVEN THE LONGEST OF RELATIONSHIPS CAN HOLD ONTO TRUE LOVE.

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BRIDGING THE GAP

BY BOBBY REYNOLDS / PHOTOS BY JOANNA NG PHOTOGRAPHY

Communication is a valuable tool that is often taken for granted. In our everyday interactions, we express our thoughts and feelings in many ways such as face-toface, over the phone, through text and email. We have all experienced moments when it seemed like our words were unclear or we could not find the proper words to express our thoughts and emotions. Many young children diagnosed with Autism, as well as their parents, experience this frustration on a more frequent basis. Liberty County is fortunate enough to have several Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) programs that provide tools and resources for parents to aid in creating new and effective dialogues with their children.

Puzzling Patterns

Located in Downtown Hinesville, Puzzling Patterns aims to help children diagnosed on the autism spectrum reach their potential and do so with the support of a community. They accomplish this through therapeutic services. They work with children from the age of diagnosis to 18 and those across all domains of the spectrum.

At a young age, Charity Floyd, the founder and owner of Puzzling Patterns, developed a passion for working with children with disabilities. “My mom works with kids with disabilities, so I used to accompany her to different events like Special Olympics and bowling for kids on the spectrum. During summer break, I would attend the camps held on Fort Stewart and interact with children

with special needs,” said Floyd. It was just an aspect of her life that she had never initially considered exploring. While attending the University of Alabama, Floyd would volunteer and eventually work at an afterschool program called Arts and Autism. “It was just supposed to be a way for me to get my volunteer hours; however, I fell in love with the work,” said Floyd.

With a goal in mind to make a difference, Floyd would shift her academic focus to becoming a Behavioral Analyst.  This journey would lead her to amazing opportunities such as working in Australia for two years and gleaning from their practices. “When I returned home, I moved to Jacksonville, Florida, but knew I wanted to open my own business in Hinesville. I moved here in

middle school and graduated from Liberty County High School. I feel like this community molded me into who I am today and this is a way for me to give back,” she explained. The original plan was to become a pseudostaffing agency where people could become trained Behavior Analysts. “In 2020 I did some work helping others establish their ABA businesses and assisting with setting up their policies and procedures as well as training staff,” she said.

“I realized I was spending a lot of time setting others up for success in other communities, but I was not really

Radiant Minds ABA

When learning a new language, it is best practice to fully immerse yourself in what you are learning. Sara Mejia and Tyler Taufer, the founders and owners of Radiant Minds Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), have taken this ideology and applied it to the families they work with day to day. “Typically, early intervention is key when children are between the ages of two and five. As they are building those foundational skills, we are able to step in and work on those communication, play, and social skills. We also teach the parents how to implement the goals so that way the child is receiving constant reinforcement even when they are not at the clinic,” said Mejia.

Before going into business together, Taufer and Mejia worked for another company at separate locations. Over time, they had a few opportunities to work together and realized they had similar mindsets and passions. “I knew she [Taufer] wanted to open her own business one day, and so did I. We wanted to help kids, and we had the same goals,” said Mejia. The conversations about starting a business together were done in jest until one day, they decided to go for it. “We started looking for locations in Hinesville and realized there was a huge need for therapists in the area,” Mejia explained.

After seeing how great the demand for services was versus the available facilities, they decided this was the right move for them. “We decided that even if we were only able to help ten kids then that was still better than for them not to have received services for years. Although we

helping my community (Hinesville). I continued to work full-time for a year while also working on starting a company of my own,” she said. Through handwork and dedication, she was able to open her doors and continue the dream. “Some children come to us as soon as they are diagnosed and their parents are not even sure where to begin. We get them started with the basics and build from there, and then we get to see them get to a point where they no longer need us. Those to me are the wins,” she explained. For more information and to book a consultation, visit puzzlingpatterns.com or call 404.697.3608.

service all ages, early intervention yields faster results,” said Mejia. “A couple of the kiddos we work with were previously on a waitlist for three years,” added Taufer. While attending Kennesaw State University, Taufer would nanny for a family with a child who had autism. “I was not very familiar with autism at the time, but the family was receiving in-home ABA services. At the time all I knew was his Behavior Technician would interact with him, but I also noticed his progress with language and him being able to do homework by himself,” Taufer explained. The days spent observing the child’s progress inspired her to try to make a difference in another family’s life as well. After finishing her undergrad in psychology, she went on to get her master’s degree and became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).

“I started to explore ABA services while I was working at a preschool. While there, I began to learn a lot, and I even became a Registered Behavioral Technician, which allowed me to work directly with the kids. Then I decided to become a BCBA,” said Mejia. Having similar introductions to both the world of autism and ABA services, the ladies opened Radiant Minds ABA as a way to make a positive impact in the lives of other families just as they had witnessed. They enjoy what they do, especially seeing the children progress in various skill levels to the point that their services are no longer needed. For additional information, visit their website radiantmindsaba.com, or you can call 912.532.9774

Deputy Sheldon G. Whiteman Inclusive Academy

Our final story is a testament to empathy and understanding. Alisa Ann Whiteman, a former elementary school teacher in Long County, intimately understands the challenges parents and students face regarding education. Her daily interactions with children diagnosed with autism fueled her passion for working with special needs children, leading her to create The Deputy Sheldon G. Whiteman Inclusive Academy. Birthed out of empathy and understanding, this learning academy provides specialized instruction through cognitive learning and developmental interventions in an inspirational and therapeutic environment.

As a parent of a child with special needs, Whiteman sees her business as a ministry, not just a facility that provides specially designed instruction. Not only does she love working with her students, but she also loves building a solid relationship with the parents. Her goal is to provide the support system many families may lack and show parents that all children can become successful. She thanks her son, Áron Whiteman, for teaching her how to be a haven for other parents: “I’m a parent of a child with special needs. I’m a teacher. I teach beautiful children with special abilities. I am here to be a strong tower.” It is her belief that by focusing on the strengths these students possess and not their disabilities, they can learn to overcome those obstacles together with the support of their families.

“This community is already ahead of the game in knowing that some parents need support, and all these businesses are coming together to provide that. This just goes to show the outpouring of love and support within the community,” she said. The academy reflects this support by offering student mindset training workshops and hosting resiliency workshops for teachers. Whiteman’s aim is to help students and teachers build confidence and stress management tools as they prepare for each school year, further strengthening the bond within the community.

The Deputy Sheldon G. Whiteman Inclusive Academy is inspired by and named after her husband, who worked

with special needs children and provided in-home services for children with high behavior needs. Deputy Whiteman died in the line of duty in January 2020. Still, Whiteman ensures that her husband’s legacy continues. “Our academy is in his honor. For his strength, trust, love of God and people, and to fulfill his vision of sharing our knowledge, experience, and love with others in the community,” she said. While working to open her business, Alisa kept the mantras “follow your vision” and “dream big” in her heart as a source of motivation and encouragement.  She also shares this message with anyone looking to branch out and start their own business. To learn more about the academy, call 912.492.6334.

LIBERTY COUNTY IS LUCKY TO HAVE PROGRAMS AND ORGANIZATIONS LIKE PUZZLING PATTERNS, RADIANT MINDS ABA, AND THE DEPUTY SHELDON G. WHITEMAN INCLUSIVE ACADEMY. IT IS THROUGH THEIR VARIOUS EFFORTS AND SERVICES THAT PARENTS AND CHILDREN WITH AUTISM GAIN THE TOOLS NECESSARY TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

6PARKS TO VISIT in Liberty County

Briar Bay Park

Make your way to Riceboro & visit Briar Bay Park! It is fully stocked with amenities including a basketball court, kitchen, picnic tables, a playground, restrooms & more If you are looking for other things to do in the area, the Historic Baptismal Trail & tree spirits are also nearby.

Bradwell Park

The newly renovated Bradwell Park is a wonderful asset to downtown Hinesville! Cool off in the splash pad or enjoy one of the many events hosted in the park. It’s location makes it easy to shop at Molly Maxine, eat at Zum Rosenhof or visit the Hinesville Area Arts Council

Take a walk along intracoastal waterways on the east end of Liberty County when you visit Eve Park Indulge in amazing coastal views & relax under the pavilion while the kiddos play! It’s located at Halfmoon Marina, so grab a snack & watch the boats float by. Eve Park

Jones Creek Park

Also located on the east end of Liberty County, catch a beautiful sunset on the water at Jones Creek Park. If you go at the right time, you might even see a dolphin or two while getting your steps in If you love to kayak, we recommend this as a place to launch!

Irene B. Thomas Park

This park is conveniently located in Hinesville & is a hometown favorite for families. It’s a great place to enjoy a picnic while the kiddos play on the playground! If you ’ re looking for a family friendly place to get out of the house & be active, this is the spot for you

Located in the heart of Hinesville, Bryant Commons Park has something to offer for everyone Situated on a 150acres it features an outdoor amphitheater, Cisco’s Dog Park, Brambles Playground, the ITPA Museum and a large catch and release pond to fish in Bryant Commons Park

A CHANCE WORTH TAKING

LIBERTY COUNTY HAS ALWAYS AND WILL ALWAYS CONTINUE TO BE OPEN FOR BUSINESS. SMALL BUSINESSES PLAY A VITAL ROLE IN THE SUCCESS OF OUR COMMUNITY. WE ARE A COMBINATION OF MANY DIVERSE CULTURES AND BACKGROUNDS ALL BAKED INTO A BEAUTIFUL PIE. EVERY NEW ENTREPRENEUR BRINGS IN A NEW AND UNIQUE “INGREDIENT” THAT MAKES OUR COMMUNITY ALL THE MORE SPECIAL. WE SAT DOWN WITH A FEW NEW BUSINESS OWNERS TO SHARE THEIR STORIES AND THEIR REASONS FOR WHY THEY DO WHAT THEY DO.

SUGAR FOOT’S SWEETS AND TREATS

Our first story comes from Jamie Locklear and her business Sugar Foot’s Sweets & Treats. Locklear spent much of her early years gleaning what she could from her great-grandmother. She still fondly remembers the times she spent watching biscuits, cakes and pies being made in the kitchen. Her great-grandmother seemed to possess a secret ability that made baking look easy. By age 10, Locklear felt ready enough to start helping her mother with family meals, and in return her mother let her in on a few family cooking secrets.

In 2000, Locklear moved to Midway. “I had friends here, who were more like family, and they offered me an opportunity that changed my life. I loved it here and decided this was my forever home. Liberty County has grown so much in the last 24 years, but we still have that small-town feel. I love the community support everyone has for one another,” she said. Moving to a new city brought new changes but one thing remained consistent: her love for baking. “Christmas always brought out the creative baker in me, and having children who wanted cute treats for their birthday parties and school inspired me to learn more decorating techniques. After decades of baking for friends and family and being told I could open a business, I started to believe I could. My husband encouraged me to take the leap and here we are,” she said.

BY BOBBY REYNOLDS PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOANNA NG PHOTOGRAPHY

For about five years she worked full-time while also running a small business. She would bake at night and

SUGAR FOOT’S SWEETS AND TREATS

even on the weekends. Locklear said that at times it felt like she had two full-time jobs. She eventually chose to follow her passion and made her bakery her focus. “I tell anyone who is looking to start a business not to give up. It can be scary and stressful at times, and you may want to quit at some point but keep going. I will be honest, there have been days when I wanted to put my apron away for good, but with the support of my friends, family and the best customers a person could have, I have exceeded all expectations for my little bakery.”

For more information or to book with Sugar Foot’s Sweets & Treats be sure to call them at 912.269.3971 or check them out on Facebook and Instagram at @ sugarfoots2019.

MILLER CLEANING SERVICE, LLC

Sometimes all we need in life is a clear sign that we are walking the path meant for us. Our next entrepreneur, Darcel Miller, was delighted to tell us how Miller Cleaning Service came to fruition. “Not long after me and my family moved to the Hinesville area, I started attending church services at Liberty Prayer Chapel. One day the congregation was invited to attend another church’s service in Riceboro and at the end of the sermon the preacher asked for anyone desiring their own business to come up for prayer,” she said. “I watched as the pastor prayed for others, but I hesitated to walk to the altar for prayer. Then my pastor, Katrina Deason, asked if I wanted to hear what God was telling me, and I told her yes. She told me God said it was my time now and the days of starting and stopping were over,” she said. Two weeks later Miller decided she was going to start a cleaning service.

“I have no idea why I decided on cleaning because I hated cleaning as a young child. I went to Walmart and purchased a few brooms, mops and buckets. I decided to step out on faith, and I love what I do,” she said. She is thankful that she made the leap as her business has also allowed her to share her faith and encourage others. After 17 years she still enjoys what she does and has even added a few members to the team. “I couldn’t do what I do without my family and my crew. We cover a large area spanning from Hinesville all the way to Atlanta,” she said.

“In January we rebranded and decided to just focus on commercial cleaning. We service churches, police departments, offices…..you name it. We like to say there is nothing too big or small for us.” For more information or to book with them be sure to check out their website at millercleaning.net, or call them at 912.459.0381.

SASS & GRACE

BOUTIQUE & HAIR SALON

Sandi Lugo and Penny Torres are the co-owners of Sass & Grace Boutique & Hair Salon in Hinesville. They strive to keep a warm and welcoming environment for every visitor that walks through their doors. The way they describe themselves to newcomers is, “We’re a bit sassy, but we also love Jesus so there is the grace.”

It was almost 19 years ago when Torres and her husband first came to Liberty County by way of Fort Stewart. They lived here for six years in the early 2000s, then decided to come back to the area for retirement. “We first met, maybe eight or nine years ago, she [Lugo] was my stylist at a shop called Smart Style,” she said. Over time Torres and Lugo began to develop a genuine friendship with each other, and Lugo began to share her ideas of opening a place of her own. “When she initially proposed the idea of starting a business together my first thought was no. However, if she needed any help, I could help with the hands-on things,” said Torres. A few months later a local boutique announced their closing which meant the idea of opening their own business was becoming more possible. From that moment on the pair made up their minds to go all in.

“People tell us all the time how great Sass & Grace looks, and I tell them this is what twelve hours a day, seven days a week for six weeks looks like,” said Lugo. The ladies both describe the overall process of getting their doors open as a fun experience. They both agreed that they could not have done it without their husbands or the community. “It takes a village. So many people came by and helped us set up. We had people coming in to help iron, steam, paint, deep clean and hang stuff.

SASS & GRACE BOUTIQUE & HAIR SALON

SHO’ NUFF SMOKIN GOOD BARBECUE

When their doors opened and people started to walk in, all of their doubts dwindled and disappeared. “We have people who will see one of our posts on Facebook or they visit our website then call us, just to let us know they are coming over to buy a certain item. It has been a very fulfilling experience for us both,” said Lugo.

For more information be sure to call them at 912.877.0741 or check them out on Facebook and @ Sass and Grace Boutique. You can also shop with them in person at 229 General Screven Way, Suite N-2, Hinesville.

SHO’ NUFF SMOKIN GOOD BARBECUE

Good old-fashioned country cooking is the pride of the South and this family-owned and operated restaurant

strives to uphold the standards of Southern cooking and cuisine. From cooking for their family and friends to having three locations, the Garrett family knows a thing or two about good eating.

It all started almost 20 years ago when the founders, Tia and Jonathan Garrett, had an idea. “One of the things I love to do is cook! We used to entertain folks all the time in our backyard, and I would usually barbecue food,” said Mr. Garrett. In fact, his mother was the person who first taught him how to cook. “I started when I was six or seven years old, and I have never lost my passion for cooking,” Mr. Garrett explained. After constantly hosting friends and family at their home, they were approached by a couple of their friends who gave them the idea to attend a festival as a food vendor. “After my friends taught me about the festivals, we went out and bought our first grill. We had a lot of success at that first event and it made us want to attend more,” said Mr. Garrett.

In its early stages, Sho’ Nuff focused on being vendors at various events and the Garretts even became known as barbecue champions at many contests. “At first, we worked alongside two other couples while I continued

my full-time job and Jonathan was still in the army. Eventually, everything kind of fizzled out and my husband and I were both getting ready to retire. We talked about the two of us cooking full time and the rest is history,” said Mrs. Garrett. They started to do lots of catering in Liberty County and the surrounding area until about 2012 when they opened their first brick-and-mortar. “We still cater to this day all over Georgia, and in other states too like Alabama and South Carolina,” explained Mr. Garrett. Over the years the Garrett family has held themselves to a high standard of quality, quantity and customer service when it comes to their business.

Around 2022, Kia Garrett joined her parents in the family business. “I was a hairstylist and even had a salon of my own, but I didn’t feel fulfilled by it anymore. Cooking was just something I liked to do but I never thought about pursuing professionally. So, I started helping at the Glennville location and tried working at the register. That didn’t fulfill me either and so I moved to the kitchen and I’ve been there ever since,” said Kia. Just like her dad, Kia enjoyed seeing the reaction of people tasting and enjoying their food.

Currently, Sho’ Nuff Smokin Good Barbecue has three locations. The first is right outside of Fort Stewart on West 15th Street in Hinesville. The second location is in Glennville, and the newest location is 809 Willowbrook Dr., Suite 106, Hinesville. You can also check out their Facebook, @ShoNuffSmokinGoodBarbecue to see what they are serving up!

STILL WATERS COUNSELING SERVICE

Throughout our lives we come across various transitions, and challenges that may seem difficult to face alone. You can be in a state of consistent frustration or anxiety or just need someone to guide you to a better state of mind. Lupita Williams and Jodi Spires are two friends who both felt an internal calling to help others with their mental health needs. Together they opened Still Waters Counseling Services in their local community, Liberty County, after years of working in other cities and towns.

With their guidance and outside perspective clients can work through a variety of issues like depression, anxiety, trauma, PTSD, family dynamics, work-life balance, grief and more.

“For a while, I thought about opening my own practice, and would often talk to my work bestie Jodi about it. Then finally one day I decided to just take a chance and start,” said Williams. Around the same time, Williams decided to start, Spires was leaving the practice she was working for at the time. “We’ve always worked for other people, and often asked each other why don’t we just work for ourselves,” they both said. It had always been a goal of theirs to eventually be able to service the community they live in, and in September of 2022, the business was launched. “For some places, I would have to drive a little over an hour, one way. So, staying local was very important to me,” said Spires.

Starting a new journey can often lead to anxious thoughts and worries about all the things that could possibly go wrong. “An initial fear of mine was that we would take this leap of faith, and end up stretching ourselves thin to make it all work. Thankfully, however, it has all taken care of itself,” said Spires. Williams on the other hand claims that she was never scared. “I was confident that we would be successful, and the best part is being able to work with someone you get along with,” said Williams. Both ladies are grateful to be in full control of their schedules which gives them the ability to take time and ensure their own needs are being met as well.

When taking on clients they become immersed in that person’s life and over a few sessions they can watch the changes in real time. Still Waters Counseling strives to help folks find a new and healthier normal. They accomplish this by helping people to get a better understanding of how they think, and how to process their feelings.

To find out more information or to schedule a consult you can reach them by phone at 912.877.0158 or visit in person at 103 Ryan Ave, Suite D., Hinesville.

MTCO REMODELING AND RENOVATIONS

Our last story comes from Kevin Remillard, the owner and operator of MTCO Remodeling and Renovations. Remillard remembers from an early age helping his father, a master carpenter, with various construction projects.

“When I was seven years old, I remember asking for a tool kit and my parents got it for me. My parents went out and got me a little tool kit with all the tools I wanted. After I opened the gift, I remember being very eager to start a project of my own,” he said. In 2005, Remillard joined the military, and with a family of his own now, was stationed at Fort Stewart the following year. After a few years in the Armed Forces, Remillard decided to transition to civilian life and became a police officer for the city of Hinesville.

During this time of transition, his wife Janelle was searching for someone to do renovations at her salon. “We discovered that there are a lot of construction companies, but there are very few individuals that would do remodeling or rehab,” he said. Although their search proved to be in vain, Remillard still had the many skills his father helped him develop while growing up. “I was burning the midnight oil to complete the needed renovations. I would spend a lot of evenings, free time and I would even take vacation time off from work to finish,” he remembers fondly. All the time spent renovating the salon reignited his passion, and with that came feelings of true fulfillment. With the support of his family, he retired from the police force and started his own renovation company to not only meet what he and his wife needed but the needs of others as well. Just like with his father, his son Kevin Jr., also has shown a great interest in learning the skills of the trade at just 12 years old.

“One of my most rewarding experiences was when I had renovated a bathroom for a wonderful couple and they had, at the time, just a regular boxing window as normal. I told them it would be really nice if we framed it out and matched the vanity. Well, the vanity came with molding around it that was similar, but not on point. When I couldn’t find molding that would match, I decided to

purchase some raw lumber and created molding that matched everything else. I didn’t think anything of it, but the wife came home and she loved it and all her husband could say is ‘I can’t believe you did this with a piece of wood.’ I could not help but feel very proud of my work,” he said fondly.

Presently, he focuses on renovating and remodeling bathrooms and kitchens, converting garages into bedrooms and much more. Remillard prides himself on having completion times shorter than the industry standard. “I strive to be in a client’s house for a minimal amount of time, so that the disruption to their life is not dragged on over multiple months if it doesn’t need to be,” he said. For more information and inquiries, you can call 912.333.0608.

SOMETIMES A LITTLE ENCOURAGEMENT AND A WILLINGNESS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF AN OPPORTUNITY

WHEN IT PRESENTS ITSELF IS ALL YOU NEED TO SUCCEED.

EVERY STORY SHARED BY THESE HARD-WORKING INDIVIDUALS

HIGHLIGHTS SOME OF THE BEST ASPECTS OF BEING A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER. SO, REMEMBER TO SHOP LOCAL AND SUPPORT YOUR FELLOW COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

EDUCATION THAT FITS YOUR MISSION

At Georgia Southern University, we’ve got your six.

We’ve created flexible programs for active military, veterans and military-affiliated students designed to fit your lifestyle and your mission. From our on-base graduate programs at Fort Stewart to on-campus courses in Hinesville and convenient online programs, you’ll earn a valuable degree from a respected research university and get the support, resources and mentorship you need to reach new heights and soar…beyond limitations… beyond ordinary… Soar Beyond.

Visit GeorgiaSouthern.edu/Military

SEASONAL BLOOMS

Every season brings an array of flowers that decorate Liberty County in the most beautiful colors. Read along to learn more about the blooms that each one brings!

SPRING BLOOMS

Azaleas are often called the South’s favorite shrubs because they can be found almost everywhere! These flowers like partial sun or filtered shade because too much will bleach or burn the leaves & too little will cause the plant to become lanky.

Lantana are vine-like and sprawl from woody branches. They are perfect to use as ground cover because they flourish in full sunlight & warm climates. Many people use them as decor by planting them in hanging baskets, so you may see them adding a pop of color to someone’s porch!

Wisteria is covered in small baby blue & lilac-colored spurs. It grows on long vines that can reach up to 30ft long! They can grow rather aggressively & overtake the spaces that they are in quickly, so don’t plant them too close to your house.

Confederate Jasmine is made up of little white flowers that grow up live oak trees on vines & thrives in full sun & shade. It makes a gorgeous decoration when used on fences, patios, porches and more. Plant it close to your house & enjoy the smell!

WINTER BLOOMS

Camellias are our favorite winter flowers. They bring gardens & yards to life when the weather cools off. These evergreen shrubs bloom in shades of red, pink & white & bring joy to the coldest of days.

FALL BLOOMS

Rhododendron looks almost identical to azaleas! A way to spot the difference is by looking at the leaves. Rhododendron leaves are bigger & have a leathery look to them. The soil that these flowers grow in needs to be the perfect balance of dry & wet for the leaves to stay green year-round.

SUMMER BLOOMS

The Cherokee Rose is our state flower & blooms every summer in Liberty County! They grow wild, as high-climbing shrubs & normally have stems up to 20ft long. They represent the removal of the Cherokee tribe from Georgia that took place in the mid-1800s & grow along the route that the Cherokee people followed out west to the Oklahoma territories.

The Rose of Sharon blooms all summer long. It has an upright vase shape & thick leaves. The flower is made up of 5 petals & comes in all colors! It grows well in Liberty County because it is low maintenance & tolerates the drought & heat.

Hydrangeas are no doubt one of our favorites. They grow well here because they are easy to take care of & can tolerate most any type of soil. When we see the hydrangeas blooming, it’s a sign that summer has officially arrived!

Who doesn’t want to take a picture with a vintage lighted sign?! Located on the corner of Martin Road & Hwy 17 in Midway at White’s Service Center, this great old sign is still operational & would make the perfect selfie!

This public boat ramp located on the east end of the county is the perfect spot to watch the sunset, dolphins play & boats coming and going. If you like to fish bring your pole, & you might get a selfie with a stingray!

This is one of our favorites Located in Isle of Wight in Midway, you can take a walk here, as well as enjoy a beautiful sunset, maybe have a dolphin sighting or put your kayak in the water!

This spot was built in 1892 & is one of the earliest brick structures in Hinesville Imagine your bestie behind bars! That’s the look you’ll achieve by standing where inmates stood, visiting a padded cell or posing on the stairs.

Be sure to check out the mural located on East Court Street in downtown Hinesville. From any angle the stained glass effect of the massive painting will give you the perfect selfie with your bestie!

Coastal views, a full bar & the freshest seafood Those are some of the words that we use to describe the Sunbury Crab Company. Make a reservation for a relaxing evening smelling the salt air!

SERVICE WITH A SMILE

RAPID FIRE QUESTIONS

HOMETOWN: Isle of Wight, Midway

FAVORITE COLOR:

“Pink – all shades of pink!”

FAVORITE PLACE TO EAT LOCALLY:

“Rodeo – their margaritas are as big as my face, and it’s a great place to relax.”

FAVORITE PLACE YOU’VE TRAVELLED:

“My family—my husband Charles and my children, Nathan and Madison— recently visited Italy and Greece, and the architecture—the history there – is just absolutely beautiful.”

In today’s world, running a successful business is no easy task. With the influx of automation, workforce shortages and the constant pressure to contend with larger competitors, many businesses are forced to revamp their business models in an effort to stay ahead of the game. In essence, a company’s success is determined by how well it is able to differentiate itself from the competition, and no one understands the importance of this more than April Burriss with VIP Office Furniture and Supply.

VIP Office and Furniture Supply is a full-service, office products dealership that has served Liberty County and beyond for nearly fifty years. They equip organizations with office products, furniture, janitorial and break room supplies, as well as provide a multitude of print services and manage spend solutions, which keep workplaces running. As the Vice President of VIP Office, April Burriss knows a thing or two about juggling multiple projects: “When you are a VP of a small business, you do a little bit of everything! In my day-to-day role, I work in our furniture division, providing clients with space planning/design services and turnkey project management. I also oversee the management of our staff and locations in Hinesville, Savannah, and Bluffton, SC.”

BY DESIREE RILEY

PHOTOS BY JOANNA NG PHOTOGRAPHY

Although Burriss has been with VIP Office for thirty years, she did not always imagine herself in this role. In fact, a full-time career in sales was the last thing on her mind, especially since she describes herself as a true introvert through and through! However, fate had other plans, and her journey towards this career path was nothing short of serendipitous: “I took a part-time receptionist position [with VIP Office] while I was in college. After about six months of working there, I just happened to be walking between offices while the owner, Dianne Horton, was in the middle of training some of her sales people. She kind of caught me off guard and said, ‘April, will you show the team how to sell this filing cabinet?’ At first, I just looked at her like a deer in headlights,” Burriss recalls.

However, in that moment, Burriss stepped up to the challenge and was able to showcase what she had learned during her time with the company: “I just took thirty seconds to briefly read the description of the file cabinet and talk about its features. Dianne was so impressed with how quickly I was able to do it on the fly that she threw me out to the wolves, and here I am thirty years later!” Looking back, Burriss sees this as a defining moment in her career and essentially what has gotten her where she is today: “It’s just one of those things – you never know what gifts God has given you until you decide that one day you just have to fake it ‘til you make it. And then before you know it, it’s one of your favorite things to do,” Burriss adds with a smile.

Her own resolve and the backing from her team are exactly what have kept Burriss at the top of her game throughout her career: “I don’t know if I ever would have been able to see those gifts in myself if Dianne Horton, Barbara Pilkinton and Juanita Strickland did not see them in me. I’ve always strived to meet or exceed the expectations of the people I love and care about, but I don’t know if I would have persevered and pushed forward without their support. I will forever be grateful to them.”

Maintaining that support has not faltered through the years, and Burriss continues to work with her current team to ensure they receive the same faith and dedication that she did all those years ago: “As a company, what makes us different is our employees. A lot of us have been with the company, and working with Dianne, for over thirty years. It takes a team effort, and that is our main selling point: who we are as a company, our longevity, our employees, our knowledge of the industry and how we can educate the customer on the true value of our products. Service is a big thing.”

Since service is the cornerstone of their organization, Burriss understands the importance of keeping customers happy in an everchanging industry. Over the past 25 years, with the increase in big box stores and online competitors–such as Staples, Office Depot and Amazon— independent dealerships like VIP Office work hard to stay competitively priced and maintain their superior customer service: “These days, you have a younger generation that has grown up with this idea that everything is at their fingertips. So, we’ve had to pivot and figure out a way to engage with this younger generation by investing in the technology that is necessary to reach them with, such as our web storefront, and also educating buyers that the services we provide, like our next-day inside delivery,

furniture installation, and expert customer support, are what make us different, which is an added bonus outside of best price or overall price.”

Burriss believes one of the biggest misconceptions about managing a small business is the perception that small businesses cannot compete with bigger organizations, but VIP Office continues to challenge those notions day-today: “We work with large corporations that see the bigger picture and understand overall value. And then we have some that just won’t give us an opportunity because they believe we are too small. We’ve proven with contract wins, like our GSA federal contract, various corporate and local municipality contracts, as well as our State of Georgia contract with our consortium My Georgia Office Products that we can compete with the big online retailers.”

At the end of a long day, Burriss also understands the importance of taking a moment to relax and enjoy time with her family: “I’m a TV junkie; it really is a good way for me to unwind. I like to read, and I love cooking for my family. My house is a revolving door, so there’s constantly someone coming in and out. It’s nice to just have family and friends around.” Not only has her family instilled in her the drive to exceed expectations, her father’s words of wisdom are what keep Burriss motivated today: “My dad always said to me, ‘be pretty.’ And it’s not what it sounds like. It really means let the world see your light. Work hard. Be kind. Smile often. And always show grace.”

As demonstrated by their longstanding legacy, VIP Office is dedicated to service with a smile, and this is what makes business leaders like April Burriss an integral part of our community. There is no telling what the future will bring, but Burriss is ready to take on any challenges that may come her way:

“I love that we are not the typical small town. I love the people, the customers and the employees I get to share it with. Ten years from now, I’m pretty sure I’ll still be here—doing what I’m doing because it’s what I love to do!”

LIBERTY COUNTY… IT’S A VIBE

When we think of business and the culture that comes with it, many of us think of major corporations with CEOs wearing suits and working in a huge office building. However, there is another side to the business world and that is often what we at the Chamber get to explore. It’s what we see every day with a lot of familiar faces. Liberty County is an incredible community filled with small businesses whose owners give their all to their companies and our county! It is amazing to study these local businesses and see how they are neatly woven in the history of our people. We fully understand the incredible opportunity that we have been given to tell the stories of our small business owners as they journey down the path we call life.

Published in our magazine in 2019, the following is an excerpt of an interview with Kim Hardin’s children.

Kimara-age 15

Na’Ryah-age 13

Sa’Myah-age 12

Question: What does your mom do?

Kimara: She is an entrepreneur that runs her own business. Not knowing if it will turn out or not she decided to try, and she has done a great job!

Na’Ryah: We are very proud of her!

Sa’Myah: She is a great mother and mentor.

After being laid off in 2017, Kim knew she had to do something different. She had always enjoyed cleaning and noticed the lack of professional services in our military community so she thought why not invest in herself and take the leap into small business, and she is currently the proud owner of K&M Xtreme Clean, LLC. In business for 7 years now, starting her own cleaning business was something she wanted to do because it came to her so easily, and it’s something that she truly enjoys.

BY LEAH POOLE PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOANNA NG PHOTOGRAPHY & STAFF PHOTOS

A woman owned and operated business she specializes in commercial cleaning, carpet cleaning, move-out/in cleaning, organizing and stripping and waxing of floors. “I believe our integrity and the willingness to make sure that the customer is satisfied is what sets us apart from others. I am proud that we set the tone for the business standard and have continued to hold that reputation,” said Kim.

Most people don’t know that Kim comes from a singleparent household. Her mother raised five kids by herself and worked several jobs to support them. When you talk about work ethic, you can see where Kim gets hers! “She raised me to know it’s okay to hear the no’s but to not stop until I get the yes,” she said.

“Although the path of entrepreneurship has not been an easy one, I continued to push myself along the way. Not long after committing to owning my own business, I started to doubt whether it was something I should pursue. That was due to a lack of business and not really having the self-confidence in whether I would be successful. During that period of my journey, I focused on doing the research on what it really takes to own a business.”

Is operating a small business a smooth road to travel? Definitely not. A current struggle for most small business owners is trying to keep a full staff. Although we all know it is a struggle that all small business are facing right now, Kim is doing her best to combat that by offering incentives and a lot of all-nights on her as the owner. When they fall short, she doesn’t mind stepping in to make sure the job gets done.

As we all know another struggle for small business currently is inflation. The cost of everything has tripled and that includes cleaning supplies, which have been on the rise since COVID. Long nights and a lot of hard work has gone into keeping K&M Xtreme Clean afloat. They have pushed their way through trying to find balance in the day to day.

“I sometimes pinch myself when I realize I am operating a successful business in a city I spent my entire life in. Having a supportive team and family has played a major part in this journey as well, without them none of this would be possible,” she said. Starting a small business completely from scratch has taught her a lot. Taking the losses and seeing them as the lessons they are has been the biggest thing she has learned.

As a lifelong Liberty County resident Kim recognizes that living in the community she grew up in is special….. it’s a vibe. Supporting the community that supports her business is huge to her. “We love to eat at Rodeo and of course the Sunbury Crab Company for their fresh caught seafood, laid back atmosphere and panoramic views.”

Kim believes that places like Bryant Commons and the Sunbury Boat Ramp are underrated by the people who live here. “You can’t imagine the peace and serenity to be gained from watching the sun rise on our slice of the Georgia coast,” she said. With such a tight knit, safe and growing community Kim has never regretted staying local and raising her family in a place that truly cares.

As a female owned business, another lesson learned quickly is that her team is her family. “If I value their input and ideas then they will value my business. Motivation, drive, determination and the right team make all the difference which is something I try to embody so that other female entrepreneurs can learn and be encouraged.” From day one Kim’s family has stepped up to support the family business, whether that’s physically helping or providing emotional support, it takes the whole family to make it work. They have all stepped up to the plate in ways that Kim could never explain.

Giving back is also a part of her mantra. Whether she is volunteering at the Food Truck Festival, Hinesville for the Holidays or some other local event, Kim loves to see these opportunities for businesses to showcase themselves, as well as the chance to give back. “Seeing kids smile at Christmas because we’ve helped them paint an ornament is priceless,” she said. As a Chamber board member Kim realizes the impact of the Chamber and loves being a part of something that helped her business grow.

“All I knew was I wanted to be an entrepreneur, but I didn’t really have the knowledge to know what all that entailed. This was not something I went to school for, so I wasn’t prepared. I began by focusing on building not just a cleaning business but a brand. Something that would stick out. So, I started a Facebook Business page and educated myself on the importance of networking and building relationships. I joined the Chamber and began developing relationships that have brought my business to places I would have never imagined. While networking and meeting other business owners, they began to pour knowledge into me that I was looking for and so desperately seeking.”

You can’t imagine the peace and serenity to be gained from watching the sun rise on our slice of the Georgia coast.

Starting your own business is tough and so is keeping it open. We work with a lot of business owners to help them have their best chance at success but ultimately, it is up to the business owner to build a company that can last. Kim is one of hundreds of entrepreneurs in our community, giving back, making her mark and paving the way for the future. We know that we couldn’t be happier to have her contributing to our vibe!

K&M Xtreme Clean focuses efforts not on sales and profits, but instead on customer service and community support. They look at the people they are serving, listen to their needs and do their best to provide services in a way that is genuine and tailored to those needs. We all want to feel heard and cared for by the people around us, so it is no surprise we want to feel that way when we go to purchase something as well.

Even if you are not a business owner you can still benefit from getting out in the community and supporting local people, businesses and non-profits.

AFTER ALL WE COULD ALL BENEFIT FROM PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST.

THE RIGHT BLEND

Get lost in the simplicity of coastal living in Liberty County. Life on our slice of the Georgia coast will have you hooked, and you will want to stay forever. Visit us to see what has kept people coming back and explore the foundations that have molded it into the diverse place it is today.

The first thing you will notice about Liberty County is the people. From the local business owners to neighbors and classmates, every person you will encounter will greet you with a smile on their face. We proudly celebrate the wide range of diversity and backgrounds that come together to make the place that we call home special.

Take a drive down one of our many dirt roads, and you will quickly realize that breathtaking views are not hard to come by. Centuries old live oak trees line the roads in

our community and have grown to create beautiful tree canopies decorated with Spanish moss. This is the perfect setting for a picnic or a peaceful evening drive. These days it is rare to find an unpaved and untouched road, however, we are lucky that they are abundant.

Since we’re one of six coastal counties in the state, you are sure to find locals enjoying their day eating fresh seafood and hanging out on the water. From fishing to kayaking, there are many activities to do all year round! If you want to get out on the water while visiting, check out some of our favorite spots, or if you want to see a magnificent sunset on intracoastal waterways – there is a place for that too.

Come Explore Liberty to experience a true hidden gem! No one is in a hurry, food is slow-cooked, and you will experience true southern hospitality in every interaction. We can’t wait to meet y’all and say hey!

TAKE THE BACK ROADS

Immerse yourself in the simplicity of coastal living when you take the back roads in Liberty County. Our home is full of breathtaking views and dirt roads lined with live oak trees. There is no doubt that life on our slice of the Georgia coast will have you hooked, and you will want to stay for a lifetime. Take the back roads and see what has kept people coming back to call Liberty County home and explore the foundations that have molded it into the diverse place it is today.

The wandering roads of Liberty County all began as dirt paths summoning the early residents of our country to their future home. The coastal county was originally composed of the colonial parishes of St. John, St. James and St. Andrew. Liberty County’s official birth date is February 5, 1777, less than a year after Button Gwinnett and Dr. Lyman Hall acted as the community’s representatives at the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Today, Liberty County is 1 of only 3 counties in Georgia not named after a person or place!

We are home to some of the richest history that has occurred over the last 240 years. Established in 1777, we played a role in the Revolutionary & Civil Wars and we were even a stop for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during the Civil Rights Movement. For a list of historic sites in Liberty County, check out our article on each one that includes operating hours, cost of admission and more!

Take a drive down one of our many dirt roads, and you will quickly realize that breathtaking views are not hard to come by here in Liberty County. The trees that line the roads in our coastal community have grown to create beautiful tree canopies decorated with Spanish moss, and they are the perfect setting for picnic underneath the trees or a peaceful evening drive. We recommend Cay Creek, Old Sunbury or Barrington Ferry Road. These days it is rare that you find an unpaved and untouched road, and we are so lucky that they are abundant in this amazing place that we call home.

We used to say that our dirt roads were a hidden gem, but they have quickly increased in popularity due to the film industry. In the past, film productions were being shot in locations where there were not any natural dirt roads, so the dirt was being hauled from other places in order to create a makeshift version of them. Most recently, the cast and crew of the Fear the Walking Dead and The Color Purple Musical came to visit us, so next time you are watching your favorite movie or TV show - pay close attention, because there is a good chance that you will see Liberty County on the big screen!

Since our home kisses the coast, you are sure to find locals enjoying coastal living by spending their days in whatever creek or river they can find. From fishing to kayaking, there are many water-based activities to do all year round! If you want to get out on the water while visiting, check out our some of our favorite kayaking spots, or if you want to see a magnificent coastal sunset on the water – we have a spot for that too! Find each one on our website. When the weather warms up, you can find us lounging

around on the boat or on the shore of St. Catherines Island! St. Catherines is our barrier island and is only accessible by boat, so you will want to plan accordingly. If you have a boat, you can put it in at the Sunbury Public Boat Ramp. To access the interior of the island, you must be invited. Be careful and do not to venture off on your own! A fun fact about St. Catherines Island is… it is one of only 2 places in the world that you can find ring tailed lemurs! How cool is that?! No matter what your interests are, the Georgia coast is sure to satisfy each one.

One of the most exciting parts about visiting somewhere you have never been is the opportunity to try out the best local restaurants! In Liberty County, we have a wide array of options that will satisfy even the pickiest eaters. Being a coastal community, you can find fresh seafood at the Sunbury Crab Company or Melody’s Coastal Café. If you are in search of some cultural cuisine then Tazza Kabob Grillhouse or Zum Rosenhof in Hinesville are both local favorites. You are sure to love something at every place that you decide to try!

There are many ways to get outdoors and explore right here in Liberty County. Visit Cay Creek Wetlands Interpretive Center to see 8 different ecosystems as you venture down the boardwalk. If you like embracing nature with a historical twist, visit the Historic Baptismal Trail in Riceboro. It was an active holy place for over 100 years! If learning about military history is more your style, visit our state historic site, Fort Morris. It is Georgia’s only Revolutionary historic site with the original earthworks. For those looking for a more exciting way to experience the outdoors, head over to Riceboro to see the tree spirits. Over the years, they have popped up along Barrington Ferry Road, and they are an awesome thing to see. Tree spirits are faces that have been carved into the oak trees along the sides of one of our most scenic dirt roads. Each face is different which makes searching for them that much more fun. As the locals say, head out to Riceboro and ride the blues to find them for yourself!

Priding ourselves on having the right blend for everyone, we understand that not every person enjoys being outdoors. We have an array of indoor activities that are equally as unique as they are entertaining! Choose to spend your day exploring one of our local museums. The Independent Telecommunications Pioneer Association (ITPA) Museum is in the heart of downtown Hinesville. At the ITPA museum, visitors can see the progress of telephones from the beginning to present day. If you are visiting and interested in learning more about Liberty

County’s Military history, head over to the 3rd Infantry Division Museum located on Fort Stewart! For those interested in learning about the foundations of our community and the lasting impact that they have had, the Midway Museum is a perfect place to visit and immerse yourself in the rich history.

Last but certainly not least, one of the best things about Liberty County are the people who call it home, and there is nothing quite like the southern charm of our residents! Right in the heart of the South, we are home to a place where neighbors know each other by name, and we wave hello as we pass by. Somewhat of a melting pot, thanks to our neighbors at Fort Stewart, we maintain our smalltown charm.

Experience a jewel tucked along Georgia’s coast when you come to Liberty County! No one is in a hurry, food is slow-cooked, and you can experience true southern hospitality in every interaction. Keep life simple & call Liberty County home. We will be waiting with a smile on our faces to greet you!

Liberty County

HISTORICAL SITES

1

DORCHESTER ACADEMY & MUSEUM OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY

Where: 8787 East Oglethorpe Hwy., Midway

When: by appointment only

Contact: (912) 442-0018 or www.dorchesteracademyia.com

Admission: $3 fee; donations are welcome

As one of only 11 stops in Georgia on the U.S. Civil Rights Trail, Dorchester Academy is known for the vital role it played in the lives of young people throughout our community many years ago. The education program began in 1866, although the brick-and-mortar school wasn’t built until 1872. The physical building was funded by the American Missionary Association and allowed for the school to add a much wider range of subjects to their programming. The academic learning program ended at Dorchester Academy in 1940, but the school’s trailblazing spirit lived on! The building that it was once housed in became the Dorchester Cooperative Center and was home of the Liberty County Citizen’s Council, founded in 1946. This council was created to assist, register and organize African American voters. During this time, many key figures of the U.S. Civil Rights Movement spent time here to get away from the chaos, organize and plan. Among these key figures was Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.! In fact, this is where he and his colleagues prepared for “Project C” which would later be memorialized as the Birmingham March. If you plan on visiting the site, you can see Dr. King’s former bedroom and workspace where he and Dr. Ralph Abernathy, Andrew Young and Dr. Fred Shuttles-

worth made many crucial decisions. Today the former boy’s dormitory is the last of the original Dorchester Academy buildings that remains. It is recognized as a National Historic Landmark and serves as an AfricanAmerican history museum and community center.

2

HISTORIC BAPTISMAL TRAIL

Where: 8805 E.B. Cooper Hwy., Riceboro

When: Monday – Friday 8am – 5pm; Saturday – Sunday 9am – 5pm (hours are subject to change)

Contact: 912.884.2986 or www.cityofriceboro.com

Admission: No fee

This site was brought to life in the 1840’s and was an active holy place for over 100 years! Members of the Gullah Geechee community who attended the First African Baptist Church would make their way down the tree-lined path to be baptized into their faith. Written and oral testimonials of the site from surviving descendants tell us when the site was brought to life and that the early baptisms were carried out in affiliation with the North Newport Church until the white congregation moved to Walthourville in 1854. Following the move, it became the First African Baptist Church. The congregation continued to perform the ritual baptisms at the site until the early 1940s! Tours are self-guided, and there are benches, picnic tables and signage located throughout to educate visitors about the natural habitats and historical significance of the site.

3

FLEMINGTON DRIVING TOUR

Where: 156 Old Sunbury Road, Flemington

When: self-guided tour at visitors’ convenience

Contact: 912.877.3223 or www.cityofflemington.org

Admission: No fee

If you’re looking to enjoy a relaxing afternoon, the Flemington Driving Tour is a must-see! It is full of beautiful historic homes with architecture that is over 200 years old. With a total of 12 stops, you can drive along the route that showcases the former community of Gravel Hill – now known as Flemington. This tour is self-guided, so visitors can take their time and see the history without ever leaving the comfort of their vehicle! Stop by Flemington City Hall at 156 Old Sunbury Road in Flemington to get a physical copy of the driving tour brochure. It includes a map with each of the stops marked! Please note that some of the sites are private residences/property. This is a driving tour only and entrance onto the grounds is not allowed. Please be respectful of the homeowners’ privacy.

4

MIDWAY MUSEUM

Where: 491 N. Coastal Hwy. 17, Midway

When: Tuesday – Saturday 10am – 4pm by appointment

Contact: 912.884.5837 or www.themidwaymuseum.org

Admission: $10 adults, $5 children, $8 seniors & military, free admission for children under 5, prearranged group rates available

Built in 1957 to resemble a typical 18th century style home, the Midway Museum is a beautiful raised cottage style structure. It is Georgia’s only colonial history museum and holds a wealth of information. Since the museum opened, the society has been collecting artifacts, documents, photos, furnishings and more to create a unique experience for visitors. They hold two special events throughout the year including the annual Christmas Tea and cemetery tours around Halloween. New displays are presented by the museum as information is collected. In 2009, a collection of documents and household items from the family of Charles Colcock Jones was put on display. His letters were the basis for “The Children of Pride,” which was a compilation about life on Southern plantations in the mid-1800s. Along with the museum is the Midway Congregational Church, built in 1792 and the cemetery. The church is the former colonial house of worship and does not have electricity or indoor plumbing. The cemetery is the final resting place for many famous Liberty Countians and hundreds of the graves still have their original markers. The ones that are no longer in existence were destroyed by Union troops during the Civil War.

HISTORICAL SITES

DORCHESTER VILLAGE CIVIC CENTER

Where: 1804 Islands Hwy., Midway

When: Available year-round for rental on occasions such as banquets, weddings and/or receptions, family reunions, business and club meetings, birthday parties, conferences and other events.

Contact: 912.884.3342 or www.dvciviccenter.org

Admission: rental fees vary

This former schoolhouse has been recently restored and is conveniently located off of I-95. The 7400 square foot historic structure houses an auditorium, five classrooms, a full kitchen and an outdoor pavilion. The schoolhouse served grades one through seven from the time it was built and opened in 1927 until it closed in 1951. In 1958, it was sold by the Liberty County Board of Education to the nonprofit, Dorchester Civic Center Inc. for only $10! As the building grew older, it fell into a state of disrepair and had to end up being closed until 2008 when the nonprofit organization began restorations. The improvements allowed for this property to once again become a vital part of the community following its completion in 2010.

FORT MORRIS STATE HISTORIC SITE

Where: 2559 Fort Morris Rd., Midway

When: 7 days a week/365 days a year, 9am – 5pm; Museum Hours: Thursday – Saturday 9am – 5pm

Contact: 912.884.5999 or www.gastateparks.org/fortmorris

Admission: $3.00 – $4.50 per person; group rates are available with advance notice

Visit the only Revolutionary historic site in Georgia with original earth works! Fort Morris was used to protect the coastal seaport of Sunbury almost 300 years ago and is now a beautiful place to enjoy nature and walk through history. Take in views of the St. Catherines Sound and keep an eye out for the wildlife. It is a stop on the coastal birding trail and there is signage posted throughout the site with additional information. For those interested in learning more about the natural seaport that was at the time, larger than what you can find located in Savannah today, you will want to see the exhibits located in the museum. Stop by and guide yourself along the nature trails or visit when they’re hosting one of their annual events!

INDEPENDENT TELECOMMUNICATIONS

PIONEER ASSOCIATION

NATIONAL OFFICE & MUSEUM

Where: 438 West Oglethorpe Hwy., Hinesville

When: Monday – Friday 10am – 4pm

Contact: 912.408.4872 or www.nationalitpa.com

Admission: No fee; donations are welcome

The ITPA Museum at Bryant Commons in downtown Hinesville in what was formerly known as the home of Senator Glenn E. Bryant. The museum contains a vast collection of telephones and equipment from monumental telecommunication events throughout history! People from all ages and walks of lives find it fascinating to see the evolution of the telephone. There are many displays that include solid wood, wall-mounted, hand-cranked, operator-directed, simplistic designs of the past. After visiting the museum, go for a walk in the 150-acre passive park located right outside of the back door. The Bryant family donated the land through a foundation created for the former senator and partnered with the City of Hinesville to create the plan for the park. It features disc golf, an outdoor amphitheater, a dog park, a playground, a 15-acre catch and release pond, a walking trail and the Veterans Memorial Walk.

OLD LIBERTY COUNTY JAIL

Where: 302 South Main Street, Hinesville

When: Tuesday – Saturday 10am – 2pm by appointment only

Contact: 912.877.4332 or www.hinesvilledowntown.com

Admission: No fee

Built in 1892, the Old Liberty County Jail was constructed to replace the wooden one-story jail that existed at the time. The location is what would have been the south end of Hinesville at the time of construction. The site, date, construction and architect of the jail are unknown, but the contractor was a man by the name of Mr. Parkhill. The historic structure is like what you would find in rural towns of similar size in the southeast during its time. The two-story brick jail was in use for many years until our new regional prison facility was completed in 1970. Following its closing, the structure was auctioned off and purchased by the Liberty County Historical Society for the large sum of $4500. It is the earliest known brick structure in Hinesville and probably all of Liberty County and earned its seat on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992.

7 WAYS TO GET OUTDOORS

DURING THE FALL IN LIBERTY COUNTY

EXPLORE OUR NATURE TRAILS

Cay Creek Wetlands Interpretive Center has a great boardwalk that is 7/10ths of a mile! The path takes you through freshwater wetlands. Climb the lookout tower for a beautiful view!

The Historic Baptismal Trail is another excellent place to learn about the history of the Gullah Geechee community and the site which was an active holy place for over 100 years! The tour is self-guided and has signage along the way

HOP ON A BOAT OR KAYAK

One of our favorite year-round activities is hopping on a boat or in a kayak! Check out our blog to find the perfect place to drop your kayak in the water.

SNAP INSTA-WORTHY PICS

Get your creative juices flowing and take advantage of Liberty County’s locations to snap pictures. Barrington Ferry, Cay Creek and Old Sunbury Roads are just a couple of beautiful dirt roads that make the perfect backdrop for Instagram shots

PLAY AT ONE OF OUR PARKS

It is so important to get those kiddos outside and moving, and we have tons of parks with playgrounds!

Bryant Commons Park | 438 W. Oglethorpe Hwy, Hinesville

Eve Park | 234 Azalea Rd, Midway

Briar Bay Park | 3850 Barrington Ferry Rd, Riceboro

Jones Creek Park | 2059 Isle of Wight Rd, Midway

Irene B. Thomas Park | 700 Sharon St, Hinesville

James A. Brown Park | 800 Tupelo Trail, Hinesville

ATTEND A COMMUNITY EVENT

We have several community events that are all outdoors like the Small World Festival, Bi-Annual Food Truck Festival, Hinesville for the Holidays and the annual Illuminated Christmas Parade. Attending an event is the perfect way to be a part of the community and get to know who we are

WATCH A BEAUTIFUL SUNRISE OR SUNSET

Get your creative juices flowing and take advantage of Liberty County’s locations to snap pictures Barrington Ferry, Cay Creek and Old Sunbury Roads are just a couple of beautiful dirt roads that make the perfect backdrop for Instagram shots

VISIT A CEMETERY

The Midway Museum hosts a cemetery tour featuring costumed historical figures each year around Halloween!

The Sunbury Cemetery is the final resting place for some of coastal Georgia’s first residents Keep your eyes peeled for any ghost activity!

T H E B E S T

S P O T S T O

L A U N C H A

K A Y A K

J O N E S C R E E K P A R K

2059 ISLE OF WIGHT ROAD IN MIDWAY

Before crossing the causeway onto Isle of Wight in Midway, there will be a park on your right that has a small landing with access to water Jones Creek Park is one of our personal favorite spots! It’s perfect for people who have very little kayaking experience and the seasoned pros Everyone will enjoy putting in here and paddling around Pack a cooler and venture out to a sandbar It is a tidal creek, so you’ll also want to download the Tides Near Me app here too. Set your location as St. Catherines Island to make sure that you don’t get stuck dragging your kayak through the mud.

S U N B U R Y B O A T R A M P

3295 FT. MORRIS ROAD IN MIDWAY

Put your kayak in the water, enjoy beautiful views and go fishing at the public dock in Sunbury. It is a cozy spot that showcases all that coastal living has to offer! With direct access to the intracoastal waterways, you’ll want to make sure that you have the Tides Near Me app handy when you visit. This app will tell you when high and low tides are, so you can choose the best possible time for your adventure. Once your kayaking adventure has ended, make your way down to the Sunbury Crab Company

R I C E B O R O D O C K

INTERSTATE PAPER ROAD IN RICEBORO

Follow Highway 17 into Riceboro and take a left onto Interstate Paper Road

Keep cruising for a bit and you’ll stumble upon a quiet little public dock and pier. The dock is one of Riceboro’s many hidden gems. It’s a great fishing spot, so don’t forget your rod and reel when you make your way out there! Kill two birds with one stone when you launch your kayak here! You can spend the day paddling on the water and catch some fish to cook for dinner too

FOSTERING OUR COMMUNITY TOGETHER

A THRIVING COMMUNITY IS OFTEN A PLACE WHERE FOLKS FEEL CONNECTED TO ONE ANOTHER. WHILE YOU MAY NOT KNOW EVERYONE’S NAME OR STORY, YOU CAN STILL CREATE A BOND WITH YOUR COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY BY GETTING INVOLVED IN LOCAL CIVIC AND COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS. IN LIBERT COUNTY, WE ARE FORTUNATE TO HAVE MANY LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS THAT PUT OUR COMMUNITY FIRST. ALL OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS PLAY PIVOTAL ROLES IN THE VITALITY OF LIBERTY COUNTY, CONTRIBUTE TO ITS GROWTH AND IMPROVEMENT AND CONSISTENTLY STRIVE TO SUPPORT AND ENHANCE THIS PLACE WE CALL HOME.

BY BOBBY REYNOLDS | PHOTOS BY JOANNA NG PHOTOGRAPHY

HINESVILLE AREA ARTS COUNCIL

HINESVILLE AREA ARTS COUNCIL

In Liberty County, the Hinesville Area Arts Council (HAAC) seeks to foster, nurture, and promote creativity in all its forms. The vision for a place where artists can express themselves came from Margaret Martin, a local educator with a passion for the arts and a desire for an arts council to be formed. Sometime in the 1980s, after her passing, her estate was left in a trust, and out of the Margaret Martin Foundation, the HAAC was formed.

The HAAC is comprised of community volunteers, many of whom work full-time jobs and a few who are retired. “Over the years, we’ve been blessed to have a variety of community leaders serve on our council, including local artists, civic leaders and more,” said Leah Poole, the HAAC Board Chairman. It has been nearly a decade since Poole assumed the role of Chairman and 15 years since she first became involved. “We have done a lot over the years, such as dance classes, and we used to host an event called Blues, Brews & BBQ,” she said. Their current events include free monthly exhibit openings, excluding July and

December art classes. The monthly exhibit openings are free to the public and free for creators to display their work.

In the early days, the HAAC operated in the Mill’s House, previously situated on Hwy 84, where the Hinesville VA Outpatient Clinic is across the street from Zaxby’s.

“The Osteen Brothers had it before it was moved, and they were generous enough to let us use the house, which was nice. However, it was not very conducive to what we do since everything was broken up into bedrooms or offices,” said Poole. The County Government had a building downtown, and an agreement was made between them and HAAC stating that if the council maintained the building and continued renovating at no cost to the county, they could use the building. With a new location secured, the HAAC moved to 102 South Commerce Street, and it is still located there today. “In November of 2020, the HAAC opened Martin Mercantile in honor of Mrs. Margaret Martin. We wanted to have a maker’s space where we could sell locally-made goods. Whether it’s earrings, paintings, or whatever they create by hand,” Poole explained.

The Hinesville Area Arts Council’s growth and expansion is a testament to the power of community. It would not have been possible without the support of community volunteers, local artists, and its board members. Nancy Melchor, a certified Bob Ross oil painting instructor, hosts monthly classes for people of all skill levels. Samantha Lake and Ryan Lewis, sisters and co-owners of Robin’s Nest, create handmade clay earrings and accessories and manage the day-to-day operations of Martin Mercantile. Over the summer months, while children are out of school, they also host art classes, furthering the HAAC’s mission of nurturing creativity in all its forms.

Madison Byler, owner of Madison Byler Artistry, is passionate about acrylic, digital, and pencil art. Locally, she has gained much notoriety for her creative murals and pet portraits and has begun to share her passion through various art classes. Leah Poole, Bruce Muncher, Susan Ammons, Richard Hayes, Bianca Croft, Madison Byler, Joanna Ng and Samantha Lago are the current board members that help ensure Margaret Martin’s dream lives on. Visit the Hinesville Area Arts Council and shop at Martin Mercantile at 102 Commerce Street, Downtown Hinesville. For more information, visit their Facebook page and website at www.hinesvillearts.com.

LIBERTY COUNTY KIWANIS CLUB

The following organization strives to make an intentional and impactful difference in the lives of children with special needs. This local club is dedicated to promoting inclusivity for all children in the community. Through various efforts of public awareness and fundraising events such as their Jail and Bail and Surf and Turf Poker Run, their goal is to provide inclusive playground equipment at local parks. Chief Robert Kitchings, the President of Liberty County Kiwanis Club and Chief of the Hinesville Fire Department, explains the history and goals for the future of the organization’s impact on the community.

“The focus of Kiwanis International is children, and each individual club narrows down that focus to what they want to do with children. A good friend of ours told us about how he has to drive his physically disabled son a little over an hour away just for him to be able to use a

[playground] swing. He told us how there are no parks with a swing for a physically disabled child nearby,” Chief Kitchings explained. Hearing this touched the hearts of the club members and they decided that their mission would be to build an inclusive playground and have inclusive equipment at every park in the county.

Recently, the club was able to donate aquatic wheelchairs to the YMCA of Coastal Georgia Liberty County branch. Although the facility has always had an ADA-accessible pool, it would ultimately fall on those who needed it to provide their own equipment. The door for a joint partnership opened up, and the Kiwanis Club was able to donate two chairs for public use at the YMCA. The Department of Veteran Affairs heard that Hinesville had aquatic wheelchairs, which, in turn, meant they would be able to address another community need: “Veterans and soldiers needing aquatic therapy had to drive over three hours away, spend a couple of hours in therapy, and then drive three hours home. Now they can they can have their sessions locally,” Chief Kitchings said.

As with all community-focused groups, it takes a team of like-minded individuals working together to accomplish their mission. The Liberty County Kiwanis Club’s board members are community leaders, business professionals, and family members of children with disabilities. Through the combined efforts of Chief Kitchings, Mayor Karl Riles, Kim Ryon, Chris Ellison, Tina Dinkins, Tara Cordero, Selena Betley, and Leslie Heath, as well as community support, they were able to raise over $65,000 towards their goal of creating an allinclusive playground for children on the autism spectrum as well as those with disabilities. These funds are also used in collaborative community projects: “The Liberty County School System’s Department for Exceptional Learning recently held a prom for children with special needs, not only for local students but also for students in the surrounding area. We were able to ensure that 100 students were able to attend the event at no cost. We also partnered with Molly Maxine and held a drive for prom dresses for the young ladies,” explained Chief Kitchings. For additional information about the Kiwanis Club, call 912.271.0508 or join them for their weekly meetings on Wednesdays starting at 12 noon at Hog-N-Bones Hinesville. You can also check them out on Facebook at Kiwanis Club of Liberty County.

LIBERTY COUNTY KIWANIS CLUB

HINESVILLE AREA BOARD OF REALTORS

When you think of Real Estate©️, your first thought is generally buying and selling a house. You may even envision an outgoing individual who can assist you in finding your dream home. In 1979, the Hinesville Area Board of Realtors (HABR) was formed with the purpose of advancing the opportunity and the ability of its members to conduct their business successfully and ethically and to promote the right of the general public to buy, sell, and own real estate. Brianne Felton, the President of HABR, takes great pride in what they do and is always looking for ways to help their members be successful.

This member-driven, not-for-profit trade association serves real estate professionals throughout Liberty County and surrounding areas, such as Long, Wayne, and Evans counties. It also serves the whole Coastal Empire. HABR members gain access to many tools at a discounted rate and sometimes free. “So, if you are like me and have a brokerage, being able to offer my agents some of the services at either a discounted or free price is a huge deal,” said Felton. Members also gain access to various training throughout the year ranging from code of ethics to listings and property management. “We have had a certification called At Home with Diversity because we want to be fair across the board and make sure our agents are as well. I believe the more education you get, the better you are, and the better you can be at your job,” said Felton.

While their primary focus is to better the Realtors©️ in the community, that is not where their mission stops. “We are not just here to put you in a house or sell your house. We are also a part of the community, and we show it by being involved in local public events. You will find us participating in Earth Day, Small World Festival, and Relay for Life, and we even host a few golf tournaments,” explained Felton. When it comes to giving back, HABR does it with great pleasure. Over this past year, they were able to award $1000 worth of scholarships to high school seniors. “Yes, we sell Real Estate©️ , but we also live in this community. Therefore, we support it in any way we can,” explained Felton. Strategic partnerships with Liberty County Manna House, Hinesville Downtown Development Authority, Liberty County Development Authority, and many more allow HABR to further its

reach and enhance its effectiveness, and vice versa. “One of the most rewarding things is seeing new agents come in excited about what they are doing, about real estate, and seeing our community service committee. And seeing them grow and just become excited about working within the board to help the community,” said Felton.

Felton also said, “No leader can do what they do without a good board. So I have to shout out to my board: the president-elect, Jessica Victoria; the secretary, Angie Kinzer; and the treasurer, Angela Powell,” said Felton. “We also have three local directors who keep us informed on what the community is doing and what’s going on: Tim Bigelow, Sandy Duggan, and La’Keisha Ray. Then we have our state directors, and they let us know what’s going on at the state level and keep us up to par. State directors work almost like middlemen when it comes to communication from the state, and vice versa, Jimmy Shanken, Tony Duncan, and Lafonya Mayfield fill those roles for us. We also have our Association Executive, Lori Versele who serves as the glue that keeps us all together,” Felton said proudly.

HINESVILLE ROTARY CLUB

This last organization believes in “service above self,” and its current primary focus is to support and improve literacy and education amongst youth within the community. Terry Cook, the president of the Hinesville Rotary Club, was happy to share some of the fantastic projects they have been working on: “We have about three little libraries throughout the city, which are small boxes that resemble old telephone booths. We store children’s books as well as teen books in those, and they’re free to take,” said Cook. The gist of the idea is for you to trade out a gently used book you’re done reading with a book from their library, encouraging children to continue reading in hopes of finding their new favorite book. We are also getting ready to install two more on the south end of Liberty County, bringing our total number of libraries to about six. Our Rotary Club goes around, and we monitor those boxes. When they’re getting low on books, we put more books in there,” said Cook.

While several initiatives throughout the area are designed to aid in the growth and success of the community, one need continued to go unaddressed. Many children in our

HINESVILLE AREA BOARD OF REALTORS

community do not have a bed of their own: “We have partnered up with Sleep In Heavenly Peace, created a chapter here in Hinesville, and donated the funds to get us started on purchasing all our tools and so forth. We want to deliver about 100 beds before the end of the year to make sure that our children do not have to sleep on the floor. Because if you don’t get a good night’s sleep, the last thing on your mind is how productive you’re going to be tomorrow but how affected you are by your night’s sleep” explained Cook. The Hinesville Rotary Club also aids high school seniors in their journey toward higher education. They sponsor and award three $1000 scholarships yearly to Liberty County high school seniors.

This organization is made up of people who live, work and have a passion for the growth and success of the area. “Our members come from all over like the Liberty County Chamber of Commerce, The Shanken Team, Geo

Vista Credit Union, Hinesville Downtown Development Authority, Liberty County Planning Commission, retirees, and so many more,” said Cook. One of the most rewarding experiences Cook has had with Rotary is the positive reaction the students at Liberty Elementary have had to the book vending machine. “If you are not familiar with those, a book vending machine looks exactly like a snack vending machine except it has books. The school uses it as a positive way of reinforcing good behavior and habits. The student gets a token and can redeem it for a book of their choice,” explained Cook. For more information about Hinesville Rotary and how you can become involved in their open community projects, call them at 912.876.5010. You can also check out their Facebook page, Hinesville Rotary Club.

No community thrives alone. Its success is due to the dedication and perseverance of its citizens. Each of these organizations has taken a unique yet impactful approach to bettering this wonderful place we call home.

HINESVILLE ROTARY CLUB

MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY

ABC Plumbing Inc. 128 McDonald Drive Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 876-2920

Abundance Of Flow, LLC

319 General Screven Way Suite D2 Office 105 Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 424-2219 abundanceofflow912.com

Ace Real Estate Services

1146 EG Miles Pkway Suite 205-B Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 368-1211 acerealestateservices.com

Advanced Innovative IT Solutions, LLC

Ludowici, GA 31316 (912) 271-0563

aiisllc.com

AFLAC Insurance

1249 Cypress Fall Circle Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 666-7745

Allstate Insurance Andy Bennett 110 S. Gause St Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 368-0432

agents.allstate.com/andy-bennetthinesville-ga.html

AM Entertainment and Event Services PO Box 22044

Hilton Head, SC 29926 (888) 981-7469 amesentertainment.com

American Cancer Society cancer.org

American Red Cross

41 Park of Commerce Way Building 200 Savannah, GA 31405 (912) 651-5300 redcross.org/ga/savannah

American Veteran Properties, Inc. (912) 385-3000 americanveteranproperties.com

Ameris Bank 101 West Hendry Street Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 368-2265 amerisbank.com

AmeriSpec of Coastal Georgia (912) 255-0722 heininspections.com

Andrews Consulting Enterprise, LLC 1391 Shaw Rd Hinesville, GA 31313 (877) 526-2467 andrewsconsultingenterprise.com

Ankle and Foot Associates, LLC

481 E.G. Miles Pkwy, Ste C Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 432-7236 anklesandfeet.com/

Anytime Fitness

435 EG Miles Parkway Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 669-4100 anytimefitness.com/gyms/3476/ hinesville-ga-31313

Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar 1492 E. Oglethorpe Hwy Flemington, GA 31313 (912) 369-4909 applebees.com

Arline & Wiggins, CPAs, LLC 211 E Court St Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 265-1020 arlinewiggins.com

Arnold & Stafford 128 S. Main St. Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 369-4529 coastallawyers.com

Arrowood Environmental Group, Inc. 10 Rose Hill Dr Savannah, GA 31419 (912) 920-2895 arrowoodenv.com

AT&T Georgia

552 West Oglethorpe Hwy Unit 114 Hinesville , GA 31313 (912) 877-3388 att.com

Atlantic Area C.A.S.A. 1113 E. Oglethorpe Hwy. Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 876-3816 atlanticcasa.org

Automated Business Resources 15 Chatham Center, South Drive Savannah, GA 31405 (912) 527-7777 abr1.com

Azalea Outdoor 699 Broad St Suite 1000 Augusta, GA 30901 (706) 823-3740 azaleaoutdoor.com

Bae Locks LLC

4981 W Oglethorpe Hwy Suite 3

Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 560-9292 baelocks.com

Baldinos

456 General Screven Way Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 368-8093 baldinos.us

Barry S. Chapman & Associates LLC 115 Patriot Trail Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 532-6767 barrychapmancounseling.com

BC Visuals, LLC

345 Lindquist Road Fort Stewart, GA 31314 (912) 430-7937 bc-visuals.com

BeSeen Outdoor Advertising 2001 Cook Street Brunswick, GA 31520 (912) 289-2235 beseenoutdoor.com

Best Care Home Health

229 W. General Screven Way Suite A Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 368-5477

Better Living Better Life Consulting (912) 269-1013

Big Dawgs

735B EG Miles Pkwy Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 617-2094 bigdawgshotdogs.com

Biomat USA

108 W Hendry Street Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 255-6150 grifolsplasma.com/en/-/hinesville-ga

Blue Ribbon Inspections (912) 334-9203 bri912.com

Bombshell Society-Mary Kay & Spray Tanning (843) 597-5288 marykay.com/tmiller80013

Bone & Joint Institute of South Georgia 475 South Main Street Suite A Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 427-0800 bjisg.com

Bootleggers Package Store

5782 W. Oglethorpe Hwy, Suite A Walthourville, GA 31333 (912) 332-1809 facebook.com/ bootleggerspackagestore

Boyd’s Insurance Hinesville 324 N Main St, Suite A Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 408-2693

Boys and Girls Club of Liberty County 100 Deen St Hinesville , GA 31313 (912) 977-1945 bgcliberty.org

Bradwell Institute 100 Pafford St. Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 876-6121 bradwellinstitute.org

Brain Twister Escape Rooms 353 W Memorial Dr Unit B Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 388-0158 thebraintwister.com

Brantley Building 135 MLK Jr Drive Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 368-6322

Brigitte Cabeza-Shanken, CIPS,RSPS,AHWD,Realtor, Associate Broker (912) 222-8279 coldwellbanker.com/agents/BRIGITTECABEZA-SHANKEN-31313

BuddyWatch, Inc (912) 884-4440 buddywatchinc.org

Buzzy’s Mini-Mart 8982 EB Cooper Hwy STE A Riceboro, GA 31323 (912) 442-3117 facebook.com/buzzysminimart

C.A. Sittle, Inc. 5462 Elim Church Road Ludowici, GA 31316 (912) 667-3014 landscapehinesville.com

Cakamile, LLC 112 S Commerce Street Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 332-1732 cakamileproducts.com

Canoochee EMC 342 E. Brazell St Reidsville, GA 30453 1-800-342-0134 canoocheeemc.com

Carolyn Smith Carter 212 Pineneedle Ct. Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 368-2356

Carpathia Paws 1534 Airport Rd Hinesville, GA 31313 carpathiapaws.com

Carter Funeral Home, Inc. 308 W. Oglethorpe Hwy Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 368-3780 carteroglethorpe.com

CBD+ Hinesville 445 EG Miles Pkwy Suite 109 Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 332-1232 wearelilufarms.com

Cent Savvy (843) 715-1402

Century 21 Action Realty

123 General Screven Way Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 368-2100 century21-actionrealty.com

Chatham Parkway Subaru 7 Park of Commerce Way Savannah, GA 31405 1-888-301-8570 cpsubaru.com

CHB Interiors (912) 271-6119 chbinteriors.com

Cherokee Rose Country Club

225 Cherokee Trail Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 876-5503 facebook.com/ CherokeeRoseCountryClub1

Chick-Fil-A Hinesville 877 West Oglethorpe Highway Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 877-6631 cfahinesville.com

Christina Dixon-Moton - Mary Kay Independent Representative (404) 398-1477

marykay.com/cdixon-moton

City of Flemington

156 Old Sunbury Road Flemington, GA 31313 (912) 877-3223 cityofflemington.org

City of Hinesville

115 East M. L. King, Jr. Drive Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 876-3564

cityofhinesville.org

City of Midway

41 Charlie Butler Rd Midway, GA 31320 (912) 884-3344 historicmidway.com

City of Riceboro 4614 S. Coastal Highway Riceboro, GA 31323 (912) 884-2986 cityofriceboro.org

City of Walthourville

222 Busbee Rd. Walthourville, GA 31333 (912) 368-7501

cityofwalthourville.com

Clayton Homes of Hinesville 1207 W Oglethorpe Hwy Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 333-9100

claytonhomesofhinesville.com

Clearwave Fiber LLC

1030 US Highway 80 W, Suite 1229 Pooler, GA 31322 (877) 293-2973

clearwavefiber.com

Climate Controlled Storage

229 West General Screven Way STE M4 Hinesville , GA 31313 (912) 876-4999

hinesvillestorage.com

Club Stewart 1020 Hero Rd, Bldg 405 Ft. Stewart, GA 31314 (912) 767-4717

stewarthunter.armymwr.com/programs/ ClubStewart

Coastal Area District Development Authority

501 Gloucester Street Ste. 201 Brunswick, GA 31520 (912) 261-2500

cadda-sba.org

Coastal Cooling LLC

155 Dunlevie Rd Allenhurst , GA 31301 (912) 977-0222

coastalcoolingllc.com

Coastal Courier

125 South Main St. Suite B Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 876-0156 coastalcourier.com

Coastal Drug Company

204 Butler Ave Midway, GA 31320 (912) 884-9255 coastaldrugcompany.com

Coastal Electric Cooperative 1265 South Coastal Highway 17 Midway, GA 31320 (912) 884-3311

coastalelectric.coop

Coastal Endodontics 111 East Mills Avenue Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 463-4405 coastalendo.net

Coastal Fiber 1011 North Way Darien, GA 31305 (912) 437-7001 coastalfiber.com

Coastal Georgia Area Community Action Authority Inc 1 Community Action Drive Suite A Brunswick, GA 31521 (912) 264-3281 coastalgacaa.org

Coastal Georgia Military Affairs Coalition (912) 408-6225 friendsofftstewartandhunter.com

Coastal Plains High SchoolLiberty Campus 212 School House Road Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 877-6766 coastalplainscharter.org

Coastal Solar Power Company 229 West General Screven Way Suite H1-C Hinesville, GA 31313 (884) 765-2793 coastalsolar.com

Coldwell Banker Southern Coast 730 General Stewart Way Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 368-4300 coldwellbankersoutherncoast.com

Columbia College 100 Knowledge Drive, Suite 147 Fort Stewart, GA 31314 (912) 877-3406 ccis.edu

Combat Boots 2 The Boardroom 10140 Ford Ave, Suite 5 GA, Richmond Hill 31324 (404) 465-1735 cb2tb.com

Comcast - Business Services 145 Park of Commerce Drive Savannah, GA 31405 (912) 253-1944

Commerce Street Holdings (912) 271-1313

Connection Church 116 Patriots Trail Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 368-6121 connectionchurch.com

COP Event Center

406A South Main Street Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 669-9552

Country Financial - Tico Brown 740 General Stewart HWY Suite 202 Unit H Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 876-6169 countryfinancial.com/tico.brown

Country Inn and Suites

742 General Stewart Way Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 877-7777 choicehotels.com/georgia/hinesville/ country-inn-suites-hotels/gad51

D & J Construction Services PO Box 1425 Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 368-2133

Dagmar Madden, Realtor 730 General Stewart Way Hinesville, GA 31310 (912) 572-6005 coldwellbanker.com/Coldwell-BankerSouthern-Coast-2571c/DagmarMadden-207211a

Dawson’s General Store

5782 W. Oglethorpe Hwy, Suite B Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 876-8721 americanfenceandfeed.com

Daybreak Industrial Inc

1201 Armon J Kicklighter Rd Glennville, GA 30427 (912) 654-0571

Days Inn

726 E. Oglethorpe Highway Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 368-2275 hotelinhinesville.com

De Dios es el Poder

2387 E Oglethorpe Hwy Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 877-0146 sites.google.com/site/ iglesiadediosdedioseselpoder/

Decor Divas Designs 146 Neta Rd Jesup, GA 31545 (912) 294-9259 facebook.com/ DecorDivasDesigns/?ref=page_internal

Dee’s Electrical 1329 W. Oglethorpe Hwy Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 369-2887

Delectable Fruits & Delectable Scoops

1427A W. Oglethorpe Hwy Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 320-4258 delectablefruits.com

Depot #9 (912) 271-1313

Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center Of GA

510 E. Oglethorpe Hwy Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 369-7546 gaderm.com

Digital Office Equipment

10929 US Hwy 301S, Suite 5 Statesboro, GA 30458 (912) 489-6964 calldoe.com

Direct Auto Insurance

751 W Oglethorpe Hwy Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 255-4235 directauto.com

Disabled American Veterans Chapter #46 1113 E. Oglethorpe Hwy Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 368-2546 davmembersportal.org/chapters/ga/46/ default.aspx

Diversity Health Center

301 Fraser Dr. Unit B Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 877-2227 diversityhc.org

Doodles Billiards

105 West General Screven Way Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 369-2211 facebook.com/doodlesbilliards

Dove Mortgage Inc. 617 Windhaven Drive Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 369-8296 dovemortgageinc.com

Dryden Properties / Enterprises

310 South Main Street Hinesville, GA 31313-3242 (912) 369-7634 dryden-homes.com

DS Smith Riceboro Lumber and Timber 2366-2 Interstate Paper Road Riceboro, GA 31323 (912) 884-3371

Dulce Delicia

908 S Main St Suite 101 Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 332-1948

Eason for Sheriff easonforsheriff.org

Edward Jones, Office of Todd Lacy

111 Ryon Avenue, Suite B Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 369-4850

edwardjones.com/us-en/financialadvisor/todd-lacy

ELAN Technology

169 Elan Court

Midway, GA 31320 (912) 880-3526 elantechnology.com

Ellie’s Flower Shop

117 Ali Avenue

Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 432-7660 elliesflowershop.com

Elliotts Landscape Group 6043 Ogeechee Rd Savannah, GA 31419 (912) 657-7793 elliottslandscapegroup.com

ERA Southeast Coastal Real Estate 139 Ryon Ave Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 876-3538 erasoutheastcoastalrealestate.com

ESA Investigations & Security, LLC (912) 312-9510 esainvestigations.com

ESG Operations, Inc

613 EG Miles Pkwy

Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 876-8216 esginc.net

Evans Cooper Designs, LLC (816) 325-0747 evanscooper3.com

Executive Salon Suites

110 E MLK Jr Dr

Hinesville, GA 31313 (833) 778-4837 executivesalonsuites.biz

EXIT Team Realty

576 W. Oglethorpe Highway Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 408-8000 myexitteam.com

Expedia Cruises Hinesville Georgia

229 W General Screven Way, Suite R-15 Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 434-7670 expediacruises.com/hinesville

ExperCARE Urgent Care

632 A W Oglethorpe Hwy Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 430-4545 expercarehealth.com

Fairfield Inn & Suites

1494 E. Oglethorpe Hwy Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 876-2003

marriott.com/hotels/travel/savhvfairfield-inn-and-suites-hinesville-fortstewart/

Fang’s Island

521 B W Oglethorpe Hwy Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 332-1525 facebook.com/FangsIsland-208857579709307/

Farmer’s Natural Foods

754 E.G. Miles Pkwy Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 368-7803 farmersnaturalfoods.com

Farmhouse Restaurant and Catering 3152 Hwy 301 S. Glennville, GA 30427 (912) 654-1456 thefarmhouse301.com

First Command

110 E. MLK Jr. Drive, Suite 26 Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 391-1049 firstcommand.com

First Preparatory Christian Academy

308 East Court Street Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 876-0441 fpcahinesville.com

Fleming Shortcut Fruit Stand

993 Fleming Loop Road Fleming, GA 31309 (912) 655-6857 facebook.com/ flemingshortcutfruitstand

Flemington Veterinary Hospital 3263 E. Oglethorpe Hwy Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 368-3226 flemingtonvet.com

Florabelle Florist & Gifts 69 Old Sunbury Road Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 332-5345 hinesvillageflorist.com

Fort Stewart Family Homes 50 Austin Road Building LW50 Fort Stewart, GA 31315 (912) 408-2480 fortstewartfamilyhomes.com

Fox Hollow Realty

386 Fox Hollow Circle Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 272-2191 foxhollowrealty.co

Fraser Center

203 Mary Lou Drive Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 369-7777 frasercenter.com

Genesis Cleaner LLC (617) 990-7158 genesiscleaner.com

Georgia Department of Labor

140 East MLK Jr. Drive Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 370-2595 dol.state.ga.us

Georgia Eye Institute of the Southeast, LLC

741 Weeping Willow Dr. Ste A Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 368-2522 gaeyeinstitute.com

Georgia Hospice Care

141 South Macon Street Jesup, GA 31545 (912) 427-3202 georgiahospicecare.com

Georgia Power Company 923 W. Oglethorpe Hwy Hinesville, GA 31313 (888) 660-5890 georgiapower.com

Georgia Southern University 175 W. Memorial Drive Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 877-1906 georgiasouthern.edu

GeoVista Federal Credit Union

601 W. Oglethorpe Hwy Hinesville, GA 31310 (912) 368-2477 geovistacu.com

Gibson Home Store 1122 West Oglethorpe Highway Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 876-6250 gibsonshomestore.com

Gift of Love is Here Corporation (912) 320-3403 giftofloveisherecorporation

Girls Beauty Boutique

680 Bristol Way Richmond Hill, GA 31324 (787) 649-3898 girlsbeautyboutique.company.site

Global Business Development Strategist, LLC

425 W Oglethorpe Hwy Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 980-2414 globalbizstrategist.com

Global Ventures M2820, Inc. PO Box 92 Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 580-9535 globalventuresm2820.org

Gold & Silver Pawn 501-H General Screven Way Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 876-6580 goldandsilverpawnhinesville.com

Golden & Associates CPA’s, LLC 220 Fraser Drive Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 369-7575 goldencpa.com

Goodwill Southeast Georgia

115 W. Hendry Street, Suite 18A Liberty Square Shopping Center Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 876-7473 goodwillsega.org

Graddy & Associates

Financial Group 101 A N. Main Street Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 876-2130

Great Oaks Bank

42 Town Centre Drive Richmond Hill, GA 31324 (912) 445-6868 greatoaks.bank

Great Southern Exterminating 2900 Leroy Coffer Hwy Midway, GA 31320 (912) 876-5010

great-southern-exterminating.com

Green Lotus Dreams

734 Elma G Miles Pkwy Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 332-5791 greenlotusdreams.com

H&R Block

229 West General Screven Way Suite B-C Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 876-3415 hrblock.com

Hampton Island Club, LLC 1300 Retreat Road Riceboro, GA 31323 (912) 880-8800 hamptonisland.com

Harris Ace Hardware 1012 W. Oglethorpe Highway Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 876-2147 facebook.com/harrishardware

Hinesville Area Arts Council 102 Commerce Street Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 368-4445 hinesvillearts.com

Hinesville Area Board of Realtors 111C Ryon Ave Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 368-4227 hinesvillerealtors.com

Hinesville Day Spa & Salon 951 E.G. Miles Parkway Suite B

Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 876-2206 hinesvilledayspa.com

Hinesville Downtown Development Authority

115 East M. L. King, Jr. Drive Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 877-4332 hinesvilledowntown.com

Hinesville Housing Authority 100 Regency Place Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 368-3466 hinesvillehousingauthority.org

Hinesville Lodge #271 F&AM 933B EG Miles Parkway Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 321-9381 hinesvillelodge271.org

Hinesville Military Homes 776 Elma G Miles Pkwy Suite B Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 867-9000 hinesvillemilitaryhomes.com

Hinesville Pharmacy 481 EG Miles Parkway Suite A

Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 876-8125 coastalpharmacyinc.com/hsp

Hinesville Rotary hinesvillerotary.org

Hog N Bones Hinesville 762 Veterans Parkway

Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 463-4793 hognbones.com

Holtzman Elite Properties, LLC

1146 EG Miles Pkway Suite 104

Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 876-8886 fortstewart.com

Holtzman Insurance Agency

1146 E.G. Miles Pkwy, Suite 102 Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 368-2600 holtzmaninsurance.com

Holtzman Real Estate Services

1146 E.G. Miles Pkwy, Suite 104 Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 876-8886 holtzmanrealestate.com

Home Instead

319 W General Screven Way Suite B

Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 332-1554 homeinstead.com/location/860

Home2Suites by Hilton 233 San Patel Drive Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 391-1220 hilton.com/en/hotels/savhiht-home2suites-hinesville

Horizon Staffing, Inc. 7722 Waters Avenue Savannah, GA 31406 (912) 355-5966 horizonstaffing.com

Hospice of South Georgia, Inc. 1625 Sunset Boulevard Jesup, GA 31545 (912) 588-0080 hospicesoga.org

Hospice Savannah, Inc 1352 Eisenhower Drive Savannah, GA 31406 (912) 355-2289 hospicesavannah.org

Huey Magoo’s DBA KRM Chicken 567 Oglethorpe Hwy Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 221-1233 hueymagoos.com

Hugo Boss 270 Elan Court Midway, GA 31320 (912) 880-5200 hugoboss.com

Independent Telecommunications Pioneer Association & Telephone Museum

438 W. Oglethorpe Hwy. Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 408-4872 nationalitpa.com

Interstate Credit Union 11199 East Oglethorpe Highway Midway, GA 31320 (912) 884-2754 interstatecu.org

J M Allen Construction, INC./ J M Allen Homes 131 N Macon St NE Ludowici , GA 31316 (912) 499-0126 JMAllenHomes.com

JC Lewis Ford Hinesville 309 W Oglethorpe Highway Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 876-3673 jclewishinesville.com

Jeanne Evans, Realtor, Coldwell Banker Southern Coast 730 E General Stewart Way Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 977-4230 facebook.com/profile. php?id=100057512827175

JG Powerhouse Gym 319 W General Screven Way Suite D Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 463-4879 jgpowergym.com

Jody Smiley Landscaping LLC (912) 977-3434

Jones Medical Equipment 522 E.G. Miles Parkway Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 877-3202 facebook.com/ jonesmedicalequipmenthinesvillega

Jones, Osteen, Jones 206 E. Court St Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 876-0111 jojlaw.com

Josh Wheeler, The Low Country Group 912.271.1313 joshwheeler.kw.com

J’s Sweet Creations (478) 230-7242 jsweetcreations.com

K&M Xtreme Clean (912) 980-6605 facebook.com/xtremeclean912

KaRi Villafane, Realtor 110 MLK Jr. Drive Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 335-4544

Kathy Villafane - REALTOR 445 EG Miles Parkway Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 247-7967 kathyvillafane.com

Ked Barber And Beauty Salon 420 W General Screven Way Hinesville, GA 31313 (719) 434-0242 kedbbsalon.simplybook.me/v2/

Keep Liberty County Beautiful 9397 E. Oglethorpe Hwy Midway, GA 31320 (912) 880-4888 keeplibertybeautiful.org

Keller Williams/ Level 10 Real Estate Group 1107 Gandy Dancer Richmond Hill, GA 31324 (912) 675-0660 zillow.com/profile/Karynsellsit/

Kiwanis Club of Liberty County (912) 271-0508

Kona Ice of Savannah (912) 346-3572 facebook.com/konaicesavannah

La Maison Du Caniche Inc. 988 Pineland Avenue Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 876-5165 lamaisonducaniche.com

LaQuinta Inn & Suites 1740 E. Oglethorpe Hwy Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 369-3000 LQ.com

LaTicia Logan, Epique Realty 7025 Hodgson Memorial Drive Suite A Savannah, GA 31406 (912) 323-0772 laticia.tuckerrea.com

Latin Dreams

230 W General Screven Way Ste 100 Hinesville, GA 31313

Leigh Smiley REALTOR 730 E. General Stewart Way Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 977-3401 coldwellbankerholtzman.com

Lesley Francis PR 11258 Ford Ave Suite 2

Richmond Hill , GA 31324 (912) 417-5377 lesleyfrancispr.com

Liberty Chrysler Dodge Jeep, Inc. 750 West Oglethorpe Hwy Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 876-5129 libertychryslerdodgejeep.com

Liberty Co. Board of Commissioners 100 Main Street Suite 1320

Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 876-2164 libertycountyga.com/325/Board-ofCommissioners

Liberty Co. Board of Education 200 Bradwell Street Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 876-2161 liberty.k12.ga.us/

Liberty Co. Clinic of Chiropractic 211 East Memorial Drive Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 368-4002 libertyccc.com

Liberty Co. Community Housing Development

100 Regency Place Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 368-3466 hinesvillehousingauthority.org

Liberty Co. Convention & Visitors Bureau

208 E. Court Street Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 368-3580 libertycounty.org

Liberty Co. Development Authority 425 West Oglethorpe Highway Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 368-3356 comegrow.global

Liberty Co. DFCS

112 West Oglethorpe HWY

Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 370-2555

dfcs.dhs.georgia.gov/liberty-countydfcs-office

Liberty Co. Extension Office

100 Main St Suite 1200

Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 876-2133 extension.uga.edu/county-offices/ liberty.html

Liberty Co. Farm Bureau 562 E.G. Miles Parkway Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 368-3370 gfb.org/contactus/default.asp

Liberty Co. Health Department 1113 E. Oglethorpe Hwy Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 876-2173

gachd.org/counties/liberty_county

Liberty Co. Public Safety 100 Liberty Street Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 368-2201

Liberty Co. Recreation Department 607 E. Oglethorpe Hwy Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 876-5359

lcrd.net

Liberty College & Career Academy 245 Dorsey Road Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 876-4904

schools.liberty.k12.ga.us/lcca/

Liberty Consolidated Planning Commission

100 Main Street, Suite 7520 Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 408-2030 thelcpc.org

Liberty County Animal Control 1731 Lee Place Road NE Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 876-9191

libertycountyga.com/182/AnimalServices

Liberty County Board of Assessors 100 Main Street Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 876-3568 libertycountyga.com

Liberty County Coroner’s Office 100 South Main Street, Suite 3700 Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 408-2101

libertycountyga.com

Liberty County Historical Society 100 South Commerce St Hinesville, GA 31313 libertyhistory.net

Liberty County Sheriff’s Office 201 S. Main Street, Suite 1300 Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 876-2131 libertyso.com

Liberty County Solid Waste Authority 625 Rogers Pasture Road Fleming, GA 31309 (912) 884-5353

libertycountysolidwaste.com/recyclingconvenience/recycling-conveniencecenters/

Liberty Line-X and Accessories

305 W Oglethorpe Hwy Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 391-1440 libertylinex.com

Liberty Neighbors Magazine

2048 Castleoak DR Richmond Hill, GA 31324 (352) 949-8393 facebook.com/profile.php?id=1000951 64107931%26mibextid=LQQJ4d

Liberty Regional Medical Center

462 E.G Miles Parkway Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 369-9400 libertyregional.org

Liberty Shipping Solutions

103 W General Screven Way Suite G Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 332-7912 libertyshippingsolutions.com

Liberty Tire & Brake/Tire Pros

837 EG Miles Pkwy. Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 876-4111 libertytireandbrake.com

Liberty Veterinary Medical Center 1094 E. Oglethorpe Hwy Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 876-3357 libertyveterinary.com

Live Oak Church of God

296 Live Oak Church Rd. Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 876-8769 liveoakchurch.org

Live Oak Public Libraries 236 W. Memorial Drive Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 368-4003 liveoakpl.org

Live Oak Public LibrariesMidway Branch 9397 E Oglethorpe Hwy Midway, GA 31320 (912) 456-9261 liveoakpl.org/locations/midway

Longhorn Steakhouse 825 W. Oglethorpe Hwy Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 877-7181 longhornsteakhouse.com

Love-It-Productions, Inc.

109 Flat Shoal Ln. Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 368-7550 facebook.com/LoveIt-Productionscom143914389512/?fref=ts

Low Country Eyecare

465 E.G. Miles Parkway Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 877-2422 lowcountryeye.com

Low Country Turf & Ornamental LLC (912) 463-3396 lowcountryto.com

Lowes Home Improvement 735 West Oglethorpe Hwy Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 408-1001 lowes.com

M & M Motors

29 McIntosh Lake Rd Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 368-7433 mandmmotorshinesville.com

M.E. Sack Engineering, FDBA P.C. Simonton & Associates 515 N Main Street Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 368-5212 mesack.com

Mach 1 Body Shop INC

701 Courtland Drive Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 876-5500 mach1bodyshop.com

Madison Byler Artistry

600 Taylor Rd Apt 94 Hinesville, GA 31313 (706) 581-6429

Magnolia Manor on the Coast 141 Timber Trail

Richmond Hill, GA 31324 (912) 756-4300 magnoliamanor.com

MainStreet Family Care 1028 W Oglethorpe Hwy Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 255-4057 mainstreetfamilycare.com

Margie’s Southern Cooking 1 & 2 1696 Shaw Road Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 463-4864 facebook.com/Margie-s-SouthernCooking-105893783085581/?fref=ts

Marne Community & Spouses’ Club (254) 462-6051 marnecommunityandspousesclub.com

Marsh Manor Retreats & Events

512 Bagley Fussell Road Midway, GA 31320 (571) 330-1064

Martin Insurance Agency, Inc.

206 North Main Street Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 876-5115 martininsuranceagencyga.com

Martin Mercantile 102 N Commerce Street Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 318-7129 facebook.com/martinmercantilehinesville

Maui Wowi Hawaiian Coffees & Smoothies

100 Knowledge Dr. Fort Stewart, GA 31314 (912) 572-8136 mauiwowi.com/southernparadise

McDonald’s Restaurant

321 Fraser Drive

Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 876-9301 mcdonalds.com

McManamy Jackson Hollis, LLC

401 N Main St Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 691-0943 mjhfirm.com

Medbank Foundation, Inc

301 Olive Street

Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 877-2627 medbank.org

Melody’s Coastal Cafe

34 N Coastal Hwy Midway, GA 31320 (912) 884-4113

MidCoast Regional Airport

1116 E Lowe Circle Fort Stewart, GA 31313 (912) 877-4359 mcra.us

Midway Museum

491 North Coastal Highway Midway, GA 31320 (912) 884-5837 themidwaymuseum.org

Mike Reed Chevrolet 1559 East Oglethorpe Hwy. Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 876-2121 mikereedchevy.com

Miller Cleaning Service, LLC 2487 Hwy 17 Richmond Hill, GA 31324 (912) 459-0381 millercleaning.net

Modwash

754 Veterans Pkwy Hinesville, GA 31313 modwash.com

Molly Maxine Enterprises

122 South Main Street Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 369-0160 facebook.com/profile. php?id=100004247687517&fref=ts

Mr. Frank’s Table 192 Butler Ave Midway, GA 31320 (912) 704-2302

Mr. Y Fun Time (912) 294-6710 mryfuntime.com

Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church 1370 Shaw Rd Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 876-6464 facebook.com/MZHinesville

MTCO Remodeling and Renovations (912) 333-0608

Muse Collision Inc. 14 Brights Lake Road Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 408-7246 musecollision.com

National University (912) 601-7103 nu.edu

Navy Federal Credit Union 730 S. Main St. Hinesville, GA 31313 (888) 842-6328 navyfederal.org

New Directions Employment Services

2 E Bryan Street Savannah, GA 31401 (678) 590-8188

Ng Photography

105 E General Stewart Way Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 351-5961 facebook.com/JoannaNgPhotography

NISE Entertainment (912) 255-9650 playnise.com

Norman Realty & Management 139 Ryon Avenue Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 368-3433 rentfortstewart-hinesville.com

Nu Rho Omega Chapter AKA (912) 369-3407 nurhoomega.org

Oh Sew Kristy 220 W Washington Ave Hinesville, GA 31313 (315) 399-7733 ohsewkristy.com

Old Savannah House B & B 318 Old Savannah Rd Hinesville, GA 31313 (919) 909-0777

Olmstead Apartments 905 Olmstead Dr Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 368-6322

Omni Financial

230 W General Screven Way Unit 110 Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 335-5320 omnimilitaryloans.com/location/ hinesville-ga/

One Stop Package 760 E. Oglethorpe Hwy Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 368-8066 facebook.com/ OneStopPackageHinesville

Optim Medical Center

790 Veterans Pkwy, Suite 111 Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 877-4400 optimhealthsystem.com/location/ hinesville

Oshea’s Caribbean/ International Grocery 730 Weeping Willow Drive, Suite 106 Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 980-3837

Osteen Law Group 101 Fraser St. Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 877-2211 osteenlaw.com

P.C. Simonton Engineering, LLC 1050 Parkside Commons Suite 101 Greensboro, GA 30642 (706) 454-0870 simontonengineering.com

Pam Lovett, REALTOR®

401 South Main Street

Hinesville, GA 31313

(912)977-4626 pamlovett.com

Panera Bread

1190 E. Oglethorpe Hwy

Hinesville, GA 31313

(912)448-0061 panerabread.com

Parkwood Podiatry Associates

600 E. Oglethorpe Hwy

Hinesville, GA 31313 (912)368-3036 parkwoodpodiatryassociates.com

Pastor Richard D. Hayes

77 Kent Road Walthourville, GA 31313 (912)388-1474 ndcchinesville.org

Pedrick & Company, LLC

103 Central Avenue Hinesville, GA 31313 (912)876-4697 pedrickcpa.com

Peds Now!

863 W Oglethorpe Hwy St 220

Hinesville, GA 31313

(912)391-1044 pedsnow.com

Phillips Pediatrics, PC

455 S. Main Street Suite 103

Hinesville, GA 31313 (912)876-6868 phillipspeds.com

Pit Stop

1011 Airport Rd

Hinesville, GA 31313

(912)876-6003

Play Datez CDC

122 W Court Street

Hinesville, GA 31313 (912)376-9448 playdatez.com

Pleasant Grove AME Church

1450 W Oglethorpe Hwy

Hinesville, GA 31313

(912)368-3266

pleasantgroveame.org

Positive Change Fitness, LLC

(912)373-6689

facebook.com/ zjlenesha?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Pretty in Pink Beauty Bar

951 EG Miles Pkway Suite C

Hinesville, GA 31313

(912)391-7200

vagaro.com/prettyinpinkbeautybar23/ services

Pro Feet

111 West Hendry Street

Hinesville, GA 31313

(912)368-2662

facebook.com/theprofeet/

PruittHealth Hospice and Palliative Care

(800)222-0321

pruitthealth.com

Puppy Trail Training

(321)313-3338 puppytrailtraining.com

Puzzling Patterns

740 East General Stewart Way Suite 202 Hinesville, GA 31313 (404)697-3608 puzzlingpatterns.com

Quality Inn Hinesville - Fort Stewart 1024 E Oglethorpe Hwy Hinesville, GA 31313 (912)332-7461

choicehotels.com/georgia/hinesville/ quality-inn-hotels/gaa24

Queensborough National Bank and Trust

110 W General Screven Way Hinesville, GA 31313

(912)977-1102 qnbtrust.bank

Radiant Minds ABA

481 Elma G Miles Parkway Suite B

Hinesville, GA 31313 (912)532-9774

radiantmindsaba.com

Ratcliffe & Smith, P.C.

103 N. Main St. Hinesville, GA 31313 (912)369-8000

Real Estate Resource Center of South Georgia 110 E MLK Jr Drive Suite 2D Hinesville, GA 31313 (912)335-4544 realestateresourcecenter.org

Red Roof Inn & Suites 70 Wallace Martin Drive Hinesville, GA 31313 (912)877-3000

Renaissance Park Senior Village 205 East Memorial Drive Hinesville, GA 31313 (912)448-0067 fairwaymanagement.com

Representative Al Williams

511-A Coverdell Legislative Office Build Atlanta, GA 30334 (912)368-4983 house.ga.gov/Representatives/ en-US/member. aspx?Member=230&Session=23

Ricter Taxes Etc., Inc. 2267 Shaw Road Hinesville, GA 31313 (912)877-6744

Rodeo Mexican Restaurant 304 W. Oglethorpe Hwy. Hinesville, GA 31313 (912)877-2040 rodeomexican.com

Rogers Tree Service 322 Pate Rogers Road Fleming, GA 31309 (912)884-2112

facebook.com/Rogers-Tree-Service142988439176990/?fref=ts

Ross Mortgage, Jamarcus Moradel 407 Woodland Dr Hinesville, GA 31313 (843)338-0808

Royalty Care Mobile Nursing Services (912)633-8277 royaltycaremobilenursingservices.com

RTS Homes

116 S. Main St Hinesville, GA 31313 (912)876-3363 rts-homes.com

Ryan Feller, Realtor 730 General Stewart Way Hinesville, Georgia 31313 (912)321-7788 RyanFellerRealtor.com

Sammy’s Pressure Washing and Fence Staining (912)255-9650 sammyspw.com

Samone Norsworthy Fine Art (912)977-1632 samonenorsworthy.com

Sandy Duggan, Realtor 1146 EG Miles Pkwy Suite 104 Hinesville, GA 31313 (912)980-5103 sandyduggan.realtor

Sanitary Plumbing 1574 E. Oglethorpe Hwy Hinesville, GA 31313 (912)876-3457

Sass & Grace Boutique & Hair Salon 229 General Screven Way Suite N-2 Hinesville, GA 31313 (912)877-0741 sassandgrace912.com

Savannah Radio 9100 White Bluff Road Suite 601 Savannah, GA 31406 (912)856-3592 1047thehawk.com

Savannah Sand Company 828 Rogers Pasture Rd. Fleming, GA 31309 (912)884-3702 jahna.com

Savannah Scottish Games 9520 Ferguson Ave Savannah, GA 31406 (912)656-0457 savannahscottishgames.com

Savannah Technical College 100 Technology Drive Hinesville, GA 31313 (912)408-3024 savannahtech.edu

Save Our Next Generation, Inc. (912)271-9858 songofliberty.org

Scorpion Asphalt and Concrete, LLC

5578 D Export Blvd Garden City, GA 31408 (912)988-3164

facebook.com/p/Scorpion-Asphaltand-Concrete-100086211286164/

Scott Wells Plumbing 281 John Wells Road Hinesville, GA 31313 (912)369-2067

Seohan Auto Georgia Corporation 122 Dunwoody Court Midway, GA 31320 (854)855-2325 seohanautoga.com

Shake Shop Creamery

552 W Oglethorpe HwySuite 102 Hinesville, GA 31313 (912)332-7147 facebook.com/hersheyshakeshop

Sherwin-Williams Company 1030 W. Oglethorpe Hwy Hinesville, GA 31313 (912)877-3367 sherwinwilliams.com

Sho’ Nuff Smokin Good Barbecue 4827 W 15th Street Hinesville, GA 31313 (912)369-4663 facebook.com/ ShoNuffSmokinGoodBbq

Signs by Kelli Johns (912)977-5362 signs-by-kelli-johns.business.site

Skylark - Sexual Health and Care Clinic

212 S. First Street, Suite 6 Jesup, GA 31545 (912)588-0010 helloskylark.com

Skyler Bone, Coldwell Banker

Southern Coast 730 General Stewart Way Hinesville, GA 31313 (912)387-3076 facebook.com/Skylerwingaterealtor

Slack Tide Tiki Charters L.L.C. Sunbury PO Box 857 Midway, GA 31320 (912)910-9955 slacktidetiki.com

Slang ‘N Platez ATL LLC 1310 Shaw Road Hinesville, GA 31313 (912)669-3505

Smile Doctors

111 W General Screven Way Hinesville, GA 31313 1-888-336-3374

smiledoctors.com/douglasga/smiledoctors-welcome

Smokin’ Pig The BBQ Joint 13711 E Oglethorpe Hwy Midway, GA 31320 (912)884-4495 smokinpigbbqjoint.com

South Georgia Bank

737 South Main St. Hinesville, GA 31313 (912)408-1051 southgabank.com

Southeast Auto Service, LLC

104-B Carter Street Hinesville, GA 31313

(912)876-4280

southeastautoservice.com

Southeastern Bank 2004 US Hwy 17 Richmond Hill, GA 31324 (912)459-2323 southeasternbank.com

Southern Coast Properties

730 General Stewart Way Hinesville, GA 31313 (912)368-6322

southerncoastpm.com

Southern Comfort Heating & Air Co. 1822 GA Hwy 196 W Hinesville, GA 31313 (912)368-4822

southerncomfortga.com

Sparrow Communications, LLC (912)376-9342

mysparrowcommunications.com

Spinnaker Pediatric Dentistry of Hinesville 624 W Oglethorpe Hwy Hinesville, GA 31313 (912)877-0193

spinnakerpediatricdentistryhinesville.com

Sprinter Fuels

(912)628-0588 sprinterfuels.com

St. Joseph’s/ Candler Immediate Care Center

780 E. Oglethorpe Highway Hinesville, GA 31313 (912)385-0801

sjcurgentcare.com

StarLine Home & Commercial Inspections, LLC (912)332-5552

inspectwithstarline.com

State Farm - Joseph Grant

101 E. Oglethorpe Hwy Hinesville, GA 31313 (912)368-0073

statefarm.com/agent/US/GA/Hinesville/ Joseph-Grant-0J44Y6HSYAL

State Farm - Melissa Carter Ray Agency 119 Ryon Avenue

Hinesville, GA 31313

(912)368-6729

hinesvilleinsurance.com

State Farm InsuranceAdam Herndon

790 Veterans Parkway, Ste 105 Hinesville, GA 31313 (912)876-2159

adamherndon.com

Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Aspire Health Partners

345 W Memorial Drive Hinesville, GA 31313 (912)456-2010

cohenveteransnetwork.org/clinics

Stewart Realty

323 W. General Screven Way Hinesville, GA 31313 (912)368-3700 fortstewartrealty.com

Still Waters Counseling Services 103 Ryon Ave, Suite D Hinesville, GA 31313 (912)877-0158

Stop N Stor

746 EG Miles Pkwy Hinesville, GA 31313 (912)368-9196

Storage Sense - Hinesville 1146 EG Miles Pkway, Suite 101 Hinesville, GA 31313 (912)408-7878 storagesense.com

Strategic Biz Solutions Unlimited, Inc.

425 W.Oglethorpe Highway Hinesville, GA 31313 (912)368-3471 thestrategicbiz.com

Suburban Studios

706 E Oglethorpe Hwy Hinesville, GA 31313 (912)876-4466

choicehotels.com/georgia/hinesville/ suburban-hotels/ga469?mc=llgoxxpx

Sugar Foot’s Sweets and Treats (912)269-3971 facebook.com/sugarfootssweets

Sunbury Crab Co.

541 Brigantine Dunmore Road Midway, GA 31320 (912)884-8640 sunburycrabco.com

T.R. Long Engineering, P.C. 114 North Commerce St. Hinesville, GA 31313 (912)368-5664 trlongeng.com

Tammie Blasingame, Realtor (912)215-9249 facebook.com/realtor. tammieblasingame

Target DC - T3808 1247 Sunbury Rd. Midway, GA 31320 target.com

Taylors Creek Construction Company, LLC

8101 Elim Church Road NE, #29 Hinesville, GA 31313 (912)368-5015

Tazza Kabob Grillhouse

466 W General Screven Way Hinesville, GA 31313 (912)877-3883

tazza-kabob-grillhouse.business. site/?utm_source=gmb&utm_ medium=referral

The Deputy Sheldon G. Whiteman Inclusive Academy

938 Elma G Miles Pkwy Hinesville, GA 31313 (912)492-6334

The Diamond Life Home

4282 W Oglethorpe Hwy Allenhurst, GA 31301 diamondlifehome.com

The Embassy Church

5493 N Coastal Hwy Fleming, GA 31309 (912)391-1300 theembassylife.org

The Felton Group 118 S Commerce St Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 332-7000 thefeltongroup.net

The First Bank 300 South Main Street Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 368-3332 thefirstbank.com

The Gyro Shop 545 W. Oglethorpe Hwy Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 987-3787 facebook.com/TheGyroShop

The Heritage Group 313 N Main Street Suite B Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 669-3214

The Parrot & Frog 110 S Commerce Street Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 492-2500 facebook.com/theparrotandfrog

The Robin’s Nest 102 Commerce St Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 977-6057 therobinsnestshop.com

The Shanken Team at Coldwell Banker Southern Coast 730 E. General Stewart Way Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 977-4733 fortstewarthomefinder.com

The Shell House Restaurant 8 Gateway Blvd West Savannah, GA 31409 (912) 927-3280 shellhouseseafoodsavannah.com

The Yellow Bee

802 E G Miles Parkway Hinesville, GA 31313 facebook.com/theyellowbee6

Thomas Hill Jewelers

110 E Martin Luther King Jr Dr Suite 1A

Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 876-6036 thomashilljewelers.com

Tidal Wave Auto Spa 897 W Oglethorpe Hwy Hinesville, GA 31313 tidalwaveautospa.com

Tresa Parker, REALTOR® 853 EG Miles Pkwy, Suite A Hinesville, GA 31313 (254) 220-9076 tresarparker.realtor

Tri-County Protective Shelter (912) 368-9200 Hotline tri-countyprotectiveagency.net

Triple Seven Photography (409) 782-2183 tripleseven.mypixieset.com

Troy University 2743 Perimeter Pkwy Bldg 200, Suite 201 Augusta, GA 30909 (706) 231-2263 troy.edu

True South Rentals LLC

502 E General Stewart Way, Suite B Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 406-2552 truesouthrentals.com

UBOUNCE (912) 622-3832 ubounce.biz

Under the Chandelier Venue & Rentals LLC

1205 S US HWY 301 Jesup, GA 31546 (912) 559-6923 utcrental.com

United Community Bank 2225 E Victory Dr Savannah , GA 31404 (912) 303-9667 ucbi.com/locations/savannahvictory-dr/

United Service Organization Fort Stewart - HAAF 1639 Gullick Avenue

Building 703 Fort Stewart, GA 31315 (912) 332-5488 facebook.com/USOFortStewart/

United Way of Coastal EmpireLiberty County 301 Olive Street Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 368-4282 facebook.com/ UWCELIBERTYCOUNTY/

Unlimited Taxes & More, Inc. 119 East General Screven Way Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 369-9592 unlimitedtaxes.com

Uplift Women’s Health Club

740 E General Stewart Way Suite 212 Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 320-0805

V Films LLC villanuevaanthony.com

Vaden Nissan of Hinesville 1009 E Oglethorpe Hwy. Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 368-1680 vadennissanofhinesville.com

Veranique Collections (757) 775-2637 veraniquecollections.com

Veterans of Foreign Wars

931 Hwy 196 W Hinesville, GA 31313 (912) 876-6602 facebook.com/pages/VFWPOST-6602/245665115500989

Veterans Realty

794 Oak Hampton Rd Fleming, GA 31309 (912) 321-7788 ryanfellerrealtor.com

Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc., Chapter 789 Hinesville, Ga (912)876-7039 vva-chapter-789-liberty-county-ga.org/

VIP Office Furniture & Supply

109 Central Avenue

Hinesville, GA 31313 (912)876-3000 vipoffice.com

VIP Promotional Products

126 E MLK Jr. Drive

Hinesville, GA 31313 (912)492-2500 vippromoproducts.com

Vogue Hair Studio 103 Gause Street Hinesville, GA 31313 (912)368-6483

Walmart Neighborhood Market #4519

801-A East General Stewart Way Hinesville, GA 31313 (912)255-6010

Walthourville Meat Market 5715 W Oglethorpe Hwy Hinesville, GA 31313 (912)369-4933 facebook.com/meatmarket57

Wedgewood/Aspen Court Apartments 939 South Main Street Hinesville, GA 31313 (912)368-2244 wedgewood-aspencourt.com

Weichert RealtorsReal Estate Professionals 201 E. General Stewart Way Hinesville, GA 31313 (912)332-5194 usrealtypro.com

Williams Palm Tree Service LLC (231)329-0072 williamspalmtreeservice.com

Wise Tax Services

908 S Main St. Suite 104 AND 1 Sherwood Way Hinesville, GA 31313 (912)321-3568

wisetaxservices.com

Wonder Worthy Productions (912)977-1632

wonderworthyproductions.com

World of Beer worldofbeer.com/locations/hinesville/

Wrap-It Signs

155 Dunlevie Road Allenhurst, GA 31301 (912)876-9727 wrapitsigns.com

Wreaths for Warriors Walk

222 Magnolia Lane Hinesville, GA 31313 (912)977-0213 facebook.com/wreaths4warriorswalk

Yates-Astro Termite & Pest Control

610 East Oglethorpe Hwy Hinesville, GA 31313 (912)876-5088

YMCA of Coastal GA

201 Mary Lou Drive Hinesville, GA 31313 (912)368-9622

You’re Not Your Past (843)465-0404

Zum Rosenhof

103B Midway St Hinesville, GA 31313 (912)876-2191 zumrosenhof.com

LIBERTY COUNTY HISTORY IN PHOTOGRAPHS

Our community holds tons of history, and it has shaped us into who we are today. The progress we have made over the last 200 years will blow your mind! Browse these photos to travel through time with us & see what the beautiful place we call home looked like way back when Visit The Right Blend Blog to see a side by side comparison & learn more about each spot

SUNBURY CEMETERY

FORT MORRIS STATE HISTORIC SITE

DORCHESTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

MIDWAY CHURCH

FORT STEWART MAIN ENTRANCE SIGN

THE SHORE OF ST. CATHERINES ISLAND

PORT IN SUNBURY

COMMERCE STREET IN DOWNTOWN HINESVILLE

THE HISTORIC BACON FRASER HOUSE

DID YOU KNOW

DID YOU KNOW – At Liberty Regional Medical Center your health is our priority. Liberty Regional Medical Center provides exceptional service with a healthy dose of personal care. At Liberty Regional Medical Center, we are here to provide the care you need because, We Care.

DID YOU KNOW…that since 1961, it has been the mission of Liberty Regional Medical Center to provide exceptional care? With highly qualified physicians and caring staff, Liberty Regional Medical Center offers our community personalized care for you and your family because at Liberty Regional Medical Center, We Care.

DID YOU KNOW…that Liberty Regional Medical Center has qualified surgeons to take care of your surgical needs as well as highly trained staff who care for you like family? Our surgical team can help you improve and maintain your health to continue your healthy life style because at Liberty Regional Medical Center, We Care.

DID YOU KNOW…that Liberty Regional Medical Center provides the necessary pharmaceutical services to our patients while in the hospital? For our community, our Retail Pharmacy is located conveniently inside the main entrance of our hospital. We fill not only prescriptions needed at discharge but also your routine medications and refills. Call our retail pharmacy at 912-369-9478 to transfer your prescriptions today because at Liberty Regional Medical Center, We Care.

DID YOU KNOW…Liberty Regional Medical Center provides families with comprehensive care from pregnancy planning to postpartum? Our team tailors prenatal care to you and your family’s needs. Our Mom’s Heart Matters postpartum support program is designed to guide and support you during your postpartum journey. Call 912-877-2228 for an appointment because at Liberty Regional Medical Center, We Care.

DID YOU KNOW…that we can provide your imaging needs right here at Liberty Regional Medical Center? Services include XRAY, 3D Mammography, MRI, CT, Echocardiograms and Nuclear Studies. For more information about these services call 912-369-9432 because at Liberty Regional Medical Center, We Care.