25 minute read
Vetting the Experts
ANDREW DATERS, MS, DVM, ACVIM
Coastal Veterinary Oncology
335 Stephenson Ave. 912.355.5791 cvo.vet
Education: MS, DVM, Louisiana State University
Specialty Certification: Oncology, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine
In Oncology … there certainly are tough days, but there are more days when I give good news. We are an optimistic team who believes in health, healing and hope.
This is … Nessie the pug. Nessie is undergoing chemotherapy for a mast-cell tumor – a type of skin cancer in dogs – and treatments keep her feeling great, not sick. We spoil Nessie rotten with attention and treats, so she loves her visit with us.
One recent innovation in the treatment of cancer in dogs and cats is …
electrochemotherapy. During this procedure, chemotherapy is injected into a tumor or along an incision line after surgery. An electrical current is then applied to the area using a special probe. The electrical current opens pores in the cancer cells, allowing the chemotherapy to travel inside to kill the cell. The treatment is minimally invasive with little to no side effects. We’ve seen promising results, and we are excited to be able to offer it here in Savannah.
I wish more of my patients’ owners
would … not trust everything they read on the internet.
If I were an animal, I would be … LSU’s Mike the Tiger – it’s a great season to be Mike!
I became interested in veterinary
medicine … at an early age, spending Saturday mornings watching Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom and The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau.
PAUL M. SHEALY DVM, MS, DACVS
Coastal Empire Veterinary Surgery
335 Stephenson Ave. 912.354.6681 vss1@vss.org
Education: BS, Clemson University; MS and DVM, Louisiana State University; MS, Auburn University
Specialty Certification: American College of Veterinary Surgeons
I have never … considered my life’s work as a job.
You owe it to your pet to … make your own decisions for the best care available.
Innovations in veterinary medicine …
and the availability of specialists has greatly improved animal care.
I love practicing in Savannah because …
pets are family here.
New technology planned for our practice
in 2020 includes … 3D technology, which is especially useful for reconstruction of CT imaging for better diagnostic capabilities and surgical planning.
You’d never guess that I … attend blue grass music camps around the country for expert banjo instruction.
I give back to the community by …
assisting animal care groups and pet owners with costs for care when appropriate.
BRIAN MULVEY, DVM
Savannah Veterinary Medical Center
2014 E. Victory Drive • 912.447.8711 savannahveterinarymedical.com
Education: DVM and BS in Animal and Dairy Science, Mississippi State University
You owe it to your pet to … address medical concerns sooner than later. What may start out as something simple and easy to treat can manifest into something worse that requires more medical treatment.
When I’m not at work … I am at home working in our yard with my wife and two boys. We spend a lot of time outside doing yardwork or being sucked into some crazy project our kids have come up with.
You’d never guess that I love … building and fixing things, whether it’s a home-renovation project or a treehouse for the boys. My kids are always asking me to build one thing or another. And there’s always something that needs fixing at the house.
HUNTER BRIGDON, DVM
Brigdon Animal Hospital
11911 Middleground Road • 912.231.3615 brigdonanimalhospital.com
Education: BSA, University of Georgia; DVM, St. Matthews University
You owe it to your pet to …
get a dental cleaning. It can help prevent so many unnecessary disease processes. Many people wait because of the fear of anesthesia. However, this allows dental disease to become much worse.
One recent innovation in
animal medicine is … PRP, Platelet Rich Plasma therapy. The pain relief and healing implications are amazing.
A common and preventable pet ailment is …
heartworm disease.
I love practicing in Savannah because …
it’s home. The salt marsh is the best therapy in the world.
My pets … are two black labs, Suzie and Penny; two setters, Sadie and Junebug; and one old pug named Elouise.
My new favorite pet
product is … Pro Heart 12 for heartworm prevention. It’s an injection that lasts 12 months!
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BEGIN AT THE SAVANNAH QUARTERS® REALTY SALES & INFORMATION CENTER SAVANNAHQUARTERS.COM | 912.450.2300 | I-16 Exit 155 | 100 Blue Moon Crossing, Suite 114, Pooler, Georgia 31322 BEGIN AT THE SAVANNAH QUARTERS® REALTY SALES & INFORMATION CENTER SAVANNAHQUARTERS.COM | 912.450.2300 | I-16 Exit 155 | 100 Blue Moon Crossing, Suite 114, Pooler, Georgia 31322 BEGIN AT THE SAVANNAH QUARTERS® REALTY SALES & INFORMATION CENTER SAVANNAHQUARTERS.COM | 912.450.2300 | I-16 Exit 155 | 100 Blue Moon Crossing, Suite 114, Pooler, Georgia 31322 BEGIN AT THE SAVANNAH QUARTERS® REALTY SALES & INFORMATION CENTER SAVANNAHQUARTERS.COM | 912.450.2300 | I-16 Exit 155 | 100 Blue Moon Crossing, Suite 114, Pooler, Georgia 31322 BEGIN AT THE SAVANNAH QUARTERS® REALTY SALES & INFORMATION CENTER SAVANNAHQUARTERS.COM | 912.450.2300 | I-16 Exit 155 | 100 Blue Moon Crossing, Suite 114, Pooler, Georgia 31322 BEGIN AT THE SAVANNAH QUARTERS® REALTY SALES & INFORMATION CENTER SAVANNAHQUARTERS.COM | 912.450.2300 | I-16 Exit 155 | 100 Blue Moon Crossing, Suite 114, Pooler, Georgia 31322 BEGIN AT THE SAVANNAH QUARTERS® REALTY SALES & INFORMATION CENTER SAVANNAHQUARTERS.COM | 912.450.2300 | I-16 Exit 155 | 100 Blue Moon Crossing, Suite 114, Pooler, Georgia 31322 BEGIN AT THE SAVANNAH QUARTERS® REALTY SALES & INFORMATION CENTER SAVANNAHQUARTERS.COM | 912.450.2300 | I-16 Exit 155 | 100 Blue Moon Crossing, Suite 114, Pooler, Georgia 31322 BEGIN AT THE SAVANNAH QUARTERS® REALTY SALES & INFORMATION CENTER SAVANNAHQUARTERS.COM | 912.450.2300 | I-16 Exit 155 | 100 Blue Moon Crossing, Suite 114, Pooler, Georgia 31322
Copyright 2019. Obtain the property report required by federal law and read it before signing anything. No federal or state agency has judged the merits or value, if any, of this property. This does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of any offer to buy where prohibited by law. Prices and information subject to change without notice. Copyright 2019. Obtain the property report required by federal law and read it before signing anything. No federal or state agency has judged the merits or value, if any, of this property. This does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of any offer to buy where prohibited by law. Prices and information subject to change without notice. Copyright 2019. Obtain the property report required by federal law and read it before signing anything. No federal or state agency has judged the merits or value, if any, of this property. This does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of any offer to buy where prohibited by law. Prices and information subject to change without notice. Copyright 2019. Obtain the property report required by federal law and read it before signing anything. No federal or state agency has judged the merits or value, if any, of this property. This does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of any offer to buy where prohibited by law. Prices and information subject to change without notice. Copyright 2019. Obtain the property report required by federal law and read it before signing anything. No federal or state agency has judged the merits or value, if any, of this property. This does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of any offer to buy where prohibited by law. Prices and information subject to change without notice. Copyright 2019. Obtain the property report required by federal law and read it before signing anything. No federal or state agency has judged the merits or value, if any, of this property. This does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of any offer to buy where prohibited by law. Prices and information subject to change without notice. Copyright 2019. Obtain the property report required by federal law and read it before signing anything. No federal or state agency has judged the merits or value, if any, of this property. This does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of any offer to buy where prohibited by law. Prices and information subject to change without notice. Copyright 2019. Obtain the property report required by federal law and read it before signing anything. No federal or state agency has judged the merits or value, if any, of this property. This does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of any offer to buy where prohibited by law. Prices and information subject to change without notice. Copyright 2019. Obtain the property report required by federal law and read it before signing anything. No federal or state agency has judged the merits or value, if any, of this property. This does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of any offer to buy where prohibited by law. Prices and information subject to change without notice.
Above and Beyond
Savannah’s master-planned communities offer a boatload of amenities — which one strikes your fancy?
ILLUSTRATION BY STEPHANIE MILLER
WITH ITS SERENE VIEWS, balmy climate and unhurried pace, the Lowcountry is preternaturally suited to relaxation. Perhaps that’s why so many gated communities in greater Savannah are built around facilitating leisure activities. To be sure, these communities — The Landings, Waterways Township, Montage Palmetto Bluff, Dutch Island, The Ford Plantation and Savannah Quarters — feature lovely homes, secure entry and other dependable hallmarks of community living. But behind the gates, there’s also an unwavering emphasis on amenities, from spas to fine dining to resort-style pools. Today, families are looking past square footage and double vanities in master bathrooms to first consider community living from a new angle: all those extras.
IF YOU’RE A FOODIE
The Landings has a 50,000-square-foot gym, five swimming pools, four driving ranges, six championship golf courses — and some seriously delicious dining options. Across its five restaurants, the vibe ranges from casual to coastal to clubby and upscale. Standout options include Deer Creek’s grilled Spanish octopus topped with crispy red potato, smoked paprika creme fraiche, Marcona almonds and lemon-herb oil; the robust sushi menu at Southern Table at Plantation; and sous vide herb-marinated lamb chops at Oakridge Steak & Pub. There’s more to salivate over, too: this year, The Landings premieres the newly revamped Marshwood, a clubhouse and restaurant with sweeping views, sophisticated decor and a delectable, seasonally attentive menu.
Deer Creek restaurant features outdoor seating with integrated firepits for warmth in winter and ambience year-round
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF THE LANDINGS
Kayakers and stand-up paddleboarders benefit from rich intracoastal waterways — and on-site storage for gear
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF WATERWAYS TOWNSHIP
IF YOU’RE A DOG LOVER
Waterways Township has exciting things happening this year: its new marina will open, featuring retail, restaurants and intracoastal water access, and it is also adding tennis and pickleball courts. The neighborhood’s other key perks include navigable waterways for kayaking and paddleboarding with on-site storage facilities, and the Ridgewood Amenity Center, featuring a Junior Olympic-sized swimming pool, an outdoor amphitheater and a screened-in pavilion with a fireplace and grill. For pet lovers, a fenced-in dog park called Waterwags is like a gated community for the four-legged set — complete with expansive, manicured greens, beautiful scenery and completely secure confines.
IF YOU’RE A TREEHUGGER
A lush, 20,000-acre coastal nature preserve defines Montage Palmetto Bluff in South Carolina (although so does the Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course). Members can tour maritime forests with knowledgeable staff from The Palmetto Bluff Conservancy, attend monthly lectures on preservation efforts and engage more directly with the land through outdoor and nautical experiences like hiking, fishing, riding bikes and kayaking or boating along 32 miles of riverfront. The conservancy team also has an on-site archaeologist, Dr. Mary Socci, who excavates the land for artifacts, architecture and cultural landscapes, all to maintain the historical integrity of Palmetto Bluff. Montage is creating the next generation of nature lovers, too: their Montage Merit program awards children merit badges for activities like hiking, catching a fish and spotting Lowcountry wildlife.
Although Dutch Island boasts a marina, boat owners can keep vessels under 25 feet at their own property
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF DUTCH ISLAND
The conservancy team at Montage Palmetto Bluff provides tours through acres of lush maritime forests
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF MONTAGE PALMETTO BLUFF
IF YOU’RE A BIG FISH
Dutch Island boasts a deepwater dock and boat ramp, a pool, playground, tennis court, and basketball courts, plus special events like parades, pop-up shops and food truck nights. It’s also a true oasis for fishermen, whether avid or amateur. Dutch Island is strategically located where the Wilmington, Skidaway and Herb rivers meet, with ample tidal creeks in between. It also allows boat owners with vessels under 25 feet to house boats at their own property. Translation? No marina fees. An annual crabbing tournament puts skills to the test, and while peak harvest season for crabs is between August and October, you can practice all year round amid the Lowcountry’s mild climate.
IF YOU LIKE TO HORSE AROUND
No doubt about it: The Ford Plantation offers incredible fishing where anglers can catch inshore species like redfish, flounder and striped bass, or enjoy access to offshore species like grouper, marlin and mahi-mahi. But it’s their onshore animals that really impress. The Plantation’s Equestrian Center is a full-service boarding facility tailored to members’ (and horses’) needs — a 22-stall barn with climate-controlled tack rooms, three wash bays, a jump field, access to daily turnouts in grassy paddocks, premium horse fencing and blanket and storage rooms. Plus, in an already-gated community, The Ford Plantation Equestrian Center adds extra security: 24-hour video surveillance and a night watchman deters horseplay.
Savannah Quarters' waterfront fairways complement a spawling and sparkling pool
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF SAVANNAH QUARTERS
Lowcountry scenery adds a beautiful backdrop for swimmers at The Ford Plantation main house pool
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF THE FORD PLANTATION
IF YOU’RE PRONE TO FOMO
Part of the point of community living is that you never really have to leave. But what if you want to? Enter Savannah Quarters, which besides offering an incredible, Instagrammable pool, verdant golf course and awardwinning homes, is also a quick drive from downtown Savannah: Hop on I-16 East and you’ll be in the heart of Historic Downtown in about 15 minutes. But don’t miss out on the Quarters’ offerings, either, particularly when it comes to perfecting your swing. One of their golf pros was just named among the “Best Teachers in America” by Golf Digest.
THE BOUTIQUE FITNESS BOOM
A smaller, more personalized trend is shaping up Savannah
BY JEN MARIE WIGGINS
Whether you’re inclined to roll out a yoga mat or snag the front bike at spin class, getting fit in the Lowcountry used to mean heading to the local big-box gym. But boutique fitness has muscled its way into the Hostess City, proving that bigger isn’t always better.
The boutique fitness movement emphasizes small, single-focus studios offering a higher level of personal attention, a specific fitness philosophy and strong brand association. In Savannah, locally owned franchises of Pure Barre, CrossFit and Orangetheory Fitness have sprung up in multiple locations, earning rave reviews and building loyal customer bases.
STRETCH YOUR FITNESS GOALS
Tight shoulders? Sore hamstrings?
StretchLab Savannah, 5525 Abercorn St., Ste. 90, offers assisted and one-on-one stretching classes from Flexologists (with 60+ hours of theory and hands-on training) who assess client needs and come up with personalized plans to improve overall health and flexibility.
Membership packages and group classes are also available.
For more information, call 912.335.4555 or email savannah@stretchlab.com.
While the methods and science of each club vary — Pure Barre focuses on isometric movements using a ballet bar; Orangetheory employs a heart-rate monitor and target heart zones; CrossFit’s format is rooted in functional fitness — they all share the same mantra: Do one thing, and do it well.
For franchise owners, that “one thing” invariably necessitates a laser focus on member engagement. From tracking personal milestones to offering pop-up classes, contests and organized social outings, the emphasis on connection and involvement goes far beyond a traditional club orientation or single training session.
“We know and use every one of our member’s names in and outside of class,” says Zan Millsap, head coach at Orangetheory Fitness. “For that hour, everybody is off their phones and fully connected to what’s happening with their bodies.”
Caroline Brennan, owner of Pure Barre Savannah and Pure Barre City Market, agrees. “Our members become like family,” she says. “We know what’s going on with them inside and outside the studio.”
The clubs actively use social media to engage and celebrate their members, and there’s a larger value placed on personal empowerment, championing clients’ smaller steps toward their goals versus the traditional industry emphasis on markers like weight and inches.
At Hyperformance Athletics (a CrossFit affiliate), it’s not uncommon to hear a cast-iron bell ring out over the class music, celebrating a client’s new personal best. Around the corner at Pure Barre, members look forward to signing a ceremonial ballet barre commemorating benchmarks like a 100th or 1,000th class.
“Our focus is on the whole self,” Brennan says. “We strive to help our members do a little better today than they did yesterday.”
Tailored personal attention comes with a price tag, where a single class might cost as much or more as a full month of membership elsewhere. Drop-in classes at Orangetheory, Pure Barre and CrossFit are between $25 and $30 per class, and all three studios offer monthly membership fees with prices varying by location; they also all roll out introductory specials and holiday pricing. But there must be something magical in that alchemy of camaraderie, empowerment and sweat, because higher fees don’t seem to tamp down member enthusiasm.
“Pure Barre is my favorite addiction,” says Courtney Brown, a two-year member of Pure Barre Savannah. “Every morning when I walk in, it feels like seeing family,” she says. Numbers back up her high praise. According to The Association of Fitness Studios, national member retention for niche fitness is almost 75 percent, about 5 percent higher than traditional clubs, and boutique fitness studios are the largest growing segment of the gym industry.
While these three franchises offer novel ways to shape up, the desire to develop healthy habits in the New Year is nothing, well, new. Tracy Garcia, a CrossFit Level 2 trainer at Hyperformance, shares a helpful reminder that applies to anyone, regardless of their interest or budget.
“The hardest part is walking in the door,” she says. “Once you do that, the sky’s the limit.”
WITH THEIR BODIES.”— ORANGETHEORY HEAD COACH ZAN MILLSAP
ON PIERCE Button-down, pullover and pants, Sara Jane Children's Boutique; shoes, model's own
ON KYNG Button-down, sweater and pants, J Parker Ltd; shoes, model's own
Dress, Peaches; corduroy jumper, Arrowleaf Boutique; velvet headband, Paris Laundry; shoes, model's own
Top and leggings: Sara Jane Children's Boutique
COOL KIDS
Statement-making style isn’t just for grownups
STYLING BY KELSEY BUCCI PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEREMIAH HULL
KYNG DELOACH, 10
This Garrison Elementary fifth-grader and honors choir member is into sneakers, milk tea and anime — and he dreams of one day moving to Japan.
FAVORITE COLOR: Red
STYLE INSPIRATION:
My dad
Button-down, sweatshirt, pants, Joseph's Clothiers; shoes, model's own
ON PIERCE Polo shirt and vest, Sara Jane Children's Boutique; jeans and shoes, model's own
ON AVALON Striped top, bow shorts and knit leggings, Sara Jane Children's Boutique; shoes, Arrowleaf Boutique
PIERCE BUCCI, 8
Second-grader Pierce loves football, baseball and music. When he and kid sis Avalon play together with their brother (Ace, 9) and sister (Odette, 4), they like to build forts, run around outside with the family’s two dogs — and occasionally watch their iPads.
FAVORITE SPORTS TEAM: The New England Patriots
FAVORITE CANDY:
Crunch bars
AVALON BUCCI, 6
A first-grader at McAllister Elementary, Avalon is a budding artist — her long-range plan is to travel the world and paint everything she sees.
FAVORITE COLOR: Pink
FAVORITE OUTFIT: This one
“I have pink hair because it’s soft, and one, two, three, four, five princess dresses.” (Mom says it’s seven)
This pre-K student at Bright Horizons takes ballet, tap and tumbling lessons at Gretchen Greene School of Dance and loves to visit JW Salon (owned by her mom, Averil Hull) to have her pink curls touched up.
FAVORITE MOVIE: Frozen
HALLOWEEN COSTUME:
A rainbow unicorn
Floral dress, Peaches; pearl headband, Paris Laundry; Cat backpack, Arrowleaf Boutique; boots, model's own
GREAT JOB
The Savannah-Chatham County Public School System's Career Pathways program preps students for meaningful careers
by STEVEN ALFORD
SINCE ITS LAUNCH in 2000, the SavannahChatham County Public School System Career Pathways program has been helping to train the local business leaders of tomorrow right here, right now. These aren’t the shop or home economics classes many of us remember from years past: Today’s students are learning firsthand the nuances of entrepreneurship, management and technical trades; the latest advances in cybersecurity and shipping logistics; and the best techniques for sports and entertainment marketing through career technology courses arming students with realworld skills that they can use after graduation.
Formerly referred to as vocational classes, career technology, or "career tech," courses prepare kids for life after high school, says Dr. Angie Lewis, senior director at the Office of College and Career Readiness for the Woodville Tompkins Lower Campus.
“Whether it’s a career focus or a trade skill or higher education, ultimately the goal is to help each student obtain a good job,” Lewis says.
Lewis herself took home economics and sewing classes in the 1970s as a high school student in Chatham County. Those classes instilled a love of teaching and creating that guided her career, first as a career tech teacher then as a school principal and program director.
Now she gets to help students obtain their own dreams through the SCCPSS Career Pathways program, comprised of more than
two dozen different career tracks for students, each with a myriad of sub-specialties.
Georgia has made student career paths a priority with the 2010 passing of the BRIDGE law (more officially, the Building Resourceful Individuals to Develop Georgia's Economy Act), which mandates exploratory career-minded resources and opportunities beginning in middle school. SCCPSS updated its Pathways program in 2014 to follow state guidelines, Lewis says.
As industries and technologies have evolved, so too has the Career Pathways program. Students might study business in middle school; once they reach high school they can take a deeper dive into classes on accounting, or finance or business management. They also benefit from hands-on experience with area employers, learn what it takes to build a successful career and ultimately earn professional certifications while still in school.
SCCPSS enjoys partnerships with many companies in and around Savannah, including Gulfstream, which offers airplane-repair training for students; St. Joseph’s/Candler, which employs students as patient-care technicians; and the Maritime Logistics Task Force, which gives students a glimpse of the international shipping industry.
Each school within the district offers unique programs and partnerships tailor-made to jump-start a range of career trajectories. For budding veterinarians, Islands High School on Wilmington Island provides hands-on training for students at the Oatland Island Wildlife Center as they see how staff feed and care for the various animals.
In trusted learning spaces and in their very own local community, students acquire skills to ultimately achieve their career goals and see their dreams play out in the real world.
“We want to direct them where to go, and help them get there,” Lewis says. “Once they graduate, they have already gained four years of work experience, and they often have a certification that goes along with it.”
It’s all aimed at creating qualified, confident young adults prepared to take the reins as the next generation of business leaders here in the Coastal Empire.
Medical, culinary and computer technology courses are popular career tech pathways for SavannahChatham students
Aviation, dance, music and phlebotomy are just a few of the myriad career tech courses designed to prepare kids for meaningful careers
For more information about career pathway opportunities for students, contact the Office of College and Career Readiness at 912.395.6765.
