Jeff Davis Living Magazine - 2019

JEFF DAVIS Living

Experience Jeff Davis PROFILES - TALK OF THE TOWN - HOME GROWN BUSINESSES - ART & CULTURE JEFF DAVIS YELLOW JACKETS BASEBALL- STATE CHAMPIONS

Showcasing Jeff Davis County’s Personality Showcasing Your Community's Personality

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I WENT COASTAL! “ After completing the Electrical Lineworker Program at Coastal Pines, I realized that technical education was not only a great path to finding a job, but more so a path to a fulfilling career.

“

Casey O’Neal CPTC Grad 2016 | Electrical Line Tech- Satilla REMC

Coastal Pines offers 40+ career paths in high demand career fields where high wage jobs are waiting for skilled employees.

Low cost or free tuition allows grads to invest in their dreams after college rather than student loan payments.

IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO GO COASTAL! Waycross

1701 Carswell Ave Waycross, GA 31503 912-332-8682

Alma

101 West 17th St Alma, Georgia 31510 912-632-0951

Baxley

1334 Golden Isles Pkwy W Baxley, GA 31513 912-367-1700

Camden

8001 The Lakes Blvd Kingsland, Georgia 31548 312-510-3327

Golden Isles

Hazlehurst

677 Douglas Hwy 3700 Glynco Pkwy Your Community's Hazlehurst, GA 31539 Brunswick, Showcasing GA 31525 912-379-0041 912-262-4999

APPLY NOW! Jesup

1777 West Cherry St

Personality 1 Jesup, GA 31545 912-427-5800

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25 CROSS STREET • HAZLEHURST, GA 31539 • 912-375-2516 • SOUTHERNEYECAREPC.COM

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ABOUT THE COVER:

An old yellow bicycle holds a basket of coleus in the backyard garden of Fonda and Wayne Ussery. The Usserys are Certified Master Gardeners and a trip to their garden will prove it. Read more about them in "Profiles." Photography by John Riddle.

TABLE OF

CONTENTS FEATURES

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T.O.P. FARMS

Vann and Tabatha Wooten had their eyes set on a family farming business and when time was right they purchased their first tract of land.

19 BEASLEY GROUP – FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

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MARY HILL DUMPLINGS

When one family of faith and hard work come together, their efforts build a legacy company of world-class forest products and solutions.

Tim Callaway carries on the tradition of making dumplings the way “Grandma” used to make them.

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THIS CHOKE WILL MAKE YOU SMILE

REGULAR FEATURES

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EXPERIENCE JEFF DAVIS

A Great Place to Visit, A Great Place to Live!

From the tailgate of a truck, to today with sales in more than 500 stores, the market for Jebs' chokes continues to grow.

HOME GROWN 32

MASON CANDLES

Tracy Mason began making candles at her kitchen table but through a “leap of faith,” Mason’s Candles is now sold in more than 30 retail wholesalers.

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Jeff Davis Living

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ARTS & CULTURE

The Jeff Davis Arts & Culture scene is getting a boost from the new Jeff Davis Arts & Entertainment Council. Renovation of The Theatre provides residents entertainment. And, meet The Four Horsemen, an up-and-coming Southern Gospel Quartet

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TALK OF THE TOWN

Highlighting the unique quality of life in Jeff Davis and showcasing Jeff Davis's People, Places, and Events.

MAIN OFFICE 22 SOUTH TALLAHASSEE ST. HAZLEHURST, GA 31539 (912) 375-4228

BRANCH OFFICE 162 SOUTH TALLAHASSEE STREET HAZLEHURST, GA 31539

www.bankofhazlehurst.com

Showcasing Your Community's Personality

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PROFILES 39

GROWING ACTS OF KINDNESS & HISTORY TO LAST

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TAKE ME HOME COUNTRY ROADS

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B. H. CLAXTON – CULTIVATES A BEAUTIFUL LIFE

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ON THE AIR WITH JIM SEWELL

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RISING TO THE TOP

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JOE LEE HANSLEY FOUNDATION

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LEAVING NO STONE UNTURNED

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THREE-TIME MASTER 4-H’ER CHANLEIGH UNDERWOOD

Joe Hansley has been serving at-risk youth and awarding high-school seniors with scholarships since 2005.

Terry Stone’s community involvement is certainly worth noticing. She has left no stone unturned.

A three-time 4-H program award recipient, Chanleigh is an advocate for livestock and agriculture within her community and her state.

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STANDING ON FAITH

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JEFF DAVIS HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL

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DR. LLOYD MASON – LOCAL DOCTOR GIVES BACK

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JEFF DAVIS COUNTY YOUTH CENTER

Jeff Davis Living

Jeff Davis High School’s 2019 STAR Student, Uziel Rios jumps at opportunity to acquire what he wants.

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Brazle Hubert Claxton, 92 years old, was recognized by the Jeff Davis County Chamber of Commerce in 2018 with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Jeff Davis’s own, Jim Sewell has just been named the Baseball Broadcaster of the Year by the Georgia Dugout Club.

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Gary Merritt returned to Jeff Davis to build his dream home, Wa-kai-gan Trail, which stands as a constant reminder of his family and his country roots.

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Fonda Ussery is a woman without idle hands and that has been the root of her abundant blessings to the community.

Kim Smith’s life shifted in unimaginable ways, but there wasn’t a moment where she felt that God couldn’t pull her through.

The team competed no matter what the circumstances were, and developed a reputation of never giving in.

Doctor. Family man. Community leader. Mentor. Dr. Lloyd Mason does it all humbly and ably.

With a mission to provide a safe haven for kids, the youth center provides physical and educational activities.

MAN’S BEST FRIEND AT WORK AND PLAY! 560 Lumber City Highway • Hazlehurst, GA 31539 912-375-3038 • ocmulgeeoutdoorsinc.com

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FROM THE PUBLISHER

JEFF DAVIS

Living

Publishers & Editors : John F. Riddle & Connie K. Riddle Showcase Publications, Inc. Cover Photography : John Riddle Art Director: Stacey Nichols Contributing Writers: John Riddle, Candice McKinley, Derby Waters, Shan Walker, Kim Smith, Angel Harmon, Sheila Marchant, Paul Glass, John Reed Contributing Photographers: Woodcock Photography, Brave Stag Productions, Jeff Davis Chamber of Commerce, John Riddle Designers: Stacey Nichols, Russ Hutto, Robin Harrison

John Riddle, Publisher

Connie Riddle, Publisher

Welcome to the 2019 issue of Jeff Davis Living! We truly enjoy the communities where we publish magazines, and Jeff Davis County is no exception. One of the first magazines we published, we have a strong affinity for Jeff Davis County and the people who have such a strong sense of community!

There are so many wonderful stories to share about Jeff Davis County and the people who make it so special. We can’t publish them all in one issue, but, we encourage you to take the time to read the ones in this issue. And, we look forward to publishing many more in the future.

A special thank you to the writers and photographers who have been such a vital part of putting together this issue of the magazine. We want to give a special thank you to the advertisers that make Jeff Davis Living possible. We encourage you to visit these businesses and buy local.

Jeff Davis Living is a regular publication showcasing all the great aspects of the community. We are proud to partner with the Chamber of Commerce to bring you this issue and we look forward to many more to come.

Sincerely,

John & Connie Riddle

info@showcasepublicationsga.com

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Jeff Davis Living

Content Manager: Candice McKinley

Jeff Davis Living is published by Showcase Publications, Inc. For information on advertising or submitting articles: (912)-559-2045 – P.O. Box 391 Jesup, GA 31598 info@showcasepublicationsga.com showcasepublicationsga.com All rights reserved. Copies or reproduction of this publication in whole or in part is strictly prohibited without expressed written authorization from the publisher. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein. Advertising is subject to omission, errors and other changes without notice. The opinions expressed by the writers are not necessarily those of the publisher.

Oncology Group

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Whitfield Realty, Inc. Harold Whitfield, Broker, SRS, ABR Jeannie Whitfield, Associate Broker, SRS, ABR jeanniewhitfield@bellsouth.net Cell # 912-539-0603

6 E. Odum Street Hazlehurst, GA 31539 912-375-7735 Fax # 912-375-4185

Angie Coppedge, Realtor na3copp@gmail.com Cell # 912-253-8150

Whitfield & Breedlove, P.C. Certified Public Accountants

Harold Whitfield, CPA • Kim Breedlove, CPA

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P.O. Box 1270 • 6 E. Odum Street • Hazlehurst, GA 31539 912-375-7734 • Fax # 912-375-4185 Jeff Davis Living

Experience Jeff Davis Jeff Davis County – A great place to visit, a great place to live!

Hazlehurst – Denton - Snipesville

J

eff Davis County is bordered by three of Georgia's major and most picturesque rivers: the Ocmulgee, the Oconee, and the mighty Altamaha, which is often referred to as "Georgia's Little Amazon." It is a community rich in culture, proud of its heritage, and planning for the future.

within an hour's drive of three of Georgia's major interstates, its central location is fewer than 100 miles from some of Georgia's important cities like Savannah, Albany, Valdosta, Macon, and Brunswick. Jeff Davis County enjoys easy connections to the rest of the state and to the entire world.

It is easy to get there. Located on the “Golden Isles Highway” and

Jeff Davis County - Come play a while with us!

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A RELENTLESS PURSUIT OF

Excellence

www.jeff-davis.k12.ga.us

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Jeff Davis Living

Experience Jeff Davis

Let’s Play Ball – At the New Youth Sports Complex The Jeff Davis Recreation Department’s new Youth Sports Complex is open and will be hosting local and regional tournaments. The JD Recreation Department provides a full complement of services for year-round enjoyment and

recreation, including active and passive parks, recreation programs, athletic leagues and summer programs. For more information contact (912) 375-6650 or visit their website at www.jdrec.com.

Hazlehurst Water World – New Splashpad Keeping Jeff Davis Cool The City of Hazlehurst's new splash pad opened in the summer of 2018. The City Council had a contest to name the new splash pad. “Hazlehurst Water World” was submitted by Kimberly Dawn and was chosen from among more than 100 entries.

Hazlehurst Water World will be keeping the people of Jeff Davis cool all Summer.

The splashpad is located at the Alfred B. Roberts, Sr. Recreational Complex at the intersection of Old Graham Road and Farmer Street. It is open daily from 9 am – 8 pm. For more information about Hazlehurst Water World, please call City Hall at 912-375-6680 or follow the City of Hazlehurst on Facebook.

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Ward One Councilman Dywane Johnson

Ward Two Councilman John A. Ramay

Ward Three Councilman Eric Griffin

Ward Four Councilman John Bloodworth

Mayor R. Bayne Stone

located in the heart of historic and peaceful southeast Georgia. If you’re looking for small town charm, a friendly place to spend a day or even a lifetime, great local restaurants and bistros, and gently rolling hills and natural beauty edged by two of Georgia’s greatest and most pristine rivers, the Altamaha and Ocmulgee, then we invite you to our cozy little city.

86 S. Cromartie Street P.O. Box 519

Hazlehurst, Georgia 31539 12

Jeff Davis Living

(912) 375-6680

Experience Jeff Davis

New Farmer’s Market – Keeping it Fresh The community has a new local jewel in the Jeff Davis Farmer’s Market. The market is open from daylight until dusk every Tuesday – Saturday with only Georgia-grown items allowed from May through September. Approved items that can be sold include produce, homemade baked goods, fruit preserves, jams, jellies, honey, syrup, and other agricultural items. There is no charge for residents of Jeff Davis County. Non-county residents pay an annual fee of $25.00.

For more information contact the Jeff Davis County Commission office at 912-375-6611.

Peaches to Beaches Stretching for over 200 miles, the yard sale follows the Golden Isles Highway (Highway 341) from Barnesville to Brunswick with Hazlehurst as the midpoint of the trail. The two official sites in Hazlehurst host close to 100 different vendors. The event is coordinated by the Golden Isles Parkway Association and sponsored locally by the Hazlehurst-Jeff Davis Board of Tourism. For more information, visit www.peachestothebeaches.com.

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Whether you are just passing through, visiting for the day, or staying for a while, we welcome you to

COME LINGER …LONGER with us in Hazlehurst and Jeff Davis County.

Hazlehurst-Jeff Davis County Board of Tourism 25 East Coffee Street Hazlehurst, Georgia 31539

912-209-8805 Hazlehurst-jeffdavis.org

The largest Peaches-to-Beaches Site in Georgia – March 13 & 14, 2020

The Big House

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Jeff Davis Living

Canoeing on the Altamaha

Experience Jeff Davis

Get “Back to Nature” at Town’s Bluff & Heritage Center If you want to “get back to nature” but not literally sleep under the stars, then the Yurts at Town’s Bluff & Heritage Center may be just the spot for you. Yurts are round tent-like structures that merge the worlds of tents, huts and houses. Traditionally used as portable dwellings by nomadic cultures of central Asia, the yurt has become a growing accommodation trend around the world and in the "glamping" industry.

Located at 54 Riverwood Trail in Hazlehurst, the area also offers two paved boat ramps, RV park and primitive campgrounds.

Located on the Altamaha River and the Bullard Creek Wildlife Management Area five miles north of Hazlehurst of Hwy 221.

Picnic shelters and bathroom facilities are also available. For more information or to reserve a spot call (912) 379-9303 or visit their website at www.townsbluffpark.com.

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BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Commissioner Vice Chairman Hank Hobbs, Commissioner Vann Wooten, Commissioner James Benjamin, Commissioner Brad Crews, Commissioner Chairman Ricky Crosby and County Administrator Keith Carter

L to R: Tonya Bryant Tax Commissioner's Office, Susie Kersey Tax Commissioner, Cindy Carter Probate Court Clerk, Attorney Carla R. Powell, Kim Smith Board of Commissioners Deputy Clerk, Commissioner Vice Chairman Hank Hobbs, Commissioner Vann Wooten, Commissioner James Benjamin, Commissioner Brad Crews, Commissioner Chairman Ricky Crosby, County Administrator Keith Carter, Board of Commissioners Clerk Sherri Lytle, Morgan Hutto Tax Commissioner Deputy Clerk, Ann Reynolds Tax Commissioner's Office, Hannah Day Board of Commissioners Office, Christy McCrillis Board of Commissioner's Office, Chelsea Mabey Tax Commissioners Office and Kaitlyn Hosmer Tax Assessor's Office.

(912) 375-6611 14 Jeff Davis Street; #101 Hazlehurst, GA 31539

jeffdaviscounty.org 16

Jeff Davis Living

Experience Jeff Davis

Georgia Great Steak Cook-Off The annual Georgia Great Steak Cook-Off hosts teams from around the region and from across the Southeast all competing for prizes totaling more than $5,000. The top 5 teams receive cash and trophies, while the next 5 receive a framed certificate.

For additional information, visit www.steakcookoffs.com or call the Hazlehurst-Jeff Davis Chamber of Commerce at (912) 375-4543

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Our Vision

is to give direction to people’s lives by pointing them

upward to God, inward to church, and outward to mission.

SUNDAYS Sunday School — 9:45am Sunday AM Worship — 11:00am Sunday PM Worship — 6:00pm WEDNESDAY NIGHTS 5:45pm (young people) 6:30pm (adults)

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Jeff Davis Living

(912) 375-3315 southsidedirection.com 91 S. Cromartie Street • Hazlehurst, GA 31539

Darrell Beasley, Rabun Beasley, Deborah Beasley Johnson, Zach Johnson.

From Humble Beginnings to a Global Industry Leader STORY SUPPLIED BY BEASLEY GROUP

T

he Beasley Group’s story is a story of rapid growth and success built on family, faith and foresight over the last 50 years.

Over this time frame the Jeff Davis County based business has become a global leader in the forest products industry.

In 1968 the founder of the Group, Mr. Rabun Beasley, decided he wanted to make a career change and made the decision to move from

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Looking at the business today, it is hard to believe that it all got started with a few chainsaws and a logging truck.

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Jeff Davis Living

selling insurance on a debit route to selling timber. He approached another forest products businessman, Mr. Bill Thompson of Thompson Hardwoods, and asked for some assistance in getting into the logging business. Looking at the business today, it is hard to believe that it all got started with a few chainsaws and a logging truck. Back in the beginning the Beasley Timber Company was operated by Rabun and his wife, Jo Claxton Beasley. While Mr. Rabun was learning the business out in the field, Ms. Jo was heading up just about everything else. She also, quickly learned the timber business and managed the day to day affairs. “She was the glue that held this place together all those years.

Now it takes an army of us,” said Becky Waters, who worked for Ms. Jo for 10 years until her passing in 2010.

Together Mr. Rabun and Ms. Jo built lifelong relationships with others in the industry, many that the company still enjoy today.

Mr. Rabun was always looking for ways to improve processes and work more efficiently. He developed a method for harvesting in low lying areas that eventually became known as “Swamp Logging”. Additionally, Rabun was the first harvester in the area to develop “in woods whole-tree chipping”. This technique allowed for cleanup of cut-over timber tracts and helped in the reforestation process.

Mr. Rabun is continually looking for cost effective methods to improve the operations.

In 1997 the decision was made to further expand into the

forest products industry. At that time a sawmill located in Hazlehurst previously operated by Louisiana Pacific was up for sale. The site was purchased by Beasley Timber Company and in 1998 began operations as Beasley Forest Products. Rabun’s son, Darrell, had helped his dad in the logging operations while in high school and upon graduation dove in head first. Within a short-time Darrell became President of BFP, and a new chapter in the business began.

Darrell’s vision is growth through diversity and synergy.

The Beasley Forest Products sawmill in Hazlehurst has grown to be recognized as one of the largest hardwood sawmills in the United States and produces approximately 400,000 to 450,000 board feet per day.

The site produces a diverse product portfolio from nine different species.

The logs that support this operation are supplied from a wood basket that is approximately 250 miles in diameter and includes Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama and Florida. The company’s fleet of 135 log trucks and 165 rail-cars allows for the efficient and effective transport of the materials. In Jeff Davis County, the sawmill operations of BFP and Thompson Hardwoods alone provides over 600 jobs to individuals in the area. The overall employment of the Beasley Group is more than 1,500.

In 2018 a major woodyard and sawmill expansion and optimization project was launched. This new expansion of over $70 million will allow Beasley Forest Products to utilize the latest optimization equipment, allowing the operation to more

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In 1968, Rabun and Jo Beasley started the company with a few chainsaws and one logging truck.

than double the board footage produced in a more efficient and cost-effective way. With the extra volumes, more jobs will be created throughout the value stream from logs to lumber. This project is projected to be complete in the 4th quarter of 2019.

In the beginning there were two. Today the Beasley Group still relies on family members to take active roles in the overall operations. Though Mr. Rabun is retired, he still goes to work at the mill site every day. He lends an ear to the younger staff who look forward to his inciteful wisdom.

Darrell’s sister, Deborah, and her husband, Zachary Johnson, also have key roles in the success of the business. Darrell once joked that “Zach didn’t know a pine tree from a hardwood tree when he started in the family business.” Zach is currently the President and Operations Manager of all timber procurement and is responsible for supplying wood for all the Beasley operations. Additionally, he is responsible for the logging and logistics division that employees over 225 employees.

Darrell is the President and CEO of the organization and is constantly looking for opportunities. A man of deep faith, he provides a bible for each of his employees on his or her birthday and inscribes them with a message of encouragement. Darrell starts his days early and with his forward-looking leadership has been the major driver in the integration and market

Company employees are quick to say of the family, “They are people of faith; they are honest and hardworking people.” As the result of the leadership and the dedicated employees, the Beasley Group has truly become a world-class forest products industry leader with operations across the United States and customers around the world.

Family

Rabun Beasley and Jo Claxton Beasley operated Beasley Timber in the early years. Rabun was learned the business out in the field while Jo headed up just about everything else.

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Jeff Davis Living

leadership the company participates in today.

From

Bark Lumber to

From the beginning of the Beasley Forest Products sawmill the Beasley Group has grown to include the following companies operating in six different business segments as part of their vertical integration strategy – using the whole tree from bark to lumber: *Ashland Mat located in Ashland, Wisconsin procures hardwood logs in northern Wisconsin, eastern Minnesota and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. *Beasley Flooring Products has been a leading producer of quality solid wood flooring and prefinished engineered flooring for over 20 years. Headquartered in Macon GA, it manufactures quality flooring under the private label “The Floors for Life” and is a regional supplier for national retailers such as Home Depot, Lowes, Lumber Liquidators and Flooring Décor. *Beasley Timber Company also known as Beasley Timber Management is the log procurement arm of The Beasley Group. The company contracts with 30-35 logging crews and produces more than 50,000 tons of hardwood, cypress and pine products per week. *Denmark Lumber is a hardwood sawmill located in Denmark SC since 1969. With an annual volume of over 10 million board feet. Through the production process, hardwood logs are transformed into grade lumber and timbers for distribution up and down the Atlantic seaboard. *FRAM Renewable Fuels is a partnership established in 2005. Exported through the port of Brunswick, FRAM distributes wood pellets into European markets as the fuel of choice for the heating and power generation throughout the European Union. *Green Power Solutions (GPS) operates a biomass power plant in Dublin, Georgia. GPS is jointly owned by the Beasley Group, ASK Partners and WestRock. The power plant produces steam for a neighboring recycled linerboard

mill and produces electricity for Georgia Power. *New South Access & Environmental Solutions purchased in 2007, the company was relocated to Madison, Mississippi in 2008. New South provides board roads and access solutions for passage over uneven terrain and across environmentally sensitive areas. New South is recognized as an “INC 500” company. *Telfair Forest Products is a manufacturer of premium quality southern yellow pine wood shavings. Telfair Forest Products (TFP) was founded in 2006. Telfair shavings can be found from the luxury stables of Churchill Downes to your local Tractor Supply retailer. *Thompson Hardwoods, Inc., located in Hazlehurst, is part of the Beasley Group’s family of wood-product facilities and has been a manufacturer of quality Southern hardwood and Cypress lumber since 1957. Thompson is the global distribution network of the Beasley Group with agents located in China and Vietnam. *Truax Veneer is a manufacturer of premium rotary cut hardwood veneer cross-bands. Sold direct to North and South America’s finest furniture and millwork companies these veneers are used in many products from musical instruments to plywood quarter rounds to cabinets. *Wood Fiber Technologies, located in Macon, is a manufacturer of wood flour that is sold throughout the US. This sawdust is used in a wide range of products that include composite products, foundry molds, fire logs and many others. Wood flour is also commonly used as a drilling fluid additive for oil and gas production. *YAK MAT is the largest supplier of access mats in North America, specializing in providing access solutions for energy projects. Pioneering the industry since 1976,YAK MAT offers a wide range of mats to create temporary roads and crossings for any construction project in any industry.

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Visit Plant Hatch to learn how nuclear energy is powering your community. Call in advance to book your group tour at 800-722-7774.

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Jeff Davis Living

Bobby Sears, President of Jebs Chokes, holding the shotgun that he used to win the World Crown in 2017 for the 12-gauge Hunter Division.

This choke will make you smile STORY BY DERBY WATERS

From the tailgate of a truck, to sales in more than 500 stores, the market for Jebs' chokes continues to grow.

Y

ou might find a more congenial, smiling welcome to a busy office of a growing firm. You might, but I doubt it.

When one walks in the small natural woodpaneled office of Bobby Sears, he will at once make you glad you are there. A big smile, a friendly handshake, an honest gleam in his eyes—and an amazing success story all belong to this Jeff Davis native.

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In the first year or so, Jimmy and Bobby were riding around to wherever they could think to go selling the chokes out of a pickup truck.

If you are one of the millions of hunters, sports shooter and gun enthusiasts, within minutes of meeting Bobby Sears you know you have met a man who knows what he is doing and a man who loves what he is doing.

Choking is what he is all about.

Well, not that kind of choking. We’re talking choke tubes for just about every gage shotgun used in almost any kind of hunting or sports shooting. In fact, we are talking about the award-winning “Jebs” chokes, which are designed and made right here in Jeff Davis County.

I asked Bobby how it all got started. So, with Sadie, his Boykin, in his lap, he told how an unlikely beginning has grown into a good-old-boy success story.

Several years back Bobby’s friend Jimmy Washam visited him with a proposal. Washam worked at Precision Products and knew gun parts and gun manufacturing. He told Bobby he had been working on a revolutionary idea for choke tubes for more than three years, and he wanted Bobby to go into business with him to make and sell them.

Jimmy Washam, who works at Precision Products, invented the choke tube design known as "Jebs Choke Tube" after repeated attempts to design a choke that would increase the “shot” load on a target. Jimmy’s father was a gunsmith, so he was raised around guns and working to improve them. He maintains his job at Precision Products overseeing the choke manufacturing process and working on specialty products, as well as, research and development.

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Jeff Davis Living

Huge companies make and sell millions of chokes, and to take them on would be a huge gamble that would demand a superior product. So, Bobby said that if Jimmy’s choke could beat his favorite turkey-shooting shotgun, then he would give serious thought to the proposal.

Short story. Jimmy’s choke put 100 more pellets in the target than did Bobby’s.

Tim Kauger, President of Precision Products Machine & Fabrication, and Bobby Sears, President of Jebs Choke Tubes, partnered to mass produce the newly designed choke. They also produce other gun parts and specialty gun products.

“The Lord has blessed us, goodness gracious!” - Bobby Sears So, Bobby talked the idea over with his father, who advised him to seek a patent on the choke. That took a year-and-a-half.

In the first year or so, Jimmy and Bobby were riding around to wherever they could think to go and selling the chokes out of a pickup truck. Meanwhile, a story about the device that appeared in Georgia Outdoor News caught the attention of “All About Shooting” author Clark Bush. He invited Bobby to go to the 2011 National Wild Turkey Federation’s Still Target World Championships. It’s a 40-yard shoot at a 30-inch target, and Bobby had never been in this sort of competition.

Then to add stress to the situation, the shotgun scope on Bobby’s gun broke just two days before the competition. And the only scope he could come up with in time for the shoot was a rifle scope.

So off he goes to show just how good the Jebs choke really is. And he is going to shoot against shooters who are accustomed to the competition and have the best equipment in the world. Bobby has only one shotgun with a rifle scope and only one choke.

In the competition, the rifle scope continuously slammed into Bobby’s forehead, so he developed a bloody knot between his eyes. Long story made short—he won a world championship besting a record that had stood for 19 years.

In 2017 Jebs' chokes won the world crown in both the 12-gage hunter and the 20-gage ladies divisions.

In fact, Jebs has now won 11 world titles and set 9 world records.

“The Lord has blessed us, goodness gracious!”

Bobby says.

From the tailgate of a truck, to sales in more than 500 stores including Optics Planet and Max Prairie Wing, the market for Jebs chokes continues to grow. Soon, Jebs will be available in Cabela’s, Bass Pro and other large retailers.

Bobby thinks that the company will have to find a way to boost its production in the near future. The chokes are now made on four CNC machines located at Precision Products. In total, the company now employs 55 people in Jeff Davis County.

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In 2017 JEBS chokes won the world crown in both the 12-GAUGE hunter and the 20-GAUGE HUNTER ladies divisions. In fact, Jebs has now won 12 world titles and set 9 world records.

Partnering with Tim Kauger, Bobby is also making guns for Kauger Arms. In fact, the company is making a custom rifle for Georgia Governor Brian Kemp for an elk hunt later this year. Included from the growing line-up of Kauger Arms is the Tomahawk .410 handgun—a truly unique turkey gun.

Another satisfied customer is former First District Congressman Lindsay Thomas. Bobby customized a .410 shotgun passed down through the congressman family. With the alteration and a Jebs' choke, the gun is now serving as a turkey gun for the grandchildren hunting the birds at the family farm in Wayne County.

Jebs' chokes are in the top of the market in pricing. They could be made cheaper, but Bobby won’t use any metal or other parts that aren’t manufactured in the United States. The chokes average about $100 and don’t sit in inventory very long because of the demand for them.

“And we give the best customer service,’ Bobby adds.

“If our chokes ever fail to deliver, we will refund all the customer’s money,” he says. And he notes that the chokes are of such superior metal, that they don’t wear down as do some other brands.

Jebs Choke Tubes – made 100% in the USA and boasting a revolutionary interior-bore design which produce distinctly tightened patterns as well as advanced recoil-reduction.

“My Daddy (Bob Sears) and my Grandaddy (Claude Cook) taught me that you don’t ever tell a man that you are going to do something unless you are going to do it,” Bobby says. And that is how he runs the company.

Jebs' chokes are available in .410, .28, .20, .12, and .10 gages. The chokes are made for turkey, waterfowl, upland and wing shooting as well as for sporting clays.

Jebs' home office and shooting range are located at 463 Burketts Ferry Road, Hazlehurst, GA 31539. Or they can be contacted by calling 912375-5456. They can also be contacted through their webpage at www. jebschokes.com/.

So, great people, great products and a great name. Oh yeah, the name.

Nobody in the company is named Jeb so how did the name come about.

Well, that was another of Jimmy’s ideas. The name is an acronym for Jimmy, his grandson Eagan, Bobby and an “S”. So why the “S”?

No reason in particular, says Bobby. But I am looking at his beautiful Boykin sitting there in his lap, and I’m thinking “S” is for Sadie.

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Jeff Davis Living

Your small business is a big deal to us.

Casey Taylor of Village Pizza, Chief Lending Officer Jake Cleghorn, Branch Manager Dwayne Creamer, and President/CEO Brent Sammons

Casey Taylor of Village Pizza prides himself and his staff on crafting delicious, homemade pizzas and more. His restaurant is a landmark in the community and serves as a place where families and friends gather round the table to enjoy a meal and each other's company. With four decades of experience, Altamaha Bank and Trust is proud to do business with people like Casey. Our staff is dedicated to seeing our community grow and to assist you during all of life's greatest moments. Stop in and see us today!

www.altamaha.bank Jackson Jackson Street Street Branch: Branch: 912-537-1921 912-537-1921 Vidalia Vidalia West West Branch: Branch: 912-537-9452 912-537-9452 Uvalda Uvalda Branch: Branch: 912-594-6525 912-594-6525 Hazlehurst Hazlehurst Branch: Branch: 912-375-5415 912-375-5415 Showcasing Your Community's Personality

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The hub of activities for the youth of Jeff Davis County.

9 Young Street • Hazlehurst, GA 31539 30

Jeff Davis Living

(912) 253-6751

Home

Grown

T

he home-grown products in Hazlehurst and Jeff Davis County are plentiful and varied.

And, the entrepreneurs who make those home-grown products are too. From Vann and Tabatha Wooten of Top Farms who have “farming in their blood”, to Tim Callaway who owns Mary Hill Dumplings, carried by stores in 11 states, to Tracy Mason who started making candles through a “leap of faith” which now has more than 30 retailers. They all have one thing in common – determination.

They have also all used local resources and ingenuity to build their ideas into “home grown” businesses that are thriving. In this section, we celebrate them and tell their “home-grown” success.

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Home

Tracy seized her chance opportunity through a “leap of faith” and today owns Mason’s Candles, selling her products through more than 30 retail wholesalers.

Grown

MASON’S CANDLE COMPANY

STORY BY CANDICE MCKINLEY PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN RIDDLE

“Sometimes, you need to get lost to find your way.” – Unknown

T

here are seasons when a person is offered the opportunity to change the course of their life, if only they seize the chance. Many people aren’t willing to take the risks involved, preferring instead to remain in their comfort zone. There are other times when those “opportunities” come in the form of necessity preceded by upheaval. Two years ago, when Tracy Mason lost her job, she didn’t feel like she was being handed an opportunity to change her life. She was thinking about how to make ends meet.

Her husband, Tim, had recently put in his two-week notice in order to go into business for himself, so the timing 32

Jeff Davis Living

When you buy a candle from us, there is a good chance that one of our grandchildren was ‘in charge’ of applying the labels,” Tracy says.

amplified an already stressful situation. But Tracy had an ace up her sleeve—she had been making candles that were in demand among her friends and family since 2014.

Her creative passion led to a business venture that would ultimately take the place of her “9 to 5.” Tracy seized her chance opportunity through a “leap of faith” and today owns Mason’s Candles, selling her products through more than 30 retail wholesalers.

"WE FIGURED CANDLES would be something fun and “simple” for us to make but boy were we wrong! Candle making is so much more than melting wax, adding fragrance, and pouring it into a jar.

We quickly found out that candle making has everything to do with temperature. Temperatures for adding fragrances and temperatures for pouring the wax into jars has to be just right—oh yeah, and you can’t let them cool down too fast!”

She began making candles in her kitchen. When that was no longer enough room, she began candle-making in her son and daughter-in-law’s kitchen and when that no longer provided enough space, Tracy decided that she better go ahead and build a shop to house her products.

Her family has played, and continues to play a large role in the production of Mason’s Candles. Tracy began making candles at her kitchen table for friends and family during the Christmas season. “It was right before Christmas and our family was discussing what we could make homemade for our friends and family that they could enjoy,” she said. “We figured candles would be something fun and “simple” for us to make but boy were we wrong! Candle making is so much more than melting wax, adding fragrance, and pouring it into a jar. We quickly found out that candle making has everything to do with temperature.

Temperatures for adding fragrances and temperatures for pouring the wax into jars has to be just right—oh yeah, and you can’t let them cool down too fast!” All the hard work and determination has paid off. More than 5 years later, Mason’s Candles now offer many different candles and wax melt fragrances to choose from and they are constantly adding new scents to fit the changing seasons.

Now, her children and grandchildren help with production.

“When you buy a candle from us, there is a good chance

that one of our grandchildren was ‘in charge’ of applying the labels,” Tracy said, emphasizing that they are all about providing homemade gifts to the ones they love, which extends to all of their customers as well.

Tracy makes sure to fill her candles to the brim with fragrance. “I started making them because I wanted the [fragrance] to last a long time,” she said. “I put the maximum amount of fragrance in each candle, and we test them too, to make sure the fragrance lasts.” All of the candles are hand-poured in small batches, and are dyefree with no additives. With proper care, each candle will have a burn time of 72-80 hours. Each of these abundantly fragrant candles are cleverly housed in Mason Jars, for their namesake. “When we were developing our brand… we really wanted to incorporate a Southern country look,” Tracy said. “Our candles come in Mason Jars (which we thought was neat because our last name is Mason) with rustic lids that match any home décor.”

Mason’s Candles can be found locally at Corner Market Trading Post, Diamond Gallery, Sweet T's, the Polka Dot Pig, Fales Furniture and R&D Auto. For more information about Mason’s Candles and Tracy’s process, visit masonscandlesco.com or find her on Facebook at @masonscandles.

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Home

Grown

T.O.P. Farms Teaching, Serving, & Growing A Legacy In Jeff Davis County

STORY BY SHAN WALKER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY CONSTANCE WOODCOCK

Y

ou hear people say, “Farming’s in my blood,” and that rings true for both Vann and Tabatha Wooten.

The farm life is who they are because it has been a part of their history since the time they were born.

Vann says that his Grandfather, Glenn Wooten, was a big part of cultivating his love for agriculture. He would visit his Papa’s farm in Jeff Davis County and stay with him for days on end, until his Mom made him come home. Vann’s Granddad spent a lot of time teaching him about farm life from baiting a fish hook, to driving a tractor, to milking a goat.

Even though Tabatha and Vann loved farm life and had their eyes set on their own family farm, God had other plans for them. They had to go to work at “town jobs” soon after marriage.

Vann says that God knew they needed to grow, mature, and gain knowledge that would serve them well when the time came to operate their own farming business.

When the time was finally right, they purchased their first tract of land - 90 acres - from Vann’s grandfather’s estate in 1993. Vann’s Papa didn’t live on this property, so he would always tell his Granny, “I’m headed up to ‘the other place.’” Tabatha wanted to name it T.O.P. Farms to honor his Glenn Wooten’s memory. In January 1994 the broiler houses were completed, and they received our first flock of chicks in their first four houses.

Vann and Tabatha Wooten

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Jeff Davis Living

They believe that farming truly is a “business.” The

“Living in a rural county in South Georgia comes with its challenges, but I can’t think of anywhere I’d rather be.” -Vann Wooten

experiences they gained were all a part of the journey of valuable lessons they have carried into their own business today as they have worked hard to grow the farming operations.

In 1997, they were able to purchase six more broiler houses, all ten of which are now under contract with Pilgrim’s Pride in Douglas, Georgia. Together, Tabatha and Vann own approximately 1,000 acres, including both cultivation and timber land. They also have over 130 brood cows and produce approximately 1450 alternating acres of row crops of corn, peanuts, cotton, wheat, soybeans, and rye.

They’ve even been able to help their son, Derick Wooten and their daughter and son-in-law, Lauren and Brandon Adams build four poultry house each. Derick helps manage the row crop operations, and both Derick and Brandon are an instrumental part of the farming operations. However, they now have started their own poultry operations. Lauren works as a Family Nurse Practitioner and tries to keep them all healthy.

Vann and Tabatha spend time with more than poultry, crops, and cows. They are training their grandchildren for farm life Jackson (9) and Blair (7), do small chores on the farm where they can. Jackson helps feed the cows and is learning to drive the tractors, and Blair is already learning her way around the farm office helping Tabatha with the mail and organizing the office. The couple also serves in numerous civic and political organizations on the state and local levels.

After Vann served nine years on the Executive Board of the Georgia Young Farmers Association (GYFA), their son Derick, was elected to the Executive Board and served for eight years. For 17 consecutive years there was a Wooten on the Board, and were the first father and son to serve as

president of the GYFA. Vann also served in too many groups to list, including the Georgia Farm Bureau State Poultry Advisory Committee, Governor’s Ag Education Advisory Committee, and a Past President of the Jeff Davis County Young Farmers Association. He currently serves as a member of the Jeff Davis County Farm Bureau Board of Directors and Seven Rivers RC&D Council, and Tri-County Joint Development Authority. Recently, and was elected by the Ocmulgee District of Jeff Davis County to serve as their County Commissioner.

Tabatha has served as Jeff Davis County Supervisor of the Altamaha Soil and Water Conservation District, Georgia Association of District Conservationists, and Jeff Davis High School Business Education Advisory Committee.

In 1999, the family was named 1998 Georgia Young Farmers Association’s Outstanding Farm Family of the Year.

In 2006 they were recognized by the Altamaha Soil and Water Conservation District as Conservation Family of the Year for Jeff Davis County.

Vann and Tabatha both learned from an early age that there are many rewards of hard work, although those rewards are not always just monetary rewards.

The Wooten Family believes Jeff Davis County is the best place to farm and raise a family and appreciate the good selection of farm retailers, seed and chemical suppliers, and the buyers for selling commodities within reasonable distance.

There’s also a farmers’ market! They especially love that the leaders of Jeff Davis County have worked hard to ensure that there are great law enforcement agencies, fire department, hospital, and an excellent school system.

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Home

Grown Mary Hill Dumplings

SO M UC H MOR E T HAN A S O U T HER N D I S H STORY BY SHAN WALKER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY WOODCOCK PHOTOGRAPHY

“The product is exactly the same. Packaging has changed over the years for the better, but the Bible verse is still on the package and will remain so as long as I own the company.”

h

omemade dumplings are well-known in the

South to be one of those scrumptious dishes that only the most talented southern Grandmas know how to make. Little did Hazlehurst residents know, a southern cook named Mary Hill was in their midst and could help them recreate dumplings the way “Grandma” used to make them.

Those that weren’t surprised were the friends that picked up their dumplings from Mary’s mailbox, leaving cash inside of a wide-mouthed mason jar. This little arrangement went on until 1986, when Mary, a retired dietitian from Jeff Davis County Hospital, convinced her husband, a retired

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Jeff Davis Living

building contractor, to build her a “Dumplin Shoppe.” Right in the heart of Hazlehurst, Mary was able to successfully halt her mailbox exchange and actually sell her homemade frozen dumplings to the public out of a storefront.

And successful she was. She was so successful that her husband had to expand her store twice. Mary’s setup consisted of an assembly line of women that handmade and put together every one of the dumpling packages themselves. Every dumpling package that was created contained all-natural ingredients, the finest flour, and The Golden Rule stamped on the back of every package, “So in

everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 7:12.

Many friendships were made through the years with all who entered her doors and Tim Callaway was one whose special bond with “Mrs. Mary” began when he initially called on her as a White Lily flour sales representative. Tim sold high quality flour, a “must” for Mary Hill Dumplings, and her sweet character made such an impression on him that he made a point to stop in and see her anytime he was in the area.

On one fateful visit to Hazlehurst, Mary told Tim that her poor health was causing her to step away and sell the business. “One thing led to another, and before I knew it, Mary had sold me the business,” Tim said. “I tell everyone that making the decision to buy the company was one of the easiest things I have done. I just felt like with my sales experience I could take the business to the next level. As a Christian man, I had total peace that this was what I was supposed to do. Never were there any doubts whatsoever.”

With that peace, Tim moved his family to the welcoming small community of Hazlehurst and hasn’t looked back.

Mary stopped by often for visits to her old dumpling company until her passing in 2012, and Tim has committed to keep the original dumpling recipe and high standards that she began.

Tim Callaway moved his family to the welcoming small community of Hazlehurst and hasn’t looked back. Mary Hill stopped by often for visits to her old dumpling company until her passing in 2012, and Tim has committed to keep the original dumpling recipe and high standards that she began.

Tim knew that Mary Hill dumplings were more expensive than the competition but knew their quality was worth every cent. Therefore, he would frequently stop at area grocers for visits and personally chat with the grocery store managers.

With an amazing product, personal service, and hard work, the dumpling company has continued to grow every year.

So quickly in fact, that Tim had a special machine built 10 years ago to automate the production of the unique dumplings and had to buy a bigger building.

Mary Hill Dumplings are now carried by stores in 11 states across the South, including Walmart, Kroger, Publix, BILO, and many others. The Mary Hill brand has expanded to sell a buttermilk and southern style biscuit as well. They are both in their growth stages, and the southern style biscuit is currently the bestseller of the two.

Throughout the years, there have been scores of food bloggers sharing chicken and dumplings recipes online.

What’s interesting is that many of them list Mary Hill dumplings in their recipe ingredient list not only as a huge shortcut for what could be a time-consuming dish, but they also have mentioned how “homemade” the frozen dumplings taste and that no other brand compares.

Although inevitable changes have been made throughout the years to the Mary Hill Dumpling company like

Tim sold high quality flour, a “must” for Mary Hill Dumplings, and her sweet character made such an impression on him that he made a point to stop in and see her anytime he was in the area.

equipment and new products, there are a few things that haven’t. The Callaway’s have held true to the quality and personal touches that make this small town brand special, like holding on to the original recipe and the encouraging message that “Mrs. Mary” felt was important to include so many years ago.

Tim Callaway says, “The product is exactly the same.

Packaging has changed over the years for the better, but the Bible verse is still on the package and will remain so as long as I own the company.”

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CRH WOMEN’S CENTER

Dr. Bradley Goldberg

Dr. Steve Diamond

Angie Brewer, FNP-C

Dr. Jesse Kane

Meg Minchew, PA-C

Dr. Justin Peterson

Mandy Bice, WHNP-BC

Seeing Patients in Hazlehurst! Appointments Call 912.384.2500

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Main Office Located at: 2010 Ocilla Road - Douglas Visit Us Online at CRHWomensCenter.com Jeff Davis Living

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PROFILES

Fonda Ussery, and her husband, Wayne, are Certified Master Gardeners through the University of Georgia Extension Service. They spend much of their time in their garden and sharing its bounty and beauty with others. Fonda is quick to emphasize that of all that she is involved in Wayne is at her side and she could do nothing without his support and encouragement.

YO U R GUIDE TO PEOPLE, PLACE S , AND BU S I NE SS E S I N JE F F DAV I S CO U NTY Showcasing Your Community's Personality

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growing Acts of Kindness & History To Last

STORY BY SHAN WALKER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN RIDDLE

Fonda and Wayne coordinated the “Lunch-N-Learn” program to help raise funds for the local 4-H programs and involved students in implementing the programs.

With great success in her garden, Fonda and Wayne both found time to be educated as Certified Master Gardeners by the University Of Georgia Extension Service. After completing the Master Gardener courses, they began a program in 2006 called “A Day in the Garden,” which became “Lunch-N-Learn.” This was a once-a-year fundraiser to support summer camps for 4-H programs and was hosted at their residence. Three to five speakers from all areas of gardening would lead the meetings, lunch would be served, and a plant sale followed.

Even as a child, Fonda wanted to grow things and was always trying to root something. Early on she became fascinated with the stories she would read and the educational programs she would watch on TV. It was those shows about Victory Gardens, showcasing how anyone could grow a lot in a small area if looked after properly, that motivated her.

In Fonda’s mind, the purpose of flower gardening over the past few years has been to have an abundance of flowers to make and share flower arrangements— and share, she has. Through the support of her church, Fonda also provides flowers to the local nursing home for holidays.

F

inding time to be a wife, mother, and grandmother, Fonda Ussery not only blesses the community with her flowers, she has volunteered regularly for her church, nursing home, 4-H, Friends of the Library, Friends of Towns Bluff Park and Heritage Center, Veteran programs, Altamaha River Partnership, the battered women’s shelter, and has been a member of the Pine Forest Garden Club in Baxley.

Having only moved back to the area with her husband, Wayne, in 2001, the retired duo hit the ground running.

When she moved back to Hazlehurst, Fonda finally had the time and space to have a vegetable garden, and she and Wayne started using raised beds and experimenting with the task of growing vegetables, herbs, and a variety of flowers to attract butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds.

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Jeff Davis Living

Fortunately, Fonda’s acts of kindness have not gone unnoticed and she has been recognized as an Outstanding 4-H Volunteer of South East District, won an award of appreciation by the Jeff Davis County Veterans, and was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award by her local Chamber of Commerce.

Fonda, pictured with then chamber director Bonnie Hulett, was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the chamber of commerce.

It’s hard to keep up with Fonda Ussery, as she is a woman without idle hands, but one may be lucky enough to find her knee deep in her personal garden these days, cleaning it up from the winter. Fonda says it’s a lot of work for her to get the lawn and garden prepared for summer, with trimming, weeding, and fertilizing to do, and the fact that she’s always trying out new plants and dividing plants that multiplied.

PERSONALITY

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In Fonda’s mind, the purpose of flower gardening over the past few years has been to have an abundance of flowers to make and share flower arrangements—and share, she has. Through the support of her church, Fonda also provides flowers to the local nursing home for holidays.

When asked what motivates her to create such a beautiful garden, share her bounty of flowers, and spend so much time volunteering throughout Jeff Davis on so many projects, her main response is “a love for my community” and she is most proud of the work she has done with the Friends of Towns Bluff Park and Heritage Center to establish the museum which tells the story of the history of Jeff Davis County.

Fonda says, “I am very proud of Jeff Davis County and my ultimate goal for all that I do is to show what can be done in a community when you set your mind to it. We can accomplish so much toward a positive image of our county when we work together.”

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“God will bless you with what you grow, if you share it with others.”

- Fonda Ussery

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Jeff Davis Living

22 Delos Griffin Road • Hazlehurst, GA 31539 912-253-2514 Woodcockphotography.com

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Chip’s Discount Drugs

• Come shop at Chip's for...

ALL YOUR PHARMACY AND HOME MEDICAL NEEDS.

• We deliver-free of charge.

• Offering dis-pill pill pack service.

• Expansion completed to better serve you.

• Come on in! We'll be glad to see you!

(912) 375-3218

240 S Tallahasse Street • Hazlehurst, GA 44

Jeff Davis Living

HOME

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Take Me Home Country Roads

STORY BY JOHN RIDDLE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY WOODCOCK PHOTOGRAPHY

Gary and Janice Merritt’s Log Cabin is a Dream Come True Showcasing Your Community's Personality

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His life-long love of music is the way he first met Janice. Gary was accompanying a southern gospel quartet in Brunswick, where Janice is from, when they were both teens.

The cabin sits on 41 acres including a pond, dug since they moved in, which contributes to the serene setting and draws Gary and Janice to their favorite spot on the front porch.

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Jeff Davis Living

The cabin’s main living space includes a loft with a big-screen television and cozy den.

G

ary Merritt has always had a fondness for the country living lifestyle. As if living in a log cabin isn’t testament enough, just step onto the front porch of his log cabin and see the miniature farmyards proudly displayed and hand-carved by local craftsman, Earl Roberts.

Gary, a Jeff Davis native, always longed to return to his hometown and build his dream home that would be a constant reminder of his family and his country roots.

He purchased the home in Jesup. It was dismantled and moved log-by-log to the site. The process took three months and was complete in December 2015. However, there was still much work to do including handsanding each log and then adding a layer of clear-coat. Gary did have help with that laborious task from then friend – and now Gary’s wife – Janice Odom Merritt. He moved in in 2017. They were married at the home on October 2018.

Wa-kai-gan Trail, named for the Chippewa Indian name for log house, has certainly been a “labor of love” with a lot of work put into making it the home Gary had always dreamed of. Completing the dream is having his new bride, Janice, to share it with.

The modern kitchen has unique touches.

The cabinets do not have backs on them so the logs show though. The farm-house sink is copper. There are exposed beams in the ceiling with track lighting.

A modern light fixture is just one of the highlights in the dining area with antique tea kettles set on a 100 yearold table and roosters painted by a local artist.

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Gary’s white ba­by-grand piano pro­vides a stark contrast to the otherwise rustic elements in the cabin.

The main bedroom is on the first floor with a door to the back porch. The window valances are hand made and painted and are found throughout the hose.

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Jeff Davis Living

Experience a better way to bank.

24 1 1 2- rg 2 -8 U.o 0 C 80 IUF

HAZLEHURST BRANCH 14 Hinson Street Hazlehurst, GA 31539 Phone: 912-375-0640 Showcasing Your Community's Personality

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•Metal roofs are made of 25%-95% recycled materials and are 100% recyclable after use.

• Metal roofing materials offered in aluminum, zinc, copper, or galvanized steel.

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Jeff Davis Living

76 Alberta Rd, Screven, GA 31560 yodermetals@gmail.com • yodermetalsga.com

ACHIEVEMENT

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B.H. Claxton

Cultivates A Beautiful Life STORY BY SHAN WALKER PHOTO COURTESY OF THE JEFF DAVIS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

At 92 years old, one might wonder how it’s possible that B.H. Claxton has accomplished so much. His son, Argene, says it’s because his dad has held a vision in his mind of a better community for generations to come.

I

t’s often said that if you need something done, you need to ask a busy person, and Brazle Hubert Claxton, or “B.H.,” as loved ones call him, certainly comes to mind. B.H. Claxton has always had a love for his South Georgia hometown and was recognized by the Jeff Davis County Chamber of Commerce in 2018 with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to his community where he dedicated thirty years of growing the fairgrounds project and bringing people to Jeff Davis County.

of teaching Veterans-on-Farm training for the Army, B.H. Claxton’s total teaching profession lasted for a rewarding forty years.

A native of Hazlehurst, Georgia, all B.H. Claxton wanted as a young man was to attend ABAC at Tifton and become an agricultural teacher, so he and his dad worked out a deal that summer where he could earn enough college tuition from one acre of tobacco to cover his first year's tuition of college. He went on to obtain his Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Education Specialist degrees from the University of Georgia and serve in the Army during the Korean War before beginning his teaching career and a family.

Argene recalls that they rode down the old dirt road they lived on until they found the specimens. Argene reminisces, “Over the course of almost four decades of my own agriculture education career of 37 years as an Ag teacher at Perry High School in Perry, Georgia, I have often recounted the time that he just didn’t tell me the answer, he showed me the answer.”

With the balance of teaching in Jeff Davis County from 1958 to 1989 and his two years

B.H. was a natural teacher named as Star Teacher three times at Jeff Davis High School, but his lessons were not limited to the classroom. His son, Argene, shares that one day as a young boy, he asked his dad questions about tree specimens. B.H. explained the differences to his son at the dinner table and after the meal, B.H. said to Argene, “get in the truck.”

Not one to sit still during retirement, B.H. supervised the organization of the Jeff Davis Agricultural Fair Association where not only livestock, restroom, auditorium and exhibition buildings were built, but an 1890s Homestead Village have been

restored and still enjoyed by many today.

Also after retirement, B.H. was inducted into the Georgia Agricultural Hall of Fame, became a member of Sons of the American Revolution and Confederate Veterans, and still serves on the Jeff Davis Board of Education and the Altamaha Soil and Water Conservation Council.

At 92 years old, one might wonder how it’s possible that B.H. Claxton has accomplished so much. Argene Claxton speaks of his dad and says, “Family, faith and community have long been important to daddy. He’s been on numerous committees, participated in countless civic activities, and been instrumental in church and school improvements with a large measure of passion and dedication. He’s done these things with the idea of a better community for the generations to come.

“Whenever my dad, B.H. and I are out of town and someone asks where we are from, my daddy’s voice always gets stronger when he says, ““I am from Hazlehurst, Jeff Davis County.””

And proud B.H. is of his home.

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R ECOG N I T I O N

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On The Air WITH JIM SEWELL

S

STORY BY DERBY WATERS

OMETIMES LIFE JUST UPS AND THROWS YOU A SWEET LITTLE CURVE. AND SOMETIMES WHEN YOU TRULY LOVE DOING SOMETHING AND YOU WORK AT IT, YOU GET RECOGNIZED FOR BEING REALLY GOOD AT IT.

Such is the case of Jim Sewell and announcing high school sports—in particular high school baseball. Jim has just been named the Baseball Broadcaster of the Year by the Georgia Dugout Club. He received an award in May for his work at the Dugout Club’s annual awards banquet in Macon. The statewide honor is presented to one outstanding baseball radio announcer each year, but the fact that this year’s honor went to a small market broadcaster is recognition of the good work Jim has done.

This year marks the 14th year Jim has covered the season for the Jeff Davis High School Yellow Jacket baseball team. It all started back in 1999 when Jim was asked to give the color commentary for the Yellow Jackets’ football team, which he did for two seasons. That stint was followed by a few years away from announcing, and then Jim did play-by-play for a few seasons before going back to the color commentary. He also added coverage of the high school softball team.

Then in 2006, the local radio station, WHJD,

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Jeff Davis Living

asked Jim to give play-by-play coverage of the high school baseball season. “I was very surprised and very humbled to learn that I had been named for the award,” Jim said of the recognition. “There are a lot of really great sports announcer out there.” And he gives credit to announcers Tony DeLoach and Stan Rentz, from whom he learned about the way to announce sports events. And of his wife of 43 years, Lucy, he said that she has sacrificed throughout the years giving up many Friday nights so that Jim could pursue his passion.

And, he added, she kept many suppers warmed for him until he could get home after some sporting event. “She’s my best supporter and critic,” he says of her.

Jim gives credit to the Jacket’s head baseball coach Paul Glass for his cooperation in making information available to add to the interest for announcing the games. “I really appreciate the cooperation from the coaches and the administration of Jeff Davis High School,” Jim said. “They go out of their way to make our job easier. Without their help we couldn’t get the games to the folks who aren’t able to get out to the field to follow the team. And, of course, there is my great football color commentator Randy “Bug” Smith who does such a great job.”

Jim says that he never really pursued a career as a sports announcer although he had thought of it over the years. “I’ve always been a sports fan,” he said. “I coached Little League and played adult softball. The sportscasting is just something that

HARD WORK AND SACRIFICE THROUGH THE YEARS HAS NOW BEEN RECOGNIZED FOR JIM SEWELL, WHO NEVER EXPECTED TO BECOME A SPORTSCASTER MUCH LESS THE BASEBALL BROADCASTER OF THE YEAR OF GEORGIA.

developed over the years. I served as the president of the Booster’s Club, and that is what led me into the radio business as a sports announcer.”

Photo by Brave Stag Productions

He came to Jeff Davis in the early 80s from Sumter County in order to take a job at Thompson’s Hardwoods. Through the years he has been involved in several different occupations and since 2006 he has served as the Director of the Jeff Davis Board of Tourism. That job is officially a 20-hours per week job, but Jim says being involved in community events takes up many more hours.

He also serves as President of the Explore Hwy 341 organization and Vice President of Altamaha River Partnership. In addition, he is an active member of the Rotary Club and is the finance chairman at the First United Methodist Church.

So hard work and sacrifice through the years has now been recognized for Jim Sewell who never expected to become a sportscaster much less the Baseball Broadcaster of the Year of Georgia. “I’ve loved every minute of it,” he smiles. Get this man a mic.

Jim Sewell was presented with the Outstanding Broadcaster Award.

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ACHIEVEMENT

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Jeff Davis STAR Student:

Uziel Rios

Being a star student is no small feat, and being Jeff Davis High School’s STAR Student requires determination, intelligence and a “can do” attitude. This year’s STAR student is Uziel Rios. Uziel is the 17-year-old son of Saul Rios and Margarita Juarez. He will be attending Oxford College of Emory University in the fall, and his current major is Physics with a Pre-Med Track.

Uziel chose Mr. Dustin Allen as his Star Teacher. Mr. Allen taught Uziel AP World History in 9th grade and AP US History in 11th grade.

Dustin Allen is currently Jeff Davis High School's School Improvement Specialist. He has been in education for eight years. He is married to Tiffany, and they have a three-year-old daughter, Avery, with a baby on the way in September.

Mr. Allen is also a licensed minister and is currently pastoring at Fishing Creek Baptist Church in Lumber City, Georgia.

Mr. Allen also coaches cross country for JDHS, and Uziel was one of his players.

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STAR is Born

STORY BY CANDICE MCKINLEY | PHOTOGRAPHY BY WOODCOCK PHOTOGRAPHY

About being named Uziel’s STAR Teacher, Allen said, “Uziel is absolutely a great person to be around. Many teenagers wait for opportunities to be handed to them— not Uziel—he has the attitude that he must go out and acquire what he wants. This attitude was apparent in the classroom, on the band field and on the cross-country course. I feel privileged that Uziel selected me to be his STAR teacher.”

The Star Student program is sponsored by PAGE. In order to be named the STAR Student, the student must be a senior and score the highest out of his senior class on the SAT in a single sitting.

STAR Teacher Dustin Allen, 2019 STAR Student Uziel Rios, and Jeff Davis High School Principal Chris Roppe

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Jeff Davis Living

M E N TO R I N G

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Joe Hansley with 2019 Joe Lee Hansley Foundation Scholarship recipient Ariana Harmon.

Joe Lee Hansley Foundation STORY BY ANGEL HARMON

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hey say actions speak louder than words. For Joe Hansley, he now lives this truth after becoming the change he truly wanted to see in the community. A native of Jeff Davis, he is the founder and president of the Joe Lee Hansley Foundation (JLHF) which has been building bridges for youth since 2005.

Although, Joe resides in Portsmouth, Virginia, he and his team have been actively providing outreach to at-risk youth through educational enrichment, leadership development, and mentorship hoping to cultivate a generation of responsible leaders.

Joe started JLHF while enlisted as active duty in the military, and a year before he was actually set to come home, he lost his brother to a drug-related shooting in 2013. This heart-wrenching loss is what strengthened Joe to push harder for himself, his family and the youth in the community. “I lost my father in the seventh grade. I ended up in alternative school in the eighth grade...had a mentor from middle school, who was the football coach and guidance counselor, kind of helped turn me around.

Later, I started playing football and hanging around more positive people.”

Joe was pressed to channel that energy forward, as he vowed to become the positive leader and mentor that youth could look up

to. ‘It’s very rewarding all the time when you get testimonials from people,” he said. “I’m a firm believer of mentoring. When we’re mentoring to the kids we like to explain to them that...a kid without a mentor is like an explorer without a map trying to get to a destination, but you keep going in circles.”

Every child deserves the opportunity to succeed, and this is why Joe and his team strive for more positive outcomes than what has been placed in front of them. Since starting JLHF, Joe doesn’t have to simply believe that his work has brought “hope, belief, love, and exposure” to the community -- the participating youth, the scholarships received, and the national partners are all proof that the foundation has given the youth “a new way of looking at life.”

Each year, JLHF also offers scholarships to graduating high school students and hosts an annual gala in their honor. Scholarships are category-based: military, academic and sports with a certain criterion that must be met in order to qualify. This year, four seniors from Jeff Davis High School was selected, for a total of 35-40 recipients nationally, also including students from Ware, Wayne, Appling, Coffee, and Toombs counties. For more information about the Joe Lee Hansley foundation, visit jlhfoundation.com or you can visit their page on Facebook.

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TERRY STONE

}

No Stone UNTURNED LEAVING ST ORY B Y K I M SM I T H

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ERRY STONE IS NO STRANGER AROUND JEFF DAVIS COUNTY,

although she’s quick to admit she wasn’t born here. She arrived by train with her mom when she was 21 days old and has resided here most of her life. Over the years, Terry has volunteered in the community to give back. Her activism is extensive and when asked what drives her, she’s quick to express loyalty to her hometown.

She loves the close-knit family feel and couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. Her enthusiasm is just as infectious as the playful kitten pouncing around the office at Stone’s Machine Shop where Terry spends most of her time.

She and her husband Freddie, along with sons Chris and Matt, run the profitable family business, which has been in operation since 1978.

Terry has served on several boards within the county over the past decade. By volunteering, Terry not only gives to the community, she also gets satisfaction from the accomplishments she’s seen come to fruition. She’s

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Jeff Davis Living

Terry Stone, owner of Stone’s Machine Shop, has served on several boards within the county over the past decade. By volunteering, Terry not only gives to the community, she also gets satisfaction from the accomplishments she’s seen come to fruition.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY WOODCOCK PHOTOGRAPHY

CO M M U N I T Y

served on the Joint Development Authority of Jeff Davis County, Hazlehurst, and Denton, the Jeff Davis County Library Board, the Hazlehurst-Jeff Davis County Board of Tourism, and the Hazlehurst-Jeff Davis Chamber of Commerce.

Terry has served with the Joint Development Authority (JDA) over five years. This area is her favorite because she desires to bring jobs to our community. The JDA’s primary purpose is to recruit new businesses and grow existing ones.

In her tenure, she’s seen expansions or growth in several businesses, such as EP American Footwear, Hazlehurst Wood Pellets, Beasley Forest Products, and Propex. The JDA can recruit businesses by offering business financing and incentives. The incentives are based on the number of potential jobs a business is bringing to the community. Terry’s experience at Stone’s Machine Shop has helped her be a key player in successfully maneuvering the pros and cons of economic development. With her entrepreneurial insight, she’s a great asset to the board.

While no longer on the Jeff Davis County Library Board, Terry served for 12 years. During that time, $3.5 million was allocated to the board by the Frazier estate for a new library. The late Joe Frazier was the founder and owner of the Frazier Oil Company in Hazlehurst. He and his wife, Margaret, were committed to providing Jeff Davis County with a state-of-the-art library. As chairperson of the board in 2010, Terry was at the rainy groundbreaking ceremony with a shovel in one hand and an umbrella in the other.

“Jeff Davis County reaped a monumental blessing,” Terry remembers. “Standing in the cold rain that February was a small price to pay.”

Terry has also been active with the Board of Tourism for several years. Promoting tourism is a vital part of our community’s economic growth and development. Hazlehurst/ Jeff Davis County may not be a typical tourist attraction, but according to the Center for Rural Affairs, trends in this area have been vastly changing. Many tourists are seeking local culture and cuisine. Small communities, with a hometown feel, are a specialized niche. Terry understands the reason others are drawn to areas like ours and believes capitalizing on the uniqueness of our community is instrumental to tourism. “Our biggest tourist attraction is Peaches to Beaches,” Terry surmises. But she also recognizes the vast importance of sporting events and steak cook-offs.

According to ExploreGeorgia.org, “Each household in Georgia would need to be taxed an additional $885 per year to replace the tourism taxes received by state and local governments in 2017.”

The Hazlehurst-Jeff Davis County Chamber of Commerce has been fortunate to have Terry on board for several years.

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During her tenure, Terry, who has an accounting degree, has been instrumental in offering financial insight. Most importantly though, Terry sincerely explains, “I feel our chamber is drawing our community together and getting better every day. We want to see our town excel. We all have a common goal.” The chamber is an informational hub about everything happening in the community and works closely with the Board of Tourism and the Joint Development Authority.

The chamber works tirelessly to promote its members and organize events that benefit our community.

“If you’re not involved in the community, step up and make a difference,” Terry encourages, giving the once-stray kitten, which now has a happy home at Stone’s Machine Shop, one final scratch. “You’ll have a sense of accomplishment when you do.” Terry’s community involvement is certainly worth noticing. She has left no stone unturned.

not involved in the community, “stepIfupyou’re and make a difference. You’ll have a sense of accomplishment when you do.”

Terry, showing her lighter side, knows no limits on being involved such as dressing up in period attire for a chamber banquet with a 1950’s theme.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY WOODCOCK PHOTOGRAPHY

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Hardie's Drug Store, Inc. Corner Stone Christian Bookstore 38 S. Tallahassee Street • Hazlehurst, GA 31539 • (912) 375-2545

STONE’S MACHINE SHOP, INC. ACCU-WAYS, INC.

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Jeff Davis Living

CHAMPIONSHIP

Three time

Master 4-H’er

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Chanleigh Underwood understands the importance of raising healthy animals and she has devoted herself to the task. While others are chasing their dreams along other avenues, you can find her chasing hers in the barn.

Chanleigh Underwood

STORY BY SHEILA MARCHANT

“Glitz and Glam, Let’s Show Some Ham”….this was the title for a Cloverleaf

DPA speech for 5th grade 4-H member, Chanleigh Underwood in 2014. She presented this Cloverleaf DPA project in Pork Production where she placed 1st. Chanleigh was new to the presentation side of 4-H, but she was no stranger to opportunities 4-H had to offer in the livestock program. Chanleigh has been showing pigs with Jeff Davis County 4-H since she was four years old in the pre-club 4-H Livestock program. Starting at an early age has peaked her interest in the pork project and has served her well in the last eight years at the Georgia Junior National Livestock Show held each year in Perry, GA. In the 5th grade, when she presented her speech about showing pigs, Chanleigh used first-hand knowledge of showing pigs and brought it to life for those in the pork project. She has carried this knowledge and love for the program on to achieve high status among 4-H members statewide. Master 4-H Status is the highest attainable achievement a 4-H member can earn by winning in a project area at the state level. Underwood won the Georgia Junior National Market Gilt Show for the first time in 2013 as a 4th grader with her pig Tootsie, earning her first Master Status. In 2014, there was repeat in the hog barn when Chanleigh and her pig Angel took home the honors of Grand Champion Market Gilt earning her a second Master 4-H’er Status as a 5th grader. She has also placed in the top five, four of the eight years she has competed.

The Georgia National Junior Livestock Show was held once again in Perry, February 20-23, 2019. Chanleigh and her gilt,

Thunder, brought home top honors from the state as Overall Grand Champion Market Gilt. This win once again, earns Master 4-H status for Underwood. A three time Master 4-H Member is no small feat. Many 4-H’ers compete all through high school in numerous projects and never achieve this honor, and she now holds three Master titles. Chanleigh devotes many hours to the training, working and caring for her show pigs.

While others in the community are involved in sports, showing and raising show pigs is Chanleigh’s sport. She works after school every day, on weekends and holidays, rain, shine, hot or cold, to earn these high honors. In addition to winning overall Grand Champion Gilt, Chanleigh was the 1st place winner for 10th grade showmanship. Her dedication to the project prevailed for her once again as she brought home top awards in this prestigious event. This show has become the largest youth livestock show east of the Mississippi River with over 2000 animals exhibited.

When asked how she would promote the show pig industry or encourage others to show, Underwood says, “To me it’s fun! I love the task of gaining the pig’s trust and then teaching them to walk proud. Yes, walk proud may sound silly, but the pig has to learn to trust you……My pigs are my teammates and it’s so rewarding.” Chanleigh has a love for animals, especially pigs, and plans to continue to show pigs throughout high school.

Chanleigh is the 16-year-old daughter of Chad and Autumn Underwood and attends Jeff Davis High School. She is an advocate for the livestock industry, and the 4-H program and understands the importance of agriculture to our community and our state.

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Faith

CO U R A G E

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S TA N D I N G O N

P R E S S I NG FO RWA R D W H E N T H E R E ’ S NOT H I NG L E F T STORY BY A N G EL HA R M O N

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ER LIFE SHIFTED IN UNIMAGINABLE ways that she had never expected. Year after year, it seemed that there was a new trial to face or a fight to be finished. But, through the dark clouds and amid the storms that were moving through her life, one thing was for certain for Kim Smith -- she never lost her faith in God. She will never forget the trauma of losing her late husband, Monty Smith. The two met when Kim was 19-years-old, working a summer job. That year, she wasn’t expecting to meet a man, let alone fall in love and later, get married.

“He was the love of my life. He was a great man and truly a humble guy,” she shared. Kim and Monty were married 21-years with two children, Eric and Jamie Brooke. Kim described him as a best friend, a sage, a mentor, and an awesome father. On November 16, 2015, her soul mate and life partner died at age 47 after a year-long battle to pancreatic cancer.

The death of a loved one is a devastating experience to endure, but Kim stood firm in her faith and leaned on God for healing. During that time, she worked as an X-Ray Technologist at Jeff Davis Hospital. Kim was later hired as the Administrative Assistant to the Chief Executive Officer. Her career at the hospital continued until being pressed by God to leave in 2016.

One day, her answer became clear in the form of a greeting card which read, ‘Has God got plans for you,’ and on the inside, ‘This is just the beginning!

Congrats!’ She knew God was sending reassurance that it was time to make a transition.

Kim Smith will never forget the trauma of losing her late husband, Monty Smith. The two met when Kim was 19-years-old, working a summer job.

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Jeff Davis Living

Kim has learned to live a life

OF GRATITUDE DESPITE THE SITUATIONS SHE’S FACED. THERE WASN’T A MOMENT WHERE SHE’D FELT THAT GOD COULDN’T PULL HER THROUGH.

Kim and Monty Smith were married 21-years and have two children, Eric and Jamie Brooke.

After she left the hospital, Kim served faithfully at the Community Church of God in children and women’s ministries. Despite challenges, Kim still felt God’s strength and power…even on her worst days where she felt that she’d made the wrong decision. She remembers, “being at the church and cleaning...I was frustrated.” Kim found herself, “crying out to God about leaving my job and asking Him how long I’d have to remain there.” God spoke to her in that moment and assured her that she was where she needed to be. “It was so clear...He said, ‘for a lifetime.’”

Just as life began to settle, it took another turn. ‘Be strong and courageous’ are words that blessed her before she was able to fully understand why. On January 7, 2017, her father, Johnny Taylor, was scheduled for his last dialysis appointment. Kim felt tethered to him. She shared, “I felt it in my spirit. I just knew. The Lord had prepared me” for that moment when he would take his last breath. What should have been the happiest day of her father’s life, upon completing dialysis, became harrowing for her. After battling liver/kidney failure, he closed his eyes one last time.

She was hurt, burdened with pain and sorrow, but it takes great faith to go through each battle and continue to foster trust in God. This bible verse became her anchor, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” - John 10:10 Not too long after Kim’s father passed, her grandmother’s health began to decline due to kidney failure in 2018. Later that year, her dog became paralyzed and was in need of surgery. “I remember crying out, ‘Not my dog, Lord! How much more can I take! I just remember calling for help and crying so bad that I couldn’t speak.’”

When someone said, ‘God gives his toughest battles to His strongest soldiers,’ they must have been talking about Kim

Woodcock Photography

because she continued to press forward in faith. Even now, it’s inspiring to see her insist on emotional elegance and productive optimism despite the worst. Most of it comes from making the decision daily to trust God and to not give up.

Kim has learned to live a life of gratitude despite the situations she’s faced. There wasn’t a moment where she’d felt that God couldn’t pull her through. She pressed forward and as a testament to fervent faith, she leaves words of encouragement based on what she’s learned and gained from life’s traumas: * Love extravagantly. Cherish family, friends, and co-workers and let them know. * Be a person of integrity so that your reputation precedes you. * We’re stronger and more influential together. * Life is too short to sweat the small stuff. * When it’s in your power to do good, do it, whether the recipient is deserving or not. * Have fun! Expose your personality. We’re unique for a reason.

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COLEMAN’S T I R E

&

AU TO

(912) 375-3267 Monday - Friday 7:00 am - 5:30 pm 61 West Coffee Street • Hazlehurst, GA 31539

LAMAR A. ELDER, JR. Attorney At Law

Practicing since 1979 Real Estate Personal Injury Corporate & Business Law Estate Planning Criminal & Civil

912-375-3681 7 Jeff Davis Street Hazlehurst, GA 31539 62

Jeff Davis Living

SPORTS

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JEFF DAVIS HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL TEAM 2019 GEORGIA HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATION DIVISION 2-AA STATE CHAMPIONS!

STORY BY JOHN RIDDLE

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aseball is more than just a pastime for the Jeff Davis High School Yellow Jackets. It’s a commitment and Coach Paul Glass recognizes that his team had to “buy in” to what it takes to reach this pinnacle of success.

“To compete at the state level, our players had to buy in to what it takes for us to win.

They had to buy in to the whole thing not just the season in the spring. They had to work in the summer, in the fall, on holidays and weekends. They have embraced this philosophy and it has paid off with some deep playoff runs. The key to competing is putting in the work and these guys did that,” explained Coach Glass.

The coaches challenged the players at the beginning of the year to prove that they were a

team that could compete at the state level. “We just put it to the team this year to prove that they could put Jeff Davis back in the playoff hunt and they took it to heart,” Coach Glass said.

Perhaps the most important factor in this team becoming state champs is their commitment to each other and the character they showed when times were tough.

“They did a good job of picking each other up when one of them had a bad game.

They showed guts when things looked bad. They developed a reputation of never giving in which in my mind is the greatest complement you can give a team,” Coach Glass said.

“This team competed no matter what the circumstances. They never backed away from the challenge.”

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Local Doctor

Gives Back

STORY BY JOHN REED | PHOTOS COURTESY OF DR. LLOYD MASON

Dr. Mason has regular office hours. But like most doctors, he is on call 24/7 for emergencies. He has also traveled outside of the United States to be of service to others, such as this trip to Jamaica in 2015.

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n small towns like Hazlehurst, it’s common for kids to leave home for jobs or college, and never return. The lure of bigger towns draws many. For a few, though, small town life is exactly what they want. Such a rarity is Dr. Lloyd Mason.

Several generations of Masons have called southeast Georgia home.

Born and raised here, Lloyd attended Brewton-Parker College in Mount Vernon for his undergraduate degree. This small Baptistaffiliated college was a perfect match for a graduate from a small high school. Commuting time was only thirty minutes, so clean clothes and home-cooked meals were easily within reach.

After attaining his degree in 1991, Lloyd went further afield.

Moving to Tennessee, he spent four years at the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis. After obtaining his medical degree in 1995, he moved back home to begin plying his chosen profession.

Dr. Mason worked at first with Dr. Davis Jacobs, an ophthalmologist in Waycross. When longtime local eye doctor Dr. Robert Elton retired after 42 years, Dr. Mason took over his practice on South Tallahassee Street. The practice moved to its present location on Cross Street in 2001. In time, his independent practice joined the national Vision Source group. As the demands of training, insurance and legal paperwork, and ever-increasingly expensive equipment needs grow, this partnership has allowed his small rural practice to become plugged in to the latest technology and research from around the country. The corporation handles much of the “back office” work, allowing him to concentrate on his patients.

While most people connect the terms “eye doctor” and “optometrist,” there is often confusion about the differences between optometrists and ophthalmologists. Dr. Mason would be the first to explain that 64

Jeff Davis Living

GIVING BACK

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“Doctor. Family man. Community leader. Trainer to the next generation. Dr. Lloyd Mason does it all humbly and ably.”

Dr. Lloyd Mason met his wife Lisa at Brewton-Parker, and they married in 1992.

They have three children: Brittany, 23; Hannah, 20; and Alex, 13.

Optometrists are the primary care doctors of eyecare. Just as the family doctor might be a GP, or general practitioner, an optometrist provides the first line of defense for eye care. An optometrist is a health care professional who specializes in function and disorders of the eye and visual system as well as diagnosis and treatment of eye disease.

An optometrist conducts eye examinations, prescribes corrective contact lenses and glasses, and manages acute eye problems like infections and more chronic problems like glaucoma. Optometrists also perform some surgical procedures such as removal of foreign bodies from the eye.

General examinations, updating eyeglasses prescriptions, etc. are the bulk of Lloyd’s daily work, but there are frequently more unusual patient presentations such as patients presenting with visual problems as a result of systemic problems like diabetes or neurologic problems like a stroke or a tumor. When something comes along that requires more specialized care, he will refer the patient to an ophthalmologist that provides sub-specialty care.

Dr. Mason has regular office hours. But like most doctors, he is on call 24/7 for emergencies. Despite time spent at the office, he is a busy family man as well. He met his wife Lisa at Brewton-Parker, and they married in 1992.

Lisa has a Master’s degree in education, and teaches first grade at Jeff Davis Primary School.

The Masons have three children: Brittany, 23; Hannah, 21; and Alex, 14. The youngest attends Jeff Davis Middle School, and is an avid baseball player. Hannah is pursuing a nursing degree at Georgia Southern University, while the eldest daughter is following in her mother’s footsteps as a math teacher in a neighboring school

district. Recently, the Masons were presented with their first grandson.

In addition to family and professional life, Dr. Mason serves his community in various leadership capacities. He is a deacon at Southside Baptist Church, and also teaches an adult Sunday School class. He also serves on the board of directors of the Altamaha Bank and Trust and is a member of the American Optometric Association, The Georgia Optometric Association, and is board-certified by the American Board of Optometry, a voluntary endeavor which provides extra training and updates on the latest trends in the field.

Lloyd’s early work experience left lessons learned. Now well established himself, he has nevertheless actively worked to pass on his own experience. No fewer than six of his patients have become eye doctors themselves, or are currently in Optometry school for that path.

Neal Lovett is one example. Once he received his medical degree, he began working under Dr. Mason here. In time, he has opened his own thriving practice in Baxley, even as he echoes his mentor’s church work, playing piano weekly for the First United Methodist Church in Hazlehurst. Kyle Varnadoe is another apprentice of Dr. Mason and works with him at Southern Eyecare. While Lloyd is far from ready to contemplate retirement, he may well pass the torch to Dr. Varnadoe when the time comes.

Doctor. Family man. Community leader. Trainer to the next generation. Dr. Lloyd Mason does it all humbly and ably.

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WHAT DRIVES the Jeff Davis County Youth Center?

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ost any afternoon, one can drive by the Jeff Davis County Youth Center on Young Street and see exactly why it’s a community hub for youth activities.

Neighborhood children and teens flock to the facility primarily for basketball games but cheering from the bleachers is reason enough, too.

After all, the mission of the youth center is “to provide a safe haven for kids to hang out, while providing them opportunities to get involved in physical and educational activities.”

The center was first acquired in by the Hazlehurst Community League in 2000 with a grant procured through joint efforts by State Representative

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Jeff Davis Living

STORY BY KIM SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY BY WOODCOCK PHOTOGRAPHY

Roger Byrd, Senator Van Streat, Jeff Davis County Board of Commissioners, and Hazlehurst City Council. The Hazlehurst Community League, whose President at that time was Juanita Rozier, worked diligently with Commissioner Reginald W. Kornegay and City Councilman Eugene Allen to make the center the success it is today.

Originally, the center operated as Hazlehurst High School but had closed. The building had no central heating and air conditioning, and the gymnasium didn’t have bleachers.

The center operated without these

amenities until SPLOST and grant funding became available. Currently, Hazlehurst City Council, the Jeff Davis County School Board, the Jeff Davis County Board of Commissioners and private donors all work diligently to keep the center operational, and the community is gratefully reaping the benefits.

Jeff Davis Youth Center Director Dywane Johnson has spent countless hours mentoring young people as a volunteer at the center. He’s been volunteering since the facility was first acquired by the Community League. “Some people say you’re

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YO U T H

BASKETBALL TOURNAMENTS and weekend activities draw roughly 500 visitors a month to the center.

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”

just babysitting,” he laughs, “but I’ve been blessed by God to see the center keep kids off the street.” Originally, the center was opened three days a week for a few hours at the time.

But Johnson and volunteers quickly realized the center’s impact on the community and extended the hours.

Nowadays, the center is abuzz with activity most afternoons. “Except when there’s bad weather,” Johnson confesses sheepishly, with a grin.

“I don’t let the kids in when it’s thundering and lightning outside.”

Johnson’s winsome personality and easy-going attitude make him an excellent role model for the youth.

According to Psychologist Marilyn Price-Mitchell, author of What is a Role Model? Five Qualities that Matter to Youth, successful role models empower children to live meaningful lives. The desire of a role model should be to serve others more than self. Serving others more than himself has long been what drives Johnson. He’s served on the Hazlehurst City Council for 17 years where he’s always been a staunch advocate of the center. In recent years, a stroke has limited Johnson’s ability to be at the center as often as he’d like, but his heart for the center hasn’t diminished.

Glenn L. Harris, Sr., “We have roughly, on a monthly basis, 500 or more coming in and out.” Basketball tournaments and weekend activities draw most of the visitors. Youth Center Chair Rodney King works alongside

Johnson and is instrumental in planning, coordinating, and supervising events. At the present, Jeff Davis County Youth Center may be a diamond in the rough, but its potential is immeasurable.

The outreach capabilities of the center are impressive. According to current Community League President Showcasing Your Community's Personality

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T

here’s still time to apply!

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“If it doesn't say SOUTH, it's not us.”

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Jeff Davis Living

Arts

& CULTURE

Fine Arts Effort Growing STORY BY JOHN REED

C

an the Fine Arts flourish in a small rural community?

If so, can they act as a draw to bring in new people and new jobs? Just what are the “fine arts” anyway?

These questions and more are being asked by a group of people tasked with re-starting the Jeff Davis Arts & Entertainment Council (JDAEC). Spearheaded by Hazlehurst Mayor Bayne Stone and retired educator John Reed, the group has taken several small steps towards formation.

The JDAEC was active a couple of decades ago, sponsoring talent shows, musical reviews, and the historical drama “Mama’s Quilt.” As its original members retired or passed away, the group became dormant. In a way, it became a metaphor for the town itself. The Great Recession of 2008 was the final straw for many, as businesses closed, and people spent their time and energy on economic survival.

But the town has seen new life being breathed into it recently.

Rory Chaney started the Hazlehurst Main Street Project to encourage investment and renovation in the area’s empty buildings. Her efforts have sparked great interest, with proposals for cafes, galleries, even a recording studio.

Critical to the success of these efforts is having an active arts community. What does that include? Music comes to mind— fed by a strong school band program, there are more than 300 student musicians in the area. While not all are still active, the alumni of the band number in the hundreds. Many have taken up other instruments including voice and guitar. Several local bands have found success, including Hatton Still, Kendra Welch,

and Butch Coleman’s Double Eagle Band.

Looking deeper into the definition of “art” we find drama and the visual arts like painting, photography, sculpture, and the like.

There are too few places in town offering access to the arts and the artists. That’s even more true for “folk art” or handicrafts such as pottery, quilts, woodcarvings, leatherwork, etc. In essence, anything created by someone for others’ enjoyment can be considered a work of art.

Jeff Davis Arts & Entertainment Council’s mission is to identify, develop, and promote artists and venues, and help get them together. The group is currently working to identify venues by size and capability to get a better sense of what can happen and where. For example, Oakhill Plantation and Cotton Patch Extreme are large outdoor locations that normally host weddings, but can also handle large-scale music concerts or festivals. A number of churches in the area could serve as locations for smaller groups and smaller spaces like the public library’s community meeting room could exist for chamber music programs or other more intimate events.

At the same time, the JDAEC is reaching out to local artists.

Pulling in the occasional Big Name from out of town can be a draw, but there is plenty of home-grown talent in the area.

Many are working by themselves, and the council wants to help them become part of a larger community of artists. The hospital administration recently approached the council with the idea to display artwork and photographs on the new walls and the Showcasing Your Community's Personality

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JDEAC helped connect them with the school arts department.

Funding is naturally a concern for any enterprise of this kind. Organizing an outdoor rock concert, for example, can run into the thousands of dollars.

In other cases, it might take as little as $50 to rent a display space for handiworks. The JDAEC will pursue funding in several ways: ticket sales at select events, donations from the public, line item budgeting from local governments and NGOs, and arts grants from state and national sources. In an effort to become more permanent, the group met in April 2018 to consider a set of bylaws and elect officers. These first steps are required before the group can gain legal non-profit status, which is a fundamental necessity before donations can be solicited.

What can you do? Get involved! The group has launched a Facebook page to help publicize its efforts: look for “Jeff Davis Arts & Entertainment Council� on Facebook. Also, the group has begun regular monthly meetings on the first Thursday of each month. Check the Facebook page for times and locations.

You don’t have to be an artist to support the arts: studies show that areas with an active arts community are more likely to attract high-paying jobs.

THE

THEATRE

F Photography by Woodcock Photography

Ryan Herndon moved from Montana with his parents when he was 15 years old. Mariah Carter is a resident of Jeff Davis County.

Recently married, together they have renovated and reopened The Theater in Hazlehurst.

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Jeff Davis Living

alling property values combined with some new faces with fresh entrepreneurial energy have spawned new efforts to revitalize the community. Using a novel investment approach, Ryan and Mariah Herndon launched a GoFundMe campaign to renovate and reopen the movie theater. Closed for a decade, it needed structural work, as well as a completely new digital projection and sound system.

After months of work, the theater reopened in September 2018, showing first run movies, hosting live interactive computer gaming events, and more.

Before then, the nearest movie theater was 30 miles or more to nearby towns. The Theater now shows first and second-run releases of movies for their target audience: young adults, families and the Hispanic population.

Arts

Jon, Jack, Nick and Nate aren’t your average young men. For their age, they have a confident intellect about themselves, are well-versed in speech and exude confidence on every level from practice to performance.

& CULTURE

The Four Horsemen A rising sound

STORY BY ANGEL HARMON | PHOTOGRAPHY BY WOODCOCK PHOTOGRAPHY

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hat do you get when you combine southern charm, quartet music, and four passionate boys? Easy — you get The Four Horsemen, up-and-coming local stars!

Like most musicians, the group uncovered their passion for music early. Lip syncing and theatrics is what brought Jack Roundtree, 9; Jon Haden Wheeler 9; Nick Reeves, 11; and Nate Barnes, 12, together to perform in front of family and friends, which later became a Southern Gospel Quartet group. The group officially formed in 2018 after putting together a Christmas performance at Spring Branch Baptist Church the previous year. “It started out as a lip sync performance for fun,” said Nick.

“Then everyone started asking us to sing for different events...and it grew from there.”

They have grown a multi-generational audience of engaged and fascinated fans mainly through local word of mouth. “Our first song was ‘Carols of Love’, he shared.

“It was supposed to be sort of funny.” But, for these four talented young men, they didn’t know what was ahead for them after their first performance. The group has reams of both charismatic personality and creative wit, in combination with their tranquil vocal talent. They all have modesty to appreciate each other and the individual talents they bring to the table. “It’s just really fun to be a part of,” said Jack.

A lot of music artists have their managers and representatives by their side, but The Four Horsemen have Denice McClain.

She’s sort of like family to them, as they’ve

expressed how much they truly appreciate her. “Miss Denice is the backbone,” Jack shared. “She’s really amazing and has really been great to us.” It doesn’t take a background in the music industry to know how to be aspirational to someone, as she’s been to them. “I’m more of a motivator and coach to them,” Denice expressed.

Denice is the gem behind getting the group started. “I called and asked if they’d like to be a part of a group I wanted to put together, and they were all excited to say, ‘Yes!’” Amused in laughter she said, “I don’t even think they fully knew what they were saying yes to...It’s just a blessing to play a part. I’m fairly new to Baxley and to the church, but after seeing the heart the boys brought to ministry I knew I had to do something,” she shared.

In their immersive endeavors, Denice encourages and challenges them to aspire to greater heights within themselves. The boys, and certainly their parents, find her very supportive in making all of their practices and performances possible around their group’s devotion.

“We’ve had about 30 or more performances this year,” said Nate. “We are hoping to do more, but it mainly depends on the events that we’re asked to participate in.” The group seems to be constantly improving their craft by surrounding themselves with positive groups of people, including their church family who have also been supporting them and have been apart of some of their performances.

Jon, Jack, Nick and Nate aren’t your

average young men. For their age, they have a confident intellect about themselves, are well-versed in speech and exude confidence on every level from practice to performance. For others following the same path into music, Nate says, “to not worry about what other people are saying. When we are singing, instead of just listening to the music, we want people to actually pay attention to the words of the song.”

With a similar notion, Nick shared, “Just be yourself and stay true to who you are.”

Jon agrees, which is why he shared that he never gets afraid to perform in front of crowds of people.

The Four Horsemen are dedicated to hard work and putting in the time to be successful. Equally as strong as their vocal devotion is their involvement in activities outside of the group. When Jack and Jon aren’t practicing or performing, they are both swinging bats and hitting home runs in baseball. Nick enjoys the farmer life and being outside with handy tools. For Nate, he participates in Future Farmers of America in school and practices Taekwondo.

It seems that they proudly stand as positive influencers to their local community and aren’t afraid to use their voices in an impactful way. The group is beyond excited about what’s to come and continues to appreciate the support. “Look up. Pray up. Pack Up. Because we’re going up,” said Nick.

For upcoming performances, stay upto-date by following the Spring Branch Baptist Church page on Facebook or by contacting Denice McClain via Facebook.

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w e d d i n g s / c o m m e r c i a l s / l i f e s t y l e p h o t o

B R A V E

S T A G

&

v i d e o

P R O D U C T I O N S

w w w . b r a v e s t a g p r o d u c t i o n s . c o m

First United Methodist Church of Hazlehurst

SCHEDULE: Sundays: 9:45 a.m.

Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Morning Worship 6:00 p.m. Evening Worships Wednesdays: 5:30 p.m.

Supper 6:00 p.m. Programs for all ages

hazlehurstmethodist.org

41 S. Tallahassee Street • Hazlehurst, GA 31539 • 912-375-4555 72

Jeff Davis Living

TALKOF THETOWN

Jeff Davis’

Showcasing Jeff Davis’ People and Events

Holly Dykes, Mandy Powell, Jennifer White, Sharon Brown, Dana Roberson, Sherry White, and Sha Cravey, of Renasant Bank, at the 2019 Chamber Annual Event - a ‘50s themed dinner.

Photo by Woodcock Photography

Showcasing Your Community's Personality

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CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANNUAL EVENT PHOTOGRAPHY BY WOODCOCK PHOTOGRAPHY

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he Chamber’s Annual Event honored the legacy of the Chamber while celebrating the future with a themed dinner. “Then & Now: Flashback to the ‘50s” was held at (Place). Guests were encouraged to dress in ‘50s attire and were entertained with music from the era performed by Eric Smith. A themed menu was also served. A highlight of the event were the annual awards presented to deserving businesses and community members.

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Jeff Davis Living

Jeff Davis’

TALKOF THETOWN 1. Small Business of the Year Owner Casey Taylor (Village Pizza) & Chamber Chairman Kim Smith 2. Citizen of the Year Dottie Spires & Chamber Chairman Kim Smith 3. Chairman's Award Winner Terry Stone with Chamber President Sonya Miller & Chamber Chairman Kim Smith

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4. Entrepreneur of the Year Bo Reese (PalletOne) 5. Beasley Forest Products COO Kurt Davis accepts Industry of the Year Award for Beasley Forest Products 6. Wyatt Spann, Jr & Gail Miller accepting Lifetime Achievement Award on behalf of father Buddy Spann 7. Mayor Bayne Stone, County Commission Chairman Ricky Crosby

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8. Incoming Chamber Chairman Shannon Kight & husband Greg Kight 9. Daniel & Nikki Ellis 10. County Commission Chairman Ricky Crosby, County Deputy Clerk Kim Smith, Tax Commissioner Susie Kersey, Tabatha Wooten, Commissioner Vann Wooten

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11. Debra Powell, City Councilman Dywane Johnson, Shirley Johnson, Gwendolyn Ricks 12. STAR Teacher Dustin Allen & his wife 13. Laura & Eric Smith 14. Ashley Googe & Sofia Lara

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Sharon Brown – Women in Leadership Award Recipient

CHICKS-IN CHARGE PHOTOGRAPHY BY RORY CHANEY

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he Chamber of Commerce hosted a “Chicks-In-Charge” luncheon to celebrate professional women in April. The event was held at the Jeff Davis Country Golf Course and included a lunch, entertainment, and awards presentation.

The “Women in Administration” award was presented to Jayme Crosby, Administrative Secretary for the Jeff Davis County Recreation Department. The “Women in Leadership” award was presented to Sharon Brown, Market President, Renasant Bank.

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Jeff Davis Living

Jeff Davis’

TALKOF THETOWN

Jayme Crosby – Women in Administration Award Recipient

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Jeff Davis Living

Jeff Davis’

TALKOF THETOWN

COMMUNITY EASTER EGG HUNT he Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual Community Easter Egg Hunt on the Saturday prior to Easter weekend. Local businesses and organizations sponsor prize eggs, prizes including a bicycle and scooter, as well as thousands of Easter eggs for the hunt. The Easter Bunny always makes a surprise visit as well!

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NEW FARMER’S MARKET he community has a new local jewel in the Jeff Davis Farmer’s Market. The market is open from daylight until dusk every Tuesday – Saturday with only Georgia-grown items allowed from May through September. Approved items that can sold include produce, homemade baked goods, fruit preserves, jams, jellies, honey, syrup, and other agricultural items. There is no charge for residents of Jeff Davis County. Non-county residents pay an annual fee of $25.00. For more information contact the Jeff Davis County Commission office at 912-375-6611.

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Showcasing Your Community's Personality

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Visit your local Hazlehurst branch to find out why Renasant Bank is the best bank in the South.

22 East Jarman Street, Hazlehurst, GA 31539 1-800-680-1601 | renasantbank.com

If you are in need of an HVAC contractor look no further than Air Pro Heating, Cooling, & Refrigeration.

We offer a variety of services including heating & cooling, refrigeration repair and 24/7 HVAC services.

Have questions or need a quote for your cooling or heating repair services, call on Air Pro Heating, Cooling, & Refrigeration.

AIR PRO HEATING, COOLING & REFRIGERATION 9942 Golden Isles, West • Hazlehurst, GA 31539 • 912-367-5574 • ryanairpro@gmail.com 80

Jeff Davis Living

Jeff Davis’

TALKOF THETOWN

CHAMBER’S ST. PATRICK’S DAY BUSINESS AFTER HOURS or members of the Chamber of Commerce business continues after hours with the Chamber’s regular Business-After-Hours events. One of the most popular this year was the St. Patty’s Day BAH held at The Big House on March 17. The networking events are a great way to promote your business and strengthen relationships with other professionals in the community.

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NEW HAZLEHURST MAIN STREET PROGRAM STIRRING PASSION IN DOWNTOWN

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owntown Hazlehurst is getting new attention these days since the launch of a new Hazlehurst Main Street program in November 2018, headed by Rory and Joel Chaney.

“It came about because we wanted to see revitalization of downtown and new life for these beautiful old buildings. We hope to create a positive sense of community and a place for people to come together. It is run solely from donations of time, money and effort from local citizens,” Rory explained.

There has been a positive response to the effort. Proceeds from a fundraiser organized by Roxie Crosby at Jeff Davis Elementary School were used to purchase the first streetlamp for downtown, and additional Christmas lighting for downtown.

Rory Chaney in downtown Hazlehurst.

Revitalization of some of the buildings in downtown is also underway.

Rory and Joel have renovated one of the oldest buildings which now includes a loft apartment with retail space in the front. Another old building is being refurbished to house new retail and office space.

It is a work-in-progress with more ideas being developed. “It is a labor of love from us for our community,” Rory said. “We want the best for all of Hazlehurst and we feel like this is what God has called us to do to help our hometown.”

Showcasing Your Community's Personality

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566 Baxley Highway Hazlehurst, GA 31539 912•375•7745 www.palletone.com 82

Jeff Davis Living

Seeing patients in Douglas, Tifton, Valdosta, Homerville, Hazlehurst & Waycross

Choosing a quality crafted memorial from Worth Monument Company is the perfect way to honor and preserve the memory of your loved ones.

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Jeff Davis’

TALKOF THETOWN

JEFF DAVIS FORWARD LEADERSHIP ACADEMY reparing Tomorrow’s Leaders Today The Hazlehurst-Jeff Davis Chamber of Commerce kicked off the newest JD Forward Leadership Academy with a teambuilding and leadership retreat facilitated by Georgia EMC. The JD Forward Class of 2019 participants are Daniel Alejo (Arising Industries), Doug Alexander (Jeff Davis Middle School), Rory Chaney (Hazlehurst Main Street), Mike Coleman (SunOne Logistics), Noemi Garcia (student at Valdosta State University), Kayla Herndon (Altamaha Bank & Trust), Matt King (Jeff Davis County Trash Pickup), Sonya Miller (Hazlehurst-Jeff Davis Chamber of Commerce), Jim Moore (Bank of Hazlehurst), Eric Smith (Georgia Power), and Cody White (Hazlehurst Municipal Airport). Rory Chaney received a scholarship funded by the Joint Development Authority of Jeff Davis County, Hazlehurst and Denton.

JD Forward participants and their employers are dedicated to helping develop strong leaders for the community and their places of work.

In addition to the kickoff retreat, the group

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will participate in sessions over a seven-month period to learn more about community and economic development including which includes a visit to the State Capitol in February to meet with Governor Brian Kemp, legislators and state departments.

For more information on the program, contact Andrea Taylor at the Chamber of Commerce at 912-375-4543.

Showcasing Your Community's Personality

83

Consider the What ifs Consider the “what ifs”

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RAGLAND TIMBER purchases timber at top market prices.

Whether you're interested in clear-cutting or thinning timber to maximize maximi future growth, we are here to help. Skilled in timber management planning, Ragland Timber's experienced foresters can help with your timber management and reforestation planning as well.

912.375.3904 raglandtimber.com

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Jeff Davis Living

61 N Tallahassee Street Suite #7 Hazlehurst, GA 31539

Jeff Davis’

TALKOF THETOWN

LEGISLATIVE EVENT eorgia Farm Bureau and the Chamber of Commerce hosted the annual Legislative Event in May of 2019 at the Jeff Davis Fairgrounds. Senator Blake Tillery, Representative Greg Morris, and Representative Dominic LaRiccia attended to provide a legislative recap for the 2019 State of Georgia legislative session. Roseanne Holman from Congressman Rick Allen’s office also attended.

G

Showcasing Your Community's Personality

85

Catering Breakfast Lunch Dinner Coffee

Growing Jobs for Jeff Davis County Andrea Taylor,

CEO, IOM Joint Development Authority of Jeff Davis County, Hazlehurst & Denton

ataylor@jeffdavisjda.com C: 912.327.0830 O: 912.375.4543 jeffdavisjda.com

260 Douglas Hwy Hazlehurst, GA 31539 912-551-9058 mannacafeandeatery.com

95 E. Jarman Street Hazlehurst, GA 31539

Comprehensive, Tailored Planning and Investment Management Services Goal-Focused and Planning-Driven Investment Services Tailored to Your Needs.

Mason’s Pest Control For all of your commercial or residential pest control needs.

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(912) 539-4217 Cory Mason: 912-551-3409 Tim Mason: 912-539-4217 86

Jeff Davis Living

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Small Town – Big Business

Showcase Publications, Inc. is a family-owned publishing business specializing in li community's spirit through positive stories about hometown heroes, special events, more. Our community magazines are used to promote local businesses, help recruit for tourism marketing.

SUMMER 2017

Wayne County MAGAZINE

WAYNE COUNTY MAGAZINE

WCHS BASEBALL Class AAAAA State Runner-Up

The Strand once again brightens Cherry Street

Showcasing Wayne County’s Personality Where It All Comes Together

Targeted Local Advertising

We provide businesses the opportunity to reach consumers in a 14-county area throu perfect bound magazines. We print over 46,000 magazines annually with an estimate

•Magazines are much more trusted, inspiring, and influential than any other media.

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(Source: The Association of Magazine Media (magazine.org) and the Magazine Med

Distribution:

Small Town – Big Business

Mailed to subscribers (certain magazines); delivered

federalspirit electedthrough officials;positive placed in stories professional andhometown medical offices, civic clubs, retai Showcase Publications, Inc. is a family-owned publishing business specializing in lifestyle magazines that showcase a community's about rooms, restaurants, chambers of commerce, tourism and visitor heroes, special events, unique places, arts and culture, and more. Our community magazines are used to promote local businesses, help recruit new businesses & professionals, and centers, and more. for tourism marketing. $4.00

2018

WINTER 2018

Traditions

Highway 15 Magazine & Travel Guide

EMANUEL COUNTY LIVING

OKEFENOKEE LIVING

Connie Riddle 912-424-8772

Mossy Pond

Experience Emanuel

RETRIEVERS

Timber’s

VOL. 23, NO. 4

VOL. 2, NO. 2

A PASSION RUNS THROUGH IT

WWII VETERAN – AL FUNDERBURK | DANCING WITH THE SOUTHERN STARS | BEAU + LUCI ART & CULTURE, TRAVEL, PROFILES

O’ROUND THE REGION – UNIQUE PLACES TO DINE, SHOP, PLAY, & STAY

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Traditions Magazine

A True

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ARTS & CULTURE | TALK OF THE TOWN | PROFILES

Targeted Local Advertising

We provide businesses the opportunity to reach consumers in a 14-county area through local and regional high-quality, perfect 86 Jeff Davis Living bound magazines.

We print over 46,000 magazines annually with an estimated readership of 3. 5 readers per copy.

•Magazines are much more trusted, inspiring, and influential than any other media.

•Magazines are #1 in advertising engagement and in reaching super influential consumers than any other media.

•91% of all adults read magazine media.

•61% of magazine ads prompt readers to take action.

Summer 2017

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Proud to announce the newest magazine from Showcase Publications.

Connie Riddle 912-424-8772

(Source: The Association of Magazine Media (magazine.org) and the Magazine Media 360 Brand Management Report)

Distribution:

Mailed to subscribers (certain magazines); delivered to advertisers and local, state, and federal elected officials; placed in professional and medical offices, civic clubs, retail shops, hotels, hospital waiting rooms, restaurants, chambers of commerce, tourism and visitor centers, and more.

To advertise, subscribe, or if you’re in have story ideas, email us at info@sho us through our website at sho Show

John Riddle 912-424-3027

To advertise, subscribe, or if you’re interested in writing, photography or have story ideas, email us at info@ showcasepublicationsga.com or contact us through our website at showcasepublicationsga.com

COMING SOON Washington County Living Showcasing Your Community's Personality

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Index of Advertisers 88

80 29 3 87 72 44 12 IFC 62 BC 7 38 87 72 58 14 IBC 68 49 16 10 30 86 84 62 86 86 5 82 82 84 80 84 87 68 1 24 18 86 58 84 8 8 43 82 50

Air Pro Heating, Cooling & Refridgeration Altamaha Bank & Trust Bank of Hazlehurst Beasley Group Brave Stag Productions Chip's Discount Drugs City of Hazlehurst Coastal Pines Technical College Coleman Tire Community Hospice CRH Oncology Group CRH Women's Center Family Healthcare Connections First United Methodist Church of Hazlehurst Hardies Drug Store Hazlehurst-Jeff Davis Board of Tourism Hazlehurst-Jeff Davis Chamber of Commerce Hospice of South Georgia Interstate Credit Union Jeff Davis County Commissioners Jeff Davis School System Jeff Davis Youth Center Joint Development Authority of Jeff Davis County, Hazlehurst & Denton Jon Wheeler Country Financial Lamar A. Elder, Attorney at Law Manna CafĂŠ & Eatery Mason Pest Control Ocmulgee Outdoors Orthopedic Surgeons of Georgia Pallet One Ragland Timber Renasant Bank SEGA Servcives Showcase Publications, Inc. South Georgia State College Southern Eyecare Southern Nuclear Southside Baptist Church Stifel Stone's Machine Shop Village Pizza Whitfield & Butler, CPA Whitfield Real Estate Woodcock Photography Worth Monument Co., Inc. Yoder Metals

airproheatingcoolingga.com altamaha.bank bankofhazlehurst.com beasleyforestproducts.com bravestagproductions.com hazlehurstga.gov coastalpines.edu commhospice.com coffeeregional.org crhwomenscenter.com hazlehurstmethodist.weebly.com hazlehurst-jeffdavis.org/board-of-tourism hazlehurst-jeffdavis.org hospicesoga.org iufcu.org jeffdaviscounty.org jeff-davis.k12.ga.us jeffdavisjda.com representatives.countryfinancial.com/jon.wheeler/ mannacafeandeatery.com ocmulgeeoutdoors.com orthopedicsurgeonsofgeorgia.com palletone.com raglandtimber.com renasantbank.com showcasepublicationsga.com sgsc.edu southerneyecarepc.com southerncompany.com southsidedirection.com stifelvaldosta.com stones-machine-shop.com

woodcockphtography.com worthmonument.com yodermetalsga.com

Please thank these advertisers for making this publication possible!

Support these businesses and buy local.

Jeff Davis Living

HAZLEHURST-JEFF DAVIS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

BECOME A MEMBER & LET US HELP GROW YOUR BUSINESS The Chamber of Commerce is a membership organization that seeks to grow a vibrant, friendly community focused on economic development and partnership

WHY JOIN? Adult Leadership Development Youth Leadership Development Networking Opportunities Workforce Development Small Business Development Community Marketing Business Education Access to Resources

912.375.4543 ~ 95 E. JARMAN ST, HAZLEHURST ~ HAZJDCOC1@BELLSOUTH.NET Showcasing Your Community's Personality

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COMPASSION DIGNITY CARE

C E L E B R AT I N G

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Community Hospice Reaching Out To Families...Since 1999 At Community Hospice your loved one will receive the best possible care by the area’s leading hospice provider. Our staff is professionally trained to provide not only physical and emotional comfort, but spiritual and social care, too, for the patient, family and significant others. Quality of life is our goal and we offer the finest, full-family care program available in Vidalia and 14 surrounding counties.

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• Home Hospice services • THe AreA’s only Hospice House • Grief supporT & BereAvemenT services • medicAl & sociAl Workers • Home HeAlTH Aides & skilled nursinG services • AdvocATes dieTAry counselinG • finAnciAl Aid AvAilABle THrouGH communiTy Hospice • non-profiT foundATion

Vidalia, GA 30474

Showcasing Your Community's Personality

Lic. #138135H

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