Okefenokee Living - Spring 2022 by Showcase Publications

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featured stories REAL WEDDINGS HOME & GARDEN JUNIOR COTILLION

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SPRING/SUMMER 2022

When a chronic wound disrupts your life, we can help.

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HEALING POWER WITH A HUMAN TOUCH Wherever You’re Going & Whatever You’re Looking For Waycross is the Way To Go Located in the heart of Southeast Georgia, at the northern tip of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, ranked by National Geographic as one of the Top 100 Most Beautiful Places on Earth. A city filled with southern hospitality and charm. From the Historic Downtown district to the swamplands of the Okefenokee, there is something for everyone.

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From left to right: Chris Shimkus, Mortgage Loan Originator, NMLS# 628765; Bruce Tison, Market President, NMLS# 794408, Jake Walker, Loan Officer, NMLS# 1785689, Cliff Knowlton, Loan Officer/VP, NMLS# 110403; and Shonda Braddock, Loan Officer, NMLS# 2269076.

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TA B L E o f C O N T E N T S PHOTO BY JOY SUMNER PHOTOGRAPHY

Features

9 Downtown Waycross – Waiting For You

The revitalization of downtown Waycross is being driven by an entrepreneurial spirit.

17 May I Have This Dance?

The Junior Cotillion teaches manners in an era when they are often overlooked.

22 ALL ABOARD!

The historic Blackshear Train Depot becomes a premier events venue.

27 REAL WEDDINGS

Featuring two weddings in the region.

ON THE COVER 2

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SPRING/SUMMER 2022

Flowers from the wedding reception of Annelise Brown and Tanner Branham at Lee Farm Reserve in DuPont, Georgia. Read about their wedding in “Real Weddings.” (Flowers arranged by The Avriett House + Corey Brice McCants / Photo by Gandy Photographers)

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Home & Garden 42

THE ULTIMATE HANGOUT

An extraordinary makeover made an ideal haven for family and friends.

CREATING AN OUTDOOR LIVING SPACE

Lott’s Furniture Interior Designer, Kristen Boyette, provides tips on designing an outdoor space.

TOP 5 TIPS TO MAKE YOU AN HERB EXPERT

Leslie Cochran, Farmers and Builders Ace Home Center.

Prof iles 83

FROM VICTIM TO VICTOR

Satilla Advocacy Services helps sexual assault survivors reclaim their lives.

A MODERN LOOK FOR A CLASSIC COMMUNITY

Blackshear’s bigger, bolder, better branding.

A FAMILY TRADITION

HOMETOWN CHAMPIONS

The Gillis family is proud to be carrying on the family tradition. Celebrating the football feats of Stetson Bennett IV and Ernest Jones.

Arts & Culture 71

AMANDA WATHEN

Creating contemporary impressions with her fingers.

REGULAR features

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53 The Dish 75 O’Round the Region 83 Seens

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Spring/Summer 2022 PUB LISH ER S: John F. & Connie K. Riddle Showcase Publications, Inc. CR EATIVE DIR ECT OR: Robin Harrison COVER PH OTO: Gandy Photographers

At KD’s Café in Downtown Waycross: Leah McDonald, John Riddle, Caroline Lott, Quincey Burgess, Toni Nelson.

WE HAVE THE BEST JOB IN THE WORLD! And, we work with the best people in the world!

wning your own business is stressful and in today’s volatile times it is even more so. But it sure helps when you enjoy what you do as much as we do, and when you have the opportunity to collaborate with the best people daily! It takes a lot of people to publish Okefenokee Living magazine. Writers, photographers, subjects, organizations, and friends with creative ideas are so essential. Of course, advertisers are the ones who make it possible. So, we are incredibly grateful after each issue is published and our readers get to enjoy all the well-written words, beautiful images, and helpful advertisements between the covers. We certainly do not do it alone! We have made some good friends along the way. Folks who care about their towns and the region and are always ready to help when we call. Such as the ladies who gave up an afternoon with family to participate in our lifestyle photo shoot for the feature story on the revitalization of Downtown Waycross. It is a joy learning about the Okefenokee Region and its people, places, and businesses who make it so unique and such a special place to live, work, and play. We appreciate the opportunity to tell the stories of wonderful people, great organizations, and successful businesses who bring the region to life.

DESIG NER S: Robin Harrison Russ Hutto CONTR IB UTIN G PH OTOG R APH ERS : Joy Sumner Photography Allen Allnoch - AHA! Photography Proper Pines Photography Gandy Photographers Wes Sewell Photography CONTR IB UTING WRI T E RS : K.T. McKee Sherri L. McLendon Allen Allnoch Kristen Boyett Narci Drossos Megan Piper White John Riddle

Okefenokee Living is published semi-annually by Showcase Publications, Inc. (912) 559-2045 – P.O. Box 391 Jesup, GA 31598 www.showcasepublicationsga.com

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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.

THANK YOU to everyone who make this – and every – issue possible!

John & Connie Riddle info@showcasepublicationsga.com @okefenokeelivingmagazine

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The next issue of Okefenokee Living will be published Fall 2022. To advertise contact Connie Riddle (912-424-8772) or criddle@ showcasepublicationsga.com. To ensure you get a copy, purchase a subscription on-line at showcasepublicationsga.com or use the subscription form in the magazine.

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Downtown

WAYCROSS Waiting for YOU

The revitalization of downtown Waycross is being driven by an entrepreneurial spirit that has ignited a renewed interest in living, working, and playing downtown.

Story by SHERRI L. MCLENDON Photography by JOY SUMNER PHOTOGRAPHY

Quincy Burgess and Toni Nelson shopping while Leah McDonald and Caroline Lott enjoy drinks after work at KD’s Cafe.

SHOWCASING THE REGION’S PERSONALITY

AYCROSS, 1931. During the aftermath of the Great Depression, local economic futures were uncertain and money was tight. But against all odds, two fledgling entrepreneurs, Elliott Yarbrough, 20, and his brother Bill, 22, saw a growing local demand for printed flyers. They set up a small print shop in the children’s playhouse in the backyard of their family’s Quarterman Street home. Today, 90 years later, the business they built, Yarbrough Office Products and Printing, remains a testament to the enduring value of the city’s entrepreneurial spirit. Proprietor Danny Yarbrough says that he sees that same inspiring spirit, grit and optimism in the dozens of young entrepreneurs locating their businesses in downtown Waycross. He’s not alone. Over the past nineteen months, more than thirty-eight new businesses have opened their doors in downtown Waycross, according to the Downtown Waycross Development Authority.

“We’re amazed,” says Yarbrough, who is a member of the DWDA board. “These young people literally have an entrepreneurial spirit and zest for what they’re doing: launching a business in what others might consider to be the absolute worst of times.” Over the past two years, Waycross was undoubtedly hard-hit by the effects of COVID19, inflation, and supply chain issues. Yet, even as the nation’s news outlets focused on the region’s grief and hardship, a wave of hope and commitment to the future rose to the surface to take its place. “These young business owners are going out there and laying it on the line and making it happen,” Yarbrough says. The result? A “true Renaissance” has sparked new life in downtown Waycross. The city that was both literally and metaphorically dying has come back to life, he says. Perhaps part of the reason is DWDA’s director, Belinda Ursrey, who says that she “fell in love with working with the people and businesses here.”

“The city is ready for the excitement of young people coming into the community with more innovative and inspiring ideas.” Waycross Mayor Michael-Angelo James

Downtown Development Authority Board members in front of the Phoenix Building: Chris Brown, Dale Wiley, DWDA Director Belinda Ursrey, Mayor Michael-Angelo James, County Commissioner Jerry Pope, Kathryn Taylor, Jack Lott, Danny Yarbrough

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Downtown WAYCROSS

Ursrey did a smidge of rearranging, moving the DWDA offices into the Phoenix Building, and opening up venue space. Then, she found great tenants for the ground floor retail spaces and began renting office spaces. “It just made sense,” she says. She was right. Opening the Phoenix Building kickstarted the growth in downtown. The beautiful, newly occupied retail spaces brightened the highly visible storefronts along Plant, Elizabeth and Pendleton streets. As a diverse mix of retailers returned to downtown, so did shoppers. “Thirty-eight new businesses in our downtown business district during a pandemic, that’s a sign of revitalization,” says Ursrey. “All these new businesses are bringing people down here.” Established downtown merchants have welcomed them with open arms. “The community comes together and supports downtown businesses,” says Andrew Taylor, owner of Okefenokee Nutrition and Energy. Born and raised in Waycross, Taylor left behind a life in Texas to return home. He knew it was here that he wanted to make an impact. He lives and works in downtown Waycross. “What I like best is working with DWDA, and the fact that they are focusing more on bringing life back to downtown. I feel confident knowing they’re doing what they can to rebuild downtown as much as possible,” he says.

Andrew Taylor, Okefenokee Nutrition and Energy

SHOWCASING THE REGION’S PERSONALITY

Downtown WAYCROSS

Following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, Yarbrough’s business is the longest continually operating downtown. For the past 45 years, he’s been part of the ongoing struggle to ensure the survival of the brick-andmortar downtown business district, much of which was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992. “I’ve seen downtown go from the center of economic activity in this town, to relative blight, to this resurgence,” he says. “I never would have dreamed that we would see this kind of thing.” During its heyday, Waycross was a hub for economic and social activity. From the Roaring Twenties through the 1950s, the downtown area was the very definition of hustle and bustle. The passenger rail stop kept the large hotels — like the Phoenix, the Grand, and Ware Hotel — filled to overflowing with visitors to downtown. By 1940, Waycross was one of the fastest growing cities in the United States for its size. The iconic Lyric Theater hosted a wide range of evening entertainment and events, including the 1947 national premier of the movie “Swamp Water,” based on the novel by Vereen Bell. Elliott Yarbrough, the theater’s emcee, would later regale his son with tales of hobnobbing with Walter Brennan, Gene Peters, and other notable figures. That was right after World War II, the same year that Lott’s Furniture would open for business as an appliance store. Each day, approximately thirty passenger trains stopped at the depot, and travelers poured into soda fountains and restaurants downtown. Almost a decade later, in 1956, a controversial young performer on his “Florida Tour,” Elvis Presley, would rock the city from the civic auditorium stage, dining at the present-day diner, Plant Cafe. But by the 1960s, changes would occur that would rapidly turn downtown Waycross into a shadow of its former self. Passenger rail service to the city was discontinued. Worse, the I-95 corridor that paralleled historic U.S. 1 down the eastern seaboard would siphon off automobile traffic and the town’s tourism economy along with it. “U.S. Route 1 was the main drive from the state of Maine all the way to Key West,” says Yarbrough. “Tourist traffic just dried up on the vine. Our city suffered from the loss of U.S. 1.” By the 1970s, local mall developments on the outskirts would devastate downtowns. Downtown Waycross lost all of its major stores, or “anchors,” like Belk, JCPenney, and Sears. The major chains abandoned downtown’s window Retail anchors in downtown, like Jake & Ed’s men’s store, which has been in business for 75 years, are beneﬁting from the activity that new businesses are bringing downtown like Fade In America, a new barber shop that opened a few doors down. Other businesses, like Center Stage Studio, attract families and children to downtown.

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shoppers and sparkling sidewalk displays in favor of cavernous modern indoor retail spaces far away from the city center. Jack Lott joined the DWDA in 1974. Today, he remains the board’s longest serving member. His father would be gratified to know that the family business, Lott’s Furniture, has expanded to include the next generation with locations in both Georgia and Florida. “I’ve devoted my entire life to downtown Waycross,” he says. “I’ve been asked at least 100 times ‘what’s wrong’ with downtown Waycross.” He believes that the vibrant entrepreneurs of the city’s early 20th century educated their children to take their place in the world as teachers, lawyers and doctors, leaving a void of entrepreneurs. “Downtown will never be what it was when I was growing up in the 50s, 60s, and 70s,” Lott says. “Not big stores. But a good combination of unique retail shops, office space, food and beverages, with people living, dining and shopping downtown. That’s where we’re headed.” Today, downtown’s businesses are diverse, to say the least. Joseph Cornett co-owns Salty Axeman with his wife, Cristy. In his younger days, he recalls riding around complaining of boredom with his buddies. “I remember people saying there’s not a lot to do in Waycross,” he says. “I was one of those people, and I’m trying to give Waycross something to do.” For the Cornetts, axe-throwing was the answer. So was downtown Waycross. “Axe throwing and downtowns, they mix,” Joseph says. “Old brick types of venues work.” Professionals, such as attorneys, real estate and insurance agents, keep offices here. Cool boutiques, restaurants, shops, and entertainment options — like the one-of-a-kind axe throwing venue — abound. “Shopping online has become a thing, and I think these young people realized they had to have some sort of brick and mortar to go with their online sales,” says Yarbrough. “They sell a lot online, and they’re attracted to downtown by the affordable rental rates and quaintness of the retail spaces.” Chandra Brown, owner of C’s Sweets and Treats, knew she’d found the right location, right across from the historic Ritz Theater. “The building itself is a gem, the space is huge, and there’s a lot of things I see that I can do here,” Brown says. She spent her day collaborating on a mermaid theme, a planned after-party for excited children attending a matinee performance of “A Little Mermaid.”

“ Business owners are working together to make downtown a fun experience. We want people to enjoy it.” Joseph Cornett, Salty Axeman

Top: Salty Axeman oﬀers axe throwing as a

fun activity downtown.

Bottom: Chandra Brown, C’s Sweets & Treats

SHOWCASING THE REGION’S PERSONALITY

Downtown WAYCROSS

Left: The Bunn Building,

along with the old Ware Hotel across the street, oﬀers aﬀordable housing in downtown.

Right: Belinda Ursrey,

DWDA director, and Dale Wiley recently opened Wiley’s Top Shelf across the street from The Salty Axeman.

“I couldn’t have picked a better spot,” she says. “Everybody is so supportive.” Because she has the space, she’s also considering adding gourmet cheeses and other specialty foods that complement her offerings of delicious baked goods. At last count, 106 businesses are open and thriving, with more on the way. Dale Wiley of Wiley’s Top Shelf, which opened in March, is an upscale tavern with a quiet ambiance that lends itself to good liquor and even better conversation. “Not a dive, classy, with quality products and service,” he says. His insistence on quality stems from his love of craftsmanship, something he sees in the buildings of downtown Waycross. “Look at this brickwork and facades. Men did this, without machine muscle. People cared for their work,” he says. More than 100 years of history convinces him that Wiley’s Top Shelf is in exactly the right place. “Downtown isn’t just for one thing anymore,” says Ursrey. “You can come down here and find something you’re interested in.” For business owners here, pragmatism also underlies optimism. Newcomers know that the not-so-distant lean years often made it difficult for property owners to maintain the business district’s once striking facades. That’s why DWDA is in the beginning stage of setting up a grant program to give matching fund grants to property owners to offset the costs of deferred exterior maintenance.

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“Keeping the economy going takes vision and nerve, because it’s not easy to be an entrepreneur, it’s not for the faint-hearted,” Ursrey says. “It’s hard to start a business, especially when you know nothing about it,” says Rachel Hires, owner of the Phoenix Boutique. “With this community behind you, you cannot imagine the support you have. There’s always a way to learn.” Fast forward to 2022. Families are moving into downtown to live, and the historic Bunn Building and Ware Hotel have each been transformed into apartments. “School buses pulled up in front of the Bunn Building, and the door opened to let children on and off,” Yarbrough says. “I’d never seen that in my lifetime. It did my heart good to see life coming back into downtown Waycross.” Waycross Mayor Michael-Angelo James says that he and other city leaders are “grateful” for the resurgence of interest in downtown. With the buildings remodeled into apartments for residents, people are spending more time within the city limits as opposed to malls. Young adults are returning to the city to get jobs or launch start–ups, move into affordable housing, and get involved in their community. “The city is ready for the excitement of young people coming into the community with more innovative and inspiring ideas that breathe new life into everything,” he says. Cornett agrees. “It’s not the businesses that make a downtown, it’s the people. We want people to come

here and have a nice experience, and a nice enough experience that they want to come back.” Downtown Waycross is opening up to a new era of hospitality, a time of reinvention for the welcoming, friendly city with a small town feel. There’s room here for personal and professional growth and economic development. There’s space for people to return their focus to community and family. “Turn a corner in downtown Waycross and you will see something new,” says Hires. “Downtown is the place to be if you want to start a business.” Once again the sidewalks bustle, though these days bicyclists and dog walkers and skateboarders are found alongside nostalgic window shoppers. Groups of friends stroll about day and night, visiting shops, dining out. It’s a downtown where people feel comfortable to get out and mingle. “I love being part of that and bringing downtown back to life. It’s just been a blessing to be down here,” says Hires. “It’s a piece of my heart, and I cannot see myself anywhere else.” She encourages others to go into the heart of downtown and see all the goodness there. “It’s open,” says Lott. “We’ve got viable businesses downtown in the main shopping area in the heart of Waycross and Ware County, and there’s something for anybody.” It’s right there, in Waycross, waiting for you. OL

“ Turn a corner in downtown and you will see something new.” Rachel Hires, Phoenix Boutique

Left: Rachel Hires, Phoenix Boutique.

Above: Lott’s Furniture, the largest furniture store in the southeast, is a major draw for downtown.

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Specializing in Seniors, Weddings & Families joysumnerphotography.com 16

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229.444.1985

MAY I HAVE THIS

dance?

In an era when manners are often overlooked, the Junior Cotillion teaches area boys and girls that learning manners can beneﬁt them throughout life.

Danny Bennett dances with his 10-year-old daughter, Brystal, during the "Dip Into Dancing" tradition of the season's last Junior Cotillion class.

S T O R Y BY K .T. M C K E E / P H O T O S BY A L L E N A L L N O C H - A H A ! P H O T O G R A P H Y

SHOWCASING THE REGION’S PERSONALITY

Above: First year Junior Cotillion students practice the

Chachacha at the last class before the "Black & White" ball.

Left: Bethany Strickland chats with her youngest son Beau

during instructions for the waltz.

adies, are you sitting pretty? Gentlemen, are you sitting strong? Those two questions together have echoed across Grace Episcopal Church’s social hall in Waycross hundreds of times since the founding of the St. Illa Chapter of the National League of Junior Cotillions twenty-eight years ago. Since then, an estimated 1,800 youngsters from Ware and Pierce counties have learned the expected

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“southern” social graces, dance steps, and proper table etiquette offered by local directors Gay Darden of Waycross and Sara Rollison of Blackshear, respectively. “The St. Illa Chapter of Junior Cotillion was somewhat of a family tradition for me,” Kellyn Manders, the daughter of former Pierce County Chamber of Commerce Director Angela Manders, shared recently. “Following in my brothers’ footsteps, I, too, joined Junior Cotillion when my 6th grade year rolled around. Little did I know how those weekend nights spent spinning around Grace Episcopal Church would influence me personally and professionally.” Manders, who now works as Creative Services Supervisor/Events Coordinator for Wharton-Smith, Inc., went on to praise Gay and Johnny Darden for starting a legacy of “empowering and educating young people through etiquette and, yes, the power of good dance moves.” She later assisted Rollison and her husband David after they took over in 2013 and credits both couples with instilling in her the value of “southern hospitality,” allowing her to find success in the hospitality industry later. Designed for girls and boys between the ages of ten and thirteen, the idea of Cotillion-type classes was first

mission statement THE NLJC

“TO ACT AND LEARN TO TREAT OTHERS WITH HONOR, DIGNITY, AND RESPECT FOR BETTER RELATIONSHIPS WITH FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND ASSOCIATES AND TO LEARN AND PRACTICE BALLROOM DANCE.” hatched in Gastonia, N.C., in 1979 by visionary dancer Anne Colvin as a way to teach manners and respect to children in her hometown. With the help of her husband, Charles Winters, a few years later, the program quickly gained momentum and by 1989 the NLJC was officially launched and is now a thriving franchise of over 300 chapters in more than 30 states still overseen by Charles Winters and his son, Charles Winters II, and his wife Jennifer to carry on Anne Winters’ legacy, according to information provided on the NLJC website. At Rollison’s last monthly class of the season attended by fourty-five students February 13, she once again read the NLJC Mission Statement to her sixthgraders gathered at Grace Episcopal: “To act and learn to treat others with honor, dignity, and respect for better relationships with family, friends, and associates and to learn and practice ballroom dance.” The twenty-four girls and twenty-four boys in this first-year class had been with Rollison for their ninetyminute Sunday sessions since September of last year and were now gearing up for the big Black & White Ball March 18 at Okefenokee Country Club they would share with the twenty second-year students. They’d already experienced their first ball, the Holly Ball, in December, but were now more relaxed and refined in both their dancing and the ways they interacted with the opposite sex. “It always surprises me how it kind of just all comes together at the end,” Rollison said as her students danced in pairs to the Fox Trot and Cha Cha Cha, the girls clad in the traditional short white gloves, dressy casual dresses, and required flats, while the boys sported suit jackets and ties. At their very first class in the fall, they learned how to shake hands and properly greet someone. Rollison said most of them are very shy at that point. Many probably didn’t want to be there in the first place. “My assistants line them up according to height and I’m in the middle of the room,” she explained. “Usually, they come up to me with their heads down and you can barely hear them. And sometimes they’re walking up to me with their hand already out and ready. But by the Holly Ball in December, they’re looking me eye-to-eye and I can hear ’em. It’s a beautiful thing.” The daughter of a U.S. Postal worker and a lady’s

Top: St. Illa Chapter of the National Junior League of Junior Cotillions Director

Sara Rollison shows no signs of slowing down after nine years of running classes at Grace Episcopal Church in Waycross.

Bottom: Landon Lingenfelter, 12, and dance partner, Abigail Higginson, 12, get

instruction from Rollison on the proper way to help a lady with refreshments. SHOWCASING THE REGION’S PERSONALITY

Above: Former Junior Cotillion students turned assistants Conner Rye,

15, and Mattie Lingenfelter, 16, help demonstrate proper dance moves.

dress shop owner, the 73-year-old former owner of Pondview Bed & Breakfast in downtown Waycross grew up in the small South Carolina town of Cheraw with her older brother and sister. Although she did not participate in any sort of Cotillion-like activities as a child, her mother, Polly Edwards, made sure to provide a traditional southern upbringing. “I can remember my hand being squeezed when I did not set the table right,” she said. “So, etiquette has always been a big part of my life, as it is for most Southerners.” Darden, too, grew up in such a home in Waycross.

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Above: Landon Lingenfelter, 12, dances the waltz with his mom Mandy,

a teacher and basketball coach at Ware County High School.

She said her mother taught them formal table manners and tried her best to teach them to be grammatically correct when speaking as she was an English major. She said her mother later taught school and even taught etiquette and ballroom dancing at one time. In Junior Cotillion, students are given a large booklet containing everything from specific instructions on how girls are to “sit pretty” and boys to “sit strong” and the proper way to set a table for a three-course dinner, to how to place your utensils on a plate, and what your body should look like during various dance steps. Boys are taught how to escort a girl to the dance

“ this program is so designed for boys.

I MEAN, REALLY. TO LEARN HOW TO ESCORT, TO LEARN HOW TO HELP A LADY WITH HER CHAIR, PUT HER JACKET ON, TO OPEN A DOOR FOR HER.”

floor or refreshment table, how to properly ask her if she’d like some punch, how to bow to a partner after a dance, how to open a door for a lady, and to always thank not only his dance partner, but the host and hostess of an event for their hospitality. “This program is so designed for boys,” Rollison said. “I mean, really. To learn how to escort, to learn how to help a lady with her chair, put her jacket on, to open a door for her.” Rollison said she doesn’t understand some of the pushback from women, especially, on the strict gender roles taught in Junior Cotillion. “Why wouldn’t you want a guy to open the door for you?” she asked. “And I feel I’m independent. I really do.” Several parents attending the last thirty minutes of the Febuary 13 class to participate in the “Dip into Dancing” portion of that last class by dancing with their sons and daughters agreed with Rollison about the importance of teaching the boys how to treat a lady. Mandy Lingenfelter, a teacher and girls’ basketball coach at Ware County High School, said Junior Cotillion has helped both her daughter Mattie, now 16, and her son Landon, 12. She said Mattie has been in the program since the fifth grade and now helps Rollison as one of her seventeen assistants. Landon is just finishing his first year. “Mattie loves it, and Landon is all boy and needs all the help he can get as far as manners and how to do things and how to treat ladies,” she said after dancing the waltz to “The Blue Danube” with her son. “I’ve known Sara (Rollison) for a long time. She’s a great teacher.” Danny and Tammy Bennett’s ten-year-old daughter, Brystal, said learning to set a table for a formal dinner party was her greatest takeaway from this past year because she wants to be able to have friends over for dinner when she’s older. Bennett said neither he nor his wife were raised in what he would consider a “proper” home, which made them even more determined to make sure their children learned the lessons taught in Junior Cotillion. “I always felt like I was a few steps behind,” he said. “How to put the forks and how to dance and those little things you take for granted if you’ve always known it, but some of us never knew it.” Mother of four and Better Hometown Blackshear manager Bethany Strickland also was there that day

to dance the waltz with her youngest son, Beau. Beau’s older brother, Campbell, already had gone through the program and was now serving as an assistant, demonstrating dance steps at times. Strickland said she wished she could have participated in something like Junior Cotillion when she was younger. “I always thought only the kids in the big cities got to participate in cotillion. Boy was I wrong!” she said, adding she signed up her oldest daughter, Bennett, when she was in the fifth grade because she felt it was something they were supposed to do as parents. It also was something her husband Steve’s mother, Cathy, encouraged. She remembers hearing “many, many” funny stories of Steve’s brother, John Strickland, from his time in Junior Cotillion in the mid-nineties. John Strickland, now 38 and 6’1”, said he enjoyed his Junior Cotillion experience, but as one of the smallest students at the time, his feelings of inferiority were only amplified during one particular class when he realized he was about to dance with his crush – who was a good foot taller than he was. “I was so nervous about dancing with her, my palms were sweating like crazy,” he said with a laugh. “She had a satin or velvety kind of dress, and my hands were so wet, I left sweaty handprints on the back of her dress. I was mortified. I told my mom I couldn’t go back, that it was the worst day of my life.” Strickland said he was glad his mother made him stay in Junior Cotillion with Darden for two more years because he learned how to carry himself in a formal setting and is always a big hit with the older ladies at weddings because he can do “The Pretzel” and the Fox Trot. Rollison said she has no intentions of giving up Junior Cotillion anytime soon – despite the sudden loss of her husband David to a heart attack in 2017. He’d been such a huge support and she’s lost the will to put on elaborate dinners for her assistants at Jekyll Island without him. “I love people. I do,” she said. “Reaching out to people is so rewarding to me and that’s just like Cotillion. I think I get more out of it than my students. For them to come up to me at a football game at Pierce County High School and want to speak to me and shake my hand is just the best feeling.” OL

SHOWCASING SHOWCASING THE THE REGION’S REGION’S PERSONALITY PERSONALITY

21 7

Chris Wright, Chief of Police and Special Projects Manager, Jenny Grant, City Clerk, Keith Brooks, Mayor, Bethany Strickland, Main Street Manager, Ryan Tyson, with RH Tyson. (Photo by Allen Allnoch - AHA! Photography)

Story by K.T. MCKEE

ALL

The restoration of the historic Blackshear Train Depot is on track to become a premier events venue

nce filled with the sounds of train whistles, hissing brakes, and the hustle and bustle of freight and passengers over the last century, the historic Blackshear Train Depot will soon come back to life with the clamor of clinking dishes, the buzz of warm conversations and a variety of music floating into its high rafters. “I’m so pumped!” Better Hometown Blackshear Manager Bethany Strickland said recently about the $577,000 project that has been in the works for the past several years. “The train depot restoration is something the people of Blackshear and Pierce County have waited patiently on for some time. I am so grateful it is happening and can’t wait for the space to be utilized.” Inspired by the renovation designs of the historic depots in Homerville and Leesburg by Valdosta architectural firm Ellis, Ricket and

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Associates over the last few years, the repurposing of Blackshear’s 104-year-old depot as a premier events venue began taking shape in 2014 with the submission of Ellis, Ricket and Associates’ architectural drawings for Phase I and Phase II of the project, according to Chris Wright, Blackshear’s police chief and special projects manager. The work would start in 2016 on the outside of the structure that’d been rebuilt in 1917 by the Savannah, Florida and Western Railway after a fire destroyed the original wood depot constructed in the late 1800s. Phase II would entail renovation of the 3,900-square-foot interior of the cavernous freight room. The outside work on the roof, repairs to the red brick walls marred by vandals over the years, and the installation of railing on the depot’s wrap-around deck was completed

in 2017. March of 2020 is when the city began its push to get the interior work completed, finally awarding the winning bid to R.H. Tyson Construction of Blackshear in September of 2021 with the city’s $1 million in funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and special purpose local option sales tax (SPLOST) funds. Tyson Project Superintendent Daniel Dixon said he expects the depot to be completed by early May of this year. “As long as we don’t run into any supply chain issues along the way, we should be able to stay on track,” Dixon said. The interior work entails constructing restrooms and a kitchen area on the east end of the freight room, reworking the electrical system to include wiring the place for live bands and brighter lights, installing

heating and cooling systems, replacing or restoring the original hart pine floor planks, reviving and moving the hart pine along the north and south walls to the west end wall, putting up sheetrock and painting while still maintaining as much of the building’s historic character as possible. The floorboards will be sealed with a transparent material to keep ladies’ high heels from slipping through the cracks, Strickland explained. She is saving signed and dated boards found in various corners of the room indicating specific spots local vendors reserved for their wares dating back to the 1920s. One marked board found in the far southwest corner says “J.F. Ratliff & Son, 1924.” She plans to use them as special decor above the serving area to further honor the historic ambiance.

Local merchants would have designated areas throughout the space and as merchandise was offloaded, items would be placed in specific areas for specific merchants. Bethany Strickland and Mayor Brooks hold an original wall timber from one of Blackshear’s earliest mercantile businesses, J.F. Ratliff & Sons, established in 1911. Plans include using these wall timbers in the depot as a design element. (Photo by Allen Allnoch - AHA! Photography)

ABOARD! Old freight scales once used to weigh cotton and tobacco that are still functional and the brass mechanisms for the large barn doors along the north and south walls also are being preserved. Strickland also is hoping to incorporate an old upright piano discovered when the room was cleared out after more than 40 years of being used as a storage facility by the Pierce County Historical Society and local individuals. “Every entertainment venue needs a piano,” she said with a laugh. “This one is living in my office until it can be tuned and transferred back over to the depot.” Wright agrees with Strickland when it comes to the importance of the project for the Pierce County community. “There has been talk of the depot being remodeled for as long as I’ve been here and that’s been 20 years,” Wright said. “Blackshear does not have any other convenient

“ ” - Chris Wright

( continued on next page ) SHOWCASING THE REGION’S PERSONALITY

Marlee & Ross Bedford with Amris and Alary.

venue for groups or individuals to rent for events. I think our citizens will appreciate having a local venue. Additionally, when the space is used for weddings, class reunions, etcetera, it will promote local spending and, potentially, the use of local vendors.” Strickland is confident that once the venue opens for public events and private functions, it will remain booked on a constant basis. She said she was told by Homerville’s Main Street Program manager that that depot is busy every weekend and many times during the week, as well. Already slated for the 2nd Annual Daddy-Daughter Dance on June 4, there is at least one other local entity that has booked the space for July 29 for a major musical fundraiser to benefit Satilla Hospice House and a new nonprofit there for grieving children known as “Amris Room.” “We’ve been hoping and dreaming for this ever since the city approved the remodel,” said Ross Bedford, who lost his daughter Amris to a rare pediatric brain cancer at age 10 about this same time last year. Bedford and his wife Marlee believe the depot concert patterned after previous fundraising events known as “Amris Jams” will benefit a multitude of families with children who have lost siblings or friends prematurely. Proceeds from the concert will help pay for a full-time pediatric therapist at Amris Room in Waycross. (see related story at right) Pierce County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Sarah Gove has been watching the progress of the restoration from her frontrow seat office on the east end of the building and couldn’t be more pleased with the progress. “We are excited to see the renovation of Blackshear’s historic train depot coming to fruition!” Gove said. “This beautiful facility will be a great addition to our community. Its restoration is evidence our city leaders care about preserving this town’s history.” OL

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Celebrating The Life of

Amris Bedford

Bedfords scheduling fundraising concert to beneﬁt Hopsice Satilla at the Historic Depot Story By K.T. MCKEE | Photos provided by THE FAMILY

ittle Amris Bedford loved music and dancing more than just about anything else in this world. “She loved to sing in church and at school and loved going to concerts,” her mother, Marlee Bedford, said of the daughter lost to a rare childhood cancer a little over a year ago at age 10. “She even sang solos in church. She was a really good singer. We know she’s singing her little heart out in that Heavenly choir now.” Although the Bedfords had hoped their bright-eyed angel would have had the opportunity to enjoy yet another fundraising concert for struggling families previously known as “Amris Jam” at the soon-to-berenovated Blackshear Train Depot July 29, her untimely death in March of last year has, instead, served as an even greater catalyst for bringing joy and healing to other families facing similar hardships through Hospice Satilla. “We know Amris would have wanted nothing less,” her father, Ross Bedford, said. “So, it’s definitely a hope and a dream to make it happen, that’s for sure.” Amris was only 2 years old when she was diagnosed with the rare brain cancer AT/RT. But even at that young age and while not always feeling her best, she was still able to drink in some of the best blues, gospel and country music in the nation while being treated at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., her parents said.

“Music is definitely the best medicine,” added Ross, a high school English teacher in Ware County. It was in that first year of Amris’ chemotherapy treatments in 2012 that the Bedfords learned of seven other Pierce and Ware County families battling pediatric cancers. They knew they needed to do something to help them, so they created the Amris Jam Foundation to raise funds mostly through live, all-day concerts at Blackshear City Park and at the walking track behind the Pierce County Board of Education building that brought in a slew of popular musical acts. Amris Jams occurring in three consecutive years raised a total of about $40,000, Ross said. It is hoped a similar concert at the Train Depot could raise at least twice as much. The proceeds would go directly toward the funding of a psychologist at the new Satilla Hospice House child therapy program known as Amris Room. The therapist works with children affected by the loss of loved ones, Ross explained. “Oftentimes we don’t think about the kids when it comes to grief, but they grieve as much as we do,” he said. “This therapist could really talk to kids about death and dying and the grief process and help them better process and understand it.” Ross said Amris’ little sister, Alary, 7, also has benefitted from some of the resources available at Amris Room. “It’s been tough for Alary,” he said. “She gets lonely. She misses her sister, but she talks about her all the time and says she will see her in heaven.” Amris, too, experienced plenty of fear and anxiety during her eight-year battle and benefitted from psychologists at St. Jude, Ross said. However, she almost always put on a brave face and a glowing smile on the outside. “Visitors would come in and she’d put a smile on her face and was always happy to see folks,” said Marlee, an independent speech therapist. “She’d never let on when

she was in pain or not feeling well. She was just a sweet, sweet child. Very kind. Always thinking of others before herself.” The Bedfords initially had hoped the new fundraiser would be the “first into the station” as the inaugural event upon the depot’s opening, but they are thrilled to at least have the July date set and to be finalizing details with Better Hometown Blackshear Manager Bethany Strickland. “Mostly I would love to see it continue to keep Amris’ legacy alive and the fact that she loved music so much,” Marlee said. The Bedfords said their goal is to find a band with as much local appeal as possible to draw in as much interest in the event as possible. “We’d love to pack that place with at least 250 people or as many as possible without breaking fire code,” Ross said with a laugh. “Amris would have loved that and we think many people in this community would, too. This community is like none other in terms of generosity and heart. I’ve never seen anything like it.” OL

Proceeds from Amris Jam will go directly toward the funding of a psychologist at the new Satilla Hospice House child therapy program known as Amris Room. For more information or to support Hospice Satilla visit hospicesatilla.com or call 912-285-2340 Amris Bedford

SHOWCASING THE REGION’S PERSONALITY

The Avriett House

HOME DECOr, WEDDING REGISTRY, FLORAL SHOPPE, gifts, & MORE!

MON-FRI 9:00-5:00 SATURDAY 9:00 -12:00 35 PEAGLER STREET HOMERVILLE, GA www.avrietthouse.com

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Real

WEDDINGS

njoy a few glimpses into real weddings in the Okefenokee region. Two couples share their love stories and provide advice for brides-to-be. You’ll experience the reasons and sentiments behind many of their choices while learning about their romantic beginnings of love and the family heirlooms and history they share. Each wedding is unique — each bride and groom have a different vision of what they want their wedding to be. You’ll also read how choosing the right vendors, partners, and wedding planners can help make your wedding dreams come true. Congratulations and best wishes to these happy couples for many years to come! STORIES BY MEGAN PIPER WHITE PH OSHOWCASING TO BY GAN DTHE Y REGION’S PH O T O GPERSONALITY RA PHERS SHOWCASING THE REGION’S PERSONALITY

271

Real WEDDINGS

Love at First Sight MEANT TO BEE

S t o r y B y M E G A N P I P E R W H I T E / P h o t o g ra p h y b y W E S S EW E L L P H O T O G R A P H Y

arley and Ann Crummey Hinson grew up in the neighboring towns of Waycross and Homerville, but they didn’t meet until just the right moment. Harley’s twin sister, Allison Hinson Roberson, knew Ann from their sorority in college, and Allison’s husband is the older brother of one of Ann’s close childhood friends. After the encouragement of their sister and friend, they connected online through a message on Instagram, and from their first blind date, it was love at first sight! Instantly feeling like old friends, they spent almost every day together, and Harley proposed a year later. Their proposal was a family affair, as they were on vacation with Harley’s family in St. Augustine, and they all worked together to plan “family pictures,” which were really a walk in the Washington Oaks botanical garden and the proposal in a beautiful gazebo overlooking the lake. Ann’s family also surprised her by joining them for dinner afterward to celebrate! Their wedding day on May 22, 2021 was a beautiful joining of their family, friends and special childhood connections. They were able to celebrate with both of their close and extended families and all of their friends. Ann’s maid of honor has been her closest friend since kindergarten, and Harley chose his dad to be his best man because they have always shared a close bond. With twentythree people in their bridal party, including ten bridesmaids, one junior bridesmaid, ten groomsmen, one

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Harley’s parents, Wiley & Billie Sue Hinson, and Ann’s parents, Keith & Jennifer Crummey.

SHOWCASING THE REGION’S PERSONALITY

junior groomsmen, and one flower girl, it truly was a day filled with love and friendships. As soon as Ann and Harley started planning their wedding, they knew they wanted to get married in Waycross. Both of their parents had traditional wedding ceremonies in a church, and it was important to Harley and Ann to continue that tradition. They chose First Baptist Church in Waycross because it played a vital role in Ann’s life. She grew up being an active member there, and she always wanted to get married in the sanctuary surrounded by the beautiful stained-glass windows. Local instrumentalists were selected to play, including church pianist, Carole Parker, and two vocalists and a stringed ensemble with a flute, violin, cello and piano who played a mix of their favorite traditional hymns and pieces from the Phantom of the Opera and Cinderella. The vocalists sang “The Prayer” while Harley and Ann took communion. Dr. Eric Mathison officiated the wedding, as he was the first pastor Ann remembers listening to at First Baptist, and he was the pastor who baptized Ann and helped shape her religious beliefs. John Wheeler, who was Ann’s youth pastor growing up, did their pre-marital counseling and performed their private communion moment during the ceremony. The rehearsal dinner was poolside at the Okefenokee Country Club in Blackshear, where Ann grew up swimming almost every day in the summers, with many birthday parties held there as well. The reception was held at the Okefenokee Country Club clubhouse, where she has countless memories of Sunday lunches with her family, cotillion dances, and father daughter dances. “I always envisioned dancing with my groom on a black and white checkered dance floor outside, and that dream came true under the beautiful oak trees outside of the clubhouse on our wedding day.” Ann’s favorite part of the day was reading the letter Harley wrote to share with her before their first look. She shares, “We decided to have

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Real WEDDINGS no communication after leaving the rehearsal dinner Friday night until we exchanged letters and saw each other Saturday. It was so special to read a love letter from him while I was anticipating seeing him that afternoon! He surprised me with a beautiful necklace and a bottle of Chanel perfume to wear at the ceremony so I could always remember how we felt on our wedding day when I smelled it in the future.” Ann also wrote Harley a love letter and gave him a custom Bible with “The Hinson Family” embossed on the front cover. “We value our families’ traditions, and always talked about new traditions we would start in our family. I surprised him with the Bible to be used as we grow as a married couple and to pass down to our children in the future.” They were both emotional after reading the letters and opening their gifts, and seeing each other’s faces light up in that moment was more than they could have ever hoped for on their

wedding day. Ann’s mom originally planned to let Ann borrow one of her diamond rings that she wore at her age as the “something borrowed” for the wedding day, but she surprised Ann by giving it to her as her “something new” since she had admired the ring since she was a little girl. The wedding favors had a special meaning for Harley, as he and his father have been beekeepers for years, so they used their honey as wedding favors for all of the guests. The couple used many local vendors, including Anne Deal of Blackshear, who made Ann’s birthday cakes almost every year, and they knew she would make the most beautiful and delicious wedding cake as well. The Hinson family’s favorite caterer, Kitty Steedley at Jimbo’s Catering in Homerville, made Harley’s cakes for birthdays, and she and her husband Mark catered many of his events growing up too. They catered the rehearsal dinner and made Harley’s

groom’s cake, which was decorated as a bee box, honoring his profession as a beekeeper. Blackshear Flowers arranged flowers for Ann’s baby dedication, dance recitals, and proms through the years, so they asked them to arrange the bridal bouquets, boutonnieres, reception center pieces, and flowers on the cross at the ceremony. They also used The Hinson family’s favorite florist, The Avriett House in Homerville, to decorate the rehearsal dinner and wedding reception. When asked what advice she would give to future brides, Ann encourages any bride to make the entire planning process as stress-free as possible. She and Harley made a point to remember that at the end of the day, they would be married, regardless of any mishaps on the wedding day. Thankfully, they didn’t have anything to worry about because of the hard work and expertise of their wedding coordinator, Rachel Scott. Ann also encourages future brides to enjoy every second of the engagement, planning, wedding, and honeymoon because it will fly by before you know it, as sweet and as quick as a honeybee. OL

• Date: May 22, 2021 • Venue: First Baptist Church Waycross and Okefenokee Country Club • Caterer: Okefenokee Country Club • Bridal Cake: Ann Deale • Groom’s Cake: Jimbo’s Catering • Photographer: Wes Sewell • Videographer: Lovewell Films, Kyle Taylor • Florist: Blackshear Flowers • Bridal Gown: White Weddings, Valdosta • Jewelry: Crawford Jewelers • Wedding Planner: Rachel Scott Weddings

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COMPASSIONATE, CARING PROVIDERS. SAME-DAY APPOINTMENTS. MEDICINE, THE WAY IT USED TO BE!

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ur providers are passionately committed to providing you with the high-quality medical care you deserve and remain dedicated to the values of compassion and personalized patient care. You may not have known that in addition to our wonderful internal medicine clinic we also offer a full line of non-invasive aesthetic services for the face and body, available to women and men of all ages.

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Real WEDDINGS

Perfect Timing W O R T H T H E WA I T

S t o r y B y M E G A N P I P E R W H I T E / P h o t o g ra p h y b y G A N DY P H O T O G R A P H E R S

anner Branham and Annelise Brown Branham met in 2017 just a few months before both graduating from the University of Georgia in May of 2017. They knew each other through mutual friends throughout college, but it wasn’t until the weekend before spring break of their senior year that they connected at just the right time. Annelise tells the story, “My roommates and I were about to head out of town to Mexico for our last spring break, and I stopped at the Kangaroo gas station on Lumpkin to get gas. I rarely go inside the gas station, but that day, I needed to get cash out of the ATM for my trip. I was doing just that when I heard a charming voice behind me say, ‘let me get some of that money.’ I turned around, and I saw Tanner getting an icee out of the drink machine (nothing has changed!) and small talk commenced. I didn’t really think much of it, but later that afternoon, I saw his name pop up on my Snapchat app online, and the rest is history.” The smitten couple went to an event with his fraternity the next week, then a “real date” after that, and they’ve been together ever since. Annelise shares, “The way we met and fell in love was the most genuine and pure experience.” After graduation, Annelise moved back to her hometown of Homerville while Tanner stayed in Athens for veterinary school. After a time of long-distance dating, in 2019, Tanner proposed! The happy couple set the

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Annelise and Tanner with her parents, Jeﬀ & Susie Brown, and her sister, Meredith Brown.

wedding date for June 5, 2021, just a month after Dr. Tanner Branham would graduate from veterinary school and accept a job at Hahira Veterinary Clinic. With a two-year engagement, Annelise had plenty of time to search for inspiration for their wedding day. They chose to have their wedding ceremony in Homerville, where she was born and raised. Although they are members of the beautiful Homerville United Methodist Church, it was not large enough to accommodate the number of guests, so they were married at First Baptist Church in Homerville. This turned out to be a special, full circle moment since that’s

where her parents were married as well. Her vision for the reception began with blush and bashful tones, champagne bridesmaid dresses, and all white florals. Annelise has always been one to push the envelope with style, design, and colors and likes to be different and bold. Annelise decided that if there were enough beautiful florals and vibrant colors in the design for guests to enjoy, then maybe they’d forget about being outside in the heat of June at the Lee Farm Reserve in Dupont, Georgia in June. Corey Brice McCants and the amazingly talented ladies at The Avriett House made those design dreams come true with a

SHOWCASING THE REGION’S PERSONALITY

Real WEDDINGS

significant and beloved theme giving nod to Annelise’s favorite things. As a woman born and raised in the south, Annelise loves blue and white china and the movie Steel Magnolias more than Clairee loves her luggage. So, naturally, the Spode blue Italian dinner plates, chinoiserie ginger jars, and armadillo cake were a must. The citrus addition to the theme was a unique way to add more color and dimension to the already fabulous florals. There was still plenty of “blush” tones incorporated, but the design and decor were anything but “bashful.” Her biggest piece of advice for future brides is to book reputable vendors who are trustworthy and come highly reviewed. She suggests making a list of the things most important for the day and invest in the vendors needed to make it happen. She shared that working with seasoned pros of the wedding world, especially a wedding planner like the talented ladies of Pink Bee Events, makes the wedding day and all of the days leading up to the event more enjoyable. A special element of the wedding was to incorporate Annelise’s mother’s

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• Date: June 5, 2021

“When we were standing in front of the church, saying our vows, I was completely overwhelmed by the amount of love I felt in that moment. Love from my husband, love from our families, and love from our friends who showed up for us.” Annelise Brown Branham

• Venue: First Baptist Church of Homerville and Lee Farm Reserve in DuPont • Caterer: Simply Southern Events – Denise Paulk (Ambrose, GA) • Photographer: Gandy Photographers • Videographer: Lovewell Films (Kyle Taylor) • Florist: The Avriett House + Corey Brice McCants • Rentals: B. Claire Luxury Event Rentals • Bridal Gown: Kate McDonald Bridal

headpiece from her own wedding. They customized it by removing the beaded fabric piece, and Annelise wore it as a wrist cuff. Another significant part of the day happened at the cake cutting as Annelise and Tanner used her parents’ silver goblets from their wedding for their first toast as husband and wife. Annelise described her favorite parts of the day well, “When we were standing in front of the church, saying our vows, I was completely overwhelmed by the amount of love I felt in that moment. Love from my husband, love from our families, and love from our friends who showed up for us. My first look with my dad was also one of my favorite parts of the day. The pictures say it all. If I had to choose one favorite, the reception was definitely the highlight of the day. Everyone came to party and the band, Big Brother’s Boombox, did not disappoint. It was June in the south, and everyone was sweating, but the music and signature drinks were too good to leave the dance floor! It was the best time!” OL

• Family Heirlooms: Mom’s headpiece worn as wrist cuff • Jewelry: Wedding Bands, Homerville Jewelers; Earrings, Nicola Bathie Jewelry • Wedding Planner: Pink Bee Events (Susanna Harris and Paula Ramey) • Armadillo and Wedding Cake: Kitty Steedley (Jimbo’s)

SHOWCASING THE REGION’S PERSONALITY

OKEFENOKEE LIVING

SHOWCASING THE REGION’S PERSONALITY

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HOME & GARDEN

PHOTO BY ALLEN ALLNOCH - AHA! PHOTOGRAPHY SHOWCASING THE REGION’S PERSONALITY

HOME & GARDEN

hangout THE ULTIMATE

AN EXTRAORDINARY MAKEOVER MADE DENISE BENNETT’S BLACKSHEAR HOME AN IDEAL HAVEN FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS Story and Photography by Allen Allnoch, AHA! Photography

It’s

an early spring afternoon and school is out for the day when a teenage boy strolls through the front door of the Bennett home, politely greets Denise Bennett, then heads to the bedroom of his good friend Luke, one of Denise’s five children. The fact that Luke isn’t around at the time is irrelevant. “All my kids’ friends make themselves at home,” says Denise, who has lived at her Blackshear residence since 2012. “I’m very thankful that they all feel comfortable enough to do that. Many times, I come home from work and there’s somebody here, and I’m not related to them. When you have a bunch of kids, what’s a few more?”

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The home has undergone an extensive renovation that includes a new front porch and entry. A daybed swing on the front porch provides a cozy place to unwind or gather with family members to catch up.

In 2019, with four of Denise’s children still living at home – only the oldest, University of Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett IV, was away – she undertook an extensive, year-long renovation that resulted in a remarkable new look. What once was a four-bedroom, two-bath residence that tended to feel dark and dated now is a bright, 3,000-square-foot oasis with five bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, and a contemporary vibe that still manages to showcase some of the unique features from the original 1922 construction. The work was expertly carried out by Wesley Davis of Hoboken-based Davis Construction. “Bless him – it was me telling him what I wanted it to look like,” Denise explains. “I would pull up my Pinterest pictures and he made it happen. He is unbelievably talented.”

Davis’ work included building a roomy new front porch and back deck, removing several interior walls to create an open floor plan, and adding a new master suite and mudroom at the back of the house. In the kitchen, he replaced outdated cabinetry, added a spacious island, and built custom shelves using wood from a pecan tree the four Bennett brothers – Stetson, twins Luke and Knox, and Maverick – removed from the backyard. The pantry is adorned with a door that was repurposed from the original laundry room and still sports a vintage crystal doorknob. Light, neutral tones lend the home an airy feel, and straight lines – including Shaker wainscoting panels on many of the interior walls SHOWCASING THE REGION’S PERSONALITY

HOME & GARDEN

Left: The foyer acts as a separate space for reading or private time. A barn door leads to Luke’s bedroom. Below: The front room in the house was where the family used to watch TV. Now, it is a formal living room that opens up to the dining room. The leather chairs are from Lott’s Furniture and dress up the space while providing ultimate comfort. A wall separated the living room from the kitchen with an open doorway to pass through. The island is for casual dining, everyday use with kids at home.

– create a pleasant sense of order. “The one thing that I really dictated was I didn’t want anything rounded,” says Denise, who owns Bennett’s Hometown Pharmacy and Boutique in Blackshear and Nahunta. “I wanted simple lines and lots of rectangles. Maybe that comes from pharmacy. I’ll let someone else figure out what that says about me.” The home is comfortably furnished, with several pieces coming from Lott’s Furniture in Waycross, including a glass accent piece in the foyer, layered rugs in the living room, and a leather sectional in the family room, which before the renovation was simply a passthrough area leading to the back door. Harriette Sutton, owner of Southern Lady Interiors in Nashville, Georgia, cast her vision and attention to detail throughout the home,

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Above: The master

bedroom provides a retreat for Denise, with a sliding door leading to a master bath with a soaking tub. “I love this,” she says. “This is my oasis.”

Immediate Right: Knox and

Stet share a room with bunk beds and lots of memorabilia.

Far Right: Three of the bedrooms are set oﬀ each side of a central “foyer” area, which was a small living area before the renovation, with two built-in desks. Olivia’s bedroom was the original master and includes a bathroom.

Above: Denise wanted each of the children to have a unique

wall for their bedroom. Maverick’s room has a colorful wallpaper design that Luke and Denise hung themselves. The red light is another unique aspect of the room.

SHOWCASING THE REGION’S PERSONALITY

HOME & GARDEN

choosing fabrics, and arranging wall art, including a family photoshoot that Denise’s children surprised her with during the 2020 pandemic shutdown. Sutton also dreamed up the family room’s centerpiece, an eye-catching canvas highlighted by cherished scenes from Bennett family life over the years. Before beginning the renovation, Denise says she considered either moving to another home or building a new one. Ultimately she decided to stay, she says, because “this is where the kids grew up. It just fit.” A move or a new build likely would have been the easier way forward, but as Sutton points out, the renovation resulted in something truly unique. Right and Below: The kitchen opens to the new family room, which was a pass-through space to the back porch. Now it is a spacious area for relaxing and watching tv away from the front of the house. Double glass doors lead to a spacious deck. The leather sectional is from Lott’s Furniture.

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Right: The centerpiece of the room is a piece of art that was personalized by Denise, Stet, Maverick, Luke, Knox, and Olivia. Harriette Sutton assigned a square to each family member and had them paint unique backgrounds in their respective spaces. She brought the paints and they huddled around the kitchen island and unleashed their creative energies. She then had them ﬁll out a questionnaire asking about important events, trips and other experiences they’ve shared as a family. She passed along that information to an Atlanta-based artist, who in turn reproduced those scenes on the canvas.

“When you take an older home and you’re really having to brainstorm and stretch to make everything work, it usually turns out a lot more interesting than a new build,” Sutton says. “You have to come up with a plan that will make the old work with the new.” It definitely worked. And while the home always has been a beehive of activity, now it’s the ultimate hangout for the Bennetts and their wide network of friends. As Denise explains, “Every Thursday night since 2012 or 2013, I have fed football players here. Stet used to bring his offensive linemen home for dinner when he was in high school. Since he graduated, it’s been Luke and Knox with their teammates. This year Olivia said, ‘Mama, are you going to keep doing that?’ I told her, ‘We’re going to find a group for you [to have as guests after the twins graduate]. “Before I re-did the home, it was very boxy,” she continues. “One of the things I wanted to make sure of was to have an open floor plan because there are so many of us. It’s so nice to hang out and cook, and we can fill the dining room with people and spill over to the island at the same time. That is something that we had never had as a family.” OL

Above: Denise with Olivia and Luke on the deck of the family room. The glass doors to the left lead to the master bedroom. Right (Top and Bottom):

A mudroom and halfbath are right inside oﬀ the deck. The mudroom has a built-in dog house and a framed display autographed by members of the Pierce County 2020 state championship team that Luke and Knox were a part of.

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HOME & GARDEN

CREATE AN INVITING OUTDOOR SPACE

Story by KRISTEN BOYETT, Interior Designer, Lott’s Furniture kboyette@lottsfurniture.com / 912-283-6350 Photography by JOY SUMNER PHOTOGRAPHY

s an interior designer, my work tends to focus on interior spaces: living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, etc. But as the weather warms up and we lean into the spring season, I’m eager to spread that focus to those “rooms” just outside the home. Our exterior spaces, whether that means a porch, patio, pool deck, or just a corner of our yard, deserve unique attention and thoughtfulness so that we can enjoy them to their full potential. Fresh air and relaxation await you, and with these simple tips, designing an outdoor space that feels like an extension of your home can be a breeze. Just like with an indoor room, furniture selection and layout is the biggest key in creating an outdoor space that functions for your lifestyle. Consider how you’d like to use the space: your outdoor sitting area may focus around a TV, fireplace, or view. Maximize your seating arrangement with an outdoor sectional or pair of sofas if space allows (you’ll enjoy being able to lie down and stretch out!). Incorporating side chairs that can be angled in, or better yet, swivel chairs, will offer even more seating and are easy enough to move around and re-locate

to accommodate a crowd. And don’t forget the tables! A variety of table sizes including coffee tables, end tables, and accent tables will provide plenty of places to rest beverages, appetizers, necessities like citronella candles, and any tabletop décor. Dine alfresco with the addition of an outdoor table and chairs. Choose a size that fits the space with enough room for the chairs to easily push out from the table. If room allows, a table close by to act as a server or sideboard comes in handy when entertaining. This presents extra surface space for a spread of side dishes and “fixins,” as well as storage for your dinnerware — whether that’s fine china or the classic paper plate is up to you! Materials, textures, and layers will give your outdoor space the perfect blend of practicality and aesthetics. Outdoor materials are proven to wear well, but it’s always important to consider the elements your space will be exposed to, such as direct sunlight, precipitation, humidity, salt air, etc. Outdoor furniture is made of heavy-duty and weather-friendly woods, metals, and poly/ resin materials, while cushion and pillow fabrics are performance blends of polypropylene,

Elevate your beverage station by utilizing a stylish tiered bar cart. The easy access to glasses, bottles, pitchers, and mixers will help your guests feel welcome to serve themselves.

olefin, or acrylic. Durability meets style, with furniture options ranging from traditional to modern, and everything in between. When it comes to the design of your outdoor space, choose pieces that compliment your home and feel cohesive with what’s going on inside. Sticking with a color palette that flows seamlessly from the inside out will make your home feel larger. Neutral bones with intentional pops of color work well, but don’t miss the opportunity to infuse pattern, personality, and fun into your space with the use of accent pillows, rugs, and unique accessories. Think textural woven baskets and trays, interesting planters and pots, and oversized lanterns (perfect for nestling into corners where cozy, candlelit ambiance is welcomed). Art and mirrors are the finishing touches to your wall space and break up the hard edges of exterior wood and brick. Finally, pull it all together with a beautiful outdoor rug to ground and soften the space. It’s a fact that a daily dose of fresh air offers positive health benefits. It reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, strengthens immunity, and increases serotonin. It truly feels good for the soul, especially after the cold, damp winter months, to venture outside and soak up the sunshine, sounds, smells, and blooms of your own outdoor sanctuary. This season, I hope you feel inspired to bring the indoors out and create a space that you can enjoy year-round. OL

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Relax IN STYLE

CELEBRATING

YEARS OF STYLE

401 Mary Street | Waycross, GA | 912.283.6350 2110 Sadler Square | Fernandina Beach, FL | 904.261.6333

lottsfurniture.com

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HOME & GARDEN

TOP

TO MAKE YO U

TIPS

A N HE RB E X P E RT

Story by LESLIE COCHRAN, Farmers and Builders Ace Hardware

ringing fragrance, flavor, and freshness, herbs are a great way to brighten up your home and taste buds. A few favorite herbs can be found at any local garden center, farmer’s market, or most grocery stores. Herbs are not only great to bring flavor to your favorite meal, but when planted near places you like to entertain outdoors their aromas can be enjoyed, and they are great at repelling insects. Herbs can be planted near a grill or right outside the kitchen to make them always easily accessible. A quick snip for a spring cocktail, a favorite recipe, or a flower arrangement can bring instant gratification and joy. From the pot to the table, herbs add flair wherever you use them.

Containers:

Like many plants, herbs require their own space to grow and thrive. Small containers used for herbs make them easy to move and help prevent more invasive herbs, such as mint or lemon balm, from taking over. Terra cotta pots are the classic choice for growing herbs due to their porous nature that allows air and water to move through the walls. These pots will prevent soil disease and root rot. Ceramic and plastic pots will also work, but consider mobility, moisture requirements, and visual appeal when selecting a home for your herb.

Drainage:

Going hand in hand with containers, herbs need proper drainage. Herbs develop their most intense flavor in dry conditions. Originating from the Mediterranean region, herbs are quite happy in conditions where they are not overwhelmed with moisture. By using the right quality potting mix, the herb’s soil should retain the right amount of moisture but can drain properly. When soil is aerated effectively, it can prevent soil and nutrient loss, as well as damaging issues for the roots. There are ways to make your soil filled with more nutrients and drainage, such as adding compost and perlite.

Sunshine:

All plants require sunshine. Whether it is direct, indirect, or full, plants have their individual needs when it comes to basking in the sun. Herbs are sunloving, so the perfect amount for herbs is roughly six to eight hours of sunlight each day. Herbs utilize light to create their essential oils, which give them their flavor. By giving an abundant amount of sunlight, the herb will reward you with a constant flow of crisp, pungent herbs.

Watering:

Though it might seem counterintuitive, herbs do need frequent watering. When it comes to watering your herbs, let your hands guide you to know when it needs some H2O. If the soil feels dry one to two inches below the surface, it is time to water. Since they can tolerate more dry soil, herbs can be misted with water every once in a while to provide humidity. OKEFENOKEE LIVING

Recipe: Mini Herb Cheeseballs

Pinch and Prune:

Don’t be afraid to use your herbs. That’s why they are there. The more you pinch and prune them, the more they will grow. Pinching old blooms and leggy stems encourages new growth. With leafy herbs, cutting or pinching them back helps encourage a bush habit. Many herbs are perennials, so they come back each year, bigger and better.

FARMERS & BUILDERS

WHAT YOU WILL NEED: • Two 8oz packages of cream cheese, at room temperature • 2 Tbsp crème fraîche • 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce • 2/3 cup shredded white Cheddar cheese • 2/3 cup shredded hard cheese (such as Gruyère or Parmesan) • Fine sea salt • Freshly ground black pepper • 1 & 1/2 cup chopped pistachios • 3/4 cup chopped fresh herbs (such as thyme, sage, rosemary, etc) HOW TO MAKE: 1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper 2. Use a sturdy spatula to mix together the cream cheese, crème fraîche, Worcestershire sauce, Cheddar cheese, and Gruyère. Season with salt and pepper.

3. Use a 1-in cookie scoop to portion out a ball of the cheese mixture. Roll the ball between your wet hands to create an evenly spherical cheeseball and place it on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the rest of the cheese mixture. Cover and let chill for at least 2 hours. 4. Set out a shallow dish. Mix together the pistachios and herbs. Remove the cheese balls from the refrigerator and roll each ball in the mixture until coats. Transfer to a serving platter and repeat with the rest of the cheeseballs. Let sit at room temperature for at least 20 minutes before serving. OL

Come see us in our gift and garden center at Farmers & Builders Ace Hardware 3271 US Highway 84 Blackshear, GA 31516 (912) 449-4726

14133 Cleveland Street E. Nahunta, GA 31553 (912) 462-7552

5909 2nd Street N. Folkston, GA 31537 (912) 496-7771

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sh i D THE

FOOD AND RECIPES

ometimes buffets get a bad rap. Traditionally, buffets are a catchall approach to feeding lots of people lots of food. But, remove the chafing dishes and big silver spoons, and you essentially have a grazing table. It’s the same concept but with a modern and fun approach to serving snacks, appetizers, meals, and desserts. The idea is as old as food itself and can be seen in many different forms throughout history, from the grand buffet displays at weddings to your high school cafeteria. The aim is to encourage a communal experience and offer food that’s easily and equally available to all guests, without making them stand in line!

Amazing Grazing BY JASSON RUSSELL, culinary entreprenuer and former manager of culinary operations at The Cloister, Sea Island Photos by PROPER PINES PHOTOGRAPHY from Main Street Blackshear’s “Battle of the Boards” SHOWCASING THE REGION’S PERSONALITY

sh i D THE

FOOD AND RECIPES

razing table options are endless and versatile when it comes to presenting food to share. If you’ve been to any sort of celebration recently and enjoyed a donut from the donut wall, cheese from the charcuterie board or even a finger sandwich from an assorted tray you have experienced a form of a grazing table. Its gain in popularity is from its ease of assembly, “wow” factor in presentation, and ability to feed your crowd without having to stress over food temperature. These five tips will help you prepare, design and execute your very own amazing grazing table.

FOOD

1 Choose Your Vessel Wisely

This decision sets the tone of the display. After you have decided how many people you are looking to serve and what food you want to provide, choose a hard surface with character, space, and presentation power. If doing a classic cheese display to take to a dinner party, find a large board that is impressive even without the food on it. If you’re providing a selection of items for a luncheon, pick a small table that can be dressed up and used as the platter.

2 Location, Location, Location Since guests typically gather near the food table your display will be a focal point in the room, so make sure to choose a space that is open for people to freely move around. You will want your guests to have easy access to all offerings—you can do this by positioning the “grazings” so that they can be enjoyed from all directions. Lazy Susans can help with this!

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3 Pile It On When choosing the items to put on your table, think through the textures, colors, and varieties. This will help you easily present your food without having to worry about fancy fruit carvings or edi-ble/nonviable food garnishes. Don’t try to have back items to rebuild the offerings—use all you can on the display and pile it on—aim to have no white space. I also like to use a mix of utensils, bowls, and cutlery, adding depth to the presentation.

4 Small But Mighty The grazing table option is intended to satisfy a crowd. Try to offer a wide variety of options that fit within your theme so that even the pickiest of eaters will be pleased. The offerings should be bite-sized but plentiful (remember, no white space!). The selections should be a mix of savory and sweet items or foods that complement each other. Try to include items that limit your preparation time but add that “wow” factor. Jazz up a store-bought hummus or other spread, to offer some variety but which takes little prep time.

FOOD

5 Where’s Waldo Think of it as a game, like “Where’s Waldo?” The more you look, the more you find. The more options you have—colors, textures, elevations, refined and rustic themes—the more you keep your guests interested. They will explore the table to find the things they like and their eyes will stay glued to the presentation. Have fun with the options and happy grazing!

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CENTER DRS. JOSH AND MEREDITH PARMELEE Business hours: Monday - Thursday 8:30am - 5:30pm Friday 8:30am - 4:00pm Saturday and Sunday Closed 1730 Brunswick Hwy. • Waycross, GA 31501

912-283-9383 americaneyecarecenters.com americaneyecarecenterwaycross

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L PROFILES O YOUR GUIDE TO PEOPLE, PLACES, AND BUSINESSES IN THE REGION

Story By K.T. MCKEE

Main Photo By ALLEN ALLNOCH AHA! PHOTOGRAPHY

Pictured:

Tess Aldridge, Terry Anderson and Pam Hart

FROM VICTIM TO

VICTOR

SATILLA ADVOCACY SERVICES HELPS SEXUAL ASSAULT SURVIVORS RECLAIM THEIR LIVES

Satilla Advocacy Services began in a tiny office with one phone and small desk in 1998. Today, it is the most integral part of the region’s efforts to provide support and resources for victims of sexual abuse.

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S AT I L L A A D V O C A C Y S E R V I C E S

Above: SAS utilizes resources from across a wide

spectrum of agencies such as this group helping plan the SAS Super Bowl event: Roxanne Tanner, SAS Victim Service Coord., Chief Tommy Cox, Waycross Police Dept., Alicia Alderman, SAS SANE Coord., Chief Danny Christmas, Ware County Schools Dept. of Public Safety, Captain Teresa Grant, Ware County Schools Dept. of Public Safety, Sheriff Carl James, Ware County Sheriff ’s Office, Sasitan White, SAS Victim Service Coord., Tess Aldridge, SAS Exec. Dir., Marissa Burgess, SAS Counselor, Latoshia Kirksey, SAS Clinical Coord., Agent Taylor Luciano, GBI Robyn Thomas, SAS Grant Mgr., Shawnda McDaniel, SAS SANE Nurse, Maggie Santana, SAS Community Awareness Coord.

ABOVE: SAS oﬀers services 24/7 for victims of

She was only 11 when she became pregnant by her own father. He would come into her room at night after her mother and two little brothers were asleep. This had been going on for at least two years. Now 21 and sharing her story recently under the pseudonym of “Samantha,” the Waycross molestation survivor who is happily living with her longtime boyfriend and 10-month-old baby girl has nothing but good things to say about Satilla Advocacy Services (SAS). “It was a very, very nice experience,” she said of the many ways SAS assisted her after police responded to her home upon the discovery she was six months pregnant 10 years ago. “I could see they cared about me and the family.” Samantha said she didn’t even realize she was pregnant at the time. When she missed some menstrual cycles, her mother took her to the doctor. She had

tried to keep her father away from her by having one of her baby brothers sleep with her. She said when investigators started asking her questions, she made up stories out of fear. “My stories didn’t match the pregnancy, so they knew something wasn’t right,” she said. “I was just all confused. I didn’t know how my mama was going to react. She had no idea at all.” Once SAS got involved by providing forensic services to law enforcement, the father was arrested for sexual abuse of a minor and Samantha immediately received free counseling and support services from SAS. They also assisted with the adoption of the baby boy, making sure her son was placed in a loving, stable home of a couple who couldn’t conceive a biological child. In May, she will begin nursing classes at Coastal Pines Technical College to

sexual abuse.

follow in the footsteps of her SAS role model, Terry Anderson, by becoming a forensic nurse herself and helping child abuse and sexual assault victims the way she was helped as a child. “I saw what she did and what I had been through,” she said of the founder of SAS and former longtime executive director. “I feel like I would be helping someone in life later on, too.” Anderson – who retired from SAS a year ago after twenty-three years to hand over the reins to former banker Tess Aldridge – is now finding solace in an “ornery” horse named Cash on fourteen acres in Waycross. After being haunted by her own life experiences and those of countless victims of abuse and assault for much of her nursing career, the 66-year-old who never had a childhood herself is at peace with her successor, the eight-member SAS board of directors and the many others who work tirelessly to save the lives of youth and adults in Ware, Pierce and four surrounding counties that make up the Waycross Judicial Circuit. “I’m as happy as a pig in sunshine,” she said, adding she now works with sexual assault victims in area prisons. “God has been good to me. Even though bad things have happened, He has brought me through it. He’s the one who opened the door for Satilla Advocacy. He gave me the courage to stand up for victims.” Anderson’s journey into the world of victim advocacy first began in 1975 as an emergency room nurse at Satilla Memorial Hospital in Waycross. Coming from “the wrong side of the tracks,” she had an immediate instinct and passion for the women and children brought in by police. The problem was, when police told her to collect evidence from those victims, there wasn’t a good method for doing that. She clearly remembers one particular trauma patient who still haunts her to this day. “When I looked in her eyes, it was like all the light had been taken from them,” she said. “It was like her soul had died. “It

SAS GROUP PHOTO BY JOY SUMNER PHOTOGRAPHY | SAS SERVICES PHOTO BY AHA! PHOTOGRAPHY - ALLEN ALLNOCH

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did something to me. It was horrible and that young lady has stuck with me my whole life.” After doing sexual assault exams and reports for more than twenty years without the necessary tools, forensic support, and legal backing, Anderson finally took matters into her own hands in 1996 after reports of two sexual assaults at Ware County High School. One involved a mentally disabled girl who’d been dragged outside from the locker room. The school principal told the girl’s mother to take her to see Anderson at the hospital. “Dirt and debris fell from her clothes,” she said. “She’d been raped.” That experience made her realize the need for a program geared toward true victim advocacy through training and cooperation of law enforcement, medical professionals, the courts, and community leaders. “We needed a 24-hour crisis line, community education, and prevention education in the schools and so much more,” she recalled. “After that rape happened, it became very public, and it was ugly. It sparked five task force meetings with judges and senators and everybody else who could help change the system or provide funding.” Two years later, former Satilla Memorial CEO Robert Trimm gave Anderson the green light to open the Satilla Rape Crisis Center with a small round desk and one phone in a tiny office across the street from the hospital – but told her she’d have to come up with the funding to keep it going. And she did. “By the year 2001, children were coming out of the woodwork,” she said. “Our law enforcement community was wonderful for Satilla Advocacy by that time. Everybody came together and we opened the Child Advocacy Center in 2001. Our numbers went crazy.” It was people like Waycross Police Chief Tony Tanner and trail-blazing Waycross OB-GYN Dr. Peggy Howard

who helped Anderson pave the way to what SAS is today, she said. Tanner, the father of current SAS Director Aldridge, was on board with SAS from its beginnings, providing the critical connection between police response and compassion to the SAS board. “Chief Tanner ended up being the chairman of our advisory board and got sheriffs from other counties on board with our mission,” longtime SAS Board Chair Pam Hart explained. “It went from total resistance from law enforcement to really working hand-in-hand.” Aldridge, who joined SAS as a grant manager and helped with victim services for four years before transitioning to replace Anderson, said being raised by a father who was in law enforcement probably had more of an impact on her than she had realized when it came to fueling her passion for victim advocacy. She remembers him mentioning SAS over the years but it wasn’t until she began actually working with victims that she became fully woke. One case involving a seven-yearold girl who’d been molested by her stepfather will probably be with her forever. “She loved her offender. She didn’t want him in trouble,” she recalled, her voice cracking with emotion. “Unfortunately, that happens a lot. I remember watching that interview and wondering how she was able to be so brave.” Having the funding to be able to offer services for free to all victims and their families is something SAS is constantly aware of. Dr. Peggy Howard had left a “substantial endowment” to be used only as an emergency back-up funding

source when she died, Anderson said. As a non-profit organization, SAS is always grateful for volunteers, donors, and event sponsors. Aldridge is excited about two upcoming events the community can rally around to help boost the good work SAS is doing. A special bowling tournament fundraiser at the newlyrenovated Waycross Bowling Alley, owned by Jamie Ritch McQuaig, dubbed “SAS Super Bowl” will be held in April once the new facility is completed. “The Super Bowl is a chance for our first responders in our six-county region to enjoy some fun, fellowship and friendly competition while raising funds and awareness for Satilla Advocacy Services and the victims we serve,” Aldridge explained. “As a thank you to our first responders, they will be the first to use the new bowling alley. Those who wish to support the fundraiser can sponsor a first responder team or make a donation.” Also for the first time, SAS will team up with Magnolia House Domestic Violence Shelter and Outreach at its annual “Dancing with the Southern Stars” event in August. Regina Miller, a dedicated SAS volunteer and social services supervisor for DFACS said community members wishing to get involved with SAS by actually being trained in victim services can simply make a call to SAS to get the ball rolling. “They do such a wonderful job,” Miller said of SAS. “They are there 24/7 and are never grouchy when awakened in the middle of the night to help a victim. They do amazing work and I feel honored to be a part of it in any way I can.” OL

To support Satilla Advocacy Services by becoming a trained volunteer or to support the organization with a donation, contact SAS by calling 912-285-7355 or send a message to support@satillaadvocacy.org. If you are a victim of sexual assault, call the Crisis Hotline: 912-283-0987

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CALLIE KAY'S

GENERAL STORE & OUTFITTERS

Callie Kay's Jessie

410 Plant Ave. Waycross, GA. 31501 • 912-788-5006 • Mon-Fri 10am-7pm, Sat 10am-6pm, closed Sun

MAKING EVERY MOMENT MATTER

888.615.1982 GHCHospice.com We Provide Care That Encompasses the Medical, Social, Emotional and Spiritual Aspects of Treatment Through our non-profit foundation, we strive to create an environment where our patients and families can continue to make memories together. The GHC Foundation donates 100% of the fundraised dollars back to our patients to help fulfill their last wishes.

THE GOLD STANDARD IN HOSPICE CARE Serving 23 Counties in Georgia and South Carolina 60

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PROFILES

MAIN STREET BLACKSHEAR

A MODERN LOOK FOR A CLASSIC COMMUNITY BIGGER, BOLDER, BRANDING

Co mp il ed by JO H N RI D D L E

etter Hometown Blackshear recently completed a rebranding effort that reflects on what has and continues to make Blackshear great! The “BH” icon takes the “B” of Blackshear and melds it with the “H” of Hometown illustrating how Better Hometown Blackshear & the city are working together to be BIGGER. BOLDER. BETTER. It also makes an instantly recognizable icon for the brand. One that can be used across several mediums with ease.

Color inspiration was also taken from the brick red/orange tones of the old Pierce County Jail, Atlantic Coastline Depot, and Brantley Brick warehouse.

The color palette for the brand was taken from the beloved Bears & the historical landmarks of Pierce County. “The steadfast loyalty of our residents, the pride in our community and its rich history, is what inspired the re-brand. Simply influenced by the place we call home. The community we choose to live, work, play, and raise a family,” explained Bethany Strickland, Main Street Manager. OL

The new Main Street logo is a nod to the geometric bear mural located downtown. The geometric shapes that comprise the body of the bear are made from the streets of downtown Blackshear. SHOWCASING THE REGION’S PERSONALITY

Helping Peo ple A fford L ife fo r Over 75 yea r s!

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Story By JOHN RIDDLE

Photography By ALLEN ALLNOCH AHA! PHOTOGRAPHY

A F A M I LY T R A D I T I O N

Gillis Brothers, Inc.

Dalton, Loretta, Conway, James, and Jared Gillis

The Gillis Family is proud to be carrying on the family tradition of hard work, serving others, and counting their blessings.

onway Gillis never imagined that when he was helping his father in his turpentine business in 1945 that he would be working alongside his son and grandsons in the family business seventy-seven years later. The business began as N.L. Gillis and Sons after Tot Gillis, Conway’s father, built a turpentine still in 1945 which produced spirits of turpentine and rosin. “We hauled the rosin to Savannah, Georgia, for exportation to Europe and brought back the fertilizer and sold it to our neighbors and other farmers in the area,” Conway explained. That was their foray into the fertilizer business. As the turpentine business decreased, the farm supply side of the business grew.

SHOWCASING THE REGION’S PERSONALITY

GILLIS BROTHERS, INC.

Conway Gillis on the porch of the house where his grandparent’s lived. He grew up in a house across a ﬁeld that was mostly destroyed by ﬁre.

OKEFENOKEE LIVING

Conway and his brother, Dougal, incorporated in 1965 as Gillis Brothers, Inc., a full-service farm supply business. When Dougal retired in 1992, Conway and his son, James Jr., bought Dougal’s interests. In 2020, James’ oldest son, Jared, moved home to work with them. More recently his youngest son, Dalton, also joined them making the fourth generation of Gillis' to work in the family business. Even James’ wife, Loretta, is involved daily as the administrator. Today, Gillis Brothers, Inc., has locations in Millwood and Blackshear. Both are full-service farm supply centers selling fertilizer, seed, and crop protection chemicals to producers. Millwood is also where the farming operation is located which includes 700 acres of row crops and 140 acres of blueberries, as well as, a forestry division that fertilizes and sprays pine trees. Other aspects of the business include a trucking operation operated "out of necessity" to haul the grain and fertilizer. Combined, both locations employ up to 30 people. They face the same challenges other farmers who can do “everything right” and still experience failure due to the unpredictable nature of the weather and commodity prices. And, during planting and harvesting seasons, from March through October, it's a six-day workweek from sunup to sundown most days.

“I LOOK FORWARD TO GOING TO WORK EVERY DAY. There is great satisfaction in planting seed and nurturing a crop through the season to harvest. I feel like I’m making a difference by helping provide food and fiber to the world.” JAMES GILLIS

For the Gillis', they are also constantly buying and selling fertilizer, seed, chemicals, and grain along with dispatching trucks while managing a farm. “Much of our work has changed from labor-intensive to high tech mechanization and requires much more knowledge of computers and sophisticated equipment. While not always physically exhausting, we finish many days mentally exhausted," said James. But they agree that harvesting a successful crop is extremely satisfying after a season of long hours and hard work. They take pride in their work and the fact that they are having a positive impact on their community and the world. “I look forward to going to work every day. There is great satisfaction in planting seed and nurturing a crop through the season to harvest. I feel like I’m making a difference by helping provide food and fiber to the world,” said James. The fact that they are continuing a family tradition of working in agriculture and forestry that dates back to when the Gillis family settled in the northwest corner of Ware County in the late 1800s is not lost on them either. “It is an honor to join our family business. I feel a personal responsibility to my family members, our ancestors, and future generations to expand on the work that was laid long before my time,” Jared explained. “Considering our family heritage, I am grateful to be able to continue the family legacy and for the opportunity to contribute to the success of our family business.” Dalton agrees, “Being a part of this business is a great opportunity for me. I enjoy working with my family on the farm where I grew up. I consider it an honor to work in the family business that has lasted for over fifty years,” referring to Gillis Brothers, which started in 1965. “I joined the business to help carry it forward to future generations.” James summed it up by saying, “We are very thankful for our forefathers who have gone before us and taught us Christian values and a good work ethic.” While they feel very blessed to be able to carry on their family’s heritage and find their work very rewarding, perhaps their greatest satisfaction comes from the people they work with daily – both their customers and their own family. “I cannot imagine another profession that would allow me the opportunity to work with and serve such great people and being blessed to be able to work with my family

every day,” James explained. “Farmers and their families are some of the finest people on the planet and I consider them friends more than customers,” James said. “They are just good Christian people who get up every day and try to do what’s right.” The business has changed drastically since Conway helped his father with that turpentine still and since he and his brother started Gillis Brothers, Inc., in the mid-1960s. “In 1965, I did not think about how long the business would last. I was only trying to make an honest living. I am very happy to have my son, daughter-in-law, and grandsons involved in the business,” Conway said. A lot has changed in the world since then too. “Today, most people have no idea how food is produced. They just expect it to be on the grocery shelves each time they walk in,” James said. “I heard recently that, ‘never before have so few people fed so many for so little’.” As much as things have changed it’s good to know that some things stay the same. While the Gillis family has adapted through the years, they’ll never change how they feel about the importance of farming, hard work, respect for the land and their fellow man, and their belief in God. Like Neal McCoy’s country song, the Gillis’, along with other farming families, are the “Last of a Dying Breed.” OL

SHOWCASING THE REGION’S PERSONALITY

The People You Know. The Bank You Trust.

(912) 283–0001 www.WBT.bank

Satilla Bluffs Senior Care offers Residential Community Living, At Home Care, Memory Care, and Respite Care services. Call to schedule a tour today.

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101 SATILLA BLUFFS DRIVE • BLACKSHEAR, GA 31516

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PROFILES

STETSON BENNETT IV AND ERNEST JONES

Hometown

Champions

Southeast Georgia Communities Celebrate the Football Feats of

Stetson Bennett IV and Ernest Jones

inutes after leading the Georgia Bulldogs to their National Championship victory over Alabama on January 10, Blackshear’s Stetson Bennett IV stood on the field at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis and referenced the area code in which so many of his family, friends and fans live. “912’s my home,” the Georgia quarterback told Savannah’s WJCL Channel 22. “I love all you guys.” Thirty-five days later, another local athlete, Waycross’s Ernest Jones, celebrated a football championship. The rookie linebacker was a key defensive contributor in the L.A. Rams’ thrilling 23-20 win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI. Like Bennett, Jones gave a shout-out to his supporters in Southeast Georgia, writing on Facebook: “Waycross, Georgia. My home. I am truly speechless. The love and support is felt all the way here in California. From the bottom of my heart, I THANK each and everyone of you.” Ernest and Stetson certainly made their hometowns proud, and the Pierce and Ware County communities responded with an outpouring of gratitude and recognition. In Bennett’s case, Blackshear held a parade, which also honored his high school alma mater, the Pierce County Bears, and the 2020 state championship they brought home two seasons ago. Stetson also received a Key to the City from Blackshear Mayor Keith Brooks, who said, “We’re so proud of all your accomplishments and amazed at your perseverance. … It’s truly been a remarkable journey.” In Waycross, the city proclaimed February 11 “Ernest Jones Day” and signs celebrated Jones’s journey “From the Swamp to the Super Bowl” on businesses, streets and lawns all over town. Jones also received a parade in his honor, plus a rally at Waycross Middle School, with thousands of fans turning out for the March 12 festivities. Bennett and Jones have much in common. Off the field, they are humble and polite. On the field, they are ferocious competitors. From a young age, both dreamed of playing on the biggest stages, and overcame plenty of challenges to get there. In short, Stetson Bennett IV and Ernest Jones each has the heart of a champion.

Story By ALLEN ALLNOC H

SHOWCASING SHOWCASING THE THE REGION’S REGION’S PERSONALITY PERSONALITY

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STETSON BENNETT

Stetson Bennett: ‘He Knew He Could Compete with Anybody’

B Bennett received the Key to the City from Blackshear Mayor Keith Brooks during a press conference before the “Champions Parade” on January 30. Photos by Joy Sumner Photography

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y now, college football fans around the country know Stetson’s story – enrolling at Georgia as a walk-on quarterback, transferring to a Missisissippi junior college, returning to Athens and ultimately becoming the full-time starter and a national champion. By delivering two touchdown passes when it mattered most against Alabama – in the fourth quarter with his team trailing 18-13 – he lived up to his nickname, “the Mailman,” and secured his place as a Bulldog football legend. But in his mind, Stetson is the same person he’s always been. “I thank God I was raised in a town like this … where the values don’t sway if you went to a football game or not,” he said at a press conference before the Blackshear parade. “Growing up, being raised the right way, you just don’t let that affect you – it’s cool, but if it all stops tomorrow, then who I am doesn’t [depend on] my magazine picture.” The oldest of five siblings, Stet, as he’s known to those close to him, had plenty of company to play sports with while growing up. In backyard football games, he held the coveted “all-time quarterback” position for twin brothers Luke and Knox, who are current seniors at Pierce County High. “He was super competitive and determined,” says Denise Bennett, Stetson’s mother. “He knew he could compete with anybody. I don’t think it’s in his psyche to ever hear, ‘You’re not good enough,’ even when people have told him that.” Indeed, there have been plenty of doubters, particularly among the ranks of anonymous online trolls. At 5-11, 190 pounds, Stetson is relatively small for a quarterback at the highest level of college football, and many wondered if he was capable of leading Georgia to its first national championship since 1980. But he had the Pierce County community in his corner all along. They knew what he could do, having watched him light up opposing defenses and scoreboards since moving from neighboring Brantley County as a middle schooler. There’s more at play than just statistics and championship rings, however. In close-knit communities such as Blackshear, football is an integral part of the cultural fabric, and every player feels the love. “As a mom, I can’t even differentiate between the support they give Stet and the support they give my other four,” Denise Bennett says. “That’s the humbling part. You see little boys wearing Stet’s jersey, but I’ve also seen little boys wearing Luke and Knox’s Pierce County jerseys. That’s life in a small town.”

ERNEST JONES

Ernest Jones:

From the Swamp to the Super Bowl

rnest Jones made it clear from an early age that he was going to play professional football. “As a little kid, he would tell me, ‘One day I’m going to be in the NFL,’” recalls Jones’s mother, Porsche Wells. “He’s always had that drive and that will.” Others saw it, too. Joe Bennett, who started a youth travel team called the Waycross Blackhawks, was introduced to Ernest by one of his assistant coaches, Carlton Jenkins. “[Jenkins] was at a flag football practice and he saw this kid, kind of standing out from everybody else,” Bennett remembers. “He talked with the family and said, ‘Y’all need to bring him over to our program.’ He was exceptional and you could see it early on – he was a hard worker and he was extremely driven to excel.” Still, when Ernest reached the high school level, he didn’t make an impact right away. Franklin Stephens, the Ware County head coach at the time, told Ernest’s mother that he needed to put on more weight. “I said, ‘OK, I’ll take care of it,’” Wells recalled. “I fed him a lot of chicken and rice, a lot of peanut butter, just making sure he ate every day, and it worked.” Ernest went to the University of South Carolina, where he grew into a 6-foot-2, 230-pound NFL prospect. He declared for the 2021 NFL draft after his junior season, was drafted 103rd overall by the Rams and played in eleven regular-season games. He excelled in the Super Bowl, finishing the game with seven tackles and one of seven Rams sacks that brought down Joe Burrow, the Bengals’ star quarterback. By all accounts, Jones has handled his success with class and humility. “Ernest has never changed,” says Carlton Paulk, whose son, Acy, grew up playing with Ernest for both the Blackhawks and the Gators. “He’s always been quiet, pleasant, humble. He was a good kid and he’s a good man now.” Such praise, Wells says, “makes a mother feel good. It’s been a beautiful experience to see how Waycross has rallied around Ernest and to hear the kind words they’ve had to say about him.” Perhaps the most tangible local celebration for Jones took place throughout Super Bowl weekend at the Waycross Dairy Queen. Store owner Brenda Rolison created the “Ernest Jones Blizzard,” which featured yellow and blue M&Ms to signify the Rams’ colors; by Sunday afternoon, the restaurant had used 80 pounds of the candy and sold out of the treat. Rolison plans to make a donation to benefit the Ware County High football program. “I think in a small community like this, football brings people together and gets people excited,” Rolison said. “This young man worked hard, played hard, studied, followed his dreams, and look what he did – he made it.” OL

PHOTO BY ALLEN ALLNOCH - AHA! PHOTOGRAPHY

Top Left: Brenda Rolison with an “Ernest Jones Blizzard” at the Waycross Dairy Queen. Top Right: Jones celebrating with his mother, Porsche wells, after Super Bowl LVI. Above: Jones showed his appreciation during the parade in Waycross on March 12. SHOWCASING SHOWCASING THE THE REGION’S REGION’S PERSONALITY PERSONALITY PHOTO BY ALLEN ALLNOCH - AHA! PHOTOGRAPHY

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OKEFENOKEE LIVING

ARTSvCULTURE

Amanda Wathen

CREATING CONTEMPORARY IMPRESSIONISM WITH HER FINGERS

he mention of finger painting might conjure happy images of childhood creativity: happily spreading colors without regard to “staying in the lines.” Painting professionally with fingers might sound like a dream come true, and it certainly is for lifelong artist Amanda Wathen. She began her artistic journey as a child, working beside her father, a free-spirited entrepreneur who pursued his own passion creating tiles. Along with her sister, she began painting murals on tiles, which her father then fired in a kiln and sold. Her father, she says, set an amazing example.

The sixth of eight children, Wathen was born to “hippie parents” who valued traveling, experience, and the development of their children as individuals. Homeschooled and self-taught, Wathen was born in California, raised in Arkansas, and married in Kentucky. She had two children in her early 20s, and although raising them and teaching them at home put art “in the background” for a while, she always kept that integral part of herself alive – only hanging art in the home that she had made.

Story by NARCI DROSSOS | Photography by JOY SUMNER PHOTOGRAPHY SHOWCASING THE REGION’S PERSONALITY

Amanda is in love with the intimate, sensory connection of painting with her fingers.

OKEFENOKEE LIVING

A M A N D A W AT H E N

When her children were old enough, she and her husband decided they wanted to experience life overseas. As Wathen observes, “Because of my upbringing, no part of the world was off-limits. I wanted my children to embrace the opportunities to develop their imaginations and determine their own individual pursuits.” To embark on this adventure, they liquidated their possessions down to two suitcases per person and took off. Wathen had acquired the Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) certification, and it was while teaching young Chinese children English words as they painted animals with their fingers that she realized how magical the style is. Following the sojourn in China, they went to Thailand, Hong Kong, and Korea, but when her mother became ill, they returned stateside to Springfield, Missouri, in 2019, then home to Waycross in 2020. While Wathen traveled, as well as during the time in the states, she was studying finger painting techniques along with the works of impressionist masters. She hit the books and searched online. She liked the work of finger paint instructors Iris Scott and Kimberly Adams. A special focus for Wathen was learning how to work with brilliant, distinct color patterns to depict the lovely landscapes that inspire her. Mostly, she learned by “hitting the studio and painting and painting.” Wathen admits that the oils (water soluble) she applies to canvas “completely obsess” her and she’s “in love with the intimate, sensory connection of painting with her fingers, no mediating brush coming between” her and her canvas. The painting is rewarding for her in more ways than one, both financially and as therapeutic experience. She has found success quickly, selling pieces to private clients as well as in gallery and retail settings. Wathen’s collection entitled “Coastal Birds” has been a joy. Taking a portable sketchbook and water colors with her to Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island provides her with an

immediate way to capture its beautiful palate en plein aire. She also takes numerous photographs to view for inspiration, catching birds as they drink, the foliage as it blows, and the sky as the clouds change its color. She maintains an annual membership at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island. Recently, she sold two large sea turtle paintings, one titled “Sunbathe” and the other “Summer Wave.” One unique aspect Wathen shares about her studio work is the prints of her paintings she produces and embellishes herself for clients. These continue to be available for purchase after the original painting has sold and are popular items. As Wathen prepares to create a big piece with her fingers in oil on canvas, she consults her sketchbook, in which she has painted in gouache (watercolor) the entire collection that she plans to feature, such as “Coastal Birds.” One can see the pink flamingo on lily pads, delicately stepping – seemingly off the canvas – into life. She notes that the sketchbook is an intrinsic part of her process. The gouache works are beautiful in their own way, and are later available for sale too. The canvas pieces begin with her manual blending of oil colors on a large glass palate to build vibrant shades that will offer lifelike dimension when applied impasto, a technique of layering thick tiers of paint so that strokes (finger touch instead of brush strokes) are visible. Wathen is delighted with making Waycross home, where she lives in the historic district with adjacent private studio space on Gilmore Street. The hands-on, or more specifically, fingers-on, process of Amanda Wathen speaks for itself. To see and learn more about her art, visit amandawathen.com and her youtube.com channel at (search) Amanda and Samantha Wathen. OL

SHOWCASING THE REGION’S PERSONALITY

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OKEFENOKEE COLOR RUN The Color Run raises money for the Youth Art and Drama camp at the Okefenokee Heritage Center, providing scholarships and opportunities for students to learn and grow in our community. Saturday, April 16 5K @ 8 AM – 1 mile @ 9 AM Okefenokee Heritage Center 1460 N. Augusta Avenue - Waycross, GA 912-285-4260 | okeheritage@gmail.com SHOWCASING THE REGION’S PERSONALITY

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DADDY DAUGHTER DANCE A wonderful evening dancing for daughters and their daddies at the newly renovated Historic Blackshear Train Depot. This event is limited to 200 attendees. Saturday, June 4 - 7:30 pm $15 Per Person Historic Blackshear Train Depot, Blackshear, GA www.betterhometownblackshear.org

THE STEPHENS VENUE/AMVETS The Stephens Venue/AMVETS is Waycross’s newest events venue located in the heart of the city with over 7000 square feet. It can accommodate over 300 guests and has a 15-seat full bar, lounge, dance floor, and a fullsized warming kitchen. Ideal for all occasions including weddings, parties, showers, reunions, civic club meetings, corporate retreats/meetings, and more. 773 Ossie Davis Parkway – Waycross www.thestephensvenue.com Call 912-550-3400 to book

OKEFENOKEE LIVING

THREE LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU! gooeyspizza.com Now offering on-line ordering

Wayne AD Drafts

SHOWCASING THE REGION’S PERSONALITY

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THE REGION

GEOR GIA BLUEBERRY FESTIVAL The blueberry capital of Georgia recognizes the importance of the blueberry crop to Alma and Bacon County with this annual festival with arts and crafts, face painting, parade, street dance, live music, civil war encampment, enactment, food, and rides and games. Friday & Saturday, June 3 & 4, 2022 Goldwasser Park, Downtown Alma, GA Friday, June 3 Blueberry Jam: Featuring the music of the 18-piece Big Sound! of the Okefenokee band in Goldwasser Park georgiablueberryfestival.org Social media: @georgiablueberryfestival

OKEFENOKEE LIVING

2022 BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL Featuring The Kody Norris Show – 2022 SPBGMA Entertainer of the Year. April 28 – 30 Twin Oaks Bluegrass Park & Campground 401 Twin Oaks Drive, Hoboken, GA For tickets and more information visit: bandsintown.com CAMP OS CA R Your child can experience a Summer Camp exploring and researching the wilderness of the Okefenokee Swamp Park. Camp OSCAR (Okefenokee Sustainability, Conservation, Advocacy, and Respect) is an 8-hour day camp for upcoming 2nd-8th graders held at Okefenokee Swamp Park. Participants get to experience what it means to be an advocate for the conservation and sustainability of one of the most spectacular places on Earth! May 24 – June 17, 2022 Okefenokee Swamp Park okeswamp.org/event/camp-oscar 912-283-0583 info@okeswamp.org SHOWCASING THE REGION’S PERSONALITY

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THE REGION OKEFENOKEE FESTIVAL Every year, Charlton County parties “swampstyle” at the annual Okefenokee Festival featuring a parade, arts and crafts, food vendors, kids’ entertainment and rides, and live music, and over 200 exhibitors. Vendor applications being accepted now. Email: dana@folkston.com Second weekend in October Main Street - Downtown Folkston, GA Social media: @visitfolkston

OTHER EVENTS

• • • •

Railwatch & Car Show 2022 – April 1-3 Brunch with the Easter Bunny – April 9 Food Truck Fridays – March – November Community Market – May – September

Experience • •

July 4 – Fireworks Display @ Philadelphia Freewill Church May – Traders Day at Traders Hill Campground

rural South Georgia, with a taste of our authentic, small-town charm. This excellent weekend getaway is complete with beautiful sights, outdoor exploration, and a rich history. Centrally located between Amelia Island, St. Marys, Jacksonville, and Savannah, Charlton County is only a short drive from I-95, Charlton County makes the ideal place

to experience everything South Georgia has to offer. Get up close and personal with trains by relaxing under the Folkston Funnel, visiting the historical train museum, or even sleeping overnight in a train cart. Immerse yourself in off the beaten path experiences at the Okefenokee Wildlife Refuge with the option to travel by foot, boat, or kayak.

Okefenokee Chamber of Commerce 3795 Main Street Folkston, GA 31537 okefenokeechamber.com 80

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912-496-2536

Southern Grounds Coffee House proudly serves amazing coffee, delicious food for breakfast, lunch, and the perfect snack. Don’t forget the incredible desserts!

DRIVE-THRU WINDOW FOR CONVENIENCE. 6:00 A.M. – 6:00 P.M. (MONDAY-FRIDAY) 7:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M. (SATURDAY)

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2343 Bob Bowen Road Blackshear, GA 31516

912-449-6190 SHOWCASING THE REGION’S PERSONALITY

Have Okefenokee Living delivered to your home bi-annually. Subscriptions are $15.00 and make a great gift for family and friends.

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GHC FOUNDATION FASHION SHOW

he GHC foundation raised more than The GHC foundation raised more than $30,000 with the help of local boutiques and hometown celebrities at their fashion show fundraiser on November 12, 2021. The proceeds (100%) help grant patient’s last wishes. Some last wishes granted through the foundation include, a last flight for a veteran military pilot, a Disney themed party for a grandfather and his family, concert tickets, a guitar to strum one last time with friends, and a casino themed birthday party. Granting last wishes for patients is just one of the many things that sets GHC hospice apart. GHS Hospice thanks all participants, volunteers, and donors that helped make the event a success. For more information on how to donate or volunteer to GHS Hospice, contact Heather Gonzales, Community Liaison, at 912-816-4550 or visit: ghchospice.com.

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Sheila Lee, Summer Dixon, Kalissa Corbitt, Caitlyn Martin, Ericka Walker, Annah Copeland, Tierra Carter, Hannah Crosby Abbie Howell, Tessa Mathis, Michelle Strickland, Lori Henderson, Regina Henderson Sidney & Linda Sellers Angie Brewton, Jaicee Brewton Jack & Nicki Yarborough

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GHC FOUNDATION FASHION SHOW CONT’D 6. 7. 8. 9.

Sean Duncan & Deanna Hickox Annah Copeland, Caitlyn Martin, Summer Dixon, Kalissa Corbitt, Whitney Delk Theresa Waters, Alyssa Johnson, Lisa Eunice, Kristy King Foreman, Fairby Frye Dusty & Alli Sweat

OKEFENOKEE LIVING

Powering your life

CONNECTING BUSINESSES ACROSS SOUTHEAST GEORGIA

People. Power. Progress.

oremc.com

877-217-2842 atc.cc Waycross Office: 1921 Alice St. Ste B1 Waycross, GA 31501

912. 287.0139

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Jesup Office: 980 S. 1st St. Jesup, GA 31545

912.427.4267

Brunswick Office: 1111 Glynco Pkwy. Bldg. 1, Ste. 20 Brunswick, GA 31525

Dr. Richard James

912.262.1801 Dr. Matthew Lucas Douglas Office: 1380 W. Gordon St. Douglas, GA 31533

912.384.3204

1.800.283.0041

Hallie Brigmond, PA-C

DeLeice Carter, FNP-C

Micah Lancaster, PA-C

Heather NeSmith, PA-C

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The southeast's premier holiday decor shoppe

VILLAGE LAKE SUITES - PERSONAL CARE HOME Studio suites Delicious meals and snacks included 24-hour emergency call system Cable, phone, and internet options available Beautiful outdoor areas On-site maintenance Transportation to local medical appointments Housekeeping and laundry services included

Facility Director: Lisa Taylor 912-287-9977

On-site chaplains Planned activites

MEDICATION MANAGEMENT

SCHEDULING & APPOINTMENTS

Our trained staff will supervise or administer your medications at the prescribed times.

Our staff will keep track of your appointments and arrange transportation as needed.

PERSONAL CARE SERVICES

Daily assistance is available if you need help with dressing, grooming, bathing, emotional support, and more.

The Baptist Village Waycross Community also has a Skilled Nursing Facility and an Independent Living Community. The Healthcare Center provides services for individuals who need skilled nursing care. The Villas at Waycross offer independent living with a lifestyle where upkeep and repairs are the responsibility of someone else, giving you time to enjoy life.

www.baptistvillage.com 86

OKEFENOKEE LIVING

THE CLARK EYE CLINIC 912-285-2020 502 Isabella Street Waycross, Georgia 31501

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BATTLE OF THE BOARDS – CHARCUTERIE CHALLENGE

etter Hometown Blackshear hosted a fun, unique, and delicious evening with their first “Battle of the Boards” Charcuterie Challenge held on February 11 at Lakeview Golf Club. The event had a professional category for businesses and an enthusiast category for individuals. Boards were judged based on theme, creativity, and visual appeal.

1. 2.

4. 5. 6.

Serena Lucero & Bethany Strickland Team Décor Divas: Alicia Waldron & Hope Morris Community Judges: Jeremy Gove, Shannon Bennett, Strickland, & Clay Thomas Team Dogwood Memories: Sydney Bridgeman & Jessica Drawdy Team PrimeSouth: Sabrina Cox, Sarah Culver, Jaime Williamson Team Ace Hardware & Best of Boards Winner: Sherry Scurry, Lauren Kirkland, Leslie Cochran Team Hersey: Donna Hersey & Kristie Holder Team Vincent: Marilyn Waters & Vickie Vincent

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HOSPICE SATILLA’S NINTH ANNUAL SILVER BOWL GALA

r. and Mrs. Patrick Jones graciously opened up their lovely home to host Hospice Satilla’s 2021 Silver Bowl Gala. In addition to mingling with friends from surrounding communities, guests were able to tour and enjoy the exquisite Jones home and grounds during this fun-filled event. Silver bowls were placed at entryways for guests to make donations to Hospice Satilla, a non-profit organization. The generosity of individual donors and community businesses allows Hospice Satilla to care for community members – regardless of their ability to pay. This annual event has helped establish the Hospice Satilla Hospice House, the only inpatient facility of its kind in the area as well as the Jones Family Counseling Center for grief support, counseling, and education. Guests could also make a donation through an optional drive-through.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13.

Laney Hopkins, Penny Pike Melissa King, Dr. Don Waters, Brenda Waters, Louanne Carter Danny and Carolyn Yarbrough Lisa Durrence, Laurie Littlefield Akeem Clayton and Katrena Felder Kara Jones, Carson Clark, Jade Jones, Carole Jones, Patrick Jones Connie and John Riddle Jim and Harriet Young Marci and Andy Johnson Emilie and Caleb King Lynn Barber, Emma Dean Knowlton, Judy Shearn, Margaret Cselle, Tracy Thornton John and Anna Fesperman, Bunny Winge Back row: Rai Duane, Laura Morris, Anna Wheeler; Middle Row: Toni Nelson, Deloris Gibson, Shannon Stewart; Front Row: Debra Golden, Candice Moody Rice

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Ambassador of the Year Winner: Bertha Sue Dixon, Presented by Paige Taylor

Paul Tang Heart of the Community Award Winner: Al Jacobson, Presented by Heidi Tang (L), Don James (Center, accepted the award in Al’s honor), Patrick Tan (R)

Randy Sharpe Health Hero Award (L-R): Dr. Jenny Barnes, Dr. Phillip Suess, IV (Winner), Toni Carter, Julie Tanner

McGregor Mayor Agricultural Award Winner: Eric Hickox (R), Presented by Scout Carter (L)

OKEFENOKEE LIVING

A.A. Karle Award Winner: Melissa King, Presented by Paige Taylor

Waycross – Ware County Development Authority’s Outgoing Chairman (L-R) Dr. Michael-Angelo James, Presented by Daniel Morris, James Willis (Winner), Kalissa Corbitt, Candice Rice

Helping Hands Award Winner: GATX; (L- R) James Chapman, Clint Crosby, Daniel Morris (Presenter), Kalissa Corbitt, Robin Ricker, Shae Wheeler

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WAYCROSSWARE CHAMBER AWARDS

he Waycross - Ware County Chamber of Commerce held its 87th Annual Banquet on Thursday, February 17, at the C.C. McCray City Auditorium. The luncheon featured a silent auction and was highlighted by the annual awards presented to local volunteers, businesses, and organizations.

Ralph & PO Herrin Business & Industry Award Winner: Okefenokee Swamp Park (L-R) Mark Gibson, Presented by Hannah Grant, Dr. William Clark, Levi Welling, Ann Willis, Randal Willis, Martin Cheatham, Kim Bednarek

GEM Award Winner: Lisa Holmes, Presented by Paige Taylor

Jack Williams Community Service Award Winner: Walt Eddings (R), Presented by Jack Williams (L)

Katherine Foss Education Award Winner: Dr. Sonya Bennett, Presented by Hannah Barefield

Business of the Year Winner: Cotton & Wood Boutique – owner Holly Dixon (R), Presented by Jessica Trull (L)

Entrepreneur of the Year Winner: Jamie McQuaig, Presented by Patrick Simmons

Jack Lott Award for Economic Development Winner: Ashley Simmons (Center), owner of Callie Kay’s General Store, Presented by Belinda Ursrey (L), Dale Wiley (R)

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CLINCH COUNTY CHAMBER – CHARCUTERIE CHALLENGE

he Clinch County Chamber held its inaugural Charcuterie Challenge – Battle of the Boards on October 7, 2021, at the Depot in downtown Homerville. Nine teams participated be decorating tables and preparing their boards to be judged by official judges in two categories: Professional and Enthusiast. Awards were given in these categories: Best of Boards, Tastiest, Most Creative, and Honorable Mention. The People’s Choice award was decided on by participants after judging was complete. Look for other great events hosted by the Clinch County Chamber on Facebook at Clinch County Chamber of Commerce.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

Carrington Douglas, April Tinsley, Sara Cunningham Holly Mullis, Lily James, Logan Brown Cecil & Debbie Barber Len & Jenny Robbins Brent James, Gregory Calley Dr. Betsy Clifton, Judi Daugharty, Carra Goodman, Heather Bell Dolly Lee, Denise Brown Courtney Tolle, Jaclyn James, Hallie Beverly, Alesha Horner, Ansley Carmichael

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8 OK OE KFEEFN EO NK OE KE E EL ILVIIVNI G NG

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WSL CASINO NIGHT

he Waycross Service League hosted Casino Night on January 22, at Terminus 201. The evening featured gaming tables, food, raffle, and auction. Money raised from the event helps to support the many worthy charities supported by Waycross Service League. Waycross Service League is a service organization comprised of local women who are dedicated to raising funds, spreading awareness, and volunteering their services for the betterment of the women and children in the area.

Hannah Evors, Shelly Gay, Emilie King 2. Roxy & Derrick Sheffield 3. Keisha Thomas, Michelle Girtman 4. Pauge Taylor, Tara Barber 5. Hannah Bennet, Quincy Burgess, Taylor Strickland 6. Cassie Parker, Sydney Tison 7. Mary Stewart Bishop, Katie Stewart 8. Trevor & Svannah Varnedore 9. Stephen & Evan James 10. TJ Walker, Rachel Varnedore 11. Lane & Paige Wildes, Blake & Bailey James

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Index

OF ADVERTISERS

The reception of the Brown - Branham wedding at Lee Farm Reserve. Photo by GANDY PHOTOGRAPHERS

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33 56 85 86 5 60 7 70 62 85 82 50 85 60 77 32 56 16 49 50 74 86 80 77 85 81 1 40 70 38, 39 66 IBC 81 3 26 86 52 62 86 BC 66 IFC 8

AHA! Photography American Eye Care Center atc Broadband Baptist Village Personal Care Home Bone & Joint Institute of South Georgia Callie Kay’s General Store Coastal Pines Technical College Crawford Jewelers Dental Care Associates Diversified Resources ESPN Coastal Farmers & Builders Ace Home Center Georgia Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center GHC Hospice Gooey’s Pizza Integrity Health & Wellness J. Smith Lanier Joy Sumner Photography Lott’s Furniture Magnolia Charm Main Street Blackshear Merry Avriett Okefenokee Chamber of Commerce Okefenokee Country Club Okefenoke EMC Pierce Timber Company Prime South Bank Remax Cobblestone Renue Plastic Surgery Representative Steven Meeks Satilla Bluffs Senior Care Southeast Georgia Health System Southern Grounds Coffee House Spot On Georgia The Averiett House The Clark Eye Clinic Tim’s Home Medical United 1st Credit Union Venue on the Lake Walker Jones Waycross Bank & Trust Waycross Convention & Visitors Bureau White Star Supply

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featured stories REAL WEDDINGS HOME & GARDEN JUNIOR COTILLION

VO L. 6 , NO. 1

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SPRING/SUMMER 2022

Okefenokee Living - Spring 2022

Articles inside

AMANDA WATHEN

A FAMILY TRADITION

TOP 5 TIPS TO MAKE YOU AN HERB EXPERT

CREATING AN OUTDOOR LIVING SPACE

HOMETOWN CHAMPIONS

THE ULTIMATE HANGOUT

The Dish

FROM VICTIM TO VICTOR

A MODERN LOOK FOR A CLASSIC COMMUNITY