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L to R: April Duncan, Corporate Secretary and Phelisha Williams, President and General Manager, Mobile Concrete, Jesup, Georgia
Photo of Ben & Allison's Backyard Oasis by MAGNOLIA SOUL PHOTOGRAPHY
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Abraham Cheong, MD
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When you or your loved one needs expert cancer or pulmonary care, you can trust the doctors at Southeast Georgia Physician Associates to meet your needs. Our dedicated doctors have been providing personalized, compassionate care in Jesup for years, building relationships and helping their patients live healthier lives. So when the need arises, trust your care to us.
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HOME & GARDEN
41 A BACKYARD OASIS
Ben & Allison Carter’s Outdoor Living Space 49 LINDSEY HARPER
Rooms With a View 53 TALES OF THE GARDNER
George Hires Carries on a Family Tradition of Gardening ON THE COVER
Rhett Ammons is headed to Music City USA to follow his lifelong passion for music.
Photo by Amy Gordon Photography. See story on page 13.
FOOD
57 CHEF JUSTIN KEITH
Shares His Passion for Cooking
63 ICE CREAM SOLVES EVERYTHING
Unique Homemade Ice Cream Recipes
THAT’S AMORE
68 FRED & JUDY FENDER
Good Fences Make Good Sweethearts
70 BILL & NANCY FREEMAN
Slow Down and Enjoy the Ride
72 DEREK & PAOLA WILLIAMS
Baby, You Can Drive my Car — All The Way to the Altar
PROFILES
75 A CLASSROOM COMES FULL CIRCLE
Sherna Spearman-Lott and Gloria Blalock Reunite for a New Children’s Book
80 A RANGER LEADING THE WAY
U.S. Army Ranger Dylan Leach Competes With The Best
83 RYAM’S MARKETING & RESEARCH CENTER
Exploring the Core of Innovation at RYAM Jesup Plant
86 SOUTHERN SPIRIT IN MANHATTAN
Leslie Drawdy Follows her Passion to the Metropolitan Museum of Art
88 GIVING BACK ONE PINT AT A TIME
Jan Arwood’s Long-standing Passion for Giving Blood
ARTS & CULTURE
91 EDUCATION OF AN ARTIST
Lyn Alice’s Pursuit of Excellence
ARTICLE
97 COASTAL PINES TECHNICAL COLLEGE
Welding Education on the Move
TALK OF THE TOWN
99 Showcasing Wayne County's People, Places, and Events
FROM THE Publisher
This ISSUE
of Wayne Magazine is typical in that it showcases the wonderful people and businesses of our community.
Yet it’s also quite unique in that it’s brimming with brand-new stories of individuals we know and love who are pursuing their dreams, overcoming obstacles, and living life to the fullest.
In these pages you’ll find stories of miracles, perseverance, and success. Stories that will move you as they did us. Stories that highlight the heartwarming, passionate, and caring nature of the people who live here.
Stories you’ll find inspiring and want to share.
It takes a group of dedicated professionals to make Wayne Magazine a reality. Our team of writers, photographers, editors, and designers are generous with their talents. They’re just as committed as we are to representing the community and its people in the best possible light.
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We hope the waning days of summer are fun-filled for you and your family. And, as fall approaches, with cooler weather on the way, we’ll be preparing to fill our next issue with another set of stories about what truly makes Wayne County “the place where it all comes together.”
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Showcase Publications, Inc.
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John F. Riddle
Wayne County Chamber of Commerce
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John F. Riddle
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Left to right:
Sheree Wood
Nathan Carter
Anna Holland
Ja Walker
Lorri Jones
Jennifer Mann
NEWLY ARRIVED IN MUSIC CITY USA,
Rhett Ammons
is following his passion and has a large fan base of family and friends cheering him on from Jesup
Story by ALLEN ALLNOCH
PHOTO BY AMY GORDON PHOTOGRAPHY
Looking back, it’s apparent Rhett Ammons was born with music in him, as if it were an underground spring just waiting to be discovered and set loose. Relaxing in the game room of his maternal grandparents’ Jesup home, Rhett explains the first clues that emerged.
“It actually started right here,” he says. “My great-grandfather, James Harper, who originally owned this house, had a piano in here, and whenever I’d come over to visit, I would play it. I guess what I was playing was making sense and they thought I had some musical inclination.”
Rhett’s mother, Jodi, also has a memory of her young son at the keys. “If something was getting under his skin or his temper was welling up,” she recalls, “he would come straight into the room where the piano was and just start banging on it. That was how he would release everything.”
A 2024 graduate of Wayne County High School, Rhett is now ready to turn his music loose on a wider audience in Music City itself: Nashville, Tennessee. As a newly arrived freshman at Belmont University, widely renowned for its school of music, he’s majoring in Music Business and embracing the creative energy of other young musicians around him.
Nashville is an ultra-competitive environment for those with dreams of making it in the music business, but Rhett has arrived there with a confident, bring-it-on mindset. “It’s the place where all the people are who can make it happen,” he says. “If you can stand out in Nashville, you can be great for the rest of the world.”
A Blessing in Disguise
Rhett is as prepared as he can be to take on that challenge, thanks to a firm musical foundation, a determined spirit, and the lessons learned from a few zigs and zags along the way.
In his website bio, he states that music “ignited a passion in me that, second to my relationship with Jesus Christ, brought joy, healing, and purpose, and served as a great companion during life’s highs and lows.” His journey began in earnest at age seven, when he began taking piano lessons from Rhonda Trull, a beloved music
teacher and the late music minister at Jesup First United Methodist Church. Trull, who passed away in October 2021, was “a master encourager” in Rhett’s eyes.
“She wouldn’t just make me read music and play songs,” he remembers. “She let me make my own music, because she saw that was something I was interested in. I began composing a lot. When I listen back to it now, it really wasn’t all that special, but she treated it like it was.”
Under Trull, the foundation was laid, but Rhett also took to other pursuits, especially baseball. Then ulcerative colitis, a chronic digestive disease, intervened, causing him to lose 30 pounds and ultimately sidelining him from competition on the diamond.
Adjustment to the illness coincided with the pandemic-related shutdowns of 2020, which meant he had plenty of time on his hands at home. That’s when he picked up a Christmas gift he had received from his grandparents, Peggy and Jiggs Riggins.
“Once I quit playing baseball, I got crazy into guitar,” Rhett says. “Baseball was very much a focus of my life, but [having to quit] was really a blessing in disguise,
Rhett in the room of his grandparents’ house where he began playing the piano.
PHOTO BY ALLEN ALLNOCH / AHA! PHOTOGRAPHY
because I would much rather be doing music now. It was an obstacle then, but I look at it as a blessing now, because it brought me here.”
Rhett counts a number of artists among his influences, but John Mayer in particular inspired him, both for his technical prowess as a guitarist and his ability to engage an audience as an entertainer. He spent hours watching Mayer’s 2002 live DVD, “Any Given Thursday.”
“During Covid I got really into listening to John Mayer and learning his guitar stuff,” he says. “What made me really get laser-focused on his music was seeing a bunch of people cheering for him, and him having the time of his life, and I said, ‘I want that to be me.’” He then began working hard on his vocals as well.
By April of 2023, Rhett was ready to experience that rush of playing before an audience. He landed his first paying gig at the Strand Bistro & Chophouse in Jesup, where he played and sang a mix of country and pop covers and “fell in love with the energy of the crowd.”
Rhett with Rhonda Trull, his piano teacher, whom he calls a “master encourager” who inspired him to “make my own music.” He also credits Rob Pumpelly, Creston Groover, and Ken Weidner as being instrumental in his development as an artist.
Rhett has been a regular live performer at Jesup venues such as Union Station Brewing Company, El Dorado, and the Strand Bistro & Chophouse.
Then came another setback. His left wrist and fretting hand began to hurt, with the pain soon making it impossible to play. The diagnosis was a torn ligament—essentially the result of playing the guitar too much, an ironic testament to Rhett’s 100 percent dedication to his craft. In July he had surgery to repair the ligament and reshape the ulna, but he would be unable to perform again for almost four months.
“It was devastating,” Jodi Ammons remembers. “He had just gotten this momentum from starting to play live, then he had to [tell venue owners], ‘I’m sorry, I can’t do this.’”
Once fully healed, Rhett made his November 2023 comeback in a familiar setting: at the Chophouse. He calls it “probably the most fun I’ve ever had playing. All of my friends came out. They packed the house and were danc-
PHOTO BY ALLEN ALLNOCH / AHA! PHOTOGRAPHY
ing along with my music, and I think they were having fun too.”
Since then, he’s been a regular live performer at Jesup venues such as El Dorado, the Chophouse, and Union Station Brewing Company. He’s also landed gigs in Statesboro, Fernandina Beach, Atlanta, and at multiple venues on St. Simons Island. He often plays solo; at other times he’s accompanied by a local drummer, Denny Frazier, whom he credits as a valuable influence.
“The venues in Jesup are really encouraging local music and local artists,” Jodi says. “The local support has been key to propelling him and giving him the confidence to be able to go and play all these other places.”
Next Steps in Nashville
In striving to stand out in Nashville, Rhett knows he’ll need to become more than a cover artist. He’s ready, with notebooks full of music and lyrics.
“I have been quietly composing my own music,” he says. “They’re coming soon. I’m very comfortable doing cover songs, but I need to break out of that comfort zone. It’s going to happen.”
Jodi agrees. “It's something he’s really wanting to dig into, finishing some of those songs he’s started and getting the courage to put them out there,” she says. “He realizes that in Nashville it’s a whole other level. We talked about how even though that’s going to be a challenge, it’s also going to be a blessing, because he can be around people his age with the same drive that he has for music.”
Like his mother, Rhett’s grandmother Peggy has enjoyed watching him develop as a musician. “We’re really proud of him,” Peggy says. “He’s always had a great deal of passion for anything he attempts to do. We were so thankful that, when the doctor told him he shouldn’t play baseball anymore, he found this new passion and just dove into it. It’s been amazing watching him grow his talent.”
Clearly Rhett has the support of his family, which also includes his father, Steve, and two siblings, Riggs and Lindsey. Jodi calls the past few years “a really beautiful journey” and says her younger son is “just the kind of kid who’s always had to have something that he was working towards and he was going to put his everything into.”
Now, as he immerses himself in the Nashville scene, Rhett seems poised to take his music to a new level.
“I like learning new things—a new song, a new technique, a new way to present myself on the stage,” he says. “I just have a constant craving for finding new stuff. In music you never quit learning.” |WM
Rhett sang "The Climb" by Miley Cyrus for his first vocal performance in February 2023, during a Student Council convention at Rock Eagle. In April 2023, he had his first paying gig at the Strand Bistro & Chophouse. Since then, he has performed regionally and in other towns including Statesboro, Fernandina Beach, Atlanta, and at multiple venues on St. Simons Island, often with a sizable contingent of fans from Jesup who travel to support him.
SAMPLE SONG LIST
FOLLOW RHETT
PHOTO BY AMY GORDON PHOTOGRAPHY
STORY BY CYLE LEWIS
PHOTO BY MAGNOLIA SOUL PHOTOGRAPHY
HEARTBEAT A AWAY
BUDDY STARLING is a Walking Miracle with a New Perspective on Life
“Ithink I’m having a heart attack.” Those are words no one ever wants to hear. However, on July 26th of last year—his 26th wedding anniversary, no less— Buddy Starling made that fateful call to his wife, Billie Jo, and shared his chilling message. “She was at Vacation Bible School and thought I was joking because it was our anniversary!” Buddy laughs. He wasn’t joking.
The ambulance arrived and transported him to the local hospital’s helipad. Upon arrival, they discovered that the life-flight helicopter was elsewhere, resulting in the paramedic team having to wait an hour and a half for another to arrive from Statesboro while they stabilized Buddy in the ambulance.
When the flight nurse exited the helicopter, Billie Jo realized it was David Bennett, Buddy's high school classmate. “I felt it was a divine appointment to have someone who knew Buddy and could reminisce and comfort him,” she says.
Buddy had two blockages at 99%, a condition known as the “widowmaker.”
Statistically, only 6% of patients survive a widowmaker heart attack and only if they reach a hospital within 90 minutes. The delay further decreased the likelihood that Buddy would survive.
Three hours later, Buddy was in the cardiac catheterization lab at Memorial Health Medical Center in Savannah. “Our four children were present, along with close family members and friends,” Billie Jo remembers.
Billie Jo has walked every step with Buddy during his health crisis. He credits her with being able to pull through. She credits God with the strength to do it, saying, “We knew God was our only hope. People would pray, and God would meet our needs!”
“Pastors Brandon Stone and Aaron Horne also came when they heard the news. We held hands and just prayed. We were told to prepare for the worst but
“HE’S A STRONG CHRISTIAN, A FAMILY MAN, AND DEDICATED TO HIS JOB. IT’S EASY TO HELP PEOPLE WHEN YOU KNOW THEY’RE PUTTING EVERYTHING INTO SERVING OTHERS.”
hope for the best. It was a miracle that he survived,” Billie Jo explains.
When Buddy underwent heart catheterization, his heart stopped, and he had to be defibrillated and have an Impella pump placed. He spent ten days on life support and another 11 days in a step-down unit. Additionally, five days later, he developed a lung infection needing multiple antibiotics. His condition was critical, with every organ affected. Despite multiple shocks and episodes of ventricular tachycardia, he gradually improved. “It revealed how quickly life can change,” Buddy says. “As the Bible says, life is but a vapor, and eternity is only a breath away. It makes you
PHOTO BY MAGNOLIA SOUL PHOTOGRAPHY
see things differently.”
Born and raised in Jesup, Buddy played sports in high school and started his career at the Wayne County Roads Department at age 20; he married Billie Jo three years later. Together they have four children: Autumn, Gant, Maggie, and Miles. Buddy worked his way up to superintendent of the road department, coaching recreation football and baseball all the while, eventually serving as a community coach for Wayne County middle and high schools. He attends Crossroads Church of God and has raised his children there.
Part of what kept Buddy fighting for his life was the thought of walking his daughter, Maggie, down the aisle at her recent wedding.
Part of what kept Buddy fighting for his life was the anticipation of his daughter’s wedding, which just
occurred a few weeks ago. “She is so precious to me—always laughing and smiling! The thought of walking her down the aisle was one of the things that kept me fighting. We raised an amazing and beautiful young woman!” Their father-daughter dance was a testament to the strength of their bond and God’s grace. Buddy was also moved to pull through by the encouragement of his beloved community. Jesup rallied around Buddy and his family. His sister, Cindy Reddish, started a Facebook page to update the community, which responded with prayers and financial support. Their church and friends ensured hotel rooms and meals were covered. “These wonderful people visited me, sent me encouraging words, and prayed
PHOTO BY LAUREN HEARN PHOTOGRAPHY
“IT REVEALED HOW QUICKLY LIFE CAN CHANGE. AS THE BIBLE SAYS, LIFE IS BUT A VAPOR, AND ETERNITY IS ONLY A BREATH AWAY. IT MAKES YOU SEE THINGS DIFFERENTLY.”
TOP Buddy and Billie Jo with their four children: Gant, Maggie, Autumn, and Miles.
BOTTOM LEFT Buddy with Gant and Miles at a recent golf game on Father’s Day weekend.
BOTTOM RIGHT Autumn with Buddy while he was still wearing his “life vest.”
for my healing!” he remembers. His church even hosted a BBQ fundraiser, and everyone showed up; $12,000 of his medical bills were paid just from that one event. Longtime friend Elton Aspinwall says he was happy to chip in. “We’ve been friends and coworkers going on 25 years!” he says. “He’s a strong Christian, a family man, and dedicated to his job. It’s easy to help people when you know they’re putting everything into serving others.”
Lastly, former players reached out, showing his impact on so many lives. “Coaching rec football and baseball was some of the best years of my life,” he says. “I began coaching rec in the late 1990s or soon after. I loved teaching the boys discipline and how to lose graciously. There’s nothing like having those players reach out to check on me!” Carey Martin has had Buddy coach two of his boys. “He’s one of the most humble, respectful, caring individuals I’ve ever known. A true friend. He is so unselfish with his time, always paying it forward and investing in the youth of our community through recreational and middle school sports. We were all honored to chip in.”
Buddy has touched many lives through coaching recreation ball for many years.
“Coaching rec football and baseball was some of the best years of my life. There’s nothing like having those players reach out to check on me!”
Buddy’s journey has given him a new perspective on life. His medical emergency revealed the fragility of life and reminded him to find joy in the small things, “like the sunrise and the sounds of nature.” Billie Jo found solace in their faith during the most challenging times. “We knew God was our only hope. People would pray,
and God would meet our needs!” Buddy agrees. “I value my friends and family even more and admire God’s handiwork in creation,” he says. “I mean, I had just gotten out of the shower and fell to the floor. I never have my phone on me after work, yet somehow, my phone was in my hand. I hit the send button, and it happened to be my wife’s number. It was all a miracle.” His story is a testament to faith, resilience, and the power of his close-knit community. He is grateful for the prayers and support during his darkest time and looks forward to giving back to the people who have given so much to him. |WM
“When I started taking care of Mr. Buddy, he was the sickest patient in our unit and maybe even the entire hospital. He held on through many tough days and nights with the help of his amazing family and support system. I was blessed to have the opportunity to not only take care of him but get to know him and his family. And knowing he got to walk his daughter down the aisle brings so much joy to my heart. He will forever be a miracle in my eyes!”
LEFT Chandler Ewaldsen, RN, Buddy’s nurse, with Buddy and Billie Jo
Keith Duncan General Manager
Store Manager Jesup
A Rewarding ROW ' HOE
Michael Kirkland shares his love of farming to guide students on their path toward careers in agriculture
NNearly two decades after embarking upon his teaching career at Wayne County High School (WCHS), Michael Kirkland has established an impressive track record both within the school and the local community. Evolving into a true Agriculture Education champion, he has worked tirelessly to develop and shape the program into what it is today, an initiative which has impacted countless students and the community as a whole.
A 2004 graduate of Jeff Davis High School, Kirkland made the move to Wayne County in 2008 after receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture education from the University of Georgia. Shortly thereafter, he began his journey as an agriculture teacher and Future Farmers of America
Story by Wendy Howell
Photo by Magnolia Soul Photography
When most people hear the term ‘agriculture,’ they immediately think cows, plows, and sows. agriculture is more than just farming.” “
(FFA) advisor. While teaching courses such as Basic Agriculture, Animal Science, Forestry, Agribusiness, and Veterinary Science, Kirkland served as the Wayne County FFA Advisor from 2008 to 2022. He’s currently the Young Farmer Advisor and serves as a board member for the Wayne County Livestock Show Team, where FFA and 4-H students show pigs, beef cattle, and goats.
education and awareness,” Kirkland says.
ABOVE
For Kirkland, agriculture is a family affair. He owns a portion of his dad’s old land and the Kirkland farm in Jeff Davis County; the family has managed roughly 30 acres of planted pines over the years, with the remaining 30 acres being leased out for row crop farming. In addition, he worked for Dr. Craig Padgett of Padgett Veterinary Services for five years when he was in high school and college. “I was also very involved in the Future Farmers of America in middle and high school, which fueled my passion for agricultural
Kirkland wears many hats as the Young Farmer Advisor for Wayne County. Aside from teaching his daily agricultural classes, his duties include adult education and support, community education and outreach, and agricultural advocacy. In this role, he has assisted farmers in their operations through various means, ranging from deworming and vaccinating cattle herds to assisting with herbicide application in peanut fields.
Kirkland says that one of his favorite parts of the job is community outreach. “We’ve hosted numerous classes, ranging from basic homeowners electrical wiring to processing chickens for meat,” he explains. “I also work closely with our local FFA advisors and help when needed in the FFA program. I help train and prepare Career Development Event
Kirkland with Gavin Oliver of Oliver & Sons Farms. Gavin is a senior at WCHS, a member of Wayne County FFA, and a junior member of the Wayne County Young Farmers. (Photo by Magnolia Soul Photography)
“teams, organize and execute community service events, and serve as the advisor for student livestock exhibition projects.” Kirkland’s involvement in the community is continuously evolving through adult education, community service, and even elementary education. These monthly classes and meetings are centered around agriculture, covering topics such as emerging agricultural technology and backyard farming for community members.
The FFA component is intertwined with the Agriculture Education model at WCHS. With 250 annual members of the WCHS FFA Chapter, the program is built on a three-pronged model of classroom instruction, supervised agricultural experience (SAE), and the national FFA. Kirkland says that each of these areas have always been of equal importance to him. “The root of a successful agricultural education program is strong classroom instruction,” he says. “Hands-on, practical learning has always been a staple of my teaching.” Not surprisingly, Kirkland has been recognized by his peers for outstanding contributions in his field. “I’m proud to have been nominated as the 2013 WCHS
It’s important that we all understand the role of agriculture and the impact it has every day on our lives and the economy.”
Teacher of the Year and the 2022 STAR Teacher, nominated by FFA member, Luke Hendrix,” he says.
With SAE’s applying what students have learned in the classroom to the real world, Kirkland’s use of this type of instruction has helped over 100 students earn state FFA degrees, 16 American FFA degrees, 11 to become State Proficiency winners, three to become National Proficiency winners, and six others to reach the status of National Proficiency Finalist. The last piece of the puzzle is participation in the National FFA organization, which allows students not only to network and gain valuable leadership skills, but also to showcase their knowledge and talent through Career Development Events (CDE). The WCHS FFA Chapter has boasted five state championships, 14 top three state CDE placings, and over 30 area championships.
The personal impact these successes have had on Kirkland is a full circle including his own family. With both his children, Riley Mae and John Ross, showing market hogs competitively
ABOVE RIGHT Kirkland’s children have shown market hogs competitively for the past three years. While he has been fortunate to see them win belt buckles and banners, he notes that the life lessons and relationships they’re are building have been the most rewarding.
for the past three years, he has been fortunate to see them win belt buckles and banners but notes that the life lessons and relationships have been the most rewarding. “While most people think that showing livestock is all about the animal, we view these projects as an avenue to develop skills and relationships that will extend far past their show careers,” he notes. “The work ethic, dedication, communication skills, and relationships they gain through this experience will stay with them when they enter the workforce.”
In his new role as the Young Farmer advisor, Kirkland has had the opportunity to expand his audience as an agricultural educator from pre-K through high school adult education. He says that the successes of the Agricultural Education program, FFA chapter, and Young Farmer
ABOVE Kirkland with his wife, Jodi Bennett Kirkland. They have two children: Riley Mae (6) and John Ross (5).
Kirkland’s involvement in the community is continuously evolving through adult education, community service, and even elementary education.
chapter have all been based on forming positive relationships with students, parents, and the community, as well as equipping students and adults with the knowledge and technical skills to make them sought after candidates in the field.
“It’s important that we all understand the role of agriculture and the impact it has every day on our lives and the economy,” Kirkland emphasizes. Perhaps the most impactful part of a teacher’s career is seeing the fruits of his labor and watching former students serve in the community in various occupations, all related to the field. “When most people hear the term ‘agriculture,’ they immediately think cows, plows, and sows,” Kirkland says. “Agriculture is more than just farming. Throughout my career, I’ve been blessed to see countless students go into a career in agriculture that extends beyond the farming itself.”
With former students now contributing to the field as row crop farmers, foresters, electricians, agribusiness professionals, tradesmen, future veterinarians, small scale farmers, and crop consultants, Kirkland is proud to witness what they’ve become, and he looks forward to seeing them lead the growth of agriculture in Georgia and wherever their careers take them. |WM
100+ STATE FFA DEGREES
30 AREA CHAMPIONSHIPS
16 AMERICAN FFA DEGREES
14 "TOP THREE" STATE CDE PLACEMENTS
11 STATE PROFICIENCY WINNERS
6 NATIONAL PROFICIENCY FINALISTS
5 WCHS FFA CHAPTER STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
3 NATIONAL PROFICIENCY WINNERS
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Teamwork Dream Work
birth hasn’t slowed Oren
“Children with special needs want to be just like us. Our joy comes from knowing Oren, and being around him is its own reward. We have learned to think of Down Syndrome as a journey. We never know where it will lead us next, but one thing's for sure: we have the best tour guide anyone could ever ask for.”
tO HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS FANS IN WAYNE COUNTY, OREN ARNOLD IS A NOTORIOUS OVERCOMER.
Rachel and Chris Arnold, long-time Wayne County residents, were thrilled when they learned they were pregnant with their first child—a boy! The pregnancy was normal and without complications, and Dr. Harris delivered Oren on January 4, 2007. Soon afterward, Oren started to display breathing problems and needed oxygen. “Two weeks later, we were told Oren had Translocation Down Syndrome,” Rachel explains. It was hard to understand, since there were no indications during my pregnancy.” Rachel and Chris found themselves navigating a maze of specialists including pediatricians, cardiologists, ENTs, pulmonologists, geneticists, and any other experts whose knowledge could shed light on the challenges posed by the condition. “Thankfully, a strong bond exists between Oren and his pediatrician, Dr. Eddy Thomas. Each appointment was a new quest to understand the intricate workings of our son’s little body,” says Rachel.
In 2009, Oren underwent his first heart surgery at Egleston Children’s Hospital in Atlanta. Since then, he has endured a steady series of significant surgeries on his heart, ear tube insertions, a tonsillectomy, an adenoidectomy, and even a procedure on his knees. He has also required speech, physical, and occupational therapies. January of 2015 brought the most significant scare: Oren underwent a right thoracotomy, and though the
Sporty Friends
“Picture a bunch of twelve-year-old boys who are too cool for everyone— but not with Oren in the mix! They stop worrying about how they look and make Oren their entire world.”
surgery went well, he suffered a severe stroke 11 days into recovery. Given only a 5% chance of survival, he spent the next three months in recovery and rehabilitation. “He couldn’t tell us how he felt or when he was in pain; interpreting his needs became a constant guessing game,” recalls Rachel.
Apart from a few keywords, including Oren’s favorite phrase, “Thank you,” the Arnolds have learned to decipher his body language, hand signs, and signals. However, this doesn’t seem to bother him in the slightest. “We always say if the world could see through his eyes, what a better place it would be,” says Rachel. Oren hugs freely and offers his kindness to anyone who will accept it. “He touches everyone with his contagious smile and loving hugs!”
“Oren’s charismatic presence, marked by his radiant smile and an almost regal wave, effortlessly draws people to him,” notes his teacher, Whitney Hires. This charisma has garnered Oren unique opportunities. Already well known in the community, he was invited by the school's TouchDown Club to lead the football team onto the field at every home game. “The football players are especially kind and supportive,” Rachel observes. “Our hearts rejoice seeing how the other boys treat him on Friday night!” Long snapper #37, Dagan Martin, enjoys the role Oren plays. “I’ve known Oren his whole life, and I love him being part of the team. He always puts a smile on everyone’s face!”
Oren has an extraordinary friendship with his younger brother, Copeland. Since Copeland plays baseball, his baseball
“Our kids love him, our coaches and fans love him, and even our opponents love him!”
The WCHS TouchDown Club invited Oren to lead the football team onto the field at every home game.
Always Brothers
Oren
team has also invited Oren to join in the fun during their games. “He goes out there, hits the ball, and runs the bases while the team acts like they can’t tag him out!” says Copeland. Players say the excitement Oren brings encourages and motivates them. Travel baseball coach Jonathan Scott finds Oren’s presence to be helpful in teaching the lesson of friendship and acceptance. “Picture a bunch of twelve-year-old boys who are too cool for everyone—but not with Oren in the mix!” he says. “They stop worrying about how they look and make Oren their entire world.” The other baseball coach, Remley Highsmith, calls Oren their “secret weapon.” “Our team feeds off his positive energy, and there's no doubt we play better when he’s there with us,” he observes. “Our kids love him, our coaches and fans love him, and even our opponents love him! We call him our ‘extra homie.’ It’s even on his jersey, so it’s official! He’s as much a part of the team as any kid in the dugout!”
Oren’s big personality extends to other important areas of life as well, not the least of which is church.
“Oren is truly a miracle child. We cherish each day and live our lives with him to the fullest.”
and his brother, Copeland, have a special relationship that extends to sports. Copeland’s baseball Coach, Remley Highsmith, said, “He’s as much a part of the team as any kid in the dugout.”
Photo by Magnolia Soul Photography
“Oren often helps take up the offering on Sunday morning,” Rachel laughs. However, there’s a catch—he won’t pass the collection plate until you’ve put something in it! “The church members say that offering would be much more if Oren took it up every Sunday!”
Whitney has found working with Oren to be joyful and rewarding. “Oren’s journey is nothing short of inspiring,” she says. “From the earliest days when Rachel would seek guidance for her baby to his elementary school years when he faced immense health challenges, his story is a testament to the power of determination and resilience. His unwavering optimism and zest for life are palpable, making him a beloved figure wherever he goes. Oren is a beacon of hope and motivation for everyone around him.”
Rachel agrees. “Oren is truly a miracle child, and only God can perform the miracles that have allowed him to overcome the challenges and obstacles in his life thus far. We cherish each day and live our lives with him to the fullest.” Rachel wants to correct one assumption, though. “Many have expressed that Oren is truly blessed to have us as parents, but we are the ones that are blessed to have him. He is one of a kind.” |WM
Family is Family
FAR LEFT Copeland, Rachel, Chris, Orren Arnold.
LEFT Oren’s maternal grandparents, Keith & Lana Wright, on prom night.
BELOW Oren and Copeland with their paternal grandparents, Ray & Kay Arnold.
Perseverance
Since his first procedure in 2009, Oren has endured a steady series of significant surgeries. In 2015, he suffered a stroke after one operation that gave him only a 5% chance of survival.
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HOME + GARDEN
FEATURING
Ben & Allison Carter’s backyard oasis
A sun room vignette designed by Lindsey Coral Harper
Tales of the Gardner by Ginger Proudfoot
Photo of Ben & Allison Carter’s beautifully landscaped front yard by Morgan Harvey – Magnolia Soul Photography
Left to right, Alexis Garrido, April Banks, Peggy Hickey.
Standing left to right Brittany Wilson, Wynter Davis, Ricky Stringer, Jessica Kramer, Christina George & Katherine Britt
Standing left to right Brittany Wilson, Wynter Davis, Ricky Stringer, Jessica Kramer, Christina George & Katherine Britt
Left to right: Wynter Davis, Christina George, Jessica Kramer, Malori Mobley, Katherine Britt, Peggy Hickey, April Banks
Ricky Stringer
A BACKYARD OASIS
BEN & ALLISON CARTER’S FAMILY-ORIENTED OUTDOOR SPACE OFFERS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
Story by JOHN RIDDLE
Photography by MAGNOLIA SOUL PHOTOGRAPHY
WHOME + GARDEN
WHEN ONE THINKS ABOUT A PERFECT FAMILY
RETREAT, there is not much missing in Ben and Allison Carter’s backyard. For starters, you step out of a sunroom with floor to ceiling glass onto a putting green. Take a few more steps and you’re at the pool, complete with built in lounge chairs and fountains. If you’re needing some shade, you can retreat to one of two covered pavilions. If you’re feeling a chill, you can cozy up to a fire pit on the lower level or the outdoor gas fireplace on the travertine pool deck. For their four children there's also an inground trampoline and playscape on synthetic turf. When this family steps outside they’re not bored—they just have to figure out what they want to do first.
Ben and Allision both graduated from Wayne County High in 1995. After a few years in Atlanta, they moved back home in 2006 and purchased their home in Pine Forest Country Club in 2012. They installed the initial landscaping in 2013 along with the fire pit and the outdoor kitchen. In 2021, they installed the pool, cabana, travertine pool decking, retaining wall, and
outdoor fireplace, and also updated the landscaping with more palm trees among other plants and shrubs. Ben, a longtime landscaping professional, started Carter Land Services in 2008 and went on to become a partner in Golden Sea Outdoors in 2021. When the family decided they wanted to add a pool, Ben went to work redesigning an outdoor living space they could enjoy year-round. “Since I’m in the business of building outdoor living spaces, we finally decided we should have one, too,” he explains.
Ben is the son of James and Julia Carter, while Allison is the daughter of the late Dr. James Brantley and his wife Patricia Brantley Nix. Because both families are from Jesup, they tend to put the backyard to great use by hosting family and friend gatherings such as Easter egg hunts, birthday parties, school parties, and Georgia football watch parties.
While they each have their favorite outdoor activity, Ben and Allison are glad to have a place where their family can come together, relax, and enjoy each other’s company—a true backyard oasis.
CABBAGE PALMS GREET YOU WHEN YOU DRIVE UP TO THE CARTER HOME WITH SYLVESTER PALMS NEAR THE FRONT PORCH.
LIMELIGHT HYDRANGEAS, CAMELLIAS, LIRIOPE, MUHLY GRASS, ANNUAL COLOR BEDS, CASSIA, AND HIBISCUS PLANTS ARE ALL USED FOR COLOR IN THE LANDSCAPING BEDS TO PRODUCE DIFFERENT SEASONS OF BLOOMING FLOWERS.
THE CABANA IS FULLY EQUIPPED WITH AN OUTDOOR MINI FRIDGE, STORAGE DRAWERS, AND HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER AS WELL AS EXTENDED COVERED STORAGE ON THE BACK THAT ALSO HOUSES A BATHROOM AND OUTDOOR SHOWER.
HOME + GARDEN
SIX MOSAIC TURTLES WERE PLACED IN THE BOTTOM OF THE POOL TO REPRESENT EACH FAMILY MEMBER. THE GREEN TURTLE IS BEN AND THE BLUE TURTLE IS ALLISON SWIMMING SIDE-BY-SIDE LEADING THE WAY. THE SMALL BLUE TURTLE IN THE MIDDLE IS THEIR DAUGHTER. THE OTHER THREE GREEN MEDIUM-SIZED TURTLES, SWIMMING BEHIND MOM AND DAD AND SURROUNDING THEIR SISTER, REPRESENT THEIR THREE SONS.
THE OUTDOOR KITCHEN HAS A STAINLESS STEEL GAS GRILL AND STAINLESS CHARCOAL GRILL.
Photo by Allison Carter
THE OPINIONS THAT MATTER MOST
BEN AND ALLISON HAVE FOUR CHILDREN: AUSTIN (14), NICK (13), JARED (10), AND BROOKE (7). THEY EACH ENJOY DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE BACKYARD.
“I enjoy the putting green because it helps me practice for golf.”
– Nick –
“I like doing gymnastics on the trampoline.”
– Brooke –
“I have fun practicing chipping from the upper level onto the green.”
– Austin –
“Playing soccer is one of my favorite things to do in the backyard.”
– Jared –
Photo by Allison Carter
HOME + GARDEN
Fl er P er
A SUNROOM Decorated by Lindsey Coral Harper
R“Rooms With a View” is a charitable design benefit hosted by the Southport Congregational Church in Southport, Connecticut. The event, in its 29th year, showcases 12 invited designers who each have a six-by-eight-foot space to create small concept room designs. The vignettes are on display at Southport Congregational Church over a long weekend. Since its inception, over $2 million has been raised in support of local charities.
In 2023, Lindsey Coral Harper joined a long list of virtual Who’s Who of interior designers who were personally selected to inspire and delight with their creative designs. Lindsey lives in Stonington, Connecticut, where she is the principal designer of Lindsey Coral Harper Interior Design as well as the proprietor of Coral, a home décor and lifestyle boutique.
HOME + GARDEN
“The concept for my space was to stay true to the Albert Hadley philosophy: ‘Decoration is really about creating a quality of life, and a beauty in that life that nourishes the soul, that makes life beautiful.’ I envisioned my space as a typical garden room of sorts: tranquil and serene. Playing off the fresh colors in the hand-blocked Abbotsford print on the settee pillow, I brought in as much of a garden as I could with larger-than-life flowers in the wicker urns and hydrangea framed prints on the walls. Can you believe the pale blue antique lattice was added last? I spotted it on a shopping trip down south a few weeks before the install. I love to mix old and new, to give a space a little more personality. That’s the wonderful thing about interesting antiques, they find you!” |
WM – Lindsey Coral Harper
“Rooms
With
a View”
is coordinated by Southport Congregational Church in Southport, CT. For more information: roomswithaview.org
Lindsey Coral Harper’s early life was spent in Jesup, where her father and stepmother, Rick and Linda Harper, still reside. A graduate of the University of Georgia, she established her own residential design firm in 2007 in New York City. Her work has been featured on the cover of House Beautiful, and on the pages of Garden & Gun and Southern Living. She currently lives and works in Stonington, Connecticut. Her retail shop, Coral, features home décor, furniture, art, and accessories. Learn more about Lindsey at lindseycoralharper.com
D igner Ti
• Hang a large mirror in a small room, it will instantly make the room seem larger
• Freshen up any space with larger than life fresh flowers or live plants
• Incorporate interesting accessories (like a cheeky pillow!) to give a room some personality
• Mix in natural materials like wicker or bamboo to make a space warm and inviting
• Add extra seating with upholstered pieces such as an ottoman or small benches
• Don't forget the ceiling, paint it a pale blue if you have light walls to help the room feel airy and make the ceiling seem higher
HOME + GARDEN
TALES OF THE
Gardener
Our family comes from a long line of farmers, hunters, and gatherers. I guess you could say it runs in the gene pool. Today’s chief Gardener of the Hires Family is George.
George got his start in gardening under the instruction of his parents, Cluese and Pansy. A big garden and a green thumb are the required combination to keep 12 hungry children fed. His Northview Drive Garden pays homage to the Hires Oglethorpe Garden. He began the Northview Drive Garden to entertain Pansy and her friends. After all, pea shelling complements porch rocking and story swapping.
He continues to entertain the ladies in his garden. The Ruby Riggins Camellia Garden Club members enjoy their annual visit to the garden and all leave with a treat from the Gardener. Today, relatives and friends know that George will call when the new potatoes, squash, peas, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, eggplant, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, mustard
Story,
greens, sweet potatoes, peanuts, and corn are ready for picking or canning. He can often be found “peddling” his wares in the back of his old pickup truck. Peddling simply means giving away the excess to widows, friends, family, the church congregation, and acquaintances. One might say that feeding us is George’s mission in life.
Just like in life, gardening is about controlling the variables that you can and trusting God with the ones you
Artwork, and Photos by GINGER HIRES PROUDFOOT
can’t. The Gardener is responsible for his effort, contribution, and attitude. When most of us are staying indoors to avoid the wintertime chill, George is planning his spring-time garden. He makes a trip to the local feed and seed store early in the season to ensure the best seed varieties. He plows and tills the land while offering her nutrients in the form of composts that were saved from her previous bounty. Squash is planted in seed starter trays and placed in the warm
sunshine during the day but are moved inside for protection from nightly chills. After studying the weather patterns and the spring forecast to predict when the threat of frost is over, the little seedlings are moved to their place in the garden to continue their growth.
Gardeners consult the almanac and look for signs to determine the best planting times for the crops that are planned for that season. Years of practice and experience determine the best planting times for this year’s conditions. Some seasons, the farmer battles El Niño weather patterns causing too much rain on the garden. These wet weather patterns delay planting of the
crops. New potatoes are often impacted by wet weather. The Gardener knows which adjustments to make to ensure the seeds sprout and grow. Other years, La Niña weather patterns cause the Gardener to search the heavens for needed rain. Irrigation is the key to surviving drought. Flexibility is crucial in growing in adverse weather conditions.
The Gardener does his best to protect from pests and pestilence. It must be patrolled against birds and neighborhood chickens threatening to rob the rows of their seed. By the sweat of his brow, he controls weeds that threaten to choke out his plants and rob the soil of nutrients. Tomatoes must be protected from blossom rot. Corn Ear Worms must be prevented from taking up residence in the ears.
Pests are controlled in the most organic methods available. While the rest of us are snug in our beds at night, George is pulling the graveyard shift to shine the garden in search of hungry critters. If the bright lights don’t scare away the hungry deer, he fires off a few shots from his trusty .22 rifle in true Elmer Fudd fashion. Raccoons are often trapped and relocated to a wooded location safely away from the garden. Squirrels can devour the Silver Queen crop and must be diverted at all costs. The Gardener is watchful both day and night to protect his crops.
While adaptability is key in the growing process, flexibility is out of the question when it comes to harvest times. Vegetables demand to be harvested at their peak. Squash and peas must be picked daily. The okra needs to be cut daily. While the Gardener will accept help with the harvesting of the crops, what he really desires is for the crops to be eaten, enjoyed, and preserved for future table fare.
Sisters can often be found carrying on the rocking and shelling traditions. They are happy to contribute shelling, snapping, and canning efforts to divide with the Gardener to fill his pantry as well as their own. Silver Queen is the least flexible of all the garden vegetables. A few ears are broken as the test ears
and distributed to be eaten on the cob to gauge kernel size and milk content. Silver Queen must be harvested at the precise time to ensure creamy kernels. One well-timed rain from the heavens can make all the difference in filling out the corn ears to produce the sweetest creamed corn.
Corn canning takes priority over busy schedules and vacation plans. Some families gather at vacation hot spots to spend time together. In our family, if you want to spend time with the Gardener, you better know how to wield a corn silking brush and creaming knife. We gather to break, shuck, silk, blanche, and cut off the corn until our freezers are sufficiently filled. There is always a little banter, a few stories shared, some laughs, some eye rolls, and a lot of sweat on corn canning days. The Gardener’s careful eye supervises our creaming efforts to ensure that we are not cutting the kernel too deeply and getting cob in our creamed corn. If sweet tea is the house wine of the south, then George Hires’ Silver Queen corn is southern caviar. Despite the seed thieving birds, ravenous white-tail deer, and rogue corn-eating squirrels, George perseveres and delivers the gold. While the deer, coons and squirrels literally risk their lives to get a taste of George’s corn, we get to enjoy it all through the year because feeding us is his ministry.
George enjoys sharing his bounty with his family, friends, and the less fortunate. He remembers the lessons taught to him as a child and represents
the “Little Red Hen” parable well. His efforts ensure that we eat healthy without buying vegetables from the store. You can see the grin on his face as he receives calls and texts from family and friends extolling the virtues of his vegetables. As a former pulp mill production manager, he has shifted his efforts to vegetable production and uses his problem-solving skills to complete his life’s mission as the Gardener. As we receive the call “Who will help me can these vegetables?” we gratefully accept the bounty of his efforts and report back to him in number of quarts canned, pickled or frozen. Deuteronomy 28:12 says: “The Lord will open the heavens, the storehouse of His bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands.” We pray that God will continue to bless the garden and the Gardener! |WM
Ginger Proudfoot
Welcome to Tequilas Mexican Restaurant! Immerse yourself in the flavors of Mexico as we serve up authentic cuisine inspired by the vibrant regions of the country. From sizzling fajitas to mouthwatering enchiladas, our menu will delight your taste buds. Join us for a warm and inviting dining experience that captures the essence of Mexico. Bienvenidos! 1109 N. 1st Street | Jesup, GA 912-559-6275
hef Justin Keith, a graduate of the Scottsdale Culinary Institute, has worked in some of the South’s most acclaimed restaurants. Now, he’s the chef and owner of Southern Bistro in Sandy Springs, dishing out sophisticated southern cuisine in the heart of Atlanta.
Justin’s passion for food and cooking was developed at a young age. As a boy growing up in Wayne County, he was exposed to how food was grown, gathered, and prepared for enjoying later in the year after the harvest season was over. His dishes have flavors— some not as subtle as others—of those early years when he learned so much of what sustains him now.
“My grandparents taught me some basics of farming but, more importantly, the importance of growing and storing your own food,” Justin explains. “They would gather blueberries from nearby orchards and pull corn, beans, and summer squash to preserve for the rest of the year.” His grandparents also owned a sugar cane mill where they produced syrup. “As a kid I was intrigued and thought helping was fun,” he recalls. “It wasn’t until I got older that I realized in retrospect that, for them, that was a means of survival and living off the land like they had been taught.”
He also remembers his mother, Melba Keith Murphy, who was raising three children alone at the time, finding ways
“MY GRANDPARENTS TAUGHT ME SOME BASICS OF FARMING BUT, MORE IMPORTANTLY, THE IMPORTANCE OF GROWING AND STORING YOUR OWN FOOD.”
to keep him and his siblings occupied. “Cooking was always a family affair. More often than not, I was given little tasks in the kitchen,” he says. Little did he know that those experiences were preparing him for a career in the culinary arts.
After high school, Justin worked in several restaurants on St. Simons Island before attending Valdosta State University, where he majored in business management and worked part time in local restaurants. His first job was as Executive Chef at Esmeralda’s, then a new Cuban restaurant in Valdosta, where he researched and developed the entire menu. That experience spurred him on to train at the Scottsdale Culinary Institute in Arizona, an affiliate of the world renowned Le Cordon Bleu.
After working at some of Arizona’s most highly acclaimed restaurants, including Tarbell’s and Eddie Matney’s, Justin moved to Atlanta in 2002 to be closer to home. He worked his way up from a line cook at Horseradish Grill and was on the opening team of Meehan’s Ale House before being named the Executive Chef of Food 101 in Sandy Springs. In 2018, he joined Southern Bistro, named “Restaurant of the Year” by the Sandy Springs Chamber of Commerce that same year.
Justin purchased the restaurant in 2022 and the accolades have kept coming. Southern Bistro has been named the “Best Brunch in Sandy Springs” by thrillist, a daily online travel and food magazine. Additionally, Justin has been featured on numerous food segments on local news shows and in local food festivals. His recipes have been featured in the Food & Dining section of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and he has twice been a Chef Presenter for sold-out events at the James Beard House in New York to benefit the the James Beard Foundation, an nonprofit organization that celebrates and supports the people behind America’s food culture.
On one such trip, one of Justin’s main ingredients he was transporting for the event went missing. “One of the dishes I was preparing was to be served with grits, so I packed them to bring with me, “ he recalls. “But when I got to the hotel, I realized I had left them on the plane! I hurriedly called the airport, and luckily someone had turned them into lost-and-found, so I was able to go back and get them.” It must have been a fellow Southerner who found those grits and turned them in knowing someone surely would be back to claim them.
Justin lives in Peachtree Corners with his wife, Emma, and their three daughters, Ella, Olive, and Charity, along with their yellow lab, Oakley, and two cats, Butter and Pickle.
Southern Bistro is located in Sandy Springs, Georgia, and is open seven days a week for dinner, lunch Monday through Friday, and brunch Saturdays and Sundays.
4920 Roswell Rd., Ste. 55 Sandy Springs, GA 30342 404-705-8444 southernbistroatl.com Southern Bistro @southernbistroatl
Ro t P k th
C rry P t Sauce
Justin trained at the Scottsdale Culinary Institute in Arizona, an affiliate of the world renowned Le Cordon Bleu, before moving to Atlanta in 2002.
Use fresh ingredients when possible. Cut your own onions and peel your own garlic (don’t use “jar-lic”). Don’t use pre-prepared ingredients as they will alter the flavor of your dish.
Cook with kosher salt and get rid of/stop buying table salt. Kosher salt allows you to season your food properly without taking your dish from ‘bland’ to ‘salty.’
Use fresh herbs when possible, even if a recipe suggests using dried. Again flavor. When using fresh herbs, add at the end/ before serving. When using dried herbs, use in the beginning/ middle to allow the flavors to come alive.
If following a recipe, read it in its entirety before you begin the dish. Often, they give you paragraphs of a story, but you just need the few bullet points/main steps of executing the dish.
Top 5 spices to have on hand (outside of salt & pepper):
I think many people have a misconception of cooking (sautéing) with olive oil. Yes, olive oil is a great and healthy oil, but it generally has a low smoke point, which means it can burn over high heat and drastically alter the flavor of the food you’re cooking. When cooking foods on high heat, use more neutral oils such as avocado or sunflower oil as they can withstand high heat/temperatures. Good, quality olive oil should not be used for sautéing but rather for vinaigrettes or a drizzle over a dish at the very end.
Peach Cobbler
– 8 large peaches, diced
– ½ cup sugar
– ¼ cup lemon juice
– 2 Tbsp. cornstarch
– 2 cups flour
– 2 cups sugar
– 1 Tbsp. + 1 tsp. baking powder
– 1 Tbsp. Kosher salt
– 1 Tbsp. ground cinnamon
– ½ tsp. ground nutmeg
– 2 sticks butter, melted
– 2 cups whole milk
– 1 Tbsp. vanilla
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Toss diced peaches with sugar, lemon juice and cornstarch in a bowl and set aside. In a bowl, whisk together all dry ingredients. In another bowl, whisk together butter with milk and vanilla extract. Add wet to dry. Pour batter into a buttered casserole dish. Dump in peaches and all the extracted juices. Bake for 35 min – 1 hour, or until the batter has risen and turned to a cake-like consistency and is golden brown.
– 1 large bunch (2-3 pounds) collard greens, stems removed and leaves coarsely chopped
– Morton kosher salt and black pepper (optional)
Directions
In a stockpot, cover ham hock with chicken stock, tomatoes, Coca-Cola, brown sugar, onion, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic and hot sauce. Bring to a boil over high heat and add collard greens. Stir to combine and wilt the greens, then reduce heat so the mixture simmers. Cook 30 to 45 minutes or until the greens are tender. Taste and add more hot sauce and a pinch of salt or pepper if desired. Remove ham hock, pull off any meat and add to the greens. Discard bones and skin.
Southern Bistro’s Crispy Brussels Sprouts with Apricot-Mustard Glaze
– 1 pound Brussels sprouts
– 2 Tbsps. toasted sesame oil
– ½ cup Apricot-Mustard Glaze (see recipe)
– Chopped green onions and cilantro, for garnish
Directions
Heat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Trim Brussels sprouts and cut in half, or if large cut into quarters. Put sprouts in a bowl and toss with sesame oil. Arrange on prepared baking sheet. Roast until sprouts begin to brown, about 15 minutes. Remove from oven and move to a large bowl. Toss with glaze, then arrange on serving platter. Garnish with green onions, cilantro and sesame seeds. Serves 4.
Apricot Mustard Glaze
– 2 12 oz. jars apricot preserves
– ½ cups fresh OJ (no pulp)
– 6 Tbsp. whole grain mustard
– 6 Tbsp. cups smooth Dijon mustard
– ¼ cups cider vinegar
– ¼ cups sweet chili sauce
– ¹⁄8 cup maple syrup
– ¹⁄8 cup sesame oil
– ¹⁄8 cup fish sauce
– ¹⁄8 cup lime juice
– ¼ cup water
Directions
Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for an additional 10 minutes, whisking occasionally. Puree with handheld blender. |WM
Ice Cream SOLVES EVERYTHING
Nothing says summer quite like homemade ice cream or sorbet. I satisfy my sweet tooth by using a Cuisinart Electric Frozen Yogurt, Ice Cream, and Sorbet Maker. The bowl holds approximately one quart. Because the bowl needs to be frozen before use, I bought an extra one and keep them both in the freezer.
S USAN G OEHRING O FFERS U NIQUE H OMEMADE I CE C REAM R ECIPES
ZZZZ
Susan Goehring
Photography by MATTIE GENAUX PHOTOGRAPHY
Ice Cream
Coconut Key Lime Sorbet
15 oz. can Coco Lopez (or other coconut cream)
½ cup Nellie and Joe’s Key Lime Juice (or other lime juice)
¾ cup water
1 ½ cups simple syrup (recipe follows)
Espresso Sorbet
2 cups espresso or strong coffee
1 cup Simple Syrup (recipe above)
Mix espresso and simple syrup and refrigerate until chilled. Put in the ice cream maker and freeze according to manufacturer’s instructions (about 25 minutes in the Cuisinart). Transfer to a large airtight container and freeze at least two hours or overnight before serving. Small scoops can be topped with chopped chocolate coffee beans or a spray of whipped cream.
Recipes make approximately one quart but can be doubled if using a full-size ice cream freezer.
Mix coconut cream, lime juice, water, and simple syrup until well combined. Cover bowl or container and refrigerate until completely chilled; this takes at least 1 hour.
Put the mixture in the ice cream maker and freeze according to manufacturer’s instructions (for this recipe 30 minutes in the Cuisinart). Transfer to a large airtight container and freeze at least two hours or overnight.
For serving, small scoops can be topped with lime zest and lightly toasted coconut.
Simple Syrup
(makes 2 quarts)
6 cups granulated sugar
6 cups water
Prepare an ice bath (large container with ice and water).
In a large saucepan, bring water and sugar over medium high heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until sugar has completely dissolved (it will be clear after about 10 minutes). Place in an ice bath. Let stand, stirring occasionally, until well chilled. Use immediately or transfer to an airtight container. It can be refrigerated for up to two months.
By John Riddle
One of my fondest memories as a young boy was when my father took out the ice cream churn on a hot summer afternoon. We knew that meant some churning, but with two brothers it was more fun than a chore. Later on, he upgraded to an electric churn and as we became teens that suited us. It was ready faster, and we could play ball or ride bikes while we waited for that sweet, creamy goodness that made the hot summer days much cooler and more satisfying. At the time, it really did solve everything.
This recipe is for a regular ice cream freezer. Not sure how it would work in a Cuisinart.
ROBERT RIDDLE'S HOMEMADE ICE CREAM RECIPE
6 eggs beaten
4 cans evaporated milk
2 cups sugar
1 cup heavy cream
3 tablespoons of vanilla extract
of
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“In Napoli, where love is king, when boy meets girl, here’s what they say…”
That’s
WITH A COMBINED 101 YEARS OF MARRIAGE among them, these three couples have sound advice about making a marriage thrive. They attribute the success of their relationships to communication, patience, prayer, consideration, respect, and making sure you “slow down and enjoy the ride.”
Whether you’ve been in love for years or are just now finding your perfect match, you’ll be inspired by these couples’ stories and how they strike just the right balance in love and life.
Bill & Nancy Freeman – 33 Years
(Photo by Mattie Genaux Photography)
Fred & Judy Fender – 58 Years
(Photo by Mattie Genaux Photography)
Derek & Paola Williams – 10 years
(Photo by Courtney Palmer Photography)
That’s
FRED & JUDY FENDER YEARS 58
Good fences make good sweethearts
FOR FRED AND JUDY,
LIVING NEXT DOOR TO ONE
Story by MEGAN PIPER WHITE
OTHER LED TO A MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN
FRED AND JUDY FENDER’S LOVE STORY is proof that God works in mysterious ways. Even before they met, they believe He directed their paths for them to be together. In a modern world of social media, excess screen time and online dating, their relationship developed as many did in the good old days of walking over to chat with people who lived on your street— and sending love letters in the mail.
Although Fred knew that he and Judy were neighbors, it took a gentle nudge from friends for the two to finally meet. “In July of 1963, my father had a business in Kissimmee, Florida,” Fred recalls. “I had just finished my sophomore year at Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Florida and returned from family vacation in South Florida. In Naples, I visited twin sisters from college named Trish and Dee Ingram, one of whom represented Naples in the Miss Florida Pageant. During my visit, they asked me if I knew Judy Guynn. I knew who she was and that our mothers knew each other because our backyards adjoined. They told me we should get to know each other!”
Trish and Dee proved to be just the matchmakers the couple needed. “I had recently graduated from high school and returned from Sarasota, where I represented Osceola County in the Miss Florida Pageant,” says Judy. “At the pageant, I met Trish and Dee, and we became friends. They asked me if I knew a Fred Fender who lived in the area, and I didn’t, but I knew we were neighbors. They told me I needed to meet him, and soon, I did.”
At the time, Judy was dating someone else, but
a sudden breakup and an encounter with Fred soon changed everything. “On Sunday afternoon of the following week, I was sitting in our front yard watching the water skiers, as our yard faced the lake,” Judy remembers. “Fred happened to be one of the skiers, which I didn’t know at the time, and he came walking through our yard on the way to his house and introduced himself. As we sat there talking, my boyfriend came riding by but didn’t stop. Soon after, my boyfriend pulled into our circular drive where Fred and I were sitting, got out of his car with three bags of everything I had ever given him, and said, ‘I believe these belong to you!’ After my now-ex boyfriend left, Fred and I visited a little longer, and he asked if he could see me that evening. I said yes, and we had a date and enjoyed each other’s company. We saw a lot of each other until Fred went back to school in September.”
Judy went to business school in Orlando, after which she accepted a job at First National Bank of Orlando. She and Fred dated throughout 1964, but at one point they had a conflict and discontinued the relationship. The pause only lasted three months until one day they realized their love was real, with each writing a letter to the other to say as much. They had not communicated at all during the breakup but as luck would have it, they received each other’s correspondence on the very same day. They had a delightful reunion after that and believe their reconciliation was a divine intervention orchestrated by God! They were engaged in the summer of 1965 and
PHOTO BY MATTIE GENAUX PHOTOGRAPHY
“You must see your spouse as the most important person in the world.”
married on January 1, 1966. They moved back to Jesup, where Fred and his family were originally from, after Fred’s graduation from Florida Southern in 1966; he soon went to work with his father in the stump and logging business. Judy worked at American National for 13 years.
Fred retired in 2022. They have raised two wonderful children, Arria Fender Bland and Damon Grey Fender, both of whose families have grown to give Fred and Judy six grandchildren and two great grandchildren so far. Some of their favorite Fender family memories include boat days, beach trips, salt water fish fries during the summer, and oyster roasts during the holidays.
When asked their advice for other married couples, Fred shares a simple but profound thing any husband can do: say, “Yes, Dear.” “It’s a key phrase to know and use often,” he laughs. Judy says that making an effort to be polite, considerate and respectful to each other at all times is also crucial. “Respect each other’s opinions whether you agree or not,” she advises. They both agree that you must see your spouse as the most important person in the world, which as their love story of 58 years proves, they most certainly do! |WM
NEVER SAY NEVER!
Judy grew up in West Virginia the first 12 years of her life before moving to Florida. In West Virginia, there was a service station owner who always had greasy hands and fingernails, and his name was Fred. At that young age, Judy decided she would never marry a man named Fred. Judy’s dad eventually bought a concrete business in Florida. Several trips were made to Florida during the transition from West Virginia, and they drove along Highway 301, passing by Fred’s childhood home. The weather was sweltering by that time of the summer and there was no air conditioning in their car. Judy declared at one point, “I will never live in Jesup, Georgia.”
That’s
Slow down and enjoy the ride
HIGH SCHOOL SWEETHEARTS MAKE EACH OTHER AND THEIR FAMILY TOP PRIORITY
BILL AND NANCY FREEMAN’S LOVE STORY started in high school, sustained college and careers, and continues now with their first grandchild on the way in December. Their advice for other married couples reflects their many lessons learned. “Learn to enjoy each phase of your marriage,” says Nancy. “Time passes too fast not to appreciate the journey.”
Growing up near Charleston, the pair began dating after meeting in high school, with their first date being dinner with friends in Beaufort. Their dating days were spent in Charleston, where Nancy attended Winthrop College and Bill attended the Citadel; he proposed there at a football game in September of 1990. Soon afterwards, Bill got a job in Atlanta and Nancy was in Charlotte. They traveled back and forth to Charlotte, managing a long-distance relationship and planning their wedding all at once!
The wedding was planned for springtime in Charleston, their favorite place and season, with the flowers in bloom. They were married on April 13, 1991, in the Summerall Chapel at the Citadel. “Bill’s dad was concerned about having Bill at the chapel on time and if the Ashley River Bridge was open or not,” recalls Nancy. “It all worked out perfectly for a beautiful wedding day!”
While their roots are now in Jesup, they’ve lived many places throughout their marriage and while building their family. From Varnville, South Carolina to Atlanta and on to Lawrenceville, Covington, and Statesboro, they finally settled in Jesup in 2004 and have been there ever since. Bill works for Great Southern Wood Preserving Inc. at the “YellaWood”
plant, where he is the General Manager. Nancy retired from her position as the Director of Revenue Cycle Operations at the Bone & Joint Institute of South Georgia in 2023.
The Freemans are proud parents to two children, Billy and Emma. Billy and his wife Jamie live in Dublin, Georgia, and are expecting their first child in December. Emma and her husband, Jake Williams, live in Jesup, and they often spend time together as a family. “We enjoy dinners, weekend visits, travel and outdoor activities with our family,” notes Nancy. “It gets harder as children move on to build their own lives with careers and marriage, but we plan gatherings around holidays and life events and celebrate successes as much as possible. We hope we have shown our love and support to our children along the way. We pray their marriage and families are as blessed as ours has been, for they are what bring us the most joy.”
When asked about advice for other married couples, Nancy and Bill encourage others to put God and their faith first. Build trust, be patient and protect each other always. Remember no one is perfect. Communicate well and always be kind. Recognize when something is important to your partner, and don’t sweat the small stuff. Develop strong friendships that support your marriage. Learn to enjoy each phase of your marriage and prioritize your time with each other. Newer technologies like social media are not an influence in their marriage, and instead, they try to find activities they can do as a couple, like golfing, eating dinner with friends, and traveling. Travel helps BILL AND NANCY FREEMAN
Story by MEGAN PIPER WHITE
PHOTO BY MATTIE GENAUX PHOTOGRAPHY
them get away from distractions and focus on each other while enjoying the adventure of new experiences and cultures around the world. Nancy takes on the role of planner, while Bill shows up and enjoys the ride. She also takes care of things at home while Bill is still working toward retirement in a few years.
Bill and Nancy are grateful to have met one another when they were young and to have enjoyed a marriage that has brought them so much love and joy. With their faith and family as their anchors, they look forward to many more happy years to come! |WM
“Learn to enjoy each phase of your marriage. Time passes too fast not to appreciate the journey.”
That’s
DEREK
& PAOLA WILLIAMS YEARS 10
Baby, you can drive my car— all the way to the altar
A PASSIONATE DEBATE ABOUT THEIR RIDES DROVE DEREK AND PAOLA RIGHT INTO EACH OTHER’S LIVES.
BORN AND RAISED IN JESUP, Derek and Paola Williams were destined to meet. While they didn’t find each other in a traditional way, it’s certainly an interesting story, all thanks to a love of sports cars!
A fun yet slightly heated discussion Paola had with a mutual friend about their cars—two of the same type that Derek just so happened to have owned in the past—was how it all began. Their friend owned one of the car models, while Paola owned the other, and to settle the topic of who had the better car, the friend said, “let’s call Derek Williams to decide.” Derek got Paola’s number after the conversation, and the rest is history!
The couple got engaged on April 24, 2014 in Jacksonville, Florida at BJ’s Brewhouse Restaurant in St. Johns Town Center, and planned their wedding to take place nine months later, in Savannah, Georgia. The wedding was held at Churchill’s Pub in historic downtown Savannah on December 14, 2014. “It was the perfect wedding, small and intimate with great food,” Paola recalls. “We even had an Oreo cake with milk in shot glasses. Oreos are one of our favorite desserts!”
The Williamses are also passionate about their blended family. They have three children between them. Addie (17) is Derek's child from a previous marriage whom Paola calls her "bonus daughter." Together they have two other
children: son Kered (9) and daughter Kiana (2). “Family time is something that’s very important to us both,” says Paola. “We’ve made sure to make our home safe and welcoming.” Paola cooks on weeknights and the family always sits down at the dinner table, where they talk about their day.
“We also spend family time hanging out and watching movies, swimming, hunting in the fall, riding the golf cart, or baking brownies (a family favorite),” Paola notes. Derek and Paola love supporting their kids in the sports they play—Addie enjoys softball, Kered baseball, and Kiana recently started learning gymnastics. On the weekends they’re off from the ball fields, they enjoy riding bikes, walking their three dogs and other outdoor activities. They’re spontaneous and love to travel, often taking mini getaways.
Outside of family time, Derek spends his days at his business, Dee’s Auto Spa, a one stop shop for ceramic coatings, accessories, and window tinting. Paola is on the team at Boykin Erectors, a steel construction business, where she has worked for over 12 years. She also owns her own business printing shirts and doing embroidery.
When asked what advice they would offer other married couples, they each stressed the importance of good communication and patience. “Communication is key,” says Paola. “The good, the bad, all of it. Your partner is not a mind reader, so truly expressing your feelings is a must. Also, you will not always be able to give 100%, so when one is giving 80%, really step up and take up the slack, because on your bad days, your partner will do the same for you.”
Derek has found it helpful to slow down and practice good listening. “Try to win their heart every day,” he advises. “Always communicate with each other about how or what you are feeling and be receptive to what they’re saying. When in an argument, be patient and think before you speak.”
The Williamses also recommend spending quality time together. “We do a date night once per month, sometimes two if we can squeeze it in!” Paola says. “When we first started dating, we left little notes around for each other, but now we’ve transitioned to a notebook that we leave around the house to jot down something sweet or thoughtful or that we’re thankful for. When life moves fast—as fast as a sports car at times—it’s a great way to share our love as the days turn into months and the months into years on our road together.” |WM
Story by MEGAN PIPER WHITE
PHOTO BY COURTNEY PALMER PHOTOGRAPHY
“Always communicate with each other about how or what you are feeling. When in an argument, be patient and think before you speak.”
WAYNE COUNTY
Mike Gordon, District 1; Kevin McCrary, District 2; Jamie Hickox, District 5; Tim Hopkins, District 3; James “Boot” Thomas, District 4
A CLASSRO P PROFILES
YOUR GUIDE TO WAYNE COUNTY’S PEOPLE, PLACES, AND BUSINESSES
MES FUL
Author Sherna Spearman-Lott holding her new book, My Teacher Sees Me
Photography by MATTIE GENAUX PHOTOGRAPHY
herna Spearman-Lott, or Ms. Sherna as her students call her, knew from a young age that teaching was her calling.
Beginning her career in early childhood and elementary education 25 years ago, she’s worked entirely in an elementary classroom setting within public schools. In that time, she’s watched the educational system and the young children it serves face unprecedented challenges, many of which can feel overwhelming and insurmountable. “In recent years—even before COVID—we’ve started seeing more and more students showing up to school with emotional and physical needs that extend beyond the academic ones,” she observes. Spearman-Lott—who was born and raised in Jesup, and also raised her two adult children, Anyzia and Elijah, in her hometown— acknowledges that her students today live in situations that are often difficult to comprehend.
“We don’t choose the family we’re born into. I didn’t grow up in a struggling household, but for years I could look out my kitchen window and see the school where I
Jesup natives
Sherna SpearmanLott
and
Gloria Blalock
reunite to bring the experiences of teachers and students to life on the pages of their new book
Story
by AMY FAESKORN
Gloria, now a freelance illustrator in Clermont, Florida, was a student in Spearman-Lott’s Pre-K homeroom and has also worked as a full-time art teacher in the Orlando Public Schools.
worked. The kids know where Ms. Sherna lives. I wanted them to know that I’m right here, and I see them, too.” The impetus for the writing of her debut picture book, My Teacher Sees Me, came as a result of her years-long efforts to understand her students in a deep and empathic way along with a desire for more of her colleagues to join her on that journey.
“I had been wanting to write it for a long time,” recalls Spearman-Lott, longtime Early Intervention Program reading teacher at Martha Rawls Smith Elementary School. “The notes for it had been sitting on my phone since the spring of 2021. It took me a day or so to capture my thoughts, and afterward, I said, oh my gosh, my book is there!” More than two years passed without her taking the process any further, until one day in September of last year her phone died and panic set in. “There I was at AT&T, and they were telling me they couldn’t recover my data if it wasn’t in the cloud!” she remembers.
Luckily, Spearman-Lott had emailed herself a copy of the notes around the time she wrote them, so all was not lost. “I realized this is why you don’t sit on ideas
“These
illustrations
don’t have the weight without MS. SHERNA’S
and they don’t have the same meaning without our history.”
that have the potential to be something amazing!” Fates also began to align in unexpected ways. Not two weeks after the phone scare, she had a chance meeting with Gloria’s mother, Kelly, at a local restaurant. A week later, she walked into the office of her school and heard a familiar voice—that of Andy Blalock, Gloria's dad. As the two caught up, Spearman-Lott discovered that Gloria had just graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design with a degree in illustration. “It felt like a God moment,” says Spearman-Lott. “I hadn’t seen Andy or his family in quite a while and I thought, how many signs does the universe need to send me before I get this thing going?”
The coincidences continued to pile up as Spearman-Lott discovered that after graduation, Blalock—who at the age of four was a student in Spearman-Lott’s Pre-K homeroom—had also worked as a full-time art teacher in the Orlando Public Schools. After their initial conversation, the two embarked on a six-month, long-distance collaboration that would eventually bring them together in person again for the first time in almost five years. “I absolutely adore Gloria,” says Spearman-Lott. “Her spirit is so sweet, and I love that I have an emotional tie to the person who I chose to work with. It was very personal bringing this book to fruition with her by my side.”
MS. SHERNA’S WORDS,
WORDS,
After receiving the completed manuscript from Spearman-Lott in October, Blalock immediately got to work on rough sketches, beginning with the end papers (pages that hold a hardcover binding to the interior ones). Working exclusively in digital form, she selected specific “brushes” with crayon and colored pencil textures. “I wanted to choose a look representative of what kids would actually use in their own drawings,” she says. “I also had to make sure the illustrations ‘moved’ along with a reader’s eye from left to right.” Spearman-Lott loved Blalock’s vision from the start and was grateful for her attention to details Spearman-Lott hadn’t even considered, such as including a child with a cochlear implant and another with blue hair.
Though Blalock’s talent for drawing was already evident during her years at Wayne County High, she credits her education at SCAD with helping her make the project a success, her first as a professional illustrator. “SCAD taught me everything I needed to know to help create this book,” she says. “I had amazing mentors there that helped me grow so much as an artist.” She drew on her memories of being in Spearman-Lott’s classroom as well as her time teaching in a Title I Orlando elementary school to shape her renderings of her students
(and for that matter, Spearman-Lott herself!).
Blalock uses bright colors, varied school settings, and daily learning activities to portray difficult issues like abuse and neglect from a truthful yet supportive perspective.
Clocking in at 32 pages and narrated in the voice of Spearman-Lott’s students, My Teacher
Sees Me explores everything from fatigue to outgrown sneakers to reluctance to read aloud during class as well as getting a good grade and being recognized as Student of the Month. In theory, children in second through fourth grade could easily read the book on their own, but the intended audience is people of any age who might benefit from understanding at-risk children and approaching them with the kind of patience and kindness they need to thrive, now
SHERNA SPEARMAN-LOTT
LEFT Spearman-Lott in the media center at Martha Rawls Smith Elementary School. (Photo by Mattie Genaux)
BELOW Spearman-Lott at a recent book signing. (Photo by Connie Riddle)
“I want teachers to walk away from this book and say, ‘I’m going to try harder. I’m going to be more mindful of what ALL KIDS are facing.”
and in the future. “I want teachers to walk away from this book and say, ‘I’m going to try harder. I’m going to be more mindful of what all kids are facing,” says Spearman-Lott, who decided in the end to self-publish and officially launched on Amazon on June 30th; plans for a sequel are already in the works.
Throughout the story, Spearman-Lott’s interactions with her students are imbued with the love Blalock feels toward her former teacher as well as that Spearman-Lott clearly also shares with all the children who’ve ever walked into her classroom. “These illustrations don’t have the weight without Ms. Sherna’s words, and they don’t have the same meaning without our history,” says Blalock, who came to Jesup at the beginning of June to meet with Spearman-Lott and finalize plans for publication. For the end credits, they recreated the photo taken of them together in 2005 on Gloria’s
fifth birthday. “I remember that day so well—the Care Bear cupcakes, Ms. Sherna’s hug. That’s what’s made this whole adventure so special,” notes Blalock.
With public education under more scrutiny than ever, and educators expected to juggle academic instruction with the complicated realities of students’ backgrounds, My Teacher Sees Me seems perfectly timed to the moment. Its brightly drawn optimism and gentle message of hope are contagious, and that’s by design. Undaunted by the learning curve she’s encountered along the way— as both a writer and a teacher—Spearman-Lott encourages other would-be author-educators to follow her lead. “Don’t be afraid of the sound of your own voice. Be the spark! If I’m loud enough, maybe you can find the bravery to be even louder.” |WM
My Teacher Sees Me is available for purchase on Amazon. Follow Ms. Sherna on Facebook at @ATeacherHeart and Instagram at @A_TEACHER_HEART. Follow Gloria on Instagram at @glo.draws and at www.glodraws.com.
Spearman-Lott at a book signing with fellow members of Wayne County High School class of 1995:
Joy Burch Meeks, Jarina Flowers James, Shauna Bullock Mattingly, Jessica Floyd Oliver, Jodi Riggins Ammons, and Erica Spellman Reece (Photo by Connie Riddle)
coastalmedanduniforms.com
A RANGER LEADING THE WAY
“I am incredibly thankful for all the people from Wayne County who helped me get where I am today."
Dylan Leach does the 82nd Airborne Division proud at the National Ranger Association’s test of might and mettle
U.S. ARMY
Ranger Dylan Leach’s physical and cognitive abilities were recently put to the ultimate test at the 40th Annual Best Ranger Competition. Held April 12-14 at Fort Moore and Columbus, Georgia, it was originally open only to Rangers stationed at Fort Benning but has since expanded to include the best two-man teams form the entire Armed Forces.
Ranger Hall of Famer Dick Leandri started the event in 1982 to honor the legacy of highly decorated Lieutenant General David E. Grange, Jr.
As a student at Wayne County High School, Leach participated in varsity football, junior varsity baseball, varsity tennis, and was a member of many student organizations including student council and student chamber. After graduating in 2017, Leach attended the United States Military Academy, also known as West Point, where he majored in Organizational Psychology. “I have always felt a strong
sense of duty and service. Going to West Point and commissioning as an Infantry Officer were the two biggest things I felt I could contribute to our country at those points in my life,” he says.
Since graduating from West Point, Leach has spent a year as a Rifle Platoon Leader and another as a Dismounted Reconnaissance Platoon Leader; he’s currently serving as a Troop Executive Officer of the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Liberty, North Carolina, where he handles most of the logistics for the troop.
Leach was interested in competing in the event for a long time and began training before tryouts in hopes of being selected to represent the 82nd Airborne Division. “Prior to tryouts, I mainly focused on endurance work,” he recalls. “I'd run about 30 miles a week, ruck (run with additional weight) at least 10 miles, hit four or five strength workouts a week, and began honing in on my marksmanship abilities.”
Story by EMILY DEATON WOOD / Photography by MANEUVER COURSE OF EXCELLENCE PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE
Tryouts were held in November 2023, and Leach was chosen as one of ten Paratroopers from the 82nd to potentially compete. “The 82nd Airborne Division has a storied history of elite Paratroopers who embodied courage, service, skill, and tenacity. It’s an honor to represent the 82nd competing in the Best Ranger Competition. It gives me a way to uphold and continue that legacy of excellence,” he says. He feels humbled to be counted among legendary past participants. “The Competition has seen participation from some of the Army’s greatest Soldiers including Medal of Honor recipients, Army legends, and true heroes,” he says. “These individuals have inspired me throughout my Army career, and having the chance to follow in their footsteps and be a part of this prestigious event fills me with immense pride and honor.”
Once selected after tryouts, Leach’s sole focus was getting in peak physical condition. He was given special orders for training and would resume his previous duties after the competition had concluded. At the height of training, he completed six strength or metabolic conditioning drills and ran 85 miles with 30 rucking. The service members selected in his division also participated in several miniature competitions while training for the main event to determine who would make ideal partners for the two-man teams. Leach was paired with First Lieutenant Cole Ross from Orlando. “I am surrounded by the best Paratroopers in the world every day at work,” he observes. “To have the opportunity to represent each of them and, as a leader, potentially inspire someone around me to do hard things and reach for their goals is an incredible feeling.”
consists of 56 teams from 29 units across the Army. The competitors’ cognitive and physical limits are put to the test during 32 events, which include moving 60 plus miles with the addition of 60 plus pounds for more than 30 miles, 18 tactical tasks, and four helicopter movements (one medical hoist and three troop movements).
Competitors arrive two weeks in advance. The week prior to the event, they take part in mandatory prep to familiarize themselves with the equipment, weapons, land transitions, and competition expectations.
When the troops arrived at Fort Moore, Leach described the morale as intense. “It’s the hardest thing that most people have ever done, and everyone feels an incredible sense of responsibility about representing their respective organizations. Everyone wants to be the best, and everyone wants to prove their unit is the best.”
“The 82nd Airborne Division has a storied history of elite Paratroopers. It’s an honor to represent The 82nd in the Best Ranger Competition. It gives me a way to uphold and continue that legacy of excellence.”
The Best Ranger Competition
Held over three days in April, the competition required 58 hours of cognitive, physical and technical activities with only four hours of rest. During the event, Leach kept his mind sharp by using a mantra. “I repeated two things to myself: I will never quit, and I will give everything I have at each lane,” he says. Though Leach’s team didn’t win, he left Fort Moore with motivation to return again next year. He’s currently preparing for tryouts that will occur this fall. “I’m running more than I ever have before, and I have redirected the focus of all
my workouts towards competition-specific events,” said Leach.
Leach counts himself lucky to have had so much support from the community and to have had the chance to accomplish a long-time goal. “I am incredibly thankful for all the people from Wayne County who helped me get where I am today,” he says. “From the people who pushed me to apply to the United States Military Academy, to the high school coaches who molded me into a resilient person who could do hard things, to my supportive family and so many others—I appreciate all of you.”
DYLAN LEACH
Leach with his teammate, First Lieutenant Cole Ross of Orlando, Florida.
Mike Peach and Hannah Bennett work diligently to optimize the cellulose acetate production process at MRC’s lab-scale acetylation system. Their efforts are crucial for improving product efficiency and quality.
RYAM’s Marketing & Research Center
Exploring the Core of Innovation at RYAM Jesup Plant
Story by LARISSA FENN / Photography provided
As visitors approach the expansive RYAM Jesup Plant, their eyes are inevitably drawn to the massive facility dominated by towering biomass boilers and a complex array of pipework and buildings. Despite its imposing presence, a smaller, less conspicuous building with a green roof sitting quietly in front of the plant holds a pivotal role in the company’s history and its ongoing success against competitors. This is where many local Wayne County residents perform world-class research at a location close to home.
Tina Murguia and Thuong Nguyen focus on enhancing the production techniques for one of RYAM's innovative new products. Their work at the forefront of product development is key to maintaining RYAM's competitive edge.
The Historical Backbone of RYAM
The origins of RYAM trace back to 1926 when it was first established as Rainier Pulp and Paper Company in Washington State. Initially focused on producing traditional paper products, the company rapidly identified the potential for diversification. By partnering with Dupont, Rainier pioneered the development of Hemlock fiber for rayon, marking a significant departure from conventional paper products to versatile chemical processes that transform tree-based materials into textiles.
This innovative leap was not merely a change in product but a revolution in material science. The rayon process developed during this era involved chemically altering the wood fibers, allowing them to be dissolved and reformed into fibers for textile production. This breakthrough set the stage for RYAM's later advancements in materials science.
The Role and Impact of the Marketing and Research Center (MRC)
In the mid-1990s, the Marketing and Research Center (MRC) was established, merging two older research facilities located in New Jersey and Washington State into a single cutting-edge facility at the Jesup Plant. This strategic consolidation brought together top scientists, engineers, and technical experts under one roof, enhancing collaboration and innovation.
The MRC houses a mini-mill, a scaled-down version of the larger mill operations, which allows RYAM to replicate and refine processes before full-scale implementation. This capability is crucial for testing new pulping protocols or optimizing existing processes. The final product, a high-purity cellulose, is meticulously tested and then formatted for global distribution to RYAM’s customers. Over 60% of RYAM’s products are exported around the world.
Technological Advancements at the MRC
The MRC is not just a hub for mechanical innovation but also a center of excellence for analytical science. The facility is equipped with an array of sophisticated instruments, mirroring those found in forensic labs, which has earned the internal
by RYAM
nickname “CSI – Jesup.” Among these tools are mass spectrometers and scanning electron microscopes (SEM), which provide detailed analysis down to the micro- and nanometer scale and can detect elemental composition within samples.
One of the critical areas of RYAM’s expertise is chromatography, essential for ensuring the purity of cellulose. This process involves separating mixtures in a lab-scale setup, followed by detailed analysis, typically through mass spectrometry. The facility also utilizes gel-permeation chromatography (GPC) to analyze larger molecules, further highlighting the company's comprehensive approach to material science.
From Cellulose Science to Biofuels: Expanding the Innovation Spectrum
The MRC's research extends beyond cellulose products into new, sustainable technologies such as biofuels. RYAM has recently inaugurated a bioethanol facility in France and is exploring the potential for a similar facility at one of our US locations. The process involves fermenting residual materials from the pulping process using yeast strains similar to those used in brewing beer or wine. These initiatives are part of the company’s broader strategy to adapt its byproducts for energy production, reflecting a commitment to environmental sustainability.
The Future of Materials Science at RYAM
As RYAM continues to push the boundaries of what can be achieved with tree-based materials, the MRC remains at the forefront of this exploration. The center not only revisits and refines existing processes but also develops new materials for a range of applications. This includes creating absorbent materials for hygiene products such as baby diapers and adult incontinence products, which are tested in specialized labs for performance and comfort.
Moreover, the MRC is instrumental in advancing materials like cellulose acetate and cellulose ethers, which are used in myriad products from everyday items like eyeglass frames to critical components in LCD screens. These applications are extremely challenging for RYAM’s customers, and our scientists and engineers must collaborate closely in order to make a
product that will succeed. For example, in LCD applications, an impurity in RYAM’s product could cause a defect in a television screen. We all understand the desire to minimize that outcome. This versatility in production and willingness to collaborate underscores the breadth of RYAM's capabilities and its influence across various industries.
The New Products group at MRC is pioneering sustainable materials derived from trees. Their innovations include prebiotics for chicken feed, fluff pulp for diapers that release scent when wet, and sustainable aviation fuel. These cutting-edge products are designed to offer eco-friendly alternatives to conventional materials, addressing both consumer needs and environmental concerns.
As these products enter the marketplace, MRC continues to push the boundaries of sustainability. The development of these materials is part of our broader effort to mitigate climate change. By leveraging the renewable resources provided by trees, we aim to reduce our carbon footprint and promote a more sustainable future. Our commitment to innovation and sustainability reflects our dedication to making a positive impact on the environment while meeting the demands of modern society.
The Marketing and Research Center encapsulates the essence of the company's enduring commitment to innovation. Here, in this unassuming structure, RYAM not only reminisces about its historical achievements but also crafts the future of material science, ensuring the plant’s vitality and relevance in a world increasingly focused on sustainable solutions. This dedication to innovation not only keeps RYAM competitive but also secures its position as a leader in the industry, driving forward with initiatives that promise to redefine the use of natural resources in an eco-friendly era. |WM
Larissa Fenn meticulously prepares samples for detailed analysis using the liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry instrument. This critical step ensures the highest accuracy in our research findings.
Chad Hubbard and Walker Priester work in the semiworks section of MRC. This area houses our "mini-mill," which replicates the process of the larger Jesup Plant.
(Seated) Leah Lewis Jones, Attorney; Tracy R. Lindsey, Attorney (Standing) Holly Thompson, Heather Evans, Suzi Nettles, Joe Roberson, Tammy Lewis, Julie Purcell, Kailey Rogers, Shelley Grace LEAH L. JONES,
IN MANHATTAN
Story by SARAH CATHERINE FORDHAM / Photos PROVIDED
Screven Native Leslie Drawdy Follows Her Passion All the Way to the Metropolitan Museum of Art
tart spreading the news—Leslie Drawdy is a metropolitan marvel! A current employee of the world-renowned Metropolitan Museum of Art (affectionately known as The Met), Drawdy might be mistaken for a New York native at first glance. Pulled from the South to New York by her passion for art, passersby may never know her life hasn’t always been high rises and honking taxi cabs.
Leslie was raised by Paul and Vickie Drawdy in Screven, where summers are a little slower and tea tastes a little sweeter. Warm afternoons in the South are formative memories for Drawdy, who recounts her simple southern upbringing with fondness. “I miss being immersed in nature out by Lake Grace, the freedom of driving down backroads to Thornton’s, the taste of water from the hose in the summer, and the sound of cicadas screaming,” she recalls. Drawdy graduated from Wayne County High School in 2015 and attended Brunswick’s College of Coastal Georgia; it wasn’t until she transferred to the University of Georgia in 2017 that her love for art history began to blossom.
LEFT Screven native Leslie Drawdy is a Visitor Experience Ambassador at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. BELOW Leslie's view in the European Period Room at The Met in 2021.
“I’ve always considered THE MET to be a holy grail institution when it comes to art collections.”
“A big perk of working at the museum is coming in when it is closed to the public, so you can roam the galleries in complete silence as if the art was hung up JUST FOR YOU.”
In Athens, Drawdy pursued a degree in entertainment and media studies from the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication. She also took up a minor in art history, a decision she never imagined would soon lead her to the streets of NYC. Drawdy was familiar with the Met before ever laying eyes on it, but with her ever-expanding appreciation for creativity, she was unprepared for just how impactful the museum would be. “I’ve always considered the Met to be a holy grail institution when it comes to art collections,” she says. “When I first visited in 2017, I didn’t have much time to explore, but what I did see moved me to tears.” Shortly after, Drawdy experienced a pivotal moment in her life. She remembers an instance that, looking back, changed her whole future. “I had a short Maymester at UGA that was partially based in New York. I was able to learn how to navigate the city on my own and explore different opportunities. I decided then that I would live there someday, honestly just to see if I could.”
With her eyes set on the Big Apple, Drawdy didn’t look back. Moving to Brooklyn in 2021 with a college degree and a special kind of southern grit, she began applying for jobs at various art museums throughout the city. Much to her surprise, the stars soon aligned. “When the Met reached out with an offer, it was almost surreal.” Drawdy now sports the title of “Visitor Experience Ambassador” at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, a culmination of hard work and dedication to following her artistic passion throughout the years.
One might be inclined to imagine Drawdy at work, pensive and serene, nestled among larger-than-life paintings, hushed crowds, and plush velvet ropes, yet she would be the first to correct this notion. In fact, it is the Met
staff ’s often hectic hard work behind the scenes that allows the institution to uphold its prestigious and impressive reputation. “I wear a lot of different hats at work, from facilitating crowds to troubleshooting technology. I sell tickets, adjust museum memberships, check in school groups, help guests find certain galleries or works of art, and answer any questions they might have,” says Drawdy. “There are times it can seem simple, but with 490,000 works of art, two million square feet of space, and 30,000 daily visitors, every day is different, and you never know what to expect.” However, amidst the chaos, moments of respite fuel the passion that drove her here in the first place. “As difficult as the job is at times, it’s balanced out with the ability to make a stranger’s day and see Van Gogh paintings on my lunch break.”
As deeply as Drawdy cherishes her love for art and the big city experience, her southern roots may run even deeper. After transitioning from a small town of 800 residents to a city of nearly eight million, she has a newfound perspective on what she wants in the long run. Reflecting on her time in NYC, she says, “I’ve been able to eat all kinds of different foods, see art and artifacts from across the world and across time, and stumble upon places I recognize from movies and TV.” However, no matter how much culinary and cultural variety New York offers, there are some familiar comforts she hopes to return to—specifically authentic grits, good barbecue, and even Georgia humidity. While she may not stay up north forever, Drawdy’s time in the city has only cemented her appreciation for art, culture and the aspects of life in Wayne County that even a dream job at the fourth-largest museum in the world can never replace. |WM
LESLIE DRAWDY
ABOVE Leslie’s first visit to The Met in 2017 where she set her eyes on living in the “Big Apple” with the dream of one day working there.
BELOW Leslie viewing one of The Met’s most iconic paintings, Washington Crossing the Delaware by Emanuel Leutze.
Giving Back ONE PINT at a Time
Jan Arwood’s longstanding passion for giving blood makes a di erence for patients in Jesup
Story by JOHN RIDDLE
Photography by THE COTTAGE EVENTS & PHOTOGRAPHY
Jan Arwood, chairperson of the Red Cross Jesup Community Blood Drive for the last 10 years, holding a certificate recognizing the Jesup community as a member of the American Red Cross Premier Blood Partner Program for a total of 282 units of blood collected in 2023.
PJan has donated 108 pints of blood over the years and has earned her “15
Atragedy in 1986 prompted Jan Arwood to start donating blood. Her cousin, Joan Matthews, was hit by a car in January of that year and was hospitalized for eight and a half months, during which time she required many transfusions. The “Joan Matthews Blood Drive” was then organized by the American Red Cross. Jan remembers the moment she decided to become a blood donor. “I thought, now that’s something I can do to help Joan,” she says. “It became my passion.” Over the years, she has donated 108 pints of blood and has earned her “15 Gallon Pin.”
Jan was content with her role as an individual blood donor until she showed up at a local blood drive one day in March 2014 and there was no one to check her in. After inquiring about the regular volunteer who usually filled that role, she learned that she had developed health issues and was no longer able to assist.
“The Red Cross coordinator, Daniel Hine, told me that he was looking for a civic club to sponsor the drive so one person wouldn’t have to be there all day,” Jan recalls. “That way the responsibilities could be shared among multiple volunteers.” As she had so many years earlier, Jan knew she had to act. “I told him I was a member of the Jesup Shriners Ladies Auxiliary and that I would ask them if they would like to sponsor the drive.”
A few months later, the auxiliary voted to become the sponsor, and in the process appointed Jan to be the chairperson of the Jesup Community Blood Drive. Now held annually, it consists of six blood drives a year, averaging 40 pints of blood donated per drive. That totals 2,400 pints, or 300 gallons, of blood that has been donated under Jan’s leadership over the last 10 years.
Jan starts planning two weeks in advance for each drive by promoting the event through local media and by displaying posters in restaurants and retail outlets. She also calls each volunteer personally to enlist their commitment to working the check-in desk for at least one hour the day of the drives, which are always held on Mondays.
Jan is quick to share the credit with other volunteers. “Dr. Hall of Wolfe Animal Hospital puts out the signs for the blood drive the day before, and Calvary Baptist Church allows us to use their gym. They also advertise the drive in the church bulletins,” she says.
Knowing that her efforts make a real impact on people in
LEFT The Jesup Community Blood Drives are held at Calvary Baptist Church on Mondays six times during the year.
MIDDLE Jan with two volunteers from the Jesup Shrine Club, Jim Overstreet (left) and Bill Harvey (right).
RIGHT Jan with volunteers at the check-in table.
“It
me great satisfaction and pleasure
the Jesup Shrine Club and I have had a small part in saving lives by
the community has kept Jan going for almost 40 years. “It gives me great satisfaction and pleasure knowing the Jesup Shrine Club and I have had a small part in saving lives by providing blood so that hospitals can perform critical surgeries,” Jan says. “And we have such a great group of donors we can count on that just warms my heart!” |WM
Gallon Pin.”
JAN ARWOOD
WE HAVE
•Certified In-house Lab
WE PERFORM
•Digital Radiography
•Spirometry for lung function evaluation
• Electrocardiograms (EKG)
•Echos, Carotids & Ultrasound
• Text for appointments (912) 216-0636
•Accepts most insurance companies
ARTS & CULTURE
EDUCATION OF AN ARTIST
Lyn Alice’s pursuit of excellence shines in her oil paintings, botanical illustrations, and outlook on life.
STORY BY CANDICE MCKINLEY-THOMAS
Photo by MAGNOLIA SOUL PHOTOGRAPHY
flexilis
Sketchbook from
Lyn Alice’s artistic career began at an early age. She used to draw on any surface she could get her hands on, including the walls of her family home. Her mother, Juanita, supporting her creativity, gave then nine-year-old Lyn her own wall, commissioning her to paint it each month, and thus became Lyn’s first art collector. When she graduated from high school and it was time to obtain a college degree, Juanita encouraged her to study the arts.
Thus began a lifelong pursuit of education for the artist. Lyn graduated from the Chicago Academy of Art with a degree in graphic design and illustration. “I loved getting instant feedback from my teachers and peers, and there was a focus on commercial art, so I was getting paid while pursuing my degree,” she remembers. After graduation, Lyn secured a position as a layout artist at Britt’s, a department store in Florida, where she worked closely with an illustrator. This was before the advent of computers, so everything was crafted by hand. Lyn longed to be an illustrator herself. “I wanted to do what she was doing!” she says. Lyn did break into illustration, through her continued learning of the art form which took place while raising her family over the next 20 years. “I got into illustration by painting landscapes and nature scenes of our 100-acre farm in Indiana,” she said. While homeschooling sons Benjamin and Isaac and daughter Nicole, Lyn also taught herself the traditional oil painting techniques of the old masters. This included framing her own canvases and applying gesso,
which involves priming them with lead and rabbit skin glue, a method dating back to the Renaissance. Lyn would learn these techniques while her kids were napping or whenever she could steal precious minutes to dedicate to her art. She painted nature, from landscapes and vegetation to her prized roosters, as well as architectural portraits or the many buildings on or around her family farm. In this way, she captured her memories and developed a name for herself among Chicago art galleries. Lyn found that more and more, she wanted to paint and learn everything she could about botanicals.
Once Lyn’s children were grown, she gave herself the freedom to pursue her passion more fully. Her family sold their farm, and Lyn used a portion of the proceeds to attend the school of the Denver Botanical Gardens in Colorado, where she earned a degree in Botanical Art and Illustration in 2016. “The school brought in world-renowned artists,” Lyn says. “I had two watercolor teachers: one from France and one from the United Kingdom, and between the two, I invented my own technique.” While attending the program, Lyn took up residence in a bed and breakfast in Denver. “God provided,” she says. “The Botanical Gardens had all kinds of plant life and beautiful bonsai trees to sketch and paint.”
After she received her second degree, Lyn’s art career took off. She began and continues to work with major magazine publications and greeting card companies. “There was no stopping me,” she recalls. She illustrates book covers, and
Limber Pine, Pinus
- watercolor.
the Bonsai Garden in Denver’s Botanical Gardens. Licensed for the 2024 Bonsai Garden’s holiday greeting card.
“I got into illustration by painting landscapes and nature scenes of our 100-acre farm in Indiana.”
Monarda Species with bees - watercolor Illustrated and licensed for an article in Fine Gardening comparing cultivars and natural species pollinator response. Included in the shortlist for the World Illustration Awards.
LYN'S ADVICE TO YOUNG ARTISTS
Be the best you can possibly be at what you do. Don’t compromise. On the flipside, perfectionism is not the answer—marketing is. Always give the decision-maker what they want.
also illustrates books, cover to cover. She uses her designs to create textiles used for pillow cases, clothing, fabrics, and more. She also licenses her artwork so it can be used commercially by the global market.
While Lyn was working, she was also traveling. She found herself at a local lake many times and loved it so much, she decided to buy some property nearby where she could design and build a home and studio along with a space for her father, Art, who sadly passed away before construction was completed.
Lyn shows no signs of slowing down. Her curiosity has taken her online, where she’s creating her own clothing and retail products and is in the process of developing her own brand. More recently, she created book illustrations for Medicinal Perennials: To Know and Grow by Dan Jason and Rupert Adams and an illustration featured in the April 2024 issue of Okefenokee Living.
Lyn Alice can be found on Etsy, Spoonflower and LynAlice.com as well as Facebook, LinkedIn, X, and AltPick.
Photo by MISS
Photo
Capturing ‘Hawk’ – Lyn’s Artistic Process from Start to Finish
The best way to get ready to paint is to know your subject well. Only after following this rooster, Hawk, around the farm, doing quick sketches, and taking many photographs could I truly begin. I work with the drawing in my sketchbook until I have the subject where I want him. I use many different lead weights for my pencil sketches. I’m now ready to position my subject matter on the blank canvas I’ve prepared.
1 I pencil in lightly, so it doesn’t distract me if I need to reposition or tweak it. Fortunately, I have four different sources and colors of light, so I can work with or without consistent daylight.
2 Now I use my paint to re-establish positioning of the image, to make sure I have balance. Here I tried to paint contrasting colors as my foundation because I wanted the effect of Hawk bouncing off the canvas. This was a common technique of the Renaissance masters.
3 Filling in the image with my paints, I re-establish positioning of the image and changed the position of the legs. I wanted to stress the details of Hawk’s stance and eye contact, the color, freshness of the feathers, and the liveliness of the windblown tail.
4 I progress in dimensional strength by painting my darkest and lightest areas, beginning each painting session working on the head area and moving into the body. I do this so my paints have a chance to set. When I begin the next morning, I work on that spot without being concerned about smearing the paint.
5 At this point in the process, I start with the head each time I come to the canvas, so you can see this area developing more quickly than the rest of the painting. Working with color in the tail is challenging; I’m trying to achieve both the colors I saw, and those I wanted to express. Colors will often show up in various situations, depending upon the intensity of light and the colors in the surrounding environment. The subject also reflects its own color upon the background. I am always amazed with the glory of colors God has made.
6 Here I am establishing more shadow and light areas, striving to keep the freshness and character of the image. I work on strengthening the legs and feet. The rooster is an impressive figure at this size and needs stability and strength. I am working from several photos that bring out the best of each area and have to be careful my image is not distorted visually. When I check for distortion, I use a mirror to view my painting. It is amazing how an imbalanced composition will show when viewed in this way. I also step back and examine each area carefully.
7 To achieve excellence in my painting, I always try to keep the motion of the paint brush consistent with the form of the subject matter, even in extremely light and dark areas, as well as in places I know will be completely painted over. I’m constantly building the form as I paint layer upon layer.
8 -9 Here the head area and especially my work around the eye develops quite well. The shadow within the neck highlights the texture and depth of the feathers. Around the lower neck I’m striving to achieve that “on-the-alert look” that Hawk always had. I noticed through observation that the red area in the head enlarges and retracts in response to the rooster’s feeling threatened.
10 Here, 41 hours later, is the finished piece. It will cure over a period of four to six months, depending upon the thickness of the paint layers. Once dry, I’ll apply damar varnish mixed with wax using a brush rinsed in turpentine. The varnished painting should be cared for with an even temperature and occasional dusting. With proper care, this one should last as long as the great masters’ works of the Renaissance. |WM
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Apprenticeships
The Answer to Building the Future Workforce
Local company Sierra International Machinery recently took advantage of the Registered Apprenticeship Program by hiring Randall Cribbs, a current welding student. Randall was one of the first registered apprentices placed in a job with a local company when the Apprenticeship Program started. Now, almost a year later, both Randall and Sierra International Machinery are thriving from the partnership.
The Registered Apprenticeship Program is the perfect bridge between education and workforce development. Individuals obtain paid work experience, classroom instruction, and nationally recognized credentials all at the same time. Components of registered apprenticeships include full-time paid employment, work-based learning, part-time classroom instruction, mentorship, and industry-recognized credentials. Both the student apprentice and employer benefit from the relationship. Students develop industry standard skills in real time, while employers are able to train their workers on the equipment to their specifications. Apprenticeship partners receive funding through the High Demand Career Initiatives Program (Senate Bill 379) to offset the costs of hiring an
COASTAL PINES TECHNICAL COLLEGE’S (CPTC) REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM HAS BEEN ON A STEADY INCLINE OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS, WITH MORE THAN 40 LOCAL BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY PARTNERS SIGNING ON AS PARTNERS.
Story by LAURALEE T. BEAUREGARD, CPTC
by NATE CASON, CPTC
apprentice, which helps upskill Georgians and increase skilled talent within Georgia’s high-demand industries like welding.
Damaricus Green, Process Specialist for Sierra International Machinery, says that Sierra has benefitted greatly from the program. “The Coastal Pines Apprenticeship Program has been instrumental in opening doors for us to hire new talent while providing students with valuable opportunities to step into their chosen fields of study,” he explains.
“Since he started with us a year ago, Randall has consistently demonstrated an exemplary work ethic that is rare to find among young adults his age,” he says. “His determination and dedication to his growth have been truly commendable. The Coastal Pines Apprenticeship Program has not only benefited our organization by bringing in talented individuals like Randall but has also contributed to the professional development of these students. We are grateful for the partnership and look forward to continuing their involvement with the program.”
For more information on the Registered Apprenticeship program, visit www.coastalpines.edu.
Photos
WAYNE EMPOWERMENT ASSOCIATION GALA
The Wayne Empowerment Association (WE) held its 2nd Annual “Steppin Out” Gala on Saturday, June 8 at Coastal Pines Technical College. The sold-out event, which had over 150 a endees, is the association’s signature fundraising initiative. Gala hosts were Cordie Daniels and Anthony Garner, owners of Boyd Insurance.
The proceeds from the event helped to underwrite the association’s WE SEE YOUTH Summer Educational Enrichment Program for children ages 7-10 as well as other communitybased empowerment initiatives.
Entertainment included Jacey Falk & M.E. Productions, a live jazz band from Los Angeles; Tieranie Smith, a local spoken word artist; and Kim Ruff-Moore, an esteemed Stellar Award vocalist.
The association invites anyone who has a positive mindset, a belief in the be erment of our local community, and a willingness to work toward unity, equity, justice, diversity, and inclusion in Wayne County to join them. For more information visit wayneempowerment.com.
RHONDA & LINDSAY SCOTT Lindsay Scott, an all-American football great, is the first African American native of Jesup/Wayne County to become a professional athlete. He received the Wayne Empowerment Award in Sports & Athleticism.
DOROTHY & DANNY STEPHENS When Danny Stephens entered 7th grade in the 1965-1966 school year, he became the first student to initiate the integration of Wayne County Public Schools. He received the Thomas Johnson Trailblazer Award in Educational Advancement & Social Justice.
TERRY & JAMES THOMAS James “Boot” Thomas, currently in his 32nd year of public service, is the longest serving county commissioner/elected official in Wayne County. He received the Wayne Empowerment Award in Civic & Governmental Affairs.
DR. DIONE & BRIAN SUPER Dr. Dione Marcus Super is the first African American native of Jesup/Wayne County to become a doctor. She received the Wayne Empowerment Award in Business & Medicine.
Isaiah Houston
Anne Lanier
Teresa McNeal
Karen & John Swingle
Carolyn Wright & Annie Rose Dunbar
Torra & Brian Kelley
Providing tax services to the people of Wayne County
Lindsey Bookhardt, PA-C
Dr. Matthew Lucas
Dr. Michael Sharkey
RYAM GRANTS LUNCHEON
RYAM hosted its first grants luncheon since 2019 on May 31 at the RYAM plant in Jesup. Twenty-nine different organizations were awarded grants this year. Overall, between RYAM foundation grants, employee donations, and various sponsorships, RYAM will donate over $190,000 in 2024 in support of our community.
Shane’s Crib
Hospice of South Georgia
Jay Posze, Kelly Shanklin, Clay Bethea, Ben Chambers of RYAM
Smiley Educational Self-Contained Special Education
Altamaha River & Leisure Svc. Authority Family Connection Partners in Education
Wayne County Protective Agency Action Pact Nutrition Program
Safe Harbor Children’s Advocacy Center
Tabitha’s Place
Wayne County 4-H
The Hanger 912
Wayne County School Technology Dept.
FreeHart Men’s Recovery Center
Exchange Club – Shop with a Cop
Good Samaritan Center
Wayne County Sheriff ’s Dept.
Wayne County Public Library
Big Brothers / Big Sisters
Coastal area C.A.A.- Wayne Headstart & Pre-K
Check and Connect Mentoring Program
Altamaha River Partnership
GENTS&GLAM Camp Grow
Wayne County Field Trip Fund
EXCHANGE CLUB GOLF TOURNAMENT
The Exchange Club of Wayne County held its 24th Annual Golf Tournament on June 1 at Pine Forest Golf Club. Proceeds from the annual tournament benefit local charities and events including the annual "Shop with a Cop" held in December. Exchange Club members love helping children!
Raymond Brown, Shaun O’Quinn, Denny Frazier
Buster Johnson, CareyMartin, Cooper Martin, Mike Phillips
Jamie Jordan, Philip Thomas, CJ Warstler
Mark McGregor, Sandy Gorse, George Stafford, Tony Sutton
Darrell Mosley, Matt Ogden, Zach Sutton, Caleb Mosley
Ken Reddish, Mike Bryson, Alex Reddish, Sean Reddish
Mark White, Tom Smith, Casey Wolfe
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Rental Manager Cynthia Odum has 48 years of experience in Real Estate. She can help with all of your housing needs, whether to rent, buy or sell.
Cynthia Odum, Freddy Swenson, Linda Swenson
WAYNE COUNTY CHAMBER GALA
The Wayne County Chamber of Commerce held its annual gala at Pine Forest Country Club in May. Those a ending enjoyed great food, wonderful entertainment by
Second Chance Band and the opportunity to bid on silent auction items. Proceeds from the event help to support the many programs provided by the Chamber of Commerce.
Kate Davis, Jana Holmes, Victoria Smith
Paul Harrisi, Elizabeth Sexton
Tempie Anderson, Grace Anderson
Michelle Hargrove, Mary Jo Harper, Darlene Archambeault
Webb Ellington, Amy & Eric Denty, Donnie & Ann Ray
Peggy Hickey, Jessica Kramer, Madi Banks, Patricia Brantley, April Banks, Linda Tharpe
Alexis Pearce, Dani Lastinger, Autumn Carter
CHAMBER LEGACY AWARDS
The Wayne County Chamber of Commerce held its annual Legacy Awards in June at The Barn at Live
The event recognizes outstanding individuals and businesses for their contributions and service to the community.
Oak Ranch.
Lindsey Thomas was awarded the Excellence in Agriculture by Mark Watson
Small Business of the Year Award was presented to Emily and Cindy Hughes of My Daughter & Me Boutique by Amanda Hannah
Jacob Weaver presented Keith Duncan with the Business Leader of the Year Award
Shirlene Armstrong received the James Harper Distinguished Service Award from Deena Bennett
Kelly Shanklin presented Morgan Sahle with the Ambassador of the Year Award
PINE FOREST LADIES GOLF ASSOCIATION DESIGNER BAG BINGO
The Pine Forest Ladies Golf Association held its first Designer Bag Bingo on February 23, with a sold-out crowd in a endance. The event gave ladies the opportunity to win fabulous designer handbags while
enjoying the fun and festivities. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Pine Forest Ladies Golf Association Scholarship Fund and the various other projects that the ladies decide to participate in or support.
Nancy Madray, Vi Bennett
Sue Poppell, Steffany Wheeler
Dee Fultz, Angie Brewton, Sondra Grantham
Donna Parson, Jimmie Ann Lamb, Gelene Hensley, Vicki Freeman, Janie Davis, Diane McCrary
Seated: Jimmie Ann Lamb, Donna Sertiech; Standing: Starla Sutton, Diane McCrary, Donna Parson
Kristy Arnold, Linda Fennell, Tiffany Fennell
Robyn Eubanks, Amy Denty
Ruby Coffee, Janie Davis
Kacie Blanton, Erin Poppell, Jennifer Poppell
Rhonda Lewis Martin, Misti Lang, Valerie Martin Beth McCall, Caroline Brockington, Katie Stephens
