Southern Tides December 2017

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all about the water

Merry Christmas! December 2017


Merry Christmas!

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all about the water CREW Publisher/Editor - Amy Thurman amy@southerntidesmagazine.com The Bitter End Columnist - Captain J. Gary "Gator" Hill jgaryhill@gmail.com Around the Reef Columnist - Michelle Riley michelle.riley@noaa.gov Ebb & Flow Columnist - Trey Leggett info@southerntidesmagazine.com Taste of the Tides - Karin Westindorf info@southerntidesmagazine.com Did You Know? - Christine Burns info@southerntidesmagazine.com Contributing Writer - Kristen Deason kdeason@esinc.cc Contributing Writer - Erin Weeks weekse@dnr.sc.gov Social Media Manager - Kyara Mejia kyarajanetmejia@gmail.com

I n the T ides 5

Editor's Note - Wormholes

9

Ebb & Flow - Fall Harvest III

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Community Updates

11 Around the Reef

13 Did You Know? Peppermint Shrimp 13 Taste of the Tides Shrimp Cakes

14 Bringing Back the Dunes Tybee Dune Restoration Project 20 Oyster Pie?

23 Cold Water Boating Safety 25 Barrier Islands Recognized

25 Wildlife Viewing Grants Offered Copyright Š 2015-2017

All content herein is copyright protected and may not be reproduced in whole or part without express written permission. Southern Tides is a free magazine published monthly and can be found at multiple locations from St. Marys, GA, to Beaufort, SC.

27 A Season of Giving

29 What's Going On ...

30 The Bitter End 'Twas ... with a Twist

PO Box 30724 Wilmington Island, GA 31410 (912) 484-3611 info@southerntidesmagazine.com www.issuu.com/SouthernTidesMagazine.com Visit us on Facebook at facebook.com/southern-tides-magazine Follow us on Instagram @ southerntides_mag Follow us on Twitter @ AllAboutTheWater Southern Tides Magazine is printed by Walton Press, Monroe, GA

Subscribe to Southern Tides:

$25 for one year/12 issues. By check: Mail to the address above By credit card: Visit www.squareup.com/store/ southern-tides-magazine.com. Thank you for your support!

Letters to the Editor:

We love hearing from you! Questions, comments, ideas, or whatever you'd like to share, please do! Send your thoughts to any of our email addresses or our mailing address, listed above.

About the Cover:

A bright cluster of "octo-coral" found at Gray's Reef during this summer's Nancy Foster expedition. Scientists are conducting DNA testing to learn more about this species.

Photo by Brianne Varnerin


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tides or water temps or how many redfish to feed four people. Thank you, Trey! Our Taste of the Tides chef-at-large Karin Westendorf is feeding readers as far away as Nevada and always comes up with great recipe ideas that fit whatever’s in season. She also lends a hand when needed with distribution and helps get magazines into readers hands on a regular basis. Thank you, Karin! There’s another group of folks who deserve a huge amount of credit, too. They’re all communications people for various organizations and while issuing press releases for their employers is part of their jobs, each of them goes way beyond their job description in helping me provide you with great content. In alphabetical order, Nancy Butler with GADNR; Melissa Cummings, also with GADNR, Jacob Oblander with Savannah Riverkeeper, Elena Richards, also with Savannah Riverkeeper, Jessica Scott with Jekyll Island Authority, Mike Sullivan with UGA Skidaway Institute of Oceanography, Erin weeks with SCDNR, and Emily Woodward, with UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant. You’ve seen their names over and over again on these pages, but what you don’t see is what they do behind the scenes. These are my go-to people, not only for articles, but also ideas, information, and a plethora of other resources. They each have a thorough understanding of what I look for, what readers might enjoy, and what I need to put an article together. They’ve put up with my after-hours and weekend emails, calls and text messages, they’ve checked my work, they keep me in the loop, and I rely heavily on each of them. I get a lot of kudos about the content of this magazine and a big part of that goes right back to the people mentioned here. There aren’t enough words to express my gratitude. Which leads me to my next point …

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t’s a long one. Grab a hot buttered rum and settle in.

Turning Point

I have a theory, based on experience and conversations with others involved with publishing, that there’s a magical wormhole in the print publication universe. Like most wormholes, there’s no sign over the door telling you you’re about to fall through it, you just look up from the AP Stylebook one day and realize the landscape is different. I believe Southern Tides has fallen through that wormhole. Before the wormhole, I had to explain to most everyone I met just what the magazine was all about. Potential advertisers, people I’d call for information, random people on the street; I was constantly answering the question, “What’s Southern Tides?” But at some point in the past few months, I stopped having to explain. Now I hear, “Oh yeah, great magazine! I loved article about …” And I have to say, that certainly makes it easier to bring up the subject of advertising. Before the wormhole, I had to spend a lot of time and energy each month trying to sell new ads and keep the ads we had. But on this glorious, nearly utopian side of it, advertisers now tell me on a regular basis about the new business they’ve gotten from their ads. I ask for long term commitments and I get them. And the brightest star in this alternate universe? New advertisers call me. That happened twice this month (Welcome, Prop Doctors and SeeWithSandy.com)! Excuse me while I step away for a moment and do a happy dance! OK, I’m back. The third magical aspect of this is not having to worry about content. In the past, I’ve had moments of panic when the weather didn’t cooperate and I couldn’t go on the field trip for that feature I'd planned, and holy crab traps, what am I going to put on those four pages? Not anymore. Now I end up with an abundance of great article ideas each month and have to make tough decisions about what I can fit in the space available. It’s an awesome problem to have! Which leads me to my next point …

Magazine Stuff

We’ve got some cool stuff for you this month! When I was at the SCDNR campus recently, Erin came walking out to meet me with an oven mitt on one hand. At my curious look she told me she was baking an oyster pie. “A what??” I’ve heard of a lot of interesting things to make with oysters, but never a pie. Check it out on page 20. And when you’re finished with your oyster shucking, check out the Notes section of our Facebook page for a list of places to recycle your oyster shells. Also this month, a new contributor, Kristen Deason, brings us news on Tybee’s dune restoration project in Bringing Back the Dunes on page 14. She’s a solid writer and I hope we’ll hear more from her in the future. In the spirit of the holidays, we’ve also offered you a list of ways you can give back with A Season of Giving, on page 27. And if that doesn’t get you in the spirit, flip two pages and check out Captain Gator’s rendition of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas! Which leads me to my final point …

Special Thanks

The first two indicators that we’ve crossed through that magical wormhole are because of all of you who read the magazine every month, share it with friends, and call our advertisers when you need something. Thank you! The third indicator, great content, is due in large part to a few key people and I want to give them a little extra recognition here. First, Captain Gator (or Santa Gator this month), has been missing deadlines for his The Bitter End column since the very first issue, right up until this month when he was actually early [awesome Christmas present!]. He consistently entertains readers with his delightful mix of curmudgeonly humor and sage advice, and even though I tease about his tardiness, I know I can count on him each and every month. Not only for his column, but for any other help I may need, from photos to distribution to “Why is Adobe doing this????” text messages. Gator snacks are headed your way! Next up, Michelle Riley. Her flawlessly written Around the Reef columns and the amazing photos she sends along with them (this is the fourth cover this year!) make my job so much easier! She’s also tremendously helpful in networking, helping me with style issues, and just general guidance. You rock, Michelle! Trey Leggett, family friend and our Southern Tides kayak fishing guru, has the distinction of being early every month with his Ebb & Flow column. His page is consistently the first one I finish each month. And he too is always helpful with random text messages about bait or December 2017

Southern Tides Magazine

Merry Christmas!

From all of us at Southern Tides magazine, we wish you and your loves ones a beautiful and blessed Christmas or Hanukkah and a safe and happy New Year! See you out there in 2018!

Amy Thurman Editor in Chief

amy@southerntidesmagazine.com 5


Community Updates

Doug Haymans Named Director of Coastal Resources Division

Commissioner of the GADNR, Mark Williams has announced the appointment of Doug Haymans to serve as director of the Coastal Resources Division (CRD), succeeding A.G. “Spud” Woodward who is retiring effective January 1, 2018. The Board of Natural Resources will take action to approve Mr. Haymans appointment at its December meeting. Haymans has been with CRD for over 17 years, serving most recently as coordinator for policy, outreach and communications and representing Georgia on the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council. Earlier in his career, he supervised boating/fishing access and habitat development, served as commercial fishing liaison, and coordinated special projects such as the Peach State Reds Initiative. He holds a B.S. in Biology from the University of Georgia and is a graduate of Leadership Glynn and the Institute of Georgia Environmental Leadership. “I am excited to announce Doug Haymans as the next director of the Coastal Resources Division and am confident he will rise to the challenge of protecting our state’s precious resources in this capacity,” said Commissioner Mark Williams. “Doug is a subject matter expert on coastal issues and a tremendous leader which makes him a perfect fit to assume the role of director.” Haymans and his wife of 26 years, Tonia, attend First Baptist Church in Brunswick. He is the proud Doug at his desk at the Coastal father of two children, Jacob and Sarah,. Headquarters office in Brunswick. “I am humbled and excited by the enormity of this opportunity to lead the team of committed Image provided by GADNR professionals that is CRD,” Haymans said. “I have some big shoes to fill following the retirement of current director Spud Woodward. He has served this state with honor and distinction for over 33 years. I hope to lead this division with the same integrity and success that he has exhibited during his career.” Note from the Editor: I'd personally like to wish Spud a relaxing and enjoyable retirement. He's given a lot to our coastal region and I know he's looking forward to doing a little fishing and spending time with his granddaughter. Best wishes, Spud! I'd also like to congratulate Doug in his new leadership role! I've known him for several years and have always admired and respected him immensely. You couldn't hope to meet a more down to earth, friendly, and insightful person. Our coast will continue to thrive under Doug's guidance!

Right Whale Calving Season - Stay Alert!

Mother and calf off the Georgia coast. Image provided by GADNR, NOAA permit #15488

Survey flights for right whales start in December off Georgia and Florida as the bussized mammals return to their only known calving grounds. Yet, while hopes are high, 2017 has been a tough year for one of the world’s most imperiled whales. Sixteen right whales – about 3 percent of the population – were found dead off the coast of Canada and New England, many from human-related causes such as ship strikes and entanglement in commercial fishing gear. DNR and other biologists in the Southeast also are preparing to possibly deal with entangled whales: Five were seen trailing fishing rope this summer in Canada. During the last calving season, only three mother/calf pairs and an adult male were seen . That’s the fewest right whales since surveys began in the 1980s. The count also extended a below-average trend in calving that dates to 2012. The lone bright spot was that although an adult male, nicknamed Ruffian, was entangled in fishing gear, crews managed to free it. The rope and trap/pot removed were confirmed as Canadian snow crab gear, a type also involved in some other lethal and nonlethal entanglements this year.

Slow Down. Save a Life. It’s North Atlantic Right Whale Calving Season. December - March in Georgia Waters.

Photo Courtesy of GADNR, NOAA permit #15488 OneHundredMiles.org/RightWhales


The Burger Boat Petition Online Now

In an effort to demonstrate to elected officials that The Burger Boat has the support of the community, a petition has been launched. You can show your support of this project by visiting the link below and signing the petition. Owned by Savannah resident Steve Martin, the pontoon boat is a fully equipped floating kitchen. When he's able to get the proper licenses and permits, he hopes to serve a great menu to Chatham County boaters while anchoring near summer hangouts and at water-related events. Menu items will include burgers and dogs, pizzas, nachos, and more. The Burger Boat is already serving Beaufort County boaters, after having successfully met the County's health requirements. Hopefully you'll be able to sample for yourself in 2018! To show your support, visit: www.gopetition.com/petitions/ petition-for-burger-boat-food-license-in-chatham-county.html

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Ebb & F low Fall Harvest

Part 3 of 3 - Thou Shalt Not Steal By Trey Leggett

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he eighth Commandment of biblical law is Thou Shalt Not Steal, but I guess sheepshead weren’t informed. If you’ve ever fished for sheepshead you’ve experienced the extreme talent for theft these fish have; they’ll steal your bait right off the hook and you won’t feel a thing. It’s frustrating and monotonous when you reel in your line and there’s nothing but a bare hook. You re-bait your hook, drop it down and it happens all over again. And again,. And again. Let’s get to know these fish a little better and I’ll show you how to turn the odds in your favor by reducing bait theft and increasing the catch. Sheepshead are a medium-sized saltwater fish that can be found inshore and offshore around rocky bottoms, pilings, oyster bars, and jetties. They have wide, dark stripes vertically along the body which gives it the nickname of "convict fish." They feed on bivalves and crustaceans, to include shrimp, barnacles, oysters, and clams. In order to defeat the tough shells of their favorite meals, sheepshead are equipped with large teeth that resemble the teeth of sheep. They also have rows of crushertype teeth behind those. This is where I’ll include a warning: Don’t ever put your fingers in a sheepshead’s mouth! These comical, yet effective teeth are used to nip at their food source and go through any shell material to get at the good stuff. Their nipping action is very powerful, but subtle enough that you barely feel it, if you feel it at all. Some of the larger sheepshead, especially if they’re competing for the same bait, will take the bait whole and make an aggressive charge to get away. Sort of like a snatch and grab tactic. Equipment and techniques to combat these toothy critters needs to be on the medium, to heavy side. Sometimes a shorter rod is key, especially if you catch the convicts under docks from a kayak. A 20- to 30-pound braid with a mono or fluorocarbon December 2017

Southern Tides Magazine

Above, from top: Dean Bowling and Angie Dixon displaying their sheepshead . Photo of Dean by Zachary Schofield, photo of Angie by Justin Harriman. Right: Close-up of those crazy chompers!. Photo by Amy Thurman

leader in the 30-pound range is preferred, due to the strength of these fish and battling with them against oysters, barnacles, dock pilings, and other types of structure. Using a long shank hook and enough weight to hold your presentation steady will get the job done. In an effort to keep the sheepshead honest, I like to lower my bait to the targeted depth and raise my rod tip every few seconds, then if I don’t feel any resistance I’ll lower it back down. If I feel any pull back, I’ll pull straight up and reel as fast as I can. Make sure you have pliers and a landing net. The easiest bait to use is fiddler crabs or shrimp pieces, but oysters, clams, and barnacles will do as well. Folks on our coast typically target sheepshead during the winter months and it can get a bit chilly on the water whether you’re in a kayak or a boat. Dress appropriately in layers so you can take off or put on as much as you need to stay comfortable. Give sheepshead fishing a try; they're fun to catch and make incredible table fare. Stay safe and tight lines.

Trey fishes for Hobie Kayaks, Hobie Polarized Sunglasses, ENGEL Coolers, and SouthEast Adventure Outfitters.

Email: info@southerntidesmagazine.com 9


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A round the Reef

By Katherine Scheuering

Communications Intern Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary

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is the season, and what would be a great gift for a marine scientist? Well, a rover might fit the bill! When diving in Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary, NOAA science divers take the utmost care not to disturb or damage marine life. But sometimes, a diver’s presence can scare off the sea creatures they are trying to observe. Captain Todd Recicar, marine operations coordinator at Gray’s Reef, realized researchers need something that can move, observe and record, like a diver with a GoPro camera, but that will cause less interference to marine life and their habitat. A bottomcrawling remotely operated vehicle (ROV) is a type of rover that can roam the sea floor and capture images that humans often can’t, but many of the ROVs that roll along the ocean floor are heavy and could potentially cause damage to the invertebrates living in Gray’s Reef. Others are designed to “swim” underwater, but strong currents that often occur in the sanctuary make them difficult to navigate. Also, both of those types of ROVs are tethered to a boat directly overhead. Todd wondered about the possibility of a rover that could function wirelessly, allowing researchers to station the boat farther from the research area and reduce human and noise interference. Todd also saw great potential for research with a rover that could stay below the surface for hours, or days. Science divers typically conduct 20- to 40-minute dives during daylight hours, whereas the rover could stay underwater for long-term experiments and observations. Additionally, use of a rover could expand research capacity by allowing divers to work in an entirely different area of the reef while the rover is simultaneously recording data. In its final conception, Todd’s ideal rover would be able to hold tools that record data, such as salinity and temperature, carry receivers for acoustic tracking of tagged animals to increase knowledge of animal abundance and migration, and carry hydrophones for listening to sounds in the reef. About two years ago, Captain Todd began to put his ideas into action. He outlined his vision of an affordable, lightweight, wireless ROV for sustained observation of benthic ecosystems. In other words, an ROV made just for Gray’s Reef. He sent this concept out to designers and inventors across the nation and eight applicants presented their designs to a board of experts. The final selection was a design by inventor Ed Williams, a tech expert, designer and engineer. He has developed a lightweight rover that can be tethered to a buoy at the surface. It can communicate wirelessly to transmit high-definition color video up to a mile away. Underwater, the rover will travel over the sandy floor of Gray’s Reef, avoiding fragile reef organisms such as corals, sponges and tunicates. Researchers can control the rover’s movement, angle and zoom from a boat. Todd hopes to see the new rover in action on April 21, 2018, at the annual Gray’s Reef ROV Competition at the Chatham County Aquatic Center. When the rover is completed, many scientists working at Gray’s Reef will have an important new tool. And that’s a Happy Holiday!

A cad image of the rover. Drawing provided by Ed Williams, Robo Nautica, LLC

The prototype, ready for the testing phase. Photo provided by Ed Williams, Robo Nautica, LLC

For more information, email michelle.riley@noaa.gov The rover can be tethered to a buoy at the surface and transmit data up to a mile. Drawing provided by Ed Williams, Robo Nautica, LLC


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Taste of the Tides

D id Y ou Know?

Shrimp Cakes

Coral reefs need a cleaning crew to stay healthy! Lucky for the corals, peppermint shrimp are happy to do the job. These shrimp get their name from the bright red stripes running down their bodies.

By Amy Thurman Great for a light meal with a side salad, or as a festive party treat! And as always, please get the shrimp from your local seafood market! INGREDIENTS

1 lb wild Georgia shrimp, peeled and deveined ½ cup Italian-seasoned bread crumbs Juice from half a lemon (about a tablespoon) ½ tsp salt 1 tsp garlic powder ½ tsp white pepper 2 tbsp chives, finely chopped (green onions will work) 1 egg, lightly beaten Canola oil (or bacon grease if you’re feeling frisky) Lemon slices

DIRECTIONS

• These two-inch long shrimp scavenge for food along the corals picking up bits and pieces left behind by other animals. This helps keep the corals clean and healthy.

Divide raw shrimp in half. Coarsely chop one half into ¼-inch or smaller pieces. Place the other half in a food processer and pulse until finely shredded. Mix shredded and chopped shrimp with bread crumbs, lemon juice, spices, onion, and egg. Chill for 10 minutes. In a well-seasoned cast iron skillet, heat bacon grease (it's the holidays, live a little!) over medium heat. Shape chilled shrimp mixture into patties and place in hot skillet, but don't crowd. Lightly brown, 3-4 minutes each side. Serve with lemon slices for drizzling or your favorite seafood condiment. (Makes about four hamburger-sized patties.)

• All over the world there are many different species of peppermint shrimp (Lysmata complex). Here in the south Atlantic we have Lysmata wurdemanni. • Like many shrimp species, peppermint shrimp start out their lives as male but transition to a female phase as they grow older. Young male shrimp can choose to switch earlier in their life cycle if there aren’t enough females in the population. • Peppermint shrimp are usually found in the vertical shafts of reefs; they can also sometimes be found inside pipe sponges. • These festively colored shrimp do well in saltwater aquariums, and like in the wild, help keep their environment clean. But do consult an expert for dietary and habitat needs. Data compiled by Christine Burns, University of Georgia Sources included Fishlore.com, LiveAquaria.com, as well as several scientific papers. Photos by Aquarist.me, via Creative Commons

y! o j n E Photo by Amy Thurman

December 2017

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Bringing Back

Tybee Island Dune Restoration

After two major Hurricanes impacted our area in less than one calendar year, public interest in the topic of shoreline protection has increased. One of the best natural defenses against the destructive powers of hurricane force winds and storm surge are the beautiful, delicate sand dunes that naturally exist on our shores. Dunes, such as those on Tybee Island, Georgia, are the coast’s first line of defense against wind and waves, and help to delay inland flooding by absorbing the brunt of these storms. Sand dunes can be easily destroyed by hurricane force winds and storm surge. Destruction of dunes can also occur as a result of human impact such as foot or vehicle traffic. Once damaged, breaches in the dune structure can occur, which can act as channels for

By Kristen Deason

Senior Scientist Environmental Services, Inc.

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the Dunes

More than just adding to the natural beauty of the beach, dunes provide protection from storms, taking the brunt of the damage from hurricane winds and storm surge. Photo provided by Mark Padgett, Tybee Island Task Force

hurricane waters to move inland. In addition to the anthropogenic importance of dunes, they also provide unique habitat for wildlife, including several threatened or endangered species. Tybee Island experienced damage to its sand dunes as a result of hurricanes Matthew in 2016, and Irma in 2017. The Tybee Island Task Force, made up of volunteers appointed by the city, acknowledged these damages and prioritized a dune restoration project with the goal of enhancing specific areas along the beach that were degraded or completely destroyed. Restoring these dunes is the best defense against future storms. The Task Force decided to accomplish this restoration through the typical technique of installing sand fences, in combination with the unique use of marsh wrack, which mimics how dunes naturally form. The combination of sand fences and marsh wrack December 2017

Southern Tides Magazine

helps to trap sand that blows up from the beach. The goal of this project was to not only restore sand dunes, but to also study which form of sand fencing performed best. The Task Force hypothesized that fences with marsh wrack would accumulate sand much faster than fences alone. Three restoration locations were chosen, including a 280foot section south of the North Beach parking lot, a 300-foot section near 2nd Street, and a 140-foot section near 14th Street. A consulting team made up of Environmental Services, Inc. and Terracon Engineering Services, helped to organize baseline monitoring efforts prior to the volunteer events, in addition to the location of each restoration area, and the sand fencing itself. The Tybee Island Task Force, in cooperation with the Department of Public Works, organized two volunteer events, 15


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which took place on September 30 and November 18. Each event drew in nearly 70 volunteers. Volunteers understood the positive impact they were making to help Tybee and were eager to contribute. Noelle Wiehe, a self-proclaimed “Beach Bum” enthusiastically stated: “The beach needed me! So I used my first power tool to help build the Tybee Island dunes back up.” Many volunteers shared Wiehe’s excitement to be able to participate in a project that would directly help our precious beach. Volunteers were able to dig holes for fence posts, cut and stretch sand fencing between the posts, and place marsh wrack against the fences. The marsh wrack used was repurposed after being collected by the Department of Public Works from debris that washed onto Highway 80 from Hurricane Irma. Installing these fences will help trap sand, promote dune grass growth, and in turn restore the dunes. Sand accumulation and vegetative progression will be monitored at all three sites for at least one year. Although no source of grass was planted, natural processes are expected to take over as sand continues to accumulate, which will help to naturally recruit dune grass. In addition, the use of marsh wrack was intended as a source of organic material, so that grasses can 16

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get additional nutrients, which will help to speed up the natural process of sand accumulation. Dune grass is key to the dunes’ long-term stabilization, as the grass roots help to hold each dune together. The fences near North Beach that were installed September 30, were already showing large sand accumulation when observed at the volunteer event on November 18. Not to mention, the fences which contained piles of marsh wrack, already appeared to have more sand accumulation than those that lacked marsh wrack, which is what the Tybee Task Force hypothesized. The project liaison for the Task Force, Mark Padgett, was impressed with the volunteer efforts and is looking forward to seeing how the dunes progress; hopefully towards a fully functional sand dune complex that will not only protect the inland from future storms, but also provide additional habitat for wildlife.

Opporiste Page Top: A section of completed fencing and marsh wrack near 2nd Street, which was installed by volunteers in just a few hours. Bottom: A volunteer attaches fencing to posts. Photos opposite page by Kristen Deason This Page Top: The long rows of angled fencing sections will eventually fill in to create a sizeable dune. Right: Volunteers gathered to install fencing at three locations on Tybee's beaches. Bottom: Marsh wrack was placed at the bases of fence segments (left), and had begun to fill in with sand just weeks later (right). Photos this page provided by Mark Padgett, Tybee Island Task Force

December 2017

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ZACHRY'S - Providing fresh seafood in Glynn County for over 35 years!

1 Harbor Road

Jekyll Island, Georgia


If you don’t see this behind your boat ...

Call us. We’ll come get you! Serving Beaufort, Hilton Head, Savannah and St. Catherines Island

$149

an mem nual bersh

ip

Service provides for ALL recreational boats you own, borrow or charter, anywhere in the world!

• Call your local tower for special signup discounts • Fast, experienced, and reliable service • BoatU.S. 24-hour dispatch services, call: 800-888-4869 • Towing service with ALL the benefits of membership in BoatU.S.

Towing • Soft Ungroundings Jump Starts • Fuel Delivery

For 24/7 Response, Call:

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From our family to yours, may you have a Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year!


Oyster Pie?

By Erin Weeks

Media & Communications Coordinator South Carolina DNR

Yes, oyster pie is a thing. That was the refrain I had to repeat all week after I told colleagues what I was preparing to cook and chronicle for a Coastal Resources blog story. Even among lowcountry natives, the mention of oyster pie elicited furrowed brows – no one had personally tried it, and all seemed mistrustful of the combination of pastry and shellfish. Even though it doesn’t enjoy popularity today, oyster pie has a long history in the annals of American cookery. The very first cookbook published in the United States, a reprint of the British The Compleat Housewife, contained directions “To make an oyster pye,” which included some decidedly unusual ingredients. Sliced sweetbreads, a dozen larks, lumps of bone marrow, and 'lamb-stones' are all suggested as potential additions. Through the oyster-crazed 1800s and into the twentieth century, many Americans continued to cook oyster pie. Variations on the dish are in three older SCDNR publications in my office: the 1991 Recreational Shellfish Guide, the 25th Anniversary Marine Resources Division Cookbook, and the 1981 South Carolina Wildlife Cookbook. Somewhere between a quiche, a casserole, and stuffing, oyster pie is a rich, comforting accompaniment to any cool-season meal. In many families it's a beloved tradition on the Thanksgiving or Christmas menu, in part due to its ability to please even the oysteraverse – the oysters lose their objectionable texture in this pie, and their flavor comes through as a subtle and agreeable brininess. The classic oyster pie recipe is a bare-bones affair, requiring just a handful of standard pantry items in addition to the oysters. That makes this slightly elevated version easy to modify depending on what you have lying around. You could substitute shallots or green onions for the leek, any kind of mushrooms for the shiitakes, as well as any number of cracker varieties for the base. I shucked these oysters (thanks Henry Davega for the bounty) over the weekend and stored them in their own liquid in the coldest part of the fridge until I was ready to cook. If you’re short on time or shucking skills, many seafood markets sell containers of pre-shucked oysters. The verdict on this recipe? It was delicious. The ruling was unanimously positive among nine taste-testers, including several avowed oyster skeptics. The pie plate was polished clean within an hour. Add something special to your next holiday spread and let's bring oyster pie back!

An oyster dish for people who don't like oyster!


INGREDIENTS 2 cups shucked oysters (cut in half if large) in their liquid 1 ½ cups shiitake or baby bella mushrooms 1 leek ¾ cup milk 2 eggs Half stick of butter Several cups crushed crackers (oyster, Ritz, Townhouse; all good choices) Freshly ground pepper to taste Tabasco or hot sauce of choice 9-inch pie pan or small casserole dish DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Strain liquid from oysters and set liquid aside. Rinse oysters thoroughly to remove any grit. Slice and sauté leeks and mushrooms over medium heat in butter until mushrooms start to brown. Mix sautéed leeks and mushrooms with milk, eggs, and 1/2 cup oyster liquid. Grease casserole or pie dish and cover bottom with a layer of crushed crackers. Add a layer of oysters, followed by a layer of leek and mushroom mixture. Add several pats of butter and sprinkle with pepper. Continue to layer crackers, oysters, and liquid. If layers appear dry, add a touch more milk. Top with crushed crackers and pats of butter. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately one hour. Serve with hot sauce.

Top: Aside from the oysters, substitutions are possible for many of the ingredients in this recipe. Top pie dish: The last of the layers before this oyster pie gets a crushed cracker topping and goes into the oven. Bottom pie dish: The completed pie will be bubbling, browned, and slightly puffed up. Right: Flaky, buttery, savory goodness.

All photos these two pages by Erin Weeks, SCDNR

If you have a variation on this, or if you try it this way, let Erin know! WeeksE@dnr.sc.gov


Maritime Metalworks

All of us at Fish Tales & Ft. McAllister Marina wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Mobile Fabrication and Repair Aluminum Dock & Ramp Repair Boat Railings T-Tops Trailer Repairs

Serving the Savannah Area

912-484-5238

Gift Certificates Available!

Fish Tales 727.3473 • Ft. McAllister Marina 727.2632 3203 Ft. McAllister Road • Richmond Hill, GA • SM 605

Hale Marine Services

Your local factory authorized service center for Yamaha, Minn Kota and Power Pole, and we’re proud to carry Versa Dock �loating dock systems.

Call us for all your boating needs!

912-224-8313

2604 Causton Bluff Road

Savannah, GA

D


Cold Water Boating Safety

Surviving the Water

If you can't make it to the boat or get out of the water: • At the first sign of falling, try to clamp a hand over your nose and mouth to minimize the possibility of inhaling water when your reflexes force you to gasp. • Remain calm and push to the surface as quickly as possible and get your head above water. • While you still have some dexterity in your fingers, button or zip your clothing to maintain a barrier so the water closest to your skin will retain your body heat as long as possible. If you’re wearing a hat or hood, pull it as tight. Kick off heavy boots. • Assume the Heat Escape Lessening Posture (HELP). Bring your knees up, clasp your hands together at your chest, and keep your head out of the water. This will allow less heat to escape your core and increase your chance of surviving until help arrives. If this position is too difficult or unstable, cross your calves, bend your knees and pull your legs close to your body. Cross your arms and tuck your hands flat under your armpits. Your life jacket or float coat is imperative in helping you maintain these positions, and in signaling with the attached strobe and whistle.

A

lthough our coastal waterways aren’t as crowded during the winter months, many of us still spend quite a bit of time on the water. Whether you fish, sail, or kayak, or if you work on or around boats or docks, accidents can happen in seconds and you could find yourself in the water. At print time, water temperatures in coastal Georgia and South Carolina are about 65 degrees. In comparison to air temperatures, that may not seem like much, but body heat is lost 25 times faster in cold water than in cold air. Hypothermia begins when your body’s core temperature drops below 95 degrees – which is less than four degrees below normal. When the air temperature and the water temperature equal 100 or less, it’s time to take precautions, especially when boating or working alone. It’s far better to feel a little silly wearing a life jacket or float coat than to slip and fall in the water and not be around later to joke about it. According to the BoatU.S. Foundation website, the body goes through four stages when immersed in cold water: cold shock, swimming failure, hypothermia, and post-rescue collapse. The first two stages can occur within 30 minutes, and 75% of cold-water accident victims don’t live to stage three.

First Aid for Cold Water Immersion and Hypothermia

Get medical help immediately for anyone you suspect might be suffering from hypothermia, but until help arrives you should perform first aid. It’s imperative to keep the victim as still as possible, avoid jostling and rough handling to avoid serious health hazards, including cardiac arrest and stroke.

05

Do:

•Shelter the victim from the elements as much as possible. If that isn’t possible, carefully move him to a sheltered location and position him face up with a blanket or padding beneath him. •If he’s unconscious, check for breathing and a heartbeat and begin CPR if necessary. •If awake, keep him as still as possible. •If you have dry clothes or blankets, remove wet clothes carefully. Wrap the victim in warm dry clothing, towels or blankets and a warm hat. Hot water bottles wrapped in clothe can be used but only on the torso. If you lack any other means of providing warmth, direct body heat will help. Wrap whatever clothing or material you have around both of you. •If he’s awake, you can give him warm, but not hot, liquids. Warm tea with honey or slightly cooled hot chocolate can help since sugar can still be absorbed into the system even if the stomach has shut down.

• Stage 1, Cold Shock – When falling into cold water, you will involuntarily gasp for air as your muscles contract. The initial shock can result in panic, hyperventilating, and in some cases can lead to heart failure. This stage can last three to five minutes. It’s imperative that you try to keep your wits and focus on staying afloat with your head above water.

Don’t:

• Stage 2, Swimming Failure – Within three to thirty minutes you will lose muscle coordination and swimming will become nearly impossible.

•Don’t apply heat to the legs or arms. This forces cold blood to circulate back toward internal organs, which can lower the core body temperature causing “after drop,” which can be fatal. •Do not massage the victim or allow a hot bath. Rough handling and movement can lead to cardiac arrest. •Don’t allow the victim to consume alcohol, which will cause the body to lose more heat.

• Stage 3, Hypothermia – After about 30 minutes, your core body temperature will drop dangerously low. Your body type, size, physical fitness, or clothing are no longer factors. You will likely lose consciousness and your chances of survival are greatly diminished. • Stage 4, Post Rescue Collapse – Just because you’ve gotten out of the water doesn’t mean you’re in the clear. Your body will react to the surrounding air, and blood from your cold extremities can circulate into your body core. Blood pressure will likely drop and heart problems can develop. December 2017

Southern Tides Magazine

Stay Safe! Wear A PFD or Float Coat! Data compiled by Amy Thurman. Sources include BoatU.S. Foundation and various first aid manuals.

23


Delegal Creek Marina

Happy Holidays!

G

L

kims@landings.org (912) 224-3885 www.landingsmarinas.com

Beautiful Location • Open to the Public

Located at mm 601 on the southernmost end of Skidaway Island, Delegal Creek Marina is an ideal stopping point for boats traveling the ICW. Approximately 500 feet of guest dockage (58 slips). Restroom & laundry facilities • fuel • ice • beer & softdrinks • free wifi Courtesy golf cart for trips to nearby restaurants, shopping and grocers. BoatU.S. discount available.

ew s! N nd Dock a Br ing at o l F

ST. MARYS BOAT SERVICES

A P

Full Service Boat Yard 50-ton hoist 50-ton mobile crane Fiberglass Repair • Painting

Do-It-Yourself Welcome!

1084 New Point Peter Road St. Marys, GA 31558

(904)219-2869

info@stmarysboatservices.com

D


!

Georgia Barrier Islands:

Wildlife Viewing Grants Offered

Landscape of Hemispheric Importance

I

n October the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network (WHSRN) Hemispheric Council voted unanimously to approve the designation of the Georgia Barrier Islands as a Landscape of Hemispheric Importance. The Georgia Barrier Islands thus becomes WHSRN’s 100th site. Georgia residents, conservation groups, and elected officials came together recently to celebrate the announcement. U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), said, “This designation as a Landscape of Hemispheric Importance by the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network is another strong endorsement for Georgia’s beautiful coast and will help keep conservation efforts top-of-mind in the area. I congratulate all who have worked to help protect Georgia’s barrier islands and natural habitats.” The Georgia Barrier Islands WHSRN Landscape was designated due to it supporting more than 30% of the biogeographic population of red knots, and the Great Lakes breeding population of piping plovers. The area also holds more than 10% of the biogeographic populations of American oystercatcher, as well as populations of shortbilled dowitcher and black-bellied plover, and one of the largest spring gatherings of whimbrel in North America. The barrier islands hold a variety of important habitats for shorebirds, including beaches and dunes, offshore sand A wading red knot. bars, extensive sand and Photo by Brad Winn, Manomet mud flats exposed at low tide, and extensive salt marsh, which provides critical foraging habitat for shorebirds throughout the year. The Georgia Shorebird Alliance (GSA), a collaborative group of biologists, land managers, and organizations devoted to the protection of Georgia’s shorebirds, submitted the nomination. “Our coast is unlike any other place on earth,” said Megan Desrosiers, CEO of One Hundred Miles, the Georgia nonprofit organization that shepherded the nomination. “Today’s announcement confirms to the rest of the world what we in Georgia already know: our 100 miles are a wonder of the world – worthy of our pride and deserving of our protection. It is an honor to work with the land owners, governments, and agencies involved in the conservation of our world’s most special habitats.”

W

anted: Projects that can use a hand helping Georgians enjoy and better understand animals, plants and habitats in their local communities. The GADNR has revived its Wildlife Viewing Grants program and is seeking unique proposals that promote wildlife viewing. Private, public and nonprofit organizations, including local governments, are invited to apply. The deadline is February 1, 2018. These small grants, capped at $3,000 per project, are made possible by the Georgia Natural Resources Foundation and Georgia’s Nongame Wildlife Conservation Fund. The program helps provide viewing opportunities that increase public awareness and appreciation of nongame wildlife (species not fished for or hunted), rare native plant species and natural habitats. The emphasis is on species rated conservation priorities in the State Wildlife Action Plan, a strategy to conserve native species, and habitats they need, before these animals, plants and places become rarer and costly to conserve or restore. The program was sidelined in 2009 by recession-era cutbacks. This restart is powered by a $4,500 Natural Resources Foundation grant and $11,500 from the Nongame Wildlife Fund. While the current focus is on viewing opportunities, the hope is to include the original program’s educational component later. Previous grants helped make possible projects such as the marshwildlife viewing platform at Jekyll Island’s visitor center. Proposals can include facilities, improvements and other initiatives that provide opportunities for the public to observe nongame wildlife, native plants and natural habitats.

Wildlife Viewing Grants at a Glance • Project proposals should provide public opportunities to observe nongame wildlife, plant species and natural habitats, with an emphasis on those considered conservation priorities in Georgia’s State Wildlife Action Plan (www.georgiawildlife.com/ WildlifeActionPlan). • Deadline to apply: February 1, 2018 • Grants are limited to $3,000 each. Funding is provided by Georgia’s Nongame Wildlife Conservation Fund and the Georgia Natural Resources Foundation. • Visit: www.georgiawildlife.com/WildlifeViewingGrants

For more, visit: www.onehundredmiles.org/shorebirds/ December 2017

Southern Tides Magazine

Teenagers enjoying the outdoors while birdwatching. Photo by Rick Lavender, GADNR

25


For all your

MAINTENANCE & REPAIR needs, visit 2823 RIVER DRIVE in

Historic Thunderbolt

Keeping you headed in the right direction!

912-777-4139

maricomnavigation@comcast.net

ALIGAITOR

Billy - 912-844-1804 Justin - 912-660-3763 billygartside@yahoo.com

MARINE WORKS

912-441-1750 gaitortail@coastalnow.net

Custom Metal Fabrication James Gartside

912-631-4104

j.gartside@comcast.net

D


A Season of Giving "Make a career of humanity … It will enrich your spirit as nothing else possibly can. It will give you that rare sense of nobility that can only spring from love and selflessly helping your fellow man. You will make a greater person of yourself, a greater nation of your country, and a finer world to live in." ~ Martin Luther King, Jr., 1929 - 1968, Baptist Minister and Civil Rights Leader

This holiday season, consider going beyond material gifts. Volunteering your time to a cause dear to your heart is a rewarding experience. If you simply can't fit it into your schedule, a gift of money will help fund the orgazinations on this page in their efforts to make our world a better place. If you're struggling with what to give that hard-to-shop-for person on your list, consider a membership, pledge, or "adoption" in their name.

Animals

Knowledge

~ Anatole France, 1844 - 1924, French poet, journalist and novelist

~ Albert Einstein, 1879 - 1955, German-born physicist

“Education is not the learning of facts, but the training of the mind to think.”

"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened."

These organizations strive to educate our communities about our amazing coastal region.

Nothing evokes the warm-and-fuzzies quite like animals, both the pets who are members of our families, and the wild creatures that inhabit our coast (and beyond). Consider volunteering, donating or adopting!

Georgia Sea Grant - georgiaseagrant.org LowCountry Institute - lowcountryinstitute.org Port Royal Sound Foundation - portroyalsoundfoundation.org South Carolina Sea Grant - scseagrant.org Tybee Island Marine Science Center - tybeemarinescience.org UGA Marine Extension & Georgia Sea Grant - marex.uga.edu

Pet Rescue: Coastal Pet Rescue - coastalpetrescue.org Humane Society - humanesocietysav.org One Love Animal Rescue - oneloveanimalrescue.com Wildlife: Coastal Conservation Association - ccasouthcarolina.org or ccaga.org Georgia Sea Turtle Center - georgiaseaturtlecenter.org Oatland Island Wildlife Center - oatlandisland.org The Dolphin Project - thedolphinproject.org Adopt-A-Primate - bornfreeusa.org/primate

Nature

People

We live in the most beautiful place on earth. Our marshes and waterways are among the last remaining pristine areas of our nation’s coast, largely due to groups like this who work hard to protect it.

" There is pleasure in the pathless woods, there is rapture in the lonely shore, there is society where none intrudes, by the deep sea, and music in its roar; I love not Man the less, but Nature more." ~ Lord Byron, 1788 - 1824, English poet and politician

"What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others and the world remains and is immortal."

~ Albert Pike, 1809 - 1891, American writer, attorney, soldier, and Freemason

Altamaha Riverkeeper - altamahariverkeeper.org Clean Coast - cleancoast.org Georgia Natural Resources Foundation - gnrf.org Gray’s Reef Nat’l Marine Sanctuary Foundation - graysreefnmsf.org Ogeechee Riverkeeper - ogeecheeriverkeeper.org One Hundred Miles - onehundredmiles.org Ossabaw Island Foundation - ossabawisland.net Satilla Riverkeeper - satillariverkeeper.org Savannah Riverkeeper - savannahriverkeeper.org St. Mary’s Riverkeeper - stmarysriverkeeper.org Tybee Clean Beach Volunteers - tybeecleanbeach.simpl.com

If you’d rather help out your fellow man, consider one of these organizations. Abilities Unlimited, Inc. - facebook.com/AbilitiesUnlimitedInc American Red Cross - redcross.org CASA - casaforchildren.org Disabled American Vets - dav.org Fishin’ For Jamie - facebook.com/Fishin-For-Jamie Old Savannah City Mission - oscm.org Second Harvest Food Bank - nwpafoodbank.org Southeastern Guide Dogs - savannahpuppyraisers@gmail.com Want to help a Vet? Here's a great list of more options: militarybenefits.info/how-to-help-veterans-during-the-holidays/ December 2017

Southern Tides Magazine

27


Safe Harbor

Rigging Services, LLC Proudly Serving Southeast Georgia and Northeast Florida CIRCA 1870

s e s i u r C Sunset Cruises Dolphin

G OODBREA D HOUSE

BED & BREAKFAST INN Four andard gue r ms & two suites, all wi large private ba r ms. ay wi us and visit Cumberland Island and hi oric . Marys! Pet friendly. Dietary needs met.

Call for special Southern Tides Rates!

(912) 882-7490

www.g dbreadhouse.com info@g dbreadhouse.com 209 Osborne . . Marys, GA

Tell Tale Charters

912.510.6219

www.telltalecharters.com

info@safeharborriggingservices.com www.safeharborriggingservices.com

843.295.8735 info@telltalecharters.com

John S. Ramsey, Owner

Departs from Pickney Island Landing

Authorized

Dealer

IMAGE BY KAREN CARR

Captain Tripp Lang’s Charters

Coastal Expeditions Captain Eric Moody Jekyll Island, Georgia

We can’t give you this ... Inshore Fishing & Sightseeing Cruises 912-674-1085 or 912-674-0838

www.FishSaintMarys.com

But we can help you find this! G & W EXCURSIONS Call Captain Gator! 912 604 1587

Fishing Charters Dolphin Tours Sightseeing Trips

912.270.3526

www.coastalcharterfishing.com

D


What’s Going On ... On-Going Now - January 7 3rd Annual Holiday Market One Hundred Miles All day, everyday, online www.onehundredmiles.org/holidaymarket Shop local and give local at this one-of-a-kind online holiday marketplace. Locally made gifts including art, home goods, stocking stuffers and more! kelly@onehundredmiles.org (912) 264-4111

Announcement The St. Marys Convention and Visitor's Bureau and the National Park Service (NPS) are pleased to report that the Cumberland Island Ferry is up and running! After severe and long-term damage was sustained at the St. Marys Waterfront and to the NPS St. Marys dock during Hurricane Irma, the Cumberland Island Ferry has reopened, but will be using a city dock. Hurricane repairs were completed in mid-November at the Gateway Property Dock to allow for ferry passenger loading, including meeting ADA requirements as required by the National Park Service guidelines. There is a new check-in process for ferry passengers due to the change in boarding location, but the City of St. Marys and the NPS are working to post information for travelers to aid in understanding the change. Although this is a temporary solution, it will be in place for approximately a year, which is the estimated timeline for the repairs to the NPS St. Marys dock. The NPS has launched a new “Be Ready” web page that covers the changes to procedures and even has a quick video outlining the check-in process. Visit www.nps.gov/cuis/planyourvisit/be-ready.htm

December 15 - 17 Miracle at the North Pole St. Marys Little Theatre Friday and Saturday 7 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m. Theatre by the Trax, 1000 Osborne St., St. Marys A small boy brings new life to misfit and forgotten toys in Santa's Workshop. Written and directed by Barbara Ryan. our.show/miracleatnorthpole.com (912) 729-1103 16 Wilmington Island Christmas Market Wilmington Island Farmer's Market Saturday 4 - 8 p.m. Islands High School, Wilmington Island Food vendors, artisans, gift wrapping, live music & carrolling, kids story time, Kids Club Christmas, family yoga, and much more! Our final event of 2017. wifarmersmarket@aol.com or www.wifarmersmarket.org 16 Jekyll Island's Holly Jolly Jekyll Parade Jekyll Island Authority Saturday 5:30 - 7 p.m. Great Dunes Park and Beach Village, Jekyll Island Santa has his sleigh and Jekyll Island has golf carts! Join in the fun where golf carts don their Christmas best and jingle all the way to Beach Village! (912) 635-3636

Happy New Year!

January

Have big plans for New Year's Eve? Share them with us on socal media!

13 - 14 2nd Annual Choosing to Lead Conference One Hundred Miles Saturday 8 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m. - noon Jekyll Island Convention Center Interactive workshops, training, advocacy, exhibitors, and a field trip! Guest speakers include authors Dr. Wallace "J" Nichols, and Dr. J. Drew Lanham. www.onehundredmiles.org/choosingtolead (912) 264-4111

Facebook.com/southern-tides-magazine Instagram @ southerntides_mag Twitter @ AllAboutTheWater

20 Roast on the River Savannah Riverkeeper Saturday 6 p.m. Hogans Marina, Wilmington Island Oysters, lowcountry boil, beer and wine. VIP tickets include a boat ride, open bar and appetizers. Get in on the cornhole tournament too! jacob@savannahriverkeeper.org (706) 826-8991

We won't crash your party! (or maybe we will ...)

December 2017

Southern Tides Magazine

29


T he Bitter End 'Twas ... with a Twist By Captain J. Gary “Gator” Hill

‘Twas the night before Christmas in the Marshes of Glynn, Not a creature was stirring not even a marsh hen; The stockings were hung by the docks with care, In hopes that St. Gator soon would be there; The children were nestled all snug in the boat, Dreaming of gifts that were sent in a note; And mama in her 'kerchief, me in my watch cap, Had just settled in for a long winter’s nap; When out on the dock there arose such a clatter, I sprang from my berth to see what was the matter; Away to the porthole I flew like a flash Twisted the fasteners and threw open the hatch; The moon shining down casts a glow far and wide Lighting up the marsh on a full flood tide; When I saw a sight that you just don’t see often, A fat man in a jon boat being pulled by eight dolphin;

Santa Gator with the groom before he married the happy couple! Photo by provided by J. Gary Hill. many Cantatas offered by various churches in the area. Be bold and consider getting the family together to volunteer and help serve meals for the less fortunate – not just the adults, but the children as well. What better way to teach them kindness and compassion that are so lacking in today’s world. If asked to do something special for someone, don't discount it just because it may seem crazy or unusual. Last year I had the pleasure of performing a wedding ceremony for some dear friends on Christmas Eve. What’s odd about that? Not much other than they wanted me to wear a full Santa Clause outfit. While some might think a wedding should be a bit more solemn, it was important to them. So, they were married by Santa Gator. In closing, my prayers and wishes for all of you is a year filled with peace and love. Let’s all be thankful for what we have instead of brooding over things we don't. Hearken back to simpler days when we were just children ourselves, and approach Christmas from that aspect. Merry Christmas!

I

'm sure most of you recognize this Gator-rendition of Clement Clarke Moore's classic, A Visit From St. Nicholas, or as many of us think of it, "’Twas the Night Before Christmas." As I sit typing this, just a few days before Turkey Day, I've just returned from the mountains of Virginia visiting family and friends. With the last two decades spent mostly away from my family during the holidays, and with me getting older (and hopefully wiser), I've become a bit more reflective and sensitive to the fact we are only alloted so much time on this blue marble called Earth. So the time I enjoyed while home was more precious than ever. We smoked turkeys, had an early Thanksgiving, shared memories, and all-in-all had an awesome time! On occasion I’ll look to Amy for guidance with this column, and her response this month was, "Think festive!" (Amy this is your Christmas present: me being on time with an article!) But I also thought I’d offer a Christmas wish for all of you: May your holidays be filled with the music of love, may you gather close those who mean the most to you, but also give some thought to those who may have dropped off the radar. Let’s all find some time to reach back out to those who may not be in our daily lives, but who still dwell within our hearts and memories. For those of you with younger ones at home, go the extra mile. I know that during this time of the year we’re often at our wit’s end trying to make things happen, and money always seems to be shorter than we’d like. But Christmas isn't about what we can buy, it's about love. Think outside the box a bit and listen to the little things the special folks in your life are saying. Maybe plan to go Christmas caroling, or to one of the

Until next time, stay safe, be blessed, and I'll see y'all on the water!

Bonus Verse:

In his red foul weather gear he was lively and quick,

I knew in a moment he must be St. Nick. His dolphins they leaped, ready for the game, And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name: "Now, Snapper! now, Seabass! now Flounder and Spot! On, Sheepshead! on, Weakfish! On, Tarpon and Trout! To the top of the dock! To the top of the sea wall! Now dash away! dash away! Dash away all!"

Email: jgaryhill@gmail.com 30

Southern Tides Magazine

December 2017


6349 Abercorn St., Savannah, GA 912.352.1222

ND MODENA ISLA t luxury home was rede-

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6 Modena Island Drive

VERNONBURG

1.5 acres Perfect home situated on p water dee and sh mar ul utif with bea on the e suit ter views. Amazing mas bath and s riou luxu with r floo n mai floor plan huge closet. Very open t room, featuring living room, grea t area kfas brea m, roo ing office, din ul hardand fantastic kitchen. Beautif rs. Lovely wood and porcelain floo 9,500 $69 . love in fall patio. You will

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This exclusive waterfron and is located signed and increased in size in 2015 hing Savanmatc in a gated community. From the isite, gourmet nah Grey Brick fireplaces to the exqu under 6800 . Just kitchen, no upgrade was forgotten Guest quarall. square feet allows private space for lly to a pool, stica ters on the first floor open maje s. The master view fire pit and expansive waterfront floor and just suite with two closets is on the main 2 BAs and 3 BRs, one floor up is a media room, ts a view. Enteran office. Almost every room boas ks by the pool. drin have or flair al form with tain 00 $2,150,0

110 Robin Road

49 Tidewater Road

ISLE OF HOPE

of Hope. New construction on Isle desirable in lot ner cor a Located on ce and pla fire h area. Great room wit master o Tw . lves she k boo built in Third up. one and n suites, one dow room upus bon e hug and m roo bed ws access stairs. Jack-n-Jill bath allo side porch and privacy for all. Lovely on the fanoff of the kitchen. Swing watch the and ch tastic front por 0 9,00 $47 by. go ld wor

HERB RIVER BEND

room and 5 bedrooms plus a bonus brick home g nin stun s Thi hs. bat 5.5 munity has in sought-after gated com backyard lush est larg it all, from the hs for each in the area to private bat all the upbedroom. Kitchen has and butler’s t wan ld cou grades you g a breeze. inin erta ent pantry makes first floor. Luxurious master on the 0 9,00 $74

112 Caroline’s Retreat

Lyn McCuen 912.224.0927

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AD Live on the nicest street in Buckhead. 3 Bedrooms plus a bonus room with bath that could be a 4th bedroom. Split plan with 3 bedroo ms downstairs. Renovated kitchen with granite counters, huge sink, und er counter lighting and breakfast are a. Spacious master bedroom with trey ceiling and patio access. Lovely dec gazebo overlooking priv k with ate back yard. $332,700 SOUTHBRIDGE

Nestled at the head of a lagoon on one of the most popular streets in Southbridge. Immaculate 3 bedrooms plus a bonus room or 4th bedroom, 3 baths. Fantastic open floor plan with all bedrooms on the main floor and bonus room with bath upstairs. Wonderful outdoor space with deck, patio & firepit overlooking the lagoon. Enjoy all of the amazing ame nities Southbridge has to offer. $396,00 0

BURNSIDE ISL AND

214 McLaughlin Court

220 Mallard Loop

Buildable deep water lot with a dock and floating dock. Alm ost half an acre. Stunning views of the Intracoastal Waterway. Cleare d and ready for your contractor. Bring your boat. $475,000

BURNSIDE ISLAND

Located on a deepwater canal with fantastic covered dock in a great area. Perfect for multi-g enerational living. 2 BR, 2 BA on gro und floor with efficiency kitchen , playroom and living room. Separa te 1 BR, 1 BA apartment. Main livi ng area has 4 BR and 2 BA, soaring pin e ceilings, and hardwood flooring . Huge great room, dining room, ver y open floor plan. $585,000

101 Melinda Circle

35 Hardee Drive


CAS-SR: BH GA: AZ

Chris

Jim

Schedule your Sea-Trial Today... And See Why Are e the Best Riding Center Consoles in the Industry!

320 CC

25,000

$

236CC

on Select 2017 Models

270CC

325DC

TWO LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU

70 Sea Island Pkwy Beaufort, SC 843.522.9461

Save Up to

3590 Savannah Hwy Charleston, SC

(at the corner of Savannah Hwy & Main Rd)

843.576.2233


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