Southern Tides July 2022

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July 2022 Southern T ides all about the water

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Contributors Tyler Jones GADNR Coastal Resources Division all about the water Issue No. 83 July 2022 In the Tides 5July 2022 Southern Tides Magazine

Photo provided by Caretta Research Project 7 Editor's Note 9 Fishing with Captain Jay 11 Hale and Boating Safety 13 Artificial Reef Update 15 Taste of the Tides 16 Fire on St. Catherines 20 It's Hatchling Time! 23 Summer Fun Ideas 24 Lightning Safety - READ! 26 Did You Know? 27 Heat Safety 28 New Shellfish Area 30 The Bitter End

Caretta Research Project has openings. Visit: Seeexperience.www.carettaresearchproject.org/crp-moreabouthatchlingsonpages20&

Editor:

Southern Tides Magazine is printed by Walton Press, Monroe, Ga. Subscribe to Southern Tides: VisitThank$35southern-tides-magazinewww.squareup.com/store/foroneyear/12issues.youforyoursupport!

Cranford

Assistant Neva Parsons neva@southerntidesmagazine.com

CREW Publisher/Editor Amy Thurman amy@southerntidesmagazine.com

Want

Fishing with Jay gacharterfishing@gmail.com

Letters to the 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 listed above.

About the Cover: tiny hatchling heads out into the world. to help with hatchlings on Wassaw?

All content herein is copyright protected and may not be reproduced in whole or part without express written permission.

Hill

Copyright © 2015-2022

Editor

Consulting Naturalist John "Crawfish" Crawford crawfish@uga.edu

Columnist Captain

Riverkeeper Report

Captain Jay Captain

The Bitter End J. Gary "Gator" theoriginalcaptaingator@gmail.com

A

Southern Tides is a free magazine, published monthly, and can be found at multiple locations from St. Marys, Ga., to Beaufort, S.C. (912) info@southerntidesmagazine.com484-3611 www.issuu.com/SouthernTidesMagazine.comwww.SouthernTidesMagazine.comVisitusonsocialmedia:Facebook.com/southern-tides-magazine

The Meaghan Gerard meaghan@ogeecheeriverkeeper.org

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fter nearly seven years of publishing this magazine every month, it still never ceases to amaze me how each issue comesThistogether.monthis an excellent example. I’d been invited along on a fishing trip with my long-time friend Captain Judy as part of a Sea Grant program to share information with the public about best fishing practices, such as using descender devices, best hooks, and other tips. In talking with many of you who read Southern Tides, these “in the field” stories are the articles you like best, and I was looking forward to finally being able to write one. Not to mention just getting a day out However, I got a text message at 5:00 a.m. the morning of, stating that the trip was canceled due to storms offshore. Talk about crushed! Not only was I not going to get to go fishing, which I’d been looking forward to for over a month, but just a few days before my content deadline I was suddenly without a feature article, and one I’d been looking forward to Yes, I’m always aware that weather impacts so much of what we all do and yes, I should have planned another feature in case the trip fell through, but that’s so hard to do these days. I have half a dozen other features I’ve been trying to schedule, but for various reasons outside my control, they haven't come through yet. So it was time to juggle. I had multiple shorter articles lined up. How could I make them stretch? What else could Gabby, the daughter of my friends Mark and Pam Davis, turned 10 recently and I got her a small aquarium kit for her birthday. We talked about what she could put in it and I suggested a native species tank, starting with a striped burrfish. I used to have one and these little fish have such big personalities! In looking for info about them for Gabby, it occurred to me that I could run a “Did You Know?” piece about these little spiky creatures. There's another page! The night before the fishing trip that didn’t happen, I borrowed the guest room of my friend Eddie Boykin, since he lives a few doors down from Miss Judy, and we cooked dinner together. He showed me how to cook mahi on the grill and keep it from sticking. Not only did I learn something useful, but the fish was delicious, so there was my recipe for the month. Thanks, Eddie! I don’t typically cover local happenings that are wellcovered in the media, like the Golden Ray shipwreck, as I assume you’ve all heard all you care to hear about it already by the time the magazine comes out each month. But I made an exception this month with the wildfires on St. Catherine’s island. In part because it’s in my neck of the woods – the north end of the island is about six miles, as the crow flies, from my house – and in part because I realized that many

Amy Thurman

Editor in Chief amy@southerntidesmagazine.com

ditor’s Note

7July 2022 Southern Tides Magazine

coastal residents aren’t that familiar with the island. But I was also out of time so I asked Neva, our assistant editor, to take on the task. She did a wonderful job, as usual, and I learned a few things. There’s our feature! Earlier in the month, Bryan Fluech, with UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, sent out information about heat safety, to remind those of us on his mailing list to be careful during the extreme temps we’ve experienced recently.Heat safety? There’s a part of me that still feels like the immortal young person I was a few decades ago, and I really don’t stop to think that just being outside, doing what I always do, could actually hurt me. As I read what Bryan sent out, I wondered how many others are like me, complaining about the heat but not thinking about the dangers. Better run this. Then, sitting at my desk a few days later during yet another afternoon thunderstorm, lightning struck nearby, startling me and my animals. My first thought, after what happened on St. Catherines, was to hope it didn’t start a fire. I was laying out the heat safety page at the time and wondered if maybe a lightning safety page might be in order too. When I researched the subject, I realized there was a great deal I didn’t know about lightning. While I vaguely remember learning about it in science class as a kid, I haven’t given it much thought as an adult, and I was surprised to learn that some of my assumptions were false. I thought if I just stayed out of puddles and didn’t touch anything metal I was safe. Not so! The issue came together, finally. I hope you enjoy the range of topics this month, and learn something interesting in the process. If you have ideas for feature articles, please reach out and share them with me. While things do always seem to come together each issue, it’s always good to have ideas in the bank! Especially if they involve fishing or boat rides! See you out there!

Screenshot of the lightning app on my phone, one afternoon recently. My house is the blue dot. Red dots are lightning detected within past 30 minutes.

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Finding a location where there's an abundance of one or more of these favored foods is a good approach to finding redfish. It could be inshore, near shore and even offshore. Start by locating what bait is active in your area and figure out where they are concentrated. For example, if shrimp are abundant where you fish, identify the structures where they spend most of their time and fish that area hard. Redfish are probably there looking to feed. Also, it's not uncommon to see mullet jumping in creek mouths and that's a great sign that inshore fish, especially redfish, will be in the area looking to ambush their prey. Inshore, locate the oyster beds in your area and any underwater terrain with a good a shrimp and crab population. Surprisingly, redfish (especially the big reds) love blue crab. We often catch overslot reds by using fresh crab: breaking them in half, removing the claws and fishing on the bottom in 20 to 25 feet of water on the edge of a channel. Redfish, especially the smaller slot sizes, feed aggressively on most crustaceans.

Where to look for Reds

www.coastalgafishing.comCranford

Captain Jay has over 20 years experience fishing the Georgia coast. He's passionate about fishing and enjoys sharing his knowledge and experience with you! gacharterfishing@gmail.com • www.coastalgafishing.com/

9July 2022 Southern Tides Magazine

By Captain Jay

Fishing with Captain Jay R ed drum (Sciaenops ocellatus channel bass, puppy drum and spotted bass are mainly found in shallow water. They're easily recognized by the large spot or spots on their body, usually closer to the tail. There's an old saying that the number of spots on a redfish is how many times the fish has escaped a dolphin. (Old timers do tend to have a lot of fish stories and memorable sayings.) Sometimes you will notice redfish with blue tails. That is due to their diet: the blue-green algae that comes from crabs and snails and other crustaceans they feed on.

Fishing inshore for reds in Georgia is popular and they're often caught in creeks and near sandbars, and if you see one redfish, odds are good there's a school nearby. Depending on the size, be prepared for a good fight! An over-slot red (over 23 inches) will offer a challenge, especially on light tackle. The big females will give you a memorable fight that’ll get your adrenaline going! Redfish are a blast to catch, and doing a little research and homework will reward you and help you make the most of your red fishing experiences. Redfish diet As usual, if you find the bait, you will usually find the fish. This is a widely known rule that you can rely on to locate most any fish successfully. In finding your target fish’s favorite seasonal food and prey, you also increase your chances of finding that fish. Redfish are predatory and feed on a wide range of marine life. Shrimp, whiting, ladyfish, mullet, menhaden, sheepshead, pinfish, sardines, squid, crabs, oysters, and more, are all part of the redfish diet.

Most juvenile slot reds stay primarily inshore but once they reach

The Redfish Bite

and spawn. Look for Reds to be in large schools near inlets with good current. They feel more comfortable there knowing their eggs will be dispersed in an area that is less susceptible to predators. There are quite a few redfish to be caught once you learn when and where to find them. We have found they are excellent on the dinner table regardless of size. As always, go out to learn and have fun, ensure all of your safety gear and licenses are up to date. Don't wish ... let's go fish!

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Motoring out and anchoring off the beaches of barrier islands has been a long-stranding tradition in coastal Georgia as far back as anyone can remember. Hale Marine even hosts an annual beach bash for customers and friends. Whether you're enjoying time on the water like this, fishing, or doing your own thing, taking time to learn to do so safely is paramount.

Hale Contributes to Boater Safety

A fter multiple boating fatalities occurred recently, Robert and Tim Hale, of Hale Marine Services, Inc., wanted to do something that could help prevent future accidents and potentially make the water safer for all. After doing a little research and reaching out to various organizations, they decided to make a donation to the Tybee Light Sail and Power Squadron (TLSPS) for the purpose of funding boater education courses. Mechanic Tim Hale started the business in 2005, working on outboard motors. In 2010, his brother Robert came aboard to run the business side of things and they leased space on Causton Bluff, just off President Street. A small one-room trailer served as their office, they shared part of a large garage with Dennis Pierce, of Diesel or Gas, and stored tools and spare parts in several small sheds on the property. In March 2018, they moved into new office space on the same property and have continued to thrive, with both service and sales, ever since. Being an active part of the community they call home is important to the Hales. "Ensuring that our customers enjoy their boating experience is our primary goal. There are many factors that make up this experience, but safe boat handling and practices are the first steps. With the wide variety of classes available from the Power Squadron, people can use this donation as a way to become better boaters, whether they’re brand new or seasoned sailors. We’re very lucky to have an organization like TLSPS in our area that can provide theseManyclasses."locals grew up running boats in our waters; maneuvering a vessel in strong currents and extreme tidal ranges comes almost second nature to them. But for those new to boating, or coming to the area from lakes or even other coastal areas lacking our strong currents, it can be challenging. TLSPS, local chapter of the U.S. Power Squadron/America’s Boating Club, has been active locally since 1957 and has been teaching boater safety and education classes for years. With Savannah's range of water traffic, from 190,000-ton container ships to kayakers and every-sized vessel in between, knowledge of boating's 'rules of the road' is essential for a safe outing. Carl Ericsson, chief education officer for the Power Squadron, said, "Some of our new members come from lake boating. Our aim is to educate them on the unique waters of Savannah. They need to be aware of the tide changes, currents and where shoals and oyster beds lie. So we educate them on the rules of traveling the Intracoastal Waterway, avoiding oncoming and passing other boats, and the many twists and turns of our section of the Georgia coast."

Image provided by Hale Marine Services, Inc.

Dennis Cusanelli, long time instructor for TLSPS and assistant district education officer, added, "A better educated boater is a safer boater. Every time we graduate another class of students from America's Boating Course, we take pride in knowing these boaters have given their time to become more educated and confident. Their knowledge cannot just help them, but everyone who boats withExamplesthem."

11July 2022 Southern Tides Magazine

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“The Sport Fish Restoration program is an important funding mechanism for conservation efforts, not just in Georgia, but across the country,” Brinton said. “These are federal dollars that come to Georgia partially based on the number of fishing licenses sold here. Funds are raised through a federal excise tax on certain fishing equipment and a portion of small engine and boat fuel tax and passed to Georgia by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.”

The new pilings at the Stafford Island reef were deployed in an interlacing pattern that will provide excellent fish habitat and a foundation for oysters to settle on. More information about Georgia’s inshore artificial reefs can be found at coastalgadnr.org/heru or email tyler.jones@dnr.ga.gov.

The deployment was also made possible by volunteers who donated their time to join CRD in placing the reefs on the riverbank, and in conjunction with several non-profit and research organizations.

T

By Tyler Jones Public Information Officer GADNR Coastal Resources Division

Meanwhile, anglers at the south end of Georgia’s coast can benefit from the recent deployment of 400 tons of concrete pilings as an enhancement to the Stafford Island Inshore Artificial Reef in Camden County.

Artificial Reef Update

The new reef addition was conducted by Salonen Marine, a contractor for CRD, and funded through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife

The Ogeechee River inshore artificial reef near Fort McAlister State Park in Richmond Hill, Ga. DNR staff and volunteers from Reef Ball Foundation, No Shoes Reefs foundation and CCA placed 400 miniature reef balls at the site in April.

Photo by Cameron Brinton, GADNR

“We had several volunteers from the Coastal Conservation Association Georgia, the Reef Ball Foundation, and No Shoes Reefs all get their hands dirty helping us load these reef balls onto a boat, get them to the reef site, and place them on the riverbed,” Brinton said. “We were able to place all 400 reef balls—which weigh about 50 pounds each—in only two days, which is fantastic. Without the help of those generous volunteers, it would have taken Not too far from the Ogeechee River reef site, CRD also added to the Romerly Creek Inshore Artificial Reef in Chatham County’s Wassaw Sound. For this deployment, CRD partnered with researchers from the University of Georgia’s Skidaway Island Institute for Oceanography (SkIO).

Experimental oyster restoration plots in the Romerly Marsh Creek Inshore Artificial Reef in Chatham County, Georgia. The oysters are set with spat o encourage the growth of new oyster beds.

he GADNR Coastal Resources Division (CRD) recently completed improvements to several inshore artificial reefs along the state’s 105-mile coast, adding approximately 910,000 pounds of materials to artificial reefs in Chatham, Bryan, and Camden counties. “The aim of these improvements is to create new fishing opportunities for anglers, and foundations for future oyster beds,” explained Cameron Brinton, a marine biologist with CRD’s Habitat Enhancement and Restoration Unit.

“This was kind of a unique reef deployment for CRD,” Brinton said. “CRD funded SkIO with a Coastal Incentive Grant to test the effectiveness of deploying oyster shells with spat already settled on it as an option for restoring oyster populations more effectively outside their spawning season. Spat are essentially baby oysters that have set onto other oyster shells, and the idea here is to increase the likelihood that healthy oyster beds will take root with new growth.”

13July 2022 Southern

“We’ve made a recent push to enhance three reefs in two distinct parts of the coast,” Brinton said. “Earlier this year, we partnered with country music star Kenny Chesney’s No Shoes Reefs foundation to place 400 concrete reef balls at Ogeechee River Inshore Artificial Reef, which is just outside Fort McAlister State Park on the border of Chatham and Bryan counties. We haven’t done a deployment at this reef since 2001 when CRD put concrete culverts on the banks of the river there. Thanks to the donation of all 400 reef balls from No Shoes Reefs, we were able to add more habitat to the area and improve fishing opportunities.”

Magazine

4/23/21 1:27 PM

Photo by Cameron Brinton, GADNR Tides

Service’s Sport Fish Restoration program.

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• Again, gently slide filet back and forth on grates, frequently, to prevent sticking.

• Sprinkle lightly with dill.

Taste

Southern Tides is seeking a recipe sponsor. us to have your company name and logo included here. Coastal Cooks and Chefs! a recipe featuring local seafood you'd like to share? Reach out to us!

Have

DIRECTIONS

• Place filets on grill grates directly over heat.

• Do not turn fish again. Finish cooking to desired firmness, then remove from grill.

15July 2022 Southern Tides Magazine

Contact

Attention

• Serve with melted butter if desired. Goes well with fresh salad and garlic bread for a light summer meal.

• Using flat side of spatula, gently slide filets back and forth a bit , to prevent sticking. Do not pick fish up or slide spatula under it, just gently slide it back and forth, frequently, as it sears.

Attention

• Look at side of filet, when bottom side has cooked sufficiently, but before it gets flaky, gently slide spatuala under it and turn fish over.

Dilled & Grilled Mahi Mahi INGREDIENTS 1 filet per person, mahi mahi or other firm fish, with skin Cavender'sremoved All Purpose Greek Seasoning Dill (dried was used here, but fresh will be good too) Olive Meltedoilbutter, if desired

My friend Eddie Boykin and I have always enjoyed preparing meals together and we had a chance to do so recently. The fish was caught on an offshore trip with his brother, Clay, and friends - isn't it a beauty? Eddie shared his secret for cooking fish directly on the grill without it falling apart. It takes a little practice but is worth the effort for that freshly grilled taste! to support your local seafood markets or catch it yourself!! of the Tides: Seafood Markets!

• Heat grill and brush off any food debris remaining on grates.

• Sprinkle liberally with Greek seasoning on both sides.

Remember

• Pat fish dry, then brush or spray with olive oil.

amy@southerntidesmagazine.com

Fire on St. Catherines Island Lightning strikes on St. Catherines put the island's rich history in peril.

By Neva AssistantParsonsEditor

Magazine

Photo by Elizabeth Lynch, Colonels Island resident

And that house belonging to one of three Georgian signers of the Declaration of Independence? That was built by Button Gwinnett where he lived until he was killed in a duel in 1777. At the end of the Civil War, it’s said that Button’s house served as a sort of governor’s mansion for Tunis Campbell when a field order issued by General Tecumseh Sherman turned St. Catherine’s over to freedpeople. But this was short-lived – the General’s order was overturned and the island was returned to its original owner, Jacob Walburg, whose Sea Island cotton plantation had flourished for almost 100 years before.

Opposite page: This image was taken from a boat, looking at the north end of the island and shows the intensity of the fire.

Above: View from a Colonels Island back yard looking toward St. Catherines on June 20th, with smoke from two areas plainly visible.

Right: Another view from a boat where the fire is burning right up to the beach.

17July

ow do you save nesting spots for giant sea turtles, forest habitats for ring-tailed lemurs, an ancient building which a signer of the Declaration of Independence once called home, and enough archaeological artifacts to potentially fill several museums, all from a devastating wildfire? Very, very carefully. That’s the daunting task facing those fighting to contain wildfires on St. Catherines Island. On June 11, drought and a lightning storm combined to spawn four separate wildfires on the 35 square mile barrier island 40 miles south of Savannah. Since then, the staff of the foundation which privately owns the island, and wildland firefighters from the Georgia Forestry Commission have been taking a slow and steady approach to extinguish the flames without wholesale destruction of a historical treasure trove.

H

St. Catherines Island has a long, rich history. Native Americans hunted in its pine and live oak forests and fished its sandy beaches and tidal marshes. The Spanish reestablished the Mission Santa Clara de Guale in 1605 to replace the mission outpost destroyed by the Guale Indians in their 1597 rebellion. Along with Ossabaw and Sapelo islands, Chief Malatchi gifted St. Catherines in the mid-18th century to James Oglethorpe’s half-Creek interpreter Mary Musgrove. But Mary’s ownership was disputed by British officials and it was only decades later that Mary’s fight for her claim was recognized by the Royal Governor in a compromise. She had to relinquish the other two sea Islands but was granted St. Catherine’s Island along with 2,100 English pounds.

The late 19th century saw a Savannah businessman, John J. Rauers, buy the island and construct an elegant mansion which was later devastated by a hurricane. In the 20th century, the island served as a business retreat for Edward John Noble, co-founder of Life Savers Corporation (yes, the candy), and founder of the American Broadcasting Company (ABC). The island was later part of the Edward John Noble Foundation and is now owned by the St. Catherines Island Foundation. This nonprofit’s mission is geared toward environmental conservation, support for endangered species, and historical preservation. It’s the historical preservation part that makes fighting these wildfires an incredibly delicate operation. With centuries of recorded human visitation/habitation, and thousands more years unrecorded, the archaeological riches that may lie beneath the ground must be approached cautiously. The USDA Forest Service defines a fire line as “a linear fire barrier that is scraped or dug to mineral soil” on a strip of ground anywhere from 6 inches to 3 feet wide. But Georgia Forestry Commission firefighters on the island used bulldozers to scrape away a minimum of soil, just enough to clear vegetation and

Photo by Michael Burdette, Colonels Island resident

Photo by Bill Daniel, Colonels Island resident 2022 Southern Tides

Sea Turtle Rescue

starve the fire of fuel, without risking potential archeological finds that may be buried just below the surface. In addition, planes and a helicopter targeted certain areas of the island for water drops. Low humidity, winds and continuing drought conditions make for a dire situation which could persist until significant rainfall can aid the efforts. And there’s no telling how long that might take. In the meantime, what does that mean for the animal inhabitants of the island? Their only options are to escape or to hide. When asked about how animals deal with wildfires, GADNR Wildlife Resources Division spokesperson Melissa Cummings said, “Wildfires happen and wildlife adapts. Whether we are talking about a naturally occurring fire, such as from a lightning strike, or otherwise, any wildlife in the vicinity has their own self-preservation instincts. Deer will move, birds will fly, burrowing animals will take refuge in burrows. Fires, like freezing weather, floods or other types of weather systems, have been happening for thousands of years and are just another part of life. In fact, in the South, many native animal and plant species, such as gopher tortoises and longleaf pine, have evolved with fire on the landscape. They need the habitats shaped by regular sweeps of fire to survive and thrive.”

Nature inevitably renews herself after disasters such as this and others that impact the landscape. There are reports that in some burned over areas of the island, new growth is already appearing from the scorched earth. Just as quickly as that, renewal begins.

—Michel de Montaigne, French Philosopher

The weekend after the fires started, the Georgia Sea Turtle Cooperative team got word of a loggerhead stranded in a slough on the south end of St. Catherines. It took two turtle teams, but the adult female was finally released back into the sea, unharmed. The north end of St. Catherines smouldering on June 21, shot with a resident's drone.

18 Southern Tides Magazine July 2022

It Takes a Village Coastal Electric Linemen Dispatched Coastal Electric Cooperative linemen Clint Durrence, Bradley Mullis and Jacob Blakewood traveled to St. Catherines on June 21 to inspect equipment for potential hazards to firefighters. Meter bases and other equipment were damaged in the fire and the crew worked through the uncomfortable conditions to resolve potential issues and ensure the safety of operations going forward.

“Let us permit nature to have her way. She understands her business better than we do.”

Photo by Lukasz Piekarski, Colonels Island Photo provided by Georgia Sea Turtle Cooperative Smouldering beach. Photo by Donna Rushing, Colonels Island Southern Tides would like to thank our neighbors on Colonels Island for contributing their photos to this feature.

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It's Time!

Above: One of the first hatchlings of the 2022 season, on Jekyll Island. This image: Three in a row, headed for the relative safety of the water. Photos provided by Georgia Sea Turtle Cooperative

Hatchling

It's not always easy to get a photo of the hatchlings as they make their way from nest to sea, but sometimes the teams get lucky, like this little guy on Cumberland Island.

Georgia Sea Turtle Cooperative Members • Caretta Foundation • Caretta Research Project • Cumberland Island National Seashore • Georgia Southern University • Jekyll Island Authority/Georgia Sea Turtle Center • Little

Photo provided by NPS A female headed back to the beach on Jekyll Island. Photo by Ray Emerson, via Georgia Sea Turtle Cooperative

Island Foundation • St.

On occasion the hatchlings will need assistance from teams standing by during the emergence. Photo provided by Georgia Sea Turtle Cooperative Sea turtle nests laid on Georgia beaches in May have begun hatching. The first nest of the season was laid on Cumberland Island on May 3, while the first emergence (when the eggs hatch) of the season occurrd on Jekyll Island on July 3. It looks like another banner year for sea turtles with nest numbers rivaling those of 2019. At print time, 3,443 nests had been counted on Georgia beaches. The total for 2019 was 3,956, but the 2022 season isn’t over yet. You can see more photos and video, as well as read posts with season updates on the Georgia Sea Turtle Cooperative Facebook page, or by visiting any of the member organization pages or website. Cumberland Island Catherines Simons

Photo provided by Caretta Research Project

Homeowners Association • St.

Island Sea Turtle Project • Sea Island Co. • The Lodge at Little St. Simons Island • Tybee Island Marine Science Center • USFWS's Savannah Coastal Refuge 21July 2022 Southern Tides Magazine

The Caretta Research Project still has spaces open on their turtle team. Visit www.carettaresearchproject.org/crp-experience

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Magazine

Download “My Shorebird Watcher” from your app store to learn about them.

23July

• Pick up a new hobby by taking a surfing or SUP lesson.

• Take a break from the salt and try your hand at freshwater fishing at a state park or one of the many public fishing areas in the state. For a list, visit georgiawildlife.com/allpfas

• Or simply relax. People-watch, nap, read a book, or just contemplate – there’s no better place for it!

• Check out the UGA Aquarium on Skidaway Island. Visit bit.ly/uga_aquarium_visit to learn more

• Kayaks are boats too! They’re easy to operate, available for rent all along our coast, and allow you a water-level view of the marshes, rivers and creeks and all the plants and animals that reside there.

SHORESIDE

• Search for fossils and shark teeth.

• Search for shells, sea glass, driftwood and other treasures from the high tide line down to the water.

• For more on fishing in Georgia, visit georgiawildlife.com/ fishing/angler-resources.

• Introduce the next generation to the water and take your kids fishing too. Time outside is good for all of us!

• To get or renew a fishing license visit GoOutdoorsGeorgia. com.

Explore the creeks in your coastal back yard. 2022 Tides

• Love sea turtles? Take a trip to Jekyll Island and explore the Georgia Sea Turtle Center’s interactive displays, turtle tanks, gift shop, and more. www.georgiaseaturtlecenter.org

Summer Fun Ideas

• Plan a day trip to one of the many wildlife management areas (WMA), nature preserves, or wetland/ecological parks.

• Explore the large rivers feeding into our coastal plains – the Savannah, Ogeechee, Altamaha, Satilla, and St. Marys Rivers all flow into our coastal region and all are unique. Go explore!

BOATING

• Take a day trip – plan a half-day boatride to another area on the coast, then beach or anchor and have a picnic lunch before riding back. Remember to leave a float plan with someone.

• Visit the lighthouses along our coast. Some are open to the public and you can find more information about them by visiting bit.ly/georgia_lighthouses

• Visit the Submarine Museum in St. Marys. stmaryssubmuseum.com.Wehopethissparkssome ideas and helps you have a great summer! Be sure to take drinks, snacks, sunscreen, bug spray and anything else you might need to be comfortable and enjoy your adventures. Please shoot us an email with your own ideas, too! amy@southerntidesmagazine.com

BEACHES

• Get your fitness on – do yoga, go for a walk (in the water to boost resistance), a jog, or a swim (check rip currents first).

• Build a sandcastle. It’s harder than it seems! What can you create?

• Visit any of the public beaches on our beautiful barrier islands.

• Enroll yourself, your child or grandchild in a boater safety course with the Tybee Light Sail and Power Squadron. It's a great way to refresh or learn good boating skills and habits, and help keep everyone involved safer on the water. Email: Carl Ericsson at cericsson09@gmail.com for information.

Summer has finally arrived! Time to get out there and have some fun, explore, experience and engage. Here are a few ideas for you!

• Don’t have a boat? Search “boat rentals near me” or “kayak rentals near me” and rent one, or charter with any of the countless charter captains on the coast.

• Explore our area’s many historic sites.

• If you don’t have a boat, consider fishing from one of the many fishing piers along our coast. Search “fishing piers near me.”

MORE OUTDOORS

• Identify (from a distance) the many birds you’ll see.

• Give surf casting a try. Check online for the regulations at various beaches.

• For those rainy or hot summer days, step inside the Ships of the Sea Museum and learn about maritime history with model ships, paintings, antiques and more. www.shipsofthesea.org

Southern

FISHING

• Struck inside while using electrical equipment/devices, corded phones, or plumbing, or touching windows or exterior doors.

• Lightning does strike more than once. The Empire State Building is struck by lightning an average of 23 times per year.

• 64% of lightning fatalities result from outdoor recreation and a large portion of those are from water activities.

• Although lightning appears huge in the sky, the average lightning bolt is only two to three centimeters wide. However the average length is two the three miles long.

• Between 2015 and 2019, Georgia averaged 6,200,040 strikes per year, which translates to 105.1 strikes per square mile, per year. Florida averaged 13,989,300 strikes during those years and lead the nation with 244 strikes per square mile.

STATISTICSSTATISTICS

• Although the flashes of light we see resulting from a lightning strike travel at the speed of light (670,000,000 mph), the actual lightning strike only travels at 270,000 miles per hour.

FactsFacts

• About a third of all lightning injuries occur indoors.

Determine the distance of lightning from a location by using the “flash-to-bang rule.” Begin counting at the sight of the lightning flash. Stop counting at the sound of related thunder. Divide the count by five to determine the proximity in miles of the lightning strike (5 seconds = 1 mile; 50 seconds = 10 miles, etc.).

• Summer is the most dangerous season with more lightning fatalities occurring in June, July and August than any other time of year.

• Caught outside and couldn’t get to safety.

• Went back outside too soon.

Lightning SafetyLightning Safety

Like water, metal does not attract lightning, but it does conduct it. Removing jewelry and watches during a storm isn't necessary, but staying away from metal fences, docks, etc., that will carry an electric charge to you if it is struck.

• Lightning is hotter than the surface of the sun and can reach temperatures around 50,000 degrees.

Lightning often strikes more than three miles from the center of a thunderstorm, and can strike as far as ten miles away.

• Most cars are safe from lightning, but it is the metal roof and metal sides that protect you, NOT the rubber tires. Remember, convertibles, motorcycles, bicycles, open-shelled outdoor recreational vehicles and cars with fiberglass shells offer no protection from lightning. When lightning strikes a vehicle, it goes through the metal frame into the ground. Don't lean on doors during a thunderstorm.

• Laying flat on the ground, hiding under a solitary tree, or seeking shelter in a tent, pavillion, shed or other structure with no plumbing or wiring will not protect you. Most common “reasons” for being struck by lightning:

• Men are four times more likely to be struck by lightning than women.

Lightning is one of the most severe weather hazards, yet also the most underestimated. Although annual deaths due to lightning strikes in the U.S. average around 50, hundreds of people are permanently maimed. Given that Georgia and other coastal states see a higher annual average of strikes than elsewhere in the country, it makes sense to brush up on the facts regarding this natural phenomenon and take life-saving precautions.

24 Southern Tides Magazine July 2022

All thunderstorms produce lightning and are dangerous. If you can hear thunder, the storm is close enough for lightning to strike, even if it's sunny where you're standing. Lightning will strike the same place repeatedly if the object is tall and isolated.

Lightning is a rapid discharge of electricity in the atmosphere. Thunder is the result of a shock wave created by rapid heating and cooling of air in the lightning channel. To learn what causes lightning, visit www.weather.gov/safety/lightning-science.

• Waited too long to go inside.

If you see a person struck by lightning, call 911 immediately. They are no longer dangerous to touch after the strike. Heart attack is the most common result of a strike. Begin CPR if you're trained, and/or use an AED.

• If working or playing outside, determine where you’ll seek shelter if a storm pops up.

• Research ways of protecting your home from lightning strikes. If your house is struck, contact the fire department and ask them to inspect for hot spots and other strike hazards that can lead to fire.

Side Flash or Side Splash: This occurs when lightning strikes a taller object near the victim and a portion of the current jumps from taller object to the victim. In essence, the person acts as a “short circuit” for some of energy in the lightning discharge. Side flashes generally occur when the victim is within a foot or two of the object that is struck. Most often, side flash victims have taken shelter under a tree to avoid rain or hail.

Two factors determine your chances of being struck by lightning: the amount of lightning in the area and your behavior during the storm. You can only control one of those factors.

• Don’t go outside until 30 minutes after you last hear thunder.

5 Ways you can be struck

• Check to see if your homeowners or renters insurance covers lightning strikes.

Ground Current: When lightning strikes a tree or other tall object, much of the energy travels outward, in or along the ground. This is known as the ground current. Anyone outside near a lightning strike is potentially a victim of ground current. In addition, ground current can travel in garage floors with conductive materials. Because the ground current affects a much larger area than the other causes of lightning casualties, the ground current causes the most lightning deaths and injuries. Typically, the lightning enters the body at the contact point closest to the lightning strike, travels through the cardiovascular and/or nervous systems, and exits the body at the contact point farthest from the lightning. The greater the distance between contact points, the greater the potential for death or serious injury, which is why laying flat on the ground to avoid “being the tallest point” is not safe.

• Avoid plumbing, including sinks, baths and faucets. Don’t wash your hands, take a shower or do dishes.

• Never use a cliff or rocky overhang for shelter.

• If you are with a group of people, spread out. While this can increase the risk of someone being struck, it reduces the risk of multiple casualties and increases the chances that someone will be able to help or call for assistance.

Inside • Stay off corded phones, computers and other electrical equipment that put you in direct contact with electricity. (Cordless phones, cell phones and remote controls are safe to use.)

Compiled from information provided by NOAA and the NWS.

Conduction: Lightning can travel long distances in wires or other metal surfaces. Metal does not attract lightning, but it provides a path for the lightning to follow. Most indoor lightning casualties and some outdoor casualties are due to conduction. Whether inside or outside, anyone in contact with anything connected to metal wires, plumbing, or metal surfaces that extend outside is at risk. This includes anything that plugs into an electrical outlet, water faucets and showers, corded phones, and windows and doors.

Prevention • Know the area you’re in. If afternoon thunderstorms are frequent, like here on the Georgia coast, plan your outdoor activities for mornings.

• Stay away from windows and doors, and stay off porches, stay out of open garages and carports.

For more, vist: www.weather.gov/safety/lightning

• Stay away from objects that conduct electricity (barbed wire fences, power lines, windmills, etc.)

• Protect your pets. Doghouses are not safe, nor are dogs tied to trees, fences, metal posts or other conductive objects.

Direct Strike: A person struck directly by lightning becomes a part of the main lightning discharge channel. Most often, direct strikes occur to victims who are in open areas. Direct strikes are not as common as the other ways people are struck by lightning, but they are potentially the most deadly. The heat produced when lightning moves over the skin can produce burns, but the current moving through the body is of greatest concern.

5 Ways you can be struck

Outside • When you hear thunder, immediately move to safe shelter: a substantial building with electricity or plumbing or an enclosed, metal-topped vehicle with windows up.

• Water doesn’t attract electricity but it does conduct it. Immediately get out and away from bodies of water and avoid wet items – even wet ropes can conduct electricity.

• Surge protectors will not protect against lightning strikes. Unplug electronics before the storm, but not during.

• Cancel or postpone outdoor activities if storms are approaching. If you can hear thunder, you are within range of a lightning strike.

• Avoid hills, ridges, and open areas. Do not be the tallest object in the area – but do not lay down, either. Continue moving to search for safety.

Streamers: While not as common as the other types of lightning injuries, people caught in “streamers” are at risk of being killed or injured by lightning. Streamers develop as the downwardmoving leader approaches the ground. Typically, only one of the streamers makes contact with the leader as it approaches the ground and provides the path for the bright return stroke; however, when the main channel discharges, so do all the other streamers in the area. If a person is part of one of these streamers, they could be killed or injured during the streamer discharge even though the lightning channel was not completed between the cloud and the upward streamer.

For additional safety information on a variety of topics, visit: www.weather.gov/safety/ 25July 2022 Southern Tides Magazine

• Do not sit or lie on concrete floors, and do not lean against concrete walls.

SafetySAFETY

• If you’re in the woods, stay near a lower stand of trees rather than taller trees.

Striped burrfish have one tooth in each jaw that forms a sharp, parrot-like beak, used for crunching through crabs, snails, and other hard-shelled critters.

Did You Know?

Photo by Beth Palmer, Tybee Island Marine Science Center

Burrfish are not strong swimmers, due to their small fins and unique blocky shape. Instead of undulating through the water moving their body and fins, they push water out through their gills, which propels them forward. Their fins and tail are used mostly to steer, rather than for forward movement.Preferred habitat is sea grass beds and although little is known of their breeding habits, it’s believed that burrfish travel offshore to spawn. They can be found from Nova Scotia to Brazil, but are not as prevalent in the far reaches of that range. In spite of their prickly appearance, burrfish are not poisonous to humans, though handling them isn’t recommended as it could prompt them to inflate, putting stress on their systems.

Stiped burrfish so odd-looking they're cute!

• Stiped burrfish are among the more odd looking fish in our coastal waters. They’re covered in short sharp spines that do not lay down, unlike other species of puffer fish. The body is a yellowish-tan in color, covered with brown wavy lines and a few large brown spots here and there. Burrfish can grow up to ten inches Betweenlong.thesharp spikes and the ability to puff themselves up larger, they have few predators, though small juvenile burrfish are frequently preyed on by sportfish, including marlin, sailfish and swordfish.

Southern Tides Magazine July 2022 Shrimp • Frozen Bait • Squid • Eel Balley Hoo • Cigar Minnows • Finger Mullet 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Closed Mondays Visit Us at the Thunderbolt Boat Ramp 912-667-1703 PRESENTS: GEORGIACOASTALMARINEEXPOMagazineTidesSouthern February 4-5 2023 Boats • Boating Supplies Boat Storage • Tackle • Docks Marine Services • Parts • Gear Marine Art • Marine Apparel Kids Activity Center Networking • And Much More! All Coastal - All Marine MORE INFO TO FOLLOW you can also amy@southerntidesmagazine.comemail:

Striped burrfish (Chilomycterus schoepfi) can inflate their bodies to about twice their original size by using an organ called a buccal pump. They use this as a defensive mechanism when they feel threatened. When puffed up, they resemble a burr, hence their name. While this does deter predators, it also puts stress on the animal, and they lose all ability to maneuver in the water.

Heat SAFETYHeat safety WearDrinkSunglassesWater 50 SPF 5 Apply WearAvoidSunscreenHeatoftheDayProtectiveClothingWearaHatPROTECTYOURSELF!SeekShadeHeat-Related Illnesses SYMPTOMS WHAT TO DO HEAT STROKE • High body temperature (103 or higher) • Hot, red, dry, or damp skin • Fast, strong pulse • Headache • Dizziness • Nausea • Confusion • Fainting/passing out • Call 911 immediately – heat stroke is a medical emergency • Move the person to a cooler place • Remove extra clothing if possible • Help lower the body temperature with cool cloths or a cool bath • Do not give the person anything to drink • Heavy sweating • Cold, pale and clammy skin • Fast, weak pulse • Nausea or vomiting • Muscle cramps • Tiredness or weakness • Dizziness • Headache • Fainting/passing out • Move to a cool place • Loosen clothing • Apply cool wet cloths to body or take a cool bath • Sip water • Get medical help immediately if symptoms include vomiting, if symptoms get worse, or last for longer than one hour HEAT EXHAUSTION • Painful, red, warm skin • Blisters • Do not break blisters • Stay out of sun until sunburn heals • Apply cool wet cloths to burned area or take a cool bath • Apply aloe or other burn-soothing ointment or cream • Get medical attention if blisters cover large portions of the body, or if you experience high fever, nausea, headaches, severe pain, confusion, or chills SUNBURN • Heavy sweating during exertion • Muscle pain or spasms • Stop physical activity, move to a cool place • Drink water or electrolyte drink • Wait for cramps to end before resuming activity • Get medical help immediately if cramps last longer than one hour, you are on a low sodium diet, or if you have heart problems HEAT CRAMPS Even if you're fit and healthy, the extreme heat we experience in coastal Georgia can be dangerous. Take precautions, know what to look for, and what to do if you or someone near you shows signs of heat-related illness. 27July 2022 Southern Tides Magazine

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31° 58’ 17.237”N / 080° 55’ 47.379”W (in 14 feet of water at mean low water)

The U.S. Coast Guard issued a notice to mariners referencing the new pilings May 10, 2022, and NOAA has updated the Tybee Island to Doboy South navigational chart (11509) to mark the four private aids to navigation installed April 28, 2022. The chart was updated May 23, 2022.

Lat and long for the pilings:

Georgia DNR reminds boaters to check their equipment, including running lights, on their vessels regularly. While GPS and other computerized navigation aids are helpful, they should not be used as the sole means of navigation.

The pilings are intended to mark an area where permitted shellfish growers can use floating gear tethered to the bottom of the river. An example of a shellfish harvest area with floating gear is seen to the right. Note, the area pictured is in Mud River, McIntosh County, and is not the Bull River location where pilings were recently installed. When authorized, similar strings of floating gear will be installed by new shellfish leaseholders in both the Bull River mariculture zone in Chatham County and the Mud River mariculture zone in McIntosh County. This floating gear may impede navigation within permitted shellfish harvest areas.

For more information about changes to the Georgia shellfish industry and the Shellfish and Water Quality Unit within DNR's Coastal Resources Division, visit CoastalGaDNR. org/ShellfishLeasing.

31° 58’ 12.020”N / 080° 55’ 42.511”W (in 25 feet of water at mean low water)

31° 58’ 00.737”N / 080° 55’ 59.202”W (in 18 feet of water at mean low water)

The new Bull River harvest area is the second of its kind in Georgia after the passage of Georgia House Bill 501, which became law March 1, 2020. The new law allowed CRD to create a framework of policies to properly manage new opportunities – including the use of floating gear – for the growth and diversification of the state’s shellfish industry. Floating gear has been successfully used in the shellfish industries in other states, and is new to Georgia after House Bill 501's passage.

31° 58’ 05.744”N / 080° 56’ 04.027”W (in 9 feet of water at mean low water)

A new commercial shellfish harvest area on Bull River, north of Pa Cooper Creek, is now permitted and marked for operation in Chatham County.

The concrete pilings are marked with reflective 3-foot by 3-foot signs approved by the U.S. Coast Guard. Additional 12-inch by 18-inch white reflective signs will also be added on all four sides of each piling.

The GADNR Coastal Resources Division (CRD) offered three shellfish harvest area leases to applicants Feb. 11, 2022, totaling an area of 22.5 acres on the northeast side of Bull River between Wilmington and Little Tybee islands. This newly permitted area will allow leaseholders to use floating gear tethered to the bottom of the estuary to grow oysters in a controlled environment.

The Bull River shellfish harvest area is bound by four concrete pilings installed April 28, 2022, after approval from the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

BLACKBIRD CHARTER CO. CAPTAIN RAVEN ABLARD InshoreOnshoreGoldenBirdFossilSunset307•851•6314CruiseHuntingDolphinTourWatchingIslesTourSeiningFishingDay&NightWaterTaxiKayakTaxi Please Call or Text for Pricing All Trips Customizable DOG FRIENDLY Safe Harbor Rigging Services, info@safeharborriggingservices.com231-578-5087LLCwww.safeharborriggingservices.comJohnS.Ramsey,Owner Proudly SoutheastServingGeorgiaandNortheastFlorida Authorized Dealer Above: This photo, taken in McIntosh County, is an example of what the Bull River cite will look like. Photo provided by GADNR Coastal Resources Division Below: NOAA Chart number 11509, Tybee Island to Doboy Sound, on May 23. Chart provided by NOAA www.southerntidesmagazine.com 29July 2022 Southern Tides Magazine

The Bitter End At Eye Level 30 Southern Tides Magazine July 2022

Photo by Captain Gator

So, in this installment I’m going to urge you to slow down and drop off the beaten waters, so to speak. How do we do that, you may be wondering? Kayaks! I can already hear the moans and groans! Yeah, those plastic boats that tend to annoy some power boaters. As a former paddle guide, some of the most peaceful times I’ve spent on the water were on these engineless conveyances. Dollar-for-dollar, they’re the best and most affordable way to start your H2O adventures. Light enough to be handled by one person, they can be transported on the roof of even the smallest gas-miser automobiles and are able to take on everything from backwaters to the ocean itself. These ancient marvels can be found for rent at most any tourist destination with water nearby. However, the true beauty of these boats is that they force us to slow down and see life at eye level. Dating back thousands of years, credit for these versatile watercraft is given to the Inuits or Eskimos of the far north. Just like in Nanook of the North, you can find kayaks on rivers, lakes, bays, and oceans around the world. However, the word kayak isn’t Inuit in origin; instead, it comes from the Greenlandic word qajaq. Today’s kayaks may not always resemble the originals, as many of the kayaks found for rent are sit-on-top, as opposed to cockpit styles. The reason being, some people feel confined, or trapped, fearing roll overs.

• If you’re in a tidal area, go during the higher tide cycle as it allows you to access the inner marsh.

Welcome back guys, gals and submarine watchers, it’s time for The Bitter End again. This month finds many of us rushing around, trying to squeeze as much into our summer as we possibly can. From family vacations, to fishing tournaments, and everything in between.

In closing, I encourage you to take the time to "get your Lewis and Clark on" this summer, and like Timothy Leary said (though in a different light), turn on, tune in and drop out. Slow down and smell the marsh grass along the way. 'Til our wakes cross again, peace and love, and shrimp and grits. I'll see you on the water!

• If you feel nervous or have never kayaked before, contact one of hundreds of paddle excursion companies found most everywhere.

I’ve spent most of my life on the water, from rivers and lakes in my early life, to the ocean in later years. My first “boat” was a car top from a 55’ Dodge that I used to run trap lines as a kid. Later, I upscaled to canoes, then back in the 70s while life guarding I was exposed to kayaks. I found these odd-looking boats to be much more stable than canoes. Back then all that was available were cockpit boats, so we learned to Eskimo-roll, or right ourselves, if we did flip over.

• If you have a GoPro, or similar action cam, take it. If you take your cell phone, I recommend a waterproof pouch. But remember to spend less time snapchatting and more time paddling.

• Water. Water. Water. It’s easy to become dehydrated while paddling, so drink lots of it. Though I’ve paddled extensively alone, I recommend having a paddle partner. That being said, I also recommend one person to a kayak, rather than a tandem kayak. The reason being, as a novice it's much easier to learn to paddle in a single, rather than as a team. The only reason for a tandem, in my opinion, is if one person is physically challenged or doesn’t feel they have the upper body strength. Though in reality it doesn’t take Herculean strength to paddle; it’s technique rather than strength.

Pardon me, I digress. I want to challenge you to slow down this summer. Take a few hours, rent a kayak, paddle back into the saltwater marsh, and see a whole world right at eye level that most have missed out Aon.few tips.

Email: TheOriginalCaptainGator@gmail.com

A couple of other points to touch on before I sign off. Wind. Wind has a huge effect on kayaks, due to the amount of sail (you and the boat) above water, versus the much smaller area below the water, exposed to the current. Understand the tides and use them, as well as wind, to your advantage. Remember that at the end of your trip you’ll be more fatigued. You should try to plan it so you use less energy on your return trip than you do when you start out. In other words, paddle out against a current, then let it aid you in your return. Or better yet, try to time it so you ride the tide both ways. Again, I’ll mention wind. Don’t fight it, use it, and learn to avoid it by staying to the lee side of a shore if possible.Lastly,generally the middle of the rivers, creeks and sounds have the strongest current, so stay closer to the sides when possible. Boats under power tend to avoid the side of rivers as a rule of thumb.

By Captain J. Gary “Gator” Hill Kayaking on a flood tide gives you more access into the marsh.

Turn Your Shed Into a Studio or Home Office

Having a place to work from home is becoming more critical than ever. And it’s not just corporate jobs. Musicians, painters, writers and other artists also need a private spot to concentrate and create. Turn your shed into a studio or home office to solve this problem. Here are some tips to get started.

Clean and insulate One of the biggest challenges in transforming a shed into a usable space is the lack of insulation. Start by cleaning out the entire area and then adding insulation before installing paneling or drywall for a clean interior surface.

6349 Abercorn Street Savannah, GA 912.352.1222 • MyCBHomes.com Lyn 912.224.0927McCuen lyn@coldwellbanker.com www.lynmccuen.com @lynmccuen

Make it practical In the end, your shed turned office or studio should be practical for the use you intend. If you have to distract yourself by go ing into the main house to get items, it’s not going to be a place where you can feel productive. Find ways to organize every thing you need. Are you looking for a home with a shed you can turn into a studio or office? Contact us to learn more.

Find me on:

Personalize it Your new office or studio shouldn’t be boring. It should reflect your personality and be a place where you want to work. Personalize it with furniture and art that works for how you want to use the space.

Add your workspace What you need will depend on how you plan to utilize your shed. For example, if you are using it as a home office, you’ll need a desk and chair and a way to run electricity to the shed. You may want to consult an expert for any electrical work. If you’re using it as a studio, you’ll need a drawing table, easels and a way to store and organize your materials.

Sea Tur tles Dig the Dark! ( 8 0 0 ) 4 2 1 2 3 4 3 C o a s t a l E l e c t r i c c o o p

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