Statesboro Magazine - November/December 2022

from OUR HOUSE to YOURS!

We are blessed to live in a wonderful community full of people who serve selflessly at church, for charity and for the benefit of all who call Statesboro home. During this time of year especially, as we celebrate the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, as we reconnect with extended family, plan holiday celebrations and reflect on the things for which we are grateful, remember that we live in one of America’s Best Communities and be thankful.

For us it is a blessing to be able to showcase in each issue of the magazine, the people who make our community a great place to live, work and play.

From our cover, inside this Holiday issue

you’ll find the story of ministers Susan & Ricky Allen of First Baptist Church Statesboro. The Allens began helping Santa when COVID shut down all the fun two Christmases ago. They felt for the children who were not able to get their annual picture made with Santa. So, they set-up shop on their front porch and invited the neighborhood to get a photo with Santa & Mrs. Claus. Now they’re having a holly, jolly time spreading cheer all over as requests for an appearance by the Clauses are rolling in!

We’re also highlighting the story of local “Mouseketeers” Julie & Ryan Foley. Together, they might hold the Bulloch County record for most visits to Disney. The pair has season passes for eight visits per year. They often run 5Ks, 10Ks and half-marathons along with friends. That’s not counting the trips they take with the kids, R.J., Will & Gwennie. During school holidays, the whole family goes outfitted and accessorized in Disney themed apparel from head to toe! Mom and Dad each have Etsy shops supporting their side gigs of producing Disney bedazzled sunglasses, headbands and boy’s and men’s hats. The Foleys make it their goal to find a little magic in every day!

Which brings us to the real reason for the season in a story about Pastor Donald Chavers, Jr., the local spiritual leader of the Agape Worship Center in Statesboro, who believes ministering to his flock includes everyone he encounters, both within the church and out in the community. His mission is from the hymn by Charles Wesley, “A charge to keep I have, a God to Glorify. To serve the present age, my calling to fulfill!”

If you have your holiday gift list ready, be sure to shop our special Gift Guide sections, Shopping Downtown Metter & Shopping Downtown Statesboro! We also have our annual 2022 Gift Guide showcasing all of the great gift ideas our community partners have on hand for the holidays. If you’re looking to give rather than receive, you’ll find many a worthy cause showcased in our Giving Guide, a great end-of-theyear tax deduction, and you’ll be helping many others to have a blessed season!

May the Miracle of Christmas fill your Heart with Wonder & Joy! Jenny Foss, Editor

ESTABLISHED MARCH 1, 2000

Statesboro Magazine is proudly produced by:

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PHYSICAL ADDRESS: One Herald Square, Statesboro, GA 30458 f: 912.489.8613

ABOUT THE COVER

Ric Mandes

Ric Mandes, a popular essayist, retired after 27 years as Director of Public Relations and Development for Georgia Southern. His memories about growing up and living in South Georgia inspire his writings. He’s a published author and former newspaper columnist for the AJC.

Lazar Brown Oglesby

Lazar Brown Oglesby is the owner of Honey Catering and Dolan’s BBQ both located in Statesboro. Lazar attended Ogeechee Technical College where she earned a Culinary Arts degree. In 2012 Lazar followed a lifelong dream and opened Honey Catering and Café. She enjoys cooking Southern food with an adventurous twist! Lazar is known for her famous cheesecakes of which she has over 100 flavors. Lazar recently started the Honey Blog to share her recipes and stories. Visit her at Dolan’s & Honey’s new location on South Main Street.

Rev. John Waters

Carolyn Altman

Carolyn Altman is the Director of the Botanic Garden at Georgia Southern University.

She holds degrees from Cornell University, Portland State University, and the University of Nebraska and has published, produced, and taught creative work of all forms, including dance, film, and writing. She spends as much time as possible outside, and has backpacked the Pacific Crest, telemark-skied the Northwest, white water paddled the Northeast, cycled Europe, and bike raced throughout the South. These adventures provide opportunities to learn local plants and how people live among them. Her son, Colby Parker, and daughter-in-law Jordan Miller, are USAF musicians who join Carolyn on wildflower expeditions in the Rockies and river trips through the Ogeechee cypress.

Hunter McCumber

Hunter is an award winning multidisciplinary Art Director, Designer and Illustrator from Reidsville, Georgia. He earned both his undergraduate and masters from Savannah College of Art and Design. Currently based in North Carolina, Hunter enjoys spending time exploring the creative aspects of the “Old North State” while working with several agencies around the Southeast as a designer and illustrator.

Frank Fortune

Local pastors Susan & Ricky Allen found a new ministry when children were forced to stay home for Christmas a couple of years ago. “What a bright time, it was the right time,“ to dress-up as Santa & Mrs. Claus and start spreading cheer on their own front porch! Since then, they’ve been helping Santa by filling-in all over the area jingling around the clock! Captured here by award winning photographer Frank Fortune. #TheFortuneImage

Jingle Bell Time is a Swell Time! SUSAN & RICKY ALLEN

Since 2005, John Waters has been the lead pastor of First Baptist Church Statesboro. Raised in a military family, he spent his childhood years in Tokyo, Japan, and Selma, Alabama. He earned a master’s degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a doctorate from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. As a teenager, he once worked a weekend as a circus clown but now enjoys collecting fountain pens, reading across many genres, and visiting the great cathedrals of the world. His wife, Cynthia, is a retired elementary school teacher, and they have two married adult daughters and five grandchildren.

Frank is the national award winning freelance photographer who holds the distinction of shooting 23 years’ worth of covers for Statesboro Magazine. He retired from Georgia Southern after having been responsible for capturing the University’s history on film and video for 30 years. Throughout his career Frank’s enjoyed all aspects of photography, including sports, still-life, landscape, and architecture. He and his wife, Mandy, are the proud parents of Jack and Cate.

Jenny Starling Foss Editor

Joe McGlamery Publisher Hunter McCumber Senior Creative Director

Ashton Brown Director of Sales & Marketing

Frank Fortune Contributing Photographer

Mickey, Merry & Magical TheFoleys

Written by Jenny Starling Foss

Photography by Frank Fortune

by Ric Mandes

FRIDAYS

– TUESDAYS

STATESBORO MAIN STREET MARKET2GO

FRIDAYS – TUESDAYS @ 10:00 P.M.

STATESBORO MAIN STREET MARKET2GO

Order the season’s freshest local fruits, vegetables and homemade baked goods, preserves, jams, jellies, candies and relishes. You’ll also find locally sourced meat, seafood, spices, dairy and eggs. Home and garden items, honey and locally grown flower bouquets. Shop online Friday – Tuesday at 10:00 p.m. @ https:// statesboromarket2go.locallygrown.net/. Pick-up on Thursday afternoons at the Statesboro Visitors Center, 222 South Main Street or in Sylvania at the Victory Garden General Store, 124 West Telephone Street.

NOVEMBER 5

GEORGIA SOUTHERN FOOTBALL EAGLES VS SOUTH ALABAMA JAGUARS

4:00 P.M. KICK-OFF PAULSON STADIUM

NOVEMBER 10 - JANUARY 6

“SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN: WORKS BY COLLEEN BEYER STEWART & WESLEY L. STEWART” EXHIBIT OPENING 5:30 P.M. | OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

SATURDAYS THRU NOVEMBER 22

STATESBORO MAIN STREET FARMERS MARKET

9:00 A.M. – 12:30 P.M. FREE

VISIT STATESBORO WELCOME CENTER

222 SOUTH MAIN STREET

You’ll find the most delicious and freshest food available at the Statesboro Main Street Farmers Market! Produce, meat, cheese, and eggs are brought to you straight from local family farms. Food vendors offer everything from tacos to pizza. While you’re here, browse unique, handcrafted items while enjoying fresh coffee or homemade lemonade and live music. Family fun for everyone!

NOVEMBER

EMMA KELLY THEATER | AVERITT CENTER FOR THE ARTS

An Evening of Country & Gospel is a collaborative concert event between friends, Pastor Donald Chavers Jr. and country musician Drew Wiggins. Donald Chavers Jr. is the energetic pastor of Agape Worship Center who uses song to help those who are hurting daily in his ministry work. He is the third child of Donald Sr. and Evelyn Chavers, a Bulloch County native, and a Statesboro High School graduate. He firmly believes in community and serves on the Board of Directors of Habitat for Humanity of Bulloch County and as a commission member for the Creek on the Blue Mile. Drew Wiggins is a local country musician born and raised in northern Bulloch County. He is the son of Teresa and Chris Wiggins Sr. and grew up on the same family land that his mother and her siblings grew up on. Drew is all about music, family, and faith. He and his three siblings (one older brother and two younger sisters) all have musical talent and he often performs with one of his sisters, Rachel. He is all about inspiring people with his music. He is happily married to wife, Brittany, and the proud father of two children. www.averittcenterforthearts.org

MAIN GALLERY | AVERITT CENTER FOR THE ARTS Colleen and Wesley are a husband & wife artist team that resides in Augusta. Both earned their MFA’s at Georgia Southern. Before attending Georgia Southern to earn her MFA, Colleen earned her Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art from the University of West Georgia. She is currently the Visual Arts Teacher at Harlem High School in Harlem, Georgia. Her work is influenced by nature, botanical forms, and mark-making. Her biggest influence while creating in the book, The Human Side of Plants by Royal Dixon. Wesley received a BFA from Augusta University before earning his MFA in Sculpture at Georgia Southern. His current artwork explores biomes juxtaposed with abstract shapes, lines, and patterns, thus creating a contrast of space, traditional fine art, and street art. He is mostly interested in public art and how murals, sculptures, and installations reinvent or altar spaces. He also works under the moniker Regal Hyena and is engaged in cross-disciplinary collaboration with other artists. www.averittcenterforthearts.org

NOVEMBER 10

FARM TO TABLE DINNER

BENEFITTING LIFT AS YOU GROW 4:30 P.M. – 7:00 P.M. $100/PERSON @ GIVEBUTTER.COM/JQSYJG

DOWNTOWN STATESBORO

Join us for a four-course farm-to-table dinner featuring amazingly fresh, flavorful food prepared locally. Accompanying the meal will be wine carefully selected by a sommelier who will guide you through each pairing.

Check-in starts at 5:30 p.m., with dinner beginning at 6:00 p.m. Food and beverages will be provided by Vino 1910 and Tandoor & Tap.

Proceeds will benefit local non-profit, Lift As You Grow, an organization that empowers vulnerable and at-risk women by providing economic mobility through transitional employment and adult education as well as a safe space for a healing and healthy society. Our goal is to prevent unemployment, homelessness, and abuse by bridging the gaps some women need by providing the resources to allow them to choose a secure and confident path to become productive citizens and thriving individuals. Deadline for reservations is November 4th.

NOVEMBER 11

10:30 A.M.

FREE ADMISSION | OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

EMMA KELLY THEATER | AVERITT CENTER FOR THE ARTS

Join us in honoring America’s heroes. Hear stories from those who fought to protect our freedoms. Join in musical selections with the audience. Show your appreciation for our veteran’s sacrifices. www.averittcenterforthearts.org

NOVEMBER 12

EMMA KELLY THEATER | AVERITT CENTER FOR THE ARTS

Formed in late 2020 amid the COVID pandemic, some veterans of the Atlanta music scene decided to start a Tom Petty tribute band. Being big fans of Petty’s music and each having 20+ years of playing shows, the project was started. Band members include Vegas Dave on vocals and guitar, Fred McNeal on guitar and vocals, Wayne Vokovich on bass and vocals, Todd Johnston on drums and vocals, and Asher McKinney on keys and vocals. From the first practice, the chemistry was apparent. Bringing a loud and live interpretation of the Heart Breaker’s music to life, the Mad Hatters have proved themselves to be one of the best Tom Petty tribute acts around. The Mad Hatters performed at the Emma Kelly Theater last year. Their performance was so good, that a request was made for their return. www.averittcenterforthearts.org

NOVEMBER 16

LIGHTING OF SWEETHEART CIRCLE

5:30 P.M. | FREE ADMISSION | OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

SWEETHEART CIRCLE | GEORGIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY

We are getting in the holiday spirit in Statesboro! Join UPB for the annual Lighting of Sweetheart Circle! President Marrero will kick off the holiday season with the official “flipping of the switch” to commemorate the event. Other festivities will include pictures with Santa Gus, and holiday treats! This year, we ask that you bring unopened soap and unworn socks to donate to the elderly in our local community! This event is free and open to the public. Students, please bring your Eagle IDs. If you need accommodations related to access or If you need accommodations related to access or participation, please contact upb@georgiasouthern.edu at least 2 weeks prior to the event.

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SEND US YOUR EVENTS! EMAIL THEM TO EDITOR@ STATESBORO MAGAZINE.COM

NOVEMBER 19

15TH ANNUAL TURKEY TROT 5K

8:00 A.M. REGISTRATION

8:30 A.M. FESTIVITIES

9:00 A.M. RACE BEGINS

$15/PERSON 12 & UNDER/$30/INDIVIDUAL

$25/PERSON FOR TEAMS OF FIVE COURTHOUSE SQUARE DOWNTOWN STATESBORO

The Bulloch County Foundation for Public Education will host its 15th Annual Statesboro 5K Turkey Trot on Saturday, November 19, in downtown Statesboro, to provide grants for classroom teachers’ innovative projects and college scholarships for the school district’s REACH Georgia scholars.

Participants can pre-register online at https://runsignup.com/Race/GA Statesboro/14thAnnualTurkeyTrot. Walk or run as an individual or form a team of five or more.

Participants are encouraged to wear team-themed t-shirts or Thanksgiving costumes. All registered participants receive a gift bag. The first 300 registered participants receive a t-shirt. Pre-register on-line by Nov. 4 to guarantee your preferred size. Fun for the whole family. Runners and walkers of all ages and abilities are welcome. Wagons, strollers and even family-friendly canines on leashes are welcome.

The Statesboro Turkey Trot 5K is a major fundraising event for the Bulloch County Foundation for Public Education. Events like this coupled with year-round giving opportunities raise funds for innovative grant projects for Bulloch County students and teachers, and it provides funding for the school system’s Reach Georgia, Teacher of the Year, and Star Student/Teacher programs. Learn more on the Foundation’s main page. To learn more, contact 912-212-8530.

NOVEMBER 19

GEORGIA SOUTHERN FOOTBALL EAGLES VS MARSHALL THUNDERING HERD

6:00 P.M. KICK-OFF PAULSON STADIUM

NOVEMBER 19

R & S PACKING & MOVING FURNITURE STORAGE CLEANOUT SALE! TO BENEFIT THE ROOSEVELT CONE, JR. SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION

8:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.

$3/PERSON IN ADVANCE / $5/PERSON AT THE DOOR HOLIDAY INN STATESBORO – UNIVERSITY AREA 455 COMMERCE DRIVE

R & S PACKING & MOVING will have household furniture for sale, sports memorabilia and much more. All furniture sales will benefit the Roosevelt Cone Jr. Scholarship foundation. Also, we will be raffling off some cool prizes during this sale. For more information, call Roosevelt Cone Jr. at 912-541-2809. Please give us a call to get your ticket. Note: We will have former Georgia Bulldogs and Dallas Cowboys quarterback Quincy Carter visiting us at this event. „

NOVEMBER 19 - 20

GRACE – PRAISE DANCE TEAM

NOV. 19 – 7 :00 P.M.

NOV. 20 – 3 :00 P.M.

$25/PERSON/$20/MEMBERS/MILITARY/FIRST RESPONDERS/CITY & COUNTY EMPLOYEES/$15/STUDENTS

EMMA KELLY THEATER | AVERITT CENTER FOR THE ARTS

Praise dance (liturgical dance) has always been an important component of the dance experience for Rebekah Harville Carlisle, the director of the Cotton Rose School of Dance at the Averitt Center for the Arts. On the wall of her 5 North Main Studio are two excerpts from the Holy Bible. One states, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news” (Romans 10:15). The other is more direct, “Let them praise His name with dance” (Psalms 149:3). That’s the concept behind Grace…A Performance of Praise. From the youngest ballerinas to the most accomplished young adults, these dancers will use simple elegance and refinement of movement to worship through bodily movement.

NOVEMBER 22

SHOPPING BY LANTERN

LIGHT

STATESBORO MAIN STREET FARMERS MARKET

6:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M.

FREE FAMILY FUN!

STATESBORO VISITORS CENTER | 222 SOUTH MAIN STREET

Shopping by Lantern Light, a fund-raising event held annually on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving to benefit the Statesboro Main Street Farmers Market and the Market2Go. In the spirit of the market, a wide range of vendors sell their locally or regionally produced food and craft items. The emphasis is on produce, prepared food, and decorative items that shoppers will want to buy for Thanksgiving and the holidays. Help fund the Market! www.statesborofarmersmarket.com

NOVEMBER 26

GEORGIA SOUTHERN FOOTBALL

EAGLES VS APPALACHIAN STATE MOUNTAINEERS

KICK-OFF TBA PAULSON STADIUM

NOVEMBER 30

BROOKLET CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING

6:00 P.M.

FREE ADMISSION | OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

GAZEBO | DOWNTOWN BROOKLET

Join the Brooklet Community Development Association, the Southeast Bulloch High band and chorus, as well as prominent members of the community as they kick off the holiday season this year! Local choral and ensemble groups showcase their talents as they celebrate the holiday season in downtown Brooklet.

DECEMBER 2

F1RST FRIDAY – CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY CELEBRATION

5:30 P.M. – 8:00 P.M.

FREE FUN FAMILY EVENT!

DOWNTOWN STATESBORO

Join in the annual Golf Cart Parade, shop for holiday gifts handmade by local artisans, sample food, listen to music, get your picture made with Santa, and visit Chili Town to judge the area’s best chili! Fun for the whole family!

DECEMBER 6

STATESBORO CHAMBER ORCHESTRA PERFORMANCE

7:30 P.M.

FREE ADMISSION | OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

EMMA KELLY THEATER

AVERITT CENTER FOR THE ARTS

Celebrate the holidays with a special performance by The Statesboro Chamber Orchestra. Under the direction of Jonathan Aceto, the orchestra rehearses and performs music by classical composers, ranging from Handel and Bach to Holst and Britten. Its repertoire also includes film music, jazz, Celtic fiddling and popular music. www.averittcenterforthearts.org

DECEMBER 8 - 11

NOVEMBER 24 -DECEMBER 27

TMT FARMS CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA

DUSK – 12:00 A.M.

FREE FUN FAMILY EVENT!

DONATIONS OF NON-PERISHABLE FOOD & FUNDS WELCOME

16710 OLD RIVER ROAD NORTH, STATESBORO

TMT Farms Christmas lights drive-thru will open Thanksgiving night and run thru December 30th, 2022! Admission is free however, we accept non-perishable food items, new unwrapped toys and cash donations. We will also accept pet food, and supplies, to help out area rescues! The food, and toys, will be distributed to needy families throughout Bulloch and surrounding counties. The monetary contributions are used to purchase gift cards for needy families. We also help families that need a hand up during other times of the year. Please help us help others! The lights will come on at dark and run until midnight! It remains drive-thru only. Bathrooms are provided up by the road!

CHRISTMAS BELLES

DEC. 8 – 10 – 7:30 P.M.

DEC. 11 - 3:00 P.M.

$25/PERSON/$20/MEMBERS/MILITARY/FIRST RESPONDERS/CITY & COUNTY EMPLOYEES/$15/STUDENTS

EMMA KELLY THEATER | AVERITT CENTER FOR THE ARTS

It’s Christmas time in Fayro, Texas, and the Futrelle Sisters, (Frankie, Twink, and Honey Raye), are not exactly in a festive mood. A cranky Frankie is weeks overdue with her second set of twins. Twink is in jail for inadvertently burning down half the town. And hot-flash suffering Honey Raye is desperately trying to keep the Tabernacle of the Lamb’s Christmas Program from spiraling into chaos. But things are not looking good...especially when Frank lets slip a family secret that has been carefully guarded for decades. However, in true Futrelle fashion, the feuding sister find a way to pull together in order to present a Christmas program the citizens of Fayro will never forget. www.averittcenterforthearts.org S

OTC Foundation Board of Trustees Certified as Role Model Board

New MPA Executive Track Launches this spring at Georgia Southern University

Georgia Southern University now offers a fully online executive track for the Master of Public Administration (MPA) program, with the first cohort scheduled for spring 2023.

The Ogeechee Technical College Foundation Board of Trustees recently received an award during the annual Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) Leadership Conference in Savannah for attaining role model foun dation board certification from the Technical College Foundation Association (TCFA). TCFA is a membership organization that represents the 25 TCSG foundations and over 600 trustees statewide. The TCFA Role Model Foun dation Board Certification is an honor bestowed on the TCSG foundations that engage in best practices in nonprofit governance, board management, and operations; have policies in place to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations, especially in financial matters; are led by a board of trustees whose members are actively engaged in the foundation’s development activities; and support the professional development and state-level participation of their trustees, executive director, and college advancement personnel. www.ogeecheetech.edu

OTC Foundation executive board members include: Adam Kennedy, Pres ident (Evans); Evan Brower, V.P. (Screven); Chad Avret, Treasurer (Bulloch); Lagina Evans, Secretary (Screven); Warren Ball, Past President (Bulloch). Trustees include: Ken Austin (Screven), Marty Holder (Bulloch), John Scott (Bulloch), Holly Durrence (Evans), Jenny Foss (Bulloch), Joel Hanner (Bull och), and Dr. Diane Holland (Evans).

The executive track is designed for those with relevant experience in the public (civil or military) sector, nonprofit organizations or closely related positions. Through this new track, concentration courses have been selected to highlight a variety of skills and ideas spanning public and nonprof it management.

Courses are delivered in an abbrevi ated format through Georgia Southern’s online learning platform. Because of this, the program takes 18 months to complete.

“This program will open the door for many working professionals in the region,” said Georgia Southern Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Carl Reiber, Ph.D. “It’s an excel lent opportunity to advance their education while still maintaining their work-life balance.”

The online executive track joins the hybrid track MPA program which is offered through the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences. The MPA degree does not offer summer admission, and the executive track only admits students during the spring semester.

OTC Awards Highest Number of Scholarships Since 1986

Ogeechee Technical College held a dinner ceremony recently to award 83 student scholarships for the fall. This is the most awarded since the college was founded in 1986.

Following a welcome address by OTC Foundation Board President Adam Kennedy, remarks were heard from students Ann Hester, recipient of the Mary Betts Cotten Patriotism Endowed Scholarship and Patrick Lewis, recipient of the Brannen Scholarship. Two new scholarships were introduced specifically for students from Screven County: the Huldah C. Mingledorff Endowed Scholarship, and The Bobby Smith Memorial Endowed Scholarship. Additionally, there were two new scholarships specific to Evans County students: the Julie Bass Sikes Memorial Scholarship, and Mikell Corey Waters Memorial Scholarship. Many of the endowments awarded multiple student scholarships. Family members of those for whom these scholarships were named were also in attendance, which made the ceremony all the more meaningful. Additionally, 14 students received The Gretchen K.

Last

the Technical College System of Georgia, which provides direct and immediate assistance to those nearing graduation. www.oggeecheetech.edu

Corbin

Mile Fund Scholarship from

Fortune named Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer of Citizens Bank of the South

David H. Brooker, Chief Executive Officer of Citizens Bank of the South announces the promotion of Mandy B. Fortune to Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer. This news follows the recent promotion of Matthew Huling to Bulloch County President. Fortune will continue her duties in the Statesboro office while also assuming an executive role across all markets in the areas of advertising and public relations, customer and community relations, product development, promotions, and related technology. She will direct team members in Sandersville and Milledgeville to ensure consistency in branding and communications.

Fortune, along with her designer/photographer husband Frank, began working with Citizens Bank of Washington County in 2006, as part of a contractual arrangement to market a Statesboro extension of the legacy bank in Sandersville. In 2008, the local bank expanded from a loan production of fice to full- service operations. At that time, she joined the staff in their current Com merce Drive location in Bulloch County as Marketing Director.

“Since the day we opened in Statesboro, we have relied on Mandy’s expertise, repu tation, and her relationships. While she has served well in our communities during the last 15 years, her new role will allow us to create and develop consistency and a strategy for growth”, explained Brooker.

Mincey named Assistant Vice President, Commercial and Consumer Lender

Citizens Bank of the

South

Matthew Huling, Bulloch County President of Citizens Bank of the South has named Kate Mincey to fill the position of Assistant Vice President, Commercial and Consumer Lender. The job was recently vacat ed when Huling moved to the top leadership role in Statesboro.

Mincey brings more than 20 years of industry experience to CBOTS. She is knowledgeable and competent in the deposit and customer service functions of the bank. During the last decade, she filled the role of branch manager and retail/ loan operations manager as well. Throughout the pandem ic, she easily adapted to the responsibilities of lender. She is well known for meeting the var ious needs of her customers and former employers that include Eagle Bank, Park Avenue Bank, Heritage Bank of the South and most recently Renasant Bank. Market President Huling commented, “Kate is uniquely familiar and highly qualified in all areas of banking. Customers appreciate the attention to detail and willingness she offers to see them through the banking process, lending is a natural fit for her. We appreciate her diverse skillset and know our clients will too.”

A career banker, Mincey has formed valuable rela tionships with many in the Statesboro and surrounding areas. Her resume reflects a very distinctive variation in that most of her diverse professional life has unfolded while physically remaining under one roof at the 335 South Main Street address. Well respected and proven within the community, she is a current member in the Leadership Bulloch class of 2023 and Provisional class of the Statesboro Service League.=

Choosing to follow a professional path to finance during her time at Georgia Southern, she has seen many organizational changes during the last two decades. Devoted to professional peers, she is known for her de termination, dedication, and attention to detail. Those attributes are also evident in her role as wife, mother, and co-owner of a small business with her husband, Austin.

“I am excited about the challenge of a new opportunity but want to give credit to those who’ve mentored and invested in me for a very long time. I appreciate the chance to build new relationships on the solid foundation they helped to provide for me,” said Mincey.

In addition to her Leadership Bulloch and Service League involvement, she serves as the co-chair the Chamber of Commerce’s Agribusiness Committee and is active in the Exchange Club. „

GS named recipient of Economic Development Administration ‘Build to Scale’ Grant

Georgia Southern will host the 2023 Governor’s Honors Program

Hundreds of the state’s best and brightest rising high school juniors and seniors will flood Georgia Southern University’s Statesboro Campus during the summer of 2023 to participate in the Georgia Governor’s Honors Program (GHP), the state’s most prestigious four-week, residential summer program.

The United States Economic Development Administration (EDA) has named Georgia Southern University as one of 51 nationwide grant recipients of the 2022 Build to Scale pro gram, which means the University will receive $600,000 in grant funding along with $600,000 in local match funds. The goal is to accelerate technology entrepreneurship by increasing inclusive access to entrepreneurial support and startup capital.

The University’s proposal, the “Coastal Empire Regional Ecosystem Strategy (CERES),” was selected as a finalist through Build to Scale’s Venture Challenge, which awards organizations that focus on supporting entrepreneurs. CERES is designed to accomplish this by strengthen ing the regional ecosystem of business outreach and development programs to meet the needs of underserved businesses more effectively. The initiative will focus on advancing early-stage business enterprises, with particular attention to minority, women, veteran and rural businesses.

The primary objective is that by 2025, at least 100 prospective or current entrepreneurs will receive assistance through CERES activities such as mentoring, training, workshops and application preparation for small business financing.

As a department, BIG serves as the business and economic development outreach arm for the University. It is comprised of the EDA University Center, Center for Busi ness Analytics and Economic Research, UGA Small Business Development Center, Innovation Incubator and FabLab. Over the past decade, BIG has assisted more than 3,000 entrepreneurs in creating 380 new businesses.

With this funding and the expertise of its stakeholders, CERES will seek to create impact for the region’s entrepreneurs by offering a quarterly series on economic trends and opportunities, as well as orchestrating two annual demonstration days where Universi ty faculty will showcase commercialized research in the industry. www.georgiasouthern.edu

Voters to Decide Nov. 8th if E-SPLOST for School District will be Extended

Registered voters in Bulloch County will be able to cast their vote on Nov. 8, to support the continued funding of a one-cent sales and use tax for educational facilities and infrastructure needs of the school district. Early voting began on Monday, Oct. 17 and runs through Nov. 4, and the general election day is Nov. 8.

The current one-cent tax (E-SPLOST IV), which began in January 2019, was scheduled to end on December 31, 2023; however, based on the unprecedented growth of recent sales tax collections in Bulloch County, the $62 million collection ceiling will now be reached around June 2023. Voter approval of E-SPLOST V will allow the district to avoid interruptions to collections and address rapid growth in the community.

When an E-SPLOST referendum is placed on the ballot for voters it gives citizens the opportunity to decide if they want to spread the tax burden among everyone who shops in Bulloch County as opposed to only those who own property in Bulloch County.

These four previous E-SPLOSTs have collectively generated approximately $218 million. This has allowed the district to successfully invest these resources to build six new schools, build five new athletic facilities, make schools safer, purchase additional school buses, and make significant technology upgrades to incorporate high-speed internet, Wi-Fi, and one-to-one technology devices for all students and faculty.

The GHP provides students with academic, cultural and social enrichment and covers all tuition fees and boarding costs. Students apply to attend GHP for a vari ety of majors in academic studies or fine arts and have the opportunity to develop personally and academically by selecting an additional elective outside of their major area.

When the contract came up for renewal, Georgia Southern submitted a proposal to host the program.

“We are thrilled for the opportunity to host the Gover nor’s Honors Program at Georgia Southern,” said Georgia Southern University President Kyle Marrero. “Having these students on our campus will allow us to showcase our spectacular facilities and academic programs. We look forward to welcoming these students and their families.”

The dates for the 2023 program are June 18 through July 15, 2023. Stu dents can find out more informa tion and apply at https://gosa. georgia.gov/governors-hon ors-program.

“For years, the Governor’s Honors Program has provided its students the opportunity to pursue their academic and artistic interests and grow as the next generation of leaders,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “I am confident Georgia Southern University, President Kyle Marrero and his staff will provide an excellent campus experience for Governor’s Honors Program students, and I look forward to the future of this prestigious program at the home of the Eagles.”

While GHP students are in Statesboro, they will live in Georgia Southern residence halls, eat in the dining facilities and learn in college classrooms, labs, studios and performance venues. GHP says the program offers instruction that is significantly different from the typical high school classroom. It is designed to provide students with academic, cultural and social enrichment necessary to become the next generation of global critical thinkers, innovators and leaders.

Students attend classes in the mornings and after noons in specific areas of study, and they participate in a wide variety of social and instructional opportunities every evening. The only required and expected costs to the students are travel expenses, a few basic supplies for classes and rooms, and spending money as desired during the program. www.georgiasouthern.edu S

The faculty, staff, & students of Ogeechee Technical College extend best wishes for a happy & healthy holiday season.

Celebrating the moments that really matter since 1970.

jingle bell time is a swell time!

jingle Bell Time is a Swell Time!

Ricky & Susan Allen

WRITTEN BY JENNY STARLING FOSS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY FRANK FORTUNE

The jingle bells started ringing at the Bulloch County Parks & Recreation Department’s Santa Call program. Rev. Ricky Allen used his voice as Santa’s on the phone calls to children that their parent’s scheduled each Christmas. Then, Ricky & Susan Allen began to step in for Santa and Mrs. Claus whenever requested. They have two daughters of their own, April & Ashley. April worked with Special Needs children at Mattie Lively and asked them to play Santa and Mrs. Claus for her students. Then other teachers started to ask. Before long they became one of Statesboro’s most popular Mr. & Mrs. Claus couples!

“We go anywhere we’re asked,” said Susan. Including the halls of First Baptist Church where both serve as pastors. Susan, as Minister to Children, from birth to sixth grade, and Ricky, who recently retired

after 25 years as Senior Associate Pastor, now serves as Senior Adult Pastor. Both are very active in their ministries, which includes almost everyone, from birth to seniors.

Both have dedicated their lives to Christian service. They dated all through high school and college. Ricky went to the Uni versity „

of Georgia and Susan went to Tift College. They grew up in the church. Susan’s dad was a pastor and Ricky’s was chairman of the deacons. They were married at Second Baptist & Tabernacle Church in Macon in 1979. Then April and Ashley came along.

April lives in Statesboro with her husband, Eric, and son Brandon. Ashley lives in Bonaire with husband Matt and boys, Mason, Maddox, and Michael.

“During COVID there was no Santa,” said Susan. “Children were unable to visit with him and have their picture made. We felt for the children of our neighborhood and church, so we started just sitting on the front porch and waving at them. We thought we could give just the ones around us the opportunity to have their picture with Santa.”

It seemed to grow from there. Soon Santa and Mrs. Claus were making appearances at churches, schools, restaurants, special needs classrooms, and private homes.

“Some families asked us to do it,” said Susan. “We would pass out the presents to the children.”

When Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive at a venue, everyone knows Santa is in the building.

“We see more and more people that want to greet us and have their picture made,” said Susan.

“We try to go as requested. Ricky has a Can-Am Spyder threewheel motorcycle that’s Christmas red. (Their one-horse sleigh). We had never ridden a motorcycle before, but when he retired, now it’s his hobby,” she said.

Together they ride around the neighborhood and around town in their Santa suits spreading good cheer.

Since Ricky’s retirement from Senior Associate Pastor this year, the couple have enjoyed a little more free time and time to travel.

“We stayed in Athens for a UGA football game for the first time this year,” said Susan. Their roles at the church have kept them close on Sunday’s.

They came to First Baptist in 1998. Ricky came first in May, and Susan followed in June after the girls were finished with school for the summer.

“I came from working with the Georgia Baptist Convention with the Women’s Missionary Union to this local church,” said Susan. “It was a big change, but we loved the roots and relation ships that we’ve been able to develop while serving here.”

And the couple look for every opportunity to make life better for the congregation and friends that they serve. Including helping Santa spread good cheer each year.

“We love the holidays. And the significance of this time being Advent,” said Susan. “The spirit of kindness and giving, and the birth of our Savior, are values that we hope to share with everyone in both our ministries.” S

bell time is a swell time!

“I came from working with the Georgia Baptist Convention with the Women’s Missionary Union to this local church, It was a big change, but we loved the roots and relationships that we’ve been able to develop while serving here.”

-Susan Allen

Mouse ears, Toy Story costumes, Alice in Wonderland costumes, Up costumes, Mickey earrings, hats and headbands. There’s one Statesboro family that loves Disney so much, they make having a little magic in everyday their lifestyle choice.

Ryan and Julie Foley, along with their children Ryan Jr. (R.J.), 10, Will, 8, and Gwennie, 5, (known to friends as the Foley Circus), are frequent visitors to the Magic Kingdom, and in between trips, they do a little something everyday to remind them of the enchanting park.

“You know how the big Starbucks on Main Street in Disney World makes it smell like coffee?” asked Julie. “That’s the smell of Disney to us. My kids can smell coffee and immediately they will say, ‘It smells like Main Street!’”

Who doesn’t love Disney? When you first go online to book your vacation during the 50th Anniversary Most Magical Celebration, you find words like Genie and Enchanting on the packages. They brand themselves as the world’s premier entertainment company. Visiting Disney World is an experience like no other. It is a magical place. Everybody’s happy, all the movie and cartoon charac ters from your childhood are there. The customer service is delightful. There’s a castle and rides and parades.

That’s the happy and magical feeling that the Foley’s try to capture and keep alive between their eight season pass trips each, and the extra tickets they get for the kids to make at least four trips a year during school vacations.

The Foleys love Disney so much that during COVID when the parks were closed, Julie looked for ways to keep the magic going.

“The kids and I did chalk drawings of Disney characters in our driveway, just to have something special here,” she said. “We would lay down by the drawings and take a selfie. We were desperate!”

The funny thing is, Julie and Ryan go to Disney World more than the kids go each year.

“We run the races,” said Ryan. “Half marathons, 5Ks, 10Ks.”

“We started runDisney in 2019,” said Julie. “We went for a marathon in November. Ryan bought season passes for the first time. Two adult passes. Then for Christmas, he bought passes for four trips for the kids. It was to be our year of Disney. But then the parks got shut down.”

Julie made the most of the postponed Year of Disney by looking for outfits and accessories for the family online, getting her group of five coordinated for when the park reopened. She loves to dress everyone in themed outfits from Disney adventure stories.

She and friend, Shannon Edwards Chance, both marketing professionals, created an Etsy shop to sell hand-designed and created Disney earrings, headbands, lanyards and bedazzled sunglasses. They called the shop Mommin’ with the Mouse. Sales were strong in the beginning for the decorative lanyards which were popular with Disney visitors because they held onto face masks during meals, treats and having drinks. As COVID passed, sales of the lanyards weren’t as popular, so Julie adjusted the shop, Shannon moved on to other interests, and Julie began to focus primarily on earrings, knot bands, and sunglasses.

“People love statement Disney earrings and head bands for visits to the park,” said Julie. “They love different ones for holidays and special celebrations. Some have become collectors.”

Meanwhile, Ryan found that he always wanted a hat to mark the occasion of the race he had run or a special visit to the park, but he could never find one that was cool and vented like a golf hat. He soon found a distributor of the type of hat he wanted, and he started making leather patches with Disney sayings and images for the fronts of the hats. So now, Ryan is making hats to sell on Etsy, while Julie is making connections with artists nationwide to keep her online shop growing.

“I started with princess earrings and Toy Story ones in October 2020,” said Julie. “I have been able to source my materials and I’m now able to hire other Disney Moms, to spread the love.”

She has an array of nine colors of tasseled earrings that are best sellers now. „

I’ve found a niche of like-minded Moms who want to dress up and be a part of the Disney experience, not just a visitor to the parks.

Julie Foley

“I hope hiring these Moms will just help to grow the shop, while benefitting them and their families,” she said. “I have a friend that’s working with me now, Mallory, who does t-shirts. I use her t-shirt design on earrings (matching!). The profit from those earrings goes to her daughter’s college fund.”

She also carries “Vote for Women” earrings, inspired by the Mom from Mary Poppins who was a suffrag ette.

“I’m not trying to be too political,” said Julie. “I’m just a Mom trying to help other Moms. But I love sending people who contact me to my friends as well. It’s really not about money, and surprisingly, most of my sales are from around the nation, not Statesboro. I think I’ve found a niche of like-minded Moms who want to dress up and be a part of the Disney experience, not just a visitor to the parks.”

The kids all love that Julie and Ryan look for ways to incorporate the Magic of Disney into everyday activities.

“We’ve made Dole whips at home. We go to Starbuck’s. We make Mickey waf fles and cinnamon rolls. We might get an ice cream treat after school, whatever we can do to add something happy, fun and special to our children’s lives just makes us happy, too,” she said.

In her real job, Julie is Senior Customer Success Manager for Second Street, creators of an audience engagement software platform used by media all over the U.S. Ryan is Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs & Student Affairs at Ogeechee Technical College.

But in their leisure time, both do a lot of planning for trips to Disney World. Julie has an App on her phone that tells the approximate wait time for each attraction at the park. That way, the family doesn’t waste a lot of time standing in line when they go. Plus, the kids get to play a game with Julie. Name a park and ride and guess the wait time! They take having fun seriously.

“We both decorate our home for the holidays,” said Julie. “Ryan is a great Dad. He makes the best cookies and cakes! For R.J.’s birthday he made a ganache cake with ice cream layers and chocolate that hardens. It is intense and elaborate. Anything the kids want. All the smash cakes. He’s so good with the kids.”

Currently, Ryan’s hats are selling as well as Julie’s accessories in their Etsy shops. “It’s evolving as the kids grow up,” said Julie. “I now have over 150 items in my shop. I’m sending 50 boxes a day to the post office. We have our own logos and stick ers for the boxes we ship. We pay special attention to the packaging of all our invento ry. We use tissue and bubble wrap with stickers that say, Your Magic Has Arrived!” “We want the recipient to have a great experience opening their packages,” said Julie. “To continue the magic.” S

We use tissue and bubble wrap with stickers that say, Your Magic Has Arrived!

Julie Foley

Shop

Statesboro shopping is a treat for the distinguishing tastemaker, the committed bargain hunter, and even the casual window shopper. With shops and restaurants in the growing Main Street district from Zetterower Avenue to College Street, including all four Main Streets, you’re sure to find many distinctive items to help with your holiday gift list. From boutiques to antiques, downtown offers an eclectic mix of stores and restaurants for all to enjoy this holiday season! Looking for something unique? You’ll find it for sure at Charlie’s Funky Junk Shop, the quaintest destination with an exciting inventory of vintage and seasonal items.

Just a couple of doors down West Main is Material Girl, a consignment shop with designer label fashion and accessories. If you’re looking for the very latest in lady’s fashion, visit Posh on South Main, for a great selection of beautiful gift ideas.

If you get a little hungry, pick-up a few dozen Christmas Cookies at Jonny Boy’s on South Main. The melt in your mouth treats also make the perfect holiday gifts for neighbors, teachers and friends. Need something for that hard-to-buy-for one on your list? Lori Grice Photography on East Main can provide you with the perfect photo gifts for family and friends. Whether you choose a formal portrait or a fun photo for this year’s Christmas card, Lori has the expertise to make it all come together for a special gift that will be treasured always. When your shopping is done, go next door to Statesboro’s authentic Indian cuisine restaurant, Tandoor & Tap. From sizzling Tandoor platters to fancy cocktails hand mixed by Garrett, treat yourself for doing the smart thing and shopping local this holiday season!

Celebrate the holidays basking in the charm of beautiful downtown Metter. Sip hot cocoa from Burlap & Lace Market & Coffee Bar, while browsing the stalls of quaint and unique antique items, along with new merchandise including popular décor items for your home. Have lunch at Papa Bucks Barbeque and enjoy the down-home flavor of smoked chicken, spare ribs, beef brisket and pulled pork. If you’re up for it, try the Pigzilla Challenge, and walk it off exploring the Canoochee Creek Market for fine home décor, lady’s apparel and accessories. Finish up with dinner at Bevrick’s, known for great down-home buffets and excellent service. Give the gift of food with a gift certificate from one of the shops or restaurants. While you’re there, explore the quaint square downtown for even more fine boutiques, stores and restaurants, while checking those items off your Christmas list! It pays to shop local!

A Charge to Keep I Have

Pastor Donald Chavers, Jr.

WRITTEN BY JENNY STARLING FOSS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY FRANK FORTUNE

If there’s a Bible character that Pastor Donald Chavers, Jr. identifies with it is David. Many know David as the young slayer of the Philistine giant Goliath. He grew up to become the King of Israel, who fathered King Solomon with Bathsheba. Also, a psalmist, David was many times considered an unlikely candidate to do the will of God. He had human failings described in the books of Samuel in the Old Testament. But he had a purity of heart toward God.

Donald Chavers grew up the third of seven children born to Donald, Sr. and Evelyn Chavers in the Middleground area of the county.

“We grew up poor, but we also grew up in the church,” said Chavers. “I worked in tobacco, picked up pecans, raked yards, cut grass, plus any domestic work we could do, and it helped shape us all.”

While his parents worked at instilling a strong work ethic, faith and pride for jobs performed, Chavers worked hard in school and graduated from Statesboro High School.

He spent 12 years working for the City of Statesboro, gradually starting to preach here and there. He’d also developed his baritone singing in the youth choir at church, a secret he kept mostly to himself. A self-described introvert, Chavers overcame his reticence through meeting customers on his meter reading route and listening to their issues.

“I have always been an outdoorsy type of person,” said Chavers. “I pre ferred to be alone working outside most of the day. So, I enjoyed working

with the City. I basically denied ‘the call’ until I was appointed.”

Chavers was appointed Senior Pastor for the Agape Worship Center of Statesboro at the age of 33, when his older brother Anthony, who had been pastor there, moved to the Atlanta area. The congregation called him forward.

“God carries us into different places and gets us involved with things that are not in our comfort zone,” said Chavers. “I find it notable that the age in which I was called forward was the age that Jesus was when he was crucified. Everything that God does is in His perfect time. So, I have taken up the charge to save this present age!”

Chavers finds inspiration in a favorite Charles Wesley hymn, “A Charge to Keep I Have.”

A Charge to keep I have A God to glorify…

To serve the present age, My calling to fulfill!

To do my Master’s will! „

He finds that the words of a hymn often stay with him longer than the words of a message do.

“I enjoy singing now as much as I do preach ing,” said Chavers.

Music often plays throughout the worship services during his sermons punctuating the message, or accompanying the pastor as he breaks out in song, before, during, and after the spoken word. The singing voice that Chavers once kept secret, is no more.

He has twice been featured in the Averitt Center for the Arts ONE series. On Friday, Novem ber 4th he will perform with Country artist Drew Wiggins at 7:30 p.m. in the Emma Kelly Theater, a series of Gospel and Country tunes.

“Music is something that I can take out into the community to share with many people,” said Chavers. “Music is relat able to all. And it carries a message in a memorable way with a tune that people can remember. I want everyone to be blessed by music. I believe from the feedback that they are. When we sing together, we are creating beautiful music and praise. It is just one example of how working together regardless of our differences, on something that we all agree on, moves us forward in a positive way.”

Chavers has also stepped out into the com munity as a dancer in Safe Haven’s Dancing with the Statesboro Stars. He competed in 2019, and has returned since then to serenade the audience between dance numbers. He is volunteering through the community not only through music and dance, but in leadership roles as well. He has served with Habitat for

Humanity, The Camilla Foundation, The Boys & Girls Club, The Community Garden, and as a commissioner on the Creek on the Blue Mile.

“That just shows how the Lord can change you,” said Chavers. “I once was introverted but now I have a true passion for people! That’s been a positive experience that came from God, His gift to me, it was not natural.”

Throughout Chavers community service and his interactions with people, he has drawn several lessons.

“I wish that all people could recognize that they have somethings in common: 1. A need for each other. 2. The synergy of your good is good for me, when you share it, we both get the benefit of it. 3. We are here to share our lives with each other, as different as we are. That’s the challenge, we focus on the differences instead of the similarities. We all have common ground.”

For his meditation time, to work on new ser mon material, Chavers still prefers the outdoors. He lives on a farm in Middleground. He likes to listen to the cows and work in the garden.

“For my time with the Lord, I like the coun try,” said Chavers. “That’s what feeds my soul.”

And when his soul is fed and he’s back in front of the church?

“My favorite thing is the people and the different personalities,” Chavers said. “Watching the people transform, drawing toward a ma turity in Christ. Growing up, getting married, having kids, all of it. I have to be careful not to see a lot of things wrong when I’m serving the congregation. In fix-it mode. I want to always look to see the better in and for all people.”

“Music is relatable to all. And it carries a message in a memorable way with a tune that people can remember. I want everyone to be blessed by music.”

Pastor Donald Chavers, Jr.

Tina O.

Dr. Tankersley saved my life... I would refer anyone to him. He is compassionate, caring and very personable.

I wish I had found him years ago!!!

Hardy W.

My experience here was outstanding. All of the personnel here are real professionals. I was told by one of his staff members I would have A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE if I get my hips replaced. I am a 58 years old man and I felt my life was over because of my hips but, Dr. Tankersley and his staff changed all of that.

Brandi E.

Dr. Tankersley is the BEST and is very professional. He will run every test to make sure everything is ok with you. I will say, he has been a breath of fresh air for me and helping me

Statesboro, please join us in welcoming Interventional Pain Management specialist, Michael D. Dykes, MD

For over two decades he has successfully helped people suffering with chronic pain without the use of medications. If you or someone you know suffers from chronic pain, there is help!

T. Bryant

Like the fact that he gave me a book to read called eat to live information on my condition things to help me to become healthier and manage day to day living he’s very caring and cares about his patients it was my first encounter with him and I am impressed glad he’s now my doctor and his nurse was so nice shout out to her they are a awesome team.

MICHAEL D. DYKES, MD IS NOW ACCEPTING REFERRALS

To determine if you qualify for treatment, ask your primary care provider to refer you to Dr. Dykes for a consultation. Visit OptimHealthSystem.com or call 912.225.6499

1601 Fair Road, Suite 800, Statesboro, GA 30458

Monday – Thursday: 8:30 AM – 5 PM • Friday: 8:30 AM – 4 PM

holiday Gift Guide 2022

PEACHTREE HAMS AND CAFÉ

607 Brannen St, Statesboro 912.489.4267

Peachtree Hams and Café is a family owned business that believes in serving the Statesboro community quality food in a friendly atmosphere. The employees at Peachtree Hams & Café work hard to serve their customers food that is consistently good and quickly prepared. Shop local this holiday season for holiday hams, turkeys, and cakes!

L.A. WATERS FURNITURE & MATTRESS CENTER

L.A. Waters Mall Store

300 Lovett Road | Statesboro, GA 30458 912.764.5431

L.A. Waters Downtown Store 8 West Main Street | Statesboro, GA 30458 912.764.6576

For over 80 years, L. A. Waters Furniture and Mattress Center in Statesboro has combined the greatest looks in home furnishings with the best in customer service to become the destination of choice for generations of wise furniture shoppers in the Georgia-Carolina area! For a memorable gift idea, the perfect finishing touches are sure to be a winner every time!

Completely transform any space with our wonderful selection of home accents; mirrors, lamps, stunning new selection of pillows, art, we have it all! These picks are perfect for freshening and adding luxe to any room. With so many styles to choose from, traditional, rustic, coastal, cottage, modern, find a favorite signature piece

The best part of giving a beautiful selection from L.A.

STATESBORO MAGAZINE

1 Herald Square Statesboro | 912.489.2181 | statesboromagazine.com Statesboro Magazine highlights the People, Places and “Things You Want to Know” in the Greater Statesboro Area. Our purpose is to promote our quality of life, create business for participating advertisers, and open the door for dynamic Economic Development. Feature articles depict life and doing business through local stories that showcase Statesboro, Claxton, Metter, and Sylvania.

One year- $22 | Two years- $35

912.489.3474

hunting & fishing headquarters - TC Outdoors is your one-stop shop for all of your hunting, fishing and gun supplies. With a wide variety of supplies, you are sure to be ready for the next big catch! Our gun store includes firearms for your every need in self defense and shooting sports, including concealed carry, police supplies, LE law enforcement, military, tactical firearms, target shooting, sport shooting and hunting. We carry all the major brands of hand guns brands from all the top manufacturers and specialty firearms makers. TC Outdoors, we take pride in helping our customers get everything they need to make their rifle scopes and other firearm accessories work right. Gift cards make the perfect stocking stuffers for outdoor enthusiast.

OPEN HEARTS COMMUNITY MISSION

201 MLK, JR. DR. STATESBORO, GA 912.623.2528  WWW.OHCM.ORG

Open Hearts Community Mission is to shelter the homeless, feed the hungry, clothe the needy and restore the downtrodden. OHCM is a privately funded communitybased 501(c)(3) rescue mission serving the residents of Bulloch County with High Standards, Strong Boundaries, and Clear Direction. We share the Gospel of Jesus Christ by extending

SAFE HAVEN OUTREACH CENTER

204 NORTH COLLEGE ST, STATESBORO, GA 30458 24/7 HELPLINE 912.764.4605  1.800.33.HAVEN 1.800.334.2836 SAFEHAVENSTATESBORO.ORG

Safe Haven is a program of Citizens Against Violence, Inc., a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) corporation. Their mission is to serve, strengthen and support victims and children of domestic violence through the provision of emergency and community-based services. They provide emergency shelter and outreach services for adult and child victims

THE TEAL HOUSE

209 SOUTH COLLEGE ST, STATESBORO, GA 30458 912.489.6060  SRSAC.ORG

Statesboro Regional Sexual Assault Center, Inc. or SRSAC provides emotional support and advocacy for individuals who have been sexually assaulted. SRSAC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, designated by the Ogeechee Judicial Circuit and law enforcement agencies to serve Bulloch, Jenkins, Screven, and Effingham Counties. SRSAC is part of the Statesboro area’s Sexual Assault Response

AVERITT CENTER FOR THE ARTS

33 EAST MAIN ST, STATESBORO, GA 30458 912.212.2787  AVERITTCENTER.ORG

The mission of the Averitt Center for the Arts is to provide quality arts opportunities for Statesboro, Bulloch County and surrounding areas as well as to serve as the centerpiece for a vibrant, historic downtown Statesboro. The purpose of the Averitt Center for the Arts is to make available a broad range of experiences in the performing arts, visual arts, literary arts, heritage arts, and general arts

Prison Ministry

Christmas 2022

WRITTEN BY LAZAR BROWN OGLESBY

Is it any wonder that many of our favorite holiday melodies make mention of food?

My happiest holiday memories almost always involve food and music. Special dishes take me back to a specific season, holiday, or mem ory. Songs date-stamp a period of time and when I hear a certain tune the melody ushers me back to a particular moment.

Sweets are always synonymous with the holiday seasons. Thanksgiv ing and Christmas have historically been the busiest seasons for Honey Catering and Honey Cheesecakes. I love baking in a kitchen filled with delicious smells and jolly Christmas music playing.

“Chestnuts roasting on an open fire” and “bring us some figgy pud ding” are both lyrics including tasty-sounding dishes from popular Christmas songs. Researching these Yuletide songs got my wheels turning and my stomach growling. I set out to create some new recipes and share a treasured family favorite.

What is “figgy pudding” anyway? I turned to Pinterest, one of my fa vorite recipe and home project resources for an explanation. I clicked on several recipes to confirm the ingredients of this often lauded, but rarely experienced dessert. Most recipes include typical cake ingredients: flour, sugar, eggs, and baking powder laced with spices and diced bits of dried fruits such as figs, dates, and plums. The South’s more familiar version would be a fruitcake. Similar to Southern fruitcake, figgy pudding recipes do include spirits such as rum or brandy. The pudding part comes into play as the recipe is typically steamed for long periods of time instead of baked like a cake. My son’s girlfriend, Ansley, told me about a fig cake her cousins from Texas shared on a recent trip to Georgia. Ansley’s mom requested the recipe and was surprised to learn that particular recipe is TOP SECRET! This secrecy led me to create my own recipe full of figs and spices.

Another spice-filled confection that reminds me of the holiday season are my grandma’s spice bars. My grandma always kept some type of treat on the sideboard beside her dining room table. The buffet often held Tup perware boxes filled with small bite-size snacks layered between crinkly pieces of waxed paper. Cheese straws, fudge, iced brownies, and roasted pecans were sideboard staples, and as the holidays arrived spice bars would grace the list. Most of us have the basic ingredients for these bars in our pantry. Whip up a batch!

I like to take traditional recipes and create a “Southern” version of pop ular dishes using ingredients synonymous with the South. I remember my mother making a special trip to Augusta to buy mascarpone cheese and spongy Italian lady fingers to make Tiramisu for her friend group’s monthly supper club. I replaced the traditional lady finger cookies with Pecan Sandies. The shortbread soaks up the coffee and the addition of pe cans is oh, so Southern. The traditional rum or brandy is replaced with a good Bourbon. The Pirouette cookies make a show stopping presentation fit for your holiday table and the added crunch is perfection!

I hope this article leaves you with sugar plums dancing in your head and a twinkle in your eye! Happy Holidays! „

SPICED FIG CAKE

INGREDIENTS:

2 c. Cake Flour

1 c. Sugar

½ c. Brown Sugar

1 tsp. Salt

1 tsp. Baking Soda

1 tsp. Cinnamon

1 tsp. Ground Clove

1 tsp. Apple Pie Spice

1 c. Oil

1 c. Buttermilk

1 c. Fig Preserves

3 Eggs

1 Tbsp. Bourbon Vanilla ⅓ c. Powdered Sugar (for garnish)

PREPARATION:

Preheat the oven to 325˚. Grease and flour a bundt cake pan. Place all dry ingredients in a mixing bowl and mix well. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Pour into the prepared bundt pan. Bake at 325˚ for 1 hour. Allow to cool in the pan for 30 minutes. Turn onto a cake plate. Top with powdered sugar.

PREPARATION:

Preheat the oven to 350˚. Place all bar ingre dients in a bowl and mix until just combined. Pour mixture into a greased 9 x 13 baking dish. Batter is very thick. Spread batter with spatula or hands to edges of pan. Bake 12-15 min utes. While the bars are baking, place all glaze ingredients in a bowl and whisk until smooth. Remove bars from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes. Pour glaze over the top of bars and spread until completely covered. Let cool com pletely and slice into 1 x 2 pieces.

INGREDIENTS:

4 c. Heavy Whipping Cream

8 ounces Cream Cheese

1 c. Sugar

1 tsp. Vanilla ½ c. Strong Coffee (chilled) 3 Tbsp. Good Bourbon

1 package Pecan Sandies Cookies 4 12oz. packages Pirouette Cookies Cocoa powder for dusting the top

PREPARATION:

Add whipping cream and sugar to a mixing bowl and beat on me dium speed. Slowly add vanilla and continue to beat until stiff peaks form. Remove 2 cups of whipped cream and set aside for topping. Add softened cream cheese to remaining whipped cream and mix just until combined. Set aside.

Line Springform pan sides with pirouette cookies. You can break some of the cookies for varying heights. The pirouette cookies have a tendency to fall over. As you line the sides with pirouette cookies use the coffee-soaked pecan sandies to hold the pirouettes in place. Add coffee and bourbon to a shallow bowl. Dip the pecan sandies in the coffee (Don’t soak them—just quickly dip them on both sides to get them wet) and lay them in a single layer on the bottom of the springform pan. Smooth half of the cream cheese mixture over the top. Add another layer of dipped cookies. Smooth remaining cream cheese mixture over the top. Add another layer of coffee-soaked cookies. Top Tiramisu with re served whipped cream. Dust cocoa powder generously over the top (I use a fine mesh strainer to do this).

Save broken pirouette cookies for garnish. Refrigerate for at least 3-4 hours or up to overnight before serving. S

Solstice Celebrations

WRITTEN BY CAROLYN ALTMAN

Days grow shorter and oaks and maples drop leaves as trees settle into the dormant phase of their an nual cycles. Holidays are part of our human annu al cycle, and plants are the basis of many holidays. Humans rejoice in a bountiful harvest, and sweet potatoes (storage roots), squash (fruits, botanically speaking), and pecans (seeds) grace Thanksgiving tables. Kwanzaa, the Swahili word for first fruits, affirms wisdom gleaned in part from African harvest festivals. A good harvest means survival, and longer days nurture the hope of a bountiful future for each of us and our communities. Hope is the foundation of many of the world’s holidays, and many celebrate at the win ter solstice, after which days become longer and the promise of life renews.

In the past, solstices (the longest and shortest days of the year) and equinoxes (the two times each year when day and night are exactly the same) were determined by observation

of shadow and light over time. It was crucial to know the effects of day length on the living world. We now pull up the times of sunrise and sunset on any given day on our phones, but our holidays are still rooted in our predecessors’ observations of nature’s details.

Deciduous plants drop their leaves so they don’t have to maintain them during days when sunlight, and there fore food, is short. Evergreens such as magnolias, hollies, pines, junipers, and many varieties of what are grown as Christmas trees don’t noticeably lose their needles (which are modified leaves). Northern Europeans believed in the ongoing power of evergreens and decorated with ev ergreen boughs to improve the odds that spring would come. Christmas trees may have originated in the mir acle plays of the Middle Ages, or it may be that Martin Luther loved evergreens so much he decorated one with candles. In any case, the Christmas tree has become an important symbol of everlasting life.

Christmas cacti (Schlumbergera) are native to the Brazilian tropics, but bloom in many American house holds. Christmas cacti are photoperiodic, which means they respond to particular amounts of darkness and light – a long period of darkness is required for bloom ing. Growers control the darkness to ensure red, pink, white, or purple blooms for the holidays. My mother had a window full of at least thirty Schumbergera and they bloomed enthusiastically during the dark days of De cember and occasionally at other times, reminders that life is mysterious and delightful.

I once was cycling up Mt. Teide in the Canary Islands and a seven-foot-tall shrub covered with red blooms caught my eye. Pedaling closer, I realized the shrub was a poinsettia, a mega-version of the plants that decorate our Christmas ta bles. Like Schlumbergera, poinsettias are photoperiodic, and I was lucky that during my visit Canary Island nights were long enough to prompt color.

In the 1820’s, the U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, Joel R. Poinsett, must have been as excited as I was and brought poinsettia cuttings back to his South Carolina greenhouses. Growers since have cultivated splashy colors and patterns on what are not petals but are modified leaves called bracts. A Mexican legend connects the poinsettia to Christmas. A young girl didn’t have a present for the Baby Jesus, so she picked weeds and left them at the manger, where they burst into huge red blooms. Poinsettias perhaps became popular as a Christmas plant when the entrepreneurial Ecke family sent plants from their greenhouses to television studios across the country.

Mistletoe (Phoradendron) popularizes itself. Seeds from bird drop pings or explosive berries root on branches high in trees. The plant’s green leaves make some food, but it taps into the host tree for addition al nutrients. Growing high in the canopy, with no connection to the ground, mistletoe appears magical, and has been said to encourage ro mance, marriage, and fertility if one is kissed while standing beneath it. Norse and Greek mythology have mistletoe myths involving love, but it wasn’t until Washington Irving chronicled English Christmas traditions in his best seller The Sketch Book, that kissing under mistletoe became a tradition.

Bulloch County hardwoods are full of mistletoe, our woods are full of pines and hollies, our pecans and gardens are bountiful, and poinsettias and Christmas cacti are available at the Botanic Garden or local florists and retailers. As you incorporate these plants into your traditions, enjoy them not only for the beauty, but for the way they connect you to our ancestors, and for the hope they provide for the future. S

The Greatest Gift

WRITTEN BY REV. DR. JOHN WATERS

OOne of the greatest gifts I’ve ever re ceived was four dollars. Not four hun dred; not four thousand. It was a gift less than a five-dollar bill, but I will never forget it.

The gift came years ago from an elderly widow whose husband recently died, and I was asked to preach his funeral. She was very appreciative of how I led the funeral service, especially since I had not known her husband, but had been invit ed to lead the service simply because I pastored the church where some of her friends attended. Following the service, she opened her purse with a firm click from the clasp, and she pulled out a bank envelope, stating that she wanted to pay me for leading the funeral.

Her shaky, wrinkled hands tussled with the envelope for a moment until she was able to peel back the sticky flap and get access to her cash. She pulled out the money she apparently had recently gotten from her local bank, and she placed into my hand four one-dollar bills, laying them gently into my palm one at a time.

Part of me wanted to say no to her gift, not because it was small, but because I was happy to serve her during this time without her feel ing any obligation for financial remuneration. It was also very apparent that her own financial needs were great, and she needed every dollar she had for herself. But I had been told not to steal someone else’s joy when they wanted to give, so I humbly accepted the gift and thanked her for her kindness.

I honestly do not remember her name after all these years, and my only encounter with her was the day of the funeral. But I will never forget her.

Her face and gift are burned deeply into my memory and my heart. I’ve received countless monetary gifts throughout the years for funerals, wed dings, and special events, but I have never forgotten those four one-dollar bills. She gave out of her poverty something she could not afford, and it affected me in profound and deep ways.

It was the greatest gift I ever received, apart from the gift of God’s Son, of course.

When God looked upon the world and saw the hopelessness of hu mankind, He knew that there was only one way to cure the problem. The fix for humanity’s woes, however, would not be found in the laboratory of scientists, the library of scholars, or the board room of executives. The solution would be found in a manger in Bethlehem, where Jesus was born as the Savior of the world.

The Apostle Paul described Jesus as God’s indescribable gift (2 Corinthi ans 9:15). Indeed, through the gift of God’s Son, we now can have peace, joy, and everlasting life. Many people are familiar with the story of the wisemen who brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the Christ Child, seeking to worship Him. Little did the wisemen know that the real gift that day was not found in their treasure chests or travel bags--the real gift was in the manger, a little Baby who would bring light from darkness, hope from hopelessness, and peace from chaos.

During this holiday season, what gift do you need the most? If we were honest, each of us would admit the gift we need most has nothing to do with electronics, fashion trends, or online shopping. In a world filled with brokenness and emptiness, most people are hoping to find peace, joy, and a meaningful life. The good news is that all those gifts and more can be found in the greatest gift, which is God’s Son.

When I think about the widow who gave me four dollars all those years ago, I remain humbled by her gift and her generous spirit. It was more than I deserved, and its gracious nature is etched onto my heart.

And as I think about the gift of God’s Son born in Bethlehem those many years ago, I too am humbled by the grace it represents and the joy it brings to my heart. From the widow, I received four dollars, which was unforgettable. From my heavenly Father, I received eternal life, which is indescribable.

Indeed, Jesus is God’s greatest gift of all. S

Toni’s Christmas Gift

WRITTEN BY RIC MANDES

Ihad been shopping with a friend at the Au gusta Mall for six hours without a break. It is Christmas season, 1995. The stores are a mix ture of buyers and boxes. The walkways have two paces, slow and slower, as folks stop to look into a window, or pause to hold caucus about Uncle Joe and what can we get him.

It was early afternoon when we moved into the quiet of Lou’s, a deli with a long pretty bar and a dozen or so tables.

I had a call to make, so I mentioned to my friend, as we chose our seats, “a big glass of wa ter...”

Upon my return, Toni Jernigan has a big glass of water waiting for me, while my friend is sipping on a Miller Lite.

“Having fun, I see,” Toni quipped.

“Yeah, for sure,” we chorused.

My friend and I remained in the holding pat tern for about a half hour, gaining our second wind and plotting strategy for where to go and what else to buy.

Meanwhile, Toni worked the bar as more tat tered customers found this oasis.

Toni is in her late twenties. We find out she is here two afternoons a week and all-day Saturday.

“My dad owned a lounge in Philly. So, I grew up in this atmosphere,” she starts.

“He taught me how to mix drinks when I

would go with him to the office on Sunday afternoons. Dad would be doing the books and I would be leafing through his old notes scribbled when he was young and just starting out.”

Up and down the bar she moves, smiling, popping the question, “What’ll it be?” And delivering.

It is about time for my friend and me to take leave...

The bar is now that of a crowded train platform: everyone trying to get on-board.

Toni brings us our tab. And for just that moment she is all ours. No shouts for another one.

I look at her and I ask, “What do you want for Christmas?”

She smiles and says, “Hey, I already got mine. Santa came early.”

“Oh,” we replied. “That’s not fair.”

With that, there is a slight quiver of the lips and a moistness of her eyes. “Santa did me a big favor. He knew what I wanted and he didn’t make me wait. My Santa is Dr. Bill Cannto, a young brilliant oncologist. He called me just yesterday to tell me my husband’s tests came back and we are still in remission.”

Toni, found in a nice bar in the Augusta Mall, offering cheers in glasses and through her smiles, all the while deep within her knowing for certain her Christmas gift is hearing her husband’s voice, looking into his eyes, holding him...for another holiday season.

“Take care,” she smiles.

My friend and I move into the heat of the mall, knowing we had just come upon “the deal of the day” in our having spent those few special moments with Toni Jernigan.

The wonderful sounds of “Joy to the World” came from the mall’s public address system...

We smiled and nodded to everyone we met, as we walked toward the car.

“I continue to choose Renasant Bank because for over 10 years they have supported me in following my dream of bringing the experience of funfashion shopping to my hometown and surrounding communities and have helped me in growing my business into what it is today.” Jincy’s Southern Exchange

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Sending you the promise of good things to come, during this special season and throughout the new year.

Synovus Bank, Member FDIC.