THE 2023 FABULIST REVEAL

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

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.

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

Frank is the national award winning freelance photographer who holds the distinction of shooting 24 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.

FRIDAYS – TUESDAYS

STATESBORO MAIN STREET MARKET2GO

FRIDAYS – T UESDAYS @ 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.

March 4

CHI-TOWN TRANSIT AUTHORITY LIVE!

7:30 P.M.

$30/PERSON

$25/MEMBERS/MILITARY/FIRST RESPONDERS/CITY & COUNTY EMPLOYEES

EMMA KELLY THEATER | AVERITT CENTER FOR THE ARTS

Chi-Town Transit Authority (CTA) is an 8-piece Chicago tribute band founded in 2017 and based out of Atlanta, dedicated to reproducing the “Chicago” concert experience. The key to their success has been knitting together a highly accomplished team of long-time musicians who truly love the music of Chicago. They pay close attention to detail in recreating the best of Chicago’s songs from studio and live versions and then design a show that first captures the audience, then gets them involved, and finally brings down the house. It's easy to do because the band is having as much fun as the audience is. They are able to choose from the steady stream of Chicago hits starting in the late ‘60s. This allows the band ample opportunity to spotlight each of the three main vocalists as well as showcase a tight horn section and beautifully arranged vocal harmonies. They have honed their craft by playing over 90 shows at casinos, festivals, performing arts theaters, and music venues all around the Southeastern U.S. For tickets visit www.AverittCenterfortheArts.org.

March 9

THE BLESSING OF THE CROPS

7:30 A.M. – 9:00 A.M.

REGISTRATION REQUIRED/BREAKFAST PROVIDED

FRONT LAWN & FELLOWSHIP HALL

PITTMAN PARK UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Join local farmers and supporters for the annual Blessing of the Crops prayer breakfast. The annual Blessing of the Crops event is a breakfast program for farmers and agriculture supporters to pray for a bountiful harvest. The short program includes a keynote speaker, and a circle of prayer followed by the presentation of the Young Farmer of the Year Award. www.statesboro-chamber.org.

MARCH 9 – MAY 5

“AVANT GARDENER”

LISA D. WATSON GALLERY EXHIBITION OPENING

FREE FAMILY FUN EVENT

5:30 P.M. GALLERY OPENS

6:00 P.M.ARTIST TALK

MAIN GALLERY

AVERITT CENTER FOR THE ARTS

Lisa D. Watson (LDW) is a Georgia-based artist and gardener whose environmental concerns are expressed in each project. Her assemblage pieces contain 90% reclaimed material such as paper products, metal, industrial wood, produce netting and more. She has used recycled objects as her medium for over 25 years and continually works towards a fully sustainable practice. LDW seeks balance between urbanization and conservation in her artwork and landscape design. Her company, Plan It Green Design, LLC, consults homeowners with native, drought tolerant, and pollinator friendly landscapes. Her work has been exhibited nationally in solo exhibitions. Subsequently, the Jepson Center purchased one of the artworks, Convergence, for their permanent collection. www.AverittCenterfortheArts.org.

March 10

ONE SERIES: DAN LARKIN

7:30 P.M.

$20/PERSON/MEMBERS/ MILITARY/FIRST

RESPONDERS/CITY & COUNTY EMPLOYEES

$15 STUDENTS

EMMA KELLY THEATER

AVERITT CENTER FOR THE ARTS

Dan Larkin was born and raised in Cherry Hill, New Jersey (right outside of Philly) and moved to Statesboro from Memphis, Tennessee in 2018. Growing up, he was exposed to many different musicians. His mom listened to many singer/songwriters such as James Taylor and Carole King whereas his father listened to mostly classic rock such as The Rolling Stones and Lynyrd Skynyrd. Dan has been a singer forever and sang in the church choir with his sisters. Later, he started playing guitar at age 15. His first ever gig was with his first-ever band called Mad Mardigan (which was named after Val Kilmer’s character in Willow), when he was 16. The gig was in the basement of the bass player’s grandmother’s house alongside four to five other bands. www.AverittCenterfortheArts.org.

MARCH 10 – 11

DRIVE-IN LASER LIGHT SHOW

7:00 P.M. LASER CONCERT WITH CLASSIC AND POP HITS

9:00 P.M. CLASSIC ROCK LASER CONCERT

10:30 P.M. THE 80S HIT LIST LASER CONCERT

$29/CAR LOAD UNLIMITED PASSENGERS

KIWANIS OGEECHEE FAIR GROUNDS

This family friendly laser shows will include favorite musical hits from the 70s, 80s, and 90s, as well as current hits and classic rock. All music is choreographed with cutting-edge effects, high-powered lasers, and large screen laser projections. There will be exclusive infield seating offered at the event venue. Attendees are invited to bring their own chairs and blankets to enjoy the concert sound, vendors, and food. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 678-701-6114.

March 11

SOUTHEAST BULLOCH HIGH SCHOOL CHORUS

DINNER THEATER 2023

6:00 P.M.

$30/PERSON OR TABLE OF 8 FOR $200

PERRY FELLOWSHIP HALL

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

An evening of elegant dining catered by Southern Flair Catering. Individual tables will be uniquely decorated with different themes. Th highlight of the evening will be performances by talented chorus members! For tickets, please contact Kathryn Waters @ kathryndwaters@gmail.com or 912-690-7533. Please purchase tickets by Tuesday, February 21st.

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

MARCH 24

EXPERIENCE THE AURORA

6:00 P.M. – 8:30 P.M.

FREE FUN FAMILY EVENT!

SHOW TIMES ARE HOURLY AT 6:00 P.M., 7:00 P.M., AND 8:00 P.M.

PLANETARIUM – MATH PHYSICS BUILDING

GEORGIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY

Over seven months in the Arctic Circle, our crews captured time-lapse images of the Aurora Borealis with high resolution digital SLR cameras outfitted with fisheye lenses. The results are spectacular. For the first time the aurora has been captured as it was meant to be experienced, as a display that covers the entire sky. This immersive show shares the science behind the aurora and tells the story of our quest to find and photograph the aurora for wraparound display in full-dome theaters.

March 25

5TH ANNUAL CASSEGA GRAND SLAM

HOSTED BY CORE CREDIT UNION

MARCH 17

ST. PATRICK’S DAY

MARCH 17 & 18

AG-GROW EXPO

12 NOON – 7:00. P.M. FRIDAY

10:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M. SATURDAY

FREE FUN FAMILY EVENT!

BULLOCH COUNTY AG COMPLEX

The Bulloch County Agricultural Complex will host its second annual mini expo, the Ag-Grow Expo, on March 17 – 18, 2023! The Ag-Grow Expo will provide two days of education booths about the agriculture right here in Bulloch County, equipment vendors showing off their latest and greatest, a livestock exhibition, a Community Stage, and more! www.BullochAg.com.

8:30 A.M. REGISTRATION OPENS

9:15 A.M. WELCOME & RULES

9:30 A.M. SHOTGUN START – SCRAMBLE FORMAT

1:00 P.M. LUNCH IS SERVED

$100/GOLFER

$20/3 MULLIGANS

STUDENT RATES AVAILABLE

1031 GOLF CLUB ROAD

Georgia Southern University Golf Course

Join us for the 5th Annual CASSEGA Grandslam hosted by CORE Credit Union on March 25, 2023. Golfers will tee-up for more than just a round of golf. They are playing to benefit abused and neglected children in Bulloch, Effingham, Jenkins and Screven Counties. This annual tournament benefits the Ogeechee Visitation Centers and CASA Ogeechee. Contact Kristen@ casaogeechee.org for more information. „

March 25

WALLACE GREEN REUNION TOUR LIVE!

7:30 P.M.

$30/PERSON

$25/MEMBERS/MILITARY/FIRST RESPONDERS/CITY & COUNTY EMPLOYEES

EMMA KELLY THEATER

AVERITT CENTER FOR THE ARTS

2023 sees the reunion of the beloved 90s Statesboro-based band, Wallace Green. Wallace Green band members Chris Mitchell, Brian Hendrix, and Larry Summerlin are coming back together for a Home Town Reunion Tour starting at the Emma Kelly Theater. Wallace Green was founded by the members in the mid-90s while they were attending Georgia Southern University. Their first album, Wonderllamasoup, was produced by Mitchell and released in 1996. Before releasing their sophomore album, they signed with Knot Known Records, Inc, a small label in Arizona that produced their follow-up album. Their second and last album, evandrool, was released in 1999. www.AverittCenterfortheArts.org.

APRIL 1 & 2

GEORGIA SOUTHERN BOTANIC GARDEN SPRING PLANT SALE

9:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M. SATURDAY

12 NOON – 4:00 P.M. SUNDAY

FREE FUN FAMILY EVENT!

BOTANIC GARDEN

GEORGIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY

“Go Native” at the season’s extremely popular plant sale! The Botanic Garden offers plants, shrubs, and trees not commonly seen in big box store’s garden sections. Introduce a native plant from The Botanic Garden into your landscape and enjoy it for years to come! www.georgiasouthern.edu/garden.

APRIL 9

EASTER SUNDAY

APRIL 15

April 1

STATESBORO MAIN STREET FARMERS MARKET OPENING DAY!

9:00 A.M. – 12:30 P.M.

FREE FUN FAMILY EVENT!

222 SOUTH MAIN STREET

VISIT STATESBORO WELCOME CENTER

Enjoy 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 at Opening Day of the Farmers Market. Savor homemade products from jellies to jerky; from honey to muffins. Plus, Craft & Jewelry vendors and food trucks! Applications for the 2023 Statesboro Main Street Farmers Market are here! If you are interested in signing up to become a vendor at the Saturday market or online at Market2Go, follow the link below and download an application and the 2023 Market Guidelines. You can also pick up an application in person at the Visit Statesboro! office located at 222 South Main St. Completed applications with relevant attachments and payments can also be dropped off there, as well as mailed to:

Statesboro Farmers Market

P.O. Box 1135

Statesboro, GA 30459 www.visitstatesboro.org/farmers-market.

ARTSFEST

10:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M.

FREE FUN FAMILY EVENT!

SWEETHEART CIRCLE

GEORGIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY

There will be a variety of activities for all ages. The event will be spread out across Sweetheart Circle to give you space to social distance. The staff asks that you do what you know is right to help keep others safe. Many art stops will be available for attendees to create their own art. There will be the Artist Market where you can purchase art and live performances on stage throughout the day! T-Shirts will also be on sale at the event for $5 each and there will be a free tie-dye stop as well.

APRIL 15

OGEECHEE AREA HOSPICE DIAMONDS IN THE SAND GALA

6:30 P.M. – 10:30 P.M.

$100/PERSON

THE BELLE HOUSE

Come and join us for our Diamonds in the Sand Gala features a live band, heavy hors d'oeuvres, a silent auction, the raffle for a Kawasaki mule and other items in the fabulous live auction. Call Tinker Lanier at Ogeechee Area Hospice today to inquire about a table for eight. 912-764-8441.

APRIL 20 – 23

BRIGHT STAR

APRIL 20 - 22 AT 7:30 P.M.

APRIL 23 AT 3:00 P.M.

$25/PERSON

$20/MEMBERS/MILITARY/FIRST RESPONDERS/CITY & COUNTY EMPLOYEES

$15/STUDENTS

EMMA KELLY THEATER

AVERITT CENTER FOR THE ARTS

Inspired by a real event and featuring the Grammy-nominated score by Steven Martin and Edie Brickell, Broadway’s BRIGHT STAR tells a sweeping tale of love and redemption set against the rich backdrop of the American South in the 1920s and ’40s. When literary editor Alice Murphy meets a young soldier just home from World War II, he awakens her longing for the child she once lost. Haunted by their unique connection, Alice sets out on a journey to understand her past – and what she finds has the power to transform both of their lives. Propelled by an ensemble of onstage musicians and dancers, the story unfolds as a rich tapestry of deep emotion, beautiful melodies and powerfully moving performances. An uplifting theatrical journey that holds you tight in its grasp, Bright Star is as refreshingly genuine as it is daringly hopeful. For tickets visit www.AverittCenterfortheArts.org.

April 22

EFAA $10,000 REVERSE RAFFLE & AUCTION

6:00 P.M.

$100/2 PEOPLE & ONE RAFFLE ENTRY

HANNER FIELD HOUSE

GEORGIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY

Join the Eagle Football Alumni Association for their 16th Annual $10,000 Reverse Raffle & Auction at Hanner Fieldhouse on the campus of Georgia Southern University. The $10,000 Reverse Raffle & Auction includes live entertainment, food and an open bar with all proceeds directly benefiting the Georgia Southern football program, as well as the Erk Russell, Tom 'Doc' Smith, and Roger Inman Scholarships that are available to the University's student-athletes, student managers and athletic trainers. One ticket gains entry for two guests to the event and one entry into the raffle. Ticket Website: https://give.gseagles.com/event/usd10-000-reverse-raffleand-auction/e464543.

April 27

LED ZEPPELIN PLANETARIUM

SHOW

6:00 P.M. & 7:00 P.M.

FREE FUN FAMILY EVENT

PLANETARIUM – MATH

PHYSICS BUILDING

GEORGIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY

This show delves further into the surrealistic environments than any other music entertainment show, transporting visitors into dozens of mood provoking settings. The motions are more calculated to the transportive feeling, drawing audiences deeper into the scenes. And our planetarium dome is ideal for providing this immersive effect. During the show you’ll be treated to Led Zeppelin’s classics such as “Kashmir,” “Black Dog,” “Over the Hills and Far Away,” “Stairway to Heaven,” “Rock and Roll,” and many others!

APRIL

28 & 29

12TH ANNUAL KIWANIS RODEO

5:00 P.M. GATES OPEN

7:00 P.M. RODEO BEGINS BULLOCH COUNTY AG ARENA www.statesborokiwanisrodeo.com. S

Grab your partner and boot scoot on over to the 12th Annual Statesboro Kiwanis Rodeo at the Bulloch County Agricultural Complex! Hedrick Rodeo returns for another great performance and Kiwanis members say it will be will be incrediBULL! They can't wait to see you there! Tickets go on sale soon-- stay tuned to Facebook @ Kiwanis Club of Statesboro for all the details!

Leadership Southeast Georgia Announces Class of 2023

Three Bulloch County professional were recently chosen to participate in the Leadership Southeast Georgia Class of 2023: Demetrius Bynes, Matthew Shingler, and Cindy Steinmann. Leadership Southeast Georgia, a professional development and leadership program held in 10 coastal counties, has chosen 31 business, professional and civic leaders to take part in its Class of 2023. These individuals, chosen for their dedication to improving our region through effective and inclusive leadership, represent a diverse set of backgrounds, skills and personalities across the Southeast Georgia region of Bryan, Bulloch, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long, McIntosh and Screven counties.

The leadership development program runs from February to June 2023 and includes two- or three-day sessions, beginning in the Glynn/Camden County location and concluding after the Chatham County session. Class members are set on a course of ongoing personal and professional growth, building connections, and strengthening collaboration skills that empower leaders to elevate the Southeast Georgia region.

Bynes is Director of Human Resource for the City of Statesboro. Shingler is Facilities Services Director at Georgia Southern University, Bulloch County. Steinmann is Assistant County Manager for Bulloch County.

To learn more about the LSEGA Program, visit: www.lsega.com.

Clenny Named 2023 GOAL Winner

OTC's 2023 GOAL Award Winner Justin Clenny, a student in Ogeechee Technical College’s Cybersecurity Program was named OTC’s 2023 Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL) winner during a reception on January 26th.

Clenny, a native of Evans County, has already earned an associate degree in Information Technology from OTC, and has returned to earn a second associate degree in Cybersecurity.

Clenny went on to explain how OTC prepared him for his interview with The Sack Company and how he was immediately hired, and after his 90-day evaluation, received a promotion.

Hand, a CIS and Cybersecurity instructor at OTC, has been teaching for 20 years and was overjoyed to see his two nominees selected as finalists.

“It’s not me. Look at them. They are excited and energetic and they come through and they study hard and they’re prepared,” he said.

Also awarded at the reception was GOAL runner-up Kristin Goddard, and finalists Annabelle Sydnor, and Dalton Flanders. www.ogeecheetech.edu

Bulloch County School System Receives $125K Grant from DECAL

Bulloch County Schools has been awarded a $125,000 Community Transformation Grant from the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL). The Community Transformation Grant will be used to increase access to early learning for children in rural areas.

Bulloch County Schools was one of 26 organizations who received a grant for 2023. The grant program assists community collaboratives with their initiatives that assist with the critical needs of children ages birth to eight years old and their families. The school district wrote the grant to support and expand the work of the Bulloch County Literacy Council and its BullochREAD initiative and to further provide literacy resources and training to early learning professionals in Bulloch County.

"Receiving this award is a great honor," said Crystal Simpkins, director of early learning and literacy for the school district. "The Bulloch County Literacy Council has worked to bring awareness and educate parents and the community on the importance of early literacy. This grant will allow us to continue our work, and we look forward to increasing access to high-quality early childhood programs for all children living in Bulloch County."

The term of the grant is 18 months, but DECAL hopes that many of the funded projects will be expanded or scaled-up over time. The Grants were created in 2021 to encourage the creation of early education partnerships composed of community agencies and other stakeholders that would design, tailor, and implement innovative projects to increase access to and the quality of early childhood services and resources. The 26 grants were funded under the American Rescue Plan and are directed to the birth-to-8 population. DECAL has engaged Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students (GEEARS) to conduct an independent evaluation of the Community Transformation Grant program.

The Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) is responsible for meeting the child care and early education needs of Georgia’s children and their families. It administers the nationally recognized Georgia Pre-Kindergarten Program, licenses child care centers and home-based child care, administers Georgia’s Childcare and Parent Services (CAPS) program and federal nutrition programs, and manages Quality Rated, Georgia’s community-powered child care rating system. The department also houses the Head Start State Collaboration Office, distributes federal funding to enhance the quality and availability of child care, and works collaboratively with Georgia child care resource and referral agencies and organizations throughout the state to enhance early care and education.