Editor’s Letter

EDITOR’S LETTER

Bon Voyage Bainbridge

Welcome to the Summer 2022 edition of Bainbridge Living. Th is issue focuses on some of the amazing travels and adventures our readers have gone on .

I love traveling and most recently went on an 8-day cruise with my family and cousins. We visited Coco

Cay, St. Th omas and St. Marteen. We also had the opportunity to take a catamaran to Christmas Cove in St.

Th omas and go snorkeling. It was an experience I’ll never forget.

Th e stories in the issue make me want to pack up my bags, fl y off to

Europe and go wine tasting and sightseeing. However, it may be a bit before I can do that, because I am packing my bags and moving to

Th omasville for a new job.

Bainbridge Living has easily been one of my favorite parts of working at the Post-Searchlight, beyond meeting the people and telling their stories. I have loved using this magazine as a creative outlet to tell the amazing stories of our vibrant community.

It was not an easy decision to make, but I feel it was the right one for me. I hope this farewell issue of Bainbridge Living proves to be everyone’s favorite yet, and I hope in the coming months the magazine only continues to grow and be a staple in resident’s homes. Th ank you for everything the past fi ve years, and for welcoming me all into your home.

4 BAINBRIDGE LIVING / Summer 2022

EDITORIAL

JOHN WELLS General Manager

JILL HOLLOWAY Managing Editor

news@thepostsearchlight.com

ETHAN REDDISH TRAVIS POLITAKIS Contributing Editors

ADVERTISING

MEGHAN LASHLEY RALPH DOBSON MILES DEROCCO Advertising Sales Staff

229-495-6123

PRODUCTION

MARK POPE General Manager

Bainbridge Living is published four times per year by Bainbridge Media, LLC. P.O. Box 277 Bainbridge, GA 39818 www.bainbridgeliving.com (229) 246-2827

Advertising rates and information available upon request.

DEPARTMENTS

Summer 2022

6 20 38

COLUMNS 4 Editor’s Letter

FEATURES 6 GCA’s Group Trip to Greece

Grace Christian Academy seniors em barked on a 14-day trip to Greece earlier this summer. Now, they are sharing the tales of their travels.

14 Mountaineer John Dooner

Senior forester John Dooner loves a good adventure. Following his climb of Mt. Rainier, he took on the ultimate task of climbing some of Ecuador’s tallest peaks.

20 Traveling trainee Meghan Welch

After starting her career here in Bainbridge with Chick-fi l-A, Meghan Welch has now traveled across the states, help ing with grand openings and seeing some of the most famous monu ments in the United States.

26 An Italian Food & Wine Tour

Glennie and Steve Bench return to Steve’s Italian roots, as they par take in a group food and wine tour across Central Italy.

32 Photographer Becky Bardin

Becky Bardin shares snapshots and stories from some of her most famous photography trips, including a safari in Tanzania and a trip to Iceland.

38 First Adventurers

First National Bank’s First Adventuers Travel Club gives an inside look at some of their most memorable trips across the United States.

Summer 2022 / BAINBRIDGE LIVING 5