Coffee County Magazine Spring 2018 by With You In Mind Publications

spring 2018

Caring for the

Coffee County

Heart

Evaluations & Follow-Up Care for Heart Problems

Spirit of Beauty

Congestive Heart Failure Pacemaker Checks High Blood Pressure High Cholesterol High Triglycerides Chest Pain Shortness of Breath

New Patients Welcomed • No Referral Necessary

COLLINS

Coffee County’s youngest chamber member Zipporiah Wilcox owes her success to God.

Living Your Best Life

UGA Baseball Player Keegan McGovern finds his future in the field.

Heather Carver believes improved nutrition will lead to an improved environment.

High Flying Hobby Kit Carson’s love of flying radio-controlled planes has grown into a full time hobby.

CARDIOLOGY Dr. Darrel Collins • Tara Spivey, PA-C

1208 Ocilla Road, Douglas, Georgia 31533 • 912.384.6276 | www.collinscardiologyga.com

H o m e t o w n L i v i n g at i t s B e s t

Coffee County Board of Education Douglas, Georgia

Our Vision: An Equitable and Excellent Education for Every Student

Bryan Preston, Chairman; Reagan Miller, Vice-Chair; Leola Johnson, Jesse Jowers, and Adam Lott

Dr. Morris Leis, Superintendent 1311 South Peterson Avenue | Douglas, Georgia 31533 | Phone (912) 384-2086 | coffee.k12.ga.us

Nicholls

CITY OF

GEORGIA

707 VAN STREAT HIGHWAY, NICHOLLS, GA | 912.345.2421

The BEST comprehensive podiatrist for patients in

SOUTHERN GEORGIA From routine checkups, to the most complex reconstructive surgery cases, Ankle & Foot Associates is equipped to handle all your podiatric needs. Our office provides a wide range of services such as dedicated lower extremity circulation testing, MRI and Physical Therapy.

Gregory J. Kramer, DPM Board Certified

Experts in diabetic care, we also treat diabetic wounds, infections and along with our local team of medical doctors, educate and emphasize the importance of routine pedal inspections and exams.

CALL US TODAY OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT

Nicole E. Wilson, DPM Board Certified

912.384.4121 | 204 Westside Drive, Douglas, Georgia 31533 | www.anklesandfeet.com

118 N. Pearl Ave . Douglas, GA. 31533

(912) 331.0846 Serving Southeast GA From Five locations: Douglas, Hazlehurst, Baxley, Fitzgerald, Alma

Speech, Language, Voice, And Swallowing Therapy

Free Speech Screenings in May How does your child hear and talk? From 1 to 2 years Points to a few body parts when you ask Uses p,b,m,h and w in words Understands simple questions like “who’s that?” Puts 2 words together like “more apple”

not combining words

not understanding

iven e

Struggling to talk

t ent

say ing wor few ds

g idin ion o v a sat ver n co

tion

frustra

ir ngi ng

From 4 to 5 years Understands words for time like yesterday, today, and tomorrow Follows longer directions like “put on your pajamas, brush your teeth, and pick out a book” Says all speech sounds in words Tells a short story

eech

g in zz to bu lure ond i fa esp r

From 3 to 4 years Responds when you call from another room Uses pronouns like I, you, me Most people understand your child’s speech Talks about what happened during the day

unclear sp

inat

From 2 to 3 years Understands new words quickly Talks about things that are not in the room Uses k,g,f,t,d and n in words Familiar people understands your child’s speech

not re sp onding

Coffee County magazine

contents 10

Living Your Best Life

Heather Carver believes improved nutrition will lead to an improved environment.

Spirit of Beauty

Coffee Countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s youngest chamber member Zipporiah Wilcox owes her success to God.

Living the Dream

Doing it all right here from Douglas, artist Dylan Ross is making an impact and desires to be a part of something bigger.

10 About the Cover Featured on the cover is University of Georgia baseball star Keegan McGovern. Turn to page 64 to read his story. The photo was taken by Kelly McDonald Photography.

Gageâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Dawg Fight

Gage Tanner battles childhood cancer with a smile that will melt your heart.

50 4

coffee county magazine

Lindsey and Wills Animal Hospital is proud to serve Douglas, GA and the surrounding areas. We are dedicated to providing the highest level of veterinary medicine along with friendly, compassionate service.

Keeping Your Pet On The Path To Wellness. 1330 West Baker Hwy | Douglas, GA 31533 | lindseyandwills.com | (912) 384-8160

76 64

Just Keep Swinging

UGA Baseball Player Keegan McGovern finds his future in the field.

High Flying Hobby

Kit Carson’s love of flying radio-controlled planes has grown into a full time hobby.

One Child at a Time

Inspired by educators and other “teachers” in her life, Kayla Stevens wants to be an inspiration for future generations.

coffee county magazine

104

Sweeter Than Most Type 1 diabetes is no match for energetic 6-year-old Matthew Graves, who is an amazing child and most definitely has no sour disposition.

116

The Sweet Life

Warren Winters carries on the syrup making tradition he helped his father create over 50 years ago.

From the Publisher

Coffee County magazine

P u b l i s h e r With You In Mind Publications

Jay and Patti Martin e d i to r Renee Corwine C reat i v e | D e s i g n Stacey Nichols

Mandi Spivey o f f i ce M a n ager Nikki Burkhalter

Whenever we have a publisher’s letter, we try to highlight the people that make each area a special place to live. I am going to deviate a little with this letter. I am going to tell you the main reason my life is so special. In a word it is Patti! As you read this, Patti and I will have just celebrated 37 years of marriage. The first thing that you notice about her is that she is BEAUTIFUL!! If you have ever met her, the second thing you notice is that she is a genuinely caring person. She looks at you, not through you. If you have ever spent an hour with her you will know that her best friend is God. Patti freely shares His love through her actions, not just her words. In 37 years of marriage, I have never once doubted her love for me or that she had my back every second of every day. We have 2 biological children, 3 adopted children and we’ve been foster parents to numerous children for 18 years. Not one of these children did not feel the reality of a mother’s love through Patti. I am so blessed that I have been married to the Proverbs 31 woman and will be for the rest of my life here on earth! Blessings, Proverbs 31

Jay and Patti Martin Sales: (912) 654-3045 Email: jay@wyimpublications.com withyouinmindpublications.com 8

coffee county magazine

A s s i s ta n t M a n ager s June Dixon

Julie Braly

P h otograp h er s A Thousand Words Photography

Amber Bounds Photography Christopher Lakos Dawn McDaniel Owens Gail Dixon Kelly McDonald C ov er P h oto Keegan McGovern, taken by

Kelly McDonald Photography Sale s Dottie Hicks

Patti Martin Kelly McDonald Landon Spivey

Contributing Wri te r s Gail Dixon

Kelly McDonald

Robert Preston Jr.

Terri Winters

Coffee County Magazine© is published semi-annually by With You in Mind Publications. withyouinmindpublications.com P.O. Box 55 • Glennville, GA 30427 (912) 654-3045 All rights reserved. Copies or reproduction of this publication in whole or in part is strictly prohibited without expressed written authorization from the publisher. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein. Advertising is subject to omission, errors, and other changes without notice.

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912-384-0870 Hometown Living At Its Best

[ Photos and Story by Kelly McDonald ]

All in the name of biology, Heather Carver has transitioned a love for sea turtles and sharks into a career in human nutrition. “It’s all science to me,” said the 2001 graduate of Coffee High School. So how did she get from animals to adults? After high school, Heather attended South Georgia College and went on to Georgia Southern University where she graduated in 2006 with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology. During her subsequent internship with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, she could be found on Blackbeard Island off the coast of North Carolina researching and studying sea turtles. From 2008 to 2009, Heather worked on a federally funded project with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources on board the Georgia Bulldog research vessel. “We would go out for four or five days at a time to collect data regarding the sea turtles’ health, numbers and size. If we ever came across a sick turtle, we would rescue it and send it to the sea turtle hospital center on Jekyll Island,” she said. Her duties also included drawing blood, running labs and preparing samples for further research. Heather continued her graduate research and even had the opportunity to work with other scientists who were collecting data and observing sharks. Later in 2009, after earning her Master’s in Biology, Heather moved back to Coffee County to teach biology. She began by teaching part-time at South

Coffee County magazine

Hometown Living At Its Best

Coffee County magazine

Georgia College and then full-time at Waycross College. When the two colleges consolidated, she transitioned to teaching full-time at South Georgia State College, which is where she helped develop the new Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences degree. The program includes Freshwater Ecosystems, a course she developed and implemented for the first cohort of students. Heather said her favorite project was the DNA analysis of fish samples from local food sources. She also successfully led a team that recently was awarded a University System of Georgia STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) grant. Heather stayed on as a professor until 2016. Education is the most important part to her. Heather aims to teach people to ask questions about the food they are putting in their bodies. What is really in this? Where did it come from? How will this affect me? â&#x20AC;&#x153;If you take a look at how certain food relates to your overall health and lifespan, you would change a lot of things,â&#x20AC;? she said. But where do you start? She can help with that question, too. Heather teaches her patients how to substitute small changes at first and work up to a better diet and ultimately a better you.

Hometown Living At Its Best

Coffee County magazine

Heatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s patient list includes anyone with prediabetes and diabetes, high blood pressure, and people with gastro or heart problems. She also offers lifestyle makeovers to achieve and maintain a healthy weight. These makeovers incorporate intuitive eating and meal planning, weight management, healthy eating counseling and group therapy.

Hometown Living At Its Best

My goal is to offer alternatives and to make eating healthy, fun and delicious.” Her food philosophy always has been rooted in science with a focus on the environment, and so she teaches people to look at food in a different way. “My goal is to offer alternatives and to make eating healthy, fun and delicious. I want to focus on how to eliminate barriers to living a healthy lifestyle while making the best decisions about food,” Heather said.

“When I moved back home and started teaching, I began thinking more about nutrition and my own eating habits. I quickly found there was a lot of misinformation out there about nutrition,” Heather said. Already armed with science degrees, Heather decided to pursue nutrition and found a pathway to becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). 16

Coffee County magazine

She completed the Distance Dietetics Program through the University of Northern Colorado, which allowed her to work full-time and complete coursework online. “People often think online courses are easy, but I can tell you, through all the classes I have taken they require the most dedication and self-motivation,” she said. The program came

Now an official RDN, Heather’s business, Carver Nutrition, offers consultations and ongoing sessions for her personal clients out of her beautiful historic home on Gaskin Avenue. “Private practice was always the goal and now I have that in my home office,” she said. “This practice has been a whole new learning curve with insurance, technology and all the things that come with running a private practice, but it is my dream come true.”

with a required internship. She did not secure one on the first attempt, but was determined to continue. Just as she was gearing up to try again, Heather and her husband, Kevin, found out that they were expecting. Now, she lovingly refers to their son, Alexander, as “my Valentine’s baby.” In 2016, Heather tried again for a dietetic internship at Georgia Southern University and got in – but she was met with a challenge: “Do I stay here at home and teach or do I quit my job and go for it?” After talking things over with her husband, the little family packed up and moved to Statesboro so she could

tackle a 1,200-hour internship along with her graduate coursework. Heather completed rotations in food service, food service management and several other clinical and community courses over 14 locations. Heather finished the full course in 2017 and became eligible to sit for the RDN exam. In August 2017, Heather took the examination and found out seconds after finishing it that she had passed. Then all she needed was her license, which in true Heather fashion didn’t take long. Now an official RDN, Heather’s business, Carver Nutrition, offers consultations and ongoing sessions

Hometown Living At Its Best

for her personal clients out of her beautiful historic home on Gaskin Avenue. “Private practice was always the goal and now I have that in my home office,” she said. “This practice has been a whole new learning curve with insurance, technology and all the things that come with running a private practice, but it is my dream come true.” Heather’s patient list includes anyone with pre-diabetes and diabetes, high blood pressure, and people with gastro or heart problems. She also offers lifestyle makeovers to achieve and maintain a healthy weight. These makeovers incorporate intuitive eating and meal planning, weight management, healthy eating counseling and group therapy. Her food philosophy always has been rooted in science with a focus on the environment, and so she teaches people to look at food in a different way. “My goal is to offer alternatives and to make eating healthy, fun, and delicious. I want to focus on how to eliminate barriers to living a healthy lifestyle while making the best decisions about food,” Heather said. “That can be tricky with a 3-year-old. You have to learn to prepare a little more and you also may have to learn to buy back your toddler’s Halloween candy – as a fellow dietitian once told me!” Don’t worry, little Alexander still got to keep plenty of his Halloween candy. Heather wants to educate him as he grows up and then let him make his own decisions about food. As she says, it is our job as parents to provide healthy choices for our children, and it is their job to make their own decisions about what to eat. Carver Nutrition has become her other baby. Heather has worked hard to develop a pre-diabetes prevention program to coordinate with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), which has been proven to prevent or delay the onset of Type 2 diabetes. She is also currently working with local doctors, and eventually the hospital, to offer the DPP program beginning in 2018, when Medicare will begin coverage for it. It will take time to earn the program’s credentialing and it will be crucial to find partners within the community that aim to improve the health of their employees, patients, family and friends. Education is the most important part to her. Heather aims to teach people to ask questions about the food they are putting in their bodies. What is really in this? Where did it come from? How will this affect me? “If you take a look at how certain food relates to your overall health and lifespan, you would change a lot of things,” she said. But where do you start? She can help with that question, too. Heather teaches her patients how to substitute small changes at first and work up to a better diet and ultimately a better you. “My goals are for a better way of doing things: life, family and food. With nutrition, I can still support the environment – including those sea turtles,” she said. “Nutrition is the answer to prevent so many chronic diseases and even some cancer. It may require a little more thought before pulling through another fast food drive-through, but the results can be amazing. More energy, more focus, less extra weight and exhaustion is the goal, and I can help you get there.”  CCM

Coffee County magazine

Hometown Living At Its Best

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coffee county magazine

Bradley Goldberg, M.D.

Steve Diamond, M.D.

Jesse A. Kane, M.D.

Amanda Bice, RN, BSN, MSN, WHNP-BC

Angela M. Brewer, FNP-C

Margaret S. Minchew, PA-C

Your Neighbors. Your Friends. Your Doctors. At Coffee Women’s Center, we want you to feel like part of our family. That’s why we’re dedicated to providing individualized, caring, state-of-the-art services in a comfortable, confidential, and relaxed environment.

912-384-2500 | 2010 OCILLA RD | DOUGLAS, GA 31533 | crhwomenscenter.com

DISCOVER MORE. CONNECT MORE. BE MORE. At GEORGIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY, you’ll enjoy more opportunities to excel, more cutting-edge discoveries and more student life experiences than you ever imagined. Discover one vibrant university with three exciting campuses—and a world full of possibilities. Reveal your most exceptional self.

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Spirit of

Beauty

coffee county magazine

STORY BY KELLY MCDONALD | PHOTOS BY KELLY MCDONALD PHOTOGRAPHY

Coffee County’s youngest chamber member Zipporiah Wilcox owes her success to God.

Nine-year-old business owner Zipporiah Wilcox started her speech to a local elementary school by saying she came to talk about entrepreneurship. “That just means that I own my own business. I own a Christian business where I design T-shirts for young girls and I also make jewelry. I love what I do and want my business to reach others all around the world,” she said. “I have a lot more to tell you about my business, but first let me tell you how I am able to stand before you today. I have a true testimony, or should I say, testimonies.” Zipporiah was attending church at Hightower Memorial Temple in November 2016 when her stomach started to hurt. Then her head and her chest begin to bother her as well. She had experienced chest pains the year before, but nothing like this. Zipporiah started to stand up and

Hometown Living At Its Best

my name is Zipporiah Wilcox “ Hello, and I am glad to be here with

everyone today. The reason I am here is to talk to you about entrepreneurship. That just means that I own my own business. I own a Christian business where I design T-shirts for young girls and I also make jewelry. I love what I do and want my business to reach others all around the world...

“

completely passed out. A deacon from the church rushed her and her parents to the hospital where she stayed for three days. Weeks later, Zipporiah was diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, a condition characterized by too little blood returning to the heart when standing up. The syndrome causes lightheadedness, fainting and a rapid increase in heart rate. The cause of the syndrome is unknown and treatments include improving blood pressure and

coffee county magazine

quality of life. Zipporiah’s parents, Johnny and Marie Wilcox, said it was a miracle that she survived what she had experienced. When she finally woke up, Zipporiah could not recall her own brothers’ names. She could not remember the months of the year or even how to count in order. When Zipporiah heard about what she and her family had been through, she decided right then to live to praise God. Zipporiah spent the better part of the

Making History Zipporiah started her business in May 2017, but didn’t receive her official business license until July 2017. “It felt so great when I finally got my business license.” In August 2017, she was honored at the Atrium in Douglas for being the youngest member of the Chamber of Commerce.

next six months in the hospital. “I am thankful for my family who have always stood beside me, but I am most thankful for God. He has never let me down and I know he never will,” Zipporiah said. Even through her sickness, Zipporiah was determined to start her own business, called Zipporiah’s All Things Beautiful, in order to “win souls to Christ.” She came up with the idea for the business in 2015 after her parents talked to her and her brothers about the importance of being saved and living for Christ, even at a young age. After that talk, Zipporiah said she came up with an idea of how she could spread God’s word to help other children become Christians. “She decided that she can wear a shirt to help spread God’s word and everyone would read her shirt and ask her what it meant and it would open the opportunity for her to express the importance of living for Christ,” said her mother, Marie Wilcox. “My name means ‘beauty’ and I believe God created all things beautiful,” Zipporiah said. Her business has two T-shirt collections and a jewelry collection. The first T-shirt collection is called Spirit of Beauty and represents Acts 2:17, where it says God will pour His spirit out on all flesh. The second T-shirt line is called Beautiful Girls Give Tithes Too, and is taken from Malachi 3:8-12, where the Bible explains about being blessed if you give tithes and offerings. Her T-shirts are a big hit with her friends. The Spirit of Beauty line represents the transformation of a person when they accept Jesus Christ into their life, allowing them to be transformed into His spirit of beauty. With sayings of reassurance printed on each shirt, Zipporiah hopes to spread the Word. She also likes to compare this transformation to that of a caterpillar turning into a butterfly. Her motto for this part of her business is, “Let the change happen in you so your butterfly can come through.”

Hometown Living At Its Best

Never Give Up

coffee county magazine

Even through all of her sickness, Zipporiah was determined to start her own business. “I am the proud owner of Zipporiah’s All Things Beautiful,” says Zipporiah. “The main purpose of my business is to win souls to Christ. My name means “beauty” and I believe God created all things beautiful.”

Hometown Living At Its Best

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome is a condition characterized by too little blood returning to the heart when standing up. The syndrome causes light headiness, fainting, and a rapid increase in heart rate. The cause of the syndrome is unknown and treatments include several ways to try to improve blood pressure and quality of life.

Inspiring girls to feel beautiful and show it always has been important to her. One shirt with big eyelashes says, “Beautiful Girls are Going to Take the World.” When asked which shirt is her favorite, Zipporiah said, “My favorite is the girl who is wearing it and knows she is beautiful.” As for the jewelry making side of the business, Zipporiah said that the sale of the jewelry makes it possible for her to offer help to those who cannot afford to pay their own hospital fees. She has plans to one day start a foundation to further this cause. Zipporiah’s Care Foundation will eventually be a way for her to reach even more people. Having planned it since 2015, Zipporiah started her business in May 2017, but didn’t receive her official business license until July

coffee county magazine

of that year. “It felt so great when I finally got my business license,” she said. In August 2017, she was honored for being the youngest member of the Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce. “That was an awesome experience. The next day, I was so surprised to be front page news,” she said. “I was the youngest member of the chamber in the history of Coffee County!” Zipporiah again gave all the credit to God. This little CEO loves school, crafts, praise dancing and her family. Her parents have enthusiastically supported her venture and have been encouraging about the ventures to come. “We have always taught her and her brothers, Johnny and Jahnias, to be who God has called them to be and to always put Him first,” said Marie. Remembering the speech she gave at the elementary school, Zipporiah said she wasn’t nervous, saying that God gives her the peace and the confidence to let all students know that they can become involved in spreading the Word through a small business. “I want other kids to know that they can be proud to serve God and have fun doing it,” she said. “I am not the only one who can do this. I have had doors open for me and you can, too.”  CCM

Hometown Living At Its Best

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CITY OF

GEORGIA

City Council, L to R Kathy Streat, Tracey Darby, Allen Thompson, Mayor Dewayne Streat, David Taylor, Glynn Tanner

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Coffee County magazine

Story by Robert Preston Jr.

Photos by Kelly McDonald Photography

A few years ago, when last we met with Dylan Ross, he was a young artist trying to establish a full-time career in what can be a very difficult and finicky occupation. Stories abound of the starving artist â&#x20AC;&#x201C; those supremely talented individuals who for whatever reason canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t gain a foothold and share their gift with the world. Warehouses, restaurants, secretary desks, classrooms, retail centers, and just about every other place you can imagine are full of artists looking for their break, that one opportunity that will provide them with an avenue through which they can build a full-time art career.

Hometown Living At Its Best

What Dylan was attempting to do was challenging, at times gut wrenching, and, in all honesty, a long shot at best. Now, all these years later, he’s achieved the first goal of many he has set for himself – he’s a full-time artist, supporting himself through his imagination, his pens and brushes, and a tireless work ethic. He’s found that place where hard work and talent meet, and the end result is an opportunity few of his kind ever find. That’s not to say his journey is over. In fact, in many ways it’s just beginning. Though he has taken great strides in establishing himself as a serious artist, he’s still growing and evolving in his craft. He has seen a number of opportunities open up over the last few years and he’s doing his best to capitalize on each one. “Growing up, I always did black and white pencil drawings. That technique is doing small lines. It’s not really painting. But it’s helped me with the style I have now. What I’m doing now is like pop art; lots of color, almost scribbly Jackson Pollocklike. It’s my own and it’s not so generic as what I did earlier,” he says.

Though he has taken great strides in establishing himself as a serious artist, he’s still growing and evolving in his craft. He has seen a number of opportunities open up over the last few years and he’s doing his best to capitalize on each one.

Coffee County magazine

Hometown Living At Its Best

One constant throughout Dylan’s career has been the art show. He has traveled the country displaying his art, and it’s something he continues to do. The reception he’s gotten at art shows has been overwhelmingly positive. The one knock that he has received has been that maybe he focuses too much on portraits. “People want me to do more nature stuff or landscapes or architectural works. But that’s never really been my thing. I’m more into doing portraits. Catching people’s faces comes really easy to me,” he says. This summer, Dylan’s ability to capture a person’s feature was put to the test when singers John Glosson and Jamie Grace played a concert in Douglas. John played first followed by Jamie. In between acts, organizers asked Dylan to stand before the audience, which numbered nearly 1,000 spectators, and paint the face of Jesus. It was something he had never done before and it made him quite nervous. “I didn’t practice. I just kind of winged it. It was timed and there were a lot of people around. I was very uncomfortable at first,” he recalls. Once he started painting, however, he settled down. Painting comes easy to Dylan and in the privacy of his studio, he doesn’t see people react to a work in progress. But as he stood there onstage and brought the image of the Messiah to canvas, he saw firsthand how individuals respond to seeing him work. “After John sang, the place was rocking. I thought people would be restless while I painted. I really didn’t want to go up there at first,” says Dylan. Pianist Jay Beverly provided background music while Dylan worked. Every time he stepped away from the portrait, he could hear people react. The energy that John

Coffee County magazine

One reason Dylan has chosen to remain in Douglas is because, in his eyes, the area has a vibrant art scene. The community is full of talented artists and home to at least two major players in the music industry: Jennifer Nettles and Maureen Tucker, one of the most influential musicians of all time. He wants kids to know the artistic resources Douglas and Coffee County have and he wants them to know that it’s OK to pursue their dreams. “Nobody talks about the resources we have here. I think art programs are letting kids down. I want to show kids that they’ve got a chance to do art as a career. I’ve got tons of friends who do it but they’re not from Douglas. I want kids to know the opportunity is there and I’d like to see the community to support them as they pursue their dreams,” says Dylan.

Hometown Living At Its Best

had established only built as Dylan painted. He fed off that and focused even more on what he was doing. After about 20 minutes – a smidgen longer than organizers had allotted him – he stood before the audience with a striking representation of Jesus Christ. It was a profound experience, one that added to what was already a special evening. That’s what it’s been like for Dylan this year – new experiences, new doors, new opportunities. In an effort to step outside of his studio and into something a little different, he decided to try his hand at painting murals. His first victim was an old white farmhouse on Highway 441 North near Broxton. He painted a

Coffee County magazine

Hometown Living At Its Best

scene from “The Andy Griffith Show” on the home, which sits right on the highway. It’s an attention-grabber and a unique welcome for visitors as they arrive in Broxton. Other murals have followed around Douglas and even in other communities. It’s yet another forum for Dylan to showcase his talent. “The murals came out of nowhere. I’d never done anything like that, either. Now I’m trying to build that side of my business,” he says. For Dylan, diversity is the key to staying busy. He’s chosen to stay in Douglas when he could opt for the bigger cities and the lure of more exposure and money. Remaining in his home him the freedom to hone town comes with a cost but it also gives him the freedom to hone his craft. From commissioned portraits to murals to painting in front of a live audience, everything he does builds his resume, provides him with valuable experience, and helps him continue to hone his craft. “Now I have a lot of work on back order. I get to do a lot of commissions, and once in a while I’ll do something big for a celebrity. I’m just trying to save up and keep going. It’s steady work and it’s growing. My rates go up a little each year,” states Dylan. This fall, Dylan plans to celebrate a new venture – a clothing line he’s dubbed Southward. The line of clothing and accessories will feature southern themes as seen through Dylan’s art. By the time this edition hits the streets, Southward should be available throughout the area. The clothing and décor line will feature any one of a number of southern-themed images, such as ducks, deer, magnolias, flowers, anything that, as Dylan says, “has a southern vibe to it.” It’s something he’s wanted to do for a while but the timing just never was right. “I’ve played around with the idea before. I put some stuff on t-shirts and people loved it. But at the time, it didn’t make sense for me put a lot of time and effort into that project. Now, we have some investors and an agreement with a few stores. So it makes perfect sense right now,” he says. So what does the future hold for Dylan Ross? The sky’s the limit. He’s living his dream, supporting himself entirely from his art. He has shows scheduled throughout the country and in several European locations. His commissions and murals are keeping him busy. He’s about to launch a clothing line. And he’s doing it all right here from Douglas. “I want more but I’m not ready to go to New York City or a place like that. I like the pace here, this is my home, and I can make an impact on the community here. I’d like a chance to help change the community through art. I want to be a part of something bigger,” he says.  CCM

Coffee County magazine

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Coffee County magazine

[ Story and Photos by Kelly McDonald ]

Despite a complicated pregnancy and a premature birth, Gage and Gavan Tanner seemed like perfectly healthy baby boys. Their parents, Michael and Candie Tanner, having gone through their own health issues, headed home from the hospital with gorgeous twin boys. In his 20s Michael was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes and was insulin dependent. In April 2007, Candie was diagnosed with renal failure and underwent a liver transplant in April 2008. Candieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s condition was genetic, and so the couple decided to get Gavan tested because of the dark color of his urine. The news was not what they had hoped, Gavan had inherited Alport Syndrome from his mom.

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The family – which includes the couple’s daughter Saige and Michael’s daughter Jade – pulled together for support. The Tanner family had a lot to deal with, but promised each other to do it all together. At about 2 years old, Gage started having some medical problems of his own. “He would wake up during the night choking and snoring loudly. He was tested for asthma, allergies, birth defects and just about anything else you could think of,” said Candie. At age 4, there were still no answers and so they switched pediatricians. After their first visit to the new doctor, Gage was sent to an ENT specialist. That doctor discovered he had a paralyzed vocal cord. The choking continued to get worse to the point Gage would stop breathing. “We needed answers and fast,” said Candie. “I took it upon myself to call Shands pediatric ENT specialty offices. They sent us to a laryngologist. After further investigation and a CT scan, we were referred to a neurologist. ... It was cancer.” Gage had a brain tumor. He had hearing loss in his left ear and the left side of his vocal cord, uvula and tongue were paralyzed. He experienced clumsiness when he would try to run or walk. 52

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Hometown Living At Its Best

Coffee County magazine

The Tanners knew they would be spending a lot of time in Atlanta hospitals. Gage had to have treatment along with continuing MRIs, oncology check-ups as well as hearing and eye tests. “He is the most loving, outgoing child I have ever met. His smile alone can light up any room, even a hospital room,” Candie said. Being huge University of Georgia Bulldog fans, the Tanners coined his journey, “Gage’s Dawg Fight.”

Gage had weakness in his left arm and left leg. It was a struggle for him to breath, eat or drink without choking. The tumor, called Ganglioglioma, was inoperable. Gage initially went through eight brutal weeks of proton radiation therapy to shrink the tumor. A follow-up MRI showed swelling in his brain. Gage then had a feeding tube inserted to help prevent the choking episodes. “The doctors told us, at the time, that it would get worse before it ever got any better,” said Candie. The Tanners knew they would be spending a lot of time in Atlanta hospitals. Gage had to have treatment along with continuing MRIs, oncology check-ups as well as hearing

Hometown Living At Its Best

Gage and Gavan are now 12 years old and in middle school. Supporting each other through thick and thin, these twins have grown even closer because of their medical problems. Each brother understands what it means to get bad news from the doctors, or have to be on medicine that just makes them feel yucky. Watching the boys play basketball in the yard, it’s obvious that neither of them takes it easy on the other, however. “They compete and wrestle just like nothing is wrong with either of them. They just want to play like normal,” Candie said.

Coffee County magazine

and eye tests. “He is the most loving, outgoing child I have ever met. His smile alone can light up any room, even a hospital room,” Candie said. Being huge University of Georgia Bulldog fans, the Tanners coined his journey, “Gage’s Dawg Fight.” In April 2013, Gage developed an infection from his feeding tube and was admitted to the hospital for 48 days. He then was transferred to an outpatient rehab facility. After lying in bed for so long, he basically needed to learn how to walk again. A follow-up MRI in December showed the tumor had shrank. “We were ecstatic, but it was shortlived,” Candie said. During a routine visit in March 2014, Gage had another MRI. “The neurosurgeon rushed into the room and took Gage directly into emergency surgery. The tumor had grown so quickly, it was cutting off essential fluid to his brain. We were devastated,” Candie said. The silver lining to this emergency surgery was that the doctor decided to remove 50 percent of the tumor while he was operating. The tumor was biopsied and showed mutation. “We were told there would only be a 10 percent chance that this would happen, and it did,” Candie said. Sadly, the oral medication Gage needed to survive was not covered by the family’s insurance because it was considered experimental. However, the Childhood Cancer Awareness Group of Coffee County came to the rescue. This group stepped in to provide everything the family needed to get the medicine to Gage. They also have helped with gas, food, utilities and other costs associated with getting Gage and his mom to Atlanta for treatment. “They have helped with every need we have had,” Candie said. “I count on them more than they even know.” Thankfully, the medicine was working. “The tumor showed a dramatic decrease, which is what we have been praying for,” Candie said. Because of the medicine, Gage’s feeding tube was removed and he began to eat regular food again. Although he was occasionally hospitalized with lung related issues, the family could not have been happier. Gage was now able to dress himself and brush his teeth. “It’s the little things that we all take for granted,” Candie said. During the following years, Gage’s condition has

had its ups and downs. At times, the tumor showed so much of a decrease that he was able to stop the chemotherapy. Other times, the tumor would increase and he would be put back on the lifesaving pills. “I kind of have a love/hate relationship with the medicine,” Candie said. “He loves being off of it, but as soon as he is, the worrying begins. It is always in the back of our minds.” Gage takes advantage of the break and tries to get on with his life as normally as possible. In 2016, Gage became more independent at school and started to work one-on-one with teachers to catch up with his regular class. Now, on his 48th cycle of chemotherapy, Gage is continuing to remain “stable.” Gage and Gavan are now 12 years old and in Hometown Living At Its Best

middle school. Supporting each other through thick and thin, these twins have grown even closer because of their medical problems. Each brother understands what it means to get bad news from the doctors, or have to be on medicine that just makes them feel yucky. Watching the boys play basketball in the yard, it’s obvious that neither of them takes it easy on the other, however. “They compete and wrestle just like nothing is wrong with either of them. They just want to play like normal,” Candie said. Gavan has gone through a lot of emotions knowing that he is the one twin without cancer. He knows his brother needs extra time and attention sometimes, and is understanding. “I will always be there for my brother. He would be there for me, too,” said Gavan – but that still doesn’t mean he will let Gage win at a little one-on-one in the side yard.  CCM

Coffee County magazine

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1/16/18 10:25 AM

SEE THE WORLD IN SHARP FOCUS ONCE AGAIN

MURPHY EYE CENTER 305

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912-383-7212

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CITIZENS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE NEW STAFF MEMBERS Citizens Christian Academy is excited to announce our new Headmistress, Mrs. Sue Harper (pictured center). Mrs. Harper was born and raised in Coffee County and has had a long and distinguished career as an educator. Joining Mrs. Harper in administration at CCA is Coffee County native Dr. Wendell Stone (pictured right). Dr. Stone currently serves as an Assistant Headmaster at CCA. Additionally, Daniel Hannah, (pictured left) who began his career as a teacher and coach at CCA in August of 2010, currently serves as Assistant Headmaster and Athletic Director.

Citizens Christian Academy is an independent, co-educational, college preparatory day school located in Douglas, Georgia. Citizens Christian Academy enrolls students in Pre-K through 12th Grade. For almost 50 years, and proudly educating three generations, Citizens Christian Academy has provided its students with a quality education in a nurturing and stimulating environment. It is our goal to help our students maximize their potential, not only academically, but also spiritually, physically, socially, and culturally. Graduates of Citizens Christian Academy are prepared for success in college and beyond.

N O W A C C E P T I N G A P P L I C AT I O N S F O R T H E 2 0 1 8 - 2 0 1 9 S C H O O L Y E A R

CITIZENS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY C O L L E G E P R E PA R AT O R Y S C H O O L 1 5 4 8 W E S T B A K E R H W Y | D O U G L A S , G A 3 1 5 3 5 | ( 9 1 2 ) 3 8 4 - 8 8 6 2 | C I T I Z E N S C H R I S T I A N A C A D E M Y. O R G

Story by Kelly McDonald Photos by Kelly McDonald & Christopher Lakos

Baseball legend Hank Aaron once said, “My motto was always to keep swinging. Whether I was in a slump or feeling badly or having trouble off the field, the only thing to do was keep swinging.” University of Georgia baseball star Keegan McGovern knows all about that. Keegan grew up as most competitive little boys did in Coffee County – playing every sport he could. Keegan’s early passion was football and Little League baseball each spring. “He was good. He excelled at most everything he tried,” said his father, Kevin McGovern. Keegan played baseball throughout elementary and middle school, even making it to the Little

Coffee County magazine

Hometown Living At Its Best

After praying about it, Keegan accepted the offer to be a Georgia Bulldog. After graduating from high school, Keegan moved to Athens and started college that July.

Coffee County magazine

League Baseball World Series before high school. He said playing short stop was his favorite part of the game. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I love the one-onone competition between me and the pitcher. Even back then, the plate was always my favorite place to be,â&#x20AC;? Keegan said. As a youngster, Keegan dreamed about one day playing for the University of Georgia. Going into his ninth-grade year, he got a call from David Perno, who at the time was the UGA head baseball coach. Perno had seen Keegan play and invited him up to Athens for a visit. During the visit, Perno offered the high school freshman a full-ride

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scholarship to Keegan’s dream team. Keegan and his father verbally committed to the program. Keegan began his sophomore year of high school playing football for the Coffee High Trojans. However, a torn ACL during pre-season practice threatened to derail all his dreams before the season’s first game. Keegan went to Pensacola, Florida, for surgery to repair his knee, which was followed by intense physical therapy. The injury sidelined him for the entire football season, so Keegan set his sights on the start of baseball season – five and a half months later.

Coffee County magazine

“He worked his tail off to get ready for baseball season,” said Kevin. “That type of knee surgery usually requires six to eight months of rehab. Keegan did it in five. He rehabbed in the local college pool and then quickly made his way back to the weight room with the help of Andy Ellis, his physical therapist. Keegan wore a brace at first, but was ready for baseball come January.” By the time he started his junior year, he was back on the football field – as the starting quarterback. At this point, he had college coaches scouting him for football scholarships as well as baseball. Keegan academically

had grades high enough to be successful at college, and now fully recovered from the ACL injury, the world seemed to be at his fingertips. Then, during the third play of one of his first football games, Keegan attempted a tackle and tore his ACL again. “He had already used the knee tendon in his right leg, so this time he had to have surgery on both legs to fix the new injury,” said Kevin. While Keegan was rehabbing, he realized that his football career was over and he may miss summer baseball, as well as the upcoming recruiting season. And if all that wasn’t

enough of a curve ball, UGA announced it hired a new baseball coach. “Coach Scott Stricklin was hired as the new head coach. It was now his program and he did not have to honor any previous agreements – and he had never seen Keegan play,” Kevin said. Thinking that this may be the end of any college or professional career in baseball, the family sought peace in their faith. “We were definitely questioning things. We knew that God was still in control and had to leave it up to him,” said Kevin. Their prayers soon were

Hometown Living At Its Best

While Kelcey pursues a music degree, Keegan soon will graduate with a degree in Biology. “It’s been a challenge to balance a full course load, practice every day, two SEC tournament playoffs and chemistry labs,” said Keegan. “You have to have priorities. You have to stay on track. This is my opportunity. My mom and dad have worked so hard to help me get here. I don’t know where I would be without my parents.”

Coffee County magazine

answered when a call from UGA revealed that Stricklin had decided to let Keegan’s scholarship offer stand. With some mental relief, Keegan finished his second round of rehab. Going into his senior year, he was released just in time to play in a baseball showcase in Jupiter, Florida, which put him in front of professional scouts. He drew interest and got offered to be drafted straight out of high school by the Florida Marlins and the Minnesota Twins. “Pro teams began to call right before the draft to ask what it would take for him to sign. My advice was think about the money a fouryear degree would cost at a major university when coming up with a signing number,” said Kevin. “Caroline and I also did not want him to spend four or five years in the minors and not make it to the big leagues. He was too smart to not have a college education, but this was his dream and ultimately his decision.” After praying about it, Keegan accepted the offer to be a Georgia Bulldog. After graduating from high school, Keegan moved to Athens and started college that July. “He made the transition to an outfielder so easily, Keegan was the only freshman to be a starter that year for Georgia,” Kevin said. Keegan’s sister, Kelcey, is a star in her own right. She attends Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee, where she’s a member of the prestigious Lee Singers. The McGoverns stay busy traveling between Kevin’s games and Kelcey’s performances, as well as juggling full-time jobs themselves. “We are so blessed to have Christian children who have really good heads on their shoulders,” said Kevin. “We stay in the road. We travel constantly from Keegan’s home and some away games to most all of Kelcey’s performances.” While Kelcey pursues a music degree, Keegan soon will graduate with a degree in Biology. “It’s been a challenge to balance a full course load, practice every day, two SEC

tournament playoffs and chemistry labs,” said Keegan. “You have to have priorities. You have to stay on track. This is my opportunity. My mom and dad have worked so hard to help me get here. I don’t know where I would be without my parents.” Going into his last year as a Bulldog, Keegan knows the pro scouts will be watching his games, and said he hasn’t given up on becoming a professional baseball player. But he also has a solid backup plan in place. After college graduation, Keegan wants to apply to physical therapy schools. With all the countless hours he spent in rehab, he knows what it takes to recover from injuries. Now, he wants to be the one who helps other young people heal and follow their own dreams. About the future, Keegan said, “We’ll see what happens, but I wouldn’t trade a moment of the journey so far!”  CCM

Going into his last year as a Bulldog, Keegan knows the pro scouts will be watching his games, and said he hasn’t given up on becoming a professional baseball player. But he also has a solid backup plan in place. After college graduation, Keegan wants to apply to physical therapy schools.

Hometown Living At Its Best

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HometownLiving LivingAt AtIts ItsBest Best Hometown

95 75

S t o r y b y R o b e r t P r e s t o n Jr. Photos by Dawn McDaniel Owens a n d P r o v i d e d b y D r. K i t C a r s o n 76

Coffee County magazine

“I became interested in radiocontrol planes because I’ve always had an interest in flight and aircraft,” says Dr. Kit Carson, professor of education at South Georgia State College. An Air Force veteran with 22 years in the service, Carson said that’s where his interest in radiocontrol aviation began. “Flying a radio-control plane is much different than flying full-scale aircraft. I’ve seen pilots who can’t fly a radiocontrol plane. It’s different when you’re in the pilot’s seat versus standing on the ground,” he says. Carson’s 25 years in the RC aviation hobby has grown to include helping land the Jets Over Douglas RC airshow in Douglas and venturing into drone technology. “It’s just a total blast. Not everyone can do it,” Carson says of his hobby. Licensed pilot Keith Douglas, a member of the Academy of Model Aeronautics and co-owner with Carson of SkyBlue Videography, says part of the fun is not only flying the planes but also building them. “They are a lot of fun to fly and to build. They use the same aerodynamic principles as full-scale aircraft. There is a lot of estimating

A surprising amount of technical skill is needed to fly RC aircraft. Planes, jets and drones operate using a variety of fuels – including glow fuel, gas and electric energy. The engines that run the aircraft require service and repair, and there aren’t many people who work on model engines. To assemble a plane and to keep it flying, an operator also must be a model engine mechanic.

Hometown Living At Its Best

in terms of hand-eye coordination because you’re not in the plane as it flies. Also, the left-right controls are reversed when a model airplane is coming at you,” he says. A surprising amount of technical skill is needed to fly RC aircraft. Planes, jets and drones operate using a variety of fuels – including glow fuel, gas and electric energy. The engines that run the aircraft require service and repair, and there aren’t many people who work on model engines. To assemble a plane and to keep it flying, an operator also must be a model engine mechanic. Likewise, flying RC aircraft requires hand-eye coordination – but maybe not in the traditional sense. Hands and eyes must work in unison relative to the airspace in which RC aircraft operate. Planes, jets and drones cannot operate, with certain exceptions, above 400 feet per Federal Aviation Administration guidelines. Operators have to keep their planes and drones within sight, follow FAA rules, and be aware of what’s happening around the aircraft. That’s not always easy when you’re on the ground looking up 400 feet.

Coffee County magazine

Hometown Living At Its Best

drone technology The applications for drone technology are almost endless: real estate, agriculture, weddings, construction, search and rescue, marketing, surveillance, law enforcement investigations – just about anything you can think of. “I saw something somewhere that said realtors have a 66 percent increase in selling property if aerial views are included. We see a lot of that,” he says.

Coffee County magazine

Experienced operators suggest learning to fly RC aircraft on a computerized flight simulator. Learning to fly these planes is like learning to play a musical instrument. It takes time, practice and patience. One thing novices need to keep in mind is that these planes arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t toys. While readily available for $200, quality planes and jets can top $50,000. Most of them arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t insured, so operators have to be very careful, especially

Hometown Living At Its Best

At these RC events, enthusiasts get together, display their toys and show off their skills. “Jets Over Douglas is geared toward jets but there are a few prop planes there as well. You will see a lot of nice aircraft – very expensive – a lot of warbirds, and a bunch of skilled pilots,” Carson says.

Coffee County magazine

when landing. “If you can’t afford to fix it, you can’t afford to fly it,” laughs Carson. Once a newcomer has mastered the controls on a flight simulator, then it’s time to get out in the field. The best way to do this is to join an RC club. Carson and Douglas are members of the Okefenokee Radio Control Club, which is based in Waycross. It’s a small but dedicated club that flies every weekend and hosts several events throughout the year. One such event is the popular Jets Over Douglas show, which takes place at the Douglas Municipal Gene Chambers Airport. At these RC events, enthusiasts get together, display their toys and show off their skills. “Jets Over Douglas is geared toward jets but there are a few prop planes there as well. You will see a lot of nice aircraft – very expensive – a lot of warbirds, and a bunch of skilled pilots,” Carson says. In addition to his RC hobby, Carson does extensive computer work, builds websites and is a master woodworker. “By far, my most challenging wood project was the design and crafting of the Academic Mace for South Georgia State College,” he says. Historically used to symbolize a king’s authority, the mace is a long-handled club that is weighted at the end. Knights primarily used it during the Middle Ages to crush the armor of their opponents. Royal bodyguards often carried maces to protect their monarch in processions. By the 14th century, maces had become more ceremonial in use, and were decorated with jewels and precious metals.

part of the fun Licensed pilot Keith Douglas, a member of the Academy of Model Aeronautics and co-owner with Carson of SkyBlue Videography, says part of the fun is not only flying the planes but also building them. “They are a lot of fun to fly and to build. They use the same aerodynamic principles as full-scale aircraft. There is a lot of estimating in terms of hand-eye coordination because you’re not in the plane as it flies. Also, the left-right controls are reversed when a model airplane is coming at you,” he says.

Hometown Living At Its Best

In academic commencement ceremonies, the mace is the symbolic extension of the college president. Most often carried in a commencement ceremony at the head of the marchers or immediately ahead of the president, the mace represents the school’s highest authority – the right to award degrees. Carson says the 42-inch mace he made for South Georgia took more than 100 hours to complete. “It was crafted from a 50-year-old pecan tree on campus that was removed for renovation of Stubbs Hall. The finial of the mace is a hand-carved pineapple, the traditional symbol of hospitality. The ball of the mace contains a solid bronze medallion, the college seal,” he says. Valued at $9,000 and a lot of work, Carson donated the mace to the college. When he’s not busy woodworking, Carson explores his interest in videography and photography. A member of the Okefenokee Radio Control Club for four years, as Carson’s involvement in the club grew, he was able to merge his love for videography with RC aircraft. That led him into the realm of quadcopters, more commonly known as drones. The drone hobby soon went into another direction – one involving commercial applications. Carson partnered with Douglas to form SkyBlue Videography, “a full-service photography business that offers state-of-theart aerial and still photography,” according to its website. Through SkyBlue, Carson uses professional drones to shoot video and still images from the air. “You could always put a GoPro camera on an RC plane but the video you can get is very limited,” Carson says. “My interest in drone technology evolved from something to fly for fun to something much greater. The technology is more advanced. Professional drones like we have can cost up to $1,500 and are capable of shooting 4k video resolution.” Carson says there has been an explosion in drone sales during the last year. “The government is a little bit afraid of them because there are always people out there who will not follow the common sense rules and guidelines.

Coffee County magazine

But if you adhere to the rules – like we do – you don’t have much to worry about,” he says. The applications for drone technology are almost endless: real estate, agriculture, weddings, construction, search and rescue, marketing, surveillance, law enforcement investigations – just about anything you can think of. “I saw something somewhere that said realtors have a 66 percent increase in selling property if aerial views are included. We see a lot of that,” he says. In addition to their work, Carson and Douglas enjoy giving back to the community by donating high-quality video productions that serve to heighten awareness for a number of worthy causes. “We have produced videos for the Childhood Cancer Awareness Group of Coffee County Inc., wildlife educators Adams and Lott Full Circle Outdoors, and the American Legion Post 515’s efforts with Wreaths Across America,” Carson says. Despite the tremendous opportunities afforded by flying RC planes, the hobby isn’t on many people’s radars. “Most people in the hobby are middle-aged to older folks. Most of our newcomers are their sons and daughters. It’s kind of flat-lined right now,” he says. “Our club has always been a small one, but we’re interested in bringing in new people. It’s an exciting field and there’s a lot of potential moving forward. I think Radio Control cars are in the near future!”  CCM

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McRaeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pharmacy

Stop by and let Andrew and Charity Holt help you with all your pharmacy and baby clothes needs.

Serving the people of Douglas & Coffee County since 1938 1002 W. Ward Street | Douglas, GA | (912)384-5255

IMPLANT, COSMETIC & GENERAL

DENTISTRY For The Whole Family

Dr. Steve Wilkerson & Dr. Chad Fussell

1108 N. Madison Ave Douglas, GA 31533 | 912.384.4432

Hometown Living At Its Best

MILLER CHIROPRACTIC CLINIC TREATMENT FOR HEADACHES, BACK & NECK PAIN, & SCIATICA

HENRY R. SHEFFIELD, D.C.

FREE CONSULTATION 410 EAST WARD STREET DOUGLAS, GA 31533

912.384.2608

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Discover all our local sights and sounds: ¾ Georgia’s Oldest intact WWII Airbase and WWII Flight Training Museum

¾ The finest BBQ and family fun in Georgia at the South Georgia BBQ & Outdoor Festival.

¾ One of Georgia’s Natural Wonders, Broxton Rocks

¾ Witness the only surviving railroad depot from the GA/ FL Railroad at the Heritage Station Museum

¾ General Coffee State Park, featuring an early Georgian Heritage Farm, hiking, kayaking, and more

211 S Gaskin Avenue • 912-384-4555 • cityofdouglas.com 88

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Hometown Living At Its Best

Coffee County magazine

One Child at a Time Inspired by educators and other â&#x20AC;&#x153;teachersâ&#x20AC;? in her life, Kayla Stevens wants to be an inspiration for future generations.

Story and Photos by Kelly McDonald Hometown Living At Its Best

Coffee County magazine

Some say it takes a village to raise a child. For Kayla Stevens, all it took was a few good teachers. Kayla had a difficult childhood. Divorce, alcoholism and helping to raise her siblings are just a few of the obstacles she faced. Estranged from her own mother, Kayla had no good role model to help her navigate serving in a motherly role. While at school, Kayla did her best to hide her home-life troubles. She found an escape in school work. She was smart. She realized she could get lost in a book and solve a math problem with ease, and that’s when her teachers took notice.

Kayla did well through elementary and middle school in Yulee, Florida. However, when the bell rung at the end of each day, it was back to the hard reality of life at home. Kayla struggled to balance her scholastic aptitude with her inability to change her home situation. “It was the hardest time of my life. I was good in school and my teachers praised my abilities there, but I was always worried about what would be waiting for me once I got home,” Kayla said. The more difficult her classes became, the more Kayla thrived. Her teachers began to see through the brave face she put on each morning.

Kayla felt empowered by her teachers – at church and at school – and so even as her home life continued to deteriorate, there was light at the end of the tunnel.

Hometown Living At Its Best

Coffee County magazine

She said one woman in particular, Sharon Skipper, had a huge impact on her life. “She loved me like I was her own,” Kayla said. Sharon took the few hours she had each week with Kayla and tried to make her understand all the potential she possessed. “I am forever grateful to her for being the parent I didn’t have at the time,” Kayla said.

“They would comfort me and offer help. They became like my other mothers and guided me, not just in English and in math, but in my life,” Kayla said. It was these teachers who inspired Kayla to become a teacher herself. “They taught me to make a difference in others’ lives just like they did in mine,” she said. “They also taught me to understand that if you are willing to put 100 percent into anything, the rest will work out.” While attending Yulee High School, Kayla began to attend church. She went one Sunday, and then another. She felt accepted and needed there. “I really enjoyed being around the children. I was good at helping them. I volunteered every time I could to help, but what I truly loved was the way they took me in like I was already family to them,” Kayla said. The congregation at Five Points Baptist Church became another family to Kayla. She said one woman in particular, Sharon Skipper, had a huge impact on her life. “She loved me like I was her own,” Kayla said. Sharon took the few hours she had each week with Kayla and tried to make her understand all the potential she possessed. “I am forever grateful to her for being the

Hometown Living At Its Best

Coffee County magazine

parent I didn’t have at the time,” Kayla said. As Kayla became more involved with her church family, she met Wayne and Deana Merritt. “They pushed me to the next level and were always expecting my best at everything I did,” Kayla said, adding that the Merritts helped her take on more leadership roles because they believed in her. Kayla felt empowered by her teachers – at church and at school – and so even as her home life continued to deteriorate, there was light at the end of the tunnel. Kayla was planning for her graduation in 2011 when she reached that light. Offered a full academic scholarship to the University of West Florida, Kayla celebrated with all the teachers in her life. “When it came time for me to move into my dorm, they all showed up,” she said. “They came with books, supplies and everything else I needed for my new college room.”

While attending Yulee High School, Kayla began to attend church. She went one Sunday, and then another. She felt accepted and needed there. “I really enjoyed being around the children. I was good at helping them. I volunteered every time I could to help, but what I truly loved was the way they took me in like I was already family to them,” Kayla said.

Hometown Living At Its Best

Kayla went through the first few months of college enrolled in the nursing program, but the more she thought about her mentors – all those wonderful teachers – the more she realized her true desire was to be a teacher herself. She changed her major and got to work. Things were going well until two years into her college career, when Kayla’s father passed away. “Even though he was the source of a lot of my pain, he was still my father,” Kayla said. Struggling to cope with his death, she decided to take a hardship leave from college. Unsure what to do next, Kayla prayed. She had not known much about her mother, as her father had kept Kayla and her siblings away from

Coffee County magazine

her. As long as he was alive, Kayla was not allowed to see her mother. Now that her father was gone, Kayla wondered what her mother was like and if she would be different than her dad. “I took a leap of faith and moved to Georgia to be close to her. I had to know who she was,” Kayla said. While waiting a year to switch schools and gain her Georgia residency, Kayla spent the time getting to know her mom and helping to bring their family together. Once she was able to apply for college again, she was accepted to Valdosta State University. The only problem was that most of her credits did not transfer and so she essentially needed to start all over again with her college education. With the new support of her mother and the

continued support of all her past teachers, Kayla pushed forward. Her mom became her rock. “She reminded me almost daily that the reward would be greater than the hardships,” Kayla said. Encouragement also came from Kayla’s older sister Crystal. “She showed me that I was meant for more than what my father had implanted in my head,” Kayla said. Kayla worked the night shift at Walmart Distribution Center in Douglas, slept for a few hours and then attended school full time, all while maintaining an A average. Somewhere in the middle of that crazy schedule, she met her future husband, Chris. He was a single dad to three amazing kids: Sage, Lauren and Luke. Falling in love with him meant taking on a motherly role to his children. “I thought about all those who had ‘mothered’ me over the years and knew this is exactly where I was meant to be,” she said. Kayla then got even less sleep, but every waking minute was worth it to her and her family. “Chris understood the many days and nights that clothes went unfolded, dishes unwashed and the floor unswept. He knew it wasn’t out of laziness, but tiredness, so he always picked up the slack and believed in me unconditionally,” Kayla said. Kayla will graduate from Valdosta State University in May to cheers from a big crowd of supporters, including her former teachers, her mom and siblings, Chris and his children. Kayla said her goal isn’t just to teach, but to inspire. Much like her own teachers, she wants to be that person who can see through another child’s brave face and help them get through the day. “You never know if your hug or your smile is the only one they will get that day,” she said. “It used to be for me, and I want to help change that – even if it’s for one child at a time.”  CCM

Hometown Living At Its Best

Coffee Regional Medical Center would like to

WELCOME

Dr. Renee Williams to

CRH Pediatric Group

Bringing a wealth of knowledge & experience in pediatric care to Coffee County, Dr. Joi Rogers and Larissa Davis, FNP-C are excited to have Dr. Renee Williams join their team. Seeing pediatric patients from newborn and beyond.

Now Accepting New Patients

Call Today 912. 384.9460

912-331-1300 | 316 S PETERSON AVE 100

coffee county magazine

200 Doctors Dr. (next to CRMC), Ste P, Douglas

Austin Respiratory & Medical

502 W Ward St, Douglas, GA 31533 | (912) 384-4771

The

Best

little c a fe in d own town D o uglas ! Ma ke it your d e stin ation !

(9 12 ) 3 84- 89 48 | l o c ate d ins id e J &D D e s igns |

www.fac e b o o k.c o m/janddcafe

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Learn Here. Play Here. Grow Here. This is South Georgia State College.

Come discover SGSC for yourself at one of our Preview Days. Waycross Campus Friday, March 2, 2018 9:30 am Educational Building

Douglas Campus Friday, April 13, 2018 9:30 am Peterson Hall

2001 South Georgia Pkwy. Waycross, GA 31503

100 W. College Park Dr. Douglas, GA 31533

www.sgsc.edu/previewday www.sgsc.edu | admissions@sgsc.edu Douglas: 912.260.4206 | Waycross: 912.449.7600

Solid Waste

Management Authority 64 Arthur Davis Drive, Willacoochee, GA | 912.534.5972

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Your Hometown Mortgage Lender FAST , FRIENDLY, KNOWLEDGEABLE

PURCHASE, REFINANCE AND CONSTRUCTION Joy Vickers | Mortgage Officer NMLS #740739

FNBCC

FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF COFFEE COUNTY

420 Madison Ave South | Douglas, GA 31533 (912) 384-1100 | NMLS #696095 | www.fnbcc.com

serving south georgia For over 50 Years

Prince

109 Westgreen Rd, Douglas, GA 31533 | (912) 384-2600 | princeforddouglas.com Hometown Living At Its Best

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Story and Photos by Kelly McDonald

At just 6 years old, Matthew Graves wants you to know one thing: “I am not contagious.” Diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when he was 14 months old, his life has been filled with hospital visits and insulin injections. But this amazing youngster has no sour disposition. “I’m just sweeter than most kids,” he said with a smile. Six years ago, Matthew was born a healthy baby boy. His mother, Priscilla Kellogg, said that like most newborns, he was content just to eat and sleep. Priscilla was cautious with her new baby, not even taking him out of the house, and so she was disheartened to notice that Matthew was almost always sick. He had been diagnosed with pink eye, respiratory syncytial virus and pneumonia all before he reached his first birthday. At his oneyear checkup, Matthew was given a clean bill of health except for a small elevation in his sugar levels. When his mom raised concerns about the amount of his crying, she was told it may just be colic and that he would eventually outgrow it. Priscilla shared her concerns with her mother, who is a Type 2 diabetic and recognized some of the baby’s symptoms. “I would go through so many diapers and he

At At 14 14 months, months, Matthew Matthew was was back back in in the the examination examination room room with with his his pediatrician. pediatrician. The The office office told told Priscilla Priscilla to to take Matthew home to await the results. But within two hours, her baby boy was being air lifted to the Beverly Knight normallevel levelisisbelow below5.5.7%. (A1C isis KnightOlson OlsonChildren’s Children’sHospital Hospitalin inMacon. Macon.Matthew’s Matthew’sA1C A1Clevel levelwas was12%. 12. AAnormal 7%. (A1C a blood test done to test blood sugar levels and glucose to see how you are managing your diabetes.) He He was was in in diabetic diabetic ketoacidosis ketoacidosis (DKA) (DKA) and and needed needed immediate immediate medical medical attention attention by by a a specialist. specialist.

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Struggling with his recovery, diabetes and school, Matthew began to get frustrated. “He asked me if he was going to have this disease forever,” Priscilla said. “It broke my heart to tell him yes. I always tried to explain all of it as positively as I could, but the answer was still yes.”

seemed thirsty all the time,” Priscilla said. It bothered the new mom so much that she scheduled another appointment with his doctor to have his blood sugar levels re-checked. At 14 months, Matthew was back in the examination room with his pediatrician. The office told Priscilla to take Matthew home to await the results. But within two hours, her baby boy was being air lifted to the Beverly Knight Olson Children’s Hospital in Macon. Matthew’s A1C level was 12%. A normal level is below 5.7%. (A1C is a blood test done to test blood sugar levels and glucose to see how you are managing your diabetes.) He was in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and needed immediate medical attention by a specialist. DKA occurs when there is a severe lack of insulin in the body. In a state of DKA, instead of using sugar as energy, the body uses fat. When fat burns, it creates acids called ketones, which build up in the blood causing a chemical imbalance that becomes life threatening. Thankfully, Matthew was treated in time, but he spent the next two months in the hospital. Priscilla moved into

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the hospital room to keep a close watch on him after such a scare. “That’s when he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. I knew nothing about Type 1 and so I talked to everyone I could and I read everything I could find about his condition,” Priscilla said. Priscilla gave herself a crash medical course and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation sent in support staff and information. The foundation also gifted Matthew and his mother with a small stuffed bear. Priscilla used the bear to learn where and how to give insulin injections to her son. She told Matthew that the bear had diabetes, too, and needed all the same attention and medicine as he did. “Every time Matthew had an injection, so did the bear,” Priscilla said. “It made it so much easier for him to understand as much as he could at 16 months old. It was a blessing.” When he was released from the hospital, Priscilla was excited but a little scared. Caring for Matthew and monitoring his sugar levels was now up to her and the rest of the family, which includes Priscilla’s fiancé, Kournelious Sims, and Matthew’s two sisters, Ayla and Peyton. “It was an adjustment, and I didn’t get much sleep, but we slowly got used to his new way of life,” Priscilla said. Matthew began

When he was released from the hospital, Priscilla was excited but a little scared. Caring for Matthew and monitoring his sugar levels was now up to her and the rest of the family, which includes Priscilla’s fiancé, Kournelious Sims, and Matthew’s two sisters, Ayla and Peyton. “It was an adjustment, and I didn’t get much sleep, but we slowly got used to his new way of life,” Priscilla said.

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Matthew and his family’s first hope is for a cure for diabetes, but until that’s found, they just want him to have a great childhood, lots of friends and grow up happy and healthy.

to gain weight and during the next few months, he started to thrive. “It was like watching a completely different child playing. He was less tired and much more mobile,” Priscilla said. Matthew’s sugar levels continued to rise and fall, but overall, he was adapting fairly well. One day, he noticed his grandmother checking her blood sugar and offered to help. Priscilla took advantage of his curiosity and taught him how to check his own sugar levels. Matthew learned quickly how to use the meter himself, and the timing was perfect because he was now old enough to start Pre-K. “Letting him go to school was so hard,” Priscilla

said, adding that she scheduled a meeting with school officials and the nurse to make sure they understood his condition. During that year, Matthew missed more than three months of school. He had a non-diabetes related surgery, but because of the diabetes, it took longer for him to recover. Struggling with his recovery, diabetes and school, Matthew began to get frustrated. “He asked me if he was going to have this disease forever,” Priscilla said. “It broke my heart to tell him yes. I always tried to explain all of it as positively as I could, but the answer was still yes.” When he started kindergarten, Matthew Hometown Living At Its Best

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When he started kindergarten, Matthew transferred to Pearson Elementary. “This school has been amazing,” Priscilla said. “He is the only student there with diabetes, but his favorite teacher has Type 2 diabetes. She can relate to his struggles and help him along the way.” The school nurse and other teachers know Matthew so well now that they can tell, just by looking at him and observing his behavior, if his blood sugar is low or high. The teachers always have snacks handy to treat low blood sugar and Matthew’s insulin kit nearby to treat the highs.

transferred to Pearson Elementary. “This school has been amazing,” Priscilla said. “He is the only student there with diabetes, but his favorite teacher has Type 2 diabetes. She can relate to his struggles and help him along the way.” The school nurse and other teachers know Matthew so well now that they can tell, just by looking at him and observing his behavior, if his blood sugar is low or high. The teachers always have snacks handy to treat low blood sugar and Matthew’s insulin kit nearby to treat the highs. Now that he’s 6, Matthew has begun to notice people staring at him while he checks his sugar levels. Matthew tries to make jokes about it, but his mom said it does bother him. Priscilla overheard him one day explaining to his friends that his disease is not contagious. She said it brought her to tears. “I know that there are a lot of worse things that could have happened to him, but he just wants his friends to not look at him any differently because he has diabetes,” she said. Matthew and his family’s first hope is for a cure for diabetes, but until that’s found, they just want him to have a great childhood, lots of friends and grow up happy and healthy. As for Matthew, he wants to grow up and be a firefighter – and a doctor. “He really wants to be a doctor,” Priscilla said. “Ever since he was 2, he’s said he wants to go to medical school to help find a cure for diabetes.”  CCM

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Repairs | Gold | Diamonds | Watches

CJrawford ewelers 1351 Bowens Mill Road SE Suite D, Douglas, Georgia 31533 912.384.0073 shoncrawford.jewelershowcase.com

Cardiology Group

Willie Bell, M.D. Glenn Evans, M.D. Joel Ferree, M.D.

Close By for Close Care

Eddie Roberts, PA-C

Three* Convenient Locations to Better Serve our Patients!

1101 Ocilla Rd, Ste A Douglas, GA

912-384-0600

101G W Northside Dr Valdosta, GA

205 S Wayne St. Alma, GA

229-253-1020 912-632-5663 *No. 4 coming soon to Waycross! Hometown Living At Its Best

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We love having you here! Breakfast is on the house. Mention that you saw this ad in the Coffee County Magazine for a discount!

1604 South Peterson Avenue | Douglas, GA | 912.383.7550

Love Slice AT FIRST

218 WARD ST W | DOUGLAS, GEORGIA 31533 | (912) 384-2270 | DANNYSPIZZAS.COM 112

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LASSETER IMPLEMENT COMPANY 970 SW BOWENS MILL RD. | DOUGLAS, GA | 912.384.4400

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s at: Follow u

Your One Stop Endurance Sports Sho

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Where

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p O

not is endurance just anot Your One Stop just a Endurance Sports Shop business, sports business, or aor a passion, passion, is but but not

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1206 1206SSPeterson PetersonAve, Ave,Douglas, Douglas,GA GA31533 31533| | (912) (912)384-0414 384-0414

Divine Baby & Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Boutique

248 Peterson Ave S | Douglas, Georgia 31533 | (912) 381-1170

1002 1002NNPeterson PetersonAve, Ave,Douglas, Douglas,GA GA31533 31533| |(912) (912)384-7464 384-7464

e v E

Fine Ladies Apparel

912.383.7462 | Eve Brawner, Owner 200 East Ward St. | Douglas, GA

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Sweet Life The

STORY BY GAIL DIXON & TERRI WINTERS PHOTOS BY THE WINTERS FAMILY, AMBER BOUNDS PHOTOGRAPHY, & GAIL DIXON

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Warren Winters carries on the Syrup Making tradition he helped his father create over 50 years ago.

W.B. “Boyd” Winters and Warren Winters, father and son, started a syrup and honey business in West Green, Georgia over 50 years ago. Winters Syrup Farm, a family-owned and operated enterprise, began in a store front as a means of furnishing family and friends with these fine delicacies. When Warren turned 15, his dad wanted him to quit his other jobs and start helping with the family business. During the day, Boyd would go out and sell honey and syrup from the trunk of his car, a few cases at a time, with each case containing 12 bottles; sometimes, Ruby, Boyd’s wife would go with him to sell. Warren would go to school and then when he got home, he would work with his mother, his sister, Sylvia, and/or his nephew, Carroll, to process honey and make syrup. He and his mother talked his daddy into moving the business into an abandoned church

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Making The Syrup Sugar Cane is stripped from the stalk and hand fed into a grinder to extract the juice. The 100% pure juice is then cooked down until it becomes a syrup. From there, while it is still hot, the syrup is poured into bottles or drums.

building. (Boyd had given the land to Free Will Baptist Church and later, when the older members had died and the younger ones moved to town, he purchased the land back.) At that time, his syrup making became a marketable business; deliveries were then made from the back of a truck. As the years passed, they purchased a van and then a trailer as the number of cases they sold increased. Sugar Cane is stripped from the stalk and hand fed into a grinder to extract the juice. The 100% pure juice is then cooked down until it becomes a syrup. From there, while it is still hot, the syrup is poured into bottles or drums. In the 70s, it was hard to find people who were willing to do this hard labor. “Cutting, stripping, and grinding cane is hard work,” says Warren, “and we couldn’t find enough help to make the syrup. We couldn’t do it all by ourselves, so we decided to go another route.” They traveled to Florida, through Georgia, Alabama, and Louisiana. They finally found two companies in Louisiana that could help them out. Winters’ Syrup would buy their cane syrup in bulk from Louisiana and process it. Today, they purchase the bulk syrup from Imperial Sugar in Savannah, Georgia. The syrup is then processed to produce Pure Cane Syrup or it is blended with corn syrup to make the milder flavored Country Style Syrup. One of these two syrups seems to satisfy every customer’s personal taste. After Boyd passed away in 1993 and Warren took over running the company, bulk honey prices had increased so much that he dropped it as a product. The business was run by family, but some of the 118

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Shipping Across the U.S. The business first served Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee. Now, their well-equipped office provides the means and technology the Wintersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; need to market and ship all over the United States. Today, Warren and his employees use a van, a truck and a trailer to deliver around 600 cases (7200 bottles) per month.

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employees were high school students who needed after-school jobs or jobs during the summer. The business first served Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee. Now, their wellequipped office provides the means and technology the Winters’ need to market and ship all over the United States. Today, Warren and his employees use a van, a truck and a trailer to deliver around 600 cases (7200 bottles) per month. Not only do they sell syrup, but they are back in the honey business too! Winters Syrup Farm produces the oldfashioned flavors that Grandpa used to make. For those who want a more gourmet taste, they can fill that order too. Warren says, “We pride ourselves in producing syrups that we can honestly guarantee will satisfy your taste buds. Our syrups

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are produced with all natural ingredients and no high fructose corn syrup. Preservatives are added to some of the syrups to increase their shelf life. We make a Pure Cane Syrup that is produced from pure cane juice; there are no additives or preservatives, it is a completely natural product. We have a Country Style Syrup, which is cane syrup made with corn syrup to create a sweeter, milder flavor. Other flavors include pecan, peach, blueberry, strawberry, and maple-butter. These syrups have a corn syrup base with both natural and artificial flavorings made from fruits and nuts. Warren states, “We, once again, are able to offer Gallberry Honey that is locally produced and we are also adding a line of preserves that include peach, strawberry and pear. We have plans to increase our product line to include

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“We make our products with high standards in mind. We feel that if these products are good enough to go on our own tables, they should be good enough to sell to consumers. { - Terri Winters }

coffee flavorings in the near future.” Offering 100% pure honey and cane syrup, they serve the most discriminating individuals and grocers nationwide. Warren says, “We make our products with high standards in mind. We feel that if these products are good enough to go on our own tables, they should be good enough to sell to consumers.” “Many of our syrups work well in marinades and barbeque sauces; they are delicious as cheesecake and ice cream toppings. Try substituting our pecan flavored syrup for the karo syrup in your pecan pie for the best pie you will ever taste,” exclaims Terri, Warren’s wife. Warren is retiring and selling the business to another family from Atkinson County. He will advise

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and train the new owners as long as he is needed to preserve the integrity of the products he has spent his life perfecting. Warren and Terri, a retired teacher, have two children, Jennifer and Garrett. Jennifer is married to Ron Morrell and they have two daughters, Abbie and Ruby, ages 15 and 13. Jennifer owns a Post Net Store in Douglas and Ron works as a Quality Control Manager at Live Oak Homes in Broxton. Garrett is married to Britney Vickers and they have two daughters, Ella and Madelyn, ages 9 and 8. Both Garrett and Britney are educators. Garrett is an assistant principal at Coffee Middle School and Britney teaches 1st grade at West Green Elementary School.

The three older granddaughters have all spent time after school and summers working at the “Syrup House” with Grandpa. They have done all aspects of the process except the actual cooking of the syrup. They label bottles, bottle syrup, and load and unload a truck as fast and reliable as an adult. Once Warren retires, he plans to enjoy life. Warren has always been an avid hunter and he would like to spend time hunting, but he also wants to spend some time fishing. He says his granddaughters enjoy both and he wants to be able to spend more quality time with them. Warren says hunting has always been his favorite hobby and biggest thrill, but he has found out since the arrival of these granddaughters that watching them get the same experiences and excitement from participating in his favorite past times provides him more satisfaction than him pulling the trigger himself. The three oldest, Abbie, Ruby, and Ella, are avid hunters, while Madelyn, the youngest, is his best fishing buddy. For more information, go to www. winterssyrup.com or call Warren Winters at (912) 381-4328.  CCM

Once Warren retires, he plans to enjoy life. Warren has always been an avid hunter and he would like to spend time hunting, but he also wants to spend some time fishing.

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Fetch

Grooming & Boarding

2639 Hwy 441 S STE A | Douglas, GA 31535 (912) 292-4862

All About Kids

Early Learning Childcare Center LLC.

601 Waldroup Ave | Douglas, Georgia 31535 | (912) 383-4540

Classy5 Boutique

210 S Peterson Ave, Douglas, GA 31533 | (912) 384-6697

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Hometown Living At Its Best

THIS IS

HOME. COFFEE COUNTY

CHECK OUT THE LOCAL MARKETPLACE Hometown Living At Its Best 125

The Local

AND THE Travel

With Confidence

Marketplace

The Coffee County area is growing and steadily becoming a central marketplace. You can find great retail shopping, restaurants and services around each corner. If you haven’t done so lately, take the time to look around and discover all the wonderful things there are to find.

Bee Gee Travel consultants

Personal & Professional Travel Planning Services Since 1984 116 S. Madison Avenue, Douglas, GA 31533 beegeetravel@windstream.net

912.384.2223 | 800.581.2223 Denise Craft, Owner Beverly Gibbs, Consultant Vicki Pridemore, Group Coordinator

CARTER THOMPSON INSURANCE

201 E Ashley St, Douglas, GA 31533 | (912) 384-7171

For allTHE your AND

eyecare needs

DEBRA’S USED CARS

619 N Peterson AVE , Douglas , GA 31533 (912)383-0756 | www.debrasusedcars.com 126

coffee county magazine

Dr. Mark D. Moore

DOWNTOWN

Vision

504 S Peterson Ave, Douglas, GA 31533

(912) 389-1230

Dubberly Glass Shop Commercial • Residential • Auto WE GIVE AWAY FREE BIBLES

Owned by God, run by Tony and Susan. 708 Bowens Mill Rd SW | Douglas, Georgia 31533 | (912) 384-5055

Coffee County is growing and steadily becoming a central marketplace for our area. We offer great retail shopping, restaurants and services. If you haven’t done so lately, take the time to look around your hometown and discover all the wonderful things there are to find.

3415 Hwy 32 West • Douglas, GA • 912-384-5022

HOLT’S B A K E R Y

lott’s

A Family Tradition Since 1965

DIESEL SERVICE, INC

101 Sellers St E | Douglas, GA 31533

(912) 384-2202

Get your rig

NORTHSIDE AUTOMOTIVE CO. 204 W WALKER ST, DOUGLAS, GA 31533 618 N Peterson Ave, Douglas, GA 31533 (912) 384-5500 | hungryhowies.com

912-593-3974

1320 S Madison Street • Douglas, GA 31533 912.383.0313 • store2593@theupsstore.com

1320 S Madison Street Douglas, GA 31533 912.383.0313 store2593@theupsstore.com

road ready Lott’s Diesel N. Peterson | Douglas, GA 31533 3415602 HWY 32 WEST Ave | DOUGLAS, GA 31533 912.292. | www.strawberryli zard.com SERVING ALL1349 OF SOUTHEAST GEORGIA | 912-384-5022

VIP

FABRICARE

Professional Cleaning Professional Dry Cleaning Laundry Laundry Leather & Household ShirtLeather Service& Household & Alterations Shirt Service & Alterations

825 North Peterson Avenue • Douglas, GA 912.384.2266

825 North Peterson Avenue • Douglas, GA

912.384.2266 Every business has a story.

yours.

We’re here to print

236 S. Peterson Avenue • Douglas, GA • (912) 383-8875

Hometown Living At Its Best

127

Every business has a story.

yours. We’re here to print

602 N. Peterson Ave | Douglas, GA 31533 912.292.1349 | www.strawberrylizard.com

Hometown Living At Its Best

127

Index of Advertisers All About Kids ……….......................................................………. 124 Al’s Paint & Body …....................................................……………. 89 Ankle & Foot Associates, LLC …....................................……………. 1 Austin Respiratory & Medical ……………...............................…. 101 B & D Used Cars ……...................................................…………. 113 Bee Gee Travel Consultants ...................................................... 126 Burger King ……………….............................................................. 22 Carter Thompson Insurance ...................................................... 126 Citizens Christian Academy .....................................………………. 63 City of Douglas …………........................................................……. 88 City of Nicholls …………..........................……. 34, Inside Back Cover Classy 5 Boutique ……….................................................………. 124 Coffee County School System ……….........………. Inside Front Cover Coffee Regional Hospital Cardiology Group …..........……………. 111 Coffee Regional Hospital Oncology Group …………..............……. 47 Coffee Regional Hospital Orthopedic Surgeons of Georgia ….…. 73 Coffee Regional Hospital Women’s Center …………........……. 20-21 Coffee Regional Medical Center Pediatric Group …………..……. 100 Colllins Cardiology ….....................................……………. Back Cover Covenant Church …....................................................……………. 45 Crawford Jewelers ……….................................................………. 111 Danny’s Pizza ……........................................................…………. 112 Debra’s Used Cars .................................................................... 126 Divine Baby & Children’s Boutique ………….......................……. 115 Douglas Home Care …………................................................……. 85 Douglas Vascular Center …….........................................…………. 35 Downtown Vision ...................................................................... 126 Dubberly Glass Shop ................................................................ 126 Eve ……………........................................................................…. 115 Farrar|Hennesy|Tanner ………………........................................... 74 Fetch Grooming & Boarding ………….................................……. 124 Fireside Grill ………..............................................................………. 7 First National Bank of Coffee County …………....................……. 103 Fitzgerald Family Eyecare ………........................................………. 49 Fulco Discount Drug Center ………....................................………. 59 Georgia Dermatology & Skin Cancer ….....................……………. 124 Georgia Southern University ………….......................................…. 23 Hampton Inn ……….........................................................………. 112 Holt’s Bakery ............................................................................. 127 Hungry Howie’s ......................................................................... 127

J & D Café …….............................................................…………. 101 Kentucky Fried Chicken ……………........................................…. 115 Krystal …………..................................................................……. 115 Lasseter Implement Company …………..............................……. 113 Lindsey & Wills Animal Hospital …………................................……. 5 Logic4Design ………..........................................................………. 62 Lott’s Diesel .............................................................................. 127 Lyon Management Co ……...........................................…………. 115 Manor House Senior Living ….....................................……………. 48 McCrary Daniels Insurance Agency ………........................………. 46 McRae’s Pharmacy ………………................................................ 87 Miller Chiropractic Clinic …………........................................……. 88 Miller Pump & Electric …............................................……………. 74 Mosquito Squad .....................................................………………. 86 Murphy Eye Center ….....................................................…………. 61 Oasis medAesthetics ….................................................…………. 85 Obsession Bows ….....................................................……………. 72 Paul Anderson Youth Home ……...................................…………. 114 Plants Plus Nursery ………...................................................………. 9 Prince Ford ……...........................................................…………. 103 Property Hunters of South Georgia ….........................……………. 73 Scott Kirkland Jewelers & Repairs ……........................…………. 100 Smile Doctors by Fender Goggans ……..........................…………. 89 Solid Waste Management Authority …….....................…………. 102 South Georgia Dentistry …..........................................……………. 87 South Georgia North Florida Eye Partners …..............……………. 33 South Georgia State College ................................………………. 102 State Farm Insurance - Daniel P. Ross ………………..................... 86 Strawberry Lizard Children’s Clothing & Gifts ........................... 127 Surcheros Fresh Grill ……….................................................………. 7 Tanner Insurance Company …………....................................……. 75 The Bow Shop …….......................................................…………. 124 The Local Marketplace Section ……….....................………. 125-127 The Therapy Tree …....................................................……………. 2-3 The UPS Store ........................................................................... 127 Ultimate Graphics Plus LLC …………....................................……. 32 Unison Behavioral Health .......................................………………. 75 VIP Fabricare ............................................................................ 127 Vista Park Health & Rehabilitation .........................………………. 60 Wiregrass Georgia Technical College …....................……………. 114

Please thank these sponsors for making this publication possible! 128

coffee county magazine

Coffee County Board of Education Douglas, Georgia

Our Vision: An Equitable and Excellent Education for Every Student

Bryan Preston, Chairman; Reagan Miller, Vice-Chair; Leola Johnson, Jesse Jowers, and Adam Lott

Dr. Morris Leis, Superintendent 1311 South Peterson Avenue | Douglas, Georgia 31533 | Phone (912) 384-2086 | coffee.k12.ga.us

Nicholls

CITY OF

GEORGIA

707 VAN STREAT HIGHWAY, NICHOLLS, GA | 912.345.2421

spring 2018

Caring for the

Coffee County

Heart

Evaluations & Follow-Up Care for Heart Problems

Spirit of Beauty

Congestive Heart Failure Pacemaker Checks High Blood Pressure High Cholesterol High Triglycerides Chest Pain Shortness of Breath

New Patients Welcomed • No Referral Necessary

COLLINS

Coffee County’s youngest chamber member Zipporiah Wilcox owes her success to God.

Living Your Best Life

UGA Baseball Player Keegan McGovern finds his future in the field.

Heather Carver believes improved nutrition will lead to an improved environment.

High Flying Hobby Kit Carson’s love of flying radio-controlled planes has grown into a full time hobby.

CARDIOLOGY Dr. Darrel Collins • Tara Spivey, PA-C

1208 Ocilla Road, Douglas, Georgia 31533 • 912.384.6276 | www.collinscardiologyga.com

H o m e t o w n L i v i n g at i t s B e s t