Chatham County Living - Fall 2020

Hometown Living at its Best Fall 2020 CHATHAM COUNTY LIVING

THE POWER OF One Ambria Berksteiner has developed her mentoring program “Operation One Stem at a Time” to profoundly touch the lives of hundreds of young ladies.

RIDING AND WRITING

Bloomingdale biker hits high gear with motorcycle murder mystery books.

TALKING THE RIGHT WALK

Savannah college student uses radio show to focus on the positive.

a great place

to live, work and play

CITY OF POOLER

GEORGIA

A great place to Live, Work and Play 100 US HW 80, Pooler, GA 31322 | (912) 748-7261 | www.pooler-ga.gov

Healthy Hearing

Builds Confidence

B

“Being able to talk and communicate is what essentially binds us to one another,” explains Dr. Cori Palmer, Doctor of Audiology at Audiology and Hearing Aid Services in Savannah and Pooler. “That’s why it’s so important to get your hearing checked regularly. If you’re not able to interact, it affects you emotionally and mentally. Quite often we see that when a person is experiencing some hearing loss, they tend to retract and not interact as much with others.

Thus, your ability to hear can and often will impact your overall health and confidence.”

Dr. Palmer knows a thing or two about maintaining a healthy lifestyle. She is an avid runner as well as a wife and the mother of two young boys. “I started running seriously in graduate school, and I enjoy running marathons and half marathons with my friends,” she says. “I try to run about thirty miles a week. I really love the bonds I’ve made with other runners while still being able to compete with myself.

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Dr. Cori Palmer, Doctor of Audiology at Audiology and Hearing Aid Services knows a thing or two about maintaining a healthy lifestyle and how the ability to hear can and often will impact your overall health and confidence

Plus, it’s just a great way to stay in shape and clear your mind.”

A native of Tifton, Georgia, Dr. Palmer joined the practice in 2008. “I’ve been an audiologist now for 12 years, and I absolutely love working with the patients while getting to really know them and their families,” she says. Prior to joining the team at AHAS, Dr. Palmer worked at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Atlanta, and she is accredited with the Georgia State Board of Audiology, the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA).

Dr. Palmer suggests that patients who do experience hearing loss find the right professional for treatment.

“Hearing loss has been linked to numerous other medical conditions, such as dementia and diabetes. It is important to seek help from a doctor of audiology who has training in the medical aspects of hearing. Being proactive about your hearing loss can help ensure a healthy lifestyle and further your confidence in social settings.”

Whether it’s a hearing aid or a medical referral, you can take comfort knowing that you’re receiving specialty-trained medical advice to improve your hearing and your health from the staff at Audiology and Hearing Aid Services. Dr. Palmer and her fellow audiologists are committed to offering all price points including budget devices to effectively treat hearing loss, and they work directly with physicians to find the best solution for their patients.

With offices in Pooler, Savannah, and Skidaway Island, there is a location convenient to you.

Call (912) 351-3038 today to schedule a complimentary consultation with a Doctor of Audiology at the Pooler or Savannah locations. For Skidaway Island residents, please call (912) 598-0616.

“Being proactive about your hearing loss can help ensure a healthy lifestyle and further your CONFIDENCE in social settings.”

LOCATIONS • 803 E 68th St | Savannah, GA 31405 • Godley Station Professional Park | 1000 Towne Center Blvd #200 Pooler GA 31322 • 6 Skidaway Village Walk | Savannah GA 31411 | 912 598-0616

ahassavannah.com | (912) 351-3038 Hometown Living At Its Best

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Chatham CONTENTS /

living

FALL ISSUE 2020

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Caring, Compassion and a Taste of Home Ronald Mcdonald House doesn’t clown around when it comes to helping families in need.

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The Power of One Ambria Berksteiner has developed her mentoring program “Operation One Stem at a Time” to profoundly touch the lives of hundreds of young ladies.

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Frankly Speaking and Painting Artist/musician brings his talents from California to Savannah and discovers a speaking gig.

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Savannah Power Yoga Kate Doran uses creative, community-focused and powerful solutions for her business during this uncertain time.

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Keeping the Coast Clear and Clean Nonprofit group litters beaches with cleanup volunteers.

ON T H E C O V E R Ambria Berksteiner >> PHOTO TAKEN BY: AMBER BERKSTEINER 4 FALL 2020 / CHATHAM COUNTY LIVING

Bringing

life

to your

smile

Personalized patient specific care in the heart of Historic Savannah.

Cerec In-Office Porcelain Restorations Sedation Dentistry Invisalign Orthodontics

Richard M. Thomas, Jr., D.M.D

(912) 234-1944 | www.dentaldesignsavannah.com | 300 Bull Street Savannah, GA 31401

Chatham

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

living

C O NT E NTS

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Just a Small Act of Kindness Goes a Long Way Jamie Weaver Created “Quarantine for a Cause” where she could do photo shoots with individuals, couples, and families who are quarantined together and don’t have to wear masks and gloves.

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Saving The Cassiopeia

112

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Heading up a New Game Plan Former Savannah Policeman develops football helmet with safety

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The Hipster Hound After a diagnosis of Hodgkin Lymphoma and a recession Nick and

Harold Neel’s adventure was to

Tonya Rintye pursued their dream of

follow a dream, a journey that

owning a daycare for dogs.

eventually led him to Savannah,

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Georgia, to rescue and restore a 70’ wood, seaworthy schooner named Cassiopeia.

The Singing Griffins

100

foster warmth and camaraderie

Building a Nest Rachel Wilson opened Nest Estate

The Griffin family uses music to within the household.

160

in mind.

Planning with a mission to help

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protect the people of Savannah.

Bloomingdale biker hits high gear

Talking the Right Walk

with motorcycle murder mystery

Savannah college student uses radio

the best manner to keep staff and

books

show to focus on the positive.

clients safe.

Riding and Writing

6 FALL 2020 / CHATHAM COUNTY LIVING

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Strange Times for Small Business Owners Creighton-Jones, owner of Cape Creations Catering talks about struggling with how to reopen in

A history of trust.

Marion Leith REALTOR Associate Broker, ABR, CRS, GRI 912.441.3993

Karen Henry Thomas REALTOR ABR, CMRS, GRI 912.856.6550

Jane Beare

REALTOR Associate Broker ABR, CMRS, GRI, Global Luxury Certified 912.507.5797

912.352.1222 | 6349 Abercorn St. Savannah Hometown Living At Its Best

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From the Publisher

the Publisher

albany

From the Publisher

alban

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

P u b l i s h e r With You in mind Publications C r eat i v e | D e s i g n Caffeine Generated Graphics, LLC

Photo by Leslie Hand

Stacey Nichols e x e C u t i v e e d i to r s Jay and Patti martin

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P u b l i s h e r With You in mind Pub

landon and mandi spivey e x e C u t i v e e d i to r s Jay and Patti martin o f f i ce M a n age r Nikki Burkhalter

landon and mandi s

C r e At e | D ewhat s i G nis mandi spivey As we enter the “New Normal”, it is impossible toi vproject ahead for our world, country, state, county, city and family. I have stacey nichols A s s i s ta n t C r e At i v e | D e s i G n mandi spivey

M a n age r June Dixon heard it said that “history repeats itself”. I’m not sure that “history” stacey nichols O f f i C eBUT, m A what n AG e r laura mcCullough has ever seen anything quite like the last six months hasthis shown ustime is that the world has previously faced wars, history nning our holiday schedules through magical P h otog r ap h e r s Dream Weaver O f fPhotos i C e m A n AG e r laura mcCullough yself stopping to savor so many moments this season. s s i s out tA n t unrest and pestilence. Although devastating, we have Acome Rebecca Galloway Photography th delicious marshmallows stuck to our lips, late night As we are festively planning our holiday schedules through this magical time m slowly A n AG e–r s June dixon on the other side –tree sometimes quickly andi sometimes good movie on the couch, finding the perfect to of year, have found myself stopping to savor so many moments this season.

A s s i s tA n t Ruth Williams English ter from the kids whilesometimes helping dig outpainlessly the ornaments nikki Burkhalter chocolate nights with delicious marshmallows stuck to our lips, late night and sometimeshotpainfully. m A n AG e r s June dixon Ryan Lee Photography y heart overflows with gratitude for our family. family snuggles with a good movie on the couch, finding the perfect tree to Our goal is to highlight some of thedecorate peopleandinthe each of our laughter fromissues the kids while helping dig out the ornaments nikki Burkhalter h OtO r A Poverflows h in e r s with Antgratitude hill Photography and string thePlights. heart for our family. ce blossom this year as she represent grows into the most that the solutions to the “new normal”.

ThemyG people C ov e r P h oto Ambria Berksteiner, as we also welcomed a new little nephew who made his David Parks Photography issue arebypart the history and legacy of Chatham County.this year P h OtO G r A P h e r s Ant hill Photography We have watched a niece blossom as she grows into the most fall. All around us, wethis are surrounded lovedof ones.

by Amber Berksteiner adorable little toddler, as we also welcomed little nephew who made his s. love that, together, we willerica new Their stories provide all of us with confidence David Parks Photogra beautiful entrance this fall. All around us, we are surrounded by loved ones. ave a similar theme of how family has impacted so millie mac Photography eric s. love persevere and thrive! le people you will read about in their stories. Family this issue to weave support a similar theme of how family has impacted so Sale s Dottie Hicks shae Foy Photography millie mac Photograp always, we could theseems continued o we become and who weAs teach our children to be. not do this without many of these incredible people you will read about in their stories. Family

shannan blanchard Photography Spivey listed onshapes pagewho 168.

Wewho hope that you we are, we become and who we teach Landon our children to be.

Coach Damien Gary, ms. Peggy Bryant, Bishop frederick Michael Williams, and so Lane will join us in thanking them. Be sure to drop in at any of those many more share their stories of where they came from that brought them to C ov e r P h oto Officer travis Goodson,

Patti Martin locations listed and grab your free copy that they make possible! where they are today. nating realization of all is that family is created through C ov e r P h oto Parks withwhether them, born visitinto with keep on showing the love Photo by David Randy Montague tance. family and loveShop is a choice, or them and just Perhaps the most fascinating realization of all is that family is created through Photography you so freely give. more than one circumstance. family and love is a choice, whether born into or

s. Peggy Bryant, Bishop frederick Williams, and so from our sponsors which are stories of where they came from that brought them to

year, i hope we all remember to count our blessings, as for the little moments...the ones we will look back onCHATHAM hose that remain imprinted on our hearts that carry us life.

John 10:10 KJV

chosen.

Contributing

A l ewe s allKeisha Cory As we move into a new year, ishope remember to count our blessings, as STRONG

Wri te r s Beth Logan often as we remember, for the little moments...the ones we will look back on Patti martin through the years. it’s those that remain imprinted on our hearts that carry us

D. Annette Sasser landon spivey through the seasons of life.

David Pena

ou and the love you all pour out onto our families We are so grateful for you and the love you all pour out onto our families raging emails and ideas all sent our way. We hope you

C O nto t rdestroy: i B emails utinG encouraging The thief cometh and toreaders, kill, and Iand ideas all sent our way. We hope you gratitude to each advertiser that is listed on not, page but 192 for to steal,through will join us in extending gratitude to each advertiser that is listed on page 192

ation possible to the community no charge.

Wri te s Chehaw.org am comeat that they might have life, and that they might have itrmore

abundantly. amily a merry Christmas and the hAPPiest neW YeAr es!

Blessings,

which make this publication possible to the community at no charge.

shae Foy Photograph shannan blanchard P

Officer travis Goodso Photo by David Parks Photography

s A l e s Keisha Cory

Patti martin landon spivey

Gail Dixon COntriButinG Stephen Prudhomme

Writ e r s Chehaw.org

Teri R. Williams Jessica Fellows Jessica Fellows Wishing you and your family a merry Christmas the hAPPiest neW YeAr June and b. Anderson June b. Anderson full of love and memories!

Karen Cohilas Karen Cohilas © Chatham County Living is published Kate deloach View our magazines FREE online at:three times a year by With You in Mind Publications.Kate deloach Keisha Cory Keisha Cory withyouinmindpublications.com www.withyouinmindpublications.com rachel Price P.O. Box 55 • Glennville, GA 30427 rachel Price (912) 654-3045 Like us on Facebook!

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All rights reserved. Copies or reproduction of this publication in w is strictly prohibited without expressed written authorization from every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information con Advertising is subject to omission, errors, and other changes wit

Kelli Hartley, Sales Director and Arianna Maldonado, Move In Coordinator

Savannah

Square A senior living community where neighbors ultimately become family

I

If you are in search of senior living, look no further than one of Savannah’s oldest and well-known premier properties, Savannah Square. Nestled between downtown Savannah and the hospital systems, the extensive campus features blooming azaleas, manicured lawns and 65 beautifully renovated cottages.

A continued care retirement community, Savannah Square offers independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing and an on-site rehabilitation center.

“Some people think that when they move into an assisted living facility, that life stops or that they stop socializing. But that doesn’t happen here,” said Kelli Hartley, Sales Director at Savannah Square.

The campus includes a full fitness center, library, car service, fine dining and the Lifestyle360 program, which incorporates activities that benefit residents’ social, physical and emotional needs.

“We keep residents engaged and fully living life, and that includes their pets, too,” Kelli said.

As a leader in continued care, Savannah Square has a reputation for offering the best out-patient and in-patient rehabilitation services, with seasoned and experienced staff.

“What makes us different is the skilled nursing rehab center we have on site. Residents can come into the center and get the help they need to get back home to their apartment or cottage.

It’s all offered right here on our campus,” Kelli said. “Residents are able to work with their same therapists as they progress from in-patient to out-patient services, providing a seamless line of care where residents feel comfortable.”

Developing lasting relationships with their caregivers and neighbors is another benefit of life at Savannah Square.

“We are a family. The staff looks after residents and the residents look after each other,” Kelli said. “We truly believe this is a place where neighbors become family.”

If you’re interested in learning more, contact Savannah Square at 912-927-7550 or visit the website at www.savannahsquareretirement.com.

Hometown Living At Its Best

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Story by David Pena | Photos by Amber M. Berksteiner and Somi Benson-Jaja

the

power of one

T

Ambria Berksteiner has developed her mentoring program “Operation One Stem at a Time” to profoundly touch the lives of hundreds of young ladies.

The proverbial phrase “means to an end” usually refers to the manner in which someone achieves a specific objective, which isn’t usually the ultimate goal itself. When discussing her role as Miss Savannah 2017-2018, Ambria Berksteiner explains that her entry into the pageantry world ironically proved to be the means by which she developed her mentoring program “Operation One Stem at a Time,” which has profoundly touched the lives of hundreds of young ladies thus far.

“Four years ago, I had the chance to compete for and ultimately claim the title of Miss Savannah USA,” Ambria recalls. “I had to come up with a platform for the pageant, which is a cause or group that I wanted to advocate for during my reign. I decided to center mine around helping young girls who dreamed of becoming a scientist, chemist or any other STEM-related field one day.” Ambria’s mother Elizabeth, an educator in the Savannah Chatham County Public schools, encouraged her daughter to pursue pageantry. “My cousin, Ericka Dunlap, who was Miss America 2004, felt that she would be very successful,” explains Elizabeth. “I have always looked for innovative ways to encourage both my girls, and I thought she’d be great. Not only is Ambria physically attractive, I was confident that she would use her educational experience to make the

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world a better place.”

The acronym S.T.E.M., which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, denotes a curriculum that integrates skills from those four fields.

First coined in 2001 by the National Science Foundation, this interdisciplinary approach to education focuses on applying academic concepts to real-world lessons. “Only a small percentage of the workforce (in these fields) are female, and African American women are about three times less likely to pursue engineering degrees than males. I felt it was important that I work to change those statistics,” says Ambria.

Thus, what began as simply a platform for a beauty pageant soon morphed into a mentoring organization that has impacted hundreds of young ladies who hope to enter STEM-related vocations one day. Through her organization, Ambria humbly says that she’s just “paying it forward” by giving others what she received as a teen in the Engineering Explorer Post program. Barbara Foley, Marketing and Outreach Director for

“Four years ago, I had the chance to compete for and ultimately claim the title of Miss Savannah USA,” Ambria recalls. “I had to come up with a platform for the pageant, which is a cause or group that I wanted to advocate for during my reign. I decided to center mine around helping young girls who dreamed of becoming a scientist, chemist or any other STEM-related field one day.”

Hometown Living At Its Best

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Coastal Georgia Boy Scouts, encouraged Ambria to enroll in the program as a youngster. “In 2011, I encouraged Ambria to join the Engineering Explorer Post. Imagine my delight when I learned that she appreciated the mentoring she received so much that she decided to begin her own STEM mentoring program for young ladies!”

Ambria recalls that mentoring also played a vital role in her own upbringing. “In the Spring of 2014 I was mentored through The Georgia Power Women in STEM. This program truly changed my life because I was actually seeing women who were successful in similar professions.” Lula Baker, one of Ambria’s mentors and the mother of news anchor Dawn Baker,

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says, “From the moment I met Ambria, I knew she was going to become a great leader.” Lula said she was struck by the young lady’s poise. “She believed in herself, yet she was eager to learn and not afraid to make mistakes. Through the years, I have observed that she truly believes in her potential to change the world.”

Emboldened by her experiences and encouraged by Lula Baker as well as her mother Elizabeth, Ambria says that she knew it was the time to act. “After the positive support I had gotten, I just felt that initiating a STEM mentoring organization for young women was a natural choice for me.”

Ambria’s organization originated while she attended

Hometown Living At Its Best

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Spelman College back in 2016. “I learned that only 29% of the STEM workforce are female. I noticed that a number of girls were coming in without mentors and without properly being exposed to the STEM fields.” Thus, Ambria set out to mentor young women of color who were interested in pursuing STEM-related careers. “I started with about five young ladies who met with me on a monthly basis. The girls were daughters of Spelman faculty members, and I just tried to capture their attention by making a somewhat boring subject into something more enjoyable,” she says.

This meant that Ambria had to now come up with imaginative activities that were creative and fun while still teaching about the core elements of STEM. “I incorporated Visual Art concepts, and this enabled me to show them that there’s a place for STEM in the real world,” explains Ambria. “I had them make blueprints for their lives, set realistic goals for themselves, and I got them to ultimately think outside (the realm) of simple equations and science.

I wanted to show that by applying the concepts of (STEM) to their goals, they could make it a reality just like I did.”

Soon the word got out about Ambria’s program, and when she returned from Spelman, she spoke before the Savannah City Council about her goals for the organization. This resulted in getting invitations to speak to students at Gould and Gadsden Elementary Schools during their summer programs. “I spent a week at each school,” recalls Ambria.

“I had students present vision boards, create outfits out of recycled objects, and come up with ways that they could use STEM to help attain their life goals.

By the end of the sessions, the students knew much more about STEM. “We even displayed a showcase for all the

Hometown Living At Its Best

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concepts discussed throughout the week.” Elizabeth says that she was proud to see her daughter become a natural teacher and model mentor. “As a teacher myself, I had some influence in the areas she was going into, so I helped her to partner with some of the local afterschool programs. I felt that her STEM organization was going to be bigger than we were.”

Ambria’s organization gained momentum when she partnered with Savannah Chatham County Public School’s 21st Century Program.“I attended local tutorial programs and helped mentor the students, teaching them about STEM and encouraging them to always 18

chatham county living

think outside the box. At that time, I also promoted my organization on the news and social media, which garnered even more attention for our cause.” In 2019, the City of Savannah honored Ambria for her achievements and helping to expose local elementary and high school students to STEM. Former Mayor Eddie DeLoach applauded her efforts in making STEM more accessible to students and helping to bring creativity and imagination back into local classrooms.

In 2019, after the success of her First Annual Women in STEM Scholarship Tea, Ambria added

a scholarship program to the organization. Her “Change Agent Scholarship” is aimed at young women enrolled in the Savannah Chatham County Public Schools who plan to pursue STEM in college. “I created this one-time, non-renewable award to be presented to a high school senior who plans to major in a STEM-related field,” says Ambria.

The twenty-five year-old is now majoring in Industrial and Systems Engineering at Auburn University, but she says that her organization is steadily growing, and she has no plans of slowing down. “I now have an advisory board, and we have positively impacted nearly 500 girls,” says Ambria. “I expect that number to continue to grow.” Ambria believes that creativity is vital to education, and that by encouraging other girls at a young age, she feels that she can give them the tools they need for success in today’s everchanging world.

For more information about Ambria’s organization, visit Operationonestem on Facebook or Instagram@operationonestematatime.  CCL

In 2019, after the success of her First Annual Women in STEM Scholarship Tea, Ambria added a scholarship program to the organization. Her “Change Agent Scholarship” is aimed at young women enrolled in the Savannah Chatham County Public Schools who plan to pursue STEM in college. “I created this one-time, non-renewable award to be presented to a high school senior who plans to major in a STEM-related field,” says Ambria.

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Frankly speaking and painting 22

CHATHAM COUNTY LIVING

Story by Stephen Prudhomme | Photos by Dream Weaver Photos

Artist/musician brings his talents from California to Savannah and discovers a speaking gig.

F

Frank Strasser has jammed with Michelle Phillips, painted California beach scenes, and almost terminated Arnold Schwarzenegger while driving his car and the latter was on his bike. For over 40 years, he was California dreaming as an artist and musician, complete with the laidback surfer dude persona that was perhaps best exemplified in the movie, Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure.

Nowadays, Frank, while still a free spirit, is in Savannah jamming as a tour guide.

Although unlikely to encounter a movie star/ ex-governor, he has to keep a lookout for

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CHATHAM COUNTY LIVING

cyclists. As for his art subjects, Strasser has traded palm trees for live oaks covered with Spanish moss, and surfboards and dune buggies for squares and horses and carriages.

Frank’s first visit to Savannah was in September 2017. He made the 2500-mile trip with his canine copilot, Hampton. He is a hearty rescue pup that held up during 111-degree temperatures at a corner in Winslow, Arizona, and through Hurricane Irma, which swept up the coast.

Despite a less than auspicious inaugural visit, Frank, some three months later eschewing his car for a plane, moved to Savannah. Serendipitously, his Uber driver, who introduced himself as the Colonel, worked for Old Town Trolley and ultimately helped his new friend land a job as a tour guide with the company.

Quickly introduced to Southern hospitality, Frank had to just as quickly learn how to “hit the streets” driving.

“After living in LA for 60 years, I knew her streets and local history,” said Frank, who grew up in Culver City, where hundreds of movies were filmed at MGM Studios. “I arrived in Georgia completely ignorant about the South. Out of the wild blue, I suddenly had a gig driving a huge trolley through insanely narrow and confusing streets. It was nerve-racking at first. But then, I’d driven for 40 years in Venice Beach, a wild, crazy, absurdly popular tourist town. So I was at least accustomed to hectic crowds and distractions.”

Today, Frank drives with the aplomb and verve of a stunt car driver, although at slower speeds, navigating the streets with an ease that belies his lack of relative experience and entertaining riders with a storytelling style that is informative, entertaining and humorous. When talking to others, Frank sways

Frank’s first visit to Savannah was in September 2017.

He made the 2500-mile trip with his canine copilot, Hampton. He is a hearty rescue pup that held up during 111-degree temperatures at a corner in Winslow, Arizona, and through Hurricane Irma, which swept up the coast.

Hometown Living At Its Best

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like the palm trees at Venice Beach and gestures with his hands, adding to his already colorful tales; it should be pointed out he dials down on the swaying and gesturing when giving a tour to ensure everyone’s safety and allowing for a quick response in the event a governor on his bike happens to dart in front of him.

Prior to moving to Savannah, Frank held court in Venice Beach for many years; he lived in a rent controlled apartment a Frisbee’s throw away from the beach. He came to Venice Beach after earning a degree in English literature and taking an “obligatory” trip to Europe in search of self.

Frank visited every museum on the map and spent April in Paris, where the art of Van Gogh and Monet inspired him to paint. The search ended when Frank ran out of money.

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With the Pacific Ocean providing the perfect backdrop and inspiration, Frank turned his artistic sensibilities to painting; he started in that discipline at the age of 12 and was selftaught, remarking he’s the only one in his family with an artistic bent and has been blessed by God. Taking a canvas (rather than a page) from Monet and Van Gogh, he sketched ramshackle cottages, scraggly gardens, crumbling sidewalks, cow-licked palms and iconic bridges. “I worked to capture the Venice of yesteryear in acrylic on canvas,” Frank said. “Little did I know I was living the Bohemian dream.” That dream included walking along moonlit beaches and canals to visit long-gone 24-hour cafes, where he would scribble down lines of poetry and chat with kindred spirits at rickety tables.

“After living in LA for 60 years, I knew her streets and local history,” said Frank, who grew up in Culver City, where hundreds of movies were filmed at MGM Studios. “I arrived in Georgia completely ignorant about the South. Out of the wild blue, I suddenly had a gig driving a huge trolley through insanely narrow and confusing streets.”

Frank’s artistic gifts carried over to music as well; he performed in a rock-n-roll band, played guitar, sang lead vocals, and wrote a few songs. He performed with Michelle Phillips, former member of the Mamas and Papas. “She was incredibly sweet and still a lovely lady in her late 60s.” Frank also played with Willie Ray Brundridge, who played bass with James Brown; guitarist Albert Lee, who performed with Eric Clapton, Joe Cocker and Emmy Lou Harris; and Paul Oscher, a guitarist and harp player who shared the stage with blues legend Muddy Waters for over 10 years.

“For a Venice Canal jam band, the Canaligators had some incredible players,” Frank said.

In the 1980s, while in Topanga Canyon, Frank unexpectedly met a young actor whose name would become synonymous with the excesses of a Hollywood lifestyle. Stuck on a dark road with a dead car battery, Frank spotted a nice-looking young man with a goatee driving a “nine million dollar Mercedes” and asked for help. The man readily agreed, remarking he didn’t know much about cars and the location of the battery. Following a 15-minute search, they found it in a trunk compartment and subsequently started Frank’s car. Then, for the next hour or so, Frank and Charlie Sheen had a wonderful conversation on “life.” Frank asked Charlie about his performance in Wall Street; he said it was “a lot of fun,” and noted his goatee was for a role in the movie Young Guns. “He was a bright,

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CHATHAM COUNTY LIVING

charming, nice, unassuming young man,” Frank said. “I was sad to hear about his later troubles.

The devil fools with the best laid plans.”

Frank also did some custom home painting for Ed O’Neill, star of Married with Children.

“He’s a totally cool guy and he’s very humble,” said Frank, noting he never asks for autographs and was shocked when the guests on one of his tours went wild after spotting Paula Deen.

Then there was the close call with Schwarzenegger, who was making a U-turn while riding his bike on a street in Santa Monica and headed straight for a motor bound Frank. “I saw this huge guy coming toward me on his bike and recognized him as Arnold,” Frank said. “He almost lost control of his bike; he waved and gave me an embarrassed smile.”

The inevitable development of the Venice Beach area, so-called “progress,” took a lot of

the heart and soul out of the area. Longtime cafes and music venues, many of which were dilapidated but oozing with a folksy, rustic charm, became casualties of the inexorable development “tsunami.” That wave came crashing down one day, both metaphorically and literally, when a magnificent, Century-old eucalyptus tree was cut down on Frank’s street to make way for some three-story investment homes. “I knew my days in Venice were numbered,” Frank said.

Frank leaves Venice Beach a richer place with his 40-year tenure. His art has been featured in the Venice newspaper and Historical Society Journal. Two of his images were chosen to raise funds for a holiday gift card program, which brought muchneeded funds to the Venice Family Clinic.

Frank also helped create a mural on behalf

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Frank’s artistic gifts carried over to music as well; he performed in a rock-n-roll band, played guitar, sang lead vocals, and wrote a few songs. He performed with Michelle Phillips, former member of the Mamas and Papas.

“She was incredibly sweet and still a lovely lady in her late 60s.” Frank also played with Willie Ray Brundridge, who played bass with James Brown; guitarist Albert Lee, who performed with Eric Clapton, Joe Cocker and Emmy Lou Harris; and Paul Oscher, a guitarist and harp player who shared the stage with blues legend Muddy Waters for over 10 years. “For a Venice Canal jam band, the Canaligators had some incredible players,” Frank said.

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CHATHAM COUNTY LIVING

of the homeless in downtown LA and performed an original song at a Venice Beach political rally.

Afterwards, the ex-wife of Country Joe McDonald, who performed at Woodstock, complimented Frank on his “passionate vocals and witty lyrics.”

Frank also received kudos for his artistic endeavors from Edwin J. Peterson, a Superior Court Judge and Distinguished Jurist in Residence at Willamette University College of Law. On his 82nd birthday, in a note to Frank, he reminisced about the latter’s first art show some two decades earlier. “It was a cold winter morning about 20 years ago when my wife and I visited Venice,” Judge Peterson wrote.

“We ended up meeting you and purchased four of your paintings, all of which now repose on our family room wall. You’ve brought joy into our lives.

Thank you.”

Mike Rosen, who manages bands such as Todd Rundgren and Kansas, described Frank as a one-ofa-kind man, friend, and artist. He’s someone whose art transcends friendship, and whose friendship

transcends art. “Frank’s ability to fancifully capture moments in time has been featured on the covers of many SoCal magazines and newspapers over the years; each time his lovely and iconic Christmas in Venice painting is featured yet again, it makes me smile every bit as widely as the first time I saw his amazing work,” Mike said. “I miss Frank very much, but his art in my home - on the wall in my bedroom next to my bed - gives me an opportunity to feel his incredible presence every morning.

It makes me smile and feel that today is going to be a good day - a Frank Strasser quality day.”

Frank’s transition from a hectic West Coast metropolis of 15 million people to a city of some 200,000 folks in the South has posed both challenges and opportunities.

While he was established in Venice Beach, Frank is unknown in Savannah. “I enjoy the challenge of reinventing myself,” Frank said. “I was a full-time artist and musician for 20 years. Now, I work a full-time job, play the guitar a little, and paint whenever the demands of life permit. So far, I’ve painted two commissions and hundreds of photos as models for future works. I keep my peepers peeled and study the landscape.

I am positively wild about the sparsely beautiful Lowcountry.”

Local collector Phillip Grainey said Frank’s art is uniquely and wonderfully original, with his works capturing the beauty of the coastal areas in California and Georgia. “The California canvases are delightfully observed beach scenes, crowded with colorful images, rich in entertaining details, painted in a glorious palette of bright colors. They are full of warmth, humanity, fun and humor,” Phil said. “Since moving to the Lowcountry, Frank has turned his attention to the timeless beauty of coastal Georgia. His latest work brilliantly captures Savannah’s wide, overarching skies, acres of brooding saltmarsh, sheltered bays and meandering creeks. Frank’s art reflects his fascination with the endlessly teeming, beautiful world which he clearly loves.”  CCL Hometown Living At Its Best

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Savannah

Power Yoga

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CHATHAM COUNTY LIVING

Story by Beth Logan | Photos by Dream Weaver Photos

KATE DORAN USES CREATIVE, COMMUNITY-FOCUSED AND POWERFUL SOLUTIONS FOR HER BUSINESS DURING THIS UNCERTAIN TIME.

T

The slim and vivacious Kate Doran meets me at the door of her stunningly beautiful Wilmington Island studio.

Designed, built, and project-managed by her talented husband Jeff, this long awaited second studio (her first studio is in the Sandfly neighborhood of Savannah) opened on March 1 of this year. We sit - at a social distance - in her board room and education space and I soon learn that following the mandatory shut down of all Savannah businesses on March 16, Kate rebounded quickly and taught her first yoga class via Zoom on March 18!

“March 17 was a day off work in Savannah so we had one day to figure it out! I think we’re lucky, honestly.

My background is in technology, so when this happened I didn’t have the fear that I think a lot of people had about ‘how do I make this work?’ We had already talked about

Hometown Living At Its Best

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live streaming, so when the studio closed, I knew we just had to jump in and do it.”

Kate is grateful that her members supported her through the changes wrought by the pandemic.

“We’ve only had about 40 people cancel or freeze their memberships. We get about 100 people a day taking online classes right now, which is amazing.”

In comparison, Kate relates how some big corporate yoga studio chains had to pause their memberships and have no recurring revenue at this time. “I think being a small business has many challenges, but the direct connection with our customers really works in our favor,” she says.

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CHATHAM COUNTY LIVING

But let’s step back to how Kate began this small business. She laughs, “I started doing yoga when I was in the software industry because I was incredibly stressed out. Basically, my coworkers kept telling me ‘You need yoga.’ So I took some classes and I really didn’t love them at first, but I knew it was good for me and I kept going.” Eventually practicing five or six days a week, Kate realized it was changing how she handled stress and improving her physical fitness and she committed to her first 200-hour teacher training course to deepen her personal practice.

Fast forward three years to 2007 and Kate

“March 17 was a day off work in Savannah so we had one day to figure it out! I think we’re lucky, honestly. My background is in technology, so when this happened I didn’t have the fear that I think a lot of people had about ‘how do I make this work?’

We had already talked about live streaming, so when the studio closed, I knew we just had to jump in and do it.”

Hometown Living At Its Best

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38 CHATHAM COUNTY LIVING

left the software industry, began volunteering and eventually opened a yoga cooperative studio with two other teachers. Even though she was an owner, she felt frustrated that she and her students were not building a consistent practice - each teacher taught in their own style on different days and at different times - “It was great if you wanted a buffet; it was not great if you wanted consistency. And consistency is how yoga changed my life. I wanted to create a place where people could join me in practicing three to five times a week using a consistent methodology that will change your body and change your life. That was when I discovered Baptiste yoga.”

Baptiste Power Yoga is a type of hot power yoga developed by Baron Baptiste who says it is focused on poses, meditation and self-inquiry, and is intended to be adaptable to any level of physical ability. In typical Type-A style, Kate dove in head-first and committed to a Baptiste teacher training course and attended four trainings with the founder within a year.

“Before encountering this style of yoga, I had been to India and studied Ashtanga yoga, practicing six days a week for an hour and a half. And I loved it, but most people I knew didn’t have time for that. With Baptiste yoga, I found a yoga that was accessible to everyone. It’s not complicated but it’s really challenging. A light bulb went off.” She believes that people need a yoga practice that challenges them but that not all people have the flexibility or the anatomy to get themselves into pretzel shapes, or as she says, “put their feet behind their head!” Savannah Power Yoga studio opened in the Norwood Shopping Plaza in Sandfly on January 2, 2011 offering classes of varying intensity, some being heated, some not.

But let’s step back to how Kate began this small business. She laughs, “I started doing yoga when I was in the software industry because I was incredibly stressed out. Basically, my co-workers kept telling me ‘You need yoga.’ So I took some classes and I really didn’t love them at first, but I knew it was good for me and I kept going.”

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Two years ago, Savannah Power Yoga (or SPY for short) also became home to SPRY. SPRY caters to seniors, those who are pregnant, recovering from an injury, or simply needing a gentler form of exercise.

“The funny thing was, that even before I opened SPY, I was teaching a free chair yoga at the Senior Citizens’ Center on Bull Street once a week. About two years ago, I asked myself why I was only doing this one day a week when it’s what I really love.

Teaching seniors is very near and dear to my heart.” Kate has created her own sequence of exercises that, while for students sitting in chairs, is surprisingly similar to the Baptiste blueprint she uses for her other classes. She believes that no matter our age, we all have the same goals for our yoga practice. “We all want to be healthy and we want to be strong, even though the reasons may change as we age – we need to get up and down from the floor, get out of chairs easily if we’re older.

SPRY is a combination of chair yoga and Baptiste yoga and what I learned when I went to Duke last year and trained at the Center for Integrative Medicine.”

Baptiste Power Yoga is a type of hot power yoga developed by Baron Baptiste who says it is focused on poses, meditation and self-inquiry, and is intended to be adaptable to any level of physical ability. In typical Type-A style, Kate dove in headfirst and committed to a Baptiste teacher training course and attended four trainings with the founder within a year.

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CHATHAM COUNTY LIVING

To close our interview, I ask Kate to talk more about her definition of ‘community’ and why she feels it is important to give back. “That idea of community and connection is at the heart of what we do. The word ‘yoga’ means ‘connection’,” she responds, “I’ve been thinking about this so much recently. I feel so much more connected to people now that I’m teaching online via Zoom. The conversations that we have before class involve everybody…You hear about their kids, their pets, their hobbies. The fact that we go into each other’s living room every time we teach a class makes me feel like I’m in their family. I’m seeing them with bed-head in their own homes!”

The studio has always taught several “community” classes each week where proceeds benefit local non-profits. Initially, the non-profit switched each month, but Kate says, “That felt scattered. Just like yoga practice, if we stick with one thing and we’re consistent, we can make a bigger difference. And so I picked Hospice Savannah for most of our charitable giving because of my personal experience.” When

Kate gave up her software career she became a hospice volunteer and subsequently became caregiver for her mother-in-law who had been diagnosed with Stage IV cancer. “So for me, being on both sides of hospice – as a volunteer and as a family member – I think it’s the most important work there is. People at the end of life deserve so much compassion and so much listening and connection.” Kate and her staff host an annual yoga relay with donations earmarked for the hospice’s Edel Caregiver Institute which supports any unpaid family caregiver at no charge.

Kate is grateful that her business qualified as a Payroll Protection Program (PPP) recipient. She’s looking forward to letting her staff take on more of the online teaching so that she can carve out more time for strategic planning and thinking about how the studios will be best utilized in the postpandemic time that will eventually come. Knowing Kate, her solutions will be creative, communityfocused and powerful!  CCL

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Come to pooler, where great food just happens & Southern hospitality is a way of life.

• INTERNATIONAL AND SOUTHERN CUISINE • AFFORDABLE HOTELS • GREAT SHOPPING • OUTSTANDING RESTAURANTS • EXCITING ENTERTAINMENT • WEDDINGS AND MEETING VENUES • CULINARY EVENTS AND FESTIVALS

(912) 748-0110 | PoolerChamber.com

Just west of Savannah off I-95 Exit 102 and 104

Pooler As we move into 2020, we want to congratulate our 2020 Board of Directors and our 2020 Ambassador Council.

These folks volunteer their time to support our members and the Pooler Chamber.

We look forward to working with the board and ambassadors in 2020!

2020 Board of Directors

Ben Anderson Pete Chaison Daniel Cloutier - Adhoc Trisha Cook John Fender Maurice Jackson

Scott Loehr Courtney Rawlins - Adhoc Whitney Ray Carol Sellers Robert Todd Jabron Webster

H

ello from your Pooler Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau, Inc.

WOW…where has the time gone. Spring has arrived and with that warmer weather flowers and shrubs have already bloomed in some areas and we can’t wait to see the burst of color bringing the hope of a great 2020 Spring and Summer.

The Pooler Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce our 2020 Board of Directors as well as our 2020 Ambassador Council and Staff. Please see the next page for the listing.

In line for concerns about the COVID 19, our sixth annual Hearts for Heroes was also postponed. We again sold out and will plan a date later in the year. Our beneficiary this year, The SD Gunner Fund. We are tentatively planning this for October, 2020.

The Pooler Chamber of Commerce is moving! You may have noticed the ongoing renovation of the 2-story white house, next to the Front Porch Coffee House. Thanks to the City of Pooler, the chamber will now call this “home”. We are so excited. Our plan is to relocate to this beautiful office in July. Stay tuned for information on our grand opening and open house.

On September 12th, the Pooler Chamber of Commerce will host Patriots’ Day, combined with the Food Truck Festival and

2020 Ambassador Council Amber Bradshaw Ashley Dubois Ashley Stokes Kandi Cook Marcus Thompson Melissa Brophy

Sarah Puente Tamara Bussie Tangela Peeples Tara Reese Veronica Voisine Victoria Baylor

Marketplace. We know this will be a great opportunity for folks to get outside and enjoy themselves. Location is not confirmed but look for more information to come. Continue checking our website for more information, as well as our Facebook page. This is the first year the chamber has hosted the Patriots’ Day and we look forward to a great event complete with fireworks.

The Pooler Chamber continues to present new networking opportunities for members and residents with countless events and community driven projects. Some events are strictly fun, while others are designed to educate the public on issues such as transportation, business development and the city’s economic outlook.

The chamber works closely with the City of Pooler. Mayor Rebecca Benton, City Manager, Robbie Byrd, and all city officials are very supportive. The chamber could not provide events without their support. We hope that you support the Chamber and the city by attending some of our upcoming events.

The Pooler Chamber of Commerce is in the people business and we are committed to nurturing positive relationships within our city. You are members of the Chatham County community, and thanks to your support of our businesses and plans for our city’s ongoing responsible growth, the future of Pooler seems brighter than ever.

- Pam Southard | Executive Director | Pooler Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau, Inc.

Susan Eiseman, Assistant Director

Whitney Balish, Director/Menbership Development

Pam Southard Executive Director

Tameka Moultrie Director/Menber Partnerships

Susan Sewell Office Assistant

coast

Keeping the

clear and clean

BY STEPHEN PRUDHOMME | PHOTOS PROVIDED BY PHIL GRAINEY

W

Nonprofit group litters beaches with cleanup volunteers

When Phil and Karen Grainey saw Little Tybee

for the first time in 1995, they were intrigued and

44

about Savannah’s founding by the British than someone hailing from across the pond?

captivated with the remote stretch of coastline near

Karen is president of Clean Coast and co-

the Back River. They subsequently explored it and

director of the Center for Sustainable Coast, a

reveled in its unspoiled beauty. 25 years later, Phil

nonprofit group that advocates for responsible

and Karen are doing their part to make sure Little

use, protection and conservation of Coastal

Tybee and other local coastal areas retain their

Georgia’s resources. A native of Jacksonville,

clean and natural look, with the emphasis on clean.

Florida, she developed a love for the ocean and

Phil is a native of England who worked in

coast. After moving to Savannah, Karen joined

restaurant management for a number of years.

Wilderness Southeast as part of its Fish Gotta

Since 2018, his distinctive British accent and dry

Swim program and taught Chatham County

wit have been heard by thousands of visitors taking

school kids about the importance of clean air

his trolley tour in Savannah. Who better to talk

and water. Working with the Sierra Club, she

chatham county living

Hometown Living At Its Best

45

“It’s been a wonderful experience, a real hands-on way to keep our pristine beaches free of marine debris, It also raises awareness of the importance of keeping these natural areas undeveloped and unspoiled.” was an organizer of a local petition, resulting in the first curbside recycling program operated by the City of Savannah.

Karen’s also an avid local activist working with many state and local groups including the Georgia Water Coalition and Citizens for Clean Air and Water; she recently helped craft a

Phil is a native of England who

resolution adopted by the Savannah City Council for the city

worked in restaurant management

to operate on 100% renewable energy by 2030. As co-director of the Center for a Sustainable Coast, Karen’s focused on the dangers of climate change and the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel burning.

Following their inaugural visit to Little Tybee, the Graineys did a little research and found out about Clean Coast. The local nonprofit was looking for volunteers to conduct beach cleanups on the local barrier islands, including Little Tybee.

They signed up and have been active with the group ever since. “It’s been a wonderful experience, a real hands-on way to keep our pristine beaches free of marine debris,” said Phil, who organizes the monthly beach cleanups, pilots the group’s 24-foot Carolina skiff and recruits local boat owners to transport volunteers to cleanup sites. “It also raises awareness of the importance of keeping these natural areas undeveloped and unspoiled.”

With the cleanups often taking place in remote areas, transportation is an issue. That’s where David C. Sapp and the Tybee Light Sail & Power Squadron make some waves and ride to the rescue. Squadron club members offer their boats to help transport volunteers to and from remote cleanup areas. They also participate in the cleanups. “As part of its community civic involvement programs and promotion of safe boating education in and around the greater Savannah

46

chatham county living

for a number of years. Since 2018, his distinctive British accent and dry wit have been heard by thousands of visitors taking his trolley tour in Savannah. Who better to talk about Savannah’s founding by the British than someone hailing from across the pond?

Hometown Living At Its Best

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Charlotte Dixon has served as a volunteer since 1996. “I’ve enjoyed the chance to see Georgia’s unique barrier islands,” Charlotte said. “It’s also an opportunity to do some good work.”

area, we’ve helped Clean Coast promote litterfree beaches for well over 20 years,” David said. “Our shuttle service is free and often leads to volunteers enrolling in squadron safe boating classes and ultimately becoming active members of the unit. The relation is a win-win for both organizations.”

Charlotte Dixon has served as a volunteer since 1996. “I’ve enjoyed the chance to see Georgia’s unique barrier islands,” Charlotte said. “It’s also an opportunity to do some good work.”

As with several other volunteers, Edwin Newton’s involvement with boating brought

48

chatham county living

him to the Clean Coast family. Edwin bought his

I learned two important facts: they move a lot

first boat several years ago and said he realized

of trash, and they have a lot of fun. I’m grateful

he knew nothing about boating. To address that

to Phil and Clean Coast for all they do and for

shortcoming, he took some “excellent training”

giving me the opportunity to play a small part.”

with America’s Boating Club and discovered

Clean Coast began 30 years ago when Larry

the joys of exploring Georgia’s unique coastline,

Shaffield and a group of friends did their first

harvesting crabs and oysters, and attempting to

beach cleanup on beautiful Ossabaw Island. Since

catch elusive game fish. One of the unexpected

then, thousands of volunteers have removed

treasures, he noted, was exploring the many

literally tons of debris from the Georgia coast,

barrier islands. During one of his first training

from Little Tybee in the north to Cumberland in

sessions, Edwin found out about Clean Coast

the south. Wassaw, Ossabaw and St. Catherines

and soon joined the ranks of beachcombers not

are among the barrier island beaches they’ve

leaving with shells and other marine remnants

divested of debris. Clean Coast is helping to

but with cups, paper, plastic and other assorted

preserve one of the last extensive undeveloped

man-made items. “I thought it appropriate to join

shorelines in the United States. Despite its

one of their cleanings since I enjoyed the fruits

remoteness, the coastline hasn’t been able to

of their labor,” Edwin said. “During the first trip

avoid marine debris and is littered with trash, Hometown Living At Its Best

49

which is an eyesore and often deadly to wildlife. Clear plastic bags, for example, can be mistaken for jellyfish and eaten by turtles, fish or dolphins. Fish and other marine animals and birds become entangled in fishing lines, nets or six-pack rings.

Styrofoam eventually breaks up into small pellets that are mistaken for eggs and eaten by various wildlife.

In addition to monthly cleanups, the group advocates for responsible development of the coast, introduction of industry and consumer best practices for debris reduction, and for renewable energy solutions to the current climate crisis. Clean Coast also conducts outreach to local schools and civic groups and works to shape environmentally sustainable public policy through membership of the Georgia Water Coalition.

There’s also an annual oyster roast, featuring the maritime favorite delicacy harvested from the aptly named Oyster Creek by Clean Coast volunteers.

Ed Owens is seemingly right at home when he’s near or on the water. Commodore of the Chatham Sailing Club, he’s also a volunteer with Clean Coast, continuing his tradition of working with organizations focused on preserving the environment. “I’ve been a Sierra Club member for years, but in this area the coastal plains are the more significant natural feature,” said Ed, who joined Clean Coast with his wife five years ago. “Efforts to keep our waterways and beaches clean are vital.”

Joining Clean Coast offered Ed other benefits as well. He and his wife wanted

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chatham county living

Clean Coast began 30 years ago when Larry Shaffield and a group of friends did their first beach cleanup on beautiful Ossabaw Island. Since then, thousands of volunteers have removed literally tons of debris from the Georgia coast, from Little Tybee in the north to Cumberland in the south.

to explore the coastal islands but discovered they were either private property or subject to Department of Natural Resources rules. “It helps to be part of a group that has the blessing of the owners/government bodies to land on the islands and enjoy the freshly cleaned beaches,” Ed said.

Membership also helps Ed when he’s on the water. By participating as a boatman helping out with Clean Coast events and oyster collection runs and oyster roasts, he’s learned all kinds of local knowledge about the waterways from experienced navigators. “The waterways here, especially in the Ossabaw Sound, are tricky for novice boat people,” Ed said. “You see them sitting on the shoals all the time.” Finally, there’s the social aspect. “The Clean Coast group is composed of friendly, happy, industrious people who are a joy to be around,” Ed said.

For Karen, heading up Clean Coast falls right in step with her commitment to help preserve the environment. “Clean Coast gives me the opportunity to highlight the dangers of plastic pollution in the ocean,” said Karen, who furthers her connection to nature by giving guided tours for Moon River Kayak. “It also allows me to engage with volunteers in real hands-on environmental work.”

Hometown Living At Its Best

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In addition to monthly cleanups, the group advocates for responsible development of the coast, introduction of industry and consumer best practices for debris reduction, and for renewable energy solutions to the current climate crisis. Clean Coast also conducts outreach to local schools and civic groups and works to shape environmentally sustainable public policy through membership of the Georgia Water Coalition.

Clean Coast will not be holding any public events while the pandemic poses significant risks to participants. You may contact them for further info at cleancoastmail@gmail.com or write to them at Clean Coast, 4 River Walk, Savannah, GA 31410 or you may get further info on the internet at cleancoast.org. ď • CCL

52 chatham county living

The Mentor and

The Chef

Hometown Living At Its Best

53

S

Seren’dipede (noun)

Webster’s dictionary: The occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or meaningful way.

Strangers at first to one another but not for long, as serendipity was about to intervene on both the behalf of two culinary professionals.

54

chatham county living

Such was the beginning of the relationship between two culinary professionals. Strangers at first to one another but not for long, as serendipity was about to intervene on both their behalf.

William Deane, who recently moved to Savannah, Georgia, was just beginning his career as a recent graduate from Fort Myers Culinary College.. Accomplished Chef Juan Carlos Rodriguez, a native to Puerto Rico, was already living in Savannah, Georgia, with his family and was, at the time of their meeting, the Executive Chef at the prestigious Ford Plantation, an exclusive private sporting community.

Chef Deane, with an easy smile and heartfelt look, will say that if not for Chef Juan’s mentorship, it would have taken him a decade more to learn what he has already learned under the guidance of his teacher.

Chef Juan Carlos’ passion for cooking is matched only by his passion for teaching and mentoring the many young professionals he has been fortunate enough to have met along the way of his own culinary journey. So when a culinary colleague of Juan’s called him to tell of a young aspiring chef who he wanted Juan to meet; the rest, as they say, is history.

The Ford Plantation kitchen had two talented cooks by the name of William, so our young apprentice simply became Deane by Chef Juan, easily distinguishing between the two of them when working.

Deane has a quiet, reserved, thoughtful demeanor., which is unusual for anyone working in a hot, fastpaced kitchen let alone an aspiring chef. Those qualities would prove to be a perfect fit for the mature, seasoned, calm, older chef assessing the capabilities and potential of a mentorship. The relationship blossomed over the next few years, so much so that when Chef Juan Carlos was preparing to open his own restaurant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Deane was eager to follow him and continue to soak up all he could from his friend and mentor.

Before Juan actually moved to Tennessee, serendipity once again took over when the owner of Alligator Soul Restaurant, in downtown Savannah, asked Chef Juan to join her in running her restaurant and thereby allowing Chef Juan to stay in Savannah so as not to uproot his family. Our young Deane, not ready to let go of their connection, joined Alligator Soul first as a sous chef and, within a year and a half, was offered the executive chef position by Chef Juan Carlos as proof of his trust and admiration of his fledgling hard working young friend. Chef Deane, with an easy smile and heartfelt look, will say that if not for Chef Juan’s mentorship, it would have taken him a decade more to learn what he has already learned under the guidance of his teacher. Chef Deane won Best Chef of Savannah 2019 by the readers of South Magazine, which is an amazing accomplishment for both the Mentor and the Chef.

114 BARNARD ST S AVA N N A H , G A 3 1 4 0 1 (912) 232-7899 ALLIGATORSOUL.COM DINING@ALLIGATORSOUL.COM Hometown Living At Its Best

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HEADING UP

a new game plan

FORMER SAVANAH POLICEMAN DEVELOPS FOOTBALL HELMET WITH SAFETY IN MIND 56

CHATHAM COUNTY LIVING

Story by Stephen Prudhomme | Photos By Dream Weaver Photos

A

As a former high school football player and Savannah policeman, Lenard Harris understands the importance of protective gear. However, it took the suicide of a retired NFL superstar to spur him into action. Lenard has developed a helmet that could reduce the severity of head injuries among football players and, subsequently, decrease the likelihood of the onset of CTE, a condition that has afflicted a growing number of professional players including Junior Seau, whose suicide galvanized Lenard into drawing up a new game plan in head protection.

Lenard, 61, lives in Garden City. He retired from the Savannah Police Department in 1987 following a 15-year career. He played football at Groves High School; among his teammates and those he competed against were Edwin Bailey, Eric Green and Evan Riley, all of whom played in the NFL. Lenard’s four grandsons play football, and the thought of them coming home one day and not being the same from a football head injury is “frightening.”

In May 2012, Lenard, like many other people, was

Lenard’s four grandsons play football, and the thought of them coming home one day and not being the same from a football head injury is “frightening.” In May 2012, Lenard, like many other people, was shocked to hear Junior “blew his chest out” and that his family donated his brain to science. “Who does that?” Lenard said.

“That moved me. I thought about what I could do.”

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shocked to hear Junior “blew his chest out” and that his family donated his brain to science.

“Who does that?” Lenard said. “That moved me. I thought about what I could do.” Lenard, noting that he’s pretty good with a pencil, sketched a helmet design on a napkin. He used the Stealth Fighter as a template, emulating many of the sleek lines and angles. “I love the Stealth,” Lenard said. “It’s proven to be an incredible aircraft.”

Three months later, Lenard made a cardboard helmet from his design and selfpatented it in November 2012. Over the past seven-plus years, he’s worked at connecting with the right people who understand the effects of CTE and “believe in the unbelievable” in terms of bringing his helmet to football, other sports and the military. Lenard said the Department of Defense conducted a standard NOCSAE drop test with his prototype helmet (just the shell and not the liner and other elements) and found it did not shatter. The APEX right-angle helmet, comprised of some 50,000 shell covered elements, roughly 2.5 mm a piece and made of the same poly-carbonated

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plastic as standard football helmets, but featuring a triangular design, was found to be 34% more effective in offering head protection than what’s in current use.

Lenard went to the top echelon of football in October, presenting his prototype at the NFL Helmet Challenge and noted the response was “resounding.”

Edwin Bailey is an 11-year NFL veteran with 18 years of pro football experience who played against Lenard in Savannah.

Retired since 1992, the 60-year-old former offensive guard said he suffered an average of three to four concussions a year during his college and pro careers and recalled how he would have to view the game film to recall the opponent, score and other details of the games. Nearly 30 years later, those many concussions are extracting a toll. “I’m not remembering phone numbers and people,” said the friendly Savanah native who reads and does Jeopardy to keep his “bearings lubricated.”

“I was taught to lead with my head. I point the finger at parents, coaches and administrators. They got caught up in the game and would say he plays like his dad, uncle or grandfather. They weren’t focused on the safety aspect.”

Tyler Earnest befriended Edwin when he was a high school sophomore. Now 20 and using a wheelchair due to cerebral palsy, the Seattle resident and best man at Edwin’s wedding has formed a friendship with him in which they help one another overcome various challenges in their daily lives. “I’ll help him remember things,” said Tyler, noting that Edwin’s memory issues haven’t worsened in the two to three years he’s known him and wearing one of Lenard’s helmets would have resulted in fewer concussions. “Sometimes he forgets where he parks his car. My mom says I never forget anything. He helps me go to the restroom, but lets me do the stuff I can do. Edwin’s like a gift from God,” explained Tyler.

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Savannah native Frank Kearse retired from the NFL six years ago and said he doesn’t suffer from any of the memory issues experienced by Edwin. Like his mentor, he supports Lenard’s drive to introduce a safer helmet. “Based on the numbers (tests), I believe the helmet would help,” said Frank, a former NFL defensive end who was drafted by the Miami Dolphins and played for six teams. “Anything to reduce concussions is a good thing.”

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Edwin said he has a number of friends who played in the NFL who are not in a good place.

He played against Junior Seau, whom he said competed at a whole another level, and referred to his suicide as mind boggling. With Junior’s shocking death and the adverse effects he and other players have suffered, Edwin is a strong proponent of a helmet that can make the game safer.

“We need to get as many kids in Savannah in these helmets, and the state of Georgia should follow,” Edwin said. “The NCAA and NFL should jump at the opportunity given all that’s happened.

If this is the thing that prevents concussions, race car drivers, jockeys, bobsledders and skateboarders will benefit as well. Maybe Lenard will win the Nobel Peace Prize in 30 years.”

Savannah native Frank Kearse retired from the NFL six years ago and said he doesn’t suffer from any of the memory issues experienced by Edwin. Like his mentor, he supports Lenard’s drive to introduce a safer helmet. “Based on the numbers (tests), I believe the helmet would help,” said Frank, a former NFL defensive end who was

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drafted by the Miami Dolphins and played for six teams. “Anything to reduce concussions is a good thing.”

Allen Rossum played at Notre Dame and in the NFL for 12 years. He’s a former pro bowler and one of the top five kick returners of all time, a position that typically features some violent collisions. “I have real world knowledge and firsthand experience of the need for head safety/protection and the reduction of severe impact conditions in all sports,” said Allen, who played for the Atlanta Falcons for four years.

“After reviewing the initial concept and testing from NTS and Simutech, I am very excited to be a part of activities to raise money, expose the technology to key NFL and industry influencers, and be an advocate for the reduction of head injuries and CTE in football and other sports. This product is viable from Pop Warner through middle and high schools, culminating with college and professional athletes.”

One person who’s joined the huddle with Lenard is Savannah resident Darryl Hansley. Introduced to one another through a mutual friend, they’ve joined up with Robyn Priest and Julius Hall, described as two God-sent people by Lenard, as they try and market their helmet to potential customers numbering in the

millions. “I’m a risk taker,” said Darryl, who works as a bail bondsman. “I didn’t want to miss out on this opportunity. I want him to be successful.”

Bert Straus is majority stockholder and president of AES Research and Design, which is based in Baltimore. He met Lenard at an NFL concussion symposium in November and watched a demonstration of Lenard’s helmet. “It’s different from other helmet shells,” said Bert in a phone interview.

“With its vector design, the impact on the head can be mitigated. Impact can be reduced by surface geometry.” Bert described Lenard’s helmet as “pretty unique” and said it could have applications with law enforcement and military, noting that tests have shown a vector design mitigates blast energy.

Lenard said his first actual helmet, whose design was patented in August 2017, is scheduled to be manufactured in the spring at a plant in Charlotte.

With helmet in hand, he will start with the Chatham County schools, recognizing that he’s likely to encounter resistance from the company manufacturing the current helmets. “I understand change is hard,” Lenard said, “but change is needed. I’m not capitalist driven. I’m humanitarian driven. I’m a lover of the game (football). I want to see it safer.”  CCL

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Riding and Writing: BLOOMINGDALE BIKER HITS HIGH GEAR WITH MOTORCYCLE MURDER MYSTERY BOOKS

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Wayne Littrell worked for Hardee’s and CarMax for a number of years and helped write training manuals.

He’s also ridden motorcycles since the age of 14.

Nowadays, he’s still writing and riding motorcycles.

Instead of writing how-to manuals, however, he’s penning who-done-it books, with the characters and settings based on his experiences in the motorcycle world. Wayne, 64, lives in Bloomingdale with his wife. A native of Rocky Mount, NC, he has resided in Chatham County for five years.

In November, Wayne manned a booth at the Christmas Made in the South annual event at the International Trade Center in Savannah. Featured were copies of the three books he’s written over the past

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In November, Wayne manned a booth at the Christmas Made in the South annual event at the International Trade Center in Savannah. Featured were copies of the three books he’s written over the past seven years. The common threads are a murder mystery, places Wayne has visited in the Southeast, and motorcycle safety tips.

seven years. The common threads are a murder mystery, places Wayne has visited in the Southeast, and motorcycle safety tips.

“Writing is my way of giving back to the biker community,” said a tall, fit Wayne, wearing a leather jacket covered with a number of motorcycle patches. “I’ve seen a lot of accidents over the years and am concerned about motorcycle safety… some 30 riding tips are incorporated into the stories.”

Doing an interview at a McDonald’s (he did not insist on Hardee’s), Wayne remarked he’s always liked murder mysteries and bases his characters on people he’s met during his motorcycle sojourns. He added that the books usually feature a biker on the run. Wayne’s 50-year run with motorcycles has covered 750,000 miles and, amazingly, he has never gone down. Explaining his lifelong affinity with motorcycles, Wayne said he likes the freedom and viewing nature at 60 mph.

Writing is also a longtime passion, fueled by Wayne’s love of reading while growing up. Attending North Carolina State University, he took a creative writing class while majoring in business management. His writing and business acumen paid off prior to graduation when he landed a job at Hardee’s and became part of a team writing training manuals for new stores.

Wayne went back to school after 10 years and earned a degree in business management. Married and with two children, he moved to Orlando to write a historical novel on an orange grove owned by his father-in-law and worked in car sales.

Although the novel didn’t come to fruition, Wayne gained some invaluable experience in car sales that helped land him a job with CARMAX in Raleigh, NC, in 1995. Following work as a sales consultant and sales manager, Wayne was tapped to help open new stores and write training manuals. Working mainly in Raleigh and Greenville, SC, he remained with the company for 18 years, working at the store in Birmingham, AL, for his last 10 years, before retiring in 2013.

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Writing is also a longtime passion, fueled by Wayne’s love of reading while growing up. Attending North Carolina State University, he took a creative writing class while majoring in business management. His writing and business acumen paid off prior to graduation when he landed a job at Hardee’s and became part of a team writing training manuals for new stores.

While working in the corporate world, Wayne maintained his love of motorcycle riding, describing it as a great way to unwind and relieve stress. Riding in tandem as a way to unwind was writing, which Wayne did through a journal and two motorcycle magazines.

It was during his time at the Birmingham store, Wayne noted, that he discovered his true love for riding and writing about it. His reputation as a writer in the biker community led to a suggestion in 2012 that he write a travel book. He hit upon the murder mystery angle after a sheriff’s deputy stopped to question him while he was working on his book at a picnic table behind a church in Helena, AL. “He told me I might see something I shouldn’t see,” recalled Wayne with a laugh. That comment, as it turns out, proved to be the inspiration for Wayne to add the mystery element to

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his first book. Within six months, he finished his first book, Lone Wolf Murders, featuring a biker on the run accused of murdering the mayor of a small town; Wayne’s nickname is Wolf, and his inclination to ride alone ultimately earned him the moniker Lone Wolf in the biker community.

Wayne’s second book, Lone Wolf’s Run, written in 18 months, was published in 2014 and was a sequel to his first literary rendering. His latest book, Flames,

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written over a period of three and a half years and selfpublished, as was his second book, came to readers in 2019. The story follows Sam Forest, a biker who’s framed for murder and takes refuge with a mysterious road dog’s biker family. Sam falls in love with Betsy, who gets more than she bargained for and has her life threatened as Sam and his friends battle outlaw bikers, serial killers, corrupt lawmen, and a secret smuggling organization that will resort to any means to keep its nefarious dealings from being discovered.

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His next book, Wayne said, will feature his standard motorcycle murder mystery and a very clear Christian flavor. Wayne explains, “I listen to my readers.” As a result, he’s developed a legion of fans.

Joy Redmond, writing a review on Wayne’s website, said, “You don’t have to be a biker to love his books. I read them and was turning pages as fast as I could read. He tells a story that will keep you on the edge of your seat and he gives you safety tips, which is a bonus.”

A judge for the Writer’s Digest 21st annual SelfPublished Book Awards described Wayne’s latest work as a great book for fans of thrillers. The story, he noted, is compelling and written with skill. “The writer makes you part of the characters’ lives while offering an intriguing mystery,” he wrote.

Wayne said he’s sold 3,000 to 4,000 books, in most cases enough to cover his expenses as he continues to ride his motorcycle and gather material for future works. “I’m not in it for the money,” Wayne said. “I get to share places and events with readers.”

Toni Rowland has known Wayne for several years and is an avid reader of his books. “Wayne has great scenes, people and places,” said the Ellabell, GA, resident and motorcyclist. “You feel like you’re there with him. You can tell he puts his heart into his stories. It’s his passion. I’m not a very big reader, but Wayne’s books grab your attention. You want to read more. He’s an amazing author.”

He’s also a big proponent of rider safety. Wayne said he’s been a first responder at three accidents involving motorcycles, with two of them resulting in fatalities. “They all could have been avoided,” he said. “If I can save one life or prevent someone from getting hurt through my safety tips, the book has done its job.”  CCL

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Serving up Caring, Compassion

and a Taste of Home RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE DOESN’T CLOWN AROUND WHEN IT COMES TO HELPING FAMILIES IN NEED

S t o ry by S t e p h e n P r u d h o m m e | P h o t o s by Rya n L e e P h o t o g r a p h y a n d P r o v i d e d by R M H

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Ronald McDonald has entertained countless numbers of youngsters with his zany personality, quirky friends and talk of the food, fun and toys that await them under the Golden Arches. While billions of hamburgers have been served, an equally impressive number of children have visited Chez Ronald’s as well. Then there are Ronald’s other homes, which don’t get nearly the same amount of foot traffic or publicity. His “staff” is made up of individuals who serve caring, compassion and food (perhaps a Big Mac or two) to families in need, with the jovial redhead footing the bill.

Skylar Greene started working at the Savannah Ronald McDonald House (RMH) in 2016. She works as the weekend manager, a position for which a friend and the former events coordinator at the facility recommended her. Working part time, Skylar is a paid volunteer. “Working with the staff and the volunteers at RMH is by far my favorite job and I consider it the most rewarding thing I have ever done,” said the outgoing and friendly New York native. “I have always loved what RMHC does for the communities it works in. I have been blessed over the past four years to work alongside volunteers and companies from around the Coastal Empire who truly support the RMH and what it stands for.”

Skylar said she’s been continually floored and brought to tears by families and individuals who come back to the house time and again to donate materials, time, and gifts to the house. The past two Christmas holidays, she worked at the house, staying overnight to ensure that the families have a point of contact 24 hours a day. “My favorite interaction is with a family that returns each Christmas Eve to cook for the families staying at the house,” Skylar said. “It is brilliant to see kids excited to come and give back, especially over holidays.”

“(RMH) staff members always greeted us with a smile and asked if they could help with anything,” Sherri said. “There also were families we could connect with who faced similar challenges. We offered support to one another. I love the holiday season and they had Christmas lights. It was festively decorated and gave us a sense of family and home.”

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The Savannah Ronald McDonald House opened its doors July 11, 1987, and helps seriously ill and hospitalized children and their families cope with the stress of daily living by providing physical, emotional and financial support. Financed through donations and community fundraisers, it provides over 4900 family nights a year. “It can be a quiet place to be alone or a place of companionship, sharing and emotional support,” said Executive Director Bill Sorochak. “We believe when you change a child’s life, you change a family’s, which can change a community and, ultimately, the world.”

Volunteers are crucial to the operation of the homes. Billy said they look for individuals who share the same values as RMH and to make sure the fit is right for them to succeed as well. In addition to the House, volunteer opportunities are also available at the Family Rooms at the

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Many of the families staying at the RMH have babies born prematurely who are struggling to stay alive. Their parents experience a range of emotions, going from the elation of birth to the grim reality of possible death. They’re totally focused on this daily struggle for life and often don’t have the time or resources to find temporary accommodations. For these families, the RMH is a true God-send.

Children’s Hospital and St. Joseph’s Candler Hospital, Care Mobile, community events, two teen boards, and a young professionals group called the Red Shoe Society.

Sherri Spires-Armitage has stayed at the Savannah RMH and now serves as a volunteer.

The Richmond Hill resident had quadruplets born prematurely November 2014 at Memorial Hospital. With the infants on breathing machines, Sherri needed to be nearby and looked for accommodations. Her search for a motel ended with a call from Ronald and the gang.

“A social worker contacted the RMH and told them of my situation,” Sherri said. “They told me to come over; they had a room for me. That was a major relief, knowing I was steps away. I didn’t know we had a RMH.” Sherri stayed at RMH for the month of December. That allowed her to visit her newborns at the nearby hospital and watch as they grew stronger and were taken off the breathing machines after a week. “(RMH) staff members always greeted us with a smile and asked if they could help with anything,” Sherri said. “There also were families we could connect with who faced similar challenges. We offered support to one another. I love the holiday season and they had Christmas lights. It was festively decorated and gave us a sense of family and home.”

Although her healthy 5-year-olds keep her busy, along with her job as a counselor, Sherri makes time when it comes to helping out the Ronald McDonald House. “I told Billy that whatever he needs we’ll do it,” said Sherri, who cooks dinners for families at the home when time allows and

speaks to individuals and groups about her positive RMH experience. “They meant so much to us. This is a way of giving back and helping families going through some of the same things we did. I’ll do anything to bring positivity to the House.”

Many of the families staying at the RMH have babies born prematurely who are struggling to stay alive. Their parents experience a range of emotions, going from the elation of birth to the grim reality of possible death. They’re totally focused on this daily struggle for life and often don’t have the time or resources to find temporary accommodations. For these families, the RMH is a true God-send.

Blake Koch was born February 2019 at Memorial Hospital. She came into the world at 24 weeks and

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weighed 15 ounces. Blake’s incredibly premature birth was due to HELLP syndrome, a severe form of pre-eclampsia developed by her mom, Laura. She also had necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a disease that causes catastrophic damage to the intestines. “There were multiple weeks where we didn’t know if Blake would make it,” said her father, Kevin.

It would be over four months before Kevin and Laura could breathe a sigh of relief and have some confidence their daughter would survive. Through this difficult time, the RMH was their oasis and home away from home.

“We would have had to spend money out of pocket,” said Kevin, noting that mostly his wife stayed at the RMH. “We would have spent a ton of money out of pocket. Being steps away was priceless.” Laura said they

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were amazed at their room and bathroom and the super friendly volunteers coming at night to cook their meals. She added that conversations and relationships they formed with other parents were priceless and they remain in touch.

Laura stated they started donating $10 a night to the RMH and had family and friends making donations rather than buying birthday presents for Blake. “It’s definitely a charity we’ll donate to for the rest of our lives,” Laura said. “They thought of everything and relieved a lot of stress.”

Kevin will remain forever grateful that the RMH was available during their time of need.

“I always knew it was an important charity,” he said, “but I had no idea all of the services they provided. If it weren’t for the home, she would not have turned out the way she did. It allowed us to focus on our daughter.”

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Skylar Greene started working at the Savannah Ronald McDonald House (RMH) in 2016. She works as the weekend manager, a position for which a friend and the former events coordinator at the facility recommended her. Working part time, Skylar is a paid volunteer. “Working with the staff and the volunteers at RMH is by far my favorite job and I consider it the most rewarding thing I have ever done.”

Volunteers come from all walks of life. They share a desire to help others. A teacher is a natural for such a position, especially a retired one who wants to continue to make a difference in children’s lives. “I wanted to be involved with children,” said Savannah resident Ann Walker, who has served as a volunteer for five years following a longtime teaching career in the local public schools. “I decided to work at the Respite/hospitality room at the hospital because they needed more volunteers. I

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The Savannah Ronald McDonald House opened its doors July 11, 1987, and helps seriously ill and hospitalized children and their families cope with the stress of daily living by providing physical, emotional and financial support. Financed through donations and community fundraisers, it provides over 4900 family nights a year.

love talking to the parents and sharing with them what’s going on with their children. It’s an oasis for them.”

Ann said she gets attached to the families and hospital staff, noting that she likes to talk and is amazed at how well she gets to know the parents.

She had the difficult task of consoling a mother whose child died. “It was a privilege and honor to console her,” Ann said. “She was so distraught. I wanted her to know she wasn’t alone.”

“There are a lot of premature babies at the hospital, as well as children battling cancer. It’s a triumph and joy when they head out the door for the last treatment,” she remarked. Ann, who works three-hour shifts, said it takes a lot of money and fundraising to run the RMH and she’s glad to share her time. It’s also a way of saying thanks, as she stayed at a RMH for a brief time while her daughter, who was born sickly, was in the hospital.

“I want to have a purposeful life,” Ann said. “How better to contribute?” CCL

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By D. Annette Sasser | Photos by Ruth Williams English & Provided by Harold Neel

Saving The

Cassiopeia

Harold Neel’s adventure was to follow a dream, a journey that eventually led him to Savannah, Georgia, to rescue and restore a 70’ wood, seaworthy schooner named Cassiopeia.

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There are books, movies, and even real life stories of “runaways” who find a sense of freedom from the expectations of their previous lives, like Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn, who fled from an abusive father, and Jim, a runaway slave who became a surrogate father to young Huck. At age thirty, architect and builder Harold Neel, a native of Austin, Texas, joined the ranks of “runaways,” but not to escape a previous life. Harold’s adventure was to follow a dream, a journey that eventually led him to Savannah, Georgia, to rescue and restore a 70’ wood, seaworthy schooner named Cassiopeia.

Harold attended the University of Texas and studied architecture. By age twenty-three, he had established a successful design business. But he also had a secret dream to sail. He restored an old 63’ Triumph Spitfire (sport car) and drove out to Lake Travis, which is outside of Austin, most every weekend. “I watched the boats and dreamed about sailing one day,” said Harold. “Eventually, I learned to sail and started racing.”

Although he loved Austin, he disliked the cold winters. “Since I worked for myself I was able to spend winters in Belize and Guatemala. I still have a great group of friends from those days.” In 1989, his two loves, racing and traveling, would come together in an unexpected way when Harold decided

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“Then one day, I saw this big beautiful 63’ schooner named Cassiopeia. The owner, a big burly guy named Bud Crockett, affectionately known as Uncle Bud, invited me to sail with him on day sails in Key West to the Caribbean. My life was changed forever.”

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to participate in the Ensign National Championship race that was held yearly in Newport, Rhode Island.

“Boating in Texas was barefoot and tank tops,” he laughed. “That was the first time I’d ever seen the whole ‘big boat’ scene with proper boating attire.”

Another event was also taking place that year during the national competitions.

Two J-Class Yachts, Shamrock V and Endeavor, were coming together for the first time in forty years. Not to race, but for a special reunion celebration. “I felt I had enhanced my sailing skills quite well and was excited about seeing Shamrock and Endeavor. So I decided to be part of the spectator’s fleet.”

Harold was tacking (a nautical term for maneuvering the sails) between spectator boats, under power and worth millions of dollars, when he suddenly realized he couldn’t see through his sails. “I figured I’d better get out of there before I crashed into one of those boats,” a mishap that would result in more than a bad day. As he maneuvered his way to the outside of the other boats, a heavy fog rolled in. “It

a secret dream Harold attended the University of Texas and studied architecture.

By age twenty-three, he had established a successful design business. But he also had a secret dream to sail. He restored an old 63’ Triumph Spitfire (sport car) and drove out to Lake Travis, which is outside of Austin, most every weekend. “I watched the boats and dreamed about sailing one day,” said Harold. “Eventually, I learned to sail and started racing.”

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rarely happens in Newport Harbor. I decided that shore must be downwind, so I turned my boat and started running down,” said Harold. “I couldn’t see a thing. I went up to jibe the boat,” which means you go up on the foredeck, take the pole, and hook it to the other side of the spinnaker, he explained.

“When I turned around, I swallowed hard.” Standing alone on the foredeck of his little sailboat in the middle of the ocean, the colossal Shamrock was powering by on one side of his boat and the equally huge Endeavor slid by on the other, missing him by 15 feet on either side. “But all the crews were clapping. They had watched my maneuver and were congratulating me on a job well done. It was an emotional moment.”

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From that day on, Harold was hooked. Six months later, he won the Ensign Spring Nationals back home in Texas. The following year, he returned to the national championship in Rhode Island where he won the high honor of first place, the first of many such wins in many races to come.

But he was unable to silence his growing desire to see more of the world than the trips he had taken to escape the cold winters of Austin, Texas, so he decided to literally “run away to sea” and went back to Newport to take a job as a crewmember on a sailboat.

“The first two places we traveled were to Key West, Florida, and the Bahamas, where I also encountered my first big storm at sea,” said Harold.

The second Cassiopeia, now the first in the fleet of six, will soon set sail from the Savannah River for its voyage to the Virgin Islands, to fulfill Harold’s dream of spreading goodwill and helping people connect to the sea.

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When that job ended, Harold went back to Newport where he bought a travel trailer, and drove back down to Key West. “I spent four months walking the docks looking for a job,” he said.

“Then one day, I saw this big beautiful 63’ schooner named Cassiopeia. The owner, a big burly guy named Bud Crockett, affectionately known as Uncle Bud, invited me to sail with him on day sails in Key West to the Caribbean. My life was changed forever.”

The Cassiopeia marked another turning point for Harold in his connection with sea. Through a series of events, he would eventually purchase the schooner and live aboard her for thirty years, sailing through the Caribbean and South Pacific. “We sailed her through the Caribbean, up and down the West Indies, and then to Panama, Costa Rica, Tonga, French Polynesia, Fiji, and New Zealand. Hundreds of people went sailing on the boat with me.

If you take your typical American off shore and show them how the rest of the world lives, it becomes a life changing experience.” Harold shared his love with everyone he met. And those who sailed with him shared in his joy.

In 2015, while visiting his daughter in New Zealand, and working on his first book, “From the Bottom Up”, the Cassiopeia was vandalized. The schooner had been docked on the island of Santo, in the country of Vanuatu, which is five hundred miles west of Fiji in the South Pacific, and left in the care of a friend. “When my friend called to tell me what had happened I flew back to Santo as quickly as I could,” said Harold. “But it was too late. The thieves had taken everything, then chopped away the inverters and disabled the batteries, which caused the Cassiopeia to sink. After many attempts to save her, I ended up having to scuttle her. It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do.”

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After losing the Cassiopeia, Harold turned his attention to promoting his book and working as a jack-of-all-trades. “I managed resorts in Vanuatu, ran a bar, operated a commercial diving business, and did architectural work.”

On March 30, 2020, Harold received an unexpected phone call from an acquaintance and master shipwright named Wyll Dykstra, who had been working on a 70’ schooner for its owner, William Williamson.

The schooner had been anchored for several years in Turner’s Creek before William brought it to our family dock. The schooner’s name was the Cassiopeia.

Fifteen years after building the first Cassiopeia, Rob Dematteo, the builder and designer, had built a second Cassiopeia, only 7’ longer than the first one. “Several years ago when William was thinking about buying the second Cassiopeia, he had tracked me down and emailed me to see what I thought about my schooner,” said Harold. “I told him it was the best boat in the world.”

When Wyll told Harold that the sister schooner to the first Cassiopeia was going to be sold to someone who planned to convert it to an Air B & B, he said, “I think it is fate. I knew I had to rescue her so she could sail the seas again.” Wyll convinced the owner to give Harold one week to come up with the asking price. “I had 96

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started a podcast just two weeks earlier,” said Harold. “My audience encouraged me to borrow the money and ‘crowd fund’ the payback,” and a few days later, he was on his way to Savannah with a friend, Ms. Tommy Main, as the new owner of the second Cassiopeia.

But before she could sail, the Cassiopeia would have to be completely restored. “I was so excited when the original designer and builder, Rob Dematteo, agreed to join us in Savannah and help with the reconstruction,” said Harold. He had met Rob two years earlier. The two men discussed Harold’s long time dream, which he called the “Cassiopeia Schooner Project,” “The plan is to build a fleet of six schooners as a nonprofit,” said Harold.

“One schooner will carry doctors and medical supplies, another marine biologists, and perhaps even one with circus people. We want to spread joy in fun ways while teaching and helping people across the world in any way we can.”

After weeks of reconstruction, replenishing and repairing boat parts, redoing plumbing and wiring, repairing sails, patching holes and replacing rotted wood with strong, seaworthy pine, the Cassiopeia is preparing to make a trial run even as I write this article. “We are excited,” said Harold.

“With friends John Yates and Laurie Heusinger coming aboard to help with reconstruction and crew, the second Cassiopeia, now the first in the fleet of six, will soon set sail from the Savannah River for its voyage to the Virgin Islands, to fulfill Harold’s dream of spreading goodwill and helping people connect to the sea.

For more information visit the website at: cassiopeiaschoonerproject. org or email Harold Neel at captain@ cassiopeiaschoonerproject.org  CCL

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Building a Nest RACHEL WILSON OPENED NEST ESTATE PLANNING WITH A MISSION TO HELP PROTECT THE PEOPLE OF SAVANNAH.

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When Rachel Wilson opened Nest Estate Planning in 2019, fellow attorneys often asked what “Nest” stood for. She laughs, “They don’t get that it’s just to evoke your nest, like a bird’s nest, your nest egg, your home, your babies, what you want to protect.” With this unusual name, Rachel thoughtfully began the process of building a practice unlike any other.

A native Savannahian and graduate of Savannah Christian, Rachel attended Mercer University and Mercer School of Law before returning to her beloved

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hometown in 2011. After practicing at two local law firms, she accepted the position of Dean of Students and Career Development at Savannah Law School while also teaching courses on wills, estates and trusts both at the law school and at South University. A natural teacher and mentor, Rachel weighed the options of staying in academia or returning to a corporate firm when the Savannah Law School announced it would be closing.

Fortunately, she recognized that by opening her own firm, she could combine her love of teaching with her passion for estate planning. The idea for Nest was born.

Rachel was determined to modernize and personalize a very traditional field of law. “By its very nature, estate planning involves talking about death, and that’s downright terrifying for many people. I wanted to make it as easy and as comfortable as possible. A lot of firms use the

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same documents for everyone, but I felt it should be a very personalized process. Your family is unique, your family problems are unique. Maybe you are a blended family or have special-needs children. I particularly want young families to feel comfortable coming to me to plan.”

Once a client calls her practice, Rachel assigns them homework to complete before meeting in her office, or in their own home. This first meeting is purely educational – teaching the client what they

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have and helping them identify what they want to accomplish. Armed with this knowledge, the client can then choose between one of three service packages to best serve their family. “The big thing that is different about my firm is that the packages are flat fee vs. billable-hour,” Rachel explains.

“One of the things I really did not like about traditional practice is that attorneys bill every tenth of an hour – that’s every six minutes! That is crazy! It makes clients reluctant to call and ask

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questions and prohibits me from having the kind of communication and relationship that I need to serve my clients well.”

Another thing that is different about Nest is Rachel’s focus on children. She believes, “The most important thing you can do is protect your kids. It is great to protect the money, but what about the kids? I was shocked when I realized that most attorneys who practice this kind of law were not doing planning for them. Things like appointing a guardian or a temporary guardian, power of attorney, or medical power of attorney are critical to have planned ahead. If you were in an accident together, who could care for your children if you were unable to make a decision?

I’ve heard terrible stories of parents who leave children with a trusted babysitter, go out to dinner, get into an accident and don’t come home. The babysitter calls the police when the parents do not return, and the police have no option but to take the children into protective custody.

They cannot leave them with the trusted babysitter or even with the grandparents down the block. They don’t know where

A native Savannahian and graduate of Savannah Christian, Rachel attended Mercer University and Mercer School of Law before returning to her beloved hometown in 2011.

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the kids are allowed to be.” Such a scenario is entirely preventable if these critical decisions are made ahead of time. In fact, Rachel feels that it’s so important, she has uploaded free guardianship forms on her website “because every parent needs to appoint guardians for kids and it shouldn’t be a cost issue.” She is very aware that there is an economic barrier to legal services and, in her role as executive board member with the State Bar of Georgia Young Lawyers Division, she works hard to make them more accessible.

The third feature that differentiates Nest from other practices is that Rachel engages clients in legacy planning as part of their flat fee package. “I interview a client and ask them about their life and about what they want their kids to know, to be, to do, to love and remember. It is the most rewarding

Rachel was determined to modernize and personalize a very traditional field of law. “By its very nature, estate planning involves talking about death, and that’s downright terrifying for many people.

I wanted to make it as easy and as comfortable as possible. A lot of firms use the same documents for everyone, but I felt it should be a very personalized process.”

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part of my job. The stories I have heard from these families are just amazing! I’ve listened to children of Holocaust survivors and to a father who brought his children’s favorite bedtime stories to read to them on the interview.” Clients subsequently receive a hard copy of their estate plan along with a USB containing their documents and their recorded legacy interview so that in 50 or 100 years their children or grandchildren can hear their life story in their own voice. “Having it structured as part of an estate plan really makes a lot of sense and it ends up being a very light hearted and uplifting process,” Rachel relates. “I think that’s the favorite part of what I do – conserving those non-

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Once a client calls her practice, Rachel assigns them homework to complete before meeting in her office, or in their own home. This first meeting is purely educational – teaching the client what they have and helping them identify what they want to accomplish.

monetary assets, because isn’t that what we’re really trying to pass on to our families? Our values and our stories. Not just money.”

Rachel believes that blended families are most in need of her expertise. “You think everyone gets along, but then after the last breath is drawn, you have never seen such a mess!” she says. “If you want your spouse and kids and step-kids to still have Thanksgiving dinner together when you are gone, you need to plan now for how things are going to be distributed. You can preserve family unity by planning in advance.” To this end, she offers facilitated family meetings so that clients can share what they are planning to do after they are gone, and questions can be asked and answered in advance.

When not helping families, Rachel lives on Skidaway Island in the home in which she grew up.

“I bought it from my mom and redid it. So it feels like home, but also now feels like my home. I have

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Another thing that is different about Nest is Rachel’s focus on children. She believes, “The most important thing you can do is protect your kids. It is great to protect the money, but what about the kids? I was shocked when I realized that most attorneys who practice this kind of law were not doing planning for them.

two cats, Penelope and Beau, and when we are not in quarantine, I love to have friends over for fun themed dinner parties.” This busy lady has volunteered extensively with the Telfair Museums, serving as President of the William Jay Society, and chairing the annual Arty Party and Art Fair. She’s taken classes in goldsmithing, pottery, croissant making, painting and glassblowing, and loves to travel. Strongly influenced by a grandmother who fostered 218 children over her lifetime, Rachel has recently become a mentor and coach with nonprofit Gilliard & Company which helps kids as they come out of the foster care system. She says of the 20,000 children who age out of foster care each year, almost half of them are homeless within 18 months. She is determined to make a difference in those numbers.

Clearly, Nest Estate Planning is the culmination of vibrant Rachel’s many traits and passions – her love of children, of family, of teaching, of mentoring, of creativity and of the law.

Savannah families are blessed to have her as a resource.  CCL

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If you’re searching for senior living in a quiet, park-like community, you’ll find it at Morningside of Savannah. Tucked away on the marsh in Sandfly, Morningside is just off of Skidaway Road, near the Isle of Hope area.

It’s a great location to kick back and relax.

“We are a secluded, boutique-style community that’s pet-friendly. Residents enjoy peace and quiet instead of the busy noise of Savannah,” said Kellie Moore, sales director at Morningside.

With only 75 rooms, residents and staff truly get to know one another, and families can rest easy knowing their loved ones are being looked after like family.

“It’s a joy for me to keep an eye on everyone and know that they are OK,” said Kellie. “I believe that the smallness of our community helps families put their trust in me, and a lot of the residents have become like my grandparents.”

Morningside offers assisted living and memory care, as well as on-site physical therapy. A personalized experience is what makes Morningside so special.

When residents move in, they complete a

comprehensive life story, which includes listing their hobbies and interests. With the Lifestyle360 program, staff is able to fine-tune activities, exercises and adventures to please the residents.

“We really get to know them and their day-to-day lifestyle preferences. Because we are so small, we can truly tailor activities and events for each resident. Having that one-on-one interaction is what keeps us close knit,” said Kellie, whose favorite part of the day is interacting with her extended family. “The residents are so precious and they are the reason I love my job. They feel like my grandparents, which I truly love, and I see them as family.”

If you’re interested in learning more, contact Kellie at 912-354-6185 or Kmoore1@5ssl.com.

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7410 Skidaway Rd, Savannah, GA 31406 | (912) 354-6185

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Story by Stephen Prudhomme | Photos by Dream Weaver Photos

Savannah college student uses radio show to focus on the positive

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In a world marked by cold-heartedness and greed, Jessica Williams stands out with her caring and generous nature. Although she’s only in her mid-20s and a student in college, she possesses the insight and wisdom of someone much older and more experienced in life. Thus far, Jessica remains a relatively “uncut gem,” shining for family, friends and acquaintances. That could change, however, as she uses the airwaves to showcase her altruism, positive thinking and zest for life while aspiring to reach a worldwide audience.

A native of Covington, Georgia, Jessica is majoring in mass communications at Savannah State University and working as a

Jessica said she wanted to help people from an early age, inspired by her mother and the latter’s giving spirit. Her inclination to help others and her friendly manner make her a natural for a job as sales rep while pursuing her degree at Savannah State.

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Nowadays, Jessica comes across as a smooth and polished interviewer. She said she’s become more confident in the technical and multitasking aspects of her job and can focus more on the show and the message she wants to impart to an audience that includes her mother. “I get encouragement out of Jessica’s show,” said Rebecca Williams.

“The scripture of the day is always on time, and the positive word and quote stay with me all day.”

sales rep for a tour company. Her greatest contribution to society, however, comes through a non-paying gig. Jessica hosts a daily radio show, Zeal Reel, on WRUU, 107.5 FM. The show airs mornings, Monday through Friday, from 6 to 7. She’s a onewoman show, operating the board and playing gospel, jazz and rhythm and blues. In between songs, Jessica promotes positive thinking, reads scripture, and provides a positive word and quote at the beginning and end of the show and, on occasion, interviews guests with inspirational stories.

Keya Jest was the first guest on the show.

A former tour guide, Keya said she lived in a dark place for so long and had to reach out for help. By doing daily mental and emotional health maintenance and, even more importantly, relying on God, she put her “horrible history” behind her and became a branch manager for a car rental company.

Zeal Reel offered the perfect forum for Keya and her story of redemption, complemented

by Jessica, a former coworker. “Jessica, first of all, is a person who genuinely wants to help and encourage others who suffer or find themselves in a dark place,” Keya said. “She’s like a magnet to them. She’s a beautiful spirit who’s walking in her purpose in life. I truly believe she will change the world one person at a time. She made me feel comfortable and I was able to share from the depth of my soul.”

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Typhani Gray, a fellow student at Savannah State and the show’s second guest, spoke about the challenges of life after college, going from homeless to homeowner. She now has a blog, The Gray District, writing about her life after graduation. “Jessica has always been one of the sweetest, kindest souls I’ve ever met,” Typhani said. “I really enjoyed being on the show, as well as seeing others who are up and coming in their success. The “caliber” of people chosen to be on the show is relatable and that’s what makes them so inspiring. I also enjoy the Bible verse that Jessica shares each day. The segment is great and I believe Jessica will go far.”

Yolanda Span is a former guest on the show

and a dedicated listener. She spoke of the challenges of being a single parent, raising a daughter and granddaughter, and running a home business. Through a strong faith, Yolanda noted, she persevered and worked out family and a job. Jessica provided the perfect forum for Yolanda’s inspirational story. “I love her devotional service,” said Yolanda, who previously worked with Jessica at a tour company. “I can’t wait to go back on the show and maybe talk about health and wellness this time. The more she’s doing it and expanding, the better she is becoming. I love her energy.”

Yolanda’s sister, Dequjuanta Mathews, is equally effusive in her praise of Jessica and

Another family member, a cousin, Marie Barbee, is also effusive in her praise of Jessica and her show. Marie said it’s a great way to jumpstart her morning and finds the blend of music uplifting and unifying, just as inspiring as Jessica and her positive attitude.

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her show. “It’s inspirational and gets your day started,” Dequjuanta said. “It uplifts your spirit.”

Jessica said she wanted to help people from an early age, inspired by her mother and the latter’s giving spirit. Her inclination to help others and her friendly manner make her a natural for a job as sales rep while pursuing her degree at Savannah State.

In 2018, while working in Savannah’s City Market area, Jessica had two people tell her she should be on the radio, one of whom told her about the WRUU site (WRUU.org). She contacted the station, owned by Universal Unitarian Church, and was told to submit a proposal. She presented her proposal for an inspirational talk show during a subsequent interview and was told she would hear something back within several days. When she didn’t hear back within that time frame, Jessica said she was disappointed. A week later, Jessica got the good news - she would have her own podcast. “I was excited,” Jessica said, “and nervous.” Jessica left her microphone on after interviewing a guest, as pointed out by her grandmother, and listeners could hear the two women engaged in conversation. She also had some “dead air” and had to learn to hold the mic closer when speaking.

Nowadays, Jessica comes across as a smooth and polished interviewer. She said she’s become more confident in the technical and multitasking aspects of her job and can focus more on the show and the message she wants to impart to an audience that includes her mother. “I get encouragement out of Jessica’s show,” said Rebecca Williams. “The scripture of the day is always on time, and the positive word and quote stay with me all day.”

Another family member, a cousin, Marie Barbee, is also effusive in her praise of Jessica and her show. Marie said it’s a great way to jumpstart her morning and finds the blend of music uplifting and unifying, just as inspiring as Jessica and her positive attitude. “Jessica does a 118

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great job by educating her listeners with a positive word for the day,” Marie said. “Jessica leads by example of her own actions, no matter how big or small. I could go on and on, but I will end by saying I am so proud of this young, strong, fun, gifted, beautiful, God-living being.

An old soul lives so beautifully in this young lady.”

Jeremy Hagen’s story is inspiring and made for the movies. He’s overcome depression and become an author, business owner, and music writer and producer.

In a race to tell Hagen’s tale, Jessica prevailed over Hollywood and impressed her guest. “I enjoyed my time on the show,” said Jeremy, who recently moved to New York to pursue his career. “Jessica made me feel at ease,

and she has an amazing soul. She’s always on time, full of energy and always spreads the most positive energy.”

Dave Lake, the studio manager at WRUU, brought in Jessica as an intern and has retained her as a member of the all-volunteer on-air staff.

“Jessica’s on-air personality is really good and effective,” Dave said. “She has a really good and uplifting message, one with a strong following (content) that many people find helpful. It’s a vital message that is reality-tested.”

Jessica said she enjoys having her own show.

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“This allows me to reach people and show them that regardless of what they’ve been through, they can be anything they want,” said Jessica, who works on a volunteer basis but receives payment in the form of invaluable experience. “What we think is what we are.

The key is to eliminate negative thinking. I will continue to conduct interviews where people share success stories and show others trouble doesn’t always last. I want to motivate and inspire people around the world.”

Jeremy Hagen’s story is inspiring and made for the movies. He’s overcome depression and become an author, business owner, and music writer and producer. In a race to tell Hagen’s tale, Jessica prevailed over Hollywood and impressed her guest. “I enjoyed my time on the show,” said Jeremy, who recently moved to New York to pursue his career. “Jessica made me feel at ease, and she has an amazing soul.

She’s always on time, full of energy and always spreads the most positive energy.”

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To reach these lofty goals, Jessica asserts that she will be a motivational speaker and own a multimedia company offering different platforms conveying a positive message to inspire others. “I see myself accomplishing this through God’s grace, my faith and will to help others,” Jessica said. “I will use my voice and knowledge to inspire others to be the best person they were destined to be.”

People of the world, stay tuned! Savannah could soon be known as not only a wonderful tourist destination, but also the home of a young woman with a generous heart and caring spirit who is voicing a positive message during difficult times. ”  CCL

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just a small

act of kindness goes a long way Jamie Weaver Created “Quarantine for a Cause” where she could do photo shoots with individuals, couples, and families who are quarantined together and don’t have to wear masks and gloves.

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BY GAIL DIXON | PHOTOS BY DREAM WEAVER PHOTOS, FACEBOOK & OTHERS

With the COVID-19 pandemic

and the stay-at-home order in place, people are trying to find things

to do at home. Some work from

home, while essential workers have to go out to their jobs. Some are miserable sitting at home, while

others find something to occupy

their time, something that is worthy for a cause. Since the beginning of

March, medical supplies have been in demand and people have been

reaching out to help supply these

needs. Jamie Weaver says, “I am the least quarantined person I know and I wanted to help. I figured I could deliver food and supplies to people that cannot get out. I read where people needed help making medical

supplies and I figured this was a way for me to do something good for people.�

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Jamie got in touch with Chrissy Rippetoe and Alex Forby, coowners of Abode Studios. These two ladies were making cotton CDC compliant face masks, 3D printed face shields, mask covers for covering and extending the life of PPE, filters for cotton mask covers, ear savers like the acrylic “S” hook and the acrylic strap with adjustable notches, isolation gowns, and surgical caps. Chrissy says, “These items are nonprofessional grade, but they are reusable and they are able to be cleaned after each use; all materials are community-funded and volunteer enabled.”

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Being the kind-hearted and goodnatured person that she is, Jamie wanted to help. “I can’t sew, but I can drive and deliver,” Jamie says.

“I would deliver materials in a bag, like three gowns and four masks, to random people who were sewing. In a few days, I would go back and pick up the finished products and deliver them to Chrissy.”

“Jamie felt the need to get involved, heard what we were doing and reached out to us. She is encouraging to us and we appreciate all she has done. She truly does

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“Jamie’s photo donations have helped out tremendously; she is a true blessing to us! She has been an answer to prayer. She has a warm, generous heart and we appreciate all she has done for us. We are eternally grateful to have her for a friend,” says Brenda. “The money donated from her ‘Quarantine for a Cause’ photo shoot, $280, will ship over 700 masks to 20 different states.” Jamie has done a few more photo shoots and donated that money to Maskeraiders as well.

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things out of the goodness of her heart; she is willing to do what she can. We are thankful for Jamie and the blessing that she has been to us,” says Chrissy.

In addition to being a delivery person, Jamie came up with another idea how she could help with the masks. She has been a photographer for 20 years and said that finding work during this health crisis has been really hard. But Jamie found a way to continue doing what she loves and to help those in need. She created “Quarantine for a Cause” where she could do photo shoots with individuals, couples, and families who are quarantined together and don’t have to wear masks and gloves. “I can do something I love doing and help preserve memories from this pandemic; I feel honored to be able to be just a small part of the process,” explains Jamie.

“The parks are open and I have a relationship with Red Gate Farms, who allows me to shoot pictures on location free of charge.” Red Gate Farms Sales Representative Melanie Marchand says, “We are glad to be able to help in any way that we can. This is a tough time that we are all going through. We are happy that we, as a venue, can donate our services and out spot for these photo shoots.”

Jamie is donating 100% of her profits to help with materials/masks for essential workers. Money from one of the photo shoots

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was used to buy a serger for Abode Studios to help make masks faster. Alex Forby, co-owner of Abode Studios explains, “We are working on donations or out of our pockets when the donations run out.

We need any help that we can get because we want to keep making these items for as long as they are needed.”

Another group that Jamie is helping is the Maskeraiders, located on Tybee Island. Brenda Scarpati, her husband, and Andrea, a friend that Brenda met after she started making masks, have been making and shipping masks to 24 other states free of charge. Brenda tells me, “We would put the cost on our credit card and pray that it would be okay. God is so good because He always made it work out.” They are also making masks for local people, businesses, and the Sheriff’s Office.

“Jamie’s photo donations have helped out tremendously; she is a true blessing to us! She has been an answer to prayer. She has a warm,

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generous heart and we appreciate all she has done for us. We are eternally grateful to have her for a In addition to being a delivery person, Jamie

friend,” says Brenda. “The money donated from

came up with another idea how she could help

her ‘Quarantine for a Cause’ photo shoot, $280,

with the masks. She has been a photographer

will ship over 700 masks to 20 different states.”

for 20 years and said that finding work during

Jamie has done a few more photo shoots and

this health crisis has been really hard. But Jamie

donated that money to Maskeraiders as well.

found a way to continue doing what she loves and to help those in need. She created “Quarantine for a Cause” where she could do photo shoots with individuals, couples, and families who are quarantined together and don’t have to wear masks and gloves.

Brenda explains, “None of this would be possible without the love, support, and generosity of people. I simply had to mention that I was running low on materials and it would magically appear. (Of course, it was a God-thing!) Your words of encouragement and support mean more to me than you will ever know. Requests are still

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“Jamie felt the need to get involved, heard what we were doing and reached out to us. She is encouraging to us and we appreciate all she has done. She truly does things out of the goodness of her heart; she is willing to do what she can. We are thankful for Jamie and the blessing that she has been to us.” coming in…needs are out there…we will

God gives us all gifts, mine is taking pretty

continue to do what we do! I just want to say

pictures. We are supposed to be Christ-

‘THANK YOU’ to all who have helped.”

like, so help those that need help. Even if

Maskeraiders does have a disclaimer on

you do one thing, it’s one more thing done

their FB page…Our masks are not meant to

to help. Just do what you gotta do!” says

replace an N95 or other disposable masks.

Jamie. “God has blessed me and I help to

They are meant to provide some level of

pay Him back for all the blessings He has

protection to those who have none, to ‘extend’

given to me. Thanks doesn’t seem like a big

the life of the disposable mask which is now

enough word to all the volunteers pitching

expected to last for days or weeks, and to

in to help, but please know that you are

keep people from touching their faces. The

appreciated for what you have done to

masks should be laundered frequently!

help!”

“This is a team [Abode Studios and

At the time this article was written,

Maskeraiders] of amazing people all sewing,

Abode Studios had made over 9500

delivering, mailing, and mostly paying out of

supplies and Maskeraiders, with the help

their own pockets,” Jamie says. “Everyone is

of a cousin in Atlanta and a friend in

involved and I feel like this is going to bring

Pennsylvania, had made and shipped over

our community together. These people make

4000 masks. Jamie raised $960 from her

me so proud and I am grateful for being a part

photo shoots and donated $465 to both

of their work.”

Abode Studios and Maskeraiders! I’m sure

“There’s no excuse for not being able to help…If you can’t sew, drive! If you

numbers have increased since then!

If you would like to help/donate, you

can’t drive, assemble products! If you can’t

can contact Jamie Weaver at (912)484-

assemble products, pray! If you can’t stay

7990, and/ or Facebook Abode Studios or

home or do, donate! If you can’t donate, pray!

Maskeraiders.CCL

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Hipster Hound The

AFTER A DIAGNOSIS OF HODGKIN LYMPHOMA AND A RECESSION NICK AND TONYA RINTYE PURSUED THEIR DREAM OF OWNING A DAYCARE FOR DOGS S t o ry by T e r i R . W i l l i a m s | P h o t o s by R e b e c c a G a l l o way P h o t o g r a p h y 138

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I

If it hadn’t been for his yearly physical, things might have turned out quite differently for Nick Rintye and his family. “He had no symptoms,” said his wife Tonya. “He felt fine. But the doctor noticed something on his chest x-ray. he thought perhaps Nick was getting pneumonia, and prescribed a round of antibiotics. But a followup x-ray showed that the spots he had seen on the first x-ray had now multiplied.” The doctor performed a surgical biopsy that confirmed Nick had a rare type of cancer called Hodgkin lymphoma. From that moment on, time took on new meaning.

Nick and Tonya had met at the University of Georgia. Tonya had grown up in Rome, Georgia, and Nick in Atlanta. In 1997, they married and began life together in Atlanta where Tonya worked as the director of an ad agency, and Nick worked in sales for a company that specialized in house-building products. In 2004, Nick was transferred to Savannah with his job as part of the process of advancement. Neither expected the move to be permanent. “We figured we would be back in Atlanta in a couple of years,” said Tonya.

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She went to work for a year at Clear Channel Radio, and then took a position in the marketing department at St. Joseph’s/Candler. With both working fulltime, one of their greatest challenges in the move was finding dog care for their three dogs. “There were plenty of dog day-cares and dog sitters in Atlanta. But it was a real challenge to find a facility with which we really felt comfortable in Savannah,” she said.

Tonya and Nick were the kind of dog lovers that couldn’t pass a stray on the side of the road. In addition to their own three dogs, they also fostered dogs. The couple often talked of one day starting a business caring for animals, but it was only talk. “No one was handing out free money for that,” Tonya stated as a matter-of-fact.

When the housing market crashed in 2008, the company for which Nick worked laid off all outside salespeople. By that time, they had their daughter. Lucy was six months old at the time. By the end of the year, the Bureau of Labor statistics would put the number of Americans out of work due to the recession at 2.6

million. After a year of working odd jobs, Nick was hired for a position with National Railway Supply. The diagnosis of Hodgkin Lymphoma came a year later.

“Nick was only thirty-seven years old at the time,” said Tonya. “He was a runner. He played tennis. He wasn’t even sick at the time,” said Tonya. Thankfully, after a year of chemotherapy and radiation treatments, Nick made a full recovery. In the months that followed, he become an advocate and spokesperson for events put on by organizations that included the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. He hosted a survivor tent at the LLS Light the Night, and ran for LLS Man of the Year raising around $35,000 with various community events.

“We loved being involved with the community,” said Tonya, “and we loved animals. We felt that starting our own daycare for dogs was the perfect way to do both.”

What they needed was a plan. And money. Of course, banks don’t hand out loans simply because you tell them you have a dream you would like for them to finance.

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Nick and Tonya had met at the University of Georgia. Tonya had grown up in Rome, Georgia, and Nick in Atlanta. In 1997, they married and began life together in Atlanta where Tonya worked as the director of an ad agency, and Nick worked in sales for a company that specialized in housebuilding products. In 2004, Nick was transferred to Savannah with his job as part of the process of advancement. Neither expected the move to be permanent. “We figured we would be back in Atlanta in a couple of years,� said Tonya.

142 CHATHAM COUNTY LIVING

“I decided to go to the UGA (University of Georgia) Small Business Development Center in Savannah, which is a nonprofit and a great resource for free services for those looking to start a business,” she explained. “They told me, ‘If you want a bank to loan you money for a dog care business, you will need to prove to them that you can make money doing it.’”

Basically, Tonya had to do the thing for which she wanted a loan as proof that the business would be a viable investment. The advice seemed counterintuitive. How could you make money when you needed money? And yet, it was exactly the advice she needed to inspire a creative idea.

“My daughter and I love to bake together,” said Tonya. “We realized that no one was selling homemade dog treats at local markets. We began to research what dogs could and couldn’t eat and came up with our own recipes.” What they came up with was four different recipes for treats.

They also created a recipe for ice cream for dogs as well as natural grooming products like shampoos and sprays using different essential oils. “We then had everything approved through the Department of Agriculture.”

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Tonya and Nick were the kind of dog lovers that couldn’t pass a stray on the side of the road. In addition to their own three dogs, they also fostered dogs. The couple often talked of one day starting a business caring for animals, but it was only talk. “No one was handing out free money for that,” Tonya stated as a matter-of-fact.

It didn’t take long for Tonya to build a regular customer base selling her homemade products at various festivals, farmers’ markets and retail outlets throughout Savannah. “People knew they could trust us and our products,” she said, “which is why we began to be asked if we were available for pet sitting. Most just needed someone to care for their pets over the weekend.

I said, ‘Sure.’ And overnight, we expanded into pet care with The Hipster Hound at Home Pet Sitting Services.”

And yes. There’s a story behind the name.

“Homemade and handmade goods are a throwback to the 50s,” said Tonya. “We hipsters are kind of leading this movement. We want to break free from the fast-food mentality. With the farm-to-table movement, people are saying they want to eat healthier. And with that, they

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are looking for healthier choices for their pets, too.

They don’t want to feed their animals stuff filled with preservatives and chemicals, especially after the scare with pet food made in China.”

On January 6, 2015, CBS.com reported on the issue with an article entitled, “Petco pulls pet treats from China suspected of killing, sickening thousands.”* As for the “Hound” part, well, that’s Rex, the couple’s six-year-old bloodhound mix. “He’s the original Hipster Hound,” Tonya smiled.

With a lot of planning and organizing, the couple continued to work fulltime jobs and care for their young daughter while establishing themselves in the dog care market. Seizing the moment of opportunity required hard work and sacrifice, which was the proof needed to give their dream a foundation on which to build.

Some might call what happened next a lucky break, but opportunity is not so much about luck as it is about persistence and commitment, which is a sure path to opportunity. “Through mutual dogloving friends, we were introduced to Skip from Coastal K9 Services, who owned a dog-boarding and daycare service from his home. Skip was planning to retire and had been searching for a trusted and suitable pet care company to refer his clients. With this opportunity, we decided it was time to once again expand The Hipster Hound into doggy daycare and boarding,” (website).

In early 2016, Tonya and Nick went back to the University of Georgia-Small Business Development Center. “We said, ‘Here’s everything we’ve done.’

We showed them how much money we had put into it, and how much we had saved. Then we said, ‘We

did all this while working full-time and raising our daughter. Imagine what we could do if we had a loan and could do this full-time.’”

The business center agreed and helped them write out a realistic business plan to present to a bank. In March 2016, the first Hipster Hound daycare and boarding facility opened on 115 Echols Avenue. That’s right – the first.

By December 2018, they opened a second location at 1 Diamond Causeway located in the Kroger Shopping Center. Now with some thirty employees between the two, The Hipster Hound offers a variety of services that includes doggy daycare, full-service dog boarding, as well as at home pet-sitting services.

Both facilities are climate controlled with cameras and motion detectors in all the rooms.

“I can log on and make sure everything’s okay at any given moment,” said Tonya. The Hipster Hound also offers a shuttle service for daycare boarding Monday through Friday that serves

those in Ardsley Park, Midtown, Downtown, Habersham Village and Kensington Park areas. “We pick up in the mornings and drop them off again at night.”

Grooming services are available, but if you would rather do it yourself without all the mess, The Hipster Hound on Diamond Causeway offers a Self-serve Dog Wash facility. “The high, large tub can accommodate all-sized dogs,” said Tonya.

“We provide you with shampoo, cream rinse, towels, ear and eye wipes, brushes and combs all in a private, secure bathing room, and we clean up the mess.”

Although Tonya runs the day-to-day operations, Lucy and Nick are still very much involved. In addition to Nick’s fulltime position at National Railway Supply, he does all of the accounting for the business and spends evenings and most weekends helping out.

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“Nick was only thirty-seven years old at the time,” said Tonya. “He was a runner. He played tennis. He wasn’t even sick at the time,” said Tonya. Thankfully, after a year of chemotherapy and radiation treatments, Nick made a full recovery. In the months that followed, he become an advocate and spokesperson for events put on by organizations that included the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. He hosted a survivor tent at the LLS Light the Night, and ran for LLS Man of the Year raising around $35,000 with various community events.

Lucy, now twelve, still helps with the dog treats. “We bake them right here in our kitchen at the Diamond Causeway store,” said Tonya. “All our honey comes from T’s Bees with hives on Wilmington Island. Our bacon comes from Savannah River Farms. The peanuts we use are ground, and there’s no salt or high fructose corn syrup added to them. We grind the apples and use real pumpkin and smushed up bananas. We dehydrate our treats to keep them fresh, so there’s no chemicals. Everything is natural. It’s all wheat free, soy free, and gluten free. Our treats are perfectly safe for human consumption, if someone was curious,” she smiled. (The Hipster Hound treats are also available in several boutique stores around the country.)

On the first, second, and fourth Sunday of the month from noon to 4 pm, The Hipster Hound hosts a mobile vet clinic with Dr. Beth Martin. “Vet clinics allow pet owners one-on-one time with a veterinarian for nutritional advice, exams, heartworm testing, microchip services and updated vaccinations,” (website).

Throughout the year, The Hipster Hound hosts dog-training classes with trainer Ben Hutchinson. “They are an hour long on Saturday afternoons and last four weeks.” He is also available for one on one training.

“We also do adoption events, fundraisers for different rescue organizations,” said Tonya. “And Yappy Hour is another exciting event held every Friday from 5 pm to 7 pm when ‘Hipster Parents’ can come enjoy ‘Yappy Hour Specials’ as they sip wine and socialize. (All these events are held at The Hipster Hound location on Diamond Causeway.)

As if all that wasn’t enough, The Hipster Hound also host dog parties. “We make cakes or ‘pupcakes’ for any occasion. Our own

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peanut butter, banana and honey recipe is wheat, corn and soy free and decorated with a yogurt icing. You can also order a cake to go for your own home,” said Tonya.

All I could think about as I read over the page filled with dog party options was Go, Dogs, Go! by P. D. Eastman, a book I know by heart. It was my daughter Erin’s favorite book. I remember well the way she smiled when we got to the part where the dogs race out in cars to a tree for a “big dog party.” Maybe I read Go, Dogs, Go! one too many times, but the idea of a dog party just sounds like the most fun ever.

As I looked at all the well-made toys, handmade treats and grooming products in The Hipster Hound store on Diamond Causeway, Tonya said, “I hear people say all the time, ‘I don’t have time to start my own business,’ and I think to myself, ‘I’m the last person you need to say that to.’ If we could do it, anyone can. Starting and owning your own business is a lot of work, but every day I get to come here and play with dogs,” Tonya smiled.

Some think they’ll find happiness when they don’t have to work anymore. In truth, I’ve not met anyone who found any more happiness in retirement than they had before. Tonya and Nick Rintye had no intention of doing less after his battle with Hodgkin lymphoma. Yes, time is a gift. Not a gift to sit on a shelf and admire, but to use fully and purposefully. And I can’t think of anyone better to entrust time with my own dog than with someone who considers caring for dogs a joy.

For more information visit hipsterhound.net Source: www.cbsnews.com/news/ petco-pulls-chinese-pet-treats-suspectedof-killing-sickening-thousands/ “All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” (J. R. R. Tolkien)  CCL

“My daughter and I love to bake together,” said Tonya. “We realized that no one was selling homemade dog treats at local markets. We began to research what dogs could and couldn’t eat and came up with our own recipes.” What they came up with was four different recipes for treats. They also created a recipe for ice cream for dogs as well as natural grooming products like shampoos and sprays using different essential oils. “We then had everything approved through the Department of Agriculture.”

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Story by D. Annette Sasser | Photos Provided by The Griffins

Singing The

Griffins

THE GRIFFIN FAMILY USES MUSIC TO FOSTER WARMTH AND CAMARADERIE WITHIN THE HOUSEHOLD.

E

Every time I saw Dr. Kenneth Griffin, my primary care doctor, I noticed the picture on his office wall of his six children. When I learned that all six of them play instruments, and some have even made recordings, I was intrigued.

In December of 2019, I met with the whole family: Dr. Griffin, his wife, Jill, Berkley (Griffin) Hillis (26), Tinsley (Griffin) Hill (25), Abbey (Griffin) Wood (23), John Griffin (19), Charles Griffin (18), and Franklin Griffin (18), at their lovely home overlooking the Savannah marsh. The warmth and camaraderie of this incredibly talented family was inspiring. The following is a transcript of part of that interview:

Jill Griffin: When Berkley was barely three, I went to visit my mother in Alabama. Knowing that my

husband and I both love music, (we sing and I play a dulcimer), she suggested we take Berkley to see her neighbor who taught young children piano using the Zuzuki method, a style of teaching that involves the parent.

Berkley took one lesson and it was so much fun for us all. The neighbor put me in touch with Kerri Sellman, a Zuzuki teacher in Savannah. We chose the violin for Berkley. Tinsley, who was only two and accompanied us to Berkley’s lessons, was ready to begin violin lessons before she turned three. That was the beginning of everything.

Berkley: I’m a PhD candidate in inorganic chemistry at NC State University where I study the mechanism of crystal growth. I still play the violin at church and for weddings and events. I also play the mandolin and violin in the family band. I’m the oldest of all these crewmembers, so sometimes I’m the bossy one.

Laughter followed.

Tinsley: I live in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. I’m an attorney, and I work at the university of Alabama.

I’m currently working on my PhD in political

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Berkley took one lesson and it was so much fun for us all. The neighbor put me in touch with Kerri Sellman, a Zuzuki teacher in Savannah. We chose the violin for Berkley. Tinsley, who was only two and accompanied us to Berkley’s lessons, was ready to begin violin lessons before she turned three. That was the beginning of everything.

science, and teaching political science 101 while also studying criminal justice reform. I play the violin for special events and in the orchestra at church where my husband is the worship minister.

Abbey: I primarily play violin, but also play the mandolin. I received my undergraduate in biology at the University of Mobile where I served as the concertmaster of the orchestra as well as student director for another band. I’m currently teaching science at the University of Alabama. I’m also working on my masters in ecology. My plan is to go into conservation perhaps with a focus on coastal monitoring of estuaries.

John: I study aerospace engineering at Mississippi State University. I’ve played cello for about thirteen years, and I love every second of it. I also play guitar. But cello is the best instrument of all! (laughter) Jill: By the time John came along, the girls were playing violin. We wanted to branch out and try another instrument for him. We started showing him the cello at concerts. That’s what you do. You attend live concerts and do all you can to expose them to the instrument. I would say, “See that cello, John?

Do you like that?” His response was always “Yes, I want to play the cello, Mom!” During those days, the Savannah Symphony Orchestra was still thriving in Savannah. You could go to rehearsals with your kids and you didn’t have the pressure of having to keep them completely silent during the concert. They could really enjoy it.

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By the time John came along, the girls were playing violin. We wanted to branch out and try another instrument for him. We started showing him the cello at concerts. That’s what you do. You attend live concerts and do all you can to expose them to the instrument. I would say, “See that cello, John? Do you like that?” His response was always “Yes, I want to play the cello, Mom!”

Charles: I’m a mechanical engineering student at Mississippi State University. I was really drawn to the viola during an Annie Moses Band summer camp. I started playing when I was about six. I still enjoy playing with my family and others.

Franklin: I’m also a mechanical engineering student at Mississippi State University. I’ve been playing the violin for about twelve years. It has always been a lot of fun for me.

Abbey: We performed in churches, schools, and community events. We also participated in the Armstrong Orchestra several years, which exposed us to great classical works. When I was fourteen, Tinsley, sixteen, and Berkley, seventeen, our church decided to start an orchestra. We happened to be the only three violinists, so we played there together every week. At that time we were also teaching violin. When I was eleven I started teaching Franklin violin to help get him started before he took formal lessons.

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Q: In addition to music, I understand the girls were involved in Irish dancing. Is that right?

Berkley: Yes, all three of us started Irish dancing when we were very young. We had this love of music, and played classical violin. We loved the rhythm and movement and that’s a huge part of Irish dance. We also participated in Irish dance competitions. We danced with what is now Legacy Irish Dance.

Tinsley: Abbey and I both went to the University of Mobile. Although it was a small school, the music program was phenomenal. When we auditioned, the directors, especially Dr. Roger Breland, realized we were classically trained violinists and could fiddle in Irish music. We had played Irish music competitively for years.

Dr. Roger Breland formed an all girls Celtic and ministry ensemble called “Welsh Revival”. We toured Europe, Romania and Jamaica. At home we

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toured the Southeast and recorded three albums.

We would fiddle and Irish dance as a way to share the gospel in schools, churches, and at community events.

Q: Now that you’re grown and live in different places, do you still perform together?

Tinsley: When we left for college, Dad’s ground rule was, “You’re not allowed back in the house unless you have your instrument with you when you come home”.

(Laughter) John: It was a huge part of our family time together and still is today. We did a Christmas Eve concert two days ago at our church. But our best times are when we all just get together and play music.

Franklin: We still love playing together.

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“We were taught growing up that the Lord gives different talents for different reasons, and that we all have a responsibility to use our talents. That’s one of the things that keeps us playing.

It’s such a joy to use our talent and see the impact music has on a person.“

Charles: Since the girls got married, our band has enlarged. Both Abbey and Tinsley married musically talented husbands. And Berkley’s husband does all of our sound. It’s really cool.

The band has gotten bigger and even more fun as we’ve gotten older.

Abbey: We were taught growing up that the Lord gives different talents for different reasons, and that we all have a responsibility to use our talents. That’s one of the things that keeps us playing. It’s such a joy to use our talent and see the impact music has on a person.

Before leaving the Griffin home, the six siblings graciously got out their instruments and played a piece for us. It was truly an honor to be in the presence of such talented musicians. But the real beauty of their music was in the love they shared with one another.

I immediately thought of the Griffin’s when I came across an article on aplus.com, (a site sponsored by Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment), written by Ariana Marini and published on May 4, 2018. In the article, Marini references a study published in the Journal of Family Communication. “Children and teens who listen to and play music with their parents,” writes Marini, “report having better relationships with their parents, according to a new study.”

Strong relationship. That’s what you hear in the Griffin family music. I’ve no doubt that their music will continue to impact not only their family, but also generations yet to come.

Source: Articles.aplus.com.  CCL

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Story By Beth Logan | Photos by Dream Weaver Photos

Overcoming ADVERSITY WITH PASSION

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Creighton-Jones, owner of Cape Creations Catering talks about struggling with how to reopen in the best manner to keep staff and clients safe

It is the middle of May when I speak with Cynthia Creighton-Jones, owner of Cape Creations Catering and The York Diner, and, we agree, it is a very strange time indeed. Both she and her staff are hesitant to reopen either her successful catering business or her cozy diner situated close to the intersection of 516 and Highway 17 in Savannah. “It just feels too soon,” she tells me in her clipped South African accent, “We are struggling with how to reopen in the best manner. We just want to keep our staff and our clients safe.”

Cynthia, a tall, energetic and outgoing woman sporting a signature pixie haircut, was born in the small African kingdom of Swaziland. When she was six, her parents returned to South Africa. Growing up in Johannesburg, she loved to cook, and relates that she started off with baking. “My father, bless his heart, was just so sweet. I made these awful cakes that disappeared quite quickly. I’m still not sure if he was actually eating them!”

Following “a bit of sailing in the early 80’s”, Cynthia decided to become a chef, which, she figured, would combine her love of cooking with her passion for travel. She started a three year European style of apprenticeship in South Africa before graduating as a chef. Her career

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began at the Hilton International in Tel Aviv, Israel. She lived in Israel for three years during the Gulf War before being transferred to New York City. Five months later the hotel was blown up in the World Trade Center bombing of 1993. Following a brief stint in Minnesota, she was transferred to Washington, DC where she worked for Sheraton Hotels and Resorts and earned her Green Card (she gained citizenship in 2010).

Cynthia next accepted a job at the Hilton Savannah Desoto and fell in love with our Southern city. However, she really thought her final destination would be Colorado which would afford more Executive Chef opportunities and more of the outdoor activities she loves, such as skiing, hiking and cycling.

But fate intervened when she met her future husband, Alan, co-owner of a small family owned restaurant chain based in Savannah.

She accepted the Executive Chef position at the Chatham Club, a members-only dining and social club on the 14th floor of the Desoto.

Newly married and working long hours, she thought to herself, “If I’m going to work this hard, I’m going to do it for myself. “ Cynthia opened her own business, Cape Creations Catering in 2005 so that “I could

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SWEET BEGINNINGS Cynthia, a tall, energetic and outgoing woman sporting a signature pixie haircut, was born in the small African kingdom of Swaziland. When she was six, her parents returned to South Africa. Growing up in Johannesburg, she loved to cook, and relates that she started off with baking.

“My father, bless his heart, was just so sweet. I made these awful cakes that disappeared quite quickly. I’m still not sure if he was actually eating them!”

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cook the kind of food that I like to cook” and in 2017 she purchased a diner that had been around for 30 years under the loving ownership of Savannahians Mac and Brenda Salter.

With that purchase, “We expanded our business exponentially, keeping the catering business, having the diner, and creating Cape Express for corporate drop-off. I never wanted a restaurant, but when I found the York Diner it just felt right. It gave me the room to expand and do more.” She says, “Honestly, I don’t cook that much anymore. I have an Executive Chef and a Sous Chef and really only cook when they are super busy. I work in the diner at lunchtime nearly every day to help out, but what I really love is the challenge of selling to clients. I enjoy the business side of things, creating a full service experience for a wedding or a corporate event. That immediate feedback is very addictive.”

But back to the present. Full service and drop off catering is the majority of Cynthia’s business, but catering evaporated once the Coronavirus pandemic hit. “The phone stopped ringing. No one was

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booking after March 15, and every single full-service event – particularly weddings – was postponed. We bent over backwards to reschedule as many events for next year as possible. I’m a member of the International Caterers Association, and everyone is just trying to figure out the ‘new normal’ of when it may be safe to have events again, and what they’re going to look like.” It has been a difficult and exhausting time, and Cynthia thinks the diner portion of her business may not open again until at least June 1. The good news is that, “We get calls all the time from our regular customers asking when we’re going to reopen. Every single one of them says, ‘As soon as you open, we’ll be back.’”

Cynthia has built a stellar reputation as one of the premiere caterers in the Coastal Empire. She says, “The event industry in Savannah is much bigger than most people realize. In particular, the wedding industry is very tight. We all work very closely together. The majority of vendors are small business owners, many of whom are women.” Cynthia has always graciously, and seemingly 164

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HER OWN PLACE Cynthia opened her own business, Cape Creations Catering in 2005 so that “I could cook the kind of food that I like to cook” and in 2017 she purchased a diner that had been around for 30 years under the loving ownership of Savannahians Mac and Brenda Salter.

effortlessly, pulled off fabulous weddings and events. “It doesn’t matter what happens behind the scenes,” she says.

“Sometimes we’ll be scurrying around. I remember one wedding where there was confusion between the caterer and the event planner. There was no china. It was like, ‘No you’ve got the china this week, and I’ve got the china next week.’ But it all came together. We were sweating bullets in the back, but the bride didn’t know! Then there will be times when we have three events in different parts of town and the piece of equipment or the platter you need is at the wrong event.

You just drive over and get it.”

Through the years, Cynthia has made it a priority to support nonprofits. She says that living and working through

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WOMEN WORKING TOGETHER Cynthia has built a stellar reputation as one of the premiere caterers in the Coastal Empire. She says, “The event industry in Savannah is much bigger than most people realize. In particular, the wedding industry is very tight. We all work very closely together.

The majority of vendors are small business owners, many of whom are women.”

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the Gulf War in particular, helped shaped her belief in the importance of giving back. “People reached out to me then, and throughout all of my travels. I truly believe that you have to pass that generosity on, you have to pay if forward.

When I settled in Savannah, I was asked to participate in the Chef’s Table fundraiser for Second Harvest Food Bank and have done so ever since. Both my husband, Alan, and I feel it is critical to give back to the community.”

Cynthia has also supported her country by participating in the U.S. Navy’s Adopt-a-Ship program which puts professional chefs on board Navy ships to provide additional training to their Cook Specialists. Additionally, she’s a founding member of the Savannah and Coastal Empire chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier International, an invitational philanthropic organization of women leaders in the fields of food, fine beverage and hospitality. Her passion is to see that chapter grow and thrive.

Small business owners across the county are facing hardships and difficult decisions right now.

But somehow we know that if Cynthia could survive the Gulf War and the World Trade Center bombing, she can survive this current pandemic.

Her grace, humor, calm demeanor, and the relationships she has fostered since starting Cape Creations fifteen years ago will stand her in good stead. We wish her all the best.  CCL

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