Chatham County Living - Fall 2019 by With You In Mind Publications

Hometown Living at its Best Fall 201 9

COUNTRY TO CHRISTIAN Savannah musician overcomes addiction by traveling a new path.

It all started with a dog...

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CHATHAM COUNTY LIVING

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CELEBRATING 110 YEARS

Case Veterinary Hospital has been helping the low country’s furry family for over 110 years.

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Chatham CONTENTS /

living

FALL ISSUE 2019

Country to Christian

Savannah musician overcomes addiction by traveling a new path.

Irish Eyes are Truly Smiling Longing to be able to provide authentic Irish gifts for the people of Savannah, Jeanne and James Zittrauer decided to establish Saints and Shamrocks, an ideal place to purchase Irish imports and religious gifts.

Embedded in the Fabric of Our Community Since 1879, HunterMaclean has been meeting the needs of its clients in different ways.

The Ultimate Gift Desperately needing a kidney transplant Shelly Byrd and her friend, Jamie Rexroat, join a pairing program to help others in need.

A Curated Christmas Anthony Saavedra Vanderdys has ON T H E C O V E R Easton Corbin has partnered with Companions for Heroes >> 4 FALL 2019 / CHATHAM COUNTY LIVING

turned â&#x20AC;&#x153;Decking the Hallsâ&#x20AC;? into a PHOTO: LESLIE HAND PHOTOGRAPHY

thriving business.

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

104

128

Celebrating 110 Years Case Veterinary Hospital has been helping the low country’s furry family for over 110 years.

118

Not Just Horsin’ Around

104

Blessings from God Ryan and Josh Lee’s road to

Since 2000, Horsin’ Around has been

parenthood took a surprising turn

providing a safe haven for youngsters

when God turned their hearts to the

with disabilities to gain some new

idea of adoption.

confidence while socializing with

118

others.

A Hero’s Best Friend

Auspiciously Delicious When the owners of Auspicious Baking Company visited Savannah

142

From the Military to Ministering Former Marine Drill Instructor giving his flock a push-up.

150

Everything in the Universe and then some Eclectic store goes beyond the ordinary.

160

After David Sharpe returned home

they knew that they had found

A Legacy Continued

from deployment he set out on a

the place to open their business

While on a two year “job shadow”

mission to use his personal struggles

and become part of an exciting

with the late Dr. Gage Ochsner,

and recovery to help fellow military

community.

Jason Miller decided on a career in

veterans and active duty military.

6 FALL 2019 / CHATHAM COUNTY LIVING

medicine.

A history of trust. Marion Leith REALTOR Associate Broker, ABR, CRS, GRI 912.441.3993

Jane Beare

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

Karen Henry Thomas REALTOR ABR, CMRS, GRI 912.856.6550

912.352.1222 | 6349 Abercorn St. Savannah

From the Publisher

the Publisher

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F r o m t h e P u b l i s h e r

alban

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

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e d i to r Renee Corwine

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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

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

In this amazing world of technology and advancement, it can o f f i ce M a n age r Nikki Burkhalter C r e At i v e | D e s i G n mandi spivey be so easy to get caught up in the whirlwind around us. We stacey nichols can look around us and buy into the comparison trap of not C r e At i v e | D e s i G n A s s i s ta n t being enough, not having enough, or not doing enough. This f f i C e m A n AG e r laura mcCullough headspace can have the power to shift ourO focus away from M a n age r June Dixon nning our holiday schedules magical time whatthrough trulythis matters. At the end of the day, all that really O f f i C e m A n AG e r yself stopping to savor so many moments this season. A s s i s tA n t matters is those around us knowing they are loved. th delicious marshmallows stuck to our lips, late night P h otog r ap h e r s Dawn McDaniel Owens As we are festively planning our holiday schedules through m A n AG e r s June dixon this magical time

good movie on the couch, finding the perfect tree to ter from the kids whileThis helping dig out ornaments issue isthe packed full y heart overflows with gratitude for our family.

of year, i have found myself stopping to savor so many moments this season.

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Weaver Photos nikki Burkhalter hot chocolate with delicious marshmallows stuck Dream to our lips, late night of countless storiesnights of people who m A n AG e r s June dixon family snuggles with a good movie on the couch, finding the perfect tree to Leslie Hand Photography choose love, family and community to hold close and decorate and the laughter fromshare the kids while helping dig out the ornaments nikki Burkhalter h OtO Gheart r A Poverflows h e r s with Antgratitude hill Photography and string thePlights. my for our family. ce blossom this year as she grows the most city. with this into beautiful Rebecca Galloway Photography

as we also welcomed a new little nephew who made his fall. All around us, we are surrounded by loved ones.

David Parks Photography

Ryan We have watched a niece blossom this year as she grows into the most

P h OtO G r A P h e r s Ant hill Photography Lee Photography

little toddler, as we by alsoso welcomed little nephew who made his erica new s. love Life is an amazing adventure andadorable one that can pass entrance this fall. All around us, we are surrounded by loved ones. ave a similar theme ofquickly. how familyAs hasthey impacted say,so the days are beautiful long and the years are short. millie mac Photography le people you will read about in their stories. Family C ov e r P h oto Easton Corbin, weour allchildren take these gently this issueand seems to weaveremind a similar theme of how family has impacted so shae Foy Photography o we become and whoMay we teach to be. lessons to heart many of these incredible people you will read about in their stories. Family s. Peggy Bryant, Bishop frederick Williams, and ARE so ourselves that we enough, we HAVE enough and when we shannan blanchard Photographyby Leslie Hand Photography shapes who we are, who we become and who we teach our children to be. stories of where they came from that brought them to feel that peace, we then have theCoach energy to Gary, turnms.toPeggy ourBryant, family Damien Bishop frederick Williams, and so their stories of us where they came from that brought them to and community and pour out the many lovemore on share those around that C ov e r P h oto Officer travis Goodson, Sale s Dottie Hicks where they are today. nating realization of allthis is that family is created through world is so hungry for. C ov e r P h oto Photo by David Parks

tance. family and love is a choice, whether born into or

As we all continue to walk this

Landon Spivey

Perhaps the most fascinating realization of all is that family is created through more than one circumstance. family andPhotography love is a choice, whether born into or Michael path together, hand in hand, chosen.

Lane

year, i hope we all remember to count blessings, as Patti Martin we hope youourknow, Chatham County, how much we LOVE A l ewe s allKeisha Cory for the little moments...the ones we will look back on As we move into a new year, ishope remember to count our blessings, as each one of you and treasure our friendship. Please continue Montague hose that remain imprinted on our hearts that carry us often as we remember, for the little moments...the ones Randy we will look back on Patti martin the years. it’s those that remain imprinted on our hearts that carry us life. to show love and support to all ofthrough our incredible advertisers through the seasons of life.

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who so graciously make this magazine available to you at landon spivey ou and the love you all pour out onto our families Contributing We are so grateful for you andat theeach love you all pour out onto our families noallcharge. Your copies are available raging emails and ideas sent our way. We complimentary hope you C O n t r i B emails u t i n Gand ideas all sent our way. We hope through readers, encouraging youte r s D. Annette Sasser Wri gratitude to each advertiser that islisted listed onon page 192 168. business page COntriButinG will join us in extending gratitude to each advertiser that is listed on page 192

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amily a merry Christmas and the hAPPiest neW YeAr Blessings, es!

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David Pena Writ e r s Chehaw.org Jessica Fellows Jessica Fellows Stephen Prudhomme 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 deloachthree times a year by With You in Mind Publications.Kate deloach View our magazines FREE online at: Keisha Cory withyouinmindpublications.com Keisha Cory www.withyouinmindpublications.com P.O. Box 55 • Glennville, GA 30427 rachel Price rachel Price (912) 654-3045

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Bringing

life

to your

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

Personalized patient specific care in the heart of Historic Savannah.

smile

Irish Eyes are Truly Smiling 10

chatham county living

BY DAVID PENA | PHOTOS DREAM WEAVER PHOTOS

longing to be able to provide authentic Irish gifts for the people of Savannah, Jeanne and James Zittrauer decided to establish Saints and Shamrocks, AN ideal place to purchase Irish imports and religious gifts.

It was after an eventful, life-changing trip to Ireland in 1991 that Jeanne and James Zittrauer decided to establish Saints and Shamrocks in order to meet the needs of Savannah’s large Irish Catholic community. Located on the city’s famous St. Patrick’s Day parade route in the heart of downtown, the shop has been the ideal place to purchase Irish imports and religious gifts for all occasions for close to 30 years. Jeanne explains that, while the trip was the main impetus to open the shop, the couple believed there was already a demand for its niche in the Hostess City. “My late husband always had this longing to be able to provide authentic Irish gifts for the people of Savannah, and I wanted to include religious gifts to help promote our faith,” she says. “While it wasn’t an

Hometown Living At Its Best

overwhelming success at first, the fact that so many ‘mom and pop’ places come and go within five years is a testament to how loyal our customers really have been.” When Jeanne decided to retire in 2009, there was a changing of the guard when Hope and Joseph Ebberwein opted to purchase her store. “My husband passed away three years after our opening, and everything was going online at the time,” explains Jeanne. “I just couldn’t keep up with the technology aspect of it, which was his strength. Plus, neither one of us had any background in

chatham county living

retail.” Ironically, Hope and Joseph also had no prior retail experience. However, despite purchasing the store in the middle of a recession, Hope’s determination and talents prevailed, and the shop is now thriving more than ever before. Born in Massachusetts where her father hailed from, Hope moved to Savannah in 1981with her mother and sister. “My family has been in Savannah for many generations and I can’t imagine living anywhere else,” she says. Whenever discussing how she came to

changing oF the guard

When Jeanne decided to retire in 2009, there was a changing of the guard when Hope and Joseph Ebberwein opted to purchase her store. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My husband passed away three years after our opening, and everything was going online at the time,â&#x20AC;? explains Jeanne.

Hometown Living At Its Best

Welcome t o GODLEY STATION Pooler, Georgia

148

chatham county living

Creating smiles that last a lifetime

Dr. Tracy Durham & Dr. Gary Johnson

Dentistry At Godley Station

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149

The couple began discussing the real possibility of the store’s ownership, but there were a couple of hurdles to overcome. First, Jeanne had promised three others that she would contact them if she ever decided to sell the store. Moreover, 2009 was not the optimal time to go into business.

chatham county living

own the unique shop, Hope jokingly explains that the process was all part of her midlife crisis. “In 2009, I had been working in the homecare industry and I knew at the time that I simply had to change careers due to the stress. Some people are just wired for that kind of schedule; I, however, was not because it took time away from my family.” Her husband, Joseph, concurred, which prompted him to ask her a very fateful question one night, one that would ultimately prove to be prophetic. “He asked me if I had the choice to do anything, what would it be,” she explains. “Mind you, we had four teens living at home at the time, and I told him that I would love to work somewhere like Saints and Shamrocks. It had such a nice atmosphere, and we had been loyal

Hometown Living At Its Best

expanding the tradition

chatham county living

Hopeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s goal was to continue the tradition of providing quality Irish imports and religious gifts to the Savannah community, as well as to expand upon what the store was initially known for.

Since taking ownership, Hope has truly transformed the revitalized store without ever compromising the heart and soul of Jeanne’s mission. “Saints and Shamrocks has always had its own vibe to it, and since it’s religious in nature, people have deep feelings about it,” explains Hope. “Whether it’s a joyful occasion like a wedding or even a tragic loss, our customers are really inspired to share their personal experiences, and we’re led to share with them. It has really helped that the two employees who worked for Jeanne stayed on, and Kathryn (Neagle) still works for me after 19 years at the store.”

customers of the store for many years. We both just kind of laughed, and that was the end of that, or so I thought.” Ironically, it came down to a chance meeting two weeks later. Hope and her husband happened upon Jeanne at her niece’s wedding reception at the yacht club one day, and the subject came up again in conversation. “We were chatting and I asked her how the shop was coming along. That’s when she told me she was thinking of retiring, and I felt my husband’s elbow in my ribs.” The couple saw the opportunity as a gift from the Holy Spirit, but Hope soon began to have some reservations. “I only wanted to work there and never thought about taking ownership of the store. In fact, neither my husband nor I had any experience in retail at all!” The couple began discussing the real possibility of the store’s ownership, but there were a couple of hurdles to overcome. First, Jeanne had promised three others that she would contact them if she ever decided to sell the store. Moreover, 2009 was not the optimal time to go into business. “The economy was so bad, and it really wasn’t the time to purchase anything,” says Hope. “However, we both really loved the store and saw a real potential. It had been around for 17 years at that point and had been so meaningful to our families. Plus, Jeanne is one of the best humans that I know.” After contacting the three other prospective buyers, Jeanne informed the couple that the ball was in their court. “For whatever reason, none of them were able to purchase the store,” continues Hope. Thus, the Ebberweins ultimately decided to take the plunge and purchase the shop later that year. “At first, there was definitely a lot of learning through trial and error, as well as learning to follow your own instincts. We emptied the store and refurbished the entire store, giving it a fresh, new look. We redid the floors and painted just about everything. Jeanne was proud and gave her blessing (on the new look), which was important.” Hometown Living At Its Best

Now with a staff of five employees, Hope has tried to remain true to Jeanne’s original vision while continuing to expand in order to meet the needs of her evergrowing number of customers. “We have always been proud of our Irish Catholic heritage and understand the importance of tradition,” she says, “but you have to stretch a bit to keep in step with your customers. We opened a baby boutique four years ago, for example. We also try to work with local artists whenever possible. However, all of our merchandise will make a lasting impression on any person who receives them.”

Hope’s goal was to continue the tradition of providing quality Irish imports and religious gifts to the Savannah community, as well as to expand upon what the store was initially known for. “There were some big shoes to fill (after Jeanne), and change was hard for some of our customers. Jeanne had owned the store for 17 years when I stepped in, so we just eased into it and learned as we went. I’m still learning every day,” says Hope. Since taking ownership, Hope has truly transformed the revitalized store without ever compromising the heart and soul of Jeanne’s mission. “Saints and Shamrocks has always had its own vibe to it, and since it’s religious in nature, people have deep feelings about it,” explains Hope. “Whether it’s a joyful occasion like a wedding or even a tragic loss, our customers are really inspired to share their personal experiences, and we’re led to share with them. It has really helped that the two employees who worked for Jeanne stayed on, and Kathryn (Neagle) still works for me after 19 years at the store.” Kathryn, who has worked under both Jeanne and Hope, says that it’s been a joy to be part of Saints and Shamrocks. “They are completely different women, but both are phenomenal to work for. The people, however, are what make our job most rewarding. People feel safe to laugh and cry with us, and whatever they need, they know

chatham county living

they can find it here, even if it’s just a hug.” Now with a staff of five employees, Hope has tried to remain true to Jeanne’s original vision while continuing to expand in order to meet the needs of her ever-growing number of customers. “We have always been proud of our Irish Catholic heritage and understand the importance of tradition,” she says, “but you have to stretch a bit to keep in step with your customers. We opened a baby boutique four years ago, for example. We also try to work with local artists whenever possible. However, all of our merchandise will make a lasting impression on any person who receives them.” Longtime customer Maureen Simmons says, “Hope has added a new, fresh element to what was already a wonderful store. It’s no longer just an Irish Catholic gift store; it’s so much more. Plus, she’s truly one of the most caring individuals, and, much like Jeanne, cares 110 % about everyone who comes through her door.” “Passing our shop on to Hope was the perfect move,” says Jeanne. “Her faith is so strong, and (the store) is a ministry as much as it is a retail outlet; she gets that.” Hope’s goal is to continue to widen the ministry of the shop through its growth online and in-store. “Each day it’s a joy for me to visit with our customers and share their experiences,” she says. “It’s a daily reminder to me that, even in our hectic world, people are just plain good.” CCL

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hearing and health go hanD in hand

Most people don’t associate their hearing with overall health, but your ability (or inability) to hear can tremendously affect your health in many ways. For example, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes and even depression have all been linked to hearing loss. Since around 33% of the population over 65 will experience some sort of hearing loss in their lifetime, it is incumbent upon everyone to understand the links between overall general health and hearing loss as they age. Dr. Susan Timna of Audiology and Hearing Aid Services has been helping her patients achieve a higher quality of life for 28 years, and she knows a thing or two about how a person’s hearing and their health go hand in hand. “Hearing loss does not present itself like pain typically does, so it doesn’t force your hand to see your physician as you would if any unusual symptoms occur,” says Dr. Timna, a trained Doctor of Audiology, “It is a silent disease and a gradual process that will decrease your quality of life as well as ultimately affect your family and friends around you. For example, recent statistics show that there is also a higher risk for a person falling and injuring themselves due to hearing loss.”

chatham county living

Dr. Susan Timna of Audiology and Hearing Aid Services has been helping her patients achieve a higher quality of life for 28 years, and she knows a thing or two about how a person’s hearing and their health go hand in hand.

Dr. Timna suggests that patients who do experience hearing loss find the right professional for treatment. “I would suggest going to a Doctor of Audiology or Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist because they are the only ones with the proper training in the medical aspects of hearing loss; for example, a doctor of audiology has a minimum of seven years of training,” she says. “If you go to a store that just sells hearing aids, often there is not a credentialed professional on site to give adequate medical recommendations, so you really have to be careful.” For those who are in the market for a new hearing aid, Dr. Timna offers some sage advice. “In the last two years, it has amazed and concerned me to see so many patients come into our office with ads for hearing devices of all shapes, sizes, colors, prices, and claims to put your hearing back to normal,” she explains. “The devices may all look the same on the outside but are not the same, and there can be vast differences inside the software of devices that can make the difference. It will become increasingly more confusing next year with the availability of over the counter hearing devices that can be purchased anywhere without the expertise of an audiologist or any hearing professional.”

“It is a silent disease and a gradual process that will decrease your quality of life as well as ultimately affect your family and friends around you. For example, recent statistics show that there is also a higher risk for a person falling and injuring themselves due to hearing loss.” - Dr. Susan Timna

Whether it’s a hearing aid or a medical referral, you can take comfort knowing that you’re receiving specialty-trained medical advice from the staff at Audiology and Hearing Aid Services to improve your hearing and your health. Dr. Timna and her fellow audiologists are committed to offering affordable and competitively priced hearing solutions to effectively treat your hearing loss, and they work directly with physicians to find the best solution for you. With offices in Pooler, Savannah, Skidaway Island and Statesboro, 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, Savannah or Statesboro locations. For Skidaway Island residents, please call (912) 598-0616.

LOCATIONS • 803 E 68th St | Savannah, GA 31405 • Godley Station Professional Park | 1000 Towne Center Blvd #200 Pooler GA 31322 • Fair Road Professional Park, Suite G | 16741 Highway 67 South Statesboro GA 30458 • 6 Skidaway Village Walk | Savannah GA 31411 | 912 598-0616

ahassavannah.com | (912) 351-3038

a passion FOR PEOPLE, PETS AND PERFORMANCE

Kelli Hartley uses her passion for people as Director of Sales and Marketing at Savannah Square. 22

chatham county living

“I have a passion for people, pets and performance, and at Savannah Square I get to combine all three,” says Kelli Hartley, Director of Sales and Marketing for the senior living community. “I’m working with seniors and families daily, loving on their animals, and also running a successful and thriving waitlist of people eager to get into the unique community.” Kelli has been at Savannah Square for over three years, and she says she is right where she belongs. “I’ve been in the healthcare industry for 12 years, and prior to being at Savannah Square, I was in hospice and home health care.” Kelli says she was reluctant transitioning into the senior living industry because she felt it would be challenging dealing with the elderly on a daily basis. However, that couldn’t have been further from the truth. “I am constantly amazed by our residents here, their spirit, and their outlook on life. Some have been through WWII, the depression, and have survived things that one could not imagine today. I am surrounded by the greatest generation there is, she says, and most of them have an unquenchable and contagious zest for life.” Because of the industry becoming so popular, these communities are now extremely focused on the lifestyle and dining aspects of senior living. “At Savannah Square we have a ‘Lifestyle 360 Program’ that incorporates the five dimensions of wellness: intellectual, social, physical, emotional, and spiritual. We try and create activities daily which incorporate all of these dimensions,” explains Kelli.

”

“I am constantly amazed by our residents here, their spirit, and their outlook on life. Some have been through WWII, the depression, and have survived things that one could not imagine today. I am surrounded by the greatest generation there is, she says, and most of them have an unquenchable and contagious zest for life.”

“We believe this leads to a fulfilling and vibrant lifestyle for our seniors here at Savannah Square. We also believe in the culinary and dining experience being top notch. We have two onsite chefs who create our menus and offer a plethora of choices to eat daily. This creates excitement around food and keeps the dining experience fresh and new.” Kelli always offers seniors who are shopping around for senior living to come join an activity or come join for a meal. “They usually never leave disappointed,” she says. Savannah Square is located just three miles from St. Joseph Candler Hospital on several acres of meticulously landscaped grounds. It provides convenient access to all the best dining, shopping and cultural attractions that historic Savannah has to offer. As Savannah’s only continued care retirement community with no buy in, Savannah Square offers comfortable and elegant residences for seniors who have an array of diverse lifestyles and requirements. With their spacious one- and two-bedroom cottages and apartments, Savannah Square’s independent living accommodations are perfect for active seniors, while the senior community also features Palmetto Inn, a personal care residence complete with an on-site rehabilitation center. “We strive to be the best in Savannah’s senior living. We have been around for almost thirty years and are looking forward to seeing what is in store for the next thirty,” says Kelli. If you have any interest in seeing what Savannah Square is about, call to schedule a tour, a lunch, and see what it’s all about, or just drop by for more information. You will be pleasantly surprised at the warm and friendly environment and witness one of Savannah’s finest communities! Savannah Square is located at 1 Savannah Square Drive, in Savannah Georgia. To tour, please call 912-927-7550 or visit our website www.savannahsquareretirement.com . We look forward to speaking with you !

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Hometown Living At Its Best

Embedded in the Fabric of

Our Community 24

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BY DAVID PENA | PHOTOS BY REBECCA GALLOWAY PHOTOGRAPHY

Since 1879, HunterMaclean has been meeting the needs of its clients in different ways.

Founded in 1879, HunterMaclean marked its 140th anniversary this year, making it one of the oldest law firms in Georgia. The firm began when Walter G. Charlton, a graduate of the law department of the University of Virginia, formed a partnership with N.C. Collier, who later became a United States Judge. “It’s interesting because Savannah was founded in 1733 and is 286 years old, which means the firm has been around for close to half of Savannah’s existence,” says Andrea Dove, Director of Business Development. “This is pretty significant since, under the original charter, lawyers were forbidden; they were actually banned until 1755.” J. Randolph Anderson joined the firm in 1891, and the firm was re-named Charlton, Mackall & Anderson. Randolph served as Lieutenant Governor of Georgia and helped form the railroad lines that became the Seaboard Coast Line Railroad, now part of CSX. In later years, the firm acted as system-wide counsel for the Seaboard Coast Line, and it continues to serve CSX today. One of its specialties was maritime law; subsequently, HunterMaclean continues

Opposite page features HunterMaclean’s four most recent managing partners: Frank Macgill (2010-2016), John Hewson (1991-1998), John Tatum (1998-2010), Brad Harmon (2016-present).

Hometown Living At Its Best

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to handle Protection and Indemnity matters as it represents an expanded number of maritime interests. Brad Harmon, who is the current managing partner at HunterMaclean, says, “My grandfather told me that you can be satisfied in your personal life, but never be satisfied in your professional life. Therefore, our firm is always striving to grow to meet the needs of our clients in different ways. Of course, this relates to the size of our firm as well as growth in our practice areas. As far as our community involvement, we’re very pleased where we are right now because we’ve always prided ourselves on being good corporate citizens.” Wade Herring has been with HunterMaclean since 1985, and he’s seen a lot of changes in the legal landscape over the years. Currently a partner at HunterMaclean, he says, “When you look at our 140-year history, the members of our firm have always had deep ties to the community. It’s not just about the bottom line with our organization; it’s about making the community a better place for all citizens.” In addition to his practice, Wade has published articles in the Georgia Defense Lawyers Association Journal, the Fulton County Daily Report, and the Mercer Law Review. Malcolm Maclean, for whom the firm is partly named, is widely

“It’s interesting because Savannah was founded in 1733 and is 286 years old, which means the firm has been around for close to half of Savannah’s existence.”

Hometown Living At Its Best

regarded as the key figure in peacefully desegregating Savannah. The former Savannah mayor was truly an anomaly—a white southern politician who chose to lead during the incredibly volatile struggle for civil rights during the 1960s. “Most of Malcolm’s pivotal efforts for our city took place in the summer of 1963, prior to the Civil Rights Act the following year,” explains Wade. “In fact, in January of 1964, Martin Luther King said that Savannah was the most integrated city 28

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south of the Mason-Dixon line, so we really have a lot to be proud of, both in terms of our practice and as a city.” For Malcolm’s substantial contributions to civil rights, the Georgia Historical Society unveiled a historical marker dedicated to him nearly two years ago in Ardsley Park at Atlantic Avenue and East 45th Street. Sadly, Malcolm received the honor posthumously, as he passed in 2001. E. Ormonde Hunter served on the

Hometown Living At Its Best

“My grandfather told me that you can be satisfied in your personal life, but never be satisfied in your professional life. Therefore, our firm is always striving to grow to meet the needs of our clients in different ways.” - Brad Harmon

Board of Regents from 1936 to 1937 and in 1941. Ormonde was one of the few board members who opposed the segregationist efforts of Governor Eugene Talmadge. In 1941, Governor Talmadge aimed to fire Drs. Marvin Pittman and Walter Cocking from their positions as president of Georgia Teachers’ College and dean of the College of Education at the University of Georgia, respectively, because of their support for racial equality. Governor Talmadge subsequently attempted to remove those board members who were opposed to the decision. Ormonde was one of the few who spoke out against Governor Talmadge and resisted pressure to resign from the board. The firm’s first female lawyer, Nell Pillard, started as a secretary and became a lawyer in 1955, when Chatham County had only two other female attorneys. “Since then we’ve had a tradition of [hiring] female lawyers; it’s been part of who we are,” says Wade. HunterMaclean voted in its first female partner in the early 1980s and today boasts of 14 female attorneys, including seven partners and two of counsel. Not surprisingly, if you carefully trace the firm’s history, there is also a long tradition of its lawyers going on to serve on the bench. “Two of our former partners are judges,” Wade continues. “Tim Walmsley is a Superior Court Judge, and Randall Hall is a Federal Court Judge.” While Judge Hall practiced with HunterMaclean, he also served as State Senator for District 22 (Augusta). Judge Walmsley was appointed to the Superior Court, Eastern Judicial Circuit, in February

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Malcolm Maclean, for whom the firm is partly named, is widely regarded as the key figure in peacefully desegregating Savannah. The former Savannah mayor was truly an anomalyâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;a white southern politician who chose to lead during the incredibly volatile struggle for civil rights during the 1960s.

Hometown Living At Its Best

Interestingly, the majority of attorneys at HunterMaclean came from other locations in order to live in Savannah. “They were attracted to the law firm as well as the city, so you have new ideas and perspectives coming in.”

2012 by Governor Nathan Deal. Prior to joining the Court, he worked as Chatham County Magistrate and was a partner at HunterMaclean, specializing in commercial and real estate litigation. In addition to those public offices, the firm’s partners are very involved on a volunteer basis in the community. “For example, my partner, John Tatum, was a chair of Union Mission during the great recession, helping to shepherd that organization through some dire times, while I served on the board of trustees for Savannah Country Day School at the time,” explains Wade. “In the divided world we live in, it gives me hope and sustains me that we can help the community in any way we are able to.” In fact, more than three-quarters of all HunterMaclean attorneys serve on the board of directors for a local nonprofit organization, often multiple boards, and are engaged in civic and industry specific organizations. Moreover, the firm represents more than a dozen community nonprofit organizations including Union Mission, Telfair Museums, Junior Achievement, as well as many others, including numerous faith-based organizations and independent schools. The firm represents over a dozen nonprofit organizations on a pro bono basis. “You can go down the list of almost all the nonprofits in our

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community and find someone from our organization who is very involved in some capacity with it. I don’t mean just showing up for meetings, but deeply involved. For me, it all traces back to Malcolm Maclean and his leadership. Following his lead, our culture promotes giving back to the community,” says Wade. Interestingly, the majority of attorneys at HunterMaclean came from other locations in order to live in Savannah. “They were attracted to the law firm as well as the city, so you have new ideas and perspectives coming in,” explains Wade, who is originally from Macon. “What I’ve found to be the case is that the old stereotype that Savannah is some sort of ‘closed community,’ where you have to be from the right family or circumstance, is just not the truth, and it hasn’t been true for a long time. I’m proud that we have attracted very capable people with all kinds of backgrounds from around the country, and our practice reflects that diversity.” Brad agrees, adding, “Our staff and lawyers are of the best quality in terms of character, which sets us apart. Our dedication to both diversity, as well as our sense of community, can all be traced back to Mr. Maclean, who is still a guiding hand nearly 20 years after his passing. Needless to say, we’re very excited about the next 140 years.” CCL

“Our staff and lawyers are of the best quality in terms of character, which sets us apart. Our dedication to both diversity, as well as our sense of community, can all be traced back to Mr. Maclean, who is still a guiding hand nearly 20 years after his passing. Needless to say, we’re very excited about the next 140 years.” Hometown Living At Its Best

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BY STEPHEN PRUDHOMME PHOTOS BY DREAM WEAVER PHOTOS

Country to Christian Savannah musician overcomes addiction by traveling a new path.

Tim Malchak lived the Nashville lifestyle on and off the stage, performing as a singer/songwriter and enjoying the party life that has inspired many a country song. Tim has left Nashville behind and now lives in Savannah. Along with a change in locale, he’s also forsaken the hedonistic lifestyle that led to a drug addiction and has switched musical tracks as well, becoming a Christian artist whose spiritual transformation inspires many of his songs and those who listen to them. For the past 18 years, Tim has brought his impressive musical abilities to a ministry that takes him to churches, breakfast meetings, and other venues connected with the faith. He’s also made nearly a dozen CDs featuring his original Christian songs. Tim’s story started north of the Mason-Dixon line. A native of upstate New York, Tim, like many other people of his generation, found his musical inspiration from four mop-headed lads from Liverpool. “I started playing music when I was in the sixth grade,” Tim said. “I had seen the Beatles

Hometown Living At Its Best

on Ed Sullivan a few years earlier and I was hooked.” An American musician provided the impetus for Tim to take the next step in his burgeoning avocation. “When I first heard Jim Croce, I knew I wanted to be a singer/songwriter,” said Tim, who had played in a number of bands. “Once I got out of high school in ‘75, I knew that music was what I wanted to pursue. By 1980, it was obvious to me that Nashville was where I needed to be, given my style and what was happening in country music at the time.” Finally moving to Nashville in 1982, Tim quickly made his mark while honing his songwriting skills. With several of his records breaking Billboard’s Top 40, he began to perform as the opening act for many country stars, including Kenny Rogers and Vince Gill.

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In 1986, he signed a deal with an independent record label and, three years later, agreed to a record deal with MCA/Universal Records. Performing with his own band, Tim played all over the country and took the stage on The Nashville Network and Grand Ole Opry. Tim also performed at Farm Aid IV in 1993. One opening concert for Kenny Rogers ran into a slight delay. Tim said he seemingly parked too close to Rogers’ bus and a security guard insisted he move his vehicle. He told the guard he was pressed for time and had to take the stage soon. The man wasn’t buying his story. “He didn’t believe me and it wasn’t until the promoter happened to be walking by that my word was validated,” Tim said. “I was only 10 minutes late getting onstage.”

For the past 18 years, Tim has brought his impressive musical abilities to a ministry that takes him to churches, breakfast meetings, and other venues connected with the faith. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also made nearly a dozen CDs featuring his original Christian songs.

Hometown Living At Its Best

“Once I got out of high school in ‘75, I knew that music was what I wanted to pursue. By 1980, it was obvious to me that Nashville was where I needed to be, given my style and what was happening in country music at the time.”

Another time, when opening for Vince Gill and Exile in Virginia, Tim got to the stage on time. The problems took place off stage. “It was an outdoor concert and there were a lot of bikers in the audience,” he says. “At one point, during the show, some violence broke out and the cops started handcuffing the bikers and putting them in the back of police cars; however, the girlfriends were opening the other side of the cars letting the bikers out and being chased down by the cops. It was like a comedy skit, all the while the music played on.” Tim also met country icon Johnny Cash in 1984. “I found him to be a strong man of faith and very friendly,” he says. Behind all the success and the opportunity to work with and meet country music stars was a drug addiction that had started when Tim was 12 years old. By the time he was in Nashville, Tim recalled, he was a “very high functioning addict”. That addiction resulted in Tim making some bad decisions and ultimately losing his record deal. Recognizing he needed a change of scenery, Tim moved to Hilton Head Island in 1992. While he continued to play his music in his new surroundings, Tim was unable to drop his drug habit and kept on “using”. The “song” remained the same until one day in 1995. Tim, deciding that enough was enough, made the decision to stop

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using drugs. “I was sick of feeling the way I was feeling,” he said. “Without any programs or any kind of rehab, I stopped a 26-year addiction, which I now know was purely by the grace of God.” However, it was not an easy habit to kick. Tim said he was very sick for several months afterwards and discovered that getting clean would not be easy. Diving head-first into the metaphorical washing machine, he noticed the world was much clearer as things started to change and God started putting some believers in his life. Tim described the years from 1995 to 1999 as crucial to what God had in store, allowing him to hear the gospel the way God intended. Recognizing he desperately needed a Savior, Tim found the answer to his prayers while driving down a highway in a rental car on July 22, 1999. It came in a way he understood best - through music. “I turned on the radio and the first song I heard was The Anchor Holds,” Tim said. “I felt like God was speaking right to me through the words of that song. I was that battered ship at sea without an anchor. I cried out to Jesus to save me and repented of my sins.” From that epiphany, on the road from a business trip in Kentucky, back to the southeast coastal area, Tim decided to use the gifts God had given him for His glory rather than his own. He began his traveling music ministry in 2001 and also began working as a worship leader at several churches over the years. He and his wife, Leslie, started a nonprofit ministry in Savannah, offering Tim a platform to write and record original songs that share the gospel and the love of Jesus Christ through music and testimony. His style has been labeled Gospel/Americana, featuring the artist and his acoustic guitar. Tim plays songs in their raw

form, the way God has given them to him. His music and spiritual journey have earned Tim plenty of favorable reviews. “Tim Malchak is a gifted singer/songwriter whose music glorifies God and edifies His people,” said Kenny Grant, Senior Pastor at Calvary Baptist Temple. “He is careful in each song to honor the Lord and celebrate His grace. Some days are ‘Malchak days’ for me. I only want to hear his songs and I listen all day long. I would describe his music as simple, substantive, and spiritual; I would describe Tim in the same terms. I had him at our church recently and he blessed us greatly with his story and gift.” Joe Ortiz, who has known Tim for three years, said, “I continue to be surprised by his endless songwriting abilities. I sang background on one of Tim’s songs and I

look forward to his ministry and the inspiration I gain from hearing his music.” “Some may say he’s talented, but that’s just a beginning,” Joe said. “Tim has a direct line to God when it comes to inspirationally conveying not just a heartfelt message about God’s attributes, but God’s precious and powerful promises that we should always be reminded of in a world spinning out of control. The melodies he creates are always a perfect match for each other. Everyone I know should have the opportunity of hearing Tim Malchak, a professional Christian artist, my friend and brother in Christ.” Bob McCracken is a music producer in Nashville who worked with Tim and Dwight Rucker in the ‘80s. He described the duo, both sang and played the guitar, as always in tune and having perfect harmonies. Nearly

Hometown Living At Its Best

40 years later, Bob, while still impressed with Tim’s musical ability, talks more about his spiritual transformation, one that he experienced as well. “I have always believed in Tim’s ability as a musician, writer, and singer,” Bob said. “I believe in him even more now as my brother in Christ. His concert is filled with stories of his life-journey to Christ, and his music takes you on the journey with him. Tim had his problems with substance abuse, but he’s honest about it and doesn’t glorify his past. He glorifies the One who brought him out of that past.” Tim’s second act is his best one, as he’s using his musical abilities to edify and encourage others and to glorify God. In 2017, working with Nashville Christian music producer, Eric Horner, and a number of talented studio musicians, Tim released his 11th Christian CD since 2001. It’s titled Morning Hour of Praise, and Tim said he considers it his best one yet. He performs at churches and leads the twice-weekly Band of Brothers breakfast meetings, relying on the sale of his CDs and donations to support his 501C-3 ministry. Noting he’s been drug-free for 24 years, Tim gives God all the glory for his achievements. While country music has been labeled as

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Hometown Living At Its Best

three chords and the truth, he sees Christian music as “one accord in THE Truth”. Working with some of the biggest stars in country music was a thrill, but Tim realizes it pales in comparison to having a relationship with God. “My life has taken many roads over the years, and I know now that no matter where I’ve been, no matter who I’ve met, or what I have done, nothing compares to being in a right relationship with God, being forgiven of my sin and having the peace in knowing I have the promise of eternal life in heaven with my Savior,” Tim said. “My wife, who writes some of the lyrics, and I consider it an honor and blessing to press on with the ministry, bringing all the glory to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.” If your church wants to host Tim Malchak, go to Malchak.com or contact him directly at (843) 5401350 or timmalchak@gmail.com..CCL

Behind all the success and the opportunity to work with and meet country music stars was a drug addiction that had started when Tim was 12 years old. By the time he was in Nashville, Tim recalled, he was a “very high functioning addict”. That addiction resulted in Tim making some bad decisions and ultimately losing his record deal. Recognizing he needed a change of scenery, Tim moved to Hilton Head Island in 1992.

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Hometown Living At Its Best

140

After 140 years HunterMaclean has continued its legal excellence and a firm-wide commitment to client service.

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Years of Legal Service

This year HunterMaclean marks its 140th anniversary, making it one of the oldest law firms in Georgia. Not only does that track record demonstrate legal excellence and a firm-wide commitment to client service, but at a closer glance, it also reveals leaders who are committed to growing the firm while stretching industry norms and creatively adapting to market shifts. It reveals a culture of community and a balance of confidence and humility. In addition, HunterMaclean’s succession of managing partners is unique, as the three immediate past managing partners all remain active within the firm and with clients—but each has graciously stepped aside in order for his respective successor to take the lead. “We have some incredibly enthusiastic lawyers, both young and old, who are ready to take us into the next 140 years,” says managing partner Brad Harmon, who has filled that role since 2016. “We have close to sixty attorneys, most of whom are based here in Savannah. For a city this size, that’s quite a large practice. However, our staff’s

entire dynamic can be traced back to Malcolm Maclean and all he did for his community. We pride ourselves on taking his lead, and we have really tried to apply his principles into our day-to-day operations.” During the firm’s long history, there have actually been two pivotal figures who have inspired and helped to guide HunterMaclean: Malcolm Maclean and Ormonde Hunter, for whom the firm is named. “They helped me to become the lawyer that I am today, and I’m forever grateful for their guidance,” says John Hewson, who served as managing partner from 1991 until 1998. “I’ve only been with one law firm in my entire fifty-one year career, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Frank Macgill, managing partner from 2010 until 2015, grew up in Savannah and returned to his hometown after completing law school at the University of Georgia. “The most rewarding thing about what I do is that I get to work directly with clients and their families. I get to become an integral part of the client’s family relationship, so I enjoy that the most. During my time as managing partner, it was my role to guide the firm through a recession and keep the firm active and productive. I’m proud of the fact that, after that difficult time, we had some record years.” John Tatum, managing partner from 1998 until 2010, is one of the most experienced attorneys at the firm. Growing up in a military family, Tatum attended schools in Texas and France before attending UGA law school. “I’ve been practicing law since 1968, and I’ve seen a lot of changes in the firm since

then. For example, we developed a strategic plan that included the adoption of a governing committee within the firm. That has truly changed the dynamic of our leadership. We became a single entity at that time rather than the attorneys being on their own, and I think that our commitment to recruiting and hiring the best lawyers is what sets us apart from other firms.” “When I first came to HunterMaclean, we had seven lawyers; now we have close to sixty,” says Hewson. “We’ve moved to a more structured management model that includes executive staff and lawyers, which I am proud to have helped initiate. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to have some wonderful clients, and helping them with their business goals has been very fulfilling.” Harmon concurs, adding, “There aren’t many firms out there like us. We get to compete with larger law firms with challenging engagements due to the quality of our attorneys. Plus, we get to live in a great place like Savannah.” To ensure advantageous and long-standing working relationships with its clients, HunterMaclean encourages frequent communication with clients on planning and implementing their business or litigation strategies. With offices in Savannah and St. Simons Island, HunterMaclean represents a wide variety of companies and individuals in the Southeast and throughout the United States in their legal and business matters in Georgia. With attorneys operating from two offices, HunterMaclean offers one comprehensive source to handle the full range of each client’s legal needs.

During the firm’s long history, there have actually been two pivotal figures who have inspired and helped to guide HunterMaclean: Malcolm Maclean and Ormonde Hunter, for whom the firm is named. “They helped me to become the lawyer that I am today, and I’m forever grateful for their guidance,” says John Hewson, who served as managing partner from 1991 until 1998. “I’ve only been with one law firm in my entire fifty-one year career, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

200 EAST SAINT JULIAN STREET | SAVANNAH, GA 31401 TEL: 912.236.0261 | FAX: 912.236.4936 Hometown Living At Its Best

BY DAVID PENA | PHOTOS BY REBECCA GALLOWAY PHOTOGRAPHY

Ultimate GIFT THE

It has been said that anyone who finds a true friend in life has found a priceless treasure. Friendship can provide us with trusty companionship or, if you’re fortunate, an unconditional bond of love and trust. Whatever the case, some friends are destined to come and go from our lives while others have the potential to be long-term, often growing with us as life inevitably brings with it new and sometimes painful experiences. Take the unique case of Shelly Byrd and Jamie Rexroat. The two women met when Shelly’s husband, Robbie, coached Jamie’s oldest daughter in softball and basketball and have remained close ever since. In October of 2018,

desperately needing a kidney transplant Shelly Byrd and her friend, Jamie Rexroat, join a pairing program to help others in need. 126 52

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Hometown Living At Its Best

“I’ve known for a while now that (a transplant) would be inevitable due to a rare gene that was passed down on my mother’s side of the family, my mother, two of her sisters and her brother all had this mutated gene that makes the kidney fail. It became so bad for me that most days I couldn’t get out of bed.”

however, Shelly learned that she desperately needed a kidney transplant. Along with several other close friends, Jamie offered to donate one of her own kidneys. However, Shelly soon learned that, apart from the health risks, the transplant process can be complicated and quite frustrating at times. Born in Florida and raised near Louisville, Kentucky, Shelly has resided in Pooler for the last sixteen years with her husband and their five children. It was in October of last year that Shelly learned officially that she would need a transplant, as her kidney function was at a dangerously low 20%. However, she had an inkling years before about her fate. “I’ve known for a while now that (a transplant) would be inevitable due to a

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rare gene that was passed down on my mother’s side of the family,” she says. “My mother, two of her sisters and her brother all had this mutated gene that makes the kidney fail. It became so bad for me that most days I couldn’t get out of bed.” The gene, called UMOD, provides instructions for making a protein called uromodulin, which is produced by the kidneys and then excreted from the body

in urine. The gene doesn’t affect most folks until they’re in the 30s or 40s. For example, Shelly’s mother, who was 35 at the time, went to her doctor thinking she had the flu, and found her kidneys were in complete failure. “The scary thing is that there’s really no documentation about it; we found out about it at the Mayo Clinic,” recalls Shelly. “Members of my family didn’t even know they had it since there are no real symptoms, other than fatigue. Plus, what really alarmed me is that there’s a 50% chance of passing it along to your children.” When Shelly learned that she had the dreaded gene, she was obviously concerned yet remained hopeful about her future. “We began (the transplant process) at the Mayo Clinic, but I went in kind of clueless. My mom had

In October of 2018, Shelly learned that she desperately needed a kidney transplant. Along with several other close friends, Jamie offered to donate one of her own kidneys. However, Shelly soon learned that, apart from the health risks, the transplant process can be complicated and quite frustrating at times.

Hometown Living At Its Best

a deceased donor, and my cousin had a live donor who was luckily a 90% match.” Matching potential recipients with a suitable donor is an in-depth process that involves factors like blood pressure and type, body size, as well as the severity of the patient’s condition. “For whatever reason, I had over ten people, including some of my family, step up to try to donate their kidneys. I was pleasantly shocked at such a gracious and kind gesture of pure love.” However, after all of them were tested, none of them were a match. Jamie, who was also tested, witnessed firsthand Shelly’s frustration and anguish. That’s when she came up with an idea. The mother of three, who also lives in Pooler, says, “I did some research about dialysis and what Shelly would have to go through. She wasn’t making any progress at the Mayo Clinic, and I happened to have a friend who donated a kidney through the Medical University

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Hometown Living At Its Best

As far as Jamie was concerned, the recipient was not as important as helping out her friend. “I really felt divinely inspired to do this; it was something that wouldn’t leave my heart, and my family was incredibly supportive. I didn’t care who got my kidney, as long as I knew Shelly would be okay,” she says.

of South Carolina (MUSC) in Charleston,” she says. “I felt that maybe they would have fresh ideas with a better way of expediting the whole process. At that time, I was working at Memorial Health, and I got one of my colleagues to get her physician’s referral to MUSC pretty quickly.” Within a month, Shelly found herself at MUSC with a follow-up appointment after all the tests at the Mayo Clinic. “The staff there were incredible,” explains Shelly. “Jamie and I went through additional testing and were still not a match, but they suggested going through what is called a pairing program, which is kind of like a chain of donors. Jamie basically had to agree to donate to a stranger, which is obviously a huge deal.” As far as Jamie was concerned, the recipient was not as important as helping out her friend. “I really felt divinely inspired to do this; it was something that wouldn’t leave my heart, and my family was incredibly supportive. I didn’t care who got my kidney, as long as I knew Shelly would be okay,” she says. Through kidney paired donation, patients are able to receive better matched kidneys. In kidney paired donation a patient receives a kidney from a living donor whom they do not know. This living donor is a more suitable match than the living donor who volunteered to donate for the patient. “After all testing, I was approved to be a donor, and at that point you still have to wait for a match (for Shelly). It could be simultaneous or not,” explains Jamie, “but for some reason, I had this sense of serenity about it, and I knew God would work it all out.” True to form, MUSC told the women that it would be a miracle if all the donated kidneys 58

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would be suitable. “All of us in our particular ‘ miracle chain’ were hard to match,” explains Shelly, “but they were now looking at donors in a national database and not working from a regional list (of donors).” Jamie sent in her bloodwork in on a Thursday before Christmas of last year, and on December 26 MUSC contacted Shelly about a matching donor. Unbelievably, through a series of ten donors and recipients, Jamie ultimately donated her left kidney to a someone in Wisconsin, which allowed Shelly to receive a kidney from someone in New Jersey. Thus, because of Jamie’s gracious donation, five other people also received kidneys. The surgeries took place in early February, and so far, the transplant has been a success. “I’ve had a few small hiccups along the way, which is normal,” says Shelly, “but other than that, I’m doing great, despite having a weakened immune system.” As for Jamie’s recovery, she was out of commission for about a month, but she says she wouldn’t change a thing. “It was pretty painful after the surgery, but other than not being able to take certain medications or ibuprofen, my labs are great and I’m doing

fine,” she says. Since the surgery, there is an even stronger bond between the women. “Being on the receiving end of (the transplant), you almost feel like you’re not worthy,” says Shelly. “Jamie is just an incredibly giving person, and I’ll be forever grateful to her. For her to put her life on hold and do this for me is unbelievable. I could easily have been on dialysis, and now I’m no longer fatigued all the time, which is huge for my family.” Shelly adds that her experience can hopefully help others who are in the same situation. “I just want people to know there are other options out there. There are thousands of people who are on dialysis and waiting for a deceased donor; they need to know about the pairing program. If you have someone willing to donate a kidney for you who is not a match, you’re more than likely going to get a kidney through programs like this.” For more information please visit www.muschealth. com/livingdonor or email livedonor@musc.edu. CCL

Hometown Living At Its Best

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a Curated Christmas

Anthony Saavedra Vanderdys has turned “Decking the Halls” Into a thriving business.

Unless you’re a total Scrooge, it’s hard to deny the fact that decorating your home for the holidays gives it a more cheerful and inviting look for any visitors who drop by. In fact, as soon as Halloween is over, many of us start meticulously planning the look of our home for the upcoming holiday season. However, the mere prospect of transforming our homes and getting ready for the holidays can be quite overwhelming for some. That’s why many have chosen to hire a professional to do the job. For the third year in a row Anthony Saavedra Vanderdys will be decorating the home of Daniel Taylor and Alexandra Trujillo de

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Hometown Living At Its Best

Taylor, who happens to be the co-owner of Chocolat by Adam Turoni. “I’ve always loved decorating for Christmas,” explains Anthony, “and I’ve been decorating peoples’ houses for years now. (The business) just kind of grew from there. Now I’m excited to decorate Alexandra’s house for the third straight year, and she’s excited as well!” Currently the retail manager of both downtown locations of Chocolat by Adam Turoni, Anthony is in the process of launching his own venture, A Curated Christmas, which will provide professional holiday décor to homeowners like Alexandra who want a Christmas look that’s “outside the box,” as Anthony describes it. Curiously, though, his role at the chocolate shop is tantamount to his sideline job. “The store is really like a boutique, and when you come in, it’s like walking into a different world,” he says. “That’s what attracted me to work there three years ago. I’m very whimsical in my tastes and how I decorate, so Chocolat really spoke to me that way. Then Alexandra asked me to decorate her home a few years ago, and it took off from there.” 66

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“I’ve always loved decorating for Christmas, and I’ve been decorating peoples’ houses for years now. (The business) just kind of grew from there. ” Hometown Living At Its Best

Currently the retail manager of both downtown locations of Chocolat by Adam Turoni, Anthony is in the process of launching his own venture, A Curated Christmas, which will provide professional holiday décor to homeowners like Alexandra who want a Christmas look that’s “outside the box,” as Anthony describes it.

Born and raised in Orlando, Anthony’s family is originally from Puerto Rico. “I’m lived all over. When I was in middle school, I moved to Germany, but I moved back to the states and attended high school in Richmond Hill,” he recalls. “I just loved the architecture of Savannah as well as the quaintness of it. It does have a small town feel to it, but the culture here is exciting. You just can’t beat Southern hospitality and the beauty of this city.” While Anthony is happy with his role at Chocolat, he is excited about A Curated Christmas. “I truly love people and working with them to make their homes beautiful for the holidays. Being Hispanic, I’ve always been surrounded by a lot of family, and we start celebrating Christmas in November,” he says with a laugh. “We put our trees up early, and my family made Christmas extremely magical for me. My love of the holidays really started in my youth.” Anthony goes on to recall how his mother would leave oatmeal on the front porch, and when he would wake up on Christmas, he would be greeted with a surprise. “We would find a trail of confetti coming from the front door as if Santa came into the house and fed his reindeer. Now as a result, my décor is outside the box, so I don’t use the typical ‘Santa and his reindeer’ approach. My décor is truly reflective of who I am.” While living in Germany, Anthony says his family had to make Christmas their own by staying true to their traditions, but he was

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“I truly love people and working with them to make their homes beautiful for the holidays. Being Hispanic, I’ve always been surrounded by a lot of family, and we start celebrating Christmas in November.” Hometown Living At Its Best

elated to see snow after living in Florida for years. “I had never seen (snow) before, and we were in an older setting with ancient architecture. It was like a movie. I also started collecting ornaments at that time, and I would not only do our family tree, but I would have my own tree in my room. This would really come in handy with my decorations later on.” As luck would have it, friends of the family would see Anthony’s handiwork and ask him to decorate their homes for Christmas. “By the time I was in high school, I had a few ‘clients’ who would pay me to come and fluff their tree or make a wreath. I’ve been doing it ever since.” Anthony’s list of clients is ever-growing, and he feels that this seasonal venture will keep him particularly busy during the holiday season. “Besides Alexandra and Adam, I currently have about six clients who I work with every year,” he says. “I’ve been starting to get new requests from my social media, and my website is almost finished.” Anthony has decorated several homes in Richmond Hill over the years and even decorated an entire house that was featured in the 2018 Holiday Tour of Homes. “That was an amazing opportunity, and I think it turned out very well.” For each job, Anthony and the client work within a budget, which includes materials and labor. “If I have to shop for ornaments or garland, then obviously it can cost a bit more and take more time, but most of my jobs take around five or six hours. I tailor each decoration and tree to suit the client’s taste as well as my own,” he says. “It all depends on the customer, and that’s where the word ‘curated’ comes in.”

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Anthony’s list of clients is ever-growing, and he feels that this seasonal venture will keep him particularly busy during the holiday season. “Besides Alexandra and Adam, I currently have about six clients who I work with every year,” he says. “I’ve been starting to get new requests from my social media, and my website is almost finished.”

“I just loved the architecture of Savannah as well as the quaintness of it. It does have a small town feel to it, but the culture here is exciting. You just can’t beat Southern hospitality and the beauty of this city.”

Hometown Living At Its Best

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One of Anthony’s regular clients, Alexandra Trujillo de Taylor, who co-founded Chocolat in 2011, says that she has the utmost faith that Anthony’s seasonal venture will take off. “Anthony has done an amazing job at my home for the last three years, so much so that I pay him to decorate our stores as well. To be honest, I’ve never liked decorating for Christmas, so when I saw Anthony’s work, I knew that I wanted him to do it. I’m kind of tough to please, so if he can convert me, then I’m sure he’ll please even the hardest client. I’m really excited for him.” For the skeptics who prefer to decorate themselves, Anthony offers some advice. “Anyone can put up a tree and lights, but my clients are really into aesthetics so that’s where my individual vision comes in. I don’t do a traditional approach to Christmas, so I tend to work with clients who are more creative themselves and open to a new way of looking at the holidays.” Anthony explains that decorating for the holidays is a fun way to dress up our abodes as we welcome family and guests for the holidays. It is a ritual that we undertake each year which helps us welcome the season of giving, thanksgiving and fellowship. However, if the thought of dressing up your home for Christmas becomes somewhat obligatory or even mundane, then hiring a professional like Anthony may be the answer. “A Curated Christmas is about designing trees and decorations for each home, something uniquely theirs,” says Anthony. “I love creating something that reflects those childhood memories of the fantasy of the Christmas that they used to experience. It’s all about suspending disbelief, and entering the whimsical magical Christmas world I create where Santa Claus, cookies and milk are forever true. I love being able to create that for my clients.” Interiors by HRH Duchess of State, Alexandra Trujillo de Taylor. For more information about Anthony’s services, call (912) 856-3026 or visit his website at ACuratedChristmas.org. Also, follow him on Instagram @acuratedchristmas. CCL Hometown Living At Its Best

a profound experience

Have you ever considered a facelift but the thought of surgery is holding you back? Surgery isn’t for everyone as it can be very costly and uncomfortable. Let’s not forget the time it takes to heal. Fortunately, there are plenty of less invasive procedures on the market, but which one gives the best overall results? We decided to ask the expert, Vitali Medspa’s MSN and Master Nurse Injector, Kelly Kessinger. “My current favorite non-surgical procedure is Profound. A lot of people refer to it as ‘the non-surgical facelift’. It’s a minimally invasive skin tightening procedure that stimulates your body’s natural ability to tighten and tone skin without the need for surgery, and our clients have had great results. Studies show that the Profound procedure produces one-third the effect seen with a surgical face-lift and when combined with our Co2re laser treatment that number increased to two-thirds.” HOW PROFOUND WORKS:

Profound is a handheld device with multiple microneedles that uses radiofrequency waves and controlled heat to penetrate deep into the skin. This energy based facial treatment creates a new supply of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid -- the building blocks that keep your skin smooth and elastic. Our natural supply of these three substances declines beginning in our mid 20’s and continues to decrease as we age resulting in loose and saggy skin. Profound dramatically improves aging skin without surgery, fillers, or toxins. It can also be used on the thighs or arms to treat cellulite or sagging

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skin. When paired with other treatments you can enhance your results even further! PROFOUND CAN HELP: - Restore Skin Volume - Define Jawline - Rejuvenate Loose, Sagging Skin - Deep Creasing - Cellulite COMPLEMENTARY TREATMENTS INCLUDE: - CO2RE (laser skin resurfacing) - PRP Microneedling - Facial Fillers - Kybella - Plus many more TREATMENT, RECOVERY & RESULTS Topical numbing cream followed by numbing injections are administered beforehand to manage discomfort. The system delivers energy to the deeper skin layers exactly where treatment is most beneficial. Since Profound is minimally invasive you are free to resume normal activities within 24-48 hours following treatment. Immediately following Profound, your skin may appear

pink, puffy or have slight bruising, but these side effects are temporary and should fade one week following procedure. Most patient’s report seeing improvement 6-8 weeks post treatment. Because new elastin and collagen require time to fully develop, optimal results will not be observed for at least 3-6 months after treatment. Your skin will experience a rejuvenation; becoming firmer, tighter and toned, reducing the appearance of sagging and creasing. This treatment is great for men and women and you only need one treatment! IS PROFOUND RIGHT FOR YOU? The exciting news is Profound is great for both men and women and all skin types. Studies show that everyone responds to the wrinkle-reducing effects with 100% response rate and 95% of people seeing changes in skin laxity. It’s not only effective on the face and neck, but can also be used for the underarms, upper knees and to treat cellulite in the thighs. “We’re starting to see an increase in male clients that are interested in receiving Profound because men tend to be more opposed to surgery, so this treatment is perfect for them as well,” said Kessinger. Vitali Medspa is the first provider in the Chatham County area to offer this groundbreaking procedure. To learn more about Profound or to request a free consultation, call 912-650-3498 or toll free 833-VITALI1 (833-848-2541). ABOUT VITALI MEDSPA Vitali Medspa specializes in minimally invasive treatments to restore a youthful appearance. Overseen by the highly experienced MSN, Master Nurse Injector and Senior Laser Provider, Kelly Kessinger, Vitali adheres to the highest standards of excellence and safety. The spa team consists of skilled licensed medical aestheticians, nurses, and massage therapists who offer advanced rejuvenation treatments in a luxurious environment. The extensive range of options at Vitali Medspa includes non-surgical body sculpting, a variety of laser modalities, PRP treatments, injectables such as Botox, facial fillers, fully customized skin care services, and more to help their clients attain their aesthetic goals.

130 Canal St #403, Pooler, GA 31322 vitalimedspa.com | (833) 848-2541

DUFFY & FEEMSTER, LLC (912) 236-6311

Call today to schedule a consultation. 76

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EST. 1951

T. 51

e are lawyers you can trust at your most difficult moments. Whether you have been seriously injured in a car or truck accident, or you have recently been charged with a DUI, or you hope to gain custody of your children, or you need advice about a business contract, our team of lawyers and professionals has the experience and patience to pursue the result you seek. No one ever wants to be in a situation that requires a lawyer’s assistance, and we know that this may be the first time you have ever had to work with an attorney. It is our hope you will see us as a legal team that you and your family can trust now and in the future.

OUR MISSION

We seek to provide quality legal service to clients with competency, integrity, zealous representation, within the bounds of law and responsiveness to our clients’ needs.

PRACTICE AREAS

Our firm practices law in a variety of areas, including: · Personal Injury · Business Litigation · Counter Dispute · Wills and Probate · DUI

· Producers Liability · Domestic Relations · Criminal Law · Fraud

Duffy & Feemster, LLC is located at 236 East Oglethorpe Avenue and is part of what is known as “Marshall Row.” This row of townhouses was developed in the 1850s by Mary Marshall, a female architect who also built the Marshall House Hotel and whose portrait hangs in the Marshall House. Legend has it that in the 1960s the entire row of four townhouses was owned by a brick broker who was going to demolish the buildings for their Savannah Grey brick. Robert Duffy and others were able to raise the money to buy the dilapidated townhouses from the brick broker and renovate them. The one at 236 was turned into Robert Duffy’s law office in the mid 1960s and has been the home of Duffy & Feemster, LLC since 1982.

Duffy & Feemster, LLC has been taking care of Savannah and Coastal Empire area residents and businesses, providing them with professional legal representation since 1951.

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not just horsin’ around

since 2000, Horsin’ Around Has been providing a safe haven for youngsters with disabilities to gain some new confidence while socializing with others.

Every Wednesday and Thursday evening, on a farm just outside Bloomingdale off Highway 204, you can hear laughter, applause and the sound of proud parents as they lavish praise and encouragement onto their children. No, it isn’t some organized sporting event or even a schoolrelated function. It is actually a therapeutic horseback riding facility for those with special needs. Aptly named Horsin’ Around, the organization has been in existence since 2000, providing a safe haven for youngsters with disabilities to gain some new confidence while socializing with others and targeting their core muscles. Each week the riders work on balance and agility while still managing to have a great time. There are usually

about sixteen children who climb into the saddle every week. One of these youths is 16-year-old Emily Fromme, who has been riding since 2009. Her mother, JoAnn Fromme, a Bryan County educator, says, “The changes we have seen in Emily have been simply amazing. The core strength that she has developed at Horsin’ Around has made all the difference in her life. Since the riders are having so much fun, they don’t even realize that therapy is actually happening!” The organization, which originated with only a handful of individuals working one night a week, has now expanded to more than 30 staff, comprised solely of volunteers. As the oldest therapeutic riding program

BY DAVID PENA | PHOTOS BY DREAM WEAVER PHOTOS Hometown Living At Its Best

in the area, it provides riding experiences for individuals with a wide range of special needs, both physical and mental. These include cerebral palsy, spina bifida, autism, and muscular dystrophy as well as other developmental disabilities. Horsin’ Around’s founder, Judy Clark, was actually a nurse at Georgia Regional Hospital. Judy had always been an avid horsewoman, and in addition to riding and teaching others to ride, she had been working for many years with children with Attention Deficit Disorder. “She had an extensive medical background as well as a lot of experience with horses, so she built up the program to be the first of its kind in the area and is now PATH (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship) certified,” says current president Jill Stanberry. With some help from a licensed physical therapist, Horsin’ Around was launched in September of 2000. Jill has been with Horsin’ Around since 2011. “Since

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my younger sister has special needs, I grew up around someone with disabilities,” she explains. “I have always loved horses, and I was showing competitively up until around eight years ago.” Jill says she had worked with special needs children at her church and was looking to get out of competitive riding. “It was around that time that I saw a TV show about a therapeutic riding program. I decided to do some research online about similar programs, and I stumbled upon Horsin’ Around.” Jill says she became curious about how the riding program actually worked. “I called the director (at the time) and told her my background. She invited me to come see the camp for myself.” When she arrived, Jill was amazed at what she witnessed. “I watched as the staff took a person out of a wheelchair, got them to sit up, and successfully put them on the back of a horse. After they explained about the program’s benefits, I

Aptly named Horsinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Around, the organization has been in existence since 2000, providing a safe haven for youngsters with disabilities to gain some new confidence while socializing with others and targeting their core muscles. Each week the riders work on balance and agility while still managing to have a great time. There are usually about sixteen children who climb into the saddle every week.

Hometown Living At Its Best

“The changes we have seen in Emily have been simply amazing. The core strength that she has developed at Horsin’ Around has made all the difference in her life. Since the riders are having so much fun, they don’t even realize that therapy is actually happening!”

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was hooked. I thought, ‘Okay, this is what I’ll be doing on Tuesday and Thursday nights now,’” she laughs. As luck would have it, Jill came at a time when Judy was contemplating shutting the operation down. “When I came on board, I was a volunteer,” says Jill, “and the Program Director at the time wanted to branch out and start her own program, while the founder was looking to retire.” Thus, along with two other colleagues, Jill strongly voiced their desire to keep Horsin’ Around in the saddle. “We were very passionate about it and didn’t want to see it close down. After some initial fundraising, we assumed control in 2011 and have continued on our own.” The trio, which included physical therapist Erin Dunn, then proceeded to recruit more volunteers and find a new Barn Manager to live on the property. “We also continued to lease the property from the founder, as well as a house for our Barn Manager,” says Jill. “Unfortunately, our lease expired in December, but we found a new location about a mile away. We were very

Hometown Living At Its Best

The organization, which originated with only a handful of individuals working one night a week, has now expanded to more than 30 staff, comprised solely of volunteers. As the oldest therapeutic riding program in the area, it provides riding experiences for individuals with a wide range of special needs, both physical and mental.

fortunate that someone donated the 74 acres of land to us at no charge. We have a lot of work to do there, and we’d appreciate any assistance anyone can offer, both financially and in terms of labor.” Equine-assisted therapy uses horses to achieve a variety of therapeutic goals, which may include cognitive, physical, emotional, social, educational or behavioral. “We deal with children with any type of disability,” says Jill, “but it’s actually very social out here, and the riders are comfortable. No one is here to judge them; it’s all about the ability to complete multistep commands.” Currently, Horsin’ Around serves Bryan, Chatham and Liberty counties. The riders come once a week for their riding session, which generally lasts about thirty minutes.

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However, this isn’t just a pony ride. Ann Zaitz has been the organization’s secretary and treasurer since 2013. “When you sit on a horse, your spine is lined up with the horse so you move as (if you were) walking. This can’t be done by a machine,” she explains. “Even if a rider is paralyzed, they’re still using and strengthening their muscles. As humans, we weren’t made to be so sedentary.” Another added benefit is the therapy actually helps the caregivers as well. “Many of the caregivers tell us their child sleeps better at night due to the workout,” Ann says. “Sleep is an issue for most kids with disabilities, and (therapy) helps them to breathe easier at night. They even see a vast improvement in digestion. Most importantly, the child gets a chance to socialize with the other riders while

bonding with their horse. Basically, everyone gains confidence when they ride.” Ann’s seventeen-year-old son Joseph, who has been a rider at the facility since 2009, says, “It’s really helped me with some of my sensory issues. I also love being on Zantana, my horse, and participating in the state’s Special Olympics (held every year at Gainesville, Georgia).” Joseph has also become a volunteer at the site and encourages others to do the same. “If we had more volunteers, we could operate more than two days a week,” he says. According to Jill, one of the biggest challenges has been raising money to meet the financial obligations of taking care of the horses along with

Hometown Living At Its Best

the maintenance of the facility. “Since we started, there have been three additional horse therapies that have cropped up in the area,” she says. “We’re a small nonprofit, so we don’t get any huge corporate grants.” Instead, the organization hosts a golf tournament, a poker run, and a Boston Butt sale in order to raise funds. “We also hold an annual Autism Day in May,” she adds. Jill says the feedback they get from the parents makes their efforts all worthwhile. “When we hear parents tell us how much this has helped their child with confidence and attitude, it reminds us why we are doing this.” Horsin’ Around is a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization that relies entirely on the generosity of the community to keep them “in the saddle.” If you have a family member interested in participating, or if you’d like to volunteer, please contact Horsin’ Around at (912) 748-7917 or visit their website at www.horsinaround.org. CCL

Jill has been with Horsin’ Around since 2011. “Since my younger sister has special needs, I grew up around someone with disabilities,” she explains. “I have always loved horses, and I was showing competitively up until around eight years ago.” Jill says she had worked with special needs children at her church and was looking to get out of competitive riding. “It was around that time that I saw a TV show about a therapeutic riding program. I decided to do some research online about similar programs, and I stumbled upon Horsin’ Around.”

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Hometown Living At Its Best 87 9/6/19 9:00 AM

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HEROâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S Best Friend

BY DAVID PENA | PHOTOS BY LESLIE HAND PHOTOGRAPHY

After David Sharpe returned home from deployment He set out on a mission to use his personal struggles and recovery to help fellow military veterans and active duty military.

Everyone has heard the saying ‘a dog is a man’s best friend.’ For most pet lovers, dog ownership brings with it an abundance of upsides to life. Waking up to a smiling, panting face and wagging tail can totally bring joy to even the most jaded of folks. In addition to the companionship that they give us, there are scientifically proven benefits that dogs bring to our lives. Thus, dogs were the first species to be domesticated around ten thousand years ago and have lived side-by-side with humans ever since. No one knows the value of our four-legged companions more than David Sharpe. When David returned home to Saint Simons Island after his first deployment in 2002, there was no doubt he was a changed man. As a member of the U.S. Air Force Security Forces, he found himself involved in several life-threatening situations, including a

Hometown Living At Its Best

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one-one confrontation with a Taliban sympathizer who pointed his weapon directly in David’s face during Entry Control Point Checks. Upon his return home, David really couldn’t fathom that his dangerous stint in Saudi Arabia would affect his personal relationships. However, a short time after his first deployment during November 2001, he began to act violently towards his family, friends and even himself. “I had two close friends who committed suicide when they returned from the Middle East. I started having night terrors, and that’s when things really turned from bad to worse,” he recalls. David’s anguish over his lost friends manifested in volatile and sometimes violent episodes. “I didn’t really talk

about what was bothering me. Instead, I started going to bars and picking fights with random people.” David even adopted a pit bull mix from an independent pit bull rescue organization in an attempt to add to his “bad boy” persona. “Basically, I was attempting to mask my condition, and I thought I was invincible, so my dog, Cheyenne, was an extension of that.” Or so he thought. Cheyenne witnessed many of his volatile outbursts shortly after he adopted her. In the midst of one of these episodes, he noticed this little pit bull puppy wagging her tail looking up at him with those playful puppy-dog eyes while turning

Hometown Living At Its Best

No one knows the value of our four-legged companions more than David Sharpe. When David returned home to Saint Simons Island after his first deployment in 2002, there was no doubt he was a changed man. Upon his return home, David really couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t fathom that his dangerous stint in Saudi Arabia would affect his personal relationships. However, a short time after his first deployment during November 2001, he began to act violently towards his family, friends and even himself.

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her head from left to right. She instinctively knew that something was wrong with him. “I had a loaded 45 caliber gun in my mouth, and I was squeezing the trigger when she licked my cheek,” he recalls. “It was what I call a ‘divine interruption’ in my life, which I desperately needed at that moment.” David found himself fixated on this new little puppy that had come into his turbulent life. At this critical moment of clarity, David picked Cheyenne up and tearfully let out all the mental anguish that plagued him upon his return from deployment. David had indeed hit rock bottom, but the sad eyes and soft touch of his rescue dog, Cheyenne, prompted him to come back from the edge and join the living once again. “I really felt that God put Cheyenne in my life to be an angel to me. She brought me out of the darkness I was in,” he says. Immediately, David felt a sense of relief and serenity. “It was like a 10,000-pound weight had been lifted off my chest,” he recalls. In the years that followed, David’s family and friends noticed a significant

Hometown Living At Its Best

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change in his behavior. He had fewer outbursts, a better attitude, and decided not to commit suicide all because of this little pit bull puppy. David was later diagnosed by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs eight years after these incidents with having Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and depression. With his newfound serenity and outlook on life, David began searching for a way to share his experiences while helping others. “In 2009 I was watching an NBC documentary on service dogs. I learned that they come directly from breeders, take about two years to train, and cost anywhere from $30,000 to $50,000,” says David. “On top of that, there’s a waiting list. Well, Cheyenne cost me $300, and I researched online about how to train her as my companion, and she eventually became my service dog. Right then, I knew I had to find a way to relieve others of their pain as well.” So, in July of that year, David set out on a mission to use his personal struggles and recovery to help fellow military veterans and active duty military, along with law enforcement, first responders, and surviving families. Putting his faith in God, David emptied his savings account, borrowed $2500 from his dad (a retired Army Ranger), and began Companions for Heroes (C4H) out of a small Brunswick office. The organization began providing companion animals that might otherwise have been euthanized to active duty military personnel, military veterans, and first responders recovering from the

David found himself fixated on this new little puppy that had come into his turbulent life. At this critical moment of clarity, David picked Cheyenne up and tearfully let out all the mental anguish that plagued him upon his return from deployment. David had indeed hit rock bottom, but the sad eyes and soft touch of his rescue dog, Cheyenne, prompted him to come back from the edge and join the living once again. “I really felt that God put Cheyenne in my life to be an angel to me. She brought me out of the darkness I was in,” he says.

Hometown Living At Its Best

In July of that year, David set out on a mission to use his personal struggles and recovery to help fellow military veterans and active duty military, along with law enforcement, first responders, and surviving families. Putting his faith in God, David emptied his savings account, borrowed $2500 from his dad (a retired Army Ranger), and began Companions for Heroes (C4H) out of a small Brunswick office.

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psychological challenges they suffered during service to our country. C4H also serves military spouses and their children. “I did some research online and found there was no one else who was doing this for our nation’s Heroes,” says David. “I talked to some experts at Walter Reed (Hospital) and found out the primary focus (of treatment) was on physically wounded vets and their families; they weren’t really addressing the mental health of returning veterans, so they told me that’s where I should put my efforts.” The dogs are obtained from shelters and humane societies and given to their perspective “Heroes” free of charge with the hopes that they can aid them in their recovery, while at the same time saving our nation’s shelter and rescue animals. The animals are assigned on a case-by-case basis and provide many important psychological and physical benefits for their owners. For example, they are positive sources of social support. They also help reduce blood pressure as well as heart rate, and minimize feelings of loneliness and isolation, while providing a trustworthy, loving companion for those who find interaction with other people difficult. C4H places special emphasis on creating mutually beneficial opportunities for shelter and rescue animals by accessing the expertise of medical care professionals

and animal welfare organizations. “We are an AKC and Animal Assisted Activity (AAA) program that recognizes the incredible power of the human-animal relationship,” explains David. “We provide the pet’s training free of charge either as a companion dog or service animal.” No one can attest to the value of these furry friends more than thirty-five-year-old Josh Polley, who was given his four-legged companion after experiencing his own bout with PTSD following his deployment in 2008. He received Jeri, an 85-pound service dog in February, and he says the dog has had a huge impact on his mood. “My symptoms had gotten worse over the years, and, rather than take medication, I figured I’d give (C4H) a shot. I’m not too fond of pills,” he explains. “Jeri really keeps my stress level down. One of my issues was crowded spaces, so people keep their distance due to her size and that definitely helps.” Now the CEO of the company he founded, David hopes to increase public awareness of PTSD, traumatic brain injury (TBI) and other challenges confronting our country’s Heroes while rallying support for animal welfare and the adoption of the animals in shelters. So far, the organization, which now has a staff of six, has placed over 4000 dogs with their Heroes, and David is looking to expand in the near future. “We are definitely looking to open facilities in Savannah or Saint Simons Island because the need is definitely there,” he says. “These Heroes need to know that they’re not alone.” The ever-present Cheyenne enthusiastically barks her approval. For more information about C4H or to qualify for their services, go to their website at www. CompanionsForHeroes.org.CCL Hometown Living At Its Best

W TECHNOLOGY

When most people think about construction a majority of them think things are still done the old- fashioned way but thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not the case nowadays. The construction industry has had advances in all aspects of the construction from better quality materials, autonomous heavy equipment, mobile apps and 3-D/4-D design. With all these advances, we are now able to build larger, taller, and by far more complex buildings then we have in the past. Large corporations such as Microsoft, Google, Procore, and Caterpillar are jumping on board to the growing future of construction technology. Here is a list of some of the areas that have been impacted by technology in the construction industry:

VIRTUAL REALITY / AUGMENTED REALITY:

RESHAPING THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY: SCCG has more than 40 years of combined general contracting and facility maintenance experience. They strive to providing quality services to the Lowcountry.

While VR / AR technology has existed in many other industries such as the medical, military, and aviation industry, it is very new in the construction industry. VR/AR technology is being used in several areas such as 3D modeling, heavy equipment training and, safety. One of the biggest benefits is itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s use to help identify hazards in the field. AR allows for construction workers to view first hand hazards or dangers in the workplace without involving any potential risk to a construction worker.

AUTONOMOUS EQUIPMENT: A recent technological improvement in heavy equipment has been the adaption of autonomous software that allows heavy equipment to operate similar to self-driving cars. The benefits of autonomous

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heavy equipment are that it allows for precise accuracy and also allows the equipment to perform the same amount work with less workers. As VR/AR technology helps provide workers with efficiency and safety, the autonomous equipment is ensuring greater efficiency and safety in the construction industry.

MOBILE TECHNOLOGY:

The use of smartphones and mobile applications have made collaboration on projects a lot more efficient and easier. Our company has first hand experience in the benefits of using mobile technology since we first started using Procore. The use of Procore has allowed the integration of our field with our office at the tip of your fingers. All our employees can pull up drawings, RFIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, submittals, photos, and perform takeoffs from anywhere in the world in just seconds. Procore allows for real time data and communication between the jobsite and project managers back in our office. South Coast Contracting Group has vowed to stay ahead of the technological advances in the construction industry by integrating these advances where possible. SCCG has made it mandatory that all field and office employees use Procore for all our reporting, timesheets, billing, and for daily reports on all our projects. This implementation alone has not only helped the productivity with our company but has also connected our office to the field. Technology has helped to improve construction in ways we never could have imagined and with things changing every day, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no telling what the construction industry will look like in 20 years.

(912) 335-9377 | 130 Canal Street Suite 404 |Pooler Ga 31322 Hometown Living At Its Best

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BY D. ANNETTE SASSER | PHOTOS PROVIDED BY RYAN LEE PHOTOGRAPHY

Rya n a n d J o s h L e e â&#x20AC;&#x2122; s r o a d t o pa r e n t h o o d t o o k a s u r p r i s i n g t u r n when God turned their hearts to the idea of adoption.

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Ryan and Josh Lee were dating other people when they casually met at Compassion Christian Church in December of 2003. Two months later, however, in early 2004, they met again at the church’s college age singles group, and discovered that they had both broken off their previous dating relationships. “It was like love at first sight,” said Ryan. “We started talking and we both knew that we were going to get married one day. We started dating around May of that year.” Ryan and Josh became engaged on December 10, 2004, and were married in June of 2005. “We both felt that we would like to adopt children,” said Josh, “regardless of whether or not we could have biological children.” “We discussed how many kids we wanted to have while we were dating,” said Ryan. “I said to Josh, ‘I would love to have four but I want to adopt. So if adoption is not in your future, I’m not your girl.” But adoption was something Josh had thought about. “At that time I didn’t actually know anyone who had adopted children,” said Josh. “About a year

“It was like love at first sight,” said Ryan. “We started talking and we both knew that we were going to get married one day. We started dating around May of that year.”

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after we married, we decided to start a family. Our plan was to have two biological children and then adopt two more children.” “But it seems God had different plans,” said Ryan. “It was taking longer than we thought to get pregnant, so we went to the doctor to find out if there was a problem. We found out that we both had issues that would make it difficult for us to have a baby.” At that point, she said, “We decided to go with our adoption plan first.” In the spring of 2008, Ryan and Josh began working with an adoption agency. “We didn’t feel comfortable about that agency, so we stopped proceedings.” said Ryan. “A second agency we contacted asked us to begin by taking a class, which we did.” “It was September of 2008,” said Josh, “after the housing market crash. We tried to secure a loan, but no bank was giving personal loans at that time. We didn’t have fifteen to twenty thousand dollars just

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sitting in our account. In order to adopt, we realized we would need to ask for help. Even though we had done about thirty pages of a forty-six-page application with the second agency, we didn’t know anything about fundraising at that time, so we stopped with that agency as well. “We became frustrated and saddened by it all,” said Ryan, “Then in December a friend contacted us and told us about someone who wanted to choose adoption. The friend asked if she could tell her our story. We agreed and three days later she called to say the lady wanted to talk with us.” After meeting with the birth mother, Ryan and Josh went home and began to pray. It was December 8th, during “The Journey,” a yearly performance by Compassion Christian Church, which Josh participated in. Four years earlier, on December 10th, they had been thinking of marriage. Now, during the time of the same yearly performance, they were looking at the possibility of adopting their first child. “We met with the birth mother three weeks later,” said Ryan. “We had questions. We wanted to know her plans for future involvement in the baby’s life. A lot of people don’t talk about that.”

But adoption was something Josh had thought about. “At that time I didn’t actually know anyone who had adopted children,” said Josh. “About a year after we married, we decided to start a family. Our plan was to have two biological children and then adopt two more children.”

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“She told us that night,” said Josh, “that she had no doubt in her mind that God wanted us to have the baby.” On February 8, 2009, Ryan and Josh’s baby girl, Mary Ryan Lee, named for Josh’s mother, Mary, was born. “We were in the delivery room two minutes after she was born,” said Ryan. Today, their daughter is ten years old. “She’s really awesome. She’s her daddy’s girl for sure.” “I admit I spoil her,” said Josh, smiling. “But she is really sweet and sensitive.” “The birth mother knows she made the right decision for her and the baby,” said Ryan. “She has continued to stay in Mary’s life to some degree, which has been very helpful for them both. She gets to see that the baby she chose to deliver and

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make an adoption plan for is cared for and truly loved. We have a very good relationship with her.” While we were sitting together, Ryan said, “She’s actually already texted me this morning to tell Mary happy birthday.” “I was a little concerned about it at first,” said Josh. “But it’s been a really good relationship and Mary will grow up never having any questions about who her birth mother is.” By the time Ryan and Josh decided to adopt a second child, several other families in their church had actually adopted children from China. “Ryan always wanted to adopt an Asian child,” said Josh. “I didn’t care where we adopted from as long as we adopted. But its almost like Austin, our son, found us.” As they prayed about their second child, one day Ryan was scrolling through Facebook and Austin’s face came up on her computer screen. Ryan said, “A short time later, two of my friends shared his photo and his information with me. Then a little while after that, the actual foster home came up on my Facebook feed. Three times in thirty minutes his face came up on my computer screen. I knew then that he was our son.” The following morning Ryan showed Austin’s photo to Josh. “Still I wasn’t one hundred percent sure about going to China,” said Josh. Four days later, however, Josh came home from work and announced, “It looks like we’re going to China. I know in my heart that the face in that photo is our son!” Although most apply for adoption and then wait to be matched by the agency with a child, Ryan and Josh were in agreement now that this particular child was their son. “We immediately started the process to adopt him,” said Ryan. “Doing fundraisers was a lot of work. We did lots of garage sales and golf tournaments. But we are firm believers in Christ, and we prayed and know that He was helping us every step of the way.” They already decided his name would be, Austin, a name that goes back four generations as the middle name of every firstborn male child in Josh’s family. “Even though we knew adopting a certain child would take a little longer,” said Josh, “we were willing to wait for him. We knew that he was meant to be our son.” “We started the process in October of 2013,”

As they prayed about their second child, one day Ryan was scrolling through Facebook and Austin’s face came up on her computer screen. Ryan said, “A short time later, two of my friends shared his photo and his information with me. Then a little while after that, the actual foster home came up on my Facebook feed. Three times in thirty minutes his face came up on my computer screen. I knew then that he was our son.”

said Ryan. “But they had to find his file as it had been shuffled between agencies. It wasn’t until November of 2014 that we were able to bring Austin home. He was five years old at that time.” “Typically, when you adopt a child from any international country you are not given their complete medical records beforehand,” said Ryan. “Some may have severe medical needs, so you may need to be seen by a pediatrician within twenty-four hours of stepping off the plane. We knew early in the adoption proceedings that Austin had some “delays.” But it didn’t matter, because we knew that he was our child.” “I knew that I could work through anything,” said Josh, “because I was to be Austin’s dad. I’m not usually an emotional dude, but the day he walked into the room for us to take him home, and he was smiling and saying over and over, ‘Mom, Mom, Dad, Dad,’ the only English he knew at the time, I was as emotional as a little girl. He’s my little buddy.” “At first, Mary exhibited all the typical reactions of an older sibling with a new brother or sister,” said Ryan. “But after a couple of weeks she became our little helper.” Today, Mary is a lovely fifth grader with a winsome smile. Her ten-year-old, outgoing little brother Austin is now speaking fluent English. These beautiful children fill their parent’s lives with joy, happiness, and adventure. They are both truly a blessing from the Lord. CCL

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Auspiciously BY DAVID PENA PHOTOS BY REBECCA GALLOWAY PHOTOGRAPHY

when the owners of Auspicious Baking Company Visited Savannah they knew that they had found the place to open their business and become part of an exciting community.

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Southern cuisine has always been rich in tradition, but foodies are discovering that the dining scene in Savannah is much more than just barbecue and fried chicken. Many of Savannah’s eateries have been exploring locally sourced ingredients as a way to add to their homespun offerings. One such example is the aptly named Auspicious Baking Company. Co-owner Katie Bryant says, “It’s been really exciting to be part of Savannah’s food scene. It’s such a diverse and charming city, with its culture and all of its history. When (her fiancé) Mark and I came here, we knew it was the place for us.” The relatively new bakery has already found favor with Savannahians since opening in 2017, recently passing the twoyear mark. Katie and Mark Ekstrom handcraft hundreds of baked goods each week, and now with a staff of eight employees, Mark says that business has been booming. “We have continually

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“It’s been really exciting to be part of Savannah’s food scene. It’s such a diverse and charming city, with its culture and all of its history. When Mark and I came here, we knew it was the place for us.” - Katie Bryant

Southern cuisine has always been rich in tradition, but foodies are discovering that the dining scene in Savannah is much more than just barbecue and fried chicken.

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grown as a business because the public demand is fantastic. Even though the lines are long, we serve our clientele pretty quickly.” Before founding their bakery, Katie and Mark gained their experience by working in various Pennsylvania kitchens as teenagers. Katie learned the pastry ropes at a fine dining restaurant, while Mark started as a dishwasher in a small Greek deli before moving up to line cook. As a self-taught baker, Katie recalls working at restaurants during high school, where serving as a line cook under the guidance of a pastry chef helped instill in her a newfound passion for baking. “I became a real bread aficionado, experimenting with a basic recipe to form unique flavor combinations. It was my first experimentation with food, and I was allowed to be creative,” she recalls. Mark says he learned everything from kitchen preparation to “front of the house” duties during his high school years. “I also have the gift of gab; I can talk to anyone,” he says. The couple met in the Poconos of Pennsylvania and began their relationship immediately following high school. “We met through a mutual friend,” explains Mark, “and after we graduated, we started hanging out and then began dating, so now here we are.” The couple soon looked to relocate to the South in search of warmer weather, so years later and after countless baking gigs, they both landed jobs in Florida. “There wasn’t a lot of growth in the food industry back home, and we felt stifled,” says Katie. Upon their arrival in Florida, they both knew that it wasn’t the place for them; it was the Hostess City that truly piqued their interest. “We passed through Savannah while we were on our road trip and fell in love with the city and its eclectic food scene,” explains Mark. “When we got to Florida, we simply turned around and came back here. The food scene was really growing in the town. Plus, I grew up in an antique store, so seeing the history here really captivated my interest, and we’ve called Savannah

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our home ever since.” After arriving in the Hostess City, the couple soon began working at the Boar’s Head Grill and Tavern. “We worked for some of the best people I’ve ever worked with,” says Mark. While Mark stayed with the Boar’s Head for four years, Katie was ultimately offered a position as a pastry chef at Rum Runners Bakery, which she accepted. “It was tough for her to leave, and they were sad to see her go, but a baking position is really what she always wanted,” adds Mark. After working as employees for years, Katie and Mark realized that it was the right time to open a bakery of their own, and when a space on Skidaway Road next to Parker’s became available, the pair

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saw it as a sign. “It truly felt like destiny,” says Mark. Months prior to the bakery’s opening, the couple appealed to the community for some financial support. “We did a small crowd funding in the form of a GoFundMe in the beginning to raise the money for our oven,” says Mark. “We got huge results, which was a nice jump start to our dream.” The public’s overwhelming response truly humbled the couple. “It became quickly apparent to us that we were starting a community-supported bakery. We felt so much gratitude toward everyone.” The day finally came, and Auspicious Baking Company opened its doors on June 18, 2017. Mark and Katie originally wanted to open just

Upon their arrival in Florida, they both knew that it wasn’t the place for them; it was the Hostess City that truly piqued their interest. “We passed through Savannah while we were on our road trip and fell in love with the city and its eclectic food scene,” explains Mark. “When we got to Florida, we simply turned around and came back here.”

one day a week and have a farmer’s market, but Savannah just kept clamoring for more and more of their products. Thus, they began meticulously crafting everything from breads and pastries to cookies and cakes from scratch, the old-fashioned way. Katie explains the distinction between the couple’s baking methodology versus the status quo. “A lot of baked good products you buy from grocery stores are commercially processed, but all of our products are handcrafted from scratch. We do it with the sweat off our backs,” she says. With a love of local food and the Savannah community, Katie and Mark have turned their work ethic and passion into a thriving local business. Serving as the only two bakers, the pair spends

countless hours each week prepping to open two days a week to the public: every Sunday from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. and each Tuesday from 8 until 6. “It takes about three days to prepare for one retail day. For example, Tuesday is a bread-focused menu,” explains Mark. “Then we provide wholesale goods seven days a week, which is quite unique. We have two routes that go out every morning, which keeps us pretty busy.” Each week the busy couple dutifully prepares a plethora of baked delicacies which include flavored crackers, turnovers, croissants, pop-tarts, brownies, cinnamon rolls and, as always, a wide assortment of breads like focaccia and challah. Leavened selections like Yuengling lager with cheddar and

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honey-fig are also part of each weekly menu. Moreover, after partnering with several other local small businesses, the Auspicious Baking Company’s delicacies are now available at no less than a dozen locations downtown. “We’ve always tried to keep it local because we both feel that it’s important to have a connection with our community,” explains Katie. “We also have a production facility under way, and we look to expand our wholesale growth,” adds Mark. The pair say that the most fulfilling aspect of owning their own business is the recognition from their customers. “We love to see the reaction of our customers, knowing that there’s no limitations to what we can do for them,” says Katie. “We provide a quality product with the best quality of service that we can give. Everything is in our control, and that’s what gets us going each day.” As far as the couple’s wedding date goes, that’s still a bit up in the air. Mark points out that the business’s launch was first on the agenda. “We don’t have an exact date as of yet since we wanted to focus on our business first. Up to now, it’s been allconsuming, but there’s light at the end of the tunnel. We both joke that we’re still going ahead with the wedding even after running a business together for two years. I guess that’s a good sign,” he says with a laugh. CCL

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Case Celebrates

110

YEARS

of Caring for our Furry Friends

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BY DAVID PENA | PHOTOS BY PHOTOS BY DREAM WEAVER PHOTOS AND PROVIDED BY CASE VETERINARY

Case Veterinary Hospital has been helping the low country’s furry family for over 110 years.

While perusing the front halls of Case Veterinary Hospital on Eisenhower Drive, clients and their families can observe the various medical implements on display that were used in the family practice throughout the hospital’s history. One can seemingly be transported back to a virtual veterinarian time machine, and for very good reason. The practice is celebrating its 110th anniversary this year. The Case family has been providing superior health care for Savannah’s pets born out of love, and they have a deep passion for helping Hometown Living At Its Best

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The Case family has been providing superior health care for Savannah’s pets born out of love, and they have a deep passion for helping our furry companions. Case is quite unique because it is the only veterinary hospital worldwide that can boast four direct generations of veterinarians. After 20 years at her family’s practice, Dr. Carla Case-McCorvey reflected on her greatgrandfather’s legacy, the origins of the practice, as well as the family atmosphere that pervades every aspect of Case Veterinary Hospital.

our furry companions. Case is quite unique because it is the only veterinary hospital worldwide that can boast four direct generations of veterinarians. After 20 years at her family’s practice, Dr. Carla Case-McCorvey reflected on her great-grandfather’s legacy, the origins of the practice, as well as the family atmosphere that pervades every aspect of Case Veterinary Hospital. Case’s illustrious history began with Carla’s great-grandfather, Dr. Erle Case. Around the beginning of the 20th century, Erle traveled to Savannah by steamship after accepting an employment offer from a local vet. Unfortunately, that job offer didn’t pan out, so the entrepreneurial patriarch started his own practice, which ultimately grew into a hospital for animals both large and small.

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“Erle Case was the first licensed veterinarian in Savannah,” explains Carla, “which was just a sign of the times.” Another anachronistic element involved payment for services rendered. During the early days of the hospital, a client could pay their bill with chickens or farm produce. Case also provided treatments before the discovery of antibiotics, and by 1928 the practice boasted its own ambulance, complete with stained glass windows, which is now proudly on display at the hospital. Sadly, the original Case Hospital, located in the historic downtown area, was destroyed by fire. “We believe it stood where the Savannah Civic Center is located,” she adds.

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“When I was a child, I was surrounded by my family at the practice. For example, my grandmother, Christine, was the receptionist while my mother, Gail, was a technician who helped my dad and grandfather, who were the vets.” Case’s illustrious history began with Carla’s great-grandfather, Dr. Erle Case. Around the beginning of the 20th century, Erle traveled to Savannah by steamship after accepting an employment offer from a local vet. Unfortunately, that job offer didn’t pan out, so the entrepreneurial patriarch started his own practice, which ultimately grew into a hospital for animals both large and small.

As the city began to grow, Erle was asked to move farther out when he began rebuilding in order to avoid the traffic and animals roaming the downtown area. Thus, he built a new practice on Ash Street in 1923, which at the time was outside the city limits, and the family residence was actually upstairs. Francis Horace Case, Carla’s grandfather, grew up working with his father, then entered veterinary school and received his DVM degree in 1943 from Alabama Polytechnic Institute (today’s Auburn University). Sadly, Erle Case died in 1949, just months before his grandson, Jerry, was born. Jerry soon followed in the family footsteps and gradually became a principal owner of the hospital. Young Carla was barely walking when she began to accompany

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her father to the hospital, eagerly eyeing the myriad of animals coming to see her father and grandfather for their care. “When I was a child, I was surrounded by my family at the practice. For example, my grandmother, Christine, was the receptionist while my mother, Gail, was a technician who helped my dad and grandfather, who were the vets, with assisting patients. Basically, everyone at the time was related to me by blood, that is until we hired Kenny Weaver in 1978, as a senior in high school, to work in the kennels. He worked his way up the ranks in our practice and is actually still here, after 41 years, as our senior licensed veterinary technician. Kenny and his family are like part of our own.”

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What is ironic is that Carla’s parents did not encourage her to continue in the family business. In fact, quite the opposite was true. “They didn’t exactly discourage me and my sister from entering the veterinary field, but they didn’t expect it either,” she recalls. “They really encouraged me to try other fields, even outside of Savannah, but my heart led me back to Case.” Since Carla assumed ownership of the family business in 2009, her father is enjoying the retirement he so rightfully earned. Now a married mother of two, Carla has positioned Case Veterinary Hospital as one of the only hospitals in the region to routinely offer laparoscopic procedures to its patients. This technology is comparable to what is expected in the human medical field, enabling less invasive procedures with fewer complications and faster recovery time. Additionally, Carla is continuing to push Case Veterinary Hospital to the forefront of veterinary medicine by investing in continued education and training for all the veterinarians and certified veterinary technicians employed at Case.

Case also provided treatments before the discovery of antibiotics, and by 1928 the practice boasted its own ambulance, complete with stained glass windows, which is now proudly on display at the hospital. Sadly, the original Case Hospital, located in the historic downtown area, was destroyed by fire. “We believe it stood where the Savannah Civic Center is located,” she adds.

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The practice has grown to include six veterinarians, nine technicians, five kennel assistants, and six administrative personnel. Despite the growing practice, Carla says that the entire staff has a familial quality that is reflected in the work they do. “It may sound trite, but I really believe all our team members feel like family. Everyone looks out for each other, and, as a result, we have a really close-knit working environment; I truly think that shows in the level of care that we all provide to our patients,” she says. “We really like to visit with our families when they bring their pet in, so it’s not only about providing medical care for their pets; everyone is like one big family at Case, and that would definitely include the animals we treat as well. Quality care is really second nature when you’re talking about a member of your family.” Tammie Hargroves, who has been a loyal client of Case since 1963, sings their praises when it comes to treating her pets. “It’s really more than being a

Since Carla assumed ownership of the family business in 2009, her father is enjoying the retirement he so rightfully earned. Now a married mother of two, Carla has positioned Case Veterinary Hospital as one of the only hospitals in the region to routinely offer laparoscopic procedures to its patients.

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Tammie Hargroves, who has been a loyal client of Case since 1963, sings their praises when it comes to treating her pets. “It’s really more than being a patient. When I look for a vet, I look for what I call the ‘trifecta.’ Most importantly, however, I want my pet and me to be treated like family. Case encompasses all three areas to the tee and has done so for more than half a century in my life. I wouldn’t take my pet anywhere else.”

patient. When I look for a vet, I look for what I call the ‘trifecta.’ First, I want an established vet who knows what he/she is doing, and second, I want one who is up-to-date in the latest technology. Most importantly, however, I want my pet and me to be treated like family. Case encompasses all three areas to the tee and has done so for more than half a century in my life. I wouldn’t take my pet anywhere else.” Tiger, Tammie’s nine-yearold Yorkie, eagerly barks his approval. Dr. Case-McCorvey says that forging close relationships with families and pets, like Tammie and Tiger over the past two decades, has been the most fulfilling aspect of her job. “Being an established veterinary hospital for 110 years in a city like Savannah,

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there are many people throughout the community that have been a part of our family at some point,” she reflects, “and very often our clients will come back and share their stories about how we have touched their lives while helping their pets. That’s what it’s all about to me and makes what we do so special. That impact on a community and the way the community circles back and impacts our business is very special. As our mission statement says, ‘We are committed to enhancing the lives of families, caring for one pet at a time.’” Thus, at any given moment, somewhere a tail is wagging because of what Case Veterinary Hospital has brought to the community, and in the words of Dr. Case-McCorvey, “That’s what makes it all worthwhile.” CCL

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M WRITTEN BY

STEPHEN PRUDHOMME

PHOTOGRAPHY BY

DREAM WEAVER PHOTOS

FROM THE

MILITARY TO

MINISTERING FORMER MARINE DRILL INSTRUCTOR GIVING HIS FLOCK A PUSH-UP

Kenny Grant used to get in young men’s faces and correct them on their missteps in a most aggressive manner as a Marine drill instructor. Those who erred could expect an ear-full, along with a chance to work on their push-up skills. Kenny is still a leader of men, along with women and children, but he’s “dialed down” his intensity level. While he still speaks with passion and conviction, the 58-year-old Savannah resident has cut out the yelling and calls on humor, rather than doling out punishment duty, to help prepare people for spiritual battle. Kenny is the Pastor at Calvary Baptist Temple, but also heads up the Band of Brothers breakfast meetings twice a week and has his own ministry. Hometown Living At Its Best

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On August 10, 2019, Kenny is putting on STAND, an event for young people featuring faith-based speakers and music. STAND returns to the Savannah Civic Center for the second time after debuting in 2017 and was inspired by his daughter, a student at Kennesaw State College whose social studies professor belittled Christians on the first day of class. “I want to pass on the faith to the next generation and arm young people with the tools to live as Christians on college campuses,” Kenny said. “We had apologist Frank Turek come to STAND in 2017 and give a smash-mouth lesson on apologetic; it went well.” Kenny’s life has also gone well, although his career path took an unexpected turn. A native of Brunswick, Georgia, Kenny joined the Marines when he was 17 years old. “The recruiter who came to my high school was head and shoulders above the rest,” said Kenny, explaining his choice of the Marines. “I love discipline; I guess I was a little bit crazy.” 144

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The STAND event is Kenny’s effort to help young people and he’s always had a heart to reach back to young people.

I want to pass on the faith to the next generation and arm young people with the tools to live as Christians on college campuses.” Kenny Grant

Planning to make the military a career, Kenny became a drill instructor. He noted it was an elite group of people who challenged recruits in an often intimidating manner. “It’s intense,” said Kenny, who eventually became a chief drill instructor and was in charge of training. “If you were a good drill instructor, they would remember you.” Nine years into his military career, Kenny left the Marines. He said he had felt a calling to the ministry for the last four to five years that he was in the Marines and finally couldn’t ignore it any longer. A husband and father, Kenny started a church in Brunswick and worked parttime for UPS. “I had a lot of faith or not much sense,” Kenny said, “It was a little of both; God looked over me.” He was eventually promoted to truck loading supervisor and also worked at an adult education center. Kenny said he received financial support from some friends in the military. With all these challenges, Kenny grew his congregation and became a full-time minister

in 1993, six years after starting the church; his ministerial training consisted of military Bible Institute classes and learning on the job. “You learn basic leadership and people skills,” Kenny said. “If you have vision and passion, you will inspire people.” In 1995, Kenny headed north to Savannah after accepting the job as Minister at Christ Community Church; he was offered the job after meeting a group of people from Christ Community at a church conference. He started with 18 members, $50,000 in cash, and a building; Kenny remained there for 15 years. “It was very productive,” he said. “There were a lot of young families, who built strong families and kids, and now they’re friends of mine.” In 2011, Kenny started an itinerant ministry and spoke at conferences. After starting as a participant, he also began leading the weekly ministry at Band of Brothers. Founder Richard

“Kenny has a unique way of reaching men from all walks of life. You don’t see anyone nodding off. Kenny tells it like it is. He’s as good a Christian man as I know.” Richard Barrow

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Barrow, who started the ministry 14-15 years ago, said, “Kenny has a unique way of reaching men from all walks of life. You don’t see anyone nodding off. Kenny tells it like it is. He’s as good a Christian man as I know. He doesn’t care if the crowd is three or 3,000, his message doesn’t change.” Richard continued, “The STAND event is Kenny’s effort to help young people and he’s always had a heart to reach back to young people.” Former WTOC anchorman Doug Weathers is a member of Calvary Baptist Temple and Band of Brothers. “STAND is one of a number of initiatives of Kenny’s ministry to help young people defend their faith once they go to volley and the workplace. That commitment to young people started when Kenny was a drill instructor in the Marines, which helped him develop his character,” Doug said. “He knew that young boys would be turned into men who would go into battle to defend their country and he 146

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took that job very seriously.” Doug explained, “Kenny has done a great job at Calvary, the Band of Brothers, Two Hundred Club, and a number of revivals. We are privileged to have a man like Kenny Grant who helps with marriage counseling, character building, and preaching. I’m proud to be a member of his congregation.” In 2012, Kenny took on another challenge. He became Senior Pastor at Calvary Baptist Temple, where he had occasionally spoken on Sundays and served as interim pastor. Nevertheless, the full-time job offer came as a surprise. “I had little inkling or desire for the job,” Kenny said. “I was a black man with a largely white denomination.” As it turns out, Kenny’s time as a drill sergeant helped him to see past the racial composition of the congregation. “Part of my calling is to break down barriers,” Kenny said. “The service is meritorious. Race doesn’t matter in the scheme of things. God has enriched my life through friends, both black and white. It’s

Race doesn’t matter in the scheme of things. God has enriched my life through friends, both black and white. It’s been a great, great experience at Calvary. The people opened up their hearts to my family and me and greatly encouraged us. They felt God called me to their church.

been a great, great experience at Calvary. The people opened up their hearts to my family and me and greatly encouraged us. They felt God called me to their church.” Don Dyches, one of eight members of the transition committee that recommended Kenny for the pastor’s job in 2011, said, “The latter has more than justified the committee’s choice. Kenny has a personal love and trust for the congregation. I’ve never seen anyone get so involved in the community. He’s a hands-on preacher. He’s all about getting the Word out and has done a magnificent job of bridging the race gap. I can’t say enough good things about Kenny and not one bad thing.” Laura Fulford, friend and assistant, said, “Kenny is the kind of leader who reads all facets of a situation and knows instinctively how to connect parts that don’t seem to fit together and often don’t want to fit together. He does not employ a heavy-handed style of leadership. Unlike many leaders, his ego never gets in the

want to be faithful to the preaching call until I hand it over,” Kenny said. “I hope to preach until the day I die.” And, Kenny’s commitment to the faith is unwavering and lifelong.

way. Because he’s surrendered to God, Kenny isn’t driven to prove he’s right, have the last word or pound his chest to take charge. Kenny and his family make congregation members feel like part of them; he’s a role model and spiritual advisor who holds himself accountable to the Word of God and leads a life pointed to God rather than to himself. It’s been a blessing to be a part of the church where he leads.” “I want to be faithful to the preaching call until I hand it over,” Kenny said. “I hope to preach until the day I die.” And, Kenny’s commitment to the faith is unwavering and lifelong.  CCL Hometown Living At Its Best

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Everything in the Universe and then some Eclectic store goes beyond the ordinary 150

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BY STEPHEN PRUDHOMME | PHOTOS BY DREAM WEAVER PHOTOS

Each year millions of people from around the world come to Savannah to take in the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s historic look that is reflected in the homes, churches and squares. Greg Portman offers that glimpse of the past and then takes it beyond the world and to the Universe. His collection of items includes creatures predating Savannah by millions of years which, in some cases, have made their way to the beach and even the yard of a famous food aficionado. Call it the prehistoric look. Greg, 70, is the owner of Universe Trading Co., an eclectic store featuring antiques, collectibles, miscellaneous items and, of course, a dinosaur in the form of a 15-foot fiberglass T. rex currently

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Greg, 70, is the owner of Universe Trading Co., an eclectic store featuring antiques, collectibles, miscellaneous items and, of course, a dinosaur in the form of a 15-foot fiberglass T. rex currently residing outside in back of the store as it awaits a more prominent spot near the front of the place and priced to sell at $7,000.

residing outside in back of the store as it awaits a more prominent spot near the front of the place and priced to sell at $7,000. The store is located at 1607 Skidaway Road. That follows six years on Martin Luther King Boulevard and 32 years next to Franklin Square, its first location. Greg moved into his new Universe nine months ago. “I like it a lot,” Greg said when he moved from the MLK spot after the property was sold. “My friend owns the property and has been very accommodating.” It all started with Greg’s yearning for a vocation on land. A native of Savannah who graduated from Savannah High School and attended Georgia State University, Greg returned home and got a job as a tugboat captain. He did that for eight years before abandoning the boat. “I was spending two-thirds

of my life on the water,” he said. “It was a vicious cycle that I wanted to get out of. I saw an older tugboat captain and thought that would be me in some 40 years.” Greg had inherited a love of artwork and antique furnishings from his mother, who was an artist. “I’ve always been a small picker,” he said. Greg put that avocation to work and opened an antique/collectible store next to Franklin Square. He stocked it with items he purchased from motels, Pier One and Kmart. His inventory included motel furniture, 400 wooden elephants, tiki torches, flannel shirts and 2,000 tackle boxes. He would also travel to Europe to do some picking, his “finds” shipped home in a 40-foot container. With a “load and go” philosophy, however, offering

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a minimal markup on items he purchased in Europe, his profit was also minimal. “I needed something expensive to offset the shipping charges,” said Greg, who went to Europe for 25 years on buying trips. “I had mostly European furniture in my store. There were no eyesores.” There were some unusual items, however. Such as the fiberglass Velociraptor that a husband bought for his wife for $850. “He said his wife would kill him when he brought it home,” Greg said. “She ended up loving it and put it behind the sofa.” Greg said they’re a number of his dinosaurs on Tybee Island and several on Wilmington Island - specifically, the residence of Paula Deen.“She came into my store and bought five big dinosaurs for $5,000,” said Greg, who lives on Wilmington Island and has known Paula for many years. “They were lined up on her property line.”

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Paula’s first restaurant was near Greg’s store on Franklin Square, and he says she wrote a note that she owed $60 for restaurant chairs she purchased from him. “I wish I had kept that note,” said Greg, adding that Paula eventually paid him for the chairs. Chris Roberts has shopped at Universe Trading for 10 years. “They have unique pieces you can’t find anywhere else,” said Chris, who works as an artist. “Greg buys odd things to resell just for the fun of it. I love the unique, offbeat items. Great prices too. His new location is two minutes from my house. I use it as my clubhouse/hangout place.” Melanie, who lives near Richmond Hill, is giving the Addams Family some competition when it comes to unusual items in her home. Her purchases from Universe Trading include an elephant, three dinosaurs, a number of

A native of Savannah who graduated from Savannah High School and attended Georgia State University, Greg returned home and got a job as a tugboat captain. He did that for eight years before abandoning the boat. “I was spending two-thirds of my life on the water,” he said. “It was a vicious cycle that I wanted to get out of. I saw an older tugboat captain and thought that would be me in some 40 years.”

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Egyptian and outdoor statues, two wall-mounted dinosaurs, life-sized stallions and a life- sized bull and moose. “Universe Trading is the spot for the most unique items in Savannah,” Melanie said. “”Greg is nothing short of amazing. His prices are unbeatable and the quality of merchandise is exceptional. I can’t stay out of his store.” In 2012, Greg had to move from Franklin Square after the property was sold. He sold everything during a subsequent two-day auction. Not ready to give up the business, Greg was driving around and spotted an available building for rent on MLK Boulevard. Thirteen days later, while still building up new inventory, he moved into his second location, one that offered a prime spot on a busy road but presented some parking challenges. Six years later, he moved into his current place and plans on being there as long as there’s a demand for antique furnishings, raptors, hippos, dinosaurs... “I don’t know how to walk away,” said Greg, whose business partner, David Epstein, occupies a space in the store known as a Corner of the Universe. “I enjoy the buying and selling and hitting the jackpot. My ego is stroked when I hear people say they love the store. I’m not getting rich. I’m staying above water. I sell one thing and buy two more. But I’m having fun.”CCL

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“Universe Trading is the spot for the most unique items in Savannah,” Melanie said. “”Greg is nothing short of amazing. His prices are unbeatable and the quality of merchandise is exceptional. I can’t stay out of his store.”

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A Legacy

Continued

While on a two year “job shadow” with the late Dr. Gage Ochsner, Jason Miller decided on a career in medicine.

Born and raised in Savannah, twenty-seven-year-old Jason Miller has always been fond of hunting. And as a member of a local hunting club, Jason and his family happened to strike up a relationship with a person who would have a profound effect on the young man and inevitably change the course of his life. “As a kid I had toyed around with some things, trying to find my path in life. I originally wanted to be a professional baseball player, but quickly realized that was unrealistic,” he explains. “I had to have a plan. I always knew that I wanted to do something with my life that had meaning to it.” After talking extensively with the family friend, the late Dr. Gage Ochsner, Jason decided to “job shadow” the doctor during his last two years of high school. Shadowing basically allows a student (premed or otherwise) to get a first-hand glimpse into a doctor’s daily routine as they perform their duties in a hospital or clinical setting. It also allows the student to engage with patients and learn about their ailments while forming a relationship with a highly-trained, working physician. As it turns out, the job shadow became a turning point in the young man’s life.

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“Soon after I began, I realized that I could see myself doing something in the medical field for the rest of my life. Needless to say, it was a life-changing experience,” recalls Jason. Under Dr. Ochsner’s guidance, Jason was fortunate to shadow under one of the very best. A renowned surgeon and former chief of trauma at Memorial University Hospital, Ochsner became a close friend and mentor to Jason. “He’s basically the reason I found my way into the medical profession,” says Jason. “When I shadowed him, I got a real sense of the special interaction between physician and the family, who are obviously upset and in pain. It

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In His

“Since I’m still relatively new in the orthopedic world, there’s always something for me to learn; I’m constantly seeking new information. Learning new things daily goes together with the practice of medicine. I find that if you’re not constantly learning, you’ll be at a disadvantage.”

was very inspiring to me to watch Dr. Ochsner in action.” Indeed, it was the late doctor’s passion for mentoring that gained him the love and respect for legions of dedicated residents and students. Today Jason keeps Dr. Ochsner’s legacy alive through his dedicated service to all his patients at Chatham Orthopedics. After completing his physician’s assistant training at South University, Jason began his career at Chatham Orthopedics and has been at the practice now for nearly two years. “I was hired on before I graduated,” he says, “which was pretty cool.” Physician assistants are formally trained to perform many of the routine, time-consuming tasks a physician can do, and in some states, they may prescribe medications. They take medical histories, perform physical exams, order lab tests and x-rays, and give inoculations. Jason says that in his line of work he’s seen it all. “We do a lot of joint reconstruction, mainly hips, shoulders and knees. We also do a good bit of orthopedic trauma, which involves fracture care, broken bones and auto accident victims,” explains Jason. Although his work is quite fulfilling, the learning curve has been his toughest challenge. “Since I’m still relatively new in the orthopedic world, there’s always something for me to learn; I’m constantly seeking new information. For example, every fracture pattern is different and thus requires different treatment. But

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f MeMorial university MediCal Center

Jason Miller shadowed under one of the best, a long time family friend, Dr. Gage Ochsner. Today the same quality of selflessness found in Dr. Ochsner is mirrored in the life of Jason.

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A distinguished Mentor

Under Dr. Ochsner’s guidance, Jason was fortunate to shadow under one of the very best. A renowned surgeon and former chief of trauma at Memorial University Hospital, Ochsner became a close friend and mentor to Jason.

it’s nothing out of the ordinary since learning new things daily goes together with the practice of medicine. I find that if you’re not constantly learning, you’ll be at a disadvantage.” One of the most fulfilling aspects to his job, according to Jason, is that he gets the opportunity to forge relationships with his patients on a daily basis. “I really love interacting with my patients. In our line of work, you see people from many different walks of life,” he says. “It’s always interesting to hear their story about how they came to us. When they first come in, they’re pretty desperate. However, by the end of it when they walk out of our doors pain-free, it’s great to know we’ve helped them get back to a quality life.” When he’s not mending broken bones, you’ll often find

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Jason in the woods or on a lake. The admitted “outdoors junkie” says, “I have always loved hunting and fishing, and I do mostly quail and dove hunting with some in-shore fishing mixed in.” In fact, Jason regularly went hunting with his mentor. “We hunted mainly dove, deer and duck,” he recalls. “We spent numerous weekends at the club when I was younger. I have many fond memories of him and frequently recall little pieces of advice he would give me.” Jason stayed in close contact with Dr. Ochsner up until his death, and he says that he often thinks of his mentor these days when he’s at work. “I’ll never forget what a great friend he was to me and my family,” he recalls. “He was one of the greatest surgeons who ever lived, but I’ll always miss his wisdom, friendship and sense of humor. I’ll never forget how he took me under his wing and inspired me to live my life by helping others like he did, with nothing but compassion for his patients and the field.” CCL

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