Chatham County Living Magazine - Spring 2020

Hometown Living at its Best S p rin g 2020 CHATHAM COUNTY LIVING

A True

Polymath Country Day’s kicker has become the first female in the school’s history to score in a football game.

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Chatham

living

Chatham contents con tents // spring springissue issue2020 2020

contents /

living

spring issue 2020

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Art Artin inan an Open OpenShell Shell

InInthe themidst midstofofpersonal personal struggle struggleJennifer JenniferHuskey Huskey starts startsaanew newcareer, career,and and discovers discoverspeace. peace.

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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

108

76

76

Prescription for Success Quick Rx is truly a wonderful

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The Product of a Dream Born from a dream about marketing

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136

Smooth Landing Volunteers bring B-17 back to life at Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum.

148

company, they treat their staff and

and packaging, Salacia Salts began

patients as part of their family, and

selling products at 24E on Broughton

it shows in their service.

Street, and has never looked back.

With Water and Paint

122

After taking a break from teaching to

92

Rise with the Tide Two Tides Brewing Company is

A Drive to Serve Chatham County Sheriff leads with

about more than a craft beer trend.

the common touch and outstanding

The brewery in Savannah’s Starland

work ethic.

district is about creativity, hard work, and time spent with friends.

raise a family Tate Ellington’s hobby of painting watercolors becomes a whole new career.

160

Still Schooling Others Former Globetrotter shoots straight on the importance of education.

6 spring 2020 / Chatham County Living

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From the Publisher

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From the Publisher

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

Jay and Patti Martin e d i to r Renee Corwine P u b l i s h e r With You in mind Publications

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C r eat i v e | D e s i g n Caffeine Generated Graphics, LLC 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

Stacey Nichols landon and mandi spivey

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

Recently our family welcomed a new furry member to our home and we C r e At i v e | D e s i G n mandi spivey o f f i ce M a n age r Nikki Burkhalter have been smitten ever since. His name is Jet. Somehow his tiny little self

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has managed to bring more joy and happiness into our home than the usual

landon and mandi s

C r e At i v e | D e s i G n mandi spivey

A s s i s ta n t excitement. He has tucked his little tiny face into our arms, our couch and our stacey nichols f f i C e m A n AG e r laura mcCullough hearts. We have watched in wonder at the delight heObrings to our family and

M a n age r June Dixon nning our holiday schedules this time how much more God must delight in watching us can’tthrough help but bemagical reminded O f f i C e m A n AG e r laura mcCullough yself stopping to savor so many moments this season.

A s s i s tA n t enjoy all He has provided to us here on Earth. th delicious marshmallows stuck to our lips, late night As we are festively planning our holiday schedules through this magical time mA n AG e rand s June dixon P h otog r ap h e r s Dream Weaver Photos but imagine over His people such joy good movie on the couch,I can’t findinghelp the perfect tree to God is looking of year, i have foundwith myself stopping to savor so many moments this season.

ter from the kids whiledelight helpingas digHe outwatches the ornaments hot chocolate nights with delicious stuck Leslie to our lips, late night us share the new year, visiting friends and familymarshmallows withnikki Burkhalter y heart overflows with gratitude for our family. family snuggles with a good movie on the couch, finding the perfect tree to

love and laughter, sharing with those who have less and overall anticipation

A s s i s tA n t

Hand Photography

m A n AG e r s June dixon

Rebecca Galloway Photographynikki Burkhalter

decorate and the laughter from the kids while helping dig out the ornaments

ofshe what is tointo come.

In celebration of life and moments of h OtO Gtoday, r A Poverflows hwe e rare s so Antgratitude hill Photography andthe string thePlights. my heart with for our family. ce blossom this year as grows the most Ryan as we also welcomed agrateful new littlefor nephew who made his the absolute blessings that we experience each and every day. David Parks Photography We have watched a niece blossom this year as she grows into the most fall. All around us, we are surrounded by loved ones.

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

Chatham County, YOU are one of those adorable amazinglittle blessings inwe ouralso lives… toddler, as welcomed little nephew who made his erica new s. love

by C ov eones. r P h oto Isabelle Ham, beautiful entrance this fall. All around loved are impacted overwhelmed with the friendships, love and support you allus, we are surrounded ave a similar theme ofOur howhearts family has so

millie mac Photography le people you will readhave aboutand in their stories.to Family

by Dream Weaver Photos continue pour out on us. This this cityissue thrives on to electric energy and seems weave a similar theme of how family has impacted so shae Foy Photography o we become and who we teach our children to be. many of these incredible people you will read about in their stories.

Family hands held together for a strong structure.

We hope you will take your time

s. Peggy Bryant, Bishop frederick Williams, and so shannan blanchard Photography shapes who we are, who we become and who we teach our children to be. stories of where they came from thatyour brought to the pages of this issue and really soak in what as you work waythem through Coach Damien Gary, ms. Peggy Bryant, Bishop frederick Sale Williams, and so s Dottie Hicks Chatham County lives and stands for. Themany simple word fortheir that is LOVE. Love more share stories of where they came from that brought them to C ov e r P h oto Officer travis Goodson, Landon Spivey where they from this citythrough in so many ways. Some areare bigtoday. and easy to see, some nating realization of allpours is thatout family is created C ov e r P h oto Photo by David Parks Michael Lane tance. family and loveare is asmall choice,and whether into may born never beornoticed. Regardless, it’smost all the same language Perhaps the fascinating realization of all is that family is created through Photography more than one circumstance. family and love is a choice, whether born into or and we are honored to share some of these stories with you.

Patti Martin chosen.

As always, not do year, i hope we all remember to countwe ourcould blessings, as this without the continued support from our Randy A in l ewe s allKeisha Cory for the little moments...the ones we will look back on As hope we move into a new hope remember to count our blessings, as sponsors which are listed on page 168. We that you willyear, joinisus hose that remain imprinted on our hearts that carry us often as we remember, for the little moments...the ones we will look back on thanking them. Be sure to drop in at any of those locations listed and grab Patti martin through the years. it’s those that remain imprinted on our hearts that carry us life.

Montague

look forward to many years ahead!

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

John 10:10

Officer travis Goodso Photo by David Parks Photography

s A l e s Keisha Cory

Patti martin landon spivey

Contributing your free copy that they make possible! Shop with visit with them andlandon spivey through thethem, seasons of life.

ou and the love you alljust pourkeep out onto our families on showing the love you so freely give.

Wri te r s We are so grateful for you and the love you all pour out onto our families raging emails and ideas all sent our way. We hope you C O n t r i B u t i n G With gratitude in our hearts and love in our souls, from our family to yours, through readers, encouraging emails and ideas all sent our way.

We hope you

gratitude to each advertiser that is listed on page 192 willyour join us in extending gratitude each advertiser that is listed on page 192 we thank at you allowing us to be a part of home and hearts ation possible to the community nofor charge.

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David Pena Stephen Prudhomme COntriButinG

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

Teri R. Williams Writ e r s Chehaw.org Jessica Fellows Jessica Fellows

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

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

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EAR, NOSE, AND THROAT ASSOCIATES OF SAVANNAH, PC W E W E LCO M E K R I ST E N T H O M A S , PA - C T O O U R P R A CT I C E .

ar, Nose, and Throat Associates of Savannah, P.C. has been providing expert medical care to patients of all ages in Savannah since 1977. Our medical professionals specialize in diseases and disorders of the ear, nose, throat, and related structures of the head and neck. Our board certified Physicians, Audiologists, and Allergy specialist at Ear, Nose, and Throat Associates of Savannah, LLC utilize the most advanced technologies and procedures to ensure all patients the best results with the least discomfort.

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open shell Art in an

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S t o ry by T e r i R . W i l l i a m s | P h o t o s by Rya n L e e P h o t o g r a p h y

I

in the midst of personal struggle Jennifer Huskey starts a new career, and discovers peace.

It was the summer before college. In the fall, Jennifer was leaving her home in Russellville, Arkansas, to attend college at the University of Tennessee (UT). The instructor for the ceramic class at the River Valley Art Center was Winston Taylor, an award-winning ceramic artist from her hometown. Jennifer enjoyed the sessions so much, she began to consider pursuing an art degree.

But a couple of ceramic classes were not enough to convince her parents that an art degree could provide their daughter with a reliable income.

Their concern was viable. Jennifer understood.

Instead of art, she majored in English hoping to find work after college with a magazine publication.

Jennifer graduated from UT in 1996 and went to work as an editor for HGTV, which is headquartered in Knoxville. Two years later, she married Brian Huskey, the director of operations for a restaurant group. Family and work kept both busy after their son was born, but whenever

Jennifer graduated from UT in 1996 and went to work as an editor for HGTV, which is headquartered in Knoxville. Two years later, she married Brian Huskey, the director of operations for a restaurant group.

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In 2006, Brian and Jennifer started The Gaslight Group and bought B. Matthews Eatery in Savannah. For almost a year after moving to Savannah, Jennifer continued to work for HGTV from home but soon found the work “too isolating.�

Hometown Living At Its Best

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In 2017, Jennifer secured her own studio space and slowly began filling it with equipment and materials. Even then, she had not thought of her work in terms of a career. All of that changed when she agreed to share her work space with a graduate student from Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) named Eny Lee Parker.

Jennifer could find a little time for herself, she took whatever community ceramic classes that were available.

In 2006, Brian and Jennifer started The Gaslight Group and bought B. Matthews Eatery in Savannah.

For almost a year after moving to Savannah, Jennifer continued to work for HGTV from home but soon found the work “too isolating.” In the years that

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followed, she helped out wherever she was needed until the positions could be filled with those qualified to take over. “The restaurant world had always been Brian’s passion,” said Jennifer. “He loves the restaurant business and everything that goes with it.”

(The Gaslight Company now comprises B. Matthew’s Eatery, The Five Spot, and Abe’s on Lincoln.)

“Ceramics was something I did just for my own

Hometown Living At Its Best

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But as her new business was getting its start, Jennifer’s world was falling apart. “We had really struggled with our son Connor through high school.

By March of 2018, he was in rehab. It was the lowest point of our lives.

I came to the studio every day to work and cry my eyes out.”

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chatham county living

enjoyment,” said Jennifer. “But way down deep, I had this dream to create ceramic art as a profession.” It was a dream that never seemed to fit into the seasons of her life. Until now. “I took a year of classes at Armstrong Georgia Southern, and attended different workshops in places like New Mexico and North Carolina. Each workshop had its own focus. One might be in porcelain or another in texture.”

In 2017, Jennifer secured her own studio space and slowly began filling it with equipment and materials. Even then, she had not thought of her work in terms of a career. All of that changed when she agreed to share her work space with a graduate student from Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) named Eny Lee Parker.

“Eny was working on her graduate degree in furniture design, and SCAD was closing their facilities for winter break. She made furniture and functional pieces out of ceramics and needed studio space to finish her projects,’ said Jennifer. “Someone from the city center asked if I could help her out, and I said, ‘Sure!’”

At the time, Eny was also preparing pieces of her work for The Craft Scout Savannah Holiday Market. “It’s an event held around the first of December where the public can buy from local ‘makers’ and artists in the creative community,” said Jennifer. “There are usually a lot of really cool stuff because we have such an amazing artistic community with SCAD students and artists who have made Savannah their home. Eny made these big ceramic lamps and other functional modern interior pieces that were just amazing. She said, ‘Hey, me and my friends are going to sell our stuff at this market. You need to come and sell your stuff there.’” Jennifer applied for the market and was accepted.

“When the market was over, I just kept going,” which is the simple explanation for how JKH Ceramics got its start.

“I’m really passionate about the benefits of meditation for people of all ages, but particularly in how it helps kids and young people manage stress.” As for her son Connor, “He’s doing great.” Her smile said it all.

Hometown Living At Its Best

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But as her new business was getting its start, Jennifer’s world was falling apart. “We had really struggled with our son Connor through high school.

By March of 2018, he was in rehab. It was the lowest point of our lives. I came to the studio every day to work and cry my eyes out.”

As Jennifer worked with the clay, the clay worked with her and gave her a stability through its connection to the natural environment. With each new creation, both the artist and the clay yielded something of itself to the other. As each piece was placed into the kiln, it was a humble reminder that regardless of how committed we are to the process of parenting, there is a “maturing point” in our children’s lives that can only occur through “time and temperature.” Until that point is reached, the piece made by the potter is basically unusable.

Jennifer also listened to podcasts and read

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everything she could get her hands on that offered hope and guidance. “It’s my instinct to go for information,” she explained. In one particular book she read, the author gave tribute to a type of meditation called Vipassana. “When I looked into it, I found that they have retreat centers worldwide.”

What she didn’t expect was to find a vipassana center only seventy miles away, ten miles out of Jesup, Georgia.

Jennifer filled out the online application to attend a ten-day course at Dhamma Patapa Vipassana Meditation Center and was accepted. Each day began at 4:00 a.m. and concluded at 9:30 p.m. “You mediate for about 11 hours each day. You receive guidance through different techniques of meditation, but there is no religious focus at the retreat. There is no religious iconography on the property. No Buddha heads or incense. You are there to learn to calm

your mind.” She smiled and added, “But it’s no retreat. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life. And it was amazing.”

Meditation, which is mentioned 23 times in the Bible, is more understood today for its innumerable benefits. According to an article published on February 16, 2017 on theweek. com, “Today there are more than 1,300 apps devoted to mindfulness and meditation, including industry leader Headspace, which has been downloaded more than 11 million times and is valued at $250 million.”

“I’m really passionate about the benefits of meditation for people of all ages, but particularly in how it helps kids and young people manage stress.” As for her son Connor, “He’s doing great.” Her smile said it all. The following weekend, Jennifer, Brian, and Connor planned to check out a Xigong class together. “I thought it would be fun. There’s a guy from New Zealand that’s going to be teaching it.”

The work of her hands and the meditations of her heart have not only created beautiful ceramic art, but also the opportunity for new friendships.

“I believe the more you can talk about the things you’re feeling and going through, the more it

helps you heal,” said Jennifer. “I know some people are uncomfortable with sharing their stories, but we determined to stay open from the beginning. And we’ve learned so much from other people in similar situations.” The connections and new relationships Jennifer formed in the process of pain and healing have become a vital part of her journey.

New pieces of ceramic jewelry hung on pegs against the studio wall in preparation for an upcoming market. Even as Jennifer worked to fill orders, she said, “So often artists get caught up in the production and burn themselves out,” she said. “I manage my work so I’m not just focused on production.” (Note: In addition to seasonal markets, Jennifer’s work can be found at Terra Cotta, a Savannah, Georgia, boutique and at various

Hometown Living At Its Best

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retailers across the U.S. Orders can also be placed on Instagram @jenniferkellyhuskey or on her website: jkhceramics.com).

Whether it’s a pair of birdcage earrings, a circle/square necklace, or a set of oyster-shell nesting bowls, everything Jennifer creates follows “the tenets of the Japanese aesthetic wabi-sabi – imperfection, impermanent and incomplete.”

The theme of her art speaks of authenticity and humility and encourages life-long learning as a journey rather a destination.

Jennifer’s asymmetric bowls echoed this theme perfectly. So often, the message conveyed through an image of an oyster shell is the making of a pearl. But the beauty in the bowls was not on what pain can produce but on the shell itself.

According to sciencedaily.com, “Shell position is an index of welfare in oysters, which keep [ ] their shells wide open when settled but rapidly close them in response to threats or stress.” Sure, pearls make for great messages on enduring suffering, but the beauty of those lopsided bowls edged in gold atop Jennifer’s workshop shelf was the amazing message of an open shell.  CCL

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chatham county living

THE ATTORNEY YOU HIRE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE Oldest Continuous Law Firm In West Chatham County, Established In 1985

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Taking a Risk

D

Diana J.P. McKenzie took a risk on information technology law when others said it would never amount to anything and was a “dead-end career choice.”

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chatham county living

Diana J.P. McKenzie, partner and chair of HunterMaclean’s information technology and outsourcing practice group, had no idea what was in store when she entered law school. It never occurred to her that one day she would be be an internationally recognized information technology, outsourcing, cybersecurity, and data privacy attorney.

Since Diana already had an MBA when she began practicing law in the 1980s, she was directed into corporate law. She was also skilled in information technology and was intrigued when she learned about a young partner’s new practice group in computer law.

A senior partner at Diana’s firm insisted information technology law would never amount to anything and was a “dead-end career choice.” He recommended she take time to reconsider. Diana did, then confidently chose her path.

“It was a different era for women,” explains Diana. “Back door deals were routinely struck in male-only private clubs.” On one occasion, Diana “was snuck through the kitchen of a club because females weren’t allowed to enter through the front door.” But it worked. She found a place in a field that allowed her to rise through the ranks and has successfully practiced information technology law since 1985.

“It was a different era for women,” explains Diana. “Back door deals were routinely struck in male-only private clubs.”

On one occasion, Diana “was snuck through the kitchen of a club because females weren’t allowed to enter through the front door.” But it worked. She found a place in a field that allowed her to rise through the ranks and has successfully practiced information technology law since 1985.

After many years of practicing law in Chicago and Atlanta, Diana moved her practice to HunterMaclean in Savannah. “I wish I had done it ten years earlier,” she reveals.

While it is typically thought to be a career risk for a lawyer to relocate from a big city with a large pool of clients to a smaller market, that wasn’t a problem for Diana because all of her clients came with her. She still makes frequent flights to meet with clients, but she loves practicing in Savannah.

“In many smaller cities,” Diana says, “the legal talent isn’t as high because lawyers aren’t able to focus on any one area.

One of the many great attributes of HunterMaclean is that the attorneys are specialized and the legal talent is among the best in the country. Because of that, we get referrals from very large firms. It’s both rewarding and fun.”

In stark contrast to Diana’s techy-lawyer side, she’s creative

and a good Samaritan. Several years ago, a fellow passenger on a cruise taught her to knit. Diana further developed her skills at The Frayed Knot in Savannah. Now an avid knitter, Diana primarily donates her wearables to good causes. She is currently creating 30 baby hats for a hospital in Chicago.

“What I love about knitting is trying new techniques in a small, contained project. Knitting instantly puts me in a meditative state.” Knitting offers her something else she doesn’t often experience in her career. Most of her law projects are long-term or ongoing. “Knitting,” says Diana, “provides instant gratification.” It’s also a great way to utilize her time during frequent business flights.

Under Diana’s leadership, HunterMaclean’s IT and outsourcing practice group provides practical, dynamic, and strategic solutions to clients’ legal compliance, technologyrelated contracting, cybersecurity, and data privacy needs.

HunterMaclean attorneys stay abreast of all the latest developments so they can offer solid, timely advice and efficiently meet their clients’ needs.

To learn how HunterMaclean can assist with your technology-related legal needs, call 912-236-0261 to schedule your consultation.

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

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Story By Teri R. Williams | Photos by Dream Weaver Photos

Gaining their

Wings

Whether it’s sun, storm, insect protection, energy saving, or adding personality or branding to a restaurant or local storefront, Coastal Canvas Products can make just about anything out of metal and fabric.

D

Dr. John and Kay West had been good friends and next-door neighbors of Glenn and Marlene Wood for many years. While enjoying dinner together on the town one evening, Glenn mentioned he was thinking about selling his company Coastal Canvas and retiring. The company he had started in 1975 sewing mattresses had evolved into a successful awning business. He had barely finished speaking when Kay said, “Glenn, I know the perfect buyers.”

That same night Kay called her daughter Ellen. Never mind that her daughter and son-in-law Andrew Barber already had a successful and well-established design and real estate business in Atlanta, Georgia.

“I think you and Andrew should buy Coastal Canvas,” said Kay. Surely no one would fault a grandmother for wanting her grandchildren closer to her.

When Ellen left home in 1990 for college, she was looking for wings not roots. Her two Hometown Living At Its Best

25

“ I was tired of being the little sister and wanted to get out and explore.”

older brothers had attended the University of Georgia, which was precisely why she chose to venture out a bit further and go to the University of Mississippi. “I was tired of being the little sister and wanted to get out and explore,” she said smiling.

During summer breaks, Ellen traveled, and each place she visited became her classroom. As a witness to European art and architecture, her natural gift for creative design naturally deepened and developed. She graduated from Ole Miss with an English degree in 1994, but it didn’t take long in the working world for her to decide to go back to school. “I had always been drawn to design and realized it was where I wanted to be,” said Ellen.

Two years later, she graduated from the American College of Applied Arts with a degree in interior design. Ellen gained invaluable experience working in high-end hotels all over the world as a hospitality interior designer with CMMI Architecture and Design (now known as C+TC Design Studio). She also worked for a time with Tim Hobby, a designer and owner of Space, a contemporary design store in Midtown.

Ellen and Andrew married in 2005. “He had worked in real estate and development for about fifteen years,” she said. “Andrew had started college at SMU [Southern Methodist University] in

During summer breaks, Ellen traveled, and each place she visited became her classroom. As a witness to European art and architecture, her natural gift for creative design naturally deepened and developed.

She graduated from Ole Miss with an English degree in 1994, but it didn’t take long in the working world for her to decide to go back to school. “I had always been drawn to design and realized it was where I wanted to be,” said Ellen.

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southern Texas, and just finished his first year when his father became sick with terminal cancer. He chose to go back to Atlanta to be with him. After his father passed away, he decided to just start working.”

According to study.com, experience is sometimes the most important requirement for success. “To become a general contractor, you need at least a high

school diploma, but there is an increase in a need for a bachelor’s degree or at least an associate degree, plus years of construction industry experience. Regardless of education though, experience in the industry is the most important requirement.”

With Andrew’s skill and reputation, he made a name for himself in the competitive Atlanta housing

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According to study.com, experience is sometimes the most important requirement for success. “To become a general contractor, you need at least a high school diploma, but there is an increase in a need for a bachelor’s degree or at least an associate degree, plus years of construction industry experience.

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market. “A couple of years after we met, we partnered our professional skills together and started our own design / build company called SITE Modern and designed and built modern residential homes in Atlanta.”

The call from Ellen’s mother came in 2009. What Kay West considered “the perfect plan” had come at “the perfect time.” The housing market was hit hard by the financial crisis of 2008, which has subsequently been called the worst economic disaster since the Great Depression. Even so, the situation presented an opportunity for Ellen to return to the home she had been so eager to leave behind in her youth. “I’m very close

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“I’m very close with my parents and Savannah friends. After we married, I hoped there would come a time when we could circle back home to Savannah. But I wasn’t sure how we could make that happen professionally.” with my parents and Savannah friends,” she said. “After we married, I hoped there would come a time when we could circle back home to Savannah. But I wasn’t sure how we could make that happen professionally.”

But it was more than economics that made Ellen and Andrew consider making such a big change in their careers. “I loved working in Atlanta, but when I found out that we were expecting our second child, I didn’t want to be with five million people anymore,” said Ellen.

She wanted “home.” The closeness of family relationships around her. The close ties of the community she’d grown up with in Savannah.

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“Once I left home and traveled around, I realized how lucky I was to grow up in Savannah. Not everyone has what we have here.” Ellen missed Savannah’s cobblestone streets, Antebellum architecture, the marshes and coastal beaches. Most of all, she wanted her children to grow up surrounded by the love and support of their grandparents.

But moving home was the easy part.

Taking over an awning business was a bit more challenging. “This is not a business you can learn overnight. It’s not like you make a widget and come back the next day to make the same widget again. Everything is custom made, every job a new project.”

But with her knowledge of fabric and interior design and Andrew’s experience in sales and construction, they knew they had a good foundation on which to build.

Andrew worked under the tutelage of Glenn Wood for two years and learned the business from the inside out. In 2012, the Barbers officially became the new owners of Coastal Canvas Products. Of course, their new venture was not without challenges. In times past, skilled trade jobs were taught through apprenticeships or learned from one generation to the next. “Our greatest challenge has been finding people who know how to sew on a commercial level,” said Ellen. “Thankfully, we have several wonderful employees who have been sewing with Coastal Canvas Products for years. And Savannah College of Art and Design and Savannah Technical College have been great resources. They’ve pointed students our way

When Ellen and Andrew took over ownership, the first order of business was to update every piece of equipment. “We really wanted to take this company into the future, so we put a lot of time and effort into modernizing it,” said Ellen. Passing through the fabric shop where all the layout, sewing, and graphics takes place, she pointed to a state-of-the-art electronic cutting table. “What used to take three days to cut out an intricate pattern is now done in about thirty minutes.”

who may have graduated with degrees in things like fashion design. We’ve been a respected name here since 1975, so anybody that wants to utilize their sewing or welding skills knows about us.”

In an article for nationalreview.com entitled “College Versus Apprenticeship,” George Leef writes, “The main problem seems to be one of perception…. Parents push their children toward college. So do high-school guidance counselors…” But as “…huge numbers of college ‘educated’ students struggle to repay their student loans,” many are beginning to

rethink the idea that regardless of profession everyone needs a college degree to be successful.

When Ellen and Andrew took over ownership, the first order of business was to update every piece of equipment. “We really wanted to take this company into the future, so we put a lot of time and effort into modernizing it,” said Ellen. Passing through the fabric shop where all the layout, sewing, and graphics takes place, she pointed to a state-of-the-art electronic cutting table. “What used to take three days to cut out an intricate Hometown Living At Its Best

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pattern is now done in about thirty minutes.”

With a thirty-foot heat welder, Coastal Canvas can utilize a seal with heat that is “the strongest bond in the market.” Pointing to an embroidery machine, which was the newest piece of equipment, Ellen said, “Instead of applying a logo or graphics onto the awnings, we can now embroidery it.”

The second order of business was a new location.

“We moved Coastal Canvas from the 16,000 square foot warehouse on Ross Road in downtown Savannah to a 37,000 square feet building on Chatham Parkway that had been the Hospice Administration Building,” said Ellen.

In addition to awnings, metal canopies, retractable roofs, tension structures and shade sails, Coastal Canvas Products makes storm and solar protection for windows and doors. Recent customers include Enmarket on MLK, Montage Palmetto Bluff, and Carrabba’s restaurants throughout the country.

“Every job is so individual and unique, which is why we enjoy what we do so much,” said Ellen. “A homeowner may want shade for their back porch, but a business may need to keep the rain off their front doors. We have thirty dedicated employees designing, sewing, welding, painting, and installing custom-made products…. We learned long ago that we’re really in the business of building relationships. For that reason, we

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put a premium on hiring the most qualified people to serve on our team.”

Whether it’s sun, storm, insect protection, energy saving, or adding personality or branding to a restaurant or local storefront, Coastal Canvas Products can make just about anything out of metal and fabric. “Our project list is long and varied. In our industrial sewing department, we even make the diapers for the horses for downtown Savannah carriage tours and the side curtains used to protect cars on the back of trailers during transport,” said Ellen.

Forty years speaks volumes about both the man who started Coastal Canvas and the couple who are committed to its future. It was the perfect time to revision the future for both the company and its new owners. The evolution of Coastal Canvas needed more than new technology; the future of the company depended on heart and hard work—the two qualities that defined Ellen and Andrew Barber.

The same wings that had taken Ellen to places far and wide had brought her home again. Her mother was right (as mother’s usually are). Ellen and Andrew were “the perfect buyers,” even if her reasoning was based on having her grandchildren nearby rather than on a career opportunity.

“My father is retired now,” said Ellen, “so they moved to our neighborhood just to be closer to us.”

The reason Ellen and Andrew place such high value on strong relationships at Coastal Canvas Products is because they value their relationships at home. And as their children Kate (12) and Heath (9) grow up in the shadow of their grandparents’ lives and love, roots grow deeper. It is the tree, after all, that gives the birds their home.  CCL

Our project list is long and varied. In our industrial sewing department, we even make the diapers for the horses for downtown Savannah carriage tours and the side curtains used to protect cars on the back of trailers during transport,” said Ellen.

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celebrating TEN YEARS IN THE INDUSTRY

Brandon O’Ree, Executive Director of Savannah Square, has a passion for senior adults stemming from his childhood bond with his grandparents.

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Brandon O’Ree, Executive Director of Savannah Square, has a passion for senior adults stemming from his childhood bond with his grandparents. He often reflects on their sound advice and his fond memories with them.

Brandon particularly enjoys the elderlys’ wisdom, candid humor, and tenacious spirit.

After receiving his degree in Healthcare Administration from Auburn University, Brandon began working in the senior living industry, recently celebrating ten years in the industry. He has attentively managed the charming 17-acre senior living community for four years. Making sure Savannah Square provides the best environment, experience, and care possible is his primary focus. “One thing I have grown to appreciate,” he says, “is that each community has its own unique identity. I’m a little biased, but I believe Savannah Square is a very special place.”

There is a lot that Savannah Square has to offer that sets them apart from other communities in the coastal empire and surrounding areas. Savannah Square is one of only two Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC) in Savannah; and the only rental community. A “CCRC” is a community that has independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing, and rehabilitative services all on one campus. “This allows residents to age gracefully in one place without all the stress of multiple moves,” says Brandon.

Savannah Square offers a variety of distinctive amenities, from the fitness center to its library and social

n

,

s

“One thing I have grown to appreciate, is that each community has its own unique identity. I’m a little biased, but I believe Savannah Square is a very special place.”

areas. Savannah Square residents can grow and enhance their lives through the community’s Lifestyle 360 program.

“It focuses on the five dimensions of wellness, which are physical, social, intellectual, spiritual, and emotional,” explains Brandon. This allows residents to explore favorite or new activities, hobbies, and programs.

Also, Savannah Square offers very spacious floor plans for apartments and cottages, which are pet-friendly, so residents can bring their furry friends with them.

This senior living community also offers several options for a healthy, active lifestyle. For instance, “We offer a lot of healthy meal options prepared by our executive chef, food and beverage director, and a team of talented cooks,” points out Brandon. Savannah Square creates signature recipes that are not only rich fare, but encourage healthy eating by having a plethora of healthy dietary options on their menu.

Brandon reveals, “Our residents often rave about just how good our food is here.”

The senior living community focuses on and encompasses all its residents’ needs for a balanced life. “We really try to get to know our residents and provide options that are specific to their interests,” says Brandon. Savannah Square isn’t just a place for seniors to reside; it’s a place for seniors to thrive.

Savannah Square is conveniently located at 1 Savannah Square Drive in Savannah just three miles from St. Joseph Chandler Hospital and five miles from Memorial Hospital.

The community is in midtown. Therefore residents and their families have access to an array of great dining, entertainment, and shopping, not to mention Savannah’s historical and recreational attractions.

We welcome you to schedule a tour either online at savannahsquareretirement.com or by calling 912-927-7550.

Savannah

Square

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a true

Polymath

Story By David Pena Photos by Dream Weaver Photos, Provided by the Ham Family, Kathryn Pinckney & William Austin Smith 38

chatham county living

Isabelle Ham, Country Day’s kicker has became the first female in the school’s history to score in a football game.

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September 13, 2019 was a groundbreaking moment in Savannah Country Day School’s history. The Hornets were playing against Bryan County High on an unseasonably warm night at Saunders Stadium. Country Day’s kicker was called in to attempt a field goal, and as the ball flew perfectly through the uprights, Isabelle Ham became the first female in the school’s history to score in a football game. It may have only counted as one point in her team’s score, but Isabelle’s extra point in the third quarter (and subsequent point in the fourth) meant the world to the senior and her family.

“It was truly an awesome thing to witness,” says her father, Emerson. “The ball was still going up as it went into the woods behind the goal posts.” Characteristically, Isabelle just chalked up the whole experience to a lot of hard work. “I practiced every day just like any other player,” she says. “I try just as hard, and I think it’s good to show people you can come out here and do whatever you want to do.” Her mother, Jennifer Jo Waters, says she’s not surprised by her daughter’s accomplishments in so unconventional an arena.

“She probably gets that from me since I’ve always been a woman who’s gone outside the boundaries of what is expected from females. I love the fact that she’s doing the same while doing what she loves. Plus, it was an incredible thing to watch.”

Isabelle’s stepmother, Sarah, now admits to

Jennifer Jo Waters, says she’s not surprised by her daughter’s accomplishments in so unconventional an arena. “She probably gets that from me since I’ve always been a woman who’s gone outside the boundaries of what is expected from females. I love the fact that she’s doing the same while doing what she loves.”

being a little reticent at first about her stepdaughter’s involvement in the sport. “I was sort of hoping she wouldn’t spread herself too thin with extracurriculars in her senior year, and I was nervous about injuries because of her size. However, she dresses out and does what’s expected of her, always with a smile on her face.”

Although Isabelle has shown some real talent on the gridiron, football isn’t her main sport. So, Isabelle easily transitioned from soccer star into a football kicker and loves the experience. “Her two older brothers and I are avid soccer players, so she came into it naturally,” explains Emerson. “Isabelle started around the age of three and took to it really quickly.”

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“I practiced every day just like any other player,” she says. “I try just as hard, and I think it’s good to show people you can come out here and do whatever you want to do.”

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Isabelle’s stepmother, Sarah, now admits to being a little reticent at first about her stepdaughter’s involvement in the sport. “I was sort of hoping she wouldn’t spread herself too thin with extra-curriculars in her senior year, and I was nervous about injuries because of her size. However, she dresses out and does what’s expected of her, always with a smile on her face.”

In fact, it was her prowess as a soccer player that first caught the attention of the SCDS football coaches. “Due to her skills as a soccer player, the football coaches soon approached her to be their kicker,” says Jennifer. “She came home one day with this tiny uniform and big helmet but has loved it ever since.” Isabelle jumped at the chance to show her skills on the gridiron, but it’s not unusual for the

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seventeen-year-old, as her grandmother, Mary Ham, explains. “She can do anything and do it well once she puts her mind to it.”

Aside from her daughter’s athletic prowess, Jennifer says the family began to take notice of another one of Isabelle’s many talents early on. “She was singing before she was walking and talking, and Mary noticed that she was always on key, which is

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Although Isabelle has shown some real talent on the gridiron, football isn’t her main sport. So, Isabelle easily transitioned from soccer star into a football kicker and loves the experience.

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unique. So, when she was six, Mary told us that she would pay for her musical training; all we had to do was show up for her recitals.” Mary made good on her word, and eleven years later Isabelle is still under the tutelage of renowned music instructor Julie Rose Wilde.

Julie recalls her first encounter with the musical talent. “A tiny Isabelle first came to my studio with a joy for singing and a proclivity for outbursts of laughter years ago,” she says. “Bright, outgoing and determined, Isabelle has always been a ‘can do’ student who loves to be challenged.

I’m proud that she has become a strong, intelligent and versatile singer who understands how to skillfully and safely use her instrument.”

In fact, it was through Wilde’s connections that Isabelle found herself auditioning for the Savannah Theatre when she was only eight. Isabelle was the first in line of about 200 children. “When she was auditioning, I heard the Director (Michael Meeks) remark about how lovely her voice was,” recalls her grandmother. They took her in for their annual Christmas show and Isabelle worked with them for years until she outgrew the part. They were a wonderful influence on her.

Under Wilde’s tutelage, Isabelle has become quite a skilled pianist as well as extraordinary singer, which is evidenced in the number of appearances she has made in the last few years. Isabelle has performed The National Anthem at Savannah Sand Gnats games as well as for Rock n Roll Marathons and Scottish Games. She has even appeared as a soloist in showcases at such venues as The Mansion on Forsyth Park, Moon River Brewing Company, and the Tybee Post Theater. Additionally, Isabelle has performed with Savannah jazz musicians Ricardo Ochoa and Jody Espina and has even recorded two jazz videos with

“Due to her skills as a soccer player, the football coaches soon approached her to be their kicker,” says Jennifer. “She came home one day with this tiny uniform and big helmet but has loved it ever since.”

Isabelle jumped at the chance to show her skills on the gridiron, but it’s not unusual for the seventeen-year-old, as her grandmother, Mary Ham, explains. “She can do anything and do it well once she puts her mind to it.”

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the Eric Jones Trio. She is currently the vocalist for her high school jazz band and sings with local rock group The Wassaw Sound. She has even studied music theater at the summer Broadway Artists Alliance Intensive Program in New York City and danced with Elizabeth Newkirk.

“Julie has done wonders with Isabelle,” adds her grandmother. “Julie makes it a point to involve all her students in the community, making sure that they have wonderful venues to perform in public.”

For her part, Isabelle has proven to be a wonderful student. “She listens to training and follows through

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with it, unlike most kids her age, including me when I was growing up,” she adds. Her stepmother agrees, adding, “When her father and I were married in 2015, she actually sang “Ave Maria” at the ceremony. She was pretty amazing, but all of the (Ham) kids are like that; they love to excel at (everything) they try, and they’re the most positive kids I’ve ever been around.”

Isabelle says that, although her free time is limited, she wouldn’t have it any other way. “Time management is something that I’m very familiar with. Committing to so many extra-curricular

activities on top of schoolwork is challenging, but I love all the things I do. I just make sure to find a way to balance everything I do equally.”

Jennifer says her daughter has always been able to juggle time for all her talents.

“We’ve always raised her to do what she wants to do. When she finds something she’s interested in, she makes time for it and does it really well. We’re all so proud of what she’s accomplished so far.”

While at college, Isabelle plans to study pre-med, which doesn’t surprise

her father in the least. “She has always been interested in the sciences and was just accepted into Alabama, so we’ll have to see if they need a kicker on their team,” laughs Emerson. Although undecided on what college to attend, Isabelle hopes to major in Biology.

“I’m hoping to get on a pre-med track so that I can work towards becoming an otolaryngologist,” she says. “I have no plans to play sports (in college), but I will most likely continue to play intramural soccer, given the chance.”

She also plans on continuing her music in her spare time.

“Anything she tries, she just knocks out of the park, and we all just stand in awe. It’s been great seeing her accomplish all these different things while keeping her grades up,” says Emerson. “She’s always been a hard worker, and she’s taught us all lessons about perseverance along the way.”

For more information about The Wilde School of Music, go to www. julierosewilde.com.  CCL

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eight generations

of master craftsman

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Story By Teri R. Williams | Photos by Dream Weaver Photos

David Colas decision to pursue furniture design and woodworking seemed created by circumstance until his grandfather introduced him to a history he never even knew existed.

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Can your DNA influence the career you choose to follow? Every episode of the television documentary series “Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates, Jr.” explores this very concept. As Gates introduces celebrities to unknown ancestors, there is often a fascinating revelation of a connecting thread. David Colas decision to pursue furniture design and woodworking seemed created by circumstance until his grandfather introduced him to a history he never even knew existed.

“This tool belonged to my great, great, greatgrandfather,” said David as he lifted an antique hand-plane from the box he received from his grandfather during a visit to his home country of France this past summer. All of the tools were handmade. Others carried markings of official certifications as master craftsmen. Without intent, David had added his mark on a timeline of eight generations of French craftsman.

Some of the items he received from his grandfather went back to the 18th century. One piece was hand-stamped “1866.” There was also a certificate written in French from 1865 recognizing an ancestor as a master craftsman.

“The way it worked in France, it would take decades to receive such an award,” explained

Although a native of France, David had lived in seven different countries before coming to America. “My father was a CFO of Unilever, a global company, and one of the world’s leaders in palm oil production. So, we traveled a lot,” he said. Unilever brands include Breyers, Dove, and Lipton. “Because of my father’s work, I learned about the manufacturing process informally.”

Marcel Colas (Shoemaker, gentleman at the top 2nd to right) and Jean-Marie Colas ( bottom center, woodworking hobbyist and David’s Grandfather)

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David. “They didn’t just hire any builder to work on a castle or cathedral. You had to be a master craftsman, and only the best received this award. That’s why some castles took hundreds of years to build because only these craftsmen could be hired to do the work.

They would often have to build their own tools,” referring to some of the instruments given to him by his grandfather, “on the basis of the project on which they were working.”

Although a native of France, David had lived in

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seven different countries before coming to America.

“My father was a CFO of Unilever, a global company, and one of the world’s leaders in palm oil production.

So, we traveled a lot,” he said. Unilever brands include Breyers, Dove, and Lipton. “Because of my father’s work, I learned about the manufacturing process informally.”

David and his family were living in Malaysia when recruiters for Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) visited his high school. He applied and was

David and his family were living in Malaysia when recruiters for Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) visited his high school. He applied and was accepted into SCAD’s painting and graphic design program. “I really just wanted to paint,” said David. “But when I started school at SCAD, my father said, ‘You’re not going to sell paintings in a recession.’ It brought me down a bit, but it was 2008. He was just giving me the reality of things. I considered my options at SCAD and decided on furniture design because it would still allow me to be creative and make a physical product in my name.”

Following his graduation from SCAD in 2012, he was invited to participate in a furniture exhibition at Ashmore Gallery, a contemporary gallery in Savannah at that time, by Gallery Director Lara Martino. The exhibition proved to be more than just a business opportunity.

Abel Cormier (Carpenter and son of Joseph Cormier)

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accepted into SCAD’s painting and graphic design program. “I really just wanted to paint,” said David. “But when I started school at SCAD, my father said, ‘You’re not going to sell paintings in a recession.’ It brought me down a bit, but it was 2008. He was just giving me the reality of things. I considered my options at SCAD and decided on furniture design because it would still allow me to be creative and make a physical product in my name.”

It seemed a brave decision for someone who had never worked with wood. David acknowledged my observation with a smile. “I know it sounds silly, but I did have an extensive knowledge of playing with Legos.” At first, I thought he was joking. But Lego blocks were no joke to David Colas. “I would buy a box of Legos, but I would never build what they told you to build. I would literally use the set to build what I wanted. Whether it was Legos or painting, it was the same creative process to me. When you are an artist, you just paint what you want.

I saw designing and building furniture as just using a new set of tools. Instead of paintbrushes, I would use fabrication machines.”

In an article entitled “How Playing With Legos (the Right Way) Boosts Your Creativity”

for inc.com, Ilan Mochari writes, “…some Lego habits foster more creativity than others. Recent research by business professors Page Moreau and Marit Gundersen Engset strongly suggests that you’ll reap more creative benefits if you ‘free-build’--doing what you will with a random collection of pieces--as opposed to building something from a well-defined LEGO kit by following the instructions to letter.” Whether DNA or creative play, David’s commitment to develop his skill made him a master craftsman in his own right.

Following his graduation from SCAD in 2012, he was invited to participate in a furniture exhibition at Ashmore Gallery, a contemporary gallery in Savannah at that time, by Gallery Director Lara Martino. The exhibition proved to be more than just a business opportunity. “The show had ended before David’s mother could come from France for a visit. But he brought her to see a piece of furniture he’d made that was still in the gallery. When we met, she told him he should ask me to dinner,” laughed Lara.

Originally from Florida, Lara had studied arts management and contemporary dance at the College of Charleston. She then furthered her education in fine and decorative art appraisal at New York University (NYU). “My grandmother, Jan Callen, was an art collector specifically of 19th and 20th century paintings, which was a big reason why I took an interest in the arts field.

My aunt started Ashmore Gallery to honor my grandmother,” she said adding, “Ashmore was my grandmother’s mother’s maiden name.”

The furniture exhibit was one of Lara’s first exhibitions at the gallery. In her time as Director, she coordinated over thirty exhibitions. “My goal was to promote emerging artists, and I was working with a lot of SCAD alumni when I met

With woodworking, metal working and laser technology, everything at Colas Modern is uniquely designed and localy sourced. “We meet with the client directly,” said David, “to give them a customization and make what they want a reality.

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David,” said Lara. From the moment they met, there was an instant connection. In 2013, Lara and David combined their talents and started their own furniture and design company they called Design More.

“I officially joined him full-time in 2014 to run the company and together focus our efforts on producing art and design.” In 2015, Lara and David married, and two years later decided to change the name of their company from Design More to Colas Modern to reflect the family name and business.

The incredible pieces of furniture designed by this husband and wife team and made by David in his Atelier on Louisville Road display the craftsmanship of a true artist. With the Industrial Revolution and mass production, many invaluable

The furniture exhibit was one of Lara’s first exhibitions at the gallery. In her time as Director, she coordinated over thirty exhibitions. “My goal was to promote emerging artists, and I was working with a lot of SCAD alumni when I met David,” said Lara. From the moment they met, there was an instant connection. In 2013, Lara and David combined their talents and started their own furniture and design company they called Design More.

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skills and forms of artistry once overseen by guilds or passed down from generation to generation through apprenticeships have been all but lost. The Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) website states, “Traditional craftsmanship is perhaps the most tangible manifestation of intangible cultural heritage.”

With woodworking, metal working and laser technology, everything at Colas Modern is uniquely designed and localy sourced. “We meet with the client directly,” said David, “to give them a customization and make what they want a reality. We go from the design work to the fabrication in our shop next door.

Everything happens here.” This is the kind of

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Antique Wooden Hand Plane, 1908 of Abel Cormier (Photographed by Russ Goekin)

work in which today’s consumer is interested. The sameness of mass production has simply lost its appeal.

We long for the handmade craftsmanship that built castles and cathedrals in centuries past. The recent Notre Dame Cathedral fire was a devastating loss for us all. In April 2019, Emily Reynolds wrote on foxbusiness.com, “The knowledge handed down from generation to generation that is considered a jewel of medieval Gothic architecture represented in the Notre Dame Cathedral is no longer known in our modern-day world, according to presidential historian Doug Wead.” The loss, as many noted, is irreplaceable.

Today, David and Lara are doing their part to pass on their own legacy of French craftsmanship. “We offer internships and do a lot with SCAD students in the furniture design department as well as with students in graphic design and industrial design,” said Lara.

The first thing I noticed when I visited David and Lara

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at Colas Modern was a play area for their two children, Maximilien and Rose. Unlike the surprising revelation of David’s heritage, these children know they are growing up in the shadow of a long dynasty of master craftsmen. And as David continues the legacy for those who may follow, the past finds expression in the present and roots deepen as gifts and callings reach forward into the future.  CCL (For more information, visit colasmodern.com).

Sources: www.inc.com/ilaAn-mochari/lego-creativity.html https://ich.unesco.org/en/traditionalcraftsmanship-00057 www.foxbusiness.com/features/u-s-historian-dougwead-on-notre-dame-cathedral-fire-knowledge-ofcathedrals-craftsmen-longer-exists-in-modern-times ”

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still lacing

them up

By Stephen Prudhomme | Photos by Dream Weaver Photos

J

Savannah Woman Remains on the Run Despite Physical Challenges and Loss of Husband.

Jenny Kyle has endured a number of physical challenges in her life, the most recent being a recurring case of fibromyalgia that left her weak and unable to run with her usual frequency. She also lost her husband, the person who introduced her to running and then competed against her. Still, at age 70, Jenny is running and gunning for more age group awards. In November, she competed in the Savannah Rock ‘n’ Roll Half-Marathon Relay.

A native of England, Jenny has lived in Savannah since 1988. She retired as radiation therapy supervisor at the Anderson Cancer Institute in 2014 and volunteers at the Humane Society of Greater Savannah. Reflective of the importance of running in her life, Jenny, when asked how she’s doing, said the fibromyalgia left her in a weakened condition

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for about a year and she ran her first race in many months the first week of October, a 5K in Beaufort, South Carolina.

Jenny has been on the run for over 40 years.

Prior to that, she ran on the playing fields of her homeland in pursuit of balls of varying size, color, and texture. She played field hockey, cricket, lacrosse, and tennis while growing up in England.

Although she didn’t compete in any footraces, she certainly was no stranger to running. “I did a lot of running while playing sports in England,” said Jenny, whose words tumble out and still carry a noticeable English accent. “People don’t always realize how much running you do in field hockey, which certainly helped when I took up running later on.”

Jenny’s introduction to running, as a sport,

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“I really surprised myself with the time. I really went out there and just ran out. I kept up a steady pace and never hit the wall.”

took place thousands of miles away from her homeland. She and her husband, Dave, had moved to New Orleans in 1976.

The following year, they started running together. “I enjoyed it right away,” said the wiry, curly-haired Jenny, whose athletic background has produced a light, economical running style that makes it appear as though she’s floating along. A fellow Savannah runner described her form as efficient. “She’s a very natural runner,” he said.

It didn’t take long for Jenny’s competitive instincts to kick in. Just several months after taking up running, she entered her first race, a two-miler, and finished in 15:02. Her time was all the more remarkable given her footwear: a $10 pair of Converse basketball shoes. “I didn’t know anything about running shoes,” Jenny said. “It was quite hard. I hadn’t run fast or raced.” Jenny had an added incentive to run a fast race…her husband promised her some top-of-the line running shoes if she finished under 16 minutes.

Her basketball shoes relegated to the closet, Jenny started doing races on a regular basis and, as runners are inclined to do, increasing her distances. She completed a 10-mile race in Louisiana in 82 minutes and a half-marathon in 1:40 in Denver, where she and Dave had moved. It wasn’t long before the marathon beckoned. Jenny had her first chance at the 26.2 mile distance in Denver in the fall of 1979. Her goal was to beat her husband’s marathon time of 3:50. Jenny tweaked her training schedule, increasing her weekly long runs and logging two or three 20-milers. That training regimen allowed her to claim family bragging rights in the marathon. Running at altitude, she finished in 3:18 and won her age group. Jenny said, “I really surprised myself with the time. I really went out there and just ran out. I kept up a steady pace and never hit the wall.”

Many runners spend a lifetime dreaming of competing in the Boston Marathon, which requires a qualifying time, but never making it to the starting line at Hopkinton. Here was Jenny, a relative newcomer to running, having qualified in her first marathon. She was part of a select company, poised to achieve even more marathon glory on the streets of Boston.

Given her first performance in her first marathon, at altitude, Jenny appeared to have a realistic shot at breaking three hours.

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Jenny Kyle has endured a number of physical challenges in her life, the most recent being a recurring case of fibromyalgia that left her weak and unable to run with her usual frequency.

She also lost her husband, the person who introduced her to running and then competed against her.

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Reflective of the importance of running in her life, Jenny, when asked how she’s doing, said the fibromyalgia left her in a weakened condition for about a year and she ran her first race in many months the first week of October.

Yet the difficulty of the course, the weather conditions, and a hankering for sightseeing conspired against Jenny, who labored to match her inaugural marathon time of 3:18.

“The day before the race, I walked the Freedom Trail,” she said. “Then, on race day, I had to wait until noon before starting.

There’s so much downhill. It made my quads ache. It’s a very challenging course.” Jenny also had to contend with warm temperatures.

“I was used to training in the cold and snow,” she said. In 1981 Jenny decided to incorporate some “speed work” and more rest into her training schedule. This helped her to a PR 3.06 marathon in Denver’s thin air.

In 1988, the couple moved to Savannah.

It didn’t take Jenny long to make her mark in

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local running circles, setting the Georgia record for masters at the 1990 Savannah Half-Marathon with a time of 1:22:40; at the time, there was no Savannah Marathon. The following year, she experienced the first of several physical setbacks that forced her to temporarily give up her favorite recreational pursuit.

Suffering from a foot injury that wouldn’t heal, Jenny didn’t run for six months. She stayed in shape by riding an exercise bike and swimming. After her foot healed, Jenny couldn’t wait to hop off the bike and out of the pool and go back to work on the roads and paths. She said that despite the half-year layoff, she didn’t lose any speed. “I was surprised how quickly it came back.”

Her marathon sabbatical ended in 1994 when the Savannah Marathon moved 15 miles east, to Tybee Island, where marathoners run two laps around the island and encounter only minimal traffic.

Jenny said her plan was to run the race at an even pace. She surpassed that goal by completing the second half three and a half minutes faster than the first. Even better, she finished as the top female, in

a time of 3:14…the race was decided over the last several hundred yards.

In 1995, Jenny began experiencing muscle soreness and fatigue and was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, a disease of the immune system associated with raised levels of the brain chemicals that transmit nerve signals. Not only did her muscles hurt to the touch, Jenny said, but the disease also tended to make her depressed and fatigued. Then, to add to her woes, doctors discovered and removed a large mass from her abdomen.

As she was treated for fibromyalgia and recovering from her surgery, Jenny had to face another piece of depressing news - she couldn’t run, but she could walk, and the competitor in her called out for anything but a leisurely stroll. “I had (time) goals for walking,” she explained. “Toward that end, I started running/walking. I did an awful lot of walking. I was determined to come back.”

That determination paid off. Some 10 months after her surgery, Jenny entered a 5K race in downtown Savannah, finishing in 24 minutes. She said that Hometown Living At Its Best

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Jenny’s introduction to running, as

was the first time she ran three miles since being sidelined, and it “felt good.”

The following year, after having carefully worked her way back into running, Jenny competed in the halfmarathon on Kiawah Island, finishing in a time of 1:25. Given her running history, she could avoid the marathon for only so long. In 2013, doing her first marathon in nearly 13 years, Jenny set a state age group record with a 3:50 at the Savannah Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon. Two years later, she placed fourth in her age group (65-69) at the Boston Marathon. “That’s pretty high up there,” Jenny said. “Boston’s such a prestigious race.” Despite her success in the 10 marathons she’s done, she said it’s not her favorite race. “I don’t especially like them,” Jenny said. “There’s too much training. I prefer middle distances, the 5K to half-marathon.”

Dave died in November 2010 following a battle with colon cancer. His ashes lie near some water, a place where Jenny occasionally runs. “I sometimes feel his presence,” she said. “We competed against one another. Running has been my escape since his death.”

Pam Manuel has known Jenny for some 20 years. Following Dave’s death, Pam said they became traveling and racing buddies. She described Jenny as a wonderful person who’s easy to get along with and always tries to help runners and non-runners alike. Despite being seven years younger than Jenny, Pam said her friend leaves her in the dust when it comes to running. “Jenny makes it look real easy, easier than it is,” Pam said. “She still has the discipline and dedication and puts in the roadwork. She absolutely inspires others and me.”

a sport, took place thousands of miles away from her homeland. She and her husband, Dave, had moved to New Orleans in 1976. The following year, they started running together. “I enjoyed it right away,” said the wiry, curly-haired Jenny, whose athletic background has produced a light, economical running style that makes it appear as though she’s floating along.

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Her basketball shoes relegated to the closet, Jenny started doing races on a regular basis and, as runners are inclined to do, increasing her distances. She completed a 10-mile race in Louisiana in 82 minutes and a half-marathon in 1:40 in Denver, where she and Dave had moved. It wasn’t long before the marathon beckoned. Jenny had her first chance at the 26.2 mile distance in Denver in the fall of 1979. Her goal was to beat her husband’s marathon time of 3:50.

Jenny has been an active member of the Savannah Striders Track Club since moving to Savannah and credits the club and its members for supporting her through the good times and bad. In turn, the club has benefited from her presence. Tharon Lambert, president of the Savannah Striders, said, “Jenny helps the club remain focused on its mission of promoting health and fitness throughout the area.” He adds, “She also inspires members through a long running career in which she has set a number of age group records. Jenny shows that no matter what

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your age, you can still compete. She sticks to a running and training program and shows what you can accomplish through discipline and hard work.”

Jenny credited her running success to natural ability and the competitiveness she developed while playing team sports in England. She said she works hard at it, probably more so than the average runner facing her litany of physical challenges, yet it’s a labor of love that she sums up in simple terms, much like her economical running style…“I just love running.”  CCL

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Prescription for Success: Keep it in the Family

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BY DAVID PENA | PHOTOS PROVIDED BY LESLIE HAND PHOTOGRAPHY

Quick Rx is truly a wonderful company, they treat their staff and patients as part of their family, and it shows in their service.

f

For more than thirty years, Quick Rx Drugs has been a locally owned and operated independent Georgia pharmacy. In 1987, Ron Stephens sought to create a caring and professional atmosphere for patients who need quick, reliable, and friendly service. “We opened up our first location in Garden City,” says Ron’s wife Janice. “Ron worked from 9 until 9 every day of the year, including Christmas, in order to meet the needs of our patients.”

Ron agrees that in order to get his pharmacy off the

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ground in the eighties, he had to make some sacrifices, which unfortunately meant less family time for him. “It was tough going when I first started,” says Ron. “The kids were small, and I rarely saw them.

I left for work before they woke up, and I got home after they went to bed at night; basically, it was just me at the pharmacy all year-round. Of course, as a pharmacist you can’t leave the store for lunch or a break. However, I took on another pharmacist, Ron Cook, after a year or so, which helped.” Nodding in agreement, Janice says, “Ron missed out on a lot of school plays and ball games, but that’s what it took

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to succeed (with an independent business) in those days.”

In 2004, Ron and Janice’s daughter, Karen Stephens Brown, graduated from her father’s alma mater, Mercer University, and promptly took the leadership reigns by expanding the company and opening two new locations in Pooler and Whitemarsh Island. Recently, she officially assumed ownership of Quick Rx Drugs as the CEO and Supervising Pharmacist. Like her father, she feels that the company’s “personal touch and quick service” is what sets them apart from other

In 2004, Ron and Janice’s daughter, Karen Stephens Brown, graduated from her father’s alma mater, Mercer University, and promptly took the leadership reigns by expanding the company and opening two new locations in Pooler and Whitemarsh Island.

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“Our customers are not a number to us; they’re real people, and we try to treat them as such. The moment you walk through our door, we know your face and usually what you need. It’s a level of rapport that I don’t think you get anywhere else.”

Quick Rx also boasts a great rapport with surrounding physicians. “A number of the local physicians also happen to be our patients as well,” says Karen. “They rely on us for critical information, such as prescription availability, drug interactions, or suggestions for compounding medications or cheaper alternatives. With us, you don’t have to speak to someone in a glass building in Ohio to make decisions that involve helping patients.”

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corporate-owned pharmaceutical companies. “We have a great rapport with all of our customers; we know their pet’s name as well as their grandmother, who’s probably been coming here for years,” says Karen.

“Our customers are not a number to us; they’re real people, and we try to treat them as such. The moment you walk through our door, we know your face and usually what you need. It’s a level of rapport that I don’t think you get anywhere else.”

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the next generation

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Ron, who is enjoying his role as full-time grandfather, says he couldn’t have left the business in more capable hands. “Karen has done a remarkable job with Quick Rx. In fact, we have the largest small chain in Georgia owned and operated by a female, so we’re really proud of that fact as well.”

When away from the pharmacies, Karen and her family enjoy traveling and boating. Her son, Walker, is especially happy when they mount up and ride trails on their dirt bikes together.

Karen is a foodie who’s not afraid to try “anything that doesn’t eat me first.”

Quick Rx also boasts a great rapport with surrounding physicians. “A number of the local physicians also happen to be our patients as well,” says Karen. “They rely on us for critical information, such as prescription availability, drug interactions, or suggestions for compounding medications or cheaper alternatives.

With us, you don’t have to speak to someone in a glass building in Ohio to make decisions that involve helping patients.”

Karen explains that, while business ownership has been extremely fulfilling for the Stephens family, it does come with its own set of challenges. “You can’t be stagnant in this industry. For instance, we have had to evolve from just a numbers-based profession,” she says. “Quick Rx has now expanded to service assisted living clients, and we are the primary provider for many surrounding hospices and Hospice Savannah.

We also provide vaccines for our patients, and we’ve even ventured into compliance packaging as well, which helps patients to keep track of their dosages.”

They offer same day delivery, medication flavoring, compression hose, the hard to find old school remedies, and a wide variety of incontinence and wound care supplies. The Savannah and Springfield locations even have a boutique, complete with seasonal items, gifts, and clothes for their patients to peruse during their short wait for prescriptions.

Ron, who is enjoying his role as full-time grandfather, says he couldn’t have left the business in more capable hands. “Karen has done a remarkable job with Quick Rx. In fact, we have the largest small chain in Georgia owned and operated by a female, so we’re really proud of that fact as well.”

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Janice continues to help Karen run the company while Ron works hard as a Georgia State Representative, where he has been a member for seventeen years. He is Chairman of the House Economic Development & Tourism Committee, a member of the Appropriations, Rules, and Ways and Means Committees, and he has also served on the Georgia Tourism Foundation. Ron actually co-authored the first floating homestead exemption also called the Stephens-Day property tax freeze in Georgia and was awarded Legislator of the Year by the Georgia Hospital Association in 2019 as well as the recipient of The Good Samaritan award, this year. “It’s been an interesting ride,” says Ron, “and a good thing for us, we have strong pharmacy representation in Georgia’s legislature 84

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Despite the challenges, the Stephens family has flourished, and Quick Rx Drugs has grown over the years to include six retail locations throughout two Georgia counties, in addition to one institutional “closed door” pharmacy. “Our locations range from Whitmarsh to Springfield,” explains Karen with a smile. “We offer convenient drive-thru windows at our Pooler, Rincon, Garden City, and Whitemarsh locations, and our staff is available seven days a week at our Pooler and Rincon locations, and we’re in the process of renovating our Savannah location to include two drive-thru windows.”

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and during my tenure I’ve placed patient’s healthcare on the forefront” When away from the pharmacies, Karen and her family enjoy traveling and boating. Her son, Walker, is especially happy when they mount up and ride trails on their dirt bikes together. Karen is a foodie who’s not afraid to try “anything that doesn’t eat me first.” She can throw a great bulls eye playing darts, hit a softball like Babe Ruth, all while singing her favorite karaoke with friends.

Most of all, she enjoys kicking back and spending time with her family and truly believes laughter is the best medicine.

As to the rising cost of prescription medications, Karen and her father agree that this is a critical area, particularly for pharmacies like Quick Rx. “The Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBM) are the

ones who pay the bills, so to speak,” explains Karen.

“They dictate what your dispensing fees are and how much you are reimbursed for your medications.

It’s at a catastrophic level for most independent pharmacies like us, which is why you’ll see them going out of business.” Ron concurs, adding, “When I started the PBMs didn’t have a stranglehold on the industry as they do today. Now you have to evolve and find ways to make the best of your reimbursements, which Karen does extremely well.”

“It goes back to evolving,” adds Karen. “For example, we have to use more of our clinical skills that we learned in school as well as be more collaborative with surrounding physicians. We’ve also implemented technology in our business, adding an app as well as texting in our services. Our patients get a real-time response for refills now. We

were even open during the hurricane, when other pharmacies had a mandatory evacuation policy. In other words, you really have to be one step ahead of the game.”

Despite the challenges, the Stephens family has flourished, and Quick Rx Drugs has grown over the years to include six retail locations throughout two Georgia counties, in addition to one institutional “closed door” pharmacy. “Our locations range from Whitmarsh to Springfield,” explains Karen with a smile. “We offer convenient drive-thru windows at our Pooler, Rincon, Garden City, and Whitemarsh locations, and our staff is available seven days a week at our Pooler and Rincon locations, and we’re in the process of renovating our Savannah location to include two drive-thru windows.”

Longtime customer Kim Goode says, “They know

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most customers by name and go out of their way to help. They’ve even offered to meet me with my medications when I couldn’t get there before they closed. And when my son’s daily medication went up in price, they researched and found it at less than half the price I was originally paying!”

For the Stephens family at Quick Rx, it always goes back to the personal touch. “You have to find a niche, something that no one else does, and I think we’ve found our niche with our personal care,” says Janice. Nodding in agreement, Karen adds, “I always tell my staff to treat each patient as if they were their grandmother. At Quick Rx, we truly treat all of our staff and patients as part of our family, and I think it shows in our service.”

Please check out their website or app at quickrxdrugs.com, Instagram, and facebook.  CCL 88

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Our confidence in ourselves can be weakened or strengthened by many factors in our lives including hearing and communicating.

We live in a world that human beings need relationships and connections to our surroundings. When we can’t participate, we can’t live a full quality life. Your ability to hear enables you to establish and maintain these connections which include your primary relationships with family and friends. If you can’t communicate properly, these relationships will suffer.

Slowly you will stop getting into those situations that challenge your hearing. You may feel embarrassed and pretend you understood the conversation but actually did not…or just not actively participate at all. Relationships get strained from issues surrounding your hearing. All of these things affect your selfconfidence. How can you be confident in other areas of your life if you doubt yourself because of poor hearing?

Studies will show that untreated hearing loss leads to isolation, earlier cognitive slow down, and even earlier dementia. But did you realize that your hearing loss can cause you to feel less confident in yourself and affect your overall health? Once you start to isolate yourself there are many health issues that can come into play including depression.

There are so many medical issues we can’t control but hearing loss , in most cases, can be improved to let you lead the life you desire as you age and maintain your confidence. If your

cardiologist tells you to take medication for high blood pressure you do it because you want to be healthy. Hearing loss, although not usually imminently life threatening, slowly intrudes on your quality of life and your overall health so why wouldn’t you address this health issue as you do others? ...Only because we don’t recognize the affects hearing loss can have until it has changed your everyday life.

Whether your overall health is affecting your self-confidence or your self-confidence affecting your health, this is the year to step up. Be your best you…be more confident in yourself to protect your overall health, starting with your hearing health. Don’t be left out!

rise with the tide Two Tides Brewing Company is about more than a craft beer trend.

The brewery in Savannah’s Starland district is about creativity, hard work, and time spent with friends.

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By Teri R. Williams | Photos by Dream Weaver Photos

Two Tides Brewing Company is about more than a craft beer trend. The brewery in Savannah’s Starland district is about creativity, hard work, and time spent with friends. And, yes, great craft beer.

If you’ve heard of Two Tides, it’s because of the creative marketing skills of Liz Massey, the first Picasso of James’s beer art.

And if you’re thinking of a tall cold glass of Sixfoot IPA right now, you’ve probably met her husband James, the self-taught, beermaking chemist of Starland.

For those who have not yet had the pleasure of visiting Two Tides Brewing Company, let this be an introduction. But before I tell you about all the great craft beer at Two Tides with over 4-star ratings on the Untapped app, I’d like to take you back to the year 2013 when Liz first moved to Savannah from Dripping Springs, Texas, to attend Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD).

CHANGE OF COURSE It was the day before Liz was to leave for Hong Kong, one of several locations where The Savannah College of Art and Design has study abroad programs. Her dorm

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room had been packed up and all her things moved into a storage unit. When she transferred to SCAD from Saint Matthews University in Austin, Texas, and moved to Savannah in the fall of 2013, she was a photography major. But she was still unsure. She hoped the time spent studying abroad would help bring clarity.

Later, the city bus driver would state he never saw the pedestrian in the walkway. “He was in one of those tricky left turn lanes where you’re supposed to yield to the people walking, but he had a green light,” Liz explained.

By the time someone on the bus saw her and alerted the bus driver, she had been dragged about fifty feet. “Luckily, those buses are so low to the ground, so it kept me from going under.”

With all of her ribs on one side and her pelvis broken, it was going to be a long road to recovery. But instead of taking some time off from school to heal, Liz changed her major. “I

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wasn’t able to walk around and do all the photo class stuff, so I changed my major to advertising and started online courses while I was in the hospital.” As soon as she was able, she hobbled onto campus with crutches to class. “I’ve never been good at sitting still,” said Liz.

A MARRIAGE OF ART AND BEER Liz graduated from SCAD in 2016 with an Advertising Degree and immediately went to work as a copywriter and content strategist. About a year later, she married Savannah native and CPA, James Massey.

“When we first met, he asked me what type of craft beer I liked best. I didn’t really know much about craft beer, so I told him Blue Moon trying to impress him,” she laughed.

For ten years, James shared his many recipes of homebrewed beer with friends.

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“He was completely self-taught,” said Liz. “He had a tap system in his house with two kegs, and I started designing things for the tap handles when he was done with a beer.

As we spent more time together, he started asking me, ‘What should I brew this weekend?’ We would talk it over and come up with something together.”

It all came down to numbers and measurements for James, which is what he knew best. But like a mad scientist, James was also willing to experiment. By the time he and Liz began to dream about opening their own microbrewery one day, he had perfected some 500 different recipes.

SB 85 With the restrictions on microbreweries in Georgia, it was too difficult to make a go of it with a brewery. “A brewery couldn’t even sell by the pint like a normal bar,” said Liz. “There had to be like an educational component, and you could only offer a limited amount to customers if 96

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they purchased a ticket for a tour of your facility. It wasn’t profitable for anyone wanting to do like a mom and pop brewery.”

The restrictions on microbreweries dated back to the first laws after prohibition, she explained. In today’s world, those regulations had created a market where only large companies could financially survive.

“Smith Mathews, the Brewmaster at Southbound Brewery, was actually the one who told James about Senate Bill 85,” said Liz. If it passed, Georgia would finally join nearly every other state in the nation. Beer brewers could finally sell their beer for profit.

When SB 85 was signed into law May 8, 2017, Liz and James knew there would never be a more perfect time for someone who wanted to open a brewery. “On September 1, 2017, you could actually walk into a brewery for the first time in Georgia since before prohibition and buy a beer,” said Liz. Suddenly, all the late-night talks and distant dreams stood knocking at the door. There was only one thing for them to do: find a building and start brewing some beer!

THE STARLAND DISTRICT There was only one building for rent in the Starland District that they felt could work with their budget. “I lived there when I went to school and loved the area. It’s a mixed-use corridor, both residential and commercial, but still feels neighborhood friendly.” There was only one problem. “The Starland district didn’t have the proper zoning for breweries,” said Liz. After more research and the assistance of Joshua Yellin, a lawyer with Hunter MacLean Attorneys, the Masseys learned they would need the support of the people who actually lived in the Starland district if they hoped to get the zoning changed. “We spent every single lunch break walking around knocking on doors asking people how they felt about a brewery in their neighborhood.”

With letters of support from people in the neighborhood and a recommendation from the Metropolitan Planning Commission (MPC), the Savannah City Council approved the zoning change. After months of working on the building and now with the zoning change, James and Liz couldn’t put it off any longer: They had to tell their parents about the plan to open a brewery. “After the initial shock, they were fine,” said Liz. “Especially since we would still have our day jobs.” At least, that was the plan. “We both thought we were going to work at our jobs forever. The brewery would be open in the evenings about the time people were getting off work, and we would close when people left. My mom said, ‘Y’all are young and dumb, and you can do things like this now and see if it works.’” Liz smiled.

When it came to a name, James and Liz turned to Savannah’s waterways and called it Two Tides Brewing Company, which spoke of the constancy of the tide’s constant movement.

OPEN FOR BUSINESS “Our goal was to be open when the bill passed in September 2017,” said Liz. “But even before we knew if the zoning change was going to be approved, or get approved for a business license, we were putting in equipment and the right plumbing to get everything ready.” Even though James had never done it before, he learned as he went and did most of the plumbing himself.

There was only one building for rent in the Starland District that they felt could work with their budget. “I lived there when I went to school and loved the area. It’s a mixed-use corridor, both residential and commercial, but still feels neighborhood friendly.” There was only one problem. “The Starland district didn’t have the proper zoning for breweries,” said Liz.

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Even though the system was different from the large system at Southbound, James invited his friend Smith to stand watch on his first brew day on the new equipment.

“James told him, ‘Just stand behind me and don’t say anything unless you see me doing something horribly wrong.’ A mistake could cost us a few thousand dollars in ingredients,” said Liz. “So, Smith stood there, and James got through his first beer. It’s an IPA we named Sixfoot.

It’s our core beer now. We have it year-round.”

As the day of their opening grew closer, Liz posted on social media: “Two Tides Brewing Company is the result of years of experimentation and refinement. We not only love brewing beer, but we love sharing it with friends, and the ability it has to bring people together.”

Finally, the opening date was set for March 2018.

“Two weeks before we opened, I told James, ‘We should probably hire another bartender. You know, just in case.’”

It was a good thing. The shock of their extraordinary success has yet to wear off. In fact, Two Tides was such a success, it became impossible to keep up with a day job. “James was right in the middle of tax season when we opened,” said Liz “He lasted working both places until April 19th. I lasted until May.” Instead of one, Liz hired another ten to twelve employees just to keep up with their many customers. “I think I’m still in a kind of

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For ten years, James shared his many recipes of homebrewed beer with friends. “He was completely selftaught,” said Liz. “He had a tap system in his house with two kegs, and I started designing things for the tap handles when he was done with a beer. As we spent more time together, he started asking me, ‘What should I brew this weekend?’ We would talk it over and come up with something together.”

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shock. We haven’t yet had time to really think about what’s happened.”

“Have your parents and James’s parents been to the brewery?” I asked.

“Many times,” said Liz with a quick smile. “They’re all just happy it’s such a success.”

COLLABORATION In the one year since opening, James has brewed 111 batches of new beers. That’s a new brew every three days or so. If they weren’t having so much fun, you’d think they were workhorses.

In addition to amazing craft beer, Two Tides is always doing something fun, which often includes one or two of Savannah’s favorite food trucks, great music, or an art exhibit. For example, in May, Two Tides announced “Fresh Beer Friday with Krazian’s and Chazito’s” food

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a perfect time to open a brewery

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When SB 85 was signed into law May 8, 2017, Liz and James knew there would never be a more perfect time for someone who wanted to open a brewery. “On September 1, 2017, you could actually walk into a brewery for the first time in Georgia since before prohibition and buy a beer,� said Liz. Suddenly, all the latenight talks and distant dreams stood knocking at the door. There was only one thing for them to do: find a building and start brewing some beer!

“When James and I first met, he asked me what type of craft beer I liked best. I didn’t really know much about craft beer, so I told him Blue Moon trying to impress him.” trucks. That particular day, you could buy a beer and get a free hotdog (vegetarian option available). The following day, Prowl Food Truck was on hand and free popcorn was available in the taproom. (Of course, if you’d rather bring your own food or have a pizza delivered to the taproom, it’s all good with Liz and James).

On May 3, customers enjoyed “First Friday Pop Up,” with Big Bon Pizza, (my personal favorite), along with “a special collaborative series between local artists @willkes and @ julu.” Great craft beer, pizza, and local art. That’s pretty much the perfect Saturday.

“There’s [also] usually one large event every month that will include live music on Desoto Avenue. We can close off the entire street because it’s privately owned,” said Liz. And there’s always “Bring Your Own Vinyl Night” for midweek enjoyment every 2nd Wednesday.

Beginning June 1st, Two Tides will begin showcasing the “Alexandria Hall Solo Exhibition.” All those who enjoy the incredible illustrations of house illustrator and label illustrator, Alexandria Olivia Hall, are invited to view her “paintings and ceramics, as well as items for sale such as custom t-shirts and canvas bags,” in the taproom. According to Two Tides Facebook post, “A food truck will be on-site, and frozen beer slushies will be available.”

ONE YEAR On May 11-12, Two Tides Brewing Company celebrated their one-year anniversary with an “all day Block Party, food by Farm Bluffton, music

by Heavy Pets & Squash, Savannah Square

Pops, beer releases and more.” A Facebook post at the beginning of the week before the celebration read: “To kick-off our birthday week, tomorrow at 5pm we’re tapping a keg of barrel-aged Toasty Bois, an imperial stout conditioned on wood oven toasted coconut and hand-toasted marshmallows that we aged in a freshly emptied Ghost Coast Distillery whiskey barrel. This is the first of many releases this week, can’t wait to celebrate with you guys all week long. The first 10 people to purchase a 10oz pour get a free Toasty Bois sticker.”

On Saturday, I joined a large crowd on Desoto Avenue as Heavy Pets covered David Bowie’s song, “Let’s Dance.” An older couple stood side by side swaying to the music as a group of younger people clustered nearby. There were families, friends, and strangers. It was impossible to label those gathered for the event.

For Liz and James, the enjoyment of all they do, is defined by who they are. From brewing great craft beer to putting on community events, it’s all about collaboration. Sharing life together as a community.

Regardless of our gifts, strengths, or struggles, James’s craft beer makes the perfect connector, and Two Tides Brewing Company provides a common table for us to gather. All we have to do is show up and let the magic of community and friendship begin!

STOUTS, IPAS, AND SOURS, OH MY! “We like to think we specialize in haze and funk, but we also dabble in everything from the lightest lagers to the darkest barrel aged stouts,” writes Liz on their website. Below are some of the recent beer releases leading up to the One-Year Anniversary Event:

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Toasty Bois, an imperial stout conditioned on wood oven toasted coconut and hand-toasted marshmallows that we aged in a freshly emptied Ghost Coast Distillery whiskey barrel. (May 5) Desired Traits, a hazy IPA that we fermented with a single mega-fruity strain of brettanomyces. Exploding with intense tropical fruit and extra-ripe pineapple. Crushed with Citra, Wai-iti, and Simcoe and naturally conditioned in the bottle. Available only in 375ml bottles. (May 6) Elaborate Hoax, a DDH DIPA we brewed in collaboration with Charles Towne Fermentory. Citra, German Amarillo and Azacca take the stage, supported by an 8% ABV body slammed with oats and wheat. Super juicy, as requested. Available on draft, in cans, and for growler fills. (May 8) Soursop Colada, a soursop piña colada-inspired sour beer. Kettle soured in our typical fashion and conditioned on copious amounts of soursop (also known as guanabana), pineapple, and cream of coconut for an invigorating tropical tidal wave of flavor. (May 22) Note: Two Tides beer is also available in some forty different bars and restaurants around Savannah at any given time.

HIGH TIDE After their one-year anniversary event, Liz and James got busy packing. “Waved goodbye today to some Sixfoot, Pool Snacks, and a few other tasty treats as they head to Amsterdam for Carnival Brettanomyces. Lots of hard work went into making this happen, can’t wait to taste them next month in the Netherlands!” read the Facebook post on May 21.

“We sent a bottle of our beer to the person in charge of a brewery festival in Amsterdam,” said Liz. “He wrote back and said, ‘You’re in.’”

The staff at Two Tides will be holding the fort, for those who just muttered, “What? I won’t be able to get beer from my favorite microbrewery?”

Hopefully, James and Liz will get a little break after a year of working sixteen to eighteen-hour work days. But to be honest, I doubt it. They like it. All of it. Not even getting hit by a bus could slow Liz Massey down. And I’d bet my bottom dollar that even on the other side of the world, James’s beer will bring new friends together.

Two Tides Brewing Company is located at 12 W 41st Street and is open seven days a week. Monday-Wednesday: 5pm-10pm, Thursday: 5pm-12am, Friday & Saturday: 12pm-12am, Sunday: 12pm-7pm.  CCL

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By Teri R. Williams | Photos by Dream Weaver Photos

T he Product of a Dream

D

Born from a dream about marketing and packaging, Salacia Salts began selling products at 24E on Broughton Street, and has never looked back.

Dreams have long been credited for inspiring ideas and creative breakthroughs. Paul McCartney woke from a dream humming the tune to the song “Yesterday.” The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson and Frankenstein by Mary Shelley were both inspired by dreams (or nightmares).

Dreams are central in many Bible stories including the birth of Jesus. Even the invention of the modern sewing machine and the search engine Google have been attributed to dreams.

Cari, owner of Clark Creative Communications, might have missed the message of a dream she had in 2011 had it not been for her husband’s observation.

“In the dream I was helping a client package salts in a unique container,” said Cari. “I said to her, ‘Why don’t you just go dig up some old bottles and containers in your backyard?’” At the time, Cari and her husband were renovating a house in historic Savannah, first built in the 1880s. “During construction, we noticed a lot of old relics, like broken pieces of glass and china, from many years ago surfacing on our property.

Since I’m in marketing and packaging, I figured the dream was a subconscious blending of my home life and work life.”

A dream about marketing and packaging

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was no surprise. Since 2004, Clark Creative Communications had become a successful nationwide branding, packaging, and marketing business. Her clients include “economic development authorities, legal, healthcare and banking providers, and a range of clients from real estate developers to small batch pimento cheese makers,” (clarkcreativedesign.com).

Interestingly, it was not the career she intended to pursue when she left Sarasota, Florida, in 1996 to attend Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). “I planned to become an architect.” She smiled. “I married one instead.” Ironically, it was her work in graphic design that brought the two together. “Patrick is a Senior Principal at Hansen Architects. The company hired me to do some branding, which is how we met.” This past year, Cari and Patrick celebrated their tenth wedding anniversary.

Unlike most dreams that escape memory almost at waking, Cari’s dream lingered. When she shared it with her husband, he immediately said, “You do know the name Tybee is from the Yuchi Native American word for salt, right?

The Yuchi Indians used to harvest salt on this Island.” She was stunned. Cari was certain she was not alone. “I was certain most locals were unaware of the connection.”

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A dream about marketing and packaging was no surprise.

Since 2004, Clark Creative Communications had become a successful nationwide branding, packaging, and marketing business. Her clients include “economic development authorities, legal, healthcare and banking providers, and a range of clients from real estate developers to small batch pimento cheese makers�.

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Even so, the information was easily confirmed. According to georgiaencyclopedia.org, “Tybee is thought to have been originally occupied by the Euchee [a variation of spelling] tribe of Native Americans, from whom it got its name. In the Euchee language tybee means salt, a plentiful natural resource in the area.” Another source states, “Yuchi…is a tribe of the Creek Confederacy that once controlled the mouth of the Savannah River before moving upriver to Silver Bluff (Augusta)…. In 1836 they were among the last Creek tribes to be removed from Georgia” (ourgeorgiahistory.com).

The information was intriguing, but the practice of salt making was unrealistic for an individual today. “Salt has to go through an evaporative process to be harvested,” said Cari. “The process would be very expensive today for an individual.

There are a few companies along the coast near Charleston that do it, but they are manufacturing table or finishing salt.”

As Cari looked deeper into the properties and purposes of salt, she

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discovered something unexpected. The well-known kitchen staple for seasoning was also a natural resource for skincare. What’s more, salt was environmentallysustainable, which was especially important. Citing New York City dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD, director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, Renee Loux and Chelsea Burns write, “‘Natural salts are packed with minerals like potassium, magnesium, and calcium that can help to reduce inflammation, brighten, and even strengthen the skin,’” (womenshealth.com).

The dream seemed a personal challenge. Encouraged by the spirit of Savannah’s coastal shores and inspired

by Southern botanicals, Cari began to experiment in her own kitchen with salt soaks and scrubs using a blend of Atlantic sea salts and Dead Sea Salts, which have more minerals. At the same time, an environmental awakening was sweeping the country, and a “farm to table” movement was on the rise. Produce at local Farmers Markets quickly became the new trend. “There was a 112

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Unlike most dreams that escape memory almost at waking, Cari’s dream lingered.

When she shared it with her husband, he immediately said, “You do know the name Tybee is from the Yuchi Native American word for salt, right? The Yuchi Indians used to harvest salt on this Island.” She was stunned. Cari was certain she was not alone. “I was certain most locals were unaware of the connection.”

The information was intriguing, but the practice of salt making was unrealistic for an individual today. “Salt has to go through an evaporative process to be harvested,” said Cari. “The process would be very expensive today for an individual. There are a few companies along the coast near Charleston that do it, but they are manufacturing table or finishing salt.”

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turn back to traditional practices,” said Cari. “People wanted fresh vegetables and steroid-free produce. They wanted handmade products without additives for natural beauty and holistic health.”

In 2012, Cari named her new hobby Salacia Salts after Salacia the Roman salt goddess of the sea, and began selling her products at 24E on Broughton Street. “I thought, ‘We will just sell the products in one store and see what happens,” she said. In a nine-month period of time, Cari was receiving requests to sell in other stores and bring her products into the market. Out of necessity, she moved the production from her kitchen to an extra kitchen space in her design studio, and then into a warehouse on River Street where it remained for almost three years. What had begun as a fun project had turned into an unintentional success. “We did popups and things around the community like farmers markets and maker festivals.” Soon, she was traveling to festivals in other states. “It was just fun to meet other people that are genuinely interested in what you’re doing.”

Soon, Salacia Salts was available in nearly 250 locations including the Virgin Islands. But with the success, Cari had somehow lost the quintessence connection she felt with the woman in her dream. That was two years ago. “Although wholesale is still available, we shifted our energy to sell direct to the consumer and opened a storefront near Forsyth Park on 208 West Hall Street. In this way, we are able to share our brand and story. It’s a place where people can engage with the product firsthand, which feels much more rewarding.”

Instead of going to businesses as before, businesses now come to Salacia Salts. “We used to attend a lot of trade shows. Now, we are more specialized with our 114

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products and do a lot of partnerships and private labels. We meet with the customer and find out what they want.

Then, we formulate and test the products right here in our shop with their label and brand name.” A recent client was Paula Dean. “We created a hand scrub for her to be used in the kitchen to eliminate fragrances such as garlic and onions.”

Other local clients include Polished and Southern Sugaring. Universal Studios also carries two of Salacia Salt fragrance lines in the gift shops of two of their newest hotels.

“Everything is now made in the backroom right here in our store,” said Cari. “We don’t have to be concerned with any kind of chemical reaction because we only use natural ingredients.”

Her statement was backed with years of research and consultations with chemists.

“With our own unique blend of Atlantic and Dead Sea salts, we bring together the sea with Southern sourced ingredients and by infusing oils with locally sourced botanicals. For example, we get rosemary from an organic farm in North Florida. The pecans we use in our soaps and salt soaks come from Vidalia.

The natural oil from the nut helps infuse into the skincare,” explained Cari. “We like to make sure that we have a total blend of all the different minerals the body needs.”

Salacia Salts’ Makers Workshops have become a favorite for both locals and tourists alike. With the Scrub Workshop, participants select from a range of seasonal scents and exfoliants to design and mix their own body scrub.

Clay mask workshop participants choose from natural clays, oils, and extracts to create the perfect mask for the face or body. Both workshops are “Perfect for bachelorette parties, bridal showers, birthday parties or tour groups,” and “can accommodate up to 24 people per workshop” (salaciasalts.com).

On that particular afternoon, store manager Jasmine Head was preparing a scrub workshop for a group of seven.

The table was set almost like a dinner setting. “Each person will have their own tools and equipment as well as a worksheet,” said Jasmine, “We guide them through the process of creating a signature scent, adding in different exfoliants and botanicals and creating

Soon, Salacia Salts was available in nearly 250 locations including the Virgin Islands. But with the success, Cari had somehow lost the quintessence connection she felt with the woman in her dream.

That was two years ago. “Although wholesale is still available, we shifted our energy to sell direct to the consumer and opened a storefront near Forsyth Park on 208 West Hall Street. In this way, we are able to share our brand and story. It’s a place where people can engage with the product firsthand, which feels much more rewarding.”

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a one-of-a-kind body scrub.” Salacia Salts averages about five workshops a week. Individual walk-ins are also welcome.

“Through our classes,” said Cari, “we can educate people to see that making skincare isn’t scary. They can actually come in and make a mask formulated for their skin.”

The way Cari and her manager met was about as remarkable and mystical as Cari’s salt packaging dream. “We met for the first time in India,” said Cari. “We had both been selected by our local Rotary Club to participate in a good-will mission to India to represent our community and the state of Georgia.

One of the projects our region supported was building new bathrooms in rural schools.”

When Cari asked a group of young girls how they liked the bathrooms, a young girl of about twelve said, “Ours are no good.” Shocked by the young girl’s response, she asked if she could see them. “The closer we got to them I didn’t really want to proceed. But I kept following. When we got to the bathrooms, the girl turned, looked me in the eye and asked, ‘Would you use them?’ I said, ‘No.’” When Cari looked into it, she discovered that the present project at this particular school was for boys’ bathrooms, not girls simply because the boys had never had bathrooms to begin with. But the girls’ bathrooms were in horrible 116

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conditions.” Cari lifted her chin and said, “Within six months, we had built a bathroom for those girls.”

As the six-week long journey progressed, a friendship formed. In casual conversation, Cari shared with her new friend Jasmine that she was looking for a shop manager. When they returned home, Jasmine came to Cari and said, “I think I might be interested in that job.” With Jasmine managing the studio, production, wholesale orders, and running the workshops, Cari could focus on the creative direction and product development work with the private label clients.

Cari and Jasmine also partnered together to establish a grant through Rotary International to help girls living in rural parts of India. “For every $10,000 raised, a clean, private restroom is built for these young girls. The restrooms make a life-changing difference in the lives of hundreds of school children year after year.” To help raise awareness and monies, Cari developed Helping Hands Bar Soaps. Packaged in “reclaimed fabric swatches, $2 from every bar sold is donated to provide access to safe drinking water, sanitation, hygiene education, and a healthy learning environment.” (For more information, visit salaciasalts.com)

Salacia Salts offers a wide array of soaps, lotions, moisturizers, cleansers, exfoliants for the body, lip balms, and candles. One of their top sellers is the shower steamers. “It’s like an aromatherapy for your shower,” explained Cari. “They’re all made right here. Each one has a particular benefit whether it’s relaxation, invigorating, or to clear your sinuses.”

Her creative process is simple. “It’s about having fun,” she said. She picked up a lip balm called Kiss My Grits. “I was in my kitchen playing around with different ingredients to exfoliate and realized that everything I had in my bowl was edible. The main ingredient was Georgia-grown grits. I decided to put it on my lips and taste it. I thought, ‘If we just add some more sugar....”

Cari’s dream was not a story about a young scientist fashioning a creature out of old body parts. Nor was it a warning from God to head to Egypt to escape a massacre. In the middle of renovating an old house and her busy work schedule, the coastal waters of Tybee Island had brought a simple message: The most beautiful things are found in earth’s natural resources, and the most rewarding work is what connects you with others and brings you joy.

“All of our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” (Walt Disney)  CCL

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Serve A Drive to

Chatham County Sheriff leads with the common touch and outstanding work ethic.

P

Perhaps working at a garage in Savannah is the way to segue into a long-time, high-profile career field serving the public. Such was the case with Doug Weathers, who embarked on a lengthy radio and television broadcasting career after working as a service attendant at a garage. This also applies to John T. Wilcher, who traded his wrench for a gun and screwdriver for a nightstick to join the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office.

45 years later, Sheriff Wilcher is driving the office along as the elected sheriff. Now 75, he has served as sheriff since 2016. He defeated McArthur Holmes in the November election, after winning a special election in April against Roy Harris, the Deputy Sheriff who took over the top spot following the death of Al St. Lawrence in 2015.

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A Republican, Sheriff Wilcher won by some 12,000 votes in a town that he says is normally Democratic. He attributes his strong showing at the polls to his support in the community and spending a largely unprecedented $398,000 during the campaign. His victory followed a two-year retirement; he had worked for the sheriff’s office for 40 years and advanced to the position of Jail Administration Colonel before stepping down, but he soon stepped back up into familiar surroundings. “I wasn’t ready to retire,” Sheriff Wilcher says.

“I wanted to run for sheriff; that was a lifelong dream of mine.”

Sheriff Wilcher learned about service and uniforms at an early age. Born at an Air Force base in Brunswick, where his father

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“There are almost five generations of families coming to the jail. Breaking that cycle, starts with instilling a sense of discipline and responsibility at a young age. We need to go back to educating the kids, to show them what to do. They need to be taught to work for a living rather than stealing. Also, people need to be parents rather than friends.”

was stationed in the Navy, Sheriff Wilcher moved to Savannah in 1945. After graduating from Savannah High School, he joined the Navy. “Jobs weren’t that plentiful,” he says. Sheriff Wilcher served three years in the Navy before finishing his enlistment in the Army Reserves. Returning to Savannah, he drove a truck and worked at the aforementioned gas station. Some friends at the county police office told him about a job with the sheriff’s office. “They said Chatham County was hiring for a correction officer,” Sheriff Wilcher says. “I applied for the job and got it. I figured I’d be there for about six months.” Five months later, after completing rookie school and becoming a certified officer, Sheriff Wilcher amended that plan. Starting out in the jail, he went to the courts, then out to the streets before returning to the courts. “I enjoyed all of it,” he says. “I kept a box under my desk packed.”

In 1989, Sheriff Wilcher and a group of fellow employees started the K-9 unit. A unit with one K-9 “officer” has grown into six narcotic dogs and four bomb sniffing canines. “I’m really proud of that,” he says.

Sheriff Wilcher had a strict upbringing, and he told his father, several days before the latter passed away, that he probably missed some whippings he deserved. “No you didn’t,” his father replied, noting he was running the jail but wasn’t in it. Sheriff Wilcher says, “There are almost five generations of families coming to the jail. Breaking that cycle,” he maintains, “starts with instilling a sense

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Against the odds

A Republican, Sheriff Wilcher won by some 12,000 votes in a town that he says is normally Democratic. He attributes his strong showing at the polls to his support in the community and spending a largely unprecedented $398,000 during the campaign.

of discipline and responsibility at a young age. We need to go back to educating the kids, to show them what to do. They need to be taught to work for a living rather than stealing. Also, people need to be parents rather than friends.”

“Faith also plays a role in helping to lower the jail population. People need to go to church and understand the Lord,” he says. “I believe in heaven and hell and right and wrong. I’ll have to answer to the man upstairs.”

Sheriff Wilcher remains committed to protecting the community and his staff of 600. He says he could use another 80 employees, understanding it can be a tough sell. “It’s hard to get people. An officer was ambushed and killed earlier today (February 2019). People are going crazy. There are shootings all over the United States.”

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Sheriff Wilcher learned about service and uniforms at an early age. Born at an Air Force base in Brunswick, where his father was stationed in the Navy, Sheriff Wilcher moved to Savannah in 1945.

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Those who do join the sheriff’s office are rewarded with a boss who values them, puts in long hours and leads by example. He comes to work at 4 AM and answers his own phone. Sheriff Wilcher is adept at multitasking and performing several tasks during an interview. There is also a sense of family, with Sheriff Wilcher having several officers he once held in his arms when they were infants.

Billy Freeman has known Sheriff Wilcher for 35 to 40 years. A former deputy chief and acting chief with the county police, Billy has served as the sheriff’s Chief Deputy for two and a half years. “Sheriff Wilcher is a good friend who has never made a promise he didn’t keep. He is ‘people-oriented’ and is very much hands-on.

He goes out of his way to help others,” Billy explains.

“Johnny’s done so much for people in the past. They remembered that, and that’s why he won the election by so many votes. We couldn’t have a better sheriff. He’s just a good guy.”

Gretchen Derryberry has worked with Sheriff Wilcher for almost 30 years and has served as his administrative assistant since 2016.

She marvels at his work ethic and willingness to do any job. “There’s not a job he would ask someone else to do that he wouldn’t do himself,” Gretchen says. “If someone needs a roll of paper towels, he would get it. He has work ethic like no one else and is hard to keep up with. He has a ‘gung-ho’ personality and truly cares about people.”

Sheriff Wilcher garners accolades from outside the office as well. Mark Dana, president of the 200 Club of the Coastal Empire, has known Sheriff Wilcher for some 10 years and remarked that the sheriff and his wife are among the biggest supporters of the 200 Club. As someone who manages over 200 people, he said he appreciates Sheriff Wilcher’s willingness to be on the “ground floor” and see to the needs of not only his staff, but also the inmates in his jail.

“He’s very passionate towards the inmates in his jail, especially relating to mental health,” Mark says. “I know quite a few members of his team, and the morale and positive culture has never been better. He doesn’t make decisions based on political motivation. He makes them from the heart.”

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Doug Weathers has known Sheriff Wilcher for some 40 years and introduced him to the Band of Brothers weekly prayer breakfast meetings, where the latter has become a regular and greets everyone he sees. “John has a great personality and is very loyal to those loyal to him,” explains Doug, who worked as a reporter and anchor at WTOC for many years. “I’ve never heard him say a negative thing about anyone. His heart is in the program and he’s done a wonderful job as sheriff and helps anyone he can. I can’t think of anything but good things to say about him.”

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Sheriff Wilcher remains committed to protecting the community and his staff of 600. He says he could use another 80 employees, understanding it can be a tough sell. “It’s hard to get people. An officer was ambushed and killed earlier today (February 2019). People are going crazy. There are shootings all over the United States.”

Billy Freeman has known Sheriff Wilcher for 35 to 40 years. A former deputy chief and acting chief with the county police, Billy has served as the sheriff’s Chief Deputy for two and a half years. “Sheriff Wilcher is a good friend who has never made a promise he didn’t keep. He is ‘people-oriented’ and is very much hands-on. He goes out of his way to help others.”

Sheriff Wilcher’s hobby is collecting sports cards, something he’s done since the age of 11. He estimates he has some four to five million cards, mostly baseball, and these include Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, Michael Jordan, and Joe Namath… the last three his favorites. “I don’t smoke or drink,” Sheriff Wilcher said. “That’s my stress relief at the end of the day, going into my card room and reminiscing. My son and I collected together. That’s neat that I started collecting as a boy and then my son and I did it. I don’t worry about the price and I am not going to sell them. They’re all valuable and I love them all.”  CCL

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Come for a Visit...

Stay for a Lifetime The Pooler Chamber Of Commerce Welcomes You.

T

he Pooler Chamber not only cares about the business community but just as important are our residents. Growth in Pooler continues and with that growth comes endless possibilities and options for both. The future of Pooler lies in the hands of the new Mayor and City Council. There is a plan to bring highway 80 into a more historic walking community. This development will give options to the tourists, residents and small businesses alike. The new City Hall in Pooler set the pace for the revamping of our great city. We at the chamber look forward to this as it will continue to draw tourists and more folks to the historic district of Pooler.

see the value of staying in Pooler, which leads to eating and shopping in Pooler.

Pooler was once a sleepy little town with not too much to offer. Thanks in part to the city and the the chamber, we are now seeing more and more folks stopping in Pooler. So much to offer. We have several new hotels planned for the area, which in itself tells you how Pooler is attracting out of town people. They

We invite you to visit our website‌www.

Poolerchamber.com for information and our facebook page‌https://www.facebook.com/ PoolerChamberOfCommerce/ for information on upcoming events, new members and other pertinent information. Please stop by our office for coupons and brochures.

Our purpose is to provide quality service, improve economic development, while protecting and promoting our member businesses in the local community.

The Pooler Chamber is dedicated to providing resources, events and quality service to our residential and business communities. The staff at the Pooler Chamber works hard to ensure those needs are meant. We have a great team, and I am proud to lead these amazing women.

Pam Southard Executive Director

(912) 748-0110 | PoolerChamber.com

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BY STEPHEN PRUDHOMME | PHOTOS BY REBECCA GALLOWAY PHOTOGRAPHY

Smooth Landing

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Planes fly in and out of SavannahHilton Head Airport on a daily basis.

They cross busy I-95 offering a confluence of modern transportation taking people and goods to their appointed destinations. Less than a mile away sits a plane that its flying days are over. The size and speed pale in comparison to its modern brethren, yet it’s a craft with a storied history that came to life through many hours of work from a dedicated group of volunteers who thought outside the hangar or, in this case, the museum.

The City of Savannah B-17 resides inside the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force in Pooler. The restoration of the plane started some 10 years ago and is ongoing, representing thousands of hours of volunteer work.

It proved to be a true community project, drawing on the expertise of military and ex-military, aviation buffs, and individuals with varied technical backgrounds that made them invaluable to the restoration work. They shared a desire to return the plane to its former glory and share its history with present and future generations.

Heading up the volunteers was Jerry McLaughlin, who majored in history

Volunteers bring B-17 back to life at Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum

in college and taught it in junior high school, whose uncle was an aviator killed in the D-Day invasion. He also is a World War II aviation buff…the perfect man for the job…and chronicled the project in his book, B-17 Flying Fortress Restoration, a short history on the plane and its predecessor, both sharing the City of Savannah moniker.

One of 12,500 B-17s manufactured for the war effort, the original City

of Savannah was headed to England when engine failure forced it to land in Newfoundland. It eventually returned to service and dropped off leaflets at the end of the war, during four missions in England, before returning to the states and being sold for scrap metal in Arizona.

Its successor was manufactured in May 1945, in California, but didn’t see any combat; the war ended shortly after

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the plane was put into service. It subsequently operated in various capacities, including air surveys and as a fire bomber, before it was taken to a Smithsonian Museum warehouse in Virginia in 1984. In 2009, it was liberated from the warehouse, more than a little worse for wear, and transported by truck to the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force.

Jerry and the volunteers faced plenty of challenges, starting with the logistics of

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getting the plane inside the museum. Once this was accomplished, they had the daunting task of restoring a plane that had been neglected many years to its former glory, while reflecting the technology of the time; the latter proved especially challenging, as parts and instruments made nearly 75 years ago are hard to come by.

Their job was made much easier by various individuals who gladly lent their technical expertise and time to the restoration effort.

This included a number of individuals from Gulfstream and veterans, who, in some cases, had flown the B17s and knew the aircraft and its inner workings as well as anyone. “We were saved by Dr. Harry Friedman, of Memphis Belle fame, and his good friend Tommy Garcia, from Houston, Texas, who, through the national B-17 Co-Op, guided us to what we consider to be the finest B-17 operational static restoration in the world,” Jerry said.

All three power turrets will be demonstrated on a weekly basis to the public. The detailed interior restoration will be presented to the public with a 3-D tour that is being prepared

by Gulfstream Corporation with the same technology that they use to present their airplanes to the world. The flight controls and bomb bay doors will also be part of our public display. The restoration team and museum docents will introduce two specially prepared programs to the public describing the history of the B-17 as a mainstay of the Eighth Air Force in WWII, as well as the history of this particular airplane and its restoration.

Jim Grismer is a pioneer on the restoration project and the first museum volunteer to see and touch the B-17 that is now known as the City of Savannah. Museum management had asked him to stop off in Virginia, during a trip to New York, to evaluate the plane as a potential restoration project. The plane he saw in the warehouse bore little resemblance to the gleaming, impressive, historically accurate aircraft that is the star attraction at the Mighty Eighth.

“It stood in a dilapidated old hangar at Dulles Airport…nasty, dirty, rusted and a tad corroded,” Jim said. “It was in the shadow

The Mighty Eighth The City of Savannah B-17 resides inside the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force in Pooler. The restoration of the plane started some 10 years ago and is ongoing, representing thousands of hours of volunteer work.

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Heading up the volunteers was Jerry McLaughlin, who majored in history in college and taught it in junior high school, whose uncle was an aviator killed in the D-Day invasion. He also is a World War II aviation buff…the perfect man for the job…and chronicled the project in his book, B-17 Flying Fortress Restoration, a short history on the plane and its predecessor, both sharing the City of Savannah moniker.

of the huge Space Shuttle, Enterprise. Both historic aircraft were covered in bird poop, courtesy of the nesting birds whose droppings fell from holes in the roof. The fuselage and engine nacelles were full of nesting material and eggshells. The interior of the belly was encrusted with dried firefighting chemicals.

Then there was the old duct tape gumming up the works.”

Despite a less than favorable first impression, Jim said he saw promise underneath the grime and gave the green light to the museum directors. Though neither he nor Jerry knew “squat” about aircraft restoration, Jim said they

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felt their career experience could be utilized to recruit people who might know how to bring the bomber back to life. Jim’s hunch paid off; the end result has been a beautifully restored plane that fills him with pride and occasionally brings tears to his eyes.

“Occasional visits by World War II airmen make it all worthwhile,” Jim said. “I’ve been brought to tears more than a few times by old veterans telling us recollections of their personal air war while they’re seated in their assigned position in the old bomber. Those incidents made me proud to have been a part of this project. It still does and it always will.”

Learning From The Best Their job was made much easier by various individuals who gladly lent their technical expertise and time to the restoration effort.

This included a number of individuals from Gulfstream and veterans, who, in some cases, had flown the B17s and knew the aircraft and its inner workings as well as anyone. “We were saved

by Dr. Harry Friedman, of Memphis Belle fame, and his good friend Tommy Garcia, from Houston, Texas, who, through the national B-17 CoOp, guided us to what we consider to be the finest B-17 operational static restoration in the world,� Jerry said.

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Another volunteer is David Pinegar, an FAA inspector who works at LMI Aerospace in Pooler and spends his daily lunchtime working on the “many little things” that need to be done. “The neatest thing about working on the airplane is hearing the stories from different people,” David said. “One guy’s dad was a radio operator on a B-17. I let him sit in the radio operator’s seat on the plane and he had tears in his eyes. Each part of the plane is another part of the puzzle. It’s been an enjoyable and rewarding project. It’s a history lesson.”

Sam Currie has volunteered since 2013 and took over as project manager two years later when Jerry stepped down to focus on writing several books. A retired member of the Air Force and Georgia Air National Guard, he’s right at home around the B-17.

“I enjoy being around airplanes,” said Sam, who focused on rebuilding the flight deck before taking over as supervisor. “I’m a crazy history buff. This is one era I like - World War II.” Sam also enjoys working with a group of volunteers that includes doctors, lawyers, and engineers, describing them as talented and dedicated. He said he views the plane as a “teaching tool” that will show people what happened and educate them on such facts as a B-17 crew member had

“The City of Savannah project has been a mission within a mission. The entire reason that the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force exists is to honor the sacrifice and bravery of the individuals who have served in the Eighth, particularly in WWII. Our job, on the museum restoration team, has been to provide a symbol of their efforts. I think we did our job. We have honored our fathers and grandfathers, the men who flew and supported those WWII Eighth Air Force airplanes in WWII, and I’m proud to have been part of that effort.”

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a 17 percent chance of survival. As with other volunteers, Sam revels in sharing the plane and its history with visitors, especially those veterans who flew on the B-17s. He said some are able to climb in the plane on their own, while others require assistance. Among the latter was a gentleman in a wheelchair. There was another former crew member who got in position, looked around, and voiced his displeasure. “He said it was too clean,” said Sam with a laugh.

Scott W. Loehr, President and CEO of the Mighty Eighth Museum, said the restored B-17 gives visitors an optimal experience. “So many stories emanate from the plane, from understanding the difficult conditions the airmen endured to see the turrets in operation,” Scott said. “Visitors truly engage with World War II history.” “The restoration crew is owed a huge debt of gratitude, noting that the aircraft arrived in pitiful condition in 2009. Ten years and more than 62,000 volunteer hours later, the crew has succeeded in producing Hometown Living At Its Best

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the finest static restoration of a B-17 in any museum worldwide,” Scott said. Jerry’s book offers a thorough and comprehensive look at the restoration project and draws praise from several individuals who share a connection to a plane that symbolizes the bravery and sacrifices of men who flew and fought during World War II. Dr. Harry Friedman, of the B-17 Co-Op and Memphis Belle Memorial, said the story in B-17 Flying Fortress Restoration represents several distinct groups of people: those who fought and died in the sky over Europe, those who worked in extremely difficult conditions on the ground to keep the airplanes flying, and 70 years later, with equal resolve, their children, who conducted this restoration in order to assure that the memory of the sacrifices made by their fathers will never be forgotten.

Ralph “Kit” Kittle is son of the original pilot

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of the B-17 City of Savannah in 1944. “In B-17 Flying Fortress Restoration, Jerry McLaughlin does a wonderful job of describing the process his volunteer crew went through to bring this beautiful airplane back to life,” Kit said. “He also tells the story of the original B-17 City of Savannah and what happened to its crew, including my dad.”

Jerry said, “The City of Savannah project has been a mission within a mission. The entire reason that the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force exists is to honor the sacrifice and bravery of the individuals who have served in the Eighth, particularly in WWII. Our job, on the museum restoration team, has been to provide a symbol of their efforts. I think we did our job. We have honored our fathers and grandfathers, the men who flew and supported those WWII Eighth Air Force airplanes in WWII, and I’m proud to have been part of that effort.”  CCL

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With Water

and paint

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By Teri R. Williams | Photos by Dream Weaver Photos

After taking a break from teaching to raise a family Tate Ellington’s hobby of painting watercolors becomes a whole new career.

A As two-year-old Wallie sleeps soundly down the hall, his mother moves water and paint with the tip of a paintbrush.

Finished works hang from string stretched along the windows of her closed-in porch now art studio. Outlined by the morning sun, each piece comes to life in a whimsical way. It is the power of art, and the reason we often prefer an artist’s interpretation over reality. Tate’s watercolor paintings demonstrate a balance between freedom and control. The parallel between working with watercolor and parenting is not lost on me. Both require an incredible amount of that rare quality of character called patience.

Wallie is the reason Tate decided to take a break from the classroom after several years of work in the special needs

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program in the Chatham County School system. Her degree from Savannah Technical College is in early childhood education. Except for an introductory art class in watercolor during middle school, her education as an artist has come by trial and error.

“I had a really good middle school art teacher named Mr. Moultrie,” said Tate. Everything else she’s learned by doing, a most important aspect of education often devalued in contrast to scores on standardized tests.

During Tate’s time as a special needs co-teacher, she learned that sometimes a picture is the only language with which a child may have to speak.

Some children were nonverbal and would use pictures to communicate their needs, she explained.

Reading to the children was another aspect of teaching Tate enjoyed. She noticed how children responded to books with illustrations like those by Shel Silverstein.

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subtitled, “Cultural messages tell women that making art and having children are incompatible pursuits. But science suggests that women may become more creative after having kids.” The article refers to the research of neuropsychologist Rex Jung.

“At its core, Jung said, creativity is original problem solving…. In this period of extreme pressure, when mothers are going through massive changes in their bodies, diets, and hormones,’ Jung hypothesized, ‘that is when creativity should emerge as a highly adaptive reasoning process.’”

Jung’s research only confirms what every mother since Eve has known: Motherhood makes us creative geniuses. As Tate discovered, running after Wallie made her times of creativity more concentrated.

The result was a whole new career.

Some of Tate’s inspiration comes as visions as with the piece called Abandon Ship, one of Tate’s first watercolor and ink drawings after the birth of her son. “I love the book Moby Dick,” she said, “and I 152

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wanted to do something for his room. A picture came to me of a little newspaper boat with a whale underneath it.”

Other illustrations come to Tate through memories that connect her to a place. This has always been home for Tate. In fact, she and her husband Joseph grew up on the same street. Finding inspiration in such a beautiful place is easy for her. “We have the low country, the big water boats, the beach, and historic site,” said Tate. “These places mean something special to us, but we also have a lot of visitors. I want to give them something to take back home that will remind them of memories made here.” She pointed to a painting of B & D Burgers and said, “A couple bought this illustration and said, ‘That was the exact spot where we met!’”

Many of Tate’s paintings are illustrations of buildings and businesses in Savannah, Tybee Island, and Charleston. Each speaks of memories made in the community of businesses that continue to give us

It all began with two illustrations someone posted on social media. For her own enjoyment, Tate had illustrated Leopold’s Ice Cream and The Ordinary Pub. When people began messaging to ask if the illustrations were for sale, Tate said, “I was shocked. I had not even thought about selling them.”

Tate interprets lines and spaces by freehand, which gives her artwork an almost childlike appeal. “I like for it to be bright and happy, so I use a lot of different colors,” said Tate who refers to her trial-and-error process of painting unorthodox. “I start with a sketch and then add layers and layers of watercolor.” With each layer, there’s a waiting time for the paint to dry. When she finishes, she accentuates the details with ink.

It all began with two illustrations someone posted on social media. For her own enjoyment, Tate had illustrated Leopold’s Ice Cream and The Ordinary Pub. When people began messaging to ask if the illustrations were for sale, Tate said, “I was shocked. I had not even thought about selling them.” With encouragement from others, she made the paintings available and was soon receiving calls from other businesses for their own illustrations.

In only a year and a half, Tate had illustrated over fifty local attractions from the Savannah, Tybee, and Charleston areas. In addition to the illustrations, she also painted nearly three hundred other pieces. It wasn’t that Tate didn’t have anything to do. Raising a two-year-old is a fulltime job. But in between running after Wallie, her moments of creativity seemed to have found new inspiration and expression.

I was reminded of an article by Erika Hayasaki for theatlantic.com I’d read sometime back.

Published on September 13, 2017, it was entitled “How Motherhood Affects Creativity” and

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In only a year and a half, Tate had illustrated over fifty local attractions from the Savannah, Tybee, and Charleston areas. In addition to the illustrations, she also painted nearly three hundred other pieces. It wasn’t that Tate didn’t have anything to do. Raising a two-year-old is a full-time job. But in between running after Wallie, her moments of creativity seemed to have found new inspiration and expression.

occasion for connection. With an illustration of a storefront, Tate honors the history of each place, dreams that have sometimes been carried from one generation to the next. She gives a voice to the hard work and sacrifice made by many.

Tate has a unique and artistic perspective about her community. She sees the collective heart of the city as having an attitude that considers community success as a greater asset than individual success. “There’s something about the way the businesses in our city support each other.

It’s so cool to see them on social media promoting each other. You think they’re competitors, and, of course, they are in some sense. But so many are willing to help each other out.”

Recent illustrations by Tate include the Brice Hotel, Zunzi’s, Two Smart Cookies, Savannah Praline, and others. Her work can be found on postcards, prints and paintings in stores throughout Savannah including GCD Home Furnishing and Décor and Justabreeze Gallery and Framing on Tybee Island.

Tate’s artwork is also available on t-shirts at Georgia Peach World, a favorite tourist stop. “I entered their t-shirt contest just for fun and won.”

Savannah’s Local Native Clothing Company also offers t-shirts with paintings by Tate. Bright colored t-shirt paintings include The Shrimp Boat and Oyster Roast (localnativeclothingco.com).

When she’s not running after Wallie or painting in her sunroom, Tate joins local artists for street fairs and markets. “There are a lot of great markets here for artists,” said Tate, “like the Sulphur Studios Market and Picnic in the Park.

We have so many wonderful markets and festivals throughout the year in Savannah and Tybee.”

When I met Tate, she had just finished a painting from a wedding photo of a bride and her father. I didn’t need to know either one to be moved to tears. The painting only confirms my belief that art sometimes speaks with more emotion and truth than a photograph. I have already put Tate’s painting, John Baptizing the Messiah, on my Christmas list. Every time I see it, it speaks something new. It’s Tate’s gift as an artist to paint images that speak to the heart.

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Other illustrations come to Tate through memories that connect her to a place. This has always been home for Tate.

In fact, she and her husband Joseph grew up on the same street.

Finding inspiration in such a beautiful place is easy for her.

Tate’s artwork has been featured in various galleries, including a recent show at Location Gallery in Savannah called the “300 and Under” show, which featured about 55 local artists. She is currently working on pieces for the Art Meco show at a gallery in Charleston. A piece of Tate’s artwork also hangs in the Charles Ellis Montessori School. The piece was part of a beautification project with other artists to promote self-confidence and anti-bullying. Illustrations and paintings can be ordered from tateellingtonillustrations.com with the option of framing and matting. Orders can also be requested through Instagram at tate.ellington.  CCL

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BY STEPHEN PRUDHOMME PHOTOS BY DREAM WEAVER PHOTOS AND PROVIDED BY GATOR RIVERS

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Still Schooling Others Former Globetrotter shoots straight on the importance of education.

Larry “Gator “ Rivers “schooled” many a defender as a basketball player in high school, college, the playgrounds and, most notably, as a member of the Harlem Globetrotters. He honed his hardwood skills on an even harder surface, concrete, holding court at Savannah’s Crawford Square.

Nowadays, Rivers is in the schools. He’s using basketball as a means to teach youngsters in his hometown that a crossover dribble and feathery shooting touch are nice, but education is the key to hitting the winning shot in the game of life.

Retired as an active player since 1986, Rivers, 71, runs the Gator Ball Academy and serves as a volunteer basketball coach at the Royce Learning Center. For one year, he was owner of Crawford Square Cafe at the Henderson Golf Club.

As a basketball player, Rivers was way above par.

A native of Savannah, Rivers traveled around the world for 14 years as a member of the Globetrotters, following playing stints at Moberly Junior College and Missouri Western State University. He lived in Missouri after retiring from the Globetrotters and started his academy in 1988. In 2008, Rivers returned to Savannah.

Through his academy, as director of the Naismith

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Foundation, and working with the Harambee House and its reentry program for young people transitioning back into society from incarceration, Rivers is using basketball and its lessons of teamwork and sportsmanship to help reduce violence among young people in the community.

“James Naismith, who invented basketball, was a clergyman who instilled godly principles in the game,” Rivers said. “Those principles include sportsmanship, second chance, which is grace, and forgiveness as well as consequences for your actions. Differences can be resolved in a peaceful manner and don’t have to result in violence. No game has brought people together like basketball.”

Rivers also wants to get out the anti-bullying message.

Despite his success and fame, he said he’s been bullied by a number of people and suffered emotional and financial repercussions due to what he said is a false accusation.

Rivers is certainly welcome to volunteer at the Royce Center, where Adult and Community Education Coordinator Dr. Khani Morgan said the lessons he teaches on the court carry over into the classroom and out into the world.

“Coaches have worked with our youth to make

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them appreciate the rules, teach them about winning and losing, and learning to think on their feet,” Dr. Morgan said. “Dr Naismith was an educator first before inventing the game of basketball. There are a lot of parallels between education and sports. Everyone appreciates Coach Rivers.

He’s volunteered for two years and is able to connect with the students and, based on the challenges he faced growing up, showing them that they’re not the only ones who have problems.”

Her grandson, Xavier Morgan, is one of Rivers’ students at the Royce Center. Rivers describes the confident 10-year-old as a very good athlete who’s followed his coach’s advice by using his legs and fingers when shooting and handling the ball. An aspiring pro basketball player who also plays the piano and is an orange belt martial artist and entrepreneur, the articulate youngster credits Rivers with helping him in a number of ways and venues.

“Coach Rivers pushes me,” said Morgan, who has a line of custom made soap. “He’s a good coach. He’s helped teach me respect and to be a good person.”

Guiding others was a skill that Rivers honed as a point guard in high school. As a sophomore, he helped propel Beach High School under the direction of Coach Russell Ellington (29-1) to a 39-point win against South Fulton of Atlanta in the 1967 state championship game. It was the first state championship in 20 years for a Savannah school.

A native of Savannah, Rivers traveled around the world for 14 years as a member of the Globetrotters, following playing stints at Moberly Junior College and Missouri Western State University.

He lived in Missouri after retiring from the Globetrotters and started his academy in 1988. In 2008, Rivers returned to Savannah.

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“That championship made me realize that in spite of my color, my neighborhood or what my parents did for a living, I could succeed in life,” Rivers said.

“At the time I had no idea of the true significance of that championship because we were right at the height of the civil rights movement.”

The next year, Rivers noted, Beach went to state again and lost to another all-black school from Savannah - Johnson High. “It galvanized this community,” Rivers recalled. “At first we thought there would definitely be a problem with the population. After the first game, however, we realized the white players wanted to play against us just as bad as we wanted to play against them. Their fans appreciated our style and enjoyed the level of basketball we brought to the court and would come early just to see our amazing warm-up and dunking exhibition. At the present time we are involved in the production of the documentary titled “A Legacy Forgotten.”

Rivers went on to Mobley Junior College and led the team to a second place finish in the country. His

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next stop was Missouri Western State University, which he decided to attend because Coach Gary Filbert convinced him he could do well there as a student-athlete as well as a citizen of Saint Joseph, Missouri.

“I had no intention of going to Missouri Western,” Rivers says, “but Coach Filbert introduced me to Gus Kerrus, a promoter who handled 14 Harlem Globetrotter games in the Midwest.”

Rivers walked into Kerrus’ office and saw pictures of all the Harlem Globetrotter on the wall Meadowlark Lemon, Marques Haynes, Goose Tatum, Wilt Chamberlain, Connie Hawkins Curly Neil...

Rivers was amazed and asked if he knew all these people. “He responded yes,” Rivers says. “Gus assured me if I attended Missouri Western and did half the things for the program that he felt I could do, he would do everything in his power to get me a tryout with the Harlem Globetrotters. I signed on the dotted line and as they say in show business the rest is history.”

Rivers played for the Globetrotters for two years

“James Naismith, who invented basketball, was a clergyman who instilled godly principles in the game,” Rivers said. “Those principles include sportsmanship, second chance, which is grace, and forgiveness as well as consequences for your actions. Differences can be resolved in a peaceful manner and don’t have to result in violence. No game has brought people together like basketball.”

before being cut by the team. He played in the proam summer league in New Orleans for the Atlanta Hawks for two years before returning to Western Missouri to work as a student assistant for one year.

Rivers subsequently rejoined the Globetrotters in 1979 and served as the prime dribbler and assistant player/coach, teaching ball handling skills. He describes his time with the famous troupe as a great experience and something ordained by God. “It was definitely a God thing,” Rivers says. “I was inspired by Marques Haynes, the very person who discovered me to take his place.

That’s God. The lesson I learned is that it doesn’t matter where you go. What God has for you is for you. Just be obedient. My only regret is that my mother, Laura, did not get to see me in a Globetrotter uniform.”

The game of basketball had opened up a world of possibilities for Rivers, both on and off the court. Through basketball, he says, he developed his work ethic and desire to lead, to be first and to finish everything. His mother, was 12 when he was born and was more like a sister than a mother. “My mother would play catch with me every day and took me to see the Harlem Globetrotters for my seventh birthday.”

To those youngsters who want to make the jump from Crawford Square to the Globetrotters or just to be successful in life, regardless of their career choice, Rivers says it’s important to set your goals early and stick to them and work hard be the best you can be at whatever you decide to do.”

“I asked Marques Haynes, who played professional basketball for 51 years, how do you continue to do what you do,” says Rivers, a member

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of four halls of fame. “He said, ‘Don’t stop doing it.’” He said to always believe in yourself. I always introduce myself in this way: ‘I am the greatest ball handler in the world. If you don’t believe me, just ask me.’ I believe in me because of my belief in God.” Rivers says he always felt protected by God. His faith was tested when his father died after being shot in the chest three times when Rivers was 19 and his mother passed away two years later.

God took those people, Rivers says, and gave him so many more in exchange.

He added that he believes everything that happens to him has been pre-planned because he believes in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and that every day is another chance to improve himself and the lives of others.

“Every morning I acknowledge the fact 84 166

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“ T h at c h a m p i o n s h i p m a d e m e r e a l i z e t h at i n s p i t e o f m y c o l o r , m y n e i g h b o r h o o d o r w h at m y pa r e n t s d i d f o r a l i v i n g , I c o u l d s u c c e e d i n l i f e , ” R i v e r s s a i d . “At t h e t i m e I h a d n o i d e a o f t h e t r u e s i g n i f i c a n c e o f t h at c h a m p i o n s h i p b e c a u s e w e w e r e r i g h t at t h e h e i g h t o f t h e c i v i l r i g h t s m o v e m e n t. ”

that joy came in and with it another chance to get it right,” says Rivers, whose religious upbringing was a combination of Catholic and Baptist. “I serve a second chance God - grace in motion. I believe when you are blessed with the talent that you must accept it as a gift. Your talent is a blessing to be passed on. Every opportunity to share my gift, I do so. That’s my motivation for working with the youth. God is good all the time And all the time God is good.”

As to his nickname, Rivers said he earned it when he was a youngster at the community pool. He and the other kids played the tag game of gator in the pool.

Rivers faced one significant challenge.

“I couldn’t swim,” Rivers said. “I was the gator for three years.”

And for some 60 more years and counting.  CCL

The game of basketball had opened up a world of possibilities for Rivers, both on and off the court. Through basketball, he says, he developed his work ethic and desire to lead, to be first and to finish everything.

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Mobley’s Well & Pump Service, Inc. ……………......………… 159

City Market ……………….....................................…………… 158

Mossy Pond Retrievers ………………........…………… Back Cover

City of Pooler ……….......................................…………………… 1 MW Collins Inc. ……………..............................……………… 158 Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners …………....………………… 7

Nancy Botsford Studios …..................………………………… 121

Country Financial …........................………………………… 36-37

Pooler Chamber of Commerce ……….........…………… 132-133

Dental Designs of Savannah ………...............…………………… 5

Rebecca Galloway Photography …………….....……………… 145

Dream Weaver Photos ……………......................……………… 75

Ryan Lee Photography ………....................…………………… 118

Dream Weaver Photos Photo Booth ……………..……………… 74

Salacia Salts ……....................................……………………… 89

Duffy & Feemster, LLC …………….................……………… 62-63 Sandbox Consulting Group ………………….............………… 119 Endodontic Associates of Savannah …………..………… 73, 147

Savannah Framing Company, Inc. ……………………..……… 107

ENT Associates ………………...................................…………… 9

Savannah Pain Management ……….........…………………… 106

Galloway & Galloway, PC …………..…… 134, Inside Front Cover Savannah Square ….......................………………………… 34-35 Georgia Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center ……......……… 157

St. Andrew’s School …………………..………… Inside Back Cover

Godley Station ……........................……………………… 146-147

The Center for Digestive & Liver Health …..…………………… 2-3

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Tracy E. Durham DDS …….............……………………… 135, 147

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Hometown Living at its Best S p rin g 2020 CHATHAM COUNTY LIVING

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