Chatham County Living - Spring 2021 by With You In Mind Publications

Hometown Living at its Best S p rin g 2021 CHATHAM COUNTY LIVING

TURNING PAIN INTO A PURPOSE

Enrique Marquez has made it his mission to help dogs while transforming lives

STREET SURVIVOR

Keya Jest finds the road to recovery and inspires others in the process

Leopold’s Ice Cream:

A CENTURY OF TASTY MEMORIES

a great place

to live, work and play

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Whether you’re suffering from uncomfortable digestive symptoms, or it’s time for your preventive colon cancer screening, we can help. Call our offices to schedule your next appointment.

Hometown Living At Its Best

Chatham CONTENTS /

living

SPRING ISSUE 2021

Turning Pain into a Purpose Enrique Marquez has made it his mission to help dogs while transforming lives

A Social Butterfly Zelonia Williams loves entertaining guests so she set out to create an event planning company called Celebrations Unlimited.

Pride in the Community Pooler Lions have diverse backgrounds but share a goal of service to others.

Making the Cut Bloomingdale butcher relies on faith to put lean times out to pasture.

Street Survivor Savannah woman finds the road to recovery and inspires others through her cautionary tale of addiction and abuse.

ON T H E C O V E R Stratton Leopold >> PHOTO TAKEN BY: DREAM WEAVER PHOTOS 4 SPRING 2021 / CHATHAM COUNTY LIVING

Bringing

life

to your

smile

Personalized patient specific care in the heart of Historic Savannah. Cerec In-Office Porcelain Restorations Sedation Dentistry Invisalign Orthodontics

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

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

Chatham

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

living

Thinking Inside and Outside the Square

C O NT E NTS

Savannah artist offers a visual history lesson with paintings of Savannah’s verdant oases.

Helping Families through Grief A simple favor four decades ago paved the way for Ed Gamble’s fulfilling lifelong career in the funeral business.

102

People of Action Caring for Kids What if one person’s desire to influence three children could change the lives of many? With Malena Stone, it truly has.

112

The Story of a Century The rich history of a local ice cream parlor paired with a hometown author makes the perfect recipe for a story worth telling.

122

More than Just a Pet Dr. Allison Witherow seemed destined to be a veterinarian since animals have always held a special place in her heart.

130

Give Your Kids a Taste of Culture A fun way to explore our diversity is by trying out foods and mealtime

102 6 SPRING 2021 / CHATHAM COUNTY LIVING

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customs of other nationalities and unique American regions.

A history of trust. Karen Henry Thomas REALTOR ABR, CMRS, GRI 912.856.6550

Jane Beare JaneREALTOR Beare

Karen Henry MarionThomas Leith REALTOR REALTOR ABR, CMRS, GRI Associate Broker, 912.856.6550 ABR, CRS, GRI 912.441.3993

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

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912.441.3993

912.352.12226349 | 6349 Abercorn St. Savannah Abercorn St. Savannah

F r om t h e P u bl i s h e r

the Publisher

albany

From the Publisher

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

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

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

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

Photo by Leslie Hand

landon and mandi s

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

stacey nichols

o f f i ce M a n age r Nikki Burkhalter C r e At i v e | D e s i G n mandi spivey

stacey nichols

O f f i C e m A n AG e r laura mcCullough

A s s i s ta n t nning our holiday schedules through this magical time yself stopping to savor so many moments this season. s s i s tA n t While reading through the current issue, I Awas M a n age r th delicious marshmallows stuck to our lips, late night As we are festively planning our holiday schedules through this magical time m A n AG e r s June dixon good movie on the couch, finding the perfect tree to of year, i have found myself stopping to savor so many moments this season. reminded just how blessed we are in life to have the gift hot chocolate nights with delicious marshmallows stuck to our lips, late night ter from the kids while helping dig out the ornaments nikki Burkhalter with a goodfriends movie on the couch, finding the tree to h e r s y heart overflows with of gratitude our family. P perfect h otog r ap trueforfriendships. Along with family our snuggles family, true

June Dixon

A s s i s tA n t m A n AG e r s June dixon

Dream Weaver Photos

decorate and the laughter from the kids while helping dig out the ornaments and string thePlights. my for our family. Rebecca h OtO Gheart r A Poverflows h e r s with Antgratitude hill Photography

ce blossom this year as she grows most can offerintoustheencouragement, perspective, confidence, as we also welcomed a new little nephew who made his David Photography We have watched a niece blossom this year as sheParks grows into the most Ryan fall. All around us, wehope are surrounded by loved ones. and love. adorable little toddler, as we also welcomed little nephew who made his erica new s. love beautiful entrance this fall. All around us, we are surrounded by loved ones.

O f f i C e m A n AG e r laura mcCullough

nikki Burkhalter

Galloway Photography

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

ave a similar theme of how family impacted so Two ofhasour greatest assets in this life truly are millie mac Photography le people you will read about in their stories. Family impacted C ov e r this issue seems to weave a similar theme of how family has so P h oto Stratton Leopold of shae Foy Photography o we become and whopeople we teach our children be. and ourtofaith! Chathammany County full of strong of these is incredible people you will read about in their stories. Family s. Peggy Bryant, Bishop frederick Williams, and so Leopold’s Ice Cream shapes who we are, who we become andshannan who we teachblanchard our children toPhotography be. stories of where they came from that brought them to friendship ties and strong faith! What a Gary, great recipe forBishop frederick Williams, and so Coach Damien ms. Peggy Bryant, many more share their stories of where they came from that brought them to C ov e r P h oto Officer travis Goodson, where they are today.

success!

by Dream Weaver Photos

nating realization of all is that family is created through Photo by David Parks tance. family and love is aThe choice, whether born into or heartbeat of Chatham County strong! People Perhaps theis most fascinating realization of all is that family is created through

C ov e r P h oto Officer travis Goodso

Sale s Dorothy Sichelstiel Photography

Photo by David Parks Photography

more than one circumstance. family and love is a choice, whether born into or

are the heart of this city. It’s a chosen. beautiful community! We

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

Patti Martin

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

often as we remember, for the little moments...the ones we will look back on Patti martin through the years. it’s those that remain imprinted on our that hearts Co n tcarry r i bus uting landon spivey through the seasons of life.

Wri t er s ou and the love you allWith pour out onto ourlove families much and blessings We from our family to yours! 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 emails u t i n Gand ideas all sent through readers, encouraging our way. We hope you gratitude to each advertiser that is listed on page 192 will join us in extending gratitude to each advertiser that is listed on page 192 ation possible to the community at no charge. Wri te r s Chehaw.org

Proverbs 17:17

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

David Parks Photogra eric s. love millie mac Photograp shae Foy Photograph shannan blanchard P

s A l e s Keisha Cory

Patti martin landon spivey

Alexa Tebben Beth Logan David Pena

COntriButinG Writ e r s Chehaw.org

Jessica Fellows Kimberly Blaker Jessica Fellows Wishing you and your family a merry Christmas and the hAPPiest neW YeAr June b. Anderson June b. Anderson full of love and memories! Stephen Prudhomme Karen Cohilas Karen Cohilas Kate deloach Kate deloach gazines FREE online at: View our magazines FREE online at: Keisha Cory Keisha Cory uinmindpublications.com www.withyouinmindpublications.com Chatham County Living© is published rachel Price rachel Price semi-annually by With You in Mind Publications. withyouinmindpublications.com Like us on Facebook! Like us on Facebook! P.O. Box 55 • Glennville, GA 30427 Albany living magazine© is publishe (912) 654-3045 Albany living magazine© is published semi-annually by With You in mind Public semi-annually by With You in mind Publications. From our family to yours, to yours, www.withyouinmindpublications.com www.withyouinmindpublications.com All rights reserved. Copies or reproduction of this publication in whole or in part Sales: (912) 654-3045 P.O. Box 55 • Glennville, GA 30427 P.O. Box 55 • Glennville, GA 30427 is strictly prohibited without expressed written authorization from the publisher. (912) 654-3045 Email: jay@wyimpublications.com (912) 654-3045 Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein. withyouinmindpublications.com sales: (912) 293-5900 Advertising is subject to omission, errors, and other changes without notice. All rights reserved. Copies or reproduction of this publication in w

amily a merry Christmas and the hAPPiest neW YeAr es!

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93-5900 spivey.wyim@gmail.com

ng magazine

is strictly prohibited without expressed written authorization from the publisher. email: landonspivey.wyim@gmail.com every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein. Advertising is subject to omission, errors, and other changes without notice.

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is strictly prohibited without expressed written authorization from every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information con Advertising is subject to omission, errors, and other changes wit

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By Beth Logan | Photos by Dream Weaver Photos

Social Butterfly

Zelonia Williams loves entertaining guests so she set out to create an event planning company called Celebrations Unlimited.

Zelonia Williams’ smile can light up a room! Celebrations Unlimited, her event planning company, seems to be the natural outgrowth of this seemingly innate joy and positivity. “I’m a social butterfly,” Zelonia laughs, “I love entertaining guests – it’s the joy of seeing others happy and having good energy that makes it so rewarding. When I was 10 years old, my mom would come home and I’d have 18 or 20 of my friends there. I would make up little invites and save my allowance to order my own pizza and pick up balloons.” These days, she plans corporate retreats, nonprofit galas,

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private home events, weddings and more, but says, “Strangely enough, I’d rather stay away from kids’ parties!” In 2020, Celebrations Unlimited had over 35 brides scheduled for weddings. Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Zelonia says, “I am forever grateful that not one of them asked for their deposit back. Some went ahead and had intimate weddings, others rescheduled. I’m still getting calls to book weddings, just on a smaller scale.” Most of her referrals come during the events themselves. “You have to love what you do to build the right energy. Guests come up

Hometown Living At Its Best

chatham county living

to me during the receptions because they are having such a good time. I intentionally wear a cocktail dress with pockets so I can pass out my business cards.” Zelonia understands the power of networking and connection. She serves on the board of the Greater Savannah Black Chamber of Commerce, is a Neighborhood Leadership Academy graduate, a Community Advisor for Gulf Stream’s Student Leadership Program, a member of the Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society and of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, a member of Savannah Nubarter, the Savannah Small Business Chamber, and Savannah Wedding Vendors. It is this ability to connect with, and for, others that has made her community volunteer efforts so impactful. Zelonia created a nonprofit called Future Minds Literacy and Adult Education Inc. to offer students 16 years of age and above the opportunity to participate in a learning community which would allow them to work at their own pace, address their barriers to learning, and identify their personal learning styles

Hometown Living At Its Best

so that they can attain a diploma or high school equivalency (GED). At no charge, they are offered one-to-one and classroom instruction in reading, writing and math, basic computer skills and testtaking skills. Classes are individualized to the students’ needs; some want to read to their children and help them with schoolwork, while others want to prepare for the written driver’s license exam, understand printed forms, read the newspaper or their mail. Zelonia pays for her students’ tests, books and supplies so that all excuses are removed. “I deal with a special population. It was critical to me to offer classes at South University, Savannah State University, and St. Leo campus (when we’re not in a pandemic) because I have to change the students’ environment. They’ve never been on a college campus before,” Zelonia says. “Think about

chatham county living

While Celebrations Unlimited is her baby, Zelonia feels she has two or three more businesses in her. Recently she created a new company called Patches 24/7 that provides customized embroidered patches for uniforms, jackets, pants and an array of other apparel. After just one year, she says it produces almost the same income as her event business.

Hometown Living At Its Best

Zelonia understands the power of networking and connection. She serves on the board of the Greater Savannah Black Chamber of Commerce, is a Neighborhood Leadership Academy graduate, a Community Advisor for Gulf Stream’s Student Leadership Program, a member of the Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society and of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, a member of Savannah Nubarter, the Savannah Small Business Chamber, and Savannah Wedding Vendors. It is this ability to connect with, and for, others that has made her community volunteer efforts so impactful.

being in an impoverished community. If I was teaching at the community center, they’d be going right back to the violence or the drug dealers once their class was over. Their state of mind would never change. But if I put them in an environment where they see individuals with their pants pulled up and with ties on, their mindset changes and they build respect both for their teacher and for themselves. The sad thing is that a lot of what I’m teaching them is basics because they weren’t paying attention in elementary school. They don’t have the foundation. They are the ones who are overlooked, who fell between the cracks, who may or may not have committed a crime, or who may have a gang related background, or may have murdered someone when they were 13, 14 or 15.” Her positivity is infectious, “You have people who have no confidence. Just to have someone who has gone through as much as I have gone through, and still walk in

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my faith and know that God is with me, is inspiring to them,” Zelonia explains. “I know how to brush myself off and say, ‘Push! Get through it!’ People feel that authenticity.” This Push Theory, as she calls it, led her to create an online Facebook community to help people build connections, build confidence, and be uplifted. She explains, “I connect them with resources and motivate, empower, and change their mindsets. Get up! Do something! Stop thinking someone is supposed to give you something! You are given the same opportunities and have access to the same things I have access to.” This ability to overcome and push through is reflected in Zelonia’s personal story. She grew up in Savannah, had a daughter at the age of 15, whose father was murdered in a case of mistaken identity. She went to Albany State University with her toddler and while in school, fell in love and had her son, DJ, who is autistic. At the age of four, DJ’s dad passed away in his sleep. Instead of being bitter, she believes she has gifts to share. “I listen to my higher power. I don’t move unless He says move. Through His grace and mercy, everything that I have touched is working. I can change lives.” In addition to Future Minds and the Push Theory online

In 2020, Celebrations Unlimited had over 35 brides scheduled for weddings. Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Zelonia says, “I am forever grateful that not one of them asked for their deposit back. Some went ahead and had intimate weddings, others rescheduled. I’m still getting calls to book weddings, just on a smaller scale.” Most of her referrals come during the events themselves. “You have to love what you do to build the right energy. Guests come up to me during the receptions because they are having such a good time. I intentionally wear a cocktail dress with pockets so I can pass out my business cards.”

Hometown Living At Its Best

group, Zelonia supports mothers of children with autism. Her son DJ, now 12 years old and 6’1”, has his own platform on social media (DJ the Great, Autism in Black) to both encourage those with autism and to educate others on how to deal with him. She says African-American children are often misdiagnosed at higher rates, which in turn leads to delayed intervention. She was able to get DJ the Great tested at the age of 4, which saved her a lot of heartache and pain later in his life. While Celebrations Unlimited is her baby, Zelonia feels she has two or three more businesses in her. Recently she created a new company called Patches 24/7 that provides customized embroidered patches for uniforms, jackets, pants and an array of other apparel. After just one year, she says it produces almost the same income as her event business. “Sometimes it happens so effortlessly. My company

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customizes and creates motivational and inspirational patches, business patches, patches for bikers’ clubs, for Girl Scout troops, for churches, and for sports teams. I asked God to come up with a business where I could make money when I was sleeping and that’s what Patches 24/7 is doing for me.” This inspirational and beautiful young woman lives by a saying attributed to Eleanor Roosevelt: “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” This belief underlies each of her community outreach efforts and is evident in both of her businesses. “Being able to push through the barriers you have…having a child at 15, losing her father, having an autistic child, losing the love of your life... you get up. You encourage people. You have something to live for.”  CCL

Hometown Living At Its Best

Come to pooler, where great food just happens & Southern hospitality is a way of life. • INTERNATIONAL AND SOUTHERN CUISINE • AFFORDABLE HOTELS • GREAT SHOPPING • OUTSTANDING RESTAURANTS • EXCITING ENTERTAINMENT • WEDDINGS AND MEETING VENUES • CULINARY EVENTS AND FESTIVALS

(912) 748-0110 | PoolerChamber.com 305 West Collins Street Pooler, GA

Hello

from the Greater Pooler Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau, Inc.

can’t believe we are over a month into 2021 and all of us bid “good riddance” to 2020. So many businesses and residents were affected by this virus and hopefully, 2021 will be a healthy and prosperous year for all.

Yes, we changed our name and logo. And, moved to our new offices at 305 West Collins Street, Pooler, GA. So that is one positive that came out of an awlful 2020. The 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 chamber continues to encourage residents and businesses to relocate to Pooler. With that continued growth, there is the opportunity for employment. Retirees are seeing the many benefits that Pooler has to offer. But it does not stop there. Young people and families are seeing the accessibility that Pooler lays at their door steps. Retail, manufacturing and residential growth makes Pooler the ideal place to put down roots. Our purpose is to provide quality service, improve economic development, while protecting and promoting our member businesses and residents in the local and surrounding 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. Susan Eiseman, Assistant Director, Tameka Moultrie, Director Member Partnerships, Susan Sewell, Office Manager. We invite you to visit our website…www.Poolerchamber.com for information and our facebook page…https://www.facebook.com/PoolerChamberOfCommerce/ for information on upcoming events, new members and other pertinent information. In the meantime, stay safe and enjoy 2021!

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

Pam Southard Executive Director Hometown Living At Its Best

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Community Pride in the

chatham county living

BY STEPHEN PRUDHOMME | PHOTOS BY DREAM WEAVER PHOTOS

The Pooler Lions Club has been in existence since 2011. During that time, its members, coming from diverse backgrounds and careers, have served the community through a number of initiatives and programs. Some of these include financial support for the Georgia Lions Camp for the Blind and the Georgia Lighthouse Foundation, free vision screenings for over 18,000 local students, support of Savannah Puppy Raisers, distribution of food through the Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry, and staging for a yearly fundraiser for local charities, Chipping for Charity. Karla Italiano is familiar with the programs and one in particular benefited her daughter and inspired Karla to join the club. Karla is now president of the club, which followed stints as vice president and member. A native of Iowa, Karla earned a degree in engineering management from the University of Missouri at Rolla. She worked for Lockheed-Martin in Dallas-Fort Worth, where she met her husband, an engineer from Italy. They moved to Atlanta where Karla focused on raising their children and a small business. In 2013, the Italianos came to Pooler and Karla worked in network marketing. Three years ago, Karla’s 5-year-old daughter, Carla, a twin and one of three children, was diagnosed with leukemia. A kindergartner at the time, she underwent two years of chemotherapy. In April 2019, Carla completed her last treatment and, according to Italiano, is back in school, has a full head of hair and is doing fine. In 2018, while Carla was still undergoing treatment, Karla learned about the Pooler Lions Club and its Childhood Cancer program. The initiative hit home for Karla, who joined the club and was among the members who went to the Savannah Children’s Hospital and distributed toys to the youngsters. “I experienced the generosity of people and being cared for when my daughter was undergoing treatment at Memorial Hospital,” Karla said. “That inspired me to service. I was looking for a way to get involved with

Pooler Lions have diverse backgrounds but share a goal of service to others.

Hometown Living At Its Best

the community.” She’s found it with Pooler Lions, first as a member and now as president. “This is an amazing club,” Karla said. “I have an empowering role as president. The members are so dedicated. They go where the need is.” One of the dedicated members is Sonia Saylor. Like Karla, Sonia has served as president and vice president of the Pooler Lions Club. They both also faced a family health challenge. For Sonia, it’s ongoing and has forced her to make dramatic changes in her life and rely on the help of family and friends. A resident of Pooler, Sonia joined the Pooler Lions Club shortly after it was chartered. Her membership came on the heels of a genetic disease that came home to roost and robbed her of one of her most precious senses. Sonia was a wife, mother and career woman when she took her 4-year-old son to the doctor and learned he had a swollen optic nerve. With doctors stumped as to the cause of the swelling, Sonia contacted relatives and found out from her grandmother about a genetic 26

chatham county living

eye disease that had affected a dozen family members over four generations to varying degrees; some would have impaired vision, while others would go completely blind. Shocked to learn of this family disease, Sonia resolved to lead a normal life as long as possible. While on a cruise, she and her husband were walking along when Sonia said she felt as though a veil had suddenly been placed over her eyes. Returning home and still having blurry vision, Sonia went to the Georgia Eye Institute and was told by her ophthalmologist of 30 years she had the most extreme form of Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON) and would eventually lose her sight. Six weeks later, that dire prognosis was realized. Sonia was totally blind. “In six weeks, I went to total darkness,” Sonia said. “It usually takes two years. I had no preparation time. It was very overwhelming and really hard to accept and deal with.” It was during this difficult time Sonia found out about

What’s also rewarding is her work with the Lions Club. Living in Pooler since 2012, Debra found out about it through its initiative to help children with cancer two years ago; she and nine members of her company teamed up to participate in the program. Through that experience, Debra, along with Alex, joined the club.

Hometown Living At Its Best

Debra learned about pharmaceutical sales through a real estate connection and subsequently embarked on a career that she’s done since 2000 and includes the last eight years with Novo Nordisk. “I love what I do,” said the Long Island native. “I really get to help patients and provide options for them to get medicine. It’s very rewarding to hear about patients whose blood sugar went down, lost 60 pounds, went from a size 12 to 7 or only had to get one seat on the plane.”

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the Pooler Lions Club, which, like others of its kind in the worldwide organization, is dedicated to serving communities and specifically to help those with impaired vision. During an exceedingly challenging time in her life, Sonia found hope, comfort and charity with the Lions Club. “The Lions Club is my rock,” said Sonia, who served as chairman of the Blind Lions of Georgia for four years. “It’s a real positive for me. It’s helped me feel good about myself and raise my self-esteem. Taking part in a food drive on September 19th made my heart feel good. The Lions Club has made a difference in my life and I hope in other people’s lives.” One of Sonia’s duties in the Lions Club is to pull out the raffle ticket and hold the cards for the monthly 50/50 raffle drawing. “They know there won’t be any chance of cheating since I can’t see the cards,” said Sonia with a laugh. She’s proven lucky for at least two people, including this writer, who drew a winning card that Sonia held some two years ago and collected $600+. The other winner was a new member who earned over $400. Both picked the winning cards the first time they entered the drawing. A number of retirees have joined the club. Grateful for a career that afforded them a comfortable lifestyle and the ability to retire with

Hometown Living At Its Best

Serving Our Country

chatham county living

Like her husband, Debra served in the Army. Unlike him, she did not make a career out of it, getting out in 1990 after four years working and serving in Germany during the last part of her enlistment. Debra remained in Germany, working for Digital Equipment for two years as an administrative assistant (her job in the Army) before returning to the States and finishing her education at the University of Maryland with a degree in information systems management

“It’s important to give back,” Alex said. “If you don’t live values, nothing will change or get better. I’ve been very fortunate. I feel the need to give back to the community and help people. With the Lions Club, it’s about getting a diverse group of people together working toward a common goal.”

financial security, they seek to give back to the local community and help those not as fortunate. Such is the case with Terry Strubbe. A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Terry moved to Pooler in 2017. In June of that year, while at a doctor’s office waiting for knee replacement surgery, he spotted an ad in a community newspaper for the Pooler Lions Club asking for volunteers and decided to answer the call. “I had volunteered going back to college,” Terry said. That college was Kent State, where Terry found himself 50 years ago on a fateful day that shocked the nation. A freshman majoring in TV and radio broadcasting production, Terry was in his dorm room and working on his future job skills by standing by his window and tape recording a nearby student antiwar protest. The students had been there for several days, according to Terry, and the Ohio governor had called in the National Guard, who had been sent to Ohio to quell a trucker strike that had erupted in violence. More was soon to come. Terry left his dorm room and headed outside, leaving his tape player on his window sill, as he always did, in the recording mode. “The significance of the recording is that it ran before the shooting, during the shooting and, for a period, after the shooting,” Terry said. As is often the case, Terry and probably many of the other students didn’t immediately recognize the popping sounds that suddenly cut through the air. “I thought they were firecrackers,” he said. Terry quickly found out differently. The National Guard had fired shots at the students, killing four of them and wounding a number of others. It was an event that would be forever remembered, highlighting antiwar sentiments and further dividing a nation over a controversial war. It even inspired Neil Young to write a song: “Four Dead in Ohio.” “I never, ever thought the situation would be that bad where shooting would start,” Terry said. “They opened fire and were shooting people.” What Terry didn’t realize was he was destined to become part of the history of the Kent State shootings. The enterprising freshman learned his was the only audio recording of the protest and shootings. Terry Hometown Living At Its Best

subsequently testified at various hearings and inquiries, and the FBI collected his tape for analysis. Another agency would listen to it as well, one that would gain greater prominence four years later by analyzing the Watergate Tapes. Terry, forever changed by the experience, remained at Kent State and graduated in 1973 with a degree in TV and radio production. He moved to North Carolina and worked at a TV station for four years before concluding that he needed to find a different career that paid more money. Terry went into the county’s adult probation system and remained there for 35 years, retiring in 2015. After 40 years in the work-force and having earned a comfortable retirement, Terry was ready to give back. He found the perfect conduit with the Pooler Lions Club. “It gives you a sense of purpose, a sense of order,” Terry said. “I like that.” He especially enjoys volunteering for such programs as Loaves & Fish, vision screening and reading in the schools, with the latter two providing opportunities to interact with children. “You meet a lot of kids doing the vision screenings and it makes you feel 32

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50 years later, Alex is vice president of the Pooler Lions Club. He and his wife, Debra, joined in March 2019. Service is nothing new for Alex, who graduated from Kent State and embarked on a 28-year career in the Army. “From the age of three, I wanted to be a soldier,” he said. Alex served as an infantry and logistics officer and fought in Panama, Iraq and Afghanistan. He retired in 2013 as a Lieutenant Colonel. “I had reached mandatory retirement,” Alex said. “I would have stayed in. It was very rewarding and satisfying. I really enjoyed it.”

you’re not as old as you think,” Terry explains. “It’s rewarding to uncover vision problems that would impact their learning. With the reading, you sit in a chair and read and the kids will follow along. I get something out of it and the kids do too. It’s a win-win.” Terry isn’t the only member of the Pooler Lions Club who’s from Ohio and graduated from Kent State. Alex Monteith is a fellow Buckeye and KSU alum. The similarities don’t end there. They were both on the Kent State Campus the day of the National Guard shootings. While Terry was a student, Alex, whose father was an economics professor at the university, was five years old and in class at the University School. He said the shootings took place some 300 yards from the school. Recalling that day, Alex said his mother picked him up at the back door of the school, which was a bit unusual. In the days to follow, he spotted a National Guardsman with a rifle standing at the corner of his street and other National

Hometown Living At Its Best

Guardsmen in his school gym and military vehicles parked outside. “There was a lot of tension in the air,” Alex said. 50 years later, Alex is vice president of the Pooler Lions Club. He and his wife, Debra, joined in March 2019. Service is nothing new for Alex, who graduated from Kent State and embarked on a 28-year career in the Army. “From the age of three, I wanted to be a soldier,” he said. Alex served as an infantry and logistics officer and fought in Panama, Iraq and Afghanistan. He retired in 2013 as a Lieutenant Colonel. “I had reached mandatory retirement,” Alex said. “I would have stayed in. It was very rewarding and satisfying. I really enjoyed it.” Since retirement, Alex has pursued a number of ventures that include investing, selling and marketing with a company involved in timber and coconut plantations and trading stock options. “It’s a source of income and gives me something to do,” he explained. “I enjoy investing. I don’t intend to stop working.” Then there’s investing time in the Lions Club. “It’s important to give back,” Alex said. “If you 34

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don’t live values, nothing will change or get better. I’ve been very fortunate. I feel the need to give back to the community and help people. With the Lions Club, it’s about getting a diverse group of people together working toward a common goal.” Like her husband, Debra served in the Army. Unlike him, she did not make a career out of it, getting out in 1990 after four years working and serving in Germany during the last part of her enlistment. Debra remained in Germany, working for Digital Equipment for two years as an administrative assistant (her job in the Army) before returning to the States and finishing her education at the University of Maryland with a degree in information systems management. She worked as a business analyst for a computer company in Virginia and followed that with a job as a business consultant and realtor in Sarasota, Florida. Debra learned about pharmaceutical sales through a real estate connection and subsequently embarked on a career that she’s done since 2000 and includes the last eight years with Novo Nordisk. “I love what I do,” said the Long Island native. “I really get to

One of the dedicated members is Sonia Saylor. Like Karla, Sonia has served as president and vice president of the Pooler Lions Club. They both also faced a family health challenge. For Sonia, it’s ongoing and has forced her to make dramatic changes in her life and rely on the help of family and friends. A resident of Pooler, Sonia joined the Pooler Lions Club shortly after it was chartered. Her membership came on the heels of a genetic disease that came home to roost and robbed her of one of her most precious senses.

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help patients and provide options for them to get medicine. It’s very rewarding to hear about patients whose blood sugar went down, lost 60 pounds, went from a size 12 to 7 or only had to get one seat on the plane.” What’s also rewarding is her work with the Lions Club. Living in Pooler since 2012, Debra found out about it through its initiative to help children with cancer two years ago; she and nine members of her company teamed up to participate in the program. Through that experience, Debra, along with Alex, joined the club. “I love the volunteer projects,” Debra said. “I’m part of a group of women knitting scarves for the homeless. We also handed out apples and Alex and I canned apple sauce from those left over. We want to give back to the community, and the Lions Club allows us to do that. If you have an idea, they’re open to it.”  CCL

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a Purpose

Turning Pain Into BY DAVID PENA | PHOTOS BY DREAM WEAVER PHOTOS

Enrique Marquez has made it his mission to help dogs while transforming lives

Most homes in the United States have at least

part of the first invasion of Iraq, the “tip of the

one pet, and for very good reasons. Our furry

spear.” In fact, Enrique’s unit was actually one of

friends can help us get some exercise as well

the first military teams to enter Baghdad and take

as much-needed socialization time with others.

over Saddam Hussein’s palace.”

Owning a pet can also actually decrease blood

Not surprisingly, the deployments took a very

pressure and cholesterol levels and can even

hard toll on Enrique, both professionally and

help with managing depression. They give us

personally. “Everyone who comes back [from

unconditional love while asking for little in return,

war] is never the same,” he says. “It made me

and this was never truer than in the case of Enrique

look at life from a darker perspective; I began

Marquez.

selling my things and writing goodbye notes to

A native of Mexico, Enrique transferred to the

Savannah area in 2012 after serving in the military. Back in 2003, he and his team became an integral

40 chatham county living

family and friends. I lost my will to go on, and I had simply had enough.” Ironically, it was during Enrique’s darkest

Hometown Living At Its Best

Our furry friends can help us get some exercise as well as much-needed socialization time with others. Owning a pet can also actually decrease blood pressure and cholesterol levels and can even help with managing depression. hours that his dog, Kaiser, helped him through his most difficult times. “My family and friends weren’t able to understand what I was going through,” he recalls, “but I could always turn to my dog. Literally, the day that I was going to end it, my dog would not let me go. He sensed something was wrong with me and thankfully, he pulled me back from the edge.” Although Kaiser became his lifeline, the dog did have

Enrique’s Facebook posts, and he has more than 22,000 followers on Instagram. Moreover, Enrique’s Dogworx Club offers additional

some behavior issues, so a good bit of time was spent training

online training for clients who may

him. “I found that I could apply the same methods of helping

not be able to afford training. This

dogs overcome their behavior issues to their owner, which in this case was me,” explains Enrique, who applied what he learned while working with K9s in the military. “The training also helped me with what I was going through with my depression.” As Kaiser became better behaved, Enrique began to actually notice changes in himself; changes that he knew simply had to take place in order to have a better quality of life. “I basically grew into a more calm and confident person. It’s strange to say, but my battle with depression was actually a gift. Because of it, I learned that I could help change a dog’s life, as well as [the life of] its owner.” Thus, Enrique was about to embark on his newfound purpose in life; but first he needed some additional confirmation, which came in the form of a friend in need. “I had a buddy who struggled with PTSD as well,” explains Enrique. “He also happened to own a dog that needed training for its anxiety. Since my training helped Kaiser and me, I figured maybe it would work for them as well.” Drawing from his own training sessions, Enrique taught his friend’s dog how

Nearly 4,000 people now follow

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includes free video tutorials to help dog owners train their own dogs. “It’s nothing too complicated, just help with common issues,” he explains.

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Within a year, Dogworx began to turn a profit. Now one of only a handful of trainers in the country who offer help to dogs deemed “untrainable,” Enrique has a client waiting list of about three months.

to overcome its anxiety and become a wellbalanced pet. This, in turn, inspired his friend to also work on himself. “He started going out more and making friends,” says Enrique proudly. The impact that he made in his and his friend’s lives became the impetus to focus on helping all dogs with behavioral issues. The 41-year-old then set about creating his own company, which he called Dogworx. “I wanted to specialize in behavior therapy for dogs that have severe issues like aggression, anxiety, excessive barking, home destruction, and biting,” he says. “I also wanted to help their owners, because many times the dog will mirror the owner’s negative behaviors.”

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However, Dogworx began with little more

one of Enrique’s six-week camps. “This dog was

than good intentions in 2015. “I basically started

found in the woods a few months earlier,” recalls

with a shoestring budget, with no website and

Wesley. “She was anxious and would not respond

absolutely no leads,” he laughs. “I started doing

to any commands. After the training, however,

research online on how to gain a client base and

she went from being an out-of-control, anxious

saw that Facebook had a program for businesses,

dog to a completely happy, obedient dog!”

so I jumped at the opportunity. At first, I just

So, what exactly sets Enrique apart from other

shared my experiences through some online

animal trainers? “I believe in not only healing

videos. I didn’t try to sell anything; I just took

the dog, but healing the people as well,” he

people on the journey of the process of training

explains. “Often the bad behaviors we see are a

each dog.” Thus, by utilizing social media,

symptom of a bigger issue - their state-of-mind.

Enrique began to get a customer base, both

By focusing on healing this state-of-mind, all of

locally and abroad. Word quickly began to spread

those behaviors dissipate as a result, and you have

about this “dog whisperer,” who then began

a much happier and better behaved dog.”

offering dog training “boot camps.” First-time dog owners Wesley and Rhea Spratt took their six-month-old pit bull named Sadie to

“Finding Enrique was like a breath of fresh air,” says Lisa Budge, whose German shepherd, Reagan, desperately needed anxiety training for Hometown Living At Its Best

her aggression. “She used to be a scary dog to be around and I was afraid I was going to have to put her down. Thankfully, Enrique helped Reagan overcome her anxiety and has given the dog a new lease on life. “She wouldn’t be the wonderful dog she is today without Enrique’s help, and we’re so grateful.” Within a year, Dogworx began to turn a profit. Now one of only a handful of trainers in the country who offer help to dogs deemed “untrainable,” Enrique has a client waiting list of about three months. He also has two training camps located in Savannah and Nashville, and has clients located as far

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So, what exactly sets Enrique apart from other animal trainers? “I believe in not only healing the dog, but healing the people as well,” he explains. “Often the bad behaviors we see are a symptom of a bigger issue - their state-of-mind. By focusing on healing this state-of-mind, all of those behaviors dissipate as a result, and you have a much happier and better behaved dog.”

as England booked for his services. “I spend a great deal of time traveling the country training or speaking at seminars,” he says. Enrique’s social media strategy has also gained the attention of thousands, including the heads of Facebook, who invited him to be a speaker at their 2019 Business Leaders’ Summit conference at their headquarters in California. “Meeting Mark Zuckerberg was great, but I got to share my story and motivate others who were like me, which was truly amazing,” he says. Nearly 4,000 people now follow Enrique’s Facebook posts, and he has more than 22,000 followers on Instagram. Moreover, Enrique’s Dogworx Club offers additional online training for clients who may not be able to afford training. This includes free video tutorials to help dog owners train their own dogs. “It’s nothing too complicated, just help with common issues,” he explains. Enrique says that he couldn’t be more pleased with his journey thus far. In 2021, he plans to embark on a nationwide effort to teach workers in animal shelters how to train their dogs, all in an effort to save lives. “The fact that I’m able to help dogs while transforming lives is incredibly satisfying to me. It’s amazing, but I really owe this opportunity to my own dog Kaiser,

Hometown Living At Its Best

The 41-year-old then set about creating his own company, which he called Dogworx. “I wanted to specialize in behavior therapy for dogs that have severe issues like aggression, anxiety, excessive barking, home destruction, and biting,” he says. “I also wanted to help their owners, because many times the dog will mirror the owner’s negative behaviors.”

who recognized a need in me during a very vulnerable time in my life. You can often learn about yourself through [your] dog, and they have something to offer each of us.” For more information, visit www.fb.com/ dogwrx or follow Enrique at www.instagram. com/dogwrx  CCL

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

Savannah

Square A senior living community where neighbors ultimately become family

If you are in search of senior living, look no further than one of Savannah’s oldest and well-known premier properties, Savannah Square. Nestled between downtown Savannah and the hospital systems, the extensive campus features blooming azaleas, manicured lawns and 65 beautifully renovated cottages. A continued care retirement community, Savannah Square offers independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing and an on-site rehabilitation center. “Some people think that when they move into an assisted living facility, that life stops or that they stop socializing. But that doesn’t happen here,” said Kelli Hartley, Sales Director at Savannah Square. The campus includes a full fitness center, library, car service, fine dining and the Lifestyle360 program, which incorporates activities that benefit residents’ social, physical and emotional needs. “We keep residents engaged and fully living life, and that includes their pets, too,” Kelli said.

As a leader in continued care, Savannah Square has a reputation for offering the best out-patient and in-patient rehabilitation services, with seasoned and experienced staff. “What makes us different is the skilled nursing rehab center we have on site. Residents can come into the center and get the help they need to get back home to their apartment or cottage. It’s all offered right here on our campus,” Kelli said. “Residents are able to work with their same therapists as they progress from in-patient to out-patient services, providing a seamless line of care where residents feel comfortable.” Developing lasting relationships with their caregivers and neighbors is another benefit of life at Savannah Square. “We are a family. The staff looks after residents and the residents look after each other,” Kelli said. “We truly believe this is a place where neighbors become family.” If you’re interested in learning more, contact Savannah Square at 912-927-7550 or visit the website at www.savannahsquareretirement.com. Hometown Living At Its Best

Follow our journey.

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MAKING

THE CUT

52 chatham county living

STORY BY STEPHEN PRUDHOMME | PHOTOS BY DREAM WEAVER PHOTOS

Bloomingdale butcher relies on faith to put lean times out to pasture.

Hometown Living At Its Best

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While offering choice, lean meats, The Butcher’s Block in Bloomindale also went through some “lean” times. In an effort to attract customers, ownership dressed a man in a cow suit and had him standing by busy Highway 80 near the store. Through it all, co-owner Roy White, Jr. kept the faith and watched the store survive the 2008 recession. He took comfort in the scripture that God would close a window but open a door. In January, the door briefly closed and then opened - literally. Shortly after co-owner Danny Young exited the shop, following a meeting with Roy to discuss their mounting debt, a young man walked in, seemingly on cue, and learned of Roy’s plight. Within several months, he helped the store put the “lean times out to pasture and beef up sales”…and it didn’t require anyone dressing up as a cow. Roy and Danny have owned The Butcher’s Block for 13 years, purchasing it from a family friend whose husband had died. Lifelong friends, they formed a partnership out of Roy’s disenchantment with corporate grocery stores and put their focus on the bottom line…rather than selling quality meats, they wanted to see about investment purposes. While selling quality meats, the two men struggled to turn a profit. The problem wasn’t a lack of vehicles going by, but how many of them stopped. “There were 25,000 cars going by each day,” said Roy, who works as a butcher. “It’s probably Hometown Living At Its Best

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more now. People were headed to and from work. We weren’t getting the foot traffic.” The lack of foot traffic, along with the high cost of refrigeration to store the meats, made for some difficult times. Add to that the recession, which came a year after they went in business, and Roy’s faith was constantly tested. “I serve a risen Savior,” he said. “I knew He would help us out.” As usual, the help came in God’s timing. Flyers, TV ad campaigns and, yes, a man in a cow suit didn’t reverse their fortunes. “People said the guy in the cow suit was causing wrecks,” Roy said. Just when Roy and Danny, a successful businessman involved with other ventures, were about to “have a cow” regarding the financial viability of the store and how they would pay off the mounting debt, a savior walked through the door. Brandon Roberts was trained by Isaac Rudansky, one of the foremost leaders in digital marketing. He was just the person Roy needed to highlight his butcher shop and customer service skills to a public that is more influenced by the Internet than a guy in a cow suit. “He’s a super nice guy,” Roy said. “He set Hometown Living At Its Best

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up a website and used Google, Instagram and other forms of social media to advertise our business. He did for free what he usually charges several thousand dollars to do. In March, we had $90,000 in business; an average month was $25,000 to $30,000. Social media is the way to go.” Brandon, 36, owns a digital marketing company and is co-owner and digital marketing director of the local Elite Medical Center in Pooler. In January 2020, in an effort to increase local clientele for his digital marketing business, he stopped by The Butcher’s Block and subsequently reversed Roy’s fortunes. “His website needed work,” Brandon said. “I redid his website, set up some Facebook ads and increased his Google ranking through SEO (search engine optimization).” Brandon didn’t offer his services for free, but he gladly gave Roy a hometown discount. “He had been through a lot and needed a break,” Brandon said. “I know he’s a man of God; his conviction is through the roof. That really touched me.” For Roy, butchering has been a way of life for most of his adult life. A native of Savannah, Roy landed a job at Kmart on Montgomery Crossroads following graduation from Richmond Hill High. He worked there for two to three years in a number of capacities before moving on to a warehouse position with M&M Groceries. Roy subsequently learned about a butcher apprentice program with the company and signed up, starting a career that’s lasted more than 30 years. “I was taught by the best in Savannah,” Roy said. “I learned how to clean, make the cuts and wrap. It was intense. I was one of two people out of two who completed the program.”

Hometown Living At Its Best

Mike also likes the family atmosphere, noting Roy’s parents are often there and helping out. “They’re salt of the earth people,” he said. He is likewise impressed with Roy’s faith during difficult times. “Roy never gives up,” Mike said. “He’s always very positive and sees a silver lining in a dark cloud. He keeps going, no matter what.”

Roy worked as a butcher at M&M for several years and then another three years as butcher and meat manager at Kroger, which had bought out the stores. His next stop was Food Lion, where he worked as a floating meat manager. Roy said Food Lion treated him pretty well yet, over time, he became disenchanted with the store’s increasing focus on maximizing profits while sacrificing quality. “They were adding more preservatives,” Roy said. “They would keep a pack of chicken for four weeks. That’s not right. They were going to prepackaged meats and took us out of the equation.” Roy encountered that same equation at Walmart and decided to “cut out” of the butchering business. He took a job as a forklift operator at Georgia Pacific. Although the pay and benefits were good, the hours were long and draining. Roy left after six and a half years. “I felt like a walking zombie,” he said. Roy returned to the Food Lion in Rincon. He stayed there for three to four years before moving on once again. “I was tired of the corporate approach,” 60

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Roy said. “There was too much micromanaging.” Upon the suggestion of his father, who had worked as a butcher, Roy contacted Fresh Choices and was hired as a meat cutter. He worked there for 18 months before deciding to strike out on his own. Roy and Danny had discussed owning their own butcher shop for a number of years. The door finally opened when they heard about the availability of the store in Bloomingdale…13 years later, following plenty of questioning and doubts that decision is paying off. “The company is debtfree,” Roy said. “I’m in the process of buying out my partner.” Roy doesn’t use preservatives and gets his beef from Colorado, Iowa and Missouri - places known for their high quality cattle. The pork comes from Cisco American Foods, D. Lee, Ambos Seafoods and Stillmore Poultry, reflecting Roy’s practice of buying only American food. His pork sausage, coming in a variety of flavors, was available in 13 grocery stores around the state. Roy said he hopes to return it to these stores as soon as possible. “I want the feeling I’m not poisoning my family and me,” said Roy, adding that he’s convinced all the chemicals and preservatives they put into meats are contributing to the high cancer rate. Roy said he enjoys people and putting a smile on their faces. Remarking he has a lot of repeat customers, he considers them family and, as such, he wants to treat them right, just as with those closest to him. Kevin Andrews, a member of the 1980 National Champion University of Georgia Bulldogs football team and a successful Savannah businessman and entrepreneur, has known Roy since The Butcher’s Block opened. Kevin helped coach the Savannah Christian football team, which had a Thursday tradition of eating steaks from The Butcher’s Block. “They were great cuts and unbelievable,” said Kevin, who refers many of his customers to Roy’s butcher shop. “He literally has the best homemade sausage in the world. His bacon is unbelievable, and his meats are incredible. It’s good stuff.”

There’s also the nostalgic appeal of visiting a largely bygone vestige of his younger years and seeing a friendly face. “I like to see the local butcher shop,” Kevin said. “Roy always has a smile on his face.” John “JB” Bennett sells his homemade barbecue sauce at the store and also cooks meats for family, friends and special events. As such, he recognizes quality meat when he tastes it. “I love the sausage there,” John said. “The ground beef is of a high quality and doesn’t have a lot of fat. Roy’s a Christian and very friendly. He’s a very nice fellow.” Mike Roberson has been a friend of Roy’s since high school and said he always offered an encouraging word and wasn’t your typical student. “He fit in with every group and had a good personality,” Mike said. These days, Mike’s a friend, customer and business partner, selling his products (Savannah Sauce Company) at The Butcher’s Block. “It’s a nice, clean shop,” Mike said. “If there’s something you want that he doesn’t have, “I serve a risen Savior,” he said. “I knew He would help us out.” As usual, the help came in God’s timing. Flyers, TV ad campaigns and, yes, a man in a cow suit didn’t reverse their fortunes. “People said the guy in the cow suit was causing wrecks,” Roy said. Just when Roy and Danny, a successful businessman involved with other ventures, were about to “have a cow” regarding the financial viability of the store and how they would pay off the mounting debt, a savior walked through the door.

he’ll get it for you. The meat has no fillers. You get a good meat product - a lot of quality and value. My favorite is the pork sausage. It’s different from anything I’ve had. I buy too much of it.” Mike also likes the family atmosphere, noting Roy’s parents are often there and helping out. “They’re salt of the earth people,” he said. He is likewise impressed with Roy’s faith during difficult times. “Roy never gives up,” Mike said. “He’s always very positive and sees a silver lining in a dark cloud. He keeps going, no matter what.” For Roy, a silver lining found him. With Covid-19 affecting shipments of meats to the larger grocery stores, The Butcher’s Block filled the breach. He attributed the increase in business to having plenty of products coming from several independent distributors with whom he deals. “We stayed on top of what was in the warehouses and kept our orders coming in with whatever they had,” said Roy, noting business was better than before Covid. “It was also timing. Brandon had set up our social media, making it easier for customers to find. Once folks found out about our fresh meats, the meats sell themselves. They also found out we have great customer service.” As a devout believer, Roy is guided by the principle of blessing others the way God has blessed him. “God gave me this talent and skill,” Roy said. “It’s something I can share in their daily walk. People have to eat every day.” In the meantime, the cow suit, presumably, has been “shown the door and put out to pasture.”  CCL

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DUFFY & FEEMSTER, LLC (912) 236-6311

Call today to schedule a consultation.

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

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STORY BY STEPHEN PRUDHOMME | PHOTOS BY DREAM WEAVER PHOTOS AND KEYA JEST

Street

SURVIVOR

Savannah woman finds the road to recovery and inspires others through her cautionary tale of addiction and abuse

Keya Jest radiates friendliness and warmth, smiling and hugging, and offering a depth of feeling and understanding that draws others to her. As a result, she makes friends wherever she goes. Some seven years ago, Keya had little to smile about, being homeless and battling a drug addiction. It took an assault, in which she nearly died, to ultimately get her off the streets and drugs, and dedicate her life to one filled with faith, hope and being an inspiration to others. A native of Savannah, Keya, 46, is a newfound recording artist. She’s also a tour guide and former rental car manager in training. As part of her commitment to make a new life for herself, Keya writes an inspirational blog and runs, the latter helping her lose 25 pounds. “I turned 46 on July 4th,” Keya said, “and it’s a blessing knowing I could have lost my life seven years ago. I’m finding a lot of gratitude for my life. I’m really grateful for the opportunity to share my story. My passion is to help others in the areas that I have overcome.” Keya has overcome much in her life. Unlike many others going through a similar

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Hometown Living At Its Best

“I turned 46 on July 4th,” Keya said, “and it’s a blessing knowing I could have lost my life seven years ago. I’m finding a lot of gratitude for my life. I’m really grateful for the opportunity to share my story. My passion is to help others in the areas that I have overcome.”

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Keya has overcome much in her life. Unlike many others going through a similar situation, however, she did not rebel due to family problems. “I came from a good home,” Keya said. “I was raised by my mom and stepfather and brought up in the church. I chose to explore the streets and tried to fit in with the wrong crowd. I always felt the need to be accepted.”

situation, however, she did not rebel due to family problems. “I came from a good home,” Keya said. “I was raised by my mom and stepfather and brought up in the church. I chose to explore the streets and tried to fit in with the wrong crowd. I always felt the need to be accepted.” With the wrong crowd came drug use. If she didn’t work a job to get drugs, Keya said, she would get money by any means necessary, often illegally. Life on the streets also included jumping in and out of cars, not knowing if she would return. One of her closest calls came on New Year’s Day 2014, just past midnight, after she had prayed to God to help her kick her drug habit and return home; Keya, tired of getting high, said she started praying in the closing minutes of 2013. Walking around the block to collect her thoughts and reflect on her plea to God, Keya once again encountered evil on the streets. As she’d done in the past, Keya jumped into a car to try and “cop” more drugs to feed her addiction and found herself next to a man who had attacked her previously on the streets. This time, he assaulted her in the car. Keya managed to get away from the man, only to encounter him some two weeks later after jumping in his car for yet another ride. He quickly proved he hadn’t mended his ways. “I remembered the way he laughed, the tattoos along his arm and skin complexion,” Keya said. “He seemed more violent, as though he wanted to end my life. He choked me until I passed out. I came to as he was squeezing my neck. I saw a police car, and since I couldn’t talk because he was choking me, I pointed at it. He punched me and ran off.” Having escaped death, Keya walked to a nearby dope house. Once the drugs wore off, she said she realized she couldn’t take it any longer and it was time to walk away. “I didn’t want to die in the streets,” Keya said.

Hometown Living At Its Best

“She’s come a long way, and her future is so bright she has to wear shades. This is a wonderful and blessed young lady who I’m so glad to have in my life today.”

Through prayer and family support, Keya eventually found the road to recovery. She recalled how her mother told her she had the victory after returning home following several weeks of “bingeing.” Those words of encouragement, along with God’s presence, helped her survive her time on the streets and eventually see the greater purpose in her life. “I’m so grateful to God for protecting me through every attack, from gunpoint to a knife held to my throat,” Keya said. “When I was first saved, I used to pour out my heart and soul and ask God to use me as a vessel for his glory. He knew exactly what situations would have ended my life, but because of my prayer and asking Him to come in my life, He put in a hedge of protection around me. I think of the streets as a lion’s den, and I came out unharmed.” Vonnetta Gray has known Keya since ninth grade. She said she was surprised when Keya was living in the streets given her mother was a police officer and she wanted to go to college. Vonnetta said she would 70

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occasionally see Keya in the streets and tell her she could do better than that. “Keya would say, ‘I know,’” Vonnetta said. Keya eventually acted on that realization, and her longtime friend no longer has to admonish her. “It makes me feel good that she’s turned her life around,” Vonnetta said. “I’m proud of her. She went to school and got a business degree. She’s a better person and is living up to her potential. Keya’s a caring person who’s willing to help and is easy to talk to.” Nowadays, Keya still hits the streets, yet it’s as a tour guide and she doesn’t make them her home. She frequently goes around Forsyth Park. There was a time in her life when she overlooked the park’s history and beauty and didn’t consider its appeal to residents and visitors alike. “I pass the same area where I would go for food when I was homeless,” Keya said. “It was a humbling experience. I honestly thought I would die in the streets. I never saw the vision of life today.” Jessica Williams hosts a Savannah radio show and

Hometown Living At Its Best

Having escaped death, Keya walked to a nearby dope house. Once the drugs wore off, she said she realized she couldn’t take it any longer and it was time to walk away. “I didn’t want to die in the streets,” Keya said.

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is frequently joined by people with inspiring stories. Keya, a former coworker, was her first guest. “After hearing her powerful testimony, I told Keya she had to come on my show and share her testimony,” Jessica said. “We started out with me conducting an interview at Starbucks when I was getting used to interviewing people. I interviewed her a year before I started interviewing people on the show. I will say, her story will touch hearts and uplift people around the world. I’m glad I’m a witness to the wondrous works God has her doing.” Among these is working as a recording artist, rekindling a love for the arts that goes back to her childhood. Keya started singing in the choir in elementary school, played the flute, and danced in talent shows. After graduating from high school, she was introduced to the art of recording lyrics on a track. Off the streets for eight years, she’s back in the studio. “I decided it’s not too late to use my gifts and I can use my music platform to be an authentic self while giving a message,” Keya explained. “My stage name is Kolah,

The Lyricist. I don’t consider myself a rapper, but a lyricist. I have a different sound from any music that is being played today. I’m in the hip-hop culture with my music.” John Piere works with Keya as the studio engineer. Although the message on her tracks varies, Jon said Keya inspires, warns or suggests something positive with her lyrics. “In Chosen One”, Keya speaks on how God protected her and kept her for a purpose. “Changed on Me” addresses the issue of becoming a better version of herself and getting off the streets while getting out of a relation with someone who doesn’t see her value. Then there’s “Pumping da Brakes”, a song on mental health and emotions that can cause unhealthy actions and the importance of slowing down the breath and thinking,” says John. “Keya has a unique talent. “It’s creative art. She paints pictures with words, like a painting.” The studio is operated by Port 2 to Port Music Group and is located near Jefferson Street, three

Hometown Living At Its Best

Nowadays, Keya still hits the streets, yet it’s as a tour guide and she doesn’t make them her home. She frequently goes around Forsyth Park. There was a time in her life when she overlooked the park’s history and beauty and didn’t consider its appeal to residents and visitors alike. “I pass the same area where I would go for food when I was homeless,” Keya said. “It was a humbling experience. I honestly thought I would die in the streets. I never saw the vision of life today.”

blocks from where Keya was attacked and raped and a block from where a friend was killed. “So many incidents stemmed from that street,” Keya said. “But God had a plan all along. The blessing arrived from Jefferson Street. It was the studio.” Keya continues to inspire those who know her and the challenges she’s overcome. Eric White said Keya’s gone from a young lady as quiet as a church mouse to a woman who empowers other women with her zest for life. “She went back to school and got her degree, got her CDL so she could drive a trolley, started exercising and using weight supplements, started running in marathons, got her whole life back in order by becoming clean and serene and is willing to help other women get their lives back together,” said Eric, a friend for six years. “She’s come a long way, and her future is so bright she has to wear shades. This is a wonderful and blessed young lady who I’m so glad to have in my life today.”  CCL

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Thinking Inside and Outside the square STORY BY STEPHEN PRUDHOMME | PHOTOS BY DREAM WEAVER PHOTOS

Savannah artist offers a visual history lesson with paintings of Savannah’s verdant oases

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Savannah artist Chris Roberts might think outside the square, but he does feature Savannah’s iconic squares in his latest work. As it turns out, he’s going inside the squares to tell the history of Savannah and some of its more notable people, drawing inspiration from a famous work of art depicting the return of God’s kingdom on earth. Chris, 61 and a native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, grew up in Savannah and attended Benedictine Military Academy. As with many artists, he’s slightly famished, as opposed to starving. Chris has worked a number of jobs over the past 30 years, so he can pursue his passions which include carpentry, the Peace Corps, banker and an on again, off again vocation…trolley tour guide. “I had different careers because I never developed a career path in college,” said Chris, who graduated from Armstrong State College in 1982 with a degree in political science. “A political science degree doesn’t really train you for a job or give you any job skills,” he explained.

Moving back to Savannah in 1997, Chris continued to use Uncle George and his stories as a template for his paintings and incorporated them into his squares. Uncle George, who passed away some 18 years ago, is in Chris’ painting of Lafayette Square, wearing his trademark khaki pants, white shirt and straw hat.

Hometown Living At Its Best

I was bored with everything in my life and, using scrap wood from a job site, created a few goofy paintings of Uncle George. They were hung at the Carlson Lobrano Folk Art Gallery (no longer in existence), and the first painting that sold was Uncle George meets Howard Finster, for $75. I thought to myself, ‘They’re going to pay $75 for that?’ I had no earthly idea about folk art at the time.

It’s through his job as a tour guide that Chris has acquired an interest and knowledge in the city’s nearly two dozen squares. He drives by them three to four times a day and relates their history, along with that of the stately homes, churches and other buildings that surround these verdant oases. “The squares make Savannah unique,” he said. “As a tour guide, I’m privy to that information. I’m documenting Savannah in a unique way.” Chris’ paintings of the various squares resemble colorful mazes, featuring recognizable buildings and people in a folk-art style that bolsters his claim that “he paints like a third grader, but aspires to paint like a first grader”; that assessment is likely too harsh, as his works do reflect some artistic ability that is sometimes lost in the simplistic style. Irene Mayo disputes the notion that his artwork is simplistic. As manager of 80

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the Reynolds Square Fine Art Gallery, owned by artist Joe Scaffolds, Irene has a number of his paintings depicting squares on display. “It’s folk art,” Irene said. “His artwork is complex, depicting history and architecture, local people, wild animals, as well as his Christian faith. It is a breath of fresh air in an otherwise serious gallery setting.” His renderings are anything but square. For example, in his painting of Lafayette Square on St. Patrick’s Day, he features a number of friends, a custodian at the nearby Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, and Hershel Walker and Moses standing under tents, the latter with a Yeti cooler at his feet. “I try and personalize them,” Chris explained. “I put Meadowlark Lemon in one of my paintings after he passed away. He didn’t have a connection to Savannah; it was a memorial to him. Half of my stuff is satire. I never know what’s going to happen. I enjoy the freedom of

painting whatever I want.” Chris enjoys putting his friends “square” in the middle of his paintings. One of his favorites is his old carpentry boss and high school classmate who’s big into grilling out. “I paint him with a drink in his hand and beside his grill with the quote, ‘J.K. doing his kung fu BBQ, laying my hammer down, Lord, laying my hammer down,’” Chris said. “I also like to paint an overweight sign that says, “Love Largely.” I’ll occasionally put a Whelan’s Furniture truck, owned by a friend, in a painting. It’s free advertising.” Kathryn Myrph purchased Chris’ paintings of Washington and Chippewa Square. She gave the Lafayette Square painting as a Christmas gift to a woman who lives on the square and, coincidentally, is featured in the work. “Chris captures the funky, eccentric, mysterious vibe of Savannah in his work,” Myrph said. “Looking at a Chris

Hometown Living At Its Best

Chris found his calling as an artist some 30 years ago. Working as a carpenter on starter homes in Atlanta, he discovered the art of Jackson Pollack, a folk artist from Georgia, and Rev. Howard Finster, a Baptist minister from Georgia, and was struck by the impressionistic style.

Roberts’ work is a joyful, spiritual and guilty pleasure.” Sharon Stubbs Schneider is an Isle of Hope resident who has purchased a number of Chris’ works. Among these is a mailbox depicting Schneider’s immediate neighbors including Jack Leigh, 97, shown lifting a barbell in his front yard with 97 on each end in honor of his age. Proving that he’s moved beyond the armoire and the multitude of fish, Chris created a residential library box that sits in front of the local public library. “Chris is a one-of-a-kind folk artist with pieces that are layered with the spirit of the unique souls he captures in his art, whether it’s a funky Isle of Hope mailbox, a painting, an armoire or a little residential, free library box,” she said.

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Chris’ penultimate work on the squares is inspired by the Edward Hicks’ Peaceable Kingdom and his strong faith; he reads the Bible for 15 minutes daily, attends men’s prayer breakfast meetings on a regular basis and has done a prison ministry for 13 years. In Hicks’ painting, which he did in 1845-1846 and was inspired by Isaiah, 11:6-8 in the Bible, the wolf and sheep lie together, as do other natural enemies in the animal kingdom at the Second Coming of Jesus; the animals enjoyed a similar peace before man was thrown out of the Garden of Eden. Chris is giving a Savannah angle to Hicks’ masterpiece. “I’m wishing a peaceable kingdom on Savannah,” he said. “It’s a beautiful city with a lot of strife and turmoil. I’m trying to do the best I can to bring some peace to Savannah.” Chris found his calling as an artist some 30 years ago. Working as a carpenter on starter homes in Atlanta, he discovered the art of Jackson Pollack, a folk artist from Georgia, and Rev. Howard Finster, a Baptist minister from Georgia, and was struck by the impressionistic style. “I thought I could paint like that,” Chris said. His first artistic foray was a 6-foot armoire (cabinet) that he built with scraps of wood from a job site.

Hometown Living At Its Best

“My woodworking skills were so poor,” Chris said, “that I had the ‘goofy idea’ to paint fish on the cabinet to cover my lack of expertise. Three months later, I had painted 4,096 fish on my creation.” His burgeoning artistic career received a boost from an unlikely source - a retired newspaper reporter known as Uncle George (Haslam), whose colorful stories included meeting Babe Ruth and Elvis Presley in Savannah. Chris and Uncle George met in Athens, Georgia, and started a friendship that continued in Atlanta and Savannah. Chris found Uncle George’s stories fascinating and came up with the idea of sharing them with others through his artwork. Chris did a “bunch” of Uncle George paintings in Atlanta. “I was just translating Uncle George’s humorous stories into paintings for some weird reason. I’m pretty sure that was a direct response to seeing the Rev. Howard Finster’s artwork. I was bored with everything in my life and, using scrap wood from a job site, created a few goofy paintings of Uncle George. They were hung

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at the Carlson Lobrano Folk Art Gallery (no longer in existence), and the first painting that sold was Uncle George meets Howard Finster, for $75. I thought to myself, ‘They’re going to pay $75 for that?’ I had no earthly idea about folk art at the time,” said Chris. Moving back to Savannah in 1997, Chris continued to use Uncle George and his stories as a template for his paintings and incorporated them into his squares. Uncle George, who passed away some 18 years ago, is in Chris’ painting of Lafayette Square, wearing his trademark khaki pants, white shirt and straw hat. “I’m trying to transcribe his stories into visual art,” Chris said. “I found his stories so entertaining. His oral history and talent for storytelling hit me in a big way. I learned from another human being instead of through books. He was funny and a real eccentric character, but at the same time, a true Southern gentleman. He was such an outgoing person. He taught me a lot of social skills,” Chris recalled. CCL

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Morningside of Savannah boasts a community of residents and staff to make any newcomer feel right at home. With a daily mix of people and activities to keep you occupied, you will wonder why you did not move here sooner. Kellie Moore, the Sales Director since 2019, speaks of Morningside of Savannah and the joy that residents bring her every day. “As soon as a potential resident walks through our door, I create the experience, and the community creates the journey,” she tells me. Morningside of Savannah promotes a universal friendliness that creates a comfortable environment for all. Each resident brings something unique and valuable to the community that adds to the joy and energy of Morningside. “Music is one thing that brings our whole community together, and we have talented residents who love playing the piano and having their friends gather around to sing along,” Kellie says. Morningside of Savannah exclusively offers one bedroom, two bedroom and studio apartments to provide its residents the privacy of their own space. “I consider us a boutique style community because we can only house up to 75 residents. You get to know everyone very quickly,” Kellie says. A variety of activities is offered every day to improve the quality of life of their residents. Lifestyle 360 Director, Shelby Josey, is a certified recreation therapist who focuses on using activities to improve residents’ physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and spiritual needs. “Every activity has a purpose,” Shelby believes. “I am always thinking of new activities that the residents will enjoy but will also assist in meeting the various needs of the residents.” With this attitude, each member of the Morningside team strives to enhance the joy of everyday life. Morningside of Savannah is not only a place to live, it’s a place to bond with the people that live alongside of you. And the friendships created serve as daily reminders of the value in company with others.

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Helping Families Through Grief

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Story By Beth Logan | Photos By Dream Weaver Photos

A simple favor four decades ago paved the way for Ed Gamble’s fulfilling lifelong career in the funeral business.

“My whole family is in law enforcement except me,” the down-to-earth and personable Ed Gamble relates. “My dad was the last surviving charter SLED agent when he died in 2012. SLED (South Carolina Law Enforcement Division) started in 1947 and he was one of the original 46 agents. It was probably one of the hardest conversations I ever had to tell him that being in law enforcement wasn’t what I wanted to do.” Ed started in the funeral business through a favor to a friend when he was in the 10th grade. Growing up in the small town of Manning, SC, he met a gentleman called Ranny Stephens who had moved there with his wife and young son to manage a funeral home. “I had an uncle who was a doctor who also owned a men’s clothing store. Ranny would come in and look

Hometown Living At Its Best

around and he and I struck up a friendship. One day he came in and said he and Pam had to go out that night and he had no one to answer the phone, and I told him I would.” That simple favor four decades ago paved the way for Ed’s fulfilling lifelong career. With his mentor Ranny’s encouragement, Ed went to Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science in Atlanta and graduated in 1977. “A few years later, after Mortuary College, I started attending USC at night and it took me eight years to get a four-year degree,” he says. During that time he was working for Shives Funeral Home in Columbia, SC, and then went on to manage homes in North Carolina and in Traveler’s Rest, SC. In 1995, the company that owned the Sipple Funeral Business in Savannah hired him to come manage Sipple Mortuary. Long time Savannahians will remember the Sipple Mortuary on Abercorn across from Twelve Oaks – where Fresh Market

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Ed served for 40 years as a volunteer firefighter, retiring at the end of May as a Captain with the Clarendon County Fire Department in South Carolina. A devoted family man, he frequently makes the two-hour drive between Savannah and Manning, South Carolina, home to his beloved daughter, Elizabeth, and his son-in-law, Sean. He’s known as “G” to his four grandchildren…Donnie, Hope, Aiden, and Rowan…and now to his three greatgrandsons…Bentley, Ashton and Avery.

“The death of a loved one is the most difficult and trying time you will ever go through. After losing my mother, I was overwhelmed with grief and did not know where to turn until Ed Gamble came to my home to help us through the emotional whirlwind we were experiencing. Ed’s guidance felt as if a dear family friend had stepped up to offer honest and loving concern. That time was a blur but after everything was settled, I realized what Gamble Funeral Service had actually done for our family and for that I will be forever grateful that they were there for us in our time of need. “ Ms. Lyn

Hometown Living At Its Best

During the current pandemic Ed says it’s been tough to tell a family they can only have 10 people, or 25 people graveside (depending on the particular cemetery’s rules). “We social-distance in our chapel and family members can sit together, of course. But the first four funerals we had averaged about five people, and that’s sad. We conduct some services virtually via Zoom, but mostly we are filming the graveside, church or chapel services and then, if the family gives permission, they are posted on the website.”

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is now located. The Sipple family treated him like family, and like Ranny Stephens before him, Charlie Sipple became Ed’s mentor (his family had been in the funeral business since 1918) and is still a very important part of Ed’s business. When Sipple’s finally closed in 2003, Ed opened his own business in their old building. He knew that location was temporary as they were trying to sell the property, but he soon found a perfect spot on Stephenson Avenue on the site of the former Eastern Heights Presbyterian Church. He bought the property and expanded it to a beautiful 9,300 square foot facility with a 200-plus chapel and spacious visitation room. “The plan was that on the night of September 12, 2004, we would close on Abercorn and open on September 13 in the new location. But God had another plan. On the night of August 12,

Hometown Living At Its Best

lightning struck the building and burned it to the ground,” Ed says. “I knew that if I ever owned a funeral home I wanted it to be red brick with white columns up front. The church had been brown brick, so the mason compromised with me by leaving the back that no one could see in the original brown. The only part that didn’t burn was the brown brick wall at the rear!” Rebuilding, in red brick, was finally completed and the Gamble Funeral Home we know today opened in March 2005. Over the past 15 years, Ed has served hundreds of families in what he is proud to call his “old school” way. “Our personal service is what separates us,” he says. Price does play a role; of course, he believes he charges less than his two main competitors, but it is his personal attention to service that gratifies him the most. “We still go to the family’s home to make arrangements. We don’t want them to feel intimidated or pressured by coming into the

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funeral home. We want them to be comfortable. I meet with every family, attend every visitation, and attend every service if I am able. If I’m not in town, I’m in touch with them.” Ed believes this attention to detail is what people are looking for. He relates the story of meeting with a family to make arrangements and they mentioned there was a special kind of candy that their mother liked and the only place they knew to get it was in New York. “So we found the store, had it overnighted and had it at the cemetery for them. It was not a lot of money to do, but it was something that really meant a lot to them.” Ed and his staff try to alleviate as much of the family pressure as they can during a difficult time. “We help them file the death certificate, make the arrangements with the cemetery, help them with obituary placement, etc. I truly think if we do what we are supposed to do it’s a blessing for people.”

Hometown Living At Its Best

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“One of my favorite TV commercials was for Winn-Dixie,” Ed says. “There’s an older guy standing out in the parking lot with this can of beans in his hand and he says, ‘You can buy a can of beans anywhere, but when you come in my store, I want you to know that you are somebody.’ That really sums up the way I feel. When a family comes in here, they are the most important people we’ve got. We take care of them and protect them and look out for their best interests.”

“One of my favorite TV commercials was for WinnDixie,” Ed says. “There’s an older guy standing out in the parking lot with this can of beans in his hand and he says, ‘You can buy a can of beans anywhere, but when you come in my store, I want you to know that you are somebody.’ That really sums up the way I feel. When a family comes in here, they are the most important people we’ve got. We take care of them and protect them and look out for their best interests.” He’s so sure of this philosophy he trademarked a phrase he likes to use on TV commercials: Ask a family we have served. Ed told Jamie (our photographer) his funeral home is the only one that has a partition. The casket is on the left side of the room and the partition separates it so when you walk in you don’t see your dead relative. During the current pandemic Ed says it’s been tough to tell a family they can only have 10 people, or 25 people graveside (depending on the particular cemetery’s rules). “We socialdistance in our chapel and family members can sit together, of course. But the first four funerals we had averaged about five people, and that’s sad. We conduct some services virtually via Zoom, but mostly we are filming the graveside, church or chapel services and then, if the family gives permission, they are posted on the website.” But still, Ed feels badly for Hometown Living At Its Best

families grieving during the pandemic and says, “We are offering free memorial services down the road…so far, 40 or 50 families have been offered a more public service later if they want it.” Ed served for 40 years as a volunteer firefighter, retiring at the end of May as a Captain with the Clarendon County Fire Department in South Carolina. A devoted family man, he frequently makes the twohour drive between Savannah and Manning, South Carolina, home to his beloved daughter, Elizabeth, and his son-in-law, Sean. He’s known as “G” to his four grandchildren…Donnie, Hope, Aiden, and Rowan… and now to his three great-grandsons…Bentley, Ashton and Avery. “The older I get, the more I realize how important family is. I had my two youngest grandchildren from Friday to Monday, but I still worked and we still had a great time.” Aside from family, Ed’s passions include his Harley Davidson motorcycle and his membership with the Whitebluff United Methodist Church. But the fulfilment he attains from his career is evident. “I love this, I truly do,” he says. “We grow every year through word of mouth, and I have no plans to retire. I just enjoy helping people.”  CCL

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T H E S A N D B O X S S I .C O M Hometown Living At Its Best

Keeping Our Residents Safe is Our Priority All residents have received the COVID-19 vaccine

Habersham House Assisted Living and Memory Care is home to Savannah’s dearest. During the COVID-19 Pandemic amidst strict lockdowns and extended safety precautions, these residents saw the true heart and compassion of the Habersham House team. Carol Vollack, a resident since 2019, says of the staff, “They deserve praise every day.” Habersham House is committed to making your transition into their community an easy and natural one. “People in the healthcare industry are born with extra-large hearts,” Carol believes. “And they’re drawn to that work for all the love they have to give.” At 87, Carol is a strong proponent of assisted living. “It gives you piece of mind, it gives your family piece of mind, and you can get on with living.” Carol and her husband, Bob, made the decision to come to Habersham House on their own. “We’ve embraced it,” she tells me, “and I feel that we’ve benefited from that attitude so that every day is a good day.” When the COVID-19 Pandemic went into full swing, Habersham House quickly implemented rules and safety measures to protect their residents. “It’s extremely difficult when, for the most part, all you have is the TV and your own company,” Carol says. “I even took to coloring,” she admits laughing. “But that is all diminished by the care we receive and the attitude of our caregivers.”

Habersham House goes above and beyond in maintaining the health and safety of their community. “Everyone makes sacrifices,” Carol says of the staff. “They protect us, and because of the rules and regulations here that are instituted by the company that owns this place, we’ve been kept safe.” When you walk through the doors of Habersham House, you realize the team truly understands the significance of deep roots. You can have more than one home, bring your roots with you and grow together.

Assisted Living • Memory Care • Respite/Short-term Stays

Habersham House 5200 Habersham Street Savannah, GA 31405 | (912) 352-0070

Assisted Living & Memory Care

Live Oak Park 316 Stephenson Avenue Savannah, GA 31405 912.355.7790 800.851.8491 •

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Dale A. Miles, DMD Rebecca M. Aspinwall, DMD Derek V. Miles, DMD

912.998.0020

“Specializing in root canal therapy since 1986” Hometown HometownLiving LivingAt AtIts ItsBest Best

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S t o r y b y A l e x a T e b b e n | P h o t o s p r o v i d e d b y D r e a m W e a v e r P h o t o s & P. A . C . K .

People of Action

Caring for Kids WHAT IF ONE PERSON’S DESIRE TO INFLUENCE THREE CHILDREN COULD CHANGE THE LIVES OF MANY? WITH MALENA STONE, IT TRULY HAS.

What if one person’s desire to influence three children could change the lives of many? With Malena Stone, it truly has. A mom of three boys, Malena wanted to teach her children the value of volunteering starting at a young age. With all three boys under the age of eight, it proved more difficult than she had expected. “I couldn’t find anywhere that would let me come and volunteer with them,” she says sadly. Instead of giving up, Malena decided to start her own nonprofit with no age limitations of who could be involved. “My biggest intention starting it was for my own children,” she admits easily. “I really wanted them to have this experience.” In hopes of feeding hungry children in the community, Malena started from the ground up

naming her nonprofit People of Action Caring for Kids (P.A.C.K.). She started seven years ago simply by packing and donating bags of food with her three little boys, but little did she know the impact she would eventually have on the entire community. Malena invited friends and families to help her pack snacks and treats into baggies to give to children without enough food at home. After preparing the bags, Malena donated them to schools, shelters and community centers to distribute to children in need. Though not all people are aware, there are plenty of hungry children in seemingly comfortable family situations that slide under the radar. Malena explains, “You can’t always tell by looking at a child that they need food because they have ironed clothes, they’re clean and they’re well taken care of. But they will sign up and say they don’t have enough food at their house.” It’s a heartbreaking and understated need that plagues many children within the community. As Malena’s project grew, it became a 501 c-3 nonprofit within the first year of operation. Malena’s home church, Compassion Christian Church, offered her a portable building that became the home of this movement for four years.

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With the help of over five thousand volunteers last year alone, P.A.C.K. and its contributors are changing the lives of its community’s little ones every single day. “If you break it down into small enough pieces and everybody does one small thing, the kids can get everything they need… they’ll get our best as a community.”

From there, P.A.C.K. moved into a warehouse. Malena describes the state of the warehouse prior to moving in, and it underwent quite the change to become what it is today. Families and communities gathered to clean and prepare the space for P.A.C.K., and Malena couldn’t be more grateful. “The whole building has the hands of the community on it,” she says proudly. P.A.C.K. and its volunteers quickly grew by word of mouth. Soon after it was founded, parents, teenagers, toddlers, church groups – you name it – showed up to help in some way or another. Retired school teachers love volunteering as well, continuing their impact on the younger generation even in this small way. “We have a two-fold mission,” Malena says. “Part of it is, of course, to meet the physical needs of kids in the community, and the other part of it is to provide service opportunities to young children and families so they have the opportunity to experience giving in a safe way.” Malena laughs as she tells me about the toddler table they have set up in the warehouse strictly for little ones to pack snack bags. “We do everything we can to make it easy for everybody of all ages,” she says. Malena describes the process of packing bags and the assembly line the children form to quickly complete their task. One time, a first-grade group from St. James Catholic School packed 800 bags in 45 minutes. “It’s like a machine,” Malena chuckles. The children that come to volunteer often surprise her with their work ethic, but their joy in helping other kids in need warms her heart more than anything. After seven years of business, Malena proudly boasts an ever growing and successful nonprofit.

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Despite all the children P.A.C.K. has fed and clothed in the past seven years, there is always an increasing number of children in need of more. Malena reports that they need 3 to 4 times the number of bags of food they currently provide to meet the needs of every hungry child in the local area. P.A.C.K. was started with the means that Malena could afford, and still to this day they have never received government assistance or funding.

Ordinarily, P.A.C.K. delivers its donations to around 37 schools, shelters and community centers during the school years. They were averaging 10,000 bags of food per month prior to the devastation of COVID-19. The effects of COVID-19 on the community only increased the needs of hungry children, and ultimately P.A.C.K.’s production increased to 12,000 bags of food per month. “One of the positive things that have come out of COVID-19 is that people would never have had time to volunteer. They’re off work and they have the time now,” Malena says thankfully. Over the years, P.A.C.K. has provided the community with unique opportunities to get involved in this movement. As Malena continued feeding children through P.A.C.K., she began to realize the many other needs of the kids she served. On top of feeding children in schools, shelters and community centers, Malena expanded her reach to the foster children in the community. She began collecting clothes, toys, toiletry bags, school supplies and anything else the kids might need or enjoy.

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“Basically anything that’s new for a child, we have someone to give it to,” she says. Along with the expansion of P.A.C.K., they have built a boutique tailored to all different sizes and age groups of children. Churches, schools, families and businesses can sponsor a section or a size within the boutique and keep it stocked for the children. “The kids will get to come in and pick out outfits, socks, underwear and pajamas. The same kids come back three times a year so that they’ll be able to shop like we would,” Malena explains. “For some of the kids, it’s a fresh start.” She describes the reactions of the children who visit the boutique and it is touching. “To see them get so excited about something they get to keep is kind of heartbreaking. So many have told us they don’t get birthday presents or Christmas presents,” she says. Malena and P.A.C.K.’s volunteers try to make the visits as homey as possible. They even measure the height of returning foster kids against the wall to celebrate their growth and incite joyfulness in regards to the passing of time. “Stuff

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you would do for your own kids at home that no one has ever done for them,” she says simply. And they absolutely love it. When asked about the most touching moment she’s had through P.A.C.K. thus far, Malena tells me of a time that a frequenter of the nonprofit approached her after receiving a bag of food. The little boy was upset because Malena had always put personalized notes and encouraging words inside each bag and he was missing one. She quickly reached into another bag and handed him his much-desired note. When he opened his book bag to store the treasured item, Malena saw a bundle of all the notes he had received in each bag of food right there in his backpack. It was an eye-opening realization of just how much a few words can mean to a child. “They need the encouragement just as much as they need the food,” she says warmly. The moment made her heart melt, and right then she decided, “If I have to be up until 3:00 a.m. writing notes, I will.” Despite all the children P.A.C.K. has fed and clothed in the past seven years, there is 108

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When asked about the most touching moment she’s had through P.A.C.K. thus far, Malena tells me of a time that a frequenter of the nonprofit approached her after receiving a bag of food. The little boy was upset because Malena had always put personalized notes and encouraging words inside each bag and he was missing one. She quickly reached into another bag and handed him his much-desired note. When he opened his book bag to store the treasured item, Malena saw a bundle of all the notes he had received in each bag of food right there in his backpack. It was an eye-opening realization of just how much a few words can mean to a child. “

always an increasing number of children in need of more. Malena reports that they need 3 to 4 times the number of bags of food they currently provide to meet the needs of every hungry child in the local area. P.A.C.K. was started with the means that Malena could afford, and still to this day they have never received government assistance or funding. However, she works hard to keep the nonprofit afloat. She has devised a way to make a one-time monetary donation of $150 go so far as to feed one child for an entire year. With that one-time payment, a child is guaranteed a year’s supply of goodie bags to hold them over the weekends away from school. Even a donation as small as a new Barbie doll, football, or hair bows will help put a smile on a little child’s face. “There’s no donation too small or insignificant,” Malena believes. “And if we put them all together we can make a difference in the community.” And a difference she is surely making. With the help of over five thousand volunteers last year alone, P.A.C.K. and its contributors are changing the lives of its community’s little ones every single day. “If you break it down into small enough pieces and everybody does one small thing, the kids can get everything they need… they’ll get our best as a community,” Malena says proudly. Not only has she taught her own children the value of giving as she intended, Malena has touched the lives of more kids than she could have ever hoped to reach. Her own efforts have inspired thousands to join her mission, and it’s a beautiful reward to watch the hands of the community feed the mouths and clothe the backs of precious little children every day.  CCL Hometown Living At Its Best

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912.224.9313 ryanleephotography@hotmail.com www.rlpsavannah.com

Founded by our community, we help people live! ~Dr. Kathleen Benton, President & CEO

Hospice Savannah offers not only high-quality end-of-life hospice care, but also caregiver training and support; bereavement counseling for adults, teens, or children; and palliative care – and has for more than 40 years!

People with a gift for helping TM Helping families in Bryan, Chatham, Effingham and Liberty counties.

Hospice Savannah, Inc. | 1352 Eisenhower Drive, 31406 | 912.355.2289 | HospiceSavannah.org

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Story by Alexa Tebben | Photos by Dream Weaver Photos

The rich history of a local ice cream parlor paired with a hometown author makes the perfect recipe for a story worth telling

The rich history of a local ice cream parlor paired with a hometown author makes the perfect recipe for a story worth telling. Top it off with a mouth-watering book cover and you’ve got yourself something special. Melanie Bowden Simón is the author of Leopold’s Ice Cream: A Century of Tasty Memories. The book, which features a forward by former President Jimmy Carter, has been placed as a finalist for four 2020 International Book Awards. Prior to writing this book, Melanie spent a few years developing her own unique writing style. “I’m from Savannah but right out of college I went immediately to New York,” she says. “I was up there for a while and dipped my toes in publishing. I always did my own freelance writing too.” Life events led her back home to Savannah where she continued to write. Melanie began working on La Americana: A Memoir that explores Cuban culture and her personal journey of meeting and

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falling in love with her husband, Luis, in Havana. “To write it, to get it published, was a very long journey,” Melanie admits. “It took about seven years on and off to get it done, and then I probably spent another year editing it.” After writing La Americana: A Memoir, Melanie started a blog to spark conversation on bicultural life. She conducted research by speaking to community members with bicultural experiences. Stratton Leopold, a Greek-American film producer and local ice cream parlor owner, is a prominent member of the Savannah community with a rich family history. Melanie tells me, “He

In 1919, Stratton’s father opened Leopold’s Ice Cream. “Stratton’s father was extremely active in the community,” Melanie says. “He had gone off to war and when he came back they opened the shop. He honored the military and veterans for the rest of his life.”

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Leopold’s Ice Cream: A Century of Tasty Memories was published in 2019, exactly one hundred years after the store opened. Melanie feels honored to help the Leopold’s share their story. “It’s a beautiful legacy,” she says fondly. “The Leopold’s are warm people and the shop reflects that.”

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was in the back of my head to interview and one day I was sitting in a coffee shop and in walks Stratton Leopold. I thought, ‘Now or never.’” Melanie describes that first introduction as a whirlwind encounter where Stratton kindly agreed to sit down with her for the blog. The next week, they met at Leopold’s Ice Cream store. “I thought it would be some twenty-minute thing,” she confesses. For over two hours, Stratton divulged his life story and the unique experiences that made him the man he is today. “Everything he talked about, whether it was ice cream or going off to produce films for over 40 years, returned to his father,” Melanie

In the early 1900s, there was a max influx of Greek immigrants that traveled to the United States with intentions of earning money and returning to Greece. However, Greece did not stabilize as much as they hoped, so they began to put down roots in cities across the country. Many opened businesses and most notably, restaurants. “The Leopold’s fit into this larger picture and I wanted to show that,” Melanie explains.

realized. The rich history of the Leopold family immediately fascinated Melanie in what was only the beginning of a valuable friendship. When La Americana: A Memoir came out in 2016, Stratton was one of the first people to arrive at its launch party. “He walked up to me and he leaned in and said, ‘This is a film,’” Melanie recalls. Stratton saw something in Melanie’s work that exhibited great potential, and he knew they could create something special together. To this day they are working on turning her first book into a film, but now their business partnership stretches even further. Melanie and Luis quickly became friends with Stratton and his wife, Mary. “You won’t find people any better than Stratton and Mary,” Melanie says of her friends. After dinner one night, the Leopold’s asked Melanie if she would consider writing a book about Leopold’s Ice

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Cream and their family history in Savannah. “How could I say no?” she asks me. “I was completely honored. I also knew I had a Herculean task in front of me.” Melanie and the Leopold’s began by sorting through more than 100 years of family history. They gathered boxes, photos and menus and sorted them by decade. “They had been talking about doing a book for 20 years but the idea was overwhelming,” Melanie says. “Especially when you’re talking about that much history.” They tackled the project as a team and collected the necessary information to start piecing together a book. “They were there for me in every capacity,” Melanie says of the Leopold’s as she reflects on that time of writing. “They opened themselves up, their home and all these wonderful stories and photos. I sat and interviewed Stratton and Mary together, then 118

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individually, for hours and hours.” It was no easy task, but the process was meaningful. As the discussions continued, Melanie learned so much about Savannah that gave her a better understanding of that time. “They started telling me personal stories that were outlining their history but it was also telling the story of Savannah,” Melanie realized. “I thought it would make sense to buffer those a bit. Giving it some context would show a better portrait of what was going on in Savannah, Georgia and the United States at large.” In the early 1900s, there was a max influx of Greek immigrants that traveled to the United States with intentions of earning money and returning to Greece. However, Greece did not stabilize as much as they hoped, so they began to put down roots in cities across the country. Many opened businesses and most notably, restaurants. “The Leopold’s

fit into this larger picture and I wanted to show that,” Melanie explains. The story of the Leopold brothers revealed the broader story across the country and Savannah. “I learned so much about my own city,” Melanie confesses. In 1919, Stratton’s father opened Leopold’s Ice Cream. “Stratton’s father was extremely active in the community,” Melanie says. “He had gone off to war and when he came back they opened the shop. He honored the military and veterans for the rest of his life.” Stratton holds this same respect for service men and women today. He can often be found delivering ice cream to hospitals and service members in times of crisis. Stratton also loves spending time behind the counter talking with his customers as he serves them scoops of delicious ice cream. Leopold’s Ice Cream: A Century of Tasty Memories was published in 2019, exactly one hundred years after the store opened. Melanie feels honored to help the Leopold’s share their story. “It’s a beautiful legacy,” she says fondly. “The Leopold’s are warm people and the shop reflects that.” The book’s success is indicative of the Leopold’s family legacy, incredibly tasty ice cream and the draw of the internationally acclaimed city of Savannah. The story captures the character, charm and dedication of the entire Leopold family, showing that even something as soft as ice cream can serve as the cornerstone of a community.  CCL Hometown Living At Its Best

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Everyone has a story worth telling...

What’s Yours?

VIDEOGRAPHY | WEDDINGS, EVENTS, BUSINESSES, PASSION PROJECTS

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Story by David Pena | Photos by Dream Weaver Photos

Dr. Allison Witherow seemed destined to be a veterinarian since animals have always held a special place in her heart.

Like most pet owners, Jan Feehley has always looked at her pets as an integral part of her family. Princess, her miniature dachshund, was the family pet for more than fifteen years. “She was much more than just a pet to me,” recalls Jan. “I think the most special part about her was that she found the greatest joy in the simplest of things, as long as she was with me. I’ve had several dogs in my lifetime, but the bond Princess and I shared was like nothing I have ever experienced. She was with me through very difficult times and could tell when I needed an extra cuddle or walk outside. She took care of me more than I took care of her.” When it came time to pick a veterinarian, Jan says she had some trouble finding the right doctor. “She was more than just our dog, so I wanted to find someone with a special touch. However, once I met Dr. Allison and her staff at Allison Animal Care, I just knew she and Princess would get along well.”

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“Nowadays, people’s pets are like their children, and they really have grown to trust me and my team with their care. It’s amazing how appreciative clients can be when you help their furry friends. It truly warms my heart to do what I do.”

Dr. Allison Witherow was born in Huntsville, Alabama but grew up mostly in Birmingham. She seemed destined to be a veterinarian since animals have always held a special place in her heart. “I always remember loving animals. As a child, all I ever wanted was a dog, and I finally got one when I was nine. From then on, I always knew I wanted to help animals. I couldn’t think of anything I’d rather do with my life.” Soon after graduating from veterinary school, she moved to Savannah to be close to her parents, Mike and Peggy Witherow. “I chose Savannah because my parents had moved here a few years before, and I have grown to love this area.” Before starting her own clinic, Dr. Allison worked at three other clinics in the area. There are many people that have inspired and influenced her in her work, but one particular person stands out. “Dr.

Paul Shealy was the first vet to take a chance on the ‘new kid’ by hiring me when I was still just a student. Even now, if I ever have a question or need help, he’s always been there to help me out.” Allison Animal Care opened its doors in January of 2016, but there were many hurdles to overcome before anyone would hear the patter of furry feet inside its walls. It started to come to fruition a few years ago when the doctor went for a contemplative walk one day. “I remember walking along and just pondering life,” she laughs. “I began thinking about going into business for myself, but it seemed so farfetched and crazy at the time.” However, she spoke to her husband, Scott Dinho, about it, and he encouraged Allison to just go for her dream. “He told me that I had worked so hard (at other clinics). Why not have my own place?”

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Thus, Dr. Allison set about her plans to open her clinic, but although she was well-trained in the treatment of animals, she had not yet acquired any real business savvy. “When I attended veterinary school, they didn’t teach the business end of it at all,” she explains. “In fact, I really didn’t know a thing about the financing or the construction sides at all. Fortunately, I attended a seminar to learn about all the moving parts, and I also had a lot of support from family and good friends like Ann Robertson. Finally, we just made it happen.” With Scott as co-owner, the couple decided on a property on Mall Boulevard. “We hired contractors, had it completely renovated and really started from scratch,” says Dr. Allison. When it first opened, the clinic usually had about three staff members on hand. Now with a staff of fifteen, the clinic added an additional veterinarian, Dr. Maddie Kral, to help with its ever growing list of new clients. “We had been open for about two years,” she continues, “but we had gotten busy enough where I needed to hire another doctor. I never thought that there would be another veterinarian that I would trust enough (to join) because this is my baby, but she is amazing and, due to her popularity, we had to stop taking on new clients.”

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With Scott as co-owner, the couple decided on a property on Mall Boulevard. “We hired contractors, had it completely renovated and really started from scratch,” says Dr. Allison. When it first opened, the clinic usually had about three staff members on hand. Now with a staff of fifteen, the clinic added an additional veterinarian, Dr. Maddie Kral, to help with its ever growing list of new clients.

Sixteen years later, Dr. Allison says that her job has provided her with a great deal of fulfillment, but there are some unavoidable drawbacks to it. “Unfortunately, there are some animals that you just can’t help,” she explains. “Like with humans, there are fatal diseases that you can’t cure, no matter how hard you try, and it’s really difficult when you have to communicate that to the client.” That was never more true than for Jan Feehley and her family, who watched helplessly as Princess got older and her health inevitably began to wane. “She lost her hearing and just wasn’t what she used to be, but Dr. Allison was so patient, answering all of my calls and texts during that time,” recalls Jan. “She helped me understand what would happen when the day she passed would ultimately come.” On Princess’s last day, Jan and her husband wrapped Princess in her favorite fuzzy blanket and let her say goodbye to their other dachshund, Riley. “Dr. Allison made sure no other patients were at the office when we arrived. She let me have all the time I needed with Princess, and we made sure she knew just how loved she was. It was a peaceful and beautiful experience. Dr. Allison’s compassion really made that terrible day easier for us. I’m so thankful to her for allowing our Princess to die with dignity.” As was the case of Princess, Dr. Allison generously made a donation to Hospice Savannah’s Pet Peace of Mind program in memory of any pet she has to put to sleep. The program helps to care for hospice patients’ pets when they are too ill to do it, and finds them a new forever home after the patient dies if needed. “After my friend, Lisa, passed I knew how much hospice had helped her and her family,” says Dr. Allison, “so my husband and I designed a T-shirt with our logo on it. We gave all

the proceeds from its sales to Hospice Savannah. We also have jewelry on display at the clinic, which was beautifully designed by Deb Stephenson, that we sell for the same purpose.” Dr. Allison says that she has grown to love the bond that has formed between her and all of her clients. “Nowadays, people’s pets are like their children, and they really have grown to trust me and my team with their care. It’s amazing how appreciative clients can be when you help their furry friends. It truly warms my heart to do what I do.”  CCL

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THE

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164 Fred Bush Road | Hazlehurst, Georgia | 912.253.0636 John | 912.253.9786 Chet

STORY BY KIMBERLY BLAKER

Give Your Kids

a Taste of Culture

A fun way to explore our diversity is by trying out foods and mealtime customs of other nationalities and unique American regions.

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Teaching kids about different cultures is a great way to defeat stereotypes, break down barriers, and help kids value and respect people who are different from them. So why not give your kids the opportunity to experience the many cultures that make up our diverse planet and country? A fun way to explore our diversity is by trying out foods and mealtime customs of other nationalities and unique American regions.

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To eat like the Greeks, be prepared to adjust your meal schedule. They eat lunch at around 2:00 p.m. and don’t eat dinner before 9:00 p.m. Also, eating with your fingers rather than silverware is common, even with meat.

If your kids are picky eaters, don’t sweat it. There are yummy foods from every culture kids will love. Try some of the following dishes at local ethnic eateries. If you can’t find the cuisine in your area, find recipes online for your whole family to enjoy cooking together. Middle-Eastern. There are many different Arab cuisines. The most popular in America is Lebanese. Hummus and pita bread is a healthy mouth-watering appetizer. If your family has only tried store-bought hummus, they’ll be in for a real treat with fresh, authentic hummus. Deliciously seasoned chicken shawarma, which you can order as a dinner or in a pita sandwich, is a favorite Lebanese meal. There are several Lebanese meal customs to keep in mind. First, dress well. Then greet your elders first and wait to be told where to sit. Also, hold your fork in your left hand (knife goes in the right), try all foods at the table, and be prepared to take seconds and thirds at the offering of your host. Indian. The food of India varies somewhat by region, but there are several Indian dishes kids love. Curd rice, a yogurt rice dish of Southern India, is a favorite. Eat it plain or combine it with lentils or a meat dish. Also, nearly everyone loves Tandoori

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chicken, including kids. A Northern India favorite is mutter paneer, a curry dish made with peas and fried cubed cottage cheese in a tomato sauce. A few meal customs to observe include thoroughly washing your hands before the meal and eating with your hands. Avoid mixing utensils between different dishes. Also, hygiene is essential, so Indians don’t dip into shared bowls, share cutlery, or pass food with their fingers. In rural settings, Indians dress comfortably and sit on floor mats.

The food of India varies somewhat by region, but there are several Indian dishes kids love. Curd rice, a yogurt rice dish of Southern India, is a favorite. Eat it plain or combine it with lentils or a meat dish. Also, nearly everyone loves Tandoori chicken, including kids. A Northern India favorite is mutter paneer, a curry dish made with peas and fried cubed cottage cheese in a tomato sauce.

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Shepherd’s pie is an all-time favorite Irish dish. But don’t let ‘pie’ fool you. It isn’t a dessert. Instead, it’s a tasty entree of beef or lamb, vegetables, and mashed potatoes. Boxty (potato pancakes) is another Irish food kids love, as well as leek and potato soup.

Native American. In the United States, there are 562 Native American tribes, so traditionally, their foods varied depending on region and availability of certain foods. Today, they eat much of the same foods as non-native Americans. But Indian fry bread and Navajo tacos are still quite popular and loved by kids and adults alike. Succotash, another tasty dish, is made with vegetables and flavored with bacon. Mealtime customs vary by region, but traditionally for many tribes there was no set mealtime. Everyone just dipped into ‘the eternal cooking meal’ when they were hungry. Greek. Pita gyros stuffed with chicken or pork, tomatoes, and lettuce are the most popular Greek food. There’s also spanakopita, which is a great way to get kids to eat their veggies. These turnovers are stuffed with zucchini. There’s also crispy and gooey Tyri saganaki, fried cheese, which everyone loves. To eat like the Greeks, be prepared to adjust your meal schedule. They eat lunch at around 2:00 p.m. and don’t eat dinner before 9:00 p.m. Also, eating with your fingers rather than silverware is common, even with meat. Irish. Shepherd’s pie is an all-time favorite Irish dish. But don’t let ‘pie’ fool you. It isn’t a dessert. Instead, it’s a tasty entree of beef or lamb, vegetables, and mashed potatoes. Boxty (potato pancakes) is another Irish food kids love, as well as leek and potato soup. Irish food customs are quite familiar. But keep your fork in your left hand preferably with the tines turned down. Also, keep your elbows off the table, and don’t get wild with hand gestures while holding your silverware.

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Polish. Pierogis are one of the most famous Polish foods with kids. These dumplings are stuffed with potatoes, sausage, or even fruit. Polskie nalesniki, or Polish pancakes, is another tasty dish served a variety of ways including with cheese, meat and vegetables, or fruity quark. In Poland, don’t begin eating until everyone is served and the host says it’s time to start, usually with the word ‘smacznego.’ Your fork goes in your left hand and knife in the right. When you’re done eating, your knife and fork should be placed horizontally on your plate, facing left. Thai. Pad Thai is an introductory dish loved by everyone. This sweet and savory noodle dish is made with peanut sauce. Gaeng Daeng (red curry) is another delicious choice. Thai is the hottest (spicy-hot) cuisine you’ll find. So request mild for your kids. For dessert, don’t miss out on sticky rice served with mango! Thai people typically use a fork and a short spoon for eating, rather than chopsticks. Each person gets a plate of rice. Then all the other dishes on the table are shared among each other and poured over rice. Young kids usually sit on their parents’ laps and are spoon-fed rather than sitting in high-chairs. Spanish. Not to be confused with Mexican food, one of the dishes of Spain kids enjoy is paella, which is a rice and meat dish. It can be made with rabbit or squid, which some kids won’t be too keen on. But it can also be made with chicken or other seafood. Another yummy entree is empanadas, which are pockets filled with tuna or ham and cheese. Late dining is also standard in Spain. Plan to eat lunch between 2:00 and 4:00 p.m. and dinner between 9:00 and 11:00 p.m. Also, Spaniards don’t eat and run. They sometimes linger for hours enjoying good company and conversation. Cajun. This style of Louisiana cooking is wellknown for its shellfish dishes and spice. Jambalaya, made with sausage, shellfish, celery, and rice stew, is one of several favorites. Another is gumbo, made with meat stew, seafood, and okra. In Southern Louisiana, food is relished, and preparation is taken quite seriously. Cooks aren’t content to serve mediocre food. So conversation about what you had to eat the night before is common.

Not to be confused with Mexican food, one of the dishes of Spain kids enjoy is paella, which is a rice and meat dish. It can be made with rabbit or squid, which some kids won’t be too keen on. But it can also be made with chicken or other seafood. Another yummy entree is empanadas, which are pockets filled with tuna or ham and cheese.

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Vietnamese. The most famous Vietnamese dish for both kids and adults is Pho. This noodle soup is made with beef or chicken. But it’s much more substantive than the chicken soup Americans eat. It’s usually served with fresh veggies on the side. Another yummy dish is banh goi. These deepfried pockets are filled with meat, mushrooms, and other vegetables. The Vietnamese typically eat with chopsticks and a soup spoon. As a sign of respect, a bowl and spoon are handed to the eldest man at the table first. Don’t begin eating until everyone is seated and the most elderly man takes his first bite.  CCL

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The Vietnamese typically eat with chopsticks and a soup spoon. As a sign of respect, a bowl and spoon are handed to the eldest man at the table first. Don’t begin eating until everyone is seated and the most elderly man takes his first bite.

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