Connect Savannah I December 2023

CONNECT SAVANNAH

DECEMBER, 2023 | connectsavannah.com

Holiday Recipes Inside!

INSIDE: A NEW PURPOSE THROUGH REPURPOSING: KEEPING SAVANNAH IN SAVANNAH LOCATION ART GALLERY AND THE GIFT OF ART TYBEE'S NORTH BEACH BAR & GRILL GIVES BACK

THE SEASON OF

GIVING

AMERICA’S SECOND HARVEST OF COASTAL GEORGIA: MAKING THEIR BIGGEST MOVE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

SANTA & MRS. CLAUS PREPARE FOR THE HOLIDAY MAGIC

NORDISTA FREEZE TRANSPORTS SPACE PROM TO SAVANNAH

CONNECT SAVANNAH |

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CONNECT SAVANNAH | CONNECT SAVANNAH |

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Hay Holidays!

What are y doing New Year's Eve?

OPEN DAILY 11AM TO 11 PM*

125 West River Street On top of the cotton sail hotel

www.topdeckbar.com

*CLOSING HOURS SUBJECT TO CHANGE CONNECT SAVANNAH |

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VIP Tickets available. Includes a bottle of premium bubbles on ice, reserved seating and hors d’oeuvres. | DECEMBER • 2023

GET TICKETS

EDITOR’S NOTE

ADMINISTRATIVE ERICA BASKIN PUBLISHER

erica@connectsavannah.com (912) 721-4378 WENDY WICKHAM BUSINESS MANAGER

wendy@connectsavannah.com (912) 721-4373

CONTENT ERICA LANG EDITOR

elang@connectsavannah.com (912) 428-7648 MCKENNAH DRURY

MULTIMEDIA DESIGNER

(912) 721-4354

EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS Jesse Blanco, Beth Logan, Frank Ricci, Chantel Britton, Marley Gibson Christopher E. Hendricks

DEAR CONNECT SAVANNAH READERS:

Grill is giving back this holiday season.

Whether we’re ready or not, the holidays are here. It’s easy to get busy and hurried—guilty! We did, however, want to take the time to remind you to slow down and make sure to embrace the joy, warmth and magic the season can also bring.

This edition highlights Re:Purpose Savannah, a women+ led nonprofit that gives new life to old building materials and trees.

With that in mind, we wanted to focus our December issue on the season of giving. We share a story of Santa and Mrs. Clause who prepare all year long to give the gift of memories, love, and acceptance.

We introduce you to Tommy Holland, a community member who gifts musical instruments to children in our city.

We also share some holiday recipes and highlight how Tybee’s North Beach Bar and

SAVANNAH

DECEMBER, 2023 | connectsavannah.com

INFORMATION: (912) 721-4378 sales@connectsavannah.com

Holiday Recipes Inside!

LOGAN HINTON

DIGITAL SALES MANAGER

logan@connectsavannah.com (912) 721-4369 STRATEGIC MARKETING CONSULTANT

THE SEASON OF

TYBEE'S NORTH BEACH BAR & GRILL GIVES BACK

WAYNE FRANKLIN DISTRIBUTION MANAGER

OUR VALUES Connect Savannah is an arts, entertainment and news magazine, focused on Savannah and the Coastal Empire life and experience.

We strive to feature stories that impact our community and the people who live here— to educate, entertain, inform and foster conversation.

We want to be your comprehensive source for what happens in our community and beyond. We are here to serve you.

INSIDE: A NEW PURPOSE THROUGH REPURPOSING: KEEPING SAVANNAH IN SAVANNAH LOCATION ART GALLERY AND THE GIFT OF ART

DISTRIBUTION

We hope you enjoy our December issue and remember, find a little time to enjoy the magic of the season—Santa requires it!

We appreciate and encourage readers to share news and information with us, and to share any criticism and questions.

BUCKY BRYANT

bucky@connectsavannah.com (912) 721-4381

Frank Ricci highlights Space Prom, a popular show presented

by Nordista Freeze that will make its first appearance in Savannah.

ERICA LANG, EDITOR

CONNECT

ADVERTISING

Jesse Blanco looks into the new facility for America’s Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia and Beth Logan shares the story of an art gallery giving back.

GIVING

TOMMY HOLLAND AND THE FRIENDS MUSICAL TOY AND BENEFIT CONCERT

SANTA & MRS. CLAUS PREPARE FOR THE HOLIDAY MAGIC

AMERICA’S SECOND HARVEST OF COASTAL GEORGIA: MAKING THEIR BIGGEST MOVE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

Find us on the following social media platforms or reach out to us at news@connectsavannah.com or 912-721-4378.

NORDISTA FREEZE TRANSPORTS SPACE PROM TO SAVANNAH CONNECT SAVANNAH |

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(912) 721-4376

ON THE COVER Santa Claus - RedAdventures photographed at LifeBridge Church

by Liesl Webber CONNECT SAVANNAH |

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/connectsav

@ConnectSavannah

/connectsavannah

© 2023, Metro Connect, LLC 611 East Bay Street Savannah, Georgia 31401 Phone: (912) 231-0250 | Fax: (912) 238-2041

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| DECEMBER • 2023

SATURDAY, MARCH 30

12:30 PM

NOON30: GÉRMAN LÓPEZ: ALMA

5:30 & 8 PM

THE ART OF THE KORA: DEREK GRIPPER & BALLAKÉ SISSOKO

Metal Building at Trustees' Garden $32 (General Admission)

Metal Building at Trustees' Garden $42 (General Admission)

6 & 8:30 PM

DERVISH

6 PM

DUBHE ENSEMBLE FEAT. JOSEPH CONYERS

North Garden Assembly Room at Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum $42 (General Admission)

Congregation Mickve Israel $57 (General Admission)

SATURDAY, MARCH 23

7:30 PM

CHUCHO VALDÉS ROYAL QUARTET

Lucas Theatre for the Arts $85 (Gold Circle), $73, $61, $49, $39

SUNDAY, MARCH 31

8:30 PM

KICKOFF CONCERT

SAMARA JOY

Lucas Theatre for the Arts $85 (Gold Circle), $73, $61, $49, $39

THURSDAY, MARCH 28

12:30 PM

NOON30: LENA JONSSON TRIO

Metal Building at Trustees' Garden $32 (General Admission)

4 PM

RENÉE FLEMING

Lucas Theatre for the Arts $85 (Gold Circle), $73, $61, $49, $39

MONDAY, APRIL 1

6 PM

5 & 8 PM

5 & 8:30 PM

North Garden Assembly Room at Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum $42 (General Admission) LENA JONSSON TRIO / KIERAN KANE & RAYNA GELLERT

SEBASTIAN KNAUER, PIANO

7 PM

TISRA: ZAKIR HUSSAIN TRIO

4:30 & 8 PM

GERMÁN LÓPEZ: ALMA / MARTA PEREIRA DA COSTA FEAT. DUARTE

NOON30: ISAIAH J. THOMPSON DUO

5 & 8:30 PM

STEPHANE WREMBEL QUARTET / TATIANA EVA-MARIE & AVALON JAZZ BAND

Metal Building at Trustees' Garden $32 (General Admission)

Metal Building at Trustees' Garden $42 (General Admission)

BAYOU BOOGIE! A TRIBUTE TO CLIFTON CHENIER

North Garden Assembly Room at Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum $42 (General Admission)

FUTUREBIRDS / T. HARDY MORRIS

6 PM

PHILIP DUKES & FRIENDS I

8 PM

RICKY SKAGGS & KENTUCKY THUNDER

Trinity United Methodist Church $52 (General Admission)

Lucas Theatre for the Arts $81 (Gold Circle), $69, $59, $49, $39

Lucas Theatre for the Arts $77 (Gold Circle), $67, $57, $47, $37

CONNECT SAVANNAH |

WARREN WOLF & WOLFPACK / ISAIAH J. THOMPSON QUARTET

12:30 PM

Metal Building at Trustees' Garden $42 (General Admission)

8 PM

Trustees Theater $45 (General Admission)

THURSDAY, APRIL 4

NOON30: MARTA PEREIRA DA COSTA FEAT. DUARTE

Metal Building at Trustees' Garden $32 (General Admission)

6 & 9 PM

Trinity United Methodist Church $45 (General Admission)

Metal Building at Trustees' Garden $42 (General Admission)

FRIDAY, MARCH 29

5 & 8:30 PM

12:30 PM

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3

DAVID FINCKEL, CELLO & WU HAN, PIANO

Lucas Theatre for the Arts (on the stage) $57 (General Admission)

12:30 PM

Savannah Cultural Arts Center FREE

TUESDAY, APRIL 2

OUMOU SANGARÉ

Metal Building at Trustees' Garden $42 (General Admission)

6 PM

RENÉE FLEMING: MUSIC & MIND

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FRIDAY, APRIL 5

12:30 PM

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10

NOON30: STEPHANE WREMBEL QUARTET

5 & 8:30 PM

Metal Building at Trustees' Garden $32 (General Admission)

3 PM

DOC AT 100

5:30 & 9 PM

DUMPSTAPHUNK / CHA WA

Metal Building at Trustees' Garden $45 (General Admission)

Savannah Cultural Arts Center FREE North Garden Assembly Room at Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum $42 (General Admission)

7:30 PM

6 PM

ESCHER STRING QUARTET FEAT. PHILIP DUKES

Trinity United Methodist Church $57 (General Admission)

8 PM

DOC AND EARL: DOC AT 100 / TONY TRISCHKA’S EARLJAM

Metal Building at Trustees' Garden $42 (General Admission) SATURDAY, APRIL 6

12:30 PM

4:30 & 7 PM

BRANDEE YOUNGER TRIO / IMMANUEL WILKINS QUARTET

Lucas Theatre for the Arts $81 (Gold Circle), $69, $59, $49, $39 THURSDAY, APRIL 11

12:30 PM

NOON30: BRANDEE YOUNGER TRIO

6 PM

PHILIP DUKES & FRIENDS IV

7 PM

MADISON CUNNINGHAM / JUANA MOLINA

Metal Building at Trustees' Garden $35 (General Admission) Trinity United Methodist Church $52 (General Admission)

NOON30: TONY TRISCHKA

Metal Building at Trustees' Garden $32 (General Admission)

MUDDY AND WOLF REVISITED: A TRIBUTE TO MUDDY WATERS AND HOWLIN' WOLF FEAT. BOBBY RUSH & NORTH MISSISSIPPI ALLSTARS

Trustees Theater $42 (General Admission) FRIDAY, APRIL 12

6 PM

EMANUEL AX, PIANO

7:30 PM

MATTHEW WHITAKER

8:30 PM

MIGHTY POPLAR

Trinity United Methodist Church $65 (General Admission)

CAJUN DANCE PARTY: THE SAVOY FAMILY CAJUN BAND

Metal Building at Trustees' Garden $42 (General Admission)

6 PM 6 & 9 PM

PHILIP DUKES & FRIENDS II

Trinity United Methodist Church $52 (General Admission) LATIN DANCE PARTY: ORQUESTA AKOKÁN

North Garden Assembly Room at Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum $42 (General Admission) SUNDAY, APRIL 7

3 PM

MICHAEL COLLINS & FRIENDS

3 & 7 PM

THE PO' RAMBLIN BOYS / AJ LEE & BLUE SUMMIT

ISLAND PRAYERS: TURTLE ISLAND QUARTET

3 PM

Trustees Theater $52 (General Admission)

7:30 PM

TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

TUESDAY, APRIL 9

6 PM

PHILIP DUKES & FRIENDS III

savannahmusicfestival.org | 912.525.505

Metal Building at Trustees' Garden $42 (General Admission)

For an interactive guide of the lineup, scan the QR code to visit savannahmusicfestival.org and listen to audio and watch videos of all performers.

Savannah Cultural Arts Center $52 (General Admission)

CONNECT SAVANNAH |

SOLEDAD BARRIO & NOCHE FLAMENCA: SEARCHING FOR GOYA

Lucas Theatre for the Arts $81 (Gold Circle), $69, $59, $49, $39

North Garden Assembly Room at Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum $42 (General Admission) KAIA KATER / VIV & RILEY

Lucas Theatre for the Arts $81 (Gold Circle), $69, $59, $49, $39

SATURDAY, APRIL 13

Trinity United Methodist Church $45 (General Admission)

5 & 8 PM

Trustees Theater $45 (General Admission)

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CONNECT SAVANNAH

DECEMBER AT A GLANCE SANTA’S WONDERLAND AT BASS PRO SHOP Nov. 5 - Dec. 24 Free photos with Santa. Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s are proud to invite families to the beloved tradition of visiting Santa Claus this holiday season during the annual Santa’s Wonderland experience. Visit your local store to be one of the more than two million kids and families to take a photo with Santa. Photo sessions will start on Sunday, November 5. Reservations are strongly recommended. To learn more and make a reservation, visit www. basspro.com/santa.

SAVANNAH CHRISTMAS MARKET Nov. 16 - Jan. 1 Enjoy a European-style outdoor holiday market as well as live performances, children’s activities, photos with Santa and a wide range of holiday-themed food and drink options. You’ll find something for everyone on your holiday shopping list at the Savannah Christmas Market.

Kesslercollection.com HOLIDAY TOY DRIVE WITH SAFE SHELTER X THOMPSON Nov. 20 - Jan. 20 Donate new, unwrapped toys for children of all ages with drop off at bar by fleeting, Holiday Bar and Bar Julian at the Thompson Savannah. Since 1979, SAFE Shelter has been Savannah’s only shelter dedicated to victims of intimate partner violence and their children under the age of 18. Open 24-hours a day, 7 days a week, the Shelter provides safe, confidential services to all victims of domestic violence. hyatt.com/ thompson-hotels HOLIDAY SIGHTS & FESTIVE NIGHTS TOUR Nov. 24 - Dec. 24 Seasons Greetings! The 2023 Holiday Season heralds the return of the 26th Annual Old Town Trolley’s Holiday Sights & Festive Nights Tour. Get into the Christmas Holiday Spirit.

Conductors dressed as Santa, elves, and more will delight, entertain, and amuse guests with tales of favorite Holiday Traditions. trolleytours.com/savannah

TYBEE CHRISTMAS PARADE Dec. 1 Join us on Tybee Island as we ring in the holidays with a lighted, nighttime Christmas parade.

Santa arrives in town led by a parade of lights down to the beach. Tybeeislandmainstreet.org

RICHMOND HILL CHRISTMAS PARADE Dec. 2 The 27th Annual City of Richmond Hill Christmas Parade will be held on Saturday, December 2, 2023 at 10 am. The parade theme will be Rockin' around the Christmas Tree. Richmondhill-ga.gov

DECEMBER NIGHTS & HOLIDAY LIGHTS Nov. 24 - Dec. 23 From opening day on Friday, November 24, and on select nights through Saturday, December 23, guests will be transported to a whimsical wonderland as they are greeted with an Alice in Wonderlandinspired theme. Visitors can follow Alice down the rabbit hole in a mesmerizing tunnel of lights, join an unforgettable tea party hosted by the Mad Hatter, and stroll through the Queen of Hearts’ dazzling rose garden. For more information and to purchase tickets visit: https://coastalbg.uga. edu/

RICHMOND HILL WINTER WONDERLAND FESTIVAL Dec. 2 Festivities Include: Holiday Market Vendors, Lighting of the Christmas tree, Live Entertainment, Food Trucks, Gingerbread Contest, Pictures with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, Trackless train rides, & MUCH MORE!! Richmondhill-ga.gov PAWLIDAY BAZAAR Dec. 3 ‘Tis the season to get holiday shopping and support the animals! Join One Love Animal Rescue and Shuk in a holiday market. We will have an array of local artisan vendors , holiday photo ops, as well as live music and seasonal food and drink specials. A percentage of vendor proceeds will be donated to One Love Animal Rescue group!

COASTAL EMPIRE HABITAT FOR HUMANITY HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS GALA Dec. 1 Coastal Empire Habitat for Humanity will celebrate its 40th year by hosting their Home for the Holidays Gala on Friday, December 1 at the De Soto Hotel, 15 E. Liberty Street, Savannah.

This gala raises vital funds to help families realize their dream of home ownership. With a black-tie dinner, cocktails, silent auction, entertainment and more, this is an evening not to be missed! development@habitatsavannah. org

HOLIDAY WREATH WORKSHOP Dec. 6 Get in the holiday spirit at the Syd Nichole holiday wreath making workshop. Learn the tips and tricks of making a gorgeous wreath. The class will last approximately 90 minutes. All materials and tools are provided.

You will take home the beautiful wreath that you SANTACON Dec. 9 Savannah’s original holiday Pub crawl is back. This is our thirteenth year of 115-350 Santas strong.

It’s FREE to join in - just be in costume. Santas are best. Elves, Snowmen, Reindeer, and other assorted Christmas characters are all great ideas, get creative and go all out. Wear more than a Santa hat, at least buy a red sweatsuit from Wal-mart. Bring a toy valued at approx 15 dollars to the crawl, unwrapped. There will be drop offs at bar locations and they will all be collected and given to a children’s charity. We normally get a full truckload every year. Bring small

PEPPERMINT THEMED FLOWER WORKSHOP Dec. 1 Come out for a night of fun and flowers. At our flower arrangement workshop, you will learn how to make a beautiful flower arrangement inspired by peppermints! The class is an hour and a half. All flowers, vases, and tools are provided. The workshop also includes a complimentary glass of champagne for those 21 and older and FREE snacks. You also get to take home what you make! All you need to bring is a great attitude. Sydnichole.com CONNECT SAVANNAH |

THE LAND OF THE SWEE TS

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gifts and candy canes to hand out to the people we pass. santacon. info/Savannah-GA CELEBRATING KWANZAA TRADITIONS - CREATING YOUR OWN KINARA Dec. 9 It’s the third and final installment of our “Honoring & Celebrating” workshop series when we will “Celebrate the Fall Harvest!”

Harvest is a significant time of year when the fruits of the planter’s labor are celebrated.

Various Harvest Festivals are celebrated all over Africa. They may differ according to their various seasons and ethnic groups. Still, these celebrations are all filled with music, singing, and dancing with dancers adorned in traditional masks and costumes. During this workshop series, we will creatively celebrate the season in different ways. savannahafricanartmuseum.org SAVANNAH BALLET THEATRE PRESENTS THE NUTCRACKER Dec. 9 The Savannah Ballet Theatre (SBT) celebrates the holiday season with a live production of The Nutcracker at 5:30 p.m. on December 9 at the Lucas Theater, located on 32 Abercorn Street in Savannah. The legendary score by Tchaikovsky will fuel the performance of this classic holiday ballet, which demonstrates the story of a young girl’s dream of a Christmas gift come-to-life to become her beloved prince. The Theatre’s production uses a local perspective, setting the scene in 1940’s Savannah instead of the traditional early 19th century Germany. Tickets.scadboxoffice. com THE LAND OF SWEETS Dec. 9 In partnership with Savannah Cultural Arts Center through the Spotlight and Weave-A-Dream Programs, this ballet will be unique and inclusive rendition of the beloved holiday classic, The Nutcracker. tybeearts.wildapricot. org/events HOLIDAY SIP, SHOP, AND SPA Dec. 14 Sip, Shop & Spa is back at the Heavenly Spa! Join us for an

HIGHLIGHTED PICKS FROM HOSTESS CITY HAPPENINGS THIS MONTH To have your event considered for inclusion, please visit connectsavannah.com and enter your event in our online calendar. There, you can manage your entries, change and add dates, times, etc.

evening of pampering, with minitreatments from a variety of your favorite vendors in beauty and skincare. Your purchase of a ticket can be used as credit toward retail purchases made at the event!

Westinsavannahspa.com RICHMOND HILL BREAKFAST WITH SANTA Dec. 16 Breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus will be held on Saturday, Dec. 16th, 2023 from 8:30 to 11:30 am at the Richmond Hill Fire Department (Station 1). There will be photos with Santa, crafts, letters to Santa, games, inflatables, and more! Donations of new toys for RHFD’s “Operations Presents Under the Tree” initiative are always appreciated. Richmondhillga.gov COMMUNITY SERVICE SECOND HARVEST Dec. 19 Once a month, New Neighbours come together and volunteer two hours of their time to support America’s Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia. This is a great opportunity to meet new people while giving back to the greater Savannah community. Each year, Second Harvest delivers close to 18 million meals to people struggling with hunger in Coastal Georgia. info@helpendhunger.org COWBOY CHRISTMAS Dec. 19 ‘Tis the season for two steppin’ around the Christmas tree! Join us for an evening of western dancing (beginner lesson!) Country Christmas karaoke, games, ice cream, crafts and more! $10 suggested donation at the door.

Texas formal attire encouraged!

DRAG QUEEN CHRISTMAS Dec. 26 For the 9th consecutive year, Murray & Peter present, “A Drag Queen Christmas”, the longest running drag tour in America. Get ready for Host Miz Cracker plus your favorite queens performing live on stage and very special guest Todrick Hall. We’ve got Winners, Fan Favorites, OGs, Miss Congeniality, plus queens from Season 15 and All Stars 8. VIP Meet & Greet tickets are available. The M&G starts at 6pm. The show

PLAN YOUR DECEMBER NOW: Visit ConnectSavannah.com to find our 24/7, comprehensive list of all the things to do in Savannah this month. From theater performances to live music shows, art exhibitions to food festivals, Connect Savannah has got you covered.

So, check out the website now and start planning your perfect month in the Hostess City today!

starts at 8pm. There will be a 20-minute intermission. 18+ welcome. Savannahcivic.com

Crawl taking place in the heart of downtown from 4-10pm!

Featuring some of the best bar venues that downtown Savannah has to offer, the official Savannah New Year’s Resolution All Access Bar Crawl Scorecard will give every party goer a plethora of participating bar crawl locations. This year’s event will benefit United Way of the Coastal Empire! brian@ staffordpromotions.com

NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION NEW YEAR’S THEMED BAR CRAWL Dec. 30 As the crowds roll into the city to enjoy ringing in the New Year with their loved ones and aimlessly looking for things to do, Savannah Bar Crawl would like to invite you to join us on for the New Year’s Resolution Bar CONNECT SAVANNAH |

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SAVANNAH'S WATERFRONT NEW YEAR'S FIREWORKS SHOW Dec. 31 Savannah’s Waterfront is happy to host the midnight fireworks show to ring in the new year! At the stroke of midnight, the 10 minute show lights up the sky from a barge in the Savannah River across from the Savannah Convention Center.Come celebrate the New Year with friends and family!

February 26 - February 27, 2024 historic kehoe iron works at trustees' garden savannah, georgia CONNECT SAVANNAH |

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For the whole family

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SAVANNAH’S BEST HOLIDAY POP UP

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Special events each week for Grown Ups & Littles.

Spirited Spirits | Confections | HOLIDAY DJ’s | Live Music & More!

Follow our calendar for more info.

See our social media for updates

33 Meddin Dr, Tybee Island, GA 31328

Check Calendar for fun events for all Ages on our Site!

CONNECT SAVANNAH |

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Cover Story by Erica Lang

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Coming to Town SANTA AND MRS. CLAUS PREPARE FOR THE MAGIC OF THE SEASON For Everrett Prostrollo, retirement looks a little different than most. After spending 20 years in the Air Force and seven years as a camp ranger for the Boy Scouts, he now spends most of his time preparing for the holidays—a requirement when you are Santa Claus.

Everrett said. “She started giving that grandmotherly type feel and welcoming presence for the children that oftentimes are very hesitant to come to a guy that's in a big suit with a white beard and glasses and a hat, but they'll come right to Mrs. Claus and snuggle.”

Dana worked as a 911 police dispatcher for 23 years. When her husband retired from the Air Force, she went back to school to become a radiologic technologist—a role she continues in addition to being Mrs. Claus.

Prostrollo didn’t always know he would become Santa, though it seems to suit him well. His long white beard, his jolly laugh and genuine joy are not only convincing but striking.

It all started in 2017 when the church he and his wife attend asked if he could be Santa Claus for their upcoming Christmas party.

When Prostrollo, who had no Santa suit at the time, agreed, he was given a bag that contained a big wig and a makeshift outfit. “I wore my own hat, put on the suit and went out there and had a good time and saw the joy in the children, saw the joy in the parents and other family members, and it just kind of hit something in your heart and that's where a lot of it starts.”

With this newfound second act, the Prostrollos made big plans including updated outfits for the following year. “And then, of course, 2020 was Covid. Covid hit and the world was in turmoil, and it was just kind of an overall kick in the gut,” Everrett said. In August, however, they decided they would still do what was possible to bring joy to the end of the year.

Through mainly word of mouth, Santa and Mrs. Claus started making their first appearances at mainly outside events. Within the first three events, Everrett said he realized being Santa would be a long-term commitment.

“When you see the children react, the ones that run to you with their arms wide open and give you a hug, your heart melts.”

That was just the beginning.

Two years later, in 2019, the question came up again, this time for both Santa and Mrs. Claus to attend a photography session at a karate studio. They agreed, but it came with their own request as well. “Hey, can we borrow these suits for tonight?” Prostrollo asked. “Because we were asked to do a company Christmas party for some friends.”

Dana agrees, “It just transforms you. We go home and we're tired and our cheeks hurt from smiling so much, but it's such a good feeling. I love it.”

They wore the outfits to the party, where they remember a reluctant little girl who was initially afraid to approach them.

“At the end, all the kids were out playing, and we were walking around and doing our holiday greetings and getting ready to leave and the little girl came up and basically leapt into her arms, my wife's arms, and she was able to get a couple of pictures with her,” Prostrollo said.

Dana Prostrollo said the parents were shocked. “It made you feel pretty good that not only the little girl, but the mom and dad had that memory, that bond.”

It became clear that Santa was better with Mrs. Claus. “I started seeing the value for me as a Santa, for a Mrs. Claus,”

CONNECT SAVANNAH |

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When the 2020 holiday season came to a close, the Prostrollos continued to dive deeper into learning the business of being Santa and Mrs. Claus. One night while watching Amazon Prime, Dana came across a film called “Santa School,” a documentary that follows several Santa Clauses as they become the best possible Kris Kringle.

“Just absolutely blown away,” Dana said about her realization that there were professional schools for Santa entertainers. “And that particular school that they did is in Atlanta, that's just a couple hours from here.”

Northern Lights Santa Academy is the largest Santa Claus School in the Southeast, according to their website.

| DECEMBER • 2023

"I wore my own Hat, put on the suit and went out there and had a good time and saw the Joy in the children, saw the joy in the parents and other family members, and it just kind of hit something in your Heart and that's where a lot of it starts."

After learning about the program, the Prostrollos quickly enrolled in classes and now attend two times a year. “We just could not absorb enough information,” Dana said, listing friendship, camaraderie, and mentorship as additional benefits of the school.

They are members of the Worldwide Santa Claus Network and have taken a class with Timothy Connaghan, the official Santa for the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, who is often referred to as “National Santa.” Additionally, they have spent hundreds of hours in online and in-person training all in preparation for proving memorable experiences.

This year, they’ve done four major training programs: A Santa Family Reunion in Gatlinburg, TN, the School of Santa’s (SOS) in Branson, MO and two sessions in Atlanta at Northern Lights Santa Academy where they received a PhD—Professional Holiday Doctorate—under the watchful eye of Santa Rick Rosenthal, the program’s dean and director.

“For us, we're on a path to becoming extraordinary Santa and Mrs. Claus,” Everrett said. Dana added, “We want to give the best experience to each person that comes up, we want to give them the experience, like wow, he's real!”

Becoming the best in the Santa business has been an investment for the Prostrollos, who admit it’s a fun, but expensive endeavor.

Yearly background checks, entertainers’ insurance, multiple custommade suits, and their recent addition—a hundred-year-old sleigh— all must be accounted for.

“I spend more on haircare and haircare products than my wife and my two grown daughters do combined,” Everrett said laughingly, whose bleached beard, hair and eyebrows are touched up about every eight weeks.

“You wouldn't think that a bunch of men would sit around at school and discuss haircare—how they keep their beards white.”

“It’s pretty funny to watch,” said Dana.

For this year’s holiday season, they have booked close to 70 events, up from about 42 events last year. Requests to attend pet drives, photoshoots, military events, and corporate parties all make the list among many others.

“One of the fascinating things that we discovered early on is that if you are a good Santa and Mrs. Claus that people want you back, you become their Santa and Mrs. Claus, and that is something that also endears you to do what you're doing—putting the time in.”

It's also time donated throughout the holiday season. “We also balance our intake with a lot of charity work,” Everrett said.

Recently, they attended a photoshoot with a group of foster children, free of charge. “We brought out the sleigh, we brought

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| DECEMBER • 2023

"Anybody can come up to Santa and Mrs. Claus and you're Loved, you're Accepted for who you are. I don't care what you look like, i don't care what you're wearing" out all our props that go with the sleigh and the event was just a success.” An upcoming event at the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Aspire Health Partners in Hinesville will also be donated time among many others.

For the Prostrollos, a couple of 35 years, becoming Santa and Mrs. Claus serves a greater purpose, one they hope will have a lasting impact on future generations.

“It is about giving back to the community that you're in…the older you get, it’s more about the children, the new generation that's coming up, it's the young families,” Everrett said.

For Dana, it’s the power of love and acceptance. “Anybody can come up to Santa and Mrs. Claus and you're loved, you're accepted for who you are. I don't care what you look like, I don't care what you're wearing,” she said. “Santa is love and if we can bring that to them for just five minutes, that's all worth it.”

For more information, visit their Facebook page Santa Red Adventures Everrett or their website: mrmrsclaus.com. Bookings for the 2024 will open on Feb. 1

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| DECEMBER • 2023

CULTURE

LOCATION GALLERY AND THE GIFT OF ART (THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING)

By Beth Logan

CULTURE COLUMNIST

When you buy a piece of art, you buy a gift that keeps on giving pleasure for years to come. In my former career, I managed a little art gallery at Hospice Savannah as part of my role as marketing director. One of the most rewarding aspects of that job was watching folks buy a piece of original art for the very first time. Over the years, I would feel like a proud mother hen as these newly fledged art collectors grew in confidence and bought more work from local artists.

My passion to support Savannah’s creatives and to shine a light on their work is shared by my friend Peter E. Roberts. Roberts is the director of Location Gallery, a beautiful light-filled exhibition space inside Corcoran Austin Hill Realty on the corner of Liberty and Bull Streets. But why, you might wonder, is there an art gallery inside a downtown real estate office? Roberts, who is an accomplished graphic designer, artist, and creator of intricate paper cuts says it’s because his friend Austin Hill is a “philanthropic genius!” It was Hill’s idea to have a gallery, but with the following caveats: “The only way I would consider putting an art gallery in the office would be if Peter ran it and we gave all the proceeds to local nonprofits.”

The first Location Gallery space was inside former Austin Hill Realty office in the Downtown Design District on the corner of Whitaker and West Taylor Streets. (Interestingly, this was the former studio gallery of artist Elena Madden who has since relocated to Islamorada, Florida.) For his first show in March 2016, Roberts invited acclaimed local artists such as Bob and Julia Christian to participate in a group exhibition and held an online voting competition to nominate the nonprofits that would become beneficiaries of upcoming shows. Hospice Savannah won that vote, and so began

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my relationship with Roberts. Over the years, we had fun coordinating and promoting exhibits and, more importantly, raising funds for a beloved community charity.

Elizabeth DuBose, executive director of the Ossabaw Island Foundation says, “Location Gallery has partnered with Ossabaw Island Foundation on three shows over the years—Jennifer Nolan and Bellamy Murphy at the Bull Street location, and Preston Orr when they were on Whitaker. What the gallery does for local charities is so generous that it defies description. There is nothing else like it that we’ve ever heard of in Savannah—a business model that donates all gallery profits back to the community. Corcoran Austin Hill Realty could be using those funds for lots of other things but instead, we’ve received a generous donation at the end of each exhibition.”

DuBose continues, “We love working with Peter. He’s dedicated to Savannah, and he has a great eye, plus, it’s always fun to work with him! He takes the time to get to know the artists and the non-profits, and he is basically the matchmaker. He creates synergy that brings it all together. Ultimately the artists decide which charities to support, but Peter helps them understand our mission, so that everyone is happy with the partnership. At the gallery receptions, we’ve found that the crowd is usually an even mix of the artist’s followers and our Ossabaw Island supporters. The people who attend for the artist ask lots of questions about our work on Ossabaw, and the Ossabaw people end up with a new artist to collect.”

Certainly, a win-win for both the artist and the nonprofit involved, and truly a business that gives back month in and month out.

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| DECEMBER • 2023

Since 2016, close to $200,000 has been donated to such organizations as the League of Women Voters of Coastal Georgia, the Tiny House Project, ARTS Southeast, First City Pride Center, and the Coastal Empire Habitat for Humanity. The cleverly named Savannopoly group show that hangs through the end of the year aptly benefits this last organization…Roberts designed a local version of the classic board game Monopoly, with properties located in the Savannah area depicted by almost forty local artists. Each artist created two 6-by-8-inch panels portraying our iconic streets, squares, monuments, and places of interest through paint, photography, and mixed media.

Coastal Empire Habitat for Humanity’s CEO Zerik Samples says he is extremely grateful for his board’s ongoing partnership with the gallery as, “It’s a great way for artists to promote themselves as well as support Habitat’s mission to partner with frontline, hardworking families to realize their dream of owning quality, affordable homes. We cannot thank Location Gallery enough for their continuing support of our nonprofit organization."

As an artist myself, it feels good to show at Location Gallery knowing that I will receive 50 percent of the sales price and that a deserving nonprofit will receive at least 30 percent. We do not expect doctors, lawyers, architects, or other professionals to donate their work to a nonprofit’s fundraiser, and hopefully the days are long gone when artists are expected to donate their expertise and creativity without any financial renumeration.

Roberts curates a great mix of work by established and up-and-coming artists and does a stellar job of promoting each creative on social media, usually providing them with their own, customized Instagram reel. Always diligent, always reliable, and always highly organized, he has, of course, already lined up his 2024 shows… …He will start the year with the anthropomorphic romantic oil paintings of Stephen Garrison. A longtime friend of Roberts, Garrison earned his MFA from SCAD in 1999 and now teaches at Marywood School of Architecture in Scranton, PA. Fittingly, gallery proceeds from this show will benefit For the Love of Paws which supports local animal rescue organizations.

Other 2024 shows include a long-awaited and highly anticipated solo exhibition by Mary Hartman; two duet exhibitions – one by Jessica Pope and Bryan Condon of collage/found object assemblage art and one of Ossabaw-inspired work by photographer Joy Dunigan and Peter E. Roberts to benefit the island’s foundation; and three or four group shows. There will also be a very special group exhibition in honor of Hospice Savannah’s 40th anniversary (I’m obviously very curious about that one!)

As we close out the year, I encourage you, as always, to buy art and to buy local! Support our Savannah-based creatives by joining an advocacy group such as ARTS Southeast, visit artists’ studios, attend art shows and art fairs, come to artists’ talks, and give tangible appreciation by buying an original piece of artwork when you can.

Art, after all, is the gift that keeps on giving.

Location Gallery, named because realtors always emphasize the importance of “location, location, location!” is situated inside Corcoran Austin Hill Realty at 251 Bull Street, and is open every day except Sunday.

Find out details of upcoming shows under the events tab at locationgallery.net or on Instagram @locationgallery. As mentioned, Savannopoly hangs through December 30 and benefits the Coastal Empire Habitat for Humanity.

OPPOSITE: (L-R) Tate Ellington's "Broughton St", Michelle Perez "Colonial Cemetery", Stacie Jean Albano's "Tybee Beach". ABOVE: Stephen Garrison " One of the Characters from Garrison's upcoming show" LEFT: (L-R) Austin Hill and Peter E. Roberts

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| DECEMBER • 2023

A NEW PURPOSE THROUGH REPURPOSING: KEEPING SAVANNAH IN SAVANNAH

PHOTOS BY JESSIE KELLAM "CREST HILL BUNGALOW AND GARAGE"

The phrases “deconstruct” and “repurpose” might bring to mind the latest online video trend to try around the house, but for Re:Purpose Savannah, a women+ led 501(c)3 non-profit, establishing a sustainable future through the deconstruction, salvage, and reuse of historic buildings, these terms have become a way of life for their volunteers, their organization, and for Savannah’s preservation and continued history.

Mae Bowley, executive director of Re:Purpose Savannah, is originally from Jacksonville, Florida, and studied marketing and classical architecture when she was an undergraduate student. However, little did she know taking historic preservation classes would propel her to start the non-profit that has—gladly—taken her on a brandnew career path.

“I moved to Savannah about eight years ago and I just became obsessed with the city,” Bowley said. “I wanted to know more about the buildings and the architect, so I enrolled in the historic preservation program at Savannah Technical College.”

The class became her world.

“Did it eat my life?” she asked, laughing. “I mean, it ate my whole life in the best way you could possibly know. Talk about getting bitten by the old house bug. Anybody who is into old houses gets it.” And, before she knew it, she ended up in a leadership role for this non-profit.

“I came to Savannah not knowing the role I would play in this community.”

Bowley gave a bit of background to her group’s development.

“Emergent Structures was a sustainability non-profit that operated in Savannah for about ten years,” Bowley began. “It was founded and led by Scott Boylston, who’s the chair of the Sustainability Department at Savannah College of Art and Design. They were an awareness-raising, education-focused group that worked on building materials. They were ready to wrap it up and were either going to shut it down or hand it off.”

Bowley was looking for a mock client project for her Savannah Tech class, she came up with the idea of building something from reclaimed materials. Yet, it became so much more.

“I started asking a lot of questions…and threw myself at the CONNECT SAVANNAH |

opportunity to transition this non-profit from an awareness-raising and education model into an actual service provider with industry solutions.”

“I don’t want to talk about things,” Bowley said, firmly. “I want to do them. So, I sort of stumbled into this by accident.”

Bowley’s idea of recycling moved to the idea of using entire buildings.

“I was obsessed with old buildings,” she admitted. “Once I became more intimate with the old buildings, I became obsessed with the materials they’re made from. At first, I didn’t know anything about the differences in materials, but there’s something special about historic building materials. The more I learned, the more I became absolutely devastated by the notion that these items are getting thrown in the trash.”

That was five years ago and that non-profit turned into today’s Re:Purpose Savannah. It has transitioned from an all-volunteer model to a mostly paid staff.

“We had a small grant from Gulfstream to help us start taking buildings apart,” Bowley said. “It went from there.”

As someone who always dreamed of owning an old building, Bowley now gets to work with an unlimited amount of them. And, she respects construction on a different level.

“I started to understand the real material differences between the materials you get today and those used in the building of now historic properties. We often give credit to the craftsmanship, but that is only half the story. The other half of that equation is the quality of the materials they’re working with.”

Bowley said buildings are getting demolished with these old materials going to the landfills. Watching something like that happen, she stated, “is like seeing all that pure gold disappear knowing we’ll never get it back. It’s a finite resource, just like oil. Sadly,” she said, “there’s more old-growth timber left in historic buildings now than what is left in the forests.”

Construction demolition generates more waste than all municipal solid waste combined, according to Bowley’s research. “What that means is if you were to take all the garbage generated by every city and town in America per year and put it in a pile, it would be 18

| DECEMBER • 2023

half the size of what is generated by construction and demolition in that same year.”

“In many of these historical homes, there’s a lot of carbon that’s been sequestered in the lumber. Then, we put it in landfills and it escapes and contributes to the acceleration of climate change. Not only are these repurposed materials of great quality and beauty, but they also don’t deserve to go in the garbage, just on their own merits, we can do better by our planet by recycling them and keeping that carbon locked up rather than letting it decompose and escape,” she stated.

The organization now has a staff of ten women and Bowley said they expect to have an operating budget in the new year of a million dollars.

“We are mostly self-supporting through work income that comes in two revenue streams: contracts to remove a building where you hire us instead of a demo company, and the other is, of course, sales of those materials out of our lumber yard.”

Located in the former spot of Daniel Lumber at 2302 East Gwinnett Street, the marsh front property is the optimum spot to showcase the non-profit’s efforts to the community and it is also where all of the deconstruction happens.

The deconstruction is the “sexy part of the work,” according to Bowley. The lumber yard is the hub where all the materials come. They get “spa service,” as she joked, where nails get pulled, ends trimmed, and then a cleaning with a wire brush. “We make the materials look as good as we can so people can see the beauty and wonder of these materials.”

“We put tons of effort into this, but it’s a critical stage for everything available for purchase. We’ve got great stuff, a great deal of volume, but we always need more customers.” Bowley stated, “There’s quite a huge inventory from your typical architectural structures to salvages of mantels, columns, etc. The majority of what we have is the structural timbers, the historic lumber.”

Bowley said it’s “super cool” to watch the process at the lumber yard.

“However, it’s not enough to simply save the materials. If we brought everything to our lumber yard and it stayed there, all we’ve done is create a really organized landfill, right? The harder part is getting those materials back out into people’s homes—rehoming it.”

The success of Re:Purpose Savannah and its effect around town can

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Alexis Sweet Photography OPPOSITE: (L-R) Parker Collins, Kate Hilliker, Lui Marinozzi, Lisa Medford,Mae Bowley, Katie Fitzhugh, Rea Price (on the truck), Kelley Lowe (door), Yolanda Morris,Jordan Lynch, Yolanda Morris, Jordan Lynch

be seen by perusing their website (repurposesavannah.org) to read about successful projects and see detailed, historical information attached to each venture.

Bowley stated they “believe research and documentation should be a fundamental and necessary part of the removal of any historic structure anywhere, anyplace, anytime.” Continuing, she stressed, “If [a structure] is going away, the research and documentation—such a critical part—absolutely has to be done.”

The organization has materials in the yard as young as the 1950s, but they also have items dating back to the early 1800s—some questionably from the late 1700s, although they can’t quite confirm yet.

“We work at having the provenance of what we’re working on. If you’re looking at our website, you’re seeing the extent of research on properties and projects. It is super important to us that research is attached to every piece of lumber so when you walk through our lumber yard, you will know where it came from and all of the proper research behind the property.”

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| DECEMBER • 2023

In addition to their valued team members, Bowley also praised the work of their volunteers and community partners, Habitat for Humanity and the Metro Savannah Rotary.

“We work with a ton of volunteers and are extremely grateful for their help,” the executive director said. “A significant volunteer relationship we have is with Habitat for Humanity.

At first, we had a hard time organizing volunteers with so much work, but no one to coordinate it. We already had a connection to Habitat because we donated our more modern materials to them. They have all these volunteers and not enough work, while we had the opposite challenge. So, we chatted with them and decided to work together. Every week, we get volunteers through Habitat through their volunteer mechanism who come straight to the yard and get right to work.”

Additionally, Jasmine Mills, president of the Metro Savannah Rotary, is excited for her club to be working with Re:Purpose Savannah as their current annual service provider.

“Every year, the Metro Savannah Rotary puts out a yearly request for proposals where local non-profits can apply for a $10,000 grant. Our fundraisers we do throughout that year go to the organization chosen that year to be our annual service partner. It’s an internal process where our club members make nominations of worthy organizations.”

“We just started our year-long partnership (which goes through June 30, 2024) with Re:Purpose Savannah and are thrilled about it. We will work for them and with them. Because they already have an incredible system of training and utilizing volunteers, we just go in to roll up our sleeves and help out.”

Mills stressed how every year, one of the things Metro Rotary wants to ensure is their service partner supports one of Rotary’s seven areas of focus, one of which is protecting the environment.

“This is just a great partnership for us because of all Re:Purpose Savannah does not only for the community and Savannah’s history, but for the environment as well.”

As someone who enjoys walking around downtown Savannah admiring the architecture, Mills thinks twice now about how these buildings represent so much of the city’s history and culture.

“The buildings and materials here, as well as the families who have lived in them, have contributed to our city’s evolution and development…it’s so important to keep all of their history alive. These materials taken from demolitions are being repurposed and given new life. They’re not just being torn down and forgotten. Best of all, the history of the material Re:Purpose Savannah receives is shared with homeowners and contractors so those stories and buildings still live on, are told and passed down until they, too, now become part of the fabric of Savannah’s history.”

To help Re:Purpose Savannah’s efforts, both Bowley and Mills encourage folks to come out to the lumber yard and purchase something.

“Help us get this stuff back out into the community and then tell the stories about it to everybody who comes to your house. Participate in our fundraisers and sign up for our newsletter so you always know what’s going on. Also, following us on social media keeps you informed of events and volunteer opportunities,” Bowley said, proudly. “We need the whole community to help us if we want to continue to grow and save more buildings, and make this the normal way to handle a historic building in its decline instead of crushing it up and burying it forever.”

Re:Purpose Savannah is located at 2302 East Gwinnett Street and can be found online at repurposesavannah.org. The Metro Savannah Rotary can be found online at metrosavannahrotary. org with both websites having information on fundraisers, events, and volunteer opportunities.

- Marley Gibson

…WHAT ABOUT THE LIVE OAKS? Mae Bowley, executive director of the local non-profit Re:Purpose Savannah, shares how when one of Savannah’s live oaks sadly reaches the end of its lifespan due to age, damage, or other reasons, those trees don’t necessarily disappear forever.

“We capture the trees in addition to the buildings set for demolition,” Bowley said, happily. “Instead of putting those majestic trees into the landfill, we can now have the tree brought to our site for free for us to process.”

“These trees mean something to the people of the city with some being very attached to them because they have so much sentiment connected to them, especially if that tree is significant to a specific part of the community.

Such is the case of the over two-hundredyear-old live oak in McCauley Park.

“There was a very old live oak in Macaulay Park, right outside of Charles Ellis Elementary School. It’s been there for forever and literally generations of children have grown up playing underneath this tree,” Bowley explained.

“Unfortunately, the city had to take the tree down, but there was so much attachment and emotion to the tree that the city called us and asked if we’d get it.”

Of course, Re:Purpose Savannah said yes.

Bowley said they took in as much of the tree as they reasonably could. “We milled it and sent it off to a kiln to get dried. It has literally just come back and we have the tree dried in our warehouse right now. We’ll send out our newsletter to folks to let when know when they can come purchase it at our lumberyard.”

There is sentiment attached to this tree that can now be a permanent part of people’s lives. “We have so many scraps of the tree that we’ve given away a ton of pieces to people with a connection to Charles Ellis,” Bowley said. “They’re so excited, so I always tell them they deserve a piece to take home with them because it was part of their life.”

- Marley Gibson

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20 | DECEMBER • 2023

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PHOTO BY AIDAN THOMAS

HO HO HOLIDAY: TYBEE’S NORTH BEACH BAR & GRILL CELEBRATES 30TH ANNIVERSARY BY GIVING BACK THIS HOLIDAY SEASON AND BEYOND Lauded and beloved for its appetizing Caribbean-inspired fare and lively atmosphere, North Beach Bar & Grill has been serving Tybee for the last three decades — a major accomplishment for a business in the hospitality industry, which is known for its unpredictability. To celebrate this monumental milestone, the grill is giving back in a big way with their inaugural Ho Ho Holiday Pop Up. Owner George Spriggs was looking for a way to drive traffic to his business during the off-season while celebrating the community that has consistently supported him over the years. The conceptual seed for the holiday pop up was planted after a conversation with a marketing friend, Toren Anderson.

“She [advised] that the way to do that is not through just promoting the grill. Actually, that should be the last thing we do. [Instead] we need to promote the place where we are, and that’s Tybee Island. So the pop up came about as a way to celebrate not only our 30 years of business there, but to celebrate all things Tybee,” said Spriggs.

He wanted to do something unique that the island hasn’t seen before, and with Anderson’s help, NBBG was transformed into a winter wonderland for their first holiday pop up, which officially kicked off Sunday, Nov. 12 and lasts through Friday, Jan. 12. During that time span, guests will be dazzled by the grill, which is decked out with thousands of twinkling lights, and more than a dozen decorated trees hanging from the rafters. Festivities include Christmas karaoke, merry mixology classes, live musical performances and a tragic Christmas story open mic night where attendees can share their most harrowing holiday tales.

A particularly exciting event is the christening of a brand-new, life-size manatee, which a local artist created and donated to the grill.

“A manatee is our logo; it’s our theme. And she has created this 7-foot manatee that she will be presenting to the grill. We will run a contest for the naming of that manatee,” said Spriggs.

While the Ho Ho Holiday Pop Up is all about spreading Christmas cheer, Spriggs wanted to ensure that giving back was paramount. So he CONNECT SAVANNAH |

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| DECEMBER • 2023

is using the celebration to promote and help fundraise for local island charities.

“We’re highlighting four of the main nonprofits that are a significant part of Tybee Island and the local community: the Tybee Island Lighthouse, the Tybee Island Marine Science Center, the Tybee Post Theater and the Greater Savannah Humane Society,” he said.

Each nonprofit will have its own Christmas tree on display at the grill as a part of a friendly tree decorating competition. Visitors can vote for their favorite tree, while also receiving information about each organization and how to donate and volunteer. The winning nonprofit will receive a coveted cash prize. In addition to the competition, the nonprofits will present a special offer or festivity during the pop up. The humane society will bring adoptable puppies to NBBG for guests to interact with, and hopefully bring home, and the marine science center will offer free admission to families who attend the pop-up. Tybee Island Marine Science Center’s Director Chantal Audran said this holiday popup is the first event to bring Tybee’s nonprofits

together in this way. A lunch arranged by Anderson allowed nonprofit leaders to meet about the holiday pop-up, an opportunity Audran greatly enjoyed.

by that. If someone was in need, it didn’t really matter what your situation was, if you had any capacity to help, you answered that call,” he said.

“I’d only met them once before that and so it was a really sweet opportunity to get together, have some lunch and laugh. We’re all really hard workers and very busy. There were some businesses on the island that didn’t have the greatest year, but all of the nonprofits had a record-breaking year. So because of that, we’re exhausted and tired from all of our awesome hard work, so it was sweet to get together and commiserate,” said Audron. “We never really had that moment because we’re always grinding. It’s a sweet moment to group us in together, and then when we were decorating the trees, that was another great moment where we could tease each other and have a nice, healthy dose of competition.”

Naturally, Spriggs set out to ensure that NBBG’s 30th anniversary was centered on giving back to the community that has sustained him through the years.

Audran is thankful for the opportunity to get in the holiday spirit and benefit from the support of Spriggs, Anderson, and the Tybee community.

“Now we can focus on having fun and getting a little generosity given our way. It’s great,” she added.

She encourages the public to come out and participate in the grill’s holiday pop up festivities because it’s a wonderful way to show support for local nonprofits.

“We are so happy because it gives us exposure for a small nonprofit that’s growing. These kinds of events are great for visibility and exposure, so we’re really grateful to George for kind of being Tybee’s Santa right now,” Audran said.

Much like Mr. Claus, the concept of giving is not foreign to Spriggs.

“I was brought up in a family and an atmosphere and culture where that concept was instilled in us. . . You know the old adage, ‘it’s better to give than to receive,’ we took that seriously. I grew up seeing my parents . . . live

“If we can create a more favorable vision of Tybee for those who don’t know of it, for visitors, we will in turn benefit from it, and that way, it’s not all about us. It’s about the place in which we find ourselves, a place in which we’re earning our living and doing what we do. It’s about promoting and presenting that to the outside world,” said Spriggs.

The Ho Ho Holiday Pop Up is just one phase of the Grill Gives Back campaign, which will continue into 2024. Spriggs has plans for a Valentine’s Day pop up and special programming for St. Patrick’s Day as well as festivities surrounding Tybee-centric events like the annual Beach Bum Parade. He also plans to continue to promote and partner with local organizations that contribute to the community, particularly those that don’t get much recognition, “whether it’s the 4-H center or one of the churches, or the charter school system out here.”

He looks forward to more years of serving good food, providing a great atmosphere, and giving back to the island and the people who have supported him: “Having a business, especially one that has existed as long as we have, especially in this industry, it does not happen without the people. We make the commitment that we will do our very best, that every time you visit the grill, it’s at least as good as it was the last time you visited. And if that was enough to bring you back, we will try very hard to make sure we exceed it every time. Just keep coming.”

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| DECEMBER • 2023

North Beach Bar & Grill will host their Ho Ho Holiday Pop Up Celebration through Jan. 12. For more information about the festivities and an event calendar, visit northbeachbarandgrill.net/.

Family Fun All Month Long • •

• • • • • • •

Tragic Holiday Story Open Mic Nights Art for Kids with Tybee Island Lighthouse and the Tybee Island Marine Science Center Frozen hot chocolate Christmas Karaoke Puppy Cuddle Time Christmas Tree Voting Gospel Brunch Live Music Much more!

For a full calendar of events, and to vote on your favorite Christmas tree visit: northbeachbarandgrill.net/

WHAT ARE WE READING? Savannah’s Independent Bookstore since 1975 offering a selection of fiction, nonfiction, regional, and children’s books

PRESENTED AND CURATED BY E. SHAVER, BOOKSELLER THE TWELVE DATES OF CHRISTMAS BY JENNY BAYLISS When it comes to relationships, thirty-four-year-old Kate Turner is ready to say "Bah, humbug."

The sleepy town of Blexford, England, isn't exactly brimming with prospects, and anyway, Kate's found fulfillment in her career as a designer, and in her delicious side job baking for her old friend Matt's neighborhood café. But then her best friend signs her up for a dating agency that promises to help singles find love before the holidays. Twenty-three days until Christmas. Twelve dates with twelve different men. The odds must finally be in her favor . . . right?

THE HOLIDAY SWAP BY MAGGIE KNOX All they want for Christmas is a different life.

When chef Charlie Goodwin gets hit on the head on the L.A. set of her reality baking show, she loses a lot more than consciousness; she also loses her ability to taste and smell-both critical to her success as show judge. Meanwhile, Charlie's identical twin, Cass, is frantically trying to hold her own life together back in their quaint mountain hometown while running the family's bustling bakery and dealing with her ex, who won't get the memo that they're over.

With only days until Christmas, a desperate Charlie asks Cass to do something they haven't done since they were kids: switch places.

ONE DAY IN DECEMBER BY JOSIE SILVER Two people. Ten chances. One unforgettable love story.

Laurie is pretty sure love at first sight doesn’t exist anywhere but the movies. But then, through a misted-up bus window one snowy December day, she sees a man who she knows instantly is the one. Their eyes meet, there’s a moment of pure magic . . . and then her bus drives away.

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Certain they’re fated to find each other again, Laurie spends a year scanning every bus stop and cafe in London for him.

But she doesn’t find him, not when it matters anyway.

Instead they “reunite” at a Christmas party, when her best friend, Sarah, giddily introduces her new boyfriend to Laurie.

It’s Jack, the man from the bus. It would be.

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| DECEMBER • 2023

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FOOD & DRINK

EAT IT & LIKE IT PRESENTED BY SAVANNAH TECHNICAL COLLEGE

AMERICA’S SECOND HARVEST OF COASTAL GEORGIA: MAKING THEIR BIGGEST MOVE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON EAT IT AND LIKE IT

By Jesse Blanco eatitandlikeit.com It may have been over two decades ago, but this isn’t Mary Jane Crouch’s first rodeo. Not even close. As executive director of America's Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia, she's pretty much seen it all before.

“I was actually brought on board in 2001 to raise money to buy this building,” she said.

The building she’s referring to is the current home of America’s Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia and Kids Café on President Street in Savannah. It will only be their home for roughly the next 60 days.

You see, America’s Second Harvest and their entire operation is movin’ on up to a brand spankin’ new facility on Chatham Parkway. It’s a project that has been in the works for roughly three years. The new building will be double the size of their current operation.

“We’re excited,” she said. “Our storage space will be double. Our kitchen will be double the size, and our volunteer center will be double the size.”

The need has been there for quite some time. Most of the community has no idea just how much food goes through America’s Second Harvest’s doors. They are currently providing 4,200 meals PER DAY out of their Kids Café. When you figure in the formulas that government agencies provide to determine how much food they hand out, Mary Jane said they distribute roughly 19 million meals per year to 21 counties across Coastal Georgia.

The meals go to places like after school programs, the Boys and Girls Club, YMCA and the Salvation Army branches. They also provide food to shelters, pantries and Senior Citizen Brown Bag programs. Their reach is massive. The pure volume is not only the proof, but also an indicator of the daily needs in this area.

That’s one reason why Mary Jane says there was a little bit of hand wringing when it came time to find a location for their new home.

“People were telling us we need to look at Bryan County and places like that. But most of the people we serve are here in Chatham County,” she said. “Not to mention asking our employees to drive that far out to a new food bank. We couldn’t do that.”

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She shared Atlanta’s food bank lost a double-digit percentage of their staff when they moved from center Atlanta to a space near the airport. She wasn’t going to take that risk.

“We needed to be near the interstate and away from flood zones. That was the hardest part of this process, finding the right location.”

The good news is the move, and the new facility are practically paid for. She says they are within striking distance of covering all their costs. Their current location has an offer for purchase. That is sitting in escrow until they are ready to move into their new building.

It may look like it from here, but I’m sure Mary Jane would laugh at me saying this has all been ‘easy.’ What they do is never ‘easy.’ It is the result of lots of hard work and dedication from both employees and volunteers. It would be impossible to do it without them.

Believe it or not, the cupboards are already full. Here we are at the holiday season, and they are at capacity on food with no real need for anything. That may be the first time I’ve ever heard that from a food bank, but it is certainly

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wonderful news.

They do, however, have an ask. “We usually get a grant to allow us to buy turkeys every year.” Mary Jane said, “We didn’t get it this year. So, we had to spend about $45,000 buying turkeys in time for Thanksgiving.”

FRIENDS OF CATHEDRAL MUSIC presents

That is money they are actively trying to recoup from the community today. A $10 donation would go a very long way in that regard. You can find a link on their homepage— helpendhunger.org.

Every little bit helps, of course.

But Mary Jane doesn’t seem too worried about it. “We have a good base of donors.

They realize what our needs are every month.” Including during the holidays.

CHRISTMAS at the

CATHEDRAL

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17 | 5:00 P.M. The Cathedral Choir and Chamber Orchestra present their annual program of music for Advent and Christmas.

With Thanks

SAVANNAHCATHEDRAL.ORG/FRIENDS-OF-CATHEDRAL-MUSIC-CONCERT-SERIES/ CONNECT SAVANNAH |

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HOLIDAY RECIPES

Sue J. Hendricks and Christopher E. Hendricks, "Old Southern Cookery: Mary Randolph’s Recipes from America’s First Regional Cookbook Adapted for Today’s Kitchen" (Guilford, Connecticut: Globe Pequot, 2020).

"Old Southern Cookery" began as a gift. My mother, an excellent cook and journalist, collected cookbooks.

One day while he was traveling, my father ran across an early edition of what is arguably the first American cookbook, "The Virginia Housewife", which was written and published by Mary Randolph in 1824, and brought it home as a present. Randolph, a cousin of Thomas Jefferson’s, ran a boarding house in Richmond and became famous for her cooking. Her book, the first published collection of Southern recipes, was a huge success and went through nineteen editions before the Civil War and remains available today. The problem is that Randolph uses expressions such as “when the fire by ready” for temperatures and imprecise measurements.

Fascinated, my mother went through the recipes and created contemporary versions of them noting modern temperatures, measurements, substitute ingredients, etc. A few years ago, I was helping my parents move and stumbled my mother’s recipes in a box. I spent time researching the history of cookbooks, Mary Randolph, and "The Virginia Housewife", edited the recipes, added headnotes, wrote introductory commentaries, and gave the manuscript to my mother as a Christmas present, with Randolph’s original 1824 recipes on one side of the page and the modern version on the other.

As the book came out around the time the Isaiah Davenport House was built and the museum uses "The Virginia Housewife" in its presentations and interpretation, we partnered with the Historic Savannah Foundation and gave them the book. All proceeds from sales go to support the Davenport Museum and the mission of the Historic Savannah Foundation.

Good recipes never fade; Randolph’s food is delicious.

- Christopher E. Hendricks

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Asparagus Chicken Soup MAKES ONE POT / SERVES 4 A well-stocked nineteenth-century kitchen would have had a variety of sieves and strainers of different gauges for purposes such as removing chaff from grain, sifting flour, or separating solid and liquid objects. Sieves would have been made with a wooden or metal mesh, or simply by punching holes into sheet metal. For pressing vegetables into a pulp, a wide mesh is best, or if one is not available, a boiling basket or metal colander. Or it is possible to puree the vegetables in a food processor or blender.

Ingredients

White Sauce

• • • • •

In a small saucepan, whisk together the flour and butter; add the milk a little at a time, whisking to incorporate. Bring to boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until the sauce has thickened. You may add more milk for a thinner sauce.

• • • •

1 large bunch asparagus ¼ pound bacon 1 medium onion, chopped Salt and pepper, to taste 1 cup cubed (Approximately 5 ounces), cooked chicken 1 cup white sauce (recipe below) 2 tablespoons of flour 2 tablespoons of butter, melted 1 cup milk

Add the white sauce to the chicken and asparagus soup, blend well, and return to low heat until warmed through. Serve hot.

Old Southern Cookery, pa. 3

Wash the asparagus and cut 1 inch off the tops, saving the tops in a bowl of cold water.

Cut the asparagus stalks into 1-inch pieces and place them in a medium saucepan with the bacon, onion, salt, and pepper. Add enough water to cover, and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to medium and continue to simmer 10 to 12 minutes, or until the asparagus is soft.

Remove the asparagus from the saucepan and press through a fine mesh sieve into the stock.

Strain the remaining stock, discard the bacon pieces and onion, and return the broth to the saucepan.

Add the chicken and asparagus tops to the saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer 10 minutes.

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Citrus Apple Pie MAKES ONE PIE / SERVES 6 Mary Randolph's name for this recipe was "To Make an Orange Pudding." Pudding in Great Britain can either be used as a general word for a sweet dessert, or refer to any number of specific sweet or savory dishes often cooked by boiling in a bag. In this instance, Randolph's recipe describes a pie baked in a pastry crust.

Pie Filling

Puff Pastry

• • • • •

Puff pastry is a light, flakey, buttery pastry used to make croissants and crusts for any variety of dishes. The key is the repeated folding and chilling. Puff pastry is also available in your grocer’s freezer case.

•

1 large orange, whole unpeeled 1 large lemon, whole unpeeled 2 ¼ cups sugar 6 apples, peeled and sliced Puff pastry shell and strips of dough (recipe below) 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional)

In a pot over high heat, boil the whole unpeeled orange and lemon in enough water to cover for 30 minutes. Allow the fruit to cool, then slice thinly, and seed.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Prepare the Puff Pastry shell and dough strips Combine the sugar with 1 ½ cups water in a saucepan over medium-high heat, bring to a boil, stirring, and reduce the heat to medium. Add the apple slices and cook for ten minutes. Add the orange and lemon slices and simmer for 30 to 40 minutes or until tender. If the juice is runny, stir in 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and mix well to thicken.

• • •

1 cup flour, sifted 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, frozen Plastic wrap

Lightly knead together the flour and ¼ cup cold water.

Coarsely grate the butter and cut it into the pastry. Wrap the pastry in plastic and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

On a floured surface, roll the pastry out into a rectangle about ½ inch thick. Fold in thirds like a letter. Rewrap and refrigerate for another 30 minutes.

Roll out again, fold, and refrigerate 2 more times. On the final time, chill for 1 hour. If not ready for use, place pastry in a tightly sealed container. It may be refrigerated for several days or frozen for 1 month before using.

Old Southern Cookery, pa. 171

Pour the mixture into a pastry shell. Weave the strips of dough into a lattice top, and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until the pastry begins to brown.

Old Southern Cookery, pa. 175.

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MUSIC & CLUBS

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY NORDISTA FREEZE

NORDISTA FREEZE TRANSPORTS SPACE PROM TO SAVANNAH

By Frank Ricci

than Savannah favorite Nordista Freeze?

VICTORY NORTH THURSDAY, JAN. 18, 2024 DOORS @ 6:30 PM | SHOW @ 8 PM

The Nashville indie rocker has been through the Hostess City several times in the last five years and considers the city a second home. He’s been running Space Prom in his town since 2018, and despite missing one for obvious reasons, it has grown every year.

The high school prom has evolved in form and function over its 120-year history.

Initially reserved for college seniors, symbolizing their ascension to adulthood, the ritual moved to the high school realm in the 1890s. These became formal events, with people wearing their Sunday best to celebrate reaching the graduation milestone.

The junior prom was added, the dances became more elaborate, prom kings and queens were introduced, and in the modern era, “promposals” became viral on social media. The consistent theme is a good time, music to dance to, and a night to make memories.

You might think that opportunity ends when you’re all grown up and out of high school. It’s not. And who else to deliver it

Freeze explains the history of Space Prom…

“Okay, so back in 2018, I was doing a lot of different things. I mean I was completely myself, and in Nashville, it’s extremely competitive. There's an oversaturation of music and culture, and from my perspective, if you're going to have people attend a show in Nashville, you really have to step it up and make it more than just a show,” Freeze said.

“I thought of how I could throw an event with visual artists and a theme, and I did a couple of them, but I thought up Space Prom and the idea of dressing up and going CONNECT SAVANNAH |

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to prom and reclaim it and make it fun for everybody in a retro-futuristic way with music of the past eras. I had eight different bands cover different dance or prom music from the 30s to the 90s.”

The big idea came to fruition in the humblest of locations.

“Yeah, it was at a Chinese buffet called Lucky Bamboo with an old wooden, gymnasium-type dance hall thing in the back.

And you know, I just went there one day and wrote down a date on a piece of paper. They said, ‘you're good.’ [We] had no idea what would happen, and over 500 people showed up. It was beyond capacity. They were so overjoyed they created a makeshift buffet where people could get food for cheap, and everybody was just dressed to the tens, and I couldn't believe it. This was a total anomaly and it got everyone's attention.”

That it did, and the event continued to evolve. The following years saw Space Prom move to larger Nashville venues including

Mercy Lounge with a 500-person capacity.

Year three was at Basement East (650) and year four was Cannery Ballroom (1000). Now, it is held at Brooklyn Bowl Nashville, a modern two-level 1200-person capacity venue.

Every iteration of Space Prom has sold out.

Musically, the show has become more focused on Nordista Freeze and his band playing covers, with frequent special guests, focusing on disco and dance music from the 70s to the 90s, but without limitations. The first foray out of Nashville has been plotted for some time, and when the time arrived to take the show on the road, Kyle Brown of Dog Days Presents and Savannah were easy decisions.

“We've talked about taking on the road for years. And you know, I think that’s part of what makes it special, the secret sauce, is that it's us and what we do and the songs we choose. We don't just pick the top 40 songs of 1986 or something, you know, we have songs that people know and some that people don't know. I'm up there doing "Bad Manners" or some stuff that I genuinely enjoy we're

pushing, and so in a lot of ways we try to create a culture with it that is very true to who we are and the energy that we believe in,” Freeze explains.

That vibe carries over to the promotion of Space Prom. Freeze and Brown have a history that goes back to Sept. 2019 when a persistent Freeze convinced Brown, who was booking for El Rocko Lounge at the time, that he’d be okay playing a Monday night show. To call it sparsely attended would be kind. But the payoff, an opening gig at The Jinx during Savannah Stopover, was the polar opposite. The joint was packed, almost surely over legal capacity, and the crowd went berserk. “After that Monday night, I gave Freeze a good show. It was the last Saturday of the Stopover festival and the last Saturday before the pandemic. It was pretty notable. Ever since that show, people know who he is. He really made a statement that night. That’s when he arrived,” Brown said.

He’s played several packed shows in town since at Victory North, District Live and El Rocko, drawing large, enthusiastic crowds.

During that time, Space Prom grew and gained attention outside of Nashville.

“I don’t know if they expected Space Prom to blow up, but the rooms got bigger, the shows got more insane, and the guest list got better. I’d talk to people, and they all knew what Space Prom is,” Brown added.

Given Nordista Freeze’s popularity in Savannah and his reputation for putting on a killer show, that bit of knowledge is set to explode come January.

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PARTING SHOT

SAVANNAH CHRISTMAS MARKET NOVEMBER 16 - JANUARY 1 PLANT RIVERSIDE DISTRICT • 400 W. RIVER STREET Enjoy a European-style outdoor holiday market as well as live performances, children’s activities, photos with Santa and a wide range of holiday-themed food and drink options. You’ll find something for everyone on your holiday shopping list at the Savannah Christmas Market. plantriverside.com

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CROSSWORD PUZZLE

"FREE-FLOWING"--IT'S THAT TIME AGAIN!

by Matt Jones

©2023 | Matt Jones

NOW OPEN

912.417.4940 I 1602 Waters Ave. Savannah themagicalworldoftoys.com I Tue-Sat 10-5, Sun 11-3

ACROSS 1. Way to travel from Victor Hugo to Voltaire 6. 1962 Crystals hit "___ a Rebel" 9. Toast site 12. ___ FrisÈ (poofy breed) 13. Bus. numbers 15. ___ B. Wells (civil rights icon) 16. Suck it up?

17. Superior to 18. ___ & Bradstreet (credit-rating firm) 19. Like scratch-andsniff stickers 20. The "real me", maybe 22. Arctic reindeer herder 23. Append 24. "Ugly Betty" actress Ortiz 25. Ice cream stripe 29. Outdated name in a Beatles title 30. Summer 2023 phenomenon that takes about five hours to complete 33. "You've changed my mind" 36. Vocal range featured by The King's Singers 38. Sit and mope 41. Big name on a cup?

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disapproval 46. "See ya" 48. Lack 50. "Euphoria" network 51. Nickname of an ex in a big 2023 memoir 52. Like some Navy rescues 53. Key below X 54. Good thing to feel?

55. Zombielike 56. Rooibos or oolong 57. Conductor ___-Pekka Salonen 58. Harassed DOWN 1. Philippines' secondlargest island 2. Neighborhood near Dodger Stadium 3. "Movin' Out" choreographer Twyla 4. Lead, for one 5. Linear 6. What poblano peppers passably pack 7. Some mushroom payoffs, in most Mario games 8. 2003 NBA Rookie of the Year Amar'e 9. Commander's superiors?

10. Full-grown animals 11. Sought, as an office 12. Sci. locale with microscopes 14. Tore 21. Footnote material

25. Action film adventurer Williams 26. Returns something late, maybe 27. Call routing systems 28. Five-in-a-row board game created in 1978 31. Often-imitated 1976 movie character 32. Docs that use endoscopes 34. Check beneficiary 35. Silica gel pack warning 37. Actress Phylicia of "Creed" 38. In order to 39. Lacking the knowhow 40. Crazy Horse, for one 44. Cringe-inducing things, in recent slang 45. Singing D&D classes 47. Mode of "The Incredibles" 48. Apply haphazardly 49. Essen article CROSSWORD ANSWERS

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