GIM March/April 2024

50 THE GREAT OUTDOORS:

Our styled beauty shoot pairs a natural makeup palette with boho styles from The GC Boutique while also embracing the stunning landscape at Village Creek Landing on St. Simons Island.

le o te ts

61 VIOLET AND THE VOICES:

Kelly and Olivia Anderson, a local mother-daughter duo, share positive messages in their children’s books, helping to promote a healthy body, mind, and outlook.

56 SENSATIONAL SKIN:

Seasonal changes mean it’s time to give your skin some extra TLC and Island Day Spa shares tips to give faces that special springtime glow.

66 EGG-CELLENT EASTER OUTFITS:

Local children’s boutiques share sweet seasonal looks for church, play, or other springtime outings.

74 WALKING THE RUNWAY:

Editor Lindsey Adkison shares her experience as one of 2023’s CASA Fashion Show’s models, during a fundraising event for the nonprofit each spring at The Cloister on Sea Island.

Photo

3011 Altama Ave, Brunswick GA 31520

Publisher Buff Leavy

Editor Lindsey Adkison

Director of Advertising and Marketing

Jenn Agnew

Assistant Editor Lauren McDonald Proofer

Account Executives

Contributing Writers

Contributing Photographers

Heather Murray

David Colvin

Kasey Rowell

Taylor Cooper

Terry Dickson

Sebastian Emanuel

Michael Hall

Sam Ghioto

Ronda Rich

Priscilla Boudreau

Derrick Davis

Terry Dickson

Riley Dukes

Michael Hall

Leslie Hand

Michelle Holton

Sam Ghioto

Annaliese Kondo

Kyle Morgan

Contributing Designers

Stacey Nichols

Donte Nunnally

Terry Wilson

Golden Isles Magazine is published six times per year by Brunswick News Publishing Company

To subscribe online to Golden Isles Magazine, go to goldenislesmagazine.com/subscribe

Submissions

Golden Isles Magazine is in need of talented contributors. Unsolicited queries and submissions of art and stories are welcome.

Please include an email address and telephone number. Submit by email to the editor, Lindsey Adkison: ladkison@goldenislesmagazine.com or by mail to 3011 Altama Ave, Brunswick. Only work accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope will be returned.

Advertising

Information regarding advertising and rates is available by contacting Jenn Agnew at 912-265-8320, ext. 356 or by email at jagnew@thebrunswicknews.com; Kasey Rowell at 912-2658320 ext. 334 or by email at krowell@ thebrunswicknews.com; or David Colvin at 912-265-8320 ext. 304 or by email at dcolvin@thebrunswicknews.com

All content is copyright of Golden Isles Magazine, a publication of Brunswick News Publishing Company. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without express written permission from the publisher. We have sought to ensure accuracy and completeness of the content herein, but neither Golden Isles Magazine nor the publisher assumes responsibility for any errors, inaccuracies, omissions, or other inconsistencies, including those related to quotations. We reserve the right to refuse advertising. All advertisements appearing herein are accepted and published on the representation that the advertiser is properly authorized to publish the entire contents and subject matter thereof. All ads are paid advertisements and/or gifts given as part of a contractual agreement regarding Brunswick News Publishing Company. Neither Golden Isles Magazine nor the publisher is responsible for any statements, claims, or representations made by contributing writers,

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The Beautiful Moments Editor’s Note

This year’s Beauty issue started earlier than any other I’ve done. I wrote my first story in April 2023 when I was a part of CASA’s spring fashion show (such a blast by the way, I wrote an entire feature on it). I remember being holed up in the Cloister with dozens of other ladies, gorgeous garments, and smiles galore. Of course, at the helm of the event was Kam Throckmorton, local superstar and one of the Isles’ best-loved humans. The woman breathes beauty into everything she touches, so it only follows that something she helped create would shine.

Then, we did our cover shoot in May 2023 — it was Cinco de Mayo, I remember … randomly — at Village Creek Landing. That was also loads of fun and we didn’t even have margaritas. The VCL folks were so kind to let us have the run of the place … not a bad way to spend a morning, that’s for sure.

We styled our stunning (and incredibly sweet) model Rayna — hair by Mack and makeup by Gerald — and photos were snapped by our best gal, Priscilla. Sure, it was technically “work,” but it didn’t feel like it. There was constant laughter and the hours flew by. And the results … well, you’ll see.

This issues offers you that along with some of the good ol’ fashioned beauty tips you’ve come to expect. As I mentioned, we have our fabulous beauty shoot, where we showcase some lovely looks, courtesy of The GC Boutique, with complimenting natural makeup and must-have hair styles.

No matter how small or big your wrist or fingers are, silver or gold or a bit of both,

we’ll

No matter how small or big your wrist or fingers are, silver or gold or a bit of both, we’ll make you something comfortable and lasting.

No matter how small or big your wrist or fingers are, silver or gold or a bit of both, we’ll make you something

Another feature session that stuck with me was meeting Kelly and Olivia Anderson. They are a mother-daughter duo who’ve made it their mission to spread the gospel of positive thinking through their children’s book, Violet and the Voices.

Beauty was, obviously, at the heart of each of these interactions. But it also dawned upon me that these were beautiful in themselves. The camaraderie for a great cause, the laughter, the bond between a mother and her daughter — these were so simple, so pure, and absolutely beautiful moments.

I share my experience as a CASA fashion show model and take you guys behind the scenes for a peek at the magic. We talk to the local ladies who penned the book, Violet and the Voices, and get their take on the importance of navigating mental negativity and societal pressures.

We also feature four local children’s clothing merchants who share adorable Easter outfits. Last but never least, we pop by Island Day Spa where esthetician Missy Rabine walks us through one of her fabulous facials, while sharing her tips for sensational skin. We’re excited to share it all.

Stay beautiful, my friends, and breathe in those pretty moments every chance you get.

Love you, lovelies —  Lindsey

I know it’s a message I visit again and again but that’s because it’s true. The makeup, the clothes, the hair, it’s all fun stuff but the real beauty lies in the intangible. It’s felt rather than seen.

Photo By Haustin Lee

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Cover

Lisa Ammons Pearce: Oh my! Absolutely perfect. Words won’t come … so proud of this young woman. She has places to go and folks to see. She is an inspiration!

Ronne Lebow: Great cover! Can’t wait to see it!

Christy Milnes Hall: What a beautiful cover girl!

Jan Sammon McGoogan: I love this so much! What a doll!

Anne Packard: Love, love, love this!

The Dish: A Moveable Feast

Donna Pittman Flythe Maxwell: It’s one of my favorite places for lunch. I love to meet a friend there for great conversation, wonderful food, and friendly prompt service. My favorite is the salmon for an entree and I love the black bean soup. (Ask for a dollop of cilantro cream on top!)

Word On The Street

facebook.com/goldenislesmag

instagram.com/goldenislesmag

twitter.com/goldenislesmag

If you prefer to send us your comments by email, contact Editor Lindsey Adkison at ladkison@goldenislesmagazine.com. Anything posted to our social media accounts or emailed directly to the editor will be considered for publication. Comments may be edited for clarity or grammar.

Lynn Flygar Goldblatt: Always a great time and a wonderful meal!

Katie Fitzgerald: Best of the best! Tanya and her team have it all together. Delish and great service … and it’s SO FRESH!

@emilyburtondesigns: One of my lunch favs! It’s quiet and quaint

Bruce K. Edwards: One of our favorite lunch spots. Great food and service.

Suzanne Johnson Clements: Wonderful food and atmosphere!

A Star is Born: A Chat with Brantley Kate Jones

Kimberly Tillman Faulk: I love this issue! And I love to see her paving the way for my little one one and others too!

Janice Clements Lamattina: This was a great issue. Thank you!

@peacelove1stgrade: A talented local beauty!

For the Long Haul: Bruce and Anke Hildreth

Frank Vecchione: Two great people! One great couple. Love you guys!

Kathy Marks: Way to go. I love their energy and the way they love each other.

Dawn Usher-Schlich: Love the article! Y’all are an inspiration.

Danny-Jane Causey: Love this couple! Great article!

Kelly Peters: This is absolutely fantastic!

QAN INFORMATIVE LINEUP OF THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE GOLDEN ISLES

Springtime Hofwyl-Broadfield

WORDS BY TERRY DICKSON

With the coming of spring, people like to get outdoors, and there’s plenty of room at Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation Historic Site in Brunswick. And there are lots of activities to offer excitement.

The park recently observed Super Museum Sunday on Feb. 11 with free admission and a Black History Month program, site Manger Bill Giles says.

The Black History Month observance included performances by Gullah-Geechee Shouters from McIntosh County and a presentation by genealogists who have interviewed descendants of slaves who worked the rice plantation.

The park has abandoned one event that took a lot of preparation and lasted only a few frenzied minutes, the annual Easter egg hunt, and replaced it with another, a scavenger hunt, that will last five weeks this year, March 1-April 7.

The scavenger hunt has been

“hugely successful,” Giles says.

“It’s a lot more fun and a lot less worry,” he adds.

The scavenger hunt teaches a lot more than the Easter egg hunt in which the young competitors focused “on getting the most eggs or chocolate bunnies,” he says.

The scavenger hunt was modeled on the Hundred Acre Wood, the fictional setting for A.A. Milne’s Winnie the Pooh series of children’s stories.

Children follow clues to sites on the former rice plantation and identify missing letters that form a phrase. Once they have the missing word, they go back to the visitor center for a prize.

“They learn something about the history of the plantation and of the area,” Giles says.

The event typically draws 400 to 500 youngsters accompanied by their parents or grandparents.

Also on April 6, artists will come to

the park and set up easels and break out paint and mineral spirits for the annual Albert’s Plein Air Affair. It is name for Albert Fendig, a retired lawyer and trustee of Hofwyl-Broadfield, who gave his time to establish historic entities including the Coastal Georgia Historical Society.

The plein air artists come from around Georgia, as well as Fernandina Beach, Jacksonville, and other areas in Florida.

Fendig, a plein air painter himself, rides in a golf cart from artist to artist checking out what they’ve brushed onto the canvases. There were about 50 painters in 2023, and Giles said getting a lot of artists is important.

The artists have a lot of options with the antebellum plantation house, the farm buildings and equipment, the panorama of the former rice fields, and the ancient live oaks.

Many find some detail among those choices to paint, a bedroom in the preserved slave quarters, a lamp-lit window

under the eaves on the second floor of the plantation house or the sweeping lower limbs that buttress an oak.

Some visitors take as much interest looking over artists’ shoulders as Fendig does, but Giles says, “Albert is the star of the show. A lot of the people are coming because they want to see Albert.”

That includes artists and visitors, he adds.

Gordon Strother, who replaced Fendig when he retired, says the plein air event pays dividends well past the days the artists paint.

The paintings go into a traveling art exhibit that makes stops at the Horton Gallery at Southeast Georgia Health System, the St. Simons visitor center, and the Old Jail Art Center in Darien.

Fendig has done a lot of work for the park, and his involvement with the arts is just a portion of it.

“We did it to honor his commitment,” Strother says of the creation of the Albert’s Plein Air Affair.

Come spring, the painters will again interpret the sights of Hofwyl-Broadfield, There is plenty to interpret.

• For more information about Hofwyl-Broadfield’s springtime happenings, visit gastageparks. org/hofwylbroadfieldplantation.

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Chili

for a

Rotary of the Golden Isles Shares Cause

WORDS BY MICHAEL HALL

IIt takes a while to prepare 60 quarts of chili. Buddy Stein knows that better than most.

On March 2, he will compete in the 22nd Red Hot Rotary Chili Cookoff, an annual event hosted by the Golden Isles Rotary Club. Stein has never missed. This will be his 22nd year competing.

“It’s a lot of work, but it’s worth it,” Stein says.

He and his team, Iron Chef Chili, start preparing their vat of warm chili goodness the night before the event. It requires a few hours’ worth of chopping the various peppers, onions, and other vegetable ingredients and properly cooking 15 lbs. of ground beef and 15 lbs. of sausage.

Then, with some other secret ingredients to make the chili extra special, the cooks slowly marry the flavors overnight in a pot large enough to feed around 2,000 people.

“Last year, we served every bit of it,” Stein says. “We finally ran out when it ended at around 3 p.m.”

The event has grown since the early days, when Stein and other competitors — about eight or nine the first year, he says — served their chili outside Gnats Landing in the Redfern Village. Today, thousands of people flock to Postell Park on the first Saturday of March. It has become a Golden Isles tradition to raise money for causes supported by the Golden Isles Rotary Club.

“The fundraising event was the idea of Joel Coble, who has since left the area, and was based on the success of the Brunswick Stewbiliee,” says Emily Coiner, head Chilitarian for the Rotary Club this year. “All the proceeds go to local organizations that help children and families.”

Today, dozens of teams compete, ranging from local restaurants to area nonprofit organizations, and some people like Stein, who makes his chili team a family affair, Coiner says.

something old, something new, something borrowed,

Something Blue

“Last year, over 70% of our teams were organizations other than restaurants,” Coiner said.

Stein says his two adult sons, twins, bring their families to town, and together they whip up their award-winning recipe for the competition.

He and all the competitors are then judged by a panel of judges for the juried competition. There’s also the coveted People’s Choice Award that is given to the team that receives the most votes throughout the day.

“Each attendee is given three People’s

Choice tickets to vote for their favorites,” Coiner says. “We ask teams to make a minimum of 15 gallons of chili so they have enough to serve all the tasters. It is a big commitment. If you run out too soon, you won’t get the People’s Choice votes.”

Accolades given at the end of the cookoff include first, second, and third places for both the judges’ and People’s Choice awards.

“There are also awards for Most Unique chili, for Best Heat (not necessarily the hottest), and for Best Booth Theme,” Coiner says.

Stein has earned several of those awards over the years, nabbing trophies and plaques along the way. But don’t expect Stein to make chili the rest of the year.

“I only cook it once a year,” he says. “It’s for a great cause and it’s a fun event for everyone.”

The Red Hot Rotary Chili Cookoff is from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on March 2 at Postell Park, near the St. Simons Island Casino. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 10 and under. Tickets are available in advance or at the door.

EChrist Church of Homes Returning for 71st Year

lizabeth Killgallon is what they call a “cradle-born” Episcopalian. For 19 of her years, she’s been a member of Christ Church Frederica on St. Simons Island.

While her church membership is certainly rooted in faith, it’s also served as an opportunity to engage in outreach. And joining

Christ Church’s famed Tour of Homes has been a major part of that mission.

“I’ve worked on the tour in various roles, from being a docent to logistics to the luncheon, here and there, throughout the years,” she says.

This year, however, she’s taking on her big-

gest role yet — chair. While she’s the point lady, she is quick to add that she has plenty of help.

“We restructured the tour leadership. Sharon Autenbaugh, who served as chairwoman last year, is the chair emeritus. I’m the 2024 tour chair and Angela Harrison is the vice chair,” she explains.

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“Next year, I’ll be chair emeritus and Angela will be the chair. So it’s an evergreen leadership for the tour to make things more streamlined. It’s about continuity and ease for those running the tour.”

That’s a key component of the tour, especially considering it’s been a part of the community for more than 70 years. But while consistency is important, so too is offering something new.

Killgallon says this year the event, which will be held March 16, will feature homes located in the exclusive Frederica Township community.

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“Frederica is somewhat new and it’s a community with a small membership component,” she says. “We’re thrilled that they agreed to let us choose the homes in there. The Frederica HOA has been wonderful to work with. We’re excited for people to get to go there and see what is behind those gates.”

Six of the community’s homes will be available for viewing. Tour-goers will also have the option of joining a VIP luncheon held at the picturesque Frederica Boathouse. It will include a gourmet boxed lunch prepared by the Frederica Culinary Team along with a presentation by Wheeler Bryan, a local historian.  He will discuss the history of the Frederica area from colonial times through the development of today’s community. There will be sessions at 11:30 a.m. and another at 1 p.m.

Tickets are $200 for the VIP option and $75 for general admission. Those may be purchased at christchurchtourofhomes2024.eventbee.com.

For Killgallon, the tour offers participants a chance to see some of the Isles’ most breathtaking homes. But there’s more to it.

“It’s not just a way to see pretty homes. It really does so much for local charities … and not just one. It’s not like going to a gala for one charity, you’re donating to an organization that is going to impact almost 20,” she says.

Last year alone, the tour generated more than $150,000 which was distributed to area nonprofits via a grant program managed by the Christ Church Episcopal Church Women’s Organization.

PEDALS

Some of the 2023 recipients include Operation Bed Spread (OBS), a 501c3 that supplies beds to children in need. Killgallon says it made a tangible impact.

“Through the grant, OBS was able to provide over 50 beds and as of today, there are over 150 children on that waitlist,” she says.

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Other organizations that have benefited include House of Hope, which provides a residential program to victims of sex trafficking; Morningstar Children and Family Services, a campus for children in foster care; and Hope 1312 Collective, a group that supports children in the foster care system.

For Killgallon, seeing the impact the tour makes in the community is incredibly fulfilling.

“While the planning process has been fun and exciting, it’s even more rewarding to know that the work we are doing will literally change so many lives in our community,” she says.

“My faith is a huge part of my life and has guided me through each and every day. My hope is that my work with the tour will spread that faith and love to so many in need.”

• The Christ Church Tour of Homes will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 16. Tickets are $200 for the VIP option, which includes a gourmet boxed lunch and presentation at the Frederica Boathouse. General admission tickets are $75. They may be purchased at christchurchtourofhomes2024.eventbee.com. Attendees will park at the church and will be bused to the private Frederica Township community on St. Simons Island.

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to Return March 2

Women of the Golden Isles will come together again in March for an event that allows them to embrace all things fabulous while supporting an important cause.

The 11th annual Wine Women & Shoes fundraiser will be hosted from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 2 at a new location, Queen & Grant in downtown Brunswick. Also new this year will be a per-

formance from local band Suzy & the Bird Dogs.

Proceeds raised will support Hospice of the Golden Isles. The presenting sponsor is Stambaugh Aviation.

The event includes fine wines served by the Shoe Guys, lunch, an auction, and the chance to shop designer fashions.

“It’s just a good, fun, creative way to give back but also enjoy ourselves and celebrate being women,” says Brooke Baskin, event chair.

Sparkling tables seat 10 and cost $3,500. These tables have premium seating located closest to the stage. Each guest at a sparkling tables receives a signature event cocktail provided by Two Friends Bubble Bar, a premium gift, and will be the only guests who are served bubbles during the luncheon portion.

VIP tables seat 12, and tickets cost $250 each.

Wine Women & Shoes fundraisers are hosted across the United States and have raise more than $112.5 million since beginning in 2004. The local event also makes a significant annual impact.

Last year, the event sold out in just 18 days, Baskin says, while raising nearly $250,000.

Baskin was tapped to chair Wine Women & Shoes, this year, and she’s helped herald several changes, including the new location. For many year, the fundraiser took place on Sea Island and later on St. Simons. Bringing it to downtown Brunswick provides organizers with a chance to also highlight the local businesses in that area, Baskin says.

“With the white brick and the downtown area, it’s almost like a Beverly Hills Hotel, Palm Beach kind of theme,” she says. “Girly, VIP.”

National vendors will provide a chance to shop for items not usually available in this area, and the fashion show will promote local businesses.

Best in Shoes competition will also give women a chance to get creative with their footwear, Baskin says.

“It’s kind of back to how we used to do it when it was at Sea Island, more of a production,” Baskin says. “It’s going to be indoor-outdoor because we’ll have the courtyard prior to the event and then we’ll be inside the Queen & Grant for the fashion show and program.”

The cause is personal for Baskin, who has seen firsthand the kind of services Hospice provides to local families.

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“My stepfather was diagnosed with cancer very unexpectedly two years ago, and he passed away six weeks later,” she says. “Hospice just did such a great job of supporting my mom and my step-sister through the whole process through that six weeks of awfulness and that whole year after with the bereavement support groups and the bereavement therapy.”

Melissa Stroud, president of the Auxiliary of Hospice of the Golden Isles (AHGI), says this event support the community’s “hometown hospice.”

“My father-in-law spent his last days being cared for by HGI, and our entire family couldn’t be more grateful for the paramount care and compassion we received,” she says. “They provide that same quality of care in your home, in the hospital, in their facility — wherever you are. Doing that is very costly, and uncompensated care accounts for a large portion of that.”

Wine Women & Shoes allows the Auxiliary to bring a large audience together to do what we do best: educate and raise funds to

neighbors and families. They hear family impact statements. They see examples of exactly what their donated amount can provide, and they respond by giving so generously. It’s our largest fundraiser each and every year,” Stroud says.

Each year’s event brings a wave of positive energy, Baskin says, and the women who come together for a day of fun and fashion also know they’re supporting a solid local cause.

“Leave the husbands at home, leave the kids at home,” she says. “It’s just a bunch of ladies giving back to the community and being fabulous doing it.”

Baskin also encourages community members to support Hospice year-round and to support the local businesses that make Wine Women & Shoes possible.

“That’s what allows them to be so generous with us — shopping local,” Baksin says.

• To learn more, visit winewomenshoes.com/event/goldenisles. For more information on how to support Hospice of the Golden Isles,

Around the Town

QThroughout March

Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation will host its annual Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday at the historic site, 5556 U.S. Hwy 17, Brunswick. Park admission is free for those 5 and under. It is $5 for youths (ages 6 to 17); $8 for adults; and $7 for seniors. For more information, visit gastageparks.org/hofwylbroadfieldplantation.

march

March 1

The Brunswick Downtown Development Authority will host First Friday, a monthly block party in downtown Brunswick. It will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. along Newcastle and surrounding streets. For more information, visit discoverbrunswick.com.

March 2

The Golden Isles Rotary Club will host its annual Red Hot Chili Cookoff from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Postell Park on St. Simons Island. Teams will serve up their best recipes for judges and attendees to taste. Awards will be distributed. Tickets are $10 for adults and are available at EventBrite. com.

March 16

The 71st annual Christ Church Tour of Homes will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will feature homes in Frederica Township on St. Simons Island. There will be two tours — a morning session from 9 to 11 a.m. and a midday session from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. A VIP luncheon is also available which will include a box lunch at the Frederica Boathouse. Regular tour tickets are $75. VIP tickets are $200. All parking will be at Christ Church Frederica, 6329 Frederica Road, St. Simons Island. Buses will take attendees to

the homes. For tickets or more information, visit eventbee. com/v/christchurchtourofhomes2024#/tickets

March 17

A Special Afternoon of Jazz, celebrating the 90th birthday of local musician Phil Morrison, will be held at 3 p.m. at the Ritz Theatre in downtown Brunswick. It will also feature Ken Trimmins Jazz Collective and Keith Williams. The cost is $20 per person. For information, email Bonnie.Springer1@gmail. com. Tickets are available at goldenislesarts.org.

March 21 to 24

The Brunswick Tribute Festival, formerly the Georgia Elvis Festival, will feature a number of performers paying homage to musical legends including Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Johnny Cash, and more. It will include four Las Vegas style shows along with an Elvis Tribute Artist contest. For a complete listing of events, visit tributefestival.rocks/georgia.

March 27

The CASA Fashion Show will return to the Cloister on Sea Island with doors opening at 11:30 a.m. with the program following at noon. Lunch will be served and models will share fashions from area retailers. For tickets or more details, visit casaglynn.org.

april

April 5

The Brunswick Downtown Development Authority will host First Friday, a monthly block party in downtown Brunswick. It will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. along Newcastle and surrounding streets. For more information, visit discoverbrunswick.com.

Photo By Kyle Morgan

April 6

The 12th annual Albert Fendig Plein Air Affair will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation, 556 US Highway 17N, Brunswick. Artists will paint locations throughout the historic property. The works will also be exhibited in a traveling show around the Isles. Artists’ entry fee is $30. Park admission is free for those 5 and under. It is $5 for youths (ages 6 to 17); $8 for adults; and $7 for seniors. For more information, visit gastageparks.org/hofwylbroadfieldplantation.

April 5 to 7

The Blessing of the Fleet will be held April 5 to 7 along the Darien waterfront. Food, music, and entertainment will be offered. The blessing itself will be held at 2 p.m. April 7. For details, visit mcintoshchamber.com/blessing-of-the-fleet.com.

April 6 to 7

Glynn Visual Arts will host Art in the Park, a fine art festival, held in Postell Park on St. Simons Island. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It feature a number of artists both local and regional. For details, visit glynnvisualarts.org.

April 27

Cassina Garden Club will host its Tabby and Tillandsia

Garden Walk from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at gardens around St. Simons island. Tickets are $35 per person in advance or $40 at on tour day. They may be purchased online at cassinagardenclub.org or at local businesses including ACE Garden Center, GJ Ford Bookshop, and Righton Books, all on St. Simons Island. They may also be bought at the Will Call table at the tabby cabins, 1195 Arthur J. Moore Drive at Gascoigne Bluff on St. Simons Island. For more information, visit cassinagardenclub.org.

April 28

Music and Memories, an event benefitting Memory Matters of Glynn, will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. at the A.W. Jones Heritage Center at the lighthouse on St. Simons Island. Entertainers will share various kinds of music. Food, wine, and signature cocktails will be served. There will also be silent and live auctions. For tickets, visit EventBrite.com.

April 29

The Coastal Symphony of Georgia will hold its final concert of the season at 7:30 p.m. at Wesley Church at Frederica, 6520 Frederica Road, St. Simons Island. It will feature selections from Joseph Boulogne, Maurice Ravel, and Pyotr Tchaikovsky. Tickets are $50. For more information, visit coastalsymphonyorgeorgia.org.

&

The TabbyTillandsia Garden Walk

194

The cabins are 194 years old

There are no shortage of stunning homes and gardens in the Golden Isles. And in April they’re going to be on full display for another Tabby and Tillandsia Garden Walk, hosted by Cassina Garden Club.

Cassina was granted stewardship of the cabins by Glynn County commissioners in 1932 and were deeded the property in 1950

27th

The event serves a fundraising opportunity for the club, which manages the historic tabby cabins at Gascoinge Bluff. They were once part of the Hamilton Plantation where they housed enslaved persons prior to the Civil War. Today, Cassina offers tours with docents. They also manage the grounds and beautify the property. This year, the tour will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 27.

Tickets are $35 per person in advance or $40 at on tour day. They may be purchased online at cassinagardenclub.org or at local businesses including ACE Garden Center, GJ Ford Bookshop, and Righton Books, all on St. Simons Island. They may also be bought at the Will Call table at the tabby cabins, 1195 Arthur J. Moore Drive at Gascoigne Bluff on St. Simons Island. Read on to learn more about the event, the club, and the historic cabins:

The cabins were placed on the National Register of Historic places in 1988

This is the 18th garden walk 18th

140 Cassina garden club has around 140 members

6

There will be six gardens on the tour

800

Approximately 800 people participate in the garden walk

1830s

The tabby cabins are circa early 1830s

1928

Cassina Garden Club was founded in 1928

94

Authentic

Beauty

DUE SOUTH

staff. Every year, we agonized over finding a celebrity to judge the senior class for beauties and handsome young men. Ironically, the celebrity’s judgment always matched what all the students thought.

My junior year, our advisor assigned me the task of finding a national celebrity who would care about a little country high school in the rural South. It turned out to be one of my first big accomplishments.

WORDS BY RONDA RICH

WWilliam Shakespeare, he of Stratford-Upon-Avon, wrote “Beauty is bought by the judgement of the eye.”

Over two centuries, a novelist named Duchess, penned, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”

And, my Mama, a constant churn of wisdom and unwanted advice, borrowed an oft-used phrase to remind me, “Pretty is as pretty does.” In my first book, some 22 years ago, I wrote an entire chapter on those words and stories of Mama’s constant refrain.

For I had been a beautiful baby and toddler but the tide turned around the age of eight. There were a hard 10 years of being pretty only through my meager actions, certainly not physically. Recently, Tink and I saw a family at dinner, celebrating their 10-year-old’s accomplishment of earning straight A’s.

The academic star was pleasingly plump with rosy, full cheeks, a smattering of freckles, and shoulder length reddish-brown hair.

“See that little girl,” I said to Tink. “That was me at her age. She’s not pretty now but I suspect that she will turn into a beauty of some degree. Nature is funny like that.”

Two years ago, the yearbook advisor from my high school asked if I would judge the high school “beauties and beaux.”

I said, “yes” immediately. Too quickly, in fact, but my reasoning was sound: For four years, I worked on the yearbook

Actor Burt Reynolds and country singer, Jerry Reed, were two of the hottest stars in America, thanks to the success of “Smokey and the Bandit”. The movie, practically single-handedly, saved Pontiac’s sports car, the Trans Am, and became a box office smash.

Remember that, back in those days, there were no internet or email so tracking down anyone was quite a task. I went to the library to read endless magazine and newspaper stories about Jerry Reed until one article mentioned that he was managed by a man named Harry Warner in Nashville. Somehow, I found an address for him on Music Row (17th Avenue, I think) and wrote to ask if Jerry Reed would judge for our yearbook.

A beautiful letter from Warner on ivory stationery, which I still have somewhere, said that Jerry would be happy to do it. Warner sent his phone number and asked me to call. The principal, quite impressed with this resourcefulness, smiled proudly as he watched me call Nashville from his phone.

For a few weeks, once the secret leaked out, I was one of the most popular girls in school.

That is why I said “yes” when I was asked. I made one rule: “Number them, don’t name them because I don’t want to be influenced should I know someone’s family.”

When a zip folder of the photos arrived by email, I immediately regretted it. In my hands, I held someone’s self-esteem. My stomach turned. One young woman, painfully thin, had an eating disorder, I surmised.

Others had breast implants, tattooed eyebrows, and injected lips. At 17! Some wore provocative clothing that were unseemly. Hollywood had done this to a generation of women who believe that they have to look like actors. I determined that I would choose the five most naturally pretty girls and, for the guys, I even joyously picked a cute redhead with freckles.

When I returned my choices, I was fairly certain that I had chosen the most unexpected ones. But I had prayed over it and believed that I did my best.

Several months later, I was at the beauty shop when a woman came over to introduce herself and her daughter who had long dark hair and a sweet shyness.

“You chose my daughter as a beauty. I want to thank you profoundly. She has always struggled with her self-esteem but she is a different person now. She’s still sweet and kind but she has confidence in herself. You will never know how powerfully you touched her life.”

The girl smiled shyly and, with a glisten of tears in my eyes, I hugged her. “This means the world to me,” I said.

Life never ceases to amaze me. The kindness of Harry Warner and Jerry Reed, all those years ago, led to the discovery of another beauty.

Though both are now gone, they were still beholders of beauty.

Ronda Rich

Shorebird Spotlight: The American Oystercatcher

AND PHOTOS BY SAM GHIOTO

IIf I didn’t spend my spring and summers the past few years on a kayak between St. Simons Island and Sea Island in a labyrinth of marsh with staggered oyster beds, I don’t think the American oystercatcher would have crossed my path. What sets them apart from other shorebirds is their unmistakable characteristics: they’re taller with a jet-black head, yellow eyes and long, sharp, fiery red beaks.

In the spring, they congregate on oyster beds in a feeding frenzy before the summer nesting season. Village Creek, among many other places in the salt marsh, is a great area to spot an oys -

tercatcher in the Golden Isles.

Don’t go looking for this bird in the dunes of St. Simons, Sea Island, or Jekyll. You won’t find them there. Oystercatchers are among the many birds severely affected by habitat loss. The plight of shorebirds is obscure to most people. Think about it: Today, there are fewer remote beaches to roam undisturbed, less food to forage, and a concerning culminating effect of sea level rise and storm surge. The more I saw this bird throughout the years, the more I wondered about its precarious situation and resiliency.

Recently, I spoke Tim Keyes, Wildlife Biologist at the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, and Abby Sterling, Director of the Georgia Bight Shorebird Conservation Initiative, who are contributors to the American Oystercatcher Working Group (AMOYWG), a decentralized coalition of devoted scientists and citizens working to promote shorebird conservation throughout the Atlantic Flyway.

Tim explained to me that the AMOYWG has incorporated a successful busi -

ness model to rebound oystercatcher populations.

He says the group created an oystercatcher business plan with a few key questions to answer.

“How much would we need to invest to create as many oystercatchers? What do we need to invest to get there? And that started a long-term commitment,” Tim says.

On the Georgia Coast specifically, the oystercatcher population has increased from 80 nesting pairs in the 1990s to 120 pairs today. To understand migratory patterns, scientists place non-invasive bands on the birds’ legs. Scientists have figured out many oystercatchers who are summer nesters along the Georgia Coast are year-round residents, but throughout the past couple of decades, we’ve learned that some travel as far south as Central America. Some spotted on our coast in the winter travel to other East Coast states stretching as far north as New England.

“It depends on who these individuals

WORDS

mingle with,” Tim says, in regard to where they migrate.

The oystercatcher is not threatened technically speaking but is a species of high concern. Abby tells me the problem for shorebirds is broad habitat loss.

“Certainly, development is a contributor to habitat loss. When we are thinking about shorebirds particularly, it’s like a death by a thousand cuts. There are so many issues that they’re facing as they travel on these huge journeys,” she says.

Tim and Abby explained to me that the Georgia coast with its six-foot tidal difference poses specific variables affecting oystercatchers.

2018 was a big year for oystercatchers on our coast. There were 120 breeding pairs and 61 chicks. 2023 was probably one of the worst years on record.

“This last year was a terrible year. We had five chicks fledge on the whole coast … I think what we’re seeing now is increased storm surge. The number of extremely high tides is expanding essentially exponentially right now. If you look at the Pulaski tide gauge, the tides are getting into the upper vegetation edge,” Tim says.

I remember paddling by the sand bar in the middle of Gould’s that had a dune area, which was roped off for breeding birds. Several storms in the summer of 2023 washed that site over and over again.

Sea level rise isn’t the exact problem. It is sea level rise coupled with storm surge.

“Storms are what is really going to be, I would say, the fuel to the fire,” Abby says. “The Georgia coast is pretty lucky because there is so much undeveloped coastline, and we have a lot less shoreline engineering. These systems are meant to be dynamic and pretty resilient.”

Tim is focused on crafting the perfect habitat for oystercatchers in several key locations.

“I’m working on a much smaller scale projects where we are building up shell rigs on a little marsh islands that don’t have predators to try to improve nesting habitat for oystercatchers. I’m hoping to basically help construct and augment live oyster beds adjacent to those as well,” he says.

The working group’s outlook for this species is proactive and positive. To learn more about their work, visit amoywg.org

“You Design It, We’ll Make it!”

Spring into Outdoor Living in the Isles

WORDS AND PHOTOS BY MICHAEL HALL

MMaking the most of outdoor living spaces is key to maximizing the spring weather here in the Golden Isles. But too often, attention is given primarily to living spaces inside the home, leaving outdoor areas floundering without purpose or function.

Anslie Leverette, design coordinator for Flanagan Development, says with a little bit of forethought when renovating or making smaller changes around the home, outdoor spaces can be just as special as any interior space.

“Outdoor spaces are often forgotten

during design and construction, unintentionally being left as a blank slate with no purpose, which we all know can turn into an eyesore that you inevitably try to steer clear of,” Leverette says.

“Inclusion of a few key features can completely transform a forgotten space into the most popular spot in your home.”

If renovations are on the 2024 to-do list, she suggests thinking about the materials used to finish outdoor spaces to make them both functional and beautiful. Brick floors on porches and specialty wooden beams add character and texture to a space and make them more inviting, Leverette says. If adding a screened-in porch to an already existing home, consider adding an outdoor fireplace.

“This also offers a great place to show your personality: a more traditional soul may envision a full brick fireplace, yet the coastal adventurer might be drawn to include a mix of Low Country tabby, brick, or a unique wood mantlepiece,” she says.

When the spring temperatures are just

right, everyone wants to gather outside. Just as kitchens inside the home are gathering spaces for families and friends, so are outdoor cooking areas. Thinking carefully about the layout of an outdoor kitchen and the features included in it can create a chef’s dream that will get used as much as the interior kitchen of a home, Leverette says.

“Creating an outdoor kitchen to accommodate the needs of you and your guests is guaranteed to stand as a showstopper of its own,” she says. “Featuring pizza ovens, commercial grills, or a bar for entertaining, we encourage a kitchen to be designed around the specific accessories you need at your fingertips to nail your perfect entertaining dish.”

An addition or remodeling job, however, may be a bit more than you want to take on this spring. That doesn’t mean existing spaces can’t be improved, Leverette says.

“If this is the case, consider trouble-free changes to help transform your current space into a versatile, and most importantly multipurpose area enjoyable for

a variety of activities,” she says. “For instance, front porches don’t have to solely be designated as formal entry spaces. The addition of a porch swing or, space willing, a daybed swing instantly inspires a more welcoming feeling as your guests approach the home and offers a great spot to enjoy your morning cup of coffee.”

If your home has a pool, think about adding a few items that can make the space more inviting for year-round entertainment. Leverette says the pool deck doesn’t have to be only a summertime space.

“Sprucing this space up with a fire pit allows for your pool deck to transform into the center of attention on nights a little too cool for swimming,” Leverette says.

Whether it is a brand new space or one that is simply getting a facelift, Leverette says quality outdoor furniture is worth the investment.

“For instance, the right size coffee table situated among your porch’s sitting areas serves as a great landing spot on the perfect spring day when you’ve reclaimed the space as today’s office, or during an afternoon gathering when the coffee table signals to guests it’s okay to grab a bite and enjoy it on the couch in front of the TV,” Leverette says.

As a full-service construction firm, Flanagan Development offers design services for both interior and outdoor spaces, Leverette says.

“Regardless of size, your outdoor space can compete as the

heart of the home by adding a few unique touches and quality furnishings that can be enjoyed through every seasonal change,” Leverette says

• Flanagan Development is an established luxury home building and land development firm in the Golden Isles. To learn more about the company, visit flanagandevelopmentllc.com.

Doctor offers concierge care

WORDS BY LINDSEY ADKISON

DDr. Kelly Johnson has always been drawn to helping others. It was a trait that solidified into a career path when he became an EMT during his undergraduate coursework.

“I was working part-time as an EMT when I was in school. I realized that it was where I was headed, toward medicine. Helping in emergency situations became a passion, which is why I became an ER doctor,” he says.

As he pursued his medical degree, he continued to work as an EMT, but also engaged in hospice care. These two decidedly different perspectives within the field allowed him to offer aid in emergencies, while also being able to build bonds with patients during end-of-life care.

“There’s not always a happy ending in either. But at least there was the opportunity to be there for them. It was something that was gratifying to me,” he says.

When he completed his residency in 2007, he worked solely as an ER doctor in various locations — in Indiana, Kentucky, South Carolina, and Georgia.

“I’ve been in Georgia since 2010. I worked in Candler/St. Joseph’s here, in Camden, and Waycross,” Johnson says.

While he found the work incredibly ful-

filling, he also felt like he was missing out on the chance to form long-term bonds with patients. In these relatively short hospital interactions, Johnson wasn’t able to get a real feel for the patient’s health history and was less able to impact their future. That’s what motivated him to venture into a new practice — concierge care.

“I started to feel like I wasn’t able to get to truly know a patient. I wanted to help people with some of the non-urgent issues that impact their day-to-day lives,” he explains. “That’s why I’ve branched out into primary care.”

He first formed Coastal Health Concierge in 2022. And he’s been thrilled with the results.

“It’s been really rewarding to help people in their daily life … rather than just keeping their heart going,” he says.

Johnson’s services include primary care, as well as urgent care that doesn’t require hospitalization.

“I will be on call for them. I will listen to them, and review all of their past medical history. I will also be able to talk with them on a daily basis until we have a plan in place,” he says. “I can show up when there is a problem and be available within six to eight hours or less, under most circumstances much less, to listen and find solutions.”

Coastal Health Concierge is a membership-based program with packages designed to fit patients’ needs. The first tier offers individualized primary care. Dr. Johnson will meet with the patient in his office or via a telemedicine call.

The second tier includes urgent and primary care for patients, including all need-to-be-seen illnesses, IV fluids, and traumas that do not require an emergency room.

“I can offer whatever is necessary … whether that be medication, referrals, physical therapy, or something as simple as suturing because I have those capabilities as well,” he says.

This kind of personalized and comprehensive service is growing in popularity today, even though it seems to have the feeling of days gone by. The times when families knew their doctor well, rather than being hurried through a series of sterile rooms to make way for the next patient.

“A lot of times, physicians desire to be working for their patients but they can’t spend the time to truly listen to the patients’ needs because of time constraints put on them by conglomer ates, insurance companies, and the government,” he says.

“They’re having to see four to five patients per hour. That doesn’t allow much time to listen or to find solutions. And doesn’t allow for some to know them on a personal basis.”

That’s what makes Johnson’s practice different. It allows him and his patients the opportunity to create meaningful relationships. Together, they can chart a course to better wellness.

“People want to have a relationship with the person who is caring for them. But it’s almost impossible to have that when your primary care physician has to see 40 to 50 patients in a day,” he says. “This allows the patient to have a true relationship with me. And for me to have a true relationship with them … it allows for both to be more invested in each other.”

• Coastal Health Concierge is owned by Dr. Kelly Johnson. To learn more about the practice, visit coastalhealthconcierge.net.

Offering Employee Benefits Makes a Difference

WORDS BY LINDSEY ADKISON

IIn today’s job market, attracting dependable, quality employees is a struggle. But it is possible. And one of the best ways to do that is by offering a top-tier benefits package.

Time and time again, surveys indicate that workers — particularly millenials — are drawn to flexible hours, paid vacations, and health benefits.

And Jennifer Bell and Brelynn DuMortier can certainly attest to the latter. The

owners of Coastal Health Benefits in Brunswick have extensive experience in guiding clients toward the best possible plans.

“Our main focus is health insurance. There aren’t many of in the area that do that,” Bell says. “We offer insurance for employers, individuals, and Medicare. We do individual vision, dental, and life insurance. Then, of course, we do all the group policies.”

Those are key for local employers. Coastal Benefits offers plans for any size company — from two staff members to hundreds.

“Group plans can be from two to 50 or 100. Our primary area is between two to 50. The average group coverage I have is about two to 20. So it’s really ideal for smaller companies who don’t want to go through some huge corporation to

get help with health benefits,” Bell says.

That’s exactly what makes Coastal Benefits different. Both Bell and DuMortier grew up in the area. Their clients are their friends and neighbors. For that very reason, they offer unparalleled service to their clients.

“I was born and raised here,” Bell says with a smile. “We have their best interest at heart. We don’t get paid to go with one company or another. It’s basically the same across the board. We look at what’s best for each employer and employee, because that’s what I’d want somebody to do for me.”

DuMortier agrees and adds that being local can be a real game changer when selecting policies.

“It helps to know the networks. Can you go to Jacksonville? Many people

from this area go to the Mayo Clinic,” DuMortier says. “If you’re not local, you wouldn’t know that.”

“Right. If you have an agent in Atlanta, they probably wouldn’t think to ask those questions,” Bell says. “And we’re approachable and available. I have employers who text me on the weekends.”

They bring that mentality when meeting with their potential clients. That getting started is incredibly quick and easy.

“If someone is interested, obtain a ‘census’ which includes employees’ dates of birth, zip code, and gender. Then, we go and get different quotes from different carriers. That’s how you start,” she says.

Once an employer signs on, the benefits become clear quickly. The following are just a few of the many ways providing employees insurance options can benefit:

• Premiums may be tax-exempt: Tax-exempt premiums date back to World War II when companies were working to avoid price and wage control. This element for health group plans can lower tax dues. (Consult a tax accountant)

• Contributions to health plans may be tax deductible: When employers pay part of their team’s premium, they are awarded with another big tax benefit. (Consult a tax accountant)

• Voluntary plans are an option: Employees are afforded the chance to select what coverage they’d prefer and have those funds removed from their check automatically.

• Health plans draw employees: Workers often site that healthcare plans are a major draw when considering employment. Offering these allows companies to gain top-notch candidates who will be of great value and loyal to the employer.

• Preventative care is a win-win: When employees are well, everyone benefits. With optimized health, they are absent less frequently and are able to do their best every day.

• Coastal Benefits Inc is located at 26 Coral Park Way, Brunswick. To learn more about the many services they provide, visit coastalbenefitsinc.com or call 912-265-6909

Marigona Lau

GAME CHANGERS

WORDS BY SEBASTIAN EMANUEL | PHOTO BY MICHAEL HALL

WWrestling is one of if not the hardest sport to take part in.

With the physical endurance needed to maintain weight, be physically and mentally in shape, and have good technique to put up a battle against an opponent, wrestling can be incredibly taxing.

But Glynn Academy’s Marigona Lau adds the female embodiment to show that the sport has no gender requirement when it comes to being a top wrestler.

Only a sophomore at GA, Lau enters her second season of wrestling at any level. And for her, freshman year was all about experimenting with a new sport.

“I was definitely nervous the whole year. I didn’t really know where I was at. I feel more secure this year in my skills and how I do in the sport. Last year was more of an experimental year,” Lau says as she looked back on her first year of wrestling.

“I didn’t know what I was doing and I was just here to get in shape, something to do. I like to be surrounded by people that work hard and know what their goals are. They are all determined to do what they want to do. It is a good community to be surrounded by.”

Even as a newbie, Lau was able to etch her name into Glynn County history as the highest-placing girl with her second-place finish at state in the 125-pound division.

Recently, Lau competed in the Knockout Christmas Classic in Kissimmee, Fla.. where she took first place in the 130-pound division with a firstround pin.

While she’s seen great success in her early career, the reason she joined the wrestling world is a personal one. She was inspired to get into the sport because of her little brother.

“My little brother does it and my dad is really proud of him,” Lau says. “It will be fun to be with my brother in the same sport as him. Even though he is in middle school right now, when he gets to high school I’ll have two years with him.”

Already placing as a freshman wrestler, Lau won regionals before taking second in sectionals against the same girl who ended up beating her for the state title. Thinking of her achievement of placing in a year she coined as an “experimental year,” Lau knew she had plenty of opportunities for growth.

A big factor in that is the Glynn Academy wrestling program as a whole under the direction of coach Ryan Alfau.

“He is definitely a lot harder on me this year than last year because there are now more expectations,” Lau says.

“Last year, it was see ‘what you can do.’ There weren’t really that many expectations for me. Now, my coach has higher expectations for me, so I feel more motivated to work harder, go to more tournaments, and train harder than I did before.”

Only wrestling girls in tournaments, Lau knows that the chance to train with her Terror teammates prepares her for any matchup.

“Training with the guys is a lot harder because they are a lot stronger and they have different physical ceilings than girls do, it’s just normal,” Lau says. “But training with them definitely makes you work harder, makes you stronger, and makes you better. A tournament is a day off because competing is kind of easier than practice because practices are rough.”

When Lau looks back on her sophomore season and the upcoming years, the goal is to place and get first.

“But even if I don’t, I’m not going to beat myself up about it. At least try and get up on the podium every year,” she says. “No girl has ever really done that in this sport because me and Nevaeh Laird are the only ones here right now.”

Three Little Birds catering

the nest, so to speak. Along the way, he also started a catfish farm, Satilla Ponds, and The Nest, a small plates and wine bar establishment.

“We tried a food truck, but that’s like another restaurant,” says Gowen. “We needed more room and to keep it in the village, this space became available and it was a no-brainer. The reason Three Little Birds started as a brick-and-mortar is so catering could have a home base.”

WORDS BY TAYLOR COOPER | PHOTOS BY DERRICK DAVIS

MMonica Andreae giggled to herself.

“You ever see Kermit the Frog when he’s going wild?” the general manager of Three Little Birds says.

The question was this: What does it look like to plan for a catering gig?

Three Little Birds is a brunch spot/cafe/ local food market on Ocean Boulevard, just off the main St. Simons Island Pier Village strip. It’s also the headquarters of the Georgia Sea Grill (GSG) Collective’s catering arm. Whether it’s a lunch drop off, oyster roast, cocktail party, strolling event, or sit-down rehearsal dinner, Three Little Birds can cover it.

“We specialize in doing whatever the client needs,” she says.

The event itself is really a small part of the overall process, though. Fielding a lot of calls, emails, and online submissions is what it looks like in the beginning stages. Calling everyone back isn’t always doable, but as long as she can keep her head above water, Andreae says she gives it her best shot.

Zack Gowen, owner of GSG Collective, laid the first building block when he purchased Georgia Sea Grill in 2014. Building that restaurant up in his vision, and moving it to its current location on what is effectively St. Simons’ main street, kept him adequately occupied for a few years, and in 2018 he kick-started Potlikker Farm to supply Georgia Sea Grill and other local restaurants with fresh produce.

It wasn’t long after that that Three Little Birds came into being exclusively for catering. It operated out of Georgia Sea Grill at the time. This situation was not sustainable, though, and he started looking for a way to move Three Little Birds out of

Getting the right person to handle catering happened without much fuss when he found Andreae, Gowen says. She’s got a long background in event planning and food service, among an array of other roles.

A mother of one 12-year-old, Andreae started out in “outside sales” — selling books door-to-door.

“That was a baptism by fire in the sales department,” she laughs.

Later, moving on to another job at Sampsonite, she eventually went to work for Audi planning auto shows, and then Audi corporate events. She worked her way up the chain to national events and sponsorships, where the real stakes were. Her resume really shines there — putting together opening-night parties in New York City’s Carnegie Hall to playing a role in a major partnership between Audi and Aspen Skiing Co.

“It was really fun to do in my 20s and 30s,” she says.

But it wasn’t something she wanted to do forever. Her parents bought a condo on St. Simons Island as an investment and she rented it from them once during a sales trip. She worked for Audi at the time, which was in theory a work-fromhome job. But it required a lot of travel and working in various cities around the country. Eventually, she had enough.

St. Simons was becoming a hub for marketing agency work, and it got to be more stressful than she liked working in the U.S. for a German car company.

Whenever she’d arrive on the island and smell the sea air, she was able to decompres. At one point, she stopped leaving. Then her parents retired to the island and, not long after, her sister moved her family down.

She joked that working for a catering company in a small resort town was not very stressful in comparison, but it’s a matter of degrees. Catering is, also in theory, a pretty simple formula when you break it down, though.

“Find out what they need, drill down the elements of what they need — some need simple, some need a quote for everything, tents, linens, etc. We try to be as turnkey as we can. Put forward a menu and quote, maybe some changes. Sometimes it’s one time, sometimes it’s six edits,” she says. “Get it to the chef in the schedule and it goes on the calendar.”

That’s Chef Justin Dale. When it comes to making the culinary magic, Dale is the magician. He makes all the food, and it’s often his expertise that determines what a client gets, more so than their own desires.

“A lot is the education of the client. They want food dropped off and they want fried shrimp or something that has to go into the oven. That’s not the best idea,” she says. “You can’t do that and

maintain quality, so you need to manage expectations.”

Dale also runs the kitchen at Three Little Birds on the day-to-day, so Andreae tries not to send him on-site when she can avoid it. They usually pick a chef from a reliable pool of freelancers for on-site work.

From there, it’s time to staff up. Three Little Birds’ catering side doesn’t have a permanent event staff. St. Simons Island is a bigtime event destination, so they’re blessed with a lot of talented and dependable contract workers to tap, Andreae says.

Some of the catered events need 10 waiters and six bartenders. Other times all you need is a driver to drop off some food to the client.

Getting all those pieces snugly into place is really the last hard part. Once all the various parts are queued up, things typically happen as they should, whether it’s a simple drop-off of a few lasagnas or a three-course dinner for 70. That’s Andreae’s favorite part, though — watching everything come together, sometimes at the last minute.

“The best part about events is you can close the book on it. You can tell the team good job and maybe get some good feedback,” Andreae says. “It’s never the same day, which is kind of why I like it. Every menu that goes on the board is different.”

Rack of Lamb with Apricot

Mint Glaze, Roasted Carrots and Mushroom Risotto

LAMB RACK MARINADE

1 cup extra virgin olive oil

2 Tbsp paprika

1 Tbsp thyme

1 Tbsp rosemary

1 Tbsp oregano

4 Tbsp chopped garlic

DIRECTIONS: Marinate lamb rack overnight or a minimum of 12 hours in the refrigerator.

LAMB

DIRECTIONS: Sear Lamb Rack in a high heat pan for approximately three minutes on each side, to get good sear and color. Place in 400-degree oven for approximately 13 minutes until internal temperature reads 115 degrees on a meat thermometer. Remove from oven and allow to rest uncovered for 10 minutes. Apply Glaze from below recipe.

GLAZE

¼ cup apple cider vinegar

1 cup fresh mint

2 Tbsp minced garlic

1 cup apricot jam

Salt/pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS: Heat apple cider vinegar, do not boil. Add remaining ingredients and steep like a tea for 5-7 minutes on medium heat. Strain and set aside to apply to lamb once it has rested.

RISOTTO

¼ lb. butter

10 oz. sliced shiitake mushrooms

2 minced shallots

3 cups arborio rice

2 cups white wine

8 cups chicken or vegetable stock

1 cup parmesan cheese

Salt/pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS: Sauté mushrooms and butter until soft; set mixture aside with juices in bowl. Using the same pan add another ¼ pound of butter, and shallots, and sauté until soft. Add rice and sauté until translucent. Add white wine and reduce. Slowly add chicken or vegetable stock and reduce liquid in increments of 2 cups while constantly stirring until rice is tender. Use additional stock if needed. Return sautéed shiitake mushrooms and add one cup of parmesan cheese. Stir.

CARROTS

DIRECTIONS: Blanch in boiling water and transfer to ice bath to stop cooking. Place on sheet pan coated in olive oil and salt and pepper and roast for 10 minutes at 350.

Athe reat outdoors

tur l e uty

WORDS BY LINDSEY ADKISON

PHOTOS BY PRISCILLA BOUDREAU OF DEVOSS PHOTOGRAPHY

colorful parade of kayaks gently drifted in the water behind Village Creek Landing. But inside the two story tabby building, a gaggle of land-lovers was having way too much fun for the earliness of the day. Pop music poured from the upper room interspersed with chatter and giggles. Inside the window-walled room, the team had assembled for a day of glam and gabbing on the marsh front.

At the center of a flurry of curling irons, brushes, and unicorn cupcakes sat Rayna Daley. The dark-haired beauty was kind enough to be our model for this spread.

Gerald Dampier, aka Glam King, swept a shimmery blush across her cheeks.

“Are those your real eyelashes?” he asks.

Daley nods.

“That’s so unfair,” he says with a laugh and shake of his head.

Behind the chair, Mackenzie Buckley laughs too. The St. Simons-based hair stylist was busy working Daley’s luscious dark locks into a messy-yet-chic updo.

“We did some loose beach wave curls, very simple and natural for the first look. Now, we’re taking that and pulling it up but also leaving it very loose and natural,” she says. “I used a bio-ionic curling iron. And I use Kenra and Redken products.”

Buckley is a master of creating the effortless looks, a testament to her training at the Aveda Institute in Portland, Oregon.

“After I finished, I moved back home to McIntosh County. I worked for a while in Savannah and got a great education. Then, I moved to St. Simons which is where I am now and I work at 3Brins Salon,” she says spraying Daley’s bun.

While she is often behind the chair at her station, Buckley also does a lot of weddings, as does Dampier. In fact, both of them were on scene at our photographer Priscilla’s wedding. Daley is the only newcomer, though, she’s no stranger to St. Simons Island. She attended Frederica Academy and taught cycling at OMCORE Yoga and Body when not working as an au pair in New York City.

“It’s definitely my first time as a ‘model,’” Daley says with a giggle.

“Well, you should be one,” Dampier adds with a grin.

spring hair tips

ley

Prep It Up: I always prep the hair before using any heat tool. I use the Kenra Heat block spray to start. This product is great for the spring because it is humidity resistant. My favorite curling iron is the Bioionic 1-inch curling iron.

Spray Away: My favorite hair spray is the volume spray super hold by Kenra. This product keeps your curls from falling and gives you the volume you want!

Talk Texture: I love a textured updo especially for spring. Texture

Bright and bold, this blue and orange Entro dress is both sleek and comfy. We added a Simply Southern purse to complete this beachy style.

• All styles are from the GC Boutique, 903 Glynn Isle, Brunswick. The store’s merchandise is also available online at thegcboutique.com

gives the hair a lot of volume and movement. Texture is achieved by adding curl, twist, braids, and product. Kenras which is a lightweight spray leaving the hair with lots of movement.

Hide Humidity: Always use a hair serum, I like the Redken Frizz Dismiss hair oil. Any high hold spray is great. I also like the Flyaway Fix stick by Goldie Locks.

• To follow Mack’s fabulous styles, find her on Instagram @hairby_mackk. To contact her, email: Hairbymack2@gmail.com.

Classic

203 Edwards Plaza

Saint Simons Island | GA, 31522 912.434.9393

chubsdiner.com

• Moisture Lock: Moisture is key. You want to keep a hydrated base so the foundation never looks dry or cakey.

• Prime Time: Use a good primer. Whether you have large pores, uneven texture, or redness, a good primer will serve you well. You want a smooth base to allow the foundation adhere flawlessly. And you will use less product, as well.

• Conceal It: Concealer will be your BFF. I love using a concealer with fuller coverage, rather than a full-coverage foundation. It will look more skin like. It will also not feel as heavy or settle into fine lines.

• Velour Vibin’: You NEED a velour powder puff to set your face – That’s especially true under your eyes. There’s something about the velvety soft texture of the puff that really smooths over your texture/fine lines and creates almost a soft focus filter effect to your face.

• Set It: Hairspray is not just for your hair anymore — It also can be used for setting spray! If you have a special event to go to or you want your makeup to last from sun up to sun down, especially in this South Georgia heat, take your favorite strong hold hairspray and do a light misting onto your face and you will be locked and loaded. It’s my own little “special secret” product I use on most of my brides at the end of their application process.

• For more marvelous makeup tips and tutorials, follow Gerald @glam.king on Instagram. He can also be reached via email at gerald.dampier@gmail.com.

This cool, casual vibe features a Cezele white lace shirt matched with Dear John denim skirt. We added a knotted leather headband and brown raffia earrings.

This HYFVE brown romper features fun ruffles perfect for a casual date night or a girls’ day out. We paired the outfit with super cute Flower Power earrings and a Green Jennu purse. A pair of Corkey’s clear plastic sandals with metallic embellishments finishes the look.

The Riri sneakers from Shu Shop adds another flirty layer to the look.

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For this style, we kicked things up a notch. This Tcec dress features long, romantic ruffles that would be just fabulous for a fancy dinner or event. We paired it with a Tell Your Tale bracelet.

Village Creek Landing: This popular event space is tucked away on the north end of St. Simons Island, on the waterway that shares its name — Village Creek. The marsh front property includes a two story building that features indoor dining space, a warming kitchen for caterers, and enough space for parties to prepare ahead of a celebration (we staged our hair/makeup session upstairs).

Outdoors, there’s a creekside gazebo (perfect for bands and wedding ceremonies), decking with perimeter bench seating, festive lighting, an upstairs porch with balcony and plenty of bar stools. To learn more about VCL, visit villagecreeklanding.com.

Credits:

Styles: The GC Boutique in Brunswick

Makeup: Gerald Dampier, “Glam King”

Hair: Mackenzie Buckley of 3BrinSalon on St. Simons Island

Model: Rayna Daley

Photographer: Priscilla Boudreau of DeVoss Photography

Venue: Village Creek Landing on St. Simons Island

Sensational Skin Secrets to

WORDS BY LINDSEY ADKISON

PHOTOS BY PRISCILLA BOUDREAU OF DEVOSS PHOTOGRAPHY

MMissy Rabine is passionate about skincare. She is so dedicated, in fact, that she decided to quit her corporate job and forge a new path.

“Skin care is something that I really wanted to do,” she says, settling into a treatment room of Island Day Spa.

When she was facing some life transitions, Rabine decided to take the plunge. She attended one of the best esthetician schools in New York City. There, she learned all the ins-and-outs of skin care but she also was skilled in massage techniques.

“My teacher was a licensed massage therapist as well, so what I do is very massage-based,” she says.

It’s certainly something that her clients appreciate. And this particular day, that client was Riley Sams.

“Missy does a great job. She really knows her stuff,”

Sams says, as she relaxes on the table.

“And Riley is a great client ... she listens to what I say,” Rabine answers with a chuckle.

Before long, the two are ready to begin. Often times, Sams visits Island Day Spa for dermaplaning appointments but today’s appointment is for a tried-and-true facial.

The lights are dimmed and soft music plays. Traditionally, the session begins with a series of questions about a client’s skincare routine along with any of their concerns but today’s stop in was for a tried-and-true facial. That allows Rabine to formulate a customized program that is designed specifically for them.

Once she has a grasp on their particular issues, she can begin. And that starts with a deep cleaning.

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“I get a lot of teenagers who tell me that they don’t wash their faces or they only wash it when they are in the shower. But washing your face is the most important thing you can do,” she says.

“I suggest that you get into a routine where you don’t sit down to watch TV until you’ve washed your face and applied your products, then you’re good.”

Rabine begins with an oil-based cleanser to gently remove makeup, sunscreen, and any other impurities from the skin. She follows that with another gel-based brightening cleanser to ensure that the face is a fresh canvas, ready to absorb all of the forthcoming nourishment.

“This has vitamin C in it which, is huge for skincare and brightening. Who doesn’t want a little brightening?,” she says.

Her massage training is evident as she uses long, effortless strokes to apply and remove the product.

“Of course, it feels good,” she says of the technique. “But it also brings oxygen and blood flow to the skin. I like to incorporate a lot of acupuncture points along the way.”

Rabine works her magic along Sam’s face and neckline, a point that she notes is often forgotten.

“Our ‘face’ really extends from our hairline down to our breast bone. Whatever we put on our face, we should apply to our neck too,” she notes.

Following the deep, double cleanse, it’s time to mask up. There’s a variety of different products and they all offer different things. For this session, she selects a pore perfecting treatment.

To prepare it, she pours the mask into a try and applies it with a brush.

“I do use my fingers sometimes. But this is a silicone brush, which is very nice. We didn’t have these when I was in school. It helps you distribute it evenly and it feels really good,” she says.

She allows the mask time to do its work — roughly 10 to 15 minutes. While that takes effect, Rabine offers her clients a hand and arm massage. Once that mask is removed and the skin cleansed, Rabine applies a hot towel.

“The clients love this,” she says with a chuckle. “And it’s also great for bringing the blood flow into the face.”

From there, Rabine applies a toner, then cues up her light to inspect her work. This is the time do any necessary extractions.

“This is where we cover their eyes and warn them about the bright light. But this is where we look at their skin and see if any extractions need to be done. You have to be careful with this ... not everything needs extraction. Sometimes it will cause scarring,” she says.

“I also look for anything that might be concerning and suggest for them to see their dermatologist if necessary.”

She also uses the opportunity to do a bit of preaching. Her gospel is a simple one — sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen.

“It’s simple but that’s the number one aging factor that we have control over, especially on the island. So I really push that. We also have some great products here that have sunscreen in them,” she said.

Sunscreen is part of the trinity of the skincare Rabine advocates. Vitamin C and Retinol round out the mix. Island Day Spa cares top of the line products that allow customers to incorporate all three at home.

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“We offer all three of those products through Revision. We have a moisturizer with an SPF of 45. It also has a self adjusting tint, which is rare,” she said.

“Then, to round it out, we need a retinol at night. Retinol speeds up our skin cell turnover. As we age, unfortunately, our cellular turnover starts to really slow down. When you’re 50 looking in the mirror, you’re like, ‘why does my skin look so dull?’... and it’s because of that cellular turnover.”

Once the treatments are complete, Sams’ face is coated with one final replenishing moisturizer and she’s free to go. And while receiving facials are certainly a luxurious way to spend an afternoon, they’re also important for skin health.

“Our skin is the largest organ in our body and it’s really important to take care of it. Facials can be done monthly, but if that’s not possible, then once a season is a good rule of thumb,” she says.

• Missy Rabine has been an esthetician for more than a decade. She offers a variety of facials and skin care treatments at Island Day Spa, 60 Cinema Lane, Suite 140, St. Simons Island. It is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Saturday. The phone number is 912-638-779. For a complete listing of services, visit theislanddayspa.com.

WORDS BY LINDSEY ADKISON PHOTOS BY RILEY DUKES

It may have been a cool, dreary day in the St. Simons’ Pier Village. But the gloomy weather wasn’t dampening Kelly and Olivia Anderson’s spirits. The mother-daughter duo beamed as they bounced out of Fuze Frozen Co.

“She just loves it,” Kelly says, nodding at her grinning girl.

Once the sweet treats were all finished, two trotted along Mallery Street and settled in the seaside gazebo. Kelly turned to open her bag, as Olivia watched intently. Digging through a couple of purple feather boas, she produces a paperback book.

“This is it,” Kelly says. “Violet and the Voices.” Kelly, a lifelong artist with a degree from the University of Georgia, had always wanted to do a children’s book. One day, she started doodling … a little girl with large eyes and wild hair.

“I started showing her to people and they started giving me ideas,” Kelly says. “Olivia liked her a lot, she was 4 at the time. That was 2015.”

Voices Violet and the

Mother, Daughter Share Positive Message in Children’s Book

The two were living in Athens when they began the sojourn to joint authorship. It has been filled with highs and lows. For one, they lost their respective husband and father, Christopher Anderson, in 2016. It was, naturally, a devastating blow.

But Kelly says the creative journey helped them heal.

“We lost him ... and it kind of felt like Violet was my guardian angel,” she says. “I would post drawings of her on Facebook with quotes or phrases. I just felt like she was giving me a lot of wisdom. It was very therapeutic. I thought, ‘well if she’s helping me, she can help other people.’”

That’s how the book began to taking shape. Kelly and Olivia worked together, the latter drawing and the now 13-yearold, coming up with the narrative.

“We feed off each other and she was great coming up with the story,” Kelly says.

The idea behind the narrative is a relatable one — combating negativity in one’s mind. Those are the “voices” referenced in the title.

“Everyone struggles with negative voices in their head. I feel like it’s so important now,” she says.

Through the book, Violet — along with her dog, Prince, and bird, Hollis — discovers that just because thoughts come to one’s mind — it doesn’t make them true. That can be a battle for anyone at any age. But Olivia concedes that, as a young teenager, it can be incredibly challenging. Not only is there the pressure of school, friendships, there’s also ever-evolving beauty standards and expectations.

In a world where “influencers” share with fillers and filters, fighting self-criticism can be difficult.

“Being a teenager, especially now, is quite tough. When it comes to beauty standards, some can get caught up in their appearance. It is hard not to sometimes. There are so many ‘rules’ that people are expecting us to follow. If you feel that you don’t meet the standards, you can feel down about yourself. But, really, you are the only one putting these ‘rules’ on yourself,” Olivia says.

Kelly agrees and notes it is a bit different now than her time as a teen.

“My generation had a little bit of this, but I think we were highly influenced by the super model scene and MTV, which was mostly just be really skinny and have really big hair,” Kelly says with a laugh.

“I think, because of the internet, messages are even more scattered than ever. Kids may also have more pressures within their tighter circle and I’m not always a part of this. Preteen is definitely an age for wanting to fit in. There are always positive and negative results for following along with the group and the same goes for when we don’t.”

That’s part of what makes their own heroine so special. Olivia says that Violet has a very different “look” and despite intrusive thoughts of being “too short” or “fat,” she

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finds ways to bring color and positivity to the forefront.

“Violet definitely does not let others bring her down. Violet can show others to not care what others think. She is different. This just shows there is nothing telling you that you have to dress or act a certain way to have fun. Violet shows that ‘beauty standards’ don’t exist. All you need to do is just be you,” Olivia says.

As a mom, that’s precisely what Kelly wants for Olivia. She’s optimistic in that general messaging about body acceptance and self love appears to be spreading.

“Personally, I think there is less pressure on appearance because the messages are so dispersed now. Or, maybe it’s just because I’ve gotten to a place where I don’t care as much and I try to let Olivia know she is beautiful just as she is. I do feel like styles have relaxed a lot. The current ‘look’ is very casual. Now, I will

say that perhaps with the onset of fitness wear being more mainstream, daily wear clothing, the pressure for a perfect body may have increased,” Kelly says.

“Violet and the Voices is all about dealing with these pressures of the world and the negative voices that tell us we are not good enough. Violet is all about being confident within. The only reason she is looking outside of herself is to see where she can be learning, having fun and lifting up others. In the book, she might care a little at first, but she learns to shake it off. She has a style of her own, which I do think is important; but, whether anyone likes it or not, she is not concerned.”

As a children’s book, one that’s aimed at very young readers, their hope it to get this message out as early as possible. And they’re even planning a sequel to keep the momentum going.

“Our goal for this second book is early

summer. Let’s just say it is another topic that can create a lot of pressure on kids and it’s something we should all learn — and to just stay focused in the moment and let time work things out. It’s best to just enjoy life as much as we can in the moment,” Kelly says.

Like the first story, Olivia adds, this book will be about holding on to those all-important good thoughts.

“It still talks about Violet being positive. This second book mainly talks about finding yourself. Sometimes, people can pressure you to do things they want you to do. Violet just wants you to be you no matter what,” she says with a smile.

• For more information about this dynamic duo, visit violetoleanderrose. com or follow them @violetoleanderrose on Instagram. Violet and the Voices is available locally at Whippersnappers on St. Simons Island.

WORDS

Blooms are budding. Birds are chirping. Spring is springing. And as the new season dawns parents across the Isles are rolling out adorable outfits for their littles.

From pastels and bunnies, smocks to khakis, local shops have all the “fits” for Easter, which is on March 31 this year.

Take a peek at some of our fun finds paired with some adorable sweet treats courtesy of Ruby Lu’s Bakery.

Bailey Boys, a factory and retail store, is located at 155 Skylane Road, St. Simons Island, adjacent to the McKinnon-St. Simons Airport. They offer clothes for boys and girls through age 12. They are open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Saturday. They’re closed on Sunday. Their website, which features an online store, is baileyboys.com.

little

For

sweet girls, this mint green dress is beautifully bedecked with bunnies framed by white piping. (see page 66)

This

Bashful Bunny shirt (above) is paired with mint green shorts for an adorable and comfy style for the fellas.

Beaus & Babes Boutique is located at 1428 Newcastle St., Brunswick. The shop offers clothing for newborns through tween. They’re open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday. They’re open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Their website, which also an online shop, is beausandbabesboutique.com.

Like its pink counterpart, this baby boy’s Lil’ Bunny Applique Ruffle Diaper Cover Set (at right) also features a boyish bunny face with blue and white gingham. It’s available for babies, newborn to 9 months.

This precious baby girl’s Lil’ Bunny Applique Ruffle Diaper Cover Set (bottom) features pink and white gingham with cutesy-cute ruffles. It’s available in sizes newborn to 9 months.

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Ruby Lu’s Bakery created these adorable springtime cake pops. The owner and baker extraordinaire is Haley Meredith, who can design custom sweet treats for any occasion — weddings, birthdays, baby showers, and more. To follow her cakes and other creations, check her out on Instagram @ruby_lus or on Facebook at Ruby Lu’s. The website is rubylus. com. Also, stay tuned for an opening of her bakery at 1514 Newcastle Street in downtown Brunswick.

Come home to a landscaped gated entrance with gas lit lanterns, all framed by a canopy of beautiful oaks. Enjoy the ease of townhome living, and enjoy the lifestyle, ambiance, and feel of old St. Simons.

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Phase III delivering Fall 2024. Three and four bedroom fee simple townhomes from the mid $600's. Phase II & III selling now!

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Seagals Cove Boutique is located in Glynn Place Mall in Brunswick. They are open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Saturday. They’re open from 12:30 to 5 p.m. Sunday. The store offers designs and accessories for girls up to age 16. The website is seagalsboutique.com.

Their sibling store, River Tide Apparel, is located across from the Seagals storefront. They provide styles for boys and men through size 4X. River Tide’s hours are from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m Monday to Saturday. It is open from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. Sunday. River Tide’s online shop is rivertideapparel.com.

This church-ready River Tide outfit (size 8, above) includes a blue, grey, and white plaid Southbound long sleeve shirt paired with blue Southbound trousers. A braided brown belt from Beyond Creations really brings this crisp style together.

This darling little girl’s dress (in size 4T, left) is a Cotton Kids pink and white seersucker striped design. The removable bib features a knitted bunny design. Under the bib, the dress features a floral pattern — a twofor-one deal here. Frilly white socks from Jeffrey’s Socks complete the look.

Runway the

Embracing Style for CASA’s Fashion Show

EExcited voices danced through the spring air of The Cloister’s hallways. As I turn into the Oglethorpe Ballroom, I meet a flurry of activity.

Ladies — of all ages, shades, shapes, and sizes — chatted as they hung garment bags along waiting clothing racks.

Even with all of the buzz, this was the calm before the proverbial storm. That would come the next day when these mere mortals would morph into models for a very special cause — the CASA Fashion Show.

a professional stylist, was motivated to get involved.

“I saw an article about it last year … probably one you wrote and made it a goal to be a part of it this year,” she tells me. “I was friends with Mary Jo Prater and asked how I could help, the rest is history. CASA is such a great cause and being able to use my skill set to help was a perfect fit.”

Unbelievably, I would be one of these. Of course, like many, I was entirely honored when local fashionista (and fab friend) Kam Throckmorton asked me to be a part of the event. I’d never done anything like it but I was thrilled to be considered. And, of course, any chance to support CASA is welcome.

The acronym CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates. The nonprofit recruits and train volunteers from within the community to advocate for children who have been abused or neglected and are in the foster care system.

Needless to say, this fashion show, their primary fundraiser, is critically important for their mission. In fact that’s why Kam,

CASA is truly one of those “can’t say no to” causes. So that’s precisely why I found myself tucking my borrowed J. McLaughlin dress (seriously adorable and legitimately comfy) on the rack along with the other locally-procured outfits. The next day would be show time.

On the Catwalk

I woke up early that shimmering April morning with minimal butterflies. That’s mostly because I only had half the usual work to do to be runway ready.

While I gave my hair my best shot at beach waves, I let the pro handle my makeup — the Glam King.

We’ve worked together on several shoots (including this mag’s cover) and I knew that he wouldn’t let me down. And he did not.

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A little after 9 a.m., I was sitting in his makeup chair (that he mercifully brought along — who knew all our chairs at home were so short?!) He chose a palette of glistening pinks and peaches, earthy browns and creams.

“I’m really loving blush much more than I used to,” he confesses as he coats my cheeks with pink.

In just over an hour, my face has been transformed from mid-week weary to fresh, fabulous, and Cloister-ready. After a quick hug, he was off to cast his next spell. I was heading to Sea Island.

The private resort was all abuzz ahead of Easter (and the Masters) weekend, but I wove through the opulent corridors to find my fellow models tucked back into the boardroom. As they scurried between the staging area and the dressing room, the lady leading this organized chaos — Kam — stood in the center, directing operations and accepting cards (it was also her 45th birthday, as well as the anniversary of her fam’s move to the Coast).

“Most of the models are people I have met and loved over the past three years. It was also a great excuse for me to reach out to people I wanted to meet or get to know better. It was such a full-circle moment for me,” she says.

“The event was on the three-year anniversary of the day we moved to St. Simons Island. When we moved here, I knew no one so to be in a room with that many people I consider friends makes me feel incredibly grateful.”

Representation Reigns

While the ladies were all friends of Kam’s, that’s where much

of the similarities ended. The models were decidedly different, in age and appearance, offering a bit of diversity that’s become a hallmark of her work.

At 6’2, Kam understands the importance of championing women of every shape and size.

“I was 16 before I ever saw a model who looked like me, it was Emme and it changed how I saw myself. When I got into fashion 20 years ago, I made a promise that if I was ever in charge of casting models, I would do my best to represent as many ages, sizes, and races as possible,” she says.

“It is something I am very passionate about. I find so much beauty in diversity.”

As we lined up, it was made clear just how true that is. Some women were in their 20s, others in their 70s, but all were brimming with both confidence and support for one another.

As the line weaved its way toward the stage, eager whispers assured each other how stunning they look. My fellow J.McLaughlin model, Nancy, asks if I’d like to do a little high five mid-runway.

“Yes, I would, Ms. Nancy. Yes. I would.”

Making Magic

Stepping up to the platform, you’re staring into a sea of smiling champagne faces (the best kind of faces if we’re being honest). They clap. They hoot.

They call your name. They snap pics. They truly make you forget your very real fear of face planting.

The music pulses and the next thing you know you’re bouncing down the (seriously long) catwalk with a smile so sincere that you truly drop your cares. At least for that short sliver of time. You tell yourself, “be cool, you’re not an actual model.” Even so, it seems like your hips involuntarily pop.

Whisking yourself away from the runway rush, you’re awash with relief as you wait for the others.

Most of the looks the ladies are showcasing have been selected from upscale island boutiques. They’re bright, patterned perfection. But truth to tell, my favorite outfits Kam styled from the donations of the Brunswick nonprofit Hello Goodbuy.

“There is something about Hello Goodbuy that is just magic to me. I always find the coolest pieces,” she says.

One of those looks was for Tresena Bowe. She rocked a sequined jacket, expertly paired with cargo pants and a Billy Joel T-shirt. The look was polished by adding some of Kam’s personal finds that she’s collected from the thrift store over a number of years.

“To me, the coolest outfits have contrast, so I love a formal sequin jacket (from the 80s) paired with something casual like a rocker-tee,” she says.

“I knew I wanted to do some kind of army pant with it so I popped in every week until I found them. Her purse and gorgeously gaudy jewelry are pieces I own that I have found at Hello Goodbuy over the years.”

Kam also created an outfit for her mother to model at the show.

“This look came together in the 11th hour. We had a blast shopping for pieces for my mom for several months but we hadn’t come up with the perfect look,” Kam explains.

“The ‘hero piece’ was a suede fringe vest that a friend found about a week ago while we were shopping. I didn’t want it to read Sonny and Cher, so I layered it over a swingy black dress and we topped it with a great St. John knit vest and added a gold statement necklace.”

Both Hello Goodbuy styles were less than $40 each.

Continuing the Cause

The exhilaration was real as the group of models joined together for one final lap around the runway set to the rising applause from the crowd.

But while the glitz of the fashion show is certainly exciting, the work of CASA and its volunteers is less glamorous in

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day-to-day life. It is, however, even more rewarding.

There are currently a little more than 100 volunteers who assist more than 300 children. More are understandably needed.

Cary Greenfield, CASA executive director, says that many who want to help shy away from joining because they’re afraid of the time commitment required.

“We desperately need volunteers ... and we need male volunteers. I know it can be intimidating when you’re thinking about doing it, but really after the initial training, it’s about four hours a month that they will be advocating for the child,” she says.

Of course, the monetary support generated by the fundraiser is always welcome.

CASA always needs that support. While the nonprofit receives a bevy of funds from grants and donations, it still needs community support. And that’s where it’s largest fundraiser steps in to help.

“You have to have a healthy balance of grant funding, community foundation funding and fundraisers ... and the fashion show is our biggest fundraiser,” Greenfield says with a smile.

• The annual CASA Fashion Show has been a part of the community’s spring social season for nearly 30 years. The luncheon (comprised of mostly ladies) is held in the ballroom of the Cloister on Sea Island. This year, the event is returning on April 6, with doors opening at 11:30 a.m. followed by the program at noon.

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exists to

BRAXTON SYKES

WORDS BY LINDSEY ADKISON PROVIDED PHOTO

By all appearances, Braxton Sykes is a typical 8th grader. He’s a dedicated baseball player, so much so that he’ll be joining the varsity team at Frederica Academy this spring. He’s also a member of a traveling team based in Florida.

And he doesn’t just spend time on the diamond, the 14-year-old also plays football.

His athletic resume coupled with school work would be plenty to keep him busy, but Braxton has another side to his life — and it’s a major one. He travels the country performing as an Elvis Presley Tribute Artist.

It was a path that began taking shape when he was just a toddler. “I’ve always loved music. When I was 2 years old, I went to the Brunswick Elvis Festival at the Ritz and watched the show,” he says.

“When I turned 9, we met a lady named Dana Myers, who was a performer too, and she knew all the (tribute artists) so she introduced us to them. I told my parents … ‘I kinda want to do this.’”

His mother, Erin, was a bit taken aback, but the family decided to give it a go.

“We started taking him to open mic nights at Palm Coast and karaoke at

Toucan’s … just anywhere we could to get him out there,” she says.

Braxton, who also started playing guitar when he was 7, shared musical mashups with audiences. But there was a definite theme to the songs he chose.

“It wasn’t all Elvis, but I would throw some Elvis songs in there. I’d also do Queen and the Beatles. It was music from the 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s,” he says.

“He likes the old music,” Erin nods. At home though, Braxton was studying the King of Rock and Roll, perfecting his moves with the hope of taking his tribute act on the road.

“There aren’t a ton of videos of him from the 50s … it’s mostly from the 70s,” he says. “As far as singing goes, vocally, I’ve always tried to be myself. But watching the other guys helped a lot.”

One of those other guys just happened to be Cote Deonath. The reigning world champion Elvis Tribute Artist took Braxton under his wing and the two formed a brotherly bond.

“He met Cote and they just clicked,” Erin recalls. “He asked Braxton if he was sure this is what he wanted to do and he said yes. So he’s like, ‘ok kid, stick with me.’ And he has.”

Braxton started doing shows here and there, opening for Deonath when he was on the road. In 2021, he joined as a headliner. All the while, he was honing his guitar skills, working remotely with a guitar instructor in Brazil.

“I really started focusing on the guitar when the pandemic hit,” Braxton says.

“He was invited to join the Infinities, the main tribute band that tours and plays in the shows. He was asked to be their rhythm guitarist,” Erin adds.

He went on the road at the end of 2023, opening for Deonath in Elvis’ birthplace of Tupelo, Mississippi (coincidentally, Braxton was also born in Mississippi, but in Oxford).

“For that show, you didn’t even do Elvis,” Erin says, nodding at her son.

“No, I did Johnny Cash, George Jones, Ronnie McDowell, and Stevie Ray Vaughn,” he remembers.

While Braxton is the one playing on stage, he’s definitely not the only one helping to pursue the dream. His mother, Erin, has joined the team, managing shows for Deonath. Erin is a major force behind the annual Georgia Elvis Festival held on St. Simons Island in December.

“I’m a former division one softball coach. If you’d have told me that I would be chasing my son across the country and producing world-class Elvis shows, I would have said, ‘you’re crazy,’” she says with a laugh.

“But it’s really become a family. My youngest son comes along … we call him the head of security. My husband comes when he has a break from work. Both of the boys have learned a lot about work ethic from being involved. They’re setting up and breaking down. They run sound. They do a lot.”

Braxton’s daily calendar is a testament to his dedication — both in sports and in music. Erin adds that they never try to push him too hard and let him make his own decisions.

“He chooses what he wants to do,” she says.

“My parents and my grandparents are a massive help,” Braxton adds with a smile.

As far as what the future holds, much of it is still uncertain. He hopes to attend a college where he can continue pursuing his passion for music and baseball.

“… Virginia, Old Miss … JMU has a good music program,” Braxton lists. “Whatever I do, music will always be a part of it.”

For now, he’s content to travel far and wide to help keep the King’s legacy alive.

And while it’s unconventional for a teenager born decades after Presley’s passing, Braxton says his friends are supportive.

“I think the Elvis movie helped a lot. More people know more about him now. But they were skeptical at first … until they found out that I was getting paid to travel around the world and miss school,” he teases.

“But no, it’s really about keeping the legacy alive. We all come together for this music. When we sing his music, it feels like we’re all lifting it higher.”

A TASTE OF GLYNN BENEFITS GLYNN COMMUNITY CRISIS CENTER

Jan Lynch, from left, Rosemary Dozier, and Barbara Rueckel

A Taste of Glynn is an annual fundraiser for Glynn Community Crisis Center and its emergency center Amity House in Brunswick. The nonprofits offer aid to victims of domestic violence. The event is held at the King and Prince Golf and Beach Resort on St. Si mons Island. Area restaurants shared samples of their dishes and a silent au ction was held. For more information about Glynn Community Cris is Center, visit amityhouse.org.

John Schafer, from lefft, Larry Morrissey, Milan Savic, and Alan Judd

MIchael Weidmann, from left, Jamy Gomes, Sarah Weidmann Haleigh and Heath Jinkins, and David Gomes

Richard and Sabrina Nixon

Beth and Chip Fennell, from left, and Jane Rynders

Terri and John Bennett

Melissa Elliott, left, and Emma Moore

Dialo, from left, Olivia Jane and Dawson Cartwright

Abby McCarthy, left, and Phil Officer

Tim and Cassie Shipskie, from left, and Sonja and Jim Bullard

Katy Robeson, left, and Cyndi Kirby

Photo assistance by Jan Bone

ST. SIMONS LAND TRUST HOSTS OYSTER ROAST

Ben and Shelley Daniel, from left, Dawn and Brtt Barron, and Jeff Carpenter

The St. Simons Land Trust recently hosted its annual Oyster Roast at Gascoigne Bluff on St. Simons Island. The fundraiser offered attendees samples from area restaurants, along with drinks, and entertain ment. The money raised goes to preserve green space on the isla nd. For details, visit sslt.org.

Landon Brandt, from left, Anna Hammock, and Mary Francis Morgan

Melanie Carrick, from left, Kathy Hubert, Kam and Cheyenne Throckmorton, Brooke Baskin, Sy Hubert, Ellenda Bell, and Ben H ubert

Julianna Hanson, left, and Anna Trapp

Greer and Laura Brown, from left, and David Wright

Lisa and Lee Garrett

Bill Parker, left, and Janice Lamattina

Robyn and Jeff Shipskie, from left, and Cassie and Tim Shipskie

ARTTRENDS GALLERY WELCOMES NEW ARTIST

Gallery on St. Simons Island recently held an opening and reception for new member artist Kathryn McClain. The artist ic collective includes a number of local painters, sculptors, and other creators who share their work at the space, located at 33 05 Frederica Road. For more information, visit arttrendsgallery.com.

GLYNN VISUAL ARTS HOLDS OPENING

ArtTrends

Melinda and Jim Meighen, from left, and Ella Cart

Kathryn McClain

Diana Deason, from left, and Lynn and Larry Kennedy

Glynn Visual Arts recently hosted an opening reception for an exhibition titled, “Collage: A Fusion of Styles.” It featured the work of Lainie Adessi, Pam Brannen, and Mary Kathryn Kline. The art cen ter served food and drinks. For more information on upcoming shows, visit glynnvisualarts.org.

Don and Susan Myers

Mary Kline, from left, Pam Brannen, and Lainie Adessi

Piper and Mandy McCaskill, from left, and Kelda Mallette

Trish Rugaber, left, and Bettina Rusher

Amy Loskoski, left, and Eva Ivanov

Daniela and Alex Reinshagen

Ann Marie Dalis, left, and Marilyn Eigen

Laura, Jack, and Kevin Pullen

Linda Bobinger, left, and Patti Krowell

Mary Gallagher, from left, Susan Barrett, and Gay Diaz

The Jekyll Island Arts Association recently hosted an opening f or a reception titled, “Coastal Transcendence.” It featured the work of photographer Carol Ann Wages, painter Susan Yoder, and sculptor Kelly Richard. They shared pieces that focused on the beauty of nature. For future exhibitions and more information, visit jekyllartist s.com.

Bob and Debbie Rosenfeld

Carmel Latta, left, and Carol Fritz

Karl Sachsenmaier, from left, Kerry Smith, and Lana Sachsenmaier

Richard and Barb Hammes

Sharida Burkholder, from left, and Sonya and Tom Rutledge

Susan Yoder, from left, Kelly Richard, and Carol Ann Wages

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Janelle Elison, Bariatrics Program Patient