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BEST OF EFFINGHAM 2026

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IN THIS ISSUE 7

Publisher’s Letter

10 More than a Gym Southern Belles Gymnastics Builds Confidence and Community

16 The Corner Table El Real Mexican Restaurant

22 Mom-ing Unfiltered The Moment You Realize You’ve Become “The Voice in Their Head”

26 Packing Hope Volunteers, Families and Community Benefit from Backpack Buddies

39 Fran-TasTic Finds Antiques & Curiosities Emporium A hidden local treasure

40 Best of Effingham

You told us the places, people and things you love in Effingham. Now see the winners of the 2026 Best of Effingham

41 Deep Roots and Shared Dreams Georgia & Josh Akins Named Effingham’s Best Couple

Read all the stories and more at EffinghamMagazine.com

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER: Tuba Benson-Jaja | PRESIDENT: Somi Benson-Jaja SENIOR STRATEGIST: Jan Southern MARKETING MANAGER: Jamie Joensen | CONTENT MANAGER: Claire Sandow | LEAD WEB DEVELOPER: Harald J.

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2026 | EFFINGHAMMAGAZINE.COM

CONTRIBUTORS 1. Alycia Calderin is a Florida native who moved to Georgia in 2013, where she planted roots with her husband of 16 years. When she’s not balancing the whirlwind of activities for her four kids, she escapes into the world of books. .

2. Gail Mihalik lives in Rincon with Scott, her high school sweetheart, and their two rescue dogs. Chef by trade with over 50 years of experience, she spends most of her time living, loving, and sharing the history and culture of the area.

Tuba Benson-Jaja CEO

Somi Benson-Jaja President

Kelsey Harrison Senior Account Executive

Natalie Jones Account Executive

Chris Antonio Office Manager

Penny Redmond Distribution

3. Scott Douglas Miller is a broadcaster celebrating 50 years in radio as an air personality, news director, event DJ and content provider several publications. He Originally from Mississippi, Scott shares a home in Rincon with his high school sweetheart, Gail.

4. Gail Parsons has more than 30 years experience writing for magazines and newspapers. She most enjoys feature writing because it allows her to share the stories of interesting and inspiring people. She is also an artist and enjoys traveling and spending time at the beach.

5. Stephen Prudhomme is a native of New Jersey who lived in Savannah and Rincon for 25 years before moving to Pikeville, TN, with his wife and son. He’s written sports, features, news and business for a number of newspapers and magazines over nearly 40 years.

6. Cindy Reid has been a freelance writer for over 15 years. A native of New York’s Hudson Valley, she embodies the saying “I wasn’t born in the South but I got here as soon as I could.” She can usually be found on a beach, a boat or at a pier at sunset.

7. Claire Sandow is a marketing professional who lives in Savannah with her husband, daughter and cat. In her spare time, she enjoys pursuing her many hobbies, including knitting, crocheting, quilting and running.

8. Katrice Williams, is a married mother of two. She graduated from Georgia Southern University with a Business Administration Degree. She later decided to pursue her writing interests. Katrice appreciates the Lord Jesus Christ and the many blessings He has bestowed upon her. She loves spending time with her family.

9. Laura Zielinski is a freelance graphic designer specializing in print design. When she’s not working, she loves spending time with her husband Keith and their three beautiful children.

EFFINGHAMMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2026

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PUBLISHER’S THOUGHTS

Dear Effingham, PUBLISHER Somi Benson-Jaja Somi@JDelSURMarketing.com CLIENT SERVICES Kelsey Harrison, Senior Account Executive Kelsey@JDelSURMarketing.com Natalie Jones, Account Executive Natalie@JDelSURMarketing.com OFFICE MANAGER Chris Antonio DESIGN Laura Zielinski DISTRIBUTION Penny Redmond

Effingham Magazine is proudly produced by:

135 Goshen Rd Ext., Suite 251, Rincon, GA 31326 (912) 295-5406 EffinghamMagazine.com J. DelSUR Marketing Group is the publisher of Effingham Magazine, Pooler Magazine and Bryan County Magazine in South Georgia. We are a full service marketing agency with products that include print, digital and social media marketing.

ADVERTISING & SPONSORSHIPS To advertise in Effingham Magazine or sponsor an event, contact Kelsey Harrison at Kelsey@JDelSURMarketing.com or Natalie Jones at Natalie@JDelSURMarketing.com, or call (912) 295-5406.. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Write and tell us what you think. Effingham Magazine welcomes all letters to the editor. Please send letters to Somi Benson-Jaja at Somi@JDelSURMarketing.com. Letters to the editor must have a phone number and name of contact. Phone numbers will not be published. ARTICLE SUBMISSIONS Effingham Magazine welcomes story ideas from our readers. If you have a story idea or photos to share, please submit ideas and material to Somi Benson-Jaja at Somi@JDelSURMarketing.com. Stories or ideas for stories must be submitted by email. Only feature stories and photo essays about people, places or things in the Effingham area will be considered. CIRCULATION: Effingham Magazine is published bi-monthly and distributed to hundreds of locations throughout the area, as well as mailed to thousands of homes. The full magazine is available online at EffinghamMagazine.com. Views expressed in editorial or advertising do not imply endorsement by J. DelSUR Marketing Group. Reproduction in whole or in part in any manner without the written permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited.

This is my first letter to you as publisher, so I’ll start with the thing I care most about. This magazine belongs to you. For more than ten years, Effingham Magazine has told the stories of the people who make this county what it is. Dr. Jan Southern built that foundation one issue, one interview and one handshake at a time. Tuba Benson-Jaja and I are honored to carry it forward, Somi Benson-Jaja and grateful that Jan is staying on with us as Senior Strategist. We’re not here to change what makes this magazine special. We’re here to build on it. My roots in this county run deeper than a masthead. Before I picked up a camera for a living, I was a teacher, and I did my student teaching at South Effingham High School. Those classrooms taught me what this community values most: its kids, its families, and the people who show up for both. Years later, photographing local owners, families and volunteers, I saw the same thing from a different angle. You learn who opens early, who stays late, and who quietly steps in when someone needs help. That’s the Effingham I want to see in these pages every issue. That’s why Best of Effingham is a fitting place to start. Every name in the winners’ section was chosen by you. These are the restaurants you recommend to friends, the shops you trust, the coaches and caregivers you’d vouch for, and the nonprofits you believe in. No committee picked them. You did. In this issue you’ll meet the families behind Southern Belles Gymnastics, visit Fran-TasTic Finds, our Best Antique Shop, and spend time with Georgia and Josh Akins, your Best Couple. As a former teacher, I’m especially glad to share the work of Backpack Buddies, one of the organizations proving that this county takes care of its own. And please notice the ads. Nearly every business in these pages is local, many of them family-owned. When they advertise here, they’re investing in a magazine that celebrates their neighbors. When you shop with them, eat with them and call them first, you keep that cycle going. My promise to you is simple. We’ll keep putting local people, local businesses and local causes first. We’ll keep listening. And if you know a story that deserves to be told, a small business doing something worth noticing, or a nonprofit that needs a bigger spotlight, I want to hear about it. Congratulations to every winner and nominee, and thank you for letting us be part of your community.

Somi Benson-Jaja Publisher Effingham Magazine

EFFINGHAMMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2026

Sponsored Content

2026 Best Breakfast Restaurant Best Brunch

A Coffee Shop with a Purpose

or Amy and Gareth Whitehurst, opening a coffee shop was never just about serving a good cup of coffee. Their vision was to create a place where people could gather, meet friends, hold a business meeting or simply spend time away from home and work. The Whitehursts opened their Just Love Coffee Cafe franchise in May, bringing that vision to life with a space designed to feel less like a traditional coffee shop and more like a living room. The concept is often described as a “third place.” “It's the third place because you spend a lot of time, one, at home, and two, at work,” he said. “The third place is where you go to when you don't want to be at home, you don't want to be at work, you just meet some friends for a cup of coffee and maybe a meal.” That idea was central to what Gareth said Amy envisioned when the couple began considering the business. That philosophy is reflected in the cafe’s design. One area, which they call the family room or living room, has an electric fireplace, a brick-and-stone wall, television, coffee table and comfortable chairs and couches. The concept appears to be working. After only four months in business, the cafe was voted Best Breakfast Restaurant and Best Brunch.

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2026 | EFFINGHAMMAGAZINE.COM

While those might be the awards they earned, Just Love is more than just a morning coffee and breakfast stop, Amy said. “We serve breakfast all day,” she said. “Along with lunch and light dinner options, and desserts. We want the cafe to remain a place where people can gather later in the day for meetings, studying, and catching up with friends.” Waffles Beyond Breakfast The cafe’s food menu offers another way Just Love sets itself apart. Waffle makers are at the heart of the kitchen. The cafe serves traditional waffles, including gluten-free options, but also uses the waffle irons to prepare items like grilled cheese sandwiches and quesadillas. The concept originated with Just Love's founders, who wanted a distinctive menu without the expense of conventional restaurant equipment. There are no fryers or large griddles requiring commercial ventilation hoods. Instead, the simpler kitchen operation allows the cafe to focus on its specialty coffee while offering a food menu designed to complement the coffee. For the Whitehursts, that combination of simplicity and uniqueness was appealing.

Why Just Love? The couple considered opening an independent coffee shop before deciding a franchise would be a better fit for their first small-business venture. “We thought about going our own route — we wouldn’t have to pay the franchise fees, royalties and whatnot,” Gareth said. “But this is our first time owning a small business, we wanted what I call ‘A Business in a Box.’” Rather than starting from scratch, they could rely on an established menu, equipment recommendations, infrastructure, and support from the company's home office. But Just Love was about more than convenience. The Whitehursts were drawn to the company's core values, “Be genuine, be excellent, be a catalyst for love,” as well as its philanthropic efforts. The company offers “cause coffees,” with beans associated with charitable organizations. Just as important was the franchise's flexibility. “A lot of franchises — they want you to be very cookie cutter,” he said. “Every shop needs to look the same, feel the same. We aren't like that. We like to be a little different. We want to do things a little unique.” That flexibility allows them to offer services outside of a normal cafe visit, Amy said. “We're developing more catering options for bridal and baby showers, meetings and other gatherings,” she said. “And we’re working toward coffee service for offices and delivery options for schools.” The cafe is a family-run operation. Amy and Gareth work alongside their son, daughter, and their children's girlfriends. Amy's best friend is the manager, her mother handles the grocery shopping, and her sister works in the kitchen. “When we say ‘family-run’ we really mean it,” Amy said. Giving Back Community involvement is another part of the Whitehursts’ vision. The cafe makes its dining room available after hours for events without charging a rental fee when the space is available. Groups can also sell five-visit punch cards, with a large portion of the proceeds going back to organizations such as school bands and churches. The cafe also participates in community fundraising efforts. One recent example was the Coastal YMCA's Tee Up for Tots golf tournament. They have also supported Court Appointed Special Advocates and Folds of Honor. “Our goal is to become a resource for different groups throughout Effingham County,” Amy said. For them, those efforts are simply part of being a community business. “Wherever we can, we’re going to help make the community better,” Gareth said. Coffee With a Story Behind It Of course, the heart of any coffee shop is the coffee. Just Love's beans are small-batch roasted in Nashville, Tennessee. Gareth said the company's roast master is highly particular about the roasting process and where the beans originate. “They are meticulous about the coffee we serve,” Amy said. “They obsess over each coffee brought in and how each one is small-batch roasted to bring out the best natural flavors in the cup. Just Love has also been a three-time finalist for Roast Magazine's Roaster of the Year.” But coffee and food are only part of what they believe has contributed to the cafe's early success.

“We’re trying to provide that five-star service,” he said, along with quality products and a space where people want to stay. A Place for the Dogs, Too There is one more group they want to feel at home: dogs. Amy is a devoted dog lover. So, creating a petfriendly space was in the plan from the beginning. The cafe has a 400-square-foot front patio where customers can bring their furry friends. Water bowls are available, and four-legged visitors receive a whipped cream and bacon pup cup. Home Is Where They Landed The cafe is the latest chapter in a much longer journey for the couple. Both grew up in Florida, where they met in high school French class and began dating in 1991. They married in 1997, moved to California and later Seattle, where Gareth began his aviation career. In 2010, they relocated to Effingham County. Along the way, they bought homes in several cities, but something about their current home felt different. “The house we have now was the first house that we thought together, ‘We could retire here,’” he said. “For the first time, we could envision ourselves settling down.” The coffee shop is another expression of that feeling, putting down roots and creating something that belongs not only to the people who own it, but to the community around them. “We really want people to understand that we’re more than really good coffee,” Amy said. “We want to be a community space that happens to serve coffee and food.” For Gareth and Amy, Just Love is a business. But it is also the kind of place people return to because they feel they belong there. A place for coffee. A place for food. A place for dogs. And, above all, a place to gather. ■

EFFINGHAMMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2026

The Moment You Realize You’ve Become “The Voice in Their Head” by Alycia Calderin

t happens quietly. There’s no ceremony, no milestone photo, no warning. Just a random moment where your child says something about themselves, and you recognize your own words staring back at you. Sometimes it’s harmless: “I can’t, I’m not good at that.” Sometimes it lands heavier: “I always mess things up.”

What matters is what echoes most. The apologies. The corrections. The moments we say, “I was wrong.” The times we choose gentler words, even when we’re tired. » Every time we tell them, “You’re allowed to try,” we plant courage. » Every time we say, “Mistakes don’t define you,” we plant grace. » Every time we say, “I love you even when it’s hard,” we plant safety.

And suddenly you realize: you’re not just raising a child anymore. You’re shaping the voice they’ll hear when no one else is around.

One day, when they’re older and standing alone in a moment that scares them, they won’t hear our voices out loud anymore. They’ll hear them inside.

I used to think parenting was about teaching manners, routines, right from wrong. I didn’t realize I was also writing the internal script they’ll carry into classrooms, friendships, relationships, and rooms I’ll never step foot in.

And I hope, more than anything, that when they do, it sounds like reassurance instead of judgment. Like encouragement instead of fear. Like love, steady and familiar, reminding them they are capable, worthy, and not alone.

They’re listening when we think they aren’t. They’re absorbing tone, not just words. They’re learning how to talk to themselves by how we talk to them, and how we talk about ourselves. The first time it really hit me, it scared me. Because I know the voice in my own head. I know where it came from. And I know how long it took to unlearn the parts that weren’t kind. I don’t want my stress to become their self doubt. I don’t want my exhaustion to become their inner critic. I don’t want my “I’m fine” to teach them to swallow everything.

That’s when you realize: Parenting isn’t just about raising kids. It’s about becoming the voice you hope they’ll carry with them forever.

But here’s the part no one talks about: we won’t get it right all the time. We will raise our voices when we’re overwhelmed. We’ll sigh too loudly. We’ll say things we wish we could take back. And yes, some of that will echo longer than we’d like.

mom-ing

UNFILTERED

Finding Magic in the Madness of Motherhood

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2026 | EFFINGHAMMAGAZINE.COM

EFFINGHAMMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2026

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Packing Hope Volunteers, Families and Community Benefit from Backpack Buddies Story by Stephen Prudhomme Photography by Somi Benson-Jaja

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2026 | EFFINGHAMMAGAZINE.COM

irroring the growth in Effingham County, Backpack Buddies has expanded its reach. Starting with three schools in 2014, it now serves 16 learning institutions. What hasn’t changed is its commitment to providing meals to hungry youngsters and involving the community in this invaluable and rewarding endeavor that offers nourishment for the body and spirit. Backpack Buddies was introduced to the area in 2013. The following year, Backpack Buddies started in neighboring Effingham County at three schools. It now serves Rincon, Springfield, Guyton, Sandhill, Marlow, Blandford, South and Creekside elementary schools, Ebenezer, South Effingham and Effingham middle schools, Effingham and South Effingham high schools, and Effingham College and Career, Crossroads and EnCompass academies. The bags are packed and delivered on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Each contains juice, fruit, protein, vegetables, breakfast foods, snacks and, once a month, a jar of peanut butter. The youngsters receive candy bags for Halloween, Valentine’s Day and Easter and a stocking at Christmas. On weekends, in case the students don’t have enough food at home and are unable to have meals at school, the bags provide a nutritional lifeline of sorts. That lifeline is especially crucial in Effingham County, where, according to Co-director Trish Guetterman, 53 percent of the

“

Buddies is run by a great group of volunteers that unload truck deliveries, organize the food pantry and fill bags to go home every week with our students ... this group of volunteers works very hard at what they do.

2026

youngsters are eligible for a free or reduced lunch. She said the children eat breakfast and lunch at school and are given a bag of food to eat on weekends. Over long weekends and holidays such as Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas, Backpack Buddies provides them with two bags apiece. Guetterman noted they packed 25,230 the last school year, averaging about 700 bags a week. “Our highest number in one week was 720 bags,” she said. The program is set up to ensure the privacy and dignity of the participating families. Guetterman said they know nothing about the children. “The schools send out a permission slip,” she noted. “Once they receive it back they keep it on file. I email each week asking how many bags each school needs.” Frequently, volunteers are retired educators. “They have seen the need firsthand and want to help,” Guetterman said. “Maybe some have experienced food insecurity and that is why they help.” Among the retired educators volunteering for Backpack Buddies is Colleen Oberlander. The Rincon resident has been involved with the organization for over 15 years, starting when she worked at South Effingham Elementary School.

Nowadays, she packs, prepares and delivers the bags of food to county schools for distribution to the students. Oberlander said Backpack Buddies is a growing resource parents can utilize to help feed the students during these difficult economic times. She adds it’s also a valuable resource in the community that helps hundreds of students in Effingham County on a weekly basis, pointing out that extra bags of food are sent home with the students to help provide nutrition over a break or holiday. Furthermore, Oberlander notes, Backpack Buddies provides treats for special holidays such as Christmas, when each student receives a stocking filled with essentials and goodies. “Buddies is run by a great group of volunteers that unload truck deliveries, organize the food pantry and fill bags to go home every week with our students,” Oberlander said. “It really does take a village to raise a child, and this group of volunteers works very hard at what they do.” Given the emphasis of maintaining the privacy of the individuals served by Backpack Buddies, the volunteers and youngsters don’t know one another. That doesn’t prevent the former from diligently showing up on a weekly basis.

EFFINGHAMMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2026

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2026 | EFFINGHAMMAGAZINE.COM

“

We try to not only work hard, but also have fun along the way. I know of so many friendships that have been formed through volunteering at Backpack Buddies, and it’s such a blessing to know that we get to be a small part of that. Each week, Guetterman notes, she has at least 25 people show up to help set up, pack, deliver, put away food, and clean up. There isn’t a signup sheet for volunteers. They just show up when available, regardless of the weather. “They work in the August heat, put away a delivery in the pouring rain, and worked in the super cold,” Guetterman said. “I’ve never had a single week that I didn't have enough people to help. I do have weeks where I don't have enough to do for some of the people that do show up. That tells me that no matter what we face in our lives, people still want to help and they generally love their fellow human. It gives me hope, hope for the next generation and hope for our world.” Donors also play a key role in the success of Backpack Buddies. These include churches, businesses and individuals such as Kelli Lariscy, a retired educator who lives in Guyton. She said she and her husband, Jeff, have made monthly donations to the organization for the past few years. “I’m a retired educator and have had the experience of having a hungry child in my classroom and scrambling to find something for him to eat,” Lariscy said. “I love being able to help Backpack Buddies’ mission of providing children, who might otherwise be hungry, with meals and snacks to get them through the weekends and holidays.” Like the volunteers, donors have a heart for helping those in need. Guetterman speculates they see a need or experienced a need in their life that leads them to donate to an organization such as Backpack Buddies. “The local businesses/corporations that donate to us have been amazing in their support of the children of our county,” Guetterman said. “The people who donate from the corporations are community members who see the need for the children and are in a position to help, and do. We are so extremely grateful for every single donation that comes to us.” There are several drop off donation locations for Backpack Buddies. Horton’s General Store is consistently the top spot. “I will go by there and pick up a trunkful of donations about once a month,” Guetterman said. “I’m always so shocked by the amount people donate to us. Tammy Shuman is the person at Horton’s who constantly is posting on Facebook to get donations for us. She has been such a support. She will challenge her followers to donate 100 jars of peanut butter and she will end up with 200.” Located in Rincon, Horton’s General Store became a drop off location for Backpack Buddies in 2021. “I encourage the community to help me get certain items they are in need of,” said Tammy Leggett, one of the owners. “I’ve enjoyed working with Trish and the crew. I also attend Goshen United Methodist Church, where we have several members that volunteer to help pack the bags on Thursdays. Just recently our missions team at church, with the help of church members, raised $5,000 for them.” As altruistic as many individuals, businesses and churches are in Effingham County, Backpack Buddies faces the challenge of keeping up with increased costs. With costs rising everywhere, Guetterman noted, their costs are rising as well. “We buy a lot of our food from Second Harvest and are able to get it cheaper than going to the grocery store, but our dollars definitely don’t go as far now,” she said.

Despite the fiscal challenges, Backpack Buddies will continue to provide meals for students in need, bolstered by a group of caring individuals who understand how these youngsters represent the future and their success ultimately benefits the community at large. Its mission remains possible and in the bag. “Our mission is to get food to each child that needs it,” Guetterman said. “We have made sure the food is delivered each week. We have teachers tell us that some of the kids get very excited when they receive their bags. One mom told a volunteer that once their child got their Christmas stocking, they played with the toys inside all evening.” The work of Effingham Backpack Buddies in the community hasn’t gone unnoticed. It’s been voted the Best Place to Volunteer in Effingham Magazine’s Best of Effingham. “To know that they (volunteers) believe in our mission and feel that Backpack Buddies is a great place for them to be each week is such a blessing and an incredible honor,” Guetterman said. “We try to not only work hard, but also have fun along the way. I know of so many friendships that have been formed through volunteering at Backpack Buddies, and it’s such a blessing to know that we get to be a small part of that, too.” ■

EFFINGHAMMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2026

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2026 | EFFINGHAMMAGAZINE.COM

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2026

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2026 | EFFINGHAMMAGAZINE.COM

Fran-TasTic Finds Antiques & Curiosities Emporium

A HIDDEN LOCAL TREASURE Story by Katrice Williams “Each treasure has a history. If each one of these 2026 items could tell us what it’s lived through, I’m sure we’d be amazed,” Sheila Jerome states. Sheila is the owner of Fran-TasTic Finds Antiques Best Antique Shop & Curiosities Emporium (Fran-TasTic), which offers a unique array of antique and vintage items. Sheila opened Fran-TasTic on November 11, 2023, being inspired by her cousin Frances; Sheila named the shop in honor of her after Frances passed away in July of that same year. The two cousins adored going “antiquing” together to collect one-of-a-kind items. Nostalgia Fran-TasTic offers something for nearly anyone, particularly those rare or nostalgic items that are often difficult to acquire elsewhere. Some customers have been surprised at what they have discovered in the cozy, welcoming shop. “It’s about finding the unique stuff that will bring back those memories,” Sheila says. At Fran-TasTic, shoppers may find that vintage Pyrex dish like the one their grandma once owned. “Some of the things we have are 50-100 years old. They’ve stood the test of time,” she says. Whether someone spends $175 on a giant antique plant stand or $1.75 on a Croc bracelet charm, most shoppers walk away with a real treat. Speaking of treats, Fran-TasTic has a nostalgic candy section next to the register – edible remakes of those sweet treats that many older adults loved during their childhood. Sheila remembers an older man who had recently come to her shop. He was amazed to find a goodie that he had not seen for a long time. “I haven’t seen butter rum Life Savers in a roll in forever,” he said. He was so thrilled that he bought five packs. Fran-TasTic Finds Sheila normally acquires her merchandise from estate sales and auctions in North Georgia. There have been some remarkable items that she has come across, including an old, vintage unicycle. “I thought to myself, ‘Nobody will ever buy this.’ Well, a few weeks later, a young man came in who had always wanted to ride one. It’s those different things you just can’t walk into a normal store and buy,” she says. One of Sheila’s favorite finds was a Star Trek telephone. The phone was very rare, and it still worked. A couple purchased it for $65 as a gift for a friend who was an avid Star Trek collector. They later discovered William Shatner’s signature on it; he had signed it as Captain James T. Kirk. The phone was found to be worth nearly $1,000. “They were overjoyed and thrilled. You just never know what it is you actually have sometimes,” she says.

“They bring a lot of great items in to help serve different customer types. We’re like family. I wouldn’t have the shop I have without the Lord and all my wonderful Fran Fam,” she says. Sheila is grateful to her husband Robby for all of his love and support through it all. She also appreciates the relationships that she has been privileged to make with her shoppers. “It’s a good way to stay connected to people; it’s just about building those relationships,” she says. “To me, they’re not just customers, they’re family.”

Gratitude There are 17 vendors in Sheila’s shop. Each is able to draw a uniquely different customer base. They call themselves the “Fran Fam.”

826 S. Laurel St., Springfield, GA | 912.658.9311

EFFINGHAMMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2026

You VOTED for the Best! 2026

Best Activities Director Melissa Devenney Southern Belles Gymnastics

Best Bar El Real Mexican Restaurant

Best Barber

Best Animal Rescue Coastal Pet Rescue

Old Towne Barbers

Best Antique Shop Fran-TasTic Finds Antiques & Curiosities Emporium

Old Towne Barbers

Best Apartment Community Creekside Homes & Townhomes

Best Appliance Store Wiley’s Home Center Best Asian Restaurant Tomo Japanese Restaurant

Best Assisted Living Lakeview Manor Senior Living Best Attorney Attorney Mickey Kicklighter Kicklighter Law, P.C. Best Auto Service / Maintenance Center Davis Tire Service & Repair LLC Best Babysitter/Nanny Rebecca MacPhearson Best Bakery Ally’s Bakery Best Bank Bank of Newington- Springfield 40

You told us the PLACES, PEOPLE and THINGS you love in Effingham, and we’re so proud to share the winners of the 2026 BEST OF EFFINGHAM with you!

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2026 | EFFINGHAMMAGAZINE.COM

Best Barber Shop Best Bartender Greenside Bar & Grille - Rincon GA Best Bath & Body Shop Mini Homesteader Best BBQ Rusty Pig BBQ Best Boutique My Saving Grace Boutique

Best Breakfast Restaurant Just Love Coffee - Rincon Best Brunch Just Love Coffee - Rincon

Best Burger Greenside Bar & Grille

Best Business Banking Bank of Newington - Springfield

Best Business Consulting Vision Financial Best Cakes Ally’s Bakery

DEEP ROOTS F AND SHARED DREAMS Georgia & Josh Akins Named Effingham’s Best Couple Story by Cindy Reid

or Georgia and Josh Akins, the phrase “there is no place like home” is the foundation of their lives. Five years ago, they moved from Savannah back to Rincon, the community where 2026 they were both raised, because this is exactly where they want to be. Today, the Akins are deeply woven into the fabric of Effingham County, balancing careers, family life, and a passion for youth sports. Josh is the Director of Operations and a partner for the Rincon and Springfield Subway locations while also operating a land surveying and consulting business. Georgia serves the community through her work with the Board of Education’s Transportation Department. Together, they own and operate Effingham Elite Volleyball, a program dedicated to mentoring young local athletes. They were very surprised to be chosen as Best Couple and thank the community for the honor and for its support of their family. Growing Up Together Their story begins in the same neighborhood, where they grew up just two years apart. That age difference kept them on separate tracks until high school, when an online AOL mix-up brought them face to face. Their first official date took place at Savannah’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, during one of the area’s biggest celebrations. It worked; the couple married on March 18, 2006. Marrying young comes with its stereotypes, but the Akins have defied them. While some couples fear growing apart as they age, Georgia views it differently. “We’ve grown up together,” she says, noting that evolving alongside each other has only strengthened their bond. The secret to their 20-year marriage? Good communication and very few disagreements. When tension does arise, they have a signature system: Josh simply leaves the room. “It makes me so mad!” Georgia laughs, but the strategy keeps major arguments at bay. Josh describes Georgia as his complete opposite—far more emotional and expressive—while Georgia cherishes Josh’s deepdown, incredibly caring nature. He is her biggest supporter and a fiercely dedicated father. Whenever the girls need something, Josh is always their first call. Seeing the World At the center of Josh and Georgia’s world are their two daughters: Abigail, a senior at Effingham County High School who has a passion for photography, and Taylor, a freshman at Effingham County High School who is equally passionate about volleyball. Growing up in the same town as their parents means Abigail and Taylor are living out many of the same community traditions that shaped Josh and Georgia. The family makes a celebration out of local milestones, including high school Homecoming and the annual Fourth of July fireworks. The Akins have built their life around family experiences, spending years camping during nearly every holiday. Now, as the girls grow older, the Akins are fulfilling a lifelong dream to show them the world. From trips to Spain, Paris, and London to family cruises and school-break escapes to Turks and Caicos, the family is exploring the globe together. With Abigail preparing to graduate, Georgia has already given Josh a glimpse into their next chapter. “We’ll see how life is when the kids are gone,” she says. But with a rock-solid foundation built in Rincon, strong ties to the community, and a lifetime of travel ahead of them, the future looks incredibly bright for Effingham’s Best Couple.

Thank you to our Sponsors 2026 PLATINUM SPONSORS

GOLD SPONSORS

SILVER SPONSORS

ASHLEY BOYETTE

Ivy Eilerman

BRONZE SPONSOR

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2026 | EFFINGHAMMAGAZINE.COM

Mark Grainger Quality Autos

Best Car Dealership

Best Community Sports Team (K12) Southern Belles Gymnastics

Best Carpet Cleaning Service Elite Carpet Cleaners

Best Consignment Store Cherry Picked

Best Caterer Sweet Southern Charcuterie

Best Contruction Company Coastal Contracting

Best Catering Services Sweet Southern Charcuterie

Best Cosmetic Dentistry iHeart Dental

Best CBD Store Code Store Rincon

Best Cosmetologist Hidden Gem Beauty Shop

Best Charcuterie Sweet Southern Charcuterie

Best Couple Georgia and Josh Akins

Best Charity Event CURE

GeoVista Credit Union

Best Chef Greenside Bar & Grille

Best Chicken Wings Mulligans Pizza Restaurant

Best Child Care Center Small World Learning Center

Best Chiropractor Hamby Chiropractic & Wellness

Best City Council Member Trisha Boyett Best Cleaning Services Peachy Keen Cleaning Co.

Best Clothing Store Two Little C’s Boutique Best Coffee Shop Paddles Coffee & Cafe Best Community Bank Bank of Newington - Springfield Best Community Event / Festival Springfield Fall Festival Best Community Organization/Club Southern Belles Gymnastics Best Community Sports Coach (K12) Melissa Devenney Southern Belles Gymnastics

Best Credit Union Best Dance Fitness Instructor Anna Herndon Revolution Cycle Fitness Best Dance Studio Southern Belles Gymnastics

Best Day Spa Rincon Day Spa

Best Daycare Ambra’s Preschool

Best Dental Group iHeart Dental Best Dental Hygienist Ashleigh Atkins | iHeart Best Dentist Dr. Misty Seale, DMD

Best Dermatologist Dr. Josepha Devaro Coastal Dermatology Inc. Best Dessert Ally’s Bakery Best Electrician Service Silverback Electric Best EMT Adam Davis

Best Esthetic Treatment Center Radiant Skin Medical Spa EFFINGHAMMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2026

Best Esthetician Emma Whitaker Radiant Skin Medical Spa Best Event / Party Coordinator Rincon Community Market Best Exterminator/Pest Control TNT Pest Control & Consulting LLC Best Eye Care Providers/ Optometrist Effingham Eye Care & Optical Best Family Restaurant Mulligans Pizza Restaurant

Best Female Business Owner Melissa Devenney Southern Belles Gymnastics Best Fencing Company Low Country Fencing Best Financial Services Vision Financial

Best Handyman Services Coastal Contracting Best Health Insurance Advisor Stille-DeWitt Health Brokerage Best Healthcare Facility ExperCare Rincon Best Hearing Healthcare Carolina Health and Hearing Best Holistic & Naturopathic Practice Holistic Wellness Savannah Best Home Builders Cobblestone & Clover, LLC

Best Home Décor Store Habitat for Humanity/ Restore of Effingham County Best Hospice Organization

Best Firefighter Thomas Grissom

SunCare Hospice & Palliative Care

Best Fitness Center Revolution Cycle & Fitness

Total Services Heating and Air Conditioning

Best Flooring Company Legacy Flooring Best Florist Shop Carlson & Co Best Food Truck Paddles Coffee & Cafe

Best Fried Chicken Ms. Jean’s Restaurant

Best HVAC Sales and Services Best Indoor Cycling Studio/Instructor Revolution Cycle & Fitness Best Insurance Agent Ashley Boyette | State Farm Best Insurance Company (Property & Casualty) Burns Insurance Associates Best IT Services RepowerIT

Thomas C Strickland and Sons Funeral Home

Best Japanese Restaurant Sushi Hana- Rincon

Best Furniture Store Wiley’s Home Center

Best Junk Removal Service Junk King

Best Funeral Home

Best Hair Salon Hidden Gem Beauty Shop

Best Garage Door Company

Best Kids Activities

Action Overhead Door & Supply

Southern Belles Gymnastics

Best Gift Store

Best Lash Bar

Ellen Claire Soapery

Hidden Gem Beauty Shop

Best Golf Course City Club at Lost Plantation

Best Law Enforcement Officer Shawn Stapleton

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2026 | EFFINGHAMMAGAZINE.COM

Best Law Firm Kicklighter Law

Radiant Skin Medical Spa

Best Lawn, Garden & Landscape Services White Pine Property Group

Effingham Health Systems

Best Learning Center Ambra’s Preschool

Best Mental Health Counselor Lumina Counseling LLC

Best Liquor Store The Liquor Cabinet

Best Mexican Restaurant El Real Mexican Restaurant

Best Local Artist Lindsey Gerow

Best Military Veteran Business Owner Melissa Devenney Southern Belles Gymnastics

Best Medical Group

Best Local Athlete Rachel Sanchez Melendez Southern Belles Gymnastics

B Renewed Luxury Mobile Massage Studio

Best Local Author Alycia Calderin

Bank of Newington- Springfield

Best Local Bank Queensborough National Bank & Trust Co.

Best Local Gun & Ammo Store Effingham Armory

Best Mobile Entertainment Services Best Mortgage Company Best Mortgage Lender Ivy Eilerman Assurance Financial Best Movie Theater Mars Theater

Best Local Interior Designer/ Design Firm Rebecka Hess Dr.Canvas

Best Museum Georgia Salzburger Society Museum

Best Local Pharmacy Towne Pharmacy

Best Nail Salon Rincon Nail

Best Local Special Event Venue

Best Non-Profit Organization

Oak Circle Elopements - Erica Veal

Habitat for Humanity of Effingham County

Best Lunch Restaurant Ms. Jean’s Restaurant

AJ Hargrove

Best Makeup Artist Lexie Dodd Leddick Best Male Business Owner Bagyesh Patel Local on Laurel Spirits Best Martial Arts Studio

Best Med Spa

Best Nurse Best Nurse Injector Nancy Mimbs Radiant Skin Medical Spa Best Nurse Practitioner Lauren Collum

Effingham Combat Academy

Best Nursery/Garden Center, Ijon Webb Farm Supply

Best Massage Therapist Bonnie Smith | B Renewed

Best Nutrition Product Store Crush

Best Massage Therapy Group Rincon Day Spa

Best OB/GYN Todd Robinson

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2026 | EFFINGHAMMAGAZINE.COM

Best Online Boutique Two Little C’s Boutique

Best Piercing Studio Harley Ink

Best Orthodontics Group

Best Pizza

Innovative Orthodontics - Rincon Branch

Mulligans Pizza Restaurant

Best Orthodontist

Best Place of Worship

Innovative Orthodontics - Rincon Branch

Compassion Christian Effingham

Best Orthopedic Group Optim Orthopedics

Best Place to Volunteer Effingham Backpack Buddies

Best Overall Restaurant 108 Ale House

Best Place to Work Southern Belles Gymnastics

Best Painting Company Coastal Contracting

Best Plumbing Company PG Custom Plumbing and Water Filtration

Best Pancakes Ally’s Bakery

Best Pool Service Company B & M Pool Spa & Patio

Best Paramedic Ron Wiggins

Ambra’s Preschool

Best Pediatrician Dr. Lauren Oglesby Magnolia Primary Care

Best Permanent Makeup Services Kayla Soper La Vida on Laurel MedSpa Best Pet Daycare & Boarding CNR Farms Best Pet Groomer Mallorys Paw Spa Best Pet Sitter/Dog Walker Awes & Paws Dog Walking And Pet Care

Best Pet Supplies Store Aquarium Eden

Best Preschool Best Pressure Washing Company Soaps and Hose, LLC Best Primary Care Physician Dr. Lauren Oglesby Magnolia Primary Care Best Principal Greg Manior Best Printing Company Rincon Packaging & Shipping Best Property Management Company Platinum Properties Best Psychiatrist Stephen Bonanni Horizon Behavioral Health

Best Photographer

Best Pub

Bright Eyes Photography

Greenside Bar & Grille

Best Psychologist Shannon Jones

Best Real Estate Agent Billi Jo R. Cape, Realtor

Best Physical Therapist Kathy Wimberly, DPT Small Steps Pediatric Therapy

Coast & Country Real Estate Experts

Best Physical Therapy Practice Small Steps Pediatric Therapy

Best Real Estate Company Best Recreation Facility Southern Belles Gymnastics

Best Remodeling/Renovation Company Coastal Contracting EFFINGHAMMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2026

Best Restaurant Waitstaff Greenside Bar & Grille Best Roofing Company Rewis Roofing Best School Savannah Technical College

Best School Administrator Kenza Murray Best Seafood Restaurant The Tin Fin Best Southern Restaurant Ms. Jean’s Restaurant Best Speech Therapist Danielle Haggerty Small Steps Best Specialty Store Moslow Motorsports Best Sports Bar Greenside Bar & Grille

Best Staffing Agency Dark Horse Staffing

Best Veterinary Clinic Guyton Animal Hospital Best Videographer Erich Perez Kronos Media Best Vision Care Effingham Eye Care

Best Waxing Technician/ Salon Wax & Relax of Georgia Best Wealth Management Company Jeremy Herren-Edward Jones Best Weight Loss Center Magnolia Primary Care Best Window Treatment Company Budget Blinds of Pooler & Statesboro

Best Worship Leader Chance Ward UMC

Best Storage Company 21 South Mini Storage

Best Yoga Instructor Madisen Hipelius Revolution Cycle & Fitness

Best Tactical/Outdoor Supply Store Effingham Armory

Best Yoga Studio Effin Yoga

Best Tanning Salon Honey Sprays By Holly Mae Best Tattoo Artist Ashton Harley Harley Ink Best Teacher K-12 Angela Kerby South Effingham High School Best Teller Bank of Newington - Springfield

Best Trivia Night Greenside Bar & Grille Best Urgent Care Rincon Medical Center-Urgent Care

Best Veterinarian Dr. Michael Bailey Effingham Animal Hospital

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2026 | EFFINGHAMMAGAZINE.COM

FRIENDSOFJONBURNS.COM PHONE 404.656.5052

EMAIL JON.BURNS@HOUSE.GA.GOV

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EFFINGHAMMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2026

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2026 | EFFINGHAMMAGAZINE.COM

2026

EFFINGHAMMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2026

INDEX OF ADVERTISERS Please thank these advertisers for contributing to our community and making this publication possible. If you want to be part of this list, email Kelsey@JDelSURMarketing.com or call 912.295.5406.

COMMUNITY SPONSORS Ashley Boyette, State Farm | J.DelSUR Marketing Group | Kicklighter Law Lowcountry Foundation & Crawl Space Repair | Wiley’s Home Center

13 Stars Event Venue & Tavern.............................................33 21 South Mini Storage............................................................30 Action Overhead Door & Supply.......................................... 15 Ashley Boyette State Farm.......................................................9 Bank of Newington.................................................................56 Beau Dossey Roofing............................................................. 51 Blush Tapas Restaurant..........................................................33 Budget Blinds of Pooler&Statesboro..................................54 City Club at Lost Plantation.................................................. 18 CNR Farms................................................................................34 Coast & Country Real Estate Experts..................................33 Coastal Contracting................................................................35 Coastal Installations................................................................36 Coastal States Bank................................................................32 Davis Tire.....................................................................................8 DeWitt Insurance Agency...................................................... 15 Effingham Animal Hospital....................................................34 Effingham Armory...................................................................25 Effingham Combat Academy............................................... 31 Effingham Eye Care & Optical.............................................. 15 Effingham Health Systems...................................................... 2 Empire Gym..............................................................................53 Esselstein Law P.C..................................................................... 3 Georgia Heritage Credit Union............................................50 GeoVista Credit Union........................................................... 14 Greenside Bar & Grille............................................................ 18 Habitat for Humanity of Effingham County...................... 19 Hidden Gem Beauty Shop..................................................... 51 Hospice Savannah...................................................................54 iHeart Dental............................................................................ 37

THANK YOU

Innovative Orthodontics........................................................55 Ivy Eilerman - Assurance Financial Group.........................33 Jeremy Herren - Edward Jones...........................................34 Jon Burns..................................................................................49 Just Love Coffee & Cafe.................................................. 20,21 Kicklighter Law.........................................................................49 Legacy Flooring Pros.............................................................. 14 Lowcountry Foundation and Crawl Space Repair...........50 Mark Grainger Quality Autos................................................53 Optim Orthopedics...................................................................6 Paddles Coffee.........................................................................30 Radiant Skin Med Spa.............................................................34 Reddick & Pollett Attorneys at Law.....................................23 Rincon Day Spa........................................................................54 Rusty Pig BBQ.......................................................................... 17 Savannah Trimlight..................................................................38 Silverback Electric................................................................... 51 Small World Learning Center................................................ 51 Southern Belles Gymnastics.................................................45 Stille-DeWitt Health Brokerage, LLC...................................24 SunCare Hospice & Palliative Care......................................24 Superior Fence & Rail.............................................................32 The Hillis Law Firm..................................................................53 The Meadows Luxury Apartments.......................................23 Thomas C Strickland & Sons Funeral Home..................... 51 TNT Pest Control & Consulting LLC...................................38 Towne Pharmacy.....................................................................30 Two Rivers Health Clinic........................................................ 51 Wiley’s Home Center..............................................................36

to our Community Sponsors

ASHLEY BOYETTE

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2026 | EFFINGHAMMAGAZINE.COM

EFFINGHAMMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2026

Same Name. Same Caring Hands. For more than four decades, Hospice Savannah has been privileged to walk alongside local families with dignity, comfort, and compassion. That will never change. You may have noticed a new name in our community. Georgia Care Innovators brings together Hospice Savannah and the nonprofit services we have built over the past 45 years under one shared identity—united by a common purpose: improving the lives of individuals, families, and communities across Georgia through compassionate care and innovative solutions.

Comfort Meets Style ALL SEASON LONG

Even as our family grows, our commitment to you stays the same.

ADDITIONAL SERVICES OFFERED BY GEORGIA CARE INNOVATORS Capable | Edel Caregiver Institute Steward Center For Palliative Care The Butterfly Program | Full Circle Grief & Loss Center Ride-Well Mobility | Georgia Care Innovators Foundation

1352 Eisenhower Drive • 912.355.2289

HospiceSavannah.org

Hospice Savannah complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. Hospice Savannah does not exclude people or treat them differently because of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex.

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2026 | EFFINGHAMMAGAZINE.COM

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