Effingham Magazine June/July 2013

Making a

JOYFUL NOISE

June/July 2013

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CONTRIBUTORS

Barbara Russell is a freelance writer and photographer, and in the past she was a high school English teacher and a flight attendant. Always an avid horse person and riding instructor, she enjoys writing for equine publications and she is writing a young adult novel about horses. For several years she wrote feature stories and a history column for Effingham CloseUp, and she has been published in a variety of magazines. Currently she enjoys writing for Independence Day Publishing.

Barbara Russell

As he tries to do in life, in photography, Zackary Housend believes in providing the very best he can deliver and never settling for anything less. He truly believes in giving everything you do your full and undivided attention. He hasn’t been doing photography as long as most, but his zest and ambition for it puts him a step in the right direction, no doubt meaning great things for the future. Originally from Florida, Zackary has lived in the Savannah area most of his life. When not immersing himself in work, he tries to take the time to enjoy the little things that make life worthwhile.

Zackary Housend

June/July 2013 Julie Hales owner/publisher julie@idpmagazines.com Lane Gallegos graphic design lane@idpmagazines.com Lea Allen administrative assistant/circulation lea@idpmagazines.com Candice Shaufelberger administrative / graphic assistant candice@idpmagazines.com DiAnna Jenkins account executive dianna@idpmagazines.com Barbara Anderson account executive barbara@idpmagazines.com

Sherry Cook is a Tennessee native who has traveled the world thanks to her husband’s military career. Germany, South Korea, Texas, Kentucky, and Alabama are just a few of the places they have called home over the past 25 years. Sherry and her husband now reside in Rincon, along with two of their three children. She is currently focusing on completing the requirements for her BA in History with the University of Maryland.

Sherry Cook

STAFF

Lea Allen

Lane Gallegos

Candice Shaufelberger

DiAnna Jenkins

Barbara Anderson

SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscribe to Effingham Magazine by submitting a check and subscription information form found in every issue. You may also subscribe by calling (912)826-2760.

LETTERS TO THE PUBLISHER Write to us and tell us what you think. Effingham Magazine welcomes all letters to the publisher.

Please send all letters via email to Julie Hales at julie@idpmagazines.com Letters to the publisher 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 photo essay you would like to share, please submit ideas and material by emailing Julie Hales at julie@idpmagazines.com All articles and photos will be reviewed by the publisher, and if the articles and accompanying photos meet the criteria of Independence Day Publishing, Inc., the person submitting the material will be contacted. Stories or ideas for stories must be submitted by email. Only feature stories and photo essays about people, places or things in Effingham County will be considered.

Effingham Magazine is published bimonthly by Independence Day Publishing, Inc. Reproduction in whole or in part in any manner without the written permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited.

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04 June/July 2013 | Effingham Magazine

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in this issue June/July 2013

features

08 14 33

Joyful Noise Harmonizing For The Lord A Bright And Loud Future Drummer, Will Sapp Shaw Wilkerson Repaying His Blessings

departments

07

Publisher’s Page

36

Dining Guide

39

Effingham Weddings

43

Real Estate

specials Effingham’s Musicians Where Are They Now

22

Hannah Dasher

26

Effingham County Orchestra

30

Mossy Oak Music Park

06 June/July 2013 | Effingham Magazine

PUBLISHER’S Thoughts

On the Cover

It’s Music To My Ears

Making a

JOYFUL NOISE

June/July 2013

Joyful Noise Trio Carrie Hurst Rouse, Misty Carter Sapp and Roger Sapp

It’s definitely summer time! People are out and about all over….picnics… pool parties…. the beach….it is nice to be able to spend time outdoors again!

What is one thing that seems to be a common denominator in almost everything we do? Music! There is usually a radio playing while we are laying on the beach….or sitting by the pool….singing at church on Sunday morning……or just strumming a guitar while enjoying good times with family and friends.

There are all kinds of music….gospel, rock, country, rap, symphony, blue grass, soul……we all have our personal favorites. But, even with our different tastes and styles, music is something that seems to bring us all together.

Music is universal.

And, where would we be without the Julie Hales, Publisher people who bring us music? Where would we be without guitars and drums and perfect harmonies? Where would we be without that perfect county song or that classic southern rock? Or, where would we be without our old gospel favorite?

In this issue, we have brought to you a variety of different sounds. We have brought you some of the best from our local area……some gospel, some rock, a country singer songwriter…even a little symphony. This issue should be enough to wet anyone’s musical taste buds.

In getting this issue ready, I had the pleasure of listening to young Will Sapp play the drums. He is quite talented and has a super career ahead of him.

I was also very fortunate to get my very own, private concert from Joyful Noise. As we were in the middle of their photo shoot, they just broke out in song.

Their voices blended and the sound was magnificent. Zack (our photographer) and I immediately stopped what we were doing, listened with smiles on our faces…..and then started taking photos of them “in action.” If you haven’t heard these guys sing, you are truly missing out.

I hope you enjoy reading about these local artists. And, let a little music in your heart!

Connect with us on Facebook. Be the first to know what is going on with Effingham Magazine and what new and exciting things we are working on.

Become a fan today.

Effingham Magazine | June/July 2013 07

Joyful Noise Trio

Harmonizing for the • Story by SHERRY COOK Photos by ZACKARY HOUSEND •

08 June/July 2013 | Effingham Magazine

he Lord

Effingham Magazine | June/July 2013 09

D

ivine harmonizing meshed with “anointed voices,” a perpetual love of God, and the yearning to glorify Him with song are just a few of the heavenly endowments of Joyful Noise Trio, a Gospel trio that leads worship at Abundant Life Church in Springfield. Roger Sapp and Carrie Hurst Rouse sing harmony in the trio while Misty Carter Sapp sings lead. Southern gospel music is the genre they love to sing, and they recognize The Martins, The Kingsmen, and Jeff and Sherry Easter as a few of their musical influences. The three members believe without a doubt that their musical success can be attributed to the fact that “their common denominator is to Glorify God!” The Trio Components: Carrie Hurst Rouse’s grandmother would overhear the young girl at two years of age singing along with the Sesame Street characters while watching television in the mornings. Carrie vividly remembers as a child hearing her biological mother singing harmony along with the songs on the radio and she believes this Carrie Hurst Rouse is where she learned to do it. She received some formal musical training in the school band as a clarinet player, and she also took piano lessons for a short period of time.

Not only can this melodic harmonizer read sheet music, but she also has the talent to play by ear.

Sports took top priority for Carrie while attending Effingham County High School instead of music and singing. Performing solos in church was something she did on a few occasions when she was younger, that is until someone abruptly told her she lacked the talent for singing. This traumatic event kept her from singing for a long time.

Misty Carter Sapp remembers lining up all of her stuffed animals in her bedroom when she was just a kid, turning on her cassette karaoke machine, and belting out some tunes for her furry audience. She says she’s been singing her whole life; singing in church at Bethel Baptist and in chorus since 5th grade while growing up in Richmond Hill. Misty even ventured to Atlanta for tryouts for Season 2 of American Idol, and slept on the streets with thousands of other hopeful singers while waiting to audiMisty Carter Sapp tion. Things didn’t turn out the way she hoped they would, but it was a very memorable, and somewhat crazy, learning experience for her.

Misty dreamed of becoming a music teacher when she was younger even though she couldn’t play an instrument or read mu-

10 June/July 2013 | Effingham Magazine

sic. She never achieved this dream because she says that God had a different plan in mind for her future. This plan was for Misty to become a single mom at the age of 17. At this point in her life she had to work and care for an infant and her career plans fell to the wayside.

Roger Sapp says his vocal abilities cannot be attributed to any musical training; they are a “natural, God given talent.”

While in school he never sang in chorus, he never learned to read musical notes, nor did he receive lessons to play any musical instruments. He grew up in Springfield and graduated from Effingham County High School.

Local church revivals are where he began performing when he was in his 20’s. During the 80’s, Roger sang for a couple of years with a Christian group called “Glorybound”. Years later he Roger Sapp performed with a secular music group in Savannah, but he became exhausted with this lifestyle and ended up singing in church once again. His friend, Pastor Don Burkhalter of Abundant Life Church in Springfield, invited him to their revival and Roger has been there ever since.

How the trio formed: The three members of Joyful Noise went through some major trials and tribulations in their lives. They are not ashamed to admit that their lives were not heading in the right direction and their personal lives suffered. Divorce struck all three members and they found themselves hurting and desperately seeking stability in their lives. This stability would come in the form of their church. The three felt the need and the desire to return to the comfort of the church. Carrie says the verse Proverb 22:6 always comes to mind when she thinks of this time in her life. “Start children off in the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”

Roger, Carrie and Misty believe they would never have met if it hadn’t been for Abundant Life Church. Pastor Wayne Dawkins, the current pastor, called upon them to lead the music at the beginning of 2013. Those weeks have turned into a full time position and the trio still loves the ministry they have been blessed to perform. Lifting up Jesus Christ with their voices is what Joyful Noise believes they have been put upon the earth to do.

The first time Joyful Noise Trio sang together they realized that the chemistry of their three voices was an amazing gift. Roger and Carrie sing harmony while Misty sings the lead. All three have the vocal ability to sing lead, but they believe that they have found the perfect equation that produces the best melody. Roger confidently states the “we are as good as I have ever been affiliated with,” and backs it up with “it’s not bragging, I know we are good.”

Great things are happening: Joyful Noise Trio has experienced many great things since they became a group. Carrie has been happily married to her husband, Clint, for two years now. Roger and Misty got married to each other less than a year ago. The two couples have a grand total of eight children between them, and all of the kids love to sing as much as their parents do.

“We will sing just about anywhere we can lift up Jesus Christ”

One of the greatest compliments the three say they have ever received was “you can tell you love the Lord and you are singing for the right reason”. is how the group describes the places they are willing to sing.

They sing at revivals, funerals, nursing homes, other churches and even Gospel competitions. Recently, they have performed at The Mossy Oak Bluegrass Festival in Guyton as well as Effingham Adventure Weekend this past April.

Currently the trio has a CD in the works. They are headed to Knoxville, Tennessee to the recording studio this month. God has blessed several investors that are interested in funding the project for Joyful Noise, and many of their church members have also contributed as well. Several times in the past the group has been contacted about producing a CD, but it was always about money, but this time it is about their ministry. Their fans tell them it would be a blessing to them to be able to hear their music anytime they wanted to. The group truly believes that God is leading them and opening doors for them.

Funny and Interesting Tidbits: When asked about their name Carrie points at Roger and says, “He’s the noise and we’re the joyful!” All kidding aside, they needed to choose a name for the group because they wanted to start singing outside of their church. They were looking through the Bible and came across Psalms 100: 1 that says, “Make a joyful

noise unto the Lord, all ye lands,” and this is how they chose their name.

The group was very excited to be competing in their first Gospel competition in Tennessee not long after they started singing together. They were very confident about their abilities, maybe a little too confident they say, and expected to come home as winners. After a long 8 hour drive, they arrived and Misty had lost her voice. She was unable to utter a sound the day of the competition and they had to drop out. They drove back home and the next day stepped up on stage to lead the church worship and Misty’s voice had miraculously returned. They believe this was a perfect example of God’s timing and a gentle reminder of his control!

One of the greatest compliments the three say they have ever received was “you can tell you love the Lord and you are singing for the right reason.”

How to find them: If you feel led to contact Joyful Noise or to view some of their amazing videos you can find them on Facebook or you can email them at joyfulnoise03@hotmail.com.

Effingham Magazine | June/July 2013 11

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Future

Drummer Will Sapp • Story by JESSICA MITCHEM Photos by ZACKARY HOUSEND •

Effingham Magazine | June/July 2013 15

T

he first thing you notice about fourteen-year-old drummer Will Sapp is that he is very modest. You might think that someone who plays such a loud instrument for a metal band would have a large and equally raucous personality. Will comes off as quiet and unassuming, sometimes hiding under his hair. But, as soon as he starts talking with real knowledge about drum parts, music genres and numerous bands, it’s evident how dedicated and passionate Will is about music and drumming.

Will is the son of life long Effingham residents, Tony and LeiAnn Sapp. LeiAnn reminisces about Will as a small child, and how his love for the drums came at a very young age. She says, “When Will was old enough to crawl, he would go to a metal milk can my parents had in their den. He would pull up on it and play on the lid like a drum head. My Dad would play with him and Will would pick up my Dad’s hands, one by one, for him to beat because his college ring and wedding ring made such a distinctive sound.”

“At around six or seven years old, my grandparents got me one of those little First Act drum sets and I just went in my room and tapped on it and broke all of ‘em. That’s really the first time I can remember getting into drums,” Will adds.

The first inclination that he was more than just a “banger” was a phone call Will’s parents received from his chorus teacher at Marlow Elementary. He had tried out for the talent show, playing on upside down buckets. “The teacher was amazed at his innate ability and suggested we start him in private lessons immediately.

She recommended Cory Shuman and Will started with him right away,” stated LeiAnn. He studied under the guidance of Shuman until last summer.

At that time, he started working with Dr. Stephen Primatic of Armstrong Atlantic University, who usually does not teach kids Will’s age, but decided to give him a try. Dr. Primatic was extremely impressed with Will’s talent and allowed him to play the entire summer with his graduate students......at only twelve years old.

When asked if he’s really “that good,” Will sheepishly replies, “I guess.” But don’t let the modesty fool you, it speaks for itself that Will has been playing with much older musicians since age twelve because his skill with the drums is so advanced. The youngest person besides Will in his band, Future of the Willing, is twentyeight.

Will comes from a musical family, both his aunt and mom play instruments and sing, so it’s no surprise that he loves to create music—it’s in his genes. He likes to write his own lyrics. Will said, “I like to write about my dreams and what I think they mean.”

Will started out listening to classic rock, like AC/DC and KISS with his dad when he was 5 or 6 years old. But quickly discovered that he preferred the heavier music, particularly metal. Will’s appreciation grew for metal as he began trying to play the drum parts to some of his favorite songs. “I was listening to heavier stuff like Breaking Benjamin and Slipknot and it was just really fastpaced and just cool-sounding to me.”

“When he was ten, he went to Rock Camp in Savannah with a different band. They did covers of Nirvana and Green Day and that’s about as slow as he ever wanted to go,” Tony jokes. Although metal is his favorite genre, Will says that he draws inspiration from other genres as well, like rap, and incorporates them into his drumming style.

Will has played in many venues around Savannah, and also in Jacksonville with Future of the Willing. Notably, they opened for the Monster Energy Tour last December with big name metal bands Asking Alexandria, As I Lay Dying, Suicide Silence, Memphis May Fire and Attila. “That was insane. That was really cool,” Will says of the Monster Tour, which sold out the night Future of

16 June/July 2013 | Effingham Magazine

the Willing played with more than 4,000 people. Tony adds, “I wish there was a bigger venue here . The tours always skip over us. They go to Jacksonville or Atlanta, so we have to drive there,” Future of the Willing has also opened for Burn Season, which includes the lead singer of Saliva and one of the members of Shinedown. It’s clear from his involvement with all of these successful rock and metal bands that Will is already slated for a big career in music.

Will has recently expressed interest in learning the bass, writing lyrics, and scream-singing for a side project with his best friend Devyn called The Rue Morgue Tragedy. This name is inspired

by Edgar Allen Poe’s detective story “The Murders in the Rue Morgue.” Will also intends to pursue an education in either music or graphic design if he is not on tour with his band.

Will has a supportive parents on board with making their son’s dreams come true. Tony serves as the manager and drum tech for Will and Future of the Willing, and he has learned how to assemble and function all of the equipment in order to help.

When he’s not practicing or playing gigs with Future of the Willing, Will enjoys regular teenage hobbies like skateboarding with his friends, Instagraming and playing video games like MineCraft and Skyrim. He also plays drums for the praise and worship team at his church, Springfield Methodist.

When asked how he balances school with playing live shows, Will said that “It’s been different, but my parents make sure I have enough down time. I don’t miss school very often and usually only for a teaching opportunity.”

Will’s little sister Ava, who is 9, is a fan of her brother’s music, though Will pulls a face and says, “Well, she likes One Direction... but she likes a couple of our songs and that’s pretty cool.”

When asked how he feels about his son’s love for metal music and drumming, Tony was honest. “It’s not my choice of music, but I do listen to it because my son loves it. I’m very proud of him—his mom and I and his little sister. We can’t wait to see what the future holds.

Some aspects of Will’s love for the music scene trouble his parents. But, when asked about the future, Will made sure to say that wherever drumming takes him, he is committed to a straight-edge, or drug-free, lifestyle. He also shared, “It’s definitely opened up new perspectives. I don’t fear trying new stuff because if you’re afraid and you do the same old stuff then eventually people are gonna get bored with it and that’ll make you bored with it too.”

LeiAnn says, “Our hope is to instill a love for all types of music in Will, which is why he starts this year at South Effingham High School in their Marching Band and the Symphonic Ensemble. He also loves playing drums for the Springfield Methodist Church Praise Band, which exposes him to another love, Christian Heavy Metal. Though the noise is the same, the message is much different, and his father and I find that most pleasing.”

Will Sapp has a wide open future with the band appropriately called Future of the Willing. He is living his dream and passion in a way that many people are not able to thanks to his dedication and highly supportive family. All of us in Effingham county wait with anticipation to see what kind of awesome success Will and Future of the Willing will achieve.

If you are a metal fan and want to check out or support Will and Future of the Willing, they are on Facebook and www.reverbnation.com/futureofthewilling. If you would like to hear this very talented young man play, they currently have five songs available.

The drumming truly is top-notch. Also, the band has a show coming up at The Jinx in Savannah on July 25th at 10pm. If you like heavy metal, go out and support this local guy!

“It’s definitely opened up new perspectives.

I don’t fear trying new stuff because if you’re afraid and you do the same old stuff then eventually people are gonna get bored with it and that’ll make you bored with it too.”

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Effingham Magazine | June/July 2013 21

Effingham

musicians: Where are they now?

HANNAH DASHER

Almon Law, PLLC’s Noah McPike; BMG Chrysalis’ Daniel Lee; Hannah Dasher; ASCAP’s Ryan Beushel; BMG Chrysalis’ Kos Weaver; BMG Chrysalis’ John Allen

BMG Chrysalis Proudly Welcomes Hannah Dasher BMG Chrysalis is pleased to announce a worldwide publishing agreement with songwriter and performing artist Hannah Dasher. A Georgia native and UGA graduate, Hannah recently participated in ASCAP’s highly successful GPS program. Hannah is currently writing for her debut release and performing regularly in the Nashville area and across the southeast.

22 June/July 2013 | Effingham Magazine

E

ffingham Magazine caught up with Hannah Dasher on a recent visit home from Nashville.

She was so excited to be home for some rest and relaxation, family time and a chance to get her toes in the sand.

And, Hannah’s visit also gave us the opportunity to talk with her and see how things have been going for her since her feature in Effingham Magazine in our October/November 2010 issue.

Hannah Dasher moved to Nashville in March of 2010 to pursue her dream. And, after talking with her, one would learn she is doing just that.

In the 2010 article, it states that Hannah remains hopeful that her dreams of being published are just within her reach. Well, dreams do come true. Hannah Dasher signed a worldwide publishing agreement with BMG Chrysalis in January of this year.

Hannah tells us a little bit about her journey, “I arrived in Nashville in March of 2010 and the big flood came in May. I was working at Bass Pro Shop selling boats but was laid off after the flood. I got rehired in September when things started getting back on track, but the job turned to hourly instead of commission sales. I wasn’t making enough money so I found another job at the Art Institute. Then, my music started picking up..”

Hannah is a member of ASCAP. She was chosen for their GPS (Guidance From Publishers to Songwriters) Program. This is a new program in which a total of 12 writers are chosen from every genre. Hannah was chosen to be one of their 12.

She began taking some meetings with major publishers (Sony ATV, Universal, etc.) Hannah says, “I was working full time when this happened. My cubicle was filled with pictures of Patsy Cline, Hank Williams, Dolly Parton...to keep my mind on my music. These meetings, however, generated a ripple effect on Music Row. As opposed to taking one to two meetings a month, I was taking one-to-two a week. I was literally changing clothes in my car, coming in to work with high heels on and leaving again in snake skin boots.” Luckily, God had her fired last May, and allowed her to pursue her music full-time.

Hannah was doing what it took to make things happen. GPS sets their new writers up with publishers and songwriters they think they will mesh well with. She was paired with Jeff Stevens, hit songwriter and producer for Luke Bryan. Hannah shares, “..after writing our first song, Jeff pulled me upstairs for a meeting and said, ‘Now I only work with Luke, but something inside of me is telling me that I’ve got to work with you..’

We’ve since written some great songs and we will see where it goes from there.”

Hannah and Jeff are currently writing toward her debut release. They’ve written five songs that they are taking into the studio to record in July. She says, “I am very excited and very humbled. I just take one day at a time. A super bad day in Nashville only means that God has something even better around the corner.”

And, there are definitely bigger and better things coming for Hannah Dasher

It’s Just Country

Come hell or high water, Hannah Dasher is determined to take Nashville by storm.

H

annah Dasher has been singing since before she could talk, and now this Effingham County native hopes to give Nashville something to talk about. She grew up in Springfield, where she graduated from Effingham County High School with the class of 2004. Knowing she wanted a career in music, Dasher went on to the University of Georgia and earned a Public Relations degree as well as a Minor in Music Business.

She is now on her way to making all her music dreams come true.

“Fortunately, I’ve always just known that this is what I want to do,” she says about singing professionally. She was singing for her church by the time she was four years old, and she has been making melodies ever since. From Nashville to Athens, from Turner Field to UGA, she has serenaded audiences all across the Southeast.

One of her proudest moments in music has been performing “A Closer Walk With Patsy Cline” with the historic Savannah Theatre. “That was my first job out of college,” Dasher says. “I’ve grown up singing Patsy, so it was like breathing and drinking ice water. It just came to me naturally, and it was fun to play dress up and play Patsy and sing for a living.” She says Patsy Cline, Trisha Yearwood, Patty Loveless, and Dolly Parton are her biggest influences when it comes to female vocalists, but she is extremely well-versed in the classic country singers of the Grand Ole Opry as well. “I’m doing the songwriter thing right now,” she says.”Ultimately I want to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry.”

When it comes to her own music, she keeps with the classic country music tradition and tries to avoid a trendy, pop-country sound. “My stuff is not trendy. It’s country, and I believe it stands on its own,” Dasher explains. “It’s a little bit of me, a little bit of soul, a little bit of fried chicken and honey-- It’s just country.”

While Nashville is the place for country music, Dasher’s road to Nashville has not been an easy ride. When she moved to Nashville in March of this year, she never could have foreseen the devastation that would overcome the country music capital of the world. The floods of early May claimed the lives of 31 people, caused widespread destruction and property damage in Tennessee, Kentucky, and northern Mississippi, and also washed away the majority of Dasher’s income.

“I work for Tracker boats, which is through Bass Pro, so I sell boats up there in Nashville. And that’s at the same campus with the Grand Ole Opry, so I was laid off because the flood came,” she explains. But despite the setback of the flood and the financial burden it has caused, Dasher remains optimistic about her situation. She says that even though she lost two thirds of her salary because of the floods, it made her focus on her music and her writing.

After the flood, she decided to move back to Effingham temporarily. “It was a temporary layoff, but still, with no income, it’s kind of hard to make everything stretch, because in Nashville you don’t play for money; you play for exposure,” she says. And that exposure is what she hopes to get now that she is back in

Nashville.

She tells me a story about “an old fella” she met who wants to ultimately get her the exposure she needs. “His fiddle belonged to Chubby Wise, who is an Opry legend as far as fiddle players go. His fiddle was built in 1904, and it’s the original fiddle that recorded the original recording of Orange Blossom Special,” she says.

“He and his son have a label going in Nashville and want to meet with me whenever they’re back in town,” Dasher adds.

She is a little reluctant to go into too much detail about any publishing deals in the works, but she remains hopeful that her dreams of being published are just within her reach. Dasher lets her faith drive her: “It’s something that I want really really bad, but I have to keep myself in check and lean on my faith, because I can do what I want to do, but I’ve got to lean on the doors that He’s opened.”

The music industry is a hard one to break into, but Dasher says that making a living by doing something she loves to do will be the ultimate payoff. Though the Nashville scene can be a little daunting, she is determined to achieve her goal to get her songs published.” For every singer that’s up there, there’s a dozen of ‘em that are doing the same thing that you’re trying to do,” she says. “But that’s why I got a degree in PR and in Music Business to educate myself and to put myself a step ahead.”

For inspiration, all she has to do is hear a great song on the radio. “Good music inspires me to write more music,” she says.

Dasher has a strong sense of herself and her abilities as a singer-songwriter. “I’m never gonna be this cookie cutter, size 6, bombshell blonde that sings all these rock-pop country songs,” she says. “That’s not me. My stuff-- I hope and I feel-- will be around for years to come.”

And her fans in Effingham County hope so too.

Taken from Effingham Magazine’s October/ November 2010 Issue

Effingham Magazine | June/July 2013 23

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Effingham Magazine | June/July 2013 25

Effingham

musicians:

Effingham Community Orchestra

Celebrating 6 Years!

Where are they now?

Upcoming Concerts Third Annual Our Favorites Concert and Silent Auction Venue TBA August 25, 2013, Silent Auction 2:30 / Concert 3:00PM Free Admission

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There’s

F

Music

ive years ago, Effingham County was a quiet place, in more ways than one. In addition to the peaceful surroundings of what was largely an agricultural community, there was no organized community music group. In fact, despite the presence of many skilled artisans, there were no organized community arts groups at all.

But that all changed on July 15, 2007. On that day, the Effingham Community Orchestra was born, thanks in no small part to the efforts of a local private music teacher named Andrea Huff.

Huff has been teaching music to private students for 39 years, 22 of those in Effingham County. During that time, Huff heard the repeated suggestions from students and parents that she should consider forming a community music group. She did not have to be told what a huge undertaking that would be. The very

26 June/July 2013 | Effingham Magazine

In The Air

idea was staggering in scope. Huff knew she could not attempt anything nearly as demanding as starting a community orchestra as long as her husband, Frank, was still working. Frank retired in 2006 from his long career on the operational side of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This signaled to Andrea Huff that the moment of decision had arrived. Would she or wouldn’t she accept the call to melodious community service.

Of course, she did. With Huff as founding director and conductor, 15 local musicians made up the core group of the Effingham Community Orchestra. “Since then, we’ve sort of been the trailblazers,” said Huff. “It’s a new concept for our county.”

Huff said the inspiration for the founding of this group was the adult musician that chose something else as their economic career. Many of these players still own their instruments from

high school or college and still enjoy playing them. Many want to be engaged with a group that is making music.

The core group and their leader held a series of round-table discussions to hammer out the various parameters, such as how the group should be organized, the minimum skill level required to play in the orchestra, possible rehearsal and concert schedules, office and rehearsal space, and the like. The purpose was so that the adult hobbyist musician would have a group to participate with. “We had to define a level that was possible without the countless hours of rehearsal time,” said Huff. “These people have families and careers. We decided to make it high school level and above.”

No one was quite sure what would work as far as the parameters for a community group. “All along the way, in the different communities where we lived, different things worked in different communities.” From that experience, Huff saw that what might work in one place might not work in another.

“We started out needing to find out what our audience would respond to,” said Huff. It soon became clear that there was no support for strictly classical music. So they adopted a mixed repertoire of classics and popular songs, and it worked. There was something for everyone: classics, movie and Broadway themes, holiday music, patriotic music, art music, and light classical (familiar pieces from the baroque, classical and romantic periods).

Later, a Jazz ensemble formed within the group, bringing a whole new dimension to the entire orchestra. From big band to blues to the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s rock-n-roll movement to TV themes, eager listeners come to hear the classics as well as lush renditions of old favorites.

From that original 15, the group grew to 30 and then to 40. The age and level of the orchestra is rather mixed with high school students and above. “Some people in the group have their musical degrees but most are what I like to call the hobbyist musicians,” said Huff. There is a bit of an influx and outflow of talent as some players transfer out of the area for their work and high school players go on to college. But for everyone who leaves, at least one appears to replace him or her.

The orchestra is a year-round membership group. It receives no public funding. It’s not part of any school district or county recreation department. It is self-supporting. Members’ annual dues and community supporter donations pay for all the necessaries; the cost of doing business, such as rental of office and rehearsal space, and the musical scores needed for each performance.

The leadership soon organized as a nonprofit corporation in the State of Georgia and obtained their 501(c)3 federal income tax exemption which, among other things, makes donations to the orchestra tax deductable. The organization holds regular fundraisers and an annual campaign to renew the

financial commitment of the Friends of the Orchestra and to attract more friends.

The orchestra keeps a regular rehearsal schedule year round every other Sunday afternoon.

The rehearsals are long as the group constantly expands its vast repertoire, learning new pieces all the time. The rehearsal space and a small office are rented at the United Way Effingham Service Center.

Performances are quarterly and consist of four one-hour concerts. In addition, three or four times per year they provide support music for various community efforts. The spring concert features a mix of music. The second quarter offers patriotic selections. The third quarter performance is called “Our Favorites.” Favored pieces from the group’s existing repertoire are voted on by the group.

“The musicians and the audiences both love that because it’s their favorites,” said Huff. Then, the first weekend in December brings a bright and lively holiday program.

The Effingham Community Orchestra was named the official musicians of Veteran’s Park by the Veteran’s Park County board of directors to play for their events on Memorial Day and Veterans Day. The group also provides support music for the United Way’s annual campaign kick-off. This past spring, they graced the Effingham County Hospital expansion grand opening with their warm melodies.

“I’ve had people ask why I want to invest my time in this. It is a major time investment, the largest volunteer investment I have ever been involved in,” said Huff. “I really had to weigh whether I was ready to take this on.” Huff estimates her own personal time commitment to the orchestra is at least 40 hours per week. She said Frank is a big help, too.

It took time at first to garner community interest in the endeavor but now the community has embraced it and that support is growing. “We are right on the edge of even bigger years ahead and it is very exciting,” said Huff. “I asked the musicians why they love it so. The older ones say it makes them feel young again. The middle-aged ones say it something I do just for me.

The young people in high school say they love having another place where they can play music just for the pure love of it. They enjoy having the rapport with adult musicians and having additional repertoire to play.”

Taken from Effingham Magazine’s June/July 2012 Issue

Effingham Magazine | June/July 2013 27

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Effingham

musicians: Where are they now?

A

lot of exciting things have been happening out at Mossy Oak Music Park since they were featured in the June/July 2012 issue of Effingham Magazine.

Effingham Magazine recently spoke with Allen Lanier of Mossy Oak to get an update. There have been several expansions out at the park since the last article. They have enlarged the Pavilion (stage area) to seat 770 fans.....a huge addition to the 500 seats beforehand. The entire stage area can accommodate 2,000. They have also added swings in the Pavilion area and expanded the playground area.

In 2011, Country music legend, Tom T. Hall and his wife, Dixie, formed a group of women, Daughters of Bluegrass, and recognized them as outstanding entertainers in the bluegrass industry. These women had fathers, uncles or other family members that were in bluegrass and have since formed their own bluegrass bands. Dixie heads up the group and promotes all their festivals. They visited places all over the United States, one of those tours being Mossy Oaks. Mossy Oaks was selected as a site for Daughter of Bluegrass festivals, now holding one each April at their location in Guyton.

There are only a little over two dozen women in the nation who have been bestowed this prestigious membership. In 2012, Mossy Oaks had hosted two festivals for Daughters of Bluegrass. Rebecca Rose, Allen’s daughter, was the promoter for both festivals.

In April of 2012, Dixie Hall and the members of this elite group named Rebecca Rose a member of Daughters of Bluegrass. Rebecca is the only promoter/musician to be named a member of this prestigious group.

Congratulations Rebecca on such a great honor!

A Family Affair

T

heMossy Oak Music Park held its first bluegrass festival in 2002, but its real beginnings started long before that – long before Talmadge T. Lanier and his family ever dreamed of building a music park on the fields of their family farm.

There’s a special place in the music park, a pleasant area where shade is provided by large live oaks and tall pines. It’s the place where this family’s passion for bluegrass and gospel music first started. This shady place once housed an outdoor kitchen where meals were cooked away from the family home.

The family ate outdoors, along with the farmhands, and meals were served on long tables under the trees. It was there, after the evening meal, that the pickin’ and singing began, led by Talmadge, who sat in a swing under those trees.

“We’d usually work until dark,” said Talmadge’s grandson, Doug, “then we’d come in to eat. We all ate out there together, as a family, at big long tables that were about 20 feet long. Then after that, usually from about 9:00 to 11:00, we’d sit out there and sing and play….”

“He’d say, ‘Boy, go get your banjo,’” said Doug, remembering

30 June/July 2013 | Effingham Magazine

his grandfather’s words. “So I’d run and get the banjo and guitar, and we’d all sit out there and sing and play until time to go to bed.”

Today, that special place is an integral part of the music park.

The outdoor kitchen has been enclosed and it’s now called Granny’s Skillet, and it still serves-up home cookin’. Guests can enjoy eating at picnic tables that are scattered under the trees, or play a game of checkers on a board that’s mounted on an upturned wooden barrel. There’s a small concrete bench that sits between two tall Live Oak trees, and if you look real close, you’ll see that they’re permanently joined by a steel rod that once held that swing where grandfather Talmadge sat to play and sing bluegrass and gospel music with his family and farmhands.

Much to their grandfather’s delight, Doug and his sister, Rebecca, displayed a talent for singing and playing music at an early age. “He taught us to sing and play, and we’d perform at bluegrass festivals, churches and just about anywhere else he could take us to show us off. He basically raised us up on stage,” said Doug. “I was about seven years old before I ever realized that other families didn’t do the same.”

There was no such thing as stage fright for them, and their grandfather encouraged them to use their music professionally.

A number of years later, Doug did just that after hearing Russell Rose sing at a little coffee shop in Savannah. “I knew the first time I heard him sing that I wanted to sing with him,” said Doug. “He had a distinct bluegrass voice.”

Together they formed the Lonesome Whistle Band, became best friends, and played bluegrass throughout the region. When Doug later left the band to travel with The Gillis Brothers, a national touring band, his sister, Rebecca, took his place with The Lonesome Whistle Band. Now both were professionally immersed in the music world.

Rebecca and Russell later married, and their son, Evan, eventually became the star of The Lonesome Whistle Band. . He played the mandolin because it’s the smallest instrument, and being so young he had to stand on a Coca-Cola crate to reach the microphone!

As The Lonesome Whistle Band moved from regional to national popularity, their dream of opening their own music park was born. “She is the one that makes all this happen,” said Rebecca’s father, Allen, emphatically describing what a hardworking and talented woman Rebecca is. “She raised seven children, home schooled most of them, and took the younger ones on tour with her. And, they all graduated with honors!”

“We (The Lonesome Whistle Band) were a small local band until she got involved,” said Doug. “Now they’re a nationally known band, playing bluegrass festivals all over the United States and Canada.” How did she make that happen? “By singing and playing good music,” he emphasized, “and….she won’t take no for an answer!”

Her dad gives an example: “One promoter called me and asked, ‘Is Rebecca Rose your daughter?’” “I said ‘Yeah – why?”

“Oh, I was just wondering. You’ve really got your hands full haven’t ya?” “No, not really. Why?” “Well, let me tell ya….she told me, ‘We’re coming to play,’ and I said, ‘I don’t have room on the program for you,’ and she said, ‘Well, we’ll be there on Thursday.’ I said, ‘I don’t have any room for you – the schedule’s full!’ and she said, ‘Well, we’ll be there about noon to play.’ I hung up and said, ‘She’s intimidating me and I’m the one running the festival! Then they came and played and ‘blew everybody away’…and with little Evan up there….

Ohhhhhh! They were the hit of the show.”

They enjoyed the success, but they had another dream in the works. They knew how much people enjoyed bluegrass festivals at music parks, and Rebecca would say, “Someday we’ll have our own park.”

Researching how to create a music park soon became part of their touring itinerary. Rebecca worked a number of festivals without pay in order to learn how they operated, At every park they played they’d take pictures of the things they did and did not like. They questioned owners and promoters about what it would take to create a first class music park, and, “They were all very supportive,” Rebecca said, “they offered ideas about wiring, and plumbing, and parking, and some things we hadn’t even considered.”

“They brought all that home, and I knew they were sincere,” said Allen, and he encouraged them and lent his support.

Though they knew they couldn’t foresee all the challenges they would face in building their park, the family agreed to three principles on which they would never compromise: They’d have nothing at the Park you’d be ashamed for your mother or children to see; the focus would always be on making good music, not on making money; and, they would never have an event without time set aside for gospel music and worship. After 30 successful festivals, their decisions are still guided by those three principles.

Each festival begins as several hundred visitors gather for a huge covered dish supper under the trees and ends with a special worship and music service Sunday morning. Guests have come to expect and enjoy a family-oriented, drug and alcoholfree event, with down-home music that will keep their feet tappin’.

When the festival has ended and all the guests have left, some of Talmadge and Sue Lanier’s family may go to that special place under those same old oak trees to relax after a long day’s work at their music park. And I bet…if they listen real close…they may hear a familiar voice whisper on the breeze, “Boy, go get your banjo…”

Taken from Effingham Magazine’s June/July 2011 Issue

Effingham Magazine | June/July 2013 31

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spotlight

Shaw Wilkerson:

Repaying His

Blessings Story by SHERRY COOK Photos by ZACKARY HOUSEND

Effingham Magazine | June/July 2013 33

T

he average twenty-two year old young man loves the outdoors, playing basketball with the guys, watching football on television, working out, or just hanging out and having a good time with family and friends. Shaw Wilkerson also loves all of these things; however, average is not the appropriate word that comes to mind when describing this young man. Unique, exceptional, outstanding, extraordinary, dedicated, and inspirational are just a few of the suitable words that come to mind when defining him.

At the age of five, the year he attended kindergarten, Shaw was diagnosed with autism. After receiving the diagnosis, he attended the Matthew Reardon Center for Autism in Savannah for several years. Shaw completed his education as a homeschool student and graduated in 2008.

Vicki Wilkerson, Shaw’s mother, says her son had always wished for a trophy and he hoped to receive one at his graduation.

GAP ministries made this wish possible for him. God’s Apostles Providing or GAP, a faith-based community organization, bestowed a trophy upon Shaw on the night of his graduation at Guyton Christian Church on April, 26, 2008. The inscription on the trophy read “Outstanding Achievement Award.”

The Christian men of GAP decided to make this an annual award, and each year local high school students with special needs are recognized by the organization. At a banquet and awards ceremony the students receive their “Shaw Wilkerson Outstanding Achievement Awards” as well as scholarships. This is a great honor for Shaw and he is very proud to have an award that is bestowed to others in his name.

Shaw had been discouraged about his purpose in life before graduation, but his mother believes that the support he received from GAP, and his church, Guyton Christian Church, helped

34 June/July 2013 | Effingham Magazine

him to realize how important he was.

Shaw recounts that “God was calling me and touching my heart. He wanted me to give back the blessings and support that I had been given”.

He was being led to a new opportunity in his life.

“My Father’s House” is how this remarkable young man began to repay what he had received. It is an organization that he founded that sponsors social events for teens and young adults with disabilities. The events are held at the Guyton Christian Church once a month, are always accompanied by a meal, and are free to everyone. Shaw and his mother feel very blessed that the church has been extremely generous with donations and a budget to this

ministry.

Dances, talent shows, magic shows, karaoke and movie nights are a few of the fun events that have taken place at “My Father’s House.” Karaoke and talent shows are very popular events because according to Shaw “everyone loves to sing, especially me.”

However, he believes the Prom held this past spring is the event that tops all the others. The event was sponsored by G.L.O.W. ministries, a division of GAP ministries. Limo rides, dancing and formal attire made this a great evening for all involved.

“My Father’s House” may have been founded in order to provide social occasions to individuals with physical or mental disabilities, but it is actually providing support to all sorts of individuals. Homeschool students who never had an opportunity to go to prom or folks who just missed out on their high school prom years ago attended this year’s event. Providing a relaxed and friendly environment so everyone has the opportunity to have fun and enjoy themselves is the purpose of this wonderful organization. When asked about the meaning behind the name he chose for this organization Shaw replied, “At “My Father’s House” there is room for everyone.” That pretty much says it all.

Shaw also volunteers with the food pantry in Guyton that is associated with F.O.R.C.E., the Food Outreach Co-op of Effingham.

Laundry detergent, toothpaste, and other hygiene products are collected through an outreach program of My Father’s House and distributed to young families and the elderly who are in need.

The pride this young man’s mother feels is immediately evident when she speaks about him. Her face lights up when she begins to talk about his volunteer activities, his faith, or even the fact that he loves to bake cupcakes and is well known for those cupcakes.

Singing is also a passion of Shaw’s and every now and then he will sing a solo at church she says. Shaw even has a knack for arts

and crafts. What mother wouldn’t be proud of such an amazing, talented and giving child?

The Rotary Club of Effingham honored Shaw with the “Herb Jones Volunteer of the Year Award” on March 14 at a dinner at New Ebenezer. He received a generous donation to his organization as well as a plaque to signify their appreciation. “This was a significant award for Shaw because all the other volunteers nominated do such great things throughout the year, and this was not just a person with disabilities award,” says Vicki Wilkerson.

Receiving an award of this magnitude is a great achievement for anyone whether they are disabled or not.

Shaw also has ideas for the future that involve helping individuals with disabilities in Effingham County, and he and his mother have discussed it at length. The idea is a future co-op housing unit for high functioning disabled adults that need a place to live and have the ability to live on their own. The units would house those individuals who are disabled with individuals who could provide transportation and other various minimal services to the tenants.

They suggest that three disabled tenants could be paired with one non-disabled adult. The Wilkerson’s believe that if anything like this could ever come true, Effingham County would be the place it could work thanks to the great people who live here.

Shaw Wilkerson is definitely an inspiring and remarkable young man and he believes his spirituality and his relationship with the Lord are what make him this way. When asked how his autism has affected his life, he says, “Sometimes it carries me away and gives me stress and then I pray about it. I believe that it is a blessing that God gave me.” Wow, it takes an amazing and faithful person to believe a disability is a blessing, and that would be Shaw Wilkerson.

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108 International Drive • P.O. Box 1742 • Rincon, Georgia 31326 (912)826-2760 Office (912)826-2762 Fax www.effinghammagazine.com Effingham Magazine | June/July 2013 35

36 June/July 2013 | Effingham Magazine

T

oshi Hirata is living proof that quality and originality are the keys to culinary success. Toshi is CEO of Seasons of Japan, a Japanese quick service restaurant group that simply does everything right.

Don’t let the term “quick service” fool you. The food comes to you fast and fresh but there is nothing “fast food” about it. They have a very extensive and impressive menu.

Seasons of Japan is a family business. Toshi, Jr. started with the company right out of school. He ran the Bistro location, then on Bay Street in Savannah. He moved to Charlotte, NC for a few years, but is now back with the business and is the Vice President of the company.

Toshi is a visionary and an innovator. The recipes are all his originals and the flavor is exceptional. Seasons of Japan uses only the freshest premium ingredients. Meats are the finest certified Angus beef, fresh salmon, yellowtail, eel, soft shell crab, tuna, shrimp and chicken.

Seasons of Japan prides itself on specializing in Hibachi, Teriyaki and Sushi styles of cuisine. Toshi, Jr. says, “People don’t expect us to be like high-end Hibachi Grill restaurants. But, when they dine with us, they get a big surprise.”

And, if you have not been in to eat recently, you will be tempted by all the new menu items they have added. “We have changed our sushi menu and have come up with new items to be a better fit for Americans. We like to call it “beginner sushi,” says Toshi, Jr. Some of the new sushi items include lobster and a different assortment of fish. Some are now deep fried. They even have one called Panko Chicken. This is a “fried chicken sushi” and has become a new favorite to many.

“We take great pride in bringing our customers healthy, high quality meals at affordable prices,” added Toshi, Jr. To accommodate the health minded individuals, Seasons has also added a new Hibachi item, Hibachi Chicken Breast which is made from all white meat chicken.

They have also started serving more Japanese authentic dishes.

This is a way to introduce Americans to the Japanese culture.

“Bottom line….we want our customers happy eating our foods.”

Said Toshi, Jr, “We will also be adding Korokke soon, a deep fried mashed potato with bread crumbs. It is very popular in Japan.”

Seasons of Japan is also now packaging their white (shrimp) sauce. It is packed and sealed at the factory, using the Seasons of Japan recipe. This makes for a highly sanitary, quality product.

Soon, this will also be available in bottles for purchase, along with Teriyaki and Steak sauce.

The Hirata family has been working hard to expand their business. Seasons of Japan is now located in three states, Georgia, South Carolina and Florida. They will be opening in in Irvine, CA in August of this year and also have commitments to open franchises in Chicago, IL, LaJolla, CA and San Francisco.

“Our goal is to become nationwide….and possibly worldwide.

We would like to take our food back to Asian communities and see how the American version will hold up in Asian culture,” stated Toshi, Jr, “We are hoping our expansion to the west coast will open national franchise opportunities.”

With every new franchise opened, Seasons is there with the franchisee to work and help it get off the ground. Toshi Jr. said, “We work, we hire, we set up, we train….we do it all. We don’t

just run a restaurant, we run an academy. We teach and train our chefs and hire our people giving them the opportunity to learn and grow and move on to other locations.”

Customer satisfaction is of the utmost importance to every member of the Seasons’ team. Customer convenience plays a big part in that process. They now have online ordering available. You can utilize their Facebook page, their website and they even now have a mobile app available for ordering. Just register yourself online, order and stop in to pick it up….no more waiting in line. You can even designate a pick up time.

Seasons has also started a new program, Loyalty Points. With this new program, for every dollar you spend, you receive the same amount in loyalty points. At certain point values, you receive discounts or free items. Toshi, Jr. says, “It is important to us to do these things for our loyal customers. It is our way of giving back.”

So, escape the fast food merry-go-round and step into the world of Japanese cuisine at Seasons of Japan!

The Pooler location is open for dine-in and takeout Monday – Thursday, 11:00 am – 9:30 pm, Friday and Saturday 11:00 am – 10:00 pm and Sunday 11:00 am – 9:00 pm.

You can call in your order at 912-748-9383 or visit their website at www.seasonsofjapan.com.

Traditional Japanese Cuisine and The Freshest Sushi

455 Pooler Pkwy Publix Shopping Center

912.748.9383

www.seasonsofjapan.com Effingham Magazine | June/July 2013 37

The Loft Cafe 135 Goshen Park Suite 130 Rincon, GA 31326 (912) 826-5733 Lucky’s Tavern 301 Governor Truetlen Rd. Pooler, GA 31322 (912) 748-2626 Seasons of Japan 455 Pooler Parkway Pooler, GA 31322 www.seasonsofjapan.com

To Advertise in the dining guide, or to find out how to get your restaurant, pub or bar listed please call Julie at (912)657-4120 DiAnna at (912)308-7408

te vo

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Be

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a tB

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FOOD•POOL•DARTS•KARAOKE•KENO

120” Big Screen

open 7 days a week • Happy Hour everyday until 7:30 pM kitchen open everyday 4pm-10pm, sunday 3pm-10pm

5

$

Double

Cheeseburger and Fries or Tots *One Coupon Per Person. Expires 7/31/13

FRee DRAFT beeR with any food order *One Coupon Per Person. Expires 7/31/13

4

$

JAgeRbombs!

*One Coupon Per Person. Expires 7/31/13

301 Governor Truetlen Rd • Pooler, Georgia (Behind Burger King at Hwy 80 and I-95)

(912) 748-2626 38 June/July 2013 | Effingham Magazine

EFFINGHAM WEDDINGS

EFFINGHAM WEDDINGS

Photographer: Stacy allyson photography Catering: Poppy’s bbq Alterations: alterations by carolyn Venue: blandford house Flowers: New life

S

Joseph & Jessica

Sharpley

40 June/July 2013 | Effingham Magazine

S

Effingham Magazine | June/July 2013 41

AlterAtions

by Carolyn All Types Of Alterations Weddings • Proms Men • Women • Children

BLANDFORD HOUSE Dedicated To Making Your Event Extraordinary Garden Lunches, Weddings, Receptions Customized To Individual Taste Accommodating Small Groups or Large Events 436 Blandford Road • Rincon

667-6477 / 826-6477

By Appointment Only (912)826-7281 207 Byrd St •Rincon

Everything You Need To Complete Your Special Day...

New Life FLOWERS & GIFTS The Florist That Makes Ordinary Extraordinary!

826-4261 • Hwy 21 • Rincon We Work With All Budgets

• Fresh Florals • silks • Candleabras • Vases • Columns • rentals No Wedding Too Small Or Too Large 42 June/July 2013 | Effingham Magazine

effingham REAL ESTATE

This Home is Offered By:

Julie Hales (912) 657-4120 julie@triplepowersales.com

5805 Highway 21 South Rincon, Ga. 912-826-0927 888-826-0928 912-826-5828 (fax) www.rinconcoldwellbanker.com

Effingham Magazine | June/July 2013 43

Steffany Farmer Announced as Georgia’s Top Coldwell Banker Agent Agent Steffany Farmer of Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners was named the number one sales associate among more than 1,100 sales associates in Georgia from independently owned and operated companies in the Coldwell Banker® system in 2012.

According to Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners, Steffany was also recognized for achieving Coldwell Banker’s® highest award for a sales associate in 2012. She received the International President’s Premier Award which is given to those sales associates who achieve the top one percent of all 82,000-plus Coldwell Banker® sales associates internationally.

Steffany Farmer MoBIle: 912-484-5552 oFFICe: 912-330-8330 eMAIl: Steffany.Team@SteffanyFarmer.com WeBSIte: www.SteffanyFarmer.com

Equal Housing Opportunity.

Each office is independently owned and operated.

Effingham County’s Oldest Mortgage Company…

International Mortgage 100% Financing Packages

CAll FoR DETAIlS oN THE $8000 TAx CREDIT

First Time• First Buyer Programs Time Buyer Programs Celebrating 23 Years - 100% USDA • FHA, VA & Conventional • Construction Loans • Purchases • Refinances • Free Consultations

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Jane Hughes PRESIDENT

(912) 826-5386

(912) 826-5386 • Fax: (912) 826-4556 hughes@internationalmortgage.com 5505 McCall Road • Rincon, GA

Serving Effingham County, surrounding areas & all of Georgia

Georgia Residential Mortgage Licensee#5748 Serving Effingham County, surrounding areas & all of Georgia

GRMA#26250 NMLS# 158359 (Novella J. Hughes) Georgia Residential Mortgage Licensee#5748 GRMA#26250 NMLS# 158273 (International Mortgage Co., Inc.)

44 June/July 2013 | Effingham Magazine

Effingham Magazine | June/July 2013 45

Your Real Estate Team... Working For You!

DiAnna Jenkins

Julie Hales

(912) 308-7408 dianna@triplepowersales.com

(912) 657-4120 julie@triplepowersales.com

370 Springfield Tusculum

Peaceful country living at its best. 2200 sq foot, 3 bedroom 2 1/2 bath on 6.52 acres. Beautiful custom wood work throughout the house. Enjoy the large front screened porch that over looks a 1/4 acre pond. 1200 sq foot shop with insulation and electricity. $299,900

2505 Courthouse Road

Looking for a home with privacy and acreage? Your search is over.

This emaculate 1854 sq ft, 4 bedroom 2 bath brick ranch on 4 acres just ended your search. Included pole barn lets you bring your boat. New roof installed November of 2012. $199,000

1379 Old Loiusville Road

Beautiful 2 story home sitting on 9.66 acres of paradise. 3 bedrooms 2 1/2 baths; bonus upstairs, sunroom over looking the beautiful yard with spring fed creek. Outside storage building looks like an old cabin. this house is a must see with so many extras. $329,000

327 Zeigler

What a great buy! This singlewide mobile home has 2 bedrooms and 2 full baths. new flooring, paint and a brand new stove. Refrigerator, microwave and washer/ dryer remain. Property includes 2 garages and a 2-car carport. great screened in front porch with huge deck on back. Great for entertaining! Plenty of room for cars and storage/shop area. All this sits on .8 acres with mature oaks and a beautiful yard, all completly fenced in. Owner financing available. $73,400

5805 Hwy 21 S., PO Box 350 Rincon, GA 31326 www.rinconcoldwellbanker.com

46 June/July 2013 | Effingham Magazine

2310 Drayton

Great commercial property in downtown Savannah. This property has a 1000 sq ft retail space with 2000 sq ft warehouse.It sits on a prome location on the corner of 40th and Drayton. It was formerly a paint business and owner will sell inventory and equipment if desired. Or move in and start another business. $312,000

Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated.

912.826.0927 Office 912.826.5828 Fax 877-826-0928 Toll Free

starting at $89,900

payments starting at $559.22 a month*

Amenity Filled Community with Existing Pool & Clubhouse 100’ x 100’ Lots 3Bedroom, 2 Bath Builder Pays All Closing Costs 100% Financing Effingham County Schools 3% to Selling Broker Locally Owned & Operated. Buy Local.

912-656-7949 912-356-1791 *Payments are subject to change without notice and are estimates only. Monthly payment includes principal, interest, property taxes, Homeowners Insurance and mortgage insurance based on a 3.25% APR, zero down USDA loan.

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Traditional Japanese Cuisine and The Freshest Sushi

IntroducIng new SuShI Menu

455 Pooler Pkwy Publix Shopping Center

912.748.9383

48 June/July 2013 | Ewww.seasonsofjapan.com ffingham Magazine

other LocAtIonS:

Savannah, GA-Abercorn • Savannah, GA-Berwick Statesboro, GA • Brunswick, GA North Charleston, SC • Summerville, SC Jacksonville, FL • Irvine, CA