Effingham June July 2015

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Y O U A L WAY S M AT T E R

SEVERE CHEST PAIN IS NOT NORMAL. Don’t let heart attack symptoms be the elephant in the room!

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While chest pain and pressure are the most common symptoms, shortness of breath, breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, lightheadedness, back and jaw pain may also indicate a problem.

Heart attack is a heavy subject. Know your risks and the warning signs, and then talk about your heart with your healthcare provider.

EffinghamHealth.org

Effingham Health System 459 Hwy 119 S. Springfield, GA 31329 912.754.6451

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GIVE THE GIFT OF LIFE

Confirmed Blood Drive Location & Dates for Effingham County:

Oak Grove Church Rincon 7/30/15 9/24/15

Effingham Health System 7/9/15

Effingham County Sheriff’s Department 6/25/15 8/25/15 11/10/15

The Blood Alliance is the sole provider of blood for Effingham Health System Interested donors can always go to www.igiveblood.com to find a drive close to them.

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04 April/May 2015 | Effingham Magazine

HOME

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Office Staff Available 7 Days A Week 5805 Hwy 21 S. • Rincon, GA 31326 912-826-0927 • 877-826-0926

A portion of all Coldwell Banker Intercoastal Realty proceeds are donated to local charities.

in this issue

June/July 2015

features

10 16 22 28

Trey Saxon Reaching For The Stars

Jill Allen Making Jewelry That Has A Soul

Crystal Thompson A Moment Captured In Time

Joey Belsma SEHS Aspiring Young Artist

06 June/July 2015 | www.Effingham Magazine.Com

departments

34 37 40 42

Alexandra Withers Bringing Her Voice

Josh Sanders Making It Big

James Morton Rebel Regiment Brass Captain For 2015-2016

Imani Milele Children’s Choir Comes To Grace Community Church

09

Publisher’s Page

specials

45

Let’s Do Business

51

Real Estate Section

YAWN’S FITNESS CENTER OF RINCON

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(912) 826-5008 250 Chimney Road, Rincon, GA 31326 www.Effingham

Magazine.com | June/July 2015 07

C O N T R I BU TO R S

S TA F F

Katrice Williams

is a married mother of two: Nio,14, and Mya,12.

She graduated from Georgia Southern University in 1998 with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. She moved to the Atlanta Metropolitan Area to pursue business career endeavors. A few years later, her husband, Tony, received a job offer in our local area, and the family eventually moved here. After spending a fulfilling amount of time as an at-home mom, she decided to pursue an area of personal attraction—writing. In her spare time, Katrice enjoys the 3F’s: family, food, and fun!! She’s also fond of occasionally writing a bit of good poetry.

Jeff Whitten

Shannon Robinson is a free-spirited freelancer that collects hobbies and has a story for every conversation. She joins our publication in an effort to further develop her ninja writing techniques.

Kathryn Vandenhouten

is a freelance writer who enjoys meeting new and interesting people. She earned her English degree at Georgia Southern University, and caught the travel bug while studying abroad in Costa Rica, where she received a minor in Spanish. After college, she worked briefly in Yellowstone National Park, where she enjoyed hiking and photographing the scenery and the wildlife.

Lea Allen

Dr. Leslie Baylis Chavez, Ed.D., AITP, D.Psc., AR, CCA

Owner, Whispering Waters Academy Leslie is a child of God, a wife, and a homeschooling mother of two amazing children. She received her doctorate in education in 2013, her license in Pastoral Ministry in 2015, and has completed her clinical aromatherapy and Auditory Integration Training Practioner certifications and licenses in 2015.

She now runs a Biblically-based education and alternative health care center in Rincon.

Lane Leopard

Natalie McAlister is a life long Effingham resident.

She has a great love of photography. Taking photos of family and friends sparked Natalie’s desire to become a professional photographer. Sine the, her passion has grown to child and newborn photography. She is a wife and mother of two.

She volunteers her time weekly to a local food bank. Natie is also a Avon representative

DiAnna Jenkins

Casie Wilson

Casie Wilson is an Effingham County native and aspiring journalist. She’s a team player, and her passion for people and their stories is a driving force in her writing and studies. An honors student at the University of Georgia, Casie is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, a minor in Sociology and a certificate in Global Health. She has contributed to UGA’s independent student newspaper, The Red & Black, as a Variety writer and specialized in community events and lifestyle features. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her young nieces and drinking lots of coffee.

www.Effingha

08 June/July 2015 | www.Effingham Magazine.Com

PUBLISHER’S Thoughts

Meet our new addition....

Julie Hales owner/publisher julie@idpmagazines.com Jeff Whitten editor jeff@idpmagazines.com Lane Gallegos graphic designer lane@idpmagazines.com Lea Allen administrative assistant/circulation lea@idpmagazines.com DiAnna Jenkins account executive dianna@idpmagazines.com

Effingham Magazine is proudly produced by:

108 International Drive P.O. Box 1742 Rincon, GA 3126 (912) 826-2760

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

Please send all letters via email to Jeff Whitten at jeff@idpmagazines.com, or mail letters to P.O. Box 1742, Rincon, GA 31326. Letters to the editor must have a phone number and name of contact. Phone numbers will not be published.

We have some exciting news to share. Independence Day Publishing, Inc has added a new editor to our team.

I am so pleased to announce the addition of a new editor to our staff. This year has been a year of change and growth for us. We are in the process of even more new exciting things happening in the next several months.

Jeff Whitten has joined our family at Independence Day Publishing, assuming the responsibility of Editor for all publications, Effingham Magazine, Pooler Magazine, Beaufort Lifestyle and Chatham Isles Living.

We are very excited about the addition of Jeff to our IDP family. With the recent growth of our business, it makes perfect sense to have someone in this position.

Jeff’s background and work expertise will bring many new ideas and a unique facet to the company. With our plans for additional expansion, the timing is perfect to bring Jeff on board. I couldn’t be more pleased with Julie Hales, PUBLISHER my decision.

After working two decades in newspapers as a sportswriter, reporter and editor, Jeff is excited to be working with our team to continue to create the best community magazines in the Coastal Empire and Lowcountry.

Jeff’s career began in Effingham County at the Effingham Herald after his graduation with a journalism degree from Georgia Southern in 1995. His career continued at newspapers in Moultrie, Hinesville and Richmond Hill. He has won nearly two dozen Georgia Press Association awards, along with many other industry awards.

Jeff is an Army veteran and a South Carolina native whose roots in the Upstate date back to the 1780s. Jeff and his wife Beverly, a Georgia native, are longtime residents of Effingham County. His hobbies include reading, working in his yard and running distance races.

I am very excited about our future, and feel certain that Jeff will be a valuable asset to our company and in helping us achieve the goals we have set before us. So, join me in welcoming him to our staff. If you see him on the streets in Effingham County, shake his hand and share a story idea with him.

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 Jeff Whitten at jeff@idpmagazines.com Stories or ideas for stories must be submitted by email. Only feature stories and photo essays about people, places or things in Effingham.

ABOUT THE COVER With a love of music, Trey Saxon takes his job very seriously. This young Effingham native is making a mark for himself in the music industry as a promoter. Living his dream and loving it, Trey tells Effingham Magazine his story.

CIRCULATION: Effingham Magazine is publlished bi-monthly (six issues a year), printing 10,000 copies and distributed to over 180 locations.

Reproduction in whole or in part in any manner without the written permission of the publisher is strictly .prohibited. am Magazine com | June/July 2015 09

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Magazine.com | June/July 2015 09

10 June/July 2015 | www.Effingham Magazine.Com

REACHING

Trey FOR THE Saxon STARS story by katie vandenhouten photos by natalie mcalister

T

rey Saxon fell in love with music at an early age. He was only four or five when his mother took him to his first concert. It was there he met Clint Black, and he has been in love with the music scene ever since.

Born and raised in Effingham County, he has lived the life described in many country songs, but he never imagined he would one day be working in the music industry. Now, Saxon does just that. He is a music promoter, and he says he couldn’t think of a better career.

He is the official promoter for Music Vault, a popular event venue in Hardeeville, South Carolina. When it’s not being rented out for private events, Music Vault is one of the best venues in the lowcountry to hear live music.

“We’re more of an intimate venue,” says Saxon. “It’s a whole different experience because it’s not an arena show. It’s an up close and personal experience with your favorite artist.”

Saxon and his wife, Nickie, are co-owners of Music Vault, and they have devoted their time and energy into making it the best venue in the lowcountry. They added a larger bar, green rooms for the artists, tour bus parking, a patio lounge, and a VIP section that caters to bottle service.

“Music Vault got me into the business,” Saxon says. After all, what good is the best intimate venue in the southeast if nobody comes to see the shows? And that is where Saxon comes in.

As a promoter, he is not only responsible for finding and booking the musical acts, but he is also responsible for getting people to come to the shows.

www.Effingham

Magazine.com | June/July 2015 11

Saxon is literally reaching for the stars. “It’s kind of like climbing a ladder,” he explains. Every artist has an agent and an agency. It is the promoter’s job to reach out to the agency and make connections in hopes of making a deal with the artist to book the event.

“A lot of the business is personality driven,” says Saxon.

“Either they like you or they don’t.” Lucky for Saxon, he has the necessary charm, knowledge and charisma to get the job done.

“I have to go out and build relationships with these people,” explains Saxon. From posting flyers to giving away free tickets, he does everything it takes to book the talent, promote the shows and keep the crowds coming back to his events.

It isn’t always easy. “There’s a number you have to cover, and you don’t always make that number,” explains Saxon. “Not all the shows are successful.”

Another difficulty he had to overcome was to stop what Saxon calls “booking emotionally.” That is, seeking out and booking his favorite artists.

He has since learned to put his personal preferences aside. It’s not about what music Saxon likes; it’s about what the audience likes. “You have to go for what the crowd demands,” he explains.

“What’s in demand at that time of year or that great summer song-that’s basically what you’re after.”

While the business can certainly be challenging at times, the advantages far outweigh the difficulties. “I’ve met so many celebrities,” he says about the perks of the business. From Charlie Dan-

12 June/July 2015 | www.Effingham Magazine.Com

iels to Carrie Underwood, Saxon has rubbed elbows with some of Nashville’s biggest stars.

When he’s not booking shows for Music Vault, Saxon is out honing his skills as a promoter for other venues as well. In fact, he just partnered with JCB to book and coordinate the entertainment for their annual 2016 Mud Run. In between local bookings, Saxon also visits Nashville regularly and is constantly researching and looking for up and coming artists, both locally and on a national level. As a promoter, Saxon has to maintain a thorough knowledge of current music.

He keeps tabs on who has won which musical awards, which artists are trending on social media, and which artists are selling out shows. He also has radio connections and is constantly researching new artists on iTunes and SiriusXM radio, as well. “You basically have to stay on top of your music game,” he says.

Luckily, Saxon is a huge fan of music, so staying on top of his “music game” has never been difficult for him. Country music is his favorite, and he credits growing up in Effingham as a reason he relates to the country music genre.

“Country roads, girls, bathing suits, mud bogging, being in the river, hunting, fishing-all that stuff is country music,” Saxon says.

“And that’s Effingham County.”

With his deep country roots, Saxon tries to give back to his community by helping local artists. “Every show, I always try to book a local opener,” he says.

Local artists can submit their music to Saxon, and he then submits the music to the headliner, who picks which local act they would like to open their show. It is an exciting way to get the community involved and connect local artists with national recording artists. “That’s pretty cool for me to be able to give them that boost,” he adds.

Ideally, he would like to see more big name musical acts and even festivals to come to the lowcountry. He is doing everything he can to make that happen. “I’m trying to team up with other folks in our area to bring more of a music scene to our area--a large music scene,” says Saxon.

Country Thunder is one of the largest music festivals that caters to country music fans. Saxon would love to host an event of that scale in our area. He has even thought about putting together a home town country show featuring local artists like Billy Currington.

He credits his parents, Bo and Paula Saxon, for his love of music and his wife, Nickie, and son, Kosta, for being his biggest supporters. “They all have influences on my decision making,” he says of his family.

One thing is for certain; Saxon’s love for music runs deep. He was a DJ for five years before becoming a promoter, and he still has the drive to give the audience a show they will never forget.

For him, it’s not just about getting a headliner to perform. It’s about giving the fans an enjoyable experience.

“Concerts are so much fun,” he explains. “You can go there, blow off steam, bring your friends--It’s the atmosphere. It’s the environment. I like making sure people have a good time.”

Though he is only 28, Saxon has done something that many people never do in a lifetime. He has found a career that truly makes him happy.

“I think the coolest part of it is just being able to have access to some of the artists that I enjoy listening to on the radio,” he says.

“I used to be the one standing there at the concerts, and now I get to put on the show.”

Trey Saxon has made a career of reaching for the stars, and Effingham Country will no doubt benefit when he grasps them. With an ear for popular music and his eye on the prize, Saxon is sure to bring an exciting new music scene to the lowcountry.

“Country roads, girls, bathing suits, mud bogging, being in the river, hunting, fishing--all that stuff is country music,” Saxon says.

“And that’s Effingham County.”

www.Effingham

Magazine.com | April/May 2015 13

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Magazine.com | June/July 2015 15

J

ill Allen is an interior and jewelry designer with a love for creating beauty from ashes.

“Perfectly imperfect” she says, when thinking about how to sum up the motto for her jewelry. Jill started making organic jewelry in 2009 when her interior design business was slowing down due to the economy. She begins with precious metals, such as sterling silver and gold, adds raw gemstones, then she stamps and hammers the metals to create a handmade raw, authentic and natural piece of art. Her creations are both beautiful and fairytale like, with a touch of sentiment.

Uniqueness is the signature of her art.

Jill Allen is a mom of four kids, ages 14, 10, 11 and 7. “I shuttle them around all over, like a normal mom,” she laughs.

Family time is extremely important for the Allen’s. “We have an RV we purchased last summer, so we camp a lot and love camping as a family. I want my kids to start carving their own way and become entrepreneurial as they grow up, and I want to set a positive example for them. I dream of creating jewelry with my daughter someday; she is so creative, but we will see. She may have other plans,” laughs Jill.

“I decided to start making jewelry one day when I saw a necklace that I wanted, and I thought, ‘I can make that!’ so, I went from there learning how to make jewelry and I’ve never looked back. I never took formal classes, I just learned by doing, getting my hands dirty and going for it.” Another example of one of the many adornments that she creates are hand-stamped, spinner rings that move.

The idea came from the worry and fidget rings created for kids with ADD/ADHD to give them something to do when they get bored, antsy, nervous or need to focus.

Everything is custom made.

“I started with hand-stamping to personalize the jewelry. People love this because it is so personal and holds memories. The stamps used to make the jewelry look like little nails with letters on the end where it is stamped into the jewelry to give it the impression. The jewelry can be customized to anything the client desires, such as anniversary dates, birthdates, names, Bible verses and more. “It is tedious and takes a lot of detail,” Jill said. This kind of jewelry stamping is handmade and is more like scrapbooking on a ring, with a special twist that can’t be done by a machine. “I am more attracted to natural jewelry that stands out and is different. I don’t want the norm, I want something different that has meaning to it.

Hand-stamping doesn’t look store-bought

16 June/July 2015 | www.Effingham Magazine.Com

Jill Allen:

Making Jewelry That Has A Soul

story by leslie chavez

photos by monica burgstoner

www.Effingham

Magazine.com | June/July 2015 17

and I like the handcrafted personalization of the art.”

“The rings take the most time. I custom make the ring to fit, first, then stamp a personalized message or image on them. I have to focus to make sure the stamping is done correctly. I use a tool to size the rings correctly and measure the metal, then I carefully solder it together. It has to be completely flush in order to fit correctly.”

“I am very blessed to have a large home studio. It takes a lot of room, but it also takes a lot of stuff to create the custom looks I offer.” Jill is filled with passion for her jewelry making. She loves the symbolism her art encompasses, especially of the natural stones. “I love to make unique engagement rings with a more organic look with the raw diamonds. The polishing and cutting of the diamond is what is so

18 June/July 2015 | www.Effingham Magazine.Com

expensive, but the raw diamonds carry the natural beauty of the stone without such a high price tag. The raw stones show the stone’s unpolished imperfections, and just as people are beautiful and precious despite the imperfections, the raw gemstones are as well,” smiled Jill.

“The natural stones speak of the natural unrefined beauty we carry as women, and it carries the value within itself. It can be even more beautiful than the polished, refined, and formal look of a cut diamond. It carries more meaning in the natural state.”

“The organic movement itself is more of a thought process or idea than a “thing,” said Jill. “Organic feels like it has a history, warm and not new. Maybe someone handed it down to you, and it has a story.

What is the story behind the perfect ring at the jewelry store that was machine made?

Whereas, with the handmade jewelry, you can see the story behind each little mark where it was hammered— you can see the blood I bled on it!,” She laughed.

“This jewelry is real life; it has a soul.

Imagine an old woman and how beautiful she is as her age, every line and wrinkle tells a story of her life and bears soul. She is more beautiful in her age and in spirit, embraced with the life-story. Objects have life, and we put life into it when we create with love. Jewelry has a soul because of the work and love put into it. It speaks to you. The power is in the intention, and the positive heart behind the process is what makes it special.”

When Jill was asked about how she has liked specializing in organic jewelry, she said, “Specialized niche market in the organic jewelry has been wonderful.

I probably floundered around my niche market for two years until I found my special look. It has been better for me to have that special something that speaks to who I am and what I do. It keeps me true to me. I see more results a when I keep to the look that is true to me.”

“I work on jewelry every day while the kids are at school, and I work the entire day on it. I still do the interior design, but the jewelry is what truly speaks to me and makes people happy. It is nice to have a creative outlet that makes money,” said Jill. “I sell all over the world through my internet store, which is really neat to do.

I had to learn how to do all the technical aspects of my business, like my website, which was a whole other learning curve, but it has been helpful in getting my business going. I’m still learning and growing into new things, and I haven’t had the time to get bored, so I love it!” Jill exclaims.

One of Jill’s goals is to be the Paula Deen of jewelry, a specialist in her field with a southern-charmed twist.

“Who would you say that you are, Mrs. Allen?” Jill was asked.

She smiled and said, “I am 39 and still trying to figure out who I am. The idea of being of perfectly-imperfect embraces who we are as a whole, not trying to meet a standard set by society, but to be who you are to the best of your ability. It is embracing your weaknesses as well as your strengths. Our weaknesses are what make our strengths stronger and the perfectly-imperfect sums it up well. Uniqueness is something people want; we don’t want to fit into the norm, following the crowd anymore- it is the ‘set-apart’ that speaks to people.”

Jill Allen is certainly stamping her way there one letter at a time.

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www.Effingham

Magazine.com | June/July 2015 21

The Soul of a Moment Captured in Time “He who seeks beauty will find it.” ~Bill Cunningham

S

story by katrice williams

ome feel that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

How much more can be said for those who are able to capture and create that beauty for others? A talented artist is able to steal priceless moments and timelessly capture them. Art, in and of itself, can mean many different things to many different people. It is often associated with a compelling photograph or an alluring painting.

Crystal Thompson is the director of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Program (ADR) for the Ogeechee Judicial Circuit; she is also a noteworthy photographer and painter. Crystal is a southern Ohio native who has lived in Effingham since 1996. She is married to Effingham’s State Court Judge Ronnie Thompson. The couple has been married for about 2 ½ years. They are blessed with a beautiful family of five children, two grandchildren and one little grand-bundle on the way.

Crystal has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with a concentration in painting and dark room photography from Armstrong State University (ASU). Crystal’s fondness of art started at a very young age. Actually, her interest in painting preceded her fascination with photography. She began painting in elementary school. She recalls, “Instead of going to recess, I went to the art room.” Her art teacher would give her special, creative projects to do. As she grew up, she continued to work on her painting skills. Consequently, as a teenager, Crystal developed an interest in photography. She remembers receiving her very first camera—a Yashica. As her talent developed, she invested in other professional cameras over the years, such as the Nikon 8008S and the Canon Rebel xti.

As a professional photographer, she currently uses the Canon EOS 5D Mark II. Crystal’s professional assemblage includes an array of captivating paintings and riveting photographs, and many are held in private collections around Chatham County. Certain pieces can be viewed in Ellis Square. Moreover, a variety of Crystal’s photography is at The Cottage of Art and Framing in Rincon.

Most of Crystal’s work is photography done outside. Her heart lies with landscape and cityscape photography; she knows that

22 June/July 2015 | www.Effingham Magazine.Com

photos by natalie mcalister nothing else can give even a remotely comparable vantage. She loves the vastness of it all—an all encompassing twilight sky or an impressive conglomerate of city buildings as seen from the roof of a metropolitan high-rise. Such innocent beauty and remarkable sites truly delight Crystal. “I really like the elevated view of the skyline; I like that skyline-vista panoramic view,” she said. Differentiating this area from her home state, Crystal mentions, “Skies here are different than Ohio skies; I was impressed with the huge, endless sky that I found down here.” Crystal is sincerely inspired by these types of things, as most true artists always are. She is also moved by simple things, such as the changes in the seasons and the weather outside. “I am very patient with the weather since the weather seems to have its own agenda. For me, that element of unpredictability is part of the excitement,” she states. Crystal finds a miracle in the tiny morsels of dew that so delicately fall atop plants. She feels that all these things can tell a great story when photographed. Crystal even remembers a time that she took a picture of an elderly neighbor riding in his golf cart a shortly before he passed away. She notes, “His smile and the way he looked just struck me.” She goes on to say, “It turned out to be a really nice photo for him and his family.” His family was left with a very precious piece of him to cherish from one single moment that Crystal captured in time.

As Crystal reveals many of her photographs, she insists, “Every one of these photos has a story.” Crystal points out one particular photo. She remembers that it was created as she sat on the roof of one of Savannah’s historic landmarks, several floors high, in the darkness before dawn. She was waiting for the sun to come up—“waiting for the right moment.” She declares, “It was really a profound moment in that crisp, early morning light.” Crystal later confirms, “I am totally captivated by the light and always seem to be chasing the sun and its fascinating effects. I am more than willing to wait for something that appears for only a few seconds.” She also recalls an occasion when she patiently waited for hours on top of a city parking garage to get shots of the transitory points of the day. Crystal suggests, “It was an event. Day went into

www.Effingham

Magazine.com | June/July 2015 23

“I am always pushing color, contrast and other elements to get that special factor that makes the viewer catch their breath and causes their heart to beat a little faster.” sunset, then twilight and everything became more dramatic.” She mentions a time of day referred to as “sweet-light,” which is the first hour after sunrise and the last hour before sunset; amazing color can be seen in the sky. She likes to capture this drama in her photographs so that her viewers are able “to see a little bit of what they missed that morning.” She later mentions, “I am always pushing color, contrast and other elements to get that special factor that makes the viewer catch their breath and cause their heart to beat a little faster.”

Crystal believes that her ability to create magical skyline photography distinguishes her work. She selflessly commits herself to the project at hand and never settles for mediocrity. She guarantees that “her clients will get a world of patience and total immersion in their idea.” Crystal suggests, “Creating a body of work is like telling a story, and I do lots of research to get it right.” It helps that she absolutely loves what she does. Crystal says, “It’s rewarding; it’s exhilarating.” She later states, “I spend a lot of hours trying to get something extraordinary—something breathtaking.”

She consistently tries to “draw the viewer into the space.” Crystal emphasizes, “I’m trying to coax an emotional response from my viewer.” She holds her client’s wishes and opinions in utmost regard. “I spend a lot of time talking to clients finding out what story they want to tell. Then, it’s as if I’m putting together a puzzle and everything has to fit,” she proclaims. Regarding some of her main strengths, she mentions, “I really have a good eye for composition and color.” Crystal also has an impressive ability to create depth and enhance rich color complements and contrasts.

Crystal has long been a fan of the work of the late Ansel Adams,

24 June/July 2015 | www.Effingham Magazine.Com

a world-renowned photographer, well known for his photos of the American West and Yosemite National Park. Some of Crystal’s favorite contemporary landscape painters include Richard Robinson and Kevin Macpherson. She says that, despite seeming somewhat cliché, she loves the paintings of Claude Monet. Crystal is very thankful to her ASU dark room photography teacher Mrs. Linda Jensen, to whom she attributes her current style and work process. Mrs. Jensen taught Crystal much about technique, chemistry and photo manipulation. Another influential ASU teacher was Mr. Pang Chieh Hsu, who first suggested that she paint cityscapes.

Though she is a talented photographer and painter, Crystal said her family is a huge priority. She notes, “My main ‘thing’ is my family.” She enjoys spending time with them. Crystal knows that she and her husband are very busy professionals; however, that doesn’t keep them from making time for their children and themselves. They have great fun on holidays when everyone comes over for a home cooked meal and lots of laughter.

Crystal has several professional goals for the future. She would like to paint a bit more regularly. She also says that she would like to work towards displaying more of her photography and paintings in the public arena. Crystal Thompson has been able to see the beauty in so many different things. She has also been able to recreate that beauty for others. Whether it’s the art of photography or painting, remarkable things that may seem concealed are revealed. It has been said that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

However, it’s felt by some that “Art is not in the eye of the beholder. It’s in the soul of the artist” (Seth Godin).

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W

hile there are never two lives that are lived the same, challenge yourself to recall a few early childhood memories and it’s likely that drawing, painting or coloring might well spring to mind.

It feels almost universal, that ever-present desire to create something both meaningful and beautiful that is sincerely appreciated. Just a glance at a refrigerator belonging to any parent of young children will often reveal many creative attempts to show love and receive praises. Likewise, those parents gladly show their pride by showcasing the colorful crayon squiggled papers for all to see, and then shower their little artists with hugs and kisses. It was in a similar, all too familiar manner that one South Effingham High School student discovered her own immense talent.

Joey Belsma was about eight-years-old when she was given a giant roll of paper to draw on. The roll lasted for months and proved to be Joey’s “… earliest memory of seriously drawing on my own.”

The Guyton resident recalled that being from a military family, one who frequently moved and had a tight budget, made it difficult to fully commit to developing her immature talent, especially when she was still quite young. She didn’t feel terribly hindered by her travels, though; as she often drew inspiration from the fresh perspective she received with each adventure. “I know a lot of people see moving around as a bad thing,” the wise young artist began, “but moving from school to school you see a lot.” Previously when the family would move, Joey saw a chance to start fresh and change her image, but with this latest, and very last move in her high school career, she’s embracing who she is. “I’ve learned not to conform to what other people want. I’ve found it to be more rewarding to just be happy with what I’m doing,” she said contently.

Thinking back, Joey recalled that it was around fifth grade that she fell completely in love with drawing. She often found herself searching through magazines for images to sketch – trying her best to create a perfect replica. She remembers that she started paying close attention in art class and would try to go above and beyond the simple assignments that she was asked to complete. Finally figuring out around seventh grade that her passion should be her career, Joey became more dedicated than ever to developing her talent. Even now, while she isn’t sure of the specific genre she wishes to concentrate on, she is certain of her intent to remain focused on her art. “I want to create things,” she marveled as she spoke of her “humanoid” drawings, created by combining her knowledge of comics with a more realistic drawing style. Unique yet familiar, she has trouble classifying exactly where her art fits in, and yet one would be hard pressed to define art at any rate – it has been debated for centuries.

Looking forward to her junior year at South Effingham High School, Joey appears quite

28 June/July 2015 | www.Effingham Magazine.Com

Joey Belsma SEHS ASPIRING

YOUNG ARTIST story by shannon robinson photos by natalie mcalister

www.Effingham

Magazine.com | June/July 2015 29

“I don’t mind devoting my time and energy to my art because I love creating it.”

30 June/July 2015 | www.Effingham Magazine.Com

comfortable in her new surroundings. She is excited to live so close to Savannah and that Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD) is so close by, though she had only recently learned of the college. “Savannah is such a beautiful city,” she exhaled excitedly, “I love everything about Savannah!” With the same level of emotion she quickly added, “I love nature! Nature is art. God made it and we get to see it.” And though she can never quite pinpoint the specific things that inspire her, she is always ready for the “Aha!” moment when it strikes. Most days she has a large sketchbook that she carries at school, but inevitably she’ll have the small one in her purse she uses often to catch ideas that happen her way. “Anything that pops into my head… I have to get it down at that moment or else I won’t remember it later,” she explained passionately.

She seems to have quickly adjusted to her new life with, yet without her father. Brian, Joey’s dad, is currently deployed to Germany, while her stepmother, Becky, remains to take care of life at home, even though she is also active duty and they usually stay together. Joey refers to her stepmom as “Mom” and says she appreciates all that Becky does. Joey is especially grateful that she will be able to finish high school without having to move again. With her sophomore year in the rearview mirror, she is realizing just how much she has yet to discover about her passion, and she looks forward to the upcoming school year in anticipation of all she can absorb and apply to her own style of art. Also propelling her excitement is the fact she has an enthusiastic art teacher, something she says she isn’t used to. “I was surprised to find that I actually get along with Mr. Owens,” Joey confessed, “and was surprised that he embraced my artwork and helped me make improvements.”

Ever the advocate for the budding artist, Craig Owens has helped to gain Joey’s artwork some exposure and, in turn, the recognition it deserves. He offers advice and constructive criticism to help her fully realize her potential, even though her jaw-dropping artwork makes it hard to believe she isn’t already a successful professional. If not more astonishing than the talent she possesses at her young age, her artwork is done with pencils, pens, markers and paint, and quite a few pieces are so intricate they appear digital. Even more mind-boggling is that this sweet sixteen-year-old young lady, with animated hair, braces and energetic personality, has only had access to the Internet for under a year and currently has no interest in creating digital or virtual art. “I understand there is a lot behind digital and I’ve studied digital artists and how they make their work,” Joey thoughtfully stated, “but I believe that if I can create the same thing with solid pencil to paper it will be more meaningful in the end.”

Feeling a separation from typical aspiring artists, Joey views the contradiction as a positive for her life. “I have the patience to make art,” she proudly stated, referring to so many artists that become frustrated far to0 quickly, “I don’t mind devoting my time and energy to my art because I love creating it!” It’s obvious from the nominations, awards and contest wins that she has intrigued many and created an audience that is eager to view and compliment her one-ofa-kind artistic talents. And as her senior year rapidly comes into view, a time when decisions for college and the future are often being debated, Joey simply shrugs it off with, “It is my goal to one day go to college and I have been working toward SCAD, but I’m too young to do anything official.” Joey’s enthusiasm, charisma and phenomenal artwork leave few doubts regarding her future, and for any who know her or the art she creates, this young lady seems destined for greatness.

Fighting For The Kids Who Need A Hero

M

any children in foster care enter the system with the odds stacked against them. When a child is in need of a voice in the courtroom, Court Appointed Special Advocates are there to advocate for the child’s best interests.

Better known as CASA, this nonprofit organization is made up of volunteers trained through the national CASA curriculum. By the time a volunteer completes 40 hours of training and is sworn in by a judge, he or she can recognize the needs of foster child and act as an independent voice for those needs. CASA members advocate for the safety, permanency and well-being of foster children through monthly visits and thorough investigation into the child’s situation. This includes an ongoing assessment of the child’s medical, emotional, educational and physical well-being.

“I know there’s a lot of kids out there that don’t have someone fighting for them, that don’t have someone that that they can rely on or trust,” said volunteer Jen McDonald. “I really like that chance to make a difference and do what I can for someone else.”

The CASA program for the Ogeechee Judicial Circuit covers Bulloch, Effingham, Screven and Jenkins Counties. However, CASA Ogeechee’s Executive Director Lainie Jenkins says the program’s influence is primarily condensed in Effingham County and also extends past its judicial jurisdiction.

“Over 60 percent of the children we

Ramona Chiariello, Noah Yaughn, Gail H Austin have been serving in the past three years have been from Effingham,”Lainie said.

“There are not enough foster homes, so a CASA volunteer may have to go to places like Chatham or Tattnall counties to visit the children.”

“Sometimes kids in foster care go from one home to another and have to move around a lot,” said Leila Parker, who was recently named the 2015 CASA Volunteer of the Year. “But as long as a child is in foster care, we stay with them. We give them a kind of constant stability in their life.”

National research shows that children with a CASA are half as likely to languish in foster care and are much more likely to find permanent homes than children who do not have a CASA. “Children in foster care often have low high school graduation rates,” Lainie said.

“Having a CASA in their life really makes a difference, since someone is there advocating for them to stay in the system until they get their high school diploma.”

In cases where it is in a child’s best interest to remain with their parents, sometimes a CASA volunteer must go the extra mile to reunite families. This was the case of a mother named Sarah, whose children were put into foster care while she battled a serious drug addiction. The CASA program encouraged her to stay on the

path to sobriety so her family could remain intact.

“They saw potential in me,” Sarah said.

“They were there recommending that my children live with me and were with me every step of the way. So now I’ve been sober for 16 months, and I have my kids again. CASA was absolutely wonderful. I absolutely recommend them.”

Volunteering for the CASA program can positively influence not only the lives of foster children and their families, but also the lives of the volunteers. After enduring many personal losses, Leila said she turned to CASA to help her find solace.

“I just thought, ‘What have I done to make a lasting impression?’” she said.

“And then I realized that I could do this.

I can do this one thing and make a difference in someone’s life.”

CASA Ogeechee Circuit will be hosting the Third Annual Guyton Superhero 5K Run the morning of Halloween this year.

They are currently looking for sponsors, booths and runners for this event. Everyone involved is encouraged to don their most dashing superhero attire, and there will be a contest to name one cute animal sidekick the “Most Adorable Superpet.” All funds generated will go toward the CASA program’s recruitment and training efforts.

www.casaogeechee.org • joincasa@gmail.com • 912-764-4849

Every child needs a hero, abused and neglected children need a Superhero. www.Effingham

Magazine.com | June/July 2015 31

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Magazine.com | June/July 2015 33

Alexandra Kathleen Withers took the long way here.

Fortunately, she brought a

A

story by jeff whitten

lexandra, who goes by “Lexie” was born in Greenville, S. C., lived there for eight years, then moved to Port St. John, Fla., where she and her family resided until the summer before her freshman year in high school, when the Withers relocated to Effingham County.

“At first, I hated the move,” Lexie said. “I had no friends and I had left childhood friends behind. But as the years went by I made friends and learned to love it here in Effingham.”

Perhaps it helped ease the shock of changing schools and states that Lexie get with her a love of music that began when she was a sixth grader at Atlantis Elementary in Port St. John.

“The choir from the high school came and performed to hopefully win over some upcoming middle school students,” Lexie said. “I sat there dazed and awestruck with the show choir, the way they sang and danced.

Right then I fell in love with music.”

From then until her recent graduation from South Effingham High School, Lexie lent her talents to the school choir. But it was always more than just an elective to the teen, whose high school transcripts will always carry credit for three extra classes, since in Florida she was allowed to take high school classes while in junior high.

Lexie did, taking both algebra and Spanish I. But it’s clear that of all her classes, chorus was the one that struck the deepest chord with Lexie.

“It’s what my teacher, Mr. Ray Ellis would always say, ‘This isn’t a class, it’s a family,’” Lexie said. “Being in the high school choir really was being part of a fam-

34 June/July 2015 | www.Effingham Magazine.Com

voice with her.

photos by natalie mcalister

ily. And this year was really special to me.

I bonded with a lot of the freshmen in the high school woman’s choir. They became my ‘babies.’ I love each and every one of them. I will be forever filled with fond memories of days spent in my chorus class laughing and singing.’”

Lexie sings as a soprano 1, meaning she sings the higher

notes of music.

There’s a soprano 2 and an alto as well.

And though she doesn’t see herself as a soloist, Lexie does intend to continue performing whenever she has the opportunity.

“Music is a part of my life,” she said.

“No matter if I am part of a choir or not I will always sing. I perform better with

other people in a large group. I plan on joining the choir at my church when I have a steady schedule, but right now my performances are limited to my car or my shower.”

She lists jazz great Billie Holiday as one of the singers she most likes to listen to “I like how her voice has a raspy quality to it,” Lexie said. Hozier is among her favorite male vocalists.

“He is such a new singer and yet he sings like he was born in the 1920s,” Lexie said.

Mentors include her chorus teacher, Ellis, and Spanish teacher Judson Alford. “Mr. Ellis has been a mentor to me in both singing and life in general,” Lexis said.

“Mr. Alford was a man I could talk to if I had a problem, or if I just wanted to get out of a boring class. He was and is an amazing kind hearted man.”

With her high school days behind her, Lexie already has a job at Ken’s IGA in Guyton, and is planning to enroll in the International Spa Institute in Bluffton, S.C. Her plans are to travel and work at the same time.

“I plan to become a licensed massage therapist and I hope to find work on a cruise ship after graduating,” she said, but also has plans on returning to the place that has become her home.

“In the future, after I buy a house I would like to open my own day spa in Springfield,” Lexie said.

But don’t expect her to give up singing.

Or stop urging other young singers to keep at it. “Not everyone is built for a solo, but don’t let that stop you from singing,” Lexie said. “Music expresses things words can’t.”

www.Effingham

Magazine.com | April/May 2015 35

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rs you

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MAKING IT BIG

story by jeff whitten photos by natalie mcalister

www.Effingham

Magazine.com | June/July 2015 37

J

osh Sanders’ fans, rejoice. The Effingham County native is to gearing up to record another CD, this one a five-or-six song production in a studio in Warner Robins. All of it is original material, including songs like “Dirt” a straight-ahead, plainspoken tribute to farmers and the military, and new songs like “Georgia Pine” and “Good People,” the latter a tribute to Josh’s growing fanbase, most of which remains centered around the Southeast.

“My fans and supporters have been waiting patiently on this, and it’s been a long time coming,” Josh said, noting this CD should be out by late summer or early fall, and might well be called “Long Time Coming,” unless the laid back singer decides to change that to something else.

No matter the title, the CD should be worth the wait. Josh’s style is pure, even in an age where it’s not always easy to avoid sounding like somebody else and there’s a host of young musicians out there looking to get noticed. Whats more, Josh’s music has an honest, downhome feel that comes across from the minute he starts picking at his six string and bellying up to the microphone.

“I want my music to be simple, nothing extravagant,” Josh said. “We’re making music, we’re not trying to do anything else.

Let’s keep it simple, stay true to what we’re doing and stay true to the music.”

Maybe that’s why Josh’s musical influences start with Alan Jackson, a fellow Georgian who writes many of his own songs and is about as traditional country as you can get in this day and age, and go from there to Waylon Jennings, the Allman Brothers, and songwriters Dean Dillon and the late Hank Cochran.

“These guys are all simple guys who make good music,” said Josh, who believes in roots and family and hard work and sometimes taking chances. It’s what gets him up the next day to do it all again after a long night writing songs or playing in some nightclub somewhere. It’s what keeps him connected to the people who’ve been there rooting for him and supporting him and making him feel he isn’t doing all this for no reason.

“I get asked a lot if there’s anything I’d want people to know about me,” Josh said.

“What I really want to be known is just how much I appreciate everybody’s help and support, and just being there for me when I need it. There so many people I need to thank that I can’t name them all or it would be the whole story. But they know who they are, and I want them to know how much I really appreciate their stand-

38 June/July 2015 | www.Effingham Magazine.Com

ing by me while we do this.”

Local Boy Making Waves Josh Sanders grew up the son of Ronnie and Faye Sanders in Faulkville where just about everybody knows everybody else.

Ronnie worked at Gulfstream over in Port Wentworth for more than 35 years, Faye stayed at home raising kids and “taking care of business.”

Josh graduated from South Effingham High School in 2001 and eventually went to work for Georgia Power, where he worked as a mechanic fixing bucket trucks and other equipment. But the dream he’s had since he was a teen was to be a singer-songwriter, and Sanders decided the only way to find out if he can make it is to try it.

Five years later, Josh is still working to make it to country’s big leagues. He packed up and moved to Nashville a few years ago, figuring that would be the way to get the attention of record companies, but it didn’t work out. Rather than give up, Josh came back home to work on his craft.

“I get discouraged sometimes, actually I get discouraged all the time,” Josh said.

“But I never get discouraged to the point I want to give up. I had the job, the whole career at Georgia Power, I had it made. I worked hard, but I had a job a lot of people wanted and would never give up. I did, I gave up that job to go to Nasvhille. So I tell myself, ‘man, you’ve given up a lot to be able to do this.’”

It helps to keep him pushing forward, looking for that chord or phrase he can turn into the next song. It’s that, and the fans who get converted to friends, and it’s that Josh believes there are people counting on him and others like him to stay out there chasing the elusive dream.

“The one main thing that keeps me going is I know there is somebody out there who wishes they could do the same thing I’m doing and would give anything in the world to do it,” he said. “That’s what keeps me going. I’ve been blessed I’ve been given this opportunity to pursue something not everybody gets a chance to pursue. Maybe they’re physically unable to do it. Maybe they’ve got a family to support, so they can’t leave their job to do it. The road’s right there in front of me, all I’ve got to do is walk it.”

There’s a sign Josh’s ship may be about to come in. He said he recently learned one of his songs, “Riverbank” has been recorded by a certain Canadian recording artist -- which could give the kid his first “cut,” meaning his first song that makes it onto a

mainstream artist’s album and then onto the radio.

If so, perhaps it’s apt the artist chose that particular song. “Riverbank” is about a place on the Ogeechee River his grandparents owned when Josh was a boy and the memories of those times run deep and strong, just like the river itself.

“I’d spend 90 percent of my time at that place,” he said. “I still spend a lot of time on it. That’s my river.”

Growing trend It almost seems like you can’t turn around these days in country music circles without bumping into someone from the Coastal Empire or south Georgia who’s making it big in country music. Billy Currington is from Rincon. Luke Bryan is from

“I want my music to be simple, nothing extravagant,” Josh said. “We’re making music, we’re not trying to do anything else. Let’s keep it simple, stay true to what we’re doing and stay true to the music.”

Leesburg and attended to Georgia Southern. Cole Swindell is from Glennville and also went to Southern.

Their success is no surprise to Josh, and maybe it narrows the distance between where he’s at now and where he hopes to be sooner rather than later.

“With Billy, Luke and Cole coming from here, not far from the area I grew up, it makes it believable. What I’m going through now, they’ve probably already been through it before. The only thing you can do it bite the bullet, put on the seat belt and enjoy the ride,” Josh said.

And if it keeps on going like it’s going, he could need to get a bigger bus.

“When I first started doing this, it was all the local crowd coming up to me and saying, ‘man you’re great,’ it was my friends and you almost felt they had to

say it. But when people are doing this and you have have no clue who they are, that’s when you really start to feel like you can do what they’re telling you you can do. When people you’ve never met to that moment right then are singing your praises and telling you they can’t believe you’re not on radio, it gives you the feeling maybe this can happen.”

Josh remembers opening for Daniels and realizing there were many in the audience there to see him. That made all those long nights worth it, Josh said, because he realized he’d built a fanbase -- and that’s something no aspiring country music singer can be without.

“That solidifies everything for me, it shows that I’m doing something right,” said Josh, whose love for baseball gives him an analogy that’s hard to shake off.

“I’ve been fortunate to be able to do this full time without having to have extra income. I’m working hard on this for the love of the game, because I love it so much. I really love keeping my nose to that grindstone. I’m going to figure it out.”

Besides, if it came too easy, it wouldn’t be country music, a genre traditionally all about heartache and redemption and hard work and everything blue collar America stands for. It’s about loss, and love, and living life.

“You know what happens if you play a country record backwards? You get your dog back, you get your wife back, you get your truck back,” Josh joked, before getting back to work.

www.Effingham

Magazine.com | June/July 2015 39

40 April/May 2015 | www.Effingham Magazine.Com

JAMES MORTON:

Rebel Regiment Brass Captain For 2015-2016

J

story and photos by casie wilson

ames Morton has always been one to take matters into his own hands.

He prefers chemistry labs over abstract math equations, would rather overcome obstacles head-on than step back and wait for a solution.

“I don’t like to think about things ‘in theory’ or beat around the bush,” he said. “I’m really a hands-on kind of person.”

Perhaps nothing demonstrates James’ directness and drive better than his love of music.

“For me music is all about the opportunity to collaborate with other people, and to create something that otherwise wouldn’t have been as rewarding by yourself,” he said.

A rising senior at Effingham County High School, James is the principle French horn player in the ECHS Wind Ensemble, one of the most prestigious student bands in southeast Georgia.

Although he enjoys jamming to alternative rock in his spare time, the 16 year-old says his favorite song to play in an ensemble is “O Mangum Mysterium” by Morton Lauridsen. The ECHS Wind Ensemble recently performed this arrangement of an angelic hymn in a holiday concert in December.

“There’s just so much beauty in that song,” James said, “and I love that so much.”

Morton said letting that beauty shine requires a personal touch.

“Putting yourself into whatever you play is what gives the music personality,” he said. “It makes it part of yourself.”

Recently named the Rebel Regiment brass captain for the 201516 season, James now holds one of the most esteemed titles in the band’s leadership hierarchy. Despite the pressure of the added responsibilities, Morton is confident in his leadership abilities.

“It really just means I’ll be stepping up and taking more initiative over things,” he said. “I’ll be working more with people hands-on, which is what I like.”

His first chance to test his leadership skills will be during band camp, when the Rebel Regiment will begin preparing its 2015 show, “Western Skies.” Morton said that band camp is an ideal time to work with rookies one-on-one and build strong relationships throughout the band.

“I’ve always loved band camp,” he said, then paused and added, “Well, I love it when I’m not at band camp. Staying outside most of the day when it’s 90-something degrees out is not all that fun.”

Although James is willing to brave the sweltering heat for the band this summer, he was hesitant to even join marching band when he entered high school.

“To be honest, throughout middle school, band could get really tedious. It was a lot of the same thing over and over,” he said.

“Coming into high school, I was kind of skeptical whether I wanted to still do band.”

Aby Youmans, a French horn player who graduated ECHS in 2013, eventually won him over with a bribe hardly any freshman

boy can resist: a Monster energy drink and a bag of cookies.

“And so I joined marching band,” Morton said. “That first year was just a really wonderful experience, and it turned into something I really loved. I even came to enjoy the regular band classes, since they were more engaging than in middle school.”

Some of his favorite memories played out while crammed in yellow school buses with marching uniforms, various instruments and usually enough snacks to last multiple hungry teenagers through the night.

“The bus rides to and from games are always memorable, especially when the game or competition is like three hours away,” he said. “It’s always fun to find ways to entertain ourselves. You always end up having a good time with a bunch of other people.”

“I don’t really go out to every single person I meet and try to bring them in to a giant group of friends though,” he went on to say. “I like to keep a couple close best friends, most of which I’ve met through band.”

James’ involvement with the program began like many others, a recruitment concert given by the middle school bands, followed by a structured free-for-all that lets aspiring musicians test out the different instruments.

“Back in fifth grade, the middle school directors, Mr. and Mrs. Murray, came around to all the elementary schools, asking kids to try out for band,” Morton said. “They went on and on about how fun it would be, so I decided to give it a shot. I mean, it seemed like something I would be interested in right from the get-go. So I went for it, and I’ve just loved it ever since.”

Morton originally began his musicianship playing the trumpet.

But since numerous novice musicians are drawn to the loud and shiny brass horn, band directors often have to convince students to learn the more complicated French horn.

“In the first year of band, they brought in a bunch of different instruments to try. The directors had us try out for French horn, but only picked a few they thought were good enough to make the switch. I was one of the few that they picked, and it just stuck.”

James plans on applying to the University of Georgia and pursuing either a career in music performance and management or anything involving writing, creative or otherwise. As for short term goals, he likes to keep it simple.

“I’m not looking forward to anything new in particular,” James said. “I just want something like the past three years. It’s something that I really loved. I guess making my senior year the best year is my main goal.”

For aspiring musicians or anyone looking to brush the cobwebs off their old instruments, he also has a few pieces of advice: “Just be open-minded when it comes to general criticism,” James said. “Keep an open mind when playing, and try not to be so self-critical either. Oh, and I guess practicing helps too, I suppose.”

www.Effingham

Magazine.com | June/July 2015 41

Imani Milele Children’s Choir comes to Grace Community Church photos by natalie mcalister

42 June/July 2015 | www.Effingham Magazine.Com

L

ooking for something to warm your heart, elevate your soul and make your spirit soar?

Check out the Imani Milele Children’s Choir, which will perform June 18-24 at various churches in the area. The choir, made up of Ugandan orphans, travels the world to bring awareness to the plight of the country’s more than 3 million orphans -- enough to fill the entire state of Oregon.

These will be local encores for the choir, which has already performed May 31 at Grace Community Church in Effingham County, the third straight year the children have come to Rincon, according to Wendy Turner of Glow Ministries. Turner said the church has formed a special relationship with the choir over that timespan after being introduced to the group by member Nate Ball, whose mother even drives the bus for the choir while it performs in the U.S., taking the children from venue to venue.

Turner said the story behind the choir could be one of sadness and despair, but instead is one in which one person sees a need and works to fill it. In this case, it’s Brother Moses of Uganda, who in the 1980s began giving orphans shelter in his home and building schools out of bamboo and mud.

Moses’ example inspired others to help, and orphanages were soon being built. The Imani Milele Childrens Choir was started to help fund more schools and help pay for the care of more than 3,000 orphans that make up the ministry.

This choir consists of about 28 children that travel throughout the U.S., “singing and dancing giving praise to the Lord,” Turner said, noting the children travel with teachers, the choir director and social workers.

“The choir stays at hosts homes while they are in Rincon, from Grace and a few other local churches, so you can see how bonds are easily formed,” Turner added.

“This year is the youngest group of choir members, and most have never been out of their country, on a plane, and their first stop was Rincon.”

Turner said being able to see things through the eyes of the orphans is an eye-opener.

“Running water is a treat,” she said. “Cars of all kinds, ice cream of all flavors, houses, more houses, and everything is big here and we have so much, so much that is good, so much everything. It is truly humbling to be around them. They came from nowhere, with no name, no home, no warm bed, no one to tuck them in, to hold them when they were sad and yet they have such joy, how can it be?”

Turner answered her own question. “Because they sing with all their hearts to the one that lifted them up, they sing to an audience of one. I know that the very angels in heaven stop to listen when they sing and perform, because orphans are so very important to Christ, and they are or else he would not have charged us Christians to take care of them.”

The choir will stay with host families in Rincon beginning June 16. They will perform at 7 p.m. June 18 at West Chatham Baptist, 6:30 p.m. June 19 at Macedonian Baptist Church; 10:45 a.m. June 21 at St. John The Mighty Fortress; and at 6:30 p.m. June 24 at Calvary Baptist Church.

For more information or to sponsor a child, call Turner at 663-5806. You can also mail a tax deductible contribution to Glow Ministries, PO Box 2573, Rincon GA, 31326.

www.Effingham

Magazine.com | June/July 2015 43

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Celebrating 45 years in business

Action Overhead Door of Savannah, LLC, Quality Above

T

he header on Action Overhead Door of Savannah, LLC’s, website starts with a headline that’s just two words long.

“Quality Above.”

That’s more than just a headline, however. Online reviews have been excellent for the company, and customer service, experience, professionalism, 24 hour service and a commitment to Effingham County and the surrounding area -- all are good reasons to choose Action Overhead Door of Savannah, LLC, for your commercial or residential overhead door needs, whether they be installation, maintenance, inspection or repair.

And then there’s this. No one at Action is going to try and sell you something you don’t need.

“The majority of the time when someone calls us for a residential job, they’re already having a bad day because something’s broke,” said Action Overhead President John Fisher, whose extensive background as a project manager for one of the world’s largest construction companies gives him unique insight into the world of overhead doors. “Maybe they’ve backed into the garage door or a spring has broken or the security system won’t let them in. This often happens after business hours or on the weekend. And before I say OK, it’s going to cost you this amount of money to send two guys out, my first response is always going to be ‘let’s see if we can’t fix this over the phone.’”

Fisher said he’s been told he’s hurting business by doing that, but he believes otherwise.

“I look at it as a money-saving issue for people and my belief, rightly or wrongly, is that down the road, when either they or someone they know needs a new door, they’ll remember that experience and either come to us or tell their friends to give us a call. It’s an investment in the community when you do that, and my anticipation over time is that will pay dividends.”

If that customer-first attitude sums up at least one aspect of Fisher’s business philosophy, it’s just scratching the surface when it comes to what Action Overhead Door of Savannah can provide.

“We do repairs, we do replacements, we do sales, we do some customizing,” Fisher said. “Someone can even bring a napkin in with a sketch on it and we can send it off the manufacturer to make what they’re looking for.”

Through overhead door manufacturers such as Clopay, Amarr and Southeastern, Action Overhead Door of Savannah LLC offers a wide variety of options to homeowners and commercial clients.

“The sky’s really the limit with what we can do these days,” he said. “If you want them to swing out, we can do that. If you want them to raise up, we can do that. If you want a steel door with insulation, or a steel door with a second layer of steel and wood on the outside .... we can do an of that and more. The difference is whether you’re buying a standard door that’s going to cost $1,000 or one that’s going to cost $10,000. People are frugal these days, and we understand that. Not everyone is going to want a $10,000 door. But they’re available.”

And that’s just for residential customers.

“On the commercial side, if you need an overhead quilling door, fire doors, slap doors, sheet doors, high speed doors, if you need 200 mph wind-rated doors, we handle all that and repairs, maintenance, annual inspections -- we have certified inspectors who can look at fire doors, do drop tests. We also on the com-

mercial side do all the dock equipment, dock levelers, seals, high speed doors, fabric doors, all of that as well.”

Fisher, a Georgia Southern University graduate, worked nearly two decades with construction giant Hensel Phillips and managed projects for NASA and the Department of Defense, among others.

During that time, he’s had a hand in building and installing doors for some of the world’s largest structures and for some billion dollar projects, such as the Atlas V missil launch facility, and as a result he and the team at Action Overhead know the importance of getting things right, whether it’s for someone building their first home, needing their garage door repaired in the middle of the night or a government or commercial client with millions of dollars in property on the line.

How Fisher -- and the company itself -- arrived in Rincon is a story of its own. After years of moving around, he and his wife, Effingham County native Kim Long Fisher, wanted to get back to Rincon, and they got the opportunity when friends Doug and Denise Edwards purchased Action Overhead Door of Savannah LLC and hired Fisher to run it.

The move to Rincon took place in September, and the company, includes Chief Operating Officer Gerald O’Neal, Office Manager Emily Green, Superintendent Ben Smith and skilled technicians.

Action Overhead Door of Savannah LLC is open from 7:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. Technicians usually work from 7:30 a.m. until 4 p.m., but with a 24-hour service, there are times they work overtime.

But first, Fisher wants to make sure those with emergencies aren’t wasting their money. And that’s why when someone calls the main line after hours, they’ll be given the option of calling either Fisher or O’Neal on their cell phones to report the emergency.

“Personally, if it’s me and I’m calling for help, I’d rather someone spend time with me on the phone trying to troubleshoot it and save me some money,” he said.

Action Overhead serves the Coastal Empire, a portion of the South Carolina Lowcountry and will travel as far as Augusta.

You can reach the company by calling 912-826-3505, stopping by the shop at 183 Commercial Court (behind Choo Choo Build it Mart) or visit its website at actionoverheaddoorofsavannah.com.

www.Effingham

Magazine.com | June/July 2015 47

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HORTON’S QUALITY MEATS & FRESH COUNTRY SAUSAGE

W

hen it comes to the sausages at Horton’s Quality Meats & Fresh Country Sausage, it’s important to know this: P. Willy loves ‘em.

P. Willy is the nickname of Caleb Hagan, grandson of Van and Donna Horton and son of Brad and Vania Horton Hagan, the individuals who make Horton’s Quality Meats very much a family owned, family run operation in Springfield.

He’s also the apple of his proud papa’s eye.

“He’s my bud,” Van Horton said of P. Willy, who will grace the labels on the company’s fresh country sausage once it goes wholesale. Until then, the sausage is available only at Horton’s Quality Meats in Springfield on Highway 21 near Huddle House.

And that’s not all in the meat cases at Horton’s Quality Meats.

In addition to the sausage, that which comes in hot, mild, maple, hot garlic, mild garlic, jalapeno cheese, pepper jack cheese and smoked mozzarella ghost pepper. It also comes as link sausage, sausage patties or in bulk and is made just about every other day, Horton’s Quality Meats also offers beef, pork and chicken, locally grown produce and Georgia-made specialties, including Braswell products, and its own homemade beef jerky. It’s so good, it’s almost as popular as the sausage, which is great for grilling.

Meat is cut to order, too. In fact, that’s the only way it’s cut at Horton’s Quality Meats.

“We don’t cut it until people come in and order it,” Horton said.

“And we keep a high quality of meat, too. All our meat is marbled good and tender, and we haven’t had a complaint yet.”

Prices are reasonable, too, and Horton’s also offers cooked meat three days a week, from whole chickens to slabs of ribs and pork butts. They’ll cook to order, too. Ribs, wings, butts, whatever the customer wants, because customer service is also a priority.

“We stress better quality than you’ll find anywhere else and better service,” Horton said. “We stress good quality and friendly service.”

As for the idea to wholesale Horton’s Fresh Country Sausage,

that’s in the works and will eventually be available in stores and restaurants around the area. So is a move to a larger location. The Hortons already have the building purchased, and intend to be moved by September. There, they’ll continue processing deer for hunters while also expanding their list of products to include a deli where customers can come in and order takeout.

In the meantime, mark your calendar for June 26, when Rincon’s annual Freedom Rings Celebration takes place near Lowes.

Horton’s Quality Meats will be there, providing free samples of its celebrated sausage, including the new smoked mozzarella ghost pepper sausage, which has already gotten quite the reception from area sausage lovers.

“We can’t keep that on the shelves,” Horton said. “Everybody wants it.”

Horton’s Quality Meats takes major credit cards and debit cards and also accepts EBT. The store is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. You can also check out daily meat and produce specials on the store’s Facebook page or call 912-754-9791 for more information.

www.Effingham

Magazine.com | June/July 2015 49

Business Is Booming At Team Universe Cheer

F

story by jeff whitten

ormer Georgia Southern cheerleader Deontai Price could probably motivate a head of lettuce to turn backflips if you gave him enough time.

That’s very probably why business is booming at Team Universe Cheer, LLC, the Rincon-based AllStar competitive cheerleading program. Only a year old, Team Universe has grown from roughly 50 kids to more than 300 while the facility Price’s athletes train is expanding from 3,500 square feet to 10,000.

And there’s room for more kids, too, as the program begins its summer season with a full slate of camps. Go to www.teamuniversecheer.com to learn more.

For Price, it’s all part of a game plan to make Team Universe the most successful AllStar cheer program in the country while also giving the 2011 Georgia Southern graduate - he has a degree in middle grades social studies - the opportunity to follow his lifelong desire to teach.

“We’re all about providing a positive atmosphere for kids in Effingham and the surrounding counties to come and train and be a part of our cheer family,” he said, noting his entry into coaching cherleaders began in Effingham. “While I cheered at Georgia Southern the head coach at Effingham County High School asked me to come in and help as a lay coach, and that’s how I got started in coaching. And then when I graduated I started working in a gym in Savannah, but it was a no brainer to open up a gym here.”

Price started competitive cheering himself when he was 11, when the coach of the team his sister cheered for asked Price’s mother if she knew anyone who could tumble. That kid was Price, who joined up and was hooked, as it turned out, for life.

It didn’t stop him from pursuing other sports, though. Price, from Warner Robins, went on to play varsity football, soccer and wrestle at Northside Warner Robins, and he lists wrestling coach and football assistant Dan Kelly and legendary former football coach Conrad Nix as among those who became inspirations to him.

What they did for him is something he wants to do for kids growing up now --inspire, coach, mentor and teach.

“I’ve always wanted to be a teacher,” said Price, who is certified

50 June/July 2015 | www.Effingham Magazine.Com

as a level 1-5 instructor by the AllStar cheerleading world’s governing body, the United States AllStar Federation.

“Team Universe is about empowering young girls and boys and giving them a sense of purpose, a sense of what’s important about hard work and dedication, and a sense that they can achieve great things if they work hard.”

And cheerleading is hard work and the ultimate team sport, Price believes. “We practice year round for hours to go to competitions that last 2 minutes and 30 seconds,” Price said. “So you’ve got that amount of time to show the world what you’ve got. It’s whoever brings it that day. It’s not like basketball, where if you miss a shot it’s OK, you can get back on defense and you’ll get another chance. It’s not like playing football, where if the noseguard misses a tackle, the linebacker and safety can cover for him. Here, you have to give it your all every time you get on the mat, or you won’t be successful.”

And the attitude to be successful starts with working to make sure one can do what it takes to compete at a high level in a sport that has elements of gymnastics and acrobatics and demands a high level of strength and cardiovascular fitness. Price, who also has boys in the program, said that’s part of what the “Universe” in Team Universe is all about.

“It’s not about being cocky or arrogant, but it’s a feeling I can achieve any goal, and instiling that in others. By calling this team Team Universe, it shows a mindset that this team can do anything in the universe. I want kids here to believe that if they have the right mentality, that ‘I can attack it, achieve it and I can accomplish things,’ mindset, then they can be successful. Our kids love it, because it’s not really about the name, it’s about tackling great things and achieving them.”

Team Universe Cheer, LLC, is located at 131 Commerial Court in Rincon. Classes are available for kids ages 4-18 and range in cost from $60 per month for tumbling to $125 monthly for competitive cheerleading. Hours are Monday through Thursday from 4 to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 9 p.m. For more information visit teamuniversecheer.com, or call 912-826-0492 or email Teamuniversecheer@gmail.com.

effingham REAL ESTATE

This Home is Offered By: Cynthia Parker (912) 663-7689 http://cynthiaparker@comcast.net

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

Magazine.com | June/July 2015 51

FOR SALE 402 Sangrena Dr., Pooler - $259,000

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Beautifully Renovated 3BR+ Bonus Room, 2 Full Bathrooms, Patio Room, Sunroom, All New, Flooring, Roof, Windows, A/C Heater, Stove, Washer, Dryer, Dish Washer, Refrigerator, Very Big Laundry Room Near I-95, I-16, Hwy 80 Tanger Mall, Walmart, Sams Club, Bowling, Rollerskating, Cinemas, Water Park, Banks, Medical, Dental Clinics, over 50 restaurants.

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