Effingham Magazine February March 2017

February/March 2017

JD

Fulcher You’re Not Strong, Unless You’re JD Strong!

Health and Wellness Issue

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S TA F F

CONTRIBUTORS Katrice Williams is a married mother of two. She graduated from Georgia Southern University with a Business Administration Degree. Interestingly enough, at the time, she also had an interest in writing. She and her family moved to Pooler in 2003 from the Atlanta Metro Area. She later decided to pursue her writing interests. Katrice appreciates The Lord Jesus Christ and the many blessings that He has bestowed upon her. She loves spending time with her family.

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. She now lives in Rincon and loves spending time with her husband, Sean, and two children, Turner and Emery.

Tonya Chester Perry is a married mother of two children. She is a full time photographer with a studio based in Rincon. She graduated from college with a degree in business. She is originally from Louisiana. After living in different states, she now resides in Effingham County. She is a Maternity, Newborn, Child, High School Senior and Wedding Photographer. When not working she enjoys spending her time with her husband & kids.

Lea Allen

Lane Leopard

Cindy Burbage

is a native of Richmond Hill. She began writing in college and took a hiatus to raise her four beautiful children. Cindy enjoys traveling and is always ready for a road trip. She believes that faith is greater than fear.

Wanda Simmons

Susan Lee

began her writing career more than 25 years ago when she served in the U.S. Air Force as a military journalist stationed in Washington, D.C. After completing her tour of duty, Susan stayed on as a civilian employee in Washington, working for more than 10 years as Public Relations Director for the Air Force’s Services Division.

She moved from D.C. to Effingham County in 1996 after meeting her husband, Springfield native Wesley Lee. She has continued to work in public relations and marketing throughout the years and is excited to now focus more on her writing..

Karlee Collins has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Professional Communications from Armstrong State University. She has experience in writing grant proposals and writing for the Inkwell, Armstrong’s paper. In addition, Karlee enjoys spending time with her fiancé, Zach, and her family. She is very involved in her home church and does volunteer work for various ministries. Her hobbies include reading, singing, and attending as many of her brothers’ sporting events as possible.

04 February/March 2017 | www.Effingham Magazine.Com

Shelia Scott is an Effingham County

native and Salzburg descendent. She has been married to her husband, her best friend, for 6 years. Between them they have 9 children and 4 grandchildren. She started dabbling in photography when her kids were little and fell in love. When not with her husband and kids, she’s off somewhere, camera in hand looking for the next amazing shot!

Capturing A Lifetime Of Memories...

(912) 657-7121 www.sheliascottphotography.com

06 February/March 2017 | www.Effingham Magazine.Com

www.Effingham

Magazine.com | August/Seprember 2016 07

in this issue

February/March 2017

features

10 16 22 46

John David “J.D.” Fulcher You’re Not Strong Unless You’re JD Strong

Tiffany Laumeyer Fitness For Life

Two Rivers Health Clinic Health Care Provided In Effingham County

Maddox Cole Making Him Mobile

10

departments

09 51 60

Publisher’s Page

Let’s Do Business Quality Service Center

16

Dining Guide Mrs. Jeans Restaurant

specials

25

Effingham Health System

46 08 February/March 2017 | www.Effingham Magazine.Com

22

PUBLISHER’S Thoughts

Healthcare In Effingham County Julie Hales owner/publisher julie@idpmagazines.com Lane Leopard graphic designer lane@idpmagazines.com Lea Allen administrative assistant/circulation lea@idpmagazines.com Wanda Hendricks Simmons account executive wanda@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 Julie Hales at julie@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.

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 JJulie Hales at julie@ 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.

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.

Healthcare! That is a subject that certainly has the attention of most Americans these days. From health insurance to health providers and services to wellness tips and personal trainers...health is a part of everyone’s life.

We all want to make sure that we get the best health services available...and we would all like to have those services available to us close to home. Effingham County has grown exponentially over the last 10 years...and our health care choices have as well.

We are very fortunate to be in a community where we now have more services available than ever before.

Our close proximity to Savannah, coupled with our growth, has brought many specialty health care providers to our county.

We have heart specialists, neurological specialists, orthopedic specialists, lung specialists, kidney specialists...you name it, we have it...all at our finger tips.

Ten years ago, it was common practice to have to Julie Hales, PUBLISHER drive to Savannah for a routine mammogram, specialized x-rays, an MRI, sleep apnea symptoms...now, all of procedures and tests can be performed right here in our community.

As they say...My, how times have changed.

That is true. Times have changed. And, we have changed right along with them. We have embraced the changes, welcomed the new services and thanked our good Lord that He has provided.

In this issue of Effingham Magazine, you will read about some of our citizens and their health issues, their dreams and abilities....and about some of these wonderful services that we have available to us.

You will also see an insert here for our friends at Effingham Health System, including some of the exciting new things they have going on there. Effingham Health System plays a huge role in our community and we are so thankful for their commitment to our citizens.

Fran Baker Witt has certainly proven to be an amazing leader at EHS. I have had the honor of meeting her personally and being able to talk with her about the immediate plans and future goals for EHS. I am very excited to say that this spring, EHS will have a Cancer Care Center...unbelievable! These are the kinds of amazing changes and healthcare opportunities EHS is bringing to the people of Effingham County. Read all about this in the EHS insert inside.

Let’s all be thankful for the services provided in our community, and let’s all live a healthy 2017!

February/March 2017

JD

Fulcher You’re Not Strong, Unless You’re JD Strong!

ABOUT THE COVER Childhood cancer is one of the most devastating illnesses a family can endure. The Fulcher family knows that firsthand. Meet J.D. and his family... and read the story of this amazing kid who always keeps smile on his face... and in his heart.

Cover photo by Tonya Chester Perry

Health and Wellness Issue

www.Effingham

Magazine.com | February/March 2017 09

JOHN DAVID “JD” FULCHER:

You’re Not Strong Unless You’re

JD Strong “Sometimes real superheroes live in the hearts of small children fighting big battles.” ~ Anonymous

T

story by katrice williams photos by tonya chester perry

he late Christopher Reeves said that “a hero is an extraordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” It is obvious that those heroes come in all sizes. John David Fulcher, JD, is a bright-eyed 10-year-old boy with a boatload of courage that easily complements his warm, witty and straightforward personality. JD has lived in Effingham all of his life, along with his dad Shane, mom Melodie, big sister Anna and big brother Wesley.

JD was diagnosed with B-Cell All, Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia last June. It is the most common type of cancer in children; it usually progresses rapidly. It happens when the bone marrow and blood contain too many immature white blood cells, or b-cells (lymphoblasts).

Melodie still counts her blessings, stating, “This is a cancer with a fairly good prognosis.”

Prior to his diagnosis, JD appeared to have stomach virus symptoms. He would also run an occasional low fever. Doctors felt this all to be very common viral symptoms, especially in a healthy child with no known medical problems. JD began to experience leg cramps that became increasingly painful over time. Various tests were done by medical professionals, yet no problems were found. Shane and Melodie tried to do all they could to ease the cramps at home, whether keeping JD plenty of potassium rich foods like bananas or even making sure that he took nice, warm baths for their therapeutic nature. After seeing that their little athlete even occasionally struggled to move around during some of his baseball games, their concern heightened. .

Melodie mentions, “He started really struggling through ball games. It had gotten to the point where he couldn’t put any weight on his legs.” Thereafter, JD was hospitalized for three days, while his medical staff tried

urgently to figure out what was going on.

“They knew his white blood count was fighting something, but they couldn’t find anything in the blood work to indicate it,” Melodie notes.

Additional tests were run, specifically those tracking white blood cells; consequently, a large amount of lymphoblastic b-cells were found.

Since his diagnosis, JD has withstood several procedures and is currently on chemotherapy treatment. The objective of the chemotherapy is to destroy all leukemic cells and to prevent the bone marrow from making other ones. During his current phase of treatment, JD receives a variety of about eight different chemotherapy drugs at any given time. The oncologist keeps a check on his cell count and spinal fluid regularly. Melodie is very thankful that JD’s body has been “handling treatments well.”

Interestingly enough, JD just recently lost his hair, which didn’t get the trooper down much, especially since he had been asking his parents for years for a shaved head. He is looking forward to getting his bald head painted by the well-known and talented local artist Morgan Webb, who has a huge heart for children battling cancer; she does tons of beautiful artwork to benefit the cause.

All in all, JD is just a fun-loving, precious kid. He does not leave his house much, due to a low immune system.

He does miss getting out. Whether playing baseball, having fun with his pets outside, riding his dune buggy and four-wheeler or fishing, JD has always been an active guy. He still makes the most of his time indoors and really “likes family time.”

For some time now, JD has been receiving Homebound Instruction a few hours each week from his teacher Ms. Karen Seckinger, who diligently works with him “to help keep him from falling so far behind” acawww.Effingham

Magazine.com | February/March 2017 11

“We’ve been just amazed by how the doctors, nurses, childcare specialists and the social workers just kind of walk this journey with you,” Melodie remarks. demically.

“I like science; it’s my favorite, but my specialty is math. I want to be an RC mechanic,” JD affirms. He would like to do work with an elaborate company like Traxxas, a radio control model manufacturer. JD is intrigued that Traxxas remote control cars are the “fastest in the world,” some being able to reach 60 miles per hour.

Further, JD would love to attend his parents’ alma mater, Georgia Southern University (GSU). Shane is an Eagle at heart; it is obvious that Melodie is as well when seeing all of her GSU memorabilia.

While pointing out his mom’s numerous collectibles, JD jokes, “If you can’t tell, my mama went there too.” JD is also fond of the University of Georgia (UGA)—those Dawgs. He recalls a very generous deed done by the Uga Breeder.

JD states, “About a month ago, the person who breeds the Ugas gave me a picture of an Uga with a stand which said: To my friend JD, from Uga #10.” In fact, JD was visited by the entire UGA Hockey Team while at the clinic receiving treatment. They actually visited all the kids there.

Additionally, JD is very proud of a special Certificate of Courage given to him by the U.S. Army.

The family is incredibly thankful for the abundance of compassion and support shown to JD by various warm-hearted individuals.

12 February/March 2017 | www.Effingham Magazine.Com

Shane later comments, “A lot of special people have come to visit him. He’s gotten a lot of neat little gifts.”

Some renowned individuals include Statesboro-bred country singing sensation Erin Alvy. Even Effingham’s very own professional baseball icon Josh Reddick surprised him with a visit. JD, who had made one of Effingham’s Little League All-Star Teams prior to his diagnosis, was thrilled by the visit and still gets excited just talking about it. Speaking of baseball, JD’s all-star baseball team took a picture for him flexing their muscles after his diagnosis, coining the slogan “JD Strong” for him.

JD’s family is whole-heartedly appreciative for all the care and attention shown by his medical team.

“We’ve been just amazed by how the doctors, nurses, childcare specialists and the social workers just kind of walk this journey with you,” Melodie remarks.

JD does not take any of that for granted. He is a grateful little boy and values all the love shown to him.

JD says that one of his biggest inspirations is his dad. Shane is Superman to him right now. He completely shares in his son’s care, not out of sheer duty or obligation, but because he can see it no other way. He is looking forward to his son’s full recovery.

In his own words of encouragement to other children fighting such battles, JD asserts, “Stay strong…stay JD strong.” Sometimes really big courage can come in small packages.

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Their physicians also see patients and operate at Candler, St Joseph and Memorial Hospital. Ear, Nose, & Throat Associates of Savannah has Audiology services on site with Doctors of Audiology, Dr. Susan Timna, Dr. Katherine Neufeld and Dr. Cori Palmer, offering complete hearing evaluations, tinnitus consultations, full range of digital hearing devices, bone anchored hearing aids (BAHA), custom ear protection and assistive listening devices.

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Magazine.com | February/March 2017 13

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I

Memorial Health University Physicians - Rincon

n a small town like Rincon, neighbors help neighbors. It’s what we do. At Memorial Health University Physicians – Rincon, your neighbors just happen to be medical professionals who love what they do.

Wesley Ensley, M.D., and Angela Chumley, a family nurse practitioner, care for adults and children in a comfortable, convenient office off Highway 21. They treat illnesses and chronic conditions, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, and provide annual and sports physicals, wellchild check-ups, medication management and much more.

Ensley, a native of Griffin, Georgia, moved to the area in 2013 to practice family medicine. He admits the people and the locale were very attractive.

“Most everyone I meet is very friendly,” he says. “And I love the coastal climate.”

Chumley, who grew up in nearby Port Wentworth, also calls Effingham County home. “I like the small-town atmosphere where neighbors help neighbors and everybody knows each other by name,” she says.

Effingham County is the perfect place for Ensley and Chumley to do what they love.

“I treat my patients like they are members of my own family,” Ensley says. “It’s just the right thing to do.”

“My philosophy is to care for the whole patient,” says Chumley, who became a

nurse practitioner 12 years ago after working as a registered nurse for nearly two decades.

“I get to know them as individuals, not just their medical problems,” she adds. “I want to know about their lives and their families.

In fact, most of my patients are also my friends.

“I’m big on educating my patients about their condition and explaining why we do the things we’re doing. That usually helps put them at ease so they are more likely to follow their treatment plan or take their medication.”

Ensley says he loves family medicine because of the variety.

Patients of all ages come to him for many different healthcare concerns.

Becoming a doctor grew out his love for science. “Medicine brings so many types of science together,” he says. “My stepfather was an orthopedic surgeon and he loved what he did.”

Most of all, Ensley and Chumley want to help their patients get and stay healthy.

“My best advice is this: keep your weight down, stay active and don’t smoke or do drugs,” Ensley says.

Chumley agrees and offers her own

words of wisdom. “Stay active and stay positive,” she says. “Remove the negative things from your life. Live it to the fullest and be happy.”

Ensley and Chumley are now accepting new patients. Call 912-826-8800 for an appointment.

Rincon 241 Silverwood Commercial Drive Rincon, GA 31326 912-826-8800 memorialhealth.com/Rincon

www.Effingham

Magazine.com | February/March 2017 15

Tiffany Laumeyer:

FITNESS FOR LIFE story by katie vandenhouten photos by tonya chester perry

T

he new year is always full of resolutions and new beginnings. Not surprisingly, weight loss is one of the most popular resolutions that people make, which is why gym business booms in the first months of the new year.

Effingham native Tiffany Laumeyer is a bodybuilder and personal trainer, and she wants everyone to know that fitness is not just a new year’s resolution--it’s a way of life. She wants people to stop seeing fitness as a seasonal solution, but as a lifetime journey.

Graduating from Effingham County High School in 2000, she describes herself as a music nerd in high school who didn’t participate in school sports. So when Laumeyer set foot into a gym for the first time at age 17, she considered it her own personal playground and there was no turning back.

“When I got involved with fitness, I knew that was where I was supposed to be,” she says. She has been a personal trainer for 16 years now, and she has made a name for herself as a successful trainer who gets results.

She always had a knack for fitness, but she never imagined she would attain this level of success as a personal trainer. That is, until she trained her first client. In just a year and a half, she helped that very first client lose 133 lbs, and she has been helping others achieve their fitness goals ever since.

Laumeyer is more than a personal trainer. She is also certified in group training, sports nutrition, special populations nutrition, kickboxing and yoga. No matter your size or your fitness goals, she has something for everyone.

In fact, she got involved in bodybuilding so that she could serve an even wider variety of clients. She wanted to be able to train obese clients while also being able to help her fittest clients get show ready at the professional level.

Laumeyer herself was officially show ready in 2006. That is the year she won her pro card, becoming a professional bodybuilder with the World Natural Bodybuilding Federation and later with the International Federation of Bodybuilders.

Most bodybuilders never achieve professional bodybuilding status with one organization, so for Laumeyer to go pro with two organizations is an incredible feat. But even with all her professional success, her proudest accomplishments are not her own.

“Don’t get me wrong. I’m proud of every single trophy that is collecting dust in our office, but that’s not what I’m about,” she says. To her, every client’s success is a personal victory.

She says the most rewarding part of her job is giving others confidence. ‘It’s really a compliment to me when I see someone else really happy with themselves,” she says.

She has worked out and maintained an active lifestyle her entire adult life, motivated by a family history of health problems. “My dad’s side of the family, everyone passed from cancer and other health issues,” Laumeyer explains. “I had to make sure that I stayed as healthy as possible.”

Good health is the ultimate goal. Self confidence and looking good are just the side effects. “It’s more than looking good in a bikini,” she explains. “But people tend to be very vain at times. We all are guilty of it, but we need to focus on our health first.”

Once healthy habits are started and maintained, everything else will fall into place. And that is what Laumeyer instills in her clients. www.Effingham

Magazine.com | February/March 2017 17

“The most important thing you could do for yourself is be comfortable in your own skin,” says Laumeyer. Her main focus is not numbers on a scale. She encourages her clients to achieve and maintain healthy habits as a way of life.

Tina Seckinger first attended Laumeyer’s boot camp in September of 2015. She was hooked after that. She had just turned 40, and she was the heaviest she had been in her life. Seckinger doesn’t know exactly how much weight she has lost, echoing Laumeyer’s mantra that being healthy isn’t about a number on a scale. “I am in the best shape I have ever been in, and I know I would not be where I am if it wasn’t for Tiffany,” she says.

Maranda Smith has been training with Laumeyer for a year and a half. She went from a size 14 to a size 5, and she ran two half marathons in 2016. “Tiffany changed my life. I am an active, healthy, 31-year-old who can go outside and run and play with my children and not feel sluggish, tired and out of breath,” Smith says. “Never in a million years would I have thought I could be this size and fit.”

Laumeyer also worked her magic on Jenny Clements, who went from 37 per cent body fat to 19.6 per cent body fat in her forties. “I am in the best shape of my life and I owe it all to her and her guidance and tough love as my personal trainer,” says Clements.

When it comes to fitness and nutrition, Laumeyer knows what works. Her best workout advice is to make it fun. “Find something that you enjoy doing. It doesn’t have to be working with someone like myself,” she explains. “It can be doing Zumba class, doing yoga, hitting the pavement--whatever your knack is, whatever you enjoy, you need to roll with that.”

The main goal is to make physical activity enjoyable so it becomes a way of life.

“You have to keep it switched up and fun,” she reiterates. “If you start resenting it, it’s the first thing you’ll drop.”

Knowing that nobody is perfect, Laumeyer has an 80/20 rule: do what you’re supposed to do 80% of the time, but allow yourself to cheat a couple times a week.

“It’s all about balance,” she says. “You can’t cut yourself off. Psychologically, that just sets you up for failure. That’s the way I’ve always handled fitness in general. Too much of anything is a bad thing. You have to be able to enjoy a cheeseburger!”

And when her clients do backslide, slip up on their nutrition plan, or miss a few workouts, Laumeyer encourages them to get back in the saddle and never stop pushing themselves. “Most of my clients get away with splurging twice a week,” she

says. “I like to make sure that we’re in it for the long haul, and it’s really important to pat yourself on the back. Don’t be too hard on yourself!”

Her clients rave about how positive and encouraging she is as a trainer, but Laumeyer has had to overcome some struggles of her own. She and her husband Dave have struggled for the past two years to conceive a child, and at one point, it seemed impossible that they would ever have a baby.

Even after going through IVF, her chances of having a baby were slim. But miraculously, Laumeyer and her husband beat the odds and are expecting a baby girl in May. “Finding out we’re having a baby--it’s the most exciting thing that’s ever happened to me,” she beams. “And I’ve done some pretty cool things!” She is having fun proving that pregnant women can still be physically active.

She has trained women before, during

18 February/March 2017 | www.Effingham Magazine.Com

and after pregnancy, and she wants pregnant women to know that it is safe to remain active and fit. “So many women are scared of being active throughout a pregnancy and I’ve definitely proven that wrong,” says Laumeyer.

When asked about her goals for the future, motherhood is her primary focus.

“That’s the only goal that I haven’t reached yet,” she says. “I want to be able to say that I have a baby and I’m competing as a professional athlete while still working full time and helping other people get into shape.”

And Tiffany Laumeyer is on the path to do just that. All in all, she wants people to know that fitness is not a short term resolution, but a way of life. Anyone can make the change if they just stick with it. “You cannot undo years of neglect in weeks or even months,” she says. “Granted, I have worked some miracles-- some magic, but slow and steady always wins.”

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20 February/March 2017 | www.Effingham Magazine.Com

Edel Caregiver Institute:

Helping caregivers so they can better help their loved ones

H

ospice Savannah is a program for the terminally ill which includes services for care and support of patients at home, in a nursing home or assisted living facility or in Hospice House. Usually abstaining from extraordinary measures to lengthen life, they focus on pain and symptom control and emotional support for the loved ones.

Hospice Savannah concentrates on the patient and their loved ones; The Edel Caregiver Institute concentrates on the caregiver.

Caring for a loved one with any type of illness or disorder is not planned and many times the caregiver is at a loss for what they need to do. Caregivers can be friends, relatives, in-laws, spouses – anyone who provides assistance to another, in whatever capacity and whatever their relationship, with no financial benefits. The Edel Caregiver Institute offers support for non-paid, non-professional family caregivers. Again, its primary focus is the caregiver, not the care recipient. The care recipient is rarely hospice patient. It is usually someone who has been diagnosed with a long-term chronic illness such as Congestive Heart Failure, Dementia, Pulmonary Disease, etc.

The Edel Caregiver Institute opened its doors a year ago, with a vision of helping families. In fact, the Institute has helped over 300 families to date.

With a-state-of-the -art facility nestled off Chatham Parkway, they offer an array of classes and programs for caregivers. Within their skills lab, they provide hands-on training with medical equipment from oxygen tanks to Hoyer lifts. The skills lab is able to assist 12-15 people per class and can be disease- specific. Basic nursing skills are also taught to caregivers.

Taking care of a loved one stricken with disease or a disorder, such as Autism, can take an emotional and physical toll on the one providing the care. The Edel Caregiver Institute delivers wellness for the caregiver, including nutrition education and exercise. It also offers help with navigating the medical world through the assistance of eight retired physicians on hand who are available to go with patients and caregivers to doctor appointments to communicate information. Dementia coaches are also available. They are placed in the homes to help with problem solving and offer hands on help.

The Edel Caregiver Institute is a not for profit organization that relies on funding from the United Way, donations and fundraisers. All services offered

by Edel are free of charge. Please see the website for complete information regarding all the classes and support offered.

Story by CINDY BURBAGE

EDEL CAREGIVER INSTITUTE 6000 Business Center Drive (off Chatham Parkway) Savannah, GA 31405 EdelCaregiverInstitute.org 912-629-1331 Counties and communities served: • Bryan: Ellabell, Pembroke, Richmond Hill, Midway • Chatham: Savannah, Tybee, Pooler, Bloomingdale, Thunderbolt, Garden City, Port Wentworth • Effingham: Rincon, Guyton, Clyo, Springfield • Liberty: Hinesville and surrounding communities • Long: Ludowici and surrounding communities The Edel Caregiver Institute can also provide: • Reduced rates for daytime respite at local assisted living facilities.

• Discounted rates on local agency sitter services.

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Magazine.com | February/March 2017 21

Two Rivers Health Clinic Health Care Provided In Effingham County

O

story by karlee collins

photos by tonya chester perry

n October 1, 2015, Two Rivers Health Clinic opened its doors to the Effingham community for the first time. Dr. Fran Decker, one of this free clinic’s doctors, has been offering her services since opening day. “There was a perceived need to provide some healthcare for uncovered individuals,” she says. What a group of people saw as a potential need, they found to be fairly serious.

“It has been an eye opening experience to try to provide some basic healthcare,” Dr. Decker says, “to patients who literally have nothing.”

The patients that Two Rivers is able to serve are between 18 and 64 years old, have no insurance, and are within 150% of the federal poverty guidelines. These individuals are unable to obtain any type of medical insurance coverage for a variety of reasons and have been unable to treat their conditions. Now, the second and fourth Thursday of each month from five to eight in the evenings, they are able to seek treatment.

Two Rivers was designed to treat patients for chronic illnesses like high blood pressure, diabetes or obesity and is not a walk-in clinic.

Those that desire to make an appointment must contact Rosemary Alexander, the Care Management Coordinator, for an appointment because the clinic does not have its own office yet. The volunteers meet at New Concept Health Care, the office of Dr. Jack Heneisen, which is located in Rincon. Thus far, the volunteers consist of two providers, two nurse practitioners, five nurses, three administrative workers and students from the healthcare program at the Career Academy, who are able to gain experience working with patients doing

22 February/March 2017 | www.Effingham Magazine.Com

the basics. In addition, there are nineteen board members that work together to lead the clinic towards its best forms of service.

After many years of seeing and helping patients, Dr. Decker had retired from her practice in 2013. She was recruited to join with Two Rivers Health Clinic a few months before the opening by a nurse that she had worked with in her practice. “Initially, I was just tired,” she explains, “but I had been doing it such a long time and I missed the patient contact. I felt like I had skills that I wasn’t using.”

The new clinic was in desperate need of her skills and the experience and expertise that she brought to the team. “I felt like it was time to give back. There were some things that I could do and I’m happy to do them,” Dr. Decker shares. She joined the team and has been fully committed to working with them to grow the outreach of this clinic.

Dr. Decker and the other volunteers have already worked diligently as a team and accomplished much in their time together. “As of the end of 2016, we’ve had 232 patient visits, 536 volunteer hours by doctors and nurses, 1018 volunteer hours by administrative staff,” she shares, “And we’ve provided care for about fifty different patients.” Those fifty patients have received the best care possible, from a team with fairly limited resources, for issues that simply would have gone untreated otherwise.

The top two diagnoses that have been treated are high blood pressure and diabetes, and others include thyroid disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, liver disease, and more.

Dr. Decker shares, “People come in with blood sugar levels and hemoglobin A1C levels that I actually didn’t see when I was still in active

www.Effingham

Magazine.com | February/March 2017 23

practice.” The patients have not been able to afford help which has caused their chronic illnesses to spiral out of control, and the Two Rivers team is tasked with attempting to aid the patients in a manner that will help them to get their symptoms back under control in an affordable way.

The first step to affordable medications is prescribing generics from the four dollar list; however, sometimes the medication required is unavailable, like insulin for diabetics. For these, the clinic relies on donations which have come from places like Memorial Health Rincon, the Effingham County Health Department and others. Also, the Two Rivers team tries to get patients into the MedBank system to provide what they need. Another reason the clinic needs donations is that some patients are not even able to afford a four dollar prescription. Some of the patients that the clinic sees have no income whatsoever. “We are hoping with increased donations that we are going to be able to help a bit more with the medications for patients,” says Dr. Decker.

In addition to medication, Two Rivers needs to be able to provide certain diagnostic services in order to be most effective.

“There’s also a need for laboratories and some Xrays and that sort of thing,” Dr. Decker explains. “We are simply not financially able to provide unlimited diagnostic services but we do what we can.”

In the past year, Two Rivers has worked with the Diagnostic Imaging Service in Pooler which enabled them to offer some radiology and ultrasound services. Also, Lab Corps was used for some basic lab services. These places understand that they are working with a charitable clinic and graciously give somewhat reduced rates, but the ability to use these services, as well as others that become necessary, comes from the generous donations of organizations and individuals.

The need in the community is great, and Two Rivers wants to

continue to expand to meet this need; however, it will require additional and continued support of the community that it is serving.

“We are trying to slowly establish ourselves as a clinic to help a population that is underserved,” says Dr. Decker. This slow establishment means a vision for the future. Two Rivers would like to expand their assistance to their patients by adding dental and visual services which would require providers and volunteers for these services. Eventually the clinic would like to be in its own location and seeing patients daily for a multitude of needs; however, financial support and volunteers are needed for this to come to fruition. Acquiring these things takes time. “I think it’s better to grow slowly than to try to do too much and have to backtrack,” Dr. Decker explains. This step-by-step growth is the mindset of those on the Two Rivers team that are so willing to serve.

Two Rivers Health Clinic is made up of individuals that want to give back to the community that they care for so deeply. The clinic’s volunteers, from board members to administrative workers to medical personnel, have seen a need in the area and are working to meet that need to take care of their fellow Effingham residents.

Medical providers, volunteers, and donations are wanted and welcomed. “With our 501c3 status and a permanent board, we are actively applying for grants and actively recruiting other providers and hoping to grow,” says Dr. Decker. “Initially, we would like to be able to expand from every other week to once a week, and beyond that, as the need develops and as we have the opportunity to offer more services.” These are the baby steps that will help the clinic reach its goals. “We’re starting modestly and we want to be able to grow organically,” Dr. Decker shares.

The Two Rivers Health Clinic team is making a commitment to growth for the benefit of their community.

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Magazine.com | February/March 2017 45

M Maddox Cole: Making Him Mobile story by cindy burbage

photos by tonya chester perry

uch like a picture, a smile is worth a thousand words. It reveals your perception of your feelings, your mood and your current situation. A smile can brighten the darkest days, but also restore lost hope of a depleted day. Meet 8 year old Effingham resident, Maddox Cole, whose illuminating smile proves that he never meets someone he doesn’t like, even on a tough day.

Before birth, during the 29th week of gestation, an ultrasound revealed abnormalities; Maddox would be born with an encephalocele, which is an opening in the skull. Encephalocele is a rare birth defect of the neural tube when it fails to close completely during fetal development; this in turn affects the brain. Approximately 340 babies are born with this per year. His skeptical physicians said that Maddox probably wouldn’t survive birth.

On June 23, 2008 Maddox came into this world ready for a fight. At just seven days old, he underwent brain surgery to help with the rare defect.

Although the surgery helped him survive, he does suffer from additional medical conditions.

Chelly Davis, his grandmother, shared, “In addition to cerebral palsy and seizure disorder, Maddox is also nonverbal and wheelchair bound at this time.”

At the early age of 2 years, he began Botox injections to help with his muscles; they become very stiff making it difficult to move around.”

In 2012 at the age of four, Maddox’s primary caregiver, his Papa Mike, passed away. Chelly quickly stepped in to take over, along with the support of her extended family.

Despite Maddox’s obstacles in life, Chelly does everything possible to ensure a “normal life” for him. He is a third grader at a local school, where he attends like most students Monday through Friday each week. “He receives physical, occupational and speech therapies throughout the week at school. In addition, one day a week he attends back to back physical, occupational, and speech therapies away from his educational environment,” his Mimi explains. Maddox’s schedule doesn’t stop there. “He is also a member of the Special Kicks program at Pooler Karate, where he learns karate as a form of therapy one day a week.

Maddox hobbies include swinging at school, karate, swimming in the summer and interacting with others,” Chelly proudly annotated. Maddox takes his karate very seriously. In November 2016, he tested and earned his green belt!

Maddox lives and thrives on his schedule full of activities. However, caring for anyone with special circumstances always has difficulties. At eight years old, he weighs 90lbs and his mobility has proved to be one of the biggest challenges this family faces.

“My biggest obstacle would have to be lifting him in and of bed, in and out of his wheelchair, in and out of the bathtub, in and out of the van, etc.

In addition to lifting him, I also have to disassemwww.Effingham

Magazine.com | February/March 2017 47

“He is the happiest kid and can always bring a smile to anyone’s face.”

ble, reassemble and lift his wheelchair in and out of the van every time we leave the house. We also struggle greatly with communication since he’s nonverbal, but sign language and a new speech device have helped somewhat,” explained Chelly.

This kid with a smile of gold needs help from his community.

Maddox is in need of a wheelchair friendly van. Over the past year, several fundraisers have commenced to raise funds to help this family. Chelly elaborated, “Our biggest two fundraisers were a board breaking at Pooler Karate put on by Carson Fortner’s Special Kicks Nonprofit Program in April of 2016 and a car and bike show at the Pooler Recreational Complex, organized by a family friend, Cleveland Harrity, Carson Fortner with Special Kicks, and Chelly’s daughter Lauren Rich. Other support came from Special Kicks, One Nine Design Co, Mr. T-Shirts and several local sponsors in October 2016. We’ve also had several other smaller fundraisers and donations made to the Make Maddox Mobile fund since April of last year. Our overall goal is to be able to purchase a wheelchair accessible van.”

With this van, their daily life would be become easier. With Maddox being immobile, his Mimi, Chelly takes on his mobility.

“The amount of lifting would be dramatically decreased and we would have more freedom to leave the house in inclement weather,” she confessed.

Maddox Cole entered this world with hurdles beyond measure ahead of him. He has come face to face with them and claimed victory on so many in his short life. Even though he has a tough road ahead of him, he brings that fresh outlook of courage and optimism with every situation he encounters just by flashing that smile. “Maddox is the inspiration that keeps me going,” Chelly loving conveyed. “He is the happiest kid and can always bring a smile to anyone’s face.”

The family has set up a Go Fund me account: https://www. gofundme.com/37YX2MR8 and Maddox’s story and updates can be followed on Facebook: facebook.com/make-maddox-mobile-1685361218380623. Also, donations can be made directly to

48 February/March 2017 | www.Effingham Magazine.Com

Pooler Karate.

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Magazine.com | February/March 2017 51

A Little Boys Dream Becomes a Reality…….

Q

story by wanda hendricks simmons

uality Service Center Inc., is much more than just a business. It is the fruition of a little boys dream.

Scott Simmons, owner and operator of Quality Service Center Inc., always dreamed of following in his father’s footsteps. And that is exactly what he did.

As a little boy, Scott would follow his father, Neal Simmons, around on Saturday mornings at the shop where he worked. Scott enjoyed being around his dad and loved learning how to make things work. He was fascinated by watching his father work on something for only a few short minutes and, like magic, a non-working engine would begin to run.

This was a way to get to spend time with his dad. The added bonus - Scott grew to love working on automobiles. This love began when he saw his dad working on those big “18 wheelers” at Benton Tractor Transport in Savannah.

As Scott grew older, he worked with his father at several locations. On Saturdays and Sundays, when Scott was 9 years old, he worked with his dad at Standard Oil Station pumping gas. Neal went to work at Builders Transport and Scott followed him there, also helping him on Saturdays and Sundays. After a hard day’s work, the two would go by Pops Lounge and Restaurant where Scott would get a Coca Cola and a BBQ sandwich while Neal had a drink and they would play pool together. These two spent a lot of father/son time together enjoying each other’s company…all the while, Scott was learning the ropes of how to be an automotive mechanic. One year Scott asked for a toolbox for Christmas and, of course, Neal made sure that a toolbox was under the tree.

In this time, Scott’s father instilled a very strong work ethic in him. He even gave Scott tools to get him started in the business.

There was only one stipulation for getting the tools… Scott had to work to get his own tools and then return Neal’s back to him.

Scott worked at Builder’s Transport and later on at Gay Trucking on the weekends, pushing a broom and cleaning up. He would spend as much time as he could watching the mechanics at work.

He got to see his dad and the other guys in their work environment and how they could take the tools and make the repairs to get the trucks back out on the road. There were always time

52 February/March 2017 | www.Effingham Magazine.Com

photos by shelia scott

crunches, because the owners wanted the trucks out as soon as possible. Scott recollects how his father never disappointed them on the turn-around time.

During that summer, Scott worked for Wilmington Island Exxon pumping gas, changing oil and working on cars. As he grew older, he went to work at Motor Parts Company after school getting paid $35.00 a week pushing brooms and later doing cylinder head work. He also worked at the Dragon Palace doing dishes in the evenings. The owner at Motor Parts Company, Jimmy Marston, came to Scott and told him he couldn’t work there anymore, because he needed to go to work with his dad at Georgia Truck Center.

Scott worked with Neal at Georgia Truck Center for the next several years doing paint and body work, trailer work, tank work, welding, diesel and automotive work. After Neal left Georgia Truck Center, Scott was given an offer to go to Gay Trucking because of his extensive knowledge.

Several years later, Neal was working at Goodyear. Scott again decided to join his dad and work side by side until the late 80’s.

Then, Neal left Goodyear to go over to Galbreath Clearing and Grading. After a couple of years the, owner of Galbreath Clearing and Grading, Doug Galbreath, recruited Scott to come and work for him. And the father son duo were at it again.

Scott, always having a heart for his customers, contacted Vic Andrews, owner of Interstate Batteries of Savannah, telling him he was leaving and that he would need to find someone else to work on his equipment. Vic Andrews appreciated the person Scott was and told him when he became financially able, he would help Scott get started in his own business.

In the latter part of 1993, Vic Andrews stayed true to his word and contacted Scott to share his plans for a business opportunity. Andrews purchased Quality Service Center in Rincon in early 1994, and Scott came to work for him.

About a year and a half later, Vic Andrews offered to sell the business to Scott and he jumped at the opportunity. Scott credits Vic Andrews with giving him the opportunity to become the owner and operator of his own business to this day. “Vic took a

chance on me, and I will never forget that,”Scott states.

After a short time, Scott called his dad out of retirement to come work side by side, as father and son, with him as a business owner. Neal worked there for several years, and still to this day, stops by offering advice and telling stories.

Even through economic adversities, Scott Simmons is still the proud owner and operator of Quality Service Center in Rincon, where this little boy’s dream years ago remains a reality today.

With an unbeatable staff of employees, Scott continues to maintain exceptional quality service for his customers. Shop Manager, Billy Morgan, has been with the company 16 years, working side by side with Scott each day. Scott credits his success to his staff and their dedication of the personal service they provide their customers every day.

Quality Service Center focuses on providing quality automotive services with the highest level of customer satisfaction. Scott prides himself in knowing that his business is operated with honesty and integrity. “We will do everything we can to meet a customer’s expectations. Our customers are never overcharged and we do not try to sell them parts or services they do not need,”he proudly states. He also prides himself in knowing that the staff has over 110 years of combined experience.

Quality Service Center provides services for auto, truck and equipment repairs including: Computer Diagnostics ~ Oil Changes ~ Tune Ups ~ Heating Services ~ A/C ~ Tires (mount, balance, repair and purchase) ~ Suspension Repair ~ Hood Support Replacements ~ Power Window Motor Replacement ~ Fuel Pumps ~ Transmission Replacement ~ Lighting Repair & Replacement ~ Fleet Service Maintenance ~ Minor Diesel Repair ~ Minor Heavy Equipment Repair ~ Safety Restraint System Repair ~ Universal

Joint Replacement ~ Wheel Hubs and Bearings Replacement ~ Starting and Charging System ~ Tire Pressure Monitoring System ~ Utility Trailer Repairs.

Quality Service Center offers a full line of truck accessories and is also an authorized dealer for Interstate Batteries and a WeatherTech Dealer. For customer convenience, they offer an after-hours key drop off service. They are located at 203 S. Columbia on Hwy 21 in Rincon right beside Quality Car Wash, also owned by Scott Simmons. They are open Monday – Friday from 7:30 to 5:30, so stop on by and let Quality take care of your automotive service needs. www.Effingham

Magazine.com | February/March 2017 53

Quality Service Center and Quality Car Wash SOME OF OUR SERVICES

• Auto • Truck • Equipment Repairs • Interstate Batteries • Tires • Truck Accessorie • Oil Changes • A/C & Heater Repairs

• Computer Diagnostics • Engine Repairs • Fuel Pumps • Custom Exhaust • Fleet Service Maintenance • Tune Up • Brake Repairs • Electrical Repairs

“Committed to Excellence in Quality and in Service since 1994” 203 S. Columbia Avenue / Hwy 21 Phone: 912-826-4059 Email: qualityservicehwy21@gmail.com Hours: 7:30-5:30 Monday-Friday Drop Off Service Available

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54 February/March 2017 | www.Effingham Magazine.Com

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Towne Pharmacy story by susan lee

n older gentleman walks through the doors of his local pharmacy. As soon as he is greeted by the friendly young woman working behind the counter, he gives her a broad smile and tells her, “I always like coming here to see everybody.”

That level of personalized care and compassion is what Effingham residents have come to expect at Towne Pharmacy. Independently owned and operated by Pharmacist Kathy McMillan, Towne Pharmacy, as part of the Health Mart System, has delivered the highest-quality medicines, services and health products since 2005.

“There’s nothing more important than your family’s well-being,” says Kathy. “We try our best to know the name of every customer who comes through our door.”

Kathy says she is extremely grateful for and proud of her pharmacy team and the fact that they consistently deliver friendly, fast and professional service. “Our staff is awesome,” she says. “I wouldn’t be able to do any of this without them. Everyone here takes the time to get to know the customers and is so patient about answering any questions they may have.”

Towne Pharmacy’s team of professionals consists of Anna Willis, Barbara Joyner, Emily Engel, Melfenia Baker, and Monica Johnson.

Kathy says a majority of their customers’ questions pertain to drug costs and insurance. “Changes in healthcare have caused great confusion among not only Medicare patients but also private paying patients,” she says. “Prescription drug costs have continued to rise, so we work with the patient and the physician to find the most affordable option for the patient.”

She adds that they often contact insurance companies and then explain to the patient and physician what drug costs will be covered.

Another focus of the Towne Pharmacy staff is medication management, a service Kathy explains is important in helping patients receive the most benefit from their medications. “We provide patient education on the importance of following a medication regimen correctly to prevent health consequences and to reduce the number of doctor or hospital visits,” she says. “And because some patients see several doctors,

photos by tonya chester perry

we keep track of all their medications and make them aware of any prescription medications that might interact. Our goal in building strong relationships with our patients is to improve their overall health.”

The dedication to patient care has been a part of Kathy’s life since she was a child.

Her grandmother was a nurse, her mother was a radiology technician, and her father was a physician. “From a young age, I became interested in taking care of patients and often visited my father at the hospital where he worked. When I was in high school, my grandmother actually suggested that I should be a pharmacist.”

Kathy heeded her grandmother’s advice and has now been a pharmacist for 21 years. She completed her undergraduate studies at University of North Carolina, then graduated from University of Georgia’s pharmacy school in 1996. “I couldn’t imagine doing anything else,” she says.

Perhaps because her mother had to quit working to care for Kathy and her three siblings, she works especially hard to find the right work/home life balance. She has two beautiful daughters, Caroline, 11, and Riley, 9.

SERVICES • Compounding of customized prescriptions • Diabetes products and services • Email and text message refill reminders

56 February/March 2017 | www.Effingham Magazine.Com

• Drive-Thru • Medicare Part D • Medication reviews PRODUCTS & SPECIALTIES • Broad availability of brand and generic prescription medications • Private-label, over-the-counter medications • Pharmacist counseling • Bathroom Aids • Canes & Walkers • Diabetic Supplies • Medical Supplies • Wound Care • Reading Glasses Towne Pharmacy also offers a full line of vitamins, supplements, and over the counter medications. Burt’s Bees, Now Foods, Jarrow Formulas, and Nature’s Way are just a few of the product lines. In addition, the pharmacy features a wide variety of home décor items, seasonal designs, greeting cards and gifts for any occasion as well as the popular and unique Simply Southern line of t-shirts and accessories.

Towne Pharmacy is open Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. They’re located at 6014 Hwy. 21 South in Rincon.

For more information, call (912)826-0250.

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(912) 826-5386 • Fax: (912) 826-4556

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For more information on participating, email ricklott@effinghamcounty.com or call the Chamber offices at 912-754-3301.

5505 McCall Road • Rincon, GA Residentialsurrounding Mortgage Licensee#5748areas & all of Georgia Serving Effingham EffinghamGeorgia County, Serving County, surrounding areas & all of Georgia 5505 McCall Road • Rincon, GA Serving Effingham County, surrounding areas & all of Georgia

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Magazine.com | February/March 2017 57

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(912) 826-5008 250 Chimney Road, Rincon, GA 31326 58 February/March 2017 | www.Effingham Magazine.Com

Effingham Animal Hospital

A

young boy dreamed of becoming a veterinarian and working with animals someday. After spending years caring for rabbits, chickens, goats and cattle, he began working in a vet’s office at just 15 years old. Today, Dr. Michael Bailey is a veterinarian and owner of Effingham Animal Hospital, the oldest veterinary hospital in the county.

Established in 1972, Effingham Animal Hospital has proudly served the community and been the leader in small animal care and become a vital resource for countless pet parents. The dedicated team provides safe, reliable and trusted advice on treatments, medication and the right preventative care for pets.

Effingham Animal Hospital’s services are based on a foundation of wellness care that focuses on preventing illness and managing a pet’s ongoing health. Beyond this, they offer a broad spectrum of treatment options to handle sick calls, injuries and emergencies for their established patients.

Whether it’s a routine check-up or life-saving surgery, the entire team at Effingham Animal Hospital is dedicated to providing the best in both veterinary care and customer service. From the experienced doctors who treat the patients with compassion and skill to the friendly and loyal support staff, everyone works hard to educate clients about their pet’s health condition so that they are comfortable with the diagnosis and treatment plan being suggested.

Effingham Animal Hospital provides pet owners all of the services, products and, most importantly, the education to keep their pets well through the course of their lives. From determining the cause of an allergy to choosing which heartworm prevention is best, the hospital staff helps families find the right solutions.

Originally from Alabama, Dr. Bailey earned his DVM degree from Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine.

He was hired out of college to work in a north Georgia clinic, where he practiced for six years on everything from dogs and cats to cattle and exotic creatures. When the urge to own a veterinary practice hit, Dr. Bailey moved to Effingham County and purchased the clinic in 1998.

Dr. Bailey considers maintaining

story by susan lee

photos by Shelia Scott

personal relationships with his clients the most important and enjoyable part of his job; he strives to never take for granted the trust that pet owners place in him. He is also passionate about saving homeless pets’ lives and getting them placed into loving homes.

Dr. Deana R. Livingston is the hospital’s Associate Veterinarian. A Savannah native, she also knew early on that she wanted to be a veterinarian. Dr. Livingston graduated from the University of Georgia with her bachelor’s degree in animal science and earned her DVM degree from the UGA’s College of Veterinary Medicine. She’s especially passionate about preventative medicine, having seen many pets living happier lives thanks to parasite control, proper diet, dental care, and allergy medications.

In addition to the extensive medical care offered at Effingham Animal Hospital, their services also include a variety of pet care options, including full service boarding and professional grooming. And for busy pet owners who have a hard time scheduling a visit to the vet, Effingham

Animal Hospital offers house calls. These home visits are also helpful for individuals with multiple pets or for pets who become stressed from car rides or visiting the clinic.

The hospital staff is also proud to support their community. Each year, they work with students from the school system in both work-based learning and job shadow programs. The hospital also coordinates an animal rescue program to help families find their next “furbaby”.

For more information on all of Effingham Animal Hospital’s comprehensive animal care services, call (912)826-5251 or visit their website, www.effinghamanimalhospital.com. The hospital is located in the heart of Rincon at 119 S. Columbia Ave. Remember, Sharing is Caring....

Mention this story to receive a $25.00 account credit for yourself and a friend or family member when you refer them (valid for new client referrals only) ~OR~ $1 for a new client exam when you mention reading our story.

www.Effingham

Magazine.com | February/March 2017 59

DINING GUIDE

P L A C E S TO E AT & D R I N K I N E F F I N G H A M

A Daughters Vision Becomes A Mother’s Legacy

T

story by wanda hendricks simmons he Beginning

In 1991, a family restaurant was “born” in Springfield, Georgia. This restaurant would soon become a household name for many who reside in Effingham County….Ms. Jeans. Just the simple sound of “her” name will make your mouth water.

The restaurant was owned by Jean Waters, lovingly called Ms. Jean by everyone that knew her.

Ms. Jean’s husband, Jesse Waters, suffered a heart attack and could no longer work in his normal capacity. This tragedy left the family in a dilemma. Ms. Jean knew that in order to take care of her daughter and continue to maintain their family household, she would have to go to work. She had always loved to cook and she had plenty of experience taking care of foster children. Could she make a living for her family doing one of those things?

Childcare? No. Cooking? Now there’s a good thought.

Thankfully for Effingham County, Ms. Jean chose cooking. Ms. Jeans Restaurant was founded on love and the desire of one lady to be able to continue to provide for her family.

Jean and Jesse Waters had five children - Olivia, Walt, Marnie, Andrea and Kellis.

All five of the kids worked in the restaurant. Marnie, who had been injured in an accident one week before her senior year of high school, was a quadriplegic. She ran a specialized pre-programmed cash register while the other children cooked, waited tables and helped keep the company books.

In 1999, Ms. Jean closed the doors to the restaurant, much to the dismay of her customers. She went to work as the deli manager in a local Winn Dixie until they closed. She then went to work for a manufacturing company, staying there until her retirement in 2007.

Retirement allowed Ms. Jean many things, but the most important thing it allowed her was the opportunity to spend more time taking care of her daughter.

Over the next two years, Ms. Jean was not only her caregiver, she was also Marnie’s

traveling companion. These two were able to take several trips together...some to visit Andrea, who lived in Destin, Florida at the time. Andrea and her Mom were able to take Marnie to the beach, one of the things she truly enjoyed. Marnie passed away in 2009.

The Re-opening Past customers of Ms. Jeans would often stop her during the years to reminisce about the restaurant. She wanted to reopen the restaurant, but she knew that it wasn’t possible because taking care of Marnie came first.

Ms. Jean longed for the day Andrea would move back home. She wanted all of her children to be close to her.

Andrea Waters Allsbrook had spent 20 years working in the hospitality industry.

She started out with the Hilton in Savannah as a front desk clerk and within 11 years, in spite of not having a college education, Andrea was running her own hotel. Her career had taken her to Destin, Florida where she would make her home for the next 15 years. During this time, she

60 February/March 2017 | www.Effingham Magazine.Com

worked with several high end luxury hotel brands in the beautiful Florida vacation town. Her career path gave her a tremendous amount of experience and knowledge which prepared her for the task at hand today.

Andrea had some struggles in life…being away from family all those years wasn’t easy. But, she had made a great name for herself and things were going very well for her in Florida. But, there was something missing though. Andrea accepted the Lord back into her heart. Her faith had always played a major role in her life…and that part had begun to silently sneak away.

She said, “Mom had been diagnosed with a rare cancer and had no chance of remission or a cure. In September 2012, the Lord put it on my heart to move back home and re-open Ms. Jeans, so I took off my corporate hat and began to make plans.

It is life experiences that sometimes makes you realize what is really important in life, and for me, at that time, in my life it was my family.”

This is was not an easy decision. Those years of hard work had paid off and Andrea knew she would have to give up a lot.

Through prayer, guidance and leadership from the Lord, Andrea put her plan into motion…moving back home to re-open Ms. Jean’s Restaurant. So she sold her home, gave up a nice corporate income and traded her flashy BMW and was Effingham County bound.

“At that time in my life, the one thing that was most important to me was to make sure my Mom went out on top of the world,” Andrea states, “We all knew that with Mom’s diagnosis, we had limited time left with her. We wanted to make sure the time we had left was the best it could be. I wanted her life to have purpose.”

“Mom was so happy when I called her and told her I was coming home. And, even happier when I later told her about my plans to re-open Ms. Jeans,” shares Andrea, “I asked her to come back into business with me as co-owner” Ms. Jean had the knowledge of the restaurant side and Andrea had the knowledge for the business side. These two would make an unbeatable team.

And, they did!

Andrea returned home on February 1, 2013, but the work began long before then.

Andrea was able to handle a lot of the preliminary work over the phone and online before her move, enabling Ms. Jeans Restaurant to open its doors on March 13, 2013.

Andrea laughingly recalls, “I remember us being so excited and moving so hard to get the restaurant open, and all of a sudden Mom asks one day, ‘What are you going to name the new restaurant.’ Like there was ever a question.”

When the sign went up, “Ms. Jean’s Restaurant Coming Soon,” the calls started pouring in. Andrea said people were calling her Mom wanting to know if this was the same Ms. Jean’s from Springfield.

Ms. Jean truly enjoyed making people happy with her food, and she certainly accomplished that. Andrea, Walt and Olivia knew that the re-opening of Ms. Jean’s Restaurant was a way for them to honor their Mom while she was still with them, and one day continue it in her memory.

There was a sense of urgency opening the first location on Columbia Ave., all wanting to make sure Ms. Jean would be able to be a part of it for as long as she could.

Ms. Jean never let her illness show, she always had a smile. Andrea remembers how good it felt to see her Mom back in the community, happy and working in the restaurant. Ms. Jean went table to table, chatting and watching people enjoy her food.

Within a few short months, the first 80 seat restaurant was too small. A new location had to be found.

Ms. Jeans Today They soon found a bigger location and started working on the build out to have it ready to expand as quickly as possible.

Once again, this family came together and did the impossible…that sense of urgency Ms. Jean had was inherited by her kids.

Andrea’s brother Walt, who lives in Columbia, SC, came home every weekend and took vacation time to help with the build out. They worked serving lunch 6 days a week at the original location. They would leave there and work evenings and weekends at the new location, sometimes until 1:00 in the morning, from October to December 2013.

The doors of the new, 140 seat restaurant opened on December 13, 2013 which is where they are located today, on Lisa Street behind the Krystal Restaurant.

They started out with 2,000 square feet and expanded to 4,000 with the new location. Less than a year later, they expanded again. Opening a Marketplace was in Andrea’s original business plan. The neighboring space became available, so an additional 2000 square feet was acquired and The Marketplace opened in November, 2014.

Ms. Jean saw the opening of all three.

That sense of urgency to make things happened allowed her the opportunity to watch her children come together and help this business grow.

Andrea said, “Mom cooked desserts till the day she went in the hospital for the last time, before going home to be with the Lord.”

Jean Waters passed away on March 18, 2015.

It was important to see her go out on top of the world, and she did.

Working side by side with their mother is an experience that Olivia, Walt and Andrea will never forget. The bonds that were formed through this time as family will keep them close forever.

Andrea recalls being in the kitchen with her Mom since she was a little girl. “One summer, Mom broke her leg. She would sit on a stool in the kitchen with her leg propped up telling me what to do. She didn’t measure anything unless she was baking and that is how she taught us to cook,” Andrea shares.

After Andrea moved away, she would often call her Mom and ask questions about how to prepare something and, of course, Mom helped her through those challenges. In a tender moment, she recalls, “Mom always knew what to tell me. I miss being able to call her.”

Ms. Jean’s Restaurant is more than just great fried chicken (a secret family

www.Effingham

Magazine.com | February/March 2017 61

DINING GUIDE

P L A C E S TO E AT & D R I N K I N E F F I N G H A M recipe), which has won multiple local awards. It is about serving others and being a service to the community. It is a place where anyone can get a home cooked meal every day. And, they still cook the same recipes Ms. Jean used herself.

The staff of Ms. Jeans Restaurant is another “Specialty” part of this business. They take great pride in what they do, from the cooks to the servers to the dish washers. Andrea adds, “God has blessed us with great people. They are wonderful employees.”

Ms. Jeans Restaurant is open six days a week for lunch from 11:00 am-2:30 pm. They are also now open on Friday nights from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pmwhere they serve a seafood and southern menu.

Ms. Jeans also offers “To Go” meals for families who want

to take their food home. They also offer reservations for parties of 12 to 18 people for the Red Room, except on Sunday.

Ms. Jeans is currently expanding again with the addition of a sweet shop inside the Marketplace. Olivia is preparing custom cakes, cookies, candies and pies made in house for purchase. Or, she will be happy to take your custom order.

Ms. Jean had always talked about what she called “A Party House.” She wanted a place to host events that she could cater.

Unfortunately, she never got to see this come to fruition. But, there’s good news on the way.

Be on the lookout soon for the future plans of The Waters Estate; Ms. Jeans “Party House.”

It looks like this family is making sure Ms. Jean’s legacy lives on forever.

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62 February/March 2017 | www.Effingham Magazine.Com

INSPIRING AND GUIDING OTHERS TO A HEALTHY LIFE! “I spent most of my childhood being obese. As I became an adult, the weight continued to pour on. I started dieting at the age of 13. For the next 12 years, I tried every pill and diet on the market. Nothing worked. The weight would come off, then back on double within 6 months.

In 2014, at 300 pounds, I decided I was ready to take my life back.

I tried an approach that I never have before. Not a diet, but a complete and total change of lifestyle. I began working with a trainer 5 days a week and changed my eating habits. I began to eat foods that benefited and fueled my body. Two years later, I am maintaining a weight loss of 125 pounds.

I know what it feels like to have no hope, no energy, nor joy in life. I know the feeling of just existing instead of living.

My hope is to inspire and guide others to a healthy lifestyle. I want to show those who have no hope that there is hope, and together we can conquer their weight issues.

All it takes is one small step ...and that first step is just making a decision and allowing me to guide you the rest of the way!”

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www.Effingham

Magazine.com | February/March 2017 63

GET HEALTHY 1. SRETCH: Learn to do stretching exercises when you wake up.

It boosts circulation and digestion, and eases back pain.

2. Don’t skip breakfast. Studies show that eating a proper breakfast is one of the most positive things you can do if you are trying to lose weight. Breakfast skippers tend to gain weight. A balanced breakfast includes fresh fruit or fruit juice, a high-fiber breakfast cereal, low-fat milk or yogurt, wholewheat toast and a boiled egg.

3. Brush up on hygiene.

Many people don’t know how to brush their teeth properly.

Improper brushing can cause as much damage to the teeth and gums as not brushing at all. Lots of people don’t brush for long enough, don’t floss and don’t see a dentist regularly. Hold your toothbrush in the same way that would hold a pencil, and brush for at least two minutes.

This includes brushing the teeth, the junction of the teeth and gums, the tongue and the roof of the mouth. And you don’t need a fancy, angled toothbrush – just a sturdy, soft-bristled one that you replace each month.

4. Neurobics for your mind. Get your brain fizzing with energy. American researchers coined the term ‘neurobics’ for tasks which activate the brain’s own biochemical pathways and to bring new pathways online that can help to strengthen or preserve brain circuits.

Brush your teeth with your ‘other’ hand, take a new route to work or choose your clothes based on sense of touch rather than sight. People with mental agility tend to have lower rates of Alzheimer’s disease and age-related mental decline.

5. Get what you give! Always giving and never taking? This is the short road to compassion fatigue. Give to yourself and receive from others, otherwise you’ll get to a point where you have nothing left to give. And hey, if you can’t receive from others, how can you expect them to receive from you?

6. Get spiritual. A study conducted by the formidably sober and scientific Harvard University found that patients who were prayed for recovered quicker than those who weren’t, even if they weren’t aware of the prayer.

7. Get smelly. Garlic, onions, spring onions and leeks all contain stuff that’s good for you.

A study at the Child’s Health Institute in Cape Town found that eating raw garlic helped fight serious childhood infections.

Heat destroys these properties, so eat yours raw, wash it down with fruit juice or, if you’re a sissy, have it in tablet form.

64 February/March 2017 | www.Effingham Magazine.Com

8. Knock one back. A glass of red wine a day is good for you. A number of studies have found this, but a recent one found that the polyphenols (a type of antioxidant) in green tea, red wine and olives may also help protect you against breast cancer.

It’s thought that the antioxidants help protect you from environmental carcinogens such as passive tobacco smoke.

9. Bone up daily. Get your daily calcium by popping a tab, chugging milk or eating yogurt. It’ll keep your bones strong. Remember that your bone density declines after the age of 30. You need at least 200 milligrams daily, which you should combine with magnesium, or it simply won’t be absorbed.

10. Berries for your belly.

Blueberries, strawberries and raspberries contain plant nutrients known as anthocyanidins, which are powerful antioxidants. Blueberries rival grapes in concentrations of resveratrol – the antioxidant compound found in red wine that has assumed near mythological proportions.

Resveratrol is believed to help protect against heart disease and cancer.

11. Curry favour. Hot, spicy foods containing chillies or cayenne pepper trigger endorphins, the feel-good hormones. Endorphins have a powerful, almost narcotic, effect and make you feel good after exercising. But go easy on the lamb, pork and mutton and the high-fat, creamy dishes served in many Indian restaurants.

12. Cut out herbs before ops. Some herbal supplements – from the popular St John’s Wort and ginkgo biloba to garlic, ginger and ginseng – can cause increased bleeding during surgery, warn surgeons. It may be wise to stop taking all medication, including herbal supplements, at least two weeks before surgery, and inform your surgeon about your herbal use.

13. I say tomato. Tomato is a superstar in the fruit and veggie pantheon. Tomatoes contain lycopene, a powerful cancer fighter. They’re also rich in vitamin C. The good news is that cooked tomatoes are also nutritious, so use them in pasta, soups and casseroles, as well as in salads.

The British Thoracic Society says that tomatoes and apples can reduce your risk of asthma and chronic lung diseases. Both contain the antioxidant quercetin. To enjoy the benefits, eat five apples a week or a tomato every other day.

14. Eat your stress away. Prevent low blood sugar as it stresses you out. Eat regular and small healthy meals and keep fruit and veggies handy. Herbal teas will also soothe your frazzled nerves.

IN 2017 Eating unrefined carbohydrates, nuts and bananas boosts the formation of serotonin, another feel-good drug. Small amounts of protein containing the amino acid tryptamine can give you a boost when stress tires you out.

15. Load up on vitamin C. We need at least 90 mg of vitamin C per day and the best way to get this is by eating at least five servings of fresh fruit and vegetables every day.

So hit the oranges and guavas.

16. No folly in folic acid. Folic acid should be taken regularly by all pregnant mums and people with a low immunity to disease. Folic acid prevents spina bifida in unborn babies and can play a role in cancer prevention. It is found in green leafy vegetables, liver, fruit and bran.

17. A for Away. This vitamin, and beta carotene, help to boost immunity against disease. It also assists in the healing process of diseases such as measles and is recommended by the WHO. Good natural sources of vitamin A are kidney beans, liver, dairy products, green and yellow vegetables, pawpaw, mangoes, chilli pepper, red sorrel and red palm oil.

18. Pure water. Don’t have soft drinks or energy drinks while you’re exercising. Stay properly hydrated by drinking enough water during your workout (just don’t overdo things, as drinking too much water can also be dangerous).

While you might need energy drinks for long-distance running, in shorter exercise sessions in the gym, your body will burn the glucose from the soft drink first, before starting to burn body fat.

Same goes for eating sweets.

19. GI, Jane. Carbohydrates with a high glycemic index, such as bread, sugar, honey and grain-based food will give instant energy and accelerate your metabolism. If you’re trying to burn fat, stick to beans, rice, pasta, lentils, peas, soy beans and oat bran, all of which have a low GI count.

20. Mindful living. You’ve probably heard the old adage that life’s too short to stuff a mushroom. But perhaps you should consider the opposite: that life’s simply too short NOT to focus on the simple tasks. By slowing down and concentrating on basic things, you’ll clear your mind of everything that worries you.

Really concentrate on sensations and experiences again: observe the rough texture of a strawberry’s skin as you touch it, and taste the sweet-sour juice as you bite into the fruit; when your partner strokes your hand, pay careful attention to the sensation on your skin; and learn to really focus on simple tasks while doing them, whether it’s flowering plants or ironing your clothes.

21. The secret of stretching. When you stretch, ease your body into position until you feel the stretch and hold it for about

25 seconds. Breathe deeply to help your body move oxygen-rich blood to those sore muscles. Don’t bounce or force yourself into an uncomfortable position.

22. Do your weights workout first. Experts say weight training should be done first, because it’s a higher intensity exercise compared to cardio. Your body is better able to handle weight training early in the workout because you’re fresh and you have the energy you need to work it.

Conversely, cardiovascular exercise should be the last thing you do at the gym, because it helps your body recover by increasing blood flow to the muscles, and flushing out lactic acid, which builds up in the muscles while you’re weight training. It’s the lactic acid that makes your muscles feel stiff and sore.

23. Burn fat during intervals. To improve your fitness quickly and lose weight, harness the joys of interval training. Set the treadmill or step machine on the interval program, where your speed and workload varies from minute to minute. Build up gradually, every minute and return to the starting speed. Repeat this routine. Not only will it be less monotonous, but you can train for a shorter time and achieve greater results.

24. Your dirtiest foot forward. If your ankles, knees and hips ache from running on pavement, head for the dirt. Soft trails or graded roads are a lot easier on your joints than the hard stuff.

Also, dirt surfaces tend to be uneven, forcing you to slow down a bit and focus on where to put your feet – great for agility and concentration.

25. Burn the boredom, blast the lard. Rev up your metabolism by alternating your speed and intensity during aerobic workouts. Not only should you alternate your routine to prevent burnout or boredom, but to give your body a jolt.

26. Cool off without a beer. Don’t eat carbohydrates for at least an hour after exercise. This will force your body to break down body fat, rather than using the food you ingest. Stick to fruit and fluids during that hour, but avoid beer.

27. Stop fuming. Don’t smoke and if you smoke already, do everything in your power to quit. Don’t buy into that my-grannysmoked-and-lived-to-be-90 crud – not even the tobacco giants believe it. Apart from the well-known risks of heart disease and cancer, orthopaedic surgeons have found that smoking accelerates bone density loss and constricts blood flow. So you could live to be a 90-year-old amputee who smells of stale tobacco smoke. www.Effingham

Magazine.com | February/March 2017 65

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66 February/March 2017 | www.Effingham Magazine.Com

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