Savannah Magazine March/April 2022

THE SHOP L OCAL I S SUE

MARCH/APRIL 2022

Case

FILES

A look back at the first Williams trial

Step into

SPRING PRETTY PICKS F R O M S AVA N N A H ’ S S T Y L E S E T

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AVENUE of TREES Wormsloe’s timely restoration

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WWW.DANIELRAVENELSIR.COM © MMXVI Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC. All Rights Reserved. Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated. Sales statistics based on information from MLS providers for the period 1/1/21-12/31/21.

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2 0 2 2

6

W. Oglethorpe Ave.

112

5

B EA U KESTER

Whitaker St.

T A S T E CONTENTS

101

CHIPPEWA SQUARE

2

79

1

83

J EREMIA H HU LL

W. Harris St.

Bull St.

3

Abercorn St.

W. Liberty St.

123

MADISON SQUARE

79

83

W. Taylor St. CULTURE FIT

112

THIRST QUENCHERS

123

Map out an educational afternoon with house museums in the Downtown Design District.

MONTEREY SQUARE Sourced-local4barware and spirits add flavor to your next at-home happy hour.

Photography by Jeremiah Hull

101

TALKING SHOP

Stylish Savannahians spill on their favorite stores.

BRICK & MORTAR

Business owners share the enduring allure of an in-person shopping experience.

Photography by Beau Kester

" MIDNIGHT" MARCHES ON

The former chief assistant district attorney during the first Jim Williams trial reminisces, 40 years later.

Written by Dep Kirkland

ON THE COVER

Shopping on Whitaker Street in the Downtown Design District.

Photography by Beau Kester Cotton floral maxi dress, The Annex

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CONTENTS

IN EVERY ISSUE

14

Editor’s letter

22

Get Social

BUZZ

27

New in 912

34

March/April Events

39

Old Savannah: Bay Camera Company

43

Giving Back: The Rotary Club of Savannah and Savannah Tree Foundation

STYLE

53

Made by Design

56

My Savannah: Hannah Lewis

61

At Home: Team Building

TASTE

B. Trapper Griffith

SVP Commercial Lending Trapper.Griffith@TCFederal.com

83

Thirst Quenchers

89

Chef Q&A: Dustin Ricker of Ardsley Station

95

Treat Yourself

BE WELL

137

Heal Like a Girl

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Commercial lending tailored to

143

Top Lawyers

SPECIAL SECTIONS

Trust your business to TC Federal Bank for a premium lending experience. We keep lending fast, easy and local to help your business thrive.

49

Best of Savannah Ballot

131

Best Doctors Ballot

SEEN

105 W. CONGRESS ST | SAVANNAH, GA | 912.483.0062

TCFederal.com

147

Savannah Quarterback Club 75th Annual Bowl Party

150

Emily McCarthy Shoppe and J Paige Warehouse and Sample Sale

151

Buy Local Luncheon

151

UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant Oyster Roast for a Reason

SALT OF THE CITY

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SAVANNAHMAGAZINE.COM 2/2/22 4:12 PM

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Visit online for more information LatitudeMargaritaville.com Obtain the Property Report required by Federal law and read it before signing anything. No Federal agency has judged the merits or value, if any, of this property. WARNING: THE CALIFORNIA BUREAU OF REAL ESTATE HAS NOT INSPECTED, EXAMINED, OR QUALIFIED THE OFFERINGS. Latitude Margaritaville Kentucky Registration Number R-201. For NY Residents: THE COMPLETE OFFERING TERMS FOR THE SALE OF LOTS IN LATITUDE MARGARITAVILLE AT HILTON HEAD ARE IN THE CPS-12 APPLICATION AVAILABLE FROM SPONSOR, MINTO LATITUDE HH, LLC. FILE NO. CP18-0021. Pennsylvania Registration Number OL001170. Latitude Margaritaville at Hilton Head is registered with the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salesmen, 1000 Washington Street, Suite 710, Boston, MA 02118 and with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, 1700 G Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20552. This material shall not constitute a valid offer in any state where prior registration is required and has not been completed. Photographs are for illustrative purposes only and are merely representative of current development plans. Development plans, amenities, facilities, dimensions, specifications, prices and features depicted by artists renderings or otherwise described herein are approximate and subject to change without notice. ©Minto Communities, LLC 2022.

All rights reserved. Content may not be reproduced, copied, altered, distributed, stored, or transferred in any form or by any means without express written permission. Latitude Margaritaville and the Latitude Margaritaville logo are trademarks of Margaritaville Enterprises, LLC and are used under license. Minto and the Minto logo are trademarks of Minto Communities, LLC and/or its affiliates. CGC 1519880/CGC 120919. 2022

I S N OW

Old friends, new name, same values.

215 BULL STREET | SAVANNAH, GA | 9 1 2 . 3 5 4 . 2 1 0 0 | CO RCO RANAHR. CO M ©2022 Corcoran Group LLC. All rights reserved. Corcoran® and the Corcoran Logo are registered service marks owned by Corcoran Group LLC. Corcoran Group LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each franchise is independently owned and operated.

Savannah shines with Southern Living named Savannah one of the South’s Best College Towns in 2020. SCAD has helped this storybook city flourish for more than 40 creative years.

See where creative careers can take you at scad.edu.

EDITOR’S LETTER

ESTABLISHED MAY 1, 1990

Savannah magazine’s mission is to celebrate the new and enduring voices of our city’s culture, commerce and creative community. Elegant and relevant. Authentic and fun.

That’s your Savannah, and this is your magazine.

To subscribe and save 80 percent off the newsstand price, go to savannahmagazine.com or call 800.453.1049.

For address changes and other concerns, contact savannahmag @emailcustomerservice.com.

Send pitches, ideas and feedback to sara.watson@savannah magazine.com.

To advertise, download our media kit at savannahmagazine.com, email jane.townsend@savannah magazine.com or call 912.652.0294.

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BROWSING AND BUYING IS FUN, isn’t it? Delving into the science, studies confirm an endorphin boost and rush of dopamine every time you shop (these feel-good neurotransmitters don’t tend to stick around while reviewing a subsequent credit-card statement). And shopping — the local, in-real-life kind — reaps social and economic benefits, too. In 2021, we debuted our inaugural Shop Local Issue to inspire camaraderie and perhaps a few more credit card swipes made locally rather than online. This year, between manufacturing delays and shipping snafus, choosing readily available products at area stores isn’t just a nice gesture; it’s a necessity.

Any good shopper knows the thrill of finding a hidden gem (there’s that dopamine hit), and this issue offers plenty of exciting tidbits and conversation-starters akin to scoring the last pair of shoes, in your size, on sale. There’s the ambitious joint effort between The Rotary Club of Savannah and Savannah Tree Foundation to restore Wormsloe’s iconic canopy, outlined on page 43. There’s the surprising rise of sports injuries and pathways to rehabilitation for women and girls on page 137.

My own favorite story this issue comes from former Chief Assistant District Attorney Dep Kirkland, an accomplished lawyer and Savannah native who left law to pursue a career in the creative arts, but not before prosecuting one of the most memorable cases in recent history: State of Georgia vs. James A. Williams. Head to page 123 for a tale that’s bound to get folks talking.

Then, of course, there’s the more fashion-focused fare, where even victorious Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett makes an appearance in an apropos accessory (see what I mean on page 147).

In chatting with Savannah’s style set on page 101, I learned about a gallery-like sneaker shop from SCAD Professor of Fashion Marketing and Management Dirk Standen, though Blank Canvas Development, featured on page 53, also has several colorful, covetable kicks.

Maybe you can find those shoes — you know: the ones in your size, on sale — after all.

Sara Watson Editor

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SAVANNAHMAGAZINE.COM

Photo by PETER COLIN MURRAY

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Walker T. Pendarvis DMD, MHS is a Board Certified Periodontist with extensive specialty training in dental implants, dental surgery, bone and soft tissue augmentation, periodontal disease, and IV sedation. He is passionate about providing minimally invasive procedures to achieve clinical success as well as the highest level of esthetics. As an internationally published research author and National Institutes of Health fellow, he is innovative while utilizing the latest 3D technology to properly diagnose and measure the most predictable outcomes for his patients.

CONTRIBUTORS

Beau Kester

Jeremiah Hull

Gracie Williams

Feifei Sun

P H OT OG R AP HE R

P H O T O GR APHER

WRITER

W RIT ER

“State of Retail,” page 112

“Thirst Quenchers,” page 83

“Brick & Mortar,” page 112

“Local Lens,” page 39

Erica TimmonsAGENT YOURHerndon “GOOD NEIGHBOR”

Erica Herndon Timmons 3228 Skidaway Road • Savannah, GA 31404 Phone: 912.354.6464 Fax: 912.352.7266 myneighborerica.com

22 00 19 NER 2 1W WI N INNER

2O2O WINNER 2O21 RUNNER-UP

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MARCH WHEN WAS YOUR LAST SCREENING? COLON CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

The Board-Certified Gastroenterologists of The Center for Digestive and Liver Health

Brent W. Acker, MD

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Edward Rydzak, MD

Mark E. Murphy, MD

Ryan C. Wanamaker, MD

screening saves lives!

SCHEDULE YOUR SCREENING TODAY! • The American Cancer Society recommends average-risk individuals start screening at age 45. 1

• Nearly 1 in every 23 American adults will develop colon cancer in their lifetime. 1

• Colon cancer is the third most common cancer in both men and women. 1

• The majority of colon cancer can be prevented with proper screening, early detection, and removal of precancerous polyps. 3

• Colorectal cancer affects men and women of all racial and ethnic groups. 2

• Colon cancer is preventable by getting a screening colonoscopy.

912.303.4200 Visit any of our 3 locations!

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2

Savannah: 1139 Lexington Ave., Savannah, GA 31404 Pooler: 1000 Towne Center Boulevard, Suite 701, Pooler, GA 31322 Hardeeville: 1010 Medical Center Drive, Suite 100, Hardeeville, SC 29927

PUBLISHER

Anita Hagin EDITORIAL & DESIGN

Sara Watson Rebecca Hrizuk S O C I A L M E D I A Jay Lankau G R A P H I C D E S I G N E R Melanie Schmermund EDITOR

ART DIRECTOR

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING

Jane Townsend ADVERTISING ACCOUNT MANAGERS

Jill Strauss

&

Lane Pelliccione

ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Morgan Crolley A D V E R T I S I N G C O O R D I N AT O R

Holly Todd EXECUTIVE

Tina Battock Scott Ferguson D I R E C T O R O F M A N U FA C T U R I N G & P R O D U C T I O N Sherry Brown A C C O U N T I N G M A N A G E R Veronica Brooks C I R C U L AT I O N B U S I N E S S M A N A G E R Michelle Rowe PRESIDENT

V I C E P R E S I D E N T, F I N A N C E & O P E R AT I O N S

M O R R I S C O M M U N I CAT I O N S CHAIRMAN

William S. Morris III CEO

Craig S. Mitchell

ESTABLISHED MAY 1, 1990

Calvary Day School has the area’s only dedicated STEM Lab and Nature Center permitted by the Department of Natural Resources. The STEM and Nature Center is a unique space for hands-on experiences and exciting learning opportunities for Pre-K through 12th grade.

4625 WATERS AVENUE

SAVANNAH, GA

Savannah magazine’s mission is to celebrate the new and enduring voices of our city’s culture, commerce and creative community. Elegant and relevant.

Authentic and fun. That’s your Savannah, and this is your magazine.

Subscribe: 800.453.1049 Address changes: savannahmag@emailcustomerservice.com Advertise: 912.652.0294

A publication of Southeastern Newspapers Company LLC. The cover and contents are fully protected and may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, without the written consent of Savannah magazine. We are not responsible for loss of unsolicited inquiries, manuscripts, photographs, transparencies or other materials. They will not be returned unless accompanied by return postage.

Address letters and editorial contributions to Savannah magazine, 1375 Chatham Parkway, Savannah, GA 31405. Copyright 1990-2022 by Southeastern Newspapers Company LLC. All rights reserved. Savannah magazine (ISSN 10616748) is published bi-monthly with bonus issues in April, June and October for $19.95 per year by Southeastern Newspapers Company, LLC, trading as Savannah magazine, 1375 Chatham Parkway, Savannah, Georgia 31405.

Periodical postage paid at Savannah, Georgia, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Savannah magazine, P.O. Box 37131, Boone, IA 50037-2131

(912) 644-5080

www.calvarydayschool.com

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GET SOCIAL

FROM OUR READERS

The only thing more stylish than Savannah’s charming boutiques?

Its residents.

NEXT UP: The Food Issue. Dish on your favorite restaurants and meals for a chance to be featured in our May/June issue — just tag @savannahmagazine and use #savannahmagazine on Instagram.

22

@emilymccarthyshoppe

@kristi_mckenna

@shopedgewater

@shopmorganrae

@harperboutique

@ theclassicmadison

@edition_savannah

@cottageshopsav

SAVANNAHMAGAZINE.COM

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TA S T E BUZZ S A V A N N A H

Muse at Perry Lane carries brands like LoveShackFancy, Emerson Fry, Jennifer Behr, Zimmerman and more.

New in 912 Photo courtesy of MUSE AT PERRY LANE

Getting dressed is fun and oh-so fashionable at Muse at Perry Lane (256 E. Perry St.), featuring a tightly curated selection of high-end handbags, clothing, jewelry and shoes for a trendsetting look from head to toe …

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COU R TE SY R OA M

C OU R T E SY P E A C H C OBBL E R FA C T ORY

BUZZ

ROAM's new expandable line offers 28 percent more packing space.

COU R TESY J AVA B U RRITO

CO UR TE SY R ULE O F THREE G A LLERY

… It’s a burrito bar. It’s a coffee bar.

Java Burrito (420 E. Broughton

St.), the airy Mexican-eatery-meetscoffeehouse from Hilton Head, has even more on the menu, too, with pastries, breakfast sandwiches, tacos and French toast … One burrito spot? Make it dos. Burritos Pantano (314 Drayton St.)offers burritos, nacho plates, salads and lots of house-made salsa …

See works from fine artists and craftsmen, plus tattoo artists, too.

Rule of Three Gallery (915 B Montgomery St.) owner Stephanie Forbes wants you to know what Savannah artists of all kinds are up to at her intimate new space, stylized as RO3 … Clyde Market (223 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.) is an elevated coffee shop and,

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SAVANNAHMAGAZINE.COM

probably, the host of your next business meeting. Signature drinks include the espresso tonic and the Brick House cereal latte, made with Froot Loop Design + Living cereal milk ... Formerly on Skidaway Road, Seventh Heaven Antiques (2606 Mechanics Ave.) has moved, so head on over to Thunderbolt for all your treasure-finding … Pollen season is no match for the newest location of Mint Car Wash (302 Commercial Drive), near the corner of Hodgson Memorial Drive …

Massage away any lingering winter blues at Lime Green Lotus (4035 Kessler Ave.), a boutique bodywork studio offering deep tissue, Thai, rehabilitative massages and more … After dinner (or whenever the moment strikes, really), satisfy your sweet tooth at Peach Cobbler Factory (51 Barnard St.), with all kinds of tasty cobblers, cinnamon rolls or specialty banana puddings … Lowcountry boil-style seafood baskets and platters are on the menu at OD Crabhouse (1915 E. Victory Drive). Crack into some crab legs, and don’t forget your bib.

R OA M I N ' H O L I DAY

Instead of shopping for what to wear on your next trip, why not shop for the suitcase itself? ROAM offers customizable, made-to-order luxury suitcases in eye-catching colors inspired by far-flung destinations: Venetian Green (ciao!), Tromso Ice (a nod to Norway), and Caribbean-inspired Bermuda Pink, to name a few. The brand, founded by former TUMI executives and produced due west of Savannah in Vidalia, Ga., lets customers choose colors from the front and back panels to the stitching to the wheels. It’s a made-local way to make a stylish statement — and avoid losing track of your suitcase in the baggage carousel. roamluggage.com

SPRING IS IN THE AIR PA L M S • T R E E S • T R O P I C A L S • A N N U A L S • P E R E N N I A L S • P O T T E R Y • F O U N TA I N S • S TAT U A R Y • H O M E D E C O R

Herb Creek Sandfly | 7402 Skidaway Rd. | 912.691.0108 • Herb Creek Thunderbolt | 3005 E. Victory Dr. | 912.356.1575

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Premier Assisted Living!

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Around the clock nursing and medical care

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BUZZ

Garden Party Two self-guided tours offer a glimpse at enchanting plots

Event Details COU R TESY A RDSLEY PA RK – CHATHA M CRESCEN T G A RDEN CLU B

HOMES AND GARDENS offer plentiful springtime inspiration this April with two self-guided tours of private residences. The Ardsley Park–Chatham Crescent Garden Club hosts its Tour of Homes and Gardens on April 9, followed by the 45th Annual NOGS (North of Gaston Street) Tour of Hidden Gardens on April 22–23. Each self-guided tour allows participants to stop and smell the roses, so to speak.

“This year, the tour features homeowners who have lived all over the world,” says Ardsley Park Tour of Homes and Gardens event organizer Katherine Poss. That translates to exquisite personal collections plus “dramatic use of color and fabric” inside, Poss says.

As for what’s outdoors, ticket-holders can count on a larger size and scale compared with other parts of Savannah, by virtue of Ardsley Park’s designation as the city’s first suburb. “The lots are much larger than what you find in the Historic District,” Poss says. Proceeds from the event benefit Ardsley Park Garden Club neighborhood beautification projects, like the recent overhaul of Theus Park.

Two weeks after the Ardsley Park Tour of Homes and Gardens, the NOGS Tour of Hidden Gardens lets participants step behind the gates of “secret” gardens in the Historic District. They may be smaller than an Ardsley Park plot, but the selected private and

April 22–23 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Headquarters: Green-Meldrim House, 14 W. Macon St. Tickets: From $65 (one ticket provides access to both days)

SAVANNAHMAGAZINE.COM

C OU R T ES Y N OG S

historic gardens on display for self-guided exploration feature enchanting statues, water features, living walls and more. Event proceeds are donated to a range of organizations throughout the city, and tickets include access to a Southern tea event at Green-Meldrim House.

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April 9 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. (divided into two 3-hour time slots) Headquarters: Kavanaugh Park, at the corner of Abercorn and 46th streets and Washington Avenue Tickets: $45

45th Annual NOGS Tour of Hidden Gardens

“This year, the tour features homeowners who have lived all over the world.” — Katherine Poss

Peep pretty blooms and links to tickets on Instagram at @ardsleyparkgardenclub and @gardenclubsav.

Ardsley Park–Chatham Crescent Garden Club Tour of Homes and Gardens

#1

• individual Residential agent in savannah • sales agent in Chatham County • sales agent in savannah’s landmaRk distRiCt

GRATEFUL for MY LOYAL CLIENTS STACI DONEGAN

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$97.3 million in residential sales

79 Clients (Source: Savannah MLS, 2021 data) HISTORIC WATERFRONT URBAN/SUBURBAN ISLANDS GATED COMMUNITIES

the

Green Gala

Celebrating 40 Years of Growth April 23, 2022 | 6 to 10 pm Tiedeman Park on the Atlantic Mall

For tickets and information: savannahtree.com | 912.233.8733

Photo by John Alexander

The business law firm

Admiralty & Maritime • Affordable Housing • Arbitration & Mediation • Bond Transactions • Business Litigation • Business Restructuring Business Succession Planning • Business Transactions • Commercial Finance • Commercial Real Estate • Construction Convenience Store and Gas Station • Corporate • Corporate Taxation • Cybersecurity and Data Privacy • Economic Development • Employment Entertainment and Media • Environmental Law • ERISA & Employee Benefits • Estates & Trusts • Fiduciary Litigation • Government Relations Health Care • Immigration • Information Technology & Outsourcing • Insurance Coverage & Defense • Intellectual Property • Litigation Logistics • Medical Malpractice • Mergers & Acquisitions • Nonprofit Organizations • Opportunity Zones • OSHA • Pandemic Response Product Liability • Professional Malpractice • Real Estate • Real Estate Litigation • Taxation • Transportation • Zoning / Land Use

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ST. SIMONS ISLAND tel 912.262.5996

455 Sea Island Road St. Simons Island, GA 31522

MAR

BUZZ

MAR. 17

MAR. 25 – 27

Savannah’s favorite holiday! Put on your green and head to the Historic District for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Row, row, row your boat to the Savannah Convention Center for the 20th annual Savannah Boat Show.

MAR. 27 Vegan or just looking to switch to a more plant-based diet?

Add Savannah Veg Fest at Forsyth Park Band Shell to your Sunday menu.

MAR. 4 The March of Dimes Shamrock Run in Ellis Square includes a Kids Run and is dog-friendly.

Proceeds benefit the March of Dimes to improve the health of babies and moms.

Also today, Urban Hope’s 12th Annual Chefs and Chocolates.

MAR. 24 – APR. 9 With new Executive Director Gene Dobbs Bradford at the helm, Savannah Music Festival fills the Historic District with world-class artists in jazz, classical, international and American roots music styles.

MAR. 28 – APR. 3 Fore! The 2022 Club Car Championship at The Landings Club includes a charity 5K, postrace party and, of course, golf.

MAR. 30

MAR. 11 – 12 There’s something for everyone this weekend, whether you choose Savannah Antiques & Architecture Weekend or Savannah Stopover Fest.

Or both!

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MAR. 25 Cozy up to the Palmetto Quilt Fest on Hilton Head Island, hosted by the Palmetto Quilt Guild.

Show appreciation for all of the hard work healthcare professionals have done and continue to do on National Doctor’s Day.

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APR. 22 – 24

APR. 1 – 3

APR. 15 – 17

The Publix Women’s Half Marathon includes Friday’s Fashion Fitness Expo, Saturday’s half marathon and 5K and Sunday’s Yoga in the Square.

Walk, stroll or run at the 5K Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Coastal Empire Red Shoes Run.

Chalk art is beautiful but fleeting. Hurry to the SCAD Sidewalk Arts Festival!

APR. 23 Savannah Tree Foundation celebrates 40 years of growth at The Green Gala in Tiedeman Park.

APR. 29 – 30 Documentary film buffs, delight: MountainFilm on Tour is back.

APR. 9

APR. 17

Always-pretty Ardsley ParkChatham Crescent hosts the self-guided Ardsley Park Tour of Homes and Gardens.

Hoppy, happy Easter Sunday.

APR. 22 – 23 APR. 15 Happy Pesach! Today marks the first day of Passover.

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Enjoy self-guided tours of historic, private gardens at the annual NOGS Tour of Hidden Gardens, hosted by the Garden Club of Savannah.

Get all gussied up for Georgia Historical Society’s premiere event, the Trustees Gala.

APR

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APR. 30

30 YEARS

OF EXCELLENCE IN EYE CARE.

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YOUR VISION. OUR FOCUS.

Monica McGoldrick Celebrating 18 years of success as a Savannah Luxury Real Estate Specialist As a native Savannahian with over 18 years of real estate expertise, I am thankful for another incredible year serving my community, clients and friends.

This past year of 2021 brought a number of successes, including closing many sales with an average transaction value of over $1.3 million and expanding my reach across the Lowcountry with our merger with Daniel Ravenel Sotheby’s International Realty.

I pride myself on building relationships with my clients based on trust and service while leveraging the heritage of a global brand with unparalleled local expertise.

I am grateful for your continued trust and looking forward to a bright 2022.

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c. 912.667.7407 | monica.mcgoldrick@danielravenelsir.com o. 912.234.3323 | 17 West Charlton Street, Savannah, Georgia © MMXVI Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC. All Rights Reserved. Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Sotheby’s International Realty and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered (or unregistered) service marks licensed to Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC.

NOTHING COMPARES.

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Bay Camera Company in 1983

O L D S AVA N N A H

Local Lens Bay Camera Company offers a welcome alternative to big-box photo prints Written by FEIFEI SUN

LINDA SOTO HAS been developing film in Savannah for more than 20 years — first in retail at the now-shuttered Eckerds Pharmacy and today as owner of Bay Camera Company in Habersham Village. Along the way, she’s had a front-row seat to photography’s evolution, where

Photos courtesy of BAY CAMERA COMPANY

these days, the word “camera” is more likely to refer to a phone and printing photos can be done entirely virtually without a single customer service representative involved.

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That’s part of the reason Soto, who began at Bay Camera Company as a lab manager in 2003 before taking over ownership in 2009, tries to offer a different experience at her shop, which opened in 1983 and has been locally owned since. It’s easier and faster than ever to take and print pictures, for amateurs and professionals alike. But at Bay Camera Company, personal relationships with decades-long customers still make the best photographs.

“We care deeply about our customers, and we like the process of working with them to give them the best pictures we can,” she says.

For example, when someone sends the store a photo file that’s too small to print, Soto or another member of the team will call them to check about a larger file. “Many times, the customer just wasn’t aware they needed to send the bigger file because it prints a better-resolution photo,” she explains. “We try to offer a more personal, caring experience— which isn’t to say big-box stores aren’t caring.

Sometimes, they just might not have the time to go out of their way like we do.”

It’s not just the customer service that stands out at the shop. Walking into Bay Camera Company, customers are instantly transported to a different time in photography’s history. A mini camera museum sits at the back of the store, where Soto showcases a collection of vintage cameras. One of her favorite relics on display is a Kodak camera, mass produced in the 1920s and 1930s, with folding bellows.

In fact, rare and used cameras dot the shop’s shelves throughout, while tripods and lights set up on the floor can make the space feel more like a photo studio than store. There’s even a free bin, where Bay Camera Company’s large student customer base, who come from Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah Country Day School and St. Vincent’s Academy, among others, pilfer through old camera parts, cases, batteries and other donated goods.

While Bay Camera Company has a wellrounded mix of customers, from those who simply need a roll of film printed to professional photographers in search of hard-to-find 120 mm film, the store holds a special place in the hearts of photography devotees. “We certainly have a group of customers who simply love the pure form of art that photography is,” Soto says. “It’s especially meaningful to know

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Bay Camera Company's Darryl Reynolds, Jaime Farreh and Linda Soto

“We care deeply about our customers, and we like the process of working with them to give them the best pictures we can.”

we have customers who have since moved away from Savannah but continue to ship their film back to us to develop. Or people who recommend us to their friends who live in smaller cities where a photography lab like ours doesn’t exist.”

Another cherished customer base?

The locals who have been getting their photos developed with Bay Camera Company since it opened. “First we developed their film, and then we saw their kids grow up, and now we’re processing their kids’ film,” Soto says.

“It’s special to see it come full circle in that way.”

Photos courtesy of BAY CAMERA COMPANY

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GIVING BACK

Historic Growth With Wormsloe’s trees in peril, The Rotary Club of Savannah and Savannah Tree Foundation stepped in to help Written by TIARA HODGES

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WORMSLOE HISTORIC SITE is one of the most photographed spots in the South, but most visitors don’t see the forest for the trees — or rather, they don’t see the trees for the forest. Taken as a whole, the Avenue of Oaks is as striking as ever. Look more closely, however, and a troubling fact emerges: Hurricanes and disease have knocked over or killed nearly 400 live oaks along the historic avenue. Fortunately, a partnership between The Rotary Club of Savannah and the Savannah Tree Foundation is turning a new leaf in 2022, and the replacement of 75 trees along the entrance kicked off in February.

“The Rotary has several areas of focus, and this last year, [the organization] added the seventh one: the environment. As soon as I heard that, I reached out to Wormsloe,” says The Rotary Club of Savannah President Marjorie Young. The idea to replant in Wormsloe was inspired by Young’s Sunday morning walks during COVID shutdowns. “I would listen to St. Thomas Episcopalian Church on my headset and walk down and back, and I started noticing all the holes, all the gaps.”

Around the same time, the Savannah Tree Foundation and Wormsloe Historic Site were having conversations about how the shutdown would be a good opportunity to plant because of the reduction in car traffic, which causes stress on the trees.

When Young offered the Rotary’s services, the timing couldn’t have been more perfect. Now, The Wormsloe Tree Replacement Project is in motion.

For both the Rotary and Savannah Tree Foundation, this is more than a beautification project; it’s an opportunity to educate the community about planting trees that have been lost from various environmental impacts. For 40 years, Savannah Tree Foundation’s mission has been to protect and grow Chatham County’s urban forest through tree planting, community engagement and advocacy. Trees are integral to Savannah’s identity. They provide shade, cool air temperatures, absorb stormwater, sequester carbon, help facilitate tourism — and they also boost property values.

“I think beyond recognition for Wormsloe, it’s just a good conversation-starter about the role trees play in Savannah and our identity in Savannah,” says Zoe Rinker, executive director of Savannah Tree Foundation. “What is Savannah without its trees?

[We’re] acknowledging that we care about these trees, and we need to be replanting them, not just at Wormsloe but everywhere.”

The project has garnered much community support. The Isle of Hope Marina and Savannah Country Day School hosted a Pavilion Party Fundraiser in October to help offset the cost of planting the live oaks. Through community donations and the Rotary’s district grant, the organization has raised $25,000 toward the replanting of the trees, with a goal of $37,000. “The community loves this area, and they really wanted to be part of it.

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PHOTO B Y MA RJ ORIE YOU N G

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Wormsloe's Avenue of Oaks has lost more than 400 trees to disease and hurricanes — note the stump where a live oak once stood.

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We had some folks even donate $10, whatever, just to be part of this canopy forever,” Young says.

In addition to the Rotary and community donations, Savannah Tree Foundation, along with volunteers, donated their services to dig holes for the first 30 trees planted on Feb. 19, and Water Georgia has donated a watering system (watering bags, rather than irrigation, offer the best approach, Rinker explains).

This project is no small feat. The 75-tree replanting goal will take place over the next couple of years. Young live oaks are around 12 feet, can weigh 100 pounds and need a lot of care.

“We’re only doing 30 to start because young trees like that, especially when they get transplanted, need a lot of watering and need a lot of pampering to get them sorted into the new environment,” Rinker says.

The Savannah Tree Foundation also has more in store than the Wormsloe Tree Replacement Project during its 40th year, with a goal of planting 500 trees in Chatham County from November to March (planting season), including some on FEMA lots that have flooded to mitigate stormwater damage. According to a study done by the foundation, the county lost an estimated 250 acres of forested land to industrial construction in 2020

“What is Savannah without its trees?

[We're] acknowledging that we care about these trees, and we need to be replanting them, not just at Wormsloe but everywhere.” — Zoe Rinker alone, which is the equivalent of approximately 300 downtown squares. Savannah Tree Foundation seeks to do its part — at Wormsloe and throughout Chatham County — to offset this loss.

“I love that people are getting involved, but let’s talk about places beyond Wormsloe as well,” Rinker says. “Hopefully by getting exposed to planting a tree [at Wormsloe], people will be excited to plant trees across the county and continue our urban forest.”

To donate to the Wormsloe Tree Replacement Project, mail your donation to The Rotary Club of Savannah, P.O. Box 11105, Savannah, GA 31412.

To volunteer with the Savannah Tree Foundation, visit savannahtree.org.

1 0 T I P S F O R T R E E CA R E p re se n ted by S AVA NNA H TR E E F O UN D AT IO N 1. Plant trees in cooler months. Coastal Georgia's tree-planting season runs November through March.

2. Plant native trees. They are well-adapted to our local climate and provide resources for wildlife.

3. Plant the right tree in the right place. Make sure you consider how the fully grown tree will impact the space around it.

4. Plant small. Younger, smaller trees are not only more affordable, but they also are more likely to adapt quickly to their new environment.

5. Plant straight. It is hard to correct a poorly aligned trunk once the tree begins to grow.

Use stakes if needed to secure the tree.

6. Mulch your trees, whether young or old.

Make sure you spread the mulch to the dripline of the tree, and don't let it touch the trunk.

When adding mulch, think of a "donut" shape instead of a "volcano" shape.

7. Water newly planted trees weekly. In weeks where it does not rain at least 1 inch, water trees at a rate of 10 gallons per inch of trunk diameter.

8. Avoid fertilizing young trees. Fertilizer is only recommended for mature trees struggling due to damage, pests or disease. Fruit trees are the one exception to this rule.

9. Prune only when necessary. Each pruning cut is a wound to the tree. Avoid excessive pruning, which can inhibit nutrient intake and create future structural issues.

10. When in doubt, call an arborist. Certified arborists have the proper training to assist you in all aspects of tree care.

Find a list of local arborists on Savannah Tree Foundation's website at savannahtree.org/downloads.

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New Acquisitions from the Brandywine Workshop

LEARN MORE ABOUT CURRENT EXHIBITIONS, RELATED EVENTS, LECTURES AND MORE AT TELFAIR.ORG TOP: Bruce Davidson; Untitled, 1959; mid-vintage gelatin silver print. BOTTOM: Howardena Pindell; Katrina, 2005–2007; offset lithograph

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EATS Appetizers: Biscuits and gravy: Breakfast sandwich: Breakfast: Brunch: Burger: Business lunch: Caterer: Cheap eats: Chef: Chinese: Farm box: Fine dining: Food truck: Fresh/organic grocery store: Fried chicken: Fries: Gluten-free options: Indian: Italian: Japanese: Late-night food: Mexican: New restaurant (less than a year old): Outdoor dining (non-waterfront): Pizza: Produce market: Salad: Seafood market: Seafood: Shrimp and grits: Soup: Southern: Specialty/gourmet food store: Steak: Sushi: Tacos: Takeout: Thai: Vegetarian: Vietnamese: Waterfront dining: SWEETS & COFFEE Bagels: Breads: Candy shop: Chocolate: Coffee shop: Cookies:

Cupcakes: Custom cakes: Doughnuts: Ice cream: Local coffee roaster: Macarons: BARS, BOOZE & BEER Bartender: Beer list: Bloody Mary: Brewery: Cheap drinks: Happy hour: Liquor store: Margarita: Martini: New bar (less than a year old): Nightclub: Pub: Rooftop bar: Signature cocktails: Sports bar: Wine list: FUN Date night: Girls’ night out: Guys’ night out: Live music: Trivia/game night: SHOPPING Affordable fashion: Antiques and collectibles: Antique furniture: Bridal/formal wear: Consignment clothing: Fine jewelry: Gifts and decor: Handbags: Independent bookstore: Local clothing designer: Local jewelry designer: Made-in-Savannah product: Men’s clothing: New business (less than a year old): Shoes: Sports/outdoor wear: Stationery: Vintage clothing: Women’s clothing:

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• OFFICIAL BALLOT • SERVICES Ad agency: Audio/video/lighting production: Auto repair: Boat detailing and maintenance: Bikes and bike repair: Cars (new): Cars (used): ertified pu lic accountant ommunity an financial institution Convenience store: Deejay: Dry cleaner: Event rentals: Financial planner: Flight school: Florist: raphic design firm Insurance company (auto, life, etc.): IT support and services: a firm Lawyer: Marina: Party/event planner: Photographer: u lic relations firm Seamstress: Special event facility: Towing company: Travel agency: Videographer: Web/software developer: CULTURE Art gallery: Charity event/fundraiser: Company to work for: DIY studio/class/workshop: Festival: Group to volunteer for: Historic site: Local artist: Local band/musician: Local theater company: Museum: Radio station: BEAUTY & WELLNESS Acupuncturist: Barbershop: Body bronzing and tanning: Day spa: Esthetician: Gym: Hair removal: Hair salon: Juice/smoothies: Manicures/pedicures: Massage therapist: Medical spa: onsurgical cosmetic procedure specialist fillers, etc.

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TA S T E STYLE S A V A N N A H

Made by Design Anna McCraney’s Blank Canvas Showroom brings creativity and whimsy to the Starland District Written by FEIFEI SUN

Photo courtesy of BLANK CANVAS DEVELOPMENT

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SINCE 2013 ANNA MCCRANEY has worked with independent makers across the country to develop and produce their collections through her design incubator, Blank Canvas Development. But after a couple years of working from home, thanks in part to the lingering pandemic, she was ready for something new.

What that would be, McCraney didn’t immediately know.

But last spring, she unexpectedly found inspiration in an empty space in the middle of renovations on Bull Street between 34th and 35th streets. Today, that space is home to Blank Canvas Showroom, a retail-shop-meets-design-studio in the Starland District, where McCraney offers collections from a rotating cast of designers she’s worked with through her production and development business, as well as a signature Blank Canvas collection, and a few of her own one-off pieces for good, creative measure.

“I wasn’t looking to open a retail space, but I happened to walk past that building almost every day as it was being worked on, and slowly, the idea came together,” McCraney recalls. “I was really energized by the idea of interacting with the community — to have the opportunity to welcome locals wandering in, bring new designers to Savannah and just be public-facing after being holed up in my house for so long.”

At Blank Canvas Showroom, shoppers can find offerings from a number of national and local designers, including upcycled vintage blazers and dresses from New York-based Alayna Nieters, a designer who also works as production manager for Blank Canvas Development; onesies adorned with phrases like “Writer,” “Engineer” and “Wildcard” from Vermont-based Mother of Stone; digitally printed floor mats from Savannah fiber artist Trish Andersen; and books from Aint—Bad, a local, independent publisher.

The lineup of designers is constantly rotating, and as Sedona Baldaccini, Blank Canvas Development’s marketing director, explains, that’s part of the fun. “There’s always something new in the store, and we’re always curious to see which brands resonate with clients and which ones don’t,” she says. This spring, newcomers DEPT. ANOYM and Poplin & Co. will join the in-store designer roster.

There are plenty of products from the Blank Canvas brand to choose from, too, like custom Savannah toile print bags, napkins, pillows and other home products; cozy hoodies and joggers; and a scented room spritz from its apothecary line. A custom jewelry station, where shoppers can create their own pieces from various chains and charms, is perfect for those in search of a one-of-a-kind item to take home.

“There’s such a community of people here in Savannah who appreciate design — and who love to shop for unique pieces,” McCraney says. “That’s not always easy to do when

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COU R TESY B LA N K CA N VA S DEVEL OPM E N T

STYLE

“I love just throwing things up on the board here in the studio and seeing the response.”

so much of fashion today is cookie-cutter and poorly made.

It’s been really refreshing to be able to introduce great indie designers, who make and produce their clothes right here in the U.S., to locals.”

For McCraney, the showroom and studio have also provided a much-needed opportunity to flex her own creative muscles. Trained as a pattern maker, she’s dedicated the bulk of her time to helping other makers in the last decade.

But lately, she’s gotten back to painting, inspired by eclectic found prints and patterns in fabric that she may turn into a one-off piece for sale at Blank Canvas Showroom one day.

“So much of my work is helping clients create a pattern for one particular item they’ll produce, so it’s nice to have the time and space to be more creative,” she says. “I love just throwing things up on the board here in the studio and seeing the response.”

202 1 W I N N E R

Small Business, Big Heart.

All styles under $100.

Shop the collection in store and online!

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Effortless style for modern women. Carrying ladies clothing, shoes and accessories.

118 Bull St. | Savannah, GA 31401 | 912 . 235 . 5172 | Monday - Saturday 11am to 5:30pm | Sunday 12-4pm | Closed Tuesday

F OL L OW U S @ H ARP E R BOU T I QU E | H AR P ERS AVAN N AH . C OM

STYLE

6 a.m.: With two pups, there is never a need to set my alarm! I start every morning by letting out Gretta, my 3-year-old German Shorthair Pointer, and Ava, my 9-yearold Black Labrador, onto the back porch and sipping a made-at-home latte. My sweet husband got me an espresso machine for Christmas, so I’ve been busy mastering my perfect cup of coffee.

7 a.m.: Gretta gets a big walk around the island — I love starting my day with some fresh air and getting outside.

I’m usually listening to a podcast, learning the tricks of the trade from other entrepreneurs.

9 a.m.: Depending on the day, I’ll load up the pups to

take them to the Hipster Hound before heading downtown to open the shops. I love stopping in to Franklin’s to treat myself to a dirty chai. Always my go-to!

12 p.m.: I was so blessed to find my shops right next to

Gaston Crue Lifestyle & Interiors. If I’m not taking a buying meeting, (Gaston Crue shop owner) Crue Conley and I love taking a little lunch break at Anita Deli Sandwich or Café M and sharing projects with one another. It’s always fun to have another creative to bounce ideas off of.

2 p.m.: Mid-afternoon is my favorite part of the day

at the shops. UPS and FedEx are stopping by with all new arrivals — it’s like Christmas every day! Pro tip: This is a good time for clients to pop in and see what’s new.

M Y S AVA N N A H

Hannah Lewis How the owner of Hannah E. and Hannah E. Shoes takes on the day (in style)

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5 p.m.: Personal deliveries are a perk of shopping at Hannah E. Once I close up the shop, I’m often dropping off bags of clothes at clients’ houses or delivering e-commerce orders at UPS. 7 p.m.: As a business owner, it’s very difficult to work

only from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. I can easily take my day home with me every day. On weeknights, I’m picking out and buying new styles for the shop, meeting new brands, designing and keeping up with all of my fabulous clients. My husband and I are pretty social, but when we aren’t out and about we enjoy cooking and catching up on our favorite shows (Yellowstone is a hit at our house right now).

10 p.m.: Before I head to bed, I always write down what the next day is going to bring, hour by hour. I don't like “winging” my days. I like to have a plan and know that when I wake up, I don’t have to guess. Then, it’s a few pages from a good read on my nightstand. I’m currently reading Stanley Tucci’s Taste: My Life through Food. I highly recommend it!

Photography by KATIE MCGEE

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Team Building The secret behind this Palmetto Bluff home’s comfortable elegance? Collaboration.

Written by MARGARET DANIEL

Photography courtesy of COURT ATKINS GROUP

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STYLE

WITH MORE THAN 100 Palmetto Bluff homes under Court Atkins Group’s collective belt, fresh inspiration is essential to ensure a dynamic design process and results wholly unique. So where does an acclaimed architect like William Court, partner at the multidisciplinary firm, find such illumination? In the relationships formed with each project, both professional and personal.

“The homes that wear the best and fit the best for the family are the ones that have a strong relationship between the architect, builder, interior designer and client,” says Court. “When you have an invested client who wants to let everyone do their best work, it is really special. This project was certainly like that.”

The project in question, a gleaming, white new build set against the hazy gray of Palmetto Bluff’s alluring marshes, is like something straight from Nancy Meyer’s playbook. Court’s genius shines atop the central mass, where a glass cupola sits. The feature distinguishes the home from its familiar farmhouse neighbors and draws eager eyes down to an inviting bank of mahogany French doors tucked underneath the porch’s metal roof, perched atop runs of Savannah gray brick and tabby.

To create interiors worthy of the perfectly proportioned façade, the homeowners sought out interior designer Kelly Caron, ASID

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(Kelly Caron Designs), who worked closely with Court and builder Ron Strimpfel (Reclamation by Design), for a year to design their dream home — one exemplifying lived-in luxury. With an easygoing, open floor plan on the drawing board, the design team collaborated to set each space apart, connecting public spaces with sun-flooded galleries grounded by antique, mixed species hardwoods from Ziel’s Antique Flooring and coffered ceilings

“The homes that wear the best and fit the best for the family are the ones that have a strong relationship between the architect, builder, interior designer and client.” — William Court

The kitchen features a double-width refrigerator — ideal for fueling the busy family of six.

A custom hood from François & Co. creates an instant focal point in the home's crisp, white kitchen.

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NOW

open

301B W. Broughton St., Upstairs 912.658.4259 morganraeboutique.com shopmorganrae

Visit dogtopia.com/thunderbolt to schedule a Meet & Greet today!

DOGTOPIA OF THUNDERBOLT 2391 Downing Ave. Savannah, Georgia 31404

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SIP, SWIG & SWIRL AT TWIN SPADES Discover handcrafted cocktails and a curated specialty beer selection at Twin Spades, The Bluff’s new speakeasy-inspired space. Experience the sleek, intimate style of a bygone era amid downtown Savannah’s enduring charm.

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LO C AT E D AT

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6 3 0 W. B AY S T R E E T

|

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Nickel-gap walls and coffered ceilings maximize natural light in the living room.

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So many ways to save.

Find tools and resources to help save money and energy.

Georgia Power has energy-saving tips on everything from controlling airflow to adding weatherstripping. Plus you’ll have access to resources like online energy audits and My Power Usage to learn about your energy consumption.

There are hundreds of simple ways for you to save energy – and saving energy means saving money. To learn more, visit georgiapower.com/save. ©2018 Georgia Power. All rights reserved.

STYLE

The primary bedroom's pared-back furnishings allow the texture and scale to take center stage.

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STYLE

The vaulted, screened-in porch features a Summer Classics porch swing intended for Lowcountry lounging.

delicately sculpted by Strimpfel, the latter to ensure that the homeowners didn’t “feel lost in a sea of sheetrock ceilings,” Caron says.

The galleries, Court adds, “[have] become some of the most fun spaces in the home,” thanks to their ample natural light and sweeping views of the surrounding water.

This warm light seeps into the airy interior adorned with vertically hung nickel gap walls, a tailored mélange of transitional furnishings, vibrant artworks (including pieces by the homeowners’ daughter), and Kravet and Cowtan & Tout embroidered drapery panels, creating timeless cohesion without overt formality. “As you graduate into a new space, it’s not matchy-matchy with the space before. They each have their own feel,” Caron says.

In the kitchen, fitted joinery, centered on a monumental François & Co. range hood, designed by Caron, perfectly balances the living room fireplace, clad in the same polished Taj Mahal quartzite used for

the kitchen countertops. A wall of glass upper cabinets maximizes natural light along one wall, creating a wet bar accessible from both the kitchen and adjoining dining room, where the wife’s antique table and sideboard feel right at home with new upholstered chairs and a polished nickel chandelier from Visual Comfort.

Befitting its cinematic setting, the home features many concealed “backstage” spaces. Jib doors on spring latches and piano hinges allow egress from the dining room to an intimate, fully equipped back kitchen, while across the main level, another hidden door connects the primary study and master suite, and a third, the wife’s office and laundry room. “When you have an open plan like this where everything is on display, you still need a back kitchen and pantry and places to store things,” says Court, who dreamed up the hidden workspaces with Caron and Strimpfel throughout the construction process. “It was a relief that we had

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Richard Mopper President / Licensed Partner

Jessica Kelly Licensed Partner

Quintin Cowart Associate Broker

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ABOVE: Subtly coastal decor nods to the home's Palmetto Bluff locale.

RIGHT: Textured wallcoverings create a luxe backdrop for marble and brass accents.

cohesiveness to push ourselves and be creative,” says Caron of the team’s joint decisions that made the project a standout.

Besides creating a portfolio piece for all three creative teams, the home satisfied the owners’ every request. Ample private spaces, including a sumptuous master bedroom and ensuite brimming with Calacatta marble and a walk-in steam shower, two upstairs guest suites and a carriage house apartment above the garage, equal the public spaces in comfort and elegance. A vaulted screened porch, furnished with Summer Classics seating, flatscreen television and a handsome brick fireplace offer a breezy perch for the family year-round (it’s also Court’s favorite space, one he calls “drop-dead” gorgeous).

The group effort was generously recognized by the Hilton Head Area Homebuilders Association, winning multiple Lighthouse Awards for both Caron and Strimpfel. It was also a hit with the homeowners. “Right when they moved in, [one homeowner] said, ‘this is exactly what I wanted,’” Caron recalls. A dream team — and a dream home, too.

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STYLE

DETAILS Year built: 2020 – 2021 Square footage: 6,192 square feet, including outdoor living areas Number of bedrooms and bathrooms: 4 bedrooms, 4 full baths, 2 powder baths Time to complete: One year Architects/planners: Court Atkins Group, William Court Interior designer: Kelly Caron Designs, ASID ABOVE: Although new construction, the home feels lived-in, thanks in large part to antique wood floors.

Contractor/builder: Reclamation by Design, Pat and Ron Strimpfel

BELOW: Hidden doors off the dining room lead to a fully equipped back kitchen.

Tile/flooring: Scott Ziel, Ziel’s Antique Flooring; Savannah Surfaces Paint/wallpaper: Sherwin Williams, Thibaut in powder bath, and Phillip Jefferies in office Windows/doors: Marvin Kitchen design: Kelly Caron with Litchfield Cabinetry Bath design: Kelly Caron with Litchfield Cabinetry Custom kitchen hood: François & Co. Cabinet hardware: Bird Hardware Lighting design: Kelly Caron, Visual Comfort, Capital Electric Landscape design: The Greenery Electrician: Boni Electric Plumber: Cregger Plumbing Fixtures Furniture: Kelly Caron Designs, ASID Appliances: Wolf, Subzero Accessories: Kelly Caron Designs Art: Homeowners’ own collection, including work by their daughter

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Culture Fit

1

329 Abercorn St. Juliette Gordon Low, Andrew Low’s daughterin-law, lived here during the early formation of the Girl Scouts andrewlowhouse.com

Whitaker St.

Shopping in the Downtown Design District? Carve out some time for these nearby historic house museums

6

W. Oglethorpe Ave.

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GREEN-MELDRIM HOUSE

3

SORREL WEED HOUSE

CHIPPEWA SQUARE

4

W. Harris St.

2

1 MADISON SQUARE

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HARPER FOWKLES HOUSE

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JULIETTE GORDON LOW BIRTHPLACE

W. Taylor St. MONTEREY SQUARE

4

MERCER-WILLIAMS HOUSE MUSEUM

429 Bull St. Designed for Johnny Mercer’s great-grandfather, this ca. 1860 home was owned by Jim Williams (and was the scene of the crime — see page 123) mercerhouse.com

Abercorn St.

Bull St.

3

14 W. Macon St. This lavish, Gothic Revival home served as Gen. Sherman’s Civil War headquarters stjohnssav.org

6 W. Harris St. The 19th-century home boasts a striking, Caribbean color plus a reputation for paranormal activity sorrelweedhouse.com

5

W. Liberty St.

ANDREW LOW HOUSE MUSEUM

230 Barnard St. Charles B. Cluskey designed this Orleans Square beauty (he also designed the Sorrel Weed House) chsgeorgia.org/hfh

10 E. Oglethorpe Ave. Juliette, known as “Daisy,” was born here, part of the Girl Scout First Headquarters juliettegordonlowbirthplace.org

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stagram!

F OUR CORNERS FINE ART & FRA MING

A UNIQU ELY SOU T HER N C OL L EC T ION

Welcome to the Low Country Lifestyle.

Visit the gallery on May River Road and update your home and lifestyle to the Low Country.

.8185

www. fourcornersgallerybluffton.com

Discover a Savannah Gem! Located on beautiful Lafayette Square, just across the square from the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, the Andrew Low House Museum is a nationally known 1840s historic home open to the public.

The house is carefully restored and showcases an important collection of furniture, painting, glass, and other decorative arts. A historic garden and courtyard for relaxing are also part of the site’s unique charm.

Juliette Gordon Low, founder of the Girl Scouts, was Low’s daughter in-law and lived in the home for a significant period up until her death.

The country’s first Girl Scout Headquarters was the original carriage house of the home.

Whether it is your first visit or one of the many, discover the fascinating stories of one of Savannah’s most treasured places!

TOURS

Monday – Saturday 10 to 4 | Sunday 12 to 4 | Ask about our event rentals and specialized tour rates We are following Covid-19 guidelines and ensuring all our visitors feel safe and welcome.

329 ABERCORN STREET AT LAFAYETTE SQUARE | SAVANNAH

andrewlowhouse.com | 912.233.6854

SHOP IN THE MUSEUM STORE!

Sweeten your Summer with smoothies to-go!

Sweeten their Summer with a surprise arrangement!

We Deliver • Now Offering Fresh Flowers • Arrangements • Smoothies • Platters • Sweet Treats 10010 Abercorn St. • 912.925.8742

TA S T E TA S T E S A V A N N A H

Thirst Quenchers Booze and barware, all locally sourced Photography by JEREMIAH HULL // Styling by ALLISON MOL AND RENEE FABRIKANT

THE WELL-STOCKED HOME bar goes beyond spirits and mixers. Glassware is an essential part of putting it all together: high balls, low balls, punch cups, wine glasses (for white, red and

sparkling) — there are so many ways to sip stylishly. Here, three at-home happy hours come to life with vessels and products made or available right here in Savannah.

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Shrimp Cocktail

FREE

SAMPLER

with the purchase of 2 adult entrees • 1 offer per table not valid with any other offers. offer code: SAVMAG22

Casual Waterfront Dining with the BEST Shrimp in Savannah!

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Fried Green TOMATOES SAMPLER

with the purchase of 2 adult entrees • 1 offer per table not valid with any other offers. offer code: SAVMAG22

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TASTE

We’ll drink to that Savannah Bourbon’s single-barrel bourbon sits pretty in a vessel with Lowcountry flair, like this one from Marsh & Co. Serve neat, or make it an Old Fashioned with a Camp Craft Cocktails kit, featuring dried oranges and cherries.

One Fish Two Fish glasses; Marsh & Co. fish gurgle pot, charger and candlesticks; Sea Salt ceramics cup, available at Marsh & Co.; Saltwater and Seaweed ceramic dish, available at Marsh & Co. Marsh & Co. pitcher, glass and charger; PW Short ice bucket and stirrer spoon; Renee Fabrikant tray, available at Marsh & Co.; MMB By Hand coaster, available at Marsh & Co.

No time to mix? New Realm Brewing Company makes it easy with their range of canned cocktails, made with real fruit and spirits. Choose from Lime Margarita or Grapefruit Paloma, both made with tequila, or several vodka options: Cranberry Vodka, Moscow Mule, Lemon Drop and Orange Crush.

Tip: If you go canned, add a twist or wedge for a pop of fresh flavor and color.

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MAKE IT AT HOME: THE SAVANNAH GREY

It looks like a bourbon cocktail — but Hop Atomica vodka takes on a rich color and flavor thanks to tea.

We used Hale Tea Co.’s Earl Grey for this simple, elegant recipe.

1½ oz

Hop Atomica micro-distilled vodka

4 oz

prepared Hale Tea Co. Earl Grey tea Lavender-infused honey to taste (we like Savannah Bee Company's lavender raw honey)

2 oz

whole milk (optional) Dried French lavender, for garnish

1. Brew the tea (can be done in advance) using 1 teaspoon of tea for every 4 oz. of water.

If you prefer a stronger tea, use more tea leaf rather than brewing longer. In general, a black tea like Earl Grey needs to brew about 3-5 minutes for optimal flavor.

2. Add lavender honey to taste.

3. Once the tea and honey mixture is cool, combine with 1.5 oz. Hop Atomica vodka and the optional whole milk. For a vegan option, Hale Tea Co. proprietor Megan Miller suggests rice milk. Garnish with dried lavender, if desired.

One Fish Two Fish vase sculpture and pitcher; PW Short double cocktail jigger; Marsh & Co. chargers and napkins; Whip Savannah oyster napkin rings, available at Marsh & Co.; Renee Fabrikant oyster tray, available at Marsh & Co.

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Tea Time Tea adds a healthy, antioxidant boost to even the most spirited concoction.

SAVE BEES. EAT HONEYCOMB. 104 West Broughton Street 1 West River Street 211 Johnny Mercer Blvd.

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1/5/22 3:44 PM

YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD DELI Fast, fresh and original

Catering and Delivery available LOCALLY OWNED! The Timmons Family

4 Wilmington Island Road 912-200-3067 grouchos.com/savannah

Marsh & Co Makers Boutique Locally created art & gifts

4 4 4 J O H N N Y M E R C E R B LV D . , S T E . R | 9 1 2 . 7 7 7 . 8 3 1 9 | M A R S H A N D C O S AV. C O M

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Ardsley Station owner Tyler Kopkas, left, and chef Dustin Ricker

CHEF Q&A

Down by the Station DUSTIN RICKER Chef, Ardsley Statio n Interview by TIARA HODGES

Photos courtesy of ARDSLEY STATION

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AS EXECUTIVE CHEF at Ardsley Station, Dustin Ricker adds love to his dishes as if it’s any other ingredient.

A self-taught, barbecue-smokin’, creative-cooking connoisseur, Ricker whips up recipes that span comfort food to fine dining: wings, burgers, ribs, grouper, Bolognese and New York strip are all at home on the menu. Originally from Bath, Maine, with stints in Colorado and Oregon, Ricker, along with his wife (also a chef ) and children, is savoring life down South, where local ingredients are often available year-round.

ON CREATING A NEIGHBORHOOD RESTAURANT

We're trying to be approachable. We don’t want to be pretentious; we want to serve great food at a reasonable price and have people come back over and over again, because they love what we’re doing. Our front of the house, bartenders and the whole restaurant work together in unison unlike any place I’ve ever worked before.

ON HIS FAVORITE DISHES

I love the whole menu. As the chef, I put my hands on everything. I love our vegetarian squash dish because I’m getting these really beautiful acorn squash from Tuten Farms, and we’re using Charleston gold rice and some local mushrooms that we pick up from GrowFood Carolina; we sauté that and put it in the roasted acorn squashes. I think the Bolognese is very unique, too, because it’s a riff on traditional Bolognese. Instead of using cured meats from Italy and ground veal and pork and beef, I’m using our barbecue and the beautiful ground pork from Marvin [Ross] at Peculiar Pig Farm. I also don’t think anyone in town does what we do with smoking wings, and our blue cheese dressing is really tasty. It’s a nice take on a classic dish for someone who wants to come in and have a beer and some wings.

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“Probably 90 percent of what we purchase comes from within a few hundred miles of where we are. All in all, I try really hard to be a Southern kitchen.”

ON SUPPORTING LOCAL FARMS

We’re as local as possible. Probably 90 percent of what we purchase comes from within a few hundred miles of where we are. All in all, I try really hard to be a Southern kitchen, where I try to utilize everything I possibly can from our region.

I’ve got some great cheeses coming out of Tennessee, Charleston and out of Georgia, plus [we use farms like] GrowFood and Tuten Farms. We try to source everything responsibly and support our local economy.

ON STAYING IN SEASON

ON THE POWER OF LOCAL PATRONAGE

A lot of our locals are coming back. We see them several times a week. That means we’re doing something right. But it’s [proprietor Tyler Kopkas’s] vision. Tyler is such a great owner and really cares about who we are in the community. We just opened up for brunch recently, and that’s been well received. It’s very humbling — the amount of support that we’ve had in a short period of time. It certainly makes it enjoyable to come to work, cook and look forward to everyday service.

When I came in, I revamped the entire menu. I change the menu items as the seasons change. Some dishes last 60 weeks, some last two to four weeks — depends on the availability of local products.

Photos courtesy of ARDSLEY STATION

EXPERIENCE SAVANNAH LIKE NEVER BEFORE Unwind in style with supremelychic accommodations packed with the essentials and unrivaled Savannah River views. Find selfcare relaxing poolside or exploring the city by bike and indulge in signature nightlife that celebrates the best ingredients of the moment.

Minutes to the city’s treasured historic sites, let Thompson Savannah be your springboard to explore it all.

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PLUS, TWO NEW ADDITIONS TO THE SAVANNAH RESTAURANT SCENE

Fleeting’s ever-evolving menu by Chef Rob Newton celebrates the Georgia Coast and the rich history of Southern cuisine.

Bar Julian delivers an innovative, Mediterraneaninspired menu from the tallest rooftop bar in Savannah’s modern history.

Photo by Molly Hayden at Perry Lane Hotel

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TASTE

Finches Sandwiches and Sundries 2600 Mechanics Ave. Fresh, farm-to-table ingredients are on many of Finches’ modern classic sandwiches, like their noteworthy grilled cheese. Rebecca Matthews, chef Miles Matthews and Jamie Pleta offer a restaurant experience that also allows you the opportunity to peruse quirky, miscellaneous accessories from indie makers and small-business owners (“Sundries” is part of the name, after all). It’s “a nod to pop culture [with] a focus on artisan brands who create with consciousness,” Rebecca says.

CO UR TE S Y T HE G RE Y MA RKET

Treat Yourself Tequila's Town Local eateries offer tempting menus — and merch

Written by MARTINA YVETTE

A SIGNIFICANT DINING experience doesn’t have to end at the restaurant. Take home more than a to-go box when you visit several local restaurants with on-site stores or websites for gifts, signature apparel, homemade condiments, food items and branded extras.

The Grey Market 109 Jefferson St. No wonder this place has become one of the most popular restaurants in Savannah (and has expanded westward, with a new outpost in Austin, Texas). There are signature burgers, meat-and-three meals and other home-cooked staples to enjoy in store, but you’ll also want to take their hot finger peppers and addictive “comeback sauce” with you. With camping mugs, tote bags, T-shirts and hats available on-site and online, you can rep TGM 24/7.

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COU R TESY COHEN'S R E T R E AT

Cohen’s Retreat 5715 Skidaway Road This picturesque restaurant is a Southern dream drenched in artsy decor, the aroma of shrimp and grits and crab cakes wafting gently about. You’ll probably be inspired to redo your house, and wouldn’t you know? Cohen’s Retreat offers two in-house shopping experiences at Brown Dog Market and The Little House Bakery, where you can find anything from home decor to jewelry to local books and stationery. You can take something sweet home with you, too — the bakery offers cookies and cakes, to-go.

Starland Strange and Bazaar 17 W. 41st St. This Starland ice cream shop is a natural point of pause for locals and tourists alike. How can you miss its beautifully painted entrance and eclectic apparel? Ice cream melts (try the Nanner Nanner Boo-Boo Banana Pudding flavor), but the Strange also sells items that last longer.

Grab a T-shirt, stickers or even house-made sprinkles that perfectly capture the quirky cowboy theme.

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COU R TESY PIRATE'S HOU SE

C OU R T E S Y S TAR LA N D S T R A NG E A ND B A Z AA R

Pirate's House 20 East Broad St. No need to drive to Tybee Island in search of nautical knick-knacks. You only need to travel to East Broad Street Tequila's Town and experience the Pirate’s House. The former inn for seamen back in the 1700s is now a family restaurant where thousands come to tour and experience a little part of Savannah’s folklore (pirates and ghost stories aplenty).

The true treasure of the restaurant has to be its gift shop, offering kitschy pirate swords and coins, treasure boxes and eye patches — a hit with the kids, to be sure.

C OU R T E S Y C RYS TA L BEE R PA R L OR

Crystal Beer Parlor 301 W. Jones St. Come for the beer and Gawgia Cracka Nachos and leave with a beautiful trinket from the parlor’s adjacent gift shop, Crystal Trading Co. If you’re looking for history, a Crystal Beer Parlor shot glass is just the ticket: this rumored speakeasy, with roots dating back to the early 1900s, was “one of the first American eating establishments to serve alcohol after the repeal of Prohibition,” according to the restaurant’s website, “probably because the booze was already on the premises!”

Brown Dog Market at Cohen's Retreat offers decor, jewelry, gift items and more.

Fresh

SERVING LOCAL SEAFOOD

*PET FRIENDLY*

DIVE DEEP INTO DELICIOUS!

Fresh Seafood • Low Country Boil • Shrimp • Crab Legs • Crawfish Low Country Tacos • Fish • Sandwiches & Wraps • Steampot • Crab Cakes Hamburgers • Chicken Fingers • Beer • Wine • Cocktails • Desserts Weekday Lunch Specials $8.95 7906 East Hwy. 80 | 912.897.2009 | Open Daily: 11:30am – Until the Party Stops www.FlyingFishSavannah.com

102 E LIBERTY ST. (in the Drayton Tower) 912.335.7882 • PIMABOUTIQUE.COM

om shop

Art Apparel and Design Studio 415 Whitaker St. StoneLords.com | @stonelordsshop

SOUTHERN TIDE SIGNATURE STORE SAVANNAH

300 WEST RIVER STREET, UNIT 6D | SAVANNAH GA, 31401 912.298.6599 | @SOUTHERNTIDE_SAVANNAH

TALK I NG S H OP Savannah's style set shares their must-browse stores

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COU R TE SY E R I C A KE L LY, C OP P E R SE A L

E R ICA K E LLY Erica curates heirloom provisions for the modern homestead through her vintage brand, Copperseal. To Erica, making a house a home is all about the layers: family heirlooms, vintage goods that speak to you and a few newer items that make life easier. Her Instagram shop (@copperseal) allows Savannah locals in on her regional hunts for one-of-a-kind objects that create a well-styled home.

PW Short General Store pwshort.com

PW Short’s downstairs is stocked with what I call “the solid gift section” — items old and new for your kitchen, bar, household and even yourself (I’m coveting a pair of Turkish leather slip-ons). Upstairs is where I get lost with wonder in several rooms of an old Savannah home styled to the brim with shoppable furniture, art and antiques.

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Rivers & Glen Trading Co. riversandglen.com

This store is the authority on outfitting locals for all things field and stream. While I’m personally more of a gatherer than a hunter, their heirloom luggage pieces go unrivaled in downtown Savannah. I’ve currently got my eye on an Orvis leather and canvas duffle.

Finches Sandwiches and Sundries @finches.sandwiches

PHOTO B Y REB ECCA HRIZU K

Wander inside to place your order at this elevated lunch spot and find a colorful retail area with truly unique gifts, curated by owner Rebecca Matthews. They carry some of Savannah’s most current local brands like Laughing Tansy and Mamie Ruth, as well as their own merch.

Seventh Heaven Antiques C OU R T ES Y F OU N D OB JE CT S M A RK ET

antiquesinsavannah.com

This is my all-time favorite antique store in Savannah, where owner Joe Amato has an incredible eye. Do yourself a favor and allow at least an hour to wade between the aisles of his new location in Thunderbolt.

Found Objects Market @foundobjectsmarket

A seasonal vintage market hosted by myself and prop stylist Elizabeth Demos, Found Objects Market is our excuse to stockpile a room full of amazing vintage pieces and “play shop” for two days with an eclectic mix of vintage and antique furniture and decor. Market veterans know how coveted those first few shopping appointments are — once things sell, they're gone forever.

COU R TESY SEVEN TH HEAVEN A N TIQU ES

Copperseal at Tapley’s Mercantile & Antiques tapleysmercantile.com

My space at Tapley’s is a chance to shop Copperseal in-person alongside more than 50 vendors. Pop in for a one-of-a-kind hostess gift or revamp a space in your home with a large selection of furniture, lighting, art and accessories.

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Asher + Rye

asherandrye.com They have a new section that’s great for the rugged but stylish person in your life.

I sometimes find it hard to find gifts for my guy friends, but no longer. They’ve got wonderful jackets, vests and small gifts like beard oils and shaving kits. You can even outfit your dog with cute collars and leashes.

COU R TE SY R OZ M OR R I S

C OU R T E S Y A S HE R + RY E

E. Shaver, Bookseller eshaverbooks.com

I’m not the first person to recommend this enchanting bookstore. It inspired my imagination as a child and continues to inspire me today. The creaky, old wooden floors have held up many a browsing bookworm. E. Shaver feels like something out of a Dickens novel.

RO Z M O R R IS After more than a decade in New York, Roz came back to her hometown, and Savannah is all the more stylish because of it. Her design studio and shop, Stonelords, uniquely balances the aesthetics of the Hostess City and the Big Apple (evident from the NYC/SAV sign out front — and her degrees from both Parsons School of Design and SCAD). Roz’s style is artistic, bewitching and irreverent, bringing a touch of avant-garde fashion to the Lowcountry.

@stonelords

My shop, Stonelords, is the culmination of a long career in fashion, including time spent as a costume designer for film and television and as founder of an award-winning clothing line called Stone Morris (I’m launching a new collection this year). Part contemporary concept store, part art gallery and design studio, Stonelords carries sustainable, artisanal and upstart brands alongside iconic designers like Anna Sui.

terracottasavannah.com

COU R TE SY TERRA COTTA

Accessories can make the outfit, and Terracotta offers a great selection of shoes and earrings. I also love their cozier pieces for unwinding at the end of the day.

A printed cotton robe is comfortable and lightweight, offering just enough warmth for a Savannah spring.

C OU R T E S Y S T ON E LO RD S

Stonelords

Terracotta

PW Short pwshort.com

PW Short has so many great finds for home and kitchen, like this powder-coated metal tea kettle — it’s got a rubberized handle to keep hands cool. (It also pairs nicely with the robe and a good book!)

C OU R T E S Y P W S HOR T

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FINE ART, JEWELRY & UNIQUE GOODS BY SCAD ARTISTS

340 BULL ST. SHOPSCAD.COM Kathleen Grebe (B.F.A., graphic design, 2002)

P O SH CAL LO

C OA S TA L T H E M E D H O M E D E C O R & G I F T I T E M S

Bonaventure Blues specializes in coastal themed home decor and gift items. Our little white cottage off Victory Drive ha a selection of items, carefully hand-picked for you. We are a Chalk Paint ® by Annie Sloan Stockist.

3114 E. VICTORY DR. (the little white cottage) | BONAVENTUREBLUES.COM | Newly expanded! More space! More merchandise!

401 Whitaker St . | 912 .447.4600 | onefishstore.com

2O19 WINNER

2O2O WINNER

2O21 WINNER

TROY DYLAN ALLE N

COU R TE SY TR OY DY L A N A L L E N

Born and raised in Savannah, Troy lived in New York — where he spotted plenty of great outfits — while interning with buzzy designer Sandy Liang. But his personal style didn’t truly develop, he says, until he moved back to Savannah to attend SCAD. His namesake brand (full of diaphanous tulle dresses in vibrant hues, unapologetically sparkly undergarments and screen-printed tees with crystal appliques) offers garments that provide a sense of joy to the wearer, so they can take up all the space they deserve.

Rebecca Gardner Houses & Parties housesandparties.com

I’m obsessed with basically anything Rebecca Gardner does. She constantly blows me away.

I’m a theater kid at heart and love to put on a show, so I appreciate the theatrics of her table and party designs. True style goes far beyond what you wear — though I’d love to wear her cigarettes and peppermints party hat, complete with a bubblegum pink Dupioni silk bow.

The Edition Shop editionsavannah.com

Anyone who knows me knows I love a layered necklace moment. I always have three strands of pearls on, but lately I’m loving the drama of an extra-long option from Custard (it’s sort of like three strands in one).

East + Up

Courtland & Co.

eastandupvintage.com

courtlandandco.com

Speaking of necklaces, I bought the cutest little pearl necklace with mushroom beads on it at a street fair in Los Angeles, and since then I’ve been very into mushrooms in a kitsch kind of way.

These embroidered cocktail napkins are definitely on my list.

Plus they match my hair, which I’m not mad about!

CO UR T E S Y EA S T + U P

custardboutique.com

CO UR TE S Y CU S TA R D BO UT I QU E

Custard Boutique

CO UR TE S Y H OU S ES & PA R TIES

My home away from home, owned by the incredible Meredith Barfield. Her personal style never ceases to amaze me, and it also pushes me to get wilder with my own outfits. Aside from carrying the coolest brands in Savannah, Edition does a great job creating a fun and inclusive environment for all shoppers.

COU R TESY COU R TLA N D & CO.

I love a vintage store, and their selection is perfectly curated without being overwhelming.

I even found an insane vintage denim blazer there that my friend ended up wearing on her wedding day in Vegas (I added extra glitz with a custom sequined collar).

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SCAD Museum of Art scadmoa.org

PHOTO BY G E OR G I N A C OOKI E

I’m always eager to see the SCAD Museum of Art’s exhibitions for deFINE Art (this year’s was Feb. 28 through March 2) — the Icons Only show, for example, offers a chance to get up-close and personal with the work of Richard Avedon and other masters of modern image-making. The museum also boasts a quaint coffee shop and gift shop boutique, where I recently picked up Daniel Lismore’s coffee table book.

Hall of Sneakz hallofsneakz.com

The Book Lady Bookstore thebookladybookstore.com

The kind of bookstore that no longer exists in New York: short on square footage, long on charm, with a selection determined not by an algorithm but by the wide-ranging tastes of its staff. There’s a small but eclectic lineup of art and photography books just to the right as you enter.

A-2-Z Military Surplus

Bull Street Estate Sales

Designers from Ralph Lauren to Kanye West look to military apparel for inspiration, and they’d be in their element at A-2-Z. Located at the edge of Hunter Army Airfield, the long, narrow space is filled wall to wall and floor to ceiling with surplus standouts. The arctic gray parka I found here is built to withstand extreme cold, so I’m guessing it’ll get me through our next Savannah winter.

Savannah is studded with great antiques stores like Jere’s and Alex Raskin, but if you’ve got patience and an eye (or if you’re married to someone with those qualities — hi, Susan), you can unearth treasures at the more eclectic end of the scale. A recent find: a vintage Saarinen floor lamp and side table in near pristine condition. The trick is to keep checking Bull Street’s website for updates.

5511 Montgomery St.

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C OU R TESY HA LL OF SN EA KZ

Dirk is a writer, editor and educator with a focus on future trends in fashion. Before joining Savannah College of Art and Design as a professor of fashion marketing and management in September 2021, he was the editor-in-chief of Style.com and founding editor of Conde Nast’s creative agency, 23 Stories.

He lives in Savannah and New York with his wife, Susan Standen, the founder of the vintage tableware brand Standen New York, standennyc.com.

bullstreetestatesales.com

C OU R T E S Y B U LL S T RE E T ES TAT E S A LE S

DI RK S TA N D E N

I can’t call myself a sneaker collector, but I’ve been lucky enough to spend time with the creators of some of today’s most iconic models, and the thought process that goes into marrying design and function always blows my mind. This gallery-like store displays the latest, hard-to-find releases like the works of art that they are.

BUY LOCAL LOCAL SERVICE DEPARTMENT • LOCAL CUSTOMER SERVICE • LOCAL RELATIONSHIPS

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SAVANNAH AREA 912.927.3957 CLAXTON AREA 912.739.2230

Founded in 1975...Pride Pools, Spas & Leisure Products continues to be the name you know and trust when it comes to making your BACKYARD. FAMILY. FUN.

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319 W. Broughton Street 912.335.8524 shopedgewaterdrive.com

photo by Kailyn Larger

a local boutique with eclectic flair!

DOWNTOWN 4 east liberty street savannah 912.233.1008 • AIRPORT 400 Airways Avenue pooler 912.398.1007 • 202 1 W I N N E R

SHOP S ATC H E L . C OM @satchelsavannah

Tips for Spring Boating Preparation Sponsored by Carefree Boat Club at Isle of Hope Marina

Prep the Engine

1

Making sure that you’ve properly de-winterized the vessel’s engine is the first step. If the oil wasn’t changed before the boat’s winter rest, now is the time to do it. Include a change-out of the oil filter and the transmission fluid when you do. If your boat has an outboard, prepping its oils and inner workings is just as important. Cooling systems should be flushed and the antifreeze replaced with the appropriate water and coolant mixture. Also, check those batteries, you will likely need to replace them.

Safety First

2

Be sure to give the hull a thorough once-over for cracks, blistering, and chipping. Make sure the boat's exterior is properly cleaned with a safe product. Be sure to test every one of your electronics, from radio to depth finder, compass, GPS, and more. Examine your life jackets for wear and tear, quality matters with life jackets. If a jacket needs replacing, make sure they have bright coloring, collar handles, and sturdy strapping. Above all, be conscientious about requiring that everyone onboard wears one. A boat should never be in the water without enough jackets to outfit everybody. And, too, all fire extinguishers and flares should be checked to assure they’re in good operating condition.

Weather Check

3

Last, but not at all least: Have a float plan and keep a weather eye. Assure that someone who isn’t going out with you is informed about all of your primary stops and anchorages, as well as your anticipated time of return. Be on the lookout for weather change-ups while you’re boating. You want to have a great time when you’re out there. The best way to ensure that is to properly prep your vessel and your guests before the hull even hits the water this spring.

Then grab that sunblock, pull out that rod and reel, and drop that swim ladder!

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& BRICK

MORTAR There’s nothing like an in-real-life shopping experience but local businesses are providing options, too Interviews by GRACIE WILLIAMS

Photography by BEAU KESTER // Model: HALLIE LANGE, MODEL MACHINE // Hair and makeup by EMILY SEWELL

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Come on in A 2021 PwC consumer survey found that most shoppers still prefer to shop in-person rather than online. Survey respondents said they prefer brick-and-mortar stores for both ethical and practical reasons: they like to support local businesses — and shopping in a physical store makes for easier returns, if needed. A 2019 First Insight report also found that 71 percent of shoppers polled spent $50 or more in-store, compared to only 54 percent of respondents spending the same amount when shopping online. This points to the emotional, experiential aspect of in-store shopping behavior. After all, retail therapy is real: A 2014 study published in the Journal of Consumer Psychology confirmed that making a purchase offers an immediate boost of happiness and sense of control, while also reducing any lingering sadness.

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Find a vintage denim jacket similar to this one at Glory Days Vintage, East + Up, House of Strut or The 22o7 Shop.

Hannah E. dress; shoes, model's own

Over the past few years, we’ve seen schools go hybrid, appointments transition to virtual and shopping move mostly online. But for those who still enjoy a good ol’ in-person shopping spree, and for those vibrant small businesses who are more than willing to oblige, what does the future hold?

We spoke with three local business owners on how they are navigating the precarious retail climate, leaning into the digital age, and attempting (amid constant pandemic and supply-chain curveballs) to plan ahead.

Photography by BEAU KESTER

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COU R TESY THE A N N EX

Jennifer Grayson, One Fish Two Fish and The Annex OW N E R

ON PRIORITIZING DIGITAL:

My interest has always been more focused on the creative side and not as much on the technology side of running One Fish Two Fish. The pandemic forced me to take the next natural step into the digital world. We are proud of our new website, onefishstore.com, which also includes inventory over at The Annex. I get excited every time my phone chimes to alert me of an online sale!

ON BRIGHT IDEAS IN A DARK TIME:

In the height of the pandemic, our most successful venture was our “bring 10 friends” private shopping party experience. Loyal customers were kind enough to book these events and support local business. The concept caught on, and I’m so thankful for the warm response from the community.

ON FEEDING OFF OF THE "COMPETITION":

I love seeing new stores and getting inspiration from individuals and their talent.

I believe others feel the same and will continue to shop and explore locally throughout the Downtown Design District.

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e. shaver, bookseller PURVEYORS OF THE WRITTEN WORD SINCE 1975

326 BULL STREET • 912.234.7257 ESHAVERBOOKS.COM

2 02 1 W I N N E R

Newborn-size 12 for Girls and 8 for Boys Clothing • Accessories

202 East 37th St. | 912-234-5266 shopsarajanekids.com Hours: Mon. - Fri. 10am - 5 pm Sat. 10am - 3pm • Sun. Closed

7

W I N N E R 2 O71 8

M AGAZINE

2019 WINNER

2 02 1 W I N N E R

"

Whoever said money can't buy happiness , didn t know where to shop.

— G E RT R U D E S T E IN

" Hannah E. dress

Stacy Sullivan, Levy Jewelers C H I E F S T R AT E G I C O F F I C E R

ON KEEPING CRAFTY:

One of our core principals at Levy Jewelers is creating an exceptional customer service experience, and this did not change with the pandemic. We want to make shopping as easy and convenient as possible for our customers. In addition to our better-known services, such as our wish listing, curbside pickup and local delivery, we are excited to now offer virtual shopping appointments and private appointments to make shopping easy and safe every day.

ON STAYING PREPARED:

We have seen supply chain issues across the board from our jewelry suppliers to our signature Silver Box packaging. Fortunately, we saw this coming over the past year and planned well ahead to make sure we would have a fresh selection of merchandise for our customers.

ON THE SECRET TO LONGEVITY:

We are proud to be celebrating 122 years in business. We opened in 1900, so striving to adapt to our ever-changing market and our customers’ wants and needs is one of the keys to us staying relevant after all these years.

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Skidaway Village EXPRESS CLINIC Scheduled & walk-in visits welcome for all of your routine and urgent care needs.

Most major insurances accepted, and cash pay options available.

Elizabeth Childress ACNP

4B Skidaway Village Walk, Savannah, GA 3 1 4 1 1

coastalcarepartners.com • 912-598-6312

Asher + Rye bag, Hannah E. dress

Erica Snayd, Rethink Studio and Asher + Rye C O - OW N E R

ON TRANSPARENCY WITH DELAYS:

The most important element, we find, is communication. Keeping the customer updated helps reduce the level of frustration. I think because we are in year two of dealing with such issues, customers are more desensitized and, therefore, more tolerant and somewhat empathetic.

ON PLANNING AHEAD:

Planning for the future is a bit scary with so many unknowns. However, we believe that keeping the shop fresh — with new products or simply by re-merchandizing existing products — motivates people to keep coming back. At the same time, creating multiple revenue streams that are either accessories to our business or fill a gap in the marketplace is essential. For example, we will be introducing coffee and light bites in the new year and plan to have events that bring the community together.

ON LESSONS LEARNED:

First, don’t be stagnant. Always create a reason for customers to come back. Listen to what your customers are looking for and pay attention to how they shop your store. But on a larger level, it is critical for local businesses to support each other. It is not about competition. It’s about appreciating and recommending other like-minded shops to customers, especially when they are right next door.

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“

Don’t be like the rest of them darling — Coco Chanel

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JW Plant Riverside District

Hammer Insurance Agency

Sea Smiles Pediatric Dentistry

Pond & Company

Keller Williams Coastal Area Partners

SARAH MARTIN 2018 Woman of the Year Candidate

LLS IS PROUD TO HONOR OUR KIMBERLY “KIMI” PELLETIER

ASHTON PRITCHER eXp Realty

Engel & Völkers Savannah

KARMELIE “KAY” STILES

CIARA THOMAS

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Specialty Sports

The Alida

London’s Things, LLC

BOY OF THE YEAR ELI, 11

CHARLIE WEBBER Choate Construction Co.

STEPHANIE WILLINGHAM

LAUREN WOLVERTON

ASHLEIGH WOMACK

Connect Savannah

AquaOx Water Filters, Inc.

Coastal Custom Mortgage, Inc.

MAN & WOMAN OF THE YEAR FINALE | APRIL 30, 2022 AT THE HYATT REGENCY SAVANNAH MWOY.ORG/MWOY-SAVANNAH-1 The Man & Woman who raise the most funds for LLS will earn the title of Man & Woman of the Year.

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GIRL OF THE YEAR AURORA, 7

An angel statue in Bonaventure Cemetery, featured in "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil," hovers over the Taliaferro family plot.

Midnight "

"

MARCHES ON For Dep Kirkland, the Jim Williams case was simple — until it morphed into a mythical creature with incredible scope and power that affects him to this day Photos courtesy of DEP KIRKLAND

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Even today, millions of people know “The Book” while knowing almost nothing about the case — the real case.

I was practically obliged to fill them in and, invariably, I would , get the same feedback. “That s a better story than the one in the , book,” they d say. “You have to write that one.” It took awhile, but I finally did.

Kirkland at his law office in the former C&S Bank building

IN THE PRE-DAWN hours of May 2, 1981, the phone rang in my Trustees’ Garden townhouse. A Savannah Police Department detective requested my presence at 429 Bull St., where a shooting had taken place. Even though I was the chief assistant district attorney, being called to the scene of a shooting was unusual. “Unusual” would prove to be the most understated adjective of a lifetime.

The murder case known as State of Georgia vs. James A. Williams, first tried in February 1982, would continue for more than eight years, producing a trail of bloody legal battles of legendary proportion and four murder trials. It would also follow me to this day, 40 years later.

Yes, I was there while the body of Danny Hansford was still on the floor in the study at Mercer House. I was the one who informed James “Jim” Williams that he was being arrested for murder. I assembled most of the scientific evidence and tried the first case, alongside District Attorney Spencer Lawton. I would leave Savannah before Williams’ second, third and fourth trials, but the case would follow me — to Atlanta, Washington, D.C., New York and Los Angeles. At virtually every stop along that journey, one that took me from trial lawyer to writer, actor and director, the Williams case tagged along, due to what

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Savannahians know as “The Book.” That is, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, or simply “Midnight.” John Berendt’s book spent more than 200 weeks on The New York Times Best Seller List, sold millions of copies, has been translated into 20 or more languages, became a motion picture directed by Clint Eastwood (albeit a relatively unsuccessful one) and sparked a tourism tsunami that has swept up Savannah in its wake.

In every major city I lived in, when asked where I was from originally, if I said Savannah, the followup question was predetermined: “Oh, do you know about that murder case and the book?” If I said, “Yes, actually I tried that case,” it was followed by “What?!” And soon we were into a discussion of a murder about which, it turned out, most people were almost completely ignorant. Even today, millions of people know “The Book” while knowing almost nothing about the case — the real case. I was practically obliged to fill them in and, invariably, I would get the same feedback. “That’s a better story than the one in the book,” they’d say. “You have to write that one.” It took a while, but I finally did. Today, my book, LAWYER GAMES: After Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, is sold alongside “Midnight” at E. Shaver, Bookseller; The Book Lady; Barnes & Noble; and anywhere books are sold worldwide, including Amazon.

This particular essay, however, is not about the murder case.

It’s a fascinating tale but a massive undertaking. A quick stop along the trail: Did Williams kill Hansford? Of course he did. Was it self-defense? Not even close. In fact, it is scientifically impossible for Williams to have been innocent of the crime. Why he was finally cut loose eight years later by an Augusta jury remains astounding, but there are reasons, even if they defy logic and science. Williams would drop dead eight months and two days after the acquittal, across the threshold of the study where Hansford died. Ironically, if we correct the staged position of Hansford’s body, the position of both men’s arms and hands in death would have been identical, clasped to the chest and clenched in a classic

cadaveric spasm, known in forensic lingo as a “death grip.”

(Speaking of Hansford, people tend to forget that the “Midnight” case involved the slaying of a young man who, no matter his personal flaws, did not deserve to be killed. Danny Hansford has been portrayed as little more than a wild beast, barely human and hardly worth caring about. Despite the mythology and delicious decadence surrounding “Midnight,” we might want to consider offering a little more respect for the victim. One of my most indelible memories of this case was going through Hansford’s personal effects and finding the sketch of Williams that Hansford had drawn, with the word “school” written over and over on the back.)

Artist's interpretation of physical evidence presented in the case. The original photo pointed to Williams doctoring the crime scene and prompted a memorable response from Georgia Supreme Court Justice Charles L. Weltner: “Everyone knows a dead man can’t put a chair leg on his trousers.”

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CO UR T ES Y DEP KIRKLA N D

Kirkland, right, executes a federal search warrant with help from electronics specialists.

When I left law, “Midnight” continued to follow me, not only in my own consciousness but also in a very practical manner.

My current project is the film adaptation of my stage play, titled MsTRIAL, which has been produced in Los Angeles and New York, most recently Off-Broadway. I am in Savannah now, to put the film together. When the play was produced in Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Times wrote a feature article about me and the play. The obvious reason for the interest and the “hook” for the story? Right. The “Midnight” murder case.

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The author of that article wondered how I went from trial lawyer to writer and actor working in the creative arts. You might wonder, too. Law school at the University of Georgia was my mother’s idea. She’d have made a good lawyer herself. But for me, I found myself drawn to the “what happened” aspects of cases, not the process or the paperwork. That fascination with stories — inhabiting them fully, living them out in my imagination — led to today, where I write them down and, when written by myself and others, act them out.

COU R TESY DEP KIRKLA N D

Do trial lawyers make good actors? I’d argue not. Lawyers are not known for emotional vulnerability or giving over control to anyone or anything, which is why I had initial difficulty with the popular Meisner Technique of acting. Acting a role is one thing; living it out, truthfully, is something else entirely. But there’s a common thread from the law to the stage and screen. It’s all about the narrative — the “what,” “why” and “how.”

“Midnight” has all of those riveting elements, so it wasn’t much of a surprise when I recently heard word of a possible Broadway musical based on the book. In my opinion, such a thing would be absurd and even obscene. A musical about a sociopath killing his lover, covering it up and eventually getting away with it? We might as well create “OJ – The Killer – The Musical.” But, much like the Simpson case, if the money-hounds in entertainment can squeeze another dime from this murder and its aftermath, they will do so, gleefully.

When I left law, “Midnight” continued to follow me, not only in my own consciousness but also in a very practical manner.

The tale of “Midnight” and the world’s fascination with Savannah is not without a touch of macabre contradiction, and no one dependent on the city’s tourist trade has protested.

Savannah merits the attention, though, so I won’t complain, either. Great stories love irony.

Savannah native Dep Kirkland left the local DA’s office while the first appeal of the Williams case was pending, moving on to litigate utility matters as Consumer Utility Counsel under former Georgia Gov. Joe Frank Harris in Atlanta. He built and ran the first Anti-Piracy Task Force in Washington, D.C., provided legal work for The Edison Project (now EdisonLearning) and was a member of Georgia and D.C. Bar Associations before pursuing a career in the creative arts. Today, Kirkland is an actor, writer and director in Los Angeles, where he serves as chairman of Isle of Hope Entertainment. The second edition of his book, LAWYER GAMES: After Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, was published in 2021. His play, MsTRIAL, is now in pre-production as a feature film.

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BEST of SAVANNAH DOCTORS 2022 • OFFICIAL BALLOT • Complete online at savannahmagazine.com or mail this ballot by April 11, 2022.

Allergist/immunologist: Audiologist: Anesthesiologist: Bariatric surgeon: Cardiologist: Cardiovascular surgeon: Chiropractor: Critical care specialist/intensivist: Dermatologist: Ear, nose and throat specialist: Emergency medical doctor: Endocrinologist: Family medicine/general practitioner: Foot specialist (podiatrist/ankle and foot surgeon): Nurse: Functional medicine specialist:

Nutritionist:

Gastroenterologist:

Doctor of occupational medicine:

General surgeon:

Occupational therapist:

Hair restoration surgeon/specialist:

Oncologist:

Home health-care provider:

Ophthalmologist:

Home medical equipment provider:

Optometrist:

Hormone therapist:

Osteopathic physician:

Hospice-care provider:

Outpatient therapy clinic:

Infectious disease specialist:

Pain medicine/management specialist:

Doctor of internal medicine:

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• OFFICIAL BALLOT •

Physical therapist: Physician’s assistant:

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NURSE PRACTITIONERS Adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner:

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Family nurse practitioner: Neonatal nurse practitioner: Pediatric nurse practitioner (acute or primary care):

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Women’s health nurse practitioner:

DENTISTRY AND ORAL HEALTH Cosmetic dentist: Dental hygienist: General dentist: Holistic dentist: Oral surgeon: Orthodontist: ORTHOPEDIC SURGEONS Foot and ankle: Hand and wrist: Hip and knee: Shoulder and elbow:

Complete online at savannahmagazine.com or mail to:

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TA S T E BE WELL SS A AV VA AN NN NA AH H

Heal Like a Girl Amid a rise in sports injuries to young women, one athlete’s road to recovery Written by JESSICA LYNN CURTIS

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BE WELL

FROM LEFT: Valentina Garcia, Dr. Trey Ochsner, Claudia Zyskowski

RUN LIKE A GIRL. Throw like a girl. Fight like a girl. In the last few years, we’ve seen phrases like these become a rally cry of sorts — in marketing campaigns, on T-shirts, in songs — as part of a cultural shift where fierce, young female athletes are beginning to get the recognition they deserve.

One of these young women is Savannah College of Art and Design student Valentina Garcia. When you enter a conversation with the 21-year-old industrial design major from Bogota, Colombia, you’re drawn to her warm demeanor, openness and poise. Five minutes into the conversation, you realize she is also tough, smart, witty and a confident competitor with no quit in her — she helped take SCAD’s cross-country team to the NAIA National Cross Country Championship this past fall, despite fighting through a stress fracture.

Unfortunately, she’s not alone. The number of young women and girls with athletic injuries is on the rise. This is partially due to the growing popularity of cutting sports (sports with a lot of running side-to-side and pivots) like lacrosse and flag football. But girls are also getting hurt more frequently than boys who play the same sports. This has led to a wave of research and prevention — because “tear your ACL like a girl” is not a rally anyone wants to join.

Garcia suffered from a grade three posterior medial tibial stress syndrome, to be exact. She first experienced what she describes as a pain “like the bone being compressed” in her shin in May 2021, just after her outdoor track and field season had ended.

“I’d had a great season and a great time running,” she shares.

“It was my first outdoor season, so it was all new energy. I decided to

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do another 5K because, ‘Why not?’ And that day was when I noticed [my shin] was really hurting.” She tried to convince herself it was nothing, but when the pain persisted, Garcia visited her trainers.

Claudia Zyskowski is the head athletic trainer at SCAD. She and her staff are the first line of defense for injured athletes. “We try to figure out what’s going on with them, and then we either refer them out for more care with a physician, or we do in-house treatments here, along with things like limiting their practice time and what they’re allowed to do at practice,” she says. “Valentina took a break from running, but once she started again, she was back to that pain.

We put her in a walking boot to see if that would help calm it down, and it didn’t.” So, they sent her to see Dr. Trey Ochsner of Chatham Orthopaedic Associates.

“We started with X-rays and chatting about her history — how many miles per week she was running, which is an important part of assessing a runner,” Ochsner explains. “You ask if they’re wearing new shoes, if they’ve increased their training regimen, things that would indicate a change in the normal. Then the next step is usually to get an MRI because you can see swelling within the bone itself.”

The level of pain and its frequency dictates a patient’s treatment plan. It can be a balancing act between taking the time to let the bone heal (sometimes with the assistance of a walking boot) and getting back to running at a competitive level.

“Valentina’s treatment plan has been a team effort between Valentina and Claudia and our physical therapy staff here,” Ochsner says. He prescribed anti-inflammatories and custom orthotics, and Garcia was completely shut down from running for several weeks.

When she eased into it again, she began with an anti-gravity treadmill.

Garcia also began cross training, which means training in sports other than an athlete’s primary one. “As an athlete, you never want to lose the fitness you’ve achieved,” she says. “So, I bought my first bike and started biking around Savannah and swimming.”

Dr. Ochsner also recommends vitamin D and calcium supplements for female athletes like Garcia. “There’s plenty of literature to show that women of all ages tend to be lower in vitamin D and calcium [than men],” Ochsner says, noting that vitamin D deficiencies can increase risk for stress fractures.

Concussions and ACL tears are two other types of injuries that are more prevalent in women and girls — in fact, female athletes are 4.5 times more likely to tear their ACL than a male, Ochsner says.

Several factors are at play: neuromuscular control, anatomic differences (“the notch of the femur where the ACL rests is narrower in women, and that puts them at an increased risk,” he explains).

Women and girls are generally more flexible and have hypermobility in their joints, which also increases risk. “At the muscular level, they have more quad-dominant muscular control (versus hamstrings) and weaker core stability,” Ochsner says. “Beyond that, you have hormonal imbalances — when a woman has her period, her ligaments actually change.”

Much of this, however, can be counteracted through proper training. Zyskowski and her team at SCAD approach these issues and more with injury prevention in mind.

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BE WELL

PT Like a Girl Female athletes seeking physical therapy have several options locally, in addition to Chatham Orthopaedic Associates.

BenchMark Physical Therapy This national chain features four local outposts in Savannah. benchmark.urpt.com Valentina Garcia

“We hold thorough physicals at Chatham Orthopaedic at the beginning of the school year, and every athlete who goes through those physicals gets screened for their functional movement and strengths by three separate people,” Zyskowski explains. They’re first screened by one of the athletic trainers, then a physical therapist does a more detailed screening of their movement and, finally, a physician goes over any previous injuries they’ve had, any musculoskeletal abnormalities or anything that seems off.

Based on these findings, the athletic trainers create individualized exercise rehab treatment plans for each athlete that needs a little help. “Say someone is having trouble doing single leg squats,” she says. “We’ll put them on a program to help strengthen their quadriceps muscle and their hamstring muscle.”

Zyskowski is also a big proponent of cross training to help prevent overuse injuries like Garcia’s.

As for Garcia, not only did she work her way back to being able to compete with the cross-country team this past fall (still limiting her running by cross training on off days), but she also has embraced swimming and biking so much that she competed in her first triathlon.

“There are lots of little accomplishments that I’ve achieved through this time, even though I haven’t reached my peak in running yet due to the injury,” she says. But that’s just a matter of time, she says. “I’m sure I’ll get over this.”

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CORA Physical Therapy CORA also has locations throughout Savannah, from downtown to the islands. coraphysicaltherapy.com Ledesma Sports Medicine Ledesma offers a zero-gravity treadmill, like the one Garcia used to ease back into running. ledesmasportsmed.com Optim Physical Therapy Optim utilizes a whole-body approach to integrate movement patterns and enhance everyday joint function. optimhealth.com/services/optim-therapy/ SouthCoast Health Physical Therapy SouthCoast offers a spectrum of PT services at locations in Savannah’s Southside and in Pooler. southcoasthealth.com/physicaltherapy St. Joseph’s/Candler Physical Therapy Physical therapy at SJC means patients can work in tandem with the hospital system’s larger offerings. sjchs.org/a-z-services-list/center-for-rehabilitation/ therapy-services/physical-therapy

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When 89 year-old Savannah Square resident Dorothy Madsen moved to the Hostess City from Dubuque, Iowa this past December, she was understandably a bit apprehensive. “I had never been to Georgia, so I didn’t know what to expect. However, when my son moved here from Connecticut after he retired from his job, he didn’t want me to spend my winters in Iowa, so we began looking for a place here for me to live.”

Although Dody (as she’s known) would usually spend her winters in Arizona and Florida, she says she still longed for a more active lifestyle. “I’m still a very active person, but I don’t play golf or bridge. After taking a look at several places in the area, we then decided to take a look at Savannah Square.”

Immediately Dody and her son Fred were struck by the welcoming atmosphere of the senior living community, which offers elegant and comfortable residences for seniors with a range of lifestyles and requirements. With their spacious cottages and apartments, Savannah Square’s independent living accommodations are perfect for seniors on the go, but the community also features Palmetto Inn, a personal care residence with an on-site health center. “My son told me that this is a place that I was going to just love, so he put down the deposit without telling me. He had already made up my mind, so to speak,”

laughs Dody, “But in the end he was right.

I do love it, and I couldn’t have asked for a better place to live.”

Savannah Square’s amenities include restaurant-style dining, a full-service beauty salon, clubhouse, fitness studio, library, and a 24-hour staff. Located just three miles from St. Joseph Candler Hospital, their midtown location provides convenient access to all the best dining, shopping and cultural attractions that historic Savannah has to offer. Situated on several acres of beautifully landscaped grounds, Savannah Square offers an abundance of organized educational, social and recreational activities for all its seniors.

There is also laundry and housekeeping services available, and Savannah Square provides a convenient car service for its residents seven days a week. “I love my neighbors and all the staff here,” says Dody.

“Everyone is incredibly accommodating and makes you feel so welcome. In fact, the whole community feels like one big family to me. Plus there are always events and activities planned for us. It gives me such a feeling of warmth every time I walk through the front doors, and I feel right at home.”

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L AWYERS Get face time with some of the city’s leading attorneys.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY KATIE IVES & SHOT BY SOMI

The Honorable Tammy Stokes, Chief Judge, Recorder’s Court Judiciary ...................................... 144

McNamara Adams Attorneys and Counselors at Law

............................. 145

The Burgess Law Group, LLC ................................... 146

Special Advertising Section ★ M A R C H / A P R I L 2 0 2 2

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TAMMY STOKES CHIEF JUDGE, CHATHAM COUNTY RECORDER’S COURT 133 Montgomery St. 912.652.7523

MY ROLE MODEL IS … poet and author Maya Angelou. As a person, Ms. Angelou embodied strength of character, authenticity, wisdom, a deep love of humanity and a hearty laugh.

than 30 people handle upwards of 50,000 cases, process thousands of warrants each year and work holidays and weekends in order to comply with the U.S. and Georgia constitutions.

I’M SO PROUD OF MY COURT BECAUSE ... it is the face of the court system of Chatham County, and we do a good job of serving the public. Recorder’s Court is the foundation of our criminal justice system, and nearly every criminal case, traffic citation and city code violation come here first.

MOST PEOPLE ARE SURPRISED WHEN THEY LEARN … I am in the A. E. Beach High School Athletic Hall of Fame for track. I was a sprinter running the anchor for the 440 relay, 440, 220 and mile relay.

I WISH MORE SAVANNAHIANS KNEW … that the Recorder’s Court has a truly dedicated, hardworking staff. Three judges, two part-time judges and a Clerk’s Office staffed with fewer 144

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MY CHARITIES OF CHOICE ARE … Park Place Outreach and Hospice Savannah. I admire the tenacity and the hope of our youth at PPO, and I am forever grateful for the care and dignity the staff of Hospice Savannah showed my mom and dad in their final days in 2020.

MCNAMARA ADAMS, PC REAL ESTATE SAVANNAH: 912.355.1109 7370 Hodgson Memorial Drive POOLER: 912.748.1204 130 Canal St., Ste. 303 mcnamaraadamsatlaw.com From left: J. Craig Adams, Mary “Molly” McNamara Adams, Thomas J. McNamara

WE FOCUS ON ... real estate closings and probate.

WE LOVE PRACTICING IN SAVANNAH BECAUSE ... Savannah is the greatest city in America. It’s a great place to raise a family and make true, loyal friends.

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WE ARE MOST PROUD OF … the fact that people have placed their trust in us for an important event in their lives. So many clients have remained loyal friends through the years, and we are always happy to assist them again.

We are thrilled to have families trust us the way they do.

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ST E P H A N I E O. B U R G E S S , E S Q .

THE BURGESS LAW GROUP LLC

142 Jefferson St. 912.233.6112 sburgess@burgesslawgroup.com burgesslawgroup.com

I LOVE PRACTICING IN SAVANNAH! I have lived in Atlanta and Houston, though Savannah is where I choose to hang out my shingle. I love practicing in Savannah because I have an affection and a connection for the people for whom I am fighting. As the owner and managing attorney for the Burgess Law Group, I am able to give back to the community that gave so much to me. I own where I was homegrown!

ON A TYPICAL DAY … I am either appearing in court, meeting a client at the jail or in my office, attending a community event or on a Zoom call. Because I practice family and criminal law, I appear in court a lot. I also stay involved in the community by providing

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free workshops on common legal issues such as child support, custody and visitation.

MY GREATEST ROLE MODEL IS … my 86-year-old mother, who has provided a blueprint for almost every aspect of my life.

She taught me how to listen to my heart and my gut. She taught me to take chances and to always be the “head, neck or shoulders” of whatever I do. My mother is Southern Baptist Christian. To this day, whenever I need counsel, she tells me, “Baby, God may let you tumble, but he won’t let you fall,” and, “What God has for you is for you!” She taught me to run my own race. She is a powerful but graceful beacon of knowledge whom I am blessed to call my greatest asset.

TA S T E SEEN S A V A N N A H

On behalf of the Savannah Quarterback Club, Charlie Russo presented University of Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett with an original UGA Stetson hat in Bennett's hometown of Blackshear, Georgia, the day after the club's 75th Annual Bowl Party.

Savannah Quarterback Club 75th Annual Bowl Party Photo by DAVID HOOVER

JAN. 30 The state champion Benedictine Cadets garnered several top honors at this event honoring top local players and teams since 1946.

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Savannah Quarterback Club 75th Annual Bowl Party

Chris Frohn, Patrick McCarthy, Joe Thigpen

Jimmy Ray, Kenny Grant Jr.

Sheriff John Wilcher, Fr. Frank Ziemkiewicz, Shannon Summerlin

Ben Stone, Steven Templeton, Will Templeton, Anthony Paletta

Mark Haslam, Brennan Lemieux

Jason Ford, Jeff Brady, Jimmy Grayson

Joey Grainger, Mark Grainger, Sam Grainger

Mark Revenew, John Paletta, Sheriff Jimmie McDuffie

Paul Kulbersh, David Dewitt, Philip Hickox

Nino Aliotto, Tim Blanco, Chuck Kerns, Bob Egan

Kaden Sonnabend, Kyle Hockman, DeShawn Printup

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Photography by ALEXANDER NEUMANN

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ROOTS TO GROW. WINGS TO FLY. Untitled-15 1

2/1/22 1:31 PM

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Warehouse & Sample Sale JAN. 19 Shoppers scored pretty pieces at deep discounts during this joint sale brimming with clothes, shoes, accessories, home decor and gifts.

Ashley Ann Howell, Lila Coleman

Niki Blackwell, Emily McCarthy, Susannah Downer

Jennifer Cole, Susannah Downer

Chloe Clark

Marie Garrigan, Shaye Garrigan

Kelli Shambayati

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Melissa Gower

Niki Blackwell, Hilary Screen

Photography by ALEXANDER NEUMANN

SEEN

U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter, Devon Ashton, Evan Olowiany

Jackie Schott, Conni Reynolds, Caroline Moore

Clay Johnson, Danietté Thomas

Buy Local Luncheon JAN. 27

Katie Cupp, KendraDeMoura, Courtney Rawlins

Amanda Branch, Scott Dole, Todd Norman, Kristi Norman

Buy Local Savannah hosted a networking lunch with a view — members dined aboard the Savannah Riverboat.

Cathy Shultz, Reggie Adamson, Donna Adamson, Alex Schlitz

Bryan Dasher, Hannah Mills

Tim Bliss

UGA MARINE EXTENSION AND GEORGIA SEA GRANT

Oyster Roast for a Reason JAN. 29 Jim Patterson, Josh Holmes, Ryan Reeves

Photography by ALEXANDER NEUMANN

The fifth annual roast, featuring locally harvested oysters plus a live band, raised funds to support Georgia's first oyster hatchery.

Dana Ross, Sarah Ross, Dionne Haskins-Brown

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Top Dawg Written by SARA WATSON Philip Perrie and his son, Charles, in a Hairy Dawg mascot costume, on the field at Sanford Stadium in January.

AS THE OWNER of Rody’s Audio Warehouse, Philip Perrie trades in thunderous acoustics (his shop sells amplifiers, musical instruments and professional audio equipment, in addition to video, lighting, security and CCTV design and installation services). But the loudest event in recent memory happened decidedly outside the office, when Perrie traveled to the NCAA Division I College Football Playoff National Championship in Indianapolis. After 40 years, the University of Georgia won a national title, defeating the University of Alabama 33 to 18. The crowd roared; the sound was deafening.

It was music to his ears, though he acknowledges, “I probably should’ve worn ear plugs.”

UGA is a way of life for many in the region, but for Perrie it’s especially personal. He attended Georgia, and his sister, brother, nephew and eldest daughter, Meredith (one of four children), all count the school as their alma mater. His eldest son, Charles, however, can one-up them all, and with graduation impending this May, the cat — or dog — is finally out of the bag: Charles is a Hairy Dawg.

Perrie gets a lot of questions about his son’s role as a UGA mascot, and rattles off the answers in short order on Charles’ behalf: Yes, the costume is hot, and no, it isn’t air-conditioned.

“From what he tells me, August, September and part of October are miserable,” Perrie says. That’s why there are multiple mascots, but it’s Charles who leads the pack. “He’s kind of the senior Hairy Dawg, you could say.” Perrie is also quick to dispel a potentially dirty little secret: Bulldog staffers dry-clean and rotate the costumes on-site, so no one is ever putting on a used garment. “Believe it or not, that’s one of the most common questions I get,” he says.

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“Is the second person putting on this sweaty, gross costume? No. They do clean and take care of them.”

Meredith, a mathematics professor, also made an indelible mark on UGA football, though she managed to do so from a surprising place. “She was a teaching assistant at Georgia Tech in graduate school, and she had this big class of about 200 students,” Perrie shares. “She played the Georgia fight song to begin the class and would give students an extra point if they wrote ‘Go Dawgs’ at the top of their papers. She became kind of an underground hero when people back in Athens heard of her,” he says, laughing. And did the students go through with such a potentially traitorous act? “About 70 percent of them did it,” he says.

Perrie, a South Carolina native, moved to Savannah to open what is now Rody’s Audio Warehouse in 1980 — the very same year Georgia won its last national title. Watching his son from the stands this January made for a sweet, full-circle moment.

“He was on the field for the second half of the championship, and he celebrated with the players and coaches,” Perrie recalls.

“He’s got memories for the rest of his life.”

Charles, an engineering major, made sure dear old dad got some memories of his own, getting permission to bring Perrie onto the field in Athens at a celebratory parade. The moment was a long time coming, with Perrie having attended virtually every bowl game and home game for the past decade, always waiting for a big win.

“I’m the eternal optimist,” Perrie says. “I always think, ‘Next year, it’ll happen next year.” The wait, fortunately, is over.

Photo courtesy of PHILIP PERRIE

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