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GUIDE TO LOCAL SCHOOLS

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2026

WH AT ’S H O T

Picker Joe’s New Space The Darling Oyster Bar Infrared Saunas ROAD T R I P !

12 Don’t-Miss Festivals P OWE R C OU PL E S

Those Who Slay, Play & Stay Together

our FAMILY & FUN issue

BILLY WILLIS - SAVANNAH, GA A retiree with a passion for golf, Billy had never been seriously ill or hospitalized in his life. But after developing jaundice and other alarming symptoms, he visited the St. Joseph’s Emergency Room – and was shocked to be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

“THAT’S WHY I CHOOSE TO PRACTICE AT ST. JOSEPH’S/CANDLER.” Dr. Michael Chahin - Medical Oncologist

He was admitted to the hospital and underwent procedures to relieve a blocked bile duct and remove part of his pancreas and small intestine. Billy then began adjuvant chemotherapy under the care of Dr. Michael Chahin, using the FOLFIRINOX regime. Determined to treat the cancer without neglecting Billy’s quality of life, Dr. Chahin encouraged him to resume golfing during his chemo. Working with a multidisciplinary oncology team who shares this patient-centric philosophy is why Dr. Chahin chooses to practice at St. Joseph’s/Candler – where world class care is par for the course.

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J A N UA R Y/ F E B R UA R Y 2 0 2 6

Taste

CONTENTS

ON THE COVER Kati Ann Wright, her son, Talmadge, and their dog, Poppy, enjoy a winter’s day at Landings Harbor Marina. Photography by Tiffany Bradley

A DA M KU E HL

82 82

COUPLES WHO SLAY Peek into the lives of five of Savannah’s power couples. Written by Paula Magrini // Photography by Adam Kuehl

ON THE ROAD Get started planning a year’s worth of weekend getaways with our roundup of 12 fab festivals. Written by Leanna Woodward

FUZZY LOVE STORIES The stories of four Savannahians who opened their hearts and homes to animals in need. Written by Mary Cornetta // Photography by Angela Hopper-Lee

JA N UA R Y/ F EB R UA R Y 2 0 2 6

CONTENTS

IN EVERY ISSUE 10 41 152

Editor’s Letter The Arts The Afterword: Family “Fun” Night

BUZZ 21 29 31 37

New in 912 Calendar Old Savannah: Midcentury’s Moment Giving Back: Out of the Darkness

STYLE 51 54 58 63

My Savannah: Kati Ann Wright Shopping: Thrill of the Hunt Polished: The Power of Brows At Home: A Calming Canvas

TASTE 109 116

Shared Roots, Stronger Savannah Chef Q&A: Dan Witwer of The Darling Oyster Bar

EDUCATION 119 128

Leadership Lessons School Charts

BE WELL 137 142

The Wearable Heart Building Resilience

SEEN 147 149

150

Historic Savannah Foundation Gala Habitat for Humanity Home for the Holidays Gala Downtown Design District Holiday Walk Savannah Newcomers Club Tea Party Dîner en Blanc Flannery O’Connor Peacock Party The Art of the Character Opening Night

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTIONS 103 121

SAVANNAHMAGAZINE.COM

Vetting the Experts: Profiles of area veterinarians School Smarts: Profiles of area schools

DISCOVER THE COUNTRY DAY DIFFERENCE. The Savannah Country Day School promises a transformative experience where students embrace a multitude of opportunities both in and out of the classroom. Our talented faculty combine the best in traditional and innovative education to help students reach their fullest potential while always treasuring each child’s energy, enthusiasm, and creativity. Learn more about why Niche.com ranked Savannah Country Day as the #1 Private School in Savannah by touring our campus and classrooms.

Discover The Country Day Difference at savcds.org/admissions.

Serving ages six weeks through twelfth grade

EDITOR’S LETTER

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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 70% off the newsstand price, go to savannahmagazine.com or call 800.453.1049.

KATHERIN E IVES PHOTOG RA PHY

IN THIS ISSUE, LOVE IS IN THE AIR. Now, before you start rolling your eyes and picturing gaudy satin boxes of drugstore chocolate, bear with me. Because love comes in many forms. Take, for example, our story on couples who are not only romantic life partners, but also work together in business. Now, many of us are in relationships where we can’t take a car trip together without fussing at each other, never mind running a multimillion-dollar business. So how do these power couples balance love and work? Find out in “Couples Who Slay, Play, and Stay Together” on page 82. In case you are wondering about the swanky setting the couples were photographed in, that’s the Springfield Library and The Charlton Room, both in the new coworking space The MalinSavannah. The Malin’s decor and hospitality are all top notch, and if you haven’t yet been in for a tour or to try a day pass, definitely check it out. Our crew had so much fun working with the couples featured in the story and seeing how they interact with each other. Sookie is If your family a devoted vegetarian. includes a pet, you know how strong the love can be between a human and an animal companion. “Fuzzy Love Stories” on page 98 shares the heartwarming ways people first bonded with their rescue pets — including a literal rescue of a kitten during a house fire. In my family, we have three rescued guinea pigs — Sookie, Boo, and Millie — who provide us with legit joy. They sleep and like to eat 20 times a day … I think they are my spirit animal. Caring for the community is another way to show love, and writer Kiki Dy brought us two wonderful examples of love in action. In “Out of The Darkness,” on page 37, she covers the 10th anniversary of Dining in the Dark, the annual fundraiser for Savannah Center for Blind and Low Vision. And in “Shared Roots, Stronger Savannah” on page 109, Dy connects the dots between some of the local food producers and area chefs, revealing a supportive web of growers and doers that is vitally important to our community’s health.

In “Thrill of the Hunt” on page 54, we got a behind-the-scenes tour of the new location of Picker Joe’s Antique Mall and Vintage Market. Owner Jim Plumlee has so much passion for what he does, and his gratitude and excitement about opening in a new, bigger space were contagious. Plumlee notes that for many of Picker Joe’s customers, it’s an escape, a place to go for a little “me time” away from the cares of the world. We joked that in addition to architectural salvage and vintage collectibles, the store offers mental health support. We’ve covered familial love, marital love, pet love, community love. So what if you want an old-fashioned hot date with your sweetheart? I’d recommend some oysters on the half shell. Read our Q&A with Dan Witwer, chef at the Savannah outpost of The Darling Oyster Bar, which has its original restaurant in Charleston. It’s the perfect spot to cozy up for a dinner à deux. What shall you toast to? To love, of course.

Kathryn Drury Wagner Editor in Chief

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3rd grade ﬁeld trip to Tybee Oyster Company

The St. Andrew’s Advantage: Where Learning Is An Adventure! What if curiosity lead the way and learning had no limits? Take third grade, instead of simply studying coastal ecosystems from a textbook, our students partner with Tybee Oyster Company and the E.C.O. team to become real scientists. They venture into the marsh, collect samples, test water quality, and discover how oysters help keep our coast healthy. Back at school, they feed phytoplankton, explore oyster anatomy, design ﬁltration models, and share their discoveries like budding marine biologists. Every day, our teachers design learning that’s hands-on, meaningful, and full of “wow” moments — the kind that make students eager to ask the next question. With Savannah’s incredible natural environment as an extension of our campus, the classroom expands far beyond four walls. At St. Andrew’s, learning is joyful. It’s connected. It’s alive.

Come see how your child can learn with conﬁdence — and love every minute of it.

St. Andrew’s is an International Baccalaureate World School inspiring young people age 3 - grade 12 in Savannah, GA. For more information, visit saslions.com. 601 Penn Waller Rd. Savannah, GA 31410 | 912.897.4941

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wishing you an exceptional 2026

PUBLISHER

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Start the Year with Savannah’s Best GI Care More Providers. More Access. Same Trusted Team.

Elizabeth Craig, DO

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Pooler | Richmond Hill | Savannah

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At The Center for Digestive & Liver Health, we’re growing to better serve you. With more providers and expanded access across Savannah, Pooler, and Richmond Hill, getting expert GI care has never been easier. We’re proud to welcome Nin Gutierrez, PA-C, our newest addition to the team, as she joins Elizabeth Craig, DO, and Josie Francis, PA-C, as the newest faces in GI care. Together, they bring compassionate, patient-centered expertise to every visit. From routine screenings to complex digestive care, trust the region’s leading GI specialists to help you feel your best in the new year.

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DOWNTOWN SAVANNAH LISTINGS 1 East Gordon Street 2 Units Remaining 2 East Perry Lane Condos: Units A, B & C $6,995,000 20 West Taylor Street $5,975,000 232 East Broughton Street $5,200,000 109 West Liberty Street $4,550,000 14 East Taylor Street $4,500,000 3 East Gordon Street $3,750,000 25 West Perry Street $3,245,000

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S AVA N N A H

Taste

BUZZ

New in 912

AN DR E W C EBU L KA

Vicious Biscuit’s Flame Thrower

Have mercy! The offerings at Vicious Biscuit (7400 Abercorn St., Unit 521) include massive breakfast creations like the Flame Thrower, Fat Boy, and Hen Solo. In addition to the biscuits, diners can enjoy items like beignets, shrimp and grits, and mimosas made with fresh-squeezed orange juice. Healthier breakfast options and a gluten-free menu can be found, too. The restaurant offers takeout as well as indoor and outdoor seating and is the first in Georgia for the South Carolina-based brand.

JA N UA R Y/ F EB R UA R Y 2 0 2 6

BUZZ: NEW IN 912

In other pet news, the Kicklighter and Weathers families are soon opening The Dog Stop (782A King George Blvd.) The Dog Stop offers playtime-focused daycare, spa-style grooming, yearround overnight boarding, individualized training and enrichment activities, and a retail store with natural pet products. The owners also plan to support and sponsor dog adoption events and work with local shelters. Meanwhile, the pet daycare and boarding facility formerly called Catnip N Biscuits has been purchased by new owners and reimagined as Barkyard Daycare & Pet Hotel (2615 Skidaway Road). It offers dog daycare and boarding, cat villas, and grooming. After being purchased in June 2025 and reenvisioned by new owner Marc Cohen, Fitness on Broughton (1 E. Broughton St.) has been refreshed — and has turned its lobby into a showcase area for local artists to display their works. New weekly fitness classes are also available. Daisy Bakes is a small-batch bakery run by Corinne Thompson, a New York native now sharing her unique cookie creations in Savannah. The signature cookie is just over a quarter pound and measures 4 to 5 inches wide, with sourdough and swirls of homemade caramel folded into rich dark chocolate chunks. Alongside that, Daisy Bakes offers one-of-a-kind flavors such as the bourbon-infused Bootleg Butterscotch, the highly addictive Pumpkin Spiced Latte, classic Tiramisu, and the newest dairy- and gluten-free Barefoot in Savannah, made with macadamia nut butter, oats, and dairy-free caramel. Find Thompson at daisybakeskitchen.com. The Keeping Up with the Joneses cookie by Daisy Bakes is a scrumptious combo of dark chocolate chunks, caramel swirl, and a sprinkle of sea salt.

SAVANNAHMAGAZINE.COM

CO UR TESY DA ISY B A KES

The Dog Stop

Miss Sophie’s, the restaurant at the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force (175 Bourne Ave.), is now owned and operated by Big Bon Bodega founder Kay Heritage and partner/ executive chef Shahin Afsharian. The restaurant will serve a full Southern-inspired menu daily, including favorites like fried chicken. The Savannah-Georgia Convention Center Authority and Hilton have broken ground on the 444-room Signia by Hilton Savannah. Expected to debut in mid-2028, it will serve as the convention center’s headquarters hotel, with a huge ballroom and an outdoor pool. There will also be five food and beverage outlets, including a signature bar, a chef-driven restaurant, and an upscale grab-and-go market. And if you have not yet noticed, there are three new hybrid ferries shuttling people back and forth from the convention center to downtown. North of Forsyth Antiques and Design (402 Bull St.) is a collective of vendors offering fine antiquities, handwoven Oriental rugs, original works of art, and Southern Victorian furniture. The collective also provides services such as appraisals, home staging, interior design, and, for those seeking to complete a special collection, sourcing and restoration services. Need a spot for a picnic or playdate? The Town of Thunderbolt has renovated W. E. Honey Park (2450 Mechanics Ave.). The public space along the Wilmington River now features a fully redesigned playground area with a cute pirate ship theme and updated picnic facilities in addition to a dock, pavilion, and restrooms. Knack Studio in the Starland District has acquired Stump Plants (1612 Bull St.), turning it into Studio C. Pop by for tropical trees, succulents, cacti, air plants, and more in addition to handmade

COU R TESY THE DOG ST OP

Pooler is getting a state-of-the-art specialty and emergency veterinary hospital from Live Oak Veterinary Specialists. Groundbreaking on the hospital (102 San Drive) was in November. The new 11,000-square-foot facility is slated to open later this year and will expand Live Oak’s existing neurology and cardiology services to include internal medicine, surgery, emergency and critical care, and additional specialties. Live Oak’s Dr. Jason King notes the hospital will have indoor and outdoor exam rooms; a dedicated triage room for emergencies; advanced diagnostic imaging, including CT and MRI; minimally invasive surgery and endoscopy suites; and a fully equipped ICU.

BUZZ: NEW IN 912

ceramics and rotating art projects. Studio A (106 E. 40th St.) remains Knack’s home studio for artist members and wheel throwing classes and is not generally open to the public. Studio B (108 E. 40th St.), however, has walk-in hours for glazeyour-own pottery as well as glass and clay workshops and is home to the kids summer camp.

Athens-based honey and bee-themed shop Bear Hug Honey Co. has expanded into Savannah with a shop in City Market (33 Jefferson St.). You’ll find local and international honeys, hand-poured beeswax candles, apparel, pottery, and home goods. Tempo by Hilton Savannah Historic District (220 E. Bryan St.) is located across from The Olde Pink House and has a tentative opening date of February. The property features 148 tech-forward guest rooms (including select rooms with Peloton bikes), the Bluestone Lane café, and the Waving Girl Rooftop Bar, a signature restaurant and bar offering sweeping views of the river and skyline. Offering tempting chocolates, fudge, and ice cream, Kilwins (205 W. Congress St. in Ellis Square) is new to Savannah, but it’s a company that has been around since 1947. The goodies are all made fresh in the shop. Coastal Table and Tales (408A Bull St.) is a foodie’s dream come true: It’s an entire bookstore dedicated to all things culinary. In addition to inspiring and best-selling cookbooks, look for workshops, cooking classes, book and baking clubs, author talks, and more, all with an eye to global foods and flavors. Work some of those tasty meals off at the Islands Family YMCA (66 Johnny

SAVANNAHMAGAZINE.C O M // 3 5 Y E A R S

The sultry late-night bar The Hot Eye is an intimate space underneath the Municipal Grand Hotel with room for about 50 people and a sexy decor featuring deep-red walls and smoky mirrors. The bar program includes unusual drinks like Crushed Vice, a tequila mai tai variation featuring corn and pasilla chiles. There’s also a wine list and a menu option called “The Hot Eye Afters” in case you suddenly need a room upstairs at the hotel. Now that’s a hot date night.

Mercer Blvd.) It broke ground on a major renovation and expansion that will include an interior makeover as well as a new 3,000-square-foot Optim Ortho Space rehab center. Dedicated studios for yoga and cycling are also planned. In addition, the center is introducing 24-hour fitness center access. Tybee Island resident Sandra Griffith has a debut novel coming out on Feb. 24. A coming-of-age psychological thriller taking place in Savannah, “One Beautiful Year of Normal” explores mother-daughter bonds, mental illness, and generational secrets — with ghosts of the past, both real and imagined.

KELLY CA LVILLO/MIDN IG HT A U TEU R

Also new to the Starland District, Garden Square Savannah (2400 Bull St.) offers a refreshing, vegetable-forward menu and unusual cocktails like the Little Caesar Martini with Parmesan- and anchovyinfused vodka. The venue has a courtyard as well as indoor seating, and as of press time, weekend brunch is in the works.

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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. THE COMPLETE OFFERING TERMS FOR THE SALE OF LOTS IN LATITUDE MARGARITAVILLE WATERSOUND ARE IN THE CPS-12 APPLICATION AVAILABLE FROM SPONSOR, LMWS, LLC. FILE NO. CP20-0062. Pennsylvania Registration Numbers OL001170 (Latitude Margaritaville at Hilton Head) and OL001182 (Latitude Margaritaville Watersound). Latitude Margaritaville at Hilton Head and Latitude Margaritaville Watersound are 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 2026. 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. 2026

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LOOP IT UP & MAGDALENE HOUSE Tuesday Feb. 3rd 4:30 p.m. - 7 p.m. with wine and lite hors d’oeuvres

Wednesday Feb. 4th 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Thursday Feb. 5th 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Marketat3WestRidge saintpeterssav.org | themarketat3westridge.com 3 West Ridge Road | Savannah, GA 31411

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All net proceeds including $5 charitable admission and 15% of vendor sales will benefit our two featured Savannah children’s charities.

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BUZZ: CALENDAR

In observance of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day there are several events taking place, including a citywide memorial worship service at First African Baptist Church of East Savannah (402 Treat Ave.) at 5 p.m. on Jan. 18. On Jan. 19 there is a parade at 10 a.m. and a 2 p.m. jazz concert at Unitarian Universalist Church (311 E. Harris St.).

FEB. 3–5

COU R TESY THA RROS PLA CE

Cocktails for Courage

JAN. 23

Raise a glass at Cocktails for Courage, benefiting Tharros Place. Enjoy a signature Courage Cocktail, hors d’oeuvres, live music, and a silent auction. The event starts at 5:30 p.m. at Oak 36 Bar & Kitchen (5500 Abercorn St., Suite 36).

FEB. 1-28

All month long, the 37th annual Savannah Black Heritage Festival presents performances, exhibits, and activities broadening the knowledge of and appreciation of African American contributions to the development of American history and culture. The festival kicks off Feb. 1 with “Down by

OUT & ABOUT

WITH SAVANNAH MAGAZINE We are proud to have partnerships with these organizations and events. Come join us!

Shop for apparel, home goods, and spring plants at the annual The Market at 3 West Ridge while benefiting two charities, Loop It Up and Magdalene House, that serve youth in need. The trunk show features vendors from around the U.S. and is hosted at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church (3 W. Ridge Road). Tuesday evening features wine, hors d’oeuvres, and early shopping opps. Purchase tickets at themarketat3westridge.com.

FEB. 5–25

Everard Auctions and Appraisals (2436 Waters Ave.) is gearing up for its Winter Southern Estates and Collections Auction. The auction starts Feb. 5, and a reception will be held 5–7 p.m. Feb. 17. Shoppers are welcome to browse the exhibition, which is open 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Feb. 18-20. The online bidding is Feb. 24- 25.

FEB. 7-8

Travel back to 18th-century Georgia at the Colonial Faire and Muster. This

Colonial Faire and Muster

C OU R T E SY G E OR G I A HI ST OR I C A L SOC I E T Y

the Riverside,” an opening libation and grounding ceremony. Other highlights include a presentation on banned books (5:30 p.m. Feb. 10 at The Senior Learning Center, 3025 Bull St.) and an annual Tracing Your Roots Workshop (11 a.m. Feb. 14 at the Bull Street Public Library, 2002 Bull St.). The festival’s website has a schedule of all the events, which are free of charge and open to all.

JAN. 18–19

Georgia Historical Society event (held 10 a.m.–4 p.m.) features colonialera cooking, dancing, crafts, and military demonstrations. Tickets are needed for Saturday, while Sunday’s event is free.

FEB. 20

In an evening of hope and healing, the 12th annual Catie’s Gathering– Savannah supports CURE Childhood Cancer and its Catie’s Fund, which focuses on novel ways to fight cancer with individualized treatments based on each child’s genetic makeup. The event is held at Kehoe Ironworks.

FEB. 28

The Savannah Slithering Parade is turning 5 and has become a delightfully weird Starland District tradition. Look for more local musicians this year and an ever-growing number of parade participants dressed in costumes. Create your own krewe, make a lantern, and join in the fun!

FEB 6-7: The annual YMCA Critz Tybee Run Fest welcomes thousands of runners to Tybee Island for a one-of-a-kind event that features five races. Choose one, two, three, or all five. Complete them all, and you’ll have conquered the distance of a marathon. Savannah magazine is also creating a VIP Experience that includes a lounge featuring bottomless mimosas in a keepsake cup and sweet and savory nibbles from some of Savannah’s favorite businesses, like Party of Hive, The Savannah Cheese Straw Co., Starfish Home Bakery, Hale Tea Co., and more. Plus, receive a year’s subscription to Savannah magazine. Purchase the VIP Experience through the race add-on section on the online store, or scan the QR code here.

JA N UA R Y/ F EB R UA R Y 2 0 2 6

Darling Oyster Bar

Municipal Grand Hotel

www.lyncharch.com

Brochu’s Family Tradition

This midcentury modern bank building is now the Municipal Grand Hotel and Bar.

COU R TESY G EORG IA HISTORICA L SOCIETY

BUZZ: OLD SAVANNAH

Midcentury’s Moment An oft-overlooked style of architecture in our city, midcentury modernism has been taking the spotlight lately. Written by MARY FITZGERALD JA N UA R Y/ F EB R UA R Y 2 0 2 6

KELLY CA LVILLO/MIDN IG HT A U TEU R

BUZZ: OLD SAVANNAH

The original blue mosaic tile has been gloriously showcased in the Municipal Grand Hotel’s lobby bar.

MIDCENTURY MODERN is not the most widely recognized architectural style in Savannah, but it is a significant one, marking a pivotal chapter of change during the 1950s and ’60s. If you look around, you will see examples of this modernist movement throughout the city, realized in both commercial buildings and residential homes. Defined by clean lines, a minimalist sensibility, and the raw materiality of wood, stone, metal, and glass, this architectural style exemplifies modernism’s focus on form and function.

Endangered Spaces

During the post-World War II era of economic rebuilding, many of Savannah’s vacant and dilapidated buildings were leveled and replaced with modern structures. While some remarkable properties were lost — including the original Victorian-style DeSoto Hotel, which was demolished in 1966 and rebuilt

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in the midcentury modern style in 1968 — this period ultimately helped ignite Savannah’s preservation movement. “Savannah’s robust historic preservation efforts were born out of the development pressures and demolition of the mid-20th century,” notes Collier Neeley, president and CEO of the Historic Savannah Foundation. Today, midcentury modern architecture is facing a similar threat of extinction. “We’ve recently lost buildings at the corner of Whitaker and West Park Avenue,” says Neeley, “and will soon lose the Seabolt Realty offices, too.” [Located on Oglethorpe Avenue, the building has been approved for demolition.] But there are still notable examples of midcentury modern design to be seen and appreciated in Savannah, including Levy Jewelers and Savannah College of Art and Design’s Jen Library on Broughton Street; Drayton Tower on Liberty Street; the Sears building on Henry Street; and

the Thunderbird Inn and the Oglethorpe House (formerly the Downtowner Motor Inn and now a SCAD dorm) on Oglethorpe. The Civic Center is another example, though it is slated for significant renovation and redevelopment. Savannah architect Andrew Lynch, whose firm has been instrumental in restoring many midcentury landmarks, notes the importance of saving the modern style and preserving its place in history. “It shows the progression of architecture in the city from the more historic architecture to a more modern methodology,” he says. “To me, the juxtaposition of the midcentury architecture against the more historic architecture in town makes it that much more distinctive.” But he acknowledges that not all buildings can be saved, especially if they have been significantly altered over the years or have fallen into total disrepair.

BUZZ: OLD SAVANNAH

One recent success story is the Municipal Grand Hotel and Bar, first repurposed from a bank to a city office building before its current iteration as a boutique hotel. Located on the corner of Broughton and Abercorn streets in Savannah’s National Historic Landmark District, the thoughtfully designed Municipal Grand opened in July 2025 and boasts six floors, 44 boutique-style rooms, a cocktail-driven lobby bar and restaurant, a rooftop pool and lounge, and an intimate subterranean cocktail den called The Hot Eye. The impressive transformation is befitting of the building’s unique architecture and storied history. Originally designed by Levy & Kiley — a prominent Savannah architectural firm known for its modernist work — the building opened its doors in 1961 as the First Federal Savings and Loan Association. In 1991, the City of Savannah purchased the former bank to be used for municipal offices but sold it off as “surplus property” in 2018. The current owner, hospitality group Midnight Auteur, acquired the property in 2022 and assembled a team of design professionals to restore the building’s midcentury character. Lynch Associates Architects of Savannah served as the architect of record, while AAmp Studio — based in Portland, Maine, and Toronto, Ontario — led the interior design. AAmp had already collaborated on several other projects with the hospitality brand, including the Ramble Hotel in Denver and Death & Co. locations across the United States. Ward Architecture + Preservation, local preservation specialists, handled the National Park Service certification and tax credit process. [The National Park Service is the federal agency that issues a certification verifying the rehabilitation meets all preservation best practices.] Describing the building as “very modernist and quite composed,” Anne-Marie Armstrong, principal and co-founder of AAmp Studio, highlights the prototypical elements of granite, concrete, tile, and glass on the facade and interior finishes of terrazzo flooring, brushed aluminum railings, and wood veneer wall treatments. During the restoration, blue mosaic tile was uncovered on the lobby columns and mezzanine half walls; it had been concealed beneath beige vinyl laminate. That tile is now celebrated as an integral part of the overall design. “We were really cognizant not to repeat details but to honor them and to be in conversation with them,” says Armstrong

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PHOTOS B Y KELLY CALV IL L O/ M I DN I G HT A U T E U R

A High-Profile Example

of their material selections. AAmp Studio co-founder and principal Andrew Ashey explains that in order to be compliant with National Park Service rules, “anything we did to the building that was new couldn’t outright mimic, replicate, or be in conflict with what was already there.” The team salvaged and preserved as many of the features of the building’s banking days as possible, including walnut teller counters and the original bank depository and vaults. “Midcentury design is extremely rectilinear,” says Ashey, meaning it relies heavily on straight lines. To temper the hard surfaces and create a more welcoming atmosphere, the designers introduced warm velvets, curvaceous banquettes, and a crescentshaped bar in the lobby restaurant/bar. Upstairs on the guest floors, the designers had more freedom for fixture and furnishing selections and opted for a moody, modern vibe: graphic carpeting, a soft color palette of blush and green, arched walnut millwork, wood-and-velvet headboards, and handmade Moroccan tile and red marble for the bathrooms. As with any adaptive reuse project, there were obstacles, especially while repurposing an office space into a hotel. Lynch notes that some of the biggest challenges were things you won’t see. The building wasn’t code compliant for today’s standards, so new elevators and shafts and a secondary egress were installed. All the major systems — HVAC, electrical, and plumbing — had to be replaced without disturbing historic details. Adding a pool on the rooftop required structural reinforcement and a set-back placement so as not to disrupt existing site lines from the street. The collaborative team succeeded in preserving the integrity of the building’s midcentury design, demonstrating a deep respect for the original architects, the history of the building, and the community. Levy & Kiley would likely be pleased with this latest iteration, which continues carrying their vision forward into a new era.

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BUZZ: GIVING BACK

Turning 10 this year, the annual Dining in the Dark event helps fund the Savannah Center for Blind and Low Vision’s fascinating work.

OUT of the

DARKNESS Written by KIKI DY Photos courtesy SAVANNAH CENTER FOR BLIND AND LOW VISION

SPLATTERS, STAINS, AND AWARENESS. These are typical souvenirs from Dining in the Dark, the Savannah Center for Blind and Low Vision’s 10-year-running fundraiser. “It gets messy,” says Lois Modell, executive director of SCBLV. “You think you’re pouring wine — but no, that was salad dressing … and it’s on your shirt.” Held in January, Dining in the Dark is anchored by a three-course meal served in complete darkness, offering a low-stakes glimpse of the challenges that people with vision limitations face every day. The view through night vision goggles of SWAT team members who lead guests to their tables

JA N UA R Y/ F EB R UA R Y 2 0 2 6

BUZZ: GIVING BACK

“After losing your vision, tasks like cooking or even walking become very dangerous,” says Modell. “Many of us take our capabilities for granted.” After the Savannah SWAT team (which use night vision goggles to serve the dinner) clears the final course, light and sight return for many of the 400plus attendees. For individuals like Omari Blake, who has participated with SCBLV for two years, the lights don’t come back on, but their place settings tend to be the cleanest. That’s a mark of the center’s efficacy. An average of 400 people per year go through tailored, goal-guided programs, leaving them feeling confident and capable. That split second between light and darkness might seem like the event’s own embellishment, but it’s an accurate reflection of how fast people can lose their vision. “A lot of times, you’re not born blind; you become blind or visually impaired,” says Modell. People can lose their vision from a car accident, through diabetes, or any number of circumstances. As Modell speaks with me, she is standing in front of her favorite of the many impressive art pieces at the center: a grouping of 25 metal-stamped hands that form the centerpiece of the line-of-sight and mobility training sidewalk. The handprints belong to past residents — people whose stories span decades and counties. For Blake, SCBLV’s history of success could only allay so many concerns. “When I lost my vision, I constantly wondered what tomorrow would yield,” he recalls. “It wasn’t until I became a client and joined the peer support group that I saw the way forward and could fully rid myself of those intrusive thoughts.” Blake’s journey from doubt to independence is another chapter in SCBLV’s six-decade story. SCBLV, one of only three accredited vision rehabilitation programs in the state, has been empowering the community since

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1963. “We were founded independently by a group of blind men that sort of started to do their own thing back in 1963, and it just grew and grew,” says Modell, who has been with the center for 14 years. Today, the center’s impact is impressive thanks to events like Dining in the Dark. The donations raised help support SCBLV’s programs throughout the year, such as free vision screenings for underserved communities. These screenings bridge a critical gap: Cost is the main inhibitor keeping the 40% of U.S. adults at high risk for vision loss from the eye exams they need. Beyond medical care, the center helps residents build skills so they can live full, healthy lives. From necessities like grief counseling, cooking courses, and job placement assistance to fun activities such as skiing, SCBLV supports residents long after they graduate. Blake, for example, still attends

the support group and works as a paid consultant helping others master Meta smart glasses, one of the many modern linchpins (like air fryers and Uber) that are useful for the vision-impaired community. Meta smart glasses pair with smartphones, allowing wearers to be able to tap into the phone’s location tracking and internet features. Wearers could, for example, head into a grocery store and tell the glasses, “I’m looking for Hellmann’s mayonnaise.” And the glasses can then say, “Hellmann’s mayonnaise is in aisle 7, 20 feet to your left.” For Blake, the best feature of Meta smart glasses is the hands-free, first-person video call capability. “The feature provides a connection to services like Be My Eyes for human assistance via volunteers,” he shares. Knowing support is just seconds away removes a layer of complication when stepping out into the world. “Society often fails to identify the differences between the words disability and incapability,” Blake says. “Individuals with disabilities have limitations, but with accessibility aids and accommodations, we can do wonders.” The work that sharpens those wonders can be supported by attending Dining in the Dark on Jan. 29 at the Savannah Convention Center. Tickets are available at savannahcblv.org.

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ARTS

This artwork titled “elemental bundle” is by Betsy Cain, one of the artists participating in Ology Gallery’s “Eastside 11, Artists of the Victory Heights/Avondale Art Crawl” from Feb. 14 to March 21. Other artists at the show at 415 Bonaventure Road include Tony Artemisia, Maxx Feist, Mary Hartman, Isaac McCaslin, Christopher Moss, Will Penney, Rick Petrea, Dana Richardson, Matt Toole, and Eric David Wooddell. From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Feb. 21, the artists will host a public studio crawl, welcoming visitors to the studios in the Avondale and Victory Heights neighborhoods. You can find a map for this self-guided studio crawl on studiocrawl.wixsite.com/savannah or start at any artist’s studio and pick up a map there. Ology Gallery/Clayer & Co. will also have maps.

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ARTS

Experience the spellbinding artistry of guitarist Jesse Cook at District Live on Jan. 24. Renowned for blending flamenco, classical, jazz, zydeco, blues, and Brazilian samba, Cook creates a genre-defying tapestry of sound. With multiple albums charting in the Billboard Top 10 and a global fanbase built over three decades and thousands of concerts, his live performances are nothing short of transformative. Enjoy an evening of sacred music Jan. 25 at the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist as the Cathedral Choir unites with the Chancel Choir from Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church and the Cathedral Brass under the direction of revered composer Richard Webster. Then on Feb. 8, take in The Gesualdo Six, an award-winning British vocal ensemble consisting of some of the U.K.’s finest consort singers under the direction of Owain Park.

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“Apollo: The Age of Reason” by Richard Scott

“Savannah Figurative” opens Jan. 9 at Cute Tomatoes Gallery (218 E. 41st St.). Inspired by the Savannah Open Model initiative, “Savannah Figurative” includes realized work and process studies as well as work available for purchase. Every Saturday through Feb. 20, a different exhibiting artist will host a live drawing demonstration or a Q&A on their process beginning at 3 p.m. at the gallery. Follow @savannahopenmodel and @cute_tomatoes_gallery on Instagram to stay up to date on other events centered around the Savannah Open Model initiative.

C OU R T ES Y C UT I E TOM ATOES G A LLERY

ARTS Southeast is accepting applications for the Incubator Artist Initiative and the ON::View Residency. The Incubator Artist Initiative provides a local artist with a free studio at ARTS Southeast for one year, professional development and community engagement opportunities, and connectivity with visiting ON::View Artists-inResidence from around the world. Applications are due Jan. 12. The ON::View Residency supports artists from around the world by providing a free, high-visibility studio space to complete a new project, continue an in-progress endeavor, or conduct research. Housing is also provided. Deadline to apply for the June through September residency is Feb. 16. Find more information and applications at artssoutheast.org/ open-calls.

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ARTS

The third annual Savannah Black Art Expo will take place noon–4 p.m. Feb. 21 at the Otis S. Johnson Cultural Arts Center (201 Montgomery St.). Shop from local artists, watch live performances from local musicians, attend a fun workshop, and enjoy a variety of food trucks and concessions vendors. The event is free and open to the public, and all ages are welcome. Arkansas Delta painter Jane Bonady Brackin is the February featured artist at Montag Gallery at the Jewish Educational Alliance (5111 Abercorn St.). Brackin’s photography and printmaking backgrounds are reflected in her tight compositions reminiscent of the Japanese influence on the Impressionists. She strives for an expressive realism, showing her viewers her love for the natural world. To help welcome Brackin to her first Savannah show, her paintings will be accompanied by work from local artists, including Anna Ottum, Peter Roberts, and Parker Stewart. An opening reception will take place 2–4 p.m. Feb. 1.

Get your tote bag ready! The 2026 Savannah Book Festival is Feb. 5-8. The four-day festival’s bookends include opening night headliner Sean Dietrich and the closing address by Leigh Bardugo. Dietrich is a columnist, humorist, multi-instrumentalist, and stand-up storyteller known for his commentary on life in the American South. Bardugo is the No. 1 New York Times bestselling author of “Ninth House” and the creator of the Grishaverse (now a Netflix original series) that spans “Shadow and Bone” trilogy, the “Six of Crows” duology, and more. In between, enjoy the festival’s meet-and-greets, readings, food trucks, panel discussions, and plenty of opportunities for book shopping. On second thought, bring two tote bags.

“Sufferin’ ’Til Suffrage” by Tamara Garvey

Coming to Johnny Mercer Theatre on Feb. 26, “TINA – The Tina Turner Musical” is an inspiring biographical stage production charting Turner’s journey from her humble beginnings in Nutbush, Tennessee, to becoming a rock/ pop legend. Set to the soundtrack of her most beloved hits, the production touches on how Turner broke racial and gender barriers, achieving worldwide fame and earning the title of Queen of Rock ’n’ Roll. An exhibition of work by Panhandle Slim (Scott Stanton) is on view through March 31 at Savannah State University’s Asa H. Gordon Library (2200 S. Tompkins Road). It connects Panhandle Slim’s community-centered work with the legacy of Virginia and Calvin Kiah, two trailblazing educators and artists whose home became one of Savannah’s first African American museums. Visitors are invited to reflect on how everyday people and local heroes shape the narratives of place and purpose through their creativity.

SAVANNAHMAGAZINE.C O M // 3 5 Y E A R S

Gallery 2424 (2424 Drayton St.) presents “The Winter of our Discontent,” a solo exhibition of work by Savannah-based artist Tamara Garvey that pairs spoken and written statements from women responding to disparaging political statements with paintings of the Log Lady from the David Lynch show “Twin Peaks.” The exhibition runs Jan. 30–Feb. 21.

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A Little Fate, A Lot of Clay Savannah is home to nationally renowned sculptor Susie Chisholm, who creates lifelike sculptures of special people. Written and photographed by LESLIE MOSES

YOU’VE PROBABLY SEEN the statue “The Runner,” memorializing athlete and community advocate Julie Backus Smith, at Lake Mayer Park’s entrance. You may not know, though, much about the artist behind it: Savannah’s own Susie Chisholm. Chisholm, primarily a portrait sculptor, is one of only two National Sculpture Society fellows from Georgia, and one of only 112 nationwide. The waitlist for Chisholm to make a piece runs about five years, and each sculpture, made in bronze and weighing up to 500 pounds, takes around a year to create. Chisholm’s statues can be found around the nation. She has three in Summerville, South Carolina, alone. In addition to “The Runner,” in Savannah, her sculptures include depictions of Gunnery Sgt. Roy Strickland at Hospice Savannah; Maj. Gen. Frederick L. Anderson Jr. at the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum, Robert Demere at Islands YMCA, and Johnny Mercer in Ellis Square. Her smaller local pieces have appeared in local galleries such as Reynolds Square Fine Art Gallery and at Four Corners Fine Art and Framing in Bluffton, South Carolina, and have sold to people around the world, including in England and Australia. Did she envision doing such work in her early days of sculpting in the late 1990s? “Absolutely not,” Chisholm says. In fact, if it weren’t for an ad in the Savannah Morning News, she might never have become a sculptor. But Chisholm believes in fate.

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Although her sculpting career began when she was at midlife, Chisholm’s early life did have echoes of her future destiny. As a girl visiting the New York World’s Fair in 1964, Chisholm was mesmerized by a visiting piece, Michelangelo’s famous marble Pietà, which is now in St. Peter’s Basilica. Young Chisholm returned to stand in front of the sculpture again and again. “I was just absolutely fascinated with it,” she says. Her parents, a homemaker mom and a detail-loving architect father, didn’t discourage her from a life in art. She earned a degree in graphic design from the University of Georgia and designed everything from bags of cat food to billboards. She even created a mouth exhibit for children to walk into, called “You are What You Eat,” for Savannah’s former science museum on Paulsen Street (that museum closed in 1998). But one day, at age 45, Chisholm spotted that newspaper ad about a sculpting class being conducted by the City of Savannah, and the rest is history. After the sculpting class, Chisholm checked out all 23 books on sculpting from the Bull Street Library and read every single one during a car trip on vacation with her husband, Billy. She thinks that if she had taken that first class in her 20s as opposed to her 40s, she wouldn’t have plunged into the discipline. But by then, her three children were older, and she was ready. “I totally jumped into this, both feet,” she says.

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Chisholm works on commission, often doing life-size pieces — or sometimes “life and a half” size figures — and always starting in clay and finishing in bronze. Her upstairs studio is nearly surrounded with clay pieces that her calico cat Zoey sometimes “helps” sculpt. Chisholm just lightheartedly repairs it. She starts with a tabletop-sized piece of clay to work out the details. Will the smiling boy with outstretched arms for a children’s hospital stand on a ladder? How high? What direction should he face? Will he wear a cape? Then she makes every piece nude to get fixed points like wrists and elbows right. Then there’s Chisholm’s favorite part: dressing a piece. Details of buttons or the flow of fabric wrinkles are not toilsome to her. “It’s fun to me,” she says. All the while she’s “tooling” the oil-based clay with a utensil that looks like a stick with a small lasso on one end. It has barely visible “teeth” in the lasso part. She’ll spend six months to a year working on a piece in clay before it goes to an Atlanta foundry, which casts the clay sculpture into bronze. The process from clay to bronze follows a series of molds, and eventually bronze is heated to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit and poured into a ceramic shell mold. Then that mold is removed when the bronze cools, and the bronze color is perfected. Chisholm researches her subjects deeply, reading any book available on the person she will be creating a sculpture of, interviewing relatives and friends, and studying photos and items associated with the person. “You have to put a personality in there,” she says. When Chisholm made Revolutionary War hero Gen. Nathanael Greene, for example, she paid a Greene reenactor to fly roundtrip to Savannah and serve as a model because he had the proper uniform. Relatives of people she’s sculpting understand her level of research and empathy. One woman cried seeing her dad’s likeness in clay in Chisholm’s studio. The person represented is often deceased, and yet in a way, the sculptures almost become friends to Chisholm, who has been known to hug the final product. “I know them,” she says, simply.

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The Wright Stuff Real estate whiz Kati Ann Wright makes the most of living in our beautiful coastal city. Written by K ATHRYN DRURY WAGNER // Photography by TIFFANY BRADLEY

JA N UA R Y/ F EB R UA R Y 2 0 2 6

STYLE: MY SAVANNAH

ORIGINALLY FROM TENNESSEE, Realtor Kati Ann Wright has become a well-known, vibrant Savannahian. She leads The Wright Group, an all-female team serving the needs of clients both locally and nationally. Wright lives on Skidaway Island in The Landings, enjoying its natural beauty and relaxed way of life, and is the proud mama to 6-year-old son, Talmadge. We asked her about a few of her favorite places and things to do in Savannah, when she’s not busy helping people land their dream home.

“This is a city where traditions and honoring heritage matter, unique history and architecture surround you, and people still live by the tides.” — Kati Ann Wright

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE SAVANNAH AS A PLACE TO LIVE? Savannah is special — there’s really no place quite like it. What I love most about our city is the way it makes people feel. This is a city where traditions and honoring heritage matter, unique history and architecture surround you, and people still live by the tides. WHAT PART OF TOWN DO YOU RESIDE IN AND WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THAT AREA? Skidaway Island is surrounded by the Intracoastal Waterway and marshes while maintaining the integrity of the nature preserve and wildlife. The amenities in our neighborhood are unlike any other in the area. Whether you want to golf, boat, swim, play pickle ball, tennis, bocce ball, or fish, The Landings offers it all. We love being able to hop on the golf cart — which my son now believes is a main source of transportation — and go on island adventures. Watching the herons and sunsets are simply breathtaking. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE NEW RESTAURANTS YOU’VE TRIED LATELY AND LIKED? I love oysters, so The Darling Oyster Bar is top on my list, as well as Ele Tran’s latest restaurant, Sunday Sunday. WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE THINGS TO DO WITH YOUR SON? Talmadge and I love being outdoors together. When I’m not selling houses, I am with family. You can find us fishing,

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hunting for crabs in the muddy marsh, riding bikes on the island, and our personal favorite activity, crabbing.

Thomas are Clutter’s founder/owners.] I have filled my home with one-of-a-kind pieces from here over the years.

YOU ALSO MENTIONED ENJOYING SPENDING TIME AT THE BEACH. Could there be a more relaxing place? Year-round, there is nothing better than savoring a good book in a beach chair while listening to the waves crash.

WHAT ARE A FEW OF YOUR OTHER FAVORITE PLACES TO SHOP? I love to shop small and support smallbusiness owners. Hannah E.: She not only is a fabulous stylist, but can make anyone feel their best after one conversation. Gaston Crue Interiors has beautiful home furnishings and antiques. The Paris Market & Brocante feels like a true glimpse into a shop in Paris while being in downtown Savannah. And The Horseshoe Crab and The Monogram Place is an easy pop-in for a small gift for any occasion

WHAT IS YOUR IDEA OF A PERFECT DAY IN SAVANNAH? A day filled with family and friends at the beach followed by dinner at The Wyld. ONE OF SAVANNAH’S HIDDEN GEMS, IN YOUR OPINION, IS … Clutter Furnishings & Interiors. It’s high-end home furnishing consignments. I love being able to walk into Lynn and Brooke’s shop and find something unique unlike anything else you will find in Savannah. [Lynn Rahn and Brooke Rahn

WHEN IT’S TIME TO PAMPER YOURSELF, YOU … Turn off my phone and either sneak away for a walk outside, an indoor cycling class — or take a vacation!

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STYLE: SHOPPING

The soda fountain has been rebuilt on the mezzanine level of the new Picker Joe’s location.

Thrill of the Hunt Picker Joe’s Antique Mall and Vintage Market has moved to a new location, but don’t worry — there is still something for everyone. Written by K ATHRYN DRURY WAGNER // Photography by DANIEL WHITE

JIM PLUMLEE’S EMAIL has been blowing up lately. The founder/CEO of Picker Joe’s Antique Mall and Vintage Market receives an ever-growing flow of inquiries from customers anxious to know if the new location is ready. For Plumlee, it’s confirmation that he’s doing the right thing. It took guts to close down the previous — and nationally recognized — Picker Joe’s location on 41st Street in April 2025 and renovate a

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whole building as its new home. It’s at 66 W. Montgomery Cross Road, formerly home to Summit Gymnastics. At the time of this writing, the build-out, which began in August 2025, was nearing completion, but an official opening date had yet to be set. Scuba Shack is staying on as a commercial tenant in the center of the building, and the front of the building will eventually be leased out, with the whole structure being renamed as Picker Joe’s Plaza.

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STYLE: SHOPPING

Plumlee says that 99% of his pickers — the vendors who source items and curate them for their booth areas — have come with him to the new location, though he’s also adding 15 to 18 new pickers to the mix. “Picker Joe’s is, like our tagline says, an experience like no other,” Plumlee says. “The magic of it is the diversity of items we have. We have 65 professional pickers from all over the country. When I opened the first store, I didn’t want to duplicate what anyone else was doing. You can take stuff and stick it in a box in the store, and it’s not going to be the same. It’s about the environment.” Plumlee is careful to partner with pickers who specialize in a certain type of item, “so it’s not a hodgepodge of things,” he says. Customers range from professional designers in search of movie props and homeowners seeking architectural salvage to buses full of tourists. “It’s the story behind the items,” says Plumlee of his success. “The feeling people get, the smile that it puts on people’s faces. In this day and age, you’re spending money on stuff like a set of tires you don’t want. You come in here, you can just let go and go back in time. It’s a happy place for people where they can come in and unwind.” Christopher Shomo, the store manager, designed everything. Shomo, a Savannah College of Art and Design alumnus with degrees in architecture and computer art, has been with Picker Joe’s since it opened in 2015. The new space, originally 9,000 square feet, now has an added mezzanine, bringing Picker Joe’s to 12,000 square feet— and much to customers’ relief, there’s plenty of parking. Even with all that room, Plumlee says it was challenging “trying to do all that we want to do, to fit it into the footprint of the space.” He and his team have done most of the work themselves, with the exception of electrical and HVAC. When I visited, the wooden roof of a house-like structure was being constructed in the middle of the store, destined to become the main midcentury area for shoppers. Guests will be able to browse for more items and categories of items, says Plumlee, who also plans to expand the Picker Joe’s branded line, which currently includes soaps and candles. The cozy red soda fountain cafe, with coffee and ice cream treats, has been rebuilt on the mezzanine level. Throughout, the design is made to flow, so there are no dead ends for shoppers. “If you are thinking, ‘Now where was I?’ you might miss something,” Plumlee says. “It’s going to look incredible once everything is in place,” Plumlee adds with a smile. “This really is a dream come true.”

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SNAKES ON A PLANE The new Picker Joe’s location features playful touches shuch as a vintage seaplane and a replica of the old Savannah control tower. These are nods to Sky Pickers, an offshoot of Jim Plumlee’s main business. “Sky Pickers happened organically,” he says. “Aviation has been a big part of my life, and I have been flying since I was 15. So I combined my two passions: picking and flying.” Sky Pickers helps movie and TV productions quickly source hardto-find items for props or set design. “I’ll take our twin-engine plane, source [an item], and drop it off by either driving it to where it needs to go or flying it to them if it’s small enough,” Plumlee says. The vintage seaplane in the shop was featured in the film “Speed 2” with Sandra Bullock, and getting it to Savannah became like an action movie of its own. The plane had been on a lake and hadn’t flown in many years. Plumlee bought it, took it all apart, loaded it on the trailer, and put the struts into the back of his van. “We’d just turned onto the [Talmadge] bridge when my friend says, ‘Jim, don’t move. There’s a snake. By your head.’ I couldn’t even look.” He was worried the snake, dangling just to his left, might be a water moccasin about to bite him in the face. “I couldn’t pull over because we were on the bridge,” Plumlee says. “It was terrifying.” Thankfully for all of us vintage shoppers in Savannah, Plumlee was able to soon safely extricate the snake from the van and has lived to tell the tale.

STYLE: POLISHED

Advancements in permanent makeup have been raising eyebrows in the very best of ways. Written by LEANNA WOODWARD

IF IT FEELS LIKE everyone’s eyebrows suddenly look softer, fuller, and more polished, it’s not your imagination. Brow services — especially permanent makeup — have evolved dramatically in the past few years, moving far beyond the stark, blocky looks of the past. Morgan Smith, owner of The Brow Bar Savannah, says today’s brows are all about natural enhancement. “Brows frame the face and truly make women feel beautiful and confident,” she says. “They’re such an Morgan Smith important part of your expression.” According to Smith, fuller, soft, natural-looking brows are in demand. For anyone not ready to commit to tattooed brows, Smith recommends starting small. “Shape and tint is one lesser-known service people overlook,” she explains. “It’s a great alternative for those who aren’t

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PHOTOS COU R TESY THE B ROW B A R SAVA N N A H

The Power of Brows Morgan Smith, owner of The Brow Bar Savannah, with a client

ready to make the permanent commitment.” Because tint adheres to the hair, this option works best for clients who already have brow growth but just want more pigmentation. It typically lasts one to three weeks. Still, the biggest shift in brow trends centers on the rise of machine-based permanent makeup. Brow lamination, which lifts brow hairs upward for a fluffy, feathered look, remains in high demand, but powder brows and nano brows are quickly becoming the new standards. Both are done with a machine rather than a manual blade, and both heal into a soft, natural finish suitable for almost any skin type. “Powder brows especially are great for all skin types: oily, mature, or sensitive,” Smith says. “They’re perfect for anyone who fills in their brows daily.” Microblading, on the other hand, is more selective. “Microblading gives the look of hair-like strokes using a manual blade, and clients love it for the natural effect,” Smith explains. “But microblading is only great for normal to dry skin. It’s not ideal for oily or textured skin because strokes can blur over time.” Powder brows tend to heal more consistently and last longer, offering what many clients consider

to be a more polished look. Smith puts it simply: “Once people try powder brows, they usually don’t go back.” A large share of Smith’s clients come from the generation that overplucked in the ’90s and are now trying to restore what never quite grew back. “Women are hoping to achieve fuller and more symmetrical brows but still keep them as natural as possible,” Smith says, adding that perfect symmetry is a client expectation she frequently addresses. “Our faces aren’t symmetrical,” she says. “One side of your face may have stronger brow muscles, so setting realistic expectations from the start is a must.” While permanent makeup has become more accessible with more trained artists working in Savannah, it remains a premium service. “Expect to spend anywhere from $400 to $700,” Smith notes. But for many clients, especially those experiencing hair loss, the transformation is deeply emotional. “I’ve had clients going through chemo who come in hoping to feel a little more confident again,” she says. “The look and smile I see after their appointment is so rewarding. I love bringing joy and confidence to all my clients.”

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STYLE: AT HOME

A Calming Canvas Designer Kijrstjn Stahl used the principles of neuroaesthetics to turn her Skidaway Island home into a place to recharge. Written by MARY CORNET TA // Photography by TOBIN DAVIES

JA N UA R Y/ F EB R UA R Y 2 0 2 6

WHEN INTERIOR DESIGNER KIJRSTJN STAHL first stepped into the home she now calls her sanctuary in 2021, she felt an immediate pull. Built in 1997 and situated on a golf course in the Deer Creek neighborhood of The Landings, it was what she’d been searching for after relocating from the West Coast. “I was looking for a peaceful and quiet place to land, and I found this house,” she says. “It was exactly what I wanted.” There was one small problem: the entire interior was too dark. So Stahl, owner of Kijrstjn Anne Design, began redesigning, infusing every space with the calming, brain-based principles she’s built her work around. Specializing in neuroaesthetic design, she approaches her work with an understanding of how the brain responds to color, texture, and lighting. “When getting to know my clients, I learn if they have any neurodiversities, such as OCD or ADHD,” she explains. “I’ll be conscious of that when picking colors and fabrics.” Stahl’s path to Savannah weaves through years of remodeling, personal reinvention, and the discovery of the neuroscience behind beauty. After raising her three children, she dove headfirst into her post-divorce life by gutting and renovating a Washington state home over the course of two years. “It was very therapeutic!” she exclaims. It also led her to obtain a diploma in interior design. Her introduction to neuroaesthetics came later, prompting her to earn a certification from Science in Design. “It’s based on the brain and how our built environment affects how we feel, how we think, how we interact with the world,” Stahl explains. She notes that The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine now hosts a neuroaesthetic design center, one sign of how

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quickly the field is growing. After exploring the idea of staying on the West Coast and looking at homes in California and Arizona, it took only one visit to the Lowcountry to sway her. “It called to me,” says Stahl. Her Savannah home became both a personal healing project and a showroom. “I’ll have people over for cocktail parties, and it showcases what I can do,” she says. “They’ll ask, ‘Why does this feel so calming?’ and I’ll explain that it has to do with the colors and textures.” You can feel the shift as soon as you walk through the front door. The entryway opens to a living room ahead and a dining room to the right, each wrapped in soothing colors and natural textures that flow comfortably into one another. Stahl’s design philosophy is simple: “Do you want to be fastpaced and creative in your office? Then we’ll design the space for that. Do you need your kitchen to be calming? Then we’ll design it for that. Your home should be where you recharge and rejuvenate and get the healing you need from the day.” For example, in her dining room, a striated Farrow & Ball wallpaper sets the palette. One of its featured paint shades, Oval Room Blue, appears again in the tray ceiling, while another, Pointing, gives the molding a warm white glow. “Off-white is more calming than stark white,” Stahl explains. An elegant wooden-bead chandelier above the dining table and airy fabrics, including linen curtains, subtly ground the space. Many of the embroidered fabrics in her home come from designers she reveres, including Weitzner and Cowtan & Trout, whose floral print appears on the window valance and accents the chair pillows.

STYLE: AT HOME

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STYLE: AT HOME

Since biophilia — the instinctive connection between humans and nature — plays a significant role in neuroaesthetics, Stahl used it as a central theme of the living room. A hand-painted mural wallpaper depicting delicate trees washes an accent wall with pale blues, greens, and browns. The surrounding walls wear Skylight, a barely-there Farrow & Ball blue. She added a simple trellis from Home Depot inside the tray ceiling — an affordable way to add architectural texture — and lined the built-in bookshelves with grasscloth wallpaper. While much of her furniture comes from local stores such as Clutter Furnishings and Interiors and Tapley’s Mercantile and Antiques, some she buys new and tweaks to her liking. For instance, she had the sofa swathed in washable velvet, and she tacked on custom trim and fringe that are echoed in a nearby bouclé armchair. Greenery, both real and faux, abounds throughout the room, and a painting of a white heron hangs above the fireplace mantel. Just off the entryway, Stahl’s home office offers a different yet equally joyful color theme. Looking up, you’ll notice a shabby chic fan surrounded by a baby pink and white Farrow & Ball damask wallpaper. “I do a lot of ceilings,” she says. She considers it “the fifth wall, and I don’t like to neglect it.” The same pink was painted onto a built-in bookcase, whose custom knobs — rose quartz set in green patina petals — were custom made by Virginia-based company Modern Matter. Since she works seven days a week, Stahl desired a primary suite that felt distinct from the main living spaces and her office. Most walls wear SherwinWilliams’ Caviar, a striking shade of black. “This makes my brain stop thinking, and I can be quiet,” she says. The star of the room is Scalamandré’s Botany Bay, a pheasant-and-floral print that cascades across the accent wall, curtains, bedding, and pillows. In a corner near the window is her reading nook, inspired by a neuroaesthetic concept called prospect and refuge.

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STYLE: AT HOME

“If you imagine, years and years ago, people living in caves, the refuge part is about being safe in a cave. This room is my cave,” Stahl explains. “Prospect is when you would stand at the opening of the cave and you would see the land — you saw the river that was a source of water, you saw animals that you could kill and eat, you saw danger.” Her reading chair is a cozy, Eames-inspired piece that sits low to the ground and hugs the body. Artwork by Denver-based Angela Harris hangs nearby. Harris is one of Stahl’s favorite designers and the person who first introduced her to neuroaesthetics during a workshop. Natural textures are found in nearly every detail, from caning in the bedframe and a nearby bench to a soft, black blanket crafted from sheep fur by California designer JG Switzer. “I love to find great designers and artists and showcase their pieces,” says Stahl. As you head into the attached bath, she points out that she replaced all of the home’s hardware with crystal doorknobs. “Part of my stress is when things don’t match,” she says. “It drives me crazy.” The bedroom’s aesthetic flows into this space, with more Caviar paint and Botany Bay print, as seen on the curtains that flank the white freestanding tub. Inside the toilet closet, the wallpaper climbs from floor to ceiling. “You can use big print wallpaper in a small space,” says Stahl. The powder room down the hallway is another example: a dramatic junglescene wallpaper print called D-Dream from the London-based brand Iksel envelops four walls from the waist up. Stahl added a chair rail with caning and painted it in Benjamin Moore’s Mink, a deep brown hue. There are three pendant lights — one made of jute directly overhead and two made of metal flanking the vanity. They’re designed to mimic palm leaves and are green with burnt brown edges. Stahl deliberately hung them at varying heights to shift the eye. “It’s meant to offset the balance and highlight different parts of the mural wallpaper,” she explains. A round mirror rimmed in wicker completes the stunning scene.

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“Your home should be where you recharge and rejuvenate and get the healing you need from the day.” — Kijrstjn Stahl

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liza.dimarco@compass.com 611 East Bay St, Savannah GA CELL: 805-450-3795 OFFICE: 912-509-0441

An upstairs, loft-like guest suite

Since Stahl has three adult children who visit her in Savannah as often as they can, she made sure each of them had a space of their own. Two guest rooms live on the first floor, one of which she’s already designed with a mix of blues and tans, giving it a breezy, coastal feel. The second is mid-transformation into an earthy oasis with linen wallpaper, a unique wool ceiling treatment, and a swing chair. “Swinging is a motion that calms our nervous system,” she says. Both have ensuite baths, and the second’s renovation will include an arched glass-enclosed shower with pebble tile meant to feel like a cave — a nod to the refuge theory. Upstairs, a third guest suite channels lakeside comfort, a reminder to Stahl of her time vacationing in the Pacific Northwest. “I wanted this room to feel like a lodge,” she says. Beadboard wainscoting — rendered in hunter green in a specific hue that she designed and was custom mixed at Spectrum Paint — wraps the room. Above it, grasscloth wallpaper stamped with tiny green petals softens the loft-like layout. A window seat glows with natural light, overlooking palm trees and Spanish moss. The furniture is mostly a mix of antique and sentimental pieces that blend seamlessly together, and the bath continues both the vintage and nature themes with glossy, palm leaf shower tiles and an antique door from Picker Joe’s Antique Mall & Vintage Market. The kitchen, updated by the previous owners in 2013, still features cherrywood cabinetry, which Stahl finds “masculine and heavy.” She has plans to renovate, but according to her, “It works great, and there’s no reason to rip it out right now.”

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The powder room features a dramatic jungle-scene wallpaper print called D-Dream.

When great teams unite, exceptional results follow!

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3 Silver Bluff Retreat – $3,250,000

912-598-0500

Sellers Represented by Gus and Christy Moore Buyers Represented by Ginna Carroll and Jill Brooks

Interest-free financing available.

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STYLE: AT HOME

DETAILS Neighborhood: The Landings Year built: 1997 Year purchased: 2021 Timeline of renovation/ construction: Ongoing since purchase date Number of bedrooms: 4 Number of bathrooms: 4.5 Square footage: 3,700 Interior designer: Homeowner (she is the owner of Kijrstjn Anne Design) Builder/contractor: EZ Construction Kitchen appliances: Bosch, Electrolux, and Wolf Bathroom design: Kijrstjn Anne Design Fixtures: Sandpiper Supply; Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery

Stahl’s home office features built-in bookcases and a baby pink and white Farrow & Ball damask wallpaper.

It opens into a cozy family room that her children adore relaxing in when they’re in town. Tall windows wrap around an L-shaped sectional sofa, and a textured jute rug lines the floor. “It’s therapeutic to me, but it stresses my daughter out to walk on bumpy surfaces,” she says. “When I design for her, it has to be smooth surfaces!” It’s small details like this that Stahl takes into consideration for her clients. A seemingly insignificant area, like a hallway, matters just as much to her. “Every little space can be designed or decorated to calm our nervous system,” she explains. Currently, she’s choosing a piece of artwork and a chandelier to hang in the spot

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of the hallway that greets her as soon as she comes in from the garage. “I’ll do the same with my clients and say to them, ‘This can be a focal point, so what do you want this space to give you when you enter your home?’” Her home is now a place she enjoys with Huck, her 2-year-old Australian Labradoodle, and her children when they visit, whether it be relaxing in the family room or drifting through the Skidaway neighborhood on beach bikes or the golf cart. At every turn, Stahl’s home is proof that colors can comfort, textures can ground us, and the spaces we design can change how we feel inside them.

Furniture: Custom designs by Kijrstjn Anne Design, additional furniture from Restoration Hardware, Ralph Lauren, Clutter Furnishings and Interiors, and Tapley’s Mercantile and Antiques Upholstery: Phan Courg (in Savannah) Paint: Farrow & Ball, and custom color created at Spectrum Paint Wallpaper: Farrow & Ball, Schumacher, Lori Weitzner, Scalamandré, Thibaut, Iksel Tile/flooring: Garden State Tile, Savannah Surfaces Lighting: Pace Lighting Accessories: Clutter Furnishings and Interiors

Fabric: Locally, Sherry’s Honeypot Fabrics & More. National sources include Thibaut, Weitzner, Pollack, Scalamandré, Schumacher, and Cowtan & Trout

A C u r at e d C o l l e c t i o n o f M o d e r n , V i n ta g e a n d A n t i q u e H o m e D e c o r a n d F u r n i t u r e i n t h e H e a r t o f H i s t o r i c S a va n n a h 1 WEST JONES STREET | 912.228.8851 |

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SLAY, PLAY, & STAY COUPLES WHO

Together

PEEK INTO THE LIVE S OF SAVANNAH’S P OWER COUPLE S, B OTH ON THE JOB AND OFF. Written by PAULA MAGRINI // Photography by ADAM KUEHL Hair/makeup: DAWN ANGELET TI, L ALK A BEAUT Y CO . Wardrobe consultant/stylist: CRIT TER PIERCE // Location: THE MALIN SAVANNAH

IT'S NOT AS EASY AS IT MAY LOOK. Although these high-performing

duos appear calm, cool, and collected around the clock, they’re actually navigating a complex web of histories, hijinks, and hurdles that comes with the demands of having it all.

TODD & JAN WOMBLE S AVA N N A H LOGISTICS GROUP

ONE LAPTOP, FOUR TRUCKS, AND 20 YEARS of relevant experience. These elements were the ground floor of the freight logistics company Todd Womble dared to launch nine years ago along the Savannah River. When he shared this vision with his wife, Jan, she said, “Sounds good; you just need to make the same amount of money you’re bringing home now.” Jan’s wishes became Todd’s inaugural budget, and he didn’t disappoint. Fast forward to 2026, and his thriving business, Savannah Logistics Group (SLG), now operates 93 rigs, employs more than 60 team members — who all have laptops — and ranks among the top local freight companies. Their daily operations center around the Port of Savannah, where they retrieve, deliver, and store products ranging from raw rubber to flooring material, textiles, lumber, and more. As CEO of the $30 million enterprise, Todd recognizes the importance of company culture for his people-centric business. “We impact a lot of lives, and our employees need to feel a sense of responsibility for everyone in the supply chain, especially their coworkers,” he says. By appointing Jan as SLG’s chief people officer, the role that oversees HR and employee benefits, Todd not only elevated employee attitudes, but he also leveled up his own productivity as well. “She has a way with people,” he says. “She’s genuinely beautiful inside and out and is quick to positively influence our team.”

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Todd and Jan agree they work better together, which is about 90% of the time. When they have to divide and conquer, they’re anxious to reconnect. Jan describes her husband as sexy, savvy, and a company founder who thinks outside the box. “Sometimes he’s like a pressure cooker, steaming up under stress,” Jan says. “I remind him this is what we prayed for.” Jan and Todd place a premium on company loyalty and collaboration. After all, many of their hires are the stewards of hundreds of thousands of dollars in valuable freight and also the drivers of SLG’s big-ticket trucks. The freight business can be volatile, and days often stretch to 16 or 18 hours due to unexpected hurdles and the need to entertain clients. They rely on an executive coach to help them hone their time management skills at work. At home, they depend on each other to balance their personal lives. The Wombles savor their quiet evenings together and love a quick trip to the Bahamas or other tropical locales. The fit, fashionable couple has eight grandchildren with another on the way. Jan had a daughter and two sons and Todd was the father of two boys when they met 17 years ago at a neighborhood birthday party. Their chemistry was instant, and Todd returned to the soiree after departing with friends; both insist his coming back made all the difference. Todd and Jan have endured the rigors of entrepreneurship and raised a large blended family. Recently, Jan underwent a proactive prophylactic double mastectomy after an aggressive breast cancer gene surfaced, putting their faith and relationship to the test. Even though they’re clearly relationship warriors, Todd predicts things will get even better. “I don’t think we’ve reached our full potential as a couple yet,” he says. “There’s still a deeper level of relationship ahead.”

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SCOTT & AMY PIERCE C OA STA L CA R E PA RT N E R S SAVANNAH NATIVE AND FORMER WJCL NEWS ANCHOR Scott Pierce says it was his paddleboard that repeatedly lured him back to the Coastal Empire after he relocated to Atlanta. But it was much more than a waterfront pastime that realigned his life 10 years ago and led him to marry Amy and create Coastal Care Partners, a hybrid health care solutions company now thriving in Savannah and neighboring Bluffton, South Carolina. A quick rewind of the events that inspired Scott and Amy to take the leap into entrepreneurship begins with aging parents in distress. When Scott’s dad encountered a heart health emergency, Scott and Amy rushed to his side. Both recently divorced, the two had been introduced by Savannah friends. Luckily, Amy was a local hospice nurse. She understood the scope of recovery care Scott’s dad faced. Scott’s mom needed support, too, for her Parkinson’s disease and burgeoning dementia. Amy’s compassion fueled the new relationship. “How am I going to manage all the health care long distance?” Scott asked. Amy gently advised it would take more than a primary care doctor. Together they realized the option they sought didn’t fully exist in Savannah. They could hire a nurse to manage all the doctors’ appointments, but what if round-the-clock home care was needed? How would health insurance play into the daunting formula? These questions eventually inspired the couple’s brainchild, Coastal Care Partners. The company has quickly become an invaluable health care resource for seniors in our area. Coastal Care Partners opened in 2018 after Scott returned permanently to Savannah. He and Amy married, taking on not only the roles of husband, wife, and parents of four but also new professional titles: Amy is the company CEO, while Scott wears the COO hat. “When we started out, Amy managed health care for just three or four families,” Scott explains. That grew exponentially thanks to their candid marketing approach and Amy’s reliable nursing network. Coastal Care Partners now has a team of 350-plus. The service menu has grown to include nurse-managed care, in-home care, adult concierge primary care, urgent care access, and a wellness advisory resource. The secret to their ongoing success has been Scott and Amy’s complementary skill sets. A striking example of yin and yang, the two visionaries have forged a highly productive relationship with each other, as well as with their peers, patients, and customers. “Scott is on top of technology and steering every aspect of our operations,” Amy says. “He and I are both on hand for every staff orientation session to share our vision.” The two are relentlessly committed to employee fit. “It’s rare to find a nurse who is clinically savvy, genuinely compassionate, and focused on customer experience,” Scott shares. “Amy creates an instant connection with people. They trust her and value her recommendations.” The two are in constant communication as they nurture their evolving company. With sights set on Tampa, Florida; Charleston, South Carolina; and other retirement meccas, they hope to expand their unique business model and reimagine the health care experience, just as they’ve reimagined their own personal journeys.

“Amy creates an instant connection with people. They trust her and value her recommendations.” —SCOT T PIERCE

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T. JAMES & WENDY BENNETT TWD REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT AND B NET MANAGEMENT explains. “Real estate is an investment that gives you time; it’s not “OUR RELATIONSHIP IS ROOTED IN FRIENDSHIP,” like crypto or some of the other modern means that are fickle and Wendy Bennett concludes as she thoughtfully summarizes her less dependable for building legacy.” 25-year marriage to James. “The foundation of friendship makes it James is a graduate of Jamaica’s Kingston College, and he easier to navigate family, business, life, or anything head-on.” She graduated summa cum laude from Saint Leo University in Florida admits there are days when she and James might not necessarily with a bachelor’s degree in computer information systems. He like each other, yet they always work things out. earned his degrees while serving in the Army and deployed in “I’m the Gemini with a double-edged personality, both locations around the world. Occasionally, his military duties aggressive and passive,” James says. “She’s the Libra, calm and conflicted with his studies, though he relaxed. Wendy maintains the balance.” maintained a 4.0 GPA. Their opposing dispositions pave the way “When he was in Korea, we started a for juggling an overwhelming number of retail business and sold Korean products professional roles. at local flea markets,” Wendy shares. Wendy is the VP, CFO, restaurant owner, With James’ tech skills, the business was and family muse. James is CEO, president, among the area’s first to move into the primary business owner, and executive e-commerce arena. “That’s when we really visionary. Together they manage and grow started earning,” Wendy says. It allowed the multiple companies they’ve established them to start purchasing and building their since they relocated to Savannah from real estate business. Kingston, Jamaica, over three decades ago. Juggling their companies while Their journey has taken many fascinating maintaining a marriage and raising a twists and turns, all leading them to family is daunting, the Bennetts agree, entrepreneurial success and a notable —WENDY BENNET T so they’re intentional when it comes impact on Savannah’s Black community. to coordinating their daily schedules. The Bennetts’ primary companies Weekday evenings always include some movie streaming time include B Net Management, a property management business; after they’ve discussed business topics. It’s a sentimental TWD Real Estate Investment, a portfolio of more than 200 pastime, since the two went on their first date at the local units including apartment complexes, single family homes, and movie theater in their hometown in Jamaica. commercial properties; and J&R Enterprises Savannah (dba) Kool Spending time with their kids is a priority in the family feng Vibes Pizza and Wings, owned by Wendy. shui. The oldest, Tyrese, a Savannah College of Art and Design The Bennetts’ clients range in age from 18 to mid-70s, and graduate, works with Wendy to steer marketing for Kool Vibes their companies are geared toward leasing and selling to first-time Pizza. Daughters Kylie and Hailey attend Calvary Day School, renters and home buyers. James and Wendy have also launched adding performing arts and sports events to the family calendar. a number of community organizations, such as JB Flip Savannah James and Wendy’s commitment to each other, their Youth Entrepreneurs Program and other mentorship platforms. family, and their strong faith is the centerpiece of the Bennetts’ They actually employ graduates of these programs, some of whom remarkable ability to “slay and stay” together, no matter what began training at just 12 years old. challenges appear in their winding path. According to James, “My goal is to share my real estate knowledge with the younger “Every decade is like a new marriage for us.” members of my community so they can have what I have,” James

“The foundation of friendship makes it easier to navigate family, business, life, or anything head-on.”

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JANE VADEN THACHER & PETER THACHER VA D E N AU T O M O T I V E “ON OUR THIRD DATE, Peter informed me that he’d never move to Savannah or be in the car business,” Jane Vaden Thacher recalls as she and Peter shared memories of their early courtship. The two met on a triple date while in relationships with other people who thankfully moved on, since it’s clear the Thachers couldn’t be more perfectly suited for one another. They married three years later, in 1992. Jane and Peter were an Atlanta power couple before they were 30 years old. After completing her master’s degree at the University of Georgia, Jane was promptly hired by Ketchum, one the country’s top public relations firms. Peter was a writer for Ted Turner brands, including CNN, the Braves, the Hawks, and others. He refers to himself as a low-key country guy, so he could tolerate an occasional visit to Savannah and coastal Georgia. “My parents never asked us to move to Savannah, but they made it appealing,” Jane explains. Although she was determined to blaze her own trail and “go where no one knew my name,” once Atlanta’s Interstate 400 opened, Jane’s daily commute went from 15 minutes long to an hour and a half. Suddenly, metropolitan living lost its allure. Peter knew how close Jane was with her family, so in June 1994, he lovingly broke his promise to bypass the Hostess City — and the car business. After a celebratory road trip west, they moved in with Jane’s parents. Jane became a finance director at the original family dealership, Dan Vaden Chevrolet, while Peter joined the service department. He eventually became a company vice president. Their early days at the dealership were a stark contrast to the polish of Ketchum and CNN. “Our offices were in a double wide,” Jane says. “I really think my father was testing us.” If it was a test, the couple passed with flying colors as Jane quickly climbed the Vaden ladder to become the dealer operator of a second dealership at 34, six years ahead of the age her dad was when he operated his first dealership at 40. While more dealerships were added — there are currently 14: 10 in Georgia and four in South Carolina — Peter rotated

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to different locations to ensure a family presence and support client relations for the company, which had evolved to Vaden Automotive. “Jane and I were constantly in meetings together and decisions were made collaboratively, though our day-to-day charges were different,” he says. Meanwhile, duties on the homefront had changed dramatically with the arrival of their son, Jack, followed by their twin daughters, Blake and Sarah, who were born just months before Jane opened her first solo dealership, Coastal Chevrolet, stepping into the milestone role of dealer operator in addition to company president. The family supported Jane’s demanding schedule with occasional nanny help, expert multitasking, and strategically scheduled family trips. “Those years were a blur,” Jane admits. During that era, she was particularly grateful for Peter’s thoughtful communication, sense of humor, and “most of all, his ability to push me out of my comfort zone.” When the twins had just turned 5, Peter organized a Costa Rica expedition, and everyone hiked the terrain no matter how young they were. Since then, there have been countless other adventures spearheaded by Peter. He realizes Jane is wound tight (in her own words) and super competitive while on the job, so evenings are when the couple winds down — at least until 4 a.m., when their workday begins again. “We don’t do a lot of formal dinners,” Peter says. “Jane is likely to call during work hours and ask, ‘Do we have any romaine at home?’” The couple takes it one hour at a time as they navigate the whirlwind days at Vaden Automotive. Their relaxed rapport and steadfast faith in each other has anchored their relationship over the years, and they’re now committed to onboarding the third generation of Vadens. At 25, Jack is preparing for a future leadership role. He’s exploring operations and other departments at Vaden Automotive, which has become a regional industry leader that continues to unite this family in all the best — and sometimes unexpected — ways.

“Jane and I were constantly in meetings together and decisions were made collaboratively, though our day-to-day charges were different.” — PETER THACHER JA N UA R Y/ F EB R UA R Y 2 0 2 6

Jay Massey, left, with James Martin

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JAY MASSEY & JAMES MARTIN MASSEY MARTIN DESIGN INTERIOR DESIGNERS Jay Massey and James Martin may have uncovered the consummate secret for couples who power through work and relationships together. “Stay focused on the core things that brought you together and nourish them,” Jay suggests. He and James describe their journey to mutual harmony within their professional and private spheres. “We’re both principals at Massey Martin, but we do it all,” explains James. “While we’re in sync with motives, goals, and calendars on a daily basis, our skills and experience are different.” “James manages the process,” Jay says. “He’s the master of the details, while I’m the editor — or, you might say, the critic.” Their dovetailed collaboration allows Jay and James to be themselves while creating iconic residential environments that are both timeless and deeply personal. “Our work is layered with traditional elements and modern ease,” James says. Their respective talents have become catalysts in their rapid rise to recognition by Savannah’s discerning design community. The duo opened an antiques shop on West Charlton Street in 2024, further defining their signature footprint. It’s no surprise that a historical restoration project brought the two together in Savannah in 2013. While transforming an older apartment complex into more traditional town and carriage homes, they fell in love with the assignment and then each other. Two years later, they launched their design studio, leaving past careers in the rearview mirror. Even so, their resumes merit some mention. A graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design, James earned both his undergraduate and master’s degrees in architecture and historic preservation. He was drawn to Savannah’s history and graceful vernacular while spending childhood days on Hilton Head Island. His career led him to the Northeast, where he became a senior associate at Franck and Lohsen Architects in Washington, D.C.,

before returning to Savannah with refined skills and perspective. Meanwhile, Jay, a native of Savannah, studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City and began his career in the performing arts, later spending several years in Los Angeles’ music industry. His passion for the arts influences his design style: layered, expressive, and rooted in distinctive narrative. Despite their different paths, their design strategy has converged in a custom and caring approach with their clients. From start to finish, Jay and James are both fully engaged with client preferences, selections, and overall lifestyles. They smoothly navigate day-to-day encounters, even when that entails juggling six dogs in a photo shoot or working around multiple carpool schedules. They do get away occasionally, traveling to destinations like southern France to replenish their antiques inventory or simply commuting over the Talmadge Bridge for an escape to Hilton Head’s Sea Pines Resort. Jay and James also devote time to relationship wellness by meeting regularly with their life coach, whose specialty is the art of communication. Their clients frequently point out that the couple spends a lot of time with each other, so they realize the boundaries between work and play can blur. Maybe that’s the one casualty of nourishing the core thing that united them in the first place: a love for designing together.

We photographed our power couples at the newly opened workspace The Malin Savannah (119 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.). Founded and designed by SCAD alums, The Malin Savannah spans 10,000 square feet across two floors in the Historic District, including the Springfield Library and Charlton Room, where these portraits were taken.

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The Amelia Concours TRAVEL

Carolina Country Music Fest

Georgia Tribute Festival

On the Road These festivals are the perfect excuse to start planning a year’s worth of weekend getaways. Written by LEANNA WOODWARD // Photography courtesy of respective festivals

IMAGINE PLANNING YOUR WEEKENDS around experiences that feel curated: champagne tastings by the ocean, chef-led dinners under live oaks, Bavarian-style steins lifted in alpine halls, or evenings wrapped in world-class opera. Across the Southeast, a year of luxe, road-trip-ready festivals awaits, each one transforming a simple getaway into something indulgent. Sip rare bourbons beside Jekyll Island’s dunes, wander blossom-draped streets in Macon, or enjoy concerts framed by mountain skylines. These are the weekends worth dressing up for, reserving early, and savoring slowly. Your year of elevated escapes begins here.

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JAN. 31

Hilton Head Snow Day, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina For kids, Hilton Head Island’s Snow Day feels like pure winter magic: real snow delivered to the coast for an afternoon of sledding, tubing, snowball tossing, and angel making just steps from swaying palms. Families spread out across the snowy play zones while food trucks dish out warm treats and local performers keep Mom and Dad entertained. Little ones love the inflatable slides and winter games; bigger kids race to see who can sled down the “mountain” the fastest. After the fun, enjoy a bike ride through Sea Pines or chase a sunset on the pier. It’s the coolest beach day of the year, literally.

TRAVEL

Spoleto Festival USA

Beaufort Water Festival

MARCH 5

The Amelia Concours, Amelia Island, Florida More than 250 rare classics, luxury icons, and historic race cars line the lush greens beside the oceanfront Ritz-Carlton, creating one of the country’s premier automotive showcases. Beyond the show field, enjoy high-end auctions, luxe food and cocktail events, and Ride and Drive sessions (and yes, that means you can slip behind the wheel of a pre-war RollsRoyce). Afterward, cruise the A1A in a Ferrari or wander the shops of Fernandina Beach. For car lovers or anyone craving style, it’s the ultimate luxury escape. MARCH 20–29

International Cherry Blossom Festival, Macon, Georgia Each spring, Macon, the “Cherry Blossom Capital of the World,” bursts into a bright bloom. With over 350,000 Yoshino cherry trees, the city literally turns into “The Pinkest Party on Earth.” The 10-day celebration features parades down Cherry Street, hot-air balloon rides, food trucks, unique vendors, live music, art fairs, and

even wiener-dog races. Stroll along historic streets covered in pink petals while sipping cherry-themed cocktails. It’s the perfect way to ring in the warm weather. APRIL 16–19

Georgia Tribute Festival, Brunswick, Georgia For all the oldies lovers, the Georgia Tribute Festival is pure rockabilly magic. The Brunswick Old Town Historic District plays host to a nostalgia-driven concert, packed with powerhouse Elvis tributes, Motown revivals, and show-after-show energy that spills into the streets — just as rock and roll was intended. Expect soaring vocals, beaded leather jackets, and crowdpleasing sets that feel straight out of another era. Between performances, browse Old Town’s record shops and antiques stores, then refuel with coastal seafood. M AY 6 – 1 0

St. Augustine Food and Wine Festival, St. Augustine, Florida Set your GPS for the nation’s oldest city.

Celebrity chefs, live-fire demos, craft cocktails, and pours from top wineries fill the Intracoastal waterfront with incredible aromas and salt-air breezes. The festival’s signature event offers unlimited tastings, fresh seafood, and live music, while intimate chef dinners and riverfront soirées turn the whole weekend into a culinary retreat. Whether you’re a chef, a foodie, or simply looking for an excuse to head farther south, it’s the perfect spring escape. M AY 2 2 – J U N E 7

Spoleto Festival USA, Charleston, South Carolina For 17 days each spring, Charleston dissolves into a dreamscape of artistic possibility. During Spoleto Festival USA, opera spills from historic churches, contemporary dance ignites hidden courtyards, and daring new theater unfurls beneath live oaks. World-class artists transform the city into a labyrinth of sound, movement, and color. Historic Charleston evolves into a living gallery framed by the pastel facades of Rainbow Row. After a performance, catch a bite on King Street or head to Folly Beach to reflect on the wonders of Spoleto.

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TRAVEL

JUNE 4–7

Carolina Country Music Fest, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina If your perfect summer weekend includes boots, beer, and beach views, Carolina Country Music Fest is calling — and you can’t let it go to voicemail. Myrtle Beach transforms into a non-stop country bash with multiple oceanfront stages, radio headliners, rising stars, and crowds hollering along to every song. Think sandy boots, fireworks, and the kind of high-time energy you normally only get in Nashville. Between shows, hit the boardwalk, grab a fried seafood basket, or cool off in the waves. For anyone who keeps Lainey Wilson and Luke Bryan in their rotation, you won’t want to miss this. J U LY 1 7 – 2 6

Beaufort Water Festival, Beaufort, South Carolina Want to get away without going too far? The Beaufort Water Festival delivers 10 days of pure Lowcountry summertime just a stone’s throw from home. Kids race to Children’s Day for games and inflatables, while the whole crew can cheer on the famous Raft Race and the awe-inspiring Air Show over the river. The Water Ski Show, the Blessing of the Fleet and Parade of Boats, and the shrimp-heavy Lowcountry Supper are all must-attends. Add the arts and crafts market and the Commodore’s Ball, and you’ve got a weekend overflowing with unforgettable family memories. AUG. 1

CSRA Afro-Caribbean Festival, Augusta, Georgia Shake up your summer at the CSRA Augusta Afro-Caribbean Festival, where the Savannah River banks come alive with steel pan bands, reggae and soca headliners,

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West African drum ensembles, and Caribbean dance troupes in full costume. Local chefs serve mouth-watering jerk chicken, oxtail, roti, plantains, and tropical fruit juices, while vendors sell handmade baskets, beadwork, natural oils, and island spices. Kids can enjoy the cultural craft zone and drumming workshops, and by sunset, the main lawn turns into a full-on Caribbean street party.

CSRA Afro-Caribbean Festival

S E P T. 1 0 – N O V. 1

Oktoberfest, Helen, Georgia Craving a European getaway without the long flights and four-digit airfares? Helen’s Oktoberfest turns North Georgia into a Bavarian escape for nearly two months straight. Inside the Festhalle, steins of German beer clink over long wooden tables as polka and oompah bands keep the crowd dancing in true alpine style. Expect lederhosen, bratwurst, schnitzel, and enough pretzels to rival Munich. Step outside, and the village feels straight out of Europe, with timbered facades, cobblestone streets, and mountains blazing with fall color. For beer lovers and wanderlusters alike, it’s the most authentic Bavarian celebration you can find without crossing an ocean. O C T. 2 3 – 2 4

Shrimp & Grits Festival, Jekyll Island, Georgia Once a humble fisherman’s breakfast, now a beloved Lowcountry staple, shrimp and grits has fed the South for generations. Jekyll Island celebrates its story with heart. During this two-day festival, chefs from all across the region honor the tasty dish’s coastal roots with cast-iron techniques, heirloom grains, and Wild Georgia Shrimp pulled straight from local waters. Enjoy cooking demos, Gullah-Geechee influences, artisan makers, and shrimpboat tours that bring the classic dish to life.

Dahlonega's Old Fashioned Christmas

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Dahlonega’s Old Fashioned Christmas, Dahlonega, Georgia If you’ve ever wished you could step inside a Hallmark movie, Dahlonega’s Old Fashioned Christmas is your doorway. The main square shimmers with thousands of twinkling lights as horse-drawn carriages roll past gingerbread-trimmed buildings and carolers sing beneath glowing icicles. The season brings a hometown parade, candlelit tree lightings, Santa sightings, and markets overflowing with handmade gifts and hot cocoa. Slip into a local winery for mulled wine or trot with Dasher and Dancer through snow-globe-worthy streets with someone you love. It’s a Christmas romance waiting to happen, no script required.

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PETS

FUZZY

Love Stories

These Savannahians have opened their hearts and homes to animals in need. Phoebe the Great Dane is part of the Lassley family.

SAVANNAHMAGAZINE.COM

Written by MARY CORNET TA // Photos by ANGEL A HOPPER-LEE

PETS

WHEN STEFANIE AND A ARON LASSLEY FIRST SAW FINN — a bluenosed pittie puppy with soft brown eyes — they weren’t planning to adopt. They had lost their senior dog, Brodie, after seven sweet years and had eased back into dog life slowly, fostering pups through Coastal Pet Rescue (CPR). But while the Lassleys were away one Christmas, a volunteer sent a photo of a foster that changed everything. “We must have looked at that picture a thousand times during that vacation,” Stefanie says. They met him as soon as they returned home. Finn was just 3 months old and shy at first, but the moment they stepped outside, “his true spirit burst forth, hopping around like a happy

FINN

little bunny,” says Stefanie. After the visit, they politely said they’d think it over, but Stefanie says, “As soon as we got into the car, I turned to Aaron and asked, ‘Do you want him?’ Without a second’s hesitation, he said yes.” Finn has been their steadfast companion ever since. Now 10, he has weathered a series of life’s hardest chapters alongside the couple: Stefanie’s cancer treatment, two hurricanes that destroyed their home, and heartbreaking losses, including that of a close relative as well as another CPR dog of theirs earlier this year. “His emotional support has carried me through moments I didn’t think I’d survive,” Stefanie says. “He doesn’t know it, but his wings are visible to us. He is our angel baby.” Even after his own cancer scare, a recent ACL surgery, and the addition of a rambunctious Great Dane puppy sister, Finn remains patient and kind. “Finn is not just our dog,” Stefanie says. “He is family. He is home. He is love.”

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PETS

LUCKY STRIKE CAPTAIN SAM COPPOLA OF ENGINE 12 was filling in for a fellow firefighter when he was called to respond to a house fire. He took one swing with his axe at the ceiling of the smoke-filled building, and a black kitten fell on him. “I initially thought it may have been a dead rat or a squirrel; that’s how small he was,” Coppola recalls. “It wasn’t until I heard the others in the attic start to cry that I realized it was actually a kitten.” The litter was brought to One Love Animal Rescue’s neonatal program (aka the Baby Bottle Brigade), where they received around-the-clock care. Coppola had seen the kitten who had fallen while waiting for transport after the fire was put out and knew at that moment he would adopt him. “I’ve always had a soft spot for black cats,” he explains. “I immediately told the guys to let whatever agency took them in know that I would be willing to give him a home.” Black cats are often the last to be adopted, and after everything this kitten had been through, Coppola felt he deserved a chance. Once he was healed, Lucky Strike was adopted by Coppola, who named him after the unlikely chain of events that brought them together. From their first day home, the bond was instant. “It’s rare that he’s ever more than 3 feet away from me at any given time,” Coppola says. He describes Lucky Strike as “laid back, spoiled, very well loved, and my absolute best friend.” Although he’s seen his fair share of animal rescues over his 26-year career — including dogs, birds, ferrets, and reptiles — Coppola says Lucky Strike has made a lifelong impression on him. “I hadn’t owned a cat for several years,” he says. “[Adopting him was] one of the best decisions I have ever made.”

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Black cats are often the last to be adopted, and after everything this kitten had been through, Coppola felt he deserved a chance.

ASHER

THE SMALL, WEARY DOG was wandering her Midtown neighborhood, and Amanda Trotenberg knew she had to pull the car over. “He was visibly tired and thirsty,” she recalls. She brought him home, then spent hours walking door to door in hopes that someone might recognize him, but no one did. A vet visit confirmed the terrier wasn’t microchipped, and Trotenberg was advised to take him to Chatham County Animal Services in case an owner came looking. Trotenberg called the shelter every day. “No one came to claim him,” she says, and the thought of him waiting alone didn’t sit right. With the help of One Love Animal Rescue, she was able to pull him from the shelter and begin fostering him. She and her husband, Ian Campbell, named the dog Asher, after Ash Street, where their paths first crossed. One Love provided everything to get him settled, including a crate, food, toys, and even a Halloween costume. “He made the cutest hot dog,” she says. A handful of meet and greets came and went without a match, and that was for a good reason: Asher had already chosen his home. “It became apparent that Asher was meant to be ours,” Trotenberg says. Today, Asher lives a life of comfort and routine with the couple, including taking over their king-sized bed. When he’s not at Dogtopia daycare, he’s perched at the front window, dutifully “protecting us from the mailman and FedEx,” Trotenberg adds. She laughs when she describes him now: “He’s a sweet, happy little knucklehead.”

WHEN A CALLER REPORTED A “WILD” R ABBIT found on the side of the road, Macayla Eason expected a routine wildlife surrender. Instead, when she walked out to the car, she found a domestic rabbit — emaciated, weak, and unable to stand. “She was lying on her side and not able to move,” Eason recalls. The tiny rabbit clearly hadn’t been living in the wild, but rather, she had likely been dumped by a previous owner. The team at Avian and Exotic Animal Hospital, where Eason works as a receptionist, immediately took her in. She was starving, infested with ear mites, and suffering from an abscess. Because she was too weak to support herself, she would sit with her paws crossed delicately in front of her. The staff couldn’t help but think she looked regal. “We all voted on princess names and decided on Aurora,” Eason says. Aurora spent nearly a year healing under their care. After being spayed, she slowly began to reveal her feisty personality. She could be “spicy,” as Eason puts it, and over time, a connection formed between them. Still, Eason hesitated to adopt her. “My dogs have strong prey drives, and I did not think it was safe,” she explains. The hospital tried to place Aurora in a new home, but she was returned twice. Aurora would slip back into her usual routine at the clinic, and each time, it became clearer where she truly belonged. “I couldn’t keep watching her go from home to home,” Eason says. She finally brought Aurora home herself, committed to keeping her safe (as it turns out, the dogs love her) while nurturing their bond. Today, Aurora is thriving, spoiled with treats, and adored by everyone at the clinic when Eason brings her in for visits.

MEOW

Mix

CO UR TE S Y M AC AYL A E A S ON

C OU R T E SY A M A N DA T R OT E N BE R G

PETS

AURORA

WhiskerCon Savannah promises a weekend full of cat-centered entertainment and learning. It will take place 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Feb. 14–15 at the Valley of Savannah Scottish Rite (3001 Chatham Center Drive). The event provides valuable guidance on cat care, behavior, and trapneuter-return programs, helping families keep their feline companions safe at home and reducing pressure on local shelters. Visitors can attend talks and workshops led by renowned experts, including Hannah Shaw (The Kitten Lady), Sterling Davis (The Trap King), and feline behaviorist Ingrid Johnson. The event also will feature a marketplace with cat-inspired gifts and artwork from local creators, along with interactive activities for kids. Tickets are available through One Love Animal Rescue’s website, as well as WhiskerCon Savannah’s Facebook and Instagram pages. Attendees are also encouraged to support One Love Animal Rescue’s Operation Pet Solutions by bringing pet food donations.

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T H E Y A R E A LWAY S O N T H E L O O K O U T F O R Y O U .

Now it’s your turn.

S YOU GET OUTDOORS IN THE NEW YEAR, annual check-ups and proper preventative medicine are more important than ever for your loyal companion. Dr. Hunter Brigdon and his dedicated team understand the importance of prioritizing your pet’s needs and wellness to maintain the sporting dog lifestyle. At Brigdon Animal Hospital, you can expect state-of-the-art medical care for your four-legged companions, so you both can get back to doing what you love best – spending time together.

TO REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT, CALL TODAY! 912-231-3615

B R I G D O N A N I M A L H O S P I TA L 1 1 9 1 1 M I D D L E G R O U N D R OA D, S AVA N N A H , G A | B R I G D O N A N I M A L H O S P I TA L .C O M

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

VETTING THE EXPERTS Pets are treasured friends and family members — and we want to give them the best care possible. Meet some of the area’s most knowledgeable veterinarians and specialists.

Atlas Animal Hospital page 104

BluePearl Specialty page 105

Case Veterinary Hospital page 107

Live Oak Veterinary Specialists page 106

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ATLAS ANIMAL HOSPITAL Emily Bradbury DVM

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E D U C AT I O N : Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana; Rotating Small Animal Internship, Georgia Veterinary Specialists, Atlanta I W I S H M O R E O F M Y PAT I E N T S’ OW N E R S W O U L D … feel comfortable discussing finances. It can

be expensive to provide proper medical care for our pets. We understand you may wish to do everything we recommend but cannot for personal reasons. We are always here to help!

YO U OW E I T T O YO U R P E T T O … find a balanced, healthy diet they enjoy. If you choose to home cook, please use a recipe formulated by a veterinary nutritionist. If you are looking for a commercially available pet food, ask your veterinarian. Most are happy to discuss what we feed our own pets as well. O N E T H I N G T H AT B R I N G S M E H A P P I N E S S I S … I am able to bring my 14-year-old French bulldog

to work with me each day. He has been a constant companion through veterinary school, multiple moves and starting a new business. On stressful days, it is nice to have his calming presence in my office. I W O U L D N ’ T B E S U CC E S S F U L W I T H O U T … my incredible support staff. They know our patients by name and have helped build the personal relationships I have always wanted with our clients. S O M E CO M M O N A N D P R E V E N TA B L E PE T A I L M E N T S A R E … skin infections. Often the result

of food or environmental allergies, skin infections frequently occur once a pet has been itchy. Diagnostics and new treatment options can help us get pets feeling better soon. A D I F F I C U LT B U T I M P O R TA N T PA R T O F PE T OW N E R S H I P I S … consideration for end-of-life care.

Our practice believes dignity for each pet is essential. We recently began using environmentally friendly strong-cloth bags for more respectful transport of companions to their final resting place.

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BLUEPEARL PET HOSPITAL Marcus Bradbury MS, DVM, DACVS-SA

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E D U C AT I O N : Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons, Small Animal; Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University; Bachelor of Science, Biology, University of the Cumberlands S PE C I A LT Y C E R T I F I C AT I O N : Board Certified in

Veterinary Surgery – Small Animal

I F E E L M O S T F U L F I L L E D … serving our community, prolonging pets’ lives, and enhancing their quality of life. I L OV E P R AC T I C I N G I N SAVA N N A H B E C AU S E … this community’s hospitality, history,

and culture make pets and people feel at home.

M Y FAVO R I TE LO C A L AC T I V I T I E S I N CLU D E …

eating at my favorite restaurants, exercising, playing alongside my kids, and serving as part time assistant coach with Savannah Country Day School’s wrestling team.

YO U W O U L D N E V E R G U E S S T H AT … I grew up on a small farm in Kentucky that my parents still operate today. WHAT MAKES M Y JOB UNIQUE IS … being a surgeon at Savannah’s only surgical specialty veterinary hospital, where advanced surgery is powered by a team that’s truly the heart of our practice. AT W O R K , I M O S T LY … perform large oral and maxillofacial (mouth and facial) mass resections, which relieve significant discomfort and greatly improve pets’ quality of life and prognosis. YO U OW E I T T O YO U R PE T T O … address your pet’s discomfort promptly as early care often protects their wellbeing and prevents problems from worsening. I D R AW I N S P I R AT I O N F R O M … my mentors, my wife who shares this passion, and Dr. Shealy, who retired this year. These individuals have shaped how I care for patients and engage with our local veterinary community.

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LIVE OAK VETERINARY SPECIALISTS Jason King MBA, DVM, DACVIM (Neurology/Neurosurgery), cVMA, cVPP Carrie Santare DVM, DACVIM (Neurology/Neurosurgery) Michael Cocchiaro DVM, DACVIM (Cardiology)

3 3 5 S T E P H E N S O N AV E ., S AVA N N A H COMING SOON: 102 SAN DRIVE, POOLER 9 12 . 6 6 2 . 75 4 4 L I V E O A K V E T N E U R O.C O M

E D U C AT I O N : King: DVM at University of Georgia and Residency at University of California-Davis; Santare: DVM at Cornell University and Residency at University of Florida; Cocchiaro: DVM at Texas A&M and Residency at University of California-Davis W E A R E P R O U D O F … having had close working

relationships with the veterinary community here for 15 years. Dr. King started at a practice in Charleston, South Carolina, in 2010, and was the first veterinary neurologist in South Carolina and the Savannah area. He moved to Savannah and opened Live Oak Veterinary Neurology 10 years ago.

W E ’ R E E XC I T E D A B O U T … expanding! We’ve

rebranded to Live Oak Veterinary Specialists to better represent our increased service offerings. Plus, we’re building a new facility at Interstate 95 and U.S. 80 in Pooler. This will allow us to add emergency services, surgery, and internal medicine all under one umbrella.

O U R N E W FAC I L I T Y W I L L B E … one-of-a-kind. We worked on the design with a team of architects here and in the U.K. We have rethought almost everything that you know about how a veterinary hospital works. In a lot of cases, we’ve flipped the script to put you and your pet’s experience first. It’s what we call being “pet-centric.” We can’t wait to show you. S P E C I A L I Z E D C A R E I S S O I M P O R TA N T B E C AU S E … specialists undergo years of additional

training, allowing us to handle complex cases such as heart disease, spinal fractures, brain tumors, or chronic illnesses like seizures. We partner closely with primary veterinarians, ensuring pets receive the most comprehensive care.

O U R B I G G E S T P I E C E O F A DV I C E F O R PE T OW N E R S I S … to take their pets in for regular check-

ups with their primary vet. These visits are crucial. If your pet needs advanced care, we’re here to help. Together, we can give your pet the healthiest, happiest life possible.

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CASE VETERINARY HOSPITAL Caroline Crider, DVM Victoria Torres, DVM

Carla Case-McCorvey, DVM

Jeleah Rines, DVM

Amanda Coleman, DVM

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E D U C AT I O N : DVMs from University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine (Case-McCorvey); Midwestern University, Glendale, Arizona (Coleman); Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (Torres); University College Dublin (Crider); and University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine (Rines, Fear-free Certified) W E ’ R E P R O U D T O B E … locally and privately owned! While

most local veterinary hospitals are now corporately owned behind the scenes, our independence allows us to make decisions based on what’s best for our patients, clients, and team — not stockholders.

O U R N E W, FAVO R I T E P E T P R O D U C T I S … Bravecto

of protection against fleas and ticks. When paired with ProHeart 12 — an annual injection that prevents heartworm disease — you and your pet are truly one-and-done. No more missed or late doses, no monthly reminders, and no wondering when the last dose was given. Just simple, reliable, year-round protection. W E G I V E B AC K T O T H E CO M M U N I T Y B Y … supporting the rescue community in a big way. In addition to providing discounted services to the organizations we partner with, each October we proudly serve as a major sponsor of Renegade Rescue’s beloved Wagoween event, which helps raise funds that sustain their work all year long. Coming in February, we’re thrilled to be the primary sponsor of WhiskerCon. Presented by One Love Pet Rescue, this long-awaited celebration is dedicated entirely to cats and their people. Supporting these events allows us to give back to the pets, rescues, and families that make our community so special.

Quantum, a once-a-year injection that gives your pet a full 12 months Special Advertising Section ★ J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 6

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P R E S E N T E D

B Y

T H O M P S O N

S A V A N N A H

Palmetto Essence: a celebration of growth and an inventive approach to flavor

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Palm Oil Gin

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Chinola Passionfruit Liqueur

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Add all ingredients in a glass filled with crushed ice. Swizzle with a bar spoon for 10 seconds, then top with more crushed ice. Garnish with a marigold flower.

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THOMAS VILLANI

Director of Beverage, Thompson Savannah Thomas Villani’s path to Savannah is rooted in bold decisions and a deep commitment to hospitality. After leaving New York City to fully pursue his passion for food and drink, he immersed himself in Savannah’s culinary community and quickly became a driving creative force at Thompson Savannah. What began as a parttime role evolved rapidly – head bartender, beverage manager, and now director of beverage – each step fueled by curiosity, craft, and a collaborative spirit. Villani’s bar program reflects his signature style: technique-forward, inspired by his journey, and shaped by the diverse influences that led him here. Alongside his team, he created this cocktail as a celebration of their shared growth and inventive approach to flavor.

Photography courtesy of THOMPSON SAVANNAH

S AVA N N A H

Taste

TA S T E

Shared Roots, Stronger Savannah Sweet potatoes aren’t grown from seeds. They spawn from slips — one plant giving rise to the next. Savannah’s local food producers work in much the same way: one slip might give rise to a new business, while another might launch a whole market. With food prices soaring and supply chains growing more uncertain, local consumers have important reasons to visit the Forsyth Farmers’ Market and support Savannah’s farmers, fishmongers, and foragers. Written by KIKI DY

Photo by GRAY ARMSTRONG

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Billy Dugger of Billy's Botanicals

C OU R T E SY G R AY A R M ST R ON G

Billy's Botanicals farm stand

INTERWOVEN STRENGTHS Saturday morning in the center of Forsyth Park is a symbiotic scene. Kelly Morris, who operates Savannah Hydroponics and Organics with her husband, Andrew, comes with mason jars of homemade pumpkin butter. Katrina Hornung, who does business as The Filipino Forager, staffs her stall selling salts and preserves — and gifts Morris a sheaf of lemon grass. Meanwhile, Jacob Hammer, executive chef of Husk, chats with Billy Dugger of Billy’s Botanicals — asking him, as part of a long-running joke, “Do you have any dill by chance?” — before hauling last-minute ingredients back to his kitchen. Marketgoers pivot between finding provisions and conversing with friends, farmers, and strangers. They chat in the Spanishmoss shade, sampling everything from sausages to cocktail shrubs with delight. However, many might not understand the extent of the reciprocity and resilience it takes for each vendor to arrive weekly with a stocked stall.

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Andrew and Kelly Morris of Savannah Hydroponics and Organics

“The communities that stay resilient during uncertain times are the ones with strong local supply chains and personal relationships with the people who grow and produce their food.” — KELLY MORRIS, SAVANNAH HYDROPONICS AND ORGANICS

“People may see a carrot at that market and question why it’s more expensive than the grocery store,” Hornung says. But what megagrocers save in scale, farmers pay in sweat. Hornung notes the years of experience and the amount of soil prep, planting, watering, harvesting, and packaging that go into growing that carrot. That’s before you add in the market fees, setup, and coordination it takes for some of the market’s vendors to travel for hours every week.

COU R TESY SAVA N N A H HYDROPON ICS A N D ORG A N ICS

COU R TESY G RAY A RMSTRON G

Herbs for sale from Billy's Botanicals

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205 W. Congress St. – Ellis Square

TASTE

FRIENDSHIP IS FERTILE SOIL

from Chicago in 2021. She then launched The Filipino Forager — which offers wild-harvested specialties, preserves, and more, as well as workshops — as a way to minimize food waste left over at On her homestead, Morris, whose involvement in the market the end of the market. “Billy and Ana gave me so much freedom to spans several years and capacities, illuminates the urgency for work with the leftover produce to create something to benefit us supporting local food systems. “The communities that stay all,” she says. “I had foraged before, but Billy also helped introduce resilient during uncertain times are the ones with strong local me to foraging in the Lowcountry.” supply chains and personal relationships with the people who grow Fellow forager and farmers’ market institution Ancil Jacques and produce their food,” she says. (Swampy Appleseed Mushrooms) found his In 2026, she and Andrew are shifting their first restaurant partner when he knocked focus to Savannah Food Hub. The hub offers on Local 11ten Food & Wine’s door a decade hands-on workshops such as foraging walks ago during Hammer’s tenure there as chef. with Hornung, barrelponics with Andrew, “He had a mushroom we had never seen and canning, seeding, and other skills that before called a pecan truffle, which is a help people create and maintain organic, southern varietal that grows underneath fresh food production at home. Farm-to-table the palm trees,” Hammer recalls. “We collaborations, events like their Wild Seed bought everything he had.” Through forays Plant Sale and Makers Market, and more at different restaurants, Jacques remains help connect Savannah’s small-scale growers, Hammer’s shroom dealer. artisanal producers, home cooks, At the Forsyth Farmers’ Market, “buy and restaurants. —JACOB HAMMER, local” isn’t a catchphrase — it’s a linchpin. Like sweet potato slips, the food growers EXECUTIVE CHEF AT HUSK As a food-only market, all offerings must be featured in this article are connected and grown or made within a 200-mile radius. regenerative. For example, Billy’s Botanicals’ This means vendors shoulder the burdens of seasonality, natural seasonal “Billy’s Bags” (now available to order directly through disasters, and more together. their website) include products from the Morrises’ Tasty Farms, “I’ve been to countless farmers’ markets, and the camaraderie Swampy Appleseed Mushrooms, and more. Husk — and a dozen between fellow farmers, chefs, and people is truly unique here,” other local restaurants — relies on Billy and Ana Dugger for says Hammer. “For a decade, I’ve walked through the market and fresh florals, fish, and “the weirdest herbs ever,” says Ana, who is known 90% of the farmers, and everybody says hi. That’s not co-owner of the farm. “What is salad burnet?” normal in other cities.” Hornung worked with Billy’s Botanicals when she moved here

“I’ve been to countless farmers’ markets, and the camaraderie between fellow farmers, chefs, and people is truly unique here.”

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Foraging walk with Katrina Hornung

C OU R T ES Y T HE F I L I P I NO F OR AG E R

C OU R T ES Y G R AY A RM S T RO NG

Billy’s Botanicals’ booth at Forsyth Farmers' Market

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Chef Miguel Bautista Beauty berries

C OU R T E S Y PE RRY LA N E HOTEL

A MARKET MENU Walking through the Forsyth Farmers’ Market with Chef Miguel Bautista from The Emporium Kitchen and Wine Market feels like parading down a promenade. As he indulges our whims, an orange pumpkin, turnips, duck legs, suspiciously shaped yellow squash, and more fill the basket he will draw from later to create dinner. Bautista, originally from Colombia and raised in Miami, is up for the challenge. As part of the Perry Lane Hotel’s new Market-to-Table Culinary Experience, where guests get to join the chef at the market, he accepts our picks — like a ghost pepper — with aplomb. The experience, which includes the market trip and dinner, is available every Saturday to hotel guests and the general public for $250 a person. We redeem insights and smiles from a menagerie of vendors, such as The Filipino Forager (Katrina Hornung), who educates us on beauty berries — a native plant that tastes like a cross between grape and hibiscus — as well as Greg’s Hot Sauce, Savannah Shrub, and Bautista’s favorite, Schmoe Farms. As Bautista concocts our courses, we enjoy poolside sips before arriving at Emporium for the 5 p.m. meal reveal, merrily buzzed. Six bespoke courses have been alchemized from our market selections. An inimitable swordfish crudo makes intelligent use of the ghost pepper plucked from Gannon Organics. The squashes arrive tempura-battered with a fermented hot sauce brightened by Hornung’s beauty berry syrup on the side. Bautista also serves a simple salad with roasted turnips, duck confit, and coffee-crusted ribeye, taking time to stop and expound on each course. After the delicious and inventive food, sommelier-selected wine pairings, and a glimpse into Bautista’s creative process, we leave in a full bacchanalian blush.

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COU R TESY THE FILIPIN O FORA G ER

C OU R T E SY P E R RY L A N E

FEEDING THE MISSION Early in 2025, the Duggers’ 5-acre farm and aquaponic operation flooded for the second time due to unprecedented rainfall. Crops, revenue, and sleep were lost. The community rallied and helped replant the farm. Fellow farmers took to social media to encourage marketgoers to buy out Billy’s Botanicals’ stock at the market. A similar situation in 2022 resulted in swift support from Repeal 33, Sobremesa, and more through mobilization and fundraising. The past five years have marked a strenuous stretch for small farmsteads like Billy’s Botanicals. Weather has grown more erratic — heat waves, surprise frosts, and feast-or-famine rainfall — while the cost of everything from seeds to soil amendments has climbed sharply. Labor has become harder to find, supply chains are more fragile, and land is more expensive. Challenges for farmers domino into challenges for the community. “Farmers’ markets are more than a wholesome weekend activity,” Morris says. “They are a cornerstone of regional food security.” On March 6, Chefs + Farmers, a grassroots gala started by FARM Bluffton’s Brandon Carter, will return for a second year. Hosted at the Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum, the evening will unite local farmers, celebrated chefs, and community leaders in support of Forsyth Farmers’ Market’s mission to provide fresh, affordable, and sustainable food to those with limited access. “Supporting your farmers means supporting your own long-term wellbeing, your neighbors’ success, and the preservation of land stewardship and food skills that matter more now than ever,” says Morris.

AUTHENTIC FRENCH MACARONS LAVAZZA COFFEE ÉCLAIRS GELATO CAKES FINE CHOCOLATES

2 0 4 We s t B r o u g h t o n S t r e e t S a v a n n a h , G A 314 01 912 . 712 . 5 0 94 STEPHANIE & REGGIE, OWNERS

lemacaronsavannah@gmail.com

A LEECE SOPHIA PHOTOG R A P HY

TASTE: CHEF Q&A

Meet Chef Dan Witwer of The Darling Oyster Bar Written by ALLISON ARBUTHNOT SANDERS

RAISED IN BUFFALO and trained at the prestigious Culinary Institute of America, Chef Dan Witwer’s career path has traversed the East Coast. He came to town to open the Savannah location of popular Charleston restaurant The Darling Oyster Bar. Previously, he’d been working in Nashville, where he was immersed in the world of beef. The hard left from land to sea has opened up a world of new knowledge and possibility for him. Now, he’s channeling years of kitchen experience, a mix of regional flavors, and a deep appreciation for local farmers, fishermen, and oyster growers into creating a restaurant that may be a second location, yet feels deeply rooted in place.

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COU R TESY SOU TH CITY PR

Shell Yes! What excites you most about opening The Darling Oyster Bar? As far as restaurant openings go, it’s been very good. We took the time to do it right instead of rushing into it. In the time that we were waiting for it to open, I got to cultivate relationships with local farms and vendors. It’s cool to have that personal connection with them and to be able to spend our money here. Instead of buying big-box distributor burgers, I get them from Hunter Cattle Co. [grass-fed beef raised in nearby Brooklet, Georgia]. Better Fresh Farms [a hydroponic, non-GMO, herbicide- and pesticide-free farm in Metter, Georgia] does some of our greens. It has created a little support structure, where if I need something, [a local vendor] will tell me, ‘Hey, I know a guy who grows that.’ What are the differences between The Darling Oyster Bars in Charleston and Savannah? In Savannah, local and regional is the focus. All the decor has been purchased from small shops locally, and everything in there — the lighting, the tables, the booths — was made in Georgia. As for food, we have two menus. The white menu is our core menu for both restaurants. The pink menu is our daily offerings in Savannah only. We run three or four specials a day showcasing whatever is coming in off the boat. The local Georgia oysters [Salt Bombs and Bull River Oysters] have a permanent spot on our menu. There will always be a Georgia oyster on our raw bar menu. We’re repping that Savannah name hard!

TASTE: CHEF Q&A

What should people eat if oysters don’t float their boat? The lobster roll. It’s simple: lobster meat, split-top brioche bun, celery, mayo, seasonings. Simple is good. We also have whatever fresh fish options are available daily from the fishermen, and the scallops and the mussels are very popular. The Hunter Cattle fried chicken and burgers are great non-seafood options. And we offer poutine with a little twist — it’s topped with clam chowder instead of gravy. It’s really good. When I’m hungry, and I want something fast, that’s my go-to.

A LEECE SOPHIA PHOTOG RA PHY

On the star of the show: the oyster. We run six oysters a day, and we try to hit different regions. We always have our James River house oyster, Little Darlings, from Virginia. And then we’ll run the local oysters: the Bull Rivers and the Salt Bombs. Next, we hit different regions: a South or North Carolina, a Canadian, or a Northeast. It’s all the same animal, but there’s a significant difference in oysters from different regions. Some are blades and some are cups; some are very briny; some are more subtle. We give flavor notes at the raw bar. You try one, or you can try them all. We offer a ginger mignonette, cocktail sauce, and we bottle our own hot sauce. I like to eat an oyster for what it is: cold on a half shell, not masking the flavor. It’s like you’re eating the ocean. Oysters are filter feeders, so they’re not only a sustainable food source, but they also help care for the environment. We just started working with a shell recycling program. They pick them up twice a week, process them, and introduce them back into the environment.

Inside Savannah’s The Darling Oyster Bar

Savannah Antiques and Architecture Weekend

BRITISH ROOTS ISLAND STYLE FEATURING INDIA HICKS

MARCH, 5, 6, & 7, 2026

JA N UA R Y/ F EB R UA R Y 2 0 2 6

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Irish hospitality, plenty of pints, and good craic guaranteed!

Book your large parties with us!

Live Music 7 Days A Week!

Scan for Menu & Live Music Schedule

27 Barnard St. | 912-335-0040 | Wexfordpub.com

Book Your Parties & Private Events

Ethan Iyer, left, and Kingston Fluitt

Leadership Lessons These star students are young, but they’re already making a positive mark in our community. Written by K ATHY GURCHIEK

AFTER EYEING A LEATHER JACKET HE WANTED, Kingston Fluitt, then a sixth grade student at the STEM Academy at Bartlett, sold homemade chicken wraps door to door one summer. Ethan Iyer, an eighth grade student at Hancock Day School, founded Excel with Ethan in December 2024. The virtual tutoring business helps students in grades one through eight who struggle with math. Junior Achievement of Georgia took note of their entrepreneurial efforts, naming both Savannah students to its

2025 Nineteen Under Nineteen list of honorees who demonstrate exceptional leadership, innovation, and community impact. The program spotlights students from middle school to recent high school graduates who have made a mark through JA programs, such as JA Finance Park — which both Fluitt and Iyer attended — JA BizTown, 3DE by Junior Achievement, and JA Summer Camp. All honorees received scholarships that will help support their entrepreneurial or educational endeavors.

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COU R TESY JU N IOR A CHIEVEMEN T OF G EORG IA

EDUCATION

It was the summer of 2023, and Kingston Fluitt was at loose ends, feeling restless. He was contemplating starting a business when his friends urged him to sell the tasty chicken wraps he often made for them. Kingston’s Chicken Wraps was born. His mother supported him by purchasing supplies and helping him with assembly-line prep and cleanup. Bike-riding friends — their salaries paid in chicken wraps — promoted and delivered 65 wraps to neighbors. In just a little more than two weeks, Fluitt had netted $300. He bought the leather jacket he had wanted, though he later donated it when he outgrew it. Lessons learned: “You can make a lot of money in a short amount of time if you’re determined and if you have good people around you,” says Fluitt, now 14 and an eighth grade student at the STEM Academy, where he plays basketball and enjoys science labs. “And it takes a lot of leadership and a lot of determination to make sure everything is going according to plan.” Fluitt says he hopes to one day follow in the footsteps of his parents, Brian and Angel, who are both business owners.

Ethan Iyer

Ethan Iyer enjoys helping others, whether that means collecting goods for the nonprofit Union Mission, where his mother sits on the board, or tutoring students in math through his business, Excel with Ethan. To start his business, Iyer bought the domain name, built the website, and promoted his services. He now tutors on a nearly weekly basis and typically works with third, fourth, and sixth grade students. Math is this straight-A student’s favorite subject. “At school, some kids need help, and I like helping them,” the 13-year-old says. “It’s fulfilling when they tell me they scored well on a test.” Running a business, Iyer says, has taught him budgeting, managing expenses and client relationships, and keeping track of his financials. With his father’s help, Iyer invests his earnings in a mutual fund. Being a business owner “also taught me the importance of philanthropy and not just helping yourself,” says Iyer, who has also volunteered at Skidaway Island Methodist Church. Iyer enjoys film editing and competes on his school’s cross country and swim teams. He wants to pursue a career in medicine, following in the footsteps of his father, Sanjay Iyer, a physician, and mom, Anna Iyer, a nurse.

Do you know a superstar student? Nominations for the next class of Junior Achievement of Georgia’s Nineteen Under Nineteen will open statewide in the spring.

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Fostering Communication OLIVIA JONES BELIEVES COMMUNICATION has the power to resolve rifts that arise from teasing, name-calling, gossip, harassment, cheating, and fighting. As a peer mediator with the Mediation Center of the Coastal Empire, the Jenkins High School senior helps her fellow students iron out their differences. “We don’t tell them what to do,” explains Jones. Instead, students are encouraged to talk to and listen to each other. “It’s usually people saying stuff to each other, and they take Olivia Jones it too far,” she says. “They don’t try to understand other people’s perspectives.” Mediators are not in the same classes as the students they meet with and may even be in different grades. Jones typically assists with five to 10 sessions per semester. “Communication is very important, and when people don’t communicate their feelings, it spirals out of control and bad things happen,” she says. “I’ve lost friendships because people wouldn’t communicate with me. They just assumed something.” The second-oldest child of Rachael Blue-Jones, Jones sometimes mediates conflicts between her three siblings. And she said she’s learned the power of an apology in her own life — even when the conflict is not major — “because sometimes people just want an apology.” She is also a Positive Peer Influencer to seventh and eighth grade students. That program began two years ago as a collaboration among the Mediation Center of the Coastal Empire, Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools, and the Chatham-Savannah Counter Narcotics Team. Influencers undergo training on presenting and discussing the dangers of tobacco, vaping, fentanyl, opioids, and other dangerous drugs. The goal: to model good decision-making and help local teens learn to handle peer pressure. Bullying and exclusion are common problems Jones has seen middle schoolers confront. Peer influencers, she says, “make them feel seen and heard.” Jones also sits on the Chatham County Superintendent’s Student Senate and shoots video for the Warriors’ football team. She plans to attend Clark Atlanta University to study mass media arts and dreams of working for a TV production company such as Disney and eventually for a major sports league. COU R TESY OLIVIA J ON ES

Kingston Fluitt

ST. JA M ES CAT H O L IC S C H O O L CHARGING FOR

WARD

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

SCHOOL SMARTS From AP and honors courses to championship athletics and STEM programs, Savannah area’s public and private schools provide a variety of educational experiences rooted in excellence and integrity. Find the ﬁ t that’s right for your child by using this guide to the area’s top educational institutions.

8 412 W H I T E F I E L D AV E . | 9 12 . 3 5 5 . 3 13 2 S TJ A M E S C H A R G E R S .C O M S TJ A M E S C AT H O L I C S C H O O L S TJ A M E S C H A R G E R S OUR LEARNING ENVIRONMENT IS:

Savannah Classical Academy .......................................... 122

Caring, encouraging, and challenging. St. James Catholic School challenges students to reach their highest potential in the atmosphere of a Catholic, Christian community. Through guidance from the Immaculate Heart of Mary sisters, students are prepared for a life of learning and service to God. Students are encouraged to thrive in a way that stimulates academic excellence, high moral standards, and personal responsibility.

Savannah Country Day School........................................ 125

O U R M I S S I O N I S T O T E AC H :

Blessed Sacrament Catholic School ................................127 Hancock Day School .........................................................126

St. Andrew’s School ........................................................ 123 St. James Catholic School ................................................121 Tybee Island Maritime Academy .................................... 124

In a Christian atmosphere that nurtures a strong academic program that is caring and disciplined, conducive to learning, and provides activities that cultivate the importance of life, values, morality, and ethics. St. James School is dedicated to Christian principles rooted in the Catholic tradition. W E T E AC H F O R T H E F U T U R E B Y:

Recognizing the importance of studying faith, the arts, technology, foreign language, and physical education. Our curriculum allows our students to have the opportunity to succeed in numerous subjects and activities, so teachers can educate the mind of each individual student.

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Y M E D A C A L A C I S S SAVA N N A H C LA BE VIRTUOUS. B

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7 0 5 E . A N D E R S O N S T. | 9 12 . 3 9 5 . 4 0 4 0 S AVA N N A H C L A S S I C A L A C A D E M Y. O R G S C A S AVA N N A H S AVA N N A H C L A S S I C A L AC A D E M Y

W E ’ R E AT T H E T O P O F T H E C L A S S I N :

• Academic achievements. • Providing a safe and nurturing environment. • Offering many programs including college-level, advanced academic, fine arts, and technical courses. WE’RE PROUD OF OUR STUDENTS FOR:

• Their dedication to continual learning, academic success, and commitment to our community service projects. OUR LEARNING ENVIRONMENT IS:

• Academically rigorous and supportive with small class sizes and many extracurricular activities. • Repeatedly recognized as a high-achieving school locally, statewide, and nationally. O U R PA R E N T S G E T A N “A” F O R :

• Their commitment to enrolling their children at SCA and actively supporting the school with the Spartan Club. W H Y C H O O S E SAVA N N A H C L A S S I C A L AC A D E M Y:

• SCA has been consistently recognized as a top performing school locally, within Georgia and nationally. Students may attend from PreK through twelfth grade. In addition to being a leading school academically, SCA offers robust Fine Arts, STEAM, athletic, college level, and travel programs. All students participate in experiences outside of the classroom to compliment coursework. OUR MISSION:

• To provide every child with a classical and academically rigorous education while instilling a commitment to civic virtue and moral character. W E T E AC H F O R T H E F U T U R E B Y:

• Preparing our students to be involved, educated, and successful citizens. • Due to the education they received at SCA, graduates will be able to navigate today’s competitive society by being able to think critically, work collaboratively with others, and act with civic and moral virtue in order to thrive and succeed throughout adulthood. 122

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L O O H C S ’S W E R D N ST. A T H E S T. A N D R E

E: WHERE LEA W ’ S A D V A N TA G

RNING COMES

TO LIFE!

601 PENN WALLER ROAD | 912.897.4941 SA SLIONS.COM SAINTANDRE WSSAVANNAH SA S.LIONS

W E ’ R E AT T H E T O P O F T H E C L A S S I N :

• Inspiring students to hone their strengths, embrace new experiences, and lead with confidence and integrity. At St. Andrew’s, learning comes to life through rigorous academics, competitive athletics, and vibrant arts programs. With small class sizes and teachers who both challenge and champion our learners, students develop the discipline, creativity, and confidence that set the foundation for lifelong success. WE’RE PROUD OF OUR STUDENTS FOR:

• Pursuing excellence across academics, arts, athletics, and service while embracing challenges, supporting one another, and showing the character and leadership that define our community. At St. Andrew’s, whether on the field, on stage, or in service to others, students hold themselves to high standards. They support one another, embrace challenges, and demonstrate the character, drive, and leadership that define our community. OUR LEARNING ENVIRONMENT IS:

• Energetic, challenging, and thoughtfully designed to spark curiosity. From early childhood through graduation, students are encouraged to ask meaningful questions, take purposeful risks, and stretch beyond their perceived limits. Academics, arts, and athletics all provide pathways where learning comes alive, helping students develop confidence, independence, and resilience. O U R PA R E N T S G E T A N “A” F O R :

• Championing a community built on purpose, engagement, and a commitment to excellence. St. Andrew’s parents partner with the school in meaningful ways such as volunteering, attending events, and supporting our mission. Their involvement strengthens the St. Andrew’s Advantage and helps create an environment where students feel inspired to aim high and lead boldly. WHEN CHOOSING A SCHOOL, ASK:

• How will this school challenge my child to grow, think critically, and lead with purpose? At St. Andrew’s, students are encouraged to elevate their thinking through rigorous academics, rich experiences in the arts and athletics, and teachers who recognize and cultivate their strengths. Here, potential isn’t just noticed, it’s intentionally developed.

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TY B E E I S LA N D MY M A R IT I M E ACA D E HANDS-ON, PRO

J E C T- B A S E D

714 LOVELL AVE ., T Y BEE ISL AND | 912.395.4060 T Y B E E I S L A N D M A R I T I M E A C A D E M Y. C O M T YBEEISL ANDMARITIMEACADEMY

W E ’ R E AT T H E T O P O F T H E C L A S S I N :

• Maritime focus: This subject covers human relationships to the ocean, the seas, and major waterways and related logistics. The subject of maritime also includes maritime themes in literature, art, sailors, passengers, and sea-related communities, travel, and transportation. • Regularly learning on the beach: The students use the beach as their classroom and science lab regularly. They advocate for the protection of the coast and marshlands because of their intimate relationship with it. • Place- and problem-based learning with arts integration: In partnership with community experts and through real-life projects and activities, students not only embrace traditional concepts, but also hone their ability to think critically and creatively, to solve problems, and to work together. Students learn how to succeed not only in the classroom, but also in the real world. WE’RE PROUD OF OUR STUDENTS FOR:

• Being designers of their learning. • Leading with empathy. • Partnering with the community. OUR LEARNING ENVIRONMENT IS:

• Flexible. • Collaborative. O U R PA R E N T S G E T A N “A” F O R :

• Being supportive in sharing their time and resources. • Being true partners in their children’s education. OUR MISSION:

• TIMA seeks to create a vibrant, dynamic, and unique learning experience that seeks to engage every student, stimulate intellectual curiosity, and facilitate academic excellence and achievement. The school’s educational philosophy stems from the value that every learner is a teacher, and every teacher is a learner, and every individual’s perspective and voice are important. W E T E AC H F O R T H E F U T U R E B Y:

• Teaching students how to be creative problem-solvers together, with each other and in partnership with organizations that exist.

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L O O H C S Y A D Y R T N SAVA N N A H C O U COUNTRY DISCOVER THE

D AY D I F F E R E N C

824 S T I L LWO O D D R I V E 9 12 .9 2 5 . 8 8 0 0 | S AV C D S . O R G S AVA N N A H C O U N T R Y D AY

T H E E X PE R I E N C E : • Faculty, student advisers and counselors work with students

and parents to chart a path for individual student success. • Over 75% of faculty have advanced degrees. • 7:1 student-to-teacher ratios foster individualized attention. • Competitive athletics program, with more than 50 teams in

15 sports and more than 80 percent of Middle/Upper School students participating in athletics. • Award-winning fine and performing arts program includes visual

art, chorus, jazz band, theatre, photography, orchestra, ceramics, jewelry and technology-based digital art. • Our Learning Support Team of 12 specialists provides

one-on-one support for students with learning differences. • College Counseling Office works with families to navigate college

admissions process starting in ninth grade. • Clubs and activities include Quiz Bowl, Mock Trial, Fencing,

Math Club, Robotics and more. • One of six member schools in Georgia in Global Online Academy,

a consortium that provides students with more than 45 additional course offerings, including Game Design, Bioethics, Business Problem Solving and more. T H E R E S U LT: • Ranked by Niche.com as No. 1 K-12 school in Savannah,

No. 1 College Prep School and No.1 STEM High School. • Our recent graduates have been accepted by more than 100

colleges and universities including Brown, Cornell, Duke, Georgetown, Harvard, Johns Hopkins, NYU, UVA, UNC, Princeton and Vanderbilt. • SCDS has sent more students to the University of Georgia and

Georgia Tech than any other school in Savannah. • 13 of 83 seniors in the class of 2025 will play collegiate sports. • Our seniors annually average almost $5 million in scholarships —

in addition to HOPE. • 86% pass rate on Advanced Placement exams.

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L O O H C S Y A D K C O C HAN ROO

O N . P R E PA R E TED IN TRADITI

D FOR TOMORR

O W.

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ABOUT US:

• Since 1953, Hancock has emphasized academic fundamentals while enriching and broadening students’ personal development. Our founding commitments are alive and well today. At Hancock Day School, we develop the whole student by instilling values, knowledge, and skills to become independent, self-reliant, lifelong learners with strength of character to make meaningful contributions in an ever-changing world. LEARNING WITH PURPOSE:

• Hancock students welcome a challenge. Our rigorous curriculum calls students to stretch themselves, think deeply, and discover their full potential. • With high expectations and expert instruction, our faculty guides each child from dependence to confidence, from learner to leader. Our graduates leave Hancock academically prepared for Savannah’s most competitive high schools and beyond. C H A R AC T E R YO U C A N S E E :

• Each month, students engage with a core Hancock value through service, reflection, and shared experiences that build integrity and empathy. • From the first morning greeting to the final school bell, relationships matter here. Every student is known. Courtesy, respect, and kindness are practiced daily because strong character never goes out of style. T H E H A N CO C K WAY:

• We teach students to take ownership of their learning and their actions. The Hancock Way reflects a culture of shared responsibility, high standards, and mutual respect, preparing students not only for success in school but for life. CO M E S E E H A N CO C K F O R YO U R S E L F:

• Choosing the right school matters. Nothing compares to walking our campus, meeting our teachers, and seeing our students in action. Schedule your tour today.

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T N E M A R C A S D E S S BLE CAT H O L I C S C H O O L BELIEVE. 10 03 E . V I C TO R Y D R I V E 9 12 . 3 5 6 . 6 9 8 7 | B S S - S A V A N N A H . O R G B S S I R I S H S AV BSSIRISH

OUR MISSION: • Rooted in faith and committed to academic excellence, the

community of Blessed Sacrament Catholic School prepares and empowers children to lead, love, and serve God, the Church, and the world. W H Y C H O O S E B L E S S E D SAC R A M E N T ? • Faith: Established in 1939, we are the oldest Catholic

school operating in the Savannah Deanery. • Family Atmosphere: Nurturing environment,

supportive teachers, and parents actively involved in our community. We focus on a safe learning environment that encourages independence, self-efficacy, and a joy of learning. • The Curriculum: Designed to support students to fulfil

their highest potential, our curriculum and pedagogy differentiates to support individual learning. • Facilities: Include a regulation gym, media lab, broadcast

news center, science lab, STEAM lab, art room, and cafeteria/kitchen. • Enrichment: Art, Music, Spanish, PE, Media, and

Technology • Extended Day: 7 a.m - 6 p.m. Before/after-school

childcare program. Local organizations work with our after-school program so that students can enjoy different athletic, dance, etiquette, and elective-style courses. • Technology: One-to-one Chromebooks (5-8), iPads

(PreK-4), and SMART Boards, and IPEVO cameras in every classroom • Online Learning Platforms: Google Classroom and

individualized online programs to ensure skill mastery and student engagement. • Individual Student Needs: Flexible grouping, small class

sizes for math and reading, and learning support (PreK-8). • Athletic Programs: Competition and skill development

teams (5-8) in volleyball, football, cheerleading, basketball, golf, soccer, cross-country, track, baseball, swimming, tennis, and flag football.

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PUBLIC SCHOOLS

COLOR KEY: • Downtown • East/Islands • Midtown • West • Southside

KINDERGARTEN–5TH

ADDRESS

PHONE

MIDDLE SCHOOLS (GRADES 6–8)

ADDRESS

PHONE

• Bloomingdale*

101 Main St. Bloomingdale, 31302

912.395.3680

• Coastal

4595 U.S. 80 E., 31410

912.395.3950

• Brock*

1804 Stratford St., 31401

912.395.5300

• DeRenne

1009 Clinch St., 31405

912.395.5900

• Butler*

1909 Cynthia St., 31415

912.395.2525

• Hubert

768 Grant St., 31401

912.395.5235

• Coastal Empire Montessori (Charter)

301 Buckhalter Road, 31405 cemco.org

912.395.4070

• Mercer

100 Priscilla Thomas Way, 31408

912.395.6700

2025 E. 52nd St., 31404

912.395.6600

• Early Learning Center at Henderson E. Formey Jr. School*

• Myers

400 East Broad St., 31401

912.395.5500

• Oglethorpe (Charter)

7202 Central Ave., 31406 oglethorpecharter.org

912.395.5075

• Gadsden*

919 May St., 31415

912.395.5940

• Southwest*

6030 Ogeechee Road, 31419

912.395.3540

• Garden City*

4037 Kessler Ave. Garden City, 31408

912.395.6820

• STEM Academy at Bartlett

207 E. Montgomery Cross Road 31406

912.395.3500

• Gould*

4910 Pineland Drive, 31405

912.395.5400

• West Chatham*

5111 Dillon Ave., 31405

912.395.6501

800 Pine Barren Road Pooler, 31322

912.395.3650

• Haven* • Heard*

414 Lee Blvd., 31405

912.395.6630

HIGH SCHOOLS (GRADES 9–12)

ADDRESS

PHONE

• Hodge*

975 Clinch St., 31405

912.395.5200

• Beach

3001 Hopkins St., 31405

912.395.5330

• May Howard*

115 Wilmington Island Road, 31410

912.395.3925

• School of Humanities at Juliette Gordon Low*

15 Blue Ridge Ave., 31404

912.395.6380

• Groves*

100 Priscilla Thomas Way Garden City, 31408

912.395.2520

• Marshpoint*

135 Whitemarsh Island Road, 31410

912.395.4000

• Islands

70 Whitemarsh Island Road, 31410

912.395.2000

• Pooler

101 Main St., Bloomingdale, 31302***

912.395.3625

• Jenkins

1800 E. DeRenne Ave., 31406

912.395.6300

• Jacob G. Smith*

5330 Montgomery St.***

912.395.6530

• Johnson

3012 Sunset Blvd., 31404

912.395.6400

• Southwest*

6020 Ogeechee Road, 31419

912.395.3301

• New Hampstead

2451 Little Neck Road Bloomingdale, 31302

912.395.6789

• Susie King Taylor Community School (Charter, K–5)

1709 Bull St., 31401

912.395.4200

• Savannah Arts Academy

500 Washington Ave., 31405

912.395.5000

• West Chatham*

912.395.2535

912.395.3600

• Savannah Early College

400 Pennsylvania Ave., 31404

820 Pine Barren Road Pooler, 31322

912.395.5050

9402 White Bluff Road, 31405

912.395.3325

• School of Liberal Studies at Savannah High

400 Pennsylvania Ave., 31404

• White Bluff* • A.B. Williams

1150 Wheaton St., 31404

912.395.2500

• Windsor Forest*

12419 Largo Drive, 31419

912.395.3400

• Windsor Forest*

414 Briarcliff Circle, 31419

912.395.3353

• Woodville-Tompkins*

151 Coach Joe Turner St., 31408

912.395.6750

ADDRESS

PHONE

KINDERGARTEN–8TH

ADDRESS

PHONE

OTHER EDUCATIONAL CENTERS

• Ellis Montessori Academy*

220 E. 49th St., 31405

912.395.5470

• 21st Century Learning Centers (2–12)

402 Market St., 31408

912.395.5686

• Garrison*

649 W. Jones St., 31401

912.395.5975

• Georgetown

430 Tibet Ave, 31419 ***

912.395.3475

• Building Bridges Academy HS

402 Market St., 31408

912.395.2540

• Godley Station*

2135 Benton Blvd., Pooler, 31407

912.395.6000

• Building Bridges Academy MS

3609 Hopkins St., 31406

912.395.6780

hiteﬁeld Ave.,

912.395.6440

•

fﬁce of ollege and areer Readiness

402 Market St., 31408

912.395.6765

• The Learning Academy at Jenkins (9-12) The Learning Academy at Isle of Hope (K-8)

1800 E. DeRenne Ave., 31406 (high school) 100 Parkersburg Road, 31406

Jenkins: 912.395.5441 Isle of Hope: 912.395.5440

1745 Phoenix Blvd., Suite 100 Atlanta georgiacyber.org

404.334.4790

• Massie Heritage Center

207 E. Gordon St., 31401

912.395.5070

• Oatland Island Wildlife Center*

711 Sandtown Road, 31410

912.395.1212

3609 Hopkins St., Room 7A 31405

912.395.5516

• Hesse*

• Isle of Hope*

100 Parkersburg Road, 31406

912.395.6555

• New Hampstead*

1700 Highgate Blvd. Bloomingdale, 31302

912.395.6200

• Pulaski*

1001 Tibet Ave., 31419

912.395.6466

• Rice Creek*

100 Mullberry Ave. Port Wentworth, 31407

912.395.4100

• Tybee Maritime Academy

714 Lovell Ave. Tybee Island, 31328 tybeeislandmaritimeacademy.com

912.395.4060

KINDERGARTEN–12TH

ADDRESS

PHONE

• Savannah Classical Academy

705 E. Anderson St., 31401 savannahclassicalacademy.org

912.395.4040

(Charter)

chool chart infor ation re ects

ost recently u dated infor ation as of ress ti e

Georgia Cyber Academy

Savannah-Chatham E-Learning Academy (Virtual, grades 1–12)

• WINGS Elementary Alternative 5111 Dillon Ave., 31405 Learning Program

The Savannah-Chatham County Public School System maintains Cognia® Systems Accreditation. *Schools which offer Pre-K programs *** Temporary location

128

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912.395.6744

“

Savannah Educational Consultants didn’t just guide our children— they transformed their confidence, direction, and results.

”

· · $2 Million+ in scholarship awards in 2025 · K-12 private school admissions consulting · Unparalleled SAT/ACT score gains · Higher GPAs & reduced stress through ADHD/Executive Function coaching · 1–2+ years of reading growth for dyslexic and struggling readers planning & coaching that helps students choose majors, · Career internships, and future paths with clarity use of AI to strengthen learning, optimize academic · Strategic performance, and prepare students for a future where AI skills are essential 100% college admissions acceptance

Real results for real students. Educational Counseling and Related Services for Children, Adolescents and Adults

LAUREL A. BRADY Learning Disabilities Specialist

HELESE S. SANDLER Certified Educational Planner

College Prep • Test Prep • Executive Function • LD/ADHD Support • Career Coaching - College Counseling 130 Tibet Avenue, Suite 103 | Savannah | 912.238.9552 | SavannahEducationalConsultants.com

From holding your hand to holding their diploma, it all happens here.

Developing the whole person to the glory of God

SAVCPS.COM

PRIVATE SCHOOLS

COLOR KEY: • Downtown • East/Islands • Midtown • West • Southside

SCHOOL & ADDRESS

AGES/GRADES

TUITION**

TOTAL STUDENTS

RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION

ACCREDITATION/ ORGANIZATION

• Acton Savannah 2 Saint Thomas Ave., Isle of Hope, 31406 actonsavannah.com, 912.226.2686

Pre-K–12 years

$6,950 – $8,900 (6–12 years)

Nonsectarian

International Association of Learner Driven Schools/Acton Academy Network

• Advanced Academy at Matthew Reardon Center for Autism 11500 Middleground Road, 31419 matthewreardon.org, 912.355.9098

5–21 years

$18,200

None

GAC

• Advanced Academics Academy 605 Highway 80, Pooler, 31322 advancedacademicsacademy.com 912.348.2017

Ages 2-4; K-8

$1,118-$1,124 monthly

Under 100

None

6 weeks–12 years

$10,400

Up to 325

None

Quality Rated

• Benedictine Military School 6502 Seawright Drive, 31406 thebc400.com, 912.644.7000

9–12 (male)

$16,525 active Catholic, plus fees; $18,025 non-Catholic, plus fees

414

Catholic

Cognia, GHSA, GISA, NCEA, SAIS

• Bethesda Academy 9520 Ferguson Ave., 31406 bethesdaacademy.org, 912.351.2055

6–12 (male)

$9,000 (Goal Scholarship available)

103

Christian Nondenominational

Cognia, NAIS, SACS, SCISA

Pre-K–8

$7,900 Catholic $10,100 non-Catholic (Multiple-child discount for Catholic families)

460

Catholic

Cognia

6 weeks– 12th grade

$11,700 (Pre-K3 & younger); $10,500 (Pre-K); $11,710 (K); $12,315 (1–5); $12,755 (6–8); $12,975 (9–12) (Inquire about discounts and fees)

1,345 (ELC and school)

Christian

ACSI, Cognia, GHSA, GISA, NAIS, SAIS

Pre-K4–12

$12,650 (Pre-K) $14,220 (K) $15,460 (1-5) $15,780 (6-8) $15,990 (9-12)

225

Christian Nondenominational

• Hancock Day School 6600 Howard Foss Drive, 31406 hancockdayschool.org, 912.351.4500

Pre-K–8

$14,175 (Pre-K) $15,000 (K) $15,950 (1-5) $16,575 (6-8) (includes lunch)

450

Nonsectarian

GISA, NAIS, SAIS

• Memorial Day School 6500 Habersham St., 31405 memorialdayschool.com, 912.352.4535

Pre-K–12 Daycare

$8,000-$9,500; $200/week (daycare)

225

Christian Nondenominational

Cognia, GAC, GISA

• Montessori Academy of Savannah Inc. 8415 Cresthill Ave., 31406 912.355.2000

(Age 2–Pre-K)

Half- and full-day programs Call for pricing

None

Pan American Montessori Certiﬁed

• Rambam Day School 111 Atlas St., 31405 rambamdayschool.org, 912.352.7994

Age 2–8th grade

$6,283 (2- and 3-year-olds) $12,566 (Pre-K, K, 1-4) $13,184 (5-8) (Plus registration, maintenance & technology fees)

Jewish

• The Royce School 4 Oglethorpe Professional Blvd., 31406 roycelearningcenter.org, 912.354.4047

K-12/PG for students with LD/ Dyslexia/ADHD

$23,621 (2025-2026 rates)

110

None

• Angel Learning Center 178 Basswood Drive, 31407 angellearningsavannah.com, 912.228.8228

• Blessed Sacrament Catholic School 1003 E. Victory Drive, 31405 bss-savannah.org, 912.356.6987

• Calvary Day School 4625 Waters Ave., 31404 calvarydayschool.com, 912.351.2299

• The Habersham School 4700 Skidaway Road, Building B, 31404 thehabershamschool.org, 912.509.0540

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ACSI, CLSA, GAC, GAPPS, SCL

Bright from the Start Quality Rated SACS

Cognia, SAIS

You have a CHOICE! CHOICE Savannah-Chatham Savannah-Chatham County County Public Public School School System System

Career Pathways in:

Prestigious Fine Arts Academy

• Welding • Aviation Manufacturing • Veterinary Science

• Engineering • Healthcare • And more!

STEM and STEAM– International Baccalaureate Certified Elementary Schools (IB) Programs

Dual Enrollment & College Credit Opportunities

Offering unique opportunities designed to spark creativity and career readiness. With 26 Choice Programs, there's a path for every learner! Learn More: sccpss.com/Choice

PRIVATE SCHOOLS

COLOR KEY: • Downtown • East/Islands • Midtown • West • Southside

AGES/GRADES

TUITION**

TOTAL STUDENTS

RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION

ACCREDITATION/ ORGANIZATION

Pre-K 3-12

$12,290 (Pre-K 3 & 4) $13,610 (K) $16,480 (1-4) $19,620 (5-8) $21,180 (9-10) $21,630 (11-12) Tuition Includes lunch. (2025-2026 rates)

530

Nonsectarian

GISA, IB World School, NAIS, SAIS, SACS

• St. James Catholic School 2 hiteﬁeld Ave., 0 stjameschargers.com, 912.355.3132

Pre-K–8, Early Learning Center for ages 2–3 years

$10,110/year (Early Learning Center) $8,035 (PK-8) Catholic $10,440/year PK-8) Non-Catholic (Multiple-student discounts)

457

Catholic

Cognia

• St. Paul’s Lutheran Preschool 10 W. 31st St., 31401 splpreschool.com, 912.234.4255

6 weeks–4 years

$195 6 weeks-2 years $180 3-4 years

126

Christian Nondenominational

• St. Peter the Apostle Catholic School 7020 Concord Road, 31410 school.saintpetertheapostle.com 912.897.5224

Pre-K3–8

$7,876 K-8 Catholic $9,548 K-8 Non-Catholic Multi-child discount (2025-2026 tuition rates)

248

Catholic

Cognia, CASI, NCA, NWAC, SACS,

• St. Vincent’s Academy 207 E. Liberty St., 31401 svaga.net, 2.2 .550

9–12 (all female)

$11,050 Catholic (multiple-child discount) $13,365 Non-Catholic (2025-2026 rates)

Approx. 300

Catholic

Cognia, SAIS, GISA

• Savannah Christian Preparatory School 1599 Chatham Parkway, 31408 savcps.com, 2.2 . 5

Pre-K–12, Daycare/Preschool (6 weeks–4 years)

$13,600 (Pre-K & K); $13,750 (1–5); $14,650 (6–7); $14,750 (8); $15,080 (9–12) (2025-2026 rates)

1,430

Christian Nondenominational

Cognia, CESA, GISA, SAIS

• Savannah Country Day School 824 Stillwood Road, 31419 savcds.org, 2. 25. 00

Jr. K–12 (6 weeks–4 years at The Little School)

$19,700 (JK-K) $22,850 (1-5) $25,900 (6-8) $26,500 (9-12)

1,204 (includes Little School)

Nonsectarian

GISA, NAIS, SACS, SAIS

K-8

$10,000

Pre-K-6

$9,500 (up to $5,000 ﬁnancial aid available)

Pre-K–12

$4,800 (K–12)

Pre-K–12

$4,722 (Pre-K 3-day); $6,434 (Pre-K 5-day & K); $9,360 (1–6); $10,658 (7–12)

SCHOOL & ADDRESS

• St. Andrew’s School 601 Penn Waller Road, 31410 saslions.com, 912.897.4941

• Savannah Legacy Academy 1010 E. 36th St., 31401 savlegacyacademy.com, 2. 5 . • The School at Higher Ground 20 hiteﬁeld Ave., 0 theschoolhg.com, 912.298.5500 • Urban Christian Academy 5 0 ACL Blvd., 05, 2.2 • Veritas Academy 207 Bull St., 31401 veritassav.org, 2.2

GAC

. 222

Christian

Georgia Accrediting Commission (in preparation)

Christian

GAC

190

Christian

ACCS, GAC

EDUCATIONAL SERVICES SERVICE

ADDRESS

PHONE

WEBSITE

• The Bunny Hive

1506 Bull St., 31401

912.644.0284

thebunnyhive.com savannah

706.969.1503

gvs.georgia.gov

912.352.8100

kgschoolofmusic.com/homeschool

Kramer Consulting LLC

803.673.6835

the exiblebehaviorist.com

La Belle Vie Academy

912.657.8483

kathrynbelle.com

912.354.4047

roycelearningcenter.org

912.238.9552

savannaheducationalconsultants.com

Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency • KG School of Music

505

aters Ave., Suite C ,

• Royce Summer and Tutoring Programs

Oglethorpe Professional Blvd.,

• Savannah Educational Consultants

0 Tibet Ave., Suite 0 ,

132

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Savannah Behavioral Pediatrics Changing Behavior. Changing Lives.

ARE CHALLENGING BEHAVIORS INTERFERING WITH YOUR FAMILY LIFE? DOES ANXIETY KEEP YOUR CHILD FROM LIVING THE LIFE THEY WANT? WOULD YOU LIKE TO HELP YOUR CHILD LIVE UP TO THEIR ACADEMIC POTENTIAL?

We are here to help. We partner with families to provide unparalleled psychological testing and therapy, so that children and adolescents can boldly and skillfully build a life of meaning, intention, and competence.

What families are saying:

Changing Behavior. Changing Lives.

•

“The most comprehensive testing as well as behavior/psych therapy we’ve found! Amazing place!”

•

Savannah Behavioral Pediatrics “has changed our family’s lives and added so much more peace and joy to our days together! We are so much better equipped to handle our children’s changing behaviors and finally found the tools we need to better enjoy each other!”

For more information or to make an appointment, please call 912.436.6789. 31 0 E I S E NH O W E R DRIV E , BU ILD ING 5 • S AVANNAHBEHAVIO RALPED IATR ICS.CO M

COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES SCHOOL

COLOR KEY: • Downtown • East/Islands • Midtown • West • Southside

ADDRESS

PHONE

TUITION**

ENROLLMENT

P.O. Box 42119 Hunter AAF, 31409

912.352.8635

Contact for pricing

1,200

1332 Southern Drive, Statesboro, 30458 11935 Abercorn St., Savannah, 31419 175 W. Memorial Drive, Hinesville, 31313

912.478.4636

Contact for pricing

29,633

210 Technology Circle, 31407

912.966.7922

Contact for pricing

Varies

5356 Reynolds St. Suite 203, 31405

706.721.3186

Contact for pricing

160

1250 E. 66th St.

912.721.8220

Contact for pricing

240

9388 Lightwave Ave., San Diego, CA, 92123

912.601.7301

Contact for pricing

55 Al Henderson Blvd., 31419

912.629.3855

$9,050/semester full time; $250/credit hour for dual enrollment (option for military rate)

• Ralston College ralston.ac; ralstoncollege@ralston.ac

26 E. Gaston St., 31401

912.581.2245

$60,000/term

• Saint Leo University at Savannah* saintleo.edu

401 Mall Blvd., Ste. 202, 31406

912.352.8331

Contact for pricing

Varies

P.O. Box 2072, 31402

912.525.5100 800.869.7223

$42,165/undergraduate/academic year $43,155/graduate/academic year

18,432 (all locations + online) 13,445 (Savannah)

• Savannah State University* savannahstate.edu

3219 College St., 31404

912.358.4162

$2,610 in-state/semester $9,705 out-of-state/semester

3,169

• Savannah Technical College* savannahtech.edu

5717 White Bluff Road, 31405

912.443.5700 800.769.6362

Average $2,000/term; total average $8,000 to complete 2-year degree

13,000+

• South University* southuniversity.edu

709 Mall Blvd., 31406

912.201.8000 866.629.2901

$5,555/quarter for most programs

1,100 campus 9,800 online

• Strayer University strayer.edu

8001 Chatham Center Drive, Suite 300, 31405

912.921.2900

Contact for pricing

Varies

10 Ocean Science Circle, 31411

912.598.2400

Marine research & education facility with 10 UGA faculty permanently onsite; grad and undergrad educational mission fulﬁlled through GA

Varies

University of South Carolina Beaufort uscb.edu

1 University Blvd., Bluffton, SC, 29909 801 Carteret St., Beaufort, SC, 29902 1 Sand Shark Drive, Hilton Head, SC, 29928

843.208.8000

$5,172/in-state/semester (Chatham, Efﬁngham & Bryan counties qualify as in-state) $10,695/out-of-state/semester

2,100+

• Webster University webster.edu/georgia

P.O. Box 42029, Hunter AAF, 31409 P.O. Box 3209, Fort Stewart, 31315

912.354.0033 912.876.8080

$670–$675/hour (civilian undergrad) $575–$780/hour (civilian grad) $350–$470/hour (military grad)

90 (Hunter) 125 (Fort Stewart)

• Columbia College of Missouri – Hunter Army irﬁeld ccis.edu/hunter • Georgia Southern University* georgiasouthern.edu Statesboro: 912.478.4636 Armstrong: 912.344.2576 Liberty: 912.877.1906 •

eorgia ech rofessional ducation Savannah* pe.gatech.edu

•

edical ollege of augusta.edu

•

ercer ni ersity chool of Savannah Campus medicine.mercer.edu

eorgia a annah edicine

National University* nu.edu • Point University* point.edu/savannah

a annah ollege of scad.edu

• ni ersity of eorgia of Oceanography skio.uga.edu

rt and

esign

ida ay nstitute

700 Savannah campus

VOCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS Roadmaster Drivers School of Savannah 912-348-7282; 800-831-1300; 30 Artley Road, 31408 roadmaster.com

Savannah Wine Institute 912-662-5199; 602 E. Henry St., 31401 savannahwineinstitute.com

Savannah Aviation/Spring Air Charter 912-964-1022; 34 Hangar Road, 31408 savannahaviation.com

WorkSource Georgia – Technical CollegeSystem of Georgia 404-982-7985 tcsg.edu/worksource

134

SAVANNAHMAGAZINE.COM

DEVELOPING THE TOTAL STUDENT At Calvary Day School, relationships shape every part of the student experience. We believe children thrive when they are truly known - when teachers invest in their potential, mentors encourage their character, and families feel connected to a community that walks alongside them. Our commitment is to cultivate a Christ-centered environment where students feel seen, supported, and inspired to become who God created them to be.

CALVARY DAY SCHOOL AT A GLANCE

Advanced Coursework Opportunities AP, Honors & Dual Enrollment

7:1

Student to Faculty Ratio

Upper School Student Leadership Roles

4,700+ Student Service Hours Per Year

COLLEGE COUNSELING With personalized guidance from our College Counseling team, every high school student is paired with a dedicated counselor who walks them through each step of the college application process resulting in 100% of our seniors applying to four-year colleges and receiving acceptance offers.

WHY CALVARY? Calvary families stay because students thrive. 96% of parents say Calvary meets or exceeds expectations for academic challenge, spiritual growth, and community connection, and consistently cite our strong teacher relationships as the reason they choose our school.

EXPERIENCE EDUCATION AT CALVARY DAY SCHOOL www.calvarydayschool.com admissions@calvarydayschool.com

Calvary Day School offers a Christ-centered educational experience through the development of the total student - spiritually, academically, socially, and physically.

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Together, we can do hard things. Pediatric speech, occupational and physical therapists providing quality therapy to help children live their best lives

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BE WELL

The Wearable Heart Wearable tech is reshaping how we monitor heart health, offering new insights and early warnings for patients and providers. Local cardiologists share what these devices can reveal and how that information fits into the larger picture of care. Written by ETHAN MATHEWS

JA N UA R Y/ F EB R UA R Y 2 0 2 6

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BE WELL

IN THE DIGITAL AGE, advances in medical technology move at an almost tidal pace — constant, sweeping, and quick to leave you adrift if you fall behind. For patients and their families, these fast-evolving tools offer reassurance beyond the doctor’s office, extending care into everyday life. For providers, they’re opening new avenues to identify issues earlier and with greater precision. As heart health remains a top priority in health care nationwide, these advancements play a critical role in cardiology, where a fuller picture can bring crucial patterns into view. Where heart specialists once relied on brief snapshots of cardiac activity to detect irregularities, they can now draw from data gathered gradually over daily life — information collected not in a clinic but through the consumer devices now worn by more than a third of U.S. adults.

EVERYDAY SIGNALS

Wearable health trackers — from mainstream names like Apple, Fitbit, and Garmin — first gained traction over a decade ago among athletes and techforward users with busy, active lifestyles. As their capabilities have expanded, so has the sophistication of the data they collect, offering insights that now routinely surface in clinical conversations. And with wearables now woven into the routines of millions, cardiologists are adapting their approach to make use of this self-collected patient data — Savannah’s specialists among them. “A patient may only see a physician several times a year: the 95% of the time they aren’t in a physician’s office, that’s where wearable technology can weigh in,” says Michael Babcock, M.D., an interventional cardiologist at St. Joseph’s/ Candler. “We’re physicians; we’re not mind readers, so the more information we have from outside the office is going to be helpful.”

Surveys show that patients recognize the value of wearable data. A national survey found that of the roughly 36% of U.S. adults who use wearable health devices, nearly eight in 10 say they are willing to share the data with a physician. Yet among those willing, only about one in four report actually sharing their data, revealing a gap between potential and practice that experts hope can be bridged through awareness and continued discussion around the benefits.

TAKE A BEAT

The sheer volume of health data generated by wearables means little if patients and providers don’t know what the metrics can reliably show. “All data isn’t really good data,” says Akinniran Abisogun, M.D., a cardiologist at SouthCoast Health. “It’s good for patients to be empowered — for them to know what they’re dealing with — but the data is not always high quality. Sometimes it misdiagnoses things.” At the forefront of this discussion over accuracy is atrial fibrillation (AFib), an

irregular heart rhythm that raises the risk of stroke and heart failure in those who experience it. It is the most commonly treated arrhythmia in the U.S., currently affecting an estimated 10–11 million adults and projected to surpass 12 million by 2030. Symptoms of AFib can be subtle or entirely absent, making early detection difficult. This is precisely where medical experts and developers are focusing their efforts. Apple introduced its first AFib detection feature on the Apple Watch in 2018, offering users alerts for irregular heart rhythms. By 2024, the FDA had qualified the Apple AFib History Feature as a Medical Device Development Tool — the first digital health technology to receive this designation — allowing its use in clinical studies tracking AFib. Today, an NIH-funded clinical trial is partnering with Apple to evaluate whether wearable AFib monitoring can safely reduce the need for continuous blood thinners in certain patients. “For my patients that have AFib, I like them to have the Apple Watch,” Abisogun says. In his experience, he says it helps guide medication management and treatment discussions without immediately turning to adhesive-based wearable monitors or implanted devices. As with any tool, how a patient interacts with it ultimately determines how effective it can be. Physicians may also encourage the use of wearables in areas where their watch data can fill the gaps of in-house equipment. “What’s helpful is when somebody has had a procedure to get rid of a heart rhythm problem, it’s really difficult with office technology to guarantee that things are no longer there, whereas with the wearables, they’re able to have a monitor with them

“It gives people more instantaneous feedback and something they can track over a period of time. If people can improve their cardiovascular health, even 1% at a time, that has a tremendous additive benefit.” — Michael Babcock, M.D., interventional cardiologist, St. Joseph’s/Candler

138

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BE WELL

almost 24 hours a day,” says cardiologist/ electrophysiologist Michael Chisner, M.D., of St. Joseph’s/Candler. Continuous, real-world monitoring can also counter the effects of so-called “white coat hypertension,” where heart rate or blood pressure are artificially elevated in a clinical setting. Still, cardiologists recognize that these benefits come with the loss of control afforded by a standardized testing environment. “The watch only detects whatever the sampling window is when you’re wearing the watch. If you don’t have the watch on, it’s not going to detect AFib,” Abisogun says. “If the device shows an irregular rhythm, just pause. Don’t overdiagnose yourself. It can sort of consume you. Then, when you’re sharing the data with your clinician, provide a clear summary or specific dates of the alerts, not the whole watch history.”

SHARE YOUR DATA (THE RIGHT WAY)

For many patients, an alert from a wearable device is what finally prompts a visit to the cardiologist. According to Stanford Medicine’s Apple Heart Study, more than half of participants who received an irregular-pulse notification contacted a health-care provider within 90 days of the alert. But how do you present all your device’s information to your doctor in a way that actually helps? Walking in with weeks of heart-rate trends, sleep patterns, and rhythm notifications can feel overwhelming — and for clinicians, that flood of unstructured data doesn’t automatically translate into something useful. “It’s unavoidable. Everyday we have

people who come in telling me what their watch has told them,” says Chisner. “It is often very helpful — often, it is a hindrance.” The more you know about how your device measures and reports heart health, the easier it will be to determine what will be useful in an appointment. While most popular wearables offer clean, doctorfriendly PDF summaries, this is where some concerned and well-intentioned patients tend to veer toward the “hindrance” side in their approach. “People come in telling me what their heart rates are; which is almost always a useless piece of information — yet it gets them very frightened,” Chisner says. “Sometimes it can be difficult to get people to let go of that.” Health professionals in every specialty have long contended with Dr. Google for patients’ trust and attention. It is no surprise that some patients walk into their doctor’s appointment already treating it like a second opinion. “Things have completely shifted when it comes to the rapidity with which a patient can generate kind of a high-quality opinion without really knowing the nuance of the medical condition,” Abisogun says. Compared with scrolling through raw app screens, sifting through folders of homespun spreadsheets, and especially printed conversations with your AI “doctor,” cardiologists say structured summaries provided by the developer are the gold standard to interpret and integrate into a clinical visit. Plus, it has the bonus of being file-ready. “It’s very helpful if it’s something printed out because then we can actually include that in their medical record,” says Babcock.

HEART OF THE MATTER

Perhaps the greatest benefit of wearable devices for heart health is their ability to show the impact of even small lifestyle changes in real time. For people at risk of — or recovering from — a cardiac event, cardiologists often recommend a host of difficult behavior modifications at once, many of which involve habits that have developed over decades and contributed to the problem in the first place. The ability to see the impact of positive changes immediately increases the likelihood that patients will stick with them. Babcock’s holistic approach to cardiology underscores this value and helps him remain optimistic about the future of the technology. He’s found that the more people can track their own data, the more they can be involved. “Patient care is a team effort,” Babcock says, “and we get the best results in patients who are actively involved in their own care.” As much as physicians love it when patients follow medical advice, it’s even more rewarding when patients can see and feel the benefits of behavior change for themselves. “It gives people more instantaneous feedback and something they can track over a period of time,” says Babcock “If people can improve their cardiovascular health, even 1% at a time, that has a tremendous additive benefit.” Wearables are far from perfect, but they’re here to stay — and they’re already improving the lives of millions. In the meantime, they offer a promising glimpse into the future of heart care.

SAVE THE DATE: The American Heart Association (AHA) will honor lifesaving care at the 2026 Southern Coast Heart Ball, on March 6, at the Savannah Convention Center. The annual event brings together community leaders, health-care professionals, and supporters for an evening of celebration, featuring survivor stories, volunteer recognitions, dinner, dancing, and a live auction. Attending or supporting the event helps fund lifesaving research, education programs, and initiatives that address heart disease and stroke along the Southern Coast.

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Building Resilience Local business owners make the cardiovascular case for adding infrared heat to your wellness routine. Written by ETHAN MATHEWS

RESILIENCE. This is a word you’ll hear often in the infrared sauna world, but it is a tad more technical than just how long you can sit in the heat before tapping out. In fact, this kind of resilience is built at the cellular level. When you’re exposed to heat, body temperature goes up, signaling the brain to release nitric oxide, relaxing and widening blood vessels. This sends more blood to the surface to cool you down, raising your heart rate and engaging the cardiovascular system while improving circulation and oxygen delivery. At the same time, cells activate heat shock proteins to repair damaged proteins and protect against stress. Over time, this response strengthens cardiovascular and cellular resilience. For regular infrared sauna users, it’s that controlled stress — called hormesis — that supports vascular function and overall well-being.

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“People are learning that you can use these ancient modalities that have evolved in the way that we can access them living in a metropolitan area.”

Pure Sweat Sauna Studio

While infrared saunas may seem like a modern wellness trend, humans have sought the benefits of heat for millennia. Some of the earliest documented saunas were simple dirt pits in Finland, using hot stones to store heat. Today, Finland boasts half a sauna per capita — a fun statistic if there ever was one — and it’s no coincidence that they have consistently ranked No. 1 on the World Happiness Report. Fortunately, you don’t need to travel far to tap into these benefits. Right here in Savannah, two local businesses offer accessible, modern versions of this time-tested approach to building resilience. Fiona Hagerty, alongside her husband, James, owns Pure Sweat Sauna Studio on Victory Drive and is a lifelong believer in the practice. In this day and age, we are so used to comfortably controlled environments that “your body is never put under any stress whatsoever, so we’ve gotten weaker and weaker,” says Hagerty. To combat this, Pure Sweat provides 45-minute infrared sauna sessions offering the full spectrum of far, mid, and near wavelengths — all targeting different benefits — set to a recommended

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KATHERIN E IVES PHOTOG RA PHY

— Fiona Hagerty, Pure Sweat Sauna Studio

145 degrees. For those looking for a new level of resilience-building, they also offer contrast therapy sessions, which alternate between infrared saunas and cold plunge baths. “You have to think about what we can’t see, which is the vascular system,” Hagerty says. Because infrared provides a relatively mild stress load on the body, multiple sessions are recommended for optimal results, and some users incorporate it into their daily routine. “People are learning that you can use these ancient modalities that have evolved in a way that we can access them living in a metropolitan area,” Hagerty says. For those looking to introduce infrared into their regular exercise routine, HOTWORX offers exactly that. Just ask Brittany Miller, owner of HOTWORX Sandfly and two other locations, who was a customer-turned-owner swept up by the benefits of this practice. “I saw my labs change, my body change, my attitude change,” Miller says. She left her career as a cardiovascular perfusionist to launch the studios. HOTWORX combines infrared with workouts such as yoga, Pilates, or cycling — all inside a sauna. The goal isn’t simply to layer exercise on top of heat but to let the two work together: the infrared raises heart rate, circulation, and metabolic demand, while the workouts challenge muscles and aerobic capacity. Together, they deliver a potent cardiovascular effect that many users find more efficient, accessible, and sustainable than traditional gym routines. Due to the combined intensity of movement and heat, the temperature caps at 130 degrees — and, according to Miller, you’ll quickly realize that’s all you need. “Anything over 105 degrees will give you the benefit of infrared.” As you consider joining the growing number of people building vascular resilience through infrared heat, Miller notes a perk especially appealing to Savannahians. “The heat shock proteins actually help you adapt to heat better as you expose yourself to it,” Miller says. “My joke always is, ‘How do you make Savannah heat feel cooler?’ You spend some time in the infrared!”

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The Historic Savannah Foundation held its annual black-tie gala on Oct. 25 at Hotel Bardo. Supporters of historic preservation gathered for this fundraising event, which included cocktails at Bar Bibi, a seated dinner, live music, and dancing. This year’s keynote speaker was F. Collier Neeley, president and CEO of Historic Savannah Foundation.

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Family “Fun” Night Written by ANDREA GOTO

“I try to unpack why I might have such an aversion to family fun nights. Was I accidentally sliced by a Trivial Pursuit card? Nearly choked to death by a Connect Four token? Bitten by a Hungry Hungry Hippo? Who hurt me?” 152

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WE ARE SITTING AROUND THE TV as a family enjoying a perfectly good episode of “Jeopardy!,” calling out ridiculous answers and being awestruck by my husband’s random knowledge about Broadway musicals and the periodic table, when my daughter’s boyfriend suggests that, instead of watching a game, we should play one. My family suddenly falls silent as we shoot knowing glances around the room. “What?” he asks, sensing a sudden tension. “Mom doesn’t like to play games,” my daughter deadpans. He’s dumbfounded. He waxes poetic about how his family plays games together at least once a week around the kitchen table — poker, Boggle, chess — and how we’re missing out, and the more he talks, the further the itchy heat crawls up the back of my neck. I’m feeling some serious game-night gaslighting. No one likes to lose, but most people still seem to enjoy the gaming journey. I do not. Paying Park Place rates in Monopoly, attempting to draw a horse in Pictionary, and getting stuck in the Molasses Swamp in Candy Land make me spiral in a way no toy company exec could’ve ever expected, otherwise they’d slap a warning label on that packaging: Playing this game might lead to panic attacks, divorce, or a minor’s request for emancipation. (We’ve come close to all three.) As with most things — and with the gentle nudging of my therapist — I try to unpack why I might have such an aversion to family fun nights. Was I accidentally sliced by a Trivial Pursuit card? Nearly choked to death by a Connect Four token? Bitten by a Hungry Hungry Hippo? Who hurt me? Maybe it’s just that the odds are always stacked against me. My menopause brain makes attempting instantaneous trivia recall akin to folding a fitted sheet. A self-diagnosed dyscalculia disorder renders me completely impotent in all matters of math and money. And unlike the visual artists in my family, my horse in Pictionary is routinely mistaken for a truck. (“Dude, that’s a tail, not a tailpipe.”) Or maybe it’s because I take the competition too seriously. I’m a little too “Hunger Games,” thanks to my Depression-era-style youth. Growing up, the only game my family played was pinochle, as my parents never had the stomach for brainless dalliances of chance like Candy Land or Chutes and Ladders. No one ever let the kids win “just for fun.” There was no fun. Only rules. Consequences. So much math. And if Dad didn’t win, did anyone really win? But my best friend — in the true spirit of best-friendship-ness, where she spins my weird afflictions into something positive — has a different take. She suggests that my family doesn’t need forced family fun because, while the game is the device to bring people together, we’re already together. We have this innate gift of regularly gathering in the kitchen with the adjacent TV and yelling answers — er, questions — at “Jeopardy!” or binge-watching “The Queen’s Gambit” without having any inkling of the chess-prodigy main character’s strategy. We talk and laugh. A lot. We are present and together while these contestants compete solo with so much on the line. And we lose nothing. In fact, all we do is win.

Illustration by AVA GOTO

LIFE-CHANGING LIFE-SAVING EDUCATION Savannah is a vital part of the Medical College of Georgia’s mission to educate the next generation of physicians for Georgia and beyond. As the third four-year campus of the state’s flagship medical school, we’re proud to welcome forty students each year who choose to train and grow in this remarkable city. Since 2007, our partnership with St. Joseph’s/Candler Health System has given students the opportunity to complete their final two years of training alongside local health care professionals. In 2010, we expanded our reach to Southeast Georgia Health System in Brunswick. Today, nearly 700 MCG alumni call the Savannah area home. We are proud to be in Savannah and continue growing a healthier community together.

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