Okefenokee Living Spring/Summer 2024

OKEFENOKEE

I V I N G

R: Cli Knowlton, Waycross Market

President, PrimeSouth Bank; Rusty Hall, and Executive Director, YMCA; and Walker, Loan O cer, PrimeSouth Bank.

L to R: Cli Knowlton, Waycross Market President, PrimeSouth Bank; Rusty Hall, CEO and Executive Director, YMCA; and Jake Walker, Loan O cer, PrimeSouth Bank.

CUSTOMERS

CUSTOMERS

PrimeSouth Bank knows growing strong communities takes investing in what matters. For the YMCA, that means a child’s confidence, great memories, team sports and daycare for hardworking families. This is why Cliff Knowlton and Jake Walker set out to build a partnership with the YMCA of Waycross. Rusty Hall could see that PrimeSouth was the committed banking partner he needed when they helped refinance the YMCA’s expansion loan. In Rusty’s words, “Just like we care about our neighbors, so does PrimeSouth.” And, just like the YMCA, Rusty believes PrimeSouth has a heart for building better communities.

Learn more at: PrimeSouth.com

PrimeSouth Bank knows growing strong communities takes investing in what matters. For the YMCA, that means a child’s confidence, great memories, team sports and daycare for hardworking families. This is why Cliff Knowlton and Jake Walker set out to build a partnership with the YMCA of Waycross. Rusty Hall could see that PrimeSouth was the committed banking partner he needed when they helped refinance the YMCA’s expansion loan. In Rusty’s words, “Just like we care about our neighbors, so does PrimeSouth.” And, just like the YMCA, Rusty believes PrimeSouth has a heart for building better communities.

Learn more at: PrimeSouth.com

19 Happy Anniversary!

Waycross and Ware County both celebrate major milestones

25 Faith, Family, & Farming

102-year-old Jacob Davis never strayed far from his roots

SPRING/SUMMER 2024

Matt and Page Smith with three of their children (Layla, Leah, and Chase) open the doors to Huckleberry, their family retreat (see page 55)

31 Going Whole Hog

The Farm at Okefenokee o ers a regenerative farming lifestyle

41 Real Weddings

Two couples share their love stories and glimpses of their wedding day

Sydney Starling & Jake Harvard on their wedding day at Hallabrook Hill. See their story in “Real Weddings” on page 47. Cover photo by Julien Lunsford. (Inset) This issue is dedicated to Sgt. Kennedy L. Sanders.

Matt and Page Smith’s compound offers their family a place to find quiet, enjoy nature, and reconnect

Design Tips from Lott’s Furniture Interior Designer Lindsey Bacon

Steve and Bethany Strickland’s magical family history tour revealed some mystery to the story of how they met

A half-century after the Vietnam War, Blackshear celebrates the bravery of native son Deryl Ammons

Blues musician Guy Davis honors the legacy of his father, Ossie Davis

A

Waycross newcomer Harlen Valentine aims to foster greater appreciation for the region’s past

Wayne

SGT Kennedy Ladon Sanders

June 30, 1999 – January 28, 2024

This issue of Okefenokee Living is dedicated to Army Sgt. Kennedy Ladon Sanders, who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving her country in Jordan during Operation Inherent Resolve. The 24-year-old Ware County native was among three soldiers killed in action in January 2024.

Her obituary read in part, “In dedication to her faith and service, Sgt. Kennedy Ladon Sanders has earned the highest praise, leaving behind a legacy that will inspire generations to come. Let us collectively honor and remember this virtuous woman who, in her short time with us, made an immeasurable impact on the lives of those fortunate enough to have known her.”

Family, friends, community members, and elected o cials—including Georgia Governor Brian Kemp—paid their respects by attending Kennedy’s visitation. The community also showed their love in various ways, from coloring the city purple, which was her favorite color, to renaming a section of Eads Street to Kennedy L. Sanders Way.

The U.S. Army Reserve announced the posthumous promotion of Specialist Kennedy L. Sanders to the rank of Sergeant in recognition of her exceptional courage, dedication, and leadership during Operation

Inherent Resolve, stating, “Throughout her service, she demonstrated a deep commitment to her fellow soldiers and the mission.”

C.C. MCCRAY CITY AUDITORIUM

The Paul Tang Heart for the Community Award was awarded to Sgt. Sanders to “acknowledge her lastING legacy and the indelible mark she left on the community.”

The Waycross-Ware County Chamber of Commerce named Sgt. Sanders as one of two 2024 recipients of the Paul Tang Heart for the Community Award. Patrick Simmons, Kennedy’s godfather, presented the award to her family after reading the following:

Kennedy L. Sanders was a force to be reckoned with. As the smallest child, she was always determined to carve out her own path in life. Her love for sports was unmatched, as she excelled in a variety of athletic endeavors. Not only did she possess an undeniable talent, but she was also a natural leader. This was evident in her role as the assistant basketball coach for the local middle school. However, Kennedy's aspirations extended beyond the realm of sports. She had her sights set on a career in the medical field and was passionate about giving back to her community. Her dedication and compassion were truly inspiring, as she actively sought opportunities to make a diff erence in the lives of others.

Kennedy enlisted in the Army Reserve in 2019 as a construction engineer. Her first deployment was in 2020 to Africa. Her second and final deployment was to Kuwait and Jordan in 2023.

Kennedy's father proudly shared that she harbored ambitions of rising through the ranks in the Army, and she would be so happy to know that she had been promoted to Sergeant. Her impact was felt not only in the military, but in local organizations such as Delta GEMS, Delta Debutantes, and Xinos. She was also in the Leadership Waycross Class of 2019 but was unable to graduate because she would have missed too many days due to bootcamp training.

Despite her many accomplishments, Kennedy remained humble and grounded. She cherished spending time with her family, playing video games, crocheting, learning new languages, and Marvel movies and comics. Her warmth and genuine spirit left an indelible mark on all those she encountered. Kennedy L. Sanders was truly a force of nature, leaving behind a legacy that will endure for years to come. She is a true hero of our community and nation.

As Kennedy’s cousin and godfather, it is my honor to present this special Paul Tang Heart for the Community Hero Award for Kennedy Sanders to her parents. OL

LEFT The family of Sgt. Sanders accepted the Paul Tang Heart for the Community Award from the Chamber. Heidi Tang, Javorris McIntyre, Shawn & Oneida Sanders, Patrick Simmons

★ from the PUBLISHER

Honoring the Legacy of Sgt. Kennedy L. Sanders

With every issue of Okefenokee Living we are privileged to publish, we grow more and more amazed by this region’s people, heritage, and sense of community. One need look no further than the life of Kennedy Sanders, her sacrifice, and the way the community rallied to honor her memory and support her family in a time of great tragedy to see these wonderful qualities in action. We join the community in paying tribute to her legacy. That is why we decided to dedicate

As always, we are grateful to all those who allow us to share their stories and the writers, photographers, and designers who bring those stories to life. We also greatly appreciate the advertisers who make each issue possible. Show your gratitude for them making Okefenokee Living possible by visiting them and shopping local

this issue of Okefenokee Living magazine to Army Sgt. Kennedy Ladon Sanders, who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving her country in Jordan during Operation Inherent Resolve. The 24-year-old Ware County native was killed in action in January 2024 (see pages 6-7).

We are grateful for all those who serve, and have sacrificed, to protect and defend our freedom against a growing wave of tyranny in the world. May the memory of Sgt. Sanders be a blessing to us all.

(see the advertiser’s index on the last page).

Let us know your thoughts on each issue! Follow us on social media, “like” us, and comment on your favorite stories. And send us YOUR photograph with Okefenokee Living when you travel; you just might see yourself on our “From Our Readers” page in the next issue.

John & Connie Riddle

@okefenokeeliving

/Okefenokeelivingmagazineagazine

SPRING/SUMMER 2024

PUBLISHERS

John F. & Connie K. Riddle

Showcase Publications, Inc.

MANAGING EDITOR

Allen Allnoch

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Robin Harrison

DESIGNER & SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

Russ Hutto

PROOFING

Amy Faeskorn

Sydney Ireland

COVER PHOTO

Julien Lunsford

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER

Allen Allnoch / AHA! Photography

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Ariel Prevatt Photography

Joy Sumner Photography

Okefenokee Heritage Center

Kyle Morgan

Wayne Morgan

Greg O’Driscoll

Bethany Strickland

Tobias Faeskorn

Julien Lunsford

Gene Bednarek

Bill Rhodes

Bethany Strickland

Shutterly Perfect Photography

The Collective

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

John Dupont

Amy Faeskorn

Allen Allnoch

Megan White

Brandon Chonko

Patrick Simmons

Lindsey Bacon

Wayne Morgan

Greg O’Driscoll

Cyle Augusta Lewis

John F. Riddle

ILLUSTRATIONS

Lyn Alice

Robin Harrison

Okefenokee Living is published semi-annually by Showcase Publications, Inc. (912) 424-3027 – P.O. Box 391

Jesup, GA 31598 www.showcasepublicationsga.com

All rights reserved. Copies or reproduction of this publication in whole or in part is strictly prohibited without expressed written authorization from the publisher. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein. Advertising is subject to omission, errors and other changes without notice. The opinions expressed by the writers are not necessarily those of the publisher.

FROM OUR READERS...

Take Okefenokee Living with you when you travel. Take a photo with it, send it to us, and you may see it here!

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“Please put me on your subscription list for Okefenokee Living. What the publishers have inspired is a wonderful service to the community.”

– Barbara J. Moore

MadeEachForOther

ABOVE Wayne Morgan and David Berryhill in Jackson Hole, WY where David lives. Wayne accompanied his son, Kyle, on a trip Kyle won from a corporate photo contest. David is the son of Don Berryhill, one of the foremost “Okefenokeeologists” who co-wrote a book on the Okefenokee Swamp with Wayne Morgan. Dear Okefenokee Living,

BELOW “Absolutely your article in Okefenokee Living. Thanks for sharing your awesome style with the community!!!”

– Lynne Tyre-Mock

“Beautiful!!!”

– DeeAnn Sessoms Morris, Arlene Strickland Bass, Mary Edna Herrin

“Love Okefenokee Living Magazine and these great memories growing up in our lovely little Waycross.”

- Brenda Adams

LEFT “Thank you for the beautiful article featuring the wedding of Mary Catherine and Sam. Love your magazine!”

- Jenny Barnes

ABOVE “Thank you both for all you do to help children with cancer.”

– Holly Lee

“Wolfson Children’s Hospital is beyond grateful for Moi, Jason, Allen and all of the people who made this possible!”

– Sara McMillian

In Praise of the Small-Town Post O ce

A Clearinghouse of Southern Culture in the Most Unlikely of Places

By BRANDON CHONKO

Illustration by LYN ALICE

I love so much about rural post o ces. They are the living intersection of history and art and commerce, all housed in nondescript buildings scattered across this great land like mustard seeds in a fall garden.

Iadmit, I’m a sucker for a tiny post office. Nothing fancy, just a little one-room job out off the beaten path, where the postal codes are sprawling and desolate.

Take Waverly, for example. Look at 31565 on a map. It’s huge – bigger than a politician’s ego and twice as twisted. And don’t get me started on Townsend, a postal code so large that some of it hasn’t even been discovered yet. An old legend holds that if you drive to the end of 31331, you’ll fall right off the face of the earth.

I love so much about rural post offices. They are the living intersection of history and art and commerce, all housed in nondescript buildings scattered across this great land like mustard seeds in a fall garden.

The workers are serious. Humorous. Personable. We have a postal carrier in north Camden County who collects arrowheads she finds on the dirt roads along her route in the Waverly sandhills. Imagine to be so wise as to know where everyone on the north end resides and also where to find the best artifacts.

Then there’s the post office in Glennville, which has a staggeringly massive philodendron vine that has lived in the lobby for over 20 years. Cared for by numerous employees, it’s quite impressive, and as a plant nerd, I couldn’t help but fawn over it one day as I waited to mail my letter. The postmistress, sensing my excitement, offered me a few cuttings, which I now have growing in my home.

I especially love the vintage P.O. boxes. If there’s not a vintage P.O. box museum or art display in existence, there should be. I’d go. I’d sip a cup of gas station coffee and try to act like I’d been in public before. I’d adjust the collar of my t-shirt and stare off into the vastness of that grand P.O. box art display, and I’d make small talk about old metal boxes and interesting fonts, and about how post offices in small towns always smell the same.

Brandon Chonko is owner of Grassroots Farms in Waverly. His writing has been published in Garden & Gun and he is co-host of the “Streak of Lean” podcast. Follow him on Instagram @GrassrootsFarmsGA and Twitter @GApasturedbirds.

I’d talk about how maybe that smell will gradually change, and maybe even be lost forever, as so many things are, as newer, shinier boxes are brought in. That old post office smell, gone the way of the dodo bird and the Carolina parakeet. Gone like so much of Main Street. As the great George Jones sang, Yabba dabba doo, the king is gone, and so are you.

But all hope is not lost. We are nothing if not resilient, a beautiful people in a beautiful part of the world with beautiful old post offices. I’m a farmer by vocation. As such I use the post office a great deal, for delivery of everything from accounts receivables to baby chicks from the hatchery.

The fine folks at the post office in Waverly text me when my baby chicks get delivered. The phone will ping and they’ll say, “Good morning, you have chicks up here.” The Waverly branch is only open from 8 a.m. to noon. Then Hillaree, the local postal goddess of stamps and logistics, closes shop and drives just down the road to the equally charming one-room White Oak location. She opens that one from 1 to 4. If I can’t be at Waverly before they close and I have chicks there, she will take them in her car to White Oak. It’s a true marvel of personal service.

Consider this a love letter to our rural post offices, each an artery within the beating heart of America. I’ll take my stand, a stand to save our old post offices. Red and white, blue suede shoes, I’m Uncle Sam, how do you do. Eat your heart out Russia, you’ll never be us. Here’s to the continuity of culture and things left unchanged. To rural mail and short hours. To four-wheel drive carriers and stamped envelopes. OL

Chonko Illustration by ROBIN HARRISON

“There’s no other place in the world like the Okefenokee”

~ FRANCIS HARPER

SOON, THE WILL KNOW! WORLD

OKEFENOKEE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

O cially Nominated by the National Park Service for WORLD HERITAGE SITE STATUS

In September 2023, the National Park Service announced that it will nominate the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge as a World Heritage Site. The nomination has bipartisan congressional support and widespread backing from 33 national, state, and local organizations in addition to 10,300 public comments endorsing the project.

PHOTO BY BILL RHODES

“A World Heritage Site designation is reserved for the most superlative places on Earth. It is only fitting the Okefenokee be considered for this recognition.”

Ben Prater, southeast program director at Defenders of Wildlife

In a great stride toward global recognition, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service partnered with Okefenokee Swamp Park, Inc. in June of 2022 to launch a public/private initiative, enhancing project management and financial backing for Okefenokee’s bid to become a World Heritage Site. First identified as a candidate in 1982, and placed on the United States Tentative List in 2007, Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) stands poised to receive this prestigious designation. Achieving World Heritage status represents the pinnacle of global recognition for sites of outstanding cultural and ecological significance, promising no changes to ownership or management nor imposing any new regulations.

With the commitment of the National Park Service to nominate Okefenokee NWR as a World Heritage Site secured, the journey towards recognition is now expected to span three to four years, with an estimated total cost of $500,000. A significant portion of these funds will be used to prepare materials meticulously documenting the Okefenokee’s “outstanding universal value” to meet the international standards by which all potential World Heritage Sites are evaluated.

“This is an opportunity to unite the communities around Okefenokee and engage people deeply by supporting this joint effort to gain universal acclaim for one of the world’s great natural wonders," notes Kim Bednarek, Executive Director of Okefenokee Swamp Park.

“We’re delighted to see Okefenokee NWR take the next step in its journey toward inclusion on the World Heritage List. It is one of our best examples of holistic conservation in the United States.”

Geo rey L. Haskett, president of the National Wildlife Refuge Association

PHOTO BY THE COLLECTIVE

PHOTO BY THE COLLECTIVE

LEARN

What is a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a natural or man-made site recognized as being of “outstanding universal value,” described by UNESCO as having “cultural and/or natural significance which is so exceptional as to transcend national boundaries and to be of common importance for present and future generations of all humanity.”

How many UNESCO World Heritage Sites are there?

A total of 1,154 World Heritage Sites exist across 167 countries, with 24 located in the United States alone. If successful, the Okefenokee NWR would become the first World Heritage Site in Georgia and would join the ranks of the Grand Canyon and Yosemite National Park.

What are the most positive aspects of being recognized as a World Heritage Site?

Some of the most important benefits of achieving this status will be growth in tourism and commerce activity in the region's communities. That economic impact will, in turn, improve our capacity to protect and enhance wildlife and their habitat. Another positive aspect is the increased cooperation and support from regional governments, other non-profit institutions, and the private sector to bolster our ongoing efforts to sustain the conservation of this unique ecosystem.

Will being named as a World Heritage Site alter the ownership or management of the Okefenokee Swamp Park?

Being named as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO will not alter the ownership or management of the lands in any way. The designation also does not impose any new rules, regulations, or legal restrictions on owners of neighboring sites, nor does it give the United Nations any management authority or ownership rights.

How can I learn more and get involved in the campaign?

Educating yourself about the process and its benefits will help us tremendously if you share this positive news with others. We also need assistance in raising the additional $275,000 needed to complete the bid process (see below for how to learn more and contribute).

“ This is an opportunity to unite the communities around Okefenokee and engage people deeply by supporting this joint e ort to gain universal acclaim for one of the world’s great natural wonders.”

Kim Bednarek, executive director, Okefenokee Swamp Park

We invite you to participate in the Okefenokee World Heritage Journey by contributing financially or offering "in-kind" support.

The Okefenokee Swamp Park and the National Wildlife Refuge are collaborating to raise the necessary $500,000 to support the World Heritage Site nomination process.

To date, over $226,000 has been raised through generous donations from individuals, businesses, and partnering organizations.

For more information and to contribute: visit okefenokeeworldheritage.org/GetInvolved or contact Kim Bednarek at kim.bednarek@okeswamp.org

PHOTO BY GENE BEDNAREK

Bird’s-Eye Views, Then and Now: Thanks to its location at the confluence of multiple highways and rail lines, Waycross’s downtown street layout had to incorporate some triangles and curved lines, rather than a strict grid of right angles.

y Anni a !

WITH WAYCROSS AND WARE COUNTY BOTH CELEBRATING MAJOR MILESTONES, IT’S A YEAR-LONG PARTY

Story by Allen Allnoch

Black-and-white photo courtesy of OKEFENOKEE HERITAGE CENTER

Color photo by ALLEN ALLNOCH / AHA! PHOTOGRAPHY

Ha y Anni a !

WAYCROSS AND WARE COUNTY

Marla Howell is seated at a table in the Plant Café, her popular eatery in downtown Waycross. A pair of scrapbooks are spread open, with newspaper clippings, photos, and post-it notes spilling out on every side. It’s December 2023, but as these materials illustrate, Howell has had 2024—Ware County’s bicentennial year— on her mind for a long time.

“I’ve been collecting different things probably for about five years,” says Howell, one of the principal figures in bicentennial plans. “Anything I could find related to Waycross and Ware County.”

Ware County was established on December 15, 1824, and a celebratory weekend is set for December 13-15 this year. Conveniently, the City of Waycross is celebrating its own anniversary—the 150th, aka sesquicentennial—in 2024, having been incorporated on March 3, 1874. It too has a number of activities planned throughout the year (see listing on page 19).

Howell is a natural for her role in the county bicentennial celebration. Since opening the Plant Café with her husband, Steve, 14 years ago at 504 Plant Avenue—where a restaurant by that name originally operated beginning in 1901—she’s become an avid local historian, shining a light on Waycross-Ware County’s rich past through a trove of intriguing memorabilia on the café’s walls.

“I wanted it to tell a story, because it was so old,” Howell says. “I started poking around, looking for the history of Waycross and Ware County, and that’s what really got me hooked. Steve’s great-great-great grandfather was Obediah Barber [the legendary Okefenokee Swamp frontiersman]. I’ve got three suitcases full of Ware County and Waycross history.”

“WAYCROSS AND WARE COUNTY HAVE SUCH A RICH HISTORY.”

Under the guidance of Ware County Bicentennial 2024 Inc., a 501(c)(3) committee formed by Howell and Roy Rhodes, celebration details are still being hammered out, but it’s expected to include a downtown street festival, a variety of live music at the Okefenokee Fairgrounds, and a fun run at Trembling Earth Sports Complex.

Both Howell’s committee and City of Waycross organizers want to include as many people and locations as possible in the anniversary celebrations. In-town historic sites, such as the Ritz Theater, and more rural locales, such as

““I’VE BEEN COLLECTING DIFFERENT THINGS PROBABLY FOR ABOUT FIVE YEARS,” SAYS HOWELL, ONE OF THE PRINCIPAL FIGURES IN BICENTENNIAL PLANS. “ANYTHING I COULD FIND RELATED TO WAYCROSS AND WARE COUNTY.”

Waresboro—the original county seat—and Obediah’s Okefenok, are expected to be involved.

Some activities will tie in with existing annual events, such as Fourth of July festivities, the October Mayor’s Ball, and Okefenokee Swamp Park’s Holiday Light Show. The Okefenokee Heritage Center will feature arts exhibits, children’s essays, and more. A city-wide scavenger hunt will take participants on a selfguided tour to local landmarks.

“We are excited to be celebrating not one, but two significant anniversaries in our community this year,” says Carla Garrett Cornett, Executive Director of the Okefenokee Heritage Center. “Waycross and Ware County have such a rich history, and I think local residents and visitors alike are

WaycrossWare County

Plant Café owner Marla Howell has been gathering memorabilia and historical content for years.

Photos by ALLEN ALLNOCH

AHA! PHOTOGRAPHY

Ha y Anni a !

WAYCROSS AND WARE COUNTY

really going to enjoy learning about our past and being part of the celebration as we look back and look ahead.”

OUT-OF-TOWN VISITORS WILL CERTAINLY FIND PLENTY OF INTRIGUING HISTORY, AND HOWELL EXPECTS EVEN LOCALS MAY LEARN A THING OR TWO ALONG THE WAY.

Out-of-town visitors will certainly find plenty of intriguing history, and Howell expects even locals may learn a thing or two along the way. For example, she says customers often walk into the Plant Café assuming it’s a vegetarian restaurant because of the name. She points to the busy thoroughfare just outside the front door, then continues: “I’m talking about individuals who have lived here all their lives and don’t know that’s called Plant Avenue. Well, where did that come from? It’s named after the Plant System railroad that ran through here, owned by Henry B. Plant.

“There are a lot of those little things that people just don’t know,” she continues. “They’ve missed out on the fact that Hank Aaron and Jackie Robinson played baseball at Memorial Stadium, and that our old airbase was a baseball training site where Shoeless Joe Jackson was the manager for three years. Eastern Airlines was here, and Waycross-Ware County Airport looks just like it did back in 1960. That’s a treasure.”

It all makes for something not only to look back on, but something to look forward to as well. The second weekend of December promises to be a community-wide bash of epic proportions.

“We really want people to get out there and have fun,” Howell says. OL

Ware County Bicentennial Planning Committee: Anne Barksdale, Marla Howell, William Clark, Sonja Craven, Roy Rhodes, Chase McDonald, Kit Brinson, Carla Cornett, Dawn Hanson, Mike Hanson, Paula Sapp, Linda King

Photos by ALLEN ALLNOCH / AHA! PHOTOGRAPHY

GET INVOLVED

The Ware County Bicentennial 2024 committee is seeking volunteers as well as financial donations to o set the cost of entertainment and activities. Contact Marla Howell (912-674-0702) or Roy Rhodes (912-550-3082) to help.

A Word from the Mayor

A MESSAGE OF ENCOURAGEMENT TO WAYCROSS AND WARE COUNTY RESIDENTS

By Dr. Michael-Angelo James Mayor, City of Waycross

As we celebrate some significant milestones in 2024, I am filled with immense excitement. Our local leaders share this sentiment, and together, we look ahead to moments that will forever shape our community.

CELEBRATING MILESTONES

The anticipation is palpable as we prepare to commemorate these milestones. Whether it is the anniversary of our city’s or county’s founding, the completion of a vital infrastructure project, or a cultural event that brings us all together, these moments bind us. They remind us of our shared history, resilience, and progress. As local leaders, we are thrilled to witness the joy and unity that these celebrations bring.

SIGNIFICANCE TO OUR COMMUNITY

Milestones are not mere dates on a calendar; they are the heartbeat of our community. They mark our collective achievements, struggles, and growth. They connect generations, bridging the past with the present and pointing toward a promising future. For Waycross and Ware County, these milestones symbolize resilience, community spirit, and the unwavering commitment of our residents. They are the threads that weave our story, and their significance cannot be overstated.

LOOKING FORWARD

As we live out these special moments, I encourage each of you to embrace the excitement. Let us come together, celebrate, and reflect on how far we have come. Our community’s strength lies in its people – their passion, dedication, and unwavering support. So, let us look forward with hope, gratitude, and a sense of purpose. These milestones are not just events; they are opportunities for us to rea rm our shared values and create lasting memories.

Thank you for being an integral part of our Waycross-Ware County family. Let us celebrate, recognize, and cherish these big moments together!

Tim's Home Medical

Scranton Road; S-F Brunswick, GA 31520 912-261-4900

S. US Hwy. 301 Jesup, GA 31546 912-385-2591

AITH, FAMILY, FARMING f

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102-YEAR-OLD JACOB DAVIS NEVER STRAYED FAR FROM HIS ROOTS

Story by JOHN DUPONT

Onehundred plus years have come and gone and Jacob Lloye Davis, Jr. presses on. From the days of mule and wagon to modern mechanized transport, Mr. Davis has seen the pages of history turn as few others have. Through it all, he has served God, raised a family, and tilled the soil. His life and times have cultivated a prosperity tale born of thankfulness and humility.

“I’d like to know that I didn’t leave any enemies behind,” says the soft-spoken centenarian. “I feel like I’ve really been blessed by the Lord. I think back to things in my life and know he had a hand. I try to thank Him every day.”

Jacob Davis was born in 1921.

The 102-year-old attends services every Sunday with his wife and family (including four of his children) at the same church he was baptized in as a child.

Photo by Allen Allnoch

AHA! Photography

Now 102, Mr. Davis has shared three quarters of his earthly walk with his wife, Jenny, by his side. Together they have raised five children: Jay, Jerry, June, Joy, and Jane. That progeny has swelled to more than 50, including grandchildren, great-grandchildren—and their spouses—and now even a great-great grandchild, with all dwelling within a few miles of the family patriarch’s residence in northwest Pierce County’s Hurricane Community.

“None of the nuts fell far from the tree,” says Mrs. Davis, who at 96 still cooks daily and maintains a flower garden. Meanwhile, Mr. Davis traverses a 1,000-acre farm by golf cart, inspecting crops and trees while maintaining a work regimen of spraying, fertilizing, pruning, mowing and harvesting. “The older I get the more I see that needs to be done,” he laughs.

Together, Mr. and Mrs. Davis enjoy evening walks and on Sundays, Mrs. Davis drives them to church. Sundays and holidays at the “Forks of the Hurricane” also feature family and fellowship in “the courthouse”—a freestanding structure that formerly served as a Pierce County voting precinct.

“My grandparents are best described by the motto ‘faith, family, and farming’ as all three have served important roles in their lives,” says granddaughter Cassie Davis Dyal. “Through years of hard work, they have remained physically active and amaze everyone with their abilities. They are true testaments to putting God first, loving your family, and living your life with purpose.”

Jacob Davis was born in 1921, the seventh of 10 children. He and his siblings worked from dawn till dusk, farming cotton, tobacco, and corn, while also raising livestock. Their upbringing preceded luxuries such as indoor plumbing and electricity. Consequently, the youngsters filled non-working hours by hunting, fishing, swimming, and playing marbles. Walking three miles daily to school, the Davis children faced perils that included a particularly mean billy goat, which they staved off with corn.

“Electricity first came to our home in 1938,” recalls Mr. Davis. “So many things we take for granted today did not exist during this time, such as telephones, television, computers, and air conditioning. We looked forward each year to fall when the weather was cooler and most of the field work was over.

“THROUGH YEARS OF HARD WORK, THEY HAVE REMAINED PHYSICALLY ACTIVE AND AMAZE EVERYONE WITH THEIR ABILITIES. THEY ARE TRUE TESTAMENTS TO PUTTING GOD FIRST, LOVING YOUR FAMILY, AND LIVING YOUR LIFE WITH PURPOSE.”

ABOVE Jacob (102) and Jenny (96) have been married for 77 years. They still go for a walk every evening and a golf cart ride around their farm most days.

Photo by Allen Allnoch AHA! Photography

MR. DAVIS SERVED AS A TAILHOOK OPERATOR ONBOARD INTREPID FOR NINE MONTHS AND WAS DISCHARGED IN DECEMBER, 1945. YEARS LATER, HE REVISITED HIS OLD SHIP IN ITS NEW YORK DRYDOCK PORT.

We enjoyed cane grinding, a special time when all of the neighbors came over.”

Graduating high school from Pierce Institute in Blackshear, Mr. Davis attended college in Waycross, where he learned to weld. At age 20, he left home to support himself as a welder at the Norfolk Navy Shipyard in Portsmouth, Virginia. He worked there for two years until the Navy drafted him in 1943. The young southerner reported for basic training in Great Lakes, Illinois two days before his 22nd birthday. Just three months later, though, he fell ill with tonsillitis and returned home on convalescent leave.

“When I returned to the base, it had been closed,” recalls Mr. Davis. “Most of the men had been shipped out to sea.”

Subsequently, he was reassigned to Dallas, Texas, and later reclassified as a mechanic. Before he could use those skills, however, he shipped out for the Philippines aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Intrepid. Mr. Davis served as a tailhook operator onboard Intrepid for nine months and was discharged in December, 1945. Years later, he revisited his old ship in its New York drydock port.

ABOVE AND AT LEFT

Jacob was drafted in 1943. He served as a tailhook operator aboard the U.S.S. Intrepid during WWII. Years later, he revisited his old ship in its New York drydock port.

“It brought back so many memories of an earlier and uncertain time in my life,” he says. “The typhoons we encountered in the Pacific were almost as scary as the war itself.”

Following discharge, Mr. Davis returned to civilian life on the farm. A year hence he met Janell “Jenny” Henderson of Manor. Six years his junior, she worked as a secretary at Satilla Rural Electric. They met on a blind double date.

ABOVE

BOTTOM RIGHT

“Mom was not Dad’s date that night, but she said he kept eyeballing her the entire evening,” explains Joy. “The next day, Dad called her and asked her out, and the rest is history.”

Chuckling, Mr. Davis explains. “I was 26 and said I wanted a younger woman, someone to take care of me when I got old,” he says.

“And I had to have a tall man,” replies Mrs. Davis.

TOP

The Davises have five children, four of whom live nearby. The other child is only 30 minutes away. Jacob and Jenny get together with their children about twice monthly for a meal, often a fish fry. The extended family includes over 50 members, most of whom live within a few miles of the family patriarch’s residence in northwest Pierce County’s Hurricane Community.

The Davises with sons Jay and Jerry and daughters Jane, Joy and June.

Four generations of Davis men. Jacob Lloye Davis Jr. with Jenny and (left) their oldest son, Jacob Lloye Davis III; (far right) grandson Jacob Lloye Davis IV; (middle left) great grandson, Jacob Lloye Davis V; and another great grandson, Alex Davis.

“I FEEL LIKE I’VE REALLY BEEN BLESSED BY THE LORD. I TRY TO THANK HIM EVERY DAY.”

Such playful jabs are commonplace in the Davis household. Married December 1, 1946, the happy couple have enjoyed 77-plus years of wedded bliss. Their prosperity and fulfillment derives in part from working every day of the week—except Sundays.

“My father and mother instilled Christian faith in us children,” says Mrs. Davis. “That’s the only life I’ve known and I always wanted to instill it in my children.”

After getting married, Mr. Davis farmed several years with his father before buying a small farm of his own. Over a lifetime, he expanded Davis farmland to over 1,000 acres through hard work, perseverance, and faith.

“If the sun is shining, you can bet that Jacob Davis is outside working,” says his son Jay.

“We thought everybody was this way,” adds Jerry. “Jay and I would go to town and get supper and they would ask, ‘Who is your daddy?’ We would say, ‘Jacob Davis’ and they would say, ‘he’s a fine man.’”

No strangers to mischief themselves, the Davis lads tried their parents’ patience on more than one occasion. Their youthful hijinks ranged from pranking folks with dead rattlesnakes to Jerry filling his daddy’s gas tank with water. Growing pains and all, the family survived and thrived.

“Daddy had it kind of easy with us girls after these boys,” quips Jane, the youngest of the five Davis children. According to Mr. Davis, Jane “came along kind of late” and with him then being in his 40s, he feared he might not see his baby girl graduate high school. Jane eventually left the nest for college, though, at which point she brought home potential suitors on a couple of occasions. Jim Callahan was one who quickly won her father’s endorsement. Callahan, a fellow farmer who now claims Jane as his better half, looks back these days on 40 years of kinship with the Davises.

“I’ve already lost my own parents,” says Jim. “These are my parents now.”

Rare is the day when one or more family members don’t happen by the happy homestead. Each Sunday still, the Davises worship at Beulah Baptist Church, where the now-deacon was baptized as a teen in the creek and attended Sunday school under the oak trees. Theirs is a blueprint for longevity often and generously shared: the Lord, healthy living, and working six days a week.

“They don’t really tell us how to live our lives,” says Joy. “They show us.” OL

TOP RIGHT

There is 100 years di erence between Jacob and his youngest great grandchild.

ABOVE MIDDLE

Jacob still helps tend his 1,000-acre farm. “If the sun is shining, you can bet that Jacob Davis is outside working,” says his son Jay.

RIGHT

Celebrations continue for the centenarian who is now 102 years old.

County Line Farm

Story by Amy Faeskorn

GOING whole hog

The Farm at Okefenokee’s distinctive blend of real estate and agriculture offers sustainability in partnership with community.

On

a crisp, sunny

day this past January in Folkston,

Dan Wilson beckoned his guests to climb up on the wagon he’d already hitched to Ethel and Lucille, the two Belgian Draft Molly mules who transport staff and visitors around the 705 acres now known as The Farm at Okefenokee. When Jeff Meyer, one of The Farm’s co-founders, put in initial orders for much of the livestock that now inhabits the property, he deferred to Dan’s wisdom. “I chose Belgians because they have their momma’s traits,” says Wilson, a mule skinner who has worked with equine animals and has known Meyer his whole life. “These girls can pull up to 18 people at a time!”

This terrain wasn’t always so passable. Until Meyer acquired it in the early 2000s, it functioned for over a century as a pine tree plantation. Early on, Meyer—who has worked on preservation and energy renewal initiatives as far away as Wyoming and California—joined forces with Doug Davis, a real estate developer familiar with conservation-based approaches to planning and construction, and in 2022, they put their idea of integrating residential spaces with a working, regenerative farm fully into action. “When I first drove out here, I asked this place, ‘What do you want to be?’” recalls Davis, who ultimately decided against total clear-cutting. “We couldn’t rely on existing templates. The concept had to be sculpted in the field, informed by the nuances of the land itself.”

That reverence is reflected in the project’s holistic design: 250 residential cabins grouped in small clusters around the various

“We couldn’t rely on existing templates. The concept had to be sculpted in the field, informed by the nuances of the land itself.”

sections of the farm as well as amenities such as a clubhouse, a dog park, and a swimming hole. The ride with Ethel and Lucille winds through the crop fields and livestock pens that dot the landscape; small groves of the original pine trees form boundaries around pastures where goats and sheep will eventually roam. The interwoven nature of the blueprint is intentional, and to Davis’s knowledge, one-of-a-kind. “Although the notion of ‘agrihoods’ is gaining in popularity, The Farm goes beyond that model,” observes Doug. “Our residents will be able to wake up with the animals, walk a few steps to gather eggs, pick vegetables, tend the crops, and enjoy the expansive open space.”

Previous Page

TOP Mule Skinner Dan Wilson with Ethel and Lucille.

BOTTOM LEFT Co-founders Doug Davis and Je Meyer.

BOTTOM RIGHT The golf cart stable. (Photo by Tobias Faeskorn)

Opposite Page

The entryway to The Farm. (Photo by Tobias Faeskorn)

“Our residents will be able to wake up with the animals, walk a few steps to gather eggs, pick vegetables, tend the crops, and enjoy the expansive open space.”

The agricultural component got underway in the spring of 2023, led by Meyer’s background in organic horticulture and environmentally friendly farming practices. To rehabilitate the soil and protect the neighboring Okefenokee Wildlife Refuge— whose pending designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site will likely increase travel to the region—regenerative techniques such as cover crops and animal rotation have been implemented. In addition to container gardens that operate year-round, The Farm grows vegetation as wide-ranging as blackberries, grapes, and Spanish olives. Nicole Pramik, a lifelong resident of Folkston, joined the team four years ago and now oversees all aspects of planting and harvesting. “Eventually, everything here will come from the land,” she says. With the help of a 5,000 squarefoot greenhouse, she starts everything from heirloom seed.

Karyn Chester, an Atlanta native who joined The Farm as animal welfare manager in the fall of 2023 after learning about it on Instagram, is responsible for a variety of heritage breeds, including Meishan pigs, Pineywoods cows, and, in the future, burros. She’s had to make some tweaks here and there as the animals have adjusted to the local conditions; despite being watched over by Great Pyrenees May and Olive, several Royal Palm turkeys have been lost to coyotes at night. “Their white coloring really stood out and made them easy targets,” she says. “So we’ll be stocking more Bourbon Reds from now on!”

The three dozen Buff Orpington hens are also upgrading to a spacious, custom-built coop affectionally called the “Chicken Mansion,” which features a gutter-fed rainwater collection system, a wire tunnel leading out to the foraging area, and fully

removable perches for easy clean up. “This new set-up is going to make it so easy for residents to collect eggs, and it will keep the hens safe as well,” says Chester, who will operate the solar-powered door through an app on her cell phone. Louise and Ana, Belgian horses also selected by Wilson, graze nearby, under the shadow of the fully functioning windmill that pumps water back into the adjacent pond stocked with channel catfish and bream. A commitment to self-sufficiency is evident in every corner of the development. Cypress wood is logged and processed in the sawmill and fired in the kiln before being used in onsite construction. A compost pile behind the vineyard transforms vegetable scraps and manure into rich fertilizer, as does guano from the Anhinga and Great Blue Herons that alight between

crop rows. The smokehouse will help process pork with flavors enhanced by herbs Pramik has growing in the greenhouse. Residents will participate in master classes in canning, bread making, and other methods of preserving the harvests. “I love that nothing here goes to waste. We even fed the leftover bits of olive to the pigs after our first pressing,” notes Pramik.

Like Chester, Senior Sustainability and Communications Manager Scott Dye felt called to contribute to the project after touring The Farm with his wife. “I immediately knew I wanted to be part of bringing it to fruition,” he recalls. As he works on expanding awareness of The Farm’s offerings, he anticipates it evolving into a dynamic community inspired by life lived close to the land. “Connections with nature and neighbors, sharing a

WHEN YOU COMBINE REGENERATIVE FARMING WITH COMMUNITY LIVING, THE BENEFITS ARE ENDLESS.

The Farm at Okefenokee is 705+ acres of rolling farmland and pastures, adjacent to the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. Nature awaits you less than an hour’s drive north from cities like Jacksonville, Florida, or west from Savannah, Georgia. Residents will have pass access to hiking, kayaking, trail-biking and more just steps outside The Farm. The Farm at Okefenokee prioritizes sustainable practices and an eco-friendly lifestyle. You’re able to reduce your environmental impact by focusing on organic regenerative farming, permaculture, renewable energy sources and water conservation.

The journey for The Farm at Okefenokee is just beginning. For more information or to book a tour, visit Okefarm.com.

Left The Chicken Mansion (Photo by Tobias Faeskorn)

Below Sta member Nicole Pramik tends seedlings in the greenhouse. (Photo by Tobias Faeskorn)

meal hand-picked just steps from your home, slowing down for thoughtful conversations—these are the things I look forward to the most.”

So far, the project has been well-received by the community. Meyer and Davis have also purchased a downtown retail space which will house a fresh produce co-op and a commercial kitchen made available not only to The Farm but Folkston area residents, visitors, and neighboring farmers as well. Will Nance, a Folkston native who returned home to serve as The Farm’s chief technology officer and resident concierge, will leverage his background in grocery retail to help all farmers in the region bring their harvests to market. “Growing up I never would have believed something like this would be here, right in our backyard,” he says. “I feel so privileged to be giving back to the place that made me who I am.” When he and some colleagues spoke about the idea at a recent city council meeting, they were met with great enthusiasm. “One of the first things they asked was, ‘How fast can you get this off the ground?’” he recalls. “We’ve also had great feedback at the Okefenokee Festival and some other local events.”

Top The Farm sta at the property's entrance.

Bottom Watchdog Olive in her kennel.

Opposite Page The pavillion at The Farm.

(Photos this page by Tobias Faeskorn)

“Growing up I never would have believed something like this would be here, right in our backyard.”

The Farm’s philosophy hits a cultural nerve. According to a recent European study, population in urban areas worldwide almost doubled between 1960 and 2020, with access to green spaces at a historic low. Trends like farm-to-table restaurants and homesteading point to a growing desire for increased contact with the natural world and a return to a lifestyle lost to the industrialization of food production. “I think everyone wants a respite from the hurried pace of modern life,” observes Davis. “The Farm emerged as a response to that yearning we all feel to live in harmony with the land.” In the years to come—with Ethel and Lucille as their co-pilots, of course—people will be able to do just that.

OL

THE 2024 LEGISLATIVE SESSION OF THE GEORGIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY concluded on March 28. While Washington, D.C. has been mired in gridlock and partisan squabbling with little to no care about the everyday lives of the American people, here in Georgia, we have continued to work hard to reduce the size of government, cut through red tape, return dollars to the taxpayers' pockets, strengthen our law enforcement o cers and agencies, and invest in the future of our state. This year, your representatives worked hard to make life better for Georgians.

REPRESENTATIVE STEVEN MEEKS THANK YOU DISTRICT 178!

SOME HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE SESSION:

BUDGET

• $36.1 billion fiscal 2025 state budget

• funds Georgia’s Pre-Kindergarten program

• includes $4,000 cost-of-living raises for most state workers, with an additional $3,000 for employees in state agencies suffering large turnover rates, including law enforcement officers and welfare workers

• teachers will receive increases of $2,500

• substantial increases in funding for various education initiatives, including $243 million to account for student enrollment growth

• $200 million to buy more school buses

• $108 million in school safety grants to upgrade security on public school campuses

• every public school in Georgia will receive grants of $45,000 for school safety and security

• $10.7 million for a technology upgrade inside state prisons to head off a flood of cellphones being smuggled in to inmates

TAX REFORM

House Bill 1015 will lessen the tax burden on Georgia’s families by lowering the state’s income tax to 5.39% from 5.49%. Additionally, the measure decreases the rate by 0.1% annually starting January 1, 2025, until it reaches 4.99%. The measure does contain some provisions that could delay the decrease, including if the governor’s revenue estimate for the next fiscal year is not at least 3% above the current one.

This session also passed a bill to limit how much home assessments can go up each year, with a cap tied to the rate of inflation. The intent is to slow the growth of property tax increases in any one year. In addition, an increase in the state homestead exemption from $2,000 to $4,000 was passed.

HEALTHCARE

For several years now, there has been much discussion about modernizing and refining the rules and regulations across Georgia. House Bill 1339 is the cornerstone of this multi-year effort and proposes an overhaul of the state's certification of need (CON) laws. HB 1339 will bolster rural healthcare through the expansion of the rural hospital tax credits and and will also establish a Comprehensive Health Coverage Commission, tasked with advising the governor, General Assembly and the Department of Community Health on access and quality of healthcare.

Access to affordable prescriptions is vitally important in our state. Rural Georgia, especially our area, is blessed with independent pharmacies who work to fulfill the medication needs of each patient. These pharmacies are vitally important to small communities and serve us well. Real people answer your call and know your name when you walk in the door. During the session, the State Health Benefit plan published the reimbursement fees which disproportionately favor large chain pharmacies, thus threatening the closure of the locally owned ones due to the resulting disparity in reimbursement. As a result, the House passed HB 1363, which requires the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) to hire an actuarial consulting firm to prepare a report on the fiscal impact of implementing drug reimbursements based on the national average drug acquisition cost.

Another important legislative matter that passed was HB 663, the No Patient Left Alone Act. A culmination of a multiyear effort, the legislation seeks to address challenges that were commonly faced during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, such as families being unable to meet with their loved ones. The law allows for a designated essential caregiver to be present with a patient or resident of a hospital, or a long-term care facility, while they are receiving care. The designated caregiver must adhere to the policies of longterm care facility.

OUR STATE

The House passed SB 368 which prohibits use of foreign funds in Georgia elections. The bill requires foreign countries or entities to register and disclose any political activities in Georgia. SB 368 prohibits foreign nationals from donating money to political campaigns, candidates, and candidate committees. It also bans those seeking public office from knowingly accepting funds from foreign agents or entities. American citizens representing foreign countries or businesses can still donate to candidates and campaigns in their capacity as American citizens, but must register with the Georgia State Ethics Commission.

ELECTION REFORM

Senate Bill 189 combines several election-reform bills, including provisions to eliminate QR codes from paper ballots and tighten the chain of custody for ballots on Election Day. The bill makes it easier to file mass-voter challenges, requires all advanced and absentee ballots to be counted within an hour of polls closing, and removes Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger from the State Election Board. The legislation would also require the homeless to use a county registrar's office as a mailing address to register to vote, and changes ballot design.

I have often said that one of the best things about serving in the legislature is having the chance to meet and interact with the Georgians who come to the capitol to talk about important issues. Organizations—many student-led—make the trip to the state capitol each year to reiterate to lawmakers the importance of their work and the impact that it has had on their lives and career paths of their members.

I encourage you to visit your state Capitol during the next legislative session in January.

When I first ran for office, I told you that I would fight for rural Georgia and our way of life. That is precisely what I have done and will continue to do.

If I may ever be of service to you, please don’t hesitate to reach out either by phone at 404-651-7737 or by email at steve.meeks@house.ga.gov.

Real Weddings

Two couples share their love stories and glimpses into their wedding day.

STORY BY MEGAN PIPER WHITE / PHOTOGRAPH BY JULIEN LUNSFORD

“REJOYCE

Bringing an integrative and regenerative approach to dermatology, aesthetics and wellness in a warm, inviting, uplifting space in her hometown – that was the mission almost two years ago when Chasity opened ReJoyce. Her entry into the aesthetic and wellness space had to reflect the intersection of her mission to reframe what medical care can look like when you take a “root cause” approach to treating patients. In 2022 ReJoyce opened its doors, offering patients a place to retreat for cutting edge technology paired

with novel and innovative approaches with a side of hugs, hospitality, human connection and love. And that is precisely what it has become.

The small but welcoming space has evolved into an in-demand destination for individuals looking for a fresh but always natural look to their appearance, a hub for busy executives, healthcare workers and tired moms alike to refuel on IV hydration or vital nutrient injections. Men and women of all ages and demographic backgrounds are seeking to feel better both inside and out. Chasity emphasizes “an intrinsic part of improving someone’s appearance aesthetically is their overall wellbeing.”

If any of these concerns or conditions resonate with you, then call Chasity and her team for a consultation. “We put together a comprehensive treatment plan for our patients to achieve their goals and a maintenance protocol. Aging is a continuum, and we should treat it as such. I look forward to continuing to help my hometown look, live, and love better.”

A joyful face is always a beautiful face. pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

Chasity Geiger, MPASPAC, Founder

Sweet as Honey

PAIGE TAYLOR & BRYCE BRAND

Bryce and Paige Brand's love story began with dessert and continues to unfold with their wedding celebration at

in

STORY BY MEGAN PIPER WHITE / PHOTOGRAPH BY ARIEL PREVATT PHOTOGRAPHY

Cedar Lodge on Honey Creek

Waverly, Georgia.

“We selected Cedar Lodge on Honey Creek as our wedding venue because it beautifully mirrors the essence of our relationship,” says Paige. “It's serene ambiance and picturesque setting on the marsh resonate with our love story.” Bryce is from Nahunta and works as a lineman at Okefenokee REMC and Paige is from Waycross, where she is the president of the Waycross-Ware County Chamber of Commerce. Paige and Bryce find the greatest joy in the warm friendliness of Waycross, where they know they can rely on their neighbors for support whenever needed.

Bryce and Paige met through mutual friends, and it just happened to be at the Dairy Queen in Nahunta, Georgia. The real treat was that they found each other, and they’ve been together ever since. Their engagement was shared with their families while they were on the Brand family summer vacation in Steinhatchee, Florida. Paige’s family joined them for dinner, saying it was a special trip to celebrate her dad’s birthday, and that’s when Bryce proposed! They have many wonderful family and friends who came together again to celebrate their wedding with fun and many special moments. They were married on September 30, 2023, with a bridal party of eight bridesmaids, two junior bridesmaids and one flower girl, eight groomsmen, two junior groomsmen and two ring bearers, all from the Waycross and Nahunta areas.

Memorable moments of the wedding included Paige’s dad walking her down the aisle. When asked “who gives this woman away?”, he said, “Her mother and I do—and Fancy Mae (Paige's beloved Dachshund)!” The wedding favors were also special dog

“We selected Cedar Lodge on Honey Creek as our wedding venue because it beautifully mirrors the essence of our relationship. ”

Real Weddings

Our Wedding

• Married September 30, 2023

• Wedding & Reception at Cedar Lodge on Honey Creek

• O ciant – Tony Thomas, Paige’s Uncle

• Wedding Jewelry by Crawford Jewelers – Waycross

• Bride’s Cake & Reception Catering by Zels Catering – Waycross

• Floral Designs by Barry Beasley

• Flowers from Flower General by Carlstedt

• Wedding Day Coordinating by Middwell Weddings & Event Planning

treats for all of Fancy Mae’s four legged friends who weren’t able to attend the wedding. Bryce and Paige shared several special gifts with their parents and with each other throughout the celebration. Paige gave her mother a framed drawing of her in her wedding dress, her mom in her dress, and her Granny Dean (who passed away in 2018) in her wedding dress. Paige describes this special moment with affection. “Granny Dean was our best friend. The picture said ‘Those we love don’t go away. They walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard, but always near. Still loved, still missed and very dear.’” Paige also customized and gave her mother a diamond necklace from Crawford Jewelers. Her mother gave her, in return, an engraved fork from her Granny Dean with her wedding date on it and a ring from Crawford’s Jewelers as well. “My mom

“Granny Dean was our best friend. The picture said ‘Those we love don’t go away. They walk beside us every day.’”

also gave me a piece of her wedding dress that said ‘Paige, once I held you in my arms, now I’ll give you away, but you’ll always be my baby beyond your wedding day. Love, Mom.’”

Paige's mother had a gift for Bryce as well, an engraved knife with the inscription: "My daughter gave you her heart...now you have mine."

Paige also gifted her father a tie with a childhood photo of the two of them embroidered on the underside of it and a watch from Crawford’s Jewelers.

Paige has some sound advice for future brides. “Savor every moment of the planning journey, as it swiftly passes by you. Focus on the joyous milestones and don't sweat the minor details. Cherish the special memories along the way!” When asked about their favorite part of the wedding day, the happy couple shared that the highlight of their wedding day was being embraced by the presence of their cherished family and friends throughout the entire celebration, marking the beginning of their forever together. Sweet, indeed! OL

Our providers are passionately committed to providing you with the high-quality medical care you deserve and remain dedicated to the values of compassion and personalized patient care.

You may not have known that in addition to our wonderful internal medicine clinic we also offer a full line of non-invasive aesthetic services for the face and body, available to women and men of all ages.

INTEGRITY AESTHETIC SERVICES

• Botox/Dysport & Fillers

• Skin Tightening for Face, & Body

• Body Sculpting, Muscle Building & Fat Reduction For Abs, Butt, Thighs & More

• Cellulite Reduction with Skin Tightening

• Laser Hair Removal for Face & Body

• Scar & Stretch Mark Reduction

• Laser Skin Resurfacing

• IPL Photo Facial/Sun Damage Therapy

• PRP - Platelet Rich Plasma Treatments

• Vein Treatments for Legs & Face

• Facials, Peels & Mask

• RF Microneedling, Demaplane & Microdermabrasion

• Pelvic Floor Rejuvenation/Kegles Chair

• Incontinence Therapy

• Hormone Therapy and Supplements

• Medical Grade - Prescriptive Strength Skincare

• Weight Loss Injections

• Monthly Skincare Membership

INTEGRITY HEALTH & WELLNESS 808 Beacon Street Waycross, GA 31501 912-490-HEAL (4325) integrityhealthga.com

Dr. Alan Morton, Lauren Turner - Nurse Practitioner, Amanda Blaylock - Physician Assistant, David Rios - Physician Assistant

Picture Perfect Love

SYDNEY STARLING & JAKE HARVARD

Sydney and Jake Harvard's wedding was everything they had pictured as they began their lives together. Sydney planned all the details of the event, and their two families and friends came together for a ceremony and reception at the beautiful Hallabrook Hill in Valdosta. From the very beginning, their love has been a special one, with remarkable “meant to be” moments along the way.

STORY BY MEGAN PIPER WHITE / PHOTOGRAPHY BY JULIEN LUNSFORD

“I can remember those minutes leading up to the ceremony so well. It was such a special moment, and I felt at ease knowing that I was walking down the aisle to my soulmate.”

Though Sydney and Jake attended different colleges — Sydney went to Georgia Southern and Jake went to UGA — they met in Athens at a college game day in their first semesters. They quickly learned they had grown up just minutes from each other. Sydney graduated from Ware County High School in 2017, and Jake graduated from Pierce County High School the same year. In addition, their parents both live in the Okefenokee Country Club, just a few golf course holes apart. They were inseparable from the moment they met, and they dated throughout college.

Every summer, Sydney’s family rented a beach condo at Amelia Island Plantation. Since they were a long-distance couple, these summers meant everything to them. Most nights before dinner in Fernandina, Jake and Sydney would ride a golf cart to the 16th hole on Oak Marsh Golf Course. The most breathtaking sunsets overlook the marsh in that spot, and Jake could practice his golf game on the putting green.

Sydney describes their engagement well. “On May 27th, 2022, it felt like a normal night, with me sitting on the golf cart watching the sunset and Jake putting—that

Real Weddings

is, until he asked me to grab a new pack of golf balls. When I opened the sleeve of balls, the first golf ball had ‘Will you marry me?’ written on it. By the time I looked up, he was down on one knee with the ring.” Of course, she said yes! Shortly thereafter, they began planning for their big day.

The weekend of wedding events took place at Hallabrook Hill, from the rehearsal dinner to the surprise silent disco that ended the reception. Jake’s dad’s family traveled from Tallahassee and Live Oak, Florida, while Sydney’s family and Jake’s mom’s family came in from Waycross. When they first saw the newly built French Country wedding venue during the planning process, with 13 stunning chandeliers sparkling from the hall's ceilings, it seemed like the ideal halfway point for their families.

When asked about their favorite part of the wedding day, Sydney and Jake both felt it was the ceremony itself. “We had all 200 of our closest family and friends squeezed into a little chapel to witness the two of us becoming one," recalls Sydney. "I had this idea that I was going to be nervous, but I cannot explain the amount of peace and calmness the Lord sent my way before the ceremony. I can remember those minutes leading up to the ceremony so well. It was such a special moment, and I felt at ease knowing that I was walking down the aisle to my soulmate.” She and Jake worked with her grandfather, who officiated, to make the ceremony personal.

“The Lord was all around us during the ceremony, and we chose to have a unity candle,” the couple remembers. Sydney's grandfather said, “As you each take a candle and together light the center one, you will extinguish your own candle, thus letting the center candle represent the union of your lives into one flesh. As this light cannot be divided, neither shall your lives be divided, but they will be a united testimony in your home. May the radiance of this one light be a testimony of your unity in the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Sydney has some words of wisdom for future brides. “The greatest advice I can give is to fill your wedding day with all things love. The day is all about the two of you and the love you share, so do what makes you both happy!” Instead of an early exit, Jake and Sydney opted to celebrate a little longer with their friends and family with a surprise silent disco party after the band finished performing, complete with a stunning outfit change for Sydney! Silent Disco was their favorite thing to do together when Sydney visited Jake in Athens, so it was the perfect way to wrap up the evening.

From a sentimental engagement to a beautiful rehearsal and ceremony to a memorable and fun reception, their wedding day was picture-perfect for them both. OL

Our Wedding

• Married April 29, 2023

• Wedding & Reception at Hallabrook Hill – Valdosta

• O ciant – Phil Jordan, Sydney’s Maternal Grandfather

• Rings by Crawford Jewelers – Waycross

• Bride’s Cake & Catering by Jimbo’s Catering – Homerville

• Florals by Middwell Weddings & Events – Nahunta

• Wedding Party Attire by Jake & Ed’s – Waycross

• Makeup and Live Painting by Emma Collins

• Hair Styling by Hannah West – Blackshear

• Groom’s Cake by Anne Deal – Blackshear

• Photography by Julien Lunsford

Ain’t that a ‘Pain in the Knee’ WELLNESS HEALTH

Many patients present to Memorial Satilla Specialists-Orthopedic Surgery with knee pain. One of the more frequent diagnoses—and one of the most common reasons for disability—is osteoarthritis or knee arthritis.

More than 85 percent of the population above the age of 75 is afflicted with some level of osteoarthritis. The typical complaints are pain and swelling in the knee, producing both painful motion and a decrease in joint mobility. This can occur from a traumatic injury or from ‘wear and tear’ over one’s lifetime.

The knee, the largest joint in the body, is subject to three to five times the force of body weight during normal gait. With additional weight, such as obesity or carrying heavy loads, this force is increased exponentially across the knee. The knee normally has joint fluid, a meniscus, and cartilage that are meant to protect the joint surfaces and provide painless motion. When these mechanisms are disrupted, the cartilage wears down, similar to the tire tread on a new tire, resulting in both pain and stiffness until a critical point is reached.

Osteoarthritis is a chronic disease, and treatment is aimed at managing the symptoms in order to improve function and quality of life. Currently there are many treatment options and the majority are non-operative. Once the diagnos is established, an appropriate treatment plan is determined based on the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons clinical practice guidelines.

NON-OPERATIVE TREATMENTS

Education and awareness of the patient’s symptoms helps them become proactive in

their care plan. Knowledge and understanding of the patient's symptoms enable them to take a proactive approach in managing their care plan.

Physical therapy is a powerful tool to improve joint function. Therapists are trained in many treatment options that can reduce pain levels and prevent further deterioration of a joint, including exercise plans that allow other muscles to compensate and improve balance, strength, and range of motion. Avoiding painful activities ultimately leads to decreased strength and muscle atrophy, which worsen the symptoms in the long term. A well prescribed exercise program can help prevent this from occurring.

Weight loss helps reduce force across the joint and can lead to decreased pain. Studies have shown weight loss, through diet changes and exercise, improves symptoms of knee arthritis.

Knee bracing – Many patients with advanced arthritis will notice a curvature to their legs which can produce an unstable joint. The goal of a knee brace is to improve stability in the knee. While the brace won’t correct any curvature, a knee brace can help reduce pain in instances of arthritis flare-ups.

Assistive devices – A cane, typically used on the opposite side of the arthritis, or a walker, can help decrease load across a joint and therefore improve both pain and balance.

Cryotherapy – Decreasing the temperature of skin and muscle may reduce pain and the

incidence of muscle spasms. We typically recommend this after surgery as one of the ways to reduce post-surgical pain. Brief, twenty-minute sessions with an ice pack, followed by rest, work well for many patients.

Acupuncture – This treatment method uses thin needles inserted into the skin at certain points in the body to reduce pain. It may provide temporary relief from arthritis. A certified acupuncture practitioner has to perform the procedure.

Denervation therapy – Aimed at reducing pain across a joint by using heat or chemicals to reduce the pain sensations nerves carry, this treatment may provide short term relief from osteoarthritis.

Medication – Anti-inflammatories are a broad class of medications that decrease inflammation in the body, and therefore reduce pain. It is important to talk to your physician to see which medication may work for you.

Injections – Cortisone injected directly into the joint may provide temporary relief of pain and swelling. These medications can only be injected at certain intervals so as not to cause harm. Visco-supplementation injections are synthetic medications designed to mimic the joint’s natural lubricating fluid. Your doctor will be able to educate you about the risks and benefits of these medications.

When non-operative treatments fail, surgery may be needed. Total knee replacement provides reliable pain relief, increased motion, and an overall increase in function of the knee joint, improving quality of life. It is a reasonable option for patients who continue to have debilitating pain or a decrease in function, even after trying non-operative treatments.

Memorial Satilla Specialists - Orthopedic Surgery provides a wide range of services and trusted care for conditions affecting a patient’s bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, nerves and muscle. Fellowship-trained surgeons Dr. Jonathan Callegari and Dr. Robert Pilcher hold advanced expertise in leveraging minimally invasive, robot-assisted techniques to support the effective care and recovery of our patients. The team treats hip and knee fractures, shoulder injuries, and all levels of fracture care, including pediatric fractures.

Memorial Satilla Specialists - Orthopedic Surgery is located at 305 Pineview Drive in Waycross. For more information, visit memorialsatillaspecialists.com or call 912-283-8444.

LEFT Stephen Hutcheson, PA, Dr. Jonathan Callegari, Dr. Robert Pilcher

RE/MAX Cobblestone

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“As a Realtor with experience and a passion for delivering exceptional service, I am dedicated to helping you navigate the real estate market with confidence. With a track record of success and a wide range of designations and accolades, I have the expertise to guide you through your home buying or selling journey.”

Photo of Matt & Page Smith’s dining room by ALLEN ALLNOCH / AHA! PHOTOGRAPHY

A Huckleberry

A FAMILY RETREAT

At the edge of Ware County, off of Central Avenue, you can turn onto Williams Road for a beautiful oaklined drive that feels as though you’ve stepped back in time. Drive a little further, and you come upon a split-rail fence and a wooden sign with painted letters. A farm gate opens to a paved, winding drive with more majestic oaks, pines, and scrub trees before entering a wide-open space with a three-acre pond. A cabin is tucked away in the tree line, and a stately home stands across the pond, built with stacked stone that looks like it belongs in the mountains of North Carolina rather than the flatlands of South Georgia. At once you feel as if you’ve arrived at a mountain retreat far removed from any nearby town or even the slightest hint that there is a world beyond the 237 acres of timber that surrounds it. Recalling the painted letters on the sign at the entrance, you realize that this piece of paradise is known simply as Huckleberry.

Story by JOHN F. RIDDLE / Photography by ALLEN ALLNOCH / AHA! PHOTOGRAPHY

the family

ABOVE

(l-r) Wesley Joseph, Livi

Summer

When the Smiths bought the property, their family was in somewhat of a transitional time. Although the Smiths’ three biological daughters had left the nest before moving to Huckleberry, their four adopted children from China were still at home.

BELOW

The whole family gathered at Huckleberry for Easter Weekend with the exception of one granddaughter.

Joseph,

Smith Joseph, Avery James Joseph, Layla Smith, Candace Smith, Jacob Johns (Candace’s fiancé), Page Smith, Matthew Smith, Sarah Higginson Smith, Matt Smith, Courtney Smith Bass, Tatum Bass, Landon Bass, Leah Smith, and Chase Smith.

Huckleberry was developed in phases. Moi and Cheryl Monroe owned the property before building the 1,740 square foot Aspen wood cabin as a retreat in the late 1980s. In 1996, Moi built the home using the stacked stone that reminded his wife, Cheryl, of her youth growing up in the mountains of North Carolina.

In 2017, Matt and Page Smith bought the house, cabin, and 50 surrounding acres. Matt, who graduated from Ware County High in 1977, met Page Manus, from Austell, Georgia, in dental school. They share a practice, Smith & Manus Dentistry, in Waycross.

The sophisticated farmhouse design features over 6,600 square feet with four bedrooms, four private baths, and two half baths. The exterior is a carb orchard dry stack stone and painted redwood siding with copper drip and copper porch coverings.

foyer

When they bought the property, their family was in somewhat of a transitional time. Although the Smiths’ three biological daughters had left the nest before moving to Huckleberry, their four adopted children from China were still at home. “We adopted our first child from China, Leah, when she was young, and she was such a blessing for us that we adopted Matthew, who was six years old at the time. Then, two years later, we adopted Layla and Chase,” explains Matt. Their son, Matthew, was married in the summer of 2023. Leah is now 18 years old and Layla and Chase are both 14.

The foyer separates the house from the master suite and the downstairs living spaces. The wide plank, random width pine boards run throughout the bottom floor.

The family room is accented with a full-size stone fireplace, old heart pine moldings, vaulted ceilings, and a brass chandelier.

family room

master suite

A hallway off the foyer leads to the master suite that includes a small study off the hallway. Situated on the front of the house, the room has a large open area with a bay window that offers peaceful views of the expansive grounds and pond. The master bath offers his and her bathrooms and limestone floors and counters.

When the entire family visits there is plenty of room. The older girls and their families stay at the cabin, which provides them more privacy and doesn’t “disrupt the flow” of life for the rest of the family in the house. “We love the cabin for large family gatherings, especially during the holidays,” says Page.

One thing is for sure: if anyone needs a little space, they can find it on the sprawling compound. The paved driveway extends around the pond, and doubles as a great track for walking, running, or cycling. The family can even brush up on their golf game using the flags Matt has set up around the grounds. The dock on the pond is perfect for relaxing, or even paddling a canoe for a little more exercise.

kitchen

dining room

The formal dining room is separated from the family room, with wooden pocket doors and two built-in corner China cabinets.

The kitchen and breakfast room get plenty of natural light which shows off the heart pine cabinets and paneling.

upstairs

The Monroes developed Huckleberry as a place to slip away to find solitude and enjoy their growing family at a slower pace. The Smiths are enjoying it now just as it was intended, as a place to find quiet, enjoy nature, and reconnect at this perfect family retreat. OL

The upstairs offers four bedrooms and ample privacy with a den tucked away on the back of the house. A cat-walk, which connects the two wings of the house, overlooks the expansive family room and offers views of the pond.

the cabin

First built in the 1980s, a 1,740 square-foot cabin with cypress exterior and Aspen wood interior features three bedrooms, a full kitchen, and a great room with a large brick fireplace. A screened-in porch faces the pond.

Creating a Well-Layered Bed from a Designer’s Point of View

Admiral William H. McRaven once said, “Making your bed to perfection each morning is a reminder that if you do the little things right, it makes the big things possible.” I believe starting your day by making the bed allows your mind to wake up and reset itself for the day ahead. I always leave my house feeling ready to accomplish everything I need to and come home to a calm, cozy, and clean atmosphere once my day is over. Here are some quick tips on achieving a clean and cozy layered bed.

The basics – mattress, mattress encasement, mattress protector, and sheets.

Whether it’s as firm as a rock or soft as a cashmere sweater, finding the right mattress is extremely important to a full night’s sleep. Once you’ve found a mattress, it’s a good idea to get an encasement or protector to aid in its longevity. A mattress encasement is great for protection against dust mites, bed bugs, and pet dander. It can also help resist stains and reduce allergens.

If you don’t like the idea of something fully encasing your mattress, you’ll at least want to have a mattress protector, which is more like a sheet that is waterproof, moisture wicking, and machine washable. Some also include built-in cooling technology.

Once you have your mattress protector, find sheets that fit your style. Some of the best sheets for hot sleepers are cotton, linen, or bamboo. Some are even moisture wicking and have built-in cooling agents to prevent night sweats.

The icing on top – coverlet, duvet, throw blanket, and pillows. Once the basics are figured out, it’s time to start layering the pretties. Find coverlets and duvets that fit your style. A coverlet is good for the base layer on top of

Story by LINDSEY BACON

Interior Designer, Lott’s Furniture lbacon@lottsfurniture.com (912) 283-6350

Instagram @lindseybacon_designer

Photography by ALLEN ALLNOCH / AHA! PHOTOGRAPHY

your sheets, or it can be folded at the foot of the bed for added warmth and comfort. A duvet is good for a thick layer of softness with inserts of down feathers or down-like filling. These are great for fluffing up your bed and can even act as a lightly weighted blanket, depending on the insert you choose.

A throw blanket always goes at the end of the bed to add texture and color. Last, but not least, are pillows – the best ones to make your bed pretty and inviting are Euro (square), standard or king-sized, and a lumbar or bolster pillow. Of course, you may not like a lot of them on your bed – that is perfectly fine!

We maintain access to the industry’s leading carriers including Auto Owners, Southern Trust, The Hartford, Selective, and Travelers. With over 40 years of combined experience in the agency, we can meet and service both your personal and business needs.

Call Nathan Carter to see how a relationship with Partners Risk Services may be one of the most strategic decisions you make in protecting all that’s important to you.

PARTNERS RISK SERVICES, SOUTH LLC

Insurance & Risk Management P.O. Box 544 Jesup, GA 31598 912-588-1760 partnersrs.com

Miles of dedication to your success.

PROFILES

YOUR GUIDE TO PEOPLE, PLACES, AND BUSINESSES IN THE REGION

Story By JOHN RIDDLE

H tory Tour THEMAGIC A L , MYSTERY ,

NOT MANY PEOPLE CAN TELL THE STORY OF HOW THEY MET THEIR SPOUSE THAT INCLUDES —WELL, ALMOST CENTERS AROUND— GETTYSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, BUT STEVE AND BETHANY STRICKLAND CAN. IN FACT, THEY BUILT A SPRING BREAK TRIP AROUND IT.

ABOVE Steve and Bethany Strickland at Gettysburg, VA with Little Round Top in the background.

Photos Provided by BETHANY STRICKLAND

the backstory

Steve and Bethany Strickland met in college and had their first date on a whim for a fraternity formal. The event was held at the camp in Mountain Lake Virginia, where “Dirty Dancing” was filmed, which was a four-hour drive for them. Before leaving that Thursday, Bethany went to a speech class in which a student made a presentation on Gettysburg and Joshua Chamberlin’s “swinging gate maneuver” defense of Little Round Top. As they were driving through the mountains— trying to make conversation on the hours long trip—Bethany gazed out of the window and said, “This must have been what Little Round Top looked like.” Steve, a huge Civil War buff, was impressed—and didn’t forget that comment.

LEFT Steve, Bethany, Campbell, and Beau attended Easter service at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC.

When they returned to school, Bethany told her roommate she had met the man she was going to marry; Steve said to his buddy, “Man, I’m in trouble.” Bethany jokes that they almost went to Gettysburg on their honeymoon, but she won out for a “more tropical locale.”

Through the years, that story has been told and retold and, as it turns out, their children were actually listening.

Last Christmas, Campbell, one of their sons, asked out of the blue, “Hey Dad, can we go to Gettysburg and actually see Little Round Top?” That’s all Steve and Bethany needed to hear. They were finally headed back to Gettysburg where everything began on what Bethany dubbed the “Magical, Mystery, History Tour.”

the tour

The Stricklands left Blackshear on March 28, and returned the next weekend. The first night they drove to Rocky Mount, North Carolina. They spent the next two days in Gettysburg touring the battlefield. Unfortunately, Little Round Top was closed for renovation, but Steve and Bethany still snapped a photo together with it standing proudly in the background.

The family had decided in advance to attend Easter Service on March 31 at the Washington National Cathedral. “We are not Episcopalian, so I asked Mrs. Sara Rollison to school us on all the Easter Eucharist before we left,” explains Bethany. That night, they took a Monuments by Moonlight tour that they all agree was “absolutely beautiful.”

The next four days were spent in Washington, DC. On Monday and Tuesday, they toured the Holocaust Museum, the Museum of the Bible, the Museum of American History, and the Capitol, where they ate at Bullfeathers on the Hill, a so-called “congressional hot-spot.” On Wednesday, they took in the Natural History Museum and the United States Archives. Their final days were spent at Arlington National Cemetery, paying homage at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and ending with a visit to the Air & Space Museum at Dulles Airport. Their last stop was Colonial Williamsburg in Williamsburg, VA.

With the “Magical, Mystery, History Tour” complete, the Stricklands' history circled back to Blackshear. The mystery of how Gettysburg and Little Round Top played significantly in Steve and Beth’s love story was solved, their knowledge of history enhanced. And magical memories were made with stories that will be told and retold for generations to come. OL

ABOVE & LEFT Their oldest daughter’s college roommate, who works for the Republican National Committee, arranged for their visit to the balcony of the Speaker of the House’s office suite.

LEFT The boulders of Devil's Den where intense fighting took place at Gettysburg.

TRAVEL tips

“Go to Gettysburg, but don’t expect any outstanding dining.”

“The Conrad Hotel in Washington, DC, was the best hotel experience we’ve ever had. Ten out of ten!"

“At the Holocaust Museum, standing inside an actual train car that transported Jews to the concentration camps is about as powerful as it comes.”

“Everyone needs to hear the speech Thomas Jefferson gave on the balance between state and federal government at the Governors Palace in Colonial Williamsburg. It's as relevant today as it was 250 years ago.”

OUR favorites

CAMPBELL: Eating breakfast at The Conrad Hotel, seeing the Declaration of Independence, touring the Capitol.

BEAU: Monuments by Moonlight, The Museum of the Bible, and all the wings.

STEVE: Seeing Little Round Top, the Sunken Road, the National Archives, Iwo Jima monument, and Thomas Jefferson’s speech.

BETHANY: Easter at the National Cathedral, the wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, WWII Memorial, and seeing Little Round Top.

FAR LEFT Beau looks at the famous painting of Washington praying at Valley Forge in the Bible Museum.

LEFT Firing the muskets at Colonial Williamsburg was Beau and Campbells’ “absolute favorite thing.”

BELOW Arlington National Cemetery, WWII Memorial, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, The Palace at Colonial Williamsburg, and the Korean War Veterans Memorial were among the highlights of their trip, which also included stops at Gettysburg, Colonial Williamsburg, and Washington, D.C.

VISIT Blackshear

There is ALWAYS something to do in Blackshear!

PIERCE COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE GALA

MAY 2

69th annual Gala & Awards - “Run for the Roses” 6pm – Blackshear Train Depot

$50/ticket

PUTTIN WITH POPS

JUNE 15

Father’s Day outing for everyone!

Mini-Golf in the Historic Train Depot

12-6pm - $5 greens fee per person Call for tee times

DUELING PIANOS AT THE DEPOT

JULY 27

A Better Hometown Blackshear fundraiser for Revitalized Downtown Streetscapes

$50/ticket – 8pm – Historic Train Depot

PCHS HOMECOMING PARADE

SEPTEMBER 9

Celebrate our Bears & Show your Pierce County Pride 6pm – Main Street

TRICK OR TREATING IN THE PARK

OCTOBER 31

Happy Halloween with tricks, treats, & eats in the park! 6pm – Costume Contest – Food Trucks

THE OFFICIAL PECAN FESTIVAL OF GEORGIA HOSTED BY THE BLACKSHEAR EXCHANGE CLUB

NOVEMBER 9

The Classic Car Show, Entertainment from local performers, The Georgia State Pecan Pie Contest, arts, crafts, & food vendors, games & inflatables. 9-4pm - Blackshear City Park

PIERCE COUNTY CHRISTMAS PARADE

DECEMBER 9

Celebrate the Season on Main Street – 6pm Tree Lighting Ceremony with Santa – 7:30pm

PROFILES

DERYL AMMONS

Story & Photography by GREG O’DRISCOLL

Old Wound Earns New Honors

A half-century after the Vietnam War, Blackshear celebrates the bravery of native son Deryl Ammons.

Capt. Fritz Ziegler pins the Purple Heart on Ammons in a September 2023 ceremony at the Blackshear Train Depot.

Ammons with U.S. Rep. Earl "Buddy" Carter during the Purple Heart ceremony,

Offermanresident and decorated Army veteran Deryl

Ammons was born in Blackshear, where he remembers his father starting a lawnmower business to help support an increasingly large expanding family. He’s the seventh of his parents’ children, born right in the middle of what would eventually be 13 siblings in all.

Growing up, he had little reason to suspect that shortly after his high school graduation, he would find himself in the middle of a raging conflict in southeast Asia. “My selective service number came up, and I was drafted right out of high school,” Ammons recalls. After attending boot camp and combat training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, he was shipped out to Vietnam in October of 1970.

Decades later—52 years to be exact—Ammons was awarded a Purple Heart for being wounded in action. He reflects that, in a way, the injury that earned him that long-delayed honor amounted to being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

On February 19, 1971, while serving with the Delta troop of the 3-17 Cavalry regiment—a ground reconnaissance group known as the “Blue Tigers”—Specialist Ammons and four other soldiers were ordered to establish a defensive lookout position about 30 minutes before sunset. They set up in a clearing.

Ammons asserts it was the company sergeant who saved all their lives. “He told us, ‘When the moon comes up, they’re gonna see us.’” The sergeant had them shift over to a nearby wooded area, a few yards from the clearing, to a more secure position. Within ten minutes of relocating, a rocket hit the clearing they had only recently vacated.

Shrapnel from the rocket hit the trees and brush all around them. The men returned fire on the area from where the rocket was fired and were then ordered to return to camp. The shrapnel had also hit Ammons, though he did not initially register the impact, which he attributes to adrenaline.

“Sometimes you get wounded and don’t know it,” Ammons explains. “I put my machine gun up to my shoulder, and that’s when I felt the blood.” Ammons ran with the others toward the main camp, but he collapsed 50 yards short.

“They called the chopper in to pick me up,” Ammons says in a distant voice as he relives the memories. He says the medic had initially misdiagnosed him, thinking he had a sucking chest wound, so the helicopter got there on the double.

When the medical team finally got his shirt off, they were confused and asked where he was wounded. The injury turned out to be on Ammons’ back. A fragment of jagged metal had torn a hole three inches wide and embedded itself in his left shoulder close to the scapula.

Some of that metal remains in Ammons’ shoulder today, a permanent reminder of his stint in Vietnam. “Doctors said sometimes it's better to just leave it alone,” he says.

Of course, Ammons has other reminders as well. The Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze Stars, and a Sharpshooter Badge with Rifle Bar all record Ammons’ brief but distinguished military career.

Discharged from active duty in February 1972, Ammons

returned home, content that he had served his country. He went into air conditioning work with his brother-in-law in Jacksonville. Shortly after that, two weeks before his wedding, Ammons was hired on with Rayonier.

He moved to Offerman, where he stayed, living and working, participating in church and family life. Not a boastful man, Ammons mostly left his time in Vietnam in the past. But others felt strongly that he deserved recognition for the wound he suffered in service to his country.

Pastor John Williams at Ammons’ local church, the Blackshear Church of God, describes him as a quiet, uncomplaining man who never brags about himself. Retired Navy Lt. Cdr. Don Evors, a friend and fellow congregation member, confirms the former sharpshooter’s modesty. Evors especially stresses that it was not Deryl Ammons who sought his help, but Ammons’ sister who became the strongest advocate for having him recognized with the Purple Heart he had rightfully earned years ago in Vietnam. So began a quiet campaign of phone calls and letter writing.

That campaign culminated on September 1, 2023, in Blackshear’s historic train station, where Congressman Earl “Buddy” Carter presented Deryl Ammons with his Purple Heart. Ammons stood silent and proudly erect, tears in his eyes.

While the current squadron commander could not be present at the ceremony, Capt. Fritz Zeigler, acting battalion commander of the 3-17 Air Cavalry, of which the Blue Tigers were a part, conveyed the commander’s best wishes and a final memento. Zeigler placed a special silver unit coin in Ammons’ weathered hand as a token of remembrance in honor of his service.

These days, Ammons enjoys watching football, puttering around the house, and doing yard work. If you passed him on the sidewalk or in the grocery store, you probably wouldn’t suspect the weight of the honor he bears with such silent dignity.

As a man of faith, Ammons credits the sergeant with moving their position from that fateful moonlit clearing, but he knows in his heart of hearts it wasn’t just another man who saved his life. “The good Lord,” he says, “was watching over us that night.” OL

A memorabilia display, assembled by Ammons’ family, and an official declaration from the Army are among the reminders of his service in Vietnam.

Story By ALLEN ALLNOCH

PROFILES

GUY DAVIS

STAND-UP GUY

When blues musician Guy Davis appeared at Waycross’s C.C. McCray Auditorium in May 2023, most attendees likely were familiar with his father, Clinch County native Ossie Davis. The legendary actor, director, writer, and activist has long been a local favorite son. By the time those concert-goers left that evening, they understood what a remarkable talent the younger Davis is as well.

LIKE HIS FATHER, OSSIE DAVIS, GUY DAVIS IS A Pa ionate Performer & ACTIVIST

Davis has opened for legendary guitarists such as B.B. King and Chuck Berry, among others. Photo by Joseph A. Rosen.

GUY DAVIS

“My dad, as well as my mom, made it clear to me that when a group of people pay their hard-earned money to come see you perform or entertain, you owe those people everything –every bit of energy you can summon to give a good show,” says Davis, whose Waycross appearance with guitarist Walter Parks raised funds for Okefenokee Swamp preservation efforts. “That was their ethic, and I’ve always tried to stick with that. Don’t hold anything back – this is what I’m striving for as an artist, to give everything.”

Much like his father, Guy Davis is a multi-talented performer. Not only does he sing and play instruments, including guitar, banjo, and harmonica, he’s also a stage and film actor, a music arranger, and an engaging storyteller. He’s twice been nominated for Grammy Awards (Best Traditional Blues) and has shared the stage with legends such as Pete Seeger, Bruce Springsteen, Levon Helm, Dr. John, Kris Kristofferson, Taj Mahal, and Keb Mo.

Seeger has been a particularly strong influence on Davis, dating back to his childhood in New York. “I used to go to a summer camp run by his brother, John,” Davis explains. “I

remember coming home to my parents’ house and seeing Pete Seeger standing in our living room. I had no idea they were friends. That kind of got things started, and then over the years we became much closer.

“I learned a lot from him about getting a room full of people singing,” he continues. “His great genius was not that he was a musical magician; it was that he could go into a room full of strangers, and by the time he walked out, everybody was friends because they had sung together. It’s the power of music and the power of somebody sort of getting out of the way of their own stardom, as Pete was concerned, to make people feel part of the process.”

Seeger’s influence in this way was evident as Davis built a bond with his Waycross audience. On songs such as “Long Gone Riley Brown” and Seeger’s “Kisses Sweeter Than Wine,” he actively engaged attendees, teaching them choruses and prompting them to join him in the singing.

On a recent episode of “Mountain Stage,” a live show broadcast on National Public Radio, Davis introduced the latter song by saying, “I want you to help me sing it, especially the people my age and older, because the young folks need to hear how pretty it sounds. Now I'll show you what to sing and how to do it.”

Davis also gets audiences laughing with his self-deprecating humor, like when he introduces one tune as “a song I wrote every bit of, except the parts I stole.”

World Traveler with Georgia Roots

Guy Davis didn’t grow up in southeast Georgia as his father did; his 2023 visit to Waycross was his first in decades. But he still has a clear memory of his introduction to the region.

“On my first trip down to Waycross, it was just me and dad that day, and he drove me out to see one of his aunts,” recalls Davis, who has performed in 48 of the 50 states and throughout much of Europe and Australia. “As we drove up, I looked out in this field and saw a lot of young people in their 20s playing and having fun, and I remember this one particularly gorgeous, brownskinned woman, and I was intrigued. Then we were on the porch, and the next thing I knew, that young lady was on the porch, and whatever private thoughts I had went out the window when my dad said, ‘Guy, this is your cousin.’”

Davis also shares a bit of family history about the relationship between his grandfather and a forward-thinking timber baron named Alexander Sessoms. “My father’s father had been given a job back in the 20s by this white man who was building a new railroad branch,” Davis says. “And on this job, my grandfather was able to command men, some of whom were white. The Ku Klux Klan didn’t want a black man having a job telling white people what to do. [Sessoms’ action] was an act of love that was needed at that time.

“I’m sharing this to say that I think Waycross has grown due to the love she was shown. In retrospect, I’m very glad to be part of the process of coming back to share myself with this town that my dad grew up in.”

Ossie Davis and his wife, Ruby Dee, were well-known champions for minority rights and equality, and Guy has followed suit throughout his career. Tales of tragedy and injustice are set against his impassioned fretboard work in songs such as “God’s Gonna Make Things Over,” about the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, and “Flint River Blues,” which takes aim at the hypocrisy of politicians surrounding the Flint, Michigan water crisis.

Davis’s appearance with Parks was part of a tour with the Jacksonville,

“I think Waycro has grown due to the love that was shown her. In

retrospect, I’m very glad to be part of the proce of coming back to share myself with this town that my dad grew up in.”

Florida native, a talented musician in his own right. Parks, a former sideman for folk artist Richie Havens, has worked with the Library of Congress’s American Folklife Center to archive his research on music made in the Okefenokee Swamp.

“I met Guy when I was playing with Richie Havens and would see him at festivals and performing arts centers,” Parks says. “He is a sincere human. He listens well, and I’ve always admired that.”

The Davis-Parks tour sprung from a conversation the two had in New York City, where Davis still resides. “We were having coffee in a hotel lobby on Lexington Avenue in Manhattan,” Parks remembers. “I was telling Guy about my research in the Okefenokee Swamp, and he said, ‘My father is from that area.’ I had not known he was

OPPOSITE Guy with his son, Martial, and his father, Ossie Davis. Photo provided.

BELOW Ossie Davis attended the premiere of the Waycross Area Community Theater’s 2002 production of “Purlie Victorious.” The 1961 play was revived for a run on Broadway beginning in September 2023. Photo courtesy of WACT.

from there, and I immediately said, ‘We have to do a tour together.’”

Davis saw another connection to his father come full circle when Ossie Davis’s award-winning 1961 play “Purlie Victorious” was revived on Broadway in September 2023. He was asked to compose and record interstitial music (pieces played between scenes and set changes) for the new production.

“What a privilege it is,” Davis says, “to have what I do be part of my dad's work without getting in the way of the work or changing his work in any way. It makes me part of my family history in a way that pleases me very much.”

Though a comedy, “Purlie Victorious” is serious about racial justice. The story features the eponymous preacher who returns to his small Georgia hometown to save the

community's church and emancipate the cotton pickers who work on an oppressive plantation.

“So much of my dad’s life in Waycross and that whole area went into his play,” Davis says. In many ways, Guy Davis is continuing his father’s work today.

“I want to reiterate that love has the power to change us and help us all to grow as people,” he says. “What I learned from my parents is that nothing happens in isolation, meaning if there’s positive change, especially change that affects black people, it’s not going to come about only because of black people. It's going to come about because of the love of their neighbors – and that means some of them white, some of them red, some of them yellow. To me, love is the soil that democracy grows in.” OL

LEFT Guy Davis with Walter Parks at C.C. McCray City Auditorium. Photo by Gene Bednarek.

PALLIATIVE CARE

A Good Choice for Many Patients and Families

Story by AMY FAESKORN / Photo provided by SATILLA HOSPICE

Emilie Tanner, FNP-C, and Ginger Barnett, LPN

Hospice Satilla Palliative Care Team

One of the most challenging times in life arrives for patients when they are faced with multiple diseases or a decline in their overall physical health. Many people are unsure of how to proceed and are unaware that there is a step that can be taken before hospice. By choosing in-home palliative care, patients can receive continued treatments and experience precious time with family even in the face of an unknown future.

How does palliative care differ from hospice care? While both aim to improve quality of life and overall comfort, palliative care is available from the moment of diagnosis. In addition to providing symptom relief, emotional support therapies, and assistance in decision-making, it can also involve curative and life-prolonging interventions. Many palliative treatments are covered by Medicare or private insurance, and patients need not be terminal to begin this type of treatment.

Ginger Barrett, a nurse with 11 years of experience in hospice care who transitioned to palliative care at Hospice Satilla last year, advocates for patients to learn more about this option. “Being on a palliative program helps patients build better bonds with their providers and families,” she says. “Most people find that doing so helps them feel more in control of the decisions they make about their health.” She notes that conditions such as cancer, lung disease, heart disease and dementia are ideally suited to a palliative program.

Emilie Tanner, who has been providing palliative care at Satilla since 2021, was personally impacted by the power of high-quality hospice care; as a nurse, she’s since grown to understand the value the palliative approach brings to patients. “In 2012, my granddaddy passed away at Hospice House under the care of so many caring, respectful, and compassionate people. I had never experienced that before and it planted a seed in me.” She has seen first-hand the benefits to patients of having personalized care that allows them to spend time

“During this phase there is time for all of the conversations and activities that cannot take place once illness reaches its end-stages. It is truly a gift.”

with their families in meaningful ways. “During this phase there is time—time to focus on reminiscing, taking photos, sharing stories—all the conversations and activities that cannot take place once illness reaches its end-stages. It is truly a gift.”

Proper evaluation can also factor into the equation, since attention to disease management at the onset of diagnosis can decrease hospital stays and lead to better control of symptoms.

“I once treated a patient who had repeat hospitalizations due mostly to lack of resources and spotty outpatient follow-up. We were able to set him up with in-home palliative care and coordinate with his care team, which led to a huge improvement in his quality of life,” recalls Ginger.

A palliative approach is an option that provides hope and choices for those

living with a diagnosis of chronic illness, or managing multiple conditions; some patients even go on to experience recovery while on palliative program, while others experience extended quality of life before a smooth transition to hospice. OL

What is Palliative Care?

Palliative care is a medical specialty dedicated to supporting people with serious illnesses by helping them establish a better quality of life. At Satilla Palliative Care, we work with you, your family, and your physician to create a plan of care that offers relief from pain, symptoms, and stress.

Hospice Satilla can help you navigate this process to get you or your loved one the best care possible.

Palliative Care

912-285-2340

808 Evergreen Way Waycross, GA 31501 Hospicesatilla.com

Annah Copeland, Gracianna Gaskins, Caitlin Martin, Summer Dixon, Sheila Lee

Story By CYLE LEWIS

HARLEN VALENTINE

A Heart FOR History

Waycross Newcomer Harlen Valentine Aims to Foster Greater Appreciation of Region’s Past

At 22 years old,

Harlen Valentine had never set foot in the deep South before 2021. However, seeking a fresh start after the COVID pandemic, she and her mother, Irma Rivera, found a new place to call home in Waycross. It wasn’t long before the Pennsylvania native embarked on a mission that has grown into something truly unique: a three-pronged business venture,

Tracking Co., that is nicknamed the History House. It's dedicated to the historical preservation of this Southern community's rich heritage.

“The pandemic threw a wrench into my college plans, and my mom and I knew we wanted a completely new scene, so we got on a plane and headed South,” Harlen recalls. “We found a historic home for sale in

Waycross and placed an offer on it the first day we came to town.”

As a newly rebranded Southerner, Harlen initially embraced a pair of diverse vocations in the community: librarian at the Okefenokee Regional Library in Waycross and photojournalist for the Waycross Journal-Herald. “Historically, I’m a photographer by trade,” she says. “I love lacing my art with my activist interests.”

Harlen Valentine with her mother, Irma Rivera, in front of the History House in Downtown Waycross.

Photography By ALLEN ALLNOCH AHA! PHOTOGRAPHY

“Harlen is dedicated and selfless in everything she puts her mind to. She should be proud of the work she’s done to get us here.” – Connor Griffin

While working at the library, she met Connor Griffin, a fellow creative and history buff. Hailing from a musical family, Connor began playing piano at the age of six, and he went on to become a talented percussionist. When he’s not on library duty, Connor often performs with the Pine Box Dwellers, a “Swampadelic” rock band, as the group describes itself.

“Harlen and I both worked at the library. That’s where the idea of a podcast came up in conversation,” says Connor, who was recently promoted to head librarian at the Alma branch. “Since moving to town, she had fallen in love with the area and its lore, so it was only natural to focus on the history of Waycross and Southeast Georgia.”

When Harlen discovered a trove of local history books at the library, she asked herself, “Why doesn’t anyone read these?” She began sharing her concern for the dust-covered books with Connor. The two agreed that local history should be accessible to everyone, which led to the creation of the

podcast. It’s now widely available on several streaming platforms, including Amazon and Apple Podcasts.

“I have a deep appreciation of this town’s rich history,” Harlen says. “Connor has the connections and a similar passion for history. We're the perfect duo. We’re surprised not only by the podcast’s reception but also by its impact on both of us. I want to bring a voice to the folks who came before us, as they matter as much as our current generation.”

Connor agrees, saying, “The listeners seem to suggest that we’re on the right track.”

Downtown Destination

What started as a desire to make local history accessible has grown into three businesses that now have Harlen’s full attention. She recently left her previous positions to pursue her Tracking the Co. enterprise.

“We needed a private space to record our podcast,” she explains. She and Connor looked around and

found an ideal location in downtown Waycross. “The shop is nicknamed the History House,” she continues, “and it's home to Tracking the X, where the podcast happens; Tracking the Vintage store, where my mom sources the items and handles the consignment; and the Tracking the Digital photography/video studio and art gallery. The History House is themed entirely around historical preservation and restoration and sits in the middle of a historic downtown Waycross storefront. I like that.”

Harlen says one of her favorite podcast episodes was on moonshining: “It was completely unscripted and full of genuine stories. I think all of it is surprising. Ultimately, it's a giant treasure hunt that leads you to answers you never expected.”

Connor likewise enjoys the surprises resulting from their podcast research – uncovering stories that have long been swept under the rug. “We especially loved working on our second episode, featuring Sandy Reeves-Ray,” he says. “She was just a name in a newspaper clipping, but we went down the rabbit hole and discovered a 100-year-old story of injustice buried in the archives of the Library of Congress.”

Connor cites two history teachers as influences for his part in the endeavor. “Mr. [David] Hitt and Mr. [Ed] Flowers instilled a deep love for history in me,” he says. “An enthusiastic teacher can make all the difference in the world.”

He also highly praises his podcast partner: “Harlen is dedicated and selfless in everything she puts her mind to. She should be proud of the work she’s done to get us here.” Harlen, in turn, appreciates Connor’s work. “I wouldn’t be able to do any of it without him,” she says. “He helps me with research and recording and plays a huge emotional role as my backbone.”

“This grew so much bigger than we imagined,” she adds. “We now dream

HARLEN VALENTINE

of publishing our own history books and even opening a museum, God willing.”

Committed to the Community

Despite being new to town, Waycross has welcomed Harlen and her mother with open arms.

“Moving to Georgia was a culture shock, but it is now a place I am thankful to call home,” Harlen says. “Some people might think we’re eccentric, but we’re bridging the generational gap. We’re not trying to change anything but are simply adding to the

“I want to bring a voice for the folks who came before us, as they matter as much as our current generation.” – Harlen Valentine

Multipurpose Space

Tracking the Vintage, Harlen and Irma’s vintage consignment shop, is located at 208 Tebeau St. in Waycross. The retail space reflects Harlen’s eclectic, creative flair and Irma’s knowledge of vintage items. They accept donations and items for consignment and serve as a thrift store with non-vintage items for sale. The shop is also home to Tracking the Digital, an art gallery and studio with equipment available to rent for photographers, videographers, and other digital artists.

Learn more about the shop, gallery/studio, and podcast at www.trackingthe.co.

culture by helping people appreciate what they have here even more.” Irma adds: “We’re different and look different, but I love it here. I’ve yet to have a bad experience. I love the weather and the people.”

Harlen continues: “We want to make the community of Waycross more aware of their history in hopes that they will want to be part of preserving what makes this place special. We want to encourage people and serve as an inspiration to do better for our community.”

Harlen hopes more young adults will get on board with that notion of

deep community involvement. To better equip herself to influence her peers, she applied and was accepted into the Leadership Waycross Class of 2024.

In light of this whirlwind journey she’s been on, Harlen finds herself immensely grateful. “Everything has surprised me,” she says. “I didn’t anticipate any of this happening, especially in less than six months of arriving. Sometimes God works in mysterious ways, and you just have to take all the wins and losses as they come. No matter what, I am immensely thankful for everything in my path.” OL

ABOVE Harlen and Bubba Gump, the resident “shop cat,” pose in front of a gallery featuring historical images from the New York Daily News.

RIGHT Tracking the Vintage features an eclectic mix of music, books, home décor, apparel and more.

SMALL STEPS

TOWARD A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

Article By PATRICK SIMMONS, NASM-CERTIFIED PERSONAL TRAINER

In a world of instant gratification, it’s easy to fall into the trap of quick fixes for our health and fitness. We want a magic shot or pill that will instantly give us the outcome we desire, or a surgical procedure that will have us looking like our favorite celebrity in no time. But the truth is, getting in shape and becoming healthier takes time. It takes commitment, patience, and dedication to see real results.

A healthier lifestyle and diet can add years of joy to your life. Eliminating harmful foods, unhealthy habits, and taking the time to cook your own meals with nutritious ingredients can make a significant impact on your overall health and wellness. Physical fitness is a

journey that will take you through many different stages and challenges, but the rewards are endless.

Small changes can lead to big results. For instance, take the stairs instead of the elevator, park in the space furthest from the door to get extra steps, and try to move your body every hour. It’s the small, consistent habits that will get you where you want to be.

If you’re not sure where to start, consider hiring a certified personal trainer to help guide you. Joining a gym or fitness center can also provide you with the resources and support you need to reach your goals. As a personal trainer, I love helping people on their journey to better health and fitness.

Remember to listen to your body and give yourself grace as you embark on your fitness journey. Celebrate your successes, no matter how small, and keep pushing yourself to reach new milestones.

Learn more about Patrick Simmons at www.psapatricksimmonsathletics.com and follow him on Instagram at @patrick_simmons_athletics.

To help you get started, here are two sample workout plans you can incorporate into your fitness routine:

SAMPLE WORKOUT PLAN 1

• Monday: Upper body strength training (chest, back, shoulders, arms)

• Tuesday: Cardio workout (running, cycling, swimming)

• Wednesday: Lower body strength training (legs, glutes)

• Thursday: Rest day or light yoga/stretching

• Friday: Full body circuit workout (incorporating cardio and strength exercises)

• Saturday: Cardio workout (HIIT or interval training)

• Sunday: Rest day or active recovery (walk, hike, bike ride)

SAMPLE WORKOUT PLAN 2

• Warm-up: Begin with a 5- to 10-minute dynamic warm-up to prepare your body for exercise. Include movements such as arm circles, leg swings, and jogging in place.

• Strength training: Perform 3 sets of 10-12 repetitions of the following exercises:

• Squats

• Push-ups

• Lunges

• Bent-over Rows

• Planks

• Cardio: Incorporate 20-30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise such as running, cycling, or jumping rope to improve heart health and burn calories.

• Cool-down: Finish your workout with a 5- to-10-minute stretching routine targeting all major muscle groups. Hold each stretch for 15-30 seconds, and remember to breathe deeply.

MOMENTS SPENT IN CHASING THE AND CREATING

ICELAND LIGHTS

Memories

MMy son, Kyle, and my wife, Bonnie, and I traveled around Iceland the third week of September 2023. We picked that week because Kyle does a lot of night-time photography and he said we really needed to go then for a chance to see the Northern Lights.

We flew into Reykjavik International Airport. When we picked up our rental campervan, the wind and rain were terrible. I commented about it to the rental company agent and he said, “Welcome to Iceland.”

Iceland’s Skógafosswas was beautiful and Kyle took some great Northern Lights photos over it.

Story By WAYNE MORGAN / Photography by KYLE & WAYNE MORGAN

ICELAND

The next day was exactly the same as the first—not ideal conditions for taking pictures! The third day the rain stopped, but the wind was still bad, and driving the top-heavy camper was pretty nerve-wracking. We had received warnings from the rental company a few times to beware of high winds, and they were right—it felt like we might turn over at any minute.

I let Kyle plan most of the trip. I knew we were trying to pack a lot in just a few days, most of it on the Ring Road that circles the country. On the third night we were able to see the Northern Lights, and they were really amazing. I can tell Kyle has the passion—and I can also tell that he is 20 years younger than I am. I could hang with him for awhile, but eventually I had to get some rest. I don’t think he ever did.

We had done some research and found there had been a plane crash on the black beach at Sólheimasandur in 1973. The wreckage at this location on the south coast is a 2½-mile walk from the road. Bonnie stayed in the camper, and just before dark, Kyle and I headed to the site on foot. It didn’t rain a drop until we got within a few yards of the plane—then there it came.

We had to make a decision—walk back in the rain or try to take shelter under the aircraft and hope it would quit soon. Other trekkers who had showed

Top Skógafosswas is one of the biggest waterfalls in Iceland. We both got some great shots of the Northern Lights over it.

Middle and Right The

Northern Lights were really showing off over the Akranes Lighthouse and an old abandoned trawler ship, the”Höfrungur” (Dolphin), at Akranes Harbour on the west coast. (Kyle, Bonnie, & Wayne Morgan)

I LET KYLE PLAN MOST OF THE TRIP.

I knew we were trying to pack a lot in just a few days, most of it on the Ring Road that circles the country. On the third night we were able to see the and they were really amazing.

NORTHERN LIGHTS

Sólheimajökull is a glacier that’s just a short hike from the car park off Ring Road, and like Reynisfjara, is a worthwhile destination. Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon had some huge floating chunks of ice of multiple colors, from white to blue to black.

ICELAND

up decided to walk back, but Kyle and I waited it out. It quit, but now we were cold and wet. We took some photos, then I told Kyle that I was heading back. In the darkness, I could barely make out a few lights in the parking lot—they looked liked stars in the galaxy, and I remember thinking, “Don’t stop walking.” I kept putting one foot in front of the other and the lights didn’t seem to be getting any closer—I didn’t think I was ever going to get back to the warmth of that camper! Kyle hung around at the plane and took some Northern Lights photos before making the long walk back.

If the weather had not been so bad the first two days, we would have had more time to shoot; as it turned out, we were really rushing to see as much as we could in the short amount of time we had left. Two weeks would have given us more time to enjoy the sights, but still, we can check Iceland off our bucket list— and we have the photos to preserve the memories! OL

IMMEDIATE RIGHT The rugged landscape was breathtaking, as was the the Dettifoss Waterfall in northern Iceland.

OPPOSITE PAGE TOP We drove around until we found the Black Church of Budir (one of the most photographed churches in Iceland) and once again caught the Northern Lights.

OPPOSITE PAGE BOTTOM Reynisfjara Beach is a black sand beach on the south coast that has basalt columns, a giant cave, and jagged black stacks of rock that sit just off the shore.

I could barely make out a few lights in the parking lot – THEY LOOKED LIKED STARS IN THE GALAXY, and I remember thinking, “Don’t stop walking.” I kept putting one foot in front of the other and the lights didn’t seem to be getting any closer – I didn’t think I was ever going to get back to the WARMTH OF THAT CAMPER!

MEMORIAL SATILLA HEALTH DOCTOR CHEF COOKOFF

SEENS

Apacked cafeteria watched four physicians face off in a cooking competition at Memorial Satilla Health on April 12, 2024. Dr. Jay Patel was named “Doctor Chef Champion” by a panel of three judges. The

contestants fielded questions from the audience and offered tips on healthy eating while cooking up their flavorful dishes. (Photography by Allen Allnoch / AHA! Photography)

Dr. Jay Patel, Psychiatrist

Chief Operating Officer Chris Kovacs served as emcee before a packed “studio audience.”

Dr. Sigismund Lee, General Surgeon

Chris Kovacs, Dr. Jay Patel

Dr. Manel Nayak, Pulmonologist

Judges Jason Rubenbauer, Angeleek Bostick, and Emma Cook

Dr. Timothy Catchings, Cardiologist

TEE UP FORE BUSINESS GOLF CLASSIC

The Second Annual Tee Up Fore Business Golf Classic, hosted by the WaycrossWare County Chamber of Commerce, was held on Friday, September 15, 2023. Twenty teams participated in the event at the Lakes at Laura Walker Golf Course.

Alicia Ferrucci, Sarah Gove

Brandie Arrington, Misti Arter

Melissa King, Cheyenne Taylor

Hannah Grant, Caitlin Martin, Haley Stalvey, Kalissa Corbitt, Fairiby Frye

EJ Head, Zach Taylor, Justin Powell, Austin Delk

Gabe Manning, Walt Howard

georgialivingseniorcare.com/satilla-bluffs/

HOSPICE SATILLA SILVER BOWL GALA 2023

TheEleventh Annual Silver Bowl Gala was held at Pierce Timber Lodge in Blackshear. Guests were entertained by Dave Griffin and John & Bill Smith. The event was catered by Heavenly Delights by Gina and floral designs were prepared by Mark & Laura Deal. To learn more about Hospice Satilla and their services, visit hospicesatilla.com.

Front row: Anna Wheeler, Candice Moody Rice, Delores Gibson

Middle row: Debra Golden, Susan Rye, Rai Duane

Back row: Laura Morris, Shannon Stewart, Toni Nelson

Marci Johnson and Richard McQuaig

Al and Jeanette Ferguson

Carolyn and Danny Yarbrough

Rick and Robin Heavilon

Bill and Harriet Higginson

Dottie and Jay Porter

Buddy and Carol Hersey

Anna Wheeler, Bethany Strickland, Denise Bennett, Leslie Cochran, Shannon Stewart Clay Thomas, Brooke Thomas, Gloria Thomas

Garrett and Billie Joe Grantham, Chris and Brenda Rolison, Shelia and Lawton Walker Dr. Brent Waters, Cathleen Waters, Dr. Donald Waters

Dr. Richard Lynch, Tillie Lynch, Lisa Fesperman, George Fesperman

Debbie Barber, Rev. Joseph Carter, Lisa Conner

Kim Ratliff, Angela Handley, Lily Blitch

Beverly & Mike Bruorton

(front row) Pam Bateson, Lisa Conner (back row) Scott Griffin, Catina Lacey, Debbie Barber, Lily Blitch, Crystal Godfrey, Derek Herlocker, Kim Sutton, Jonathan Landrum.

(front row) Pam Bateson, Katie Futch (back row) Scott Griffin, Jonathan Roundtree, Micheal Railey, Debbie Barber, Trey Murray, Lily Blitch, Crystal Godfrey, Derek Herlocker, Catina Lacey.

SEENS

BEES, TREES, AND BLUEBERRIES –THAT’S CLINCH COUNTY!

The 44th Annual Clinch County-Homerville Chamber Social — Bees, Trees, and Blueberries — was held February 29, 2024 at the Station #11 Depot in downtown Homerville. The

highlight of the event was the presentation of the Clinch County Citizen of the Year for 2023 to Pastor Joseph Carter.

Rev. Joseph Carter (center) with members of the Homerville United Methodist Church

Cecil and Debbie Barber

Chase and Lily Blitch

Susie Brown, Jeff Brown, and Chuck Reddick

Ann Petermann, Rebecca Carter, Joseph Carter, Candler Carter, and Jordan Carter

Homerville Chief of Police Keith Jackson and Erika Jackson

WAYCROSS-WARE COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AWARDS BANQUET

The 89th Annual Banquet of the WaycrossWare County Chamber of Commerce was held on February 7, 2024 at C.C. McCray City Auditorium. The event included a silent

auction, lunch by Zell’s Catering, and 16 awards recognizing outstanding individuals and businesses for their work in 2023. (Photography by Allen Allnoch / AHA! Photography)

Caitlin Martin, Ambassador of the Year presented by Paige Brand

Christen Landrum, Chairman’s Award presented by Hannah Grant

Patrick Simmons, GEM (Going the Extra Mile) Award

Debbie Cannon, Randy Sharpe Health Hero Award presented by Maggie Burch

Scout Carter presenting Dr. Lynn Barber, McGregor Mayor Agricultural Award

Lori Smith, Katherine Foss Education Award presented by Susan Shepard

Stacie Jones, Jack Williams Community Service Award presented by Jack Williams

Katie Martino (Sherrod Customs), Ralph & P.O. Herrin Business & Industry Award presented by Jason Rubenbauer

Dr. Keith Crummey (Dental Care Associates), Business of the Year presented by Hannah Grant

Casey Smith and John Lott, Outgoing Chamber Board Members, with CEO Paige Brand

Jasmine Holmes and Angeleek Bostick (Zel’s Catering), Entrepreneur of the Year presented by Bryan Hartley

Kathryn Taylor, Ryder Rouse, Jack Lott Business Economic Development Award with Jack Lott, Laura Dixon

Hannah Grant, Outgoing Chamber Board Chair with Bryan Hartley

Brooke Rewis and Tia Johnson, Paul Tang Heart of the Community Award, with Heidi Tang

L OSEENS

DDANCING WITH THE SOUTHERN STARS

ancing with the Southern Stars was held on August 5, 2023 at the Ware County Middle School Auditorium. The event raised $139,812.15 for Magnolia House and Okefenokee Alliance for the Homeless (OATH). In addition to the dazzling dance moves displayed by the ten competing teams, musical entertainment was provided by Tyler Harper, Agriculture Commissioner of Georgia. Presenting sponsors were T & T Fencing and Quillian Powell Construction. (Photography by Shu erly Perfect Photography)

Erin Grantham & Brant Zauner Judges’ Choice, 1st place

Cassie Davis & Jason Ragsdale Entertainer of the Night; Judges’ Choice, 3rd place; Community Choice, 5th place ($12,544)

Renee Martin & Dantay Cooper Community Choice, 1st place ($27,309); Judge’s Choice, 5th Place

Tiff any Harkelroad & Noah Jackson, Community Choice, 2nd place ($18,770)

Virginia Moore & Danny Emond, Community Choice, 3rd place ($18,600); Best Costume

Kaylee & Tyler Musselwhite, Community Choice, 4th place ($13,464); Judges’ Choice, 2nd place

Kaitlyn & Greg Tanner Judges’ Choice, 4th place

Michelle Girtman, Tyler Harper, Alesha Daniel, Ken Taft

Judges Scott Ray, Heather Fluker, Madison Robbins, Michael Smith

Emcees Derek Jones & Lori McNease

First row: Hannah Barefield, Tiff any Harkleroad, Kaylee Musselwhite, Jennifer Joseph Martin, Rebecca Chandler, Erin Grantham, Cassie Davis, Renee Martin, Virginia Moore, & Kaitlyn Tanner; Second row: Derek Jones, Lori McNease, Bryce Bennett, Noah Jackson, Tyler Musselwhite, Patrick Simmons, Juan Chandler, Brant Zauner, Jason Ragsdale, Dantay Cooper, Danny Emond, Greg Tanner, Michelle Girtman, Ken Taft

MISS SWAMPFEST PAGEANT 2024

Fifty-eight contestants competed in the Miss Swampfest Pageant on January 20, 2024 at C.C. McCray City Auditorium in Waycross. Winners were crowned in 10 categories and recognized again during Swampfest in Downtown Waycross on April 6.

Taylor Johns, Miss

Cadence Comstock, Jr. Teen Miss

Ellington Hill, Teen Miss

Adrienne Wade, Ms.

Emma James Mattox, Tiny Miss

Lizzybeth Bennett, Little Miss Phoenix Hall, Young Miss

MaryJane Bennett, Infant Miss

Legacy Foster, Baby Miss

Celee Bowen, Toddler Miss

TASTE OF THE CHAMBER

SEENS

The

Waycross-Ware County Chamber of Commerce hosted the annual Taste of the Chamber on November 16, 2023 at C.C. McCray City Auditorium. More than 250 participants attended the event showcasing members’ culinary skills and presentations, and attendees voted on the various appetizers, entrees, drinks and desserts. Additionally, two service awards were presented: Jake Fleming Award for Outstanding Customer Service: Cody Burkhalter, Manager at Jerry J’s (South GA Pkwy location); and A Great Place to Work: Empower Wellness. (Photography by Allen Allnoch / AHA! Photography)

Best Drink: Prestige Coff ee (Josh and Martina Pelon)

Best Cocktail Drink: Wiley’s Top Shelf (Belinda Ursrey, Laura Dixon, Dale Wiley)

Best Dessert: Delicious Duo (Angela Smith-Bellamy)

Best Entrée: Zels Catering (Josie Augustine, Angeleek Bostick, Jasmine Holmes, Velinda Moon , Kimberly Chisholm, Paige Brand)

Taste of the Chamber Champion: Memorial Satilla Health (Josie Augustine, Yorel Jenkins, Daniel Martinez [Dietary Director], Latrenia Walls, Semaj Lattimore, Vernon Ware, Paige Brand)

Best Decorated Table: Register Satsumas (Chris Karle)

Roger Johnson, Lauralee Beauregard

Seated: Cathy Copeland, Fannie Flynn, Juanita Davis, Demetria Saunder, Stacey Robertson; Standing: Leanna Pettyjohn, Shelby Ewen, Jessi Cox, Haley Stalvey, Christen Landrum

Sonny Yarbrough, Carolyn and Danny Yarbrough

Sherri Barnes, Carla Garrett Cornett

Jason and Tammy Rubenbauer

Sarah, Sky and Patrick Simmons

1831 Garden

AHA Photography

American Eye Care Center

Baptist Village Personal Care Home

Better Hometown Blackshear

Bone & Joint Institute of South Georgia

City of Waycross

Christi’s Downsouth Living

Coastal Pines Technical College

Crawford Jewelers

Dairy Queen

Dental Care Associates

Diversified Resources

Georgia Dermatology

Georgia’s Own Credit Union

Gooey’s Pizza

Homerville Jewelers

Hospice Satilla

Integrity Health & Wellness

Joy Sumner Photography

Lott’s Furniture

MarshMcLennan Agency

Memorial Satilla Health

Misti Martin-EXP Realty

Okefenoke REMC

Okefenokee Swamp Park

Partners Risk Insurance

Pierce Timber

PrimeSouth Bank

ReJoyce Wellness

Remax Cobblestone-Wendy Mattox

Representative Steven Meeks

Satilla Bluff Senior Care

Southeast Georgia Health System

The Avriett House

The Clark Eye Clinic

The Little Avriett

The Merry Avriett

The Therapy Tree

Tim’s Home Medical

Walker Jones

Waycross Bank & Trust

Waycross Convention & Visitors Bureau

White Star Supply

1831gardencenter.com aha.photography americaneyecarecenters.com baptistvillage.com betterhometownblackshear.com bjisg.com

Text.Gov

FB: Christi’s Downsouth Living coastalpines.edu crawfordjewelers.com dairyqueen.com dentistwaycrossga.com diversified resources.net gaderm.com georgiasown.org gooeypizza.com homervillejewelers.com hospicesatilla.com integrityhealthga.com joysumnerphotography.com lottsfurniture.com MarshMMA.com memoriasatillahealth.com mistymartin.exprealty.com oremc.com okeswamp.com partnersrs.com piercetimbercompany.com primesouth.com rejoyceellness.com remax.com steven.meeks@house.ga.gov georgialivingseniorcare.com/satilla-bluffs sghs.com avrietthouse.com

avrietthouse.com avrietthouse.com thetherapytree.net timshomemedical.com walkerjones.com wbt.com waycrosstourism.com whitestarsupply.com

Index OF ADVERTISERS L

The boat dock on the pond at Huckleberry

Photo by ALLEN ALLNOCH / AHA! PHOTOGRAPHY