Dec jan issue 65 issuu

no.65

ROOT DOCTORS

SEAFOOD SOUTH

ALTHOUGH THIS SPIRIT UAL TRADITION HAS RETREA TED TO CLOSETS, ROOT WO RK IS MOST ASSUREDLY ALIVE IN THE LOWCOUNTRY.

in the

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GOSOUTH WINTER TRAVELS

TOP NYE PARTIES of 2016

ON THE COAST

JIMMY CARTER

GREAT KIDS PAGE 54

DEC - JAN 2016-17 H ISSUE #65

SOUTHMAGAZINE.COM H $4.95 (Display until February 15)

Dr. Dmitri Sofianos, Orthopaedic Surgeon Rubgy Players and Outdoor Enthusiast.

SOUTH'S GREATEST DOCTORS: 7YOUTHINGS DIDN'T KNOW

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Features 46

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76 MILES TELLER: Getting into the best shape of his life was the latest price he paid in his rise to stardom.

Written by Anne Royan

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ROOT DOCTORS

SEAFOOD IN THE SOUTH

GREATEST KIDS

JIMMY CARTER

SHOOT LIKE A GIRL

BEVERLY WILLETT

BILL WERTZ

ANNE ROYAN

BILL WERTZ

BARRY KAUFMAN

An investigative piece on South Carolina’s root doctors: a hotbed for black magic.

There are new challenges in the lives of fishermen and our local seafood industry.

Cute as a button, sweet as a peach.

We celebrate our favorite little Southern rascals.

Former President Jimmy Carter shares his faith in God and his hopes for the future.

Georgian born world champion shooter, Jessie Duff, shares tips on hitting your mark.

Contents 36

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144

142

115 44

110 DEPARTMENTS

MORE STUFF

DINE/STLYE/GO

PLAYSOUTH

30 STYLESOUTH

80 HEALTH TRENDS Healthcare notes in the South.

132 WINTER IN THE SOUTH ‘Tis the Season to see the Coastal South.

170 THE ERS CHAMPIONSHIP

142 DINE SOUTH Superfood your morning with a breakfast of champions.

172 NEW YEAR’S EVE

144 SOUTHERN SIPPIN’

174 FREEZIN’ FOR A REASON

New head-turning leather line created by a local ER nurse.

32 CLUB SOUTH

A visual recap from the 9th annual Dine South.

82 HERO IN A WHITE COAT A P.A. triples as an Olympic Athlete and Paralympic trainer.

The last race of the year is bringing runners together.

The Greatest New Years Eve events in the region.

A voice for change and music that will soothe your soul.

88 THE BRAIN DOC Exclusive interview with the South’s greatest neurosurgeon, Dr. Williard Thompson.

40 FITSOUTH Three proven ways to transform your bod.

92 TALES FROM THE RN Introducing the South’s Greatest Nurses!

148 ALLIGATOR SOUL Wake up your taste buds with a taste of the wild.

168 EVENTS CALENDER

46 KIDS 101

100 MEET THE DOCTORS The 9th annual compilation includes 7 things you didn’t know about your doc.

152 SEAFOOD IN THE SOUTH

174 SCENES OF THE SOUTH

36 KIM POLOTE

The ultimate guide to fun for the whole fam and winners of the South’s Greatest Kids!

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Progressive cocktails from an eclectic military-inspired bar.

There are new challenges in the lives of fishermen and our local seafood industry.

Start the New Year with a plunge into the freezing cold.

Here’s what’s happening in your neck of the woods.

Check out the latest and coolest events captured. Were you seen by the South?

PUBLISHER’S LETTER: MICHAEL BROOKS BUT AS A YOUNG CHILD, WHAT I WANTED TO BE MOST WAS A GARBAGEMAN.

A SUNDAY AFTERNOON IN SAVANNAH, GEORGIA’S FORSYTH PARK WITH HOSANNA’S HELPERS VOLUNTEERS AND A FEW OF THE KIDS CAN SURE HELP PUT LIFE IN PERSEPCTIVE.

ARE YOU STUCK? I SOMETIMES FEEL STUCK AT MY JOB. THAT’S PROBABLY NOT PARTICULARLY SHOCKING.

I’m sure you’ve been there. And if you haven’t, bless you. You must be a saint or you have the greatest job the world has ever known.

For the rest of us, well, no matter how interesting, rewarding or financially lucrative our careers are, we can never fully escape the stress, the drama and the grind that sometimes come with them.

So, as we started to prepare our annual Health and Wellness issue, I reminded myself of how fortunate I am to make a living the way I do.

I’ve been in the magazine business for 25 years and know intimately the hard work it takes. I’m all too familiar with looming deadlines, complex logistics, and the sometimes precarious finances.

But when an issue wraps and heads to our readers—God, I love the heck out of it.

However, my earliest vocational inspiration was something far different and a bit unconventional. When I start to feel stuck, I always try to recall it. Some kids dreamed of being a firefighter or a fighter pilot or a doctor or even the President of the United States of America.

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–MICHAEL BROOKS

no.65

ROOT DOCTORS

THE SOUTH IS KNOWN FOR MANY THINGS, BUT FEW KNOW THE TERM ROOT DOCTORS. FIND OUT WHY.

page 62

★★★★

SOUTHERN

SUPERFOOD

D E CE MB E R - JA NU A RY 2 016 STYLE OF THE NEW SOUTH ISSUE #64 ★ $4.95 (Display until February 15)

SOUTHMAG.COM

But as a young child, what I wanted to be most was a garbageman.

When I was growing up, I would watch the garbage trucks racing down the dirt alleys behind our home in my small town. The guys who hung off the back of the trucks leapt on and off at stops and swung the barrels and cans with a certain timing and agility that made unglamorous, honest work look like a synchronized, almost choreographed display of athleticism.

Most of all, they seemed to be enjoying it.

Even my favorite Christmas gifts were these incredible, functioning toy garbage trucks. I would immediately put them to the test, munching all the stray Christmas paper I could find. I was excited at the prospect of one day commanding such a full-sized mechanized beast.

As I grew older, my life and other budding interests took me down a far different path.

Yet I still sometimes wonder if I could have been just as happy sitting in the driver’s seat or hanging off the back of one of those trucks.

But what has always stayed with me was the idea that, no matter what we do, we can find satisfaction, pride—and even fun—in our occupations if we just remember to recognize the opportunities they present.

Recently I had the opportunty to visit the volunteers that help out kids called Hosanna Helpers (see page 52.) This group is dedicated to helping kids in need on Sunday afternoons in Forsyth park and it sure puts life in perspective. It helped me realize to appreciate what I have and take time to spend with those I love and appreciate.

So, when you’re feeling stuck in your job, I encourage you to remind yourself of the things that are fulfilling. It might just do the trick. And if you’re having trouble coming up with any, then maybe it’s time to revisit some of your own earlier inspirations or pay a visit to Forsyth Park one Sunday afternoon.

I know, for me, there’s always a big, green diesel truck idling somewhere in the back of my mind.

Many, many thanks and keep reading,

ABOUT THE COVERS

HEALTHY EATING IN THE SOUTH USED TO BE AN OXYMORON, BUT NOW FOODS LIKE SAVANNAH OATMEAL ARE EXPLODING ON THE SCENE OFFERING A HEALTHY WAY TO EAT SOUTHERN.

Page 142

Savannah Oatmeal is a Savannah, Georgia based company launched by founder, visionary and chief executive officer Gabe Thomas.

Photography by Michael Hrizuk, a South Carolina based photographer specializing in travel, food and people. Cover design, Michael Brooks. Check out this superfood and why it’s a one of a kind oatmeal in the country. Featured on page 142. no.65

ROOT DOCTORS

SEAFOOD SOUTH

THE SOUTH IS KNOWN FOR MANY THINGS, BUT FEW KNOW THE TERM ROOT DOCTORS. FIND OUT WHY.

in the

Page 62

GOSOUTH WINTER TRAVELS

TOP NYE PARTIES of 2016

ON THE COAST

JIMMY CARTER

GREAT KIDS PAGE 54 Dr. Dmitri Sofianos, Orthopaedic Surgeon Rubgy Players and Outdoor Enthusiast.

DEC - JAN 2016-17 ★ ISSUE #65

SOUTH'S GREATEST DOCTORS: 7 THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW

SOUTHMAGAZINE.COM ★ $4.95 (Display until February 15)

Dr. Sofianos is a former Vanderbilt Rugby player and South’s 10th Annual Best Doctors cover. He recently relocated to Savannah, Georgia and is practicing with Chatham Orthopaedics. He was Photographed

by Savannah-based Cedric Smith and is wearing Triple Aught Design clothing (tripleaughtdesign.com). Written by Bill Wertz. Cover Design by Michael B. See page 106.

no.65

★★★★

Roaste Roa Ro steddF d Free r Range g Phheas ge e ant oveer Farr ov arroo and ndWildd Rice c Pilaff off App ppple, le Cranberrrry, an a and Pistacchio h , Served with Kachina hi Far Fa arrms Organic Swiss Chard a Readee'sBe and Bees Wildflower Hon o eyy Bra raised Shallots.s ra

Dine South

ALLIGATOR SOUL

SAVANNAH GEORGIA'S ROMANTIC AND ELEGANT DINING DESTINATION FEATURING ORGANIC, FRESH, NATURAL, DAYBOAT, LOCAL AND REGIONAL FARE

Alligator Soul is one of Savannah, Georgia’s most legendary restaurants.

For over a decade, they have been known for their exotic entrée and elegant atmosphere. Photographed

by Savannah based Cedric Smith and written by Bill Wertz. Cover Design

by Michael B. See page 148.

Photograph by CEDRIC SMITH

Allstate Agent: David Pence

WHAT HIS CLIENTS ARE SAYING..

He Knocked on Their Door Before They Had Time to Call

“After Hurricane Matthew hit Savannah and we were allowed back into our home, we got a knock on our door from our local insurance agent (David Pence) asking us how we faired the storm.”

Steven R. Savannah, GA

One would be hard pressed to find those not affected one way or another by Hurricane Matthew. It is during these times that our communities, resources and businesses face their greatest challenges and also show their incredible resolve.

Immediately following one of the biggest natural disasters to hit the Coastal South in more than a decade, Allstate Agent, David Pence lept to action. While many of Hurricane Matthew’s victims were

When asked about this, David said, “Tina and I are very grateful that people choose to trust us as their agent and allow Allstate to protect them. It is during these times that customers realize where the agent makes a difference. An 800 number and customer service representatives do not bring people the same comfort when crises arise.”

Allstate agent David Pence was one of those businesses that faced the aftermath head on. He used this time to show why it is so essential to do business with an agent who not only sells a promise of service but also delivers on that promise.

Even before many of David’s customers were back from evacuating, he and his wife Tina were out surveying homes to check on damages, assisting in claims filing and coordinating contractors to repair the damages.

This was a significant challenge for the entire coastal region.

It will be many months before the debris is completely cleared and houses are repaired. People are resilient though; they prove their ability to bounce back when adversity strikes and pull together when needed. David says, “I have been in this industry for 25 years and have faced many small catastrophes, but luckily never anything of this magnitude. I hope I am retired before I ever see this scenario again. But if it does occur, my staff, I and Allstate will be there to show ‘You’re in Good Hands with Allstate.’”

trying to figure out what damage had occured, Pence scurried to help his clients before they had a chance to call him.

Advertisement

“l found David and his team to be very responsive after Hurricane Matthew. Because he provides all his customers his cell number, reaching David was not a problem. They are always available and ready to assist me whenever I call.”

Sheriff John Wilcher Savannah, GA “After October’s hurricane, we returned to downed trees and house damage resembling a war zone.

David had already contacted us, and before we even had power restored, he and his wife came personally to our door to ask about us, again offering assistance. This man is what all agents should be like.”

Ted and Linda Copeland Savannah, GA Allstate Insurance: David Pence 1 5 E Montgomery Cross Rd, Savannah, GA., 912-961-9617

CONTRIBUTORS

ANNA JONES

MICHAEL HRIZUK

As an industry award winning Photographer/ Creative Director, Michael’s career has taken him across both the northern and southern hemispheres shooting and directing for some of biggest names in entertainment. From the Discovery Channel to the National Geographic Channel and countless others in between, his true to form approach to authentic story telling has been the cornerstone to his success. See his talents come alive in our cover shot from Breakfast of Champions on p. 142 and Seafood in the South on p. 152.

A native North Carolinian and recent Savannah transplant, Anna is a marketing professional, freelance writer and Malbec enthusiast. When she’s not musing on life and style in her personal blog, Silver Spoon Taste on a Plastic Fork Budget, this Tar Heel is searching for the newest restaurant downtown or chasing around her yellow lab, Birdie.

Read her story about a local hero leading the U.S. women’s Paralympic basketball team to gold on p. 82.

BILL WERTZ

William C. Wertz is returning to journalism after working for two multinational corporations in public and government relations. He was a correspondent and bureau chief for The Associated Press, covering business and politics around the country. He covered legislatures in five states and reported on many congressional and presidential campaigns. A native of the West and a graduate of Stanford University, Bill is now living in the Savannah area full-time Read his stories on former President Jimmy Carter on p. 68 and the challenges facing the fresh local seafood industry on p. 152.

BEVERLY WILLETT

JOHN ALEXANDER

Originally from Columbia, Md., John has been a photographer in beautiful Savannah, Ga. since 2005. His formal training is from University of Maryland, Baltimore County, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree for Photography & Graphic Design in 1998.

John’s areas of expertise are commercial, portraiture, weddings/special events and fine art. John’s style is vibrant and comes alive with unique personality; proven by the stunning shots of South’s Greatest Nurses on p. 92.

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Beverly Willett has written for dozens of the top newspapers and magazines including The New York Times, The Washington Post, Salon, The Daily Beast, The New York Post, Prevention, and many more. She writes personal essays, investigative pieces, op eds and profiles. She recently started her own radio program on Our American Network called “Beginning Again.” Locally she serves on the boards of the Flannery O’Connor Childhood Home and the Chatham-Savannah Authority for the Homeless. Although she spent most of her professional career in New York City as both an attorney and writer, she now considers Savannah, home. Read her findings on root doctors and hoodoo in the lowcountry on pg. 62

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publisher creative director Michael Brooks

FACEBOOK

Like South magazine for exclusive content, polls, and photos.

art director Julius Woodard account executives Mary Thomas Pickett, Josh Flores, Tommie Mead contributing editors Jess Brennan, Barry Kaufman, Bill Wertz, Anne Royan, Kriste Sanders, Mary Thomas Pickett advertising art directors Jenna Bower, Brett Sherman

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We’re always out live Tweeting at events. Follow us @south_mag.

office manager/circulation Barbara Barnette events editors Marcia Banes, Jenna Bower fashion editor Emily Bargeron

Online Contests SOUTH’S GREATEST PHOTOGRAPHERS ARE BACK! Are you one of the greatest photographers in the South?

We are seeking the South’s greatest photographers. Now is the time to compile your finest photography and go to southmag.com and enter for a chance to be featured in the next issue of South magazine. This issue promises to the best yet and a salute to the 11 years of publishing in this great region packed full of the most creative and talented people in the region. For more information and to enter, go to southmag.com or call 912-236-5501.

PINTEREST

Follow us at (southmagazine) to see what inspires South.

contributing writers Emma Iocovozzi, Kriste Sanders, Barry Kaufman, Mary Thomas Pickett, Stella Katsipoutis, Anna Jones, Beverly Willet, Anne Royan, Bill Wertz. contributing photographers Blake Crosby, John Alexander, Suzette Allen, Chuck Coleman, Tracy Scarpati, Cedric Smith, Ryan Gibson, Brittany Gilliam, Angela Hopper, Michale Hrizuk, Rob Kaufmam, Somi Benson-Jaja. production/marketing intern Virginia Montero

INSTAGRAM

@southmagazine is your one-stop shop for Dixie’s coolest pics.

@SOUTHMAGAZINE Last month, our Instagram account featured a bevvy of mouthwatering images from DineSouth, our 9th annual foodie celebration. From pyrotechnic displays and live musical performances to an impressive spread, the FOMO-inducing photos were as fascinating as the event itself. For more peeks inside local happenings, be sure to follow our Instagram account @SouthMagazine. #PLAYSOUTH

Copyright© 2016 South magazine.

All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or any part without express written permission is prohibited.

South magazine is published bimonthly by Bad Ink, (Brooks Advertising Design, Inc.). Views expressed in the editorial pages do not imply our endorsement. Please forward inquiries to Editor, South magazine, 116 Bull Street, Savannah, Georgia 31401. We cannot be responsible for unsolicited product samples. Subscription rates: U.S.: $19 for one year; $28 for two years; single copies: $4.95. Change of address notice: six to eight weeks prior to moving, please clip the mailing label from the most recent issue and send it along with your new address to: South magazine, Change of Address Notice, 116 Bull Street, Savannah, GA 31401, attn: Circulation | South magazine: A Division of Bad Ink, phone: 912.236.5501 fax: 912.236.5524, southmag.com

GET IN TOUCH

Tell Scarlet performing at the 9th annual DineSouth event on Oct. 18th.

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WRITE TO US AT editor@southmag.com or 116-A Bull Street, Savannah, GA 31401

S O U T H E R N M A D E / D U E N D E L E AT H E R

Southern Style

A collection of leather jewelry created from excess material.

Johnson believes in the traditional practice of making use of every last part of the leather.

FREE RANGE FORM AND FUNCTION

DRAWING FROM HER EXPERIENCE AS AN ER NURSE, THIS LEATHER-MAKER PULLS CREATIVE INSPIRATION FROM UNLIKELY SOURCES. IPHONE CASE ASSYMETRICAL CLUTCH FRU CLUTCH WRISTLET

The signature “Working Gal Tote” was inspired by her own experiences working 12-hour shifts as a nurse and seeking a stylish solution to carry everything all in one place, lending form to function.

Johnson partners with a tannery that uses vegetable extracts to tan the leathers and only works with hide from free range cows. The environmentally friendly process is a throwback to old cowboy methods of tanning which yields major results: a line of handbags and small leather goods for the socially conscious consumer. Johnson has recently evolved her Statesboro design studio into a showroom for three days a week where clients can visit, witness the design and production process and pick out custom pieces for purchase.

Duende Leather handbags are sold at boutiques in Savannah, Atlanta, North Carolina and online at duendeleather.com.

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BY ANNE ROYAN PHOTOS: MICHAEL HRIZUK

Duende is a Spanish word with no exact English translation. But unlike a muse which inspires the artist, the duende is said to inspire the masses. The word evokes a sort of creative spirit that is associated with widespread inspiration.

Duende Leather founder and designer Lynsey Johnson fuses her backgrounds in biology and fashion design to create a product line that’s both ethically sourced and environmentally sound. The brand’s signature look is Johnson’s distinct technique for marbling leather. She takes the tanned hides and applies a process that allows the pores in the leather to open up to accept the marbling (all of the dyes are eco-friendly, of course).

Each time, the marbling comes out slightly differently, which makes each item completely unique. These marbling designs are inspired by the natural patterns she admired in petri dishes while studying microbiology.

Johnson is trained as an ER nurse, a job she continues to work part-time in addition to designing her line. Follow Johnson’s creative process on Instagram: @duendeleather

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More than 800 guests were in attendance at South’s 9th Annual DineSouth Event at Savannah Station on October 18. Guests to the incredible event feasted on delicious food samples prepared by more than 20 regional restaurants and caterers while enjoying live entertainment from local Savannah band, Tell Scarlet. A variety of activities and entertainment were available for attendees including; a Rock Climbing Wall provided by Boy Scouts of Coastal Georgia, Aerial and Fire Dancing Performances by Stardust Pixxies, photo booth by TapSnap, Mechanical Bull by Hunter Cattle Company, and a cast of Living Legend Characters from Old Savannah Tours. Proceeds from ticket sales and silent auction benefitted the Rape Crisis Center of the Coastal Empire.

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1. Chef Brandon Whitestone from Cotton & Rye 2. Ben Carson, Heather Wolfert, Andrew Gauthe 3. Avry Gutkowski & Caleb Harkleroad 4. Emily Bargeron , Michelle Unicorn 5. Danielle Hicks & Blake Crosby 6. Bonnie Webber, Lil912, Shannee Theus, Vann-Ellison Seales 7. Chris Clarke, Diana Prevatte, Josh Flores 8. Carly Wiggins, Natalie Alexander and Diana Germanos 9. Jessica Qutio and Mark McCullough 10. Lisa Shea & Caitlin Wall 11. Skyler Jones and Tommie Mead 12. Frankie Darlene Brooks and Michael Brooks 13. Greg Talbott & Andrew James 14. Jenn Faith with Old Savannah Tours 15. Daisy and Greg Ludwig 16. Katie Davis & Malinda Bartley 17. Kristine Mabus and James Gregory

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1. Tina Tyus-Shaw & Ben Senger 2. McKenzee and Alex Williams 3. Wendy Reed & Nicole Casino 4. The Ghaleb Family 5. Kay Cantrell 6. Sam Carter, Keisha Gibson Carter, and Ashia Miller 7. The Florence 8. Mary Henderson & Kathryn Johnson 9. Hallie Anderegg and Marcia Bames 10. Kristine & Claire Compton 11. Liam Haehlne and Michaela Plotner 12. Forrest Gump, John “Bandit” Sandifer 13. MT Pickett 14. Sarah Swanagin & Meghan Ortiz 15. Jessica & Jared Mock 16. Kissie & Huoth Tan 17. Aracely Gonzalez 18. Nate Shaffer & Mary Ann 19. Janelle Harvey, Tyler Harvey 20.

Tiffany & Greg Wilson 21. Stardust Pixxies P h o t o g r a p h s b y T R AC Y S C A R PAT I , S O M I B E N S O N - JA JA , B R I T TA N Y G I L L I A M , C O R E Y B R O O K S & K RYS TA L O B L I N G E R

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Kim Michael LIFESTYLE CHANGE

9 WAYS TO CREATE CHANGE

Polote

Change seldom comes without a struggle. It’s something everyone has to do for themselves, but a little help is always welcome. With a new record album called “Change,” Singer Kim Michael Pelote is using her music to provide a boost to those going through difficult transitions. “No one can sing your song,” she says. “Be willing to engage in a journey to discover who you are.”

PHOTOGRAPHS BY SUZETTE ALLEN & CEDRIC SMITH S T O R Y B Y A N N E R OYA N

S

outhern songstress and Savannah native, Kim Michael Polote, is not scared of change. She has witnessed adversity and struggle in her days and has forged her own path by rising above all of the superfluous noise. She has learned to sit still amidst the storms of her life and listen for the lessons that speak of love, acceptance, grace and the always-present possibility for new beginnings. Her new album titled “Change” embraces her outlook on life.

She grew up in a home she describes as being filled with music, listening to everything from Barbara Streisand to Aretha Franklin to Dolly Parton. She explains, “All types of music were embraced. We celebrated music and the power of music.”

She has shared a stage with Al Green, Charlie Daniels, Harry Connick Jr. and President Jimmy Carter. She sang at the wedding of her close friend, Paula Deen.

She believes that music is a healing vehicle and a way to connect.

Music is her ministry.

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It was a trip to Russia & Siberia in 2015 with a group of eight other performers that inspired the groundwork for the album, “Change,” her third studio CD that was recorded last September in Nashville. She says, “We had an opportunity to engage with a different culture. It’s about connecting the dots. Music transcends barriers and creates a connection, even with no common language.” Sometimes you have to leave your comfort zone in order to experience a sense of clarity.

It was the undeniable power that she felt through these connections, a living energy that was inspiring and uplifting and transformative, that showed her the ways that she could be a voice for positive change in the world. She believes that every seed of change begins within the self.

She felt both empowered and humbled and she knew that she wanted to share it.

Her journey infuses her music with a message of change. She is on a path of what she calls purpose-driven entertainment. On singing, she says: “It’s a calling. I’m called to do it. You are here to elevate someone else. To lift them up.”

“My life is my ministry. How am I touching my fellow man? It’s not just about change. It’s about changing for the better.

DE C E M BE R 2016 / JANUARY 2017

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LIFESTYLE CHANGE

thoughts and move through your day with the promise to do good.

4. Unpack. Remove the negativity from your life. Lighten your load by unpacking negative baggage: get rid of hate, pain and disappointment. Shuck it. Travel much lighter.

9. Be the solution.

Don’t let anything steal your hallelujah. Nobody can sing your song but you. You don’t have to be like anybody else, just be yourself.

Be willing to engage upon a journey to discover who you are. One person can be part of a solution, so be true to who you are.

5. Learn. Grow. Repeat.

Draw from each trial. Learn from each mess. There is always a message. Do not be too busy focusing on the mess to hear the message. Everyone is going through something. Try to elevate them.

Lift them up. Plant some seeds that you are willing to nurture, to water and to grow. These are the seeds of inspiration and these will have impact if you allow them to take root and thrive.

6. Selflessly Esstential.

Practice surrender. Each day is another chance to do something for someone else. Do right by this life that has been entrusted to you. This life doesn’t belong solely to you.

Every day, I rise and I say: “Okay, lace up and get on board for what it is really all about.” Ask constantly: How can I help?

Polote’s eclecticism lends to her uniqueness and ability to reach those around her.

1. Faith to change.

Everything in life is always changing and we need to be comfortable with change and embrace it. More doors open as you step out into the world arm-in-arm with faith. We as a people, we like to know the next step. Sometimes you need to just call on faith and then go ahead and make the change.

2. Acknowledge connections. You have got

to disconnect in order to connect.

Disconnect from Facebook and

social media and anything with a screen. Connect with each other.

Look someone in the eye as you pass and acknowledge him. Make those connections. Try to connect with three people a week. Do you have any idea what kind of impact that can have? The trickle effect can be so powerful.

3. No Law against

positive goodness.

Make deposits of positivity. It is important to play the right music in your head. Always embrace positive

7. Love. Acknowledge love.

We are all ambassadors. All of us are called to go beyond ourselves and elevate the power to be ambassadors for goodwill, love and mercy. Show mercy to one another.

We need more mercy. Practice grace in the midst of fire and love in the midst of hatred. This trickle effect is powerful. There is always a choice: always choose grace; always choose love.

8. Choose the right response. Consider your

response to how someone treats you.

You cannot change them, but you can change how you respond. There is always a choice.

Change has to come They say good things come in threes. To judge by the impassioned responses to her previous albums, Kim Michael Polote has already set extraordinary expectations for any follow-up.

Polote’s newest collection, Change, is her third completed album. Polote has created yet another musical experience that promises to thrill audiences of any age. Her natural ability and the depth of her understanding for the people around her are evident in songs like “Just As I Am” and “Everything

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21

Days to Make/ Break/ Change a Habit Doctors and scientists generally agree that it takes a minimum of 21 days to alter a habitual behavior. In less than a month, a behavior that is unhealthy or no longer serves a purpose in life can be shed. Similarly it takes about the same amount of time to integrate a new activity to become a habit. Get started one day at a time.

Must Change”. The song lyrics have such appealing personality that you’d almost rather have Polote as a dinner guest than running through your speakers.

At some point, each of us will be called to face a battle in our lives. Anyone who has ever had to grip tightly to their faith while struggling through a difficult history will feel the album’s undeniable power that is sure to give chill bumps.

If you are going through a difficulty now, these are songs that will help motivate and encourage you through your struggle. Find Polote’s new album “Change” at E. Shaver Bookseller, Saints and Shamrocks, and Paula Deen’s The Lady and Sons.

LIFESTYLE CHANGE

FITSOUTH • Saylor Britt, 16, has been cheering since she was five years old. She has begun modeling for national cheerleading campaigns.

Cheer Savann American Ch ah was selected in one of the to eerleader Magazine as p 20 gyms in the country .

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CHANGE WRI T T E N BY J E SS B RANNE N P H OTO BY C H U C K COL E MAN

As another year draws to a close, many of us will start mulling over our New Year’s resolutions. We’ll swear to save more money, do better at work, or improve our relationships – and an astonishing number of us will resolve to lose weight.

It’s a harder feat than it sounds; Southern fare is known to stick to your ribs and land on your hips. This year, though, we can be a little better.

For starters, finding fun ways to work out is easier than ever before with the advent of experimental and exciting classes (Bikram yoga, anyone?).

When it comes to chowing down, the many local healthy offerings at places like Brighter Day’s sidewalk café and Butterhead Greens, mean eating hearty foods doesn’t have to have a detrimental effect on our waistlines.

And, of course, the physicians and specialists seen throughout this issue can be a major lifeline in this never-ending endeavor.

So, in 2017, may we all vow to tighten up a little, watch our middle and be fit as a fiddle.

FIND YOUR

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Cheerleading was once considered an extracurricular activity for girls to support their school’s football team.

That was yesterday, Today, cheerleading is considered a sport – a competitive sport that can help young girls and women be strong, confident and self-assured by instilling in them things like teamwork, discipline and achieving success at the highest level.

All Star Cheer was launched in Savannah over 17

years ago, when competitive cheerleading was in its infancy and non-existent in Savannah.

Now more than 200 girls are 4-18 are enrolled and members of 11 different cheer teams.

Each cheer team trains twice a week all year long and competes against other cheer teams from around the country. This past September, the All Star Senior Team of 19 girls qualified to compete in The Cheerleading Worlds Championship, the ultimate competition of competitive

cheerleading that occurs every year at Disney World in Orlando. Even qualifying for “Worlds,” as it is affectionately known, is an honor, but the All Star Cheer team qualified for the final competition, and took 11th place overall.

Many cheerleaders from All Star Cheer continue to cheer into the collegiate level, cheering for esteemed universities such as University of South Carolina, Clemson University and the University of Georgia.

L I F EL SI F TE Y SL T E Y CL H E ACNHGAEN G E

FITSOUTH

2

SET A

GOAL

• For Cal Pyrch the goal was a contest at 180 Fitness, a big gym in Statesboro.

“I had always been interested in body building, but I never thought I could be competitive, never thought I could get to that level,” Pyrch said. “But my coach convinced me to go for it, and we set a goal.”

The contest was about five months away, and required a grueling workout schedule and strict adherence to dietary guidelines, balancing protein and carbohydrate intake.

He and girlfriend Kayla Boston did much of it as a team. They planned meals, shopped, cooked and trained together.

“The goal was so important, like a light at the end of the tunnel that you could see and work toward,” Pyrch said.

“It kept me going. I think you definitely need that. It would help anyone trying to get in shape or make a change of any kind. It could just be a class reunion – anything with an end date.”

At first, Pyrch’s goal was “just not to embarrass myself.” But he said that the more he trained the more confident he felt. “I ended up placing third,” he said.

Pyrch is taking a short break now – “especially on the diet” – but another contest is on the horizon next fall, and a new goal may be in sight.

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LIFESTYLE CHANGE

FITSOUTH

3

FIND A

HOBBY

• More dangerous than football, more complex than hockey: that’s the game of Rugby, according to Dante Lawrence of the Savannah Shamrocks.

“It’s the hardest thing I make myself do on a day-to-day basis,” says Lawrence of the contact sport. “It’s just as much a game of persistence mentally as it is physically.” He began playing with the local team 13 years ago and has never looked back, even when he got hurt. And getting hurt is a common theme among hardcore rugby players.

“It’s full contact with no pads or helmets,” he says before recounting his many injuries sustained during games past, including a broken ankle and facial fractures for which he underwent reconstructive surgery.

But it’s all been worth it, Lawrence says, for the camaraderie and mental strength he’s gained over the years.

“It’s like having a second family,” he explains.

“It’s a brotherhood made up of guys I play with and against.” He goes on to describe the Savannah Shamrocks’ tradition. Every time they scrimmage against another team, they always take them out for a beer afterwards. It’s something he really admires about the game.

“I can call them right now, and say ‘hey, I need help’ and they’ll come running,” says Lawrence of his team.

Perhaps that close-knit bond is responsible for the team’s many successes. The Savannah Shamrocks won 5th place in the nation last year, adding to their three wins in the Georgia Rugby Union and two wins at the USA Rugby Championship.

The Savannah Shamrocks meet at Forsyth Park every Tuesday and Thursday to practice, and they play on Saturdays around 1 p.m. •

FOR SCHEDULES, NEWS AND EVENTS, VISIT rugbysavannah.com

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BY JESS BRANNEN PHOTOS: CEDRIC SMITH S OUT H MAGA ZI NE.C OM

Kids. These tiny tykes can be silly, restless, and downright curious. Fortunately for moms and dad (and grandparents, too!) there’s always something around the corner to discover.

CURATED BY KELLY HEITZ, ANNE ROYAN, KRISTE SANDERS, BILL WERTZ, AND MT PICKETT

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5

GREATEST THINGS TO DO WITH YOUR KIDS IN SAVANNAH

1 SAVANNAH CHILDREN’S MUSEUM

Savannah Children’s Museum’s expert educators create fun daily programming so children and families can learn, explore and play!

Entirely outdoors and full of fun learning for your kids, the Savannah Children’s Museum is a must-do time and time again for families. The museum features over a dozen exhibits designed to expand the imaginations of children. Set them free in the Exploration Maze or cuddle into the Reading Nook. Daily programming by onsight educators keeps children engaged and the museum fresh and exciting for every single visit. Before you go, head to chsgeorgia.org/SCM for a full calendar of events or to print out activity sheets for your child.

Events for You and Your Kids Saturday, Dec. 10 from 8 am to 5 pm Savannah Santa Train Santa is coming to visit for one day only at Georgia State Railroad Museum and Savannah Children’s Museum! Tickets are $15 per person.

Address: 655 Louisville Road, Savannah, GA 31401 Phone: 912.651.4292 Web: chsgeorgia.org/SCM

Saturday, Jan. 21 Night at the Museum is a unique event that brings the exciting history of the Georgia State Railroad Museum! Tickets are $12 per person.

Dr. Suess

Saturday, Feb. 25 Suess Fest is a special celebration revolving around the wonderful world of Dr. Suess at Savannah’s Children Museum. Tickets are $7.50 a person.

photo courtesy of the Jepson Center for the Arts

Whether it’s a weekend or that long winter break, it’s important to get your kids out of the house, away from the video games, and on some adventures. Savannah is a city teeming with activities that kids will love, so why haven’t y’all explored them yet? Here are South’s greatest places to take your kids in Savannah:

A tower exhibit at the Artzeum

2 Artzeum at the Jepson Center One of Telfair Museums’ signature programs, the 2017 PULSE Art and Technology Festival highlights innovative, technology-based art. “The exhibitions, performances and programs remind us that play interaction and imaginative exploration are not only important to creativity, but to our survival as human beings,” said Pulse curator Harry DeLorme, “This year’s exhibitions demonstrate the connections between art and science, from genetics and paleontology to emerging research on artificial intelligence.” The festival returns with exciting exhibitions, lectures, workshops and performances exploring themes ranging from the use of scientific data and information in art, to artificial intelligence and machine learning, to new artistic forms of videogame design. More information at Telfair.org/PULSE Address: 207 W. York St., Savannah, GA 31401 Phone: 912.790.8800 Web: telfair.org

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4

GREATEST THINGS TO DO WITH YOUR KIDS IN SAVANNAH

3

Oatland Island Wildlife Center

< BALD EAGLE

Steps to Deal with a Bully The Rape C risis Center

COUGAR >

GRAY WOLF >

According to the Center for Disease Control, students who are bullied are more likely to experience low self-esteem and isolation and perform poorly in school. The good news is all it takes is a few simple steps to help your child overcome a bullying situation. Follow these steps if you discover your child has been bullied.

TALK WITH YOUR CHILD It’s important to listen to everything your child tells you with care and without judgment.

It takes a lot of courage for your child to come to you about being bullied because they are currently dealing with the many emotional effects of being bullied: insecurity, fear, anger and sadness.

1

• With 150 different wildlife species, (including alligators, bald

eagles and wolves!) Oatland Island is an educational facility that specializes in environmental discovery. Each year it hosts field trips for approximately 20,000 schoolchildren. Currently closed for repairs in the wake of Hurricane Matthew, Oatland is normally open 361 days a year. Admission ranges from $3.00 for students to $5.00 for adults 18 years or older, but year round passes are available through Friends of Oatland (FOO). Address: 711 Sandtown Road, Savannah, GA 31410 Phone: 912.395.1212

4

OLD SAVANNAH TROLLEY TOURS • There’s no better way for your kids to get to know their city than to take a fun and interactive trolley tour.

On Old Savannah Tours, visitors have the luxury of hopping on and off to visit the many sights around town or even to settle down if the kids get fussy.

Plus, at many of the stops, historic characters will hop on the trolley and give a little insight about historic life in Savannah. By taking a trolley tour, your kids will get the opportunity to see the entire city without having to walk (which we all know can make them a bit cranky). For tour schedules and maps visit oldsavannahtours.com.

Address: 250 MLK Jr. Blvd., Savannah, GA 31401 Phone: 912.234.8128 Web: oldsavannahtours.com

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photo courtesy of Oatland Island

< CORN SNAKE

5

Georgia State Railroad Museum

Immerse your family in the sights and sounds of an antebellum train station.

•A National Historic Landmark, the Georgia State Railroad Museum boasts a fully operational turntable, historic railcars, and guided tours. Your kids will love exploring the site by steam or diesel locomotive while learning about Southern rail history. You can even get the whole family involved by trying out the handcar.

The harder they work, the faster they’ll go! Visit chsgeorgia.org/GSRM for hours and train ride schedules.

Address: 655 Louisville Road, Savannah, GA 31401 Phone: 912.651.4292 Web: chsgeorgia.org/GSRM

SUPPORT AND EMPOWER YOUR CHILD After listening to your child’s story, empower them to create an action plan to deal with their bully. Your immediate instinct might be to confront the bully or their parents, but that’s not the ideal way to deal. Creating a plan that works with your child’s strengths and abilities can help build selfconfidence and resilience.

2

LEARN YOUR RIGHTS Each state has different laws and policies on bullying, along with requirements on how schools should respond.

Visit StopBullying.gov to learn more about the laws Georgia and South Carolina have put in place.

3

GET INVOLVED WITH THE COMMUNITY You can help by raising awareness through community events, attending workshops or trainings in your community, or sharing information with others. The Rape Crisis Center of the Coastal Empire has many programs that are geared towards helping children deal with and prevent bullying. Turn to page 162 for information on this year’s Reindeer Run to stop bullies or visit rccsav.org.

4

A Healthy “Pop”

STRAWBERRY RASPBERRY

MANGO

•

It’s so tempting, walking into a bakery like Our Daily Bread in downtown Savannah.

The aroma … the appeal of the cupcakes, muffins, tarts … but wait! There’s a tasty, low-calorie treat featured here. “We call them ‘Ice Pops,’” says Dee Gibson, one of the owners. They’re frozen fruit bars, no added sugar, just 20 calories, and they come in a dazzling variety of flavors.

Strawberry is the favorite, but the menu varies depending on the fruit in season. Try banana and honeydew! Address: 6 E State St, Savannah, GA 31401 Phone: 912.713.4977 Web: facebook. com/OurDailyBreadCafeSavannah

MANGO BLACKBERRY

STRAWBERRY BLACKBERRY

Each popscicle is made with natural fruit juices, fruit, and ice. The perfect healthy snack year round.

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How to Keep Your Kids Active

Dr. Ben Spitalnick

Cassie Cercy (middle), leads the workout with five other strong moms.

SWEAT LIKE A MOTHER

Anyone with a bright and early exercise routine at any park in Savannah is familiar with the cheerful sea of strollers donned by new moms who have absolutely zero shame when it comes to getting sweaty.

Stroller Strong Moms started in Savannah four years ago as an effort to give prenatal and postpartum moms with stroller age children a way to get strong and lean without leaving their baby at home. Cassie Cercy is a fitness instructor and busy mom who took over SSM’s ownership last November. One year later, Cercy celebrates the birth of her third little boy, Mason with many more fit mothers who’ve joined the club.

As a mother who is constantly on-the-go , Cercy is one of six instructors who designs custom one hour classes five days a week for the ultimate ‘total body workout’. On average, they have around thirty to forty moms who attend each class.

“I get to bring my babies with me to class and I am surrounded by a variety of moms who have become best friends,” said Katie Shell. She is an avid runner and mother of two who has been involved for a little over two years.

Outside of classes, the moms enjoy getting together for a monthly Mom’s Night Out. That might mean meeting to grab “grownup drinks” downtown or feeling the burn while sipping a brew on one of Savannah’s bicycle beer crawls. The moms also like to run together in local races that give back to the community.

“We may all have different fitness goals and forms of parenting, but the common interest we have is being the best in both of those categories, and that’s what bring us together,” said Shell.

Each mom’s first class is free! To see a complete class schedule and learn how to join, visit strollerstrongmoms.com/wp/savannah.

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5 BENEFITS OF YOGA FOR KIDS

BE THE COACH OF A SPORTS TEAM (*Tip: the younger the kids are when you do this, the less sporting skills you actually need). This will not only build a bond between you and your child, it will build a positive relationship that associates fun with physical activity. Sports activities and exercise are not just something that you watch each other do, it is something you can have fun doing together.

LIMIT SCREEN TIME. No more than 2 hours of screen time is the current guideline…and your child will find activities to fill the other hours of the day.

DON’T RELY SOLELY ON YOUR CHILD’S SPORT TO PROVIDE ENOUGH PHYSICAL ACTIVITY. If a sports team has two practices plus one game per week, that’s really only about 2-3 hours of total physical activity over the course of the week. Kids should get 60 minutes of physical activity every DAY. Find additional ways to be active together, such as taking the dog for a long walk each day after school.

PROMOTES MINDFULNESS AND SELF-AWARENESS. Yoga and meditation teach children to learn to be still, to become comfortable with stillness and to connect with it.

1

CREATES A PHYSICAL CONNECTION WITH THE BODY. Practicing the postures in yoga enhances strength, balance and coordination.

2

3

RELAXATION. Learning to take deep, cleansing breaths relieves tension and creates feelings of peace and relaxation.

ENERGY. When the mind is calm, we can think 4 MENTAL clearly without as many distractions and become more focused.

5

ENHANCED CREATIVITY. Encourages imagination through visualization techniques.

For a class schedule or further information, contact Lynn Geddes at yogamefit.com

SUPPLY TOYS THAT INSPIRE PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES. When your child combs through their toy chest, if they find assorted balls, Frisbees, jump ropes, a trampoline (with safe enclosure) or other items that spark physical activity, they are likely to go outside and use them.

MAKE ACTIVITIES A PART OF YOUR VACATION TIME TOGETHER. Hiking in parks, swimming at the beach, or biking on trails when on vacation reinforces that physical activities are actually fun, and they may want to try to keep the fun going when they get back home.

K ID â&#x20AC;&#x2122; S G U ID E

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HOSANNA HELPERS “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

- Jesus, Matthew 19:14

• “What breaks your heart?” Rebecca Duma prayed and asked

the Lord in October 2015. The day after, while she was delivering a microwave to a needy family at a local hotel she overheard a mother cursing her young son. She watched as he walked away to sit in the hall with tears running down his face. She noticed a ray of sun shining brightly over him and she had her answer.

Duma, a member of Relentless Church of Savannah and executive director of Relentless Grace Inc., was on a mission to feed and care for these children physically and spiritually.

She, along with Pastor Kyle Garrison, and several others came together and formed the Hosanna Helpers Ministry. This outreach is carried out with the help from ministry teams of various churches that come together weekly to unite in love to fulfill Duma’s vision from God. “Every child needs one person that when they walk through the door their face lights up,” says Amber Hall. Hall is the director of the ministry, which reaches homeless children and families in poverty and meets every Saturday at a local hotel and every Sunday at Forsyth Park. Its focus is to bring hope and love to these kids every week. They offer meals, biblical teachings, crafts and games, as well as clothes and toys to meet not only the physical needs but also the spiritual needs of these children and their families.

To get involved or be a part of this ministry, please email Amber@relentlessgraceinc.com Front L to R: Arya Drury, Selena Beckham and Atreyu Drury Bottom left: Sophia and Halle volunteer to paint fingernails and have “girl time.”

Bottom right: Savannah’s Tormenta FC boys soccer team volunteers to help out with the games.

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HELPING TO HEAL ONE PAW AT A TIME Having to be in the hospital is nothing to smile about. But, Marlin the Alaskan Malamute, is making rounds to help patients young and old feel a little bit better.

• “Marlin commands attention when he enters the room,” says owner Michelle Hetager.

Marlin, an Alaskan Malamute and certified therapy dog, is a hefty husky that is trained to put patients at ease.

Every Wednesday morning, Marlin and Michelle visit patients at Memorial Health.

“He causes a lot of distraction,” Michelle explains.

“But, in a good way. Children are Michelle Hetager and Marlin enthralled with him. Adults can be put back when they first see him, but soon realize he is a sweet and loving animal.”

Marlin comes with cart in hand (or should we say, paw) and gives rides to children who need a little fun during their hospital stay. “Marlin barks, howls, and even yodels,” said Michelle. “He wants to be seen and heard. People from all over the hospital look forward to greeting Marlin.”

What is interesting, Michelle notes, is Marlin comforts hospital staff, too. “His visits are equally beneficial to staff,” she explains. “They have dog treats hidden in their desks for him. He really makes their jobs a little less stressful.”

When Marlin is not visiting patients, he is working to get certified as a Disaster Service Dog. “This would allow Marlin and me to work during larger disasters and catastrophes with affected individuals and families that could really benefit from a fluffy, friendly Malamute,” says Michelle.

Marlin also visits local schools right before standardized testing, to make the children all less worried about the tests in front of them. Some even keep a picture of Marlin on their desk to help them get through testing days.

Marlin seems to have the right touch when it comes to making folks feel better. Good dog.

How to Keep Your Kids Active

Dr. David Carney M.D.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF

PEDIATRIC SURGERY

MAJOR SURGERY

These are surgeries of the head, neck, chest, and some surgeries on the belly. The recovery time can be lengthy and may involve a stay in intensive care or several days in the hospital. There is a higher risk of complications after such surgeries. In children, types of major surgery may include the following:

CORRECTION

OF BONE MALFORMATIONS OF THE SKULL

AND FACE PEDIATRIC GENERAL SURGERY is one of the last bastions of true general surgery; the doctors perform a broad base of operations from common procedures such as appendectomy and hernia repairs to the more complicated scenarios of newborn abnormalities and complex cancer operations.

Dr. David Carney, a pediatric surgeon at Memorial Hospital, explains, “Children are not just little adults, they are different.

Their physiology is different, the way they respond to stress is different, the way we set them up for an operation and the diagnostic studies performed are different.”

The team of pediatric surgeons at Memorial Hospital has an impressive wealth of experience. Dr. Carney explains, “Savannah is blessed to have a lot of technically skilled adult surgeons, but these surgeons will accomplish maybe ten to twelve procedures on a child in a year.” Dr. Carney and the pediatric team at Memorial perform up to fifty pediatric operations a week.

The new Children’s Hospital at Memorial Health will be an exceptional resource for the community. Dr. Carney says, “When you have a children’s facility, you have all the resources that go along with making the whole experience more positive overall. When there are a group of specialists all with expertise in our field, everybody’s game gets better.

Memorial has done a great job to provide the resources both inside and outside of the operating room for success.”

REPAIR OF

CORRECTION

CONGENITAL

OF SPINAL

HEART DISEASE, TRANSPLANTATION

ABNORMALITIES AND TREATMENT

OF SERIOUS

INJURIES

REMOVAL OF

BRAIN TUMORS

OF ORGANS,

CORRECTION OF PROBLEMS IN FETAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE LUNGS, INTESTINES, DIAPHRAGM, OR ANUS

AND REPAIR

OF INTESTINAL

DEFECTS

MINOR SURGERY

Some surgeries that children undergo are considered minor. The recovery time is short and children return to their usual activities rapidly. These surgeries are most often done as an outpatient, and children can return home the same day. Complications from these types of surgeries are rare. Examples of the most common types of minor surgeries may include: PLACEMENT

OF EAR TUBES

H E R N I A REMOVAL REPAIRS OF SKIN CORRECTION OF

LESIONS

BONE FRACTURES

BIOPSY OF GROWTHS ELECTIVE SURGERY. Elective surgery does not necessarily mean the surgery is optional.

It simply means that the procedure is planned in advance. These are procedures you decide your child should undergo, which may be helpful, and may or may not be essential. An example might be to have a birthmark removed, to circumcise your male infant, or to have a spinal fusion to correct severe curvature of the spine.

URGENT OR EMERGENCY SURGERY. This type of surgery is done in response to an urgent medical need, such as the correction of a life-threatening congenital heart defect or the repair of injured internal organs after a car accident.

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WHEN IT COMES TO CUTE, THE KIDS OF THE SOUTH ARE ALL WAY ABOVE AVERAGE! WE ASKED OUR READERS TO SEND US A FEW OF THEIR FAVORITE PHOTOS. SEE FOR YOURSELF! ANGELA HOPPER-LEE (SPECIAL THANKS TO HUNTER CATTLE FOR LETTING US USE THEIR BEAUTIFUL AND FUN FARM FOR THE PHOTO SHOOT LOCATION.)

about the location

Hunter cattle There’s something about the sights and smells of farm life that bring a smile to the faces of adults and children alike! The Hunter Cattle Co. is a family owned and operated farm in Brooklet, about 40 miles northwest of Savannah. Hunter is a “pastured and sustainable” farm, which means their animals are raised and treated humanely. Their cattle, hogs, chickens, horses, rabbits, goats, turkeys, lambs and ducks are not given antibiotics or hormones or put in cages. Hunter’s “Moo Ma’s Farm Store” sells grassfed beef, pastured pork, free range chicken and eggs, and they support neighboring family farms by carrying their products in the store, as

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well. Many in the local community use the farm as a gathering place for banquets, birthday parties and other special occasions. Hunter also has “Night on the Farm” events with dinner and live entertainment. Children and others longing to experience farm or ranch life are invited to spend a day or a week at Hunter Cattle Co. A typical day on the farm might include feeding the animals; collecting and cleaning eggs; moving livestock; planting, tending and harvesting the garden or repairing fences and fixing equipment. Less rigorous activities might include fishing in the pond, walking nature trails or just rocking on the porch. huntercattleco.com.

10 MORE GREAT PLACES TO TAKE THE KIDS

Courtesy of Fort Pulaski

Healthy activity and educational experiences – check out the opportunities below to give your kids a taste of both.

FORT PULASKI NATIONAL MONUMENT

who is

Cohen Harper 6 MONTHS JOHN AND ANDREA HARPER

My parents were told when I was only 35 weeks that I had some sort of growth on my neck and chest. They couldn’t give many answers and we were worried sick. When I was born, I was whisked away for testing and my mom wasn’t able to hold me right away. A few hours later, the doctors told us that I had a rare lymphatic cyst called a lymphangioma, but I was otherwise completely healthy! So despite all I’ve been through, I’m is always happy. I love people and smile at everyone!

This 19th-century masonry fort is a kid’s fantasy. With draw bridges, cannons and dark tunnels to explore, Fort Pulaski offers a day full of adventure for the entire family.

Kids can become a junior park ranger or even a junior Civil War historian as they enjoy this American treasure.

Hwy 80 E Tybee Island, GA 912.786.5787 nps.gov

JULIETTE GORDON LOW BIRTHPLACE

Is there a Daisy, Brownie, or full-fledged Scout in the house? If so, the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace is not to be missed.

Scouts can tour their founder’s home, with antiques, gardens and original artwork by “Daisy”herself. The tour concludes with the library’s interactive exhibit, Girls Writing the World.

10 E Oglethorpe Ave, Savannah, GA 912.233.4501 juliettegordonlowbirthplace.org

UGA MARINE EDUCATION CENTER AND AQUARIUM

Located on Skidaway Island, Georgia’s first salt water aquarium boasts 16 tanks that are home to local marine life. The touch tank is sure capture the kids’ attention with creatures such as snails and crabs. When the tour is complete, the family can enjoy a picnic lunch on the bluff, overlooking the picturesque marsh.

30 Ocean Science Circle, Savannah, GA 912.598.3325 marex.uga.edu

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who is

Avery Mason 7 YEARS OLD DERECK AND AMBER MASON

I love cheerleading – especially being a member of the Savannah Sharks and having the chance to compete against other teams. That’s really fun! I also enjoy playing tennis.

My parents say I’m a bit competitive and I worked hard to get on the honor roll at school. But art is something I also love to do. It lets me use my imagination!

who is

Paisley Metz 3 YEARS OLD GRAY AND CHAD METZ

Loving other people is easy with my outgoing nature. Everyone I meet gets a hug and a kiss.

Don’t underestimate me, I’m a very determined child. Because of my “condition”, I push myself to accomplish things that come easily to most kids. My parents say that I live life with an enthusiasm that most never experience and that I have exceeded everyone’s expectations and am growing into an active, talkative little girl (maybe a little too talkative, lol).

Because of Down Syndrome, I have low muscle tone, making all developmental milestones into achievements to celebrate (like when I was almost two years old, I stood up and walked across the room). So, now I LOVE showing off my dance moves.

I just know it will get a laugh or people will be impressed so I dance every chance I get.

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Courtesy of Get Air Savannah

GET AIR SAVANNAH Do the kids need to let out a little energy? Get Air Savannah is the place to let them jump, fall, and climb their way through this one-of-a-kind recreational facility. There are activities for all ages and for those with disabilities.

Don’t miss the foam pits, dodgeball court and, of course, the trampolines.

912.319.0047 3609 Ogeechee Rd B, Savannah, GA getairsavannah.com

ART BASH For the young artist wanting to express themselves through painting, Art Bash is the answer. This art studio can schedule a party for the entire family or possibly a birthday celebration. Supplies are all provided. All kids need to bring is their imagination.

7704 Waters Avenue Bull St, Savannah, GA 912.484.3438

SKIDAWAY ISLAND STATE PARK

Get back to nature and explore the winding trails and hidden treasures of Skidaway Island State Park. Kids can seek out fiddler crabs and watch for deer as parents enjoy the scenic landscape.

52 Diamond Causeway, Savannah, GA 912.598.2300 gastateparks.org

PIRATES’ HOUSE Let the kids get their pirate on at the historic Pirates’ House. Once a rendezvous for bloodthirsty pirates, visitors today can enjoy a delicious meal and explore the many hidden rooms at this legendary eatery.

20 E Broad St, Savannah, GA 912.233.5757

FUN ZONE AMUSEMENT & SPORTS PARK The perfect way to

celebrate a special occasion or fight an otherwise boring day with something for the whole family. With

who is

Mia Alexis Lopez 5 YEARS OLD ERNEST AND AMY LOPEZ

I’m outgoing, creative and very inquisitive. I’m absorbed in learning new things and will ask you questions about everything. I’ll bug you to tell me all about it, and if you don’t know the answer, just Google it.

I remember my first trip to Disney World where I met all of my favorite characters in person for the very first time.

The joy I felt was priceless! It reminds me of Rapunzel. She’s my favorite character because she has long hair. I want to climb up her hair so that we can play together in her tower.

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who is

Olivia Harley 3 YEARS OLD GENE AND KELLY HARLEY

While my older brother is carefully considering crossing the street, I have already crossed it. Twice. With my eyes closed.

I dance like no one is watching. As soon as you meet me, you’ll agree that my love for life is infectious! I really like Doc McStuffins. I go around singing, “It’s time for a checkup!” while carrying my doctor bag around just like Doc McStuffins. I always want to make people feel better, and if you let me give you a checkup, I’ll make sure to use plenty of shots and Band-Aids.

go-kart tracks, miniature golf, and one of the biggest arcades in the area, Fun Zone offers something for children, teens and adults alike.

1040 US-80, Pooler, GA 912.330.9860 poolerfunzone.com

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE MIGHTY EIGHTH AIR FORCE The only museum in

the world dedicated solely to the 8th Air Force, activated in Savannah in 1942. It is home to “Mission Experience,” a special series allowing guests to experience a bombing mission. Offers overnight adventures for Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and school groups.

175 Bourne Ave Pooler, GA 912.748.8888 mightyeighth.org

STARLIGHT POTTERY If you’re looking for a fun, unique way to celebrate your little artist on his or her special day , try hosting a gathering at this all-inclusive pottery studio. You pick the

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who is

Emery Michael Gideon 16 Months Terry and Leslie Gideon Have you ever seen the “Cars” movie? I love Lightning McQueen. I have the Lightning McQueen Matchbook car, and I take it everywhere! I can really zoom around!

My brothers and sisters love to chase me around the house, and that’s fun for me, too. I also love to dance. Almost any kind of music.

If I had my choice, I’d stay outside most of the time. Day or night, it wouldn’t matter.

So many things to see and do!

who is

Makenzie Emma Lane 3 YEARS OLD DANIELLE LEACH & JEFF LANE

My mom always says I have a heart of gold. Not to brag, but I recently landed the “kindness” award for the year at my school.

That’s got to count for something, right?

My favorite cartoon character is Minnie Mouse.

I love her because she is so cute, and she always wears pink, my favorite color!

I love getting together with my friends. We have a lot of things to do, but the best is getting our fingernails painted!

I love my big sister, Kalley.

She is nice to me, and I hope I can be like her when I get bigger.

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who is

Hunter Bryant 3 years old Erin Wieniewitz & Jason Bryant I love to laugh. It makes everybody happy!

My favorite cartoon character is Mickey Mouse, but I also love Santa Claus!

My favorite thing is playing outside. There are so many great things to do and interesting things to play with – like the vacuum cleaner and the leaf blower. Wow! And by the way, my sister behind me, she won South’s Greatest Kids last year. Now I’m as awesome as she is!

who is

Lilli Bonin 8 years old Jessica Bonin & Josh Turner Being fun, loving, kind and spunky fits well with my love for competition cheerleading. It feels so good when everything comes together in our routines.

Hard work and practice really pay off.

If you know Harry Potter then you know Hermione Granger. She is one of my favorite characters. She is brave and smart and she knows a lot of spells.

She is a happy person who cares for people.

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theme and they will supply the canvas, paints and instruction!

7070 Hodgson Memorial Dr, Savannah, GA 912.303.9599 starlightpottery.com

RIVER STREET SWEETS Like a kid in a candy

store, parents love to treat their little ones for a job well done with sweets. The original store is designed to incorporate even the tiniest taste buds into the interactive candy-making experience with plenty of free samples!

912.234.4608 13 E River St, Savannah, GA riverstreetsweets.com

who is

Jack Friedman Jack Tyler Friedman 7 months Zachary & Whitney Friedman I love to be outside. My parents think I have a lot of curiosity, and there is so much going on that is fun to watch.

I see lots of animals outside, and I especially like dogs!

I love people and they make me laugh. Ducks make me laugh, too. I love to watch the “Duck Song” cartoon on YouTube. It’s my favorite, but I like other kinds of music, too.

And I also like books. I’m learning to read, and I already know how to finger paint!

who is

Meadow Bloom Fretwell and jacob Ferguson 1 1/2 years old Sean & Kristan Fretwell, Anthony & Beth Ferguson We are lovable first cousins and the youngest on the farm.

I love animals and my cousin Jacob loves me! We are the best of friends and we hug all the time. All THE time.

We just love our farm life and being with our farm animals here, but we do like our occasional book to read.

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ROOT DOCTOR S T O R Y

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W I L L E T T

P H O T O S

M I C H A E L

H R I Z U K

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UNTIL THE MID-20TH CENTURY, THE LOWCOUNTRY WAS A HOTBED OF HOODOO. EACH AREA HAD ITS OWN ROOT DOCTOR. DR. SNAKE, DR. BUG, DR. CROW, P.H. WASHINGTON, DR. EAGLE, HELD COURT CASES OPENLY IN DOWNTOWN BEAUFORT. ANYONE COULD GO TO DR. EAGLE’S OFFICE AND GET A POTION. FORMER LOCAL RESTAURATEUR SAW CARS LINED UP AS FAR AWAY AS ALABAMA.

“S

ome people have a lawyer on retainer? I have a root doctor on retainer,” said Roger Pinckney, author of “Blue Roots: African-American Magic of the Gullah People.”

Although this West African spiritual tradition has retreated to the closet, rootwork is most assuredly alive in the Lowcountry.

Also known as hoodoo, rootwork traveled with slaves to the Georgia and South Carolina sea island plantations. There, slaves and their descendants, called Gullah, intertwined their folk beliefs with Christianity.

Afraid of slave revolt, plantation owners permitted this homegrown way of healing to continue. And even visited slave quarters for their own physical ailments. The practice flourished post-slavery, spurred on by the physical remoteness of slaves and their descendants who remained behind on the sea islands.

THE ABCS OF ROOTS AND ROOT DOCTORS

Luck, love, health, prosperity, revenge, and protection from enemies and evil spirits are the most common reasons for hiring root doctors.

Generally, they wear two hats: The herbalist dispenses ointments and potions; the conjurer applies and lifts spells. After leaving Africa, root doctors had to experiment with herbs indigenous to the South and divine new remedies.

Cloth sacks called “roots” are filled in secret with various ingredients, stitched up, and worn as amulets, carried inside shoes, or sewn inside clothing. Sometimes roots work their magic by being buried, placed beneath doorknobs, or otherwise tossed.

Dirt surrounding graves, or “goofer dust,” is considered a potent base material because root doctors believe the lifeblood of the deceased inheres in the soil. Hence, for example, goofer dust

surrounding a rich person’s grave bodes well for enhancing prosperity.

Other common ingredients include herbs, powders, bones, feathers, hair, fingernails, ground pepper, etc.

Hexes are typically accompanied by short ceremonies during which root doctors pray, incant magical words or enter a trance.

THE HIGH SHERIFF V. DR. BUZZARD

Until the mid-20th century, the Lowcountry was a hotbed of hoodoo. Each area had its own root doctor. Dr. Snake, Dr. Bug, Dr. Crow. P.H. Washington, Dr. Eagle, held court openly at 1408 Congress Street in downtown Beaufort.

“Anyone could go to Dr. Eagle’s office and get a potion,” said Thomas McTeer, son of Ed McTeer, Beaufort County’s “High Sheriff” from 1926-1962, aka “The White Witch Doctor.”

Harry Chakidef, former local restaurateur, saw cars lined up as far away as Alabama.

But not all root doctors were male. Many early ones were also midwives. And Dr. Eagle’s common law wife, Valerie Boles, Minerva in “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil,” took over her husband’s practice after he died.

“I remember a case in North Carolina where both husband and wife were root doctors,” said Jamal Touré, historian and owner of Day Clean Journeys. “He had trained his wife and she became more successful so he killed her.”

The granddaddy of them all was Dr. Buzzard.

He reigned on St. Helena Island, was revered nationwide, and had a particular knack for “chewing the root” – chomping on an unidentified substance in front of intended victims. He’d often perform the ritual in court and witnesses who’d been previously prepared to testify suddenly refused.

Medical doctors began reporting patients with illnesses they couldn’t solve. People complained

"

of being hexed. Dead animals and mysterious powders appeared on courthouse steps. “Into this seething caldron of root, spell and hex stepped the new Sheriff,” wrote Roger Pinckney in his book, “Blue Roots: African-American Magic of the Gullah People.”

There was no law against casting and removing spells, but practicing medicine without a license was illegal.

The High Sheriff never carried a gun, but was a skilled lawman. So he allowed stories of his success at collaring criminals to circulate along with speculation he was spiritually gifted. He studied rootwork, and townsfolk eventually turned to him for help. After Dr. Buzzard’s son drowned – and rumors spread McTeer rooted him – the white and black root princes made peace. Dr. Buzzard was convicted of practicing medicine without a license, paid a small fine, and agreed to limit his practice to conjuring. In “Coffin Point: The Strange Cases of Ed McTeer, Witchdoctor Sheriff," author Baynard Woods recounts Dr. Buzzard’s lawyer criticizing his client’s punishment “for what the root brotherhood had been doing with impunity for generations.”

After losing his re-election bid, McTeer saw patients regularly. During conjuring ceremonies, he wore blue-tinted glasses, wielded a carved driftwood club called a mandrake, and exploded gunpowder from behind an African mask.

By the time he and Dr. Buzzard died, the Lady’s Island Bridge had been built. And tourists began snatching up land often lost by Gullahs unable to pay tax arrears.

“The influx tended to smother the local culture,” McTeer’s son Thomas said.

RETREAT UNDERGROUND

Today root practice exists primarily in the shadows. Twentieth-century laws and medical advancements have made practitioners even more

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“SOME PEOPLE HAVE A LAWYER ON RETAINER? I HAVE A ROOT DOCTOR ON RETAINER,” SAID ROGER PINCKNEY, AUTHOR OF BLUE ROOTS: AFRICAN-AMERICAN MAGIC OF THE GULLAH PEOPLE.

SAVANNAH’S OWN VOODOO PRIESTESS

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Most folks probably don’t know the name Valerie Fennel Aiken Boles, but many would immediately recognize her voodoo priestess name, “Minerva.”

Claiming notoriety in John Berendt’s novel, “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil,” Boles was a fixture around the city of Savannah. Jim Williams, a local antiques dealer and the main character from the novel, befriended Boles and on several occasions

From love spells to healing powers, different types of plants and herbs play a crucial role in the Voodoo religion. Used for centuries, they are said to heal or hex someone by those who truly believe: AFRICAN GINGER: welcomes conjured

spirits when placed in the four corners of a room.

BETEL NUT: increases one's power both

spiritual and mental when chewed with lime.

BLUEBERRY: causes an enemy strife

when it’s thrown on his or her doorstep.

COCONUTS: declines your enemy’s health as it is hollowed out, filled with snakeroot and placed in a flaming pit.

LEMON VERBENA: scattered at a couple’s doorway, the herb will cause discord and disharmony.

POPPY SEED: causes couples to argue.

VETIVERT: silences those who speak ill

of you.

ROSE PETALS, CARDAMOM SEEDS, CINNAMON STICKS AND BASIL:

combined with brandy or vodka and other ingredients, they are said to attract love when worn as a perfume on a full moon.

Photographed by Shannon Scott: shannonscott.com

talking to,” he laments, also recounting the medicinal qualities of rabbit tobacco or “life everlasting” for colds, toothaches and asthma; sweet gum twigs for digestion; willow twigs for headaches; and green huckleberries for skin ailments. And blackheads? Grant said people used to wash their face first thing in the morning with urine.

When asked if he's a root doctor, Thomas McTeery said, "My wife laughs that I am. She believes the mantle” – transference of power between root doctors – “was put on me.”

“I’ll use dust off my father’s grave and something else that strikes me as important, maybe a sea shell,” he said, admitting the occasional roots he makes for sick friends. He likens the ritual to communion.

Angel Hakim, originally from Savannah,

Photo courtesy of Life Magazine/Getty Images

wary of prosecution. But stigma is an equal deterrent. Some people claim they’re engaging in devil worship.

“I think it’s because it came from black people that it’s maligned,” said Aiken psychotherapist and author of “Low Country Shamanism,” Paul Leslie. “They don’t want to be ridiculed.” Historians are hoping to change the tide of understanding. And authorities on West African culture like Greg Grant and Jim Bacote of the Geechee Kunda cultural center are trying to preserve this library of knowledge.

But with root doctors preferring anonymity, how do you find one if you’re in the market?

Word of mouth. Find someone who knows someone, convince them you’re a true believer, and mean it. Watch and listen.

“Plenty of people claim to not know things and yet there’s their candles and rituals when they take you to their back rooms,” said Leslie.

Touré recalls the serendipity of meeting a stranger in Walmart who’d driven all the way from Columbia in search of Dr. Lavender, Savannah’s then resident root doctor, who’s recently deceased. Touré steered him.

“Are you a root doctor?” I ask. Touré laughs uproariously. “I share my knowledge with people,” he said.

“I consider myself an herbalist,” Grant said. Schooled in the use of botanicals by his godparents, Grant has used home remedies all his life.

“A lot of men come up to me with prostate problems,” he confessed. “I tell them to get berries off the saw palmetto, steep the berries, squeeze it out and drink the liquid.” But he’s careful to add disclaimers and not dispense to anyone.

“This is where things have gotten to. You have to be PC. You never know who you’re

There’s Power in the Plants

sought her assistance as he faced murder charges in the death of Danny Hansford.

Boles considered herself a root doctor and practiced much of what she learned from her late common-law husband, Dr. Eagle. Boles practiced her religion in area graveyards and could be seen on occasion in squares around the city. Her strong character and superstitious practices are legend to

this day. Boles passed away in 2009.

Several tour companies offer a “Midnight” tour to those wanting a closer look into the story. Who knows… one might just catch a glimpse of Minerva in a local graveyard, having a quiet conversation with Jim Williams himself.

For information about a “Midnight Voodoo Tour,” visit hauntedsavannahtours.com for details.

PROTECTION KITS KARMA KEEPERS (KARMAKEEPERS.NET)

HOLY SAGE (TOP LEFT) AT THE MLK HERB SHOP IN SAVANNAH, GA. OWNED BY CONSUELO LAWSON (BOTTOM RIGHT.) THE ITEMS WERE USED TO REMOVE ROOTS IN A CEREMONY ALONG WITH THE CANDLE.

GLOW IN THE DARK BONES VOODOO DOLL, KARMAKEEPERS.NET

HERBS THAT ARE USED IN THE ROOT CEREMONY RITUALS DE C E M BE R 2016 / JANUARY 2017

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“She...believes the mantle” transference of power between root doctors – “was put on me.”

– Thomas McTeer.

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Top left: A protection root to keep the "Haig" away

Blue Roots has sold more than 50,000 copies since publication; watch for Blue Roots II in 2018.

Top right: Roger Pinckney Bottom left:Owner of Ye Olde Herb Shoppe Bottom right: James E. McTeer II

“IF ROOTWORK WERE NOT EFFECTIVE, THE PRACTICE WOULD HAVE DIED OUT CENTURIES AGO.” – R O G E R

now practices in Maryland. She advertises as a “spiritual medium.”

“My daddy was a root doctor nicknamed Prophet,” she said, taught by Mother Kent, a dark powerful lady with snow white hair from Rocky Ford. As a child, Hakim watched pine trees bow and balls of light travel from Mother Kent’s hand while she prayed. “When she stood up, lightning danced through her living room.”

Hakim only practices “white magic.” She communes with spirits, reads the tarot, and works with candles, oils and baths. She’ll “dress and bless” gold pieces to combat negative financial forces. When it comes to relationships, she won’t help people leave their spouses or use black magic remedies like burying roots under young trees to force relationships to grow. After all, she pointed out, what if you eventually want out of the relationship? She believes the bad energy you put out comes back to you. She will, however, help clients “coax” love along.

COST

If you manage to find a root doctor, what’ll it cost in this generally cash-intensive business?

“There are cultural parasites out there,” said Touré. “But they were there in the late 1800s, 1900s, too.

P I N C K N E Y

We don’t have the Better Business Bureau.” He recommends taking a hard look at people with knowledge and gauging their sincerity. Hakim said rootwork requiring exorbitant sums and repeat visits raised red flags.

Some claim the Sheriff was a fake. But he never charged, and many more proclaim him a great friend to the Gullah people.

Still, costs vary depending on the practitioner’s skill and the complexity and gravity of your dilemma. How much you’re willing and able to pay gets factored in along with the “desperation of the person who wants the service,” Touré said.

BUT DOES IT WORK?

“If rootwork were not effective, the practice would have died out centuries ago,” Pinckney wrote in Blue Root. His research suggests current belief is widespread and growing with believers exceeding 50 percent of Carolina whites and reaching 100 percent among Gullahs dealing with crises.

“You have to believe the root is working for you in order for it to work,” said Thomas McTeer.

The signs are out there in the Lowcountry. Houses painted haint blue.

Telephones on graves. Coins left behind as offerings on Minerva’s final resting place.

The innocent looking conch shell on a friend’s side table. Displaced graveyard dirt.

Minnow, written by the Hifh Sheriff's grandson, James E. McTeer II, is a lowcountry tale of a small boy's dearch for goofer dust from the grave of a hoodoo man.

The brown leaves of rabbit tobacco alongside country roads in November, ripe for picking.

While a SCAD student, Bonaventure Cemetery tour guide Shannon Scott discounted the mobiles he saw hanging from trees at Colonial Cemetery as some art kid’s project. Until he got the distinct feeling “one in particular smacked of revenge.”

“We’ll get a report or two a year connected with someone’s serious belief voodoo is involved,” said Beaufort County Sheriff P.J. Tanner. Over the years, he’s found small dolls and bones arrayed in particular patterns. In August, a beheaded voodoo doll and bisected lizard were found outside the Tybee Police Department. Both departments followed up, but found nothing to prove conjuring.

As far as they could determine.

Scores of eyewitnesses over the years have attested to individuals so convinced of rooting they were unable to eat or drink, some ultimately dying or committing suicide. These observers have also seen sick people recover.

Because it’s taboo, many in the Lowcountry won’t publicly admit their faith. But they won’t cross it either. “In your private life you’re not going to not believe,” Woods said.

Most agree it’s psychologically-based. But as Woods reports in Coffin Point, Dr. Bug was convicted of practicing medicine without a license by selling charms laced with arsenic, causing heart palpitations in men who sought to avoid the World War II draft. Pinckney said Gulf War Syndrome has been credited to hexing employed by Saddam Hussein. Again, “evidence” of the two hats worn by root doctors.

“If you’re the root doctor you have to believe down to your core, too,” Leslie said. “I feel a parallel in my work as a therapist because the likelihood of change in a patient is minimal if I don’t believe.”

Today there’s a new root doctor in St. Helena.

I have vague travel directions, but haven’t made the trip yet. Leslie said the man’s afraid he’ll die if he talks too much about hoodoo and believes the High Sheriff died because he talked way too openly. Dr. Buzzard’s successor has warned others to be careful, too, although Woods said he told him: “You can’t reveal anything that would hurt you. You’ll never know enough.” •

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C We b e c o m e n o t a m e l t i n g pot but a beautiful mosaic. Different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes, different dreams.

President Jimmy Carter 68

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JIMMY The Enduring Grace of

CARTER AS THE FORMER HEAD OF STATE BATTLES CANCER AT THE AGE OF 92, JIMMY CARTER CONTINUES TO DRAW THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE, DEMOCRAT AND REPUBLICAN, TO A SMALL CHURCH IN PLAINS, GEORGIA. AS HE GREETS VISITORS FROM AROUND THE WORLD, HE SHARES HIS FAITH IN GOD AND HIS HOPES FOR THE FUTURE.

B

By

William C. Wertz

Portrait of the former President by

efore dawn on a chilly Sunday morning in late October, a line quietly begins to form again at the doors of a small brick church in Georgia’s farm country.

Hundreds will join, old and young, coming from every corner of the country, liberals and conservatives, all here on an unusual pilgrimage to attend a Sunday School class.

In nearby Florida and North Carolina, preparations are underway for big political rallies as a long, ugly and divisive presidential campaign enters its final, frantic two weeks. On this day, as they have for months in appearances from one political battleground to another, Donald J. Trump and Hillary Clinton each will take the stage, shout out a well-rehearsed litany of insults against each other and predict doom for the nation if their opponent should prevail. An article in the Sunday New York Times quotes a series of psychologists who say the 2016 election is causing an unprecedented level of fear and anxiety across the nation.

But here outside the Maranatha Baptist Church, the morning is calm, and those in line speak in hushed and reverential tones about a different political figure, a Georgia peanut farmer who surprised the establishment when he won the Presidency in 1976 with a pledge to “never tell a lie” and has since emerged as a national model of decency and civility.

“Jimmy Carter is definitely a different sort of politician,” said Henry Morris, a visitor from Indianapolis.

“You have to love Jimmy Carter,” said Margaret Evans, from nearby Macon. She lowered her voice. “Coming here to see him has been on my bucket list for a long time, and neither one of us is getting any younger.”

In August of 2015, at the age of 90, Carter revealed he was battling cancer.

He held a news conference to report that a small tumor on his liver had been diagnosed as melanoma and had since been found to have spread to his brain. “I have had a wonderful life,” he said, adding that because of his deep

William C. Wertz

religious faith, “I was surprisingly at ease … It is in the hands of God.” Carter said he would have to cut down on his international slate of activities, but pledged to continue teaching a Sunday School class at the Maranatha church near his home in Plains, Georgia, as long as he was able. The cancer announcement set off a flurry of obituary-like articles about Carter’s life and political career, from his four years as governor of Georgia and his single term in the White House to the global human rights activity he began after leaving office. Defeated by Ronald Reagan in a bid for a second term as president, Carter has been widely praised for his diplomatic efforts after leaving office, and he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his ability “to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights and to promote economic and social development."

Carter had taught Sunday School in Plains for years, even before he became president, and the class had attracted only a modest number of visitors.

But his cancer diagnosis sparked the same idea in the minds of many – a journey to Plains. The following Sunday, more than 1,000 people and several media outlets showed up for the class – far more than the small church could accommodate, said Jill Stuckey, a church member who has become its official guide for visitation. An “overflow room” with a TV had to be set up for those who arrived too late to be seated in the main church sanctuary, which can hold fewer than 300 visitors.

Overflow crowds continued to arrive, week after week, guided by a schedule on the church’s website listing which days Carter would teach. And those who attended the first class in December of 2015, less than four months after Carter announced his diagnosis, heard the surprising news that doctors had just pronounced him cancer-free. “The church, everybody here, just erupted

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J C in applause,” Stuckey told the Atlanta Journal Constitution that Sunday. The good news did nothing to stem the flow of Sunday visitors. “You never know about cancer,” said Anne McCoy, a visitor from Indianapolis.

“That’s why we decided to come now.”

On this Sunday in October, Carter seems in good health and good spirits. Slightly stooped and a little hard of hearing – he is 92 now – he walks into the crowded sanctuary wearing a dark suit and a bolo tie. The big smile so loved by editorial cartoonists is unchanged. He starts by asking folks where they’re from. “Alabama.”

“Pennsylvania.” “Arizona.” “Montana.” Dozens of states and several countries are shouted out.

When Carter hears “New Zealand” he makes his only indirect reference of the day to the current presidential campaign. He has told his wife, Rosalynn, he says, that New Zealand might be the place to go “if I ever had to leave this country.” He adds quickly, to laughter, “I’m not talking about this year’s election.”

Carter notes that he has recently been reading a book about the spiritual life of Bob Dylan, “one of my favorite artists.” He recalls meeting Dylan for the first time in 1974, inviting him to the Georgia Governor’s Mansion after a concert appearance in Atlanta. “Bob Dylan wanted to talk to me about my religion,” he says, “so we went outside in the garden and talked about an hour and a half, just about what Christianity meant to me.” He adds that a few years later “Bob Dylan accepted Christ as his savior and all during his 1979 concert tour and during part of 1980, he only played religious songs, which was a disappointment to many of his fans.” Carter says he has sent Dylan an e-mail encouraging him to accept the Nobel Prize for Literature he has been recently awarded for his songwriting.

For his lesson, Carter tackles the topic of tithing, which he notes is so unpopular pastors hesitate to talk about it and leave it up to Sunday School teachers. But Carter encourages his audience not to place a limit on what they give in gratitude for all they have been given, in particular, “the freedom or liberty to choose what we do.”

Everyone, he says, needs to ask: “How can I be a good person? We can’t live a perfect life … but each one of us can strive in our own way to live the kind of life of which we can be proud – a superb life … a wonderful life.”

To illustrate his point, Carter tells the barometer joke. A physics professor asks his class to explain how to use a barometer to measure the height of a building. One student – the class “wise guy” – says he can’t respond because there are too many possible answers. Challenged by the professor, the student lists several technical possibilities, but says there’s an easier way: “I’d take the barometer and find the building superintendent and I’d say, ‘Sir, if you will tell me how tall the building is, and I’ll give you this nice barometer.’”

The story shows “there are many ways to do things

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you might consider difficult,” Carter says. If you say, “I want to be a good person. I want to be the best I can be, then who can limit the number of ways you can do that? Only you.

And I would say there is no limit.”

Following the Sunday school class, Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter stay for the church service and afterwards, seated side by side, they pose for photos as visitors are escorted through individually and in small groups.

“I thought it was inspiring,” said Ginger Gainer, who came to see Carter with two friends from San Diego. “It was clear that he is not your normal politician. It’s almost strange that he reached the point he did. In our society that sort of person would rarely make it to the top.”

“I didn’t know what to expect,” said Ellyn Wolfe, one of Gainer’s friends, “I half expected a Bible lesson, and I was delighted that there were larger questions. Why was I created? Why am I here? “I really like that he talked about the fact that we have freedom to choose as individuals and we decide what we want to be. He’s really living what he believes, and that’s really impressive when you compare it with what we have on the election platform.” She adds: “I loved that he started out talking about Bob Dylan. He’s not a man whose time has passed him by.”

“It was an amazing trip,” said Ruth Bogardus.

“You can tell the man is just full of heart.” Visiting Plains was her idea after she watched a San Diego performance of Camp David, a play about the twoweek meeting in 1978 at which Carter negotiated with Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and Egyptian president Anwar Sadat to sign the

first peace treaty in the modern Middle East, one which is still in place. The play is based on 13 Days in September, a book by Lawrence Wright, a New Yorker staff writer, and the peace accord is widely believed to be Carter’s major accomplishment as President.

Carter’s “perseverance his determination, his ability to listen, his refusal to quit when others lost hope – these qualities of his came into focus like a laser beam at Camp David,” Hendrick Hertzberg wrote in Character Above All, an anthology of essays about recent presidents. Hertzberg, a

WE CAN’T LIVE A PERFECT LIFE … BUT EACH ONE OF US CAN STRIVE IN OUR OWN WAY TO LIVE THE KIND OF LIFE OF WHICH WE CAN BE PROUD – A SUPERB LIFE … A WONDERFUL LIFE.”

Carter speechwriter who later became editor of The New Republic, noted that “Carter’s style of leadership was and is more religious than political in nature. He was and is a moral leader more than a political leader. And I think this helps explain not only some of his successes as President but also some of his failures," as president Hertzberg wrote. What a lot of people never liked about Carter was “the self-righteousness, the assumption of moral superiority.”

Although Carter created a new U.S. Department of Energy, encouraged energy conservation to blunt the nation’s growing reliance on imported oil, and pushed through an historic treaty turning over control of the Panama Canal to Panama among other accomplishments, many historians rate him as a below-average President, said University of Georgia political scientist Charles Bullock. “Integrity by itself doesn’t get much done for you,” Bullock said in an interview. A successful president, he said, “must lobby, cajole,

THE CARTER BROTHER:

While Jimmy Carter was busy running the country, Billy Carter was towing cars and selling his own brand of beer.

The Carter brothers at Carter Warehouse in Plains, Ga.Photo by Ken Hawkins.

CHURCH WITH THE FORMER PRES

C

Want the opportunity to worship with a former head of state? President Jimmy Carter leads Sunday school classes at Maranatha Baptist Church in

Plains, Georgia.

On scheduled Sundays, his classes begin at 10 a.m., but visitors must attend an orientation session at 9 a.m. The church building will open its doors at 8 a.m. to begin seating, but many people wanting to attend the class arrive as early as 7 a.m.

Security of the former president is present, even on Sundays.

and twist arms.” As an example, "after a dramatic speech in which Carter referred to the energy crisis as “the moral equivalent of war,” follow-up was weak and few tangible steps were taken to forge a new path, Bullock said. “It seemed he thought his role was to introduce the initiative and hope it would be adopted by Congress simply on the basis of its merits.”

Julian Zelizer, professor of history and public affairs at Princeton University, wrote a biography of Carter published in 2010 and agreed that his presidency had weaknesses. “Through most of his Presidency, Carter was unable to nurture strong relations with congressional Democrats or core Democratic constituencies, as too often he was unwilling to engage in the kind of deal making and compromises that were expected from the White House,” Zelizer wrote in his book, “Jimmy Carter.” “Nor did he demonstrate a good feel for what steps were necessary to create programs that had strong political support.” Only after “he was relieved from the responsibilities that came from governance and being a party leader” was Carter able to “play on his strengths as a person willing to make difficult and politically unpopular choices” in pursuit of a cause, Zelizer wrote. He cited Carter’s criticism of the United States in a 2006 book “Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid” for “unofficially condoning or abetting the Israeli confiscation and colonization of Palestinian territories.” Carter also called the detention centers at Guantanamo a “terrible embarrassment and a blow to our reputation as a champion of human rights.”

“As we get farther away from his Presidency, historians are taking another look,”(at Carter) said Randall Balmer, chair of the Department of Religion at Dartmouth University. Balmer wrote “Redeemer: The Life of Jimmy Carter” in 2014.

Now, he said in an interview, “There has started to be a re-appraisal that makes him look a little different from what we first thought. He was sometimes portrayed as a patsy or a pushover. He was not. He could be quite determined.”

Carter’s post-presidential years may ultimately weigh more heavily with historians. Since leaving office, Hertzberg writes in his essay, “He hasn’t just talked about housing the homeless, he has built houses for them with his own hands and inspired and organized other to do likewise. He hasn’t just talked about comforting the afflicted, he has mounted a little known program through the Carter Center that is well on its way to eradicating Guinea worm disease, a painful, crippling parasite that has inflicted suffering on millions of Africans. He hasn’t just talked about extending democracy, he has put his reputation and sometimes

If you decide to attend a class, be prepared to have all bags, purses and even vehicles checked upon entering the church.

The U.S. Secret Service provides constant security for President and Mrs. Carter.

Overflow can be an issue some Sundays. Once the sanctuary is at capacity, remaining guests may sit in the Fellowship Hall and view President Carter’s class via a 36-inch television screen.

Pictures with the president and Mrs. Carter are allowed after the worship service, however, they do not give autographs at the church.

For more information about Maranatha Baptist Church and President Carter’s Class Schedule, visit mbcplains.org.

Former President Jimmy Carter at his gubernatorial inauguration with wife Rosalynn and daughter Amy. Photo by Ken Hawkins.

his very life on the line in country after country, often with little or no publicity, to promote free elections and exposed rigged ones.”

Historians seem to agree that Carter’s unex-

believes, “a lot of people start out in politics with this attitude that is very positive, and that I’m going to make a difference and change things for the better. And then I think they get sucked into kind of a dark side of politics. Maybe after this election somebody like a Jimmy Carter will step in and say ‘I have strong values and they’re not going to leave me.’ I’m really hoping that the ugliness of this election will have an effect on whoever gets in office.”

In Plains, after church, the parking lot rapidly empties, many visitors heading home, others on their way to visit the Carter Boyhood Home, the service station where Carter’s brother, Billy, once worked, or to look for the 13 ½-acre field where Carter has said solar panels are being constructed to provide electricity for the 700 residents of Plains. Carter is not scheduled to teach the following Sunday, so only the regulars are expected, but he will be back every Sunday in November and December.

“I’m more impressed than ever by this man,” says Ellie Mayer, heading home to Charlotte, North Carolina.

“I wish I lived closer, because I would definitely come back,” says a man who gives his name only as David from Clearwater, Florida. “How could you not admire a man with his character?”

“A decent, untainted man,” Bob Dylan said about Carter in a 1978 interview. “I think his heart’s in the right place. He has a sense of who he is. I am his friend.” •

“YOU HAVE TO WANT TO BECOME PRESIDENT…YOU HAVE TO BE WILLING TO PUT ASIDE EVERYTHING ELSE IN ORDER TO RUN, AND YOU AND YOUR FAMILY ARE GOING TO MAKE A LOT OF SACRIFICES.” pected election in 1976 was largely a reaction against the Watergate scandal and the Vietnam War. Is it possible that the presidential campaign of 2016, featuring candidates of unprecedented unpopularity will clear the way for another “Jimmy Who?” That’s possible, believes Balmer, the religion professor. “I’m not sure we’re quite there yet, but it’s very possible that next time around we will look for somebody who wants to lift us all out of the mire and the tawdriness that we’re experiencing right now,” Ballmer said. “If we have a moral collapse in the White House, no matter who the next occupant might be, then I think we’d be back to asking prospective presidential candidates whether they have a moral compass.”

But running for any public office, particularly president, requires a commitment many are unwilling to make, said Bullock, the Georgia political scientist. “You have to want to become President…

Hillary Clinton has been campaigning for years, if not all her life. You have to be willing to put aside everything else in order to run, and you and your family are going to make a lot of sacrifices.”

Ellyn Wolf, one of the San Diego visitors,

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JESSIE DUFF

SHOOTS

LIKE A

GIRL They say it’s a man’s world. They say that a woman’s place is in the house.

They say the gun range is no place for a lady. Of course, they say none of this

to Jessie Duff. Or at the very least, they don’t say it to her face. Because she’s not just one of the world’s greatest shooters who just happens to be a lady.

She’s a lady who just happens to be one of the world’s greatest shooters.

BY BARRY KAUFMAN H PHOTOGRAPHY BY RYAN GIBSON

Georgia born and bred, Jessie Duff is recognized as one of the most accomplished competitive shooters in the world.

Oh and by the way, you can also add Grand Master to her list of accomplishments.

Jessie shown here shooting at the South River Gun Club in Covington, Georgia.

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LEARN TO SHOOT: PATRICK'S GUN RANGE 2307 Highway 80 Garden City, GA 31408 912.355.0205 patricksuniforms.com

GLOBAL TACTICAL TRAINING 166 Cherryfield Ln Savannah, GA 31419 912.667.5667 gtac.us

LIBERTY FIREARM TRAINING 2640 Sunbury Road Midway, GA 31320 912.660.7226 libertyfirearmtraining.com

SOUTH RIVER GUN CLUB 5205 GA-212, Covington, GA 30016 (770) 786-3752

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In facilisis ligula ante, at convallis turpis iaculis id.

Praesent

WHAT JESSIE SHOOTS A customized Taurus PT1911 in 9mm with a Leupold Delta Point Pro scope.

IF YOU HAVE A GOOD EYE AND A STEADY HAND, YOU’RE JUST AS CAPABLE AS THE MEN ARE.

T

here’s a famous song from the musical “Annie Get Your Gun” in which famed sharpshooter Annie Oakley spars with Frank Butler about their respective shooting skills, called “Anything You Can Do.” It’s an anthem of female empowerment the world over, a testament to the fact that women can do anything men can do, especially shooting a gun.

One of the most accomplished shooters in the world, perhaps even more handy with the steel than the legendary Oakley, Jessie Duff has never sang that song. She just isn’t the type to rub her accomplishments in anyone’s face or belt out to a song to the boys that she can do anything they can, only better.

Instead, she just lets the pistols do the singing.

And over and over again they’ve proved that point: Anything you can do, I can do better.

And if you think the traditionally male-dominated sport of competitive shooting had any reservations about a woman proving herself as one of the foremost figureheads of the sport, well you haven’t met enough gentlemanly Southern boys.

“Everyone has always been supportive, and that’s simply because I can put up the numbers,” said Duff. “I’m never one to brag or anything in anyone’s face… I let my shooting do the talking and I think they respect that.”

HER SHOOTING HAS told quite a story so far. The first woman to achieve the rank of Grand Master from the United States Practical Shooting Association, Duff has more championship titles at every level of competition that any other woman in the world. You name a title, a cup or an accolade to be earned in the sport and you’ll find it somewhere on her mantle.

It’s a skillset and a passion she comes by naturally – her father, Clyde Harrison, was also

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a champion shooter. As far back as she can reI’ve spent in a hotel because I’m afraid to know the member, Duff was following him to competitions number,” she joked.), Duff also began finding and practice, weaving the rituals and traditions of shooting into her “No matter what you do, bedrock. “He won the USPSA and there’s always going to be Georgia State Championships the that guy that doesn’t like year my brother and I were born,” getting beat by a girl.” she said. “So I always say we were good luck.”

“My first memory of shooting on a range, I was around 6 or 7 years old,” she said. Her dad was shooting NRA Black Powder Competition Shooting at the time, and Jessie was allowed to help load the rifle, pouring in the powder, and ramming down the ball. Eventually, she was even allowed to fire off the old-fashioned muzzle loader. “I’d have to crawl up on his lap because I wasn’t tall enough to see over the table.”

With her dad lining up the sights, Duff was able to take out a few targets and a love affair with shooting began. “(My dad) never really pushed it on us,” she said. “But I would shoot some and never felt the urge to compete until I was about 15.”

“Once I shot my first match, I was hooked,” she said.

Her skill with a gun was matched only by her ambition, as Duff began a career in the sport that would see her eventually called “one of the best shooters in the world,” by USPSA Executive Director Kim Williams. While racking up wins across the country (“I haven’t actually counted the number of days

JESSIE DUFF’S CV: JUST THE BULLET POINTS BEING THE WORLD’S FIRST FEMALE USPSA GRAND MASTER MEANS HAVING A TROPHY CABINET OVERFLOWING WITH ACCOLADES. HERE’S A BRIEF LOOK AT WHAT JESSIE DUFF HAS ACCOMPLISHED JUST THIS YEAR:

• US IPSC National

herself more and more in the spotlight. Especially when she made the leap from the range to the television studio as co-host of “Friends of NRA” on the Outdoor Channel “I met my husband on that show,” said Duff. “We met the first day of filming.” The obvious chemistry between Jessie and now-husband Matt not only led to a happy marriage, but a successful TV show. The pair traveled all over the country, highlighting some of the Friends of NRA’s success stories and showing how the organization helped fund grants to shooting ranges and teams to advance the sport.

ONCE I SHOT MATCH, I And while the TV show led to greater exposure, Duff still found the most joy in getting out on the road and sending a few rounds downrange. Originally spreading herself out to five different disciplines, Duff has in recent years narrowed her focus to the three where she exceeds: Steel Challenge, NRA World Action and USPSA. “From March until October or November, I’m on the road half the month each month.”

AND AS SHE GIVES SO MUCH time and expense to the

sport she loves, she’s been rewarded with immeasurable support from peers and a rabidly loyal fanbase.

That said, she’s still a very successful woman in a traditionally male sport. And not everyone has been kind about it.

While Duff notes that overwhelmingly, her fellow athletes have shown her nothing but grace and civility, the Internet, as usual, is a different story.

“It does get frustrating for me,” she said. “There are a lot of forums out there. I learned early on I can’t go to those and read that stuff… I can’t let that discourage me, because there are good people in our sport; people who are supportive and won’t stand for that.”

And while Duff wisely chooses not to feed the trolls, there is still the less in-your-face sexism that comes with being the best female shooter in the world. Try to Google information on Duff, and one of

Championships: Ladies Open Champion

• USPSA Area 4 Championships: Ladies Open Champion

• Steel Challenge World Championships: Single Stack Champion

• Steel Challenge World Championships: Ladies Open Champion

• USPSA Area 3 Championships: Ladies Open Champion

• FL State Steel Challenge Championships: Single Stack Champion

• US Infinity Open: Ladies Open Champion • USPSA Single Stack National Championships: Ladies Single Stack Champion

• USPSA Area 6 Championships: Ladies Single Stack Champion

• Steel Challenge National Championships: Ladies Limited Champion

• Steel Challenge National Championships: Ladies .22 Open Champion

• Steel Challenge National

Championships: Ladies Steel Master Champion

the first results you’ll get is a gallery of “The 25 Hottest Photos,” something we’d imagine her male peers don’t have to deal with.

“It comes with the territory,” she said. “If I was trying to bring a friend into the shooting sport, and she read any of that, it would most likely discourage her from wanting to be out there.”

Which is a shame, because not only are the Internet’s loudest voices a meaningless minority among a deluge of support for Duff and female shooters in general, bringing more women into the sport is something that Jessie feels very strongly about.

“Over the last few years, you’re seeing a lot more ladies come into the shooting sport,” she said.

“You’re also just seeing them gravitate to firearms in general.”

MY FIRST WAS HOOKED. AND IT MAKES SENSE. In most sports Jessie sees a dif-

ference in “horsepower” being the main reason why there are entirely different leagues for women and men. And she’s right, for the most part. It’s simple biology that men on average are larger, stronger and faster than women.

None of which does a damn thing to make a man better at aiming and pulling a trigger.

“If you have a good eye and a steady hand, you’re just as capable as the men are,” she said. Although she notes that USPSA matches do have enough of a physical aspect to them to make it “harder to beat” the men.

Not impossible. Just harder.

“Right now when women compete, we compete as a category. I would love one day for women to be our own division,” she said.

And while women become an increasingly large part of the shooting sport with every young girl inspired by shooters like Duff, for now she’s content with being the best girl in the boy’s club.

“Who knows? Maybe we could have our own championship,” said Duff, “But I also like seeing my scores against the men.” •

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miles teller S T O R Y B Y A N N E R OYA N

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In his new film, Bleed for This, Miles Teller is all heart as he brings the story of boxer Vinny Pazienza to life on the big screen. "i

Photo of Miles taken after his own car accident (left). Scars are still visible on Tellers face (right).

it is reworked as a comeback story. In the midst of his career, a near-fatal car accident left him with a broken neck. His injuries were set with a medical contraption called a halo, a head and neck brace held into place with metal screws that were drilled into his skull. He was told, unequivocally, that he would never fight again.

A mere five days after his release from the hospital, Vinny Paz resumed his training in secret, in the basement of his parent’s house. Teller explains, “There is this thing that you love and then that door is closed and you have to figure out something else. Vinny just refused to believe that. That’s inspiring.”

Teller underwent a rigorous training schedule over eight months to complete the physical transformation to get him into fighting shape. He dropped twenty pounds, going from 188 pounds and 18 percent body fat to 168 pounds and 6 percent body fat. He laughs as he admits, “There was nowhere to hide in this role. I am in a cheetah-print thong five minutes into the film.”

Boxers are known for using extreme means to cut weight.

Teller trained with boxing coach Darryl Foster who trained Sugar Ray Leonard for 18 years, and he explains the mentality. “The way they see it is this: I’m killing myself in camp, I’m not seeing my girl, I’m not eating anything I want, I’m just in the gym sweating it out . . . and then I’m going to take that out on you when I get in the ring.” He goes on to say, “That’s the way that Vinny operated. Vinny didn’t do anything cautiously. He’s a legend.”

Without pause, Teller admits: “Vinny is crazy. I’m sure this will never be done again.” He acknowledges the fine line between drive and insanity, but there is a lining of respect in the acknowledgement. “Vinny broke his neck in the middle of his career. He’s missing a few qualities of things like caution and calculating risk.”

Beyond the physical component, the intensity of commitment to the role pushed Teller to new lengths. “I have never had a character that required this much of me,” he explains. “The Italian community of Rhode Island is so proud. They think, ‘We are not New York, we are not Boston; we are Rhode Island.’ So you feel an obligation to them and if you want to get that accent right it’s going to require a lot of time.”

Teller says, “This guy is just an animal. The things that he held to such a high standard in his life are things that I really value: courage, pride and determination. And focus.

ve been waiting for you,” Miles Teller says in a deadpan voice that quickly gives way to an easy grin. I have, in fact, been waiting for him for a stretch of time as he has taken meeting after meeting throughout most of the afternoon and into the early evening. He reclines in a leather boardroom chair in an intimate conference room off of the hotel lobby. He wears a sky blue Grateful Dead T-shirt and ink-colored denim. It is 4:50 p.m.

The black and white tile floor that stretches across the lobby of the Marshall House hotel in downtown Savannah, Georgia is filled with publicists and film industry people who have arrived from Los Angeles and New York for (Left to right) Ciaran Hinds, Miles Teller and Aaron Eckhart in Bleed for This. the eight-day Savannah Film Festival that is now in its 19th year. On this fourth night, the gala film to be screened is “Bleed for This” starring Miles Teller.

Teller, a Florida native, plays the lead role of Vinny “The Pazmanian Devil” Pazienza. Vinny Paz, a local boxing star from Providence, Rhode Island rose to fame in the 1980s during a career in which he won 50 pro fights and five world titles.

The story of Vinny Paz takes a miraculous turn when

TELLER'S BRUSH WITH DEATH SIMILAR TO PAZ'S Miles Teller was able to draw from the well of his own life experience in order to play a character recovering from a near-fatal car accident.

At 20 years old, Teller was a passenger in a friend’s car when they were involved in a terrible accident and he was thrown from the vehicle. His face and neck still bear many of the rugged scars from the accident. While Teller does not spend much time dwelling on whether the scars on his face have cost him acting roles in the past, the physical reminders of his own a trauma were a sure way to connect with the character of Vinny Paz.

Above: Vinny Paz after his accident. Photo courtesy of Vinny Paz

Photo credit: Seacia Pavao / Distributor: Open Road Films

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And dedication. In the boxing community, Vinny had this reputation of being a warrior in the ring and having so much heart. He risked paralysis to do this thing that he loved. I knew it was going to be a very tall order to try to imitate this man, but I knew it would be the most gratifying experience of my life.”

At 5:20 p.m. a publicist comes to collect Miles Teller. He crosses the lobby and enters a quaint hotel bar with dark wood paneling where Vinny Paz is currently holding court. The Pazmanian Devil is dressed in grey sweatpants, a grey longsleeved T-shirt with a skull and crossbones, a backwards camouflage print cap and a thumb ring studded with diamonds.

Twenty minutes later, Teller exits the bar with a beer and heads upstairs. He is scheduled to walk the red carpet at 6:30 p.m. and accept the 2016 Vanguard Award from SCAD President Paula Wallace at 7 p.m. before the screening of “Bleed for This.”

On the doorstep of 30, Teller has boyish good looks. He is playful and laid back. He is a physical comedian. He refers to his usual roles (and physique) as that of the “funny friend.” Vinny Paz refers to him as “stud boy.” His off-camera persona is a testament to the intensity of his acting ability on camera.

When asked what type of interaction the two men had during the preparation for the film, Teller offers a story. “Vinny sent me something in the mail when he learned that I was going to play him, a signed photo of himself in his underwear with a note that read, ‘Miles, stuff a banana in your undies if you have to make it look bigger. Do not f*** up my reputation. No joke, bro, seriously.

Much love, Paz.’” The film was a “Hail Mary” of sorts for everyone involved. Ben Younger, the 44-year-old writer, producer and director of the film explains exactly how much he had at stake with this project. In a conversation with actor Aaron Eckhart, who plays Vinny Paz’s trainer, Younger recalls, “I had come off of twelve years of dormancy. Sitting in a restaurant, I knew that this was my last shot and if I didn’t make good on this movie, I wasn’t going to get to make another one. You can’t take ten years 78

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"There was nowhere to hide in this role. I am in a cheetah-print thong five minutes into the film." off in Hollywood and not make a movie and then come back with something mediocre. And I just said, ‘Dude, I need this. Do you want to be great?’

He said ‘I do.’ Then he said, ‘Do you want to be great?’ I said, ‘I absolutely do.’”

On being cast as Vinny, Teller says, “I was afforded an opportunity. It takes someone taking a chance on you. Ben took a chance on me. I had done nothing like this.” He admits, “I have never felt more intimidated to get something right than I did when I got cast as him. It’s the most fulfilling role I have ever done in this business.”

Younger concedes, “I like that he came from that place. I think if you are slightly unsure, slightly wondering, I think you do a better job.

You have got to be a little hungry, you have got to be a little scared, you have got to be a little nervous.”

Younger says that it was always his plan to add some of the archival footage into the movie.

He aimed to use it as research material and then stick it in at the end, as is often done in films of this nature. Yet in his preparation, Teller got so close to a physical resemblance of Pazienza that in the editing room, Younger was able to interchange footage of Teller and Vinny Paz and the audience couldn’t tell. Younger says, “I thought, ‘This is breaking the fourth wall, but I think we can pull it off.’”

Vinny Paz, a self-proclaimed “pretty tough guy,” wipes tears from his face during the screen-

Miles Teller in Bleed for This.

Photo credit: Seacia Pavao / Distributor: Open Road Films

Teller with the Bleed for This writer Ben Younger (center) and Vinny Paz at Savannah Film Festival.

ing. Younger says, “We had to make a very authentic film, because we were making it about an authentic person.”

The film had its world premiere at the 43rd Annual Telluride Film Festival followed by a screening at the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival. But Teller says that being back at the Savannah Film Festival is a special place for him. He received the Discovery Award at the Savannah Film Festival in 2010 for his debut performance in “Rabbit Hole” (also starring Aaron Eckhart). At the time, he said, “This is my first film award—my very first one.”

His grandparents have been regulars at the Savannah Film Festival over the past few years. Tonight is a family event for him as his parents, sister, nephew, girlfriend and grandparents were all present to share the experience with him. “Bleed for This,” made over just 24 days, could prove to be a pivotal point in Miles Teller’s work and come to be known as a career-defining performance. We do not doubt it. •

THE DEPTH OF TELLER'S FITNESS COMMITMENT WAS ABSTINENCE FROM ALCOHOL FOR 8 MONTHS AND BREAD FOR 7 MONTHS. COUPLED WITH A FITNESS ROUTINE THAT RESULTED IN A SHREDDED PHYSIQUE AND LOSING 20 POUNDS, REDUCING HIS BODY FAT FROM 18 PERCENT TO 6 PERCENT.

I was afforded an opportunity. It takes someone taking a chance on you. Ben took a chance on me. I had done nothing like this.

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MEDICAL REPORTS Plus

NEW HEALTH TRENDS THIS YEAR PROVIDED PLENTY OF HINTS FOR OUR EVER-CHANGING HEALTHCARE SETUP. FORTUNATELY, TWO LOCAL PHYSICIANS HAVE ROLLED UP THEIR WHITE COAT SLEEVES AND DESIGNED A SYSTEM THAT DOES WHAT ITS SUPPOSED TO.

BRINGING HOPE TO HEALTHCARE

By ANNE ROYAN WHEN A BROKEN HEALTHCARE SYSTEM is no longer working to properly fulfill the needs of either patients or physicians, what do you do? You find a new system.

Fatigued by the mounting pressures from private insurance plans that force practices to see more and more patients in less and less time, husband-and-wife team, Dr. Christi and Dr. Peter Ghaleb, decided to change the way they deliver medical care.

They want to get back to serving patients in the style they know best: efficient, caring and attentive. They believe in exceptional quality service for their patients, which they are not willing sacrifice in the face of insurance company demands.

In their practice, Family Medicine of Pooler, Drs. Ghaleb have

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taken a bold, new move to embrace what they believe will be the future of healthcare. This new model is called Direct Primary Care and it is the first of its kind in the Greater Savannah/Pooler region.

The structure of the new system is surprisingly straightforward and simple, which is contrary to what most people have been conditioned to expect from healthcare. The platform emphasizes the care of the patient over the bottom line.

The idea behind Direct Primary Care began as a grassroots movement within communities of medical professionals on the west coast who were seeking change. They demanded better, personalized care at affordable rates. This movement is starting to take root and the proof of success can be seen in the satisfaction of both patients and physicians.

Fatigued by the mounting pressures from private insurance plans that force practices to see more and more patients in less and less time, husband-and-wife team, Dr. Christi and Dr. Peter Ghaleb, decided to change the way they deliver medical care.

MEDICAL MISSIONARIES

A DOCTOR’S TIME IS VERY VALUABLE AND SPREAD INCREDIBLY THIN. BUT FOR SOME PHYSICIANS, THEIR FREE TIME IS SPENT GIVING BACK TO THOSE IN NEED.

A NEW PRACTICE MODEL HOW DOES DIRECT PRIMARY CARE WORK?

> PAY A FLAT-RATE monthly membership fee. No hidden costs. No co-pays. No deductible. > SEE YOUR DOCTOR any time you want and as many times as you need. > LONGER VISITS with your physician. Take the time to discuss any concerns and get answers to all of your questions. > INSURANCE COMPANIES set quotas that a physician should see each patient for an average of 7.5 minutes. With Direct Monthly care, there is no time limit because there are no insurance companies. > THE FOCUS RETURNS to the patient/physician relationship. > A SMALLER PRACTICE ALLOWS personalized care and attention. Many family practices around the country have between 2,500 and 3,000 patients in the practice. The membership model for Family Medicine of Pooler is capped at 600 patients.

AFTER SPENDING COUNTLESS hours in surgery and treating patients around the clock, several area doctors get ready to hop a flight out of town.

Their destination is not a resort overlooking clear blue water and white sand. They are headed to one of the poorest countries in the world.

With them they bring knowledge, supplies and healing hands all to help those who do not have access to medical care.

Each year, more than 1,200 medical professionals and support personnel from across the United States travel to Guatemala to serve the poor through Faith In Practice, a nondenominational faith-based group. The organization’s mission is to improve the physical, spiritual and economic conditions in Guatemala by providing short-term surgical, medical and dental care.

“When I started going on these trips, I just felt that I wanted to 'give back' in some unique way. I've been amazed at what I receive from these trips myself,” explains Dr. Barbara Davies, a physician with Savannah Plastic Surgery, who is also a Faith in Practice advocate. “The people are so grateful for anything you do for them - it's almost overwhelming, and definitely quite humbling.”

Waiting rooms are crowded. A little boy, Jose, has a contracture in his hands due to a fever when he was an infant. The surgeons determine they can perform surgery on his right hand, giving him more use of his thumb. They reassure Jose’s mother, who traveled five hours to help her son, they will return and work on his left hand at a later time.

Dr. Fred Daniels, a Savannah ENT physician, tends to a young woman with a hacking cough. It is determined she is suffering from an infection that will widen her nose. If left untreated, the infection could cause the woman’s nose and windpipes to collapse. Surgery is not needed but an antibiotic is necessary to cure the infection. Dr. Daniels has just saved her life.

Faith in Practice continues to see volunteers that are passionate about helping those in need. “The camaraderie of the teams is awesome,” adds Davies. “We are a bunch of people from different walks of life and different places, but we have this one thing in common we want to help people - and it all comes together so beautifully. I am honored to work with such wonderful folks.”

For more information about joining a mission team, visit faithinpractice.org.

-KRISTE SANDERS

To learn more about Direct Primary Care and for information and pricing on individualized plans visit: familymedicineofpooler.com

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HEALTH TREND

FLOTATION THERAPY A WEIGHTLESS EXPERIENCE TO RECHARGE YOUR BATTERIES.

“Be well. .. live well. . . drift on” is the mantra at Glowspa, just outside of Charleston. Glowspa specializes in floatation therapy. Float therapy is not a new trend, the first float tanks were developed in the 1950’s and the practice has not changed significantly over time. The practice, originally developed to study the effects of sensory deprivation, has been slowly gaining popularity over the past few years.

The process is simple: you enter into a small, enclosed pool or pod and into a salt-water solution that is heated to the same temperature as the body. The Epsom salts in the water make the body buoyant, similar to the effects of swimming in the Dead Sea. The magnesium in Epsom salts are detoxifying. You are warm, weightless and relieved of all external stimuli such as sight and sound. It is dark and soundproof. You simply float.

At first, you notice your heartbeat and the rhythm of your breathing, and then nothing at all. Just perfect calm. Floating provides the positive effects of meditation without the struggle against the usual sensory distractions. Your body sinks into deep relaxation. And when an hour passes, it feels almost equal to an entire night’s sleep. An amazing night’s sleep.

The benefits of floating include relaxation, stress relief, pain management and relief of anxiety and depression. It is truly an experience to try out for yourself. For more information: glowspa.net

HERO IN A

WHITE COAT

D

By ANNA JONES

O YOU KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN an Olympic athlete and a Paralympic

athlete? The answer is not as obvious as you might think. “The difference [between Olympians and Paralympians] is how they get out of the bed in the morning,” said Mary Vacala, a local Savannah physician’s assistant (PA) and Olympic athletic trainer for over 37 years. “Once [Paralympic athletes] get out of bed, they have to walk to their legs or get in their wheelchairs. But they train just as hard, if not harder than Olympic athletes, and they do not take anything for granted.”

Vacala recently returned home from the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio after serving as the head athletic trainer of the U.S. Paralympic men’s basketball team for four years. Her team of Paralympians took home the gold medal, and to say she is proud does not do it justice.

“By far winning that gold medal – there’s nothing like it,” Vacala said. “Everybody wants to win gold. But getting there is certainly not easy.”

With a pedigree and career as lengthy and impressive as Vacala’s, the proof of her Olympic success is in her professional pudding. She has four degrees: two Bachelor’s degrees in Health and Athletic Training and Medical Science, and two Masters Degrees in Exercise Physiology and Physician’s As-

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HEALTH TREND

RAW FOODS & CANCER

By ANNE ROYAN

months at a time. But when she was asked to be the lead trainer for the U.S. men’s Paralympic basketball team in 2011, she couldn’t say no.

“It was amazing,” Vacala remembered. “We went to Bogota, Columbia, in 2012 for America’s Cup. Then we went to Korea in 2013, and then to Europe, and we were pretty much undefeated throughout.

“These guys were so appreciative of every little thing I did, which makes a world of difference.

Some of them have one leg, some no legs, or are paralyzed in some capacity. But don’t you tell them that – it’s not about disability, it’s about demonstration of ability… What they can do with their abilities,” Vacala said.

With the Rio Paralympics as the ultimate goal, the team trained and competed vigorously, reporting any injuries to Vacala every Sunday via email or Skype.

“It’s a constant battle for these guys to qualify for the team, and then for the final 12 that make

“BY FAR WINNING THAT GOLD MEDAL – THERE’S NOTHING LIKE IT. EVERYBODY WANTS TO WIN GOLD. BUT GETTING THERE IS CERTAINLY NOT EASY. athletes prepare for their competitions and work through any injuries they had. “I waited for my invitation to Sydney [with the U.S. women’s Olympic basketball team], but the invitation was actually for the Sydney Paralympics with the U.S. women’s Paralympic basketball team,” Vacala said. And for Vacala, the experience was eye-opening.

“It was my first time working with a Paralympic sport, and I was in awe of these athletes,” she said.

“It was a whole new arena of injuries and medical problems, and I had to learn a lot really quickly.

But it was amazing educational experience for me, and I knew that this was a new area of athletics that I wanted to be a part of. I felt like these athletes were neglected and I needed to help.”

And so she did. Vacala traveled all over the world with the U.S. women’s Paralympic basketball team, helping the athletes train and recover from injuries. In 2004 the team traveled to the Athens, Greece, to compete in the Paralympics, and took home the ultimate prize – the gold medal.

Considering this her crowning achievement, Vacala decided to retire from being a Paralympic athletic trainer. After all, it is a minimum four-year commitment with constant travel, sometimes for

the team, it’s like a brotherhood,” Vacala said.

“When I traveled with able-bodied athletes, we’d get bags and bags of things – five, six pairs of Nikes every trip. With the Paralympic teams, we were lucky to get one bag [of gear].”

After qualifying for the 2016 Rio Paralympics, the team traveled to Rio with one mission in mind – to win the gold medal, and they did just that.

“In the end, that gold medal, to be a part of it – that’s it for me,” Vacala remembered.

“Then to watch the [American] flag be raised and sing the national anthem – my guys can’t stand up [for the anthem,] but they were honored… The anthem will never be the same for them because they now have it in their blood, and in their hearts.”

And with attention from media around the world, the Paralympics finally received the respect it deserved.

“This year’s Paralympics raised the world’s awareness about the ability of these athletes.

It helped take away the stigma about disability because [the athletes] defied the expectations of everybody with their sensational abilities,” Vacala said. “The camaraderie, the respect for fellowship...

I wouldn’t trade it for anything.” •

Shelly Lowther, owner, Beetnix

sistance. Vacala is a full-time PA at Chatham Orthopaedic Associates and also a part-owner and PA at Urgent Care of Berwick, both in Savannah.

And she has volunteered as an athletic trainer for 37 years – yes, that is a volunteer position, but one in which she is honored to serve.

Her Olympic career began in 1993 when she joined the U.S. Olympic committee as an athletic training volunteer for the USA cycling team during the Olympic festival. And from there her involvement only increased. She was heavily involved in the planning of the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, traveling to the city every other Wednesday and co-authoring the medical guide for the Olympic Games that year. She also managed the eight different events that took place in the World Congress Center, a hub for Olympic activity during the Atlanta games.

After the Atlanta Olympics, Vacala traveled for a year with the U.S. women’s Olympic basketball team as their athletic trainer, helping those

CONSIDERED TO BE THE “Father of Medicine,” Greek physician Hippocrates directed: “Let thy food be thy medicine and thy medicine be thy food.” Though Hippocrates lived in 400 BC, the good doctor’s words hold weight still today.

Seeking benefits from food that one might seek from medicine has led many people to try out the benefits of a raw food diet.

A raw diet consists of eating foods that have not been cooked, processed or refined. The plant-based menu includes vegetables, fruits, berries, nuts, seeds and herbs. The diet is often referred to as "eating clean," which means that the food does not contain any of the chemical food additives used in processing. For the best results, seek the cleanest and most locally sourced foods.

Benefits of a raw diet include: increased energy, lower inflammation, improved digestions, added fiber, clear skin, maintenance of a healthy weight and even prevention of disease.

Shelley Lowther, owner of Beetnix Savannah Juice Bar, which offers a menu that is 99 percent raw food, says that she turns to raw foods whenever she feels she needs a reset. “If I am feeling sluggish or if I need to clear up my skin, I do two or three days of raw foods and juicing and the results are significant. I feel like a new person.”

Raw food allows you get all of the nutrients from the fuel that you are giving your body, without having to expend the energy to process it. Lowther explains, “Whether it is the common cold or a more serious disease, when your body is working to fight an intruder and promote healing, if it is fueled by food that it can process quickly, it has more energy to fight off an ailment.”

To be considered raw, foods are eaten in their natural state and not cooked above 118 degrees. The key importance though— whether you prefer food to be cold or hot—is that the ingredients are whole foods that do not contain any chemicals and additives that are so prevalent in our modern diet. To keep it simple, think: almost all packaged food is processed food. If it has a label and the label has more than one or two ingredients, it has been processed.

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MEET DR. JAMES DUNNE, CHIEF OF TRAUMA SERVICES MEMORIAL HEALTH

MEMORIAL TRAUMA CENTER Trauma cases are divided into blunt injuries (a car crash, a fall, being struck with an object) and penetrating injuries (gun shot, stab wound).

THE TOP THREE

TRAUMAS TREATED

AT MEMORIAL

UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER

Motor vehicle accident Falls Gunshot

2,870 DELIVERIES

21,541

SURGERIES

437

AV E R A G E

DAILY CENSUS

26,280 HOSPITAL ADMISSIONS

3,187 98,872 TRAUMAS EMERGENCY VISITS TREATMENT

74ROOMS WORKING WITH TRAUMA CASES is a high-stress and unpredictable job. It takes a specific personality type to thrive in such an environment.

A trauma patient is someone whose life is severely threatened based on his or her injuries. This often consists of multiple injuries in multiple different systems of the body. A patient may have broken multiple bones and have internal bleeding and a severe traumatic brain injury. The scenarios are life and death and in the ER or trauma center, every minute counts.

As Chief of Trauma Services, Dr. Dunne’s responsibility to Memorial Hospital is running, administering, manning and staffing all of the trauma care that is delivered from point of entry all the way through discharge. He also oversees the surgical ICUs at the hospital.

Dr. Dunne explains, “The beauty of trauma is there is no typical day and that’s why the people who are in this field are here—they like the uncertainty of it, the excitement of it, the challenge of it. It’s in our DNA; we survive on high-stress environments.”

Some of the necessary qualities he looks for when hiring a trauma surgeon are candidates who are: decisive; confident in their abilities; and have the ability to triage, adequately delegate and manage multiple things at once.

Dr Dunne and his team are constantly studying each patient case, reviewing the processes and trying to improve the outcomes.

Dr. Dunne explains, “The better you get at managing trauma, the more controlled it is and the more it slows down. The more you do it; it becomes more of a dance. You know what everyone else is going to do, you know where everyone else needs to be, you know how you fit into that system and as long as everyone knows what they are supposed to be doing, it works like clockwork. While it might look like chaos to somebody standing outside the ER door, inside it is all beautifully choreographed.”

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THE EMERGENCY AND TRAUMA UNIT AT MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER IS THE REGION’S LARGEST AND BUSIEST EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT WITH OVER 100,000 VISITS PER YEAR AND ROUGHLY 3,100 OF THESE CASES ARE TRAUMA CASES.

To be considered a Level 1 trauma center, a facility must have a staff of trauma surgeons and operating rooms available 24/7, every day of the year. A Level 1 trauma center must be able to ensure a physician at a patient’s side within 15 minutes. At Memorial, all traumas are pre-notified, meaning they are called in while the patient is en route to the hospital. The ER staff knows when an ambulance is arriving, the status of the patient and they have a team of physicians waiting to jump into action soon upon arrival.

Memorial has the only Level 1 trauma center in the region. It acts as the regional hub and co-ordinates a network of smaller hospitals in the surrounding 23 counties. Memorial is the referral center and the resource center for coordination of all trauma care in southeast Georgia. The staff spends significant time and resources to educate the surrounding affiliate hospitals about how to stabilize and efficiently transfer a patient to get them the appropriate care at the right time. You don’t necessarily appreciate a trauma center, until you need it. Yet, if you are in need, there is absolutely nothing more vital.

HEALTH TREND

ZEN & PEACE

By ANNE ROYAN

YINPOWERMENT™ is a new sequence developed by Dancing Dogs Yoga Savannah that is designed to bring more sukha (ease) to a power yoga practice. Yinpowerment™ aims to combine the gentle ease of a Yin yoga practice with the principles and methodology of power yoga, creating a hybrid experience that accesses the best of both worlds.

Shelley Lowther, owner of Dancing Dogs Yoga, has always believed in the powers of restorative yoga but found it… boring. Lowther and Kendall Beene have developed a new sequence designed to slow down and open up the body, mind and heart. The days of falling asleep in your restorative classes are over.

In addition to offering Yinpowerment™classes in the studio, Dancing Dogs Yoga will also offer teaching certifications for the Master Teacher Program: The Art of Yinpowerment™.

Experience a Yinpowerment™ at Dancing Dogs Yoga in Savannah or at the new studio location coming to the Atlanta BeltlLine in 2017. dancingdogsyogasavannah.com

RENAISSANCE MAN

By KRISTE SANDERS PRESTON RUSSELL IS A MAN OF MANY TALENTS. AUTHOR, ARTIST, SCULPTOR, HISTORIAN, AND FORMER MEDICAL DOCTOR, HIS LOVE OF SAVANNAH AND ITS HISTORY INSPIRES HIM TO RECREATE THEM ON PAPER, WHETHER STROKES OF A PAINTBRUSH OR MUSINGS OF THE PEN.

W

Battle of Savannah miniature scultpure

alking into Preston Russell’s 1867 historic home on Gaston Street is like discovering a hidden museum. Shelves upon shelves of books, original artwork, sculptures, and antiques abound. One could spend hours in his living room alone, perusing his collections. It all becomes more fascinating when one discovers many paintings and sculptures are Russell's own creations.

Sitting on a faded blue sofa with his sidekick, Abercorn (a bulky Mastiff ), Preston Russell easily verbalizes his love and enthusiasm about Savannah and his desire to capture it. He started painting almost forty years ago, while still a practicing pathologist in the city.

“For decades, I have tried to capture the mystique and beauty of Savannah and the Low Country,” said Russell.

“I love to take walks around Savannah and find something new that inspires me.”

A Tennessee native and graduate of Vanderbilt Medical School, Russell moved to Savannah in 1973. Enthused by its rich history and culture, Savannah's beauty inspired him to paint, write and sculpt.

A self-taught artist, Russell considers himself a realist and works primarily in acrylics. Some of his most celebrated pieces include, “Fish on Barnard” and “First African Baptist Church”. He's received accolades both nationally and internationally with shows at the Telfair Museum, the Morris Museum in Augusta, Georgia, Georgia Southern University, and the American Artist Exhibit in Paris, France.

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Along with painting, Russell possesses another unique talent many are not aware of: sculpting and painting military miniatures. A passion spanning almost a half a century, Russell creates small works of art from epoxy putty, tiny paint brushes and a variety of sculpting tools. It’s a painstaking process that can take months to produce a final piece. Most figures stand about 3-8 inches in height, and his most celebrated sculpture can be found at the Savannah History Museum, a miniature masterpiece of the Battle of Savannah.

Since retiring from medicine in 2000, Russell continues to spend his time painting and writing. His small studio located behind his home (a converted carriage house) is an eclectic compilation of original works of art, family photos, books and large easel in the center of the unusual room.

“I've spent most of my time here, painting and recording the history of this magical place,” Russell commented. “I come out here every morning with Abercorn. For me it’s a special place.”

When not painting or sculpting, Russell can be found researching and writing. As a history buff, he spends countless hours in local libraries, including time abroad, researching his latest topic of interest. One of his most recent, “Lights of Madness: In Search of Joan of Arc,” is an investigative look at her life and the mystery of her religious and national calling.

Some other books include, “Savannah, A History of Her People Since 1733,” and “The Low Country: from Savannah to Charleston,” co-authored by his late wife, Barbara Hines Russell.

Today, when he’s not at the Savannah Community Center taking a class, Russell is working on another book about France's assistance during the American Revolution, an alliance which ultimately led to an American victory.

“I’m still researching and writing,” said Russell. “I’m hopeful I'll see the publishing phase soon.”

With so much accomplished in his life, one begs to ask, “What now?”

“If I could do anything else, I think I’d sing,” he smiles.

“How wonderful that would be to croon some of those classic tunes!”

Based on his track record, we may, one day, just get the chance to hear this Renaissance Man sing.

To view or purchase Russell’s extensive collection, visit prestonrussellart.com. •

DO YOU KNOW THE SIGNS? ADDICTION DOESN'T JUST EXIST IN SEEDY BARS AND DARK ALLEYS. UNFORTUNATELY, A DRUG OR ALCOHOL ABUSE PROBLEM CAN GO UNNOTICED FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME, TAKING PARTNERS AND FAMILY MEMBERS BY SURPRISE WHEN THE ADDICTION COMES TO SURFACE.

SIGNS OF A CLOSET ABUSER: >May seek to surround themselves with other "casual drinkers" to mask their indulgences. >Addicts have trouble committing to everyday activities and will slowly begin to encounter problems at work and home. >The closet's first reaction is to deny when close acquaintances raise an eye. >They will seek copious time alone and go to great lengths to disguise their behavior. Once this person falls into habit, all control goes out the window and there's a feeling of no turning back.

“Remember your ‘why.’ You have a specific reason for doing what you do.” -Pat Flynn "If a person is living a dishonest, hate-filled life and is filled with negative emotions, they're going to return to their drug of choice to change the bad feeling. Most of these people usually have self-esteem problems and lack a clear idea of their purpose in life. Although they won't admit it, they're afraid," Mike Farmer, an authority on addiction is owner, physician director, and marketing manager of New Day Counseling in Savannah, GA. If you have a problem with alcohol or some other drug, contact New Day Counseling at: 912.201.3605 savannahoutpatient.com

From L to R: Counselor-Peri Kyriacos, LMSW, CARES, Medical Director-Michael A. Hall, M.D., Aftercare Coordinator-Jamie Maza, B.A

A MODER N

“Every surgeon thinks they’re the best in the world, but I’m not that type of person. I’m more of a workhorse behind the scenes. I’m so busy taking care of patients, which is what I enjoy.”

– Willard Thompson, M.D.

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IS THIS THE GREATEST

NEUROSURGEON IN THE SOUTH?

WITH AN AVERAGE OF 375 NEUROLOGICAL OPERATIONS PER YEAR, DR. WILLARD THOMPSON IS CERTAINLY THE BUSIEST.

A

By JESS BRANNEN

ny concerned parent of a sick child would travel thousands of miles to seek specialized treatment, but with a renowned specialist right here in Savannah, they don’t have to.

Dr. Willard Thompson, M.D. is the adult and pediatric neurological surgeon working to quell these parental concerns at the Neurological Institute of Savannah.

When Thompson was a junior at Clemson University in South Carolina, his uncle received a heart transplant. “I had no nurses and no doctors in my family, so that was the first time I had ever entered a hospital,” he recalls. That was 25 years ago, but his desire to be immersed in that scene has remained with him ever since.

He graduated with honors in chemical engineering and went on to receive his medical degree from the Medical University of South Carolina. It was in his third year of medical school that Thompson realized his calling.

“I’ve always been fascinated with the human brain, and I’m good with my hands. I knew it would be a challenge, but I realized neurosurgery was for me,” Thompson says. After his residency, he completed a fellowship focusing in pediatric neurological surgery at the University of Texas’s Southwestern Medical Center – an extra six years of training.

And challenging it was. In his last year of training, the program changed their requirement to 80 hours of work per week, something Thompson says actually lessened the workload.

“There’s a gap of about four or five years in my cultural memory because I had my head in the books so much,” he chuckles. “To this day I still say, ‘What’s the name of that movie that won an Academy Award? Oh, I was working that year.’”

He concedes that the program was, and is, evolving for the better: “You should be able to get all your training and sleep, too.”

Thompson says that during medical training it’s difficult to realize how different it will be when you’re the surgeon. “I’ve always had a laid-back personality and been a jokester, but when you’re the head guy, it

becomes a lot more stressful. Just yesterday, I did an eight-hour surgery on a 10-month-old.”

But working one-on-one with patients is exactly what Thompson prefers to do. “The more surgery you do and the more you take care of patients, the better you get at it,” he says. Perched on the edge of his desk, he radiates warmth and humility. “Every surgeon thinks they’re the best in the world, but I’m not that type of person. I’m more of a workhorse behind the scenes,” he says. “I never advertise. I don’t even write papers. I’m so busy taking care of patients, which is what I enjoy.”

His passion for his work is evident. Just 11 years into his practice at the Neurological Institute of Savannah, he’s already built a reputation for himself as the best in the area– and, arguably, in the nation. And for good reason: Dr. Thompson performs an average of 225 pediatric neurological surgeries per year, putting him in the ninetieth percentile in the country. Combine that with his 150 adult operations yearly, and you’ve got yourself an extremely competent specialist. In fact, Thompson is one of only 171 board certified pediatric neurosurgeons in the U.S. and Canada.

Dr. Thompson is the only physician in the area with specialized pediatric neurological training, something he considers vital to the success of his practice.

“Toddlers and babies have a whole different spectrum of injuries,” he explains. “If I wasn’t here, many of the cases I handle would need to be transferred out to another area.” And for pediatric trauma cases, the time saved by having someone in town locally can be a literal life saver.

“What Memorial [Health] is after is a service line in this community that’s very specialized,” he says. “We’re able to provide services for the immediate 35 counties and extend our service to the 60 counties beyond.”

Thompson’s reputation has spread, as evidenced by his large clientele. He sees patients from Atlanta, North Carolina and beyond, and handles a large range of neurological issues.

“From a parent’s standpoint, there’s nothing more reassuring than knowing that a child doesn’t have to travel five hours to be seen by a specialist,” says Dr. Thompson. We couldn’t agree more.

BY THE NUMBERS

NEUROSURGEONS HAVE A KEEN EYE FOR THE WORLD'S MOST PRECIOUS RESOURCE: THE HUMAN BRAIN.

4,000 THE NUMBER OF

CHILDREN AND TEENS DIAGNOSED

WITH A BRAIN

TUMOR EVERY YEAR.

FALLS

ARE THE LEADING CAUSE OF TRAUMATIC

BRAIN INJURY

141

BOARD CERTIFIED

PEDIATRIC

NEUROSURGEONS

IN THE U.S. AVERAGE NUMBER

OF HOURS

FOR BRAIN

3-4

SURGERY

CONCUSSIONS

ARE THE MOST

COMMON BRAIN INJURY DE C E M BE R 2016 / JANUARY 2017

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JABBERPICS PHOTO:

TOTAL JOINT REPLACEMENT KENT WOO, MD

OPTIM SURGERY CENTER

TRANSFORMING YOUR SURGERY EXPERIENCE. WE KNOW SURGERY IS STRESSFUL, AND THAT IS WHY WE CREATED THE OPTIM SURGERY CENTER TO PROVIDE YOU WITH EXCELLENT CARE IN A SAFE AND CALM ENVIRONMENT. OPTIM SURGERY CENTER IS TRANSFORMING THE PATIENT EXPERIENCE. Our newly renovated facility is an ambulatory surgery center (ASC) with extended stay capabilities that is solely focused on orthopedic, neurosurgery, and pain management procedures. Partnering with the physicians of Optim Orthopedics, Optim Surgery Center provides care for: general orthopedics; sports medicine; total joint replacement; interventional pain management; spine (neck and back); foot and ankle; hand, wrist, and elbow; and pediatric orthopedics.

Located in midtown Savannah, Optim Surgery Center offers individiualized service and support from initial consult to post-op to recovery. Our surgery center features four advanced operating suites, three procedure rooms, and five extended stay private recovery rooms, each with an en suite bathroom, for the enhanced privacy and comfort of patients and families.

SUB-SPECIALTIES: Total Joint Replacement (a) Sports Medicine Foot & Ankle (b) Hand, Wrist & Elbow ( c) Spine (Neck & Back) (d) Neurosurgery Pediatric Orthopedics Interventional Pain Management

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU? A boutique recovery experience for you, our patient, undergoing joint replacement or a spinal procedure that requires overnight observation. Our nurse-to-patient ratio and physician supervision of overnight patients is unprecedented.

Just under 20,000 square foot, our facility offers premium orthopedicdesigned mattresses as opposed to the traditional hospital bed, high thread count sheets, 42” HD TVs, an overnight lounge that’s more comfortable for your family or friends, and catered dinners.

WHAT ELSE MAKES OPTIM SURGERY CENTER DIFFERENT? “By leveraging our specialization in orthopedics, we have created a safe, comfortable, and efficient center. On top of that, we offer over 30 board-certified orthopedic physicians and highly trained staff members who are all determined to get you back to you as quickly as possible,” stated Connor Lawrie, Optim Surgery Center administrator.

“We provide a unique experience by integrating our all-in-one approach which includes on-site clinic, therapy, and imaging."

T H E B R EA K D OWN 30+ Orthopedic Physicians + 8 Sub-specialties + State-of-the-Art Technology + On-site Clinic + In-house Therapy + In-house Imaging Optim Surgery Center / 210 E Derenne Ave, Savannah, GA 31405 / 912.644.5343 / asc.optimhealth.com

RN TALES FROM THE RN SOUTH'S GREATEST NURSES

COMPILED BY: KRISTE SANDERS PHOTOS: JOHN ALEXANDER

Nurses are involved in virtually every aspect of medicine. From admission to recovery, they see it all. Their experiences are joyous, sad, heart-warming and strange -- sometimes in a single day. Their work is life itself, from the newborn to the terminally ill and everything in between. Five Savannah-area nurses share some of their most memorable experiences. As one of them comments: "Every day is a new adventure."

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ASHLEE RIESER Nurse Ashlee Rieser was working in the ICU unit at Memorial Health when a moment arrived to help a terminally ill patient fulfill a wish.

“I was fortunate enough to be a part of a man's last wish before he died from terminally ill cancer,” explained Rieser. “He was a young man, mid 40's, who was diagnosed and given just weeks to live.”

The patient was engaged to be married and wanted

to marry his love before he died. The nurses in the ICU helped his wish come true and made the ceremony come to life.

“It's moments like this that make the nursing career such a blessing,” she said. “To take part in someone's life fills my heart with emotion. It means the world to me to be the advocate for my patients so that they can have the best quality of life, no matter what it takes.”

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JAMIE WELLS Early in 2000, Jamie Wells was an ER nurse at Memorial Medical Center in Savannah. He remembers on particular night when the television reality series, “Trauma: Life in the ER” filmed at Memorial and captured on film a true medical miracle.

“We had an adult male come into the ER with chest and back pain,” recalled Wells. “We did our initial assessment and I had come back in to check on him. I instantly saw he was

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very pale. When I inquired as to how he was feeling, he told me all of his pain was gone. That wasn’t good. I immediately called for the attending physician.”

A cat scan was performed. Doctors caught a ruptured brain aneurysm and within minutes the patient was in surgery, and the bleeding was stopped.

“The patient was in the right place at the right time,” said Wells. “It was a miracle we were able to save him.”

SHEILA FULCHER For Sheila Fulcher, one of her most touching memories is also one of the hardest to share. Fulcher was working as a labor and delivery nurse about 20 years ago.

“I got a patient who arrived to the labor and delivery unit from her doctor’s office,” said Fulcher. Her physician arrived minutes later and did an ultrasound. He had confirmed what he thought in the office… their unborn daughter had not survived.”

Fulcher remembers holding the stillborn infant. “She was perfect and so beautiful,” she recalled. “Dad broke down in tears when I bought his daughter to him to hold.

Then I broke down. I spent a lot of time with them and

their stillborn baby girl.”

Fulcher cut off a lock of hair from the baby girl and put it, as well as pictures, in a baby book for them.

“Months later I was at a church and ran into them. At that time I was pregnant and felt a little uncomfortable considering the way that we had initially met and knowing their circumstance,” said Fulcher. “We became friends and have shared many discussions about the loss of their baby. And through it all they have always been grateful for me. I didn't realize the difference that I made during their loss with the time, tears, and baby keepsakes that I shared with them.”

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JAN GRAVIT Serving as a nurse at the Rape Crisis Center is an enormous responsibility and for Jan Gravitz, it is also rewarding.

“Being a sexual assault nurse examiner, all of our cases are memorable,” said Gravitz. “But, when I can give a victim of sexual assault a time that they feel safe and can make the thoughts of the assault disappear for just a few moments, that is what makes this job special.”

Not only does Gravitz assists the victims, she also works

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alongside the detectives and the DA to provide the necessary documentation and evidence for a conviction.

“When I know the evidence I collected helped the detectives make an arrest and the DA to prosecute, it’s what makes this job very rewarding” added Gravitz. “I do not have just one case that stands out as memorable.

It's all the victims and their families that make it not only memorable, but life changing.”

ADREKA CAMPBELL Being a floating nurse has its advantages. Campbell, a nurse at St. Joseph’s Candler, said she knows a little bit about a lot of things.

“Every day is a different and new adventure,” said Campbell. “I float throughout the hospital. It’s very special when I prescreen a patient in one department one day and end up being their day surgery nurse another day.”

Campbell sometimes will continue taking care of the same patient as they are admitted to the hospital after surgery.

Campbell said it is very rare a nurse goes through several stages during a patient's hospital stay.

“I'm honored,” she said. “It feels great to be able to be with my patient the entire way, by their side.

Especially when they are discharged.

I feel like I'm done my job, my calling - continuity of care.”

MELISSA LLOYD Getting to play Santa is one of the perks for Melissa Lloyd-Wade. She recalls a very touching memory of an autistic man on Tybee Island.

“I was taking care of a 57-year-old Autistic man who believed in Santa Claus,” said Wade. “He wanted an United States Army uniform, with the belt, the canteen, the hat, the jacket, the pants, and the boots.”

Christmas Eve finally arrived. “He is trying not to fall asleep, but sleep is winning,” smiled Wade. “Santa came and left a big present for him. His eyes literally lit up like a Christmas tree when he saw the huge box with his name on it. He opened the box and inside was a United States Army uniform with the all the accessories.”

The patient wore the uniform proudly almost every day. He was later moved to another facility to be closer to his family.

“I miss him,” said Wade. “Nursing is not just my job, it's my life. If we could just focus on how we are alike, our differences will eventually go unnoticed.”

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“BEST DOCTORS, INC. IS TRANSFORMING AND IMPROVING HEALTH CARE BY BRINGING TOGETHER THE BEST MEDICAL MINDS IN THE WORLD TO HELP IDENTIFY THE RIGHT DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT. THE COMPANY’S INNOVATIVE, PEERTO-PEER CONSULTATION SERVICE OFFERS A NEW WAY FOR PHYSICIANS TO COLLABORATE WITH OTHER PHYSICIANS TO ENSURE PATIENTS RECEIVE THE BEST CARE. Headquartered in Boston, MA, the global company seamlessly integrates its services with employers’ other health-related benefits, to serve more than 30 million members in every major region of the world.

More than a traditional second opinion, Best Doctors delivers a comprehensive evaluation of a patient’s medical condition – providing value to both patients and treating physicians. By utilizing Best Doctors, members have access to the brightest minds in medicine to ensure the right diagnosis and treatment plan. Best Doctors’ team of researchers conducts a biennial poll using the methodology that mimics the informal peer-to-peer process doctors themselves use to identify the right specialists for their patients.

Using a polling method and balloting software, that Gallup® has audited and certified, they gather

“Gallup® has audited and certified Best Doctors, Inc.’s database of physicians, and its companion The Best Doctors in America® List, as using the highest industry standards survey methodology and processes. These lists are excerpted from The Best Doctors in America© 2016-2017 database, which includes over 40,000 U.S. doctors in more than 40 medical specialties and 400 subspecialties. The Best Doctors in America© database is compiled and maintained by Best Doctors, Inc. For more information, visit www.bestdoctors.com or contact Best Doctors by telephone at 800-675-1199 or by e-mail at research@bestdoctors.com. Please note that lists of doctors are not available on the Best Doctors Web site.”

“Copyright 2016, Best Doctors, Inc. Used under license, all rights reserved. This list, or any parts thereof, must not be reproduced in any form without written permission from Best Doctors, Inc. No commercial use of the information in this 100

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the insight and experience of tens of thousands of leading specialists all over the country, while confirming their credentials and specific areas of expertise. The result is the Best Doctors in America® List, which includes the nation’s most respected specialists and outstanding primary care physicians in the nation. These are the doctors that other doctors recognize as the best in their fields.

They cannot pay a fee and are not paid to be listed and cannot nominate or vote for themselves. It is a list which is truly unbiased and respected by the medical profession and patients alike as the source of top quality medical information.”

list may be made without the permission of Best Doctors, Inc. No fees may be charged, directly or indirectly, for the use of the information in this list without permission.”

“BEST DOCTORS, THE BEST DOCTORS IN AMERICA, AMERICA, and the Star-in-Cross Logo are trademarks of Best Doctors, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries, and are used under license.”

Best Doctors, Inc., has used its best efforts in assembling material for this list, but does not warrant that the information contained herein is complete or accurate, and does not assume, and hereby disclaims, any liability to any person or other party for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions herein, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause.”

BEST DOCTORS 2016

THE LISTS ARE EXCERPTED FROM THE BEST DOCTORS IN AMERICA® 2015 – 2016 DATABASE. J. CALVIN SHARP, JR.

Savannah Cardiology Physician's Park Plaza 8 Hospital Center Blvd, Ste 130 Hilton Head, SC 29926 Phone: 843-682-2740 Colon and Rectal Surgery SYL ALAN LORD

Memorial Health University Medical Center Surgical Specialists of Savannah Memorial University Surgeons Bldg, 1st Fl 4700 Waters Ave Savannah, GA 31404 Phone: 912-350-8712 Critical Care Medicine FRANK DAVIS

Plaza D, Bldg 5 11700 Mercy Blvd Savannah, GA 31419 Phone: 912-927-6270 Critical Care Medicine JOSEPH SHEPPARD MONDY III

Savannah Vascular and Cardiac Institute Memorial Provident Professional Bldg, Ste 500 4750 Waters Ave Savannah, GA 31404 Phone: 912-629-7800 >

Cardiovascular Disease

Critical Care Medicine STEPHEN L. MORRIS

Memorial Health University Medical Center Savannah Center for Respiratory, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine 4700 Waters Ave, Ste 507 Savannah, GA 31404 Phone: 912-350-4750 Critical Care Medicine JAMES E. RAMAGE

Memorial Health University Medical Center Savannah Center for Respiratory, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine 4700 Waters Ave, Ste 507 Savannah, GA 31404 Phone: 912-350-4750

Health University Medical Center Savannah Surgical Group Memorial Provident Professional Bldg, Ste 202 4750 Waters Ave Savannah, GA 31404 Phone: 912-350-7412

Dermatology

Critical Care Medicine

The Center for Digestive and Liver Health 1139 Lexington Ave, Ste A

JAMES ALLEN MEADOWS III

Southeast Lung Associates

JAMES A. YECKLEY

835 E 65th St, Ste 107 Savannah, GA 31405 Phone: 912-354-8866 Gastroenterology STEVEN CARPENTER

Savannah, GA 31404 Phone: 912-303-4200 Gastroenterology CHARLES DUCKWORTH

The Center for Digestive and Liver Health 1139 Lexington Ave, Ste A Savannah, GA 31404 Phone: 912-303-4200 Gastroenterology MARK E. MURPHY

The Center for Digestive and Liver Health 1139 Lexington Ave, Ste A Savannah, GA 31404 Phone: 912-303-4200 Gastroenterology MARK NYCE

The Center for Digestive and Liver Health 1139 Lexington Ave, Ste A Savannah, GA 31404 Phone: 912-303-4200 Gastroenterology EDWARD RYDZAK

The Center for Digestive and Liver Health

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BEST DOCTORS 2016

1139 Lexington Ave, Ste A Savannah, GA 31404 Phone: 912-303-4200 Gastroenterology RYAN WANAMAKER

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The Center for Digestive and Liver Health 1139 Lexington Ave, Ste A Savannah, GA 31404 Phone: 912-303-4200

Savannah, GA 31405 Phone: 912-651-5550 Medical Oncology and Hematology BARRY D. LUSKEY

Summit Cancer Care Anderson Cancer Institute Bldg, Ste A 4700 Waters Ave Savannah, GA 31404 Phone: 912-354-6187 Medical Oncology and Hematology OVIDIU GEORGE NEGREA

Low Country Cancer Care Associates Lewis Cancer and Research Pavilion, Ste 201 225 Candler Dr Savannah, GA 31405 Phone: 912-692-2000 Medical Oncology and Hematology Medical Oncology and Hematology RONALD F. GOLDBERG

Summit Cancer Care Lewis Cancer and Research Pavilion, Ste 300 225 Candler Dr

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L. E. (BUD) ROBERTSON, JR.

Summit Cancer Care Anderson Cancer Institute Bldg, Ste A 4700 Waters Ave Savannah, GA 31405 Phone: 912-651-5550

Neurological Surgery ROY P. BAKER

Neurological Institute of S avannah and Center for Spine Anderson Cancer Institute Bldg, Ste A 4 Jackson Blvd Savannah, GA 31405 Phone: 912-355-1010 Neurological Surgery LOUIS G. HORN IV

Neurological Institute of Savannah and Center for Spine Anderson Cancer Institute Bldg, Ste A 4 Jackson Blvd Savannah, GA 31405 Phone: 912-355-1010 Neurological Surgery JAMES GUNN LINDLEY, JR.

Anderson Cancer Institute Bldg, Ste A 4 Jackson Blvd Savannah, GA 31405 Phone: 912-355-1010 Neurology RICHARD BODZINER

Savannah Neurology Specialists Bldg C 6602 Waters Ave Savannah, GA 31406 Phone: 912-354-7676 Neurology JOEL A. GREENBERG

Savannah Neurology Specialists Bldg C 6602 Waters Ave Savannah, GA 31406 Phone: 912-354-7676

Neurological Institute of Savannah and Center for Spine Anderson Cancer Institute Bldg, Ste A 4 Jackson Blvd Savannah, GA 31405 Phone: 912-355-1010

Neurology

Neurological Surgery

Obstetrics and Gynecology

DANIEL Y. SUH

Neurological Institute of Savannah and Center for Spine

GEORGE WARNER

Medical Associates of Lowcountry Neurology 75 Baylor Dr, Ste 155 Bluffton, SC 29910 Phone: 843-836-3667

JAMES J. BURKE II

Memorial Health University Medical Center

BEST DOCTORS 2016

DAVID B. BYCK

Memorial Health University Medical Center Provident OB/GYN Associates Provident Professional Bldg, Ste 400 4750 Waters Ave Savannah, GA 31404 Phone: 912-350-5937 Obstetrics and Gynecology PAMELA GAUDRY

Provident ObGyn Associates at Whitemarsh 15 Lake St, Ste 160 Savannah, GA 31411 Phone: 912-897-4604 Obstetrics and Gynecology WILFREIDA LYNN LEAPHART

Memorial Health University Medical Center Savannah Perinatology Associates Provident Professional Bldg, Ste 302 4750 Waters Ave

S. WILLIAM CLARK III

502 Isabella St Waycross, GA 31501 Phone: 912-285-2020

Obstetrics and Gynecology LAWRENCE D. ODOM

Telfair Reproductive Care Center 5354 Reynolds St, Ste 333 Savannah, GA 31405 Phone: 912-354-8558

Ophthalmology ROBERT T. KING III

Georgia Eye Institute 4720 Waters Ave Savannah, GA 31404 Phone: 912-354-4800

Obstetrics and Gynecology WILLIAM E. OSBORNE

Memorial Health University Medical Center Provident OB/GYN Associates Provident Professional Bldg, Ste 400 4750 Waters Ave Savannah, GA 31404 Phone: 912-350-5937 Obstetrics and Gynecology WILLIAM E. RICHARDS

Candler Hospital Women's Gynecologic Oncology 5353 Reynolds St, Ste 200 Savannah, GA 31405 Phone: 912-819-5771 Obstetrics and Gynecology BARRY SCHLAFSTEIN

Progressive ObGyn 5353 Reynolds St, Ste 201 Savannah, GA 31405 Phone: 912-355-5755

Ophthalmology ANGELA R. SCOTT

Seaside Ophthalmology 3303 Glynn Ave Brunswick, GA 31520 Phone: 912-466-9500

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Obstetrics and Gynecology

Ophthalmology

Savannah, GA 31404 Phone: 912-350-5970

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Curtis and Elizabeth Anderson Cancer Institute ACI Surgical Associates 4700 Waters Ave Savannah, GA 31404 Phone: 912-350-8603

Otolaryngology FREDERICK A. KUHN

Georgia Nasal and Sinus Institute 4750 Waters Ave, Ste 112 Savannah, GA 31404 Phone: 912-355-1070 Otolaryngology GUY J. PETRUZZELLI

Memorial Health University Medical Center ACI - Surgical Associates Memorial University Surgeons Bldg, 1st Fl 4700 Waters Ave Savannah, GA 31404 Phone: 912-350-2299 Pediatric Cardiology KENNETH BURCH

Memorial Health University Medical Center Savannah Children's Heart Center Memorial University Surgeons Bldg, 2nd Fl 4700 Waters Ave Savannah, GA 31404 Phone: 912-988-5050 Pediatric Critical Care MARY CAROL LYTLE

Memorial Health University Medical Center Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine 4700 Waters Ave, 2nd Fl

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Savannah, GA 31403 Phone: 912-350-8190

Savannah, GA 31404 Phone: 912-350-5915

Pediatric Critical Care

Pediatric Surgery

THOMAS W. MCKEE

Memorial Health University Medical Center Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine 4700 Waters Ave, 2nd Fl Savannah, GA 31403 Phone: 912-350-8016 Pediatric Endocrinology ALAN M. RICE

Memorial Health University Medical Center University Pediatrics Bldg 3 5102 Paulsen St Savannah, GA 31405 Phone: 912-350-6543 Pediatric HematologyOncology J. MARTIN JOHNSTON

Memorial Health University Medical Center Children's Hospital Outpatient Center Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Program 4700 Waters Ave Savannah, GA 31404 Phone: 912-350-5646 Pediatric Neurological Surgery WILLIARD D. THOMPSON, JR.

Neurological Institute of Savannah and Center for Spine 4 Jackson Blvd Savannah, GA 31405 Phone: 912-355-1010 Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery DONALD K. MCCARTNEY

Optim Ortho 210 E DeRenne Ave Savannah, GA 31405 Phone: 912-644-5300

MICHAEL D. POOLE

Georgia Ear, Nose & Throat Specialists 5356 Reynolds St, Ste 505 Savannah, GA 31405 Phone: 912-356-1515 Pediatric Specialist/NeonatalPerinatal Medicine DANIEL LEONARD SANDLER

Memorial Health University Medical Center Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine 4700 Waters Ave, 2nd Fl 104

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Pediatric Surgery DAVID E. CARNEY

Memorial Health University Medical Center Savannah Pediatric Surgery Provident Professional Bldg, Ste 307 4750 Waters Ave Savannah, GA 31404 Phone: 912-350-7914 Plastic Surgery LAWRENCE E. RUF

Savannah Plastic Surgery Associates 7208 Hodgson Memorial Dr Savannah, GA 31406 Phone: 912-503-2703 Pulmonary Medicine JAMES ALLEN MEADOWS III

Southeast Lung Associates Plaza D, Bldg 5 11700 Mercy Blvd Savannah, GA 31419 Phone: 912-927-6270

ANTHONY COSTRINI

Costrini Sleep Services Plaza C, Ste A-1 11909 McAuley Dr Savannah, GA 31419 Phone: 912-927-6680 Sleep Medicine OBAID REHMAN

Southeast Lung Associates Plaza D, Bldg 5 11700 Mercy Blvd Savannah, GA 31419 Phone: 912-927-6270 Surgery FRANK DAVIS

Memorial Health University Medical Center Savannah Surgical Group Provident Professional Bldg, Ste 202 4750 Waters Ave Savannah, GA 31404 Phone: 912-350-7412 Surgery SYL ALAN LORD

Memorial Health University Medical Center Surgical Specialists of Savannah Memorial University Surgeons Bldg, 1st Fl 4700 Waters Ave Savannah, GA 31404 Phone: 912-350-8712

STEPHEN L. MORRIS

Memorial Health University Medical Center Savannah Center for Respiratory, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine 4700 Waters Ave, Ste 507 Savannah, GA 31404 Phone: 912-350-4750

Radiation Oncology TIMOTHY A. JAMIESON

Cancer Care Center Department of Radiation Oncology 2500 Starling St, Ste 107 Brunswick, GA 31520 Phone: 912-466-5100

JAMES GARBER

Memorial Health University Medical Center Surgical Specialists of Savannah Memorial University Surgeons Bldg, 1st Fl 4700 Waters Ave Savannah, GA 31404 Phone: 912-350-8712 Urology RICHARD VANDERSLICE

New River Urology 29 Plantation Park Dr, Ste 202 Bluffton, SC 29910 Phone: 843-706-2255 Vascular Surgery E. JERRY COHN

Savannah Vascular and Cardiac Institute Provident Professional Bldg, Ste 500 4750 Waters Ave Savannah, GA 31404 Phone: 912-629-7800 Vascular Surgery

Vascular Surgery ANTHONY M. SUSSMAN

Pulmonary Medicine JAMES E. RAMAGE

Surgical Oncology

JOSEPH SHEPPARD MONDY III

Pulmonary Medicine

Memorial Health University Medical Center Savannah Center for Respiratory, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine 4700 Waters Ave, Ste 507 Savannah, GA 31404 Phone: 912-350-4750

ACI - Surgical Associates Curtis and Elizabeth Anderson Cancer Institute Memorial University Surgeons Bldg, 1st Fl 4700 Waters Ave Savannah, GA 31404 Phone: 912-350-8603

Savannah Vascular and Cardiac Institute Provident Professional Bldg, Ste 500 4750 Waters Ave Savannah, GA 31404 Phone: 912-629-7800

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Pediatric Otolaryngology

WILLIAM BOSWELL

Memorial Health University Medical Center Savannah Pediatric Surgery Provident Professional Bldg, Ste 307 4750 Waters Ave Savannah, GA 31404 Phone: 912-350-7914

Sleep Medicine

Surgery CHRISTOPHER SENKOWSKI

Memorial Health University Medical Center ACI - Surgical Associates Memorial University Surgeons Bldg, 1st Fl 4700 Waters Ave Savannah, GA 31404 Phone: 912-350-8712 Surgical Oncology JAMES J. BURKE II

Memorial Health University Medical Center

Savannah Vascular and Cardiac Institute Provident Professional Bldg, Ste 500 4750 Waters Ave Savannah, GA 31404 Phone: 912-629-7800 Vascular Surgery

CHRISTOPHER WIXON

Savannah Vascular and Cardiac Institute Provident Professional Bldg, Ste 500 4750 Waters Ave Savannah, GA 31404 Phone: 912-629-7800

H O M E G U ID E

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T U O B A W O N K .

T ’ S N R D O I T D C O U D O Y T S S E G T N THI TH’S GREA SOU

IT’S EASY TO IMAGINE DOCTORS WORKING AROUND THE CLOCK WAITING ON THEIR NEXT PATIENT, BUT BELIEVE IT OR NOT THEY DO HAVE LIVES OUTSIDE THE HOSPITAL. SOUTH PUT ON OUR INVESTIGATIVE HAT AND DUG UP THE “OTHER” SIDE OF THE PHYSICIANS THAT MAKE SAVING LIVES AN ORDINARY ROUTINE. 106

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“

It is not the strongest or the most intelligent who will survive but those who can best manage change.”

DR. DANIEL MOST

SURVIVOR SPECIAL ADVERTORIAL SECTION

• The calming reassurance an excellent plastic surgeon brings is absolutely priceless.

From reconstructive surgery to rhinoplasty, patients are careful to choose a surgeon who lends expertise and artistry to their work.

Daniel Most is one of those surgeons. The board certified doctor has over 15 years of expertise in the field and as one of Savannah’s best plastic surgeons, he takes pride in easing any worry or doubt you might have when making this important decision.

Dr. Most channels this passion and drive into his past time as well, big game and bird hunting. He started hunting with his father and grandfather when he was a young man and has pursued the thrill of the hunt ever since. “My favorite memory with my father are duck hunts at dawn, setting out strings of decoys,” says Dr. Most, who still duck hunts regularly. These days, his hunting takes him around the world and any down time he has is spent planning and executing these adventures. Most recently Dr. Most began to hunt big game. “My favorite place had been South Africa,” he says, reminiscing. South Africa is leading by example in the big hunting sector, providing those like the doctor with well organized and controlled hunts that ultimately benefit the country and help fund the huge problem of illegal poachers, as well as defend against over population. People like Dr. Most who enjoy the thrill of the hunt are also dedicated to improving social welfare and therefore find big game hunting to be the perfect pastime.

As far as bringing the methodology and concept of hunting into the operating room, Dr. Most finds connections in both. “Hunting requires patience, preparation, and precision,” Says Dr. Most, “all of which are vital for surgery also.” It is with that keen eye, and attention to detail that he continues to excel in both ventures. His standout quality, however, is how caring and compassionate he is with his patients. Every patient is different and providing excellent medical care is imperative to any successful surgeon, but with Dr. Most, many of his patients also find a friend and confidant.

Having an incredible hobby such as big game and bird hunting, tells us that Dr. Most wants to live life to the fullest and strive to be the best at everything he sets out to accomplish. This shows, most notably, in his work, but also ultimately helps us in moving forward with our goals. • SAVANNAH MEDICAL CENTER 5205 FREDERICK STREET • SAVANNAH, GA 912.303.6678 •MOSTPLASTICSURGERY.COM Photography by Blake Crosby DE C E M BE R 2016 / JANUARY 2017

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I love being a doctor and caring for my patients, but the administrative hurdles have become too cumbersome.”

Photography by Blake Crosby

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DRS. CHRISTI & PETE GHALEB

TRAILBLAZERS • As experienced “off-roaders,” Drs. Christi and expensive billing procedures and administrative Pete Ghaleb recognized when they had come to a requirements of health plans, I can concentrate crossroads in their family medicine practice and my time and attention on you.” needed to take a less traveled path.

Drs. Pete and Christi emphasize that in most “I love being a doctor and caring for my cases, DPC patients receive “significantly better patients, but the administrative hurdles have becare with lower costs” than in traditional practiccome too cumbersome,” Dr. Christi posted on the es. Another important point, noted Dr. Christi: Family Medicine of Pooler web site in November.

“You will be able to communicate with me via cell “More and more, I phone, text messages, email found the limitations and video conference. You “AFTER MUCH THOUGHT, PRAYER, AND and obligations placed can also see me as many on me by the govREFLECTION WITH MY HUSBAND AND times as you need, as long ernment and private as you need to, without an PARTNER, DR. PETE GHALEB, WE CAME TO insurance plans interadditional fee.”

THE REALIZATION THAT BY PARTICIPATING fered with my ability DPC is not the first new IN INSURANCE PLANS, WE WERE ALLOWING to give my patients road the Ghalebs have MIDDLEMEN TO INTRUDE ON THE DOCTORthe time and care they taken. They were the first deserved, which is PATIENT RELATIONSHIP IN WAYS WITH practice in the area to adopt unacceptable.” cloud-based Electronic WHICH WE ARE NOT COMFORTABLE, SO The Ghalebs, Medical Records, so no WE HAVE DECIDED TO JOIN MANY OF OUR who opened their paper charts or bulging file FELLOW PHYSICIANS AND BECOME A traditional family cabinets.

DIRECT PRIMARY CARE (DPC) PRACTICE care practice in 2010, Providing comprehenwill launch a Direct BEGINNING IN 2017. NOW MY ONLY sive, personalized patient Primary Care (DPC) care has always been a OBLIGATION WILL BE TO YOU, practice beginning in priority for this family-oriMY PATIENTS.” 2017 – the first in the ented husband and wife greater Savannah area. team. Drs. Pete and Christi The difference? “Unmodel one of the behaviors der the DPC model, in return for a set monthly they recommend in their practice – staying active. fee, I treat all of your primary care health issues Along with their two children, Alexis, 11, and Joey, (sick and well visits, sports physicals, in-office 7, they hike, camp, scuba dive and snorkel, canoe, labs and procedures, etc.),” explained Dr. Christi. bike ride and take their “family car,” a four-wheel “Freed from the increasingly time consuming and drive SUV, off the road at every opportunity.•

SPECIAL ADVERTORIAL SECTION

CUTTING EDGE TECHNOLOGY...

The list of Ghaleb family activities reads like the options at an adventure park: camping, hiking, biking, canoeing, swimming, diving. They do it all with enthusiasm, says Dr. Pete Ghaleb. He and his wife, Dr. Christi, daughter, Alexis, 11, and son, Joey, 7, take advantage of every opportunity to jump into motion. “We try to be active as a family,” says Dr. Pete. “It’s fun, and it’s healthy.

This is the kind of thing we try to emphasize in our medical practice. Keeping active in some way is just very good for you.” A favorite activity for the Ghalebs is “off-roading,” taking their four-wheel drive vehicle into scary-sounding places like “The Big Nasty” in Georgia and “The Gulches” in South Carolina. Even getting stuck was a good experience. “We looked at each other wondering ‘what are we going to do now?’” said Dr. Pete. “Then we got the winch going and working together pulled ourselves out.”

FAMILY MEDICINE OF POOLER 433 US-80, POOLER, GA 912.748.1100 •FAMILYMEDICINEOFPOOLER.COM

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I’ve found that I can play a role in bringing people together who might not have been aware of each other.”

Photography by Jabberpics

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DR. RICHARD GRECO

CATALYST • As a plastic surgeon for more than three was what the business world calls a “change decades, Dr. Richard Greco has had heart-warmagent,” someone who can act as a catalyst for new ing success with many patients. He has helped initiatives and move organizations in different breast cancer survivors with reconstructive directions. surgery and given hundreds of male and female Change agents are impatient with the status patients new confidence and self-assurance in quo and proactive about trying new “out of the their appearance. But he knew there was more box” ideas and concepts. They have infectious he could do. Active in the American Society of enthusiasm and the ability to motivate others Plastic Surgeons (where he’s on track to become who might be skeptical about new approaches. president) and the Royal and Ancient Society of This kind of thinking led Dr. Greco to collabPlastic Surgeons, he helped raise awareness of orate with medical technology businesses to the profession and encourage research, ethics develop new breast implants and improve breast and high standards in the profession. reconstruction technology. He helped develop Working with other doctors in Savannah he an “in office” video presentation system called helped lead the “Turn it Pink” initiative, which “TouchMD” that enables doctors to sit with in October set up a patients and review dozen exercise and treatment options. He “EVERYTHING I DO IS FOCUSED IN ONE sports-related activities serves as a consultant to WAY OR ANOTHER ON PATIENT CARE to raise awareness several medical equip– MY OWN PATIENTS CERTAINLY. BUT regarding breast cancer ment companies and I WANT TO IMPROVE HEALTH CARE and options for breast found opportunities to reconstruction. But Dr. teach and lecture.

GLOBALLY. MY GOAL IS TO MAKE A REAL Greco knew there was Business-as-usual no DIFFERENCE, TO HELP BRING ABOUT another important role longer is an option in CHANGE THAT HAS BROAD IMPACT. he could play. the medical arena. DocI’VE FOUND THAT I CAN PLAY A ROLE “Ever since I was tors, hospitals, medical IN BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER WHO very young, I’ve known technology businesses, I’ve had an ability to drug and insurance MIGHT NOT HAVE BEEN AWARE OF EACH bring people together,” companies, government OTHER, AND THAT CONNECTION LEADS Dr. Greco said. In high agencies and others TO A SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENT school he recruited all are working to find THAT EFFECTS PATIENTS EVERYWHERE.” other students and set models of health care up a lawn care service.

He helped his brother bring together all the elements needed to establish and operate a highly successful “under 21” night club. The term may not have been familiar to him as a teenager, but at an early age Dr. Greco

SPECIAL ADVERTORIAL SECTION

ABOUT THE FAMILY: While the medical community may not have been an “early adopter” of new video technology, Dr. Richard Greco recognized the potential it might have for his and other plastic surgery practices.

Working with a computer technology firm, he helped develop “TouchMD,” a program that allows you to review the patient’s photos on the computer monitor and morph and demonstrate the results of various treatment options.

Allowing a visual discussion with the patient to determine the best possible option for that particular patient. “It’s a much different and better patient experience,” said Dr. Greco. “It really shows the potential of greater collaboration between the medical and technological worlds.”

THE GEORGIA INSTITUTE FOR PLASTIC SURGERY 5361 REYNOLDS ST, SAVANNAH, GA 912.355.8000 •MYCOSMETICSURGEON.MD

that will be successful moving into the future.

“The interface with business is very important,” Dr. Greco said. “Working together we can do more and ultimately make a bigger difference for more patients.” •

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Today, Bluetooth hearing aids connect directly to your iPhone, and you can use your phone to adjust volume and settings.”

DR. GABRIEL PITT

OUTDOORSMAN

• “I caught my first largemouth bass in a lagoon at the Landings,” says audiologist Dr. Gabriel Pitt. “To a young boy who’d never fished before, it felt more like a large marine mammal on the end of the line.” Dr. Pitt has been chasing that same experience ever since, both for himself and for his patients.

Given his line of work, Dr. Pitt can’t help but imagine the fly-fishing experience without the >woosh< of the line; without the sounds of nature reemerging as it welcomes his presence.

The cackle of a great blue heron. The >bloop< of a turtle slipping off a log. “The thing about being in nature is the feeling of connection you get.” Dr. Pitt says. “It is never quite silent out there, even if the water is calm, even when there is no wind. Then, with that first strike— everything changes. All of a sudden you are in a fight.”

“The joy I get from fly fishing is experiencing nature in all of its detail,” he says, “and yet I know that many of my patients have long ago given up experiencing the world that way. The truth, however, is that, with all the technology available to us today, no one should have to have their experience of the world limited by gradual hearing loss.”

As one of Savannah’s foremost audiologists, Dr. Pitt’s practice is constantly evolving as new technologies emerge and according to the latest science. His passion, caring attention to detail, and calm self-assurance are a little bit more old-school—just exactly what you’d expect from a Statesboro boy. Get him talking about his work, and you hear the same sense mission you’ll hear if you get him talking about fly fishing. His eyes light up: “I remember when I was 12 years old, I got a crash course in fly casting at Chatham Plaza on White Bluff. It was there, in the back parking lot of the outfitter, with the intermittent breeze of passing traffic at our backs, that I began what has become a lifelong passion.”

As a kid, Dr. Pitt fished the Ogeechee River for bream and bass. Today, he travels, seeking that same sense of connection on the Oconee River outside of Athens, in the mountains of north Georgia, in North Carolina, and out west in Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana.

Here in Savannah, when he’s not working you can always find him fly fishing the spartina flats or saltwater lagoons. “I experienced the same rush of adrenaline when I hooked up with my first red drum, as with that Landings narwhal some 15 years prior,” he says, and it’s a lot like the moment when you activate those hearing aids, and the world comes to life again in all its beauty.” •

OPTIMAL HEARING 527 STEPHENSON AVE #3, SAVANNAH, GA 31405 888.461.0922•WWW.OPTIMALHEARING.COM

Photography by Chuck Coleman

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“

We hope to continue dancing together for a healthy and enjoyable life together.”

DR. DAVID S. OLIVER

DANCING • Dr. David Oliver and his wife Rhonda are the rare definition of a team. Not only have they raised a beautiful family together, they also manage a successful medical practice, with Dr. Oliver as a premier Ear, Nose, and Throat surgeon and Mrs. Oliver as his practice administrator. On top of all this they also keep things uniquely fresh and interesting by ballroom dancing. “My wife, Rhonda, and I work, raise a family and manage a medical practice together and wanted to accomplish something that was challenging and fun,” says Dr. Oliver. The Oliver’s have many interests outside the office, such as traveling, fishing and hunting together, but the couple has found another passion in ballroom dancing that brings them closer together as a couple but also helps improve their medical practice. “Dancing with your spouse provides a venue to exercise the body and mind, verbally and non-verbally communicate, socially interact, develop teamwork and romance,” says Oliver. Trust and communication are key when becoming expert ballroom dancers and as anyone

who’s seen Dancing With The Stars can tell you, the art of ballroom dancing is extremely challenging and intensely athletic.

One of the main reasons The Oliver’s decided to take up ballroom dancing as a sport, other than the challenge it presented, was the opportunity it gave them to give back to the community in a productive and inspiring way. Many, if not all, ballroom dancing competitions in Chatham County are used as fundraisers for various charity organizations.

“We strive to give back to the community,” says Mrs. Oliver, “therefore we have participated in charity fundraisers including Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Dancing with Savannah Stars, Raising Our Children Kindly (ROCK), and Heads Up Guidance Services (HUGS).” Many of these organizations have received over hundreds of thousands of dollars from ballroom dancing competitions, posing the question, why aren’t more of us getting up and dancing?

As for how ballroom dancing effects Dr. Oliver’s medical practice, he says almost all aspects of

dancing help elevate his communication skills, attention to detail, and most importantly, gracefulness in the operating room. “Surgery and dancing are both creative endeavors and have a similar theme in that I lead, the assistants follow a routine pattern with verbal and nonverbal communication,” says Dr. Oliver. Most importantly though, Dr. Oliver notes that he and his wife continue to benefit from dancing together. There is nothing more important than finding an activity that you and your spouse can enjoy together, especially when your spouse is also your business partner. In the medical field, things can get stressful, but having an outlet and practicing it with someone you love, makes it all worthwhile. Says Dr. Oliver, “We hope to continue dancing together for a healthy and enjoyable life together.” •

COASTAL EAR, NOSE, AND THROAT 322 COMMERCIAL DR #2, SAVANNAH, GA 912.355.2335 • COASTAL-ENT.COM Photography by Blake Crosby

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“

I was immediately blown away by how incredible this organization and these children are.”

DR. CARL B. PEARL

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• “It all started because they needed me. I rarely go to the movies, I don’t have children and I’ve never seen The Little Mermaid. But what I saw during my first show was really special,” Dr. Pearl recalls his first time at the Children’s Theatre of Savannah. Since its opening in 2004, the organization has become a hybrid of children, drama and performing arts set on the fringes of the city’s blossoming theatrical scene.

“I was on call that night and had to leave before the show was over. I came back the next day because I had to know how it ended,” said Dr. Pearl. Last year, the theatre’s artistic director Kelie Miley began searching for a breath of fresh air, someone to act as a bridge between the young-at-heart in the community and her little performers. She decided to call Dr. Pearl. “I was immediately blown away by how incredible this organization and these children are. Everyone works so hard and they are such a team.” Much of the basis of his primary profession as managing partner and fellow surgeon of Savannah Plastic Surgery is to educate, challenge and inspire the young and old in our community.

Dr. Pearl has built his reputation for surgical expertise based on teamwork with the five other surgeons at SPS and the incredible staff there who support each other. Because Dr. Pearl has stepped up as an advocate and partner of children in the performing arts, the Children’s Theatre of Savannah is able to produce extraordinary programs that evoke the true essence of young performers with experience-based learning in Savannah, GA. • SAVANNAH PLASTIC SURGERY 7208 HODGSON MEMORIAL DRIVE • SAVANNAH, GA 912.351.5050 • SAVANNAHPLASTICSURGERY.COM Photography byJosh Bransetter

“

I try to do something active, everyday.

Usually at 6 a.m. before my day begins.”

DR. DMITRI SOFIANOS

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• If you saw Dr. Dmitri Sofianos in one of his dapper suits or even in a lab coat, you might not immediately associate him with rugby – a rough sport dating back to medieval times. Yes, he’s 6-foot-2 and weighs around 185 pounds, but “I’m not a behemoth, by any means,” he says.

Yet it hasn’t been all that long ago since Dr. Sofianos, in New Zealand as part of his studies at Vanderbilt University, was an active player in one of the country’s more than 500 rugby clubs.

Rugby is the unofficial national sport of New Zealand, where it has a passionate following. New Zealand’s national team, the All Blacks, ranks as one of the top teams in the world.

Dr. Sofianos went on to receive his medical degree from Vanderbilt’s School of Medicine.

During residency at the University of Utah Health Sciences Center and fellowship at the University of Southern California Comprehensive Spine Center in both the Department of Neurosurgery and Department of Orthopaedics, he received extensive training in all aspects of spine care, and currently he is a comprehensive spine specialist at Chatham Orthopaedics.

Dr. Sofianos has published numerous scientific articles and book chapters on orthopaedic and spine surgery and helped develop a software database to track and report patient outcomes to improve spine care. He also has a special interest in treatment of the ageing spine and motion preservation procedures in the cervical and lumbar spine, including disc replacement, laminoplasty and minimally invasive microsurgery.

Rugby is no longer the sport of choice for a surgeon – “Too much risk of breaking a bone in my hand,” he says. But other sports are definitely in the picture. “I like to hike, bike and paddleboard,” he says. “My wife is really the runner in the family.” Increasingly, family activities are a big part of his life. With a fouryear-old daughter and a two-year-old son, more sports involvement is likely in his future.“I try to do something active, every day,” he says, usually at 6 a.m. before his day gets too busy.

Dr. Sofianos’ New Zealand experienced sparked an interest in international travel. He has a visiting surgeon and educator in various countries, including Burma, Australia and Ghana, helping out in one situation where local doctors were out on strike. And, he says, “When I was in New Zealand, I fell in love with nature and the world.” That’s part of the reason he and his wife relocated to Savannah. A Mississippi native, he grew up near the water, and when he visited Savannah he fell in love again. Now he lives across the street from a nature preserve and near a dock where he can sit and fish when he has a few spare moments. “I wouldn’t want to live in any other place,” he says. •

CHATHAM ORTHOPAEDIC ASSOCIATES 4425 PAULSEN ST • SAVANNAH, GA 912.355.6615 • CHATHAMORTHOPAEDICS.COM

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MEET THE

DOCTORS photogr aphy by

B l a k e C r o s b y, Jo h n A l e x a n d e r , C h r i s t i n a H a l l & Ja b b e r p i c s

PEDIATRIC ASSOCIATES OF SAVANNAH....................................... 103 MEMORIAL HEALTH UNIVERSITY PHYSICIANS..............................104 CHATHAM ORTHOPAEDIC ASSOCIATES.........................................106 GASTROENTEROLOGY CONSULTANTS OF SAVANNAH..................108 SAVANNAH PAIN MANAGEMENT AND SAVANNAH PAIN CENTER.......................................................110 NEUROLOGICAL SPINE AND PAIN...................................................112 OPTIM PAIN MANAGEMENT............................................................113 NEPHROLOGY & HYPERTENSION MEDICAL ASSOCATES.............114 WHELAN CHIROPRACTIC.................................................................115 COPENHAVER DENTAL.....................................................................116 SMILE DESIGNS................................................................................117

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PEDIATRIC

PEDIATRIC ASSOCIATES OF SAVANNAH

DOCTORS Photography by Blake Crosby

L-R standing: Giselle Rosinia, MD FAAP; Diane Savage-Pedigo, MD FAAP; J Steven Hobby, MD FAAP; Paul Nave, MD FAAP; Brandy Gheesling, MD FAAP; and Mike Demauro, MD FAAP. L-R sitting: Ben Spitalnick, MD FAAP; Chintak Patel, MD FAAP; Elaine Nussbaum, Pediatric APN; and Adria Wilkes, MD FAAP

QUALITY PATIENT CARE

➼ Open seven days a week, 365 days a year, there are plenty of great things at the forefront for Pediatric Associates of Savannah in 2017 - convenience being the most important. These are doctors who understand that kids don’t take a day off from getting sick. So neither do they. As a result, this team has touched the lives on many little ones in the low country. New to the team, Brandy Gheesling, MD, FAAP, joined Pediatric Associates of Savannah after spending seven years in solo practice in Augusta, Georgia. She leads a popular free monthly evening class for expectant parents, teaching the basics of baby care. Pediatric Associates of Savannah is constantly growing and evolving to meet the needs of those in the community. They offer ear piercings using the Blomadhl Medical Ear Piercing system, as an added benefit for their patients. Additionally, there is a 7:30 AM walk-in sick clinic available at the Waters Avenue office on weekdays,

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and no appointment is needed.

“When you’ve been up all night with your child, and a decision has to be made about work or school, getting in early really helps,” said Dr. Steven Hobby. And they continue to shape their profession: Dr. Adria Wilkes is Chairperson for the Memorial Health Pediatrics Department, Dr. Chintak Patel is Chairperson-Elect for the St. Joseph’s/Candler Pediatrics Department, and “Baby Care Anywhere” author Dr. Ben Spitalnick proudly serves as President of the Georgia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. n

PEDIATRIC ASSOCIATES OF SAVANNAH SAVANNAH OFFICE:

4600 WATERS AVE #100, SAVANNAH, GA 31404 912.355.2462 • PEDSAV.COM

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doctors

MEMORIAL HEALTH UNIVERSITY PHYSICIANS

Photography by John Alexander

(Seated, left to right) Elena Pimanova, M.D., Christopher Garner, M.D., Shonna McGee, M.D., Marvin Sineath, M.D., Samuel McElroy, M.D., Christina Kelly, M.D. (Standing, left to right) Lindsey Goldberg, M.D., B. Marcus Bailey, M.D., Jessica Kang, D.O., Joseph Kramer, M.D., Nancy Backus, M.D., Susan Mobley, M.D., Mary Mier, D.O., Danielle DonDiego, D.O. 118

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Health

NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK ➼ There’s something to be said for fresh talent, especially when it brings with it a sense of vigor, energy and passion – something the Memorial Health University Physicians group understands. Within the last year or so, the medical group has welcomed at least 15 new physicians with expertise in primary and specialty care.

In addition to nurturing their medical group’s stellar reputation, these physicians are helping to grow the next generation of Savannah-area doctors. Several of Memorial’s newest physicians either serve on the faculty of the Mercer University School of Medicine’s Savannah campus or have faculty appointments in one of Memorial’s six medical residency programs. n

OUR NEWEST PHYSICIANS Nancy Backus, M.D. Lindsey Goldberg, M.D. Joseph Kramer, M.D. Center for Internal Medicine

B. Marcus Bailey, M.D., FACS Director of Thoracic Oncology The Curtis and Elizabeth Anderson Cancer Institute Danielle DonDiego, D.O., MBA Richmond Hill Family Medicine Christopher Garner, M.D. Shonna McGee, M.D. Memorial Health University Physicians – Islands Jessica Kang, D.O. Memorial Medical Associates Christina Kelly, M.D. Mary Mier, D.O. Marvin Sineath, M.D. Memorial Family Medicine Center Samuel McElroy, M.D. Chatham Medical Associates Susan Mobley, M.D. Provident OB/GYN Associates in Pooler Elena Pimanova, M.D. Memorial Medical Associates in Pooler (Not Pictured) David Newton, M.D. Memorial Savannah Cardiology

NEED A DOCTOR? CALL MD CONNECT: 912-350-6487 OR 877-287-6487 WWW.MEMORIALHEALTH.COM

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CHATHAM ORTHOPAEDIC ASSOCIATES

L-R: John T. Prather, M.D.; Greer E. Noonburg, M.D.; Chetan S. Deshpande, M.D.; Robert D. Hoffman, M.D.; Evan M. Siegall, M.D.; Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Mitri Sofianos, M.D.; James F. Holtzclaw, M.D.; Spencer M. Wheeler, M.D.; Gerald Chai, D.O.; Ronald H. Levit, M.D.; Mark A. Jenkins, D.O.; Raphael R. Roybal, M.D. 120

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Orthopaedic

CELEBRATING A YEAR OF GROWTH ➼ CHATHAM ORTHOPAEDIC ASSOCIATES, a leader in local orthopaedic care, is celebrating a year of growth in 2016. The practice recently introduced a new division, The Spine Institute at Chatham Orthopaedic Associates, and welcomed two new physicians to its team: pediatric orthopedist Evan Siegall, M.D., and orthopaedic trauma specialist Chetan Deshpande, M.D. With 12 exceptionally trained physicians and six offices throughout Savannah and surrounding cities, Chatham Orthopaedic Associates continues to offer only the most advanced, personalized care to its patients.

CHATHAM ORTHOPAEDIC ASSOCIATES SAVANNAH OFFICES: 4425 PAULSEN STREET 912.355.6615 11702 MERCY BLVD, SUITE 2D 912.355.6615 1326toEISENHOWER DR, BLDG 1 Left Right: : Travis Wiggins, MD 912.527.5235 Kristen Rosales-Vasquez, PA-C POOLER OFFICE: K. Andrew Swagler, PA-C. 1000 TOWNE CENTER BLVD, SUITE 602 Greg Borak, MD 912.450.1101 Ansley Tharpe, MD RINCON OFFICE: David Chalikian, MD, P.H.D. 613 TOWN PARK DR WEST, SUITE 303‑304 Sara Barrett, PA-C 912.826.3111 Branden Hunter, MD

RICHMOND HILL OFFICE:

3780 HIGHWAY 17 • 912.355.6615 CHATHAMORTHO.COM

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GASTROENTEROLOGY CONSULTANTS OF SAVANNAH

L-R: Travis Wiggins, M.D., Kristen Rosales-Swagler, PA-C, Greg Borak, M.D., Ansley Tharpe, M.D., David Chalikian M.D. P.H.D., Sara Barrett, P.A-C, Branden Hunter, M.D., Maxine Mitchell, DNP, APRN-C 122

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GASTROENTEROLOGY

ADVANCED PROCEDURES AND TECHNOLOGIES ➼ Gastroenterology Consultants of Savannah is leading the way in gastroenterology care in the Southeast region. Their practice is managed by an impressive team of impactful leaders, board-certified in gastroenterology, hepatology and internal medicine.

Their physicians are committed to providing patients with the highest quality prevention and treatment of digestive diseases: esophagus, stomach, small and large intestine or colon, liver, pancreas and gallbladder. Gastroenterology Consultants of Savannah continues to pioneer gastrointestinal health care with a sophisticated on-site endoscopy center that offers the most advanced sedation methods to provide quality comfort for their patients. Utilizing the most current endoscopic techniques, they can offer more convenient treatments and faster recovery rates for their patients. Their team is dedicated to preserving your digestive health and delivering the sincerest care for patients with digestive and liver disease, as well as identifying colon cancer. Since 2002, GCS has performed close to 70,000 procedures at their state-of-theart facility. In addition to their main office in Savannah, they also see patients in Richmond Hill, Pooler, Springfield and Bluffton, with a second Savannah location coming soon.

GASTROENTEROLOGY CONSULTANTS OF SAVANNAH MAIN OFFICE AND ENDOSCOPY CENTER OF COASTAL GEORGIA:

519 STEPHENSON AVE, SAVANNAH, GA• 912.354.9447

CENTRAL PARK OFFICE:

340 EISENHOWER DRIVE, BUILDING 1500, SAVANNAH, GA

POOLER OFFICE: 9976 FORD AVE., SUITE A-2, POOLER, GA

RICHMOND HILL OFFICE:

9976 FORD AVE., SUITE A-2, RICHMOND HILL, GA

SPRINGFIELD OFFICE:

EFFINGHAM COUNTY HOSPITAL, GA 119

BLUFFTON OFFICE:

BELFAIR TOWNE VILLAGE, 10 OAK FOREST ROAD, STE. C GASTROSAV.COM

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SAVANNAH PAIN MANAGEMENT AND SAVANNAH PAIN CENTER

Photography by Blake Crosby

GET BACK TO THE THINGS YOU ENJOY ➼ Part of the team at Savannah Pain Management and Savannah Pain Center, LLC, Dr. Kirby is committed to providing his patients with a compassionate and comprehensive approach to the treatment of their aches and pains. He has been practicing in the Savannah area for nearly 20 years, and specializes in treatment of pain associated with disorders like degenerative disc disease, disc herniations, spinal stenosis, sciatica and arthritis of the spine.

Dr. Kirby shares that more than 90 percent of patients with a herniated disk will improve within six months after nonsurgical treatment.His highly effective treatments make Dr. Kirby the area’s leading expert in nonsurgical rehabilitation. Under the care of Dr. Kirby and his team, you’ll experience state of the art treatment designed to treat your pain so you can get back to doing the things you enjoy. As Dr. Kirby says, “My entire staff is dedicated to providing our patients with an exceptional patient care experience.” n

SAVANNAH PAIN MANAGEMENT AND SAVANNAH PAIN CENTER SAVANNAH OFFICE:

8 WHEELER ST, SAVANNAH, GA 912.352.4340 SAVANNAHPAINMANAGEMENT.COM

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Pain Management

THEKIDNEYDOCS.COM

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Neurology

NEUROLOGICAL SPINE AND PAIN

meet the

DOCTORS

Photography by John Alexander

CHANGE IS GOOD. IMPROVEMENT IS BETTER. Priscilla J. Ross-Bishop M.D.,

Chris H. Patel M.D.

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➼ At Neurological Spine and Pain in Savannah, Drs. Priscilla J. Ross and Chris Patel often have the opportunity to turn despair into hope and relief. The patients they see are often suffering and are unable to carry out important activities in their lives.

“An important part of our practice is listening and understanding,” says Dr. Ross. ‘That has always been important in medicine. That’s what many people are looking for in a doctor and something we always want to be a part of what we do.”

At the same time, she says, change has been rapid in many medical fields. “We have an obligation to stay on the cutting edge of that change so that we can bring the latest advances to those who depend on us.”

An exciting new opportunity for Drs. Ross and Patel is participation in a University of Miami research study into stem cell treatment for spinal problems.

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Stem cells have the ability to modify themselves and develop into different types of cells in the body. They are believed to have the potential to replace or heal damaged tissue but research is in its very early stages.

“We’re excited to be able to play a part in this research,” says Dr. Ross. “The idea that stem cells can help to repair tissue – even regrow tissue – is so revolutionary that we have to explore its potential. This is a new area of medicine in which we can play a role and hopefully extend the boundaries of what we can do for our patients.” n

NEUROLOGICAL SPINE AND PAIN SAVANNAH OFFICE:

8880 ABERCORN ST, SAVANNAH, GA 912.231.4444 SAVANNAHPAINRELIEF.COM

meet the

OPTIM PAIN MANAGEMENT

DOCTORS

pain management

ENHANCING THE HEALING EXPERIENCE DR. JOHN HARGROVE

➼ Holistic Health Center of Savannah prides itself on being the first community-based holistic practice in Savannah. For the past 17 years, Dr. John Hargrove has offered his patients a comprehensive approach to healthy living. He specializes in clinical nutrition and a unique approach to chiropractic care called applied kinesiology. “Getting results quickly and empowering the patient to help themselves is what we do best,” says Dr. Hargrove. Applied kinesiology looks to correct muscle imbalance and movement, not just treating joints.

Helping you to determine the root of the pain is an essential component to making more permanent corrections.

“I never want to see a patient have to go through unnecessary pain,” says Hargrove. Patients are evaluated based on their specific needs and abilities, with customized treatments and training as necessary. When diagnostic imaging is needed, Dr. Hargrove utilizes exceptional imaging centers such as Coastal Imaging and Memorial Hospital. This unique approach at the Holistic Health Center raises the bar and sets him apart from other chiropractors. Dr. Hargrove lives in Savannah with his wife, Lizzy, and Andrew nPandya, MD their three beautifulL-R: children.

EXPERIENCE THE OPTIM DIFFERENCE Markus Niederwanger, MD

Joseph Hegarty, MD HOLISTIC HEALTH CENTER

➼ Finding relief when you are living with chronic pain can be challenging. Our experts will explore all possible treatment options to best manage your pain. Medications are only one tool, available to combat your ailments. Optim Pain Management takes a multimodal approach that includes minimally-invasive procedures such as pain blocking techniques, often in the form of injection therapies, and utilize physical therapy as a first-line approach. Our Board Certified physicians have one goal — to provide compassionate and precise care. Call for an evaluation today so we can help get you back to you. n

OPTIM PAIN MANAGEMENT

PATIENT FOCUSED. PHYSICIAN OWNED.

SAVANNAH OFFICE:

322 STEPHENSON AVE, SUITE A SAVANNAH, GA • 912.721.2262 OPTIMHEALTH.COM

100 COMMERCIAL CT, SAVANNAH, GA 912.355.3185, HHCOFSAVANNAH.COM

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nephrology

NEPHROLOGY & HYPERTENSION MEDICAL ASSOCIATES

COMPREHENSIVE KIDNEY CARE L-R: James Bazemore M.D., Jessica Cleman M.D., Dana Kumjian M.D., Rebecca Sentman M.D., Erik Bernstein M.D.

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➼ While much has changed since their beginning in 1969, one thing remains constant, Nephrology and Hypertension Medical Associates’ pledge to provide you with expert personalized care, using the most advanced treatments and state-of-the art technologies.

“We combine up-to-date medical knowledge with a humane approach, taking into account our patients’ desires and needs,” says Dr. Jessica Coleman. Their team of boardcertified physicians diagnose and manage hypertension, diabetes and other conditions that lead to kidney disease.

Equally important is their excellent team of providers and support staff who provide compassionate and dedicated care. With five locations, this group offers the region’s most comprehensive kidney care. Staying on the leading edge of medical care, they combine up-to-date medical knowledge with a personable approach, taking into account the patient’s desires and needs. They believe in the importance of developing a partnership with their patients. “They can be courteous, feisty, funny, thankful, often challenging –

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DOCTORS

and frequently so rewarding,” Dr. Rebecca Sentman says.

Nephrology & Hypertension Medical Associates not only possess the experience and clinical knowledge required to treat a variety of kidney problems, they understand the importance of individualizing treatment plans for every patient. Dr. Bernstein urges his patients to “ask questions and take ownership for your health. Being an active participant in your own healthcare is crucial.” n

NEPHROLOGY AND HYPERTENSION MEDICAL ASSOCIATES SAVANNAH OFFICE:

OKATIE/BLUFFTON OFFICE:

16 KEMMERLIN LANE STE A 843.524.2002

THEKIDNEYDOCS.COM

1115 LEXINGTON AVE 16 OKATIE CENTER BLVD

STE 100 912.354.9447 843.706.9955 BEAUFORT OFFICE:

meet the

DOCTORS

WHELAN CHIROPRACTIC

doctor of chiropractic FAMILY MEDICINE

Photography by John Alexander

➼ Holistic Health Center of Savannah prides itself on being the first community-based holistic practice in Savannah. For the past 17 years, Dr. John Hargrove has offered his patients a comprehensive approach to healthy living. He specializes in clinical nutrition and a unique approach to chiropractic care called applied kinesiology. “Getting results quickly and empowering the patient to help themselves is what we do best,” says Dr. Hargrove. Applied kinesiology looks to correct muscle imbalance and movement, not just treating joints.

Helping you to determine the root of the pain is an essential component to making more permanent corrections.

“I never want to see a patient have to go through unnecessary pain,” says Hargrove. Patients are evaluated based on their specific needs and abilities, with customized treatments and training as necessary. When ➼ Chiropractic care has been around a long time. Dr. Chris diagnostic imaging is needed, Dr. Whelan, D.C. has been in practice for 20 years and has Hargrove utilizes exceptional imaging continued to help the people of Savannah with their back centers such as Coastal Imaging and and neck pain. When he’s not at the office, you can find him Memorial Hospital. This unique swimming out at Tybee, eating ice cream at Leopold’s or approach at the Holistic Health Center biking around downtown with his wife Julie, his daughter raises the bar and sets him apart from Alicia and his son Reese.Whelan Chiropractic is located in other chiropractors. Dr. Hargrove lives Dr. Chris Whelan, DC the heart of Historic Downtown Savannah, where Whelan in Savannah with his wife, Lizzy, and has treated thousands of diverse patients. “Everyone is their three beautiful children. n different,” says Whelan. “Everyone has a story, but most of all, everyone is special. In the South, people work hard and play hard. That means there are always bad backs to work 100 COMMERCIAL CT, SAVANNAH, GA 912.355.3185, HHCOFSAVANNAH.COM on.” Dr. Whelan expects each patient to respond differently

BETTER HEALTH, STRENGTH, & VITALITY HOLISTIC HEALTH CENTER

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to treatment and understands that what works for one might not work for another. For that reason, Whelan Chiropractic offers a very broad range of therapies. Whether you’re a student, physician, truck driver, attorney, bartender or a movie star - you can count on the amazing staff at Whelan Chiropractic to assist you. No bones about it. n

WHELAN CHIROPRACTIC SAVANNAH OFFICE:

602 ABERCORN ST, SAVANNAH, GA 912.232.1900 WHELANCHIROPRACTIC.COM

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doctor of dentistry

PATIENTS LEAVE WITH A NEW SMILE

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COPENHAVER DENTAL

➼ Joy is the source of your smile but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy. The friendly, professional team at Copenhaver Dental is proud to offer innovative technology with computer aided dentistry including the CEREC machine. Their practice is one of the elite in the nation with the ability to incorporate digital dentistry with implants, root canals and crowns. The CEREC machine makes one day visits possible for many of your dental needs. Everyone at Copenhaver Dental strives daily to make painful dentistry an experience of the past.

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DENTISTS

Dr. Copenhaver, Dr. Bordlemay, and Dr. Hood take pride in educating their patients about what real state of the art dentistry is supposed to be. Now that’s something to smile about. n

COPENHAVER DENTAL RICHMOND HILL:

10230 FORD AVE RICHMOND HILL, GA • 912.756.2936 COPENHAVERDENTAL.COM

meet the

DENTISTS

SMILE DESIGNS

doctor of dentistry

“We continue to stay in the forefront of medical technology with countless hours of continuing education every year learning new and advanced chiropractic innovations.”

- BART WETHERINGTON, DC

SMILE AND LAUGH COMFORTABLY

➼ “We shall never know,” Mother Teresa once said, “all the good that a simple smile can do.”

Dr. Karen Cooper appreciates more than most people how important, yet how complicated a simple smile can be.

Her dental practice blends the latest in computer-assisted design and fabrication technology with an experienced and artistic eye for the individual needs of each patient.

“I dedicate countless hours continuing my training to be the best at what do,” says Dr. Cooper. “I’ve always loved helping people feel better. Ever since I was little, I’ve been a ‘caregiver,’ and as a dentist I can give the greatest level of care for my community.”

Dr. Cooper has worked with many patients who felt self-conscious about their smiles and worried about the image they were projecting to others. “I want my patients to smile, laugh, eat and speak comfortably,” she says. “I’m dedicated to their self-confidence and true well-being.

I don’t want any of my patients to live with a fake-looking smile or for them to have to pay more money down the line because of failed restorations, pain, or discomfort.

Dr. Cooper’s own smile projects the confidence she has in her unique blend of dental art and science. “Whether you choose dental implants, cosmetic, or family dentistry, “ she says, “you set your own pace while we patiently and gently overcome your barriers to help make your dreams an affordable reality.” n

SMILE DESIGNS SAVANNAH OFFICE:

101 LITTLE NECK RD F, SAVANNAH, GA 912.920.6202 SAVANNAHSMILEDESIGNS.COM

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GoSouth THE FAIRBANKS HOUSE Tucked away in the historic charm of Amerlia Island.

A TRAVELER'S GUIDE TO THE COASTAL SOUTH.

PLATTER FOR TWO Instagram-worthy dates on Hilton Head Island.

SUSHI CRAVING? Skull Creek Boathouse rolls their sushi with the freshest in the sea.

Winter South in the

WINTER IN THE SOUTH HAS BECOME AN IDYLLIC WONDERLAND THAT IS NOT JUST FOR THE BIRDS. WHILE THE REST OF THE COUNTRY SCRAPES ICE FROM THEIR WINDSHIELDS, THE SOUTH REMAINS A VISION OF LUSH PROSPERITY. HERE ARE THE PLACES YOU'LL FEEL WARMEST WITH THE ONES YOU LOVE MOST.

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WHERE TO EAT & DRINK → Strap on your winter shoes

EUROPEAN STREET KNOCKWURST FAMILY TRADITIONS. Jacksonville's offseason offers perfect reunion weather.

PHOTO CREDITS: ADVENTURE ISLAND, EUROPEAN STREET CAFÉ

JACKSONVILLE, FL → Sure, the swarm of people at Jax Beach may have thinned out now that summer is long gone. But if you think that now’s the time to pack your bags and head back home, well, you have no idea what you’re missing. While the rest of the country is buried deep in the throes of winter, everyone here in Jacksonville is seizing the off-season as an opportunity to explore the city and immerse themselves in the local culture—sans the crazy crowds.

Here’s where those in the know go to hide out—and hang out—during the chilly season.

STELLA KATSIPOUTIS

SHOP

WHERE TO SHOP WHILE YOU’RE HERE

Running around the mall like a rat in a maze does anything but put you in the holiday spirit.

Luckily, the Vintage Market Days of Jacksonville are here to pluck you out of the misery of last-minute gift shopping. This upscale indoor-outdoor market transports you to the golden days of yore, turning the search for the perfect present into an

(lederhosen optional) and stomp on over to the European Street Café for one of Jacksonville’s most authentic German food experiences. With four locations that are easily reached from anywhere in the city, this 30-year culinary institution serves more than 150 unique Euro eats and traditional Deutsche delicacies.

One spoonful of the velvety Beer Cheese Soup will thaw you out on even the chilliest of days, while the Knockwurst—served steaming hot with tomato curry sauce, sauerkraut, German potato salad and a pretzel breadstick—will knock your stockings right off. Oh, and of course the beer is free-flowing. In fact, their selection of 200-plus brews has been voted the best in North Florida time and again. europeanstreet.com

WHERE TO PLAY

→ In Florida, we don’t get snow, we make it! From late November through

early January, Adventure Landing transforms its Shipwreck Island Water Park into a frosty Alpine wonderland for their annual WinterFEST celebration. You and your little ski bunnies will have a wintry blast bouncing from one family activity to another: Skate around the outdoor rink, visit Santa at his workshop, roast S’mores over a crackling fire, decorate your own scrumptious holiday cookies, or swoosh down the 130-foot ice slide. At the end of the day, cozy up together and watch the nightly snowfall and light display as you sip on gourmet coffee, hot chocolate or hot cider from Crystal Creek Lodge. The North Pole doesn’t seem so far away now, does it? adventurelanding.com

experience—not a chore. Nab some one-of-a-kind handmade jewelry or old-fashioned threads for the family, or scope out original artwork and antique furniture for yourself. No matter what shabby-chic treasure you find, it’s guaranteed that it won’t be under anyone’s Christmas tree but yours. vintagemarketdays.com

IF YOU'VE NEVER SLED ON REAL SNOW, HERE'S YOUR CHANCE. Head to Winterfest in Jacksonville, Fla.

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29 South is a chic neighborhood THE FAIRBANKS HOUSE. An 1885 Italianate villa in the heart of Amelia Island.

bistro perfect for dates, a quick bite, or a casual dinner.

WHERE TO STAY → As if the lavish oversized

rooms, the Victorian soaking tubs, and the aroma of cinnamon orange pecan French toast wafting from the kitchen aren’t reason enough for you to drop everything and head to The Fairbanks House right now, their ultrafestive Christmas stay package will definitely seal the deal. From November through January, this 8,000-square-foot mansion magically transforms into a scene straight out of a Dickens novel.

All public areas and grounds are dressed in their best holiday apparel, while a fully decorated Christmas tree and treat-filled stockings await guests in every single room. On Christmas Eve, delight in a carriage tour of the Fernandina Beach historic district as well as a dinner at Joe’s Second Street Bistro. Then, get spoiled like a kid on Christmas Day with a special pumpkin pancake breakfast and a dinner at David’s Restaurant. Book your stay early, though: The Christmas package sells out quickly every year—no ifs, ands or buts about it. fairbankshouse.com

WHERE TO EAT The light of day may be hiding behind an ugly patch of clouds during the colder months, but it’s never overcast in the quaint Bright Mornings Bistro & Café. Their hearty home-cooked breakfasts—served daily from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. (except Wednesdays)—will certainly turn your smile sunny-side up. Melt away the wintertime blues with their specialty: a fluffy stack of peanut butter, pecan, chocolate chip, blueberry or classic pancakes, drizzled with warm, sugary syrup. In the mood for something savory? Bite into a hot, buttery biscuit sandwich with scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese grits or potatoes, and your choice of ham, sausage or bacon. Hit the road, Jack Frost! brightmornings.us

AMELIA ISLAND

V I C TO R I A N CLASSIC

EATERIES SERVING THE BEST VIEWS

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Charles Dickens would likely be inspired to write another holiday classic if he were to take a stroll through Amelia Island in December. Aside from the fact that the entire town is charmingly decorated like a little winter village, there are also tons of daily events

Dickens on Centre, December 8-11

that’ll make anyone merry—no matter how much of a Scrooge one may be. Nosh on delightful sweets and enjoy complimentary horse-drawn carriage rides during the Holiday Cookie Tour of Inns, or explore five Victorian mansions exquisitely ornamented

by local designers and florists during the highly anticipated Holiday Home Tour.

The last stop on your X-mas extravaganza: Dickens on Centre, a free holiday festival complete with costumed characters, musical performances, gift shops, carolers

and more. But the festivities aren’t over yet: You can still sample the best local eateries during Amelia Island Restaurant Week in January. Check out the city’s official website for a complete schedule of events. ameliaisland.com or call 904-277-0717

PHOTO CREDITS: THE FAIRBANKS HOUSE, HAYWORTH PR

→ Who says Christmas isn’t the same in Florida? It’s not all about sunshine and palm trees in the beautiful beachside town of Amelia Island. The spirit of the season is so alive here that it makes those classic holiday movies look like scrappy school plays. Follow us on a tour of the jolliest old city the South ever did see. STELLA KATSIPOUTIS

SOUTHERN LUXURY: The Cloister at Sea Island

S TAY

THE CLOISTER BEACH CLUB Aside from boasting 5 miles of pearly white sand beaches along the Atlantic Ocean, three swimming pools and an endless array of seafaring activities like kiteboarding for adults, The Cloister Beach Club on Sea Island has even more magical tricks up its sleeve for its young guests this winter. In December, the resort transforms into an Alice in Wonderland fantasy, complete with a Mad Hatter tea party, fairy tale–inspired ornament making workshops and more. You can even request to have Alice or one of her enchanted friends tuck your youngster in each night with freshly baked cookies, a tall glass of milk and a bedtime story. seaisland.com

GOLDEN ISLES Sometimes even Santa needs to trade in his velvety suit for shorts and flip flops. With temps in the mid-60s through February, the Golden Isles are a choice getaway for those who are dreaming of a coastal Christmas. Whether you crave the exclusivity of Sea Island or the coziness of Historic Brunswick, there are plenty of options for having some summer fun here this winter. STELLA KATSIPOUTIS →

themed Christmas better than the Golden Isles. The annual Christmas Boat Parade at Historic Brunswick kicks off the season with a dazzling display of marine cruisers decked out in holiday lights, inflatable snowmen and other festive ornaments. And for those of you who never thought it would be possible to ice skate on the beach, the Jekyll Island Skating Village—a massive outdoor rink that’s surrounded by palm trees and sits right on the sandy shore of the Atlantic—is nothing short of a holiday miracle. goldenisles.com

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JEKYLL ISLAND SKATING VILLAGE: A signature experience on the Georgia coast.

EAT YOU HAVEN’T REALLY EXPERIENCED a Golden Isles getaway until you’ve sampled some of Georgia’s world-famous wild shrimp. And this season, no one will be serving hotter or tastier local seafood than Driftwood Bistro on St. Simons Island. To start, take the edge off the wintertime chill with a steaming bowl of crab bisque. For the main event, a steaming platter of their traditional garlic-cheddar grits—sprinkled with white wine sauce, fresh mushrooms, leeks, country ham and roasted red peppers, then topped off with your choice of deep-friend, grilled or blackened shrimp—promises to warm you up from the inside out. driftwoodbistro.com

PHOTO CREDITS: DRIFTWOOD BISTRO, JEKYLL ISLAND SKATING VILLAGE

PLAY → No place celebrates a nautical-

DRIFTWOOD BISTRO Fresh Georgia Wild Shrimp

HILTON HEAD, SC

TAKE A STROLL On Hilton Head Island, there is no shortage of blissfully shaded tranquil spots from which to take in water views. Before the golf courses were built, it was pretty much the island’s stock in trade.

You’ll find one of the most peaceful in The Sea Pines Resort’s Sea Pines Forest Preserve. Although the area was hit hard by Hurricane Matthew, most of this majestic natural wonder will be open by the time you read this. Here, with the tourists mostly gone, you can freely explore the awe-inspiring “vanishing swamp” and traverse a wooden plank pathway across

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antebellum rice fields. Bring a fishing pole for catch-and-release relaxation.

The cold weather of winter pairs perfectly with the rustic appeal of the Old Fort Pub. So named because of the ghostly remains of Civil War-era Fort Mitchel beside it, Old Fort Pub is one of those rare Hilton Head Island standbys that manages to stay fresh while embracing every tradition and nuance that made it a favorite during Hilton Head’s one-stoplight nascence. A fine dining atmosphere complements shade-dappled views of Skull Creek Marina just beyond.

As the rattle and hum of countless motors on an infinite number of minivans fades off into the asphalt ribbons streaming away from 278 to I-95 and all points north, a mild contentment has settled on Hilton Head Island.

It’s an annual tradition here, when locals say they are “reclaiming” the island. Funny thing is, each year it seems like more and more of those minivans fail to make their scheduled exit. The result being, each year there seem to be more and more locals reclaiming the island around this time.

Which is fine. Because there was a time when you’d have your choice of a mere handful of places to grab a drink or enjoy a night out between October and March. Back in the island’s early days as a tourist town, more than half the restaurants and businesses would be shuttered during the off seasons, leaving locals with not much to do and plenty of time to do it.

These days, not so much. If anything, the healthy influx of permanent tourists has made the shoulder season the best time to truly experience Hilton Head Island. It’s the time when those who enjoy it most are given free rein to enjoy it at their own pace. That’s not to say they wouldn’t enjoy some company, if you feel like visiting. BARRY KAUFMAN

→

SEA PINES FOREST RESERVE. Hilton Head Island, SC.

PHOTO CREDITS: ROB KAUFMAN

SKULL CREEK BOATHOUSE The most photogenic dinner on Hilton Head Island.

AN ODE TO THE PERFECT BISCUIT → But if you’re looking for a place where the water views come with a little more laid-back atmosphere, head right out the back gate and pull up to the Marker 13 Bouy Bar at Skull Creek Boathouse. The constant rotation of live musical acts liven up what can be the occasional stiff breeze across the creek, while you enjoy the rare treat of pounding back a few cocktails and oyster platters between a working boathouse and a killer set from a local musician. You’ll get the same water views as Old Fort Pub, but with a decidedly more lively crowd.

And even though fall might not be

DINING IN SSI’S VILLAGE the best time to hop on the boogie board and chase some waves – please, for the love of God trust us on this one – that just makes Hilton Head Island’s beaches all the more enjoyable. Gone are the masses of sweaty Midwesterners bringing with them everything that blocked your view of the sand and the surf.

That said, the serenity of the beaches this time of year is in the viewing, not in the swimming. So you’ll want to take in the sights from the patio of a beach bar with a stiff drink to steel you against the cold. Coco’s On The Beach is not the most famed of the island’s beach bars, but that is why

DOGS AND DAQS. Stop by Coco's on the Beach for the ultimate pairing.

One bite and you're hooked on Skull Creek Boathouse's sushi menu.

it’s perhaps its greatest. Part of it is the location. After parking at Hilton Head Resort, you can either wait for the passing good Samaritan on a golf cart or brave the calf-torturing trek down the boardwalk across seemingly endless fields of marsh grass until Coco’s appears like an oasis among sandy dunes. Pull up a stool on the wooden porch and enjoy a rare mid-fall beachfront drink at Hilton Head Island’s best kept secret. (Its best kept secret’s best kept secret: if you can find a place to ditch your car on any very posh streets that might happen to run right next to Coco’s, you can hop a fence and skip the walk. But obviously, you didn’t read that here).

Bluffton Oyster Factory Park

P L AY

SPEND THE WINTER ON THE WATER

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That’s not to say a beach must be enjoyed with a potent drink in your hand.

Just that this is Hilton Head Island, and we’re just kidding; you should completely have a drink in your hand. If you want to enjoy the all-new Sea Pines Beach Club, this is the time to do it. The crowds have thinned out, giving you a chance to take in the multi-million dollar jewel in the island’s premier resort’s crown.

Take in the views on the stunning back deck at Ocean Lounge or head inside to Coast if the cold gets to be too much for you. seapines.com Across the bridge in Bluffton you’ll find a town that’s as serene and bucolic in fall as it is in spring. The key difference her being the way autumn’s subtle chill produces the wonderful aroma of near-constant oyster roasts and provides

the only respite from the no-see-ums that live along the May River.

Which is perfect, because it’s here you’ll find a majestic slice of heaven known as Oyster Factory Park. Partially built up from more than a century’s worth of discarded shells from the nearby Bluffton Oyster Factory, this pocket park has in recent years become the town’s unofficial gathering

place. Sit beneath the boughs of a twisting live oak, where a ca. 1860s freedman’s cabin is being meticulously restored and watch kayakers put in at the public dock. Or follow the winding pathways down to a beach crunchy with oyster shells and lose yourself in the ebb and flow of the tide.

And if you enjoy it so much you wind up staying, well, you’re not alone.

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DineSouth Apple Cinnamon oatmeal drizzled and dusted with raw honey and organic cinnamon, topped with chunks of organic apples.

BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS SAVANNAH OATMEAL COMPANY TAKES BREAKFAST SERIOUSLY WITH THEIR SPIN ON HEALTHY, READY-TO-EAT OATS.

Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter oatmeal loaded with organic cacao powder, bananas and peanut butter.

By Jess Brannen H Photos: Michael Hrizuk

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Blueberry oatmeal made with Gluten Free Steel-cut Oats, Organic Bananas, Raw Honey, Organic Cane Sugar, and Organic Coconut Oil.

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INSIDE:

SAVANNAH OATS ARTILLERY ALLIGATOR SOUL SOUTHERN SEAFOOD

don’t think most people understand how good oatmeal can be,” says Gabe Thomas, owner of the Savannah Oatmeal Company. He and his wife, Ansley, own the world’s only ready-toeat oatmeal business, and they want to “bring more oats to more people,” as Thomas puts it.

And he means it. The homegrown business began seven years ago in Thomas’s kitchen during a weekly bible study he hosted. “It was a bunch of guessing and tasting with that group,” says Thomas. “They’d say, ‘make more of these,’ or ‘make more of those.’”

One night, a friend suggested he try making a Reese’s oatmeal. That was the start of the company’s best-selling Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal.

Later came the Apple Cinnamon and Blueberry flavors. Now, with three standard options and two seasonal flavors (Peach and Pumpkin Spice), the brand has really taken off.

Every flavor has several things in common: gluten free steel cut oats, organic coconut oil, organic bananas and local Savannah Bee Company honey.

“It’s the perfect quick breakfast or snack for busy people,” says Thomas. Helping busy people is something Thomas seems particularly proficient at; his company recently began doing small, personal deliveries to their local Savannah customers. Not in Savannah? Don’t worry – Savannah Oatmeal can be ordered online, too.

The company stopped selling in retail and began their more personable business model fairly recently, which includes monthly farmers market appearances in Columbia, SC, Amelia Island, Statesboro and Wilmington Island. “We want to build a relationship with our clients, not just a transaction,” Thomas says.

TO ORDER ONLINE, VISIT SAVANNAHOATS.COM

SOUTHERN SIPPIN' / IAN KESSON OF ARTILLERY

I a n Ke s s o n

SOUTH MAGAZINE: How long have you been P h o t o g r a p h y c o u r t e s y o f DA N I E L R E E D H O S P I TA L I T Y

bartending?

IAN KESSON: Right around eight years.

SM: What’s your favorite part about working at Artillery?

IK: I love working in a bar with such incredible history and having creative freedom with the drink list. We also get to meet a lot of interesting people, both locals and visitors alike.

SM: What’s your best bartending story?

IK: I have lots of stories, but they’re probably not appropriate to print! (Chuckles) SM: What is your favorite drink to mix?

IK: Any of the classics. Drinks are getting ever more complex and creative which is great, but mastering the classics is my favorite.

SM: What is your favorite cocktail ingredient?

IK:

Right now, mezcal.

SM: Do you have any special bartending skills?

ARTILLERY & AMBITION SAVANNAH’S NEW MILITARY-INSPIRED RESTAURANT COMBINES 19TH CENTURY ECLECTICISM WITH MODERN SOUTHERN CHARM. BARTENDER IAN KESSON SITS DOWN WITH SOUTH MAGAZINE TO DESCRIBE HIS EXPERIENCES AT THE PROGRESSIVE EATERY THUS FAR.

By Anne Royan / Photos by John Alexander

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IK:

"SMOKE AND MIRRORS" This Artillery custom is made with Xicaro Mezcal, yellow chartreuse, blackberry peppercorn shrub, lemon juice and blackberries.

Have you seen the movie “Cocktail”?

SM: When you’re on the other side of the

bar, what do you order?

IK: Anything interesting that I don’t see every day, especially with mezcal. I feel like I am constantly researching and observing when I’m out. ~ C H E E R S ~ VISIT IAN AT Artillery, 307 Bull St, Savannah, GA artillerybar.com Wr i t t e n b y A N N E R OYA N P h o t o g r a p h y b y J O H N A L E X A N D E R

2016 DineSouth Awards: NOT THE BEST ... BUT THE GREATEST CULINARY EVENT OF THE YEAR. DINE SOUTH WAS A SWINGING SUCCESS. THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO MADE THE PARTY POSSIBLE! Dine South hosted a variety of restaurants this year, all of which succeeded in keeping over 800 attendees happy and full, but it was the little things that made certain businesses standout.

During the event, Savannah Riverboat Cruises went the extra mile to dress up their booth, winning the Platinum Award for Greatest Booth. Everyone boasted happy, smiling faces but the friendliest staff members were Cohen's Retreat, Savannah Coca-Cola and Top Deck.

1. SAVANNAH RIVERBOAT CRUISES Platinum Award: Greatest booth

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Silver Award: Greatest Overall 2. THE ORIDINARY PUB Platinum Award: Greatest food Greatest overall 3. A.LURE RESTAURANT Gold Award: Greatest booth 4. COHEN'S RETREAT Platinum Award: Greatest staff 5. COTTON & RYE Silver Award: Greatest food 6. SAVANNAH GRACES Silver Award: Greatest booth

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7. 39 RUE DE JEAN Gold Award: Greatest overall Greatest food

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8. SAVANNAH COCA-COLA Gold Award: Greatest staff

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9. TOP DECK Silver Award: Greatest staff

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MENTION D THIS AD AN E RECIEV A FREE REGULAR NAAN FROM PAKWAN

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THIS IS A RESTAURANT THAT’S MORE ABOUT THE SOUL THAN THE ALLIGATOR. OWNER MAUREEN CRAIG AND HER LATE HUSBAND, HILARY, PUT THEIR SOUL INTO THIS UNIQUE DINING SPOT AND THE HIGH STANDARD OF SERVICE AND QUALITY IT STRIVES TO MAINTAIN. THE MENU – WITH A FEW SURPRISES ON IT – MEASURES UP TO THAT STANDARD. by

B I L L W E RTZ p h ot o s C E D R I C S M I T H

lligator Soul is an unusual name for a restaurant, but it says a lot about how owner Maureen Craig approaches her business and her relationship with others in general.

“The word ‘soul,’ simply put, stands for integrity,” she says. “It stands for the impact any of us can make in the world each day for good.”

The word “alligator,” she says, “represents the physical or outward appear-

A

ance of an individual. Where do we as individuals or a society want our emphasis to be? On the exterior of a person or on the integrity or soul? Should it matter what we look like, or should it matter how we walk in the world?

Craig’s late husband, Hilary, she says, “was a man of honor who loved to cook and loved to serve. The joy he felt in taking care of guests was palpable.” She says that’s the quality that most resonates with her in Alligator Soul’s executive chef, Stephen McLain.

CUSTOM CRAFTED COCKTAILS CREATED BY MELVIN LELAND Owner Maureen Craig wants the drinks served at Alligator Soul to have a complimentary relationship with the menu, prepared with organic liquors and fresh ingredients. Bar and restaurant manager, Melvin Leland, works closely with General Manager Jason Johns and Chef Stephen McLain to make that happen.

You can certainly have a Martini or a Manhattan – those are listed on the “classic” side of the cocktail menu, but other selections on the “signature” side 148

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change according to the menu. On the current menu, you might want to try “The Good Rye Young,” a selection that includes dark rye whisky, grapefruit bitters and fresh mint.

One Alligator Soul favorite is the “Etta James,” which includes small batch organic gin infused with organic cucumber and blueberry and finished with a dash of effervescent citrus Manager Johns has described it as “a drink with soul,” one with “a jazzy, blues theme.”

CHEF MCLAIN'S CREATION

Whole roasted free range pheasant over farro and wild rice pilaf of apple, cranberry, and pistachio, served with Kachina Farms organic swiss chard and Readees Bees wildflower honey braised shallots. The food offering is symbolic of how Alligator Soul regards the privilege to

welcome and serve each of our honored guests, as well as the opportunity to conscientiously nurture and support our community. The bountiful, family style presentation encourages interaction and fosters a shared experience. The ingredients were responsibly selected from all natural sources, and reflect our commitment

to promote environmentally sustainable farming and agriculture. The inspiration and composition of this dish, and all that Alligator Soul provides, is truly a collaboration between the hard working people who tend the soil and the graciously fortunate who feed the soul.

Created by Chef McLain

Three Alligator Soul restaurants have been opened by the Craigs over a 20-year time span, the first two on the West Coast, the third opening in Savannah in March of 2003.

All three restaurants have had their share of accolades, she says. Working with local farmers, meat purveyors and alcohol distributors to ensure having the highest quality products available and always addressing the humane treatment of all animals were always paramount to the three restaurant teams.

“I work each day with a group of really smart and talented staff,” Craig said. “They understand and believe in the value of all the products represented here at Alligator Soul and understand that for each of the guests -- from the moment they walk in the door until the moment they leave – it’s all about them!”

She adds: “We may not be able to hit it out of the park every day, but I promise you it’s not for lack of trying. So come, eat, drink and relax your soul!

Savannah’s Alligator Soul was opened in an underground setting – a former grain warehouse in the heart of town built around 1885. Hilary Craig had built a career developing movie sets before going into the restaurant business, and this experience came in handy during the renovations. The beautiful bar was built to his specifications. Maureen added a seating area with comfortable sofas around a fireplace because she found that guests appreciated a spot where they could relax in a home-like setting and enjoy drinks and a conversation. Hilary died in 2007, but Maureen wanted to build on the couple’s legacy. continued on page 150

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“

I TALK TO AS MANY GUESTS AS I CAN. WHEN YOU COME HERE YOU SHOULD ALWAYS FEEL THAT YOU WERE RECOGNIZED AS AN INDIVIDUAL. YOU’RE IMPORTANT.

Executive Chef Stephen McLain

Melvin Leland Jr., Bar and Restaurant Manager

Left to right. General Manager Jason Johns, Proprietor Maureen Craig, her companion, Sebastian Jacque Noel and Jessie McGrath.

What’s in a Name?

Alligator Soul.

When you look at the restaurant’s trademark logo, you have to say, “that’s one soulful alligator! Look at that blissful smile … the tail curled in ecstasy!”

The restaurant’s name was chosen carefully, says owner Maureen Craig. She and her late

husband, Hilary, wanted the name to represent both their product and their philosophy.

“When I pass from this earth, I want to be remembered for only one thing — integrity,” she says. “That one word just about says it all. The kind of life we can lead and the legacy, hopefully, we can leave behind.”

”

A setback came in May, when torrential rain poured through Savannah streets and somehow accumulated outside their basement kitchen wall.

As workers were preparing for dinner, a deluge of water, dirt and sand poured through a breach in one of the kitchen walls, flooding the restaurant in minutes.

“It came in like the fire department opened three hoses,” she told the Savannah Morning News.

The restaurant reopened in August, and fingers were crossed as two hurricanes – Hermine and Matthew – brought more drenching rains to the area. Matthew passed close offshore, but no further damage occurred, and Alligator Soul continues to seek out the South’s best ingredients for its menu, forging relationships with local and regional farmers and food purveyors.

A vegetarian herself, Maureen Craig makes it a point to have at least one vegetarian dish on the menu at all times. The item is always listed on the menu as “Veggies Fear Not,” and the ingredients in the dish each night are detailed to interested guests. The Alligator Soul kitchen also prepares special dishes that go on the “Wild and Adventurous” section of the menu. Here you might find exotic selections like elk, wild boar – even kangaroo and ostrich!

“Game is very popular,” says Craig, and Alligator Soul makes it a point to include as much fresh, local seafood as possible, including shrimp and oysters sourced from the nearby waters of Georgia and South Carolina.

As a final expression of Alligator Soul’s hospitality, the staff extends its thanks to each departing guest as they escort them to the door and wish them a safe journey. “That’s an important part of the overall experience that we want all of our guests to have when they visit us,” says Craig. “We appreciate them so much.” • To Craig, the word “alligator” stands for any one’s physical appearance. “We’re often misjudged by our exterior appearance,” she says.

But the word “soul” stands for what’s on the inside. ‘Soul’ is all about what you personally believe in. The way you walk in this world. The impact you make,” Craig says.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN ALEXANDER

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These freshly caught red snappers are on ice, chilled and ready for order from Russo's Seafood.

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Seafood

South in the

BY WILLIAM C. WERTZ PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHALE HRIZUK

GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS DESIGNED TO PROTECT AND SUSTAIN FISH POPULATIONS HAVE RESTRICTED COMMERCIAL CATCHES OF RED SNAPPER AND OTHER FISH ALONG THE ATLANTIC COAST â&#x20AC;&#x201C; A CHALLENGE FOR FISHERMEN, DISTRIBUTORS AND RESTAURANTS.

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FLOUNDER, SHAD, GROUPER AND MANY OTHER FISH ARE NATIVE TO THE SHALLOW BAYS AND TIDAL MARSHES OF GEORGIA, NORTH AND SOUTH CAROLINA AND FLORIDA. ADD SHRIMP, CRAB AND OYSTERS AND YOU HAVE A CUISINE LIKE NO OTHER!

I

Fresh caught pompano

f you love fresh local seafood, many say the best place in the United States to find it is along the south Atlantic coast in the states of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. In these waters, settlers who arrived in colonial times found what Native Americans had been enjoying for centuries – an incredible variety of both fish and shellfish. The warm ocean waters, shallow bays and tidal marshes teemed with oysters, shrimp, crab, flounder, shad, char, grouper, bass, cobia, red snapper, wreckfish and many other ingredients that went into a cuisine unlike any other in the nation.

Today, residents and visitors to the southeast coast still have an unparalleled opportunity to enjoy much

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OPERATING A RESTAURANT IS A NOTORIOUSLY DIFFICULT BUSINESS. WHEN THE RESTAURANT SPECIALIZES IN A PERISHABLE COMMODITY LIKE SEAFOOD, THAT DIFFICULTY MULTIPLIES. AND SERVING FRESH LOCAL SEAFOOD ADDS STILL ANOTHER LEVEL OF COMPLICATION. SUPPLIES VARY ACCORDING TO THE SEASON, AND CATCHES ARE UNPREDICTABLE. STORMS AND OTHER UNEXPECTED EVENTS CAN LEAVE CHEFS SCRAMBLING TO FILL IN GAPS ON THEIR MENUS. WHY GO TO ALL THAT TROUBLE? “OUR CUSTOMERS WANT THE BEST,” CHEFS SAY. “THEY WANT LOCAL.”

of the best the sea has to offer. But the abundance of centuries past has diminished, and each year brings new challenges to the network of shrimpers, crabbers, distributors, restaurant owners and chefs who maintain the sometimes rickety supply line from ocean to table. So what about the future? There is surprising agreement that keeping local seafood available for generations to come is very possible. But it all depends – not on those who provide the local seafood, but on those who want to eat it and are willing to pay for it. “I’ll be here,” says Larry Toomer, whose family has been bringing in oysters, shrimp and crab from South Carolina waters for more than 100 years. “I’ve been going out on boats since I was eight years old,” says Toomer, now 58.

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Charlie Russo greets every customer with a warm welcom and a smile.

Above left: Russo carefully filets a flounder for packaging.

Above right: Russo's famous sign Here: Inside of Russo's

THIS BUSINESS DEPENDS ON THE ATTRACTION PEOPLE HAVE FOR SEAFOOD. IF YOU SHOW SOMEONE THEY CAN GET SOMETHING SPECIAL AND SERVE THE FRESHEST POSSIBLE PRODUCT, THEY’LL FALL IN LOVE. TOOMER OWNS the Bluffton Oyster Company,

a small gray building with a rusted metal roof along the banks of the May River. A shrimp boat and several small skiffs are tied up at the dock.

At low tide, those small boats will be out on the nearby oyster beds, just reopened after Hurricane Matthew. Bluffton oysters aren’t dredged from the sea floor with a big scoop, they’re chiseled off by hand by men with rubber boots, gloves and a hammer. And that’s not the end of it. The oysters still have to be shucked. Toomer owns the last remaining oyster shucking facility in South Carolina.

“To keep all this alive takes hard work, love, dedication and determination,” Toomer says. And customers. “This business depends on the attrac-

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tion people have for seafood. If you show someone they can get something special and serve the freshest possible product, they’ll fall in love. And that’s how you get to the money,” Toomer says.

Charlie Russo is equally determined to remain a part of the local seafood business as long as he can. Russo, 73, owns the Savanna seafood business his father, Charlie senior, started in 1946, now celebrating its 70th anniversary.

Russo’s Seafood is at 40th and Abercorn, near the railroad tracks, in a building nearly 50 years old with an unusual pointed roof. Outside are statues of a fisherman in a rowboat and a bearded sea captain with a “Fresh Fish” sign around his neck.

Inside, the walls are lined with iced bins that hold

whiting, perch, croaker, drum, mullet, clams and oysters. Russo has restaurant customers, but “the bread and butter is the retail business,” he says.

“Thank God we’ve increased that every year.”

The seafood business is under pressure, Russo says. Government regulations to protect and sustain fish populations have restricted commercial catches of grouper, flounder and red snapper along the Atlantic coast. More restrictions have come after lobbying by recreational fishermen.

Many small seafood shops have closed their doors.

Russo is not sure whether his son, Charles III, or other family members will want to keep the Savannah store in operation, but for him, “life is great at 73.” To serve his customers, Russo has had to cast his net farther from home, stretching the definition of “local.” His ice bins now hold more fish from Virginia, Maryland and the Gulf of Mexico. But it’s all fresh, never frozen even the wild salmon he has flown in from Norway. “You could buy it cheaper and pass it on cheaper,” Russo says, “but the quality would suffer,” and his customers would not be happy.

One of Russo’s customers is Kelly Yambor, chef for the past 21 years at Elizabeth on 37th, an elegant restaurant in a stately old Savannah mansion.

Even though pork, beef and other offerings are on the menu, most of her customers order seafood,

Top left: Seasoned Lowcountry Blue Crab.

Top right: Deep fried soft shell crab sandwich Bottom left: Pan Sautéed Soft Shell Blue Crab "Hudsons Seafood" Bottom right: Steam pot of Lowcountry Blues

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Fiddlers on River Street in Savannah, Georgia has one of the most diverse selections of oysters available in this region. Be sure to ask for the sampler, which includes a variety of oysters - very tasty and unique experience.

Yambor says. “They’re spoiled by the fish we get from Charlie’s. They demand it and they expect it.”

While each year it gets harder and more expensive to meet customers’ expectations, demand remains strong, Yambor says. Customers “have a free choice of what they order,” and seafood is usually what’s on their minds. Jonathan Schwenk agrees. Schwenk is partner in three Atlanta-area

target of the fishing boat. “Some of these fish are not so well known, but they give you great prices.

So it’s up to us in the restaurants to educate the consumers about some of these fish that they’re not familiar with but have great flavor.”

Margins are tight, agrees Matt Roher, executive chef at The Sea Pines Resort on Hilton Head Island. On a busy night, Roher serves thou-

Market, a small seafood distributor in Beaufort owned by the Reaves family, which owns several shrimp trawlers and skiffs. “There’s good, better and best on a lot of choices,” Roher says. “I’m in here for a mandate … and support the locals. I’m not doing it any other way.”

Another customer of Sea Eagle Market is Scott Bodkin, executive chef at the South Carolina Yacht Club. “There’s a benefit to working in a club in a smaller environment,” Bodkin says.

“I can have a few items on the menu and change them up every few weeks and keep it fresh and interesting.”Bodkin believes the best way to encourage an appreciation for local seafood is to serve it with a story. “People want the best. They want local,” he says. They’re also looking for more than a meal.

“They’re looking for a dining experience. Part of that," he says, “is giving them a dish with a story about where it came from and the basis for what you’re doing. It brings the whole dining experience alive for the guest.”

Fiddler’s Crab House on Savannah’s famous River Street is one spot where the local seafood dining experience comes alive. In a converted 1850s warehouse with brick floors and heavy

[CUSTOMERS ARE] LOOKING FOR A DINING EXPERIENCE. PART OF THAT IS GIVING THEM A DISH WITH A STORY. seafood restaurants, C&S Seafood and Oyster Bar, Hugo’s Oyster Bar and C&S Chowder House, which he just opened in October. Supply has not been a problem, even though he’s hundreds of miles from the ocean. “People have a tendency to think, ‘Oh, you’re not on the coast.

It’s not going to be fresh.’ That’s far from the truth. There’s so much seafood even coming out of Maine that I can get it on Tuesday and it came out of the water on Monday morning. But there’s no question seafood is getting more expensive to buy,” Schwenk says. “We try to take advantage of the by-catch,” the fish that are not the intended

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sands of customers at Coast Oceanfront Dining and other Sea Pines restaurants. Many restaurant operators are content with “a good, consistent, cheap product, and you get what you get. For an operator like this, you’re looking at $42 per 100 versus maybe $75 per hundred for a local product.

That’s the crux of the issue. You have a thousand operators and chefs buying the cheaper case and two or three other guys who can actually figure it out and make it happen supporting the locals.

That’s the fight we’re fighting.”

Roher says the Coast Oceanfront Dining menu this night will include flounder from Sea Eagle

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Carmines exposes the inside of a fresh, raw oyster, still alive.

Andrew Carmines

IT MAY BE THAT THE FUTURE OF FARM-RAISED SEAFOOD IS THAT THEY LIVE IN A WILD ENVIRONMENT LIKE AN OPEN OCEAN ENCLOSURE, BUT FED SOME SUPPLEMENTAL FEED. overhead beams, local fish, clams and shrimp are served daily just as they were more than a century ago when they were brought straight up from the docks below. Diners can also experience a wide variety of oysters, steamed, fried or fresh on the half shell.

Restaurants now use social media to help tell stories about the seafood they serve, says Andrew Carmines, who runs Hudson’s Seafood House on the northwestern shore of Hilton Head Island.

“Every time we get fresh shrimp we do the photos and try to post all of that,” he says. “We’ve been fortunate to get a lot of coverage from the local media … that we’re doing something different with the soft shell crabs or the oysters or the shrimp, and I think that kind of resonates with people.

People see these guys are really trying to do things the right way.”

Carmines’ family purchased Hudson’s in 1974 from one of the pioneering seafood families in South Carolina. The Hudson family and the Toomer family had rival side-by-side oyster facilities for decades until the Toomers moved to Bluffton. “They were like the Hatfields and McCoys,” Carmines says. Now, Jeff and Skip Toomer, Larry’s nephews, operate shrimp boats off the Hudson dock and help ensure the restaurant has a steady supply of fresh product.

Carmines believes strongly that staying involved in the supply chain will keep his restaurant strong in the future despite the shrinking number of small seafood distributors like Russo’s and Sea Eagle. Not only does he have his own shrimpers, he has his own team to peel and de-vein the shrimp as it comes in. Carmines recently installed a system that allows him to bring in hard shell blue crabs that were about to molt and keep them until their shells came off and they could be served in the restaurant. “I think the answer is to be vertically integrated,” he says. “We stumbled into this by trying to cut costs and improve quality, and

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then we realized there’s no going back.”

Many involved in supplying local seafood, Charlie Russo among them, believe discerning customers will always prefer wild fish and shellfish to those raised in some kind of aquatic “farm.”

“The quality just isn’t there. It’s just not the same, OK?” says Russo.

Others, including Carmines, believe that farmraised seafood will get better and will come to be appreciated by even the most avid devotees of wild, local varieties. “I’ve tasted some farm-raised shrimp that are raised right and are really good,” Carmines says. “Farm raising stuff is just like anything else. Somebody is going to come along and do it really, really well, and the product is going to end up being as good as the wild product.

It will happen.”

Oysters may be an example, Carmines says.

“People don’t think of farm-raised oysters in the same light that they think of farm-raised shrimp.”

Oysters, like wine varieties, have a taste that is related to their environment, or terroir. A Bluffton oyster will have a different taste profile than a Wellfleet from Cape Cod, a Blue Point from Long Island or a Kumamoto from the West Coast.

“Oysters are often cultured or cultivated in a hatchery, but they live their lives in the wild,” Carmines says. “It may be that the future of farm-raised seafood is that they live in a wild environment like an open ocean enclosure, but are fed some supplemental feed.” He adds: “There are salmon farms in New Brunswick that produce a salmon that is fattier and richer than the wild product, very different, but it has attributes that some people really like. Our local shrimp tastes different than shrimp from the Gulf. Shrimp and oysters and fish are all a product of their environment. It’s a nuance that depends on what you like.”

Al Stokes would agree. He’s the manager of the Waddell Mariculture Center along the Colleton

River in Bluffton. WMC is a field experiment station of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. Its mission is to develop propagation and farming techniques that can be expanded to commercial scale. On the grounds of the center are ponds filled with tilapia and shrimp that Stokes thinks taste pretty good.

“We all have our preferences, some based on price and some based on taste, some based on familiarity with the product,” says Stokes. And even though “a lot of money has been spent on advertising about buying wild-caught salmon versus farm-raised, there have been studies that indicate there really is no significant difference.”

Stokes believes the trends are clear. The supply of wild seafood can’t keep pace with a growing worldwide population and a growing appetite for seafood. Farming has to be a part of the mix, and an increased level of farming may help to take the pressure off dwindling species of wild fish.

But for now, especially along the southern Atlantic coast, fresh local seafood is available.

It’s helpful to know what’s in season. And, says Carmines, “It’s important for people to differentiate the product. It’s so important for people when they go to the grocery store or when they go to a restaurant to demand the local product.” You see that demand having an effect when the neighbors line up at Charlie Russo’s shop in February when the local shad come in and at Toomer’s whenever oysters are available. You see it in the crowds at Hudson's on a Saturday night ordering bucket after bucket of steamed shrimp in the shell. And you see it when the guests at C&S in Atlanta, Elizabeth's in Savannah and Coast Oceanfront Dining on Hilton Head choose to order the fresh catch specials only hours from the local waters.

“People have expectations about the seafood when they come here,” says Larry Toomer. “That’s what really attracts them. They don’t expect the same high quality if they’re at home or in Las Vegas. As long as we can meet those expectations, we’ll do all right.” •

CRAVING SEAFOOD? THESE RESTAURANTS ARE GUARANTEED TO GET YOU HOOKED. FIDDLER'S CRAB HOUSE • 912.644.7172 • FIDDLERSRIVERSTREET.COM RUSSO SEAFOOD • 912.234.5196 • RUSSOSEAFOOD.COM AMBOS SEAFOODS • 912.920.3474 • AMBOSSEAFOODS.COM RIVER HOUSE SEAFOOD • 912.234.900 • SAVANNAHRIVERHOUSE.COM THE SHRIMP FACTORY • 912.236.4229 • THESHRIMPFACTORY.COM BLUFFTON OYSTER COMPANY • 843.757.4010 • BLUFFTONOYSTER.COM HUDSON’S SEAFOOD HOUSE • 843.681.2772 • HUDSONSONTHEDOCKS.COM

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Play South

INSIDE:

CHAMPIONS RUN NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTIES TYBEE POLAR PLUNGE EVENT CALENDAR SCENES OF THE SOUTH R.I.P. DON LOGANA

RUN OF CHAMPS

RUNNING STARTS AT 50 FOR THIS LOCAL BUSINESSWOMAN TURNED CHAMPION. PAM HOWE’S RACE FOR COMMUNITY GROWTH LEAD HER TO COMPLETE THE BOSTON MARATHON.

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By MT Pickett Photo by Somi Benson-Jaja

Pam Howe proves that to be a true champion, you have to be a “big picture” kind of dreamer.

JOIN THE REINDEER RUN The theme for this year’s run is STEPUP & STEP-IN, and it aims to rally the young members of the Coastal Empire community to run against bullying and rejecting others who want to join in their

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“Reindeer Games.” Participants will enjoy an 8K, a kiddie race, and lots of after-race games and activities perfect for both the smallest and seasoned of athletes.

The event’s “Reindeer Games” cover a diverse range of family-friendly activities and tastes.

Literally. A “Best Cookie” contest will be held for some of the area’s top pastry chefs. Racers should also be on the lookout for local celebrities like Jack Levine, Sarah Pitts, Holly Holdsworth,

hampions are not just the athletes who win every race or competition. For Vice President of Accounting at Bernard Williams and Company, Pam Howe, who began running at age 50 - the term “champion” is more of a state of mind where the journey is a far outcry from the finish line. “I have always been a walker,” said Howe. Howe enjoyed walking with her dog, Rebel, well into his old age. When Rebel had to stop coming along, she started jogging out of boredom. Eventually she was running up to four miles at a time, but Howe admits she first rebutted her son’s suggestion to try racing. “Yeah right! I am not fast,” I told my son. With an impressive number of miles under her belt, Howe’s coworker, Dan Pavlin, also the Race Director and CFO of Endurance Race Services inspired her to start racking up bib numbers by partaking in the ERS Championship series. Designed to bring runners of all levels together, the system works by tallying up numerical points that runners receive for participation, length of race, place received and even bonus points for wearing a costume during races for one year. This season starts and ends with the Savannah Bridge Run on Dec. 6, 2016. Not only did Howe end this year’s series with the most points, these races fueled Howe’s qualification and completion of a huge milestone for any avid runner - the 2016 Boston Marathon. •

Kate Jacobs, Christy Stevens, and Ben Senger.

Unlike the sentiment in the classic song, race participants are wholly invited to join in all of the “Reindeer Games” available during the event.

Racing festivities will commence at 8:45 a.m. with a kiddie race, followed by the 8K race at 9:45 a.m.

According to Administrative & Events Coordinator Samantha Levine, the idea for a Reindeer Run started with the late Robert Espinoza of Fleet Feet Sports. He thought such an event could serve as a celebratory race for the holiday season where the public could dress up and have fun while promoting awareness for a noble cause. •

NEW YEAR’S EVE s t n e v e There’s no doubt that here in the South we know how to throw a party – and what bash is bigger than New Year’s Eve? We’ve got it all: fireworks, masquerades and so many variations on the ball drop that Times Square can’t keep up. Get tickets, make reservations or just walk around town, you won’t be sorry.

CHARLESTON Yorktown Countdown Set sail to the old year at this unique party with live bands and DJs from all genres aboard the USS Yorktown, a World War II Essex-class aircraft carrier. yorktowncountdown.com Charleston Wonderland Enjoy live music, a mobile cigar lounge and Charleston’s largest balloon drop at the Charleston Wonderland, where your imagination will run wild. charlestonwonderland.com New Year’s Eve Dinner at Circa 1886 For the foodies out there: Circa 1886 offers a six-course prix fixe dinner with a champagne toast when the midnight bells ring. circa1886.com The Charleston Rose Ball New Year’s Eve Event Be the belle (or beau?) at the ball this New Year’s Eve. Hosted by the

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folks of Charleston After Dark, this upscale shindig features live music and countless hors d’oeuvres at the Johnson Hagood Stadium. charlestonroseball.com

A perfect City Market night: a late moonlit dinner at some of Savannah’s favorite restaurants and live music that goes on all night. savannahcitymarket.com

HILTON HEAD ISLAND

Jazz’d Tapas Bar New Year’s Eve Party The annual pairing of two of Savannah’s hippest places does not disappoint. Make reservations for a private table, tapas for two and that bubbly midnight toast. jazzdtapasbar.com

New Year’s Eve Celebration & Ball Drop Watch the Hilton Head golf ball drop from the Harbour Town Lighthouse amidst fireworks at this family friendly celebration. hiltonheadisland.com SAVANNAH Up the Cup New Year’s Eve Celebration There’s no ball dropping in Savannah; here we raise a six-foot to-go cup to toast 2016. Fireworks and open-containers – sayin’ hello to the New Year, Savannah-style. riverstreetsavannah.com Savannah City Market New Year’s Celebration

New Year’s Eve at the Beach Head on east to Tybee Island for a low-key New Year’s Eve at the beach.

Bring chairs, towels and something to drink; fireworks start at midnight. tybeefortheholidays.com ATLANTA Peach Drop at Underground Atlanta This New Year’s Eve keep Georgia on your mind with Atlanta’s famed

- FUN LEVEL

Peach Drop in the heart of the city. peachdrop.com Atlanta NYElectric 2016 Holler at 2016 from the Westin’s massive ballrooms, while Atlanta’s top DJs mix the night away at the city’s ultimate New Year’s event. ournightlife.com/event/35757/ atlanta_nyelectric_2016 Buckhead NYW Block Party 2016 The East Andrews Entertainment District becomes a one-stop venue for anything you could want on New Year’s Eve: DJs, late night menus and open bars. atlantanightlife.com/event/36669/ buckhead_nye_block_party JACKSONVILLE New Year’s Eve Celebration at the Jacksonville Landing Food trucks, family fun and – you got it! – fireworks are on the main stage at this Jacksonville New Year’s Eve bash. jacksonvillelanding.com

P L AY S O U T H / P O L A R P L U N G E O N T Y B E E

s sand thou nd Join eople a ge of p the plun k takeo the brisn at int ic Ocea ew t N Atlanoon on y!

12 n ar’s Da Ye

TAKE THE PLUNGE INTO 2017 FOLKS FROM ACROSS THE COASTAL EMPIRE WILL BE FREEZIN’ FOR A REASON.

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By Kelly Heitz Photo by Somi Benson-Jaja

eld every Jan. 1 at the Tybee Pier and Pavilion, the Tybee Polar Plunge brings together more than 1,000 “plungers” for a memorable dip in the Atlantic. This year marks the 16th annual Plunge, which has become a New Year’s Day tradition for many area families and supporters. Those recovering from ringing in the New Year need only roll out of bed bright and early (not necessarily bright-eyed and bushy-tailed) and head out to Tybee for a refreshing and invigorating plunge into the ocean at high noon. Talk about a way to wake up and greet 2017.

Whether or not you decide to take the plunge, you can still join in the fun and festivities like watching the popular Gang of Goofs Costume Contest and Parade at 11 a.m. Witness dozens of teams sport wacky, pre-soaked ensembles and flaunt their creations in front of local celebrity judges before jumping into the not-warmenough waves. The winning team gets $300!

To warm up both before and after the Plunge, Bernies Oyster House (open 8 a.m. - 10 p.m.); Rock House Bar & Grill (11 a.m. - 3 a.m.); Tybean Art & Coffee (8 a.m.

- 3 p.m.); and Wet Willies (9 a.m. - 12 a.m.) will all be open for full refreshment and food services. After drying off and warming up, plungers can check out dolphin tours from Captain Mike’s Dolphin Adventures or sunset tours of the Tybee Light Station.

Polar plunges are hosted in multiple communities across the country as an enjoyable, family-friendly event with proceeds donated to a selected charitable organization. This year’s Tybee Polar Plunge is sponsored and hosted by the historic Tybee Post Theater located in the Fort Screven Historic District. This theater serves as a symbol of Tybee’s commitment to historic preservation and the value of cultural heritage. • For more about the Tybee Polar Plunge, visit visittybee.com

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EN T ER TA INMEN T G U ID E

Events Calendar

Check out the latest happenings in the Lowcountry.

Enjoy fine European, domestic, & housemade chocolate from Wright Square Café.

SAVANNAH The Savannah Harbor Holiday Series (December 1 - 24) Experience the 16th year of this annual holiday tradition at The Westin Savannah Harbor, featuring the South’s Best Santa Claus, world famous Gingerbread Village & Competition, Festival of Trees, daily events from local organizations and holiday treats at the Winter Escape Ice Bar and North “Pool.” For more information visit savannahharborfoundation.com.

The Old Town Holiday Sights Tour (December 1 - 24) “Oh What Fun it is to Ride” through the historic district and learn about Savannah’s Holiday traditions while caroling along the way. Following the trolley, guests will visit the Isaiah Davenport House for a glimpse at a typical 19th Century Holiday.

For more information, visit trolleytours.com/savannah.

December Nights and Holiday Lights (December 1 - 24) Enjoy a self-guided walking tour through a 10-acre Lighted Christmas Garden at the Savannah Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens filled with more than 250,000 sparkling lights.This tour is stroller and wheelchair friendly, but please do not bring your pets.For more information visit coastalgeorgiabg.org.

Christmas on the River (December 4 - 6) Join the Holiday celebration on Historic River Street featuring, regional arts and crafts exhibitors, live music and local entertainment.

The event kicks off with first Friday fireworks and continues through the weekend with the

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lighted Christmas parade on Saturday. For more information visit riverstreetsavannah.com.

Wright Square Holiday Open House (December 9) Join the Merchants of Wright Square in the Historic District for a holiday open house featuring live strolling musicians, an appearance

by Father Christmas in a Horse Drawn Carriage in addition to vendors in the square for more shopping opportunities than ever before! For more information, visit facebook.com/Wright-SquareMerchants-Holiday-Open-House.

Savannah Technical College Opportunity Gala (December 4) his signature event honors deserving civic leaders for a lifetime of service in creating and enhancing opportunities for others to succeed and have demonstrated a commitment to creating opportunities for Georgians both locally and at the state level. For more information visit savannahtech.edu/aboutstc/foundation/events.

First Friday Art March (December 2 & January 6) Experience local art, music, food and culture to be found in the Savannah Starland District and enjoy a familyfriendly evening filled with arts activities, live performances,

food, vendors and more. Walk or ride on the free Old Savannah Tours Trolley and the visit each of the participating galleries, restaurants and shops located on the downloadable Map. For more information, visit artmarchsavannah.com Enmarket Savannah Bridge Run (December 3) The 25th Anniversary of the Savannah Bridge Run is one of the most anticipated races of the year, featuring a 5K, 10K and 15K race along a challenging course that begins on Hutchinson Island and crosses over the Savannah River on the Talmadge Bridge to finish the race in the Historic District. For more information, visit savannahbridgerun.com.

Savannah Lighted Christmas Parade (December 3) The lighted Christmas parade marks the official arrival of St. Nick to Savannah and will begin on West River Street and travel along the river before heading up to Bay Street and ending in City Market. For more information visit riverstreetsavannah.com.

Merry Christmas to all!

Downtown Neighborhood Association Holiday Tour of Homes (December 10) Now in its 42nd year, this popular event offers visitors a unique opportunity to peek inside of some of the most celebrated private houses within the Landmark Historic District. For more information, visit dnaholidaytour.com.

Savannah Art Walk (December 11 & January 14) Enjoy a self-guided tour of the galleries and local shops located within a one-mile radius of the Savannah Riverfront. Attendees begin at the River Street Inn for a free wine reception from El Rocko Lounge before taking off on their own with the downloadable Art Walk map in hand and reconvening at the Andaz Hotel for a finale reception with raffle drawing. For more information, visit savannahartwalk.com.

Savannah Philharmonic Holiday Pops Concert (December 17) This perennial favorite returns to the Lucas Theatre for its seventh season featuring a selection of holiday classics performed by the Savannah Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus with special guest American Traditions Competition Gold Medalist, Michael Maliakel.

For more information, visit savannahphilharmonic.org.

Savannah Reindeer Run 8k (December 17) Join the Rape Crisis Center of the Coastal Empire and Fleet Feet Sports as they present the 7th Annual Reindeer Run 8K and kiddie race, inviting both adults and youth to fly like the famous reindeer to help fight bullying. For more information, visit fleetfeetsavannah. com/savannah-reindeer-run-8k.

Champagne toast at Midnight and campfire stories under the stars. For more information, visit ossabawisland.net.

Holiday Evening Tours

by Candlelight (December 26-30) The Federal-style, Davenport House welcomes visitors to experience the end-ofyear celebrations of early 19th century Savannahians.

For more information, visit davenporthousemuseum.org.

Wild Night on Ossabaw (December 31) Experience a special overnight educational journey that includes, guided tours of the Ossabaw Island’s Northern end, Pig Roast Dinner, craft beer by Service Brewing Company followed by a

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Patrick’s Ride (December 15) This non-competitive 140-mile ride from Savannah to Augusta, was founded by two-time cancer survivor Patrick Booton and raises money to benefit children and families with cancer at the Dwaine and Cynthia Willett Children’s Hospital of Savannah and the Curtis and Elizabeth Anderson Cancer Institute at Memorial University Medical Center. For more information, visit patricksride.com Up the Cup New Year’s Celebration (December 31) Raise a toast to the New Year in true Savannah style on Historic River Street and watch the untraditional “ball drop” as a

six foot to-go cup is raised in the air to cheers to the New Year!

The countdown begins just before midnight followed by a firework display to officially ring in 2016! For more information, visit riverstreetsavannah.com.

Cooler in Pooler Resolution 5K/15K (January 9) Runners can start working on those New Year’s Resolutions at this annual 5K and 15K race that benefits Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Coastal Empire. For more information, visit svisitpooler.com.

Mountain Film Festival (January 19 - 21) Started in 1979, Mountainfilm in Telluride is one of America’s longest-running film festivals and has always been best described by one unchanging word: inspiring.

The Mountainfilm Tour comes to Savannah to with a weekend celebration full of screenings, presentations and panels in addition to

a wide diversity of special guests, ranging from artists to adventurers and academics to activists. For more information, visit mountainfilmsav.org.

TYBEE ISLAND Jane Coslick Holiday Cottage Tour (December 3) Experience a holiday cottage tour featuring unique Tybee Island cottages inspired by world-renowned interior designer and preservationist, Jane Coslick. For more information, visit tybeefortheholidays.com.

THE COAST

Tybee Island Christmas Parade (December 3) This annual Christmas Parade begins at the 14th Street parking lot located behind Hotel Tybee and makes its way up Butler Avenue before ending at the Tybee YMCA, where kids can get a photo with Santa. For more information visit, tybeefortheholidays.com.

Pier and Pavilion beginning at midnight and can be seen from almost anywhere on the beach in addition to the beachfront restaurants. For more information, visit tybeefortheholidays.com.

to bring new unwrapped toys, gift cards, or phone cards for donations to benefit Citizens Opposed to Domestic Abuse. For more information,

Polar Plunge (January 1) Thousands of participants will take the plunge into the brisk waters of the Atlantic Ocean as the clock strikes noon on New Year’s Day. Costumes are encouraged for groups of three or more to enter into the Gang of Goofs contest for prizes. For more information, visit tybeepolarplunge.com.

New Year’s Eve Fireworks Celebration (December 31) The Tybee Island annual Fireworks display will be set off at the Walter W. Parker

Annual Polar Bear Swim (December 31) Take an invigorating dip in the Harbour Town pool to say farewell to 2016 and welcome in the new year with dozens of fellow “polar bears.” For more information, visit seapines.com.

New Year’s Eve Celebration (December 31) Enjoy a Harbour Town New Year’s Eve “ball drop” as a huge golf ball is dropped from the top of the Lighthouse. Countdown to 2017 with live music, burgers, brews and more. For more information, visit seapines.com.

HILTON HEAD Jingle Jingle 5K (December 24) Start burning those holiday calories early at the annual Jingle Jingle 5K and Health Walk, featuring a colorful seasonal theme and prizes presented to the top three overall male and female finishers.

Participants are encouraged

activities and more. For more information, visit seapines.com.

visit bearfootsports.com.

Holiday Fun in Harbour Town (December 26 - 30) Bring the entire family to Harbor Town and enjoy classic holiday movies, roasted marshmallows, festive games,

Hilton Head Snow Day (January 28) This event is perfect for anyone who has never seen snow as Shelter Cove Community Park will be transformed into a winter wonderland filled with snow where visitors may enjoy a

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variety of snow-inspired activities and entertainment for the entire family. For more information, visit islandreccenter.org.

BLUFFTON Town of Bluffton Christmas Parade (December 3) The Christmas season kicks off in Old Town Bluffton at the annual Christmas Parade, beginning at Town Hall and ending at Red Cedar Elementary with awards for Best Float, Best Performance,

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Judge’s Choice and Fan Favorite. For more information, visit townofbluffton.sc.gov.

featuring more than two million lights in addition to festive music and visits from favorite holiday characters. For more information, visit stonemountainpark.com.

million LED lights in addition to dozens of Christmas trees to create a magical atmosphere for the family to enjoy. For more information, visit sixflags.com.

Atlanta Ballet Presents the Nutcracker (December 9 - 24) Experience the 21st Anniversary of the Atlanta Ballet’s production of the Nutcracker at the Fox Theater and follow Clara into a magical world of live toys and fairies where anything is possible. For more information, visit atlantaballet.com.

Atlanta Winter Beer Festival (January 30) his winter Brew Festival offers samples of over one hundred fifty beers and ciders in addition to wines. For more information, visit atlantawinterbeerfest.com.

ATLANTA

Garden Lights in the Atlanta Botanical Garden (December 1 January 7) This annual electrical extravaganza features spectacular light displays throughout the Garden in addition to other holiday features including the new Tunnel of Light, Orchestral Orbs, Glittering Galaxy, Radiant Rainforest, and Model Trains. For more information, visit atlantabg.org.

Stone Mountain Christmas Celebration (December 1 - January 4) Atlanta’s most heartwarming Christmas tradition takes place annually at Stone Mountain Park,

Six Flags Holiday in the Park (December 1 - January 4) It’s the most wonderful time of the year to visit Six Flags over Georgia and celebrate their annual holiday tradition featuring more than one

New Year’s Day Polar Bear 5K Run (January 1) Hosted by Bear Foot Sports, this 10th annual New Year’s Day Run features the Polar Bear 5K, Health Walk, Children’s Fun Run & Dog Walk followed by an awards ceremony and post race celebration.

For more information, visit bearfootsports.com.

CHARLESTON Holiday Festival of Lights (December 1 - January ) Recognized as “One of the top 10 Holiday Celebrations,” by Coastal Living Magazine, the

P h o t o g r a p h c o u r t e s y o f JA PA N F E S T

Charleston Holiday Festival of Lights features over 700 magical light displays across more three miles. Park your car and enjoy family activities, shopping, food, entertainment, and so more. For more information, visit ccprc.com.

Charleston Restaurant Week (January 4-22) Enjoy pre fixed lunch and dinner menus at over one hundred participating Charleston restaurants for this celebration hosted by the Greater Charleston Restaurant Association, Inc. For more information, charlestonrestaurantassociation.com.

Charleston Marathon (January 14) The 7th Annual Charleston

Marathon returns with a unique 26.2 mile course that pulses through the city’s Battery district and historic King Street in addition to the Shrimp and Grits 5K run through historic Park Circle in North Charleston. After the race enjoy a finish line street festival with live entertainment.

For more information, charlestonmarathon.com.

Charleston Boat Show (January 27-29) Kick off boating season in the LowCountry at the 37th Annual Charleston Boat Show featuring something for everyone’s taste and budget including, powerboats, jon boats, skiffs, cruisers, yachts, ski boats and more. For more information, visit thecharlestonboatshow.com.

Lowcountry Oyster Festival (January 29) The world’s largest oyster festival returns to Boone

Hall Plantation to celebrate its 33rd year in the Lowcountry, featuring the legendary Oyster shucking and eating contests, live music, wine and beer, children’s area and food court. For more information, visit charlestonrestaurantassociation. com.

JACKSONVILLE Deck the Chairs at Jacksonville Beach (December 1 - January 1) The Beaches Winter Light Festival features more than twenty American Red Cross lifeguard chairs decorated in coastalthemed designs and lights by local businesses and regional

artists. For more information, visit deckthechairs.org.

Zoolights (December 14-16) Thousands of LED lights will transform the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens into a luminous winter wonderland filled with moving sculptures, forests of lighted trees and animal silhouettes. For more information, visit jacksonvillezoo.org.

For more events & to submit your event visit SouthMag.com

DE C E M BE R 2016 / JANUARY 2017

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M A S Q U E R A D E AT T H E M A N S I O N

MASQUERADE AT THE MANSION Josh Flor es & MT P ickett Josh & M T

ie McGee, Kim Obiala Chris Sergi, Allison Tillman, Bonn

Christine Ryan, Rebecca Clarkcon

Maye Rogers, Toni Pelusa, Kristina Capiak

Amy Storeer

Cate Lyon

Countless Savannah socialites donned masks for an unforgettable night of revelry, enchantment, and gothic allure at the William Jay Society’s second annual Masquerade in the Mansion! The William Jay Society is Telfair Museums’ member group of young professionals. Proceeds supported the museum’s educational outreach and general programming. Held after hours inside the beautiful and historic Telfair Academy, the masquerade featured an array of dazzling décor and wild entertainment, including live music, libations, late-night pizza served on platers, palm readers and experience in the museum like never before.

1. Adriana Gaal 2. Stephen Barnhill, Maydalis Sotolongo 3. Ryan & Angelique Dalton 4.

Chelsea Jordan, Alie Viviani 5. Bill & Carol Barbee 6. Caleb Harkleroad 7. Xanthe Zeitstuck

Rose Marie Woulfe, Lou Schiavone Mandi Lanier, Eric Brom, Kim Schenk

Stephanie Morgan, Jon with ESPN

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is, Blair Truker, Jeremiah Dav Shelby Traywick

1 ilson & Rachel W

ght Austin Wri

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5 0 T H C M A AWA R D S

50TH CMA AWARDS Mickey Guyton

Garth Brooks

On Nov. 2, 2016 at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., the Country Music Association held a half-century old celebration with some of today’s biggest names in the country music industry.

Highlights of the night included Beyonce’s first country award performance that also marked a return for the Dixie Chicks and their CMA Awards hiatus.

Dolly Parton earned the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award and Taylor Swift present Garth Brooks with Entertainer of the Year. The night featured a number of other memorable performances, too: A mix of classic and contemporary country stars kicked off the show with 12 performances to celebrate its milestone anniversary.

Carrie Underwood

Thomas Rhett

Little Big Town

Beyoncé Taylor Swift

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1. Laurie Hernandez 2. Tim McGraw 3. Kelsea Ballerini 4.

Brad Paisley 5. Keith Urban 6.

Darius Rucker 7. Alan Jackson 8. Peyton Manning 9. Brad Paisley and Barbara Mandrell

3 Ashley Campbell

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NOT YOUR

“ORDINARY” HEADSHOP VISIT US ONLINE

smokecartel.com t Us Visi son! er in P

At One of our Retail Stores:

SAVANNAH, GA 302 W Victory Dr (912) 574-2000 ASHEVILLE, NC 582 Hendersonville Rd #2 (828) 385-5099

R . I . P. D O N L O G A N A

R.I.P DON LOGANA THE LOWCOUNTRY SAYS GOODBYE TO A GOOD FRIEND.

I

By W.C. Wertz Photos

have been thinking a lot lately about Don Logana. I remember most vividly sitting with a freshly shaved head and reading the comment he had posted on Facebook: “The famous coif of Michael Brooks now a memory! #stbaldricks.”

Don had taken a photo as they shaved my head for St. Baldricks Day and posted it on Facebook.

Well, first of all, I had to look up “coif.” Come on!

Who uses words like that?! Don Logana did. But that was how he lived life. Refined and a bit showy at times, but essentially down to earth. If you heard it once about him, you heard it a thousand times. Don was the guy who just made you feel comfortable at a party. He had a huge personality and had a gift for making others smile.

It is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to the man that came to Savannah and became an overnight sensation. Not only was Don the weekday morning anchor for WTOC’s News at Daybreak show, he was an experienced investigative reporter specializing in consumer issues. He stood up for the little guy.

Many are feeling his loss.

“Don was a great guy and such a big part of WTOC and our newsroom family, his loss has left us with a huge void that will be tough to fill,” news director Scott Galloway told the Savannah Morning News.

Don began his television career in New York, first as an intern, reporter and producer at WIXT-TV in Syracuse and later as a reporter and anchor at WWTI-TV in Watertown. He joined WTOC in 2004 and was assigned to anchor the morning news with Cyreia Sandlin in 2014.

“He is an icon in this city. Our newsroom will never be the same,” Sandlin told the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

Sonny Dixon, who retired as WTOC’s lead anchor after 18 years, described Don in an AJC article as tireless and dedicated to building up the community.

He noted that he was an active participant in raising money for multiple sclerosis and other causes, giving his all to “Dancing with Savannah Stars and raising the most money for Court Appointed Special Advocates - for abused and neglected children.

Ruel Joyner from Savannah’s Downtown Business Association said: “It’s an incredible loss for Savannah.

He truly is Savannah’s champion and he’s left his mark.”

Scott Howard, former president of the Savannah Better Business Bureau. “We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to Don. “I knew I could always count on him … to get the word out to help people.”

Farewell Don, rest in peace. •

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Photography by J O H N A L E X A N D E R & C O R E Y B R O O K S S OUT H MAGA ZI NE.C OM