St Marys Magazine Issue 018

VOLUME 9

COVERING THE LOWCOUNTRY FROM SAVANNAH TO NORTHEAST FLORIDA

ISSUE 18

PAGE 14 7 DAYS OF AWESOME IN ST. MARYS PAGE 30 CHILLIN’ ON THE CHOO-CHOO PAGE 56 FROM REAL TO REEL CINEMAGICAL COASTAL GEORGIA THE OLD SUGAR MILL ST. MARYS’ SWEET SPOT

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Osprey Cove • Winding River • Cumberland Harbour • Waters Edge • Sanctuary Cove • Landings at Catfish • Laurel Island • Osprey Cove • Winding River • Cumberland Harbour

Osprey Cove • Winding River • Cumberland Harbour • Waters Edge • Sanctuary Cove • Landings at Catfish • Laurel Island • Osprey Cove • Winding River • Cumberland Harbour

Osprey Cove • Winding River • Cumberland Harbour • Waters Edge • Sanctuary Cove • L andings at Catfish • L aurel Island

Letter from the Mayor

Drifting on the river: One recent weekend I had the opportunity to enjoy St. Marys’ ‘lazy river’ with many of our out-of-town visitors and local residents. This ‘lazy river’ is actually one of two in St. Marys.

One is very large and helps define our waterfront and ends up not so lazy by the time it reaches the Atlantic Ocean. It is called the St. Marys River. This tannin-rich river headwaters out of the Okefenokee Swamp and helps define Georgia’s boundary with Florida. The other lazy river is part of one of our excellent city parks offering picnic areas, a pavilion, multiple ball fields, and a playground—the St. Marys Aquatic Center.

Our Aquatic Center is filled with fun and laughter—always bustling with families and various groups enjoying a day at the water park. Youngsters splash in the children’s rain shower shallow pool and wait for that giant bucket to deliver the ‘splash’ as it releases all its contents on unsuspecting waders. Older visitors are entertained with swimming and exercise.

The most popular part of the Center for many is the actual lazy river where floaters drift around the river on inner tubes at a speed calculated to transform even the most energized person into someone who may say ‘did I just fall asleep on the river’?

Our Aquatic Center is just one of many sites and activities that our visitors enjoy. We invite you to also experience our rich history, dine in our restaurants, shop in our eclectic shops, and stay at one of our B&Bs or Inns. Our goal is to entice you to come again and again, and maybe try out that lazy river on one of your visits.

Sincerely,

John John Morrissey, Mayor City of St. Marys

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F E AT U R E S 8

St. Marys: A Kinder & Gentler Community

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Barrel Racing: It’s All About Trust

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7 Days of Awesome in St. Marys

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The Allure of History and Wilderness: Cumberland Island’s Land & Legacies Tour

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Coastal Georgia’s Destination Dining Star: Copper Pig BBQ & Smokehouse

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Living the Good Life on Your Terms: Sawyer Realty & Custom Homes

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A Signature Lifestyle. A Captivating Setting.

Osprey Cove Re-invigorated

St. Marys Little Theatre’s Monstrous Season Opener

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Audrey 2 Alive and Well in Jacksonville

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Chillin’ On The Choo-Choo

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A Lifetime of Excitement with Steel Wheels on Iron Rails

Nostalgia Finds a Home: Georgia Radio Museum and Hall of Fame

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Camden County Schools have Something to Shout About

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St. Marys: Navy Town USA

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Cumberland Harbour Design Center: A Preview of Paradise

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The Old Sugar Mill: A St. Marys Sweet Spot

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Into The Woods: A Soulful Retreat

Camden Cowboys: Where Good Guys are Bad Guys Too

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Shouldering a Summer of Mobility

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Downtown Merchants Welcome New Businesses

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A Story of Healing and Serendipity

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On the Way Home

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From Real to Reel: Cinemagical Coastal Georgia

D E PA R T M E N T S 2 6 7 49 54 83 84 86 90 91 92

Mayor’s Letter Publisher’s Note Locator Map Business Insights Literarily Speaking Media Darlings EarthKeeping Mailbag LowCountry Events Around Town Magazine Party 17

Publisher’s Note How do you want to be remembered?

Publisher Barbara Jackson Ryan Creative Director & Designer Jerry Lockamy Contributing Artists Erin Way Steve Saley Editors Erin Way Linda Williford Justin Lee Jones Director of Public Relations Kristen Lockamy Contributing Writers Alex Kearns Justin Lee Jones Erin Way John Gantz Holly Yurchison Contributing Photographers Chris Ocean Roger Graw George McCullough Hidden Creek Gardens Jean G.Wines/JGW Studios L. J.Williams Holly Yurchison Brenda Barber Taylor Glenda Barber Mike Lillis Doug Vaught Evelyn Hill Steve Royer Erin Way Historic St. Marys Magazine is a LowCountry Publishing publication. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the prior consent of official representatives of LowCountry Publishing. All contents Copyright 2014. All rights reserved.

Letters to the Editor or other Correspondence Email: info@stmarysmagazine.com 511 Osborne Street St. Marys, GA 31558 For general information, advertising, or subscription service, call 912-729-1103 or visit www.stmarysmagazine.com Eco Statement St. Marys Magazine is committed to the highest environmental standards, printed in the USA

by The Drummond Press, Inc., recycling 100% of excess paper and using non-petroleum vegetable oil-based inks.

This question I've been posing to my friends recently. It's an exercise I often employ—discovering myself through the revelations of others. Does what they say have relevance to my life? To who I am?

One friend wants to be remembered as someone who took a stand. Hmmmm. Nope, that doesn't appeal to me.

Another aspires to leave the world a better place than he found it. Yes! Definitely, I like that one. But dare I reach that high? And by whose measure? A cousin desires to be remembered as someone who made people laugh. I like that one too. But there are funnier people out there than I. As I ponder what I want my legacy to be, I become introspective. Surely in death I will value what I valued in life. So, I shall examine my passions. What drives me now.

Three passions—simple but powerful—have governed my life: the longing to love and be loved, an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, and an unfettered desire to bring joy to others.

I shall lay aside the "knowledge" factor, for who would ever want to be remembered as a know-it-all? My quest to bring joy to others will have its own measure and no need of boast.

That leaves love.

It has been said that "love blooms where you plant it." I shall be most happy if my legacy were to be "planter of love." I shall aspire to be remembered as the "Johnny Appleseed of love blossoms." A lofty legacy, to be sure. So, I cast now fertile seeds of love to my family, my friends, my community, my readers, to those who think they don't like me, to the strangers I've yet to meet, and to the downtrodden. Nature will nurture, and love will grow.

That's how I'd like to be remembered. How would you like to be remembered?

Barbara Jackson Ryan Publisher

Email me anytime with your thoughts or ideas for the magazine: Barbara@stmarysmagazine.com.

On the cover The Pavilion on St. Marys Waterfront.

Photo by Chris Ocean.

t’s easy to get to St. Marys no matter what mode of transportation you use.

By land, St. Marys is located just 8 miles east of I-95 off Georgia Exit 1 or 3.

By sea, an easy sailing up the Intracoastal, and into the St. Marys River just north of Florida, gets you right into St. Marys’ Downtown Historic District.

By air, visitors have two great choices: St. Marys’ own little airport situated just minutes from the waterfront. Or Jacksonville International Airport—a mere 30 minute car ride away.

912-882-3242

Waterfront Dining in the Historic Riverview Hotel

Appetizers Soups & Salads Children’s Menu Baskets with fries Burgers & Sandwiches Seafood & Steak Entrees Chicken & Pasta Entrees Homemade Deserts & more

Proms Weddings Bachelor & Bachelorette Parties Airport Services Special Occasions

Office: (912) 882-7904

Tom Mitchell

Cell: (912) 674-9102

St. Marys: A Kinder

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by Alex Kearns

he stunning physical beauty of St. Marys is obvious to all: the oak tree canopied streets; the graceful historic buildings; the sweet curve of the river; and the loveliness of our public spaces. But there’s something else that makes this small corner of the world extraordinary – an unbridled sense of community.

You can see it in the kind wave and smile of two strangers as they pass one another in their golf carts, and hear it in the voices of our elected leaders. You can feel it in the welcome of our shopkeepers, and the warmth with which all visitors are greeted. You can experience it during celebrations when families and friends come together in a sense of oneness.

Hardly a week goes by without a special event. Festivals and theatre performances, dance recitals and art shows, church functions and civic meetings—all serving to unite us in our love for St. Marys.

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www.StMarysMagazine.com

By

Holly Yurchison

ome a runnin’!” calls the announcer.

C Horse and rider blast out of the chute into the arena, racing for the first of three barrels. The rider shouts “Hey! Hey!” and the horse slows for the loop around the barrel, then races to the next, leaning around it and then the third. As the team circles the final barrel the horse lunges for the chute, the rider low over its neck for speed, passing an electronic timer set into the fence. The announcer calls out the time—16.441 seconds.

“When your name is called and you round the corner down the long alley that'll end in running and trusting an animal for that first barrel turn, there is nothing else like it,” Megan Sparks, 15 year-old Ohio barrel racer, said. “The horses choose to trust us with their lives, so we have to learn to trust them to run, turn, and stop. It's all about trust—and the adrenaline rush.” continued ...

Lynn Strickland of Kingsland

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As if living in a Davis Love III Golf Course community were not enough to impress your most discerning friends, wait until you tell them what you paid for a custom-built home by one of Coastal Georgia’s most respected builders.

Your new Sawyer home comes with luxury standard features like granite countertops, vaulted ceilings, crown molding, 6’ walk-in shower and 6’ soaker tubs and much more—features other builders might consider extras.

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Country Club living at a price that could be lower than renting…what are you waiting for?

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Local saddle clubs hold barrel racing events most weekends. “There is always something going on somewhere, whether running to make it to finals, for money, titles or just for fun,” Elaine Brown of Bit and Spur Saddle Club, Jacksonville, says. And barrel racing is all about fun. The Charlton County Saddle Club in Folkston holds a “fun” show every first and third Tuesday, with dinner after the show. It’s a family event with riders of all ages competing; the very youngest on their ponies led around the barrels by a running youth or adult.

Barrel racing as an official rodeo event began around 1950—for girls. Female riders were first judged on their horsemanship by riding a figure-eight pattern around three barrels in the 30s, but the event was not timed until 1949.

The pattern is now a cloverleaf, which is more challenging than the figure-eight.

National winners times are in the 13-14 second range.

Whether you grew up with horses or not you can learn barrel racing. Lynn continued ...

Jami Riddle of Screven

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Is your child at-risk?

Call for a free consultation today!

912-729-2294 The Language Learning Center offers help for: Traditional Speech Therapy Learning difficulties Feeding and/or swallowing issues 12

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Erika Klotz of Waverly

Strickland, 51, of Kingsland, came late to the sport. She always dreamed of having horses but not of barrel racing.

When she got her horses she had no teacher so she watched others running the barrels and imitated what they did.

“Barrel racing just makes (having horses) over the top,” she says.

Like other sporting events, barrel racing is big business. Besides prize m o n e y, w i n n i n g r i d e r s a t t r a c t sponsorships from western clothing, tack, and equipment companies. Sparks, s p o n s o r e d b y Tr o x e l E q u e s t r i a n Helmets, races in national level youth shows where cash prizes can reach $100,000.

The prize is not always tangible in barrel racing. “It's a natural high that nothing can compare to—when you become one and in sync with such a magnificent, powerful creature,” Brown, who has raced for nearly 40 years, said.

Also, taking care of horses is a lot of hard work, teaching responsibility and trust.

“It kept me out of trouble as a teen,” Mary Fine, 27, of Waverly, said, “but the best part of barrel racing is the adrenaline rush.”

Immerse yourself in the rich history and natural wonders of mystic rivers, salt marshes, and legendary waterways as you cruise scenic Amelia Island & along Cumberland Island.

Daily Tours Depart from Fernandina Harbor Marina ***Will come to St. Marys for Private Charters***

• 3 Daily Nature/History Tours • Summer Eco-Shrimping Tours

• BYOB Twilight Adult-Oriented Cruises w/live music

• Available for weddings, receptions, and private charters of all kinds

904-261-9972

AmeliaRiverCruises.com Call for schedules and pricing

www.StMarysMagazine.com

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By

Erin Way

umberland Island is known for its C majestic and untamed wilderness where visitors are always on the lookout for f e r a l h o r s e s a n d w i l d t u r k e y. T h e one-lane two-way “main road” is gravel at its smoothest, and sand at its bumpiest, and leads you back in time to when the island housed great plantations and hosted the moneyed Carnegies. It’s the road less traveled—the road that takes you on the Land and Legacies Tour to see all the gems of Cumberland Island’s north end.

The Ride The time spent traveling between the destinations should be valued just as much as the stops themselves. The van carries you through massive live oak archways, forests of pine trees, and over many bridges. If you are taking the tour when the tide is out, check the riverbeds for critters. This is a prime time for raccoons to feast upon fiddler crabs.

Cumberland Wharf Ruins The van stops at a great lookout point on the eastern side of the island atop a grand bluff—a particularly high bluff for a barrier island. The point looks out over the ruins of an old wharf that serves as a reminder that the island was once a very busy place. In the late 1800s, a ferry would run from Brunswick to Cumberland Island to Fernandina and back. Around this time, Cumberland Hotel was operating at its peak.

Currently, the island allows 200 people over everyday, a number that pales in comparison to the 500 people that the hotel could accommodate in its hay day.

The Settlement At the northernmost point on the tour, a stop is made at the Settlement. At its busiest, this area housed hundreds of slave families who serviced the homes on the island. Slave workers at Dungeness would have to walk 15 miles to get to and from work and home. In 1840, the settlement became home to many freed slaves and was used as such until the 24

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1960s when the last inhabitant passed away. Now, there is one maintained housing building and one in ruins on site as well as the First African Baptist Church. The church is quaint and plain but attracts attention because of the famed marriage of John F. Kennedy, Jr. and Carolyn Bessette in 1996. If the timing is right, visitors may be able to spot Cumberland Wilderness activist Carol Ruckdeschel working in her garden at this stop.

Ruckdeschel was the feature character in a recent book titled “Untamed.” (See Literarily Speaking)

Plum Orchard For history and architecture buffs, Plum Orchard, an 1898 mansion gifted from Lucy Carnegie to her son George Carnegie, might be the highlight of the tour.

Totaling 24 thousand square feet, the mansion features 12 fireplaces and 6 bedrooms. With a gun room, library, indoor pool and a plethora of ensuites, Plum Orchard is extravagant even by today’s standards. Park officials have put in a lot of time and effort into the well being of the mansion. From upkeep to refurnishing, all the hard work has paid off. The mansion is in impeccable condition although most of the authentic furniture could not be salvaged. The front lawn of the mansion is the lunch spot for the tour. Visitors can eat their lunches with the horses—surrounded by great live oaks next to the river. Sometimes the grazers are graced with beautiful piano music drifting out of the open windows of the mansion. Plum Orchard offers an incredible opportunity to get a taste of how everyday Cumberland Island life would have been for the Carnegies.

Stafford Cemetery The southernmost stop is the Stafford Cemetery. Only a short stroll off of the main road, four graves can be seen contained by four small tabby walls. Three of the graves are Stafford family members. Robert Stafford lived from 1790 until 1877 and ran a couple of successful plantations on the island. Buried with him are www.StMarysMagazine.com continued ...

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his sister and mother. Across the main road from the cemetery, a vast lush green field stretches out on all sides. On the far side of the field, a white plantation style house overlooks grazing horses, unperturbed by the tourists.

It is easy to lose yourself in the lush beauty of Cumberland Island and find yourself in the past. The Land and Legacies Tour can take you to places that time forgot as a well-versed tour guide beguiles you with the island’s storied history.

Editor’s Note: To make reservations for the ferry to Cumberland Island and t h e L a n d a n d L e g a c i e s t o u r, v i s i t www.cumberlandislandferry.com.

73 Hawthorn Lane • St. Marys, Georgia

912-673-6545

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Actual Patients

Of all the things you wear, your smile will always be the most memorable, so why not make it the best that it can be? Dr. Michael Barlow and his staff use the latest technology to create long lasting, healthy smiles in the highest degree of comfort and enjoyment.

Our steadfast mission is to make every patient feel like they’re cherished members of our family.

We always do our best so you can always look and feel your best.

Specialist in orthodontics for children, adolescents and adults 2400 St. Marys Road, Suite A, St. Marys, GA 31558 912-576-2677 • www.barloworthodontics.com

Dr. Michael Barlow Dr. Michael Barlow has been published in the Journal of Orthodontics and Craniofacial Research and is dedicated to giving his patients the best care possible through his continued use of the newest advances in orthodontics technology.

W

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n the St. Marys Express, the impossible O occurs on a surprisingly regular basis.

Good guys from the old frontier foil a train robbery and save the Wells Fargo payload. Darth Vader challenges Mr. Spock to come over to the dark side, and Chewbacca saves the day. The Tooth Fairy and Jack Frost rescue Peter Cottontail from bumbling kidnappers who are after his magic eggs. George Washington and Robert E. Lee come alive to remind us of what a real American hero looks like. And even Ben Franklin makes an appearance to celebrate the birth of our nation.

C l e a r l y, t i m e t r a v e l i s a n e v e r y d a y occurrence on the rails of St. Marys.

Whether passengers are taken on a journey into yesteryear or into tomorrow, a ride on the St. Marys Express is always filled with smiles and laughter and sometimes even tears when the heart strings are tugged by inspirational performances or patriotic song. Case in point: the recent America's Heroes Express.

When a 90-year-old World War II veteran was presented a memorial flag and thanked for his service by an active duty continued ...

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Chillin' on the Choo-Choo Navy Master Chief on bent knee, not a dry eye was to be found on the six-car train. And when an active duty Senior Chief recited the soul-stirring "I am the flag," 200 people bonded in a swell of national pride.

The St. Marys Express is all about history, adventure, and most of all fun!

Fun for all ages, by design. Riding the rails into scenic woodlands and over picturesque marshlands is just a small slice of what the local train ride experience entails.

Actors from the St. Marys Little Theatre perform creative and original vignettes that are sometimes educational, often hilarious, but always entertaining.

There is a spirit of camaraderie that reigns throughout the open rail cars, throughout the caboose, and throughout the locomotive. Passengers have escaped the stresses and toils of the everyday world and entered into a zone where "chillin'" is mandatory.

Less than six percent of the population has ever ridden a real train, so the ride in itself is notable. But combine a history-making ride with a Wild Wild continued ...

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Chillin' on the Choo-Choo West shootout or a zombie invasion and you can see why the St. Marys Express train excursions have been a virtual sellout since its launch in October 2013. And the best is yet to come.

To celebrate its one-year anniversary this October, the St. Marys Express is bringing to town an authentic steam engine.

The Lehigh Valley 126 will lead the way for 16 excursions beginning October 4th. With a history as rich as the tracks on which it will run, the steam engine is expected to draw thousands of rail fans from all across the United States. The Steam Express will be the only authentic steam engine running on a live shortline in all of Georgia.

In the planning stages for 2015, the St. Marys Express anticipates drawing as many as 20,000 people with “A Day out with Thomas the Train.”

The 2015 season is destined to be another record breaking year with new excursions added including the "Storybook Express," the "Super Heroes Express," the "Pirates Alive Express," and more new themes.

By popular demand, the "Wild West Express" will return with a new storyline and the same good guys and bad guys that smoked the tracks in February 2014.

Whether you're looking for a smokin' good time or a chillin' good time, the good time you're looking for can be found rolling on the tracks from 1000 Osborne Street in St. Marys—the St. Marys Express.

All aboard!

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By

John Gantz

Ever since I was a young child, nothing has

stirred my imagination more than the excitement of seeing a train. While my parents might have been a little aggravated that they would have to wait at a railroad crossing, I reveled in the fact that I was about to be up close and personal with a mighty freight train or a beautiful classic streamliner. It all begins with the ringing of the bells at the crossing. Such a distinctive sound only to be amplified by the eyecatching flashing red lights and drop arms. Once those arms are dropped on the road, I knew this was it. Now I listen for the whistle, and there it was! A long deep blast of an echoing diesel horn, like a lion’s roar warning all of the power to come. At long last, the moment arrives. The great beast comes into view and thunders through the crossing. It is a long freight train pulled by two of the largest diesel locomotives I have ever seen.

As the locomotives fade down the track, I am left with the rhythmic sound of the freight cars’ steel wheels rolling along the joints of rail to rail creating a clickity clack clickity clack. As the last train’s last car passes, I know it is over. The drop arms raise, flasher lights turn off, and bells are silenced. Most people in their cars, including my parents, are happy the train is gone and they can move in traffic now. I am happy as well, but for the reason of having seen such a continued ...

John Gantz 34

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great show of railroad transportation.

As I grew, my father saw my love of railroads and began giving me electric train sets. These sets were a real treat to have as a child. He even went so far as to construct a platform which held railroad track, roads, and a small city Now I have only grazed the surface of my appreciation of trains thus far. The largest boost would come in the late 1960s when my parents took me to the Gold Coast Railroad Museum in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. This museum actually used fully functional steam locomotives. Diesels are one thing, but the thrill of a real steamer is something I had only imagined or seen in books or movies. As we approached the museum, I see the most amazing sight! I see a caboose made of solid wood on the track. Just ahead of that I see two green old timey passenger coaches.

Ahead of those I see a large black shape.

It is so large that I must take a minute to reflect on the true size of this behemoth.

I walk closer to this train, and I notice that this is a dragon at the front of the t r a i n . W h y, i t m u s t b e a s i t w a s breathing very hot steam and smoke everywhere, making it hard to see.

At this point, my father joined me and we walked closer to this large smoke-billowing creature. This was my first encounter with an actual steam locomotive under full steam pressure and preparing to pull a train out of the station. The intense heat from the firebox and the boiler made me break out in a sweat. Never had I felt this hot, and I was amazed that two men could actually operate this thing for an extended period of time in its cab. This is the first time I really understood what a true labor of love was.

We rode this train excursion in the caboose, but the entire time I was looking out the window totally fixated on this powerful steam locomotive. I had never seen such a thing and little did I k n o w, i t w o u l d m a k e a l a s t i n g impression on me.

As several years passed, and I moved through my life pursuing my career as a Naval Submariner, I would never forget my passion for railroading. In my lifetime I was fortunate enough to have visited many other steam railroad www.StMarysMagazine.com

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EXPLORE the OKEFENOKEE SWAMP

Guided Interpretive Tours Canoe Kayak Motorboat Bike Rentals Interpretive Center Swamper Homestead Boardwalk and Observation Tower Camp Cornelia Café Gift Shop

We cater to individuals as well as groups including Elderhostel’s, Tour Groups, Scouts, Schools, Churches.

Same Planet - Different World!

Just 40 minutes from the heart of St. Marys!

The 43rd Annual

Okefenokee Festival October 11, 2014 Downtown Folkston, GA (22 miles west of I-95 on HWY 40)

The “Folkston Funnel” is a double track which serves as the main artery for railroad traffic into and out of Florida.

From the viewing platform in Folkston, visitors can see trains passing on their way to and from Jacksonville, Florida in the south, and a split north of town where trains go west to Waycross, Georgia, and north to Savannah.

Robert West

The platform features lights, ceiling fans, and a scanner to listen in to radio traffic between trains.Adjacent to the platform are picnic tables, a grill, and a new restroom facility for our guests.

Across the street is the restored Train Depot that houses the Train Museum (no admission charge), gift shop, etc.

For further information: www.folkston.com or 912-496-2536 35

Philip L. Hooton, DMD

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museums, such as Strasburg Railroad in Pennsylvania, Essex Valley Railroad in Connecticut, and the Savannah Railroad Workshops museum in Georgia, just to name a few.

After retiring from the Navy after twenty years of service, I moved to St M a r y s . To m y s u r p r i s e , S t . M a r y s Railroad had started a passenger excursion train. I immediately found out how I could be a part of this amazing experience. And I did. Many times as I ride the train, my role is that of an old time train conductor and passenger host. I dress in the old railroad clothing including the classic engineer’s white and grey pinstriped hat, and carry a classic railroad pocket watch. Often children will stop and ask questions about the train, and their parents take pictures of me with their kids. It is at this point I now realize the full circle of my railroad enjoyment.

I look into the wide eyes of these amazed children and I share with them the amazing history of railroads. I see the young child that was myself, not that long ago, asking the same questions with the same amount of enthusiasm and fascination. I have truly ridden the rails full circle and am now at the position that I only dreamed of when I was young. If you hold a dream close enough to your heart and believe in it long enough, it will come back full circle and become your most treasured reality.

SUPPORT THE ARTS VISIT stmaryslittletheatre.com

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By

Holly Yurchison

in Camden County is Military Appreciation EDay;veryitsdayabbreviated form EDICCIMAD is a common sight in the windows of local businesses. While this is familiar to locals, it’s hard to imagine that George Washington could have envisioned the modern Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay when he said to Napoleon Bonaparte in 1781, "It follows then as certain as that night succeeds the day, that without a decisive naval force we can do nothing definitive, and with it, everything honorable and glorious."

The submarines, crews, and supporting ships of the Naval installation at Kings Bay are indeed decisive.

The east coast home of Trident Ohio-class, nuclear-powered submarines, Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay hosts six ballistic missile submarines and two guided missile submarines.

These subs patrol along the U.S. coast and around the world to act as a strategic deterrent and defense force, carrying intercontinental nuclear missiles, capable of becoming the definitive factor in battle.

Historically, the U.S. Navy has been there when needed. The recognized Navy birthdate is October 13, 1775, created to counter the threat of the British Navy during the Revolutionary War, making America’s Navy older than the country itself.

Today’s Navy has 104 ships currently deployed, of a total 290 ships, Admiral Jonathan W. Greenert, Chief of Naval Operations, said when he visited Kings Bay in March. Twenty-two are Ohio-class submarines. Ninety percent of global trade travels continued ...

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Admiral Jonathan W. Greenert by water, and 80 percent of the world’s population lives within 100 miles of the oceans, Greenert said, so “we have to be where it matters, when it matters.” He emphasized that ship building must be done and done right, with new subs added and 11 existing subs updated.

He expects the first new sub to be operational in 2031.

Although some have called the naval submarine base at Kings Bay the best kept secret in southeast Georgia, once you get onto Georgia Highway 40, signs of a military presence are everywhere. From realty names to barbershop signs to directional street signs, you know a base is here. As you approach the base you see the sail from the decommissioned USS George Bancroft (SSBN 643) perched atop the concrete sub-shaped hill at the Franklin Gate entrance to the base. This free public exhibit celebrates 100 years of U.S. Naval submarines. In Downtown St. Marys, a visit to the Submarine Museum allows you to travel through submarine history and view the local waterfront through an authentic periscope.

The importance of the U.S. Navy to St. Marys, and Camden County, is obvious in many aspects. The 1980 Census registered a little more than 13,000 Camden County residents. Just 34 years later, the population has nearly quadrupled, accompanied by a proportionate growth in businesses and support services. General Dynamics, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman are a few major technological companies with a Camden County presence in response to the submarine base. www.StMarysMagazine.com

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Camden County has more schools and a larger hospital now, but still maintains the small town feel.

The St. Marys area was selected for Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay over numerous potential sites because of land availability, costs, environmental impact and growth capability, among other criteria. NSB Kings Bay covers approximately 16,000 acres, and is home to the largest covered dry dock in the western hemisphere, used to maintain submarines stationed here.

Kings Bay served as a submarine support base for a year before its designation as a submarine base. The first submarine to home-port here, the USS James Monroe, pulled in on July 6, 1979, activating NSB Kings Bay as a submarine base on that day. In 1980, the base was approved as the facility to house the new Trident submarines. After a $1.3 billion building project, the first ballistic missile submarine, the USS Tennessee, arrived in 1989. By 1997 NSB Kings Bay housed ten Trident ballistic missile subs.

The base building project resulted in the three major command groups now located at Kings Bay—Trident Training Facility, Trident Refit Facility, and Strategic Weapons Facility, Atlantic.

“The Navy adds $8.6 million yearly to the economy of the St. Marys region,” said Sheila McNeill, President of the Camden Partnership. “Our schools are better because of teachers who are past military or spouses, and our children are more open to someone brand new. The Navy and Coast Guard community gives thousands of hours to volunteer work in the community.”

McNeill, who served as National President of the Navy League of the United States, the only female president ever, organized the Kings Bay community to host the Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan Greenert and the Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus, both visits in March. Special guests included local leaders and U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss R-Ga., and U.S. Rep. Jack Kingston, R-Ga. Any community surrounding a military base is impacted by the military presence. At Kings Bay, “there is a good marriage between the base and the continued ...

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community to ensure the integrity of both,” Winfield Strock III, local resident and retired submariner said. Money Magazine and The Travel Channel have recognized St. Marys and neighboring Cumberland Island as “best” places in recent years. A paper mill town until 2002 when the mill closed, St. Marys is now home to many retired sailors who came for duty and decided to set down roots. In fact, Kings Bay is among the top most desirable locations in the nation for retiring Navy personnel. Kings Bay’s MWR (Morale/Welfare/Recreation) is also in the top ranking of Armed Forces organizations in America as evidenced by its many outstanding awards.

In Camden County, military appreciation is part of everyday life, visible from the numerous EDICCIMAD signs, and many businesses giving discounts to active duty personnel. Adm. Greenert called Kings Bay a “popular” duty station. It is easy to see why.

Come on in for some tender lovin’ trash talk, southern sassin’ and great cocktails!

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NEW DESIGN CENTER

hen you walk into the new Cumberland Harbour Design Center in downtown St. Marys just steps from the waterfront, you feel like you've walked into someone's home. That is by design.

With Signature Builders Terry Stover, David Spencer, and Jack Parr at the helm of Cumberland Harbour's escalated building activity, the Design Center offers visitors a way to get to know Coastal Georgia's premier waterfront community in a friendly, informal atmosphere. The Cumberland Harbour team considers it an "appetizer" for the up-close and personal experience awaiting visitors when they actually tour the community.

An impressive aerial photo at the main entrance reveals the awesomeness of the water realm that is Cumberland Harbour. Around the corner, a cleverly displayed rowboat depicts the fun of what waterfront living is all about. Gently brushed water colored renderings convey the beauty of the low country style homes. Authentic visuals of wildlife tell the story of the natural paradise that fortunate residents of Cumberland Harbour call home where sightings of dolphins, owls, egrets, painted buntings, roseate spoonbills, and other fascinating creatures are an everyday occurrence.

"It's still pretty wild," said Julie Streit who, along with Nicole Spencer, helped bring the Design Center to life with the incredible talents of Southern Charmer. "That's a big part of the charm of living at Cumberland Harbour." Streit went on to say that she remains amazed that Cumberland Harbour has such a warm sense of neighborhood.

"Residents know each other and enjoy interaction at the recreation center, at the south point by the water for picnics, and at the community garden," she said. Cumberland Harbour's community garden has been such a hit with residents, plans are in the works to make a community garden at the Design Center to further continued ...

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whet the appetite of visitors for a taste of Cumberland Harbour living.

The homes of Cumberland Harbour are icons of a gracious low country lifestyle romanticized by verandas and front porches. The renowned building trio of Spencer, Parr, and Stover have long been respected for the quality of their homes, and with the advent of the re-emerged Cumberland Harbour, unprecedented value has ramped up sales to a new level.

Visitors to the new Design Center who were familiar with the initial launching of Cumberland Harbour are pleasantly surprised to discover they can get a home site and a custom built home for the same or less than the price previously placed on a home site alone.

“The homes being built at Cumberland Harbour are some of the most beautiful designs in our portfolio,” said Terry Stover, owner of Stover Construction, one of the Design Center’s three Signature Builders. “It’s our pleasure to deliver a home our clients can be proud of at a price that’s well within their means.”

David Spencer, owner of Spencer Development Company agrees.

“Value is very important,” Spencer said. “We are pleased to be a part of the Cumberland Harbour Design Center. This location will be a great asset for the continued ...

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Signature Builders and the Cumberland Harbour Community.”

"Cumberland Harbour offers the overall feel that people come to St. Marys for and it’s a great place,” Jack Parr of Parr Builders, said. “We’re excited to have been chosen as a Signature Builder and look forward to building custom homes in such a desirable, vibrant community."

All three of the Signature Builders agree that a visit to the Cumberland Harbour Design Center is almost sure to be followed by a private tour of the enchanting peninsula that water lovers and nature lovers recognize as the "prettiest point on the east coast."

Framed by a perfect confluence of ancient rivers and the Intracoastal Waterway, Cumberland Harbour overlooks legendary Cumberland Island where residents can escape to an "other worldly" experience like no other in a matter of minutes. The proximity of the island is sometimes trumped by the proximity of Historic downtown St. Marys just a short drive away where Cumberland Harbour residents love to take their visitors to immerse themselves in a captivating slice of Americana—Norman Rockwell style. For boating

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residents, Fernandina Beach is just a short cruise across the waterway.

The heightened excitement and building activity at Cumberland Harbour is being fueled by the eminent opening of the new Club House (construction scheduled for this summer) and the recent approval of the North River Marina.

People who already live in Cumberland Harbour can’t imagine living anywhere else. The enclave’s history is abundant as the site of a final battle of the War of 1812 at Point Peter (fought even after the famous Battle of New Orleans).

As possibly the most pristine waterfront community on the East Coast, nature is bountiful. The boating life is phenomenal. And coming home every day is cause enough for celebration.

The new Cumberland Harbour Design Center presents the perfect opportunity to experience a taste of the ultimate Coastal Georgia lifestyle. Look for the sign just off Osborne Street on Stable Alley, four doors from the waterfront.

For more information, visit www.CumberlandHarbourGA.com.

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from overhead. Tension builds. A line is crossed. Gunshots ring out. A firestorm ensues. And when the smoke clears, you can chalk one up for the good guys. Again.

I r o n i c a l l y, i n t h i s s e e m i n g l y straight-out-of-the-wild-west scene, the good guys and the bad guys are actually on the same team. They’re all members of SASS (Single Action Shooting Society), and they all hail from Coastal Georgia or Northeast Florida, not El Paso or Tombstone.

They carry names like G. B. Smokey, Hogleg Hunter, the Shawnee Kid, and Rambler Rob. And they carry meticulously crafted guns—icons of pioneer times.

The shootout was part of St. Marys Express’s Wild West train excursions.

Two SASS chapters (Camden Cowboys and Cowford Regulators) teamed up to

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bring the wild west alive to the delight of hundreds of spectators.

SASS members are accustomed to being onstage, but usually as part of competitions that are performed all over the country.

SASS is an international organization that was created to preserve and promote the sport of Cowboy Action Shooting. The common interest of its members is the perpetuation of the legacy of the Old West and competitive shooting. Competitions have different themes, and the cowboys perform specific staged shots that match the theme. Themes such as True Grit, Paladin, Bonanza, Gunsmoke, and others set the stage, and authentic costuming is required for participation.

Many of the Camden Cowboys are educators as is Ralph Mortier, aka Christian Mortician. Mortier has been continued ...

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A

wonderland of compelling locations, Coastal Georgia serves up verdant marshlands, wilderness islands, the Atlantic Ocean, the Intracoastal Waterway, three rivers, the Great Okefenokee Swamp, quaint waterfront villages, and majestic maritime forests—captivating vistas at every turn. Add in the mystique of historic cemeteries, a world-class Navy Submarine base, the charm of antebellum mansions, the friendliest people you’ll ever meet, plus film-friendly city leadership, and you’ll discover the makings of a great film.

We call it “Cinemagical”!

competing in sharpshooting events for about five years and won the Georgia State Championship in his category (Wrangler).

“The fun factor is always there,” Mortier said about the competitions.

“You can’t be a grump when you’re shooting old timey guns dressed like a cowboy.” Mortier reckons he’s shot at over a thousand stages.

Steve Argiriou, aka Marshal Steve, is a senior advisor at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynn County. He’s a former NYPD officer and currently a colonel in the Air Force Reserve, so he’s seen a lot of action.

Argiriou said that cowboy action shooting is one of the fastest growing firearms sports in the nation. When it comes to safety, Argiriou and his fellow cowboys are fastidious. Blank ammo, of course, is always used, with rigid safety protocols firmly in place.

Ken Norton, aka G. B. Smokey, is a retired Navy officer and chemistry teacher at Camden County High School.

Norton has founded four different single action shooting clubs in the region including the Camden Cowboys. He gets a kick out of watching old westerns, noting the historical inaccuracy of the weapons that are often used.

“In our competitions we may be using single action revolvers, pistol caliber lever action rifles, or old time shotguns,” Norton said.

Like Toby Keith sang in his hit song— “Shoulda been a cowboy, should’ve learned to rope and ride, wearin’ my six-shooter, ridin’ my pony on a cattle drive…,” the Camden Cowboys embrace the romantic nostalgia of the old West.

They believe that frontier life represented values that many like to think were especially American—toughness, individualism, and independence. And one more—chivalry. Just ask Miss Kitty.

You just might catch up with her at the next Camden Cowboys event.

Editor’s Note: For more information about the Single Action Shooting Society, visit www.sassnet.com.

912-729-1103 Visit Coastalgeorgiafilm.org to hear what other producers have to say about filming in Coastal Georgia.

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Quality of Life A Great Place to Live • Award winning school system • 2013 Small Hospital of the Year • Cumberland Island: One of only ten national seashores in the US and only one in Georgia • Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay • Five beautiful rivers: St. Marys, Crooked River, North, Satilla and Little Satilla Rivers • Within a 30 minute drive of professional football, (Jacksonville Jaguars), professional baseball, (Jacksonville Suns), Cruise Terminal, World Class Zoo, museums, arts and galleries • Short drive from theme parks, (Disney, Epcot, Universal, Cirque De Soleil, Sea World, Kennedy Space Center) • Excellent fishing, excursions, hunting, golf and more

Improving Your Bottom Line A Great Place to Grow Your Business PROXIMITY TO REGIONAL & INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS • St. Marys Airport - St. Marys, GA • Jacksonville International Airport - 27 miles • Brunswick Golden Isles Airport - 45 miles • Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport - 110 miles EASY TRANSPORTATION • Interstate 95 with quick access to Interstate 16 to the North and Interstate 10 to the South • Strategically located on the Coast of Georgia

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STRATEGIC LOCATION BETWEEN FOUR SEAPORTS • Port of Savannah - 113 miles • Port of Brunswick - 31 miles • Port of Jacksonville - 37 miles • Port of Fernandina - 30 miles RAIL PROVIDER • St. Marys Railroad (Shortline) • CSX Railroad - 10 miles to west INFRASTRUCTURE WITH CAPACITY TO GROW • Public water and sewer systems • Georgia Power and Okefenokee Rural Electric • Atlanta Light and Gas

For more information, contact the St. Marys Downtown Development Authority.

912-882-8111 • 418 Osborne Street • St. Marys, Georgia • info@stmarysdda.com • www.stmarysdda.com

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I’m on a flight from New York to Minneapolis.

We’re in descent, in that gray space between “please turn off all electronic devices” and landing. I’m in a window seat reading from a Truman Capote anthology. The woman next to me has fallen asleep on my shoulder. I’ll leave her unbothered.

I’m lost with Capote on one of his many wayward travels when, over the hum of airplane engines and the crinkling of flight attendants’ trash bags, I hear behind me the distinct drawl of a feminine southern accent.

I can’t see the woman speaking, but her voice is brittle. I guess she’s in her eighties. She’s been silent until now.

“Oh, thank you sweetheart,” she says.

“Not a problem,” a man responds.

“I just can’t keep these damn things in my pocketbook. They’re always the first to go.”

Pills rattle in a plastic bottle.

“What’s your name, sweetheart?”

“Paul… And my grandmother is just the same. You think they’d make those bottles easier to hold onto.”

“You’re tellin’ me,” she says and hiccups.

I imagine she’s resting her hand on her chest to stall heartburn. “You remind me of my son, but I guess everyone your age does. Can’t see worth a damn and hear even worse. And, lord, if I didn't I tell that to a big woman once. I sure didn’t mean anything by it, but she got into a hissy.”

My book is open in my lap, but I’ve stopped continued ...

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reading it. I stare at individual words but am too distracted to put them together.

The conversation behind me makes me nostalgic for home, North Carolina. The woman on my shoulder stirs.

“You got a girl at home? You sure are handsome.”

“Headed home to see her now. I go to school at NYU. Sarah is her name.

Where are you going?”

“Well, I guess you might say I’m headed home, too. I’m not from Minneapolis, though. I’ve never even been. I’m from Atlanta. Minneapolis is too cold for a young southern thing like me. One of my sons is out there. Just saw his brother in New York. First time I was on a plane, that trip, and was as yellow as a dog. I hung on the man next to me like we were the last people in the world.”

She pauses for an uncomfortably long period and then, “This is my last trip anywhere. I’m 88 years old and they say I can’t take care of myself anymore, so my son is putting me in a home in Minneapolis and strangers are going to take care of me. He’s too busy to watch after me, he said.”

I’m looking out of my window when she says this, out at the cluster of downtown’s lights in a sea of darkness.

I close my book.

“You know,” she continues, “I lived in the same house my mama did when she was a little girl. It still smells like her, and like my daddy. Just like the powder she put on her face, just like his chewin’ tobacco. Nothing was harder than leaving it. I thought I never would.” She sniffles and blows her nose on what I imagine is a Kleenex kept tucked inside her blouse.

She continues, “I got to pack two suitcases of things, including my clothes. Ruth and I got in about a hundred pictures and three outfits.

And there you have it. Those are the only things I’ll have when I die. Two suitcases full of memories, out of 88 years living them. Ain’t that something.”

I picture an old woman closing the front door to a small, tidy home and taking a last peek inside before locking it up, at picture frames too numerous to count: frames placed on lace table napkins, on old television sets, continued ...

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bookshelves, coffee tables, and by her bed—her most beloved moments captured with her most precious treasures: her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. I imagine her house smells like antiques and baby powder.

“They’re going to sell my house and all my things are going into storage where no one will see them, where they’ll get old and dusty and be things that no one wants. One day they’ll throw it all away.

Like me.”

“I’m… I’m sorry,” Paul says.

“Now don’t you worry about a thing, you hear? Look at me anyhow, an ugly ol’ woman talking to such a charming young man. I didn’t mean to trouble you.

Your girl’s got you coming home. And there ain’t nothin’ better than that.”

The plane’s landing gear emerges and the woman next to me wakes. She’s embarrassed; I’m too bothered to respond. I put away my book and close my eyes to revisit memories of my own grandmother, of running through sprinklers and chasing turkeys in her backyard. I hear her telling stories of “back then” and feel wooden clothespins in my hand as I help her hang bedsheets on her clothesline. I can smell her moisturizer and feel her paper-thin skin.

The plane lands and passengers stand.

Now is my opportunity to turn around for a glimpse of the woman behind me, but I don’t. I can’t. I can’t look at her because in the distance between “please turn off all electronic devices” and l a n d i n g , s h e ’s b e c o m e t h e m o s t important part of me. Seeing her now will confirm she isn’t just a fantasy on one of Capote’s adventures, and that she doesn’t look or act how my grandmother did. Seeing her would make things too real.

“Well, thank you for keeping me company, young man.You get home safe and tell that Sarah girl to keep you behaved, you hear?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

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UNTAMED: The story about the wildest woman in America umberland Island has always been Ccloaked with a veil of mystique.

Without lifting the veil, author Will Harlan has intensified the mystique in his recently released book “Untamed.”

It’s a story about the love of an island. It’s a story about unbridled passion for wildlife. And it’s a story about the fight to protect that which is held sacred.

Carol Ruckdeschel was a child of nature. The creeks and woods and critters were her friends. Often, she found herself in hot water for unseemly practices like keeping a two-foot snapping turtle in her bathtub and bringing home roadkill to cook. Ruckdeschel is the “ U n t a m e d ” i n H a r l a n ’s book.

Visitors and residents will be intrigued with the inside story of battles Ruckdeschel fought—some lost, some won—with the National Park Service, with ex-lovers, with neighbors, and society in general. Her fight was unwavering. Through torturous relationships, endless gossip, and an ever uphill battle to save her beloved Cumberland, R u c k d e s c h e l ’s f e r o c i t y stood tall.

Ruckdeschel’s relationship with two other strong-willed women of Cumberland— Carnegie descendant Lucy Ferguson and Ferguson’s granddaughter, GoGo—make for more intrigue, as does her observation of JFK Jr’s wedding in the First African Baptist Church just steps from Ruckdeschel’s backyard.

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Ruckdeschel has been called “gifted” by some for her extensive and painstaking research on sea turtles.

She has been called “opportunist” by others for her involvement in the

shooting of her ex-husband. But whatever labels one chooses to put on her, “boring” will not be one of them.

Strong-willed, outspoken, and tenacious—these are the traits that drive the recurring theme in “Untamed.”

The author writes about what he knows—from firsthand experience, from Ruckdeschel’s own musings. He tells a moving story that inspires pondering on your next trip to Cumberland Island.

Ponder about a woman fighting for her right to live on her own terms, removed as far away from humanity as her existence would allow. She forages for food.

She dissects and studies carcasses of the wildlife she hopes to save. She is called the “wildest woman in America.”

Local readers will recognize many of the names written on the 300 pages of Harlan’s saga. Visitors will want to come to know them, for Harlan has brought his characters alive by crafting colorful vignettes of island life and the angst and triumphs brought on when passions are unleashed and unchecked.

A dirt-poor naturalist living in a ramshackle cabin she built herself would make sizzling fodder for any aspiring novelist. But set against a pristine wilderness of a barrier island with windswept sand dunes and wild horses, “Untamed” makes for captivating reading and compels its readers to see for themselves the environs that drove a nature girl to fight the battle for the defenseless— endangered species.

Editor’s Note: You can get “Untamed” at Once Upon a Bookseller just two blocks fr om St. Marys’ Waterfront on Osborne Street. www.StMarysMagazine.com

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Paper mill site in St. Marys transformed into a battlefield aftermath.

Local actress Brynn Elders in “5 Second Rule.”

Award-winning Director Mahmoud Shoolizadeh’s filming of “The Debt.”

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Buddy Arpin’s “Chasing Tail” stars as Dominick Capistrano’s yacht in “Requiem.”

last publication of SSt.inceMarysthe Magazine in January 2014, Georgia has moved up two notches in the national ranking for film production.

Now in the number First assistant Erin Way, boat captain Randy three slot (from number Redden, and cinematographer Brandon Herron f i v e ) , G e o r g i a ’s f i l m film "Requiem: The Man Who Wanted Too Much" industry has grown to on the St. Marys River. $3.3 billion since the current Film Tax Credit went into effect in 2008. Georgia has become a world leader in the entertainment industry and has created thousands of jobs for Georgians. Not to be left out, St. Marys and her surrounding communities are getting their own sliver of this industry economy with eight film projects active in the last six months.

The Coastal Georgia Film Alliance (CGFA) has been busy recently facilitating location scouting, location management, casting, housing, and other aspects of film projects for regional, national, and international film producers.

T h e r e ’s a b u z z a b o u t award-winning director Mahmoud Shoolizadeh’s much anticipated film, “The Debt,” set to debut in Bob Cannistraro stars in "Requiem: film festivals this summer riding The Man Who Wanted Too Much." on the kudos of Shoolizadeh’s continued ...

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2012 film, “The Prisoner.” Both films used St. Marys and Jackson’s project, residents and businesses pitching in Camden County for their main settings. “The Debt” including Crosby Automotive that provided transportation showcases the moss-festooned live oaks of the area in for VIP celebrities who came in from out of town for the backyard scenes of the home of a soldier returned from filming.

Iraq with post-war angst and guilt. St. Marys will be Another film project, written and produced by Camden easily-recognizable as the resident Jennifer Elders, also s o l d i e r ’s h o m e t o w n , a n d drew the support of the local through the international community. Elders and her grapevine in which Shoolizadeh crew filmed a sizzler (teaser) for is much entwined, the world “The Chrysalis Tide” recently will get a cinematic postcard of on the site of the old paper mill a captivating riverfront village. in St. Marys. The feature film is Harlequin Romance writer about two close brothers who Brenda Jackson chose St. disappear and the childhood Marys to make a promotional promise that triggered the film for her newly released mystery. Much of the filming book “A Man’s Promise.” CGFA will be done in and around St. Chair Doug Vaught coordinated Marys, and the production the filming at a private home in company doing the filming, Cumberland Harbour. “A Man’s Tandem Media, has planned Promise” is destined to be another full length feature to be Filming of "A Man's Promise" at home turned into a movie as have filmed exclusively in St. Marys in Cumberland Harbour. several of Jackson’s literary as well as a TV dramedy series. projects in the past including “One Special Moment” that Tandem’s “The Race” promises to be a tear jerker, and it became a Black Entertainment Network special. As is often is anticipated that an entire town could turn out to be a the case, the local community got involved in supporting part of this movie. The story begins as townspeople from continued ...

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an economically depressed small town reeling from a disaster that took the lives of many of its young people organize a fundraising run. Heartstrings will be tugged as the main character, a young girl with muscular dystrophy, shows the town what real courage is all about. “The Race” will raise funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. According to Elders, whose daughter, Brynn, will play the starring role, “Tandem Media is all about ‘feel-good’ family-oriented p r o j e c t s . ” Ta n d e m ’s T V s e r i e s , “A$$ETS,” will use St. Marys as its principle location as well.

Also filmed in Coastal Georgia, “5 Second Rule” is a short written by Brandon Herron and featuring local actors. The plot follows a precocious child giving dating advice to an insecure man seeking the attention of her mother. Herron is also the cinematographer for “Requiem: The Man Who Wanted Too Much,” a fundraising project for the Coastal Georgia Film Alliance.

Written and directed by Barbara Ryan, the film depicts a successful man from New Jersey going through a midlife malaise. On his way to Miami, his yacht requires repairs and he is waylaid in St. Marys. There he discovers what a jewel the little town is and endeavors to buy up the all iconic landmarks and historic structures so he can turn the town into a gambling resort. The plot thickens as his daughters plan an intervention, and a surprise ending pays off the title.

During the filming, visitors on the waterfront were fascinated by the crew’s use of a quadcopter operated by Steve Royer. Ryan said the production value of the film will be greatly enhanced by the diversity of footage from an airborne camera.

Funds from “Requiem: The Man Who Wanted Too Much” will be used for marketing programs to entice filmmakers to produce more movies and television in Coastal Georgia.

CGFA has been helping aspiring filmmakers for several years and recently had the opportunity to work with film students from Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD).

Director Jesse Wolfe encouraged his students to come to St. Marys for their film projects because of the warm continued ... www.StMarysMagazine.com

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welcome and assistance he experienced during his filming of “Eye of the Hurricane.” The students wrote and produced “Radioactive,” a sci-fi film, using several St. Marys locations.

In July, CGFA hosted a special screening of “Hopscotch,” a psycho-thriller filmed at The Goodbread House, a local bed and breakfast. Producers of “Hopscotch” have plans to return to St. Marys for another project, “Six and Seven.”

Also, this summer, hundreds of locals will be excited to see themselves on television as the Starz Network debuts the long-awaited “Eye of the Hurricane,” CGFA’s first feature film project. The movie had been distributed in Canada and South America a year ago, but extended negotiations delayed its United States premier until this summer.

Parties were hosted around town during the showing, bringing the community together for a moment of pride.

“That’s what it’s all about,” said Doug Vaught, CGFA chair. “We want to show the world what a special place Coastal Georgia is, and we want our residents to be proud that they live in such a cinemagical community.”

Editor’s Note: For more information about the Coastal Georgia Film Alliance, visit www.coastalgeorgiafilm.org.

VISITOR INFORMATION AT VISITSTMARYS.COM

10151 Colerain Road • St. Marys, GA 912-576-1776 www.FreedomSelfStorage.org

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Just one mile from the main gate of Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base

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Good food, good service, and good value have

always been the winning formula for a successful dining establishment. But what do you get if you turn the “goods” to “greats” and throw in 40 live alligators, a mechanical pig ready for riding, a drawbridge, a fresh market, a playground for the kiddies, and a location that has a legacy all its own?

For Coastal Georgia residents from Savannah to Jacksonville and for visitors from all over, you get an unforgettable experience at the new Copper Pig BBQ and Smokehouse in Brunswick.

Located on the site of the former Spanky’s, Copper Pig is already the talk of the town.

With good ole southern BBQ as its mainstay, Copper Pig also serves up fresh seafood, creative pasta dishes, and other family favorites—all priced so that a family of four can dine without breaking their budget.

“Value has always been at the core of our company,” said Gary Fassl who, along with Tom Jones, co-founded and co-owns Copper Pig and the two Millhouse Steakhouse restaurants in Brunswick and Kingsland.

“We wanted to create a place where people could come and enjoy a great meal in a casual, laid back atmosphere and have a whole bunch of fun at the same time,” he said.

“Fun” is certainly the centerpiece of Copper Pig. You can have your photo taken with a live alligator. You can ride the Copper Pig— Hogzilla! You can picnic outside while your continued ...

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kids enjoy the playground. And when you leave, you can go home with some succulent pickings from the in-house fresh market they call “Copper Pig Farms.”

Fresh produce, seafood, select meats, honey, jams, sauces and more beckon patrons from the shelves of a whimsically-designed fresh market. Fassl and Jones are all about “fresh” and all about giving local farmers and other suppliers the opportunity to be a preferred provider.

“Like our Millhouse Steakhouse Restaurants, Copper Pig is locally owned and operated,” Jones said. “We like the idea of adding to the local economy by working with local growers.”

The restaurant’s signature fountain crowned by the namesake copper pig was designed and built by a local artist as well.

When Jones and Fassl established their partnership nine years ago, their vision was continued growth, and they have constantly re-invested earnings to facilitate strategic expansion. Their expansion includes the Convention

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Center and Springfield Suites in Camden County, the Millhouse Steakhouse Restaurants in Kingsland, Brunswick, Jacksonville, and Statesboro, and now Copper Pig. When you dine at Copper Pig and immerse yourself in the full spirit of the experience—alligators, mechanical pig, fresh market, and great food, service, and value—you can easily envision a time when the Copper Pig motif will be a coast-to-coast phenomenon, an authentic dining destination.

Editor’s Note: Copper Pig BBQ & Smokehouse is open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. On Fridays and Saturdays, Copper Pig gets even more entertaining as a country theme bar that’s open til 2 a.m.

Copper Pig is located at 704 Mall Boulevard in Brunswick.

For more information, call 912-289-9880, visit www.thecopperpigbbq.com, or find them on Facebook.

For information about the Convention Center in Kingsland, email Katrina Price at Katrina@millhousesteakhouse.com.

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Richie, Ronald, and Ron Sawyer.

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W hen the metaphoric curtain rises on St.

Marys Little Theatre’s (SMLT) Season Four opener, audiences will immediately sense that they are in for a bumpy ride. In the spirit of the 1950s B-movies like “The Blob” and “The Day the Earth Stood Still,” the theatrical version of “Little Shop of Horrors” has created somewhat of a cult following while at the same time having enormous appeal to mainstream America. It’s a horror show and a rock-n-roll musical comedy all rolled into one pulsating evening of entertainment.

“Little Shop” starts with a down and out floral assistant (Seymour) working in the skid row district. He becomes an overnight phenomenon when he discovers an exotic plant with a mysterious craving for fresh blood. “Audrey II” (the plant) grows into a cantankerous rhythm and blues singing carnivore who offers the shop assistant fame and fortune in exchange for feeding its growing appetite.

A SMLT veteran, T. J. Stofflet, will direct the show and also serve as the voice of Audrey II. The monstrous plant with its rumbling tone and dastardly laugh garners some of the show’s best laugh lines with songs like “Feed me!” and “Suppertime.”

The psycho-dentist Orin, played by another SMLT veteran, Steve Jones, oozes with bad-boy allure. Sophia Rose Morris, an awesome talent you might have seen at the Alhambra Dinner Theatre, plays Audrey, the bubble-headed fellow employee on whom Seymour has a major crush.

The struggling florist shop owner, Mr. Mushnik, will be played by local resident Carol Moore. Add in a fabulous chorus highlighted continued ...

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by a Doo-Wop trio (Tonya Harvell, Jessica Peters, and Melissa Moore), and you get a rabble rousing musical that was a smash hit Off-Broadway in 1982 and destined to be a smash hit at Theatre by the Trax in 2014. Show opens September 12.

Then in December, SMLT plans another holiday spectacular production: this year—“A Christmas Carol.”

In February, local resident Gaila Brandon will dazzle us once again with her 2015 Black History Month tribute— another original script doused with heart-stirring music.

This time it’s about the role of African Americans in the War of 1812 with a local slant, of course.

Brandon’s 2014 production, “Follow the North Star,” played to sold-out, standing-ovation audiences for every performance, and the same is expected for the upcoming tribute musical.

The last show of SMLT’s Season Four will be perhaps its most ambitions to date—“The Phantom of the Opera.”

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Birthed from the heart of St. Marys Little Theatre, the recently launched St. Marys Children’s Theatre (SMCT) has already made its mark in Coastal Georgia.

The SMCT Summer Camp and workshops brought in children from six to 18 to study all facets of theatre including tech, costumes, hair & makeup, acting, set design, stage management, and more.

Camden County High School has a phenomenal performing arts program, but the lower and middle schools have had to drop many of their cultural arts programs due to funding constraints. With the founding of SMCT, children of all ages now have the opportunity to learn and participate in a year-round theatrical program.

SMCT was created by an alliance between Friese Studio of Music & Performing Arts, Lisa Allen’s Danceworks, and St. Marys Little Theatre. SMCT’s first year will feature the productions of “Peter Pan” and “Oliver.” continued ...

It takes a community.

Megan Friese and Ian Doherty at Tony & Tina's Wedding fundraiser.

Erin Way, Laurel Seymour, and Jessica Peters at Prom Mystery Night Both SMLT and SMCT have benefitted by the amazing support of the entire community, according to Megan Friese-Kaufman, owner of Friese Studio and also music director for SMLT. “We are so fortunate that our community has a vested interest in the performing arts,” Friese-Kaufman said.

“Not only does their attendance to our productions indicate their strong support, but the community has played a significant role in the success of our fundraisers.”

Friese-Kaufman went on to describe a recent “Prom Mystery Night” event that raised nearly $2,000 for the Children’s Theatre.

“Dr. Kimberly Doherty did a masterful job of creating this event and the February production, ‘Tony & Tina’s Wedding,’” she said.

On October 30, SMCT’s third fundraiser will be driven continued ...

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Dr. Richard L. Spencer takes great pride in giving your family more reasons to smile.

Relaxing Atmosphere State of the Art Equipment Cordial and Experienced Staff

Dr. Richard L. Spencer FAMILY DENTISTRY 2101 Osborne Road • St. Marys, Georgia

912-882-6072 Hours: Monday-Thursday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

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Celebrating the KBSOSA grant to SMLT are (l-r) Stephanie Muth (KBSOSA Ways and Means Chair), Jen Rorstrom (KBSOSA president), Barbara Ryan (SMLT chair), and Joyce Bason (SMLT board member).

Custom Homes • Commercial Construction Marine Construction • Additions • Remodels Licensed and Insured

A. Doyle Strickland, President Justin B. Strickland, Vice President

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by a “Rocky Horror Picture Show” theme, also to be created by Dr. Doherty.

For SMLT, the community also shows their support by adopting actors for each production.

Navy Officers Spouses Give Grant SMLT and SMCT have a special connection to Navy families based at Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base. Not only have entire families participated in some of the productions, but support has also been given by the Kings Bay Submarine Officers Spouses Association (KBSOSA). For the second year in a row, KBSOSA has awarded St. Marys Little Theatre a community grant that will be used to fund programs to perpetuate the SMLT mission of “Enhancing Lives thru Performing Arts.”

Out-of-town visitors often remark about the surprising quality of live theatre in Camden County. But when you have such a winning combination of stellar talent, tireless volunteers, a great venue (Theatre by the Trax), and the generous support of an entire community, it shouldn’t be surprising at all.

SMLT and SMCT, through the performing arts, will continue to “inspire, nurture, amaze, educate, and empower” artists and audiences for another great season—a monstrously magnificent season. Visit www.stmaryslittletheatre.com for more details.

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LENA BELL DIANE BROWN ED CLARY STEVE CROWELL KIM DELEON DELOACH FENCE CAROL MOORE ARLENE NORRIS HERB ROWLAND PATSY SCOTT

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Thirty miles south of St. Marys in the Backyard of Cal Beaver's

Jacksonville home there has been a pungent smell of rotting fish. It is the smell of the largest unbranched flower (inflorescence) in the world; The Amorphophallus Titanum.

Beaver had two of the four foot tall flowers blooming in June.

The Amorphophallus Titanum is believed to be the inspiration for the man-eating plant depicted in "The Little Shop of Horrors." Of course the Titanum is not carnivorius. It uses the deceptive smell of rotting meat to attract insect pollinators since it is not self-pollinating. The Titanum is listed as vulnerable by International Conservation Agencies in its natural habitat of Sumatra, Indonesia due mainly to loss of habitat. Jacksonville summers are ideal for growing but the cold winters are a problem since the corm (a potatoe like tuber weighing up to 100 pounds) requires no less than 65 degrees Farenheit. This is a challenge to move six plants, some growing in 55-gallon plastic pickle barrels weighing over 500 pounds each. The plant normally blooms after about 12 years or when the corm reaches about forty pounds. Beaver’s plants took about 12 years and weighed about 20 pounds and 15 pounds respectively. Generally, the Titanum develops a lovely seven-foot umbrella-like tree, (technically a leaf), that dies back every year (dormancy). Beaver was elated when two specimens bloomed simultaneously since he planned on several more years of care ahead before blooming. The smell is most pungent up close and lasts about two days, but it is the key to this most exotic plant's reproductive success.

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Camden County Schools Have Something To Shout About!

ne of the most critical factors considered when O companies and/or families are planning a relocation

is the quality of education. In that respect, Camden County is ranked in the top tier of most desirable places to live.

Out of 186 high schools across Georgia, Camden County ranks number four in the College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI). The Camden County middle schools and elementary schools also enjoy high rankings in the index.

Superintendent of Camden County Schools Will Hardin attributes the remarkable rankings to the efforts of students and faculty, noting their hard work and dedication.

Camden County High School (CCHS) also received national press accolades recently in an article about the school's six academies that help

Gateway to Cumberland Island

Guided Tours

prepare students for life after high school.

"Atlantic Magazine" correspondent James Fallows wrote about the six academies that include Freshman; Health and Environmental Science; Engineering, Architecture and Industrial; Business; Fine Arts, and Government, Public, and Human Services, citing their excellent programs.

CCHS was also recognized as being in the top five schools in Georgia to i s s u e professional certifications through the Microsoft IT Academy.

Quality of education combined with quality of life in one of the most beautiful settings in America is a winning formula for those seeking relocation. For those who already make Camden County their home, it is simply an assumed privilege. After all, why would you want to live anywhere else?

Eco-Tourism

Playgrounds for All Ages

Captivating Waterfront

isit St. Marys and discover antebellum mansions, V fascinating museums, forgotten battles and succulent coastal cuisine.

St. Marys Welcome Center St. Marys Convention & Visitors Bureau 400 Osborne Street St. St. Marys, GA 31558

866-868-2153

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Changing Minds.

Enhancing Image.

Moving Product.

The average consumer is exposed to more than 3,000 messages a day. What will make yours stand out? How can you transform your marketing message into action? We’re STORMERS, and we’re marketing from higher ground to move our clients into higher positions of success. Cutting through the clutter.

Propelling our clients head and shoulders above their competition.

To learn more, visit www.stormersmarketing.com or call 912-729-1103.

Fountain at St. Marys Waterfront Park.

Photo by Jean G. Wines, JGW Studios. www.StMarysMagazine.com

St. Marys Magazine makes a great travel companion.

We’d like to know where you’re taking us.

To become one of our media darlings, simply have your photo taken in a distinguishable location, holding a copy of the magazine, and email the photo with names and location to info@stmarysmagazine.com.

Bob and Mary Rose Cannistraro in Sorrento, Italy.

Jerry and Leslie Sanders in Foley, Alabama.

Natalie and Gene Morris in Dingle, Ireland at Dick Mack’s pub.

Mike and Sandy Lillis celebrating their anniversary on Sanibel Island, Florida.

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Chuck Lanham and Joyce Bason in Northern Vermont.

Ashley and Adam Fey in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Marianna Lidlow and Fran Legner in Naples, Italy.

Harry, the resident feline at Currahee RV park in Taccoa, Georgia, at the foot of Mount Currahee, where Army paratroopers trained before D-Day. 83

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Wilderness Proclamation Once again, St. Marys is leading the way, and stands as the first American city to have issued a Wilderness Act 50th Anniversary Proclamation.

Wild at Heart Event September 6 On September 6, from 12 pm to 5 pm, environmental organizations from throughout the southeast and beyond will gather in St. Marys’ Howard Gilman Memorial Park to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Wilderness Act. Organizations such as The Southern Environmental Law Center, NOAA/Ga Sea Grant, 100miles.org, The Satilla Riverkeepers, The Georgia Conservancy, The Pew Charitable Trusts, The St. Marys EarthKeepers, Glynn Environmental, The Georgia Sea Turtle Center, The Center for a Sustainable Coast, White Oak Conservation Foundation, Crooked River State Park, GreenLaw, and others will be setting up booths with information about their efforts and activities for all.

St. Marys is the first city, nationwide, to register for such an event with protection. The marshes of Georgia are http://www.wilderness50th.org/. not only precious to our area but are vital in terms of mitigating erosion, Marsh Buffer Ordinance storm surges, and sea level rise. It is On Monday, June 2, 2014, St. Marys our sincere hope that all communities City Council voted, unanimously, to throughout Georgia will take similar reinstate the 25-foot marsh buffer steps to safeguard the marshes that protection that was eradicated by the Ga grace our coast.

EPD on April 22, 2014. St. Marys EarthKeepers extend their sincere Congratulations St. Marys! thanks to Council for, once again, stepAdvanced Disposal was asked to ping forth to ensure that the rare and perform an on-the-ground survey to find fragile marsh ecosystems are afforded out what our city’s curbside recycling

compliance rate is—and they were stunned by the findings. More than 74% of St. Marys citizens take their blue bins to the curb each week: a rate never before seen by Advanced. (Advanced provides their service to more than 250,000 commercial customers and 2.4 million residential customers throughout 18 states.) The national rate is approximately 34%. Well done, St. Marys!

Sea Grant Update

Georgia Sea Grant, North Carolina Sea Grant, the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government, and UGA Marine Extension Service continue to partner with St. Marys, GA, to develop a community resilience and adaptation plan that addresses flooding, sea level rise, and increasing flood insurance rates. This two-year project is funded through a grant by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Sea Grant Program.

The effort also includes North Carolina’s expertise in facilitating Vu l n e r a b i l i t y, C o n s e q u e n c e s a n d Adaptation Planning Scenarios (VCAPS) which involves developing, through a

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This page is dedicated to those who believe we should leave this earth a better place than we found it.

series of public workshops, detailed assessments of communities’ current and future vulnerabilities. These could include potential for flooding, damage to infrastructure and private property, and threats to local water supply from drought or saltwater intrusion. The analyses will provide the basis for developing policy recommendations for St. Marys in the form of a tailored resilience and adaptation plan, and the lessons learned in St. Marys will be shared with other coastal communities in the two states, and nationally through the Sea Grant network.

E-scrap Events Due to public demand, The St. Marys EarthKeepers continue to hold triannual electronics recycling events. Each and every time, the citizens of Camden County and beyond take their old computers, wires, Christmas lights, lamps—if it plugs into the wall, they welcome it—to the St. Marys EarthKeepers E-cycle location. The average amount collected at each event exceeds 13 tons, all of which is fully and safely recycled.

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I was sitting in the waiting room at Dr. Barlow's office and picked up a copy of St. Marys Magazine and was reminded of when I first saw your magazine. It was the summer of 2007. I still remember lying in bed that night flipping through it. It was gorgeous, informative and definitely gave my husband and I a positive sense that Saint Marys was a special place and made our move here easier for us.

Rebecca MacArthur St. Marys I was delighted to read your informative article about volunteering. I am 77 and have been a volunteer at Fieldstone Farm Therapeutic Riding Center, Chagrin Falls Ohio, for seven years. As a volunteer, I get more than I give as is so aptly stated in your article. We enjoyed your magazine and will reread and share it.

Sheila Collins Solon, Ohio

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I read Alex Kear n’s story, "The Awakening..." and was truly impressed that within such a small space, she could describe so much. The cover this time is truly a work of art. As in all photos that I find most interesting, this one just about tells a story unto itself. The magazine always brightens my day as well as our 94-year-young uncle.

Larry Stafford Southwest Florida

I don’t know how you do it. Each issue is more fabulous than the past.

Leigh Cort Ponte Vedra Beach, FL The new magazine is really wonderful!

You've done a terrific job as usual.

Doris Maye Kingsland, GA

The magazine was awesome as usual.

George Tweedy I have been enjoying your magazine since St. Marys, GA the first issue! You and your staff, and the company that prints your magazine, do an excellent job! The articles are very interesting and enjoyable. The photographs are superb! Keep up the Send letters to: great work!

St. Marys Magazine Larry 511 Osborne Street Jacksonville, FL

St. Marys, GA 31558 barbara@stmarysmagazine.com

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Shouldering a Summer of Mobility By

Sara Hickox, PTA, Advance Rehabilitation

ummer is here! It’s that time of year we enjoy the S outdoors by playing baseball, softball, tennis, or cooling off by taking a relaxing swim. Don’t forget that list of home repairs we put off during the winter. Perhaps your job requires you to perform the same task of reaching and lifting day in and day out. Whatever category you may fall under, repetitive overhead movement and motion place the shoulder at risk for injury. Shoulder injuries can occur in men, women, and children of all ages and all activity levels. In fact, studies have shown children ages 5-14 account for nearly 40% of all sports related injuries treated in hospitals.

If you or someone you know are experiencing pain in your shoulder, ask yourself these questions: • Is your shoulder stiff? Can you rotate your arm in all the normal positions?

• Does it feel like your shoulder could slide out of the socket?

• Do you lack the strength in your shoulder to carry out your daily activities?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you could consult a physical therapist. If you are an overhead athlete, a physical therapist has the knowledge base and skill set to perform a biomechanical analysis to ensure sufficient mobility and correct mechanics. Or if part of

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your job requires repetitive overhead motions, a physical therapist can educate you on exercises which can strengthen the rotator cuff (group of muscles which provide stability to the shoulder joint and enable you to lift your arm and reach overhead) and facilitate the safe performance of job activities. Last, but not least, if you are someone who desires to keep a healthy active lifestyle with a decreased risk of injury, a simple assessment of muscle imbalances and muscle testing can help.

If an individual lacks the mobility and strength to correctly bring their arms overhead and continue to perform a repetitive motion incorrectly, they are playing with fire. Early detection is key to preventing serious shoulder injuries.

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2014 August 8 ................................... Comedy Hypnosis Show at Theatre by the Trax August 9 ................................... Music at Waterfront Park August 16 ................................. Starry Nights Concert at Waterfront Park August 30 ................................. Kingsland Catfish Festival September 6 ............................. Wild at Heart Festival September 12, 13, 19, 20, 21 .... Little Shop of Horrors at Theatre by the Trax September 13 ............................ Music at Waterfront Park September 20 ........................... First Annual Songwriters Festival September 20 ........................... Starry Nights Concert at Waterfront Park October 4 .................................. Annual Rock Shrimp Festival & Parade October 4, 5, 11, 12 ................... STEAM LOCOMOTIVE EXPRESS Train Rides October 11 ................................. Build a Scarecrow Day at Theatre by the Trax October 11 ................................. Habitat for Humanity Builders Ball October 11-31 ............................ Hay Days Scarecrow Display Octoboer 14 .............................. Scarecrow Stroll October 17, 18, 19 ..................... St. Marys Children’s Theatre presents Peter Pan at Theatre by the Trax

All Events in St. Marys unless otherwise noted.

October 24 ................................ Haunted History Tour October 25 ................................ Zombie Outbreak Evacuation 5K October 29 - December 11 ......... Georgia State Art Collection Tour in Kingsland November 5-9 ........................... Kings Bay Subvets Reunion November 11 ............................ Veterans Day Parade, Kingsland November 27 ............................ Cruisers Thanksgiving November 29, December 6 & 13 .SANTA EXPRESS Train Rides December 2 .............................. White Lighting Parade & Ceremony December 4 .............................. Kingsland Christmas Celebration December 6 .............................. Christmas in the Park December 6 & 7 ....................... Farragut Festival, Kingsland December 6 & 7 ........................ Christmas in Woodbine December 12, 13, 14 ................. A Christmas Carol at Theatre by the Trax December 13 ............................. Candlelight Tour of Homes

2015

January 19 ................................ MLK, Jr. Parade, Kingsland January 31 ................................ Old Time Oyster Roast, Kingsland February 14 .............................. Mardi Gras Festival & Ball

Every Saturday ................................................................ St. Marys Community Market Every Friday & Saturday Evening ....................................... Woodbine Opry

For additional information about other area events, visit these websites www.stmaryswelcome.com (St. Marys) www.visitkingsland.com (Kingsland) www.woodbinegeorgia.net (Woodbine) www.folkston.com (Folkston) www.goldenisles.com (Brunswick and The Golden Isles)

www.mcintoshcounty.com (Darien) www.savannahvisit.com (Savannah) www.ameliaisland.com (Amelia Island) www.visitjacksonville.com (Jacksonville & surrounding area) www.floridashistoriccoast.com (St. Augustine & Ponte Vedra)

Train Ride information at www.stmarysrailroad.com 90

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A RO U N D TO W N

Send your Around Town photos to Barbara@stmarysmagazine.com.

First Place Winners of 2014 Seagle’s Golf Outing: (l-r) Eddie Susser, Gene Murray, Chris Rawl, and Greg Moore.

Former Kings Bay Captain Dick Currier, Senator Jeff Chapman, and Al Chapman at D-Day ceremony hosted by Al and Mary Chapman.

Desmond Walker of i-Live Center for the Arts was featured in a national television production. www.StMarysMagazine.com

Lisa Allen's Dance Works Dazzlers Competition Team 2014 won Best Presentation at Cathy Roe's Ultimate Dance competition and Best Choreography at Starpower Competition.(l-r) Kimberlee Witt, Brianna Wolfenbarger, and Madison Calderwood.

Friese Studio of Music and Performing Arts placed at the top of regional competitions at Universal Studios in Orlando.

“Fanfare” (left photo) won first place in their division and “Rhapsody” (right picture) won 2nd place in their division.

Mardja Gray and Carol Moore at Prom Mystery Night, a fundraiser at Southern Junction.

Performing in “Tony & Tina’s Wedding,” a fundraiser for St. Marys Children’s Theatre at J’s British Pub: (l-r) Joe Lucent, Mike Cannistraro, Jaclyn Cannistraro, Kimberly Doherty, and Yolanda Curtis.

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ION Detox Foot Spa Treatment Golf Cart Rentals

Retreats to change your life.

Storied treasures around every corner including beautiful antique furniture, collectibles, rugs, artwork, and great gift items.

Gallery Featuring Featuring13 13 Local Artists!

Downtown St. Marys at 102 West Church Street 912-882-5861

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D O W N T O W N

The Ultimate Event Venue in Camden County

• • • • • •

Weddings Charity Events Class Reunions Military Reunions Corporate Events Family Reunions

Small to large groups. Seats up to 250 people.

600 Finley Street (At Osborne)

912-729-3292 or 912-729-5000 southernjunctionevents.com

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M I D T O W N

1160 East Boone Avenue • Kingsland, GA

912-576-3733

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Find out what the locals are raving about!

Extensive Menu & Daily Specials Shrimp Your Way! Fisherman’s Favorites. Steaks, chicken, pasta and more!

Catering Available!

1837 Osborne Road • St. Marys, GA • 912-467-4217

K I N G S L A N D

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