S. Marys Magazine Issue 23

Boldly Heading Where Few Have Gone Before Camden Spaceport

Red Carpet Treatment Keeps Filmmakers Coming Back

St. Marys fared better than most of our coastal neighbors when Hurricane Matthew swept through last fall. Our beautiful city and neighboring Cumberland Island were back in business almost immediately following the storm. If you are thinking of visiting in these cooler winter months, our weather is still warm and inviting so we encourage you, your friends and relatives to come on down!

Or up, as the case may be as we have many visitors arriving from Florida as well. The Georgia Welcome Center at Exit 1 just as you cross from Florida into Georgia has been re-furbished and has re-opened to welcome all to our great state and offering dozens of ideas for spending time in St. Marys.

While our waterfront, rivers and entryway to Cumberland Island remain our most popular attractions, we enjoy year-round entertainment venues like steam train rides and community theatre presentations at Theatre by the Trax. Kayaking continues to grow in popularity as do bicycle touring and races. Our History Walk is proving to be an enjoyable historical stroll through the long history of our waterfront village. We are known for our family friendly parades and festivals with February featuring our very own version of the Mardi Gras. Our historic hotel, modern motels, and charming bed and breakfasts provide lodging for all tastes and budgets while restaurants in midtown, downtown and the west side offer a variety of casual dining options.

Whether you are here for an outdoor adventure or just want to enjoy time in a peaceful, quiet, laid back and friendly community, St. Marys is the place to spend a week, weekend or longer. Many will fall in love and move here to call St. Marys home.

Welcome! And if you have time, please stop by City Hall and say “hi” or “hey” depending on where you are from.

Sincerely,

John Morrissey, Mayor City of St. Marys

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Staying ACTIVE

Live life your way. Turn to the only local orthopaedic experts backed by the strength and resources of the region’s leading health system. Our team of board-certified orthopaedic surgeons and physicians treat injuries with the latest surgical and non-surgical techniques. From routine orthopaedic care to joint replacement, and from sports medicine to physical medicine and rehabilitation, get the personalized attention you need to get moving. To learn more, visit sghs.org/summit or call 1-855-ASK-SGHS (1-855-275-7447).

Publisher’s Note

Many of my readers look forward to reading the message on the spine of each issue of St. Marys Magazine.

Publisher

Barbara Jackson Ryan

Creative Director & Designer

Jerry Lockamy

Contributing Artists

Steve Saley

Editor

Robin Cross

Director of Public Relations

Kristen Lockamy

Contributing Writers

Alex Kearns

Herb Rowland

Holly Yurchison

Tom Raymond

Gordon Jackson

Contributing Photographers

Alexa Sanford,Eli Rose Photography

Perry Contini

Scott Moore

Evelyn Hill

Roger Graw

John Gantz

L. J. Williams

Brandon Herron

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 2017.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

Unleash Joy!...that’s the message this time, and if I can inspire just one of our 60,000 readers to do just that, then the months of effort putting this issue together will have been so very much worthwhile.

Here’s the deal.

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

When you wake up in the morning, you have two choices: you can be miserable, or you can be joyful.

We are born with joy in our hearts. Just watch a six-month old infant being entertained by his daddy blowing mouth bubbles. That baby’s laughter is a manifestation of pure unadulterated joy. Joy is natural. Misery is learned.

We often underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring—all of which can help spread joy.

I entreat each of you to try this for just one week and see if it makes a difference.

Smile at people: especially the ones that look grumpy. They are the very ones who need joy unleashed the most.

Hug people: Hugs are the universal medicine.

Say something nice: Everyone has something that deserves being complimented. Just one little spoken observation could make someone’s day.

Be kind: Be gentle and giving in all you do. People thrive on unconditional love.

Be thoughtful: Surprise someone with a small token from the heart—a slice of cake, a flower, a beloved book, a request for a selfie with them. People really do appreciate consideration.

Spread cheer: Greet everyone with a smile. If nothing else, they will wonder what you’re up to and perhaps detract their mind from the tediousness of their day.

All the flowers of tomorrows are in the seeds today—so goes an ancient proverb. It is so very easy to plant some seeds of joy and to be the awesome you wish to see in the world.

Let me know how that works for you.

Barbara Jackson Ryan Publisher

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

On the cover

Photographer Perry Contini captures the moment: Filming of a Pittsburgh Pirates pr oduction at The Peacemaker on St. Marys’ waterfront.

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.

Bucket Lists, Wish Lists, If Onlys—we all have them, and we all vow to check off those boxes of longings. Someday. Maybe. Then time passes and there always seems to be another excuse, another reason why not, another day that slips by.

But what if we told you there’s a place where you can set your inner explorer free? What if you heard about a small town on the edge of the continent that offers you everything you need to live life without regrets? Would you dare to make your dreams come true?

St. Marys is a paradise of possibility. Wide graceful streets, trees that whisper bygone lullabies, and a

By Alex Kearns

harbor that curves sweetly before setting off on a river’s 126-mile blackwater journey to its birthplace: the liquid highway of soldiers and sailers, pirates, and fortune-seekers. Biking, kayaking, walking, fishing, paddle-boarding…the choices are as varied as the shades of green and gold that cloak the salt marsh. Stretch your muscles, flex your limbs, and breathe. There’s a world waiting for you so “throw off the bowlines”!

Meanwhile, the truly courageous voyager can embark on inner journeys that enrich the heart and challenge the intellect. As the dawn light bathes the

waterfront park, those who practice Tai Chi carve the air in graceful shapes of tranquility while others gather for morning prayer. Yoga, dance, photography, theatre, music, art, volunteerism – the paths to self-expression and awareness are as varied as those who call St. Marys “home.”

And then there’s Cumberland Island: the perfect marriage of the physical and the spiritual. There is a transcendent beauty there that reaches deep into one’s soul. It releases and transforms us in unexpected ways. When you run your fingers lightly over the masterpiece of a live oak, emerge from a twilight

tunnel of green into a sun-dazzled world of sugar-sand dunes, and stand alone on a beach that stretches into the horizon…you are profoundly changed. Suddenly you hear your own voice on the wind, taste the sea salt on your skin, walk the earth with a gentler but firmer step, and know what it is to be Timeless.

No matter how many years have passed by or how many evenings came to a close with the sighed words “Maybe I’ll do it tomorrow,” it’s never too late to put aside the lists of “some-days” and reach out for life. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. St. Marys awaits you.

Imagine walking a trail through downtown St. Marys where majestic sculptures depicting native wildlife, or historic figures or events meander through centuries-old oaks and stately homes.

The idea of a Heritage & Wildlife Art Trail came from private citizens of St. Marys who would like to preserve significant parts of older trees that have been damaged and are destined to be removed. The Heritage & Wildlife Art Trail would also serve to encourage artistic endeavors that would remain on public display for the benefit of all according to Charlie Smith, Jr., an originator and strong proponent of the trail plan.

“St. Marys is a wonderful walking town,” Smith said. “The Heritage & Wildlife Art Trail would enrich the walking experience by presenting engaging visuals that tell the story of our town.”

Criteria for the sculptures that Smith

continued ...

Barred Owl on Charlie Smith’s home site.

envisions would be based on larger tree carvings that represent: A plant or animal indigenous to Camden County; a deceased person who has made a unique or very important personal contribution to the City of St. Marys and/or Camden County, or who had a national reputation with a personal connection to the area; a historic event that occurred in Camden County, or a structure of historical significance located or previously located in Camden County.

“Instead of destroying a tree that has graced our community for centuries, we have an opportunity to honor it by making it live on in another form,” Smith said.

Though not geographically appropriate for the proposed trail, a wildlife sculpture is now a focal point of Smith’s river home. The sculpture was created by the same artist that carved Bert Guy’s osprey (pictured).

A resident of Tennessee, artist David LaVoie has a national reputation as an expert tree carver. He was discovered locally after he created the dolphin carving (pictured on next page) at a St. Marys residence. Bert Guy and Charlie Smith hired LaVoie to carve their trees, so now there are three tree carvings created by LaVoie that stand in Camden County.

The Heritage & Wildlife Art Trail could be yet anothOsprey at the Bert Guy Family home. continued ...

enticement for visitors to come to Historic St. Marys joining the history trail located adjacent to the Peace Garden by the Oak Grove Cemetery.

“Anything that helps boost our economy by attracting tourists will be a welcome addition to our community,” said Smith. “But clearly, residents will be able to enjoy the trail as well as they take their evening walks or golf cart rides.

The St. Marys Heritage & Wildlife Art Trail is just one project of many that the City of St. Marys could add to their portfolio of assets as the city moves forward to revitalize the area’s economy by making our community an even better place to live, visit, work, and play.

First carving that introduced sculptor to St. Marys.

UF Health North Hospital

Those who can stay

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SCaptain’s Quarters

tunning marsh, river

and Intracoastal views from this spacious upstairs apartment. Large living area with 20’ vaulted ceilings. Large private master bedroom with walk-in closet and a true “Master” bath with Jacuzzi spa tub, step-in shower and double vanities.

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This charming historic cottage originally served as the St. Marys Railroad Commissary in the 1800s. An open living area features kitchen, dining, and breakfast bar, sitting and queen bedroom areas. Six hundred square feet of cozy privacy, with beautiful views from your own private deck.

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Since 1807, there has been a national coordinate system in place for mapping the lands, waters, and coastlines of the United States. Initially, it was done by tall ships through an agency called the United States Survey of the Coast which was created by an Act of Congress in order to chart the waters of the U.S. to make them safe for navigation. Currently, the U. S. Coast & Geodetic Survey is performed using the latest GPS technology. Geodetic coordinates are indispensable for routing transportation and delivery of goods, locating underground utility equipment for repairs, excavation, and the restoration of the earth’s surface. Without the spatial coordinates supplied by

the geodetic survey system, the Internet, the financial sector, and a host of other necessary sectors of our economy would be in the Dark Ages.

In and round St. Marys, there are dozens of markers placed through this system in earlier times. The one pictured is encased in the tabby exterior of the Riverview Hotel on St. Marys’ waterfront. It is considered to be a “mean sea level” marker.

In downtown St. Marys, you can find these markers at the Riverview Hotel, on the old bank building just a block away, on the little Catholic Church next to Once Upon a Bookseller, and on the southwest corner of Theatre by the Trax (a former railcar repair station). There was one on a smokestack on the old paper mill site but came down when the stack was demolished in 2007. Another marker was embedded at the old elementary school which was demolished a few years ago.

Locally, geodetic markers are used by engineering firms in their everyday business.

St. Marys resident Jim Goodman indicates Geodetic Survey Marker at the Riverview Hotel

Ben Seagle (Pete) Brandon, Jr., a local land surveyor who is familiar with the markers, said that the markers provide an accurate reference elevation above mean sea level.

“We run a vertical loop, using an engineer’s level, to connect these existing bench marks to houses and other buildings to determine the finished floor elevation,” Brandon said. “Then, flood insurance rates, construction planning, and other applications are often derived.”

The location and identification of geodetic markers has become a sort of geocaching sport for many. But it’s a $250 fine and possible imprisonment for anyone who would disturb these markers. After all, these markers are part of history, and should remain in place to tell their story for centuries to come.

Editor’s Note: To get an idea of how a marker is identified and logged, go to https://www.geocaching.com/mark/ datasheet.aspx?PID=BC2310.

Our nation’s national parks have been deemed “America’s Best Idea.” And fittingly, some of our most beautiful parks will become a household visual as newly minted quarters depict their beauty during an 11-year program which could turn into a 22-year program if an option granted to the Secretary of Treasury is executed. Amid the issuance of these coins, there will be only one that depicts a national seashore—the 2018 Cumberland Island quarter. In 2010, the United States Mint began capturing the nation’s natural beauty with its program to strike 56 new quarters. The Cumberland Island quarter will be its forty-fourth and

continued ...

will be issued in 2018. Designs are now underway and two designs have captured the favor of the two advisory committees guiding the United States Mint in choosing the final design.

The Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee supports a quarter depicting a loggerhead turtle swimming along the Cumberland Island coast. They said that the loggerhead design was one of the best they had seen throughout the series. The Commission of Fine Arts is recommending a quarter with a snowy egret with spread wings perched on a branch in the saltwater marsh. Ultimately, it will be up to the U. S. Treasury to make the final decision on the quarter’s design.

With great anticipation coin collectors await the 2018 issuance of the Cumberland Island quarters. But coin enthusiast or not, the “America the Beautiful” quarters give us all the opportunity to start a conversation with our children and our grandchildren about the treasures that are our national parks.

America is a land of infinite beauty—“from sea to shining sea” as the closing lyrics of the iconic song “America the Beautiful” say. Perhaps carrying a piece of this beauty in our pockets and purses will remind us to appreciate the gifts of nature and history that are commemorated on the shiny 25-cent pieces being minted in the coming years.

I LOVED your "Publisher's Note" in the last St. Marys Magazine.It describes exactly how I feel about being a Southerner.

Ralph Perry

Stuart, FL Got a real nice compliment on your magazine today.Someone living in Atlanta but building a house in Cumberland Harbour uses it to show her friends where she’s moving to. She said this magazine was great quality and was as good as she sees anywhere on the east coast.

Kevin Van Horn

St. Marys, GA

A friend brought me the latest edition of the St. Marys Magazine, and I just wanted to let you know how gr eat it is. You do a terrific job of putting this magazine together and featuring all the best of St. Marys and surrounding areas.

Bobbie Hall

Gainesville, FL

Send letters to: St. Marys Magazine

511 Osbor ne Str eet

St. Marys, GA 31558 barbara@stmarysmagazine.com

Two hundred excited passengers hold on to their hats as the St. Marys Express starts “clickety-clack down the track,” embarking on adventures unknown. Very early on, smiles erupt when children from 2 to 92 begin to realize that this journey will be one like no other.

This journey will take them into the land of make believe. Through scenic woodlands and over picturesque marshlands. Through trackside villages where residents come out to wave and the Candy Lady throws candy at the passengers. This journey will introduce the young and the young at heart to characters whose only mission is to make them smile. This journey will shepherd

continued ...

them into an hour and a half of peaceful rhythmic iron horse singsong that makes them feel as if they have not only left the station, but have also left the hectic pace of everyday life far behind.

Less than 6% of America’s population has ever ridden a “real” train. St. Marys Express endeavors to change that statistic 200 passengers at a time, and along the way re-introduce families to the simple joys in life.

Trains certainly have been an important part of American history. It was 1908 when St. Marys rail service first began. Back then, the trains were pulled by woodburning locomotives. Today’s St. Marys Express trains are pulled by either an authentic 1930s steam locomotive or one of two newly acquired diesel locomotives.

But beyond the sheer power of mechanical beasts that drive the St. Marys Express to its destination and back, there is aboard a sense of pure magic.

In recent excursions, passengers have come face to face with The Grinch, Frosty the Snowman, a parcel of mischievous elves, and Jolly old St. Nick himself. Comical zombies have danced right before their eyes and assisted Darth Vader in raiding Snoopy’s Great Pumpkin Patch. They’ve met Casey Jones and Uncle Sam and a pair of incorrigible hobos who seem to show up for every train with their brindle and Mulligan stew ready to charm passengers into allowing them a free ride. continued ...

More

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St. Marys Express passengers have participated in Easter Egg hunts right alongside Peter Cottontail. They’ve witnessed eye-popping re-enactments of historic gunfights like the one at the Ok Corral. They have good naturedly endured silly jokes by the ever-entertaining Crosstie, the hobo tech. They have sung along to Christmas carols, patriotic melodies, and Americana classics. And they’ve failed to hold back tears as the oldest serving veterans aboard are presented with the American Flag by a grateful sailor.

Run almost entirely by volunteers, the St. Marys Express wants nothing more than to put “a smile on your face cause that’s going to put a smile on ours,” as they say.

Going into 2017, more excitement awaits as the new excursion, “Rock ‘n’ Roll Express,” is added to the lineup. On the “Rock ‘n’ Roll” Express, passengers just might discover that Elvis really is still alive, and Janis Joplin still has something to say. Marvin Gaye, Johnny Cash and other entertainment icons will bring back memories and, once again, engage an audience in a welcome getaway— away from the ordinary, 200 passengers at a time. Clickety-clack down the track. Lots of folks always come back. Because riding the rails is a journey into yesteryear wrapped up in a whole bunch of fun and adventure.

For more information, visit StMarysRailroad.com.

• Award winning community

• On-site storage available

• Detached garages available

• Washer/dryer rentals

• On-site maintenance

• One stop shop convenience

• Outdoor dining with grills located throughout the community

• Club room with flat screens, DVD players and surround-sound system • Free WiFi at clubhouse and pool

Playground

Think big! That’s what breaking through limitations is all about. Exploring and acting on potential.

Thankfully, Camden County leaders are proving themselves as visionaries, maximizing our community’s potential to become one of just a handful of spaceports in America.

A map on the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) website shows only seven states with rocket launch facilities designated as spaceports. As proponents of Spaceport Camden move forward, clearing hurdle after hurdle, the aspiration of creating an economic nucleus based on commercial spacefaring comes closer and closer to reality.

Georgia already hosts a $51 billion aerospace industry, but adding “Spaceport” to the state’s portfolio will dramatically increase the economic benefits. More than 88,000 aerospace jobs were created for Georgians in 2013 alone. According to industry experts, “few industries are as diverse and far

reaching as aerospace.”

Marcus Holzinger, assistant professor in Georgia Tech’s School of Aerospace Engineering, said recently. “A great deal of the world’s economy depends on access to space. It’s on the order of several hundred billion dollars in economic activity.”

The mission of Spaceport Camden will be to attract rocket companies and other space firms to locate and use the Camden site for launching rockets into space.

The 11,000-acre site for the proposed spaceport awaits development as the process is propelled through government and supportive citizenry.

“2016 was a productive year for the Spaceport Camden project,” said Camden County Administrator Steve Howard who has championed the project from day one. “In 2017, we are expecting to move one step closer to our vision of obtaining a launch site operator license and with it to making Spaceport Camden a reality.”

Milestones achieved so far include:

• The FAA reviewing all comments received from members of the public, government agencies, and interest groups.

• A Scoping Summary Report was generated as the FAA finalized its scoping process and began work on the Environmental Impact Statement. Site assessment was completed by the FAA.

• The Georgia House and Senate set up committees to evaluate the impact the spaceport would have on Georgia and what legislation needs to pass in order to foster interest from the commercial space industry. Several space industry experts testified in front of the committees, including the president of the Commercial Spaceflight Federation, several representatives of the FAA, as well as Georgia aerospace companies.

• Throughout the year (and continuing into 2017), the Camden County Board of Commissioners met with a variety of companies in the industry across the country to build relationships with potential tenants.

• The Senate Study Committee concluded its findings by urging the General Assembly to pass legislation continued ...

What’s more beautiful than life imitating

TheSince 1986, Georgia Power has given more than $201 million to non-profits across the state. Our commitment to improving the cultural landscape is just one of the many ways we’re working to support our communities.

Results that Speak for Themselves

• that would attract the industry and send a strong message that Georgia is open for business. The Committee also recognized the existence of a profitable Camden County Spaceport and the associated high value jobs and revenue would be beneficial to the local population and economy of Camden County, the neighboring region, and the State of Georgia.

About the Senate recommendation, Howard paraphrased Neil Armstrong’s famous moon landing statement by saying, “This is one small step for Spaceport Camden, but one giant leap for Georgia.”

Private companies such as Space-X (founded by Paypal owner Elon Musk) and Blue Origin (owned by Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon) are pushing the limits of commercial space flight in a quest to “change the future of humanity.”

Blue Origin calls Earth “just our starting place,” while Space-X endeavors to be the first company to colonize Mars. Both companies would be excellent potential tenants for Spaceport Camden. According to the Georgia Department of Economic Development as our national space strategy pushes LEO (Low Earth Orbit) space operations into the commercial sector, the close geographic proximity of Georgia to space launch facilities will lower the cost of doing business as a logistics, manufacturing and R & D point in Georgia. Camden County is well positioned to become Georgia’s access point to the global $330 billion commercial space industry.

When Christopher Columbus made his voyages across the Atlantic in the 15th century, his ships carried the inscription “Following the light of the sun, we left the old world.”

It is not untenable that payloads and humans will increasingly be leaving the old world, spacefaring into the future. And it is not untenable that Camden County will play a role in the exploration and excavation of other planets and stars into the new worlds of the 21st century—perhaps boldly going where no man has gone before.

Think big!

Actual Patients

By Holly Yurchison

Seniors living in St. Marys have a home away from home at the St. Marys Senior Center, according to regular attendee Tommie Jones.

Director Rindy Howell, who has been with the center for more than 15 years, emphasizes that this is an active senior center. Howell and her staff work hard to ensure there are a wide variety of activities for the seniors to pursue.

Line dancing, Bingo, board games and lunches out are just a few of the common pursuits, as well as special events like hundred-year birthday parties and an annual themed prom. Recent prom themes have included sports teams, hippies and roaring twenties.

Fifty-five and older adults come to the center every week day for friendship and community. Attendees number between 30 and 50 most days, so there is always someone to chat, play a hand of cards or shoot pool with. The center is situated on a lake with a covered deck ideal for taking in the scenery with friends, and maybe feeding the fish schooling below.

High school sweethearts Nestor and Janet Grenier recently celebrated their 18th wedding anniversary. Both married others after high

continued

Every year, seniors enjoy the “Real Senior Prom” with themes such as “sports.”

The tranquil lake setting makes for some relaxing afternoons.

school but reunited 40 years later after each was widowed. When Janet’s brother heard that Nestor’s wife had died, he gave Nestor Janet’s phone number. Janet jokes that she hasn’t yet forgiven him. The Greniers are regulars at the senior center, where Janet enjoys playing Rummy-O with friends Callie Young and Jean Lloyd.

The city of St. Marys has supported the senior center for the 35 years of its existence, handling all the operating costs. A grant from the St. Marys Hospital Authority provides lunches four days each week as well as some special programs like Christmas parties and the prom. A seven-member advisory committee, including Councilmember Sam Colville, represents the center to the community. The seniors have their own council, whose members vote on activities to include each year, and on what to choose for the annual fundraiser.

line dancing.”

Irma Griffith, originally from Costa Rica via New York City, began to attend after she moved to St. Marys in 2009. A popular fundraiser in years past was a raffle of hand-made quilts, made by senior center members.

Although the group no longer makes the quilts, Ms. Griffith credits the group with teaching her to quilt, a skill she did not have before.

Visiting during lunch gives guests a chance to chat with a group of folks at once at the long, crowded tables. Older adults have wonderful stories to tell, of a time when life was both simpler and more strenuous.

Karen Millard, who moved from southern California to be nearer her daughters, has been coming to the center for about seven months. “It’s a place to meet friends and feel part of life again. These are now my dearest friends,” she said.

“This is a wonderful program that we are so thankful to have,” Howell said. “We bring in legal aid to help with wills and advance directives, and a dance team to teach

The St. Marys Senior Center invites you to come visit sometime. Your day will be richer for it.

All centennials get a special birthday celebration.

REPRINTED BY POPULAR DEMAND

By Barbara Jackson Ryan

hen I brought Little Nellie home from the animal shelter, it was in hopes that this bedraggled waif would become the beloved playmate for my white German shepherd, Einstein. Before Nellie, Einstein would spend much of his day laying a toy in my lap and looking up at me as if to say, “Is this the toy that will make you stop your work and play with me?” He would try toy after toy. Eventually, I’d give up trying to concentrate and, much to his delight, spend a few minutes in the back yard tossing a ball, a frisbee, a stick—anything that would make him happy for a bit so I could return to my work. Day after day after day, we would repeat the same pattern. And then it occurred to me that if I could get him a playmate, I would be so much more productive at work, and my Einstein would be able to lovingly harass another creature. So the search began. After having been intimately involved in some recent fundraising for the Camden County Humane Society and seeing the great need for rescue parents, there was no question as to where I would search for Einstein’s playmate.

Einstein and I made three trips to the shelter before honing in on the Benji look-alike that eventually became part of our family. She had been a stray with no identification picked up two months prior. I still get misty-eyed when I think of her in that cage for two months, and how she must have roamed the streets before that. What stories sweet Nellie could tell!

I could fill volumes with my Nellie tale, but let’s cut to the chase. Einstein, the big brother now and more protective and loving toward Nellie than I ever thought possible, has his playmate—yes. And Little Nellie has touched my heart and enriched my life in a way that few human beings would be able to do. I don’t think that Nellie is unique in her capacity for bringing immeasurable happiness to her master. She has taught me lessons that—I’m sure—are the same lessons being taught in millions of households in millions of homes around the world. What is unique is that I, as a publisher, have the luxury of sharing these lessons with my 60,000 plus readers in hopes that they will inspire someone somewhere to visit a shelter. Could that someone be you? Will you open your heart to the extraordinary and unconditional love of an animal? Will you rescue that

animal and give it the opportunity to rescue you right back? A dog or cat can be the hopes and dreams of the future, fond memories of the past, and most important, the pure joy of the moment. Here are just a few lessons that Nellie has taught me.

Lesson #1

Life really is about “the journey.”

Lesson #2

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them, and give them a big sloppy kiss if they’ll let you. This could be a great attitude-adjustment moment after a hard day’s work.

Lesson #3

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride. Fresh air and the wind in your face can be pure ecstasy.

Lesson #4

When it’s in your best interest, practice obedience.

Lesson #5

Let others know when they’ve invaded your territory.

Lesson #6

Take naps.

Lesson #7

Stretch before rising.

Lesson #8

Run, romp, and play daily.

Lesson #9

Thrive on attention, freely embrace your need for love, and let people touch you.

Lesson #10

Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

Lesson #11

On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.

Lesson #12

On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.

Lesson #13

When you’re happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

Lesson #14

No matter how often you’re scolded, don’t buy into the guilt thing and pout.... run right back and make friends.

Lesson #15

Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

Lesson #16

Eat with gusto and enthusiasm.

Lesson #17

Stop when you have had enough.

Lesson #18

Be loyal.

Lesson #19

Never pretend to be something you’re not.

Lesson #20

If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.

Lesson #21

When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.

Lesson #22

Time is the greatest gift you can ever give, because once you give it, you can’t take it back

Lesson #23

Unconditional love is never over-rated; however, sleeping alone is.

Lesson #24

Respect is earned.

Lesson #25

Everybody needs somebody.

Lesson #26

Love is contagious.

Lesson #27

Never judge a book by its cover

Lesson #28

Sometimes just making someone else happy is what it’s all about.

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Every year in America, about 8 million animals like me end up in shelters. Sadly, half of these will be euthanized. I saw it time and time again. I watched as they were taken from their nearby cages—never to return. Here’s the deal. When folks like you decide you want to have a “pet,” more times than not, you’ll march down to the local pet store to pick up one of those “pedigree” creatures. (Hey, didn’t you see that Oprah show about puppy mills?) Anyway, if you really need a “pedigree,” you might be interested to know that 25% of the animals that end up in shelters are purebred. Now, I’m not advocating choosing them over one of my friends who just happen to be a little mutt like myself, but if pedigree is your cup of tea, save yourself a few hundred bucks and shop the shelters first. Just promise me you’ll take a look. Who knows? You might just end up with a little ragamuffin like me. And you might just end up learning a few lessons that might just make you a happier human being. C’mon. Whaddya got to lose?

With unconditional love, Nellie

By Gordon Jackson

The St. Marys River didn’t make the drive on U.S. 17 to Florida easy for motorists 90 years ago.

The river had the distinction of being the last waterway without a bridge on the Atlantic Coastal Highway leading from the Northeast U.S. to Florida. Motorists who wanted to continue their journey to the Sunshine State had to stop in South Camden County at what was known as Wilds Landing and wait for a ferry that historians described as “undependable,” at best.

Architects knew they had to accommodate boat traffic when the states of Georgia and Florida agreed to share the cost of building a 563-foot bridge across the St. Marys River and establish the nation’s “only ferry-less route to Florida.”

The solution was low-tech, even for those days. The St. Marys River Bridge was constructed by the Pensacola Shipbuilding Company. Acting as subcontractors, A. Bentley and Sons of Ohio built the substructure and approaches, and the

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Virginia Bridge and Iron Company of Roanoke fabricated and erected the trusses.

The bridge opened to traffic in February 1927 after approximately 11 months of construction.

They designed a hand-operated “swing bridge” to accommodate boat traffic. A central portion of the bridge, 202 feet long, is made of steel trusses mounted on a center-bearing pivot mechanism capable of swinging open 90 degrees to allow boats to pass.

Back when the bridge was built, it was swung open to accommodate boats traversing the river, many with loads of timber from Charlton County.

It takes six to eight workers to operate the manual turn key, a large wrench-like tool about 15 feet long, inserted into the swing mechanism in the middle of the bridge. The workers exert lots of manpower to push the turn key and swing the bridge open. The entire process to open and close the bridge takes about 30 minutes.

Most of the swing bridges in Florida were built in the 1920s because they were inexpensive, but they were slow, cumbersome and restrictive of river channels. Their design became less popular in the 1930s.

The Blue Bridge is a rarity because most other working swing bridges in existence are electrically operated, center bearing systems with a truss system on the main span.

Bridge opened to allow boats to navigate the St. Marys River. continued ...

The Blue Bridge is partially owned by the state of Georgia but is maintained by the state of Florida, with federal aid. The Florida Department of Transportation describes the Blue Bridge as having “a high level of historic physical integrity” and a “rare example of a center-bearing pivot swing bridge with unique camelback pony trusses and with historical associations to the Virginia Bridge and Iron Company.”

The bridge underwent a $3.5 million renovation several years ago that included replacing and fixing damaged or corroded steel and refurbishing mechanical components. Each rivet was hand painted, followed by a new coat of paint, followed by a layer of clear coat. The swing bridge portion of the Blue Bridge is still operational, though it’s rarely opened by necessity. It’s opened once or twice a year, by design, Florida DOT officials said.

Today, thousands of vehicles make the journey across the St. Marys River daily traversing the bright blue iconic link that bridges Georgia to Florida and Yesteryear to Tomorrow.

Workers opening bridge by hand.

PHOTO

Pirates, Shrimpers, Zombies, and “down-on-their-luck” geezers are just a few of the characters that have swept the local landscape in the past few months driving a film frenzy through St. Marys and surrounding communities.

Academy Award winners Donald Sutherland and Helen Mirren teamed up as 80-year-olds going on “one last adventure” during the recent filming of “The Leisure Seeker” in Camden County.

Dame Mirren plays Ella Robina, an octogenarian suffering from cancer and having chosen to stop treatment.

Sutherland is her Alzheimer’s-impaired husband of more than 50 years who steers their ’78 Leisure Seeker RV along forgotten roads as they steal away from their home in suburban Detroit on a forbidden vacation of rediscovery.

Portrayed by humor, affection, and a touch of irony, “The Leisure Seeker” is an odyssey that expresses the courage of the couple to take back the end of their own lives.

Camden County Film Commissioner Doug Vaught was pleased to see that the segment of the movie filmed in Camden County showcased the area’s beautiful vistas.

“This is just the kind of movie that proves the versatility of Coastal Georgia locations,” Vaught said. “Mr. Sutherland and Dame Mirren are two of the most

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Donald Sutherland and Helen Mirren in “The Leisure Seeker.”

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beloved figures of the silver screen, and we are very grateful that our community was determined to be film-worthy for such an esteemed project.”

Vaught, who also serves as Chair of the Coastal Georgia Film Alliance, has been busy over the past few months, most recently assisting with location scouting, permitting, and site management of two national projects filmed in downtown St. Marys. Both back-to-back shoots utilized St. Marys’ beautiful waterfront.

CLC Agency, headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA, conceptualized, created, and wrote concepts for the two projects. The tall ship, “Peacemaker,” starred in the production of a game entertainment video that will be shown on the big board during the Pittsburgh Pirates’ home games.

to Executive Producer Beth Fornaro, the video will be a “noise meter” shown during the game to encourage crowd interaction.

“Our pirate will be depicted raising the sails on the ship as the crowd responds with ever louder cheers,” she said.

Fornaro’s team also shot footage for a university client that will be unveiled as part of a national television commercial campaign that begins airing in early 2017. “St. Marys was an excellent solution to a production problem we initially thought would be quite difficult,” Fornaro said. “We needed to shoot on a vintage multi-masted schooner type ship, and we also needed a very realistic fishing/shrimp boat with dock surroundings.”

Fornaro was especially thankful for Vaught’s efforts to secure locations and ensure their production went off without a hitch.

“We’ve never worked with anyone in a film commission position that has ever been as helpful,” Fornaro said, while also expressing gratitude for Lee Phillips, the owner of “The Peacemaker” who was an “incredibly gracious and helpful shoot host.”

“We were thrilled with the simple beauty and authenticity we found in St. Marys—truly the type of town that is becoming so very rare. And we loved the kind and welcoming spirit we encountered everywhere continued

According

19th Century characters from “Firefall.”

Relaxing Atmosphere • State of the Art Equipment • Cordial and Experienced Staff

we went,” she said.

Fornaro is not the only film producer to sing the praises of St. Marys and the Coastal Georgia Film Alliance (CGFA).

On the television network production scene, “America’s Got Talent” is scheduled to shoot some footage in St. Marys in early 2017. They plan to use the footage in conjunction with the screening they will be doing in Jacksonville in 2017.

Back to the movie scene, Brandon Herron has filmed nearly a dozen projects in the St. Marys area. Many of his projects have been featured in film festivals and won awards. He just completed a documentary about the local St. Marys Express train excursions, and enlisted CGFA’s help to get that done under a tight deadline with limited resources.

“America’s Got Talent” films contestants for Season 12 on St. Marys’ waterfront.

“We were able to bring to life a holiday-themed excursion train as it makes its trek across South Georgia’s beautiful coastline,” Herron said. “Through insightful interviews and run-ins with some of the train’s cast of wacky characters, the film reveals an authentic piece of small town Americana.”

Other projects that Herron has filmed in Coastal Georgia recently include “Firefall,” stylistically inspired by the classic “Twilight Zone” series. “Firefall” is the story of a young 19th century woman who attempts to decipher the meaning of a stranger’s visit to her home while her husband is away. “Not for Sale” was filmed at St. Marys Antique Mall and features a motley crew of employees who remind a shopper that “the customer is never right.”

Herron has a way of putting a “twist” on every project he undertakes. Currently working on a suspense/horror film, Herron plans to utilize local actress Stevie Conway who starred in Mahmoud Shoulizadeh’s “The Lover” last year.

“Stevie’s character checks into a hotel (The Riverview Hotel), and immediately notices a strange rugged man that stands out to her. She suspects that he’s hiding something and possibly trying to dispose of something (maybe a body). In the end, she discovers that the reality of the suspicious man is far worse than she ever feared.

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Herron has been wanting to make a horror movie for a few years now, and says it’s a good way to really break into a difficult industry.

“J. J. Abrams, The Coen Brothers, Oliver Stone, and James Cameron all started out with horror films,” he said.

The horror genre is enjoying a bit of renaissance in the last couple of years.

Local actress Brynn Elders who starred in Herron’s “Not for Sale,” was recently featured in a Florida State University College of Motion Picture Arts thesis project called “Pandemonium.” The film short depicts end of times complete with zombies.

Local actor Bill Floyd plays a shrimper in a nationally-televised commercial for a major university.

Why is Georgia such a draw for zombies, pirates, shrimpers, and “down-on-their-luck” geezers?

First of all: simple economics. Filmmakers get up to a 30% tax credit when they film in Georgia.

Feeding

The Georgia Film Office was formed in 1973 to attract the entertainment business for the State. Since its founding, Georgia has been the location of choice for more than 1,000 films and television productions. In 2016 alone, 244 Georgia-lensed feature films and television productions generated an economic impact of $7 billion to the State—more than the first 35 years of the office’s history combined.

Georgia is a “Camera-Ready” state, and thanks to the

Brynn Elders in “Pandemonium.”

early efforts of CGFA, Camden County was one of the first counties to be certified “Camera-Ready.”

But it’s not just the money that brings filmmakers to St. Marys and other parts of Coastal Georgia.

“The word has gotten out in the film industry that we roll out the red carpet for film projects that come our

way,” explained Vaught. “Our county and city leaders are informed and very film-friendly, understanding the potential economic impact that worthy projects bring to our community.”

For more information, visit CoastalGeorgiaFilm.org, or call 912-729-1103.

Brandon Herron films Brynn Elders at St. Marys Antique Mall in “Not for Sale.”

To those who served aboard the ballistic missile submarine USS George Bancroft, the number 643 is more than a hull number. It was their home address while they served aboard the submarine as it patrolled underneath oceans across the world for more than two decades.

The vessel, named after a former Secretary of Navy and founder of the U.S. Naval Academy, was decommissioned in 1993 after 22 years of service and sent to a salvage yard in Bremerton, Wash.

Instead of fading into the historic archives as one of the “41 for Freedom” submarines that served during the Cold War, the Bancroft will be remembered for decades to come thanks to a memorial in honor of the boat at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay.

The Bancroft’s sail, the tower-like structure on the boat’s hull, has been mounted on a slab

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of concrete on the lawn in front of the Franklin Gate at Kings Bay. It’s designed to appear like a submarine breaking the surface of the water, something the boat seldom did while on patrol.

Ballistic missile submarines are designed to be at sea for most of their lives where they can patrol the oceans undetected months at a time.

Submarines have captured the imagination of the American public, but it’s unlikely most people will ever get close to one of the ballistic missile submarines currently in service. Coast guard vessels protect the submarines at Kings Bay when they surface from a long patrol or until they submerge when they are deployed.

The high-security base is not open to the public, so the eye-turning memorial is the closest most people will ever get to a submarine. People are often seen standing on the memorial and leaning against the sail as they pose for photos. The USS Bancroft Memorial was built 16 years ago thanks to the efforts of Rear Adm. Chuck Beers, who was commanding officer at Kings Bay at the time. Beers contacted the salvage yard and asked for the sail of one of the decommissioned submarines as a way to dress up the entrance to the base.

The memorial is a tribute to the early ballistic missile submarines, which paved the way for the Ohio-class submarines that are ported at Kings Bay and another base on the West Coast.

The memorial recently underwent a face lift that included removing the sail from the concrete slab and repairing bad spots that had started to rust. Work also included repairing cracks in the concrete slab and a fresh coat of paint on the hull.

When the memorial was dedicated, one of the nation’s most famous living submariners sent a message to organizers. Former President Jimmy Carter said:

“As a former submariner, I take pride in the tradition of loyalty, self-sacrifice and service to our country that is the U.S. Navy’s heritage.”

Sailors at Kings Bay are reminded about that heritage and their predecessors every time they drive past the memorial.

Rolling on the River—Inland Style

Kayakers adventure down St. Marys Road before the river waters receded after Hurricane Matthew.

Hurricane Matthew had his eyes set for St. Marys during the early days of October. Thankfully, as he got closer, he decided a brush was good enough. However, even a “brush” from a powerful storm can make an impact. Much flooding occurred in the St. Marys Historic District, but recovery was swift and effective as the St. Marys community came together in a show of unity traditional for this Norman Rockwell-esque town. Kudos to all who played a role in getting our town back to “business as usual” in a timely manner.

Kevin Van Horn Branch Manager

L-R: St. Marys resident and Superior Court

Judge Bert Guy, Norwegian Ambassador Sverre Stub, and Rotary Club of Camden County President Jedon Lilliston.

Fifty years ago the Rotary Clubs of Brunswick and Waycross sponsored Norwegian citizen Sverre Stub, providing a scholarship for him to attend the Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC) in Tifton, Georgia. Stub, retired Norwegian Ambassador and current president of a group of retired ambassadors, never forgot Southeast Georgia’s generosity and warm hospitality.

In September 2016, St. Marys resident and Superior Court Judge Bert Guy hosted Sverre as he made his way through Coastal Georgia, reminiscing and paying tribute to the people who helped launch Ambassador Stub’s forty-year diplomatic career.

Guy said, “Ambassador Stub’s remarkable diplomatic career

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began with the support of South Georgia leaders. As Vice Chair of the Georgia Rotary Student Program, I am proud that we continue to bring international scholars to Georgia each year. We have 51 International Students in Georgia Colleges and Universities this year on the same scholarship that Ambassador Stub received 50 years ago. These scholars will be the ambassadors and leaders of tomorrow. As they return home our Southern Hospitality and graceful charm will keep Georgia On Their Mind throughout their careers in public service.”

Stub’s long-standing diplomatic service includes postings in The Hague (Netherlands), Washington, D.C., Caracas (Venezuela), Geneva and Paris. Stub concluded his service abroad as ambassador in Amman (Jordan), Baghdad (Iraq), Athens (Greece), and Nicosia (Cyprus). He was also Director of the Foreign Minister’s Office and Political Adviser in the Norwegian Government.

Stub’s focus has been on natural resource management, the environment, energy and climate change, and international security issues.

While speaking to a group of ABAC students recently, Stub said, “The United States and Norway have very close political ties. We will never forget the decisive role your country played in ending World War II, thus also liberating Norway from a five-year Nazi occupation.”

In his challenge to students to get involved on an international level, he said, “I can think of no greater challenge to mankind than global warming. It means we have to reduce—rapidly and substantially—our dependence on oil, natural gas, and particularly coal. The world has been too slow to react to scientists’ warnings and advice. But when they met in Paris last December, world leaders finally agreed to take decisive steps to limit and reduce carbon emissions.”

He emphasized that “Bold action continued ...

is long overdue, but better late than never,” encouraging students to work to reduce their own carbon footprint by walking or riding a bike instead of depending on cars so much.

Stub’s parting words to the students to “Shape the future, and make a difference” seemed reflective of his own path.

“Learn something every day,” Ambassador Sverre Stub’s father always advised him—a message Stub took to heart and keeps as an inspiration for himself as he inspires others.

A visit from an international ambassador is rare for the Coastal Georgia community, and rarer still is a man who is compelled to honor those who helped him make a difference in this world—even 50 years later.

Come back soon, Mr. Ambassador!

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Kelley Jackson, Physical Therapist, Mary Gillin, Resident and Jim Irwin, Physical Therapy Team Leader

It is one minute before 7 pm. You sit in an audience of nearly 200 in hushed awe. You catch the whisper of the lighting director as he acknowledges the stage manager calling “places.” The slight murmur of audience members eagerly awaiting the start of the show ceases as the house turns to black, and for a moment you are all suspended in time. Then the music begins. And the magic begins.

You have come to perhaps escape the hustle bustle of the outside world. Or perhaps to cheer on a family member or friend. You may have come simply to support your local community theatre. Or you might have been dragged along by a well-meaning partner. Whatever reason put you in your seat at Theatre by the Trax to watch a production by St. Marys Little Theatre on this particular evening doesn’t really matter. Because

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as the imaginary curtain rises and a hush ascends above the audience, the energy onstage pulls you in—into a story, into a song, into a world of magic.

St. Marys Little Theatre’s (SMLT) two recent productions have taken audiences from the rollicking 60s in “Grease,” to the “war to end all wars” in “A 1944 Noel.” In one play, Greasers and goody-goodies frolicked through the innocence of a post-war America. And in another, a war-torn family faced Christmas with the knowledge of a father missing in action.

The gamut of emotions experienced onstage during community theatre pulses through the hearts and minds of a captive audience: love, hate, joy, pity, astonishment, envy, fear, regret, hope, triumph and a hundred others.

During SMLT’s “Grease,” (directed by T. J. Stofflet), teenage angst was revisited, but much laughter and friendship brought back memories of good times, sending audiences into a fun “rock ‘n’ roll” state of mind.

In the original musical, “A 1944 Noel,” written and directed by Hannah James, tears were expected on both sides of the curtain. The cruelties of a family separated by a war and a “people” persecuted by a charismatic despot melded into a celebrated reunion that gave the audience an opportunity to experience the triumph of tens of thousands of families who endured the uncertainties of separation.

Few people understand the time that it takes to put a show together from start to finish. Hundreds of hours are spent building sets, gathering and creating costumes, learning music and lines, collecting props, learning choreography, organizing all of the show marketing, and so much more. It truly takes a village of dedicated and passionate people to bring a show to life from start to finish, and so few understand the effort that is given by so many to make it all happen seamlessly.

One wonders why the dozens of actors and other volunteers who make these community theatre productions possible would give up their time and energy and sometimes intense immersion for a few nights of entertaining a few hundred. Here is

why and here are reasons that you, too, might consider getting involved.

The first reason is the feeling of community that is built when you do a show with other performers. When people are thrown together in rehearsals for so many hours in such a short period of time, they tend to bond very quickly. Friendships form throughout the cast and you really do become like a family. It is not unusual to walk away from a show with friends that you will keep throughout your life. There is nothing quite like the feeling of connecting with other creative people, finding other common interests, laughing together, sharing together and creating together.

It’s therapeutic. An actor gets to create a variety of characters that are vastly different from whom they may be as a person. It can be both challenging and rewarding to delve into a new character, uncover who they are and experiment with different ways to capture their essence and bring that character to life. It gives one the chance to see what it feels like to be someone that is completely unlike themselves, and to do things that they might not normally do in their own life. It bolsters empathy for others.

Theatre is a place where people simply GET you. It’s an environment where individuality is encouraged and eccentricities celebrated. It’s not unusual for members to move away from the area, but keep coming back just for the people.

For the pageantry: It’s not every day you get to don a wig, paint your face and still manage to blend in with everyone around you.

For the community: It wouldn’t be community theatre without the community, and that’s what really makes it special. It takes a lot of money, effort and time to put on a show, but the appreciation shown by the community is well worth it, and it wouldn’t be possible to continue creating compelling performances without the support of the community. Nothing beats showing the results of months of hard work to your family, friends, other community theatre friends, and strangers. It makes continued

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it all worth it to see and feel the buzz of an audience after opening night. Everyone is invited and encouraged to get involved in community theatre. Community theaters need more than just cast members. Anyone that can sew a costume, paint a backdrop, build a staircase, or edit a sound effect is a desirable addition to the company. Novices of a particular skill, such as construction or lighting, can increase their ability by working alongside veteran craftsmen.

And one final “why” to get involved: Actors, technicians, managers, fundraisers, and all St. Marys Little Theatre volunteers do it for the chance to create something special….to create a little magic. There is nothing in the world like creating something that has the power to transport an audience away from their seats in the theater to another time and place. To create something magical that has the power to make an audience laugh or cry. With each show, SMLT weaves new stories knowing that for a few hours, they can give two hundred people a chance to forget about what is happening in their everyday lives and draw them into a different world: to entertain and inspire them. To take them from “awe” to “awesome.” That is the magic of theatre.

Philip L. Hooton, DMD

Susan Prater, DMD

GREASE

ARLENE NORRIS

CAROL MOORE

CHARLES GIUMARRA

CHUCK LANHAM

COASTAL DANCE STUDIO

CRAIG AND MAUREEN MILLER

DAVE REILLY

DOUG AND DONNA MARTENS

DOUG VAUGHT

ELAINE POWIERSKI

GLENN & DENISE HANSEN

HERB ROWLAND

JOHN AND CATHY HOLMAN

JOHN AND DIANE CARROLL

L. J. WILLIAMS

LINDA WILLIAMS

MICHAEL LOYD

P. J. JORDAN

PAT CHIARELLI

REGINA ADKINS

SAM AND PENI COLVILLE

SHERI AND LEW JONES

TERRY ADKINS

VALERIE BARWICK-GIUMARRA

WAYNE AND HELENE SMITH

A 1944 NOEL

ARLENE NORRIS

BILL VECERA & LINDA SCHNEIDER

CAROL MOORE

COASTAL DANCE STUDIO

DAVE REILLY

DR. ROBERT & MARY DORLON

ELAINE POWIERSKI

GAIL FRANKLIN

HERB ROWLAND

JAMES ERICKSON

JOHN & CATHY HOLMAN

JOHN & ROSALIND TOSHACH

MARDJA GRAY

MICHAEL LOYD

P. J. JORDAN

PAULA NECAISE

REGINA ADKINS

SHAWN NECAISE

TIM & SHEILA CAUTHEN

STEVEN WILLIS

TOM & CHERI RICHTER

By Herbert Rowland

For almost 100 years they have stood as mute testimony to the destruction rained on St. Marys in 19th century wars. These are two naval cannons salvaged from the river and mounted after years of neglect, one at the waterfront and one at St. Marys Elementary school.

Both were salvaged in the early1800s and lay in mud on the riverbank until the later years of that century, even during the bombardment of St. Marys during the Civil War. Eyewitness accounts indicate that each is from a different source—the one on the waterfront from a British gunboat and the other from a Spanish vessel, “The Amelia,” wrecked in a storm while moored across from St. Marys. Each received its current mounting in 1918—the gunboat cannon in the waterfront Lemuel Johnson Park, and “The Amelia” cannon at St. Marys Consolidated School.

But that’s not the whole story of the gunboat cannon. It was actually fired one last time on New Year’s Eve, 1893, causing a commotion unequaled in Camden County between the Civil War and the Thiokol explosion in 1971.

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Gunboat Cannon now sits adjacent to Riverview Hotel.

“The Amelia” Cannon now sits in front of St. Marys Elementary School.

It seems a number of older teens and their younger brothers had plotted and planned for several weeks to clean and fire the old cannon resting on the riverbank at the south end of Ready Street on New Year’s Eve. It was firmly imbedded in the mud; its barrel with a slight upward tilt toward the river. So, what harm could it do to give the town a grand salute to 1894. Being law-abiding lads, they decided to petition the City Council for permission to fire the cannon, but retained a backup plan if permission was denied. On December 28, 1893, they proceeded, petition in hand, to request permission to fire “Old 61.”

After giving the matter careful consideration, because of the age of the cannon and its rusty condition, Council refused permission unless a bond of $1,000 ($25,000 today) was given to protect the city in case of suits that might result. This decision was not unexpected, so bright and early the next morning off sailed two determined boys, destination Fernandina: goal, five pounds of black powder. That night they cleared the cannon of mud the best they could and packed it with powder using Spanish moss for wadding. How they rigged a fuse is anyone’s guess since the touch hole had been spiked many years earlier.

New Year’s Eve was cold and clear, so cold that families were all snug in bed; all that is except the

Gunboat Cannon on the ground in front of Riverview not long after hotel was built. Herbert Rowland’s grandparents, Herbert and Catherine Rudulph, are seated on it. Last fired by pranksters in 1893.

pranksters who had sneaked out and were proceeding to the waterfront and their pre-loaded cannon. At about 10 p.m. the town and its residents were awakened by an explosion that not only shook the earth, but is said to have shaken the waters to the extent that the ships in the harbor of Fernandina were rocked.

Citizens of St. Marys, convinced a meteor had hit the town, started out immediately to see where it had landed and the damage that had been done. But when they arrived at the source of the explosion all that was found was the odor of black gunpowder, drifting shreds of Spanish moss, and the old cannon still hot from being fired. The perpetrators watched from the shadows of a cedar grove a few hundred yards back from the water, then muffled their laughter and joined the crowd one by one.

The next morning, silence lay over the town. Those who knew the conspirators weren’t telling and those who didn’t only had suspicions. There were a few threats of damage suits against the town, but through it all no arrests were made and within a few weeks Town Marshal John Rabadan declared the investigation closed for lack of evidence or any leads. There were no copies of the petition, since it had been read to the council, so there were no names of suspects. After all, no damage was done and the most serious charge that could have

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Gunboat Cannon taken in 1915. Ship is The George W. Truitt, a logging vessel.

Young ladies from Chicora College, Columbia, SC, here on “Spring Break” 1930.

Through the years, hundreds of kids have enjoyed the thrill of “riding” a real cannon. Pictured are Jim Goodman’s grandkids Ally and Andrew, and Martha Bailey’s grandson, David, enjoying the cannon that Jim bought from Pete Brandon in 1956 for $.75 and a pocket knife with a broken blade.

been brought would have been disturbing the peace. Even now, 123 years later, the mystery of who shot the cannon remains unsolved; or does it? The closing verses of a poem, apparently written by one of the boys present at a council meeting after the firing, and discovered many years later, presents a sarcastic view of the ineptitude of the governing body:

“The council had not much to say, But one said, “Friends, you see If the one who shot her is not dead He surely ought to be.”

One said, “I’m poor, my friends, But I’ll give a hundred cool, If someone will put me on track Of the dad blasted fool.”

I wonder if they once suspect He’s right within their reach.

Say, Council! Give me half of that, And I’ll on the villains ‘peach.

(Signed)

ONE OF THEM

from: The Cannon of ’61 Author Unknown

Editor’s Note: Primary source materials were made available by the Bryan-Lang Historical Archives.

By Tom Raymond

“...T

hat we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom…”, familiar words spoken to a crowd in a deliberate, measured cadence on Thursday, November 19, 1863. It was a cool autumn afternoon at a war-torn crossroads in southern Pennsylvania. It’s said that Abraham Lincoln’s hallowed

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Gettysburg Address is the greatest single piece of American literature, ever. And in the genres of both academic and popular history, more than 50,000 titles from the American Civil War supplement another 16,000 volumes on our 16th president, surpassed in total only by those of WWII. The earlier war’s causes and effects have echoed for 150 years along the Georgia-Florida border, across the nation, and around the globe.

In 2015 America concluded a five year look back at the key events of a century and a half ago, including a set of Forever commemoratives issued by the U.S. Postal Service, from Fort Sumter (1861) to Appomattox Court House (1865.) Neither St. Marys nor Fernandina made the cut. Yet footnotes on that “unpleasantness” are found in the local archives and local re-enactors regularly portray Johnny Reb and Billy Yank, faithful to the engagements in our region in the 1860s. In February each year west off Interstate 10, the 1864 Battle of Olustee is played out, a Confederate victory over Federal forces targeting the supply of Florida cattle, corn, and salt bound for Rebel lines to the north. Further afield at Savannah’s Fort Pulaski, Union troops engage tourists today where David Yulee, Southern sympathizer and former U.S. Senator, was imprisoned for sedition after fleeing Amelia Island in 1862. Closer to home, each spring Callahan’s Railroad Days features an encampment of Confederates. And the first weekend of each month at Fort Clinch near Fernandina the Union Garrison transports us back to

April 1864, hosted by the 1st New York Engineers. But don’t ask the first sergeant there his take on General William T. Sherman’s burning of Atlanta and his March to the Sea. “Sherman is in Chattanooga and has no plans to do what you suggest,” he replied to a visitor playfully trying to get him off script.

Many of the field commanders, North and South, were West Pointers and brief episodes of two in particular can be traced to St. Marys and Fernandina. William Joseph

Hardee was born in Camden County in 1815 and by 1837 was rubbing elbows at the U. S. Military Academy in New York with Horatio Gouverneur Wright, a Connecticut Yankee. Wright would command Union forces on Amelia Island in 1862 but not before Hardee likely tutored the plebe, three years his junior, in military tactics. Hardee would employ these himself in the field as a Confederate officer. While Hardee’s Tactics was a classic studied by both armies, the two never faced off across battle lines.

Horatio Gouverneur Wright

Lessons learned along the Lordly Hudson were applied by fellow graduates when the Corps of Engineers began building Fort Clinch in 1847 to serve as sentinel to the entrance to Cumberland Sound. The fortress of brown Georgia bricks was unfinished when shots rang out over Fort Sumter in April 1861. Fernandina, several hundred strong, was the eastern terminus of Yulee’s new Florida Railroad and was emerging as a major Southern seaport. Florida’s first iron road ran 155 miles to Cedar Key, short cutting by a thousand miles the passage between the Gulf and East Coast. Built by slavery, the political disease of the day, this only helped set the stage for the blood letting to come.

In November 1860, with Lincoln narrowly elected president, South Carolina seceded, its institution of state’s rights at stake but, truth be told, that also of shackles and chains. Within weeks six more states forged the Confederacy, including Florida and Georgia. Lincoln declared the rebel action illegal, invoked martial law throughout Dixie, and appealed for Volunteers to rally to the Union’s cause. The American colors sported all 35 stars of the day over advancing Yankee lines, over the hue and cry of the rebels facing Old Glory from Virginia to the Western Theatre. It was lowered, though, at Fort Clinch and other Federal arsenals below the Mason-Dixon, replaced with the Stars and Bars, the National Standard of the CSA. With seven white stars (later eleven) circled on a blue canton above three broad bars of red-white-red, this snapped in the

William Joseph Hardee continued

brisk Amelia breeze through early ’62. To be clear, the Confederate Battle Flag never flew here; not one of the Eight Flags of Amelia Island.

Lincoln soon imposed an embargo on Southern ports to curtail the flow of foreign materiel, including Enfield rifles shipped from England covertly through Bermuda. By late 1861 the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron was bound for Fernandina with 22 gunboats and six transports steaming into St. Andrew’s Sound above Cumberland. General Robert E. Lee surveyed the Southern harbors, deemed them indefensible, and ordered withdrawal from Amelia Island.

The American flag was raised again over Fort Clinch in March 1862, “the first of the national forts on which the ensign of the Union has resumed its proper place,” so wrote historian Lewis G. Schmidt in his 1989 journal The Civil War in Florida: A Military History. The U.S. Army and Navy operated jointly under Brig. Gen. H.G. Wright to restore lawful order. The enlisted encamped at Fort Clinch while officers occupied the vacated homes of Fernandina’s elite including Yulee’s house which served as HQ, 3rd Brigade, Army Expeditionary Corps. Other antebellum buildings also hosted Union staff including The Florida House built by the Florida Railroad Company in 1857. Army engineers completed Fort Clinch during the war using red bricks of northern river clay, the distinction seen today. The fort was abandoned by the 1880s but brought back to life in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, and today is managed by Florida State Parks.

By January 1863, St. Marys was occupied by only a handful of residents as all able-bodied males had mustered in Milledgeville to form a Confederate company. Historian Schmidt describes an encounter then by a Union gunboat up the St. Marys River. The village, a trading center for local plantations, was reportedly vacant except for three elderly ladies, so the story goes, waving white kerchiefs to the Yankees in a welcoming gesture, yet the motive was sinister. The gunboat drew fire from the riverbank and a Union officer was killed. In reply the captain ordered the town to the leeward shelled. After the shore side buildings were aflame, the ladies supposedly begged the Union forces to spare the rest. A few antebellum buildings survive to the present.

A year earlier Wright had turned his command over to a Lt. Col. Bisbee, 9th Maine Regiment. The Amelia Island Museum of History displays Wright’s portrait but little else to tell his story. Before the war he was an instructor at West Point and Superintending Engineer at Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas, later the prison of Lincoln conspirator Dr. Samuel Mudd. Yet he was a decorated leader in the Eastern campaigns as commander of the continued

heralded VI Corps at the Battle of Gettysburg and at the Wilderness under General Ulysses S. Grant. Wounded at Spottsylvania, he fought at the Siege of Petersburg and was present at Lee’s surrender.

During Reconstruction he served as governor of the Department of Texas where slaves were informed in mid-June 1865 that they’d been freed two years earlier, the root of today’s annual Juneteenth celebration. The rebellious states were readmitted guardedly: Tennessee was first in 1866, with Florida third, 1868, and Georgia last, 1870. By the late 1870s, Wright was Commanding General, Army Corps of Engineers. He retired in 1884 to Washington, serving his last years in civil engineering as the Victorian Age ebbed. Wright died in 1899, age 79, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Georgia favorite son William J. Hardee was born at Rural Felicity Plantation north of Woodbine along the Little Satilla River, to Major John and Sarah Ellis Hardee. His 1834 appointment to West Point was awarded from the district, but he left little behind of note and retired to Alabama. Through a nephew, though, Dr. Charles Hardee, he passed along a line that populates the area today with the name gracing maps, street signs and billboards, an early store front in Fernandina and timber trucks rumbling over the Shave Bridge.

After West Point, Hardee served in the Second Seminole War (1837-38), then in the Mexican Campaign (1846-48.) Yet in 1861 he pledged allegiance to his home state. One of the first Confederate lieutenant generals, he mastered difficult supply problems, acquiring the nickname “Old Reliable.” In late 1863 he commanded First Corps, Army of Tennessee at Chattanooga, but the rebels were routed by Sherman’s army. The next summer at the Battle of Resaca above Atlanta, Hardee served again only to delay the Yankees’ advance. To quote the relentless Union general: “…I’ll make Georgia howl.” He did. The centuries-old plantation lifestyle of the Deep South was all but trampled into the dust, tossed on the breeze, gone with the wind. The Union’s mission was to destroy the South’s ability to provision its ill-bred rebellion: “War is hell,” quoth Sherman. Hardee’s remnant army in Savannah fled into the Carolinas rather than fight or surrender, yet Sherman spared that city the torch, famously offering it to Lincoln as a “Christmas gift.” Charleston and Columbia fell next. By April 1865 the endgame lay in central North Carolina where Hardee capitulated near Bentonville, and southwest of Richmond, Grant had Gen. Joshua Chamberlain receive Lee’s sword of surrender Checkmate CSA.

Gen. Edward Porter Alexander (West Point 1857) … was Lee’s commander of artillery. …. He asked Lee to disband the army, order the men to fight on as guerrillas. (But) Lee… saw that a guerrilla war would create hatred between the North and the South that might take centuries to heal…. Alexander … could not resist arguing back. “A little more blood now or less makes no difference. Spare the men … the mortification of having to ask Grant for terms and have him say unconditional

surrender.” “General Grant will not demand unconditional surrender,” Lee replied. “He will give us as honorable terms as we have a right to ask or expect.” Amazing statement…. “What else but the spirit of West Point, the brotherhood of the corps, could have given Lee such confidence?” So wrote Thomas Fleming in his 1988 book, “West Point Blue and Gray.” Yet within days the body of Abraham Lincoln lay still, and depending on who heard what at the president’s last breath, Secretary of War Edwin Stanton offered, “He now belongs to the ages,” or “… to the angels.”

After the war, Hardee settled with his wife on her family’s Alabama plantation, returning it to working order. The mansion was well appointed since before the war but Bleak House had carried an oddly prophetic name. The warehousing and insurance business next beckoned Hardee to Selma where he became president of the Selma & Meridian Railroad. In 1873, after falling ill, he died at age 58 and was buried there. Although not a major player in our region’s history, Wright’s brief presence here helped pave the way for freedom for the Georgia-Florida slaves. Like the peninsula abutting Fortress Monroe in Virginia that attracted escaped slaves during the war, Amelia Island did likewise and American Beach is its legacy. Of the 583 Union generals, Wright was one of 217 West Point graduates, a fraternity of America’s best and brightest unsurpassed in science and industry, in the letters and law, then as now. An astute military engineer, Wright (USMA 1841, second in his class), like Sherman (1840) and Grant (1846), was first and foremost an American soldier bound by Duty, Honor and Country. Yet Lee (1829) and Hardee (1838) turned on their cadet and early career years to fall back on their roots and heritage, to fall on their sacred swift swords.

The author’s great-grandfathers, West Pointers, wer e car eer Army engineers: Lt. Col. William Rice King (USMA 1863) and Brig. Gen. Charles Walker Raymond (USMA 1865, first in class.) H.G. Wright was their commanding general in the 1880s.

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When the Gilman Paper Company occupied the 700 plus acres of riverfront land just 10 blocks from St. Marys’ waterfront, a shimmering fountain in a small roadside pond welcomed visitors as they made their way into St. Marys’ Historic District. Recently, the fountain was rebirthed and ushered in the holiday season with a sparkling display of red and green and white.

An agreement between the trustees of the paper mill property and the City of St. Marys can be credited with the return of the fountain plus the new welcome sign

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nearby that stands as a monument to St. Marys’ hospitality.

The fountain is programmable so that the colors can change with the seasons and pay tribute to holidays and special observances. For example, for Mardi Gras, yellow, teal, and magenta will comprise the visual dance. For St. Patrick’s Day, green, green, and green, of course. Red, white, and blue waters will meld together in honor of our nation’s birthday on July 4th.

The new fountain is a great addition to St. Marys’ list of endless treasures. Enjoy!

Aquick history lesson. At the turn of the 20th century, more than 9,000 bicycle manufacturers existed in the US. The first US paved road was built for bicycles, not automobiles. In the late 1890s more than a million bikes were sold in the US every year.

Those were heady days for cycling but things have changed. As a mode of transportation, bikes have been replaced by the automobile. Millions of roadway miles have been paved and we all rush from one place to another, for one reason or another. However, the passion and excitement for cycling hasn’t changed. Those of us who love cycling do it for many reasons. One that never seems to change is the thrill of being on two wheels, riding the roads with friends and experiencing the places we live and visit from a different perspective.

Cycling clubs have been popular since the early days of cycling. While the Camden Cycling Club hasn’t been around nearly so long, motivations are the same. Established in June of 2012, the club’s mission is simple—Promote safe cycling for all ages. Encourage people to use

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By Mike Pilolla

cycling as an alternative form of transportation and make it a recreational part of their lifestyle. Make the sport of cycling a social and recreational outlet for people of all ages. Work closely with business and government leaders, other bicycle clubs and organizations, educational leaders, law enforcement agencies, as well as state, federal and local officials to advocate, promote and increase infrastructure and awareness for safe cycling and the improved health of all the community.

To that end, the club partnered with the local bike shop, Camden Bicycle Center, Southeast Georgia Health System, Vista Outdoor Advertising, Amato Chiropractic, Advance Rehabilitation, Turner Brothers, the Blue Goose and many other businesses, organizations and

government agencies to host the annual Three Rivers Ride. In 2016, the ride began and finished at the Howard Gilman Waterfront Park with approximately 181 riders. The riders, depending on the length of the ride they chose, experienced historic downtown St. Marys and its beautiful waterfront and took pictures on top of the famous, landlocked submarine at the Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay. Some rode across our beautiful North River Causeway and into the Crooked River State Park. Most rode through downtown Kingsland, out to Woodbine and their gorgeous waterfront. The most intrepid riders rode all the way out to the Horse Stamp Inn in White Oak to prop their feet up in the shade of a spreading oak before heading back to downtown St Marys. More than 24

crock pots of various homemade chili were waiting for the riders to refuel. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive and the club is already planning the 2017 ride.

To promote safe cycling, Camden Cycling Club has invested in certifying several club members as Licensed Cycling Instructors to offer training to cyclists of all ages, including adults and law enforcement officials. Elementary and middle school children receive free helmets when they sign up, participate, and successfully complete the two-hour course. The club also purchased and donated to the City of St Marys, a bike repair station, which is installed near the waterfront park and free for public use.

The club also sees itself as an engine for economic growth for Camden County through its advocacy, support and promotion of eco-tourism. The club’s long term vision for the Three Rivers Ride is to host 1,000 riders, most of whom will be staying multiple nights in hotels, eating multiple meals in our local restaurants and telling thousands more what a beautiful and wonderful place St. Marys and Camden County is to visit.

You can find out more at www.camdencyclingclub.org or on Facebook at Camden Cycling Club, or Easy Riders—Camden Cycling Club or Three Rivers Ride. Come ride with Camden Cycling Club! We guarantee you’ll not only feel better, you’ll be better!

Camden Cycle Club members in Bike Ride Across Georgia

By Barbara Ryan

As a writer, I get to write about some pretty interesting and colorful subjects. Perhaps none so “colorful” as our own Cindy Deen Chubb, who is celebrating her 20th year as St. Marys’ most beloved bartender at Seagle’s Saloon in the historic Riverview Hotel.

Twenty years of memories behind a bar frequented by thousands of patrons—some nearly as colorful as Cindy herself—and many who have become Cindy’s lifelong friends.

People come from far and wide to get a good dose of Miss Cindy’s “tender lovin’ trash talk” and some good old-fashioned “southern sassing.” Her brain is as sharp as her tongue, and her wit is as fast as the car she drives—a new red corvette, of course.

Miss Cindy has been written into movie scripts and featured as an attraction in travel guides, giving her host property—the Riverview Hotel— quite a bit of publicity.

“No one can imagine how much I love the Riverview,” Cindy said. “I’ve experienced 20 years of births, weddings, divorces, great people (and some not so great people), pets, cars, tattoos, and deaths.”

Cindy’s tough exterior belies her soft interior. She has a heart as big as Texas when it comes to

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-Family owned and operated -Traditional funeral services -Cremation -Military services -Monuments -Shipping & Receiving -Pre-arrangements

animals and friends.

“I’ve lost so many people I’ve loved,” she said. “It hurts sometimes to think of them, but I keep the good memories alive and that keeps their spirit alive for me.”

Among her greatest losses are people she loved that included her father, Billy E. Brown, Martha Brandon, Walter and Gaila Everette, Mom Bear, Dick Currier, Bobby Barker, Burt James, Rolf Rawl, John Crouse, Jon Love, and most recently, Corey Hayes. At the top of her list is the angel that she says was her mother, Mary Jo Windham Rhodes, whom Cindy said was “the world’s greatest mama.”

Cindy mourns the loss of beloved pets over the years as well including BooBoo, Pretty Face, TC, Joe Jack, and Daisy the Riverview Cat, who are “up in heaven with my mama.” The infamous bar-dog, Beggar, who departed this earth nearly 16 years ago, left a sad space in Cindy’s heart.

Today, Cindy and husband, Bob Chubb, have expanded happy spaces in their hearts with their two rescue dogs Smiley and Tank, and three rescue cats, Mewwy, Baby, and Alley (named after one of Cindy’s favorite long-time customers, Al Chapman).

During Cindy’s 20 years at Seagle’s, her circle of friends has expanded numerically and geographically. She remembers the week she was hired, she went into the bar to check it out, and Cindi Sattler and Sonny MacMurray were there. Twenty years later they both are still Cindy’s customers and friends.

When she was down with her back and then had vertigo, many of Cindy’s friends took it upon themselves to keep her fed.

“I don’t know how I managed to stay at a size three with all that good food coming,” she laughs. Special thanks are in order to those who kept Cindy going with nourishment including Gene and Natalie Morris, Al and Mary Chapman, Mardja at the Goodbread House, Regina Adkins, John and Roz Toshach, Chuck and Jessica

Daenzer, Little Larry, Sammy Brooks, Mary Parris, and “everybody else who fed me,” she said.

Before she met and married Bob in a ceremony at the Riverview, Cindy was watched over by “surrogate” husbands Greg Moore, Allan Haney and Allen Derrick (Diesel’s daddy).

She will never forget their kindnesses or the kindnesses of other patron friends like Superior Court Judge Bert Guy who often hires Cindy to bartend at his fancy private parties. She bartended at Bill and Tracey Yeoman’s wedding— Bill was her “co-bartender” for years at Seagle’s. She bartended at Jim and Cindi Sattler’s wedding.

Cindy’s own wedding to hunky Bob Chubb was the event of the year in 2012 with standing room only and speakers erected on the outside of the Riverview so that those who wouldn’t fit inside the building could still witness the ceremony.

“So many times, I stood at the end of the bar looking into the lobby, wanting but never dreaming that I would be married there,” she said.

Of course, you never know who you’ll meet at Seagle’s, and that is just where Cindy met Bob, then later “talked him into” marrying her.

Being surrounded by so many people she loves has been treasured by Cindy through the years, but she misses spending a lot of time with the apple of her eye, her son Windham, who is in California pursuing work in movies. Guess the apple really doesn’t fall far from the tree.

She’s been described as bodacious, audacious, brazen and uncurbed. She is without filter. But she is full of love—love for her family, her friends, her patrons, her pets, and love for the establishment that she has played host to for the past 20 years. As a dear friend, I will speak for all others and wish for 20 more years of Cindy Deen Chubb’s friendship and a whole lot more of her tender lovin’ trash talk.

Is our St. Marys haunted? How could it not be? Spanning four centuries—centuries filled with war, heartbreak, lost loves, pestilence, disease, natural disasters. Death alone is not strong enough to tear some of the city’s residents away.

Every October, some of St. Marys’ most chilling and historical figures show their presence on the streets of St. Marys during the annual Haunted History Tour. Historical data and a bit of whimsy combine to make compelling presentations by actors of St. Marys Little Theatre at venues in the Historic District.

The most recent Haunted History Tour began with three vignettes at the historic Oak Grove Cemetery.

Every word true to fact taken directly from a newspaper report, A. J. O’Berry tells of his woe as the last man hanged in Camden County.

A bit of spice is added to the story of a pirate seeking buried treasure with a history lesson of noted privateers who visited St. Marys thrown in.

The last Timucuan Indian gave people pause as he recounted the history of his people’s demise in the mid-1700s—“one by one my people vanished as the white man’s diseases and influences took their toll until only one of us remained—Juan Alonso Cabale, the last known Timucuan on Earth.”

At the Waterfront Pavilion, the Seals Sisters entertained with their rather flippant story of how they just might have caused the “Yankees” to burn St. Marys by waving a white handkerchief as the Union Troops departed after the townspeople were warned not to try to signal Confederate troops across the river. Oops!

At the Intracoastal Gateway property (formerly known as the Gilman Boathouse

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property), the spirit of Charles Gilman himself had a chance to set the record straight about his days as founder and owner of the once prosperous Gilman Paper Mill in St. Marys.

Up Osborne Street, the first Haunted History Tour stop was at the old Catholic Church where St. Marys resident Willy Seals used to hang out and greet passersby with remarks like, “You look better going than you do coming.”

Next door, the Goodbread House hosted the original Goat Man who roamed rural Southeast during the 50s and 60s. A raconteur of the highest order, he regaled his audiences with true stories accompanied by his herd of live goats, and a band of friendly hobos.

At the Bachlott-Porter-Hartung home, Little Johnny re-enacted the tragedy of his taunting pet parrot.

At the oldest residence in St. Marys, the Archibald Clark House, Mrs. Archibald Clark’s spirit told the story of how the British occupied her home during wartime and how Aaron Burr sought refuge there after he killed Alexander Hamilton in the infamous duel.

Of course, no St. Marys Haunted Tour would be complete without a visit to St. Marys’ Grand Dame, Orange Hall.

On the steps of this stately mansion, Thomas Carnegie’s spirit reminisced about the parties of the rich in earlier times and how the soul of Little Jane remains unrested within the walls of her former home. The vision of Little Jane peering through the upstairs window might have haunted the attendees for many days afterward.

Although, the last Friday in October is usually the night that St. Marys spirits are most active, a late night stroll on any moonless eve might present a close encounter of your own. If you feel an unexplained sudden chill or an almost inaudible whisper as the wind stirs the Spanish moss in the branches of centuries-old oaks, ask yourself, “Is St. Marys haunted?”

How could it not be?

February 11 & 18 ..........Wild West Express Train Rides

February 18 ..................Mardi Gras Bash

February 21-25 .............Bike Ride Across Georgia

February 24-26 .............“Sweetgrass” at Theatre by the Trax

February 25 ..................Mardi Gras Festival

March 10-11 ..................Rustapalooza Vintage Market

March 17-19 ................... “The Musical of Musicals” at Theatre by the Trax

March 18-19 ................... Woodbine Jazz & Art Festival

March 25 ....................... Elvis Live at Theatre by the Trax

April 1-2 ........................Annual Railwatch Weekend/Folkston

April 8 & 15 ...................Peter Cottontail Express Train Rides

April 21-23 & 28-30 .......“Camelot” at Theatre by the Trax

April 28 & 29 ................. Crawfish Festival/Woodbine

May 5-7 & 12-14 ............“Beauty & The Beast” at Theatre by the Trax“

May 13 ..........................Starry Nights Concert at Waterfront Park

May 20 & 27 ................Rock ‘n’ Roll Express Train Rides

May 27 ..........................Hello Summer Festival at Waterfront Park

May 27 ..........................St. Marys Fishing Classic

June 10 ..........................Starry Nights Concert at Waterfront Park

July 4 ............................ Patriotic Express Train Rides

July 4 ............................Independence Day Festival & Parade

2017

July 8 ............................Starry Nights Concert at Waterfront Park

August 12 .....................Starry Nights Concert at Waterfront Park

September 9 .................Starry Nights Concert at Waterfront Park

September 15-17 & 22-24“The Secret Garden” at Theatre by the Trax

September 23 ................Smithsonian Museum Day Live

October 6-8 & 13-15 .......“The King and I” at Theatre by the Trax

October 7 ....................... Rock Shrimp Festival & Parade

October 7 ....................... Railroad Days Train Rides

October 7 ...................... Build a Scarecrow

October 9 – 31 ..............Hay Days

October 10 .....................Scarecrow Scroll

October 21 & 28 ............Halloween Express Train Rides

October 27 ..................... Haunted History Tour

November 25 .................Santa Express Train Rides

November 28 .................White Lighting Parade & Ceremony

December 2 ...................Christmas in the Park

December 2 & 9 ............Santa Express Train Rides

December 9 ...................St. Marys Christmas Tour of Homes

December 12 .................Live Nativity at Orange Hall

December 15-17 ............. Christmas Spectacular at Theatre by the Trax

Every Saturday ............................ St. Marys Community Market at Waterfront & Royal District Market in Kingsland

Every Friday & Saturday Evening ... Woodbine Opry

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)

For additional information about other area events, visit these websites All Events in St. Marys unless otherwise noted. Train Ride information at www.stmarysrailroad.com

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)

What do you get when you mix the talents of an accomplished photographer with a collection of visual art displays in a quaint doll-like building in the heart of Historic Downtown St. Marys?

You get a destination well worth your visit and a foretaste of how photographer Taylor Spikes (Deann is her middle name) can turn any occasion into a pictorial story that will write its name upon your heart.

Taylor loves photographing weddings. Capturing

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Some restaurants attract people for their atmosphere or view. Some for their great food. And some for the hospitality they receive. Happily the recently opened “Bessie’s” on St. Marys’ iconic waterfront serves up all three.

Undeniably, Bessie’s has the best waterfront view in St. Marys. Whether lounging on their downstairs porch or whiling the time away upstairs on their balcony, Bessie’s patrons have the pleasure of watching the Cumberland Queen

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”!

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

Taylor Deann continued from page 86

those precious moments that launch a couple’s “happily ever after” gives her the opportunity to immerse herself in the hopes and dreams of others. She is also passionate about family portraits with a portfolio of smiles to prove her customers’ satisfaction in that department.

Photographing nature is second nature to her as well.

Clearly, taking photographs, whether of babies, trees, buildings, families, or couples with stars in their eyes, gives Taylor joy.

“It is the way I feel when I take photos that keeps me inspired,” Taylor said. “I love the exploring and meeting great people.”

Taylor’s recent “Santa” sessions in her downtown location brought 20 families to her light-filled studio.

“I use natural light as much as possible,” Taylor said. And many expert photographers will tell you that one’s ability to orchestrate a vignette that maximizes God’s given light can make a world of difference in the quality outcome of a photograph.

Taylor has been enamored with photography since her early teens when she had a keen interest in nature photography. She was born and raised in Camden County which is a virtual masterpiece palette for those who want to capture the beauty of nature. She got her degree in Photographic Technology, and some of her work has been featured in the Southeast Museum of Photography in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Every Tuesday Night 6:30 pm at The Lighthouse For Youth 12-18...Awesome Rock Youth Praise and Worship Band! Special guest speakers every week. Hang out with other teens and “chow down” on free food. If you can’t join us at The Lighthouse, then tune in for the live broadcast at 6:30pm on The Lighthouse 89.3.

When Taylor was looking for a location for her studio, fond memories brought her to the present day building at 101 East Weed Street In the early 2000s, she remembers visiting the Rubber Stamp Store there and loved the bubbles that always wafted from the bubble machine. Embracing nostalgia, she plans to install a bubble machine again for her clients and passersby to enjoy.

“I want to bring tradition back to this little corner of town,” Taylor said.

With her ever-expanding photography business and the gallery displaying the works of local artists, continued ...

Taylor will be establishing her own traditions like the Santa sessions. And she has many more ideas to come.

You can view some of Taylor’s work at TaylorDeann.com, or call 912-227-1237 for more information. Taylor Deann Photography & Gallery is located at 101 East Weed Street in Downtown St. Marys.

Bessie’s continued from page 87

come into harbor and sailboats gliding the sparkling waters with Florida in the background. You can sometimes catch dolphins dancing or playful river otters enjoying the Georgia sunshine.

When Dylan Kaiser began her search for the perfect restaurant location, she knew she wanted to be downtown where the charm of the historic district attracts visitors and residents. Naming the restaurant was easy: For years, Dylan had been the caretaker for a 97-year-old lady name Bessie Palmeri. Dylan recalls with great affection, the memories of Miss Bessie and chose to honor her by making the restaurant her namesake.

The restaurant does not belie the name that implies an easy, comfortable, down-home, family-run establishment. It is all those things.

Dylan’s mom, Dawn (who serves as chef/cook), had five children, so the family atmosphere is a natural. The menu is “simple with a twist.”

The hamburgers are a favorite for many with eight delicious choices. The Bulldog Burger, Rodeo Burger, and Carolina Burger won’t be found on menus elsewhere and give diners an opportunity to sample regionally-famous gastronomic fare.

The All-American Hotdog served by Bessie’s friendly staff can be custom-ordered many ways. Wraps, Salads, Shareable Starters, Baskets, and a variety of sandwiches complete the standard lunch/dinner menu, but specials are always a pleasing alternative for true foodies. Specials can range from succulent pasta dishes (they make their own spaghetti sauce) to creative burgers like Bessie’s famous “Meatloaf Burger.” You don’t get any more “down home” than that.

“We do our best to use as much local produce and other products as we can,”

is a double track which serves as the main artery for railroad traffic into and out of Florida.

From the viewing platform in Folkston, visitor s 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.

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.

The “Folkston Funnel”

West

Kiwanis of s t. Marys invites you to

Independence Day Celebration July 4 • 2017

family fun events include road races, parades, arts and crafts, all-day entertainment and great food in downtown st. Marys.

Rock Shrimp Festival Oct. 7 • 2017

st. Marys Kiwanis meet every Monday at noon. Please visit www.smkiwanis.com to find out how you can make a difference in our community by joining the Kiwanis of St. Marys. www.smkiwanis.com

Dylan said. “And ‘homemade’ is our real signature.”

Residents and visitors welcome the Saturday morning breakfasts that Bessie’s serves starting at 8 a.m. From the “Big Breakfast” to the “Bowl of Breakfast,” customers are in for a generous helping of great day-starting food that includes yummy omelets and griddle fantasies (try the Turtle Pancakes!).

For those with a sweet tooth, a scoop of Blue Bunny Ice-Cream is sure to satisfy—oodles of choices for the kid in us all. And speaking of kids, even the pickiest child will find something they fancy on the Bessie’s menu.

Bessie’s family-friendly ambience is amplified by an open-airy setting graced with beautiful St. Marys photographs taken by Dylan’s sister, Jessie. Other local art decorates the walls as well.

Whether you come for the view, the food, or the smiles, Bessie’s awaits with open arms and an assembly of some really good cooking and some fine family folks.

Bessie’s is located on the St. Marys Waterfront next to the Submarine Museum. Call 912-439-3232 for more information.

St. Marys is the perfect storybook setting to begin your new life together From breathtaking vistas and antebellum mansions for your ceremony to our charming bed and breakfasts and inns for a romantic honeymoon, your happily ever after is just a click away

V isit www.stmar ysgaweddings.com for an informative resource guide on everything from caterers to photographers to ministers and more.

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

Administrator

The Southeast Georgia Health System Senior Care Center-St. Marys has been recognized as a 2016 recipient of the Bronze – Commitment to Quality Award for its dedication to improving the lives of residents through quality care. The award is the first of three distinctions possible through the National Quality Award Program, presented by the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL). The program honors centers across the nation that have demonstrated their commitment to improving quality care for seniors and individuals with disabilities.

“I have never been more proud of our

continued ...

Rhondia Grant proudly displays “Commitment to Quality” Award.

team,” says Rhondia L. Grant, LNHA, administrator, Senior Care Center St. Marys. “Long-term care standards and best practices are continually evolving and changing, and this award demonstrates our team’s commitment to quality care for our residents. As a national recognition, we hope it reaffirms the peace of mind and confidence our residents and families have in us as the right solution for their long-term care needs.”

Implemented by AHCA/NCAL in 1996, the National Quality Award Program is centered on the core values and criteria of the Baldrige Performance Excellence Program. The program assists providers of long term and post-acute care services in achieving their performance excellence goals.

The program has three levels: Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Centers begin the quality improvement process at the Bronze level, where they develop an organizational profile with essential performance elements such as vision and mission statements and an assessment of customers’ expectations. Bronze applicants must also demonstrate their ability to implement a performance improvement system. Trained examiners review each Bronze application to determine if the center has met the demands of the criteria. As a recipient of the Bronze ––Commitment to Quality Award, the Health System’s Senior Care Center St. Marys may now move forward in developing approaches and achieving performance levels that meet the criteria required for the Silver ––Achievement in Quality Award.

“I applaud the women and men at the Senior Care Center-St. Marys for their commitment to improve quality care,” says Christine Boldt, chair, AHCA/ NCAL National Quality Award Board of Overseers. “This award is the first step in a program that serves as an essential guide to performance excellence.”

Just a few blocks from St. Marys’ waterfront, Alexandra’s Attic awaits the soon-to-be-delighted shopper with treasures galore. Proprietor Susan McNamara has always been a champion of the arts, and you can recognize her own artistic talents by the beautiful displays of antiques, collectibles, and gifts that grace her shop.

One of Alexandra’s Attic’s most popular featured attractions is Carole DeGuire’s collection of multi-media creations that dazzle the eye and touch the heart.

Nostalgic three-dimensional greeting cards and keepsake boxes fill the shelves of a special room that beckons a shopper to browse and linger.

The “Reve Deux” bath salts, teas, and soaps that DeGuire makes with her longtime friend Betty Marsen make great gifts on any occasion, and patrons often stock up for future occasions.

In the shop’s “Forever Christmas” room, DeGuire’s creative ornaments don’t last long on the shelf—even during the middle of summer.

DeGuire, who hails from Ontario,

continued

Carol DeGuire (right) with artist friend and art partner Betty Marsen.

Canada, creates art that “tells a story.”

“When I’m making a keepsake box, for example,” DeGuire said, “I want it to be more than a box. I want the person who receives it to feel a connection to the story it tells.”

DeGuire gets her inspiration and her materials from all over the world.

In Cleveland, Ohio, she acquires dozens of cigar boxes from a cigar store she’s established a relationship with. She often travels to Germany, which has a special place in her heart, and there she acquires materials, ideas, and sometimes teaches or takes classes to further her art.

“My ancestors began at the Rhine,” DeGuire said. “Perhaps that is why I am drawn to that part of the world.”

her customers would love the beautiful cards and convinced DeGuire to let her share them. That was more than five years ago.

DeGuire custom designs cards for special occasions. Recently, she created a custom card for someone’s grandson who was becoming an Eagle Scout. One of McNamara’s most treasured possessions is the card DeGuire designed for her 50th wedding anniversary.

Raised by parents who owned a floral shop, DeGuire developed her artistic eye early and went on to become a Master Florist. She never intended to sell her art, but then one day she came into Alexandra’s Attic. McNamara knew

A“Her custom cards are extraordinary,” McNamara said. Carole DeGuire has been married to her high school sweetheart, Armand, for more than 63 years. They enjoy their travels and any opportunity for both of them to expand their art. Armand has his own creations and is a master craftsman who often builds props for St. Marys Little Theatre.

We salute this artist—Carole DeGuire— who has been “dazzling the eye and touching the heart” for years now, and we hope she will share her beautiful creations for years to come.

ADVANCE LEARNING CENTER

dvance Learning Center is a fully accredited private school and tutoring center in St Marys, Ga. The school is located within Lighthouse Church of God at 3451 Charlie Smith Hwy. Advance Learning Center began in 2005 as an alternative form of education for those who need or want a different atmosphere for their educational experience. The center is accredited by the Georgia Accrediting Commission. Hence, graduates can earn the HOPE grant and scholarship. Our transcripts are uploaded to the Georgia transcript exchange just like a public school. Services in school are available for grades K–12. Advance Learning Academy is the school division of Advance Learning Center and operates as a 501 c 3 organization. The school is a member of the

Chamber of Commerce and the Georgia Center for Nonprofits. Tutoring services are available through adult education. The center director taught for Camden County High School for 19 years before founding Advance Learning Center/Academy. Caroline Fender earned her Education Specialist Degree from Georgia Southern University and also holds degrees in Math Education and is Gifted Education certified.

The Center is approved to accept the Georgia Special Needs Scholarship through the Georgia Department of Education. Although we accept the GSNS, we are not only for Special Education students. Many of our students have no disabilities; they just want or need a more family-like atmosphere and challenging curriculum to reach their full potential.

By Barbara Ryan

St. Marys Children’s Theatre (SMCT) is known for its show-stopping performances, but clearly the audiences were not prepared for the grand spectacle that blossomed into an amazing performance of the family classic, “Mary Poppins.”

As SMCT’s Season Three opener, the selection of Disney’s iconic musical was—like Mary herself—a “perfect” choice. With Academy-Award winning music, spectacular dance numbers, an irresistible story, and astonishing stagecraft, the musical soared.

Once again, SMCT’s directors, Megan Friese-Kaufman and Lisa Allen, double-cast the show to accommodate the incredible number of outstanding young actors who take part in the children’s productions.

Ian Doherty and David MacArthur, both with extensive lead role experience, shared the role of Bert. Veteran Abigail Gummer and SMCT

continued ...

newcomer Elisha Cauthen (an accomplished dancer) played Mary, the world’s most beloved nanny.

Bert introduced the audience to 1910 England and the troubled Banks family. The Banks children had sent many a nanny packing before Mary Poppins arrives on their doorstep. Using a combination of magic and common sense, Mary must teach the family members how to value each other again.

Mary Poppins takes the children on many magical and memorable adventures and makes an everlasting impact on the children and their parents. Even grownups can learn a lesson or two from the nanny who advised that “Anything can happen if you let it.”

What other show can take you to a shop “where people purchase words along with gingerbread,” to a place where toys come to life, and along the way help you discover that “the cure for every ill can be found at the end of a kite string”? And what other performing group can make all that magic so believable?

St. Marys Children’s Theatre has earned a solid reputation for star quality actors, dazzling sets, and wizardly technical effects. In their sold-out performances of “Mary Poppins,” the cast and crew, once again, raised the bar on performing arts in Coastal Georgia.

It was a “supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” show performed by some pretty supercalifragilisticexpialidocious kids.

Fans of excellent community theatre won’t want to miss SMCT’s upcoming performances of “Beauty and the Beast” in May, and “The King and I” in October. You can get details at www.stmaryschildrenstheatre.com.

By Holly Yurchison

Justin’s Miracle Field, named for Justin Todd Norris, is a very special ballfield. Every Friday night, during the spring and fall playing seasons, approximately seventy families of children and adults with special needs participate in America’s favorite pastime.

The national Miracle League, formed in 1998 by the Rockdale Youth Baseball Association in Conyers, Georgia, believes that “every child deserves a chance to play baseball,” no matter what their ability level. Children who use wheel chairs, for example, have a difficult time on dirt and grass ballfields, so most do not get to play. The Miracle League creates fields that are flat, smooth, and rubberized for easier access and to minimize hazards to players.

Camden County’s Miracle League opened in 2011, two years too late for Jeff and Tina Norris’ son Justin to play, but just in time for many others. Learning of the Miracle League concept while Justin was ill, the Norris’ were too overwhelmed to proceed until after his death. Jeff Norris credits the Camden County community for getting behind them and making the 241st Miracle League the quickest to fund and build. Now there are more than 500 local and international Miracle League fields.

Play is different than typical baseball. Every player on the field has a “buddy” to help her or him play. Buddies help their player as they hit the ball and run, walk or wheel around the bases. Buddies stay with the same player all season. Every player hits each inning and every player scores a home run. Players range in age from two to forty-five in three age groups based on ability. The youngest two teams play the early game and all six teams play each week.

“If you come out and watch, you will be hooked. You’ll want to help,” Norris said. A glance at the League’s sponsor list on their web site, or visiting with the families on the monthly fundraiser night at Ops Pizza confirms Norris’ words.

“There’s something really special going on out there,” Holly Sculthorpe, Zak’s mother and president of the board of directors said. “The kids learn to play baseball. The parents get to sit in the stands and cheer on their child, just like more typical families.”

Zak “Skully” Sculthorpe, 23-year-old player and announcer of the younger players’ games,

continued ...

said his favorite part of the game, besides getting to hit the ball, is his walk-up music “Who Let the Dogs Out.”

While mothers of children with special needs may interact regularly at physician or physical therapy appointments, fathers often feel that no one understands their situation. Playing ball with their children is one way many dads connect with other men as well as with their children. At Miracle League games, men coach, umpire, buddy and connect with other men with special needs children. They can experience the fellowship of men in more typical families coaching or cheering on their child from the stands.

Merry Raber, whose sixteen-year-old son Jacob plays, worked with Tina Norris when the field was being built. When Norris asked if her son would like to play, he said yes, adding “I love it!” Merry, her husband Norb and Jacob’s twin sister Katie all coach, umpire or serve as buddies. “The ball is pitched for the kids to hit. If they don’t hit it’s always the pitcher’s fault,” Norb said, and adds “You can’t leave there without a smile on your face.”

Kyleem Mack, another young adult player whose triumphant video runs on the League’s homepage, counts the days until the next game. Helped by his buddies, he cheers every time he rounds third base heading for home.

Buddies can be as young as twelve years old. Young buddies often find that the kids with special needs that

they buddy with are much more like them than not. Jeff Norris tells of students later sticking up for their friends with special needs in school once they have buddied with them on the field.

Speaking of Jeff and Tina Norris, Merry Raber said “they are the real heroes of our league. Instead of crawling in a hole after Justin died, they gave to the community.”

Sarah Johnsen worked as Justin’s physical therapist at Advance for Kids before he died at age eleven. Sarah’s idea was to hand out flyers at his memorial to get Justin’s Miracle Field started. Impressed at how fast the community pulled behind the Norris’ to help, Johnsen noted that this field affects the whole community. “People from all socioeconomic groups have, or know someone with, a family member who would benefit from the Miracle League.”

Tina Norris said Justin would have played if the field had been there while he was alive. “We would have never have been able to go home. He loved baseball that much,” she said.

Now, because of Jeff and Tina’s devotion to their son and love for their community, many other people with limited abilities count the days until they too can play baseball.

For more information about Justin’s Miracle Field visit: http://www.camdenmiracleleague.com or https://www.facebook.com/justins.miraclefield.1

ELVIS IS IN THE BUILDING!

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.

Marcia and Wade Wood at waterfall in Iceland.

John Gantz at the Okefenokee Wildlife Refuge.

Mary Ann Intravia at the Acropolis in Greece.

Elijah, Mike and Sandy Lillis at the Tipton Golf Course, Tipton, IN.

Pete and Alexandra Stetler far above the village of Curral das Freiras on Madeira, Portugal.

Jim and Susan Peterman at the Ashford Castle in Ireland.

Catalina and Ross in Cape Town, South Africa.

Sue Plaine and Ralph Talbott at the Opera House in Australia.

Take a look at the 23 covers of St. Marys Magazine over the past 11 years. Choose your favorite. Email the number associated with that favorite to: Barbara@stmarysmagazine.com, and one lucky entry will win $100 cash. (Random drawing of all entries.) Entry must be received by June 15, 2017. Winner will notified by email and featured in the next issue of St. Marys Magazine.

K I N G S L A N D