St. Marys Magazine Issue 26

VOLUME 13

COVERING THE LOWCOUNTRY FROM SAVANNAH TO NORTHEAST FLORIDA

ISSUE 26

PAGE 10 THE WHARF: THE PHOENIX OF ST. MARYS PAGE 27 COASTAL GEORGIA’S UNDERWATER TREASURES PAGE 50 THE LIVE OAK: ICON OF THE SULTRY SOUTH PAGE 68 OAK GROVE EPITAPHS: VOICES FROM BEYOND

Letter from the Mayor

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hether you are a visitor or a resident, summer in St. Marys is a great place to enjoy St. Marys fared better than most of ouron coastal neighbors when and Hurricane those extra hours of sunshine.

Kayaking our rivers or camping hiking Matthew through swept through last fall.

Our beautiful city and neighboring Cumberland Island were injust Crooked River State Park offer wonderful outdoor experiences for all ages. Forback some, business almost immediately following the storm. If you are thinking of visiting in these strolling along our historic downtown streets and then pausing for an ice cream cone is the cooler winter months, our weather is still warm and inviting so we encourage you, your way to spend a relaxing afternoon. (Ah! Butter Pecan!) friends and relatives to come on down!

If you are fortunate to be in town when the Waterfront Park is filled with evening music Or up, as the case may be as we have many visitors arriving from Florida as well. The during our Rhythm on the River series, you are in for a special treat as locals bring blankets, Georgia Welcome Center at Exit 1 just as you cross from Florida into Georgia has been chairs and picnic spreads to enjoy the musicall and friends anddozens welcome re-furbished and has re-opened to welcome to socialize our greatwith stateold and offering of ideas newcomers and visitors. for spending time in St. Marys.

Our Convention & Visitors has an entire calendar ofIsland special eventsour throughout the attractions, we enjoy While our waterfront, riversBureau and entryway to Cumberland remain most popular summer so be sure and check their website for dates and times at www.visitstmarys.com. year-round entertainment venues like steam train rides and community theatre presentations at Theatre by the LikeKayaking many communities along andasFlorida coasts, we are still rebuilding some of our is waterfront Trax. continues to growthe in Georgia popularity do bicycle touring and races.

Our History Walk proving tostructures be an that were destroyed

by Hurricane buthistory all our of businesses are open with plenty lodging, and shopping enjoyable historical stroll through Irma, the long our waterfront village.

We areofknown fordining our family friendly venues available.

Ourwith mostFebruary popular tourist attraction always been ferry tripGras. to nearby Cumberland where parades and festivals featuring our veryhas own version of athe Mardi Our historic hotel,Island modern outdoorand lovers can enjoy beach, the hiking trails and camping opportunities.

With therestaurants National Park Service boat motels, charming bedthe and breakfasts provide lodging for all tastes and budgets while in midtown, dock still under repair, City of aSt.variety Marysof is casual providing dock service at our Gateway pier to insure the Cumberland downtown and the westthe side offer dining options. tours continue will doadventure so until the Parkwant Service dock is back full operation.

Whether you uninterrupted. are here for anWe outdoor or just to enjoy time in in a peaceful, quiet, laid back and friendly St. for Marys is the and place to spend a week,visitors, weekend ortrippers longer. Many in love to and move here Yes, St.community, Marys is open business ready to welcome day and allwill ourfall residents enjoy the to call St.season Maryswith home. summer us. Summer in St. Marys is just as good as it gets. I hope to see you at one of these many Welcome! And if you have time, please stop by City Hall and say “hi” or “hey” depending on where you are from. recreational or entertainment venues.

Sincerely,

John John Morrissey, Mayor City of St. Marys

Patricia Dunn Carter, D.D.S. Specialist in Pediatric Dentistry

With a child-friendly environment, Golden Isles Pediatric Dentistry’s mission is to make a child’s dental experience fun and stress-free. A good early dental experience for your children will result in the willingness and desire to continue good oral health care for the rest of their lives.

• Preventative Dentistry • Traditional Restorative Dentistry • Restorative Dentistry with Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas)

912.882.4040

Monday through Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 pm

• Intravenous Sedation Dentistry Located in Mariner’s Village 2475 Village Drive, Suite 114 Kingsland, GA 31548 www.goldenislespediatricdentist.com

FEATURES 8 Historic St. Marys: Step into her Light

56 St. Marys Treasure Keeper Cumberland Island Museum

10 The Wharf: The Phoenix of St. Marys

60 Lights! Camera! Action!

Coastal Georgia Capturing the Limelight

14 Kayaking: Your Front Row Seat to Nature

68 Oak Grove Epitaphs: Voices from Beyond

17 Seduced by Serenity. Beguiled by Romance.

72 St. Marys Little Theatre Launches 8th Season

22 Ready for Takeoff: Spaceport Camden

83 Amelia Island Lighthouse Sentinel to All Ships at Sea

27 Coastal Georgia’s Underwater Treasures

88 Cottle Goes to Cuba

32 Front Seat to Adventure: St. Marys Express

89 Blazing a Green Trail on the East Coast

38 Happily Ever Afters Begin Here 42 Cumberland Island through the Eyes of a British Mayor 50 The Live Oak: Icon of the Sultry South

DEPARTMENTS 37 47 66 87 92 94

PHOTO: St. Marys River with Cumberland Island on the edge of the horizon.

Media Darlings LowCountry Events Around Town Literarily Speaking Magazine Party 25 Real People

Your Hometown Team.

When an orthopaedic condition or injury is keeping you from the activities you love, the Summit Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Surgery team is ready with the most advanced treatments to get you back to enjoying life.

From consult to treatment to recovery, our orthopaedic experts offer comprehensive care close to home.

Kacey Miller, PA-C | Melvin Deese, M.D. | Frank D. Clements, PA-C

Call 912-576-6355 to schedule an appointment today or visit sghs.org/summit to learn more.

2060 Dan Proctor Dr., Suite 1400, St. Marys, GA 31558

6/2018 ©2018 SGHS Notice of nondiscrimination: sghs.org/about-us/notice-of-nondiscrimination

Publisher’s Note 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 Tom Raymond Gordon Jackson Mary Ellen Thompson Pamela Keene Contributing Photographers Roger Graw L. J.Williams Chick Piper Brandon Herron Steve Royer Holly Yurchison Kelly Berger Brenda Barber Taylor Leslie Hand Dez Merrow Scott Moore Jay Smith

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 2018. All rights reserved.

Letters to the Editor or other Correspondence Email: info@stmarysmagazine.com St. Marys Magazine 803 Alexander Street St. Marys, GA 31558 For general information, advertising, or subscription service, call 912-729-1103 or visit www.stmarysmagazine.com

Do Great Things!

Yes, the message on the spine of this issue says just that: “Do Great things!”

Reading that, you might think, “How ambitious, how presumptuous, to expect me—the average Joe, to ‘do great things’.”

First of all, there is no such thing as the “average Joe.” Greatness is built into each and every one of us; built right into our DNA. Greatness is measured—not by the immensity of an act, but by the intention.

Do great things.

Tell the elderly lady in the checkout line at Walmart how pretty her brooch is. Watch the smile.

Pull a magic quarter out of the ear of that fussy little boy in the doctor’s waiting room. Enjoy the smile.

Give blood.

Go to the Humane Society and take a fur baby for a walk.

Write your mama a letter—no, a REAL letter with pen and paper.

Imagine her smile.

Do great things!

Show a small child how to make a horn out of the stem of a dan delion. (You don’t know how? Go online and find out how.)

Enjoy the smile.

Hold the door open for someone even though they have not reached the door yet. Take your neighbor a watermelon or some cookies. Mow someone’s grass. If you see an older make car with a fairly large family at the fast food drive-thru, pay for their meals. You can bet they will be grateful.

The two most powerful things in existence are a kind word and a thoughtful gesture. You can do small things in a great way and that’s as good as doing great things.

If you can put a smile on someone else’s face, it’s bound to put a smile on yours. And the world needs more smiles.

Inspire smiles. Do great things!

Barbara Jackson Ryan Publisher

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

On the cover Cumberland Island as photographed by Brenda Barber Taylor.

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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.

And by air, the Jacksonville International Airport is just thirty minutes away.

912-882-3242

Waterfront Dining in the Historic Riverview Hotel

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

Proms Weddings Bachelor & Bachelorette Parties Airport Services Special Occasions

Office: (912) 882-7904

Tom Mitchell

Cell: (912) 674-9102

S

outhern Georgia. Even the words fall sweetly on the tongue like the juice of a sun-ripened peach or a seductively rich Pinot Noir. This is the land that captures the hearts of writers such as Sidney Lanier, Flannery O’Connor, Alice Walker—the list is as long as the evening shadows. It is a world of deep mystery, open hearts, and inspirational views. It is an enigma, a benison and a way of being.

The citizens of Historic St. Marys, Southern Georgia’s most luminous star, walk through their lives bathed in the light that is particular to this land of marsh, river, and sea. This celestial presence, both corporeal and visceral, beckons the photographer, writer, artist, and dreamer within us all.

The shifting hues of St. Marys form a captivating palette of color and mood. Early morning brings the East rising sun and an ethereal light that washes the soul with hope for a new beginning. A walk along the waterfront from east to west carries you by the boarding passengers of the Cumberland Island Ferry, through the waterfront park, to the marsh walk at the west end. Walking out to the end of the marsh walk, one never ceases to be entranced by the endless vista.

The marsh that sweeps toward the Florida coast shifts and alters hourly as the changing light paints upon its canvas. This rare ecosystem is the jewel in the crown of the Low Country—alive with growth, birth, change, renewal and infinite beauty.

Another morning. Another walk. Another experience.

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By Alex Kearns

Drenched in the dew-soaked light of a new day, magnolia trees reflect the sun from their rich foliage while the palms capture the rays and toss them back like diamonds into the air. Bougainvillea and hibiscus blossoms drink in the moisture as the earth prepares itself for the noon heat. Even then, in the mid-day intensity of light and warmth, there is that which delights the eye within the shadows of massive live oaks draped in Spanish moss. It is a unique interplay of color and depth, known only in this land of entrancing contradictions.

Then there is the “magic hour,” the legendary time of golden light and violet hue that whispers to the artist in every soul. All pause to savor this exquisite delight of warm evening breezes, sweet tea on the front porch,

children’s voices, neighbors waving as they stroll by.

This is St. Marys at her most enchanting—a small town cradled within “the vast sweet visage of space” (Sidney Lanier).

If you’ve experienced the sunsets at Key West, you might have an inkling as to the stunning beauty of St. Marys as evening descends. St. Marys sunsets are postcard perfect.

Step into the light of St. Marys, but be warned, though you may leave St. Marys, you will do so altered in some profound way for there is no leaving this “Brigadoon” without carrying her within your heart forever.

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ike the legendary bird that rises from the ashes, a new marine center will rise from the broken concrete and ruins of the old mill site in downtown St. Marys. Momentum is building as master builder Bruce Benton is working with future tenants to make The Wharf not only an exciting destination for water travel to Coastal Georgia but also a new epicenter for Camden County residents to live, work, and play.

When finished, the 52-acre site on the North River will be equipped to dock boats up to 150 feet and feature dry dock storage, boat repair, a fuel center, and commercial and residential space. Negotiations are already underway with a nationally-known firm to come on board as the boatyard operator.

Camden County Joint Development Authority (CCJDA) Executive Director James Coughlin expects the core boat business to be 40-60 foot boats, but he’s also anticipating a mix of retail that will attract outdoors fans looking for items that enhance an outdoor life such as kayaks, bikes and marine supplies. Coughlin also anticipates that the larger portion of the mixed use space will house restaurants.

The vision for The Wharf is one that builds on the tradition that gives St. Marys her charm while lending a cosmopolitan component to the downtown area.

“Our master builder consistently emphasizes that he wants to build something St. Marys will be proud of 25 years from now,” Coughlin said. continued ...

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“Critical attention is being paid to sustainability and the overall fit of the project into the current ambience of St. Marys.”

People are already showing interest in the residential part of The Wharf, ready to put some pre-construction money down for the waterside condos planned.

A quayside boardwalk will give residents and boat owners a close-up encounter with nature and water as they enjoy the diverse wildlife on property that includes snowy egrets, blue heron, manatees, dolphins and more.

“We have engaged environmental engineers to maximize the sustainability of our natural resources,” Coughlin said. “The master plan will show minimal impact on wildlife while the project is in development and during the ongoing running of the property.”

When the CCJDA and the City of St. Marys signed a development agreement in May, The Wharf vision took a giant step toward reality. Developer Benton said, “We are blessed to have an opportunity to do something so very good for the St. Marys Community, for Camden County, and for the great state of Georgia. Our mission is to create a place that will help St. Marys achieve the right kind of growth, prosperity and environment to preserve and improve the enjoyment, culture, safety and quality of life for future generations of citizens, visitors and wildlife.” continued ...

4450 Highway 40 East St. Marys, GA 31558 From I-95 take Exit 3 (Hwy. 40 E.) and turn left. Brant Creek will be approximately 3 miles on the left.

• • • • • • • •

Phone: 912-729-3101 www.brantcreekapartments.com

Offering BOTH Convenience and Affordability Voted #1 in Camden County since 2010 NEW Fiber Internet and Updated Directv 12

• • • • • • • •

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 Clothes care facility Car care center Pet walk area(s) Resort style swimming pool State of the art fitness studio with cardio equipment Community clubhouse with fully equipped kitchen and social areas

www.StMarysMagazine.com

St. MaryS D ownt own M e r c hantS I nv Ite yo u t o The ideal location of The Wharf just 2 miles from the Intracoastal Waterway and 1.5 miles from Cumberland Island National Seashore puts it on the map for boaters seeking day trips and overnight stays. Boat owners especially like the idea of an “inland” marina. The marina portion of The Wharf will be carved out of an interior parcel, thus protecting boats from the swift current of the river and its associated challenges.

Whether someone opts to dock their boat at The Wharf or chooses to make The Wharf residences their home address, they can be assured easy access to shopping, dining and entertainment not just at The Wharf itself but steps away at Theatre by the Trax or just 10 blocks away at St. Marys’ other waterfront.

The Wharf is destined to be an economic catalyst for the long-awaited renaissance of downtown St. Marys as its development rises out of the most prime acreage on the old paper mill site.

Discover Downtown St. Marys!

Quaint shops. Waterfront and outdoor dining. Historic lodging.

Beautiful waterfront park.

HISTORY, NATURE & CUMBERLAND ISLAND

EXPERIENCE ST. MARYS

See businesses at visitstmarys.com.

Historic District Waterfront Park Dining & Shopping Submarine Museum Kayaking, Fishing & Biking Cumberland Island Museum St. Marys Community Market: Downtown - Saturdays 9am-1pm

- Camden County is part of Georgia's Colonial Coast Birding Trail - Visit Crooked River State Park & Cumberland Island National Seashore

www.StMarysMagazine.com

800.868.8687 VISITSTMARYS.COM

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o get as close as possible to pristine Mother Earth, one needs to merely step into a kayak and glide away, and kayaking in Coastal Georgia serves up some of nature’s most stunning vistas.

Hundreds of rivulets, tributaries and estuaries weave their water tapestry through salt marshes on the way to rivers, the Intracoastal Waterway, and the Atlantic Ocean. The sound of silence prevails with the occasional gurgling cackle of a marsh hen, the “phooo” of dolphins breaking the surface, a gator splash, and often a cacophony of crickets, frogs, and a hodgepodge of water bird sounds. The visual feast from your kayak is unmatched: osprey circling overhead, iridescent blue of a redfish “tailing” in the shadows, manatees rolling, and great egrets. If you choose to kayak to Cumberland Island, the vistas become even more thrilling: 8-foot wide rays, dancing dolphins, wild horses grazing, and wild turkeys parading.

As king (or queen) of your ship (kayak), you are in the midst of the pristine interplay of water, light, wildlife, marsh and land. Nowhere else can you more poignantly connect with your spirit with such clarity, texture and richness continued ...

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than from your perch in your front row seat to nature.

You might opt to kayak alone or with a group, or in a guided tour conducted by local kayak experts.

One local organization, Up the Creek Adventures, has been conducting kayak and canoe experiences since 1997.

Husband and wife team Pete and Jennifer Koerner say they have the cure for those who are bogged down in the everyday grind. They specialize in professionally Guided Kayak Tours and Giant War Canoe Tours in St. Marys, Jacksonville, Amelia Island and throughout Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia.

“Some of the most picturesque waterways are in our area,” Jennifer said. “Kayaking the rivers and marshes is a little slice of heaven on Earth.”

The Koerners include destinations like the Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens, Kingsley Plantation and Big Talbot Island in their schedule of excursions.

“All that’s required is an adventurous spirit and openness to experiencing new things,” Pete added.

For a Cumberland Island adventure, kayakers can put in at Crooked River State Park then take a 5 to 12 mile ride of whatever nature has in store for continued ...

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them on that day. Navigation can be tricky, according to the Koerners, but with the aid of a map and navigational chart, the trip is very do-able.

Paddlers can also launch their trip from the Meeting Street boat ramp in Downtown St. Marys (as of publication date, the St. Marys Riverfront boat ramp was still under construction after being damaged by a 2017 hurricane). The Koerners said that the route from downtown St. Marys is less ideal and has a very limited window of opportunity due to tidal currents.

From the Crooked River launch, you can plan on 6 miles to Plum Orchard, 8 miles to Sea Camp, or 12 miles to Brickhill Bluff—all on Cumberland Island. If you’re headed to Sea Camp and opt for camping, be sure and reserve your campsite ahead of time.

No matter where you launch, your kayaking adventure is guaranteed to be filled with memories you’ll cherish forever.

Either at your destination or from your kayak, remember to breathe deeply, feel the mist moving over the salt marsh, and be content in the knowledge that in your sight are things that are as nearly eternal as any earthly life can be.

For more information about kayak excursions, visit upthecreekx.com.

By Barbara Ryan

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ust a few miles north of St. Marys awaits a storybook experience of the highest order.

Simple pleasures are reason enough to make a visit to Horse Stamp Inn, located between the Golden Isles and St. Marys, just three miles off I-95. But to discover that these simple pleasures come wrapped in a cocoon of sheer luxury compels one to take a closer look. Here’s what you will find.

First of all, as soon as you turn off the main road into the long, fenced drive graced by expansive green pastures, you get the sense that a captivating experience is about to unfold.

The imposing southern mansion looms ahead, beckoning you into another time and place. You might hear strands of the theme from “Dallas” in your mind—but think grander architecture. continued ...

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Don’t let the grandeur of the inn fool you. From the moment you enter the stately doors off the front portico, you’re made to feel totally at home.

Proprietors Pam and Tim have created a space that truly embraces you. Here you can relax.

Rejuvenate. Get re-nourished and inspired.

You’ll be shown to a room—named after a famous horse—and invited to make your stay all about whatever it is that you need in your life right now. Maybe it’s total relaxation. Or maybe it’s adventure. It could be romance. Or perhaps exploration.

Many epiphanies have been experienced by guests of Horse Stamp Inn. But the most enduring one is the discovery that just being can be sheer nirvana—especially when “just being” happens to take

Horse Stamp Inn is a “Select Registry” Inn, and has been recognized as one of the TOP 10 MOST ROMANTIC INNS in America by American Historic Inns and ILoveInns.com.

“Huffington Post” named Horse Stamp Inn ONE OF THE BEST COUNTRY WEDDING DESTINATIONS in the U. S.

continued ...

Discover Darien where history meets the sea Named in Southern Living’s Top List of “Prettiest Small Towns in Georgia”

J

ust one hour south of Savannah and one hour north of St. Mary’s, beautiful coastal Darien is a timeless place to discover. Visit Ft. King George Historic Site; take a day tour of Sapelo Island; enjoy some of the nation’s finest birding areas; take a relaxing kayak trip in our rivers; stroll our Historic Walking Tour or do some shopping. And, no visit to Darien would be complete, without sampling our world famous Wild Georgia Shrimp.

Discover Darien - where history meets the sea.

VisitDarien.com 18

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place in such an enchanting environment.

I doubt you will have experienced a better night’s sleep than the one you’ll have at Horse Stamp Inn. Soothed by the luxurious touch of Comphy linens and feather bed tops, you’ll feel like you’re sleeping on a cloud. The Coastal Farmhouse décor pairs with modern luxury for the ultimate feel of casual elegance. Lullabied by the gentle sounds of the country, and invigorated by fresh air, dreamland is irresistible.

The entire inn is as pretty as it is comfortable—outside and in.

Beautiful yet cozy furnishings invite you to lounge around in the well-appointed great room that surrounds a two-story stone fireplace. An abundance of glass doors and windows brings the outdoors in, bathing the rich woods with a warm wash of light. Though it will be difficult to leave the homey atmosphere of Horse Stamp Inn, adventure awaits you just minutes away with tons of fun stuff to do on the Golden Isles, in St. continued ...

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Marys, and on nearby Cumberland Island.

Pam and Tim have created a magical space where people like me can escape the harried lifestyle and immerse themselves in the pleasures of yesteryear.

Pleasures like real rope and board swings, grown-up size, hanging from a towering frame near a picturesque well-stocked artesian pond. (You can catch your own fish!) Pleasures like bonfires beneath a stunning starlit night and refreshing swims in an oversized pool. And pleasures like home-made three-course breakfasts served in the gathering room or on the porch.

Horse Stamp Inn also offers an excellent experience for corporate groups, family reunions, and the ever-growing in popularity “Girls Getaway.”

“The more the merrier,” said Pam. continued ...

Hometown Store • Locally Owned & Operated • Price Match • Military Discount • Veteran-Owned • Lease -to -Own option • No Interest Financing Available www.SearsHometownStores.com

912.882.5858 28 Hawthorn Lane • St. Marys, GA

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Groups are especially drawn to the Horse Stamp Inn for their ideal location and the exceptionally accommodating layout of the property that fosters pleasant and productive gatherings both inside and out.

“It’s like hosting a meeting in someone’s home—ultra comfortable but in grand surroundings,” remarked one guest. “It’s so easy to make a connection with others in your group in an environment that is so social-friendly.”

“Happily-ever-afters” are a specialty at Horse Stamp Inn with wedding settings that range from whimsical to dramatic.

They even have their own wedding planner to help plan the perfect wedding.

It is true. Love lives at Horse Stamp Inn—and at so many levels.

Whether your love is food or frivolity, relaxation or invigoration, or indigo nights sparked by millions of stars as they can only be seen in the countryside, Horse Stamp Inn is a storybook experience that will linger with you forever.

Editor’s note: For more information and directions, visit www.horsestampinn.com.

73 Hawthorn Lane • St. Marys, Georgia

912-673-6545

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

Tours Depart from Fernandina Harbor Marina

***Will come to St. Marys for Private Charters***

• Nature/History Tours • Summer Shrimping Eco Tours • Adult Twilight BYOB Cruises w/ live music • Available for weddings, receptions, and private charters

904-261-9972

AmeliaRiverCruises.com Visit our Website for schedules and pricing

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By Barbara Ryan

T

he list of active supporters for making Spaceport Camden a reality reads like the who’s who of Movers & Shakers: 14 members of the U.S. Congress, two U.S. Senators, the president of the Commercial Space Federation, and Newt Gingrich, just to name a few.

In Gingrich’s support letter, he states, “America’s renewed interest in space innovation and investment that is powering the commercial space industry cannot be wasted. There is too much at stake.”

On the official letterhead from the Congress of the United States, these words were written: “As the needs of commercial space continue to grow, development of projects such as this can ensure American companies remain world leaders in space technology. Spaceport Camden, through its location and latitude, provides a unique site to meet the needs of East Coast space users.”

In 2017, the United States led the world in commercial space launches, and the record-setting pace of commercial spaceflight growth is expected to accelerate in coming years. Georgia currently claims 1/10 of 1 percent of the $330 billion global space economy, an economy projected to be worth $3 trillion in the next 30 years.

Respected leaders from around the nation are saying that Spaceport Camden is the catalyst Georgia needs to claim a share in this growing market.

Jacobs Engineering Group, one of the world’s largest providers of technical , professional, and construction services, recently authored a feasibility study on Spaceport Camden titled “The Right Place at The Right Time.” Currently serving as the prime contractor of NASA’s Test and Operations Support Center at Kennedy Space Center, one can deduce that they are a respected authority, and the name of the publication seems to sum it up. continued ...

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The Right Place at the Right Time

“Over the last three years, we’ve put Camden County, Georgia on the map of every aerospace company in the United States,” said Steve Howard, Camden County Administrator and Spaceport Camden Project lead.

Space launch companies are watching the progress of Spaceport Camden because the Camden site offers trajectories over the Atlantic Ocean which allows spacecraft to launch without having to fly over a significant population of people. The site’s relatively low latitude and Atlantic Ocean range will allow orbital launches to take advantage of Earth’s rotational velocity.

One satellite launch provider, ABL Space Systems, has already signed a memorandum of understanding with Camden County officials to explore future launch operations at Spaceport Camden. Their desire is to “test, manufacture. assemble, and launch orbital vehicles in Camden County.” ABL was started by former SpaceX engineers and is targeting 2020 for their first commercial launch. They are also interested in locating engineering, manufacturing and research and development in Camden County in addition to their launch activities from Space Camden.

Harry O’Hanley, CEO of ABL Space Systems, said, “The aerospace industry in Georgia is strong and continued ...

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Georgia’s favorable business climate, Camden’s aerospace history, high tech military workforce and advantageous geographical location make Space Port Camden a desirable location for both manufacturing and launching spacecraft.”

Spaceport Camden is projected to bring thousands of jobs to Camden County—from construction to tourism to aerospace engineering.

With the Environmental Impact Study’s positive outcome, Spaceport Camden has gained a strong foothold for its future. Spaceport Camden organizers, after consulting with the FAA for several years, are now in the process of submitting their formal application to the FAA that will start the 180 day review clock. An answer could come as early as the end of 2018, but more realistically in first quarter 2019. With a launch site operator’s license, Spaceport Camden will be ready to launch.

Spaceport Camden is slated to be the only non-federal range on the East Coast and a major component of the National Space Strategy. It is believed that the development of Spaceport Camden will have a transformative effect on the entire Coastal Georgia region. As key components of the project’s plan fall into place and the list of meaningful supporters grows, it becomes clearer and clearer that Spaceport Camden is, indeed, READY FOR TAKEOFF!

Dr. Brent Ray

Board Certiied by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery® 26

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By Pamela A. Keene

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ff the coast of Georgia’s coast, an underwater oasis awaits. Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary, one of only 13 such preserves in the nation, gives visitors and researchers the ideal environment to explore more than 200 species of fish, sea horses, loggerhead turtles, sea stars, soft coral and thousands of undersea invertebrates.

“The abundance and diversity of marine life are among the best in the world,” said Michelle Riley, communications and public outreach coordinator for Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary. “Perhaps the most surprising thing about Gray’s Reef is that people think they aren’t allowed out there, but we welcome visitors. Yes, there are some restrictions, but we encourage continued ...

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people to fish and SCUBA dive at this incredibly diverse and important 22 square miles of ocean floor.”

Fishing restrictions include rod and reel only, no spearfishing. Anchoring is also not allowed.

“When you fish there, you can keep what you catch as long as it’s within species, size and weight parameters,” Riley said. “And for divers, it’s nature’s wonderland. Though when you first dive, the water can be turbid with low visibility. As you descend to the reef, you can begin to see the sea life, which is plentiful. Recently a student from Georgia Southern, on her very first dive, saw a 4-inch seahorse on a fan coral. You might see sharks, octopus, barracuda and many other types of sea life.”

Located about 19 miles east of Sapelo Island, the natural reef’s ledges and rocky outcroppings are about 65 feet underwater and go down to about 75 feet. There are no signs or visual indicators that you’ve arrived at the site; people find it by its GPS coordinates. The only man-made structure in the area is a large yellow continued ...

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weather buoy operated by the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) that provides local weather information. Gray’s Reef’s management falls under NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries.

“The goal of the office is to preserve and protect American natural treasures that exist underwater,” Riley explained. “Gray’s Reef is the only protected natural reef and one of a handful of natural marine protected areas in the Atlantic Ocean between Cape Canaveral, Florida, and Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.”

Gray’s Reef was first studied in the 1960s by Milton “Sam” Gray, the curator of the University of Georgia Marine Institute on Sapelo. It was subsequently named for Gray. In the late 1970s, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources asked the US Secretary of Commerce to recognize the area as a National Marine Sanctuary, and in 1981 then-President Jimmy Carter approved the designation. In 2011, a research area for scientific study was established in the southern third of continued ...

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Gray’s Reef. It’s about 8 miles square, and fishing and diving are not allowed in that section of the sanctuary.

Gray’s Reef is a resting ground for the threatened Loggerhead turtles where they forage year-round. It’s also within the only known winter calving ground for the highly endangered North Atlantic right whale.

For a number of years, Gray’s Reef has been a go-to spot during kingfishing tournaments. “Kingfish is local slang for King Mackerel, and these tournaments draw anglers from all over,” Riley said.

“In 2004, a man from Statesboro caught a 75-pound king mackerel in a Georgia tournament and that record still holds.”

For those who don’t SCUBA dive, Gray’s Reef takes its show on the road.

“We bring the reef to the public with our mobile exhibit,” Riley says. “It travels across the region, plus we have partnerships with Fernbank Museum of Natural History in Atlanta, the Georgia Southern University Museum and the Tybee Island Marine Science Center.”

The mobile exhibit, “Gray’s Reef on the Road,” features video displays, virtual diving experiences, 3D loggerheads, grouper and other creatures and interactive activities.

It travels to libraries, museums and other public facilities along the coast.

“Gray’s Reef is truly magical,” Riley said. “These incredible sandstone ledges created millions of years ago are today an amazing world. On any given day you can see schools of black sea bass that follow you around like puppy dogs, loggerheads scratching their backs on the ledges or any number of amazing things.”

As a federal agency, Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary cannot accept monetary donations. However, the Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary Foundation non-profit provides financial support to the sanctuary and its work. Volunteers are always welcome.

For more information about Gray’s Reed National Marine Sanctuary, visit https://graysreef.noaa.gov/. For more about the foundation or to get involved, visit http://www.graysreefnmsf.org/.

www.StMarysMagazine.com

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A

lice has fallen down the rabbit hole—again! This time at the midway point of the St. Marys Express train ride route. Robin Hood can’t help her.

Neither can Snow White. The Queen of Hearts enlists the help of Prince Charming in a ruse that would have Alice and her friends captives in the Queen’s castle. Luckily Snoopy foils the plot, the day is saved, but Alice still needs to find her way out.

That’s when the passengers aboard the Storybook Express come in and gallantly offer her a ride on the train to take her out of the rabbit hole. Whew!

Another damsel rescued. Another successful adventure. continued ...

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You never know who you’re going to meet on the St. Marys Express train rides. And anything and everything can happen: time travel, storybook mayhem, train robberies— it’s even been known to snow during a Christmas adventure.

Whatever happens on the train doesn’t stay on the train. The sweet laughter of children, the warm smiles shared by an elderly couple, the resounding applause at the end of a ride through woodlands and over marshlands—the residual effect of a fun outing lingers as riders recount their adventure to friends and re-live the memories.

The St. Marys Express serves up themed excursions that change with the seasons. Many people ride every excursion because everyone is different.

In February, riders will be treated to an authentic Wild West experience with real cowboys re-enacting a famous shootout. continued ...

34

Spring brings the Peter Cottontail Express and new theme rides that have included Storybook Express, Rock ‘n’ Roll Express, Out of this World Express, Super Heroes Express, and others. October is the month for Halloween fun with ghost and goblin adventures that appeal to all ages. The much-loved Santa Express has been expanded to four weekends in November and December to accommodate the sell-out crowds who love the family-friendly entertainment and festive atmosphere.

Though the theme changes with each excursion, some things never change.

Like the appearance of the incorrigible hobos Chris and Krystal who never buy a ticket cause they’re “quicker and slicker” than the conductor, but then they pay for their ride by performing the traditional hobo dance. Then there’s the Candy Lady who throws treats continued ...

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ST. MARYS LITTLE THEATRE Enriching LivEs Through ThE

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to passengers from her home along the trail.

Dancing the “chicken dance” in your seats has become a train staple as have birthday and anniversary wishes and songs. The military and vets are always recognized and thanked for their service. The 50-plus St. Marys Express volunteers work hard to assure every passenger a good time including actors from St. Marys Little Theatre who perform the midway skit.

“Chillin’ on the Choo-Choo” has become a Coastal Georgia tradition and a great way for the 94% of Americans who have never ridden a real train to mark that off their bucket list.

In addition to the open-air railcar seats, guests can purchase a ticket to ride in the locomotive. You can even run the locomotive (the At The Throttle Experience) if you’re 16 or older.

Stationmaster and Narrator Doug Vaught always measures passengers satisfaction at the end of each ride with a “shout it out” happiness volume meter. Railcars compete for the title of “Happiest Railcar,” but everyone ends up a winner.

It doesn’t really matter what time of the year you ride the St. Marys Express, you can look forward to a fun ride and a refreshing outdoor adventure. Whether you’re looking for a smokin’ good time or a chillin’ good time, the good time you’re looking for can be found rolling on the tracks from 1000 Osborne Street in St. Marys—the St. Marys Express.

All aboard!

For more information visit StMarysRailroad.com.

“St. Marys Magazine” makes a great travel companion.

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

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

Chuck Lanham & Joyce Bason at the Blue Crab Festival in Panacea Florida.

Deborah Cottle in Cuba www.StMarysMagazine.com

David Brown and Mary Ann Intravia cruising through the Panama Canal

James Hoyt and YoLaunda DeLoach at the Dole Plantation in Hawaii.

Leslie Sanders on Tybee Island 37

E

verything must be perfect. The dress. The music. The flowers. The setting. It is the day when families are joined, covenants are pledged, and happily ever afters take flight. This is your wedding day—the first day of the rest of your life. And there truly is no lovelier spot to say “I do” than right here in Camden County, Georgia.

Picturesque settings abound in this sweet little corner of Coastal Georgia—St. Marys’ Waterfront Park, Cumberland Island, the MarshWalk, the Intracoastal Gateway property, The Bluff, Horse Stamp Inn, Crooked River State Park, and more. Romantic gazebos, whispering marshes, glistening river waters, and romantic ruins serve up fairy tale backdrops to the most memorable day of a couple’s life.

It starts with the ring.

Couples have been trusting Albert’s Jewelers for more than 20 years to seal their promises of engagement and marriage. It’s a family business with patriarch Albert Thomas taking great pride in his work from the jeweler’s bench to the showroom. His jeweler skills are often exemplified by the customized heirloom pieces he creates or re-creates for his customers.

Albert says, “We won’t be satisfied until you receive exactly the treasure you are looking for.”

The staff at Albert’s Jewelers have built relationships with multi-generational families with their five-star service and friendly assistance.

“We adore it when our customers send us pictures of their important moments,” Albert said. “Building relationships that embrace the entire family gives us great satisfaction.”

With many couples working on a budget, continued ...

38

PHOTO: DEZ MERROW

Albert Thomas, Albert’s Jewelers

Albert’s Jewelers makes the purchase of engagement and wedding rings easier with their great prices, always focusing on quality. Maybe that’s why Albert’s Jewelers has been named the “Best of Camden” for 12 years.

Expressions through flowers

Another family owned business that was voted “Best of Camden” for 16 years is Kings Bay Flowers. Beautiful arrangements, loyal customers, friendly customer service, and lasting friendships anchor their success.

Owner Amber Tuttle strives to make sure every customer that walks in the door feels welcomed and special. Their team, that also includes Shirley Schneeberger and Hetty Wilson, has more than 20 years’ experience in wedding planning and wedding floral arrangements. From the bridal and bridesmaids bouquets to the unique centerpieces and extravagant floral arches, Kings Bay Flowers works hard to take Flowers by Kings Bay Flowers the stress off the bride and assure her a day that’s as beautiful as she is. They can also handle the wedding cake, decorations, a DJ and more, even providing coordination on the day of the big event.

“A little girl always dreams of how beautiful her wedding will be,” Amber said. “We just want to make sure that dream comes true.”

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Pictures Worth a Million Words

When it comes to choosing a wedding photographer, Coastal Georgia is blessed with some incredible talent.

Photographer Leslie Hand says that the success of wedding photography lies in communication.

“I work with my brides to create a customized timeline which serves a great purpose,” Leslie said. “I encourage them to share Pinterest boards and screen grabs of any desired look so that their day is exactly what they pictured. Then it gives me great pleasure to exceed those expectations.”

Photographer Dez Merrow is all about “connecting with the bride and groom.” She is very good at getting couples to www.StMarysMagazine.com

continued ...

The Bluff 39

Our 5000 sq. ft open-air pavilion is nestled on the beautiful banks of the Crooked River.

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relax and that builds trust.

Dez has photographed weddings all over including Las Vegas, The Bahamas, and other destination weddings. She says every wedding is different and that’s what makes wedding photography fun.

“I’ve photographed the bride and groom seemingly being chased by dinosaurs, in a superhero wedding, and one at the Zoo,” she said. “Creating dramatic shots brings a super fun element to a couple’s wedding album.”

Dez said that wedding photographs should be the kind of artwork you would want to hang on your wall.

An adventurist herself (she owns three motorcycles and holds a Black Belt in karate), Dez wants to record every wedding event as an adventure that all who attend will remember forever.

The Perfect Setting

Fairy tale weddings call for fairy tale settings and none do it better than two beautiful venues in Camden County— The Bluff and Horse Stamp Inn. Couples desiring the ultimate low country setting will love The Bluff and its location at the edge of breathtaking marshlands. Their 5000 square foot open air pavilion is embraced by the curves of the well-named Crooked River. As far as the eye can see, the wonders of Coastal Georgia landscapes and waterscapes serve up a view that evokes romance. Inside the stately home, the bride has her own suite perfect for her special day preparations with plenty of room for bridesmaids.

The groom has his quarters as well— designed like a man cave that helps to get the groom and his groomsmen relaxed and ready for a great day. The quaint and well-equipped kitchen is available for the wedding party as are overnight accommodations should the wedding party opt for that. Inspiring photo opportunities abound on this picture perfect property. continued ...

Horse Stamp Inn

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Strategically located between the Golden Isles and St. Marys is the eye-catching Horse Stamp Inn. Offering complete wedding and décor packages, couples often bring their entire wedding party to the Horse Stamp Inn for overnight stays (makes a great honeymoon destination as well).

The majestic inn is set amid pastoral pastures complete with pond (stocked with fish) and a refreshing pool.

Several wedding locations are on-property including a beautiful barn that presents unlimited creative ideas for the wedding and reception.

The bride whose dream is to have an outdoor wedding will find a wealth of creative opportunities to customize the most important day of her life at the Horse Stamp Inn. This impressive wedding venue has earned many accolades including being named one of the “Best Country Wedding Destinations in the U. S.” and “Top 10 Most Romantic Inns in America.”

Couples seeking something a bit more exotic might take a cue from JFK, Jr. and wed on nearby Cumberland Island.

Private launches or the Cumberland Island Ferry easily transport guests to the island for a ceremony seaside, beneath the maritime beach oak canopy, at the Dungeness Ruins (expect wild horses as guests), or in the First African Baptist Church where John-John was married.

From the simple to the sensational, St. Marys and the surrounding area offer stunning stages for a picture book wedding. Legendary “I do’s” are as abundant as the stars that dazzle the indigo night skies in the “happily ever after” land of Coastal Georgia.

WEDDING RESOURCES Horsestampinn.com Thebluffvenue.com Kingsbayflowers.net Albertsjewelers-ga.com Lesliehandphotography.com Dezmerrow.com StMarysGaWeddings.com Visitstmarys.com

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Visit www.stmarysgaweddings.com for an informative resource guide on everything from caterers to photographers to ministers and more.

41

By Mary Ellen Thompson

J

ane Cooper, former Mayor of Wandsworth, London, UK, comes over from England once or twice a year and we take ourselves on road a trip; we’ve been doing it for decades.

This spring, when asked where she might like to visit, Jane said she would fancy going to Cumberland Island. “Fancy” is a British term and has nothing to do with what you are wearing.

We had spent a night in St. Marys a few years ago and the mystique of an island only accessible by boat, with abundant wildlife, appealed to her. What does a big city girl think of when she is preparing for a trip to a subtropical maritime forest barrier island? “I’d heard there were wild horses and I wondered what other wildlife was out there,” she said. In London, a fox is about the only wild creature she sees, and they don’t seem so wild when occasionally they wander into your living room. When we went to the mountains in Georgia, Jane thought it was nice that people had screens around their porches to keep out the bears, so you can guess at the depth of her experience with non-domestic creatures.

Prior to her arrival, I had sent Jane the book, “Untamed: The Wildest Woman in America and the Fight for Cumberland Island,” by Will Harlan, so she would have

r Mayor of Jane Cooper, formendon, UK Lo th, Wandswor

continued ...

42

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some background information. Jane grew up in Yorkshire, on the northeastern coast of England. As a child she and her friends played cowboys and Indians, inspired by tales of our Wild West. Those tales told of pioneer women as well, and for Jane, Carol Ruckdeschel was just such a living legend, foraging for her food, eating roadkill, riding sea turtles. And Carol lives on Cumberland Island.

I collected Jane at the Savannah airport around noon on a Monday and we headed south, stopping for lunch along the way and arriving in St. Marys at the Riverview Hotel, just in time for cocktails. After a rousing evening with dinner in the bar, where Jane ate gator tail, and luckily missed the fact that the enigmatic bartendress referred to her in loving terms as a heifer, we retired to our suite upstairs and prepared for our adventure.

The ferry route to Cumberland from St. Marys is serpentine and affords many interesting viewpoints. We saw horses in the marsh, all manner of sea birds, glimpses of archeological ruins—it was like watching a movie trailer and hoping the experience would live up to the fleeting images.

Since there is only so much you can see in only one day on Cumberland, we decided to take the Land and Legacies Tour. We docked on the island and found our guide, Elizabeth.

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We had been advised that our day would provide many interesting stops, points for viewing the uniqueness of the island, and history. Armed with this knowledge, we were shepherded into the van with a handful of other visitors.

No sooner than Elizabeth had applied her foot to the gas pedal did she begin to elucidate on the history of Cumberland. “For all of you who live in the United States” (and she did know that she had a Brit aboard) “this island belongs to you! It is part of the National Parks!” Well, spit couldn’t have dried on her tongue before Jane belted out, “Bloody (expletive deleted)! This belonged to us long before it belonged to you. The Duke of Cumberland was our Duke!” And thus our tour began.

“When we got to the island,” Jane explains, “we were in for an adventure and I appreciated everything that was brought to my attention.

Before we landed, and shortly after, we saw the feral horses. I was surprised by their provenance, there were so many different kinds. I hadn’t known the distinction between wild and feral, that feral horses were once domestic horses that reverted to a wild state. I was surprised that they aren’t treated any differently than any other wild animal on the island.”

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Jane Cooper chasing possum at Dungeness.

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Plum Orchard

seen on Cumberland Island, but the structures, both intact and in ruin, really tell the story of not only the outrageous wealth and privilege that forged Cumberland Island’s history, but also the struggles involved for day to day living on an isolated island, and the battles for preservation.

“I wondered what sort of wilderness the island encompassed, what sort of terrain,” Jane said. “I wanted to see Plum Orchard. I hoped I could meet Carol Ruckdeschel, which I didn’t really expect, but I did get to see her house and it was larger than I anticipated from what I read in the book. It was a long drive to the Alberty house and the First African Baptist Church, which was our first real stop on the tour. I loved the story Elizabeth told about John Kennedy and Carolyn Bessette being two hours late to their wedding because her wedding dress didn’t fit, and then being left there after the wedding and having to ride back to the reception in the back of a pick-up truck! I hadn’t heard that before.” continued ...

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To be able to catch a glimpse into the way of life that existed on Cumberland in the day is the stuff of fairy tales. Plum Orchard has been beautifully restored and Jane commented, “I was particularly fascinated by how well it had been preserved, it looked like they had only moved out two weeks before! I loved the Tiffany. There was a four-seasons Tiffany lamp where the glass shades were changed with the seasons, Tiffany wallpaper, and beautiful furnishings that had been brought from Dungeness. I wanted to know if they mowed the lawn at Plum Orchard or they just let the horses graze the lawn because of all the horse droppings, but they said they mowed.”

“I was hoping to see wild boar, birds, alligators, armadillos, white bobtail deer, and possums. Every year my husband, Arnold, and I go to Wallingford, PA to visit friends and perform in a variety show. At the end of my friend’s street is another street called Possum Hollow Road. I’ve been fascinated with Possum Hollow Road, where the neighbors told me possums live; I’ve wandered down there for years in hopes of seeing a possum, but never have.” Well, Jane pretty well lucked out on this trip because she saw horses, deer, osprey, a wild boar, and two armadillos.

Perhaps one of the highlights of the tour was just before we went back to the Sea Camp Ranger Station, when we stopped at Dungeness and Jane saw her possum. She took off in pursuit, just like a little girl playing cowboys and Indians, galloping her imaginary horse across the vast Dungeness lawn, thrilled that she got close enough to get a really good look at that possum.

At the end of the day, when we boarded the ferry back to St. Marys, Jane was enthralled with the white pelicans on the shore as we were leaving Cumberland.

She was sorry not to have had time to see the beach, and she felt badly about the fate of the horses, but she was full up about her day. The white caps on the water reminded her of the white tailed deer bobbing through the woods. All the history of the island, deep and dark and rich, criss-crossed in her mind with the many connections to her own island, over the same ocean that touches both their shores. Jane and I plan to save our allowances and go back for a stay at the Greyfield Inn. www.StMarysMagazine.com

2018

All Events in St. Marys unless otherwise noted.

Every First Friday, art, entertainment, special dining opportunities in Downtown St. Marys

August 4 ............................. Rock the Books

November 2-4 ..................... Southern Charmer Holiday Open House

August 11 .......................... Rhythm on the River

November 10 ...................... Rustapalooza’s Christmas Market

September 8 ....................... Rhythm on the River

November 17 ...................... Kingsland Catfish Festival

September 14-15 & 21-23 ... An Evening with the Stars at Theatre by the Trax

November 21 ...................... Okefenokee Wildlife Reserve Pioneer Day

October 6 ........................... Rock Shrimp Festival & Parade

November 24 ...................... Santa Express Train Rides

October 13 ......................... Passionate about Pink

November 27 ...................... White Lighting Parade & Ceremony

October 16 ......................... Scarecrow Stroll

December 1 ........................ Christmas in the Park

October 20 & 27 ................ Halloween Express Train Rides

December 1, 8 & 15 ............ Santa Express Train Rides

October 26 ......................... Haunted History Tour

December 14-16 .................. The Littlest Angel at Theatre by the Trax

2019

February 9 & 16 .......................................... Wild West Express Train Rides March 2 ....................................................... Mardis Gras Parade & Festival Every Saturday ............................ St. Marys Community Market at Waterfront & Royal District Market in Kingsland Every Friday & Saturday Evening ... Woodbine Opry

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

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

Train Ride information at www.stmarysrailroad.com

www.StMarysMagazine.com

47

FIVE QUESTIONS YOU MUST ASK Before You Have Dental Implants

“B

™

uyer Beware” is great advice. Before you make any decisions about dental implants, ask these five questions:

Question 1:

What are the qualifications and experience of the doctor?

By law, any licensed dentist, with or without specific training and experience in implant dentistry, can place dental implants and complete the restorative process. You don’t want just any dentist, you want a specialist, someone with exceptional qualifications and experience.

five years of advanced specialty training. He is also licensed in Georgia to practice both medicine and dentistry.

Outstanding Experience. Dr. Capes has placed over 12,000 dental implants with a success rate of over 98%. This documented success rate in his practice exceeds the national average.

Dr. Capes Continues to Learn and Teach. A lifelong student and teacher, Dr. Capes remains on the leading edge of his profession by regularly attending continuing education courses and teaching dentists about implant dentistry.

Question 2:

Extremely Impressive Credentials.

Dr. Capes, founder of Coastal Oral Surgery in St. Simons Island, has earned the unusual distinction of being a medical doctor and a dentist.

In fact, he is a specialist in oral and maxillofacial surgery. He completed 48

Do They Use a Team Approach?

Let’s use an analogy. To build a house, you need carpenters, electricians, and plumbers. Why can’t one person handle all of these tasks?

The answer is that no one person can be exceptional at everything.

Coastal Oral Surgery is not a “one-stop shop.” Dr. Capes has pioneered a new concept called Teeth4Life™ that benefits you, the patient.

Teeth4Life ™ The Teeth4Life™ concept has four components: • Dr. Capes, the uniquely qualified physician and oral and maxillofacial surgeon at Coastal Oral Surgery. He places the dental implants, which are artificial tooth roots that support your new teeth.

• A restorative dentist. Dr. Capes works with many exceptional restorative dentists. These dentists are experts who know exactly how to complete the restorative phase of dental implants. In fact, before you visit the office, Dr. Capes has already communicated with your dentist.

• A specialized dental laboratory.

Just as all dentists are not the same, there is a vast difference in quality among dental laboratories. www.StMarysMagazine.com

Dr. Capes insists on working with the best dental laboratories that produce outstanding results.

• You, the patient. As the patient, you are at the center of the Teeth4Life™ concept. You will be asked to do your part to maintain your dental implants so you can enjoy them for decades and even a lifetime.

Question 3:

Are they promising you teeth in one day or Teeth4Life™?

The Teeth4Life™ concept means just that: Dr. Capes and his team will provide you with high quality dental implants that look and function just like natural teeth. When all the elements of the process are expertly done using a team approach, including dental implant surgery, fabricating your replacement teeth in the laboratory, and restorative placement, dental implants can last a lifetime.

Rome wasn’t built in a day, but the colosseum still stands!

It’s never cheaper to do it twice!

Dr. Capes and his team believe that the best and most cost effective way to replace missing teeth or teeth that cannot be saved is to provide dental implant treatment once and do it right!

Question 4:

Does the practice put you, the patient, first?

Dr. Capes has a patient-centered practice. That’s why you, the patient, are at the very center of Teeth4Life™.

The patient-centered concept includes: • Coastal Oral Surgery is a beautiful state-of-the-art facility designed not only for your comfort, but your safety. Your procedure is performed in a surgical suite specifically designed and dedicated exclusively for surgery. Dr. Capes’ top-of-the-line equipment is designed to provide light sedation for your comfort. When the procedure is www.StMarysMagazine.com

done, patients often wake up and say, “Is that it? Is it over already? That was easy!”

• Don’t ask Dr. Capes about his office team unless you have a lot of time, because he loves to brag about his terrific team. Not only are they all passionate in their various roles, such as surgical assisting or helping patients with insurance, but they are truly caring people who help Dr.

Capes change patients’ lives.

• Unlike some practices, where you spend most of your time talking to staff and the doctor limits his time with you, Dr. Capes is totally accessible. He will personally sit down with you and take the time to answer every question. He will even give you his personal cell phone number and invite you to call him any time. This level of customer service and patient-centered approach is rare in medicine and dentistry today.

• Dr. Capes continually communicates with your restorative dentist and the laboratory. Because

you have a team working very closely together, you receive the best of both worlds—Dr. Capes’ surgical expertise and the tremendous restorative knowledge of your dentist and the dental laboratory technician.

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Coastal Oral Surgery 110 Office Park Lane, Suite 104 St. Simons Island, GA 31522 49

Thomas Jefferson once said that the best time to plant a tree is a long time ago, and the second best time is right now.

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By Barbara Ryan

L

ike a stalwart sentinel, the grove of majestic live oaks that stands at the edge of St. Marys’ Historic District is the picture perfect entry to yesteryear.

The lush canopy festooned with Spanish moss sets the stage for an authentic southern experience but, more than that, serves as an iconic tribute to the grace and grandeur with which St. Marys has sustained her history.

For hundreds of years, the live oaks have stood their ground in Coastal Georgia. The City of St. Marys endeavors to ensure they continue to stand with a Tree Board as their vanguard and organizations like the St. Marys Garden Club contributing to their sustainability.

When the historic Pratt Live Oak on the grounds of the First Presbyterian Church was felled by a storm, members of the St. Marys Garden Club rallied and planted a fairly mature oak in its stead.

The City has catalogued dying oak trees around town with a mission to replenish as warranted. With a goal continued ... www.StMarysMagazine.com

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of 25% greenspace for the entire city, private landowners are encouraged to take stock of their own trees, monitoring their health and replenishing as needed.

The live oak tree, long-coveted by shipbuilders, has played a major role in history, particularly in Naval history. The Navy once had their own live oak forests that they would harvest for shipbuilding.

The wood from the live oak is extraordinarily hard.

When cannonballs bounced off the sides of the USS Constitution, one of the first of the original frigates that made up the U. S. Navy, she earned the nickname “Old Ironsides.”

Her tough oak exterior was built from live oaks that came from Coastal Georgia.

Most people know that the “live oak” name comes from the fact that the tree looks “alive” all year ‘round, even when other trees lose their leaves. Coastal Georgia is a great growing environment for the live oak as their thick, waxy leaves can easily resist the salt air.

It is often said that the live oak grows for 100 years, lives for 100 years, then takes 100 years to die, but many of the oaks in St. Marys are older than 300 years. Some live oaks even live beyond 1,000 years as is the continued ...

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St. Marys is the gateway to Cumberland Island. www.StMarysMagazine.com

case of The Angel Oak on Johns Island, South Carolina, which the Live Oak Society lists as 1400 years old.

The Live Oak Society was founded in 1934. To be a member of the Live Oak Society, a tree must have a girth of at least 8 feet. Trees with girths of 16 feet or more are classified as “centenarians.”

St. Marys has at least six registered centenarians in the downtown area alone.

According to its bylaws, only one human is permitted into membership, and that is the chairman who is responsible for registering and recording its members. St. Marys has 35 live oaks located in the downtown area that are registered in the Live Oak Society registry.

Perhaps the most famous of St. Marys’ live oaks is the Washington Oak which was cut down after dying in 1987. Here’s its story.

George Washington had many friends and fans in Coastal Georgia. Upon his death in 1799, a special ceremony was held in his honor. A draped casket pulled by a riderless horse led a parade from the St. Marys waterfront to the town pump just a few blocks away on Osborne Street.

The symbolic casket was buried on the spot, and six live oaks were planted there to commemorate the occasion. A massive stump is all that remains of the last of the six trees—the Washington Oak—but when it was felled, the Free Masons continued ...

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Camden Lodge #16 planted four more oaks in its place. Sections of the Washington Oak were sent to the Navy Yard in Boston to be used to repair the USS Constitution.

In addition to the magnificent beauty that live oaks add to our world, they also harbor loads of life.

Resurrection Fern loves the rough bark of the live oak and, after a good rain, the fern looks like a verdant beard.

Spanish moss drapes live oaks in dramatic fashion. Large bromeliads love the shade of live oak. The live oak hosts at least three butterfly families, and is shelter to many of God’s little creatures including raccoons and squirrels.

A family of barn owls lives in one of the large live oaks in my own backyard.

And birds too many to name thrive in the branched arms of these grand old trees.

A poet once wrote, “Trees are the earth’s endless effort to speak to the listening heaven.” To believe this is to understand the importance of revering the majesty of our great live oaks and to keep sacred their age-old dignity.

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LIVE OAK SOCIETY St. Marys has 35 trees registered in the Live Oak Society.

You can register your own live oak in honor of someone at the website lgcfinc.org.

As part of their Arbor Day celebration, St. Marys Garden Club dedicated a new “Pratt Oak” on the grounds of the First Presbyterian Church.

St. Marys Live Oak Society Trees in Historic Downtown

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ust one block from the St. Marys waterfront stands a building holding great treasures that tell the story of Cumberland Island—from the Timucua Indian occupation through the steel magnate era and beyond. After some recent damage by a storm, the building was upgraded and a host of new exhibits brought in making a visit into history richer than ever.

There is now a section on the Carnegie continued ...

employees that widens the perspective of life on the island. Different artifacts are now on display with various furniture pieces that tell the story more definitively.

There is a bench from the First African Baptist Church and a lintel from one of the chimneys at the Stafford Plantation. Visitors will also now have a more hands-on experience as they walk through the museum.

And future plans call for more artwork.

As you first enter the museum, the War of 1812 exhibit brings a remarkable battle to life—one of the last battles of that “forgotten war.”

Indeed, the Battle at St. Marys’ Point Peter happened five days after General Andrew Jackson defeated the British in the infamous Battle of New Orleans which is most often cited as the “last battle.” Relics of the battle chronicle the historical event through finds from a 67,000 artifact dig funded by the original developers of Cumberland continued ...

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Harbour—the community that actually sits on the site of the battle.

Adjoining rooms depict the grandiose life of the Carnegies and give visitors an inside peek into that netherworld of the rich. Four carriages from bygone eras are displayed regally including the Carnegies’ top-of-the-line Brewster Victoria. The carriages and other relics are like appetizers for the island, inspiring visitors to make their way via ferry to the island itself.

As the Cumberland Island National Seashore Museum continues to upgrade and expand exhibits, more and more people will have the opportunity to enjoy the island’s treasures and the stories they tell.

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Brandon Herron shoots “Bad Day Café” at Steffens using local extras.

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S

outh Georgia resident Brandon Herron recently had the opportunity to do something very few of us will ever accomplish. He was in a movie scene with John Travolta.

Herron talked about how Travolta made everyone feel comfortable and was “super nice.” During the filming of “The Poison Rose” (which also features Morgan Freeman), Herron got a chance to play a casino craps dealer. He said that the Coastal Georgia location (Savannah) was representing Texas circa 1978.

Camden County holds a special place in Herron’s heart—both as an actor and as a filmmaker. He has filmed several movies in the area, most recently a production called “Bad Day Café,” filmed in large part at Steffen’s in Kingsland. “Bad Day Café” is about a continued ...

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young waitress who has her day turned upside down when a paranoid restaurant patron reveals that he’s hiding from a group of alleged criminals after witnessing a suspicious scene on his morning walk.

As a cinematographer, Brandon is averaging about one film a year in and around St. Marys. Herron said that the production value of his films is always maximized when he films locally because of the cooperation of local businesses and smooth facilitation made possible by the Coastal Georgia Film Alliance (headquartered in St. Marys).

He is also doing cinematography for independent films in Savannah and has recently auditioned for a role in “The Emperor,” a collaboration between Disney and Shanghai Media.

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or call 912-729-1103.

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Tandem Media’s “End of the Road” in downtown St. Marys and film production, Georgia attracted the filming of 39 movies and TV show in the month of June 2018 alone.

The entertainment industry as a whole – which includes commercial and music video productions –had an economic impact of $9.5 billion on the state in 2017, and activity is increasing with more and more interest from major movie makers.

Coastal Georgia is racking up its inventory of film locations used for some of the industry’s leading blockbusters and anticipated blockbusters.

When people ride the St. Marys Express train in St. Marys, they are treated to a special spiel by narrator Doug Vaught who also happens to be the Camden County film commissioner.

Vaught tells riders they are now “riding through a movie set” as they cross the trestle at Dark Entry Creek just three miles from St. Marys’ waterfront. Tim Burton’s upcoming movie, “Dumbo,” a remake of the classic, brought a production crew from Disney to St. continued ...

“The Coffeyville Raid” during an actual train excursion on the St. Marys Express.

www.StMarysMagazine.com

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Marys making it the only U.S. film location. The rest of the film was made in England.

Local movie goers who are enjoying the newly released “The Leisure Seeker” starring Dame Helen Mirren and Donald Southerland recognize the beautiful marshscapes of Camden County, a location chosen for this Sony Pictures Classic tear jerker.

Recently, a location scout for Sony came to town to scout out locations for an upcoming Showtime television series. The scout remembered St. Marys from his participation in the filming of “Royal Pains” a few years back.

He was confident that the small town feel of St. Marys would be appealing to Sony’s production team.

Tandem Media, a Florida production company that has made several films in Camden County, used several downtown St. Marys locations recently to film a teaser for its full length “End of the Road” movie. This gripping film is about redemption and recovery and how both can change a person’s life.

Up and coming filmmaker Steve Royer has produced the short film “The Coffeyville Raid” that will be entered into film festivals. It was shot continued ...

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in its entirety in St. Marys, making St. Marys Railroad and the St. Marys Express its core backdrop.

Every year, the Coastal Georgia Film Alliance hosts a mini filmfest at Theatre by the Trax in St. Marys. The filmfest showcases films made by local, regional and national filmmakers using Coastal Georgia locations and/or actors. This year’s CGFA FilmFest will be in October and will feature some of the films mentioned in this article—films that contribute to the healthy economic report generated by filmmaking in Georgia.

When FilmL.A’s annual Feature Film report proclaimed Georgia as the “top location for feature film production and the number one filming location in the world,” Coastal Georgia was put into the limelight along with the rest of Georgia, turning heads, and drawing intense interest from filmmakers here and abroad. And when filmmakers come to town, a lot of people and businesses profit--from actors to caterers to hotels and much more.

Lights. Camera. Action. The Coastal Georgia community says, BRING IT!

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Around Town

The St. Marys Pirates Club took two awards for their float in this year’s Isle of Eight Shrimp Festival parade including the “Best Use of Special Effects” First Place award and Second Place overall for Nonprofits.

Cmdr. Mike Paisant, (left), assumes command of the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS Maryland (SSBN 738) (gold) from Cmdr. Chris Horgan (right).

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Joseph and Logan Stover garnered awards recently at the Historic St. Marys Fishing Classic, winning first place in Trout, first place in Drum, and second place in Redfish.

Volunteers for the 2018 Alzheimer’s Walk gathered at Pirate’s Point for the kickoff event.

The St. Marys Garden Club honored Jeff Berg with the March 2018 Beautification Award for his work maintaining the Howard Gilman Memorial Park. Berg has maintained the park since 2008.

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By Barbara Ryan

T

he Historic Oak Grove Cemetery is one of St. Marys’ most revered treasures. I often stroll beneath the majestic moss-laden oaks, cloaked by a gentle blanket of inexorable serenity. I pass by graves of Revolutionary War and Civil War soldiers, the tragic Acadians, and centuries-old tombstones engraved with ancestral names that are duplicated on our street signs and historic home plaques. Lingering to read the epitaphs of those who have gone before us, I ponder their births, their deaths, their lives represented by the tiny dash mark between the two dates. I think of Linda Ellis’ famous poem, remembering her poignant words: “…For that dash represents all the time That she spent alive on earth And now only those who loved her Know what that little line is worth.”

I consider my own life—my dash—and wonder, “will

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it represent the life I endeavor to live?” Will strangers stop by my gravesite, amused by my own planned engraving—“Thanks for visiting. Come back soon” and contemplate the kind of life my dash might portray? Will family and friends smile when they see my written voice, remembering the moments of my dash as enrichments of their own lives?

Within the hallowed walls of Oak Grove Cemetery, voices from beyond—some whispering, some shouting—cast their message to the living through their epitaphs.

Herbert Francis Rudulph’s tombstone states simply, “Til we meet again.” Catherine Robinson Rudulph is commemorated as “Our beloved mother who gave of herself.” Joseph Daniel Proctor was evidently a “Perfect husband, father and gentleman. A kind and faithful public servant.” And, one might surmise, a man of quiet nature by the engraving, “The greatest forces in nature are quiet ones.” www.StMarysMagazine.com

On a small weathered tombstone graced by a Confederate flag, reads the epitaph, “Organized first military company in Camden County in 1860 in defense of the South”—no readable name.

Often markers reflect the occupation of one’s time on Earth like Major Archibald Clark’s tombstone that reads, “Collector of customs,” then goes on to name the presidents under which he served. Clark died in 1848.

Some epitaphs tell of the deceased’s passion like the one that reads “Gardening in Heaven.” And then there’s Robert E. Redden’s “Loved the outdoors.”

Evidently, Redden’s wife, Lucy, truly loved him. “Gone to be with her true love,” is engraved on her commemorative stone.

Often epitaphs reach out beyond the grave to offer philosophies such as the one that reads, “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches.” Some offer counsel as is the case for Mr. and Mrs. Davis’s dual www.StMarysMagazine.com

markers that advise, “Be ye kind one to another.”

Virginia Colson, 1900-1984, “Beloved Teacher” shares this: “Give to the world the best that you have and the best will come back to you.”

Alma Joyner Edenfield “Tried to be the best wife and mother I could with God’s help.” While another Edenfield, Gwendolyn, rests under the notice, “Just a damn Edenfield like her father.”

Annie Hardy’s message is that “She hath done what she could.” But Richard A. Hall’s family saw fit to write a short story on his obelisk including the words, “He attended the neglected and remembered the forgotten and seemed to live more for others than himself.” Practically a novel, the words in remembrance of Mary Alberti who died in 1839 describe her last trip and her dying days… “(she was) urgently solicited to comfort by her presence a sick dying friend…hastening to reply on her way to New Jersey she was arrested by disease…(and) without a continued ...

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groan or a sigh, she peacefully resigned her spirit to Him who gave it.”

Perhaps none so poignant is the epitaph that pays tribute to the three very young Bachlott children…”Budded on Earth to bloom in Heaven.”

On Jeff Morgan Smith’s tombstone, an engraving of a truck with the name “Lightnen” on it evokes a smile, and the words, “He always will be a simple kind loving man” tells his story. One must smile, as well, at the words, “Kissin Bandit” inscribed on J. Halter’s grave just a few feet in front of the Resurrection Angel.

There are many epitaphs in Oak Grove Cemetery that are unreadable by this writer. Not because their stones are worn with time, but because their flowery language is rendered in French, denoting the heritage of the yellow fever-stricken Acadians. Even so, one knows that the spirit of their words will linger long after granite and marble have crumbled. “You may break, you may shatter the vase if you will, but the scent of the roses will hang around it still” reads one ancient tombstone.

And like the scent of roses, the words are destined to “hang around” long into future, saluting the lives of those who lie within the hallowed walls of Oak Grove Cemetery.

So, how will your epitaph read? Will it portray your sense of the whimsy as Mel Blanc’s “That’s all folks!” continued ...

Did you know?

CUMBERLAND ISLAND was named in the top 5 list of UNSPOILT BEACHES in the U.S. BY “Waterlogic.”

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does? Will it be a tribute to your tenacity and bravado as is Betty Davis’ “She did it the hard way”? Or will it be a simple reflection of your take on death as is Emily Dickinson’s “Called Back”?

My parents’ epitaphs tell the story of how they lived and—more important—what their relationship to each other was about. My father’s reads: “He did it his way.”

My mother’s: “She did it his way, too.”

Someone once said, “God pours life into death and death into life without a drop being spilled.” Will your life and death be so seamless?

Will your “dash” represent a life fulfilled? Or, will you have died—as many do—with your music still inside?

“So when your eulogy is being read With your life’s actions to rehash Would you be proud of the things they say About how you spent your dash?”

Your segue from life to death, like the souls whose echoes shroud the sacred grounds of Oak Grove Cemetery, can be embroidered into eternity by the words that underscore your birth date, your dash, and your death date. Your epitaph is your voice from beyond. Think on it.

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“T

he smell of the greasepaint; the roar of the crowd”—this is the rush that actors get onstage.

There’s not a term to define the “rush” of the audience, but the smiles and tears and cheers during a standing ovation says it all.

As St. Marys Little Theatre (SMLT) enters its eighth season, the volunteers that make up the theatre troupe look back at seven seasons of thrilling audiences with a sense of awe.

“People enter the theatre as spectators and leave as family,” said L. J. Williams, SMLT Vice Chair.

The SMLT “family” has grown into the thousands over the years. And no matter what kind of theatre one enjoys the most—drama, musical, comedy—the performances at Theatre by the Trax (SMLT’s home) have been met with thunderous applause.

One wonders what pleasure is derived from watching live performances. During a recent exit survey, SMLT audiences shared their experiences.

One of the things that came up again and again continued ...

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was that they had moments in the theatre when it felt as if what was taking place on stage was happening just for them, as if it had been written and staged with them in mind. If one measures the impact of a performance by the volume of tears in an audience, then SMLT’s recent production of “Steel Magnolias” tops the chart. The interesting thing about that is it was always the men who shed the first tears. Clearly, live theatre has a way of connecting the head to the heart.

Someone remarked that it felt like someone had glimpsed inside their head and heart. Kudos to SMLT’s actors for bringing a story to life in such a colorful and memorable way it makes an impact on someone’s actual thinking.

One patron said that a performance had recaptured the feeling he had as a child when grownups who you didn’t know well would really PLAY with you.

“I reckon it’s like dreaming with your eyes open,” one audience member said.

Undoubtedly, theatre is one of the higher cultural activities that mark us as imaginative, creative and truly human beings. Attending a performance of your favorite play can promote a connection with and understanding of humanity in a bigger sense.

Watching a play also allows an audience to access emotions they often don’t. Whether you see a tragedy or a musical, there’s likely an element of the storyline that extends beyond your personal life experiences.

Emotional benefits of live theatre include an

increased ability to comprehend and empathize with other people’s feelings and reactions.

A 7th Season Recap

SMLT’S 7th season got off to a late start due to Hurricane Irma causing a postponement of the season opener, “The Secret Garden.” But when the musical drama was finally staged in January, the actors had honed their craft to perfection. The music began. The magic began. The voices swept the full house with a stirring exultation. Performers surprised themselves as they maximized their talents and gave audience after audience a reason to fall in love with theatre all over again.

In February, SMLT continued its tradition of commemorating Black History Month with the original musical by Gaila Brandon—“The Chimney.” You had to be there to experience what happens when you combine time travel with celebrities with a strong tug on your heart strings. During the grand finale, “Everybody talkin’ ‘bout Heaven ain’t going there,” the stage and audience became one in a crescendo that echoed long after the last person exited the theatre.

SMLT’s 7th Season closer was its first non-musical. A safe bet was to produce a play that people were already familiar with. “Steel Magnolias” was perfect, adding that extra element of being southern. Six amazing ladies wooed an audience of 160 each night, first dazzling them with down-home sassy humor, then beguiling them with a story continued ...

If you would like to get involved with St. Marys Little Theatre as an actor, tech person, volunteer, or make a donation, please visit StMarysLittleTheatre.com and contact us or call 912-729-1103.

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that struck home to many—anyone who has ever had a sister, daughter, or mother. The success of “Steel Magnolias” promises more non-musical productions for St. Marys Little Theatre.

An 8th Season Preview

SMLT’s 8th season promises even bigger shows. The season opener (in September) will be “An Evening with the Stars.” Think of it as where Ed Sullivan meets American Idol. (For you young ones, search YouTube for Ed Sullivan shows, and you’ll see his show hosted all the great stars at one time or another—even the Beatles.)

“An Evening with the Stars” will feature a parade of the entertainment industry’s most beloved performers presented by look-alike/sound-alike actors. From Elvis to Cher to Willie Nelson, this fast-paced production will have something for everyone.

This year’s Christmas Special will be “The Littlest Angel,” a musical about a mischievous little angel who tries so hard to be good.

February will bring another original musical in honor of Black History Month. Then the season closer will be a big Broadway production, as is tradition.

The SMLT mission is “Enhancing Lives through Performance Arts.” As each season brings more variety, more talent, and more magic to the stage at Theatre by the Trax, the St. Marys Little Theatre board of directors, actors, crew and other volunteers invite everyone to be a part of the adventure, the exploration, and the discovery. After all it is COMMUNITY theatre. YOUR community theatre.

Get involved!

Editor’s note: If you would like to get involved in St. Marys Little Theatre on any level, email Barbara@StMarysMagazine.com.

www.StMarysMagazine.com

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THE SECRET GARDEN THE SOUTHERN CHARMER WADE & LISA MOORE CAROL MOORE DAVE & BETTY REILLY ARLENE NORRIS REGINA ADKINS JOHN & ROZ TOSHACH BARRY & BETTY KING KATHLEEN REIHING HERB & KATHIE ROWLAND P. J. JORDAN GERI SHAW NATALYAH WILLIAMS CHARLIE & TRICIA SMITH BRANDON OWENS CRAIG & MAUREEN MILLER LINDA LOVE BILL & LINDA VECERRA AMANDA WETHERHOLD

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THE CHIMNEY ARLENE NORRIS REGINA BLACK CAROL MOORE DAVE REILLY DORIS MAYE DOUG VAUGHT ELAINE POWIERSKI GAIL FRANKLIN LENA BRATHWAITE BELL LINDA LOVE P. J. JORDAN AL BEACH GENEVIEVE HALLER GENE & NATALIE MORRIS BILL & LINDA VECERRA

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STEEL MAGNOLIAS HERB & KATHIE ROWLAND DAVE & BETTY REILLY STEVE ROYER NATALIE COVERT P. J. JORDAN ARLENE NORRIS JOHN & ROZ TOSHACH CRAIG & MAUREEN MILLER REGINA ADKINS CHUCK LANHAM CAROL MOORE

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By Tom Raymond

can think of no other edifice constructed by man as altruistic as a lighthouse. They were built only to serve,” once offered the Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950).

Who could argue? Other structures are repurposed: pre-war trolleys become post-war diners, old barns become barnwood for fixer-uppers and Victorian homes convert to eateries. But the lighthouse—the concrete cone, the rounded or squared brick cylinder, the light perched atop a tall building—is useful almost exclusively to direct safe passage over the waters.

Shaw was musing on his homeland’s rocky coastline with its record of ships dashed to splinters and souls lost before the advent of modern lights. On this side of the pond, Amelia Island offers miles of gentle beaches, yet similar dangers lurk beneath the waves, hidden bars to ground the careless keel, reefs to slice an unwary hull. www.StMarysMagazine.com

As the far reaches of the Labrador Current, running southward here several miles offshore, rub against the warmer northbound Gulf Stream farther out, the bottom alluvium is churned up and pushed around, driven to extremes by nor’easters from New England and Caribbean hurricanes. Thus, the need for a light near the entrance to Cumberland Sound for safe transit into the channel, into the deepest natural harbor below the Chesapeake, with its history of ships and shipping, lawful and otherwise. In the Age of Discovery and Settlement, the world demanded products out of the southern pines for masts, lumber, naval stores. During the colonial period, trade with the Bahamas for cane sugar and rum lent the name Nassau to the lower sound and river, and later the county (Amelia would be named for the daughter of England’s King George II.) Yankee clippers and paddle-wheelers soon plowed the waves here. Then Union gunboats and Rebel blockade runners, shrimpers continued ...

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and rum runners, freighters and pleasure craft, and submersibles, for security on quite another level.

The trails beneath the canopy, the photogenic marshes lining Amelia River, and the sunbaked sand are the popular draws on the Isle of Eight Flags. Others include Fort Clinch and the Historic District, the Florida House Inn, the old Courthouse and old Post Office, and the homes of the Gilded Age. Yet poised above it all on a bluff overlooking Egan’s Creek stands the Amelia Island Lighthouse, sentinel to all the ships at sea, and an icon found on T-shirts and commercial logos, and on the official seal of the City of Fernandina Beach.

Across North America a number of ocean and lakeside beacons are mounted, not on walled lighthouses, but on open-lattice or similar industrial style structures, and then there’s the occasional lightship firmly anchored offshore.

But it’s the lighthouse with a certain romance— columnated photons projected in the visible portion of the electro-magnetic spectrum, peaking at the eye’s most sensitive in the yellow-green at 550-590nm, a dual wave-particle beam focused and screaming silently over the water at 186,000 miles per second—it’s the lighthouse with all the charm, magnetism, and quantum physics that attracts the seekers of passport stamps and selfies.

Some, anyway.

The Amelia Island Light is the first encountered when sailing down the Georgia Bight into Florida waters, past the string of the Sea Islands and those on St. Simons and

Little Cumberland islands. For daytime identification in the days before GPS, for a better sense where a sailor might be along a coastline if blown off course, each lighthouse appears physically unique, unpainted or painted (whitewashed in Amelia’s case), banded or striped, horizontally, diagonally, even a broad red Christian cross in New Brunswick. Each also flashes its own pattern; Amelia’s viewed every 10 seconds, a white flash of 330 degrees and a pulse of red in a 30-degree arc to the southeast, noted on nautical charts, toward shoals off Amelia Island at the mouth of Nassau Sound.

The Amelia Island Lighthouse is the Atlantic’s westernmost (both hemispheres) at 81.44o West longitude, nudging out St. Simons’ light at 81.39o. It’s the oldest in Florida, erected here in 1839 two miles from the channel on solid ground, higher and farther inland than Florida’s other lights. Today some are close to the water’s edge on tentative footing, subject to erosion and subsidence. Indeed, of sixteen built in the Florida Territory period, most were washed to sea, with Fernandina’s the lone survivor.

The backstory of the Amelia Light begins in 1802 when the sub-tropical isle was still in Spanish hands. The Georgia General Assembly wanted safe access to its waters along the international boundary and authorized six square miles at the tip of Cumberland Island for a lighthouse. Construction began in 1820, with the light operational by 1823. Its illumination source was a set of lamps with 15-inch focusing reflectors, patented by the renowned American lighthouse pioneer, Winslow Lewis.

The system used whale oil common for the era. A reliable light required the lamps be lit each dusk and snuffed at dawn to preserve the fuel, which was lugged up the many steps, so the light keeper had to be in fine physical shape. A mechanical system with cable, pulley, and weight created the sweep and had to be reset regularly. The first keeper was Robert Church, great-grandfather of local residents today.

Church served until 1828 when the job was turned over to Amos Latham, Revolutionary War veteran.

Latham (1761-1842) managed the light for 14 years until his death. In 1828, a hurricane closed off the southern continued ...

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channel on the Florida side, filling it with sand and preventing deep draft ships from passing over the bar there, while the northern channel was still navigable. Lacking range lights for safe passage, bar pilots and ship captains convinced the U.S. Lighthouse Service to build a pair on Amelia Island to keep traffic flowing along the north channel, a solution good for a decade. With the port of Fernandina growing, the need to relocate the lighthouse to the Florida side became clear. The Cumberland Island Light was taken down brick by brick in 1838, moved across the channel to Amelia and reconstructed, the blocks restacked and the lanterns relit by 1839.

The land for the Amelia Island Lighthouse, located today in a shady grove of live oak and pine, was acquired from Mary Fernandez, a Spanish land grantee from the early 1800s. The rebuilt lighthouse features walls four feet thick at its base which taper to two feet at the top, the state’s only dual-wall constructed lighthouse remaining from the territorial past. Inside, the state’s only granite spiral stairway, 59 hand-cut stone steps, leads to two flights of cast-iron stairs, then up into the light room itself. A metal cupola provides the roof. An outside catwalk circles beneath the lantern room with a grand view to the east and the Atlantic horizon, then south to the Talbot islands, around to western Nassau County, and north to upper Cumberland and Jekyll islands.

In 1839, and through mid-century, whale oil still fueled the lamps. Fort Clinch was laid out nearby in 1847 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. A Capt. Richardson, New England mariner, was lightkeeper from 1842-49, and six more served in the 1850s, the last, George Latham, son of Amos, beginning two years before the onset of the Civil War. Throughout the four-year confilct, the light was dark. In 1881 the lamps converted to kerosene and the lantern/rotation rooms were enlarged, boosting the tower height eight feet. A brick house was built at the foot of the lighthouse for safe storage of the highly volatile liquid. Several lightkeeper’s homes were built over the years. continued ... www.StMarysMagazine.com

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Okefenokee Festival 2018 Saturday, October 13 Downtown Folkston, Georgia (22 miles west of I-95 on Hwy 40

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

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

Robert West

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

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

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

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Focusing a brilliant beam many miles out to sea requires special lensing. The Amelia Light uses, in techno-speak, a rare third-order Fresnel lens installed in 1903. This design was developed in 1821 by French physicist Augustin-Jean Fresnel, specifically for lighthouses. A Fresnel is a compact glass lens of lead crystal that provides a larger aperture/ shorter focal length than a conventional lens of the same optics, but without the greater bulk. While a third-order measures just over five feet in height with a focal length of 500 mm, the first-order Fresnel of 1821 was massive at over eight feet with almost double the focal length. Amelia’s lens system is actually a circular array of twelve panels of 26 prisms each, stacked vertically. A red pane was added in 1917. From its base at 43 feet above sea level, the Amelia Island Lighthouse with its topside lamp and lens system creates a focal plane of 107 feet to the sea surface (high tide), yielding a dazzling wink visible from more than 15 miles out to sea, ship to shore. The Amelia light was electrified in 1933 and today the beam operates from a 1,000-watt electric lamp, with a spare on standby, automatically engaging if the primary fails.

The authority of U.S. lighthouse operation began in 1789 when Congress tasked the Treasury Department with the responsibility for aids to navigation in our newly sovereign American waters. By 1820, the Auditor of the Treasury became the General Superintendent of Lighthouses, and in 1852 Congress created a nine-member Lighthouse Board. By 1910, the Bureau of Lighthouses was established within the Commerce Department, and in 1938 the U.S. Coast Guard assumed authority. Including those noted, twenty-two lightkeepers filled the roles from 1823 to 1970, when the light was automated. The USCG turned over title of the facility to the City of Fernandina Beach in 2001, yet the light has been managed since by the Coast Guard.

Ah, the lighthouse, quite the workhorse, yet it piques the senses with a certain aura, sweeping and majestic, some say angelic, guardian angel to the lost mariner. The old adage from the continued ...

World Wars, “There are no atheists in foxholes” is echoed by the sailor in the gale; ask any who’s been there. Yet not only in times of need, the sea trades have a long tradition of faith in the Deity, particularly in Holy Scripture with ample reference to the face of the deep, the enveloping hand, the guiding Light. Beyond Hallmark cards and velvet paintings, the coastal light, to plagiarize Shaw, is one of mankind’s noble feats of engineering, then as now.

In the 5th century BC, the harbor leading to Athens featured a small stone column with a pyre signaling galleys home from the trade routes, the sea battles. And in the 3rd century BC, the Lighthouse of Alexandria and the Colossus of Rhodes were lit by even more massive piles of kindling. Then the calendar flipped from BC to AD, and gave us the scrolls, the texts for life’s stormy seas, calls for help, of sorrow, thanksgiving, adoration.

Today, for your inspection and reflection, the Amelia Island Lighthouse, its upper portion, is seen from good vantage points along Egan’s Creek, to be photographed, captured on canvas, sketched with pad and pencil, or admired for its own sake. But it’s best experienced face to face. Usually behind a locked gate, it’s accessible Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., on O’Hagan Lane off North Wolff Street.

Tours are also available, first and third Wednesdays at 10 a.m., leaving the Atlantic Avenue Recreation Center.

At the lighthouse a historical marker, dedicated by the Daughters of the American Revolution in 2004, notes Amos Latham’s service in our War for Independence. His gravesite is nearby on North 14th Street at Bosque Bello Cemetery. One, an icon, the other a hero, from Amelia’s and America’s past.

For more information, contact the Parks and Recreation Department, City of Fernandina Beach, 2500 Atlantic Avenue, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034; (904) 310-3350. Your Lighthouse Society Passport may also be stamped at the Amelia Island Museum of History, Third and Cedar, Fernandina Beach.

www.StMarysMagazine.com

The Bishop’s Pawn

By Steve Berry F

ormer Camden County resident Steve Berry has written another thriller—his 13th in the Cotton Malone Series—and fans will appreciate Berry’s continued attention to detail, a product of intense research on his part.

The book reveals secrets not previously examined by a novelist regarding the Steve Berry assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. According to history, there was an ugly feud between J. Edgar Hoover and Martin Luther King, Jr., marked by years of illegal surveillance and the accumulation of secret files, ending on April 4, 1968, when King was assassinated by James Earl Ray. That’s history’s official account. Berry, through his beloved and long living Cotton Malone—a former Justice Department agent, takes a different slant of what really happened on that fateful day in Memphis.

Set at the dawn of the new millennium, Malone is dispatched by handler Stephanie Nelle to salvage an extremely rare coin from an underwater wreck off the coast of south Florida. In addition to the coin, however, he turns up a file containing explosive information about COINTELPRO, a counter-intelligence program run by J. Edgar Hoover and the FBI, and its involvement in the assassination of Dr. King.

From the raucous bars of Mexico to the clear waters of the Dry Tortugas, and ultimately into the halls of power within Washington, DC, Malone pursues the truth.

Weaving factual details of Dr. King’s assassination into the story, Berry deftly presents a compelling case for the plausibility of a different scenario than history painted about the assassination.

Berry notes at the end of the book that “The Bishop’s Pawn” represents his first attempt at a full length first-person narrative, presenting him with an opportunity to focus exclusively on Cotton Malone’s point of view while exploring the character’s roots as a naval lieutenant and JAG lawyer setting forth on a new career as a Justice Department operative.

Do we really know what happened on April 4, 1968, when Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee? Did James Earl Ray act on his own, or was there an ongoing government conspiracy to bring down the civil rights movement and murder its charismatic leader?

Steve Berry’s “The Bishop’s Pawn” has raised some eyebrows and cast some doubt. The recently released book is gripping, provocative, and a decidedly entertaining read for thriller fans.

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“W

ho would have thought that a little ol’ painter from St. Marys, Georgia would be asked to go to Cuba?” That’s the question that Cottle & Gunn proprietor Deborah Cottle was asking herself as she hung up the phone after a call from Guantanamo Bay. It seemed the MWR manager at the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base had just made a request that Cottle visit the island for the purpose of conducting classes for service people and their families. The manager had relocated from Kings Bay MWR but had kept up with Cottle’s activities through social media and felt that what she offered would bring value to Guantanamo Bay MWR’s existing programs.

Cottle went through the red tape that only a government knows how to serve up to become an official contractor, then made a whirlwind trip that she said brought her “face to face with history.”

“We saw the watch towers and the boats that had come ashore with refugees,” Cottle said. “We picked up seaglass remnants from a bulldozed glass factory.”

Cottle and her teammate, Scott Johnson (who is a partner in her Corner Market Antiques store in Blackshear) landed on the rocky, arid island with vintage luggage and a heart’s desire to leave their artistic mark. They got there at 3 pm, and by 6 pm were teaching their first class. They did six classes in three days, engaging military families through the creation of farmhouse signs and clocks and military-inspired pillows.

During their action-packed visit, Cottle and Johnson saw lots of iguanas, cactus and hunted 15-pound banana rats. One of their prize souvenirs was a t-shirt that said “the only Irish pub on Communist soil.”

Cottle was impressed by the traditions of the Naval Base where mornings began with the national anthem

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and evenings closed with the presenting of the colors.

Her time in Cuba, she said, went by way too fast and all the while they were treated like royalty. She hopes to return some day, and MWR personnel have promised her a private tour next time.

Whether she is conducting a workshop in Cuba or in her shop in Downtown St. Marys, Cottle’s one goal is to enable people to “create things you wish existed.”

“When you put a paintbrush in someone’s hand, then witness their ‘aha moments’ and their pride at what they have created, that is what puts a smile on my face,” she said.

Cottle & Gunn has been open in St. Marys for four years and continues to build an impressive collection of merchandise and class offerings. As her alter ego (Thelma as in “Thelma and Louise”), Cottle can be found “gone pickin’” most every week. Her new design center is giving clients an ever-expanding offering of project components for creating clocks and signs, doing fabric dying, furniture painting and floral arranging and other forms of free-hand expressions.

Cottle & Gunn caters to individuals and groups and has played a role in many successful corporate retreats.

Cottle & Gunn’s retail store showcases beautiful crafts handpicked for their uniqueness. Local artisans and makers display their wares throughout the shop.

From handmade soaps and candles to vintage hip jewelry and purses and fresh picked salvage and flea market finds, Cottle & Gunn is filled with a whole bunch of really cool stuff and new finds come in daily.

“Everybody has an inner artist,” Cottle said. “Our job is to bring it out.”

Clearly, it’s much more than a job for Deborah Cottle.

It’s a “passion.” www.StMarysMagazine.com

By Gordon Jackson

S

www.StMarysMagazine.com

cenic streets shaded by a canopy of live oaks, tall pines, magnolias and other trees, combined with light traffic, make downtown St. Marys inviting to pedestrians and cyclists. It gets more challenging once they get to the midtown area and beyond because of busy roads and higher speed limits. In a few years, however, the city’s downtown historic district will be linked to a trail system that will extend to the county seat in Woodbine, with spurs running to multiple locations including Crooked River State Park and Kingsland.

“The goal is to establish 10-foot wide paved multi-use paths enabling users to safely travel thoughout the county with minimal contact with traffic on local roadways,” said Terry Landreth, owner of Camden Bicycle Center in St. Marys.

As Camden County’s representative on the East Coast Greenway Trail Council, Landreth is one of the driving forces behind the initiative to build safe paths for cyclists and pedestrians locally.

Portions of the multi-use paths will also be open for golf carts, enabling people to safely shop and visit friends without having to worry about sharing the road with cars and trucks.

“We’ve already got pieces in place right now,” Landreth said. “They’re great assets for communities.”

The long term goal is for the paved paths to link with the East Coast Greenway which, when completed, will be the nation’s longest trail. It will continued ...

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stretch 3,000 miles along the East Coast from Calais, Maine to Key West, Florida.

Landreth said the best example of what the trail can be is the portion already built in Woodbine that begins at the Satilla River Park.

A boardwalk that starts at the park runs more than a quarter mile along the river, connecting to a paved trail that runs three miles. Much of the trail has no cross roads, giving users a comfortable stretch to walk, jog and cycle.

The Woodbine path has comfort stations, an off-road bike park, markers that identify different trees and shrubs, as well as multiple workout stations where users can do pull-ups, knee bends and other exercises.

“Woodbine is the gold standard,” Landreth said.

An ongoing widening project on Laurel Island Parkway in Kingsland and St. Marys will include a 10-foot paved path running parallel to the highway.

Plans are for the path to link one that will be built from Crooked River State Park to downtown St. Marys called the Tabby Trail.

Other spurs will connect the Osprey Cove residential community to downtown and along the St. Marys River to Browntown. Another spur will run to Epic Adventures, a sports complex under construction in Kingsland. Once the trails are linked, they will be part of what will be called the Three Rivers Trail — named after the St. Marys, Crooked and Satilla rivers.

The most challenging part of completing Camden County’s portion of the trail, which will stretch 155 miles in Georgia, will be crossing the Satilla River to connect with the Woodbine Trail. About three miles of trail has already been built in White Oak and plans are to extend that trail to the river, where a bridge of some sort will have to be built to span the fast-moving waterway.

Crossing the St. Marys River will be less problematic.

Plans are to re-establish a water taxi service that will shuttle people, including cyclists between St. Marys and Fernandina Beach.

Georgia lags behind 15 states for the completion of its portion of the East Coast Greenway, but the good news is Camden County currently has more of its share of the trail built than any county along Coastal Georgia where the path will run.

Landreth said support for completing the trail system is generating more support, including from elected officials. Voters will consider a ballot in November called the Georgia Outdoor Sportsman Act that could provide a major boost in completing the trails. A portion of the sales tax from many sporting related items ranging from bicycles and kayaks to hiking shoes and fishing rods will be dedicated to outdoor sporting activities including trails if the ballot is approved.

“This has strong support by elected officials,” Landreth said. “It’s just a matter of getting the word out.” www.StMarysMagazine.com

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If you would like to take a tour of one of our Senior Care Centers, please call 855-ASK-SGHS (855-275-7447).

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H

ow does a well-known and loved resident of a small and charming coastal town (St. Marys, Georgia) end up walking the Red Carpet at the 2018 BET (Black Entertainment Television) Awards ceremony? The journey began some time ago when Loretta Perry was born in Demopolis, Alabama. Her mother named her after Loretta Lynn and decreed that the baby girl would have the voice of an angel. As it was declared, so it was realized—and thus began a lifetime of thrilling audiences with her unique musical interpretations and astonishing voice.

During her time as a scholarship student at Stillman Presbyterian College in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Loretta performed (solo and with her sisters) at countless venues throughout the United States and was known for, in the words of Choir Director Professor James Arthur Williams, “her extraordinary perfect pitch.”

Today, Loretta Perry Hutchinson is the mother of three wonderful children: Yasmeen (a Dallas, Texas, business owner), Loriesa (a Killeen, Texas, recording engineer), and Kevin (an athlete and scholarship student at Lafayette College). Loretta is also an inspiration to her community; working to educate and nurture youngsters through the comprehensive services of The True Freedom Daycare and Learning Center.

Somehow, in the course of days that regularly begin before 6 am and end late at night, she found time to record two popular CDs: “The Reason for the Season” and “Songs of Color.”

So that’s the nutshell back-story. But how on earth did she end up on the BET Red Carpet?

In Loretta’s words, “I went to Century Studios, LLC 94

in Jacksonville, Florida, to record a song; soon to be released and entitled ‘It Was a Miracle.’ During the session, I began singing another song that was writing itself inside me as I sat there. At that moment, God decided to change my life again and I left the studio with ‘a song that will be a huge overnight hit’ according to Aaron Bing (who has been on the BET, NAACP, American Grammy and Latin Grammy Awards Red Carpet several times). Aaron has been in the music industry and an affiliate of Universal Records for years now. I thought he was kidding - until he called Universal and the next thing I know I’m on the BET Red Carpet with a single entitled, ‘Hit the Door’!”

Since then, Loretta has been invited to walk that long and glittering scarlet carpet at the NAACP Image Awards and the Grammys. Suddenly, her life is a whirlwind of possibility, dreams realized, and glamour. But, as always, she is guided and balanced by her passionate faith and gratitude, saying “I plan to walk through the door that God has opened for me. He gave me this gift not man.

I don’t know where it will lead but I’m going to give it my humble best.”

Century Records is so convinced of Loretta’s talent that they are going all out and all in with planned television interviews (CBS, NBC, Fox, entertainment programs) and more. The first single “Hit the Door” is available now on iTunes and GooglePlay.

So if you’ve watching television and see a familiar smiling face, it might just be St. Marys’ own Loretta Perry—walking Red Carpets, beaming her lovely smile, and allowing the rest of the world to experience her voice, spirit, and joy. www.StMarysMagazine.com

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And there’s KOA.

Stay and Play In Camden County

3 Great Destinations. Endless fun!

Kingsland – St. Marys – Woodbine I-95 GA Exits 1-26 VisitKingsland.com

www.StMarysMagazine.com

a

south

georgia

bed

&

breakfast

retreat

Storybook Getaways. Storybook Weddings.

Happily ever afters are a specialty at Horse Stamp Inn, but romance abounds anytime in this pastoral setting just minutes from the Golden Isles and St. Marys.

Immerse yourself in dazzling starlit skies.

Experience blissful serenity as time stands still and your soul is soothed, your spirit calmed. Come to Horse Stamp Inn and know the true meaning of being totally, vibrantly, completely engaged in being in the present.

• Romantic Escapes • Family Reunions • Corporate Retreats • Destination Weddings • Girlfriend Getaways

• Luxurious rooms • ExpansivE vErandas • Fish stockEd pond • sparkLing pooL \ • Barn & outdoor party FaciLitiEs • EvEnt pLanning & dEcor packagEs avaiLaBLE•award-winning goLF nEarBy

FOR MORE DETAILS, CALL

912.274.3238 www.horsestampinn.com

Located in the heart of Coastal Georgia just minutes from the Golden Isles, St. Marys and Jacksonville International Airport with easy drives to Savannah and St. Augustine

We’re Building NEW HOMES In Six Local Communities !

Nassau

CouNty

s t.

MCarthur EstatEs – Estate lots available in an

intimate gated community on the south end of Amelia Island. New homes from the high-$800’s.

QuattlEfiEld laNE – Estate lots available on the

south end of Amelia Island. New homes from the $800’s.

oCEaN GallEry at aMElia – Multi-story homes in

a gated community one block from the ocean, on the north end of Amelia Island. New homes from the low-$700s.

aMElia Bluff – Single family homes in a coastal com-

munity on Amelia Island, close to Egan’s Creek Greenway.

New homes from the high-$500’s.

WildliGht – Single family homes north of Jacksonville,

JohN’s

CouNty

shEarWatEr – Single family homes featuring

preserve and lake views set on 70-foot lots located within the only gated community in Shearwater.

New homes from the $430’s.

WE CaN also Build a CustoM hoME oN y our lot!

D.S. Ware Homes is a premier builder based in Jacksonville, Florida; featuring new, semi- and fully-custom homes in

Nassau and St. John’s Counties. The team has over 100 years of combined experience building beautiful, superior quality homes in Northeast Florida.

with easy connections to downtown, Jacksonville Airport and Amelia Island. New homes from the $250’s.

CoNtaCt our sales teams For speCial priCiNg & iNCeNtives:

Nassau CouNty

Leonard Cagan, (904) 304-4475, leonard@dswarehomes.com

Diane van Lanen, (904) 321-7621, dvanlanen@dswarehomes.com

st. JohN’s CouNty

Georgia Bosso, (719) 310-1378 GBosso@dswarehomes.com

Donna Davis-Cagan, (904) 305-3177, donna@dswarehomes.com

www.dswarehomes.com