Sweet Life in the Slow Lane

By Barbara Ryan Harris

t. Marys, Georgia is one of a small handful S of communities throughout the United

States where you can enjoy a wonderful lifestyle without owning a car. All you need is a golf cart to explore the town, do your chores, take care of business, and enjoy the sweet life in the slow lane.

The rules are simple: your golf cart is legal as long as the speed limit on the road you’re traveling doesn’t exceed 35 mph. (One exception is a short patch of road on

Dilworth.) The City of St. Marys has kindly incorporated the sidewalk along Point

Peter Road as a multi-use path as well so that golf carters can get to one of the area’s favorite restaurants. Special arrangements have also been made to cross Spur 4 (Charlie Smith, Sr. Highway) to access the grocery store, a bank, and other retailers across from the Kings Bay

Shopping Village.

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The Galvin family: Collin, Nancy, Jim and fur babies Memphis and Abbey. From St. Marys waterfront, you can get to a variety of restaurants in your golf cart, including Locals Dockside, 401 West, Riverside Café, Captain Seagle’s, Southern River Walk, Pirate’s Point, Cedar Oak Café, and all the restaurants around the Kings Bay Shopping Village.

Shop.

In addition to the many quaint gift shops sprinkled throughout your golf cart route, you can shop at major retailers like Belk’s and Beall’s Outlet in the Kings Bay Shopping Village and the Dollar General on Point Peter Road.

See a Movie.

Golf carters can enjoy first run movies at the nine silver screens at Kings Bay Stadium Cinemas.

Get Groceries and Other Stuff You Need.

Shop for groceries at Winn-Dixie (great weekly specials) and the Magic Market on Church Street.

Do Your Banking.

Bank of America’s ATM can be accessed by golf cart by crossing Charlie Smith, Sr. Hwy. Also, you can access Ameris Bank by cutting through the Belk’s parking lot. continued ...

A Treasury of Sweet Memories Await!

Spend days or weeks in this charming cottage just blocks from St. Marys beautiful waterfront. • One block from main street • 2 blocks from golf cart rental • 8 blocks from Cumberland Island Ferry THE MERRY MERMAID COTTAGE 954-290-9873

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2022 Special Events

Okefenokee Festival - October 8 Railwatch Weekend - December 2nd & 3rd

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.

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.

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

Experience Night Life.

Enjoy great bands nightly at Seagle’s Saloon, Southern River Walk, and 401 West.

Pay Your Bills.

Pay your water bill at City Hall.

Picnic at the Waterfront Park.

Take advantage of the City’s specially marked parking spaces for golf carts at the beautiful Howard Gilman Memorial Park.

Catch a Ferry.

Park your golf cart and take the Cumberland Island Ferry to Cumberland Island.

Refresh With an Ice Cream Cone.

Market on the Square has delicious quality ice cream and homemade fudge too!

Go Fishing.

Cast your net or fishing pole off the fishing pier or catch a fishing charter boat from the waterfront.

Propose To Your Sweetie.

Stunning sunsets are the perfect setting for a “yes” when you propose at the end of the MarshWalk.

Watch a Sunrise.

Take a side street to the east side, and watch as the big orange ball rises over diamond-shimmered waters.

Observe Wildlife.

Birds, squirrels, armadillo, dolphins, river otters—these are but a few of our favorite things to watch from the seat of a golf cart.

Buy Some Plants.

Donini’s is located on Dilworth and has a great selection of plants and flowers. You can also recycle your plant pots there.

continued ...

Make Your Dog Happy.

What’s more beautiful than a wagging tail and a worshipful grin on your “best friend’s” face as you glide the evening streets in the face of a cooling breeze? Drop by the doggie park just a short ride from the waterfront.

Watch a Parade.

Take front row seats at our hometown parades, and enjoy a slice of Americana that you thought had slipped away.

Be In a Parade.

Decorate your golf cart to the theme, and join in one of St. Marys’ hometown parades, waving “queen-like” from the seat of your golf cart, where you’ll get to see just about everybody in town (and visitors as well).

Relax With a Book.

Drive your golf cart to Once Upon a Bookseller downtown. The swings in the waterfront park invite reading anytime of the day.

Visit an Art Gallery.

Old Towne Gallery is just two blocks from the waterfront and filled with works of local and regional artists.

Meet People.

There’s not a better way to meet people in St. Marys than by riding around in your golf cart. Everybody has a friendly wave, and the openness of the cart gives you plenty of opportunity to make friends.

Make a Bigger Splash.

St. Marys Aquatic Center serves up tons of cool refreshing fun with giant slides, Splash Mountain, and the Lazy River. (Be sure and take the back streets.)

Visit the Library.

St. Marys Library is adjacent to the Aquatic Center and a great place to chill out and discover new worlds.

Buy a Lottery Ticket.

At Magic Market or any of the gas stations.

Discover more reasons to smile!

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KEEGAN AND REBECCA FEDERAL INVITE YOU TO

Astay at The Federal Quarters just steps away from St. Marys’ waterfront is an immersion in yesteryear. Though renovated and modernized, the oldest home in St. Marys still holds the enchantment of the past. Recipient of the “Excellence in Rehabilitation Award,” The Federal Quarters was built in 1801 and is registered with the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Lots of amenities including the use of a 1929 Model A replica. Find photos of this exclusive historic inn, reservations and rates on most Vacation Rental websites, or call 912-729-7501 direct.

CREATING BEAUTIFUL SMILES IN CAMDEN COUNTY

FOR OVER 20 YEARS!! VOTED BEST IN CAMDEN!! MAKING ORTHODONTICS AFFORDABLE • $3900 (most cases) NO DOWN PAYMENT & NO INTEREST

St. Marys Office 1819 Osborne Road 912-882-6122

Brunswick Office 2323 Parkwood Drive 912-265-7193

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Waycross Office 401 Lister Street 912-283-4544

Go Exploring.

Lots of green canopy around St. Marys makes exploring fun in places that you can’t reach by car.

Stock Up On Wine and Adult Beverages.

Located adjacent to Winn-Dixie, Bulldog Discount Liquors offers a plethora of fine wine and spirit choices.

Take Your Kids To School.

Think of how cool your kids will appear to the other students when they ride up in a golf cart.

Go Antiquing.

Merry Mermaid, Company House, Lucy Gunn’s, Golden Pineapple, Alexandra’s Attic, Cottle & Gunn, St. Marys Antique Mall, and Salt River Antiques all offer treasures galore.

Visit Museums.

Tour the museum circuit by visiting the Submarine Museum, the Cumberland Island Museum, and the Cumberland Island Visitors Center.

Learn More About St. Marys.

Visit the St. Marys Welcome Center at 406 Osborne Street to watch a video about St. Marys and pick up useful visitors information.

Outrun the Sand Gnats.

Always a good thing!

Honor Your Ancestors.

Drive your golf cart to the historic Oak Grove Cemetery and peruse the tombstones of fallen soldiers, Acadians, and citizens dating back to the 1700s.

Go to Church.

Whatever your denomination, you’re sure to find a church home within the boundaries of your golf cart travels. There are eight churches downtown alone.

Take a Kayak Adventure.

Rent a kayak at Knucklehead’s, and explore the beautiful waterways surrounding St. Marys. continued ... www.StMarysMagazine.com

Let Your Voice Be Heard.

Attend a City Council meeting by golf cart, and participate in their “Granting Audience to Public” forum that’s offered at every meeting.

Attend a Concert.

Enjoy an evening of music and relaxation at one of St. Marys’ Starry Nights concerts performed at the Waterfront Park.

Star Gaze.

Take your golf cart to the MarshWalk, walk out to the end, and pick out your favorite constellations, lingering late into the evening blanketed by millions of stars.

Watch Rockets Take Off.

The MarshWalk is also a great location to view the Space X and other launches. Bring your camera!

Get in Shape.

Keep that promise you made at the beginning of the year by working out at Anytime Fitness adjacent to Winn-Dixie.

Get Your Hair Done.

Several salons are located downtown including Ritual, Mane Cutters, and Serendipity.

Get Your Clothes Cleaned.

Kings Bay Dry Cleaners offers dry cleaning as well as laundry service.

Clear Your Mind.

Nothing like the breeze in your face, the scent of honeysuckle, and the quiet of an early evening ride to help you relax.

So, you see, you don’t really need a car to live in St. Marys. Even if you have one, you can save some gas, help protect our environment, de-stress your life, and simply relax by living the “Sweet Life in the Slow Lane.”

Discover the beautiful artworks of local artists in Downtown St. Marys.

• Photography • Watercolors • Sculptures • Jewelry • Pottery

• Woodworks • Oils & Acrylics • Quilting •Clothing And much more! Olde Towne

Gallery

124 Osborne Street St. Marys, GA 31558 912.673.0102

Open 9 am- 3 pm • 7 Days a Week FIND US ON