Statesboro Magazine September/October 2013

September October 2013

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Visit Statesboro!

Special Feature

Tourism Section

A DecADe of the Arts T h e M a n , T h e L e g e n d Life on the Farm at Applause for the Averitt! Dr. Delma Eugene Presley Hunter Cattle Company

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FROM THE EDITOR Established March 1, 2000

Jenny Starling Foss Editor

Joe McGlamery

T

he Averitt Center for the Arts commemor ates its 10 th anniversary this month with special events scheduled September 11th – 21st. Each day of the week will feature some of the quality programming for which the Arts Center has become known. The public is invited to share in the Averitt’s success with exhibit openings and other events offered free of charge. Inside this issue regular Statesboro Magazine contributor Lynn Lilly highlights for us the last decade of arts and culture in downtown Statesboro.

The Statesboro Convention & Visitors Bureau has done it again! Always promoting our area in a positive, progressive light, Director Heidi Jeffers and staff show us how Statesboro shines for visitors throughout pages 19-34. This special Visit Statesboro! section highlights some of our area’s best features and attractions.

On page 54 you can see what a “by the numbers” effect tourism has on our area.

It’s the number two industry in Georgia!

Statesboro Magazine is pleased to showcase our area’s Renaissance man, Dr. Delma E. Presley, chosen this September as the Averitt Center’s 5th Legend of the Arts. One of our favorite writers, Loretta Brandon, visited with Dr. Presley and his wife Beverly and shares with us his fascinating story of a life well lived, and of his many contributions to education and the Arts.

Publisher

“An Easy Country Charm” tells the story of local farmers Del and Debra Ferguson and family and their remarkable return to the land at the family farm, Hunter Cattle Company. Working to make their farm sustainable, the Fergusons have chosen to open their home to the public sharing lessons on eating good locally grown food and living life the natural way.

This fall brings so many great events to Statesboro for us to enjoy! GSU’s annual fundraiser A Day for Southern will be Tuesday, Sept. 10th; Former First Lady Barbara Bush will visit GSU on Tuesday, September 17th; the United Way kickoff luncheon will be held September 17th; the Walk to End Alzheimer’s will be held Saturday, Sept. 21st at Bulloch Academy’s track; The Boys & Girls Club’s annual Steak & Burger Dinner, featuring Duck Dynasty’s Kay Robertson, will be held on Sept. 21st; the Bulloch County Historical Society’s eagle will be installed at the library on Sept. 25th and the BCHS’s annual Tales from the Tomb event will be held on October 17th this year; the Kiwanis Ogeechee Fair will be held October 21st – 26th. A calendar full of fun for fall!

Enjoy!

September October 2013

Priceless

About the Cover The Averitt Center for the Arts celebrates its 10th anniversary with ten days of planned special events Sept. 11th – 21st.

Our cover’s cast of characters are actual performing and visual artists currently associated with bringing the arts to our community and our region through the Averitt. Why don’t you become a patron this year? Cover photo by award winning photographer Frank Fortune.

4 • Statesboro Magazine

Visit Statesboro!

Special Feature

Tourism Section

A DecADe of the Arts T h e Man, Th Applause for the Averitt! Dr. Delma e L e g e n d Life on the Farm at Eugene Presley Hunter Cattle Company

Melanie Schmermund Art Director

Erica Sellers Advertising & Marketing Director

Loretta Brandon, Lynn Lilly Contributing Writers

Frank Fortune Contributing Photographer Statesboro Magazine is proudly produced by:

FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION, PLEASE E-MAIL: esellers@StatesboroMagazine.com FOR EDITORIAL QUESTIONS, PLEASE E-MAIL: editor@StatesboroMagazine.com MAILING ADDRESS: PHYSICAL ADDRESS: P. O. Box 1084 6 N Walnut Street Statesboro, GA Statesboro, GA 30459 30458 912.489.2181 fax 912.489.2182 Circulation Statesboro Magazine is published bi-monthly (six issues a year) at a $20.00 annual subscription rate

by Morris Multimedia, P.O. Box 1084, Statesboro, GA, 30459. Periodical postage paid at Statesboro, Georgia. Postmaster send address changes to Statesboro Magazine, P.O. Box 1084, Statesboro, GA, 30459. The cover and contents are fully protected and may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, without the written consent of Statesboro Magazine. We are not responsible for loss of unsolicited inquiries, manuscripts, photographs, transparencies or other materials. They will not be returned unless accompanied by return postage. Address letters and editorial contributions to Statesboro Magazine, P.O. Box 1084, Statesboro, GA, 30459. Copyright © 2013 by Morris Multimedia. All rights reserved.

CONTRIBUTORS Statesboro

weddings by

Loretta Brandon

July August 2013

Priceless

She has Cla

Loretta Brandon moved to Statesboro in 2005 to be closer to family.

A native of Erie, Pennsylvania, she was raised in a lighthouse on the shores of Lake Erie and wrote a book, Lightkeeper’s Legacy, about that experience. She has worked in higher education for twenty-five years, so being an instructor at Georgia Southern, she says, “feels like home.”

ss

Jemelleh Coes

GA’s Top Tea che

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Sugar & Spice

And Everythin

For Azure B.

g Nice

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Watch & Listen

Tribeca Film

SEICA’s MUSIC Serie AMER duBO diON siVE ENd s sENiOr dEfEN

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Special Fea Tur

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Proud publishers of Statesboro

Frank Fortune

Magazine, Weddings by Statesboro

Frank is the national award winning photographer who holds the distinction of shooting 14 years’ worth of covers for Statesboro Magazine. He recently retired from GSU after having been responsible for capturing the university’s history on film and video for 30 years.

Throughout his career Frank’s enjoyed all aspects of photography, including sports, still-life, landscape, and architecture. He and his wife, Mandy, are the proud parents of children, Jack and Cate.

Magazine, and GSU’s official football program – FLIGHT!

SUBSCRIBE Make sure you never miss a copy of Statesboro’s only full-color lifestyle magazine.

LYNN LILLY

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Lynn Lilly is a freelance advertising and public relations writer. She founded The Lilly Group after 20 years with an Ohio ad agency, where she was Creative Director and an owner. She serves on the Community Advisory Committee of Georgia Southern University’s Department of Writing and Linguistics and Students in Free Enterprise.

StatesboroMagazine.com.

FOLLOW US on Facebook. We want you to “like” us. Check-out our Facebook page and keep up with the exciting things happening in Statesboro. You’ll find us at Statesboro Magazine.

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12 September/October 2013 • 5

TABLE OF CONTENTS

S pe c i a l I n se rt

photo by Frank Fortune

19 Visit Statesboro!

6 • Statesboro Magazine

Features T he C u lt u r e

12

Applauding the Averitt Center at 10

35 Statesboro’s Storyteller Dr. Delma E. Presley

Wri tte n b y Ly n n L i l l y

Wr it t en by L oret t a Br a ndon

P h o to g ra p h y b y F ra n k F o r t une &

P hot ogr a phy by Fr a nk For t une &

T h e Av e ri tt Ce n te r fo r th e Ar t s

The Aver it t Cent er for t he Ar t s

F rom

the

F arm

44 An Easy Country Charm

Wr it t en by Jenny St a r ling Fos s

P hot ogr a phy by Vis it St a t es boro

FEATURED COLUMNISTS

IN EVERY ISSUE

4 Calendar of Events.............................................................. 8 The Spiritual Pathway News & Notes................................................................ 10 Written by Rev. Dr. H. William Perry............................................ 59 Look Around.................................................................... 62 The Write Place Written by Staff............................................................................ 61 Transitions........................................................................ 66 The Garden Gate

Written by Stephanie Tames.........................................................

The View from Here Written by Ric Mandes................................................................

57

From the Editor...................................................................

65 September/October 2013 • 7

Calendar

september Sunday 1

monday 2

Tuesday 3

Wednesday 4

5

Zero Panorama

by Rena Leinberger GSU Center for Art & Theater Aug. 19 – Sept. 27

8

9

The Seven Seas

by Elisabeth Condon Center for Art & Theatre GSU 5 PM Lecture Rm 2071

10

11

GSU Faculty Recital Carol A. Carter Hall 3 PM

15 Statesboro in the Movies Emma Kelly Theater 2 PM

22

Averitt Center for the Arts 10th Anniversary Celebration Sept. 11 – 21

16 Empty Bowl Project Studios open at 2:30 PM Ceramics & Sculpture Bldg GSU

23

17

18

Laura Bush at GSU Hanner Fieldhouse 7 PM

24

30

Family Photo Tinting Averitt Center for the Arts 6:30 PM

25

Swing & Jazz Emma Kelly Theater 7 PM

29

Thursday

Bulloch Co Historical Society Family Tree Eagle Unveiling Statesboro Regional Library 5:30 PM

12 Legend of the Arts; Emma Kelly Theater 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM GSU Faculty Showcase following at 7 PM

19

6

5 – 8 PM

13 Averitt Lecture Series; Ghosts of Grandeur; Emma Kelly Theater 7:30 PM; Book Signing by Michael Kitchens

20 Past Chamber Chairmen’s Annual Golf Tournament FHCC 8 AM – 2 PM

Georgia Southern Symphony GSU PAC 7:30 PM

Southern Hospitality 7:30 PM

26 Janisse Ray at the Garden Learn & Lecture Series 12 PM America’s Music Country & Blue Grass Emma Kelly Theater 7 PM

Enjoy the fresh local flavor of the Main Street Farmers Market

Saturday 7 GSU vs St Francis Paulson Stadium 6 PM

Taste of Downtown Chris Mitchell Band The Blues Live in Concert; Emma Kelly Theater 7 – 9 PM

Southern Hospitality Emma Kelly Theater 7:30 PM

E v e r y S a t u rd a y 9 AM-12:30 PM Sea Island Bank Parking Lot Downtown 8 • Statesboro Magazine

Friday

27 Planetarium Public Viewing GSU Math/ Physics Bldg 6 PM

14 Grape Stomp Festival; Meinhardt Vineyards 12 PM Broadway in the Boro; Statesboro High 6:30 PM Transit Authority Chicago Tribute Band EKTheater 7:30 PM

21 Walk to End Altzheimers Bulloch Academy 9 AM Farm Heritage Day Hunter Cattle Company 10 AM

28 GSU vs Chattanooga Paulson Stadium 6 PM Family Weekend

Calendar

october Sunday

monday

Tuesday 1

Wednesday 2

BA night at Zaxby’s 5 PM – 8 PM

6

7 Fall Break Oct. 7 – 11 Bulloch County Schools

13

14

8 Splashy’s Fun Swim 3 PM Oct. 7 – 11 $ 3 per person America’s Music: Latin Music Emma Kelly Theater 7 PM

15

9 Meet the Authors Brock Clarke & Kevin Wilson Statesboro Regional Library 7 PM – 9 PM

16

GSU Faculty Recital Brass Quintet & Percussion Carol A. Carter Recital Hall 3 PM

10 Rhythm & Blues Garden of the Coastal Plain 7 – 10 PM Author Readings 7 PM Statesboro Regional Library

17 Tales from the Tomb Bulloch Co Historical Society Eastside Cemetery 6 PM – 9 PM

21

22

23

28

24 Ghost Tours by Lantern Light Start at Averitt Center Two Tours 6:30 PM & 7:45 PM

FAIR WEEK Kiwanis Ogeechee Fair Kiwanis Fair Grounds 4 PM Oct. 21 – 26

27

3 Sallie Zetterower Elementary Fall Festival 3 PM

Blackwater Preserve 1st Annual Fishing Tournament 9:30 AM

20

Thursday

29

30

Friday 4

Saturday 5

5 PM – 8 PM Aware on the Square; Cotton Patch Gospel Emma Kelly Theater Friday – Saturday 7:30 PM; Sunday 2 PM

11

Attic Sale Statesboro Service League Kiwanis Fairgrounds 7 AM – 11 AM

32nd Turpentine Festival Portal, GA 10 AM

12

Planetarium Public Viewing GSU Math/ Physics Bldg 6 PM – 9 PM

18

GSU vs the Citadel Paulson Stadium 1 PM

19

Count Dracula Emma Kelly Theater Friday & Saturday 7:30 PM Sunday 2 PM

25

Elks Soccer Shoot Mill Creek Park 10 AM – 12 PM

26

Ghost Tours by Lantern Light Start at Averitt Center Two Tours 6:30 PM & 7:45 PM

Scare on the Square Downtown Statesboro 5:30 PM – 8 PM

31

Halloween

Trick or Treat at Mill Creek Mill Creek Park 5:30 PM

Emma Kelly Theater 7:30 PM

Scare in the Boro (at Splash) 8 PM – 11 PM

September/October 2013 • 9

News & Notes

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End Alzheimer’s

Please join the 2013 WALK to End Alzheimer’s on September 21, 2013 at Bulloch Academy’s track.

There is a certified run at 8:00 A.M. WALK registration begins at 9:00 A.M., and the WALK begins at 10:00 A.M. Go to www.alz.org/walk to join a team or start your own. Johnny Martin of Sea Island Bank is chair of the run. 2013 WALK Chairs are Jo Ann Hickman and Julie Stone, who urge everyone to believe “Alzheimer’s can end with ME!” Your donation and participation are needed and appreciated by caregivers, patients, and families whose lives have been affected by Alzheimer’s. For more information contact: www.statesborowalktoendalzheimers@gmail.com

O p e n H ea r t s C h o c o la t e R u

n

Raises 20,000 and National TV Attention $

Open Hearts Community Mission recently announced the date for Statesboro’s Sweetest Race. The Chocolate Run will take place on February 22, 2014 in beautiful downtown Statesboro. Last year’s race hosted by Leadership Bulloch registered over 800 runners and raised $20,000 for the mission, which helped secure plans for a permanent facility. This unique 5k brought community awareness and national attention. The Dr. Oz Show has taken interest in featuring the event on an upcoming program on 5k’s across America. So, mark your calendar and get your running shoes on! Join our community in supporting OHCM and be a part of the second annual Chocolate Run. For more information please visit www.thesweetestrace.com.

Fr

ee d o m

’ s N ew H o

m e

The Center for Wildlife Education and The Lamar Q. Ball, Jr. Raptor Center celebrated the opening of Freedom’s Courtyard with a ceremony and a reception honoring local builder John Lavender, Lavender & Associates, and landscaper Jackie Rushing, Action Lawn & Landscape, for their generous donations to build a new home for Freedom, the University’s bald eagle.

“This is a great new addition for the Center, and we are truly humbled by the support we have received for more than two decades,” said Wildlife Center Director Steve Hein. “As our national symbol, school mascot, and institutional ambassador, Freedom is now appropriately displayed for all to enjoy. The donor recognition walls surrounding the new facility are our way of thanking those individuals who have been such a vital part of the Wild(L-R) Wildlife Center Director Steve Hein, life Center’s journey and are the reason Jackie Rushing, John Lavender, and Georgia for our success.”

Southern University President Dr. Brooks Keel.

10 • Statesboro Magazine

I t ’ s o n L i ke D o n ke y K o n g !

The Boys and Girls Club of Bulloch County will feature a special speaker at this year’s 8th Annual Steak & Burger Dinner. Kay Robertson of A&E television’s popular show “Duck Dynasty” is scheduled to appear. Robertson is matriarch of the family made famous by the reality show. Kay’s husband, Phil Robertson, patented a reed-based duck call that spread to hunting stores across America.

The family broadened their hunting empire by producing hunting “how-to” videos and appearing at hunting shows.

The family recently signed to star in a fourth season of their reality show on A&E. The Steak & Burger Dinner brings donors and club members together and gives attendees a chance to hear, from the children’s perspective, how the Boys & Girls Club has influenced their lives and helped them to succeed. It’s scheduled for Sept. 21st at the First Baptist Church H.William Perry Fellowship Hall. For further information, contact the B & G Club at 912.764.9696.

2013 Haunted F o r e s t a t GSU This Halloween, the Center for Addiction Recovery at Georgia Southern is proud to bring back the Haunted Forest, October 24-26 & 28-31, 2013, from 8:00 P.M. until midnight, for another year of spooky fun. Since the resurrection of the Haunted Forest in 2009, the spooktacular tradition brings fun for the whole community.

The Haunted Forest will feature five “Scare Stations” along the trail including clowns, zombies, and a haunted toy store.

Other creepy surprises will be lurking in the forest, ready to terrify the passersby; those brave enough should prepare to be scared.

Cost of admission is $5 per person.

The Haunted Forest trail begins on Malecki Road, right next to the soccer field. Free parking is available in Paulson Stadium. More information can be found online at the Haunted Forest GSU Facebook page. For information regarding the Haunted Forest or sponsorship opportunities, please contact Reagan Daly at 912. 536.9248.

(L-R) PWS President Laura Lanier, Katlyn Butler, Leighann Humphries, Scholarship Co-Chairs Christa Mallard, and Renee Thompson.

P r o fe s s i o n al W o m e n of Statesboro Award Scholarships

A n n u al T ale s The Professional Women of States- 2 boro recently hosted the annual PWS f r o m t h e T o m b Scholarship Banquet recognizing The Bulloch County Historical Socitheir scholarship recipients. Leighann ety presents the 2nd Annual Tales from the Humphries of Southeast Bulloch High Tomb, a living history visit with promiSchool received the $1,500 scholarship nent residents of Eastside Cemetery. The awarded to a student planning to attend event will be held Thursday, October 17th, Georgia Southern University. Katlyn beginning at 6:00 P.M. Tours in groups of Butler, joint enrolled at Statesboro High 15 people depart each 15 minutes thereafSchool and Ogeechee Technical College, ter. Tickets are $5.00 per person and are received the $1,000 scholarship awarded available at the Statesboro Herald’s office to a student currently enrolled at OTC. at 1 Herald Square, downtown StatesFounded in 1989, PWS has 50 active boro. Reservations for departure time members which together represent busi- should be made at the time of purchase. nesses in all sectors of the local economy. This year the dearly departed include: The organization strives to empower Caroline Moore Sorrier, Col. Albert M. women in the community by providing Deal, Dr. Waldo Floyd, Dr. Raymond networking opportunities and growth Kennedy, Charles Pretorius, Manassas through education. Judge Faye Sanders Foy, Col. Greene Johnston, and Dougald Martin spoke at the event hosted at McDougald. For more information visit www.bullochhistory.org.

Chops on Main. n d

September/October 2013 • 11

Applauding the Averitt Center at 10

by Lynn Lilly

photos by Frank Fortune & the Averitt Center for the Arts

he first brushstroke on a canvas opens up untold possibilities. Will it be a still life, a portrait, an abstract expression? Will the first note of a melody turn out to be a rock song, a ballerina’s cue, a bluegrass riff? When the curtain goes up, will the spotlight illuminate a youth production or a college opera, a locally made art film or a Nashville songwriter?

That’s what makes writing a story about the tenth anniversary of the Averitt Center for the Arts so exciting. And so impossible. In ten years it has become

the beating heart of the arts in this community. It’s a place of fine art and good fun, where patrons sip chardonnay at gallery openings, where children learn to sing and act and dance, and where Andy Warhol crosses paths with the Rocky Horror Picture Show and World War II memories.

In other words, the Averitt Center is not one story.

It’s a thousand stories, as varied and eclectic as its offerings over ten years, all wonderful and all true.

Here are just a few of them.

T

12 • Statesboro Magazine ›› The Culture

Once upon a time

In a fast-growing city like Statesboro, there are many residents who don’t remember a time before the Averitt opened its doors, and the rest can’t imagine it. To educate the newcomers and do honor to past visionaries, a little history is in order.

The Averitt began life in 1911 as the Bank of Statesboro, its Classical Revival pillars, stamped tin ceilings and hardwood floors a symbol of the region’s growing wealth. Felled by the Great Depression, it was reincarnated over the years as a barber shop, jewelry store, insurance office and attorneys’ offices, until it closed for good. Today’s Emma Kelly Theater opened as the Georgia Theater movie house in 1936. Hal Averitt, for whom the Averitt Center is named, took his grandmother there to see 1939’s Gone with the Wind. When the theater closed in 1984, little did he know that “tomorrow would be another day” for the Art Deco gem.

Fast forward now to 1997. Members of Statesboro’s arts community had approached David H. “Hal” Averitt, a one-time mayor of Statesboro and longtime civic leader, about the possi-

bility of purchasing a downtown building for an art gallery. It was Averitt who proposed the even bigger idea of transforming the old bank and theater into a true center of the arts.

It would take another eight years to make the dream a reality, raising $4.2 million in a public/private partnership and completing the painstaking renovation of the historic spaces.

On September 9, 2004, the ribbon cutting made way for the first performance on the Emma Kelly Theater stage the next evening.

This swift debut in her namesake theater would have pleased the pianist “Miss Emma” Kelly immensely because she was always on her way to or from a performance. A staple in Savannah’s music scene, she also toured nationwide, but was at the piano of her church most Sundays for fifty years, as well as playing for weddings, graduations and Kiwanis meetings. Her tireless spark and flawless memory earned her the title “Lady of 6,000 Songs” from songwriter Johnny Mercer, as well as a few scenes in John Berendt’s well-known Savannah book and movie, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.

Averitt Center 10 Year Anniversary Timeline 1891 Bank of Statesboro is chartered

Art Association is formed

1894 Bank of Statesboro opens for business

1997 The old Statesboro Bank building and the old Georgia Theater building are purchased to become the new Averitt Center for the Arts

1901 Statesboro Opera House on North Walnut showcases “Ten Nights in a Bar Room” 1901 Blind Willie McTell is born 1906 Statesboro Opera House moves to West Main and opens with “Cinderella” 1911 Bank of Statesboro opens a new building at the corner of Siebald Street and East Main Street 1911 Star Theater opens on East Main

Jan. 2009 Averitt STARS presents “Driving Miss Daisy.”

2003 Tim Chapman is selected as the Averitt Center’s first Executive Director

March 2009 First Cristofouri Concert

2004 The theater of the Averitt Center is named for Emma Kelly

1916 Amuso Theater opens 1932 Bank of Statesboro closes forever, a result of the Great Depression

Sept. 9, 2004 The Averitt Center for the Arts ribbon cutting.

1936 The Georgia Theater opens, showing “Ladies in Love”

Sept. 2004 “ A Place to Call Home,” first community theater production on the Emma Kelly Theater stage.

1949 The Family Drive In theater opens on 301 South

Aug. 2008 Averitt STARS presents an original play, “A Life Done Right – The Living Legacy of Erk Russell.”

2001 Announcement that the new art center will be named for David H. Averitt

July 2004 Naming the stage in the Emma Kelly after Jan Anderson

1940 The Georgia Theater premieres “Gone with the Wind”

Sept. 2007 Induction of Blind Willie McTell as a Legend in the Arts

Nov. 2004 First Community Production of the Nutcracker Ballet

Sept. 2009 Edwin Akins Exhibit & Tour of Homes (5th Year Anniversary Event) Sept. 2009 Induction of Dr. Michael Braz as a Legend in the Arts March 2010 Norman Rockwell Exhibit April 2011 Greg Mort Exhibit July 2011 Statesboro Youth Theater presents, “Hairspray.”

Sept. 2011 Induction of Roxie Remley as a Legend in the Arts Oct. 2011 Steve Hein: Birds of Prey Exhibit Oct. 2011 Write Place Festival

1966 The State Theater closes

Nov. 2004 First Veterans Day Observance in the Emma Kelly Theater

1969 The Allman Brothers record “Statesboro Blues”

May 2005 First Memorial Day Observance in the Emma Kelly Theater

May 2012 First Annual Emma Awards

1974 The movie “Buster and Billie” is released. Filmed in Statesboro, it stars Jan Michael Vincent and Joan Goodfellow

June 2005 First Statesboro Regional Art Association Exhibit at the Averitt Center

1984 The Georgia Theater closes

Sept. 2005 Induction of Emma Kelly as a Legend in the Arts

1997 The Statesboro Regional

May 2007 First Statesboro Blues Concert

April 2012 Averitt STARS pres. “Annie” Sept. 2012 Andy Warhol Exhibit Sept. 2012 Original Puppet Show on history of Statesboro/Bulloch County, “Ole Scarecrow Statesboro Medicine Show.”

Sept. 2012 Induction of Dr. Del Presley as a Legend in the Arts The Culture ‹‹ September/October 2013 • 13

14 • Statesboro Magazine ›› The Culture

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10 years. One man.

The first pages of the Averitt Center’s coffee-table-size scrapbook features a photo of the ribbon cutting in 2004. There in the thick of the action is Tim Chapman, the center’s first and only Executive Director. In the days and years since, that scene has been repeated daily. Tim welcoming all-comers to a gallery open. Tim working with the staff or a community team on a new project. Tim peeking in on a class or rehearsal. Tim dressed as a scarecrow for a Halloween event, in a tux for the Emma Awards, in blue jeans to help touring artists get settled in.

And that’s the way he likes it. “The best thing about my job is that it’s never the same day twice,” he laughs.

From the day Chapman saw the job posting for the Executive Director position, he knew it was the opportunity he’d always wanted. A Georgia Southern undergrad and graduate alumni, he was teaching at the university at the time. “At one point in my life, I considered studying historical restoration. I loved the idea of the restoration phase of the Averitt and then moving into the programming, so I worked hard to have a vision to share with the selection committee,” he remembers. “I guess they could see my passion.”

Chapman’s background and teaching experience in recreation and leisure studies were also key in the center’s launch and continuing progress. “The success of the Averitt comes from the hard work and commitment of so many people,” he offers. “My role is to help envision what an idea could become, then break it down into goals and objectives and communicate them to community leaders, the board and the staff, so we’re all working together, moving ahead together.”

The Averitt’s mission has a personal resonance for Chapman, too. “I grew up in Valdosta and didn’t have the kinds of opportunities we’re able to offer here. It just wasn’t part of the community culture where I grew up.

I wanted to be part of making a thriving arts culture in Statesboro.”

Ten years in, that passion for the work still shines through. “I put in long days sometimes,” he chortles. “But then there’s a day when I can hear kids learning to play the piano upstairs, above me. Maybe it sounds terrible, but it also sounds great,” he laughs, “because the learning that occurs here is magical. That’s a good feeling.”

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The Culture ‹‹ September/October 2013 • 15

How big is the picture?

Can a story of the arts be told in numbers? In this case, the answer is an emphatic yes. The impact of the Averitt Center is enormous.

• Last year a record-breaking 61,000 patrons came through the doors for a show, an after school program, an exhibit, a lesson, to watch a performance or take part in one.

• The Averitt is the only cultural center in a 40+ mile diameter, serving not only Bulloch Country but the seven contiguous ones and their 220,000 residents.

• With almost $100,000 in box office receipts, 28% of this year’s box office sales were from beyond Bulloch County.

• C onsidered the centerpiece of our historic downtown, the Averitt connects visitors to dozens of restaurants and shops.

• According to The Americans for the Arts’ economic impact calculator, the Center had an estimated economic impact of $2,176,000 in Statesboro/ Bulloch County.

Mecca to the Muse

The creative and cultural resources are deep in our hometown, and the Averitt 16 • Statesboro Magazine ›› The Culture

has long used partnerships to become a gathering place and a brain trust of the muse.

The Statesboro Regional Art Association calls the Averitt its home and mounts an annual juried exhibition of local artists. The Statesboro Film Festival and The Write Place writing festival are celebrated on the Kelly stage. Georgia Southern’s Performing Art Center and the Averitt collaborate on their programs to broaden the offerings of every season.

Look deeper and you find numerous town-and-gown partnerships with Georgia Southern. Sarah Hancock, a GSU voice faculty member and in-demand singer, brings her gifts to the position of Artistic Director of the Youth Chorale. Mical Whitaker, a longtime acting professional and educator and Georgia Southern professor emeritus directs the Youth Theater. A GSU music faculty showcase kicked off the 10th anniversary celebration programs. And who can forget the play, A Life Done Right, the story of legendary GSU football coach Erk Russell?

Virtually every community organization has partnered with the Averitt on an event, from the Bulloch County Historical Society to the MainStreet Farmers Market.

Arts for a new generation

“We’re creating the next generation of arts lovers,” promises Tim Chapman, Executive Director of the Averitt.

It began the first Christmas of the very first season, when The Nutcracker was the Averitt’s gift to Statesboro from the community’s young ballet dancers. Now a beloved tradition, it took on even larger meaning with the founding of the Statesboro Youth Ballet and the opening of the Averitt Center Dance Studio in 2012 under the direction of Jurijs Safonovs.

Now classes fill with children of all ages and adults to study ballet, as well as tap and modern jazz.

Now, nearly every day of the year, the voices, instruments and laughter of school children fill the classrooms, studios and stage. Between the after school programs, summer camps, school matinees, private lessons and other programs, thousands of local students let their creative spirits take flight.

Framing our vision

“We’re committed to honoring all art,” says Chapman. “Southern art, regional art, community art…and wellknown artists like Norman Rockwell.

We’re remembering our roots and in touch with the world.”

Department of Music GEORGIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY

Concert Calendar Fall 2013

9/12

Faculty Showcase

9/19

Symphony

Choral Concert 10/24 Fall 7:30 p.m. • Carter Recital Hall

7:00 p.m. • Averitt Center

7:30 p.m. • Performing Arts Center

Arts Gala 9/21 Vocal 5:30 p.m. • Carter Recital Hall Symphonic Wind 9/2 9 Ensemble

3:00 p.m. • Performing Arts Center

10/10

Jazz Band & Symphony*

7:30 p.m. • Performing Arts Center

11/4

Jazz Ensemble

7:30 p.m.

Statesboro First Baptist church

Ensemble 11/6 Percussion 7:30 p.m. • Carter Recital Hall

11/15 Sondheim’s “Company” 7:30 p.m. • Performing Arts Center 11/16

Symphonic Wind 11/18 Ensemble 7:30 p.m.

Performing Arts Center

Symphony* 11/19 Wind 7:30 p.m • Performing Arts Center Noise 11/20 Channel 7:30 p.m. • Carter Recital Hall

12/7 12/8

Opera Scenes

7:30 p.m. • Carter Recital Hall

Winter Choral Concert*

3:00 & 7:00 p.m.

Statesboro First United Methodist

All performances are free & open to the public. For more information, a complete concer t schedule and the most up-to-date event times, please visit GeorgiaSouthern.edu/class or call 912-478-5396.

*Watch the performance live! Online at Georgia Southern.TV.

The Culture ‹‹ September/October 2013 • 17

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The Main Gallery hosts six or seven widely varied exhibits annually. Last year, they ranged from the ultra-contemporary Works by Warhol to a display of handmade heirloom textiles in Mother’s Work.

Add to that an ever-changing montage of works by local artists hung in the Legends Gallery and the monthly show of local student work, and the total number reaches two dozen eclectic showings.

Raising the curtain

Ask an Averitt fan whether he enjoys the marquee events or the local community theater productions more, and you get a delighted smile of indecision. In fact, some will tell you the quality is so astonishing, it can be hard to tell the difference. This year, like most, there were six of each. Broadway’s Gloria Crampton brought us Out of My Dreams and Surfin’ USA took as back to the Beach Boys’ 60s.

Our talented neighbors earned standing ovations for 12 Angry Jurors and belly laughs for 9 to 5 The Musical.

Encore please

“Bravo” is the only possible response to the Averitt’s far-reaching work and impact on quality of life in Statesboro. As the center turns ten, it’s certain that an encore is in order. What do future plans promise?

Chapman notes that the Averitt’s mission has sharp focus on “building our arts patrons for the future.” Opening soon is a new visual arts facility that will house a full ceramics studio and areas for painting and drawing instruction. In addition to being the home of the new Statesboro Youth Visual Arts program, several small studios will be for rent to working artists. “We’ll also be expanding in the area of youth string instrument training,” adds Chapman, “working collaboratively with the faculty of Georgia Southern.”

Then he widens the circle to include us all. “I get to live the arts every day. I want to continue our work so everyone has the opportunity for that experience.” n

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Kick-off your next adventure in Statesboro, Georgia!

Discover the excitement of a live rodeo or sample one of the area’s 36 tantalizing and flavorful festivals. Visit our one-of-a-kind attractions, such as the Wildlife Education Center and get up close to a bald eagle or a 14-foot-long Burmese python. Step back in time over 78 million years at the Georgia Southern Museum, home to the 26-foot-long Mosasaur, the marine equivalent of Tyrannosaurus rex.

Be part of the show at the Averitt Center for the Arts or meet the colorful local personalities who create art, music, and theater. From opera and ballet to bluegrass and blues, our vibrant city celebrates the area’s culture and heritage.

Pick up some local honey during your travels at the Main Street Farmers Market or dine at one of our many restaurants on fresh from the farm local flavors fuzed by an award winning chef.

Foodie’s agree, here you can sample the best traditional Southern cuisine or raise your spirits at an award winning local winery or brewery.

Everyone enjoys a good time. In Statesboro you’ll find good times and more. From performing arts to championship sporting events; from incredible dining to world class attractions, we let the good times roll. Your next adventure awaits you!

Let the Statesboro Convention and Visitors Bureau help you plan your good time.

Contact us at www.visitstatesboroga.com and be sure to use our mobile app when you’re on the go!

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The Georgia Southern University Performing Arts Center Straight from the stages of Broadway, Nashville, L.A. and around the world, performers open at the Performing Arts Center at Stateboro’s Georgia Southern University.

Recognized as one of the largest and finest performing arts venues in Georgia, this 825-seat theater regularly welcomes audiences for classical music and rock legends, Broadway shows and comedy greats, musicals and dramas, ballet and bluegrass.

The Center for Art & Theatre Home of the Black Box Theatre, Betty Foy Sanders Georgia Artists Collection and Smith Callaway Banks Southern Folk Art Collection, Georgia Southern University’s Center for Art & Theatre is a breathtaking public venue for performances, art exhibitions and events. Every year, the Center for Art & Theatre offers a wide range of exciting exhibitions and performances for viewing by both the University and the community.

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The Averitt Center for the Arts An architectural gem in Statesboro’s charming downtown, the Averitt Center sparkles with art, theater, music and applause. It’s the hub of a regional arts community, bringing together visiting artists, performers and shows as well as drawing on a rich community of artists. For those seeking a visual arts experience, the Averitt offers alwayschanging exhibits in Main Gallery, Legends Gallery, Youth Gallery and Multi Purpose Studio. If you’re thinking performing arts, the Center’s Performance Series opens the curtain on an incredible variety of professional and local performances — dance, concerts, drama, comedy, or musicals. Feeling inspired yourself? The Averitt offers workshops and classes – including many one-day events for all ages.

Georgia Southern University Museum The best of the old – say, 78 million years old – meets with ever-new and changing exhibits at this exhibit-packed museum. In the Hall of Natural History, meet the Mosasaur, who roamed the earth in the Mesozoic Era, the Vogtle Whale, and 80 million years of natural history. Bring the children – there are lots of interactive exhibits. Now step into Gallery 2, where there’s always something new – special and national traveling exhibits. You might find the archeology of Camp Lawton, the recently discovered Civil War prisoner of war camp or an exploration of satellites and geochaching.

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Statesboro

Dining With endless options at over 170 restaurants, there are menus to suit everyone’s palate and pocketbook in Statesboro.

Choose one of our local fine dining favorites that will tempt you with delectable delights or savor Southern comfort foods at an assortment of buffets. In the evening, there are a variety of venues that provide live music to enhance your dining experience.

Shopping

Fun

Did you know shopping is one of the top-rated travel activities? Then Statesboro is definitely a trip worth making.

In our historic Downtown and dotted throughout the ‘Boro, you’ll find locally owned boutiques, specialty stores and antique markets. Drop in a trendy clothing shop, jeweler, bookstore or other tempting stops. And the national chains? You’ll find the bestknown names in our mall and shopping centers.

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Antiques and Uniques Looking for a treasure hunt?

This is the place since folks have called Statesboro home for more than 200 years!

Variety, quality, and value have made Statesboro’s Antique Alley a “must shop stop” for treasure hunters and dealers alike. Travel back in time while browsing the wares of over 20 antique malls and thrift stores sprinkled across the county.

Accommodations Imagine not worrying about parking, traffic or trying to find a great restaurant for dinner when you get to your destination. You have envisioned the laidback, serene atmosphere of lodging in Statesboro. Whether you’re traveling for business, looking for a hotel with an awardwinning restaurant or just want a clean, comfortable room to rest your head, you will find just the right place in Statesboro. From small town inns, to historical B&Bs and national chains, we have it ALL!

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‹ The Clubhouse The Clubhouse offers the most fun you or a group can have in one place. With 24 bowling lanes including 4 luxury lanes in a private suite, full arcade, mini-bowling, laser tag arena and Ballocity, the greatest playground you’ll find for kids for miles around. Then if you want to take a step outside, head over to Hackers Golf Park which has an 18-hole mini golf course, golf range, and batting cages. Then when you’re hungry, head over to Spikes Sports Grill for a quick snack or a tasty meal. Spend your whole day there or keep coming back for the fun!

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Free Spirit Pottery

‹

Make your own one-of-a-kind memory in downtown Statesboro. Free Spirit Pottery is a paint-your-own ceramics studio where children and adults can choose from a huge selection of prefired bisque shapes, which will be glazed and kiln fired. You can choose from dozens of colors and types of paint for your own original design.

›

Georgia Southern University Athletics The Eagles soar in every sport.

Football, basketball, baseball – there’s nothing like the excitement of a collegiate sporting event. You and your family can cheer on the Eagles in any season!

Splash in the Boro Family Waterpark Is it any wonder people from all over dive into Statesboro for Splash’s 768,000 gallons of fun? Let’s start with boogie boarding on the Dual Flow Rider, the only one in Georgia. Then swim on over to the 5-lane mat racers and three waterslides. The little splashers love the Play Pool. And who doesn’t love to go with the flow on the Lazy River?

Stay all day – there are two concessions stands, a gift shop and plenty of picnicking in Mill Creek Regional Park where Splash is located.

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Georgia Southern University Wildlife Education Center and the Lamar Q Ball, Jr. Raptor Center Watch the eagles take flight or get up close and personal with raptors, reptiles, amphibians, waterfowl and mammals. Check the schedule of daily programs, too, from herpetology to flights by birds of prey. With more than 17 acres featuring diverse habitats and species, an amphitheater and an indoor classroom, along with overnight camping, get ready to take a walk on the wild side!

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Outdoor

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Mill Creek Regional Park Ready to play? This is your place. Mill Creek Regional Park is 155 acres of fun for team sports, family fun and outdoor pleasure. The sports fields?

State-of-the-art and unmatched in the Southeast.

The activity areas? Playgrounds and a walking trail, picnic areas and plenty of wide open spaces. Tennis anyone? Enjoy playing on any of the 10 lighted courts and browse the Pro-Shop for the latest apparel and tennis accessories.

Blackwater Preserve Unleash the adventurer inside of you at Blackwater Preserve.

Located only 6 miles from Statesboro, you can be on the water in just minutes! This 420-acre preserve is perfect for wildlife exploration and camping with numerous pathways or you can blaze a trail of your own. Canoes and kayaks are available onsite and fishermen will find a variety of fish including warmouth, largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish and crappie on the 200-acre cypress water impoundment.

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Geocaching Geocaching is today’s favorite scavenger hunt!

This adventure takes you on an outdoor exploration to places you might not think to visit. Small objects, often including a log book and pen or pencil are hidden in containers or “caches” in over 70 places in Bulloch County! Geocachers use handheld GPS units to locate these areas. The challenge often lies in driving, walking, hiking, or climbing to actually reach the cache. It’s a great way to see the sites in and around Statesboro.

S&S Greenway Jog, bike or run on the S & S Greenway. This nature trail traces the route of the former Savannah & Statesboro Railway, which first began in 1897. Enjoy the first completed mile and return to explore the remaining seven miles which will reach from Statesboro to Brooklet, GA when completed.

Blind Willie McTell Trail

Garden of the Coastal Plain

Who was Blind Willie and why does he have trail in Statesboro?

Ever hear the Allman Brothers Band song “Statesboro Blues”?

Willie is the blues great who wrote it. His namesake trail, though, is anything but blue.

You’ll ramble or cycle through a mile – and 7,415 square yards — of architecturally designed park, quirky art, and cobra lighting throughout that connects the Georgia Southern University campus to Downtown Statesboro.

Bike racks, picnic tables and quirky art benches invite you to stop and enjoy lunch or the beautiful day.

It’s a lush garden, it’s a historical site, it’s a cultural heritage center. The Garden of the Coastal Plain is an 11-acre site centered on an early 20th century farmstead that’s lush with beautiful azaleas, camellias, native plants and endangered species. You can watch history in bloom through a restored historic farmhouse, barn and the Oak Grove one-room schoolhouse filled with authentic relics of long-ago life in the Southeastern Coastal Plain.

The garden also hosts dozens of events year-round, from the Whirligig Festival to Wine, Moonlight and Magnolias, so check their website calendar.

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The Jumping Place Have you always wanted to touch the clouds? You can do that right here in Statesboro! The Jumping Place is a skydiving facility that offers Tandem, Student, and experienced jumper skydiving with a 100% safety record.

On your skydive you will witness breathtaking views of Statesboro, Georgia Southern and surrounding areas. Feel like you’re soaring with the Eagles!

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Statesboro

The Main Street Statesboro Farmers Market New York has one. Dallas has one.

Seattle has one. And well ahead of cities nationwide, Statesboro has one. We’re talking about farmers markets – the tasty centerpiece in the growing farm-to-table movement. Thousands (yes, thousands) make their way to ours on Saturdays, April through November, for fresh, locally grown produce, including conventionally grown and organic products. There’s also meat, dairy, eggs, baked goods, honey and jams, and crafts. And leave room in your shopping bag for fun. You’ll find live music, cooking demos, a wellness tent, children’s activities and more.

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F

Farm

resh Fun Freeman’s Mill

Experience the only operating grits mill in southeast Georgia right here in Statesboro! Freeman’s Mill grinds locally grown corn into grits and corn meal using 100+ year old granite mills. They also mill wheat and other grains on site. You can tour the mill or take a break on the front porch surrounded by southern yellow pines and oaks. Tours by reservation.

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Hunter Cattle Company

This family-owned and managed farm believes in the health benefits of Grassfed Beef, Pastured Pork, Free-Range Chickens, and Free-Range Eggs. They are committed to providing the healthiest, best tasting beef, pork, poultry, and eggs for your breakfast, lunch, and dinner plate. Visit MooMa’s Farm Store to purchase their award winning meats and other local, organic products from surrounding farms or book a weekend in a Barn Loft for an authentic farm experience.

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We

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Our Own

Rhythm & Brews When the sun sets, Statesboro shines. From happy hours to live entertainment there’s always something happening. Statesboro is home to many live music venues so you are sure to find a sound that suits you! Pull up a chair, order a beverage and relax in the home of the original Statesboro Blues.

Van Gogh’s Brewery Pairing hand crafted beers brewed on site with stone oven pizza, Van Gogh’s is Stateboro’s place to find fresh beer and a gourmet experience. Van Gogh’s creates a variety of year-round and seasonal beers, including their signature brew, Statesboro Blue, whose name pays homage to its founding town. Whether you are a Statesboro native or passing through, you’ll love the warm and welcoming atmosphere ideal for creating only the best of memories.

Meinhardt Vineyards and Winery Whether you want to see the winemaker’s art or just enjoy a glass and the view, Meinhardt Vineyards is a vintage experience. Nestled in the countryside just beyond the city limits, it bottles scenic views, sunsets, and award-winning wines.

Take a tour, enjoy a free tasting, and cheers! Mark your calendar for their annual Grape Stomp and Muscadine Festival, too, where you can crush grapes yourself and see how muscadine wine is made.

Eagle Creek Brewing Company Craft beer displays the creativity and passion of its makers and Eagle Creek Brewing Company is no exception. Located in beautiful downtown Statesboro, it’s a full production brewery that will be offering tours and tastings to the public. Visit their website for tour information.

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Festivals

Statesboro

Hunter Cattle Hayride

February

Splashy’s Egg Dive & Family

Wedding Walk Expo & Fashion Show in Downtown Statesboro The Wedding Walk is Statesboro’s premier wedding vendor expo and fashion show, bringing local business together to help make brides-to-be have the wedding they have always dreamed of.

March

Civil War Heritage Day at the Georgia Southern Museum Relive a time of our past during Civil War Heritage Day at Sweetheart Circle and the Georgia Southern Museum.

Festivities include demonstrations, reenactments, and discussions.

Spring Festival & Plant Sale at the Garden of the Coastal Plain at Georgia Southern University Get spring fever and head over to the Garden for their annual Spring Festival. This is fun for the whole family and includes crafts, children’s scavenger hunt, music, and much more.

Feed the Mosasaur at the Georgia Southern Museum This event is a benefit for the Georgia Southern Museum and includes a night of fabulous fun with demonstrations, delicious food and drink, and dancing.

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Boro Join Splashy at Splash in the Boro under the dome for an egg hunt in the pool! There will be games, water safety tips, prizes and much more!

April Kiwanis Rodeo at the

Swing into Spring at Mill Creek Regional Park Cheer on your team, get ready to scream, and ‘Swing into Spring’! The night includes music, interactive games, a parade of teams, first pitches and fireworks!

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Fun Fest at Splash in the

Kiwanis-Ogeechee Fairgrounds Hedrick Rodeo Company plans to bring two days of family fun and excitement along with a herd of world champion bulls and broncos to produce an International Professional Rodeo Association (IPRA)-sanctioned rodeo.

Wine, Moonlight & Magnolias at the Garden of the Coastal Plain at Georgia Southern University Mingle under the stars, embrace natural beauty and dine with fine wines at the annual Wine, Moonlight & Magnolias benefit.

Relay for Life Bulloch County at the KiwanisOgeechee Fairgrounds Join Bulloch County each year as they take a fight against cancer at the Kiwanis-Ogeechee Fair Grounds. Georgia Southern University also hosts a Relay for Life event on campus. It’s a great time for celebration, remembrance and overall family fun.

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Statesboro Film Festival at the Averitt Center for the Arts Laugh, cry, gasp! Get ready to be treated to a variety of debut short films made by local film makers.

Vote for your favorites online!

Georgia Southern Symphony Pops Concert at the Garden of the Coastal Plain at Georgia Southern University Enjoy performances by the Georgia Southern Music Department while enjoying the serenity of the historic garden.

Spring into Statesboro in Downtown Statesboro Kick off Spring by enjoying this Kids Arts & Crafts Festival. Bring the children downtown for live entertainment, fun games and food. Take them on a Dinosaur Dig or let them enjoy the Bubble Art or Bounce House!

ArtsFest at Sweetheart Circle at Georgia Southern University Georgia Southern University invites you to beautiful Sweetheart circle for a day of art, music, dance and delicious food!

With over 25 different art studios where the featured artist is you, this day plans to be full of family fun!

May Bulloch Bass Club Youth Fishing Tournament at Mill Creek Regional Park Grab your pole, bring your bait, and get ready for some family fun at the annual BassMaster’s Fishing Rodeo! Winners of best

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catch receive trophies and prizes.

Children who catch a tagged fish also win cash!

Memorial Day Program at the Averitt Center for the Arts Hosted by The American Legion Dexter Allen Post 90, the Memorial Day Program includes words of remembrance, military songs, and a commemoration of names of Bulloch County veterans who lost their lives during war.

Southern Cruisers Auto Show at the Kiwanis Ogeechee Fairgrounds Come see classic and restored rides from Corvettes and Camaros to Mercedes and Mustangs! The Southern Cruisers is a charitable organization providing financial and spiritual support to needy families with seriously ill children in the area.

July Firecracker Fest & July 4th Celebration at Mill Creek Regional Park Celebrate our nation’s independence with the family at Mill Creek Park. There’s plenty to do including games, contest, live music and spectacular fireworks.

Christmas in July at Splash in the Boro at Splash in the Boro Come beat the heat and celebrate with a little Christmas cheer at Splash in the Boro’s Christmas in July.

Festivals August Grillin’ in the Grove at Ogeechee Technical College Watch as teams compete for “Best Griller”, enjoy delicious food each competitor serves, and dance the day away with live entertainment.

Brooklet Peanut Festival in Brooklet, GA Festivities include the annual parade, beauty pageant contest, a 5K run, numerous vendors, live entertainment and a slow tractor race. Don’t miss out!

September Stomp the Grapes Festival at Meinhardt Vineyards & Winery Get ready to stomp, squish and squeeze in grape barrels at Meinhardt’s Stomp the Grapes Festival. Family friendly activities for all!

Taste of Downtown in Downtown Statesboro Sample a variety of local restaurants all in one location.

Live entertainment is provided on the courthouse lawn to accent this tasteful experience.

Farm Heritage Day Festival at Hunter Cattle Company Hunter Cattle Company is committed to preserving the history of farming and homesteading through educational experiences and that’s what Farm Heritage Day is all about. See demonstrations ranging from blacksmithing to soap making. There’s fun, food and live music for the whole family to enjoy!

Willow Hill Heritage Festival Located at the historic Willow Hill School, this festival celebrates the school’s historical and educational impact on the community.

Festivities include family entertainment and games as well as tours, exhibits and genealogy workshops.

October GreenFest in Downtown Statesboro Join us for this community sustainability celebration with green exhibits and vendors as well as workshops for how to save green while living green. There’s live music and sustainable fun for the kids, and great information and sustainable solutions for the whole family. This event is hosted

by Georgia Southern University’s Center for Sustainability and sponsored by Gulfstream.

Rhythm & Brews at the Garden of the Coastal Plain at Georgia Southern University Rhythm & Brews is a beer tasting event that feeds the spirit and fills the soul. Enjoy a night of assorted beers, delicious food, and musical blast of Blues, Funk, and Rock and Roll.

Kiwanis-Ogeechee Fair at the Kiwanis-Ogeechee Fair Grounds The Kiwanis Club would like to invite you to a party that they celebrate every year! With a kickoff at the Downtown Parade, the Kiwanis-Ogeechee Fair promises six days of fun, excitement, and good food.

Trick or Treat at Mill Creek at Mill Creek Regional Park Bring the whole family and participate in the Halloween costume contest, trick or treat at the numerous candy stops, or stop by the haunted Splash in the Boro next door.

Scare in the Boro at Splash in the Boro Statesboro’s premier water park turns from Splash in the Boro to “Scare to the Boro” in the month of October as it opens up as a haunted waterpark. Come take a walk down the haunted lazy river… if you dare!

Scare on the Square in Downtown Statesboro Get your scare on at Scare on the Square! There’s costume contests, hay rides, and Halloween activities for the whole family.

Turpentine Festival in Portal, GA This festival celebrates the history of turpentine at the historic E. C. Carter turpentine still, located in Portal, Georgia. There’s plenty to do including games, food, and live entertainment!

November The Write Place in Statesboro, GA This literary festival includes author readings, writer workshops, coffee house readings for aspiring authors, and more!

Georgia Southern University Homecoming at Georgia Southern University’s Paulson Stadium This is a great week to be an Eagle! Enjoy a week-long observance with a variety of events, reunions, social gatherings, and a parade of floats leading up to the big homecoming football game.

Shopping by Lantern Light in Downtown Statesboro This year, kick off the holiday season with our traditional “Shopping by Lantern Light” event held in beautiful historic Downtown Statesboro. Here, shoppers have the chance to purchase locally-grown foods and handmade crafts and gifts perfect for holiday gatherings.

thousands of lights twinkling and over a 100 displays to be seen!

Over 65,000 visitors enjoy this Christmas extravaganza annually.

Downtown Holiday Celebration in Downtown Statesboro Downtown’s Holiday Celebration fills Mainstreet with holiday cheer from the smell of delicious foods, holiday-inspired arts and crafts, the sound of seasonal symphonies, and a visit from the big man, Santa. The festivities continue with the Chili Town Cookoff and the Run the Boro 5k.

Wildlife Winterfest at Georgia Southern Wildlife Center Don’t miss the experience to see animals from all over the world, be in a live audience magic show, and get up close and personal with animals found in the South East. Enjoy holiday music and a visit from Santa Claus!

Choral & Singers Christmas Performance by the Georgia Southern Music Department at First United Methodist Church Get in the spirit with traditional holiday songs sung like you’ve never heard before.

GSU International Festival at Mill Creek Regional Park Celebrating diversity and international cultures, Georgia Southern invites you to a Global Village, “It’s a Small World”, international food and bazaar vendors, and international performances on the World Stage.

December TMT Farms Christmas Light Wonderland at 16658 Old River Rd, Statesboro, GA 30461 Light up the night with TMT Farms as they celebrate the holidays with their spectacular light wonderland. Drive through a mile of holiday scenes with

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Bulloch Bass Fishing Tournament

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E

they know their veryone in Statesboro has a family story, whether original Primistory or not. Maybe their ancestors were some of the who built rafts tive Baptist preachers, or maybe they were the men or maybe they rode with and sent logs down the Altam aha River to Darien, School for Statesboro.

Mayor Lonnie Brannen and claimed the First A&M gia stories thanks to Today, we know these and many other south Geor the Arts.

Dr. Delm a E. Presley, Statesboro’s fifth Legend in sboro in 1969. They State to d Del Presley and his wife, Bever ly, move made a committhey so , were pleased to be part of a progr essive community tance of the people ment at the beginning of their stay to affir m the impor ry they shared. The here, and to make residents awar e of the vibra nt histo they have become a part Presleys raised three children in Statesboro, and red with the Aver itt of that history—even more so today as Del is hono Center’s Legend in the Arts awar d.

36 • Statesboro Magazine ›› The Culture

Storyteller Statesboro’s

by Lorett a Brand on photo s by Frank Fortu ne & the Averit t Cente r for the Arts

The Culture ‹‹ September/October 2013 • 37

While working on the Okefinokee Album, Presley recorded some of the folk sayings reflecting the humor of the people of the swamp: • “You never know what kind of heart’s beneath a ragged vest.”

• “Cast your bread upon the waters with the buttered side up, and it’s come back cake.”

• Ain’t but two mistakes the good Lord made: One was not puttin’ the calf of a man’s leg on the shin side. The other was not fixin’ the Altamaha river so that one side runs up and the other’n down.

38 • Statesboro Magazine ›› The Culture

Presley’s interest in the culture and folklore began in his childhood in Taccoa, Georgia, and grew as he learned more about his native state. While earning an undergraduate degree from Mercer University and a doctorate from Emory, he found himself studying and writing more and more about the literature and history of Georgia. For more than 40 years, Presley has written essays, books, plays, and documentaries, making some of these works come to life on stage or on film. In his heart he is very much a teacher, so his creative work is an innate effort to teach his audiences the importance and value of life in South Georgia.

One natural skill that Presley enjoys is “doing” research, often of the interpersonal kind. When they first arrived in Georgia, the Presleys’ neighbors included Dan and Catherine Bland. Dan had been a member of the first class at the First District A&M School (now Georgia Southern University), so during warm Georgia afternoons on the Blands’ front porch, Del Presley learned first-hand about the beginnings of the University and the train that carried Statesboro mayor Lonnie Brannen and 50 delegates to Savannah to compete for ‘the people’s school.’ Years later, stories from those conversations, along with some historical research, became The Southern Century, a book celebrating the first 100 years of Georgia Southern.

During their early years in Statesboro, Del and Beverly became interested in Francis Harper, a naturalist whose brother, Otto Harper, taught with Dan Bland.

Francis Harper entered the Okeefenokee Swamp for the first time in 1912 as part of a Cornell University biological survey team. He enjoyed the colorful language and habits of the “swampers” who served as guides, and he admitted that these residents knew a lot about the plants and animals of the area. Harper dutifully recorded all that he learned in the swamp, including the anecdotes and stories of the “swampers,” leaving eighty-five notebooks filled with information at the time of his death in 1972.

Family Man: Del and Beverly with their son Worth and daughter Susan in 1968. Their son Edwin was born in 1972.

«

Harper had always envisioned himself writing a book about the swamp, but now the work fell to his widow, Jean, who gathered the photos, negatives, notebooks, and reference works to begin the process. In the mid-1970s, a Georgia Southern faculty member, John Boseman, introduced Presley to Harper’s work, and Presley met with Jean Harper in 1976 to begin the process of turning Harper’s notebooks into a book. In 1981, Okeefinokee Album, authored by Francis Harper and Delma E. Presley, was published by the University of Georgia Press.

“Francis Harper was a great scientist, but he could not write about people,” said Presley. It fell to Presley to tell the stories of Hamp Mizell, the great troubadour of the swamp, who told Harper ‘Sometimes when plowing, I hear a song and writes it down.’

«

Still in Love: Dr. Presley and his lovely wife Beverly.

« Graduate: Del Presley

photos on this page courtesy of the Averitt Center for the Arts

«

while in graduate school at Emory University, c. 1968.

Professor: Del Presley in the classroom, 1978.

« Coach: 1989 GSU Women’s Cross Country team with Coach Del Presley.

“Harper called Lone Thrift, one of the swampers, the ‘St. Francis of Assisi’ of the swamp,” Presley explained. “He was laid back, a part of nature, and it was said that birds would land on him and pluck hair from his head for their nests. He could feed deer right out of his hand.”

“Eventually, in the early 1930s, there was a movement to build a ship canal through the swamp,” Presley explained. “But Jean Harper, who had tutored President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s children, Anna and Elliot, wrote to the President and asked him to preserve the swamp. He did, but by making the swamp the Okeefenokee Wildlife Refuge, it forever changed the swamp families who live there.”

The Okeefinokee Album is still in print, so people are still learning about the Great Swamp and the families who lived there. Although they never met Francis Harper, both Del and Beverly Presley have enjoyed a long and interesting friendship with Jean Harper, her sons, and the people they met through the book.

Another character who caught the interest of Presley was Robert John Henderson DeLoach, an agricultural lecturer at the First District A&M School and later a faculty member at the South Georgia Teachers College. R.J.H. DeLoach brought notice to Statesboro through his membership in the Vagabond Club, which included such notables as Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, naturalist John Burroughs, and Harvey Firestone.

DeLoach was an avid book collector, and owned Beechwood, a personal retreat in Bulloch County that Presley noted as ‘a naturalist’s haven.’

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Emma Kelly Theater: Del Presley, Mical Whitaker, and Michael Braz at the opening of A Place to Call Home, 2004.

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40 • Statesboro Magazine ›› The Culture

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« Travel: Aboard the Royal Scotsman on a trip to Edinburgh, 1999.

Over his decades in Statesboro, Presley has gained more than a million dollars in grants that he used to highlight the region’s culture and importance. The National Endowment for the Humanities funded “Project RAFT: Restoring Altamaha Folklife Traditions,” a project that resulted from interviews with people who lived in the Altamaha River Valley. The grant allowed Presley to hire a crew to re-create the Altamaha tradition (18801930) of building log rafts to float the timber down the river. The 55-ton yellow pine timber raft they built was nearly the length of a basketball court from bow to stern. It floated down the river, passing such uniquely named places as Devil’s Elbow, Shirttail Bend, Morrowbone Round, and Old Woman’s Pocket, names coined by nineteenth-century woodsmen who earned their living on the Altamaha.

The re-created raft ended its voyage in Darien which, in the past, was a thriving coastal city where international companies purchased the wood, providing income for the Altamaha River farmers.

The grant also allowed him to hire a crew to film “The Last Raft,” the story of taking the log raft down the river under the leadership of 90-year-old Bill Deen, the last of the river raft pilots. During the re-creation, more than 20,000 Georgians participated in four riverside folk festivals that celebrated Georgia’s tall timber era. Project RAFT was the subject of two documentaries shown on PBS in the late 1980s. In 1992 and in 2002, some of the crew that floated the raft took reunion river trips to celebrate the “The Last Raft.”

A more recent Presley project, produced much closer to home, was A Place to Call Home. Presented in 2004, this musical drama celebrated Statesboro’s Centennial, and its four sold-out performances were the first presentations in the Emma Kelly Theatre. Another Statesboro Legend in the Arts, Dr. Michael Braz, arranged the music for this celebration.

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42 • Statesboro Magazine ›› The Culture

Throughout his professional life, Presley has focused on great Southern writers, particularly Tennessee Williams, Carson McCullers, and John Fowles.

In addition to his work as an English professor, he served as Director of the Georgia Southern Museum for 17 years.

He holds emeritus status for both of those positions, a designation signifying lifelong excellence and continued involvement. He served as secretary, vice president, and president of the Georgia Association of Museums and Galleries, from whom he received a Professional of the Year Award in 1992 followed by their Lifetime Achievement Award in 1998.

In 1986 Presley received the Georgia Humanities Council’s Governors Award in the Humanities. For 9 years he served on the board of directors of the Folklife Council for the Georgia Council for the Arts.

There is no doubt that Del and Beverly Presley have kept their commitment to the people of South Georgia. Through research, through extensive writing, through building connections among people, and especially through telling stories that tie us to our culture, they have shown us that we can be proud of our history. And they have not stopped— both their commitment and their work continue with the Presleys’ new book, set for distribution in September 2013.

The volume, one of Arcadia Publishing’s Campus Series, will focus on the history of Georgia Southern University.

In conversation, Presley speaks lovingly of his wife, who has been a strong support in all that he has accomplished.

“Beverly is very important to me, and she has always been my research companion. At this point we truly enjoy living in Statesboro, visiting old friends, and continuing to look for interesting stories.”

“Beverly and I are interested residents of Statesboro,” said Presley. “We like to walk the Willie McTell Trail and see people that we know. The city is growing, and I hope it retains the ability to inspire new residents with all that the region has to offer.” n

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44 • Statesboro Magazine ›› From the Farm

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razing the booths early on a Saturday morning at Statesboro’s Main Street Farmer’s Market, you’ll find a popular award-winning venue for farm raised meats, Hunter Cattle Company. Travel associations have applauded the producers for supplying beef for the best burgers in the state. UGA’s Flavor of Georgia recognized their pork sausage as a winner in the meat product category this year. Famous Savannah chefs and area restaurants put the naturally raised beef, pork, and poultry on their menus. “Farm to table” enthusiasts buy it up at local farmer’s markets and through Hunter Cattle Company’s website.

Sausages, whole racks of ribs, steaks, loins, chops, poultry, eggs, and ground meats are sold on-line for delivery almost every day of the week at pre-designated pick-up spots. Pick-up locations have been established as far away as Brunswick and Hilton Head. Products can be found at the Forsyth Square Farmer’s Market, Springfield Farmer’s Market, Richmond Hill Farmer’s Market, and the Wilmington Island Market. Ordering fresh meats for delivery from Hunter Cattle Company harkens back to what it was like before there were any superstores; a time when Grandma gave her weekly order to the local butcher for pick-up or delivery or when families lived off what they raised.

The farmers in charge of producing this quality locally-raised meat are Del and Debra Ferguson, owners and operators of the business named for their youngest son, Hunter. Del first experienced the country life being reared on his family’s farm in Appling County, Georgia. Later, he owned a business in Savannah for 25 years before he, and wife Debra, who also grew up on a farm, came upon the opportunity to buy a nice-sized place in the Brooklet-Leefield -Stilson area. For the Fergusons, family farm life began again in 2003 on a 450-acre spread off of Driggers Road in Bulloch County.

From the Farm ‹‹ September/October 2013 • 45

46 • Statesboro Magazine ›› From the Farm

Del and Debra always wanted to get back to life on the farm, working close to animals and nature. Theirs is a real family farm in the sense that three of their five children, Anthony, Kristen, and Hunter, and their nine grandsons, work and play right alongside them.

Born of a desire to improve the quality of beef, pork, and poultry available for public consumption, Del and Debra, became interested in the health benefits of cattle eating organic and natural food products versus being fed with added growth hormones, processed grain feeds, and antibiotics. Debra’s research showed there are health benefits from eating grass-fed beef which contains higher levels of vitamin A, Omega-3 fatty acids, and CLAs. The family believes feeding cattle naturally produces a better beef product that is healthier for us and better for the environment.

The Fergusons also believe that today, people have become disconnected with the sources of their food. As a result the family has opened Hunter Cattle Company to the public to help educate people about food resources and about why getting back to basics and producing food the natural way is good for everyone.

Not by accident, along with producing quality locally raised meats, the Fergusons have created a rural experience at their place for the public, reminiscent of life on the farm 100 years ago. The property’s focal point is a big red and white barn-esque structure with attached open shed area for entertaining groups or for live musical performances. Del’s granddaddy’s 1954 red Ford step-side pick-up truck is parked right out front under an old Sinclair Gasoline filling station sign that now encircles a big HC for Hunter Cattle. A front porch with rocking chairs beckons guests to stay and relax awhile before opening the screen door to shop in Moo Ma’s store, where the country décor invites browsing through the locally produced products that are sold inside.

From the Farm ‹‹ September/October 2013 • 47

In the side-yard there’s a grassy area that can be staged for events and cookouts, rustic outdoor play stations have been constructed along the fence for children to enjoy.

Behind the barn are replicas of outhouses designated his and hers.

In the back yard you’ll find plenty of farm animals. All types of fowl: guineas, chickens, ducks, peacocks and peahens, and turkeys. There are rabbits, goats and lambs, pigs and piglets, and cattle grazing nearby.

None of the cattle, hogs, or chickens is caged. On the Ferguson farm the poultry is free-range, the pork is pastured, and the beef is grass-fed.

A visit to Hunter Cattle Company isn’t just a recreational experience, it’s educational as well. It’s a return to a way of life when families lived off the land, producing their own meats, vegetables, nuts, dairy products, and fruits. The bygone culture which the Ferguson’s are recreating is reminiscent of a time when there were gatherings of families and friends from neighboring farms who enjoyed rural social events such as peanut boils, gospel sings, and cane grindings. To that end, the farm can be reserved for special occasions including family celebrations, banquets, and even corporate events.

48 • Statesboro Magazine ›› From the Farm

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The Fergusons love visitors and host special Hunter Cattle Company events for the public throughout the year. On Saturday, September 21st, a Farm Heritage Day Festival is planned, with demonstrations of how things were once done such as mill grinding, blacksmithing, bee keeping, goat milking, pottery spinning, and soap making. Activities will include hay rides, pond fishing, pig races, and more for all ages. Live music will also be playing all day while chefs from Coastal area restaurants, who use Hunter Cattle products, offer dishes for sampling.

In addition to promoting local “farm to table” eating, educating the public about farm heritage, and providing a venue for public celebrations, the Fergusons have added over-night lodging to the Hunter Cattle Company experience. For those who would like to totally immerse themselves in turn-of-the-century farm living, guests are invited to stay on the property, either in barn loft accommodations, recreational vehicles, or rustic pioneer style.

City folks are especially drawn to this total farm experience, including waking up early to milk and feed the animals.

The next overnight event planned at Hunter Cattle Company is a Fall Family Campout being held November 15th & 16th. Activities include wagon rides, dinner under the barn shed, moonlight trail walks, henhouse education, and a big country breakfast the next morning.

With creativity and hard work, the Fergusons are making an effort to provide the best possible locally raised meats and poultry products, while preserving our agrarian heritage, all in an effort to teach the next generation of consumers through hands-on experiences what “raising a family and working on the farm” is really all about. n Editor’s Note: To learn more about the Fergusons and Hunter Cattle Company go to their website - www.HunterCattle.com. You can also find their products on-line at www.StatesboroMarket2go.locallygrown.net

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The Garden offers woodlands, a landscape garden of coastal plain natives, a native azalea collection, an arboretum, a children’s garden, a complex of early 20th century farm buildings, the Rural Life Museum, the Whelchel Camellia Garden, heritage gardens, a bog and sandhill, and the Kennedy Outdoor Classroom. Educational programs draw visitors from throughout the region.

You don’t have to have a green thumb to enjoy the Garden. Events offered throughout the year include plant sales, festivals, musical events, and the famous Wine, Moonlight and Magnolias wine tasting. The Garden is also the perfect site for weddings, receptions and parties. Imagine walking through the Garden, surrounded by beauty on your special day.

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The Culture ‹‹ September/October 2013 • 55

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56 • Statesboro Magazine

THE Garden Gate

Summer of

T

Rain

came its way. The crunchy grass and droopy plants survived and seemed no worse for it.

During our summer of rain, I heard lots of talk about leaking roofs and the installation of gutters, and more than one debate on the merits of a French drain. In dry summers we talk about drip lines and xeriscaping.

One thing about humans, we’re always trying to cope with the natural world in which we live. Some believe in altering it to fit how or where they live. Most of us want a more symbiotic relationship with our surroundings. We’re learning more about how to build house and roads that don’t harm nature or interfere with the way it responds to these cycles.

Still, our summer of rain was something to behold. It was a reminder that nature is not only magical but unpredictable, too, even as we try our hardest to understand its seemingly random behavior. It reminded me, too, that all around us nature gifts us with special places like that little rain forest in the North Georgia mountains, and that usually they’re right outside our door. n

©iStockphoto.com/shalamov

here’s a part of Georgia where a sliver of the state meets North Carolina in the Blue Ridge Mountains that’s said to be rainier than the Pacific Northwest. I’m not sure if it’s true, or even of the quantity of rain such a comparison would merit, but I’ve hiked in the area and know it to be so lush I at times feel overwhelmed by its natural opulence.

This summer I’ve felt a little bit like I had been picked up and transported to some similar world. We have had more rain than my yard has ever seen. Growth has been phenomenal.

Plants, which in the past seemed content to stay rather petite and innocuous are giant, rising higher and spreading farther than ever before.

Everything is greener. Flowers are more plentiful. A slick moss has crept over a brick walkway. Another appeared around the perimeter of the house. Small boggy depressions fill the yard.

I think about sink holes that swallow whole houses. The shed flooded for the first time – ever. A huge pecan limb fell, heavy with fruit. We were able to cut and remove most of the smaller limbs it brought with it in its violent descent to earth but the main, thick bare limb still sits in the back of the yard, sodden, vines quickly claiming it as their own.

My rain gauge runneth over.

The thing about nature is that it’s prepared for such wide swings in weather. A wet spring and summer, and maybe fall, too, is just a cycle. Rivers rise and marshes and bogs fill. Wetlands become more so. Plants that tolerate dry spells seem just as able to handle wet ones.

It’s the human inhabitants that seem to have the hardest time adjusting to the vagaries of nature. I remember summers when I cursed the relentless blazing sun as the grass crunched beneath my feet and my plants seemed to droop in resignation. I prayed for rain to no avail. But once again, I seemed to mind more than nature did. It took whatever

Stephanie Tames is a writer and yoga instructor.

Her publications include The Washington Post Magazine, The Atlanta Journal Constitution, The Nature Conservancy Magazine, Self, and Parenting. Her online publications include Salon. She has been a commentator for Georgia Public Broadcasting, and is a regular contributor to Statesboro Magazine.

September/October 2013 • 57

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This is my story...

I had planned my path. I knew exactly what I wanted to do, and how to get there, and I was well on my way.

Ecclesia Djalleta

Radiologic Technology Student

The chapters of my education, in my mind at least, were already written but my life changed early in my university experience. I became a mom, and suddenly my focus shifted. The destination, rather than the journey, became a priority.

I chose Ogeechee Tech’s Radiologic Technology program because it put me on the fast-track to my future, and more importantly, my son’s future.

I love it here and though my life is nothing like I planned it, I wouldn’t change it if I could.

My name is Ecclesia Djalleta, and this is my story.

What’s yours?

To hear more about Ecclesia and others visit: www.ogeecheetech.edu/story One Joseph E. Kennedy Blvd. | Statesboro, GA | 912.681.5500 | 800.646.1316 58 • Statesboro Magazine

Equal Opportunity Institution | A Unit of the Technical College System of Georgia

912.489.2181

SPIRITUAL PATHWAYS

How Do You Spell

Love?

Bill Perry grew up in Live Oak, Florida, a small town just south of Valdosta, GA. After graduating from Stetson University, he earned three degrees from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. In 2004, he retired as pastor of First Baptist Church of Statesboro after serving that congregation for 22 years. He and his wife, Margaret, registrar of Statesboro High School before her retirement in 2005, have two daughters, five grandsons, and one granddaughter. Bill has been very much involved in community life in Statesboro. He is an avid reader and has been a runner since 1973.

I

© i S t o c k p h o t o . c o m / Ta o p r o j e c t

love working jigsaw puzzles. There’s no telling how That’s not the first time I’ve acted crazy. Early in our many I have completed and glued together and stored marriage Margaret read in a women’s magazine that taking a milk bath was beneficial. “That’s just what I need to make me under the bed in our guest room.

I was trying to get a puzzle started the other day and yelled feel more beautiful.” So I drove out into the country, stopped for Margaret, “Hey, come in here and help me! I can’t figure out at the first place that looked like a dairy farm, and said to the how to get this puzzle started.” When she came into the family farmer, “I want to buy enough milk for my wife to take a milk room she asked, “What’s it supposed to be when it’s finished?” I bath.” The farmer asked me if I wanted the milk pasteurized. told her that according to the box it’s a tiger. She sat down by me, “No, I replied. Up to her neck will do just fine.” Later, when I studied the pieces for a moment, and then said, “No matter what thought through on his question I was not surprised that he had we do, we’ll never be able to assemble these pieces into anything been unwilling to take my check.

Life is confusing. I learned as a boy that one of the rules of that resembles a tiger.’ She continued, “I want you to go with me into the kitchen and we’ll have a nice cup of coffee. Then spelling is “I before e except after c.” I believed my teacher, Mrs. we’ll come back and put all these Frosted Flakes back in the box.” Flood, when she told me that. And what a help that rule has been. It’s helped me spell hard words, like yield, siege, ceiling, receive, thief, deceive. But then I ran into words like liesure (I mean leisure), protien (or is it protein), and efficeint (efficient?). Using the “I before e” rule I even misspelled neighbor and species in my doctoral dissertation.

I’m not so concerned about spelling words correctly anymore.

I before e or e before I? I don’t much care. What bothers me is the number of times I put I before U. God’s Word has told me that I’m not to put myself before anybody. When the Apostle Paul wrote the Love Chapter (I Corinthians 13) he says that love is kind, patient, not envious, not rude, doesn’t insist on its own way, is not arrogant. If I understand that teaching correctly then I am always supposed to put U before I. That means I’m not to ask, “What’s in it for me?” Instead, my response is to be “What’s best for you?” That’s hard for me.

Yes, life can get kind of crazy. And not just for me. I went in to see my pharmacist the other day and asked him, “Do you have something for hiccups?” He reached out and slapped me in the face.

“What’d you do that for?!” I yelled!

“Well, you don’t have the hiccups anymore do you?” he asked.

“No, I said. But my wife out in the car does!” n September/October 2013 • 59

Thank you for placing an ad with Statesboro Magazine. Below is your proof.

Please check it closely and let us know right away if there are any changes needed. * A watermark will appear over the ad when printing. *

A living-history visit with prominent residents of eAstside Cemetery Thursday, October 17, 2013 Tours beginning at 6 pm and each 15 minutes thereafter “The Dearly Departed”: Caroline Moore Sorrier Col. Albert M. Deal Dr. Waldo Floyd Dr. Raymond Kennedy Charles Preetorious Manassas Foy Col. Greene Johnston John Alexander McDougald

Tales Tomb from the

Tickets available at Statesboro Herald - $5 For information: www.bullochhistory.com Thank you for placing an ad with Statesboro Magazine. Below is your proof.

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912.871.7100 60 • Statesboro Magazine

THE WRITE PLACE

y roll�

ll Kirk “Je n o s n Joh

J. Fre d

Knob lo

ch

An acclaimed writer of musical lyrics, Mr. Arata will be the featured artist at the Statesboro Write Place Festival on November 14, 2013 in the Emma Kelly Theater.

November 15, 2013 | 7:30 p.m.

Sponsored by Lovett bennett, Jr. Attorney at Law, p.C.

Tickets: 912 -2 1 2 -2 787 www.averittcenterforthearts.org The Averitt Center for the Arts is located at 33 East Main Street, Downtown Statesboro

Friends of the Arts: $16 adult $10 youth

$20 box

Non-Members: $18 adult $10 youth

$22 box

Visit Statesboro G

r i l l i n

t h e

Gr

’

i n

o v e

Ogeechee Technical College; Benefit for the American Diabetes Association; In the Pecan Grove at OTC, August 3, 2013

62 • Statesboro Magazine

G

r a n d

Op

e n i n g

Landrum Dining Commons Georgia Southern University August 13, 2013

September/October 2013 • 63

BUILD A TERRARIUM O C T O B E R 2 6 W I T H PA M H E AV N E R under THE BARN AT Garden of the Coastal Plain at GSU

THE VIEW FROM HERE

Friends!

Ric Mandes, a popular essayist, retired after 27 years as Director of Public Relations and Development for Georgia Southern. His memories about growing up and living in South Georgia inspire his writings. He’s a published author and former newspaper columnist for the AJC.

O

ne of the many parables my Granny taught me was, “Rickie, wherever you go and whatever you do in life, be nice. Offer a sure enough handshake. Smile big.

And if you know them real good then give them a hug.” Gran would then pause with this benediction, “Cause your smile, handshake, or hug might be just what those whom you meet been needing all day long.”

©iStockphoto.com/Diego Cervo

Thompson set up his dental practice in a small office with one chair at the corner of East Inman and Granade Street. He is the second best friend in my fortune. Thirty years he took care of my family and me. On the weekends we would get together and watch old movies. As did Gene, Speed blessed me with a special love mixed in with his brilliance of sarcasm. If you could not handle being kidded without mercy, well.

Our venue was church and Saturday afternoon tennis matches with Fielding Russell and his buddy, Dr. Hunter Robertson. Every Saturday afternoon those two rascals ran Thompson and me like two rats trying to chase down a wellplaced shot of cheese. The last time I saw Speed he was sitting in his bedroom and as I was about to leave, he said “Ric, you know I love you…” and I did and told him I loved him back.

And then there is my final close friend Dr. Pope Duncan who came to Georgia Southern in the late ‘60’s as vice president and then assumed the role of president until 1977 when he took the presidency of Stetson. What a dear, dear friend. He was the chief, but he was my third best friend. When he was in town we would eat lunch together. During baseball season, he would tap on my door and say, “You got time to let us walk over and see how our Eagles are doing?” Pope and I shared the stories unfolding each day of our lives as Dads. On one or two occasions there was a slight tremble to our lips as we dipped down Then came her fine-tuned canons concerning having a real and accepted the pain which sometime comes with loving our children. good friendship.

During my 80 years I had good sidekicks – members of the “Always be the same. Don’t be moody, but if your heart’s hurting then just look at the best friend in the eye and say ‘we Mullet Club – Anderson, Rushing, Greek, Tipton and Smith. L. have to talk.’” She went on to point out that throughout my Grizzard, Doug Cope, Claude Felton. Those friendships for the lifetime I would be fortunate to have maybe one or two true most part are pressed between the pages of my mind.

And at 80, I find time to sit on the front stoop at night and friendships. Well, I have been fortunate, as a teenager and in the Scouts, Gene Copeland was that friend. Every weekend he’d be allow the breeze to journey me back through the aforemenat my house or I, his. He would be the best man in my wedding tioned names. And with that Fielding has just aced me. Speed is and I would be his and his bride Alice. They were wonderfully telling me to sit up and stop being a sissy. And Pope, he would laugh so hard he would tear up. good to me.

And with these admissions, that’s what is taking place right Upon my discharge from twenty four months of military duty, I returned home to Brunswick not certain what would now!

Tears! be my future. Cutting to the chase, I decided to try college.

So if you will excuse me, I need a paper towel to blow my Thus in the fall of ’55, I enrolled in Georgia Teachers College.

I finished in three years. During that time Dr. L. T. “Speed” nose. n September/October 2013 • 65

TRANSITIONS

“Seeing death as the end of life is like seeing the horizon as the end of the ocean.”

— David Searls Mrs. Barbara Anne Jones Akins

06.25.13

Mr. John Willie Godley

06.22.13

Mr. Arthur Everett Nordgren

06.25.13

Mrs. Frances Evelyne Albury

07.03.13

Mrs. Bonnie Lanigan Graham

06.05.13

Mrs. Martha Lovett Parker

07.18.13

Mr. Jimmy “Bo Gator” Alston, Sr.

07.07.13

Ms. Martha Felicia “Lisa” Grooms

06.10.13

Mrs. Martine Yaughn Pollack

06.14.13

Mr. Joseph C. Bennett

07.16.13

Mr. Lessie Edward Hagins

07.18.13

Mr. Jerald Wayne Powell

07.12.13

Mrs. Janet Marie Bacon Bowen

06.27.13

Mrs. Eloise Hart

06.23.13

Mrs. Earlene Sasser Pressey

07.31.13

Mr. Neill Brammar

06.23.13

Ms. Mary Randolph Hayslip

07.19.13 06.07.13

07.24.13

06.24.13

Mrs. Gertrude Meeks Hendix

Mrs. Mary Elizabeth “Lix” Martin Ranew

Mrs. Annette Slater Branch Mrs. Marjorie Burke Brannen

06.06.13

Mr. John L. Hendrick

07.11.13

Mrs. Joan E. (Ward) Ray

07.10.13

Mrs. Mae Dell Williams Brannen

07.23.13

Mrs. Florence Forehand Hill

07.07.13

Mr. Benjamin “Bennie” Franklin Ray, Jr.

07.12.13

Mrs. Barbara Franklin Brannen

07.30.13

Mrs. Fay Rushton Humphrey

07.05.13

Ms. Peggy Woodcock Rewis

06.19.13

Mrs. Margie Ethel Edmiston Brown

06.12.13

Miss Mary Elizabeth Jenkins

06.05.13

Mr. Peyton Austin Rheney, Sr.

06.02.13

Mr. Thomas R. “Tommy” Brown

06.18.13

Mr. James Lonnie Jones

06.01.13

Mr. James Earl “Jimmy” Richardson

06.20.13

Mr. Jimmy Willette Brown

06.28.13

Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Rada Cashon Jones

06.01.13

Ms. Andrea Hagins Roberson

07.06.13

Mr. Winard D’Wayne Burke

06.10.13

Mrs. Mary Lee Gordon Jones

06.07.13

Mrs. Mariel Sampson

07.11.13

Ms. Diane Carter

06.27.13

Ms. Ann Cetti Jones

06.17.13

Mr. Kevin Scott

05.29.13

Mrs. Nettie Lee C. Collins

06.18.13

Mrs. Louise Kemp

07.11.13

Mrs. Thelma Lewis Sessions

06.18.13

Mrs. Myrtice Anderson Conner

07.22.13

Mrs. Jewell Gerrald Hendrix Kicklighter

07.11.13

Mr. Charles Alford Crosby

07.31.13

Mrs. Minnie “Mincie”

Mr. David Smith

05.30.13

Mrs. Amy Minick Damm

06.30.13

Merritt Dodson Lancaster

06.23.13

Mrs. Evelyn “Monk” reardon Stafford

07.15.13

Ms. Lois Earle De Loach

06.05.13

Mr. Joseph Edward Lewis

06.08.13

Mr. E. Keith Stellabott

06.12.13

Mrs. Betty Dennis

06.09.13

Mr. Charlie Lewis, Sr.

07.14.13

Mr. Paul M. Strange

07.07.13

Deacon Robert Denson

06.19.13

Mr. Robert Blane Livingston, Sr.

07.02.13

Mr. Walker Louis “Buddy” Tedders

07.06.13

Mr. Hiram Bunn ‘Jimmy” Dollar, Jr.

06.29.13

Mr. Francis C. Long

07.17.13

Mrs. Lois Carter Thomas

07.21.13

Mrs. Lessie Mae Durden

06.08.13

Mrs. Monika Lynch

07.29.13

Mr. Russell Anthony “Rosario” Trio

07.16.13

Deacon Thomas Ellis, Jr.

07.02.13

Mrs. Betty Jean Woods Mallard

07.17.13

Mr. Larry Randall Turner

06.10.13

Mrs. Edna Durden Ellison

06.24.13

Mrs. Esther Raines Mallard

07.28.13

Mrs. Sallie Venson

07.26.13

Mr. John Flannery Evans

06.14.13

Mrs. Willie Mae Littleton Meeks

07.06.13

Mrs. Patricia Loftus Waters

06.11.13

Deacon Albert Faulk, Jr.

05.28.13

Mr. John Raymond Mikell

07.15.13

Mr. Paul Douglas “Skippy” Fowler

07.06.13

Mr. Ernest Willie “E.W.” Miller

07.06.13

Mr. Timothy L. Webb, Sr.

07.09.13

Mr. A. B. Garrick, Jr.

06.25.13

Mr. Harry Mixon

07.20.13

Mrs. Betty V. Weitman

07.15.13

Mr. Lamar Batt Gay

06.03.13

Mrs. Doris Mosley

06.18.13

Ms. Kathie Lee Wheeles

06.09.13

Ms. Carla Givens

07.29.13

Mrs. Mona Mitchell Nesbit

07.21.13

Dr. James Edward Whitworth

07.29.13

Mr. Donald E. Godbee

07.01.13

Mr. John A. Newton

07.09.13

Mr. Stephen Michael Wyatt

07.07.13

66 • Statesboro Magazine

House of the Rising Sun

Who's House? Our House!

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Go Eagles!

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Everyone at Sea Island Bank truly cares about my business and are willing to do what they can to

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Alisha Davis, owner, Merle Norman Salon & Spa

Merle Norman Salon & Spa appreciates the beauty of customer service.

When you buy a business the day before 9/11 and it still grows to be successful, you realize that success is more about satisfied customers than it is about timing. This understanding has been the driving force behind Alisha Davis and her mother ever since they purchased the Merle Norman Salon & Spa in Statesboro before that fateful day in 2001. Over the years, putting the customer first has served them well. It’s a commitment they share with their financial partner, Sea Island Bank. Alisha will be quick to tell you that customer loyalty, developing an understanding of their unique needs, having respect for their time and always taking time to answer their questions has set Sea Island Bank apart. Alisha and her team at Merle Norman Salon & Spa appreciate the beauty of customer service. They’ve built a business on it. Contact Sea Island Bank at 912-489-8661 or visit us online at seaislandbank.com.

Loan products subject to credit approval.

Sea Island Bank is a division of Synovus Bank. Synovus Bank, Member FDIC, is chartered in the state of Georgia and operates under multiple trade names across the Southeast. Divisions of Synovus are not separately FDIC-insured banks. The FDIC coverage extended to deposit customers is that of one insured bank.