WE’RE SO EXCITED TO BRING YOU THIS SPECIAL ISSUE OF STATESBORO MAGAZINE!
Inside you’ll meet our 2025 Fabulist! A list of those whom our readers chose as the Most Fabulous in Statesboro! There is so much fabulousness, we had to increase the number of categories in this year’s contest! You, our fabulous readers, voted on the TOP 168 Most Fabulous people, places, events and things in our area. Over 150,000 votes were tallied and the amazing results are in – Introducing Statesboro Magazine’s 11th Annual Fabulist!
This year we have special features inside on the 2025 Woman of the Year, Lazar Brown Oglesby, the 2025 Man of the Year, Bubba Hunt, the Most Fabulous Local Personality, the Voice of the Eagles Danny Reed, and multipleyear winner of Most Fabulous Antique Store – Charlie’s Funky Junk Shop. We were able to sit down with our winners and find out why our readers think they are the Most Fabulous at what they do! Read about all the things that make these winners community stand outs and part of this year’s Fabulist!
Another very fabulous special feature inside this issue is our annual Weddings by Statesboro Magazine. This complete guide for the Statesboro bride highlights the very best wedding vendors and venues in our area. You’ll also find exposés on the weddings of two local brides: Tess Newton Stuart and Emilee Godbee Brown. From getting dressed to leaving for the honeymoon; from the ceremony to the reception, we bring you all of the romantic details of their very beautiful and distinctive weddings. We also highlight the vendors they used to make their weddings complete, so area brides can prepare for their own special day.
How fabulous is that? We always have fun with this one!
ESTABLISHED MARCH 1, 2000
EDITOR
Jenny Starling Foss
PUBLISHER
Joe McGlamery
SENIOR CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Melanie Schmermund
DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING
Mindy Boyette
CONTRIBUTING
PHOTOGRAPHER
Frank Fortune
Statesboro Magazine is proudly produced by:
FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION, PLEASE E-MAIL: mboyette@ StatesboroMagazine.com
FOR EDITORIAL QUESTIONS, PLEASE E-MAIL: editor@ StatesboroMagazine.com
MAILING ADDRESS: P. O. BOX 1084 Statesboro, GA 30459 p: 912.489.2181
PHYSICAL ADDRESS: One Herald Square, Statesboro, GA 30458 f: 912.489.8613
From Eagle Nation is a column brought to you by Georgia Southern University, where we cherish our place in the larger Statesboro community. In each issue, we hope to bring interesting and informative stories to the readers of Statesboro Magazine Doy Cave is the Director of University Brand & Marketing in the Office of Marketing and Communications at the University, and resides with his family in Statesboro.
FRANK FORTUNE
Frank is the national award winning freelance photographer who holds the distinction of shooting 26 years’ worth of covers for Statesboro Magazine. He retired from Georgia Southern 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 Jack and Cate.
ABOUT THE COVER
Trish & Greg Carter are the owners of Charlie’s Funky Junk Shop, the Most Fabulous Antique Store for 3 years running. Charlie’s is so much more than an antiques store! It is a journey back in time, artfully arranged and curated to provide an immersive thrifting experience. Make a plan today to check out all that funky junk! Trish is captured here on the land line by award winning photographer Frank Fortune. #TheFortuneImage.
LAZAR BROWN OGLESBY
Lazar Brown Oglesby is the owner of Honey Catering and Dolan’s BBQ both located in Statesboro. Lazar attended Ogeechee Technical College where she earned a Culinary Arts degree. In 2012 Lazar followed a lifelong dream and opened Honey Catering and Café. She enjoys cooking Southern food with an adventurous twist! Lazar is known for her famous cheesecakes of which she has over 100 flavors. Lazar recently started the Honey Blog to share her recipes and stories. Visit her at Dolan’s & Honey’s new location on South Main Street.
MELANIE SCHMERMUND
Melanie is Statesboro Magazine’s Senior Creative Director. Owner of Schmermund Design Studio, LLC, she is an experienced freelance graphic designer specializing in editorial design & branding. She is also a frequent contributing designer to Savannah Magazine. She holds a degree in Art from Auburn University and loves traveling & exploring the world, always looking for new places to visit. Her knowledge & passion are invaluable assets ensuring that each project she works on is of the highest quality.
BENJY THOMPSON
Benjy was born and raised in nearby Millen but spent much of his childhood visiting family in Brooklet. He is a Double Eagle graduate of Georgia Southern University and received his Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina. After spending 16 years in faculty and administration roles at Georgia Southern and Ogeechee Technical College, Benjy transitioned to economic development and his present role as CEO of the Development Authority of Bulloch County. Benjy and his wife Delaine have two children, Lucas and Sarah Kate. He is a longtime partner in the “Downright Brothers Band” with Frank Fortune and a member of the Dark Desert Highway Band.
VIRGINIA ANNE FRANKLIN WATERS
Virginia Anne Franklin Waters is a fourth generation Bulloch Countian and loves all things about her hometown of Statesboro. She graduated from UGA and is a CPA. She spent her career in the hospitality industry. Her passions include entertaining friends at home and working in her gardens. Virginia Anne enjoys everything Gardening—planting seeds, arranging flowers, using raised beds, protecting native plants, propagating camellias and even pulling weeds. She has been a member of the Sprig-N-Dig Federated Garden Club since 1985. Virginia Anne has served on numerous philanthropic boards in our community and is currently the Executive Director of the Bulloch County Historical Society.
REV. JOHN WATERS
Since 2005, John Waters has been the lead pastor of First Baptist Church Statesboro. Raised in a military family, he spent his childhood years in Tokyo, Japan, and Selma, Alabama. He earned a master’s degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a doctorate from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. As a teenager, he once worked a weekend as a circus clown but now enjoys collecting fountain pens, reading across many genres, and visiting the great cathedrals of the world. His wife, Cynthia, is a retired elementary school teacher, and they have two married adult daughters and five grandchildren.
RIC MANDES
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.
44
FEATURES
WRITTEN BY JENNY STARLING FOSS
PHOTOGRAPHED BY FRANK FORTUNE
28 CHARLIE’S FUNKY JUNK SHOP A TREASURE TROVE OF MEMORIES & MAGIC
36 LAZAR BROWN OGLESBY MOST FABULOUS WOMAN OF 2025
44 TIMOTHY "BUBBA" HUNT
MOST FABULOUS MAN OF 2025
50 THE VOICE OF THE EAGLES: DANNY REEDY
MOST FABULOUS LOCAL PERSONALITY
28
FRIDAYS –TUESDAYS
@ 10:00 P.M.
STATESBORO MAIN STREET MARKET2GO
Order the season’s freshest local fruits, vegetables and homemade baked goods, preserves, jams, jellies, candies and relishes. You’ll also find locally sourced meat, seafood, spices, dairy and eggs. Home and garden items, honey and locally grown flower bouquets.
Shop online Friday – Tuesday at 10:00 p.m. @ https://statesboromarket2go.locallygrown. net/. Pick-up on Thursday afternoons at the Statesboro Visitors Center, 222 South Main Street or in Sylvania at the Victory Garden General Store, 124 West Telephone Street.
MARCH
4
BLESSING OF THE CROPS & FARMER APPRECIATION
PRESENTED BY STATESBORO-BULLOCH
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & MORRIS BANK
7:30 A.M. – 9:00 A.M.
FREE ADMISSION
HUNTER CATTLE COMPANY
934 DRIGGERS ROAD
BROOKLET, GEORGIA
Please join us for Blessing of the Crops & Farmer Appreciation. This event is a breakfast program for farmers and Ag partners to pray for a bountiful harvest. The open prayer will be followed by a keynote speaker and presentation of awards including Emerging Farmer of the Year, Distinguished Farmer of the Year, and C.C. Murray Innovator of the Year. To register visit - https://statesboro. chambermaster.com/eventregistration/ register/14196
MARCH 6
THE 2025 FABULIST PARTY!
5:30 P.M. - 7:00 P.M.
JACK HILL BUILDING LOBBY
OGEECHEE TECHNICAL COLLEGE
Join us as we celebrate 26 years of Statesboro’s Fabulousness! Our readers voted and chose Statesboro’s Most Fabulous people, places, events and things in over 160 categories. The results are in and winners will be revealed in the March/April 2025 issue of the magazine to be unveiled at the Fabulist party. Did you make the list?
MARCH 7
JEFF ALLEN COMEY TOUR –“THE HUMAN CONDITION: WE’RE STILL NOT THERE YET TOUR”
7:30 P.M.. | $39.95 - $59.95/PERSON
EMMA KELLY THEATER
AVERITT CENTER FOR THE ARTS
Jeff Allen’s 2025 tour blends his signature standup comedy with a heartfelt message. In the first half, Jeff’s rapid-fire humor covers everything from marriage to family life, showcasing the same wit that has earned him nearly a billion views on Dry Bar Comedy, YouTube, and other platforms. The second half takes a deeper turn, inspired by his book Are We There Yet?, where Jeff shares his personal journey from dark times to redemption. This tour is more than just laughs—it’s about hope, healing, and making a difference. Jeff’s mission statement is Tikkun Olam, a Hebrew phrase meaning "Repairing the World." His goal is simple: “I want to make a difference that outlives the tour… that outlives me.” www.averittcenterforthearts.org.
MARCH 8
GATA JAM 2025
FEATURING RILEY GREEN WITH ELLA LANGLEY, WILL MOSELEY, LANDON SMITH, & DJ ROCK.
5:00 P.M.. | $80.00 - $335/PERSON
BEAUTIFUL EAGLE CREEK
GEORGIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY
The biggest party in the BORO is back! Riley Green headlines with special guest Ella Langley, Will Moseley, and Landon Smith, with DJ Rock bringing the vibes throughout the night! Visit http://gatajam.com/ to sign up for presale access and secure your tickets. VIP level tickets & passes available.
Jeff Allen COURTESY AVERITT CENTER FOR THE ARTS
Farmers Market
MARCH 14
HARRY O’DONOGHUE LIVE!
7:30 P.M.
$25.00/PERSON
EMMA KELLY THEATER
AVERITT CENTER FOR THE ARTS
With over thirty years in the music industry, Harry O'Donoghue continues to grow as a master folksinger, storyteller, songwriter, humorist and ambassador of Irish folk music. His is the story of old Ireland, infused with the freshness and world influences of a new century. Born in the town of Drogheda, Ireland, Harry recalls evenings listening to his father sing the old songs by the fire, playing folk masses, and many nights jamming in neighborhood pubs. In 1979, he founded Terra Nova, and soon they were signed to Polydor Records and touring America. When the group performed its last concert in 1987 Harry embarked on what would become a hugely successful solo career. In the years since, Harry has performed with The Savannah Symphony and The Savannah Philharmonic and has shared the stage with such international recording artists as Cathie Ryan, Mary Black, Danny Doyle, The Fureys, Natalie McMaster, Joanie Madden and Gabriel Donohue. Harry also is a regular guest entertainer with Norwegian Cruise Lines, and occasionally performs on Irish-themed cruises. At home in Savannah, Harry is creator, coproducer and host of the long-running Green Island Radio Show on GPB, broadcast weekly and streamed live on the internet. He sits on the advisory board of The Center for Irish Studies at Georgia Southern University. So far, he has recorded over a dozen albums, many critically acclaimed and all well-received by his audience. www.averittcenterforthearts.org.
MARCH 18
2025 LEGENDS OF THE ARTS
INDUCTION CEREMONY
6:00 P.M.
FREE ADMISSION
EMMA KELLY THEATER
AVERITT CENTER FOR THE ARTS
Every odd numbered year, the Averitt Center for the Arts inducts a local artist who has made a substantial contribution to the arts in our area. To be eligible for Legend in the Arts status, an artist must have been born in the Statesboro/Bulloch County area, reside or have resided there and/or worked there for two or more consecutive years. Nominees are evaluated on their level of achievement which includes the scope of their artistic endeavors, their influence on others and their professional conduct and image. Join us as we celebrate this year’s legends. www.averittcenterforthearts.org.
MARCH 21
VICTOR WAINWRIGHT & THE TRAIN
7:30 P.M.
$40.00 - $45.00/PERSON
EMMA KELLY THEATER
AVERITT CENTER FOR THE ARTS
In truth, Wainwright has always been an artist that sets the pace. Born into a musical family in Savannah, Georgia, the formative influence of his father's vocals and grandfather's rolling boogie-woogie piano compelled him into a life of music. By 2005, he'd announced his talent with solo debut, Piana' From Savannah, while his central role in Southern Hospitality and partnership with Stephen Dees in WildRoots has seen him ignite stages and stereos for over a decade. Among his numerous accolades: Wainwright has won six total Blues Music Awards, charted #1 on the Top 10 in the U.S. Billboard and was Nominated for a 2019 GRAMMY. As the man himself hollers in the ivory-pounding track, The Train: "If you wanna boogie get aboard the train/Get yourself a ticket or get out of the way..." At a sweet-spot in his career, where most established stars would rest on their laurels, Victor Wainwright & The Train instead rips up all that has gone before, pricking up ears in a sterile music industry and stretching the concept of roots in bold directions. www.averittcenterforthearts.org.
MARCH 22 - 23
STATESBORO FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS
10:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.
FREE ADMISSION/FUN, FAMILY EVENT! THE MARKET AT VISIT STATESBORO 222 SOUTH MAIN STREET
The Statesboro Festival of Arts is taking place at the Market at Visit Statesboro and the Visit Statesboro parking lot, this festival promises a blend of fun and educational experiences for everyone showcasing Statesboro’s growing Arts community. With Statesboro's vibrant heritage as a focal point for artistic endeavors, this gathering signifies the apex of creative advancement. Stay tuned to the Facebook events page – Statesboro Festival of the Arts for updates and vendor information. www.visitstatesboroga.org.
FREE ADMISSION/TICKETS FOR TASTING PURCHASED ON SITE 1788 AKINS POND ROAD STATESBORO, GEORGIA
4th Annual BBQ Cookoff to benefit the Hearts & Hands Clinic in Statesboro. Funds raised will be used to provide medical care and prescription medication to patients in need in Bulloch County. For more information visit www.grillinforhealing.com or to register your BBQ team email grillinforhealing@gmail.com
Harry O'Donoghue COURTESY AVERITT CENTER FOR THE ARTS
APRIL 3
WE ARE OTC CELEBRATION!
6:30 P.M. – 8:30 P.M.
FREE ADMISSION
THE MARKET AT VISIT STATESBORO
222 SOUTH MAIN STREET
The Ogeechee Technical College Foundation invites you & a guest to join us in celebrating the 2025 iGot Campaign & honoring friends of OTC at the second annual We Are OTC event. Wear your favorite OTC gear to showcase your spirit, indulge in delectables from our Culinary Arts program, & groove to the tunes of The Ripleys.
APRIL 4
HARVEST MOON, THE MUSIC OF CSN&Y
7:30 P.M.
$30.00 - $35.00/PERSON
EMMA KELLY THEATER
AVERITT CENTER FOR THE ARTS
Harvest Moon pays tribute to the legendary careers of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and Neil Young, whose timeless songs have defined the music of a generation. Formed in 2018 by seasoned veterans of the Atlanta
music scene, the band brings to life the iconic four-part harmonies and distinctive sound that made CSN&Y and Neil Young musical icons. With a repertoire spanning over a hundred million albums sold and countless hits, Harvest Moon offers an authentic journey through a lifetime of unforgettable music. www.averittcenterforthearts.org.
APRIL 5
STATESBORO MAIN STREET
FARMERS MARKET OPENING DAY!
9:00 A.M. – 12:30 P.M.
FREE ADMISSION! FUN, FAMILY EVENT!
THE MARKET AT VISIT STATESBORO
222 SOUTH MAIN STREET
Join us as we kickoff the 2025 Statesboro Farmers Market season in our home at The Market at Visit Statesboro! You'll find the most delicious and freshest food available brought to you straight from local family farms. Browse unique, handcrafted items while enjoying fresh coffee or homemade lemonade, food truck fare, and live music. Family fun for everyone! www.visitstatesboroga.org.
APRIL 25
30TH ANNUAL ARTHUR HOWARD
MEMORIAL GOLF TOURNAMENT PRESENTED BY THE HOME BUILDERS ASSOCIATION OF STATESBORO
11:45 A.M.
$800 TEAM
FOREST HEIGHTS COUNTRY CLUB
The Home Builders Association of Statesboro is proud to present the 30th Annual Arthur Howard Memorial Golf Tournament scheduled for Friday, April 25th at Forest Heights Country Club.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Hole in One Sponsor $500
Tent Sponsor $500
T-Shirt/Hole Sponsor $300
Flag Sponsor $200
Hole Sponsor $200
For more information contact Theresa at 912-489-8887 or email info@hbaofstatesboro.com.
APRIL 25 & 26
GSU OPERA –THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA
7:30 P.M.
EMMA KELLY THEATER
AVERITT CENTER FOR THE ARTS
Based on the 1960 novella by Elizabeth Spencer, The Light in the Piazza tells the story of Margaret Johnson, a wealthy Southern woman and her daughter Clara, who falls in love with a young Italian man during a vacation in Italy. The show opened on Broadway in 2005 and ran for 504 performances. It won six Tony Awards. With a sophisticated score that lends itself to operatic voices, the Chicago Tribune hailed it as “the most soul-satisfying score written for Broadway so far this century,” The Light in the Piazza soon entered the repertoire of opera companies across the country. Join us as the Georgia Southern Opera performs two unforgettable shows. www.averittcenterforthearts.org.
Send us your events!
Email your event, with one image, to editor@statesboromagazine.com for possible inclusion in next month's calendar.
We’re honored to be voted Most Fabulous and grateful for your trust in us for top orthopedic and interventional pain management care. Your support means everything!
MOST FABULOUS MEDICAL PRACTICE
Optim Health System
MOST FABULOUS PAIN MANAGEMENT
Optim Pain Management
Dr. Stephen Tankersley & Dr. Jessica Reyes Exceptional Care, Close to Home.
Orthopedics | Pain Management health system
Thank You, Statesboro!
First Row: Krissy Miller, Practice Manager; Tiffany Carter, R.T.(R); Dr. Jessica R. Reyes, Pain Management; Dr. W. Stephen Tankersley, Orthopedic Surgeon; Ashley Skinner, FNP, Orthopedics; Rachel Moore, MA; Jamisha Jones, Front Desk Second Row: Tiffany Mills-Richbourg, MA; Linda Gentile, IT&S; Christina Johnson, Referral Coordinator; Harriet McCullough, MA; Charlotte Coleman, MA; Emily Rogers, R.T.(R); Kacy Walker, Front Desk Back Row: Cori Sealock, MA; Cassandra Hamilton, Front Desk; Pamela Everett, Front Desk; Mollie Fountain, Regional Practice Manager; Monford Russell, Practice Manager
OPTIM MEDICAL CENTERSCREVEN WINS STATEWIDE PATIENT SAFETY AWARD
At the Georgia Hospital Association (GHA) Patient Safety and Quality Summit held earlier this month, GHA presented its prestigious Patient Safety and Quality Award to Optim Medical Center – Screven in Sylvania. The hospital was recognized for its project “The Chest Pain Train: Improving Compliance for Door-to-Electrocardiogram Times in the Emergency Room of a Critical Access Hospital,” which improved care of cardiac patients. The project won first place in the Critical Access Hospitals category.
These awards recognize Georgia health care organizations for achievement in reducing the risk of medical errors and improving patient safety and medical outcomes.
“We are immensely honored to receive the GHA Patient Safety and Quality Award for our ’Chest Pain Train’ project. This recognition reflects our unwavering commitment to enhancing patient care and ensuring timely treatment for those experiencing cardiac emergencies. I am incredibly proud of our dedicated team at Optim Medical Center–Screven, whose hard work and innovative approach have made
The City of Metter is proud to announce its recognition as a recipient of the 2025 Visionary City Award, an honor granted by the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) in collaboration with Georgia Trend Magazine Presented at GMA’s Cities United Summit on January 26th, this award celebrates the Georgia Grown Community Campaign, leveraging agricultural strengths for economic development.
Selected in the Small Cities Category, Metter’s Georgia Grown Community Campaign has harnessed the city’s agricultural strengths, driving economic revitalization, and fostering opportunities for community engagement and innovation.
this achievement possible. Together, we will continue to strive for excellence in patient safety and quality care for our community,” commented Lagina Evans, CEO of Optim Medical Center–Screven.
PROJECT OVERVIEW:
Optim Medical Center–Screven implemented the “Chest Pain Train” initiative to ensure that patients presenting with chest pain receive an electrocardiogram (EKG) within 10 minutes of arriving at the emergency department, in line with recommendations from the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA). Utilizing the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) methodology, the multidisciplinary team streamlined protocols, enhanced staff training, and optimized workflow processes. These efforts resulted in reducing door-to-EKG times from an average
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CITY OF METTER, GEORGIA!
Larry Hanson, CEO and Executive Director of GMA, stated, “Metter’s Georgia Grown Community Campaign highlights the power of strategic partnerships and innovation in driving local economic growth. This initiative is a model for communities statewide.”
“This recognition honors our commitment to economic development and the Georgia Grown Community Campaign, driving progress and prosperity. Congratulations to our incredible team and our community for shaping a thriving future,” stated Ed Boyd, Mayor, City of Metter.
“The success of the Georgia Grown Community Campaign proves that when
of 19.7 minutes to 6.1 minutes and increasing compliance with the 10-minute standard from 15% to 88%. Additionally, transfer times for cardiac interventions in myocardial infarction cases decreased from 82 minutes to 34 minutes.
“It is an honor to recognize GHA’s Patient Safety and Quality Award winners in person each year and this year, we are proud to recognize Optim Medical Center - Screven for their outstanding work on the frontline to enhance patient safety and quality,” said GHA President and CEO Caylee Noggle. “The incredible projects presented by our member hospitals support GHA’s strategic initiatives, from access to care to behavioral health and rural health sustainability, among others. We are all working together to improve patient outcomes, and I applaud our member hospitals for continually stepping up to serve Georgians by providing high-quality care.”
Heidi Jeffers, Director of Economic Development for the City of Metter and Director of the Georgia Grown Innovation Center.
agriculture and innovation come together, the possibilities are endless. Our goal has always been to provide farmers and businesses with the resources and connections they need,” stated Heidi Jeffers, Director of Economic Development and Georgia Grown Innovation Center.
For more information about Metter’s Georgia Grown Community Campaign, contact Heidi Jeffers at 912-314-2604.
BRIANNA DILLON
(L-R): Lora Duncan, Drucilla McBride, Tabitha Simmons, Heather Thompson, Jodi Brantley, Lagina Evans, Not Pictured: Jennifer Rogers
Luncheon in Statesboro.
BULLOCH COUNTY
STUDENT WINS GEORGIA’S NSDAR ESSAY CONTEST
SEB MIDDLE’S MAX GREENE WINS 6TH GRADE LEVEL OF CONTEST ADVANCING TO NATIONALS
A Southeast Bulloch Middle School student is Georgia’s sixth-grade level winner for the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) Essay Contest.
Max Greene, who advanced through the competition’s school, county, district and state levels of the contest, will now advance to the national level. To celebrate his accomplishment, the local Archibald Bulloch Chapter of the NSDAR extended an invitation to Max, his family, his social studies teacher, and school district personnel to attend its Georgia Day Luncheon on Thursday, February 13, in the Statesboro First Baptist Church social hall.
As a state winner, Max will receive a certificate and a monetary award of $250. These will be presented to him during the Education Luncheon which will be held during the Georgia State Society NSDAR state conference March 20-23.
“The judges thoroughly enjoyed reading your (Max’s) essay on the Tea Ladies of Edenton, NC,” said Debbie Garrett Bush, Chair of the American History Committee of the Georgia State Society NSDAR in the official letter that Max received announcing his win.
The Tea Ladies were a group of women who protested the Tea Act of 1773 by boycotting British tea and cloth. Their efforts became known as the Edenton Tea Party. It was their story that was used by the NSDAR for its essay contest writing prompt, “Enjoying A New Kind of Tea Party.” The annual contest is open to fifth through eighth-grade students who may submit a 500 to 1000-word essay depending on their grade level.
Max read his 600-word essay to the nearly 150 guests who gathered for the luncheon. In keeping with the contest’s prompt, he wrote the essay as if he were one of the 51 colonial women who formed the Edenton Ladies’ Patriotic Guild following the Boston Tea Party.
“Word spread like wildfire about our movement,” Max wrote in his essay. “Everyone including Britain was surprised to hear that it was a group of women causing all this ruckus. In fact, we proudly signed our names to our petition that was published in The Virginia Gazette and didn’t hide our
identities like the men that were involved in the Boston Tea Party.”
Max was one of 127 sixth-grade students who participated in the contest in Bulloch County’s local public and private schools, and one of 40 whose essay advanced to the district judges who were part of Georgia Southern University’s Department of English.
The end of Max’s essay captured his understanding of the power of the pen used then by the Edenton ladies and now by him.
“The day was July 4, 1775. I was walking home and as I looked at the paper I had in my hand, I almost fainted. I did not know if the US would ever be an independent country. But to think that I had something to do with the independence of the United States is unbelievable! This campaign was an amazing feat that showed we were strong and independent women, a force to be reckoned with.
Max’s social studies teacher at SEBMS, Melissa Whiteman, his principal, Todd Veland, Ed.D., and Superintendent of Schools Charles Wilson attended the luncheon with Max as well as his parents Jeremy and Alania Greene and Dedra Greene, his paternal grandmother. The school district level of the competition was coordinated by Chris Clark, an instructional coach for Bulloch County Schools.
“We are so proud of Max for this incredible achievement and of all our students who participated in the DAR Essay Contest,” said Clark. “Their hard work and dedication to historical research and writing are truly impressive. It’s exciting to see our students engaging with history in such a meaningful way.”
GEORGIA SOUTHERN PROFESSOR EARNS LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR RESEARCH ON GLOBAL AFFAIRS
Nalanda Roy, Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Political Science and International Studies at Georgia Southern University, was recently honored with the Noam Chomsky Global Connections Shining Star Research Award for her research in global affairs, international relations and South and Southeast Asian maritime security.
Noam Chomsky is a world-renowned professor, considered by many to be a leading intellectual on subjects like political activism. Researchers receiving this award must demonstrate at least 15 years of impactful educational leadership, a strong record of contribution to global research and a scholarly legacy promoting human well-being.
“The awarding group recognizes promising faculty who are global leaders doing cuttingedge interdisciplinary work,” Roy explained.
Roy’s experience in international relations spans more than 20 years. She has published several influential books using her expertise and knowledge on topics like conflicts in the South China Sea and Indonesian fragmentation to become a part of a greater geopolitical conversation.
She plays a key role in multiple professional organizations in addition to her duties as a professor at Georgia Southern. Roy has served as the program chair for the International Studies Association’s South Asia in World Politics sector, as well as the senior editor for the Oxford Research Encyclopedia of International Studies, among other honors.
Roy’s dedication to her research is what earned her the award, but she said it belongs to more than just her.
Nalanda Roy, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Political Science and International Studies at Georgia Southern University.
“It’s not just me,” she explained. “My parents, my husband, my daughter, everybody…there have been countless sleepless nights working. So that’s what helped me become who I am today. I love this quote by Malcolm Gladwell, ’Who you are cannot be separated from where you have been.’ So, I can never forget my roots, I can never forget where I come from and who has helped me get where I am today.” www.GeorgiaSouthern.edu.
(L-R): Dedra Greene, Jeremy Greene, Alania Greene, Melissa Whiteman, Max Greene, Todd Veland, Ed.D, and Charles Wilson, Superintendent of Bulloch County Schools, at the Georgia Day
GEORGIA SOUTHERN
GEORGIA SOUTHERN PRESIDENT KYLE MARRERO
NAMED ONE OF GEORGIA’S 100 MOST INFLUENTIAL LEADERS IN 2025 BY GEORGIA TREND
MAGAZINE
Georgia Southern University President Kyle Marrero has been named as one of Georgia’s 100 Most Influential Leaders in 2025 by Georgia Trend. This marks the eighth time he has been included on one of Georgia Trend’s ’Most Influential Georgians’ lists since 2015.
“I would like to thank Georgia Trend for this distinct honor,” stated Marrero. “I am humbled to be included on a list of impactful educational and thought leaders from around the state.”
Marrero began his tenure as Georgia Southern’s president in 2019. In this role, he leads the Eagle Nation, a Carnegie R2 institution, with more than 27,500 students and 3,000 faculty and staff on three campuses – Statesboro, Savannah and Hinesville, Georgia – with learning centers in Wexford, Ireland, and Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield.
“Georgia Trend is honoring 100 noteworthy people on our annual list of Most Influential Georgians,” wrote Georgia Trend managing editor Kathleen Conway. “In addition to helping Georgia residents through
education, innovation and job creation, these leaders also serve on boards and foundations and make a positive impact on the state.”
Under Marrero’s direction, Georgia Southern has established a culture of high performance and evidence-based leadership focused on data-informed decision-making and communication transparency. As a result, the University has accrued record-breaking numbers in private fundraising, facultyresearch expenditures and awards, postconsolidation enrollment, graduation rates and an economic impact of more than $1.1 billion to the region.
Marrero is also directing transformational initiatives for the University, including “Soaring to R1,” which maps the organizational alignment and institutional progress to gain Carnegie R1 status by 2028. Additionally, he is committed to leading the charge for the University’s first-ever comprehensive capital campaign, “Together We Soar,” which is ahead of schedule to raise $125 million by the end of this academic year.
Beyond the realm of Georgia Southern, Marrero’s leadership influence extends
Georgia Southern University
President Kyle Marrero
to his positions on the boards of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, Regional Industry Support Enterprise (RISE), Junior Achievement of Georgia, the StatesboroBulloch County Chamber of Commerce, the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce, World Trade Center Savannah and East Georgia Regional Medical Center. He also leads the Regional Educational Collaborative alongside Bulloch County and Chatham County educational leadership and serves as the president of the CEOs for the Sun Belt Conference. www.GeorgiaSouthern.edu.
GEORGIA SOUTHERN CHOOSES SEASONED LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER TREY DRAWDY AS CHIEF OF POLICE
Trey Drawdy has been selected as Georgia Southern University’s new Chief of Police, effective Jan. 1, 2025. He has served as acting chief of police since Sept. 2024.
“Chief Drawdy has demonstrated an impressive commitment to and understanding of the distinctive needs of our community,” said Kyle Marrero, Georgia Southern president. “His background brings valuable insights and experience to the position that will benefit our students, faculty and staff.”
Drawdy has more than 25 years of law enforcement and higher education administrative experience, most recently serving as the chief of police at East Georgia State College. A Southeast Georgia native, U.S. Marine Corps veteran, and member of the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police, he has a proven track record of innovation,
dedication and mentorship in public safety and academic settings.
“As the University’s acting chief, Drawdy demonstrated strong leadership and fostered a departmental culture of collaboration and professionalism as well as a commitment to high standards of safety,” said Ron Stalnaker, vice president for Business and Finance. “He will continue to build strong relationships, including city and county law enforcement agencies, with our external partners to ensure the safety of our University community.”
Drawdy has served as the director of the Reinhardt University Public Safety Institute, a Georgia Peace Officer Standards & Training (P.O.S.T.) certified law enforcement academy. Under his leadership, programming expanded to include advanced and specialized training for veteran law enforcement officers. Drawdy was later named interim dean of the School of Professional Studies and was promoted to captain within the Reinhardt University Department of Public Safety.
He has also served as department chair at Chattahoochee Technical College, where he developed the award-winning Law Enforcement Accelerated Academic Program (LEAAP). He was awarded the Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical Instruction at the institutional level.
He served the Glynn County community through an appointment to the Juvenile Court of Glynn County in various capacities and represented the court as an inter-agency trainer. Additionally, he served as a school resource officer with the Glynn County Schools Police and oversaw training for the agency.
Drawdy holds an associate’s degree from the College of Coastal Georgia, a bachelor’s degree from Armstrong State University and a master’s degree from Troy University. He is certified as a senior instructor through the Georgia P.O.S.T. Council. He has also completed the Chief Executive Training Program offered through the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police.
Trey Drawdy, Georgia Southern University’s new Chief of Police.
GEORGIA SOUTHERN
son of Randy Brown, of Brown & Sons Hardwood Flooring, grew up learning the ropes of everything to do with flooring as a young teen, making an early name for himself within the community as a trusted expert in the field. In the past 30 years, Steve has presided over many projects both commercial and residential in Statesboro and other surrounding areas; earning his place as one of our city’s most experienced sub-contractors, and as a valued resource amongst our team.
Category, Shera L. Waters is no stranger to the Residential Construction & Design Industry. As the daughter of Nelson Lightsey, owner of Construction Co. and JTL Cabinets & More, Shera graduated from Georgia Southern with a B.A. in Interior Design and has across 30 years built upon her expertise working with many of the area’s contractors; cultivating a community encircled by the home builders, designers, and loyal customers she’s befriended along the way.
Steve Brown Services
Shera L. Waters
Account Executive
Marketing
the daughter of Tommy McBride, the former longtime manager of W.A. Bragg, has also followed into her father’s footsteps, now as part of our residential sales team. Since starting at Plank and Tile, she has quickly flourished as a residential design expert, in addition to managing the Plank and Tile design blog.
STATESBORO’S MOST FABULOUS
Antique Store
Charlie’s Funky Junk Shop:
A Treasure Trove of Memories a n d Magic
FOR THREE YEARS RUNNING, CHARLIE’S FUNKY JUNK SHOP IN DOWNTOWN Statesboro has been the hands down winner of Statesboro Magazine’s Most Fabulous contest in the Antiques Store category. But calling it just an antiques store barely scratches the surface of what makes this place so special. It’s a visual spectacle, a nostalgic escape, and a thrifter’s paradise— all rolled into one extraordinary shop.
From Family Struggles to Fabulous Finds
Charlie’s Funky Junk Shop came to life in 2017, when Trish and Greg Carter, both artists, were navigating a challenging time in their lives. Trish and her daughter, Olivia,
were caring for Trish’s mother, who had Alzheimer’s, while Greg’s father was battling cancer. Amid the stress, Olivia, then a theater and set design student, wanted an outlet. Greg’s father owned a downtown building being used for storage, and from that space, a unique idea was born.
Instead of opening a traditional antiques store, the Carters envisioned a place filled with funky, one-of-a-kind finds—a curated collection of the eclectic and unexpected. The store started out slow, only open two days a week. Neither Trish nor Greg had prior business experience. Trish had retired after 13 years as Chair of the Betty Foy Sanders Department of Art at Georgia Southern University, while Greg, a mixed media artist specializing in painting and printmaking, also taught art at the University.
The Artistic Souls Behind the Funk
Both Greg and Trish bring an artistic depth to the shop. With a BFA in painting and printmaking from Atlanta College of Art and an MFA from Rutgers University, Greg combines printmaking and painting techniques to create pieces with distinct textures and layered meaning. He once co-owned Gallery 33 West, housed in what is now Charlie’s Funky Junk Shop, and today, he continues to produce and sell his artwork under Carter Fine Arts. He now teaches at the STEAM Academy. You can find him at Charlie’s on weekends.
Trish attended Douglass College for Women at Rutgers from 1983 – 1987, followed by an MFA from Rutger’s Mason
I have never run a business. Now, I’m a jack-of-all-trades—buyer, marketer, bookkeeper, and customer manager.
- TRISH CARTER
Our greatest success is the community we’ve built around this store. We’re connected to downtown Statesboro in a way that feels meaningful.
Gross School of the Arts in 1989. The fine arts program at Rutger’s is ranked nationally in printmaking, painting and drawing. The school offered an intense and immersive learning experience for both Carters.
The Heartbeat of Charlie’s Funky Junk
For Trish, running the shop is a full-time passion. “I have never run a business,” she admits. “Now, I’m a jack-of-all-trades—buyer, marketer, bookkeeper, and customer manager.” But at its heart, Charlie’s Funky Junk is more than a store—it’s a community.
Trish’s father, Charlie, the shop’s namesake, once ran an antiques store in New York City called The Bargain Barn. He encouraged Trish to trust her crazy ideas—advice that has served her well. She fondly remembers exploring her father’s store, an experience that shaped her love for vintage and unusual treasures.
The Carters built their business organically, relying on their own funds and never taking out a loan. Trish recalls the store’s humble beginnings: “We started with items we wanted to get rid of—an ice cream maker, a waffle maker—it was almost like a yard sale.” Now, they carefully curate their inventory from estate sales, auctions, and direct purchases from customers, ensuring nothing offensive or inappropriate enters their collection.
More Than a Store— An Experience
Charlie’s Funky Junk Shop has something for everyone. College students flock to its vintage jewelry and record albums, while families appreciate the welcoming atmosphere. Kids under five even get a free rubber duck, ensuring they’ll want to return time and again. The shop’s colorful, immersive displays make it a destination, not just a retail space.
- TRISH CARTER
As business has boomed, the Carters have expanded beyond the storefront. They now sell vintage wares online via Shopify and eBay, with a brand-new website in the works. Social media, managed in part by longtime friend and former art department colleague Julie McGuire, helps keep customers engaged.
While Statesboro native Gwen Allen Smith is a buyer for the store and manages staffing.
A Future as Bright as Their Funky Finds
This year, Charlie’s Funky Junk Shop is taking a bold new step: moving across Walnut Street to 29 West Main, a location three times larger than their current space. Their old location at 33 West Main will be transformed into a creative studio with a printing press, screen printing equipment, and book arts setup. The vision? A fun, meditative space where art and retail blend seamlessly.
Future plans include classes, an artisan gallery, and dedicated workspaces for creative endeavors. “Our greatest success is the community we’ve built around this store,” Trish reflects. “We’re connected to downtown Statesboro in a way that feels meaningful.”
And because Trish has fond memories of going to the circus at Madison Square Gardens as a child, she is soon rolling out a hot dog cart for shoppers. “I always wanted to know how to run a circus,” she laughs. “Now I do—I’ve got movers, helpers, salespeople, a great staff—it’s a well-oiled circus!”
With Charlie’s Funky Junk Shop, the Carters have built more than just a store— they’ve created an experience, a community, and a celebration of the unexpected. And as they continue to grow, one thing is certain: Statesboro’s Most Fabulous Antique Store is only getting funkier.
So, if you haven’t visited yet, check them out soon. As Trish says, “Come on in!” S
Thank Sta o!
MOST FABULOUS DENTAL PRACTICE/OFFICE
FINALIST FOR MOST FABULIST DENTIST
Dr. Jarrett Walden
MOST FABULOUS DENTAL HYGIENIST
Jenny Highsmith
COLIN T. STRUB, D.D.S.
THOMAS E. MARHSALL, D.M.D.
JARRETT H. WALDEN, D.M.D.
KATHRYN W. MENTZER, D.M.D.
Food is my love language. If someone is sick, grieving, or just struggling, I try to send or take food. I don’t always know how to help, but I know they can use food. I give them a choice of frozen casseroles or something hot. It’s how I love on people.
– LAZAR BROWN OGLESBY
STATESBORO’S MOST FABULOUS
Woman of the Year 2025
Lazar Brown Oglesby
WRITTEN BY JENNY STARLING FOSS
PHOTOGRAPHY BY FRANK FORTUNE
STATESBORO HAS SPOKEN, AND THE WINNER OF THE 2025
Most Fabulous Woman in Statesboro contest is none other than Lazar Brown Oglesby, the award-winning chef and owner of Honey Specialties and Dolan’s Barbeque. With her passion for food, dedication to community, and a lifetime of culinary excellence, Lazar embodies the very definition of fabulousness.
Born and raised in Garfield, Georgia, Lazar grew up surrounded by family, food, and the joy of bringing people together. From a young age, she learned the art of Southern cooking alongside her mother and grandmothers, fostering a love for hospitality that would shape her future. Her journey took her to culinary school at OTC, where she honed her skills before launching a successful career that would make her a household name in Statesboro.
Lazar’s first venture, Honey Catering, opened in 2012, quickly earning a reputation for delicious, high-quality dishes made from pure and simple ingredients. It was her worldfamous cheesecakes, however, that took her business to the next level. The demand for
these delectable treats led to the creation of Honey Specialties, allowing her to share her passion for baking with customers nationwide. Today, her cheesecakes are shipped to all 50 states, a testament to the love and care poured into every bite.
“It brings me so much joy to know that something I created is being shared and enjoyed by so many people across the country,” she said. “It’s humbling to think that a little piece of my kitchen is making its way into homes from coast to coast.”
In 2015, Lazar and her sister, Mary Beth Brown, took on a new challenge— bringing traditional Southern barbecue back to its roots. They opened the first Dolan’s Bar-B-Que in Millen, Georgia, honoring their grandfather Dolan’s legacy of cooking and hospitality. The success of their first location led them to expand to Statesboro, where Dolan’s on South Main has become a beloved local landmark. From the smell of smoky barbecue on the Blue Mile to the fully stocked bar and vibrant deck seating, Dolan’s has won over locals and visitors alike.
“Dolan’s isn’t just a restaurant to us—it’s a continuation of our grandfather’s legacy.
We want people to feel like they’re coming home when they walk through our doors,” Lazar explained.
Despite her success, Lazar’s definition of fabulousness has evolved over the years.
“Everything is fabulous now, just as it is,” she said. “At one time I was trying to make 50 million cheesecakes and worried about having 10,000 followers on Instagram. Now I just try to do things that are good and right. I’m seeking more peace.”
Even though Lazar is less worried about pushing herself, she still runs a cheesecake factory in Millen, a storefront inside Dolan’s Barbeque in Statesboro, and a catering business.
“My favorite thing to do is catering smaller parties with people who give me free rein to do whatever,” she said. “When they trust me to do the menu, I get to do what I do best—use my culinary skills and creativity to make something really special.”
She enjoys experimenting with seasonal ingredients and crafting dishes that tell a story.
“Food is personal,” she added. “It’s an extension of who I am.”
It brings me so much joy to know that something I created is being shared and enjoyed by so many people across the country. It’s humbling to think that a little piece of my kitchen is making its way into homes from coast to coast.
–
LAZAR BROWN OGLESBY
She has been creating magic in the kitchen for 13 years now. Outside of work, Lazar finds solace at her farm in Jenkins County where she enjoys spending time with her husband Johnny, her dogs, and her family. She also loves going to the river mudlarking—searching for hidden treasures along the water’s edge.
“At the farm, I love to walk with the dogs through the fields,” she said. “Daddy loves it when the whole family is together. There’s nothing better than rocking on the porch with everyone, telling tall tales and watching the sunset.”
Her canine companions—Charlie, 15, Rob, 5, and Reign, 3—are her constant shadows.
“They know when I’m stressed, and they keep me grounded.”
Beyond her businesses, Lazar is deeply invested in her community. She believes that food has the power to bring people together and heal.
“Food is my love language,” she said. “If someone is sick, grieving, or just struggling, I try to send or take food. I don’t always know how to help, but I know they can use food. I give them a choice of frozen casseroles or something hot. It’s how I love on people.”
She recalls times when a simple homemade dish made all the difference in someone’s day.
“I’ve seen it firsthand—food is comfort. It’s a reminder that someone cares,” she said. Her generosity extends beyond personal gestures. Lazar has donated countless meals to frontline workers, families in need, and local charities.
“I’ve been so blessed, and I feel it’s my responsibility to give back,” she said.
Whether it’s serving a benefit dinner or delivering meals to those in crisis, she remains committed to serving her community.
“I don’t do it for recognition. I do it because it’s the right thing to do, and I know what a hot meal can mean to someone who needs it,” she said.
Winning the title of Most Fabulous Woman in Statesboro has been an honor for Lazar, but she credits her success to the people who support her.
“I couldn’t be fabulous without my helpers and our customers at Honey and Dolan’s,” she says.
Whenever Lazar puts on her chef hat, she wants everyone at work to enjoy a fun and relaxed atmosphere.
“I try to surround myself with colorful people,” she said. “I like genuine folks who are a little quirky. I enjoy the people and their stories just as much as making the food.”
As she looks ahead, Lazar is focused on continuing to do what she loves—creating unforgettable meals, serving her community, and embracing the simple joys of life.
“I don’t know what the future holds, but I do know that as long as I’m cooking, surrounded by good people, and finding peace in the little moments, I’ll be happy,” she said.
With her warm personality, unwavering work ethic, and commitment to excellence, Lazar Brown Oglesby continues to prove that being fabulous isn’t just a title—it’s a way of life. S
I
don’t know what the future holds, but I do know that as long as I’m cooking, surrounded by good people, and finding peace in the little moments, I’ll be happy,”
– LAZAR BROWN OGLESBY
TSTATESBORO’S MOST FABULOUS
Man of the Year 2025
“
TIMOTHY HUNT
IMOTHY “BUBBA” HUNT
HAS BEEN CHOSEN BY STATESBORO MAGAZINE’S readers as the 2025 Most Fabulous Man! A well-respected entrepreneur, businessman and dedicated community leader, Hunt’s influence in Statesboro spans decades, touching industries from retail to real estate while maintaining a deep commitment to positively impacting the local community through civic leadership and fundraising roles.
BUBBA ”
Originally from Hinesville, Georgia, Bubba moved to Statesboro in 1989 to attend Georgia Southern University. Since then, he and his wife, Kim, have built an impressive career in business and real estate, becoming key figures in the city’s economic landscape.
WRITTEN BY JENNY STARLING FOSS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY FRANK FORTUNE
estate agencies. For a decade of business achievements, he was celebrated as the Statesboro-Bulloch Chamber of Commerce Entrepreneur of the Year in 2012. In 2013, he sold Car City, his successful automotive dealership located on the Blue Mile. Hunt seems to be able to predict almost instinctively what type of business Statesboro could benefit from next.
Hunt’s entrepreneurial journey began in 1992, with the opening of Pawn City, Inc., now a franchise of seven stores located in southeast Georgia. Over the years, he has successfully owned and operated multiple businesses ranging from pawn shops to retail stores, car dealerships to real
In 2018, Hunt expanded into real estate, bringing his extensive business expertise to RE/MAX Eagle Creek Realty. The agency now boasts 30 agents, covering commercial real estate, land acquisition, residential sales, rentals, and investments. His hands-on experience in buying, selling, and leasing properties, combined with a passion for exceptional customer service, has made Hunt a trusted name in the industry. And, an award winning realtor. He was the number one RE/ MAX agent in Georgia in 2019 and 2020. For the past ten years, he has been ranked by Real Trends of America in the Top 250 agents nationwide by homes sold.
“The environment in our office is key,” said Hunt. “The family atmosphere we work in has led directly to our success and the success of our 30 agents. I love it! Real estate is our bread and butter.”
The sugar on top is Hunt’s newest (resurrected) venture, Bubba Golf, opened in August 2024 and recently honored by the Statesboro-Bulloch Chamber of Commerce as 2024 Start-Up of the Year and by Statesboro Magazine as the Most Fabulous New Local Business 2025. Bubba Golf is also a finalist in the categories of Most Fabulous Men’s Clothing and Most Fabulous Sporting Goods Store.
“We had a Bubba Golf store previously,” said Hunt. “But nothing like this!”
Hunt revisited opening a golf store after several famous golfers became a sensation on YouTube talking about their game. Hunt doesn’t just watch golfers on YouTube, he likes to play, too, but had trouble finding golf apparel, equipment and the gadgets he wanted to try in the area.
“I was laid up on the couch with my knee surgery and started Googling Bubba Golf to see what came up,” said Hunt. “Then I went to Go Daddy to see if I could get the website back. There is so much retail online now, that I knew if we could rebrand, we could re-launch to a much broader audience than before.”
He sent a photo of himself dressed in overalls to three marketing companies to get a logo drawn-up for the brand of custom apparel that Hunt also launched with the store opening.
“One logo is of me in overalls with a goat,” said Hunt. “And another logo is just the goat.”
big companies like Titleist like our website. She is the one who keeps up with inventory, online shipping, and she plays golf!”
The logos adorn a colorful array of golfing attire for men and women.
Bubba Golf also stands out because of a golf simulator by Trackman that enthusiasts can book to help improve their golf swing through an AI Coach. The simulator can pull up images from a variety of famous courses from throughout the world and golfers can hit balls into the screen with their swing and have its force measured by the simulator to point out areas for improvement. Too rainy or windy for a game on the links? A group of golfers can book the simulator and enjoy the adjoining lounge area watching each other swing away.
“My vision was really online sales,” said Hunt. “We can compete with other shops who carry Titleist, Sunday Swagger, Bogey Boys and other top brands.”
The store also offers golf club repair; regripping and re-shafting for player’s clubs.
In July of 2024, Hunt hired Caroline Britton, who worked for 9-Line in charge of online sales. She was interested in joining a start-up and being in on the ground floor.
“We have room to grow,” said Hunt. “We have the potential to add another 2,000 sq. ft. of space.”
“She was about jumping in on the early stages of a start-up company,” said Hunt. “At 9-Line she was in charge of online everything. Thanks to her, our website is top-drawer. The
There are plans to launch a YouTube channel of their own, “Bubba Golf the Trackman Journey” in June 2025.
Hunt’s daughter, Madelyn Ritchie, is this year’s Most Fabulous Young Entrepreneur for opening the Most Fabulous Event/Wedding Venue, Pine Needle Plantation. Madelyn’s
wedding to Hunter Ritchie was the first event held at the new venue which features a full size catering kitchen including warming ovens and industrial refrigeration, something caterers really appreciate. Madelyn also handles Air bnb rentals for the Hunts.
Son Matthew works with Hunter at Bubba Golf and has a pressure washing business.
It seems both Hunt children have inherited their parent’s entrepreneurial spirit!
Beyond business, Hunt is deeply invested in the Statesboro community. A member of the Exchange Club for 14 years, he has served on its Board of Directors and co-chaired the Million Dollar Shoot-Out for four consecutive years. His contributions to the Statesboro-Bulloch Chamber of Commerce include serving on its Board of Directors for the past five years, co-chairing the Small Business
Committee, and leading the Special Events Committee, which organizes the Chamber Gala and the Past-Chairman’s Golf Tournament.
Hunt is a 2008 graduate of Leadership Bulloch, serving on the Leadership Bulloch Alumni Association board for five years, including a term as President in 2012. He also serves on the Bulloch County Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee.
One of Hunt’s most memorable philanthropic efforts was teaming up with former Georgia Southern Football Coach Jeff Monken in 2011 for the American Diabetes Association’s Kiss-a-Pig contest. Their efforts raised $37,000, winning their category in the fight against diabetes.
Hunt’s daughter, Madelyn Ritchie, is this year’s Most Fabulous Young Entrepreneur for opening the Most Fabulous Event/ Wedding Venue, Pine Needle Plantation.
For me, success isn’t just about business. It’s about giving back, building relationships, and making a difference in the community I love.”
– BUBBA HUNT
making a mark with professional success and community involvement.”
He was the recipient of the Dean Day Smith Service to Mankind Award in 2013.
Outside of his professional and civic endeavors, Hunt enjoys Georgia Southern football, competition BBQ, and boating on the lake with his family. Whether it’s supporting his beloved Eagles or spending time outdoors, he finds balance in both work and fun.
Hunt’s journey is one of resilience, entrepreneurship, and unwavering community support. His recognition as Statesboro’s Most Fabulous Man 2025 is a reflection of his profound impact on the city and its people.
Hunt was also inducted into the Statesboro Herald’s inaugural 20 Under 40 Class of “Bulloch County residents who are
“For me, success isn’t just about business,” Hunt said. “It’s about giving back, building relationships, and making a difference in the community I love.” S
Guiding You & Your Family Through Life’s Change As our community continues to grow, so does the number of residents who may require hospice care.
Ogeechee Area Hospice is excited to announce they have achieved a significant milestone by earning The Joint Commission accreditation, placing it among the top tier of hospices in Georgia. This prestigious recognition highlights their unwavering commitment to providing the highest quality care and sets them apart as the area’s premier non-profit hospice with an inpatient center.
For thirty years,Ogeechee Area Hospice has been serving individuals with lifelimiting illness and their families in Bulloch, Evans, Candler, Jenkins, Screven, Tattnall and in the nearest parts of Emanuel, Bryan and Effingham counties.
STATESBORO’S MOST FABULOUS
Local Personality The Voice of the Eagles: Danny Reed
WRITTEN BY JENNY STARLING FOSS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY FRANK
FORTUNE
IF YOU’VE EVER TUNED IN TO HEAR THE GEORGIA SOUTHERN EAGLES TAKE THE FIELD OR the court, chances are you’ve heard the familiar voice of Danny Reed. As the Voice of the Eagles since 2015, Reed has become a beloved figure in the Statesboro community, bringing passion, knowledge, and energy to every broadcast.
Reed was recently voted Most Fabulous Local Personality by Statesboro Magazine readers, a testament to his connection with fans and his impact on Georgia Southern athletics. He not only calls football, basketball, and baseball games but also hosts Inside Georgia Southern Football and a weekly radio show, in addition to emceeing other major University events.
A Rising Star in Sports Broadcasting
Originally from Cumberland, Maryland, Reed graduated summa cum laude from Waynesburg University in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, May 2007 with a B.A. in Communications with an emphasis in Sports Broadcasting/Sports Information and a minor in Marketing. While at Waynesburg, he called play-by-play for men’s and women’s basketball, baseball and high school football on the school’s flagship station WCYJ-FM.
Before moving to Statesboro, Reed built an impressive resume in sports broadcasting. He served as the Broadcast/Media Relations Manager for the Bowling Green Hot Rods, the Class-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays,
handling play-by-play duties for all 140 games. His talent was recognized when he was named the Midwest League Broadcaster of the Year.
Prior to that, Reed was the Director of Broadcasting for The Citadel from 2011 to 2014, covering football, men’s basketball, and baseball while also managing the school’s statewide radio network. Initially, in the baseball offseason, Reed served as the studio host and play-by-play fill-in for The Citadel’s football and basketball broadcasts as well as the broadcast engineer of the programming. He also broadcasted Lowcountry High School football for flagship stations ESPN Radio 910 and Yahoo Sports Radio 950 AM as well as producing various live and syndicated network programming. While at the Citadel, Reed
became familiar with Georgia Southern, a Southern Conference rival in football.
It is an honor to do this—for the people we do it for - the ones who love Georgia Southern. It’s really an honor to represent those people and bring the excitement of Eagle Athletics to a passionate and intimate fan base that expects excellence all the time.” – DANNY REED
His time in Charleston also included serving as the voice of the Charleston RiverDogs, the Class-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, from 2008-2011. In addition to play-by-play, he worked in media relations, hosted coaches’ shows, and collaborated with local and national media outlets to expand the team’s coverage.
Reed’s experience extends beyond play-byplay commentary. He has worked as a sports reporter for the Charleston Post & Courier, a public address announcer, and a radio engineer. He has also called games for ESPN3 and filled in for Learfield Sports, covering college basketball.
Taking the Mic at Georgia Southern
Reed got the call from former athletics director Tom Kleinlein to join Georgia Southern Athletics in August 2015, initially serving as a sideline reporter for football broadcasts before taking over full play-by-play duties for men’s basketball and baseball. By the 2016 football season, as former Voice of the Eagles announcer Chris Blair moved on
to become primary sports broadcaster for the LSU Tigers, Reed assumed the full-time role as play-by-play announcer for the Eagles as well, officially becoming the primary voice of Georgia Southern athletics.
“My greatest challenge was following Chris Blair,” said Reed. “He is in the top tier of sports broadcasters. One of the greats!”
For ten years now Reed has embraced the opportunity and is dedicated to upholding the standards of tradition and excellence that Georgia Southern fans expect. A high bar set by Blair, who stayed for 10 years, and the original Voice of the Eagles Nate Hirsch (1971 – 2006), who also co-hosted “Upon Further Review” on Northland Cable Channel 96 along with local broadcast talent Josh Aubrey.
The Heart of Georgia Southern
For Reed, Georgia Southern is more than just a job—it’s a family.
“It’s the people at Georgia Southern that make it special,” he said. “People like longtime color commentator Terry Harvin, who has been involved with the University and the community for over 40 years, and Roger Inman, who has been here from the beginning
It’s the people at Georgia Southern that make it special. People like longtime color commentator Terry Harvin, who has been involved with the University and the community for over 40 years, and Roger Inman, who has been here from the beginning of football, known for his dedication to maintaining the school’s athletic fields and facilities. The looks on those guy’s faces when the Eagles are winning a game; their reaction just gets to you every time!”
– DANNY REED
of football, known for his dedication to maintaining the school’s athletic fields and facilities. The looks on those guy’s faces when the Eagles are winning a game; their reaction just gets to you every time!”
Reed takes great pride in crafting engaging broadcasts that go beyond statistics bringing in a show that all fans can get excited about and enjoy.
“My goal is always delivering and expanding on the story,” he said. Whether it’s describing a game-winning touchdown or a buzzerbeater on the court, he understands the responsibility of keeping the excitement going for those fans in attendance and bringing the action to life for those who can’t be in the stands.
When asked what this role means to him, Reed summed it up simply: “It is an honor to do this—for the people we do it for - the ones who love Georgia Southern. It’s really an honor to represent those people and bring the excitement of Eagle Athletics to a passionate and intimate fan base that expects excellence all the time.”
Through his dedication and talent, Danny Reed has not only become the Voice of the Eagles but also a key figure in the Statesboro/ Georgia Southern community. With each broadcast, he continues to reach for the next level of excitement, tradition, and greatness, bringing it every game to the fans who make his job so rewarding. S
Dr. James Small, MD, MEd, FACOG
Dr. Chelsea Mikell, MD, FACOG
Dr. Tony Reed, MD, FACOG
Jamie Bohler, FNP-C
Nikiya L. Lewis, DNP, FNP- C
Tressa Cheney, FNP-C
Denise Peebles, FNP-C
Sarah Kent, lBCLC
Host your next work event or wedding at The Venues at Ogeechee Technical College, where elegance meets convenience. Surrounded by serene water birch and towering Georgia pines, our beautifully designed spaces offer natural light, privacy, and top-notch service. With ample parking, flexible and affordable options, and a reputation as one of the best event venues in the region, The Venues is the perfect setting for your next gathering or special occasion.
Statesboro Magazine’s 2025
Beauty & Fitness
BARBER SHOP
RAY’S BARBERSHOP
The Lion’s Den
The Salon Social
DAY SPA/MASSAGE THERAPY
PURE WELLNESS AND SPA
Juve
The Healthy Touch
FITNESS CENTER/GYM
180 FITNESS
YMCA Family Statesboro
The Garage
HAIR REMOVAL
THE WAX STRIP
The Social Salon & Esthetics
Salon Blue
HAIR SALON
SPLIT ENDS SALON
Salon 609
The Social Salon
HAIR STYLIST/INDIVIDUAL
DENNA HUGHESSPLIT ENDS SALON
Amanda Kennedy - The Salon Social
Gabi Becton - 80East
NAIL SALON
ANNIE’S NAILS
Dazzle Nails
Star Nails
NAIL TECHICIAN
KALLY GIANG - ANNIE’S NAILS
Alex @ Dazzle Nails
Miranda @ Annie’s
PERSONAL TRAINER
TAYLOR ZETTEROWER
Mindy Fair
Jot Fuller
TANNING SALON/BOUTIQUE
TAYLOR’S TANNING & BOUTIQUE
The Salon Social Aesthetics
Sunset Beach
WEIGHT LOSS CLINIC/ COUNSELING
JUVE INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE & WELLNESS
Southern Health & Wellness
Thrive Health &Wellness
Dining
ASIAN CUISINE
SHOGUN HIBACHI GRILL & SUSHI BAR
Tandoor & Tap
Soyumi Asian Kitchen
BAGELS
BORO BAGEL COMPANY
Sully’s Steamers
Sugar Magnolia Coffe House
BARBEQUE
DOLAN’S BAR-B-QUE
Cosmic Cowboy
Vandy's
BREAKFAST/BRUNCH
EGGS UP GRILL
Bull & Barrel
Sugar Magnolia Coffee House
BUFFET
FORDAM’S FARMHOUSE
Ole Time Buffet
Tandoor & Tap
BURGER
BITES IN THE BORO
Sugar Magnolia Bistro & Bar
Tavern 47 at Forest Heights Country Club
BUSINESS LUNCH
SUGAR MAGNOLIA BISTRO & BAR
Dolan’s Barbeque
Loco’s Pub & Grill
BOSS
CATERER
ROLLING MONKEY
Honey's Specialties
Blue Mile Catering
CHICKEN WINGS
TANDOOR & TAP
A-Town Wings
Wild Wing Café
COFFEE HOUSE/TEA LOCAL
COOL BEANZ
Ellianos
Sugar Magnolia Coffee House
DESSERT
HONEY SPECIALTIES
Rolling Monkey
Boro Sno
DRIVE THRU
CHIC-FIL-A
Sugar Magnolia Coffee House
Sonic
FRIED CHICKEN
FORDAM’S FARMHOUSE
Dolan's Barbeque
Huey Magoo’s
ICE CREAM/FROZEN TREAT
BORO SNO
Dairy Queen
Rolling Monkey
Employers
JESSICA HERRMANN -
GREAT GA REALTY
Jason Dyches - J.D.'s Heating & Air
Michelle Smith Lank - Kids World
BUSINESS THAT GIVES BACK
THE SACK COMPANY
Forest Heights Pharmacy
Rolling Monkey
MEXICAN CUISINE
EL SOMBRERO
Azul
El Maguey
OUTDOOR DINING
TANDOOR & TAP
Dolan's Barbeque
Nonna Picci
OVERALL RESTAURANT
BULL & BARREL STEAKHOUSE
Tandoor & Tap
Texas Road House
PIZZA
BLAZE PIZZA
Nonna Picci
Mellow Mushroom
SEAFOOD
OCEAN GALLEY SEAFOOD
Red Claw
Southern Crab House
SUSHI
SOYUMI ASIAN KITCHEN
Shogun
Tokyo
APPETIZERS
GNAT’S LANDING
Bull & Barrel
Pour House Pub
COMPANY TO WORK FOR
OPTIM HEALTH SYSTEMS
LA Water’s Furniture & Mattress Center
East Georgia Regional Medical Center
Meghan McGovern, M.D.
Roksana Grozeva, PA-C
Emily Brown, LMA
Entertainment & Leisure
BARTENDER
LLOYD ROWEPOUR HOUSE PUB
Garret Riggleman - Tandoor & Tap
Niki Sheley - Sugar Magnolia Bistro & Bar
BEVERAGE CENTER
WHISKEY BUSINESS
Clark Beverage
Boot Liquor
COCKTAIL MENU
AURA TAPAS & COCKTAILS
Tandoor and Tap
Sugar Magnolia Bistro & Bar
DATE NIGHT RESTAURANT
BULL & BARREL STEAKHOUSE
Vino 1910
Aura Tapas & Cocktails
DOG FRIENDLY RESTAURANT/PATIO
DEL SUR TAQUERIA
Nonna Picci
Loco’s Pub & Grill
EVENT VENUE/ WEDDING VENUE
PINE NEEDLE PLANTATION
The Market at Visit Statesboro
Chande Pines
FRIDAY NIGHT IN YOUR 40S
VINO 1910
Pour House Pub
Eagle Creek Brewery
PLACE FOR TRIVIA
EAGLE CREEK BREWING COMPANY
Dolan’s Barbeque
Soyumi
PLACE TO HAVE A BIRTHDAY PARTY
ROLLING MONKEY
Splash in the Boro The Clubhouse
PLACE TO WATCH THE GAME
NONNA’S GARAGE
Tandoor and Tap
Loco’s Pub & Grill
PLACE FOR LIVE MUSIC
POUR HOUSE PUB
Dolan’s Barbeque
Eagle Creek Brewery
WORK EVENT SPACE THE VENUES AT OTC
Sugar Magnolia Coffee House
Ag South Farm Credit
Health & Wellness
ASSISTED LIVING/ RETIREMENT COMMUNITY
SOUTHERN MANOR
SENIOR LIVING
Willow Pond
The Lodge at Bethany
CHIROPRACTOR
RYAN FAMILY CHIROPRACTIC
Advanced Chiropractic New Life
COSMETIC/ PLASTIC SURGEON
RENEWAL PLASTIC SURGERY
Altera Aesthetix by Refine
Dr. Marc Bisseck - Statesboro Plastic Surgery
DENTAL HYGIENIST
JENNY HIGHSMITHSOUTHERN FAMILY DENTISTRY
Gretchen Thomas - Dr. Ricky Lane
Courtney Oglesby
DENTIST
DR. RICKY LANE
Dr. Richard Marz
Dr. Jarrett Walden - Southern Family Dental
DENTIST OFFICE
SOUTHERN FAMILY DENTAL
Bray, DMD & Young, DMD
Premier Dental Wellness
DERMATOLOGY PRACTICE
GEORGIA DERMATOLOGY
& SKIN CANCER CENTER
Georgia Skin & Cancer, Dr. Sidney Smith
Michael Sharkley, MD
EYE CARE CENTER/ OPTOMETRIST
VISION SOURCEPROFESSIONAL EYE CARE
Dr. Brent Lariscey
Stanton Optical
HOME HEALTH SERVICES/ HOSPICE
OGEECHEE AREA HOSPICE Centerwell
Regency Care South
HOSPITAL/ EMERGENCY SERVICES
STATESBORO URGENT CARE
East Georgia Regional Medical Center ExperCare
INFUSION BAR/ MEDI-SPA/ VITAMIN THERAPY BAR THE DRIPBAR
Juve
Thrive Health & Wellness
LOCAL DRUG STORE/ PHARMACY
MCCOOK’S PHARMACY
Forest Heights Pharmacy
Southern Pharmacy
MEDICAL AESTHETICS/ SKIN CARE
LUMIERE AESTHETICS BY AMANDA ROSARIO
Juve
Altera Aesthetix by Refine
MEDICAL PRACTICE/OFFICE
OPTIM HEALTH SYSTEMDR. STEPHEN TANKERSLEY & DR. JESSICA REYES
Southern Family Medicine
Ogeechee OBGYN
NURSE
TORI LATHAM - JUVE
INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE
Daisy Newsome DavisStatesboro ENT & Sinus Center
Lisa Conley - Willow Pond
NURSE PRACTITIONER
HENRY BROWER - STATESBORO
URGENT CARE
Ashley Skinner - Dr. Tankersley at Optim Health System
Kellie Whitner - Family Health Care Center
OB/GYN OFFICE
OGEECHEE OBGYN
Statesboro Women’s Health Specialist
Southern OBGYN
ORAL SURGERY
EAST GEORGIA ORAL & MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY
Statesboro Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
ORTHODONTIST OFFICE
MAGINNIS ORTHODONTICS
Wall Orthodontics
Statesboro Family Dental
PAIN MANAGEMENT
OPTIM PAIN MANAGEMENT
East Georgia Pain Management
PEDIATRICIAN OFFICE
BULLOCH PEDIATRICS
MaMa Doc Pediatrics
Michael Deal, M.D.
PHYSICAL THERAPY/ OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
THE THERAPY SPOT
Word of Mouth Therapy
Optim Orthopedics
PHYSICIAN/INDIVIDUAL
DR. JORDAN PAYNTEROPTIM ORTHOPEDICS
Dr. W. Stephen TankersleyOptim Health System
James F. Small, MD, MEd, FACOG
PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT
SHANNON HALL - SOUTHERN HEALTH & WELLNESS
Heather Miller, PAOptim Pain Management
Brandon Rowland, PA-CGeorgia Dermatology
PODIATRY PRACTICE
DR. TODD BECKER
Affinity Foot and Ankle
Ankle & Foot Associates
SPEECH THERAPY CENTER
WORD OF MOUTH THERAPY
The Therapy Spot
Pediatric SALT Clinic
Home, Home Services & Finance
APARTMENT COMMUNITY
MARKET 100
One Eleven South
The Connection at Statesboro
CARPET CLEANING
RAINBOW RESTORATIONS
All Star Carpets
Serv Pro
ELECTRICIAN
NEAL’S PLUMBING & ELECTRICAL
J.D.’s Heating & Air
Allen’s Electrical & Plumbing
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONBANK
RENASANT BANK
Citizen’s Bank of the South
Bulloch First Bank
FINANCIAL PLANNER/ INVESTMENTS
SAFE HARBOR
FINANCIAL PLANNING & INVESTMENT
ADVISORY, LLC
Travis ChanceCFG Wealth Management
Jenny DaileyConsolidated Planning
FLOOR COVERING STORE
PLANK & TILE
Floors Outlet
Legacy Direct Flooring
GARDEN CENTER/ LANDSCAPING
SOUTHERN SCAPES
Consider it Done On the Spot Lawncare
HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING COMPANY
J.D.’S HEATING & AIR
Peach State Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
Ogeechee Heating & Air
HOME CONTRACTORS/ REPAIR/REMODELING
LAMAR CONSTRUCTION
Saxon Designs
St. Andrew’s Builders
HOME DÉCOR
EMMIE’S FINE CHINA & GIFTS
Deal’s Furniture & Mattress Outlet
LA Waters Furniture & Mattress Center
HOME INSPECTION COMPANY
COPELAND HOME INSPECTIONS
Starline Home & Commercial Inspections, LLC
HOME SECURITY
FEMAC SECURITY SOLUTIONS
Bulloch Solutions
Southeastern Alarm
HOMEBUILDER
ST. ANDREW’S BUILDERS
Ruarks Construction
Kicklighter Homes
INTERIOR DESIGNER
SUMMER HODGESGRAYMONT DESIGNS
Presley Terry - Watersedge Designs
Shera Waters - Plank & Tile
MAID/JANITORIAL
BUCK CREEK COMMERCIAL
CLEANING
Serv Pro
Darby’s Commercial Cleaning, LLC
MORTGAGE LENDER
SARA RUSSELLBULLOCH FIRST BANK
Kelly Kahley - Renasant Bank
John Young - Citizens Bank of the South
MOVING SERVICES
R&S PACKING AND MOVING
T&T Moving and Packing
Two Guys & a Truck
PEST CONTROL
PESTMASTERS
Terminix
Orkin Pest & Termite Control
PLUMBER
BRITCO PLUMBING
Neal’s Plumbing & Electrical
Real Deal Plumbing
POOLS & SPA COMPANY
B&M POOLS
Blue Prism Pools
ASP
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
ERA HIRSCH REAL ESTATE TEAM - MANDY LANE
Kennedy Property Management
Great GA Rentals
REAL ESTATE AGENTCOMMERCIAL
EVERETT KENNEDY
Bubba Hunt
Shannon Horton
REAL ESTATE AGENTRESIDENTIAL
PAT HIRSCH
Bubba Hunt
James Lawson
REAL ESTATE BROKER
PAUL NEWMAN
Everett Kennedy
Jessica Herrmann
REAL ESTATE COMPANY
GREAT GA REALTY
ERA Hirsch Real Estate
Statesboro Real Estate
REAL ESTATE TEAM/DUO
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY/ KENNEDY PROPERTIES
The Deb Hagan Team
Statesboro Real Estate
RESIDENTIAL DESIGN
WATERSEDGE DESIGN COMPANY
Shera Waters - Plank & Tile
Summer Hodges - Graymont Designs
SIDING/WINDOWS/ ROOFING COMPANY
COASTAL ELITE ROOFING
Chandler Roofing
American Roofing
STORAGE FACILITY
ALL SAFE STORAGE
Storage Whales
Midguard Self Storage
TELECOMMUNICATION/ INTERNET PROVIDER
BULLOCH SOLUTIONS
Vyve
AT&T Statesboro
TWO LOCATIONS TO BETTER SERVE YOU
OUR STATESBORO LOCATION features 45 Private Rooms in addition to a large spacious sunroom, lobby, and lifestyle center. Our residents and families agree we are the finest in retirement living! 24-hour specialized memory care residential wing also available for patients with Alzheimer’s and other memory impairments. Enjoying daily life to its fullest is our goal.
1532 FAIR RD | STATESBORO, GA 30458 | 912.681.2686
SOUTHERN MANOR AT CANDLER offers southern county, senior living, at its finest. 24 hour memory care available, private and semi-private rooms. Residents enjoy a full schedule of social, educational and entertaining activities and field trips.
46637 HWY 46 E | METTER, GA 30439 | 912.685.4700
COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY
OGEECHEE TECHNICAL COLLEGE
Georgia Southern University
East Georgia State College
DAYCARE/PRESCHOOL
KIDS WORLD
Kidovations
Bumblebees Daycare
MASCOT
GUS - GEORGIA SOUTHERN
Romo - Rolling Monkey
Bulloch Academy Gators
PRINCIPAL
DR. TODD VELAND - SEBMS
Valorie Morton - Assistant Principal - MLES
Jennifer Wade - MillCreek Elementary
TEACHER
BRANDON POOLE - SEBMS
Beverly Campbell - BA
Jessica Autry - PES
People & Places
AREA ATTRACTION/ FAMILY FUN
SPLASH IN THE BORO
Rolling Monkey
Georgia Southern Wildlife Education Center
COACH
AARON PHILLIPS - BULLOCH ACADEMY FOOTBALL
Chad Willis - GSU Women’s Volleyball
Dion Bethea - GSU Men’s Basketball
COMMUNITY IN BULLOCH COUNTY
STATESBORO
Brooklet
Clito
FIRE/EMT/LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER
CHIEF BROADWELLSTATESBORO PD
Brian Hendrix - Bulloch County EMS
Captain Marcus Nessmith
LOCAL BAND/MUSICIAN
THE RIPLEY’S
Miranda Winter
School of Rock - Pladd Dot
LOCAL PERSONALITY
DANNY REED - THE VOICE OF THE EAGLES
Brandon Poole - A Rouge Collaboration
Benji Lewis
LOCAL PLACE FOR A SELFIE
ROLLING MONKEY
Blind Willie Statue at Visit Statesboro
Main Street
LOCAL PRODUCT
CORK’S POPCORN
H.L. Franklin’s Healthy Honey
Pop’s Cane Syrup
LOCAL SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCER
RYAN REDDINGVISIT STATESBORO
Mandy Kennedy - Statesboro Jaycees
Robert Lucas - Sweet Impact
MAN OF THE YEAR
BUBBA HUNT
Chris Yaughn
Ben Ross
MOST WELCOMING TO NEW COMERS
VISIT STATESBORO
Jessica Walters Herrmann
Pour House Pub
NEW LOCAL BUSINESS 2022-2023
BUBBA GOLF
Pour House Pub
Kennedy Properties & Management
PLACE TO VOLUNTEER
FIXIN’ THE BORO
The Humane Society
Lift As You Grow
WOMAN OF THE YEAR
LAZAR BROWN OGLESBY
Becky Sanders
Michelle Edenfield Davis
YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR
MADELYN RITCHIEPINE NEEDLE PLANTATION
Patrick ChambersCoastal Elite Roofing
Anna WatersEmmie’s Fine China and Gifts
Services
ACCOUNTANT, INDIVIDUAL
BRIAN KENNEDY
Tal Johnson
Richard Deal
ACCOUNTING FIRM
LANIER, DEAL, PROCTOR & BLOSER, CPAS
Dabbs, Hickman, Hill & Cannon, LLC
J. B. Kennedy & Associates, LLC
ATTORNEY, INDIVIDUAL
PAIGE NAVARRO
April Stafford
Andrew Lavoie
CHURCH/ PLACE OF WORSHIP
CONNECTION CHURCH
Statesboro First United Methodist
Compassion
CUSTOMER SERVICE
CITIZEN’S BANK
J.D.’s Heating & Air
Renasant Bank
FLORIST
THE FLORIST
The Flower Girl
Array of Sunshine
FRIENDLIEST RECEPTIONIST
LISA V. HENDLEY - BHHS
KENNEDY REALTY
Maddie Sumner - Split Ends Salon
Marisa Gay - RE/MAX Eagle Creek
FUNERAL HOME
TREMBLE FUNERAL HOME
Deal’s Funeral Home
Joiner Anderson Funeral Home & Crematory
FUNERAL PLANNING
JOINER ANDERSON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY
Deal’s Funeral Home
Tremble Funeral Home
GRAPHIC/DIGITAL DESIGN
PIONEER DESIGN AND MARKETING
Up Market Media
Davis Marketing
INSURANCE AGENCY
LEE, HILL & JOHNSTON INSURERS
Apex Healthpros
BBWH Insurers
INSURANCE AGENT
ASHLEY ELLIS - BBWH
Lee Hudgens - Apex Health Pros
Mitchell Bohler - Brinson, Williams, & Groomes
LAW FIRM
HALL & NAVARRO
Bruce, Mathews & Lavoie
Hube Law Firm
MARKETING AGENCY
UP MARKET MEDIA
Davis Marketing
Pioneer Design & Marketing
NON-PROFIT
LIFT AS YOU GROW
Fixin’ the Boro Ogeechee Area Hospice
PHOTOGRAPHER
FRANK FORTUNETHE FORTUNE IMAGE
Jason Hurst Photography
Cedric Bacon Photography
PLACE TO BUY FARM EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES
SHEA TRACTOR AND EQUIPMENT
Tractor Supply
Blanchard Equipment
TRIAL LAWYER
FRANCYS JOHNSON
Dan Snipes
Andrew Lavoie
VETERINARIAN
UNIVERSITY ANIMAL HOSPITAL
Best Friends Animal Hospital
Gateway Animal Hospital
Shopping
ANTIQUE STORE
CHARLIE’S FUNKY
JUNK SHOP
Deal’s Furniture & Mattress
Waters Estate Sales
APPLIANCE STORE
STATESBORO APPLIANCE
Lowes
FURNITURE STORE
LA WATERS
I Save
KID’S CLOTHING/ BOUTIQUE
SAPPHIRE 13
Little Doses Children’s Boutique
Walker Pharmacy
Ginny & Georgia’s
LADIES FASHION/BOUTIQUE
BLEU BLUSH
Jax & Grace
Mirror on Main
LOCAL STORE ONLINE SHOPPING/APP
JAXE & GRACE
Bleu Blush
Southern Outlaw Hat Co.
MEN’S CLOTHING/ FORMAL WEAR
THE SIR SHOP
Anderson’s General Store
Bubba Golf
PRE-TEEN/ TEEN SELECTION
SAPPHIRE 13
Jax & Grace
Ginny & Georgia’s
RECREATIONAL VEHICLE DEALER (RV, BOAT, 4-WHEELER)
CUSTOM MARINE
Statesboro Golf Carts
Statesboro Powersports
SPORTING GOODS STORE
TC OUTDOORS
Dunham’s Bubba Golf
TRENDIEST BOUTIQUE
FOREST HEIGHTS
PHARMACY BOUTIQUE
Jaxe & Grace
Bleu Blush
WINE SELECTION
VINO 1910
Vine at H's
Sugar Magnolia
Vehicles Dealers & Service
AUTO BODY/COLLISION
PREFERRED COLLISION CENTER
Phillip’s Custom Works
Joe Hudson’s Collison Center
AUTO DEALERNEW VEHICLES
FRANKLIN TOYOTA
JC Lewis Ford
Franklin Chevrolet
AUTO DEALERPREVIOUSLY OWNED VEHICLES
JARRARD’S PREVIOUSLY OWNED VEHICLES
JC Lewis Ford
Franklin Chevrolet
AUTO GLASS REPAIR
RICK’S GLASS
After Hours Glass
Bart Fallis
Mobile Glass
AUTO SERVICE/ REPAIR
D & R INTENSIVE CAR CARE
Total Tire & Auto Care of Statesboro
Cotton Tire
CAR WASH/DETAILER
TIDAL WAVE
Brandon’s Touch
D & H Complete Car Care Center
EQUIPMENT RENTAL/ CONSTRUCTION/FARMING
SHEA TRACTOR & EQUIPMENT COMPANY
Durden’s Rental & Service Center
Blanchard Equipment
LARGE FARM EQUIPMENT
BLANCHARD EQUIPMENT
Coastal Truck & Trailer
Shea Tractor & Equipment Company
OIL CHANGE
D & R INTENSIVE CAR CARE
Total Tire & Auto Care of Statesboro
Jiffy Lube
TIRE CENTER
TOTAL TIRE & AUTO CARE OF STATESBORO
D & R Intensive Car Care
Cotton Tire S
BRIDE’S FULL NAME: Teresa “Tess” Elizabeth Newton
GROOM’S FULL NAME: William “Wil” Phillip Stuart
WHERE YOU RESIDE: Statesboro, GA
WHERE YOU BOTH WORK:
BRIDE: Stakeholder Engagement Coordinator at Georgia Power
GROOM: Credit Analyst at AgSouth Farm Credit
DATE OF WEDDING: March 2nd, 2024
WEDDING LOCATION/ VENUE:
CEREMONY: Statesboro First United Methodist Church
RECEPTION: The Foxhall
REHEARSAL DINNER LOCATION/VENUE: The Foxhall
MINISTER/OFFICIANT: Jordan Thigpen – Connection Church
DRESS SHOP: J’Adore Bridal
DRESS DESIGNER: Justin Alexander
TUXEDO RENTAL/ PURCHASE: The Sir Shop
WEDDING COLORS: Champagne, White/Cream, Gold
WEDDING THEME: Timeless, Classic & Elegant
STYLISTS:
HAIR: Emily Connor Johnson
MAKE-UP: Ansley Tatum
PHOTOGRAPHER(S): Kaitlyn Delong Photography
VIDEOGRAPHY: Boudreaux Weddings
WEDDING CAKE: Cathy Deal
CATERERS:
REHEARSAL DINNER: The Pondhouse
WEDDING: Honey Catering
MUSICIANS:
CEREMONY: Reese Hancock, Hannah Bowers and Karly Henson
RECEPTION: TAPE – The After Party Experience Band
FLORIST, DESIGNER & DECORATOR: Ashley’s Stems
WEDDING DIRECTOR: Ashley Stanford
RECEPTION LOCATION: The Foxhall
HONEYMOON LOCATION: Excellence El Carmen in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
PARENTS:
BRIDE: Patrick Doy Newton, Sr. and Betty Brannen Newton
GROOM: William Sidney Stuart, Jr. and Gloria Jean Stuart
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE ABOUT YOUR SPECIAL DAY?
When we first got engaged and started planning our wedding, we knew we wanted the entire weekend to center around three things: Jesus, our family, and our favorite people. We tried to be intentional with every decision we made and were able to see it all come together that first weekend in March.
One thing that was very important to us was honoring my grandmother (Teresa Foy Brannen), whom we all called Mema, whom we lost earlier that year. Before she passed, we met with the florist, and Mema picked out and designed 90% of the wedding flowers. Her request was that we “go big” with the flowers, one of her favorite things. The floral theme for the wedding was white, cream, and greenery. My florist went above and beyond, recreating Mema’s wedding bouquet using
photos from newspaper articles from when she got married. The only splash of color was a pink rose that, when I held the bouquet, was “closest to my heart.” Besides the pink rose in my bouquet, the only other color in the room was the larger-than-life colorful arrangement on Mema’s memory table. I also had the chance to have Scott Marchbanks from Frills by Scott redesign Mema’s wedding dress for me to wear at the rehearsal. It was so special. It meant the world to me to have so many “little
Mema moments” that weekend.
Another important element was making sure our wedding ceremony was an outward example of our inward love for the Lord and our belief in the Biblical foundation of marriage. In addition to taking communion, I walked down the aisle to my favorite gospel song, Goodness and God. Guests, the wedding party, and our families sang The Blessing together before our vows. Our goal was for the love we have for each other to reflect the
love the Lord has for us.
Some additional things we loved about our wedding weekend were the delicious food and cocktails, the fantastic band, and special parent dances. I surprised my father with Butterfly Kisses, the song we always danced to at the daddy-daughter dance; my mom with a Dancing Queen karaoke and dance moment on stage, boas included, and Wil danced with his mom to My Wish. We kept the dance floor packed the whole night
and had an absolute blast.
Overall, we enjoyed every single moment of our wedding weekend and felt so loved and supported by all our friends, family, and amazing vendors. The true star of the weekend was our puppy, Louie. He enjoyed every minute of both the rehearsal dinner and reception, thinking it was all for him, not for his parents getting married! We feel so blessed to be married and look forward to all God has in store for us. S
PHOTOGRAPHY
BRIDE’S FULL NAME:
Emilee Ann Godbee
GROOM’S FULL NAME:
Dustin Lane Brown
WHERE YOU RESIDE: Statesboro
WHERE YOU BOTH WORK:
BRIDE: Brooklet Elementary School
GROOM: Hussey Gay Bell
DATE OF WEDDING: June 15, 2024
WEDDING
LOCATION/VENUE: First Baptist Church Statesboro
REHEARSAL DINNER
LOCATION/VENUE: Forest Heights Country Club
MINISTER/OFFICIANT:
Rev. Dr. John Waters
DRESS SHOP:
J’Adore Bridal
DRESS DESIGNER:
Justin Alexander
TUXEDO RENTAL/PURCHASE:
RJ Pope Statesboro
WEDDING COLORS: Blue and White
WEDDING THEME: Classic Southern Wedding
STYLISTS:
HAIR: Melissa Bunn
MAKE-UP: Ashley Rushing
PHOTOGRAPHER(S): Mark Williams Photography
WEDDING CAKE: Cathy Deal
GROOM’S CAKE: Sugared
CATERERS:
REHEARSAL DINNER: Forest Heights Country Club
WEDDING: Honey Specialties
MUSICIANS:
CEREMONY: Donna Brigman
RECEPTION: Emerald Empire Band
FLORIST, DESIGNER & DECORATOR: Wanda Alford
WEDDINGS
WEDDING DIRECTOR(S): Nancy Smith & Liz Bland
RECEPTION LOCATION: The Foxhall
HONEYMOON LOCATION: St. Vincent and the Grenadines
PARENTS:
BRIDE: Wes & Amy Godbee
GROOM: Nathan & Ashley Brown
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE ABOUT YOUR SPECIAL DAY?
“We had a few things that I would love to share of our special day. The first being that we had a host of friends and family that made our day happen. My mother pulled together a team that executed each portion of the day flawlessly, such as her good friend Caroline Bowman creating a beautiful charcuterie board. Additionally, Liz Bland, our coordinator and long-time family friend, accompanied by our family and friends, showed up on Saturday and pulled each part of our big day together. We are so thankful they willingly and generously gave up their time to make it all happen!
Secondly, one of my most favorite parts of the reception was our memory table. Having lost my maternal grandmother the year before, I knew I wanted to honor her in some way. Our memory table featured pictures of loved ones from mine and Dustin’s families.
The dress I wore for the second half of the reception was my mother’s wedding dress! Scott Marchbanks reworked it beautifully into the most beautiful and elegant second look!
Overall, our wedding was truly a testament to our community. Our village came together to execute a day that surpassed my expectations. Dustin and I were so humbled by our family’s and friend’s willingness to jump in and help, as well as the wonderful talent in the wedding industry in our town of Statesboro, that carried off such a beautiful ceremony and reception.”
- Emilee Godbee Brown S
Bulloch County: Where Opportunity Meets Community
LET’S SETTLE THIS QUESTION ONCE AND FOR ALL. THE GREAT mayonnaise debate has been known to spark quite a lot of controversy regarding who crafts the most fabulous mayonnaise. Folks get feisty when advocating for their favorite creamy condiment. In case you aren’t aware, people cheer for their favorite mayo with the same enthusiasm with which they cheer for their favorite sports team! It’s kind of like politics and religion, best not discussed at the dinner table. Friendly banter could turn into a down right brawl. Even sweet southern ladies have been known to get rowdy when someone tried to slip a rogue mayonnaise into their famous potato salad.
I put together a panel of taste testers. Not from a list of famed celebrity chefs, James
MOST FABULOUS
WRITTEN BY LAZAR BROWN OGLESBY
Beard award winners, culinary experts, or self-proclaimed food “influencers.” The dream team consisted of a few of my favorite foodies employed by Honey Specialties. I spend a lot of time in the kitchen with this group of gals. They are from all walks of life. These ladies are in the trenches with me daily and I trust them implicitly. They know good food!!
We did a blind taste test of four mainstream mayos: Dukes, Hellman’s, Blue Plate, and Miracle Whip. Some folks don’t consider Miracle Whip mayonnaise, but I digress. My Bet Bet always kept a jar of Miracle Whip in her fridge and used it for anything deemed mayo worthy. I never questioned the presence of this impostor “spread,” because grandmothers are always right when it comes to food. Sometimes I get a hankering for a cold bologna sandwich
DUKE’S MAYONNAISE
Mayonnaise Chocolate Cake
with Miracle Whip and I don’t feel the need to apologize. The taste is nostalgic and pairs wonderfully with the sharp tang of plain old yellow mustard!
The results of the taste test were interesting to say the least. I served up little cups of mayo with spoons, saltine crackers, and plain white bread. Participants were asked to rate the overall flavor and appeal of each using a scale of 1-5. One being best and five being least. I’m not here to sway anyone’s opinion or cajole readers into jumping their condiment ship. The test was strictly to satisfy everyone’s curiosity including my own.
THE RESULTS:
Hellmann’s #1
Duke’s #2
Blue Plate #3
Miracle Whip #4
Chocolate Frosting: Chocolate Cake:
INGREDIENTS:
6 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa
3 c. all-purpose flour
1 Tbsp. baking soda
¼ tsp. salt 1 ½ c. sugar
1 ½ c. Duke's Mayonnaise
1 ½ tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 ½ c. cold water
PREPARATION:
Preheat oven to 350°F, grease and flour two 8" cake pans. Sift cocoa, flour, baking soda, salt and sugar into a medium bowl, mix well. Combine mayonnaise, vanilla and water in an electric mixer at low speed. Once smooth, slowly add in dry mixture until just incorporated (do not over beat). Pour batter into cake pans and bake for 30 minutes or until done. Cool on wire racks and frost with Duke’s chocolate frosting or your favorite frosting.
INGREDIENTS:
1 c. butter, softened
1 c. cocoa
1 tsp. vanilla extract
PREPARATION:
5 to 6 c. confectioner's sugar 6 or more Tbsp. milk
For Duke’s chocolate cake frosting, in the bowl of an electric mixer, beat butter and cocoa with whisk attachment until smooth. Add vanilla. Add confectioner’s sugar alternately with milk until icing reaches a spreadable consistency. Spread between and on cool layers of mayonnaise cake.
HELLMANN’S EASY
Caesar Salad Dressing
INGREDIENTS:
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
2 tsp. Dijon mustard
2 tsp. Worchestershire sauce
1 c. Hellmann’s mayonnaise
1/3 c. olive oil
½ c. Shredded Parmesan cheese
1 tsp. anchovy paste
¼ tsp. ground black pepper
PREPARATION:
Combine all ingredients and chill until ready to use. Toss and serve with romaine lettuce.
Everyone was a little timid about tasting, but this group never backs down from a challenge!! I was genuinely surprised Hellmann’s garnered the number one spot! Three of the five tasters use Duke’s at home but Hellmann’s won the blind taste test!! There was one resounding critique: Miracle Whip was last by a long shot!!
It’s no secret I am a lifelong Duke’s mayonnaise fan. I use Duke’s exclusively for all recipes crafted at Honey Specialties. Yes, it would be more cost effective to use off-brand mayo but I can’t sacrifice quality for the bottom line on my food cost spreadsheet. Honey’s pimento cheese wouldn’t be the same without one of the five key ingredients… Duke’s. I’m not as overzealous as some mayo fans but I believe in great products that withstand the test of time. Duke’s was created around 1917 in Greenville, South Carolina, by Eugenia Duke. She sold sandwiches made with her homemade mayo to soldiers at Fort Sevier. She sold 11,000 sandwiches in her first year!!
The company has been bought and sold throughout the years but it’s still made in the south in Mauldin, South Carolina!
When I think about mayo, I instantly visualize a BLT sandwich. Soft white bread layered with crispy bacon, a homegrown tomato, iceberg lettuce, black pepper, and a slathering of Duke’s or Blue Plate is a weekly summer supper staple in our home. That first bite is heaven. It’s messy with the juices running down your arms but that’s how you know it’s delicious! Blue Plate ads constantly pop up when I am scanning social media. The ads generally include a mouthwatering picture of a sandwich or po boy. Blue Plate was born in New Orleans in 1927, and was originally produced in a warehouse in Gretna, Louisiana. Blue Plate is now the official mayo of the New Orleans Saints and LSU Tigers. I’d hate to go up against one of these rabid combination football/mayo fans. The beloved brand got its inspiration from popular tableware! You can see elements of blue “Willow Ware” plates in the signature logo and branding.
When my sister and I dreamed up the idea of Dolan’s BBQ we knew the sauces would be an important part of the fabric of our brand. Some folks proudly boast that good BBQ doesn’t need sauce. I disagree. We are sauce people!! We obviously will never divulge the secret sauce recipes but I recall the first time seeing an “Alabama White Sauce” recipe was in a summer issue of Southern Living Magazine. I knew we had to create our own version of a tangy mayonnaise based white sauce. I would venture to say that Dolan’s Sister’s White Sauce is our most popular sauce. It pairs perfectly with grilled chicken but customers love it on everything. I even had one friend tell me they enjoy white sauce on their pizza! My daddy loves to say he’s never met a Little Debbie snack cake he didn’t like. I have exactly the same sentiment when it comes to mayonnaise. I can learn to love almost any mayonnaise. I definitely have my favorites (Duke’s and Blue Plate).
ALABAMA
White BBQ Sauce
INGREDIENTS:
1 ¼ c. mayonnaise (Duke's, of course)
¾ c. distilled white vinegar
1 Tbsp. black pepper
1 ¼ tsp. kosher salt
PREPARATION:
1 tsp. granulated sugar
1 tsp. fresh lemon juice
(from 1 small lemon)
½ tsp. Worcestershire sauce
½ tsp. hot sauce
Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl. Whisk until smooth. Store in the refrigerator until ready to use.
INGREDIENTS:
2 c. of self-rising flour
1 c. of milk
2 Tbsp. of sugar
4 heaping Tbsp. of mayonnaise
PREPARATION:
Place all the ingredients in a bowl and mix until combined.
Scoop batter into greased muffin tins and bake 350˚F for 15 minutes.
I was raised on Duke’s, but I learned to like Hellmann’s in my teenage years. I enjoyed hanging out at my best friend, Tiffany’s house in high school. Her mother, Mrs. Brenda always kept a kitchen full of delicious food! She cooked constantly for neighbors, weddings, funerals, church potlucks, and her family. I was lucky enough to be considered family. We would come in on two wheels trying to beat our 11:00 p.m. curfew. Mrs. Brenda would hop up at this late hour and fry French fries upon our request as if we were at the Huddle House. She genuinely loved cooking for us day and night! Her refrigerator always held a big jar of Hellmann’s. I grew to love this condiment on her homemade biscuits with a fried egg and bacon or slathered on a ham sandwich on her freshly baked bread paired with vegetable soup. Her vegetable soup is the best!! Nothing came from a can. She put up all the vegetables from her garden. She is one of the best cooks I know. She truly enjoys feeding people and has the biggest “servant’s heart.”
To the people who don’t like mayonnaise, I’m truly sorry. I can’t imagine a world of dry sandwiches and mustard only potato salads. If you are brave enough you can easily make your own mayonnaise from scratch in a matter of minutes. As for me, I will keep a jar in my fridge at all times!! S
MAYONNAISE
Spring Cleaning your Outdoor Space
WRITTEN BY VIRGINIA ANNE FRANKLIN WATERS
WE CLEAN GARDENS IN SPRING RATHER THAN IN FALL TO PROTECT POLLINATORS AND OTHER BENEFICIAL insects. Dead plant material creates your own local ecosystem. You will be saving the bees and butterflies. This supports the food chain, which supports birds and other outdoor wildlife. I am much more aware of these important food chains after spending Christmas holidays with 11 scientists in and around Antarctica. A good rule of thumb is to wait until temperatures are consistently about 50 degrees F. This will help protect habitat in the spring and ensure you have a healthy pollinator population. Watch out for chrysalises and cocoons when pruning back shrubs. Butterflies, ladybugs, assassin bugs and other beneficial insects nest in piles of leaf matter!
HERE IS A GOOD CHECKLIST FOR BULLOCH COUNTY, GEORGIA.
1. CLEAN UP FLOWERBEDS.
Clear away dead leaves and other debris from the soil surfaces. Remove protective winter mulch and prune ornamental grasses. Be careful when removing last years’ foliage from bulbs so that you don’t disturb their roots.
2. DIVIDE YOUR PERENNIALS.
Divide your perennials before new spring growth begins. This is a budget-friendly way to add more plants to your garden or the share extras with friends. To keep perennials healthy, they need to be divided which will encourage new growth. Daylilies, Stokesia, coreopsis, chrysanthemum, phlox, dianthus, yarrow, coneflowers, liriope and hostas. These are the perennials located at the Hideaway and some really need to be divided! Daylilies, or hemerocallis for the fancy folk, are a favorite of mine. A little unknown local history tidbit is there was a median in US Highway 80 East where it intersects with Savannah Avenue. It went from the triangle all the way to Lester Road which is now Coach Lee Hill Boulevard. The Bulloch County Council of Garden clubs planted this bed with hemerocallis. I can remember helping Momma and many ladies dig the plants preparing to divide them! (Thank goodness there wasn’t the same kind of traffic in the late 1960’s!).
3. ADD MULCH AROUND PERENNIALS.
The best way to make your yard look spectacular is a fresh layer of mulch around and in garden beds. This is also a must to help with moisture here in Bulloch County and it will reduce the spread of “bad” weeds. Spread the mulch evenly being careful not to layer it too thickly or too near to your plants. Pine straw and treated bark are good for mulch. If you have a spot that continues to be washed away in heavy rains, river rock placed in a flowing pattern is a good suggestion.
4. PLANT COOL SEASON VEGETABLES.
Hardy, cool-season vegetables, like potatoes, English peas and lettuces germinate best in cool soil. Plant them in early spring and they will be ready to harvest in early summer. I also like to plant carrots but you will need to thin them. The seeds are very tiny and their germination rate is 110 % it seems like! It’s time to get your “real” Easter baskets ready to plant with rye seed. Easter is in April this year so put the seeds in the prepared baskets two weeks before Easter Sunday. The real grass baskets are a showstopper for decorating or for gifting to dear friends.
5. CLEAN BIRD FEEDERS AND BIRD BATHS.
That winter patina that has formed in your birdbath may harbor bad germs and parasites for your feathered friends. A good washing with a low bleach water will get the season off right. It is now time to do this for all the bird feeders as well. Some may have cracked during our snowstorm so it may be time to invest in a few new models! Fresh seed is essential for the birds to remain healthy. Be sure there aren’t little critters in the seed bags in storage or in the store.
6. DEADHEAD FLOWERS AND SHRUBS BEFORE NEW GROWTH BEGINS TO APPEAR.
Many of us leave both kinds of hydrangeas’ blooms intact to have them during the winter months. It is time to remove these. Cut them off right next to the bloom head. I leave the green plant material on my dahlias to help the rhizome growth during the winter months. It is time to remove this. Be careful not to disturb the root system. Spring bulbs, like daffodils, need to be deadheaded but be sure to leave the foliage, as this will nourish the bulb.
If you use this gardening checklist or one you have designed, you will have the beginning of a healthy and beautiful garden. These early spring tasks with help you to enjoy your landscape throughout the summer. S
OGod Our Shepherd
WRITTEN BY REV. DR. JOHN WATERS
N A TRIP TO ISREAL A FEW YEARS AGO, I CAREFULLY WATCHED OUT THE WINDOW AS OUR MOTORCOACH LABORED UP THE HILLS leading into Jerusalem. Small encampments of Bedouin shepherds dotted the landscape, and I saw them tending their sheep and living on the land, much like was done centuries ago. The scene was not as romanticized as we often imagine it. Instead, it was rather common, hands-on, and ordinary. And very dirty.
Sheep meandered around, and small living huts seemed to have been clapped together, housing a few shepherds who kept an eye on the sheep. As I observed the scenes rolling by, the simple lesson of the shepherd who watches over his sheep could not be missed.
Throughout the Scriptures, the Lord reveals himself to be our shepherd, providing and caring for us as his sheep. He never sleeps nor slumbers, and he is our great protector, watching lovingly and sovereignly over the details of our lives. And even though we face difficult times and painful problems, he never leaves nor forsakes us.
With great faith and confidence in the Lord as his shepherd, the psalmist boasts, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for you are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4). The presence of problems can easily add stress to our lives, but the Lord calls us to trust his protection through such valleys, knowing that his rod and staff protect us no matter what comes our way.
The rod was a club used to fight off predators and enemies, and the crook of the staff was used to guide and steer the sheep where they should go. With his rod and staff, the shepherd both protected and inspected his sheep. He guarded them and guided them. He led them and fed them. No matter what they faced—predators, thieves, steep valleys, or thorny thickets—the shepherd protected his sheep.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for you are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me”
PSALM 23:4
Notice God’s reminder that he leads us not only to the valley, but also through it. The image of a valley as the shadow of death is not very attractive. We want to avoid it. If possible, we would choose to go around it. We would gladly walk an extra mile or two just to bypass it.
How does God protect us when leading us through the valley? Why should we slow down and trust his protection, instead of worrying about the circumstances that surround us?
• HE GIVES PEACE DURING PAIN.
None of us is immune from pain and suffering, and God never promised to keep difficult times away from us. Actually, God promises just the opposite, that we would indeed face hardships and trials as part of our Christian journey. But even though he allows us to face valleys dark and deep—likened to the shadow of death—filled with pain and heartache, he provides peace in the midst of them.
• HE GIVES HOPE DURING HARDSHIP.
How is it possible to have hope when surrounded by hardship? Do we just put on a plastic, artificial smile and pretend that everything is okay? Peace overcomes worry because any valley he takes us to, he will also take us through. The Good Shepherd walks with us “through” the valley. He doesn’t bring us to the valley of heartache and hurt and leave us there. No matter the depth of our pain or the enormity of our loss, one day it will end. The valley may seem long, dark, and endless, but we are moving through it. He has not forsaken us nor forgotten us. In his time according to his plan, he will bring us through anything he brings us to.
• HE GIVES REST DURING STRESS.
It is easy to get overwhelmed and overstressed when problems come our way. God doesn’t shield us from problems and pressure-filled situations, but he does give us strength to face whatever comes. God delights in providing strength during weakness, and the overwhelming and over-stressed situations of our lives provide a canvas upon which he displays his sustaining grace.
The hurried life is indeed the worried life, and the stressful life is not a restful life. But our Good Shepherd protects us from being overwhelmed and overstressed, walking with us through the valleys we face. His rod and staff protect us as he calls us to trust in him. S
AForward Statesboro Bulloch:
S I WAS GROWING UP IN MILLEN, I WOULD OFTEN COME OVER TO BROOKLET TO VISIT MY GRANDPARENTS. MY GRANDFATHER WAS a postman in Statesboro, and he ran a little nursery on Highway 80. Some of my first memories include driving by the relatively new Statesboro Mall on my way to Brooklet. The Mall felt like it appeared from a forest on the edge of town. When I started at Georgia Southern College in the mid-1980’s, Statesboro-Bulloch County was growing, but was still a relatively quiet community. When the University’s enrollment started to climb, particularly after Eagles football began, the pace of the community’s growth quickened a bit. Although the community has seen steady growth for decades, you may be surprised at how much our population has increased over time. In 1974, the population of Bulloch County was just under 33,000 people. By 2022 – the year that Hyundai Motor Group announced its new plant in the region – our population was over 83,000 people!
But while we’ve experienced these changes, our citizens still love the quality of life that our community provides for us. We want and need to have both a healthy and growing economy with opportunities for our citizens, along with the community feel, the green spaces, the agriculture, and other amenities that we’ve all appreciated. As economic developers, we know that we have a great thing going in Statesboro-Bulloch County. And while we continue to support business and industrial growth that makes sense for our County, we also know that our community is at a point where we need to work harder on managing our growth in ways that support the quality of life that we appreciate here.
Early last year, the Development Authority of Bulloch County (DABC) engaged Boyette Strategic Advisors to help us craft a five-year Strategic Plan. When we contacted Boyette, we told them that we felt like Statesboro-Bulloch County was going to evolve with recent industrial and commercial growth, and that the DABC needed a plan to support that evolution. In December, we shared our “Forward Statesboro Bulloch” plan with our Board and other stakeholders.
The Next Steps for our Community
WRITTEN BY BENJY THOMPSON
Our Forward Statesboro Bulloch plan builds on the recent industrial recruitment successes we’ve seen, working to leverage this growth to help our community focus on other areas of economic development that will strengthen and diversify our local economy and help us maintain our sense of community. The DABC will pursue this plan while continuing to work closely with our Legacy Businesses and Industry partners. These partners include the manufacturing and warehousing firms that we have historically recruited and supported; in addition, we will continue to work with and support large employers such as Georgia Southern University, East Georgia Regional Medical Center, Ogeechee Technical College, and others, as well as sectors that are crucial to our local economy, particularly agribusiness. Our Plan also incorporates the continued recruiting of new advanced manufacturing facilities that fit our community and our workforce.
In an expansion of our traditional activities, the DABC will also work more closely with our local partners to pursue growth in the professional services space, particularly IT and logistics, with efforts to leverage the programs and expertise found at Georgia Southern and Ogeechee Tech. Similarly, we will help local partners with opportunities in the film and digital marketplace, both with film/TV production activities and digital entertainment and video gaming. Finally, we will work with others to continue and strengthen the recruitment of retail and other amenities that match the needs and desires of our citizens and those who see our community as a great place to live, work, and play. Finally, the DABC will join with our colleagues to prioritize entrepreneurship, providing resources to educate our students and promote an entrepreneurial culture in our community.
The Forward Statesboro Bulloch plan will be shared and discussed in more detail over the next few months. In the meantime, the Development Authority of Bulloch County is excited about the future of our community and is ready to work with our local partners to take Statesboro-Bulloch County to even greater heights. S
IWRITTEN BY DOY CAVE
F YOU’RE LIKE ME, THE PHRASE “GOING BACK TO SCHOOL” CONJURES UP IMAGES OF CAFETERIA
FOOD THAT MADE ME WANT TO EAT CEREAL instead; taking my last-ever class in mathematics (after which I danced like no one was watching); and too many mornings where I rolled out of bed and into a classroom, looking like I slept in a ditch.
Sadly, I graduated college without ever hearing the term “online class.” But today, if I’m ready to level up my education, my cafeteria is my own kitchen, my professor can meet me on video from my couch, and I don’t have to take math again if I don’t want to…which is a bonus, really.
According to Delana Schartner, Ph.D., assistant vice president for strategic initiatives at Georgia Southern, it’s an incredible time to go back to school — for young people, professionals, parents and retirees. It’s an especially great time to take online courses at Georgia Southern, where several programs are now ranked in the top 100 online programs in the nation by U.S. News and World Report.
“I think our support of online students is top-notch and what sets us apart from other schools that offer online programs,” she said.
One of the first objections to going back to school is, “I just don’t have time!” And I certainly get it. I’m the father of four kids — all grown now, thankfully. When they were younger, I’m not sure I would’ve had the time, either. But according to Schartner, today’s online courses give you the flexibility to learn when and where you want.
“Online courses are typically taught in an asynchronous format, where the student is able to determine when they engage in the course content,” said Schartner. “This could happen after work when children are in school or after children are asleep, which provides flexibility for those who are working parents or stay-at-home parents.”
And while taking classes online might seem like a lonely proposition, Schartner says Georgia Southern offers several ways for online students to interact with others.
“We have an online space where online students can get information and make connections with other online students,” she said. “We recently introduced an online Student Success Navigator role that supports students from admission to graduation in answering questions, helping connect students to the right place, and helping online students stay on track with their coursework.”
Yes, You Can Teach an Old Dog New Tricks
(If the Dog has WiFi)
And if you’re wondering why you should go back to school, Schartner says it’s good to think about what’s next for you. Are you a professional trying to move up in your career? Are you a stay-at-home parent wondering what you’ll do when your kids are no longer at home?
A retiree interested in lifelong learning or trying new things?
“I would say that for the working professional, finishing a degree or getting an advanced degree can be very important for career advancement and promotion, as many senior-level positions require a degree or credential,” she said. “For the stay-at-home mom, it is important to plan for who you will be when the kids go to high school and off to college.
“Is there a passion that you want to fulfill when that season of your life is completed? Do you want to keep up your skills, so that you can reenter the workforce with a way to explain gaps in your resume? And for retirees, do you want to fulfill a dream that you never had time for? I encourage everyone to think of the possibilities and potential!”
Whatever the reason you decide to go back to school, you can do it. Whether you’re 25, 55 or 75, you can learn something new. Do you dream of running a multinational business, becoming a school administrator — or even just figuring out how to get your phone off dark mode? Georgia Southern Online is waiting for you — no cafeteria food required.
So, dust off your curiosity, fire up the WiFi and give the old mental gears a spin. Teaching the old dog new tricks is as simple as hitting the “apply” button.
And if you happen to show up for class looking like you got in a fight with a leaf blower, don’t sweat it! Cameras are (mostly) optional! S
I think our support of online students is top-notch and what sets us apart from other schools that offer online programs,”
– DELANA SCHARTNER, PH.D.
YESTERDAY
WRITTEN BY RIC MANDES
[Column first appearing in Statesboro Magazine in March/April 2016]
I’VE BEEN INDEPENDENT
MOST OF MY LIFE.
I say most of my life. Taking care of myself financially began when I was eleven and asked the guy who owned the Dock Junction Grocery store if I could “bag” for him, pump gas, and rake around the front steps, on Saturdays.
He said, “Yeah.”
And with that, at the end of a twelve-hour day, I walked home to Granny’s house with a crisp five-dollar bill in my pocket. A “fiver,” that is, until Granny explained to me how some of that belonged to the Lord.
Gran’s word was law.
Each Saturday evening found me showing Granny a fifty-cent piece, which I pledged I would drop into the collection plate the next morning at church. I never really had a choice about giving the Lord a “share,” with the usher smiling down at me and Granny smiling at me with pride and Christian appreciation.
I’ve come a long way since those days at the Dock Junction Grocery. And so has the world.
Back then, a nickel bought a cold drink. A whole bunch of candy
could be purchased for just a penny. A bus ride to town was ten cents. A nice man’s shirt was $3.95. And most ties were a dollar. Gas: thirtyfive cents a gallon. Milk: fifteen cents a quart.
And life was simple.
There was just one car to a family. One phone in the home. Children filled their conversations with “Yes ma’am,” and “No, sir.”
Visions of Superman filled the room, as voices flowed from the small brown radio with its yellowish dial.
Bedtime was nine. Except for Fridays and Saturdays.
“Pretending” was every kid’s companion. Television was an advent yet to invade that wonderful section of a young mind.
So, I sit here, writing on my computer about yesterday: my bagging groceries, pumping gas, and raking up late at night, each Saturday. Gone are the nickel drinks and the dime bus rides.
And so are the simple ways of living . . . as many summer nights
I’d sit on Gran’s front porch watching the flare and the flight of fireflies making childlike patterns against the night, and listening to the cacophony concert created by the crickets as they danced about in the small glen nestled just across the road from the house where I lived for ten wonderful years with my Granny. S
MRS. EMMA LORETTA
SMITH AKINS
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Joine r Anderson
FUNERAL HOME www.joineranderson.com
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Thank You O F A B U S
F I L T I T U N - B O F A B U S T E R S E C E hank You! S T L O U N A N C I A I N S T T I O A N K M S T L O U C U S O M R V I E
