Over the past year, the Skidaway Institute of Oceanography has seen its share of accomplishments The institute kicked off 2024 with the return of the R/V Savannah following a refit that consisted of equipment upgrades and a 12-foot extension. It closed the year with a successful Semester at Skidaway program which brought seven undergraduate students to the coast for hands-on Skidaway is a multidisciplinary research and training institution located on Skidaway Island near Savannah it conducts research in all fields of oceanography and serves as the university’s gateway to coastal and marine environments The photo essay presents a small snapshot of the previous year on the coast, more of which can be explored here. Office of Research Office of Research Communications Contact us For Media Subscribe the adults can seek out scrambled eggs and other delicacies—bottomless mimosas in addition to the usual second breakfast suspects Make your reservations now for these springy spots >> Executive Chef David Landrigan and his culinary team have cooked up a special menu just for Easter Brunch 5715 Skidaway Road, Savannah, cohensretreat.com Typically open only for dinner service, Common Thread will be serving brunch on Easter Sunday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. The special menu had not dropped by publication, but if you follow Instagram, @commonthreadsav you’ll be the first to see it when it does 122 E. 37th St., Savannah, commonthreadsavannah.com; Make reservations through resy.com Plant Riverside DistrictWant to indulge this Easter Sunday where the buffet in the Salzburg Ballroom will feature carving stations and a dessert display to rival the Savannah riverfront scenery The Easter Bunny will be bopping around for photo ops during the Easter Egg Hunt while those little moos and clucks you hear coming from a real-live petting zoo 400 W. River St., Savannah; Adults: $89; Children (Age 5-12): $38.00, plantriverside.com/event/easter-brunch the family-friendly Pirates' House amps up its traditional Southern-style lunchtime buffet with a Grand Buffet 20 E. Broad St., Savannah. Call 912-233-5757 for reservations; thepirateshouse.com families can join the Easter Bunny on board for a one-and-a-half-hour cruise down the Savannah River Prices begin at $79.95 for adults; $49.95 for children ages 5-12 9 E. River St., Savannah, 012-232-6404, savannahriverboat.com/seasonal-cruises The Thompson at Eastern Wharf will host a decidedly adult Easter celebration described as a "refreshing blend of orange and grapefruit flavors." The 21+ Easter Bunny Scavenger Hunt begins at 11 a.m. 201 Port St., Eastern Wharf, Savannah. Reservations recommended for Fleeting, fleetingrestaurant.com, and Bar Julian, barjulian.com. All-you-can eat favorites from land and sea with a beautiful view of the Savannah River to boot 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Aqua Star Restaurant (second floor) at Westin Savannah Harbor, 1 Resort Drive, $85+ adults, $45+ children 6-12. Reservations required: opentable.com/aqua-star-at-the-westin-savannah-golf-resort-and-spa Small towns are choice destinations for retirees due to the tranquility, natural allure, and laid-back pace of life they offer. These towns also enjoy close-knit community relationships, lower populations, and reduced crime rates, adding to the reasons seniors prefer them to spend their post-work lives. Retirees will find the state of Georgia appealing because it fits all the prospects for a perfect retirement destination laid-back small towns with low crime rates It is also easier for retirees to adapt and blend with the locals since most of these small-town populations comprise a sizable percentage of individuals above 65 These small towns in Georgia may have their individual uniqueness but they all share one thing in common - tranquility Check out these eight small towns in Georgia for a worthwhile retirement living Cusseta is a charming small town in Chattahoochee County, with all the elements of an ideal retirement destination, including easy access to healthcare facilities. Along with its small-town allure, Cusseta enjoys tranquility and a low crime rate with a small population below 10,000. As for natural beauty, Cusseta does pretty well due to its position by the banks of the Chattahoochee River and kayaking are relaxing activities to soak in nature's beauty the town won't be boring as it boasts a string of shops Offering history and natural allure at once Cusseta is also home to Chattahoochee County Court House which houses 19th-century artifacts and architecture For retirees looking for an island destination with serenity, slow-paced life, easy access to healthcare, and natural beauty, Skidaway Island has it all. Located 12 miles south of the incredible Savannah with 39% of its 9,310 population above 65 - the largest age group on the island stilly island also offers retirees a few natural attractions for relaxation and exploration with their safety assured due to low crime rates seniors can unwind at open-air picnic shelters or admire nature's beauty by walking on the easy sandpiper trail loop of one mile or the Big Ferry Trail of two miles The walk passes through natural habitats like tidal creeks retirees can enjoy a boat ride to Wassaw National Wildlife Refuge seven miles of natural beach sets the stage for canoeing Adairsville is a small town nestled between Atlanta and Chattanooga The standout quality of this town that makes it ideal for retirees is its tranquility allowing seniors to escape the chaos of cities and rest undisturbed But that's not the only draw to Adairsville and there are few natural beauties in the town to soak in nature and unwind A famous attraction here for retirees to lodge or relax is the Barnsley Gardens and Resort - a 3,000-acre estate where colorful flowers and trees define the landscape with its gorgeous lake flanked by lush vegetation features an easy 2.1 km loop trail by the lake for a slow-paced hike retirees can stroll along the town's sleepy streets to shop antiques and see some of its historic buildings quaint town in Habersham County that fits all the prospects for a perfect retirement destination It has a population of just over 1,000 people and a fraction (around 27%) of them are retirees which makes it even more enticing for seniors boasting a friendly atmosphere with a low crime rate and locals ready to receive a new retiree neighbor The city may be quiet but not boring as it has a small is an incredible spot for boating and fishing The Soque River is another beautiful destination to experience natural beauty and flyfishing a local craft shop and gallery on its banks The town sits by the shores of Lake Blackshear which offers a scenic natural environment for retirees to relax and bond with nature The lake has a marina resort where guests can fish the town is only home to around 11,000 people creating the perfect environment for serenity there are other small-town attractions for retirees to see and indulge in The Georgia Veteran State Park is one of them and preserved helicopters for sightseeing tours For shopping groceries and farm-to-table cuisines Stripplings General Store is a great place to be the town celebrates its annual watermelon festival every June perched at the foot of a gigantic mountain with the same name Retirees looking for the relaxing and charming aura of a mountain town will look no further at Stone Mountain it sports a world-class park - Stone Mountain Park with the iconic stone mountain at 1,686 feet above sea level is the most visited tourist attraction in Georgia Retirees may not hike the steep trails on the park to the mountain's summit for scenic natural views they can opt for the more relaxing Skyride aerial Tram to the mountain's summit a museum that educates visitors on the mountain's geology and another open-air museum with historical buildings to explore The park also hosts many festivals that retirees can enjoy Some of them are The Stone Mountain Christmas and the fireworks and laser lighting display festival in summer St. Simons Island is a barrier island off the coast of Georgia in Glynn County Retirees can enjoy the island's natural charm and serenity by roaming around its numerous beaches Another scenic natural hot spot here worth visiting is Gascoigne Bluff which overlooks the sea and has a small park for picnics and a fishing pier where retirees can go fishing Retirees will love to visit historical sites like Fort Federica National Monument and St Simons Lighthouse which offer a glimpse into the town's history One more historic point of interest here worth visiting is Christ Church - one of the Island's most photographed places is a sleepy town in Wayne County that's ideal for retirees for good reasons a reasonable point to make retirees feel a sense of belonging retirees can enjoy movies at the Jesup Drive-In outdoor cinema one of the few surviving cinemas of its kind in the state the 10,546-acre Penholoway Swamp Wildlife Management Area features wildlife sightings as well as birdwatching the reserve has two lakes - Cogden and Hogan which are great for fishing small towns that are often overlooked in preference to its bigger cities like Atlanta and Savannah these small towns are where people who have worked all their lives prefer to call home after retirement These towns are the perfect escapes from the hustle and bustle of large cities so retirees can enjoy fun-filled after-work lives photos and original descriptions © 2025 worldatlas.com 2024) was the fourth of six children born to Fred and Gladys Shutt in Huntington where her father owned and operated Shutt’s Farm Market Ruth was deeply involved with 4-H during her youth and worked at her father’s business.  After she graduated from Huntington Township High School in 1943 she continued her education at the International Business College in Fort Wayne where she became a member of Beta Sigma Phi sorority Ruth first met Rex Thorne while she was in middle school.  Upon his return from service with the United States Navy during World War II 1948.  After Rex graduated from Purdue University and commenced his career with Union Camp Corporation the couple relocated multiple times: Illinois Once her youngest daughter entered high school Ruth began working as a tax professional for H&R Block in Savannah She quickly advanced and became an Enrolled Agent a distinguished tax specialist credentialed by the Internal Revenue Service.  She would continue to provide tax services to clients for over 40 years Ruth and Rex were always profoundly committed to their church community wherever they resided the Thornes – along with 35 others – became charter members of the Skidaway Island Methodist Church which continues to thrive and grow today.   The couple traveled extensively around the world often accompanied by their children and extended family with destinations including the Middle East and Europe. In 2016 at ninety years old Ruth fulfilled a lifelong dream by cruising through the Panama Canal she loved spending quality time with close friends and family.  She was a devoted mother to her four children: Susan Gore (Steve) and Melissa.  She leaves behind three grandchildren She is preceded in death by her daughter Melissa at Fox and Weeks Funeral Home (7200 Hodgson Memorial Drive) from 5:00 p.m A celebration of life will take place on Tuesday in the sanctuary of Skidaway Island Methodist Church (54 Diamond Causeway) followed by a reception in the Fellowship Hall donations may be made in Ruth’s name to the Skidaway Island Methodist Church This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Savannah and Tybee Island recorded the highest wind speeds in Georgia Monday night as Tropical Storm Debby crossed over the area Wind reached 55 miles per hour at both Savannah International Airport (7:23 p.m.) and South Tybee Island (4:31 p.m.) while Fort Pulaski reached 53 miles per hour (6:54 p.m.) North Tybee Island record a high wind speed of 50 mph (4:31 p.m.) while Skidaway Island reached 49 mph Tuesday morning at 1:21 The I-95 Chatham weigh station recorded top winds at 35 mph recorded the highest wind speed thus far from the tropical storm at 63 mph Monday at 11:52 p.m As the eye of the storm moves into the Atlantic it could reform and strengthen Tropical Storm Debby and make landfall again in South Carolina which could once again intensify wind speeds along the Carolinas Hurricane-force winds toppled trees and knocked out power in the Savannah area Friday morning even though the center of what had weakened to Tropical Storm Helene stayed more than 150 miles to the west of the city “Typically, the right side of a hurricane is stronger and usually more dangerous,” Georgia State Climatologist Bill Murphey explained in a phone interview Friday As the storm swirled counterclockwise Wednesday morning the Savannah area ended up in the path of strong Atlantic winds moving onshore unimpeded resulting in some of the strongest Helene-fueled readings in Georgia “The friction over land gradually slows down the wind as you move farther inland,” said Jonathan Lamb, a meteorologist in the Charleston office of the National Weather Service Gusts of 76 mph were recorded at Savannah-Hilton Head International Airport at 3:51 a.m. Wind speeds of 70 mph were detected on Skidaway Island at 2:56 a.m. and South Tybee Island at 4:26 a.m. Fort Pulaski experienced 68 mph gusts at 4:36 a.m Across the state line, gusts of 75 mph were recorded at 4:20 a.m. at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort. Hilton Head Island Airport had a high wind speed of 53 mph After the storm: Hurricane Helene winds throw debris, trees across Savannah streets with clean up underway Wind shear – which occurs when the flow changes direction – also is common in the northeast quadrant of a landfalling tropical storm which is where the Savannah area found itself That’s why the National Weather Service determined there was a high probability of tornadoes late Thursday and early Friday in Chatham and surrounding counties for Storm Prediction Center to up the tornado risk that high,” Murphey added there were seven simultaneous tornado warnings in the Savannah area “When you get the outer bands that are far away from the center of circulation there’s really strong energy in those bands where they can drop down a quick little spin-up tornado because of all the shear and then they can do a quick number on damage,” Murphey explained “I'm sure the weather service is going to be busy after this surveying damage just to see if it was (caused by) tornado or not.”  The outer bands of Helene dumped more than 3 inches of rain on the Savannah area Thursday morning while the center of the storm was still hundreds of miles south of Florida's Gulf Coast "That's amazing that you got that much rain when the center was so far offshore," Murphey said making it the first known Category 4 storm to hit Florida’s Big Bend region since records began in 1851 For several hours, the storm maintained hurricane strength as it pushed inland across northern Florida and into Georgia. By midday Friday, the National Hurricane Center said Helene was a tropical storm with sustained winds at 45 mph the storm was located 30 miles southwest of Bryson City John Deem covers climate change and the environment in coastal Georgia. He can be reached at 912-652-0213 or jdeem@gannett.com Sign up to receive GPB Event announcements via Email Reveal from the Center for Investigative Reporting is releasing a story called "40 Acres and a Lie," co-reported with the Center for Public Integrity and Mother Jones magazine which identified 1,250 Black individuals who received land after the Civil War and traced their living descendants GPB's Pamela Kirkland talks to one of those reporters and one of those descendants The promise of "40 acres and a mule" is probably the most famous attempt at reparations for slavery in the U.S. but it is mostly remembered as a broken promise 15 granted land to many freedmen and women But after President Lincoln's assassination President Andrew Johnson stripped this land from Black residents.  A team from Reveal and the Center for Investigative Reporting, Mother Jones magazine, and the Center for Public Integrity identified 1,250 Black individuals who received land after the Civil War and traced their living descendants. They detail what they found in the series 40 Acres and a Lie GPB's Pamela Kirkland sat down with Alexia Fernandez to discuss how land on Skidaway Island was given to Black families and taken away a descendant whose great-great-grandfather was awarded land near Savannah Reveal from the Center for Investigative Reporting is releasing a story called "40 Acres and a Lie," co-reported with the Center for Public Integrity and Mother Jones magazine It takes a look at the history of the 40 Acres and a mule government program including how it impacted areas right here in Georgia Joining me now to talk about some of the episodes are Alexia Fernandez a reporter for the center for Public Integrity The story of Mila's great-great-grandfather is included in the reporting about the land he was given Alexia Fernandez: We're glad to be here one episode focuses on the land given and then taken back from enslaved people on Skidaway Island I wanted to start with you just talking about the reporting that went into the series because I understand this was a yearslong investigative endeavor I found — I was I was researching a different project and I ended up finding the titles in the National Archives And it said Sherman's Special Field Orders 15 which I later realized was the 40 acres program So I knew that that wasn't kind of like the narrative I knew about 40 acres and a mule it's always this understanding that it was a promise And it wasn't just Skidaway Island in Georgia And Mila's great great grandfather got land inland majority white community with beach houses and just tell me about the evolution of some of these areas that you've come across because they're much different than what you were talking about in what was pre-Civil War time The ones that I had — places I went to were almost unrecognizable This was really that plantation?" Because these plantations were massive They were either cotton plantations on the Sea Islands or rice plantations on the mainland maybe at the most a dozen people owned land and they were like just massive cotton plantations It's like half of the island is now a massive gated community called The Landings We tried to figure out how much 40 acres was now worth in that gated community and it's about $2 million just for the land so we went in there and we actually spoke with people who lived there and told them about basically where you live; on plantations that your house is located So that was a place that we focused on just because we felt like it really exemplified what was lost from you know — that generational wealth that wasn't passed on when this government — when this program was revoked And what was your reaction when you found out your great-great-grandfather had received land under Gen I had been hearing about my great-great-grandfather because my great-grandmother lived with us and she wanted me to always remember our family history what growing up was like in Jim Crow Savannah so it was — it was very it was always fascinating to me And so after her death — many years after her death — I started studying the genealogical information I don't even think that she knew that her father had received 40 acres He was given four acres because he wasn't married at the time and I was pleasantly surprised to see that because that was a piece of information that I was not aware of Pamela Kirkland: And I saw in the article you also said that one of his biggest regrets was not learning to read and write and so that was something he really wanted Do you think that that would have made a difference back then for him being 18 just having a better understanding of the land what it would mean and what it could potentially mean for Mila Rios: I know he wanted an education and I was very pleasantly surprised to see that when he went to the Freedmen's Bureau to sign some documents and to get stipends from the Union Army during the course just after the Civil War that he had learned to sign his name: Where many people were still using X's And he instilled in his children how important education was and that was something that my great-grandmother talked about all — ad nauseum I'm very happy to say I think Pompey would be proud talk to me about some of the contrast you saw in the reporting You have the stories of the people who were formerly enslaved And then you contrast that with some of these communities and what they look like now: very wealthy we actually tried to find as many descendants as we could of the 1,200-plus people that we found but we were only able to find like 40 living — 41 living descendants the series also takes a look at reparations and what might be owed to the descendants of these formerly enslaved people How do you think your family's history may have been different if they had retained the land that was promised to your great-great-grandfather Mila Rios: I'm quite sure it would have been a lot different for them So I don't know whether my part of the family would have stayed down there or not Alexia Fernandez: A lot of people I spoke to had a similar view it could have been just taken away later on You can find more information about the series at Motherjones.com/40 acres and you can hear Alexia in Mila's episode this weekend on Reveal right here on GPB Pamela brings her deep news knowledge and love of storytelling to the airwaves across Georgia Monday through Friday mornings on GPB Radio.  GPB is committed to bringing you comprehensive news coverage from Georgia across the country and around the world.  Your support makes this possible.  Please consider making a gift today to support this vital public service the Savannah area likely will escape the worst of what the remnants of Tropical Storm Debby still have the potential to deliver Debby – now a tropical depression – had slowed with its center just southwest of Savannah Rain bands moving off the ocean were battering the South Carolina coast while Georgia was primarily experiencing light to moderate showers. Sustained winds at Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport also were a relatively calm 10 mph at 7 a.m. The National Weather Service said 1 inch of rain is possible both Tuesday and Tuesday night with similar totals forecast for Wednesday and Wednesday night Cause and effect: Savannah's more-frequent flooding fueled by climate-induced extreme rain Since the first bands of Debby reached Savannah at around mid-day Monday, the area has experienced between 6 and 8 inches of rain, according to U.S. Geological Survey gauges Tornado warnings were issued for the Savannah area late Monday afternoon and early evening and a suspected funnel cloud was spotted in the Skidaway Island area Savannah streets began flooding just in time for evening rush hour leaving motorists to navigate their way home The area remains under tropical storm and storm surge warnings John Deem covers climate change and the environment in coastal Georgia He can be reached at 912-652-0213 or jdeem@gannett.com Here are the Georgia Department of Health's restaurant inspection scores for Chatham County Scores in each category are listed by most recent inspection date conducts regular restaurant inspections to help keep residents and visitors safe an establishment may have fewer or more violations than noted in their most recent inspection An inspection conducted on any given day may not be representative of the overall follow-up inspections may not be included here Last Week's Scores: How hard is it to clean build up on ice, drink machines? Asking for a friend Inspector Notes: Observed multiple TCS food items held in prep top cooler & reach in coolers above 41F CA COS: Educated PIC that all cold holding items must maintain temp of 41F PIC moved recently prepped food items to walk in cooler Re-temped cold holding items to ensure they reached 41F Inspector Notes: Observed that handwashing sink in main kitchen area did not have hot water available Observed that handwashing sink had multiple oil containers on floor in front of sink limiting reach Observed the low temperature mechanical dishwasher did not have cleaning agent or sanitizer available containers were empty and facility did not have back-up supplies for dishwashing machine Observed buildup of slime in the interior of ice machine Observed multiple full containers of oil on floor in main kitchen area Inspector Notes: Observed TCS foods in reach-in cooler with temperatures above 41F Observed a bag of onions on floor in walk-in cooler Observed employees without hair restraints Observed build-up on and around handwashing sinks and inside doors and gaskets of reach-in coolers Observed build-up and old food debris spilled on floor in walk-in cooler and pancake batter uncovered in reach-in coolers except for loosely covered or uncovered containers in which food is being cooled if protected from overhead contamination Observed several TCS items cold-holding above 41F in multiple reach-in coolers and walk-in cooler (see temperature log) Inspector Notes: Observed responsibilities of the PIC not being met at time of inspection due to multiple violations directly relating to foodborne illness Violations included not maintaining a certified food safety manager of staff improper separation of raw foods and ready to eat foods and not ensuring food-contact surfaces are clean Observed the certified food safety manager no longer employed by the company Facility was not able to produce an additional certified employee at time of inspection Observed improper separation of ready-to-eat foods and raw fruits/vegetables in walk-in cooler Observed raw beef brisket stored over raw chicken all stored over raw beef sirloin Observed a box of ears of corn and avocados stored on top of vacuum sealed bag of whole cut steak Observed dish washer not producing a sanitizer residue on dishes after multiple washes Inspector Notes: Observed handwashing sink without cold water available Cold water handle was stripped and unable to allow use of cold water Observed multiple TCS food items in two reach-in coolers with temperatures above 41F Observed employee preparing food without hair restrained Observed prep sink with hot water handle completely broken off Inspector Notes: Observed no CFSM certificate onsite Advised PIC to have hand sink installed as soon as possible Observed milk in the kitchen fridge cold-holding above 41 F Observed no ambient thermometers in the coolers Observed 3-compartment sink is directly connected to sewer Five stations in Effingham County receive double-digit inches of rainfall from Tropical Storm Debby during a four-day span Rincon had 13.72 inches of rainfall during that span a second Rincon station (10.51 inches) and Port Wentworth (10.20 inches) all reached 10 inches or more as of Thursday morning Savannah received 10.92 inches during that time Skidaway Island (10.99 inches) and Savannah International Airport (10.53 inches) each recorded double digit rainfall totals Screven County received several heavy rainfall totals with Rocky Ford (13.22 inches) and Newington (11.87 inches) notching double-digit recordings South Carolina continued to receive impacts from Debby early Thursday as the slow moving system made landfall for a second time and slowly moved into North Carolina received more than 11 inches of rain over the four-day span while 23 stations recorded more than 11 inches in Charleston County recorded the most rainfall with 17.35 inches as of 8 a.m WSAV-TV Memory Matters’ Annual Fundraiser: An Evening on the Amalfi Coast Location: The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa This year’s theme ties into Memory Matters’ focus on brain health and the Mediterranean diet which research has shown can help support cognitive function and reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia · Cocktail hour and a silent auction at 5:30 PM · A Mediterranean-inspired dinner and live auction · Entertainment by the Mike Barbera Jazz Trio and interested attendees can purchase them through the Memory Matters website at MyMemoryMatters.org Virginia where he met and married Patricia Wadlow.  They were married for 64 years Reg graduated from the University of Virginia in 1953 with a degree in Architecture.  He then received his master’s in city planning from Georgia Tech in 1956.  Reg and Pat moved to Savannah where they had two daughters Cheryl Lynn and Terri Rae.  They moved to Miami in 1959 where Reg worked for and became the Director of Metropolitan Dade County Planning Department.  He retired in 1992 after 33 years of service Reg was a dedicated Sunday School teacher for over 65 years serving at West Flagler Park Baptist in Miami Florida and Skidaway Island Baptist Church where he was a longtime member of the Joy Sunday School Class He was preceded in death by his parents Marvin and Edith Walters.  Surviving are his daughters N.C.  He is also survived by seven grandchildren The Funeral Service to honor his life will follow at 11:00 a.m. remembrances may be made to Ogeechee Area Hospice There's a long weekend just around the corner with Labor Day coming Monday Here are more details on these and other fun-filled events scheduled during the Labor Day weekend: Death investigation: Body found in Hilton Head believed to be Massachusetts man who vanished The 2nd annual Savannah Cultural Festival is noon-6 p.m Sunday at Kehoe Iron Works in Savannah at 660 East Broughton St There will be live multicultural performances a panel discussion on community connection and a wellness area featuring free meditation Sunday at Top Deck Savannah at 125 West River St There will be a live Dj and drink specials Savannah's Coastal Summer Celebration is all weekend with various concerts scheduled Thursday through Monday at the Plant Riverside District off River Street. There will also be an outdoor movie with "Night at the Museum." For a full schedule of the acts, go to plantriverside.com Downtown Delilahs Modern Burlesque Cabaret is every evening Thursday-Saturday at Mata Hari's Speakeasy in Savannah at 306 West Lower Factors Walk. There will be dancing, comedic entertainment, audience games, and other activities. Show times and tickets can be found at eventbrite.com. Friday at Radiant Rising in Savannah at 2204 Skidaway Rd Monday at PERC Coffee in Savannah at 1802 East Broad St The Ordinary Pub's Comedy Show is 8:30 p.m Friday in Savannah at 217 1/2 West Broughton St Guests are encouraged to bring their own instruments New restaurant: Chipotle opens in Richmond Hill, more restaurants, housing in the works Saturday at Red Gate Farms in Savannah at 136 Red Gate Farm Trl Five different DJ's will go head-to-head in two rounds of 15 minute sets There will also be a food truck as well as beer Admission is free with a monetary or nonperishable donation to Family Promise of the Coastal Empire and Coastal Empire Habitat for Humanity Donations will help those affected by Tropical Storm Debby Coastal Empire Wrestling's "Legends of the Low Country" is 7 p.m. Saturday at VFW Post 660 in Savannah at 5115 Ogeechee Rd. There will be fights, burgers, and beer. General admission is $15, front row costs $20. Guests can get tickets in advance at cash.app to midnight Monday at Island Breeze in Savannah at 2818 Montgomery St It's an interactive comedy show encouraging crowd participation Monday at Starland Yard in Savannah at 2411 De Soto Ave Monday at Rogue Water in Savannah at 38 Martin Luther King Junior Blvd Players will enjoy games from the N64 and Xbox like Super Smash Bros In Session: All trafficking cases adjudicated in Operation Not For Sale Saturday at STUMP Savannah at 1612 Bull St Attendees can hang out with cats among many house plants All of the cats will be available for adoption Saturday Morning Storytime is 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Barnes & Noble in Savannah at 7804 Abercorn Ext. The reading will be "Little Blue Truck" by Alice Schertle. Updated reading schedules can be found on the store's Instagram page Savannah: Haunted Pub Crawl is 8 p.m. all weekend. Participants start at Tondee's Tavern and will go on to tour the city's historic and haunted bars. Tickets are about $30. For more info and to RSVP yourself, go to getyourguide.com Several of those Islands are known as barrier Islands because they protect the coastlines from erosion from the surrounding wind What many don’t know is the connection of these barrier islands to the nearby mainlands and the Gullah Geechee communities who live there Can you connect the listed Islands to the correct community mainland below but hopefully you’re familiar with the ones that are               Sapelo                                            Savannah               Cumberland                                  Brunswick               Jekyll                                               Pinpoint               Tybee                                              Liberty County               Ossabaw                                        Brunswick Catherine’s                              St Simons                                     Darien County Ossabaw Island is connected to the mainland by way of Pinpoint. Pinpoint was settled in 1896 by former enslaved persons from Ossabaw, Green and Skidaway islands. Today, Pinpoint is home to a settled Gullah Geechee community and the Pin Point Heritage Museum Ossabaw Island began its connection to Gullah Geechee history through Great Britain’s King George II who gained the island from the Creek Indians who purchased half of Ossabaw in 1760 and the other half in 1763 cultivated the land by the work of enslaved Africans Known for the cultivation of indigo on the island This is the earliest indication of African enslaved people living and working on Ossabaw Island Cumberland IslandCumberland Island is connected to the mainland of St Cumberland Island is Georgia's largest barrier island Native Americans became the first residents as early as 4,000 years ago They abandoned the island by the 18th century because of European displacement and settlement James Oglethorpe arrived and renamed the island after Prince William the "king crop." The first major plantation who relied on the forced labor of over 200 enslaved people former enslaved persons and their offspring remained on the island to establish a vibrant Gullah Geechee community at the island's north end This Island is linked to the mainland of Liberty County Catherines as a hunting and fishing ground as many as 4,000 years ago The island became part of the Georgia colony and was given to Mary Musgrove the Indian princess who served as translator for the English Musgrove and her husband Thomas Bosomworth established a plantation once slavery became legal in Georgia in 1749 Catherines came under the control of the Freedman's Bureau and was overseen by Tunis Campbell Campbell was appointed to supervise land claims and resettlement on St Catherines and four other islands:  Ossabaw Campbell purchased 1,250 acres in Georgia’s McIntosh County and established an association of black landowners Campbell and more than 200 former enslaved persons had created a fishing and farming community on St Eventually a 300-strong African American militia protected the colony from reprisals by the Ku Klux Klan Sapelo IslandSapelo Island is connected to the mainland of Darien County Residents are currently engaged in a battle to keep their land and their culture on the island Enslaved Africans were brought to the island during the 18th and 19th centuries as laborers for plantations Residents descended from these Africans still live on the island in Hog Hammock representing the only Gullah Geechee community on any Georgia barrier island These enslaved West Africans embraced the conditions of the land and nurtured the growth and survival of their families by connecting their strength and resilience to the land itself like they would do in their homelands of West Africa They brought their traditions with them but used the new natural materials to continue cultural and tradition the spirit of their relationship with nature framed their existence as indigenous The land ― and everything that the land produced ― became an expression known as “the indigenous culture of the Gullah Geechee people on Sapelo Island.” Jekyll Island is connected to the mainland of Glynn County had officially banned the foreign importation of enslaved people into the United States Arrangements were made with the DuBignon family for the captives to be brought first to the island and from there smuggled out for sale across the South from Florida to Texas Some were sold to families in Aiken and Edgefield County Some remained on Jekyll and became property of the DuBignons Within three years of that secret arrival of the Wanderer on Jekyll the South and the North went to war and within five years all who’d been enslaved were declared free Simons Island is the largest barrier island in the Georgia Golden Isles and is also connected to the mainland of by way of Brunswick in Glynn County the Igbo and other West African captives arrived in Savannah They were purchased for an average of $100 each by slave merchants John Couper and Thomas Spalding to be resold to plantations on nearby St After being transported on the York to Dunbar Creeak these individuals were a part of the largest mass suicide of enslaved people Susie King Taylor was born into slavery in Georgia and was secretly taught to read and write by various teachers she and many other slaves escaped to freedom on St she began to serve as an army nurse and worked with the 1st South Carolina Volunteers a black regiment that was later reorganized into the 33rd U.S she wrote a memoir of her experiences after the war ended Tybee Island is connected to the mainland through the city of Savannah about 796 captive Africans set sail for Tybee only 667 enslaved Africans survived the Middle Passage voyage and landed on Tybee Island’s shores an area known as a “Lazaretto,” a variation of an Italian word meaning "hospital for the contagious," was established to quarantine slaves and other passengers who may have been carrying diseases Tybee would be the final port of call for many of those quarantined there Those who were healthy were taken to Savannah to be sold Those who weren’t healthy were left to die Lazaretto Day is a tribute to those people who were taken from their homeland and brought to Tybee Island for quarantine Department of Criminal Justice & Criminology; director Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Center at Georgia Southern University Contact her at 912-478-1248 or email dr.maxinebryant@gmail.com See more columns by her at SavannahNow.com/lifestyle/ Skidaway Island State Park can feel like a pre-historic jungle from "The Lost World." one could easily envision a duck-billed Hadrosaurid slowly poking its head out from the damp brush If you can’t help imagining dinosaurs wandering the island’s woods then you may be delighted to meet one of the actual giants that lived in these parts not too long ago (geologically speaking) Inside of the park’s interpretive center stands a towering example of Savannah’s pre-historic wildlife One of the island’s earliest inhabitants was the Eremotherium which roamed the Savannah area over 10,000 years ago More: That's So Savannah: What's up with the runway graves at the Savannah/Hilton Head airport? and is a cousin to the smaller sloths currently living in the rainforests of central and South America The first giant sloth found in North America was actually dug up in Skidaway Island in the early 1800s which greatly surprised the scientific community because up until that moment it was believed that the giant sloth only lived in South America After inhabiting Savannah for over 2 million years no one is sure why they eventually disappeared Was it climate change or were they hunted to extinction by Paleo-Indians More: That's So Savannah: That secret castle in the woods was once filled with explosives A replica skeleton of this imposing creature was set up in the interpretive center as a hulking example of the huge variety of life that has existed in southeast Georgia The skeleton is an exact replica of the giant sloth in the Smithsonian’s Natural History Museum but if it was as slow as its modern cousin Christopher Berinato is the author of Secret Savannah: A Guide to the Weird Ready for an easy-to-get-to, super affordable adventure practically in your own backyard? An excursion that’s dog friendly, safe and great for kids? Skidaway Island State Park is a perfect one-day family get away and an ideal destination for squeezing in some solo nature time within your day long-time locals may be rolling their eyes because everyone knows about Skidaway Island State Park I’m increasingly meeting people who’ve recently moved here and ask what I enjoy doing in Savannah And I’m surprised by how few are familiar with the park too — and put on your walking shoes because we’re going to get reacquainted with a nearby natural treasure that’s been in our backyard since 1975 One tank trip: Reflect on the history while taking in Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge Other one tank trips: By ferry or horse, Daufuskie and Hilton Head Island are ample lands to explore More from Josephine Johnson: Enjoy nature and history together with a camping trip to Jekyll Island When I visit Skidaway I have a routine — park at the visitor’s center and check in with the rangers to see what kinds of birds and wildlife they’ve seen on the trails An all-round naturalist with a fondness for birds she always has an eye on the feeders around the center as indication of what species are likely in the park “Right now I’m seeing a lot of yellow-rumped warblers nuthatches and bluebirds,” confirmed Canady “The yellow-rumped warblers are interesting because they’re only here during winter eating the wax myrtle berries In a few weeks they’ll head back north to their breeding grounds Here’s a fun fact: yellow-rumped warblers are the only warbler able to digest the wax around the myrtle berries.” I head out the back doors of the park’s new 6,200 sq a much-needed renovation that was a long time coming the space is well lit from panels of large windows that provide great observation of the center’s array of bird feeders One tank trip: Put 'sibling rivalries' to bed — there's a variety of fun to have in Charleston I start out on the Sandpiper Trail then hook into the Avian Loop The terrain is flat and easy to walk — portions of these trails together are about a mile — and go through salt flats it’s usually on this section where I see osprey and occasionally a pair of bald eagles Where the Avian Loop meets the Skidaway Narrows there’s a terrific cluster of live oaks and a picnic table by the water’s edge At low tide this spot is ideal for spotting fiddler crabs and shore birds like egrets The Connector Trail links the Avian Loop to the Big Ferry Trail a mile away on the other side of the park This trail section is mostly dense Chinese Tallow an invasive that has run rough shod in this part of the park It’s a fast-growing tree that will completely change an ecosystem choking out native plants and destroying food sources for animals Park officials and rangers are working diligently to eradicate this invasive completely from the park I turn left and head towards the observation tower I’ve always wondered about this wooden structure because it seems strangely disconnected from the natural landscape it’s built on One tank trip: St. Phillips Island is a natural refuge less than a tank of gas away I asked Molly if it were once something else or if it has always been just an observation platform “It’s always been for observing,” intoned Canady “The tower gives a different perspective of the landscape An added 25-feet of elevation helps people understand how big the marsh is.” My favorite part of the Big Ferry Trail is the shell midden where a cluster of cedar trees now grows These middens fascinate me because they offer a glimpse into the lives of indigenous people who lived here as much as 4,000 years ago archeologists are fairly certain people lived here year round and migrated very little because the food sources were of such high quality Researchers also assert these shell remains served as places integral to daily life as well as sacred ceremony I make my way around the Earthworks loop then head back to complete the three-mile Big Ferry Loop By the time I return to the visitor’s center I’ve been on the trails about three hours and have walked just shy of six miles Molly greets me at the center and reminds me that the park offers lots of things to do for kids we have a variety of programs every month,” she said with a gleam in her eye crafts and special community events throughout the year.” It only costs $5 per car per day or $50 for an annual pass to visit Skidaway Island State Park. To learn more about their monthly programming, check out their website: https://gastateparks.smugmug.com/Skidaway-Island-State-Park/ perhaps by the time they're playing ice hockey in hell the state Department of Transportation will be finished with the new bridge to Skidaway Island which is still sporting orange traffic cones which was finally open to traffic last year after lengthy construction delays that prompted a rare public apology last summer from then-DOT Commissioner Keith Golden bridge-naming is something that Savannah is good at there's the Arthur Solomon Bridge to the Isle of Hope on LaRoche Avenue; the Sam Varnedoe Bridge over the Wilmington River on the Islands Expressway; and the Ann Mueller Bridge over the Forest River on Highway 204 Solomon and Varnedoe were two selfless public servants who contributed mightily to this community's well-being "Judge" Solomon was a county commissioner who served from 1914 until 1960 Varnedoe was a successful investment banker and an expert in municipal bonds Varnedoe was responsible for obtaining excellent bond ratings for the city He's also credited with pioneering the alternate route to the eastside islands via President Street longtime state lawmaker who was a Republican long before being a Republican was cool it's time to honor two additional community-minded pioneers and selfless-minded visionaries - Laurie Abbott and Henry Levy - by naming the Diamond Causeway bridge across the Skidaway Narrows after both men soft-spoken Southern lawyer with a stainless steel spine to go with a warm heart and an eye for supporting worthy public causes - think Atticus Finch with a dual interest in highway planning and preserving nature Abbott created the Skidaway Marine Science Foundation laying the foundation for future public support of the Skidaway Institute of Oceanography a top marine research facility now affiliated with the University of Georgia lived for today with a better future in mind for Savannah and Tybee Island where he lived in retirement and regularly fished from its beach (except on Mondays as his dad was concerned there was too much urine in the water deposited by Tybee's weekend visitors) who died in May this year at the age of 89 teamed up with Abbott on two major projects that have shaped Savannah and will continue to shape this community for years to come Their first joint effort was convincing state and national leaders to put the Skidaway Institute of Oceanography here instead of Colonel's Island just south of Brunswick or up North in faraway Massachusetts But an even bigger accomplishment was convincing a majority of Chatham County voters to invest in the construction of a bridge to Skidaway Island but once upon a time Skidaway Island was like other barrier islands off Georgia's coast marinas or tennis courts or residents with Yankee accents with golf carts in their garages But while many people stood on the mainland and looked across Skidaway Narrows and saw only scrubland loaded with deer Abbott and Levy saw potential - and a better future for the community But the only way to make it happen was uniting the public behind an effort to build a bridge to the island But the team of Abbott and Levy was perfect for the job a dynamic duo that pushed the right buttons in Atlanta they swayed Savannah's often-cynical electorate to bite on a bridge that many viewed at the time as a Bridge to Nowhere who was so squared away in his approach to problem-solving he was divisible by four was named to chair the local effort to convince voters to support a bridge linking Skidaway Island to the mainland It was dubbed the "Bridge to Progress" campaign the cost estimate for building a new bridge was $3.5 million (by comparison the state paid about $22.5 million to build the newest bridge) which owned vast tracks of valuable pulpwood on Skidaway as the only beneficiary of a bridge That's because the process of cutting trees and barging them to the mainland for processing into paper products had been deemed too costly Others viewed the Skidaway Bridge as a bridge too far - as in why are we investing limited dollars in infrastructure so far away from Savannah's center a Skidaway Bridge was once considered as far-fetched as building a parkway along the Casey Canal which back in 1958 was meant to go from the Isle of Hope then across Skidaway Island all the way out to Wassaw Island That idea prompted this exchange at a City Council meeting in 1958 from two of the council's sharpest minds: City Alderman Jack Rauers: "When do you think this project (Casey Canal Parkway) will materialize?" City Alderman (and future mayor) Malcolm Maclean: "When we're in Bonaventure Cemetery." The Casey Canal (or Truman) Parkway was completed in 2014 as the DOT moves more slowly than the Grim Reaper the parkway route was redirected and never extended to Wassaw which was a good thing as some barrier islands should be left as Mother Nature intended as Wassaw is now a National Wildlife Refuge untouched by the need for tee times and for gated communities to keep out the riff raff launched a PR offensive to win the Bridge for Progress vote to fund the Skidaway Bridge and the (Diamond) causeway approaching the new bridge The causeway and bridge were completed in 1972 and began operations the same year Then the other projects on this suddenly accessible island began to fall like dominoes Union Camp gave 500 acres it owned on Skidaway to the state and federal governments for oceanic research and teaching facilities It would grow from this seed into the Skidaway Institute of Oceanography The company donated another 267 acres for a state park that was increased in size by the purchase of an additional 109 acres from Union Camp in 1969 Union Camp purchased a 49 percent interest in the Branigar Organization which subsequently became a wholly owned subsidiary some 500 acres of Union Camp land was transferred to Branigar and additional acreage was taken over later The developer's plan was to develop this entire tract sometimes called the Land of the 59-eighters (the three-digit prefix for home line telephone numbers on Skidaway) over a period of years as a planned "natural community" with a high-quality image for permanent residents and preretirement/second home or retirement owners Dawson & Demay Associates of Boston (now Sasaki Associates) one of the nation's top landscape design firms which turned out to be a brilliant move by management who lived in a Japanese internment camp in Arizona during World War II Branigar would go on to open a local office on West Bay Street on Factor's Walk just east of City Hall to help sell The Landings and its lifestyle to skeptical town folk they were practically giving away marshfront lots," a Savannah lawyer once told me Skidaway Island was like the end of the world He wasn't the only local with such a constricted view of the future Union Camp made an eye-popping proposal to the members of the Savannah Golf Club member-owned club founded in 1794 just east of downtown Savannah off East President Street Union Camp offered free land on Skidaway to the Golf Club in return for moving its facilities to Skidaway A majority of club members - 243 - voted to take the deal who liked the club's near-downtown location as a two-thirds majority of the members was required for approval Skidaway Island boasts six private golf courses and two marinas Skidaway Island is home to about 10,000 people many of whom have contributed generously and mightily to Savannah's civic life and its economic and cultural improvement and the community is fortunate they decided to put roots down here The residential development that has occurred since the first bridge to Skidaway opened in 1972 has been dramatic adding millions of dollars to Chatham County's tax base which in turn has pumped millions of dollars in tax revenue to local governments to pay for needed public services and public schools One study conducted several years ago showed that Skidaway Island is home to only 3 percent of the county's population yet that 3 percent pays 16 percent of the county's property tax revenue Thus the original investment of $3.5 million to build the first bridge was one of the smartest decisions local voters have ever made the private Deer Creek Golf Course and Golf Club is valued on the county's tax books at $1.8 million giving new meaning to the term "greenie." The island is a cash cow that keeps on giving to local tax coffers while consuming relatively little in public services in return That may be the sweetest deal involing an East Coast island since New York's first settlers traded beads and trinkets for Manhattan the reality of what Skidaway Island is today probably would have been only an illusion In honor of their vision and contributions to the community it would be a fitting tribute to name the new bridge to Skidaway in honor of these two visionaries It would be one thing the DOT did right with this project Tom Barton is the editorial page ?editor of the Savannah Morning News Residents living in communities on Skidaway Island are asking for the gift of a vote this holiday season And if their elected officials in the Georgia General Assembly are successful in getting legislation passed Modena Island and Green Island Road communities could soon be casting ballots on whether their island should become Chatham County's ninth municipality Their call to consider city-hood on Skidaway comes after a series of town halls on the island where a study committee charged with examining the potential for incorporation presented its findings to an estimated 1,000 residents said that at the end of each these public meetings those in attendance overwhelmingly preferred the opportunity to vote on forming their own municipality "About 85 percent to 90 percent of the people that attended the town hall meetings were in favor of having a chance to vote," Siler said "I mean it wasn't like everybody was jumping up and down and saying 'Yes!' The consensus was that we should move ahead with the legislation That is just to allow the island to vote on whether we would become a municipality or not." She said there's still much to be done even before that vote can be held representatives of the various Skidaway communities hadn't formally requested legislation that would allow for a referendum one of the members of the local delegation who had been asked to consider the bill in the 2018 session If and when the legislation is reintroduced under the Gold Dome this year it still has to make it through both chambers before it goes to Gov the study committee will begin an education campaign to inform Skidaway voters of the pros and cons of incorporation and the process that follows if they vote yes Then it'll be up to Skidaway residents to decide in the Nov general election whether they'll join the ranks of Chatham County's other incorporated municipalities: Bloomingdale Assuming the governor puts his signature to legislation that gives Skidaway Island the ability to vote on incorporation next fall committee members who have studied the feasibility of such a move have a lot of information to pass on to their neighbors Siler said study committees examined the effect of incorporation in five specific areas: local taxes and finance The research took more than half the year and involved more than 80 volunteers who ultimately decided that forming a city could be feasible She said the research indicated that if Skidaway Island were to incorporate property owners would not pay more in property taxes than they currently pay to Chatham County's special service district which is funded entirely by residents of the unincorporated county it's possible the city of Skidaway Island's millage rate could be lower than the 4.99 mills charged to unincorporated residents now according to the presentation made to Skidaway residents at the recent town halls incorporation would mean the island's residents would no longer have to pay the annual fee charged by the county to unincorporated residents for the removal of dry trash the Chatham County Commission voted this year to approve a one-time $131 hike to the dry trash fee to recover costs for removing tropical storm debris Siler added that the city of Skidaway Island may employ as many as five city workers and would function as a mayor and city council form of government Her presentation indicates that some services The city could negotiate with other local governments over the future distribution of local option sales tax revenues but Skidaway residents would still pay property taxes to Chatham County's countywide maintenance and operation fund and the Savannah-Chatham school system "We would like to think the services would be better because we'd have local control," Siler said having our representatives - our city council - living here on the island We feel like our local representation could handle our issues better." not every Skidaway Island resident is as optimistic about the incorporation idea Landings resident Mike Vaquer provided a rebuttal he penned to some of the facts about the committee's findings in which he challenged the assumption that the city of Skidaway would do better with local control that the city of Skidaway Island could do a better job cleaning up after a tropical storm that city would be just as reliant on federal reimbursements as other local governments "Incorporation will not change how we should respond to hurricane cleanup," he wrote "As we are and will remain a gated enclave the county could not initiate reimbursable cleanup until certain agreements were in place with only (the federal and state emergency management agencies) but with (the Landings Association) as well Incorporation will not improve reimbursements a local lobbyist who served on the tax and finance study committee for the incorporation effort said some of the claims made on a fact sheet presented to Skidaway residents inaccurately described what would happen if the island voted to incorporate Although a fact sheet put out by the committee made it seem as though property taxes levied by the county to support Skidaway would be transferred to the new city upon its creation Vaquer wrote that the county's tax levy for Skidaway would actually disappear upon incorporation leaving it up to the island's new mayor and council to set their own tax rates Regardless of how Skidaway Islanders ultimately vote on incorporation some of their elected officials on the state and local level say they're committed to letting the people make the decision a Skidaway resident who represents the island on the commission said he's taking a relatively neutral position If the residents of Skidaway opt to form their own city government the result would be financial wash for Chatham County because the county will no longer collect or spend tax dollars to provide services there "It'd be identical to the situation in the 4th district with Tybee," Farrell said "We work very closely together with the mayor … I would think there would be some gains in some areas and some losses in others but at the end of the day it shouldn't have any negative (effects for the county)." Watson have each filed legislation in their respective chambers and both intend to move forward with getting the bill passed if requested Petrea said the residents who attended the town halls in recent weeks made it clear they want to vote and no county officials have expressed an opinion one way or the other Watson added that island residents have taken the matter seriously and done much of the leg work needed so far Based on the information he received when he attended some of the town halls in recent weeks it appears the island could fare well as a city it financially makes sense for them," he said "It wouldn't save them a lot of money but they would have more control locally." While the effort to vote on the incorporation of Skidaway moves ahead even more of Chatham County's unincorporated communities are starting to put some thought into the idea A town hall meeting will be held this week to discuss whether to request state funding in 2018 for a feasibility study on the incorporation of Oatland The meeting would be a first step for these unincorporated communities in the effort and would not result in a vote next year Tuesday at the Frank Murray Community Center on Whitemarsh Island Skidaway Island State Park in Savannah has not only a new manager but also new “glamping” yurts Jeri Nokes was recently promoted from assistant manager at nearby Wormsloe Historic Site to oversee the park which draws more than 500,000 visitors annually “I believe it’s a public service to preserve parks by educating and inspiring our guests and future generations,” said Nokes “This is an exciting time for Skidaway Island with our yurts now completed and the newly opened Visitor Center I’m excited to be manager of such a fantastic destination that’s an important part of Savannah’s community I was able to collaborate with local Publix Grocery stores on the design and installation of the new pollinator garden My next big project is working on the Yurts and Yoga weekend retreats that will debut Fall of 2023.” She has an associate degree in liberal arts from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and a Bachelor’s in English Literature from Excelsior University and is working towards her master’s in organizational leadership “I was following a career path in art which led me to Savannah College of Art and Design then I realized my true passion was in the park service,” said Nokes “I began my park ranger story with Eastern National and Fort Pulaski then in 2011 I began working at Wormsloe State Historic Site.” Three new yurts recently opened at the park allowing campers to enjoy a more luxurious experience than traditional tents The canvas and wooden structures feature furniture and temperature controls inside Private porches provide views of live oaks They rent for $125 per night and include linen service Skidaway Island State Park is operated by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and website in this browser for the next time I comment Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Once again I get to thank Dave Devore of the Coastal Conservation Association for his invite to Skidaway Island Boating Club’s sixth annual Low Country Hook Ocean Race held off the coast of Georgia on Sept Arriving at the Landings Marina for one of the region’s premier sailing events local photographer Chris McShane and I glance out over the water and see a sailboat approaching the marina we run to snap a pic of  J/24 sailboat with a dark blue spinnaker but get sidetracked by a trio of guys sitting on the porch of the harbor marina office Holding a pair of binoculars is Ken Rand and giving verbal updates are Dave Angell and Tito Perez Trying to get questions answered proves difficult because these SIBC guys are amped over sailing I do manage to gather that Dave retired from IBM and trained hunting dogs while Tito David Bacon and Steve Terrio look like they could set sail again Admitting to being “better friends” after this voyage I pause to congratulate the fleet captain on winning first place in the J/24 Class “The weather and the tides were perfect for a quick run from Hilton Head to Landings Harbor,” shares the SICB event co-chair I get a chance to meet Dave Devore’s wife Angela “Mike is a living institution here at the Landings He was one of the first employees hired here 36 years ago.” Operating a mammoth “smart” fork capable of handling 35-foot boats up to 17,000 pounds we are waiting for him to unload a boat when we hear the air horn go off again Winning second place on their J/24 is Ryan Doyle and his Gone With the Wind crew I watch them congratulate Doug’s crew before my attention is captured by a sailboat arriving and a guy in a blue shirt waving his arms and yelling “we crushed it!” “We horizoned them” is uber amped AJ Goldman a math wizard at Savannah Country Day School and the proud fiancé of Cherie Dennis Cherie is the Georgia State Teacher of the Year.” Asking how the happy couple met I learn that the fabulous Toby Hollenburg introduced the couple at Mickve Israel we sailed well and I’m hopeful that we won first place in the non-spinnaker class.” (They did win!) After a quick pic of his wife Kathy Williams and his retired professor dad Ervin I have a mini session of the five-person Grand Cru crew then head over to the Tiki Hut Greeting me are Lisa Pinyan’s mom and SIBC secretary Pam Gerardi and retired Army Col. Laurie Sattler Pausing to process how cool it is that a colonel is the vice commodore I ask the ladies to corral SIBC director at large Hugh Upton and treasurer John Gerardi over for a pic with them Finishing up, Laurie waves me over for an introduction to title sponsor Bob and Reba Laramy of Berkshire Hathaway Bay Street Realty Group. For the past five years, the Laramys have supported this long-distance endurance, open water race along with SIBC, who in partnership with the Yacht Club of Hilton Head organized this 30 nautical mile racecourse that started in Hilton Head and took competitors out into the Atlantic through Wassaw Sound and up the Wilmington River The Skidaway Island Boating Club’s permanently supported charity is The Tiny House Project for homeless veterans through the Chatham Savannah Authority for the Homeless With over $6,000 raised through their signature event to help this initiative that provides housing stability while addressing the underlying cause of veteran homelessness this sailing institution continues to support our veterans and is already planning on next year’s race For more on The Tiny House Project , go online to homelessauthority.org/tiny-house-project/. Invite Bunny Ware to your gathering, gala or other social event. Contact her at 912-844-1122 or email at bunnyware@aol.com. See more columns by Bunny at SavannahNow.com/Lifestyle/.     highly curated editorial content brings attention to hidden gems with a passion for exploration of the unknown Her adventures around the country inspire her work as an accomplished writer for Only In Your State With years of experience as a seasoned editor she possesses a keen eye for detail and a knack for crafting compelling narratives that magnetize readers Her creative prowess extends beyond writing In her role as a podcast producer and host Marisa brings stories to life through engaging conversations and insightful storytelling Share Link9 Places In Georgia Way Out In The Boonies But So Worth The DriveDiscover remote yet fascinating places in Georgia that are worth the drive 2. Skidaway Island State Park Flickr Britt ReintsThis stunning island state park is located near historic Savannah but it does take quite some time to get there The park borders the Georgia’s intracoastal waterway which makes it pretty secluded from the rest of the state But seclusion plus Spanish moss dripping from trees equals always awesome Flickr Mike SchubertDid you know that in Dawsonville, Georgia there is an old you can find the remains of this nuclear testing facility which to this day has parts sealed off so that no one may enter again 4. Toccoa River Swinging Bridge The New Manchester Manufacturing Company Ruins now all that's left in the middle of the woods are the remnants of what used to be You'll be in the boonies almost perpetually however once you see the scenery and enjoy all the beauty of nature you won't even care which direction you're driving and may take a little bit of a drive (and maybe a hike) to reach the stunning summits The beautiful manor is smack dab in the middle of the Chattahoochee National Forest Many people still visit this site for the both the history and the scare All are welcome to try and find this modern murder house Another pretty great way to get out on the road, exploring some of the best parts of our state would be to drive these 8 Country Roads In Georgia That Are Pure Bliss In The Fall. 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It’s that same “agape love” showing up again that changed Jim Giddens' life some 40 years ago Giddens, 69, retires after 30 years as senior minister of Skidaway Island United Methodist Church From leading about 40 Skidaway Island UMC members in a double-wide trailer in 1988 to about 438 current attendees parishioners speak of his willingness to help throughout a career both prompted by and highlighted with unsolicited kindness “That’s kind of how it all started for me,” Giddens says Giddens’ young family lived in Chicago for Jim’s personnel work at Owens-Illinois manufacturing company They had only visited a church a few times when word about a family difficulty prompted help from parishioners Linda Giddens was hospitalized after giving birth to their third child; Jim had to work “These ladies just kind of came up and said we’ll take care of the baby,” Giddens says Their kindness — “the kind of love you give to people and expect nothing in return,” he says — drew him to that church He felt closer to God and began sensing a calling into ministry to “give myself to God.” But maybe he was just tired of working in personnel once prompting him to pull his car over to call his wife from a payphone while driving to a sales conference in Louisiana “It was just so compelling to me that I had to let her know what was on my mind,” he says He resigned from Owens-Illinois and enrolled in Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta but things just fell into place for me to go into seminary,” he says He served two small churches each Sunday in tiny Meansville for a small stipend and parsonage three months before his seminary classes began I’ve said everything I know to say,” he recalls lightheartedly after preaching that first Sunday Giddens became associate pastor of Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church in Savannah after graduating he became the first full-time pastor at Skidaway Island UMC in 1988 “Jim came where there were no more than 40 of us,” says Ruth Thorne Space filled up quickly upon completion of their 120-seat chapel The church also added two Sunday morning services (7:45 a.m They then worshiped in their fellowship hall before breaking ground in 1999 for their current sanctuary and education building sitting in his office about a month before his last sermon there They lavished kindness on a church visitor newly diagnosed with pancreatic cancer “They just reached out to her and made her life a little better just because she was another person,” Giddens says He also mentions their outreach through programs such as L.O.V.E. Mentors (Giddens credits Bill and Evelyn Saum for starting L.O.V.E Parishioner Barbara Sewell started another program started a group to help people with sight problems “All the yellow lines you see on the steps here Our church has been full of people like that,” Giddens says moving a piano and taking out the garbage before the church hired a janitor visiting people at our church and just people in general people who need a smile and a prayer,” says longtime church member Herb McKenzie “He’s going to be there at 5 in the morning [before an operation],” Thorne says from personal experience Even when building projects opened disagreements “We really needed to have everybody,” he says McKenzie recalls one “pretty good divide” that left him “pretty lathered up” about a personnel issue that ended well He credits Giddens: “I learned to see the other guy’s point of view,” McKenzie says He says he can forgive others simply because Christ forgave him “We’ve just got to forgive each other,” he says What: Skidaway Island United Methodist Church Info: 912-598-8460 or siumc.org L.O.V.E. Mentors: lovementors.org The Chatham County–Savannah Metropolitan Planning Commission on Tuesday unanimously voted to deny a general development plan for a proposed Skidaway Island development that would have brought more than 200 residences The vote to deny the petition of Lufburrow Realty to develop 36 single-family residences 60 assisted living units and 50 memory care units to a 30-acre site on Green Island Road came after more than an hour of presentation and public comment the majority of the hearing centered on whether or not the proposed assisted living and memory care uses were permitted under the property's current PUD-R or Planned Unit Development–Residential/Environmental Overlay zoning Two written opinions — one from former Chatham County zoning administrator Robert Sebek stating that the uses were permitted; and another from interim zoning administrator Gregori Anderson stating that the uses were not — were presented to the commission Sebek has retired since he provided his opinion stated that he appointed Anderson as interim administrator on June 21 and that Sebek was paid by the county until June 25 Anderson’s opinion was submitted to MPC staff on June 24 and Sebek’s followed on June 25 but was not included in the petitioner's information packet “I don’t know the reasoning why this isn’t part of the packet and it’s not part of your packet today,” attorney Harold Yellin which was written on Chatham County letterhead and sent from Sebek’s Chatham County email address “It seems to me that you should be entitled to weigh all the evidence It’s my belief that an interim serves as interim until the position is filled Interim does not replace the position that is still there.” Yellin also provided the commission with several other examples of senior living that have been developed in similar residential districts across the county PUD-R is a residential district with more than 25 acres that permits multi-family residential and that includes senior housing,” he said More than 70 people have submitted letters or emails to the MPC opposing the project many of them citing concerns of increased traffic loss of tree canopy and proposed building height More than 2,000 people have signed a petition on Change.org opposing the project spoke during the public comment time on Tuesday Speaking on behalf of a group of nearby property owners who oppose the project attorney Don Dyches argued that Sebek was no longer representing the county on June 25 and his opinion was that of a private citizen and urged the board to deny the site plan “We would submit that this board doesn’t have any authority to rule one way or the other on whether or not it’s allowed under the zoning ordinance That’s for the zoning board of appeals,” he said Yellin plans to appeal the MPC's decision to the Chatham County Zoning Board of Appeals but told the commission on Tuesday that the issue came down to the developer’s property rights “We do submit to you that failure to allow this use in PUD-R is a taking of property a constitutional taking of property,” he said Chatham County and the surrounding area straight to your email It’s never too late to be who you’ve always wanted to be “Burnt Pot Island,” a historical fiction about rum-runners and the Pinpoint community during Prohibition The idea for the story came in the early 1980s when Barr and her husband broke ground on their home on Skidaway Island they found the footings of a much older structure along with shards of blue pottery Pinpoint: Passing Savannah Geechee history down in honor of Juneteenth “The dirt could tell you a lot of stories,” reflected Barr eyes fixed on a large oak in the side yard there was hardly any development on this end of the island and it felt alive with so much more to say Voices from the past certainly whispered to me when I finally sat down to write.” Barr was only a few years into her 44 years in law when they found the pottery shards The fiction of “Burnt Pot Island,” though would have to wait three decades to be teased from the earth Barr not only came to know many people in Pinpoint through her legal representation, but also bravely tried things she’d always wanted to do “And that actually helped with my writing I’d always wanted to write but so many people told me I wasn’t any good at it I find that the pace and rhythm of moving my legs connects me to my thoughts More: With her new book 'Wild Spectacle,' Janisse Ray is connecting with her 'wildness' after 20 years A few years after her running-writing epiphany Barr self-published a collection of essays “Running Through Menopause,” in which she explored her experience of taking up competitive running for the first time as a middle-aged woman her work went on to appear in Runners’ World Barr self-published another book in 2013 featuring her wildlife photography paired with essays about nature experiences on Skidaway Island a member of her church pulled Barr aside and told her about an abandoned house on Burnt Pot Island where he and his friends would camp out as teenagers and that got her thinking about the old footings and pottery shards in her yard “I was really curious about his story approached me with tales of boating to the island and staying in the abandoned house as a sort of rite of passage in the ‘60s and ‘70s I wanted to know who owned that house and its significance to the surrounding islands,” said Barr More: Gullah Geechee roots at the center of Matthew Raiford's new cookbook, 'Bress 'n' Nyam' uncovering that the Mayor of Savannah acquired Burnt Pot Island in 1909 and eventually built a mansion on it She then went down the rabbit hole of Google books reading archived Savannah City Council minutes and Savannah Morning News stories After four years of researching and writing and what was likely going on in her own backyard at Skidaway Island 'Burnt Pot Island' is historical fiction it’s my creation,” emphasized Barr seated at her writing desk surrounded by books and manila folders stuffed with handwritten notes the owner of this island could have been involved in alcohol smuggling during Prohibition and Burnt Pot Island could have played a strategic role in all of that It’s pretty common knowledge Skidaway Island was home to moonshiners then and that’s verified in my research.” More: New comic book 'Nightmare in Savannah' tackles tough themes in a 'love letter to the weirdo kid' Barr started pitching perspective publishers She received 278 rejection letters before finally landing an offer from a boutique imprint in Oregon The story takes place during Prohibition and involves international rum-runners Skidaway Island moonshiners as well as the story’s heroines who live in Pinpoint processing oysters and crab for a wealthy and often unscrupulous businessman it was extremely important her language and storytelling were culturally appropriate She attended seminars on Geechee culture and spoke with people she knew personally in Pinpoint to read and edit the manuscript for cultural sensitivity the hearts and minds of people are the same no matter where you’re from,” emphasized Barr “Women have the same struggles across the world Women want their children to get ahead and succeed This common thread was central to the story and I hope my story shows that to be true.” Order copies of "Burnt Pot Island" from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Wal-Mart and from Karen Dove Barr at karendovebarrauthor.com A group of volunteer first responders living in The Landings has battled Chatham officials for months in a dispute over responding to emergency calls in their community their group aided paramedics for years by being first on scene for emergencies on Skidaway (the group says they served the entire island of 10,000 people of which 8,500 live in The Landings).  Their help was as simple as providing shade to someone experiencing heat stroke or helping a patient get their information together before a paramedic’s arrival They are trained in CPR and first aid and always have a member on call.  the county cut them off from being dispatched to calls before ambulances arrived Chatham County and Chatham Emergency Services (the county runs 911 dispatch and CES is a private company contracted by the county to run ambulances) did so after discovering SIFR didn’t have an emergency responder license.  Gordon contends they don’t actually need one if they have the county’s blessing. She cited an exemption in Georgia law for responders who help in emergency responses but ultimately leave the real work to trained paramedics.  aside from the fact that it is a dangerous tightrope they’re walking (and) they are setting themselves up for a lot of lawsuits and a lot of problems because ultimately somebody is going to die because we’re out of service,” Gordon said.  said his company and the county have made numerous efforts to accommodate SIFR including telling The Landings’ security when ambulances are coming so they can communicate that information to the first responders.  But ultimately, according to Kearns, the issue comes down to SIFR not having an emergency responder license Having one would mean the county would not be liable for health privacy violations or malpractice lawsuits should the volunteers work in tandem with their paramedics “We have sliced and diced this situation for months trying to figure out something that will work I won’t go against my legal advice and put my company in jeopardy,” Kearns said.  “I’m not in charge of dispatching anymore,” Kearns added “It’s between them and the county.” Chatham County took over dispatching emergency units and 911 calls following the demerger of the Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department in 2018 CES now dispatches its own ambulances while Chatham dispatches all other emergency units Kearns said SIFR must follow rules and regulations if they want to work with his company Kearns has asked the group to get licensed but they refused Gordon countered they don’t need to be licensed and the mandatory testing and training is too cumbersome for their group of retirees.  Between the ongoing issues at the county’s 911 center and an elderly retired population in need of care Gordon said letting the group work should be a no-brainer She pointed to what County Commissioner Dean Kicklighter purportedly said in a recent meeting trying to mediate the conflict: “‘These people are begging to work for free The Tide brings regular notes and observations on news and events by The Current staff This story comes to GPB through a reporting partnership with The Current Jake Shore covers public safety and the courts system in Savannah and Coastal Georgia He is also a Report for America corps member Jake worked as a senior writer for the Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette newspapers based near Hilton Head Island across the country and around the world.  Your support makes this possible.  Please consider making a gift today to support this vital public service.