Elegant Island Living - August 2026

Precision from Start to Finish.

PUBLISHER

David Butler

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Anna Cheshire Levitan

anna@elegantislandliving.net

EXECUTIVE EDITOR & PRODUCTION MANAGER

Kathi Williams

kathi@elegantislandliving.net

912.399.8797

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Abbi Carter Gravino

PRODUCTION ASSISTANT

Julie Andrew

912.269.0476

ADVERTISING SALES

Yolanda O’Hern

Advertising Sales Marketing Consultant yolandaonssi@gmail.com

770.490.3348

Molly Duckworth

Regional Media Sales molly@elegantislandliving.net

912.506.1115

Evelyn Smith

Sales Representative

912.230.4767

Todd Baker

Real Estate Manager

912.506.3625

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Tracey Grace

Brian Henderson

Misty Johns

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Nina Dunaway, Empire Sky Co.

Gavin Sellers Creative

Anna Bryce Nalley

SPM Photography

Elegant Island Living is published monthly. Reproduction of any photographs, artwork, or copy prepared by Elegant Island Living is strictly prohibited without prior written permission of the publisher. The advertisers and publisher are not responsible or liable for misinformation, misprints, or typographical errors. All electronic files submitted to Elegant Island Living become property of the magazine. ©2026 Elegant Island Living P.O. Box 21763 St. Simons Island, GA 31522. All Rights Reserved.

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FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION:

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DOG DAYS OF SUMMER

We refer to the hottest, most humid stretch of summer (typically from early July through mid-August in the Northern Hemisphere) as the “Dog Days of Summer.” But the phrase has nothing to do with lazy dogs lying in the shade—although they certainly do plenty of that here on the island!

e expression dates back more than 2,000 years to the ancient Greeks and Romans. ey noticed that the brightest star in the night sky, Sirius, rose in the eastern sky just before sunrise during the hottest part of the summer. Sirius is known as the “Dog Star” because it is part of the constellation Canis Major (Greater Dog).

e Romans believed the combined heat of the sun and Sirius caused the sweltering weather, drought, fever, and general misery of late summer. ey called this period the dies caniculares, or “days of the dog star,” which eventually became the “Dog Days of Summer.”

Today, we know Sirius has no e ect on Earth’s temperature. It’s only because of Earth’s orbit around the sun that it happens to appear in the sky during that time. Despite the science, the expression is still used to refer to these hot and sticky summer days.

For those of us on St. Simons Island, the Dog Days of Summer mean:

•Morning walks before the heat takes over.

•Evening beach strolls after 6 p.m. with the dogs (thanks to the summer beach rules).

•Sand that’s too hot for bare feet by lunchtime.

•Cold drinks taste better.

•And somehow, a walk at Gould’s Inlet still feels cooler than anywhere else!

WYNONNA JUDD Live!

COASTAL COMFORT

August is one of those sweet months, when moods start to shift and we begin to settle just a bit. We pull out planners (or open iPhone calendars) to jot down long lists of To-Dos … maybe we dive into a home project …

Interior Designer Lori Harden shares some inspiration in Dream Home by Design [Page 54]. Be mesmerized by her work on the Du y residence at Frederica by Pierce & Parker Interiors in Coastal Comfort [Page 56]. Turn the pages to see how soothing palettes and perfectly placed pieces accentuate the property’s stunning light- lled vistas.

We’re also capping o the summer by celebrating a wonderful milestone! Pierce & Parker, an island design institution, turns 50 this year. On Page 62, owners Matt and Miller Dart share a bit about the company’s legacy, founded by legendary couple Jack and Fran Pierce, as well as exciting plans for the P&P future.

And speaking of legendary couples, in Pat Hodnett Cooper, Come on Down [Page 46], the island real estate titan sits down with EIL’s very own David Butler for a candid interview.

Pat talks about the gifts her parents Roy and Anne Hodnett instilled in her and how their ongoing legacy inspires the entire extraordinary team at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Hodnett Cooper Real Estate.

Join us to sing a Hot Summer Serenade [Page 66] at Gould’s Inlet. With a retro take, we turn to 1950s Hollywood for inspiration, to add a bit of beauty and glamour this last month of the season.

Stay cool and look for beauty everywhere on this special slice of paradise—and especially in the pages of August’s Elegant Island Living!

When you work with Edward Jones, our entire team will help you work toward your financial goals. We'll learn which special moments you want to create in your life -- and then we'll design a tailored strategy to help you build the future you envision. Together.

Dale McNabb, CFP®

When you work with Edward Jones, our entire team will help you work toward your financial goals. We'll learn which special moments you want to create in your life -- and then we'll design a tailored strategy to help you build the future you envision. Together.

Dale McNabb, CFP®

256 Scranton Connector Ste 102 Brunswick, GA 31525 912-267-9374

256 Scranton Connector Ste 102

Brunswick, GA 31525

912-267-9374

Davis

Reyna

Davis Reyna

256 Scranton Connector Ste 102 Brunswick, GA 31525 912-267-9374

256 Scranton Connector Ste 102

SCROLL

BACK TO SCHOOL BEDLAM

Support Operation Bed Spread at their annual Back to School BEDlam fundraiser at Brogen’s South on Sunday, August 16. is rain or shine party will have live music, ra es, tasty food, drink specials, and family-friendly fun. Admission is $35 at the door (free for kids under 12). Help OBS continue their mission to deliver beds to children and families in need, because every child deserves a good night’s sleep. For more details, check out our calendar entry at elegantislandliving.net/events/back-to-schoolbedlam-2026. elegantislandliving.net/events/back-toschool-bedlam-2026.

SCHOOL DAYS

en & Now

As our local students head back to the classroom, you can get a little education too by reading about the history of Glynn Academy. Established in 1788, the home of our Red Terrors is the sixth oldest public high school in the United States! Check out Mason Stewart’s well-researched article Glynn Academy: A Colonial Experiment at Still rives from our archives at elegantislandliving. net/history/glynn-academy-a-colonialexperiment-that-still-thrives.

Ring the DINNER BELL

is summer has been a scorcher! Nobody wants to spend any more time in the kitchen than necessary, especially on a school night, so these quick, no-fuss Grilled Honey Chipotle Salmon Packs are a perfect dinner choice. Made on the grill with delicious in-season zucchini and squash with a spicy kick and a sweet touch of honey, the foil packets even make clean up easy. In the SAVOR section of our website, you’ll nd this recipe and numerous others in our archives for crisp salads, easy entrees, decadent desserts, and refreshing beverages to cool o on these steamy days. If you want to re up the grill and try this one out, get the recipe here: elegantislandliving.net/food-wine/ grilled-honey-chipotle-salmon-packs.

I’M WITH THE BAND

Keep up with the local live music scene with I’m With the Band. You’ll find updated listings of where your favorite local bands are playing and who’s in town at the usual music venues. Music festivals, outdoor concerts, symphony performances, and other musical events are also included. Stay in the know by checking elegantislandliving.net/blogs/ im-with-the-band/Golden-IslesBrunswick-Weekly-Live-Music.

A MUSICAL EVENING AT THE LIGHTHOUSE

As always, Little Light Music concerts on the St. Simons Lighthouse lawn are a highlight of summer on the island.

June’s concert featured Atlanta-based Americana/folk duo Little Hopes. e enthusiastic crowd response expressed big hopes that they return! ElL is proud to be a sponsor of this summer music series bene ting Coastal Georgia Historical Society.

The Reel Deal

GOLDEN ISLES BUSINESS COMMUNITY SHINES

2026 CHAMBER GALA

The new Center for the Arts was dressed for a party to host members of the Brunswick-Golden Isles Chamber of Commerce and other community movers and shakers for the 2026 Chamber Gala. Guests enjoyed a delicious dinner, lively auctions, and an awards ceremony honoring luminaries in the business community who actively contribute to making the Golden Isles a place people want to live, work, and play.

CELEBRATING SENIOR LIVING AT ITS FINEST

20 YEARS OF MARSH’S EDGE

To honor the 20th anniversary of Marsh’s Edge, a premier senior living community on St. Simons Island, Members gathered for a commemorative ceremony and reception celebrating the people and experiences that have shaped it over the years. Heartfelt remarks from Executive Director Dustyn Sloan, Vice President of Hospitality Matthew Barger, and Doug Renegar were followed by a champagne toast to the past, present, and future of this special community.

KEEPING COASTAL CULTURE ALIVE

TASTE OF GULLAH 2026

Authentic and modern Gullah Geechee cuisine, performance of traditional song and dance by the Gullah Geechee Ring Shouters, storytelling, and music by Freddie Britt were the highlights of the evening at Village Creek Landing. This celebratory event, which supports the preservation of Historic Harrington School Cultural Center, also marked the 25th anniversary of its host, the St. Simons African American Heritage Coalition.

PATRIOTIC PRIDE

SSI CELEBRATES AMERICA’S 250TH

The 4th of July on St. Simons Island was even more celebratory than usual with Glynn County’s America 250 event, featuring a full afternoon of live music, family-friendly activities, and a fabulous fireworks display over the water at the Pier. More than 225 festive golf carts participated in the annual Village Golf Cart Parade presented by St. Simons Bait & Tackle!

LATEST

Golden Isles Takes Top Honors

e Golden Isles of Georgia has regained its top ranking in Travel + Leisure’s annual World’s Best Awards, earning the title of #1 Best Island in the Continental United States.

e achievement positions the four barrier islands of St. Simons Island, Sea Island, Jekyll Island, and Little St. Simons Island as one of the nation’s most beloved coastal vacation getaways. Additionally, the Golden Isles ranked #11 among the Best Islands in the World.

e recognition was earned via votes cast from Travel + Leisure readers, visitors, residents, and local businesses who celebrated the Golden Isles for its overall experience and deep sense of place. Factors that are considered by readers when evaluating destinations for the annual World’s Best Awards include natural attractions, beaches, activities and sights, restaurants and food, friendliness, and overall value. e awards are widely regarded as one of the travel industry’s most in uential and respected honors.

“ is honor is a meaningful re ection of what so many people already know and love about the Golden Isles, that this is an extraordinary place to visit and call home,” said Scott McQuade, President

& CEO of the Golden Isles Convention & Visitors Bureau.

“ is recognition is a testament to our entire community, our residents, local businesses, and partners who shape the Golden Isles experience every day. We are deeply grateful to the travelers who shared their love for our destination through their votes.”

As part of its mission to elevate the Golden Isles as a nationally recognized resort destination, the Golden Isles CVB led a coordinated ‘Get Out the Vote’ campaign to expand awareness, strengthen community engagement, and drive national exposure for the destination. Designed to help the Golden Isles reclaim its place at the top, the campaign mobilized visitors, local businesses, hospitality partners, residents, and community stakeholders through targeted outreach across the Golden Isles and beyond. Of the campaign, McQuade said, “I’m incredibly proud of our whole CVB team for their work in bringing our community

together for this e ort, and we are especially thankful for all the hospitality partners that assisted our e orts.”

Within the past six years, the Golden Isles has received the distinction of the #1 ranking four times, with prior top spot wins in 2020, 2023, and 2024.

e award also extends an impressive streak of national recognition, with the Golden Isles appearing on Travel + Leisure’s Top Ten list of Best U.S. Islands for more than a decade during the 31-year history of the World’s Best Awards.

e recognition highlights what visitors have long appreciated about the Golden Isles: a destination unlike any other, where miles of pristine beaches,

centuries-old live oaks draped in Spanish moss, abundant wildlife, rich history, coastal cuisine, and a welcoming sense of place come together to create a restorative coastal escape. From exploring the historic streets of Brunswick and biking beneath the iconic tree canopy of St. Simons Island to discovering the untouched beauty of Little St. Simons Island and Jekyll Island and the curated experiences of Sea Island, travelers nd space to slow down, reconnect, and experience the destination at an unhurried pace. From luxurious resorts and charming inns to expansive vacation rentals and campgrounds, the Golden Isles o ers accommodations for every type of traveler seeking a relaxing retreat on America’s favorite getaway.

BIZ BUZZ

IBEX Expands Its Coastal Georgia Presence

IBEX IT Business Experts has expanded its presence in the Golden Isles with a new downtown Brunswick location across from the historic courthouse. e company is renovating a 1900s Victorian home that will serve as a coastal hub for business strategy, technology consulting, training, and community engagement. Founded by Tracey Grace, IBEX supports government agencies, enterprise clients, nonpro ts, and growing organizations with technology consulting, process improvement, training, organizational resilience, and operational support. IBEX has served clients including NASA, CDC, and other public and private sector organizations across the country. Grace, who recently relocated from Johns Creek to the Golden Isles, is also the founder of Nectar IQ, an enterprise supplier information management and intelligence platform that helps organizations improve visibility, reduce risk, and make more con dent decisions using trusted supplier information. A member of the International Women’s Forum Georgia Board, Grace looks forward to becoming more deeply involved in the coastal business and civic community, with a special interest in helping businesses, nonpro ts, churches, and boards strengthen operations before challenges become crises. Read her new PERSPECTIVE article on page 87. Call Tracey at 678.752.7542 x140, email CoastalGeorgia@IBEXExperts.com or visit TraceyGrace.com

Great Homes by Design

At LB Designs, they believe exceptional homes begin with spatial engineering— the thoughtful integration of architecture, function, and design to create spaces that truly enhance the way people live. As an awardwinning interior architecture and design rm with 25 years of experience, e LB Designs team collaborates with homeowners, interior designers, builders, and architects on remodels, renovations, and new construction throughout the Southeast. From kitchens and

baths to whole-home transformations, they help clients make con dent decisions that maximize the beauty, functionality, and value of their homes. Based on St. Simons Island, LB Designs was built on a passion for creating timeless spaces that re ect the people who live in them. Great homes don’t happen by accident— they’re engineered by design. Call 912.254.4050 for a consultation or visit lisabrooksdesigns.com

BIZ BUZZ

Introducing Elevate Glynn

e Golden Isles Development Authority (GIDA) has launched Elevate Glynn, a comprehensive initiative designed to provide local entrepreneurs with the capital, education, and resources they need to start, grow, and expand their businesses. More than $1 million is earmarked for investment in entrepreneurs in the Golden Isles through this partnership with the Lucas Center and the private sector.

Elevate Glynn brings together multiple funding opportunities under one uni ed program, creating a streamlined pathway for businesses at every stage of growth. e initiative represents GIDA’s continued commitment to strengthening the local economy by investing in businesses that create jobs, revitalize commercial corridors, and build long-term economic prosperity.

“95% of the businesses in this community employ less than 50 people, and one in two working people is employed by these businesses. is is a sector of our economy that is critically important.” said Ryan Moore, President & CEO of the Golden Isles Development Authority.

“Many of the businesses we support aren’t ready for a bank loan yet, but they still need capital to help them grow to a place where they are sustainable. Elevate Glynn and our partnership with GIDA allows us to pair mentorship and education with the nancial resources our entrepreneurs need. Just as importantly, this initiative helps small businesses become bankable, supporting their economic growth in the long run,” explains Ande Notes, CEO, Lucas Center for Entrepreneurship.

e initiative includes three complementary funding programs designed to meet businesses where they are:

Microloan Program: Loans of $5,000–$25,000 through the Lucas Center for Entrepreneurship for prebankable businesses, paired with mentorship and business education.

Revolving Loan Fund: Financing in partnership with local nancial institutions for expansion projects, including real estate, construction, renovations, and equipment.

Matching Grants: Support for placemaking, innovation, workforce education, and aviation-related investments.

“Elevate Glynn is more than a funding program—it’s a long-term investment in Glynn County’s entrepreneurs and the local businesses that drive our economy. By combining capital, education, and strategic partnerships, we’re creating opportunities for businesses to grow, create jobs, and strengthen our community for years to come.”

—RYAN MOORE

Applications for Elevate Glynn are now open.

Entrepreneurs and small business owners can learn more about available funding opportunities, eligibility requirements, and apply by visiting goldenislesdev.com/elevate-glynn-initiative

GENERATIONS

Pat Hodnett Cooper, Come On Down…

Photography by Anna Bryce Nalley

Pat Hodnett Cooper, Owner and Managing Broker of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

Hodnett Cooper Real Estate, shines a light on faith, family and how her parents—couple extraordinaire, Roy and Anne Hodnett—turned right o I-17 in 1968 to discover a slice of paradise on St. Simons Island. She recently sat down with longtime friend and EIL Publisher David Butler, a self-professed game show host wannabe, for an othe-cu interview sharing memories and lots of laughs.

Welcome to the David and Pat Show—a quiz show where there are no wrong answers!

DAVID: What’s a place on the island where everybody knows your order?

PAT: Honestly, they know my order at most places in the Village, because we’re there for lunch constantly— ree Little Birds and a couple of other favorites. Delaney’s too!

DAVID: What’s the most unexpected hobby you’ve picked up recently?

PAT: I really don’t have much time for hobbies, but I enjoy going to local shows and plays with one of my besties, Gail Butler. We like to travel too, when I can get away. I’ve also

gotten into vintage shopping, so whenever I’m traveling, I look for the vintage stores. And if you’d asked me about “not recently,” I’d have said my motorcycle days. I rode my own Harley through the Badlands! Twice!!

DAVID: at’s a bucket-list ride for anybody who rides.

I love asking people how they found this place, and so often the answer is, “We were on our way somewhere else.” at’s exactly how my own parents found it. In 1968, they were driving down Highway 17 — back when it took two hours just to reach Jacksonville — looking for somewhere warmer for my mother’s health. Nothing had felt right. On the way back, my dad said, let’s ride over to this island he’d heard about. He told the story his

whole life the same way: he looked at my mother and said, “ is is paradise. Look at this. is is a little piece of heaven.”

—Pat Hodnett Cooper

DAVID: What is the most local thing you did this past week?

PAT: Honestly, just walking. I live o the East Beach causeway, so I walk East Beach constantly — usually down past the Coast Guard station to the water. It depends on where [my dog] Harley wants to go.

DAVID: What is the local hidden gem you almost hesitate to tell me about, because you don’t want it to get too crowded?

PAT: I like to go all the way to the end of East Beach, out to the lookout at Gould’s Inlet. Either very early in the morning, or sometimes I’ll drive down around nine at night. It’s quiet— hardly ever anyone there.

DAVID: Excellent answer.

PAT: I nailed one!

DAVID: What is the o cial theme song or soundtrack to your life right now?

PAT: Oh gosh — that’s a strange one. I’ll have to think on it. Now, if you’d asked what I want played at my funeral, I could tell you right now, because I’ve already told my kids: I want them to hire Garth Brooks to sing “ e Dance.” I love that song. As for right now, I’m a big country music fan, so there’s probably a song out there I just haven’t landed on yet.

DAVID: I keep coming back to how much of a dynasty this is. Your mom and dad pulled over on Highway 17 in 1968 and look at the ripple e ect since then. Have you ever thought about how many lives, how many families, have been touched by that one decision.

PAT: It really is crazy how generational the real estate business is. So many of the Berkshire Hathaway companies we work alongside started the exact same way—a family built something independent, then joined the network but stayed family-run underneath it.

DAVID: I know you were a teacher, early on, so did you resist real estate, thinking ‘that’s not for me?’

in Virginia when I was growing up, then a cookie broker, on the road constantly selling cases of cookies to grocery stores out of his sample case. Nobody said no to my dad. When he nally retired, he gured he’d play some golf, some poker, sail the boat, enjoy the beach. About a month in, my mother told him, “I married you for better or worse, not for lunch. Get o the couch.” She’d spent years raising us while he traveled, and suddenly he was underfoot.

DAVID: So that’s when Roy got started in real estate?

PAT: at very next weekend, my parents were down on the beach and noticed a man power-walking that they had noticed before. Dad struck up a conversation with ‘you must be an island person.’ Turned out to be Hans [Trupp]. Hans said he was originally from Queens, NY, but had been here a good while, ran a big insurance company with a partner. Dad said, ‘I think I’ve heard your name. Don’t you sell a little real estate, too?’ Hans replied that he sold a little, not much, mostly insurance. And Dad said, ‘Why don’t we change that?’ at’s really how Hodnett Cooper got its start.

DAVID: And now there’s an award named after your dad?

else in the o ce the following month. It’s still fun to watch. Agents who never even met him get so excited to receive it.

DAVID: He’s been gone, what, seven years now?

PAT: Seven years this past April. My mother’s been gone a while now too. It moves fast.

DAVID: You know your mother, Anne, is the reason I ever rst set foot on a stage, right?

Tell them that story, Pat.

PAT: Go ahead, tell it.

DAVID: Lynda Dalton Gallagher called me in a panic. e lead in a play she was directing had dropped out eight days before opening. It was Neil Simon’s Come Blow Your Horn. I told her there was no way I could learn that many lines in eight days, wished her luck, and hung up. Two minutes later the phone rang again. It was your mother—she was the producer of the show. She said, ‘You can do this. I have no doubt in my mind. You are the only one who could.’ You didn’t say no to your mother. So I did it.

here that you think every newcomer needs to hear?

PAT: Don’t take it for granted. Gail and I were driving back from Brunswick the other evening at dusk, and there was a rainbow over the marsh—it was beautiful. It happened again the very next night. I think that’s why it helps to leave every so often, even for a couple of weeks, because when you come back and cross the Frederica River onto the island, you think, ‘My God, look at this place!’

PAT: No, because for Dad, real estate was really his second— third, if you count everything— career. He’d been a distributor

PAT: We give out a Roy Hodnett “Positive Person” award at our sales meetings every month, across all three o ces. Whoever wins it hands it to someone

PAT: at was her exactly. e show must go on, whatever it takes! She was the real star of the family. She was our Katharine Hepburn: gorgeous, could sing, could dance, absolutely lit up when she was performing.

DAVID: What’s a piece of advice about living

I’ve

always said somebody should study locals’ blood pressure the moment they cross back over. I’d bet money it drops. It might be scientific, but I’m pretty sure it’s a God thing.

RETRO

AN UNLIKELY EDUCATOR

Glynn County Public Schools will be starting the 2026-27 school year on August 6. On that very same date in 1848, a girl named Susie Baker was born in Liberty County to enslaved parents. While the day and circumstances of her birth were not particularly remarkable, what Susie did with life certainly was. One of the most prominent African American women in Georgia history, Susie Baker King Taylor became the rst Black educator to openly teach in a school in the state.

When Susie was a young girl, her owner allowed her to go live with her grandmother in Savannah. While there, she attended two secret schools taught by Black women and gained basic literacy skills. It’s important to note that in the state of Georgia at the time, there were harsh laws against the formal education of African Americans. Two white youths helped her to continue and expand her education, knowingly violating law and custom.

ese educational advantages bene ted Susie greatly when she and many other African Americans ed to St. Simons Island in April 1862. e island was occupied by Union forces at the time, and army o cers quickly learned of her literacy skills. ey o ered to obtain

BY KATHI WILLIAMS

books for her to set up a school for contrabands. She taught approximately forty children during the day and “a number of adults who came to me nights, all of them so eager to learn to read, to read above anything else.” us, Baker became the rst Black teacher for freed African American students to work in a freely operating freedmen’s school in Georgia. She taught there until the island was evacuated in October 1862.

While at the school on St. Simons Island, Baker married Edward King, a Black noncommissioned o cer in the Union forces. After the island was evacuated, she moved with his regiment for three years, serving as nurse and laundress, and continuing to teach Black soldiers to read and write during their o -duty hours. She and Edward returned to Savannah in 1866, and she established a school for the freed children. e following year, after Edward’s death, she returned to Liberty County and established another school. In 1868, she relocated to Savannah, where she continued teaching freedmen for another year, supporting herself solely through small tuition charges, despite the existence of northern freedmen’s aid organizations.

In the 1870s, Susie ended up in Boston, where she met and

married Russell Taylor. She remained there for the remainder of her life, only making occasional trips to the South. Susie’s memoir, Reminiscences of My Life in Camp with the 33rd United States Colored Troops, Late 1st S.C. Volunteers, was privately published in 1902, ten years before her death.

e life of this passionate educator is honored by a historical marker erected by the Georgia Historical Society near the Midway First Presbyterian Church in Midway, Georgia.

Midway is also the location of the e Susie King Taylor Women’s Institute and Ecology Center (susiekingtaylorinstitute.org) For her heroism, bravery, courage, and trailblazing leadership during and after the American Civil War, Susie King Taylor is celebrated nationally in the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. and on the Women’s History Trail in Boston, Massachusetts. Savannah’s Taylor Square, named in her honor, was formally dedicated on February 11, 2024.

Dream

Frederica, St. Simons Island, Georgia

Pierce & Parker Senior Designer Lori Harden credits her grandmother and mother for instilling her love for interiors.

“My grandmother and mother had such a sense of design. I can remember going to the furniture store at Rich’s in Atlanta with them when I was a young girl and just being fascinated,” Lori shares.

Originally drawn to fashion merchandising, Lori wanted to go to New York, become a buyer, and design clothes after college. Lori’s mom, however, noticed a gift in her daughter.

“My mom essentially said I don’t know if fashion’s what you should do,” Lori explains,

“I was very thankful for that wisdom from my mom because she saw something in me that I really didn’t see—and I’m so glad she did because I have loved every minute of it.”

Lori met Jack and Fran Pierce, founders of Pierce & Parker, through Macon Interior Designer Bonnie Dowling,

where Lori interned when she returned home during college breaks. Dowling called her friend Jack Pierce on Lori’s behalf when Lori graduated from UGA with a degree from the College of Home Economics, now called the College of Family and Consumer Sciences.

“Jack said to come on down,” shares Lori, “so I started my job at Pierce & Parker on St. Simons Island, July 5, 1985.” Lori has worked for Pierce & Parker on and o since she was 21 years old, with breaks to focus on her family and raise her children.

Coastal Comfort

Custom Design Project with Interior Design by Lori Harden, Senior Designer, Pierce & Parker Interiors.

Photography by SPM Photography: Sean and Jacqueline Murphy

e Du y Residence, Frederica

A second home for the Du ys, who live in Iowa, the Frederica residence needed to be comfortable and inviting, with durable fabrics since they have children and grandchildren—and Mrs. Du y loves color!

Color in the Gathering Spaces

Working in collaboration, Lori chose brighter colors for the common areas where the family gathers and softer tones for the personal spaces, including an o ce for him.

For the couple’s bedroom, they went with a coastal feel.

Soft Coastal Tones in the Personal Spaces

Light- lled Vistas

“ is project is just so pretty. It feels comfortable but elegant—and I just love the natural light from the windows, especially in the dining area. e overall setting of the house with pool, screened porch, and garden is truly lovely.”

—Lori Harden

ey needed very few lamps - just one in the living room - with natural light from three big window walls in the dining room and views of the garden and pool beyond.

A screened porch with replace adds to the indoor-outdoor living feel.

Pierce & Parker

Now & Forever

Matt and Miller Dart, owners of Pierce & Parker, abide by a set of golden rules when they go to market: only buy what’s beautiful and something they would have in their own home. Before a piece even enters the Pierce & Parker doors on Frederica Road, the Darts have done the work to ensure a high standard of aesthetics, craftsmanship, and quality. “We don’t just order

from catalogs,” says Miller Dart. “We sit in every chair and on every sofa that we buy.”

Miller Dart’s parents, Jack and Fran Pierce, along with friend Barrie Parker, opened the original Pierce & Parker in Macon in 1976. ey moved the business down to St. Simons in 1980, purchasing the current location from Harvey

& Harriet’s Furniture. Starting with a much smaller footprint, they doubled the size of the storefront in the 1990s. Pierce & Parker quickly established a reputation for providing beautiful furniture with impeccable customer service.

Upon Jack and Fran’s retirement in 2016, Miller and Matt Dart took over the legacy

business, creating a design center in 2017 and expanding the footprint in 2020 with an extensive renovation.

Matt acknowledges the foundation the Pierces established through decades of hard work. “Jack and Fran built something that was very well respected on St. Simons,” he shares, “and

made a lot of investments over the years.” He adds, “I’m impressed by what my in-laws built—it’s very di cult to start something from nothing.”

Pierce & Parker’s current 17,000 square foot space is welcoming and inviting, every room lled with soothing palettes and statement-making pieces to inspire. Guests and clients roam from bedrooms to dining rooms to outdoor spaces, curated with thoughtful touches of loveliness. e Darts make it a point to source new collections. “We try to keep it fresh,” says Miller. “You could come in every week, and it would look totally di erent.”

“People come in all the time and say, ‘I’ve never seen a store quite like this—where you pay so much attention to detail.’ at’s the legacy of Fran [Pierce] because she cared so much about how every room looked.”

— Matt Dart, Owner, Pierce & Parker

Whether it’s a gift or in-store purchase to enhance a room or small space, or a complete design project, involving architects, builders, and independent designers, Pierce & Parker treats everyone with warmth, kindness, and genuine interest to make the experience meaningful.

“We’ll meet with architects and builders. We’ll help pick out tiles and finishes. We don’t just help with the items we sell—we help with everything. ere’s also an advantage to having such a large space. You get to sit in the furniture and see the actual piece that you are ordering.”

— Miller Dart, Owner, Pierce & Parker

And everyone who works at Pierce & Parker travels to market at some point, from new hires to senior designers Lori Harden and Brenda Regan. e team meets with reps to gain insight into the latest design direction to stay informed and provide

guidance to clients. But much more than a team-building experience, the Darts want their tight-knit work “family” to understand, cherish, and value the company’s legacy and pillars of success: hard work, dedication, put the client’s needs rst, and always choose timeless over trends.

Matt and Miller Dart have a clear vision for the company’s future: continue design leadership on St. Simons and Sea Island, while introducing Pierce and Parker as a true design destination to a broader market, including custom pieces.

“We’re starting to do custom pieces and in discussion for some furniture design, both indoor and outdoor,” shares Matt. “We also have some original art we’ve commissioned— we’re really trying to become more comprehensive.”

Miller adds, “We’ve introduced so many categories that my parents didn’t have such as overhead lighting and Oushak rugs, even down to smaller items such as throws and co ee table books. We want to be known as a trusted source for all aspects of a client’s needs.”

With signature Pierce & Parker work in homes across the Golden Isles and beyond, Matt and Miller Dart, along with an extraordinary in-house design team, have set the next fty years in motion.

Fromchef-inspiredentréesand signaturecocktails,there'snever beenabettertimetodineat TheOaksClub&CedarBar.

From chef-inspired entrées and sharea ble appetizers to signature cockta ils, there's never been a better time to dine at The Oa ks Club & Cedar Bar.

Brea kfast: 7-10AM

Lunch: 1 1AM-2PM

Dinner Cedar Bar: 5-9PM

Happy Hour: 4-6PM Da ily

Sunday Brunch: 1 1AM-2 M

Summer SERENADE

As Summer Fades, GLAMOUR ARRIVES at Gould’s Inlet with a RETRO TAKE.

Finley Rocky Silky Poplin Shirt; Gabor Raffia Loafer; Bayeas Jeans; Silk Scarf. Planters Exchange, 26 Market Street, Suite 110, St. Simons Island, 912.638.9888. PlantersExchange.com. @planters_exchange.

14K yellow gold Bujukan black onyx huggie drop earrings; 10 ATM watch with stainless steel case, stainless steel bracelet, Diver security lock buckle, sapphire crystal, case diameter: 41 mm. Joseph Jewelers, 600 Sea Island Road #16, St. Simons Island, 912.634.9060, josephjewelers.com. @josephjewelersssi.

1954 Ford

of

The

Head to EAST BEACH in a 1954 Ford Mainline and get a little wh y with a hula rl on the dash.

Grab a guitar to SERENADE a sweet summer at the beach. Get ready to rock-n-roll before fall with some old-sch l yle.

Certain things are TIMELESS on the island. In our hearts, St. Simons is a beach town—and this is the spot where the soul meets the sand.

Here’s the breakdown: The Place

The Look

The Guitar

The Car

The PLACE

Gould’s INLET

Beloved by islanders, birders, shermen, kayakers, dog-walkers, and beachcombers from near and far, Gould’s Inlet is more than just a pretty face. is tidal inlet is an ecological wonder, connecting Postell Creek with the Atlantic.

Experience Gould’s at sunrise. Watch boarders of every age head out for morning meditation, surfer style. Marvel at shorebirds—swooping pelicans, black skimmers, royal terns. Giggle at the antics of laughing gulls, willets, and American oystercatchers. Admire the great undulations of spring and fall migrations. Catch a pod of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins frolicking in the rich waters on a feed of mullet and other bait sh. Go to the inlet to nd a certain sort of peace.

The LOOK

The GUITAR

A 2023 Recording King Dirty 30s Resonator—the sound that built American blues and bluegrass—vintage soul, modern craftsmanship, and one of today’s best values in resonator guitars.

Some things ju belong at Gould’s.

A natural beauty of the Hollywood type, islander Alexandra Wykes plays the perfect Natalie Wood in our summer serenade. She trades ip ops for ra a loafers and puts away the bikini for jeans and a silky poplin shirt with a tie-front waist.

Style HIGHLIGHTS

Eye-catching accessories. Go bold with a men’s watch and yellow gold and black onyx drop earrings. Turn some heads in vintage Versace shades and a bright scarf with a 1950s knot at the nape. For fun (or an iconic photo shoot) add black leather gloves to turn up the hot rod heat.

The Final TOUCH

Baby pink nails and coral-kissed lips to feel both sun-warmed, tropical, and totally August before the browns and reds of fall.

The CAR

No frills and built for smooth cruising, the 1954 Mainline was Ford’s car for families and everyday Americans—the kind of people who might take a drive down to Gould’s in the ‘50s.

An avid car collector since high school, John Bennett bought his rst car, a 1967 Mustang, when he was 16. Bennett found the 1954 Mainline in Cocoa Beach, Florida, and fell in love with its lines and detailing. e car has drum brakes and a brass knuckle shifter, a nod to the era’s “kustom kulture” scene. e Mexican blankets on the seats were in the car when Bennett bought it. We consider this a bonus.

Grab a Seat at: Bubba Garcia’s

Welcome to La Familia!

Bio

“Work relentlessly. Lead humbly. Serve exceptionally.” at is the mantra of this Glynn Academy grad who started work as a server/ food runner 13 years ago. After a year of college, Alex decided it wasn’t the right t for him and he wanted to work. at dedication and drive have never let up, and Alex’s work ethic earned him the General Manager spot in 2018. He’s proud of his role in helping to grow Bubba’s, both as a restaurant and a brand, and creating memorable experiences for guests.

Teamwork and the spirit of family are at the heart of everything Alex does. From growing up playing soccer his whole life to then coaching soccer for 10 years while working his way up the Bubba’s ladder, to now running both Bubba’s locations - building and keeping a team together has always been a part of Alex’s life. Being a leader for so long helped make the transition into restaurant management seamless.

His Mission

Alex emphasizes that fostering positive relationships within the community and among the sta is just as important as making sure guests are happy. is culture of connection can be seen in the enthusiasm and longevity of the sta —like head chef Miguel, who has deep roots in the Bubba’s kitchen, and serves up old favorites and new specialties with consistency—and the guests who keep coming back time after time.

“My mission is to lead by example and to build teams who are passionate about creating a welcoming and memorable experience for our guests.”

His Passion

“One of my biggest passions is catering. From weddings and corporate events to private parties and large community gatherings, I enjoy working with clients to bring their vision to life and making sure that every event is executed awlessly.” No matter what the occasion, and whether the party is big or small, Bubba’s can bring the party to you with taco and fajita bars—and their signature margaritas too!

Alex adds, “Seeing people celebrate life’s biggest moments while enjoying our food is one of the most rewarding parts of my job.”

The Vibe

Whether you’re visiting Bubba Garcia’s agship cantina on St. Simons or the new location in Historic Downtown Brunswick, the vibe is fun, laid back, and energetic. Alex says,

“At the end of the day, restaurants are about the people, and we have created a place where both guests and staff feel welcome and leave happier than when they came.”

From a girls’ Sunday brunch with live music and margaritas or a Taco Tuesday dinner with the kids to late night beer and billiards with buddies at Bubba’s Up or special events like the recent World Cup watch parties, Bubba’s is a gathering place with open arms for everyone.

Noteworthy! The tequila selection at Bubba’s in Brunswick is the largest in Glynn County!

The Food & Drink

Bubba’s food is bold, fresh, and full of avor.

“We take classic Mexican favorites and make them our own with quality ingredients, generous portions, and dishes that are both comforting and exciting,” explains Alex.

Aside from the margaritas, a few of the most popular items on the menu are the Cali club and carne asada tacos, and the build-your-own burrito or bowl. Want to try something new? e smashburger taco and “beeria” (Modelo beer, to be speci c) tacos are both big hits, and among Alex’s personal favorites. And don’t forget about weekend brunch complete with endless Bloody Mary and mimosa bar! While the breakfast burrito and hangover bowl are crowd-pleasers, there’s Southern classic chicken and wa es too.

Come hungry, leave happy!

MADE in VERMONT

By Anna Cheshire Levitan

OFF ISLAND

IT’S NO WONDER THAT THE FAMOUS VON TRAPPS CHOSE VERMONT TO CALL HOME IN 1942, AFTER FLEEING THEIR BELOVED

AUSTRIA IN 1938.

Thestate’stoweringpeaksandrollinghillssurelyreminded thefleeingfamilyofthepeacefulmountainlivingthey cherished before the world turned dark.

Today, Vermonters and visitors alike still feel the Green Mountain pull. While lots of states claim to be “the prettiest,” add Vermont to the Top 5. Whether you enjoy outdoor adventure, mesmerizing Sunday drives over covered bridges, craft beer, or some of the best farm-to-table fare throughout all Fifty, you’ve got it made in Vermont summer, fall, and winter, the best seasons to visit.

Vermont borders three states: New York to the west, New Hampshire to the east, and Massachusetts to the south. It also borders the Canadian province of Quebec to the north. As the second-least populous state in the country (only Wyoming is smaller), Vermont’s

entire population equals roughly 643,000. (To put it into Georgia speak, Atlanta city proper— just the city limits—has a population of about 534,000.)

With leaf peeping season around the corner and winter not long on the horizon, now’s the time to book that ight to Burlington (BTV) and touch down in the land of Lake Champlain, with the picturesque towns of Stowe, Waterbury, Waits eld, and Warren just a short ride away. And for one of the best experiences, drop a pin and head to the Mad River Valley. Pretty soon you’ll start humming tunes from a very popular movie you and your grandmother loved…(hint: released in 1965, and winner of Best Picture.)

Getting There

Flying from Savannah or Jacksonville: You have options to get to Vermont, but it involves a choice: do you prefer direct (sorry, zero) or are you okay with changing planes? If you’re go-direct or no-go, then y into Boston Logan, grab a rental and take a leisurely 3.5ish hour drive up I-93 to I-89, crossing the Connecticut River between Lebanon, New Hampshire and Hartford, Vermont. Here’s a beautiful bonus: Vermont does not allow billboards! Imagine

a breathtaking drive without lawyer ads… If you prefer to y into Burlington, you’ll change planes at a major hub: Atlanta, Charlotte, DC, or Philadelphia.

To the Mad River Valley: From Burlington, head south on I-89 and turn o at Exit 10 (Waterbury/Stowe/Route 100). If you love ice cream, and who doesn’t, turn right onto Route 100 North (Waterbury-Stowe Road) for a factory tour and ice cream samples at Ben & Jerry’s. Your family will thank you.

3295 Frederica Road, St. Simons Island

Showroom Hours 10am-5pm M-F

OFF ISLAND

Stay

Fun, casual, and eco, Madbush Falls, an adventure lodge in Waits eld, bills itself as “Vermont’s Ski & Bike Basecamp” and sits close to Sugarbush and Mad River Glen ski areas. Madbush Falls, 7575 Main Street, Waits eld, Vermont 05673, 802.496.7575, madbushfalls.com, @madbushfalls.

e Pitcher Inn, classically Vermont with a front porch in the quaint village of Warren. A Relais & Châteaux luxury inn, known for individually themed guest rooms and suites with names like the Lodge, Calvin Coolidge, Trout, Mallard, and Mountain. Dine on-site at 275 Main Restaurant (farm-to-table) or the more casual, family-favorite Tracks Tavern. e Pitcher Inn, 275 Main Street, Warren, VT 05674, 802.496.6350, pitcherinn.com, @thepitcherinn.

OFF ISLAND

Eat & Drink

American Flatbread, the original flagship location of the iconic brand. Set on a historic 25-acre farm property overlooking the Mad River. Known for wood-fired, farm-to-table flatbreads baked in a clay oven—this is a Mad River Valley institution.

Lareau Farm is also a bed and breakfast and wedding/ event venue with a distinctive agritourism character.

American Flatbread, 46 Lareau Road, Waits eld, VT 05673, 802.496.8856, lareaufarm. com; american atbread.com/ locations/waits eld-vt, @ american atbreadwaits eld.

Casual and lively, e Mad Taco, a beloved, unpretentious

taqueria in the heart of the Mad River Valley, known for scratch-made Mexican fare with a Vermont twist — smoked meats (pork shoulder, pork belly, chicken), house-made hot sauces, and dishes built around local produce with an excellent Vermont craft beer selection. It draws a real crosssection of the valley: skiers, hikers, cyclists, and locals alike. e Mad Taco, 5101 Main

Street, Waits eld, VT 05673, 802.496.3832, themadtaco. com, @themadtaco802.

Lawson’s Finest Liquids, an acclaimed Vermont craft brewery founded by naturalist and homebrewer Sean Lawson, known for maple-forward beers and hop-intensive IPAs including Sip of Sunshine and Double Sunshine. Lawson’s Finest Liquids, 155 Carroll Road, Waits eld, VT 05673, 802.496.4677, lawsons nest. com, @lawsons nest.

ree Mountain Cafe, a cozy neighborhood co ee shop where the locals gather to gab. Great for breakfast sandwiches, co ee culture, and community of all ages. ree Mountain Cafe, 107 Mad River Green, Waits eld, VT 05673, 802.496.5470, joe.co ee, @threemountaincafe.

Twisted Halo, a quirky café known for co ee, doughnuts, and baked goods. Twisted Halo,

40 Bridge Street, Waits eld, VT 05673, 802.234.1142, twistedhalowaits eld.square. site, @twistedhalowaits eld.

Shop

Very Vermonty: Addison West, a home goods retailer and interior design studio in a charming red storefront, known for apothecary nds, furniture, games, puzzles, books, and that perfect gift needed for any occasion. Addison West, 5275 Main Street, Waits eld, VT 05673, 802.528.7951, theaddisonwest. com, @theaddisonwest.

e Warren Store, a classic “Almost World Famous” Vermont country store, known for its grill and bakery, provisions stocked with local beer, cider, and wine, plus a deck overlooking Freeman Brook. Wander upstairs to the boutique. e Warren Store, 284 Main Street, Warren, VT 05674, 802.496.3864, warrenstore.com, @warrenstore.

St. Simons Island Real Estate Market Update

AUGUST 2026

St. Simons Island's residential market continues to normalize rather than decline through the first half of 2026, according to closed-sale data through July 8 from the Golden Isles MLS.

Single-family homes recorded 201 closed sales from January 1 through July 8, 2026 — essentially matching last year's 200 sales over the same window. The median sold price eased to $900,000 from $1,000,000, an apparent 10% decline. But median price per square foot actually rose to $382 from $371, up 3%. That divergence points to a shift in what's selling, not a drop in value: more transactions this year are landing in the entry-level and mid-market tiers, pulling the median down even as per-square-foot pricing firms up. Homes are moving at a similar pace (70 days on market versus 68 a year ago), and sellers are netting a slightly stronger 97.2% of list price, up from 96.5%.

Condo and townhome sales cooled more noticeably. Closed transactions fell to 101 from 119, a 15% drop, and the median sold price declined to $436,000 from $522,000. Per-square-foot values held up better, rising to $349 from $333 (+4.8%), again suggesting the drop in median price reflects a shift toward smaller or lower-priced units rather than true depreciation. Days on market stretched slightly (78 versus 74) and sale-to-list ratios eased to 97.4% from 98.1%.

Taken together, the data continues to support a market that is normalizing rather than declining. Single-family values are effectively flat on a per-square-foot basis, while the condo/townhome segment is where the real softening is concentrated — both in transaction volume and in price.

Carew Rowell

REAL ESTATE TIP OF THE MONTH

Reading Past the Median

A falling median sold price can look alarming in isolation — but it doesn't always mean values are declining. Median price is sensitive to “mix”: if more starter homes or smaller condos sell in a given period, the median drops even if every individual property is holding its value. That's why we track price per square foot alongside the median in every report. When per-square-foot pricing holds steady or rises while the median falls, it's usually a signal that buyer activity has shiftedtoward a different segment of the market — not that sellers are accepting lessfor comparable homes. If you're evaluating a listing price or an offer, ask your agent to show you both figures side by side, and to break them out by property type. A single blended number for “St. Simons Island real estate” can obscure two very different stories as this month's data shows.

SUCCULENTS IN THE SOUTH

BY MISTY JOHNS, COASTAL GREENERY INC.

South Georgia summers bring intense heat, thick humidity, and sudden afternoon thunderstorms. is combination can be tricky for succulents but very manageable with the right container setup. Growing succulents in pots rather than in the ground gives you far more control over drainage and moisture—the key to keeping them healthy through the hottest months.

Pots & Soil

Containers are the best choice in our climate, since the region’s soil holds moisture too long, inviting root rot once summer rains arrive. Choose a pot with drainage holes, ideally unglazed terra cotta, which lets excess moisture evaporate through its porous walls. Size the pot just slightly larger than the plant’s root ball, since oversized containers hold onto water

the roots aren’t using. Use a cactus or succulent soil mix, or blend regular potting soil with coarse sand or perlite at roughly a 1:1 ratio, so water moves through quickly.

Watering

e biggest mistake gardeners make in summer heat is watering too often. Succulents store water in their leaves and need the soil to dry out completely between waterings. Check with a nger an inch or two down rather than watering on a xed schedule. In South Georgia summers, that might mean watering only once every one to two weeks. When you do water, soak the soil thoroughly. After heavy storms, tip pots to drain any standing water.

Sun

Morning sun paired with afternoon shade is preferable to full, all-day exposure, since South Georgia’s summer light is intense enough to scorch soft-leaved varieties like echeveria. A covered porch, east-facing patio, or spot beneath a lightly ltered tree canopy can provide the right balance. Hardier types such as agave, sedum, and sansevieria tolerate more direct sun. Bleached or brown patches on leaves are a

sign of sun stress, and the pot should be moved somewhere with more afternoon shade.

Best Varieties for South Georgia Climate

SEDUM - hardy, lowmaintenance, and tolerant of heat and occasional overwatering; good for mixed bowls or shallow planters

AGAVE - well-suited to full sun; compact varieties work best in containers, especially on patios or entryways

SANSEVIERIA - dependable in hot, humid conditions; useful for shaded porches or covered outdoor spaces

ALOE VERA - heat-loving and easy to care for; a good choice for sunny containers near the kitchen or patio

ECHEVERIA - beautiful but best with afternoon shade and

careful watering; ideal for small decorative pots where moisture can be closely managed

Quick Tips

Elevate pots slightly (use pot feet, bricks or a plant stand) so drainage holes never sit in standing water

Space plants out for good air ow (avoid packing several rosettes tightly together) to help prevent fungal issues in humid conditions

Fertilize lightly (about once a month, using diluted cactus fertilizer) since heavy feeding in peak heat can cause weak growth

With good drainage, disciplined watering, and a bit of afternoon shade, succulents can be one of the easiest and most rewarding plants to grow in containers through a South Georgia summer.

PROFESSIONAL LANDSCAPING SERVICES TAILORED TO YOUR LONG-TERM PROPERTY NEEDS. 1242 Old Jesup Road, Brunswick, Georgia 31520 912.261.8171 | coastalgreenery.com E Q

YOUR HEALTH, YOUR FUTURE:

COMMUNITY WELLNESS FAIR PROVIDES FREE SCREENINGS AND HEALTH EDUCATION

Whether you’re looking to learn more about your heart health, schedule a cancer screening or simply discover new ways to live well, the upcoming Community Wellness Fair in Brunswick o ers an easy way to take the next step toward better health. Hosted by Southeast Georgia Health System, the free event is designed to educate, empower and connect the community with health resources that support healthier living. Attendees will have access to free screenings, wellness information and medical professionals—all in one convenient location.

Health Experts and Community Resources

roughout the event, physicians, specialists and representatives from local health organizations will be available to answer questions and share information about services for both children and adults. From prevention and early detection to treatment and support services, the fair is designed to help families make informed health care decisions and connect with resources available across the community.

Free

Health Screenings –No Appointment Needed

Visitors can take advantage of numerous free screenings without an appointment, including blood pressure, skin cancer checks, and body fat analysis. One of the most popular screenings is expected to be the InBody body composition analysis. In less than one minute, this fast, noninvasive and accurate test goes beyond the scale to show how much muscle, fat and water make up your body—o ering a more complete picture of overall health and potentially changing the way you see your weight.

Free and Low-Cost Screenings – Appointment Requirements Vary

e Wellness Fair will also feature several specialized screenings and consultations designed to help attendees better understand and manage their health.

Heart Health Screening

A free Heart Health

Screening, which includes an electrocardiogram (EKG) and lipid pro le, will be available

for participants interested in learning more about their cardiovascular health. Participants receiving a lipid pro le are encouraged to fast for 12 hours beforehand. Results will be mailed to participants. While appointments are encouraged, walk-ins may be accepted as availability allows.

Medication Reviews

Licensed pharmacists will provide free one-on-one medication reviews. Community members are encouraged to bring all prescription medications, over-thecounter medicines, vitamins, and supplements in their original containers to discuss possible side e ects, dosage concerns, or interactions. No appointment is required.

Prostate Screenings

Men age 40 and older—or those with additional risk factors—can receive a free prostate-speci c antigen (PSA) blood test. is screening measures PSA levels, which may detect potential prostate concerns. A physician will review the results to determine whether additional testing

The Community Wellness Fair will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, August 22, at Brunswick High School, located at 3885 Altama Avenue in Brunswick. To schedule a heart health, prostate or mammogram screening appointment in advance, call 855-ASK-SGHS (855-275-7447).

Organizers hope the event encourages residents of all ages to prioritize preventive care, ask questions and discover local resources that support lifelong wellness.

may be needed; participants will receive their results by mail. While appointments are required, walk-ins may be accepted as availability allows.

Breast Cancer Screenings

Mammogram screenings will be available through the Health System’s Wellness on Wheels (WOW) vehicle. Most insurance plans are accepted, and nancial assistance is available for qualifying patients. Walk-ins are welcome, though appointments are encouraged. Screening results will be mailed to participants.

Teddy Bear Clinic

Children can bring one of their stu ed dolls or animals to receive a check-up and some tender loving care for injuries, such as missing buttons or tattered arms and legs. Health System team members will demonstrate a variety of medical treatments a child may encounter at the doctor’s o ce or hospital, such as vital sign checks.

Build Before the Storm

BY TRACEY GRACE, FOUNDER & CEO OF IBEX IT BUSINESS EXPERTS

When you live on the Georgia coast, you learn an important lesson. You don’t prepare for a storm after it’s on the radar. You prepare long before the clouds gather. Over the years, I’ve discovered that the same is true for organizations.

Whether a federal agency, a Fortune 500 company, a nonpro t, or a small business, the organizations that navigate change most successfully aren’t necessarily the largest or the best funded. ey’re the ones who prepared before they had to.

A storm doesn’t always arrive with wind and rain. Sometimes it arrives as the unexpected retirement of a longtime executive director. A cyberattack. e loss of a major donor or customer. A board transition. A technology failure. Or simply the departure of the one person who “knows how everything works.” ose moments reveal something every leader eventually learns: Resilience isn’t built during a crisis. It’s built long before one ever arrives.

After recently moving to the Golden Isles, one of the things that has impressed me most is the incredible number of organizations that make this community stronger. Our churches, nonpro ts, schools, healthcare organizations, family businesses, and civic groups are powered by passionate people who care deeply about their missions. Ironically, that’s also where many organizations become vulnerable.

When people care deeply, they naturally step in and solve problems. Over time, knowledge begins to collect in one person’s head. Passwords are remembered instead of documented. Vendor relationships exist in someone’s personal email. Processes become “the way we’ve always done it.” Everything works— until one day it doesn’t.

e good news is that building resilience doesn’t require a massive budget or complicated technology. It starts with three simple habits:

TO CONSIDER

1. Document what matters. If your organization depends on information that only one person knows, you’ve created unnecessary risk.

2. Share responsibility. Every critical system, relationship, and decision should have more than one person who understands it. Strong organizations build teams, not dependencies.

3. Schedule time to review before you’re required to react. Once a year, ask a few simple questions: What has changed? Where are we vulnerable? What would happen if a key leader couldn’t be here tomorrow? ose conversations often uncover opportunities long before they become problems.

Over the coming months, I’ll be sharing practical lessons I’ve learned from more than two decades of helping organizations navigate change, improve operations, and prepare for what’s next. Some lessons come from global boardrooms. Others come from local nonpro ts. While organizations may di er in size and mission, many of their leadership challenges are remarkably similar.

As we continue this conversation together, I’ll leave you with one question: If tomorrow brought an unexpected storm, would your organization be ready—not just to survive, but to move forward with confidence?

Et Tu, Brut…Eh?

BY BRIAN HENDERSON, CSW, FWS, SWS ADVANCED SOMMELIER

In the world of sparkling wine, dosage is one of those quietly influential details that shape the final hurrah far more than most drinkers realize.

Dosage refers to the small addition of sweetened wine (called the liqueur d’expédition) just before the nal corking of Champagne or other traditional method sparklers. is nishing touch with an outsized impact calibrates sweetness, balances acidity, and rounds out texture. Regarding Brut, the most popular style on shelves today, dosage becomes the key to understanding why these wines taste the way they do.

At its core, dosage is a stylistic decision. Sparkling wines emerge from their second fermentation in bottles extremely dry because the yeast has consumed nearly all the available sugar. Without dosage, many would taste aggressively sharp. A carefully measured addition of sugar softens the edges, enhances fruit expression, and helps the wine feel complete. But the amount added varies widely, and that’s where the o cial categories come in.

Brut Nature/Zero Dosage (0–3

g/L)

is is the most clear and pure, unadorned expression of sparkling wine. Full of character, zero sugar added (or only a whisper); these wines are razor edged, saline, and linear. ey showcase terroir with almost clinical precision. ey are cuddly but muscular and not always forgiving.

Extra Brut (0–6 g/L)

Still very dry, but with just enough dosage to tame the sharpest acidity. Extra Brut wines keep their tension but o er a touch more plumpness than zero dosage bottlings.

Brut (0–12 g/L)

Brut sits in the dry “sweet spot” of sparkling wine. With up to 12 grams of sugar per liter (though many producers land closer to 6–9 g/L), it delivers balance. Crisp but not harsh, fruity but not sweet, structured without feeling stern. It is a exible style that works with everything from oysters to fried chicken. e word Brut comes from the French for “raw” or “unre ned,” a nod to its naturally dry pro le. Champagne houses adopted the term in the 19th century as tastes shifted toward drier wines, using it to distinguish

these leaner bottlings from the richer styles that previously dominated the market.

Extra Dry (12–17 g/L)

Despite the name, Extra Dry is sweeter than Brut, and not to be confused with Extra Brut. ese wines show more overt fruitiness and a gentle sweetness on the nish. ey are crowdpleasing and versatile, especially with spicy or salty foods.

Sec, Demi Sec, and Doux (17 g/L and up)

ese are the dessert leaning styles, ranging from lightly sweet to fully lush. While less common today, they can be spectacular with pastries, fruit tarts, or blue cheese.

Dosage is not about crowning a winner, but rather shaping personality.

Brut hits a balance that attracts many producers and drinkers, while zero dosage wines o er thrilling precision, and sweeter styles bring generosity and comfort that shine with the right food or occasion. e beauty of dosage is the range it gives sparkling wine, from bone dry and electric to plush and dessertready. Every style has its lane, and each one tells a di erent story in the glass. Pop into JP’s Wine and Spirits for a vast selection of delicious bubblies.

JP’S WINE & SPIRITS

3304 Glynn Avenue (HWY 17 N) 912.264.3695

jpswineandspirits.com

UPCOMING

e Island Players Announce 70th Season

Tickets are now on sale for e Island Players’ 2026-2027 season. ere are new shows, new performance times, and a lineup of titles that include something for everyone. First up is the hilarious Dirty Rotten Scoundrels on September 25-27 and October 2-4. is year’s Christmas show is heartwarming Christmas Memories on December 11-13. Note this show will only be one weekend, so be sure to plan early to ensure a seat. e musical revue Jerry’s Girls will kick o the new year January 8-10 and 15-17. Be a part of the whodunit with Clue on Stage March 5-7 and 12-14. e season will wrap up with the fairytale magic of Cinderella May 7-9 and 1416. Performance times for all shows are Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 3:30 p.m.

To save money and enjoy ultimate exibility, become a season ticket holder. Purchasing season tickets avoids the online processing fees charged for individual tickets. It also locks in your favorite seats now. If you can’t decide on a date, just choose a date toward the end of the run for now. If that date needs to change (or if you can’t make an earlier date that you originally scheduled), you can easily swap your tickets for a di erent performance in the show’s run at no extra charge by calling or emailing e Island Players with your request. If it turns out that you can’t make a show during its entire run, share the magic by passing your ticket along to a friend or donating it back to the theater. Season ticket holders also receive invitations to member-only gatherings and private events.

By purchasing a season ticket, you’re supporting the local arts and directly sustaining this longstanding vibrant community theater located on St. Simons Island.

ere’s another way to elevate your support, too. When purchasing season or individual show tickets, you will have the opportunity to make an additional taxdeductible donation during checkout. Whether you become a Patron through a generous gift or purchase tickets for what promises to be an amazing season of shows, your support will help Island Players keep the lights bright for another 70 years.

Exploring the Past Beyond 1776

When most people picture the end of the American Revolution they envision French Naval vessels sitting o the coast, the white ag waving over Yorktown, and the signatures of new Americans alongside British representatives on the Treaty of Paris. But the Coastal Georgia Historical Society’s 2026 Chautauqua Lecture Series asks, “Could a con ict so philosophical and essential to who we are—as people and as a nation—really end with the surrender of Cornwallis?” Even as we celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary, the root causes of the war with Britain and the ideology that gave rise to the Patriot movement still remain.

is year’s Chautauqua Lecture Series, Beyond 1776: e Aftermath and Enduring Legacies of the American Revolution, will explore indepth, through the eyes of experts in four di erent elds, the Revolution’s lasting power and its ideas’ ongoing role in civics education, world history, women’s rights, and the study of the war itself. Lectures take place at St. Simons Presbyterian Church beginning

at 6:00 p.m. on the ursday evenings indicated below.

SEPTEMBER 3: Dr. Richard Bell, a Professor of History at the University of Maryland, will present e American Revolution and the Fate of the World. From 2021 through 2023, Dr. Bell was an Andrew Carnegie Fellow, and he has held research fellowships at more than two dozen libraries and institutes.

SEPTEMBER 10: Dr. Emma Humphries, who has been the Chief Education O cer of iCivics, the country’s largest civics education organization, since 2016, will lecture on the Legacies of the Revolution through Civics Education Dr. Humphries began her career as a classroom teacher, focusing on American government, before receiving her Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Florida.

SEPTEMBER 17: Dr. Charlene Boyer Lewis presents Remember the Ladies: e Impact of the Revolution on Women. Dr. Boyer Lewis is the Director of American Studies and of Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies at Kalamazoo College.

She specializes in women’s history, southern history, and American cultural and social history in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

SEPTEMBER 24: Dr. Andrew Davenport will wrap up the lecture series with Echoes of the Revolutionary Era Dr. Davenport is the Vice President for Research and Saunders Director of the Robert H. Smith International Center

for Je erson Studies at the omas Je erson Foundation.

A Series Pass (admission to all 4 lectures) is $50 for Coastal Georgia Historical Society members and $95 for non-members. Individual Lecture Tickets (admission to a single lecture) are $30 for both members and nonmembers. Purchase online at coastalgeorgiahistory.org.

Unleash the Gnomes

Jump into the 2026 Brunswick PorchFest season at Tipsy McSway’s! For the rst time in PorchFest history, there’s a kicko event! On Tuesday, August 4, from 6:00-8:00 p.m., enjoy an evening of live music, community, and prePorchFest excitement. e Pine Box Dwellers will be there to provide the tunes. You’ll have the chance to win some great ra e prizes. Most importantly, you’ll be among the rst to hear special 2026 PorchFest

announcements and support one of the Golden Isles’ favorite— and FREE—community events upon its return to Old Town Brunswick on November 8. So come see what mischief the gnomes will be up to this year!

Admission to the Kicko Event is $10 at the door. All 2025 Brunswick PorchFest sponsors receive complimentary admission as a small thank you for their continued support. Whether you’ve been

a part of this magical musical extravaganza for years or you’re looking forward to being a part of the festival for the rst time, the PorchFest crew would love to celebrate the start of another

incredible season with YOU! To keep up with updates for Brunswick PorchFest, including applications for porch hosts, performers, and volunteers, visit porchfestbwk.com

Bright Stars on the Horizon

Literary events shine in August with two award-winning authors visiting the island for Author Talks presented by the St. Simons Literary Guild. On ursday, August 6, Hafeez Lakhani will discuss his debut novel, Abundance, a book People magazine calls “A Best Book of the Month & Most Anticipated Book of the Year.” It’s the story of generations of a Muslim Indian family who grapple with what parts of life we control and what must be accepted in pursuit of the American dream. Born in Hyderabad, India,

and raised in suburban South Florida, Hafeez has received fellowships from PEN America and the Center for Fiction, been recognized twice with a Notable Essay in Best American Essays and nominated twice for a Pushcart Prize. Bookseller for this event is Righton Books. e following week, on August 13, Kevin Powers, supported by GJ Ford Bookshop, talks about his most recent work, Children of the Wild. Author David Baldacci has called this haunting love story set in the Virginia mountains and on the battle elds of World

War I France, “a wonderful, poignant novel that deserves to be on as many shelves and reside in as many hearts as possible.” Powers has been a nalist for the National Book Award for e Yellow Birds, and a recipient of the PEN/Hemingway Award. He was a James A. Michener Fellow in Poetry at the University of Texas at Austin from 2009-2012 and later held a Guggenheim Fellowship in Fiction. Both events take place at 10:30 a.m. at the St. Simons Casino eatre. To reserve your seat, visit litguildssi.org

Closets

& Home Organization Solution

CLOSETS BY DESIGN OF THE FIRST COAST

3728 Philips Hwy, Ste 301 Jacksonville, FL 32207

904.878.9393

FirstCoast.ClosetsByDesign.com

Custom Drapes & Window Coverings

ISLAND DRAPES & UPHOLSTERY

1958 Demere Road

St. Simons Island, GA 31522

912.268.4685

info@islanddrapesandupholstery.com IslandDrapesAndUpholstery.com

Electrical Services

THAW’S ELECTRIC SERVICES

428 Arnold Road

St. Simons Island, GA 31522

912.638.9797

thawselectric@bellsouth.net

Exterior & Interior Painting

D&D DECORATORS

1001 Cedar Street Brunswick, GA 31520

912.491.3173

info@dndcompany.com DnDCompany.com

Flooring Showroom

BRUNSWICK FLOORS, INC.

3550 Darien Highway Brunswick, GA 31525

912.265.0222 BrunswickFloors.com

Gutter Installation & Screen Systems

COASTAL GUTTERS

OUTDOOR LIVING SYSTEMS

33 Spaulding Way

Brunswick, GA 31525

912.602.2474

cmwilliamson46@gmail.com

HOME REGISTRY

Home Inspection

GUARDIAN HOME INSPECTION

P.O. Box 20244

St. Simons Island, GA 31522

912.223.3012

grs@gate.net grsinspections.com

Junk Removal

QUICK DUMPS JUNK REMOVAL

109 Hickory Pine Brunswick, GA 31523

912.289.7678

josh@quickdumpsjunk.com QuickDumpsJunk.com

Landscape Architect

LAND DESIGN ASSOCIATES

120 Travellers Way

St. Simons Island, GA 31522

912.571.1137

jeffhomans@gmail.com

LandscapeArchitectGA.com

Landscape & Hardscape Construction

THE SHORELINE GROUP

404 Business Center Drive

St. Simons Island, GA 31522

912.530.6652

info@theshoreline.group TheShoreline.group

Landscape Lighting Design & Installation

GARDEN STYLE LANDSCAPE

145 Darby Circle

St. Simons Island, GA 31522

912.580.0030

jason@gardenstylelandscape.com

Pest Control

PREVAIL PEST CONTROL

110 Fernwood Drive

Brunswick, GA 31523

912.265.1277

hammond@prevailpestcontrol.net PrevailPestControl.com

Plumbing Showroom

SIMMER & SOAK

8 Market Street

St. Simons Island, GA 31522

912.268.4210

plumbing@simmerandsoak.com SimmerAndSoak.com

Pool Construction, Maintenance & Service

WORTHY POOLS & SPAS, INC.

721 Skylane Road

St. Simons Island, GA 31522

912.638.7665

worthypools@gmail.com

WorthyPoolsAndSpas.com

Septic Services & Maintenance

COASTAL GEORGIA SEPTIC

912.476.0063

service@coastalgeorgiaseptic.com

CoastalGeorgiaSeptic.com

Upholstery Showroom

FABRIC AND FRINGE DESIGN STUDIO

74 Boardwalk Plaza

St. Simons Island, GA 31522

912.847.5158

info@fabricandfringessi.com FabricAndFringeSSI.com

Window Treatments

LITTLE’S CUSTOM BLINDS AND SHUTTERS

3325 Glynn Avenue Brunswick, GA 31520

912.264.2442

littlescustomblinds@hotmail.com

LittlesBlindsAndShutters.com

ELEGANTISLANDHOME

COASTAL LIVING STARTS HERE

Luxury new homes. Timeless craftsmanship. Coastal Georgia living designed around you.

New Home Opportunities in Two of Coastal Georgia’s Premier Gated Communities

110 Clubhouse Circle, St Marys, GA | Cumberland Harbour

Discover this beautiful new construction home in the gated waterfront community of Cumberland Harbour. Offering 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths, this Southerninspired design features an open-concept layout, soaring vaulted ceilings, hardwood floors, a spacious screened porch, and a luxurious main-level owner's suite. Ideally positioned with lake views in front, wooded privacy behind, and just steps from resort-style amenities, this home offers the perfect balance of elegance, comfort, and coastal living. 3BR | 2.5BA | 2,384 SF | 2 car garage. $719,900.

105 Lone Pine Ct, Waverly, GA

Sanctuary Cove

Enjoy refined coastal living in this stunning new construction home overlooking the #1 tee box in Sanctuary Cove. Offering over 2,800 heated SF, this thoughtfully designed home features an open-concept layout, timeless finishes, a spacious screened porch, and beautiful views of the golf course framed by mature pines. Located in one of Coastal Georgia's premier gated communities, you'll enjoy exceptional amenities and easy access to Brunswick, St. Simons Island, and Jekyll Island. 4BR | 3.5BA | 2,896 SF | 2 car garage. $699,900.

98 Eagle Crest, Waverly, GA

Sanctuary Cove

Experience the perfect blend of Southern charm and modern comfort in this beautifully crafted new construction home in Sanctuary Cove. This thoughtfully designed residence offers over 2,300 heated SF with spacious single-level living, an open-concept floor plan, and expansive covered porches for year-round outdoor enjoyment. Nestled among mature pines and hardwoods, this home delivers the peaceful coastal lifestyle minutes from Brunswick, St. Simons Island and Jekyll Island. 3BR | 2.5BA | 2,383 SF | 2 car garage. $599,900.

Real Escapes Properties is one of the largest Property Management Companies on St. Simons Island. We’ve been a local, family-owned and operated business since 2004. We currently have over 150 short term vacation rentals and several long-term rentals and all are located right here on St. Simons Island - where our focus has always been!

At Real Escapes Properties, we do so much more than simply putting a few pictures of your investment property online and waiting for the interested parties to call in. Instead, we create an individual profile for each and every property to really emphasize everything that makes your property appealing and special. We meet with our homeowners and discuss their needs and their goals and set pricing based on each unique property.

We look forward to proving our motto that "You already have a friend on the Island" with the wonderful staff at Real Escapes Properties. Call us today to discuss property management options - we look forward to hearing from you soon!

Emil Cottage - 25 Coast Cottage Lane

• 4 bedrooms and 4.5 baths

• Eclectic coastal inspired décor

• Gourmet kitchen with terrazzo counters

• Visual surprises everywhere you look

• 360 degree marsh and ocean views from rooftop deck

• Full privileges at Coast Cottages' fabulous pools, pavilion and boardwalk to St Simons' finest beach

134 Compass Point - St. Simons Island

• 6 bedrooms and 5.5 baths. 4200 SF

• Large Infinity pool bordering on the marsh

• Marsh views from all back decks and rooms

• Large outdoor entertainment area

• Outdoor TV, a Traeger grill, ping pong and corn-hole

• Short stroll to Fiddlers, CrabDaddy and CrabTrap restaurants and beach access

SAINT SIMONS REAL ESTATE AND

1700 Ocean Road | St. Simons 5BR, 4 full & 2 half BA, East Beach Marsh Front $3,925,000. CeCe Gandy. 404-797-4373.

219/221 Olive Way | St. Simons 6BR, 5.5BA. Fully Furnished Gem! $1,950,000. Betsy Polhill. 912-269-1690. Sandra Branch. 912-269-1129.

192 Merion | St. Simons 3BR, 2.5BA. Elegantlyrenovated in The Island Club. $1,175,000. CeCe Gandy. 404-797-4373.

200 Salt Air #148 | St. Simons 3BR, 2.5BA. 3 levels on cul-de-sac. $649,000. Joan Lewis. 912-258-5841.

203 Merion Street | St. Simons 5BR, 6.5BA. Rare Opportunity; private retreat. $2,349,000. Scott Risi. 912-269-1666.

30 Admirals Cove | St. Simons 4BR, 5BA. Close to the Beach and the Village. $1,690,000. Joan Lewis. 912-258-5843.

101 Druid Oaks Lane | St. Simons 4BR, 3BA. Extensively Renovated Home. $1,150,000. Call Any Signature Agent.

162 Toluca Lane | St. Simons 3BR, 2BA. Prime South Island location. $695,000. Joan Lewis. 912-258-5841.

305 Kelsall Ave | St. Simons 4BR, 4BA. Exceptional Coastal Retreat. $2,050,000. Call Any Signature Agent.

258 St. James | St. Simons 4BR, 3 full & 2 half BA's. Gated community. $1,549,000. Scott Risi. 912-269-1666.

185 Rice Mill | St. Simons 3BR, 3BA. Effortless one-level living. $900,000. Call Any Signature Agent.

1066 Patterson Island Rd | Darien 3BR, 2BA. Loads of living space. $649,000. Sandra Branch 912-269-1129.

1303 Plantation Point Dr. | St. Simons 3BR, 2.5BA. Fully Furnished Townhome. $580,000. Alex Corchado. 954-483-5147.

509 Mariners Circle | St. Simons 3BR, 2.5BA. Condo facing the lake. $555,000. Brooke Ackerman. 912-230-1483.

58 Autumns Woods Drive | Brunswick 5BR, 3BA. Stunning contemporary home. $355,000. Chandra Moran. 912-230-1847.

1000 Mallery St. Ext B8 | St. Simons 2BR, 1.5BA. Investor or 1st Time Buyer's dream. $299,000. Rachel Marascalco. 770-316-2349.

Signature PROPERTIES GROUP

134 St. Andrews Glen | Waverly 4BR, 2BA. Traditional, split floor plan. $585,000. Janice Morgan. 912-580-1833.

22 Kiln Circle | St. Simons 2BR, 2.5BA. Beautifully appointed in gated community. $459,000. Betsy 912-269-1690. Sandra 912-269-1129.

286 Long Way South | Brunswick 3BR, 2BA. One story with open floor plan. $320,000. Kelly Brown. 912-399-2059.

324 Crossbridge Dr | Brunswick 3BR, 2BA. Traditional, move-in ready! $299,900. Janice Morgan. 912-580-1833.

1460 Ocean Blvd #101 | St Simons 2BR, 1.5BA. Short Stroll to the Beaches. $559,000. Kelli Osteen. 912-270-8505.

850 Mallery St. E-12 | St. Simons 2BR, 2BA. Desirable South-end of Island $459,000. Rachel Marascalco. 770-316-2349.

156 Mackay Drive | Brunswick 3BR, 2BA. Southern charm meets coastal comfort. $315,000. Kelly Brown. 912-399-2059.

101 Saxon Street | Brunswick 3BR, 2BA. Lovely home on corner lot. $209,900. Chandra Moran. 912-230-1847.

1082

This

JUST

This

163 Point Lane, Kings Point - St. Simons Island View of the lakes and the 5th green of Plantation Golf Course are doubly inspiring in this Kings Point home. From the time you take your first steps inside, the beauty and quality are immediately apparent. The multitude of social gathering places accommodates families of all sizes. The main house has two great rooms, two bonus/recreation rooms, two offices, a family room with a fireplace, a separate dining room, an open kitchen, and handsome wainscotting walls. The detached pool/guest house has its own living room, bedroom suite, plus pool bath. The high-beamed and vaulted ceilings and heart pine floors are bathed in natural light from generous oversized windows. Five bedrooms, all ensuite, three fireplaces, multiple covered porches, and a custom pool provide the perfect combination of elegance, comfort, and livability. $4,750,000

Ocean Cottage 1000, Ocean Forest

- Sea Island Located on the 18th green of Ocean Forest Golf Course, this 5-bedroom, 6.5-bath home offers privacy and inspiring ocean vistas. Easy access to Sea Island's most beautiful and quiet beach. All the perfect Mediterranean finishes - limestone floors throughout the ground floor, heart of pine on the first floor, skip dash walls, round top doors and archways, high beamed ceilings, and handsome beams. Fireplaces in the master bedroom, den, breakfast room, and living room, plus a grand office. Chef's kitchen opens to the oceanside covered porch and BBQ. Elevator. Pool and spa, full pool bath. Lovely grounds. Furnishings are negotiable. Experience the soul-stirring energy that only ocean living gives you. $11,850,000

145 Saint Annies Lane Frederica Township on the quiet north end of St. Simons Island. Exceptional custom built 5BR, 5.5BA home offers BREATHTAKING WESTERN MARSH VIEWS and timeless coastal elegance - all situated on 2.25 acres. $3,920,000

107 Arthur J Moore Drive This spacious 4BR, 3BA homes offers stunning western marsh views and the perfect blend of comfort and coastal charm. $1,600,000

314 Shipwatch Top floor 2BR, 2 BA open concept living and kitchen. Resort-style community pool, beach boardwalk access, covered parking, elevator. $540,000

23 Bracklin Court Frederica Township. This thoughtfully designed 4BR, 4.5BA, two-story home offers an ideal blend of luxury, comfort, and functionality, all set against an expansive lake view. Heated pool, hot tub and fully equipped grilling station. $2,395,000

157 King and Prince, South Villas Located in the South Villas of the King and Prince historic resort. NICE OCEAN VIEWS from this first floor 2BR, 2BA condo. $949,900

295 McIntosh Ave Beautiful 4BR, 4.5BA marsh front house with partial ocean views and a community dock. Located in the gated subdivision of The Battery on St. Simons Island. $1,725,000

112 Newfield Desirable Harrison Pointe neighborhood, this lovely 4BR, 3.5BA house offers a bonus room over the garage, two car garage, and an irrigation system. $750,000

2203 Grand View Drive, Unit 2203 3BR, 3BA condo located in the exclusive gated community of Grand View. Step out onto the screened porch and enjoy peaceful views overlooking the community pool - a perfect spot for relaxing or entertaining. $675,000

Desireé Varnedoe Property Manager 912.638.1144

Sarah Broyles Rental Agent 912.638.1144

Elizabeth Smith Marketing Coordinator 912.638.1144

Freddy Stroud Broker, CRS, GRI 912.269.1144

VACATION | LONG TERM RENTALS | PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

King & Prince - St. Simons Island- King and Prince ocean view villas. Call today to check availability!

314 Mallery Street - 1BR, 1.5BA modern loft in the Village of St Simons Island. Walk to the pier and restaurants! Sleeps 4.

East Beach - 7 Coast Cottage - Coastal gem steps away from the best beach on the island. 4BR, 4.5BA. Sleeps 8.

East Beach - 4217 Seventh Street - Amazing 4BR, 3BA family-friendly home with pool. Short walk to beach. Sleeps 9.

2101 Bruce Drive, East Beach - 3BR, 2.5BA. Spacious 1 level home with large pool and multiple areas for entertaining. Sleeps 8.

New Construction in Oyster Grove

4 BR | 4.5BA | 2,812 SF | $850,000

Gorgeous wooded .93 acre lot with in-ground screened pool located in desirable Hampton Point. 225 OLIVE

4 BR | 4.5 BA | $2,250,000

Fully furnished home with no rental restrictions and just steps from the beach. Pool, multiple verandas and large backyard.

4

154 SETTLERS HAMMOCK CIR, SETTLERS HAMMOCK

4BR | 3BA | $785,000. Charming, low country 3,250 SF home with rocking chair front and rear porches and a metal roof. The home features spacious rooms, hardwood floors, and a dynamite kitchen.

5 AND 7 SEA OATS LANE - VILLAS AT COAST COTTAGES

Ocean View Lot | .14 Acre | $1,750,000. Rare ocean view lot in a gated community near the historic Coast Guard Station.  Beachside location offers a private beach boardwalk and access to the Coast Cottages oceanside pool.

UNIT 114, ST SIMONS BEACH CLUB

2BR | 2BA | $740,000. Desirable turnkey 2BR/2BA condo with updated kitchen, split BR floor plan with development's largest balcony for taking in ocean views and breezes.

217 SETTLERS ROAD, SHAW'S BOUNTY

4BR | 2.5BA | $1,000,000. Cedar Siding with a wrap around porch. Overlooking the marsh, this home sets the tone for casual, coastal living. Features include high ceilings, downstairs primary bedroom and new appliances.

123 HILLCREST, SSI 3BR | 2 BA | 1,929 SF

$707,000

Located on the south end of St. Simons Island, this move-inready all-brick ranch has been thoughtfully updated. The roof is 5 years old, and the interior has been freshly painted. Inside, you'll find a split-BR floor plan, welcoming foyer with coat closet, vaulted dining room, and spacious den with vaulted ceiling and wood-burning fireplace. The kitchen features quartz countertops, deep stainless sink, stainless steel appliances, and bright breakfast area. The primary bath has been beautifully renovated, and additional updates include new flooring, light fixtures, switches, and receptacles. Enjoy the screened porch, rear patio, side yard with room for a small pool, storage building, and 2-car garage

207 BROADWAY, SSI

3BR | 2BA | 1,330 SF

$650,000

Just under a mile from the beach, this lovely home offers relaxed coastal living. Inside, enjoy an open-conceptlayoutwithtile flooring, an updated kitchen with quartz island, gas stove, wine cooler, warming drawer, new dishwasher, and Thermador built-in plumbed coffee machine. Sliding doors open to a private rear patio with free-standing fireplace, vinyl fencing, and natural gas grill connection. Additional highlights include a fresh exterior, metal roof, spray foam attic insulation, tankless water heater, newer A/C, one-car garage, A/C storage building, outdoor hot tub and sauna, and a lovely side garden area.

1871 GA HWY 99, BWK

6BR | 6BA | 4,456 SF

$995,000

StepintotimelessSouthern charm at this beautifully restored 1895 farmhouse, nestled on 3,48 private acres under a canopy of ancient oaks. Main residence with inviting living space with heart pine floors, soaring ceilings, and wraparound porches designed for slow mornings and quiet evenings. A charming guest cottage above the barn provides the perfect space for visitors, a studio, or an income-generating short-term rental. A peaceful pond adds to the property's serenity and natural beauty. Surrounded by over 400 acres of protected trust land, offering views that feel like a living painting. Over $100,000 in recent Airbnb and event income. This property is ideal as a private estate, wedding venue, or retreat.

305 ANGUILLA AVE, SSI 2BR | 1BA | 812 SF $650,000

Located in Kings Terrace on the south end of St. Simons Island, thischarmingislandcottage blendsclassiccharacterwith thoughtful updates. Hardwood floors run throughout the home, while a bright office offers flexible space for work or hobbies. Recent improvements include a new roof, electrical panel, water heater, HVAC, exterior paint, and deck. Set on a corner lot, the property is just moments from Pier Village, Neptune Park, the lighthouse, restaurants, shops, and the beach, making island living easy and enjoyable.

1 MARINA DR 202 A&B | 2BR | 2BA | 1,433 SF $425,000

Extensively updated with approximately $120,000 in renovations, creating a property with an impressive list of completed improvements. Renovation work included redesigned kitchen and bath spaces, new wall, door, and ceiling framing in key areas, 31 new cabinets and vanities, solid-surface countertops with five integrated sinks, and a new tile shower. Additional updates include new tile and carpet, fresh Sherwin-Williams paint, crown molding, new 2-panel doors and locksets, updated electrical, all new light fixtures, custom pantry and closet shelving, all new appliances, rebuilt and painted porches, rebuilt sliding doors, new primary bedroom glass, new blinds throughout and new HVAC systems.

À LA CARTE

TOP OF THE CLASS

Back to school finds for kindergarten to college that make the grade.

From head to toe, you’ll find coastal inspired styles crafted in buttery soft performance fabrics that boys love to wear at Saltwater Boys Co., 50 Aviator Plaza # 105, 912.215.0047, SaltwaterBoysCo.com, @saltwaterboysco

Your daughter can never have enough baubles, which are available in a wide variety of colors to go with any ensemble. The Yellow Canary, 3600 Frederica Road, #7, 912.638.4061, @theyellowcanaryssi

Lilly Pulitzer dresses & rompers in beautiful, vibrant styles your daughter will love. Cloister Collection, 600 Sea Island Road, #13, 912.634.8084, CloisterCollection.com, @cloistercollection_ssi

Playdates with new friends will be a blast when creating personal friendship bracelets. Now all the “cool kids” will have their bling. St. Simons Drug Co., 209 Longview Plaza, 912.638.8676, @st.simonsdrugs

Game ,

Your student is ready for the track, field, or court in Lululemon activewear. Available at Changers Running Company 264 Redfern Village, 912.268.2641, GameChangersRunningCompany.com, @gamechangersssi

Pediatric eye exams are vital for healthy visual development, academic success, and physical coordination. Make an appointment for your child at Coastal Eye Care, 312 Redfern Village, 912.638.8652, SSICoastalEyeCare.com, @coastaleyecaressi

Your teen or college student sweetheart will be the most organized and hydrated student on the quad with this fun Lilly Pulitzer collection located at Tonya’s Treasures, 123 Mallery Street, SSI with stores in Brunswick & Jekyll Island too. 912.634.6588, TonyasTreasures.com, @tonyastreasuresinc

Co-eds can cheer on their favorite Dawgs in comfort in this oversized embroidered Georgia sweatshirt and cozy lounge pants. The Yellow Canary, 3600 Frederica Road, #7, 912.638.4061, @theyellowcanaryssi

can’t start a new school year without a new pair of kicks. Available at Game Changers Running Company, 264 Redfern Village, 912.268.2641, GameChangersRunningCompany.com, You Available @gamechangersssi

This new boutique is a must see for their chic selection of personalized clothing and accessories for all ages. Shop By the Ray, 268 Redfern Village, 912.771.0002, ShopByTheRay.com, @shopbytheray

PISTOLS FOR TWO, COFFINS FOR ONE

At the time of the American Revolution, a challenge to defend one’s honor meant drama: a duel! As pistols were notoriously unreliable, most duels were not fatal and instead ended in compromise. Nevertheless, about twenty percent of duels ended in fatality. In 1838, the “Southern Duello,” or rules for the art of dueling, was adopted. e duello outlined twenty- ve rules: which insults constituted a challenge, where duels should be conducted, and the responsibilities of seconds (friends who served as backups).

Georgia’s most notable duel took place during the American Revolution. e duel was a culmination of the con ict between Button Gwinnett, signer of the Declaration of

Independence, and Lachlan McIntosh, a brigadier general in the Continental Army. In 1777, Gwinnett was elected commander-in-chief of Georgia; soon after, a dispute over Georgia’s border with Florida erupted between Gwinnett and McIntosh. As a result, McIntosh called Gwinnett a “scoundrel and a lying rascal.” On May 16, 1777, the two squared o in Savannah. McIntosh mortally wounded Gwinnett on the rst shot. Accused of murder, McIntosh turned himself in and was indicted and tried, only to be acquitted and released.

e most famous duel in American history also has ties to Coastal Georgia and two prominent Revolutionary gures: Alexander Hamilton

and Aaron Burr. While Burr served as Vice President, a political disagreement between the two men led to the duel and fatal shooting of Hamilton. Because dueling was frowned upon in polite society and outlawed in many states, Burr was charged with two counts of murder and ed to St. Simons Island, staying at Hampton Plantation. While staying with his friend Major Pierce Butler, Burr explored St. Simons, Darien, and Cannon’s Point.

In the eighteenth century, ignoring a challenge to duel brought dishonor, while engaging proved social status,

even as it brought injury and death.

In 1809, Georgia governor David B. Mitchell—who had killed a political opponent in a duel ve years earlier— signed legislation criminalizing “meeting at dawn.” Yet the practice continued. e last known duel on Georgia soil occurred in 1877.

is month’s featured images depict the famous GwinnettMcIntosh and Hamilton-Burr duels. e image of McIntosh’s 1777 victory is courtesy of the New York Public Library, and the image of Hamilton’s and Burr’s 1804 duel comes from the Library of Congress.