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TABLE OF CONTENTS M AY / J U N E 2 0 2 5

50 ECLECTIC + BOLD: Hillary Germano and Jenna Garwood recently formed a fresh new design firm, Scout Proper, and are now sharing their bold vision with the Isles.

57 MENDING THE BROKEN HOUSE:

Cary Anne Chambers of A Pop of Colour was recently able to live her dream of creating a home renovation from start to finish.

66 GROWING STRONG:

Amanda and Dante McCleery of Farm 99 in Glynn County share their story along with tips to starting a thriving vegetable garden at home.

74 OCEAN ELEMENTS: Heather Jowers of Rae Lane Interiors shares her latest East Beach renovation, which embraces both natural vibes and modern twists.

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82 DESIGNING A DREAM:

Jeanie Beth Baxter of Mary Bryan Peyer Designs shares her story, as well as a newly-designed home she styled on Sea Island. 6

G O L D E N I S LES

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G O L D E N I S LES

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Publisher Editor Proofer

Buff Leavy Lindsey Adkison Heather Murray

Account Executives

Jenn Agnew David Colvin Kasey Rowell

Contributing Writers

Taylor Cooper Michael Farris Jr. Emmeline Griffith Sam Ghioto Anna Ferguson Hall Ronda Rich

Contributing Photographers

Parker Alexander Taylor Cooper Michael Hall Michelle Holton John Krivec Gray O’Neil Gavin Sellers Lindsay Stewart Aric Sparmann Chelsea Walker Ryan Whitlow

Contributing Designers

Stacey Nichols Donte Nunnally Terry Wilson

Golden Isles Magazine is published six times per year by Brunswick News Publishing Company To subscribe online to Golden Isles Magazine, go to goldenislesmagazine.com/subscribe

About the Cover: This striking dining room was designed by Hillary Germano and Jenna Garwood of Scout Proper Designs. The butterfly painting was a custom piece by local artist Megan Gilmartin. It was photographed by Gray O’Neil.

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Submissions Golden Isles Magazine is in need of talented contributors. Unsolicited queries and submissions of art and stories are welcome. Please include an email address and telephone number. Submit by email to the editor, Lindsey Adkison: ladkison@goldenislesmagazine.com or by mail to 3011 Altama Ave, Brunswick. Only work accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope will be returned.

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G O L D E N I S LES

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Information regarding advertising and rates is available by contacting Jenn Agnew at 912-265-8320, ext. 356 or by email at jagnew@thebrunswicknews.com; Kasey Rowell at 912-2658320 ext. 334 or by email at krowell@ thebrunswicknews.com; or David Colvin at 912-265-8320 ext. 304 or by email at dcolvin@thebrunswicknews.com

All content is copyright of Golden Isles Magazine, a publication of Brunswick News Publishing Company. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without express written permission from the publisher. We have sought to ensure accuracy and completeness of the content herein, but neither Golden Isles Magazine nor the publisher assumes responsibility for any errors, inaccuracies, omissions, or other inconsistencies, including those related to quotations. We reserve the right to refuse advertising. All advertisements appearing herein are accepted and published on the representation that the advertiser is properly authorized to publish the entire contents and subject matter thereof. All ads are paid advertisements and/or gifts given as part of a contractual agreement regarding Brunswick News Publishing Company. Neither Golden Isles Magazine nor the publisher is responsible for any statements, claims, or representations made by contributing writers, columnists, or photographers. Golden Isles Magazine and the publisher are also not responsible for anyone’s reliance on the content included in the publication. All projects described in this publication are for private, noncommercial use only. No right for commercial use or exploitation is given or implied.

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EDITO R’ S NOT E

BOLD UNAPOLOGETICALLY

s I write this, I’m mid-project. This time, it’s my foyer. I’ve put the crowning touch on the “room of my own,” my office, polishing it off with the curtains and the light fixture. I am so in love with the way it turned out, and I’m not the only one. Every day, my pups and I make a beeline across the house to this serene little space to indulge in writing, editing, filing, and planning (and perhaps, some podcast listening). It’s really exceeded my expectations (and evidently theirs too). Like the office with its heron-bedecked accent wall, my next big “to-do” is another area that will include a few more big statement pieces. One side of my foyer wall will be Schooner blue with the other being enveloped in another dramatic (animal-centric) wallpaper. There will be an oversized bubble chandelier and fresh furniture. In a phrase, it will be “unapologetically bold.” And it’s odd — or maybe not so odd — that throughout my gathering of stories for this issue that was a concept that cropped up repeatedly. It was certainly front and center when I sat down with the creatives behind the new Scout Proper Designs on St. Simons Island. Hillary Germano and Jenna Garwood joined forces to bring their own bold vision for their brand to life by using Hillary’s home renovation as an inspirational showpiece while launching their business. It’s an absolute stunner, and I’m so thrilled to share it (and them) with you all. Another similar find came courtesy of Cary Anne Chambers, owner of A Pop of Colour. This pharmacist turned full-time interior designer realized a dream of creating a design of her own from scratch. It’s a deeply personal project. Cary Anne was inspired by her family’s pine farm in Woodbine (which definitely explains all the green … my favorite color). She was also able to include local businesses and collab partners to stage the home before it hit the market, so there are plenty of great ideas and inspo there. It is another “unapologetic” design in the mix. The same can be said for the fresh face Heather Jowers of Rae Lane Interiors helped create for homeowners on East Beach. The property was originally built in the 80s and she added her special brand of seaside shades and ocean vibes to the reno.

G O L D E N I S LES

Like Heather, Jeanie Beth Baxter has always been able to bring a vision to life. The interior designer with Mary Bryan Designs on St. Simons Island has an extensive background working with builders, so she’s highly experienced at all aspects of the process. In our Designing a Dream Home feature, she shares how she handcrafted a stunning style for a newly-built Sea Island home. Last but certainly not least, we visit Farm 99, where we chat with owners Dante and Amanda McCleery about how they took a major leap of faith when they left New Jersey and moved to South Georiga in 2019. They also shared tips for those looking to start their own vegetable gardens at home. We hope this issue brings you some inspiration for your spaces — be it inside or out. And whatever it may be, I hope it turns out to be unapologetically you.

Boldly yours — Lindsey

H2O CREATIVE GROUP • BRUNSWICK, GEORGIA

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Your reactions sent to us by emails, posts, & tweets

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If you prefer to send us your comments by email, contact Editor Lindsey Adkison at ladkison@goldenislesmagazine.com. Anything posted to our social media accounts or emailed directly to the editor will be considered

Rockstar Style with Dakota Allyn @devossphotography: Crawford Perkins: One of the best people I’ve known in years. Mary Miller: Great pictures! Great story!! Lindsey, you and Dakota make a great team. Wayne Rainey: A truly beautiful young lady. Ricki Underwood Warner: Goddess. Fred Griffith: Great pics! What a natural model to work with. Love the backdrops too. Very creative on so many levels.

for publication. Comments may be edited for clarity or grammar.

A Reason to Weep Wiletta Hulett McGowen: Wonderful and touching article. Thank you. Tresean Bowe: Must read. Still processing this and Kyle Fox was a helpful hand to me that day. It was gut wrenching. Kam Thomas Thorckmorton: This is a beautiful piece about a tragic day. I’m so proud to know Kyle Fox. 16

G O L D E N I S LES

The Dish: Frosty’s Phyllis Dashiell Woodroof: I Frosty’s!

Noisemaker: Braedon Harris Amanda Gayton Payne: Awesome article!

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Q AN INFORMATIVE LINEUP OF THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE GOLDEN ISLES

Artists, conservationists to offer interactive animal exhibition WORDS BY LINDSEY ADKISON | PHOTOS BY ARIC SPARMANN

here isn’t much empty

eye to quickly pick up on an ev-

About a year ago, Ella Cart and Bet-

space in Ken Wallin’s gallery.

er-present theme here — animals.

tina Rusher reached out to share an

Nearly every inch is adorned

It’s not by accident either. It’s be-

idea they had to create a new wildlife

come a passion for the local painter.

exhibition titled, “Animals and Us.”

“I’m very concerned about climate

Rusher, who began painting albino

A school of fish — reds, blues,

issues and endangered species,”

alligators fairly recently, tapped

oranges, some striped, others solid —

Wallin explains. “It’s something that’s

Cart, a veteran wildlife painter, es-

fluidly merge to form a figure of an

in our faces every day and I want to

pecially when it comes to birds.

octopus.

do something about it.”

A sprinting zebra dissolves into a flur-

So when two of his fellow community

and I know she paints a lot of

ry of pink and purple butterflies.

artists approached him with an idea

beautiful animals. I had just started

to do just that, Wallin jumped at the

painting animals. It just came to my

chance.

mind … ‘let’s have a wildlife show,’”

with canvases and easels bursting with color.

“I’m in ArtTrends Gallery with Ella,

It doesn’t take an artfully-trained

G O L D E N I S LES

Rusher says with a grin, dressed in the spirit of the show — as a leopard — while seated in Wallin’s gallery. Cart eagerly agreed. Before long, the two had recruited Wallin, whose gallery is just a hop and skip down Frederica Road from ArtTrends. The planning took off conventionally enough — at first. “… and then, we decided to turn it into something else,” Cart says with a laugh. The power of the three creatives merged, and they set the bar higher. They wanted to offer the Golden Isles something entirely new. While they would create (mostly) new pieces for the art show, they would also partner with area organizations like the Jekyll Island Conservation Authority to provide interactive animal educational events. The trio also enlisted the help of Coastal Wildscapes. The local nonprofit’s mission is to educate the public about the importance of biodiversity and coastal habitats. “It really is unbelievable that it all came together,” Wallin says with a laugh. “After our meetings, I would leave and think, ‘How

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is this going to come together?” But come together, it did. The result is a multi-layered immersive program spanning six weeks. It will include a variety of opportunites for participation far beyond the simple sip and strolls of standard opening receptions. “Animals and Us” will include live art demonstrations, lectures, and animal presentations. “There will be turtles, snakes, baby alligators,” Rusher lists. Naturalist Aryon Moleen will be the one helping with that end of the deal. She will be hosting a program titled Beasts of Prey from 3 to 5 p.m. May 17 and will bring a number of animals — including a timber rattlesnake. Moleen concedes these intimidating animals are often misunderstood. “The Jekyll Island Conservation Department couldn’t be more excited to pair with GVA for this upcoming event. Glynn Visual Arts has been a pivotal part of building community for curious minds for years, so it was no surprise to us that they shaped a project as unique as ‘Animals and Us,’” Moleen says. “We’re looking forward to sharing an up-close encounter with our education ambassadors at both events, including capMAY/J UN E 2025

tive, endemic venomous snakes

“This is an experience you’d

and baby alligators. It should be

expect to get in a big city like

quite a time.”

Atlanta or Jacksonville. But it’s going to be right here,” Morris

All of the events will be held Glynn

says. “It’s going to show people

Visual Arts (GVA), 106 Island Drive,

how accessible art is, on top of

St. Simons Island. And guests will

(their message) about how we’re

be encouraged to walk through

all connected to animals and na-

various exhibitions with animal

ture. Art makes it all accessible.”

“spirit balls,” orbs that have been hand painted by the three pre-

“Animals and Us” will include

senting artists.

events from April through June. Read on to learn more about their

“We thought that would just be

scheduled events:

another neat way for participants to connect with the

• A pre-opening painting demon-

animals,” Cart says, cradling a

stration will be held at 6:30 p.m.

ball.

on April 30 with artist Ken Wallin at Glynn Visual Arts Studio, 106 Island

It’s just another element that

Drive, St. Simons Island. During the

makes this exhibition so special.

demonstration, Wallin will discuss

And Kari Morris, executive director

and explore how art can serve as

of GVA, says the arts center was

a powerful medium to high-

thrilled to become the hub for this

light the bond between nature

bold new venture.

and the human spirit.

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G O L D E N I S LES

• “Animals and Us,” an immesrive exhibition, will be held from May 1 through June 6 at Glynn Visual Arts, 106 Island Drive, St. Simons Island. The gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday. For details visit, glynn visualarts.org. For specific events, please see below. • The “Animals and Us” opening reception will be held at 4:30 p.m. May 1 at the Glynn Visual Arts Studio, 106 Island Drive, St. Simons Island. It will feature special guest speakers and live coastal animals. • Coastal WildScapes will host a presentation at 10 a.m. May 3 featuring Amy Schuler, education outreach coordinator. She will present tips on attracting pollinators to a garden, while supporting ecological balance. The presentation will include art projects for children. Native seeds to be used to begin a pollinator garden will be offered to guests. • Beasts of Prey, the Jekyll Island Conservation presentation, will be held at 3 p.m. May 17. It will feature Interpretive Naturalist Ayron Moleen, who will discuss the interesting and misunderstood wildlife of predators living on the Georgia Coast. The discussion will include information about the power and misconceptions surrounding reptiles of the Golden Isles, details about how to safely handle wildlife, and provide research about endemic animals. • For more information about Glynn Visual Arts, upcoming events, workshops, and classes, visit glynnvisualarts.org.

MAY/J UN E 2025

A Penguin Perspective:

Mentor shares story of involvement with project

he Golden Isles Penguin Project has been a big part of Golden Isles Arts & Humanities for the past nine years. And it has become a big part of the Golden Isles com-

munity. In this program, young people with and without developmental and physical disabilities come together to perform a Broadway-style musical. Artists (those with a disability) are paired with a Mentor who assists them on-stage as needed. But Mentors do much more than that. They are friends. Emmeline Griffith, a mentor who has given her time and her friendship to the program for seven years, shares what makes participating in the Penguin Project such an important part of her life. Read on to learn about her experience in her own words.

WORDS BY EMMELINE GRIFFITH | PHOTOS BY MICHAEL HALL AND PROVIDED

G O L D E N I S LES

Theatre has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. My dad had done plays all around the Golden Isles, and, soon enough, I was on stage too. This involved the Ritz Theatre’s annual Christmas productions and summer camps, as well as a play at the Brunswick Actors’ Theater. When I heard about the Penguin Project from one of my friends, Ryan Thompson, I signed up, thinking of it as another performance. I was in fifth grade and did not have a true clue as to what I was signing up for. My dancing skills go up to about my second grade dance class (which I begged to quit), and I cannot carry a note to save my life. However, my disadvantage in musicality (other than playing an instrument) has never stopped my love for the Penguin Project.

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This organization is a community that “doesn’t stop believing” in you when things mess up. No one is willing to give up and we will always work towards the best solution. Everyone there wants you to succeed. Some of my favorite memories are from just being together as friends. The Ice Cream Quartet in “The Music

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Man Jr.” was prone to singing and dancing backstage, and Scar’s intense makeup in “Lion King Jr.” always got a laugh from the rest of the ensemble. Through these memories, I’ve had someone else beside me the whole time. I met my artist, Jack Bachman, with the help of Ms. Lenore, our mentor coordinator at the time, after failing to click with someone at the past few rehearsals. Jack is a laid back, no nonsense guy, and I admire him for his intelligence and dry sense of humor, among much more. However, Jack and I didn’t just become best friends the second we met. Learning what each of us likes and does not like took some time. There were times I talked too much or too little because I was nervous … and times one of us had a long day and did not know how to handle it. That being said, we figured everything out and it has been five years since that first rehearsal. I’ve watched him go from ensemble to lead, graduate high school, and master the art of Legos (but that has always been a given). Jack is my inspiration, and I hope to be as cool of a person as he is one day.

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Throughout the Penguin Project, I have met new friends, danced through bad days, and learned to love the small moments in life. Sometimes rehearsal can be tough, but the joy that encompasses the room can turn my day around. It was one of the best decisions I have made, and I give all credit to the family I’ve formed within the Penguin Project. If you are considering being a mentor, all I say is YES! There are times that will feel rough and challenging, but the ending is so very worth it. My all time favorite part of Penguin Project is the applause from our Family Night — the first time performing in front of an audience. This might sound egotistical, but it is not the praise that gets me. It is the overwhelming support after working on something for five months and knowing you accomplished your goal. It is the excitement from mentors and artists on stage. It is the ability to know that you are surrounded by love. It is everything, all around … all at once. There are bound to be tears and cheers from family members. If you are able to see the show this year, you will be absolutely blown away. The humor of Spongebob tied to the beauty of this program is something you do not want to miss. If you do go, find me on stage next to my Artist Jack — we’ll be dressed in the plankton costumes.

G O L D E N I S LES

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Run Roses: for the

Derby Day to benefit Frederica Academy

G O L D E N I S LES

eathers and florals trot alongside

ca Golf Club on St. Simons Island.

a mix of spring colors at the Churchill Downs racetrack in Louisville.

For It’s 23rd incarnation, it will return from 5 to 10 p.m. at Sea Island’s Re-

The Kentucky Derby is a time-honored

treat Clubhouse on St. Simons Island.

tradition, touted as the “fastest two minutes in sports.” But you don’t have

To bring the event to life, a dedicated

to head to the Bluegrass State to get

team of volunteers spearhead orga-

a piece of the action. For decades, a

nizing the soirée, which begins many

group of racing (and fashion) enthusi-

months in advance.

asts have been celebrating the event locally for a good cause.

This year’s co-chairs, Abigail Hoover and Susan Dunn, are no strangers to

Frederica Academy’s Derby Day be-

the planning process or to working

gan as the brainchild of Dana Pope

together.

Manning, who started it as a small fundraiser in 2002 in the aftermath of

“Susan and I have been friends for

the 9/11 economic downturn.

over 30 years, and this isn’t the first time we have planned a fundrais-

Originally, it was hosted at the home

er. We chaired the 2011 Victory Gala

of Sally and Bill Jones III. Today, it’s

benefiting the American Cancer

transformed into a full-blown commu-

Society. We love working together,”

nity event, hosted last year at Frederi-

Hoover says.

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And, of course, it is a good bit of work. Lining up auction items along with attendees adds up to quite a lot of moving and shaking. “Each January, we mobilize a team of volunteers to help organize the auction items to generate broad interest and support among the FA parent volunteer committee. Our primary goal is to raise funds for the school and to create a special experience for the patrons who attend. We are also eager to make sure the volunteers on the committee have a positive experience working on it,” Dunn says. “It is a great way for new parents to meet new people and develop new friendships. We love the fact that we have just as much fun planning Derby Day as we do hosting it.” The duo is all about putting that “fun” in the fundraiser. Dunn says it’s exciting to see the fabulous fashion the women wear, along with the dapper duds donned by the gents. “It is amazing to see so many unique and spectacular looks at Derby Day each year. Patrons come in outfits they would wear to Churchill Downs. There is a wide variety of outfits that are often curated from local retailers. The highlight, of course, is the extraordinary hats and fascinators worn by the majority of women attending. Some of the best are designed and fabricated by their owners,” she says. “We look forward to presenting prizes each year to the three women who wear the most fabulous hats and the gentleman who wears the most outrageous or Derby-inspired outfit.” Hoover agrees and adds that Frederica’s Derby Day is the next best thing

G O L D E N I S LES

to being at Millionaire’s Row at Churchill

students and the community.

Downs that first Saturday of May. “It has become more than just a fund“The Derby Day Committee goes to great

raiser. It is also a marketing asset for the

effort to create an authentic experience

school. We’ve had great success over the

for the patrons who attend,” she says.

years introducing Frederica Academy to new families and visiting families who end

In addition to the tell-tale fashion and hats,

up moving to the Golden Isles and enrolling

there are other iconic derby elements that

their children at FA,” Hoover says. “It is also

are a part of the day. Dunn says it will be

fun to see everyone come together for this

the ultimate Southern experience featuring

exciting event that benefits our school.”

the livestream of the race, a betting booth, and hand-crafted libations.

Welcome Home.

The proceeds collected from the event are invested right back into the education-

Estate planning for Georgia newcomers. Give us a call today.

“Mint juleps are always a crowd favor-

al programming that makes the private

ite. We are especially excited about this

school so successful.

year’s exclusive live auction items. There are several awesome vacation homes

“Derby Day proceeds are used to support

and once-in-a-lifetime experiences,” Dunn

Frederica’s students, teachers, counselors,

says. “It is also always exciting to see what

coaches, and administrators and help

DEBBIE BRITT LAW

Estate planning for Georgia newcomers. Serving Give me a your call today.

Steve Penley has painted for our live auc-912-268-2655 bring to life (office) FA’s mission todebbie@debbiebrittlaw.com maximize the 302 Plantation Chase tionSt. bidders.” Simons Island, GA 31522

potential of(mobile) each studentdebbiebrittlaw.com in mind, body, 912-223-3257 and spirit,” Dunn says.

While the afternoon embraces this 150-year-old tradition, its effects go far be-

“While the race only lasts about two

yond just one day. Hoover and Dunn says

minutes, Derby Day impacts a lifetime of

the ripples are felt much longer by both the

learning.”

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The 23rd annual Frederica Academy Derby Day will be held from 5 to 10 p.m. May 3 at Sea Island Retreat’s Clubhouse. Tickets available via Event Sponsorships. Contact: 912-638-9981 Ext. 745

MAY/J UN E 2025

Growing WORDS BY ANNA FERGUSON HALL | PHOTOS BY MICHAEL HALL AND RYAN WHITLOW

Master Gardeners

for the greater good

.C. Halbrook often finds her hands full, juggling research papers of compiled data, which is used to address environmental concerns in the Golden Isles. This is a part of her role as the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent for Glynn and McIntosh Counties.

program could plant roots.

If she had it her way, though, her hands would more often be digging into dirt trails, rather than paper ones.

As Halbrook saw the area’s potential, she could envision sprays of green grass and soil. She saw a space that could, and soon would, be used for growing vegetables, housing rows of raised bed gardens, and fostering native florals.

In 2022, Halbrook realized she actually could have it her way. That was the year she launched the UGA Master Gardener’s Program at the UGA Extension Office campus, located in the Ballard Complex off Old Jesup Highway. In the first year of the program, Halbrook served at the helm of a cohort of horticulture gurus, joined by three fellow certified Master Gardeners who had recently relocated to the coast from their previous outposts in the Atlanta area. With this first step taken to building gardening groupies, Halbrook then needed to find a space where a Master Gardener training

G O L D E N I S LES

Her space search ended by simply looking outside her office window. This is where she saw beyond the footprint of what once had been there: a former playground, which looked more like a recreational retirement home than a space to nourish a garden.

“The former playground garden display at the Old Ballard School had 10 raised beds, (which were) long neglected and falling apart in a fenced area,” Halbrook says. “That first summer it was the goal … to get a few of the beds cleared out, reworked, new soil added, and plants producing.” With this vision of outdoor space renovations, Halbrook was not alone. And the Master Gardeners saw an unused playground garden that could become an open area for a vibrant vista. The new coastal transplants quickly stepped up to join Halbrook in recruiting to-be green

thumbs for Master Gardening training sessions. One of the first individuals to join Halbrook’s Master Gardener mission was Linda Hlozansky, or as Halbrook has come to know her, a “veteran volunteer.” In 2018, after she uprooted and moved to the coast, Hlozansky saw a newspaper invitation that Halbrook had taken out, regarding a new gardening program to be established in the area. Interested in learning more, Hlozansky went and gave Halbrook her contact information. From there, the gardening connection was made. Already, Hlozansky was familiar with the philosophies and general concepts of being a Master Gardener. But she wanted to know more, both for herself as well as for the purposes of potentially growing a new batch of Master Gardeners in the Golden Isles. In doing so, Hlozansky found she wasn’t merely asking Halbrook how to inform more to-be Master Gardeners. Though Hlozansky and Halbrook had tossed around the term “Master Gardener” in their own social circles, they learned that the term wasn’t exactly familiar to the general public.

So, when asked what it means to be a “Master Gardener,” Halbrook is ready to answer. It means being trained by extension office employees, such as herself, to serve as a part of the Georgia Master Gardener Extension Volunteer (MGEV) Program. This extension consumer horticulture program connects UGA Extension members, plant enthusiasts, and communities from across the state, with a shared curriculum centered on the care of plants for aesthetic value, recreation, and home food production. Through the program, areas are set up for the public to see and learn from methods the Master Gardeners use, like propagation and composting, Halbrook said. Master Gardeners go on to teach community members how to use plants and specific gardening methods to improve their environment, personal health, and quality of life. As well, the garden grounds go on to serve the greater good of their respective communities. In Coastal Georgia, that means harvested produce, such as blueberries and legumes from a bean teepee, are donated to the Sparrow’s Nest food pantry. Like kudzu ready to grow, Halbrook and Hlozansky are now planning to add more Master Gardening training options, in an effort to create more planting proteges, which opens the door for a broader community outreach. They also hope the current gardening grounds will soon see a perennial garden and a shade edition too. Even more, plans are also being plotted for a native garden, to serve as an outdoor classroom, where demonstration is the keyword. Current Master Gardeners likewise hold a series of regular events pertaining to the program and its gardens. This includes the monthly Meet Me in the Garden discussion, garden tours, work days in the gardens for the Friends of Master Gardeners, and First Friday information sessions in downtown Brunswick, among other outreach opportunities. “Extension is here to serve our whole community,” Halbrook says. “Training new volunteers opens the door for more service to our counties.”

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• For more information about Master Gardening training courses and other programs offered by the Glynn County Cooperative Extension, visit their Facebook page, or email mchalbrook@uga. edu to be added to the monthly Ag newsletter. MAY/J UN E 2025

May 3 to 19 The Island Players will stage “The Addams Family: A New Musical” for multiple performances. Shows will be at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays to Saturdays. There will be a 3 p.m. matinee show on Sundays. Tickets range from $12 to $27. For details, visit islandplayers.com. May 3 Frederica Academy will host its annual Derby Day at 5 p.m. at the Retreat Golf Clubhouse on St. Simons Island. There will be a silent auction, as well as food, drinks, and entertainment. For details, visit faderby.givesmart.com.

Around Q the Town May May 1 The Star Foundation will host its STARgazing Low Country Boil from 6 to 9 p.m. at Village Creek Landing on St. Simons Island. The event is a fundraiser for the foundation, which offers computer training for job readiness. Ticket prices are $85 per individual or $150 per couple. For more information, visit starofcoastalga.org. Glynn Visual Arts, 106 Island Dr., St. Simons Island, will host an opening reception for “Animals and Us,” which will feature a mix of artistic mediums alongside live animal ambassadors chaperoned by the Jekyll Island Conservation Authority. There will be a number of collabrative events held throughout the exhibition, which concludes June 6. Gallery hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday. For details, visit glynnvisualarts.org. May 1 to 3 The Literary Guild of St. Simons will host its spring book sale in the St. Simons Casino atrium. A member preview will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. May 1. New members are welcome to join. The sale will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 2 and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 3. A $10 bag sale will begin at 1:30 p.m. May 3. For more information, visit LitGuildSSI.org. May 3 and 4 Christina’s Dance World will host The Greatest Variety Show at 6 p.m. May 3 and 2:30 p.m. May 4 at the Ritz Theatre in downtown Brunswick. There will a cast of dancers and guest stars from the Golden Isles who will perform. For tickets, visit christinasdanceworld.com. 32

G O L D E N I S LES

May 6 Golden Isles Arts and Humanities will host an opening reception for the Georgia Coastal Artists exhibition from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Ritz Theatre in downtown Brunswick. For details, visit goldenislesarts.org. May 11 Brunswick’s Blessing of the Fleet will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. at Mary Ross Waterfront Park in downtown Brunswick. There will be food, games for children, arts, crafts, and music. For details, visit discoverbrunswick.com. May 17 and 18 The Golden Isles Air Show will be held May 17 and 18 at the Brunswick-Golden Isles Airport. The Blue Angels along with a number of other aerial performers will be on hand. Adult tickets are $55; those 13 to 17 will be admitted for $15; those under 13 may enter for $5. For tickets or more information, visit https://goldenislesairshow.com. May 18 Womp Off 2025, a skimboarding competition, will begin at 9 a.m. at Coast Guard Beach on St. Simons Island. There will be a skim school at 9:30 a.m. and events throughout the day. For details, visit wompoffssi.com. May 26 The St. Simons Island Rotary Club will host Taps at Twilight, the annual observance of Memorial Day on St. Simons Island. It will be held at 6:45 p.m. at the bandstand at Neptune Park on St. Simons Island. It will end somberly at twilight with the playing of “Taps.” Attendees should arrive early and bring their own chairs, blankets, and refreshements. For details, visit ssirotary.org.

june June 6 Golden Isles Arts and Humanities will host an opening reception for the Georgia Artists with Disabilities Touring Exhibit from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Ritz Theatre in downtown Brunswick. The gallery is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays to Fridays, during events, and by appointment. For details, visit goldenislesarts.org.

June 12 to 15 Golden Isles Arts and Humanities will host its annual Golden Isles Penguin Project. The show, which features performers with special needs along with mentors, will be “The SpongeBob Musical: Youth Edition.” It will be staged at 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday. There will be a 3 p.m. show Sunday. For tickets or more information, visit goldenislesarts.org. June 20 Golden Isles Arts and Humanities will host the Apex Theatre Studio, who will stage Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” at 7 p.m. at the Ritz Theatre in downtown Brunswick. For details, visit goldenislesarts.org. The St. Simons African American Coalition will host A Taste of Gullah from 5 to 7 p.m. at Village Creek Landing, 526 South Harrington Road, St. Simons Island. Gullah dishes, live music, and unique arts and crafts will be available. Tickets are $40. They are available at eventbrite.com. June 24 The St. Simons Literary Guild will host an Author Talk featuring Kaira Rouda who will discuss her book, “Jill is Not Happy.” It will be held at 10:30 a.m. in room 108 of the St. Simons Casino, 530 Beachview Dr., St. Simons Island. The event is free for literary guild members and $10 for non-members. For details and reservations, go to LitGuildSSI.org.

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Facts

J U ST T H E

LINDSEY ADKISON WITH ASSISTANCE FROM THE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

BRUNSWICK’S Blessing of the Fleet 87TH The 2025 event will be the 87th Brunswick Blessing and Mayfair.

s with many coastal American cities, the sea has played a pivotal role in the development of Brunswick. In addition to the port, the shrimping industry has also had major impacts on the town. Commercial fishing and shrimping, in particular, have proven to be a driving force for the area’s economy. Similarly, the town was also a melting pot, drawing immigrants from across the globe, including developing a strong Portuguese community. For 87 years, the two have been hosting an intertwined event each spring to appeal to a higher power for bounty and blessings. This year that tradition will continue with Brunswick’s Blessing of the Fleet and Mayday celebration from 1 to 7 p.m. May 10 at Mary Ross Waterfront Park in downtown Brunswick. Read on to learn more about this historic happening:

2,000 40

More than 40 artists and craftsmen will share their work.

25 30 TO

There are usually between 25 to 30 shrimp boats, pleasure crafts, and sail boats blessed each year. 34

G O L D E N I S LES

1938

This is the year the first event was held downtown.

Approximately 2,000 people attend the event each year.

15,000 It’s estimated that the population of Brunswick was about 15,000 when the event began in 1938.

30-40

It is believed that there were about 30 to 40 boats in the original blessing.

12 15 TO

There are usually multiple local bands who perform, but you can bet on two for sure.

There will be 12 to 15 food vendors at the celebration on May 10th.

MAY 13, 1917 A processional through Hanover Square was started by the Portuguese community in 1938 to commemorate the first appearance of the Virgin Mary to three children near the town of Fatima, Portugal, on May 13, 1917. It is linked to the annual Blessing of the Fleet each year as the two are celebrated at the same time.

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1550 Frederica Road, St Simons Island, GA 31522 • At the Roundabout 1550 Frederica Rd. | SSI | Mon.-Sat. 9:00 am - 5:30 pm | 912.638.2257 912-638-2257 • Open Mon - Sat - 9:00am - 5:30 pm MAY/J UN E 2025

DUE SOUTH

Back to the chair. Once the walls were painted and the leopard carpet laid, I began on the window treatments and bedding. The taupe-colored paint allowed me to be jazzy with the trimming. I chose orange velvet, orange cheetah, and deep brown silk with fringe for the windows. My friend, Kim, who is a design wiz, called as she was sewing the drapes. “I ordered rhinestone buttons for the curtains.” Perfect thinking. Upholsterers are hard to find, but the one I uncovered is an artist. The first piece he did was orange zebra velvet

The Chair

for my armless vanity chair. Every zebra strip matches perfectly. When I took him the first chair and ottoman, I instructed, “Orange cheetah on the

WORDS BY RONDA RICH

top of the ottoman with orange velvet I decided to redecorate the master suite. Inspired by the taste of Tink’s stepmother, Mary Tyler Moore, I put brown and beige leopard print carpet throughout the suite. When Mary had painstakingly built and decorated a wonderful house in Greenwich, Connecticut, now on the market for $16 million, she designed a sweeping staircase with comfortable

We were chugging down the road in

steps wrapped in leopard carpet. I

Tink’s old farm truck, hauling a chair

have come to believe, in wardrobe

with history and an ottoman with no

and home design, leopard is the best

history, to the upholsterer.

neutral. It goes with every color.

The ottoman, black and white with

It was a special order, one that enticed

long fringe, wasn’t quite pretty but it

the store owner to say, “I have never

had an interesting shape so I bought it

sold this carpet to anyone.”

with the intent of re-covering it. Once installed, it was fabulous, so I As for the chair, it has an identical twin.

ordered more for the staircase. Numer-

They are small, swivel armchairs and,

ous are the times that Tink bounces

like Goldilocks, they are small enough

down the steps, singing, “How I love

to fit petite me ideally. Four years ago,

this carpet.”

Tink was away, shooting a series, so

G O L D E N I S LES

on the sides and gold fringe. With the chair, cover it mostly with orange velvet, then cheetah on one side of the cushions and orange velvet on the flip side, then I’ll have two looks.” He looked dubious over the boldness. “You sure?” “Yes.” The result was stunning and the “artist” was so impressed that he asked permission to use the chair and ottoman on the opening page of his website. Daily, Tink and I grow to love the pieces more. For the past five years, the other chair — in 1990s blue and mauve — has set in one of our barns that serves for storage. I had bought two matching ottomans for the day that I was certain would come — when I recovered the other chair.

We bought a terrifically-crafted, tin-roof cabin in the mountains. Tink is the dictator over what goes in the Wyoming-style cabin. Though it came fully furnished, he began getting rid of furniture like the expensive, L-shaped leather sofa, dining set, and coffee table. We put in a dark lime green velvet sofa and I re-covered a down-filled, large, arm chair with an English cottage fabric of red, yellow, orange and green. All a remarkable contrast to a mountain cabin, yet interesting. I’m a fairly good decorator, but I think a long way out of the box. When I built our house, a few years before we married, my family jokingly called it the “Crayola house.” I had the 16-foot high walls painted in an orange called “Yam,” the kitchen walls in the sweetest shade of yellow, then I personally painted the cabinets an avocado green, and the island in light mint green. I sanded the corners to give it a vintage look. Over the sink is a darling, round porthole window. Whenever I do a photo shoot or a video in our kitchen, it photographs better than I do. Seriously. But there’s a huge flaw in my designing: it takes me months to figure it out. When I decided to style the other chair for the cabin, it took six months of searching fabrics. Finally, I chose orange and white gingham to coordinate with leftover orange velvet. As we were driving to drop off the

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chair and ottoman, Tink said, “I’d like a different chair from the one I have.” I sighed and my shoulders slumped. I had spent a year, matching those pieces. So, I guess I’ll start on another sixmonth fabric search. And the history of these two chairs? They belonged to my dear friends, Ed Parks and his wife, Randy. They were best friends with Richard and Lynda Petty. Ed and Randy died within a year of each other and their children generously gave me the pieces from their house. Richard Petty, the King

Rahab’s Rope exists to empower women and children in the fight against human trafficking. Profits from our local and global artisans fund the mission.

of Racing, sat in both of those chairs many times. “Still got them chairs?” he asked not long ago. “Yep. We shall never part.” It’s true love.

Ronda Rich

320 Mallery St. • St. Simons Island, GA • 912.434.6059 • rahabsrope.com MAY/J UN E 2025

N AT U R E C O N N E CT I O N convention that Delaware Bay is the single most important stopover for red knots. A 2023 research paper by Smith and colleagues (Fletcher Smith was a contributing author) claims that the southeast (i.e., Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina) is a critical spring stopover for red knots. “Georgia is not just being used by red knots on their way up to Delaware Bay. Georgia is being used by the birds to get to migratory weight, which means arriving at about 90 to 100 grams and departing at like 200, sometimes 200 plus grams. Doubling their weight on Georgia resources and then flying directly from Georgia all the way to the high Arctic,” Fletcher told me.

the red knot

Where are they coming from? Rufa red

WORDS AND PHOTOS BY SAM GHIOTO

When I first witnessed the ancient

connection between the red knots and horseshoe crabs just south of Tybee Island, I realized the Georgia coast is a place of global conservation significance. A cacophony of sounds echoed in my ear as I pointed my camera at a horseshoe crabs egg-feeding frenzy. Hundreds of birds — sanderlings, dunlin, red knots, black bellied plovers, whimbrel, short billed dowitchers, ruddy turnstones, marbled godwit, and more – voraciously pecked into the sand and slurped down the fatty and calorie-dense spawn.

G O L D E N I S LES

knots fly from as far as Patagonia to the Arctic. Many are flying from the Caribbean and even Florida, however.

“High tide is the best time to do our work. It took a lot of struggle on tens of thousands of acres of low tide exposed beach to realize that high tide concentrates the birds,” Fletch Smith, GADNR wildlife biologist, told me. Smith researches birds of conservation concern on the Georgia Coast. Listed as federally threatened, the red knot is a species of conservation concern. During May and as late as early June, an ancient intercontinental migration event can be seen along the beaches of the Golden Isles and elsewhere along the East Coast where several species of migratory shorebirds pack together to feed on the horseshoe crab eggs. What’s this craze about? Many of these migratory shorebirds are about to continue their journey northward for breeding season in the Canadian Arctic. Scientists have uncovered that knots use the Georgia beaches to fly directly to Arctic. This dismantles the previous scientific

The problem with protecting migratory birds is that it requires cooperation among federal, state, and local agencies on a global level. Over the past 40 to 50 years, we’ve seen a 75-80% decline in red knots. This decline resulted in the species being labeled as federally threatened in the United States and as endangered in Canada. Migratory shorebirds in general are facing what’s called a death by a thousand cuts. That practically means habitat destruction is killing shorebirds, and this comes in many forms. When we bulldoze, dredge and fill, develop, pollute, overpopulate, and so on, we reduce habitat for wild animals that have spent millions of years evolving with the natural rhythms of the planet. The connection between red knots and horseshoe crabs is a vital one that relies on unhindered access to feeding locations. In my conversation with Smith, he identified two threats to red knots, one

of which concerns our local impact: 1) Dogs roam on the beach without a leash during critical feeding windows around May and June and 2) Feral hogs eat horseshoe crabs and are the direct threat to red knots, especially on the more remote beaches and sandbars of the Georgia coast. Think about it: if birds are constantly being thrown off their

NEW

food source by people and dogs, they are wasting energy and missing out on important food resources to fly to the Arctic. Space is critical to all shorebirds on the beach throughout the spring and summer. Pay attention to the signs at beach accesses and roped off dunes. Some beaches require leashes

St. Simons -Jekyll Island Ferry from $55 Saturdays and Sundays, twice a day

for dogs, and others, like the south end of Jekyll Island, prohibit dogs in general.

Catch our ferry between the islands on Saturdays and Sundays, twice a day beginning March 15th. For only $55.00 per person,

If you’d want to witness the spring migration including the

round trip, you can enjoy the beauty of both St. Simons Island and

species listed above, watch from a distance on beaches like

Jekyll Island, by land and by the pristine waterways. We don’t go

Gould’s Inlet (especially the sand bar exposed at low tide),

into the Atlantic Ocean, but you will be able to see it on the

the southend of Sea Island, or right off the Saint Andrews

approximately one-hour boat ride. We can accommodate a limited

sound on Jekyll.

number of bicycles!

Bring a shorebird book and binoculars, but keep your distance from the birds!

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BY DESIGN co-owner of Porch+Patio. “Some of our clients come to the area for the Southern charm and scenic landscapes, but they don’t realize the demands the humid, subtropical climate of Coastal Georgia and Northern Florida place on outdoor furniture. Our deep understanding of the local environment and weather patterns allows us to create outdoor spaces that are not only beautiful but also highly functional and resilient.” The first step in designing your ideal outdoor setup is ascertaining what materials are right for you. “We’re going to ask questions about the dimensions, actual structures, boundaries,

Creating the perfect summer setup

W functional outdoor spaces, Porch+Patio in St. Simons Island and Kingsland is the trusted source for high-quality outdoor furniture and design solutions. Whether you’re looking to create a cozy backyard retreat or a stylish space for entertaining, they’ve got the premium products, expert knowledge, and service team to help transform your outdoor living area into the perfect oasis.

G O L D E N I S LES

how much maintenance you’re willing to put into your furniture, because that will help us guide you to the right materials,”

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When it comes to creating beautiful,

sightlines, entrances, focal points, and

says Blanchard. At Porch+Patio, the goal is simple: to

With options like poly-lumber, teak, cast

bring outdoor living spaces to life in ways

and extruded powder-coated aluminum,

that are not only stylish and comfortable,

natural and synthetic wicker, in-pool,

but also durable.

stone and stone-look, among others, there’s something that will work for any

“We sell ‘legacy furniture’ here — it will

space.

last for decades if properly maintained. We curate and develop relationships

“Once you know what materials will work

with our brands with that intention. I know

well for you, you have to decide how you

that’s not for everyone, but those who

plan to use the space,” says Derrick.

end up purchasing from us unquestionably value that,” says Becky Derrick, vice

Think about how you envision primarily

president of sales and marketing.

using the area: Are you looking for a peaceful retreat? A welcoming space

Whether you have a small patio, a spa-

for dining and entertaining? A space

cious backyard, a poolside paradise or a

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making the best decisions for your unique

to help you design a sublime outdoor

outdoor environment. A thoughtful layout

setup for summer.

makes the most of your space while ensuring it suits your needs.

“What we propose needs to work for the customer’s space, lifestyle, budget, and

“If you don’t know exactly what that

our coastal climate,” says Sissy Blanchard,

looks like, we’ll create a layout so you

can visualize how different pieces can be arranged to maximize comfort and flow,” she says. Once you’ve chosen your core furniture, it’s time to add accents and accessories that enhance comfort and style. • In addition to creating an inviting and “finished” look, durable outdoor rugs can soften the area and cloak sounds. They’re also made to resist fading and are easy to hose or pressure wash. • Because we get to enjoy sunshine for much of the year, having a well-placed umbrella is essential for providing shade and creating a comfortable spot for lounging either poolside or in uncovered outdoor spaces.

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• It’s easy to add a pop of color and comfort to your seating area with outdoor pillows. Available in-stock in various sizes and colors, as well as special order, pillows truly make your furniture feel like an extension of your indoor living space.

Scan the QR code or call to learn more. (912) 274-3388

• “Don’t skip the ambiance,” Blanchard says. String lights; pendant lighting; rechargeable portable lights; lighted umbrella ribs; or outdoor candles. If you don’t have a clear focal point for your outdoor space, add a fire table. “We have a stunning selection of fire tables in a range of materials, including granite, finished concrete, copper, poly-lumber, and aluminum, making it easy to find the perfect fit for your style,” she says. Once you’ve selected your furniture and accessories, take advantage of the complimentary local assembly and delivery service. This ensures that your outdoor setup is delivered on time and assembled correctly, so all you have to do is enjoy — no scheduling a freight truck, disposing of pallets, or worrying about missing hardware. And if you have questions about maintaining or updating your furniture throughout its life, just call the store for expert advice. “Our commitment to customer service isn’t just a nice touch. It’s what makes you confident that this year’s perfect summer seating setup continues to feel like a smart choice long after you’ve brought it home,” Derrick says. • Porch + Patio is located at 3405 Frederica Rd, St Simons Island. Their webiste is porchandpatiostore.com. They may be reached at 912-434-9485.

100 Sylvan Blvd. Suite160 St. Simons Island cell (912) 996-0867 ginadlever@gmail.com

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MAY/J UN E 2025

LIVING WELL therapist at Advance Rehabilitation in Brunswick. However, education is something that never truly ends. Stahler knew there was always something more he could offer his patients. So, he enrolled in a dry-needling course aimed at targeting common myofascial pain and dysfunction. “The training involved both lecture material and hands-on training. The course included delving into the neuroscience behind muscle function and pain and how dry needling can affect both,” he says.

Dry needling offers a path out of pain

The procedure is simple enough. Tiny needles, much like those used in acupuncture treatments, are employed to release tension and improve bioelectrical functioning (via pulsation).

WORDS BY LINDSEY ADKISON

For most, the intricacies of the musculoskeletal system remain a mystery. But David Stahler has been unraveling its secrets for years. It started, as many journeys do, with his own experience. Stahler grew up playing sports, developing a passion for baseball in particular. Of course, being a dedicated athlete comes with a downside — injuries.

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“The course was 50 hours total between two weekends. I wanted to focus on dry needling because of the benefits I had seen with other therapists utilizing this treatment method, and I saw very effective results.”

“It was one of my favorite hobbies throughout the first 18 years of my life. Throughout high school baseball at Lakeside High School, I sustained a couple of different injuries, including wrist and hip injuries, which did not heal as expected, so I ended up in physical therapy,” the Augusta native says. “Without the help of my physical therapist at the time, it likely would have taken much longer to return to sports and running. This was my first experience with physical therapy, and I am forever grateful for being able to return to sports quickly.” It created a lifelong interest, one he parlayed into a career. Stahler attended the University of Georgia and later enrolled in Augusta University Physical Therapy School. Once Stahler completed his doctorate program, he moved to the Golden Isles, signing on as a

“… better functioning of the nerves and the neuromuscular junction between the nerve and muscles,” he explains. “This may involve sticking the needle into the muscle belly and oscillating the needle or leaving the needle in the muscle for an extended period of time.” Dry needling can benefit a large number of conditions, including inflammatory issues such as tendinitis or plantar fasciitis, acute, and chronic muscle tightness, to name a few. Stahler says that while treatment varies, results tend to come quickly. “Treatment for dry needling can vary between a single session and a few sessions for a few weeks at a time. Relief is typically seen quickly within 48 hours of the dry needling intervention,” he says.

Since receiving his additional training and certification, he has incorporated this modality into his treatments numerous times. And he’s seen many patients benefit from those sessions. “I have utilized dry needling countless times since getting certified and it has helped many patients. I have seen improvements in tension, pain, and headaches, which for some has allowed for large improvements in quality of life,” he says. “Usually, dry needling is combined with exercise, education, and other manual techniques to increase the effectiveness of treatment and to improve the rate of recovery and rehabilitation.” Of course, simply using the word “needle” is enough to make some bristle. But Stahler is well-versed in putting his patients at ease. He’s quick to remind them that the discomfort of the treatment is often much milder than the pain that brought them through the doors. “Some of my patients are definitely nervous when first trying the needling. I usually tell people the process may be uncomfortable or mildly painful; however, the benefits of working through the discomfort outweigh the drawbacks of the discomfort for 9/10 patients,” he says. “If the process of dry needling isn’t uncomfortable at all, there will likely be less benefit from the intervention.” Even with successful dry-needling results, Stahler prefers to combine modalities to see the best possible outcomes. Other interventions typically utilized include therapeutic exercises, postural education/correction, home/workplace modifications, and other manual techniques, including cupping and soft tissue mobilization.

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“These interventions address both the cause of symptoms and the effect of symptoms to help reduce pain/dysfunction while also addressing the root cause of the issue so it doesn’t return,” he says. • Advance Rehabilitation is a physical therapy center with two locations serving patients in Glynn County. In Brunswick, the clinic is located at 665 Scranton Road, Suite 3. They also operate a sister location at 212 Retreat Village, St. Simons Island. They provide free injury screenings, and many insurance companies don’t require a prescription to begin treatment. The phone numbers are 912-280-9205 (Brunswick) and 912-638-1444 (St. Simons). For more information, visit their website at advancerehab.com.

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M O N E Y TA L K S after the pandemic. Pre-pandemic the market was stable but competitive, particularly among primary and second home buyers, which is a large part of our market. Prices were gradually rising, and inventory was solid, which gave buyers a lot of options.

During and immediately after the pandemic, demand surged as remote work made coastal living more attractive and people sought out less crowded and a more outdoor lifestyle of living. Home prices skyrocketed, with some properties

A look at the local real estate market

selling for over asking price and creating

As of February 2025, the St. Simons and

WORDS BY LINDSEY ADKISON | PROVIDED PHOTO

Lewis Glenn has been coming to the Golden Isles since he was just a child. After decades as a visitor, his family decided to make the area their permanent home. They relocated to Sea Island in 2005 where Glenn has continued to work in the luxury real estate market, a career he began in Atlanta as the President of Harry Norman Realtors.

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making it a strong sellers’ market.

Sea Island real estate market has experienced notable growth. The median single family home price for St. Simons

Now the Vice President and Broker of

reached over $700k, a 13% increase

Sea Island Properties, he understands

from 2024, and on Sea Island over $4.7M,

the area’s unique real estate market in a

a 35% increase. (source: realtor.com)

way that few others can.

We caught up with Glenn to ask him a few questions about the current state of local real estate and what he expects to

GIM: Is the Golden Isles’ market the same as other markets or is it unique?

see going forward. Read on. Glenn: I believe that all residential

GIM: What has the market been like recently? Has it been the same in the last five years or has it changed? Glenn: The residential real estate market on St. Simons and Sea Island experienced notable shifts before and

bidding wars. Inventory quickly dropped,

markets are unique because they are influenced by specific factors to the given area such as supply and demand, local economy and job market, demographic and lifestyle trends, and amenities in the community. The Golden Isles are unique in a sense that we do offer coastal living, family amenities, and an outdoor lifestyle, which makes us attractive to a broad spectrum of buyers.

GIM: What should potential buyers and sellers know about the current market?

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Glenn: I believe that we are going into a more stable market, with a healthy supply of inventory and a greater demand for homes on both St. Simons and Sea Island. The good news is the Golden Isles offers a broad range of prices and options for properties for potential buyers. Sellers also currently have an opportunity to sell their property in this strong market.

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GIM: What do you see going forward? What are some moves folks can make now to put THEMSELVES in a good position Glenn: The residential market in 2025 will most likely be shaped by a mix of economic, demographic, and social factors. Mortgage rates, inventory, and economic strength are all current trends that we expect to influence 2025.

Potential home buyers should assess their budget, get pre-approved, know their desired location and must-haves

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in a home, and connect with their local professional realtor who knows the area and the market to help them through the purchase process.

Potential sellers should engage with your local professional Realtor to evaluate and price their home competitively. In addition, sellers should take recommended steps from their Realtor to to enhance the marketability of their property.

In closing, my prediction is that the 2025 real estate market will be strong and promising. St. Simons and Sea Island continue to be sought-after markets, especially for the primary and second home buyers and sellers. And finally, we are all blessed and fortunate to live in such a special place where we can live, work, and play.

— Lewis Glenn is the managing broker of Sea Island Properties, 351 Sea Island Road, St. Simons Island. He may be reached at 912-638-5161.

MAY/J UN E 2025

GAME CHANGERS “My mother played Mah-jong, so I grew up with it. She still plays … she’s 90,” she says with a laugh. “It’s great for your memory.” The game can be likened to some familiar card games, including more than a passing likeness to Rummy. It’s even a bit like Spades. Players are tasked with assembling either similar “suits” or “pairs.” Joker tiles are very valuable in that they can take the form of any tile that would be most helpful to a player. There’s a discard pile, and players are allowed to pull from that and other players’ tiles when they’ve exposed them after collecting a grouping. There’s also strategy involved, and players often have to remember what others are picking up or discarding to have the best chance at beating their rivals to the proverbial Mah-jong punch.

Mah-jong

Of course, plenty of elements make it unlike any game Westerners have played.

WORDS BY LINDSEY ADKISON

The sound of excited chatter drifted out of room 108 of the St. Simons Casino on a bright blue morning. Inside, eager foursomes sat huddled around folding tables. Plastic tiles, bedecked with Monarch butterflies, cracked as they were shuffled, sorted, delt, and passed. Eventually, they were lined up in neat rows in awaiting tile racks. Nancy Carter opened a fabric-encased code book outlining all of the various paths players could take to the all-important “Mah-jong.”

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“You can have any of these. So when you first get your tiles, you look and see what would be the easiest path,” she says, running her finger across the various “quints” and “consecutive runs.” “Over here, it shows you how much each is worth, so the more difficult ones are worth more … this has it in money, but of course, we don’t play for money here.” The here is the St. Simons Library’s Mahjong Club. And since it began in January, it’s become a hot ticket item on the programming list. “We’d been getting public requests for a Mah-jong class for some time, but no one on staff knew enough about the game to lead a class,” says Hesper Montford, library manager.

The game originated in Southern China, around the Yangtze River Delta, in the mid-1800s. The term “mah-jong” was coined from the term “mah tae” (the original title of the game) which means “sparrow” in several Southern Chinese dialects. The term refers to the sound the tiles make, which originators felt was similar to the chattering of birds. It began, as most things did in those days, as a men’s only activity and was associated with gambling. Over time, it moved to other areas of society and eventually around the globe. But the essence of the game is very much rooted in its motherland. The 144 tiles come in three categories, which draw on nature and mythology.

“It’s one of our new library programs this season. People of all backgrounds and levels, too; you don’t have to have any prior experience to come learn and play. It’s just a whole lot of fun.”

The suits include bamboo, dots, and characters (or “bams,” “dots,” and “cracks” as heard being called around the room as club players discard unwanted tiles). Each suit is numbered 1 to 9 (a total of 36).

Some players, like Carter, have been playing most of their lives.

Then, there are honor tiles, which include dragons and winds. There are three sets

of dragon tiles (12 total) and four sets of winds (16). Many Mah-jong sets also include eight additional tiles featuring four flowers and four seasons. As the game gained popularity, different versions evolved based on traditions in various countries. Today, there’s a Japanese, as well as an American version. Sometimes, the game is played with three players or even two (Siamese Mah-jong). Most commonly, though, it comprises four players.

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The variety has undoubtedly helped the game’s continued popularity. Over the decades since its inception, Mah-jong has ensnared devotees the world over. Layout notes to GIM: Note changes to list of artists’ names GIM template has corrections to email and website URL Hours: Change to Wed.-Sat. 10-4

And, as we can see, the draw is alive • • and well on St. Simons Island. In fact, • more people than ever are playing Mah-jong. Many women in their 20s and 30s have assembled regular groups, gathering for weekly games. Fundraisers have sprung up locally with the tiles at the center of several events. Mah-jong sets have also become key pieces of decor, proudly displayed in many well-appointed homes. However, for Kathy Hall, it was the game’s ability to help her connect with others that meant the most. “It’s an old game that does seem to be gaining in popularity. When I moved to the island, it was a fun way to meet new people,” she says. And she paid it forward. Now, Hall is an instructor and helped get the St. Simons Library’s Mah-jong Club up and running. “Mah-jong can be played with two, three, or four players, which makes it easy to get a game together. It’s challenging and requires a new game card every year,” she says. “The library offers a lot of clubs. I have enjoyed learning in a few different (ones). I wanted to give back and teach something I know and love.” • The St. Simons Island Library is located at 530 Beachview Dr., within the Casino building. The Mah-jong Club meets at 10 a.m. on Tuesday mornings through April. No sign-up is required, and all levels are welcome. For more information, email learnMah-jong101@gmail.com.

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THE DISH

Barbara Jean’s shares time-tested recipes

WORDS AND PHOTOS BY TAYLOR COOPER “Normally, it takes her 10 minutes to

explains. “The last thing you want is to

figure out a dish,” Jim says. “It doesn’t

walk into your favorite restaurant and

matter where we are or what it is.”

find out they’ve changed the menu or how they make something.”

But sometimes it takes a while to perfect her own version. For instance, the jala-

It’s a delicate balance — innovating

peño cornbread took her 10 years.

while maintaining what customers love. Raise prices too much and diners balk.

Jim, a former Marine, handles the logis-

Change the menu too much, and they

tical side of the business, ensuring the

feel lost. It’s a lesson many celebrity

kitchen runs like a well-oiled machine.

chefs could stand to learn.

He’s the one preparing the ingredients and keeping the gears turning.

For nearly three decades, Jim and Bar-

“You see these TV chefs who’ve worked at dozens of restaurants, thinking they

bara Barta’s restaurant, Barbara Jean’s,

It’s that kind of work ethic, even as the

can do everything better when they

has been a reliable port of call in the

owner of the establishment, that keeps

start somewhere new,” Jim says. “Ego

Golden Isles’ dining scene.

a restaurant running so long. Taking an

gets in the way.”

active hand in the quality of a kitchen’s Nestled on Mallery Street in the Pier

output is essential to longevity.

Village, it’s well known for comfort food,

Barbara Jean’s staff, however, follows one rule: stick to Barbara’s recipes. Even

including the trio of bread service offer-

Running a restaurant for 27 years teach-

a Culinary Institute of America-trained

ings — jalapeño cornbread, wheat rolls,

es you a thing or two about what works

chef once doubted her approach —

and pumpkin bread.

— and what doesn’t. While Barbara con-

until he tried it himself.

stantly refines recipes, Jim understands Barbara, the creative mastermind

the value of consistency.

behind the menu, has a natural ability to dissect and reconstruct recipes.

it would turn out this well,’” Barbara “One of the most important things in the restaurant industry is predictability,” he

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“He said, ‘I never would have believed recalls, laughing.

Italian Gnocchi with Bolognese Sauce Ingredients 3 oz. prosciutto 4 oz. pancetta 1 lb. chicken breast 1 lb. beef sirloin 2 hot Italian sausage links 2 tsp. Italian seasoning 3 oz. ground pork 1 large carrot, peeled and chopped 1 red onion, chopped 2 celery stalks, chopped 3 cloves garlic 10 sprigs Italian parsley 6 tbsp. butter 1 Tbsp. olive oil 1 cup red wine 2 Tbsp. tomato paste 2 cups chicken broth Together, they’ve created the ideal combination for a healthy marriage and

1 tsp. salt

a thriving business.

1 tsp. pepper

Of course, both require a little bit of flexibility. And that goes for the recipes that Barbara has acquired over the years.

1¼ cups heavy cream ¾ cup parmesan cheese

Directions “There’s no such thing as a recipe she hasn’t changed,” he says, referring to

Using a meat grinder (the Bartas use a Kitche-

this edition’s dish an Italian gnocchi with bolognese sauce.

nAid stand mixer attachment), grind the meats,

It’s one that sat in Barbara’s recipe collection for 20 years, she says, before she finally tackled it. A rich, savory Italian gnocchi dish smothered in a robust, handmade Bolognese sauce. “I’d had this recipe forever but never made it because the ingredient list was just so long,” she admits. When she finally did, she was hooked.

vegetables, garlic, and parsley into sausage. Heat a large pot over medium heat. Add olive oil, 4 tbsp. butter, and red wine. Add the ground meat mixture and vegetables.

Jim, ever the workhorse in the kitchen, grinds the meats himself — prosciutto,

Let the wine evaporate slowly for about 15

pancetta, chicken, beef, pork, and hot Italian sausage.

minutes.

Getting everything ready and cutting it up into small enough pieces to feed

In a separate pan, heat the chicken broth and

into the KitchenAid stand mixer attachment they use isn’t a simple ask, but it’s

dissolve the tomato paste in it. Add the broth

worth it for the final product.

mixture to the meat and simmer for 30 minutes. Stir in the heavy cream, ¼ cup Parmesan

“Grinding up Italian parsley in a meat grinder is pretty interesting,” he jokes. Through it all, though, Barbara keeps cooking — not for accolades, but because she loves it. “She never does it for thanks or recognition,” Jim says. “She does it because it

cheese, and the remaining butter. Serve over gnocchi or your favorite pasta, topped with the remaining ½ cup Parmesan cheese.

makes me happy, and for the satisfaction she takes in it.” MAY/J UN E 2025

Eclectic + Bold Duo shares vision in new firm Scout Proper Designs

G O L D E N I S LES

WORDS BY LINDSEY ADKISO N PHOTOS BY MICHELLE HOLTON, GRAY O’NEIL, GAVIN SELLERS CREATIVE, AND PR OVIDED

Hillary Germano extended her hand toward the top of the wall mural, tracing a particular section in the air with her finger. “See the two horses?” she asks with a grin, turning to look at her friend, Jenna Garwood. “Oh yeah,” she answers with a laugh. The black pattern of paint splotches, reminiscent of a Rorschach test, wasn’t found in the usual places — i.e., a psychiatrist’s office. No, this was on the wall of Germano’s bedroom, another unconventional yet undeniably cool aspect of a home filled to the brim with those very elements. The “ink blot” test is often used to reveal unconscious pieces of an individual’s personality. The image that emerges is usually unique to the person viewing the painting. But one part came across clearly to Germano, Garwood, and anyone else viewing it. “Do you see the SP here?” Germano asks. “That’s for Scout Proper. Megan Gilmartin did this.” Scout Proper Designs is this dynamic duo’s brandnew interior design firm, one that they began rolling out only recently. And their very first endeavor was tackling Germano’s own St. Simons Island home. “It turned out to be the perfect project and the perfect time for Hillary and I to debut Scout Proper Designs together. It allowed us to have complete creative freedom. It is definitely a lot more eclectic and bold,” Garwood says.

MAY/J UN E 2025

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“I think we just want people to know what we can do, and it’s where our heart is at … we love designing with personality.” And from top to bottom, this home has just that. Built in the 1990s, the house was your typical coastal residence — neutral color palettes and unassuming design flow. “Of course, we didn’t want to change some of the architectural features. The crown molding and the chair rail, for instance. It just added more character,” Garwood says. “We changed the staircase out. It was wooden, very traditional, so we ripped that out and went with this very sleek, modern steel.” “It had carpet before,” Germano adds.

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The dining room, which frames the staircase, is one the two really enjoyed revamping. “I love this room. It’s one of my favorites,” Germano says. The space features a bubble chandelier centered over a chunky wooden dinner table with mauve chairs. The crown molding is a complementary, yet darker, shade of pink with matching chair rail molding. The room features a black and white wallpaper pattern, which divides the space. “Megan also did this butterfly artwork for us, which we love,” Garwood says.

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Crossing back through the entryway brings guests to another of Germano’s favorite spots — the bourbon room. It’s outfitted with patterned wallpaper on the ceiling, blue fuzzy chairs — and, of course, a sophisticated bar. “Hillary always said she wanted a bourbon room. It’s very adult,” Garwood notes. Moving through into the living room, there’s also a grown-up vibe, though a decidedly playful one. “We love this piece of art … if you walk by it … the woman’s hips shake,” Germano laughs. The living space features a black textured fireplace with black built-ins, custom art, a blue couch, and a fringe bedecked fixture hanging overhead. The home’s backyard overlooks the marsh, boasting an exquisite view. So, naturally, the two wanted to make sure they took full advantage of the view.

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“This was a pair of sliding French doors, but it wasn’t as wide, so we opened that up so you could see as much as possible,” Garwood says. “In this area here, we made a little breakfast nook … we call it ‘the Breakfast Club’ where you can sit, have an espresso, and bird watch.” While the style is impossibly chic, there’s one thing both women insist upon — livability. Every piece of furniture and art they chose has to be durable. “We’re still moms … and we have two dogs,” Germano says. “We love eclectic, modern style, so there were some things we wanted to do but couldn’t do when you have sticky fingers around,” Garwood says. Plopping onto the plush sofa in the bourbon room, the two took a moment to pause and reflect on how this joint venture began. Garwood graduated from Georgia Southern with a bachelor’s degree in interior design. “I went into aviation first, actually working with Gulf Stream and designing bespoke aircraft interiors,” she says. “Then, I went into high-end residential.”

G O L D E N I S LES

MAY/J UN E 2025

She befriended Germano roughly five years ago, and the two clicked over their shared love of unique design elements. “Originally, Hillary was going to build, but this property landed in our laps. We were in High Point, North Carolina, at the furniture market to shop for this house, and everything started to really click for us,” Garwood says. For Germano, who has a background in the medical industry, the world of interiors has always come naturally. Her longtime passion for fashion and art effortlessly transitioned to design. “I always helped my family and friends with their houses,” Germano explains. Together, they bring their unique sense of style and look forward to sharing it with clients. And while they’re equipped to tackle any decor a homeowner prefers, they always embrace a bold sense of unexpected fun. “We love the element of surprise. We love unapologetically bold. We love showing our personalities and want to help others do that too,” Garwood says.

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WORDS BY LINDSEY ADKISON | PHOTOS BY LINDSAY STEWART

Mending House

ike many good artists, Cary Anne Chambers draws inspiration from her daily life. As an interior designer, that can mean different things — from patterns in her closet to colors pulled from the doodles of her children. It was a similar, simple, but profoundly personal

connection that guided her hand as she took on one of her most meaningful projects to date — the Broken House. Located on a cul-de-sac in Vassar Point on St. Simons Island, the home itself was structurally sound, with beautiful “bones” to use industry speak.

MAY/J UN E 2025

G O L D E N I S LES

But since it had been built in 1989, it was desperately in need of some updating and a little TLC, something that Cary Anne seems to exude from her very pores. “My husband heard about this pocket listing through his small group (at church). He said, ‘Let’s just go look at it,’” she says. “We went and looked and walked in the door and said, ‘This is for us.’” The couple made an offer and it was accepted in the fall of 2023. Back then, a family still lived in the house and asked for a bit more time before moving out. “… and that was just fine,” Cary Anne says. “We needed time to plan and line up contractors.” It was a first for this pharmacist-turned-full-time-designer who now operates her own firm, A Pop of Colour. It wasn’t her first foray into building a home basically from scratch; she’d done that plenty of times before. However, it was the first opportunity Cary Anne had to create a design exactly the way she envisioned it — as her own project and not under the direction of a client. “I’ve always wanted to do a remodel and I’ve done it for other people. I’ve just never done it exactly the way I wanted it … with the pieces I wanted,” she says. “It was really a ‘pinch me’ moment.” Once the home was vacated, the work could really begin. She connected with a number of contractors to reconfigure some of the home’s structural elements to better suit the family-friendly floor plan she envisioned. “The house was very open, and we wanted to keep the functional pieces, but I also really wanted that dynamic of a family home. For instance, there was no foyer … you would walk right into the living room. But, I wanted to add rooms so

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you had a place for your kids to come in and leave their things or to greet your guests. So, we added that,” she explains. “We created a room off of the foyer, too, which could be an office. There are a lot of options for that.” Crossing back through the entryway, one passes the dramatic staircase illuminated by a Regina Andrew pendant fixture overhead.

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“Classic tones of natural brass are just one of the details that we incorporated throughout the Broken House to create vintage charm,” she says. “The one-of-a-kind hand-blown glass design brings timeless elegance to the space.” The wallpaper, “Ancient Canopy” by Sanderson in the dining room is juxtaposed by an antler-inspired chandelier with deep mahogany wood that evokes feeling of being enveloped in a forrest. “We added a lot of millwork and tons of custom framing on the walls with custom paint and tons of wallpaper,” she says. Moving up the stairs, Cary Anne shares how her own experiences influenced the design of the space. It played a major factor in where to situate the home’s master bedroom. “Originally, the primary suite was downstairs. My mom has a brain injury. She has a hard time walking upstairs, so I do see the importance of having a master on the main floor,” she says. “But, I know… I want to be on the same floor as my children, so we moved the master (bedroom) upstairs.”

G O L D E N I S LES

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That’s not the only way Cary Anne’s familial connections have taken root in the Broken House. The color palette throughout — primarily shades of sage and mossy greens — also has a poignant purpose. Her family’s home in Hazlehurst was decimated by Hurricane Helene, which left a trail of destruction across much of the state of Georgia in the fall of 2024. “I grew up on a pine farm, which was completely demolished by Helene, so a lot of this was inspired by my childhood memories, even down to the wallpaper … this is called Weeping Pine,” she says, stepping into one of the guest bathrooms and sweeping her hand over the wall. “It’s more sentimental because we have this tribute to my family farm. They are working to clean it up and restore it now.” While some of its elements are tinged by a bit of sadness, the home’s vibe is undoubtedly upbeat. Cary Anne added a number of unique and even whimsical touches that bring a sense of playfulness. “We have a lot of squirrels around here,” she says with a laugh, cautiously descending the staircase. “So we embraced that. The brass knocker on the door is a squirrel. It’s all about bringing in the positive.”

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The kitchen is another bright spot. It has been completely recast from its original wooden mold. “We completely re-did the kitchen. Everything is new. I even added this tiny cabinet for keys because I’m always losing mine,” she says with a giggle. One of the home’s greatest conversation pieces is also found in the kitchen, and that is the bar. “This bar … it’s one of my favorites. With the rise in prominence of colorful glassware, this bar provides the perfect backdrop for such. The use of French bistro shelves provides elegance and space optimization,” she says. “The wallpaper, made by Schumacher, is inspired by vintage beverage labels. The fridge has been customized with gold hardware to match the rest of the kitchen.” Situated on the bar, as well as throughout the home, are items that are familiar to many throughout the Golden Isles. That’s because in order to properly stage the property for marketing purposes, Cary Anne tapped a small army of local business owners to showcase their items in the space.

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G O L D E N I S LES

“Incorporating other small businesses in the area for that was so important to me. I mean, I did use some big, reputable brands in the wallpaper and paint,” she says. “But, when it came to the staging, I reached out to small local businesses to see if they wanted to participate. Bentley Kaufman at East Wind Designs, for instance, has such beautiful items, and she let us use them for our bar. It was so beautiful. Then, Fitted Fairways … we had a golf simulator in the garage. We found local books to use, too. I just wanted to show my love for small businesses.” After roughly a year of hard work, the Broken House has been mended. It was Cary Anne’s small children who coined the term. Now, the family hopes their labor of love be the stage on which a family can live their life — the happy times and the hard ones. “My four-year-old and two-yearold named it that. Max and Francy were with my husband and I while we were on site a lot of the time, so they saw the project through from start to finish,” she says. “It was so much fun to hear updates about the project from our toddlers’ perspectives.” She wants the family who moves into these special spaces to be showered in blessings. “Prior to purchasing the property, the home and lot already had so much character to offer. We’ve had the opportunity to enhance this property, creating even more charm and functionality,” she says. “I know that God has a plan and purpose for this property, and I pray His blessings over the buyers of this house. Without knowing who the new owners of The Broken House would be, throughout the renovation, I prayed that God would use me as His servant to deliver the perfect house to the right someone.”

MAY/J UN E 2025

WORDS BY LINDSEY ADKISON | PHOTOS BY ARIC SPARMANN

rowing

G O L D E N I S LES

Strong Farm 99 shares tips to starting thriving vegetable gardens

Amanda McCleery bent down and let the pink-clad border collie sniff her hand.

“On Saturdays, we have more dogs than people here,” she says, patting the eagerly-awaiting pup on the head. “We love that.” From all sides, sunlight poured in, washing the baskets of produce in a golden glow. On this particular day, there was a healthy mixture of avocados, peppers, apples, oranges, potatoes, Brussels sprouts, and fresh squash. This open-air slice of Heaven was Farm 99. On any given day that it’s open to the public, there’s a steady ebb and flow of visitors. It can be a tad tricky to find the first go-round, but once they do, customers make a habit of returning. Of course, establishing a garden on the cusp of Glynn County, Georgia, was not at the forefront of Dante and Amanda McCleery’s minds when they left New Jersey in 2019. “We moved down and COVID hit,” Amanda says with a shrug and a wince. “We really didn’t have a plan, but we moved in across the street and (the sellers) asked us if we wanted this property, too. Dante grew up on a farm (in New Jersey), so we said sure. And, it really all fell into place. But when we started, we had two tents. I still have photos.” The evolution was step-by-step. Slowly, Farm 99, built up to become the local hotspot it is today. Not only is it an open-air market — with hours from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Friday and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday — it also caters to area restaurants, many of whom develop their menus around its fresh produce selections. “When we first started, we didn’t know if we were going to go more toward the chefs or the community, but now we do it all,” Dante says.

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G O L D E N I S LES

In addition, there’s a delivery service, where customers can order online from the website, which is updated every Tuesday. Deliveries are made each Wednesday. “We do a weekly delivery which goes right to your house,” Amanda says. “Everything is on the website and you can just put it in your cart … the quantities and amounts you want. The delivery fee is just $5 and it’s free for local businesses. We’re only open to 5 p.m., so many people can’t get here.” And while the Farm 99 team relishes all those aspects of the business, it’s getting their hands in the dirt that truly nourishes their souls.

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They enjoy providing customers with a varied selection of vegetables, especially unique items. “We have about a dozen things going in the garden at any given time. And we have, you know, regular squash, but we also have things that customers haven’t seen in a long time. Like Patty pan squash, people can’t believe that we have

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“We pick up things that we don’t grow ourselves from other farms,” Amanda says. Of course, plenty of produce is harvested right on site. Madison Massen plays a big part in making that happen. “She and Dante are really the ones who do all the work in the garden. I’m the one who does the marketing and the website,” Amanda says with a laugh. “I have a black thumb. These two do it all in the garden.” Unlike Dante though, Madison didn’t grow up with dirt under her nails. It was a skill she picked up during the pandemic.

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“I lived here my whole life but I wasn’t raised gardening. It was during COVID, when I had all this time, that’s when I dove in and started gardening. It was super simple … tomatoes and cucumbers. Everyone said, ‘grow what you eat, don’t try to grow a whole list,’” Madison says. “It was pretty easy for me, but it changed my life.”

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The Farm 99 folks are always willing to share some of their secrets to help customers get their own gardens growing. They’ve come up with their five favorite tips for those looking to start their own gardens at home. Read on: 1) Seek Sun and Shade: In Georgia weather, you’ll need shade too. Twelve hours of sun and 12 hours of shade should give plants plenty of sun, but also enough shade to relax and not burn year round. 2) Think Water + Good Drainage: Keep the ground moist with ground watering. Water the soil, not the plant (2-inches deep). With heavy rain, you don’t want a flooded garden, so pack the bottom of beds or the ground with brown material matter … dead leaves, twigs, wood chips, straw, cardboard (set at 2-inches deep). 3) Invest in a Grow Light: Starting seeds inside under a grow light will help the seeds grow a strong root system to transplant outside. Sixteen hours on and 8 off will prepare the seedling for the natural sun cycle. Also, make sure to keep the soil moist. 4) Cover Ground: Keeping the soil around your plants covered will help keep the ground moist and keep all those micro-nutrients in the soil alive and active to help feed your veggies. 5) Start a Compost: Compost will help naturally fertilize your garden with extra scraps we all already have. Kitchen scraps, paper rolls, paper towels, tea bags, coffee, animal manure, breads, leaves, wood chips, and more.

G O L D E N I S LES

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G O L D E N I S LES

Our local Certified and Experienced Professionals use a Modern Diamond Polishing Process — eliminating the need for outdated wax methods and applications, allowing your floors to breathe naturally, as they were originally designed.

Meandering down the twists and turns of Ocean Road, change sweeps over the vistas much like egrets flitting across the grassy marsh. On the left, open space still holds firm, offering much the same viewpoints the residents of St. Simons Island have shared for hundreds of years. On the right, there’s the ebb and flow of modernity. Beach cottages, spanning various decades, have been erected, stood, and lately have been either reconstructed or reinvented. And when one East Beach homeowner sought to redesign their 1980s-era home, they knew just who to call — Heather Jowers. The local interior designer and owner of Rae Lane Interiors has managed countless similar projects across Glynn County and beyond.

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This project, however, offered something both new and familiar for Jowers. “I’ve had the pleasure of working with this homeowner on several projects, which has given me a deep understanding of their style,” she says.

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“Over time, we’ve built a strong foundation of trust, allowing me the freedom to take the lead in making selections that truly reflect their vision.” Work had already begun on taking the 4,000-square-foot home down to its bare bones so it could be reborn. Jowers found a blank slate, a dream come true for a designer. “I was brought onto the project last year right when the tile work was beginning. My role was to curate selections for lighting, countertops, wallpaper, and furniture,” she says. “The house was still in the early stages of construction, but its potential was immediately apparent. I was instantly inspired, eager to transform the space, and bring the client’s vision to life.”

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The home is tucked away on a private drive, with the rear of the property line providing a breathtaking view of the sea. That, Jowers knew, is something that they would want to build the style around. “We worked together to create a design that seamlessly brings the beauty of the outdoors inside, connecting the home with its natural surroundings,” she says. Entering the home today, one passes over a diamond grid concrete driveway and into double wooden doors framed by gas lanterns. A modern double staircase greets guests as a metallic chandelier dances in the entryway.

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Ascending the short staircase to the main floor, there’s the truly gasp-inducing moment when visitors enter the kitchen and encounter a wall of windows. “The client really wanted the ocean view to be the kitchen’s focal point. They wanted the kitchen to be more than just a space to cook,” Jowers explains with a grin.

“We worked together to create a design that seamlessly brings the beauty of the outdoors inside, connecting the home with its natural surroundings.” — Heather Jowers

MAY/J UN E 2025

“The view brings a sense of calm and connection to nature, making it feel like an extension of the outdoors.” — Heather Jowers 78

G O L D E N I S LES

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“The view brings a sense of calm and connection to nature, making it feel like an extension of the outdoors.” In addition to the vast seaside, nestling, birds and miles of azure skies, the pool deck is also a highlight. Jowers notes that it was not originally a part of the home but was recently added. WE CARRY

“It really looks like it’s been there all along,” she says with a nod, stepping through the kitchen. The natural fibers in the light fixture, chairs, and accessories carry the coastal theme through to the dining room. There, subtle shell-inspired elements meet a blend of materials that channels a similar vibe. “We aimed for a light and airy feel, keeping the space open and inviting,” she explains. Moving through a hallway — accentuated by windows, original artwork, and sconces — to the office, Jowers says, she was able to add in a bit more of a creative riff.

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“The office, with one of the best views in the home, got a little more playful — we added a bold pop of color on the ceiling and a striking hue on the sofa, while the rest of the room features soft wood tones and a beautiful grasscloth texture,” she says. There are other playful tones to be found within the home as well. On the opposite side, the homeowner requested a kids’ wing, which Jowers wanted to infuse with a vibrant sense of sense of joy.. “… pops of color, cool textures, and quirky art that reflect their personalities,” she explains. That same sense of personality reigned in the master suite as well. Jowers wove in soothing shades and soft textures to give the homeowner a sense of respite. “The client’s favorite color is turquoise, so for the primary bedroom, I selected a stunning turquoise grasscloth wallpaper for the feature wall behind the bed,” she says.

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“The client really wanted the ocean view to be the kitchen’s focal point. They wanted the kitchen to be more than just a space to cook.” — Heather Jowers 80

G O L D E N I S LES

“The bed itself is a mix of rattan and wood, with warm, modern lines. To complement the turquoise, we added accent chairs in a beautiful lime green print, creating a cohesive and fresh vibe in the space.” While this home is exceptional, there are certainly lessons that all novice decorators and would-be designers can draw from it. For one, Jowers always encourages a sense of fearlessness when it comes to trying out looks for one’s own home. That, she adds, is especially true with art. “Don’t be afraid to step

out of your comfort zone,” she says. “Choose pieces that are unique and original, as they’ll truly elevate the space.” Jowers’ own forte is coastal aesthetics. So, for those designs, she encourages incorporating textures — from top to bottom. “… even the lighting is essential — it’s one of the best ways to bring the natural beauty of the outdoors inside. Soft tones are always a great choice for living and dining rooms when you’re aiming for a serene, cozy atmosphere,” she says. “More importantly, you want your home to be a reflection of you and your style.”

MAY/J UN E 2025

Designing Jeanie Beth Baxter shares her stunning Sea Island creation 82

G O L D E N I S LES

WORDS BY LINDSEY ADKISON PHOTOS BY JOHN KRIVEC

eanie Beth Baxter has always been a gal with a vision. Even as a child, she was known to switch up her space.

“I was the little girl who rearranged her room in the middle of the night. And when I started driving, I would go and paint my room in the middle of the night,” she recalls with a laugh. “It’s always been something that I’ve loved doing.” Baxter went to college and earned a business marketing degree. She then became a project manager with a local builder, Van Waters. “I was always really invested in different things … and really building things the right way,” she says. That background gave Baxter a sturdy foundation (no pun intended) for her future. When the pandemic hit, she took the opportunity to change course, working with Valerie Dunn of Valerie Britt Interiors. “I learned an incredible amount. I just fell in love with it,” she says. “But I also wanted to be a mom and have another child. And, it’s a really hard balance.” Baxter decided to put her family at the forefront, but she wasn’t ready to give up on her design dreams. Instead, she ventured out on her own, but forged a connection with Mary Bryan Peyer’s firm on St. Simons. Through that, she’s been able to reach new clients while continuing to focus on her number one job — being a mother. “Sundays used to be terrible because I had to go back to work on Monday, but now it never feels like I am going to work,” she says.

MAY/J UN E 2025

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“I love doing it from the ground up. I understand what the builders are talking about, so that’s helpful,” she says.

The second portion was selecting and installing the furnishings and rugs, ensuring everything fit just right.

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It’s been a long time coming for both the client and Baxter, who have worked together for over a year, as it was a design-build project.

“We had a phase one and two. The first, the design process, was about a year. A lot of people don’t think about it, but when you do a full-build project like this, there’s the first piece is where you have to select the paint colors, lighting, cabinet hardware, cabinet profiles and colors, tiles, flooring … it’s a lot.”

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On this particular day, the home was preparing to put its best foot forward on the Christ Church Tour of Homes. Baxter was helping the part-time resident ensure that everything was ready to go.

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Today, Baxter has created a vast portfolio, spanning a variety of styles and locales. But a recently completed (or nearly so) home on Sea Island is undoubtedly one for the books. The expansive, oceanfront property mingles splashes of color with tasteful seaside elements to make it a hideaway like no other.

And even though, she’s a consummate professional, bringing the design together always feels like a bit of a tiny miracle. But as she walks through this particular home, it’s clear that fabrics, particularly draperies, are often Baxter’s starting point.

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MAY/J UN E 2025

“When I start a design, I tend to find a fabric that I love and base the room around that. In this room, which was for the homeowner’s son, it was centered around the drapery and Roman shades. It all unfolded around that,” she says. Though the tones and intensity varied, greens and blues allowed her to tap into the outdoor color palette. In most of the rooms, Baxter used a similar textured wallpaper to bring a sense of coziness and added that Coastal vibe. The upstair living room is another good example. It’s also a space that allowed her to blend fabrics and fixtures for eye-catching results. “This is very beachy but it’s also elevated. You’ve got your trim details that make it interesting. I love putting a color on a ceiling because it brings everything up, rather than it just being washed away,” she says. “I loved the chairs too. When you have a neutral room, you can do a chair

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that packs a punch. And lighting to me is the jewelry of the house. It serves a purpose, but you also want it to make a statement. That was white and we ended up painting it to make it pop.” While Baxter is a pro and all of her designs seem to cohesively merge, it’s taken her a bit of time to feel confident in what she pulls together. And that’s a key piece of advice that she shares for would-be designers trying their luck at home. Most of all, she encourages others to remember that their space is just that — their own. “For so long, I thought that my designs had to have a particular style or look a certain way … and they don’t,” she says with a grin. “I love mixing and matching modern and heirloom pieces. There really are no rules. As long as you like it and it feels good to you, that’s all that matters.”

G O L D E N I S LES

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During an aptly named Soulful Sunday

it’s been working.”

vocals, production), Yung Clint (lead

at The Glo Room (formerly known as

And that’s what The Vault brings to the

vocals), Scoot (drums and electronics),

SchroGlo), you could see the slender

community — they’re just different. In a

Ramon (drums), and Jay (bass) — are

frame of lead singer Yung Clint making

town that values ‘80s covers, alterna-

Brunswick-born multi-instrumentalists

his way through the crowd offering

tive callbacks, and honky-tonk tunes,

who learned and honed their craft in

each member of the audience a

The Vault has injected a fresh dose of

childhood through church participation.

chance at their five seconds of fame.

movement and soul into the Golden

They ran in the same circles and heavily

Isles. And that’s not by accident.

lean on their church music foundations,

The band had just performed a mas-

but there was a desire for more.

terful rendition of their take on “Pony”

“I’ve gone out of town, and I’ve seen

by Ginuwine, but the fun was far from

a lot of people do a R&B set, a jazz

So, one night in May 2024 at an open

over. As keyboardist and producer

set, different genres, and most of the

mic event at The Study at Reid’s

Abe crooned autotune-aided ad libs,

time, what I was seeing here, R&B is

Apothecary, Abe put a group to-

brave crowd members took a chance

not really popular,” says Abe. “So, why

gether to go perform R&B. Abe and

with the microphone to belt out the

not step out and give it a shot? And

Yung Clint met through the process of

G O L D E N I S LES

performing at the open mic, where

ing with members of community far

The Vault doesn’t shy away from

they vibed on three songs together.

beyond their expectations.

bringing in their own sense of humor

The emcee asked what the group’s

when performing seductive hits. “If

name was, and Abe pulled out a

Abe recalls how fast the popularity of

you like what you heard, let me get a

band name he had been sitting on for

the band has spread since its forma-

‘hell yeah,’” Abe repeats in between

two years. And that’s how The Vault

tion one year ago.

songs. “It’s Sunday, so one more time

was born.

for the Holy Ghost, ‘hell yeah.’” “I made a stop at Silver Bluff, and I

“All right, we’re going to go back into

was talking to one of the workers who

The Vault already sprinkles in some

the vault. Waaaaay back,” Abe tells

came to our previous show. This lady

of their own originals during sets, and

the Glo audience before keying up

on the end said, ‘You’re in a band?’

more are on the way.

“Anniversary” by Tony! Toni! Toné.

And I told her the name, and she was like, ‘I’ve seen you guys on Facebook

And they hope to bring their act on

All the members of the group got a

and Instagram.’ And she lives in Virgin-

the road and show the rest of the

steady diet of soul, gospel, and R&B

ia.”

country what can come out of Bruns-

growing up — from Michael Jackson

wick. Until then, they’ll be “One band,

to Jaco Pastorius to Aaron Spears.

“It’s kind of like a culture shock, be-

one sound,” and doing what they

Yung Clint took to imitating his favorite

cause I always thought I’d be limited

love most: seeing people get up and

singers, and that translates into him

to playing gospel music,” adds Jay.

dance.

going through a whole show with no

“I didn’t expect it to grow this fast.

lyrics in front of him (“But practice

Randomly now, I’m the guy with the

“That’s something money can’t buy,”

always helps me!” he adds). And the

purple guitar. I like that.”

Scoot beams.

influences of their youth are connect-

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A MOVEABLE

FEAST RESTAURANT CATERING MAY/J UN E 2025

COASTAL SEEN

GOLDEN HOUR EVENT SHOWCASE HIGHLIGHTS LOCAL WEDDING INDUSTRY Photos by Magnolia Legacy Photography

The inaugural Golden Hour Event Showcase was recently held at historic Queen and 1.

Grant in downtown Brunswick.

Hosted by Port City Partners, the showcase featured a number of area wedding vendors and service providers. It also celebrated the release of Golden Isles Magazine’s Bride 2025 issue.

SHOWCASE PARTICIPATING VENDORS

Golden Isles Magazine Queen and Grant Reynolds House Southern Posh Weddings iSound Wunderbar Florals Braedon Harrison Brooke Roberts Photography Beachview Event Rentals 4.

Event Guys Wicnic Luxury Limousine and Valet Ruby Lu’s Behind the Veil 3 Little Birds Eastwind Designs Rosewood Artistry Chantilly The Wandering Fox Mary Kay Cosmetics Studio Pixel Pop

9. G O L D E N I S LES

COASTAL SEEN

10.

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COASTAL SEEN

SYMPHONY CELEBRATES 25TH CABARET Cabaret, a fundraiser benefitting the Coastal Symphony of Georgia, was recently held at Frederica Golf Club on St. Simons Island. The theme was Disco Night. The evening included a cocktail hour, silent and live auctions, dancing, and entertainment. For information about the symphony, visit coastalsymphonyofgeorgia.org. 4.

G O L D E N I S LES

COASTAL SEEN

GOLDEN ISLES ROTARY CLUB HOSTS RED HOT CHILI COOKOFF Golden Isles Rotary Club held its annual Red Hot Chili Cookoff in Postell Park on St. Simons Island. Teams served up samples and attendees voted for their favorites. Proceeds raised from the event benefitted community charitable causes. 4.

1. Jeremy, Harmon and Lindsay Mosley | 2. Charles Tapley, left, and Brandon Johnson | 3. Colin and Morgan Dunlap | 4. Shawna Fidler, from left, Anne Simpson, and Lori Parker | 5. Lucy Shelander, left, and Beca Candler | 6. Aaron Franklin, from left, Madeline Hinchliffe, and Azlan Bolin | 7. Anna Chandler, from left, Sandra Spikes, Roxana Bush, Susan Layman, Caroline and Jeff Logan, Ani Duncan, and Mikayla Stapleton.

MAY/J UN E 2025

COASTAL SEEN

ST. SIMONS LAND TRUST’S OYSTER ROAST A sold-out crowd of hundreds recently attended the rescheduled 25th annual St. Simons Land Trust’s Oyster Roast. The event, held at Gascoigne Park, included live music, samples from area restaurants, and the titular dish. Proceeds from the event go toward funding the nonprofit’s mission to protect the island’s green spaces for future 1.

generations. To learn more, visit sslt.org.

10.

1. Brittney Knight, left, and Brooke Baskin | 2. Cheyenne and Kam Throckmorton | 3. Carolina Hanger, from left, Kristin Harris, and Caroline Mayfield | 4. Charles Tapley, from left, Raleigh Kitchens, and Landon Brandt | 5. Suzanne Jackson, left, and Hannah Bramon 6. Mike and Bonnie McDonald, from left, and Ute Kleeman-Sportschuetz and Martin Sportschuetz | 7. Nicole Westbrook, from left, Carol Adams, Anne Hines, and Luis Rivera | 8. Debra and David Wright | 9. Kassidee Glaser, from left, Ella Barker, and Christian McLeod 10. Tripper and Nicole Mansfield, from left, and Tim and Cassie Shipskie

G O L D E N I S LES

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We are pleased to welcome the #1 golf car in the world to our Golden Coast Family.

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Southeast Georgia Physician Associates-Cardiology

Elizabeth Blair, PA-C • Michael Omar, MD • Matthew Certain, MD • A. Wade Strickland, MD Mitchell Jones, MD • Rebecca Powell, ANP-BC • Ashley Lezotte, AGACNP-BC

Our cardiovascular specialists offer patients quality, personalized care and a full range of advanced services to promote better cardiovascular health, including: • Risk assessments • Coronary stents • Stress testing • Pacemakers • Echocardiography • Defibrillator insertion • Minimally invasive heart catheterization • Vascular ultrasounds

NEW LOCATION!

Medical Plaza • 3025 Shrine Road, Suite 290 • Brunswick, GA 31520 912-466-7660 • sghs.org/heartdocs