Wayne Magazine Home & Garden 2023

A STYLISH COTTAGE with

THAT’S AMORE: STORIES OF LOVE & MARRIAGE PROFILES • ARTS & CULTURE • TALK OF THE TOWN

R:

Not all customers put growing their business first. Some, like Dr. Sandy Mager, are helping grow local families including delivering two granddaughters for PrimeSouth’s Randy Teston. Randy knows PrimeSouth is the right banking model to serve those whose communities call on most. That is why he has always been within easy reach for Dr. Mager since she first arrived in Jesup 25 years ago. Just as patients across Southeast Georgia now rely on Dr. Mager, she has relied on her local bank every step of the way. Today, Randy and his team are excited to have played a role in the construction of new administrative offices with living spaces upstairs for when Dr. Mager is on call. For both the Women’s Health Center and PrimeSouth, helping their community grow is a calling they share.

Learn more at: PrimeSouth.com

13 MIKE LONG

Dedicated to Service and Devoted to Fun

19 EAM CORPORATION

25 Years and Still Growing

25 KELLY SHANKLIN

The Real Deal

33 J.W. OLIVER

Living the Life He Loves

FROM THE Publish

info@showcasepublicationsga.com @waynemagazine We are so EXCITED

to present the latest issue of Wayne Magazine! It is our pleasure to continue to focus on positive stories about people, places, and events in Wayne County, and bring them to life with insightful copy and beautiful photography. While Wayne Magazine focuses on our community, it reaches far beyond county lines. The magazine is utilized by several companies and industries to recruit employees, by the Chamber of Commerce as a key marketing tool, and others share the magazine with friends and family all over the country.

Nothing can replace holding a magazine in your hands, taking time to relax while flipping through its pages, reading each story, and learning something new about our community. For those who prefer reading it digitally, Wayne Magazine is available online on our website as well as other community websites. This allows even more people to read about our great community.

We appreciate those who allow us into their lives and homes to share their story. We love getting to know them better as their story unfolds. We value these relationships with new and old friends and look forward to making many more.

As always, we want to thank the advertisers, writers, photographers, designers, and so many others who work with us on Wayne Magazine. We have a great team and appreciate everyone involved. It’s not possible without them … or without you!

We pray blessings for you and your family in 2024!

John & Connie Riddle

Editors and Publishers

John F. Riddle & Connie K. Riddle

Showcase Publications, Inc.

Creative Director

Robin Harrison

Caffeine Generated Graphics

Designers:

Robin Harrison, Russ Hutto

Cover Photo:

Miss Magnolia Soul Photography

Contributing Photographers:

Miss Magnolia Soul Photography

Mattie Genaux Photography

Lens by Langley

The Cottage Events & Photography

John F. Riddle

Larry Vaught

University of Kentucky

Nick Sargent

Ginger Proudfoot

Contributing Writers:

Ginger Proudfoot

John F. Riddle

Jan Hediger

Emily Deaton Wood

Cyle Augusta Lewis

Meagan Piper White

Amy Faeskorn

Lindsey Coral Harper

Proofing:

Allen Allnoch

Amy Faeskorn

WAYNE MAGAZINE is published bi-annually by Showcase Publications, Inc. For information on advertising, submitting articles, or photography: (912)-424-8772

P.O. Box 391 • Jesup, GA 31598 info@showcasepublicationsga.com Website: showcasepublicationsga.com

Other magazines published by Showcase Publications, Inc.: Valdosta Magazine / Okefenokee Living Je Davis Living / Emanuel County Living

All rights reserved. Copies or reproduction of this publication in whole or in part is strictly prohibited without expressed written authorization from the publisher. Every e ort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein. Advertising is subject to omission, errors and other changes without notice. The opinions expressed by the writers are not necessarily those of the publisher.

SPECIALIZE IN:

• NECK/BACK PAIN

• POST OP SURGERY

• SHOULDER PAIN

• VERTIGO/DIZZINESS

• BALANCE DISORDERS

• PELVIC FLOOR/URINARY INCONTINENCE DISORDERS

• GENERAL WEAKNESS

• STROKE REHABILITATION

• LYMPHEDEMA

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Foot & Ankle Specialist

Office conveniently located in Jesup

D

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Board-certified by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgeons New patients welcome Most insurance accepted

Dr. Spinola offers a wide range of treatments to help patients achieve relief from their foot and ankle pain and improve overall quality of life. Some of the treatment options he offers include:

H

F a s c i i t i s )

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T e n d o n i t i s

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F l a t F e e t

If you are experiencing foot or ankle pain, or if you have a condition that is affecting your mobility, we encourage you to make an appointment with Dr. Spinola. He will take the time to listen to your concerns and develop a personalized treatment plan to help you achieve the best possible results.

FROM OUR Readers

WAYNE MAGAZINE has traveled thousands of miles with some of our readers. Take Wayne Magazine with you on your next trip. Get a picture holding the magazine and send to us. Leave Wayne Magazine behind so others can read about our wonderful community and its people.

Pictures and/or letters can be sent to: info@showcasepublicationsga.com or mailed to: P.O. Box 391; Jesup, GA 31598

Harris traveled to Napa Valley and carried along Wayne Magazine. Thanks for sharing Wayne Magazine with the wine country!

“ Absolutely stunning! Great job

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“ Gorgeous work!!! Robert Wynn your arrangements are always amazing. Joe Roberson you guys outdid yourselves on this one.” - MORGAN CARTER HARVEY

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“ I love this sweet family!! Mo and McKinley are some of the best people I know!!!! I am proud to call them

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Dedicated to Service and Devoted to

fun

Mike Long is everyone’s friend. On one hand, he’s a jokester, ever ready with wi y one-liners; on the other, he is serious about service to his community. Mike explained, “A significant person in my life taught me these important truths: treat others with respect and kindness, and treat them how you want to be treated.”

Mike’s roots run deep here – his family tree was planted in the area before there was a Wayne County. In the mid-1860s, his kin were granted a lot and built the Benne Mill and pond. “It was an important part of society back in its day, with a grist mill and a sawmill on site. I’ve been told that people came from as far as Darien to mill their rice. Our Benne / Su on line goes all the way back.” Although raised in Charlo e, North Carolina, he spent summer and Christmas break in Wayne County. “I worked tobacco and hay – I’ve been coming here all my life. When the company that employed me was sold in 1987, I left the rat race and came home.”

Story by CYLE LEWIS

Photo by LANGLEY RYALS

“I always tell people who don’t think God has a sense of humor to take a look in the mirror!”

Mike laughed about his reputation for being a comedian and handing out one-liners, and in very “Mike” fashion responded, “That’s what she said!” Go ahead and laugh – that’s what it’s like trying to pull a serious story out of Mike Long.

“My dad was a cut-up! He left us for his reward in December of 2022. I don’t go anywhere in town without someone stopping me to say how much they miss my dad and his humor. I think humor is the best medicine.”

Whether in a store, a drive-thru, or a meeting on one of the state boards he sits on, he wants to put smiles on the faces of those around him.

“That’s my job! One-liners are the perfect icebreaker, though I have been told my filter needs work.” Having worked the Walk to Emmaus many times, he noted their picture of Jesus laughing. He added, “I always tell people who don’t think God has a sense of humor to take a look in the mirror!”

Mike’s formal training occurred at Wingate University, where he earned a BS in human services/public relations, but on some level, his playful friendliness is just how God made him. “I never shy away from becoming a friend to those I work, play, or interact on any level with,” he said. “Friendship starts by showing kindness.” He said his “theology of friendship” can be found in a favorite Tim McGraw song penned by Lori McKenna:

“Don’t take for granted the love this life gives you

When you get where you’re going, don’t forget to turn back around

And help the next one in line

Always stay humble and kind.”

“ Friendship starts by showing kindness.”

One thing Mike doesn’t joke about is the importance of community and service: “It concerns me that there are people who aren’t serious about it. See a need, meet a need – that’s my motto.” His legacy of providing community support is more important than any other accolade. “Wayne County has a great mix of folks, and we have a duty to future generations to leave it better than we found it,” he explained. “Servanthood is underrated. There are opportunities to serve every day if you look for them.”

Locally known for emceeing many community events, Mike likes to say “yes” to such things. “Most people say ‘no!” he said with a laugh. “You have to have the ability to carry an event through those moments when things aren’t going as planned. Anyone can read a script, but ad-lib and crowd interactions are what I enjoy most.” Noting how much more enjoyable an event is when the host is comfortable and enjoying himself, Mike pointed out that he has emceed the chamber’s Christmas parade for the past sixteen years. “And every year, I

“Mike Long has been a dedicated advocate for be er education for Georgia’s children. His service on the State Board of Education and his many contributions to his local community have been outstanding.” – Nathan Deal

am surprised that people are actually glad to see me back doing it again!” A family from Hinesville visited and attended the parade and told Mike that he enjoyed him emceening as much as his kids enjoyed the parade, so Mike replied with a hug and said, “Flattery will get you everywhere!” What happened next brought a tear to his eye as the visitor replied, “If there are more people like you here, we just might move!”

Mike has focused his positivity and high energy towards impacting his world. “We need less Eeyores! I’m more like Tigger. We all occasionally face tough times, but I want you to smile

when I leave your company. I promised myself years ago that I would strive to make a difference in people’s lives.” Ultimately, it’s about planting the seeds of purpose, teamwork, and dedication.

In keeping with his dedication to community service, Mike has served on the boards of Hospice of South Georgia, Wayne County Solid Waste, and the Boys and Girls Clubs, and he’s served as both president and vice president of the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce. “I enjoyed my tenure at all the local boards I have served on. It gave me the platform and confidence to serve on the state boards I was appointed to by Governors Deal and Kemp.” His commitment to service is well known across the state, where he has served on the First Congressional District State Board of Education and later for the Technical College System of Georgia Board, among others. “Little did I know the impact that would have on my life. I was humbled by the responsibility of making decisions for 1.3 million Georgia children. I could not believe how

“I am proud to congratulate Mike Long on his 25 years of service to his community and our state. From his time on the Board of Education and Technical College Board, to his many roles in Wayne County, we appreciate his commitment to building a prosperous future for our state.” – Governor Brian Kemp

“Making a difference is the most important aspect of serving the community.”

politics and education intertwined, in both good and bad ways.”

As an insurance agent by day, there is a clear correlation between his insurance work and his desire to serve the community. “You are in the wrong industry if you are in insurance and don’t have a servant’s heart. Insurance is a total service industry. We are in the business to serve those who entrust their lives, homes, autos, and business to us!”

“Making a difference is the most important aspect of serving the community. We watch the news and see the breakdown of society. Who would not want to leave this place better than you found it?” May we all heed Mike’s inspiring call to action: “See a need, meet a need!” |WM

EAM CORPORATION

25 Years and Still Growing

Domtar’s Engineered Absorbent Materials (EAM Corporation) facility in Jesup is celebrating 25 years of operation in 2023. EAM, which opened in 1998, is still growing with the completion of a $90 million expansion project in May 2023 that added 75 new jobs.

EAM develops and manufactures innovative, high quality absorbent core solutions for many of the world’s largest and most successful branded and private label consumer product companies. Their absorbent cores, sold under the brand names NovaThin® and NovaZorb®, are found in products such as feminine hygiene, adult incontinence, and diapers, as well as other medical and healthcare products, food packaging, and pet care.

“When consumers go into CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, and other major retailers, they see r products everywhere.”

“When consumers go into CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, and other major retailers, they see our products everywhere,” explained Kim Sumner, Director of Operations and Development.

The EAM plant in Jesup is Domtar’s manufacturing center for absorbent materials and includes a state-of-the-art research complex. EAM’s team of scientists and engineers are developing the “next generations of absorbent materials for future consumer and industrial applications.” Maintaining their absorbent core solutions center in Wayne County, with its proximity to the port in Savannah, one of

the busiest container ports in North America, is a strategic advantage for Domtar, which ships pulp, paper and packaging products across the globe. The recently completed expansion alone will increase the EAM’s exports by 60%, adding approximately 500 containers to their annual shipments.

EAM began operations in 1998 in a 60,000 -square-foot speculative building, built by the Wayne County Industrial Development Authority, in the industrial park on Sunset Boulevard. Since that time, the company has expanded six times and added 14 major pieces of production and/or finishing equipment.

“EAM has made a great economic impact in the c munity due to expansions and economic investment over the years.”

The latest expansion, which added new production and five major finishing lines, consists of 220,000 square feet, bringing their total footprint to 331,000 square feet and making Domtar the second-largest airlaid supplier in the United States and the third largest in the world. In addition to developing capacity, EAM continues to create jobs, growing its team to a total of 165 employees.

“This expansion is great news for Domtar and Wayne County. It’s the largest local industry expansion in several years and will provide a financial boost for Wayne County’s economy,” said Executive Director of

the Wayne County Industrial Development Authority Dell Keith. “We’re always thrilled when jobs come to Wayne County, and we are excited that Domtar chose this facility for their expansion, as they are an extremely valuable employer in our community.”

“We are dedicated to making EAM an awesome place to work where everyone on the team feels valued and appreciated,” said EAM General Manager Vanecia Carr, who spoke at the ribbon cutting for the recent expansion. “We also remain committed to investing in a variety of initiatives that support Wayne County and the city of Jesup.”

ABOVE: Groundbreaking for another expansion in 2017. Deena Bennett & Molly Hall, Chamber of Commerce; Bill Harvey & Nick Harris, City Commissioners; Kim Sumner; David Earl Keith, Mayor; Dell Keith, IDA; James “Boot” Thomas, County Commissioner; Randy Franks, IDA

Shaun O’Quinn, secretary of the Wayne County Industrial Development Authority, applauded EAM’s continued growth and ongoing community support, saying, “EAM has made a great economic impact in the community due to expansions and economic investment over the years. Thank you, EAM, for everything you’ve done and for your commitment to our community.” |WM

Kelly Shanklin THE REAL DEAL

With her slender figure, crop of pixie-cut hair, delicate features and big, bright smile, Kelly Shanklin looks like the quintessential “girl next door.” She was born in Illinois, but when she begins to speak in a smoothly cadenced Southern accent, the Georgia influences reveal themselves.

“We moved to Cordele when I was in the third grade,” she says, referring to the small rural Georgia town known as the Watermelon Capital of the World. “We moved a lot when I was growing up – not because we were in the military or anything, but because my parents struggled with money and were always looking for work. We were never homeless, but sometimes one paycheck from it. Having a parent with an addiction had a negative impact on our family in so many ways, not just financially, though I think they did the best they knew how,” Kelly explains.

Kelly Shanklin

As we continue to talk, the conversation takes on an ease and familiarity that soon feels more like catching up with an old friend – not a new acquaintance. Open, real, and approachable, she has an honesty and easy humor that immediately draw you in. It doesn’t take long to realize that Kelly has that distinct something special that makes her stand out – a je ne sais quoi vibe that all really cool people possess.

Born in 1976 in Highland Park, Illinois, Kelly, along with her older brother, lived with her maternal grandparents in Phoenix, Arizona when she was young. “My parents divorced when I was around one, so we went out there to stay with my grandparents for a while. In fact, I learned to walk in their kitchen,” she says. “My grandmother was very important to me. She believed that anything is possible – if you want to do it, you can do it. After 25 years of raising children, my grandmother went back to work as a secretary and then taught computer classes, word processing, and desktop publishing at the local college. She was always really on top of things.” By the time she retired, Kelly’s grandmother was a trust fund manager, supervising large money and investments accounts for wealthy clients.

Later, after returning to live with her mother and stepfather, she and her brother would spend summers with their grandparents. “I thought they were rich because they had a pool in the backyard. I have a lot of great memories of those times and

I was sad when they sold that house. In fact, I’m still salty about it,” she says with a laugh.

After graduating from high school in Turner County, Kelly enrolled at Valdosta State University, majoring in Exercise Science. It was there, while working at Target, that she met her husband, Calvin Shanklin, also employed by Target. “Calvin is from Jesup and is called Michael by his friends and family, but I’ve always called him by his first name – Calvin,” she says. After the couple married, Target transferred Calvin to Mobile, Alabama and Kelly put her college plans on hold to follow her husband. “I was on the five-year plan, much to my grandmother’s chagrin,” she explains.

A few years later, the couple returned to Georgia, allowing Kelly to fulfill her grandmother’s fervent wish that she would complete her degree. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Valdosta State with the intent to work in cardiac rehabilitation. Back in 2000, exercise science was a fairly young field and there were no internships in Georgia, requiring Kelly to do her internship in Panama City, Florida. In 2002, following her grandmother’s example, Kelly enrolled at Valdosta Tech to study computer information systems, which came in handy when she took a job in 2003 as an administrative coordinator for the Richland County Recreation Commission in Columbia, South Carolina, where Calvin had been transferred once again with Target.

When Target offered them an opportunity to

move back to Georgia, Kelly and Calvin, now the parents of three daughters – including twins – and expecting their fourth child, quickly accepted. The job was in the Savannah area, but the couple couldn’t find the house they needed for their growing family in any of the surrounding suburbs. They took a chance, house hunting in Wayne County, and soon found the house they currently live in. “The house was straight out of 1985, needed serious updating and smelled like pickles, but we loved it. And it had a pool,” she says with a smile. “It’s the only home my son has ever known, though it’s a bit empty now that the girls are in college.”

LEFT

Kelly was selected for Leadership Georgia in 2022. She and Calvin at a theme night event for LG in Macon.

BELOW

Kelly has been recognized for her volunteerism and leadership in the community.

“KELLY HAS A KNACK FOR BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER AND ENCOURAGING COLLABORATION AND TEAMWORK.”

Although Kelly considers being a mother to her children – Christina, Ally, Bailey, and Sam – her greatest accomplishment, after a couple of years of being at home with them, she knew she needed to get back to work. “I had three in diapers and I love, love, love my babies, but stay-at-home parenting is incredibly difficult. I’ve had to make an income since I was 15 and that was, and still is, my mindset – I have to work.”

She applied for and got a position with the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce. “Bless

BOTTOM LEFT

Allen Volsky, Denna Benne , Justin Franks, Kelly, Kara Lopez, Mark Watson representing the Wayne County Chamber at a Georgia Chamber event.

BOTTOM RIGHT

Kelly with fellow Leadership Wayne participants with Governor Brian Kemp.

“KELLY IS QUIET – A LISTENER AND AN OBSERVER. WHEN SHE SPEAKS, IT IS PROFOUND!”

ABOVE

Kelly coordinates RYAM’s corporate foundation that awards invitation-only grants to worthy 501c organizations.

John Riddle for hiring me!” she says. Kelly worked with the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development as the Economic Development Coordinator until 2011, when she moved to Rayonier, now RYAM.

Kelly started out as a receptionist for the marketing, research and supply chain departments. From there she quickly rose through the ranks, becoming an analyst in the plant maintenance department and then in 2016, she became the plant office manager, later adding public relations to her duties. Providing leadership for all support functions of the Jesup RYAM plant as well as to the plant vice president, Kelly coordinates RYAM’s corporate foundation that awards invitation-only grants to worthy 501(c)(3) organizations, and works to keep the Jesup plant active in the community. “RYAM has a very long history of giving back to the community and I hope to continue that legacy during my time here, even if just in a tiny way.”

“I cannot say enough about how much it honors me to work with Kelly and to know her – she

is passionate about our business and initiatives and about her role developing relationships with local leaders and businesses,” says RYAM Manager of Human Resources Christon Griffis. “Kelly has a knack for bringing people together and encouraging collaboration and teamwork.”

In addition to her corporate responsibilities, Kelly has become a major influence in the local business and leadership community, as well as on the regional and state levels. She sits on a number of boards, including Partners In Education and Rotary Club, where she is president-elect, and she volunteers as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for children in foster care.

“When I first began working at the Chamber, Kelly was very involved in the community as she had been for many years. She loves Wayne County and is committed to making and keeping it a wonderful place to live, work and raise her family,” says Deena Bennett, Executive Director of the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce. “Kelly is quiet – a listener and an observer. When she speaks, it is profound!”

Her community involvement and leadership has been recognized on the state level as well. Kelly recently graduated from Leadership Georgia, Class of 2023. Leadership Georgia is one of the oldest and most prestigious leadership training programs in the nation, choosing from the best and brightest candidates in the state, and Kelly’s selection is a distinguished and very welldeserved honor.

“MY IDENTITY LIES IN MY FAITH, FAMILY AND FRIENDS, WORK, AND COMMUNITY.”

In March of 2022, in preparation for a common procedure, Kelly went in for routine pre-op testing and x-rays. Days later, Kelly received the shattering news that the x-rays had uncovered a mass on her right lung, about the size of a small lemon. Further testing revealed that she had an atypical carcinoid lung tumor, a very rare form of cancer that accounts for less than 1% of all lung cancers. “I had no symptoms, had never smoked

“CANCER IS A JUST A BLIP IN THE ROAD –A TINY PART OF THE REST OF THIS BIG LIFE THAT I’M VERY BLESSED TO HAVE BEEN GIVEN. IT IS NOT MY IDENTITY.”

and took good care of myself, so it was a shock,” Kelly says. “There is no way of knowing when it started or how long it had been there, but I was incredibly blessed that it was found when it was, as pathology showed it started to spread.”

Over the next months, Kelly combined a schedule of family, work, and community involvement with a grueling protocol of chemotherapy and surgery to remove the tumor and a portion of her right lung. “Kelly is truthfully one of the strongest women I know. She never missed a beat – never let cancer dim her light, and if you didn’t know about her cancer, you would have never known from the outside looking in,” says Christon Griffis. Kelly adds, “No one really knew that I was sick until I started wearing head scarves. One day, after showering, the towel was just covered in so much hair that I knew it was time to shave off what was left. I let my kids do it.”

Now that her treatments are concluded, Kelly goes in for scans every six months and they have all been clear. Asked where she sees herself in the future, Kelly says, “I truly love what I do now,

but if I won the lottery tomorrow and could do anything, I’d want to start my own foundation. Or maybe I’d just go sit on a beach in Greece – or maybe both.”

At the top of her game, Kelly is one of those rare and fine individuals who isn’t afraid to be her authentic self. Her determination, sense of purpose and leadership skills have earned her mass admiration and respect. Navigating life’s challenges with confidence, optimism and grace, she sees the big picture and understands what is important. Referring to the lingering effects of chemo that have left her with tinnitus and “weird hair,” she says, “It is what it is. Listen, cancer is a just a blip in the road – a tiny part of the rest of this big life that I’m very blessed to have been given. I am thankful for my experience, but it is not my identity. My identity lies in my faith, family and friends, work, and community.”

So, while the explanation of exactly what makes someone cool may be difficult to define, you know it when you see it. Kelly Shanklin is the real deal. And that’s very cool, indeed. |WM

Always, “REJOYCE

Bringing an integrative and regenerative approach to dermatology, aesthetics and wellness in a warm, inviting, uplifting space in her hometown – that was the mission almost two years ago when Chasity opened ReJoyce. Her entry into the aesthetic and wellness space had to reflect the intersection of her mission to reframe what medical care can look like when you take a “root cause” approach to treating patients. In 2022 ReJoyce opened its doors, offering patients a place to retreat for cutting edge technology paired with novel and innovative approaches with a side of hugs, hospitality, human connection and love. And that is precisely what it has become.

The small but welcoming space has evolved into an in-demand destination for individuals looking for a fresh but always natural look to their appearance, a hub for busy executives, healthcare workers and tired moms alike to refuel on IV hydration or vital nutrient injections. Men and women of all ages and demographic backgrounds are seeking to feel better both inside and out. Chasity emphasizes “an intrinsic part of improving someone’s appearance

pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

aesthetically is their overall wellbeing.”

That paradigm was formed when she began a journey with her nutritionist, Melanie Harris, over six years ago to begin to repair and rebuild her own health, thus opening the door to begin to research and learn just how important our gut and nutritional health is and how it is the foundation of every cellular function in our body. “Traditional medical training spends about 30 seconds of your 8+ years in school and training on nutrition and maybe 60 seconds on hormones. We are taught almost exclusively to make a diagnosis and then pick the best pharmacological drug to treat it instead of starting with the question “Why?” Our epidemic today is not a lack of medicines to treat conditions; it is a lack of time with patients and a willingness to step outside of the box and challenge the status quo.”

To achieve this newfound approach to healthcare in our area, Chasity has spent the last several years and traveled from coast to coast to train under the trailblazers in each facet of services she provides. “My staff give me a little bit of grief that I am insistent on training under the original creators of the technology and techniques I use. However, my patients continue to be the beneficiaries of my willingness to never accept that I have truly mastered any technique.”

Chasity has added bioidentical hormone replacement to her wellness services and is determined to destigmatize conversations around men and women’s hormonal health.

“When we hear the word hormones our minds usually go to one of two places: puberty and emotions or intimacy. No one is educating patients that our bone, heart, brain and muscle vitality are at the core of our hormone health. Women are informed that gaining weight, loss of libido and skin elasticity, brain fog, incontinence and osteoporosis are just inevitable, and men are destined to have extra belly fat, joint pain, muscle loss and eventually require ED medication. Each of those changes are either ignored by providers or traditionally treated with some prescription drug that masks some of the symptoms but never corrects the underlying issue and often creates another cascade of unwanted side effects.

A joyful face is always a beautiful face.

The addition of new technology and services has furthered Chasity’s agenda of bringing a more complete approach to her wellness program. “The Emsella chair caught my eye the minute it was released. Pelvic floor health is essential for so many activities of daily living, but especially sexual wellness and incontinence. Surgery is invasive and often falls short of achieving the patients’ needs, and medication has a litany of unwanted side effects. To be able to treat a man after a prostate procedure or a woman after childbirth or in menopause without them even having to take their clothes off and in such a discrete manner is such a game changer. Add that to what Emfemme can do for women’s health, some core strength and muscle building, and fat burning treatment of Emsculpt Neo, and we can address so much of patient’s overall wellness now.

A downside to weight loss medication can be muscle loss if exercise and protein intake is not prioritized. Now we can help jump start that process by building muscle, burning fat and helping tighten and tone the skin. If there is a stubborn area that we can’t address with Emsculpt due to location, we can do Exion body to contour it.

If any of these concerns or conditions resonate with you, then call Chasity and her team for a consultation. “We put together a comprehensive treatment plan for our patients to achieve their goals and a maintenance protocol. Aging is a continuum, and we should treat it as such. I look forward to continuing to help my hometown look, live, and love better.”

Medical & Aesthetic DERMATOLOGY

IV Therapy • Vitamin Injections • Semaglutide • NAD+ • Emsculpt Neo • Emsella • Exion

Storage Units:

• Climate controlled

• Secure

Office Space:

• Various office sizes (10 x 10 & 10 x 20)

• Conference Room

• Networking Space

• Private Gym

Living the Life He Loves

J.W. Oliver has come a long way from the first crop of watermelons he planted at age 15 in 2010. Today, his farming operation has 1,300 acres of row crops and another 200 acres of pecan trees. Additionally, he owns and operates J. W. Oliver Construction, Inc., a site development business that boasts 40 full-time employees.

“There is great enjoyment in getting to see crops growing from your own efforts.”

“We’ve gone from driving a tractor and looking out of the window trying to plant a straight line to using GPS technology that allows the farmer to input coordinates and other information and the tractor drives itself in a straight line,” he explained. “And the precision planting technology that works with sub-inch precision placing the seed nearly perfectly on the site. It will shut off individual rows of the planter as you cross over where seed has already been planted, and when you are outside the irrigation area it will adjust the seed output to maximize yields.”

Even with technological advancement, the many variables and ever-tightening margins make it difficult for most farmers to get by without a secondary income. For J.W., that second job is site development, which he started “when things got tight” with farming, and it just kept growing.

ABOVE:“Raising kids on a farm is an absolute dream.” J. W. & Abbie Oliver with John Wayne and Brynlee.

OPPOSITE PAGE:

“We’re just trying to raise the next generation of farmers to feed the world.”

That side of his business has done very well too. His main focus is on developing and refurbishing sites for new schools and apartment complexes. He and his 40 employees stay busy with work across southeast Georgia, from Camden and Chatham counties to Ware County and up to Washington County.

But it’s farming that brings J. W. Oliver the most satisfaction. And if for no other reason, he is glad of the life he chose because he is training a fourth generation in his family about farming.

He and his wife, Abbie, who have been married since 2018, have two children, John Wayne Oliver (four years old) and Brynlee Oliver (18 months).

“Watching my children learn about the different crops and where food comes from” is one of the most satisfying aspects of living a farmer’s life. “Having the freedom for them to come to work with me whenever they can and want to is very rewarding for me,” he said.

J.W. says he has learned one thing above all others: “If you take care of your crop, 99% of the time it will take care of you.”

And there are a few tenets he lives by: “Do what you’re supposed to do. Do it on time. And the Lord will bless your efforts.”

Good words to farm by. Good words to live by. |WM

“Do what you’re supposed to do. Do it on time. And the Lord will bless your efforts.”

“ I love this life and wouldn’t change anything about it. ”

Abbie Oliver grew up on a family farm. Her father and brother farm for a living, and she loves everything about farm life. Though she admits being married to a farmer can be hard with the busy schedule they keep, she finds it very rewarding.

“Raising kids on a farm is an absolute dream,” she said. “Almost every evening we get on our ranger and make our rounds by checking on all the crops. As simple as it is, it is one of my favorite things we do as a family because we get to spend time together and see the progress of the crops.”

But for her, it’s more than just “trying to raise the next generation of farmers to feed the world.”

“I love being a farmer’s wife and I love supporting J.W. in everything he does," Abbie said. "He is the most hardworking and genuine man that I know. He has accomplished so much already and I can’t wait to see what else he accomplishes.”

Abbie stays busy too, between managing the books for J.W. Oliver Construction, Inc. and the farm. She jumps in to help in any way she can, including driving a tractor, going to the John Deere store for parts, taking J.W. from one field to another, or just bringing him lunch or supper to the field. Through it all she says it is “so special and fulfilling and I love helping out in any way that I can.”

Engagement

Weddings

Seniors

Home & Garden

Featuring the renovation of a farmhouse into a stylish cottage with Southern air, a powder room transformed in full style, and an outdoor oasis.

“We

love and use our courtyard and the outdoor fireplace the most. We have an amazing group of neighbors who will come over and we have a fire and talk about life!”

A Stylish Cottage with SOUTHERN FLAIR

How Heather and Joey Harris Transformed an Old Farmhouse into Their

Dream Home

wehen an eighty-year-old rental property on Dry Creek Road near Lake Grace became vacant in 2018, Joey Harris and his wife, Heather, thought it could be transformed into a cozy cabin for their family to visit on the weekends. The house, part of the Lakeview Farms home tract, had been in the Harris family for years. Though they realized it needed some “TLC,” they were excited to get started. “Our goal was to create something comfortable where our huge family could gather,” Heather said.

the new addition with a breezeway.

They began renovations in August of 2018, and by September of 2019 the renovations of the original house were complete. They began coming home every weekend and the family “fell in love with country living.” But the COVID pandemic changed their plans. Now, instead of making it a weekend place to get away, they packed a few outfits and moved in. With all of the chaos going on in the outside world, Joey and Heather’s family “rediscovered the magic of living close to family and enjoying the outdoors,” Heather said.

“That time was a reset for us; we changed our priorities and listed our house in Brunswick for sale,” she explained. “Once the house in Brunswick sold, reality set in. We were a family of five living in two bedrooms.”

Story

“I decorate like I dress. For example, you can see the huge lights on the front of our home are like my big earrings!”

During that time, they also began planning for an addition to the original house based on Heather’s inspiration of a Southern Living cottage plan she had seen ten years earlier. Joey sketched out the original plan for the addition on notebook paper. They hired Tommy Causey to bring their ideas to life with a set of official plans and contracted with Mark Westberry to build the addition. In November 2021, it was complete. What started out as an idea of rehabbing an old rental house for a weekend getaway, that then became a haven from the pandemic, was finally their dream home in the country – a stylish cottage with Southern style.

Also accessible from the patio is the sleeping porch with two bed swings.

“I AM TRADITIONAL AND ECLECTIC WITH A SENSE OF HUMOR, TRULY LEANING IN TO THE PERFECTLY IMPERFECT MANTRA.”

The art is a piece that

painted the day her grandmother died and represents the beautiful sunset she saw that evening.

A breezeway connects the new addition to the original house and acts as a dynamic entryway from the patio and outdoor replace o the back of the house.

“With oversized tiles in black and white, the area is a showstopper. I also use it to paint because the lighting is very nice.”

The addition contains a large den with wet bar, the master bedroom, and a bedroom for their youngest child. Cathedral ceilings with rough cut lumber help match the age and style of the original house

Home & Garden

“My passion in life is antiquing, thrifting, and estate sales. I love that old traditional Southern style; with my stylish flair, things like that make a home personal. I don’t get into trends or themes; I just love what I love and it’s a gut instinct for me. I may find a piece at a thrift store and it may live in ten different places in our house before it finds its perfect place! Each time you come over, I promise something will be different.”

“WE REALLY LIVE IN OUR HOME AND LOVE IT.”

guest bath serves the youngest daughter on a day-to-day basis, with her bedroom a few steps away. A bold wall with black-andwhite wallpaper helps this room make a statement. Traditional art in an ornate gold frame reminds visitors of Heather’s love of Southern style.

The master bedroom and bath have a sleek styling with traditional Southern touches. The bath has dynamic e ects like cathedral ceilings and a wall of windows.

The original part of the house contains two bedrooms, each with private bathrooms, for the two older girls. It also includes a secondary den for the girls, as well as the kitchen and dining room. The hallway contains lockers to store away personal items.

Heather enlisted her dad, Tom Rhodes, to build a huge dining room table. “We only wanted one eating area and we wanted to seat as many people as possible for the size of the room. The table is a show piece! It was hand made with love from a fallen sycamore tree, and it has hosted many conversations and meals.” The wall art is an old farm tool used to gather hay on the Harris farm.

Kendall, Jameson, and Reagan in their den under a sign that once advertised the H Ranch owned by their great-grandfather, Joe Baker Harris.

The kitchen is open to the dining area and overlooks the outdoor patio and the sleeping porch.

LRental Management, LLC handle your rental property. Owners Freddy & Linda Swenson have over 40 years of experience in rental management. With rental property of their own, they know the ins and outs of rental property management.

Rental Manager Cynthia Odum has 48 years of experience in Real Estate. She can help with all of your housing needs, whether to rent, buy or sell.

An Outdoor OASIS

Dustin and Brittany Rozier Created a Place for Family in Their Backyard

Dustin and Brittany Rozier have come back to their roots – so to speak – since they moved back into their former home next to their business, The Grove, on Tank Road. The house – where her grandparents once lived – and the rest of the property have been in Brittany’s family for years. As one might imagine, the landscaping has been transformed. Their most recent addition is an outdoor oasis, complete with a pool, in the backyard.

Home & Garden

When the Roziers decided to make the home their permanent residence, they also decided to add a pool. The family enjoys time outside and they wanted a good family space to enjoy with each other and with friends.

“We wanted to create a place for our family to enjoy. A place our kids would want to be and hang out with their friends,” Dustin explained. The addition of an outdoor fireplace was also a must. “We had an outdoor fireplace at our last house and we all enjoyed it so much. It adds a cozy touch and a place to roast marshmallows, which our children enjoy.”

All the while, Brittany’s grandmother, Mary Surrency, is on their minds. “Brittany’s granny loved the outdoors and worked in these yards all the time. She always wanted a beautiful yard. I guess you’d say we’re trying to make her proud,” Dustin said. |WM

The replace, crafted by brick mason Jodie Thompson, is made from Old Savannah brick with Indian slate on the sides. The mantle is made of 150-year-old pecky cypress pulled out of the Altamaha River by Joe Langley and is modeled after the original mantle on the inside of the home, another nod to Brittany’s grandparents.

The landscaping, which is more Southern than tropical, includes crepe myrtles, little gem magnolias, Nellie Stephens hollies, loropetalum, and ax and breeze grasses.

The container pots showcase the Vietnamese pottery sold at The Grove. “We used container pots to give customers an idea of how to plant their own.”

by Wes Sewell

“In Napoli, where love is king, when boy meets girl, here’s what they say …”

Amore

This section profiles three couples and the life they have built together … for better or worse.

Jim & Linda Fountain, married 61 years, Kyle & Phelisha Williams, married 30 years, and Hunter & Erika Stuckey, married 5 years, have celebrated many anniversaries together and have very sage advice for other couples with their combined 96 years of marriage.

They have been over some mountains and through some valleys. Yet, they are still devoted and still in love. They seem to all agree with this quote: “Marriage – the roots are deep, the covenant is solid, love is sweet, life is hard, and God is good.”

And so, together, they have built a life they love!

Amore

JIM & LINDA FOUNTAIN

Fountains of Wisdom

61 years of marriage, and a lasting legacy in Wayne County

After 61 years of marriage, Jim and Linda Fountain share their love story and the wisdom gained as they’ve established their faith, their family and their continued legacy together. Jim and Linda complement each other well. Jim is laid back, thinks before he speaks, and is wise in making decisions. Linda is spontaneous, outspoken, and always ready to have fun. Overall, Jim is the stabilizing force in the family, and Linda adds the spice to it!

Jim was born in Nashville, Georgia, but moved to Macon at age three. Linda was born in Austell, Georgia and moved to Macon during the first grade. The teacher sat Linda just in front of “Jimmy,” as he was called then (and always was and still is to Linda.) Their love story began there at Heard Elementary. Linda had long braids, which they called pigtails, and Jimmy loved to flirt with Linda by pulling her braids during class. They were boyfriend and girlfriend until the 6th grade, when Linda had a crush on a new student and ended their elementary school romance.

After 7th grade, they attended separate junior high schools. They did not ride the same bus to school, so they didn’t see each other during those two years. However, Linda had a birthday party in the 8th grade and invited Jimmy to attend. Linda describes the events, “Invitation was by phone, so I called Jimmy and invited him to my party. He replied, ‘I am not coming!’ It broke my heart, but I knew that I had broken his heart in elementary school. We both went on to separate high schools. I soon began to see Jimmy again, as he would so thoughtfully ride his bike a couple of additional miles off his Saturday Grit paper route, to bring me a paper.” As fate would have it, in the 10th grade, they ended up at a mutual friend’s 16th birthday party, where the love light flickered again. Jimmy had just bought his first car, a 1950 Oldsmobile (at an astounding

purchase price of $100), and he asked if he could take Linda home from the party. She explains, “After calling my parents for permission, I was thrilled to have him escort me home, and the rest is history!”

After graduating from high school, Jim went to the University of Alabama, and Linda went to North Georgia College. They describe this time saying that they were very much in love, but they agreed they would date other people to make sure their relationship was “meant to be.” Jim dated a girl named “Linda,” and Linda dated a guy named “Jim,” so they decided that their relationship was, in fact, meant to be! They both transferred to the University of Georgia after their freshman years and were married in 1962. A highlight of this time was their honeymoon, which is when Jim learned that Linda was not skilled at reading maps, only after he asked her to navigate the trip. The outcome was that they drove in circles and didn’t see all that they had planned to see, but they found interesting surprises along the way, such as the Ten Commandments written on the side of a mountain in concrete letters.

Linda received a degree in Education and began teaching, and Jim received his undergraduate and Master’s degrees in Agronomy. They moved to Dublin for Jim’s first job. This is also where they had their first child, Kristan. After moving to Tifton as Jim’s career in Agronomy grew, they had their second child, Kent. Both Kristan and Kent spent their formative years in Wayne County.

Jim and Linda eventually moved to Sylvester, Georgia for Jim to manage an experimental farm. A year later he accepted a position as an Agronomist at U.S. Gypsum’s Chemical Division, where he stayed for six years.

While living in Sylvester, Jim and Linda experienced God’s

“STAY CONNECTED BY SITTING DOWN FOR MEALS TOGETHER AND DISCUSSING THE ACTIVITIES OF EACH DAY. PUT GOD FIRST IN YOUR MARRIAGE, READ HIS WORD TOGETHER AND PRAY TOGETHER.”

provision for their spiritual growth. They joined Sylvester First Baptist Church and discovered that they had only one adult Sunday school class, from newlyweds to those in their 80s and 90s! They asked to begin a young couples Sunday School class, and it was an unforeseen blessing in their lives! “We celebrated with them as we began to grow our families. We went skiing together, had socials, and had spiritual retreats where we bonded as Christian brothers and sisters. We grew in our knowledge and application of Biblical truths of Scripture as we taught this class. Strong friendships developed to the point that we were asked to be ‘Godparents’ for one couple’s children. In fact, the friendship continues, and we were thrilled to attend their grandson’s swim meet with them this month.”

Over time, Jim’s territory’s position with industry increased from three to five states and began to interfere with family time. After several contacts from the University of Georgia Extension’s Service for Jim to join their team, they finally accepted and chose the location that seemed the best fit for them, Wayne County, where Jim became the Extension Director. It was proven to be God’s ordained place for them, even down to the house that they have lived in all these years. Eventually Jim was named the Southeast Georgia Extension Director. He retired from UGA in 1999. Since retirement, he has worked as the Administrator at the Jesup First Baptist Church and Director at the Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens in Savannah.

Linda had spent most of her teaching career in Wayne County. She taught for nineteen years at Screven Elementary and ended her career teaching gifted education at Odum Elementary, Jesup Elementary and Screven Elementary. She retired in 2002 and has loved continuing to lead Bible Studies at Jesup FBC after all these years. Studying God’s Word is the delight of her soul and helping others to learn how to enjoy Scripture and apply it to their lives blesses her.

When asked what advice they have for future strong marriage relationships, Jim and Linda shared, “Stay connected by sitting down for meals together and discussing the activities of each day.” For them, Sundays and Wednesday evenings have always been set aside for church activities as well. “Put God first in your marriage, read His Word together and pray together. By doing this in our marriage, God has given us a ministry of intercessory prayers for others. We have been blessed by this ministry. It has also allowed our children and grandchildren to witness the importance of prayer and how God is faithful to answer prayer.”

What a legacy they have built and continue to build, sharing their fountains of wisdom with their children and grandchildren, and now with all of us. |WM

Amore

KYLE & PHELISHA WILLIAMS

A Strong Foundation: Forgive and Always Say “I Love You”

That simple advice will go a long way toward supporting a marriage that endures.

Kyle Williams and Phelisha Dyal Williams share the secrets to their successful marriage, with communication, forgiveness, and staying connected at the top of the list. They make an effort to talk to each other several times each day, and they always say “I love you” when leaving their home or ending a phone call, even on the rare occasion that they’re angry, and before bed each night. As two completely different people, they compromise for each other, and they have the best of both worlds with Kyle’s adventurous personality and Phelisha’s conservative but social nature. A compassionate couple, they enjoy spending time with the people they love, and their history has provided them with a strong foundation for a lasting marriage.

Kyle was born in Savannah and lived in Hinesville briefly before moving with his family to Jesup, where his parents opened Captain Joe’s Seafood Restaurant. It worked out for him to be in Jesup to meet Phelisha, as she has lived there her entire life. Phelisha describes their earliest memories: “Kyle and I both attended Wayne County High School, and 35 years ago living in Jesup, you pretty much knew everyone.”

While they were acquainted for several years before their first official date, Phelisha says they were not on each other’s “radar” until 1990. Kyle and Phelisha had mutual friends dating in August of 1990, and back then, most teenagers rode the “strip,” which was Cherry Street, to socialize. “We would ride and stop to visit and hang out. It was at one of those stops that Kyle decided he would plant a kiss on me, and from there, history speaks for itself.”

Continuing the grand gestures of love, Kyle asked Phelisha to marry him on Christmas Day in 1992. Kyle proposed with his great-grandmother’s diamond and sapphire wedding set, which dated to the early 1900s and is a beloved family heirloom. “We were alone, and it was a simple and sweet proposal,” Phelisha says. “I’ve always been honored that Kyle’s mother would feel confident to trust me with such a precious family heirloom.”

Kyle and Phelisha were married on August 14, 1993 at Memorial Baptist. They chose that location because Phelisha attended Memorial as a child with her grandmother Mildred Simmons

Teston and family. The wedding was very memorable, as they were surrounded by their family and friends, and Phelisha’s mother helped her with the vision and planning of the entire wedding day, which was such a gift to them both.

As is sometimes the case, the wedding day held unexpected events, and unfortunately Phelisha was extremely sick during the ceremony. Her father’s brother, Earnest, officiated the wedding, and he was told to make it short and sweet due to Phelisha’s condition. A now funny memory, the wedding ceremony lasted an hour. Phelisha laughs as she shares, “We did not think he was ever going to stop preaching.” They cruised to Jamaica for their honeymoon, which began their love of travel and seeing new places together. Their best anniversary yet was their third, August 14, 1996, when their son Chase was born.

Kyle and Phelisha have two children, Hali Williams in Raleigh, North Carolina, who is an operations manager with Power Secure, and Chase Williams, a graduate of Georgia Southern University with a degree in finance. Chase works alongside Kyle, who is a licensed residential contractor. Kyle and Phelisha both have successful businesses that they maintain as they have built their lives together. Kyle predominately works on Sea Island; however, he and his father, Larry Williams, developed the Village at Pine Forest in Jesup as well. Phelisha is the co-owner and president of Mobile Concrete, Inc., a ready-mixed concrete plant serving 18 counties across Southeast Georgia. Phelisha’s father, Albert Dyal, started the business in 1979, and her mother, Linda Dyal, sisters, nephews, and cousins comprise a true work family that contributes to their successful businesses. When they aren’t busy professionally, Kyle and Phelisha enjoy boating, jet skiing, playing golf, playing cards with friends, and any activities where they can spend time on the water.

Kyle and Phelisha agree, “Our advice to new couples would be to give a whole lot of what Jesus gives and that is forgiveness. When you walk through life day by day with someone, you are bound to fail at some point. Forgive, pick up the pieces and look ahead. Surround yourself with people who will support you in good and bad times. Communication in a marriage is very important, especially when you are raising your children. Stay

“OUR ADVICE TO NEW COUPLES WOULD BE TO GIVE A WHOLE LOT OF WHAT JESUS GIVES AND THAT IS FORGIVENESS.”

connected during that time and focus on your relationship, so when your kids move out, you don’t look at each other and wonder, ‘Who are you’? You must work at it and always think long term, not short term.” What great advice, and with 30 years of marriage and a life built together, it has stood the test of time. Forgiveness and always saying I love you is the strong foundation that lasts. |WM

Amore THAT’S

HUNTER & ERIKA STUCKEY

Inseparable and In Love

They dated while in high school and they’ve been inseparable ever since.

Michael Hunter Stuckey and Erika Lauren (Friese) Stuckey have been together since they were in high school, first as best friends, then dating and engaged, and now they’re celebrating five years of marriage and the addition of their 9-month-old son, Hampton McCullough Stuckey. As brand-new parents, they’re working together to juggle their careers and their family while sharing their greatest joy, their son, with family and friends. From the grocery store, to church, and even to weddings, they go everywhere together.

Both Hunter and Erika have grown up in Jesup, and they met in classes they shared at Wayne County High School. The more they spent time together, the more Hunter fell for Erika, and eventually, when he asked her to be his girlfriend, the feelings were mutual. They’ve been inseparable ever since!

Their first date was the Wayne County High School Golf Banquet at Pine Forest Country Club during their sophomore year. Hunter asked one of their good friends for Erika’s phone number, and he texted her to ask if she would go to the banquet with him. They’ll always remember that she said yes and, since she had just turned 16, she was able to drive herself to the event, while Hunter could not. He had not yet turned 16 and met Erika at the club in a golf cart instead.

They got engaged on April 15, 2017 in Cairo, Georgia at Swamp Creek Retrievers, where their two dogs, Cash and Harvey, were being trained at the time. Hunter threw a “bumper” that said, “Will you marry me?” out into the field, and Erika sent Cash, their black lab, to find it. When she grabbed it from Cash, she turned around to Hunter down on one knee proposing. They

were married at Mossy Oak Farm Weddings in Brooklet, Georgia on May 19, 2018. They chose that location because Erika loved the way the venue looked like a duck hunting pond, and she knew Hunter would love it too. They honeymooned in St. Lucia, which was Erika’s first trip out of the United States. A highlight of the week was an adventurous four-wheeler ride excursion, where they were nervous to be the only people booked for the outing, but they made it through and enjoyed the thrill together! Hunter is following in family footsteps as an Owner/Production Manager at Stuckey’s Cleaners, and Erika is a registered nurse working as a circulator in the operating room at Wayne Memorial Hospital. In the past Erika, worked as an LPN at AppleCare and at Magnolia Midlands Pain Management. When they aren’t working or spending time with their son, they enjoy playing golf, relaxing by the pool, hunting, attending church, and spending time with their family, friends and their dogs.

When asked their advice for other couples, they shared, “Put God first in your relationship and continue to date each other, take trips out of town together, always communicate and put each other first.” They make sure they have one day each week to spend time together growing their marriage, and they are blessed with family who keep Hamp for them to focus on each other. They believe positive communication is important, both telling each other that they are beautiful or handsome, that they appreciate one another, love each other, and are thankful for each other, from their parenting skills to cooking skills and everything in between. |WM

PUT GOD FIRST IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP AND CONTINUE TO DATE, ALWAYS COMMUNICATE, AND PUT EACH OTHER FIRST.”

P PROFILES

YOUR GUIDE TO WAYNE COUNTY’S PEOPLE, PLACES, AND BUSINESSES

Vi Benne Fulfi s SINGING CARNEGIE HALL A Lifelong Dream

STORY BY EMILY DEATON WOOD / PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

Judging by the roar of applause, the performance was a success.

On June 24, 2023, Vi Bennett joined 250-plus vocalists and instrumentalists at Carnegie Hall for the 50th Anniversary of “Celebrate Life!” with “The Great New York HymnSing” conducted by Tim Sharp, featuring Travis Cottrell and SELAH.

VI’S MUSICAL ROOTS

Vi found her passion for singing when she was young. “I grew up in a small Missionary Baptist Church.” she recalled. “My grandfather, Stetson F. Bennett, Sr., was the preacher, my aunt Betty Graham was the song leader, and my aunt Faye Graham played the piano. My favorite part of going to church was singing the hymns!”

Vi’s mother enjoyed telling others the story about Vi finding her voice. As a child, Vi went outside one day to help with bedding on their clothesline. She let loose in full voice “Bringing in the Sheaves,” only changing the word “sheaves” to “sheets.”

RIGHT “I had a ended and enjoyed events at Carnegie Hall before, but the vantage point from the stage and the acoustics were incredible!”

Vocal training was the next step for Vi. She began voice lessons in the seventh grade and studied with Shirla Shaw Pinder until graduating from Wayne County High School. Next, she attended Brewton-Parker College on a vocal scholarship, learning under Dr. Hildegard Stanley. After graduating, she attended Mercer University and practiced under Dr. Michael Schwartzkop.

Vi’s first job out of law school landed her in Savannah as an assistant district attorney. She also sang with and was a soloist for the Savannah Symphony Chorale in addition to an early music ensemble. On one occasion, she presented a one-woman show on Wilmington Island that many of her friends from the legal and music communities attended. One of those attendees was Elizabeth Stewart, the head of the Victim Witness Assistance Program in the district attorney’s office. “That was the genesis of the revival of my musical life,” Vi remembered.

Eventually, both Vi and Elizabeth left the DA’s office. Elizabeth was leading Savannah OnStage, an annual international music and arts festival; at the time, Vi was practicing law in Jesup. On a trip to Savannah, Vi had a chance encounter with Elizabeth. She encouraged Vi to enter the festival’s American Tradition Competition, a vocal competition which required certain songs.

“She encouraged me to enter, saying she thought of me because some of the required songs were the same ones I had performed that night on Wilmington Island. That turned out to be a blessing, because the audition tapes were due shortly after that meeting,” said Vi.

She worked with keyboardist Robert Henry and Dr. Bill Garlen, both of Jesup, who had the necessary equipment to record and submit her entry. Vi was one of 25 contestants chosen to compete.

“I had no idea what I was getting myself into or the trajectory that my life would take after that,” said Vi.

While Vi did not advance further in the competition, she connected with Dr. Lucinda Schultz, one of the vocal instructors where the first round was held, who would become her vocal teacher for the next several years. She later went on to learn from Joyce Hall, a voice teacher in New York who counts Glenn Close, Kevin Kline, and Julie

Andrews among her former students, traveling back and forth to the city for a time to study with her.

Little did she know that in the years to come, she would be back in New York and singing in one of the most prestigious music venues on earth – Carnegie Hall.

THE OPPORTUNITY OF A LIFETIME

Vi learned about the 50th Anniversary of “Celebrate Life!” event from a friend. She said, “I could not turn down an opportunity to sing at Carnegie Hall!”

In fact, she was already familiar with the musical. Almost fifty years prior, Vi had performed “Celebrate Life!” with the youth choir at First Baptist Church in Jesup under the direction of Shirla Shaw Pinder.

“I was and am thankful for the hymns I learned at my churches and the opportunities to sing choral music under such wonderful and knowledgeable conductors such as Mrs. Pinder and Dr. Stanley,” she said.

About four weeks prior to the performance, the event vocalists received sheet music and recordings. In-person rehearsals were held Friday and Saturday, June 23-24.

“It was incumbent upon the performers to have a working knowledge of the music prior to the in-person rehearsals,” said Vi.

The choir assisted SELAH and Travis Cottrell with eight songs, including “Victory in Jesus,” “Power in the Blood,” “A Mighty Fortress,” “Come Ye Sinners,” “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot/I’ll Fly Away,” “Thanks Be to Our God,” “Jesus Saves,” and “In Christ Alone.” The musical included fifteen songs as well as narration.

“I had attended and enjoyed events at Carnegie Hall before, but the vantage point from the stage and the acoustics were incredible! I did take a moment to understand and appreciate that where I was standing could also be considered hallowed ground, not only from the perspective of the great artists who had performed there, but also because of the message of our performance,” said Vi.

“Celebrate Life!” is a progeny of the 1969 musical “Tell it Like it Is,” the 1971 Broadway productions of “Godspell,” and the 1970 rock opera “Jesus Christ Superstar.” “Celebrate Life!” is a retelling of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the impact He has on people's lives.

“I feel closer to God when I am singing. I understand more of the meaning of church as a gathering of the people as opposed to an order of service, and the times that I know I am feeling the presence of the Holy Spirit is when I am touched by music and not just my own,” said Vi.

Vi, who has a high soprano voice, sustained a high C note for a duration of eight beats to conclude “A Mighty Fortress.” “After every musical performance, I am still under the effects of the adrenaline and endorphins. Multiply that by ten, and you get the idea,” she said.

After the concert, the participants and their guests gathered for a dinner cruise on the Hudson River which

I FEEL CLOSER TO GOD WHEN I AM SINGING.”

stayed out until 2:30 the next morning. “Everyone on the boat was still riding the post-performance thrill, even at that late hour,” said Vi.

Of her Carnegie Hall experience, she said, “In more ways than one, this was a gift. Each performer gave of their time and talents to participate in such a wonderful event, and in turn gave each other and the audience the worship experience. It was a gift to me because it brought back such wonderful memories of singing in a large choir with the fullness of eight-part harmonies.”

Since becoming Wayne County State Court Judge, Vi doesn’t sing as much as she used to. “I no longer have the time to commit to my music as I once did. Now and again, I may sing for churches or at judicial functions,” said Vi. But she has delivered a definitive ruling on whether she would accept an offer to perform again at Carnegie Hall: “I would absolutely take it!” |WM

DETERMINATION OVER Destiny

The University of Kentucky Inside Linebacker Was Named as SEC Defensive Player of the Week

Trevin Wallace, a WCHS graduate, plays inside linebacker for the University of Kentucky (UK), where he is majoring in consumer economics and family financial counseling. He is the son of Adrian Wallace and Trevor Wallace, of Jesup, and has four siblings, Kolby, Tionne, Tavion, and Titus.

Trevin Wallace, inside linebacker for the University of Kentucky, was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Week this fall after standout play in UK’s season-opening 44-14 victory over Ball State at Kroger Field. Trevin, who graduated from Wayne County High in 2021, is a junior at UK.

Trevin tied his career high with 12 tackles, six of them being solo tackles, a halfsack, and two tackles for a loss in the Ball State game. That’s what made him stand out among very stiff competition in the SEC early in September. But this isn’t Wallace’s first SEC recognition. He was also named SEC Freshman of the Week in 2021 after setting his career-high record of 12 tackles in his very first collegiate start at Mississip-

pi State. He also scored the game-changing touchdown, off a blocked field goal, in UK’s 20-13 win over top ranked Florida. With UK trailing in the third quarter, Trevin caught the ball after the blocked field goal attempt, then sprinted 76 yards for the touchdown.

Any player who starts his college football career with those stats is obviously a great football player – some may even say destined to be a star football player. But, a closer look at Trevin’s background reveals that determination has shaped his success more than destiny. And, his father, Trevor Wallace, is at the center of that story.

An excerpt from Larry Vaught’s article on Yoursportsedge.com captures the special relationship the father and son

have had through the years along Trevin’s journey to greatness:

Trevor Wallace coached his son from the time he was 5 years old until he got to high school. He recognized the special athleticism and skills he had and “would not allow him to be average” because he realized how talented he was.

“I pushed him harder than I pushed anybody else. He never backed down. He wanted that extra hour and a half of work and I gave it to him,” Trevor said. “When he first started playing, I told him he needed to master every position. I made him play everywhere. He accepted it with honor. We might have bumped heads a few times but he did the work.”

One of those head-bumping times came when Trevin was 11. He got tackled by one person in an all-star game and his father did not think that should have happened.

“I told him until you show me more you can sit on the sideline and watch. He was crying and everybody (at the game) was booing me for not playing him. When the light came back on, he went back in and the rest is history,” Trevor said.

The result from the determined fatherand-son duo was that Trevin was ranked as the state’s No. 6 overall player and as high as the nation’s No. 35 prospect and No. 2

inside linebacker by 247 Sports after playing at Wayne County High. He was also named a Sports Illustrated All-American. Additionally, he broke the WCHS long jump record (that had stood for 44 years) and won the state weightlifting championship with a power clean of 335 pounds.

Currently, he is among the conference leaders in quarterback sacks, and he is the team leader in tackles for a loss, and second in total tackles.

Though Trevin’s determination is the major source of his success, he might get some of it naturally. His uncle, Robert Bryant, was a linebacker for Oklahoma from 2009-2011. And, if Trevin got some of the family sports genes, his younger brother, Tavion (16), got some too. He already has offers from top SEC schools such as Georgia, Florida, LSU, and Kentucky and from other schools like Ohio State and Southern California. “Tavion is more athletic than Trevin was at the same age,” Trevor Wallace says.

Many other SEC football players look up to the 6’2” 241-pound linebacker and are no doubt starstruck watching him play and following his success. But behind that big persona, Trevin, whose nickname is “Dooda,” has those he looks up to also. He said the last time he was “starstruck” was when he saw his sister, Tionne, come home from the military. |WM

TREVIN IS AMONG THE SEC CONFERENCE LEADERS IN QUARTERBACK SACKS, AND HE IS THE TEAM LEADER IN TACKLES FOR A LOSS AND SECOND IN TOTAL TACKLES.

Tim's Home Medical

DEBRA ROBERSON

Southern Tranquility

A Writer’s Journey to the Heart of Screven, Georgia

Story by CYLE LEWIS Photography PROVIDED

Inthe quiet South Georgia town of Screven, published author Debra Roberson – who uses her maiden name, Koontz, as her pen name – has found a muse amidst the Southern charm and rural tranquility. She explained, “My husband brought me here eleven years ago. He grew up in Screven and wanted to return home when he retired.” Growing up in rural Pennsylvania, she was accustomed to wide open spaces and room to breathe. “I was born and raised on a dairy farm in South Central Pennsylvania, an area full of babbling brooks, green pastures, deciduous trees, and rolling hills. This

feels like returning to my roots.”

Before becoming D.L. Koontz, Debra Roberson had already embarked on a multifaceted career in the writing world, from publication coordination and journalism to editing and public relations. She’s worn many hats during her thirty-year journey and even tried her hand at teaching: “I taught freshmen English for a year at Rowan University before landing a role at Cleveland State University. I even lectured at Harvard.” She also managed the volunteer program at Johns Hopkins University, where she promoted, recruited, and oversaw a volunteer pool of 250 people. However, it

was her experience in public relations at Perry Nuclear Plant in Ohio that honed her skills in coordinating and conducting crisis management programs. Little did she know that these experiences would find their place in her future novels.

“People are warm, helpful, and welcoming here, just like where I grew up.”

Debra’s childhood on the dairy farm prepared her for a life that matched South Georgia’s rural simplicity. She reminisces about the lush landscapes

Time-travel. FBI intrigue. Romance. Suspense. History blended with contemporary. Achieved #1best-selling rank at Amazon.

Suspense. Romance. A spirit world. History blended with contemporary. A multiaward winning series.

A trilogy featuring contemporary suspense. Romance. Clean fiction. While seeking professional changes, each heroine finds love and danger in her path.

“One of my three romantic suspense stories takes place in a fictional town called Weld, which shares similarities with Jesup and Screven.”

and the sense of community she grew up with: “People are warm, helpful, and welcoming here, just like where I grew up.” She noted, “It really lends itself to living that rural peacefulness that I like, but still, I can conduct a career in writing. My agent lives in Indiana, my two current publishers reside in Chicago and California, and my promotion and presence are mostly online. It’s the best of all lifestyles.”

Debra and her husband met and married when they were living outside Washington DC – he was working for the federal government, and she had a son away at college and was consulting

remotely. It was there her earliest books were written. She explained, “For my first trilogy, I lived in the eastern panhandle of West Virginia. I learned that it was rife with Civil War history.” Nearby Winchester, Virginia, had changed sides during the war 76 times. Hundreds of thousands of soldiers from both sides likely walked across that property. “It felt like the story was oozing up through the vents in my house,” she exclaimed.

“It was wonderful to step into the small hometown that made my husband. He was a local Screven boy.”

When Joe suggested moving back to his childhood home, she quickly agreed. “It was a way to pay homage to his father, a local postal carrier, and his mother, a school teacher. It was wonderful to step into the small hometown that made my husband. He was a local Screven boy. To experience a return in retirement years has been special.” Thankfully, this lifestyle was already familiar territory for Debra. “I grew up with the mystery of rural landscapes – the dark shadows and winding wood paths, all fertile possibilities for a creative mind.” It was amidst the serene countryside of Screven that Debra’s fictional worlds took flight as the peace and tranquility of rural Georgia served as a backdrop for her creativity. “The area inspires me; I’m a real outdoor nature person,” she revealed. “I do a lot of hiking and walking.” Debra’s novels often reflect the charm and mystery of rural Georgia, and she is passionate about incorporating her love for the region into her storytelling. “One of my three romantic suspense stories takes place in a fictional town called Weld, which shares similarities with Jesup and Screven.”

Publishing as D.L. Koontz, her literary portfolio is as diverse as this Southern landscape she now calls home. She draws deeply from history and culture and is known for her meticulous research and ability to transport her readers to another time and place. Possibly her most acclaimed novel, What the Moon Saw, is a time-traveling tale spanning three centuries of rich history and vivid landscapes she’s brought to life. “When I was three and four, I would climb onto my parents’ laps every night and beg them to read to me. When I learned to read at age five, I knew I wanted to bring that same thrill to others.” She’s recently wrapped up the first book of an upcoming fantasy trilogy. “It’s about

Pa little boy who discovers where time is stored and finds the date his mother died and schemes to get into that storage vault.” Much like C.S. Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia, the book was created for youth but also appeals to adults.

She shares more in common with Lewis: “I’m a Christian. And I’m a writer. But I’m not a ‘Christian writer.’ Long ago, I read C.S. Lewis’s “God in the Dock,” where he says that we don’t need more Christian books but rather more secular books with their Christianity latent. That really resonated with me.”

“I love giving people worlds to escape to or something to think about. If we stop growing and learning, we start dying.”

Reflecting on her journey, Debra spoke of the joy of entertaining readers and offering them new places to explore. “I love giving people worlds to escape to

or something to think about. If we stop growing and learning, we start dying. And I love keeping readers up at night – my books always have an element of suspense.” When trying to build a following, most writers stick to the same genre so readers know what to expect, but for Debra, it’s more about the story. She said, “The story is what matters – if a story has staying power with me, I try to tell it in a way that best serves that story.”

In many ways, she lives a simple life that revolves around Joe, her son, Matthew, and his family. Her stepdaughter, Megan, and her family reside in Boca Raton. She’s found her place in the heart of Screven. The charming town, serene landscapes, and friendly community continue to inspire and breathe new life into future novels. Her stories are more than words; they are a testament to the beauty and intrigue of the South. |WM

Misty's Pharmacy

BALANCING ACT

Wayne County Administrator Paul Drawdy taps his deep roots in the community and love of its people to get the job done.

Inthe seven months since Paul Drawdy became Wayne County Administrator, he's already learned just how much value the county's 200 employees bring to the table. “I met Ricky Fulton, one of our Motrim Operators for the Road Department, within my first two weeks,” he recalls. “We were talking and he said, 'I want people to ride by and see my work and think, that is a great job.' That is the kind of men and women we have working for Wayne County, and I love it!”

Appointed on May 11 of this year, Drawdy brings extensive background in both the public and private sectors to the position. A 1983 alumnus of Wayne County High School, he enlisted in the Marines his senior year and left for Paris Island upon graduating. After four years in the military, he began a long career in law enforcement, working variously as a patrol officer, undercover drug agent, detective, and investigator for the District Attorney's office. He spent the next 27 years in the real estate and trucking industries. He also served two terms as the district 2 School Board Member and as Executive Director of the Boys and Girls Club. He acknowledges the diplomatic approach required of him as he balances the sometimes-divergent priorities represented in local government. “I've been involved in politics my entire adult life,” he says. “I know my commissioners at times must make decisions that align with their beliefs and the citizens they serve. It's also challenging to work with government entities and the regulations that comes with that.” With ancestral ties to the area reaching as far back as 1805, Drawdy knows first-hand how strong communal bonds can overcome some of those differences and help nurture a well-functioning work environment: “I've known most of the commissioners for 20+ years going back to

junior high and high school. I value those relationships more than I do politics.”

One of the most pressing issues Drawdy sees the county facing at the moment is employee retention. At a time when municipalities are struggling to find and keep people who want to work, he's committed to offering competitive salaries and incentives for career development. “Angie Parker, our Human Resources Director, has some great ideas we're planning to implement to show our folks that we do care about them and want to reward their dedication to the county,” he says.

Being the voice of neutrality while ensuring county services are ready to meet the needs of all of its citizens

PAUL DRAWDY

PCommerce Center, a new 312-acre expansion of the existing Wayne County Industrial Park, and the Industrial Development Authority's collaboration with supply chain companies looking to partner with the Hyundai plant set to open in Bryan County in 2025. Drawdy is proud of the county's growth and optimistic about what lies ahead. “If you think about the corporations we have in Wayne now that offer great opportunities, you cannot help but be excited about our future.”

“If you think about the corporations we have in Wayne now that offer great opportunities, you cannot help but be excited about our future.”

comes with challenges. “I understand it can be frustrating when the city and the county do not seem to be on the same page, but that's because commissioners are wanting what is best for their constituents,” he notes. “The positive is often behind the scenes when we come to agreement. It just takes time.”

One such recent accomplishment was the completion of the 2024 budget in August, a process begun shortly after Drawdy took office and involving much teamwork with a clear understanding of the ultimate goal. “Chairman McCrary asked me to get it done three months early; being so new, I had no choice but to turn to [County Clerk] Amanda Hanna and Angie Parker for help, and they never wavered. We were able to cut $1.2 million and then offer some of that money back as a pay increase for our employees. This in turn allowed commissioners to lower the millage. A definite win-win.”

Other exciting projects on the docket include the development of the Wayne

Drawdy's family history in the region goes back over two hundred years; having spent most of his life in Wayne County, he carries that legacy with him in all he does. “Several of my forefathers served in various roles, from Magistrate to Captain of the Militia during the Indian Wars. I can't help but feel a strong sense of service when it comes to this place.” Drawdy and his wife Vickie celebrated their 31st wedding anniversay on December 19 and are proud parents to daughters Leslie, 26, a UGA graduate who works at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan, and Jaye, 23, a firstyear student at the Charleston School of Law in Charleston, South Carolina.

Drawdy stresses how blessed he feels to work with such passionate and devoted colleagues and how much he looks forward to their continued collaboration. Taking inspiration from his father, Dickie Drawdy, he remains confident in their shared vision for the county. “Early on he preached to my brother Victor and me: 'I do not care what you do in life. If you want to be a ditch digger, that's ok. Just be the best ditch digger in the state of Georgia,” he remembers. “He taught me the importance of excellence. I know it can't always be reached, but even falling just short lands us in a good spot.” |WM

ARTS & CULTURE

TALES FROM THE TRAIL

Connections at the Intersections

Most mornings I start my day with a walk on my home trails in the southern part of Wayne County. From my childhood in Oglethorpe Community to my second childhood in Mt. Pleasant, I have always sought the sanctuary of the woods and a body of water. My morning walks are an important start to my day and allow me to intersect with God in His creation. Some mornings my prayer walks are more praise, while other walks are more petitions. In my search for first light, I never know what surprises the trail holds for me that day.

YOU WILL SEEK ME AND FIND ME, WHEN YOU SEEK ME WITH ALL YOUR HEART.

Jeremiah 29:13

SSometimes, I am fortunate enough to capture their images in the lens of my trusty Canon Rebel. Whether it’s a newborn fawn on the trail or a butterfly fluttering from flower to flower, I am thankful for the artistry of our Creator. Even a dew-laced spider web sparkling in the early morning light is a beauty to behold. As the morning mist swirls over the surface of the pond and finally is drawn up by the rising sun, we are reminded that the Holy Spirit is active in our lives. It’s in these early mornings where my first intersections occur. Sometimes I am first to share my sunrise view over the pond, sometimes my encouragers beat me to share their view of the sunrise. Along with the shared pictures, there are words of prayer, scripture, and petition. We are all drawing on our faith to travel our individual trails and offer each other encouragement. Sometimes God directs me to send a text of encouragement, hope, or prayer to someone who is walking through a challenging part of their own trail. It helps me to know that prayer warriors are lifting me up and I am called on to pass it on by praying for others. The lessons and blessings are on the trail for the seeking in nature, places, and people. For a period of months, the lesson from the trail seems to be making connections at the intersections. I listen to God more closely in nature. I have learned I am more prepared to meet life’s challenges when I spend time with Him on the trail each morning. God has allowed me to interact with some real gifts on my trails. The messages in the intersections are lessons for me in life.

One morning, as I visited the ponds in search of ducks, I discovered a newborn fawn. Curled up in a camouflaged ball amongst the leaves and straw of the forest floor, she trusted her camouflage and her creator with her safety as she gazed at me with big brown eyes. She seemed as interested in me as I was in her. For many years, I had looked for newborn fawns on the trail. God will always surprise you with His timing, and He enjoys us seeking Him and His gifts. Other times the message or lesson is one of hope.

Another morning as I reached the pond full of prayers for a loved one running toward the end of his race, an eagle flying over the pond reminded me that he would soon be free of his earthly troubles and soaring with his Savior. One fall day when I was seeking an attitude adjustment, I waded and trudged through a muddy, flooded trail. As I entered the opening to a nearby powerline from the woods, I could not believe my eyes as I watched a young buck bounding up his own trail toward me. As he realized my presence, he stopped and posed for his picture in my camera

ARTS & CULTURE

lens. As our paths intersected, he made quite a handsome picture with the fall grasses and swamp sunflowers blooming all around him. I left the woods praising God for the gift and the attitude adjustment.

A couple of times each week, I cross the intersection of Post Road and Highway 341 to connect with God in one of my favorite places. Built of virgin heart pine in 1892, Akin Memorial Church was constructed by Lawrence Randall Akin to provide a place to worship with his wife and 12 children. She has stood the test of time and has welcomed many in her doors searching for the Light. I first entered her doors nearly 40 years ago, nervous and feeling unworthy to be in His presence. As I intersected with her people, I began to seek what made them different. As I watched other seekers worship Him by singing the old hymns and studying His word, the most important connection of my life was made. This connection has changed how I strive to walk my trail and affects the way I relate to others.

I have had the opportunity to serve many people over the 40 years of my career. Some of my intersections start as simply business transactions. I learned early in my career that some folks needed to make a connection before they could trust you with their transaction. As I sit across the desk from my clients, we work through their banking needs, problems, and goals. The connections are made as our stories intersect. Sometimes I encourage them as we work through their business. As they share their stories, often times I am the one who is encouraged. Some of my clients

become acquaintances, some become friends and others become more like family.

Recently I worked through a transaction with a client and we made a connection. As I shared my family tree with his father, I found out that our grandfathers were the best of friends. I had recently been reliving memories of my Grandaddy as I tried to capture his image in an oil painting at Studio Red. I sent the picture to my client, and he immediately began to question who had the picture, and he recognized my Grandaddy. Our grandfathers loved each other and spent numerous days hunting Boyles Island. We shared stories of their love for one another and his own memories of my Grandaddy. The Legends of Boyles Island live on in our memories and our connections.

It has been a blessing to serve those who have taught and raised me in Wayne County. When our trails take a bad turn, I have personally experienced the blessings of these connections. As I have received their encouragement and support, I strive to offer it to others as they experience their own trials on the trail.

At the end of the day when I am seeking the reflection of the sunset in the pond, I reflect on the connections made during the day. As we travel our trails, let us look for the beauty in God’s creation as we connect our stories with others. In a world full of challenges, seek out the blessings. Better yet, seek out a way to bless someone you intersect with. Wayne County really is a wonderful place to connect at the intersections. |WM

Ginger Proudfoot

ARTS & CULTURE

THE ART OF RETIREMENT

Monica O’Quinn

WWhen Monica O’Quinn retired in 2017 from Coastal Pines Technical College after 28 years as the Vice President of Administrative Services, she had a clear vision of exactly what she wanted to do. She wanted to paint. Within weeks, she was taking classes, and 45 paintings later, Monica is proving that artistic passion and creativity have nothing to do with age. Pursuing a dream is ageless – it’s never too late for new beginnings and, in fact, having a lot of life experience is an advantage.

“Art has definitely impacted my life,” Monica says. “I find it to be rewarding and fulfilling. Every painting is an accomplishment, To me nature is a fantastic source for paintings. The colors and subjects found in nature surpass all others. In addition to the art lessons and painting, I enjoy and value the friendships of my fellow artists of Studio Red that have developed over the past six-plus years.” Proving that artistic creativity does not have a shelf life, Monica answered questions about her artistic inspirations, process, successes and challenges.

QHow did you get started painting?

I have enjoyed and appreciated art for a very long time. For most of my life, I have admired a painting completed in 1914 by my grandmother, Lucille Speir O’Quinn. It is an extraordinary work of art, especially considering that she was only 17 at that time.

I have also admired and treasured several paintings my father, W. S. “Bill” O’Quinn, Sr., completed as a young boy in the early 1930s. During the Depression, a German artist was traveling from New York to Florida and taught art lessons along his way until he made enough money to reach his destination. The artist stopped in Jesup and my grandfather, W. B. (Brantley) O’Quinn paid for my father to take art lessons. My father completed six paintings while taking lessons from this traveling artist.

In 2005, I completed my first art class, a 10-week continuing education class offered by Altamaha Technical College. The instructor was Kita Macon. I thoroughly enjoyed the class, which included learning the fundamentals of painting and also completing my first oil painting, “A Still Life of Brass, Glass, and Flowers.” This class inspired me, and I made the decision that when I retired that I would take art lessons.

QWhat mediums do you prefer to work with (oils, acrylics, watercolors, etc.) and why?

My favorite medium is oil paint. I like the consistency of oil paint and the way colors can be blended together. It is also interesting to mix oil paints to get that perfect color needed for a painting. Oil paint does require time to dry, so patience is a requirement to be an oil painter.

ABOVE LEFT & RIGHT

I have experimented with watercolors. Painting with watercolors is the extreme opposite of painting with oils. Watercolors dry very quickly. I plan to continue to dabble in watercolors and also to give acrylics a try.

QHow would you describe your painting style? How has that style evolved over time, and what do you see as the evolution of painting and art in your life?

My painting style can be described as very detailed and realistic with a creative flair. It is a definite reflection of my personality. My basic style has not changed over time, but my paintings, which are the products of my style, have continued to improve. My hope is that I continue to learn more about painting

Monica has a life-long admiration for two paintings completed by her father, W. S. “Bill” O’Quinn, Sr., as a young boy in the early 1930s and a painting completed in 1914 by her grandmother, Lucille Speir O’Quinn.

techniques, improve on my current style, and explore other styles and mediums.

I draw and sketch all of my paintings. Over the years I have taught myself to draw. I study art history and love looking at coffee table art books. Before beginning a painting, I routinely watch several videos on YouTube about the subject. There are a few artists on YouTube who have very informative instructional videos.

I have found that there are certain types of paintings which are just fun to paint, such as flowers, birds, butterflies, and pet portraits. I have completed several pet portraits. I find that it is important for the portraits to reflect their personalities, and the eyes must be exact. I hope to complete more pet portraits and also to attempt portraitures. I would like to do more commission work in the future. I also think that it would be quite an achievement to possibly have a show/exhibit one day.

QWhat is your most important artist tool? Is there something you can’t live without in your studio?

It is important to buy the best tools that you can afford. Spend your money where it counts; that will have the most impact on your paintings. Two essentials are quality paints and brushes.

My favorite and must-have brush is the dagger striper. This brush is great for painting details.

Use good quality cleaning products for your brushes. Archival canvases are preferred. My personal preference is Belgian linen oil primed canvases.

Frames are the jewelry for paintings. My standard rule is that the frame must enhance the painting.

QWhat is your favorite painting that you’ve created and why?

My favorite painting is “Rosie,” which is a 24” X 36” oil on canvas. The subject is a roseate spoonbill in the water showcasing her vibrant pink and magenta wings. The roseate spoonbill is a beautiful wading bird, and they are very entertaining to watch. In our area they can often be seen on Jekyll Island and at Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge. As spoonbills age, their pink color in their wings becomes deeper and more vibrant based on their diet. In my opinion, the roseate spoonbill is the most unusual and striking wading bird in our area.

QWhat has been the most challenging painting you’ve ever created and why?

Two paintings were equally challenging: “Saint Nicholas for Ronnie” and “Santa’s Workshop.” Although they are totally different styles of Saint Nicholas/Santa, both paintings required a lot of intricate detail.

“Saint Nicholas for Ronnie” is a 24” X 36” oil on canvas and was a Christmas gift for my husband, Ronnie Hall. We love to decorate for Christmas, and he had been wanting a painting of Saint Nicholas. The details of the trim and fabric of his coat, basket in his hand with gold trim and wrapped

“Saint Nicholas for Ronnie” is a 24” X 36” oil on canvas and was

gifts, violin, the braided rope, and the green fabric required focus and determination.

“Santa’s Workshop” is an 18” x 24” oil on canvas. This painting was based on a tea towel that I purchased on a trip to Virginia. I did make several modifications including the Christmas cards, the red truck, nutcracker, and Raggedy Ann, all of which were very tedious.

QIf you could invent a new color, what would it be like and what would you call it?

The acorn cap from a live oak tree when it is still young and has first fallen. It is a green color that I haven’t seen anywhere else and that I find really appealing. I’m very drawn to vibrant colors, especially magentas, reds, pinks and greens.

If I could invent a new color, I’d capture the shade of the live oak acorn cap and name it Live Oak Acorn Green.

In addition to painting and involvement in community activities, Monica likes to garden. She even documents and registers Centenarian and Junior League live oak trees with the Live Oak Society of the Louisiana Garden Club Federation. She enjoys travel (she recently returned from a trip to Scotland), and she completed her first half marathon in December 2022, walking 13.1 miles. She is married to Ronnie C. Hall and they just celebrated their 33rd anniversary. While she continues to hone her painting skills, Monica O’Quinn has definitely mastered the art of retirement. |WM

Jesup | Ludowici | Screven

TALK OF THE TOWN

Showcasing WAYNE County’s People and Events

WELCOME TO JESUP

The City of Jesup has many improvements to welcome visitors and citizens to downtown.

Greeting visitors driving South on Highway 341 is a new welcome sign. The streetscape in downtown has been expanded and covers the entire downtown area with widened sidewalks, banners, benches, and flowerpots. The recent completion of James R. Bland Park in the heart of downtown

offers new greenspace with park benches and a covered area with swings and a view of passing trains.

The Cracker Williams Park also has additional improvements with new pickle ball courts, replacing the old tennis courts and renovation of the community pool.

groundbreaking for the community pool renovation at the

was held on September, 27 2023.

TALK OF THE TOWN

Showcasing WAYNE County’s People and Events

STATE OF THE COUNTY

The Wayne County Chamber of Commerce hosted State of the County in September at Coastal Pines Technical College. The crowd received the latest update from each municipality and the county.

Speakers included City of Screven

Mayor Jason Weaver, City of Odum

Mayor Greg Rozier, City of Jesup Mayor Ralph Hickox, and Wayne County Administrator Paul Drawdy.

J. D. Paul Memorial Golf Classic

The9th annual JD Paul Memorial Golf Classic was held at Pine Forest Golf Club. This year’s event was at full capacity with 20 teams and 80 players. Proceeds from the tournament provide scholarships for students at Wayne County High School in memory of JD Paul.

Kent Fountain Heads Georgia Ports Authority

The Georgia Ports Authority installed Kent Fountain as its new Chairman of the Board on July 1, 2023.

“Kent’s four-year tenure on the GPA board, as well as his leadership across business and agriculture, make him a solid choice to continue guiding the ports of Savannah and Brunswick through the current phase of infrastructure growth,” said Georgia Governor Brian Kemp.

“At the Georgia Ports Authority, a central part of our mission is to

strengthen industries and sustain our communities,” said Fountain. “While the global economy is rebalancing from the recent spike in demand, now is the perfect time to grow our terminal capacity, so that we can continue to serve as a gateway for prosperity.”

Fountain serves as President & CEO of Southeaster Gin & Peanut, Inc., in Surrency. He also serves as Chairman of Premium Peanut, LLC. He and his wife, Missi, live in Screven and have two sons a ending UGA.

Paul

LEFT: Rob Royal, Sid Royal, Chase Hinson, Jake Williams

TALK OF THE TOWN

Showcasing WAYNE County’s People and Events

BE KIND TO YOUR MIND

Anchored and RYAM held the first “Be Kind to Your Mind” 5K Run and Walk recently. The event was held to build awareness for brain health and recovery from trauma and grief. Education and fun events were provided and professionals were on hand to provide resources for those interested.

May is Mental Health Awareness month. The next “Be Kind to Your Mind” 5K Run and Walk will be held in early May of 2024. Don’t miss it!

RUN WITH PURPOSE

The 6th annual Run with Purpose was held December 2 at Jaycee Stadium. The purpose of the run is to come together as a community out of love and support for one another. This year’s run proceeds were a blessing to Kennedy Harris, daughter of Melanie and Cale Harris, who has been diagnosed with leukemia.

RIGHT: Race Coordinator Cassy Langley with her children Carlie and Leighton

FAR RIGHT: Melanie and Cale Harris with their children, Kennedy, Houston, Kate, and Sam

Leadership Wayne

The 2023-2024 class of Leadership Wayne is underway. Participants will take part in a wide variety of leadership training while learning more about Wayne County. Leading the

group are co-chairs Sherna SpearmanLo and Chris Hamilton. Inman Johnson and Jason Weaver are also past participants who will be chairing the group next year.

Stay up to date on Wayne County Community Events with the Community Calendar! It's your go-to resource for every local event in our area.

Have an event you want the community to know about?

Anyone hosting a community wide event can add by following these simple steps:

1. Open the Community Calendar.

2. Click Suggest Event and Submit your event.

3. You event will then be added to the community calendar within 24 hours.

SCAN QR CODE FOR CALENDAR!

65TH OLEANDER ANNUAL DISTRICT MEETING

The Garden Club of Georgia held the 65th Oleander Annual District Meeting in Jesup in October at Under the Chandelier. The event was hosted by Jesup Garden Club, Lily Garden Club, Odum Garden Club, Pine Forest Garden Club,

Ruby Riggins Garden Club, and Spartina Garden Club. The speaker was Jessica Roberts, coowner of Roberts Bee Company and H&R Apiaries. Numerous awards were presented, and the group enjoyed a lovely meal and silent auction.

TALK OF THE TOWN

Showcasing WAYNE County’s People and Events

LEGACY AWARDS DINNER

The Wayne County Chamber of Commerce held the 11th annual Legacy Awards in June at Pine Forest Country Club. The event is about honoring legacy. The long-standing success of the Chamber has depended largely on the vision and commitment of community leaders who are recognized during this awards ceremony.

The 2023 Legacy Award Winners:

• Ambassador of the Year: Mrs. Angie Sturgill

• Small Business of the Year: Reliable Rolloff Solutions

• Business Leader of the Year: Mrs. Toni Ray

• Excellence in Agriculture: Clanton River Ranch

• James L. Harper Distinguished Service Award: Mrs. Glenna Parker Eubanks

EMI PEEL - WINS

GOLD MEDAL IN WORLD BATON TWIRLING CHAMPIONSHIP

Emi

Peel, 12, daughter of Rick & Carrie Peel, won a gold medal in Youth X-Strut at the 2023 World Baton Twirling Championship – the twirling equivalent of the Olympic Games – held August 9-13, in Liverpool, England. More than 900 of the best sport baton twirlers from 21 countries competed in the World Championship, which was sanctioned by the International Baton Twirling Federation (IBTF) and supported by the United States Twirling Association (USTA).

This was Peel’s first appearance at the IBTF World Baton Twirling Championship. She has previously earned awards at international competitions in the Netherlands. She also took

first place in Juvenile Artistic Twirl at the U.S. National Baton Twirling Championships held in Kissimmee, FL in July.

Additionally, Peel won the title of 2023 Preteen Miss Majore e of America at the National Baton Twirling Championship held in South Bend, Indiana at the University of Notre Dame in July.

Peel is a seventh grader at Arthur Williams Middle School. She is coached by Dale White, Jonathan Burkin, PJ Burkin and Savannah Miller and is a member of The ShowTwirlers, a central Pennsylvania based baton twirling team.

MORE THAN JUST A MURAL

Johnna

O’Quinn has never painted a mural before but she does like to make a difference wherever she can. So, she picked up some paint brushes and created a mural on the side of her store, Britches & Bows, in downtown.

“Murals can be used to beautify se ings, make people think, engage others, start conversations, and provide information,” she said.

“Murals have the power to transform a blank wall into a vivid story, bringing art to unexpected places and enriching our surroundings.”

Johnna has certainly enriched her surroundings with beauty and a positive message.

TALK OF THE TOWN

Showcasing WAYNE County’s People and Events

CHRISTMAS TOUR OF HOMES

TheChristmas Tour of Homes, sponsored by the Wayne County Garden Club Council and Wayne County Tourism, was held December 3. The event offered self-guided tours of six

beautifully decorated homes for the holiday season. Proceeds benefit the Wayne County Garden Club Council and the Be y Fisher Scholarship.

Index of Advertisers

AgSouth Farm Credit

Altamaha Agency

Altamaha Federal Credit Union

Altamaha Steak and Seafood

Ankle & Foot Associates

Armstrong Family Medicine

B&B Concrete Services

Banks Real Estate

Bone & Joint Institute of South Georgia

Boykin Steel & Crane

City of Jesup

Coastal Medical Equipment

Coastal Pines Technical College

Crandall Eye Physicians & Surgeons

Dollander Country Financial

EAM Corporation

El Dorado Mexican & Japanese Cuisine

Fit Miss Personal Training & Health Club

G&C Concrete

Georgia Dermatology

Grant Lewis Towing & Recovery

Grimes Insurance Agency

Harris ACE Hardware & Building Supply

Hog -N- Bones

Interstate Credit Union

Jones Prescription Shop

Leah Lewis Jones, P.C.

Mattie Genaux Photography

Mine & Yours Boutique

Miss Magnolia Soul Photography

Misty's Pharmacy

Mobile Concrete

Murphy Builders Supply

Nephrology & Hypertension Medical Associates

Nephrology of the Golden Isles

NeSmith Chevrolet

Nexus Rental Space

O'Quinn & Associates-Insurance & Financial Services

Overholt Construction

Partners Risk Insurance

Prime South Bank

Rejoyce Wellness

Robert A. Pumpelley, IV, MD

Royal Swimming Pools

RYAM

Savannah Vascular

SMaRT Physical Therapy

Southeast Georgia Health System

Strand Bistro & Chophouse

Swenson Rental Management, LLC

The Cottage Events & Photography, LLC

The First Bank

The Grove Home & Garden

Tim's Home Medical

Under the Chandelier

Union Station Brewing Co.

Universal Electric

Watermelon Gumballs

Wayne County Chamber of Commerce

Wayne County Commissioners

Wayne Family Practice

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