liberty life fall 2011

FALL 2011 LIBERTY life

inWomen

PoWerMeet six of Liberty’s Most successfuL Leading Ladies

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HINESVILLE & THE HISTOR IC COAST

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4 LIBERTY LIFE MAGAZINE

contents

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Fall 2011F

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Women in PowerAll about ambition: Six leaders talk about career paths and the choices that put them in authoritative posts.

Rest and RelaxationPamper parties: Enjoy a day of bliss and beauty by heading to a spa or hosting your own gathering.

Coastal CravingsWhipping up a feast: Chefs teach area residents to prepare gourmet French and Italian meals.

DEPARTMENTS

Perfecting a CraftHinesville jeweler Tom Hill takes the art of gemology to new levels.

Local HeroesPassion for people: The United Way’s Jennifer Darsey lives to help others.

Seriously ScarySpirits abound: Several historic Liberty landmarks have ghostly pasts.

Life’s a PeachThe price of beauty: Does silky, straight hair make painful treatment tolerable?

22 38Liberty Loves

The voters have spoken: Many local businesses took top honors in a people’s choice contest.

59Churches

Faith rules: Historic church communities’ pasts, histories are deeply intertwined.

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12 34 51 56

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PUBLISHER S. Marshall Griffin [email protected]

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Hollie Moore Barnidge [email protected]

CREATIVE DIRECTORHollie Moore Barnidge [email protected]

PRODUCTION MANAGERLeslie Miller [email protected]

ADVERTISING

ADVERTISING OPERATIONS MANAGERConnie Parker [email protected]

ADVERTISING ART DIRECTOR

Ekaterina Wilkerson [email protected]

ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Lillian Gray [email protected]

Victoria Gambrell [email protected]

Connie Parker [email protected]

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Danielle Hipps, Patty Leon, Denise Etheridge, Katie McGurl,Jen Alexander McCall, Seraine Page, Debbie Brown

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Aliyah Dastour Beth SmithbergerMarguerite West

OFFICE STAFF

Business Manager Kathryn Fox Distribution Manager Johnny Brown

Liberty Life magazine:125 S. Main St.

Hinesville, GA 31313912-876-0156

[email protected]

Published by Morris Newspaper Corporation of Hinesville, Inc.Liberty Life magazine is a publication of

Morris Newspaper Corporation of Hinesville, Inc. For SUBSCRIPTION INQUIRIES,

BACK ISSUE ORDERS and ADVERTISING INQUIRIES call 912-876-0156

For EDITORIAL INQUIRIES, email [email protected] welcome your news. Please send press releases and media kits to

[email protected]. Copyright 2011 by Morris Newspaper Corporation of Hinesville, Inc.

All rights reserved. This publication may not be reproduced in any form without written consent of the publisher.

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W Welcome to the fall 2011 edition of Liberty Life magazine. Putting together this issue was my first experience with magazine jour-nalism and, I must admit, I thoroughly enjoyed it. As the managing editor of the Coastal Courier, I’m often so caught up in the hustle and bustle of deadlines, breaking news and story developments that I have little time to slow down and appreciate Liberty County for all it has to offer.

Immersing myself in the production of our quarterly lifestyle publi-cation was a bit of a treat for me — a break from the fast-paced, hectic world of newspaper journalism. I had the opportunity to talk at length with people I see all the time, but have never really gotten to know. I learned about the “softer” side of life in Coastal Georgia; from gour-met Italian and French cooking classes to spas that are willing to make clients’ relaxation dreams come true, the diverse cultural and leisure-time offerings in our area amazed me. And I think they’ll have the same affect on our readers.

In this edition, my staff and I tried to include a little something for everyone. Now that fall is upon us and Halloween lurks around the corner, we’d be remiss not to explore the deluge of reported paranor-mal activity in and around county landmarks, historic buildings and old cemeteries. That’s right — a few supernatural enthusiasts ventured into some of the area’s most legendary haunts and, judging from the the evidence they gathered, all signs point to spiritual presence.

And while the thought of ghosts living among us is a bit intimidat-ing, it’s nothing compared to the powerful vibe exuded by six of the community’s most successful women. These feisty females are well-respected leaders in their fields, but they didn’t climb the career ladder overnight. Their fascinating journeys — rife with challenges, humor, lessons learned and bumps in the road — serve as reminders to all hard-working men and women that perseverance and determination make progress possible.

But, many will point out, goal attainment requires more than belief in oneself, which likely is why Liberty County’s communities of faith provide solace and fellowship to those who seek it. Several congrega-tions in this area can trace their roots back hundreds of years. They’ve been a source of strength to countless parishioners over the decades and have heavily factored into in making Liberty the supportive, val-ues-based community residents enjoy today.

I hope you’ll take the time to get lost in the pages of this magazine because every person and every place in Liberty County has a story, and we’ve worked tirelessly to tell them all.

Love & Liberty for all, Hollie Moore Barnidge, editor-in-chief

editor’s

letter


Hinesville & tHe Historic coast 9

ContributorsDANIELLE HIPPSA recent University of Florida journalism graduate, Danielle hails from Central Florida. This summer, she joined the Coastal Courier’s staff to write about education and county matters. Previously, she worked as an online news producer for The Gainesville Sun and was assistant editor at INsite Gainesville magazine. She is learning to cook and loves exploring Coastal Georgia.

DENISE ETHERIDGEDenise graduated with a degree in journalism from the University of Georgia in 1982. She was a freelance writer while her husband served in the military. After they re-entered “civilian life,” Denise became a fulltime reporter. Previously, she worked for the Walton Sun near Destin, Fla., the Tribune & Georgian in St. Marys and the White County News in Cleveland. She now works at the Coastal Courier in Hinesville.

PATTY LEONAs a Miami, Fla. native, Patty worked as a program and services coordinator for the American Red Cross, overseeing disaster relief in the Florida Keys during hurricane season. In July 2006, she moved to Georgia and started at the Coastal Courier as a sports reporter and photographer. In her spare time, Patty is a member of Savannah’s roller derby team, the Savannah Derby Devils.

SERAINE PAGEFreelance writer Seraine Page is based in Charleston, S.C. Her work has been featured in the Coastal Courier, INsite Gainesville maga-zine, The Gainesville Sun and Self Healing. Seraine earned a journal-ism degree from the University of Florida. She enjoys cooking, traveling, reading and spending time with her loved ones. Follow her blog at www.serainepage.blogspot.com.

DEBRA AYERS BROWNDebra’s work has been featured in Guideposts Magazine, Woman’s World, the Chocolate series, “Chicken Soup for the Soul” and more. Debbie has received numerous national and international project, design and writing awards. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from UGA, earned an MBA from The Citadel, and recently was included in the Stanford Who’s Who. Find her chronicles online at http://DebraAyersBrown.com.

ALIYAH DASTOURAliyah is an editorial and lifestyle photographer in Hinesville. She owns Alimond Photography and enjoys creating family portraits and weddings in her own unique style in between commercial photo shoots. Aliyah loves spending time with her husband, daughter and son, and she enjoys the challenges of being a full-time mom and a full-time photographer. See more of her work at www.alimondphotography.com.



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Skills showcase

by Denise Etheridge

Perfecting acraft



Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend, but for certified gem-ologist Tom Hill, colored gems are a preferred passion.

“I love working with colored gem-stones,” Hill says. “You have so many dif-ferent options.”

Hill, 54, considers himself an artisan as well as a businessman.

He and his wife of 29 years, Chrisie Hill, own Thomas Hill Jewelers in Hinesville. The couple opened their store under the name Gold Menders in 2001.

“I have confidence in what he can do,” Chrisie Hill says of her husband’s artistic abilities.

“It’s a blessed business,” Hill says. “I wake up every morning and I can hardly get to the store fast enough. Every day is different.”

Hill can form a design in his mind and imagine what a finished piece will look like by first laying a colored stone onto a white piece of paper, he says.

The experienced gemologist can design anything from a simple pencil sketch a customer may bring in to setting antique jewels in new, more modern settings. Hill encourages his customers to take a hands-on, inclusive approach when he develops designs for them, he adds.

“First, I’ll ask the client a series of ques-tions,” Hill says. “It’s kind of like shopping for a car. Sometimes price is the determin-ing factor, sometimes it is style. We try to help the client find out what end-product they want.”

Everyday images and events inspire Hill’s designs, he says. He once fashioned a pendant with a blue sapphire centered in a delicate gold web after seeing the movie “Spiderman.”

Hill also won first place in the Master Independent Jewelers Organization’s Na-tional Jewelry Design Contest in Colorado Springs, Colo., three years ago with his Harley Davidson-inspired piece, a three-inch-tall, solid-gold bike crafted with Hill’s love of motorcycles and his eye for intri-cate detail.

“There are over 3 ounces of gold in the bike,” he says with pride, pointing out ad-ditional features such as lightning bolts on the fragile handlebars, a cubic zirconium headlight, ruby taillights, a working kick-stand and wheels that turn.

“I wanted to show what could be done with a laser,” he says, referring to the $35,000 laser welder he uses to shape and

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repair jewelry.The laser allows Hill to rebuild fine gold filigree and work around

gemstones.“You can’t put heat on some gemstones,” he says.As a degreed gemologist, Hill also is certified to appraise jewelry for

insurance or estate purposes.“Some people, especially members of the military, come in and find

their appraisals are out of date,” he says. He often examines and identi-fies gemstones soldiers may have bought overseas.

“I tell people to come in the mornings if they want an appraisal done,” he says. Gemologists should conduct gemstone appraisals in the morning because that’s the time of day when the eye can better differ-entiate color.

“I don’t have anything with caffeine when I’m doing appraisals,” he added. “Caffeine masks your color perception. I don’t want to take the chance of misgrading a stone.”

Hill’s knack for gemology didn’t come overnight, he emphasizes. In 1976, he began working as a sales associate for Gordon’s Jewelers,

which later was bought out by Zales, when he was studying business at Tennessee Temple University in Chattanooga, Tenn. He studied and took courses through the Gemological Institute of America while he continued to work in the jewelry business.

“There are so many courses, and they’re so long. I didn’t get my cer-tificate until 1996,” Hill says.

The Hinesville jeweler says he studied for six to eight months before taking the three-hour final exam for his gemologist’s certificate.

“If someone wants to open their own jewelry store (a gemology de-gree) is absolutely essential,” Hill says.

Photos by Aliyah Dastour

Gemologist Tom Hill shows off his handmade, palm-sized 14-karat gold motorcycle, which won first prize in a na-tional competition. The wheels on the bike rotate and the kickstand goes up and down.

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AEuropetaste ofCooking lessons make mouths water



Delicioso!ItalIan chef shares global culInary expertIse

No one can stick to a diet when Chef Biagio Longo comes to town. Earlier this year, Longo, who is from Sorrento, Italy,

flew into Atlanta and traveled to Liberty County to teach a six-day cooking class, offered and advertised through the Hines-ville Area Arts Council.

Longo learned to cook in his mother’s kitchen and at 17, began to study at the Cu-linary Cooking School in the city of Piano Di Sorrento on the Sorrentine Peninsula.

His talent has taken him around the globe — he’s worked on cruise ships, in top restaurants and teaches classes around

the United States — but most of his expe-rience comes from the bed and breakfast, Mami Camilla, that he owns in Sorrento.

Longo takes command of a kitchen — his or not — and likes to do things himself.

He is, after all, a master chef and a clas-sically trained Italian cook.

During the local class in friend Lisa Braun’s kitchen, Longo chats with the par-ticipants, pausing occasionally to carefully structure his sentences in English, as he sets out ingredients on a large wooden is-land.

“The good meal is everything. Any food is good. Me, I prefer simple food,” he says

matter-of-factly. “Not too many spices — simple.”

His charming smile and booming voice leave little doubt that Longo is a man who knows what he’s doing in the kitchen. His white chef coat, in stark contrast to his jeans, gives him an authoritative but casual appearance.

Regarding his cooking staples, olive oil is one of the chef ’s favorite ingredients.

He loves it because it goes well with Ital-ian cuisine, but he’s particular about its use, he says. Too much and you’ve wrecked an entire meal with an overpowering taste. Too little, he adds, and it might be too dry.

Italian chef Biagio Longo chops up fresh mozzarella cheese.Opposite: Longo dishes up

heaping plates of hand-made scialatielli alla Sorrento.

“Mastering a challenging dish is really all about the instructor.”— Cooking class participant Lisa Braun



Braun visited Longo’s bed and breakfast a few times during the past several years and kept in contact with him and his family. After building up a friendship, she asked

him to come to Hinesville to teach cooking classes. He agreed.

“Biagio is very knowledgeable and particular about southern Italian cooking and he starts ev-erything from scratch — literally made with his hands,” Braun says. “I have learned from him the techniques that he uses and then I try to adapt those techniques to my own cooking style. The thing that I learned the most from him is that Italians never waste anything! They use leftover food for future dishes.”

Before the class started in her home, Braun pre-pared her kitchen, stocking the refrigerator with fresh parmesan cheese, organic eggs, milk, butter and fresh basil, among other typical Italian food staples.

“Mastering a challenging dish is really all about the instructor. If the chef takes time to show you the proper techniques (and beginners take good notes), cooking is not really that hard,” Braun says. “Of course, it’s my passion, so things that you love don’t seem as difficult! I would rather be in the kitchen than anywhere else.”

As participants shuffle into her home, peeling off coats and shaking Longo’s hand, an air of camara-derie settles over the scene.

Braun, sporting a flour-smudged black apron emblazoned with the words “La Cucina Italiana,” effortlessly slips into her role as hostess, offer-ing guests water with wafer-thin lemon slices and wine.

The seven participants chat and laugh as they drape themselves with aprons from Longo’s cook-ing school. Soon after the class begins, attendees are busy hand-rolling pasta dough, simmering to-mato sauce and melting chocolate and honey for tiramisu.

The menu includes potato croquettes, braised meat rolls in red sauce, hand-made egg pasta with Sorrento sauce and tiramisu.

Longo often deviates from the set recipes, never making a dish the same way twice, says Braun, who frequently calls across the kitchen to the chef as she scribbles his instructions for the students to take home later.

He mumbles and hums as he works, sometimes even singing to the food.

“The secret is to sing to the chocolate,” he tells a student, stirring melted chocolate for the tiramisu. Others shred fresh mozzarella cheese, pepper meat and chop fresh basil to heap onto the scialatielli alla Sorrentina.

The chef says he loves teaching wherever he goes and often spends up to eight hours a day in the kitchen.

Opposite: Cooking class participant Bert Darden enjoys a slice of tiramisu after helping to prepare a four-course gourmet meal.This page: Julie Cortina kneads eggs into flour to make homemade pasta for scialatielli alla Sorrento topped with fresh basil.



“For me, it is the same everywhere,” he says of his passion for creating homemade meals. “I cook the same no matter where I am called. It is important for you to know … know that I love this country and enjoy spending time here.”

Throughout the class, Longo dips his finger into batters and sauces, critically sampling every ingre-dient that rolls across his tongue.

When he likes a dish, he tells the students “per-fect.” When they aren’t so good, he scrunches his face a bit and adds dashes and shakes of ingredients until he is satisfied.

Students, struck by hunger pangs, sniff the air and rub their stomachs, ready to partake of the savory smorgasbord of gourmet treats. When the potato croquettes — also known as crocchette di Patate — are fried to golden brown perfection and plated, silence fills the room as students bite into the appetizers.

Soon after, plates heaped with mounds of steam-ing pasta are passed around and chatter again ceas-es as participants focus on the tastes and textures of their meal.

“Delicioso,” student Jeanne Burch says, kissing the tips of her fingers and fanning them upward. “[The pasta] … that was really fabulous.”

After tiramisu is served, not a single word is spo-ken. The students’ expressions of bliss are unmis-takable, and speechlessness seems appropriate.

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Bon appétit!French class provokes culinary, cultural exchanges

One day this summer, Liberty locals traded the Southern-inspired staple “breakfast in a cup” for haute cuisine when

France native David Karoudjian took con-trol of Poole’s Deli to offer a world-class cooking experience.

When Karoudjian’s pupils walk into the deli, they find joie de vivre, complete with romantic French music and a table-top rep-lica of the Eiffel Tower. As the class gathers around to listen to the instructor’s tales of life across the pond, Karoudjian and his pu-pils dive into a conversation about culture.

“In France, we take a lot of time to pre-pare food,” he says. “And we take a lot of time to eat it.”

Before the pupils don their aprons, Karoudjian entertains questions about French diet and cuisine. He grew up eating smaller breakfasts — fresh bread with fruit jelly or ham — followed by heavier, com-

plex lunches and light dinner fare, such as salads, he says.

The French, who tend to shop fresh mar-kets about three times per week, seldom eat meat at dinner. They rely heavily on rose-mary, paprika, basil, thyme, bay leaves and olive oil — lots of olive oil.

“In France, we always think that nobody else knows how to cook,” he continues.

“But you don’t fry your food in France?” one participant asks. The French do not. But Karoudjian’s Armenian roots —both parents immigrated to France 43 years ago — have familiarized him with fried foods, he says.

“No grits?” another asks. Before com-ing to the United States, Karoudjian never heard of the South’s ground-corn staple, he confesses. He also did not know about okra or his favorite American dish, peach cob-bler.

Once the class gathers around the prepa-

ration table in the deli’s kitchen, members go to work in small shifts, slicing apples and kneading dough for the dessert, tarte aux pommes a l’Alsacienne. This apple tart from France’s northeast Alsace region is the equivalent of America’s signature dessert. Because it will take the longest to bake and cool, it is prepared first.

Karoudjian says he prefers the dish with golden delicious apples, but adds that mix-ing different varieties, like Fuji or McIntosh, will create complexity of flavors.

“Have you ever added anything to the apples, like blackberries or pecans?” asks Kim McGlothlin, Liberty County finance director and a cooking class participant.

“We don’t know pecans,” Karoudjian re-plies.

“Welcome to Georgia!” McGlothlin says. The room fills with laughter. Karoudjian and his pupils banter back and forth all af-ternoon. Joking aside, the commentary al-

Story and photos by Danielle Hipps

A tarte aux pommes a l’Alsacienne, prepared by French cooking class participants, cools on a table.



lows the expression of culinary and cultural traditions from both worlds.

Once the tart is baking, the class moves on to the main dish — ratatouille. The crowd jokes about recognizing the dish from the animated Disney film of the same name, and Karoudjian explains that tradi-tional ratatouille, a vegetable stew that orig-inates in south France, does not have meat. But his recipe calls for ground beef, out of loyalty to his mother, Rose.

It bears mention that Karoudjian is no trained chef. By day, he works as the direc-tor of marketing for the transcontinental SNF water treatment company, which has a plant in Riceboro. But as far back as he can remember, he helped his mother in the kitchen. As a young boy, he liked to mea-sure ingredients and, over time, he assumed more responsibility.

“You just have to enjoy cuisine,” he says. “For me, it’s a pleasure. The problem with cuisine is you can have some skills or you cannot have them.”

Aspiring amateur chefs should start with ingredients that already are familiar, he ad-vises. True to his advice, Karoudjian has se-lected all of the day’s ingredients from the Hinesville Kroger.

Again, participants divide and conquer the recipe. Some chop vegetables while oth-ers sauté onions and beef. Chatter ensues while they work, and the group finds its way to the topic of cheese. While varieties like Swiss are acceptable substitutes for the sake of adapting the recipes, Karoudjian confess-es that he has become adept at smuggling Gruyere through customs on his way back from France several times per year.

While the entrée vegetables steam for 20 minutes, Karoudjian moves on to the start-er: veloute de patate douce, or sweet potato cream soup.

In true creative fashion, Karoudjian has adapted this hybrid recipe from a French one that calls for pumpkin instead of sweet potato — “I had a problem because it was not Halloween,” he says. For this velvety, sweet starter, the group bakes the sweet potatoes for 30 minutes, spends another 25 minutes cooking them on the stove and finally mixes the soup in a blender. To enhance the dish’s savory undertones, it’s served with a strip of fried bacon.

Karoudjian is so impressed with the fu-sion dish that he is not likely to return to its original, pumpkin-based recipe, he says.

As the meal is served over “oohs” and

“ahhs,” the 12 culinary apprentices reflect upon their experience.

“I can’t believe this was his first time cooking,” says Hinesville resident Beverly Childs. She is impressed by how much in-sight Karoudjian offered on how to select seasonings and general cooking techniques, she says. The class also created a chance to bond with her adult daughters, Windy Childs and Candace Harbour.

“I like the way he adapted, particularly with the sweet potato and the pumpkin,” she adds. “I don’t have that discernment to know what something needs.”

Harbour and her sister are eager to try the recipes at home, adding that the dishes seem very “approachable.”

That sense of confidence is what Karoud-jian wants the students to walk away with, he says.

“It’s nothing complicated, but it’s tasty,” he says about the entree. “You chop your vegetables, you cook your meat, you grate some cheese.”

We’re plugged into Georgia

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cover story



Many of the area’s high-profile leaders are women. They work hard.

They take their careers seriously. Their success wasn’t instantaneous.

inWomen

PoWerLibertyLife-Fall2011.indd 23 9/16/2011 2:17:32 PM


These six strong women know the meaning of persistence, dedication and tenacity — the very characteristics

they’ve come to embody during their journeys to become leaders in the Liberty County community.

What boys’ club?

In 1974, seven women put Walthourville back on the map in a move that garnered national attention. Lyndol Anderson, then 51, spearheaded a movement to incorporate the town of 418, which was first founded in 1795.

“We didn’t want to lose our name,” she told reporters at the time, addressing reports that Hinesville wanted to annex the area. Years before, men had tried to charter the town but eventu-ally gave up on the process, which involved taking a census of heads, homes and sanitation units.

On April 10, 1974, with their mission accomplished, Ander-son — who had been appointed by Gov. Jimmy Carter to lead the

town — took office as mayor, with five women on the city council and a female city clerk. These lady leaders made national head-lines as the first American all-female government — and each woman was re-elected by a landslide the following year.

While Anderson insisted that women’s liberation had little to do with her determination, these tenacious women paved the way for females throughout Liberty County to break into the old boys’ club.

Now, in the spirit of the Walthourville women, meet six of the county’s many leading ladies who are stepping up and taking charge.

Written by Danielle Hipps Photos by Aliyah Dastour



If the name Anderson rings a bell, it’s not by coincidence.

Judge Melinda Anderson, Liberty Co-unty Chief Magistrate, is Mayor Lyndol Anderson’s first-born daughter. Now she’s making a name for herself in a job that most people associate with the over-the-top television character Judge Judy.

“I’m not nearly mean enough to be Judge Judy,” she says with a laugh. “But my hope is that I’m fair and kind and effec-tive,” she says. She spends between 15 and 20 hours each week in court hearing civil claims of $15,000 or less, minor criminal offenses, county ordinance violations, pre-liminary hearings, arrests, search warrants and more. She also oversees another full-time magistrate, three who work part-time and an entire clerical team.

“I had a superior court judge tell me one time … ‘The two most important things a good judge needs is a head full of shocking white hair and a bad case of hemorrhoids,’ she recalls. “He said, ‘The hair makes you look wise, and the hemorrhoids make you look concerned.’”

While Anderson finds humor in the line, it also is incredibly honest, she says.

It may come as a surprise to learn that Anderson does not have a degree. And she has never been a lawyer — neither is legally required to fill the elected position. Candi-dates are required to reside in the county for more than a year before running, have a high-school diploma and be at least 25 years old. Once elected, their legal educa-tion begins with 40 hours each in civil and criminal law. Magistrates also are required to take a minimum of 20 hours of continu-ing education per year.

“My story is … a little unconventional,” she says about the path that led to her cur-rent station in life.

Anderson was born in Savannah to “good, honest, hard-working people” and

grew up on an Evans County farm. In 1957, her family relocated to Liberty County, and she enrolled in Bradwell Institute. After school and on weekends, Anderson helped her mother run their family’s Walthour-ville general store, Anderson’s Grocery.

After completing 11th grade, 17-year-old Anderson married her Air-Force-bound boyfriend, whose last name also was Anderson. The plan was for Anderson to finish school while her husband served the country. Instead, she moved with him to his station in Homestead, Fla.

“You know, stupid things kids do,” she says with a laugh. “I always wonder why my mom and dad didn’t shut me up in a closet somewhere.”

She finished school in Florida and held a variety of jobs, including packing produce. She and her husband moved many times. Sometimes she went with him, and other times she returned home while he was sta-tioned elsewhere. She took college classes at many schools along the way, but never completed her degree.

With two children in tow, the couple re-turned to the county, and Anderson began working for The Coastal Bank. They had another child and later divorced.

After taking time off for motherhood, Anderson returned to work, this time at

The Hinesville Bank. She also purchased her parents’ store, which they previously had sold, another store and mobile homes for rental properties.

With her eclectic background — retail, packaging, banking and property manage-ment — Anderson developed a solid work ethic and knowledge of many fields.

One night, she received a call from an acquaintance asking if Anderson would allow her name to be submitted for a list of candidates to fill an appointed justice of the peace position for the district.

“I had just come back from a trip,” she says, recalling that she was busy tending to a freezer that had stopped working. “And I said, ‘yeah, sure, sure’ — I was trying to get back to what I was doing, and I figured they needed so many names on the list.”

As it turns out, Anderson was appointed to the on-call, part-time position. In 1983, the justice of the peace system was abol-ished and the Magistrate Court was cre-ated in its place. Anderson served as one of five magistrates for about five years.

In 1988, Anderson ran against a man for the Chief Magistrate position — and won. The position, she says, at first was very tax-ing. She often left work with a weight on her shoulders and concern for the litigants she’d recently seen.

The hardest judgment, she says, is or-dering a family to be removed from their home for lack of payment.

“I would go home and worry,” she says. “‘Oh my goodness, that lady’s pregnant, and she has that 2-year-old, and her hus-band’s in jail and she can’t pay the rent,’ and I would cry.

“Eventually, I learned that you have to leave it here when you go home,” she says.

While most of the subjects for this story shirk away from the idea that they wield power, Anderson admits that hers can be a bit daunting.

“With the stroke of a pen, I can sign something and you’ll be arrested. They can go into your house and search all your clos-ets, or you can have your pay garnished,” she says.

But in Anderson’s eyes, sensitivity and an understanding of people are what make a good judge.

“Patience and kindness and concern have to figure in,” she says. “I don’t care how smart you are, and if you can quote the whole Code of Georgia ... it’s not the knowledge of the law that makes a good judge.”

Melinda AndersonChief Magistrate, Liberty County Courts

“Patience and kindness and concern have to figure in.”— Melinda Anderson, Chief Magistrate, Liberty County Courts



Day in and day out, Elaine Boggs sells the American dream.

“There are a lot of people out there who dream of owning their own home,” she says. “And it’s important that they be given the chance.”

And she should know about it, since she’s involved in a dream of her own.

Boggs, a 23-year real estate veteran who owns her own business, Elaine Boggs Real-ty Group, has sold more than 1,434 homes in excess of $100 million, she says.

“So many of my clients over the years had asked me why I didn’t own my own company — and I didn’t have a reason not to,” she says. “I didn’t want to work for any-one else anymore.”

Once an at-home mother of two, Boggs became a licensed real estate agent in 1989 with the intention of working part-time. But she loved the job and the relationships

that came with it, and soon she would be the top producer for the Hinesville Area Board of Realtors.

“I think the service I give my clients is what they expected, and then they would refer me to other people,” she says. “This business is about establishing relationships — not just for today, not just for tomorrow

— for as long as they need us.”In 2006, Boggs left a real estate agency in

town to form her own business. “It was a great leap of faith,” she says. “It’s

not easy to do — but I knew it was either time to retire or take it to the next level.”

Real estate is much more than showing homes, she says. It calls for knowledge of the law, an ability to negotiate and a knack for interpreting contracts.

“As Trump says, ‘It’s the art of the deal,’” she adds.

Boggs’ experience as a military spouse is another driving force in her philosophy. Like many of her clients, Boggs and her family have relocated many times, with stints at Fort Rucker, Ala., and Mannheim, Germany. It’s something that helps her re-late to the families she works with.

Now, in addition to listing and selling real estate, Boggs oversees an office staff of four, eight agents and a property-manage-ment division.

Boggs credits much of her success to the fact that she is more concerned about her clients’ needs than closing a deal.

“I’m not just in it for the quick sale,” she adds. Taking people’s wants and needs into

elaine BoggsRealtor,Owner, Elaine Boggs Realty Group

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account is a huge part of the equation for the North Hampton, N.H., native, who at-tributes her work ethic to her roots.

“We had a solid, close family upbringing, always being encouraged to reach our full potential,” she says. “I always knew my fo-cus would be to go to college and get my de-gree then find the right job, be on my own and go on to new adventures.”

Boggs enrolled in the University of New Hampshire. Like her brother, Boggs wanted to study law and relocated to Miami for a job with the U.S. Department of State Bu-reau of Security and Consular Affairs. There, she met her husband and her career path shifted directions.

Recently, Boggs built an office for the busi-ness and opened a rental division, which she says is booming. She also likes to give back to the community, working on behalf of the Board of Realtors with Relay for Life, the Liberty County Humane Society and more. She also serves on the Hinesville Board of Realtors Multiple Listings Committee and is a past chairwoman of the Liberty County Chamber of Commerce.

She’s also known for striving relentlessly toward what she wants.

“Someone called me a bulldog once, and I said, ‘Gee, I don’t look like one, do I?’” she says with a laugh. “I’m a fighter for my people — I guess I’m not afraid to speak my mind, I just try to do it in a nice way.”

As for the future, Boggs plans to main-tain her trajectory — the rental side of the company has doubled since last year — and she has her sights set on being the top com-pany of its type in town.

“We don’t want to just survive,” she says. “We want to thrive.”

“It’s not easy to do — but I knew it was either time to retire or take it to the next level.”

— Elaine Boggs, Owner of Elaine Boggs Realty Group

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Growing up in Pensacola, Fla., Lt. Col. Sharon Cole was always reminded to “act like a lady.”

Though she spends most of her time in fatigues and boots, the chief of nursing administration loves to embrace her softer side with dresses and tea time when the weekend rolls around.

That gentleness has driven her career in military nursing and her desire to work with young women in the community.

“I never came in to stay,” she says about joining the Army at 29 years old. “When I went to officer basic training, I guess I wasn’t prepared. I didn’t know what to expect.”

She questioned the decision for the first year, but as she learned about the oppor-tunities for advancement and travel, she realized the military was a perfect environ-ment for her and her children to grow in.

In May, Cole moved from Fort Gordon in Augusta to Fort Stewart to assume the role of chief of nursing administration, a job that requires her to oversee nursing staffs at Winn Army Community Hospital and three other area clinics.

“I actually started out thinking that I was going to go and be a physician,” she says. “But I decided that I wanted to try nursing first to make sure that I liked the medical field.”

Cole went to Pensacola Junior College for a year to complete an LPN program and worked as a nurse in the psychiatric ward of an indigent hospital in Pensacola. After becoming a registered nurse, she worked in oncology and in home health care for a time.

“I liked nursing so much that I decided to continue on with my education, and I went to the University of South Alabama

in Mobile,” she says. “It’s like a connection — I like the caring piece of nursing, where you really have an opportunity to get to know your patients and get to know their families — so I decided to keep going.”

While in school, she met a military nurse who suggested she consider joining the military. After speaking with recruit-ers, Cole decided to join the Army.

She entered as a first lieutenant and within a year, she was promoted to captain, she says.

“And here I am, 22 years later and still going,” says the mother of three, who also is an ordained minister.

Cole, who’s been a lieutenant colonel since 2005, hopes to make colonel this year. Though the military has been com-posed of males for much longer than fe-males — women were not directly involved with the military until the 1900s — Cole says she cannot recall a single experience in the military where her gender presented a challenge.

For most of her career, Cole worked as a public health nurse, providing soldiers and their families with clinical and educational services to promote healthy living in all facets, from weight management to family planning.

In a life-changing experience, Cole spent 45 days in New Orleans immediately after Hurricane Katrina ravaged the city and much of the surrounding area in Au-gust 2005.

“It was just chaos,” she says. She was called in as a senior public health officer. Cole and a team of nurses and technicians spent time collecting data from patients, administering immunizations, testing water supplies and preventing food-borne outbreaks.

“It was an awesome experience — it tru-ly gave me an appreciation for the things I have, not just the material ones, but the family and the safety,” she says.

Cole beams while talking about her nurse practitioner’s master’s degree from Hampton University. While still full-time in the Army, she worked toward the de-gree, which she earned in 2000.

“I would put in for leave so I could get my clinical hours in,” she says. “I didn’t know what sleep was.”

Now, she’s hard at work toward a pub-lic health doctorate from Morgan State University. She completed her coursework while stationed at Walter Reed Army Med-ical Center and has been researching the association between depression and de-ployment in females for the last year and a half, she says.

“I was really interested in the females who were coming back here,” she says. “There was a lot in the media about suicide rates and depression and violence, but you never heard a whole lot about what the fe-males were going through.

“I don’t think that anyone, male or fe-male, can go to a war zone and not come back affected,” she says.

Because her dissertation still is a work in progress, Cole cannot discuss her find-ings. Once she finishes her research, she hopes to present it at the military’s Force Health Protection Conference, with the ultimate goal of revolutionizing women’s health care for soldiers and civilians.

“We’re different — women are different, and we need to tailor our health care in or-der to meet our needs.”

“It’s like a connection — I like the caring piece of nursing, where you really have an opportunity to get to know your patients and get to know their families.”

— Lt. Col. Sharon Cole, Chief of Nursing Administration, Winn Army Community Hospital

Lt. Col. Sharon ColeChief of Nursing Administration,Winn Army Community Hospital



Vicki Davis loves downtown Hinesville like no other northern transplant could.

“My idea for downtown is that we re-ally will have businesses available in every space of the historic core,” she says. “Also, more importantly is to find the perfect bal-ance between preserving and appreciating our traditional buildings as well as our new development buildings that complement our traditional downtown center.”

In October 2007, the Muskegon, Mich., native relocated from Iowa to lead the ef-forts of the Hinesville Downtown Develop-ment Authority, commissioned by the city in 2004 to revive the downtown area.

But Davis was no stranger to Liberty County when she was hired. A military spouse, Davis lived in the county for six years during the 1990s while her husband was assigned to Fort Stewart.

“We always knew we wanted to come back to this region,” she says.

Davis became acquainted with the area by volunteering in community organiza-tions on and off post, with stints as a long-term substitute in Fort Stewart schools. The self-taught vocalist, who has years of theatrical direction experience, also served as the director of choral ministries at Gum Branch Baptist Church.

In 1998, work pulled the family of four away to Tennessee and then to Iowa for a period, where Davis worked in nonprofit downtown management and for the East Davenport Development Corporation.

“When I first got into downtown de-velopment, I was looking for a job where I could make a difference in the community,” she says. “The hands-on, being out in the community was where I wanted to be.”

A friend suggested that since Davis is comfortable taking the lead as a theatrical and musical director, perhaps she could manage community projects, she recalls.

In 2001, she was hired for her first down-

town development job in Osceola, Iowa, where she received comprehensive on-the-job training, she says.

“I really embraced my passion for his-tory and historic buildings, and I was able to learn hands-on elements of preserving structures,” she says.

Most people recognize the HDDA from special events like the Hinesville Down-town Farmers Market and Oktoberfest, but many don’t realize how much behind-the-scenes work the department does, she says.

“We take a comprehensive approach to revitalizing downtown,” she says. “That involves anything from property devel-opment, which includes beautification, physical improvements, new construction, history preservation to business issues, marketing promotions and special events.”

It’s no wonder Davis exudes passion for her job, which calls on her artistic talents in addition to her organization and leadership skills. Working in classrooms also helped to prepare her, she says.

“When you’re doing special areas such as music and physical education, every day is like a special event,” she says. “You’re orga-nizing, and you’ve got their physical activi-ties and their participation activities — and empowering them is also important to this job.”

Davis attributes her sense of community

to the environment in which she was raised. Though she grew up in a home of mea-

ger means, her parents were steadfast in their dedication to the community, espe-cially youth programs, she says.

“My father actually lead our children’s church camp, while my mother headed up other organizations in the church — and it had nothing to do with their stature in the community,” she says. “Throughout even my adulthood I will have people come to me and tell me, ‘Oh, you’re so and so’s daughter and I remember when he coached me in football and he helped me through some rough times.’”

Now, the mother of two grown sons hopes she has set the same example for her own children.

“There’s no doubt about it, it is very chal-lenging,” she says about her job. “But the impact that we have on the community and the good that we do, I can’t deny.”

The avid worker, who is learning to golf in her spare time, also dreams of opening a confectioners’ shop with her husband, with whom she has shared a candy-making hobby for years. She tackles caramels while he handles chocolates, she says.

“All of our friends love us at holiday time,” she says with a laugh.

Davis also loves sports. “You know, I was raised with four broth-

ers, and I don’t think my dad realized I was a girl until I was about 16,” she jokes.

“I think people would be surprised to know that I’m a NASCAR fanatic,” she says with a laugh. When Davis is in her car, she often listens to the NASCAR network, she says. Her favorite driver is No. 99, Carl Ed-wards, whose name is remarkably similar to her father’s, Carl Edward Tibbitts.

Ask Davis about the future, and you’ll find that her zest for life and downtown are closely intertwined.

“There’s a gray area — when you love what you do so much, my personal goals for my future also come into my job,” she says. “That’s why we attract volunteers. I think when people want to see something great for their community, we are an outlet for that to happen, whether it’s starting a farmers market or building shops downtown.”

“The impact that we have on the community and the good that we do, I can’t deny.”— Vicki Davis, Executive Director, Hinesville Downtown Development Authority

Vicki DavisExecutive Director, Hinesville Downtown Development Authority



Liberty County Health Department Ad-ministrator Deidre Howell isn’t afraid to call it like she sees it.

“I’m the one who says what most people are thinking but probably don’t want to say,” she says. “I don’t pull any punches — if someone’s full of it, I’ll pretty much call them out on it.”

Many people would rather play a smoke-screen game, she says — but her no-holds-barred manner ensures that operations run smoothly at the health department, which administers a range of services to low-in-come residents.

Howell oversees a budget of more than $2.6 million, a staff of 35 and also is in charge of writing grant applications for funds that ultimately benefit the community.

But juggling her workload is not the greatest of her struggles, she says.

Now a mother of five adult- and school-age children, Howell says, “If you can man-age a family that size, you can manage this place.”

The road to her leadership position has not been an easy one. After high school, the Savannah native studied aviation manage-ment at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Uni-versity’s satellite campus at Hunter Army Airfield. But the 19-year-old’s time in school was interrupted.

“I got kind of sidetracked with mother-hood,” she says. That didn’t stop her from earning her associate’s degree, and she went on to work at Gulfstream for six years.

When she found herself in the middle of corporate downsizing, Howell used her severance package to enroll at Armstrong Atlantic State University, where she com-pleted her bachelor’s in nursing in 1994.

“I lost my dream of being a pilot, but I didn’t lose my dream of being successful,” she says. “I had seen so many people let the

fact that they had a baby young and unpre-pared put them in a rut of mediocrity — I wanted better for myself and my children.”

As Howell took on nursing jobs, she be-gan to focus on a field close to her heart: family planning and women’s care. She credits her ability to relate with her patients as one of her strengths, and says she learned a great deal about diversity while working in the Atlanta metropolitan area.

“In nursing school, they try to teach you empathy,” she says. “And it’s a hard thing if you haven’t walked that walk.”

But Howell has been where her patients are. There once was a time when she was working three jobs, attending school and raising her children. She recalls waiting in long lines for hours just to get “$11 worth of milk and cheese,” and being overwhelmed with crying young children.

Fortunately, she saw a light at the end of the tunnel, she says.

Driven by the desire to “bloom where she’s planted,” Howell worked her way up through public health and worked for a time as the perinatal programs manager with the Georgia Department of Human Resources. She assumed her current posi-tion in 2004 and worked toward her mas-

ter’s degree in public administration from Georgia Southern University.

She also is chairwoman of the Liberty County Health Planning Board and Family Connections and serves on boards for the United Way and the YMCA. Last year, she was the president of the Hinesville Rotary Club.

In one of her proudest endeavors, How-ell is one of the founding members of the Suzie Q’s, a group dedicated to raising awareness and funds for breast-health after their friend Suzanne was diagnosed with breast cancer.

The group has hosted several fundraisers in the last two years, from the recent used book sale, “Books for Boobies,” to the an-nual October “Art Your Bra” contest, where women decorate new bras for the chance to win prizes in a judged contest. Funds raised go directly to women, she says. Last year, the group funded 75 mammograms and provided diagnostic services to 60 women with health problems.

“We take a really scary, tragic topic and make it light and put it in your face so you can’t help but want to take care of it,” she says.

This year, Howell will marry her passion for aviation with the cause when “Art Your Bra” is held at the Midcoast Regional Air-port, and she’s looking to have a fly-in of some kind for the event to generate female interest in aviation.

As for Howell’s own future, the sky is the limit. Literally. She will one day retire to the 246-acre farm in Tattnall County that she inherited from her father, and she has even toyed with the idea of turning it into a green cemetery, an emerging method of burial that aims to reduce humans’ carbon footprints after death.

And her ultimate goal? To return to fly-ing.

“I envision myself someday flying my grandchildren around the county, seeing the sites and learning to be aviators them-selves,” she says.

“In nursing school, they try to teach you empathy, and it’s a hard thing if you haven’t walked that walk.”

— Deidre Howell, Administrator, Liberty County Health Department

Deidre HowellAdministrator, Liberty County Health Department



Though she is a first-generation college graduate whose father did not even attend high school, education always has been a priority for Liberty County School System Superintendent Judy Scherer.

Scherer, who grew up near the moun-tain town of Pearisburg, Va., was one of six children in a household that was, by defini-tion, poor.

“We didn’t know we were poor, but we were — I know that now,” she says. The family lived on a farm, growing most of their own foods and pinching pennies to get by.

“There were two unwritten rules in our house. One was you went to school, and you had to be really, really sick not to go,” she says. “And the other one was you went to church on Sunday.”

During high school, Scherer volunteered with an organization that placed students in classrooms to give them teaching expe-

rience because it got her out of class — “I’ll just be honest about it,” she says. She was assigned to the special-education students, whom nobody else wanted to teach.

“I literally fell in love with working with special-needs kids, and so there was never much change after that,” she says. “I think it was easier to see the growth in them —

the little steps were so huge for them. The things we take for granted even for our own children, when you have to work for hours and days and weeks and months to take a step, as opposed to being able to sit your 1-year-old down and they figure it out, then it’s really rewarding when it hap-pens.

“And I think that was the great joy of be-ing in special education — every small ac-complishment was monumental for them,” she says.

The summer before college, Scherer ran a concessions stand at her community pool almost daily to save money for school, and she continued working as she studied spe-cial education at Virginia Commonwealth University. She later earned an educational leadership doctorate degree from Georgia State University in 1987.

“I credit my upbringing and parents with giving me a very strong work ethic,” she says.

From a young age, Scherer set her sights on being a special-education director, and a college professor told her, “If you’re going to do that, you have to spend some time in the trenches.” In education, she says, “the

Judy SchererSuperintendent, Liberty County School System

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trenches” is code for working as an assis-tant principal.

Since then, Scherer has taught a range of students from severely handicapped chil-dren to those with high school learning disorders. With her sights on a leadership role, she moved into administration. Like her high school volunteering experience, she was enamored and shifted her goals.

“Part of my ambition was to continue to try to improve education. So when you’re the building principal, you think ‘Oh, if I could just be the curriculum director, I’d make these decisions.’ And when you be-come the curriculum director, you say ‘Oh, if I could just become the superinten-dent, I’d have more control and I’d be able to make more of a difference,’” she says. “I think that’s what really motivated me to be superintendent.

“And some days, you think, ‘Why did I even bother?’” she adds. “Because what you learn along the way is there’s always some-body else who controls things. Because when you get to be superintendent, it’s the state who controls your money, it’s the fed-eral government who makes the rules, it’s the attorneys and judges who make court

Clockwise from bottom left: Realtor Elaine Boggs, Lt. Col. Sharon Cole, Hinesville Downtown Development Authority Director Vicki Davis, Liberty County Health Department Administrator Deidre Howell, Superintendent Judy Scherer and Chief Magistrate Melinda Anderson share a laugh during a photo shoot.

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decisions that dictate much of what we do.” For Scherer, knowing which battles to

choose is key to being successful. “That’s part of being a leader — figur-

ing out when you have to fight city hall or when you have to work with city hall to make things happen,” she says, using a metaphorical example. “And my philoso-phy has always sort of been that we’re going to make decisions based on what’s best for kids. If it’s detrimental to kids, then we’re going to really fight. If not, then there are ways to work through it.

“We call it dying on your sword — what are you going to die for?” she explains.

The mother of two, whose first husband died after a 10-year battle with leukemia, has learned that life is too precious to get caught up in small details. She worked closely for years with the American Can-cer Society to raise awareness and funds for cancer research and loves giving back to her community, she says. She is one of the directors of the Liberty County Cham-ber of Commerce and serves on the Health Department Board.

Scherer worked her way through admin-istration, serving as curriculum instruction for seven years in Coweta County before stepping up to deputy superintendent in Douglas County.

Motivated to reach her goal of being a superintendent, Scherer began looking for job openings.

In 2008, the Liberty County Board of Education hired her for the job, which re-quires her to oversee the county’s 14 schools from personnel to performance. It also re-quires great interaction with parents, a fa-miliar responsibility from when she taught special education.

“Sometimes we did as much work with parents as we did with kids,” she says about helping parents cope with their frustra-tions.

She credits her experience in the met-ro-Atlanta area and innovative ideas with landing her the position.

“I think I had a strong sense of right and wrong and integrity that they were looking for,” she adds.

Now at the tail-end of her career, Scherer looks forward to spending more time with her 2-year-old granddaughter and kicking up her heels with her second husband, John Scherer, at their retirement home in Flori-da’s Fernandina Beach.

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For local Jennifer Darsey, taking the position of executive director of United Way of the Coastal Empire’s Liberty branch in February was a no-brainer. She has always been involved with the ministry and helping others. She and her husband, Alan, frequently assist area residents who need food, shelter, cloth-

ing and counseling. Driven to enhance their community, the Darseys set out to find an agency that

would help them continue to provide for those in need. When the couple found United Way of the Coastal Empire, Darsey, 36, says she fell in love with the organization’s mis-sion statement: “United Way improves lives by mobilizing the caring power of com-

munities around the world to advance the common good.”

“It was through those experiences that I knew I wanted to be a part of an or-ganization that reaches so many people in incredible ways,” Darsey explains. “My faith and my family are what I believe led me to this position. Enriching the lives of others, encouraging others, service above self ... any and everything I can do to help improve the lives of the people in our community, to bring more resources, to help encourage volunteerism — those are huge priorities for me. Choosing to work for a nonprofit was simple for me. My passion is people, not money.”

In 2008, the United Way established a 10-year initiative to improve education, encourage individual financial stability and promote healthy lifestyles, according to the organization’s website.

Darsey agrees wholeheartedly with the initiative’s objectives.

“My favorite projects to work on are those that involve meeting basic human needs — food, clothing and shelter. Even in these tough economic times, we are still an incredibly blessed nation,” Darsey says. “No one should have to go to bed hungry. No child should have to sleep in a broken-down car, an abandoned trailer or shack with no power, the woods, and yet, every day it happens — right here in America, right here in our community.”

Thanks to the nationwide push to pro-mote the “common good,” Darsey and the United Way of the Coastal Empire — which serves Bryan, Effingham, Liberty and Chatham counties — are involved in a number of community projects, such as Toys for Tots, Second Harvest Mobile Food Pantries, school uniform and school supply drives, FEMA funding distribu-tion, the Kiwanis Club’s Read Across Lib-erty Day and Stamp Out Hunger, which is the U.S. Postal Service’s food drive.

The office is run by a staff of just two people — Darsey and a part-time ad-ministrative assistant. A board of 24 vol-unteers verifies that the groups that re-ceive funding from the United Way are legitimate and in dire need. Funding for

Jennifer Darsey, executive director of the United Way’s Liberty branch, is more than happy to spend her time enriching the lives of others and improving her community.

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For more information, visit WaterWaysTownship.com or call 912-445-0299©2011 Savannah Land Holdings, LLC. The features and amenities described and depicted herein are based upon current development plans, which are subject to change without notice. Actual development may not be as currently proposed. No guarantee is made that the features, homes, amenities and facilities described will be built or, if built, will be of the same type, size or nature as described.

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For information and to volunteer,Contact Keep Liberty Beautiful at

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administration comes from the Herschel V. Jenkins trust, and the rest from private donors, which serves as a challenge for Darsey because money is not easy to come by.

“I think the biggest challenge I face is raising community aware-ness about what the United Way does and who we are,” she says. “We raise money to give it away, yes, but we don’t just give it to any agency that applies. We de-vote countless hours to ensuring that the agencies receiving fund-ing are worthy of the communi-ties’ hard-earned dollars.”

Darsey says the job has hum-bled her. It reminds her that the United Way is about serving oth-ers at the end of the day.

“It’s not about me. It’s much bigger than any one person could ever be. It is a privilege to be part of an organization that works so hard improve the lives of others,” she says.

“I hope that while I am here, I can raise community aware-ness about all of the remarkable agencies, programs, volunteers and resources we have available here in Liberty County. I never want to lose sight of the fact that we, as a community, are better together. Together, we can make a huge impact to change the lives and circumstances of people in need.”

“No one should have to go to bed hungry. No child should have to sleep in a broken-down car.”

— Jennifer Darsey, executive director of United Way of the Coastal Empire’s Liberty branch

Photos by Aliyah Dastour

United Way Liberty branch Executive Director Jennifer Darsey, center, gets help in the organization’s school uniform and supply store from McKaylin and Lily Darsey and Isabel, Devon and Vincent Lancia.

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If your home is a hotbed of activity, it may not easily double as a prime relaxation zone. In that case, booking a party day at a local spa may be just what the doctor ordered.

The atmosphere inside a spa is designed to immediately lift spirits and reduce tension. Spas cater to clients’ every need, and the employees are licensed professionals who are trained to put others at ease. Many spas offer group deals and party rates that allow guests to create their own packages by choosing a combina-tion of treatments. Some packages include snacks and beverages while others allow clients to bring their own refreshments.

Cost likely will be a factor when planning a spa day. Decide on your guest list in advance and make sure each participant is will-ing and able to chip in to cover the bill. Before booking a party, check with area spas to see if they have a minimum spending re-quirement. Call several locations and conduct price comparisons. Most package prices do not include gratuities, so plan ahead to have your group split the cost of the technicians’ tips.

Diva Essentials in Hinesville offers themed pamper parties

geared toward different age groups. Owner Yvette Allen says a party includes three treatments, appetizers and drinks. Cli-ents select their services from a list of four options: makeover, hand treatment, foot treatment or facial. If a guest chooses a makeover, the spa technician will use the client’s own makeup so she can re-create the look at home without having to buy extra products.

“We ask that you have at least four people, and you should consider your theme,” says Allen, who can create sweet 16, brid-al, princess and girls’ night out themes. Her spa has even hosted pamper parties for local women’s church groups.

“We decorate the store and salon for your spa party,” she says. Looking to book a getaway of your own? Consider whether you’d like to indulge in a cake or photograph your fun, because Allen has connections for both. “Whatever clients want, we try and do everything so they don’t have to worry about anything,” she says.

Diva Essentials doesn’t currently offer massages, but with ad-vanced planning, she says, arrangements can be made.

A typical pamper party is $55 per person, and additional ser-vices can be added.

Written by Patty Leon

It’s tIme to plan apamperparty

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Hinesville Day Spa also offers options to clients who seek a blissful day of beauty.

“We offer two- to three-hour blocks of spa pampering and so-cializing for all groups of clients — mostly women, although we have done a couple for the guys,” says Sheela Eichhorn, president and founder of Hinesville Day Spa. Pamper party groups must have at least eight but no more than 25 people and the cost is $25 per person. A deposit of $50, which can be held with a credit card, is required.

“The guests receive a short (seven- to nine-minute) table mas-sage from a licensed massage therapist and then they do the other treatments on each other —hand and foot massages, Indian clay facials and time in the sauna,” says Eichhorn, adding that an in-house spa hostess is assigned to assist the group. Clients, who wear robes and shoes provided by the spa, are welcome to bring their own refreshments.

The Hinesville Day spa has hosted many pamper parties for military spouses, church groups, weddings, birthday parties and even baby showers, says Eichhorn, who has been a nationally cer-tified massage therapist since 1994. And since it is open seven days a week, the spa can even accommodate parties on Sundays.

If a spa visit doesn’t fit into your budget, consider the next-best thing — bring the spa to you.

Location, obviously, is the biggest advantage of hosting a spa party. The key to throwing a successful, stress-free shindig is to invite no more than 10 guests, which cuts down on

chaos. After sending out invites, evaluate your finances to decide whether you’ll hire professionals to set up shop in your home or if guests will take turns pampering each other.

Many massage therapists and estheticians own mobile equip-ment, and they can bring the comforts of a spa to clients’ homes. Party hosts should ensure the technicians they hire have current licenses and are reputable. To narrow down the list, ask around for recommendations or do some online research.

Websites for organizations such as the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (www.ncbtmb.org) and the Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals (www.abmp.com) contain search engines that allow users to find massage therapists in their areas. The sites also list the therapists’ provided services and their contact information.

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Most state governments have websites that let users check the license status of therapists and estheticians. Complaints, viola-tions and citations also will be listed.

Local massage and cosmetology schools also may be able to issue a list of recent, licensed graduates who have mobile opera-tions.

Once you’ve narrowed your list of service providers, place price inquiries. Depending on the size of the party, some techni-cians provide incentives, such as discounts or free services for the host. When discussing options, be sure to ask about cancellation policies in the event that you or the professional has a last-minute emergency.

Most mobile massage therapists will bring a table or massage chairs, linens, oils and lotions, but the spa party host likely will need to provide guests with robes or have them bring their own. Estheticians will bring everything they need to perform facials for different skin types, but make sure you have an extra supply of washcloths and towels on hand for each party guest.

Hinesville mobile massage therapist Erica Gordon and estheti-cian Danna Phillips provide at-home spa services to clients from Long County to Chatham County. These two girls on the go cater to pamper parties and provide the host with a free massage and facial when a group with five or more guests is booked.

Gordon, a licensed massage therapist, offers a home party service that includes a one-hour Swedish massage for $45 or a massage-by-the-minute for $1 per minute with all-natural heal-ing gels and body creams.

Phillips, a licensed esthetician, provides facials for home par-ties at a rate of $35 per treatment. She will personalize the regimen based on her client’s skin type and does extractions if needed.

“People enjoy having a little get-together at their house, and it’s a fun thing for girls to do,” Gordon says.

“A facial leaves you glowing and resurfaces your skin, cleans your pores and, over time, it does help to refine lines,” Phillips says. “It’s fun for us and it helps us get our name out there. And we hope to get return clients.”

If hiring a professional isn’t what you have in mind, consider a “bring your own body” pamper party.

Everyone contributes at a BYOB gathering. Again, keep the guest list manageable — between five and 10 people is best. Assign each guest a service to provide or distribute a list of

assignments and allow them to volunteer. For example, one guest could bring appetizers or snacks and another can supply drinks. Task someone with providing towels and washcloths while another party attendee picks up supplies for basic facials and massages.

Download directions for at-home facials from the Internet and let guests take turns administering treatments using cleanser, ex-foliant and moisturizers. Next, have the members of your party give each other 15- to 30-minute neck, shoulder, arm and hand massages. It’s a perfectly relaxing way to catch up with friends and enjoy a leisurely day at home without breaking the bank.

Patty Leon was a licensed massage therapist for six years in Flor-ida before moving to Georgia to become a journalist/photographer.

byob party

Have your spa party guest wrap her body with a clean sheet, leaving her neck, shoulder and arms exposed, and sit backwards on a high-back chair. She should rest her arms on the back of the chair. Start by rubbing a little lotion or massage oil in your hands to warm them up. Place a hand on each of your guest’s shoulders and, using a slight pressure, make small circular motions over the shoulders and muscles, starting close to the neck and moving outward. Use a gentle squeezing motion near the base of the neck where it meets the shoulder to release tension. After working the neck and shoulders, add a little more lotion or oil and move onto your guest’s arms. Have her place her right hand on your hands and gently squeeze her hand between yours. Rub her palms and each individual finger before using gliding, upward-motion strokes to up her arms. Wrap your hand around your spa party guest’s forearm and use sliding, squeezing motions, slowly moving all the way up the arm to her shoulder. Repeat on the left arm.

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Ornate stained glass decorates First United Methodist, Hinesville’s oldest church.Opposite page: Members of First United Methodist Church attend a Sunday worship service.



Faithful RootsLiberty County churches form tree of spiritual life

It’s no secret the people of Liberty County find solace and strength in their communities

of faith, but few may realize how deeply many of these communities are intertwined.

Liberty County’s houses of worship certainly share a common ancestry.

Written by Jen Alexander McCall Photos by Aliyah Dastour



Midway Congregational Church and Flemington Presbyterian

ChurchWhen Colonial-era settlers first put down roots in the wooded coastal region of east-ern Liberty County, they also established churches around which their lives could be built. One of these churches, Midway Congregational Church, would grow and plant more church communities, eventu-ally becoming the grand ancestor of nearly a dozen houses of worship for white set-tlers, slaves and, eventually, free African Americans.

Midway Congregational Church was established in1752 and served whites and slaves, who worshiped and communed side by side. In the early 1800s another church community grew out of Midway, establishing itself as the Church and So-ciety of Gravel Hill in 1815. In 1865, with a new building, the church officially split from Midway Congregational and was accepted into the Georgia Presbytery. To-day it stands as Flemington Presbyterian

Church, just outside of Hinesville.The rice planters who established the

Midway community took their slaves’ spiritual welfare to heart, ensuring they had a place to worship and someone to lead them. Lillie Walthour Gillard’s “A Chronicle of Black History in Liberty County, Georgia” tells the story of black faith communities in Liberty County.

The Midway church leaders who in-sisted their slave communities be exposed to the Christian faith were echoed in their desires by slaves and free blacks, as Gil-lard’s account reveals:

“There were Negroes who felt the call to preach among their own people at places called ‘stands.’ One was located near Mid-way church, and it was here that Mingo, a freedman who resided on Peter Winn’s plantation, preached on Sundays between the morning and afternoon services in the church. He also held meetings at some of the plantations, especially at John Lam-bert’s, who had a special interest in the spiri-tual welfare of the slaves. Another preacher

was Jack ... The Midway church hired Jack to devote his entire time in ministering to his people. He was followed by Tony Ste-vens, another Negro who served under the supervision of the Midway church.”

From this congregational focus and the efforts of blacks to minister to their own people grew a handful of new congrega-tions, many of which survive to this day as established churches. An early meeting house built in 1806 between the North and South Newport rivers, named Pleas-ant Grove, was dedicated to ministering to blacks. Midway residents and later Meth-odist circuit riders provided services at Pleasant Grove.

Religious education from the Rev. Jones

Prior to 1830, the religious education of the slave population in the county came as an addendum to the regular services provided at Midway. Continuity in edu-cation came when the Rev. C.C. Jones led an association in 1831 in organizing

A worshipper spends a quiet moment praying and reflecting in the sanctuary of Flemington Presbyterian Church.



a means of regular education among the slave community, with teachers assigned to specific locations and instructed to vis-it them weekly. According to the “History and Published Records of the Midway Congregational Church,” this plan even-tually failed to take off, but Jones agreed to preach regularly to destitute whites and to black slaves at the request of the Midway Church Missionary Society.

After a brief stint at the Presbyterian pulpit in Savannah, Jones returned to Liberty County and worked at establish-ing Sabbath schools for the slaves among the plantations of the region. A record of the schools in 1845, shortly before Jones left for a seminary appointment, showed nine schools hosting 34 teachers and 647 pupils throughout these communities. To streamline education, Jones also created a special catechism for slaves to study

under. The catechism provided teachers and students with hymns and scripture as well as theology.

North Newport and First African Baptist

The North Newport Baptist Church, a mixed congregation, was established with-in a few years of Pleasant Grove and later would evolve into today’s First African Baptist Church in Riceboro. North New-port moved to Walthourville in the 1850s while the black community that remained kept using the original building, eventu-ally forming a separate congregation, First African Baptist Church, in 1861 and nam-ing Charles Thin as its first pastor. North Newport church sold the building in 1878 for use by First African Baptist Church.

Three other churches claim their heri-tage in the early congregations of North

Newport and First African Baptist: First African Baptist Church-Jones, Baconton Missionary Baptist Church and First Zion Baptist Church.

Baconton’s history is a history of people who longed for their own church as much as any community. The congregants faith-fully walked the 10-plus miles to First Afri-can Baptist from their homes in Walthour-ville, though sometimes heavy rains would flood the roads and make them impassable, says the Rev. Hermon Scott, Baconton’s current pastor.

“We were one of the first three black Baptist churches [in Liberty County],” Scott says. “We came out of a need to be a little closer to this community.”

The Rev. W. M. Quarterman and sev-eral deacons established Baconton in 1865, and now the community celebrates its history of serving the community by

“We were one of the first three black Baptist churches [in Liberty County]. We came out of a need to be a little closer to this community.”

— The Rev. Hermon Scott, pastor of Baconton Missionary Baptist Church

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continuing to provide support to people in Walthourville on a regular basis.

“Each month we give away clothes, and those clothes are donated by church members. We also have a job fair and we anticipate having health fairs,” Scott says. “We assist Manna House, and each Christmas we give out toys to children at a nearby mobile home park.”

The church marks its founding every May with worship services during the week leading up to the anniversary Sun-day, when a service is followed by a com-munity dinner and the bell taken from the old church is rung once for every 10 years the church has stood. “This year, we rang it 14 times,” Scott says.

“I am honored to be pastor of such a historic church,” the pastor adds. “I’m a firm believer that the church is here to serve the community, and we’re now looking toward the future and to what we can continue to do for the community.”

Hinesville First United Methodist Church

Founded the same year as the city of its birth, Hinesville’s United Methodist Church was the only church to serve resi-dents for more than 100 years. Its found-

ing pastors, Capel Haiford and W.D. Bussee, ministered to congregants in a frame building near the original Bradwell Institute, on the courthouse square. The church then moved to its current location on the corner of Main Street and Memo-rial Drive.

First United Methodist continues its long tradition of honoring its congrega-tion, including the celebration of Youth Sunday and Laity Sunday in October. As the only church in town for so long, the Methodist church was home to many of Hinesville’s movers and shakers, and con-tinues to be even today.

Current pastor Rich Wright has had ample opportunity to soak up the history of the Methodist church in his 14 years at the pulpit and to see it happen before his eyes.

“I am resting on the work of previous pastors and laypeople,” he says. “I came from a church in a smaller county seat, and it had the same dynamic. That tells me that we are a pillar [in the commu-nity].”

Wright adds that, as a pillar church, community leaders look to him and his congregation to be an integral part of Hinesville’s efforts to improve life for resi-

dents, and not just in spiritual matters. “Leaders look to our church to pro-

vide leadership in matters imperative to Hinesville, and to participate in commu-nity events,” he says.

Taylors Creek Methodist Church and Pleasant Grove AME

ChurchLong-lost communities also have left

their mark on the faith of Liberty County. Taylors Creek is perhaps the most well-known of the towns that were bought out by the U.S. government as the coun-try stood at the brink of war. In 1941 it was decided that hundreds of thousands of acres spanning five counties would be acquired for the establishment of Fort Stewart. Scattered throughout the chosen land were small villages, many of which survived mainly around the churches that served them — a total of 39.

Taylors Creek, arguably the largest of these communities at the time of the ac-quisition, boasted two Methodist church-es, one for black worshippers and one for white worshippers. Former Taylors Creek resident Wyman May was a young boy when the government bought his family’s land, and says the churches that were there acted as anchors for his and other com-munities. The parsonage that stood next to the church was only two years old at the time of the acquisition.

“It was a village; we estimate it had around 300 people,” May recalls. Taylors Creek also had established a campground for churchgoers, who would gather in “tents,” or wood buildings that housed families, encircling a tabernacle for a long weekend of revival services.

“Once a year, we moved to that camp-ground. It was always the Friday before the third Sunday in October. We had ser-vices three or four times a day.

“We would have guest pastors at those revivals,” May says. “The last pastor of Tay-lors Creek was Hoke Bell. He was the only pastor who lived in the parsonage, which was also the newest building in the com-munity when the Army moved in. The building was purchased by a Hinesville pastor who moved it to the county seat, where it now sits on Main Street.”

May says Bell was part of a pastoral circuit that included Willie, Thomasville and Hinesville. In the late 1930s, he says, Hinesville decided it could support a pas-tor of its own.

Members of Pleasant Grove AME Church enjoy a

Sunday worship service.



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Small Classes and Loving Teachers

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Follows Public School Calendar

Kindergarten • Pre-K2 & 3-year-olds • Toddlers • Infants

To enroll your child or for more information, please contact: Mrs. Marian Letnaunchyn,

Director [email protected] or 912-368-3355

A loving, accepting, and caring congregation

welcomes you to share our passion for Christ!

Inspiring Sunday worship services at –8:30 am (praise), 11 am (traditional), and 6 pm (teaching)Ministries for all ages –Christ centered –Community oriented –Military friendly –

203 North Main Street, Downtown Hinesville, Georgia

912-368-2200www.hinesvillemethodist.com

Home of “Living The Rich Life” (Sundays at 10:30 am on 104.7FM)

The members of the Taylors Creek Afri-can-American community also were dedi-cated to spiritual growth and participated in church attendance. At least two black men were issued licenses to preach by the circuit that served the area.

When it was organized in 1869, Pleas-ant Grove AME Church became the pri-mary faith community for blacks living at Taylors Creek. It initially was called A.M.E. Church of the USA and met in a frame house before the larger church was constructed by members and renamed. Its first leader was the Rev. Piner Martin. In later years a school, parsonage and cem-etery completed the church campus.

After its building was purchased by the government, Pleasant Grove moved to Allenhurst and re-established itself as a community anchor, where it still serves its congregants.

Today, many descendants of Taylors Creek gather once a year, always around the time of the revivals, to have a picnic, socialize and remember the families and fellowship they knew at Taylors Creek.

“We’ve met every year since 1945,” May says. “There aren’t too many original

[residents] left, but their descendants and friends come out.”

Pleasant Grove’s annual camp meeting in November serves as a time of reunion and reflection for black members of Tay-lors Creek and other disbanded communi-ties, including Willie and Cypress Slash. It remains the only annual gathering to serve the descendants of the black churches in those communities.

Pleasant Grove member Donald Lovette says he reflects on his church’s heritage with “a great sense of pride.”

“Liberty County is one of the most his-torical counties in the state of Georgia,” Lovette says. “I’m proud to be part of it, especially when it comes to my church community. Those folks were so resilient.”

Not only did the families work hard to re-establish homes and livelihoods for themselves after relocating, Lovette says, they showed “fortitude” by building a new Pleasant Grove church just two years after moving.

“As a history lover, I’m honored to have been born into a community with that his-tory,” he says.

ACCENT

912-756-5888

Proudlyserving ourMilitaryresidentssince 1995HinesvilleMidwayRichmond HillSavannah

Real Estate SalesRentalsProperty Management

www.coastalaccent.com



Hauntedhangouts

Intro by DanIelle HIpps

WrItten by patty leon

pHotos by alIyaH Dastour



Haunted Hangouts rating scale

Did you hear that?

Something grabbed me!

Let’s get outta here!

Looking for a scare this fall?

From a cemetery erected by slaves to a deserted schoolhouse with a shady past,

Liberty County has an abundance of intriguing landmarks that are rife with enough

conspiracies and cover-ups to keep thrill-seekers on their toes for weeks.

Driven by tales of Liberty lore, in-house paranormal investigator Patty Leon and her

team have journeyed into each of these locations on quests for truth and tingling spines

— and they’ve found everything from photographic evidence to audible interactions.

Adventurers, forget about commercial tours in Savannah and man-made Halloween

attractions, ’cause these locales have had residents and paranormal investigators alike

wondering whether those chills come from the autumn air or if things really do go bump

in the night.

Enter … if you dare.



The hauntingThe former owner of the Frame Gallery store reported hear-

ing noises and footsteps coming from the second floor. Store merchandise reportedly has been moved around or left to teeter on the edges of display tables. A candle holder soared across the room. Former employees claimed they saw apparitions, but the activity was described as being more mischievous than malicious. The mysterious occurences increased as Christmas approached.

An area paranormal investigative group, Bump in the Night Inc., checked out the building and picked up children’s voices and other unexplained sounds on digital recorders. The investigators detected the odor of camphor in a certain room on the second floor and captured a few orbs on camera.

The historyThe building where the Frame Gallery was located was owned

by Peyton Way and housed a drug store on the first floor and the first hospital in Liberty County on the second. Dr. T.W. Wel-born (1887-1962), who was a physician for the Dunlevie Lumber Company in Allenhurst, worked at the hospital and served as a family doctor for hundreds of Liberty County families for more than 40 years. Welborn was instrumental in securing Hill-Burton

hospital, which became Liberty Memorial Hospital (formerly on Highway 84). Welborn also was the mayor of Hinesville for three terms before and during World War II. Welborn was married to Mary Elizabeth Sullivan Welborn and they had several children, but their son, T.W. Welborn Jr., was accidentally shot and killed by a playmate in 1928.

The investigating crew learned the owner of the store had found old glass IV bottles in a closet on the second floor, which once was home to a surgery room and pharmacy. Camphor was used medicinally as a local anesthetic and it is commonly used today in products like Vicks VapoRub.

Were the voices and sounds recorded by the group those of former patients? Could the children’s voices belong to Dr. Wel-born’s son and his playmate?

InformationThis building is privately owned and is not open to public in-

vestigations.

Ghost rating:

Former Frame Gallery building on South Main Street

The hauntingThe Midway Cemetery’s most legendary tale stems from a

crack in the wall on the cemetery’s north side. During the construction of the cemetery, the brick walls were

assembled by slaves. As the story goes, two slaves got into an ar-gument and were forced to work late since they had fallen behind on their tasks. Instead of working, however, the two got into a physical fight. One man allegedly struck the other in the head with a brick and killed him.

The surviving man reportedly sealed his co-worker’s body up in the wall of bricks and the next day told the other laborers that the other man ran away.

Within days, the brick wall started to crack and shift. Years later, the dead slave’s bones were found in the wall and removed. Although the wall was repaired, the crack remains to this day.

More spirits inhabit the west end of the cemetery, where people claim to see the apparitions of two young lovers, Anthony and Syl-via. Sylvia’s father did not approve of their budding romance, so he allegedly hangedAnthony from a tree branch and stabbed him in the heart with a knife. Upon discovering her lover’s fate, Sylvia is said to have used the same knife to kill herself.

In addition, many cemetery visitors have claimed to see ghostly figures sporting Civil War attire walking about the grounds.

The historyThe Midway Cemetery was listed on the National Register of

Historic Places in 1973, and its oldest grave dates back to 1754. The tall monument in the center is dedicated to Revolutionary War heroes Daniel Stewart and James Screven. The cemetery and the adjacent historic Midway Church are part of the Midway

Historic District. The settlers in this area reportedly were very political and took an early stand for independence. In May of 1775, Midway Church member Lyman Hall was sent to the Con-tinental Congress in Philadelphia as a delegate from the parish of St. John (now known as Liberty County). A year later Hall and St. John’s Parish resident Button Gwinnett signed the Declaration of Independence.

InformationThe Midway Cemetery, which is privately owned, is managed

by the curators of the Midway Museum. Every year the cemetery offers a “Tales and Legends Tour,” which focuses on the stories about the cemetery and its history. Call 912-884-5837.

Ghost rating:

Midway Cemetery



The hauntingLong before it was restored, the Dorchester Village Civic Cen-

ter (formerly the Dorchester Consolidated School) was said to be haunted by the spirits of former pupils and teachers. Visitors often claimed to hear children’s voices and laughter — especially in the common area that was used as the auditorium/cafeteria. Others swear they’ve heard someone playing the old piano, even though no one else was in the building.

People have reported hearing footsteps in the hallways, and one passerby captured on film what appears to be children peer-ing out of the windows, which, at the time, were broken and con-tained no glass. Paranormal investigators photographed several bright orbs and picked up children’s voices on audio recorders.

When one investigator posed the question, “Do you prefer duck, duck, goose or itsy bitsy spider?” a child’s voice replied, “Duck, duck.” The exchange was captured on tape.

The historyThe school was built in 1927 and was used to consolidate the

schools at Sunbury, Colonels Island, Riceboro and Jackson Cha-

pel. The school served students in first through seventh grades. The original building burned and a new one was built on the same site in 1938. The school was used until 1951. In 1958, the Dorchester Civic Center Inc. nonprofit organization purchased the building from the Liberty County Board of Education for $10 and it became a meeting place and community center. Over the years, the building was used less and fell into disrepair and closed.

InformationIn 2008, Dorchester Civic Center Inc. reactivated and began

a concerted effort to restore the historic building, which is used today to host community events. The 7,400 square foot building includes a large auditorium, five classrooms, which can be used as meeting rooms, and a full kitchen. For more information call 912-884-2026.

Ghost rating:

Dorchester Village Civic CenterPhoto provided



The hauntingCreaking sounds, cell doors slamming shut and unknown

voices have been reported at the Old Liberty County Jail. Ac-cording to Hinesville Downtown Development Authority Di-rector Vicki Davis, who works in the converted jailhouse muse-um, visitors have been physically stopped as they try to ascend the stairs that lead to her office. Members of a paranormal group that investigated the jail in 2009 captured the sound of a male voice saying, “So sorry.”

Other finds include a traveling flashing orb and a mist mov-ing around an upstairs corner office that once served as a soli-tary confinement area. Investigators say they could sense a presence, as if 100 years worth of bad elements still lingered inside the cells.

The historyPlaced on the National Register of Historic places in 1992,

the Old Liberty County Jail housed prisoners from 1892 until 1969. When it was built, it contained modern amenities such as indoor running water and toilets. For nearly 100 years it was a co-ed facility with cells in the front portion of the building where women were housed.

In 1970, the Liberty County Historical Society bought the jail and later donated it to the city of Hinesville. The Liberty County Chamber of Commerce briefly used the building, and it occasionally served as a haunted house for Halloween.

The jail sat in disrepair for several years before it was restored in 2008. Visitors who peeked through the wrought iron bars on the building’s exterior windows could see the lead-based paint chipping off the cell walls as cobwebs accumulated for years in corners, giving the property a spooky aura. Even with a fresh coat of paint and some upgrades, many visitors say it still gives off a creepy vibe.

Are the spirits of the former prisoners still serving their time? Is the former sheriff still keeping a watchful eye over his inmates? Something certainly seems to be going on.

InformationThe old jail currently houses the Hinesville Downtown De-

velopment Authority, which frequently hosts art exhibits and community events. Visitors are encouraged to check out the facility to learn more about the jail’s history. To inquire about tours, call 912-877-4332.

Ghost rating:

Jail pictured on page 51. The Old Liberty County Jail sits on Main Street and houses the Hinesville Downtown Development Authority offices.

The Old Liberty County Jail

Image is YOUR Most Valuable Asset

Full Color Digital PrintingReal Estate Signs

Military SignsVehicle Wraps Custom Decals

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1301-A W Oglethorpe Hwy, Hinesville 912.369.6692Each Office Is Independently Owned and Operated

Holtzman RealtoRs®

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730 General stewart WayHinesville, Georgia 31313

912-368-4300 800-476-3680

ExpectBestthe



“I’m in Miami, and I’ve found something that’s perfect for you,” Missy, my hairstylist of many years, gushed over the phone. “The Brazilian is the latest rage, the cat’s meow.”

I gasped. “Missy, we’re good friends, but I’m not letting you do that

to me — even if I am getting ready to go on a Mediterranean cruise.”

No way. Uhh uhh.Chuckling, Missy clarified. “The Brazilian hair-straightening

system is perfect for you,” she said.I wasn’t convinced until I awoke one morning with frizzy, swirly

hair that resembled a frightened cat’s puffed-up fur. I booked the first available appointment at Missy’s upscale salon.

A week later, I leaned back over the shampoo sink, closed my eyes and imagined straight, hassle-free hair while Pace, Missy’s stylist trainee, cleansed my tresses three times.

“We can’t have any product in it,” Missy explained. “Make sure it squeaks.”

It did.I moved to the stylist’s chair and watched an instructional video

on a nearby computer monitor. “After you’ve used the residue-remover shampoo, you add the

solution,” the smooth voice narrated.Another client noticed the video. “What are y’all doing?” she

asked. “We’re giving her a Dark & Lovely blowout for white chicks,”

Pace said as she covered my head with cold liquid. Missy moved in to help. They massaged and combed the product through my hair, working it from the tops of the strands to the ends, section by section.

Immediately, I inhaled fumes. My eyes watered. My throat constricted. My nose burned, and my scalp felt as if it had been scorched. I grabbed a corner of the white towel draped around my shoulders and dabbed at my eyes. I held the fabric across my nose and mouth and squeezed my eyes shut.

a peachlife’s

written by DEBBIE BROWN

Want straight, shiny, smooth hair? Well, remember ...

No pain,No gain



If the Brazilian was the cat’s meow, then I hoped I had nine lives to endure it.

All the while, the video narrator droned on.

My heart was racing. My palms were sweaty. My last nerve jumped and landed on a hot tin roof. Would I lose my hair if Missy and Pace didn’t keep up with the instruc-tor? Did they know what they were doing? Mostly I wondered whether the treatment was supposed to burn.

As Missy and Pace worked, I tried to fo-cus on the counter strewn with rollers, silver clips, bristle brushes and scissors — any-thing to take my mind off my burning scalp, runny nose and watery eyes.

“Is it supposed to burn?” I finally asked.“My nose hairs ignited a while ago,” Pace

said. “I’m sure that I don’t have any left.” She swiped at her face. “Oh no!” she

screamed. “I’ve got it in my eyes!” Pace charged from the room.“Rule No. 1: You never run from a client

screaming,” Missy said without missing a beat.

Pace returned. “What’s in this stuff?” she asked. “Acid?

Now I’m blind and I have no nose hairs.”I nodded in agreement and again brushed

tears from my cheeks.“Me, too,” I said, “along with brain dam-

age.”On the computer monitor, the instruc-

tional video narrator directed Missy and Pace to blow dry my hair and then flat-iron it. All the while, the gorgeous dry-eyed cli-ent on the screen remained serene.

My stylists grabbed blow dryers and blasted my head with a deafening roar of hot hair. Layers of epidermis yowled. It was hard to ignore the searing pain as I won-dered whether they had mistakenly picked up blow torches. But I gritted my teeth. Having straight hair would be worth the pain, right?

“OK,” Missy directed Pace, “you flat-iron that side, and I’ll do mine.” They clamped their irons down on my chemical-saturated locks and smoothed each section out.

“We had to buy new ones with tempera-tures up to 500 degrees so that we could do the Brazilian,” Missy informed me.

I sucked in everything I had, hoping to somehow shrink my ears — which were mere millimeters from the hot styling tools — and keep them safe from harm. At that point, I was genuinely concerned I’d end up in the Augusta burn center before this expe-rience was over.

Finally, they were done. I ran my fingers through my straight, silky hair.

“Is this really my hair?” I asked. Maybe the gushing eyes, blow-torched scalp and seared nose hairs had been worth it after all. Yeah, definitely.

“But there’s more,” Missy told me. “Now, we have to do it all over again.”

“What?” Pace and I screeched.Missy pointed at the computer moni-

tor, where the video narrator confirmed the bad news. “Once you’ve flat-ironed the hair, then you wash the client’s hair and apply the mask …”

“No!” My scalp, nose, eyes and throat screamed. Could I bolt like a scalded cat? Or ask for a gas mask? The thought oc-curred to me that we should never let the

Brazilian procedure fall into the hands of the Taliban.

Pace and I moved to the shampoo bowl. Cool water cascaded over my head and soothed the tender skin.

“Your scalp IS red,” Pace noted.“No kidding, but that’s probably not

something a trainee should tell a client,” I said with a smile.

“I know,” she said. “I think I’ve definitely burned off all my nose hairs, and I may be blind in one eye.”

We laughed at our misfortune, but even a half-blind trainee with no nose hair and a client with a singed scalp understood that straight hair was worth the pain when you’re accustomed to daily battles with frizzy, snarled curls.

Next, Pace applied a mask and followed it with a finishing serum. She and Missy used blow dryers to sculpt my hair into a silky-straight, fashionable style.

“Wow,” I said with a sniffle as I stared at my image in a mirror. “It looks great!”

Missy handed me a small mirror and spun my chair around. I tossed my hair to and fro and marveled at the vision of

straight hair from every side. “This is amaz-ing,” I said as I stretched, primped and ran my fingers through my soft tresses.

Everything was fine — until about a week later when I discovered curls. No joke. Corkscrew curls — curlier than before — invaded the underside of my hair. So Missy and Pace repeated the process for free.

“Sometimes this happens,” Missy said, repeating what the Brazilian procedure rep-resentatives had told her.

This time, they used more solution than before.

I returned to the salon three months lat-er, and Pace met me with a serious look on her face. She lowered her eyes.

“Missy dreaded telling you,” she said, “but I think we slathered toxins all over your head. Even though the Brazilian supposedly didn’t have formaldehyde, it actually has more than the government allows.”

“How could that be?” I hissed. Pace answered, but I didn’t really hear

what she was saying because my pickled brain was shrieking, “What’s going to hap-

pen to me? Will I lose my hair? Hack up hair balls?”

I gulped and picked up a Brazilian bro-chure from a side table. It boasted, “The only professional smoothing treatment that improves the health of the hair. No damage! It leaves hair smooth and frizz-free without harsh chemicals — formaldehyde-free!”

Pace interrupted. “So we aren’t going to be able to straighten your hair anymore,” she said.

Memories of the silky, straight, hassle-free hair that I had enjoyed while boating and swimming all summer competed with the worst of my “before” pictures. Oh, no. I’d be forced to return to my morning ritual of tugging, pulling and straightening each sec-tion of hair with my round brush and blow dryer — only to have it return to a curly mess on rainy and humid days.

“Why don’t I have the kind of curly hair that looks pretty?” I asked Pace as warm wa-ter streamed through my hair.

Missy sauntered in. “You can,” she said, “We have a perm that’s the cat’s meow.”

Is this really my hair? Maybe the gushing eyes, blow-torched scalp and seared nose hairs had been worth it after all. Yeah, definitely.



Since 2009, Bill Mitchell has been known for his chops. Most recently, Mitchell won the title of world cham-pion for freelance sideburns at the World Beard and Moustache Championship in Trondheim, Norway. Since retiring from the Army as a sergeant first class, Mitchell has grown his facial hair out for competi-tions across the globe, and he is already preparing the look he plans to sport for his next competition. One day, Mitchell hopes to host a mustache competition on Fort Stewart. We caught up with this fa-mous local, and while he didn’t share any tricks of the trade (That’s top secret!), he did answer some questions.

1. What is your fondest memory of Liberty County?

Buying our house in Liberty County in 1981 to raise a family, which, at the time, was my 6-year-old daughter and my 3-year-old son. Both have moved on with their own families now.

2. What would you classify as suc-cess?

Being happy with a great family. It doesn’t matter what else you have.

3. What is your greatest fear? With a son and daughter-in-law in the

Air Force, an occasional stroll through Warriors Walk reminds me of what could always happen to my own children, but also the pride I have for others.

4. What do you dislike the most? Dishonest people.

5. Comedy time! Who do you prefer, Will Ferrell or Adam Sandler?

I like them both. I think Will Ferrell acts crazier than Adam Sandler, but Adam Sandler has better movies. They both have the same crazy sense of humor that I have, and they make the kind of movie that I like and my wife doesn’t. Without making it a tie, I guess I have to say Adam Sandler.

6. What is your opinion on the cur-rent economic state of America?

If we could keep the politicians from getting involved, perhaps it would start improving.

7. Who was your favorite childhood hero?

That’s easy, it was my dad. He died in an Air Force plane crash when I was 6. A lit-tle later, as a young soldier, it was probably Bob Hope. He doesn’t sound like much of a hero, but seeing him for two Christmas shows in Vietnam and what he did for the soldiers made him one for me.

8. What is your favorite breakfast?My favorite breakfast is steak, eggs,

grits and toast. However, being 62 years old, my normal breakfast is Grape Nuts and orange juice. I just look like I eat steak and eggs.

— compiled by Seraine Page

I’m

aroundfromhere

Bill Mitchell Facial hair champion

Photo provided

Photo by Gregory Fett


services home auto health & beauty shopping & clothing food drink entertainment communityservices home auto health & beauty shopping & clothing food drink entertainment communityservices home auto health & beauty shopping & clothing food drink entertainment communityservices home auto health & beauty shopping & clothing food drink entertainment communityservices home auto health & beauty shopping & clothing food drink entertainment community

LovesLIBERTY

THE BEST OF LIBERTY COUNTY CHOSEN BY THE COASTAL COURIER’S READERS

2011

LibertyLovesPages2011.indd 1 9/16/2011 3:53:49 PM

QUALITY ELECTRONICSFURNITURE * JEWELRY * GUNS

501 W Gen Screven Way # H, Hinesville, GA 912-876-6580www.goldandsilverpawnandguns.com

BEST PAWN SHOP


sservices

DOES YOUR CHILD:Struggle with reading? �Take forever to complete �homework?Have a short attention span? �

Over 60% of problem learners have undiagnosed vision problems.

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v o t e d

BESTfor 5 years in a row

{2007-2011}

ProfESSional EyE CarEwww.doctorpittman.com • 368-2020Expert Eye Care Focused on Your Needs.

AttorneyJoel Osteen, Osteen & OsteenAttorney C. Joel Osteen, a founding mem-ber of Hinesville-based law firm Osteen & Osteen, has committed himself to serv-ing the rights of the residents in Liberty County. Osteen was born to a family of trial lawyers and has continued the family tradition to become one of the most re-spected lawyers in Liberty County.

Child CAreWestwood DaycareIn its 25 years of operation, Westwood Day Care and Pre-School Learning Cen-ter has established itself as a fun, friendly, and safe place for children under 12. With a dedicated staff, great facilities and qual-ity curriculum, it's the favorite daycare of Liberty families.

FinAnCiAl institutionThe Heritage BankThe Heritage Bank is celebrating its 100th year of serving Southeast Georgia, and

Liberty knows why they’re still going strong. Heritage has been providing the convenience, personalized banking ser-vices and customer care you’ve always trusted and expected.

FinAnCiAl PlAnning ConsultAntDerek Sills, The Heritage GroupAward-winning financial planning con-sultant, Derek Sills, has been using his expertise and financial savvy to keep The Heritage Bank customers coming back for over a decade. Liberty turns to Sills for uncompromising advice on managing money.

hotel/MotelLa QuintaLa Quinta prides itself on providing clean, comfortable, affordable accommodations — with many of the perks expected at higher-priced hotels — to keep you wak-ing up on the bright side. Now it can pride itself on being your pick for best hotel in Liberty County.

insurAnCe Agent Melissa Carter Ray, State FarmSecond-generation State Farm agent and Liberty County native, Melissa Carter Ray, "insures" that Liberty County families are given the support and tools they need to manage risks and handle those bumps in the road of life. With Melissa at the helm, Hinesville State Farm provides superior insurance and caring customer service, making it Liberty's most loved agency.

lAw FirMJones, Osteen & JonesJones, Osteen & Jones has served Hines-ville and the surrounding areas for over 50 years. With the combined experience of their attorneys, they have a well-earned reputation of obtaining fabulous results for their clients. This, along with attentive service, is why Jones, Osteen & Jones has become the trusted law firm for Liberty County residents.


s hOTHeR WinneRS:

servicesContinued

CustoMer serviCe Karin Barberena, interstate Credit Union

FinAnCiAl institution tellerUrsula Melendez, interstate Credit Union

FloristStacy’s Florist

insurAnCe AgenCyState Farm

loAn CoMPAny1st Franklin Financial Corporation

PersonAl PhotogrAPherAliyah Dastour, Alimond Photography

PersonAl trAinerRichard Sommerville, YMCA

Pet grooMerLa Maison Du Caniche

PubliC ACCounting FirMKent Pedrick, CPA

wireless Phone CoMPAnyVerizon Wireless

seCretAryJoyce Cambell, Liberty Regional Medical CenterSome say the choice may be difficult – Best Secretary or Best “Nana.” But in this case it’s both! Joyce knows how to juggle between wife, mom, career and, of course, grandparent. Serving at Liberty Regional as an administrative assistant, physician liaison and coordinator for physician re-cruitment, she finds time for it all.

Thank you for voting

Elisha Heard Best Hair Stylist

Defining eauty Salon Suites

792 E.G. Miles Pkwy. • Hinesville • 912-877-5575 • www.definingbeautyinc.com


hhomeAir Conditioning/ heAting CoMPAnyAce Heating and AirLiving in Southeast Georgia, we all know the value of a properly functioning air conditioning unit and the misery of a bro-ken one. ACE Heating and Air is Liberty's most trusted heating and air service be-cause they provide their customers with fast repairs, quality work and knowl-edgeable technicians, making sweltering southern summers a little more livable.

Furniture storeBadcock & MoreCarrying a full range of furniture, floor coverings, bedding, accessories, elec-tronics and more, Badcock is Liberty’s fa-vorite one-stop home shop.

lAwn serviCeC.A. SittleSince 2002, C.A. Sittle, Inc. has been pro-viding Liberty homes and businesses with custom landscaping services and beauti-ful results. With free estimates, profes-sional service and extensive expertise,

C.A. Sittle is your choice for Liberty's best in lawn care and landscaping.

overAll utility Georgia PowerGeorgia Power is the Southeast leader in providing electricity, having been in the business for more than a century and touting rates below the national average. The company stands behind its custom-ers, guaranteeing satisfaction, offering convenient online bill pay and suggesting helpful tips for energy conservation.

reAl estAte Agentelaine BoggsSince 1989, Elaine Boggs has been mov-ing Liberty County residents and trans-plants into the homes they’ve dreamed of. She especially loves assisting first-time homebuyers, ensuring that the negotia-tion and closing processes go smoothly to get them into their new homes. You, her happy customers, have spoken – Elaine Boggs is your choice for the best real estate agent in Liberty County, and Elaine Boggs Real Estate Group wins out for best real estate agency.

OTHeR WinneRS:

APPliAnCe store,hoMe ACCessory store,hoMe iMProveMent store,nursery/gArden storeLowe’s

CleAning serviCeTop to Bottom

ContrACtorDryden enterprises

eleCtriCiAnHawkins electric

Pest Control CoMPAnyYates-Astro Termite & Pest Control

PluMbing CoMPAnySanitary Plumbing

reAl estAte AgenCyelaine Boggs Realty Group

soFA seleCtionGibson Home Store

www.the-heritage-bank.com | 1.800.624.6452 | Member FDIC

The Heritage Bank voted “Best Financial Institution”.Thanks Liberty!


1492 West Oglethorpe Highway, Hinesville, GA 912-369-4909 applebees.com

THAnk YOu, neiGHbOr, fOr vOTinG us

besTAll Around restaurant

Happy Hour

Late night restaurant

aautoAuto rePAirSoutheast Auto Service & RepairFamily owned and operated, Southeast Auto has been providing Liberty County residents with personalized car care since 2005. From basic oil changes to total engine replacement, Southeast Auto's skilled technicians and state-of-the-art equipment will keep your car running smoothly and safely.

body shoPnaCon Auto Collision CenterNaCon Auto Collision Center has been helping restore and re-pair vehicles in Liberty County for over 60 years. With free es-timates, quality warrantees and experienced mechanics, NaCon is your choice for bodywork and automotive repair.

OTHeR WinneRS:

Auto deAlershiPMike Reed Chevrolet

Auto sAlesPersonJessie Singleton, Hinesville Ford

Auto stereo storeTropical Auto Sound

gAs stAtionParker's

oil ChAnge shoPJiffy Lube

tire storeLiberty Tire & Brake

“We’ll clean the pants off ya.”

3rd Generation Family Owned Since 1903

wedding gowns • drapes • leather • suede • comforters band uniforms • smoke restoration • BDU’s

Same day service if in by 10 a.m.

“We can’t do miracles, just a good job!”

Voted Best in Hinesville!LAMAS CLEANERS

201 Memorial Drive, Hinesville • 912.876.6361Mon - Fri: 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. • Sat: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Dry CleaningBE

ST


For Voting Liberty Regional Medical Center

the Best Place to Work!

www.libertyregional.org • 912.369.9400462 E.G. Miles Parkway • Hinesville, Georgia

Thank

Congratulations to the following team members who received top selections in the Liberty Loves 2011!

Seth Borquaye, MD Best

OB/GYN

Jan St. John, RNBest

Nurse

Joyce Campbell Best

Secretary

Firas Bannout, MD Best

Family Physician

You,ibertyL


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Downtown Hinesville | 876-7622facebook.com/uncommongrounds

T R I A L L A W Y E R S

100 Fraser Street, Hinesville • 912-877-2211 • www.osteenandosteen.com

The attorneys at Osteen & Osteen would like to thank you for voting Joel Osteen the best attorney. Please let us know if we can help you with your legal needs.

Thank you Liberty Countyfor voting

Joel Osteen the Best Attorney

Melissa Carter Ray

Best Insurance Agency

Melissa Carter Ray, State Farm119 Ryon Avenue • Hinesville • 912.368.6729 www.hinesvilleinsurance.com

Best Insurance Agent

Thank you

for your support in our first year. We look

forward to growing with you in the future for all of your insurance and

financial service needs!


Maintenance Agreements: Keep your system running smoothly all year long; recognize problem before they turn into a major repair. RMA customers receive preferential scheduling and pricing discount.

Repairs: We will repair any brand of heating and air conditioning equipment.Installation: We will install every brand at competetive prices. Call us today for a free estimate.

Warranty: We strive for 100% customer satisfaction. We will return for thirty days free of charge for the same problem. Our customers are our main focus ! We appreciate all feedback !

We service both residential and commercial systems. Call us today !

Voted BEST Heating & Air Conditioning Company

THANK YOU, LIBERTY COUNTY!

912-876-2848www.aceheatingandair.net

Connect with us via Twitter or Facebook

456 W Gen Screven WayHinesville, GA 31313912-368-8093www.baldinos.us

BEST Sandwich & Sub Shop

Thank You, Liberty County!

“Serving The Best Subs in the World Since 1975”


h hhealth & beautyoPtoMetristJody PittmanLiberty’s optometrist of choice has been Dr. Joseph (“Jody”) Pittman for five years running. His practice, Professional Eye Care, brings together the latest in eye care technology, individual attention and an unmatched commitment to providing high-quality eye care service and prod-ucts for all ages.

PhArMACyHinesville PharmacyHinesville’s only independent pharmacy has been providing personalized, friendly, knowledgeable care to our area for 30 years. The full-service pharmacy is proud to know their customers by name and Liberty County is proud to name them their pick for best pharmacy.

PodiAtristDr. Paul BodamerLiberty trusts its toes to none other than Dr. Paul Bodamer — for good reason. Bo-

damer has been practicing podiatry in Hinesville since 1975, and has been treat-ing feet with the most professional, trusted and friendly care around. Patients return again and again for all of their podiatry needs (some have been seeing Bodamer for over 30 years!), and he continues to help them put their best foot forward.

hAir stylistelisha Heard, Defining Beauty Salon SuitesWith her no-nonsense, honest attitude, Elisha Heard is a cut above when it comes to hair. Elisha is an award-winning stylist with expertise in a wide range of hair care methods and has even developed her own hair extension technique. She truly cares about her clients and helping them to maintain the health and beauty of their hair.

FAMily PhysiCiAnDr. Firas Bannout, Low Country Medical ClinicIf you need a doctor to get your health-

care kick-started, Dr. Bannout’s your man. Practice makes perfect whether in his field of internal medicine or out on the field playing soccer with the hospital team. But patients always come first!

nurseJan St. John, Liberty Regional Medical CenterNot only does Jan love her job as a labor and delivery nurse and childbirth instruc-tor for Liberty Regional, she also takes all that love and puts it in an oven of her own. Her business, the “Lovin Oven,” produces scrumptious cakes, though not babies!

ob/gynDr. Seth BorquayeComprehensive OB/GYn Health CenterLook what the stork brought us this time! Dr. Seth Borquaye was voted best OB/GYN. Liberty loves Dr. Borquaye and his dedication to his mothers and their little bundles of joy.

Thank You Liberty County for Voting Us the

Best LawnCare Service

Lawn and Flower Bed Clean UpsNew Mulch and Pine StrawFertilizing and WeedsPressure WashingLandscaping and Irrigation

Call Today for A Free Estimate

912.269.0684Liberty Loves Winner for 6 years in a row!

Poole’s Deli

best &

406 South Main Street • hineSville

912-876-3549

BreakfastHome Cooked Meal

Dine InTake OutCatering

Mon - Fri:6am-2pm


h

Ft. Stewart/ HineSville area real eState

ElainE Boggs realtY GrOUP

BeSt realtOr - ElainE Boggs

BeSt real eState OFFice -

tHanK YOU, liBertY!

Full sErvicE rEal EstatE companyReNTALS PRoPeRTy MANAgeMeNTSALeS

www.FtstewartareaHomeFinder.com | 116 general screven Way | Hinesville 912-271-9951 | 912-368-6868

snap the Qr code with your smartphone to view all listings.if you don’t have a Qr reader, you can download a free app.

OTHeR WinneRS:

ChiroPrACtorDr. Duncan Reagan

dentistDr. William Wege

PediAtriCiAnDr. eric Hall

veterinAriAnDr. David Beatie

bArber shoPOff Post Barber Shop

beAuty sAlonRoffler Family Hair Center

nAil sAlonLe nails

tAnning sAlonSun-n-Side

Thank You For Voting Us #1!

FIVE YEARS IN A ROW!

Hwy 84Kroger Shopping CenterMon-Sat 10-7 • Sun 12-5

912-876-6205

CelebrationParty Store

Best PartySupply Store

Birthdays • Baby ShowersWedding & AnniversariesSpecial Events • Party FavorsCustom Balloon Designs

health & beautyContinued


sshopping & clothingtACtiCAl outdoor suPPly storeRanger Joe’sSince 1963, Ranger Joe’s has proudly served those who serve. This establish-ment supplies the military and law en-forcement communities with the gear they need to do their job effectively. From uniforms and accessories to quality field and tactical gear, Ranger Joe’s has got our soldiers and law enforcement of-ficials covered.

dry CleAningLamas CleanersFast, friendly, reliable service lands Lamas Cleaners, Inc. on the top of the pile for ex-cellence in clothing care in Liberty Coun-ty. They like to say “We can’t do miracles, just a good job!” And a good job they do, because Liberty loves Lamas.

PArty suPPly storeCelebration Party StoreFrom birthdays to graduations, Hallow-een and everything in between, Liberty County has been turning to Celebration to make every event special. Because they take care of your every party supply need with friendly service and a fabulous selection, Celebration is your go-to for get-togethers.

PAwn shoPGold & Silver Pawn ShopHinesville’s oldest pawn shop has been serving Liberty County for 25 years. With friendly service and a large selection of everything from jewelry to guitars, they’re clearly your gold standard.

OTHeR WinneRS:

All Around retAil Clothing store,Childrens APPArel store,Mens APPArel storeGoody's

woMens APPArel storeCato

ConsignMent shoPnew & not

Clothing AlterAtionsSew express

disCount storeWalmart

giFt storeHinesville Pharmacy

Jewelry storeThomas Hill Jewelers

Thank you,Liberty County!

Best Financial Planning Consultant

Derek Sills

912.408.6521 | 300 South Main Street, Hinesville


Best Outdoor/Tactical Supply

15 Years of ProudlyServing the Soldier at Fort Stewart

Thank YOu!

771 Frank Cochran Dr., hinesville912.877.2901

www.rangerjoes.com


ffood drink entertainmentAll Around restAurAnt,hAPPy hour,lAte night restAurAntApplebee’sMy, how Liberty loves Applebee’s! With a wide menu selection, two for $20 meal deals, half-priced late-night appetizers and daily happy hours, it’s no wonder you’ve chosen it as the 2011 winner in three categories: best all-around restau-rant, best late night and best happy hour. The whole family can please their palate with everything from soups and salads to steaks, seafood and sandwiches.

breAkFAst PlACePoole's DeliPoole’s Deli is a Hinesville institution, known for their downhome food, friendly service, great pricing and neighborhood feel. Many maintain that you can’t try

Poole’s delicious food without becoming a loyal customer. The establishment, now in its 20th year, has your vote for best breakfast place and best home-cooked meal in Liberty County.

Cheeseburger PlACe,FAst Food restAurAnt,kid Friendly restAurAntMcDonald’sIt’s official: Liberty County is definitely lovin’ it. And go ahead and supersize that, because McDonald’s sweeps three categories – they’re your pick for best cheeseburger place, fast food restaurant and kid-friendly restaurant. Unbeatable prices, tastes, fast service and the kid-approved fun Playplace make up combo number 2011, served up fresh daily.

CuP oF CoFFeeUncommon GroundsThere’s nothing like that first cup of cof-fee in the morning (OK, except maybe when it’s that afternoon cup you need for a midday boost on an especially boring/stressful/long work day). When it’s fresh-ly brewed by the friendly staff at Uncom-mon Grounds, you know you’re getting the highest-quality, best-tasting coffee around. Plus, you can enjoy a moment of zen along with your brew in their relaxing space, and maybe even grab one of their freshly-baked muffins or cookies.

sAndwiCh sub PlACeBaldinos Giant Jersey SubsWith their generous portions, sliced-to-order ingredients and freshly-baked bread, Baldinos Giant Jersey Subs have won your hearts – and your bellies. For over 35 years, Baldinos has proved why their sandwiches are superior, and they’ve got your vote to back that up.

“I would, and have recommended your business to anyone that wants excellent and accurate service. I have lived in Hinesville for over 40 years and have tried other repair shops and yours ranks at the top. I will always use your business when I need repair to any of my vehicles. Thank you and your employees for your pro-fessional service.” — The Summerall Family

Thank you Liberty County for voting us Best Repair Shop

for a 3rd Time!


SOUTHEAST AUTO Service & Repair Westwood Day Care

westwoodlearningcenter.com


We are voted the BEST Child Care/ Day Care Center.

508 Ashmore Road • Hinesville • 368-7200


206 E. Court St. • P.O. Box 800 • Hinesville, GA 31310912-876-0111 • 912-368-2979 FAX

608 E. Oglethorpe Hwy. • Hinesville, Georgia 31313912-876-0888 • 912-368-5536 FAX

WWW.JOJLAW.COM

Jones osteen & Jones

thank YouLiberty County for voting us the Best Law Firm in the county.

Proudly serving the residents of Liberty County since 1959.

We’re not just lawyers. We’re your Lawyers.

Personal. Professional. Proven.

*Member GA & CA Bar

Concentrating in personal injury cases including:18 Wheeler WrecksCar AccidentsPremises Liability

Product LiabilityWrongful Death

G. Brinson WilliamsLinnie L. Darden, III*

L. Kelly DavisJeffery N. Osteen, PC

Richard E. Braun, Jr., PCCarl R. Varnedoe

J. Noel OsteenBilly N. Jones

Charles M. Jones(1930 – 2007)

Like Us on Facebook


fOTHeR WinneRS:

wAiter/ wAitressKrystal Rainwater, Hinesville Steak House

All you CAn eAt buFFetGolden Hibachi

AsiAn Food restAurAntKobe Japanese Steakhouse

bArbeCue restAurAntShane’s Rib Shack

hAMburgerWendy's

hoMe Cooked MeAl PlACePoole's Deli

MexiCAn Food restAurAntRodeo Mexican Restaurant

PizzA PlACePizza Hut

sAlAd bArRuby Tuesday

seAFoodSunbury Crab Company

steAk PlACeHinesville Steak House

sushi restAurAntSushi House

wingsBuffalo's Cafe

ConvenienCe storeParker's

PlACe to buy MeAt,PlACe to buy ProduCe,suPerMArketKroger

video rentAl storeBlockbuster

food drink entertainmentContinued

THANK YOU, LIBERTY COUNTY FOR VOTING US THE BEST HOTEL!

1740 E. OGLETHORPE HWY, HINESVILLE, GA 31313 912.369.3000

for being voted theBEST REPORTER!

Congratulations to Patty Leon


…Liberty County, for choosing Georgia Power as Best Overall Utility Service Provider. At Georgia Power, our customers are at the center of everything we do. We’re a company that truly values customer loyalty and we are committed to providing 24/7 customer support, reliable electricity and tips on how you canlower your electric bill and make your home more energy efficient. Learn moreat georgiapower.com.

923 West Oglethorpe Hwy.Hinesville, GA 31313

Thank You...


912.368.9229

Thank You for voting us Best Furniture Store

in Liberty County!

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© Copyright 2011 W.S. Badcock Corp. Any item not stocked in a particular store may be or-dered on request from our warehouses. Some images may not exactly represent the product sold in the store. Some prices and specifications are subject to change without notice and some product availabilities are limited due to manufacturer’s inability to guarantee prices and quantities. We are not responsible for printer’s errors. Distributed as part of RedPlum™ and supplement to newspaper.

Prices and offers effective February 1 through February 14, 2011

Visit www.badcock.comfor the store nearest you!

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Thank you Liberty County!Thank you Liberty County!

Thank you for voting Hinesville PHarmacy Best Pharmacy & Best Gift shop.

Hinesville PHarmacy is the only independent pharmacy in Hinesville, Georgia with over 30 years of service to the community. We provide accurate, fast and friendly hometown service, know our

customers by name and welcome all new patients with a smile.

481 E.G. Miles Pky, Hinesville, GA 31313Phone: (912) 876.8125HinesvillePharmacy.com


Serving Hinesville and Liberty County for over 65 years.

NaConAuto Collision Center

PPG Certified Collision Repair I-Car Trained, ASE Certified

We put you back where you belong...

on the road. Best Auto Body Repair

992 E Oglethorpe Hwy, Hinesville • 912-876-2583

COMPUTERIZED MEASURING SYSTEM FOR FRAME AND UNIBODY

DOWNDRAFT HEATED PAINT BOOTHSINSURANCE CLAIMES WELCOME

WARRANTY ON ALL WORKPPG CERTIFIED COLLISION REPAIRI-CARE TRAINED, ASE CERTIFIED

ccommunityteACher Kathy Walden, First Presbyterian Christian AcademyKathy Walden’s dynamic teaching style combines lots of hands-on lessons and lab exercises, and a true passion for her subject matter. Science comes alive for her students, and because they, their parents and her colleagues know she’s the cream of the crop when it comes to teaching, Liberty loves Kathy Walden of First Presbyterian Christian Academy.

PlACe to workLiberty Regional Medical CenterThe same message as the hospital’s ta-gline, Liberty County votes “The Choice is Simple” too. Liberty Regional Medical Center and members of its staff take five of this year’s categories!...Best Place to Work, Best Family Physician, Best Nurse, Best OB/GYN and Best Secretary!

OTHeR WinneRS:

All Around industryTarget

bossKarin Berberena, interstate Credit Union

bus driverCorey Odom

ChArityUnited Way

FestivAl or eventOktoberfest

loCAl bAndDavid Turner Band

PubliC sChoolLiberty County High School

PubliC servAntKeith Moran and Donald Lovette (tie)

rAdio PersonAlityL Boogie

reCreAtionAl FACilityYMCA

rePorterPatty Leon, Coastal Courier

tv weAther PersonAlityPat Prokop (WTOC), Dave Turley (WTOC)

youth orgAnizAtionProject G.A.n.G.


$1 OFFANY EXTRA VALUE MEAL®

Expires 10/31/11. Valid only at participating McDonald’s restaurants in Claxton, Glennville, Hinesville, Jesup and Richmond Hill, GA. Current prices and participation based on independent operator decision. Prices may vary. Not valid in conjunction with any other offer, discount, coupon or combo meal. Cash value 1/20 of 1¢. Limit one coupon per person per visit. Plus tax if applicable. Price of required purchase posted on menu board. Coupon may not be transferred, copied or duplicated in any way, or transmitted via electronic media. Valid when product served. May not be valid for custom orders. ©2011 McDonald’s.

Thank you to all of our service men and women.

©2011 McDonald’s.

McDonald's Loves Our

Customers!

203 W. Oglethorpe Hwy. 84, Hinesville801 E.G. Miles Parkway, Hinesville

751 W. Oglethorpe Pkwy., Hinesville


and,we love liberty too.thank you for selectingdr. paul bodamer, the best podiatristin liberty county.

Dr. Brett Bodamer, DPM, FACFAS • Dr. Matthew C.D. Eller, DPM, FACFASDr. Paul Bodamer, DPM

ParkwoodPodiatryAssociates.com

2500 Starling Street, Suite 301Brunswick, GA 31520

912.265.4766

600 East Oglethorpe HighwayHinesville, GA 31313912.368.3036

parkwood

podiatryassociates


Moving Healthcare Forward

At Liberty Regional Medical Center, we’re growing to meet the needs of our region.

With advanced imaging and diagnostic capabilities, state-of-the-art surgical services

and comprehensive rehabilitation therapies, our world-class physicians and clinical teams

deliver patient centered care with the latest in treatment options for you and your family.

462 E .G. Mi les Parkway, H inesv i l le , GA / 912.369.9400 / www. l iber ty regional .org














®

OUTSTANDING AGENTS. OUTSTANDING RESULTS.®Each office independently owned and operated. © 2011 RE/MAX, LLC. All rights reserved.

TWICE AS NICE.“Highest Overall Satisfaction For Home Sellers and Home Buyers

Among National Full Service Real Estate Firms”

RE/MAX received the highest numerical score among full service real estate firms for home sellers and home buyers in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2011 Home Buyer/Seller StudySM. Study based on 3,861 total evaluations measuring 8 firms and measures opinions of individuals who bought a home between March 2010 and April 2011. Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed March-May 2011. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com


services home auto health & beauty shopping & clothing food drink entertainment communityservices home auto health & beauty shopping & clothing food drink entertainment communityservices home auto health & beauty shopping & clothing food drink entertainment communityservices home auto health & beauty shopping & clothing food drink entertainment communityservices home auto health & beauty shopping & clothing food drink entertainment community

LovesLIBERTY

THE BEST OF LIBERTY COUNTY CHOSEN BY THE COASTAL COURIER’S READERS

2011


QUALITY ELECTRONICSFURNITURE * JEWELRY * GUNS

501 W Gen Screven Way # H, Hinesville, GA 912-876-6580www.goldandsilverpawnandguns.com

BEST PAWN SHOP


sservices

DOES YOUR CHILD:Struggle with reading? �Take forever to complete �homework?Have a short attention span? �

Over 60% of problem learners have undiagnosed vision problems.

No Insurance, No problem — Reduced fees for cash Proudly serving TRICARE families

v o t e d

BESTfor 5 years in a row

{2007-2011}

ProfESSional EyE CarEwww.doctorpittman.com • 368-2020Expert Eye Care Focused on Your Needs.

AttorneyJoel Osteen, Osteen & OsteenAttorney C. Joel Osteen, a founding mem-ber of Hinesville-based law firm Osteen & Osteen, has committed himself to serv-ing the rights of the residents in Liberty County. Osteen was born to a family of trial lawyers and has continued the family tradition to become one of the most re-spected lawyers in Liberty County.

Child CAreWestwood DaycareIn its 25 years of operation, Westwood Day Care and Pre-School Learning Cen-ter has established itself as a fun, friendly, and safe place for children under 12. With a dedicated staff, great facilities and qual-ity curriculum, it's the favorite daycare of Liberty families.

FinAnCiAl institutionThe Heritage BankThe Heritage Bank is celebrating its 100th year of serving Southeast Georgia, and

Liberty knows why they’re still going strong. Heritage has been providing the convenience, personalized banking ser-vices and customer care you’ve always trusted and expected.

FinAnCiAl PlAnning ConsultAntDerek Sills, The Heritage GroupAward-winning financial planning con-sultant, Derek Sills, has been using his expertise and financial savvy to keep The Heritage Bank customers coming back for over a decade. Liberty turns to Sills for uncompromising advice on managing money.

hotel/MotelLa QuintaLa Quinta prides itself on providing clean, comfortable, affordable accommodations — with many of the perks expected at higher-priced hotels — to keep you wak-ing up on the bright side. Now it can pride itself on being your pick for best hotel in Liberty County.

insurAnCe Agent Melissa Carter Ray, State FarmSecond-generation State Farm agent and Liberty County native, Melissa Carter Ray, "insures" that Liberty County families are given the support and tools they need to manage risks and handle those bumps in the road of life. With Melissa at the helm, Hinesville State Farm provides superior insurance and caring customer service, making it Liberty's most loved agency.

lAw FirMJones, Osteen & JonesJones, Osteen & Jones has served Hines-ville and the surrounding areas for over 50 years. With the combined experience of their attorneys, they have a well-earned reputation of obtaining fabulous results for their clients. This, along with attentive service, is why Jones, Osteen & Jones has become the trusted law firm for Liberty County residents.


s hOTHeR WinneRS:

servicesContinued

CustoMer serviCe Karin Barberena, interstate Credit Union

FinAnCiAl institution tellerUrsula Melendez, interstate Credit Union

FloristStacy’s Florist

insurAnCe AgenCyState Farm

loAn CoMPAny1st Franklin Financial Corporation

PersonAl PhotogrAPherAliyah Dastour, Alimond Photography

PersonAl trAinerRichard Sommerville, YMCA

Pet grooMerLa Maison Du Caniche

PubliC ACCounting FirMKent Pedrick, CPA

wireless Phone CoMPAnyVerizon Wireless

seCretAryJoyce Cambell, Liberty Regional Medical CenterSome say the choice may be difficult – Best Secretary or Best “Nana.” But in this case it’s both! Joyce knows how to juggle between wife, mom, career and, of course, grandparent. Serving at Liberty Regional as an administrative assistant, physician liaison and coordinator for physician re-cruitment, she finds time for it all.

Thank you for voting

Elisha Heard Best Hair Stylist

Defining eauty Salon Suites

792 E.G. Miles Pkwy. • Hinesville • 912-877-5575 • www.definingbeautyinc.com


hhomeAir Conditioning/ heAting CoMPAnyAce Heating and AirLiving in Southeast Georgia, we all know the value of a properly functioning air conditioning unit and the misery of a bro-ken one. ACE Heating and Air is Liberty's most trusted heating and air service be-cause they provide their customers with fast repairs, quality work and knowl-edgeable technicians, making sweltering southern summers a little more livable.

Furniture storeBadcock & MoreCarrying a full range of furniture, floor coverings, bedding, accessories, elec-tronics and more, Badcock is Liberty’s fa-vorite one-stop home shop.

lAwn serviCeC.A. SittleSince 2002, C.A. Sittle, Inc. has been pro-viding Liberty homes and businesses with custom landscaping services and beauti-ful results. With free estimates, profes-sional service and extensive expertise,

C.A. Sittle is your choice for Liberty's best in lawn care and landscaping.

overAll utility Georgia PowerGeorgia Power is the Southeast leader in providing electricity, having been in the business for more than a century and touting rates below the national average. The company stands behind its custom-ers, guaranteeing satisfaction, offering convenient online bill pay and suggesting helpful tips for energy conservation.

reAl estAte Agentelaine BoggsSince 1989, Elaine Boggs has been mov-ing Liberty County residents and trans-plants into the homes they’ve dreamed of. She especially loves assisting first-time homebuyers, ensuring that the negotia-tion and closing processes go smoothly to get them into their new homes. You, her happy customers, have spoken – Elaine Boggs is your choice for the best real estate agent in Liberty County, and Elaine Boggs Real Estate Group wins out for best real estate agency.

OTHeR WinneRS:

APPliAnCe store,hoMe ACCessory store,hoMe iMProveMent store,nursery/gArden storeLowe’s

CleAning serviCeTop to Bottom

ContrACtorDryden enterprises

eleCtriCiAnHawkins electric

Pest Control CoMPAnyYates-Astro Termite & Pest Control

PluMbing CoMPAnySanitary Plumbing

reAl estAte AgenCyelaine Boggs Realty Group

soFA seleCtionGibson Home Store

www.the-heritage-bank.com | 1.800.624.6452 | Member FDIC

The Heritage Bank voted “Best Financial Institution”.Thanks Liberty!


1492 West Oglethorpe Highway, Hinesville, GA 912-369-4909 applebees.com

THAnk YOu, neiGHbOr, fOr vOTinG us

besTAll Around restaurant

Happy Hour

Late night restaurant

aautoAuto rePAirSoutheast Auto Service & RepairFamily owned and operated, Southeast Auto has been providing Liberty County residents with personalized car care since 2005. From basic oil changes to total engine replacement, Southeast Auto's skilled technicians and state-of-the-art equipment will keep your car running smoothly and safely.

body shoPnaCon Auto Collision CenterNaCon Auto Collision Center has been helping restore and re-pair vehicles in Liberty County for over 60 years. With free es-timates, quality warrantees and experienced mechanics, NaCon is your choice for bodywork and automotive repair.

OTHeR WinneRS:

Auto deAlershiPMike Reed Chevrolet

Auto sAlesPersonJessie Singleton, Hinesville Ford

Auto stereo storeTropical Auto Sound

gAs stAtionParker's

oil ChAnge shoPJiffy Lube

tire storeLiberty Tire & Brake

“We’ll clean the pants off ya.”

3rd Generation Family Owned Since 1903

wedding gowns • drapes • leather • suede • comforters band uniforms • smoke restoration • BDU’s

Same day service if in by 10 a.m.

“We can’t do miracles, just a good job!”

Voted Best in Hinesville!LAMAS CLEANERS

201 Memorial Drive, Hinesville • 912.876.6361Mon - Fri: 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. • Sat: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Dry CleaningBE

ST


For Voting Liberty Regional Medical Center

the Best Place to Work!

www.libertyregional.org • 912.369.9400462 E.G. Miles Parkway • Hinesville, Georgia

Thank

Congratulations to the following team members who received top selections in the Liberty Loves 2011!

Seth Borquaye, MD Best

OB/GYN

Jan St. John, RNBest

Nurse

Joyce Campbell Best

Secretary

Firas Bannout, MD Best

Family Physician

You,ibertyL


BESTCUP ofCOFFEE

Think this is

Weird?Think this is

we don’t.we don’t.

Located in Downtown Hinesvillewww.uncommoncoffee.net368-7622

Downtown Hinesville | 876-7622facebook.com/uncommongrounds

T R I A L L A W Y E R S

100 Fraser Street, Hinesville • 912-877-2211 • www.osteenandosteen.com

The attorneys at Osteen & Osteen would like to thank you for voting Joel Osteen the best attorney. Please let us know if we can help you with your legal needs.

Thank you Liberty Countyfor voting

Joel Osteen the Best Attorney

Melissa Carter Ray

Best Insurance Agency

Melissa Carter Ray, State Farm119 Ryon Avenue • Hinesville • 912.368.6729 www.hinesvilleinsurance.com

Best Insurance Agent

Thank you

for your support in our first year. We look

forward to growing with you in the future for all of your insurance and

financial service needs!


Maintenance Agreements: Keep your system running smoothly all year long; recognize problem before they turn into a major repair. RMA customers receive preferential scheduling and pricing discount.

Repairs: We will repair any brand of heating and air conditioning equipment.Installation: We will install every brand at competetive prices. Call us today for a free estimate.

Warranty: We strive for 100% customer satisfaction. We will return for thirty days free of charge for the same problem. Our customers are our main focus ! We appreciate all feedback !

We service both residential and commercial systems. Call us today !

Voted BEST Heating & Air Conditioning Company

THANK YOU, LIBERTY COUNTY!

912-876-2848www.aceheatingandair.net

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456 W Gen Screven WayHinesville, GA 31313912-368-8093www.baldinos.us

BEST Sandwich & Sub Shop


“Serving The Best Subs in the World Since 1975”
