Olde Towne Gallery - April Artist

Olde Towne Gallery, in downtown St. Marys, welcomes guest artist Mary Parris during the month of April.  Originally from Atlanta, Ms. Parris now gladly calls St. Marys home.  She has found great interest in her handmade jewelry creations and will exhibiting many pieces from the Broken Shell Collection, plus a variety of other very creative pieces which often incorporate unusual materials.  Open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  and located at 304 Osborne Street, next to the Cedar Oak Cafe.

Okefenokee NWR Cane Pole Trail Boardwalk Repaired

Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge

 

http://www.fws.gov/okefenokee

 

For Immediate Release                                                         

Contact: Cindy McIntyre, 912-496-7836

Date: March 25, 2013

 

Okefenokee NWR Cane Pole Trail Boardwalk Repaired

 

When the 2011-2012 Honey Prairie Fire roared through the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, it was repeating a centuries-old pattern of regeneration of the swamp and its longleaf pine uplands.  But many of the human-built structures that helped people enjoy these habitats were consumed in the flames.  One of these was the Cane Pole Trail Boardwalk, which succumbed in June 2011.  The wooden boardwalk and its covered 20x30 foot platform have now been rebuilt and are open to the public.  The boardwalk leaves the quarter-mile long Cane Pole Trail along the Suwannee Canal and extends north for 100 feet into Mizell Prairie for a sample of the wetland prairie that dominates the eastern portion of the Refuge. 

 

The Refuge is also beginning construction of the three-quarter mile Chesser Island Boardwalk, which was also destroyed in the fire.  Anticipated completion date is early August.  The Suwannee Canal Recreation Area boat basin and piers are also being rebuilt, with completion expected in April.

 

-fws-

Crooked River State Park - Easter Events

Join the Easter fun at Crooked River State Park on Friday, March 29, 2013.  The evening will start at 7:00 PM with an Easter Basket craft where participants can decorate their own recycled milk jug for collecting eggs.  Once the sun has gone down, your flashlights will be needed to find eggs in the dark!  The first Flashlight Easter Hunt will begin at 8:00 PM with a hunt for ages 0-5 years old.  The second Flashlight Easter Hunt which is a Family Hunt will begin at 8:30 PM.  Prizes will include: candy and toys.  Grand Prizes will be one round of mini-golf!  Each Flashlight Easter Hunt is $3.00 per person.  Space is limited for the Flashlight Easter Hunts and will be available on a first come-first serve basis.  Feel free to pick up your tickets early at the Park Office.  The eggs and prizes are sponsored by our local ALLTEL.  All vehicles entering park property are required to have a $5.00 Park Pass.  For more information, please call the park office at 912-882-5256.  Join us for the entire evening or just bring your own basket and flashlight for the hunt!

 

Georgia DOT State Board Member Visits Camden County

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

MEDIA CONTACT:

Angela Wigger, St. Marys Convention & Visitors Bureau

912.882.4000, angela.wigger@stmarysga.gov

 

Team Camden Hosts Newly Elected State Board of Transportation Representative

St. Marys, Georgia (March 2013) - The Economic Development Organizations of Camden County, hosted the Honorable Ann Purcell for a two day tour of Camden County on March 4^th and 5^th.  Former Legislator Ann Purcell was recently elected to the State Board of Transportation of Georgia representing the 17 county 1st Congressional District.  Her visit included a number of Georgia Department of Transportation staff members and was comprised of a tour of areas in Woodbine, Kingsland and St. Marys and a “Meet and Greet” presentation prior to her departure.

Team Camden felt it was important, as our new district representative, that Purcell view Camden County early in her term and be apprised personally of the concerns, questions, successes and failures regarding current and future plans for the area and that she have the opportunity to meet and talk to Camden’s community leaders, administrators and elected officials. 

The all-cities tour included community highlights, project updates and reviews, and traffic safety concerns.  The visit included a “Meet and Greet” session held in Kingsland, where after an energetic introduction by Artie Jones III, Director of the City of St. Marys Economic Development Office, Purcell shared how she was impressed with the unity she observed while in Camden County.  Mrs. Purcell was eager to let Camden County know that she is available to us and willing to assist whenever possible.  She showed great understanding and concern for our position on Interstate 95 and discussed how important it is for all of us on the I-95 corridor to do whatever we can to use this asset and get travelers off of the highway and into our communities.  Other topics discussed during the visit were gateway grants for beautification of interchanges, community partnerships in high-traffic areas with heavy litter, improvement and expansion ideas for evacuation routes, and tree-clearing around interchanges for better business visibility.

Georgia DOT is governed by a 14-member State Transportation Board which exercises general control and supervision of the Department. The Board is entrusted with powers which include, but are not limited to: naming the Commissioner; designating which public roads are encompassed within the state highway system; approving long-range transportation plans; overseeing the administration of construction contracts; and authorizing lease agreements. Board Members are elected by a majority of a General Assembly caucus from each of Georgia’s fourteen congressional districts. Each board member serves a five-year term.

Team Camden is made up of members representing each of the Camden County Economic Development Organizations including the Camden County Chamber of Commerce, The Camden County Joint Development Authority, The Camden Partnership, Kingsland Development Authority, Kingsland Downtown Development Authority, Kingsland Convention & Visitors Bureau, St. Marys Downtown Development Authority, St. Marys Industrial Development Authority, St. Marys Convention & Visitors Bureau, and the Woodbine Downtown Development Authority. The group works toward developing a well-coordinated team approach and presenting a unified approach for economic development to best position Camden County to reach its economic potential.

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*Photo Credit Georgia Department of Transportation

Spencer House Inn Bed & Breakfast, Special for March 8 & 9, 2013

Spencer House Inn

Bed & Breakfast

In the Historic District of St. Marys, GA

912-882-1872 | 888-840-1872

200 Osborne Street

St. Marys, GA 31558

 

Complimentary Breakfast – Continental & Hot Entrée

Complimentary Afternoon Refreshments

 

Just 9 miles East of I-95 & steps from the St. Marys River!

Cumberland Island Ferry Departure point only a block away!

 

Each room has a private bathroom. Rooms range from $135-245/night.

 

Special Offer – 10% OFF!

 

 

 

Subject to availability at the time of check-in; cannot be combined with any other discount or special offer; pre-existing reservations not eligible for Deal of the Day.

 

 

Help Clean Up Our River March 16

EARTHKEEPERS REQUEST VOLUNTEERS FOR RIVER CLEANUP RIVER CLEANUP, MARCH 16, 8:00 A.M.
MEET AT ST. MARYS WATERFRONT PARK

The St. Marys EarthKeepers will be picking up litter in Downtown St. Marys as part of the 2013 St. Marys River Celebration. The annual spring cleaning of the river and tributaries will be held Saturday, March 16, throughout four counties bordering the St. Marys River in Georgia and Florida. This one-day volunteer event gives area citizens an opportunity to play an important role in good Earth stewardship. All participants interested in helping on the EarthKeepers team should meet at the Howard Gilman Memorial Park on St. Marys' Waterfront at 8:00 a.m. for supplies and an assigned area of cleanup. After the cleanup, around noon, volunteers will be treated to a celebration event at Traders Hill in Folkston. To register with the EarthKeepers, email barbara@stormersmarketing.com or simply show up at the scheduled time.

Last year's River Cleanup and Celebration brought out over 800 participants, and volunteers retrieved approximately 54,000 pounds of trash along the river and its tributaries. The luncheon that followed at Traders Hill drew a big crowd, and it is anticipated that this year's event will be an even greater success.
Alex Kearns, Chair of St. Marys EarthKeepers, said that the river cleanup is vital to the protection of many of our marine animals.

"Trash along our downtown streets often ends up in our waterways," Kearns said "and it is (conservatively) estimated that discarded plastics cause 50,000-90,000 deaths of marine animals each year. By working together to prevent litter from damaging the health of our river, we can make a profound difference – locally and globally."

For more information, call 912-729-1103.
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Crooked River State Park wins award for best operations

Crooked River State Park wins award for best operations

 

ST. MARYS, GA, March 4, 2013  --  Crooked River State Park near St. Marys was awarded the Most Outstanding Park Operation Award by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR).  Awards were presented during a recent conference co-hosted by the park system and Friends of Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites.

 

According to region manager Tommy Turk, "Crooked River is a park that does all things well."  Facilities and grounds are well maintained, and park staff complete many projects that would normally be done by outside contractors, saving state funds.  Equipment shared by many parks within southern Georgia is kept in good condition by Crooked River staff.  Rangers assist in regional law enforcement training and search and rescue operations.  The park is also known for its nature center and outstanding programming, such as guided kayak trips and birding classes.

 

Located on southern tip of Georgia's "Colonial Coast," Crooked River State Park is the perfect spot for enjoying the intracoastal waterway and maritime forest.  Campsites are surrounded by palmettos and Spanish moss, while cottages are set near the tidal river.  A boat ramp is popular with anglers and paddlers.  Just down the road is the ferry to famous Cumberland Island National Seashore known for secluded beaches and wild horses.  To learn more, visit GeorgiaStateParks.org/CrookedRiver or call (912) 882-5256.

 

 

-END-

 

 

Photos of the park's bird blind are attached. Please credit the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

 

 

 

 

 

Film Gala Invitation

 

Is making you an offer you can't refuse...     The Honor of your Presence is Requested and Strongly Suggested at the   COASTAL GEORGIA FILM ALLIANCE GODFATHER GALA Dinner - Dancing - Themed Fun Godfather Attire or Black Tie Optional Friday, April 5, at 7 pm Southern Junction in St. Marys RSVP: 912-882-0840 or send check for $40 per person to: Coastal Georgia Film Alliance 300 Osborne Street St. Marys, Ga 31558     Coastal Georgia Film Alliance is dedicated to economic development through film production in Coastal Georgia     300 Osborne St. St. Marys, GA 31558 www.coastalgeorgiafilm.org   Call 912-729-1103 if you desire more details.

Or tickets can be purchased at Once Upon A Bookseller (cash or check only please)

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Okefenokee NWR Summer Hours Start March 1

For Immediate Release                                                                 Contact: Cindy McIntyre (912) 496-7836

Date:  February 28, 2013

 

Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge Announces Summer Hours

 

Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge will begin its summer hours of operation Friday, March 1, 2013. The East Entrance, located seven miles southwest of Folkston, GA, will open one-half hour before sunrise and close at 7:30 p.m.

 

Summer hours are in effect March 1 to October 31, 2013. With longer hours, visitors can enjoy the day-use canoe trails until 6:00 p.m.  The gate to the Swamp Island Drive now stays open until 6:00 p.m., and visitors are expected to exit the drive by 7:00 p.m.

 

With more than five inches of rain the past week, water levels are improving, and gators are out basking.  The resident Florida sandhill cranes may be seen engaging in their fascinating courtship dances, the red-shouldered hawks are tidying their Canal nest, and there are turtles galore – all of which can be seen on a tour down the Suwannee Canal into the wetland prairies. 

 

Ranger-led interpretive programs on gators, birds, and habitats are offered every Saturday.  For more information contact the refuge’s visitor center from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily at (912) 496-7836.

 

To book overnight trips into the swamp call the canoe hotline (912) 496-3331.  The line is staffed only from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. Monday through Friday, except federal holidays.

 

Refuge partner Okefenokee Adventures (912-496-7156) offers guided boat rides into the swamp, canoe and kayak rentals, and sunset and overnight canoe tours, including one scheduled for March 11-13.  With the longer hours, visitors can enjoy the refuge and its offerings that much more.

 Photo cutlinet:  Sandhill Cranes, which mate for life, forage on Chesser Prairie, Okefenokee NWR, Georgia. 

Photo credit:  USFWS Cindy McIntyre

                                                                           -fws-

 

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is committed to providing access to our events for all participants. Persons needing reasonable accommodations in order to attend and participate in our events should contact Cindy McIntyre, Cynthia_McIntyre@fws.gov; 912-496-7836.  In order to allow sufficient time to process requests, please contact us for assistance at least five business days before the event.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.

Connect with our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/okefenokeewildliferefuge 

 

Stephen King story filmed in St. Marys

STEPHEN KING SHORT STORY COMES ALIVE IN FILM PRODUCED IN CAMDEN COUNTY


ST. MARYS, GA—Coastal Georgia Film Alliance announced the recent filming of "The Man Who Would Not Shake Hands," in St. Marys, Georgia. The film is based upon a Stephen King short story that is part of King's Dollar Baby Films program. Filmmaker Brandon Herron also filmed parts of the story in Darien and Brunswick.

"The Man Who Would Not Shake Hands" is from "Skeleton Crew," King's second collection of short fiction. When Herron discovered that King was inclined to sometimes give aspiring filmmakers rights to his short stories, he pursued the process and ended up with one year's non-commercial film rights to the story. Herron had previously produced a documentary, but never a narrative and wanted more than anything to have a film that could be seen at a film festival.

According to Herron, the story is told mostly through flashbacks to the early twentieth century. The "teller" relates his meeting of a man with a curse and the strange events that took place over a friendly poker game. The flashback sequences will be black and white while the modern scenes will be in color.

"I've been watching a lot of older black and white films," said Herron. "My biggest influence for the look of the film is Stanley Kubrick's 'Killer's Kiss.' It has a great shadowy, moody feel to it."

Herron said the Coastal Georgia Film Alliance made filming in St. Marys easy. "They provided me with a location that worked out great," he said. Herron also said that finding actors was never a challenge.

"I know a lot of Stephen King fans," Herron said. "Some of my actors even doubled as crew members."

Herron's goal for the film is to get it into film festivals. He plans to continue to make films, his life's passion. "I've fallen in love with filmmaking and I think a few of the cast members have as well," he said.

Coastal Georgia Film Alliance chair, Doug Vaught, said that projects like Herron's can bring a lot of notice to St. Marys and the surrounding area when it comes to the filmmaking community.

"The Film Alliance plans to include 'The Man Who Would Not Shake Hands' in an upcoming micro film fest to be held at Theatre by the Trax," Vaught said. "We are fortunate to be able to showcase local artists creating films like Herron's that are inspired by legends like Stephen King."

For more information about Coastal Georgia Film Alliance, visit www.coastalgeorgiafilm.org.