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 National Wildlife Refuge
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.
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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!
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 4th and 5th. 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
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.
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.
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Photos of the park's bird blind are attached. Please credit the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
