200 CLUB OF THE COASTAL EMPIRE ANNOUNCES ANNUAL COMMUNITY HEROES GOLF TOURNAMENT – OCT. 26

SAVANNAH, GA – September 21, 2022 – Dozens of teams will hit the green and tee off early Wednesday, Oct. 26 for the 200 Club of the Coastal Empire’s annual Community Heroes Golf Tournament at The Club at Savannah Harbor, 2 Resort Drive. Many community volunteers have once again committed their time to help ensure the success of the event, which serves as a fundraiser for the nonprofit organization and acts to honor their mission of supporting the families of fallen first responders in 20 counties across The Low Country.

“Each year we are humbled by the amount of support and funds this tournament brings to our organization, but our ultimate goal with events like these is to raise awareness of what we do and raise the necessary funds to support the many families we serve.  To date, the 200 Club has provided nearly $4 million dollars to those families.  Dana said. “We are so grateful to have created this special event that everyone has come to look forward to every year. Without our sponsors, donors and volunteers consistently supporting us and our mission none of this would be possible.”

The 200 Club of the Coastal Empire honors the sacrifice that many first responders make for all of us by providing necessary support to the many families left behind.  As an organization, they proudly and honorably provide significant financial assistance, as well as fully paid college education to the surviving spouse and children of law enforcement officers and firefighters who lose their lives in the line of duty while protecting our communities.

The opening ceremony will begin at 8:30 a.m. and will include visits from area first responders who will showcase their life-saving equipment. 200 Club President Mark Dana and other supporters will speak before golfers are dismissed to their carts and sent out on the green with a traditional kickoff shotgun blast at 9 a.m. During play, teams will compete for special hole in one prizes, raffles and the always competitive closest to the pin. Teams can enjoy food and drinks at comfort stations along the course and then lunch when play ends. 

A variety of golf tournament sponsorship opportunities are available, including a $300 GPS Hole Sponsorship, $150 Standard Hole Sponsorship, $700 Big Ticket Team, $1,200 Legacy Sponsorship, $2,000 Hero Sponsorship, and $5,000 Valor Sponsorship. A new sponsorship opportunity has been added to this year’s tournament, the $250 200 Club Beneficiary Hole Sponsor. These hole sponsorships will have a special sign that shows teams the college students that the 200 Club is currently supporting.  

For more information or to sign up for the golf tournament, please visit the 200 Club website at www.our200club.com or contact Frances Dana at frances@twohundredclub.org  

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For media inquiries, please contact Lesley Francis at lesley@lesleyfrancispr.com or 912-429-3950, Allie Robinson at 912-547-3100 or allie@lesleyfrancispr.com, or the team at 912-417-LFPR (5377).

SAVE THE DATE: SAVANNAH VOICE FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES DATES FOR 11TH SEASON

SAVANNAH, GA – September 21, 2022 – As the Savannah VOICE Festival (SVF) brings its 10-year anniversary season to a close, the organization is excited to announce its return to the Hostess City for their eleventh annual Festival. The two-week festival will be held Aug. 6-20, 2023, at iconic various venues around Savannah.

SVF will feature a variety of musical performances from opera, musical theatre, and song. The line-up of events will include a main opera production, a musical theater show, a studio production, and a featured artist recital, in addition to Festival favorites such as the sacred concert, coffee concerts, and master classes. A full line-up of events will be released later in the year. Updates will be posted to SVF’s website.

Jorge Parodi, SVF artistic director and internationally acclaimed conductor, is looking forward to returning to Savannah for the organization’s eleventh season.

“We are thrilled with the success of our tenth season and can’t wait to do it all again next year,” Parodi said. “We already have several events in the works that I know our fans will adore. I love the support that all the wonderful artists and I feel every time we perform in this beautiful city, and I hope that we will see everyone again next year.”

For more information about the Festival, please call 855.766.7372, email info@savannahvoicefestival.org, or visit www.savannahvoicefestival.org. 

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Savannah VOICE Festival is a 501(c) 3 tax exempt nonprofit arts organization in the state of Georgia. The Festival brings classical vocal excellence to the Savannah area through a two-week celebration of concerts, events and educational presentations during the month of August and throughout the year. Focusing on arts awareness and audience development in the performing arts, it offers music from opera, musical theatre and popular song. Donations are tax-deductible.

The Savannah VOICE Festival is supported in part by the Georgia Council for the Arts through the appropriations from the Georgia General Assembly. GCA is a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.

For media inquiries, please contact Kristyn Beasley at 229-393-6457 or kristyn@lesleyfrancispr.com, Lesley Francis at 912-429-3950 or lesley@lesleyfrancispr.com, or the team at 912-417-LFPR (5377).

 

PORT WENTWORTH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HOSTS FORUM ON HWY 21 TRANSPORTATION ISSUES – TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR FALL LUNCH AND LEARN

PORT WENTWORTH, GA – September 20, 2022 –The Port Wentworth Chamber of Commerce will host its Fall Lunch & Learn event from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 27 at Wingate by Wyndham, located at 7210 GA Hwy 21, Port Wentworth, GA.

Attendees will receive a regional transportation update from guest speakers including Chester Ellis, Chairman of the Chatham County Board of Commissioners, and Steve Davis, Port Wentworth City Manager, along with James Dickerson and Laura Conn, Construction Project Specialists with the Georgia Department of Transportation.

“This informative luncheon will address questions regarding transportation and road improvements in Port Wentworth and our surrounding region,” said Chamber of Commerce Boad of Directors Vice Chair Vicki Waters. “We look forward to hearing from this knowledgeable group of guest speakers.”

Tickets for this limited-seating event can be purchased online via Eventbrite. The cost to register for this event is $12 for Chamber of Commerce members, or $15 for non-members. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit https://bit.ly/3BWCqxz.

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For media inquiries, please contact Kristyn Beasley at kristyn@lesleyfrancispr.com or 229-393-6457, or Lesley Francis at lesley@lesleyfrancispr.com or 912-429-3950, or the team at 912-417-LFPR (5377).

THE EXCHANGE CLUB OF RICHMOND HILL HOSTS 29TH ANNUAL FISHING DERBY

RICHMOND HILL, GA – Sept. 19, 2022 – The Richmond Hill Exchange Club will host their 29th Annual Lynn Bennett Kids Fishing Derby on Saturday, September 24th from 8:00 AM to Noon, at the Richmond Hill Fish Hatchery on GA Highway 144, between the library and Kroger.  Registration will begin at 8:00 AM, with fishing beginning at 8:30AM.  The derby is free of charge and open to children ages 15 and under, accompanied by their parents or adult guardian. Over the last two years, the Exchange Club has not been able to host this event due to the pandemic and they are excited to bring it back to the community this year. For the first time, the club will be honoring Lynn Bennett, a long time member who organized the derby for years prior to moving out of the area. 

Each year hundreds of children have enjoyed this event, and the Exchange Club expects another large turnout this year. The fishing derby will be at the Fish Hatchery ponds that have been stocked with catfish. Participants should bring fishing poles equipped and ready to fish, as well as bait, although a limited amount of bait and fishing poles will be available for use free of charge. Coke products will also be available at no charge for participants; courtesy of Savannah Coca Cola Bottling Company, and snacks courtesy of Publix and the Exchange Club members.

The Exchange Club Kids Fishing Derby is a collaboration with Georgia Department of Natural Resources Richmond Hill Fish Hatchery and occurs on Richmond Hill Fish Hatchery Outdoor Adventure Day as part of the 50th Anniversary of the federal National Hunting and Fishing Day. The DNR will have other great outdoor activities available for people of all ages on this same day. 

All area children ages 15 and under are encouraged to participate. Parents or guardians should complete an official entry form for each child and bring it to the Fishing Derby on September 24th. Entry forms will be available at the event.

Entry forms can be downloaded from the Facebook Page, look for Richmond Hill Exchange Club on Facebook. For more information, please contact Chris Raiford at 912-661-0208.

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For media inquiries, please contact Allie Robinson at allie@lesleyfrancispr.com or 912-547-3100, or the team at 912-417-LFPR (5377).

 

ASBURY MEMORIAL CHURCH COMBINES THEATRE AND WORSIP IN THEIR ANNUAL GOD ON BROADWAY SERIES

SAVANNAH, GA – Sept. 19, 2022 – Asbury Memorial Church (AMC) has unveiled the lineup for their highly anticipated God on Broadway worship series, which will take place at every Sunday worship service in October. These unique services will combine sermons and liturgy with the themes and characters from popular Broadway shows. Sunday worship services will begin at 11:15 a.m. at Asbury Memorial Church, located at 1008 E. Henry Street, Savannah, GA 31401.

God on Broadway will kick-off Sunday, Oct. 2 with Amadeus, followed by The Kite Runner on Oct. 9. The series will continue with The Play That Goes Wrong on Oct. 16, Dog Sees God on Oct. 23, and conclude with To Kill a Mockingbird on Oct. 30.

Under the direction of Minister of Music, Ray Ellis, the Asbury Choir will perform songs that match the themes of the shows and the scripture selected for that particular Sunday. The sermons, preached by senior pastor, Rev. Billy Hester, will be inspired by both the biblical texts and the plots of the shows.

“This worship series has become a tradition in our church that the congregation looks forward to every year,” said Rev. Hester.  “We have a great lineup prepared this year and I hope to see some new faces in the congregation.”

Rev. Hester and his wife, Cheri, have acting experience from both on and off Broadway and love using their talents and their former careers as actors to enhance the worship experience. God on Broadway has been a mainstay at the church since 2005 and, each year, is popular with people who appreciate this innovative approach to sharing the Gospel and Christ’s love.

Asbury Memorial is a Christ-centered, forward-thinking, all-inclusive congregating that celebrates the joy of God creatively and is committed to remaining a welcoming and affirming congregation for all. The God on Broadway series is free and open to the public. For more information or to view segments from past God on Broadway worship services, please visit the God on Broadway page at www.asburymemorial.org.

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For media inquiries, please contact Kristyn Beasley at kristyn@lesleyfrancispr.com or 229-393-6457, or Lesley Francis at lesley@lesleyfrancispr.com or 912-429-3950, or the team at 912-417-LFPR (5377).

MARITIME BETHEL SAVANNAH TO HOST ANNUAL SAVANNAH MARITIME MATTERS 2022 FUNDRAISING EVENT

SAVANNAH, GA – SEPT. 19, 2022 – Maritime Bethel Savannah (MBS) will host their annual “Savannah Maritime Matters 2022” fundraising event Saturday, October 8 at The Palmetto Club at The Landings, located at 1 Cottonwood Drive, Savannah, GA 31411.

This event is slated for 6-9:30 p.m. and will include a cocktail hour, silent auction, dinner, dancing, and live music from the Fabulous Equinox Orchestra.

“Maritime Bethel has grown exponentially in the last year and that’s all because of our community’s generosity,” said John Houchens, Executive Director at MBS. “We’ve had a greater demand than ever before due to the growth of the Savannah port and want to assist more seafarers! Thank you to everyone who has donated their time, expertise and money in support of our mission.” The proceeds from this fundraising event will go towards helping seafarers in the Savannah Port and to support MBS’ vital Capital Campaign.

Tickets are on sale now via the MBS website, https://www.maritimebethelsavannah.com/. Individual seats and tables for 8 or 10 people are available. Sponsorship packages are also available ranging from $250 to $5,000. Please contact John Houchens at 912-398-0896 or john@maritimebethelsavannah.org for more information and benefits of becoming a sponsor.

Maritime Bethel Savannah is a nonprofit organization providing ‘far away from home’ personal and practical support to seafarers who come into the Savannah Port from all over the world. They are a faith-based organization that includes advocacy, spiritual, physical and emotional support. They are not affiliated with any one church or denomination. Each year they offer their ministry to the 78,000 men and women who call on the Port of Savannah. Those services include onboard chaplain visits, group worship, personal prayer and counseling, phone connections to home, purchase and delivery of personal supplies, and more. For more information on Maritime Bethel Savannah and their mission, please visit https://www.maritimebethelsavannah.com/home.

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For media inquiries, please contact Emily Vonck at 404-955-5418 or emily@lesleyfrancispr.com  Kristyn Beasley at 229-393-6457 or kristyn@lesleyfrancispr.com or Lesley Francis at lesley@lesleyfrancispr.com or 912-429-3950 the team at 912-417-LFPR (5377).

SAVANNAH CLASSICAL ACADEMY STUDENT RESULTS EXCEED DISTRICT FOR 2022 GEORGIA MILESTONES ASSESSMENT SYSTEM (GMAS) SCORES

SAVANNAH, GA – Sept. 19, 2022 – Savannah Classical Academy (SCA) reports a stellar year for the charter school as the 2022 Georgia Milestones Assessment System (GMAS) scores have been released by The Georgia Department of Education. These assessments measure student proficiency in grades 3rd through 8th grades in a range of disciplines including math, reading, English language arts, science, and social studies. 

For 2022 SCA students outscored Savannah Chatham County Public School System students on all twenty-three common state assessments (GMAS) and also achieved parity or superior achievement when compared to all students in Georgia in all but six assessments. SCA scored exceptionally well in reading across all grades, reflecting the school’s commitment to literacy and in science and math, especially at the higher grades, due to the focus on their classical model of instruction with rigorous coursework.  SCA’s return to in person learning in August 2021 after all schools closed in spring 2020 semester due to the pandemic has proven to be a benefit to students as evidenced by these significant achievement outcomes.  SCA is a great investment and continues to be good stewards of Chatham County’s taxpayer dollars by delivering excellence both in the classroom and our community.

“SCA students are held to a high standard in their courses and are supported by teachers to meet expectations. It is clear that the dedication of students, teachers and families are essential elements to our successes” said SCA Chief Executive Officer Barry Lollis. “We value our excellent staff.  Their commitment is paramount to our students succeeding academically and development into productive citizens. We are proud of our teachers and students’ I look forward to more positive achievement outcomes through our community’s continued investment in and support of our school.”    

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The Georgia Milestones Assessment System is a comprehensive summative assessment program and represents a single system of summative assessments that span all three levels of the state’s educational system – elementary, middle, and high school. The system is designed to send consistent signals about students’ preparedness for the next level, be it the next grade, course, or endeavor, such as entering college or beginning a career after leaving the K-12 educational system. 

It is the philosophy of Savannah Classical Academy that all students benefit from a rigorous, content-rich, educational program that develops academic potential and personal character. The school provides an environment that fosters academic excellence through the habits of thoroughness, the willingness to work, and the perseverance to complete difficult tasks. Through a defined traditional, Classical-Liberal curriculum, students are prepared to become active, responsible members of their community.

For more information about Savannah Classical Academy, please visit www.savannahclassicalacademy.org.

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For media inquiries, please contact Kristyn Fielding at kristyn@lesleyfrancispr.com or 229-393-6457, Lesley Francis at lesley@lesleyfrancispr.com or 912-429-3950, or the team at 912-417-LFPR (5377).

SAVANNAH BALLET THEATRE TO PRESENT ORIGINAL JACK THE RIPPER BALLET – OCT. 21-22, 2022

SAVANNAH, GA – Sept. 12, 2022 – The Savannah Ballet Theatre (SBT) is slated to celebrate the spookiest time of year by performing Jack the Ripper at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21 and Saturday, Oct. 22 at Tybee Post Theatre, 10 Van Horne Ave, Tybee Island, GA 31328. Tickets start at $20 and are available for purchase on the Events page on Tybee Post Theater’s website, www.tybeeposttheater.org.

Most people are familiar with the story of Jack the Ripper, an unidentified British Victorian era murderer, but not those of his victims. This ballet tells the story from the perspective of the five female victims known to have been killed by this criminal. These victims, often referred to as ‘The Canonical Five’, were murdered over a three-month period between August and November 1888. To this day, Jack the Ripper remains an unsolved case. His identity was never discovered, and he was never brought to justice.

“We are very excited to bring back this fan favorite for the Halloween season after its debut in 2019. These shows quickly sold out in the past and we’re anticipating another good turnout this year,” said SBT Artistic Director Suzanne Braddy. “This was the first historically accurate ballet created by SBT. We created it from the women’s perspective, and I think it’s even better than the traditional Jack the Ripper tales.”  

This rendition of Jack the Ripper is a contemporary production created by SBT in 2019 that demonstrates how the traditional art form of ballet has evolved for today’s audiences. This 55-minute performance is suggested for children 13 and older. While the ballet will not be gory, it does feature adult content.

SBT is Savannah and southeast Georgia’s only professional dance company. It is their mission to develop and showcase the talent of dedicated Savannah dancers alongside top professional dancers who train in the studio, and to engage in educational outreach and promotion of the art of dance within the community.

For more information about Jack the Ripper or on the history and mission of the Savannah Ballet Theatre & School of Dance, please visit www.savannahballettheatre.org.

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For media inquiries, please contact Kristyn Fielding at kristyn@lesleyfrancispr.com or 229-393-6457 or Lesley Francis at lesley@lesleyfrancispr.com or 912-429-3950 or the team at 912-417-LFPR (5377).

DAVENPORT HOUSE MUSEUM PRESENTS
‘THE SICKNESS IN THE CITY – YELLOW FEVER 1820’

Savannah, Ga. – September 6, 2022 – The Davenport House Museum will present a living history depiction of early 19th-century life in Savannah, focusing on the Yellow Fever epidemic, on Friday and Saturday evenings in October. The performances will begin at 7 p.m. at the Davenport House Museum Entrance and Shop, located at 323 E. Broughton St. in Savannah. Audience sizes will be limited, so patrons are encouraged to purchase their tickets in advance.

The 2022 living history production will be a 50-minute, dramatic re-creation of the Yellow Fever epidemic and the psychological effects of losses it caused the city’s residents. The performance will examine 1820’s interesting medical treatments, and attendees will meet ordinary citizens with complaints about the government, home remedies, combatting mosquitoes and the true cause of the fever. With its shows, the Davenport House relays factual historical events pertaining to the epidemic of 1820 while conveying the profound emotions of grief and fear that citizens grappled with.  

The presentation features a script compiled from period sources specially for the Davenport House and includes vignettes adapted from works by Washington Irving and Conrad Aiken, developed by playwright/screenwriter Raleigh Marcell. He is a professionally produced and published playwright, his four published one-act plays having been performed by over 2,000 schools, theaters, and colleges in the United States, Canada, Australia, and Turkey.

“This year’s Yellow Fever performance focuses on the people of Savannah and how the epidemic affected them mentally and physically,” Davenport House Museum Director Jamie Credle said. “They will also enjoy seeing the house at twilight and live action performers portraying people from the past.” 

The production will begin in Columbia Square, in front of the Davenport House, and guests will make their way through the candlelit home. Guests are asked to arrive on time. Before purchasing tickets, those interested should consider that the performance requires that guests walk up and down the stairs and maneuver in low light.

Tickets to the Yellow Fever in Savannah performance are $18 in advance and $20 at the door. To purchase tickets, please visit www.davenporthousemuseum.org, call 912-236-8097, or buy them in person at the Davenport House Museum gift shop. Due to the sensitive subject matter, this program is not suitable for children under the age of 8.

The Davenport House seeks to educate, enrich, and inspire our visitors and the community, as well as recognize the historical role of the house in the founding of the Historic Savannah Foundation. Situated on Columbia Square at the corner of State and Habersham streets in historic downtown Savannah, it is one of the oldest brick structures in the city and sees approximately 40,000 visitors annually through its guided tours and education programs.

Davenport House Museum is a property of Historic Savannah Foundation. HSF is a leading nonprofit preservation and cultural institution, which saves buildings, places, and stories that define Savannah’s past, present, and future. The Davenport House was the first property HSF saved.  For more information, please visit http://www.davenporthousemuseum.org/programs/, email info@davenporthousemuseum.org or call 912-236-8097.

 

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For media inquiries, please contact Lesley Francis at lesley@lesleyfrancispr.com or 912-429-3950, Kristyn Fielding at kristyn@lesleyfrancispr.com or 229-393-6457, or Allie Robinson at allie@lesleyfrancispr.com or 912-547-3100. 

NEXT SESSION OF HSF’S “PEOPLE, PLACES AND STORIES” LECTURE SERIES FOCUSES ON THE DAVENPORT HOUSE DURING THE CIVIL WAR

SAVANNAH, GA – AUGUST 24, 2022 – Historic Savannah Foundation (HSF) will host Jeff Freeman, Assistant Director of the Davenport House Museum, as the next presenter in their “People, Places and Stories that Define Savannah” lecture series. His presentation is set for 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022, at HSF’s headquarters, 321 E York St.

Freeman will share stories about the people of the Davenport household and the roles they played during and after the Civil War. Originally from Richmond, VA, Jeff Freeman has been at the Davenport House Museum since 2006. After a four-year stint in the U.S. Army and a 15-year career in the technology field, Jeff decided to follow his passion for history and pursue a career as a museum professional. He holds a BA in History from University of Maryland University College.

“Everyone has a general idea about the events of the Civil War, however, Jeff’s lecture aims to shed light on Savannah’s role in the war and explain how families, like the Davenports, were involved,” HSF Education and Research Associate, Kimberly Newbold said. “We are fortunate to have Jeff’s expertise to share information about the Civil War in the hostess city.”

Freeman’s lecture is free for HSF members and $15 for non-members. The lecture will begin at 6 p.m. with a pre-lecture gathering at 5:30 p.m. to socialize and enjoy a glass of wine. Members may RSVP for the Sept. 22 lecture by emailing Kimberly Newbold at knewbold@myhsf.org. The $15 nonmember registration fee can be paid by visiting HSF’s website, www.myhsf.org. Space is limited, so reservations are recommended.

For more information about the “People, Places and Stories that Define Savannah” lecture series, contact Newbold at 912-483-7294. For information about other HSF events, please visit myhsf.org or call 912-233-7787, and follow HSF on their social media, including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Historic Savannah Foundation, a leading nonprofit preservation and cultural institution, saves buildings, places, and stories that define Savannah’s past, present, and future. Following its formation in 1955, the organization started a Revolving Fund to save endangered historic properties, now totaling nearly 410 buildings throughout several of Savannah’s historic districts. HSF continues to build capacity within its operations, secure new financial resources, improve its image and visibility, and increase public policy efforts to protect Savannah’s historic districts. For more information about the work of the Historic Savannah Foundation, visit www.myhsf.org.

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For media inquiries, please contact Kristyn Beasley at kristyn@lesleyfrancispr.com or 912-272-8651, Allie Robinson at allie@lesleyfrancispr.com or 912-547-3100, or Lesley Francis at lesley@lesleyfrancispr.com or 912-429-3950 or the team at 912-417-LFPR (5377).