LIVING IN A VIRTUAL WORLD

What a difference a year makes. Looking back at photos from a year ago, we were going out to dinner, attending concerts, and hugging everyone – with minimal hand sanitizer and no masks! It all seems much longer ago than 12 months. Still there is light at the end of the tunnel with the vaccine rollout under way.  

I am so impressed with our clients, who have pivoted to virtual events and performances to ensure safety for audiences and artists during this time of COVID-19. The Savannah VOICE Festival last August was a virtual triumph and their holiday concert a great encore. Savannah Ballet Theatre’s (SBT) Nutcracker took viewers on a magical holiday dream filmed in iconic Savannah locations as their professional dancers made sure we could enjoy this beloved annual tradition. We had the opportunity to watch the performance twice on Christmas day with SBT’s on-air broadcast in partnership with local NBC affiliate, WSAV-TV. Audiences enjoyed these events from the comfort and safety of home during these times of social distancing.  

As I write, the American Traditions Vocal Competition (ATC) has just begun to present its 28^th annual competition online for worldwide and local audiences. We are looking forward to Historic Savannah Foundation’s celebration of women in preservation during March and another of their great zoom lectures from Jamie Credle, director of HSF’s Davenport House Museum.

We continue to celebrate happy life events. Our vice president, Hollie Barnidge, turned 40 last month. Soon after account executive, Allie Robinson, got engaged last fall, our account manager, Kristyn Fielding, announced her engagement at Christmas. So, it is all diamond rings and wedding plans for a post-pandemic world here! Both ladies are engaged to wonderful young men, and I am so happy for them.

I continue to remain grateful for our loyal and wonderful clients. We are thrilled to have been appointed by Beyond The Bell in Savannah to help them raise informed awareness about the resources and programs provided by the organization to train, educate, and support youth, families, and educators in the prevention of alcohol, marijuana, and tobacco use and abuse within the local community. In other news, LFPR’s website designer, Chaeli Shields, has just launched a beautiful new website for our client, Dr. Dionne Bates of Self Soulstice. Check it out at www.drdbates.com. Kristyn Fielding has worked hard to develop a multi-media advertising campaign for Savannah Classical Academy to raise awareness of their lottery.  Any child living in Chatham County is eligible to apply for a place at this exceptional charter school which, unlike most district schools has returned to in-person learning.  

LFPR donates 20 percent of our billable hours to nonprofit organizations in our region and we thank the local media for reporting on the important work of the organizations we partner with. The Salvation Army of Savannah is thankful to have exceeded their goal for the holiday season’s Red Kettle Campaign and LFPR did our part by ringing the bells at one of those iconic kettles in Richmond Hill last December. Family Promise of the Coastal Empire announced their merger last month, and the 200 Club is looking forward to its annual Valor Awards in April.

We have a lot to look forward to this spring with the unveiling of some exciting initiatives for Georgia Tech-Savannah and the launch of Bryan County’s Annual Report. We are planning on experiencing Savannah African Art Museum’s new “Roots” hair exhibit, which opens this week, and attending some of their fascinating online workshops. And talking of pivoting to online – Billy and Cheri Hester of Asbury Memorial Church are maintaining their annual, 25-year-old Valentine’s Day tradition of holding a vow renewal ceremony … even during a global pandemic. Instead of inviting married couples to gather in downtown Savannah’s City Market, though, the 2021 vow renewal ceremony will be held online.  

Until next time, take care. Stay well. Stay safe. Stay positive.