The rodeo comes to town

Date	March 29, 2012
Section(s)	Our Town
Byline	By LINDSEY ADKISON The Brunswick News
Danny Hendrick grabbed a bright red-and-white barrel from the flatbed truck. He set it lightly on the ground, wiped the sweat from his brow and readjusted his cowboy hat. Preparing for a rodeo is hard work, but it is something to which Hendrick has become accustomed. Now the Madisonville, Tenn., native is bringing all of his rodeo experience to Glynn County. On April 6 and 7, the Hendrick Co., sponsored by the Exchange Club of Brunswick, will stage Rodeo at the Beach, an event that will rope-in talent from all over North America. Hendrick says that since his events are sanctioned by a national governing association, many cowboys and cowgirls are looking forward to showing their skills. Rodeos like this one allow participants to earn points for the International Professional Rodeo Association finals, in January. The rodeo in Brunswick will be the first chance competitors will have in this year's professional circuit. "Most everyone comes to the first rodeo. We'll have cowboys from all over ... from places like Texas, Colorado and even Canada," Henrick said. "We will have about 120 competitors each day, and they will be different for each day." Among the events will be women's barrel racing, team roping and steer roping. There also will be non-stop entertainment. Hendrick's family will perform some of their trick riding moves. "It's really a family affair from us. We put a big emphasis on family," he said. That's also true for the sponsoring Brunswick Exchange Club. In addition to events in the ring, there will be plenty of excitement for parents and children. Randy Bellflower, co-chair of the Brunswick Exchange Club rodeo committee, says that there will be food, fun and dancing, along with the riding. "We'll have a lot of things for the kids to do. There will be the calf scramble, free pony rides, Chaos the mechanical bull, and we're bringing in a petting zoo that will be free. There will be rock climbing and games. We'll have an inflatable slide set up. Several line dancing groups and the Coastal Cloggers will be here," he said. "We'll have vendors, food booths set up and Relay for Life teams will be selling items." The Exchange Club is raising money to support organizations like the Boys and Girls Clubs of Southeast Georgia, Court Appointed Special Advocates and others that aid children. Steve Floyd, vice-president of the Brunswick Exchange Club, says the money also will help to strengthen programs for the group's National Exchange Club Child Abuse Prevention Month, in April. "It's really all about the kids. The Exchange Club is a strong family-based organization, and so is Danny's organization. That's why it is a perfect fit," Floyd said. If you go Rodeo at the Beach, sponsored by the Brunswick Exchange Club, will be at 7 p.m. April 6 and 7 at the Exchange Club Fairgrounds on Emory Dawson Boulevard, south of Community Road at Altama Avenue, Brunswick. Gates will open at 5 p.m. each day. An adult ticket is $12 and a child ticket is $10. Tickets may be purchased at United Community Bank offices on St. Simons Island and in Brunswick and Waycross, and at Tractor Supply Store, Nalley Honda and McKinna Auto Sales, in Glynn County.

Restaurants boost economy

Date	March 29, 2012
Section(s)	Success
Byline	By LINDSEY ADKISON The Brunswick News
In the past six months, Brunswick has experienced a welcomed boom. Three national chain restaurants have begun construction in Glynn County. The first slated to open is Logan's Roadhouse, 101 Capital Square Drive, Brunswick, near exit 38 off Interstate 95 The 6,500 square-foot restaurant in Brunswick will seat 237 guests and is reminiscent of American roadhouses of the past, complete with neon signs and an interactive jukebox. The restaurant will be the company's second location in the Jacksonville area. The new Logan's Roadhouse will employ a staff of around 130. Headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., Logan's Roadhouse, Inc. has more than 219 company-operated and 25 franchised Logan's Roadhouse restaurants in 23 states. It is slated to open March 26. Work is also underway on two new dining establishments at Glynn Isles Market. A combination Red Lobster and Olive Garden will open in June. Rich Jeffers, spokesperson for Darden, the parent company of Red Lobster, Olive Garden and Longhorn Steakhouse, says that Darden is looking forward to further testing the combination Olive Garden-Red Lobster restaurant. "This is a new concept format of combining two brands into one building. This will be the third one we've opened," Jeffers said. "We are building out from our home location in Orlando. The first one was in Palm Beach, Fla., and the other is in Beaufort, S.C." Jeffers said the idea behind the hybrid restaurant is to service a smaller area, communities that do not have a large enough population to support two stand-alone locations. "We've envisioned this as a way of being able to bring a larger brand into smaller communities," he said. The restaurants mark the second influx of national chains to move into town in the last four years, the first coming with the opening of Glynn Isles Market in 2008. National chains arriving in the first wave included Target, Michaels and Lowe's. Officials with the Darden restaurant group worked closely with the Brunswick and Glynn County Development Authority, which offered it an incentive package that included city and county property tax breaks that will amount to $100,000 to $200,000. It will employ some 175 people and generate some $400,000 in sales tax dollars annually, officials estimate. Development authority executive director Nathan Sparks says bringing more restaurants into the community will likely continue as the population rises. "The Olive Garden-Red Lobster project was unique in terms of capital investment, employment projections and overall economics. While we helped shepherd this one into the community in light of these factors, my sense is that restaurants who can meet our investment and employment criteria are probably few and far between," Sparks said. "Given this, we are not actively promoting Brunswick/Glynn County for additional restaurant investment projects. However, as the community's population continues to expand, I expect that we will be on the radar of more and more national chains."

Every one loves a BrewHaHa

Food, entertainment come together for BrewHaHa
Date	February 23, 2012
Section(s)	Our Town
Byline	By LINDSEY ADKISON The Brunswick News
Kurt Stradtman is always on the lookout for a good time. It's the major reason the St. Simons Island resident is drawn to the BrewHaHa, hosted Saturday by Coastal Kitchen on St. Simons Island. The annual event provides a variety of beer samplings along with food and entertainment. Stradtman certainly understands why it's been a big hit with the locals. "You get to sample all the varieties of beer at once. You find the ones you like and dislike, that way when you go to a nice restaurant with friends, you can advise them on what types of beer you'd recommend. They'll think you're a beer connoisseur," he said. Of course, to truly give that impression, one needs a few pointers. Among the beers available for sampling will be labels like Aveda, Terrapin, Sweetwater, New Belgium and many others. Brian Green, owner of True Vine Wine and Gourmet in Brunswick, is a pro at the sample process. To properly appreciate the brew, he encourages samplers to use all of their senses. "Tasting beer is much like tasting wine, in that it incorporates most of our senses: sight, smell, feel and taste. First off, ensure that you are not tasting a beer that is too cold, as flavors and smells will be masked," he advises. From there, Green suggests looking at the mix, to take stock of its color and consistency, as well as it's "head," or the amount of foam the beer produces. "The next steps are to swirl the beer in the glass to release the aromatics and then take a couple of quick sniffs and think about the different aromas. Since most of the tasting experience comes from the sense of smell - this is important," he said. "Finally, taste the beer by taking a sip and letting it rest in the mouth before swallowing. This is where you discern the 'mouth feel' and the different flavors in the beer." If beer isn't reason enough to attend the event, there are plenty of others. The BrewHaHa brings together multiple elements that make coastal living ideal. Held in the courtyard of the Morningstar Marina, just off the F.J. Torras Causeway on Lanier Island at the Frederica River, it offers a picturesque backdrop of boats on the water. Then, there's the entertainment. Two local bands will perform followed by the up and coming folk-rock band, Seryn. For his part, Jeff Montaigne, owner of Coastal Kitchen and BrewHaHa organizer, is excited to offer such an eclectic mix. "Mason Waters and the Groove All-Stars will kick things off at 2:30 p.m. (Saturday) and they will play until 4 p.m. Then, Soul Gravy will play from 4:30 to 6 p.m.," he said. Seryn, the headliner, will take the stage a little after and play until the festivities end at 8 p.m., Montaigne said. "Seryn has been featured on MTV. They've received all sorts of accolades throughout the Southwest. This will probably be the last time that they will be playing in a small venue. They are getting bigger every day," Montaigne said. Overall, the elements of the BrewHaHa create a perfect mix and often serves as the unofficial kickoff to spring. More than anything, however, the event is a fundraiser. "The proceeds benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Southeast Coastal Georgia," Montaigne said. If you go BrewHaHa will be from 2 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the courtyard of Morningstar Marina, off the F.J. Torras Causeway on Lanier Island at the Frederica River. Admission is $10 per person. Individual sample tickets may be purchased. A wristband which allows for an unlimited amount of samplings costs $20. Food and entertainment will be provided.

Music star visits to Isles

Date	April 17, 2012
Section(s)	Local News
Byline	By LINDSEY ADKISON The Brunswick News
The stars are aligning for the McGladrey Classic, and they won't all be on the greens. They will also be on stage. The Davis Love Foundation's golf tournament - Oct. 15-21 - will host country music singer Gary Allan at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 17. The PGA event is building on the tradition of bringing in popular performers for a concert. Last year, that was Darius Rucker. Allan first entered the scene in 1996 with "Her Man" which peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard charts. Following that, he produced four No. 1 hits. His popular tunes include titles like "Smoke Rings in the Dark" and "Best I Ever Had." This will be his first performance in the area. Tournament director Scott Reid is excited to offer this caliber of entertainment. "This is a way to continue to provide our community and visitors with an incredible week-long experience," Reid said in a prepared statement. "This special concert will help us reach our goal of raising a significant amount of money for Special Olympics, Boys and Girls Clubs of Southeast Georgia and other area children and family charities." The McGladrey Classic will be held at the Sea Island Golf Club, 100 Retreat Ave., St. Simons Island. Tickets to the tournament and to the Live Under the Oaks concert, presented by Southeast Georgia Health System, can be purchased online beginning today at www.mcgladreyclassic.com.

Farmers continue family tradition

Date	January 02, 2013
Section(s)	Generations
Byline	By LINDSEY ADKISON The Brunswick News
As Matthew Raiford walks the property line of his farm, every step brings him closer to his past. Raiford and his sister, Althea Raiford, are owners of Gilliard Farms, 163 Florines Way, Glynn County, an organic estate that's been in their family for generations. The story of their farm really begins in 1867, with the federal Reconstruction Act. Following the Civil War, all male voters in Georgia and other states that had seceded were required to swear allegiance to United States. This voting requirement applied to all adult males who had been citizens of the Confederacy - both Caucasians and Africans who had been slaves. The Raifords' ancestor, Jupiter Gigglier (or Jupiter Gilliard as it was recorded in census records) did just that in Glynn County in 1870. Born in 1812 in South Carolina, Gilliard married before the Civil War, and both he and his wife were enslaved on plantations in Glynn County. After the Civil War, freed blacks could own land. Gilliard took advantage of the opportunity. The Glynn County tax digest for 1874-1880 lists Gilliard as a landowner in the 27th Militia District. He was taxed for 457 acres of land, which was valued at $9 in 1875. Jupiter Gilliard died either in 1877 or 1878 and left the land to his sons, Jupiter, and London. The sons married and had their own families. And their lineage began to grow. It continued through to the Raifords' grandmother, Ophelia Johnson-Killens. The link remains strong today. Matthew Raiford and Althea Raiford are determined to keep their family's long farming traditions alive, and were recently recognized for their efforts. They received the Centennial Farm Award in October from the Georgia Farm Bureau, which honors working farms that are more than 100 years old. "There was a feeling of pride that the land has been in our family for 138 years and that we are still using it for its original intent and purpose," Matthew Raiford said. Of course, advancements have been made and times have changed. Even so, the same sweat and commitment that propelled his ancestors forward keeps Matthew Raiford and his family moving day after day. "While on the farm, I start my day at first light, and I start off by walking the property and checking to make sure everything is the same from the previous evening," he said. "By 6:45 a.m., I am opening up the chicken coops and checking for eggs, getting feed ready for the chickens and checking on their water supply. By 7:30 a.m., I am moving on to feed and water the hogs." After the livestock is checked, Matthew Raiford grabs a quick breakfast and starts on the task for the day. "That can be anything from turning compost piles, to going pick up more ingredients for our compost piles, such as fish scraps form City Market, coffee grounds from all the Starbucks or horse manure from the local stables. That's just the tip of the iceberg," he said. He stays busy, but he wouldn't have it any other way. It's always been that way on the farm. And for Raiford and his sister, carrying on the tradition that began so long ago can prove surreal. "Some mornings, when I am walking the property, I feel like I never left home - even though I left in 1986 when I joined the Army and just returned to live back on the farm in 2011," Matthew Raiford said. His connection to the past is even more prevalent when he walks the land with his grandmother, Ophelia Johnson-Killens, who tells him where things used to grow and how much was planted. "As a matter of fact, we are planting sugar cane this year so that we can make a small batch of syrup for our first time. We still have the original sugar cane press and boiling pot on the farm," he said. While he stays connected to his history, Raiford is also moving forward. And he's adding to his family's tapestry. In addition to being a farmer, Raiford is also a chef. Trained at a culinary school in New York, he also serves as executive chef for Little St. Simons Island. "I have been a chef for more than 17 years and have always been in love with going to farmer's markets, or having the ability to walk into my vendors' places and see the quality ingredients that I am going to be using," he said. "Now, I am the producer of those quality ingredients that I am using, which is an amazing feeling. I feel as though, in the food chain, I have come full circle." It allows him to bring together two of his favorite elements - food and farming. And even though he's worked hard to get to where he is now, he still feels that destiny took a hand. "Sitting back looking at how everything happened, I believe the land chose me," he said.

Food and Spirit ... and tons of fun

Many beckoned by food, spirit festival benefit
Date	September 24, 2012
Section(s)	Local News
Byline	By LINDSEY ADKISON The Brunswick News
Brunswick resident Lance Sabbe held a plate in one hand and his wine glass in the other Saturday as he chatted with friends at the St. Simons Island Food and Spirits Festival held at Gascoigne Bluff on St. Simons Island. Sabbe ventured over to the island to get a taste of the inaugural event. And he wasn't disappointed. "It's a wonderful event. It's very well organized," he said. "It's a gourmet event but also has that festival feel to it." Sabbe's was a popular opinion Saturday. Many patrons voiced approval of the event, a fundraiser for Hospice of the Golden Isles in Brunswick. Many events were held throughout the weekend -- including a preview party at Halyard's restaurant Friday and a cooking class with Southern kitchen divas Nathalie Dupree and Cynthia Graubert at Coastal Kitchen Saturday morning. But the largest event was the food and spirits tasting along with live music on a stage Saturday afternoon. Cooking expos with Dupree, Graubert and other chefs including Libbie Summers and Chef Ford Fry were also held on site. Passing through a group of craft and food vendors, patrons walked a Live Oak shaded pathway to the large Local Flavors food tent. There, more than 25 local restaurants and catering companies offered samples of their most delectable dishes. Patrons also tried more than 40 craft beers and wines. Milling between the restaurants' tables, Debbie and Con Holland were impressed. "I volunteered," Debbie Holland said. "It was so well organized." "The food and atmosphere are really fantastic too," Con Holland added. The festival concluded with a Sunday brunch at Halyard's restaurant on St. Simons Island. And, while hard numbers for the event were unavailable, it was easy to gauge the event's success by attendance alone. Every event sold out, including the Saturday tasting which boasted 500 slots. For the event organizers and vendors, the event meant months of hard work coming to life. Jeff Montaigne, owner of Coastal Kitchen at the marina on St. Simons Island, was thrilled to see the festival fundraiser come together. "It's great to see this kind of turnout, both locals and people from out of town," he said. Montaigne even was a little star-struck by meeting and conversing with some of the famous chefs on hand. "To stand beside some of my idols and have them see me as a contemporary, that's a great honor," he said.