From incident reports at the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office:

Oct. 28: A woman said a man she let stay with her for a week became irate when she told him he needed to clean the house. She said he tackled her and injured her wrist.

Oct. 29: A deputy tried to pull over an ATV that was going fast on Patterson Road in the Springfield area. The ATV driver got away because the patrol car got stuck in the mud on Hutchinson Lane.

Oct. 29: A woman who said she was driving drunk because she had an argument with her boyfriend was arrested for drunken driving. The boyfriend was arrested for simple battery under the family violence act. 

Oct. 30: A deputy saw a vehicle pass another vehicle on a curve with double yellow lines, on Old Augusta Road at Colonial Drive in the Rincon area. The driver was cited for passing on a curve and expired registration. He was arrested on a warrant from Port Wentworth.

Oct. 30: Someone damaged a mailbox on Scuffletown Road in the Guyton area.

Oct. 30: A woman said her ex-boyfriend violated a good behavior bond by texting her about visitation of their infant child.

Oct. 31: Someone cut the lock off of a utility trailer and left its door open on Orchard Drive in the Rincon area. Because of all the recent entering autos, the man had moved all of his lawn care equipment except for two mowers into his garage. Nothing was stolen.

Oct. 31: Tenants who were evicted from a residence on Cherokee Hills Road in the Clyo area trashed the place and changed the locks before they left. 

Nov. 1: A man said his girlfriend’s brother took his truck, which has no insurance or license plate. East Deerfield Road in the Bloomingdale area. 

Nov. 1: A driver struck a deer on Stillwell Road in the Springfield area, about one-third of a mile east of Mock Road.

Nov. 2: A deputy investigating a traffic collision arrested an undocumented alien for driving without a license and no insurance. Ebenezer Road near Cobbleton Drive in the Springfield area.

Nov. 2: Someone kicked in the front door of a house on Tara Street in the Rincon area and stole a TV.

Nov. 2: Someone discharged a fire extinguisher on a bus at a day care center on Harvey Road in the Guyton area.

Missing brother

Nov. 2: A man reported his brother, who uses crack cocaine, as missing for at least five years. He didn’t know his brother’s birth date or Social Security number but said he has a criminal record and has served time in prison. He said his brother is family and he wants to know where he is.

Nov. 2: A man said his ex-girlfriend has been harassing him via phone, texts and Facebook. He said he has changed his phone number twice and she keeps finding out the new number. He was told how to get relief through Magistrate Court.

Nov. 2: A woman said her soon-to-be ex-husband has moved into a pool house across the street from her. She said he has an alcohol problem and she has a temporary protective order against him. 

Nov. 2: A house on Union Springs Road in the Clyo area was entered and ransacked. Items taken include a rifle, TV, game console and some jewelry.

Nov. 2: A couple argued because he helped a woman with whom he works buy some tires. A deputy stood by as he gathered his things and left.

Train wreck

Nov. 3: A man who got his four-wheeler stuck on the railroad tracks was arrested for criminal trespass when a train ran over the vehicle. The train suffered light damage, but was delayed for three hours. Between the Springfield Bypass viaduct and Ramsey Street.

Nov. 3: A woman said her ex-husband has been harassing her by phone call and text about issues related to their children. She was told how to obtain a temporary protective order and restraining order.

Nov. 4: Four mailboxes and a power pole were damaged by a vehicle on Holly Lane in the Rincon area.

My rotisserie

Nov. 5: A woman said her ex-husband told her he wanted some belongings from the attic and a rotisserie from the kitchen. Their son told her that he carried the appliance out to his father’s vehicle.

The woman told her ex-husband that she had sheriff’s deputies on hand and he had until noon to return the rotisserie. He said he didn’t have the appliance. The woman wanted a report so she could get a good behavior warrant.

Nov. 5: A woman reported her sister as a missing person. Old Louisville Road in the Guyton area.

Nov. 5: Deputies intervened in a civil dispute between a woman and some men who had done landscaping work at her house, on Daytona Drive in the Bloomingdale area.

Neighbors argue

Nov. 5: Neighbors argued about two dogs being allowed to roam free on Paddleford Drive in the Rincon area. A deputy informed the owner of the dogs about the leash law and forced him to have a disabled RV, which was too heavy for the subdivision roads, towed from in front of his house.

Nov. 5: A woman complained that a man violated a temporary protective order by calling about picking up a child.

Nov. 6: A resident of Mulberry Way in the Rincon area said someone damaged the side of her vehicle. She didn’t know where or when or who may have done the damage.

Counseling fail

Nov. 6: A woman said her husband left a marriage counseling session shortly after he arrived, and left narcotics behind. She contacted Rincon Police about the drugs. She said he cursed and yelled at her when he found out she had called the police.

Nov. 6: Someone shot the window of a home on Sandhill Road in the Guyton area with a BB gun.

Nov. 6: A deputy stopped a vehicle for weaving on U.S. 80 at Zeigler Road in the Bloomingdale area. The driver, from Sylvania, was arrested for driving with a suspended license, drunken driving, open container and failure to maintain lane.

Wallet stolen

Nov. 6: A woman who works at Connor Mobile Homes, on Goshen Road in the Rincon area, said someone stole her wallet from her pocketbook while she was at work. The thieves racked up about $1,100 in charges at a number of stores, including grocery stores in Pooler.

Nov. 7: Two vehicles were broken into on Banberry Court in the Guyton area. A speaker, amplifier and some change were taken from an unlocked vehicle. The items were found in the road. One resident said a vehicle with its lights off was driving by slowly and left when he spotted it.

Nov. 7: A woman said she locked a bedroom door and her boyfriend damaged it so that he could get in and get his property. A deputy told them it was a civil matter.

Nov. 7: Someone took $100, a camera, prescription drugs, a tool box, debit cards and a speaker box and amp from an unlocked vehicle on Banberry Court in the Guyton area.

Nov. 7: A man who lived at a residence on Courthouse Road in the Guyton area was arrested for use and possession of drug-related objects. The people he was living with called the Sheriff’s Office for help.

Nov. 7: A woman said she and her husband argued because he put their daughter in a car without securing her in a car seat. She said he has an addiction problem and gets angry easily.

Nov. 8: Keys were stolen from an unlocked vehicle on Kensington Circle in the Guyton area.

Nov. 8: A resident of Barrington Circle in the Rincon area thought she heard someone trying to break in through the back door. Deputies checked her house, the yard and neighboring areas and didn’t find anyone. They stayed with her and her two of her children until her husband came home.

Entering autos

Nov. 8: Someone went through 10 vehicles on Kensington Circle in the Guyton area. And someone stole an unlocked 2014 Toyota Camry from the same street.

Nov. 8: A resident of Kensington Circle in the Guyton area said someone entered his truck and stole $8 in cash.

Nov. 8: Someone entered three unlocked vehicles at three different addresses on Kensington Circle in the Guyton area. Nothing was taken.

Nov. 8: A deputy went to pick up someone who was stopped by Bloomingdale police, who was wanted on an Effingham warrant.

Nov. 8: Someone put sugar in the gas tanks of a pickup truck and a four-wheeler on Springfield Egypt Road in the Springfield area. 

Nov. 8: Two unlocked vehicles on St. James Walk in the Guyton area were entered.

Officers with the Springfield Police Department arrested 11 people this week on drug charges, as part of an investigation that began five months ago.

Three search warrants were served on Thursday by four Springfield Police officers, along with two deputies from the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office and two investigators from the District Attorney’s Office.

The arrests were made in the areas of Ash Street Extension, Walnut Court, Poplar Court, E. Third Street and E. Fourth Street.

Springfield officer James Woodcock led the probe along with Springfield officer Thomas Rahn, under the direction of Police Chief Paul Wynn.

Woodcock said the identities of those arrested and specific charges are being withheld because the investigation is ongoing.

“These guys are not playing,” Woodcock said of those arrested. He said the arrests should result in a decrease in burglaries and drug trafficking in the area.

The officers seized several ounces of narcotics, three vehicles and one firearm.

Several items that had been stolen in recent burglaries also were recovered, Woodcock said.

A number of new charges were added based on things found during the searches.

The Ghost Lee House won top honors in the residential category of Rincon’s fifth annual scarecrow contest and Bowen Refrigeration and Appliance won first place among businesses.

Also honored in the residential category were the Helmly family, in second place, and the Jennings family, in third place.

The winners were chosen by members of the public, who cast their ballots online.

Additional winners in the business category were Live Oaks Public Library, second place, and DeWitt Insurance Agency, third place.

Prizes were $100 toward a water or utility bill, a round of golf at Lost Plantation and a $50 gift card at Lost Plantation.

It’s a story about thankfulness, in this the week of Thanksgiving.

A yellow lab mix adopted from the Effingham County animal shelter is able to anticipate when her new owner is about to have a seizure, giving her notice so she can get to safety.

Julia Hassett of Guyton calls the dog a “godsend,” along with the workers at the shelter who steered her toward the 55-pound ball of fur.

Shelter Director Lorna Shelton said she’s seen such a close bond between human and canine only a handful of times in the 25 years she’s worked with animals.

Shelton said she’s certain that the dog has had no formal training to sense Hassett’s seizures.

“She’s a natural at this,” Shelton said. “I don’t think she’d do it for just anybody. She has a miraculous tie to that particular person.”

Shelton said the story disproves the theory that some people have about shelter animals being somehow inferior.

Hassett went to the shelter in Springfield earlier this year because she was looking for a companion. She has a rare neurological disorder that causes her to have seizures that behave much like strokes.

The illness — hemiplegic migraines — keeps her from leaving the house.

She told workers at the Effingham shelter that she was looking for a companion — a dog that was not too big and not too small. Not too playful but not too quiet. Not too old and not too young. Good around children.

When they heard her criteria, they kept saying, “Fiona, Fiona, Fiona.”

Matchups between people and dogs do not always go smoothly.

Fiona had been adopted from the Effingham shelter earlier this year by a man who wanted a companion for his elderly dog.

The man soon returned Fiona to the shelter, saying there was nothing wrong with her but his older dog didn’t take to having another dog around.

He traded Fiona for a cat.

So when Hassett came to the shelter and the workers heard her needs, they said Fiona was perfect for her.

She met the dog and understood why they suggested her.

Fiona was about 1 year old. And although that’s still puppyhood in dog terms, she is unusually calm — what Hassett calls “an old soul.”

She renamed the dog “Opal,” which is her birthstone. Opal is her companion, her dog.

She took Opal home and soon learned she has an uncanny ability to sense when she’s going to have a seizure.

She goes to Hassett’s side and barks or nibbles at her fingers. During one episode, when Opal was on a chain outside and couldn’t reach Hassett on the deck, she dug a hole in the ground trying desperately to reach her.

Instead of the seconds’ notice that Hassett gets before having a seizure, Opal gives her enough time to lie down.

It keeps her from falling and cracking a tooth or bone, bleeding or acquiring a new set of bruises.

Hassett, 44, was so grateful to workers at the shelter for leading her to this particular dog that she wrote them a compelling thank-you letter.

“By you all saying, ‘Fiona, Fiona, Fiona,’ you have given me so much more than a dog.

“You have given me a chance to not get hurt.

“You have given me a warning system.

“You have given my 8-year-old son a reason to go to school in the morning and not worry all day. (And someone he loves to hug and play with.)

“You have given me someone to talk to.

“And I will never ever have the words to say what she means to me.

“Thank you.”

ABOUT HEMIPLEGIC MIGRAINES

“Some people with sporadic hemiplegic migraines experience unusually severe migraine episodes. These episodes can include fever, prolonged weakness, seizures and coma. Although most people with sporadic hemiplegic migraine recover completely between episodes, neurological symptoms such as memory loss and problems with attention can last for weeks or months. Some affected individuals develop mild, but permanent difficulty coordinating movements, which may worsen with time, and rapid, involuntary eye movements. Mild to severe intellectual disability has been reported in some people with sporadic hemiplegic migraine.”

Source: National Institutes of Health.

An Effingham County deputy can be heard telling dispatch he’d been shot in audio tapes released from the sheriff’s office of a Nov. 13 incident.

(Listen to portions of the audio tapes by hitting play in the audio player above.)

The deputy was in pursuit of Matthew Coleman, a suspect in a number of burglaries and possibly one armed robbery.

Coleman was killed in the exchange of gunfire in a wooded area off Foxbow Road in the Eden community.

The deputy, James Wilkenson, was shot in the upper shoulder and is recovering.

Multiple agencies, including the Georgia State Patrol, FBI, the Georgia Bureau of Investigaion and the Effingham sheriff’s office responded to the scene. Investigators have not released information on how the chase began, who fired their weapon first, how many shots were fired, or Coleman’s possible criminal record. The GBI’s investigation is ongoing.

Graduation rates for blacks rose by 24 percent, to 86 percent

High school graduation rates rose 3.8 percent in Effingham County this year, to 87.1 percent. That’s 8.3 percent higher than the state average.

It’s “great news for our district and an indication of everyone working together for the success of students,” said School Superintendent Randy Shearouse.

The district numbers for all students are a dramatic increase from 10 years ago, when the graduation rate was 69.4 percent.

The gains this year are even more impressive when broken down by race.

Graduation rates among blacks in Effingham rose 24.3 percent, for a total of 86.2 percent. That’s 11 percent higher than the statewide graduation rates for black students.

Graduation rates among white students in Effingham fell 0.6 percent, to 87.3 percent. That’s 4.5 percent higher than the statewide graduation rates for white students.

This is the first year students have not had to take the Georgia High School Graduation Test. Phasing out the test has helped more students graduate.

Previously, many students who maintained high GPAs could not get a diploma because they failed one portion of the test. That kept them from applying to colleges or entering the workforce or the military.

State Rep. Jon Burns, R-Newington, has called getting rid of the test a “common-sense action” that “will allow many young people to complete their high school education.”

The way the graduation rate is calculated also has been changed in the last five years.

Now the state uses the “adjusted cohort rate,” which is required by the U.S. Department of Education.

The rate is calculated using the number of students who graduate within four years and includes adjustments for student transfers.

Previously, the graduation rate defined the cohort upon graduation, which may have included students who took more than four years to graduate.

The state graduation rate for all students rose 6.2 percent this year, to 78.8 percent.

The graduation rate for all students at Effingham County High School (ECHS) rose 4.8 percent, to 85.8 percent. The rate for all students at South Effingham High School (SEHS) rose 2.6 percent, to 89.9 percent.

The graduation rate for blacks rose by the following percentage points: 24.3 percent for the district, to 86.2 percent; 26.7 percent for ECHS, to 86.7 percent; 19.1 percent for SEHS, to 93.3 percent; and 9.9 percent for the state, to 75.2 percent.

Shearouse said graduation rates have improved for a variety of reasons.

He said one thing that has helped is the Credit Recovery Program, which allows students who fail a course to re-take it online, earning credit by showing mastery of the material.

Shearouse also said both high schools have focused on helping ninth graders stay in school. Traditionally, ninth graders were the students who were more likely to drop out of school.

“I do give a lot of credit to our teachers who go above and beyond to help every child be successful,” he said. “So many volunteer their time for tutoring before and after school. They are available for students when the students need help.”

Regarding black students, Shearouse said the district was making steady improvements every year until the state changed the calculation method to a cohort graduation rate.

In 2010, the year before the change, the district had an 81.1-percent black subgroup graduation rate compared to the state rate of 75.8 percent.

The next two years the district was above the state with the new cohort rate but fell behind the state in 2014, he said. 

“All of the interventions mentioned certainly helped increase our black graduation rate in 2015,” he said. “Our two high schools also focused their attention on students individually to make sure we had success.”

Toby is a laid-back orange-and-white cat that is available for adoption from the Effingham County animal shelter.

Hold him up awkwardly so a photographer can flash a light in his eyes and that’s OK with him. Amy Hamilton, kennel coordinator, estimates he is 3 years to 4 years old.

She said she thinks he misses the outdoors. “He sits quietly at the window and stares outside,” she said. “He’s a sweet cat.”

Also up for adoption this week is Jenna, a chocolate Lab mix that has been at the shelter for many weeks now and who is running out of time.

“She prances,” Hamilton said. “She’s very well-mannered.”

The workers at the shelter said they believe she is house trained.

Hamilton said older dogs such as Jenna make terrific pets and seem so grateful for a second chance.

“We have a lot of good dogs,” she said, “even older dogs.”

The shelter will be closed Thursday and Friday this week for Thanksgiving and will reopen on Monday.

The shelter is preparing for its Christmas open house, which will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 12. Refreshments will be served and door prizes will be awarded.

The shelter is trying to raise $3,500 to buy panels that will separate the dogs from nose-to-nose contact in their outdoor runs.

Helping out Pets in Effingham (HOPE) is helping with that project.

The fee to adopt animals from the Effingham shelter is $50 for dogs and $40 for cats, which includes shots.

People who adopt animals from the shelter must agree to have them spayed or neutered within 30 days, or be subject to a $200 fine. The shelter is following up to make sure that people abide by the law.

Animals must receive a rabies and a “DAPP” shot — for distemper, adenovirus, parainfluenza and parvovirus.

Someone who adopts can take the animal home but must agree to bring the animal back on a Monday or Thursday to get its shots.

The shelter’s phone number is 912-754-2109. It is open for adoptions Mondays and Thursdays from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The office hours, when the shelter accepts drop-offs, are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. 

The address for the shelter’s adoption page is: http://www.effinghamcounty.org/DepartmentsAF/AnimalShelter/AdoptionPage.aspx 

Council considers budget, truck parking ordinance

The City of Springfield has hired Hansen Architects of Savannah to create a master plan for developing the city hall property.

Council members agreed unanimously at their Nov. 10 meeting to pay the firm $19,500 for the work, which will be done in the next four to six months.

The agreement calls for Hansen to survey and document the existing property, hold a two-hour design charrette and create a master plan, including initial budgets and options for phasing and sequencing.

The plan will address an outdoor community venue, food service, expansion of the Mars Theatre and parking.

The city used Hansen’s advice in choosing finishes for the interior of the Mars Theatre.

“This will give us the information we need to make a good decision on how to move forward,” said City Manager Brett Bennett.

He said the council has not yet decided where city hall staff would move or how the city will use the former Walt’s Furniture building on Laurel Street.

“We are currently working on a plan would bring jobs and investment to downtown Springfield,” Bennett said. “It keeps moving forward and the project is very promising.”

He said the city is ready to take action on the master plan for city hall as soon as the plans are completed.

There are some “pretty significant grant funds” that might help pay for the project, Bennett said.

“However, we can do most of it through existing funding and cash on hand,” he said.

The budget ordinance that was read at the same meeting calls for $1.5 million in sales tax money to be available for projects in 2016.

“Some of the projects that have been discussed are the Ulmer Park Project, city hall redevelopment, as well as wastewater treatment plant upgrades,” Bennett said.

The budget calls for $327,000 for the Mars Theatre, which includes about $65,000 for two part-time workers to replace Tommy Deadwyler, the director of cultural affairs who left to work in North Carolina.

Richie Adams, who worked with Deadwyler, is the theater director. He is responsible for staffing, booking, and operations.

A second person will be hired to be the Friends of the Mars representative. That position will be partly paid on commission.

Bennett said the theater is “much more successful than we ever hoped.

“More sponsorship dollars will allow us to bring in bigger artists and shows, which in turn will draw bigger crowds, generate more money directly for the theater, but most importantly have a large impact on the small businesses in Springfield,” Bennett said. 

Truck parking

Public hearings are planned soon for an ordinance that will regulate truck parking.

The hearings are scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 7, at the planning and zoning board, and at 6 p.m. on Dec. 8 at a city council meeting.

Tractor-trailers would no longer be able to park in residential areas under the new ordinance.

Current city rules only prohibit big trucks from parking on city right-of-way. 

Bennett said the city receives complaints every week from people who are annoyed by big trucks tearing up curbs and lawns and making a lot of noise in subdivisions. 

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church

Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 303 N. Laurel St. in Springfield, celebrates with worship services every Sunday at 11 a.m. Sunday School is held at 9:45 a.m. Holy Trinity is a member of Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ.

Tabernacle of Faith

A breakfast fellowship will be held every Wednesday at 8 a.m. at Tabernacle of Faith, located at 540 W. Seventh St. in Rincon. For more information, call 713-3783.

St. John’s Lutheran Church

St. John’s, 301 N. Columbia Ave., Rincon, welcomes the community to share in God’s grace in church services at 10 a.m. and Sunday School at 9 a.m.

St. Boniface Church Mass

St. Boniface Church, 1952 Ga. 21 South, Springfield, conducts Mass at 5 p.m. Saturdays and 8:30 and 11 a.m. Sundays. Call 912-754-7473 or go to sbcatholic.com.

New ministry

Shepherds of Grace Church meets at 10:45 a.m. Sundays and at 7 p.m. Wednesdays at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore, 3605 Ga. 21 N., Rincon. For information, go to shepherdsofgrace.org or call Charles and Shirley Malphus at 912-663-6814.

Jesus Christ Ministries International

Jesus Christ Ministries International currently meets every Sunday at 12:30 p.m. at the Country Inn & Suites on Ga. 21 in Port Wentworth, and on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. in Rincon at the Pastor’s home for midweek Bible study. A anointed end time teaching ministry filled with revelation and the healing love of God.  Headquartered  in Rincon. Pastor Anthony Murray is also dean and chancellor of Christian Life School of Ministry. For more information, visit www.itsakingdomthing.net or call 912-826-0737.

Pierogi sale

St. Mary Magdalene Church, 1625 Fort Howard Road, Rincon, has a pierogi and bake sale from 10 a.m.-noon the first Saturday of the month. Info: 912-826-5176.

Recovery ministry

First Baptist Church of Springfield offers a free Scripture-based recovery ministry based on the 12 steps. The program meets at 7 p.m. Mondays in the chapel, 1435 Ga. 119 N., Springfield. All are welcome. For information, go to fbc-springfield.org or call the church office at 912-754-3443.

St. Boniface Church Mass

St. Boniface Church, 1952 Ga. 21 South, Springfield, conducts Mass at 5 p.m. Saturdays and 8:30 and 11 a.m. Sundays. Call 912-754-7473 or go to sbcatholic.com.

Recovery ministry

First Baptist Church of Springfield offers a free Scripture-based recovery ministry based on the 12 steps. The program meets at 7 p.m. Mondays in the chapel, 1435 Ga. 119 N., Springfield. All are welcome. For information, go to fbc-springfield.org or call the church office at 912-754-3443.

St. Mary Magdalene Church

St. Mary Magdalene Orthodox Church, 1625 Fort Howard Road, Rincon, meets at 6 p.m. Saturdays (except the first) for Great Vespers. Sunday service schedule: Matins at 8:15 a.m., Hours at 9 a.m., Divine Liturgy at 9:30 and fellowship meal at 11 a.m. For information, go to stmarymagdalenerincon.org or call 912-826-5176.

Med Bank

Med Bank, a volunteer organization, invites anyone in Effingham County who lacks insurance for needed prescription medications to come in and begin the process to obtain free medicine through pharmaceutical companies’ programs. The clinic is held in the reception area of St. Luke Episcopal Church in Rincon, 155 Goshen Road, from 3-5 p.m. Wednesdays. Patients are asked to come with proof of income such as their latest tax return or last three paycheck stubs; medications lists; and physician information, if possible. For more information, contact executive director Liz Longshore at 912-373-6369.

Hwy. 30 Church of Christ

The Highway 30 Church of Christ meeting times are Sundays at 9:30 a.m. for Bible classes, 10:30 a.m. for worship, and 6 p.m. for evening worship. Bible classes are also held Wednesdays at 7 p.m. The Highway 30 church is located at 1952 Noel C. Conaway Road (Ga. 30), Guyton, GA 31312. Contact the church at 912-728-3819 or go to www.highway30cofc.truepath.com.

St. Luke’s services

The Rev. David Rose, vicar of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 155 Goshen Road, Rincon, invites everyone to share in services at 9:30 a.m. Sundays and adult Bible study at 11 a.m. Prayers for Healing services are 6 p.m. Wednesdays. Office hours are Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. For pastoral care, the Rev. Rose can be reached at or 826-3332. Go to stlukesrincon.com.

Grace Community Awana

The Awana children’s program meets every Wednesday at Grace Community Church, 1094 Goshen Road in Rincon. Children ages 3 years through fifth grade are invited. For information, call 912-826-4204.

The Body

 First Baptist Church of Rincon hosts a weekly interactive worship experience for young adults (college age and 20-somethings) at 7 p.m. on Thursdays. “The Body” meets in the white building across the street from the Youth Center on Richland Avenue. Call 912-826-5536 for information.

Crossroads Church

Crossroads Church meets Sundays at the Savannah Baptist Assembly, 930 Honey Ridge Road in Guyton. Coffee and goodies start at 9:30 a.m. with music and message beginning at 10 a.m. Go to crossroadschurcheff.org.

Lighthouse Church

The Lighthouse Church meets every Sunday at 10 a.m. at the Effingham YMCA, 1224 Patriot Drive, Rincon. “The Lighthouse” is a church where the Bible is preached, God is exalted and the love of Jesus Christ is the theme. For information, call the Rev. Rick West at 656-6242.

Awana at Pineora Baptist

The Awana children’s program is every Wednesday at Pineora Baptist Church, 131 Elkins St., Guyton. A meal will be served at 6:15 p.m. Call 772-3044.

Youth fellowship

A youth fellowship gathering is held 1-3 p.m. every Saturday at the House of Prayer of Rincon on Fort Howard Road. Call 826-2570.

Crossroads 2 Recovery

Crossroads Church in Guyton offers a free Scripture-based recovery ministry based on 12 steps at 7 p.m. Tuesdays at Savannah Baptist Assembly, 930 Honey Ridge Road, Guyton. For information, go to crossroadschurcheff.org or call the Rev. George Pabst at 441-0004.

Overcoming by Faith

Overcoming by Faith meets for worship at 1:30 p.m. Sundays and 7 p.m. Thursdays at the Banquet Room, 135 Goshen Road Ext. For information, call 927-8601.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

LANEY 77, EFFINGHAM COUNTY 45

EVANS — Desha Benjamin poured in 22 points and Aubriana Bonner 21 as Laney downed Effingham County in a tournament at Greenbrier.

MaKayla Robinson led Effingham County with 17 points and added four assists. Sha’Quira Johnson added 13 points, and Ariana Bartley made three steals.

LANEY (77)

Jhessyka Williams 12, Bartlett 3, Hamilton 3, Aubriana Bonner 21, Belser 1, Gemyia Bowman 13, Desha Benjamin 22, Holmon 2.

EFFINGHAM COUNTY (45)

Hicklen 2, Harden 2, MaKayla Robinson 17, Sha’Quira Johnson 13, Bartley 6, Bell 2, Rafter 3.

Halftime—Laney 44-20. Records—EC 0-1; L 1-0.

EFFINGHAM COUNTY 60,

GREENBRIER 51

MaKayla Robinson poured in 33 points and had seven steals and four assists to lead Effingham County to a win at Greenbrier.

ECHS (60)

S. Johnson 4, MaKayla Robinson 33, Sh’Quira Johnson 13, Connely 6, Hartzog 4.

GREENBRIER (51)

J. Andrews 3, McIntyre 6, Jasmine Avery 13, I. Andrews 5, Steel 6, Russell 3, Sydney Crayden 15.

Halftime-EC 28-18. Record-EC 1-1.

SOUTH EFFINGHAM 64, GROVES 37

Faith Harris scored 13 and Mallori Jenkins added 15 points in the Mustangs’ win over Groves. Lavondra Roberts scored 21 points for the Rebels.

SE (64)

Bisard 5, Goldwire 5, Boswell 9, Faith Harris 13, Shae Leverett 10, Mallori Jenkins 15, Beasley 7.

G (37)

Lavondra Roberts 21, Jenkins 3, F. Payton 5, Glen 2, Bennett 3, Garvin 1, S. Payton 2.

Halftime-SE 31-12. Record-Groves 2-1.

SOUTH EFFINGHAM 49, JOHNSON 48

Three players scored in double figures for South Effingham in a tight contest against Johnson.

Faith Harris 15 tallied 15 points and Cheyenne Boswell and Shae Leverett had 10 apiece.

Other scorers for SEHS: Mallori Jenkins 7, Lei-Lani Beasley 3, Jillian Pelote 4.

BOYS BASKETBALL

SOUTH EFFINGHAM 70, GROVES 43

South Effingham dominated the second half outscoring Groves 42-15 to run away with the game. Amari Gaines scored 15 for the Mustangs and Kenny Durden added 10.

SEHS (70)

Amari Gaines 15, Kenny Durden 11, Rish 8, Orr 8, Connelly 7, Brennen 7, Walls 4, Newberry 2, Scott 2, Davis 2, Newbill 2, Brown 2.

GROVES (43)

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Halftime-28-28.

It’s starting to get a little crazy around here.

You won’t find “crazy” in any reputable list of psychological disorders, but there can be a lot of craziness, of the nonclinical variety, in the world around us.

And it can be contagious.

We might assume, from watching the news, that contagious craziness is a recent phenomenon. A team wins or loses a match, and pretty soon there are fans charging through the streets throwing things and breaking windows.

But contagious craziness has been around for a long time. Maybe as long as there have been humans. We can’t be sure of that, since recorded history does not go back to the dawn of humanity.

We do know, though, that as early as the year 532, a week-long riot was sparked by the outcome of a chariot race between two teams, the Greens and the Blues. Half of the city of Constantinople (now Istanbul, Turkey) was destroyed.

Contagious craziness can occur on a much smaller scale as well, and it doesn’t always involve throwing and breaking things and destroying cities.

It can also destroy good will among people, and it can be done with words alone.

We can find examples in some of the reader comments following a story in the news or social media. Something tragic has happened, or someone has made a serious mistake, and a reader says something critical (or supportive) about the victim or perpetrator.

Someone else disagrees. Someone takes offense at the other’s choice of words. And pretty soon we have the electronic equivalent of a barroom brawl, with various commentators attacking each other’s opinions, intelligence and other personal qualities, with no further thought given to the original story which – like that infamous chariot race – sparked the entire brouhaha.

This kind of verbal rioting is more common during election years, and during times of international or domestic conflict. We comment on an issue and end up attacking each other as if the issue will be decided once we have won the argument.

But the argument, like any riot, is never won, or lost. Because it is not even in the form of an argument. And we can’t win or lose an argument that doesn’t even exist, any more than we can win or lose a temper tantrum, or a hissy fit. We just have one.

So how do we resist getting caught up in these no-win situations without taking a vow of silence about our opinions, which no one should be expected to do?

One strategy that some have found helpful is to restrain ourselves from initiating an attack, or responding to one. That still leaves a lot of opportunity to express our opinions.

And opinions are important. Sometimes civil and good-natured dialogue is just what is needed to help us understand and maybe even admit a little to the other guy’s point of view.

But that doesn’t mean we are always obligated to spring to our own defense whenever someone disagrees. Or, sometimes, even to disagree in the first place. Because we humans don’t make up our minds on argument and logic alone.

Minds are way too complicated for that.

Julia Cochran is a licensed professional counselor in Rincon and a psychology instructor at Armstrong State University. She can be reached at 912-772-3072 or by email at JCochranPhD@GileadCounseling.com. Any opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Armstrong State University.

LOOKING BACK

Nov. 24, 1739

From Ebenezer, Salzburger minister John Martin Boltzius wrote in his journal evidence of the faith Indians placed in James Edward Oglethorpe’s word:

“At about noon an Englishman brought me two Indian chiefs who wish to go to General Oglethorpe, and I was requested to send them down to Savannah without delay. We would surely like to be spared from such commissions before Sunday, if it were only possible. The Indians whom Mr. Oglethorpe wants against the Spaniards are hunting in the forest; and these two wish to get oral and written orders to call up the Indians for service. Once they have his word, it will mean as much as if the King of England had said it. Smallpox is said to be still raging among the Cherokees, and this is one of the reasons that the men would rather be in the forests than at home.”

Source: George Fenwick Jones and Renate Wilson (trans. and ed.), Detailed Reports on the Salzburger Emigrants Who Settled in America . . . Edited by Samuel Urlsperger (Athens: University of Georgia Press, 1981), p. 289.

Nov. 28, 1734

From Old Ebenezer, Salzburger pastor John Martin Boltzius recorded in his journal the difficulties of educating children in cold weather:

“Because the cold weather remained, we were again forced to hold school in the house of a Salzburger where we could have a fire. There was much smoke and other inconvenience, but one much choose the lesser of two evils. Our benefactors would do a very useful good deed if they were to have a tight house built for us in which the schoolroom could be heated during the winter. I have written to Mr. Oglethorpe regard a church and a school, but this aspect of it did not occur to me. Perhaps our dear fathers and friends will make the request for us at the right place after reading this. The cold is so severe that we can hardly find protection either by day or by night. This is the case because we were not prepared for a rough winter. Nothing was said about it, quite the contrary. . . .”

Source: George Fenwick Jones, Detailed Reports on the Salzburger Emigrants Who Settled in America, Edited by Samuel Urlsperger, Vol. 2 (Athens: University of Georgia Press, 1969), p. 25.

I was wrong.

I hate to admit it, but I was.

I recently had the honor of playing Otto Frank in Purlie Production’s The Diary of Anne Frank. Otto is Anne’s father, and is responsible for helping his and his business partner’s families hide from the Nazis during World War II. I was familiar with the story, and I knew that Anne had a stubborn streak of optimism that shown through even their darkest times. I reasoned that she got that from her father. If you read the diary, you will see that although she often reflects bitter antagonism towards her mother, she is respectful and loving towards her father.

I did my best to emphasize that optimism and sense of hope in Otto. I felt like he had made his decision to stay in Amsterdam because he thought things would be bad, but not that bad. That it was worth staying to wait them out, and besides, Otto was a successful businessman and employer. There were people who were his great friends, like those who were helping hide them. Why give all that up by starting over in another country? This is something he had already done by moving from Germany to the Netherlands. Maybe he didn’t want to start over again.

As things got worse, and it became clearer that there was a greater danger than he realized, he tried to stay as encouraging as he could. He refused to fall into despair, and always did things to help the group endure and focus on hope.

But I was wrong.

Otto Frank did not just simply try to ride it out. He did try to escape, much further out than Amsterdam. According to documents released in 2007, as discovered by the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research, Otto Frank sought out a visa for his family to go to the United States. A visa request that the United States turned down.

So instead of escaping to the United States, they hid in an attic. Eventually, all were killed except Otto. They were valiant. They were brave. They were hopeful. But in the end, the Nazis found them.

It seems harsh, but maybe we just don’t understand those times. I mean, couldn’t the Nazis have snuck spies and saboteurs in the mix of Jewish refugees? And after all, we are a Christian country, aren’t we? Why let in people of other faiths? How much more Christian can you get than denying help and aid to the alien, the stranger, the persecuted, those in need of help to save their lives? I mean, what kind of a country do you thank we are?

And now I need to rethink my portrayal of Otto Frank. He knew more than I thought he knew. He knew enough to try to get out of the country. I need to reflect this new knowledge and use it in the way I bring his character across. I’m not quite sure how to do that just yet. But I’m thinking on it. It’s a great acting challenge, but that’s okay. I like to be challenged in theater.

The Diary of Anne Frank is an important play with an important message, and it needs to be told over and over again. Because we can’t let it happen again.

Maybe I’m overly pessimistic. The United States has grown and evolved, hasn’t it?

If another crisis happened, where hundreds of thousands were being threatened with violence and persecution and needed to escape, the United States would step up to it’s global responsibilities and take it’s fair share of refugees. We wouldn’t let hatred and fear and intolerance rule us.

Would we?

T. M. Strait (Tom) is a CPA, actor, blogger and an enthusiastic storyteller.

“Since when does freedom of expression include burning a sign someone else paid for?”

“Shouldn’t you verify your source before printing ‘Hundreds Dead in Paris Attacks’ on the front page?”

“Once again, shop owners are asking us to shop locally while stocking their shelves with imported goods.”

“When you see an officer of the law, he or she has already seen you so please don’t slam on brakes. It’s too late!”

Contribute to Vox Populi by calling 912-525-0VOX (0869) or emailing us at vox@savannahnow.com. Be sure to mention Effingham County in your call or write Effingham Vox Populi in the email subject field. Not all responses are used.

The Effingham Community Orchestra’s ninth Annual Holiday Concert and Homemade Cookie Sale will be presented on Sunday, Dec. 6 at the Effingham County Recreation and Parks Department Gymnasium, 808 Highway 119 South, Springfield.

The concert begins at 3 p.m. Admission is free. The Homemade Cookie Sale fundraiser immediately follows the concert. Cookies are $5 per baker’s dozen, mix or match, buyer’s choice.

“Our Holiday Concert and Homemade Cookie Sale has become a Holiday tradition for Effingham and surrounding communities,” said Andrea Huff, Orchestra Director. “It is our most popular concert. Attendees tell us they look forward all year long to hearing our holiday music and buying our delicious cookies.”

Huff said the musical program includes traditional holiday melodies, holiday movie themes, jazz arrangements and an audience sing-along.

The winning ticket will be drawn for a new Fender acoustic guitar with accessories including a gig bag, tuner, strings, strap, pick and a free Rock Prodigy software download. Orchestra musicians and volunteers have been selling the raffle tickets for several weeks. Those who haven’t yet purchased a ticket may still do so upon arrival at the concert.

There will be a huge number of cookies in a large variety available for purchase.

“We will have two cookie lines and two cashiers to help serve more quickly those purchasing cookies,” Huff said. “I think when everyone sees and smells our cookies, they will find them irresistible,”

Effingham Community Orchestra includes both adults and high school youth musicians. It is a 501(c)3, nonprofit, tax-deductible organization funded solely by contributions from participants and supporters.

In January 2016 the Orchestra will be accepting additional musicians. Information may be obtained by visiting the website at www.effinghamcommunityorchestra.org. Huff encourages all interested musicians to contact her by email at effinghamcommunityorchestra@windstream.net or by calling 912-826-5300 ext. 110.

SANTA COMES TO TOWN

The Christmas season arrived in Rincon on Saturday with the arrival of Santa Claus. The Jolly Old Man rode into town on a fire truck in the 36th annual Lions Christmas parade.

Families lined the streets to watch the parade and catch a pieces of candy thrown from those in the parade.

Special guests in this year’s parade were members of the Parris Island Marine Band.

The band was established in 1915.

Grand Marshal for this year was Bonnie Dixon. Dixon is the area director of the United Way. She is retiring at the end of the year.

PROPERTY TRANSFERS

james e mcclain to christopher hergsheimer and stephanie a hergesheimer 150 palmetto DRRINCON31326215200.00MidFirst Bank as AIF for Stacey M. Allen to MidFirst Bank508 Westminster CTRINCON31326102125.00Ernest Signature Custom Homes, LLC to Mitchell Dobrzynski and Constance Dobrzynski 221 Cypress Creek LNGUYTON31312171900.00ROGER G. GILES to JONATHAN D. HOLBROOK117 PARTRIDGE RUNRINCON31326205000.00WBE Supply, Inc. to Shanon L. Baker and Jaclyn D. Baker 104 Wagon Wheel WAYGUYTON31312429900.00Cheryl K. Brinson & Lavon H. Brinson Jr. to Chad Davis and Laura Davis Hodgeville RDGUYTON80100.00Cheryl K. Brinson & Lavon H. Brinson Jr. to Chad Davis and Laura Davis Hodgeville RDGUYTON53400.00FRANK GALLUB to WAYNE C. IWANSKI1430 CENTRAL AVEGUYTON31312216500.00Horizon Home Builders of Savannah, LLC to Anne R. Henry116 Meadowlands DRRINCON31326238775.00JAMES REGINALD MILLER to JULIE W. COPELAND MILLERPECAN LNGUYTON0.00LISA ANN MARSHALL to JONATHAN M. WEIRICH and SIERRA L. CONWAY 113 WILLOWDELL CTRINCON31326115000.00Ruthann C. Morgan to Rebecca Sue Wasson and Caroline W. Usher and Donald Anthony Wilt and Ruthann C. Morgan 407 Hickory STSPRINGFIELD313290.00Rebecca Sue Wasson to Rebecca Sue Wasson and Caroline W. Usher and Donald Anthony Wilt and Rebecca Sue Wasson and Ruthann C. Morgan 407 Hickory STSPRINGFIELD313290.00RICHARD J. CLARK to DAVID H. WHITE and PAMELA J. WHITE 115 HAWTHORNE DRGUYTON31312169000.00AUSTIN HOMES OF AUGUSTA, INC. to J&E&J BUILDERS, INC4256 COURTHOUSE RDGUYTON3131227000.00DTG Investments LLC to C. L. Greer Enterprises, Inc.105 Tullamore CTGUYTON3131232000.00Fannie Mae A/K/A Federal National Mortgage Association to BKB Properties, LLC226 Midland DriveGUYTON3131250000.00Ashley Ron Moore & April Sharon Moore to Joseph D. Rowland and Geraldine J. Rowland 581 Blue Jay RDRINCON3132610000.00Renasant Bank formerly known as Heritage Bank of the South to Ashley R. Moore and April S. Duncan 581 Blue Jay RDRINCON3132610000.00BGN Investments, LLC to JJ&Z Builders, LLC327 Old Rail RDCLYO37500.00Mary Barrett to Church of Christ Upon the Rock of Apostolic Faith Internaitonal Inc.125 Brogdon RDGUYTON313127500.00IRBY A. JENKINS, III to PATRICK M. FLUEGEL and TIFFANY A. FLUEGEL 782 KOLIC HELMEY RDGUYTON31312289000.00Carol J Alnutt to Douglas E Wilson and Cheree R Wilson 404 Keller RDRINCON31326165000.00Franklin Construction, LLC to Steven Mondy105 Kingsley DR SGUYTON31312135500.00AMBY DEVELOPMENT, INC. to COASTAL PREMIER PROPERTIES, LLC211 SANDY SPRINGS DRRINCON3132635000.00BGN Investments, LLC to JJ&Z Builders, LLC319 Old Rail RDCLYO37500.00BGN Investments, LLC to JJ&Z Builders, LLC321 Old Rail RDCLYO37500.00KRISTIN Y’DEEN to ADAM R. GASKIN and CAROL H. GASKIN 2589 SANDHILL RDGUYTON31312130000.00BGN Investments, LLC to JJ&Z Builders, LLC325 Old Rail RDCLYO37500.00KEYSTONE HOMES, INC. to JACOB T LOWE103 CEDAR RIDGE DRGUYTON31312232400.00BGN Investments, LLC to JJ&Z Builders, LLCS Laurel CIRGUYTON37500.00BGN Investments, LLC to JJ&Z Builders, LLC323 Old Rail RDCLYO37500.00Dion A. Hall to Sandra B. Hall334 Flat Bush DRGUYTON31312199573.00CARAN PROPERTIES, LLC to KEVIN KIRSCH NEW HOMES, INC.216 BLACKWATER WAYSPRINGFIELD3132915000.00CARAN PROPERTIES, LLC to KEVIN KIRSCH NEW HOMES, INC.171 BLACKWATER WAYSPRINGFIELD3132915000.00JOE CLIFTON BERRY to CHRISTOPHER M. HUTCHINSON510 BENT OAK DRGUYTON31312157000.00CARAN PROPERTIES, LLC to KEVIN KIRSCH NEW HOMES, INC.177 BLACKWATER WAYSPRINGFIELD3132915000.00Crystal Pruett Morgan to Harold Roger Morgan, Jr.305 Ashley LNGUYTON313120.00Tony C. Stanford to Whitney L. Smith105 Bridgewood DRSPRINGFIELD31329179900.00Mark J Miller to Benjamin L Cottle71 Hidden Creek DRGUYTON31312119900.00REBECCA M. BURTON to CASEY RAY CYRUS216 CANDLEBERRY WAYGUYTON31312195000.00

“Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn, and cauldron bubble.” — “Macbeth”

That’s right, friends, it’s that time of the year again, when the darkness comes early and mysterious scurryings greet us at every turn: Jack-o’-lanterns go scratchily scraping by in the breezy night and craggy owls hoot and watch us more closely. In the moonless gloom, furtive imps and amazed spirits are on the land, all answering to foul hags and their charms. It’s Halloween time!

Our mystery plant belongs to Halloween because of its common name, which suggests mysterious crones standing around a big steaming cauldron, adding weird and magical ingredients to their strange brew. The genus name of this plant, however, doesn’t have anything to do with Halloween or with these haggard conjurers. More on that later.

This is a shrub, or sometimes a small tree, occurring from New England to central Florida, and then west to Texas and the Great Plains. Two other species of the same genus occur, too: one in the Ozarks, and the other, recently described, in southern Mississippi.

Our mystery plant grows in a variety of habitats throughout its range, but most often within what we would generally call dry woods or bluffs, or at least upland sites. Its buds are what we call “naked,” not covered by scales like most buds are.

The leaves are stalked and quite variable from plant to plant, sometimes as big as your hand, usually a bit smaller. The leaf blade tends to be asymmetric, or a bit lopsided at the base, and is equipped with rounded teeth on the margins, and the whole leaf will turn yellowish before falling.

These shrubs can put on a nice show when flowering, curiously enough, in the autumn (as in now). The flowers are clustered in leaf axils, each one showing off four elongated, strap-like petals that are pale yellow (sometimes reddish). Because these are attractive, autumn-blooming shrubs, they attract considerable use in gardens and arboreta: There just aren’t that many woody plant species that bloom in the fall.

What may be even more interesting than the flowers are the fruits. Each flower will produce a woody little capsule. In the winter, after the leaves have fallen, the capsules will burst open (botanists like to use the term “explosively”) to eject the seeds, sometimes a considerable distance away. Wow!

So back to that common name. The bark and sap will surrender a somewhat fragrant, watery sap that has in the past been collected and used variously, both by Native Americans and later by settlers, as a tonic, a gargle, astringent for skin, and various other cosmetic uses.

Branches of the plant, stripped of their leaves, were also used as divining rods to search for water supplies under the ground. The old English term for this sort of thing is “wyching.”

John Nelson is the curator of the A. C. Moore Herbarium at the University of South Carolina, in the Department of Biological Sciences. As a public service, the herbarium offers free plant identifications. For more information, go to www.herbarium.org, call 803-777-8196 or email nelson@sc.edu.

Answer: “Witch hazel,” Hamamelis virginiana

As Thanksgiving approaches, we dive into cleaning the house for guests and family, we get excited for black Friday deals and farmers are still stressing about getting this year’s crop out of the field. But, as we take this week to prepare for Thanksgiving, the main course started preparation much earlier this year.

A U.S. raised turkey must hatch in July to make it to the table in November. Georgia is not well known for turkey production, our bird of choice is chicken, were we are number 1 in the U.S. for chicken production. But, our neighbors in North Carolina produce a lot of turkey. North Carolina ranks number 2 in total turkey production in the U.S., with an annual production of 36,000,000 turkeys. That is a lot of Butterballs! These turkeys do receive a balanced diet during their lifetime made up of soybeans and corn. Their environment is a temperature controlled house the length of a football field. This ensures the turkeys are comfortable and eating well to grow to a mature weight of 15.5 lbs.

Turkey is delicious and nutritious. In a 3 ounce serving of boneless, skinless turkey breast there is 26 grams of protein, 135 calories and just 3 grams of fat. That is a protein packed piece of poultry. If you fry your turkey your caloric numbers will rise but you can rest happy in that you received your daily protein requirements!

So as the turkey sits in the middle of the table and serves as the main course; rest easy in knowing that U.S. farmers produced a responsibly raised product that is delicious and nutritious.

Happy Thanksgiving!

For more information or questions, please contact Effingham Ag Agent, Sam Ingram at 754-8040 or singram@uga.edu

In this week's Savannah How, Effingham County Christmas tree farmer Truitt Zipperer offers several tips for selecting a fresh Christmas tree and maintaining it throughout the holiday season.

Watch the video above. 

Savannah How is a weekly video series that answers every day, how-to questions. Visit the Savannah How page for more videos on a variety of topics including cooking, pet care, photography advice and much more. 

Have an idea for Savannah How? Email jennifer.menster@savannahnow.com.