St. Marys resident Tom Hayden, motion picture producer, Coast Guard Auxiliary member, and experienced actor, has been on location in
St Marys, GA, and Fernandina Beach, FL, for the last four weeks filming a television pilot tentatively titled Semper Paratus (Always Ready).
Along with co-writer and director of the pilot, Mark Hildebrand, who is known for his work with Farragut Films, Hayden developed a script focusing on the local U.S. Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary (CGAUX) and their many experiences on the local waterways. Hayden and crew began shooting the TV pilot in June at the Riverview Hotel and Seagle’s Restaurant in St. Marys. They then moved to on-the-water scenes with CGAUX members and their boats, and private actors and their boats.
According to Hayden, the U.S. Coast Guard is very interested in the project and is providing technical support and will review the final script and production schedule before final approval.
As the result of an open casting call facilitated by the Coastal Georgia Film Alliance, Hayden was able to secure all the talent he needed to make the pilot. Main character roles are being played by seven local actors, and extras are from the southeast Georgia/northeast Florida area as well.
According to Hayden, “We could not have completed the project without the help of the Coastal Georgia Film Alliance.” Hayden said that he appreciated the Film Alliance’s continued support in providing talent, prop assistance, and logistics in making the TV pilot a success.
Most of the action in Semper Paratus is centered on the local CGAUX members and their boats (called Operational Facilities) with many scenes in St. Marys, GA and Nassau County, FL.
The story begins with a safety patrol on the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) where they advise a novice boater on safety regulations. Later, during another patrol, they help rescue bikini-clad ladies aboard a boat with engine trouble.
During night training, two of the CGAUX facilities approach suspected drug runners who make a run for it.
Future series story lines will have oil spill disaster activity; mass casualty accident (commercial airplane in the water); stolen vessels; safety cordon for space shuttle launch; CGAUX in Katrina & Haiti; Kings Bay Submarine Base training with Coast Guard units; USCGCIS (NCIS for the USCG), and much more.
The production of a pilot for a full television series is the first step in selling a TV series.
Click here to go to the interview with Barbara Ryan from the Coastal Georgia Film Alliance
This year the Independence Day Celebration in St Marys is going to be held on July 3, 2010, instead of Sunday.
4th of July Parade
This is the 42nd Independence Day Celebration, with “It’s a Family Affair” being the theme for 2010. The parade starts at 10:00 a.m.
To registration for the parade, click here.
4th of July Race
As usual, there is a 1,5K – 5K – 10K race on the Fourth of July morning. Pre-registration is suggested. To apply, click here.
4th of July Festival & Fireworks
More than 100 vendors participate as well as incredible musical entertainment and local fun including a Watermelon Seed Spitting Contest and a Watermelon Eating Contest for all ages. Children’s rides and activities are offered throughout the festival.
The highlight of the festival is of course the fantastic fireworks display at the waterfront.
For the best seats in the house to watch the stunning fireworks display over the St. Marys River the St. Marys Kiwanis are once again inviting the public to come aboard the Cumberland Queen or Cumberland Princess. According to St. Marys Kiwanis president Allen Rassi, “these will definitely be the best ringside seats for viewing the spectacular fireworks display.” Rassi says that this year’s fireworks production will match most elaborate fireworks display in the history of the festival with 25 minutes of continuous fireworks.
River cruise tickets are available for $20 at the St. Marys Welcome Center and the Tribune & Georgian office in Downtown St. Marys, and at the Kingsland Welcome Center. The cruise departs the dock at 7 p.m. and returns following the fireworks display. For more information, call 912-467-2119 or visit www.smkiwanis.com.
Call 912-467-2119 for more information.
On Saturday June 5, 2010, the Humane Society in Camden County holds an event at Bennett Suzuki, 230 Kenneth Gay Dr, Kingsland, Georgia.
Stop by for a special bake sale, barbeque and car wash. All proceeds to benefit the Humane Society in Camden County.
The event takes place from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm.
For more information visit www.humanecamden.org
Bring your best four-legged friend to Yappy Hour at Seagles Saloon Patio on the waterfront in downtown St Marys. The event usually takes place the 4th Thursday of every month from 6:00pm to 8:00pm.
Cost is $10.00 per person, Dogs free, includes complimentary glass of wine and appetizers.
Well-behaved owners and dogs are welcome. Proceeds to benefit the Humane Society.
For more information visit www.humanecamden.org
Now you can spend Sunday afternoons in Howard Gilman Waterfront Park enjoying the nice weather while listening to live country music on stage.
The even kicks off on Sunday May 2nd, when Marshall Rowland in co-operation with St. Marys Downtown Development Authority will host “Country Sunday in the Park”. This event features the best of South East Georgia’s country music musicians and singers as well as several members of the Woodbine Opry.
Bring your whole gang, lawn chairs or a blanket and plan to spend time in the park. Country in the Park starts at 3 PM in the afternoon and the musicians will keep performing until the crowd is ready to go home, at least that’s what our information says.
And the best thing is – it’s a free concert!
Rowland, who occasionally sits in with the Woodbine Opry on Saturday nights, will take the mike as emcee. He’s a Country Music pioneer in North Florida having been associated with WQIK in Jacksonville and WBGA in Brunswick, both country music stations. Rowland started his country music career by playing for dances and shows throughout the area, and now he’s bringing country music to downtown St. Marys.
Country in the Park takes place on the first Sunday of the month during the summer. For more information call 912-882-8111.
Amelia River Cruises has two unique extended trips available for the Spring and Summer season of 2010. On Saturday May 8, 2010, Amelia River Cruises will offer a full day trip out of Fernandina Beach, FL. The trip is a full day exploring history and culture on the coast and includes a tour of Kingsley Plantation and Fort Caroline. Passangers will also get an opportunity to enjoy the lively narration of owner and captain, Kevin McCarthy. Lunch will be served aboard compliments of Nicole’s on the River. This trip is a fundraiser in conjunction with the Amelia Island Museum of History. For tickets and pricing visit www.ameliarivercruises.com
On Saturday, May 15, 2010, Amelia River Cruises will sail to Jekyll Island. Passangers will enjoy both a narrated, historic and wildlife sightseeing tour along the way. The trip also includes a variety of Jekyll activities including lunch at the Grand Dining Room at the Jekyll Island Club Hotel, Trolley Tour of the Historic District and entry into the Georgia Sea Turtle Center.
Return transportation via Coastal Georgia Charters and Tours and all taxes, tips and gratuities is all inclusive in this $100 per person non-taxed fare.
For itineraries, pricing and other details visit www.ameliarivercruises.com.
On Saturday, March 13, 2010, many volunteers showed up to help with a City of St. Marys beautification project. The delivery truck arrived at the new medians downtown and everyone went to work. St Marys Public Works, the St. Marys Tree Board, Elected Officials, St. Marys DDA, St. Marys Earthkeepers, St. Marys Garden Club, Kiwanis Club Members, St. Marys Fire Department, St. Marys Elementary School and many others who wanted to make a difference in their town, helped to plant 1000 Asiatic jasmine plants. Make sure to check out the new medians next time you’re visiting downtown St Marys!
Come to the annual Easter Egg Hunt will take place at Kingsland Lions Park this year! The Hunt is scheduled for March 27th at 10:00am. Kids ages 10 and under are invited. Everyone will need to meet under the pavilion by the basketball court for instructions. Please give us a call if you have any questions.
A nuclear pipeline welder has hooked a winner. Joseph Bezy, a resident of Kingsland, is one of two players each to win a $29,921 jackpot prize from matching all five winning numbers in the Feb. 17 Fantasy 5 drawing.
“I’m in shock. I’m still in shock,” said Bezy, 55. “It’s like getting struck by lightning.”
He discovered his lottery win on the Georgia Lottery’s Web site. Winning numbers from the Feb. 17 drawing were: 2-15-20-33-37. The second winning jackpot prize was purchased in Alto.
ABC Food Mart, located at 100 May Creek Drive in Kingsland, sold the winning ticket.
“I started hollering for the wife to come and read what I was reading because I wasn’t sure if I was reading it right,” he said of his wife, Doris. “I took her to dinner to celebrate.”
The couple anticipate paying off bills and sharing the remainder of the prize with their children and grandchildren.
Georgia Lottery retailers selling winning Fantasy 5 jackpot tickets receive a retailer incentive bonus of $2,000. The retailer incentive bonus increases by $2,000 each time Fantasy 5 rolls. If more than one winning jackpot ticket is sold, the retailers selling the winning jackpot tickets will share the bonus. ABC Food Mart will receive a $1,000 retailer incentive bonus.
Since its first year, the Georgia Lottery Corporation has returned more than $11.4 billion to the state of Georgia for education. All Georgia Lottery profits go to pay for specific educational programs including Georgia’s HOPE Scholarship Program and Georgia’s Pre-K Program. More than 1.2 million students have received HOPE, and more than 1 million 4-year-olds have attended the statewide, voluntary prekindergarten program.
Please join riders on Saturday  October 10, 2009 at 10am. They will meet at Camden Bicycle Center and be part of the largest Bike Ride in the United States and Canada on behalf of Breast Cancer Research.  The ride is casual, 25 and 10 mile routes will be available. The 10 mile route will explore downtown St Marys GA. and 25 mile route will head toward the Crooked River State Park and back.  Invite a friend to come with you. Don’t forget your helmet!
Sign up at: http://www.trekbikes.com/women/awareness_ride/
