Joining thousands of private citizens, three elementary schools and a high school, St. Marys City Hall and St. Marys Middle School are launching recycling programs at their respective facilities.

Alex Kearns, Chair of St. Marys EarthKeepers, stated, “The St. Marys EarthKeepers congratulate City Hall and St. Marys Middle School on their recent decision to implement recycling programs. We are thrilled to have been able to assist them in their efforts. From the participation of our City’s leaders to the activities in our schools, our community is demonstrating its commitment to thoughtful environmental stewardship. The experience and knowledge that our students gain from these efforts ‘trickles upward’ to the adults and results in both greater awareness and positive change.”

St. Marys Middle School joins St. Marys Elementary School, Mary Lee Clark Elementary School, Sugarmill Elementary School and Camden County High School in helping to lead the way in educating our youth about environmental responsibility. Teachers and students at the schools have organized “green” groups” to promote recycling and other practices that contribute to our planet’s sustainability.

“With more than 1,200 students and a sizeable staff, St. Marys Middle School’s recycling program is sure to be highly effective,” Kearns said. “The EarthKeepers are most grateful to Advanced Disposal for their ongoing assistance and pro bono services in our schools.” Advanced Disposal is the contractor responsible for garbage collection and curbside recycling in St. Marys, Woodbine, and the County.

With a twice-the-national-average recycling compliance rate and the enthusiastic participation of students and now City Hall, St. Marys is rapidly earning a reputation for both civic involvement and environmental responsibility.

As part of the two-state, four-county St. Marys River Cleanup Celebration on March 20, the St. Marys EarthKeepers invite the public to join them in cleaning up the harbor and waterfront area in Downtown St. Marys.

After the cleanup, participants can attend a picnic at White Oak Plantation and receive their free tee-shirt.

Last year more than 1,000 participants cleaned the St. Marys River and its banks during the annual river cleanup, and the EarthKeepers team comprised more than 10% of those participants.

This year’s downtown cleanup will utilize boats of all sizes (including kayaks) and walkers to handle the marsh areas and streets. According to EarthKeepers organizer Barbara Ryan, the trash that you see in our streets inevitably winds up in our water systems.

“Wind and rain carry the trash into our tributaries and river and into our aquatic ecosystems ultimately threatening all marine life,” Ryan said. “Dolphins and fish often mistake the trash for food and ingest it making for a deadly scenario, especially in the case of plastic bags.”

Last year nearly 60,000 pounds of trash were removed from our waterways and banks during the River Cleanup.

The St. Marys EarthKeepers ask all those who are interested to call 912-729-1103 so forms can be prepared for admittance to White Oak, then meet the team at St. Marys Waterfront Park on Saturday, March 20, at 8:00 a.m.

Those with rubber boots are encouraged to wear them for marsh cleanup. Gloves will be provided.

St Marys Earthkeepers honor Rolf Rawl of St Marys with new bench on fishing pier

Rolf Rawl loved the Georgia Bulldogs, and he loved St. Marys. When he passed away in 2008, he left a hole in the hearts of the many people who were drawn to his hearty laugh and laissez faire disposition. To honor his memory, the St. Marys EarthKeepers and friends of Rawl have constructed a bench in his memory at the end of the fishing pier at St. Marys’ Waterfront.

“He would have appreciated this,” said Jerry Brandon, a fellow UGA alumnus and close friend of Rawl’s. “I think he would enjoy knowing that people could sit here and watch the sunset or cast a line into the water.”

Cindy Deen, another close friend of Rawl, said, “So many people loved him so much. Rolf is missed every day, and we still share laughs remembering how he so often lit up a room.”

In addition to the St. Marys EarthKeepers efforts, materials were donated by Farmers & Builders, and construction services were donated by Frank Woods of R&W Construction and Sammy Brooks.

“This stuff don’t bother me,” was Rawl’s often refrain when life got hard, even during the final days of his long battle with cancer.

The newly installed pier is located at the end of the fishing pier at the waterfront park and is the perfect spot to sit quietly with your thoughts, witness Coastal Georgia’s stunning sunrises and sunsets, or simply enjoy the natural beauty of the St. Marys Harbor.

Including early St. Marys, GA departure for Sail with the Filmmakers 2010

Cumberland Sound Ferry Announces Revised Schedules for Sail With the Filmmakers to Accommodate Screenings as part of Amelia Island Film Festival 2010!
February 25 – March 1, 2010 – The Cumberland Sound Ferry has revised its official schedule (including an early 9 a.m. St. Marys, Ga departure) for Friday, February 26th and Saturday, February 27th, 2010 to accommodate longer screenings in this year’s Amelia Island Film Festival. Schedule changes will allow passengers to view longer screenings without missing the full day of Sailing With The Filmmakers.

Friday, February 26, 2010

Choose from the following Fernandina Beach departures:
10 a.m.; 2 p.m.; 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Choose from the following St. Marys, GA departures:
9 a.m.; 11 a.m.; 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Choose from the following Fernandina Beach departures:
10 a.m. ; 1:30 p.m.; 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Choose from the followinig St. Marys, GA departures:
9:00 a.m.; 11 a.m.; 2:30 p.m.; and 5:30 p.m.

Upon arrival in St. Marys, GA, passengers will be greeted with a reception sponsored by the St. Marys Film Society.

In partnership with the Cumberland Sound Ferry, Amelia Island Film Festival is focused on exposing filmmakers to the rich history, unique landscapes and memorable experiences that make northeast Florida and southeast Georgia such an enchanting place to visit and make films in the future.
To purchase tickets for this screening, a festival pass, or for ferry tickets for Sail With The Filmmakers aboard the Cumberland Sound Ferry contact Lori Hoerl, Director of Marketing and Operations, Amelia River Cruises, at 904-491-7617 or via email at lorbell1@aol.com. Tickets for the filmmakers sail are $22 roundtrip (20% of proceeds to be returned to Amelia Island Film Festival for future events). Tickets for screenings and the festival are structured according to the type of pass purchased. Call or email for prices.

www.ameliarivercruises.com
www.ameliaislandfilmfestival.org

FAMILY-FRIENDLY MARDI GRAS ON FEBRUARY 13 IN ST. MARYS, GEORGIA

Children’s rock wall climbing and baby strollers will be just as much a part of the St. Marys Mardi Gras festival as are the iconic beads and masks. Presented by the St. Marys Downtown Merchants Association, the 16th Annual Mardi Gras Festival and Parade will showcase decorated floats and dazzling costumes designed around this year’s theme “Romance Through the Ages.” Festival organizers said that the festival has always been family-oriented, contrary to its more famous counterpart in New Orleans.

“St. Marys is a family kind of town,” said Roger Rillo, President the St. Marys Downtown Merchants Association. “We’ve orchestrated a parade and festival that will appeal to all ages making sure there are plenty of activities for the younger set.”

A 10 a.m. parade will launch the festival followed by a full day of entertainment, arts and crafts, and amusements, all lining the St. Marys waterfront and the main street that runs through the historic district.

When the sun goes down and the lights come up, adults will continue the celebration at the Mardi Gras Ball where a new King and Queen are chosen each year. Prizes will be awarded for costumes that best depict the “Romance” theme, and dance music will be provided by one of the region’s most sought after bands, A Touch of Grey.

9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Street festival with amusements that include the world’s
tallest inflatable slide, bungee jumping, a climbing wall,
a trackless train, and numerous arts and crafts displays

10 a.m. Parade with lots of floats, costumes, and bead throwing

12 noon All-day entertainment begins at waterfront stage

7 p.m. Mardi Gras Costume Ball at J’s Restaurant & British Pub

Tickets for the ball are available at the St. Marys Welcome Center and Once Upon a Bookseller in Downtown St. Marys. Beads are also available at the bookstore on days leading up to the festival.

For more information, call 912-882-7350 or 912-552-0072.

Organizers of the St. Marys Film Society are working on developing a mini Film Museum in Downtown St. Marys and are reaching out to residents for ideas and contents for display.

To be housed at 300 Osborne Street in the Film Society office space provided by Joseph and Terra Lucent, the Film Museum will be an added attraction to St. Marys’ already impressive list of museums including the Cumberland Island National Seashore Museum, Orange Hall House Museum, the St. Marys Submarine Museum, and the display galleries at the Cumberland Island Visitors Center.

Vintage Hollywood items are already starting to line the walls of the Film Society office, but Donna Boyett, Film Society board member and benefactor of several displays, said there is much left to be done.

“We’re looking for anything of interest connected to the film industry, and that includes Hollywood, of course, but also items relating to television and video production,” Boyett said. “When the museum is complete, we’re confident it will not only be an asset for our city, but will also be an engaging experience that will help boost our share of tourism.”

Boyett said the donated and loaned props, old film reels, film tools (like old projectors), posters, scripts, and other types of memorabilia will comprise the museum’s exhibits. Film Society board members are working along with Express Scripts to build display areas as well.

Anyone who has an item they would like to donate or lend to the St. Marys Film Museum should call 912-729-1103.

FILM SOCIETY TO HOST FILM SCREENING
FEBRUARY 19 IN ST. MARYS

“MAN FROM PLAINS”
FREE TO PUBLIC

“An extraordinary film about an extraordinary man…” That’s what Larry King said about Man From Plains, the film that Coastal Georgia Film Society will be screening as an event appetizer for the Amelia Island Film Festival which takes place the week after the St. Marys screening.

Biografilm winner of the Venice Film Festival and an official selection of the Toronto Film Festival, Man from Plains has been hailed as an “illuminating, candid, and intimate portrait” of our nation’s 39th president who hails from Plains, Georgia.

Event organizer Barbara Ryan said it is fitting that the first event of the newly named Coastal Georgia Film Society honors someone who has made us all proud to call Georgia home.

“Man from Plains was given the highest rating—four stars—that is awarded by such esteemed newspapers as the San Francisco Chronicle,” Ryan said. “Through the generosity of our big brother organization, the Amelia Island Film Festival, we are able to make this showing free to the public.” The film will be shown again the following week during the Amelia Island Film Festival.

Tony McAdoo, president of Amelia Island Film Festival hopes to create enough interest that Camden County residents will come by car or take the Cumberland Sound Ferry to enjoy the many films that the Festival on the south side of the river will be offering February 26-28.

“Amelia Island and Coastal Georgia are bridged by a common love of movies and we feel that co-promoting our events is a win-win scenario for everyone,” McAdoo said.

The 7:00 p.m. February 19th screening in St. Marys at the Ward L. Hernandez Economic Building, 400 Osborne Street, is free to the public and will be preceded by an open reception at the St. Marys Visitors Center, 406 Osborne Street. As there are a limited number of seats available for the screening, the Coastal Georgia Film Society is asking those who wish to attend the screening and the reception to call 912-882-4000 for reservations.

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/

Bring your best four-legged friend to Yappy Hour at Seagle’s Saloon Patio on the waterfront in St Marys. The event takes place the 4th Thursday of every month September – April 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.humancamden.org

The Rock Shrimp Festival in St. Marys, Georgia, takes place on October 3, 2009. This year it’s “All about the kids”.

ST. MARYS, GA—In keeping with the focus of Kiwanis around the world, the St. Marys Kiwanis have themed the 2009 Rock Shrimp Festival “It’s All About The Kids.” The theme will be emphasized throughout the day’s events beginning with this year’s parade Grand Marshal six-year-old Ethan Spinks. Ethan recently saved his infant sister from choking on a coin. Other tributes to the theme include a new element, “The Kids Safety Zone.”

A collaborative effort between St. Marys Kiwanis and eleven other community organizations including fire departments, police departments and other agencies, The Kids Safety Zone will feature a DUI Car Crash Exhibit, Child Safety Seat Seminars, and live demonstrations and presentations on pet safety, smoke detector education, K-9 Units, Boating Safety, Bicycle Safety, Beer Goggles, and many other activities. All children who complete all the stations will get free admission to the St. Marys Submarine Museum by showing their completed passport. Parents will receive discounted admission to the museum.

St. Marys Kiwanis President Jolene Haney said that Kiwanis is all about serving the children of our community, and the Rock Shrimp festival is an excellent way to educate the public and engage them in the Kiwanis’ mission.

“Children are our future,” Haney said. “From our Terrific Kids and K-Kids programs in the elementary schools and Builders Club in the middle schools, to the Key Club in the high school, the Kiwanis offer myriad opportunities for everyone to help our kids be all that they can be.”

Kids from 2 to 92 will be enjoying one of the highlights of the festival—the quintessential rock shrimp dinners. Early morning foot races (beginning at 7:30 am), including a 5k, 10k, and 1.5k Junior Run, kick off the day, followed by the themed parade (10:00 am). First, second, and third prizes will be awarded to parade entries that best depict the theme, and the perpetual trophy, “Rocky,” will be handed over to the Best of Parade winner.

All-day entertainment will grace the waterfront stage with more than 100 food and arts vendors expected to line St. Marys Road and Osborne Street. According to Festival Co-Chair Barbara Mizelle, vendor spaces are going fast, but there’s still time to register.

“You can register for the races, parade, or a vendor space by visiting www.smkiwanis.com,” Mizelle said. “And the best time to buy your dinner tickets is before the day of the event to save money and waiting in line.”

Mizelle said Kiwanis volunteers anticipate cooking up nearly a ton of shrimp this year. Advance tickets can be purchased at St. Marys Welcome Center, Kingsland Visitors Center, Camden County Chamber of Commerce, Camden Printing, Atlantic Auto Brokers, Island Lounge & Grill, Coastal Bank in St. Marys, and Once Upon a Bookseller.

All proceeds from the festival will be spent 100% locally and fund the many kids programs as well as other Kiwanis initiatives. St. Marys Kiwanis deliver 150 Thanksgiving baskets to needy families, support Christmas for Camden’s Kids as well as the Salvation Army, Camden House, and American Red Cross among other organizations. The St. Marys Kiwanis have recently chartered an Aktion Club created to help mentally impaired adults organize and serve the community as well.

For more information, visit www.smkiwanis.com.