Effingham Magazine

Dedicated to Education

By BARBARA W. RUSSELL Meredith Arnsdorff is a petite soft-spoken woman with a gentle demeanor who has been immersed in Effingham County’s school system for most of her life: first as a student, then as a teacher, a principal, and a school board member. “I knew as soon as I started Georgia Southern that I [...]

Rising Patriot

Questions by TODD WOOD Q: How long did you live in Effingham? From what year to what year? And what schools did you attend here? A: I grew up living with my grandparents. We moved from Jacksonville, FL to Rincon, GA when I was eight years old, where I attended South Effingham Elementary School. I [...]

Wildlife Critters Circle of Life

Story By BARBARA W. RUSSELL It’s a licensed nonprofit rehabilitation center located in Guyton, and they take care of small mammals, deer and reptiles. Nicole and Debbie met while working as volunteers at a non-profit rehabilitation center on Wilmington Island. When the center moved, Nicole decided to start her own rehabilitation center, and Wildlife Critters [...]

The Art of Mixed Martial Arts

Like most Georgia fans, Nick Smiley would like to meet Hershel Walker. But Smiley won’t be looking for an autograph, rather he will be looking more to leave his name in the mind of Walker. On January 30, 2010 the 47-year old Heisman trophy winner and former NFL running back won his MMA debut. Also, [...]

TEACHING IS AN ART

By Kathryn Turner Author and educator Dr. Howard Thurman once said,”Don’t ask yourself what the world needs.Ask yourself what makes you come alive and then go do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” And anyone who has ever met Donna Holder knows that art is what makes her come [...]

The Gift of Laughter and the Gift of Joy

By Barbara W. Russell Pat Kennedy of Springfield likes to have fun, and she likes to make people laugh. This 63 year old grandmother of six has been practicing her trade for most of her life; in fact, she began performing when she was in elementary school. Her inspiration was watching Elvis perform on the [...]

Not Your Average Theatre

by Kathryn Turner What could be better than going to the theatre for an evening of entertainment? Having the theater come to you! And Effingham Theatre does just that. Performing all over the county, Effingham Theatre is a travelling theatre on a mission to educate through entertainment. They do their shows in garages, in living [...]

It’s A God Thing

Many of us have heard the phrase “It’s a God thing” used many times over the years. Evangelists have used it, pastors have used it, and we have even heard someone in our own family use it to describe what might be happening in their lives. We have even probably said it ourselves at one [...]

In The Zone On The Ballistic In The Zone On The Ballistic Eagle

What is red, white, blue and gold and can reach 202.55 miles per hour in 7.887 seconds in just a quarter mile? Superhero fans would say Superman, but the answer is actually something and someone from this world. The Ballistic Eagle, piloted by Effingham resident Kevin Martin, is the answer to the question. What, you [...]