Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

The Great Camden County Chili Cook-Off

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The 2nd annual Great Camden County Chili Cook Off will take place Saturday, December 6, 2008 at Waters Edge subdivision on Haddock Road in Kingsland from 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM.

Local builder W.H. Gross Construction is hosting the Chili Cook Off to give back to the community by donating proceeds to the Humane Society of Camden County.

The Chili Cook Off challenges residents to put their most prized chili recipes to the test. Last year’s event boasted a range of delicious recipes from the mild to the fiery. Teams of two or more people are invited to register and have their chili scored by local expert judges. Recognition will also go to the chili voted ‘People’s Choice’ by attendees and to the team that demonstrates the most creativity and showmanship in decorating their booth.

In addition to tasty chili, the event will feature exhibits from local entities, an appearance by Santa Claus and his elves, activities for children, and live music. A Pet Costume Parade and Contest will take place at 2:00 PM.

For more information or to enter your team call Diane at 729-4393, Charlotte at 882-7559, or Madonna at 729-5864.

Christmas on Chesser Island – Folkston, GA

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Located just a short drive west of Kingsland, celebrate the holiday season at the “Christmas on Chesser Island” event at the Chesser Island Homestead with a hayride, luminaries, refreshments, caroling, and live music! Discover the region’s traditions as you tour a “swamper” home decorated with traditional homemade decorations and enjoy a bonfire. For more information, contact the Okefenokee NWR Visitor Center at 912-496-7836 o r www.fws.gov/okefenokee

St. Marys White Lighting Ceremony – St. Marys, GA

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Golden Christmas
Starting at Dusk at the old paper mill site in Historic Downtown St. Marys, the walking parade proceeds down Osborne Street with Santa & Mrs. Santa leading the way. Picture it all: Dance performances are a part of the parade. Christmas music is sung. The parade ends at the Waterfront and the City Christmas Tree is lit.

Fernandina Welcomes 12 Cyclists Journeying 2,000 Miles to Promote Life

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The 2008 Five Points of Life Ride, covering over 2,000 miles in a 30- day period, will make a stop in Fernandina Beach Sunday, October 26. The Ride is traveling through six southeastern states and participating in events in more than 30 cities, including Fernandina. The free community-wide event will be held at 3:30 p.m. at the Fernandina Beach dock and will include entertainment, refreshments and a short program featuring individuals who have been touched by donation.

“We are so happy to have this group come to our community to help spread the word about these life-saving donations,” said local businessman and organ donor father, David Caples. “Please come and out support the riders for their personal commitment to donation and hear how transplantation has touched so many lives right here in our community.”

The team members include a donor who has given more than 50 gallons of blood, a rider whose marrow donation saved the life of a nurse in Australia, and a rider who is able to pedal a bike because she received a kidney transplant. There are 12 riders from around the country, seven of whom are from Florida.

The Riders will come to Fernandina from St. Mary’s, Ga. via the Cumberland Sound Ferry. The ferry ride is considered an extension of the Coastal Georgia Greenway, a 450-mile long bike trail through the state.

“It is exciting for us to be utilizing the Greenway for the first time and for such a meaningful endeavor. It’s also nice to have a national group of riders being exposed to our beautiful community,” said Cumberland Sound Ferry owner/operator, Kevin McCarthy.

The timeline for the day is:

1:30 – Riders arrive in St. Mary’s at Spencer House

2:30 – Riders & VIP’s depart St. Mary’s via ferry

3:30 – Ferry arrives Fernandina Beach, mingle for a short while, enjoy entertainment

4-4:30 pm – Educational program at Fernandina Beach dock

4:30 – 5pm – mingle & media interviews

The Ride, which started in Alabama October 1, is designed to raise awareness of the need for the five ways we can save lives through donation: whole blood, apheresis, marrow and blood stem cells, cord blood and organ & tissue. A group of 12 nonprofessional cyclists from across the United States, each with a personal connection to one or more of the five points, is riding from Alabama to Florida to share their messages. The Ride will end October 29 in Cedar Key, Fla.

With the support of many of the national donor organizations and the financial support of corporate sponsors, LifeSouth organized the first cross-country Five Points of Life ride in 1997. You can learn more about LifeSouth by visiting their Web site at www.lifesouth.org.

Local groups assisting in this event are The Katie Caples Foundation (www.katierideforlife.org), LifeQuest Organ Recovery Services (www.lifequestfla.org), SETA (www.donorcare.org) and the Blood Alliance (www.igiveblood.com).

St. Marys Community Market

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The community market takes place on Saturdays at 206 Osborne St., St. Marys (Tribune & Georgian Parking Lot) in downtown St. Marys. Purchase home grown and homemade items from local vendors. For more information call 912-882-8111 or visit www.smcmarket.com