Soaking it all in

The Frame Gallery on South Main Street The Haunting The former owner of the Frame Gallery store reported hearing noises and footsteps emanating from the second floor. Store merchandise was reportedly being moved around or placed, teetering, on the edge of display tables. A candle holder was thrown across the room, former employees saw apparitions and the activity was describes as being mischievous more so than malicious. The activities increased as the Christmas Holidays approached. This building was investigated by a paranormal group that picked up children’s voices on digital recorders as well as other unexplained voices. The investigators detected the odor of camphor in a certain room on the second floor and captured a few Orbs on camera. The History The building where the Frame Gallery was located was owned by Peyton Way and housed a drug store on the first floor and the first Hospital in Liberty County on the second. Dr. T. W. Welborn (1887-1962), who was a physician...

To say that Derek Sills loves Georgia Southern University and legendary football coach Erk Russell is an understatement. A walk through his home is like visiting a museum dedicated to the iconic coach and a tribute to Eagles football. But Sills does more than simply follow the Eagles. An alumnus of GSU, he sits on the school’s alumni board, the GSU Athletic Foundation board and is a member of the presidential steering committee working on developing new GSU football facilities. What’s more, Sills is president of the Coastal Eagle Club based in Midway, and the Liberty County resident said he is proud his local alumni club is spearheading a project he and many others feel was a long time in coming. The Erk Russell Project was born after a series of events left Sills wondering why the father of GSU football wasn’t recognized by a life-size statue as other coaches have been. Sills said he read an article in Sports Illustrated containing an interview with Urban Meyer. The s...

Despite a few days of slightly lower temperatures, there is little doubt that the extreme heat of summer is just around the corner. Being from Florida I don’t mind the intense heat and humidity that make up the ‘Dog Days.’ I can tolerate the heat much better than I can handle the cold that always seems to creep into my toes and fingers during the winter. As a sports writer for the Coastal Courier, summer time means no high school sports. Sure there are still plenty of local sports to cover but last year I made a decision to try something completely different, a non-traditional sport, so to speak, and ended up covering the Savannah Derby Devil boot camp for the newspaper. It was a great opportunity to introduce a local team doing a local sport that was quickly flourishing across the nation. As most of you know that little adventure turned into a new athletic career for me. My first official bout was on April 2 and although we lost, I’m looking forward to the next bout and I’m complet...

The Savannah Derby Devils, an all-female flat track roller derby league team, is offering a unique opportunity to mingle with the skaters and raise funds for the American Diabetes Association’s annual Kiss-A-Pig campaign. The Devils are participating in this year’s campaign as the ‘Squeals on Wheels,’ and will be hosting a Business after Hours event from 5:30-7:30 p.m., Wednesday March 23, at Star Castle Family Entertainment Center in Savannah. Participants will get the chance to skate with the Devils while enjoying some retro tunes, snacks and refreshments. There will be games, raffle drawings and prizes will be awarded. No skates or gear required but if you have a pair of skates, you are encouraged to bring them with you and lace up for the cause. Tickets must be purchased online and no later than 3 p.m. the day of the event. No ticket sales are available on site. The $25 registration includes a ticket to the Savannah Derby Devils’ April 2, home opener bout against Charleston, debut...

As some of you are aware, last June I covered the Savannah Derby Devils’ Roller Derby boot camp by participating as a skater during the one-week event. Before June 6, 2010 I had not been on quad skates in more than thirty years. The experience completely changed my life – for the better I might add. I was hooked since day one. Not only was the exercise starting to feel good but the women involved with the Devils’ organization were kind, patient, and fierce and all are professionals in their ‘day-time’ jobs. At the end of boot camp there was a chance to try out for the team, but I missed this opportunity because I was out of town for my birthday. I was extremely bummed but was told I could continue to participate by joining the referees. I studied the rule book, passed my test and wore my stripes for the Fresh Meat scrimmage and three regular bouts thereby earning my official Derby Devil Jacket. I attended as many practice sessions as I could, skating around the perimeter of the trac...