There’s always something happening in the Hostess City. Stay in the know about upcoming events and the latest information with our News & Notes. 

Savannah Philharmonic Conductor Keitaro Harada receives prestigious Solti Award

The Savannah Philharmonic has announced that its Music and Artistic Director, Keitaro Harada, has been awarded the prestigious Solti Award for his exceptional talent and dedication in the orchestra industry. The Solti Award recognizes the accomplishments of outstanding conductors, providing them with increased visibility and significant opportunities.

Named in honor of the legendary conductor Sir Georg Solti, the Solti Award has a rich history of acknowledging and supporting the careers of the most promising conductors in the world of orchestral music. Maestro Harada joins the acclaimed ranks of past winners who have gone on to achieve tremendous success in their respective careers.

Since taking up the baton as the conductor for the Savannah Philharmonic, he has led the orchestra and chorus to new heights, consistently delivering exceptional performances and garnering widespread acclaim. His passion, skill, and commitment to the organization have made an indelible mark on the music scene in Savannah and across the southeast region.

Keitaro recently renewed his contract as Music and Artistic Director for the Philharmonic through the 2026-27 Season, and also serves as Associate Conductor of the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra.

Maestro Harada expressed his gratitude upon receiving the award, stating, "I am deeply honored to be recognized with the Solti Award, and I am grateful for the opportunity to continue making music with the Savannah Philharmonic. This achievement wouldn't have been possible without the support of our dedicated musicians, patrons, the entire Savannah community, and my colleagues across the globe."

For more information about Keitaro Harada and the Savannah Philharmonic, visit savannahphilharmonic.org.

Abbie DeLoach Foundation celebrates 17 scholarship recipients at annual luncheon

The Abbie DeLoach Foundation awarded scholarships to 17 students and organizations at its 7th annual scholarship class luncheon held April 14 at the Savannah Golf Club. The event celebrated recipients’ academic excellence, exemplary service work or athletic commitment. To date, 106 recipients have received an ADF scholarship.

ADF was founded in memory of Abbie DeLoach, who died in April 2015 due to a tragic highway crash that also took the lives of four fellow Georgia Southern nursing students. Abbie was dedicated to serving others as a student athlete, a prospective nurse and a person of faith. The foundation’s mission is to continue her good works.

A sold-out audience of recipients, families, friends, coaches and community leaders heard from guest speaker Dr. Sherry Danello, MSN, NEA-BC, vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer at St. Joseph/Candler Health System, about the state of Georgia’s health care workforce. Also in attendance were Savannah Mayor Van Johnson, Chatham County Sheriff John Wilcher, Savannah Chatham-County Public School System (SCCPSS) Superintendent Dr. M. Ann Levett, Ed.D., and SCPSS Board President Roger Moss. ADF’s first luncheon sponsor was The Umbel Group at Morgan Stanley.

Jimmy DeLoach Jr., Abbie’s father and Abbie DeLoach Foundation president, addressed the scholarship recipients. He invited them to stand and be the focus in the room as he spoke about the award and leadership. 

“From this point on, in everything you do, you will be talked about because you are out in front,” said DeLoach. “You are the ones setting the pace, and the footprint that other people will follow.” He also spoke about the importance of education. “As I told my daughters, education is a ticket on the bus. No one will tell you what to do with life because you have this ticket that enables you to do what you want to do, but the ticket comes with responsibility.”

To learn more, visit abbiedeloachfoundation.com.

Live Oak Public Libraries names deputy director

Live Oak Public Libraries announces Jen Baxter as Deputy Director.

Baxter will provide strategic and functional oversight of library public services, including all LOPL locations, outlets and public service coordinative functions, including Collection Management, Public Services, Communications, Community Engagement, and IT.

Prior to joining Live Oak Public Libraries, Baxter was the Library Director for Athens-Limestone County Public Library, located in North Alabama. Baxter has worked in public libraries for more than a decade and has held a variety of roles within the field, beginning her career as an unpaid volunteer in Southern California and growing through the ranks to hold positions in library administration in Mississippi, including as Assistant Director of Branch Services and HR at Jackson-George Regional Library System, as well as Library Director for Hancock County Public Library.

Baxter holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Mississippi, a Masters in Library and Information Science from The University of Southern Mississippi, and a Masters of Public Administration from Arkansas State University.

Visit liveoakpl.org to learn more. 

Historic Savannah Foundation Preservation Awards

Historic Savannah Foundation will kick off its celebration of Preservation Month in May with the annual Historic Preservation Awards at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 4 at the Charles H. Morris Center, located at 10 E. Broad St. 

HSF will present awards to individuals and organizations whose contributions demonstrate excellence in preservation in Savannah and Chatham County. The event – designed to let attendees enjoy a fun, celebratory evening amongst friends – will include cocktails, a food truck, and plenty of networking opportunities.

“This will be a wonderful evening in Savannah honoring community members who have worked hard to preserve it. HSF is excited to bring everyone together again to commemorate the important role preservation has in our city,” said HSF’s Events & Development Associate Colleen Reynolds. “We hope you’ll bring your families and join us on May 4 for the fun!”

For more information, visit myhsf.org/events/.

200 Club Pooler Run for Heroes

The 200 Club will hold their third annual Pooler Run for Heroes at 8 a.m. on Saturday, May 6 in Pooler, Georgia. Residents will once again have the chance to sneak in a little more fun and fitness for a charity that cares for those who care for us. 

The multi-heat event begins on South Rogers Street in Pooler. The one-mile course will begin at the Pooler Parks and Recreation Department and finish at West Chatham Middle School. All participants are instructed to park at the finish, West Chatham Middle School.

“This Run for Heroes is the perfect way to get outside, spend time with your family, and help families who have made enormous sacrifices in our communities,” said 200 Club President/CEO Mark Dana. “From the Family Fun Run to the Heroes Heat, there is something for everyone here regardless of your abilities. Best of all, proceeds go straight to the families of those who risk it all.”

Visit our200club.com for more information. 

Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society’s Night of Champions

The Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society has announced the 14th annual Night of Champions will be Friday, May 12, 2023, from 6-11pm at the Savannah Convention Center on Hutchinson Island.

The Night of Champions event recognizes area businesses that employ differently abled adults, including those with Down syndrome, and celebrates the contributions made by these employees.

“The Night of Champions is the recognition for employers but it is also a chance for them to show other potential employers the difference people with special needs can make in the workplace,” said Joe Marchese, president of LDSS. “This night is a chance to first get to know people with different abilities and then come to love them.”

For more information on the event, visit NOC2023.givesmart.com or text NOC2023 to 76278. For additional information, visit ldssga.org.

This article appears in Apr 1-30, 2023.