Cruising along Walthour Road on Wilmington Island on February 11, I followed hand painted signs that read truffles, cookies and cakes until I arrived at St. Francis of the Island Episcopal Church for their very first Chocolate Festival.
Making a Saturday outing with me is my longtime friend, the zany and wickedly funny Kym Hogan. Amped up at the idea of homemade chocolate made by the church ladies, we head into the Parish Hall and meet Rector Ian Lasch.
Quizzing the three-year pastor on the lay of the land, I learn there isn’t another St. Francis of the Island church, they will be celebrating their 50th anniversary of their founding next year, and Joyce Tinsley is the head-lady in charge of the dozen-plus members of the Episcopal Church Women’s Group.
I manage to pause the Marysville, MO, native–who is sporting a bright red jacket–for a quick quiz. The jolly Midwesterner admits, “I had the wild hair to put this event on because our Valentine Festival was such a success at my church back home.”
And let me tell you, this wild idea is the best idea I have ever heard of for Valentine’s Day! Let me give you a visual. Hugging the interior two walls are tables attached in a L shape, and on those tables are so many types of chocolate I had to start at the beginning and write down all the names.
Well hello, homemade truffles! With 12 types to choose from, I pick a salted caramel (that Joyce adds to a large plastic to-go container) then proceed down the line to salivate over ooey-gooey everything. There are cannoli cones, chocolate covered toffees, mini chocolate lava cakes, peppermint patties, turtle cookies, and so many other options I start daydreaming about a tall glass of cold milk!
After paying a mere $11 for my assorted sample plate, I snap a pic of Linda Gernay, Martha Thaggard and Lisa Brower, who may-or-may not have been sampling the goods! While attempting to get a video of them, I run into one of Savannah’s most beloved photographers, Angela Hopper Lee. Not even recognizing her daughter Annabelle–because there is no way this tall young lady is 13 years old–I commend her on her recent Garrison School audition while I snap their pic.
Going down the line, I get a pic of Nigel Smith holding his chocolate stash, pose Dianne Johnston with a heart-shaped fudge cake with peanut butter frosting, then meet Delaware native Amanda Merritt. With her is New Jersey natives Lindsay, Wes and Lee Allen who all followed those hand made signs over to the church.
Sneaking by me is Savannah native Peggy Cowart. Moving so quickly that I catch the 88 year old outside the Parish doors, I snap a pic of her with her nephew Liam Whitmore before hearing someone call my name. Well, hey there, Ashli Clubine! The gorgeous redhead introduces me to her mini-me, five-year old daughter Evelyn, shares that she is expecting “baby boy Bruce” in April, and makes sure I am invited to Fight the War Within’s Ball later this year.
Glancing over, I see Kym taste testing her small selection of yummies and wave her over for an introduction to Syracuse, NY, native Debbie Berta. Introducing the avid animal lover to Kym, I leave the two chatting so I can do some fun videos for my weekly WSAV “Where’s Bunny Ware? segment on “The Bridge.”
Zooming around the room, I grab a video of a young girl kissing the cheek of her high school boyfriend, convince Heidi Wilkins to pose with Olivia and Ryan Vogel, then put my camera down to hug Russell Demasi. The Calvary Day School Sports Academy Program Director is with his wife Kate and her brother Greg, along with Emily, KA and Mallory Dixon.
Having known Coach Karl Demasi’s son since he played eighth grade basketball at St. Andrew’s School, I ask Russell how his dad is doing while posing with him for a selfie to send to my all-time favorite “Yankee” coach. “You know my dad, he is coaching everything from basketball to lacrosse, does his Prep Sports Report and his live internet sports show at Coach’s Corner every Saturday morning at 9 a.m.,” shares the avid sports fan.
With the lines dwindling down, it’s a perfect time to talk with Joyce. “With the money we raise going to help the homeless and spruce up the church, we hope today will be a success so we can do this again next year,” shares the event chairwoman.
Go ahead and get ready to follow those homemade signs on Walthour Road next year, because this festival was uber-successful and was the best Valentine’s Day kickoff ever!
This article appears in Connect Savannah | February, 2023.