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

City awarded federal grant funds for Springfield Terrace School Rehabilitation Project

As the city continues its work to restore Springfield Terrace School, the National Park Service has awarded a $50,000 grant in support of the project, as part of the Historic Preservation Fund’s African American Civil Rights grant program.

The grant will fund the Springfield Terrace School Rehabilitation Project, which aims to begin planning for the restoration of the school building in the Carver Village neighborhood with a focus on its preservation. 

The project will include structural assessments, preparation of a rehabilitation plan and construction documents, as well as plans for community archiving and engagement.  

The building was completed in 1926 to provide education and resources to African American youth in Chatham County. At that time, African Americans were excluded from most buildings and resources of the public education system. Springfield Terrace School was renamed in 1958 in honor of Pearl Lee Smith and used to house Oglethorpe Charter School from 1999 to 2012. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2022. 

The school has served as a long-term community asset and this project will jumpstart efforts to restore it to an active space for the community. For more information, please contact the Municipal Archives at (912) 651-6412 or Archives@savannahga.gov.

Plant Riverside District to launch Retro Rewind: Sunday Movies at District Live

Plant Riverside District will host Retro Rewind: Sunday Movies at District Live, a special summer series of family-friendly film screenings at 400 W. River St. in Savannah, Ga.

Retro Rewind: Sunday Movies at District Live will run from Sunday, July 9 through Sunday, September 3. Feature films will begin at 4 p.m., with doors opening at 3 p.m.

“We invite local residents and visitors to beat the heat this summer and join us for fun film screenings and delicious snacks at District Live,” said Scotty Henley, Director of Entertainment at JW Marriott Savannah Plant Riverside District. “From animated favorites and inspiring sports stories to science fiction fantasies, our Retro Rewind series at District Live series offers something for everyone to enjoy.”

Seating will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Children are invited to bring their favorite pillow, blanket or sleeping bag to get comfortable and enjoy a movie in front of the big screen.  

Concessions and a variety of soft drinks will be available for purchase as well as beer, wine and a full bar for adults 21+. Tickets are available at plantriverside.com or at the door.

The Mediation Center of the Coastal Empire to partner with Chatham County Emergency Management on Coastal Georgia Preventing Identity Violence training

The Mediation Center of the Coastal Empire is partnering with Chatham Emergency Management Agency Disaster Faith Network to present: De-Escalation Techniques and Strategies for Houses of Worship, the latest training session in our Coastal Georgia Preventing Identity Violence initiative. This session will take place on July 11, 2023 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and will be held at Kingdom Life Christian Fellowship Church. 

This training, led by Senior Manager of Community Programs, Dan Rowe, and CEMA’s Emergency Preparedness Manager, Chelsea Sawyer, will focus on implementing de-escalation techniques in faith-based organizations. The training will also cover safety planning, trauma-informed dialogue, and identifying individuals at risk of volatile escalation. The Mediation Center and CEMA will also provide a brief overview of their services so that both organizations can continue supporting Chatham County’s faith community.

This event is free and in-person, but RSVPs are required.

Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society announces 14th annual Camp Buddy in Chatham County, July 10-14

The Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society (LDSS) will be hosting its 14th annual Camp Buddy summer camp for Chatham County on July 10-14 at St. Andrews School, located at 601 Penn Waller Rd, on Wilmington Island.

Camp Buddy is for children of all ages with Down syndrome and is designed to help students prepare for the upcoming school year with a specially designed curriculum.

Activities that take place during Camp Buddy include but are not limited to, cooking, art, crafts, life skill lessons, physical and occupational therapy, money and time management-related activities. These activities are created and designed to grow the student’s knowledge base and hands-on experience with real-life scenarios. Money and time management will help the students with real-life purchasing processes and understand the importance of a daily routine. Cooking activities present real-life situations that focus on safety and following instructions and steps to create the dish and achieve the goal. Arts and crafts will help develop hand strength and muscle development with physical therapy activities such as scooter board riding that helps develop core strength that in turn helps with small muscle development.

For more information about LDSS, visit ldssga.org/.

Healthy Savannah’s Faith and Healing Coalition hosts Faith Walk at Lake Mayer July 16

The Healthy Savannah Faith and Health Coalition will host a free community event to celebrate health, wellness and summer fun on Sunday, July 16 at Lake Mayer Community Park.

Called “Faith Walk” and co-sponsored by Forsyth Farmers’ Market’s Farm Truck 912, the event will be held from 5:30 until 8 p.m. at the Lake Mayer pavilions, located at 1850 E. Montgomery Cross Rd., and will include a variety of healthy activities.

“As a faith leader, I think it is refreshing and exciting to have the entire community join us for this walk for faith-based organizations and their congregations where we get to enjoy healthy food and fun,” said Pastor Yolanda Roberson, executive pastor at Kingdom Life Christian Fellowship and Faith and Health Coalition co-chair.

Farm Truck 912 is scheduled to be there, hosting a healthy cooking demonstration featuring fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables right off the truck. Plus, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield in Georgia will sponsor 100 fresh produce bags to be provided to families that attend the event.

Attendees will also be able to participate in fun activities such as a healthy walk around the beautiful Lake Mayer trail which provides a connection point to the Truman Linear Park Trail. There will be games for kids, such as corn hole, jump ropes and Hula-Hoops. Participants will have the chance to win three $50 gift card vouchers for the Forsyth Farmers’ Market.

We’ve worked hard to make this event positive and fun for the whole community,” said Rhonda Barlow, Faith and Health co-chair and School Nutrition coordinator for Savannah Public Schools. “We want everyone who can, to come eat good food and walk with us.”

This article appears in Connect Savannah | July 2023.