Savannah fabric artist Jessica Pope started making facial masks for the Savannah community during the COVID-19 pandemic because she had to do something to help and keep herself calm.

With her partner Trae Gurley, Pope currently runs Savannah-based company Buck and Doe, which specializes in unique personal and home accessories. Their most popular products are handcrafted, brightly patterned bowties featuring quirky scenes. So when coronavirus began, shifting her focus to sewing whimsical fabric face masks was a natural transition. Pope started making the masks for the Savannah community, but it quickly became a national effort.

“We have made a little over 1,000 masks and have requests for 1,000 more and growing every day,” Pope said in a Telfair Museums media release.

Pope has had a lot of help meeting that demand her 86-year-old grandmother, Mariella of Eagle Idaho, who has now cut over 2,000 masks.

In 2019, Pope’s work was featured as part of Telfair Museums’ Boxed In/Break Out project showcasing local artists. Her installation Folklore, consisting of six large-scale paper quilts centered around repurposed Kodachrome slides, was shown in the Jepson Center’s exterior windows. Now the artist and the museum are partnering again.

In addition to commissioning 30 of Pope’s masks to protect frontline employees when Telfair reopens, the museum will sell Pope’s wares in the Jepson Center gift shop. In its support of local initiatives during the pandemic, the museum also has ordered hand sanitizer locally from Ghost Coast Distillery on Indian Street and is exploring more ways to collaborate with other businesses and artists.

Learn more about Buck and Doe masks here.

Learn more about Telfair Museums and its virtual offerings during the pandemic closure here.

Telfair Museums is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

The UGA Aquarium on Skidaway Island in Savannah will offer these free, virtual programs during July 2020. Register online via the links below.

The UGA Aquarium is CLOSED until further notice; however the Jay Wolf Nature Trail, salt marsh boardwalk, Skidaway Learning Garden, picnic area and pavilion are all open daily during daylight hours. Please use social distancing guidelines while onsite. Questions, please call 912-598-3474.

Afternoons at the Aquarium:
The Flying Debris
July 2, 2 – 2:30 p.m.

REGISTER ONLINE HERE. 

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Exploring the Coast
July 7, 11 a.m. – Noon

REGISTER ONLINE HERE. 

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Afternoons at the Aquarium:
Turtle Takeover
July 9, 2 – 2:30 p.m.

REGISTER ONLINE HERE. 

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Sharks and Rays 101
July 10, Noon – 1 p.m.

REGISTER ONLINE HERE. 

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Skull Puzzles
July 14, 11 a.m. – Noon

REGISTER ONLINE HERE. 

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Afternoons at the Aquarium:
Feeling Crabby
July 16, 2 – 2:30 p.m

REGISTER ONLINE HERE. 

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Meet our Fleet
July 21, 11 a.m. – Noon

REGISTER ONLINE HERE. 

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Afternoons at the Aquarium:
Horseshoe Crabs
July 23, 2 – 2:30 p.m

REGISTER ONLINE HERE. 

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Barnacles, Sea Squirts and Algae
Oh My!
July 28, 11 a.m. – Noon

REGISTER ONLINE HERE. 

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Afternoons at the Aquarium:
Shark Sketches
July 30, 2 – 2:30 p.m

REGISTER ONLINE HERE. 

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Are you ready to GO BANANAS?? 🍌🍌🍌

Now’s your chance to get tickets to The Savannah Bananas game AND support Friends of Oatland FOO, the nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the staff and animals of Oatland Island Wildlife Center in Savannah.

FOO Night at Grayson Stadium in Savannah is Sat. Aug. 15 2020 and tickets are on sale NOW.

Let’s fill the stadium with FOO Fans and animal lovers – get your tickets 🎟 before they sell out.

Attendance for all Bananas games are limited to half capacity for the season so this might be your best (or only!) chance to get tickets.

GO BANANAS WITH FOO. Order tickets online here. 

Oatland Island Wildlife Center is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

Savannah Honor Academy is a K-5 school in the midtown Savannah area with two student openings for the upcoming 2020-21 school year.

Questions? Contact Marla Cocalis at MarlaCocalis@yahoo.com.

About Savannah Honor Academy

Savannah Honor Academy has the following features:

small class-size (12 students)
mixed-age classes (K-2nd, 3rd-5th)
two 45-minute recesses
meaningful assessment
an emphasis on inquiry, exploration, and critical thinking skills
tuition: $900/month or $9000/year

Learn more here. 

Connect with Savannah Honor Academy on Facebook here.

Savannah Honor Academy, 5111 Abercorn St.Savannah, 31405 (2nd floor of JEA Community Center) email marlacocalis@yahoo.com, 773-573-7328 www.SavannahHonorAcademy.com, On Twitter here.   On Facebook here. Savannah Honor Academy is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

Low Country Counseling in Savannah

Kristin Broderick  @ Low Country Counseling in Savannah offers therapy for adolescents and adults. Kristin specializes in substance use issues as well as concerns regarding body image, food, and eating patterns. She has extensive experience working with clients who also have mental health issues such as bipolar, anxiety, and depression.

Kristin has a passion for working with survivors of sexual trauma. She has supported her community through rape crisis volunteer work. She utilizes a person-centered orientation to best provide care and connect therapeutically with others.

Contact Low Country Counseling for any questions you need answered or to schedule an appointment. Help is available. You are not alone.

Hope starts here. 

Low Country Counseling is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

Scribble Art Studio in Savannah summer art camp 2020 with social distancing in place

Summer camp 2020 is on @ Scribble Art Studio in Savannah.

Students explore a subject in two and three dimensional projects each day of the week. Students paint, print, collage, draw and sculpt to produce multiple projects each day. Two instructors for group size of 10-15 max.

These week-long camps are open to ages 4-8 from 9AM-Noon; ages 9 & older from 1-4PM.

Learn about the social distancing steps Scribble is taking here.

Register online here. 

Questions? Call Geoff at 202-379-5643

Scribble Art Studio
212 E. 37th St.
Savannah, GA 31401

Scribble Art Studio is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

Telfair Museums in Savannah has a brand new schedule of in-person and virtual camps for Summer 2020, completely redesigned to ensure social distancing and health and safety protocols while providing engaging, fun, and educational experiences for young people.

Space is limited. Register online here as soon as possible.

In-Person Camps @ Jepson Center 

Digital Photography Camp
June 29 – July 3 (Ages 10-12 years)
July 6 – 10 (Ages 13-16 years)

Summer Art Club! Painting and Drawing Camps
July 13 – 17 (Ages 9-12 years)
July 20 – 24 (Ages 12-14 years)
July 27 – 31 (Ages 9-12 years)
August 3 – 7 (Ages 12-14 years)

Parent-Child Art Club: Afternoon Adventures in Art
(Ages pre-K – 8 years, and parents or caregivers)
June 29-August 3

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NEW! Virtual Camps & Youth Classes

Virtual Art with the Pros Class
(Ages 6-10 years)
June 29 – August 3

Virtual Video Game Camp
July 6-10 (Ages 12-14 years)

Virtual Crafters’ Class/Crafting with S.T.E.A.M.
June 29- August 3 (Ages 8-12 years)

Register online here

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Telfair Museums is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

Coastal Heritage Society in Savannah is now offering new single-family birthday parties, as a safe birthday party alternative at Savannah Children’s Museum.

Each birthday party booked will have exclusive use of Savannah Children’s Museum and will be hosted outdoors only to observe social distancing protocols and extra cleaning procedures.

Parties will be limited to a capacity of 25 people maximum. Any of Savannah Children’s Museum’s usual themes can be accommodated, with pricing starting at $225.

Contact: For additional details and to book a birthday party, contact: lbooth@chsgeorgia.org.

Themes include:

Basic Birthday Party Package: Basic birthday parties include unlimited time at the museum, and a private party host to help with set-up, clean-up, and activities. Themed activities not included.

Mad Scientist Theme: Come for some EXPLOSIVE fun while you conduct an exciting experiment with your Mad Scientist Party Host. Parties include a cake from Baker’s Pride, table settings, and a goody bag for each child.

Little Artist Theme: Let your petite Picasso shine with a guided art activity on your special day. Parties include a cake from Baker’s Pride, table settings, and a goody bag for each child.

Junior Engineer Theme: All aboard, Choo Choo! Happy Birthday to YOU. Junior engineers will have the best birthday ever with a unique handcar activity. Parties include a cake from Baker’s Pride, table settings, and a goody bag for each child.

Pixies and Pirates: Theme Explore our enchanted Frogtown Garden in search of magical creatures and create a whimsical craft to take home with you. Parties include a cake from Baker’s Pride, table settings, and a goody bag for each child.

Coastal Heritage Society is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

Enter your child to win a TOTALLY FREE month of Kindermusik Savannah in July 2020.

DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES IS JUNE 30TH.

Anyone may enter with a child aged 0-7 years! Limit of 1 child per family; only 1 entry permitted.

Winner must be available to attend on at least one of these days we offer classes. You may choose between virtual or in-studio classes, or attend both. Prize is for UNLIMITED ATTENDANCE so you can attend as many classes as you like during your month’s membership.

See the Kindermusik Savannah July class schedule here.

Virtual classes will be held via Zoom. In-studio classes will be held at our studio in Bloomingdale. Prize is for the month of July 2020 only, and cannot be redeemed for any other month.

One winner will be randomly selected and notified by text and/or email on Tuesday, June 30, 2020.

Visit kindermusikwith88keys.com to enter your child, or text 912-432-5885 to try a free trial class in June.

Kindermusik Savannah, kindermusikwith88keys.com,  email music@kindermusikwith88keys.com or info@kindermusikwith88keys.com, 912.988.KEYS (5397) Kindermusik is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

Going back to school will be hard enough… make sure your child has not suffered from the “COVID SLIDE” and is ready to compete academically.

Individualized programming is available for all students, including those with SLD, ADHD and/or ASD, @ Savannah Educational Consultants

For more information, please call Laurel Brady, Director, Specialized Services,

If you’re interested in services or want more information, please call 912-238-9552.

Savannah Educational Consultants
130 Tibet Ave.
Suite 103
Savannah, GA 31406

Savannah Educational Consultants is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

Savannah pediatrician Amanda H. Hendricks, M.D., FAAP

The best way parents can keep their children happy and healthy is through vaccinations, said SouthCoast Health Pediatrician Dr. Amanda Hendricks.

Learn more here about the benefits of vaccinations and why it’s vital to ensure your children are up to date no matter their age.

If you have additional questions or would like to discuss this topic with one of SouthCoast Health’s pediatric experts, call 912-691-3600.

SouthCoast Health is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

As longtime supporters of St. Andrew’s School in Savannah, the Wilkowksi family annually presents a scholarship to one male and one female student athlete in the senior class.

To be eligible for this $1,000 scholarship, a student must have at least a 3.0 GPA, have attended St. Andrew’s all four years in the Upper School, and must have earned at least 7 Varsity letters. All eligible candidates are interviewed by Dr. Mike Wilkowksi and winners are selected from the interview process.

The 2020 Wilkowski Scholarship Award winners are Matt Eling and Cayleigh Nicholson (pictured right). At St. Andrew’s, Matt participated in Varsity Soccer and Swimming and Cayleigh participated in Varsity Cross Country and Soccer. Matt and Cayleigh are both attending Georgia Tech in the fall.

“The Wilkowski sisters, Grace ’06, Mary ’07, and Rose ’08, exemplified the true meaning of being a student athlete,” said Kelley Waldron, Head of School. “These three alumni were fully committed to their studies, the school community, and their skills on the court and field.”

In recognition of their successes, in 2014 the school retired all three jerseys for the Wilkowski sisters.

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About St. Andrew’s

St. Andrew’s is a college preparatory school for Pre-K3 through Grade 12 located on Wilmington Island, Savannah.

The independent school offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program and has been recognized
for the past five years as an Apple Distinguished School. St. Andrew’s School was named best Savannah private school in Savannah Magazine in 2016.

For more information, visit saslions.com

St. Andrew’s School, 601 Penn Waller Rd, Savannah, 31410. 912.897.4941 ext 452, www.saintschool.com , email hellew@saintschool.com On Facebook here.   On Twitter here. St. Andrew’s is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

SENSATIONAL SUMMER CAMPS AT ST. ANDREW’S SCHOOL, Wilmington IS.
June 8 – July 17 2020
Day Camp & Speciality Camps (puppetry, music, sports, snapology, and more)
Visit saslions.com/summercamps for details and to register.

St. Andrew’s is planning to be in full operation for Summer Camp 2020. They are actively examining all aspects of the day and specialty camp processes, health response procedures, and cleaning procedures to ensure that they meet or exceed the state standards.

Come join camp at St. Andrew’s school for exceptional summer programs. Day camp runs the weeks of June 8-July 17, serving students pre-k 3 through rising 6th grade.

A wide variety of athletic, artistic, as well as, academic camps are offered the weeks of June 8 through the week of July 17 (with the exception of July 3). There’s something for everyone from pre-k 3 through high school.

If you have questions or concerns, reach out to Director Tricia Yates at yatest@saslions.com or by calling the school at (912)897- 4941.

St. Andrew’s School is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

Low Country Counseling in Savannah

Understanding eating disorders can be an important step in helping yourself or a loved one who struggles with body image and their relationship with food.

Therapists @ Low Country Counseling explain here what an eating disorder is and the four types of eating disorders.

Eating Disorders are treatable. If you worry about your relationship with food, REACH OUT! Connection is the key to healing. Recovery is possible.

Learn more here. 
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If you or a loved one is in need of support, Low Country Counseling offers specialized therapy for individuals, moms, couples, families, and teens. Contact Low Country Counseling for any questions or to schedule an appointment. Help is available.

Low Country Counseling is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

-Art by Panhandle Slim, Savannah

Tabitha St. Bernard-Jacobs asks parents in The Romper “How are you educating your child so that they don’t end up with their knee on the neck of a black man begging for his life?”

White parents need to teach their kids to be actively anti-racist and they need to do it early and often, St. Bernard-Jacobs writes.

“If you aren’t teaching your kid to be anti-racist, you are teaching them to be racist,” St. Bernard-Jacobs writes.

St. Bernard-Jacobs offers a few ways that kids receive messages about anti-racism in their homes and some questions we need to be asking of ourselves. Read the article here.

We all have a responsibility to do more to end racism and reject silence.

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More resources for parents to raise anti-racist children:

• Books:
  • Coretta Scott King Book Award Winners: books for children and young adults
• Podcasts:
  • Parenting Forward podcast episode ‘Five Pandemic Parenting Lessons with Cindy Wang Brandt’
  • Fare of the Free Child podcast
• Articles:
  • PBS’s Teaching Your Child About Black History Month
• The Conscious Kid: follow them on Instagram 

At Savannah Educational Consultants, highly trained, experienced, and certified reading specialists provide individualized instruction utilizing best practices in the field.

Effective interventions target the development of lagging skills and promote the abilities and knowledge critical to reading growth.

If you are interested in tutoring or other services, or for more information, please call 912-238-9552.

Savannah Educational Consultants
130 Tibet Ave., Suite 103
Savannah, GA 31406

Savannah Educational Consultants is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

Pin Point Heritage Museum in Savannah will now be open Thursday through Saturday from 9AM-5PM, beginning this Thursday, May 28 2020.

The museum is an open-air historic site with plenty of space for safe social distancing. For the safety of all staff and guests, the museum will be observing:
*Social distancing protocols
*Implementing enhanced sanitizing procedures.
*Changes to the exhibit flow and daily programming for guest safety.

Guests are encouraged to wear masks and adhere to public health safety notices.

Capacity will be limited to 10 guests at a time every half an hour, first come, first served, so please call ahead to check availability. Abbreviated guided tours will be offered every half hour. Guests can then explore and examine exhibits more closely. Visitors can purchase tickets on-site at Pin Point Heritage Museum.

Coastal Heritage Society is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

Kindermusik Savannah with 88 Keys Piano invites you to choose your preferred format for the month of June- virtual classes will still continue, and limited in-studio options will also be offered.

Classes available weekday mornings, afternoons and weekends for ages 0-7!

Text MUSIC to 912-432-5885 to try your first class for free.

kindermusikwith88keys.com

Kindermusik Savannah, kindermusikwith88keys.com,  email music@kindermusikwith88keys.com or info@kindermusikwith88keys.com, 912.988.KEYS (5397) Kindermusik is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

SouthCoast Health’s Dr. Leland R. Dampier, III

Georgia is one of the top five states with the highest sugar consumption, with about one in three Georgian adults drinking soda a day.

“About half of the United States adult population drinks a soda a day,” SouthCoast Health Family Physician Leland Dampier, MD said.

“…But I’m sure if that more adults knew what they were doing to their bodies, they would work hard to never drink soda again.”

Learn about why you should not drink soda & the benefits of water here.

If you have any more questions about the negatives of soda or the benefits of water, click here to schedule an appointment with any of SouthCoast Health’s general physicians.

SouthCoast Health is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

Historic Fort Pulaski and Cockspur Island near Savannah remain closed due to the COVID-19 shutdown. A reopening date has not released.

Fort Pulaski National Monument is working closely with the National park Service Office of Public Health officials on implementing an adaptive recovery plan to increase access to park areas. The goal is to ensure public areas and work spaces are safe and clean for visitors, employees, partners, and volunteers.

While Cockspur Island is currently closed, The Lazaretto Creek and the McQueen’s Islands areas of the park are currently accessible to the public.

Details and updates on park operations will continue to be posted at www.nps.gov/FortPulaski and social media.

Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens in Savannah has reopened to the public.

Hours are 10AM-4PM Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays. Cost: $5 for adults; $3 for kids.

Learn more here. 

Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens at the Historic Bamboo Farm
2 Canebrake Rd.
Savannah, GA 31419

Memory Lane Photography is offering a sweet summertime discount on portraits: $25 off any session between now and the end of July 2020.

Sessions must be booked with deposit by last day in June 2020. Book online here. 

Portraits by Savannah professional photographer Candice Kallam, owner of Memory Lane Photography, are in high demand by parents in Savannah & the Lowcountry.  Areas covered include Statesboro, Effingham County, Savannah, Tybee Is., Pooler,  Brunswick, Bluffton SC as well as these Florida spots: Jacksonville, St. Augustine & Palm Coast

Memory Lane Photography offers natural light, lifestyle photography. Events covered include prom, family, small weddings, elopement, engagement, mini portrait sessions as well as mommy & me, daddy & me, senior portraits.

Stay connected & updated about portrait sessions by following Memory Lane Photography on Instagram here and on Facebook here. 

Memory Lane Photography
Candice Kallam
912-346-7791
email: memorylanephotos.events@gmail.com

Memory Lane Photography is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

Low Country Counseling in Savannah

Madeleine Shaver @ Low Country Counseling in Savannah works in a private practice setting specializing in eating disorders and chemical dependency.

Treatment focus also includes resolving underlying trauma and subsequent codependency issues. She provides psychotherapy for those seeking a new way to live in recovery in these identified areas.

General therapeutic services are also addressed- primarily coping strategies for mood disorders, anxiety or OCD, stress management, unwanted chaos, or building supportive relationships.

Her practice offers group therapy for women with problematic over-eating patterns. She has a passion for helping others understand themselves, their relationships with loved ones, and finding freedom through recovery.

Learn more about Savannah therapist Madeline Shaver here. 

If you or a loved one is in need of support, Low Country Counseling offers specialized therapy for individuals, moms, couples, families, and teens. Contact Low Country Counseling for any questions or to schedule an appointment. Help is available.

Low Country Counseling is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

J.K. Rowling’s new children’s chapter book – The Ickabog – will be published for free online here, in installments, over the next seven weeks, a chapter (or two, or three), at a time.

Rowling writes “It isn’t Harry Potter and it doesn’t include magic. This is an entirely different story.” The first two chapters, which went online on Tues. May 26, introduced King Fred the Fearless, ruler of Cornucopia, and five-year-old Bert Beamish.

Read it here.

The Ickabog book will be published in November 2020. Rowling writes: “I’m going to donate all my royalties to help people who have been affected by the coronavirus.”

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Illustration Competition

J.K. Rowling is inviting children ages 7-12 to help illustrate The Ickabog. Every day when chapters of the story are uploaded, she will offer suggestions for what to draw or paint to illustrate the story, then kids can enter drawings or paintings into the official competition being run by J.K. Rowling’s publishers, for a once in a lifetime chance to be featured in The Ickabog book, which is published in November.

Find details on how to enter here.