PUBLISHER’S LETTER: MICHAEL BROOKS
BUT AS A YOUNG
CHILD, WHAT I
WANTED TO BE
MOST WAS A
GARBAGEMAN.
A SUNDAY AFTERNOON IN SAVANNAH, GEORGIA’S FORSYTH PARK
WITH HOSANNA’S HELPERS VOLUNTEERS AND A FEW OF THE
KIDS CAN SURE HELP PUT LIFE IN PERSEPCTIVE.
ARE YOU STUCK?
I SOMETIMES FEEL STUCK AT MY JOB. THAT’S PROBABLY NOT
PARTICULARLY SHOCKING.
I’m sure you’ve been there. And if you haven’t, bless you. You must
be a saint or you have the greatest job the world has ever known.
For the rest of us, well, no matter how interesting, rewarding or
financially lucrative our careers are, we can never fully escape the
stress, the drama and the grind that sometimes come with them.
So, as we started to prepare our annual Health and Wellness issue, I
reminded myself of how fortunate I am to make a living the way I do.
I’ve been in the magazine business for 25 years and know inti-
mately the hard work it takes. I’m all too familiar with looming
deadlines, complex logistics, and the sometimes precarious finances.
But when an issue wraps and heads to our readers—God, I love the
heck out of it.
However, my earliest vocational inspiration was something far differ-
ent and a bit unconventional. When I start to feel stuck, I always try to
recall it. Some kids dreamed of being a firefighter or a fighter pilot or a
doctor or even the President of the United States of America.
24
S OUT H MAGA ZI NE.C OM
–MICHAEL BROOKS
no.65
ROOT
DOCTORS
THE SOUTH IS KNOWN
FOR
MANY THINGS, BUT FEW
KNOW THE TERM ROOT
DOCTORS. FIND
OUT WHY.
page 62
★★★★
SOUTHERN
SUPERFOOD
But as a young child, what I wanted to be
most was a garbageman.
When I was growing up, I would watch the
garbage trucks racing down the dirt alleys
behind our home in my small town. The guys
who hung off the back of the trucks leapt on
and off at stops and swung the barrels and
cans with a certain timing and agility that
made unglamorous, honest work look like a
synchronized, almost choreographed display
of athleticism.
Most of all, they seemed to be enjoying it.
Even my favorite Christmas gifts were
these incredible, functioning toy garbage
trucks. I would immediately put them to the
test, munching all the stray Christmas paper
I could find. I was excited at the prospect of
one day commanding such a full-sized mech-
anized beast.
As I grew older, my life and other budding
interests took me down a far different path.
Yet I still sometimes wonder if I could have
been just as happy sitting in the driver’s seat
or hanging off the back of one of those trucks.
But what has always stayed with me was the
idea that, no matter what we do, we can find
satisfaction, pride—and even fun—in our
occupations if we just remember to recognize
the opportunities they present.
Recently I had the opportunty to visit the
volunteers that help out kids called Hosanna
Helpers (see page 52.) This group is dedi-
cated to helping kids in need on Sunday af-
ternoons in Forsyth park and it sure puts life
in perspective. It helped me realize to appre-
ciate what I have and take time to spend with
those I love and appreciate.
So, when you’re feeling stuck in your job,
I encourage you to remind yourself of the
things that are fulfilling. It might just do the
trick. And if you’re having trouble coming up
with any, then maybe it’s time to revisit some
of your own earlier inspirations or pay a
visit to Forsyth Park one Sunday afternoon.
I know, for me, there’s always a big, green
diesel truck idling somewhere in the back of
my mind.
Many, many thanks and keep reading,
ABOUT THE COVERS
HEALTHY EATING IN THE SOUTH USED TO BE AN
OXYMORON, BUT NOW FOODS LIKE SAVANNAH
OATMEAL ARE EXPLODING ON THE SCENE
OFFERING A HEALTHY WAY TO EAT SOUTHERN.
Page 142
Savannah Oatmeal is a Savannah,
Georgia based company launched
by founder, visionary and chief
executive officer Gabe Thomas.
Photography by Michael Hrizuk, a
South Carolina based photographer
specializing in travel, food and
people. Cover design, Michael
Brooks. Check out this superfood
and why it’s a one of a kind oatmeal in
the country. Featured on page 142.
no.65
ROOT
DOCTORS
SEAFOOD
SOUTH
THE SOUTH IS KNOWN
FOR
MANY THINGS, BUT FEW
KNOW THE TERM ROOT
DOCTORS. FIND
OUT WHY.
in
the
Page 62
GOSOUTH
WINTER TRAVELS
TOP NYE
PARTIES
of 2016
ON THE COAST
JIMMY
CARTER
GREAT KIDS
PAGE 54
Dr. Dmitri Sofianos,
Orthopaedic Surgeon
Rubgy Players and
Outdoor Enthusiast.
DEC - JAN 2016-17 ★ ISSUE #65
SOUTH'S
GREATEST
DOCTORS:
7 THINGS
YOU DIDN'T KNOW
SOUTHMAGAZINE.COM ★ $4.95
(Display until February 15)
Dr. Sofianos is a former Vanderbilt
Rugby player and South’s 10th Annual
Best Doctors cover. He recently
relocated to Savannah, Georgia
and is practicing wit h Chatham
Orthopaedics. He was Photographed
by Savannah-based Cedric Smith and is
wearing Triple Aught Design clothing
(tripleaughtdesign.com). Written by
Bill Wertz. Cover Design by Michael
B. See page 106.
no.65
★★★★
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Dine South
ALLIGATOR SOUL
SAVANNAH GEORGIA'S ROMANTIC AND ELEGANT DINING DESTINATION
FEATURING ORGANIC, FRESH, NATURAL, DAYBOAT, LOCAL AND REGIONAL FARE
Alligator Soul is one of Savannah,
Georgia’s most legendary restaurants.
For over a decade, they have been
known for their exotic entrée and
elegant atmosphere. Photographed
by Savannah based Cedric Smith and
written by Bill Wertz. Cover Design
by Michael B. See page 148.
Photograph by CEDRIC SMITH