South magazine [81] Food and Famous Issue | Page 16

PUB LETTER
A NOTE FROM THE PUBLISHER
Standing in a cemetary in the middle of the night is no laughing matter.
Shannon Scott, ghost extraodinaire, with publisher, Michael Brooks.
A HAUNTING MOMENT
WHEN YOU LIVE AND WORK IN A CITY LIKE
S AV A N N A H , E S P E C I A L LY W H E N Y O U P U B L I S H
A MAGAZINE LIKE SOUTH, IT’S ALL BUT
I N E V I TA B L E T H AT AT S O M E P O I N T YO U ’ L L W I N D
U P I N A C E M E T E R Y L A T E A T N I G H T. After all, this is
the most haunted city in the world. To not address our paranormal
reputation at some point would be to miss the point of this city’s
mystique entirely.
It was the last night before deadline, and we just needed one
more photo to make this issue truly complete: that ominous
graveyard shot you’ll find on page 41. I called up Shannon Scott,
one of the leading authorities on Savannah’s spirits, and asked if he
could help us with the shot and he jumped at the chance. Educating
tourists and locals on our haunted history is his business, and he’s
had more than a few hair-raising encounters along the way, so I
don’t know that he needs much of an excuse to go hang out in a
graveyard at night.
Photographer Blake Crosby was equally gung-ho about our
late-night shoot, but I think for him it was less a passion for the
supernatural and more a supernatural passion for always getting
that perfect image. I’ve never known Blake to do anything halfway
– if he commits to a photo, whether a full page or a tiny inset
thumbnail, he’ll move heaven and earth to get it right.
This particular shot was to illustrate Scott’s
cemetery and dinner tours, so it entailed setting
up tables and a full display among century
old graves. Any spirits wandering by with the
intention of haunting us were more than likely a
little confused.
That’s not to say the evening wasn’t without its
share of hair-raising moments. At one point we
couldn’t help but notice that not one, but two of
the nearby tombstones had Shannon’s name on
them. It may not seem as frightening in the light
of day, but in a cemetery in the most haunted city
in the world amid a late September’s “false fall,” it
was chilling enough in that moment.
If you live here long enough, you start
collecting ghost stories like that – haunting little
moments that could be nothing, or could be
evidence of the paranormal forces that seem to
love Savannah. As we shot, Shannon shared one
with me that I wanted to pass along. Submitted
for your approval:
“In 2004, my girlfriend and I were living on
E. Jones St. in a townhouse built in 1852 by the
prominent Eliza Jewett. Clairvoyants told us
similar tales about fireplaces acting as vortexes
and oddly, all referenced them being shaped like
a reverse checkmark. ‘Duly noted, I thought to
myself, nonchalantly.
“My girlfriend and I were chatting one night
when our conversation came to a screeching
halt. We saw a cylindrical cloud coming out of
the wall above us, creeping towards the ceiling
fan. My jaw dropped and a chill engulfed my
entire body. I was hypnotized. My girlfriend,
a precognitive type, stretched out her hand
and said, ‘Look, friends.’ It was as if the entity
heard her and began floating to her. It stopped
suddenly and rocketed towards a nickel size
‘opening’ where the walls and ceiling met.
“It sounded like it was being sucked out
of the room with a loud whistle as the portal
closed in on itself! In physics, part of this can
be quantified as Zero Point Energy. I just call
it life in Savannah, Georgia -- America’s Most
Haunted City!”
A trick of physics, or a sign from beyond?
That’s the question you’ll just have to ask yourself
until you have your own ghostly encounter. Until
then, many thanks and keep reading! •
publisher & creative director Michael Brooks graphic designer Madeleine Beyer contributing designer Julius
Woodard publisher’s assistant Diane McFeaters account executives Roscoe Smith, Stephanie Boaz & Josh Flores office
manager Michelle Jones editorial/marketing Shana Toney contributing writers Justin Jarrett, Barry Kaufman,
Kelly Harley, Molly Clancy, Connor Judson Garrett, contributing photographers D. Paul Graham, Blake Crosby, John
Alexander, Mary Britton Senseney, Kevin Garrett, Jabberpics, Megan Perameter, Grace Murney contributing editors Barry
Kaufman, Christian Borio, copy editing Stephanie Boaz editorial intern Christian Borio style intern Sedona Baldaccini
South magazine is published bimonthly by Bad Ink, (Brooks Advertising Design, Inc.). Views expressed in the editorial pages do not
imply our endorsement. Please forward inquiries to Editor, South magazine, 116 Bull Street, Savannah, Georgia 31401. We cannot
be responsible for unsolicited product samples. Subscription rates: U.S.: $19 for one year; $28 for two years; single copies: $4.95.
Change of address notice: six to eight weeks prior to moving, please clip the mailing label from the most recent issue and send it along
with your new address to: South magazine, Change of Address Notice, 116 Bull Street, Savannah, GA 31401, attn: Circulation | South
magazine: A Division of Bad Ink, phone: [phone] fax: [phone], southmag.com. Copyright © 2019 South magazine. All
rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or any part without express written permission is prohibited.
16
SOUTH
October | November 2019
PHOTO BY BLAKE CROSBY
ABOUT THE COVERS
Barbeque has been a long-time favorite in
the South and this issue we feature some
of the finest brisket in this region by Wiley’s
Championship BBQ. Check out DineSouth
on page 106. Photographer Mary Britton
Senseney. Cover Design Michael Brooks.
Lukejohn and Amy Dickson are the leading
kitchen designers in this region. Their
award-winning kitchens have appeared
in many magazines and they’ve received
multiple awards on their incredible kitchens.
Check out their incredible work on page 68.
Photographer D. Paul Graham, Cover Design
Michael Brooks.
When Starland Yard opened their gates,
Savannah’s Backyard was finally open. A
place where people of all ages could gather to
dine and enjoy great music. The Starland Yard
is featured on page 76. Photographer D. Paul
Graham, Cover Design Michael Brooks.