Joseph J. Steffen Jr. joins Athens-to-Savannah Ride as presenting sponsor

 

Special to the Herald

Sandersville – Georgia Hi-Lo Trail Inc. announces a partnership with the Law Offices of Joeseph J. Steffen Jr.

The Savannah-based cycling attorney is a long-time supporter of the Athens to Savannah Ride and the cycling community. An avid cyclist, Steffen has a long history as a champion of the sport and specialist in Georgia cycling law. Joeseph J. Steffen Jr. joins ATHSAV as presenting sponsor for the 2024 event.

“Joe has been with us from the beginning. He understands cyclists and is a huge advocate for their safety” said Mary Charles Howard, founder and executive director of Georgia Hi-Lo Trail, Inc., the nonprofit that benefits from the annual ride. “I couldn’t think of a better partner to help us promote the Hi-Lo mission and join us in hosting the 25th year of Athens to Savannah!”

“This partnership is a good fit for us,” explained Joe Steffen. “We work with the cycling community, and working with Athens to Savannah is an opportunity to show our support and a great way to give back.”

The 2024 event will take place from Oct. 17-20. The 285-mile, four-day ride hosts both gravel and road options that lead cyclists from Athens to Savannah by way of the eight-county area served by the Georgia Hi-Lo Trail initiative.

Starting from Athens and finishing in Savannah, the ride stops in several communities along the way, including overnight stays in Athens, White Plains and Greensboro, Tennille and Sandersville, and Statesboro. The final leg of the trip includes parts of Effingham County before reaching the final stop in Savannah, where cyclists can relax and celebrate at the ATHSAV Awards & After Party.

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Erika Davis hired as bilingual community outreach specialist at Forsyth Farmer’s Market

 

Special to the Effingham Herald

SAVANNAH – The Forsyth Farmers’ Market recently hired Erika Davis, a native Spanish speaker, as the nonprofit’s bilingual community outreach specialist, underscoring the market’s commitment to expanding outreach initiatives within the Latino community.

Davis will provide culturally appropriate translation, interpretation and support services for the Forsyth Farmers’ Market in an effort to increase Hispanic participation in the nonprofit’s community-focused, educational programming.

Originally from the Dominican Republic, Davis earned a B.A. in Psychology from the Universidad Católica de Santo Domingo. Before joining the Forsyth Farmers’ Market, she served as an assistant property manager and housing compliance specialist in Maryland. 

“We’re thrilled to welcome Erika to our team and appreciate her support to help us reach Spanish-speaking individuals across the greater Savannah area, expanding access to fresh, local food,” said Tina Saxe, interim executive director of the Forsyth Farmers’ Market. “We are committed to ensuring that everyone in our community has access to healthy, affordable food and to supporting local farmers.”

In 2023, the Forsyth Farmers’ Market garnered more than 150 new Hispanic participants for its popular Food Farmacy, a free program that addresses health disparities and promotes wellness by using fresh produce as a form of medicine to help mitigate diet-related chronic illnesses. With the addition of a fluent Spanish speaker, the Forsyth Farmers’ Market hopes to make an even wider impact within the Latino community in 2024.

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Flavors Food Tours launches in Savannah

 Special to the Herald

SAVANNAH – Flavors Food Tours chose Savannah to launch its “progressive dining with a difference” historic cultural food tours. Business owner and founder of Flavors Food Tours, Leslie Wiggins, founded the first food tour in the Caribbean: Flavors of San Juan Food and Culture Tours in 2009.

Quickly growing to the number-one-ranked culinary tour in San Juan, Flavors Food Tours expanded into St. Thomas in 2016. Now, Wiggins has returned to her native Georgia to launch Flavors Food Tours – Savannah to honor her family’s home of Savannah.

“The Hostess City is the perfect place on the U.S. mainland for us to showcase local cuisine from the highest quality restaurants while our tour guides point out the history and culture as we stroll to our next foodie stop,” explains Wiggins. “I have experienced the magic of Savannah throughout my childhood and adult years and hope to share the same feeling with visitors and locals through history, food, and culture.”

Flavors Food Tours - Savannah differentiates itself by offering intimate, all-inclusive tours for up to eight guests, including five foodie stops on both the lunch tour and dinner tour. Guests are encouraged to arrive hungry as they experience a full meal rather than just small samples of food, showcasing traditional Southern cuisine at some of Savannah’s best establishments. Participants enjoy hearty servings of the highest quality sweet and savory foods and drinks such as crab cakes, shrimp and grits, oysters, pralines, ice cream, mocktails and an alcoholic beverage for people aged 21 years and over.

Flavors Food Tours- Savannah guides point out landmarks during the historical and architectural walk to help visitors understand and appreciate the city and encourage locals to see their home through fresh eyes.

Tours are approximately three-and-a-half hours and provide guests with an all-inclusive experience at a fair cost. “True South” lunch tours begin at 10 a.m. on River Street and “Southern Tradition” dinner tours start at 3 p.m.at Madison Square.

Private tours are also offered with flexibility in the size of the group and enable guests to customize the experience. These are a popular option for bridal parties, bachelor/bachelorette groups, family celebrations and more.

For more information about Flavors Food Tours – Savannah visit www.flavorsfoodtours.com and follow the organization at @flavorsfoodtours on Facebook and Instagram. To book a tour call 787-964-2447 or book online at  www.savannahfoodtours.com.