Dear Landings Association Members,

The time has come to vote for the required Annual Dues to help sustain The Landings Association for the next three years. As detailed in the voting packet and in prior communications, this vote is about maintaining our critical infrastructure, some of which is now 51 years old. It is not about adding new service levels.

One point to note is that our Annual Dues now make up a much smaller portion of our overall revenue stream than in the past (about 55% of total revenue vs. 67% in recent history). We have worked diligently to increase other revenue sources, from our fully leased spaces at both Marinas, to our commercial vendor passes, to the interest received from our investments.

Last year, when interest rates began to rise for the first time in quite a number of years, Finance Director Jessica Henderson worked with our Investment Subcommittee and broker to create a ladder of CDs and Treasuries, with different maturities. This allowed us to capture rising interest rates while maintaining liquidity as needed. We now have some investments with interest rates as high as 5+%. Work like this allows us to offset the needed increase in our Annual Dues. You can read more at www.landings.org/annual-dues. Then, please vote “Yes”!

Each quarter, we provide an update of progress made against the Association’s Strategic Plan. You can view this progress by clicking Strategic Plan Updates. Some highlights from the past three months include the following:

• Launching the new, digital Landings Journal that allows embedded videos and other links while saving money on printing and mailing costs
• Launching a new smartphone app, which has been installed by 86% of our community
• Launching the new Talking TLA podcast – which can be found at www.landings.org/podcast
• Finalizing plans for the project installing fiber internet to homes in The Landings
• Finalizing plans to upgrade the audio/video systems in Delegal Creek Marina’s Sunset Room and in the Association’s conference room
• Began researching and reviewing what would be required to replace the aging Marsh Tower

Remember, if I can be of help, please let me know (karls@landings.org). In the meantime, enjoy spring in The Landings!

By Herman Stone
President, The Landings Association

Thank you to all in our community who received your Annual Property Owner Dues ballot and have already voted. If you have not, please visit our homepage (www.landings.org) to cast your vote now.

If you have any doubts about why you should vote or support the Dues increase, please note that this increase is crucial for The Landings Association’s financial health and long-term sustainability. Our community needs this increase in Dues to maintain its infrastructure and amenities, meet rising costs, and ensure long-term financial stability.

For additional information, please visit www.landings.org/annual-dues. Please be advised that the voting deadline is April 20, 2023, and at least 60% of the community must vote to secure this necessary increase. Thank you!

I thank all those who attended the Association’s Annual Meeting on March 1. Those who couldn’t make it can check out the meeting highlights on our website. Attendees found the meeting productive and informative, and it was great to see everyone there.

At the meeting, we announced the annual Volunteer Individual and Volunteer Group of the year awards. I am pleased to recognize Bob Egan as the 2022 Volunteer of the Year and the Coastal Conservation Association Skidaway Chapter (CCA) as Volunteer Group of the Year. Both Bob and CCA have provided exceptional and meaningful service to our community and the greater Savannah community for many years, and this recognition was overdue.

As I think about volunteers, I think about those many people who volunteer to serve on The Landings Association’s committees. These volunteers, like many who serve groups such as Landlovers, New Neighbors, CCA, Kiwanis, and others, give many hours of service to ensure we have a vibrant community for all of us to enjoy.

As your President, I am fortunate to attend many committee meetings and meet the dedicated volunteers who serve on TLA’s committees. I am impressed by how actively the committee members participate and contribute to the meetings. The Landings is blessed with an amazing collection of talented, educated, and experienced individuals who have a positive impact on our community’s quality of life.

Starting in April, we will be forming a Nominating Committee to recruit, interview, and nominate candidates for election to the Association’s Board of Directors for the years 2024 – 2026. This election will be held during September and October of this year. If you are interested in volunteering for the Nominating Committee, please email me (hstone.tla@gmail.com) to indicate your interest. We are looking for at least five community members who are not currently serving on our Board or plan to run for the Board this year. Ideally, the members of the Nominating Committee will possess the following skills or traits:

• A good understanding of our community governing documents, including Covenants, Bylaws, Board of Directors Policy Manual, Rules and Regulations, etc. (www.landings.org/resources > Governing Documents). It is crucial that the Nominating Committee members understand the responsibilities of the Board of Directors, so informed decisions can be made.
• Ability to commit to attending all meetings and completing all necessary tasks. Note this Nominating Committee will be active between late May and the middle of August. A schedule will be clearly defined upfront to ensure all participants can stay involved.
• Previous experience serving on a community board or on other community organizations will be a plus.
• Be impartial and have no conflicts of interest with any candidates for the Board.
• Possess effective communication skills so you can collaborate with other committee members, participate in the Board candidate interviews, and contribute during the final selection process.

Serving on this Nominating Committee is a vital and very important responsibility, as a well-informed and vibrant Board of Directors is crucial to the success of our community.

Thank you, and enjoy our beautiful island as we transition from winter into spring!

Thank you to all in our community who received your Annual Property Owner Dues ballot and have already voted. If you have not, please visit our homepage (www.landings.org) to cast your vote now.

If you have any doubts about why you should vote or support the Dues increase, please note that this increase is crucial for The Landings Association’s financial health and long-term sustainability. Our community needs this increase in Dues to maintain its infrastructure and amenities, meet rising costs, and ensure long-term financial stability.

For additional information, please visit www.landings.org/annual-dues. Please be advised that the voting deadline is April 20, 2023, and at least 60% of the community must vote to secure this necessary increase. Thank you!

I thank all those who attended the Association’s Annual Meeting on March 1. Those who couldn’t make it can check out the meeting highlights on our website. Attendees found the meeting productive and informative, and it was great to see everyone there.

At the meeting, we announced the annual Volunteer Individual and Volunteer Group of the year awards. I am pleased to recognize Bob Egan as the 2022 Volunteer of the Year and the Coastal Conservation Association Skidaway Chapter (CCA) as Volunteer Group of the Year. Both Bob and CCA have provided exceptional and meaningful service to our community and the greater Savannah community for many years, and this recognition was overdue.

As I think about volunteers, I think about those many people who volunteer to serve on The Landings Association’s committees. These volunteers, like many who serve groups such as Landlovers, New Neighbors, CCA, Kiwanis, and others, give many hours of service to ensure we have a vibrant community for all of us to enjoy.

As your President, I am fortunate to attend many committee meetings and meet the dedicated volunteers who serve on TLA’s committees. I am impressed by how actively the committee members participate and contribute to the meetings. The Landings is blessed with an amazing collection of talented, educated, and experienced individuals who have a positive impact on our community’s quality of life.

Starting in April, we will be forming a Nominating Committee to recruit, interview, and nominate candidates for election to the Association’s Board of Directors for the years 2024 – 2026. This election will be held during September and October of this year. If you are interested in volunteering for the Nominating Committee, please email me (hstone.tla@gmail.com) to indicate your interest. We are looking for at least five community members who are not currently serving on our Board or plan to run for the Board this year. Ideally, the members of the Nominating Committee will possess the following skills or traits:

• A good understanding of our community governing documents, including Covenants, Bylaws, Board of Directors Policy Manual, Rules and Regulations, etc. (www.landings.org/resources > Governing Documents). It is crucial that the Nominating Committee members understand the responsibilities of the Board of Directors, so informed decisions can be made.
• Ability to commit to attending all meetings and completing all necessary tasks. Note this Nominating Committee will be active between late May and the middle of August. A schedule will be clearly defined upfront to ensure all participants can stay involved.
• Previous experience serving on a community board or on other community organizations will be a plus.
• Be impartial and have no conflicts of interest with any candidates for the Board.
• Possess effective communication skills so you can collaborate with other committee members, participate in the Board candidate interviews, and contribute during the final selection process.

Serving on this Nominating Committee is a vital and very important responsibility, as a well-informed and vibrant Board of Directors is crucial to the success of our community.

Thank you, and enjoy our beautiful island as we transition from winter into spring!

The Skidaway Community Church’s annual Shredding event will take Saturday, April 29 from 9 a a.m. until noon behind the church. The event has taken place a number of years and the proceeds go to SAFE Shelter, a Center for Domestic Violence Services. The shelter’s mission is to prevent domestic violence, protect violence victims and promote change in lives, families and the community.

The shredding provides an opportunity for people to shred documents no longer valuable to them in a safe manner. As they did last year, Seacoast Security Shredding will provide its services for the event. Materials appropriate for shredding include residential material, documents, discs. However, three-ring binders, books, and magazines are not allowed. No more than 10 boxes of paper are permitted at one time, but  a person can come for a second time with more items. The boxes the papers are transported in are recycled.

According to Co Chair, Carolyn Ernest (Bob Ernest is her Co Chair), last April the shredding event earned $13,869 for SAFE Shelter, which was down a bit due to having two events in one year because of COVID-19 the previous year. More than 16,000 pounds of paper was shredded by the two Seacoast Security trucks. Carolyn notes that this event started as long ago as 2012 and “was an outgrowth of having the church’s documents shredded as well as then having members papers also processed.” The original C.R.A.B.B.I.N.G. fundraiser began the support of SAFE Shelter.

According to Kathyrn Autry, Development Director of SAFE Shelter, shredding “funds are always a huge help”, particularly in a year when the shelter is over capacity. Kathyrn says “they don’t turn anyone away.” The monies go into a general operating fund.

Carolyn is grateful to not only the community at large for its support but also to church members who serve as volunteers. Efforts for this event involve tubers, organizers, traffic controllers, recyclers, publicity, etc. There is no charge for the event but donations are accepted (checks must be made payable to SAFE Shelter.

For question or more information about the fundraiser, call Carolyn or Bob Ernest (912-598-0230) or the church office at (912-598-0151). You also can learn more information at www.skidcc.org.

Inshore fishing is the topic for Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) Skidaway’s upcoming meeting and seminar on April 10 at St. Peter’s Church beginning at 7 p.m.  The featured speaker is Captain Garett Ross of Miss Judy’s Charters.

Captain Garrett will be focusing on spring inshore fishery and what to expect as summer progresses. He will cover tips and techniques for targeting, redfish, trout, Crevalle Jack, Bull redfish, flounder, and one other fish that is new to him, which he will reveal at the seminar. He will conclude his talk for your questions on anything fishing-related.  Just remember,  everything he says may not be the “right way”, it’s just what works for him. 

Garrett did not grow up in Savannah. However, his father was in the Coast Guard for 26 years, so wherever they lived was always by the water. After graduating high school at Calvary, he joined the military.  His service took him all over the world, and whenever possible he had a fishing rod in hand. He was fortunate to fish many different areas believes it allows him to approach fishing with a mixture of techniques and knowledge from those experiences.

Captain Garrett has been a full-time guide for nine seasons.  He started his first year as an offshore captain, but quickly moved to inshore. While some local captains are known to be species specific, he’s most known for targeting a wide range of species and using lesser-known techniques.  He is best known for fishing big jacks in the spring and summer on top water, wade fishing for tailing reds, tarpon, and the big bull reds in the fall. 

 CCA’s April raffle prize is a 1/2 day inshore fishing trip with Captain Garrett Ross for two, valued at $450 (gratuity is not included).

CCA is a nonprofit organization with chapters on the Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf Coasts. For more information about CCA of Skidaway, call Dave Devore (330-329-6457). For more information about CCA’s Georgia District, call Tom Rood (912-598-9753).  For information about April’s meeting and seminar, call Paulette Hamilton (610-509-0279). Area residents are invited to attend CCA of Skidaway meetings and seminars on the second Monday of the month at St. Peter’s Church.

Join The One Hundred Children’s Foundation (OHCF) aboard the Georgia Queen (9 E. River Street, Savannah) on April 21 from 6 to 9 p.m. 

This 5^th Anniversary event features dining, dancing, a cash bar, LIVE auction, and Lucky Ducks raffle for a chance to win $3,000! For tickets, Lucky Ducks, transportation and Sponsorship options, please visit www.theonehundredchildrensfoundation.org.

All proceeds benefit the 2023 grant funds in support of children’s health, wellness and education initiatives.

The One Hundred Children’s Foundation is a nonprofit dedicated to promoting the health, well-being, and education of children through financial support of child-focused outreach programs in the Coastal Empire of Georgia and the Low Country of South Carolina. In 2022, The OHCF granted $100,000 to eight deserving nonprofits serving children.

Inshore fishing is the topic for Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) Skidaway’s upcoming meeting and seminar on April 10 at St. Peter’s Church beginning at 7 p.m.  The featured speaker is Captain Garett Ross of Miss Judy’s Charters.

Captain Garrett will be focusing on spring inshore fishery and what to expect as summer progresses. He will cover tips and techniques for targeting, redfish, trout, Crevalle Jack, Bull redfish, flounder, and one other fish that is new to him, which he will reveal at the seminar. He will conclude his talk for your questions on anything fishing-related.  Just remember,  everything he says may not be the “right way”, it’s just what works for him. 

Garrett did not grow up in Savannah. However, his father was in the Coast Guard for 26 years, so wherever they lived was always by the water. After graduating high school at Calvary, he joined the military.  His service took him all over the world, and whenever possible he had a fishing rod in hand. He was fortunate to fish many different areas believes it allows him to approach fishing with a mixture of techniques and knowledge from those experiences.

Captain Garrett has been a full-time guide for nine seasons.  He started his first year as an offshore captain, but quickly moved to inshore. While some local captains are known to be species specific, he’s most known for targeting a wide range of species and using lesser-known techniques.  He is best known for fishing big jacks in the spring and summer on top water, wade fishing for tailing reds, tarpon, and the big bull reds in the fall. 

 CCA’s April raffle prize is a 1/2 day inshore fishing trip with Captain Garrett Ross for two, valued at $450 (gratuity is not included).

CCA is a nonprofit organization with chapters on the Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf Coasts. For more information about CCA of Skidaway, call Dave Devore (330-329-6457). For more information about CCA’s Georgia District, call Tom Rood (912-598-9753).  For information about April’s meeting and seminar, call Paulette Hamilton (610-509-0279). Area residents are invited to attend CCA of Skidaway meetings and seminars on the second Monday of the month at St. Peter’s Church.