Noble County Recorder

FOR SALE

• Pontoon Boat: Does not float. Perfect for backyard parties, children’s pirate forts, or passive-aggressive lawn decor. Comes with three life jackets and an expired map to Morgan Island.
  Call Earl—bring rope and low expectations.

• Wedding Dress (Worn Once): Ivory. Fits size “I Don’t Wanna Talk About It.” Slight barbecue stain, no questions, no returns.
  Text Darla—must pick up after dark.

• Rooster: Answers to “Big Daddy” or sometimes just “Get Down From There!” Free to a home with very tolerant neighbors. Will trade for earplugs or strong coffee.

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SERVICES OFFERED

• Ken’s Quickie Divorce & Odd Jobs: 1-800-CALL-KEN
  Punch card special: Free flamingo removal with your third legal proceeding. Now offering “ex-in-law haul away” and wedding dress bonfires (weather permitting).

• Cousin Ronnie’s Haulin’ & Removal: Got junk, ex’s stuff, or mysterious garden gnomes that keep multiplying? Cash only. Discretion guaranteed unless you owe him money.

• Auntie Pearl’s Root Doctorin’ & Love Potions: “Cures what ails you—or at least makes you interestin’ at parties.” Consultations behind the Pig and Poke after sunset.

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PERSONALS

 Missed Connection:

You: Pig and Poke deli, deviled eggs.

Me: Potato salad, regret. Call me.

 ISO Fishing Buddy: Must own a boat, keep secrets, and not be afraid of snakes. Bonus if you don’t ask too many questions. Ask for “Skip”—it’s not my real name.

Lost: One set of dentures, last seen at Sanctuary Bay Bingo. Reward: banana pudding.

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HELP WANTED

• Church Social Bouncer: Must be able to spot an unsanctioned casserole from 40 paces. Pay: first pick at dessert table.

• Pony Club Dancer: Apply after 6 p.m. Must have reliable transportation, be flexible, and have a strong sense of humor.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Saint Michaels Annual Pie Contest: If you freeze your crust, you’d best keep quiet about it.

•  Rose Island Book Club: Now reading “Gone with the Gin”—bring your own flask and side-eye.

Noble County Recorder

Advice from everyone’s favorite Auntie

Dear Auntie June,

My husband said he was workin’ late down at the cannery, so I thought I’d swing by Fresh Air and pick him up some BBQ.

Well, I was drivin’ the loop road and as I passed the Pink Pony, I noticed a truck out front looked an awful lot like his.

But it was just that giant neon Girls Girls Girls sign casting shadows, right?

—Wonderin’ on the Loop Road

Dear Wonderin’,

Suga, while those blinkin’ signs can blind the daylight outta Ray Charles, there’s nothing wrong with trustin’ your instincts—especially when the shadows start lookin’ like familiar tail lights.

Here’s what you do: Next time y’all are settlin’ in for supper, get real casual and say, “Well, I was down at Kitty’s gettin’ my hair done and tongues are waggin’ about Amber catchin’ Charles Ray at the Pony Club, can you believe it?”
Then just watch him—if he squirms, stutters, or suddenly remembers to take the trash out for the first time since the Fourth of July, girl, you got options.

Now, dependin’ on how aggrieved you’re feelin’:

• You can call 1-800-KEN for a quickie divorce (he’s got a punch card for every third client—free lawn flamingo removal included),
  or

• You can flash him a smile sweet as tea and head on over to Sea Islands Gifts and Glass. Noticed they’re havin’ a sale on fine jewelry—nothing soothes a ruffled feather like a little sparkle on your wrist.

Remember: Sanctuary Bay women didn’t get this far by takin’ men at their word—or by passing up a good sale.

Yours in sweet tea and strategic shopping,
Auntie June

Dear Auntie June,

We were at Mario’s the other night with my husband’s family, and my niece’s child was runnin’ wild—bouncin’ off booths like a pinball. I wanted to snatch a knot in her head right there, but my husband said that’d be rude and I should let her “express herself.”
I swear, if she’d expressed herself any harder, we’d be settin’ up a GoFundMe for new salt shakers. What do you think?

—Aunt With Nerves Like Cheap Lace

Dear Cheap Lace,

Oh, honey. I have seen more unruly young’uns at Mario’s than I have meatballs, and that’s saying something. Let me put it this way: there’s a fine line between “expressing yourself” and “auditioning for an exorcism.” But as much as you wanted to snatch a knot (and let’s be honest, that’s the Southern way), public places ain’t the spot for old-school discipline—unless you want your photo on Facebook with the caption, “Guess who lost it at Mario’s?”

Best thing is, give her mama The Look—you know the one, where your eyebrow goes up and your soul leaves your body. If that doesn’t work, let the restaurant staff handle it; nothing like a server with a tray of sweet tea to shut down a sugar rush.

In the meantime, practice deep breathing, order another plate of garlic knots, and remember: revenge is best served at the next family reunion, when you gift the child a drum set.

Yours in patience and percussion,

Auntie June

Noble County Recorder

Holiday Wreath Contest Disrupted Following Dispute Over Magnolia Flag

Judging Panel, Longstanding Traditions, and a Canine Complication Noted

By staff writer, The Noble County Recorder

The Sanctuary Bay Holiday Market was briefly disrupted Saturday afternoon following a public dispute during the presentation of this year’s Wreath Decorating Contest award.

The disagreement arose moments after judges awarded the Magnolia Blossom Flag, traditionally displayed on the winner’s home for the year, to Ruby Gilroy, ending a ten-year winning streak held by Maybelle Everett.

Everett, well known for hearing difficulties, immediately objected to the decision, loudly accusing Gilroy of securing the award through what she described as “casting couch skills” in connection with one of the judges—a remark that drew audible reactions from across the market square.

Witnesses confirmed that the dispute escalated when Gilroy attempted to leave the judging area with the Magnolia Flag. Everett seized the award, resulting in a brief physical struggle. During the exchange, Gilroy fell, at which point Coco, Everett’s prize-winning Pomeranian, became agitated and nipped Gilroy on the leg.

Event volunteers intervened quickly, separating the parties. Several wreath displays sustained minor damage.

Mayor Loulou Tomlin confirmed that no arrests were made.

“Emotions ran high, voices carried, and a small dog became overstimulated,” the mayor said. “The situation was brought under control.”

EMTs treated Gilroy for minor lacerations. She declined to comment and left the market shortly thereafter. Everett was escorted away while continuing to dispute the judging process.

Readers Will Recall

The Magnolia Blossom Flag has flown on the Everett home for the past decade, making this year’s result a notable departure from tradition.

This year’s judging panel included local businessman Charles Habersham, whose presence drew attention from attendees familiar with past social connections involving multiple members of the community.

Habersham did not issue a statement regarding the incident.

Community Update

Event organizers confirmed that the contest results are under review, citing concerns related to conduct during the award presentation.

The Holiday Market reopened later that afternoon, though officials noted that additional measures may be considered for future competitions.

Residents are reminded that while holiday traditions are intended to foster goodwill, strong personalities, long memories, and competitive histories can occasionally complicate festive proceedings.

Noble County Recorder

City Audit Expands Following Review of Bridge Accident Records

Purchasing Department Files Under Examination

By Jessica Ziggler

City officials confirmed Monday that an internal audit of the Noble County Purchasing Department has expanded following the review of records connected to last fall’s fatal bridge accident on Belle Isle.

The accident, which involved a county-owned dump truck transporting sand to Goodwin Park ahead of storm preparations, resulted in one fatality and left the Belle Isle swing bridge closed for several hours as engineers assessed structural safety. At the time, authorities cited mechanical failure as a contributing factor, though no formal cause was publicly released.

According to documents obtained by The Noble County Recorder, maintenance logs and procurement records associated with county heavy equipment were flagged during the accident review, prompting a broader examination of purchasing practices. The audit is now focusing on equipment acquisition, refurbishment contracts, and maintenance compliance over the past several years.

Records overseen by the office of the late Deputy Purchasing Director Preston Spruill are among those currently under review. Spruill, who managed multiple large-scale equipment contracts during his tenure, was found deceased earlier this year under circumstances authorities have described as suspicious.

While officials maintain that Spruill’s death is not believed to be connected to the current audit, multiple sources confirmed that records originating from his office have drawn particular scrutiny during the review process.

City representatives emphasized that the audit remains administrative in nature.

“At this time, there is no indication of criminal wrongdoing,” a spokesperson said. “The review is part of standard due diligence following a fatal infrastructure incident.”

No timeline has been provided for the completion of the audit. Officials stated that findings will be released “as appropriate.”

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Recorder Archive

Related coverage on file

Authorities Discover Body of Former Purchasing Director

March 3, 2024

Fatal Bridge Accident Closes Belle Isle Crossing Ahead of Storm

August 8, 2023

City Confirms Internal Review of Equipment Maintenance Records

January 18, 2024

Deputy Purchasing Director Missing under Suspicious Circumstances

November 30, 2022

Officials have stated these incidents are not believed to be connected.

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Vox Populi

The People Speak

Just Asking: Are ATVs the New Patrol Standard?

I was driving past the sheriff’s office last week when I slowed down—not for traffic, but curiosity.

JT Minton’s delivery truck was unloading a passel of ATVs—which made me wonder if I’d missed a memo.

Did Noble County find a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow? Or maybe someone made a very generous donation of recreational vehicles to law enforcement.

Cuz if my tax dollars paid for this I have to ask: just what does the sheriff’s office need with that many ATVs?

Unless we’re planning on chasing runaway golf carts through the marsh, it seems like a lot of equipment for everyday business.

I’m sure there’s a sensible explanation. There usually is.

Still, when expensive toys arrive all at once—delivered, no less—folks are bound to notice.

Just wondering out loud.

— Vox Populi

Noble County Recorder

A holiday tradition takes an unexpected turn as dogs dash off with the Pirate Angel topper during the Sanctuary Bay tree lighting. —Staff photo

Dec. 15, 2025 — Sanctuary Bay

Holiday Market Opens with Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony

Fallen Pirate Angel Briefly Delays Proceedings

By staff writer, The Noble County Recorder

The Sanctuary Bay Holiday Market opened Saturday evening with the town’s annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, drawing residents to the park for carols, cocoa, and the traditional countdown marking the beginning of the holiday season.

Mayor Loulou Tomlin addressed the crowd shortly before dusk, thanking volunteers, local business sponsors, and organizers for their work preparing the market. She offered particular recognition to Holly Daye and the staff of CoaStyle Event Decorating for coordinating this year’s festivities.

As the mayor concluded her remarks, the lights dimmed in preparation for the ceremonial drumroll.

Moments later, a stiff gust off the river swept through the square.

Witnesses reported that the traditional Pirate Angel tree topper—a long-standing symbol honoring Sanctuary Bay’s founding as a haven for pirates—wobbled, tilted, and then dislodged from the top of the tree, tumbling to the ground below.

Before volunteers could react, a blur of black fur streaked across the lawn, the Pirate Angel clutched triumphantly in its jaws.

The culprit was quickly identified as Alfie, a French bulldog owned by Stanley “Thig” Thigpin of Bark and Buff Dog Spa. Close behind came The Colonel, the English bulldog belonging to Holly Daye, in enthusiastic pursuit.

Thigpin and Daye sprinted across the lawn as the dogs circled the tree, drawing gasps, laughter, and applause from the crowd. The band, momentarily stunned, recovered and launched into “Joy to the World” as the tree was lit and the chase concluded with the Pirate Angel recovered intact.

Volunteers confirmed that the tree itself remained stable and undamaged.

“No injuries were reported,” officials later stated. “The Pirate Angel will be re-secured prior to the next scheduled event.”

Festivities continued as planned, with residents browsing vendor stalls, enjoying seasonal treats, and gathering beneath the illuminated tree as opening night concluded.

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 Holiday Market Schedule: Week of December 15

Sunday, Dec. 15
• Tree Lighting Ceremony (completed)
• Opening Night Market Hours

Monday, Dec. 16
• Children’s Craft Hour
• Caroling on Bay Street

Tuesday, Dec. 17
• Cookie Exchange & Recipe Swap
• Local Choir Performances

Wednesday, Dec. 18
• Annual Wreath Decorating Contest
• Judging and Award Presentation

Thursday, Dec. 19
• Holiday Pet Parade
• Photos with Santa (Gazebo)

Friday, Dec. 20
• Closing Night Market
• Community Sing-Along

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Community Note

Organizers reminded attendees that pets must remain leashed during market events. Additional volunteers will be stationed near the tree throughout the week.

Noble County Recorder

A calm returns to Bay Street following what residents now call “Porch Goose Friday.”

UPDATE: No Charges Filed in Granny’s Gifts Black Friday Incident

By staff writer, The Noble County Recorder

Authorities confirmed this week that no charges will be filed following the widely reported Black Friday disturbance at Granny’s Gifts, bringing official closure to what many residents are still referring to as “Porch Goose Friday.”

After reviewing witness statements, store security footage, and medical reports, officials determined that while the incident involved elevated emotions, minor injuries, and what one report described as “excessive holiday enthusiasm,” no criminal wrongdoing occurred.

Off-duty officer Captain Craig Everette, who was passing by at the time, helped calm the situation as tempers cooled.

“There was no theft, no assault, and no intent beyond seasonal competitiveness,” Everette said.

Granny’s Gifts has since resumed normal operations, and owner Louise “Granny” Carter confirmed that no customers have been formally barred from the shop.

“Everyone lost their minds for a hot minute,” Granny said. “That happens when elves are involved.”

As Previously Reported

The incident occurred early on Black Friday when Granny’s Gifts unveiled a Door Buster Special featuring Limited Edition Porch Goose Elf Costumes, handcrafted by the monks of Sandpoint Abbey.

The monk-sewn costumes sold out in under a minute, leading to raised voices, jostling near the counter, and multiple disputes over striped stockings and pointed hats.

Mayor Lulu, who was present during the incident, confirmed that while tensions ran high, no physical altercations took place and the situation remained under control.

Nearby onlookers gathered along Bay Street, and the shop closed early that day “to regroup.”

Several minor injuries were treated on scene by Noble County Coroner Dr. Tate Sawyer, who was present at the shop with former deputy and event decorator Holly Daye. Injuries included glitter inhalation, a twisted knee, and emotional distress attributed to what one patient described as “elf costume scarcity.”

Community Update

Granny’s Gifts reports that the monks of Sandpoint Abbey have completed Advent and are “considering” another production run, though no timeline has been announced.

Residents are reminded that Porch Goose accessories are limited holiday items and that patience remains, technically, a virtue.

Savannah: America’s Most Haunted City

Savannah does not merely exist—it lingers, it whispers, it remembers.

To wander Savannah is to feel time collapse in on itself. The past is never buried deeply here—it presses close, rising through cobblestones worn smooth by generations of footsteps, stirring in the hush of the squares at dusk.

Light and shadow tangle in its streets, and every breeze through the moss carries with it a murmur of unfinished stories.

Beneath the weight of its moss-draped oaks and among its crumbling headstones, the city holds fast to centuries of sorrow and beauty. Some call it America’s most haunted city. Others simply say it is a place where the veil between past and present is thin enough to bleed through.

Where Shadows Rest Uneasy

The cobblestone streets carry more than the footfalls of the living. They echo with those who came before—sailors and soldiers, widows and wanderers—each leaving something of themselves behind. By day, the squares are bright with fountains and gardens, but by night they grow hushed, as if listening for the return of old voices.

Cemeteries lie at the heart of Savannah’s strange beauty, and none is more storied than Colonial Park. Within its iron gates, the stones lean like weary sentinels, their names fading though their presence cannot be denied.

Here, entire families were laid to rest, soldiers buried far from home, and innocents claimed before their time.

To wander Colonial Park is to walk among layers of grief and memory, to feel both the weight of history and the restless stirring of something that refuses to sleep. It is a place where the silence is never truly empty, and shadows linger like unspoken words.

The Elegance of the Unseen

Look up, and the spires of the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist pierce the twilight sky, as though they were carved to reach heaven yet rooted in Savannah’s shadows. By day, the façade gleams like alabaster, but as dusk falls, its silhouette grows darker, more mysterious, standing like a sentinel over Lafayette Square.

Some say the bells toll not only for the faithful but for the forgotten. Their chimes drift through the square, a sound both holy and haunted, echoing off the moss-draped oaks as though calling names lost to time.

More than one visitor has sworn that a spectral priest keeps his midnight vigil within those walls, robed in shadow, head bowed to prayers that outlast even death itself. To stand beneath the cathedral at night is to feel the veil thinning, the air heavier, as if the city itself holds its breath when the bells begin to ring.

Across Lafayette Square, the fountain murmurs softly, its waters catching lamplight like spilled silver.

Rising stately at the corner of Lafayette Square, the Hamilton-Turner Inn seems to glow against the night. Its mansard roof and ornate windows whisper of wealth and elegance, a home built for grandeur in Savannah’s gilded age.

By day, its façade is welcoming, the gardens neat and the lanterns polished. But when twilight deepens and the square grows still, the house takes on a different air—watchful, secretive, as though it has seen too much to ever truly sleep.

Guests and passersby alike have whispered of strange occurrences. Cigar smoke curling from an empty rooftop, long after the last guest has retired. Children’s laughter drifting down the stairwell when no children remain within its walls. Floors creak with footsteps too heavy for imagination, and windows glow when they ought to be dark.

The inn keeps its mysteries close, holding beauty and unease in equal measure, like a Southern belle who smiles sweetly while hiding a scandal in her heart. To stand before the Hamilton-Turner is to know that elegance can be haunted, and that Savannah never lets its ghosts stray too far.

A City That Refuses Silence

Savannah does not hush its ghosts. Instead, it lives beside them. Every brick, every oak, every shifting shadow belongs to a story that will not die. The city is not merely haunted—it is haunting. It charms, it unsettles, it holds you close and does not let you go.

This is why Savannah lingers in the imagination. Because it is not only a city—it is a dream. A dream stitched from beauty and grief, light and shadow, the eternal and the ephemeral. To walk here is to feel that dream breathing around you.

A Southern Gothic Mystery

 The South whispers. And if you listen long enough, it will reveal its mysteries.

Behind every crumbling gate, every moss-draped oak, lies a truth waiting to be unearthed. Family secrets. Old betrayals. The past that refuses to stay buried.

The Haunted Past

Ghosts linger in Savannah’s squares, in its cemeteries, and in the corners of memory. Sometimes they guide, sometimes they warn, and sometimes they refuse to let go.

Among them stands the Bird Girl statue, sculpted by Sylvia Shaw Judson in 1936. Now housed in Savannah’s Telfair Museums, she is an enduring figure of the city’s haunting mystique.

In the oldest intact historic district in America, the past doesn’t sit behind velvet ropes — it walks beside you.

Secrets & Lies

Even the grandest homes whisper secrets too heavy to stay buried.

Polished smiles hide old sins. Families guard their legacies with iron wills and whispered threats. But, what’s locked away always finds a way to the surface.

Found Family

In a world where bloodline can bind you to curses and power you never asked for, sometimes the strongest ties are the ones you choose.Friendship, loyalty, and love can stitch together a family stronger than ancient legacies or whispered threats.

In shadowed corners, it isn’t always blood that defines you — it’s who stands beside you when the darkness comes.

Legacy & Power

Old names carved in stone carry weight. Power doesn’t fade — it festers, it passes down, it demands. And some will do anything to hold on to it.

Legacy lingers like the heavy scent of magnolia, binding generations to oaths they never swore and debts they never agreed to pay.

Some inherit mansions and fortunes; others inherit curses and secrets too dangerous to speak aloud. And when power begins to slip through bloodlines, desperation takes root — because there are always those willing to betray, bargain, or bleed to keep it.

Death & Immortality

But, with every quest for power comes the unshakable truth: death bows for no man.

Yet some still seek to cheat the Reaper — striking deals at the crossroads or pounding desperately on a root doctor’s door, willing to pay any price for one more breath.

But every hand is stacked against them, and the Devil never plays fair.

Stepping Into the Shadows

Shadow Destiny was born from this soil — Savannah’s haunted streets, its moss-draped oaks, its tangled history of secrets and power.

At its heart is Lenox Grady, a woman who never meant to open the gates but can’t ignore the truths waiting beyond them.

If you’ve ever felt the pull of a Southern Gothic mystery, you’ll find a home in these pages.