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Friday, 13 January, 2023 The stunning coastal city that is Savannah, Georgia, is known for its elegantly preserved architecture, beautiful parks, and rich history. An interesting fact about this city is that it was a Christmas gift to Abraham Lincoln from Union General Sherman during the Civil War. When General Sherman was in charge, he burned Atlanta to the ground but was astounded by the breathtaking beauty of Savannah. So, he spared it and sent a telegram to President Lincoln, offering him the city. There are plenty more interesting facts like this one and stunning locations in this grand city. Our team at Vaden Automotive wants to help you plan your trip around the city, so we put together a list of four historical sites to visit in Savannah, Georgia. Savannah Historic District Savannah Historic District is home to many historical landmarks, including The Forsyth Park Fountain. The fountains were constructed in 1858 and reside at the north end of Forsyth Park. You may see similarly styled fountains around the globe, like in Paris and Peru. Enjoy the fountain's exquisite architecture with several benches surrounding it. In addition to the famous fountain, there are plenty of other sites that make this district a historical landmark, such as its distinctive grid plan and architecture from the 18th and 19th centuries. In 1733, General. James E. Oglethorpe, the founder of the Georgia British colony, created the original town layout, which is still part of the grid plan today. Additionally, most of the original squares are still there today and are enveloped by great time-period architecture, like Georgian, Greek Revival, and Gothic styles. In the Savannah Historic District, you can find many prominent locations, such as: The Spencer Woodbridge House from 1795. The Owens-Thomas House from 1818. The Gothic Revival Greene House from 1853. The Beaux-Arts style Edmund Molyneux Mansion from 1917. You can take a self-guided tour of the district, beginning at the restored Central of Georgia railroad station. Not only does this historic district have well-preserved buildings from significant periods, but it's also a meaningful area to the African American community, including Beach Institute, the first Black school from 1865, and the King-Tisdell Cottage from 1896, the home of a working-class African American family. Savannah Visitor Center's hours: Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Location: 301 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Savannah. First African Baptist Church In December 1773, with leadership from Reverend George Leile, the First African Baptist Church (FABC) played a critical role in the Underground Railroad. The church was officially established in 1773, making this landmark is older than the United States itself, which was established in 1776. Reverend Leile became ordained as the FABC's pastor in May 1775. Then, in December 1777, was recognized as an official place of worship. A few short years later, in 1782, Pastor Leile didn't want to risk re-enslavement, so he went with the British when they evacuated Savannah and then migrated to Jamaica. He was the first American missionary and the first Jamaican Baptist missionary. Today, some original church features remain, such as the light fixtures, the baptismal pool, and the pews in the balcony. As you walk through the church, you can still see holes in the floor where individuals using the Underground Railroad could breathe. The holes in the floor are in the shape of an African prayer, representing birth, life, death, and rebirth. You can purchase tour tickets online using the church's website. Tour hours: Sunday through Tuesday: Closed. Wednesday through Saturday: 1 p.m. Location: 23 Montgomery St., Savannah. Savannah History Museum Located in the former historic Central of Georgia railway's passenger station, you can find the Savannah History Museum. The city's history in the museum begins in 1733 and walks you through significant wars of the United States and the city, such as the American Revolution and the Civil War. Additionally, the museum takes you through Savannah's modern-day history, including substantial musical, cultural, and artistic contributions. This location is also where you can view the famous bench from the film, "Forrest Gump." After you're done looking at the museum and its many artifacts, go across the road to explore the Battlefield Memorial Park. This park is where soldiers fought the second bloodiest battle in the American Revolution. Here, at least 800 troops passed away or were wounded. Tickets are available online or in person at the museum. Hours: Daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Location: 303 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., Savannah. The Old Sorrel Weed House Museum & Tours The Old Sorrel Weed House Museum & Tours is a historical monument named by the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation as a must-see when you're in the area. Here, you can go on ghost tours in the evening and historical architecture tours. The architecture tour takes you through the Antebellum South, where you can look at exquisite Savannah homes, learn about the history of the buildings and city and see fine antiques from that period. During this tour, you see the main home, the Sorrel Weed House, known as one of the most haunted homes in Savannah. The original occupant, French Haitian merchant Francis Sorrel, had this home built by Charles Clusky in the 1830s. Clusky hosted notable guests like Robert E. Lee. If you choose to go on the ghost tours, you can spend an hour exploring rooms and hallways with a paranormal tour guide in one of the most actively haunted houses in the United States, the Carriage House. Purchase your tour tickets online using the museum's website. Hours: Daily from 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Location: 6 W. Harris St., Savannah. We know there are several fascinating museums and historical sites in our culturally rich city, so we're barely scratching the surface with our four suggestions. What do you think of our list? Did we miss one of your favorite historical landmarks? Contact us, and tell us about it. Our team at Vaden Automotive values our customers' opinions, especially about intriguing historical sites to share with locals and travelers alike. Visit our dealership in Savannah, Georgia, and speak with our team of sales experts about your wants and needs in your next dream vehicle. Or, you can browse our inventory of new cars and used vehicles. No matter what you're searching for, we want to help you find it and get you the best deal. Image by Philip Arambula is licensed with Unsplash License

Thursday, 08 December, 2022 Although known widely for its downtown historical district, Beaufort, South Carolina, is a phenomenal place to spend some quality time with the family. Whether you’re a local or just visiting, there are several great places to visit and things to do that the whole family can enjoy. Active families and history buffs will find quality entertainment in this great city. From outdoor activities, such as playing on a beach, to animal experiences, such as heading to a petting zoo, kids both young and old will have a blast with some keen planning. Read on to learn about our list of the top family-friendly activities in Beaufort. Beaufort's Barnyard and Petting Zoo For the animal lovers and future zoologists in your life, a trip to Beaufort's Barnyard and Petting Zoo is a great opportunity for some experiential learning. This reservation-only activity is worth the extra time and effort it takes to plan. You can feed the animals and pet the goats, pigs, and donkeys. Beaufort's Barnyard and Petting Zoo is easy to find on Burton Hill Road. To make your reservation, call 843-694-3363 or email beaufortsbarnyard@yahoo.com. SouthurnRose Buggy Tours Schedule a SouthurnRose carriage tour to get a full feel for the lovely southern town of Beaufort. The 50-minute tour gives participants a dose of history, with professional guides there to narrate the various exhibits. Learn about Beaufort's Civil War history, appreciate the antebellum and Victorian architecture, and marvel at the different Hollywood filming sites. Tours begin at $29 per participant and depart from the Waterfront Park area between 9:40 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Sunday tours begin leaving at noon. Horses will pull you along on this unique experience for lasting memories for everyone involved. SouthurnRose Buggy Tours is located at 1002 Bay St. For information or to find out more about the walking or ghost tours, call 843-524-2900. Gay Fish Company At Beaufort, few delicacies are as fresh and well-loved as the seafood. One of the best places to enjoy a fresh bite of the sea is the Gay Fish Company. This family-owned local fish company has served the community of Beaufort for many years and has an established clientele for a good reason. Professional chefs revel in serving up excellent seafood fare. They source, season, and prepare the best fresh local seafood available. Gay Fish Company is located at 1948 Sea Island Parkway on Saint Helen Island. To learn more about the menu offerings or for information on its holiday hours, call 843-838-2763. Parris Island Museum The Parris Island Museum is a 10,000-square-foot behemoth located on the Marine Corps Depot. Exhibits focus on the stories and honored past of the Marine Corps. Some of the displayed artifacts include items from Port Royal's important military role, spanning the American Revolution to the Civil War. You'll find the Parris Island Museum at 111 Panama St. The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission to this impressive location is free. The museum is closed on New Year's Day, Easter, Christmas Day, and Thanksgiving Day. For more information, call 843-228-2951. The Chocolate Tree The lovely town of Beaufort was one of the locations where the Hollywood film Forest Gump was filmed. Rumored to be one of Tom Hank's favorite places to visit while he was in town, the Chocolate Tree is a must-visit. As Beaufort's one-stop-shop for fine chocolates and confections, it’s a beloved experience for chocolate lovers everywhere. Watch through a glass as chocolate is made right before your eyes, and sample some of their custom chocolates. Serving the Beaufort area since 1980, each chocolate is made in-shop using only the finest ingredients available. While here, be sure to try their Tiger Paws, a collection of chewy pecans covered in caramel and chocolate. For an assortment, get one of their boxes and ask for customer favorites like krispy clusters, molasses chips, and peanut pillows. The Chocolate Tree is at 507 Carteret Street. Hours of operation are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. Local deliveries and U.S. and national shipping is available. For more information, call 843-524-7980. So there you have it. Vaden Automotive has enjoyed sharing our list of the top family-friendly activities in Beaufort, South Carolina. Whether you have little ones you need to entertain or are expecting family in from out of town and want to have an enjoyable experience and build memories, you'll find something for everyone in Beaufort. What do you think of our list? Did we miss your favorite annual family activity? If we did, please let us know. Leave us a message sharing your thoughts, and we'll be happy to check out your idea. You may even find we've added your suggestion to our list of the top family-friendly activities in the future. Woman holding a child outdoors with nature green background by Nenad Stojkovic is licensed with CC BY 2.0

Friday, 11 November, 2022 Whether you're a cat person or a dog person, if you're looking for a furry friend to bring home, try adoption. You can give a beautiful, caring home to an animal in desperate need of a loving family. The following shelters and organizations in the Savannah, Georgia, area help rescue and care for pets that have been abandoned or given up, preparing them to go home with a brand new family who will love them forever. Search the organizations below for your new animal companion. Humane Society of Greater Savannah Founded 55 years ago, the Humane Society of Greater Savannah prides itself on its reputation as one of the biggest no-kill shelters in the Savannah area. Located on Sallie Mood Drive, the shelter has a save rate of over 99%, and they helped rehome 2,655 pets in 2021 alone. The organization is funded by a mix of private donations from individuals, businesses, and foundations and the profits from its unique business idea, the "Pick of the Litter" thrift shop. Come by to see the adorable cats and dogs housed in the shelter and decide which pet will be your new best friend. The society offers viewing hours for pets between Tuesday and Saturday, from 1 to 6 p.m. Adoptions here cost between $50 and $300 for dogs but include a slew of vaccines and testing, as well as spay or neuter surgery, which the shelter provides to customers. Chatham County Animal Services Visit the website of Chatham County Animal Services to browse through a list of available dogs and cats for adoption. You can pick your favorite, fill out your adoption application online, and then make an appointment with the shelter to see your prospective pet in person. Otherwise, drop by the store during open hours to view the available pets. For dogs, you can expect to pay $70 in adoption fees, while the fee for cats is just $10. Chatham County Animal Services also charges a $5 tag/license fee for county residents. However, the cost includes spaying or neutering your future pet, which has usually already been performed prior to adoption. The shelter is located at 7211 Sallie Mood Drive, so stop by to see the pets yourself and decide if you want to be a new dog or cat owner. Save-A-Life, Inc. This admirable all-volunteer organization has been saving pet lives and providing loving homes to dogs and cats since 1967. Save-A-Life, Inc. holds pet viewings for people interested in adoption every Saturday from 12:30 to 2 p.m. at PetSmart on 11132 Abercorn St. in Savannah. Although potential adopters can swing by to view the pets, Save-A-Life, Inc. has a lot of potential animals for adoption, and not all of them will be shown every Saturday. The staff encourages you to visit the website, view all available adoptable pets, and then submit an adoption application online. As a follow-up, contact the foster family that's currently listed as taking care of the pet you want to adopt. This way, you can get pre-approved for adoption, and then the shelter guarantees your prospective pet will be brought to PetSmart so you can meet them before taking them home. Coastal Pet Rescue Of all the organizations on this list, Coastal Pet Rescue particularly focuses on saving abused, neglected, and abandoned pets in the greater Savannah area and getting them off the streets or out of abusive home environments. The nonprofit provides medical care and sterilization for the pets it rescues, as well as social rehabilitation so any behavioral problems or fear pets experience as a result of an abusive background can be treated. The organization is relatively young, as it was established in February 2003. However, its volunteers are absolutely dedicated to providing the best possible training and eventual homes for the pets they rescue. Potential applicants are thoroughly screened, and adoption is conducted by appointment only, as Coastal Pet Rescue is an all-volunteer organization. Go to the shelter's website to complete an adoption application. Once approved, you can schedule an appointment to meet your pet and take it home. The shelter offers a complimentary 30-day PetFirst insurance policy adopters must call to activate. Kittens cost $60 to adopt, cats $50, puppies $250, adults dogs $200, and senior dogs (7 years or older) $100. The adoption fees you give to Coastal Pet Rescue include shots, microchipping, a heartworm test for dogs, a feline immunodeficiency virus test for cats, spaying or neutering, and deworming. The fees are quite reasonable for all the procedures and medical care they cover, as all these procedures done at a private veterinary clinic would add up to a lot more money. One Love Animal Rescue The nonprofit organization One Love Animal Rescue partners with shelters and rescue groups to make sure abandoned or mistreated animals, as well as animals that were willingly surrendered to be rehomed, can find a loving new home and family to take them in. To adopt a pet from One Love Animal Rescue, complete and submit an adoption application. Upon approval, you can schedule a meeting to see your pet and then prepare for a home inspection — the last step before you can bring your furry new companion home. The organization requires that each member of the adopter's household meet the pet, and the pet must live indoors, as many of them have already had hard lives and need all the love and comfort they can get. Dog adoptions cost $200, kittens $85, and cats $55. Fees cover microchipping, vaccination, testing, and spaying or neutering. One Love Animal Rescue is a great shelter for first-time pet owners to adopt from. Along with dog adoptions, the shelter provides six group puppy classes or two private classes to help new owners train and bond with their new dogs. Adopt, don't shop, and give an animal that needs a loving family home. If you have other suggestions we might have missed for pet adoption centers in the Savannah area, please contact us at Vaden Automotive and let us know. Animal Shelter by daveparker is licensed with CC BY 2.0.