Rendering of Pin Point Heritage Museum, Savannah Tribune

Pin Point is a small African-American community located just southeast of Savannah that has been struggling to maintain its black heritage and lifestyle. First settled in about 1896, the community prospered when Varn Seafood located a processing plant there in 1926, and for the next 60 years life was, well, idylic. Now part of the Gullah-Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor, the tiny hometown of Supreme Court Justice Clarence aims to tell the story of freed Sea Islands slaves who founded Pin Point, and to preserve what may be the last piece of Georgia coastline still owned mostly by African-Americans.

A quote from the book, Drums & Shadows, c. 1940, describes 1930′s Pin Point as “a negro community about nine miles southeast of Savannah, is scattered over some twenty or thirty acres on a peninsula overlooking Shipyard Creek. Many of the small wooden cabins are neatly whitewashed and rare half hidden by shrubbery and spreading oaks.  Flowers and vegetables are planted in the most advantageous sunny spots near the houses and most of the yards are enclosed by picket fences, giving a cosy and pleasant privacy. The lanes, little more than wagon tracks, twist in and out and across the settlement. The informal and haphazard scattering of the houses, with high shrubbery bordering the lanes, gives an effect that is pleasing and unusual…

“The people are, almost without exception, black or dark skinned, proud, upstanding and loyal, suspicious of strangers but generous and trusting to friends….The grown people….are still close to the traditions and beliefs in which they have been reared. Firmly believing in the Bible, they’re still aware of other beliefs and customs handed down by their parents and grandparents.”  (p. 82-82, 1986 Brown Thrasher Edition by UGA Press).

Resident Bill Haynes, who grew up with Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas‘s mother Leola, noted that most of the homes didn’t have locks and in Ken Foskett’s book, Judging Thomas (Harper Collins 2004) said “You didn’t have to worry about anybody taking anything. We were poor, but I guess we didn’t know it.” People in Pin Point survived the Great Depression partially because the people grew their own vegetables – okra, collard greens, tomatoes,and corn, and hunted raccoons and opossums. The river was full of fish as well as crabs and oysters.  The Varn seafood cannery provided at least a meager income.  From the book Clarence Thomas: Supreme Court Justice by Norman L. Macht, (1995: Chelsea House Publishers, NY and Philadelphia) comes this quote: “…Looking back 40 years later, he [Clarence Thomas] said, “I keep hearing this connection between disorder and poverty. We were poor but proud. You didn’t see disorder.”……

Pin Point declined in the years following the closing of the Varn Seafood Plant, but the Pin Point Betterment Association has been very active in preserving the way of life, the history and heritage of Pin Point residents. The Assocationa led the successful effort to have Pin Point designated as Chatham County’s first Historic District under the guidance of its presidents, who come from local families.  Today Pin Point is also a part of the Gullah Geechee National Heritage Corridor and has built a Heritage Museum on the grounds of the old Varn Seafood plant.

During the entire month of January and February Azalea Inn and Gardens is partnering with three other Savannah Inns in a tribute to Black History month. Reserve your Black Heritage vacation package online today, or call 800.582.3823 for more details.

Azalea Inn and Gardens is the bed and breakfast of choice in the Historic Landmark District of Savannah, Georgia.

First African Baptist Church - 1st black congregation in Georgia

Savannah’s Black Heritage is not the most touted tour in our beautiful city and perhaps that is because people tend to step lightly when discussing slavery even after all these years. This subtle attitude however belies the magnificence of the contribution that Savannah’s blacks have given to the fabric of our city. Four inns of Savannah have decided to collaboratively create a package that will highlight some of the best but lesser known historical sites of our city’s black history, culture and heritage.

Let’s start with a quick history lesson. When first established, slavery was banned in Savannah, unlike our northern neighbor, Charleston, but it was soon found that early settlers were city-bred and not at all helpful for clearing forests. The slave act was rescinded, but by 1798 the direct import of Africans was banned, which eventually led to an illegal slave trade. The Civil War ensued, and eventually came Sherman’s march to the sea and the capture of Savannah on December 22, 1864, (later offered as a Christmas Gift to President Lincoln). Sherman met with black leaders at the Green Meldrim House on Madison Square on January 12, 1865, and from the steps of little Second African Baptist Church (c. 1802), Sherman read the Emancipation Proclamation which promised newly freed slaves ”40 acres and a mule.” Almost a century later, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. preached the first draft of his ”I Have a Dream” sermon at this church.

In the more than 140 years since the Emancipation Proclamation, Black Savannahians continue to create history. Explore this rich heritage through our Black Heritage Tour at Azalea Inn and Gardens, the bed and breakfast of choice in Savannah, GA.

The Black Heritage Package Highlights are: 

1. Three days and two nights in one of the four specially selected deluxe queen rooms with check-in on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday in January or February 2012.

2. Day Clean Soul African American History Tour for Two, including admission to select venues

3. Our “Secret Map” of Soul Food Destinations and specific must see Black History/Heritage SitesCost? Priceless (or $398 plus tax and gratuity

You may also follow our Black Heritage Series at SavannahInns.com Blog and learn more about the culture, history and heritage of Savannah’s blacks.

I have a new favorite restaurant: The Savannah Tea Room on Broughton. Granted, my great friend Helen works there, and I lurve seeing her pretty face. But I also double lurve hot tea, and every meal comes with a endless supply. Heaven!

I must admit, the place is a bit fancy for my taste:

Fancy-pants place setting

But the food is delicious.  The meal starts with soup (the soup on this particular day was egg
drop…and, sadly, I thought it was too salty and should’ve opted for the fruit plate):

I thought this place was English?

The entree I ordered on my first visit was tuna tartare (I. love. fresh. tuna!):

Sushi-grade deliciousness

Wowza.  It was perfectly marinated, seated on a bed of spinach.  Honestly, you must, must, MUST drop by and try it yourself; words don’t do it justice.

Christmas Dinner at the Bed and Breakfast of Choice in Savannah, GA

What Christmas tradition is synonymous with Savannah, Georgia’s B&B of choice?  Christmas Day Dinner, of course!  We create traditions usually through happenstance of a moment in time which turned out to be so delightful that we incorporated it into our lives until it became an expected tradition.

Years and years ago my widowed mother instituted a family ”Secret Santa” pool to keep the cost of gift giving for 8 children, spouses and grandchildren within a reasonable budget for one and all. Though it was difficult to let go of the largess of my memories of Christmas, as my meager part-time job monies dwindled, I found it easier to embrace this new Christmas tradition.  Later, as I began my foray into the world of fulltime employment, I was inducted into the office world of  the Christmas “White Elephant Exchange.”  The very idea of re-gifting items that don’t suit you is inspired and sure to bring about an interesting and lively one-up-manship for some seriously odd gifts. This tradition is a panacea to those living on fixed incomes who often find themselves starring at yet another set of flannel pajamas, box of chocolates, or bottle of cologne.

In 2005, Azalea Inn and Gardens began a Christmas tradition of our own – dinner with our “just for the day family.” It seemed so odd to be approaching this holiday season without our two sons and at that time, one daughter-in-law, but other family obligations kept us all apart our first Christmas at the inn. As we cast about for how to spend the day, we realized that the opportunity to share our traditions was standing in front of us – guests who were themselves without family for Christmas!  This year will mark our seventh Christmas Day Dinner at the Inn and we are eagerly looking forward to 4 pm on December 25, when food, wine, good cheer and new friends will be our blessing for the day.

There is still room at the table so call us today to reserve your room (and be sure to take advantage of our Christmas gift to you – stay three nights and the third night is 1/2 off!)  Do you need more persuasion? Here is a glimpse at what is sure to be on this year’s Christmas Day menu.

Azalea Inn and Gardens, historic Savannah, Georgia’s bed and breakfast of choice!

Appetizers:

Caramelized Onions and Blue Cheese Bruschetta

Warm Figs Stuffed with Goat Cheese

First Course:

Creamy Butternut Squash Soup with Candied Walnuts

Second Course:

Mixed Greens with Roasted Pecans, Apple Slices and Basil-Balsamic Dressing

Main Course:

Standing Rib Roast*

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Green Beans with Orange-Rosemary Gremolata

Roasted Root Vegetables

Housemade Rolls and Butter

Desserts: Be Surprised! 

*Vegetarian and Vegan substitutes will be available if we have at least a 7-day advance notice.

Introducing our Guest Blogger, Foodie Agent 008!

By mere happenstance yesterday evening, an old acquaintance stopped in to fill me in on a new adventure (more on that later) that my Savannah visitors were sure to find hauntingly delightful.  We conversed for a bit, my friend and I, joined by a guest, Leigh Cort of Leigh Cort Publicity.  As Leigh picked the brain of my friend to pieces, stories of lives past and future dreams emerged.  This secret agent, however, had another story that resonated with Leigh and I – both closet foodies.  Closet foodie? What the heck does that mean?  Well, it means we love food, all kinds of food, and we go in search of the best with every venture that comes our way.   It means we share our opinions with friends, but are not secure enough in our nose and palate to wax poetic on the dishes set before us – so we stay in the closet.

Where do you find that shortcut to heaven - who is the “go to” person that knows the best of the best in the town you plan to visit?  Enter Foodie Agent 008 at  your service!  The Mission? “To find what’s worth a foodie’s time!”  Qualifications?  A former chef, entrepreneur, guide to Savannah’s past, and, quite frankly, darned easy to look at (not that it’s a requirement… but it sure fits secret Agent #008).  Foodie 008 has signed on to give my guests an insider’s glimpse into the best that Savannah diners can experience. Watch for these fantabulous insights into dining in Savannah, coming soon to the “B&B of Choice” in Savannah.

Azalea Inn and Gardens, a Savannah GA bed and breakfast inn, invites you to reserve a room today and begin enjoying the best food experiences in our city, which Travel + Leisure Magazine acclaimed as a “World’s Best City” in July 2011.

Hello from Iraq - Bronze Star Recipient - My "Other Son", Dave

Last night this Savannah GA bed and breakfast joined three other local inns to host a reception to honor Veterans.  Our second year participating in the B&B For Vets initiative brought us, if possible, even more poignant moments than the year before. Azalea Inn and Gardens was honored to host three Purple Heart recipients from our local Wounded Warriors stationed at Fort Stewart as well as another six active duty and retired veterans from North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida, as well as their spouses and the 9-year-old son of one of our Purple Heart recipients and the infant daughter of my “other son.”

These four inns are proud to have offered each of our veterans a complimentary night stay complete with breakfast, and an evening reception with wine, beer and food as a small measure of our gratefulness for all their sacrifices. We gave our homes over to these wonderful men and women while several local restaurants and businesses supplied us with an array of signature appetizers, floral arrangements and even complimentary all-day trolley passes.  Reverend Steven Schulte performed vow renewals and Forrest Gump provided smiles and laughter.  Jerry Harris, a local photographer, captured these moments on film throughout the three-hour reception. I was particularly grateful for Jerry’s work as I only had my cellphone camera and the doubious results are at the bottom of this post. My husband, Jake, and my “other son” Dave were the gregarious bartenders, and as usual, the four innkeepers did kitchen duty from plating to cleaning.

The reception was originally scheduled from 6 pm to 7:30 pm but the spirit of the group kept the gathering humming until nearly 9:00!  I knew it was time to wrap things up when the assistant innkeeper at the Dresser Palmer House Inn (the host inn) asked if I would lock up when I got everyone to leave.  Shannon, Diane, Jackie and I finished off our glasses of wine, tossed back a bottle of water each (Jake insists we have water with our wine), and lead the remaining stragglers out the back door.

It was a wonderful night and may have ended too soon, but memories will linger in the pictures.  Join us at Savannah Inns blog in just a few days’ time for a vicarious glimpse at the evening’s events.  Remember our Veterans every day of the year with a simple “Thank you” whenever you pass a uniformed soldier.  Veterans, every day of the year Azalea Inn and Gardens offers a small token of our appreciation for your service with discounts that range from $25 to $50 nightly.

Azalea Inn and Gardens, a Savannah Georgia Bed and Breakfast Inn – truly a Better Way To Stay!

Evening Arts on the River

Your innkeeper is the door to the best Savannah events and things to do both inside and outside the Hisitoric District.  The staff at Azalea Inn & Gardens are pretty serious about the recommendations we make whether its where to dine or where to fish, what’s the best house tours and scariest ghost haunts, and what will it be: trolley ride or scooter rental?  We don’t have a laundry list tucked under the front desk – we have experiences and memories and passion.   Ask the innkeeper where to eat and she can easily waltz you through the plethora of fine dining experiences each with its own ambience, point out the hands-down favorites for BBQ or burgers, seafood or steaks, and even the best hidden dining spots for the romantic evening of your dreams.  Ask us – make us show off for you!

Fine Dining mixed with Romance your thing?  Ask us to book you for the wine cellar dining experience or perhaps you would prefer to dine in an old  bank vault.  Tired of the same old tourist trap lunch places: have you thought about a delightful mix of international cuisines reflecting the very different cultural backgrounds of the proprietors – we have the answer!  Best Burgers and Beer – now that’s a difficult choice cause we have two favs – one in a turn of the century rehabbed old beer joint while the other features local crops and grassfed beef and homemade ketchup!  Yum.  Okay, I am getting hungry so let’s change the subject.

Is there a music scene in Savannah (Are you kidding!)  Are they any famous houses to tour in Savannah? Will the trolley come to the inn to pick me up – (you betcha!)  I’d rather take a walking tour – what do you recommend? (Give us a minute to narrow down your interests and we will choose the best group or private tour available).  Where’s Bonaventure Cemetary and can I walk there?  Where is Forrest Gump’s bench (not where you expect it).  Is the Bird Girl Statue in a museum?  Are you a Civil War afficionado or is your thing the Revolutionary War? Challenge us to create an intinerary just for you!

Shopping – of every genre imaginable.  Want a pair of custom designed shoe – the owner has four pair – which  means they are very reasonable. Want to meet the Women of Whittaker Street in the Designer District? We know the who, what and where.

Indulge yourself, spend one night or spend several.  Azalea Inn and Gardens, a Savannah Historic Inn, is the place with all the answers – check us out!

Soul food heaven in Savannah, Georgia

I recently read an article that mentioned Neighborhood Soul Food restaurant in Savannah GA as one of the best soul food establishments in the city, I had been planning on checking it out one day soon as it is a selfless passion of mine to taste my way through Savannah’s best eateries to share with my guests.  My sister, Sharon, then surprised with me with an impromptu visit and the statement she was ready for something good in her day.  I usually interpret that to mean we need some serious comfort food prepared without any fuss.  We grew up in a home with eight children and a mom who was gifted with the ability to turn the simplest ingredients into a memorable meal – we wanted something that clung to our ribs and evoked childhood memories.  I headed towards the address I had jotted down just days before – 504-1/2 West 42nd Street – a transitional neighborhood that made my sister the cop a bit wary but she generously bowed to my passion for identifying the best Savannah restaurants.

We almost missed the entrance and the old faded sign – the building is that small, located just off MLK Blvd.  I drove around the block and pulled over shutting off the car.  After just a moment of silence, I opened my car door and stepped into the street with Sharon on my heels;  I am, after all, the big sister.  We crossed MLK and entered into a long narrow room with two sit-down tables and a step-up counter.  The lady behind the cash register smiled hello and pointed to the back of the room where steam tables were set up on each side of tiny kitchen area.

This was Sharon’s first soul food venture and so I lead the way.  One of the women stepped up and asked what we wanted after explaining you pick one meat and three sides or just a meat.  I chose a smothered pork chop, rice with gravy, boiled cabbage and okra and tomatoes, with a side order of cornbread and sweet tea.  Sharon chose the meatloaf, mashed potatoes, boiled cabbage and mac-n-cheese, also with sweet tea and cornbread.  I spied a piece of sweet potato pie on the back counter and scooped that onto my tray as well.  We sat at a table and quipped about each other’s choices and as sisters will do, reached across the table to sample each others’ meal.  I loved the taste and texture of her meatloaf but after giving her one piece of my pork chop (which was heavenly – not dry, lightly fried, tasty gravy), I closed the door to sharing. Well, except for the sweet potato pie cause I did take the last piece.  The meal turned out to be more than we could finish and we opted to bring it home with us for later.

Our lunch, with drinks and the pie, came to less than $20 and we considered that to be a fair bargain and worth repeating!  The restaurant serves breakfast from 6 am and closes its doors at 6 pm, Monday thru Saturday.  The breakfast menu covers the usual eggs and meat with grits or hash browns, biscuit or toast for about $6 or you can get fancier with smothered shrimp or an omelet.  Lunch and dinner offers a meat only or meat and three sides option with the meat choices ranging from turkey wings, neck-bones, or pork chops to shrimp, beef stew, oxtails or chicken and dumplings (to name just a few).  They also offer a vegetable plate though it is probably not vegan worthy!

Don’t be fooled or put-off by the location – the food, the atmosphere and the experience are worth every finger-licking bite.   Azalea Inn and Gardens highly recommends this off-the-beaten-path secret Savannah treasure on your next trip to our fair city.

Wine Social and Appetizers at Azalea Inn and Gardens

When we plan a trip I keep travel value in mind.  During our stay in Washington DC this past July as a part of “Renewal and Remembrance” at Arlington National Cemetery, I took exception to some hidden hotel fees that surfaced on our bill at checkout.  I couldn’t help but compare that to our Savannah B&B, Azalea Inn and Gardens, and the B&B industry in general. Innkeepers offer an exceptional travel value every day of the year, you might even say it’s like an inclusive resort vacation wrapped in a blanket of personal service and attention to detail. The bed and breakfast experience is as individual as the owner of the property but each offers an experience carefully crafted to show off the best of the inn, its keepers and the city, town or village each has chosen as home. The evolution of bed and breakfast inns has changed from a boarding house experience of the 1950’s to today’s vision which promises the comforts of home (and then some), delightful breakfasts encompassing many palates and dietary needs, and personal insights to the best tours, sights and eateries in town (just to get you started). Hotels soon took note of the Bed and Breakfast model and before long began to offer a “B&B” package but seriously, it is still a stay in a hotel and you will need to refer to the hotel’s room book to remember where you are. They will never be able to deliver the hospitality and graciousness that is synonymous with a bed and breakfast vacation.

Travel and Leisure Magazine recently blew the whistle on these Hotel Hidden Fees – extra room charges more outrageous than doing away with airline meals or adding a fee for checked luggage. Hidden fees accounted for nearly 1.8 BILLION dollars in ancillary revenue for Hotels in 2010 – up 81% since 2001. What are travellers encountering? Let me show you in this brief summary chart:

Source: Data based on information provided by local hotels, price averaging for illustration purposes

*We have a pool for your enjoyment and for the Rock’n’Roll Marathon aficionados we provide easy access to the most magnificent running routes on the East Coast.  If additional exercise/enjoyment is necessary for your walking pleasure, we will also provide from one to three Yorkies complete with harness, leashes, doggie bags and water to complement your stay.

Reserve now with Azalea Inn and Gardens and JUST SAY NO!! to hidden hotel fees. 

Azalea Inn and Gardens, a Savannah, Georgia Bed and Breakfast Inn