AC repair inMidway, GA

MIDWAY, Ga. (WTOC) - Georgia’s only Colonial house museum tells the story of Midway’s significant influence on the state’s history.

“There is so much history here that no one has any idea about,” Midway Museum docent Kitty Provence said.

The museum, located at 491 North Coastal Highway in Midway, sits inside the reproduction of an 18th century plantation cottage. It tells the story of what was once a hotbed of independence and the city’s connection to two U.S. presidents, a military base, and a beloved Georgia flower.

Midway was once home to two of Georgia’s three signers of the Declaration of Independence: Lyman Hall and Button Gwinnett. Two Revolutionary War generals, James Screven and Daniel Stewart, are buried in the cemetery across the street from the museum.

“Daniel Stewart, who is one of our major Revolutionary War heroes, is the great great grandfather to Teddy Roosevelt, and also for whom Fort Stewart is named,” Provence said.

The museum also traces the contributions of other influential individuals and families in Georgia from the 18th and 19th centuries, such as John Elliott Ward. He was our first ambassador to China and was there when the Civil War broke out.

“He will return to Georgia but before he comes he will get permission from the emperor of China to bring back some plant life, that he feels like will be a wonderful addition to our landscape,” Provence said. “The one plant we are most thankful for is the Camellia.”

The Midway Museum also features documents, furniture, portraits and other artifacts from Colonial history through the Civil War.

“People come here, and I think they are always amazed at how much history is here because this is like the best little kept secret in Georgia, in my opinion,” Provence said.

The museum is open for guided tours only from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The last tour starts at 3 p.m. Call 912-884-5837 in advance to schedule a tour. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and military, and $5 for children under 19.

Visit themidwaymuseum.org for more information on scheduling an tour and to find out the latest COVID-19 protocol.

Copyright 2021 WTOC. All rights reserved.

What is your name and are you the owner?

Justin McClarran and yes, I am the owner.

When did you open?

I got my license in February to officially open in March teaching my kids and close friends and teaching virtually. COVID stopped us from expanding beyond that. Now that we are in person at the dojo, we are reaching out to families in the community to come by and give us a try. We are growing and want everyone to be a part of it. It's not my dojo, it’s the community's.

Why in Midway?

I chose Midway because this is home. I've been active Army for the last seven years and we decided as my time comes to an end with the service that Ft. Stewart would be our last stop and I knew a dojo wouldn’t be far behind. After moving here, I quickly learned that there is not a lot to do for families in Midway. I wanted to bring something to the community that would make a positive impact on kids and adults alike to build a strong bond for the area.

Do you teach adults only? Children only? Or both adult and children?

I teach kids and adults. We teach from three years to seniors. A common misconception is community members think they are too old to get into it, but it's just the opposite... That's the perfect time to because of the benefits it boasts, but also because of comradery and fellowship that comes with it.

What makes your Dojo unique?

We are the only dojo in Midway currently located at the Woodland Lakes Community Clubhouse. We are a youth dojo but are quickly growing with a family friendly environment for kids and adults to train and get all the benefits martial arts has to offer such as confidence, coordination, flexibility, improved self-confidence, self-control and more all whole learning self-defense. We are also traditional Japanese style specializing in forms, weapons, and sparring. Our classes ensure that students work hard and have fun at the same time. We will be moving to 9397 E Oglethorpe Hwy, Midway, GA 31320.

Where did you study Karate?

I studied karate where I grew up in Montgomery, Alabama. I was adopted and because of issues I had, my adoptive parents put me in karate up the street from my house when I was 10 – my parents wanted me to get help with my attitude, self-esteem, And a bunch of other issues. What started as a free class, became a way of life. I went up in the ranks steadily improving and after achieving my black belt in high school, began helping to teach kids and adults four nights a week. I opened my first dojo while in college at the University of Alabama. Along with teaching, I was an avid competitor on the Yoshukai Karate National Tournament Circuit where I took top honors multiple times in youth and adult black belt kata, weapon, kumite, and musical form competitions. In 2007, I was awarded Instructor of the Year. After joining the Army, I got stationed in Germany, where taught for the SKIED program and I knew I wanted to continue to pass my knowledge onto my kids and the community. It truly became a family affair.

A 53-year-old Midway man is the new state record holder for dolphin fish (Coryphaena hippurus), also known as mahi mahi, after the Georgia Department of Natural Resources certified his catch Friday.

James Roberts of Midway landed the 68-pound, 1.6-ounce dolphin April 26 while fishing over Deli Ledge approximately 80 miles east of St. Catherines Island, according to DNR’s Coastal Resources Division, which administers the Georgia Saltwater Game Fish Records Program.

Roberts’ catch replaces a tie record between anglers Will Owens of St. Simons Island and Michael Sheppard Jr. of Savannah. Owens landed a 67-pound, 9.6-ounce dolphin in 2019, and Sheppard landed his 67-pound, 6-ounce fish in 1997. The rules of the Georgia Saltwater Game Fish Records Program require fish over 20 pounds to weigh 8 ounces more than the current record to break it—a feat satisfied by Roberts’ landing.

“The last fish we caught that day was that mahi mahi,” Roberts told DNR by phone. “It wore me out. I couldn’t hardly breathe. … It was a blast, the best time of my life. I haven’t hardly been able to sleep since.”

Roberts, who has been fishing offshore for about 20 years, caught his mahi mahi aboard Capt. Michael Bell’s boat Salty Intentions. He used a 6-foot Star stand-up rod with a Penn Squall 16VS reel spooled with 60-pound line rigged with ballyhoo. It took Roberts about 30 minutes to land the record-setting fish.

“This achievement recognizes not only the size of the catch, but Mr. Roberts’ skill as an angler and the sportsmanship he displayed in landing a record-setting game fish,” said Doug Haymans, director of DNR’s Coastal Resources Division.

DNR staff weighed Roberts’ fish on a state-certified scale at the Georgia DNR Richmond Hill Fish Hatchery the same day it was caught.

Roberts will receive a certificate signed by Gov. Brian Kemp acknowledging his accomplishment, and his record will be added to the list published annually in the Georgia Saltwater Regulations Guide and at CoastalGaDNR.org/SaltwaterRecords.

Dolphin are prized for their food value and colorful markings. They are common up to 30 pounds, but can grow as large at 80 pounds, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. They live for about five years, are highly migratory and are found from Florida to Massachusetts.

For more information on the Georgia Saltwater Game Fish Records Program, or to view current records for other species, visit the website above.

MIDWAY, Ga. (WTOC) - A non-profit in Liberty County is working to help local veterans experiencing homelessness. They’re now one step closer to creating a tiny home community in Midway.

A lot off of the Coastal Highway in Midway will soon be home to many veterans who need a home, according to leaders with an organization called BuddyWatch, Inc. They say it’s all about giving back to people who have already given our country so much.

“When we say to our soldiers, ‘thank you for your service,’ that’s not enough. We can do better by serving them. We serve them by providing them places to live and opportunities to grow a,” said Josephine Coleman-Williams with BuddyWatch Inc.

BuddyWatch, an organization formed in 2017 aimed at helping veterans near Fort Stewart, now owns a lot just off of Highway 17. Coleman-Williams says it’ll soon be home to 24 tiny homes for veterans.

“If we can bring our veterans in and take care of them, one veteran to one veteran, we have reduced that population, and the money that’s allocated for those services can be better used for folks who have chronic homelessness.”

Coleman-Williams, a licensed clinical social worker, says she also plans to offer her counseling services to tenants on-site once the homes are built.

“I have been in the business of mental healthcare for over 20 years. In that capacity, I’ve worked with a lot of veterans. One of the things I think that helps veterans heal is to get outside of their own heads and help other veterans.”

The homes will look similar to tiny homes built in Louisiana following Hurricane Katrina.

“We want to give them a permanent place to live. It will be about 800 square feet, it will have a front porch, they will all look alike, and they will be here on this property.”

Coleman-Williams says getting the land was an important step in the process of providing homes for those who need it.

“The goal is to let them each help each other through the hard times. And give them a nice, comfortable safe place to be outside the rest of the world, while they heal.”

Coleman-Williams says they hope to start construction on the homes after the start of the year.

Copyright 2022 WTOC. All rights reserved.

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) — If you live in Midway you probably already know about this haunted spot but for outsiders looking for somewhere new to get their cup of joe, you have to check out Haunted Grounds Coffee.

Courtney Bautista, head boo-rista and part owner of Haunted Grounds, spoke with WSAV NOW about the coffee shop that recently opened in the town of just over 2,000.

The most important thing Bautista wanted people to know? They’re not a typical coffee shop.

“Haunted Grounds is where you would go to hear ghost stories and have coffee at the same time,” Bautista said. Sitting around the campfire? No. Sit on one of their comfy couches as you admire the décor and talk to experts about the paranormal.

“A more homier version of it,” Bautista suggested. “We’re very friendly and welcoming.”

She said that one of the things she was most excited about was the opportunity to get more involved in Midway’s community.

“That’s why we’re hosting the trunk or treat now,” she explained.

They also allow local artists to display their paintings on the walls of Haunted Grounds so that they can be sold. Bautista said that the money from the paintings goes directly to the artists.

While the paranormal theme of Haunted Grounds is fun, don’t be confused here, the drinks are also delicious. Made with a special blend from Z Beans Coffee and topped with green whipped cream, these drinks are to die for. Bautista personally came up with the recipes for each individual drink, drawing on her own experience as a barista prior to Haunted Grounds.

There are four fall and Halloween-themed drinks that are coming to the menu this month including a spiced apple chai beverage that tastes, as Bautista said, like autumn in a cup.

The Frankenberry frappuccino includes huckleberry syrup — something that tastes like a mixture of cherry and raspberry — and the frankenberry Halloween cereal you see in stores. There are also the Booberry and Count Chocula frappes that are

Don’t know what to choose? No stress. They’ve got coffee flights you can give a try.

If you’d like to visit Haunted Grounds Coffee, their hours are listed along with their location on their Facebook page which you can find through the link here. They will also be open all day on Halloween and welcoming visitors to come by in costume and see what goodies they can get.