
Statesboro Regional Library – A Place for Everyone
A resource that many take for granted is their local library. With technology increasing, some may wonder if a library is still a viable place for locals and visitors. The Statesboro Regional Library has a full range of programs and opportunities for everyone who wants to visit and participate…and it’s available to everyone.
From Genealogy Workshops, Adult Coloring Classes, Craft Night – Sip and Sketch, Job Search Workshop with Resume Writing to teen activities, there is something for all ages and interests. For the health conscious, holistic health series: Yoga & Essential Oils and New Year/New You – Food & Nutrition are features during January. A great way to preserve family recipes is the “Original Recipes Made to Last” program where the library staff will take original recipes and preserve them in a durable format by the Genealogy Coordinator.
There is even an open forum called “Our Community Talks!” This is a chance for people to come in and discuss issues/concerns/news within the community and find ways to get involved.
Book lovers can participate in a free Book Club once a month. There is also a Book to Movie Club. All of these wonderful activities are being held just in the month of January 2016. What a great way to start out the New Year!
The Youth and Family Services calendar is full of great programs, including Toddler Time and Teen Nights. Reading to Rover (children practice reading to therapy dogs), Lego Club and 52 Weeks of Giving are favorites.
For Genealogy enthusiasts, The Statesboro Regional Library has over 7000 books, magazines, bound periodicals, which includes oral history collections, census records, family histories, court records, marriages, land records, will abstracts, Civil War records and cemetery records to search. It would be easy to dig in and discover your family history here.
Of course, books in all genres are available in all forms. You can even load eBooks at the library and check them out just like a hard cover book.
There are so many reasons to visit the Statesboro Regional Library! Whether you are visiting or live in the area, there is something for you at the Library. Be sure to check out the website for a calendar of events, list of services, Book Club news and more: http://strl.info. You will be pleasantly surprised at the variety of ways you can enjoy Statesboro’s local library. Stop in soon!

Statesboro Embraces Craft Beer
Statesboro has embraced the craft beer scene by being home to Eagle Creek Brewing Company and Southern Growlers, as well as offering craft beers throughout restaurants and nightlife locations.
Being “home grown” in Statesboro, Eagle Creek Brewing is Statesboro’s only craft beer production facility. It is located at 106 Savannah Avenue and hosts tours and tastings on Friday and Saturday nights at 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm for anyone over 21, many times featuring musical artists. The Low Country Ale, the Spot Tail Light Blonde Ale, Georgia Tea Party Amber Ale, Grass Roots Lemon Lime Hefeweizen and Puff’s Magic Dragon Dry Stout round out their regulars. Tours and tastings are the only time the brewery is open to the public.
In Georgia beer news, Governor Nathan Deal just signed into law new beer regulations allowing for take-home products starting later this summer. Growlers, six packs, glass souvenirs and other swag may be purchased at Eagle Creek Brewing Company with specific limitations on the take-away alcohol.
Another local business to visit is Southern Growlers, established in 2013 as the “Beer Filling Station” of Statesboro. Located at 514 S. Main Street across from Gnats Restaurant, this unique business in Statesboro features “the best fine beer collection in Southern Georgia.” It includes a full range of craft beers from about twenty regional and national craft breweries. Customers can visit the store with their growlers in hand and try a variety of choices on tap that rotate continuously. Hours are Mon – Friday 11:00 am – 10:00 pm and Saturday 10:00 am – 10:00 pm and Sunday 1:00 – 5:00 pm. The store offers its own swag for the local beer enthusiast.
The young adult generations in particular have embraced craft beer, so being in a college town makes sense for these two craft beer businesses. Have no doubt, beer lovers of all ages appreciate the taste offered through beers that include flavors all across the board, from hoppy to citrus, light to heavy stouts. Locals and visitors alike can enjoy the opportunity to taste fresh, home grown beers as well as those throughout the region and the world right here in Statesboro, Georgia.

Eagles Soar at GSU’s Center for Wildlife Education
A live eagle at Georgia Southern University? Makes perfect sense as the long time mascot of the university. However, until 25 years ago, the idea never occurred to anyone.
“I cannot believe the announcer just called that Turkey Vulture a bald eagle. That’s not acceptable,” said Harry Mathews. That day at a GSU football game in 1990, an idea was born that would evolve into today’s Center for Wildlife Education. An outdoor enthusiast, GSU graduate and biology major, Harry made a pitch to bring a real bald eagle to campus as the official mascot. He felt it was important for students, staff and GSU supporters to recognize, respect and preserve the national bird. The concept met with interest, but the eagle would need a home and someone to care for it.
With Steve Hein at the helm, The Center for Wildlife Education has served as a leading environmental educational facility and tourism show stopper for over twenty years. Located on 17 acres within the GSU campus, the mission is to provide wildlife encounters for the 17,5000 school children and citizens of the region annually, as well as for visitors seeking a unique experience while in Statesboro.
Using wild animals to demonstrate their habitats, visitors learn about the species natural to this region of Georgia and the United States. Humans observe and even interact with the wildlife in their environment through programs and live demonstrations.
Children can immerse themselves during the summer in Junior Naturalist Camps entitled CHALLENGE 2015 “Survive the Wild.” Full of exciting events and teamwork, students will employ critical thinking skills that challenge young naturalists. Ages 6 – 13 years will learn about king snakes, alligators, hawks and eagles. With limited spaces available, be sure to register your youth now.
Check out weekday presentations during June, July and August (closed weekends); visitors should visit the Center’s website (http://academics.georgiasouthern.edu/wildlife/visit/schedule/) to discover ongoing activities. This gem is worth the visit for all ages!

Fans Recommend Splash in the Boro’
Listed as the #1 thing to do in Statesboro according to Trip Advisor, this clean, affordable and fun water park has a day of adventure waiting for you! Who better to listen to than travelers who have visited the park?
Annej from Savannah says, “Just an overall fun place to swim and all sorts of water things to play with like beach balls, etc. The water slide as well as the huge floating things to get on which take you through and down the little ‘streams’…the unexpected water squirts are thrilling.”
JugsBunnyBear from Savannah adds, “This water park is unbeatable when it comes to being family friendly. The toddler splash pad and play area is PERFECT for the 1-4 year old crowd. It allows for the young ones to have a great time and splash around in just a few inches of water without being trampled by the big kids.”
Ticket prices range from $6.00 – $12.00 and are based on height and time spent at the park. Children ages 2 and under are FREE. Discounted tickets are available for individuals with proof of Bulloch County residency, current military and Georgia Southern University & Ogeechee Tech staff and students. Picture ID is required to receive the discounts. Buy your tickets online and save time!
2015 Waterpark Season Passes are ON SALE NOW! Season Passes are $60 for the first pass, and each additional is $50. Special benefits and regulations apply. Drop by Splash in the Boro Aquatics Building or call 912-489-3000 to purchase yours. Cash, check, VISA, Mastercard and Discover cards are accepted. Group rates are available for making family and friends memories!
Hours vary, so refer to the Splash website at http://splashintheboro.com/plan/. Here you will find all kinds of great information about what to bring, where to stay, special news and events, highlights and attractions of the park. Be sure to check out the programs available, such as swimming and diving lessons, water aerobics, as well as the concessions available to meet your hunger needs.
When deciding where to fill your summer days, choose Splash in the Boro!

Things To Do in Statesboro
The Statesboro Convention & Visitors Bureau welcomes you to Statesboro, Georgia!
Statesboro is a very unique, special town nicknamed ‘The Eagle Nation’ where we stand firm in our ‘True Blue.’ We are very proud of our developing community, hardworking citizens, and our influx of college residents. Whether passing through, moving in, or calling this great place “home” for the next four years, Statesboro welcomes you and continuously has plenty to offer. Don’t let the small-town feel fool you, Statesboro is enriched with distinct, one-of-a-kind attractions and various activities that really add to the community. If you are new to the area or perhaps want to know more about what there is to do in Statesboro, the list goes on and on!
Splash In the Boro is a family waterpark and aquatic center complete with a lazy river, multiple pools, spray lily pads, and plenty of fun in the sun. All you need to do is lather on some SPF and the smiles come naturally. Splash In the Boro is complete with 768,000 gallons of fun, especially when boogie boarding on the Dual Flow Rider, the only one you can find in Georgia.
After cooling off, travel on over to S&S Greenway Gentilly Street Trailhead. This beautiful, peaceful trail is perfect for exploring the paths on a nice bike ride or dog walk. Nicknamed “Greenway” by multiple college students, you are sure to find plenty of visitors enjoying a beautiful Statesboro day outside.
Another great attraction nestled in the hearts of many locals is the Meinhardt Vineyards and Winery. Here you can witness a lovely view, enjoy a glass, and appreciate the winemaker’s exclusive artwork. The “Winery” is located just outside the city limits, on the countryside, which really adds to the atmosphere and the over-all experience. Swing by for a tour and enjoy a free tasting! Now, perhaps you are looking for a nice time at a golf club.
One of Statesboro’s finest, Smithfield Golf Club is one of the best championship golf courses in the area as a family-oriented club where there is something for everyone. Since 1997, Smithfield Golf Club has continued to be the course of choice for golfers of all ages, complete with a driving range, golf cart rentals, and beverage bar for your convenience.
Splash In the Boro, S&S Greenway Gentilly Street Trailhead, the Meinhardt Vineyards and Winery, and Smithfield Golf Club are just four of the endless possibilities for a good time located within Statesboro.
Of course there are plenty of family-friendly attractions that complete the Statesboro community. However, Statesboro is especially unique with the energy of a college town. Look out for the next blog to learn more about the Georgia Southern community, focused specifically on the lives of college students who add such an exceptional livelihood to this wonderful town.