I had originally lived here from winter '89 to 95, then moved back to Arkansas. Snow followed me from up north to Brunswick. When I arrived in town, I had to drive the rest of the way to my house with my windshield down because my wipers had frozen, as had my windshield. That was the big record setter regarding snow. Then I moved back to Arkansas. I moved back to Brunswick again about 3 years ago, and it got down to 20* once that first winter. Then the next winter it got to 18* 2 different times very briefly, and all the television stations were going on an on about how that was the coldest it had been here in 100 years, blah, blah. So, their expertise is what I'm basing that on. I've documented every temp while I've lived here, but can't speak for prior times personally. It dipped to 26* once last winter, but that was the size of it. I'm praying for a miracle this winter because I planted several hundred more tender succulents and palms in my yard this year thinking that I would have no trouble covering them (I already cover a zillion things as it is). However, an unexpected career change a few weeks ago has ended my previous schedule of having all my days free to frolic about in the garden. So, don't know what I'll do this year. Regarding the dypsis, yes I'll cover them. The place I bought them from had them listed as 2-3 foot planted height. If they're even one foot tall, I'd be surprised. So, I'll protect them until they get bigger. Hoping to eventually phase out my majesty palms and replace with the dypsis. Majesties are such work. I got 3 of the 'silver queen' palms this spring, so we'll see how they do. I have a number of golden palms that I'm really anxious to get big and purty. The Lincoln dealership is here in Brunswick. There's one in Savannah, too, with queens? I rarely ever get to Savannah; however, I may be going there more often come the first of the year. Does anyone know where the old Sheraton would be in Savannah? I play the piano for a living, and a contractor friend recently bought it and is redoing it into some kind of club/resort kind of thing that I might play at maybe 3 times a week. When I'm heading north and get off 95 at the Savannah exit (the one right past that old outlet mall......I'm not sure what exit that is)and hook a right, I always notice that hotel on the left that has the queen palms. Been there quite a while now, I guess. Surprising because they're out in the open with no protection. Whatever exit that is, that highway then turns into Abercorn. And I remember seeing the sign for the Bamboo Farm several miles further down, but never visited. Speaking of, I have ended up spraying most of my bamboo with brush killer to kill it because it was spreading so rapidly. The black bamboo, sasa palmata 'nebulosa', sasa veitchii 'kima zasa', and the variegated pleioblastus auricomis is the only ones I mess with now, and may soon kill the veitchii, also. I'm also growing 3 of the everglades palms (acoelorraphe wrightii). Supposedly hardy to 20* maybe. We'll see!

I started out as a student at SCAD 12 years ago and had to leave my Sophomore year due to becoming a witness in a murder crime down there. I had taken a job as a waitress at a local tourist restaurant in the downtown historic district on Broughton Street and worked with the murderer, we were not friends, just co workers-one day he confessed in detail to me how he killed this woman with no remorse, while he was holding a large kitchen knife and threatening me. He was a local young troubled kid a few years older than me. I was 19 at the time, good student, that was from a small farm town in the Midwest and it had an unfortunate profound affect on me. I transferred to another Art school close to home in the Midwest and have suffered with PTSD (mildly) from the incident for over 11 years. Several other friends of mine that were also SCAD students experienced some crime, many on a more mild level. Male friend of mine was mugged at gun point when he stopped to get gas at 9pm at night. Three friends that all had their cars broken into, with several items stolen and broken windows etc. damage to their cars- even ones with alarm systems. Two other male friends/students went down a wrong street late one night and almost ended up in the middle of a gang related drive by. One of my professors had his car stolen, so he was biking to class, then his bike got stolen- I felt so bad for him. They did end up catching the guy. In some of my classes you could go around the room and 65% of the students could share a crime related story usually of small nature like stuff being stolen or cars being broken into. The murder case that I was a witness with happened a block away from the Pink House Restaurant, right in the middle of the historic district, she was a tourist, she was shot and died later in the hospital due to complications. I don't know how much security has changed down there since the last time I was there which was 8 years ago to testify at the trial- maybe things have improved greatly. It's sad because it was a great school and before the incident I really enjoyed being there and it is for the most part a beautiful city filled with history and culture. I lived in the dorms my freshman year (Oglethorpe) and my Sophomore year I shared an apartment with 3 other students/friends near Forsyth Park in the historic district. At the time, crime in the historic district was hit or miss, meaning one street/square would be ok and the next would be bad- which made it difficult to stay away from the "bad areas" so to speak. The non historic side of Savannah, way down on Abercorn out by the malls wasn't bad and other areas like Tybee and stuff were fine too. I hate to scare you and make you worry, but wanted to be honest, crime is defiantly something your son should be careful and smart about while attending school down there. Basic street smarts goes a long way and every city has it's crime issues. I'm sure...

HD and I (with 2 children) have been to Savannah several times since we live in GA, it makes for a nice getaway. Be prepared however to fight the crowds, gnats and other flying varmints too! Also, don't forget the meat tenderizer if going to Ty Bee especially....our last vacation there ended after HD was stung by a stingray. We didn't see it and he thought maybe he had just scrapped his leg on something under the water..but after 2 days of pain, swelling in redness...we began a long trip home to North Georgia. He was in terrible pain, nauseated etc. It wasn't until several days later that I finally convinced him he needed medical attention. The MD was quite sure after hearing our account of the days leading up to our visit that it was a "vicious" stingray attack and without medical attention could have proven extremely dangerous. He strongly recommended when visiting there again (or another beach for that matter) meat tenderizer applied in a paste like form would give relief from insect bites and other creatures of the deep...look out for the jellyfish too! sorry to bring you down,,,,it's a lovely place...and we have enjoyed many days strolling across the beach early in the morning, but found the night life to be a little overwhelming...just be safe and careful...that River Walk can become quite overwhelming and crowded at night! Just don't venture too too far and expect parking to be an issue.

You're nestled between two historic (coastal) cities - Charleston and Savannah, which are full of traditional furniture. No need to part with your pieces. Changes in upholstery/textiles/paint may be in order. If you're unsure, look to a designer to help you.