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Striking a chord! New Savannah museum tells the storied history of Gretsch instruments
Drums, guitars, history, business and education have come together in a spectacular new interactive museum and exhibit in downtown Savannah that will pique the interest of any music lover. That Great Gretsch Sound! museum is a new destination where Georgia Southern University helps tell the story of a family-owned company that is still regarded as one of the music industry’s most influential and innovative instrument manufacturers. The permanent display of music memorabilia, highlighting more than 135 years of Gretsch instruments, is featured in District Live’s new lobby and performance space on the banks of the Savannah River. The museum is the latest addition to the Plant Riverside District. The museum’s opening was recently featured in Premium Guitar : The exhibit space highlights some of the most popular and unique pieces of Gretsch's historic catalog. The museum lobby features some of the most iconic instruments the company has produced, including the White Falcon™, the Chet Atkins® Country Gentleman®, a Brian Setzer Signature G6120, and a vintage 1963 Jet™ Firebird popularized by AC/DC's Malcolm Young. In the District Live performance hall, visitors will be treated to a visual timeline that will allow them to explore the evolution of Gretsch instruments dating back to the 1920s. Approximately 100 guitars are on display in the exhibit, 48 of which were recently on display in Nashville's Country Music Hall of Fame. The museum was developed through a special partnership between the Fred and Dinah Gretsch School of Music at Georgia Southern University and The Kessler Collection. In addition to the instruments that line the performance hall and upper section of the lobby, the museum features three sound dome displays with original videos that highlight Gretsch history, instrument production, the worldwide community of past and present Gretsch artists from Chet Atkins and George Harrison to Phil Collins, and the family's storied commitment to music education. Several other display cases take guests on a visual journey from Gretsch's beginnings as a local manufacturer of calf-skin drums, banjos, and accordions to one of the most popular and sought-after producers of guitars and drums during the height of the Rock & Roll era. Downtown Savannah is now helping tell that Gretsch story. The Gretsch museum includes Gretsch instruments and storyboards with QR code links to detailed narratives. "We hope this new museum will preserve the long history and legacy of the Gretsch Family and the Gretsch Brand," Dinah Gretsch said. "It is wonderful to share our history with the city of Savannah, the loyal Gretsch fans and all the tourists that will visit the museum." The museum's artifacts were curated and installed by Aaron Phillips, Georgia Southern's project curator for the Fred and Dinah Gretsch Artifacts Collection. Through his research to prepare the museum, he is confident that the Gretsch Museum will provide a unique musical experience. "My goal was to create a space that is expressive, inspirational, and true to the roots of the Gretsch family and community," Phillips said. "I am in awe of how this turned out!" To learn more – the full media release from Georgia Southern is attached below: If you’re a journalist looking to cover That Great Gretsch Sound! – then let us help. Aaron Phillips, Georgia Southern's project curator for the Fred and Dinah Gretsch Artifacts Collection is available, simply reach out to Georgia Southern Director of Communications Jennifer Wise at jwise@georgiasouthern.edu to arrange an interview today.
Hats off to the 2,100 graduates at Georgia Southern
Last week, approximately 2,100 undergraduate and graduate students from Georgia Southern University’s Statesboro, Armstrong and Liberty campuses received associate, baccalaureate, master’s, specialist and doctoral degrees in three Fall 2021 Commencement ceremonies. Georgia Southern President Kyle Marrero welcomed the graduates and their families to the University’s Fall Commencement ceremonies, held at the Savannah Convention Center in Savannah on Dec. 11, and the Allen E. Paulson Stadium in Statesboro on Dec. 13 and 14. He commended the graduates on their achievements and tenacity. “Graduates, I don’t need to tell you about your unique college journey, which has been challenging for all of us,” said Marrero. “I am very proud of how, together, we have persevered allowing us to have a successful semester and today, our commencement ceremony. You, our graduates, deserve great recognition.” During the Savannah ceremony, Georgia’s 2022 Teacher of the Year Cherie Dennis (Armstrong ‘10), who teaches English to Speakers of Other Languages at Hesse K-8 School in Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools, addressed the packed house with a call for kindness. “My hope for you is that you go out into the world with your eyes and your hearts wide open,” she said. “That you go out into the world and make something beautiful out of its cracks and imperfections. A world that is bound together by the irrefutable strength and integrity of kindness. Be the repairers of the world; the menders of the world; the bridge builders; the constructive, contributive citizens who nurture communities large and small. And that may sound daunting, but really it all starts with something so very simple, something so very possible and within your reach. Something you knew how to do even as a child. Just being kind.” Sachin Shailendra, chair of the University System of Georgia Board of Regents and president of SG Contracting, Inc. in Atlanta, spoke at the first ceremony in Statesboro. “Georgia Southern – which in a few minutes will be your alma mater – is one of the shining stars among our 26 institutions,” he said. “It ranks as one of Georgia’s best comprehensive universities, with a growing reputation for research that impacts not only vital industries but the environment and our communities. The degree you earned lets everyone know you learned from outstanding faculty, top staff and talented fellow students. “The opportunities ahead of you are many. I know this because of my own experience. I was born in Georgia, but my father was not. I am only a generation away from the farmers my family were in India. Education has been a game changer for both me and my family, and I know it’s a major accomplishment for many of you. I hope your degree will inspire you to take the next steps in building your future. So go out into the world and create a worthy future, not only for yourselves, but one that will represent Georgia Southern, our entire university system, and this state as well…Your education has already changed you. It also has the power to change your community, and move our state forward in exciting ways.” To read the full release please see the attachment below. This is a great moment for Georgia Southern University and if you are looking to learn more about this year's graduating class or the school - then let us help. Simply reach out to Georgia Southern Director of Communications Jennifer Wise at jwise@georgiasouthern.edu with your questions or to arrange an interview today.
Will Biden’s Plan to Resettle Afghans Transform the U.S. Refugee Program?
Among the high-profile anti-immigration policies that characterized the four years of Donald Trump’s presidency was a dramatic contraction in refugee resettlement in the United States. President Biden has expressed support for restoring U.S. leadership, and increased commitment is needed to help support the more than 80 million people worldwide displaced by political violence, persecution, and climate change, says UConn expert Kathryn Libal. As Libal writes, with co-author and fellow UConn professor Scott Harding, in a recent article for the Georgetown Journal of International Affairs, the rapid evacuation of more than 60,000 Afghans pushed the Biden administration to innovate by expanding community-based refugee resettlement and creating a private sponsorship program. But more resources are needed to support programs that were severely undermined in previous years and to support community-based programs that help refugees through the resettlement process: Community sponsorship also encourages local residents to “invest” in welcoming refugees. Under existing community sponsorship efforts, volunteers often have deep ties to their local communities—critical for helping refugees secure housing, and gain access to employment, education, and health care. As these programs expand, efforts to connect refugees to community institutions and stakeholders, which are crucial to help facilitate their social integration, may be enhanced. As Chris George, Executive Director of Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services in New Haven, Connecticut, has observed, “It’s better for the refugee family to have a community group working with them that knows the schools and knows where to shop and knows where the jobs are.” As more local communities take responsibility for sponsoring refugee families, the potential for a more durable resettlement program may be enhanced. In the face of heightened polarization of refugee and immigration policies, community sponsorship programs can also foster broad-based involvement in refugee resettlement. In turn, greater levels of community engagement can help challenge opposition toward and misinformation about refugees and create greater public support for the idea of refugee resettlement. Yet these efforts are also fraught with significant challenges. Sponsor circle members may have limited capacity or skills to navigate the social welfare system, access health care services, or secure affordable housing for refugees. If group members lack familiarity with the intricacies of US immigration law, helping Afghans designated as “humanitarian parolees” attain asylum status may prove daunting. Without adequate training and ongoing support from resettlement agencies and caseworkers, community volunteers may experience “burn out” from these various responsibilities. Finally, “successful” private and community sponsorship efforts risk providing justification to the arguments of those in support of the privatization of the USRAP and who claim that the government’s role in resettlement should be limited. Opponents of refugee resettlement could argue that community groups are more effective than the existing public–private resettlement model and seek to cut federal funding and involvement in resettlement. Such action could ultimately limit the overall number of refugees the United States admits in the future. December 11 - Georgetown Journal of International Affairs. If you are a journalist looking to know more about this topic – then let us help with your coverage and questions. An associate professor of social work and human rights, Kathryn Libal is the director of UConn's Human Rights Institute and is an expert on human rights, refugee resettlement, and social welfare. She is available to speak with media – click on her icon now to arrange an interview.
Opinion: Artists, influencers key to successful public health messages re: COVID
Can the artists and culture-bearers among us help move people who are unvaccinated to action? That’s the hope of a new initiative from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to build vaccine confidence across the country. Read more from Jill Sonke in her op-ed in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
In any disagreement or dispute, sides are taken - by those involved, by those invested or sometimes just by those most interested in the conflict that is occuring. And when it comes to the matter of superstar athletes squaring off against billionaire owners, it's often the fans that speak the loudest and media are doing their best to cover both sides - and get to the root of the matter. Lately, experts from IU's Kelley School of Business have been front and center - providing expert perspective, opinion and analysis. And earlier this month as players were locked out - Nathaniel Grow was getting calls by reporters for insight. “The players have been seeing their financial position deteriorate over the last few cycles, and the last few years in particular, when the average player salary has declined, which is unprecedented for MLB,” said Nathaniel Grow, an associate professor of business law and ethics at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business who has written extensively on baseball’s CBA topics and issues for several years. “Within that bucket is the service-time manipulation, which helps feed into some of these salary issues.” “The players don’t think they’re getting a fair shake, is a fair general consensus. The question becomes, where do they go and how do they try to improve their financial position?” December 02 - Sporting News The ongoing labor dispute between players and owners will be long, protracted and at times tense - and if you are a reporter looking to cover this trending topic, then let us help with your stories and questions. Nathaniel Grow is an Associate Professor of Business Law and Ethics and the Yormark Family Director of the Sports Industry Workshop. He's also an expert in the areas of sports and labor law. Grow is frequently quoted by media outlets such as The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal and ESPN regarding current legal issues in the sports industry. Nathianiel is available to speak with media regarding the MLB lockout - simply click on his icon now to arrange an interview today.
Debate expert on peaceful family discussions and avoiding arguments over the holidays
John Koch, senior lecturer and director of debate, is available for commentary on how to avoid heated political conversations and keep the peace while gathering with friends and family over the holidays. An expert on civil and productive discussions, John's tips include: Listen first: The goal of any discussion should be to understand each other’s perspective. Listen to the other person, and you’re likely to find more areas of common ground. You may even learn something you didn’t know before. Remember to remain receptive to the other person’s point of view. Ask questions: Sure, you may think you already know all the answer, but odds are you don’t. Once you’ve heard the other person out, ask questions to dig a little deeper and broaden your understanding. Be respectful: Having a civil dialogue doesn’t need to be a lost art. You can have a heated discussion without name-calling and put-downs. Don't view the person you’re speaking with as the enemy. Treat others how you would like to be treated, and offer facts and evidence wherever possible to bolster your points. Don’t try to win: If you go into a discussion hoping to “win the argument,” you’re going about it wrong. Seek understanding first. If winning and losing are your only options, you’re missing the point. Talk about something else: Sure, it’s important to engage with others on topics that you feel passionately about – but be conscious if the conversation is going in the wrong direction. It’s not worth spoiling your dinner (or damaging a relationship). Find another topic and move on.
Top Tips for Families Navigating COVID-19 This Holiday Season
The winter holidays are just around the corner, and unfortunately, COVID-19 remains a serious consideration, especially for families with young children. While the approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccination for children ages 5 to 11 gives great hope and increased protection to many, there are still some precautions to take in order to keep everyone safe. Villanova University's Michelle Kelly, PhD, CRNP, CNE, offers her top tips for a healthy and happy holiday season, especially for those too young or unable to be vaccinated: Know before you go. In order to make an informed decision for your family, it is important to know if all eligible adults and children attending the gathering are vaccinated. Keep your mask on while indoors. Family gatherings may include people from various locations and households. Each added guest increases your chance of exposure. Wearing a mask protects you and them. Dine alfresco. Fall and winter weather notwithstanding, consider eating outdoors. If it is not possible to do so, make sure your indoor space is well-ventilated. Wash your hands. Don't forget, COVID-19 is not the only virus out there. Continue to practice proper hygiene. Wash your hands, cover your cough and stay home if you or anyone in your family is showing signs of the flu, COVID-19 or any other illness.
Six popular beliefs about colds: experts explain the facts
As we return to pre-lockdown levels of social mixing, colds are starting to become all too common. A TikTok video has gone viral involving putting garlic up your nose as a cold cure, just one in a long line of claimed treatments or cures. We asked two experts to examine some commonly held beliefs around colds. 1. Can you get a cold by getting cold? Colds become more common in winter. Like other upper respiratory tract infections (in the nose, throat and windpipe) they are normally caused by a virus. There might be a little truth in the idea that getting cold can give you a cold, because as the temperature changes this can alter the lining of our throat and windpipe, which can possibly make it easier for viruses to infect cells. However, the main reason we get more colds in winter is spending more time inside, closer to other people – the perfect environment to transmit viruses. 2. Does sticking garlic up your nose help? The TikTok trend involves putting cloves of garlic up your nose because it claims to act as a decongestant. Sticking something up your nose blocks the flow of mucus, so when it is removed, the flow starts and the mucus drips or even runs out of your nose. Mucus not only helps trap and remove pathogens including viruses, but also contains antibodies and can reduce how infectious and spreadable viruses are. So this is not a good idea. Garlic contains a range of compounds which might irritate the nose, and remember sticking anything up your nose isn’t a great idea. It could damage the lining and lead to bleeding or even get stuck. So it doesn’t really help and could be harmful. 3. Can herbal remedies prevent colds? Various herbal remedies claim to either prevent or speed up recovery from a cold. People often mention echinacea, a family of plants that grow in North America. Some trials have suggested a small preventative effect, but the evidence does not show statistically significant reductions in illness levels. Turmeric is also touted as a preventative medicine, but there is no robust evidence for its effectiveness either. 4. Can vitamin C help? Nobel prize-winning scientist Linus Pauling suggested that vitamin C in high doses could be an effective treatment for many viral infections. But a Cochrane review, a very robust system in which researchers assess evidence, found that vitamin C did not prevent colds, but may reduce their duration, in some people. As vitamin C supplements of around 200mg per day are considered low risk, some suggest this is a reasonable strategy to shorten the effects of a cold. 5. Does vitamin D prevent colds? Vitamin D has moved from being the sunshine vitamin associated with healthy bones, to being linked to reducing the risks around everything from heart disease and diabetes to viruses. This has included a lot of interest in vitamin D as a way of helping us fight off flu and more recently COVID-19. Laboratory experiments show that vitamin D is important in supporting immunity and this is critical in fighting off viruses. The problem may be that some people have inadequate vitamin D levels. Sunshine allows us to make our own vitamin D - but that happens less in winter. So it is likely that taking vitamin D supplements as advised by the UK government over winter is sensible so that you get enough, and this may help prevent you from getting a cold. 6. What about chicken soup? Chicken soup has been used through the ages to treat colds, and like honey it might have some benefits in managing symptoms. But it is unlikely to make a big impact on driving out the infection. The water in the soup will help with hydration, which is a often a problem when we have a cold. Like most hot drinks it can help to relieve painful sinuses. There are studies looking at the effect on our immune system cells, but the evidence from these is far from conclusive. Sadly, there are no miracle cures for the common cold. Some suggestions may be helpful, and are generally not harmful, such as getting enough vitamin C and D. But others are definitely not worth trying and could be risky, such as putting garlic up your nose. The best thing to do is get plenty of rest and drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.
The health and safety of their children is the top priority of every parent. And after more than a year and a half of enduring a pandemic, mothers and fathers across America have been inundated with news, information and debate about what’s best for all of our health and how to avoid contracting COVID-19. And now, as America is seeing vaccines approved for children five and over, parents and the media are relying on leading experts to provide honest guidance, advice, and clarity on what parents need to know about what’s best for the health of America’s kids. It’s why Dr. Jody Terranova, a physician at UConn Health and the president-elect for the Connecticut chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, is getting the word out to parents: The state of Connecticut is already rolling out vaccinations for children ages five to eleven. This move comes on the heels of the CDC's formal recommended emergency use authorization. Within hours of the announcement, children here have rolled up their sleeves. One UConn School of Medicine pediatrician says she understands why parents have questions and hopes to clarify a few important details. Not only is Dr. Jody Terranova the president-elect for the Connecticut chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, she was also a member of the scientific sub-group of the state of Connecticut governor’s COVID-19 vaccine advisory group. “At this point, we are really recommending that all five to eleven-year-olds get vaccinated. There are very few children that should not get vaccinated right now," Dr. Terranova explained. Dr. Terranova admits the topic of vaccines for children ages five to eleven is a sensitive issue. That’s why in order to make an informed decision for your family, it's critical to ask important questions, like how does the vaccine work to protect the pediatric population from COVID-19? “The vaccine that we are giving for COVID works very similar to other vaccines, where it’s really activating your immune system to mount a response to recognize that virus when it invaded your body and create antibodies that will attack it so that it can’t replicate and infect you or your child," continued Dr. Terranova. November 4 - Eyewitness News If you are a journalist looking to know more about the COVID vaccine for children and the important information parents need to know, let us help with your coverage. Dr. Terranova is available to speak with media – simply click on her icon to arrange an interview today.
MEDIA RELEASE: Ten things Ontarians need to know prior to booking travel abroad
CAA South Central Ontario (CAA SCO) has compiled a list of ten things that Ontarians should be aware of if they are considering travelling abroad. “Now that the Canadian government is no longer advising against non-essential travel due to COVID-19, those who are considering booking a trip should make sure they understand the scope of what travel looks like at the moment,” said Kaitlynn Furse, director, corporate communications, CAA Club Group. “The checklist for planning a trip has changed and we want to help people navigate this new environment.” Through consultation with its top travel agents, CAA SCO has identified ten key considerations that potential travellers may not be aware of. Anyone who is considering travel in the current environment should make sure they have looked into the following and remember that travel requirements and regulations are continually changing. 1. Confirm the COVID-19 situation at destination prior to booking. Understand the risk level associated with travel to a particular destination by checking the Government of Canada Travel Advice and Advisories website. While the Global Affairs Canada Level 3 Travel Advisory to avoid all non-essential travel has been lifted, individual travel advisories do remain on a country-by-country basis. It is important that Canadians understand the ongoing uncertainty associated with international travel, whether that be related to the continued community transmission of COVID-19, or state of health care systems in destinations hit hard by the pandemic. 2. Understand the type, timing, cost and accessibility of required COVID testing. Every country has different requirements when it comes to the COVID tests that are needed prior to travel, and every country has different testing capacities once you are there. There are also requirements in order to return to Canada. Make sure you understand the difference between molecular PCR and rapid antigen tests, in what time period tests must be taken, the associated costs and locations where these tests are available. 3. Confirm change and cancellation flexibility with your travel service provider. Many airlines and hotels have been providing more flexibility when it comes to refunds and changes to bookings. Make sure you understand any key dates related to cancellation and changes and whether you are entitled to a refund or a future travel voucher or credit at the time of booking. 4. Buy travel insurance and understand what is covered. Make sure you have $5 million in coverage for emergency medical situations and that illness related to COVID-19 is included. Understand your entitlements for things like denied boarding in the event of a positive test and coverage related to isolation expenses. 5. Prepare required travel documentation and the format it must be presented in, for both Canada and your destination. Canadians returning home should have all required documentation loaded onto the ArriveCAN App or website. Each destination has varying requirements, so make sure you fully understand what information you need to have ready and in what format. Make sure you also take into consideration connections and any requirements in the connecting destination due to lay over or delays. 6. Take note of local public health rules prior to departure. Many destinations have measures in place such as curfews and quarantine requirements. You should also understand what the regulations are if you happen to test positive for COVID-19 in the country you are visiting. 7. Be aware of changes between booking and departure. Make sure you reconfirm all the details that were researched prior to booking, to ensure they are still accurate prior to departure. What was true when a trip was booked may not be the case by the time you are ready to travel. 8. Double check all research with the appropriate embassy or consulate. Travel at this time is complex and many factors can change quickly, so ensuring you have the most up to date and accurate information is essential. 9. Plan for extra time. From disembarkment and customs to retrieving luggage and exiting the airport, most things on the travel journey are taking longer than during pre-COVID travel times. Also note the check-in and baggage drop off deadline for your flight as it may require you to arrive earlier than anticipated. 10. Stay connected. Fully unplugging while travelling is likely a thing of the past. It is important to have access to trusted, up-to-date information while travelling so you can monitor changing conditions and requirements and adapt accordingly. Bookmark the Global Affairs Canada website prior to departure and check it regularly while abroad. It is also a good idea to sign up for Registration of Canadians Abroad and stay in touch with a family or friend that has knowledge of your travel plans.
