The Longest Walk 3 –Reversing Diabetes 2011 Georgia

The Longest Walk 3 –Reversing Diabetes 2011
The Georgia Thank You List
From: Dave & Sharon Kitchen
To all the walkers /runners/support people and Dennis Banks,
Our state of Georgia thanks you. Our county of McIntosh thanks you. You will never know how much
We appreciate all you have done. Have a safe journey the rest of the way to D.C. As the Ga. Coordinators
We could not have done all we wanted to do without the GREAT help of some fantastic people I will attempt to list. I may leave out someone, so please know it is not Intentional. First , the Ga.,State Patrol
Under Captain Phillips & his assistant , Jenifer Pendarvis managed all the counties and phone calls with
Professionalism unmatched. Sgt. Bruce Deloach and Troop I also were great. In Camden County P. Frost did a great job. This was put to the test when the walkers and runners came over the Fl/Ga. Line in the incorrect area. But after a quick turn, all met up and the walkers/runners crossed over into Camden, where Kevin Blue ,chairman of the Democratic Party of Camden County all other members were waiting. Dave and I were there with them. Earlier the Judah Riders were there in numbers, but due to the wait, they had to go on. But they did turn out in a large number. Thank you Judah riders. The walker/runners and support team all proceeded from Kingsland, Ga. to Woodbine, Ga. for the night at the Satilla River Park. Many photos were taken. This was day one Sunday 6-12-11.
On Monday 6-13-11 the LW3 left Woodbine, Ga on their way to Darien, Ga. They passed through Brunswick, Ga. and walked from the park area by the St. Simmons causeway to the other side of Brunswick on St. Route 17 to Darien, Ga. After a brief stop for lunch and much needed water, on to Darien, Ga. They then entered Darien, Ga crossing over the Darien River. Darien News was on the Darien side to capture the moment, along with our GREAT supporter Darlene Kruse . The LW3 continued on through Darien to the Glory Worship Center on St. Hwy. 99 in Darien, Ga. There all were treated to an unforgettable Low-Country Boil cooked by none- other than Darlene Kruse. Music provided by Dave Kitchen on guitar and Sharon Kitchen on Native drum. One of the LW3 walkers, Yamada also played his instrument. Fred and Darlene Kruse did a FANTASTIC job. They also provided the GREAT deserts. Martha Wright had the fruit bowl and vegetable plates that were awesome. I enjoyed the vegetables as well as those walkers that are vegetarian. Everyone ate well. The air condition felt great. Butch Ginn of the Glory Worship Center got everyone settled. He did a wonderful job. Bill Lewis assisted Darlene in the cooking of the Low-Country Boil. Smith & Sons Seafood provided all the shrimp and the cooker. Piggly Wiggley grocery provided all the milk,tea,fruit and vegtables.Thank you Mr. Burgess and Linda Tennett. Some of the walkers noticed a thrift store in Darien as they passed it and wanted to go check it out. The owners of the Rummage Room, Earl and Brandie Tennett, kept it open and many found brand new items to wear. This was very generous of them. After such good food, a long rest was in order. The next day would start early. A big thank you to pastor Lee Brandt for letting the LW3 stay at his church.
Tuesday 6-14-11 All the LW3 up and going very early. The usual were up at 3 am, ready at 4 am, and off at 5 am. This was to avoid the extreme heat of the day. All walkers walked 25 miles a day. All runners ran 50 miles a day. The support team followed all. On this day they were on their way to Midway, Ga., on St. Hwy. 17 north. They went through Eulonia, Ga., got off at Pine Harbor, Ga. for a rest and lunch at Dave & Sharon’s horse farm. The R.V. was being decorated and also needed a little attention in the wiring department. While this was being done, clothes were washed, showers taken, and a special trip was taken to Laura Bailey’s vet clinic for a meet and great time with photos with her Appaloosa stallion “Feather”. Laura’s practice is called Pine Harbor Animal Clinic. Also Jim McMahon also took Dennis Banks on a very important side trip to a Federally protected ancient site at Harris Neck Wildlife Preserve.
Then it was time to go forward to Midway. At Midway there was a welcome by the Mayor of Midway, Dr. Clemontine F. Washington and her assistant mayor as well as the county commissioner who gave a very good introduction explaining the diabetic problems that face the communities. They had an EMT there to take blood checks for levels. The newspaper, The Coastal Courier was also there .Denise Etheridge did a nice article on the LW3. You can see the article that was posted on 6-17-11 at coastalcourier.com. The Midway P.D. also needs a thank you for the around the clock checks assuring all vehicles where safe. Also food and drinks were provided.
On Wednesday, 6-15-11 the LW3 got up early to start the walk/run to Port Wentworth, Ga. WTOC channel 11 met them at their stopping point for a snack and recorded a live interview that played on Wednesday. Tim Graham was the camera man. The LW3 then proceeded onto Port Wentworth, Ga.
This was a long walk. Miles were accomplished this day. All arrived at the P.B. Edwards Jr. Gym around 4 pm. Mrs. Growe, the Executive Director of the Port Wentworth Chamber of Commerce met the LW3.
As there was a laundry near- by, a much needed wash and dry time happened. While at the gym area the walkers and runners continued to get their miles in each day. They also passed out flyers explaining the walk throughout the neighborhoods.
On Thursday, 6-16-11 Dennis Banks went to speak to the Rotary Club of Effingham County. Three of our ladies dressed in their regalia and Dennis was introduced by the President Mark Winters. Dennis gave a wonderful speech and the ladies talked about where they were from and their regalia. All had a lunch.
On Friday, 6-17-11 more miles logged around Port Wentworth, Ga. Later in the evening we learned of a change of plans for Saturday, 6-18-11. So Dave contacted a distant relative and plans were made for the move to a friends’ organic farm about 15 minutes away. The walkers wanted to go into Savannah, Ga on Saturday late to keep spreading the message about reversing diabetes. Thank you Suzanne Aiken and Nick Mueller.
On Saturday,6-18-11 we were to arrive at the all organic farm. It is owned by Mike Maddox and is called Green Bridge Farm on 1302 Zittrouer Rd. in Guyton, Ga. email: mmaddox@planters.net
So we all loaded up and the caravan left Port Wentworth, GA. at 8:45am to the new Saturday night stay location Green Bridge Farm. We arrived there around 9:40am. Wow…..what a place. As we had many who were vegetarian with us this was a place to dream about. Walk out and pick your vegetables and fruit. Could not get any better. Mike was a great host. Many found the sauna and hot tub, so many a sore foot and back were eased. Food was prepared and all were fed. Yes!!!!
On Sunday, 6-19-11 time to get up and going again. So back to the route from Port Wentworth, Ga. to St. route 25, to St. Hwy.170E which becomes Hwy. 17 again. In S.C, also known as “Alligator Alley”, Someone from the S.C. side was to be there to welcome the LW3 into S.C. No one from S.C. was there so Dave and I went with them all the way into Hardeeville, S.C. to the restaurant called the Crippled Crab restaurant. Inside was the welcoming group. Outside , after the walkers arrived a prayer was said by Sharon, introductions by Dennis. A police officer met our vehicles; Mr. Benton was present and Chief Buster Hatcher and his wife. The mayor of Hardeeville, S.C. was there also. We all went in and had a breakfast. Later Dave played 3 songs for the LW3 and we all said heartfelt good byes. I think this was the roughest part for me. Such good people. Walking and running in a good way. For a good cause.
Yes, I will truly miss each and every one. Did I take pictures???? You bet. 12 rolls. I should also mention that our dog ,”star” was the Ga. LW3 mascot. She loved every minute. Since they have been gone, she has been pouting. She misses them. She had adopted them as her family.
I should make a special note here: Ga. has been in a severe drought. Since the LW3 entered Georgia we have had rain every night they were in the state. The night they were in S.C. the rain stopped. 7 nights of rain. I will let the readers of this be the person who figures this out.
For me, the Creator is with this great group of people. As they walk they drum and sing and pray.
Several are from many other countries and faiths. But all are walking and running for one reason,
To REVERSE DIABETES. July 8th is the day for the arrival of both the North and the South routes at the D.C. mall. I will be with all in spirit.
P.S. : as soon as possible I will get all the pictures up.

Sharon L. Kitchen
Co-founder of Save the Sacred Sites Alliance and for a short time co-Ga. state coordinator for LW 3.