County gives $1K to fireworks show

Patrick Donahue

Updated: Jun 29, 2012, 2:57 AM

Published: Jun 29, 2012, 2:59 AM

Celebrating the Fourth

Rincon’s Let Freedom Ring celebration will be held Friday in Lowe’s parking lot starting at 5 p.m. The annual parade starts Saturday at 10 a.m.

Springfield’s fireworks will be Saturday night at Effingham County High School.

Springfield’s annual fireworks show is getting a little help from the county.

Effingham County commissioners voted 3-1 Tuesday night to provide $1,000 toward the city’s display, which will be held Saturday night at Effingham County High School.

Commissioner Steve Mason, who cast the dissenting vote, wanted the county to donate $2,000 toward the cause.

"It’s a big show, there’s no doubt," Mason said. "I want to do something. A lot of residents enjoy it."

The city is seeking donations and support to defray the cost of the fireworks show, which is approximately $17,000. The city won a $10,000 grant from Liberty Mutual for 2010 and 2011 to help pay for its 4th of July fireworks display.

But the grant program is not being conducted this year.

"It’s a great event," said Commissioner Vera Jones, "and Springfield is bearing the brunt of it."

Where in the county budget the money will come from for the donation was another matter for the commissioners, as they debated pulling it from either the commissioners’ own budget or from the recreation department.

"I think it is a worthwhile thing to do," said county finance director Joanna Wright.

Falcon Fireworks, an Effingham County outfit, stages the show. The fireworks show will begin shortly after dark Saturday.

The fireworks cap a busy 24 hours in Effingham for the Independence Day celebration. Rincon holds its annual "Let Freedom Ring" celebration the Lowe’s parking lot today from 5-10 p.m. The city’s annual parade will begin Saturday at 10 a.m.

Highway 21 between 4th and 9th streets in Rincon will be closed beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday and will remain closed until noon.

The Rincon Police Department will be handling the traffic control and directional information to ensure the safety of the traveling public. Detour routes should be utilized.

Temperatures for the parade will be in the mid to upper 80s, with heat indices reaching 100 degrees. Temperatures are expected to be in the upper 80s at 9 p.m. Saturday.

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Volunteers hold 'Demo Party' to help Rincon Woman Rebuild Storm-Damaged Home

Miss Peggy — Matt Evans, owner of Centaur Home Renovations, consults with volunteer Janel Kearney while directing the demolition process. (Mya Taylor / Effingham Herald)

Mya Taylor

Updated: Aug 28, 2025, 3:11 PM

Published: Aug 28, 2025, 2:43 PM

RINCON, Ga. — Volunteers attended a “demo party” over the weekend to help demolish the interior of 82-year-old Miss Peggy’s home, which was left severely damaged by a storm years ago.

A gloomy forecast and threat of rain did not deter the group from working. When the seven volunteers arrived, they were greeted by Centaur Home Renovations owner Matt Evans, who is leading the renovations. Masks, trash bags and tools were handed out as music played from a large speaker and fans helped keep volunteers cool in the summer heat. Orange arrows painted on the walls directed workers to the areas slated for demolition.

Leigh Carter, the first to arrive, was one of several who stripped walls and tore out drywall. Carter’s efforts go beyond renovations — she has also driven Miss Peggy to doctor’s appointments and helped her get rehoused last week at Family Promise of Effingham after a brief displacement.

“We want to get Miss Peggy back home in a safe place to live,” Carter said.

Volunteers spread out through the home, removing damaged drywall and hauling debris to a dumpster in the driveway.

“I decided to join because I thought helping somebody would be a good thing to do,” volunteer Sydney Kearney said. “I just thought it would be nice to volunteer.”

Repairs underway

Michael’s Roofing of Meldrim completed the first major repair by rebuilding and installing a new roof. The previous roof had been damaged by a fallen tree, which led to water leaks, mildew and mold spreading through the home.

Now Evans and Centaur Home Renovations are leading the next phase of work. Evans joined volunteers in the demolition and said community support has been growing since news of Miss Peggy’s situation was first reported in the Effingham Herald.

“Since the article was first published, we’ve gotten quite a few reach-outs from people willing to donate their time,” Evans said. “We’ve also had four different dumpster companies donate dumpsters for the cause as well.”

Community organizations are also pitching in. Family Promise and the Manna House Food Pantry and Thrift Store have pledged to provide furniture and other materials once renovations are complete.

The most recent setback came when the septic tank lids collapsed, causing the system to stop working. Evans said crews are now cleaning the tank and clearing the lines.

What’s still needed

“After the demo is completed, we can start looking for more materials we’ll need like lumber, drywall, paint, flooring and more to get the house back together,” Evans said.

Additional materials still needed include:

25 2x4x8 studs
Four sheets of OSB sheathing
Twenty 12-foot deck boards (5/4)
Twelve 12-foot sheets of sheetrock
36-inch vanity
Two toilets
Four ceiling fans
Two bathroom fans
60-inch vanity
60-inch fiberglass tub and surround
60-inch fiberglass shower and surround
1,600 square feet of LVP flooring
36-inch exterior door
Rolls of drywall tape
Buckets of drywall mud
Bags of 20-minute drywall joint compound
100 linear feet of baseboard and quarter round
10 gallons of Kilz or Cover Stain
10–12 gallons of white paint

There is no estimated timeline for completion, as more funds and supplies are needed. The GoFundMe campaign for Miss Peggy’s home renovations has raised more than $1,400.

Donations can be made at gofundme.com/f/help-ms-peggy-return-to-a-safe-home.

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Repairs underway

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