SAVANNAH SMILES - 3/17/2012 = By Sue McCarthy
It is the 100th anniversary of the Girl Scouts founded by Juliette Gordon Low in Savannah, GA. A new lemon cookie called “Savannah Smiles” has been introduced this year. There are all types of celebrations curring this year and Girl Scouts from all over the world will be arriving in Savannah. You can tour the
birthplace and learn about how Juliette Gordon Low placed a phone call and announced,  “Come Right Over! I’ve got something for the girls of Savannah nd all America AND all the world AND we’re going to start tonight!” Of course, that is when she launched the Girl Scouts. A lot of the furnishings in the 3 story home were owned by her and her family.

The other reason for visiting Savannah, and it will also make you smile, are the fabulous Historic Inns. I stayed at the Azalea Inn, 217 E. Huntingdon St., 800-582- 3823. The gracious and bubbly hostess, Teresa Jacobson and her fearless sidekick, Joey the 4 lb. Yorkie, offer a beautiful place to stay, camaraderie
and breakfasts and desserts that will make you happy that you are in a “walking city.” Just pretend the calories aren’t there as you eat a slice of melt-in-your-mouth Cranberry Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Icing. Three of the other historic inns I visited were: Green Palm Inn, Dresser Palmer House and the Ziegler House.

The Green Palm, 548 E. President St., 912-447-8901, is owned by Diane McCray. The inn offers four charming suites with the palm theme. The inn was built in 1897 and is in the historic district. River Street is within walking distance as are the downtown shops and quaint restaurants. Each of the suites has a fireplace and one suite has a fireplace and a jacuzzi.

 Dresser Palmer House, 211 E. Gaston St, 800-671- 0716. This beautiful inn has the longest porch in Savannah. You can sit in the wicker chairs while observing the green ferns in hanging baskets and watch the activity on the street. Or, if you prefer you can sit in the back courtyard, deck or balcony and admire the trellis of wisteria. There is a Grand Steinway Piano in the front parlor and if you are lucky as I was on my trip there you can listen to the show tunes and melodic voice of Diana Lynn Rogers. rumor has it that there is even a little girl ghost ho resides there after she was burned in a tragic fire. I had the opportunity to meet the new incoming mayor, Edna Jackson at a reception with the other inn wners. Innkeeper Shannon Romine, GM.

 Zeigler House Inn, 121 W. Jones St., 866-233-5307, Innkeeper Jackie Heinz The Zeigler House is a house of irrors, there are so many extremely large gilded mirrors in the house. The chandeliers and woodwork are beautiful and the house looks like it stepped out of the pages of an architectural or decorating magazine. If you get the opportunity ask Jackie Heinz if you can see the 3rd floor suite decorated in lime green nd black.

Although Savannah is known as a “walking city” you might want to take the Old Savannah Tours trolley  I opted for the on/off and then decided to stay on for the 90-minute tour and go back the following day to see some of the places I wanted to spend more time at. The driver, Tim, took us past all 22 squares. hen the town of Savannah was laid out by Oglethorpe in the 1700’s there were 24 squares. One of the Savannah Smiles most famous is Forsyth Park with its large fountain and colorful magenta and white  azaela bushes. Be sure to look for next month’s article on the restaurants and history of Savannah.

IF YOU GO -
SAVANNAH GA
www.SavanahInns.com
www.AzaleaInn.com
www.dresserpalmerhouse.
com
www.zieglerhouseinn.com
www.dianainsavannah.com
www.oldsavannahtours.
com
www.savannahbee.com
www.leopoldsicecream.
com
www.vicsontheriver.com
www.mrswilkes.com
www.juliettegordonlowbirthplace.
org
www.VisitSavannah.com
Sue sitting on Azaela Inn’s porch
Shannon, Teresa, Mayor Edna Jackson, Jackie and Diane -
four inn owners.
Juliette Gordon Low - founder of Girl Scouts
THE PULSE,