Colonel Kevin W. Milton, Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield garrison commander, along with Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. James E. Ervin, present the "Best in Show" trophy winners to actress Jasmine Kersey, and member Angela Everson of the Hinesville Area...

FORT STEWART, Ga. - Soldiers, Family Members, civilians and retirees received important community wide information at the Fort Stewart Community Showcase and Travel Show, at Club Stewart, March 9. This bi-annual event is offered each spring and fall, and held in conjunction with the Regional Information Sharing Forum that allows participants to learn what the community has to offer.

Participants had the opportunity to learn everything from health related information to popular vacation spots for the entire Family.

"The showcase is all about them," said Susan Phillips, of the Fort Stewart Public Affairs Office. "It was started in 2007 as a means to keep spouses and Family Members informed of what there was to do to keep them gainfully occupied while their Soldiers were deployed."

This event drew an estimated 500 attendees according to Patrick Young, community relations officer.

Door prizes were given to those who attended the showcase. Winners were selected and won prizes, which included hotel stays, amusement park tickets, and gift certificates. With 59 exhibitors on site, there was something for everyone, regardless of their age.

Both Army Community Service and Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation were also on hand to offer programs and activities that are accessible on the Stewart-Hunter installation.

"We like to come out because there are always things you learn about what is going on in the community, and what one might miss being advertised in the newspaper," said Family Member MaryAnn Johnson. "You learn a lot by coming here."

One of the vendors at the event was the Liberty County Health Department. Their exhibit focused on breast cancer awareness and education. Their approach was to kiss a sticky page, which signifies kissing breast cancer away.

"I have a daughter who was diagnosed with leukemia as an infant," Johnson said. "Although we have not had the breast cancer issue, cancer is cancer and different people get affected by it. All cancer is important to fight."

The Best Showcase award went to actress Jasmine Kersey, board chair Leah Poole, board members Christina Mansfield and Angela Everson of the Hinesville Area Arts Council for their "Pieces of Home," an original theatrical production exhibit that took place on March 12.

Both Pooler Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau along with the Richmond Hill Police Department tied for first runner up. The Travel Show award was presented to Splash in the Boro and the runner up in this category went to Ocean Side Inn and Suites.

Community members are strongly encouraged to learn more about upcoming events by visiting www.stewart.army.mil.

The winners include:

Gregory Lowe - gift basket, City Of Pembroke

Charm Reed - Harry Potter Back pack, Universal Orlando

Joann McKinnon - gift certificate, Sands Resort Myrtle Beach

Joanie Durance - gift bag, Claxton Evans County

Jennifer Yareger - tickets, Blessing of the Fleet

Phil Roznowski - tickets, Wet and Wild Orlando

Nicholas Brown - tickets, Suzy Q

Andrea Neiri - T-shirts, Pooler Chamber of Commerce

Jimmy McSalter - Sea Palms Resort St. Simons Island two-night stay

Kim Blackmon - gift bag, Crown Plaza Hilton Head

Earl Wilson - Hilton Ocean Front Resort, two-night stay

Bryan Luke - Courtyard Marriot, Savannah one-night stay

Elizabeth Dupree - Courtyard Marriot, Savannah one-night stay

Nancy Priest - Holiday Inn Perimeter, Atlanta, two-night stay

Joslyn Serreno - reusable lunch bag, Keep Liberty Beautiful

Danielle Helms - tickets, Georgia Aquarium

Anita Gordon - spa gift set, Operation Home Front

Cindy Holder - Family membership for a year, YMCA Liberty County

Sonja Moore - one large white bear

Felicia Boatwright - one medium brown bear

Alida Burchett - one electronic basketball game

Frederick Smith - game with green fees and cart, Jekyll Island Golf

Darlene Guidry - Best Western one-night stay

Melinda Baggs - Red Roof Inn Road Trip, two-night stay nationwide

Chrissy Lowery - gift bag, Savannah Chamber of Commerce

GiGi Reng - Hinesville Econolodge, stay with gift certificate for meal at Vann's

Kim Bassett - Savannah Staybridge Suites one-night stay

Fausto Tennen - tickets, Emerald Princess Gambling Casino

Stephen Sullivan - $25.00, AUSA