Sommer Shuford, a Statesboro native, began a tradition with her family years ago that would craft memories to last a lifetime. Shuford and her husband, Joseph, decided in 2017 to give their children the gift of experiences rather than several material gifts at Christmas.
"We do a scavenger hunt each year on Christmas morning for the kids to discover the destination of our trip the following summer," Shuford explains. "Three of these trips have been to the U.K. and surrounding areas to visit my great aunt."
The ancestral link to the U.K. stems from Shuford's maternal grandmother, Gwendoline Capper Rogers. Born in Kingston upon Thames, a suburb of southwest London, Rogers spent her formative years in Ixworth, England. A pivotal chapter in the family history unfolded in 1952 when Gwendoline encountered her future husband, Martin Rogers, in Bury Saint Edmunds.
He was serving as a U.S. Military Police officer at Royal Air Force Lakenheath during the Korean War. They married in 1953 and moved to Arizona. Eventually, they moved to Statesboro to be near Martin's family. Growing up, Shuford shared a special bond with her grandmother, who returned regularly to the U.K. to visit her family, and Shuford absorbed all she could about her grandmother's English culture. Sadly, a few years ago, the Shufords lost their British matriarch.
"My grandmother passed away in 2021," Shuford says. "We had a close relationship; she was a special lady."
Shuford continues to keep in touch with her grandmother's sister, her beloved great-aunt, Gillian Eastaugh. Eastaugh, who resides in Bungay, has the distinction of being Shuford's godmother, and also inspired the name of Shuford's daughter, Gillian Grace. Prior to having children, the Shufords had already visited her, and once their children reached an age where they could truly appreciate it, the family embarked on trips to explore the region where their great-grandmother grew up.
In 2019, the Shufords traveled to Normandy, France, where a poignant 75th D-Day anniversary tour and an exploration of northern France made a lasting impression. Later in the same journey, the family visited Ixworth, the small community where Rogers' family resettled after the London bombings, which proved deeply personal. They gathered in front the childhood home of Rogers and her siblings, visited the church where Shuford's grandparents exchanged vows, and listened to amusing anecdotes from her aunt about growing up there.
A return to Ixworth in 2023 further cemented this connection, as they savored a traditional Sunday roast at a pub Shuford's great-grandparents enjoyed. Eventually, the adventure took a Scottish turn, with Shuford's parents, Rita and Warren Groover, joining the family to experience the local culture, hike, and explore the breathtaking landscapes of the Isle of Skye in the Highlands.
During the most recent excursion in April of 2025, the family ventured to England's Jurassic Coast, revealing less-frequented sites beyond the typical London tourist circuit, including the fabled "Camelot," Canterbury, the natural wonders of Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove, and the iconic White Cliffs of Dover. Shuford's husband, in particular, cherishes the experience of navigating England's roads while driving a stick shift on the left side, memories that emit chuckles reminiscing about quality time spent with Shuford's Aunt Gil.
"We’ve driven all over the country, and some of our funniest moments with my aunt have occurred on our road trips with her!" Shuford exclaims.
Maintaining a vibrant connection to their English heritage year-round involves several engaging practices. Regular video calls with their great-aunt and other friends in England bridge the geographical distance. The family also enjoys British cuisine, often visiting the Crown and Anchor in Pooler for its authentic pub atmosphere and delicious food, indulging their son's particular fondness for fish and chips and bakewell tarts.
A shared passion for soccer, particularly Premier League matches, is another significant link. This year, the family attended an Arsenal game at Emirates Stadium, a dream come true for their son. The tradition of afternoon tea, once shared with her grandmother, continues with Shuford's daily English breakfast tea ritual.
The Shufords plan to continue their meaningful trips abroad, instilling in their children the paramount importance of family, near and far.