Geocaching a fun way to explore the Golden Isles

Back in 'the day,' if you wanted to find your way around you needed a map, perhaps a compass or at least some sense of direction. With the advent of Global Positioning Satellites, or GPS, now all you need is a Garmin® or some similar unit that can read and interpret GPS signals.

In addition to making life on the road easier (more or less) for travelers, GPS has created a relatively new recreational activity: geocaching.

According to Wikipedia, geocaching is"an outdoor sporting activity in which the participants use a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver or mobile device and other navigational techniques to hide and seek containers, called "geocaches" or "caches", anywhere in the world.

"A typical cache is a small waterproof container containing a logbook where the geocacher enters the date they found it and signs it with their established code name. Larger containers such as plastic storage containers (Tupperware® or similar) or ammo boxes can also contain items for trading, usually toys or trinkets of little value.

"Geocaching is often described as a "game of high-tech hide and seek," sharing many aspects with benchmarking, trigpointing, orienteering, treasure-hunting, letterboxing, and waymarking. Geocaches are currently placed in over 100 countries around the world and on all seven continents, including Antarctica. After 10 years of activity there are over 1.3 million active geocaches published on various websites. There are over 5 million geocachers worldwide."

Caches can be found at a variety of locations throughout the Golden Isles. Most recently, Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation, along with other state parks, introduced a geocaching program. At Hofwyl-Broadfield, visitors who have GPS units can enter a set of coordinates, find certain locations and answer clues that will give them the combination to a lock box at the park visitor center. Those who do not have GPS units will be given the clues with directions, so everyone can play. 

When players get the combination and open the lock box, they will be able to take a trading card and a prize. As is customary, they will need to leave something in the box as a "trade." Players who collect trading cards from three Georgia plantions – Hofwyl-Broadfield, Wormsloe and Jarrell Plantation – will receive a small medallion or "pathcard."

Hofwyl-Broadfield is located at 5556 US Hwy. 17 North. The park is open Thursday - Saturday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. The park is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. For information, call them at 912-264-7333 or visit them online.

Let's Go Shrimpin'!

Capt. Larry Credle has seawater in his veins. He’s lived and worked on or near the sea all of his life–just like his dad, his granddad, and generations of Credles before them. Several of his ancestors even sailed with Capt. Edward Teach, the notorious Blackbeard.

“There were three Credle brothers on Blackbeard’s boat, the Queen Anne’s Revenge,” he explained. “Our family was based out of Oregon Inlet in North Carolina. We’ve all got the sea in our blood.”

Credle’s father, George, brought the family to the Georgia coast in 1964. Shrimping here was decidedly easier than in North Carolina. “There, you’d leave on Sunday and stay out on the water until Friday afternoon,” Credle said. “Here, you could work from dawn to dusk and have some quality of life.”

Back then, you could make a decent living as a shrimper. “In 1964 we got $1.25 a pound for shrimp, and fuel cost between 13 and 24 cents a gallon,” he continued. “Today, we get about $1.60 a pound for shrimp, but fuel is around $4.00 a gallon. It’s just about impossible to make a living as a shrimper. It’s a dying industry.”

When he was 14 years old, working aboard his dad’s trawler, Credle had an idea. “Even then, I said people would pay to do this. Everyone thought I was nuts.”

Turned out his idea wasn’t crazy at all, though he had to jump through some big hoops to prove it.

Three years ago, Credle had the opportunity to purchase a 60-foot, steel-hulled shrimp trawler. He jumped at the chance to turn his dream – of providing excursion cruises aboard a genuine working shrimp boat – into reality.

The boat was built in 1987 and sailed on the Gulf of Mexico, where it routinely went on 38- to 40-day cruises. In 2002 it was purchased and brought to Fernandina Beach, where the owner used it first as a commercial fishing boat, and later as a passenger boat. Credle bought the boat, christened Lady Jane, at the end of 2004 and began the arduous process of attaining U.S. Coast certification for passenger transport.

“At first they told me it was impossible, that no working shrimp boat had ever been certified to carry passengers,” Credle explained. “We proved it could be done and finally, after two years, we received our USCG certificate in April 2007.”

According to Credle, Lady Jane is the only working shrimp boat in the United States that is USCG certified to carry 49 passengers, up to 20 nautical miles offshore. The boat carries a species collection permit from the Georgia Dept. of Natural Resources. The DNR permit allows the craft to drag a small net and bring the contents aboard for study.

That ability forms the centerpiece of the “Let’s Go Shrimpin’” experience. Capt. Credle began offering shrimp boat cruises on an experimental basis in 2006, departing from the Golden Isles Marina. Last summer, he moved his operation to the dock behind Spanky’s on U.S. Highway 17 in Brunswick, and began offering a regular schedule of cruises.

Each cruise lasts about two hours. Cruises generally follow the creeks and rivers that flow through the Marshes of Glynn, and don’t venture into open water. This provides a much smoother sail with little or no chance of seasickness for passengers. 

During the cruise, the crew drops and drags the 20-foot “mongoose” net. After 15 minutes the net is brought aboard and its contents are emptied onto a stainless steel table. Passengers crane their necks to see the shrimp, stingray, horseshoe crabs and other creatures that comprise the “catch.” All are spellbound as Capt. Larry’s 15 year-old son, Clifford, identifies and talks about each animal.

This activity is repeated three times during a typical cruise. Occasionally, the net will yield other “treasures,” such as abandoned crab pots, anchors and other long-forgotten items. Shrimp from the catch are prepared, cooked and served to the passengers. “We’re not kidding when we talk about fresh Georgia white shrimp,” Credle says. “You’re not going to get it fresher than this.”

The cruises have been a huge hit, according to Credle. “People just love it. They’re able to take pictures, touch and occasionally hold animals they might never have seen before. It’s really rewarding to see the expressions on their faces, especially the kids.”

Lady Jane cruises are a wonderful way to enjoy the abundant beauty of our coastal waters, and to learn about the birds, fish and other creatures that rely upon them for food, shelter and nesting grounds. You’ll also get a sense of life aboard a working shrimp boat – a lifestyle that is vanishing with each passing day.

*****************************************************

Lady Jane cruises are generally offered daily during June and July at 4:00 pm, whether permitting, unless the boat has been chartered by a private group. From August - May, cruises are generally offered Wednesdays and Saturdays, weather permitting. Capt. Credle advises passengers to contact him at least a day ahead of time, to confirm availability and cruise times.

Lady Jane is available for private charter for private birthday parties and other occasions, near shore or bottom fishing, and even offshore burials. For information contact Credle’s Adventures at 912-265-5711 or visit them online.

Memorial Day Events in The Golden Isles

MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY
The Veterans Council of the Golden Isles will sponsor its annual Memorial Day ceremony on Monday, May 30, beginning at 10:30 am at the War Memorials in front of the Glynn County Courthouse on G Street. Speaker for the ceremony will be Lt. Col. Timothy R. King, Commander, 165th Air Support Operations Squadron, Georgia National Guard. Seating is limited, so please bring lawn chairs. 


TAPS AT TWILIGHT

The Rotary Club of St. Simons Island presents its annual "Taps at Twilight" Memorial Day observance Monday, May 30, at 7:00 pm in Neptune Park on St. Simons Island.

Gen. Carl Mundy, former Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps, will be the keynote speaker.

Patriotic music will be presented by the Golden Isles Community Concert Band under the direction of Mickey Wendell, and by soprano Rhonda Hambright, trumpeters Willie HGammett and Rich Wagner, and bagpiper Tim Akins. A color guard from U.S. Marine Corps Security Force Company, Kings Bay, will post the colors.

The program is free, a gift to the community from the Rotary Club of St. Simons Island.

* * *

THE HISTORY OF MEMORIAL DAY

Originally called Decoration Day, Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service.

There are many stories as to its actual beginnings, with more than two dozen cities and towns laying claim to being the birthplace of Memorial Day. There is also evidence that organized women's groups in the South were decorating graves before the end of the Civil War: a hymn published in 1867, "Kneel Where Our Loves are Sleeping" by Nella L. Sweet carried the dedication "To The Ladies of the South who are Decorating the Graves of the Confederate Dead" (Source: Duke University's Historic American Sheet Music, 1850-1920).

While Waterloo N.Y. was officially declared the birthplace of Memorial Day by President Lyndon Johnson in May 1966, it's difficult to prove conclusively the origins of the day. It is more likely that it had many separate beginnings; each of those towns and every planned or spontaneous gathering of people to honor the war dead in the 1860's tapped into the general human need to honor our dead, each contributed honorably to the growing movement that culminated in Gen Logan giving his official proclamation in 1868.

Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11, and was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery.

The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states. The South refused to acknowledge the day, honoring their dead on separate days until after World War I (when the holiday changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war). It is now celebrated in almost every State on the last Monday in May (passed by Congress with the National Holiday Act of 1971 (P.L. 90 - 363) to ensure a three day weekend for Federal holidays), though several southern states have an additional separate day for honoring the Confederate war dead: January 19 in Texas, April 26 in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi; May 10 in South Carolina; and June 3 (Jefferson Davis' birthday) in Louisiana and Tennessee.

Source: Memorial Day History

2011 Season announced for Neptune Park Fun Zone on St. Simons Island

Opening Day for the Neptune Park Fun Zone pool on St. Simons Island will be Saturday, May 7. Beginning that day, the pool will be open weekends only until Memorial Day. Pool hours will be Saturdays 11:00 am to 7:00 pm and Sundays 1:00 to 7:00 pm.

The pool will open for its regular schedule beginning Memorial Day weekend with operating hours of 11:00 am to 7:00 pm Monday through Saturday and 1:00 to 7:00 pm Sundays. The public will have access to the pool seven days a week.



The Fun Zone miniature golf course is now open seven days a week with the following schedule:

• Monday-Thursday 1:00 to 7:00 pm
• Friday 1:00 to 9:00 pm
• Saturday 11:00 am to 9:00 pm
• Sunday 1:00 to 9:00 pm

Beginning Memorial Day weekend, the miniature golf course will be open for extended hours with the following schedule:

• Monday-Saturday 11:00 am to 9:00 pm
• Sunday 1:00 to 9:00 pm

The multi-functional pool of the Neptune Park Family Zone allows expanded capacity and services for users. The Parks & Recreation Department also offers water aerobics and swimming lessons in the morning prior to public swim times. The Fun Zone is fully ADA accessible with wheelchair lifts available at the pool upon request.

Neptune Park Fun Zone opened in May 2009 and marked the completion of Phase I of a comprehensive redesign plan for Neptune Park. The goal of the Village Master Plan was to create family friendly resources on St. Simons Island. Phase II of the Master Plan included enhanced sidewalks, seating and lighting. Phase II was completed in May 2010.

IMPORTANT DATES:

SEASON PASS PRE-SALE - Going on NOW at the Mallery Park office and at the pool office when open.

SWIMMING LESSONS REGISTRATION - Friday May 22 noon to 8:00 pm

OPENING DAY - Monday, May 2

SWIMMING LESSONS - Begin June 6

The following services will be offered at Neptune Park Fun Zone:

• Public swim 7 days a week 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm
• Lifeguards on duty
• American Red Cross swimming lessons - Parent/Child, Preschool, Learn-to-Swim Level 1-6
• Private swim lessons by certified instructors
• Water aerobics
• Group rates
• Locker rental
• American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification Course
• American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor Certification Course
• American Red Cross Basic Water Rescue

For more information, visit www.glynncounty.org/funzone.

Source: Glynn County Commission

Beautiful gardens showcased in Tabby and Tillandsia Garden Walk on St. Simons Island

I think that if ever a mortal heard the voice of God it would be in a garden at the cool of the day.  ~F. Frankfort Moore,  A Garden of Peace

The kiss of the sun for pardon,
The song of the birds for mirth,
One is nearer God's heart in a garden
Than anywhere else on earth.
~Dorothy Frances Gurney, "Garden Thoughts"

Among life's greatest treasures are the discovery and enjoyment of a beautiful garden. Whether you're a hands-on, get-down-and-dirty participant or simply a casual observer there are few among us who don't appreciate a lovingly created and tended garden.

Hence the popularity of the Cassina Garden Club's annual Tabby and Tillandsia Garden Weekend. This year's celebration – the fifth – takes place May 7 and 8. As in previous years, the highlight of the event will be the garden walk, which will feature seven gardens on St. Simons Island and Sea Island. 

Gardens on the walk were selected to show the horticultural and ecological diversity found on in the Golden Isles. Locations range from ocean to marsh and river to lagoon, growing conditions from bright sun to dappled shade, and designs from elegant and formal to tiny, secret spaces. Each offers an extensive palette of ideas and inspiration for southern gardeners. 

Docents will be on hand at each garden to point out unique features, rare specimens, unusual plant materials and garden art. To enhance the experience, some gardens will feature live music performances or local artists painting plein air. 

The weekend also will include a Garden Market, located under the grand live oaks of Gascoigne Bluff. More than 25 vendors from throughout the southeast will offer beautiful plants, fairy houses, pots, gardening tools, food and many other items. The juried photography exhibition, located in the tabby cabins, features the art of regional photographers, professional and amateur.

The Tabby and Tillandsia Garden Walk is presented by Ace Garden Center on St. Simons Island. The Garden Market is presented by SunTrust Bank. Proceeds from the event benefit the restoration and preservation of Cassina's early 19th-century tabby slave cabins and various local charities. 

Hours for the Garden Walk are 10:00 am to 5:00 pm Saturday, and from 1:00 to 5:00 pm Sunday. Please note that patrons must take a shuttle from the tabby cabins to visits Stops 1 to 3 on Sea Island. Advance tickets for the event may be purchased online at www.cassinagardenclub.org, or at ticket outlets in Brunswick and on St. Simons Island. Tickets also may be purchased the day of the event at the tabby houses on Gascoigne Bluff.

Hours for the Garden Market are 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Saturday, and from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm Sunday. Admission to the Market is free.

For information about the Tabby and Tillandsia Garden weekend, please visit the Cassina Garden Club website. Be sure to check the website for special packages at area hotels.

Photos courtesy of Harlan Hambright, H2O Creative.
Garden quotes courtesy of quotegarden.com

A 'theological battle of biblical proportions' takes the stage at Art Downtown in Brunswick

A perky young evangelical missionary (Amy Lovin) tries to
convert two Catholic spinsters (Shirley Williams and Clynne
Morgan), who have enlisted the help of their parish priest
(Jack Conyers).

It's not going too far out on a limb to say that more wars and conflicts have been fought over religion than perhaps any other topic. In very simple terms, that is the premise behind The Savannah Disputation, a comedy by Georgia playwright Evan Smith. The play is being performed weekends through May 15 at Art Downtown in Brunswick.

A perky young evangelical missionary (Amy Lovin) gets a lot more than she bargained for when she drops in on two Catholic spinsters (Clynne Morgan and Shirley Williams) to 'convert' them, igniting a crisis of faith.

To fight back, the sisters enlist the help of their unsuspecting parish priest (Jack Conyers), who finds himself in the midst of a theological battle of biblical proportions.

"Early on we wrestled a bit with the subject, given that some people have a tendency to become defensive of their faith," explains gallery owner and director Lynda Gallagher. "Though it sounds as if it is ponderously deep, there are a lot of laughs as well as some bittersweet moments. In the end, the characters learn that they are a lot closer in their beliefs than they thought."

Evan Smith was born and raised in Savannah, Georgia. The Savannah Disputation premiered in Fall 2007 at the Writers' Theatre in Chicago. Other works by Smith include Servicemen, The Uneasy Chair, Psych and Daughters of Genius. His TV pilot “Debs” was produced onstage in Los Angeles by Naked TV, a joint venture of Fox TV and Naked Angels. He is a recipient of a 2002 Whiting Award. He has a BA in English from Vassar College and an MFA in play writing from the Yale School of Drama.

Performance dates for The Savannah Disputation are Saturday evenings at 8:00 pm April 16, 23 and 30, and May 7 and 14. Sunday afternoon performances will be at 3:00 pm April 17 and May 1 and 15. Performances include dessert and coffee, and doors open 30 minutes prior to curtain. Reserve seat tickets may be purchased by calling 912-262-0628, or at Art Downtown at 1413 Newcastle Street in Brunswick.

Outdoor concerts add allure to summer evenings in The Golden Isles

The Golden Isles are blessed with an abundance of cultural arts activities, ranging from changing exhibits at local art galleries to live theatre to musical performances of every sort. Among the most popular activities for visitors and locals alike are the outdoor concerts that take place during the warm weather months.

These include the "Rhythm on the River" series of concerts that take place at Queen Square in downtown Brunswick, and the "Jazz in the Park" and "A Little Light Music" concerts that take place at the lighthouse on St. Simons Island.

Rhythm on the River concerts are sponsored by the Downtown Development Authority and take place Sunday evenings from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Local artists perform an array of styles from classic rock to bluegrass, jazz to pop. Concertgoers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, picnic baskets and their favorite liquid refreshments. After the shows, stop for dinner in one of the many downtown restaurants and enjoy a pleasant evening in this historic port city.

Jazz in the Park and A Little Light Music draw hundreds of patrons
to the lawn of the St. Simons Lighthouse during select Sunday evenings
throughout the warm weather months. (Credit: GIAHA)

Jazz in the Park is sponsored by Golden Isles Arts and Humanities Association. A Little Light Music is sponsored by the Coastal Georgia Historical Society. Both concert series take place Sunday evenings from 7:00 to 9:00 pm, on the lawn of the St. Simons Lighthouse on St. Simons Island.

Now in its 22nd season, Jazz in the Park features regional and nationally known jazz artists who perform everything from “traditional” jazz standards to cutting-edge music with an international beat. A Little Light Music, now in its 13th season, features local and regional artists performing classic rock, pop, beach music and rhythm and blues.

Performances typically draw from 400-600 people, with many, many more during holiday weekends. Concert veterans will tell you the Sunday night concerts are more than a picnic on the lawn. Much more. “These are social events,” says Heather Heath, executive director of Golden Isles Arts and Humanities. "Many people use the opportunity to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries or other occasions. It’s like a real community.”

Setups are as varied as the participants, ranging from a simple blanket and a cooler to tables and chairs with complete place settings, table linens and decorations to suit the occasion. The Golden Isles Track Club, for instance, has an elaborate setup complete with a small bar, tiki torches and a club banner.

At the July 4 weekend performance, concert-goers compete to win prizes for having the most creative and unusual setups.

Concert fare is a veritable smorgasbord limited only by the participants’ imaginations and ability to transport and safely serve their food items. Some are happy to stop by their local quik-mart for a bag of chips and sodas or beer. Others bring complete, full-course meals assembled potluck or by local eateries.

“This is truly the place to be on Sunday nights,” Heath says. “We’re even listed in a book entitled, ‘101 Things to do in Georgia before you die.’”

CONCERT SCHEDULE

APRIL

17 - RHYTHM ON THE RIVER: Defunk, 6:00 pm, Queen Square, Brunswick. Admission.

MAY

15 - A LITTLE LIGHT MUSIC: Sons of the Beach, a powerhouse entertainment duo that recreate all the songs you want to hear. 7:00 pm, St. Simons Lighthouse, St. Simons Island. Admission.

15 - RHYTHM ON THE RIVER: Honey Blue. 6:00 pm, Queen Square, Brunswick. Admission.

29 - JAZZ IN THE PARK: World Unity Jazz Ensemble, featuring Phil Morrison. A fresh blend of East and West that brings a taste of other lands to America’s unique musical form. 7:00 pm, Neptune Park, St. Simons Island. Admission.  PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE IN VENUE FOR THIS JAZZ IN THE PARK PERFORMANCE ONLY; ALL OTHERS WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE LIGHTHOUSE.

JUNE

12 - A LITTLE LIGHT MUSIC: Island Garage Band, serving classic rock, covered, smothered, and scattered. 7:00 pm, St. Simons Lighthouse, St. Simons Island. Admission.

26 - JAZZ IN THE PARK: Latin Jazz by Sam Rodriquez. Performing a wide range of lively rhythms showcasing the African heriatge in modern Latin sounds. 7:00 pm, St. Simons Lighthouse, St. Simons Island. Admission.

JULY

3 - A LITTLE LIGHT MUSIC: Mason Waters and the Groove All Stars. 7:00 pm, St. Simons Lighthouse, St. Simons Island. Admission.

10 - JAZZ IN THE PARK: Silver Lining. A blend of traditional and contemporary jazz with influences from rock, Americana, swing. 7:00 pm, St. Simons Lighthouse, St. Simons Island. Admission.

31 - JAZZ IN THE PARK: Rob Denty. Hometown boy returns with his group, bringing the true spirit of improvisation to traditional forms. 7:00 pm, St. Simons Lighthouse, St. Simons Island. Admission.

AUGUST

7 - A LITTLE LIGHT MUSIC: The Stringrays. 7:00 pm, St. Simons Lighthouse, St. Simons Island. Admission.

28 - JAZZ IN THE PARK: Just Jazz Quintet. Performing sophisticated, classic standards from swing to ballads, Latin to pop. 7:00 pm, St. Simons Lighthouse, St. Simons Island. Admission.

SEPTEMBER

4 - A LITTLE LIGHT MUSIC: Sensational Sounds of Motown. Detroit's finest sounds. 7:00 pm, St. Simons Lighthouse, St. Simons Island. Admission.

25 - RHYTHM ON THE RIVER: Josh Kirkland and the Traveling Riverside Band. 6:00 pm, Queen Square, Brunswick. Admission.

25 - JAZZ IN THE PARK: Julie Wilde and The Bohemian Dream Band. The romance and gypsy-swing vibe of a hip 1930s Parisian night club. 7:00 pm, St. Simons Lighthouse, St. Simons Island. Admission.

OCTOBER

16 - RHYTHM ON THE RIVER: Soul Gravy. 6:00 pm, Queen Square, Brunswick. Admission.

NOVEMBER

6 - RHYTHM ON THE RIVER: The O'Reallys. 6:00 pm, Queen Square, Brunswick. Admission.

Season tickets are available for the Jazz in the Park and A Little Light Music concert series. For information about Jazz in the Park tickets, call Golden Isles Arts and Humanities Association at 912-262-6934 or visit them online. For A Little Light Music tickets, call the Coastal Georgia Historical Society at 912- 638-4666 or visit them online.

A Taste of Glynn celebrates local culinary artistry while raising funds for Amity House

Chefs from throughout Brunswick and the Golden Isles are polishing up their utensils and getting ready for the 11^th A Taste of Glynn, Sunday March 27 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm at the King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort on St. Simons Island. The annual fundraiser benefits the Glynn Community Crisis Center (Amity House / Hope House), and provides a wonderful opportunity for area restaurants and caterers to show off their skills and signature dishes.

A Taste of Glynn takes place at the beautiful King and Prince
Beach & Golf Resort on St. Simons Island.
(Photos by Lindy Thompson, Golden Isles Photography)

The event takes place at the beautiful King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort, right next to the ocean – a perfect venue for an event that typically attracts 1,000 to 1,200 people for an evening of culinary delights, silent auctions and live entertainment.

Restaurants and caterers from throughout the area compete for awards in judged and People's Choice competitions. Awards are presented in a variety of categories including appetizers, soup, sandwiches, barbeque, seafood, gourmet, health conscious, international and dessert. An award also is given for the best overall presentation.

Coastal Kitchen of St. Simons Island has participated and been a winner in A Taste of Glynn for the past three years. "The atmosphere and the patrons are fantastic," says owner Jeff Montaigne. "One of the coolest parts is how well everything comes together. It just gets better and better every year."

Christie Ridinger of CARGO Portside Grill in Brunswick agrees. "It's the people who make being in the restaurant business fun," she says. "The work is hard, the hours are long and you give up a large part of your life. A Taste of Glynn is a great opportunity to see and talk with people in a fun, relaxed atmosphere, especially for the chefs."

Tom Jones of Millhouse Steakhouse serves a patron at
A Taste of Glynn.

"There are a lot of good restaurants in the area and there are always people who go all out with their food and their displays," says Tom Jones of Millhouse Steakhouse, a perennial participant and winner. "For us, the return has been incredible and we work hard to raise the bar each year."

Great food is only part of the experience. This year, A Taste of Glynn will feature live entertainment by three different performing groups – "Three of Us," "The Not Brothers" and jazz saxophonist Michael Hulett. There will be the traditional Silent Auction, replete with an array of great prizes including vacations, airline tickets, a bike and much more. And, the annual wine raffle.

For the second year, the auction will feature a collection of bowls painted by local artists and donated by color me happy in downtown Brunswick. Participating artists include Ed Hose, Pilliard Dickle, Natalie Bishop, Ellen Moriarty, Georgia Kellogg, Lois Henry, Meghan Davis, John Sabbe, Kate Sparks, Alyson Tucker, Ann Marie Dalis, Linda Wunder and Michelle Brown.

"Deep Friars" by Ed Hose is one of the special
bowls decorated by local artists for the silent auction.
(Photo by Patrick Saylor)

"As a person without a whole lot of extra time or extra money, it is really nice to be able to contribute in some meaningful way to the charities I love," explains artist Ed Hose. "I consider it a total honor to be a part of this event, I know the amazing work this organization does. In addition to providing life changing services to so many women and families. The people who run Amity House provide hope that life can be brighter again."

The fun and festivity of A Taste of Glynn are inarguable. What could be better than spending a spring evening in a beautiful locale, enjoying the best offerings of our local restaurants and caterers, and catching up with friends after a long winter?

But there's more to it than that. Much more.

"A Taste of Glynn is our primary fundraiser for the entire year," explains Elizabeth Sorrells, president of the board of Glynn Community Crisis Center. "It is critical to the services we offer by providing a substantial portion of our annual income. I like to think of it as a 'southern garden party by the ocean' to benefit a great cause."

"I don't think there is anyone on the planet who doesn't know someone who has been touched in some way by domestic violence," says event co-chair Gerri Landrum. "There are people who, through their own strength and determination, can get themselves out of a bad situation. Unfortunately, there are others who, for a variety of reasons, aren't able to do that without help. They need and deserve our support."

For the past 28 years, that support has been provided by Glynn Community Crisis Center, through its resident programs at Amity House and Hope House, a 24-hour hotline and long list of community outreach programs and nonresident services.

Domestic violence knows no bounds, be it race, socio-economic status or gender. Often its victims are silent, hidden from every day view. Everyone who attends A Taste of Glynn supports Glynn Community Crisis Center, and gives those women, children and men the resources they need to begin a new life, without fear.

A Taste of Glynn is presented by Moore Stephens Tiller LLC, MST Wealth Management LLC and Stambaugh Aviation, as well as many other local businesses and individuals. Tickets are $50 per person in advance, or $60 the day of the event. They can be purchased by calling Amity House at (912) 264-1348 or picking them up at Moore Stephens Tiller and MST Wealth Management, 1612 Newcastle St. in Brunswick; color me happy, Hattie's Books and Lai Lai's in Brunswick, The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort, or SunTrust Bank on Sea Island Road, St. Simons Island.

Additional information can be found at A Taste of Glynn's official website, and on Facebook.

SHUTTLE SERVICE FOR A TASTE OF GLYNN

Free shuttle service for A Taste of Glynn patrons will be provided from Massengale Park on Ocean Boulevard, St. Simons Island, to the King and Prince Beach and Golf Resort. Shuttle service will begin at 3:30 pm and end at 8:30 pm.

St. Simons Island Pier Village merchants plan 'Second Saturday' event

   Merchants in St. Simons Island's Pier Village are looking forward to their first "Second Saturday" event, this Saturday, March 12, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. A variety of Pier Village shops and restaurants will be offering refreshments and/or special offers, as a way to reintroduce local residents to the area and to celebrate the changes that have taken place there.

  "The transformation that has taken place in the village is remarkable," explains Charlotte Zell of the Pier Village Merchants Association. "The new plaza at the foot of the pier, and all the lovely changes in Neptune Park, have inspired us to celebrate and showcase these beautiful settings. We also see it as a great opportunity to reintroduce our local residents to our merchants, many of whom are fairly new."

Zell says the event was inspired by downtown Brunswick's successful "First Friday" program, in which merchants offer food tastings, live music, gallery openings and other activities in a fun, family-friendly setting. "Many of the merchants will have refreshments, special offers and other enticements. We will be having some sort of special program at Glynn Art Association. As we get going, we hope to add live music and other activities."



Here is a listing of participating merchants:

 

• Roberta's, 127 Mallery Street - Open until 9. Offering free refreshments and a free gift with any $20 purchase.
• CJ's Italian Restaurant,  405 Mallery Street - $1 off house wines and serving slices all day. Free samples for walkers, and early bird dinner specials. $5 pitchers of domestic draft all day.
  
• Serenity House Tea Society & Shoppe,  504 Beachview Drive - Serving tea samples.
  
• Go Fish Clothing & Jewelry Co.,  203 Mallery Street - Serving punch and food. Sale on selected clothes and some wood items reduced.
  
• Meo's Suite, 311 Mallery Street - 10% percent discount on non-sale items.
  
• Georgia Sea Grill, 310 Mallery Street - Free "tasting" appetizer in the bar area and coupons for a free appetizer or dessert with the purchase of an entree.
  
• Joe's Pizza, 511 Ocean Blvd. - Open until midnight. Selling $2 slices and 10% off menu items. Live music in the parking lot from 5:00 to 8:00 pm.
  
• Wheel Fun Rentals, 541 Ocean Blvd. - Free bicycle inspections.
  
• Moo Cow Ice Cream, 535 Ocean Blvd. - Stop by and see them in their brand new shop!
  
• Fourth of May Cafe, 321 Mallery Street - Free appetizers.
  
• Treasures by the Sea, 227 Mallery Street - Store-wide sale.
  
• Beachview Books, 215 Mallery Street - Stop by for free refreshments!
  
• Southeast Adventure Outfitters, 313 Mallery Street - Sale on selected items.
  
• Simons, 316 Mallery Street - Special sale on selected items.
• Golden Isles Bracelet Company, Pier Village Market
• St. Simons Island Bait & Tackle, 121 Mallery Street
  
• Palm Coast Coffee, 318 Mallery Street - Live music by Matt Williams and special drink prices from 5:00 to 8:00 pm.
  
• Barbara Jeans Restaurant,  214 Mallery Street
  
• Dutchman's Casual Living,  312 Mallery Street
  
• St. Simons Sweets, 229 Mallery Street - Discounts on selected items.
• Island Realty, Inc., 559 Ocean Blvd.
• Edward Jones Investments, 559 Ocean Blvd.
• Snippity Do Dah, 229 Mallery Street
• Brogen's, 200 Pier Alley
• Glynn Art Association, 529 Beachview Drive - Potter demonstrations.

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Historic sites tell the story of the Civil War in Brunswick and The Golden Isles

Unlike much of the rest of Georgia and the Deep South, Georgia’s coastal areas for the most part escaped the major battles and devastation of the American Civil War. There are, however, many sites and attractions throughout Brunswick and The Golden Isles that help tell the story of some of the people, places and issues that led to the conflict, and subsequent efforts to commemorate and retell the story of the war between the states.

BRUNSWICK

Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation. Exhibits, tours and an orientation film tell the story of this former rice plantation and the people who lived and worked there. Located north of Brunswick on US Highway 17. (912) 264-7333 or www.gastateparks.org/info/hofwyl.

Needwood Baptist Church. Organized in 1866 on Broadfield Plantation as Broadfield Baptist Church. Historical marker located one mile south of Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation on US Highway 17.

Confederate Memorial.

Postcard, circa 1910, showing the Confederate Memorial.

Maria Morris Madden, whose first husband was killed at the Battle of Sharpsburg, organized the Memorial Association of Brunswick in the late 1800s, and became the groups’ president. She and her group raised money through organizational dues, and offered “entertainments” in the community to erect a monument to Confederate soldiers. Robert E. Lee’s daughter also contributed money towards the building and installation of the monument, which was dedicated on April 26, 1902, at Hanover Square in downtown Brunswick.

ST SIMONS ISLAND 

Christ Church Frederica. The church cemetery contains the graves of the King family of Retreat Plantation. Henry Lord Page King was killed at Fredericksburg and brought home to Georgia by his servant, Neptune Small. Located approx. 1/2 mile west of the Frederica Road roundabout. Church yard open during daylight hours.

Neptune Park.
Born as a slave on Thomas Butler King's Retreat Plantation (today the site of Sea Island Golf Course), Neptune Small was raised in the plantation society of antebellum Georgia. He accompanied his master's son, Henry Lord Page King, to the Battle of Fredericksburg. After Lord was killed in battle, Neptune brought the body back to Georgia for burial. He then returned to Virginia's battlefields with Lord's brother, Cuyler.

After Emancipation, Small worked for the King family as a free man until his death in 1907, when he was buried in a small graveyard on Retreat Plantation. His former home, located on the beachfront of the former plantation, is today part of a popular waterfront park named in his honor. (Historical marker)

Original St. Simons
Lighthouse, built 1807.

St. Simons Lighthouse and Lighthouse Museum.
The original lighthouse, built in 1807, was destroyed by retreating CSA troops in advance of the arrival of Federal troops. Also the site of Fort Brown, where CSA troops and field guns were deployed to protect St. Simons Sound. 620 Beachview Dr. (912) 638-4666 or www.saintsimonslighthouse.org.

Arthur J. Moore Methodist Museum.
Exhibits discuss plantation life on St. Simons Island. Located at Epworth by The Sea. (912) 638-4050 or www.mooremethodistmuseum.org

Mildred Huie Museum at Mediterranean House.
Exhibits on plantation life on St. Simons Island including scale models and paintings of plantation houses. 1819 Frederica Road. (912) 638-3057.

Hampton Plantation.
Owned by Pierce Butler, it was the subject of a book published in 1863, “Journal of a Residence on a Georgia Plantation,” written by Butler’s wife, English actress Fanny Kemble. The book detailed many of the cruelties of slavery and strengthened abolitionist sentiment here and abroad. Some tabby ruins from Hampton Plantation can be seen along the drive to Hampton Point, just before the marina.

Former slave cabins at Gascoigne
Bluff, St. Simons Island

Gascoigne Bluff. Two slave cabins, once part of Hamilton Plantation, have been preserved by the Cassina Garden Club are open on a limited basis for tours. Located on Arthur J. Moore Drive south of Epworth by the Sea.

A Civil War Diary: A Historical Walking Tour of St. Simons Island.
During this tour led by fictional character Robert Morris, a Union hospital orderly who has returned to St. Simons Island, you’ll hear the stories of the Georgia 26th Infantry Regiment, of Neptune Small and of life on the coastal plantations. (912) 268-2016.

JEKYLL ISLAND

Confederate Battery.
In 1861, Confederate battery positions were established on Jekyll Island. In February 1862, Gen. Robert E. Lee requested permission from Gov. Joseph E. Brown to dismantle the stronghold as “the inhabitants of the island and Brunswick have removed themselves and property” to inland points. Historical marker is located on Riverview Drive at the south end of the Jekyll Island Airport.

“Glory” Beach.
Scenes from the movie, “Glory” were filmed on the beach at Jekyll Island. The 1989 film told the story of the Massachusetts 54th Regiment, the first black regiment recruited in the north. Glory Beach can be accessed via the beach crossover at the Jekyll Island Soccer Complex on Beachview Drive.

Wanderer Memorial,
Jekyll Island

Wanderer Memorial.
Sculpture and information panels commemorate the 1858 arrival on Jekyll Island of the slave ship, Wanderer. Located at St. Andrews picnic area at south end of Beachview Drive. Area open daily, dawn to dusk.

RELATED BOOKS AND REFERENCES

Blue-Eyed Child of Fortune: The Letters of Colonel Robert Gould Shaw.
Shaw was commander of the Massachusetts 54th Regiment, the first black regiment recruited in the north. Known as the “Glory Brigade,” the 54th was stationed for a time on St. Simons Island in 1863.

Journal of a Residence on a Georgia Plantation.
Published in 1863 by English actress Fanny Kemble, who recounts her time at Hamilton Plantation on St. Simons Island. Kemble’s descriptions the horrifying treatment of slaves is credited with doing much toward maintaining British neutrality during the war, when for economic reasons many favored the South—which produced cotton for British textile mills.

The Children of Pride: A True Story of Georgia and the Civil War.
This collection of more than 1,200 letters of the Charles Colcock Jones family of Liberty County examines the war and its impact upon these coastal Georgia planters.

ONLINE

The Brunswick Golden Isles Convention and Visitors Bureau has offers a variety of online information about Brunswick, St. Simons Island, Sea Island, Little St. Simons Island and Jekyll Island. Please visit our web site at www.ComeCoastAwhile.com.

The Georgia Dept. of Economic Development Tourism Division has created an online site that lists Civil War-related sites, events and activities throughout the state. It can be found at www.GaCivilWar.org. The Tourism Division also has published “Georgia’s Map Guide to the Civil War,” which provides information and GPS coordinates for 78 Civil War sites. It is available at state visitor centers and online at www.GaCivilWar.org

The New Georgia Encyclopedia is a great source of historical information about historic people, places and things and provides many additional references. It can be found onlne at www.georgiaencyclopedia.org

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These highlights are by no means intended to fully represent the complete scope of Civil War history in Brunswick and The Golden Isles of Georgia. If you have additional information regarding our area’s Civil War heritage, please call the Convention and Visitors Bureau at (912) 265-0620 or send an email to psaylor@ComeCoastAwhile.com


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African American Heritage in Brunswick and The Golden Isles of Georgia

February is designated Black History Month; however, Black History is every day in Brunswick and The Golden Isles of Georgia. It is recognized and celebrated for the contributions of African peoples and their descendants to the area's history, heritage and culture. As in many parts of the nation, the Georgia coast has a rich legacy of African American influence that spans generations. Their stories can be learned through a variety of sites and attractions throughout Brunswick and The Golden Isles.

Here is a brief sampling of African-American heritage and historical sites in Brunswick and on St. Simons Island and Jekyll Island.

BRUNSWICK

Hofwyl-Broadfield
Brunswick

Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation. Located along the banks of the Altamaha River, Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation State Park offers a fascinating glimpse into coastal Georgia's 19th-century rice culture. Built in 1807, Hofwyl-Broadfield once comprised more than 7,000 acres of rice fields worked by more than 350 slaves obtained mostly from Africa's west coast.

After the Civil War, African Americans who had lived at Hofwyl and other rice plantations along the Altamaha River – Hopeton, Elizafield, Grantly, New Hope and others – settled into small communities nearby while continuing to work, for pay, at the same jobs they had previously done as slaves. Many of these communities had very descriptive names. Needwood, a nearby settlement, was so named for the shortage of "fat wood" for cooking fires. Another community bore a name that needs no explanation: Freedman's Rest.

Rice harvesting ceased at Hofwyl in 1915 and the plantation became a state historic site in 1974. Today, visitors can learn about plantation life and the endless labor required through exhibits, an orientation film and tours of the plantation home and former rice paddies.  Located 10.6 miles north of the Brunswick Golden Isles Visitor Center on US Hwy. 17. Information: 912-264-7333 or www.gastateparks.org/HofwylBroadfield.

Entrance, Selden Park
Brunswick

Selden Park. This public park, near the banks of the Turtle River, was the site of The Selden Normal and Industrial Institute. Considered one of the finest black educational facilities of its time, Selden Institute opened in 1903 and pioneered in the intermediate education of black residents throughout the coastal area. The school closed its doors in 1933. Today, the 35-acre site is a popular gathering place for family reunions, picnics and recreation including swimming, basketball and soccer. The headmaster's house was restored in 2009 and plans are under way to include historical artifacts and other information relating to the school. Park entrance is located north of downtown Brunswick at the intersection of Bay Street (Rte. 341) and Fourth Street. The park is open daily from dawn to dusk.

Colored Memorial School
Brunswick

Colored Memorial School and Risley High School. Brunswick's first public school for African Americans opened in 1870 as the Freedmen's School, later changed to Risley School to honor Captain Douglas Gilbert Risley, who raised funds for the school's construction. In 1923 the adjacent building, Colored Memorial High School, was built and named to honor African American veterans in World War I. In 1936 Risley High School was built on the site of the 1870 Freedmen'd School and remained in service until 1955 when a new Risley High School was constructed. Both the Colored Memorial School and Risley High School are landmarks of African American education in Glynn County. A historical marker is located in front of the school, at 1800 Abany Street.

First African Baptist Ch.
Brunswick

First African Baptist Church.  The present congregation worships in the original sanctuary, built in 1863. 1416 Amherst Street, 912-265-7608.

St. Athanasius' Church.  Home to Brunswick's second oldest black congregation. 1321 Albany Street, 912-264-3985.

St. Paul AME Church. Home to Brunswick's third oldest black congregation. 1520 Wolfe Street, 912-264-2734. 


ST. SIMONS ISLAND

Neptune Small marker
Neptune Park, St. Simons Island

Neptune Park. Neptune Park was named for Neptune Small, a slave of the King family of Retreat Plantation. Born in 1831, Neptune was responsible for looking after the King children. In 1861, he accompanied one of the King sons, Henry Lord Page King, into service in the Confederate Army as King's manservant. King was killed at the Battle of Fredericksburg in December 1862, and his body was retrieved from the battlefield and returned to Georgia by Neptune.

Neptune returned to war accompanying a second King son, R. Cuyler King, until Confederate forces surrendered in 1865. After the war, freedman Neptune, having chosen the surname "Small" for his slight stature, was given a tract of land at the southern end of St. Simons Island by the King family. He died in 1907 and was laid to rest in the old Retreat Burying Ground, where a bronze tablet recounts his story. Part of his former home is today a popular waterfront park, named in his honor.
Neptune Park is located in the St. Simons Island village area, along the waterfront between Mallery and 12th Street. The park is open daily from dawn to dusk.

Emmanuel Baptist Church
St. Simons Island

 Emmanuel Baptist Church. 1407 Demere Road. 912-638-3852.





Retreat Plantation Slave Cabin. Though many of the structures from St. Simons Island's numerous 19th plantations have disappeared, a few cabins built to house slaves remain. These dwellings, built in the early 1800s, often housed two families. This cabin was part of Retreat Plantation. It now houses a gift shop.  Located at the intersection of Frederica and Demere Roads, at the southeast corner of the roundabout.

Retreat Plantation Hospital ruin. Once the hospital for the enslaved Africans of Retreat Plantation, the tabby structure was two and a half stories and contained ten rooms. Two women lived there as nurses, and a doctor from Darien occasionally visited to care for the ill. Located on the grounds of the Sea Island Golf Club (private).

St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church. 2700 Demere Road. 912-638-4460.

Hamilton Plantation slave cabins
Gascoigne Bluff, St. Simons Island

Hamilton Plantation Slave Cabins. Among the best examples of the few surviving plantation dwellings are these cabins, once part of Hamilton Plantation. Maintained by the Cassina Garden Club, the cabins are open to the public June through August, Wednesdays from 10:00 am to noon. Tours can also be arranged by appointment during September - May. Located at Gascoigne Bluff, just south of Epworth by the Sea on Arthur J. Moore Drive. Information: www.cassinagardenclub.org

Ebo Landing. The term, Igbo (pronounced "ee-bow") refers to persons from the West African area known as Igboland, now Nigeria. In May 1803, a mass drowning of slaves occurred at a point now called Ebo Landing, located along Dunbar Creek, a tributary of the Frederica River. A group of Igbo tribesman, captured and destined for slavery, rebelled as their boat neared shore. Led by an Igbo chieftain, the proud tribesmen marched into the waters of the creek, chanting an Igbo hymn and trusting in the protection of their God, Chukwu, rather than submit to slavery. Survivors were taken to Cannon's Point Plantation on St. Simons Island, and to Sapelo Island, where their story was recounted. Their tale forms the basis of a well-known local legend, of Igbo spirits still roaming the banks of Dunbar Creek. The general area of Igbo Landing is on private property. It can be seen from a distance along Sea Island Road, by looking to the northeast from the Dunbar Creek bridge.

Harrington Graded School
St. Simons Island

Harrington. Following emancipation, many freed slaves from the plantations on St. Simons Island's north end settled in an area along the northeast portion of the island known as Harrington. During the colonial era, Harrington had been granted to Capt. Raymond Demere, who had served under Gen. Oglethorpe and who named his home Harrington Hall. In the 1860s, freedmen acquired small tracts of land here. Many Harrington residents worked at the sawmills that were the backbone of the island's economy through the turn of the 20th century.

Harrington has been the site of numerous historical and cultural events, according to the St. Simons African American Heritage Coalition. In the 1930s, interviewers from the Georgia Writers Unit of the Works Progress Administration (WPA) visited St. Simons Island, Their report, published as Drums and Shadow, describes Harrington's homes and residents and includes an interview with Ben Sullivan whose father, Belali, was butler to James Couper of Altama. In 1949, Lorenzo Dow Turner interviewed Harrington resident Belle Murray for his study, "Africanisms in the Gullah Dialect." Turner also recorded several songs for Lydia Parrish, author of Slave Songs of the Georgia Sea Islands." Parrish's book included a photo of Harrington School, taken by photographer Forestra Hodgson Wood.

In 1961, Alan Lomax filmed the orginal Georgia Sea Island Singers at the camp located between North and South Harrington Road. These recordings are today part of the Library of Congress and Smithsonian Folkways Collection. The 1974 movie, "Conrack," starring Jon Voight, was filmed on St. Simons Island at Harrington School. The movie is based on Pat Conroy's book, The Water is Wide, which details his experience teaching Gullah-Geechee children on Daufuskie Island, South Carolina.

Today, Harrington is considered to have the island's largest concentration of residents who trace their ancestry directly back to African-American slaves. Efforts are under way to restore Harrington School, which served as the main educational structure for three African-American communities on St. Simons Island until desegregation in the 1960s. The restoration is being undertaken by the St. Simons African American Heritage Coalition in cooperation with the St. Simons Land Trust. Harrington School is located on South Harrington Road, which intersects Frederica Road near Benny's Red Barn. Information: www.ssaahc.org.

First African Baptist Church
St. Simons Island

First African Baptist Church. Organized in 1859, it is one of the area's oldest congregations. The present church was built in 1866 by former slaves of St. Simons Island plantations. 5800 Frederica Road, 912-638-5539.

Abbott Memorial
Fort Frederica
St. Simons Island

Abbott Memorial. The child of former slaves, Robert Sengstacke Abbott was born on St. Simons Island in 1868. He grew up in Savannah, and attended Hampton Institute in Virginia, where he studied the printing trade. In 1898, Abbott received a law degree from Kent College of Law in Chicago. In 1905 he founded The Chicago Defender with an initial investment of 25 cents. The Defender, which became the most widely circulated black newspaper in the country, came to be known as "America's Black Newspaper" and made Abbott one of the first self-made millionaires of African American descent.

Never forgetting his family's slave background, Abbott returned to St. Simons Island in the 1930s and erected an obelisk, honoring his father, Thomas Abbott, and two beloved aunts, Celia Abbott and Mary Abbott Finnick, on the grounds of Fort Frederica. Abbott's often lonely struggles for positive race relations in the early 20th century led author Roi Ottley to call him "The Lonely Warrior," the title of Ottley's 1955 biography of Robert S. Abbott. Located on the grounds of Fort Frederica National Monument. Open daily, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Information: 912-638-3639 or www.nps.gov/fofr.

Hampton slave cabin ruins
St Simons Island

Hampton Plantation slave cabin ruins. Owned by Pierce Butler, Hampton Plantation was the subject of a book published in 1863, “Journal of a Residence on a Georgia Plantation,” written by Butler’s wife, English actress Fanny Kemble. The book detailed many of the cruelties of slavery and strengthened abolitionist sentiment here and abroad. Some tabby ruins from Hampton Plantation can be seen along the drive to Hampton Point, just before the marina. Follow Lawrence Road north of the roundabout to Hampton Point Drive.


JEKYLL ISLAND

Wanderer Memorial
Jekyll Island

The Wanderer Memorial. Built as a racing schooner in 1857, the vessel Wanderer achieved instead a notorious record in the brutal and illegal transport of African slaves to America. In September 1858, the Wanderer sailed to the west coast of Africa, where it took on board some 490 slaves. With the speed to elude capture, the Wanderer reached American shores near Cumberland Island in November of that year, and unloaded its human cargo on nearby Jekyll Island. In November 2008, a memorial was dedicated on Jekyll Island to the memory and spirit of those Africans brought to our shores against their wills aboard this infamous vessel and others. Located at St. Andrews Picnic Area, at the southern tip of Jekyll Island. Accessible via Riverview or Beachview Drive. Open daily, dawn to dusk.


Jekyll Island History Center. Housed in the former Jekyll Island Club stable, the history center displays exhibits devoted to Jekyll Island's past. Among items displayed are a painting of the slave ship, Wanderer, and images of Red Row, living quarters for African-Americans who were employed by the Jekyll Island Club when the island was a retreat for America's wealthiest families. Red Row was named for the red roofs of its 12 cottages. The small community included a schoolhouse and a church. Located on Stable Road in the Jekyll Island National Historic Landmark District. Open daily except Christmas from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Information: 912-635-3636 or www.jekyllisland.com.

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Special thanks to Dee C. Lubell, executive director of A Project for Cultural Affairs (APCA), who graciously reviewed this material and provided insight into the area's African American heritage. APCA's mission is "to learn, teach, and heal through the arts; to preserve the way of life, heritage, arts and letters of the African American and African societies throughout the Diaspora. APCA carries out its mission through a variety of programs including the annual Sea Islands Black Heritage Festival, Island Club Cabaret and Coastal Youth Theatre of Voices. APCA also conducts African American heritage tours of St. Simons Island. For information visit them online.

Additional information was provided courtesy of the St. Simons African American Heritage Coalition (SSAAHC). Founded in 2000, its mission is "to educate, preserve, and revitalize African American heritage and culture." SSAAHC sponsors and is engaged in several activities including the annual Georgia Sea Islands Festival, and the preservation and restoration of the historic Harrington Graded School. SSAAHC also offers African American heritage tours and other community outreach programs. For information, visit their website.

These highlights are by no means intended to fully represent that complete scope of African American cultural heritage in Brunswick and The Golden Isles of Georgia. If you have information regarding the black history and heritage of Brunswick, St. Simons Island, Jekyll Island, Sea Island or Little St. Simons Island, please contact the Convention and Visitors Bureau at 912-265-0620, or send an email to psaylor@ComeCoastAwhile.com so that future information on the topic may be more complete.

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