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.

A Christmas Wonderland in Brunswick and the Golden Isles

A band of merry cherubs hails the arrival of guests.

In spite of all the foot-dragging and complaining I do, I actually like decorating the house for Christmas once I've gotten into it. Bringing out ornaments collected over 30 years of marriage and marveling at the various events that have taken place during our family life is probably one of my favorite parts of the holidays.

Stacy Bass and his partner, Jay Anderson,
operate Brunswick Manor, a bed and
breakfast inn in Old Town Brunswick.

Over time I've had the pleasure and privilege of meeting people who really get into the Christmas season, turning their homes into Christmas wonderlands and sharing their enthusiasm with friends and family. Among them are Stacy Bass who, along with his partner Jay Anderson, operates Brunswick Manor in Old Town Brunswick.

Brunswick Manor is housed in the 1886 home of Maj. Columbia Downing, a Brunswick businessman. This beautifully restored mansion features a large central hall, parlor, library, dining and guest suite on the first floor and three large guest suites on the second floor. Each, along with the veranda and orchid room, has been transformed for the season with its own Christmas tree and other holiday touches.

A 12-foot Christmas tree, illuminated by 10,000 lights and
adorned by 2,000 Christopher Radko ornaments, dominates
the inn's Main Parlor.

The centerpiece of this Christmas wonderland is the Main Parlor, which is dominated by a 12-foot Christmas tree adorned with 10,000 lights and 2,000 ornaments created by designer Christopher Radko. Bass acquired his first Christopher Radko ornaments in 1986, the year they were introduced, and has been collecting them ever since. Produced using European glassblowing techniques, Radko ornaments are highly prized for their color, quality and designs.

Produced using European glassblowing
techniques, Radko ornaments are highly
prized for their color, quality and designs.

Normally, it takes Stacy and a four-person crew three to four days to decorate the mansion, beginning the day after Thanksgiving. This year, however, they had an unexpected surprise.

"I was contacted in June by a representative of the Discovery Channel," he explains. "They wanted to come and videotape an episode of 'Extreme Christmas Trees,' showing everything from start to finish." To prepare for the taping, Stacy and his colleagues had to begin decorating early, having everything ready for the crew's arrival. Everything, that is, except for the tree itself.

"The plan was to shoot the room without the tree, the tree installation, and then the decorating and tree lighting -- all in one day."

The shoot began at 8:00 am the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. There were some tense moments, including when the tree and the extra lights for videotaping began blowing the circuit breakers. An emergency call was made to a local electrician, who installed a new circuit and saved the day. Shooting finally ended shortly after midnight, making for a very long day.

A crew of eight set up, illuminated and decorated the tree
for the "Extreme Christmas Trees" videotaping, which
began at 8:00 am and wrapped up after midnight.

"It was indeed a long day for all of us, but we are thrilled and honored to be featured on the program," Bass says. "It will be great exposure for Brunswick Manor, and for the city. We can't wait to see it."

According to producer Shayne Shnapier, the program is scheduled to appear on the TLC network during the 2011 Christmas season. To learn more about Brunswick Manor, visit them online.

St. Simons Island festival celebrates Gullah-Geechee culture

The Georgia coast boasts a fascinating history that spans hundreds, if not thousands, of years. During its recorded history, the flags of five nations have flown over here, reflecting exploration, settlement and occupation of the Georgia coast.

The coast also became home to another group of people who, while not here by choice, played a vitally important role in the development of our economy and culture. Their history and culture take center stage this weekend during the Georgia-Sea Islands Festival in Postell Park on St. Simons Island.

The festival is sponsored by the St. Simons Island African American Heritage Coalition, which is dedicated to "Educate, Preserve, and Revitalize African American Heritage and Culture." Amy Roberts, executive director of the coalition, has been involved with the festival since the first event was held in 1978.

According to Roberts, the festival is a celebration of the Gullah-Geechee culture and language, a mix of English and West African dialects that was spoken by slaves who were brought to the area. It is still spoken in isolated areas of coastal South Carolina and Georgia, including Sapelo Island in McIntosh County.

The festival will showcase various crafts, art and traditional cooking. Handmade baskets, seine nets, music and dance will be displayed. Local and regional groups will perform, including Frankie Quimby and the Georgia Sea Island singers, the Gullah-Geechee Shouters from Darien, Michael Hulett from Brunswick and many others.

There also will be plenty of food, demonstrations by local crafters and information displays.

The Georgia Sea-Islands Festival takes place Saturday, June 12 from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm, and Sunday, June 13 from noon to 6:00 pm. Admission is free.

Information source: The Brunswick News

Brunswick's Ritz Theatre announces Summer Classic Movies

The Golden Isles Arts and Humanities Association (GIAHA) presents the 2010 season of Summer Classic Movies at the Ritz, featuring classic Hollywood films they way they were meant to be seen. Screenings are Thursdays July 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 at 7:00 pm, with a special matinee screening Sunday Aug. 1 at 3:00 pm at the Ritz Theatre, 1530 Newcastle St. in downtown Brunswick.

“We scoured the vaults for some of the greatest movies in Hollywood history, with something to please just about every taste,” notes GIAHA’s film programming coordinator Rob Nixon. “Over the past few years, we’ve taken suggestions and requests from our audiences and put their ideas into the programming mix this summer to give film lovers what they most enjoy. We’re especially glad we can honor the many requests we’ve received to bring Gone with the Wind to the big screen at the Ritz.”

The 2010 line-up includes two rousing musicals: Yankee Doodle Dandy (July 1), the perfect patriotic way to kick off the Independence Day weekend, and Meet Me in St. Louis (July 15), a warmly nostalgic period piece for the whole family. The series also includes a romantic comedy, The Philadelphia Story (July 8), starring one of the most popular stars featured in past seasons, Cary Grant; Strangers on a Train (July 22), a Hitchcock thriller that audiences rarely get the opportunity to see; and Bonnie and Clyde (July 29), a modern classic that changed the face of American cinema in the 1960s. And of course, there’s the immortal epic with Rhett and Scarlett, the most famous couple in screen history, as the series grand finale (August 1).

Once again, there will be a selection of fun cartoons and short subjects beginning about a half hour before show time. Plus, audiences can bring their own snacks and enjoy free popcorn (first come, first served), courtesy of Angie Aimar of Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners. There will also be giveaways and special offers from several local merchants and pre-show dining at most downtown restaurants.

The special Aug. 1 matinee offers audiences two ways to see Gone with the Wind. Pay the regular $5 ticket price and watch the movie beginning at 3:00 p.m. (short subjects at 2:30), with an intermission at 5 p.m. Or for only $12, you will get admission to the movie and a delicious "Southern Soul Silver Screen Snack Sack" at intermission catered by Southern Soul Barbeque: a taste of the Old South featuring a pulled pork slider and two sides. Take it back into the theater with you and enjoy it during the second half of the show! These advance tickets must be purchased by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, July 30. Get them at the Ritz box office, 1530 Newcastle St., Downtown Brunswick, or on line at goldenislesarts.org.

Admission to each show in the Summer Classic Movies series at the Ritz is only $5 for all ages. For more information, call GIAHA at 912-262-6934 or visit goldenislesarts.org.

SUMMER CLASSIC MOVIES AT THE RITZ COMPLETE SERIES SCHEDULE
(Click on photos for video clips)

Thursday, July 1, 7 pm – Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942)
The great tough guy of the Silver Screen gets wildly patriotic in this crowd-pleasing musical based on the life of the most famous showman of the early 20th century, George M. Cohan. James Cagney won a much-deserved Academy Award for his acting, singing and dancing in this celebration of unbridled show biz chutzpah and American optimism, featuring such classic songs as “Give My Regards to Broadway,” “You’re a Grand Old Flag,” and the lively title tune. You’ll be tempted to sing along (fine with us, as long as your neighbors don’t mind) and maybe even try your hand at Cagney’s famous tap dance down a grand staircase—just not in the Ritz balcony, please! Come dressed in your most patriotic outfit!

Thursday, July 8, 7 pm – The Philadelphia Story (1940)
After being declared “Box Office Poison” in the late 1930s and returning to her roots on the stage, Katharine Hepburn made a triumphant comeback in motion pictures with this comedy based on her runaway Broadway success. The Great Kate stars as spoiled, willful Tracy Lord, a high society bride-to-be whose world is turned upside down on the eve of her wedding by romantic complications involving two men in her life…who aren’t her groom! And no wonder, when the two men turn out to be the suave and sly Cary Grant and lovable James Stewart, who won an Oscar as the reporter who learns a few surprising things about how the other half lives.

Thursday, July 15, 7 pm – Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)
Fans of classic movies at the Ritz love musicals, and here’s one of the very best, a treat for the entire family. This is classic Hollywood studio filmmaking at its height: lavishly detailed Technicolor art direction and costuming, musical production and performance by the top talents in the industry, and masterful direction by Vincente Minnelli that takes us through the life of a loving family around the time of the grand 1904 World’s Fair. And it features the legendary Judy Garland at her peak, singing such old favorites as “The Trolley Song,” “The Boy Next Door,” and the heartbreaking “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”

Thursday, July 22, 7 pm – Strangers on a Train (1951)
No one did suspense like Alfred Hitchcock, and here’s a chance to see one of his most acclaimed but rarely screened classics, a strangely twisted story about a young man who unwittingly makes a murderous deal with a stranger he meets on a train journey. Robert Walker is creepy and darkly funny as the wealthy, sinister Bruno. Farley Granger is the famous tennis pro ensnared in Bruno’s deadly trap. But the real star, of course, is Alfred Hitchcock, the director who brought tales of mystery to their most anxiety-producing heights, finding terror in the most ordinary, benign settings—like an amusement park that turns out to be anything but amusing!

Thursday, July 29, 7 pm – Bonnie and Clyde (1967)
Arthur Penn’s take on the legendary outlaw duo of the Depression had a tremendous impact on popular culture when it was released in the late 1960s, setting new trends in cinematic style, depictions of screen violence (fairly tame by today’s standards), even fashion. As Clyde Barrow, Warren Beatty emerged as a major force in the industry, and Faye Dunaway became an overnight star as Bonnie Parker. But what audiences love most about this landmark film is its mixture of breezy humor and intense drama, its poignant take on society’s outcasts and doomed love, and the way it draws us in to the creation of a distinctly American myth.

Sunday, August 1, 3 pm – Gone with the Wind (1939)
What can we say about this enduring classic that hasn’t been said many times before? That Margaret Mitchell’s tale of the Old South is one of the most successful and beloved movies of all time? That Scarlett O’Hara is one of the most headstrong and unforgettable heroines in American movies? That Rhett Butler, frankly, doesn’t give a damn? Let’s just say this: If you’ve never seen it on the big screen (or at all), you owe it to yourself. And GIAHA is making it even more attractive with a special matinee event that will give you the full epic experience and still get you home at a reasonable hour, including a special intermission sack-snack for advance ticket holders.

Admission to each show in the Summer Classic Movies series at the Ritz is only $5 for all ages. For more information, call GIAHA at 912-262-6934 or visit goldenislesarts.org.

Photos: Flixter.com ------------------- Video clips: Turner Classic Movies

There's no cover-up, it's just restoration at the St. Simons Lighthouse

Recent visitors to the village on St. Simons Island have marveled at the sight a large, canvas-wrapped edifice in the spot where the lighthouse normally stands. No, it is not the latest work by artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude; rather, it is part of an ongoing restoration project.

The St. Simons Island Lighthouse is undergoing a top-to-bottom, inside-and-out restoration that began Feb. 9.

The work began with sandblasting of all interior metal work including the 129 stairs, landings, railings and decorative window grates. The outside metal work is receiving similar treatment, necessitating the use of an enormous containment tarp which enshrouds the 104-foot structure and keeps the abrasive media and removed paint from being carried away by the wind.

After the metal has been stripped bare and, if needed, repaired, it will be given a primer coat, a middle coat and a urethane top coat. According to construction manager Paul Gilbert, the primer is equal to galvanizing in protecting the metal from the elements of sand and salt from the sea.

Eight cast iron handrail posts from the gallery level are being replaced, and will be recast from one of the originals. All windows, including the exterior metal, are being replaced as well. The lighthouse's outside masonry will be pressure washed and repaired as needed. It will then be repainted (white, of course) with two coats of acrylic paint.

The contractor went to great pains to protect the light's third order fresnel lens. The lens was encased in a layer of bubble wrap, followed by a layer of shrink wrap, with an outer layer of 1/4-inch plywood. Every chip and crack in the lens was documented.

The project includes renovation of the old storage building, which will receive a new metal roof and door. Its masonry will be repointed, and its exterior cleaned and painted. The entire project is scheduled to be completed by the end of April.

Total cost for the lighthouse restoration project is $700,000. Of that amount, $500,000 has been financed with transportation enhancement funding by the state department of transportation. The Coastal Georgia Historical Society, which owns and operates the lighthouse, storage building and keeper's dwelling, is required to match $200,000 toward the project, for which donations are being sought.

Pavers or benches are being sold as part of the Historical Society's fundraising effort. The benches and pavers will be placed around the base of the lighthouse after the renovation and landscaping are completed. For more information, call the society at 912-638-4666 or visit them online.

Photos courtesy of Natalie Bishop, St. Simons Island.

Stewbilee Rocks Downtown Brunswick Saturday Oct. 10

October is Festival Month in Brunswick and The Golden Isles of Georgia, with festivals, art shows and special events nearly every weekend this month. This coming weekend is no exception, as downtown Brunswick gears up for the fifth annual Brunswick Stewbilee at Mary Ross Waterfront Park.

This traditional small-town festival brings together a lot of big-town talent to compete in the annual Brunswick Stew cookoff. More than 60 teams, representing local and regional corporations, government agencies, civic groups and other organizations, will face off in "Peoples' Choice" and professionally judged competition, for the honor of having their concoctions named "Best Brunswick Stew." Teams also will be judged for having the most creative presentation in their booths.


Saturday’s events begin at 8:00 am with the Boys and Girls Club of Southeast Georgia 5K Freedom Run. This is the first year for the Club to handle the logistics of the Run. Interested runners and walkers can register online at www.brunswickstewbilee.com. Proceeds from the Run benefit local programs for the Boys & Girls Club of Southeast Georgia.

The Pooch Parade is being organized by the Brunswick Women’s Club. All area pooches are invited to put on their finest dogwear and enter their owners in the parade. Prizes are awarded for the best costumes, and all registration money for the parade goes to local animal control and the Humane Society.

The Brunswick Stew Tasting Contest begins at 11:30 a.m. as more than 60 teams vie for top honors of the tastiest stew. Brunswick, Ga. "The Brunswick Kiwanis Club is again excited to work with many other community groups and businesses to bring a world-class event to Brunswick," said Shaw McVeigh, of the Brunswick Kiwanis Club, which organizes the stew tasting contest. “If you have a Brunswick stew that always receives praise, then we encourage you to come to our area and size it up against some stiff competition.”

Festival goers will have many activities from which to choose as they enjoy the Brunswick Rockin' Stewbilee, including a classic car and motorcycle show, arts and crafts, and the ever popular "Junior Stewbie" fun zone for kids. Local and regional bands, including Malarkey, Marshgrass Bluegrass, WharfRatz, StringRays, OSKAR Rockhammer, and Dennis and the Menace, will perform in a free open-air concert throughout the day.

The Brunswick Rockin' Stewbilee is sponsored by Southeast Georgia Health System, The Brunswick News, Golden Isles Broadcasting, Comcast, H20 Creative Group, Brunswick Kiwanis Club and the Brunswick-Golden Isles Chamber of Commerce. Proceeds from the event support local charities including Boys & Girls Club of the Golden Isles, animal control, the Humane Society, and the United Way of Coastal Georgia. For more information on the Stewbilee, visit www.brunswickstewbilee.com.

October filled with festivals, special events in Brunswick and The Golden Isles

October delivers a wealth of annual festivals and special events to Brunswick and The Golden Isles, with activities taking place nearly every weekend. Here's a rundown of things to come:

Oct 2 First Friday Promenade. Visit the shops and galleries of Historic Downtown Brunswick. Enjoy live music, a wine-tasting, refreshments and more at shops and restaurants along historic Newcastle Street. Sponsored by Downtown Development Authority/Historic Brunswick Business Association. 5:00 to 8:00 pm. Call 912-279-2603 or visit www.brunswickgeorgia.net 

Oct 3-4 Antique Show and Sale. Vendors from throughout the Southeast offer antiques, collectibles and craft items. Postell Park, Beachview Drive in Pier Village, St. Simons Island. 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Call 912-264-3254 or visit www.stsimonsantiqueshow.com

Oct. 3 Dept. of Natural Resources Coastfest. CoastFest is Georgia's largest organized celebration of the the state's rich and vast coastal natural resources. Held annually on the first Saturday of October, this day-long educational festival is a free, highly interactive event for the entire family. Hosted by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources - Coastal Resources Division, CoastFest takes place at the division's headquarters along the Marshes of Glynn in Brunswick, Georgia. 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Call 912-264-7218 or visit www.coastalgadnr.org/

Oct 8-12 Colonial Coast Nature and Birding Festival. This festival brings casual and experienced bird enthusiasts from all over the United States to experience Southeast Georgia’s wide variety of habitats and wildlife. The whole family can enjoy a weekend of activities including nature walks, a showcase of vendors and conservation groups, kids’ activities, arts and crafts, special speakers, and informative seminars. Jekyll Island. For information call 912-635-3636 or visit www.coastalgeorgiabirding.org

Oct 10-11 Annual October Fine Arts and Crafts Festival. Celebrate coastal Georgia’s Gullah-Geechee heritage through special performances, demonstrations and workshops. Performers and participating artists will include the McIntosh County Shouters, Gospel Messengers, storyteller David Pleasant, basket weavers Yvonne Grovner and Stanley Walker, and works by 150 artists from throughout the southeast. Postell Park, Pier Village area, St. Simons Island. Sponsored by the Glynn Art Association. 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Call 912-638-8770 or visit www.glynnart.org 

Oct 16-17 Brunswick Rockin’ Stewbilee. Enjoy a taste of the Georgia Coast during this traditional small-town celebration in historic downtown Brunswick. The day begins with a road race and pet parade. Throughout the day, local teams compete to see who can prepare the “Best Brunswick Stew” in judged and people’s choice competition, and local bands provide the entertainment. Mary Ross Park, 11:00 am to 6:00 pm. Call 912-265-4032 or visit www.brunswickstewbilee.com 

Oct 22-23 Write to Inspire: A Spiritual / Inspirational Writing Workshop. Featuring Cecil Murphey, author of “90 Minutes in Heaven;” Marjorie Wentworth, Poet Laureate of South Carolina; and Holly McClure, author and storyteller. Epworth by The Sea, St. Simons Island. Optional Sunday critique and workshop session available for extra charge. For information call 912-638-8688 or visit www.epworthbythesea.org 

Oct 30-31 Georgia-Florida Weekend. Members of the "Bulldawg Nation" descend upon Brunswick and The Golden Isles in preparation for the annual faceoff with the Florida Gators in Jacksonville.

This is just a partial listing of activities taking place throughout Brunswick and The Golden Isles. For a complete listing, be sure to visit our online Calendar of Events. Also be sure to visit the Special Offers page for information about hotel discounts, packages and other special incentives for travelers!

All images: Copyright 2009, Brunswick and The Golden Isles CVB

CVB offers smart options for savings-savvy tour operators

BRUNSWICK AND THE GOLDEN ISLES OF GEORGIA – For savings and great group tour options, look no further than the Georgia coast. That's the message from Brunswick and The Golden Isles Convention and Visitors Bureau, which encourages tour operators to bring their groups to Brunswick and The Golden Isles of Georgia.

"For smart, savvy, savings-minded tour operators, there's never been a better time to visit Georgia. And some of the smartest places to visit are right here on our coast," the CVB advises in a new marketing campaign.

To encourage tour operators to consider Brunswick and The Golden Isles, the CVB has launched a "Name Your Rates and Dates" program for groups that book accommodations between now and March 2010. Participants are asked to contact the CVB with the size of their group and their desired rates and dates. They will receive information and offers from area hotels and resorts that match their specifications.

Brunswick and The Golden Isles – St. Simons Island, Sea Island, Little St. Simons Island and Jekyll Island – offer a great array of group-friendly recreational and cultural activities, fascinating historic sites and attractions, and a great selection of accommodations that range from convenient Interstate hotels to full-service island resorts and bed-and-breakfast inns.

Brunswick and The Golden Isles' convenient location – just minutes from I-95 at Georgia Exits 29, 26, 38 and 42, make it an ideal "hub and spoke" destination for day trips to other popular coastal Georgia attractions, from Savannah to St. Marys and the Okefenokee Swamp.

"Brunswick and The Golden Isles of Georgia offer significant economic advantages for tour operators who seek fun and memorable activities for their groups," says Bill Tipton, CVB executive director. "Our sales team will gladly help you plan an itinerary that is custom-tailored to your groups' needs and interests, from golf outings to educational visits and special-interest tours."

Brunswick and The Golden Isles CVB offers a free Group Tour Planning Guide, which includes comprehensive information about area attractions and activities, dining options, accommodations and sample itineraries. To request a copy or for information about the "Name Your Rates and Dates" program, contact Brunswick and The Golden Isles CVB toll-free at 800-809-1790 or visit them online at ComeCoastAwhile.com. Or send an email to: info@ComeCoastAwhile.com

# # #

For "SMART" meetings, come to Brunswick and The Golden Isles of Georgia

For savings and great meeting options, look no further than the Georgia coast. That's the message from the Brunswick-Golden Isles Convention and Visitors Bureau, which encourages meeting planners to conduct their business gatherings here in Brunswick and The Golden Isles of Georgia.

In a new marketing campaign, the CVB advises, "For smart, savvy, savings-minded meeting planners, there's never been a better time to meet in Georgia. And some of the smartest places to meet are right here on our coast.

To encourage meetings in Brunswick and the Golden Isles, the CVB has launched a "Name Your Rates and Dates" program for groups that book meetings between now and March 2010. Participants are asked to contact the CVB with the size of their group and their desired rates and dates. They will receive information and offers from area hotels and resorts that match their specifications.

Brunswick and the Golden Isles – St . Simons Island, Sea Island, Little St. Simons Island and Jekyll Island – offer more than 120,000 square feet of meeting and function space in a great variety of settings, from full-service resorts and hotels to conference and convention centers, public buildings and historic settings," says CVB executive director Bill Tipton. "We can easily accommodate groups from 12 to 2,000 or more at a variety of affordable rates, and with programs that are as simple or as lavish as they desire."

Corporations, government agencies, associations and other types of organizations everywhere have become very sensitive about where they conduct their meetings, conventions, retreats and other business functions." Cost is certainly in issue in the current economy, but public perception has also become an important element in the decision-making process. We want to remind meeting planners that there are many, many great options throughout the state for memorable and affordable meetings, especially here in Brunswick and the Golden Isles."

For information about the "Name Your Rates and Dates" program, contact Brunswick and The Golden Isles CVB toll-free at 800-809-1790 or visit them online at ComeCoastAwhile.com. Or send an email to: info@ComeCoastAwhile.com

# # #

MEDIA CONTACT: Patrick Saylor

Faulkenberry Certain
Direct phone: 912-638-7770
Mobile: 912-230-5030
Email: psaylor@ComeCoastAwhile.com

The Weather Channel chooses Brunswick and the Golden Isles of Georgia to launch 'Great Escapes' Week

Brunswick & The Golden Isles travel features kicked off the Weather Channel's "Great Escapes Week" on Monday, May 4, with live broadcasts that originated from the waterfront in the St. Simons Island Village. Throughout the day, Weather Channel reporter Natalie Allen introduced six different feature segments, which spotlight many aspects of our area. There was even a segment about Cumberland Island.

Segments featured interviews with Michael Johnson, general manager of the King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort and chairman of the Brunswick-Golden Isles CVB; Samuel Arbo, a 16-year resident of St. Simons Island; and John Hunter, director of the Jekyll Island Museum. Scenes included the St. Simons Island beach, fishing pier, crabbing, John Gilbert Nature Trail, Jekyll Island historic district, and the Emerald Princess II casino cruise ship.

The Weather Channel's visit was coordinated by the Brunswick-Golden Isles CVB, which is the official Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) for Glynn County including the City of Brunswick, St. Simons Island, Sea Island, Little St. Simons Island and Jekyll Island.

"We really appreciated the opportunity to work with The Weather Channel on this project and we thank Patrick Saylor, Faulkenberry Certain Advertising, and Mary Butin of The Butin Group for all their on-site efforts," said Bill Tipton, executive director of the Brunswick-Golden Isles Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The Weather Channel segments can be viewed from the CVB's official website, ComeCoastAwhile.com.

Brunswick & The Golden Isles of Georgia – St. Simons Island, Sea Island, Little St. Simons Island, Jekyll Island – are located on the Georgia coast just minutes from I-95 at Exits 29, 36, 38 and 42. Visitor information, including discounts and other special offers by area hotels, attractions and restaurants, can be found online at ComeCoastAwhile.com. For information “on the go,” text BGIGA to 95495 or go to ComeCoastAwhile.mobi on your mobile phone.

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Georgia Voyager Magazine launches new online publication

Georgia Voyager Magazine has launched its first online issue, according to editor and publisher Cathy Hodge. The online magazine features "page-flipping" technology that replicates the look and feel of the printed version, as well as links to featured attractions, sound files and more.

"The special features of our new online publication make it fun for adults to read, and provide interactivity for children," Hodge explained. "Among other things, there are links to learn more about historic sites and educational places to visit, and downloadable contests, games and educational activities."

The current issue includes features about Georgia's Fall Line, Georgia's prehistoric peoples, the Civil War in Georgia, The Great Locomotive Chase, Famous Georgia Women, and more.

Now in its 13th year, Georgia Voyager was created for children who requested information about the state during the 1996 Summer Olympics. In 2000 the magazine won the Georgia Outstanding Program of the Year award from the Georgia Council of the Social Studies. Since its founding more than 2 million copies of the quarterly magazine have been distributed to Georgia teachers and school children.

The Brunswick-Golden Isles Convention and Visitors Bureau is a proud sponsor of Georgia Voyager Magazine and its programs, including the annual Georgia History Essay Contest for Georgia students in grades 4-12. Essays are judged by a panel of historians, teachers and others, and the winners are announced during a special Georgia History Day ceremony at the state capitol in Atlanta.

The Convention and Visitors Bureau also has partnered with Georgia Voyager to offer educational study tour programs designed to meet the needs of every school and youth group. Standards-based lesson plans are available for students in grades 4 through high school, and include pre- and post-visit classroom activities which are tied to the latest state and national educational performance standards in history, geography, economics, science and language arts.

These programs are offered through a special teacher planning guide developed by the CVB and Georgia Voyager.

According to Bill Tipton, executive director of the Brunswick-Golden Isles Convention and Visitors Bureau, the educational travel planner has been very well received by Georgia teachers. "We've been extremely pleased with the response that we've gotten to the planner," Tipton

The travel planner is available free of charge from the Brunswick-Golden Isles Convention and Visitors Bureau. Call 800-809-1790 to request a copy. Or, you can download a copy of the guide from the CVB's official website. explained. "Because of our natural environment and variety of attractions, museums and historic sites Brunswick and the Golden Isles are an ideal destination for educational field trips."

New Website Promotes 'Georgia-Made' and 'Georgia-Grown' Items

Whether you’re a butcher, baker, or candlestick maker, if you make it or grow it in Georgia, there’s a new outlet for marketing your products online.

A brand new web site, www.gamadegagrownproducts.org, is designed to help Georgia-based businesses promote their products and services to local residents, visitors and corporate buyers. This site is endorsed by the Georgia Dept. of Economic Development and is open to artists, entertainers, gallery owners, restaurateurs, food producers and other businesses. The only requirement is that their product be made or grown in Georgia.

Listings on the site are free for the first year, and include product details, business hours, photos and other information. Registrants can update their listings and photos throughout the year to showcase new products, seasonal promotions, changes in business hours and more.

Bill Tipton, executive director of the Brunswick-Golden Isles Convention & Visitors Bureau, says his organization is encouraging Glynn County businesses and artisans to promote themselves, their products and services online.

“Artists, writers, chefs, jewelers and many others have found inspiration in the unspoiled beauty of our Georgia coast,” Tipton explained. “We have a thriving community of very creative people who are growing, creating and producing unique items and services. We encourage them to share their products and expertise with people who have an interest in things created here in Georgia.”

The Convention and Visitors Bureau will be contacting local businesses in January to make them aware of the opportunity. In the meantime, local businesses can register by going online to www.gamadegagrownproducts.org, and clicking on the registration link.