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
Georgia's longest yard sale, the Peaches to the Beaches Yard Sale, takes place March 12 and 13. This 211-mile long treasure hunt follows US Highway 341 from Culloden in central Georgia to Brunswick and The Golden Isles on the Georgia coast.
The first Peaches to the Beaches Yard Sale was held in 2005 and ran from Perry, Georgia to the coast. My son, Richard, and I drove the route starting in Perry and working our way south. We discovered that Hwy 341 is a beautiful drive that takes you through at least a dozen small towns and villages. One of my favorites was Lumber City, where the local VFW served delicious barbecued chicken dinners just steps away from the community's yard sale site. Others included Hazlehurst, which had an expansive yard sale site in its community park, and Helena with its interesting old hotel next to the railroad tracks.
Each community has
its own "official" yard sale site, which is identified by Peaches to the Beaches signs and banners. In addition, you'll typically find "unofficial" yard sales at shops, homes, churches and other sites along the way.
Offerings are what you would expect for any yard sale or flea market, and run the gamut from antiques and collectibles to arts and crafts, used clothing and household items and, of course, all sorts of food.
Peaches to the Beaches is modeled after the "World's Longest Yard Sale," which covers 654 miles from Ohio to Gadsden Alabama. It was begun by Evelyn Simmons, then interim president of the Golden Isles Parkway Association, which organizes the yearly event.
Held the second weekend in March, the annual sale's popularity has grown and the route has expanded from its original 172 miles to its current 211. Many "early birds" flock to the Friday sales in search of the best treasures, though Saturday seems to be the biggest sale day. For a complete listing and schedule, click here.
If you're looking for a delightful weekend activity, consider a road trip to the Peaches to the Beaches Yard Sale. It's a great way to explore a beautiful segment of Georgia!
Chefs from throughout Brunswick and the Golden Isles are polishing up their utensils and getting ready for "A Taste of Glynn," Sunday March 29 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm at the King and Prince Beach and Golf Resort on St. Simons Island. This annual fundraiser benefits the Amity House women's shelter in Brunswick, and provides a wonderful opportunity for area restaurants and caterers to show off their skills and their signature dishes.
The event takes place on the lawn of the King and Prince, right next to the water – 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.
"It's definitely one of the major social events of the year," says Sherry Ellis, co-chair of the Taste of Glynn Committee. "We've had many people tell us that A Taste of Glynn is the kickoff for the spring social season."
Twenty-five restaurants and caterers will compete for awards in judged and People's Choice competitions. Awards will be presented various food categories including appetizers, desserts, seafood, etc. An award also will be given for overall presentation.
"The level of presentation seems to get better each year," Ellis says. "It has really become a lot of fun, with a lot creativity in serving containers, decorating and more.
"Our local restaurants and caterers take this very seriously, and there is a great level of competition among them. The winners proudly display their awards, and feature their winning items in their menus."
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.
One of the highlights of the event is the Platinum Silent Auction. This year's auction includes vacation trips to Duck and Murphy, NC as well as South Beach in Miami; a "Dessert of the Month" package; a women's bike and a platinum and diamond ring, among others. And, of course, there will be the traditional wine raffle.
Ellis is pleased to announce the release of a brand new "Taste of Glynn" cookbook, which will make its debut at this year's event. "It includes 400 recipes from chefs and caterers that have taken part in A Taste of Glynn over the past nine years," she explained. "It has absolutely gorgeous photos of many of the dishes, and is beautifully done. It will make a very nice gift for anyone who likes to cook or just collect cookbooks."
A Taste of Glynn is presented by Moore Stephens Tiller, LLC and MST Wealth Management, LLC, as well as 20 area businesses and individuals. Special thanks to the King and Prince Beach and Golf Resort for their very generous support of the event.
Tickets are $40 per person in advance, or $50 at the door. They can be purchased by calling Amity House (912) 264-1348 or picking them up at Moore Stephens Tiller and MST Wealth Management Brunswick Office,The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort, or SunTrust Bank on Demere Road St. Simons Island.
SHUTTLE SERVICE FOR A TASTE OF GLYNN
Free shuttle service for A Taste of Glynn patrons will be provided from Masengale 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.
PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS AND CATERERS
- Bennie's Red Barn, St. Simons Island
- Blackwater Grill, St. Simons Island
- Bonefish Grill, St. Simons Island
- Millhouse Steakhouse, Brunswick
- Cargo Portside Grill, Brunswick
- Coastal Kitchen, St. Simons Island
- 4th of May Cafe, St. Simons Island
- Georgia Sea Grill, St. Simons Island
- Gourmet to You, by Tanya
- Jekyll Island Club Hotel
- J Macs, St. Simons Island
- Los Arcos, Brunswick
- Palm Coast Coffee, St. Simons Island
- Purple Sage Catering
- Red Red Swine
- Sea Palms Resort, St. Simons Island
- Smokey Joe's BBQ, Brunswick
- Southern Soul, St. Simons Island
- Southeast Georgia Health System, Brunswick
- Straton Hall Catering and Special Events
- Tasteful Temptations
- The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort, St. Simons Island
- Wee Pub, Brunswick
Photo Credit: Lindy Thompson, Golden Isles Photography
Some people live for yard sales. If you count yourself among them, don't miss the fifth annual Peaches to the Beaches Yard Sale, Georgia's largest yard sale, Friday and Saturday March 13 and 14.
The Peaches to the Beaches Yard Sale spans 212 miles, from the beaches of Brunswick & The Golden Isles to the peach orchards of middle Georgia, along US Highway 341. In Brunswick & The Golden Isles, official yard sale sites will be in:
• Downtown Brunswick at Mary Ross Waterfront Park on Bay Street -
Saturday only from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
• St. Simons Island in the Pier Village - Friday-Sunday 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
• Jekyll Island at the Beach Deck on Beachview Drive -
Friday and Saturday 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
Other official yard sale sites along US 341 will be in Gardi, Jesup, Odum, Baxley, Hazlehurst, Lumber City, McRae, Helena, Chauncy, Eastman, Hawkinsville, Perry, Fort Valley, Roberta and Culloden. In addition, there are sure to be plenty of unofficial sites along the way.
Yard Sale vendors, many of whom have participated in previous sales, will offer an array of goods from antiques and collectibles to craft items, food and other yard sale fare.
The Peaches to the Beaches Yard Sale was inspired by the “World’s Longest Yard Sale,” which runs along US Highway 127 from Gadsden, AL to West Unity, OH.
“I read about it in a newspaper article in which the writers traveled from one end to the other,” says Evelyn Simmons of the Golden Isles Parkway Association, which is sponsoring the event. “In 2000 and 2001, my husband and I drove the entire trail and had a marvelous time. It seemed like a natural thing for us to do along the Golden Isles Parkway.”
Simmons says there is an entire subculture of buyers and sellers that work the Alabama-Kentucky trail. “One person’s trash is another person’s treasure,” she explains. “We met antique dealers who would drive the trail in search of items that they would buy, take home and clean up, and then sell the following year.”
“People like to haggle,” Simmons adds. “There is a real camaraderie and willingness to share among those who participate in yard sales. It’s like a treasure hunt where you can find the best bargains.”
There also is a great economic benefit for communities and organizations that participate, Simmons continues. “We talked with Chamber of Commerce and Tourism representatives all along the trail, and the revenues generated by the various groups was phenomenal. Many places had never had anything that provided such a widespread economic impact for hotels, restaurants, gas stations and other businesses.”
“It's a great opportunity for Georgians and others to get off the Interstates, enjoy a beautiful drive and take a look at our small towns and cities. We think they will be surprised at what they find.”
Peaches to the Beaches Yard Sale sites will be open Friday and Saturday from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. Several communities will have their sites open Sunday as well.
For more information, visit the official Peaches to the Beaches Yard Sale site.
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.
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.
