The Jekyll Island Authority will begin selective vista clearing along the Jekyll Island – Downing Musgrove Causeway. Clearing will be performed as outlined in the Jekyll Causeway Vegetation Management Plan that was developed in 2009 and adopted as a component of the Jekyll Island Conservation Plan approved in 2011. The Jekyll Causeway Vegetation Management Plan is a product of a committee that included representatives from conservation and transportation groups and several citizen experts on ecology and birding.

Separate approvals and permits have been received from all responsible agencies. These include approval from Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GaDNR) Coastal Resource Division, GADNR Environmental Protection Division, Georgia Department of Transportation’s district office in Jesup and main office in Atlanta.

Jekyll Island Authority staff will carry out 2.5 miles of selective clearings on both sides of the causeway. Clearing will be performed with a boom‐mounted machete machine as well as by hand. Permits also allow for the clean‐up of any dead or fallen debris in locations outside the defined selective clearing areas. The work will be conducted over several weeks and will conclude prior to songbird nesting season and diamondback terrapin nesting season. Clearing work also avoids the bird nesting areas on Latham’s Hammock.

The goal of the Jekyll Causeway Vegetation Management Plan is to promote diversity of habitat and restore vistas along the most scenic areas. Selective clearing will be performed on a five year cycle to allow plant maturation and to create a diversity of successional growth. Work will
be conducted under the supervision of Cliff Gawron, Jekyll Island Authority Director of Landscape and Planning.

The public should use caution when passing work crews and please observe posted speed limits. Please watch for work trucks entering and exiting the causeway from the road shoulder.

Please keep a safe distance from other vehicles and be aware of possible distracted drivers.

By: Lindsey Adkison {Brunswick News}

Planning events that will draw patrons requires a lot of time and creativity.
Beth Burnsed knows that all too well. As director of special events for the Jekyll Island
Authority, she’s responsible for putting together the island’s numerous happenings, including
the popular Shrimp and Grits and the Beach Music festivals.

Her most recent challenge was the Music and Merlot Concert Series – three evenings of music and good wine.

“Music & Merlot is a relatively new event,” she said.“We held our first concert last January.”

That concert featured four members of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and went so well that the authority decided to try to expand it into a series.

“Residents of the Golden Isles are loyal patrons of the fine arts, and the Music & Merlot concerts allow us to present some of those opportunities on Jekyll Island,” she said. “The beautiful setting of the historic Morgan Center only adds to the ambiance, providing the perfect backdrop for these opportunities.”

The 2011-2012 concert series will begin Nov. 19. Sponsored collectively by the authority, the Jekyll Island Club Hotel and the Jekyll Island Art Association, the series will offer a variety of styles.

The first concert, titled the “Songwriter’s Evening,” will feature two-time Grammy Award nominee Archie Jordan and hit maker Richard Leigh.

“They will perform their award-winning songs in the intimate setting of the Jekyll Island Club Hotel’s Morgan Center while explaining how they develop a song, what inspires them, and the stories behind some of their widely recognized pieces,” she said.

The series will continue into 2012 with performances by Franklin Pond on Jan. 14 and UGA Accidentals March 31.

“We combed through numerous promotional CDs and websites with the main goal of providing opportunities that were unique, had connections to Georgia, and presented a wide range of musical styles. The artists we chose fit all three of those categories,” she said.

Each concert features a preconcert VIP cocktail reception or dinner. General admission and VIP tickets are available. VIP tickets include preconcert events, complimentary wine and a ticket to the performance. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Jekyll Island Foundation.

“Savory wines, fine music, and the beautiful setting of the Jekyll Island Historic District provide for an evening that everyone can enjoy,” Burnsed said. “The genres we feature –true American country, classicaland a cappella – span all generations.”

If you’ve visited Great Dunes Park recently, or driven South along Beachview Drive, you’ve seen the transformation our Jekyll Island Convention Center has taken. With approximately 65% of construction complete on our cornerstone revitalization project, we are looking forward to a spring 2012 completion date.

The new Jekyll Island Convention Center is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated infrastructure projects currently being developed in the Southeast. The booking pace of new conventions at the Center continues to increase as Meeting Planners from all over the country begin to see what we’ve known all along, Jekyll Island is a truly remarkable place.

Beginning in the spring of 2011 and continuing through the spring of 2012, our Jekyll Island Authority team introduced new and returning meeting planners to the site of what will be a 128,000 square foot, oceanfront facility.

The new Convention Center is anticipated to achieve Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) certification at a Silver level, making the infrastructure the only modern “green” LEED certified beachfront Convention Center in the region. This element has been regarded as a tremendous enhancement by meeting planners, as most are strongly encouraged by their organizations to choose eco-friendly facilities.

Already 56 convention groups have booked their meetings on Jekyll Island for 2012 and over 70 have booked for 2013,
this exceeds our all-time number of annual conferences. The Jekyll Island Authority is now striving for a total of 90 convention groups for 2013! As spring 2012 is fast approaching, Jekyll Island fans far and wide are looking forward to having a remarkable piece of the revitalization framework put in place.

The Jekyll Island Authority is pleased to partner with the UGA Alumni Association to host the second annual UGA Alumni Oyster Roast at Great Dunes Park on Friday, October 28. From 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Great Dunes Park will transform into the headquarters for UGA alumni and fans showing their spirit before the big Georgia-Florida gridiron showdown on Saturday, October 29.

“Last year was a wonderful event and we can’t wait to welcome back UGA Alumni to Great Dunes Park,” said Beth Burnsed the Director of Special Events for the JIA.“Jekyll Island’s beach breezes, relaxing music, and delicious food are the perfect ingredients to kick-off Georgia-Florida football weekend.”

Activities include live music by Three of Us and book signings by Kent Hannon, author of Damn Good Dogs! as well as Belue to Scott author, Robbie Burns. Both books will be available for sale. As a special treat, UGA football favorite, Lindsay Scott will accompany Robbie Burns to speak with fans about his game winning play that is now the subject of Burns’ book.

In addition to book signings, guest can enjoy roasted oysters, an appetizer buffet by Tasteful Temptations Catering, and ice cold beer from the Craft Tasting Zone presented by Southern Eagle Distributors. Breweries represented include Southern Tier Brewing Company, Kona Brewing Company, Magic Hat Brewing Company, RJ Rockers Brewery, New Belgium Brewing and Michelob Brewing Co.! Tickets for roasted oysters, appetizers, and the craft brew tasting are $25.You can pair your ticket with a Brew Cruise from Coastal Kitchen and Raw Bar for $60!

Entry to the event is free. A cash bar will be available.For guests staying on St. Simons Island, the JIA has partnered with Coastal Kitchen and Jekyll Island Dolphin Tours to provide a Brew Cruise to the Oyster Roast. Tickets include a pre-roast Cocktail Hour at Coastal Kitchen from 4:00 to 4:45 p.m., a boat trip to the Jekyll Island Historic Wharf, a shuttle ride from the wharf to the Oyster Roast, and a return shuttle ride to Coastal Kitchen.

Brides and grooms to-be throughout the nation entered for an opportunity to say “I do” amid Jekyll Island’s charming Historic District in the inaugural Jekyll Island Dream Wedding Giveaway, presented with The Knot.

For decades, couples have started their lives together with Jekyll Island’s Historic District and its serene romantic beaches as their breathtaking backdrop. In an effort to further promote Jekyll Island as a premier wedding and honeymoon destination, the Jekyll Island Authority (JIA) partnered with The Knot and additional sponsors offering a variety of services to promote a Dream Wedding Giveaway package showcasing the Island as a premier wedding destination.

In early September, a panel of judges selected six out of over 600 Dream Wedding Giveaway entrants as finalists. On September 9, the public began voting for their favorite couples hailing from Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Michigan, Virginia and Tennessee.

Over 31,000 votes were cast for Jennifer and Paul of Chattanooga, Tennessee, earning the couple the Grand Prize Jekyll Island wedding. The public responded to Jennifer’s brief essay regarding why she would love a Jekyll Island Dream Wedding.

“My fiancée and I have been planning a wedding for several months. Our original wedding date was May 14, 2011 but we had to cancel it due to the horrific storms and tornadoes that ripped our home town of Ringgold, GA to pieces,” Jennifer wrote. “We lost a lot of important, priceless pieces. We would love to have a dream wedding on Jekyll Island so we can pull our family together after this difficult year and have a fresh, beautiful start to our new lives!”

Jennifer and Paul will say “I do” on Jekyll Island with a March weekend of wedding festivities valued at over $74,000, including exclusive wedding planning services by acclaimed destination wedding consulting firm Cocktails +Details.

The winning couple and their guests will first enjoy a lavish rehearsal dinner at the extraordinary Mistletoe Cottage, with event design and setup by Beachview Club Event Rentals and Design, floral décor provided by Judy Watson, of Tasteful Temptations, and local cuisine by Latitude 31⁰ Waterfront Catering.
Following the ceremony, the newlyweds will celebrate their nuptials with invited guests at the Jekyll Island Club Hotel’s Crane Cottage, which Architectural Record in 1924 named “the most expensive and elegant winter home ever built on Jekyll Island.” The wedding party and guests will be treated to a delicious meal prepared by the renowned chefs of the Jekyll Island Club Hotel.

The Jekyll Island Dream Wedding Giveawayprize package also includes a weekend designated for wedding planning on Jekyll Island at the Beachview Club Hotel.

“Being named the winner of the first Jekyll Island Dream Wedding Giveaway has been absolutely surreal,” stated Jennifer. “I’ve dreamt about my perfect day with Paul and now we have the perfect place. I can’t wait to begin planning!”

A total of 19 sponsors, playfully nicknamed Dream Makers, from the Golden Isles and Atlanta area have agreed to donate their time, services, venues and talent to provide Jennifer and Paul with their ultimate dream wedding on Jekyll Island.

This year’s Dream Makers include: The Knot, Brooke Robert’s Photography, iMint Media, Beachview Event Rentals and Design, Tasteful Temptations, the Jekyll Island Club Hotel, Latitude 31⁰ Waterfront Catering, Noble Legacy Champagne, Cocktails + Details, Lady in White, MiMi’s Stationery, Image Artisans Salon & Day Spa, The WharfRatz and Eddie Pickett of Ace Musicians, Beachview Club Hotel, Gentlemen’s Outfitters, The String Group, Stacia Mentus – Wedding Officiate and Martin’s Vintage Rides.

“Our lucky couple will celebrate their union with a vintage-themed, Jekyll Island wedding that includes all the style and amenities that characterized the best of the high-class social events of the 1920s,” explains Terrica Skaggs, owner of Cocktails + Details, the Golden Isles destination wedding consulting firm that is managing event details for the Jekyll Island Dream Wedding. “Each of this year’s Dream Wedding sponsors offers unique services that will enhance our prohibition-era wedding theme while maintaining the charm and elegance of Jekyll Island that Jennifer and Paul fell in love with.”

The Jekyll Island Georgia Florida Golf Classic is a tradition on the Georgia coast with 2011 marking the 32^ndyear of the tournament. Dates for this year’s tournament are October 26-28. A precursor to the Georgia-Florida Football Game on Saturday, October 29, the tournament provides a platform for fans to show their team spirit in a friendly competition.

The tournament entry fee is $300, inclusive of tax, and provides for three full days of golf, food, drinks and activities. In addition to the traditional two days of tournament play on Thursday and Friday, this year players can also take advantage of a third day of golf with an optional Wednesday practice round. By popular demand, eightsomes are back! The tournament remains a scramble, but this time with one shotgun start at 9:00 AM. Everyone will start at the same time and finish at the same time. Team up with another foursome for a fun-filled day of golf. All three ofJekyllIsland’s championship golf courses will be used during tournament play. Teams will be flighted after the first round using a multiple course index, providing more opportunities to win prizes. Plus, this year, players have a chance to win one of three Nalley Automotive vehicles through a hole in one contest!

Over 400 golfers compete in the tournament and, between rounds, enjoy celebrating with friends at the traditional Wednesday night Cocktail Party and Thursday night Low Country Boil. Non-players can also choose from a selection of activities including putting contests and a wine & cheese tasting. Everything leads up to the Saturday gridiron showdown between the University of Georgia and the University of Florida in Jacksonville, FL. While the Georgia-Florida football game is played at Jacksonville’s EverBank Field, Jekyll Island is only a 90-minute drive away. Many fans enjoy the tradition of staying in the Jekyll Island-St. Simons Island area and taking advantage of the easy drive to the stadium.

Players are encouraged to register early. Registration is limited to the first 108 teams and includes green fees for the practice round and tournament, ½ electric cart rental, free access to the cocktail party and low country boil for player and guest, breakfast and lunch on tournament days, cocktails and drinks at both parties and on the course, non-player activities, tournament hats, and chances to win one of dozens of prizes.

This year’s tournament is sponsored by Coca-Cola, Yuengling, Club Car, Nalley Automotive, Emerald Princess II Casino, Peachtree Pest Control, Latitude 31, Brasfield and Gorrie, and Bulldawg Illustrated.

Latitude 31 and the Rah Bar will be the official happy hour location for the 2011 Georgia-Florida Golf Classic. From 3 PM – 5 PM on Thursday, and Friday, players and their guests can enjoy a happy hour gathering at the Rah Bar.

For more information on the Georgia-Florida Golf Tournament, contact the Jekyll Island Golf Pro Shop at (912) 635-2368 or visit www.jekyllisland.com.  For more information on all other Jekyll Island activities and hotel accommodations, contact the Jekyll Island Visitor Information Center at 1-877-4JEKYLL. Only a few of the 108 available team slots remain for the 32nd Annual Georgia-Florida Golf Classic. There is still time for individual, team and sponsorship registration. But you better hurry, registration ends October 25th!

Join the Jekyll Island Authority’s Georgia Sea Turtle Center this Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. as they celebrate the release of Morcie, Glottis and Truck with a delicious BBQ Bash to benefit the United Way of Coastal Georgia and a special honey sampling of the Savannah Bee Company’s Bee Cause Honey!

 Savannah Bee Company’s honey sampling and the United Way BBQ Bash begin at 11:30 a.m. at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. The Georgia Sea Turtle Center is located at 214 Stable Road.  The United Way BBQ Bash includes a sandwich, two sides, drink and dessert for only $5!

Morcie, Glottis and Truck will be released promptly at 1:30 p.m. at Great Dunes Park. Great Dunes Park is located at the intersection of Shell Road and Beachview Drive.  Hope to see you there!

ABOUT MORCIE, GLOTTIS & TRUCK ::

Morcie
-Kemp’s Ridley
-current weight = 7.7 lbs
-stranded 7/25/11 on Blythe Island
-turtle had swallowed fish hook
-hook was lodged in bait, which made for easy removal
-Morcie is a shortened version of the french word for bait

 
Glottis
-Kemp’s Ridley
-current weight = 6.3 lbs
-stranded 8/7/11 on Jekyll Island
-turtle had swallowed fish hook, stuck on right side of mouth
-hook was lodged in the glottis, the flap of skin that closed off the
esophagus (throat)
-hook removed

 
Truck
-Loggerhead
-current weight = 71.3 lbs
-Stranded 7/14/11
-brought to us by the Georgia Bulldog (UGA Research Vessel)
-the turtle was caught in a trawl net and was showing early sign of
debilitated turtle syndrome
-named after a fisherman that was on the boat (nickname Truck)

Jekyll Island’s undisturbed beauty, combined with its pleasant year-round weather and refreshing ocean breezes, provides a breathtaking backdrop for a variety of wonderful experiences.  Located midway between Savannah, Georgia and Jacksonville, Florida, Jekyll Island is approximately 5,700 acres and the smallest of Georgia’s barrier islands.

As a tribute to the Island’s allurement, the Jekyll Island Authority has published Jekyll Island The Nearest Faraway Place, a coffee table book recognizing the inspired talent of residents and guests and their ability to capture unique perspectives of our cherished Island.

During the period of March through September 2010, a competition was conducted to discover photographs of, and poems about, Jekyll Island. Scenic images and inspiring narratives portraying Jekyll’s beach and marsh, sunrise and sunsets, wildlife, nature, historic landmarks, and views from above were sought for inclusion in this project.  Submissions included 70 from Georgia,  17 from different states,  4 from Canada and 1 from the United Kingdom.

Results of the competition were announced and the winning selections are featured in the commemorative publication. Copyright of the selected works and all rights to publish became property of Jekyll Island Authority.

Jekyll Island The Nearest Faraway Place  is now currently available at the Visitor Information Center, the Commissary, the Jekyll Island Book Store, the Jekyll Island Museum Store, the Georgia Sea Turtle Center and Hattie’s Books in Brunswick.

Want to know the delicious combination that won St. Simons Island restaurant, Saltwater Cowboy this year’s Shrimp & Grits Festival Professional Cooking Competition??? See below! Don’t worry though, if you can’t recreate, just hop on over for a dish made by the pros at Saltwater Cowboy!

Cowboy Shrimp N’ Grits    

Grits Ingredients and Execution:

4 cups grits 1 tsp salt
Half & Half 1 tsp black pepper
Water Chicken Stock
Smoked Gouda Cheese

• Follow the cooking instructions on the package of grits, except use ½ quantity of the water, and replace with an equal serving of chicken stock.
• Add salt and pepper at the end.
• Stir in Half & Half until desired thickness and let simmer.
• Add Smoked Gouda Cheese to flavor.

Red Eye Gravy Ingredients and Execution:

1 cup vegetable oil 1 cup All Purpose Flour
12 slices of cooked bacon, keep the grease 1 white onion diced
6 links of Andouille Sausage, cubed 2 tblsp butter
1 tblsp garlic 6 cups of chicken stock
4 cups of black, brewed coffee 2 tblsp tomato paste
1 ½ tblsp Cajun seasoning 1 tsp black pepper
Juice from 1 lemon 4 red bell peppers, thinly sliced
3 yellow bell peppers, thinly sliced

• Over medium heat, whisk the veg oil and flour together, until you come to a medium-dark roux, remove from pan and set aside.
• In a separate stock pot, crumble the bacon, add the bacon grease, butter, white onions, and tomato paste and sauté until the onions are translucent
• Add the roux and mix thoroughly.
• Add the chicken stock, 2 cups at a time while stirring.
• Add all remaining ingredients, except the bell peppers, and simmer on medium- low heat for 20 minutes.
• Remove from heat and stir in the peppers.
• Let sit for 15 minutes, skim off most of the fat/grease that has risen.

Grilled Shrimp Execution:

• Grill 6-8 (per serving) Large Wild Georgia Shrimp in a skillet pan.
• Add butter, seasoning, Old Bay, to your liking.

In a large bowl, pour in the grits, top it with the red eye gravy, and then finally top it off with the delicious grilled Wild Georgia Shrimp. ENJOY!!!

The 6th Annual Shrimp & Grits: The Wild Georgia Shrimp Festival, on Jekyll Island, plays host to several different activities throughout the weekend-long event. Undoubtedly the most anticipated of these activities are the Amateur and Professional Cooking Competitions, which bring out thousands of people from all over the southern region to sample the Southern delicacy of shrimp and grits.

Surrounded by live music and entertainment in Jekyll Island’s Historic District, the Amateur Cooking Competition was held with mouth-watering tasting opportunities of seven shrimp and grits dishes prepared by aspiring and self-taught cooks throughout the region. The judging panel, including, Elizabeth Mayhew, Editor in Chief for Woman’s Day, Kate Merker, Food Editor for Woman’s Day , Chef Joe Randall, operator of the Joe Randall Cooking School in Savannah and Chef Gena Knox, author of Gourmet Made Simple. Our judging panel chose Brunswick, Georgia competitor Harlan Hambright of Team Odyfferus as their pick for Shrimp & Grits Amateur Cooking Champ.

A total of seven competitors vied for the title of Shrimp & Grits Amateur Cooking Champ, but one walked away with the distinction and a grand prize of $500 and a commemorative Shrimp & Grits plaque.

Competitors Blackwater Grill, Coastal Kitchen and Raw Bar, Tasteful Temptations, Purple Sage Catering, Season 78, White Plate Catering, Catch 228, Moo Cow Ice Cream, Latitude 31⁰ Saltwater Cowboy, and Southeast Georgia Healthcare System, all competed in the Professional Cooking Competition for the recognition of the best shrimp and grits dish. The esteemed panel of judges including Julia Rutland, Senior Food Editor for Coastal Living, Sarah De Heer, Online Editor for FN Dish and Food Network.com, Jennifer Cole, Features Editor for Southern Living and Scott Jones, Chef and Founder of cuisine blog Jones is Hungry, ultimately named Saltwater Cowboy the Shrimp & Grits Professional Cooking Champ.

Saltwater Cowboy, led by Chef Chris Chasteen of St. Simons Island, walked away with a grand prize of $2,000, the highly coveted Shrimp & Grits Professional Champion plaque and bragging rights.

“We came to the Shrimp & Grits Festival to have fun, and we ended up winning,” said Missy Brandt member of the Saltwater Cowboy team. “Local flavor is definitely the key ingredient; we were all born and bred on the Georgia coast, we know what works well with Wild Georgia Shrimp.”>.

“The Shrimp & Grits Festival has truly become a signature event for the Georgia coast within the past six years,” said Beth Burnsed, Director of Special Events for the Jekyll Island Authority. “We are thrilled with the success of the festival and are looking forward to many more years of family fun and delicious shrimp and grits!”

We need your help to crack the Coca-Cola Favorite Park TOP 3! Jekyll Island has the opportunity to win a significant grant with Coke’s promotion. Take a look at this brief video and keep in mind what casting your vote for Jekyll Island truly means. To cast your vote for Jekyll Island visit, Coca-Cola’s Vote For Your Favorite Park.

Thank you for your support, keep clicking!

Savannah Bee Company has partnered with the Georgia Sea Turtle Center to raise awareness about the beneficial relationship between injured sea turtles and honey. Often, an injured turtle that does not respond to modern medicine can survive using honey and honeycomb to help heal the wound.  $3 of every bottle of Savannah Bee Company Bee Buddies Honey sold will help benefit sea turtle rehabilitation and the general operation of the Georgia Sea Turtle Center.

The Georgia Sea Turtle Center is a hospital for ill and injured sea turtles.  They are the only hospital of its kind in the state of Georgia.  The Center is open to the general public and offers an interactive Exhibit Gallery and Rehabilitation Pavilion with a number of sea turtle patients the public may visit.

“We are absolutely thrilled about this opportunity to partner with the Savannah Bee Company. Honey is commonly used in humans for a variety wounds such as burns and diabetic ulcers, however the medical properties of honey are not just for humans anymore. The GSTC uses honey and honey comb extensively for wound care as well as using it orally for small sea turtles that come in with low blood glucose,” stated Dr. Terry Norton, Director of the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. “The Georgia Sea Turtle Center works closely with the local bee keeping community to receive regular donations of fresh honey and honey comb. For more serious wounds that need sterile care we also use Medihoney, a medically packaged honey.”

The honey will be available for purchase at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center gift shop, Savannah Bee Company’s four retail stores, at the Savannah Bee website, and through Savannah Bee wholesalers. A honey tasting event is planned for later in the summer at the GSTC.

Gratitude is shared by Ted Dennard, owner of the Savannah Bee Company, “I love the ocean, and the creatures of the ocean, and I really love the healing magic of honey.  It is pure sweetness and I am grateful that we can all lend a helping hand.”

Purchase a bottle of Bee Buddies Honey online here!

Jekyll Island has the opportunity to receive exposure and grant monies through Coca-Cola’s Favorite Park Promotion. Currently, we are in the top 10! We are even featured on the top ten list on the website! With enough interest, who knows? Maybe we can crack the top 3!

Please follow this link to vote: http://livepositively.com/en_us/americasparks/vote/#/americasparks/vote

Or visit our home page at: www.jekyllisland.com and click on the Coke Promotion button on the left side of your screen.

It is easy; you DO NOT need to register to vote. Just vote! Start by typing in Jekyll Island into the Search for a Park toolbar and hit the red Go button.

Once you hit the red Go button you will see the following image:

Click on the red balloon located over Jekyll Island. Once you click the red balloon you will see the following:

Click on the Vote For This Park option. You do not need to register if you select the Vote For This Park option.  Once you click on the Vote For This Park option you will see the following:

Carefully type in the security code given to you, please note there will always be a different security code each time you vote.  After you have entered your code and clicked submit, you will see the following:

Congratulations you’ve just cast your vote for Jekyll Island in Coca-Cola’s Favorite Park Promotion!

If you like, you can register and upload photos. Each photo is worth 5 votes. And if you use Facebook, you can link to the site and check-in via Facebook and earn 5 votes for every check-in.

This year Coca-Cola will honor the top 3 parks with grants totaling $175,000.

First Place Wins: $100,000

Second Place Wins: $50,000

Third Place Wins: $25,000

You can vote as many times as you like until Sept. 6, so vote soon and often! We are asking you to try to vote once a day as you check your e-mail. So vote, and help spread the word!

Management at Summer Waves Water Park heard about recent tribulations that faced three adolescent entrepreneurs from Midway, Georgia and immediately felt compelled to help.

Kasity Dixon, Skylar Roberts and Tiffany Cassin, dubbed the Midway Lemonade Girls, recently had their lemonade stand shut down by police in their hometown because they lacked a business license.

Summer Waves Water Park contacted the girl’s parents and invited their families to spend a free of cost, fun-filled day at Summer Waves. The Midway Lemonade Girls will be deemed “honorary lifeguards,” and will sell their famous lemonade to thirsty Summer Waves patrons on Sunday, July 31st from noon to 2 p.m.. Jekyll Island Authority staff has built the girls their very own lemonade stand for use at the park. 10% of the Midway Lemonade Girls proceeds go toward their hometown animal shelter, Liberty Humane Shelter.

Summer Waves Water Park, located on Jekyll Island, offers 11 acres of fun including nine exciting attractions: six water slides, wave pool, lazy river, splash zone and kiddie area. For more on Summer Waves visit: www.jekyllisland.com or them on Facebook.

Governor Deal joined Jekyll Island Authority (JIA) Board Chairman Bob Krueger, JIA Board Members Mark Williams and Mike Hodges along with JIA Executive Director Jones Hooks for a brief hard hat tour of the highly anticipated Jekyll Island Convention Center.

Located in the heart of the all new Jekyll Island Beach Village, the 128,000 square foot Jekyll Island Convention Center will be the only oceanfront convention facility in the southeast. The new center will offer 78,000 square feet of premier meeting space and is expected to achieve Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) certification at a Silver level.

“I’m thrilled I had the opportunity to tour the makings of the new Jekyll Island Convention Center. I know the work that has been put in this project by the Jekyll Island Authority Board of Directors and the Jekyll Island Authority staff and it’s inspiring to see that work develop as it has for this particular revitalization project,” stated Governor Deal. “I can’t wait to see the final result.”

Construction on the ocean front Convention Center is scheduled to be complete in the summer of 2012 in conjunction with a limited-service 134 room Hyatt Place Hotel.

“The revitalization of Jekyll Island is of importance to the entire state of Georgia. The promise of this project is already benefiting the coastal Georgia economy,” stated JIA Board Chairman Bob Krueger. “Ultimately the project will create construction jobs at a payroll of approximately $56,000,000 and include 350 to 400 permanent jobs.”

A full-service hotel featuring 200 rooms, 46,425 sq. ft. “entertainment-oriented” retail area, 63 loft condominiums, which with lock-outs will provide 96 new units available for convention and vacation guests, will make up the commercial components of the new Jekyll Island Beach Village which is anticipated to open in 2013. Great Dunes Park and a public village green will also be integrated to create a new, vibrant beachside destination on Jekyll Island.

“After touring the Jekyll Island Convention Center site, seeing the abundance of space, the sweeping ocean views and learning more about the environmental aspects that are to be incorporated, I’m confident that this new infrastructure will certainly fulfill the southeast convention market’s every need,” stated Governor Deal. “I encourage all Georgia businesses to strongly consider the Jekyll Island Convention Center for their future meetings, retreats or events.”

It’s evident that construction on the Jekyll Island Convention Center is progressing at a rapid pace. The Jekyll Island Authority Board of Directors and Jekyll Island Authority staff broke ground in December and the Center is now over 50% complete. To date, 40 groups, amounting to over 26,000 attendees and over 30,000 room nights, have committed to meet on Jekyll Island in 2012.

“It was such an honor to have Governor Deal on Jekyll Island,” said Jekyll Island Authority Executive Director Jones Hooks. “It was truly inspiring to hear his enthusiasm for our ongoing revitalization projects including the Jekyll Island Convention Center. We look forward to having the Governor return upon completion.”

Summer is here and longer days mean more time to hit the links.  Jekyll Island Golf Club has some fun reasons to make Jekyll Island your “golf stop” with its inaugural season of Junior Golf Camps.

Camps are designed for children aged 6-14 to develop all aspects of their game including putting, chipping, pitching, full swing, and etiquette.  Instruction is designed to accommodate both first-time golfers as well as juniors well-versed in the game, by spending time at both the practice facility and on the courses. Camp participants will receive lunch each day, access to the practice facility and discounted play rates all summer, a golf shirt, hat, and a sleeve of Wilson Staff golf balls.  They will also receive a video of their swing, using V1 Video Analysis Software.

Each session will run Monday – Friday from 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.  The cost is $249 per child or $200 per child if multiple children from the same family register.  Camps are available July 18 – 22, and July 25 – 29.

***Parents – please don’t forget to register for the Beach Music Festival Golf Tournament in August and be advised the Georgia/Florida Golf Classic in October is now open.  Spaces are filling up quickly, so sign up now! Contact the Jekyll Island Golf Shop for camp & tournament registration and information at 912-635-2368.

4-H Tidelands Nature Center offers great summer-time learning experiences for you and your family while visiting Jekyll Island this summer. See program descriptions and schedules below. Remember – reservations are required and children must be accompanied by an adult.

Coastal Explorers-for 4 to 10 year olds and their parents. Children are introduced to basic coastal ecology concepts while exploring native animals and their environments. They meet every Friday morning from 10:45 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. The cost is $5.00 per child.

• July 15: Shark Spectacular
  Learn about sharks, their characteristics, amazing senses, and discover which sharks can be found around Jekyll

• July 22: Bugs and Butterflies

Join us as we explore the world of insects!

• July 29: Crabs and Sea Shells By the Sea Shore
  Come learn all about different types of snails and crabs you might find along our Jekyll shores.

• August 5: Sssssnakes:

Come and meet some of our snakes and you’ll even get the chance to touch one!

Stars on the Water:Astronomy Nights at Tidelands begin at sunset with an audio-video presentation highlighting astronomical events. Learn where the planets are, when to look for meteors, and how to see the International Space Station. As our sky darkens we turn our telescopes skyward for a closer look at constellations and deep sky objects. All ages welcome every other Wednesday (July 20^th, August 3^rd) from 9:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Cost: $5.00 per adult, $3.00 per school-age child, small children free.

Summer Seining at South Dunes-Learn how to use a seine net in this “hands-on” activity!  Participants should wear clothing suitable for wading. Children must be accompanied by an adult to participate. All ages welcome, every Tuesday, July 5^th thru August 6^th, from 10:45 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. at South Dunes Picnic Area. Cost: $5.00 per person.

The 4-H Tidelands Nature Center is a University of Georgia 4-H Program. They offer nature walks, kayak tours, and school group coastal ecology programs. Their exhibit area is open to the public Monday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., and Saturday & Sunday, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Admission price: $2.00 per person. For more information and reservations for summer programs, nature walks, kayak tours, etc., call Tidelands at 912-635-5032.

The Jekyll Island Authority and the Jekyll Island Arts Association will present concerts by Franklin Pond Quartet the last weekend of July in their historic district’s Mistletoe Cottage.  Saturday, July 30 at 7:00 p.m., the Franklin Pond Quartet, that includes members of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, will perform Haydn, Dvorak and Beethoven for your listening enjoyment. Sunday, July 31 at 7:00 p.m., the Linda Underwood Student Showcase Concert will include music by Mozart, Mendelssohn, Brahms, Kodaly and Smetana.

Franklin Pond is a highly praised summer music program for serious young musicians, with a faculty composed of musicians from the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.  The students, ranging in age from 14 to 17, are serious artists who have undergone a rigorous audition process to be part of the program.  As participants in the six-week summer seminar, they have the opportunity to receive artistic guidance in master classes from nationally known musicians of the highest caliber from all over the United States.

Originally, chamber music referred to a type of classical music that was performed in a small space such as a house or a palace chamber. And many of the great master composers originally intended their music to be played in these smaller rooms thus making the elegant and historic Mistletoe Cottage the perfect venue for string quartet performances. Tickets available at  www.jekyllisland.com . Seating is limited.

Welcome Anglers! There are many fishing opportunities and adventures to be had on, and off, the coast of Jekyll Island. Captain Larry Crews of Jekyll Island Fishing & Dolphin Tours and his staff will help fulfill your every fishing fantasy. A professional guide with over 45 years of experience in salt and freshwater fishing, Captain Larry offers tours for Deep Sea Fishing, Bottom Fishing, Offshore Reef Fishing, Night Shark Fishing and Dolphin Tours too.

June is an excellent time to go after the feisty flatfish or whiting, and area waters are abundant with saltwater species such as redfish, sea trout, drum, sheepshead and croaker that can all be caught from the shoreline. Sharks are also abundant this time of year and are caught all over Jekyll Island’s adjacent waterways as well as the pier. Land-based anglers will enjoy fishing from the Jekyll Island Pier, the Ski Rixen Pond, the beach at St. Andrews Picnic Area, or the entire beachfront of the island.

If you are feeling adventurous, take a ride with Captain Larry on a breath-taking excursion along the southeast coast of Georgia on the OSPO, a sturdy 44-foot US Coast Guard certified fishing vessel. Set out from Jekyll Harbor Marina and cruise down the intercostal waterway along the coasts of historic Jekyll Island, Little Cumberland and Cumberland Island. Sit back and relax as you pass the Little Cumberland Lighthouse, the wharf, and an Indian-shell mitten, all the while Captain Larry delighting you with tales of long ago. Cruising along the marshes you will spy wild horses, ospreys, eagles, and other marine life indigenous to the Georgia coast. And, if you are lucky, friends with flippers; Georgia dolphins will trail along performing tricks to your great amusement.

Schedule an evening tour to enjoy the spectacular sunsets over the marshlands or a party trip at reasonable rates. If you desire more personalized adventures, Captain Larry has two smaller vessels to book on a half day or full day basis. Call Captain Larry and his staff of Jekyll Island Fishing & Dolphin Tours at 912-270-7474 for details or check them out at www.offshore-charters.com. So bait up and cast off! There’s no telling what might bite.