Click on the icon to find this event on Facebook!
  
June 1- July 31 
Turtle Walks 
Explore the beach at night, and learn about the amazing journey of the loggerhead sea turtles nesting along the Georgia Coast. www.georgiaseaturtlecenter.org
  
June 1 - June 30 
2009 Women’s Golf Month 
Jekyll Island offers a “Ladies Play Day” on Wednesdays for $25.00 ea. Includes 1 hour group lesson, Green Fee & cart. All participants receive one year subscription to Golf Digest! Jekyll Island Golf Course. 912-635-2368.
  
JJune 6 
Golden Isles Family Fishing Derby at Rixen Pond 
Family-friendly fishing event sponsored by DNR.
  
June 8-13 
Nest Fest Week on Jekyll Island 
A week-long celebration Georgia Sea Turtle Center’s anniversary. Educational seminars and outdoor activities all week with a finale event at the Beachdeck on the 13th.
  
June 13 
Jekyll Island Glow Ball Golf Tournament  
Play golf at night using glow-in-the-dark golf balls!
  
June 15-19 
Tournament Tough Tennis Camp I 
Junior players receive instruction to sharpen their skills. (912) 635-3154
  
June 15-19 
Summer Sea Turtle Camp 
Kids ages 6-12 learn how to be junior conservationists.

  
June 19-21 
Summer Junior Golf Camp  
Kids learn basic golf skills from a PGA pro.
  
June 20 - August 8 (Every Saturday) 
Arribada Adventures at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center 
Family program designed for turtle enthusiasts both young and old! www.georgiaseaturtlecenter.org.
  

June 28, 2009 - 6:00 pm 
Sunday Dinner Dance 
Grand Dining Room of the Jekyll Island Club Hotel offers a special night of gourmet dining and ballroom dancing. Reservation required. 912-635-2600 Ext. 1002
  
July 1 - July 31 
Jekyll Island Family Golf Days  
Kids 14 and under play free with a paying adult. 912-635-2368
  

July 4th 
July 4th Celebration 
Celebrate Independence Day! Big Dawg and Paul DJ Game Show, Reverse Bungee, Bounces Houses, and lots of food. 1-877-4-JEKYLL
  
July 6-10 
Futures of the Game Tennis Camp 
Tennis camp session for beginners and intermediate players. (912) 635-3154
  
July 27-31 
Tournament Tough Tennis Camp II 

Junior players receive instruction to sharpen their skills. (912) 635-3154
  
August 21-22 
Beach Music Festival and BBQ Bash 
Dance all weekend to great beach music and sign up to be a judge of delicious bbq in the first annual BBQ Bash. www.jekyllisland.com/bmf
  
September 18 - September 20 
Shrimp & Grits: The Wild Georgia Shrimp Festival 
A weekend celebration of two of Georgia’s most beloved foods - shrimp & grits. www.jekyllisland.com/shrimpandgrits
  

October 28 - October 30 
Georgia Florida Golf Classic  
Gather your teammates for a weekend of Georgia-Florida fun. www.jekyllisland.com/georgiaflorida

Tags: bash, bbq, beach, camp, coastal georgia, festival, georgia festival, Georgia Sea Turtle Center, georgia's jewel, golf, island, jekyll, jekyll island, music, sea turtle, Shrimp & Grits, tennis
Posted in Beachscape, June 2009 | 1 Comment »

Monday, June 8 
5:30-7:00, Georgia Sea Turtle Center 
Georgia Sea Turtle Center – Two Years Later and Beyond 
Meet the staff at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center for a private tour of the Center and a discussion with Dr. Terry Norton, Director of the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, on success stories and accomplishments from the past two years plus their vision for the future.
FREE with paid admission to the Center. Reservations Required.
  
Tuesday, June 9 
5:30 – 7:00, Georgia Sea Turtle Center 
Turtles Are Not the Only Animals that Nest on Jekyll Island - A discussion with Jim Gertis, Beekeeper, and Lydia Thompson. 
Learn from Jim Gertis and Lydia Thompson about other animals that nest on Jekyll Island. Jim will give information on bee keeping and the natural benefits of honey. Lydia will speak on Wilson’s Plovers, savvy little birds that nest on Jekyll Island’s beaches and have a unique social structure. 
FREE with paid admission to the Center. Reservations Required
  
Wednesday, June 10 
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM, Georgia Sea Turtle Center 
Movie Night, Finding Nemo 
Join staff from the Georgia Sea Turtle Center for a movie night at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. Bring you favorite sea life stuffed animal, blanket or sleeping bag, and watch this classic under-the-seas movie. 
PLEASE NOTE: This activity is closed to registrations.
  
Thursday, June 11 
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM, Jekyll Island Beachdeck 
Beach Sweep 
Help us clean the Jekyll Island beach so that the sea turtles have pristine nesting grounds. 
FREE
  

Friday, June 12 
8:30 AM – 10:00 AM, Georgia Sea Turtle Center 
Breakfast with Scute and Pajama Tour 
Join the staff from the Georgia Sea Turtle Center along with Scute the Sea Turtle for a delicious breakfast and tour of the Center – in your pajamas! All kids are invited to wear their pajamas as they watch the turtles rise and shine for their day. 
$11 per person. Includes admission to the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. Reservations Required.
  
Saturday, June 13 
12:00 Noon – 4:00 PM, Jekyll Island Beachdeck 
Nest Fest Party at the Beachdeck 
Join the staff at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center for an afternoon of interactive educational activities, arts and crafts, and fun on the beach. Vendors and exhibitors from various organizations in the Brunswick-Golden Isles region will also be present with hands-on exhibits. Kids can test their skills in the always popular Turtle Crawl obstacle course. Plus, one or more of the rehabilitated patients from the Georgia Sea Turtle Center will be released. 
FREE
  
In addition to all these great activities, kids can visit the Georgia Sea Turtle Center and have their picture taken with Scute or vote on their favorite sea turtle patient to win Patient of the Year. Votes are accepted throughout the month of June. The winner will be announced online on July 2. For more information on any of these activities contact the Georgia Sea Turtle Center at 912-635-4444 or visit www.jekyllisland.com/nestfest.

Tags: beach cleaning, finding nemo, georgia beaches, georgia coast, Georgia Sea Turtle Center, georgia sea turtle center birthday, golden isles, jekyll island, Jekyll Island Beachscape, jekyll island festivals, Nest Fest, scute the sea turtle, sea turtle festival, sea turtle nesting, sea turtle nesting festival, sea turtles
Posted in Beachscape, June 2009 | No Comments »

By Michelle Kaylor
  
The diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) is a small to medium sized turtle found in estuaries and salt marshes along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts from Cape Cod to Texas. Seven subspecies have been formally described. Malaclemys terrapin centrata, the Carolina diamondback terrapin, ranges from Cape Hatteras to northern Florida and is the subspecies that occurs in Georgia. Adult male terrapins are significantly smaller than females. Courtship and mating take place in March and April and the nesting season occurs from early May until mid July in Georgia. Nesting typically takes place during the day. The general sites selected for nesting by the terrapins are located in areas above the high tide with minimum erosion.
  
Over the last century, populations of diamondback terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin) in coastal Georgia and other parts of their range have been adversely affected by a variety of human activities, such as coastal development, harvest for terrapin stew, drowning in commercial and recreational crab traps, and mortality on roads. Two to three hundred reproductively mature female diamondback terrapins are injured and killed by motor vehicles each year during the nesting season on the Jekyll Island causeway. The causeway is a perfect spot for the terrapins to nest because it is high ground and unlikely to flood. Unfortunately, the terrapins are not aware of the heavy automobile traffic on the causeway when they cross the road.
  
The Georgia Sea Turtle Center staff and volunteers monitor the Jekyll Island causeway during terrapin nesting season. We record the location of each terrapin found, whether it is healthy, injured or dead. This data has been instrumental in determining hot spots for terrapin crossing and nesting. We will be placing 12 artificial nest mounds in these areas to encourage the terrapins to nest without crossing the road. Through previous studies, we also determined that depredation of terrapin nests by raccoons is very common on the causeway. For this reason, we will be placing specially designed caging on top of the nest mounds that allow the terrapins to enter but keep raccoons out. This technique has proven useful in increasing nesting success in other turtle species, thus we are hopeful that it will reduce the number of terrapins being hit on the causeway.
  
Injured terrapins are transported to the GSTC for emergency care and rehabilitation. Additionally, eggs are retrieved from both injured and dead terrapins for artificial incubation, hatching and eventual release. Over one hundred terrapins were successfully hatched in 2008 and released to the marsh.
  
It is our responsibility to SLOW DOWN while driving on the causeway during terrapin nesting season and watch out for crossing terrapins. If you happen to observe a terrapin crossing the road, first make sure it is safe to pull over and get out of the car, then help the terrapin across. Carefully pick the terrapin up and place her off the road in the direction she was traveling. If you find an injured terrapin, take it off the road and call the Georgia Sea Turtle Center at 912-635-4444 as soon as possible.

Tags: coastal georgia, coastal georgia turtles, diamondback terrapins, georgia marshes, Georgia Sea Turtle Center, georgia's jewel, jekyll island, jekyll island causeway, jekyll island marshes, jekyll island turtles, sea turtle, terrapin conservation, turtle monitoring, turtle mounds, turtle nesting, turtle patrol
Posted in Beachscape, June 2009 | No Comments »

GOLF June 9th-21st, 2009 Jekyll Island is proud to announce the first Summer Kids’ Golf Camp, hosted by PGA Professional Steve Godley. The camp runs from 9am-3pm each day and includes ages 8-14. Campers will receive instruction on putting, putting, bunker play, and more; in addition, camp lessons also focus on golf rules, etiquette, safety, and perseverance. Kids will learn from PGA professionals and get to play Jekyll Island’s historic golf courses. Spaces are limited and therefore on a first come, first serve basis. Parents are encouraged to attend and participate! For more information or to register online, visit www.jekyllisland.com/golf/summercamps.
  
TENNIS June 15-19, 2009 July 6-10, 2009 July 27-31, 2009 The Jekyll Island Tennis Center is excited to offer 3 different camps taught by USPTA-professionals. Kids will learn to develop individualistic styles of play and have a minimum of 5 hours of on-court instruction daily. With 3 different camps, there are options for all levels of players, and each camp session concludes with a tournament. For more information or to register online, visit www.jekyllisland.com/tennis/summercamp.

Tags: beach camps, georgia's jewel, glynn county summer camps, golf camp, jekyll island, jekyll island golf, jekyll island tennis, PGA, sports camps, summer camps, summer fun, summer sports, tennis camp, USPTA
Posted in Beachscape, June 2009 | No Comments »

Hop aboard the Emerald Princess II Casino as the staff and crew invite you to join in the 20th Anniversary celebration. Cruising nine times a week, the Emerald Princess II is an inexpensive way to combine dinner, entertainment and a scenic cruise all into one fun afternoon or evening for just $10.00 per person.
  
A special Anniversary event is slated for June 12, where all passengers will cruise free of charge on both the morning (11 a.m.- 4 p.m.) or evening (7 p.m. – 1 a.m.) cruises. The ship will be decorated for the celebration and door prizes will be given away. Space is limited, so please call 265-7571 to make your reservations today.
Initially started in Fernandina Beach in 1989 by a few savvy business men, the Emerald Princess was so successful that the owners decided to try their luck in Brunswick in 1995. Since then, the company has become a welcomed addition in Brunswick and the Golden Isles as it employs approximately 85 employees and offers a unique entertainment venue for approximately 70,000 passengers each year.
  
The Emerald Princess II, which replaced the original casino ship in 2005, has become popular to both locals and out of town guests alike for a sensational Vegas style experience.
  
So grab some friends and join the fun on The Emerald Princess II — groups of 10 or more also find that this is a great option for reunions, corporate events and gatherings of any kind. Prepaid groups of 10 or more cruise for just $5.00 per person.
  
The Emerald Princess II is the jewel of the Golden Isles and the southeast’s premier Casino experience. Call 265-7571 for information and reservations.

Tags: casino boat, casino cruise, dinner cruise, emerald princess, emerald princess anniversary, emerald princess cruise, georgia coast, georgia entertainment, georgia's jewel, golden isles casino, golden isles entertainment, jekyll island, jekyll island marina, jekyll island night life
Posted in Beachscape, June 2009 | No Comments »

In 1984 Len Poleszak founded the Jekyll Island Arts Association’s Guild and Pottery Shop. Si Fryer, one of the founders of the JIAA introduced Len to the craft that would change his life. The first time at a wheel Len immediately centered and threw a pot. No one was more surprised than he was and Len became hooked with “playing in the clay.” Over the years, he won prizes in JIAA festivals, sold lots of pots, exhibited many times, enjoyed teaching others and was always eager to learn more.
  
In 1992 and 1998 he took great pleasure in being on exhibit twice at Goodyear Gallery which featured his pottery and the pastels and glass work of his friend and old fraternity brother, Ed Cowley. In the 1998 exhibition notes Len said, “I have had the good fortune to work with many Guild members, winter guests, expert instructors and later, artists in residence. They all influenced my work - there is simply so much to learn and do, and not enough time! Meanwhile, I am having fun!” He loved the craft and he loved Jekyll Island.
  
John Webber thinks of photography as art appreciation shaped through the camera lens. He feels that using a camera is a method to reflect reality and preserve it for himself and others - in a most natural way. Through the years John used a camera matter-of-factly as part of his employment as a photojournalist. However, “retirement” launched a reevaluation of his photos and an interest in showing his work in juried competition, exhibits and festivals. Living in Watkinsville, Georgia, with his wife Marcia and his oldest son nearby, John is a member of the Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation, Athens Art Association, Monroe Art Guild, and the Athens Photography Guild. Yesterday and today John’s philosophy is the same: focus on the image, keep equipment simple…and appreciate the art of photography.
  
The exhibit will be showcased at Goodyear Gallery in Jekyll Island’s Historic District, June 2nd - 28th. The artists’ reception will be held Sunday, June 7 from 1-3 PM. Admission is always free at Goodyear’s gallery and shop, where regular hours are M-F Noon - 4 PM and weekends 10 AM-4 PM. For more information call 635-3920.

Tags: art guild, georgia ceramics, georgia coast, georgia photography, georgia pottery, georgia's jewel, golden isles, jekyll island, jekyll island artists, jekyll island arts association, john webber, si fryer
Posted in Beachscape, June 2009 | No Comments »

When the going gets tough the tough get going, well that’s what the marketing team of the Days Inn & Suites has done. With the slow down in tourism and everyone watching every penny spent, it was important to get the word out that the Days Inn & Suites would offer creative specials to not only help their bottom line, but also the savvy traveler looking for a deal. The team came up with “The temperature of the Day Rate” last winter when the temperatures dropped down in the 30’s and even 20’s the guests walking into the hotel seeking a room paid what the outside thermometer read at time of check in!
   
“With all the cold nights we had this past winter needless to say, we had some very happy guests”, said General Manager, Shirley Rayhon. Not to be undone, and to keep the momentum going, the team came up with a “Spring Clearance Special” discounts as much as 45% off have been offered this spring over specific low occupancy dates. “With the success of both of these programs, we will certainly continue to offer these and other great specials throughout the rest of the year,” said Ms. Rayhon.
   
Many new renovations have been completed this year to include renovated lobby, breakfast room, and a brand new outside pool area where two oceanfront pools, one heated in the winter time, have been added. A hot tub and a separate kiddy pool have also been added. With the above improvements just completed, the hotel was nominated for the “Hotel Renovations of the Year” category at the recent Days Inn National Convention in Orlando, FL.
   
The Days Inn & Suites is owned and operated by Budget Motels, Inc. out of Manassas, Virginia. BMI has owned this property since 1998 when a complete 4 million dollar renovation was done. With these many new improvements simply goes with their philosophy and commitment to offer the best in customer service while providing a clean comfortable stay for their clientele.
   
For more information on the Days Inn & Suites, and to check availability of specials offered, please visit their website at www.daysinnjekyll.com.

Tags: affordable vacation, beach vacations, days inn & suites, family travel accomodations, georgia beaches, georgia coast, georgia's jewel, golden isles, hotel deals, jekyll island, jekyll island beaches, jekyll island days inn, jekyll island hotels, shirley raygon, temperature of the day rate
Posted in June 2009 | No Comments »