It is that time again! Summer is just around the corner and so is the heat! Families young and old alike will be looking for a fun-filled place to stay cool. Stayin’ cool, at Summer Waves Water Park, is what summer is all about.

For the past 20 years, Summer Waves has provided a laid-back, family-friendly atmosphere for guests seeking a way to beat the heat. This year the park celebrates its 20th birthday, and while the park is 20 years old, it is looking younger than ever. Summer Waves’ maintenance teams have been busy during the off-season installing new equipment, re-surfacing slides and overall making the park experience better than ever!

Guests can look forward to a new and improved Natures Revenge water slide. The slide has been refinished to make the ride smoother and faster. More shading has been added throughout the park, including the Frantic Atlantic Wave Pool area. Parents and guests will also have the added benefit of new and larger lockers, renovated bathrooms that have antibacterial matting, and an updated First Aid Office in case of any small accident.

But the biggest improvement of all is the new attitude and focus on guest service and fun for all! This year you will see more of Dolly the Dolphin and all her friends as she celebrates a big birthday year. You’ll want to check the Summer Waves website to see all the exciting in-park events including karaoke events, Guitar hero contests, fireworks shows and more.

On May 31 Summer Waves will host a birthday celebration with Dolly the Dolphin. Visit the park for a character-filled birthday and fireworks after dark! Summer Waves will also have an Independence Day celebration on July 5 with fireworks, food, and fun. The Summer Waves season begins on Saturday, May 10th, and runs through September. Season passes are still available and can be purchased online. For more information, please visit www.jekyllisland.com/summerwaves or call 912-635-2600.

Posted in Beachscape, May 2008 | 2 Comments »

Join your friends at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center for an afternoon of outdoor fun celebrating the start of the sea turtle nesting season and the release of one of the Georgia Sea Turtle Center’s very own turtles!

Nest Fest takes place May 3, 2008 from 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. on Jekyll Island’s Beachdeck. Enjoy the beautiful Jekyll Island coastline and learn more about sea turtles and their habitats. Kids can participate in the ever-popular Kids’ Turtle Crawl on the beach, face painting, sea turtle related games, and many hands-on exhibits.

Registration and information can be found at www.gamultisports.com. The triathlon begins at 7:30 a.m., and the 5 km. Fun Run/Walk (open to people of all ages and athletic abilities) starts at 8:00 a.m.

After the race, head back to the beach to join the Georgia Sea Turtle Center for Nest Fest. Enjoy turtle-inspired games, activities, and a turtle release. Don’t miss this chance to bid farewell to some of the Center’s recovered patients at 2:00 p.m. For more information on the release, contact the Georgia Sea Turtle Center at 635-4444. For more information on Nest Fest, contact the Jekyll Island Visitor Information Center at 912-635-3636.

Tags: beach triathlon, Jekyll Beachdeck, Nest Fest, sea turtle release, Turtle Crawl, turtle nesting
Posted in May 2008, Uncategorized | No Comments »

As a partner of Kellogg & Maurice and the Union Bridge Company, Charles Stewart Maurice helped to construct many road and railway bridges that became part of the historic fabric of their communities.

Hollybourne Cottage, the vacation retreat Maurice built on Jekyll Island in 1890 with the help of architect William Day, was designed to be an architectural wonder of its own. This May, in honor of Historic Preservation Month, the Jekyll Island Museum will be opening the bridge-builder’s island mansion up for a limited number of exclusive tours.

Kellogg & Maurice, the company Maurice co-founded in 1871 with partner Charles Kellogg, was a pioneer in iron bridge construction and the second company in the country to build a steel bridge. The company constructed the 3rd Avenue Elevated Railway in New York City (1878), the Smithfield Street Bridge across the Monongahela River in Pittsburgh (1883), as well as bridges in Nova Scotia and Brazil.
In 1884, Kellogg & Maurice merged with other companies to form the Union Bridge Company. This firm constructed many notable spans of the day, including a cantilever bridge crossing the Niagara Gorge. By the time Maurice retired in 1895, he had helped traverse many of the nation’s major waterways and had been instrumental in the construction of major landmarks around the country.

Hollybourne Cottage, the unique vacation retreat Maurice built on Jekyll Island, is just as noteworthy, but it is in need of preservation. That is why Hollybourne Cottage is the focus of the “Reclaiming Past Glories” tour offered by the Jekyll Island Museum this May in celebration of Historic Preservation Month.

“Of all of the cottages in Jekyll Island’s historic district, Hollybourne Cottage currently offers the most challenges to preservation,” remarked John Hunter, the Director of the Jekyll Island Museum. Hunter points out that remarkable progress has been made recently in stabilizing the building’s exterior. “From the shutters, to the porches, to the front door, to the roof, we have tackled some major projects in establishing the long-term stability of the structure. But on the inside we still have a long way to go. That’s why we normally do not allow public access to the interior of this really special cottage.”

Jekyll Island Museum Curator Gretchen Greminger, one of the guides leading the behind the scenes tours, agrees that it is exciting to be able to share this unique structure with the public. But she warned that guests should not expect to see a restored and furnished interior like the cottages that are part of other tours of the historic district. Greminger said that this Historic Preservation Month tour will proceed through the fabulous leaded glass doors of Hollybourne Cottage into the main foyer. Guests will visit the front parlor, the dining room, the gunroom, the kitchen, and the butler’s pantry.

The tour will focus on the preservation efforts that have gone into the building over the last 20 years and on the unique design of the cottage, which was influenced a great deal by Maurice’s background in bridge engineering. While learning about the problems affecting the home’s current condition, visitors will also have the opportunity to view historic photographs of the vacation retreat that will help to envision what it looked like in its original condition when it was a much-loved haven for Mr. and Mrs. Maurice and their nine children.

The “Reclaiming Past Glories” tour departs from the Jekyll Island Museum on Stable Road each Saturday from May 3-31, 2008 at 12:30 pm and 2:00 pm. The cost of the program is $10 for Adults, $5 for Children 6-12, and Free under 6. For more information, call the Jekyll Island Museum at 912-635-4036.

Tags: Hollybourne Cottage, jekyll island history tours, jekyll island museum, National Historic Preservation month, Reclaiming Past Glories, Stable Road
Posted in Beachscape, May 2008 | 1 Comment »

(Reprinted with permission)

Each May, as water temperatures rise and the cold weather systems stabilize, several species of fish converge on the coastal waters of Georgia. This mass migration of fish sets off a migration of its own, local anglers heading to their favorite fishing drops. Don’t miss out on the action.

Tripletail, also known as Eddy Fish, move into the waters surrounding the Golden Isles in May. These fish get their name from the fact that their dorasl and anal fins extend back almost as far as their tail fin, thus giving them the look of having three tails. The Eddy Fish name comes from their habit of nosing up to a piling or other structure on the down current or eddy side. From here they ambush pray that swim by. These fish are shaped much like a fresh water bream but grow to near 30 pounds. This deep shape allows them to be strong fighters when hooked with the added benefit of producing several jumps before coming to boat side.

For some unknown reason the North end of Jekyll Island holds the biggest concentration of Tripletail in the area. Fish move with the tide and can be found a couple of hundred yards off the beach on high tide to a couple of miles on low tide.

Tripletail have a unique habit of floating on their sides near the surface of the water. I believe this may be a way of attracting shrimp and minnows, just as shrimp and baitfish are attracted to the shadow of debris floating in the water. If you see one from a boat and its back is to you, it resembles a black plastic bag floating in the water. If its belly is to you it looks like a white plastic bag.

The best bait for Tripletail is live shrimp, a close second is a four inch artificial Gulp shrimp produced by Berkley. Either is fished a foot below a Cajun Thunder cork. Spinning tackle works best, long casts are sometimes necessary. I prefer a Shakespeare Uglystick seven and a half foot rod and a Pflueger President reel. I like Stren Super Braid line in 30 pound test for this fishing and 30 pound test Vanish Fluorocarbon line for leader. I use a 3/0 circle hook when fishing live shrimp and a 1/16 ounce jig head with a 3/0 hook when using the Gulp.

Tripletail is the only fish species along the Georgia coast that offers true sight fishing. Anglers idle along looking for the black back or white belly floating on the surface. When a fish is sighted the boat is positioned so the fisherman can cast a bait in front of and past it. Note, it is sometimes difficult to determine which way the fish is facing. The bait is then reeled back to the fish and stopped right in front of it, within a foot if possible. Often the Tripletail will ease to and bump the cork, backup, then see and take the bait. You can see the fish just under the water and the temptation is to set the hook before the fish takes the bait. Anglers must wait until the cork is down or they feel the fish before setting the hook. Once hooked a good Tripletail will strip off several yards of line two or three times and go airborne several times before coming to boat side.

Tags: Fishing on Jekyll Island, jekyll island beach vacation, Jekyll Island Beachscape, tripletail fishing
Posted in Beachscape, May 2008, Uncategorized | No Comments »

For over 15 years, artist David McCune has been molding and moving metal to create one-of-a-kind art pieces. McCune paints each sculpture with lustrous deep colors, layer upon layer, and then bakes them to create intricate colors, tone and shading. McCune’s commissioned art pieces can been seen all across the southeast in homes, offices, restaurants, colleges and universities. His work is featured in over 20 galleries.

Known to many as a “Renaissance Man,” McCune is also a talented musician, writer, actor and businessman. He is the founder and president of McCune Technology/Fayetteville Steel, a miscellaneous steel fabrication center and metals warehouse. Projects range from production weldments to extensive projects for the U.S. Military.

You can see a generous sampling of McCune’s work at Just By Hand in the historic
district. McCune’s sculptures are accessible for any budget. Prices range from $15 for a small sea creature to more than $1,800 for a free-standing sculpture. Each unique piece conveys both movement and imagination. His coastal works include egrets, sandpipers, fish, seahorses, geckos, and turtles. These sculptures are beautiful indoors, but are perfectly suitable for the outdoors as well. Visit Just By Hand in the historic district, 26 Pier Road, to see these unique pieces for yourself. Call for hours at 912-635-9810.

Tags: jekyll island beach vacation, Jekyll Island shopping, Just by Hand shop on Pier Road on Jekyll Island, Metals artist David McCune
Posted in Beachscape, May 2008 | No Comments »

The Jekyll Island Arts Association welcomes two outstanding artists and their works to Goodyear Cottage May 6 through June1. Come and enjoy viewing the wonderful dolls made by Sandra Bishop as well as the fascinating colors and patterns found in the colored pencil works of Sherry Egger.

Sandra Bishop has been making dolls for over thirteen years. This self-taught artist is inspired by family members who surrounded her as she was growing up in Kentucky and by her deep love and appreciation for the history, culture and folks who live in the southern Appalachian Mountains. Her dolls are made with a wire armature covered with polyester stuffing and tightly woven Southern Belle muslin. The faces are sculpted with Premier clay and the clothing is hand made with vintage fabric. Sandra is a member of the Southern Highland Craft Guild.

Sherry Egger originally studied commercial art and has worked as a graphic artist. Although she is expanding her mediums to pastels and acrylics, her medium of choice is colored pencils, which allow for rich, luscious color and great detail. Her art encourages the viewer to take a closer look at what sometimes may appear to be a rather unglamorous subject, and then see the incredible beauty hidden in its details. She is a member of the Colored Pencil Society of America, Glynn Art Association, Georgia Coastal Artists Guild and the Jekyll Island Art Association.

Everyone is invited to view the exhibit and enjoy a reception to welcome the artists on May 11, 1 - 3pm in Goodyear’s gallery in Jekyll’s Historic District. Admission is free to both the gallery and shop where regular hours are Mon - Fri, noon to 4pm, and weekends, 10 - 4pm. 912-635-3920.

Tags: Artist Reception, goodyear cottage, jekyll island arts association, May 2008 Beachscape, Sandra Bishop, Sherry Egger
Posted in Beachscape, May 2008 | No Comments »

Adopt a Turtle!

The Georgia Sea Turtle Center is proud to announce the long awaited Adopt-a-Turtle Program! With your donation of $50 or more, you can adopt one of our sea turtle patients. Current patients and already released patients with satellite transmitters are eligible for adoption. When adopting a turtle, you will receive an official certificate of adoption, a letter from your sea turtle, a 5 x 7 photo of your sea turtle, weekly updates from the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, and you name will appear as an adoptive parent on the Georgia Sea Turtle Center website. If you chose to adopt a current patient, you also have the opportunity to be a VIP at the release of your adopted turtle!

Join Us for Turtle Tales with Miss USA

Turtle Tales is offered on Saturdays at 10:30am and is FREE with general admission! There are so many books about sea turtles, it’s hard to choose! Our Turtle Tales program will introduce you to the many children’s books about sea turtles. This program involves a turtle-inspired book reading and craft for children of all ages. There will be a different book and craft each month. And yes, you can purchase the books in our Gift Shop! Join us in May as we read another turtle-ific tale. Special guest Miss USA will join us on May 17 to read this special tale.

Turtle Tours Night Walks

Explore the beach at night, and learn about the amazing journey of the loggerhead sea turtles nesting along the Georgia Coast. These popular programs begin with a 30-45 minute presentation at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center about the natural history of sea turtles, followed by a guided beach tour (participants must provide their own transportation from the Georgia Sea Turtle Center to the beach)

Turtle walks will be conducted June 1 – July 31 (Walks will not be conducted on July 4) with two nightly programs every day (8:30 and 9:30 P.M.). Depending on the nesting season, the concluding date may vary. Reservations are required as group size is limited by DNR permit restrictions and programs nearly always sell out many days in advance. Participants will have a limited amount of time to briefly explore the Exhibit Gallery before their presentation begins, but the hospital area will not be accessible.

Cost: $10 adults (13+), $5 children (ages 4-12)
Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Due to the time and nature of these walks, we require children to be at least 4 years of age.
For the safety of the turtles, flashlights, camera and video camera lights are not allowed on the Walks. Night vision cameras are allowed. Walk Guides will have a special, turtle-friendly, approved flashlight.

Behind the Scenes

Ever wonder what it feels like to be on the other side of the Treatment Window? Wish you could get a closer look at the patients, off of the pavilion walkway? You’re in luck. The Georgia Sea Turtle Center is pleased to offer behind-the-scenes tours. Guests will visit food preparation areas, animal holding areas, and the treatment, X-ray and Surgery Rooms. Come join us for a closer look at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center from the other side of the Treatment Window.
Tours are conducted on Saturdays and Sundays at 2 P.M. and are offered on a first come first served basis,–Reservations are required. Call early or sign up in the Gift Shop- Group size is limited to 10 guests. (912-635-4444) Cost: $25/Adults - $15/Children (Must be at least 10 years of age). Price includes admission.

Sea Turtle Release

The Georgia Sea Turtle Center will be saying farewell to one of their patients. Spitfire will be released on the Jekyll Island Beach Saturday, May 3, at 2:00 p.m. Spitfire’s release will take place on the same day as Nest Fest and the Turtle Crawl Triathlon. Enjoy the fun as the Center celebrates the beginning of turtle nesting season and bids Spitfire goodbye!
The 2008 Wild Amelia Nature Festival, May 16-18, is an exciting and memorable way for residents and visitors to experience the wild side of Florida’s Amelia Island. The three-day festival offers something for everyone, with more than 25 seminars and outdoor experiences designed to showcase the natural beauty and wonder of the popular barrier island destination. The Georgia Sea Turtle Center will be exhibiting at this event and also releasing Vida!

Terrapin Crossing on Jekyll Island

The diamondback terrapin is a salt marsh turtle commonly found along the Georgia coast including in the marshes surrounding Jekyll Island. Every year, from early May to July, female terrapins, venture to the causeway in search of high grounds on which to lay their eggs. Unfortunately, hundreds are injured and killed by motor vehicles on the causeways leading to Jekyll Island. Please watching out for our turtle guests while driving on the Jekyll Island Causeway entering the island!

Tags: Adopt-A-Turtle, Beachscape, Georgia Sea Turtle Center, May 2008
Posted in Beachscape, May 2008 | No Comments »