September 1
Jekyll Island Gold Cup Adult Soccer Tournament
Regional and National adult soccer teams go for the gold as they compete in this three day tournament For more information visit www.gacups.com.

September 6
The Magical Variety Road Show
Illusionist B.J. Harris will perform a great show for the whole family. Sponsored by WAY Radio. Jekyll Island Convention Center, 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults, $7 for children. For more information visit www.wayradio.org or call 912-342-1083.

September 17
Chef’s Demonstration: California Flair
Chef Rob Sartorio demonstrates the preparation of two dishes and their accompaniments with helpful suggestions for presenting with style. Jekyll island Club Hotel. Reservations are required. For more information call 912-635-2600.

September 19
Wild Georgia Shrimp Golf Tournament
Tee-off the Shrimp and Grits Festival with a tournament on Oleander golf course. 12:30 p.m. For more information call the Jekyll Island Golf Pro Shop at 912-635-2368.

September 20
High School Cross Country Invitational
High school students are invited to participate in a cross country race on Jekyll Island’s Great Dunes golf course. For more information call 1-877-4JEKYLL
or visit www.jixc.com.

September 19 - 21
Shrimp & Grits: The Wild Georgia Shrimp Festival
A weekend celebration of two of Georgia’s most beloved foods. The festival features a cook-off, live entertainment, and a kid-friendly fun zone. For more information call 1-877-4JEKYLL.

September 26 - 28
Jekyll Island Buggy Expo
Join kite-buggy enthusiasts for a cruise around Jekyll Island, beginning in front of Blackbeard’s Restaurant. For more information call 912-265-1149 or
visit www.coastalwindsports.com

September 27
Dances and Impressions of South America
A classical guitar concert by Michael Nigro of Long Beach, California, features the music of Argentina, Brazil, and Venezuela. Jekyll island Club Hotel. Reservations are required. For more information
call 912-635-2600.

September 28
Sunday Dinner Dance
Enjoy ballroom dancing and dinner in the Grand Dining Room of the Jekyll Island Club Hotel. Dance to Wayne Tate’s “Four and Easy” band. Reservations are required. For more information call 912-635-2600.

October 3- 24
Folklore, Rumor, and Myth Tour
Pass through the old Jekyll Island Landmark Historic District at twilight and enter one of the cottages for spine-tingling tales that will draw you back through centuries. Fridays only. 7:00 p.m. Reservations are requested. Recommended for ages 10 and above. For more information, call the Jekyll Island Museum at 912-635-4036.

October 4
WAY Radio Beach Concert
WAY Radio, Brunswick’s source for Christian Radio, host a concert on the beach from 2-5 p.m. featuring top Christian artists Mark Harris, Laura Story, and Mikeschair. For more information visit
www.wayradio.org or call 912-342-1083

October 10 - 12
Georgia’s Colonial Coast Birding Festival
This festival has a little bit of everything for the casual nature enthusiast to the most experienced birdwatcher. For more information call 1-877-4JEKYLL

October 27 - 30
The Pulitzer Legacy in Georgia
The Georgia Review presents “The Pulitzer Legacy in Georgia” featuring Pulitzer Prize-winners Stephen Dunn, Natasha Trethewey, Edward J. Larson, Hank Klibanoff, and others. Jekyll Island Club Hotel. Reservations are required. For more information call 1-800-542-3481 or visit www.uga.edu/garev.

November 8
Plus Fours Historic Golf Celebration
Golfers take a step back in time by donning knickers and argyle socks for this tournament played on Jekyll Island’s historic Great Dunes golf course. Hickory shaft clubs and gutty balls complete the transformation back to the day of Bobby Jones. For more information call 1-877-4JEKYLL.

November 29 - January 1
Holiday Island on Jekyll Island
Jekyll Island is transformed in to a Holiday Island of twinkling Christmas lights and decorations. The season is kicked-off by the Christmas Tree Lighting Festival the Saturday after Thanksgiving. For more information call 1-877-4JEKYLL

Tags: birding festival, concerts, history tours, jekyll golf, jekyll island october events, September jekyll island events, shrimp and grits festival
Posted in Beachscape, September 2008 | 1 Comment »

The Georgia Shrimp Association and the Jekyll Island Authority are proud to bring you Shrimp & Grits: The Wild Georgia Shrimp Festival in celebration of the sweet, wild Georgia shrimp harvest!

Commercial shrimping defines the look and feel of the Georgia coast. Shrimp boats trawl the horizon or sweep near shore as sunbathing tourists watch with interest and children try to catch a glimpse of the captain at his wheel; at rest, the boats distinctive rigging proclaims the freshness of local seafood at picturesque docks and fishing villages. And it’s not just for show - shrimping is among the nation’s largest fisheries and Georgia shrimpers and shrimp are counted among the best in the nation.
The shrimping tradition in Georgia is old and proud, and it is the state’s most important and vibrant connection to the life of the sea. Making a living from the sea is one of the most ancient and esteemed pursuits of man.

The Georgia Shrimp Association seal signifies that the shrimp is local, gathered from coastal Georgia waters and packaged according to strict Georgia Shrimp Association guidelines. While Georgia shrimpers face competition from foreign imports who grow pond-raised shrimp, the size and taste of the seafood fails in comparison to the sweet, jumbo sized wild Georgia shrimp.

Jekyll Island and the Georgia Shrimp Association welcome you to celebrate Georgia’s shrimp and the hardworking shrimpers who trawl our waters. Friday, September 19, through Sunday, September 21, the beautiful Jekyll Island Club National Landmark Historic District will feature great professional and amateur shrimp and grits chefs, shrimp eating contests, a kids fun zone, and vendors galore. For more information, visit www.jekyllisland.com/shrimpandgrits or call the Jekyll Island Visitors Information Center at 1-877-4JEKYLL.

Tags: coastal festivals, cooking competitions, family fun, Georgia Shrimp Association, Jekyll Island Club National Landmark Historic District, jekyll island festivals, Shrimp & Grits: The Wild Georgia Shrimp Festival, shrimp and grits, shrimping
Posted in Beachscape, September 2008 | No Comments »

Think your shrimp and grits recipe has what it takes to be crowned a 2008 Shrimp & Grits Festival favorite? You can enter the amateur or professional cook-off and prepare your favorite shrimp-and-grits meal. The amateur cook-offs will be held on Saturday, September 20th beginning at 10 a.m and 3:30 p.m. There are two seperate rounds and each round will have a first, second, and third place winner.

Amateur prizes: First Place: $500; Second Place: $300; Third Place: $100.

Professional chefs will compete on Sunday, September 21st beginning at 12:00 p.m.

Professional prizes: First Place: $1000; Second Place $800, Third Place: $500

For more information or to enter, fill out an entry form online at www.jekyllisland.com/shrimpandgrits.

Tags: chef competition, family festivals, jekyll island shrimp and grits festival, shrimp and grits, shrimp cooking competition, Wild Georgia Shrimp Festival
Posted in Beachscape, September 2008 | No Comments »

Cruising the costal waters is a unique experience when on a shrimp boat excursion with Captain Larry Credle. Born in Belhaven, NC, Captain Credle started shrimping in his early teens on weekends and summers with his dad. Working with a fleet of five vessels at the age of fourteen, he became the captain of his own shrimp vessel in 1979. Being a captain for nearly 30 years, Credle has had fun, interesting, and educational shrimp excursions on the Lady Jane.

Consisting of a two-hour voyage along the Marshes of Glynn, shrimp excursions were made famous by the poet Sidney Lanier. With much to see, such as dolphins, shorebirds, and minks, guests can observe the crew deploy the shrimp net and retrieve a bountiful catch of various sea life. Shrimp nets can catch shrimp, crabs, fish, horseshoe crabs, manta rays, and so much more. The day’s catch is “like Christmas, you never know what’s in the nets’ bag,” states Credle. While guest take pictures and learn, the crew prepares a fresh shrimp boil with the recent catch and guests can taste “fresh out of the water, Georgia sweet white shrimp.”

Captain Credle’s Shrimp Excursions are taking part in the 2008 Shrimp & Grits: Wild Georgia Shrimp Festival by offering two shrimp boat tours daily on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. The tours take place on the Lady Jane, a United States Coast Guard certified 49-passenger steel shrimping vessel retired after years of loyal service to the shrimping industry. The Lady Jane has been refurbished for the cruising pleasure of her tourists. While enjoy the sights, sounds, and wonderful tastes of Jekyll Island’s Wild Georgia Shrimp Festival, be sure to take part in a true shrimping experience and see first-hand how much hard work goes in to retrieving this southern favorite. All of the trips September 19 - 21 will depart from the dock on Highway 17 in Brunswick, located behind Spanky’s Marshside. Trips are $39.95 for adults and $25 for children 10 and younger. You can also check out the Lady Jane online at www.shrimpcruise.com

To experience the fun of Captain Credle’s shrimp boat excursions call 912-265-5711 or e-mail captain@shrimpcriuse.com. For more information on the 2008 Shrimp & Grits: The Wild Georgia Shrimp Festival, visit www.jekyllisland.com/shrimpandgrits or call the Jekyll Island Visitors’ Information Center at 1-877-4JEKYLL.

Tags: captain creadle, coastal boat tours, georgia shrimp, Jekyll Island family fun, jekyll island festivals, sea excursions, Shrimp & Grits: The Wild Georgia Shrimp Festival, shrimp boat tours, shrimping
Posted in Beachscape, September 2008 | No Comments »

Local restaurants celebrate the most craved seafood in the south- Wild Georgia Shrimp. Golden Isles restaurants are taking part in September’s Wild Georgia Shrimp Month by offering special shrimp dishes featuring only Wild Georgia Shrimp. No matter what your taste buds crave, fried, grilled, or sautéed, they have it all.

Visit one or all of these local restaurants to enjoy the delightful tastes of shrimp cooked to perfection. Participants include:

Blackwater Grill
New Orleans BBQ Shrimp appetizer
260 Redfern Village, St. Simons Island
912-634-6333

The Grand Dining Room at the Jekyll Island Club Hotel
Speciality Jekyll Shrimp and Grits dish
371 Riverview Drive, Jekyll Island
912-635-2600

Seajay’s Waterfront Café and Pub
Seajay’s Shrimp Salad Croissant
1 Harbor Road, Jekyll Island
912-635-3200

Blackbeard’s Seafood Restaurant
One-of-a kind Shrimp and Grits dish
200 N Beachview Drive, Jekyll Island
912-635-3522

Latitude 31/ Rah Bar
Array of dishes including romano crusted shrimp appetizer, desert fire fettuccine, surf n surf, children’s fried shrimp, peel n eat shrimp, jumbo Georgia White Shrimp, and low country boil.
1 Pier Road, Jekyll Island, GA 31527
912-635-3800

Time Out Sport Grill
Shrimp Carbonara; sauteed jumbo shrimp tossed with tomato, bacon, peas, mushroom and a cream sauce served over fettuccine.
975 N Beachview Dr, Jekyll Island
912-635-2531

Saydee’s Restaurant
Resort-chic restaurant offers a wide variety of seafood entrees. The many shrimp dishes capture the essence of coastal cuisine and more.
1175 N Beachview Dr, Jekyll Island
912-635-3588

This is an event you do not want to miss. The Shrimp and Grits festival will be September 19-21. For more information visit www.jekyllisland.com or contact the Jekyll Island Welcome Center at 1-877-4-JEKYLL.

Tags: blackbeards, blackwater grill, Jekyll Island Club Hotel, jekyll island festivals, jekyll island resturants, latitude 31, rah bar, saydess resturant, shrimp & grits: wild georgia shrimp festival, shrimp and grits festival, time out sport girll, wild georgia shrimp month
Posted in Beachscape, September 2008 | No Comments »

Courtesy of Andrea Marroquin, Jekyll Island History Museum Specialist

In 1776, the American colonies prepared for war by mustering troops and assembling navies. As part of this effort, the Continental Congress authorized the construction of several galley ships. The Lee, Washington, and Bulloch were among those commissioned for Georgia’s coastal defense, engaging in battle with ships of the British Royal Navy along the Golden Isles.

In April of 1778, these fledgling naval vessels, under the command of Colonel Samuel Elbert and Commodore Oliver Bowen, soundly defeated the British off of St. Simon’s Island. The British called it the “Debacle at Raccoon Gut” and fled towards Jekyll Island.
Elbert boasted that faced with capture, the British “soon took to their boats; and, as many as could, abandoned the vessels with everything on board, of which we immediately took possession. What is extraordinary, we have not one man hurt.”

The British escaped in the ships’ rowboats, leaving some crewmembers behind. They fled six or seven miles to where the Frigate Galatea was anchored in St. Simons Sound, just off of Jekyll Island.
The Congressional Marine Committee wrote a letter of congratulations to Commodore Oliver Bowen for his part in the event: “We highly esteem your prudence in your conduct of the squadron under your command and applaud the activity & Spirit of your officers and Men on a late Occasion in capturing the enemies Vessels on the Coast of Georgia.”

The Continental victory was a huge boost for American morale. It demonstrated the effectiveness of American galley ships against the mighty British Royal Navy. It also temporarily left British East Florida with no naval defenses except the HMS Galatea.

The Galatea, however, was a formidable man-of-war. Under the command of Captain Thomas Jordan, who was in charge of the British naval forces, and armed with 44 cannons and a crew of 200, the Galatea was known for its conquests up and down the coast. Since its arrival to the colonies, the vessel had captured over 30 American ships. Elbert wanted to strategize with the other ship’s captains in his command before striking at the Galatea. He wrote, “As soon as I see Col. White, who has not yet come to us with his prizes, I shall consult with him, the other three officers, and the commanding officers of the galleys, on the expediency of attacking the Galatea now lying off Jekyll.”

What happened next is not known in any great detail. On May 31, 1778, Continental Congress Delegate Henry Laurens wrote “Our gallies are gone to attack the Galatea man of war, said to be on shore at Jekyll island. This ship, the Galatea, has long infested the coast, and interrupted the trade of Georgia and South-Carolina.” Yet was there a naval engagement or a sea chase between the galleys and the Galatea just off the north end of Jekyll Island? It seems not.

The Galatea, waited a few days, then seeing preparations made for her capture, apparently fled the scene of battle and headed for St. Augustine. It continued to serve the British for several more years. In 1779, the ship was spotted in the Bermudas, assisting with the transport of “Green-Coats,” then it captured the notorious privateer Revenge, and it also participated in the Destruction of the American Fleet at Penobscot Bay, Maine. In 1780, it ran a privateer aground near Hog Island. The Galatea was broken up in 1783.

A year after his victory on the coast, Samuel Elbert was captured in battle and remained a prisoner of war until June of 1781, when he was exchanged for a British general. He later returned to battle at Yorktown. Elbert was subsequently elected Governor of Georgia in 1785 and oversaw the chartering of the University of Georgia.

To learn more about individuals and events of significance in Jekyll Island’s history, visit the Jekyll Island Museum on Stable Road. Tours and exhibits are available daily, (912) 635-4036.

Tags: coastal georgia history, galatea, jekyll island during american revolution, Jekyll Island History Museum, jekyll naval history, samuel elbert
Posted in Beachscape, September 2008 | No Comments »

The Jekyll Island Arts Association is proud to announce their September exhibit with featured artists Leah Holland, Dottie Clark, and Mary Whitty. The exhibit runs from September 1st-September 30th at Goodyear Cottage. The artists’ reception is Sunday, September 7th from 1-3 p.m. at Goodyear Cottage, in the Jekyll Island Historic District. Admission is free and everyone is welcome to attend.

The Jekyll Island Arts Association will host a presentation by Michael and Sarah Dowling entitled “An Author and Illustrator Demonstrate Their Books and Their Creative Process.” The presentation will be held at Beachside Hall in Jekyll’s Convention Center on September 9 at 7:30pm. Admission is free and everyone is welcome. For more information on any Jekyll Island Arts Association events, please call 912-635-3920.

Tags: coastal georgia artists, dottie clark, goodyear cottage, illustrations, jekyll arts, jekyll island arts association, leah holland, mary whitty, michael and sarah dowling
Posted in Beachscape, September 2008 | No Comments »

The hotel now offers brand new billboards and entrance signage that showcases the new Days Inn color scheme of brilliant blues and bright yellows, and new carpeting and furniture throughout the lobby and breakfast area.

“With the new signage and landscaping on the outside our guests expect something new on the inside, said General Manager Shirley Rayhon. We didn’t want our guests to be disappointed, so we are delivering in a big way.”

Beautiful new carpeting in Schooner’s Landing and new furniture were added to show off the Key West theme where the complimentary deluxe continental breakfast bar is served. Additionally, new carpeting, paint, furniture and a new beach décor completes the lobby to offer a great first impression and welcome all of our guests. Other really exciting new features are a 90 gallon salt water aquarium and a complimentary computer work station with 24 hour access.

The most anticipated change will be a beautiful unique hand painted mural on a 10’ by 80’ wall at the center of the lobby. The mural was completed by Buddy Hale, a local artist out of Jacksonville, FL who graduated with honors from Kansas City Art Institute. Buddy started his own business, Noblelements, 10 years ago and has worked in many artistic trades such as sculpture, ceramics, woodworking, sign painting, and faux finishing. Also on Jekyll Island and most recently, Buddy has just completed a beautiful new mural at Tidelands Nature Center.

“We are so excited about offering these many improvements for our loyal returning and new guests. Not only are we doing the public areas but we are replacing carpeting, and upgrading the bedding in the guest rooms. Additionally, plans are in the works for a revamping of our north pool to include a separate kiddy pool and
hot tub,” said Ms. Rayhon.

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. These many new improvements simply support BMI’s philosophy and continued 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, please visit their website at www.daysinnjekyll.com.

Tags: buddy hale murals, days inn renovations, jekyll hotels, jekyll island days inn, jekyll island revitalization
Posted in Beachscape, September 2008 | No Comments »

On July 8 Time Past Studio opened at Jekyll Island’s historic “Island House.” Local artist and re-enactor William Temple placed his historically themed artwork on display upstairs in the hundred year-old shop. While creating new works, Temple also has oil and watercolor paintings, limited edition prints, poems, and poetry books on sale to the public. Visitors to the store will be entertained by the artist as he performs period music and relates the stories surrounding each of his rigorously researched paintings. Temple limits his prints to just 300 of each work and selects unique subjects from history artists have never before captured. Each painting and print comes with a detailed point-in-time historical write-up describing the events and persons depicted. Each painting involves up to a year of research. Temple participates and performs at living histories and re-enactments around the country; if you are visiting Jekyll Island and the Golden Isles, don’t be surprised if you encounter him as one of his various historical characters. Bring the camera!

Temple began drawing and painting at the age of six. As a child he discovered the applications of perspective and the subtleties of tin and shade before he actually learned the terms. Combining those disciplines with a predilection for historic subject matter ultimately led him to creating his current pieces.

Following service as an infantry troop in the Vietnam War and Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Central Florida University, Temple worked for 34 years as an illustrator, graphic designer, exhibit builder, painter, and art director for the federal government. Temple worked for several national agencies, including the U.S. Secret Service, Secretary of the Air Force’s Office, and Department of Homeland Security at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Brunswick, Georgia. During that time Temple was fortunate to work in a variety of mediums and in two- and three-dimensional formats.

In 1997 Temple launched Time Past Studio as a business. Period poetry and music were quickly added to his product line. Since historical accuracy is the benchmark for this genre of painting and writing, his focus on detail has required him to immerse himself in the subjects he paints, marketing to re-enactors who are often the inspiration for many of his works. In a very real sense, Temple often feels he is living in the events he creates.

Tags: , golden isles artists, historical artwork, history re-enactors, island house, jekyll island arts, time part studio, william temple
Posted in Beachscape, September 2008 | No Comments »