Archive for the ‘ Diversions ’ Category
“Summer Play Day” Golf League
Thursday, June 26th, 2008
Win great prizes! Play 9 holes of golf (cart included) for only $10. Call the Jekyll Island Pro Shop any time during the week to sign up (912-635- 2368). You must sign up by 2 p.m. on Wednesday in order to play. Check this site for the standings each week.
“Summer Play Day” League
Standings as of : June 25, 2008
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25-Jun |
2-Jul |
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Turtle Release Stirs Media Frenzy
Thursday, June 26th, 2008
Reprinted from The Brunswick News
By Anna Ferguson
An iconic figure will wave goodbye to the Golden Isles soon, leaving behind a longtime home to make her way in the world on her own. Dylan, the media darling loggerhead sea turtle, will be released from Jekyll Island’s Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Monday. The release is being hailed as one of the island’s biggest media events, with camera crews and news outlets from across the country, including ABC morning news show “Good Morning America,” converging on the center to cover the release. A decade ago, Dylan was rescued as a hatchling from the Jekyll Island beach and housed at the Tidelands Nature Center. From there, she was sent to Atlanta to be a staple at the Georgia Aquarium when it opened in 2005. She was later transported back home to Jekyll in 2007 when the center opened.
Dylan’s travels throughout Georgia have long been tracked by the public eye, and the turtle has developed a true celebrity persona, said Michelle Kaylor, an aquarist with the sea turtle center. “She’s really a diva,” Kaylor said. “She loves to splash visitors when they aren’t watching her.” Having been with the center since it opened a year ago, Kaylor and her fellow staffers have worked with Dylan to ready her for her inevitable release back to the ocean.
She is now strong, healthy and able to eat and hunt on her own, proving she is ready for the release, Kaylor said. Though the staff admits to being sad to see the turtle go, they are also equally as excited. Releasing her back to the ocean is much like watching a child go off to college, Kaylor said. “It’s bittersweet,” she said. “We’ve been working hard to get her ready, and now she is there. It’s time for her to go.” But, Kaylor adds, this isn’t the last the center will be hearing of Dylan. A tracking satellite placed under the skin will enable the center to keep tabs on her. “We’re hopeful that she’ll come back when she’s ready to nest and lay her own eggs here,” Kaylor said. Dylan’s release will come with the fanfare befitting a shelled superstar and will coincide with the one-year anniversary of the sea turtle center, said Eric Garvey, marketing director for the Jekyll Island Authority. Public events scheduled for the weekend include the release of two other turtles Saturday and a celebration at the center. All the merriment will lead to the release of Dylan on Monday, when a crowd of spectators is expected to flock to Jekyll’s beach to say good-bye and good luck. “A lot of folks have been following Dylan and want to take this opportunity to say good-bye,” Garvey said. “It is a little sad, but mostly, it is a very exciting time.” The sea turtle’s plight has paralleled the turtle center’s rise to the forefront of public attention, Garvey said, as it has gone from a small grass roots organization to a full-fledged facility with a highly praised mission of turtle education, research and rehabilitation. Dylan, too, has brought a spotlight to Jekyll’s enduring goal of environmental preservation and awareness. “We have a very strong mission for conservation, and it is something that we have been striving to carry out for a long time,” Garvey said. “The island is an environmental destination, known for its goals of conservation. Dylan has brought that mission into the public eye and made even more people aware of our conservations efforts.” As Dylan makes her exit from the center, several new turtles will be making their way in, including Joey, another sea turtle from the Georgia Aquarium. Garvey anticipates that Joey will be brought to the center some time in the coming week. BREAKOUT To celebrate the one-year anniversary of the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, Sea Turtle Weekend will be held Friday, Saturday and Sunday at various locations on Jekyll Island. Crafts, games and activities will be held at the center from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday. Dylan’s release will be 8:30 a.m. Monday, departing from the island on the beach behind the convention center. Attendees are asked to arrive early. For more information, call 635-4444 or visit www.georgiaseaturtlecenter.org.
The Sun’s Out, Wave’s In!
Sunday, June 22nd, 2008Check out our new commercial for Summer Waves Water Park!
Georgia On My Mind: And What to Do About It
Sunday, June 22nd, 2008by Robert Painter
Reprinted from TravelLady Magazine
You won’t run into Ray Charles, but if you head on down to Woodbine, Georgia, you can take in some great country and bluegrass music on the weekend. Friday night at the Woodbine Opry a lot of the local folks will be gathered around to listen to some pretty good acoustic Bluegrass and Gospel and when they come back on Saturday they might just pull the old guitar out of the closet to join in on some of their favorite country
It’s not the Ryman Auditorium, but neither does it cost $50 for a front row seat. For about eight dollars you have a fine country dinner before the music starts. The music is free but you can buy a ticket for the homemade cake raffle or make a donation if you’re so inclined. All in all it’s a terrific evening of good clean family fun. And dinner for the kids is only four dollars so bring everyone.
From Woodbine you can take a short drive down to Kingsland which is a good starting point for those wishing to venture a bit west into the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuse and Wilderness Area. Or go a few miles east to the delightful little town of St. Marys. Be sure to visit the Oak Grove Cemetery. Remember to ask someone about the resident ghosts.
If you’re ready for a bit of exercise and looking to find a few dolphins you probably ought to hook up with Up the Creek Xpeditions for a half day kayaking trip on the St. Marys River. And, if you’re really adventurous they can even arrange a night trip into the Okefenokee to spot alligators with your headlamp. If you haven’t kayaked before don’t let that stop you. They’ll give you excellent instruction and the equipment is first rate.
It’s time to turn a bit north and travel up the coast to Brunswick and the Golden Isles of Georgia. If you’re getting hungry for some fresh shrimp your next stop should be the Lady Jane Shrimp Boat. This is a real shrimp boat that has been refurbished and Coast Guard certified for passengers. The good news is that it is still a shrimper. It’s rigged to troll the waters in a nice, calm protected area (don’t even think about getting seasick) and you’ll have the opportunity to watch the authentic operation. The net pulls up a lot of creatures. Different kinds of fish, crabs shrimp and even the amazing horseshoe crab. You can even help sort the shrimp and toss the horseshoe crabs back into the water.
The real treat comes when the fresh shrimp are cooked and served right on the back of the boat. All you can eat, fresh and delicious!
As long as you’re in the neighborhood you wouldn’t want to miss the famous and historic Jekyll Island Club. It’s a wonderful place to overnight and walk around the grounds to view the historic district. You’ll recognize some of the names of the early club members. Marshall Field, Joseph Pulitzer, William Vanderbilt, J.P. Morgan, Frank Goodyear, William Rockefeller are but a few on the list. The grounds are meticulously cared for.
A visit to the Georgia Sea Turtle Center found here will both entertain and educate you. Injured and ill turtles are cared for in a state-of-the-art facility and you can actually watch the staff in action. The staff will introduce you to some of the patients and you can learn much about the several varieties of turtles in the facility.
A short walk from the Center you will discover the unusual and scenic Driftwood Beach. It’s not really “driftwood” but rather trees that have been uprooted by the changing tides and left in place to be polished by the water. The shapes are beautiful and if you forget to bring your camera you’ll regret it later.
One of the biggest surprises on the island is an enormous colony of wood storks. Don’t miss them. I doubt if you’ll ever find a group like this again.
From Jekyll Island and Brunswick it’s an easy two hour drive on up to Savannah, unless you make a few stops along the way. Wolf Island, Blackbeard Island and Harris Neck and Sapelo are just a few of the National Wildlife Refuges and Sanctuaries you might want to visit.
Savannah is a perfect city for walking. There are scooters, segways, trolleys and even a GPS tour for the trendy techies. I like to walk and you can pick up a good map for your tour around the city. The trolley is an on and off vehicle so you can stop wherever you want and catch the next one when you’re ready.
You may know that Savannah was Georgia’s first city. You may not know that people were free to worship as they pleased. Excluding Catholics, however. At first, rum, lawyers and slavery were forbidden. I wonder what they had against rum.
It could be that the first Sunday School started here. A fellow named Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin at a nearby plantation in 1793 and in 1912 Juliette Gordon Low formed a little organization called the Girl Scouts.
Savannah has many faces. America’s Most Haunted City has a wonderful river walk with plenty of restaurants in which to sample the local southern cuisine and enough bars to keep you from getting too thirsty. There are lots of interesting shops including the typical tourist places on River Street. And, if you don’t like “tourist shops” stop in a couple of them anyway. You might stumble upon one pulling taffy or making that delightful southern treat, pralines. And, don’t miss the City Market in the heart of the Historic District.
If you’re a shopper you’ll discover the many antique shops, galleries and gift shops with lots of local hand-crafted items and folk art that you will find nowhere else.
Savannah is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful cities in the country. There are 22 squares that are experienced by millions every year. The beautiful sprawling oaks trees decorated by nature with the lacey Spanish moss contribute to the antebellum look of the city along with the restoration of many Colonial, Victorian, Georgian and other architectural gems.
An important part of the history of Savannah is its Black heritage. There are numerous monuments, homes, parks, churches and institutions marking this cultural aspect. I remember walking past a monument and stopping to read the inscription. I was surprised to read that the young drummer boy grew up to eventually become the King of Haiti. The oldest standing brick building in Georgia is the First African Baptist Church, built by slaves, for slaves, in the evenings following a full day of work in the fields. I’ll leave it to you to discover more about the Gullah culture when you visit.
If you haven’t read Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil I would recommend you give it a look before your trip to Savannah. It might just make you curious about some of the people in this enchanting city. There is probably a festival of some sort every month so show up and join in the fun.
A couple more hours up the road and you’ll discover Augusta, another Georgia treasure. You’ve probably heard of Augusta National Golf Club, official site of the Masters Tournament, but you may not know about the National Science Center, also in Augusta. It was created by law to promote science and math education for all ages nationwide. It is a fascinating place. Take your kids or go without them, but whatever time you allot for the visit plan to tack on another hour or two. The interactive displays and hands-on exhibits may just make you forget about looking at your watch.
Augusta is filled with beautiful homes, parks, gardens and monuments. Spreading oaks covered with Spanish moss and antebellum homes. A delightful Riverwalk and a great canal that used to be used to haul cotton and other goods. Some of the old mills have been restored and converted into businesses and residences. You’ll want to visit the childhood home of Woodrow Wilson and learn a bit more about life during the Civil War and Reconstruction. 
I hope you manage to visit the Augusta Museum of History and see The Godfather of Soul, Mr. James Brown exhibit. It is the first major exhibit dedicated to James Brown and will be at the 
museum through May 2011. James Brown was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986. He grew up in Augusta and used his fame to be a positive advocate of peaceful race relations in the south.
The Southeastern Natural Sciences Academy located in the Phinizy Swamp Nature Park is a great way to spend part of your day in Augusta. The mission of the Academy is to promote environmental stewardship through education, research and public outreach with a goal of seeking solutions to healthy and sustainable natural resources. You’ll love the boardwalk and you’ll see waterfowl and maybe even an alligator or two.
I had a great time visiting this time and yes, Georgia is still on my mind! Now, I want to see the rest of the state. I’m planning to return, but just don’t know when – maybe I’ll see you there.
Keep on traveling!
Story and Photos by Robert Painter: rpainter2006@comcast.net
Photo of James Brown courtesy of Frank Christian
When You Go:
Woodbine Opry: www.woodbineopry.com
Kayaking & Canoeing info: www.upthecreektrips.com
Lady Jane Shrimp Boat: www.credlesadventures.com
Jekyll Island: www.jekyllisland.com
Savannah. There’s a lot more to this story: www.jekyllisland.com
Augusta. And, there’s more here than golf: http://www.augustaga.org
Horton House Living History Event
Friday, June 20th, 2008For a fun family event, raise a jovial mug of (ginger) ale or (root) beer near the site of Georgia’s first brewery, and watch 18th-century British military re-enactors perform musket drills. The soldiers are rallying their defenses against further attacks on Jekyll Island’s strategic shores.
This Saturday, July 12, 2008 at 2:00 pm, visit Horton House, one of the oldest standing tabby structures in Georgia, where colonial re-enactors will demonstrate 18th-century activities and present the story of the 1742 Spanish raid on Jekyll Island following the Battle of Bloody Marsh.
Fort Frederica National Monument and the Jekyll Island Museum will team up to present this joint program on Georgia’s early colonial history.
Learn about Major William Horton, his family, his servants, and his property on Jekyll Island, as well as their significant role in producing goods to supply the needs of the fledgling British colony. Investigate early British military life, the events of the Battle of Bloody Marsh and the raid on Jekyll Island, and why Horton was a target for the Spanish.
Musket demonstrations, children’s activities, food and drink, and interactions with the interpreters provide a fun and memorable way to learn about the early colonial life of the island, said John Hunter, the director of the Jekyll Island Museum.
“Children will have a chance to make a colonial toy, play some games, and talk to costumed interpreters,” Hunter said. “Participating in activities and visiting with people who seem to step out of the past really brings history alive for them.”
“With Fort Frederica’s help, the Jekyll Island Museum is proud to offer this outstanding living history opportunity,” Hunter said.
During the living history event, general parking will be available both before and after the split-rail fencing that lines Riverview Drive leading up to Horton House. The site is also a pleasant bike ride away from both the Jekyll Island Club National Historic Landmark District and the Clam Creek Picnic Area.
Co-sponsored by Fort Frederica National Monument and the Jekyll Island Museum. For more information, call 912-635-4036.
Hands on History with the Jekyll Island Museum
Thursday, June 12th, 2008
Chortles and shouts. Racing feet. Sticky fingers. These sights and sounds might seem unexpected in standard house museum environments. But this summer the Jekyll Island Museum aims to engage the youngest members of the community in the wonders of the past. So this July kids on Jekyll Island are having a hoot. Whether throwing atlatls, making butter, racing with barrel hoops, becoming stained glass artists, manning windmills, building bridges, searching for architectural wonders, or jumping on pony hops, they are discovering Jekyll Island’s historic district as an active learning environment.
This July, the Jekyll Island Museum offers children’s programs every Wednesday morning at 9:30 and 11:00 am. Designed for children 6-12, the 60-minute programs each shed light on the history of Jekyll Island.
Museum interpreters lead children and their adult companions on a guided learning adventure through segments on Jekyll Island’s past. Individual programs touch on a variety of topics including art, science, architecture, food, and games.
“The programs are a fun way to excite children at a young age about history,” says Phyllis Gaska, a former elementary school teacher on the Jekyll Island Museum tour staff. “They are very concrete, and hands on, and active.”
“Our children’s programs are designed to let kids ask questions, and touch things, and make things, and run around,” agreed Gretchen Greminger, the museum’s curator. “We want to give our younger visitors a chance to exercise their sense of curiosity and just have a great time.”
The Hands on History segments include the following:
Old-Fashioned Butter-Making Take a whirlwind tour of a late 1800s southern kitchen at Club Cottage. Inspect and handle original kitchen items from the museum’s educational collection for an object-based learning experience, before heading outdoors for a lesson in old-fashioned butter-making. July 2, 2008, 9:30 am.
Colonial Games Have fun learning the games the English, French, and African-American children of Jekyll Island might have played during the Colonial Period. July 2 & 30, 2008, 11:00 am.
Young Inventors’ Workshop Discover a few of the famous inventors who vacationed on Jekyll Island in the Club Era, then replicate the island’s experiment in “green energy.” Help your guide capture the wind, as you explore the story of Jekyll Island’s windmill. July 9, 2008, 9:30 am.
Club Era Games View rare archival images of Jekyll Island Club Members at play, then try the sports that were popular in their day. Explore the games and activities that both grown-ups and children a century ago liked to do for fun. July 9 and 23, 2008 at 11:00 am.
Architectural Scavenger Hunt Follow a series of clues, searching the historic district for notable architectural details, on this guided learning adventure with rewards for all. July 16, 2008, 9:30 am
Stained Glass Studio View two important works of American stained glass by Louis Comfort Tiffany, David Maitland Armstrong and Helen Armstrong inside of historic Faith Chapel. Be inspired to make your own masterpiece! July 16, 2008, 11:00 am.
Bridge Building Visit Hollybourne Cottage, a mansion built for Charles Stewart Maurice, a partner in a bridge building company. Discover how houses can be like bridges, learn about different kinds of bridges, and create your own bridge. July 23, 2008, 9:30 am.
Native American Life Jekyll Island has been a seasonal retreat for over 4,500 years. Learn about Native American culture on Jekyll Island, through such engaging supervised activities as atlatl target practice, pottery stamping, and bow drill fire-making. July 30, 2008, 9:30 am.
Program offerings are subject to change. Reservations are required. Admission for participants is $5 per person. Young children should be accompanied by an adult. Please call or visit the Jekyll Island Museum on Stable Road for details or for information about its other tour offerings, 912-635-4036.
The Jekyll Island Museum’s Hands on History programs provide children with the chance to engage in butter making and other lively activities in Jekyll Island’s historic district on Wednesday mornings in July.
