Let’s talk about gardening, shall we? In this month’s feature, blooms and gardens take center stage. As you can tell by the popularity of garden clubs and the Cassina Garden Club’s annual Garden Walk, gardening is important to our local community. Most neighborhoods on the island are home to many amateur gardeners who put in hours of sweat to showcase beautiful lawns and yards. Ah, the joy of nurturing tiny green shoots, coaxing blooms from the soil, and basking in the satisfaction of a well-tended garden. Or at least, that’s how it goes for those blessed with the elusive “green thumb.” And then there’s me….
You see, I possess a special talent: an uncanny ability to inadvertently kill any plant that dares to cross my path. It’s not just a hobby; it’s a skill honed through years of dedicated neglect.
When I walk into ACE Garden Center, the plants see me coming and promptly start wilting and dropping their leaves. It’s as if they know their disastrous fate will be sealed the moment they find themselves in my care.
As for gardening tools? Well, let’s just say my gardening “arsenal” consists of one garden hose and one small trowel. I figure I can only do so much damage if all I’m able to do is water a plant and maybe move a little dirt. I have managed to keep a poinsettia plant alive since Christmas! That’s pretty good based on my black thumb history.
While St. Simons Island residents may marvel at the wonders of local gardens and thriving flora, there exists a special breed of gardener—the black thumbs of the world—like me, who use pine straw to cover just about every inch of their lawn to avoid gardening. Maybe I’ll invest in a cactus or two. After all, even black thumbs need a little greenery to remind us that where there’s life there’s still hope.
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ON THE COVER:
We’re manifesting the idyllic world of the fabled “Peach Blossom Spring” in this April issue. Our thanks to Pearson Farms in Fort Valley, GA for providing the cover and interior photos of the beautiful blossoms on their trees. Watch for their peaches to arrive on the island this summer or head on up there to grab a bushel!
The arrival of spring in Georgia was heralded by a brilliant array of blooms on the peach trees. like those at Pearson Farms in Fort Valley. The delicate pink blossoms aren’t only an indicator of the sweet fruit to come, they are also a symbol of renewal and vitality, and are believed to represent love and well-being. This is especially true in Chinese culture, where the concept of an ideal world is called a “peach blossom spring.”
That term originated from a short fable known as “The Peach Blossom Spring,” written in 421 CE by philosopher and poet Tao Yuanming. In his tale, a fisherman unexpectedly discovers an ethereal utopia hidden away from the harsh realities of the modern world. In this flowering paradise, people lived an idyllic existence in harmony with nature. The reference has inspired paintings, poetry, and expanded to other cultures as well. For instance, the use of the word “peach” to describe an attractive woman can be traced back to 1754 in English or American use. Around the early 1900s, the term was used to denote a good person. By the 50s, things were “peachy keen” or “just peachy.”
start with, Georgia may never have the Peach State
what does that have to do us here in the Golden Isles?
According to the New Georgia when first introduced peaches here on Island, it was in 1571, before the was even established. By
with us Isles? Well, to become without us. Encyclopedia, Franciscan monks St. Simons Island and Cumberland colony established. By the colonial period of the 1700s, the fruit was being widely cultivated in Georgia. After the Civil War, when Georgia growers developed hardier peach varieties and were able to transport them, the state earned its reputation as the Peach State.
While Georgia no longer holds the title of top peach-producing state in the U.S., it ranks in the top four, along with South Carolina, California, and New Jersey. Peach, Macon, Crawford, and Taylor counties are the predominant growers in the state. In the heart of Peach County is Pearson Farm in Fort Valley, dubbed “Georgia’s Peach City.” Here on the island, we’re lucky enough to get Pearson Farm peaches when the GA Peach Stand opens for business in select times during the summer. We eagerly look forward to the days when our local restaurants roll out their fresh peach culinary creations, from peach chutney in dinner specials to peach milkshakes and other sweet treats. Specialty peach cocktails are the taste of summer in a glass. But we’re jumping ahead of ourselves by eagerly anticipating the goodness to come in those warmer months. Right now, our focus is the arrival of spring and the blooms it brings. Let’s look to our local gardens to capture the spirit of renewal and growth.
comes to gardening,
he oldest garden in 1928 and steadfast of Cassina Garden
Club certainly know a thing or two! T club in Glynn County, Cassina was founded in 1928 and currently has more than 130 members. They have been stewards and owners of the former Hamilton Plantation tabby slave cabins located at Gascoigne Bluff for more than three quarters of a century. Not only have they completed historic restoration of the cabins and maintained the grounds and gardens there, but they have also been responsible for several other beautification projects on St. Simons Island and around the Golden Isles.
Since 2007, the major fundraiser to support their projects has been their annual Tabby and Tillandsia Garden Walk. Considered a traditional rite of spring for many locals and visitors from near and far, the tour offers attendees the opportunity to visit private gardens and grounds opened to the public for the event by generous owners. This year’s Garden Walk is scheduled for Saturday, April 27.
Tour guests visit a variety of six private gardens in various neighborhoods on St. Simons Island. Over the years, there has been a wide variety of featured gardens, some which have been planted and tended by the owners and others that have been initiated by professional designers. Often the gardens incorporate interesting art and statuary and visitors have been treated to a peek in a potting shed or playhouse along the way. Docents are available at each location to provide information about plantings, features, and garden designs. Even
non-gardeners enjoy visiting the beautiful stops home inspired.
the beautiful stops on the tour and go
You won’t want to miss the Members cabins for even more inspiration. You’ll find plants that you can take home to care for or will be on site creating colorful works to have a seat and share your favorite gardening ideas with other guests while wine. The Garden Party begins at 3:00 p.m. and attend, but donations are appreciated.
Plant Sale and Garden Party at the You’ll find cultivated by members plant in your own garden. Artists you can frame. Bring a beach chair Garden Walk experiences and enjoying tasty treats, beer, and 3:00 p.m. and is free for everyone to
Here's a preview of what you can expect to see at this year’s tour stops.
with clematis-covered
The garden called an “Estate Showstopper” is on a property affectionately known as “the compound” by its neighbors. It brings to mind a country estate with main house, guest house, brick terrace, pool, clay tennis court, “clubhouse” with brick fireplace, and even a “barn” of sorts. Walkways are lined with a variety of ferns, jasmine, African iris, cast-iron plants, camellia, long-leaf pines, and water oaks. Beyond the quaint side gate, you’ll discover Croton window boxes and potted citrus, succulents, coleus, begonias, and boxwood, and wild banana plants. Urns overflow with bromeliads and trailing Hoyas, and a variety of caladiums, philodendrons, ferns, and roses are highlighted by their boxwood surroundings. Other enchanting features include a bed of bright, sunny cosmos that attracts bees and butterflies and is home to a birdhouse for nesting purple martins, a maritime forest of saw palmetto, sago palm, live oaks, Spanish moss, rhododendron, and gardenia, and evergreen hedge with purple clematis-covered arbor surrounding the tennis court.
The stop dubbed front lawn, and coastal pays homage to the deck, sunny camellias, grass beckon you toward
“Luxury Coastal Living” is a classic Lowcountry home with wrap-around drive, expansive lawn, and coastal plantings. A noteworthy feature here is the unique sculpture under the front entry that the Bland Farm family sweet onion business. The back yard offers a screened porch, grilling sunny pool, putting green, and fire pit. Quaintly tucked away beyond a tree with a bed of ginger lilies, camellias, hydrangeas, and cast-iron plants is a delightful, pink “dollhouse.” Live oaks, palmetto palms, and muhly toward the bridge and dock on Dunbar Creek.
The landscaping surrounded by comfort an herb and Pots and the pool area, against a background
Happiness is what Garden.” The home thoughtful use of white shell and blue ageratum. Confederate
at the brick ranch that’s the site of the “Home Gardener Delight,” will make you feel comfort and privacy. There are beds of begonia, ginger lilies, daylilies, and azaleas in the front, garden, and raised vegetable beds in the back. Non-invasive bamboo is used as side-yard screening. and plantings of blue daze hibiscus, Cana lilies, African iris, and miniature date palm add floral appeal to which is anchored by a gorgeous purple tibouchina. Vermillion, firecracker plants, and vinca background of evergreen enhance the walkway and border. A year-round sun porch, brick fire pit and wrought-iron seating ensure that this beautiful yard can be enjoyed in every season.
From the sense of peace home on Isle of Hope,
you feel when you visit the bright and joyous and bright stop known as “Nature’s Cottage home gardener who lives here loves the randomness of Mother Nature in addition to the plantings: “Where the seed lands, it grows.” Various fruit trees, including figs, sago palms, ginger plants, and other native plantings thrive along the paths, as do agapanthus, monkey paw, ageratum. A screened studio/summer kitchen, koi pond, and the raised bed vegetable garden with jasmine-covered trellis and white picket fence are just some of the charming features you’ll see. peace and serenity to the personal touch of camellias and white shell ginger lily from a family Hope, this cottage garden surrounds you in its warm and welcoming embrace.
and touches seasonal that was roof vines, olive
Perhaps, not your typical garden locale, but the tiered landscaped areas and unique Moorish-Spanish manor house at “Villa de Suenos” wows visitors nonetheless. Once you enter the villa’s gated entrance, pay attention to the special that reveal the home’s history, like the antique birdcage now filled with seasonal plantings, and the horse fountain in the porte-cochere and a lower level built as a stable for the original owners’ beloved equine resident. Terracotta tiles and the repeated use of arches, old-world ironwork, jasmine and fig vines, trees, and palms transport you to the Old World. There are garden vignettes, an herb garden area that flows to mixed seasonal flowers, evergreens, and eucalyptus, and to a hydrangea garden that leads to the corner garden of azaleas, camellias, and hydrangeas anchored by two Japanese maples, an old oak tree, and a sand palm. As you ascend the stairs of the main-level central courtyard with shrubs, potted olive tree, and date palm, you’ll have a breathtaking view of the inlet. and beyond. A long infinity pool flanked by a bed of sunflowers and coneflowers and a hot tub center the courtyard. Stairs leading down to the first level’s putting green, a side yard sitting area surrounded by mondo grass with a vintage garden statue. The beach level tier includes the “orchid graveyard,” holly and fig bushes, mixed native plantings, and lawn to the Gould Inlet’s rock seawall.
Cassina Cabins and The 2022-2023 are a at fence entrance, you expanded Garden native flowers that attract butterflies. The Historical Garden four to American Lumber Days and
At the end of the day, there’s one last stop: the Cassina Cabins and gardens. gardens, which underwent extensive restructuring between special showcase of our island’s native plants. Standing the can appreciate the “Garden Rooms” style of design. An expanded Butterfly Garden Room to your right blooms with milkweed and other Monarchs, Gulf Fritillaries, and a myriad of visiting butterflies. The Historical Garden Quadrant Room located directly ahead of you was designed in four quadrants represent different historic eras for the island: Native American (1700s); American Revolutionary War (1770-1790); Plantation (1830-1865); and Lumber Days and Beyond (1900-present day). Plants were installed after careful research with community collaborators and the use of a list of native plants documented by William Bartram in the 1700s. Markers identify the quadrants and the individual plants. To the left of the entrance is the Contemplative Room. As its name indicates, it's a perfect spot to sit and think or simply rest. The wooden benches found in this area and behind the cabins were created from wood salvaged from a storm-damaged section of the red cedar standing to the right of the cabins. This tree is recorded to be the second largest red cedar in the country!
Following the completion of the Garden Walk at 3:00 p.m., everyone is invited to stay on (or return to) the Cassina grounds at the Tabby Cabins for the Garden Party festivities. The celebration of the day will include refreshments provided by Club members. Fabulous entertainer Annie Akins will be performing, so make sure to bring a chair to sit and enjoy the music. It’s also an excellent opportunity to pick up a copy of Coastal Cookery, the Club’s cookbook (currently in its fifth edition) if you don’t already have one. A treasured keepsake for many locals, the cookbook contains several favorite island recipes. Proceeds from cookbook sales are used exclusively for the preservation, maintenance, and beautification of the Historic Tabby Slave Cabins and grounds.
The restored Tabby Cabins will be open for tours and the Club will be showing its recently unveiled new educational video, Strong as Sea Island Cotton. Intended to spark interest and engage younger visitors to the historic cabins, the video, which introduces characters from the colonial, plantation, and lumber eras of the island, was a project spearheaded by Cassina Garden Club member and former educator Ava White. White says that when she first joined the Club a few years ago, her first job as a member was to be a docent. She noticed that while children from outside the area would come visit the cabins on field trips, they weren’t seeing children from our local public schools. She believed that providing a more kid-friendly video introducing the history and offering children’s activities would encourage them to want to learn more about the cabins and the area. The club engaged the services of Libba Beacham, Director of Operations of the Northeast Georgia History Center at Brenau University, to direct and produce the video. Locals adding their talents to the production included musician Michael Hulett and seventh generation Gullah Geechee descendant and Global Goodwill Ambassador Griffin Lotson, who plays an enslaved plantation worker. General James Oglethorpe and Cornelius Sawyer share their stories in the video.
The archives of the Coastal Georgia Historical Society provided the photographs and artifacts shown in the film.
Ava says proudly that the entertaining but educational piece “is something like Steven Spielberg meets Ken Burns.” The response the Club has been receiving to viewings of the film have been overwhelmingly positive. The video is shown at the cabins every Wednesday and the Club is discussing the creation of storyboards at the cabins that would provide a QR to scan so visitors on days when the cabins aren’t open could still watch the film. Tending plants and helping them thrive may have been the common interest that sparked the growth of Cassina Garden Club, but what a wonderful job they are doing to keep our island history alive.
Show your support for Cassina Garden Club or just satisfy your desire to wander through some gorgeous private gardens by purchasing tickets to the 18th Annual Tabby & Tillandsia Garden Walk on Saturday, April 27. Tickets are $35 in advance and $40 on Tour Day. They can be purchased at Platinum Sponsor ACE Garden Center, GJ Ford Bookshop, Righton Books, or online at cassinagardenclub.org.
Nestled between the pink hues of the blooms on the flowering peach trees and the soft orange of their fruit is the shade chosen by Pantone as its 2024 Color of the Year: Peach Fuzz. Pantone calls the color “A warm and cozy shade highlighting our desire for togetherness with others or for enjoying a moment of stillness and the feeling of sanctuary this creates.” A shade that “inspires belonging, recalibration, and an opportunity for nurturing, conjuring up an air of calm, offering us a space to be, feel, and heal and to flourish from.” It is thought to evoke a new modernity by reflecting the past in a way that has been refashioned with an ambiance that is more contemporary. “While centered in the human experience of enriching and nurturing the mind, body, and soul, it is also a quietly sophisticated and contemporary peach with depth whose gentle lightness is understated but impactful.”
Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of Pantone Color Institute™, says, “In seeking a hue that echoes our innate yearning for closeness and connection, we chose a color radiant with warmth and modern elegance. A shade that resonates with compassion, offers a tactile embrace, and effortlessly bridges the youthful with the timeless.”
This soft and sensual pastel hue creates a nurturing, gentle mood and represents a gentle new color direction for 2024. You’ll likely be seeing its added warmth and softness in interior design, home products, style trends, and branding. According to Pantone, “In a wider color forecasting context, Peach Fuzz is an example of the design world’s move toward soft, pastel colors. Tender tones of beige, camel, apricot, and peach underpin the Quiet Luxury trend and the minimalist ’90s revival that made waves in fashion and interior design in 2023.” They forecast that in this time of social and political turmoil, consumers are drawn to colors that evoke a sense of tranquility and comfort. This velvety peach hue blends the warmth of orange to balance the femininity of pink. Rather than continuing the Millenial Pink trent, it strips back those pink tones to create a fresher, cleaner feel. Peach Fuzz has a gentle lightness and airy presence intended to lift us into the warm and welcoming embrace of a kind and compassionate future.
Introducing the soft and cozy shade of Pantone’s Peach Fuzz into your home is an ideal way to create a welcoming ambiance and lighten up for the season. Whether the color appears on painted walls, in the décor and accessories, or shows up as an accent within a pattern, it promotes feelings of gentle warmth and infuses the space with a comforting presence. It’s also a perfect palette to transition into summer.
To create a sunlit and soothing effect, use a graduating color scheme of coral and pink tones. You’ll have many choices from the color palette that ranges from a peach and coral base to a rosy shell pink and delicate powder pink. To bring out a more youthful, lively, funky side, purple and other hues like lavender, orchid, and golden yellow can be used to complement each other. Just picture the colors you see in our stunning island sunsets and get your inspiration there! Of course, Peach Fuzz lends itself to another coastal color trend that has a distinctly retro vibe: coral and pistachio green. This vintage beach vibe can be scooped up for summer like the ice cream colors it evokes.
Because the nurturing peach tone is both visually arresting and inviting, it instinctively inspires us to want to reach out and touch. So encourage that tactility with silky fabrics, suede, velvety or quilted accents. Play with textures. Even furry pillows will fit as we aim for an atmosphere that is luxurious and soothing, soft to the touch. With heavier fabrics, you can create a cocoon of warmth. To embrace the color’s brighter, airier vibe, find light and billowing curtains or accent pieces. If you’re looking to add a perfect pop of color with pillows, check out Restoration Imports’ Pillow Bar. Pierce & Parker Interiors always has fabulous finds too. You can lean into spring with floral designs with color schemes within the Peach Fuzz palette. Of course, fresh flowers and greenery would enhance the feeling of comfort and calm in the same way we find it in nature. The friendly folks at ACE Garden Center can suggest plants best suited to the rooms and spaces you are decorating based on sun exposure and your personal maintenance preferences. Create a cozy, idyllic escape and find your own peach blossom spring. blossom
Iactual peaches you peach tree in a pot? Your
want, did you know that you can grow a
There are natural dwarf varieties of peach trees which produce full size fruit, but the trees remain smaller, generally less than 6 feet, especially if grown in a container. These are often referred to as “patio peaches.” Additionally, because most peach trees are self-fertile, meaning they don’t need a mate to pollinate in order to produce fruit, you may be able to grow just one. It should be noted that many do benefit from crosspollination, however.
Peach trees are sun worshippers, so you’ll need to have a sunny patio, balcony, or other spot that gets at least 6 hours of sunlight daily to keep your tree happy. Growing in a portable container makes it easy to move the tree to a sheltered area during inclement weather or sudden frost or winds. As peaches require about 400500 chill hours, for the Southeast Georgia climate, you’ll want to choose a “low chill” variety that is appropriate for our growing zone (Zone 9). Some suggested varieties for our zone are Bonanza and Bonfire.
When properly cared for, the dense and shrubby, green-leafed Bonanza is vigorous and productive peach providers. Its freestone fruit can be harvested in late spring or early summer, about three months after its pretty pale pink blooms emerge. The Bonfire got its name from its leaves that are bright flame red in spring, turn a deep maroon through summer, and have copper highlights in fall. This hardy variety produces small, sweet clingstone fruit.
Once you’ve obtained your patio peach tree, choose a container that is large enough for your tree to grow into, but also expect that you may need to transplant it in the future to a larger pot. Repotting every two to three years is suggested. At the minimum, a 5-gallon container with drainage holes is recommended. Place the container on a tray filled with a few inches of gravel or pebbles to allow for better drainage. Fill the pot halfway with rich, loamy compost soil. Prep your tree by watering before planting. When you place the tree in the pot, fill with soil in and around the plant up to a couple of inches from the top of the container, making sure the graft line is not under the soil.
Water the newly planted tree thoroughly. Water over the next few weeks as needed if soil is drying, but there’s no need to fertilize yet. Add mulch to give a finished look and retain moisture. Once established, water the tree deeply whenever the soil dries out, about every 5-7 days in the spring and up to every other day in the summer. You’ll want to apply a liquid fertilizer made for flower and fruit production (high in phosphorus) every couple weeks. Cut back the amount of water and fertilizer in late August or early September. This will slow the trees growth in preparation for winter. Be careful
not to overwater while the fruit is ripening, though. Too much or inconsistent watering can cause fruit to split. When it comes to pruning, you’ll want to look for tips specific for the cultivar you have chosen. It’s best done during the tree’s dormant season (late winter to early spring). Maintaining good ventilation is important to prevent against rot and biological sprays can be helpful as preventatives against other disease, and pests.
Treat your patio peach tree sweet and it will give you sweet, juicy treats in return. That’s a peach of a deal!
pril showers bring…impressionist painters? Actually, we’ll be hoping for sunny skies when Anderson Fine Art Gallery hosts the 8th Annual Impressions Small Works Showcase for the American Impressionist Society (AIS) from April 23-26. This is an excellent opportunity to bring that breath of fresh spring air into your home with some new art. With good framing and attractive lighting, you can create an eyecatching little “gallery” that doesn’t require a great deal of wall space. Smaller works like those featured in the upcoming showcase can be displayed on a shelf or mantle or collected and hung together salon-style on a single wall.
The impressionist works included in the showcase gives art collectors a wide variety of subjects and mediums from which to choose. Painting mediums include oil, watercolor, pastel, gouache, and acrylic. “There were 1,808 images submitted by 778 member artists and from those submissions this group of paintings were chosen. It will be an outstanding showcase,” according to Mary Anderson, owner of Anderson Fine Art Gallery. An additional 20 paintings from AIS Masters, Board, Officers and Founders will be on
display. There will be even more paintings to see following the Paint Out portion of the event.
American Impressionist Society (AIS) was founded in 1998 to promote the appreciation of living American Impressionist artists through exhibitions and educational programs. They are a nonprofit organization with over 2300 active members across the United States. An opening reception for the showcase that will feature 160 works of art selected by a five-member jury will be held on Friday, April 26 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. Everyone is invited to come meet the talented AIS artists participating in the showcase. All paintings are now available for sale through Anderson Fine Art Gallery and can be viewed under Exhibition at the gallery website at AndersonFineArtGallery.com.
The Paint Out will consist of more than 40 artists coming to St. Simons Island from across the country, from California to New York to Florida, to capture the beauty here and display it from their own unique perspectives. Each day, beginning Wednesday, April 23, each artist will
“For an Impressionist to paint from nature is not to paint the subject, but to realize sensations.”
~Paul Cezanne
begin with a blank canvas. They will be painting at various locations around the island including the site of the former Mildred Huie Museum (no parking on-site) and the grounds of Musgrove Retreat and Conference Center. On Saturday, April 27, all the paintings will be dropped off at the Anderson Fine Art Gallery Studio (Annex) where they will be judged and hung for exhibit. Over $20,000 in prizes/awards will be presented during the showcase.
“AIS is pleased to present our annual event on the beautiful St. Simons Island, and at the well-established Anderson Fine Art Gallery. The Paint Out will feature over 40 artists painting in the Golden Isles area from April 23-26. Their paintings will be on sale for one day only on Saturday, April 27 so we highly encourage visitors to look for the artists as they capture the barrier island environments,” noted Liz Ahrens, AIS Executive Director.
The Awards Judge will be AIS Master Signature Member, Dan Beck. Anderson Fine Art Gallery is thrilled to welcome Dan back, as he was the Gold Medal recipient of the Oil Painters of American Eastern Regional Exhibition that was hosted by the gallery in 2017. In addition to judging, Dan will be teaching a 2-day workshop during the week. On Saturday, April 27, Dan will be giving a demo from 2:30-4:00 p.m. at the Anderson Fine Art Gallery Studio. The demo is open to the public. Space is limited, so please call the gallery to reserve a seat if you’d like to attend.
Following the demo and judging of the wet-paint submissions, those paintings will be on display and for sale at the Anderson Fine Art Studio Gallery, from 5:00-6:30 p.m. There will also be an extraordinary collection of local paintings by exceptional artists. If you happen to be following an artist and love their painting, let them know or contact the gallery for a pre-sale. All sales will go through Anderson Fine Art Gallery.
GARDEN STROLL
Shannon Smith Hughes
INTO THE LIGHT
Paula B. Holtzclaw
FLOWER GARDEN
Carolyn J. Lindsey
SOPHIE'S CHOICE
Trey Finney
We’ll close with a toast to the spirit of spring. Let’s celebrate the blooming trees and effervescent life it brings with a light and bubbly sipper that embodies it all. For a non-alcoholic version, substitute sparking grape juice or sparkling cider.
substitute
2 tea bags/infusers (or 3 tsp. loose) peach tea
1 c. water, near boiling
4 Tbsp. sugar FOR COCKTAIL
5 oz. prosecco or champagne
Make peach tea simple syrup using 2 tea bags/ infusers (or 3 tsp. loose tea) of peach tea.
(Recommended brands: Bigelow Perfect Peach, The Republic of Tea Peach Blossom Oolong or Ginger Peach, Harney & Sons Peach or White Peach). Steep tea in the near boiling water for 2-3 minutes. Remove tea bags/infusers or strain tea liquid from tea leaves, pouring into another cup. Add sugar and stir to dissolve. Chill an hour or until cold.
Make the cocktail by adding 2 oz. simple syrup to a champagne flute. Top with prosecco or champagne. Garnish with peach blossoms or peach slices and serve.
Enjoy!
TCollege of Coastal Georgia Serves Up Success Seasoned with Economic Boost
he College of Coastal Georgia continues to generate waves of economic influence throughout the Golden Isles with the recent openings of two instructional centers in downtown Brunswick. The College opened a satellite location of the Art and Lindee Lucas Center for Entrepreneurship in February 2024, and the College’s Culinary Arts program has been holding classes inside the new teaching kitchen downtown since August.
These expansions into downtown Brunswick reveal a bright horizon for the continued advancement of opportunity throughout this community and the impacts are meaningful. Over the past five years, the College has contributed more than $500 million to the local economy and attracted more than 3,000 students each year to this area, many of whom decide to stay and keep their positive vibes reverberating throughout Coastal Geogia after graduating.
The Art and Lindee Lucas Center for Entrepreneurship shares space with the Golden Isles Development Authority at 209 Gloucester Street, which offers easy access for downtown business owners and entrepreneurs. Inside this beautifully restored building, participants gain knowledge of business planning, finance, growth strategies, human resources, and more, to help them start and sustain a business. By utilizing the skills of volunteer mentors, decades of experience are readily accessible to participants. Mentors and other business owners
describe that they, too, find support and new ideas for their own endeavors through partnership with the Center. Through the Center for Entrepreneurship, the College has worked with more than 500 entrepreneurs in less than two years and inspired about 150 people to become mentors.
Many locals may recall the former Village Oven restaurant at 1407 Union Street. It is now the downtown home of the College of Coastal Georgia Culinary Arts Kitchen, offering students hands-on experience in food preparation and service. Dr. Michelle R. Johnston, president of the College, is excited about the newly opened laboratory kitchen in downtown Brunswick. While the culinary building is primarily used for instruction, Dr. Johnston described that additional special events are planned that students will host to showcase their culinary talents. The Culinary Arts program is a fitting match for the Golden Isles. The area is replete with excellent restaurants and the tourism element in the local economy means program graduates have immediate employment opportunities.
The College of Coastal Georgia offers more than 20 other majors, maintaining prominence with its premier School of Nursing and Health Sciences degree programs. Through a cohesive partnership with Southeast Georgia Health System (SGHS), aspiring healthcare
professionals learn in both academic and lab settings. As nursing shortages challenged communities across the entire nation, SGHS and the College banded together to solve this problem regionally, underscoring that an investment in nursing programs is an investment in the health of the community.
The College’s partnership with SGHS resulted in an increase of faculty, the ability to accept more students into the nursing program, the addition of a Student Success Counselor dedicated to tutoring, coaching and supplemental instruction, and financial assistance to qualified students who choose to join the regional health system after graduation. Aided by a $16 million influx of funding from the State of Georgia, the College is expanding the Hugh and Miriam Nunnally Health and Science Building on campus, with plans to add a simulated intensive care unit (ICU), pediatric ICU and radiology department.
From healthcare to hospitality and from entrepreneurship to bolstering business, graduates from the College of Coastal Georgia are entering every phase of local industry, contributing to a growing economy in the Golden Isles. Through partnerships and by joining hands with industry and community leaders, the College’s influence is not bound by the borders of its campus. Rather, it reaches across the region to help make coastal Georgia better. “It takes a village,” the saying goes. In this case, it takes a College.
THE COLLEGE OF COASTAL GEORGIA is more than an academic institution. It is a proving ground for emerging business leaders, entrepreneurs, healthcare workers, educators, scientists, and tourism professionals. The College adds to the well-being of the Coast as graduates move from campus to community.
The College welcomes support from everyone who believes in its mission and who appreciates its important role in the area’s quality of life.
Joining the Navigator Society is a meaningful way to increase the College’s efforts to chart the course toward an even stronger Golden Isles. Please consider becoming a Navigator today with an unrestricted gift of $1,000 or more. Visit ccga.edu/navigator to learn more or email advancement@ccga.edu.
Be sure to take a break from your spring cleaning and sports chauffeuring calendar and enjoy a little fun in the next couple months. Our Golden Isles non-profit organizations have several opportunities that offer entertainment and excitement while you support worthy causes. From magical musical evenings to outdoor adventures and a classic tradition, there’s something for everyone. Check the online calendar on the Elegant Island Living website at elegantislandliving.net for additional information and more community events. We’re updating it constantly and it is FULL!
Let’s start with a campaign for the kids that has already begun. Chaired by Kate Dart, Lizzie Piazza, and Bentley Kaufman, the 2004 Champions for Children initiative brings together local leaders from diverse sectors of our community for a creative and spirited competition, all in support of Safe Harbor Children’s Center and its mission to uplift at-risk children and families in Coastal Georgia. This 8-week fundraising challenge that empowers participants to use their creativity, passion, and networks to make a real difference. Each Champion, armed with a $500 stipend, organizes unique micro-events—from elegant private dinners to engaging community activities—turning every occasion into an opportunity to support Safe Harbor’s vital mission of promoting stability and security for at-risk families, children, and youth.
The 2024 Champions are Mary Katelyn Bland, Brooke Carter, Gina Copeland, Kyle Fox, Chris Gantt, Rowdy Gregg, Maggie Hughes, Jonathan Jerusalmy, Ken King & Jimmie Nell Tate, Chris Templeton, Megan Torello, Jacquie Wheeler, Ciera Womack, and Heather Woodard. Victory in this competition is measured by impact. As the Champions rally the community to donate, each dollar they raise contributes to their final campaign tally and is a powerful “vote” toward crowning the Ultimate Champion for Children. The online leaderboard tracks each Champion’s progress, fueling a friendly yet competitive and exciting atmosphere. The Champions’ micro-events have already begun and include art shows, private cocktail parties, and raffle extravaganzas taking place through April, so check their calendar on the Safe Harbor website.
The campaign will culminate in a grand celebration at Queen and Grant in Historic Downtown Brunswick on April 25 from 5:30-8:00 p.m. The Champions for Children Grand Culmination Event will feature live entertainment, refreshments, and provide an opportunity for the community to come together to celebrate the campaign’s achievements and recognize the dedication of our Champions and their collective impact within the community. To learn more, follow your favorite Champion, see the calendar of micro-events, get your tickets to the Grand Culmination Event, and join the campaign, visit safeharborchampionsforchildren.org. Together, we can celebrate generosity, creativity, and the power of community while championing change and building a brighter future for the children and youth of Southeast Georgia!
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY VICTORY BOARD
Turning to musical events, there’s another crew of community champions you’ll want to see in action on Friday, April 19. Join the American Cancer Society Victory Board for Cureoke 2024 in the Tree Bar at Bennie’s Red Barn. Once again creative and courageous community members will become champions for the fight against cancer by showing off their musical talents and raising funds to support cancer treatment and research for a cure. Plan to be there for a fun-filled night of performances beginning at 8:00 p.m.
You’ll have the ability to vote for your favorite singers and participate in a raffle that includes more than $1,000 worth of local restaurant gift cards and a round of golf for four at Sea Palms Resort. Last year’s event raised $40,000 and they’d love to top that this year! If you’re curious about who’s participating, we can give you a little teaser. The always entertaining Daryle Mizelle will be returning to perform again this year. CPM Event Services has three teams gearing up for competition. Halyards Restaurant Group is creating a team in support of longtime employee Carol, who was recently diagnosed with cancer. Cureoke 2024 tickets are $50 each and include two drinks. Tickets are limited, so buy online at cureoke24.givesmart.com. Find updates about the event, participants, and any additional raffle items by following the ACS Victory Board on Instagram. It’s going to be a rockin’ good time!
If you want a little fishing to go with your tunes, join Communities in Schools of Glynn for their 2nd Annual "Tripling the Impact" Tripletail Classic on Saturday, April 27. Enjoy a day on the water and a night of community celebration and dancing that will benefit CIS of Glynn and the at-risk students of the Glynn and McIntosh County School Systems. Funds raised from the tournament will directly support CIS' mission to supply students with whatever they need to be successful in school, continue to the next grade level or graduate, and achieve in life. CIS of Glynn works diligently to keep promotion rates high from the elementary to high school level, including at the Golden Isles College and Career Academy campus, and has successfully kept graduation rates at 100% for the majority of their nearly 20 years of service dedicated to students in Glynn County, and now in McIntosh County.
The day will start and end in the beautiful setting of Morningstar Marina on St. Simons Island. Teams will be "lines-in" at 7:00 a.m. and return to the marina for a weigh-in at 4:00 p.m. Prizes will be awarded for the biggest fish in first, second and third places. The Band Party will begin at 5:00 p.m. Popular local 80s cover band Squirt Gun will provide the music to celebrate a beautiful day on the water and they always get people dancing and singing along. Drinks will be available for purchase and City Market will be serving up a dinner of coastal fare, so you know it’ll be good. This is sure to be a fun evening for the whole family, so whether you fish or not, plan to bring the family out to enjoy the party.
To learn more about the tournament, sign up your angling team, purchase band party tickets, or become a sponsor, visit cisofglynn.org/tripletail-classic.
You can never get enough music! So don’t sleep on this year’s Music and Memories event benefiting Memory Matters Glynn. Help this small but important non-profit organization celebrate 30 years of providing free service to local families dealing with dementia by attending or becoming a sponsor for this fabulous event on Sunday, April 28 at the A.W. Jones Heritage Center under the lighthouse on St. Simons Island.
Because music is something that creates lasting memories and stirs emotions in a way nothing else does, it is the focal point of this annual fundraiser for Memory Matters Glynn. Things kick off at 5:00 p.m. and will get hot, hot, hot when Hot Banana Coffee hits the stage to serve up contemporary tunes. Sax man and singer Michael Hulett will liven up the courtyard with jazz and oldies. DJ Yolanda Neely will add her talents to the mix by taking requests and spinning the hits for those who want to dance the night away. Halyards Restaurant Group will be serving up the deliciousness and drinks. There’s even a tasty signature peach cocktail made specially for the evening, and you already know we’re fans of that!
Other fun includes the Stock the Bar Raffle, sponsored by Glow Coastal Med Spa, which features wine, liquor, wine glasses, and other bar accessories. Tickets are $25 and only 200 will be sold. There will also be a live auction featuring some terrific items, including a golf package from Sea Island and a Kettle Package from Sea Island Forge. The silent auction has an amazing array of prize packages too. Another popular feature from last year’s event that is making a return is the wine toss. No one needs to go home empty handed!
What makes your support so important? The fact that the services offered within our community by Memory Matters Glynn are not only unique, but they are provided at absolutely no charge to individuals dealing with illness related memory loss and their families and caregivers. They aid those dealing with dementia, including Lewy body, frontotemporal, and vascular; Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases; and traumatic brain injury. They also provide support for people who take care of loved ones with memory issues at home either because they want to or because they cannot afford an assisted living or memory care community. Memory Matters Glynn is the only local organization providing these services and they do it without any government or agency funding. They are dependent on money raised through
community fundraisers like this and the Golden Isles Alzheimer’s Walk, private donations, and grants.
At the Memory Matters house in Brunswick, they host a variety of activities designed to stimulate brain function and encourage social interaction, including monthly theme parties, art and crafts, movie time, bingo, yoga, and music afternoons. They also offer counseling sessions for caregivers and those newly diagnosed with illness related memory loss. Miranda Elliot from Hospice of the Golden Isles provides counseling on the third Monday of each month, while Dale Tushman is the counselor on the fourth Friday every month. Memory Matters facilitates support group meetings for caregivers called Caregiver Connections as well. The Caregiver Connections meetings provide helpful networking and act as a circle of comfort and empathy. Caregiver Connections meetings are held on St. Simons Island, Jekyll Island, in Brunswick and Darien.
For a full list of times and dates for counseling sessions, Caregiver Connections meetings at all locations, a calendar showing all of the free events offered by Memory Matters each month, and more detailed information about their services, visit their website at memorymattersglynn.com. While you’re there, hit the Music and Memories tab and purchase your tickets to attend the April 28 event! Tickets are $125 and your support is greatly appreciated. Sponsorship opportunities are still available as well. If you’d like to become a sponsor or donate to the auction, call 912.264.0777.
Arguably one of the most eagerly anticipated parties of the season is Frederica Academy’s Derby Day event. Ladies are already shopping for new hats or getting inspired and fashioning festive creations of their own so they can promenade in style during the hat parade. As if the appeal of this thrilling annual “day at the races” (albeit a simulcast from Churchill Downs) isn’t enough, there is additional impetus for attending the event on Saturday, March 4, this year.
Frederica Academy is currently in the “home stretch” of the school’s Gateway Capital Campaign that will fund Sapp Hall renovations to kitchen, dining area, and stage, and new facilities and renovations at the Watson Baseball Complex. Your support as a sponsor of the 2024 Derby Day signature fundraiser will help them cross the Gateway Campaign finish line and allow the school to begin construction over summer break in advance of the new academic year in the fall.
Co-chairs Lauren & Patrick Lavin and Susan & Patrick Dunn encourage your participation as Derby Day sponsors this year and will welcome you to the festivities at the Frederica Golf Clubhouse on St. Simons Island when the doors open at 5:00 p.m. Joining Frederica Golf Club as a Presenting Sponsor for this evening of excitement is Beachview Event Rentals & Design.
In addition to the simulcast of the Kentucky Derby, there will be a mouthwatering array of culinary delights, free-flowing mint juleps, music from SaltWater Gypseas, and the lively bidding that takes place during the live auction. Live auction packages will be announced in April, and all bidding for them will take place at the event. Items up for bid in the silent auction can be accessed via the event website and will be available for online bidding from Sunday, April 28, through Sunday, May 5. This year’s Derby Day raffle prize will be announced very soon, so stay tuned for details.
Save the date. Schedule a sitter. Dust off the seersucker suits and fluff up your fascinators. Get ready to join the festivities by purchasing your sponsorship package and 2024 Derby Day merchandise on the event site at FADerby.givesmart.com.
e Half-Life of Carson Hood, the rst novel by St. Simons Island resident Chuck Carter, won First Place and Grand Prize in the annual seven state Southeastern Writers Association competition. e story begins in a family cemetery on St. Simons where the title character nds someone buried in his grave and reaches its climax on the waterfront terrace of the Barrier Island Golf Club where the country’s rst female president is addressing worldwide media. Research involved the Coast Guard, Secret Service, and a former Los Alamos nuclear scientist. e author is a former editor, publisher, and PR agent whose clients and subjects included Microsoft, Honda, the Chicago Bears and the Department of Homeland Security. Copies of the double award-winning book are available at G. J. Ford Bookshop, on Amazon, or from the author at chuckcarter74@gmail.com.
Beverly Trainor, Financial Advisor with Champion & Magbee Financial Services/Raymond James, was elected District Governor for Rotary District 6920 for 20262027. She will oversee 60 SE Georgia clubs and provide leadership and supervision to further the Object of Rotary. “Beverly has continually demonstrated exceptional leadership skills and has dedicated time and resources serving others in her community. Our Rotary District is proud to have her lead us,” said Heather A. Kellen, Immediate Past District Governor D6920. A member of the St. Simons Rotary Club for the past 13 years, Beverly has held various Board positions including Club President. She was named District Rotarian of the Month in March 2023. At the District level, she served as Chair of Saving Lives with Medicine, a member of the Rotary Youth Leadership Award Steering Committee, and was recently recognized as an Emerging Leader. She has also served on the boards of a dozen local nonpro ts. Congratulations, Beverly!
It’s time to get rid of all those old computer monitors, modems, CPUs, printers, copiers, telephones, fax machines, and other devices! e annual Electronics
Recycling & More Event o ered by Keep Golden Isles Beautiful takes place on Saturday, April 20 from 9:00 a.m. until noon at Glynn Place Mall (Altama Connector entrance - outside former Sears building). is rain or shine event is part of Keep America Beautiful’s GREAT AMERICAN CLEANUP. Volunteers will unload your items and sort them for recycling instead of heading to a land ll. Suggested donation fee of $5/vehicle. Other items that can be recycled include clean/usable textiles, batteries, scrap metal, and unused/expired prescription drugs. No light bulb disposal or document shredding. For complete list of items that will be accepted, visit kgib.org.
e Friends of Hofwyl-Broad eld present Albert Fendig’s Plein Air Artist Event for the 11th Season. Artists of all ages are invited to enjoy an early spring day on the historic grounds of Hofwyl-Broad eld Plantation on April 6, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Bring your paints and select a spot to capture the scenery on the vast lawn or under a live oak tree. Registration is $30 registration. Please mail checks to: Friends of Hofwyl-Broad eld, P.O Box 1801, Brunswick, GA 31520. Be sure to include your name and email with your check. Visitors are also welcome to come out and see the artists at work. Artwork created during this event will be displayed on exhibit throughout the Golden Isles following the show. For more information contact George Netherton by phone at 678.778.8889 or email at gnetherton@comcast.net.
e annual fundraiser for e Remedy Project will be held
ursday, May 2, at Community Church on St. Simons Island. e Remedy Project is a local nonpro t organization that provides free counseling and support to anyone struggling with substance abuse, like drugs and alcohol. ey o er faith-based counseling and education in a safe environment to bring hope and healing to addicts and their families, working in partnership with strategic resources such as Glynn County Drug Court and area churches. You’re invited to support e Remedy Project’s mission by joining them at 6:00 p.m. on May 2 for fun fellowship, a mouthwatering BBQ dinner, and some excellent music with bluegrass artists Buddy Greene and Je Taylor. For more information about services o ered by e Remedy Project, tickets and sponsorship information, visit theremedyproject.com , follow them on Facebook, call 912.580.7679, or email john@theremedyproject.com.
Center invites you to participate in its 2nd Annual Autism Awareness Golf Tournament. is year’s event takes place at Retreat at Sea Island on Monday, April 22. Registration will open at 10:00 a.m. with a shotgun start at 12 noon! Presented by Ashley’s Business Solutions, the event’s theme this year is “Casino Royale,” so get ready to have some fun! Registration is $180 per player or $720 per team, with limited space available. Even if you don’t play, you can still show your support by becoming a tournament or hole sponsor or making a donation. Light of Hope works closely with parents and the community to provide high-quality Applied Behavioral Analysis therapy and education, while empowering and training its sta to be the best behavioral therapists around. For more information, visit lightofhopega.com.
Hans F. Trupp, CCIM founder and former Chairman of Trupp Hodnett Enterprises and e Management Company prior to taking the companies public (NYSE, RZT) in an IPO in 1998 has reentered the real estate business locally through an affiliation with eXp realty. eXp is a cloud based publicly traded (NASDAQ, EXPI) company with more than 96,000 real estate agents in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, South Africa, India, Mexico, Portugal, France, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Italy, Hong Kong, Colombia, Spain and continues to scale internationally.
is internet based high technology company will totally revolutionize the real estate
industry both with relationships of buyers and sellers and the relationship that sales people have with the company. Trend Magazine has described eXp as the Amazon of real estate. eXp realty offers a very unique agent attraction program and Hans has partnered with veteran Atlanta broker John Adams to inform and educate agents throughout the United States about eXp, one of the fastest growing real estate companies in the nation. Adams is well known throughout Georgia for his educational activities on behalf of the Georgia Real Estate Commission, and his regular appearances on Fox 5 Atlanta and CNN. He continues to be a freelance journalist with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution with more than 1,000 articles in print.
anks to the internet, eXp’s state of the art revolutionary cloud based technology and a unique revenue sharing plan Hans and his team are able to offer a performance-based, no risk maximum 4% listing commission on any real estate both residential and commercial. No risk - you can cancel the listing at any time for any reason. Hans would also be pleased to share his broad business knowledge and experience with anyone interested in a free no obligation consultation session with regard to any real estate problem. Call, email or text him if you would like to explore his listing program or if you have any questions with regard to eXp, one of the fastest growing real estate companies in the nation with now over 96,000 agents and growing.
Everyone’s favorite carnivorous plant is on island time when e Island Players present Little Shop of Horrors. is deviously delicious Broadway and Hollywood sci- smash musical has been devouring the hearts of theatergoers for more than 30 years. e horror comedy rock musical, directed by Josh Sinyard and Brian Gri n, is sure to have you laughing and get your feet tapping too. Performances will take place at the St. Simons Casino eatre May 3-5, 10-12, 17-19. Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 3:00 p.m. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online at theislandplayers.com.
Experience a magical morning at the annual Character Breakfast presented by Junior League of the Golden Isles. is family-friendly event will take place at a new venue: the Davis Love Grill in Retreat Clubhouse (100 Kings Way) on Saturday, April 13. With seatings at 8:30 a.m. and 9:15 a.m., the morning will be full of exciting activities, delectable food, and cherished characters to enchant guests of all ages. Enjoy a delightful bu et-style breakfast with beloved storybook and cartoon characters for an unforgettable experience your family will treasure. To make sure everyone gets a spot at the table, tickets are required for adults and all children aged one and older. ey are $25 each and can be purchased online at jlgoldenisles.org.
e award-winning Glynn Academy Players will be presenting their production of the ABBA-centric smash hit musical, Mama Mia! May 2-5 in the Glynn Academy Memorial Auditorium. Performances at 7:30 p.m. nightly, plus matinee shows at 2:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 4-5. Doors open 30 minutes before curtain for all shows. Tickets $10/students, $15/adults. Come out to support our talent young actors. You might even nd yourself singing along! gaplayers.ludus.com
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This quaint pocket subdivision is gated and located mid-north on the Island. Nice marsh view. This is just a bike ride away from Bennies Red Barn, Village Creek Landing, and GLynn County Harrington Park for walking trails and a public boat ramp.
105
Developed, gated community with deepwater dock, community clubhouse w/
center, creekside pavillion and swimming pool. Readyto-build. Tap in Fee is Prepaid. Seller is a licensed Realtor.
103 GEORGIA STREET Saint Simons Island, GA | 4 BR | 3.5 BA | Oceanfront | $3,245,000
In a dream location, this beachfront masterpiece is one of only twenty homes with direct views of the St. Simons Sound, Jekyll Island, and the Sidney Lanier Bridge. Witness unparalleled sunsets and engage in serene beach walks on your favorite beach. This home is a rare opportunity in ANY market, blocks from the St. Simons Pier, top restaurants, and the historic Lighthouse. The residence features two primary suites, each offering an exclusive retreat - the first-floor suite opens directly onto the grounds, while the third-floor suite provides a secluded haven with a private covered balcony overlooking the ocean's horizon. Listed by Anne Popham 912.399.3996
This stunning Mediterranean home is well located overlooking the 14th
Retreat golf course in the St. Simons Island Club and accessed by a private hedge lined drive. The spacious, sun-splashed living, dining and family rooms flow out to a lovely terrace, all offering fantastic entertainment venues for family and friends. The chef's kitchen has spacious custom cabinetry, a generous island and high-end appliances.Featuring wonderful windows, high ceilings, hardwood and stone floors, the home manifests quality. From the charming front door to intricate iron work throughout, the home is filled with architectural antiques acquired primarily in France. Amenities include an exercise room, a wine cellar and a beautiful arbored terrace with fountain. Listed by Ann Harrell 912.222.4002
2747 SUTHERLAND BLUFF DRIVE Townsend, GA | 6 BR | 6 BA | 5.82 Acres on Deep Water | $2,950,000
3 buildable lots on 5.82 acres of pristine river front, deep water property. Private deep water dock with ocean access! The main house has 4BR, 4BA, 2 generous living areas, a formal DR, spacious open eat-in kitchen, large front porch overlooking the grounds and a wraparound rear porch with summer kitchen and plenty of space to enjoy the expansive marsh and river views. There is also a guest house with an open kitchen/living space, 2 spacious BRs and 2 full BAs above a single garage and large workshop. Sutherland Bluff is nestled alongside the Sapelo River and adjacent to the scenic Sapelo Hammock Golf Club, with golf, tennis, pools and clubhouse. Listed by Micki Carter 912.617.3807
159 STILLWATER DRIVE Saint Simons Island, GA | 5 BR | 4 BA | 2 HB | Lakefront | $1,395,000
This lakefront custom home in the highly coveted Stillwater subdivision,is an absolute MUST SEE! This home offers exceptional lake views from the main living spaces, most bedrooms, and a perfect back porch where you can relax in the morning for coffee or wine at sunset. With all four bedrooms boasting en suite bathrooms (plus a possible 5th bedroom), this property provides a great layout and lots of additional flex space. The gourmet chef’s kitchen is perfect for cooking enthusiasts, and the keeping room is a great location for wildlife viewing on the lake, which adds to the charm. Additional features include a large in-ground swimming POOL, a pool bath, an oversized garage with a workshop area, a recreational room downstairs that is not included in the square footage, Listed by Amanda Duffey 912.222.3557
Down a private hedge lined drive and overlooking the 14th and 15th fairways of the Retreat golf course, this Mediterranean home is stunning! The large sunsplashed living, dining, and family rooms flow out to a lovely terrace, all offering fantastic entertaining venues. The chef's kitchen has custom cabinetry, Thermador double ovens and cooktop, and central island. Featuring wonderful windows, high ceilings, hardwood and stone floors and architectural antiques, the home manifests quality. The primary and a guest suite are down with other suites up. With its clay tile roof and three car garage, this home is in a perfect island location in a Sea Island developed subdivision close to the village.
Spacious rooms, quality construction and great bones on a large lot in a desirable St. Simons neighborhood make 217 Five Pounds an opportunity property! The 3BR/2.5BA one story tabby ranch has hardwood floors, spacious rooms, and is well situated under old growth oak trees. The primary suite has two closets and a large, en suite bath. A Florida room and large covered porch overlook the attractive, shady back yard and offers great spaces for al fresco entertaining. Easy to see!
This coastal haven nestled in East Beach has views to water over the historic Coast Guard Station and Golden Isles marsh views. The raised coastal cottage’s interiors reflect coastal elegance with 9ft. ceilings and hickory floors. Recent enhancements include a new roof, an open kitchen layout with custom island and stainless appliances and new flooring. The primary suite has excellent views, 2 guest rooms share a Jack-Jill bath and a versatile room currently serves as a 4th BR w/ nearby closet. Being sold furnished and equipped down to the 2023 golf cart in the 3 car garage. The owners are meticulous!
This raised cottage, influenced by the architecture of Sarah Susanka with its emphasis on quality, is situated midst a garden landscape on a .81 acre marsh front lot with fabulous views. Palm trees surround the welcoming front porch, and a two story living room with a central fireplace flows to a spacious, screened porch overlooking the pool, gardens and endless views. A convenient and inviting dining/kitchen area also flow to the screened porch making for excellent entertaining space. The primary suite has a large sitting area, en suite bath and terrific views!
This totally renovated 7BR, 7.5 BA residence stands as a homage to the grandeur of living. Full Viking chef's kitchen w 2 dishwashers. 4 custom fireplaces. The open-concept layout is a testament to large-scale entertaining! European hwd flooring flows through the main living area. The main floor accommodates five bedrooms, including a secondary primary suite. A realm of serenity, the primary bedroom is adorned with its fireplace, high ceilings, and dual walk-in closets. This Cottage is a symphony of luxury awaiting to welcome those who seek the extraordinary. $5,499,000
Positioned in the heart of St. Simons Island's vibrant activity, this townhome within a quiet gated community offers unparalleled access to parks, beaches, restaurants, The Lighthouse, and St. Simons Pier, making it an ideal residence for soaking up the island life. Boasting excellent structure, it features hardwood floors and a spacious great room with a fireplace that seamlessly opens to an outdoor balcony overlooking a rare, shared fenced courtyard—perfect for entertaining or indulging in a spot of gardening, a luxury in townhome living. Exclusive amenities such as a community pool and a no short-term rental policy ensure a serene and secure living environment. $629,000
This 6000 SF brick marshfront home stands alone in its marketplace. Ready to be lived in and loved! The custom fireplace with 25 foot mahogany floor to ceiling wall covering is breathtaking! Gorgeous sunset views! New roof in 2018. Newer KitchenAid appliances with very large refrigerator/ freezer, double oven. There is so much storage!! In 2023 the swimming pool was changed to a saltwater pool.The pool bench seat extends the length of the pool under the spillover fountain. Inside features custom wood medallions, crown moldings and plantation shutters. 12 foot ceilings .$1,799,000
This splendid home on the island's southern end beckons with its blend of traditional charm and modern elegance. The interior features rich oak look flooring, custom built-ins, plantation shutters, and exquisite crown molding. Generous .49-acre lot. The property masterfully separates areas for relaxation and entertainment. Central to its charm is the beautifully renovated eat-in kitchen, with a large center island inviting social interaction and culinary creativity. French doors from the kitchen lead directly to an outdoor patio, connecting indoor luxury with outdoor tranquility. $1,380,000
115 MEADOWS
Saint Simons Island, 3 BR | 2.5 BA | Island on a Lake | $1,050,000
This spectacularly unique property is a true one-of-a-kind island oasis! Situated on an island by itself, the contemporary house with soaring avian angles at once enchants and excites as you approach down the private drive. There is also a small connected island perfect for cookouts, a fire
135 LEDBETTER Saint Simons Island
3BR | 2BA | 1,960 sq. Ft. | $670,000 This charming home in Riverview offers some great upgrades! New LVP was installed throughout the home and the house got a new roof in 2022. The interior was completely repainted in 2023, and there is also a heated and cooled finished bonus room in the basement. Fruit trees and bushes adorn this unique property that you don’t want to miss out on!
76 WEST POINT Saint Simons Island
1.16 acre residential lot | $259,000 Build your dream home on this exquisite, ready-to-build 1.16-acre marshfront lot just past the historic Christ Church on the North end of St. Simons Island. This property, already cleared and ready for gas, electric, sewer, and cable access, offers breathtaking, unobstructed marsh views - and no HOA! Enjoy a blend of privacy and convenience in this unique location.
DRIVE,
605 Brickyard Lane | St.
101 Hasell Lane | St. Simons
4BR, 4BA. Secluded Paradise.$849,900. Margaret Anne Proctor. 912-222-6629.
103 Kingsmarsh Way | St. Simons
132 Montrose | St. Simons 4BR, 5.5BA. New construction home in Hampton Plantation. $949,900. Margaret Anne Proctor. 912-222-6629.
379 Oak Grove Isl. Dr. | Brunswick
4BR, 3.5BA. Immaculate home on Golf Course. $627,500. Cynthia Brown. 662-694-9235.
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1059 Sinclair Pointe | St. Simons 3BR, 3.5BA. Coastal Elegance. Like New!
Lot 80 La Sole Lane
310 Oak Grove Island Drive
Lot 42 Lazy Eight
Grey Hawk Drive
Lot 28 Egret Court
Whisper Ridge Loop
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23 Orchard Road Ugrades galore! This professionally decorated home will WOW your guests from the moment they enter the front door. 4BD, 3.5BA home with spacious backyard. $1,095,000
Two-story 4BR, 3.5 BA. Primary suite on main. Luxury interior features include hwd flooring, tile flooring in all wet areas, carpet, custom cabinetry, quartz countertops, custom wood shelving, and a gas tankless water heater. www.oystergrove.com $882,500
110 Holly Sreet Welcome to this lovely, mid-island home in Glynn Haven! Spacious 4BR, 2.5BA plus bonus room offers a primary BR suite on the main floor with the remaining bedrooms on the second floor. The backyard oasis has an inviting 16 x 32 in-ground swimming pool and plenty of green space. $545,000
13 Oyster Lane NEW CONSTRUCTION in Oyster Grove.
116 Hillcrest Court Welcome to Oak Forest, a very popular and desirable community. This 3 bedroom, 2 bath home offers comfortable one level living with a split floor plan. Large, private backyard and screened-in porch.$575,000
2100 Prince Lane, Unit #2100 Luxury meets convenience. One level living in the heart of the Village. Elevator access to your front door, gated community, two car garage with storage room. You can use the grill while having cocktails at the pool. Walk to village, pier, shops and restaurants. $949,900
300 Carnoustie Elegant all one-level 4 BD, 4.5 BA stucco home with many custom features. Screened-in back porch with a private back patio and yard. Large corner lot within easy walking distance to clubhouse, tennis, pool, and golf course. House is being sold furnished. $1,525,000
100 Twelfth Street Amazing location!! Magnificent views over the water towards Jekyll Island and next to The Village, Pier, and Lighthouse. Completely renovated, luxurious home features a panoramic ocean views, multiple outside decks, Thor kitchen appliances, garage and outside decks overlooking the water. $2,900,000
315 Lantern Walk Amazing opportunity to own a meticulously maintained condo on beautiful St Simons Island. 3BD, 3.5BA condo in The Gates, gated community located on the south end of the island. $608,500
Real Escapes Properties is one the largest Property Management Companies on St. Simons Island. We’ve been a local, family-owned and operated business since 2004. We currently have over 150 short term vacation rentals and several long-term rentals and all are located right here on St. Simons Island - where our focus has always been!
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On a pleasant day around the turn of the twentieth century, hundreds of Brunswick citizens gathered along Newcastle Street to watch a parade. The procession included horseback riders, musicians, wagons, and even a group of elephants, adorned with cloth placards advertising an upcoming circus. For those who watched from Brunswick’s sidewalks and squares, this was a sight to behold— and an effective enticement to attend the performances.
As a town deeply connected to railroads, with large rail yards only blocks from the site of this parade, Brunswick was no stranger to traveling entertainment. Over the preceding century, the American three-ring circus had evolved from European tradition, mostly focused on riding and acrobatics, into a fullfledged display that included both human performers and exotic animals. The expansion of the railroads brought the show to smaller towns, where residents paid for a glimpse of animals and acrobatic feats that they had often only read about. Across the country, big-name circuses like P.T. Barnum’s drew thousands of viewers, but dozens of smaller, family-run enterprises also rode the rails, making stops in towns like Brunswick.
At the height of its popularity, “running away to join the circus” was not just a figure of speech. Unassuming citizens sometimes revealed their performing pasts. Such was the case for G.A.H. “Hal” Jennings, Brunswick’s coroner, who often regaled friends with tales of his youth as a tightrope walker and trapeze performer. In March of 1897, when his friends doubted his stories, Jennings set out to prove them wrong with a daring feat: a tightrope walk across the intersection of Gloucester and Newcastle streets. He began planning immediately, even contacting the Brunswick Times to ensure word got out to the public and especially to the city’s children, whom he was eager to include. He assured everyone that he would perform the walk later the same week.
As the day approached, Jennings’s friends became concerned that he would injure himself in pursuit of his goal. Undeterred, Jennings secured the permit to stretch the rope across the intersection, built a balancing pole, and considered adding a trapeze act to his performance. When the day of the walk dawned wet and windy, though, Jennings made his way onto a roof overlooking the crowd of at least two hundred and announced that the performance was postponed. It was then that the spectators realized the day: April Fools’ Day. According to the Brunswick Times, when the crowd grasped the joke, “there was a slinking around corners, a succession of dry grins, invitations to kick each other, and the various manifestations of a good sell.”
This month’s featured image from the archives of the Coastal Georgia Historical Society shows a view of the circus parade circa 1905 from the 1400 block of Newcastle Street, looking south.
