Beyond Bouquets and Brunch

Sunday, May 14 is Mother’s Day. Restaurants will be packed with brunch parties and florists and garden stores will be picked over for posies. While flowers and family dining are always appreciated by moms, maybe it’s time to stretch your creative muscles and come up with something different to spoil the women in your life who you celebrate on this day.

Is Mom a movie buff? Then why not take her to Island Cinemas for the Sunday Flashback Cinemas showing of The Sound of Music. This 1965 classic musical starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer has perfect scenery for viewing on the big screen – can’t you just see Maria twirling on the mountain top? – and you probably both know it so well that you can sing along. Don’t be afraid to make it a family affair; after all, that’s what the Von Trapps were all about! Movie showtimes are at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Maybe the mother of your children doesn’t want to listen to Edelweiss one more time, but she does adore great music. Take her out to hear some! Check the I’m With the Band blog on the Elegant Island Living website to see who’s playing where and when on Mother’s Day weekend to narrow down your choices, then take her out to have some fun.

There’s a full day of live music scheduled at Sidney Lanier Park on Saturday, May 13 for the Brunswick Blessing of the Fleet, including performances by The Mufflers, Lance Stinson, and Across the Wide. If you feel like a little drive to go see a world-

renowned entertainer, John Legend will be at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre on Sunday evening, May 14. If you can score some tickets for that show, that’s an EPIC Mother’s Day score for the music lover!

If Mom likes to spend her free time on the local fairways, book a tee time at one of our local golf courses and go play a round together. It may be a “gentlemen’s game,” but the ladies who love the links shouldn’t be overlooked. For an even more amazing golf experience, splurge and purchase The Turn package for Sunday’s final day of play at the The Players Championship. Mom can enjoy TPC Sawgrass from a climate controlled venue with private restrooms situated on the final stretch of the course on the 18th fairway. It’s a perfect location to watch the final stages of play on one of the toughest finishing holes of golf. Visit theplayersexperiences.com for more details. For the active and athletic mama, consider running the Sunday 5K or 10K race together at Jekyll’s Turtle Crawl Weekend. The 10K starts at 8:00 a.m. and the 5K starts at 8:15 a.m., so you’ll be done early enough to treat her to that recovery burger and beer after the

race. For extra fun, check out the Turtle Crawl Festival on Saturday evening before race day. You’ll be able to pick up race packets then, and can also enjoy live music and other activities in Beach Village from 5:00-8:00 p.m. For race info and registration information, visit jekyllisland.com.

For the frustrated Muggle moms, there’s a magical event on Saturday, May 13 taking place in St. Augustine that’s so exciting you’ll wish you had a portkey to get you there in an instant! As part of the Romanza Festivale, they’re presenting a Harry Potter Event where you can stroll down Diagon Alley and visit Augsmeade Village for some Butterbeer, take a ride of the Hogwarts Express, watch a Quidditch match, and even be sorted into a house by the Sorting Hat. Chris Rankin, who played Percy Weasley in the films will be a special guest. Fun begins at noon and $5 tickets available at the gate. For more information, If it’s a special gift you want for a mom that loves to shop, let her pick out her own by treating her to a shopping spree that features local artisans and craft vendors.

The Mother’s Day Weekend Arts & Crafts Festival happening in Postell Park on St. Simons Island Saturday and Sunday, May 13-14, isn’t the only place to browse for great gifts either! On Friday night, May 12, Moxie Craft Fest is holding its first ever Night Market from 5:00-10:00 p.m. at 1229 Newcastle Street in Brunswick. The Southern Grown Farmer’s Market takes place from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at The Market on Sea Island on Saturday, May 13. There’s always a wide variety of fantastic vendors offering jewelry, art, textiles, home décor, artisan foods, and so much more, Mom is sure to find something she’ll treasure, but time with you will be the best gift of all.

No matter what you do and how you choose to celebrate the occasion, make sure you let the mothers in your life know that they’re appreciated. The EIL family wishes mothers everywhere a Happy Mother’s Day!