The time is drawing near!  You can feel the “buzz” in the air as opening day of the 2013 McGladrey Classic gets ready to begin!

I spoke with Nancy Hildebrand, tournament assistant, and Alex Sopchak, ticketing assistant, to hear more about the “behind the scenes” details that make this event go.  Both of these hardworking souls invest countless hours in the planning and implementing of every detail. Nancy oversees so much…be it reservations for accommodations for players and their families, funneling the thousands of phone calls that come in regarding the event, childcare for the PGA families, transportation coordination or seeing to the comfort and relaxation of all involved, you’ll find Nancy in the heart of the action.   Alex is the ticket assistant.   He is the guy who fulfills every ticket order, answers all the many questions that come up about credentials, such as 2 children can attend the concert free with a paid adult ticket, children get in free all week, active military get in free with one guest, player tickets sent to will call, Alex is even the  Lost and Found.  These two are invaluable pieces of the puzzle that put the McGladrey Classic together.

Media day has come and gone.

The stands are ready to be filled with avid fans.

Scoreboards are being erected.

And all are wondering who will win this coveted trophy on Sunday, November 10th.

Eleven Hundred you ask?  There are 1,100 volunteers helping with all of the facets of the tournament this year.  60% of the volunteers have served since the beginning of the McGladrey Classic in 2010.  Nancy and Alex will both tell you that without these helpers things would not run so smoothly!  Team work….a team of dedicated people, focused on producing the best PGA event to be held in the name of McGladrey and the Davis Love Foundation.  Over $500,000 has been generated by this event thus far that is invested in our community.

Monday, November 4th, is Community Day!  Climb on a shuttle at the McKinnon Airport on St. Simons Island and spend the day where all of the action is beginning!

Melissa | people | 10 31st, 2013 | 3 Comments »

Henry Morrison Flagler, a man with vision, contributed so much to the city of St. Augustine, Florida.

The buildings he planned and built can be seen in all parts of the historic city.  The Ponce de Leon hotel, which is now part of Flagler College.

The Alacazar Hotel, complete with an indoor swimming pool so that guests could exercise in any weather, now houses the Lightner Museum you’ll find across the street from the refurbished Casa Monica Hotel.

Of particular interest to me is the Memorial Presbyterian Church that Mr. Flagler built.

Inspired by St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice and designed by the New York team of Carrère and Hastings, this beautiful example of Second Renaissance Revival Style and built by Franklin W. Smith.  Mr. Smith also built the Ponce de Leon Hotel, the Alcazar hotel and the Casa Monica Hotel.  All of these structures utilized a material made up of concrete and crushed coquina, a stone found all over the St. Augustine area.  It definitely has served these historic buildings well over decades of storms, the passing of time and everyday wear and tear.

In the “rotunda” of Memorial Presbyterian lie the bodies of Henry Flagler’s daughter, who died in childbirth, as well as the child.  Henry and his first wife, Mary Harkness Flagler are also interred in the family mausoleum there.

Henry Flagler indeed had a vision for the state of Florida.  He is the founder Palm Beach, Miami and the Florida East Coast Railway.  His vision lives on as thousands of people enjoy spending time on the Florida coast in resort areas made possible by one man’s dream.

Melissa | people | 10 30th, 2013 | 2 Comments »

We arrived in the historic city of St. Augustine, Florida yesterday afternoon.  The weather is fall perfection with flowers in bloom, the water glistening and the air just the right temperature.

This is a magical city.  The downtown, historic area is filled with places of interest.

The food is nothing short of sensational.

The plantings we see everywhere around us are lush and beautiful.

St. Augustine is the perfect weekend getaway for anyone in Coastal Georgia looking for a relaxing break.

I’ll be posting more over the next few days to entice you to make your reservations and experience the magic yourself!

Melissa | food & entertaining, people | 10 29th, 2013 | No Comments »

I’m on a media trip in St. Augustine, Florida.  This is our country’s oldest city and one of our favorite destinations!

The history….

The architecture…..

The shopping…..

Our accommodations at the lovely St. Francis Inn, right in the heart of the historic, downtown district.

What a wonderful time, what great fellow journalists and our hostess, publicist Leigh Cort….simply the best!

Melissa | people, Shop! | 10 28th, 2013 | No Comments »

Let your spirits soar this fine Sunday morning to the wonderful music of Vivaldi!  The Four Seasons is such an uplifting work.  The energy of the music always makes me want to run through a field on a crisp Autumn day.  I know Vivaldi represents all four seasons in this work but it always feels like fall to me when I listen to it.  Maybe that’s because it’s my most favorite season!  Mr. T and I are off on a media trip for the next several days.  What fun we are going to have!  I’ll take plenty of pictures and share the whole amazing experience with all of you!  For now, open up the windows and let the crisp morning air in!  It’s Fall!!!!

Melissa | Simple Sundays | 10 27th, 2013 | 2 Comments »

It’s getting to be soup weather.  Oh how I love a great bowl of soup, filled with delicious vegetables, a bit of meat and rice, pasta or other grain.  I have to give credit to “Southern Living” for the original recipe for the soup I’m posting about today.  I can’t leave a recipe alone, so I did make some changes and additions.  I hope you’ll try this,comforting, filling and nutritious. Pair it with a nice tossed green salad, warm crusty bread and you’ve got a simple, delicious meal.  And I’m also including a wonderful pumpkin spice cake for dessert, so yummy, it just screams Autumn!

Lemon, Orzo and Meatball Soup

1 pound ground chicken

1 beaten egg

1 teaspoon sea salt

1/4 cup panko crumbs ( used these instead of regular breadcrumbs because I think it makes the meatballs lighter)

1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

4 teaspoons fresh lemon zest

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning blend ( I use Sangre de Cristo Spice Company Italian Spice blend….available at Island Natural Foods)

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 medium onion chopped

3 carrots, thinly slice

2 cloves garlic, finely minced

2 32ounce boxes of chicken broth

6 tablespoons lemon juice

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning blend

3/4 cup orzo pasta

1/2 cup chopped flat leaf parsley

1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

Combine the first seven ingredients in a bowl and mix well.  Form the meat mixture into 1 inch balls and brown in olive oil.  Remove, drain on paper toweling and set aside.  Brown onion in the remaining in the same pan that you used for the meatballs.  Add the broth, lemon juice and the Italian seasoning.  Simmer for 20 minutes.  Add the orzo, reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.  Place the meatballs back in the pan with the stock mixture and simer on low heat for 20 minutes.  Top each serving with chopped parsley and a sprinkle of grated parmesan cheese, some freshly ground black pepper is great too!

Pumpkin Spice Cake

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

1 1/2 sticks butter

2 1/4 all purpose, unbleached flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

2 teaspoon cinnamon

3/4 teaspon allspice

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/4 cup canned pumpkin

3/4 cup buttermilk

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 1/4 cup sugar

3 large eggs.

ICING:

3 tablespoons buttermilk

1 1/2 cups confectioners sugar

Grease a bundt pan.  In a medium bowl, mix the flour, baking powder and spices, blending well.  In another bowl whisk the pumpkin, butter milk and vanilla together.  In a large mixing bowl beat the butter and sugar.  Add the eggs, one at a time and mix well.  Add the flour mixture, one cup at a time, alternating with the pumpkin mixture, one cup at a time until all ingredients are well blended.  Pour the batter into the prepared bundt pan and bake for 50 minutes.  Turn the cake out onto a serving platter.

Whisk the buttermilk and confectioner’s sugar together in a bowl.  Drizzle over the top of the cake and serve.

Melissa | Finally Friday!, food & entertaining | 10 25th, 2013 | 7 Comments »

When fall arrives there is always more than enough going on in Coastal Georgia to keep you and your family busy.  No boredom here!

Beginning Friday, attend that annual St. Simons Island SUP Challenge.  This years event promises to be the biggest and best ever, with the addition of electronic timing, sponsor tents, and prize money.  Demo day is Friday, the 25th with the race happening on Saturday.  For more information go here:  https://www.saintsimonsislandsupchallenge.com/

The Saint Simons Island SUP Challenge Is An Open Water Paddleboard Race Consisting of A 3 Mile Rec. Race, 7 Mile Elite Race, A 4 Person Relay Race, A Youth and Dog on Board Race. The Event Is In It’s 4th Year and Is Held Annually On Saint Simons Island, GA.  Each Year a charity is chosen to receive 100% of the net proceed from the event.  This Years Recipient is The “CURE for Childhood Cancer”.  Get Up, Get Wet And Stand Up For A Cause.

Lovers of Brunswick Stew will not be disappointed this weekend!  The 14th annual “Brunswick Rockin’ Stewbilee” will be held at Mary Ross Park this coming Saturday.  Find more information here:  http://www.stewbilee.com/

Cooking teams from all over our area and beyond will compete to win “The Best” title from the “People’s Choice” and “Judges” awards.  It’s sure to be a fun time, kicked off with a 5k Road Race followed by the Pet Supplies Plus Pooch Parade, Live Entertainment, The Kid’s Junior Stewbee Central Fun Zone, Classic and Antique Car Show, Arts & Crafts displays and of course, sampling of the Best Brunswick Stew in the nation.

If you’re looking for something in the cultural venue you won’t want to miss the exhibit at the Mildred Huie Plantation Museum on St. Simons Island.  “Island Photography & Beyond” with Benjamin Galland will certainly provide an interesting afternoon as you meet with the photographer and learn about his work on the wonderful book he has published with author, Jingle Davis.  Both Benjamin and Ms. Davis will be present to discuss their work and sign a copy of this wonderful book for you.  What a great idea for a Christmas gift.

Mildred Huie Plantation Museum

It’s all happening in our area this weekend.  Pick your event and have fun with friends and family!  There’s always something brewing in the Golden Isles that offers you a weekend to enjoy.

Melissa | food & entertaining, people | 10 24th, 2013 | 5 Comments »

Nothing says the Christmas season is here more than poinsettia plants.  Their rich reds, pinks, creamy whites and variegated varieties add something special to any home when it comes to decorating for the season.

The Live Oaks Garden Club is offering beautiful poinsettia plants for sale in their annual fundraiser.  This forty member group is dedicated to island beautification.  All proceeds from this sale go to further their programs.

Their work can be seen in various places on the island as well as other locations in Glynn County.

The oak trees recently planted along Demere Road, near the airport, is one of their projects.  Members have adopted a tree to care for and nurture as they grow.

Another is the lovely butterfly garden near the skate park, also on Demere, where you will find all sorts of local plants that attract all types of butterflies.

The garden was planted about a year ago and thrives under the care and upkeep of club members.

To read more about the club visit their website here:  http://www.liveoaksgardenclubinc.com/

Unleash your holiday spirit and order some of these gorgeous plants for your holiday decorating!  They are large, healthy and available in several colors, costing $18.00 each.  Call now to place your order:  912-577-4596 or 478-232-7425.  Orders must be received no later than November 22nd and home delivery will be on December 6th.

Live Oaks Garden Club, Inc. is a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization

Melissa | people, Shop! | 10 23rd, 2013 | 5 Comments »

On any given day you can hear bells coming from different directions on St. Simons Island, chiming each new hour.

I have always loved the sound of bells coming from a church or cathedral.  If you are on the north end of the island you may be hearing bells from Wesley United Methodist Church.

At mid island the bells from St. Williams Catholic Church sound their lovely chimes on the hour.  We sit on our deck in the evening and hear them clearly.

There is something comforting about the bells.  In New England you hear bells from churches all over small towns, once used to warn of invasion and other emergencies.

Google Images

At Epworth by the Sea you’ll find the George Wright Prayer Tower that sounds its chimes throughout the day.

As fall begins, the leaves start to change and thoughts of holidays to come form in my mind.  Soon, we’ll hear Christmas carols wafting through the evening air.

Google Images

It’s a lovely time of year, a time for family, a time for being together and a time for listening to the bells.  The Muhly grass is in full bloom, casting it’s plum shadows on the marshes.  Life on St. Simons is always a little slice of heaven.

Melissa | Out&About | 10 22nd, 2013 | No Comments »

When Deidra and Johnny Kerce made the decision to move to Coastal Georgia a little over a year ago, they left the Macon area behind and began their adventure.  Having spent countless holidays and vacations in our area they felt like they were coming home to a new life.  Deidra came up with the idea to name their relocated photography business, White Rabbit in honor of their journey and the adventurous little character in the Lewis Carroll classic “Alice In Wonderland”.  They haven’t missed a beat, their business is thriving and their adventure continues to grow and provide more and more excitement.

The Kerce’s work as a team with their photography.  They each have a fresh, unique way of looking at any given situation, sure to surprise and delight their clients.

Whether you want a unique photo of the bride.

A different take on the happy couple.

A work in progress.

Or the arrival of that precious little one……Johnny and Deidra will work with you to get just the right shot, a photograph you’ll always treasure and remember.

You can view more of their work and get their contact information here:  www.thewhiterabbitphotography.com.  Memories are made on special occasions, they become treasures and heirlooms through good photography.  The Kerce’s work with their clients to create photos that preserve the circle of life we all want to go back to when remembering the good times we’ve shared together.

Melissa | people | 10 21st, 2013 | No Comments »