What a weekend we had.  It all began when we received tickets to attend several of the events during the St. Simons Island Food and Spirits Festival that filled the past week with all sorts of activities.   There were cooking classes, wine tastings, samples of all sorts of food with lots of people watching going on.

We attended a wine tasting class on Friday afternoon at which Jacob Gragg, the Sommelier from Sea Island’s Georgian Room, shared six different wines with attendees.  My two favorite were a Sauvignon Blanc from Saint Glinglin and a Sandhi Pinot Noir…both delicious!

Antipasto Table

At the V.I.P. Lunch on Saturday there was no end to the libations, tasty tidbits and fabulous desserts.  We tasted buffalo tacos, pan seared grouper, bruschetta, polenta, shrimp risotta and more all served up by local chefs and their talented staffs……ummmmmm, delicious!

The culinary students who study under Chef Matthew Raiford at College of Coastal Georgia  did not disappoint with their mini gyro sandwiches, baklava, and brioche strawberry shortcakes….yum!

We tasted whiskey, every flavor of vodka you can imagine.

A bit of real moonshine….that packed a wallop!

We especially like Hendricks Gin and the delicious concoction of plum puree and other goodies mixed with it.

The festival was well attended, everyone enjoyed milling through the marketplace in search of goodies to take home.

What a perfect day for sharing the best of Coastal Georgia and seeing friends!

Melissa | food & entertaining, people | 10 8th, 2013 | 1 Comment »

There’s a lot of talk going around about the  Biggert Waters Act of 2012 which called for major changes in the rate structures of flood insurance.  This act went into effect October 1, 2013 and, because we live in a Coastal area that has more “higher risk” zones, many of us may be affected by this act.  In an effort to create public awareness and to share solutions I am writing about my friend, Robin Snyder, today.  Robin is an account executive with McGinty-Gordon & Associates, a local insurance company that specializes in flood insurance and is the largest in the southeast Georgia area.

Many homeowners are facing significant  incremental rate increases of up to 25% per year with National Flood Insurance Program until it reaches the full actuarial premium but, they should be cautioned not to let their policies lapse because they will then be subject to the full rate increase when trying to get reinstated. The new increases and rules have created problems for many homeowners trying to sell their property since, the new owner will lose all government subsidies and will have to pay the full new rated premium.

Robin says there is a solution to this problem that Jeff Atwater, CFO of the State of Florida voiced so much concern about in a recent statement regarding the negative impact this act will have on an already delicate real estate market. McGinty-Gordon has a Private Flood Insurance Program available through Lloyd’s of London. This program has, literally, been able to save thousands of dollars for some homeowners who were affected by the new rate structure.  Instead of losing a sale on your property because of the Biggert Waters Act, homeowners can now insure a sale by working with McGinty-Gordon, seeing that their home qualifies for the coverage and moving ahead with the deal.

Yes, we live in an area that can and has, at one time or another, flooded.  But you can insure your home and keep your investment safe.  McGinty-Gordon has served Coastal Georgia as a private insurance agency since 1948.  They are dedicated to protecting their clients and offering them quality policies for home or business.  If you want to investigate the Private Flood Insurance Program and insure that you are protected at the best possible rates, contact Robin Snyder at 706-315-5600(cell) or 912-638-8600, extension 142.  Visit the McGinty-Gordon website here:  www.mgassi.com

Melissa | people | 10 7th, 2013 | 1 Comment »

On this lovely Sunday morning I’m sharing music from my favorite violinist, Joshua Bell.  I was blessed to see him in concert several years ago when he performed in Gainesville, FL.  His music lifts my soul and calms me.  Please enjoy and have a lovely day!

Melissa | Simple Sundays | 10 6th, 2013 | No Comments »

Continuing my posts on the upcoming McGladrey Classic golf tournament….it’s time to feature the ladies who work behind the scenes to make it all happen!

From left to right: Sara Richardson, Courtney Stiles, Lexie Love, Melanie Trotter, Pat Shelnutt, Nancy Hildebrand

I met with Courtney Stiles, Tournament Manager, to talk about the amazing task these ladies take on, the months and months of planning and effort involved in making this event a success.

Courtney is in charge of overseeing everything from volunteers to table placements and linens.  The paperwork and worksheets are endless as she goes about her job to make sure everything is in place.

Lexie Love is Tournament Coordinator and works with volunteers, who give so freely of their time, to see that all of the bases are covered.  From security, to childcare for the tour player’s families, to garbage patrol…Lexie will see that it happens and in a timely fashion.  Volunteers are in place to cover all of the bases, many having served since the first tournament in 2010.

Sara Richardson joins the group each year as assistant to Tony Schuster who I’ll be posting about in two weeks.  If you need to know where a table will be, what will be on it, where the hospitality sites are and what will be found there, Sara is the one to know.  She works closely with Courtney to see to the day to day movement of the entire tournament.  The table you see for registration of players one day will moved to an entirely different spot on the course the next day and these ladies make it happen without a glitch!

I’ll be interviewing Nancy Hildebrand in a future post along with a new intern in a couple of weeks to discuss everything she is involved with.  But as Tournament Assistant, her plate is full of details, details and more details.  Everything must run smoothly.

Pat Shelnutt, Financial Manager for Davis Love III is on top of all things related to money and flow.  She oversees the operation of the McGladrey in such a way that there do not seem to be any bumps or unknown curves thrown in at the last minute.  Her attention to the financial management that this event demands is amazing to me!

Last, but certainly not least, is Melanie Trotter.  Melanie is Media Director for the event and oversees everything having to do with everything from printed tickets to inserts showing each days scores and standings.  She interacts with the press, see to the tiniest details of making all things printed just so and, at the end of the day, her most important task is seeing that the importance of this tournament to the area and the impact on local charities be recognized.  Her job as head of Media entails public relations, marketing and a finely tuned ability to anticipate anything that can and will happen as the tournament makes its way through each day.

Youth Day

Each of these lovely ladies brings a special skill to the playing table.  The more I get to know, the more I appreciate what it takes to make the McGladrey Classic a success.  How they keep it all flowing and coordinated is nothing short of a miracle.  Hats off to each of you and your team of volunteers!  The real countdown has begun, the Corn Barn ad The Lodge is bustling with activity and everyone is on their toes!  The McGladrey Classic gives back to this community is no many ways, the more I learn, the more impressed I am.  It’s not JUST a golf tournament!

Melissa | people | 10 3rd, 2013 | No Comments »

I have known Chris Paleschic for over thirteen years.  Our girls went to pre-school together.  They wore rhinestone tiaras at birthday parties and pinned on Daisy Scout patches to their little blue pinafores as they reached each new level of accomplishment.  We have cried over passing’s and celebrated new beginnings.   Chris is a true blue, best friend.

“I’m Charmed” is the jewelry and gift company that Chris founded several years ago.  I love her designs and have many, many different pieces of her handmade jewelry.

We live in the South and along with that comes the dedication of supporting ones selected college football team.  When I lived in Florida I supported the Gators.  Now that I live in Georgia and I’m married to a UGA fan I have to teeter on the edge a bit.  The only time I have real issues with this is when the powerful Georgia/Florida game weekend arrives, and I just have to say, “Let the best team win.”!

I’m sharing some of Chris’ college football designs with readers today.  TAKE NOTE that she can put these together with basically any college or professional football team’s mascot and logo.  She can also do most of these pieces for any military service branch you want to support!

They are great looking pieces that will help you show your team or patriotic spirit in a big way.

Here’s to you dear Chris!  Not only are you my friend, you are now a sponsor for my blog site and I thank you for that!  To read more about “I’m Charmed”, or to communicate with Chris about an order go here:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/150307798779/, or call her at 352-538-1527.  You’ll also see many other lovely pieces Chris has designed as well as information on custom pieces she will happily make for you.

Melissa | people, Shop! | 10 2nd, 2013 | 1 Comment »

When a beautiful fall day arrives on St. Simons Island we always pick up some lunch and go for a picnic.

Neptune Park, near the Village Pier, is usually where we light.

We can watch shrimp boats.

Pelicans perching on posts.

The views are spectacular.

The giant oak trees so graceful.

And when all is said and done the “cracker” birds want the leftovers.

They have absolutely no shame and come right on the table.

If you live in the area and have photos to share, please send them to.  I’ll use them in an upcoming post and you’ll get the credit!  Sharing local beauty, culture and sites….it’s all good!

Melissa | Out&About | 10 1st, 2013 | No Comments »