The place:  The King & Prince Resort.  The event:  Spiritual Sunday Brunch, the final event of the remarkable St. Simons Food & Spirits Festival

The Menu:  Outstanding!

To begin, we were served cocktails on the lawn, bloody mary’s, champagne cocktails, margaritas and all sorts of other libations were flowing.

Once seated we feasted on Callie’s Biscuits from Charleston, SC and Salvation Cinnamon Rolls by Libbie Summers….all sinfully delicious!

Next came a delectable Apple & Stilton Tart with Dried Figs & Cranberry Compote, created by Chef Jason Brumfiel of the King & Prince.

Matthew Gray of the Sea Palms Resort continued the delicious fare with Manchester Farms Scotch Quail Eggs on Arugula…..Oh My…so good….you can tell!

We were then treated to Fire & Flavor Planked Shrimp served up on wooden planks by Gena Knox…so yummy!

Last but not least, Chef Jason delighted us once again with Chicken & Truffle French Toast with Foie Gras, Pork Belly Lardons, and a Wild Mushroom & Cauliflower Veloute.  Just roll me out the door now!

A good time was had by all and an end to a fabulous culinary week of total delight and decadence came to an end.  I wonder what they’ll “cook up” for us next year?

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

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 »

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 »

Smokin’ & Spinnin’?  It’s the title of a new book just published by Andrea B. Miller.  I love supporting new authors, being a writer myself, anything I can do to help a fellow wordsmith, I will.  I met Andrea through a mutual friend and we spent time discussing life, writing, survival and success.

Andrea put her story into book form after it haunted her, literally, for eight years.  Her heroine, Whitney Parker, would not leave her alone!  She wanted her story to be told, a story of tough determination and survival,  with a bit of romance thrown in for good measure.  Smokin’ & Spinnin’ is available locally at Hattie’s Bookstore in Brunswick, GA as well as through Amazon.com.

Whitney Parker is described, by Andrea, as sassy and tenacious.  I have a feeling a bit of the author herself is embedded in her character’s spirit.  Andrea has two more books taking shape in her vivid imagination.  As she described their story lines to me I saw a thread of similarity in her heroine’s.  They are tough survivors who seek a better life, against all odds.  Smokin’ & Spinnin’ takes place against a backdrop of the high energy NASCAR industry. Not necessarily a female oriented business, but one that certainly provides an adrenaline rush and plenty of action.  Andrea tells the story in “first person” as each new adventure unfolds in the life of her heroine.

Andrea’s style of writing is funny, edgy and entertaining.   She is actively promoting Smokin’ & Spinnin’ as a public speaker, sharing her personal story and enthusiasm for writing.  This lady is definitely a self motivated “go-getter” that you’ll want to keep an eye on.  I have a feeling she’s going to soar!  Mother of two, partner to her husband in their business “Coastal Landscaping & Design”, Andrea keeps her own life spinning, much like Whitney.  Here’s to you Andrea!

Melissa | people | 09 23rd, 2013 | 3 Comments »

Continuing my posts about what makes the McGladrey Classic come together, I am featuring two great guys who work tirelessly to make that happen.  They are part of the team of experts in the Davis Love Foundation who orchestrate and oversee every detail to insure that the tournament runs smoothly.

Scott Reid, Tournament Director, has the responsibility for everything from sales to overseeing the entire organization of the tournament from start to finish.  He put his role very succinctly by saying he takes care of all of the details from a 30,000 foot level, carefully making sure that everything is in order.  Scott works with each of the team members to support them and provide anything they need to succeed.   His fine eye for detail sees to it that nothing is left undone, every aspect of the tournament runs like a fine machine.

From travelling to Atlanta, Savannah, Jacksonville and parts beyond to bring sponsors together to support the McGladrey,  to overseeing the local media events, you’ll find Scott at the helm.  I believe “impeccable” must be a word that holds a high position in Scott’s vocabulary.  And he balances all of this with the birth of twins who have blessed the lives of he and his wife over the past several months.

Of special note is Media Day which will take place on September 30th.  Scott refers to this event as the “State of the McGladrey”.  A media round table will be set up this year at which members of the press will have assigned seating  and be able to interview all of the key people involved in the tournament from Davis Love III to PGA members and players.  It’s an exciting concept that will enable a relaxed atmosphere in which press members can ask pertinent questions and get a feeling for the groundwork of this year’s event.

John McKenzie holds the position of Director of Sales.  He works closely with Scott Reid to insure that key corporate sponsors are brought in to support the tournament.  Compared to many PGA tour events, the McGladrey is small.    With a daily attendance of around 6-7,000 as opposed to 25, 000 in a larger metropolitan area, the McGladrey offers a more “intimate” atmosphere in which attendees and players are in much closer proximity to each other than they might otherwise be.  There will be various hospitality venues set up throughout the property offering wonderful networking opportunities between sponsors and guests.

Anyone attending the tournament will be in for some wonderful Southern hospitality served up with a warm, genuine smile.  John’s years of working with Davis Love and his group give him a special perspective into their desire to make this event something people want to return to year after year.  Sponsors and their guests can fish in the morning or play their own game of golf, attend the tournament in the afternoons and mingle with the golfers and other visitors for dinner out at one of the many fine restaurants on St. Simons.

John mentioned that although VIP tickets are sold out for the Toby Keith concert there are still lawn seat tickets available here:  http://www.mcgladreyclassic.com/.  You’ll find all of the information about special events that will take place during the week of the tournament on the website as well.  This is one golf tournament where attendees have the ability to be up close to the players, actually hear the ball as it is hit and even hear the conversation between the player and his caddy.  It just doesn’t get any better.

Both Scott and John stress the fact that this is a non-profit event.  The success of the event insures that local charities will receive sizeable donations.  That is what it’s all about!  Providing a major sports event that is growing each year that not only brings people to the area but allows for investment back into local groups who depend on the support of the Davis Love Foundation to meet their goals in service to the community.

I’ll be featuring more team players in my next post about the McGladrey Classic, October 3rd.

Melissa | people | 09 19th, 2013 | 1 Comment »

I will never forget the first time I saw a dinnerware collection in a Neiman Marcus catalog that bore the name of designer, Tracy Porter.  Colorful, whimsical and so inspired.  I ordered dessert plates and fanciful bowls to complete the rather eclectic collection of dinnerware I already owned.  I’m venturing out of the Coastal Georgia area today to introduce my friend, and let you know that you can find her line locally….yes!

I have been enchanted by Tracy’s designs ever since.  Searching for out of stock pieces on e-Bay and waiting on pins and needles for her new collection of dinnerware to debut in stores across the country this coming October, I am a Tracy fan, through and through.  I am also honored to call Tracy my friend, albeit a long distance friend, we share the same birthday, love of design, color, cooking and the good life…just to mention a few things we see eye to eye on.

Tracy is a lady who lives her life with a sense of poetic wanderlust.  In fact, her new line of bedding bearing that name is now available at Macy’s, Belk and Bed, Bath & Beyond, to name only a few of the national chains now selling this talented designer’s wares.

Color, color everywhere.  Tracy surrounds herself with bohemian beauty wherever she goes!  She considers everything to be an inspiration, layering fabrics, textures, patterns and bits of nature in her designs.  When I spoke with her she was busily working on a fabric design with fleur de lis, flowers and asian patterns all pulled together in her magical way to create sheer beauty.

Tracy makes her home in the California wine country.  Her husband, John, helps her with the business as well as the raising of four energetic boys aged thirteen and under.  Adding to the mix are a variety of chickens, an alpaca named Einstein and two pigmy goats and their fabulous dog, Big Ted, who recently lost his beloved partner.  You never know what may be next, but you can be sure it will be fun and lively, just like the rest of the family.

She lives her life with gratitude, thankful for the opportunities she has to create and share with others.  This is a lady, a free spirit, who constantly reinvents herself, openly living a purpose driven life.  Her path has not always been easy, but like the phoenix she represents in one of her new collections, Tracy rises out of a difficult situation and moves forward with joy and childlike expectation.

Tracy has a wonderful website that will give you a visual treat as you experience her day to day world:  http://www.poeticwanderlust.com.  We have plans to toast the setting sun from a winery near her home in the not too distant future.  I feel like I have known this wonderful creature forever and cannot wait to meet her in person.  I know you’ll love her designs.  Stay tuned for more information about her dinnerware line that Vivian of AccentsMarketplace here on St. Simons will be carrying.  Outstanding design, colorfully woven and inspired, just the right addition to any home….Tracy Porter’s housewares are sure to delight!

Melissa | people | 09 18th, 2013 | 7 Comments »

I couldn’t resist using that title when it comes to describing Cindy Sbrissa!  She is simply divine!  Her style, her art, her individuality, Cindy marches to the beat of her own drummer.  Her artwork ranges from small to large glass mosaics and amazing textural felt mosaics that she hand crafts in such a way they come alive.

Cindy made St. Simons Island her home a couple of years ago.  Her studio is in her home, chock full of baskets, bins and boxes of treasures that she uses to create her amazing pieces of art.

Would you like a one of a kind backsplash in your kitchen?  Cindy works on commissions to fit her client’s needs.

Or perhaps a gazing ball or other glistening trinket to hang in a window or on the Christmas tree?  Cindy does it all and so beautifully.

Her work with textiles is fascinating to me.  This portrait of a cat is so lifelike.  In person, the eyes glow like a real cats would.

Would you enjoy a portrait of your favorite puppy done in felt mosaic?  Isn’t this just amazing?

Size is no issue for Cindy as she works her magic.  You can read more about her and see more of her artwork here:  https://sites.google.com/site/mysticmosaics/.  Cindy also teaches individuals as well as groups.  I have a feeling her classes would be more fun than anything I can imagine.  Her sparkling personality and passion for her work is infectious!

Melissa | people | 09 16th, 2013 | No Comments »

What do get when you combine a Southern upbringing with a creative imagination?  You get Sharman Burson Ramsey, that’s what you get!  Named after Sharman Douglas whose claim to fame was teaching the future Queen Elizabeth how to do the “cha cha” while her father served as the American Ambassador to Great Britain after WWII.   How could you inherit such a name and not be someone very special?  Sharman spent years as a teacher of English and History.  When she began to search into her own genealogy she found so many interesting things, not the least of which was the discovery that she had Native American AND Mayan ancestry in her genetic make-up.   This information opened up a whole new world for Sharman, inspiring a website and two novels, a third to be published soon.

Sharman is pure Southern charm and her books are fascinating.  The first book, published by Mercer Press in 2012, “Swimming with Serpents” is based on a real love story that took place around the time of the great massacre at Fort Mims in 1813.  It’s a work of historic fiction that tells the story of two “half breed” lovers set against the backdrop of the Creek Indian War.  Sharman creates a family saga full of action, intrigue and redemption.

Its sequel, “In Pursuit”, has just been published by Mercer and continues the story with  two of the characters from her first novel, much to the delight of readers who loved Sharman’s first novel.

Wakefield Plantation

We discussed her  new mystery tale, “Murder and Mint Juleps”, that will soon be published.  I cannot wait to read this one!  It’s about two sisters who, having both been recently widowed.  Although they have been estranged for years, they go to New Orleans to close up the home of one so that they can live together on the family plantation.  What happens is for you to find out, but it sounds like a riveting tale, full of fun and excitement.  There’s even talk of a reality show based on the book and Southern etiquette that you’ll have to wait for more information on.  I’ll share all of Sharman’s news with you as soon as I have it.  The picture I have featured is the actual plantation that has been in her family for decades, “Wakefield”, located in Furman, Alabama.

Sharman is a public speaker for writers groups, inspiring writers to be creative and to learn how to be their own best publicist.  You can read more about her on her site: http://www.southern-style.com.  Be sure to read the page on genealogy about the fascinating journey she took to discover her roots!  The fun and creativity never ends with this lovely lady!

Melissa | people | 09 12th, 2013 | No Comments »