A mutual friend introduced me to June Hall McCash. Having seen her beautiful books about Jekyll Island, the famous Jekyll Island Club Hotel and its members, I jumped at the chance to meet this lovely lady!
Writing is June’s way of life. When I asked her what else she enjoys, she mentioned time with her family, studying history and spending time at her home on Jekyll Island, but writing always tops her list.
She wrote her first story at the age of six and the rest is, shall we say, history. When June and her late husband, Bart, discovered Jekyll Island in 1983 they knew they had found their second home. Both of them shared a love of the South and careers as educators at the college level in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. When they settled on Jekyll they began to explore the history of the area. At that time one could actually see the register of the original Jekyll Club Hotel listing its elite members. June refers to the Club as a Southern haven for America’s millionaires that, thankfully, has been saved. The records are no longer open for public viewing but the stories and the history still stir the interest of visitors and residents alike.
Her first book, The Jekyll Island Club, was published in 1989. Three more books on the famous establishment and its history have followed, including her most recent work she co-authored with her son, Brendan Martin, which celebrates the twenty-fifth anniversary of the restored Jekyll Island Club Hotel. June continues her writing of both non-fiction and historical fiction. Her first novel, “Almost to Eden” received Georgia Author of the Year for a First Novel by the Georgia Writers Association in 2011. “Plum Orchard” followed being awarded “Georgia Author of the Year” in 2012. June is now working on a new novel, “Boys of Shiloh”, another fictional work that is set in the Civil War era and reveals the realities of war to young readers.
We discussed all of her various literary accomplishments and one, in particular, that I did not know about until our meeting. “A Titanic Love Story: Ida & Isidor Straus”, is now on my list of books to read. June wrote this factual novel about the Straus’, the only “first class” couple who chose to die together on the Titanic. Owners of the famous retail store that began in New York City, Macy’s, the Straus’ we on that ill fated voyage. As Ida Straus made ready to board a lifeboat she realized her husband could not accompany her as the men were allowing women and children to be rescued first. Their forty year marriage, based on a deep love and partnership, led her to make the decision to stay by his side. As we all know, many of the passengers and crew did not make it off the Titanic. The Straus’ spent their final hours in each others arms as the great ship met its end. To hear about this fascinating book listen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Npv6mNpuPbM
June and I agreed that we could have talked for days. With our love of the written word and history we have many subjects to address when we meet again. For now, June is with her family in Tennessee, but Jekyll will draw her back when fall arrives and we will have stories to share.
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