Category: For the Record

Keeping Jekyll Island Beautiful

Posted on | by Matthew Humphrey

By Katherine Doherty, GSTC Research AmeriCorps Member and
Dr. Tom Radzio, JIA GSTC Research Ecologist

For many visitors to Jekyll Island the issue of marine debris may not spring to mind thanks to ongoing efforts of the Jekyll Island Authority (JIA) and countless volunteers. In 2013, the Georgia Sea Turtle Center (GSTC) initiated a marine debris volunteer program on Jekyll Island. In addition to coordinating regular clean-up events, ongoing monitoring efforts allow us to understand the specific marine debris issues that Jekyll faces. By encouraging use of University of Georgia’s Marine Debris Tracker App, everyone can contribute to the greater understanding of marine debris worldwide. Even while facing the challenges of COVID-19, there has been a huge push by the Jekyll Island Authority, GSTC, and individuals in the community to continue keeping the beaches clean. In 2020, over 30,000 pieces of marine debris were collected and recorded on Jekyll Island using the tracker app.

Marine debris initiatives on Jekyll Island span the GSTC’s mission of rehabilitation, research, and education.  For example, when turtles are found with ingested fishhooks, the GSTC works to carefully remove them and collect data to better understand the problem and contribute to future solutions.  The GSTC is collaborating with scientists from other institutions to understand this issue and others, such as microplastic in sea turtle nesting beaches, on a global scale.  The Center also pursues other efforts that extend our reach into the local community.  For example, Sea Turtle Patrollers often find children’s toys on the beach.  Rather than being thrown away, these toys are collected and shared with children that are in need. 

The conservation and education work of the GSTC could not be accomplished without the ongoing support of the Jekyll Island Foundation and its donors.  Most recently, a new UTV was purchased for turtle nesting season patrols, marine debris efforts, and much more.  To support the work of the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, click HERE and add “GSTC” into the comments. To join in or learn more, visit the GSTC’s Marine Debris program.

Caring for Collections

Posted on | by Matthew Humphrey

By Andrea Marroquin, JIA Museum Curator

Mosaic, Jekyll Island Museum has launched an artifact conservation program, dedicated to ensuring the long-term care of collections. The goal of the program is to stabilize collection pieces and preserve them for the future. Several recent conservation projects are currently on display and can be enjoyed by guests of the Mosaic.

Have you seen the “ghost tools” on display in the museum’s exhibit gallery? Two tools recovered from Horton House, a planters’ hoe blade and a small trade axe dating from the 1700s to mid-1800s, were actively corroding. The iron objects were cleaned and stabilized to halt their deterioration, and then carefully mounted in front of a transparent background. When viewed from a certain angle, missing portions of the tools become visible.

Museum staff consulted with an art conservator to clean and stabilize a 1931 oil painting by Warren Sheppard depicting the slave ship Wanderer. Treatment involved cleaning the painting, consolidating loose paint, addressing paint loss, and replacing a protective varnish. This project enabled the painting to be placed on exhibit for the first time in decades, as part of the museum’s efforts to share the story of the Wanderer Survivors with the public.

Recently, museum staff brought a circa 1890 carriage out of storage and gave it a gentle cleaning, leather treatment, and fumigation. The carriage was placed on display in the Mosaic lobby as part of “In the Service of Others” – an exhibit detailing the African American community’s vital role in the development of the Jekyll Island Club. In the exhibit, the carriage highlights the story of Charlie Hill, a long-time coachman and caretaker for the Maurice family, who worked on the island for more than five decades.

This year, Jekyll Island also celebrates the 100th Anniversary of Faith Chapel’s Tiffany window. In recognition of the landmark moment, and with a grant from the Friends of Historic Jekyll Island, art glass conservators investigated the needs for the stained-glass window’s ongoing care and preservation. They are currently developing recommendations for conserving this art glass masterpiece for the future. 

Stay tuned for more updates highlighting the museum’s continuing efforts to preserve the past. If you would like to provide support for these type of collections projects, text JekyllMosaic + any donation amount to (844) 889-2692.

The School on Red Row

Posted on | by Matthew Humphrey

By Andrea Marroquin, JIA Museum Curator

School was an important part of life for Jekyll Island’s working families. By the 1920s, the last home on Red Row had been converted into a schoolhouse for children of the African American employees of the Jekyll Island Club. On average, 10-15 pupils attended the little schoolhouse. Over the years, teachers included Professor Wilder, Katye Cash, and Anna Hill.

Anna Hill grew up on Jekyll Island. Her father was Charlie Hill, who worked as a coachman and a caretaker for the Maurice family. She lived with her parents in a special cottage built for them by the Maurices. Hill remembered that the Maurice family sometimes allowed the island’s black employees to hold parties in their stable. She said they would remove the coaches, and everyone would have a “grand time.”

When Hill was old enough to attend school, she moved to Brunswick to pursue her education and eventually went on to Atlanta for college. She returned to Jekyll Island in the 1930s to teach the island’s African American children. Hill earned about $50 per month as a teacher and worked at the Club Laundry to supplement her wages.

By this time, school was in session all year, and many of the Jekyll Island Club’s African American employees, as well as their children, attended a summer school sponsored by the Club. Lessons on the island went up to the sixth grade. After that, children attended boarding school in Brunswick. 

The Jekyll Island Schoolhouse provided a thorough education. One student remembered: “We would have to know every state, its capital, and every mountain that was in it, if there was mountains. If there was valleys in it, we would have to know that. We would have to know every river, how it flows, what sound it dumps into, where it flows into what ocean and everything. Like Georgia, we had to know Georgia from A to Z.”

When not in school, many students worked odd jobs about the island. The schoolchildren served as caddies, boat launch staff, elevator operators, and more for the millionaire members of the Jekyll Island Club.

Visit Mosaic, Jekyll Island Museum to discover more about the African American experience on Jekyll Island. A new exhibit, In the Service of Others, documents the African American community’s essential role in the development of the Jekyll Island Club. To find out more, click HERE to read In the Service of Others article in 31.81 – The Magazine of Jekyll Island.

The ‘Hunt’ Is Back!

Posted on | by Matthew Humphrey

By Erin Evors,
JIA Social Media Manager

In the early 1900s, east coast fishermen used hollow glass balls, or floats, on their nets as markers. Occasionally, the floats would break loose and wash ashore for lucky beachcombers to find and keep. Collecting these rare, highly sought-after glass floats became a hobby in the 1950s, and ultimately inspired a nearly 20-year-old tradition.

Today, artists from across the country are hand-picked to create one-of-a-kind glass floats, similar to those used by fishermen of the past, for Jekyll Island’s annual Island Treasures event. The glass floats are part of a hide-and-seek style game played on Jekyll Island throughout January and February.

Each day, volunteers called Beach Buddies will hide 2-5 clear globes around the island for lucky visitors to find and redeem for their special glass float, and this year’s ‘hunt’ runs from now through February 28. With, approximately 250 clear globes hidden during the annual event, treasure hunters can search for Island Treasures in common areas such as the Beach Village, Historic District, beach parks, and along established paths. Places such as the sand dunes, marsh, golf courses, residential property, or off established paths should be avoided.

Whether you decide to come hunting for a day or whole week, it doesn’t take long to discover that the true treasure is exploring this beautiful island and finding an Island Treasure is simply a bonus. But if after the ‘hunt’ you feel inspired to stay connected to this special place, we encourage you to consider investing in the island through a Jekyll Island Foundation membership.

As a member you’ll receive wonderful benefits that expand with the amount of your gift and include annual island parking passes, guest amenity passes, gift shop discounts, and more, all while knowing you’re making a difference. In fact, Gold-and-above members even receive their very own Island Treasure!

No matter where you live, it’s easy to stay connected to this one-of-a-kind place. To become a member or for more information about the Jekyll Island Foundation visit: jekyllislandfoundation.org.

A Highlight of the First Annual Paulk Cup Classic

Posted on | by Matthew Humphrey

By Erin Evors, JIA Social Media Manager

The first annual Paulk Cup Classic was a success! Held recently on November 5 & 6, this inaugural two-day golf tournament honors Georgia golf legend Johnny Paulk and his lasting impact on the game of golf on Jekyll Island. As a co-founder, organizer, and participant of the Georgia-Florida Golf Classic for 40 years, Johnny’s legacy will continue to carry on through this annual tournament benefitting the Jekyll Island Foundation and supporting the island he so fondly cared for.

“The Paulk Cup Classic was a way for us to honor what Johnny’s done for golf on Jekyll and in the state as a whole,” says Jekyll Island Authority’s Director of Golf, Spencer Brookman.

While Johnny was the face of the Jekyll Island Golf Club throughout his illustrious career, his influence on golf will continue to be recognized beyond Jekyll Island. From the announcer at the 18th hole for the Master Tournament and two-time winner of the Georgia Section of PGA Merchandiser of the Year (Resort Category) to being a member of the Georgia State Golf Association Hall of Fame, Glynn County Sports Hall of Fame, and a life member with PGA of America, Johnny’s career may have taken him beyond Jekyll Island, but he represented the island wherever he went.

As Jekyll Island’s new, premier golf tournament, the Paulk Cup was officially unveiled during the opening ceremony by Johnny’s wife, Virginia, son, John D., and grandson, Jack. With a total of 132 participants, the tournament wrapped up with team members, Adrian Fletcher, Brad Smith, Gannon Hall, and Lon Barfield taking home first place in this year’s tournament with a score of 111.

Details for the 2021 Paulk Cup Classic will be announced soon, but you can still contribute to JIF’s mission of raising funds for conservation, preservation and education initiatives on Jekyll Island, by clicking HERE or text GIVEJEKYLL + $ amount to (844) 889-2692 and follow the prompts.

Festivals of Speed: Boutique Display of Cars

Posted on | by Matthew Humphrey

Festivals of Speed: Boutique Display of Cars

Sunday, December 13, 10AM – 2PM  |  Riverfront Lawn

Join fellow car enthusiasts for a “boutique” gathering of cars featuring vintage and contemporary classic, exotic and American muscle cars to be displayed on the picturesque Jekyll Island Club Resort Riverfront Lawn.

The Display of Cars on Sunday, December 13th is complimentary to the public. Spectators and exhibitors are encouraged to bid on LIVE auction items, or make a donation to benefit our charitable partner, the Jekyll Island Foundation, a nonprofit organization devoted to raising funds for the conservation, preservation, and educational initiatives on Jekyll Island. Auction items include a beautiful piece of art by Thomas Arvid.

Interested in showing off your own unique vehicle? To celebrate the holiday season, Festivals of Speed has waived the $50 car registration fee for those who wish to join the fun and display their vintage or contemporary classic, exotic or American muscle cars. Award winning cars will take home fine crystal awards with the top 10 award winners also receiving a bottle of Whistle Pig whisky. Vehicles can register online HERE.

Festivals of Speed: Welcome Cocktail Reception featuring nationally known artist Thomas Arvid

Saturday, December 12, 7 – 9PM  |  Grand Dining Room

Whether participating in the Display of Cars or simply spectating, all enthusiasts are invited to a welcome cocktail reception in the historic Grand Dining Room of the Jekyll Island Club Resort to kick off the event.

Enjoy an evening with fellow motor vehicle lovers with butler-passed hors d’oeuvres, a full open bar, and plenty of conversation with friends, new and old. Tickets are $95/PP and can be purchased online HERE.

Make a weekend of it and stay at the historic Jekyll Island Club by booking a room at discounted rates under the FESTIVALS OF SPEED room block. Contact the hotel direct by calling (888) 445-3179.

Celebrate Christmas Past and Present

Posted on | by Matthew Humphrey

By Andrea Marroquin, Museum Curator

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!  Visit Mosaic, Jekyll Island Museum to get in the holiday spirit, explore Christmas through the ages, and create your own festive memories in the present day. 

Reflect on the reason for the season with a visit to Historic Faith Chapel to view an American stained-glass masterpiece created by the father-daughter team of David and Helen Maitland Armstrong.  Faith Chapel’s altar window, “Adoration of the Christ Child,” was installed in 1905, just one year after Faith Chapel’s dedication.  Representing Isaiah 60: 1-6, it richly illustrates the story of Christ’s birth.  Depicting baby Jesus, his mother Mary, and the three magi, the window’s symbolism and imagery rejoices in the coming of the Lord and prophesies the Christ Child’s future.

Next, hop aboard a Holidays in History trolley tour to experience the glittering world of the Jekyll Island Club and discover how your favorite Christmas traditions originally came to be.  Many of the holiday rituals we love most at Christmas were created during the island’s Gilded Age, when it was renowned as a winter resort for the wealthy.  In fact, Jekyll Island Club families started some of our most cherished Christmas customs.  Enjoy the history of Jekyll Island enriched in seasonal splendor and discover how Jekyll Island’s historical inhabitants helped spread the spirit of Christmas to millions of Americans.

As evening falls, Jekyll Island transforms into a magical wonderland of twinkling lights and holiday cheer.  Take a Holly Jolly Light Tour to check out Jekyll Island’s extensive holiday light displays.  The whole family can sit back, relax, and view the lights from the Beach Village to the Historic District.   Trolley riders will enjoy festive holiday beverages, music, and a one-of-a-kind tour souvenir as Jekyll’s jolliest holiday trolley takes you to see over half a million lights around the island. 

A variety of festive experiences are available throughout the holiday season, from November 27 – January 3, 2020.  Visit Holly Jolly Jekyll to discover our full list of holiday activities on Jekyll Island. 

Looking Out for Turtles: Terrapin Conservation on the Jekyll Island Causeway

Posted on | by Matthew Humphrey

By Dr. Tom Radzio, GSTC Research Ecologist

For many guests, the natural beauty and unique pace of Jekyll Island first starts to settle in when traveling across the miles of marsh that separate the island from the mainland. More than just a pathway for getting on and off the island, the drive allows one to relax and experience a vast, everchanging tidal landscape that supports a diversity of plant and animal species. If you happen to see a small turtle swimming in the water or sunning along a mudbank, chances are it’s a diamondback terrapin, the only North American turtle that exclusively inhabits coastal waters.

Terrapins are aquatic, but during late spring and early summer females emerge from the marsh to nest.  To improve the odds that their nests are successful, female terrapins select elevated sites that are unlikely to flood. The causeway provides such locations, but, unfortunately, many females that attempt to nest there are hit by cars. In addition to being catastrophic for individuals, mortality of nesting females is of concern because persistence of terrapin populations relies on adult females living many years and laying many nests to offset high predation on early life stages. 

Since 2007, the Georgia Sea Turtle Center (GSTC) has worked to quantify and mitigate terrapin road mortality. Throughout the nesting season (mid-May to mid-July) GSTC personnel regularly drive the causeway to census terrapins. Injured animals receive treatment at the GSTC Hospital, while unharmed individuals are uniquely marked and released away from the road. These marked terrapins are key to understanding what proportion of the nesting population succumbs to road mortality, information that can be used to assess whether the population will grow, remain stable, or decline.

Other efforts to mitigate terrapin road mortality include construction of predator-proof nest boxes, designed to reduce female movements across the causeway and increase the number of eggs that hatch. Additionally, eggs of deceased females are placed in incubators, and hatchlings are subsequently reared at the GSTC until they are large enough to avoid many predators on their own. Visitors to the GSTC can see these young terrapins in the Pavilion and learn more about their ecology and conservation at the Education Center. With your involvement, we hope to continue efforts to protect these special marsh inhabitants long into the future! 

The 2020 Diamondback Terrapin (DBT) Road Season could not have been successful without support from the Jekyll Island Foundation and its donors.  Please continue to support the DBT work by clicking HERE or text GIVEGSTC + $ amount to (844) 889-2692 and follow the prompts.

Jekyll Hosts Georgia Sea Grant Fellow in Partnership with Georgia Audubon

Posted on | by Matthew Humphrey

By Sergio A. Sabat-Bonilla, Georgia Sea Grant State Fellow

Hosted by Ben Carswell, JIA Director of Conservation

Growing up in Puerto Rico, I was fortunate to have had a childhood within a tropical oasis, where the Caribbean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean. In Puerto Rico, the trade winds that develop along the northwestern portion of Africa traverse the Atlantic Ocean and deliver accumulated humidity into the northeastern slopes of the central mountain range. Having grown amongst these unique and vital ecosystems, it was a saddening realization knowing that they are being destroyed faster than scientists can conduct research to fully understand them. As I left the island to start my academic career across the US, I have found opportunities that allowed me to explore and expand a curiosity of the natural world that started along the beaches of my island.

These experiences led me to pursue a degree in Biology. Now I find myself working on both a master’s degree at Georgia Southern University, studying how water level variations affect invertebrate communities in wetlands of the Southeastern US, while also serving as the Georgia Sea Grant State Fellow. I am honored to be involved in a partnership between Georgia Audubon, Georgia Sea Grant and the Jekyll Island Conservation Program in aiming to cultivate strategies and deliver opportunities that engage the diverse communities of Georgia’s southern coastal region in the enjoyment and conservation of birds. This is deeply challenging work and I aspire to contribute and voice my passion to help make progress, having experienced both the negative effects that a lack of exposure to the natural environment can have on the wellbeing of a community and the uplifting power that equity and opportunity can have on individual.

Central to my work on Jekyll island will be developing and supporting efforts to conserve and understand shorebirds utilizing the Georgia coastline as a refuge during their migratory journeys (e.g., Piping Plover). Not only is this an important conservation endeavor as these are birds that utilize and depend on a diversity of environments on a global scale. Our work also brings with it a unifying message that the Georgia coastline is a vibrant region harboring a diverse range of life, whether for a few weeks or a lifetime, and it should be the mission of those who inhabit it to empower and protect the communities most impacted by environmental and social changes to this region.

For this reason, I hope to not only continue expanding and exploring my curiosity of the natural world during my year at Jekyll Island as your Georgia Sea Grant State Fellow but also to help shape efforts towards making the Georgia coastline more inclusive and open to all. I deeply appreciate the Jekyll Island Foundation’s contribution in support of my Fellowship and want to encourage all Jekyll Island visitors to appreciate and care for the remarkable and diverse bird life that thrives here.

To help further migratory bird conservation efforts on Jekyll Island, GIVE NOW. Your generosity enables JIF and JIA Conservation to make sure Jekyll Island is part of the conservation solution for birds, not part of the problem—from research and monitoring to educational partnerships and programs.

For more information, visit Jekyll Island Wildlife Research or Jekyll Island Shore Bird Monitoring.

_____

Sergio Sabat-Bonilla graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma with a degree in biology. Now as a master’s student at Georgia Southern University, he is studying how aquatic macroinvertebrate communities will respond to the hydrological variations in wetlands of the coastal plain. As the State Fellow working with Georgia Aubudon and Jekyll Island, he will be tasked with getting the diverse communities in the southern region of Georgia engaged in the enjoyment and conservation of birds. He’ll also be focusing in part on expanding shorebird monitoring efforts on Jekyll Island with ongoing support from the Jekyll Island Foundation. He is most interested in helping make the Georgia coastline more engaging and inclusive, so that any individual can enjoy the diverse ecosystems that shape the Georgia landscape while learning the effect humans’ lives have on the system and what they can do to conserve it.

“With my career goal of becoming a researcher and science communicator, this fellowship is the ideal opportunity to help me develop my science communication skills while pursuing a personal goal of aiding in the efforts to provide minorities and communities of color with the knowledge and resources to enjoy and explore the environments that surround them.”

— UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant