Chef's Demonstration
October 14
Chef Lewie Mashburn

Executive Sous Chef R. Lewis Mashburn, affectionately known to his associates as "Chef Lewie," plans a beautifully balanced, nutritious luncheon for the chef's demonstration for October.

When Chef Lewie joined the culinary staff of the Jekyll Island Club Hotel in fall of 2005, he came with over 25 years of experience, exceptional talent, and a delightful sense of humor. From his teenage years, Lewie knew that he wanted to be a chef. Immediately after high school he joined the Navy for a four-year stint as a cook. As he traveled the world, he gathered ideas from the cuisines of France and Spain, Italy and Greece, Cuba and Jamaica. These and later experiences are reflected in Chef Lewie's fare, always delicious and often surprising in flavor combinations. However, some of his best dishes are ones that reflect his deep roots in the South.

For the October Chef's Demonstration, Chef Lewie prepares an interesting salad duet, Ambrosia and Collinwood Tomato Salad and a Sweet and Savory Salad to pique the appetite. He follows this with how to prepare Smoked Pork Chop with Apricot Barbecue Sauce, Sweet Potato "Chips," and a delightful Soufflé of Collard Greens. This combination is ideal for a fall luncheon or for a Friday night supper.or any time. Following the preparation of each dish, Chef Lewie provides a very generous tasting. Guests also receive printed recipes of each for easy preparation at home. The chef's demonstrations are very popular. For early reservations, call the hotel at 912-635-2600 or email: sandersson@jekyllclub.com.

Home and Family Shoppers' Festival - October 24

Bravo! The first Home and Family Shoppers' Festival was quite a success at the Jekyll Island Club Hotel. And, with Christmas approaching, the hotel plans an encore event Saturday, October 24th, with an even larger number of fashionable, home-based businesses showcasing their products.

Shoppers, excited about the event taking place in this National Historic Landmark hotel, had plenty to say. "Boutique shopping in the rooms on the Hall of Mirrors was unique.shopping for Mary Kay Cosmetics in the room where the Federal Reserve System was originated," said one guest. "Look at this cute kitchen gadget I purchased from The Pampered Chef.in the room named for J.P. Morgan, no less," said another. Tastefully Simple and Stampin' Up Scrapbooking were displayed in other historic rooms nearby. These five vendors will be returning for the October Shoppers' Festival as well as four additional ones: Interior Design, Banana Bear, Home Accents and Whimsical Writings.

At the September event, all the vendors contributed a product prize for the winner-take-all drawing. Congratulations to Sandy Cerrato of Jekyll Island, last month's lucky winner.

Pamela's Jewelry of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, presents a collection of fine designer jewelry October 24 and 25 from 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. at a remarkable discount of 40-60% off standard prices. Featuring a variety of diamond and gemstone pieces, the company offers sapphires, emeralds, rubies, topaz, pink sapphires, alexandrites, large diamonds and colored stone diamonds in beautiful bracelets, necklaces, rings and earrings. The collection may be viewed for purchase in the hotel's DuBignon Room.

Hotel shops, also open the day of the Festival, are the Signature Gift Shop, Club Collections, Love Knotts Florist and Riverview Gallery of photography.

Shoppers may want to make plans for lunch in the Grand Dining Room, Courtyard at Crane, or Café Solterra. Afternoon Tea is served in the Grand Dining Room at 4:00 p.m. Reservations are encouraged but not required.

Croquet Invitational Singles Tournament - October 23-25, 2009

The first Singles Croquet Invitational Tournament to be held in Glynn County in 17 years is scheduled for October 23-25, 2009. The United States Croquet Association (USCA) sanctioned event to be held at the Jekyll Island Club Hotel has an impressive line-up of some of the top players in the country.

Tournament play is scheduled to begin at noon on Friday and continue Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sunday, 8:30 a.m. to mid-afternoon. Spectators are welcome to attend the entire event, and seating will be provided courtside.

The 3-day tournament is sponsored by the Jekyll Island Club Hotel and the Jekyll Island Croquet Club, and they will award trophies at the end of the tournament on Sunday. Chairman of the Tournament, Dan Lott of Sea Island, Georgia, says, "We're very happy with the line-up of players and anticipate a keenly competitive contest." Fred Jones, a member of the Croquet Hall of Fame and winner of the Seniors and Masters Tournament in 2008, will serve as the Official Referee. The winner will be presented the championship trophy by Rob Jagger, president of the Jekyll Island Croquet Club, after the last round.

A croquet clinic, which is open to anyone interested in learning about croquet, is planned for 10:00 am Friday morning on the Hotel's greensward. At that time, expert players Fred and Jackie Jones, provide instruction on rules of the game, stroke technique, equipment, and winning strategies. Fred and Jackie have been National Seniors Doubles Champions in Croquet for two years. Jackie is the recipient of the USCA Peyton Ballenger Memorial Award, an annual award presented to the woman who places highest in the USCA Nationals, for ten times between 1996 and 2008. Registration for the clinic, which is free of charge, may be made by contacting the Jekyll Island Club Hotel concierge in advance.

Social events are planned for the competitors and their guests including special dinners on Friday and Saturday evenings.

"Members of the Jekyll Island Croquet Club (JICC), a competitive group of accomplished players, demonstrate the basic method of play used in tournaments as they practice on the lawn throughout the year. We are pleased to have them join us on court, the only competition level croquet greensward within a 200-mile radius," said Hotel General Manager Kevin Runner.

Competition croquet is a game of strategy and technique, more than one of great physical exertion. Consequently, players of all ages can play and enjoy the sociability of the game as well as competitive play. The hotel's greensward, designed and built by landscape architect William Edenfield in 1986, meets all the qualifications for tournament play. Its layered composition, specialized drainage system and patented grass provide a close-cut playing surface for a truer roll of the ball.

Competitors in the Tournament as well as spectators will enjoy the setting of the Jekyll Island Club Hotel which is a National Historic Landmark and a Historic Hotel of America. The handsome Queen Anne and Italian Renaissance architectural styles of the buildings and the landscape are reminiscent of the early Club era of the late 1800's.

Sunday Dinner Dance - October 25

Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or making it a special occasion, the Sunday Dinner Dance is the way to go.a romantic evening of gourmet dining and ballroom dancing in the historic hotel's Grand Dining Room.

The last Sunday of each month, Wayne Tate's "Four and Easy" ballroom dance band provides the music for this occasion. Created four years ago especially for the Sunday Dinner Dance experience, this versatile dance band is a local favorite.

The Sunday Dinner Dance menu offers a choice of three entrees: Rainbow Trout stuffed with Lump Crab and Herbs, Veal Oscar or Char-grilled Angus New York Strip. Also included are Soup du Jour or House Salad, and the Pastry Chef's Dessert Selection as well as Coffee or Tea. $36.95 plus tax and gratuities.

For reservations, call 912-635-2400 or 800-535-9547 or make your reservations online.