February 2008

In this issue.....
 

• Hotel News
• Events
• Chef's Notes
• History
• Packages
• Island Events

Be A Winner!

     Congratulations to January winner Michael Nuttall of Maine. He has just won a complete Bed and Breakfast Package at the Jekyll Island Club Hotel.
     When Mr. Nuttall received the good news, he was excited. “This will be our first visit to the Hotel. Based on what I read on your website and the grandeur of your hotel, I decided to enter your contest.”

     Sign up now for a chance to win your free Bed and Breakfast Package. Come enjoy this spectacular National Historic Landmark. Make the Jekyll Island Club Hotel your home away from home.
     A winner is selected each month and announced in the next issue of the Club News. Click here to register.

     Bed and Breakfast Package Includes:
• Traditional Victorian Accommodations with King Bed, Queen bed or two Double Beds
• Full Breakfast in the Grand Dining Room

     For full details about the Bed and Breakfast Package click here.

Hotel Institutes No-Smoking Policy

The Jekyll Island Club Hotel, in the interests of the health and comfort of our guests, will institute a policy of no-smoking in guest rooms in early 2008. The change will coincide with the completion of the $4.2 million renovation of guest rooms in the Club, Annex and Sans Souci buildings in March. The management and staff of the Jekyll Island Club Hotel continues to strive for the utmost in guest enjoyment of this beautiful Historic Hotel of America.

Apostles of Bluegrass Concert with Leah Calvert - February 7, 7:30pm

     Bluegrass music has its roots in the folk music of several European countries, but it came into its true form in America, more specifically Appalachia. Its happy, highly rhythmic tunes and its melancholy, sad songs sweep us right along with them. The Apostles of Bluegrass is one of our favorite bands.
     Johnny Roquemore, lead vocalist and guitarist, has been playing music, acting and singing for years. At an early age he set out for California and stardom where, oddly enough, he returned to his roots and bluegrass music. About 30 years of that, and he headed back to Mansfield to work on his father’s hay farm. Since that time Johnny has earned Creative Loafing Magazine’s pick as “Best Local Singer/Songwriter.
     ”Playing banjo, mandolin and harmonica, John Nipper of Social Circle, Georgia, has been playing music for seventeen years in the Atlanta area with gospel, country and bluegrass bands alike such as Georgia Overdrive, Allissa McCance and others. John says for the last 7 years of his career he has been migrating towards bluegrass, and “there’s no turning back”.
     Marcus Bramlett, bassist for the Apostles of Bluegrass, has developed his own smooth yet aggressive style. He also provides a quick wit and on stage humor that adds to the dynamics of the group. The energy of the Apostles of Bluegrass when they take the stage, Nipper says, “has consistently amused audiences all over the South delivering misunderstandable reworkings of cherished traditional music.”
     Joining the band for this performance is fiddle player, Leah Calvert. Based in the Atlanta area, Leah has played with numerous bluegrass bands and has recorded soundtracks for documentaries including “Altamaha River” and “Trees Atlanta.”

Chef’s Demonstration – Key West Winter - February 13, 1:30pm

     The Chef shows how to prepare two complete courses with special emphasis on presentation. Following the preparation of each, the audience receives a very generous tasting. Printed recipes are also provided. Questions and comments are welcome. This demonstration is open to chefs or would-be chefs of every degree of experience.
     The Chef plans a menu of Spicy Conch Fritters with Mango Banana Sauce and a Grilled Duet of Grilled Grouper and Lobster Tail with Sautéed Spaghetti Squash accompanied by Fried Plantain and Sweet Potatoes.
     Chef Louis Mashburn, who will be demonstrating the preparations, came to the Jekyll Island Club Hotel just over two years ago. Previously, he was chef at Zion Farms in North Georgia for three years and before that was a chef at Sea Island for 27 years after serving his apprenticeship there. He has a degree in Food and Beverage Management from the Educational Institute of America in East Lansing, Michigan, and Chef’s Certification from the American Culinary Federation. .

River City Rhythm Kings Dixieland Concert - February 14, 7:30pm

     The River City Rhythm Kings are dedicated to performing the highest quality jazz in a swinging and entertaining
manner. The wide range of musical experiences of the members comes together in tight ensemble work and hot solos.
The group philosophy is not to recreate the music of the early jazz masters, but to pay homage to the great small
group jazz popularized in the 1920’s – 1940’s. They call it traditional jazz with an attitude, or Traditude. Few
jazz bands maintain the energy and humor of the River City Rhythm Kings!
     The RCRK is led by awarding winning trombonist and jazz educator, Dr. Marc Dickman. Marc is from Valdosta, Georgia
and has lived in Jacksonville, FL since 1986. He leads the Marc Dickman Jazz Orchestra for the Jekyll Island Club
Hotel’s annual New Year’s Eve festivities. Other recent engagements include the Bella Sera Jazz Weekend, the
Amelia Island Jazz Festival and the Jacksonville Jazz Festival. Dr. Dickman’s new CD, A Weaver of Dreams, is
available at CD Baby and iTunes

Acoustic Eidolon Concert - February 21, 7:30pm

     Every once in a while a musical group will come along with an innovative sound so unique that it requires the construction of an entirely new and unheard of instrument. The amazingly gifted duo of Joe Scott and Hannah Alkire, known as Acoustic Eidolon, is that kind of musical talent, and the revolutionary instrument is called the guitjo. They perform a concert of music selected from their latest CD’s in the Club Ballroom February 21st.
     The extraordinary sound of the guitjo in conjunction with Joe and Hannah’s musical ability, creates some of the most beautiful and intriguing music on the scene today. The guitjo is custom built in Oregon by one of the world’s premier guitar builders. Its double neck and 14 strings, give the guitjo an incredible tonal range that would be impossible to achieve with a traditional guitar. Joe’s skill in playing both necks simultaneously creates layers of sound and energy. His style is based in folk, blue grass, and rock traditions, and he’s won several regional bluegrass contests in the Colorado area.
     Born into a musical family, Hannah began playing cello at age 8. Her classical training was enhanced by study with guitarist Magyar of the Hungarian String Quartet. Hannah moved to Boulder, Colorado in 1992 and began to play in local symphony orchestras and at festivals including the Boulder Bach Festival.Eidolon’s recordings are a rich blend of both artists’ musical influences and have been described as pure musical poetry. The bell-like quality of Joe’s unique double-neck guitjo provides lovely counterpoint to Hannah’s elegantly inspired cello.

 Sunday Dinner Dance - February 24, 6:00pm

     Put on those dancing shoes and dance the night away in the Grand Dining Room the last Sunday of each month. Seating begins at six for an evening of gourmet dining and dancing to the music of Wayne Tate’s “Four and Easy” dance band.
     “Four and Easy,” which features piano, bass, drums and trumpet/flute, plays a variety of ballroom dance music. According to director Wayne Tate, “We have a big band sound with a little band.”
     Created three years ago especially for the Jekyll Island Club Hotel the band has gained a following of ballroom dancers in the area. With the advent of television’s “Dancing with the Stars” and the beginning of Dansport as an Olympic event, ballroom dancing has become very popular at the Club,” says the band director. “The dancing itself is very beautiful, and it’s improving all the time.”
     “We’re happy to fill requests,” says Mr. Tate. “There are many favorites, but we’re always asked to play “Moonlight Serenade,” “Brazil” and “Stardust.” Those dance melodies never lose their appeal.”
     Please call 912 635-2400 for reservations or reserve online here.

Oyster Reef Restoration and the Riverkeeper - February 28, 7:30pm

     The Jekyll Island Club Hotel is pleased to present two of the area’s most dedicated naturalists, Ashby Nix of the University of Georgia Marine Extension Service and Gordon Rogers with the Satilla Riverkeeper. They plan a joint presentation this evening about their respective work in natural preservation and conservation in our coastal region.
     Ashby Nix, known on Jekyll Island as the organizer of the community-based, oyster reef restoration project, plans to explain the work and the importance of the oyster reef eco-system along the Georgia coast. Her presentation also relates the interplay of oyster reefs in the estuarine (river systems emptying into the ocean) environment.
     Gordon Rogers, associated with Satilla Riverkeeper says, “The goal of Riverkeeper is to restore the Satilla River, its tributaries, and its terrestrial watershed to a state where it will support healthy fisheries, safe swimming, diverse wildlife populations, superb recreational opportunities, a stable water supply, and sustainable human economic activity throughout the basin.” Rogers has a lot to tell us.

Quick Batch of Double Chocolate Oreo Truffles

     Executive Chef Abigail Hutchinson shares this recipe for Truffles. Make a batch for your sweetheart for Valentine’s Day! Or, Chef Abigail offers at the hotel’s Café Solterra a pretty box of half dozen truffles at $14.00 per box.

Ingredients
• ½ cup heavy whipping cream
• 9 oz. semi-sweet chocolate, chipped into pieces
• 5 oz. Oreo cookies, chopped in food processor
• 4 oz. white coating chocolate
• 1-2 pounds coating chocolate, pre-tempered

Directions
In medium sauce pan, bring cream to a boil.
Remove from heat, add semi-sweet chocolate.
Whisk until chocolate is incorporated and fully melted.
Fold in Oreo pieces.
Spread mix into casserole dish, refrigerate until hardened.
Scoop into one ounce balls (I use a sorbet scoop).
Further shape scooped balls in the palms of your hands.
Set chocolate balls onto cookie sheet, leave at room temperature.
(If room is 72 degrees or higher, put balls in cool spot.)
Follow instructions on package for chocolate, or…
Chop up coating chocolate.
Melt in stainless steel bowl over pot of simmering water.
Using a rubber spatula, mix the chocolate well while it melts.
Heat the chocolate to 115 degrees.
Reduce to 95 degrees, work with it at that temperature.
You may need to warm it up, as you work with it.
Using another cookie sheet, cover with foil to prepare for truffles.
Place a ball onto a fork, dip into 95 degree chocolate.
Slightly tap some chocolate off, place truffle onto the foil.
Repeat this process with the remainder of truffles. Let chocolate set.
Chip white chocolate into pieces. Melt in microwave, stir frequently.
Be careful not to scorch.
Put into ziplock bag, seal.
Cut one corner piece off leaving very small opening.
Drizzle white chocolate over truffles. Let set.

Notes
Store truffles in airtight container in cool dark spot. Enjoy!

Valentine’s Day Menu at the Jekyll Island Club Hotel

     Executive Chef Abigail Hutchinson has created a delightful “Tasting Menu” offered exclusively on Valentine’s Day in the Grand Dining Room. Guests may choose from the regular menu or choose this sampler of delicacies.

Chef’s Tasting Menu
$125.00 Per Couple

Flamed Foie Gras, Port Reduction
Lovers Salad, Mango Vinaigrette
Confit of Rack of Lamb with Cous Cous
Lobster Bisque, Calamari Rings and Scallion Puree
Lime-Champagne Sherbet
Orange and Raspberry Truffles Lambrusco
Tuna Tartar with Sesame Lavosh
Alaskan King Crab Leg and Parsley New Potatoes
Petite Angus Filet Mignon, Truffle Glace, Red Wine Reduction
Pastry Chef’s Lovers Surprise

Reserve your table online.
View and/or print an online menu.

Victorian Expressions of Love

     An expression of love on Valentine’s Day, 2008, might be traced across the sky in an airplane’s vapor trail, emblazoned on the silver screen before the featured movie, or flashed from score board lights at a major league game. Some lovers plan a romantic getaway or an extraordinary dinner and concert to create a memory together. An original poem, a bouquet of wild flowers, or a box of chocolate truffles made by your sweetheart might say, "I love you." For others, the best expression is still an old fashioned love letter.
     We looked into our Victorian album to see how Club members and their contemporaries might have expressed their affections, and we came across a few valentines of the day, several romantic stories, and some hints for writing love letters. Few love stories, however, can surpass that of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.
     Valentines in the Victorian era (1837-1901) were very elaborate. The first American made valentines were the creation of Miss Esther Howland of Worcester, Massachusetts. She enjoyed valentine cards from England and after college  began importing her own embossed and cut papers, lace, and other supplies. She was soon producing them on large scale to match the demand. As one of our first successful U.S. career women, her sales amounted to about $100,000.00 annually…in the 1850’s. She set the style for valentine greetings for decades to come with three-dimensional scenes, pop-up figures, fancy papers, quaint messages, and sentimentality to spare. Kate Brown, tutor for the children of one of the club members, was a native of Worcester, Massachusetts, and probably enjoyed receiving valentines designed by Ms. Howland.
      Elizabeth Barrett Browning, our favorite Victorian poet, said in a poem for her husband Robert Browning, “How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I love thee to the depth and breadth and height my soul can reach, when feeling out of sight for the ends of being and ideal grace. I love thee to the level of every day’s most quiet need, by sun and candlelight.” The poetry of Elizabeth Barrett and Robert Browning was appreciated in America and often enjoyed at poetry readings by the fireside in the evenings on Jekyll Island.
     In 1882, in Hill’s Manual of Social and Business Forms, how to write a love letter was clearly spelled out. It began with this sage Victorian advice: “Of all letters, the love-letter should be the most carefully prepared. Among the written missives, they are the most thoroughly read and re-read, the longest preserved, and the most likely to be regretted in after life. They should be written with the utmost regard for perfection.” After quite a number of rules, the instructions conclude, “The love correspondence of another should be held sacred. No woman who is a lady, will be guilty of making light of the sentiments that are expressed to her in a letter. No man, who is a gentleman, will boast of his love conquests, among boon companions, or reveal to others the correspondence between himself and a lady.” This kind of circumspection was reflected in numerous letters of affection exchanged by Club superintendent, Ernest Grob, and a dear lady friend of many years. The two never married for she was dedicated to the care of her invalid brother; Grob to his work at the Club.
     James Pierpont Morgan, a founding member of the Jekyll Island Club and collector of valuable books and documents, was fascinated by a letter he discovered for sale just before sailing for Europe mid-February, 1905. He had found a letter written by Alexander Hamilton in1780 when he was 23 and an aide in General Washington’s camp. The letter, written to Hamilton’s friend, announced his plans to marry a young woman and his feelings regarding her. Following a description of her beauty he said, “And, believe me, I am a lover in  earnest, although I do not speak of the perfections of my mistress in the enthusiasm of Chivalry.” Morgan’s interest in the letter suggests a gentler, more human side of the fiercely competitive New York financier.
     “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.”                                                                              ---Helen Keller

Valentine’s Day, 2007

     The Jekyll Island Club Hotel is perhaps one of the most romantic destinations on the east coast. The site of exceedingly beautiful weddings and elopements, the resort entices couples back for anniversaries and other important family events. One example is that of the Ragan’s of north Florida. The following is an excerpt from their letter to General Manager Kevin Runner following their last visit.

     Jimmy’s first pass when in the Army in 1961 was Labor Day weekend. I picked him up at the old Imeson Airport and we drove to Jekyll Island and spent a night at the historic Jekyll Island Club Hotel. We were so young and so much in love. It has always been one of our favorite memories.
     We stopped celebrating Valentine’s Day years ago. We just dismissed it as too commercial and decided anniversaries were enough. However, this year I had a change of heart. We aren’t getting younger, and I thought something romantic might be really nice. (Mrs. Ragan planned the visit to the Jekyll Island Club Hotel as a surprise for her husband.)
     The Hotel looked as beautiful when we drove up as it did when we were there as newly-weds forty-five years ago. The weather was perfect, sunny and cool. And the drive was only about an hour and fifteen minutes. This was promising to be a wonderful weekend.
     It was like something out of a movie. Well, actually there is an exact replica of the bar used in the filming of the movie, “The Legend of Bagger Vance.” It was recreated in all is wonderful splendor. We had a drink at the bar and met some of the other guests. They knew people we knew, and we enjoyed our visit with them. The server was excellent and enjoyed seeing our 1961 photos. I bought a copy of the movie as soon as I got home, and we enjoyed watching it again.
     Our first stop after registration was breakfast at Cafe Solterra. Yummy. Dinner that evening was at Courtyard at Crane, an intimate setting with food that could win awards. It was ideal. We enjoyed great food and wonderful service.
     Our room and the entire Hotel had been returned to the breath-taking Victorian beauty of the early 1900’s. Our room was so lovely, and your thoughtfulness to send champagne and strawberries was such a sweet surprise.
     Our hope is not to wait forty-five year to return. This summer we will celebrate our Forty-seventh Anniversary, and we hope to be back then. Even more important, we plan to return July, 2010 for our Fiftieth Anniversary.
     Thank you and everyone there for making our Valentine’s Day worth the wait.

Valentine’s Day Package - February 10 - 14, 2008

Spend Valentine's Day at the Jekyll Island Club Hotel. The Valentine's Day Package includes accommodations and dinner for two in the Grand Dining Room or at the Courtyard at Crane.

$249.00* per couple

Valentine's Day Package includes:
• Traditional Accommodations with King bed, Queen bed or two Double beds
• Dinner for two in the Grand Dining Room or at the Courtyard at Crane

View the Valentine's menu here. [PDF]         * Full package details here.

WINTER GETAWAY

     The original millionaires wintered on Jekyll Island at the turn of the century. You too can experience this National Historic Landmark as the millionaires of yesteryear. There is plenty to keep you busy - historic tours, 63 holes of golf, tennis, horseback riding and more! Relax on the veranda to a spectacular sunset, have afternoon tea in the Riverview Room or simply enjoy the serene ambiance of the Jekyll Island Club Hotel.

Just $169.00 per night*

Special Discounted Rate includes:
• Accommodations with King bed, Queen bed or two Double beds
• Breakfast buffet for two

Full package details here.

Island Treasures

     For generations beachcombers have delighted in finding floats separated from European and Asian fish nets. These colorful floats could drift for years, driven by winds and currents, tossed and polished by the surf and sand until they eventually wash up on beaches around the world.
     Jekyll Island has commissioned a group of highly skilled artisans from across the U.S. to create an array of stunning, hand-worked glass creations. This wonderful collection includes brilliant art glass floats, beautiful starfish, wondrous glass sand dollars and other extraordinary pieces.
     On Jekyll Island, from January 1 - February 28, these beautiful art pieces are placed above the high water line (not in the dunes) for lucky winter beachcombers to find.