Chili Cookoff

On Monday, January 2, Pot Luck will be a Chili Cookoff. So far, at least 6 entrants have declared themselves to join the fray and come up with a winner. If you don't want to show up with chili, you can bring cornbread, sides, desserts, etc. Lloyd and Cathleen Huck have found a prize for the winning entry. Sign up in the Community Room to join the fun!
NOTE: Entrants need to bring their chili to the tent between 4:30 and 5:00.

Christmas Day Appetizers and Pot Luck

While some left for "home" or other places away from Jekyll but near family, some stayed behind and enjoyed each other's company. Here's a photo collection from the events of that day.

A warmer winter!

OK, knock on wood, cross your fingers, throw salt over your shoulder for luck that the good weather continues. While you're doing all that, enjoy the warm December that we've had so far. Normal High/Low for today is 62/46. Forecast for today is 72/50. Yesterday we recorded 69/49. Contrast that to last year, when the high/low yesterday was 44/24. Let's burn some dogs and burgers on the grill and offer them up to the Sun Gods!

2011 Christmas Party

The Winter Guest Christmas Party was held at McCormicks on December 10th, with about 50 folks in attendance. The dinner of Margarita Chicken, salad, pasta and garlic bread was catered by Fox's Den. Rik provided music for dancing and dining. Many thanks to Linda & Jim Strid for organizing it all and making it work.

Jekyll campfire at Ronnie & Sue Ellen's

With a visit from the Christmas golf cart...

The Christmas Golf Cart

Ronnie the Fireman

Photography Club starts in January

In response to several requests for more photography activities, Mahlon Stacy will host a photo club for any and all interested in photography. Meetings will be held on Wednesdays 1:00 PM in the Community Room starting on January 4th, free of charge. The first meeting will attempt to address general photo problems that folks may have with taking pictures, getting them to the computer, or what to do with them when they are there.
The vision for the club is that future meetings will feature a short presentation at the beginning of each meeting, followed by discussion of that and other topics. Field trips to take pictures and then present results is an option.

If you want to learn or share, come on down!

Inaugural Pot Luck Supper in the Tent

After squeezing into the community room last week, pot luck supper moved to the tent tonight. The food and fellowship was wonderful!

Winter Guest Christmas Party December 10

The seasons are moving along nicely, although perhaps a bit too fast. It's time again for the annual Christmas Party. Again this year, it will be held at McCormicks at the Golf Course, upstairs on the second floor. Instead of pot luck, the event will be catered by Fox's Den of Brunswick. A DJ and dance floor will be on hand for those who can still shake a leg. Door prizes are being donated.

Merriment at the 2010 party

The small fee for this great event will be just $12 per person, with a non-perishable food donation requested for the local food pantry. Tickets are available from Jeanette Twombley in site B-13. The doors will open at 5:30, with dinner served at 6:00 PM. BYOB... coffee, tea, water and ice will be provided.

Campground WIFI UP

New equipment has been installed for the campground wifi, and as of today, it is up and running... fast! There may be further tuning, and they may add more access points if signals are not adequate throughout the campground. Meanwhile, try it out, let Mahlon or Ronnie know if you can't get on at all.

There are 2 access point in service right now: Campground A and Campground B. Pick whichever one gives you the best signal.

Currently the network is wide open. We will be monitoring traffic to make sure that everybody gets good service. If the system get overloaded, access will be throttled back to slower connection speeds. And it may go down from time to time.

Campground Electriciy Seminar

OK, trick question: "How many amps in a 50 amp circuit?" 50? No...

Jim Strid will again present his renowned Electricity Seminar on December 1st at 7:00 PM in the tent. Jim's presentation is filled with tips and tricks to help enjoy camping in perks with electricity. He'll show you how to check circuits before you plug in, explain all those funky electrical plugs and outlets, and tell you how to deal with a GFI that trips when you plug in your rig. A worthwhile investment of your time!

Campground WIFI down

The WIFI is being worked on by the JIA IT staff, and is currently not working throughout the campground. A high speed internet connection has been provided by Comcast, and is operating in the office. Additional hardware may be needed to link the old system to the office.

If you have urgent networking needs, such as to manage your bank account, Ronnie will make a PC in his office available to you. Also, Windows users are having some luck connecting via the Ethernet cable in the Community Room.Other open WIFI locations have been reported at the Conference Center in the historic district, Fins on the Beach, and Red Bug Pizza.

The faster Internet connection should eliminate the bottleneck going in/out from the Campground, and service will improve significantly when the setup is complete. However, don't set you expectations too high... we don't expect that there will be enough bandwidth to have a bunch of folks streaming movies all at the same time. Perhaps a better expectation will be to have service like what's been available at 3 AM on the old system. That should support reasonable web browsing and voice Skype. If we get more, all the better. Also, while the Internet connection will be faster, all of the limitations inherent in the WIFI hardware throughout the campground are still there.

MCS

Thanksgiving Potluck

A potluck dinner will take place at 4:00 on Thursday for Thanksgiving. Check the sign-up sheet in the Community Room for details.

Pot Luck Host Info

Pot luck dinners only happen when there is a volunteer host to do the set up and clean up. If you've never hosted one, it's easy and takes a couple hours of your time. Detailed instructions are found in the Pot Luck page (on the right of this blog under "Pages"--->). Check it out!
As host, you have the option of  setting a theme (Soup & Stew night, Mexican, Italian, Your Heritage, etc) and any entertainment you want to organize.

The Acorns are falling...

It's November, and the acorns are bouncing off the tops of RVs all over the place. Meet and Greet, Men's coffees, and pot luck dinners are up and running. The ladies have been out to one lunch already, with another next week. Lots happening here, c'mon down!

The Jekyll Winter calendar has been updated with all the known events. Check it out! (link at the top of this page).

October 31 Potluck

 The hungry campers in the campground on October 31st ignored any calls for trick-or-treat and organized a pot luck instead. The tent is not up yet, so it was held in the community room, and they filled up the space. The show-and-tell for the evening was Mac McKenzie and his hawk that travels in the motor home with them. 

Digital TV in the campground

Technology marches on and sometimes bites us in the butt. This year, it's part 2 of the digital TV revolution... part one occurred in 2008, when all over-the-air stations were required to change to digital. In part 2, the cable companies are upgrading to digital. Comcast has warned that they will become all digital in the Jekyll Campground by the end of October. If your RV sports a digital TV already, you have no fears. If you have an older TV, one without a digital tuner, then you'll need an upgrade or a patch. Some basic info is here.

The upgrade is to buy a new TV, probably one of those flat screen types which uses less electricity anyway. Mounting it in your RV can be a chore, so get some help if needed.

The patch is to get a converter. Some of you have them already. They are little boxes that go between your antenna cable and your TV, and they usually include a remote control, because you'll be changing channels on the converter, not on the TV. Many electronics stores and Walmart, Target, etc. have them, or order one online. You'll need one for each TV in your RV.

If you have trouble with any of this, check with your friends in the campground. There's lots of experts there who love to show off their skills.

And for those of you who wondered about whether there will be an internet upgrade along with the cable upgrade, stay tuned. It just might happen.

No Maureen and Jim

We've received news from our friends Maureen and Jim Humphries that they will not be joining us this winter at Jakyll Campground. We will miss the energy and enthusiasm that Maureen brought to so many activities last winter including chairing the activities group, and Jim's participation at breakfasts and pot luck suppers. They will be attending to personal matters, and we hope to see them in the future.

Escapees Magazine

The September/October issue of Escapees Magazine will include an article on Jekyll Island. Several of our winter guests will be pictured in this article. There will also be a link published there to this blog. Check it out!

85 and empty

Yes, it's 85 degrees out. Yes, the campground is virtually empty. This view is from our site, C14, looking toward Ronnie's site way down in G. There's a couple campers in F you can see along the way. The campground was full this weekend, lots of kids on bikes, golf carts, walkers (people who walk, not the kind of walkers we old people sometimes use) staying in tents, pop-ups, truck campers, Tab's, as well as a few larger rigs. Most of them can stay awake after 9:00 PM, too. I get amused at the outhouse tents, I hadn't seen those before this week.
Today they took our sign away (but left the post... you can see it on the right), leaving us feeling kind of unwanted. Maybe I should work on my southern accent?

The fence is finally gone...

Yesterday, JIA removed the ugly fence from the former X-Men movie set site. We can now see the plantings that were placed to rejuvenate the beach, and the bicycle trail is open as well. Someday it will look natural, for now it looks manicured. Dumpster and outhouses still need to be removed, and there needs to be some cleanup along the road, but this is progress.

Bike trail looking south from near temp shopping center

Looking northeast from across the road

Some of the plantings on the beach side

Fence remains to control erosion on edge of beach

Sign of the times

All my rowdy friends... have left. Bunches of these empty signposts litter the edges of empty campsites. It must be spring. Safe travels, snowbirds. See you next winter.

The Potluck that became a LEO

It seems that when a Potluck Dinner grows up it metamorphosizes into a LEO (Lets Eat Out). Sharon Gilbert and Judy McClure hosted an organized dinner at Driftwood Bistro on March 28, virtually the end of the winter season. A bunch of hungry campers showed up, even some who don't like potlucks (possibly because they serve martinis at the Bistro). As always, it was a chance to greet and talk and such. The staff did a bang up job of getting everybody served. Thanks Y'all! See Y'all next year!
Photos courtesy of Sharon Gilbert

Breaking Camp

The annual snowbird migration is underway. Some flocks that wintered here have left already, winging their way north (though a few have compass troubles and headed west, or south... hopefully they'll ask for directions). Other suntanned flocks from south of the (Florida) border are stopping here to roost for a few days, recharging their batteries. All of the roosting poles with state signs are disappearing from the byways. Temperatures in the 90s have been noted. Golfers are losing the last of their golf balls, and refrigerators will be tossed for the last potluck next Monday. Fledglings from the local flocks of native birds are riding bikes and playing in the streets.
Here, the tents begin falling to be stored for another summer.

Winter Guest Appreciation Party

Ronnie Douglas, campground manager, got together an acknowledgment party to thank the long term campers for their business. It was held at one of the larger temp tents in the Convention Campus in the Historic District. Appetizers and sweets were provided, a cash bar was available, and Ronnie thanked everybody for staying here in a tough year. Door prizes completed the event. Thanks, Ronnie, we had fun!

Erin Go Bragh!

OK, we're not really pledging allegiance to Ireland, but we are celebrating along with the best of the Irish! Monday night's pot luck, hosted by Clive and Sandy Henery and Art and Janet Clark was the greenest festival put on this year, with lost of corned beef and cabbage, Irish stew, and a tent full of hungry O'Reilleys. Completing the fest, we had Irish lullabies, Danny Boy on the pipes, the Jekyll Island Kazoo Band, and even an award winning Irish kick dancer imported from a foreign country. Wow. 

Announcement: Campground Winter Guest Appreciation Party

Ronnie Douglas has arranged to put on a little party to acknowledge the Winter Guests for their business and making this such a great place to stay. Please join him on Monday, March 21, at 5:00 PM in the Convention Center Campus. Cheese trays, sweets and finger food will be provided, along with a cash bar. Mark your calendars now!

Hot Dog!

With an open pot luck night, Sam McInroy reinvented the Hot Dog Roast with free hot dogs, sure to be a crowd pleaser. About 80 folks signed up and showed up to fill their buns and then their faces. Sam corralled some wood from Ronnie for a nice campfire, Bob Ditton piped us a few tunes, then the Traveling Homeless Singers, Sharon Gilbert and Brian Hiebert got the crowd singing along in great fashion. Kudos to the setup/teardown crew, Jim Over and Don Morder for cooking the brats/dogs, and all the cooks who filled out the menu. What fun!

Call for Photos

Lydia C. Thompson, artist and the author of Bird Chat column in the Jekyll’s Golden Islander newspaper is designing a chart to identify many of the birds that visit the campground bird sanctuary. She is prepared to use stock photos, but she thought it would be nice if some or all the bird photos came from folks that camp at the campground. If you have photos to contribute, please email them to: artworksbylydia@bellsouth.net

The campground is building a case and stand for the chart, and it will be placed on the left side of the swing. The Winter Guest Fund is paying for the materials.

The Last Jam Session for this Winter

Some of our regular band has left, but Allan Newland corralled the stragglers to play one more time for a highly receptive audience of about 30. We had lots of good bluegrass, some folk, and some camp songs. You ain't seen nothin' until you've seen Canadians singing Western Texas songs with a Scottish Accent!

Sharon Gilbert, Brian Hiebert, Ed Birdsall, Bill Van Slyke, Allan Newland

Bill Crooning

The happy crowd

Keeping the stuff

A major issue for the winter campground guests was where to put stuff, like all the equipment for the pancake breakfasts. The campground was kind enough to provide space for a shed where everything goes in the summer. The guys built the shed several years ago, but it needed a bit of upgrade to use the space more efficiently. Ron Anderson, Brian Hiebert, and Sam McInroy tacked that task today, adding shelves above to store the lighter equipment. Thanks, guys. Now we can get more stuff!

Book Group

The next meeting of the Book Group will be Monday March 21, at 1:00 PM in the community room.
We will discuss "Tried By War" the book about Lincoln as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces.
We will also talk about books for next season.
Hope to see you there.

Fly Fishing!

Bob Hoffman, an avid fly fisherman from Connecticut, gave an excellent overview of the art of fly fishing, describing the equipment, technique and dangers of the sport, with great anecdotes of his fishing adventures. Brian Hiebert brought along his rods, reels and tackle to exhibit. A dozen participated, and a hands on follow up has been scheduled for next Wednesday (3/10) at 10:00.

Bob Hoffman (left) and the men and ladies of fly fishing

February 28 Western Potluck Supper

Gadabout* Brian and G'hal* Joyce did a bang-up job of collecting banded* blue-bellies* in the tent for for a biggity* chow put on by a bunch of biscuit shooters*. On hearing their numbers, the hombres switched in* for the chow. Sam squinnied* the hands*, then Clive, Sandy and Brian got the crew howling fine as cream gravy*

* Definitions can be found  in Western Slang


Photos courtesy of Dianne Ferris

Mahjonng by Committee

Pat Ellis explained the rules of Mahjong to a crowd of 11 beginners on Friday. This ancient game has evolved into an interesting pastime, with a myriad of variations to entice any active gamer. The rules are no harder than cribbage, and the tiles are similar to a deck of cards. I'll bet that with a little practice, we'll have some experts in no time. Last night, we played in threesomes for each hand, making it a committee game. I can't wait to play by myself so I can lose all on my own!

Want to learn Mahjong?

Friday night is game night! This Friday, 2/25, Pat Ellis will demonstrate the game of Mahjong in the Community Room at 7:00. Mahjong is a  4 player game from China (not the solitaire version on your computer.... you have to play with other people!). The game is finding new popularity throughout the country. It's played with 152 tiles, and involves random chance, strategy, tactics, observation, and memory. Here's a chance to get an introduction to what it's all about. And it's FREE!

Winter Guests Activity (WGA) Team

The WGA Team (Nancy Anderson, Dianne & Bill Ferris, Sharron Gilbert, Judy McClure, Mahlon Stacy and Maureen Humphries) is looking for additional enthusiastic winter guests who  are willing to join the Team which will be a vehicle of communication between the Jekyll Island Campground Management Team and winter guests.  The WGA Team will also coordinate and facilitate activities of said winter guests from October 1, 2011 until April 1, 2012.
If your interested, please contact Maureen Humphries by phone: 706.505.8222 or email
Maureen919@live.com 

Email Addresses

Good morning,
- Want to have a voice in what activities will be planned for the Winter Guests next season?
- Want to have the opportunity to share your talents with other Winter Guests next season?
- Want to know what activities are being planned for the 2011-2012 season?
Then send your email address to jekyllwinter@gmail.com or to Maureen Humphries at maureen919@live.com

BLOG address:  jekyllwinter.blogspot.com

February Pancake Breakfast

The February Pancake Breakfast crowd pressed the limits of our cooking and serving capacity. Folks had to stand in line throughout the entire morning, and again we ran out of food. On the plus side, the coffee crew stayed ahead of the fray, suggesting that we can still figure out how to solve problems. Over 250 friends were served. The yard sale and craft + art sale was a hit, too. Thanks to all the volunteers for making it happen!

Ladies Lunch, February 10th at McCormicks

It is said a picture is worth a 1000 words.  Hopefully, these pictures convey the GREAT time we had.  Please join us for the next Ladies Lunch.  Details and sign up sheet are in the Community Room.