PO Box 24228, St. Simons Island, GA 31522www.ssicoasters.com

Welcome to the January Coasters News!

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Coasters NewsJanuary 2017

Important dates to put on your calendar

January 21- Wine tasting hosted by Larry and Jennifer Kohlhoff (closed)

February 4 - Wine-tasting hosted by JoAnn and Jerry Mooney

February 16 - Eco-tour of Dunham Farms organized by Sharon Branca andWendy McNair

February 25 – Alhambra Dinner Theater matinee performance of Showboat!in Jacksonville

March 9 - Port of Brunswick tour

April 4 - Georgia Olive Farms/Gayla’s Grits day trip to Lakeland, GA

May 16 - End of the year party at Sea Palms

President’s Message

Happy New Year!

Coasters closed out 2016 with a wonderful Holiday Party at the Davis Love Grill at Retreat. Thank you Frank Cullen for your coordination of this annual Coasters party!

As we look to the last half of our membership year together, we have six additional events planned and, of course, the End-of-Yearparty. Please read the summary of planned events presented by Donna Ainger in another article in this Newsletter. And of course,let’s not forget our End-of-Year party! Beth Thornton is actively

planning our last get-together for May 16th at Sea Palms. Mark your calendars!

Nominating Committee

Cyndy Franklin and the Nominating Committee are busy working to secure officers (President, Vice President- Membership, Vice President – Special Events, Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer) for next year. The Coasters Bylaws state that the slate of nominated officers is to be presented to the Board of Directors by March 1st. I encourage everyone to be open to serving in a position next year. Coasters is a wonderful group of people and everyone will help!

Why Do I Sometimes Receive Emails Not Related to Coasters?

Our membership is composed of over 300 vibrant, active people. We like to hear about happenings in our community and some people and organizations want to use our email listto tell us about happenings! However, this is not the main purpose of our email list. It is there to inform Coasters about Coasters news and events and we do not share our email list with others.

So, how can we allow members to receive information about our community without inundating them with information from any and every source?

The Board, over the years, developed a responsible compromise. Coasters will forward announcements from the following groups who send their information to Patty Breen and she will forward it to all Coasters members.

Coastal Symphony of Georgia

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Coastal Isles Youth Symphony Orchestra

Coastal Historical Society

Golden Isles Arts and Humanities

Golden Isles Live

Glynn Visual Arts Center

Cassini Garden Club

Live Oaks Garden Club

Literary Guild of St. Simons Island

If you do not want to receive this information, simply give Patty your email address and she will make sure you will not receive anything except Coasters news!

Update On the Coasters Website

Our Coasters webmaster, Carrel Grantham, discovered a few things when he began working on updating our website in December. The new software version only affects mobile (e.g., phone) users. Therefore he decided to postpone updating our website until this summer when our website is static and when he can help next year’s webmaster with the transition.

I look forward to seeing many of you at some of our events!

Myra Galbreath

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Holiday Party

We had a full house for the Christmas party this year with 150 attending. Joanand Jerry brought a bit of holiday musicinto our lives. The Davis Love Grill dida great job. Thank you all for making this a fun event.

Frank Cullen

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Coasters DO Events!

Depending on how you view the Coasters membership year, you may think we are winding down now that the holidays have passed – but we still have 6 special events planned for the months ahead! I’ll give you a brief summary of what is scheduled, and you will receive a separate e-mail message from Patty Breen with detailed information and instructions to sign-up ahead of time. Many events have a limited number of spaces, so it is very important that you respond if you’d like to participate. Since our group is over 300 people, it’s usually not possibleto accommodate drop-ins. I appreciate your understanding.

January & February

Larry and Jennifer Kohlhoff’s wine tasting scheduled for January 21st has been fully subscribed! Those attending should bring a hearty appetizer to share. The cost of the wines theyhave selected works out to $15 per person, and should be paid before that evening.

Jerry and JoAnn Mooney will hold a blind wine tasting at their Hampton Point home on Saturday, February 4th at 6 p.m. It has just been announced, so you can respond directly to them. Guests should bring a Pinot Noir that costs less than $20 concealed in a paper bag, as well as an appetizer to share. Participation is limited to 16 guests.

Sharon Branca and Wendy McNair have been working together on an eco-tour, but their planned destination suffered too much storm damage. They have researched another site, and have booked a naturalist to lead a walking tour of Dunham Farms in Sunbury on Thursday, Febuary 16th. We will carpool to the area, near Savannah, and enjoy a walking tour and lunch. Space is limited, so watch for our sign-up announcement next week.

Another popular annual event has been our Broadway show outing. Barbara Browne and Sarah Ellerbee have scheduled a bus trip to Jacksonville’s Alhambra Dinner Theater to see a matinee performance of Showboat! on Saturday, February 25th. This will be an all-day outing, leaving St. Simons at 8:30 a.m., and returning about 6 p.m. The fee of $75 ($80 for non-member guests) is about 20% less than our previous Jacksonville theater outings, and will coverbus transportation, prime seating for the show, as well as a 3-course dinner, PLUS wine and snacks for the return trip! All gratuities are also included, but any alcoholic beverages you might want at the theater will be at your own expense. It will be announced for sign-up very soon.

March & April

On March 9th, we have a reservation for a tour of the Port of Brunswick and their Colonel’s Island depot. This has always been very popular, since most locals are so curious about all the

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HUGE transport ships that pass our village every day. All your questions will be answered by the Port Director himself! The Port has a van that carries 12 people but, if there is enough interest, we can hire a trolley for the tour that holds almost 30 people. I will be asking for an expression of interest so we can decide whether or not to book the trolley since it will incur a modest per person fee. Think about it so you can sign up promptly when it is announced.

Don and Susan Myers have been working diligently on plans for an April 4th car trip to Lakeland, Georgia, to visit Georgia Olive Farms, see the murals of historic Lakeland, and take a tour of Horse Creek Winery before heading home. This will be an all-day outing and the cost will include lunch at Nell’s Cabin, all admissions and all gratuities. We will be looking for willing drivers to help with carpools.

May

Beth Thornton is planning a lovely end-of-year luncheon for May 16th at Sea Palms. More information will be available in our next newsletter.

As always, if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to call me [703-314-6915] or e-mail. I lookforward to seeing you soon! Meanwhile, I wish you all a healthy and happy new year!

Donna Ainger

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Great Decisions Nineteen people has signed up for Great Decisions this year and enrollment has been closed. Reading and DVD background materials have been ordered. The first meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 25th at the Barnes Plantation clubhouse at 7 PM. Books will be distributedthat night and discussion leaders selected for the eight topics to be discussed at the ensuing eight weekly meetings. The best night of the week for the meetings will also be decided,and theDVD segment for the first discussion topic will be viewed.

1) US Strategy for Middle East Policy Formation

2) The Rise of ISIS and Its Threat to the US

3) The Future of Kurdistan

4) European Migration and Refugee Crisis

5) The Koreas and Unification

6) The United Nations at a Crossroads

7) Climate Change -- US Position and Policy

8) Cuba and the US

Please direct any questions to Milt Leggett 912.634.2627 or email him (see Directory for email address).

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Poker! We are meeting regularly on alternate Thursdays from 7-9 PM.

If you want to play, we still have room for players. It’s a play for fun game but there is a $10 chip fee to keep you interested and make it almost as exciting as a Las Vegas game. If you don't know how to play, come on and we will teach you.

Interested? Contact: Carrel Grantham

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CanastaCanasta Players:

Come on and play. We draw for partners, so you never know who you will be playing with – your new partner might be your next best friend!

BoneFish has been good to us providing the room at no charge. So, please keep them in mind whenever you go out to dine – and if the opportunity presents itself, mention to the wait staff that you appreciate them and the room in the back for our Canasta.

There is room for more card sharks: come join us.

Rolf Bueken

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Novel Ideas Book Club

Again this year, Novel Ideas, a group of Coasters who love books and enjoy discussing them, will meet monthly for that very purpose. Our meetings are on the second Tuesday of each month at 2:00 at the homes of various members of the group. We currently have room for several more participants and would welcome you to join us. All we ask is that you come, having read the book, with an open mind and a spirit of sharing.

Interested Coasters can sign up by contacting Mary Lou Folts.

Happy reading!

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Gliders Book ClubGliders book club recently read and discussed The Perfume Collector by Kathleen Tessaro. Even if you missed the first book, new members are always welcome.

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Hidden Treasure on Our Island?Coasters Treasure Hunters are still hunting for treasure! The sides of the road are spotless afterour scouring it for treasures. Next hunt will be announced soon. Contact Frank Cullen if you

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would like to be added to the notification list of when we have these wonderful adventures in keeping our island beautiful.

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Coasters Ladies Bridge Group We are always looking for new women interested in having a fun afternoon of bridge. Please contact Judy Stipp, 634-0235 if you are interested in joining us.

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Dining InThe new year brings new recipes and hosts for Dining In. This should be a busy 2 months, for the currents hosts and those making up (still!) from Hurricane Matthew. Alternate Diners should be on full alert for some invitations, as each group of diners has room for one to three Alternates.

Alternates play an important role in Dining In, to be available to make up tables of eight at eachDining event. For any hosts who want some help coming up with themes for their event, contact me! I have cookbooks for just about every nationality/culture/ or food theme, plus Foodand Wine magazine annual compendiums of their best recipes for food and beverages.

Bon Appétit !

Deborah Wright_____________________

Dining OutDining Out is a fun group who enjoy the company of old and new friends while exploring the many fine restaurants on the Island.

Dining Out groups have recently enjoyed Palmer's Village Cafe and Nazarros, among other fine restaurants on the island. Thanks to hosts and guests alike for their enthusiasm and participation.

Should you have questions or problems, please contact Mary Gress at 638-8907 T

Bon Appetit!

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COASTERS’ EVENTS 2016-2017

This is an overview of the events for year 2016-2017, both past and future events. More detailed information, and sign-up instructions will be distributed in advance of each outing or party. We look forward to your participation!

August 26 New Members cocktail party at Ember Farm-to-Fire

September 18 Kick-Off dinner party at Ember Farm-to-Fire

26 Kayak Outing with SouthEast Adventure Outfitters

October 18 Georgia Buffalo Ranch & Trading Post tour and barbecue

November 8 White Oak Conservancy safari tour & luncheon in Jacksonville

December 2 Holiday cocktails at Brunswick Manor

14 Holiday Dinner Party at Davis Love Grill

January 21 Wine Tasting I at the home of Jennifer & Larry Kohlhoff

February 04 Wine Tasting II at the home of JoAnn & Jerry Mooney

February 16 Eco-tour of Dunham Farms organized by Sharon Branca and Wendy McNair

February 25 Alhambra Dinner Theater matinee performance of Showboat! in Jacksonville

March 9 Port of Brunswick tour of Colonel’s Island cargo transfer facility

April 4 Georgia Olive Farms/Gayla’s Grits day trip to Lakeland, GA

May 16 End-of-Year Party at Sea Palms (more soon)

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2016-2017 Officers and Committee Chairs

President ..............………................................................................Myra Galbreath

Vice President (Membership) .................................................………........Jim Kielt

Vice President (Special Events) …..................................………….....Donna Ainger

Secretary ......................................................................………….....Sandy Anderson

Treasurer ...................................................................………...............Ljiljana Badre

Assistant Treasurer ................................................………...........Richard Applegate

Administrative Chairs

Newsletter Editor .................................................………...............Carrel Grantham

Directory................................................................………...........................Jim Kielt

Telephoning/E-mailing ........................................………........................Patty Breen

Nominating Committee .......................................………...................Cyndy Franklin

By-Laws Consultant ............................................………..................Marjorie Gruber

Webmaster ..........................................................…………...............Carrel Grantham

Monthly Activity Chairpersons

Book Club (Gliders) ..................................................………….............Jan Lemasters

Book Club (Novel Ideas) .........................................………................Mary Lou Folts

Book Club (Original) .....................................……….. Leslie Carlton & Suzzane Hill

Couples Bridge ............................................………....................…..........Sue Gannon

Ladies Bridge ..............................................………….......Patti Garrison & Judy Stipp

Canasta ........................................................…………................…...........Rolf Bueken

Dining In .................................................................…………............. Deborah Wright

Dining Out ...............................................................…………....................Mary Gress

Great Decisions ......................................................…………....................Milt Leggett

Mah Jongg......................................................................…………......Shandra Claxton

Treasure Hunters (Adopt a Highway)..............................………...….......Frank Cullen

Poker.............................................................................…………….....Carrel Grantham

Party Chairs

Welcome Back .....................................………….......Myra Galbreath & Donna Ainger

Holiday ......................................................………….....................….…....Frank Cullen

Year-end .....................................................…………....................….......Beth Thornton

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Members

Directories can be picked up at Jim Kielt's home: 620 Oak Street-in the village.

Happy and Prosperous 2017.

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