James Boyd
An eventful Mother’s Day weekend
B. J. and I began our Mother’s Day celebration on Thursday. Looking for a new place to do dinner, we selected a Chinese restaurant not far from us. The place has been there since 1977 and we’ve passed it countless times but had never eaten there. Therefore, we decided to check it out.
We saddled Big Red and reined him across the causeway to the mainland, headed him north on U.S. 17 for about a mile and bridled him up to a hitching rail at the “No. 1 Chinese Restaurant”. We “got down” and went in. The Chinese décor inside gave a pleasant atmosphere. The greeter was courteous and escorted us graciously to a nice booth. The place was roomy and inviting. We wondered why we had not eaten there before.
With a smile and pleasant voice, she presented us with menus. B. J. ordered Chinese chicken with all the trimmings including a lot of rice, egg drop soup, and egg roll. I ordered shrimp chow mien, wanton soup, a lot of rice, and an egg roll. Soon, we were served. Boy howdy do they ever serve whopping portions. Oops, there went my Weight Watcher points.
After feasting sumptuously on Chinese, we removed Big Red’s toupee and spurred him over the Sidney Lanier Bridge and across the Jekyll Island Causeway. It was a lovely day. The marshes of Glynn fascinated us as Big Red sprinted to the tune of some classic country music.
Passing through the tollgate, we noticed that the old road onto the island that had been closed during the construction was open. I urged Big Red along the scenic drive that led to the New Jekyll Island Convention Center; it was open. Our original purpose in coming to Jekyll had been to go for a long walk on the beach. However, we were so astounded by the delightful appearance of the New Convention Center that we decided to tie Big Red up in the spacious parking lot and give it a look-see.
We were agape! There were palm trees everywhere; it looked like we were in Ft. Lauderdale. Tabby sidewalks, a sandy recreation area, lush green grass, new, handsome new walkways over the dunes to the beach and the New Convention Center is fabulous. We walked, walked, and snapped pictures. As we were passing the imposing front entrance, we heard music coming from inside. We looked through the big glass window and saw a tall man playing a saxophone; boy howdy, was he ever making some great music with that thing. Well, my news reporter’s instinct pricked me and I slowly pushed the door open and politely asked them if we might come in a take a picture of the big guy with the saxophone?
“Sure, come on in and have a seat” was their reply. We did and I began snapping some photos.
We learned that it was the pre-grand opening concert at the New Convention Center and we were right smack dab in the middle of it--in our casual beach clothes.
The master of the saxophone was Michael Hulett. He excited us with such old favorites as “Somewhere over the Rainbow”; “It Had to be you”; “The Way You Look tonight” and others. He liked our picture taking and applause so much that he presented us with his “After Dark” CD. B. J. and I have been listening to it; it’s great.
Exiting the Convention Center, we crossed the dunes and went for a romantic sundown stroll along the beach that we first walked on together on our honeymoon in 1960.
On Mother’s Day, I taught our Sunday school class. We attended church with an almost overflow crowd at the St. Simons United Methodist Church where we heard a wonderful sermon by our pastor Marcia Cochran.
After the inspiring service, we joined Cardy, Charla and Donna Edmundson at the “No. 1 Chinese Restaurant” for a whopping Mother’s Day lunch and some great camaraderie with our friends the Edmundson’s.
Shortly thereafter, our long-time friend, Laurie Jo Upchurch, whipped her big Ford SUV into our driveway and we loaded into Big Red and headed for St. Mary’s Magnolia Manor where Laurie Jo would perform at 3:30pm. We talked and laughed as I prodded Big Red along I-95 south. Laurie Jo gave us an update on another successful “Tales of the Altamaha”. She is the playwright for this popular show.
At Magnolia Manor, Laurie Jo amazed everybody with a great program. They applauded her and asked her to return soon.
Back on St. Simons, we went for dinner at the magnificent Mullet Bay Restaurant. Laurie pigged out on a Lobster Salad. B. J. and I split a grilled shrimp salad. Following the fun dinner, we mounted Big Red for a spin around the village.
It was a truly wonderful Mother’s Day weekend.
With a smile and pleasant voice, she presented us with menus. B. J. ordered Chinese chicken with all the trimmings including a lot of rice, egg drop soup, and egg roll. I ordered shrimp chow mien, wanton soup, a lot of rice, and an egg roll. Soon, we were served. Boy howdy do they ever serve whopping portions. Oops, there went my Weight Watcher points.
After feasting sumptuously on Chinese, we removed Big Red’s toupee and spurred him over the Sidney Lanier Bridge and across the Jekyll Island Causeway. It was a lovely day. The marshes of Glynn fascinated us as Big Red sprinted to the tune of some classic country music.
Passing through the tollgate, we noticed that the old road onto the island that had been closed during the construction was open. I urged Big Red along the scenic drive that led to the New Jekyll Island Convention Center; it was open. Our original purpose in coming to Jekyll had been to go for a long walk on the beach. However, we were so astounded by the delightful appearance of the New Convention Center that we decided to tie Big Red up in the spacious parking lot and give it a look-see.
We were agape! There were palm trees everywhere; it looked like we were in Ft. Lauderdale. Tabby sidewalks, a sandy recreation area, lush green grass, new, handsome new walkways over the dunes to the beach and the New Convention Center is fabulous. We walked, walked, and snapped pictures. As we were passing the imposing front entrance, we heard music coming from inside. We looked through the big glass window and saw a tall man playing a saxophone; boy howdy, was he ever making some great music with that thing. Well, my news reporter’s instinct pricked me and I slowly pushed the door open and politely asked them if we might come in a take a picture of the big guy with the saxophone?
“Sure, come on in and have a seat” was their reply. We did and I began snapping some photos.
We learned that it was the pre-grand opening concert at the New Convention Center and we were right smack dab in the middle of it--in our casual beach clothes.
The master of the saxophone was Michael Hulett. He excited us with such old favorites as “Somewhere over the Rainbow”; “It Had to be you”; “The Way You Look tonight” and others. He liked our picture taking and applause so much that he presented us with his “After Dark” CD. B. J. and I have been listening to it; it’s great.
Exiting the Convention Center, we crossed the dunes and went for a romantic sundown stroll along the beach that we first walked on together on our honeymoon in 1960.
On Mother’s Day, I taught our Sunday school class. We attended church with an almost overflow crowd at the St. Simons United Methodist Church where we heard a wonderful sermon by our pastor Marcia Cochran.
After the inspiring service, we joined Cardy, Charla and Donna Edmundson at the “No. 1 Chinese Restaurant” for a whopping Mother’s Day lunch and some great camaraderie with our friends the Edmundson’s.
Shortly thereafter, our long-time friend, Laurie Jo Upchurch, whipped her big Ford SUV into our driveway and we loaded into Big Red and headed for St. Mary’s Magnolia Manor where Laurie Jo would perform at 3:30pm. We talked and laughed as I prodded Big Red along I-95 south. Laurie Jo gave us an update on another successful “Tales of the Altamaha”. She is the playwright for this popular show.
At Magnolia Manor, Laurie Jo amazed everybody with a great program. They applauded her and asked her to return soon.
Back on St. Simons, we went for dinner at the magnificent Mullet Bay Restaurant. Laurie pigged out on a Lobster Salad. B. J. and I split a grilled shrimp salad. Following the fun dinner, we mounted Big Red for a spin around the village.
It was a truly wonderful Mother’s Day weekend.
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