November/December 2008

It’s the holiday season already! November is the busiest month of the year for us at Piñata Publishing, and December follows closely behind. Each November we participate in several "Christmas Made In The South" shows, and this year we’ll return to exhibit in both Savannah and Jacksonville. Our Event Calendar has those dates so please join us .

I’m delighted to report that after months of researching for the Jekyll Island Millionaires book, I’ve finally begun writing! Due to many school author visits, art shows, and book festivals these past few weeks, I’ve had to write in “bits and spurts.” When I wrote the last few chapters of An Angry Drum Echoed, I went to Tybee Island and hibernated for two weeks, so I could write undisturbed for ten hours a day! Now I’m happy with two uninterrupted hours to write. I’m trying not to give myself an unrealistic deadline for this huge historical saga, so that I can be fair to the characters and the stories.

In the last BLOG I asked if anyone knew how many times Louis Comfort Tiffany visited Jekyll Island. For those who haven’t been here, one of the most beautiful stained-glass windows made by Mr. Tiffany, portraying the theme “David Set Singers Before the Lord,” is here on Jekyll. It was installed in Faith Chapel on March 27, 1921. There has been some question as to whether Mr. Tiffany himself installed the window, but we do know that he was here at least once before that. Only one person attempted to answer the question, so I will leave it on the BLOG for a while longer to see if anyone else can answer. And again, I’ll send the “winner” a copy of one of my seven books.

I’m still looking for interesting anecdotes on Joseph Pulitzer and J.P Morgan. Both characters will be featured throughout the book, and I’m searching for unusual or virtually unknown stories about them. Please share and I’ll give you credit in the Resource Pages in the back of the book.

This month’s tidbit about the Millionaires: During the era of the Big Apple dance craze, the Millionaires decided to have a dance on Jekyll but realized they didn’t know how to dance it. Earl Hill, son of Charlie Hill who worked years for the Maurice family, was talked into inviting twelve black couples to the island to teach them. The Jekyll Island Club members bought new tuxedos for the men and gowns for the ladies, and they were brought over to teach the Millionaires how to dance the Big Apple. The Club employees made up the band, led by “Washboard” Robert Ivory, who later became a professional musician. The band struck up a lively tune and the dancing began. The twelve couples showed how the dance was done, and then the Millionaires tried it, but just couldn’t get the hang of it. So, the couples split up and each danced with one of the Millionaires. Now these twenty-four dancers could rightfully say they had danced with a Millionaire!

Mike and I wish you a loving, peaceful holiday season.

Blessings throughout 2009!

Pamela

October 2008

Hello again!

Fall is slowly working its way to Jekyll Island, Georgia. The cooler sea breezes sweep over the islands and refresh us on bike rides and beach walks. It’s amazing to think back on that happy day, eight years ago next week, when we pulled into our rental cottage on St. Simons Island with two cats and lots of dreams. We’re just as delighted with the Golden Isles today as we were the first time we saw them in 1988!

Our Greece/Turkey holiday was amazing and intriguing and filled with beauty! After recovering from jet lag, we’re now refreshed and ready to get back to work. If you would like to see our “Kodak Gallery,” we’re happy to share the slideshow with you.

I have found the answer as to whether Thomas Edison personally installed the electric power plant for the Millionaires on Jekyll Island. He did not! “In spite of the fact that several Jekyl members backed Edison’s enterprises, no evidence exists to show that he ever set foot on the island. On the contrary, the George A. Williams Company was contracted in 1902 to build the plant for $36,100. In the end, it would cost $39,500, which was paid, as were most improvements, by private subscription.”
The Jekyll Island Club by William Barton McCash and June Hall McCash

October will find us attending and making presentations at book festivals, art shows and school visits in South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. You can check the Event Calendar on the website to see if we’ll be in your area. If so, please let us know! It’s always fun to combine work trips with visiting friends and family.

This month’s tidbit about the Millionaires: Did you know that Joseph Pulitzer loved Jekyll Island so much that he wanted to spend his last days in unlimited privacy? Sadly, he died on his yacht, Liberty, in the harbor of Charleston, S.C., desperately hoping to reach his Jekyll Island cottage. You’ll learn more about his eccentric character and personality in the book.

Does anyone have any “difficult to unearth” information on Joseph Pulitzer or J.P Morgan that you would like to share? Or, you could send me questions about them to see if I’ve researched enough to get the correct answer!

Question of the month: How many times did Louis Comfort Tiffany visit Jekyll Island? If you know, I’ll send you a copy of your choice of my seven books! I’ll reveal the answer next month.

October is so beautiful in the Golden Isles. Please come on down and let us show you around!

All the Best,
Pamela