We enjoyed
another year of interesting and informative programs: Kelly Spratt told us about
the work of preserving historic Darien while planning for future changes;
Christy Crisp of GHS gave us off-beat info on James Oglethorpe; we heard about
the Jekyll Island Clubs women members from June Hall McCash; Pamela Bauer
Mueller reviewed her book MARY MUSGROVE, QUEEN OF THE CREEKS; James
Jordan recounted his story of the illegal slave trade in America through THE
SAGA OF THE SLAVE SHIP WANDERER; Mary Evelyn Hoffhaus told us of her family’s
long history in McIntosh County; Laura and Meredith Devendorf of Melon Bluff
recounted the role of the live oak in Georgia and the world; and Robert Weber of
GHS taught us about the common soldier of the American Revolution.
The summer picnic
at the Fort, our “Show and Tell” night, and the Christmas party at Belvedere
with Everett’s eggnog were the social highlights of our year. But undoubtedly
the program “highlight” was Buddy’s presentation, “Early Spanish Settlement on
the Georgia Coast, 1525-1721,” to a standing-room-only crowd of more than 80
people. in November and December we sponsored Buddy’s six-lecture series on “The
History of Darien and McIntosh County” which was held at the Fort and enjoyed by
many McIntosh and Glynn County participants.
“Altamaha Echoes”
saw a “changing-of-the-guard (i.e., editor)” this year, as Myrtle Newberry left
us --and McIntosh -- to move to a Stone Mountain retirement community, turning
over this job which she had held for 15 years to Carole Williams. David Miller
agreed to be responsible for Myrtle’s other job - taking care of Publications
and Books.
We had two great
field trips arranged by Jean Hawkins — McIntosh Seed’s bus tour of the Harris
Neck area and a walking tour of Civil War sites in Savannah.
We continued our
membership in the Chamber of Commerce, gave $100 in support of the Blessing of
the Fleet, installed a plaque and planted an oak tree at Fort King George in
memory of long-time member Dyson Flanders, contributed $1,000 to the McIntosh
Art Association, and persevered for months until the light in the Fort King
George parking lot was finally installed. We sent a letter in support of
Darien’s grant application for funds to help set up a Darien historic sites
walking trail, had input into the DOT’s assessment of the
historic value of various areas in the county that would be affected by highway
projects (VP Jack Godfrey took on this job for us), and our Scholarship
Committee chaired by Ann Howard presented the Buddy Sullivan annual scholarship
award to Mallory Jarriel, one of MCA’s top graduating seniors.
Jim Bruce
continues to do a wonderful job as our webmaster, keeping everything up to date
and adding archives when material is available. Howard and Jeanne Klippel are
integral to the life of LAHS, taking care of programs and membership. The Clarks
are masters of hospitality, and we now have an LAHS historian - Buddy Sullivan.
All our committee chairs are much appreciated and needed and deserve a “round of
applause” for their hard work; likewise, your secretary, Betty Ewing, and
treasurer, Kaye Traer.
We continue to
enjoy our relationship with Fort King George through the generosity of Steven
Smith, Superintendent. As far as I can see, LAHS is thriving because of
everyone’s participation and interest, and I have enjoyed serving you as
president during this first year of my two-year term.
Harriet Roberson,
President