2017 Fall Meeting - Record Turnout of Members

Thanks to the unexpected visit from Hurricane Irma the Fall Friends of Sapelo Meeting was postponed from September to October.  It is traditional during the Fall meeting for people to sign up for all upcoming events.  From the number of people who showed up to the meeting it was obvious that everyone wanted to be sure to get their name on the list of their favorite activity.

In addition to sign up sheets, and there were many,  the highlight of the meeting was a presentation by Rachel Guy, the Sapelo Island Research Coordinator.  Rachel, with the assistance of intern Eric ?? and Adam McKinnon, Sapelo Island Education Coordinator, mounted a time lapse camera to the flag pole at Long Tabby and recorded the arrival and departure of Hurricane Irma. In addition to the live feed, Rachel added still images of the Reserve before and after. For most of the members this was their first time to see the huge impact the storm had on the island. (See the video below.)

President Jerry Meyer welcomed new members and Volunteer Coordinator, Linda Daniel gave updates on the work that has been done on the island and what needs to be done in the coming months, Tonya Lam reported on a new project, "Sugar Mill Native Garden Entry", that will be funded by a grant from the Trustees' Garden Club of Savannah.  David Humphries told about his find of a message in a bottle during the October beach sweep. (See News, October 18, 2017 for the story).

Kaye Trayer talked about the plans for decorating RJ Reynolds Mansion in November and she asked members to assist her in recruiting 4 strong young people to come to the island on Sunday to haulthe trees out of the basement and set up them up before the Friends arrive to decorate.  Jeanne Leonard, Docent Coordinator, explained changes to how docents will conduct tours this year and encouraged everyone to consider signing up.  With the changes more docents will be needed each day; the Holiday tours run 6 days a week, December 1-23.

Minutes of the Fall 2017.

The following video. "Irma Extended", was created by Rachel K. Guy, Research Coordinator, Marine Biologist III, Sapelo Island National Research Reserve, Georgia Department of Natural Resources.