Lighthouse Chili Supports Fire Department

Chili Chef Lydia Murphy and husband Jerry cook competition chili.

The Lighthouse Chili Booth at the St. George Island Charity Chili Cookoff raised over $160 for the SGI Volunteer Fire Department at the annual event on Saturday, March 2.

While Chili Chef Lydia Murphy prepared the booth entry for the International Chili Society competition, SGLA Vice President Jim Kemp and Director Richard Saucer mixed up a big pot of the spicy stuff to sell in dollar tasting cups to the crowds of spectators on hand for the Chili Cookoff.  Assistant Chef Jerry Murphy is the president of Murphy & Orr Exhibits, the firm that produced the exhibits for the Lighthouse Museum.

A sunny but appropriately "chilly" day drew crowds from far and wide to bid in the auction, enjoy the antics of the Miss Chili Pepper and Mr. Hot Sauce competitions, and consume chili and beer.

While Lydia's Lighthouse Chili, competing with 40+ other chili recipes, did not take home a prize this year, we thought it was best in show!

We thank all our Chili cooks, servers, volunteers, members, gift shop staff and docents, lighthouse keepers, and everyone else who made the Chili Cookoff another fun and successful event on St. George Island!

Lighthouse Chilheads: Jerry, Lydia, Richard, Bob, Karen, Ed, Skip, and Terry, with Chili Dogs Gus and Rosie.

Posted by Kemp Terry - 03/07/13, 08:17 AM

New Sign for Lighthouse Park

Bob Sauls (on ladder) works on sign installation.

A new gateway sign was installed at the entrance to St. George Lighthouse Park on February 20.  The colorful sign announces the presence of the Cape St. George Light, the Lighthouse Museum, and the Gift Shop, as well as the St. George Island Visitor Center.

The sign also credits the Franklin County Tourist Development Council, which partially funds the Lighthouse and the Visitor Center.

The sign was designed and created by Bob Sauls of Sauls Signs & Designs in Tallahassee.  It replaces the outdated sign rendered obsolete when the Lighthouse Museum was relocated from the Visitor Center to the Keeper's House, and lets visitors know about the fabulous Lighthouse Gift Shop which has become an island shopping destination.

Watch for additional signs which will be added to Lighthouse Park in the coming weeks to further help visitors navigate their way around the Lighthouse and Keeper's House!

Posted by Kemp Terry - 02/28/13, 03:30 PM

2013 Tour of Homes Is a Huge Success

The 2013 St. George Island Tour of Homes, held on February 9, attracted 500 visitors to view eight beautiful island homes and raised $8,000 for the St. George Lighthouse Association.

A sunny winter day helped the event top last year's attendance and revenue by about 30 per cent.  Visitors who responded to surveys came from 28 states and two foreign countries.  They had overwhelmingly positive comments and 95 per cent said that they would certainly attend a future SGI Tour of Homes.

The Tour kicked off Friday evening with a reception and presentation on the ecology of Apalachicola Bay by Erik Lovestrand of the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve.  A capacity crowd filled the Jay Abbott Firehouse and enjoyed homemade refreshments and nature-oriented raffle prizes.

Saturday's tour once again utilized a shuttle system to transport guests to the Plantation Clubhouse and the three homes in the gated community -- one beachfront, one bayfront, and one interior.  The tour also included three homes in the Gulf Beaches area and one beachfront home on the East End.

The St. George Lighthouse Association thanks the many people who attended, and the more than 100 volunteers who made the event such a huge success!

Posted by Kemp Terry - 02/28/13, 02:55 PM