Newspaper Page Text
PAGE 2, AUGUST 31, 2009, THE ISLANDER
Page 2 N
Virginia Gunn returning to St. Simons
to sign new Nancy Grace best seller
Rotary Club of St. Simons Island
installs new officers for 09-10
Former Glynn County Commission
er Virginia Gunn is fictionalized and
featured prominently in author Nancy
Grace’s best-selling new novel, The
Eleventh Victim. Gunn is portrayed as
an environmentalist who discovers an
unannounced plan to allow a huge 24
story condo development on a protected
St. Simons Island south end beach.
Gunn, who now lives outside of
Atlanta, enjoyed the book so much,
she has decided to return to St. Simons
briefly to sign copies of The Eleventh
Victim for locals.
She will be at Beachview Books, 215
Mallory Street, St. Simons Island, Sat
urday September 12 from 5 to 7 p.m.
Grace’s book is a minder mystery
that includes autobiographical similari
ties between the main protagonist Hai
ley Dean, and Grace, the author. Many
of the character's life experiences (such
as the death of her fiance from a violent
and senseless crime) come right out of
Nancy Grace's life.
Grace’s female characters are strong;
dans, and developers) are gauche, mor
ally bankrupt, philandering con artists.
The fictitious Virginia Gunn charac
ter is a native islander who lives alone
on the beach with a herd of barking
"wiener dogs."
Warning to purists: Grace’s depic
tion of St. Simons Island leaves a bit to
be desired. But the fictional plot to stop
over-development can be enjoyed.
Gunn will bring bookplates signed
by Nancy Grace, who says about her,
‘Virginia Gunn and I have something
huge in common.... we both have loved
St. Simons Island for so many, many
years. I have visited the Island since I
was only four years old, chugging along
old highway 341 in our church bus, to
the Methodist center at Epworth by the
Sea. I know anyone who visits or lives
here must feel the same wonderment
as Virginia and I do!"
The Eleventh Victim has risen to
the number 6 spot on both the New
York Times and Publishers Weekly
best seller lists. For more information,
cab 912-638-7282. □
New officers and directors of the Rotary Club of St. Simons Island are
front row (left to right) Brooke Pridmore, president; Wank Davis, Sue
Taylor, Wally Forsythe, Myra Hocutt. Second row (left to right) Bill Warren,
Gary Schwartz, Clyde Taylor, Mary Beth Hester. Back row (left to right)
Don Myers, Chuck Cansler, Everett Millican, Jim Bruce, Allen Berry, John
Matthews.
HONPA Summer Clearance!
Now At
Nalley Honda
Pontiac GMC Jeep
her male characters (lawyers, politi-
Kingston announces economic development
funds for Glynn County
David Hunt
(770) 480-6374
178 Altama Connector • Brunswick
(912) 267-7000 • (800) 625-5394
www.nalleyauto.com
Al Lim
(912)270-2256
Congressman Jack Kingston (R-
GA/01) announced that Glynn County
is set to receive $1.4 million from the
Economic Development Administra
tion (EDA) through the Department of
Commerce. The funding will be used to
rebuild a certified driver’s license (CDL)
testing center.
“I congratulate the City of Bruns
wick and Glynn County for acquiring
these funds for their community,” Con
gressman Kingston said. “CDL testing
sites are an integral part of our voca
tional education system which helps
train our students for the job market.
With today’s tough economic climate
and high unemployment, we need to
replenish all resources possible so that
those searching for employment get all
the adequate training necessary.”
The center, which suffered tornado
i lie ran OMUi lartauiu worm. * oci vine di uiiowius auu me uuiueii idled.
Locally Owned and Operated. 912-264-6251.
damage in 2008, will be operated and
maintained by the Georgia Department
of Driver Services and will serve a
27 county area in Southeast Georgia.
This portion of Georgia includes coastal
ports, rail lines and industries, all of
which depend on drivers with CDL
credentials.
‘We are very pleased to get the
necessary ftmding to rebuild the test
ing center,” said Dick Newbem, Grant
Coordinator for Glynn Comity. We are
thankful and hopeful that it will help
give a much needed boost to our local
economy.”
The EDA serves as a venture capital
resource to meet the economic develop
ment needs of distressed communities
throughout the United States. EDA’s
mission is to lead the federal economic
agenda by promoting innovation and
competitiveness, preparing American
regions for growth and success in the
worldwide economy. “I
St. Simons Island Annual
Labor Day Arts & Crafts
Show 2009 cancelled
Due to recent restrictions placed on
the use of the Pier Village parks on St.
Simons Island, the Annual Labor Day
Weekend Arts and Crafts Show has
been cancelled.
"The space available did not meet
the criteria for staging a good show,"
said Lynda Dalton-Gallagher, Arts &
Crafts Coordinator. "We represent only
the finest artists and crafters in the
region who come to St. Simons Island
to showcase their talent and sell their
work. Our patrons are accustomed to
a quality presentation and deserve a
show readily accessible to them."
Gallagher continued, "We apologize
for any inconvenience this may have
caused our artists/crafters and patrons
and are looking forward to the Annual
Spring Invitational Arts and Crafts
Show in March 2009." □
