st. simons island Archives - Page 4 of 4

You may remember the “America’s Favorite Towns” survey where St. Simons Island, Georgia ranked #3 for our beautiful natural setting, miles of sandy beaches, sprawling oaks, golf and historic sites.

As part of the “America’s Favorite Towns” poll, Travel + Leisure readers also scored towns on their romantic appeal for the “America’s Most Romantic Towns” list. To calculate the most romantic towns, Travel + Leisure looked at brunch spots, bakeries, wine scenes, scenic picnic-friendly parks and romantic hotels.

Based on these categories, we are pleased to report that St. Simons Island ranked as the #1 Most Romantic Town! We’ll just quote T+L directly:

“America’s top town for romance strikes the right balance between seclusion and accessibility. Located on one of Georgia’s Golden Isles, this southern-style beach town has both white sands and live oaks, and was a hit with readers in romance-friendly categories such as picnicking and charming cafés. You can rent bicycles, browse antique shops, and check out another undeniable marker of romantic destinations: the local lighthouse.”

As a bonus to those who are considering a romantic getaway, another top romantic town is just across the bridge—a quick 12-minute drive from St. Simons Island. Neighboring Brunswick, Georgia ranked #20 among Travel + Leisure readers:

“Established by the British in 1771, this romantic coastal spot is one of the few American towns that kept its colonial street names—a nod to longevity any couple can appreciate. Aside from quirky appeal to history buffs, Brunswick was ranked highly for its festivals, such as autumn’s Brunswick Rockin’ Stewbilee, where competitors cook up tomatoey pots of stew. Come December, a plethora of twinkly lights is a seasonal enchantment (even on the water, during the Christmas Boat Parade of Lights).”

Turns out, Coastal Georgia is for lovers! Take a look at the Hodnett Cooper St. Simons Island and Brunswick Area Guide for all sorts of activity ideas. For the romantic, a horseback ride on the beach, picnic at oceanfront Neptune Park, a long walk on the beach or a Tree Spirit treasure hunt.

Allison Entrekin, an award-winning travel writer and editor living in Atlanta wrote a piece on St. Simons Island for USA Today. The three-part piece features an overview of the island, what to do and where to stay.

Entrekin conveys the natural beauty of St. Simons, the unique shops and restaurants in the village area and the sensible development along the beaches. She also touches on some of the distinctive features of the Island—the roped off areas of the dunes protecting loggerhead sea turtles during nesting season and the abundance of bicycles parked on the paths leading to the beach.

In the “What to do” section, St. Simons Island is deemed a “cyclist’s paradise” because of the miles and miles of picturesque bike paths all over the Island. Biking, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, fishing and of course, golf, are among the favored activities.

And “Where to stay,” Hodnett Cooper Vacation Rentals is named best choice for family, budget and luxury travelers.

For the complete articles, click the links below:

USA Today: Experience St. Simons Island, Georgia

USA Today: What do to on St. Simons Island, Georgia

USA Today: Where to stay on St. Simons Island, Georgia

St. Simons Island is once again proving to be a traveler favorite. In a recent poll, Travel + Leisure fans and followers nominated their favorite towns for consideration. Among the 744 towns nominated and after the final votes were cast, St. Simons Island ranked #3 in overall popularity. Below is the complete article. And click here for a link to other national accolades St. Simons Island has amassed.

America’s Favorite Towns

October 2013, by Sarah L. Stewart

The votes are in for T+L readers’ best-loved small towns, from Vermont to Utah.

As you watch the sun dip below 14,000-foot peaks from Allred’s restaurant, toast your craft beers to a vacation well spent in Telluride, CO, a historic ski town hip enough to host film and bluegrass festivals.

Telluride, rated No. 7, is just one of the small towns with outsize personalities that proved irresistible to the T+L community. For our first America’s Favorite Towns survey, we asked our fans and followers to nominate their favorites on social media with the hashtag #TLTowns—and then to vote for the 744 towns in 55 categories, including farmers’ markets, museums, adventure travel, and family-friendly hotels.

To determine the overall popularity results, we calculated each town’s average score. The results reveal that T+L readers have a soft spot for small towns in the Rockies, with the No. 1 title going to Aspen, CO, which scored highly for its attractive locals, beer scene, and Victorian-era Main Street.

What most winning towns have in common is a history dating back at least a century. Charlottesville, VA, for instance, still bears the imprint of Thomas Jefferson, who masterminded Monticello and the University of Virginia and also appreciated fine wine. The area makes a scenic wine-country getaway, with the Blue Ridge Mountains for a backdrop.

No. 3 St. Simons, GA

The ebb and flow of the Atlantic dictates life in this resort town on an 18-square-mile island off the Georgia coast. T+L readers gave St. Simons high marks for the caliber of its residents, scoring ninth place for most active and sixth for their intelligence. They’re lucky to live in a beautiful natural setting, with miles of sandy beaches and sprawling oaks. Attractions include golf courses and an 1872 lighthouse with sweeping views.

Photo: Georgia Tourism

In a recent Board of Directors meeting, Kris Maichle was appointed and unanimously approved as President of Hodnett Cooper Vacation Rentals, Inc. The appointment reflects a promotion for Maichle, who has been General Manager of Hodnett Cooper Vacation Rentals.

Kris Maichle joined the Hodnett Cooper team in 2007 bringing years of resort and vacation rental management experience to the company. In his time at Hodnett Cooper, Maichle and the vacation rental team have grown the portfolio of vacation rental properties from 200 to just under 400 properties and has increased annual revenues. Kris Maichle is active in the Glynn County tourism industry and is the immediate Past Chairman of the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. Maichle has served on Golden Isles Chamber of Commerce boards and is currently on St Simons/Sea Island Council. Maichle is active in the nationwide Vacation Rental Managers Association, and in 2011, he was recognized as a community business leader by Golden Isles Magazine in the “Twenty Under Forty” profile.

“Kris has been instrumental in the success and growth of Hodnett Cooper Vacation Rentals and we are pleased to recognize his leadership and positive contribution to the company,” said Roy Hodnett, Founder and Chairman of the Board.

Maichle’s position as President is effective immediately. “All of us at look forward to the ongoing value and innovative leadership Maichle provides to the vacation rental business of Hodnett Cooper,” said Pat Hodnett Cooper, President and Broker of Hodnett Cooper Real Estate, Inc.

About Hodnett Cooper Vacation Rentals: Hodnett Cooper Vacation Rentals is the largest vacation rental management company on St. Simons Island, Georgia with 50 employees and close to 400 vacation rental residences. Hodnett Cooper Vacation Rentals welcomes approximately 10,000 traveling groups to St. Simons Island each year.

About Hodnett Cooper Real Estate: Operating as a separate company, Hodnett Cooper Real Estate, Inc. currently encompasses a team of more than 40 real estate professionals and services listing contracts throughout the Golden Isles. The Residential Rentals division manages over 400 long-term rentals. With offices on St. Simons Island, Brunswick and Oak Grove Island, Hodnett Cooper Real Estate, Inc serves a three-county Coastal Georgia area.

The south end of St. Simons Island is unique with characteristics that appeal to people near and far. Known as “S1” in the Glynn County MLS, the south end of St. Simons Island is close to the beach, unique shopping and locally-owned restaurants. Today, ownership opportunities range from condominiums in the low $100s to a 6 bedroom, 7 bathroom waterfront home at $3.9 million. With vacation rental programs offering income-producing potential, it’s also an attractive market for second home ownership. Hodnett Cooper is the expert in this unique market and our Island office is conveniently located in the heart of the village area at 520 Ocean Boulevard.

Hodnett Cooper Vacation Rentals is pleased to announce that we have been voted “Best Vacation Rental” in Elegant Island Living magazine’s annual readers’ poll. We strive every day to provide unparalleled guest service, the best online user experience and the best selection of vacation rental properties on St. Simons Island, Georgia. We are honored to be recognized by the readers of Elegant Island Living magazine.

As Elegant Island Living mentions in the July “Best of 2013” issue, St. Simons Island was recently voted among the Top 10 Island in the United States in the 25^th annual Conde Nast Traveler “Best in the World” Readers’ Choice Awards.

Hodnett Cooper is pleased to welcome thousands of guests to St. Simons Island each year. And to be recognized as the best vacation rental company in one of the best island destinations is quite an honor. We thank all who voted. And we continue our efforts to be the best each and every day for each and every guest.

When the Outside Magazine’s online Adventure Adviser was asked, “Where are the best fall beach escapes?” by the Editors in Santa Fe, New Mexico, they answered with St. Simons Island, Georgia! Citing uncrowded beaches, moderate temperatures and great adventure activities, we couldn’t agree more that St. Simons Island is an ideal fall beach escape!

Heres’s how the Adventure Adviser described the Island:

St. Simons is the largest of Georgia’s four idyllic Golden Isles, and also typically the most touristy. But in the fall, when the taffy eaters have largely vanished and the air temperature still lingers in the 70s, you’ll barely have to share the soft, grass-crowned sand with anyone. The prime adventure activities are fishing from the shore or St. Simons Island Pier, surfing (you’ll need a wetsuit), and road biking through St. Simons and other barrier islands.

Roy Hodnett was recently awarded the Alfred W. Jones, Sr. Award for dedicated leadership and outstanding service to Brunswick and the Golden Isles by the Brunswick-Golden Isles Chamber of Commerce. Those of us who work with him every day can go on and on about what a wonderful leader and person he is. The award introduction speech nicely sums up his lifetime of dedication.

Let’s start back over 80 years ago when a young boy at the age of 11 started working to help support his family. He delivered papers and then groceries all over town on his bike and continued helping his family through high school. Following his high school graduation, he worked in virtually every aspect of the food retail business, which he loved. In 1940, he went to work for a large company called Dupont, but before he was there even a full year, the war broke out. He enlisted in the army at the young age of 20 and spent the next five years of his life serving his country because he loved and believed in what his country stood for: freedom.

Before he left to fight in France, he met and married the love of his life. He will tell you that she helped make him the man he is today. After being wounded in the Battle of the Bulge and coming dangerously close to losing his leg, he came home a hero with numerous honors, including the Purple Heart and the Silver Star.

He came home to heal, see his newborn son, and begin building a life and future with his family. Starting his own cookie distributing company from scratch, he proved quickly that hard work, determination and a good woman beside him was all he needed. He and his family soon moved out of their $900 government house and built a beautiful home where they raised their three children, Mike, Pat and Kelly. It was a good life.

Flash forward to 1968 when he and his wife were vacationing on a little Island in Georgia called Jekyll. They decided to drive over to the next island for dinner and when they crossed the causeway leading to St. Simons, he said, “Honey, I think we have just discovered a little slice of heaven.” They both fell in love with the Island and purchased a home that weekend, making the decision that they would continue building their life in our beautiful community. He sold his distributing company and went into the cookie brokerage business. They packed up their family, moved to Georgia and never looked back.

Always believing that the more a person gives, the more he gets back, he began to make his mark. Embracing their new life in Georgia, he and his family joined the St. Simons United Methodist Church, many clubs and organizations and strived to become part of their new community. Growing tired of traveling with his brokerage company, he retired from selling cookies at the age of 62, deciding to enjoy his days playing golf, enjoying his family and perhaps, sell a little real estate. A few days after retiring, his wife—realizing he would quickly grow bored in retirement—told him, “I married you for better or worse, but not for lunch. Now, go find a job!”

Again, with a lot of determination, hard work, and quite a few risks, he and his partner, built one of the most successful small businesses in Glynn County.

Over the years, he has guided, led, listened, mentored, advised, supported and encouraged so many people, young and old alike. He has a soft spot for anything that has to do with children or young people because he knows they are our future. Each year The Gathering Place stops by his office with a group of students to say “thank you” and he always enjoys this annual visit. He takes the time to share his story and hear about their hopes and plans for the future, all the while encouraging them. As one man told me recently, “He just has that way of making you feel special and that you can do anything if you believe you can.” Always with a smile and a warm handshake or hug, he continues preaching the value of work ethic, kindness and respect for all. He has never strayed from these principles and continues to touch the heart and soul of everyone he meets. He will tell you his family, his country, his community, and his God are the most important things in his life

If you ask him what his secret is to having such a successful and happy life, he will tell you it is having a wife of 68 years who stood beside him and often behind him pushing and believing in him. He will also tell you it is having the right ATTITUDE. There is a quote on the wall in his office that says “The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than failures, than successes, than appearances, than skills, than what other people think or say or do. It will make or break a company, a church, a home. What’s remarkable is that we have a choice every day we wake up regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you.“

At 91, his work ethic still has him going to his office every day with his door always open for the next person to walk in for him to encourage, mentor, and push along. And of course, talk about attitude.

How lucky Glynn County was that day over 44 years ago that Roy and Anne Hodnett decided to pack up their children and their lives and move from that small Virginia town to their little slice of heaven.

Roy, we would like to honor and thank you for everything you have done, and continue to do, for our community as this year’s recipient of the Alfred W. Jones Award.

Congratulations Roy, from all of us at Hodnett Cooper!

Painted Buntings are currently arriving here on St Simons Island. We spotted one in our Sea Palms West neighborhood using the iBird Yard Plus HD app for the iPad to attract them. We were able to get a photo of this beautiful bird. Painted Buntings have also been spotted on Little St Simons Island at feeders across the Island.

The Painted Bunting is found in thickets, woodland edges and brushy areas, along roadsides, in suburban areas, and gardens. The male was once a very popular caged bird, but capturing and holding a Painted Bunting is now illegal. Populations are declining on the East Coast where habitat is being lost to development and the species is at risk of being listed as threatened or endangered. Their breeding range includes Georgia, Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Florida, Carolina, Louisiana and northern Mexico. The male Painted Bunting is often described as the most beautiful bird in North America. Its colors–dark blue head, green back, red rump and under parts–make it easy to identify, but it can still be difficult to spot since it hides in foliage even when singing. The plumage of female and juvenile Painted Buntings is green and yellow-green, serving as camouflage. Once seen, the adult female is still distinctive, since it is one of the only truly green birds native to the United States.

Be on the lookout for this brilliantly colored songbird currently making its migration north.

No. 3 St. Simons, GA

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