'Kicking Fish Tail Since 1956'
POB 30771
SAVANNAH, GEORGIA 31410
912 897 4921 912 897 3460 FAX
www.missjudycharters.com
Captain Judy's email fishjudy2@aol.com
Captain Judy's Cell 912 429 7671
January 5, 2009
Saltwater inshore, offshore, blue water fishing report, Freshies Suggestions, and 'Little Miss Judy's story! Thanks for reading! Captain Judy
Part Nine
Little Miss Judy's Believe It or Not!
New Years Eve in the Fifties
The Old Oglethorpe Hotel'better known as the old Sheraton Hotel'now condominiums'etc
In the early thirties, (not really sure) on Wilmington Island, down a long narrow road the Oglethorpe Hotel was built in all it's grander. This was a local hotspot for many from the rich to the famous to the regular. It was a great place to stay, to eat, and to party hard. The fact of the matter is back in old days especially on New Year Eve, this was the 'Go to Spot!' If you want to take a 'look see' I found a sight that had some pretty neat old time hotel pictures'go to
http://www.sip.armstrong.edu/Oglethorpe/FullView/Ogle_Img115.html
Since I wasn't around the thirties I had to rely on what Daddy had to say about this place. Believe me he had plenty'According to my father this hotel wasn't built, because it was going to be the prefect tourist destination spot. As you read earlier this magnificent hotel was built on isolated out of the way Wilmington Island. My father always told me that Wilmington Island was sort of a 'dropping off and picking up area.' In other words, 'liquor was brought in from the sea, packed onto trucks, and transported right down that lonely narrow road right out of town. This story could go on forever and maybe it will later. However, I really wanted to write about the 'New Year's Eve Balls' at the Oglethorpe Hotel.
However, before I go into the New Year's Eve Ball, I must tell you this one last thing about the hotel. On the grounds was as 18-hole golf course. The fact of the matter is it was considered 'World Class' golfing at it's finest! After all according to daddy, those that were players in this particular transportation industry were sometimes golfers. After all those mafia types always played it in the show 'Sopranos!' Believe me, this is one of my favorite shows. I know if dear old captain dad were still here with us, it would be his too!
Here's what daddy had to say about the allegedly gangster activities at Oglethorpe Hotel golf course'. 'In Las Vegas they buried the dead in the desert. On Wilmington Island they buried them on the golf course!' The fact of the matter is my father was a very smart man. However, there is no way he could have made all this stuff, because he knew too much detailed information about it. When I remember about the past I write it down as soon as I can!
All I want to know is where is that publisher that wants to write a book about all of my father's wild adventures? Here's one for you. In the fifties a certified book publisher that wanted to do his story approached my father with a deal. They wanted him to talk and they would do all to the writing. My father quickly declined this great offer. Over the years he mentioned about the book offer from time to time. I never really thought about asking him why until one day when it finally crossed my mine to do so. I asked him, 'Why didn't you let them write about all these great things that you experiences?' His answer was quick and to the point. Daddy said, 'I was afraid it would affect you!' I still had to ask, 'why?' This answer came quick also. Daddy explained, 'Some of those involved were still living and sill had outside ties to the so called Underworld!' According to my father 'really talking about it at this time wasn't an option!'
I know I need to get back to the story at hand. My grandmother, who I didn't see much after the age of 8 year old, (another story) lived and worked at the Oglethorpe Hotel. The bottom line was for the time that she was around and especially on New Year Eve I normally spent the night. She worked in the laundry room, which was located in the underground part of the hotel. As a small child, when I stayed with he, I pretty much got to know the hotel from 'bottoms up!' It seemed after a few inspections that all areas such as the dinning rooms and kitchen as well as the ballroom could be accessed from this area. So therefore the more I exercised my right as a child to sneak around while no was looking especially my grandmother, the more I discovered..
There was this one room besides the kitchen that I loved to sneak around too. I called it the 'green room,' but I think it was actually called the 'Emerald Ball Room.' Now that name certainly does ring a big bell. There was a place in downtown Savannah called the 'Emerald Room' if I'm not mistaken. I believe daddy visited there a lot too! I know I'm rambling.
The Emerald Room at the hotel was so special at least to me, because it had these long green velvet curtains. The windows in this place must have been 20 feet tall. Please remember as a child things can and do get a little exaggerated! However, this is what I remember for sure!
While looking about one early New Year's Eve I watched as these guys with tall white hats chipped away at large blocks of colored ice. It looked like they were going to make swans, ducks, or some sort of bird shape. Others dressed in black and white attire placed colorful parties favors all the tables covered with starched white tablecloths. After a while I become bored and back out of there. As the evening went on I kept thinking about the ice figures and them just melting right away. It kind of made me sad. This particular thought probably only lasted about one minute.
My ultimate main goal was to go to sleep fast and wake up early so as to get ready for daddy to pick me up. As a young child I really didn't know what all the fuss was about in regards to New Years Eve night. However, I have to admit that I was always anxious about getting my hands on those big party hats, blowouts, and noisemakers that daddy was going to bring me straight from the 'Green Room!' What he didn't know was 'I was there before him!' As a child I had a wonderful life and as an adult it's even better! Here's wishing all my readers a Happy New Year!
Captain Judy
Thanks for reading!