Shucking oysters under the gazebo
This past Friday evening, April 30th, we hosted an oyster roast, symbolic in sundry ways, at the Oliver family’s Darien fish camp. The end of the oyster season and the coming of summer, it was principally a tribute to Susan Ryles, the recently retired director of Glynn Visual Arts, for her dynamic leadership and yeoman service in promoting art on St. Simons Island and Glynn county.
Susan brought new energy and vision to Glynn Visual Arts, originally founded in 1950 as the Island Art Center by artist Bill Hendrix. Today Glynn Visual Arts has a mortgage-free center with a revitalized and growing membership in a time of increasing competition for attention and funding in the local community. We all wish Susan and her husband, Tim, a wonderful new life in their move to Americus, Georgia, and the family farm in lower Alabama.
It was a festive evening bellying up to shuck oysters before a dinner of ribs and the traditional low country boil. Looking out on the broad marshes and enjoying the fine weather was truly an affirmation of Southern hospitality.
As for me, the evening was the perfect end to my winter season on the island as I look forward to the cooler climes of the Georgia mountains. My summer and fall will be spent mending fences, grading the roads, sitting on the front porch, listening to the cacophony of the cicadas, and watching the fireflies in the evenings.
Appetizers and fellowship
Enjoyed the leftovers.
Glad to see such community in that lovely place! Can’t wait to see you at Potlatch!