March 2009 – Sightseers' Delight

Bless the fleet at Darien’s annual festival

March 26, 2009 The Travel Trolley

Darien, Ga., the state’s second city, is set to celebrate the annual “Blessing of the Fleet,” a celebration of the city’s shrimping industry. “What makes this festival so great is that we pay tribute to the fishing industry,” McIntosh County Chamber of Commerce President Wally Orrel said, according to the Georgia Times-Union. “There are decades of tradition, and this year, the theme is, ‘Still Shrimping After All of These Years.’” The city of Darien was

U.S. Embassy: Avoid Roppongi because of ‘drink-spiking incidents’

March 18, 2009 The Travel Trolley

The U.S. Embassy in Tokyo is urging Americans to avoid bars in the city’s Roppongi district following an uptick in “drink-spiking incidents.” “The number of reports of U.S. citizens being drugged in bars has increased significantly in recent weeks,” the Embassy said in a statement. “Typically, the victim unknowingly drinks a beverage that has been secretly mixed with a drug that renders the victim unconscious for several hours, during which time large sums of money

Obama Effort to End Armed Pilots Program an Outrage, Says CCRKBA

March 18, 2009 The Travel Trolley

PRNewswire-USNewswire BELLEVUE, Wash., March 17 — A revelation by the Washington Times that President Barack Obama is trying to quietly end the armed pilot program, making air travel more vulnerable to terrorist attack, should outrage travelers, the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms said today. “The Washington Times nailed it,” said CCRKBA Chairman Alan Gottlieb, who proposed arming pilots just hours after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and championed the

Sightseeing Sideways: Reliving the movie makes for a great weekend

March 17, 2009 Todd DeFeo

The rolling hills of the Santa Ynez Valley are the perfect backdrop for some college friends to reunite and enjoy some fine dining and the region’s wine.

Unscrew the cork and try some Georgia wine

March 15, 2009 The Travel Trolley

The state’s winegrowers association is hosting a “Wine Highway Weekend” in Northeast Georgia next weekend, March 20-21. There is a $20 fee to participate in the weekend. With the fee, participants will receive a souvenir wine glass, which will serve as an entry ticket into the wineries. Georgia’s reputation as a wine-producing state has increased in recent years, officials say. In the last five years, the total number of acres of vineyards in Georgia has

Georgia’s Presidential Legacies Live On

March 15, 2009 HarpBlaster.com News Wire

With intimate ties to three U.S. presidents, Georgia fulfills the historically curious and excites those who appreciate the great men of our nation.

Tough times: Travelers reap benefits

March 14, 2009 The Travel Trolley

All signs point to a number of advantages for travelers even though times may be tough, experts say.

Travel Leaders Meet with President Obama

March 13, 2009 The Travel Trolley

PRNewswire-USNewswire WASHINGTON — Travel industry leaders met with President Obama to discuss the unique role that travel can play in strengthening the American economy. The meeting focused on two critical areas: the need to welcome more international visitors and the business community’s concerns about the dramatic nationwide downturn in meetings and events. “We are pleased that President Obama recognizes the power of travel to strengthen America’s economy,” said Roger Dow, president and CEO of the

Oakland Cemetery reopens this weekend

March 12, 2009 The Travel Trolley

Historic Oakland Cemetery reopens this weekend, a year after the grounds were damaged by a tornado. The Historic Oakland Foundation is holding a rededication ceremony at 11 a.m. today.

‘The smallest church in America’

March 11, 2009 Todd DeFeo

SOUTH NEWPORT, Ga. — “For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst,” Jesus said, according to Matthew 18:20. Admittedly, the cinderblock building doesn’t make much of an impression from the road. In fact, it looks more like a storage shed than a church. But, for 60 years, Christ’s Chapel in Memorial Park has served the community well – even if a dozen people at a time.