The Golden Isles has opinions—and not the quiet kind. From where you’d actually raise a family (Downtown vs. The Island 👀) to gas station chaos and driving debates that are… let’s just say heated, this week’s conversations are spicy.

On top of that, one of the best weekends of the spring is here—Art in the Park, live music everywhere, and plenty of reasons to get out of the house. Let’s get into it 👇

Job burnout is on the rise, but a 2022 CBDistillery study found that participants taking CBD and CBG reported reduced mild or temporary anxiety and increased focus. The leading brand for high-quality, lab-tested CBD solutions, CBDistillery offers multiple formulas with CBD and CBG – and code FOCUS will save you 20% on this bundle.

Stress Less, Focus More

The Brunswick Police Department is making a couple of notable updates—both on the street and behind the scenes.

First, you may start noticing a new look around town. The department has introduced updated black-and-white patrol vehicles and refreshed uniform patches, featuring a thin blue line to honor officers and a yellow line recognizing dispatchers. Officers will also be transitioning to a new uniform style with jersey blue polos and navy pants, giving the department a more modern, community-focused appearance.

But the bigger shift might be in how certain calls are handled.

BPD has officially added a part-time clinician role, bringing mental health expertise directly into the field. The new clinician will work alongside officers during select calls, helping with de-escalation, on-site assessments, and connecting individuals with resources and follow-up care.

The position is now filled by Janel Holland, a longtime Brunswick resident with over 20 years of experience in mental health and criminal justice. Her background spans everything from counseling and nonprofit work to teaching and supporting military populations—bringing a deep bench of experience to the role.

City officials say this move has been a long-term goal and is part of a broader effort to take a more community-centered and proactive approach to public safety.

If you’ve been itching to get back out on the courts (or finally prove you’re better than your doubles partner 😏), this is your moment.

The Golden Isles Hardcourt Championships are set for May 15–17 at Epworth Park (SSI)—and this one’s shaping up to be more than just a tournament.

We’re talking multiple skill levels (3.0 → Open), men’s, women’s, and mixed doubles… plus food trucks, a silent auction, bake sale, and a full weekend of tennis energy.

Even better—this year’s event honors Ken Thompson, a local tennis legend who helped shape the game for generations here. A portion of proceeds supports the Saint Francis Xavier school tennis team in his memory.

👉 Bottom line: don’t wait. These spots will fill. Grab your partner, lock it in, and get registered.

Register here: https://playtennis.usta.com/Competitions/goldenislestennis/Tournaments/Overview/0b8916d5-c6ad-4279-9207-81fefc23d319

Questions?
Karen Atkins – Tournament Director
[email protected]

And hey… if nothing else, it’s a great excuse to spend a weekend at Epworth Park in May!

🏡 Downtown Brunswick vs. The Island — Where Would You Raise a Family?
Walkability, traffic, schools, safety—and a little bit of class tension. This one goes deeper than real estate and gets into what kind of life people actually want here.
https://goldenisleslantern.beehiiv.com/p/downtown-brunswick-vs-the-island-where-would-you-raise-a-family

🚗 Brunswick Driving — A Full Contact Sport?
Slow drivers, passing lane chaos, and a comment section that absolutely lost its mind. If you’ve ever whispered “what are we doing here…” behind the wheel, this one’s for you.
https://goldenisleslantern.beehiiv.com/p/brunswick-driving-a-full-contact-sport

⛽ Sam’s Club Gas — Deal or Disaster?
Cheap gas… at what cost? From ignored arrows to near fist fights, locals weigh in on whether the savings are worth the chaos.
https://goldenisleslantern.beehiiv.com/p/sams-club-gas-deal-or-disaster

Jump in, pick a side, and see where you land 👇

👉 Locals Recommend: https://goldenisleslantern.beehiiv.com/t/locals-recommend
👉 Community Conversation: https://goldenisleslantern.beehiiv.com/t/conversation

🚢 Cruising for Causes
🕰️ 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
🎯 St. Simons Lighthouse, SSI

A breezy, coastal fundraiser with bites, raffles, and live music—all benefiting New Roots Glynn and For Good Glynn.

💰 $35 / $60 couple

🎬 Cinema Gourmet: JAWS
🕰️ 6:30 PM
🎯 The Ritz Theatre, Brunswick

You’re gonna need a bigger… dinner 🍽️🦈

Cinema Gourmet is back with a screening of Jaws, pairing the classic summer thriller with a curated food experience. It’s part movie night, part dining event—and a pretty unique way to experience one of the most iconic films ever made.

Expect a lively crowd, themed bites, and just enough suspense to make you think twice about the ocean (even here).

📞 (912) 262-6934

Shag Club at Ziggy’s
🕰️ 7:00 PM
🎯 Ziggy Mahoney’s, SSI

Put on your dancing shoes—this weekly shag night is all about rhythm, movement, and a little throwback coastal charm. Whether you know the steps or just want to fake it till you make it, it’s a good time either way.

Cornhole Tournament Night 🎯
🕰️ 7:00 PM
🎯 Fish Tales Pub & Grill / Southern Retreat RV Park, Brunswick

Grab a partner (or roll solo—they’ll match you up) and get ready for some friendly competition. $10 entry, cash prizes on the line, plus food, drinks, and live music/DJ to keep things lively. Low pressure, high fun… and yes, bragging rights absolutely count.

Spring Book Sale
🕰️ 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
🎯 St. Simons Casino Atrium, SSI

Rows and rows of books just waiting to be discovered—perfect for beach reads, hidden gems, and “I didn’t know I needed this” finds. Come early for the best picks.

One Year Celebration
🕰️ 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
🎯 Marsh Pirate, Darien

Two full days of celebrating Marsh Pirate’s first year—live music, boiled peanuts, storewide sales, dockage specials, giveaways, and $4 Marsh Pirate Lager. Basically… a coastal block party with a reason. Come hang, grab a drink, and help them toast year one 🍻

In Store Tasting
🕰️ 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
🎯 JP’s Wine & Spirits, Brunswick

Free wine tasting to kick off your weekend the right way. Swing by, try something new, and maybe walk out with your next favorite bottle 🍷

Titanic Chophouse Dinner
🕰️ 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
🎯 Jekyll Island Club Resort, Jekyll

Step back into 1912 with an elegant, Titanic-themed dining experience in the Grand Dining Room. Think refined courses, historic vibes, and full-on Gilded Age energy.
More info: https://www.jekyllclub.com/local-experiences

Friday Night Sip & Paint: “Azaleas in Bloom”
🕰️ 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
🎯 The Studio, Darien

Bring your favorite drink and paint your own spring masterpiece—no experience needed. $35 includes all supplies, just show up ready to create.
More info: https://darienstudio.com/book-a-class/ola/services/friday-night-sip-paint-azaleas-in-bloom

Pop, Paint, & Party: Pop Icon Edition
🕰️ 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
🎯 Driftwood Wine & Cocktails, Brunswick

A full-on vibe night—paint, music, dancing, games, and a little sparkle thrown in for good measure. Your ticket includes a drink, and the energy is very much “main character.”

Brunswick Midget Mayhem Wrestling Live
🕰️ 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM
🎯 Moonshiners, Brunswick

This one’s wild—in the best way. High-energy, over-the-top small person wrestling action that sells out fast and delivers big-time entertainment. Adults only (18+).
Tickets: https://avenueticket.com/event/brunswick-ga-midget-mayhem-little-mania-mini-wrestling-live-18

Late Night Mack’s (Fridays & Saturdays)
🕰️ 9:00 PM – 11:59 PM
🎯 Mack’s Bar-Be-Que, Brunswick

New pool tables, late-night vibes, and the only bar on that end of town keeping things going till midnight. Shoot some pool, grab a drink, and settle in.

Jekyll Island Greenhouse Spring Plant Sale
🕰️ 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
🎯 Jekyll Island Authority Greenhouse, Jekyll

If your yard needs a glow-up, this is the move. A huge selection of annuals, perennials, shrubs, and more—plus prices that beat your typical garden center run.

Coastal Wildscapes Plant Sale
🕰️ 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
🎯 Ashantilly Center, Darien

Native plant lovers—this is your Super Bowl 🌿
Hard-to-find coastal natives, expert advice, and a chance to upgrade your yard the right way (and sustainably).

Spring Book Sale – Half Price Day
🕰️ 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
🎯 St. Simons Casino Atrium, SSI

If you missed Friday… this is actually the better day 😏
Everything is half price, so you can stack up a summer reading pile without thinking twice.

31st Annual Art in the Park Fine Art Festival
🕰️ 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
🎯 Postell Park, SSI

One of the best events of the spring—60+ artists, handmade goods, sculptures, jewelry, photography, and more under the oaks in the heart of the Village.

This is a full-on stroll-and-browse kind of day. Grab a coffee, wander the booths, maybe find something you didn’t know you needed, and enjoy one of the prettiest setups anywhere in the Golden Isles.

One Year Celebration (Day 2)
🕰️ 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
🎯 Marsh Pirate, Darien

Round two of the celebration—same great vibes, more chances to catch live music, deals, and dockside fun.

Titanic Tribute Afternoon Tea
🕰️ 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
🎯 Jekyll Island Club Resort, Jekyll

An elegant afternoon tea inspired by Titanic-era tradition—refined, relaxed, and a little transportive. Perfect excuse to dress up just a bit.

Titanic Brunch
🕰️ 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
🎯 Jekyll Island Club Resort, Jekyll

Round out the Titanic weekend with a themed brunch experience—live actors, curated dishes, and a little bit of history woven into your Sunday morning.

✨ An Evening of Art, Impact & Experience ✨
🕰️ 4:00 PM
🎯 Frederica Golf Club, SSI

A high-end night of live art, music, food, and giving back. Watch artists create in real time, bid on original pieces, and support Safe Harbor Children’s Center.
$150 tickets—this is your “dress nice and do something meaningful” event.
More info: https://safeharborcenterinc.org/art/

Author Talk & Book Signing with Taylor Brown
🕰️ 4:00 PM
🎯 Village Creek Landing, SSI

St. Simons native and award-winning author Taylor Brown will be in conversation about his latest book Wolvers, followed by a signing.

Free and open to the public—perfect low-key Sunday if you’re into great writing and local talent.

This week’s Live Music Roundup is sponsored by Dreamweavers DJ — a father-and-son DJ team helping couples celebrate across Brunswick, SSI, Jekyll, Savannah, and Jacksonville.
https://dreamweaversdj.com

🎤 Songbird Open Mic Night @ Hootenanny’s in the Yard, Brunswick – 6:00–8:00 PM
🎸 Cliff Bragdon @ Mellow Mushroom, SSI – 6:00–9:00 PM
🎸 Roy Gentry @ Ocean Lodge Resort, SSI – 6:00–9:00 PM
🎸 Crawford & Jim @ Tipsy McSway’s, Brunswick – 6:00–9:00 PM
🎸 Common Ground @ The Wharf, JI – 6:00–9:00 PM
🎸 Rob Willis @ Tortuga Jack’s, JI – 5:00–8:00 PM
🎸 WharfRatz @ Wee Pub Beach, JI – 7:00–10:00 PM
🎸 Austin Lane @ Toucan’s Ale House, Brunswick – 7:00–10:00 PM
🎸 Jenn Burns Trio @ Rafters, SSI – 8:00–11:00 PM
🎸 Last Call @ Mullet Bay, SSI – 8:00–11:00 PM
🎸 Tony Adams & Tim Akins @ Bennie’s Red Barn/Tree Bar, SSI – 8:00 PM
🎸 Joey Thigpen & Keith Dean @ Village Inn & Pub, SSI – 8:00–11:00 PM
🎸 The Pine Box Dwellers @ Reed’s Ponderosa, Tarboro – 6:30 PM
🎸 Brody Williams @ Strand Bistro/Chophouse, Jesup – 6:30–9:30 PM
🎸 Hot Banana Coffee @ Reid’s Apothecary/The Study, Brunswick – 9:00 PM

🎸 Opal Moon @ Founders Social, JI – 5:00–8:00 PM
🎸 Tribuzio’s Live Music @ Tribuzio’s Grille, JI – 5:30–8:30 PM
🎸 Luke Latimer @ Marsh Pirate, Darien – 6:00–9:00 PM
🎸 Owen Plant @ Eighty Ocean Kitchen & Bar, JI – 6:00–9:00 PM
🎹 Jerry Gowen @ Georgia Sea Grill, SSI – 6:30–9:30 PM
🎸 Michael Hulett @ Ocean Lodge Resort, SSI – 6:00–9:00 PM
🎸 Backbeat Boulevard @ Tortuga Jack’s, JI – 6:00–9:00 PM
🎸 Gabe Spell @ The Wharf, JI – 6:00–9:00 PM
🎸 Colby Word & Conor Harrison @ Captain Stan’s Smokehouse, Woodbine – 6:30 PM
🎸 Roy Gentry & Hired Guns @ Boondox Tavern, Brunswick – 7:00–10:00 PM
🎸 Triple Shot @ Ember/Mas Lounge, SSI – 7:00–10:00 PM
🎸 TacOcaT Trio & JayBone Fettinger @ Fish Tales Pub & Grill, Brunswick – 7:00–10:00 PM
🎸 Brody Williams Band @ Gnat’s Landing, SSI – 7:00–10:00 PM
🎸 Squirt Gun @ The Hangout Bar & Grill, Brunswick – 7:00–10:00 PM
🎸 Delta Circle @ Three Oaks Steak & Seafood, Brunswick – 7:00–10:00 PM
🎸 Toucan’s Live Music @ Toucan’s Ale House, Brunswick – 7:00–10:00 PM
🎸 Brogen’s South Live Music @ Brogen’s South, SSI – 7:00–10:00 PM
🎻 Woodbine Opry Bluegrass/Gospel Jam @ Woodbine Opry – 7:00 PM
🎸 Wasabi Rush @ Tipsy McSway’s, Brunswick – 7:30–10:00 PM
🎸 Hot Banana Coffee @ Bar at Mallery, SSI – 8:00–11:00 PM
🎸 3 Day Weekend @ Mullet Bay, SSI – 8:00–11:00 PM
🎸 Cole Turner & Corey Lightsey @ Village Inn & Pub, SSI – 8:00–11:00 PM
🎸 SaltWater Gypseas @ Strand Bistro/Chophouse, Jesup – 8:00–11:00 PM
🎸 Blossomin’ Bone @ Murphy’s Tavern, SSI – 9:00 PM
🎸 The Shaelyn Band @ Rafters, SSI – 9:00 PM–12:00 AM
🎸 The Pine Box Dwellers @ Reid’s Apothecary/The Study, Brunswick – 9:00 PM

🎸 Live Music @ King City Kitchen, SSI – 11:00 AM–3:00 PM
🎸 Hollerin’ Bob @ Hootenanny’s BBQ, Brunswick – 12:00 PM
🎸 Tony Adams @ Founders Social, JI – 1:00–4:00 PM
🎸 Last Call @ Tortuga Jack’s, JI – 1:00–4:00 PM
🎸 Luke Latimer @ Marsh Pirate, Darien – 2:00–5:00 PM
🎸 Tim Akins @ Heritage Oaks Golf Club, Brunswick – 5:00–8:00 PM
🎸 Levi Moore @ The Hangout Bar & Grill, Brunswick – 6:00–9:00 PM
🎸 Soulful Dave @ Mellow Mushroom, SSI – 6:00–9:00 PM
🎸 Josh Nunn @ Shore Restaurant/Residence Inn Courtyard, JI – 6:00–9:00 PM
🎸 Backbeat Boulevard @ The Wharf, JI – 6:00–9:00 PM
🎸 Tribuzio’s Live Music @ Tribuzio’s Grille, JI – 6:00–9:00 PM
🎸 Gator Creek Band @ Captain Stan’s Smokehouse, Woodbine – 6:30 PM
🎸 Jerry Gowen @ Georgia Sea Grill, SSI – 6:30–9:30 PM
🎸 Randall Dowling Band @ Gnat’s Landing, SSI – 7:00–10:00 PM
🎸 Frost Bros Band @ Three Oaks Steak & Seafood, Brunswick – 7:00–10:00 PM
🎸 Casey Robinson @ Toucan’s Ale House, Brunswick – 7:00–10:00 PM
🎸 3 Day Weekend @ Darien Waterfront Park – 7:00–9:00 PM
🎸 Roy Gentry & Hired Guns @ Southern River Walk, St. Marys – 7:00–10:00 PM
🎸 Brogen’s South Live Music @ Brogen’s South, SSI – 7:00–10:00 PM
🎸 Bryan White @ The Ritz Theatre, Brunswick – 7:00 PM
🎻 Woodbine Opry Electric Dance Band @ Woodbine Opry – 7:00 PM
🎸 Neverly Brothers Trio @ Rafters, SSI – 7:00–10:00 PM
🎸 Blossomin’ Bone w/ Goodwin Rainer @ Bar at Mallery, SSI – 8:00 PM
🎸 Peyton Chambless & The Backshift @ Mullet Bay, SSI – 8:00–11:00 PM
🎸 Rachel Thompson @ Strand Bistro/Chophouse, Jesup – 8:00–11:00 PM
🎸 Rider Trio @ Village Inn & Pub, SSI – 8:00–11:00 PM
🎸 Gravity Bomb @ Bennie’s Red Barn/Tree Bar, SSI – 9:00 PM
🎸 Hot Banana Coffee @ Reid’s Apothecary/The Study, Brunswick – 9:00 PM

🎸 60s Vinyl Band @ Tortuga Jack’s, JI – 1:00–4:00 PM
🎸 Uptown Tap Live Music @ Uptown Tap & Cigar, SSI – 3:00–6:00 PM
🎸 Jamie Clark @ Captain Stan’s Smokehouse, Woodbine – 3:00–6:00 PM
🎸 Rider Trio @ Beachcomber BBQ, SSI – 5:00–8:00 PM
🎸 Live Music @ JI Beach House – 5:00–8:00 PM
🎸 Live Music @ Mullet Bay, SSI – 5:00–8:00 PM
🎸 Jack Brumfield @ The Hangout Bar & Grill, Brunswick – 5:00–8:00 PM
🎸 Josh Nunn Duo @ Gnat’s Landing, SSI – 6:00–9:00 PM
🎸 Tony Adams @ Village Inn & Pub, SSI – 7:00–10:00 PM

The Golden Isles Lantern continues to grow, and we’re opening a few spots for local sponsors who want to reach an engaged audience across Brunswick, St. Simons, Jekyll, and the surrounding area.

If you run a local business and would like to get in front of Lantern readers each week, I’d love to talk. Sponsorships help keep the newsletter free while supporting more local coverage, events, and community conversations.

Interested?
Email: [email protected]

Did we miss something? Have an event to share? Interested in advertising with us? Drop us a line at [email protected]!