DeltaHostel
History of DeltaHostel in the Georgia State Organization
“The DeltaHostel was designed to provide a weekend retreat for the renewal of members through the arts.”
It began as an Ad Hoc committee passed by Executive Board in 1997, with the first DeltaHostel beginning in October 1998.
“The DeltaHostel was designed to provide a weekend retreat for the renewal of members through the arts.”
It began as an Ad Hoc committee passed by Executive Board in 1997, with the first DeltaHostel beginning in October 1998.
Historical highlights
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October 1998
The historic Windsor Hotel in Americus, built in 1892 to attract winter visitors from the north, features 100-rooms in a 5-story Victorian structure, complete with towers, balconies, and a 3-story open atrium lobby…Heavy weight champion John L. Sullivan, Gov. of N.Y. Franklin Roosevelt, 3-time Democratic nominee and Congressman William Jennings Bryan, and Charles Lindbergh, who came to Americus in 1923 to purchase a World War I airplane and took flying lessons here as well, and others include some of the famous Windsor patrons. Of course, Pres. and Mrs. Jimmy Carter, frequent visitors and
supporters of the Windsor have had birthdays and celebrations here over |
years. The Carter Presidential Suite boasts a photo of the Carters and the Windsor owners on its wall. Yes, this immense hotel occupies a city block in downtown Americus and was host for the first DeltaHostel event with Dr. Gloria H. Bienstock as chairman as well. Pres. Page Loyd and many Sisters enjoyed a weekend highlighted by storytelling, and yes, hearing “documented” ghost stories from the spooky hotel, circa 1892. Members enjoyed telling their own ghostly tales also, and did manage to get some sleep despite the Windsor’s ghostly past…Of course, delicious food, shopping, and touring the Americus area, made the scary nights much more palatable and fun.
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October 2000
Norcross was the location for an interesting weekend of “Georgia Authors.” Chairman Sylvia Brown arranged for local authors to read segments from their works, and of course, autograph copies of their books. They discussed how to get started with the writing process, publishing tips, and
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other aids they’ve learned along the way. President Gloria Bienstock and the DKG Sisters were surprised at the amazing number of talented Georgians who have blazed the writing trail. Sisterhood, new friends, shopping, and delicious food rounded out a fabulous DeltaHostel weekend.
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October 2002
“Historical Happenings in Coastal Georgia” took the DeltaHostel to St. Simons Island where the group lodged at the Methodist Conference Center Epworth-by-the-Sea. Speakers and topics included coastal GA history, the Salzburgers, the Geechees from Sapelo Island, as well as a Ft. Frederica National Monument Park Ranger. Chairman Becky Avera and the group enjoyed a St. Simons Trolley Tour, followed by a picnic lunch with a Geechee
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woman demonstrating basketweaving, then on to Jekyll Island and the Tram Tour. Here we saw Millionaires’ Village, where the names Goodyear, Ford, Crane, Pulitzer, Rockefeller, Firestone, and others were common, for they all had winter retreats on Jekyll Island. DKG Sisters enjoyed meeting President Sylvia Brown’s new husband Joe at this event.
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October 2004
The North Georgia mountains were alive with flashing fall foliage and DKG members alike for the DeltaHostel destination, Amicalola Falls State Park and Lodge. The group, of course, had to view the majestic falls and could easily see why it has the title, “One of the Seven Wonders of Georgia,” for the waterfall plunges 729 feet in 7 cascades…This is also the highest waterfall east of the Mississippi River. For this reason, Amicalola Falls is one of the most
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popular state parks and tourist destinations in Georgia. Besides seeing Amicalola and hiking the trail, or part of the trail, President Becky Avera, chair Hanna Fowler, and GA Sisters enjoyed a weekend complete with mountain lore, dance, scenic tours, shopping, theatre production, and picking lovely pumpkins as well…Fun, a friendly atmosphere, nature and food, as well as the DeltaHostel, was at its finest here.
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October 2006
President Hanna Fowler and chair Patti Newman welcomed the DeltaHostel attendees to the New Ebenezer Retreat Center near Rincon. In a rural and serene location in coastal Georgia this place of renewal and contemplation was begun in 1977 as a non-profit Retreat Center and lies in a beautiful setting only 20 miles from historic Savannah. Its accommodations include guest cabins, modern conference center and meeting facility, variety of recreational activities, plus wholesome meals promote bonding, spiritual and personal growth and relaxation among educational, family, organizations, or church groups. The DKG Sisters found this to be certainly true. They learned of the Ebenezer ALIVE Educational Program which teaches students 4th grade and above through hands-on educational programs. The DeltaHostel attendees
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also enjoyed visiting nearby GA Salzburger Society Museum and hearing Beta Theta member Alice Rhoda Ferrell, a Salzburger descendant, gave an interesting of her forebearers. Another memorable visit was the historic Jerusalem Lutheran Church, completed in 1769 and oldest Lutheran Church in America with a continuous active congregation. The DeltaHostel Sisters particularly enjoyed a concert by the Savannah Winds musical group at the Jerusalem Lutheran Church also. Ebenezer, the nearby town was the first capital of Georgia, with John A. Treutlen, a member of the Jerusalem Lutheran Church, as first governor of GA. The DKG group also enjoyed visiting lovely Savannah, shopping in City Market, plus dining at The Lady and Sons Restaurant (Paula Deen and sons).
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October 2008
October 2008
The 2008 DeltaHostel site was Camp Dream, a part of the Roosevelt Institute of Rehabilitation in Warm Springs, GA. The site of a former U.S. Marine installation during Franklin Delano Roosevelt's presidency, Camp Dream is a modern, 74-acre camp designed to provide all persons with disabilities a quality recreational experience in a natural and fully accessible setting. FDR's first visit here in 1924 brought him back year after year to use the therapeutic waters at Warm Springs, until his death here in 1945. After purchasing 1,200 acres in 1926, seeking medical advice, and contributions from friends, he organized the nonprofit Warm Springs Foundation in 1927. The DKG group enjoyed touring the Warm Springs facilities, as well as the
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Little White House, a small 6-room white cottage where the President lived, made many difficult decisions during his 3-term presidency, and especially enjoyed swimming in the warm, therapeutic waters with children who were paralyzed also. Besides viewing the President's car equipped with hand brakes, his walking cane collection from world dignitaries, and viewing the swimming pool, President Patti Newman and chair Jo Davis took the group to the Warm Springs Historic District, now designated a National Historic Landmark, for shopping, sightseeing, and delicious food at the famous Bulloch House.
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October 2010
Rome, GA, home of Martha Berry, an exceptional GA pioneer who impacted education locally, statewide, and internationally, by founding schools still in operation today, was the DeltaHostel site for 2010. President Jo Davis, chair Peggy McCall assisted by Iota chapter, and DKG Sisters toured Oak Hill, Miss
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Berry’s lovely and stately home, had dinner in her garden, and enjoyed the House of Dreams, her retreat built by students. Attendees also enjoyed the spooky Ghost Tour of Rome and making bookmarks and stationary as well to complete a wonderful weekend in Rome and her 7 hills…
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October 2012
The barrier islands of St. Simons and Jekyll beckoned Psi State Sisters, under the leadership of President Peggy McCall, and chair Wanda McLaughlin for the DeltaHostel weekend. Attendees had a glorious weekend at the Golden Isles, a favorite vacation spot, complete with Low Country Boil, visit to the GA Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll, and of course, historic tours of the popular
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St. Simons Island and Jekyll Island.. This area is often called “Georgia’s Nearest Faraway Place,” for the marshes, ancient gnarled oak trees, countless historic sites, many homes on the National Historic Register, shopping, beachcombing and long walks, beckon visitors back to these shores time and time again.
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October 2014
Chair Susan Wood and her Personal Development committee, along with President Gail Ford welcomed DeltaHostel attendees to the famous Callaway Gardens for a wonderful weekend at the Mountain Creek Inn. GA Sisters explored the Callaway Discovery Center, fed the butterflies in the gigantic
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Cecil Day Butterfly Pavillion, and were entertained at the Birds of Prey show…Delicious food, shopping in Pine Mountain, and enjoying the eternal beauty of the Gardens, rounded out a wonderful weekend at Callaway Gardens.
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March 2016
Personal Development chair Becky Avera and committee, with President Gail Springstead , welcomed 74 (largest group to date) DKG Sisters to Southwest GA’s Thomasville, the “Original Winter Resort of the South,” and home to many Victoria-era homes and buildings, many being on the National Register of Historic Places. A delicious meal at Jonah’s Fish and Grits, then on to the Thomas County Historical Society, for an interesting oral and audio-visual program of the area history kicked off the busy weekend. Sat. featured an enjoyable tour of the 3,000 acre Pebble Hill Plantation, a hunting plantation which housed many dogs, horses, and guests for weeks at a time. The guided tour was excellent and featured many horse paintings and Audobon prints. Outside touring and a delicious picnic lunch was enjoyed before leaving
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Pebble Hill bound for Colquitt in nearby Miller County. The DKG Sisters enjoyed the guided tour of the 15 murals in downtown Colquitt, the “Mural City.” Next the attendees entered the Cotton Hall Theater and were entertained by Swamp Gravy’s music and drama production of “Order in the Court.” A delicious seafood and prime rib buffet at Colquitt’s Moby Dick’s complete with group photo and fellowship rounded out a busy day. Sunday morning the group gathered in front of The Big Oak Tree, Thomasville’s proud and massive 335-year-old live oak tree. After a moving devotional and musical program at the Big Oak, the group left beautiful Southwest Georgia with new friends, memories, and Sisterly love abound.
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Updated October 2022