Greetings from St. Simons Island, where wonderful weather and hospitality awaits you if you’re heading this way for the annual Georgia-Florida game. I’m not kidding, it has been beautiful here on the coast, so jump in your vehicle now and make the trip.

After all, because of the construction at EverBank Stadium, Saturday’s game versus the Gators will be the last one in Jacksonville until 2028. It is for that reason that we went nostalgic for this issue’s cover. Legendary cartoonist Jack Davis did this drawing in 1987. While the original headline simply said “We Love Jacksonville,” Team BI felt that our beloved Golden Isles had to get equal billing with The River City.

As most of you know, the majority of Georgia fans stay on Jekyll, St. Simons or Sea Island. And rather than it being just a two night stay, visitors often make a week out of the annual battle between the Bulldogs and Gators. In these parts, basically Georgia-Florida is an annual holiday. So let the festivities commence …

This issue of BI will certainly get you ready. My goodness, the BI Camera went crazy for the Ole Miss game capturing 150 photos (pages 32-62). Enjoy all those smiling faces from the thrilling victory over the Rebels.

All our regular features are back in our Social section and like with our cover, we are leaning heavy Golden Isles.

In Georgia Girls (pages 28, 29), enjoy getting to know St. Simons Island resident Kiel Scates. She is married to Ryan Scates, who does a great job with The Poor Man’s Game Notes. Ryan was also a terrific Bulldawg Illustrated intern, while he was going to UGA. And who knew that Kiel actually started at Georgia Tech. We will forgive her for that because we know she is all Dawg.

If you are a golf fan, you will love our Proust Q&A (page 64) this go around featuring PGA golfer and St. Simons resident, Keith Mitchell. Not surprisingly, Keith had fun with his answers. And I love how he used a verse from Rudyard Kipling’s “IF” regarding double bogeys and birdies. Nice job, Cashmere. Thanks for your participation.

Loran Smith is back in this issue with our Grand Georgia Families featuring Atlanta and Sea Island resident Jim Nalley. It’s been an exciting year for all the Nalleys because of the success of Mr. Nalley’s grandson Slater Nalley, Jr on last season’s American Idol. But like Loran touches on, don’t expect the notoriety to go to the young man’s head because modesty runs deep in the Nalley family. Thanks so much Mr. Nalley for talking with Loran.

Finally in our Social section, you definitely don’t want to miss St. Simons native Pope Arline’s MIXTAPE selections (page 30). Without a doubt, the songs he chose are perfect for the good times that are about to commence this week in the Golden Isles. He even gives the proper nod to Jacksonville by including three straight Lynyrd Sknyrd. Nice job Pope!

Just like in our Social section, there are plenty of good nuggets in our Sports section.

Jeff Dantzler (page 12) reminds our readers of the incredible times our fans are enjoying with Georgia-Florida these days. However, he also reminds us that the last time the game wasn’t in Jacksonville were dark days for our Bulldogs. Yikes, the games in Gainesville (1994) and Athens (1995) were brutally painful.

On page 69, Kevin Butler gives high praise to Georgia tight ends Lawson Luckie and Oscar Delp for the incredible games they had against Ole Miss. KB nails it by mentioning the Georgia duo with his former coach, Mike Ditka. Particularly since their stellar play occurred right around National Tight End Day.

Finally, you must read Greg Poole’s Old & In the Way column on page 68. With great detail, Greg opines about the magnificent game Gunner Stockton had versus Ole Miss. The Dawgs don’t win the game without Gunner’s precise decision-making and moxie. In my opinion, the best part of Gunner’s game is the joy he is having when leading his team. This awesome photo by BI’s Rob Saye certainly shows that jubilation.

Keep up the good work Gunner. The team will definitely need it on Saturday in Jacksonville because you can bet these wounded Gators are going to give our Dawgs their very best shot.

That’s going to do it for me. Like our covers says, we love Jacksonville and the Golden Isles and encourage all good Dawgs to get down here and enjoy the festivities one last time before the two-year hiatus. Hope to see you soon … Go Dawgs!!