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It was the most exclusive club in the world. The list
of members included the celebrated names of Rockefeller, J.P. Morgan,
Vanderbilt, Pulitzer, Macy and Goodyear.
The small island off the coast of Georgia was covered with lush vegetation, secluded beaches and abundant wildlife. In 1886 Jekyll Island became the private resort of the richest families in the United States.
This was the playground where those who had it all came a few weeks out of the year to swim, hunt and relax in their "cottages." Only, these cottages had 15 to 25 rooms including formal dining rooms, lavish parlors, five to 20 bedrooms and servants' quarters.
The Club House, opened in 1887, provided accommodations for a hundred guests. The dining room featured fine cuisine and the best wines. An evening meal could contain 10 courses and last three hours. Jekyll Island offered many recreational facilities including a golf course, stables, tennis courts, boating and hunting—all for the exclusive use of its members. A gamekeeper was hired to keep the area well stocked.
For over 50 years this private island was the paradise of many peoples' dreams. The dream to have it all: money, prestige, expensive clothing, quality furniture, mansions. It's what some strive a lifetime to achieve. It's what some sell their souls to possess.
Maybe you don't want it all, just a piece of the action. It starts out simple. You notice a new car, the latest CD player, stylish clothes. Having these things would make all the difference in the world. You could be happy. It would impress your friends and make others envious.
Soon it's all you think about. You've picked the exact color, the bucket seats and all your favorite accessories. You plan strategies on how to get what you want. The strategy becomes an obsession. It takes some anxiety and sweat, but the new car, the right clothes, the perfect house in the perfect neighborhood is finally yours.
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