Greetings JSG visitors... Most of the staff are gearing up for a fall filled with new adventures. You'll see the results in upcoming tales on JSG.com and here in the monthly TraveLetter. This month's feature photo is of JSG Managing Editor Carol Sorgen in front of the Chateau de Chillon in Montreux, Switzerland.

(She's in the top row on the right, with silver hair, a scarf and glasses)

Hurricane Katrina
On a more serious note, some of our southern friends are suffering because of the recent hurricane. The Red Cross is accepting donations. Visit www.redcross.org if you want to make a donation. But, please, make sure you mark your check, "Louisiana Hurricane Katrina Red Cross Relief Fund."

My friend, Shannon Hurst Lane, is a Baton Rouge firefighter, travel writer. She has been calling and emailing with updates on the devastation.

Here is her latest:
It is just heartbreaking here. I don't think the devastation has sunk in yet. I keep hearing the horror stories, yet there is also so much kindness going on. There is an estimate of casualties in the thousands, but we need to get the living out of there first. The situation is so dire that martial law will probably go into effect as soon as the army and Military Police arrive.

The lack of food and water are the biggest problems right now. No food supplies have been brought in by the government yet. People are mugging, intimidating and holding hostages just for food. So far, the only provisions have come from local churches and people in the community. This morning (Thursday at 11:00 a.m.) the people in Baton Rouge City Court were being held hostage for food.

At Wal-Mart people were grabbing women's purses out of their hands as they shopped.

A crew of firefighters were robbed while in New Orleans trying to rescue people. The people they were trying to rescue were walking down the highway and being dropped off at the St. George Fire Department. All people have are the clothes on their backs.

Many of my firefighting co-workers, who live in the New Orleans area, have lost everything except their families.

I am "adopting" Barry Weinstein Jr.'s family. He just started working at the station last month. He and his wife have two children, a special needs 15-year-old boy and a 6-year-old daughter. Unbelievably, Weinstein was able to secure an apartment. He told me there were more than 100 families trying to get that particular unit. I have no idea how much money he offered the landlord just to get the place. All they have to fill the apartment are two blow-up mattresses. He knows that it will be weeks or months before they will be allowed back into the area to check their homes.

We are going through my daughter Lauren's things to get the little girl some items. I am also giving them some household items that I had been saving. He is just glad that his family survived and that he still has a job.

There are more than 20 firefighters, most with families, who lost everything. That is just our department. I can't imagine how many more there are in the other departments.

If we can help one or two families get back on their feet, it will make me feel so much better.

If anyone wants to send anything, my home address is: Shannon Hurst Lane, 4053 Moss Trail Drive, Zachary, LA 70791. My telephone numbers are 225-921-6816 (cellular) and 225-654-9963 at home.

I will make sure that these families get what is sent. No one in this world is more important than anyone else, but I know that these people need to get their lives back in order so that they can continue to do search and rescue others who need help.

These are the families I will be assisting:

Barry Weinstein Family (his wife, 15-year-old son, who wears a medium, and a 6-year-old daughter, who wears 6/7 girls clothing)

Scott Dupre. His family consists of him, his wife, three children and two elderly adults.

Jimmy Fincher. His family members are unknown at this time.

Randy Miller. He is alone and will be living with my brother.

Four other New Orleans firefighters now living out of the fire station.

Sixteen other firefighting families. I have no information on this group right now. *

*NOTE FROM THE EDITOR: Ron Stern, Naeem Randhawa and Jim Skerry (my better half) have all noted that mail is the last service that will be restored. So, mailing items might be dicey. Jim and I are donating money to the Red Cross and earmarking it for Baton Rouge Firefighters. Jim works for General Electric and they are matching our donation. You may want to find out if your company is offering the same. – Denise Dube

Jamaica
White sands, turquoise water, luxurious resorts. What better way is there for a couple to enjoy vacation. Florida travel writer Kathy Hagood takes readers to a couple's resort in Negril and gives us a taste of the day and night life. More

Island Charm - Nantucket
In her typically exquisite style, JSG managing editor Carol Sorgen takes us for a mental walk along the cobblestoned streets of Nantucket. Go with her for an unforgettable journey to this 14-mile island off Massachusetts. More

JUSTSAYGO staffers keep moving and we expect you to keep going too. How long has it been since you researched your travel plans? With all the options, there are some really great and inexpensive trips out there. Whether you're just daydreaming or seriously looking for a mini-adventure or escape, log on and search for a destination. You'll never know what's offered until you look.

Whale Festivals
Whale Festivals are held around the world. Here are some of the most famous ones. Who can resist a chance to see these great, (mostly) gentle creatures? If you’ve never witnessed these amazing animals, you have to do it at least once in your life... More