America’s “Healthiest Beach” One Year Later – Celebrities on Tybee!

Lisa Wu and Ed Hartwell Pay a Visit…

Hosted by Oceanfront Cottages ‘Real Housewives of Atlanta’ Lisa Wu Hartwell and her husband Ed visited Tybee in May, escaping their hectic schedules in Atlanta where they’re shooting season 3 of the Real Housewives, movies and Ed’s calendar project). While staying at one of Oceanfront Cottage Rentals homes, they found time to work out together, run on the beach and do some jet skiing. (On the Left)

Mughelli Pays a Visit to Tybee…

OVIE MUGHELLI Foundation,“Our Future is Green!”

Atlanta Falcons’ fullback Ovie Mughelli recently visited Tybee and vacationed at one of Oceanfront Cottage Rentals exclusive island homes.

Atlanta’s #1 Eco-Athlete and founder of the Ovie Mughelli Foundation says he had no idea there was so much beauty and tranquility off the Georgia Coast such a short drive from his home in Atlanta.

In May, Mughelli teamed up with Stacye Jarrell for an eco-conscious press conference to help raise awareness of the importance of preserving coastal areas like Tybee Island. Pictured above are Lannie and Stacye Jarrell, Ovie Mughelli and Tybee City Councilman, Paul Wolff.

The idea is to teach children and their parents about buying locally grown organic foods, recycling, reducing the use of gasoline-powered motorized vehicles and leaving less of a mark on the environment.

RUBY GETTINGER VISITS…

Left: Style Network Star and Emmy Nominee Ruby Gettinger poses with Sean and Ele Tran of Ele’s Fine Fusion Restaurant on Wilmington Island displaying a deliciously healthy dish prepared by “Chef Sean,” for a gathering at Stacye and Lannie Jarrell’s home on Tybee.

Gettinger appeared with her trainers Shazi & Drew Edmonds owners of Train Me 24/7 and Olympic Trainer Michael Banks star of Body by Banks.

“Tybee Throws a Fit“ was sponsored by zoelifestyle.com to pump up attendees on July 2nd at The Tybee Island Pier and the north beach side from 8:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m.

All Photos by Chris Hornaday at http://www.chrishornadayphotography.com

Trainer Michael Banks Featured…

Below right, Banks  joined Ruby Gettinger, Shazia and Drew Edmonds during the “Tybee Throws a Fit” event on July 2nd, 2010.

(More to come in the July edition)

Michael Banks: bodybybanks.com
Shazia & Drew Edmonds: trainme247.com
For more information visit: tybeethrowsafit.com

FOREVER FOLK

“Summer Entertainment on a Roll”

by Hank Weisman

The Savannah Folk Music Society kicked of its 15th year of First Friday for Folk Music on Friday, July 2nd with a show that really sizzled. This monthly showcase of local and touring folk music talent draws 200 folk enthusiasts to First Presbyterian Church at 520 Washington Avenue in Savannah every month. It is wholesome, family entertainment starting at 7:30 PM and for the bargain of a $2 per person recommended donation.

July’s First Friday for Folk Music opened with Roll on Rodney, an eclectic quartet in terms of members and music. The group includes veteran Savannah musician John Powers with his son, Zach, Rob Robertson and Mary Joe Adams. John arranges the group’s unique approach to songs old and new, provides most of the humor and plays a myriad of instruments; Zach plays keyboard and saxophone (yes, a sax in a folk show!); Rob lays down some great guitar riffs and vocals; and Mary Joe does many of the lead vocals and gives the group some much-needed good looks! You can always expect the unexpected when Roll on Rodney rolls onto the stage.

Bill and Eli Perras also made their second visit to First Friday. The many inspired lyrics given to and interpreted by Eli Perras, combined with Bill Perras’s bluesy finger-style guitar playing create a uniquely modern take on true Americana music in its purest form. Receiving recognition for their tightly woven musical creativity, they humbly remain true to their personal values. They speak out with strong heartfelt lyrics accompanied by soulful genuine pentatonic rhythms against social injustices, corporate greed, and daily follies in everyday life. They can grip your heart, search your soul, change a mindset, or softly strike a funny bone, all the while leaving the audience with a sentiment for the common good desired in all mankind.  They have opened for Bill Staines, Steve Gillette & Cindy Mangsen, Michael Smith, John Gorka, Jack Williams, Anne Feeney, Scott Ainslie, Small Potatoes, Emma’s Revolution, Paul Geremia, Panama Red and many more nationally recognized entertainers. They are regulars at the many Florida folk music venues and festivals and frequently travel the country sharing their music beyond the Sunshine State.

Besides the 14th anniversary edition of First Friday for Folk Music which occurred before this issue of Tybee Times hit the stands, there were two other June events sponsored by the Society. On June 12th at the Frank Murray Community Center on Whitemarsh Island, the last Old Time Country Dance of the season took place at 8 PM. Dances will resume in September when its not as brutally hot as it is in July and August. Playing the dance was the Glow in the Dark Stringband and the steps were called by Bob Beatiie and Joyce Murlless.

A Pot Luck Pickin’ Jam was held at 2 PM on June 13th at the home of Bill Morris on Wilmington Island. Bill’s waterfront home has plenty roomy for lots of folks to bring instruments, voices, enthusiasm and of course, their favorite dish to share.

Looking ahead, the Fall will bring more great music. Concerts have already been planned featuring Mark Erelli & Meg Hutchinson, David Jacob-Strain and Phil Minissale. First Fridays will include such notable performers as Dana Cooper and Buddy Mondlock. And the Oct. 8-10 Savannah Folk Music Festival includes Karla Bonoff, Otis Taylor, Sam Pacetti and Carl Jones & Beverly Smith. And one more thing….is your teenager working on an original song to submit by September 1st for the Youth Songwriting Competition??? Keep folkin’ !

For information about SFMS, call Hank Weisman at 912-786-6953. Visit: http://www.savannahfolk.org.

Who wants to kill a Millionaire Ends Three Year Run
By Renee DeRossett

Tom Coleman, the Director of the Savannah Community Theatre held auditions for the Who Wants to Kill A Millionaire show three years ago this past April.

I got the role of Lily Laplighter, and another Tybeeite Jeff Hall was the Detective Chase Taylor..  We have been performing the show every weekend at the world famous Pirates House for the past three years. We also do special corporate parties.

As you can imagine, With so many performances, there were double casts. Many local actors have played the various roles through the years. The success of the show is due to not only the witty writing and the hilarious characters, but there is a twist at the end of this show that has helped to make the show such an audience pleaser… not to mention the fabulous acting talents of so many…… I am proud to have played the part of the Millionaire Hostess Lily Laplighter since the very first show. It has been a wonderful run.

Audiences are thrown into the show by actually being a part of the action. It is written so as to include several audience members in the show, as well as the murderer. There are two murders during the show, and the audience has to deduce who the killer is. In the end, (unbeknownst to the rest of the audience, and in most cases the people at their own table) the killer  turns out that an audience member (who is given the script prior to the show). There have been riotous endings, where spouses are blown away that their own spouse stands up at the end as the murderer. Many a huge laugh and great time for all.

Last year the Travel Channel saw our ad on The SCT website and chose us as one of the stops on their show about Savannah. Samantha Brown even joined in and was the murderer at the end. It was a huge success and it has aired on the travel channel since January. I have it on tape. We are ending the run only because the writer of the play (Lee Adams from Minnesota?) has decided to take it on a national tour and is therefore not allowing other performances at the same time.

Therefore, we say goodbye to Lily Laplighter, Chase Taylor, Pooh and Nicky Whitney (played by Kim Trammell), Chu-Chu, Suki, and Kilo who would
all like to bid a final adieu and say a huge “thank you” to our many Savannah, Tybee, Bluffton and Hilton Head audiences through the years.

Goodbye to a wonderful run!

Visit: http://www.savannahcommunitytheatre.com

Maya’s Summer Reading Frustrations
by Maya Malins

So my dad called me from the bookstore one day and said, “what book do you want?” I said, “easy, no vampires.” It was a given that my dad wasn’t going to get me a book about love and dating, so I thought I would be safe with just saying, “no vampires”. So my dad came home empty handed and I asked him why. He said, “Sorry, pretty much every book in the teen section of the store is about vampires.” So I looked for myself, turns out, the guy’s right.

So has anyone else noticed that just about every book you see in bookstores lately is either about vampires, mushy gushy love stuff, or mushy gushy love stuff with vampires?? Mostly it’s the latter. You might as well call your bookstore “Vampires & Love Stories, Etc.”

What is there to learn about vampires that we don’t already know anyways? There was a time where vampires were scary, now they look like male models or guys in boy bands. Seriously authors, not every kid in the world is into vampires or love stories. Me? I have nothing against them (I have read the first 3 Twilight books.), but I do think that authors should write about something else every once in while. Honestly, you could write about anything. Anything. Like carpets. Why not, you know? You could write about carpet, a guy that makes carpet for a living, a magical carpet that can shoot lasers, etc. If you want your book to be noticed, don’t write about something that every other book is about, just a bit of advice. Yeah, and I know that’s what the kids are into these days, and as I’ve said before, not every kid.

So what about these kids that aren’t interested in vampires or love stories? Aren’t adults supposed to encourage children to read? Well, if these kids cant find a book he/she likes, how’s that going to work out, huh, not very well? I know there are probably plenty of books out there that aren’t about vampires or love, however you don’t see those books featured with special shelves at bookstores, do you? So here’s some advice to bookstores too, put some books out on special featured shelves that aren’t about vampires or love please. And there needs to be more books about ninjas too, ninjas with magic carpets that can shoot lasers. Perfect.

Authors? There’s a good idea up for grabs right there – ninjas with magic carpets. I would read it. No seriously, I probably would.

Wait, did I forget to mention that there’s too many books are about vampires, love, or both?

Maya Malins is 12 years old, resides on Tybee Island, and attends St. Andrew’s School.
She is an avid reader, enjoys traveling, and is a huge fan of Japanese pop culture.

“Jeff Mosley”

by Jackie Richardson

Last month, we celebrated Mothers so this month it is only fitting that we celebrate the boys of summer, Fathers. In the surfing community here on Tybee Island, fathers give the rides to the beach, they coach their children, they pay for contests, food, etc.

However some men, before they become fathers, totally dedicate their lives to the surfing community. At Tybee Island, that person is our surfer of the month, Jeff Mosley. In the past eight years that our family has been involved in the GA Eastern Surfing Association, I have seen Jeff mentor young surfers. If there is a need with one of these kids, Jeff makes sure it is taken care of. I have been up and down the east coast at surfing events and when people find out we are from Georgia, they always say to tell Jeff and Tara hello.

For the most part, I write these articles but I think Jeff’s answers to my questions are more fitting in his own words, so here are my questions and Jeff’s answers:

Where were you born? El Paso, Texas

When and where was the first time you surfed? Hurricane David swell. I guess that was 1980 or 1981. Robbie Evans gave me an old single fin Atlantis. A couple of days later I rode one over the falls in front of Robbie and my fin poked a hole in his arm. I bet you he was rethinking that whole free board riding again. No surfing mentors. As a kid I always looked up to my two uncles, Woody Waldhour and Bennie Ward.

Where is your favorite place to surf? I know a lot of you will think I’m crazy for this next answer, but its right here at home. It’s where I feel most comfortable. About every four years, it gets good here and when it does there is nothing better. It’s not all out of control, short paddle out, and you know most everyone in the lineup. Oh and my favorite thing is, you can’t see the sharks swimming under your feet here.

Where have you surfed? Everywhere on the east coast from Delaware to Jupiter Inlet, Hawaii, and Panama City in the Gulf. How long have you and Tara been directors of the GA Eastern Surfing Association and how did you get involved? We have been the directors for fourteen years. Jim Reynolds was the director at that time. He was (and still is) in the Coast Guard and was about to be transferred. He asked me to take over the GA district. I was 30 at the time, and Travis Williams, Montee Coursey, Tara, and I were right in the middle of having “The times of our life.” So I don’t know why Jim was asking us to take on such a serious position as District Director. I mean, I could barely “direct” my check to the bank on Fridays much less be responsible for all of the surfing in Georgia. I told Jim I would think about it. During that six months, (because that is how long it takes me to do anything unfortunately), no one stepped up to become the new District director and Tara kept telling me, “I should do it, that it sounded like it would be fun”, and I was like “Shut up woman and fix me something to eat” (just kidding). I didn’t want to see the contests come to an end because everyone seemed to be having a lot of fun doing them. So I told Jim yes and here we are. The best decision Tara ever made for me up until my little girl was born.

What is special about Tybee Island? The fact it is a small community. Everybody knows everybody. You can rarely ride down the road without waving or honking your horn to a friend or acquaintance.

Who are your favorite surfing buddies? You know, I like surfing with everybody that stays out of my way.

What are the best surfing awards you have received? Tara and I were awarded “The Colin J. Couture” award in 2008. It is the highest award given by the ESA (the largest amateur surfing association in the world) for outstanding volunteerism. It is named after “Doc” Couture the founder of the ESA. You are voted in only by previous “Doc Rock” recipients. We received a nice plaque and our names will forever be on the “Doc Rock” which is located in Buxton, NC at the Natural Art Surf Shop.

What is special about being a father?
To see something that is a part of you start to grow and communicate and have her own personality. It’s truly amazing. In closing, I would like to thank the Mayor of Tybee Island, Jason Buelterman, and The City of Tybee Island for all the support they have shown the ESA over the years, but most of all I would like thank my wife, Tara, for giving me a beautiful little girl and putting up with me for the last fifteen years because without her the Jeff and Tara era of the GA ESA District may not have ever existed. I would also like to thank my boss, Steve Brannen of Brannen Construction for allowing me to take the time off work all these years to go and do the things a district director does. Because without him being supportive of the things I like to do, we would have never made it this far. Last, but not least, I would like to thank my district for having fun and embodying the spirit of competitive surfing the way “Doc” envisioned it forty something years ago.

“Your Monthly Bill”

with Bill Gillespie

by Bill Gillespie

Southeast Coast Oil Exploration and Rigs: Not In My Backyard (NIMBY)

I remember the campaign war cries from 2008, “Drill Here, Drill Now.”

Perhaps we thought the oil drilling technology had become safer and that the emergency procedures had been refined making the probability of an accident minimal to nil. Many people rightly thought, “Why would we have all these oil rigs off our coasts if they hadn’t figured it all out?”

It appears the industry, to include BP, lacks the capability to deal with accidents miles below our ocean surfaces. Perhaps it is time to rethink our strategy, and perform the proper short-term and long-term assessments based on our needs, wants and values; especially as they impact our coastal economy, the environment, and our way of life. We all want cheaper energy that pollutes less, or not at all, as well as, an industry that helps to employ Americans. So why don’t we explore all options, especially if they are safer and more costly.

Research shows us that the southeast coast’s oil sources would be extremely costly to tap and would make no significant impact upon supply and cost in the US market. Releasing arrangements would provide the states leasing fess and access royalties, during budget shortfalls. Our politicians tend to think in the short-term, so supporting oil exploration for short-term gain will probably happen. However too many issue become loosey- goosey after the oil reserves are used-up and during problems.

Issues like: Who removes the equipment, pipes, and fixes the site areas to their natural condition, and who pays? Usually the tax payer gets stuck with the bills. And what of the “what if” accident! Will the states cap the liability and clean-up damages to entice a big bidder; could on it. Our coast could be forever damaged, and we — at the mercy of the Federal Government for help.

According to a Wall Street Journal online survey taken the week of April 26, more than 65% of the public now oppose offshore drilling. We really need to think about the local and regional impacts. What if South Carolina succeeded in getting and implementing the first oil exploration contract, then while setting up initial wells, they leaked oil down our coastal isles and all over Gray’s Reef. It’s not just a matter of protecting our coastal wetlands and reef; it’s also about preserving the coast’s economy. Georgia’s coast provides billions of dollars in revenue each year from tourism, as well as the region’s thriving shipping, fishing and other related industries. A disaster off our coast like the one unfolding in the Gulf would be crippling for decades.

Why not invest our tax dollars in alternative energy technology that promotes innovative, sustainable ways to use our coastal resources for our communities and future generations, for example. wind, solar, geo-thermal and wave action. There are just as many US and global corporation, as well as small businesses ready to invest in these energy fields. The initial start-up capital is no more than the oil fees; however, the medium (10-15 years) and long range (25-30 year) costs would be significantly cheaper, and with no potential for environmental collapse.

Whatever energy options we choose, we need to avoid significant risks to our treasured resources and future generations. We must insist on thorough and accurate assessments of current conditions and trends, as these reflect the public interest and the region’s future. When information is inadequate to make reliable decisions, we, the public, need to know. We will need consistent, accountable, and fair enforcement of all environmental regulations.

May we choose well, and may BP find a way to stop the leak soon!

Bill

You may contact Bill Gillespie at william.gillespie@us.army.mil

“Out of the Box”

with Mary Anne Street

Mary Anne Street

Think Before You Toss

Recently I visited the UGA Marine Science Center on Skidaway Island. It’s a great little gem, worth a visit especially if children are with you. They have a wonderful set of aquariums, featuring over 200 animals that represent 50 species native to Georgia’s coastal waters, where you can see and study marine life up close and personal, and they have a touch tank where guests can pick up and touch marine animals.

Their displays include a nurse shark, a loggerhead sea turtle and seahorses. They are located on the Intercoastal Waterway, and you can bring a picnic lunch and sit at the picnic tables and lull away an afternoon watching the water. Birds land a take off there, so if you are a bird watcher, it’s great, for that as well. I sat under a pear tree, enjoying the breeze and reading a book while I waited for my group. They do special programs for groups using microscopes, marsh walks and films to illustrate marine life and to teach guests about environmental issues; I was the tour leader for one of those groups.

They have a myriad of posters that are FREE, some of which make wonderful works of art, if framed (Georgia’s Salt Marsh Official Habitat). Some are great for kids rooms (Marine Fishes of Georgia), and they have a great map of the Coast of Georgia. We framed the latter and have it hanging in our rental unit—it always gets interesting comments. We also have a framed copy hanging in the Concierge’s office at Tybee Vacation Rentals.

One particular poster caught my eye.  It was titled “Marine Debris from Land and Sea—In the Environment a Long, Long Time.” I was appalled at the information it provided. It featured a beach and shore, and the shore water had items one might commonly find in the ocean—that is, those things that people toss away–and how long it took for those things to break down.
Did you know that those plastic beverage holders take 400 years to “breakdown” to nothing? Four hundred years!!!!! And people toss these out all of the time. Disposable diapers? 450 years! Glass bottles and jars “undetermined!” That’s incredible.

We need to stop and think about what we are doing to our environment when we just toss something or let it blow around. Even a paper towel takes 2-4 weeks to decompose.

Here’s a list:

Foamed plastic cup – 50 years
Wool socks – 1-5 years
Photo-degradable beverage holder – 6 months
Plastic bottle – 450 years
Plastic beverage holder – 400 years
Foamed buoy – 50 years
Plastic grocery bag – 1-20 years
Plywood – 1-3 years
Monofilament fishing line – 600 years
Glass bottles and jars – undetermined
Paper Towel – 2-4 weeks
Newspaper – 6 weeks
Cotton rope – 1-5 months
Apple core – 2 months
Cardboard box – 2 months
Cotton gloves – 1-5 months
Waxed milk carton – 3 months
Disposable diaper – 450 years
Aluminum can – 200 years
Tin can – 50 years

SO THINK before you toss away!
Until next month,
Mary Anne

UGA Marine Education Center & Aquarium 9:00 am – 4:00 pm weekdays;
10:00 am – 5:00 pm Saturdays
Closed Sundays & holidays;
Adults & children 13 & up – $4
Children 3 – 12 $2; under 3 – Free; 912.598.2496

Poster info: scdhec.gov/environment/ocrm/outreach/marine_debris.htm

Mary Anne lives on Tybee with husband The Tybee Handyman. Contact her at: MaryAnne@tybeevacationremtals.com

“Light on the Past” with Sarah Jones

Sarah Jones

FORT SCREVEN – Tybee Island, GA

Few visitors to Tybee Island ever realize that there was once a military base on our small island.

The history of Fort Screven, Georgia is a short one; but one that has left its mark on Tybee with the concrete batteries that remain a permanent fixture on the north end of the island.

Here’s the scoop:

1872 It was announced by the United States government that a new fortification would be built on Tybee Island.

1875 The United States government acquired 205 acres on the north end of Tybee Island for the purpose of protecting Tybee Roads, Calibogue Sound, and the city of Savannah.

1897 The first phase of Fort Screven was begun. Originally called Fort Tybee, the name was changed to Fort Graham in honor of Brigadier General Montrose Graham, Commander of the Atlantic coast defenses. Thomas Lynch was transferred from New Jersey to oversee the repair of Fort Pulaski. Before the job was completed he was transferred to Fort Screven to supervise the building of the new fort.

1898 Six weeks before the United States declared war on Spain Fort Graham was officially named for Brigadier General James Screven, a Revolutionary War hero.

1904 By the early 20th century Fort Screven was in full operation and included six Endicott Period Fourth System batteries, an officers row of housing, headquarters buildings, a fort village which included additional housing and post service buildings, quartermasters area, post hospital, and a regimental parade ground.

1921 It was decided that many of the United States military bases should be closed in an attempt to downsize.  Fort Screven was one of many that was chosen to be deactivated. Shortly after the decision was made all but two officers and thirty men were transferred from Fort Screven and all but three of the big guns were dismantled and sent to other fortifications.

1923 With much fanfare, the 8th Infantry arrived in Savannah. They were the last troops to arrive home from Germany. The Washington Guns were fired; the city’s bells rang; and receptions, parades, and speeches were held all over the city to welcome them home. William Randolph Hearst provided his own private train to transport the men to Fort Screven. The 8th Infantry would stay at Fort Screven until the outbreak of World War II.

1932 Lieutenant George C. Marshall became the commanding officer of Fort Screven. Marshall’s first step as commander of Fort Screven was to build up a relationship between Fort Screven’s soldiers and the citizens of Savannah.  The Mayor of Savannah during this time sent Marshall some crepe myrtles to be planted around the fort.  Some of these can still be seen today around Jaycee Park

1933 The Civilian Conservation Corps  (CCC) came to Fort Screven. Fort Screven was chosen by the government to be the primary location for the CCCs’ training, and used as an administration center for a diving and salvage school. The purpose of the diving and salvage school was to train the Port Repair soldiers on how to make repairs to bridges and structures, and clear sunken ships and ordinances from under the water. Most times this was a very dangerous job with little to no visibility.

1944 In August the United States War Department announced that Fort Screven would be closing. On October 21, 1944, Fort Screven’s deactivation took place. The state of Georgia declined purchasing the fort’s property and on November 27, 1945, the federal government sold Fort Screven to the town of Savannah Beach (now named Tybee Island) for $200,000.

Until next month,

Sarah

If you have a subject you’d like for me to write about email me at:

tybeelighthouse@yahoo.com

by Vicki Lynn Butrym

Vicki Lyn Butrym

Well, summer is officially here.  The island is filled with tourists and lots of traffic. Oh, I hate the traffic.  I can’t believe I used to drive in Boston and now when I drive downtown or when I leave the island I get anxiety.
I love that summer is here, business is good and there are lots of new people to meet.   I am having a good time working with all the women that are working at Waves.  It’s very interesting to meet people from other countries.  We have Victoria from Spain, Ira and Kate from the Ukraine, oh, and of course “V,”a funny man who I love working with.

Also, we have Cansu from Turkey. and lot’s more.  I can’t wait to back pack across Europe and go from couch to couch. In a few years it’s my plan to go and visit all my new friends.  Come to Waves and meet them or the Rock house on 16th Street.  By the way, the Rock House once again has the best Burgers in town.. Yummy….

In case you don’t know, Tybee now has a “belly-dance” instructor.  “Cybelle” has started teaching lessons here on Tybee on Monday nights at the Tybee Arts Association.  Lately her students are having a good time learning to “shimmy.”  Sherri Simmons, Jennifer Palmer, Annette and Amanda Jandura, Cansu and Victoria are paricipating. It is a real good core exercise and very elegant… Come out and join us one night.  I’ve asked Cybell to take over my column this month to introduce herself…

MESSAGE FROM CYBELL… “Belly Dancing!”

My name is Cybelle.  I am a Belly Dancer and a Belly Dance teacher. I’ve danced for over a decade, and have taught many others my art throughout the years.  Why would I choose Belly dancing, you ask? It is simple, empowerment.

Yes, I have tried physical activities that would help me achieve my goals, such as weight loss, body toning, attaining proper core strength, and health maintenance, but I realized that Delly Dance gave me these things and so much more.  Not only did I achieve all of the above, I also found a renewed sense of self.  This was only the beginning.

I shall never forget the experience of entering my first class; the intoxicating smell of incense, the beautiful tapestries covering the ceilings and walls and other items from foreign lands, carrying me off to another place in time.  As I looked around, I saw women of all shapes and sizes and wondered why they were here. Then the music came on and I knew why…it filled my spirit.

These students were not worried about how they looked or whether they had felt self-conscious coming in; they were enjoying what was given to them at that moment – a safe space in which to turn, move, feel and express themselves.  They were given an hour of peace, shutting out day to day worries to give something back to themselves. Many had come carrying different “baggage”, and were able to leave it at the door, and let go…. and dance.

Much healing goes on in my class now.  Belly Dance is such an ancient dance; it cannot be accurately traced back to its beginnings.  All there is to understand is that the dance itself was originally women dancing for women, for joy, to practice for childbirth, to release anguish and pain, which they could not discuss with anyone.When dancers begin to learn a move, they discover their bodies, the beauty if their stride, angles, and curves.  The muscles being trained are not used in most other forms of exercise, so it is exciting to feel a region of your body you never knew you had.

One learns how beneficial it is, not only for one’s body, but for one’s mind and spirit, as well.  It enables a dancer to enjoy the journey that will ultimately bring them to their end goal.

The physical benefits are so many; it makes it easier to open the hips for childbirth; it aids with weight loss, digestion, aches and pains, and also helps to increase flexibility and bone density.  Belly Dance infuses the student with good feelings, happy thoughts, serenity, and most of all, a greater sense of self.  Our bodies can serve us as no gym can, we use our own body weight and gravity to gently find our place within a position, and that power is undeniable.

I open my class with gentle warm up, breathing exercises and talk of the tradition, history, and reason behind the dance moves I am about to teach. Regardless of any physical issue or ailment one may have, the student and I find ways to overcome it, so they may participate at their own capacity.  My strong knowledge of anatomy and exercise Kinesiology enables the dancer to trust my guidance, and feel physically safe.  We laugh and smile, heads held high, we dance… just to dance.  I end my class with cool down, stretching, and breathing deeply, assisting the heart rate to calm and return to normal…then we close with a form of ancient yogic energy sharing…and, finally…Namaste (Hindi for “thank you”)….

You are never too big or small, klutzy or shy, to Belly Dance…. just dance as if no one is watching.

Shimmy! Cybelle

Cybelle can be reached at: cybelle_3@yahoo.com, and her website is  cybelleworldfusionbellydance.wordpress.com.

Please feel free to email any questions you may have.  She’s teaching in mid Savannah as well as The Arts Association on Tybee Island, where all are welcome to stop by any Monday at 6pm!  Check prior to attending any class, as schedules may sometimes change.

If you want more information on the class please contact Vicki Lyn Butrym’s Fitness Boot Camp Class is offered to all on Monday – Friday, “In Loving Memory of Paul W. Butrym.”

Contact Vicki Lyn at 912-598-3009,

“The Pinwheels of my Mind”

by Junie Merkle

by Junie Merkle

In 1994, post divorce, my first husband and I flew to California to visit his son and granddaughter.  Have chance, Will travel has always been my motto.  Thank goodness this platonic trip went better than the marriage.   Most of the specifics have faded from memory (probably a good thing) except for my first sighting of a field of wind turbines.  I still see them in my mind’s eye…they looked like giant pinwheels blowing in the wind…and it was magical.

If you’re not sure what a pinwheel is, you’re probably young, thin, without age spots, and I don’t want to stand next to you.  But I will educate you from a distance.  According to the American Heritage Dictionary, a pinwheel is a toy consisting of vanes of colored paper or plastic pinned to a stick so that they revolve when blown on by you or by the wind.

Fast Forward to 2010. A proposal to harness wind power in Memorial Park for City Hall is met with some skepticism.  I am math challenged so will recuse myself on the cost issues.  With my usual intuitive clarity (is intuitive clarity even possible?), I would like to address two of the more subjective concerns, realizing all may be resolved by the time this reaches print.

Is it just me … am I alone in thinking that that using green space in the park for the wind turbine seems to be a good use of green space?  Aware that my reasoning processes probably are not yours (my husband will be glad to discuss this with you because sometimes they are not his either), I just can’t shake this feeling.

As for unsightly, I’m envisioning a giant, painted wind turbine blowing high in the sky, and I’m liking it.  A work of art, if you will, by some SCAD students or local artists who are not afraid of heights.  I had this vision a few weeks ago on the Ferris Wheel. No one offered to accompany me, and I felt slightly ridiculous (a common feeling) digging out every bit of change from my purse for the, gasp, $5 ticket.  It was almost closing time and the operator (a man with a tired but kind face) told me he could not turn the Big Wheel unless he had two riders.  After about ten minutes, whether out of pity or just a wish for me to go away, he said, ‘Come on.”  And up I went, alone and invincible in the sky. I saw the ocean, the horizon, the roof tops, the lighthouse, the big water tower… and Tybee in the future with brightly colored wind turbines high and proud, freeing us up from air, water, and soil pollution.

So there you are. It just feels right.
I hope we do it.

Until next month,
Junie