Chatham Isles Living May June 2015 by JDelSUR Marketing Group

Whitemarsh, Oatland, Talahi, Wilmington

and Tybee

d Fun E n u ving U o S Ha ISS

w nd S a s as usic A ART 2015 W g M & ne

yin a l P

/ ay

www.wifarmersmarket.org â&#x20AC;˘ wifarmersmarket@aol.com 111 Walthour Road, Wilmington Island, Georgia 31410

Celebrating 15 years!

Toshi Hirata Seasons of Japan, CEO

OTHER LOCATIONS:

Savannah, GA-Abercorn • Savannah, GA-Berwick Pooler • Statesboro, GA • Brunswick, GA North Charleston, SC • Summerville, SC • Jacksonville, FL Irvine, CA • Berkeley, CA • Vernon Hills, IL

Coming Soon to

1800 E.VICTORY DRIVE Seasons Cafe is bringing fast casual Japanese cuisine to downtown Savannah! Our new concept and style will give you the freedom to choose what you crave. Thousands of different combinations await with freshly cooked ingredients so you can “make your own plate” and try a new combination each time you visit.

Now you can enjoy Seasons of Japan like never before!

NOW OPEN!

10 BARNARD ST 912-349-6230 LIKE US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE INFO

C O N T R I BU TO R S

S TA F F

Katrice Williams

is a married mother of two: Nio,14, and Mya,12. She graduated from Georgia Southern University in 1998 with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. She moved to the Atlanta Metropolitan Area to pursue business career endeavors. A few years later, her husband, Tony, received a job offer in our local area, and the family eventually moved here. After spending a fulfilling amount of time as an at-home mom, she decided to pursue an area of personal attraction—writing. In her spare time, Katrice enjoys the 3F’s: family, food, and fun!! She’s also fond of occasionally writing a bit of good poetry.

Jeff Whitten

Shannon Robinson is a free-spirited freelancer that collects hobbies and has a story for every conversation. She joins our publication in an effort to further develop her ninja writing techniques.

Mary Ellen Thompson An adventurous and inveterate traveler, Mary Ellen, originally from the Main Line of Philadelphia, is now equally at home on St Helena or on the road without reservations. Her best pieces of work ever are a daughter in New York and a son in Denver. Having lived on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, and later on the canals in France, she was drawn to Beaufort by the tide, and is waiting to see where it takes her next.

Lea Allen

Dr. Leslie Baylis Chavez, Ed.D., AITP, D.Psc., AR, CCA

Owner, Whispering Waters Academy Leslie is a child of God, a wife, and a homeschooling mother of two amazing children. She received her doctorate in education in 2013, her license in Pastoral Ministry in 2015, and has completed her clinical aromatherapy and Auditory Integration Training Practioner certifications and licenses in 2015. She now runs a Biblically-based education and alternative health care center in Rincon.

Lane Leopard

Casie Wilson

Casie Wilson is an Effingham County native and aspiring journalist. She’s a team player, and her passion for people and their stories is a driving force in her writing and studies. An honors student at the University of Georgia, Casie is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, a minor in Sociology and a certificate in Global Health. She has contributed to UGA’s independent student newspaper, The Red & Black, as a Variety writer and specialized in community events and lifestyle features. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her young nieces and drinking lots of coffee.

04 May/June 2015 | www.ChathamIslesLiving.com

DiAnna Jenkins

CONTENTS June/July 2015

features

08 Wassaw Sound Playing Music And Having Fun

14 Renee De Rossett & Kim Tramell: Pursuing Their Dreams 20 Making Josh Sanders It Big 25 Always Melvin Dean Striving To “Steel” The Show

30 Blowin’ Rachelle “Rae-Rae” Abney Out The Blues 34 His Robert Morris Art Represents His World departments

Publisher’s Letter

Let’s Do Business

34 30 06 May/June 2015 | www.ChathamIslesLiving.com

PUBLISHER’S Thoughts

Julie Hales owner/publisher julie@idpmagazines.com Jeff Whitten editor jeff@idpmagazines.com Lane Leopard graphic designer lane@idpmagazines.com Lea Allen administrative assistant/circulation lea@idpmagazines.com DiAnna Jenkins account executive dianna@idpmagazines.com

Chatham Isles Living is proudly produced by:

108 International Drive P.O. Box 1742 Rincon, GA 3126 (912) 826-2760

LETTERS TO THE PUBLISHER Write to us and tell us what you think. Chatham Isles Living welcomes all letters to the publisher. Please send all letters via email to Julie Hales at julie@idpmagazines.com, or mail letters to P.O. Box 1742, Rincon, GA 31326. Letters to the publisher must have a phone number and name of contact. Phone numbers will not be published. ARTICLE SUBMISSIONS Chatham Isles Living welcomes story ideas from our readers. If you have a story idea, or photo essay you would like to share, please submit ideas and material by emailing Julie Hales at julie@ idpmagazines.com Stories or ideas for stories must be submitted by email. Only feature stories and photo essays about people, places or things on Whitemarsh, Oatland, Talahi, Wilmington and Tybee Islandswill be considered.

CIRCULATION: Chatham Isles Living is publlished bi-monthly (six issues a year), printing 10,000 copies and distributed to over 180 locations. Reproduction in whole or in part in any manner without the written permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited.

Fun on Island Time... Island time is a fun time. It’s that time that you just seem to be taken away from the real world, the time to relax and enjoy yourself with family and friends. Island time is also real time for some…..those of you readers who live on one of the islands we serve. Some of you are on the island all day and some commute back and forth for work. Whatever the case, island time is always a good time. With this, Chatham Isles Living’s second issue, we have chosen to do a Music and Arts issue. This gives you some ideas of the fun things you can do on the islands. The islands are packed with an abundance of local talent. We have barely scratched the service and brought you an entire magazine of these talented folks. From music, to theatre, to art, the islands of Chatham boasts quite an arena. Julie Hales, PUBLISHER Our cover story, Wassaw Sound, did an amazing job at our launch party for Chatham Isles Living. Not only is their talent amazing, I could not have asked for a better group of guys to play for us. I had never heard them play before that evening, but I left there a fan. I have had the pleasure of listening to Josh Sanders many times. This young man is remarkable and I am sure destined for great success. If you haven’t had a chance to hear him play, go to his Facebook page for information on his performances. You won’t be disappointed. I recently got to see Melvin Dean in action one night at the North Beach Grill. What a talented man…and what a gentleman. I enjoyed meeting him and talking to him that evening. I am looking forward to seeing and hearing the remainder of the people featured in this magazine soon. Check out this great talent….hopefully I will see you at the show!

Whitemarsh, Oatland, Talahi, Wilmington

and Tybee

ABOUT THE COVER Meet Wassaw Sound! These talented guys enjoy music and giving bck to their community. Read all about them and check their schedule on Facebook. Make plans to see their next show. d un E un g F So avin SU w nd H S IS a s A T 15 as sic W g Mu & ARne 20

yin Pla

I C M ay /

Cover Photo Taken By Natalie McAllister

www.ChathamIslesLiving.com | May/June 2015

WASSAW SOUND

08 June/July 2015 | www.ChathamIslesLiving.com

Playing Music and Having Fun story by leslie chavez

photos by natalie mcalister

t was a nice cool night for dinner at the Wyld Doc Bar Marina with Wassaw Sound, an up and coming band in Savannah. It was the perfect atmosphere to talk music and hear more about these incredible guys, who do so much for the community. Wassaw Sound is a group of professionals by day with families and careers, and professional musicians by night. The band has played for several benefits over the past year as a group. Over 90% of the gigs are from benefit concerts such as St. James Catholic Church park events, Tommy Strong at Forsyth Park, Susan G. Komen and a stadium benefit for Second Harvest Food Bank. This humble group of musicians keeps family and career first, but still find the time to pursue their passion of music. The band started with just two members, Jim and Tommy, playing in the garage or on the deck, enjoying the sound, and the music blossomed from there. As a duo, they started playing for benefits within the community, which jumpstarted their musical career. Soon after, Anson joined the band on bass. Brian was next to join the band on alto saxophone. Jim and Brian work together in the operating room. Brian remembered, “We started out at a Christmas party for the job. We were supposed to play separately, me on my saxophone, but it was damaged so I didn’t get to play with Jim that night. About a year later, he came back to me and told me he was putting a band together. It took me a little while to get started, but now we have been together about a year.” The band went through a couple of drummers before Nick joined. Jim stated, “we couldn’t find anybody better on drums, Nick is the best there is.” Anson said, “I am a financial advisor and Jim is a client. We

10 May/June 2015 | www.ChathamIslesLiving.com

had always talked about getting together to play music, but we never did. At the time, I was leading worship for our church and played the guitar. After a life change, I am no longer playing for the church. I learned how to play bass for the band. I had always played the guitar, but they already had someone on the guitars and drums, but they needed a bass player. So, I picked it up and decided to play. We got together in the bonus room and started playing together for the first time and realized we meshed well together. It felt we might actually pull it off! Linking everything all together was difficult, but we finally got it, and the first benefit we played together was at this very restaurant. The next gig was at Forsyth Park for Tommy Strong, which was a huge honor. It was our first real show as a band.” Jim laughed, “We went from playing on a porch to playing on a three-tier stage, all spread out, like a rock concert. It was a big deal for us, like the pinnacle of our career. We went on to win the battle of the bands, which was huge for us. We’re just marking things off our bucket list!” Anson recalls, “All of our lives were on different courses. After the career is in order, you have your house and your kids, and you think ‘that’s it,’ then this band thing comes together. We were all going though major life events. I needed some buddies, they needed some buddies, and our wives and girlfriends have been kind enough to support us in this life-long dream. I mean, they really support us. They come out and we have our own little cheering section. We know where the whistles are coming from, even though others don’t know they are with us, it’s very encouraging.” “Building exposure and positive experiences for the band has

JIM GLAZIER

TOMMY SULLIVAN

ANSON KANOY

Meet THE BAND

ANSON KANOY Bass player for the band Financial advisor Also plays acoustic guitar Has played music since 18 years of age, but playing bass for only 1 year.

JIM GLAZIER Rhythm guitar and singer Assistant Chief of Anesthesia I went to UAB – I got tired of studying and decided to grow my hair out and play the guitar. This is our mid-life deal, instead of a convertible or a tattoo. It just keeps growing; its pretty great.

TOMMY SULLIVAN Lead guitar, harmonica, backup vocals BRIAN HILL Surgical technologist, Specialize in neuro and orthopedic surgery Alto saxophone Played 20 years, since elementary school NICK BARNHILL Drummer Professional musician full-time, Nick is going to Nashville to pursue his dream of music.

BRIAN HILL NICK BARNHILL

been great. The launch party for Chatham Isles Living at North Beach Grill at Tybee got us chosen to be featured in this magazine, and we got three gigs out of that. Every benefit we do, we get three or four gigs from. The Forsyth Benefit was for Tommy Strong, who has brain cancer. He is a strong, tough vet, and you would never know he has cancer. He was in remission when we met him. Talk about an inspiration to all of us. We usually play at weddings, birthday parties, benefits. Things like that suit us nicely. We do a lot of private parties because it fits our style a little more than late-night bars. Susan G. Komen at Rachel’s 1190 was the last benefit we did. She needed to raise $300, but we wound up raising over $1,300., which was awesome. We are going to play at Rachel’s again. Soon, we are going to play at the Sandfly Bar and Grill for a bar crawl benefit through St. James. We have done the St. James picnic and rock the block for the last two years. Now, we have been in the studio and played for all kinds of venues and situations. It has been really good for us. The studio experience was good. The studio manager was a student and still learning, which was good that he could learn and we could have this experience in the studio,” say band members. The band plays all types of music, and has started playing some originals. They were very nervous at first, but as time goes on the nerves settle and it has gotten easier for them. The band feeds off the appreciation they get from the crowd, and they’ve worked through their insecurities and learned to really support each other regardless of what goes on in the crowd, getting out of their comfort zone, constantly stretching their abilities. Their styles range from 70’s, R&B and Soul, and classic rock. Brian likes to call their style “funk, rock, and soul through the decades.” The

guys say it’s a synthesis and the band is a sum of its parts: “We start playing and it hits memories in people, but with our own sound. Everyone in the band has their own taste and is a different age. We don’t play modern country really, it’s not our thing. We have come up with some pretty good stuff together. We make our own arrangement of familiar songs – its our own thing. We don’t really want to play other peoples music, but people like the familiarity as well. Keeping it unique, yet familiar, is something people really seem to like. We will stick Uptown Funk between Foo Fighters and Neil Young. It’s interesting and a lot of fun. The more familiar songs the band covers are given their own ‘Wassaw Sound twist.’ We like to have our own sound. We have learned to read each other pretty good after playing together a while. Its nice because we can play with a little more freedom, the more we get to know each other as a band.” The band’s name came from the Wassaw Sound body of water, giving it a play on the word ‘sound.’ “A nurse at St. Joesph’s came up with it. I was fishing around looking for a name. Its tough to find a name, then you have to live with the name you pick,” says Jim. “The best thing about it is that this is fun for us, we each have a career, but the band is something we do as a hobby, and it has taken off to be even better than we could have imagined. We lay back, play as sweet and loud as we can and we will see where it takes us!” The Wassaw Sound Band is a group of professionals, making them a unique mix and perhaps an inspiration to many aspiring musicians who thought they could no longer pursue their dreams. www.ChathamIslesLiving.com | May/June 2015

Michael Zoller, MD, FACS

Stephen Rashleigh, MD, FACS

Fred Daniel, MD, FACS

William Moretz, III, MD

Brad A. Rawlings, MD

Michelle Yamada, PA

Savannah’s premier group of ear, nose, and throat professionals, specializing in total care of head and neck disorders. 5201 Frederick Street, Savannah

For An Appointment, Call: 912-351-3030 Monday - Friday 8:30-5:00 • Saturday 8:30-12:00

www.entsavannah.com Satellite Offices: Pooler, Richmond Hill, Rincon, Statesboro and Bluffton, SC

y h W

Julie Hales Publisher/Sales (912) 657-4120 julie@idpmagazines.com

s U Ask OU On Y Be ! d s l e u g Sho ur Pa O

108 International Drive P.O. Box 1742 Rincon,GA, 31326

www.chathamislesliving.com 12 May/June 2015 | www.ChathamIslesLiving.com

DiAnna Jenkins Account Executive (912) 308-7408 dianna@idpmagazines.com

www.ChathamIslesLiving.com | May/June 2015

Renee DeRossett & Kim Trammell:

Tybee Or Not Tybee? They Just Ignored The Question And Pursued Their Dreams story by shannon robinson photos by monica burgstiner

14 June/July 2015 | www.ChathamIslesLiving.com

or a city whose economy relies on the thousands of tourists that visit its sandy shores yearly, Tybee Island is surprisingly quite the small town. The island’s main road doesn’t stretch terribly far; however, on either side of that road that spans the island’s length is a wealth of community and an abundance of culture. Two very special souls who add to that bounty by keeping art, diversity and fun thriving year-round are the creative duo responsible for reviving theater on Tybee Island. With a passion for the stage and chemistry in spades, Kim Trammell and Renee DeRossett introduced the island to theater seven years ago and have been overwhelmingly accepted and encouraged. What they have built in the wake of their first, of many, successful performances is nothing short of inspirational. It was a spontaneous call in 2007 from Kim Trammell to Tommy Coleman, owner of Savannah Community Theater, which ultimately set in motion the events leading to theater on Tybee. Kim, a native Savannian, had grown up on the stage and pursued her passion through high school. “I came out of the womb saying ‘Here I am world!’” Kim said with giddy excitement and jazz hands, “Just ask my mom!” However, after graduating from Jenkins, a marriage full of world travel and responsibility pulled her far away from home and her love of performing. It wasn’t until after her divorce and the realization that her daughter, Madison, was a self-sufficient teenager, that she saw the opportunity to once again embrace her passion - though Kim is quick to add, “My favorite role is and always will be “Mama.” Tommy Coleman’s open invitation, as a result of her phone call, was all the encouragement she needed to pick up where she’d left off. It was in her first performance with Savannah Community Theater that she met and befriended her proverbial partner in crime. Before meeting Kim on stage nearly ten years ago, Renee DeRossett was making quite the name for herself, both on stage and on movie sets. She’d fallen in love with theater at age seven during a production of “Oliver,” starring Vincent Price as Fagin. The play was preformed at Fox Theater in Atlanta, where she was born and raised. Renee pursued her interest as a theater arts major in college, and would end up moving to California for ten years

before deciding she was destined to live on Tybee. After her relocation to the island, Renee worked with the City Lights Theater Company. As a bonus adventure in 1995 that she hadn’t intended but came to love, Renee found herself helping an injured friend, who was a prop master for movies, by locating animals for a major production being filmed in Savannah. She has been an animal wrangler since that time because of the connections and contacts she’d gained, and, like theater, it suited her because she has an extreme fondness for animals and nature. Fast-forward twenty years, Renee continues to keep her day job of animal wrangling while entertaining the masses with the passion she shares with Kim. It was on the set of Savannah Community Theater’s production of “84 Charing Cross Road” that Kim met Renee while reading the part of her best friend – ironically leading the two to become the best of friends. The chemistry was obvious from the beginning, according to the women. Often finishing each other’s sentences, they seamlessly wove their diverse personal backgrounds into a tapestry that maintained their individuality while also showcasing their congruity. In less than five minutes in the presence of these two creative masterminds, the average person could truly understand the concept of Yin and Yang. In fact, the pair visually resembled the symbol itself during an interview. In Chaco sandals, dark jeans, black vest and garnished by a snazzy fedora, Renee sits relaxed on the edge of the stage. She has a sincere and comfortable vibe. To her immediate left with bare feet together resting on the stairs, Kim seems to barely be sitting at all. She radiates excitement with animated gestures, yet she remains posh

16 May/June 2015 | www.ChathamIslesLiving.com

and polished. She wears white pants and tank top with an oversized off-white crochet top over it – daintily exposing a shoulder. The contrast was obvious yet harmonious and instantly drew to mind the phrase “opposites attract.” Therefore, when they were approached in 2008 with a script for “The Odd Couple” (female version), they knew instantly they were born to play those roles opposite of each other. “Black Box” Theater opened with their rendition of the play, and it was a box-office hit that propelled their little venture. They are the first and only successful theater on Tybee Island to date. Renee and Kim attribute much of the theater’s success to a gentleman named Jim Ingham who selflessly donated his time and energy to building each set and each scene in every show, including the set for “Steel Magnolias” - which he built just before his death in 2010. In an effort to honor Mr. Ingham’s memory and work, the “Black Box” Theater became Jim Ingham’s “Black Box” Theater, and his son, John Ingham, has carried on his father’s work by continuing to provide the theater with sets. John also controls the lighting during productions, and his mother, Carol, directed shows up until her recent retirement. Renee and Kim feel that the community has shown major support and the City of Tybee has also embraced them - practically giving Tybee Arts Association the building in which they reside. Though it is a humble building of white with red brick support columns and wood skirting boards lining the underside, it is historic and perfectly quaint. A quick tour given by these ladies reveals an old screen door that separates the original building, where the theater is housed, from what appears to be an addition. The addition, whose age

must nearly match the original structure, still has the original wooden floors and also a smell that can only be described as “vintage beach house.” Kim and Renee proudly explained the history of the former YMCA building that the Tybee Arts Association had revived and transformed. The duo also took turns describing the classes and events hosted from their home away from home – a reference Kim fondly used to describe the theater. They spoke of classes they’d like to bring to the Tybee Arts Association in the future, as well. One event they host yearly is a summer camp. “It’s theater 101,” Kim said as Renee began to describe the many things they accomplish with the camp. Renee disclosed that they open the camp up to children ages six to sixteen, and all participants can expect to do an entire production by the end of the two-week camp. She went on to say that this year is exciting because they’ll be welcoming many new faces. Many of the camp’s former attendees have grown too old, in the seven years the camp has existed, to attend now. They hope and expect some of their former campers to return as interns, though. “I think it’s really important to teach the kids about theater at a young age, and I’ve been doing that now for fifteen years.” Renee explained. She had taught for five years at Oatland Island’s camp before developing one on Tybee Island with Kim. Aside from camp, which starts in June, the two women usually direct or act in two productions a year at Jim Ingham’s “Black Box” Theater. Due to time constraints and other obligations they have found it far too difficult to produce any more than that. They do, however, encourage guest directors to come and give them a much-needed break. Though both Renee and Kim direct, they also love taking to the stage to act in the shows or simply to sing the jingles they write for local area businesses that have paid for the advertisements. The jingles are often written to popular old songs and sung as a commercial during set changes. The “commercials” have become so wildly popular that they now have a waiting list of businesses willing to pay for them. In addition to the growing success of the theater, Kim and Renee also support other local endeavors regarding theater. Maintaining that it could never detract from their own small theater that seats barely fifty people, the women are excited about the reopening of the historic Tybee Post Theater. Jim Klutz, president of the Tybee Post Theater, purchased this old building that once served as a movie house in the 1930s for the Fort Screven Army Base. Originally intended to be restored as a venue for events, the theater will instead be returned to its former glory - thanks to Klutz, who is an avid theater supporter. Finally, after fifty years in a rundown state, Tybee will once again have a theater large enough to support musical productions, movies and even community theater. Many of the more elaborate shows, which are too large for the humble, though vital, Jim Ingham’s “Black Box” Theater, will now be possible on Tybee. Both Renee and Kim, exceptional women who are eccentric, fun and spirited, absolutely love what they do and truly live like life is a beach. www.ChathamIslesLiving.com | May/June 2015

ISLANDS YMCA

912.897.1192 66 Johnny Mercer Blvd. Savannah, GA 31410

get THE newsletter! Chatham Isles Living News & Notes Chatham Isles Living News & Notes is a bi-weekly e-newsletter designed by Chatham Isles Living to promote community happenings and events. Sign up today to receive this great newsletter via email.

th n i f el

urs o y ep

108 International Drive â&#x20AC;˘ P.O. Box 1742 â&#x20AC;˘ Rincon, Georgia 31326 (912)826-2760 Office (912)826-2762 Fax www.chathamislesliving.com

18 May/June 2015 | www.ChathamIslesLiving.com

! W O KN

VISIT US HERE

www.ChathamIsleLiving.com

Read Current Articles

Pla W yin a g ss SI Musi aw cA S C nd ou M & ay /J A R Hav nd un T ing e Fu 20 S I 15 S S n

See Past Issues Sign Up For Our Bi-Weekly Newsletters

h i, d , Ta la

ee a n d Ty b

tl a n r sh , O a h it e m a

g to n W il m in

View our on-line Business Directory Media Kit

20 May/June 2015 | www.ChathamIslesLiving.com

Josh Sanders

MAKING IT BIG story by jeff whitten photos by natalie mcalister

osh Sanders could be the only guy living on Tybee Island right now who’s opened for Charlie Daniels. That happened in November at Hardeeville’s Music Vault, when Josh played before headliner Daniels and up-and-comer Jason Michael Carroll. And it’s just the latest bend in the road for the talented singer-songwriter from Faulkville, just up the road in Effingham County. Josh, who quit his job at Georgia power back in 2010 to pursue his dream of making it in Nashville, has since been touring, doing his accoustic shows -- you can get a taste of his music on You Tube or on his website at www.joshsandersband.com. And he’s gearing up to record another CD, this one a five-or-six song production in a studio in Warner Robins. All of it is original material, including songs like “Dirt” a straightahead, plainspoken tribute to farmers and the military, and new songs like “Georgia Pine” and “Good People,” the latter a tribute to Josh’s growing fanbase, most of which remains centered around the Southeast. “My fans and supporters have been waiting patiently on this, and it’s been a long time coming,” Josh said, noting this CD should be out by late summer or early fall, and might well be called “Long Time Coming,” unless the laid back singer decides to change that to something else. No matter the title, the CD should be worth the wait. Josh’s style is pure, even in an age where it’s not always easy to avoid sounding like somebody else and there’s a host of young musicians out there looking to get noticed. Whats more, Josh’s music has an honest, downhome feel that comes across from the minute he starts picking at his six string and bellying up to the

microphone. “I want my music to be simple, nothing extravagant,” Josh said. “We’re making music, we’re not trying to do anything else. Let’s keep it simple, stay true to what we’re doing and stay true to the music.” Maybe that’s why Josh’s musical influences start with Alan Jackson, a fellow Georgian who writes many of his own songs and is about as traditional country as you can get in this day and age, and go from there to Waylon Jennings, the Allman Brothers, and songwriters Dean Dillon and the late Hank Cochran. “These guys are all simple guys who make good music,” said Josh, who believes in roots and family and hard work and sometimes taking chances. It’s what gets him up the next day to do it all again after a long night writing songs or playing in some nightclub somewhere. It’s what keeps him connected to the people who’ve been there rooting for him and supporting him and making him feel he isn’t doing all this for no reason. “I get asked a lot if there’s anything I’d want people to know about me,” Josh said. “What I really want to be known is just how much I appreciate everybody’s help and support, and just being there for me when I need it. There so many people I need to thank that I can’t name them all or it would be the whole story. But they know who they are, and I want them to know how much I really appreciate their standing by me while we do this.” Local Boy Making Waves Josh Sanders grew up the son of Ronnie and Faye Sanders in Faulkville where just about everybody knows everybody else. Ronnie worked at Gulfstream over in Port Wentworth for more than 35 years, Faye stayed at home raising kids and “taking care of business.” Josh graduated from South Effingham High School in 2001 and eventually went to work for Georgia Power, where he worked as a mechanic fixing bucket trucks and other equipment. But the dream he’s had since he was a teen was to be a singer-songwriter, and Sanders decided the only way to find out if he can make it is to try it. Five years later, Josh is still working to make it to country’s big leagues. He packed up and moved to Nashville a few years ago, figuring that would be the way to get the attention of record companies, but it didn’t work out. Rather than give up, Josh came back home to work on his craft. “I get discouraged sometimes, actually I get discouraged all the time,” Josh said. “But I never get discouraged to the point I want to give up. I had the job, the whole career at Georgia Power, I had it made. I worked hard, but I had a job a lot of people wanted and would never give up. I did, I gave up that job to go to Nasvhille. So I tell myself, ‘man, you’ve given up a lot to be able to do this.’” It helps to keep him pushing forward, looking for that chord or phrase he can turn into the next song. It’s that, and the fans who get converted to friends, and it’s that Josh believes there are people counting on him and others like him to stay out there chasing the elusive dream. “The one main thing that keeps me going is I know there is somebody out there who wishes they could do the same thing I’m doing and would give anything in the world to do it,” he said. “That’s what keeps me going. I’ve been blessed I’ve been given this opportunity to pursue something not everybody gets a chance to pursue. Maybe they’re physically unable to do it.

22 May/June 2015 | www.ChathamIslesLiving.com

Maybe they’ve got a family to support, so they can’t leave their job to do it. The road’s right there in front of me, all I’ve got to do is walk it.” There’s a sign Josh’s ship may be about to come in. He said he recently learned one of his songs, “Riverbank” has been recorded by a certain Canadian recording artist -- which could give the kid his first “cut,” meaning his first song that makes it onto a mainstream artist’s album and then onto the radio. If so, perhaps it’s apt the artist chose that particular song. “Riverbank” is about a place on the Ogeechee River his grandparents owned when Josh was a boy and the memories of those times run deep and strong, just like the river itself. “I’d spend 90 percent of my time at that place,” he said. “I still spend a lot of time on it. That’s my river.” Growing trend It almost seems like you can’t turn around these days in country music circles without bumping into someone from the Coastal Empire or south Georgia who’s making it big in country music. Billy Currington is from Rincon. Luke Bryan is from Leesburg and attended to Georgia Southern. Cole Swindell is from Glennville and also went to Southern. Their success is no surprise to Josh, and maybe it narrows the distance between where he’s at now and where he hopes to be sooner rather than later. “With Billy, Luke and Cole coming from here, not far from the area I grew up, it makes it believable. What I’m going through now, they’ve probably already been through it before. The only thing you can do it bite the bullet, put on the seat belt and enjoy the ride,” Josh said. And if it keeps on going like it’s going, he could need to get a bigger bus. “When I first started doing this, it was all the local crowd coming up to me and saying, ‘man you’re great,’ it was my friends and you almost felt they had to say it. But when people are doing this and you have have no clue who they are, that’s when you really start to feel like you can do what they’re telling you you can do. When people you’ve never met to that moment right then are singing your praises and telling you they can’t believe you’re not on radio, it gives you the feeling maybe this can happen.” Josh remembers opening for Daniels and realizing there were many in the audience there to see him. That made all those long nights worth it, Josh said, because he realized he’d built a fanbase -- and that’s something no aspiring country music singer can be without. “That solidifies everything for me, it shows that I’m doing something right,” said Josh, whose love for baseball gives him an analogy that’s hard to shake off. “I’ve been fortunate to be able to do this full time without having to have extra income. I’m working hard on this for the love of the game, because I love it so much. I really love keeping my nose to that grindstone. I’m going to figure it out.” Besides, if it came too easy, it wouldn’t be country music, a genre traditionally all about heartache and redemption and hard work and everything blue collar America stands for. It’s about loss, and love, and living life. “You know what happens if you play a country record backwards? You get your dog back, you get your wife back, you get your truck back,” Josh joked, before getting back to work.

www.ChathamIslesLiving.com | June/July 2015

Something to smile about.

Family. Friendly. Neighbors.

HFD40

Christy Cole Harpring, DMD 路 206 Johnny Mercer Blvd. 路 Savannah, GA 31410 (912) 897-9000 路 HowardFamilyDental.com

24 May/June 2015 | www.ChathamIslesLiving.com

Melvin Dean: Always Striving to ‘Steel’ the Show “Life has no rehearsals, only performances.” - Unknown

story by katrice williams

homas J. Watson once said, “The man who does not take pride in his own performance performs nothing in which to take pride in.” That belief reigns true in almost every facet of daily life. Melvin Dean of Wilmington Island strives to utterly exemplify this belief on a continuous basis. Melvin, along with his wife of 43 years, Barbara Dean, moved to the area about 5 years ago from Harlem, New York. Regarding their union, he laughs and lovingly states, “She got lucky, and I got real lucky.” The couple longed to relocate to a warmer climate. Consequently, after searching in Florida, the Carolinas and even Texas, they set their sights on the Savannah area. Melvin mentions that Barbara quickly “fell in love with Wilmington Island.” He also liked the area but was very happy with his wife’s enthusiasm concerning it. The two moved down a short time later. Melvin is currently a very successful one-man show. He plays the steel drum—yes, the steel drum. He has been playing the massive 55 gallon instrument for over fifty years. He was introduced to it when he was only 12 years old. Actually, after hearing and seeing the steel drum for the first time, Melvin declares, “I fell in love with that instrument.” He goes on to add, “It’s not surprising to me that I’m still playing after more than fifty years.” He comments, “I had to play other instruments in school, but I ran home to the steel drum; it’s been a blessing.” Many people do not know what a steel drum really is and may think it’s similar to a regular drum. However, that’s far from accurate. In fact, the drum is characterized by both its size and also its musical versatility. Melvin remarks, “In my mind, it’s like a steel piano; anything you can play on a steel piano, you can play on a steel drum.” After taking a sincere liking to the instrument, young Melvin diligently practiced whenever he got the chance. In fact, he soon joined a band at the local community center—Morning Side Community Center—under the instruction of Vincent Rollé, who was also in a local band himself. Melvin recalls having the opportunity to hear one of Vincent’s band mates play the steel drum. He was

photos by natalie mccalister blown away and remembers asking, “Oh my gosh…where’s your band at?” He soon joined the new band, The Sunjets, who were under the instruction of Carlos Benjamin. Melvin mentions that he still keeps in contact with Mr. Benjamin to this very day. The Sunjets were a very talented band and were given various opportunities. Melvin remembers a truly memorable one—at 19 years old, they performed on the Ed Sullivan Show. Over the years, Melvin continued to work hard towards his passion. He later took his talents to Spirit Ensemble, an Afro-Caribbean band that he performed with and also managed for about twenty years. Melvin managed band-related finances; in fact, he is actually a licensed public accountant. Moreover, Melvin felt that the band was filled with some of the most talented individuals that he knew. Over time they performed on various stages in many different states. Spirit Ensemble even performed in Savannah. Though he is a licensed accountant, he has not actively practiced for some time now; music has been his love and career for a huge portion of his life. Melvin reasons, “You really can’t have 9-5 if you want to be a true musician.” He notes, “I used to be an accountant; you have to walk away from the 9-5 if you want to make it work.” That’s some risk; however it’s also a boatload of courage, which has helped Melvin spread a ton of talent in a whole lot of places. Some of the places that experienced Melvin’s talent include Puerto Rico, Canada and Sicily—where he actually performed with his own band, The Melvin Dean Ensemble. Currently, Melvin plays at a variety of venues, normally in the Southeast, but he does not geographically limit himself. Locally he can often be found playing at certain hotels, restaurants, private clubs, weddings and various other social events. Wherever he performs, he takes pride in creating a great ambiance for his audience. Melvin stresses the importance of setting high standards as a musician. He feels that musicians should always be punctual, prepared and use dependable equipment. He also thinks that they should be easy to get along with and present themselves well. Regarding this, Melvin states, “I don’t play in jeans; I don’t care what the situation is. I change to perform after I setup.” He also feels www.ChathamIslesLiving.com | May/June 2015

“I had to play other instruments in school, but I ran home to the steel drum; it’s been a blessing.”

26 June/July 2015 | www.ChathamIslesLiving.com

that he is “one of the easiest musicians to work with.” He goes on to mention, “I’m always on the hunt for what can make things better.” However, he confidently points out, “It’s a whole other level of professionalism other than just being able to play well.” Consequently, Melvin receives high regard from many of his fans who are impressed with his high level of professionalism. Melvin strives to satisfy his audience as much as possible. He plays a variety of music, because he understands that there is an array of tastes when it comes to music. He also tries to stay open for requests from the crowd. Whether it’s playing fan favorites like “All Of Me,” “Just my imagination,” “Lady in Red” or “Moon River,” Melvin always wants to make certain that each person leaves well-satisfied with their experience. He comments, “I’m good at remembering my fans and what they like. He feels that he should know if one fan likes to hear “Rivers of Babylon” and another fancies “It’s the way of the world.” He wants to always be able to deliver; his fans views are extremely important to him. He recalls a heartfelt time that he played at a nursing home in New York. After his performance, a resident of the facility thanked him for a song that he played, saying, “That was my wedding song in 1942.” “That,” Melvin said, “is what this is all about.” Melvin really enjoys his talent and takes a great amount of delight in trying to be the very best at what he does. He emphasizes, “This is what I do.” He goes on to declare, “I’m always ‘on’ in

a sense; my wife has to tone me down.” Melvin also admits, “It’s constant thinking of the business and responding to phone calls, emails and contracts.” Melvin mentions several people in his life that have truly inspired him. He mentions his past instructor, Carlos Benjamin. He also feels a great deal of gratitude towards Larry Siegel, who was a fellow musician and equipment supplier; he was a tremendous help to Melvin over the years. Melvin, with his steel drum by his side, has come a long way over the years and plans to go much further. Though some time has gone by, he still feels the same about what he does. “It’s such an internal joy to still be playing; it keeps me going to still be able to do what I do,” he reveals. Melvin plans to continue to demand nothing less than excellence from himself. Whether performing at a local nursing home or a congressional dinner, no one ever knows who is watching. Melvin understands this. Therefore, he is never satisfied with a subpar or even average performance. He has many defining attributes that will always differentiate those who are average at what they do from those who are exceptional at what they do. “You got to really distinguish yourself,” Melvin said. It’s very obvious that Melvin is doing just that. He plans to continue to ‘steel’ the show wherever he performs.

www.ChathamIslesLiving.com | May/June 2015

International Mortgage International Mortgage CAll FoR DETAIlSMortgage oN THE $8000 TAx Mortgage CREDIT International International International Mortgage International Mortgage CELEBRATING All FoR DETAIlS oN THE $8000 TAx CREDIT25 YEARS

Effingham County’s Oldest Mortgage Effingham Company… County’s Oldest Mortgage Company… County’s Oldest Mortgage Company… Effingham County’s OldestEffingham Mortgage Company… Effingham County’s Oldest Mortgage Company…

CAll DETAIlS $8000 CRED CAll FoRFoR DETAIlS oN oN THETHE $8000 TAxTAx CREDIT • 100% Financing Packages CAll FoR DETAIlS oN THE $8000 TAx CREDIT • 100% Financing Packages • 100% Financing Packages • First Time Buyer Programs • First Time Buyer Programs 100% Buyer Financing Packages • First• Time Programs • Debt Consolidation Time Buyer Programs • Debt• First Consolidation • Debt Consolidation • Construction Loans • Debt Consolidation • 100% Financing Packages • Construction Loans • Purchases • Construction Loans • Construction Loans • Purchases • First Time Buyer Programs • Purchases • Refinances • 100% Financing Packages • Refinances • Refinances • Purchases • VA Loans • Debt Consolidation • VA Loans • First Time Buyer Programs • VA Loans • Free Consultations Jane • Free• Free Consultations • Refinances Consultations Jane JaneHughes Hughes • Home Improvement Loans • Construction• Debt LoansConsolidation • Home • Home Improvement Loans Improvement Loans VA Loans Loans (912) 826-5386 • Fax: (912) 82 826-5386 • Fax: (912)826-455 826-455 • Purchases ••Construction (912)(912) 826-5386 •McCall Fax: (912) • Rincon, G 55055505 McCall RoadRoad • Rincon, GA 5505 McCall Road • Rincon, GA Free Consultations Serving Effingham County, surrounding areas &a Serving Effingham County, surrounding areas & all of Georg Jane Hughes • Refinances ••Purchases Serving Effingham County, surrounding areas & all of Georg PRESIDENT • Home Improvement Loans • VA Loans • Refinances • Free Consultations 826-5386 •Programs Fax: (912) 826-4556 • (912) VA Loans • First Time Buyer - 100% USDA Jane Hughes • FHA, VA & Conventional • Construction LoansGA • Purchases 5505 McCall PRESIDENT Road • Rincon, • Home Improvement Loans • Free Consultations Jane Hughes Hughes Jane • Serving Refinances • Free Consultations • Home Improvement Loans PRESIDENT Effingham County, surrounding areasPRESIDENT & all of Georgia • Home Improvement Loans (912) 826-5386 • Fax: (912) 826-4556

CAll FoR DETAIlS oN THE $8000 TAx CREDIT

PRE PRESIDENT PRESIDENT

Georgia Residential Mortgage Licensee#5748 Georgia Residential Mor

Georgia Residential Mortgage Licensee#5748

(912) 826-5386 • Fax: (912) 826-4556 Georgia Residential Mortgage Licensee#5748 5505 McCall • Rincon, (912)Road 826-5386 • GA Fax: (912) 826-4556 hughes@internationalmortgage.com McCall • Rincon, GA Serving Effingham County, surrounding areas Road & Road all of••Georgia 55055505 McCall Road Rincon, GA 5505 McCall Rincon, GA Serving Effingham County, surrounding areas & all of Georgia

Residentialsurrounding Mortgage Licensee#5748areas & all of Georgia Serving Effingham EffinghamGeorgia County, Serving County, surrounding areas & all of Georgia

GRMA#26250 GRMA#26250

NMLS# 158359 (Novella J. Hughes) GeorgiaResidential Residential Mortgage Licensee#5748 NMLS# 158273 (International Mortgage Co.,Mortgage Inc.) Licensee#5748 Georgia

Chatham Isles Living

Become A Fan... Keep up with us between issues! We will be posting pictures and information from each magazine!

108 International Drive • P.O. Box 1742 Rincon, Georgia 31326

(912) 826-2760 Chatham Isles Living is a publication of Independence Day Publishing, Inc.

28 May/June 2015 | www.ChathamIslesLiving.com

Looking for us? Here’s where you can find your FREE copy!

Island Eye Care Sea Islands Bank Island Chiropractic Clinic The UPS Store BB&T Kroger (Starbucks) Salt Water Spa Chu’s Barber Shop Blue Bamboo Hair Design Scuba Steve’s Seafood David’s Produce Sunlit Nails Natural Healing Massage Mathnasium Spine & Sport Palm Beach Tan Savannah Ballet Physicians Laser K Bella Gourmet Carryout Anytime Fitness Publix Savannah Hair Pro Nails Southern Urgent Care First Chatham Bank Curry Dry Cleaners Angel Nails Island Pet Centre Rio Bravo Mexican Restaurant Island Veterinary Clinic Illusions Hair Salon Healing Touch Therapeutic Massage Blakes Fresh Local Dining Suntrust The Barber Pole ACE Hardware Cancun Café Basil’s Molly McGuire’s The Best Cleaners Keller Willimas Real Estate Publix Hogan’s Marina J & T Nails Dr. Humphrey’s Islander Food South State Bank

Great Clips Whitemarsh Plaza Oatland Island Wildlife The Cottage Salon Skipper’s Florist Mercer Point at Whitemarsh Tybee City Hall Tybee Jet Ski Lazaretto Creek Seafood Coco’s Sunset Grill Captain Mike’s Dolphin Adventures Tybee Island Marina North Island Surf & Kayack Crab Shack Gift Shop The Turtle and the Dragon Fly Tybee Island Wedding Chapel Tybee Beach Vacation Rentals Paddle Tybee Kayak Tybee Teeth Gallery By The Sea Tybee Vacation Rentals Titan Advertising Tybee Visitor’s Center Solomon Properties Waves Urgent Care 24/7 Tybee Animal Hospital Island Style High Tide Surf Shop Board Loft Paddle Surf Island Pharmacy Chu’s Market Mermaid Salon Tybee Insurance Tybee Island Rentals Funky Fish Outdoor Tybee Island Branch Library McAlwee’s Seafood Tybee YMCA Sky Suites Tybee IGA Social Sting Rays

Shell Food Mart Seaweeds Ice Cream Bike Shop Dunes Inn & Suites Funky Fish Outdoors Admiral’s Inn Airbrush T-Shirts Nicky’s Air Brush Benny’s Island Hopper’s Chu’s Atlantis Inn Waves Aloha Wind Rose Café American Windwear Lighthouse Pizza Bernie’s Oyster Bar Chu’s Christy’s Department Store Soft Serve Ice Cream Rockhouse Tybee Times Spanky’s Fannie’s

Dizzy Deans Good Vibrations Hotel Tybee Sandcastle Inn Beachside Colony Marlin Monroes’s Deboto Hotel Sugar Shack Salon Sobe 80 E. Gastro Pub Chu’s Gas Station Golf Cart Rentals Bowie Seafood Tim’s Beach Gear Bargain Warehouse Debbie Brady Robinson Gallery Seaside Sisters Fish Art Rental Bike Ty Bean Lattitude 32 Caldwell’s Cottage St. Joseph’s Candler Airport GA Welcome Center

For Questions Or Information On Distribution Points, Please Call Lea at (912)826-2760 www.ChathamIslesLiving.com | May/June 2015 29

RACHELLE “RAE-RAE” ABNEY:

Blowin’ Out the Blues “Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent.” -Victor Hugo

story by katrice williams

any feel that music can express the inexpressible. Each rhythmic tune that escapes into the atmosphere has its very own, unique story to tell. “If you speak from your heart, all songs should tell a good story,” said Rachelle Abney. Rachelle, also known as Rae-Rae or Sister Rae-Rae by friends, is a noteworthy musician in the area and plays harmonica in the local band -- The Missionary Blues Band. Rachelle, a Macon, Georgia native, has been living on Wilmington Island for almost two years, but she has been a talented musician for some time now. “I’ve always played music since I was quite little,” Rachelle said. She can play several instruments including the guitar, ukulele and piano. However, her heart has always rested with the harmonica. She gives it a voice all its own every time she blows a note. Rachelle loves the unique sound that it has and the unmatchable vibe that it creates. It’s also so much more convenient to use than any other instrument. Rachelle says, “I like the harmonica because it’s so portable.” She later mentions, “I’ll bust it out anywhere.” Rachelle and her harmonica have a dynamic musical history. Prior to moving to the area, she played with several popular bands around Macon. She talks about several notable musicians that were from the Macon area like Little Richard. Rachelle initially played with the Chris Hicks Band for several years in Macon, beginning in the late 1990’s. She speaks fondly of Chris Hicks, who was the lead guitarist in the band. He actually gave her the name Sister Rae-Rae. Rachelle laughs and says that Chris said, “I was so nice he had to say it twice.” He also consistently encouraged her to share her huge talent with the rest of the world. Additionally, while in Macon, Rachelle played with Satellite Poppa’s Soul Band alongside band lead and bassist, Calvin Arline (Satellite Poppa). Rachelle feels privileged to have played along

30 May/June 2015 | www.PoolerMagazine.com

photos by natalie mccalister with such an exceptionally talented group of musicians, some who have played with superstars like James Brown, Aretha Franklin and The Manhattans. Rachelle remembers thinking, “These gentlemen are the real deal.” She adds, “I was so honored.” She felt that they were truly “some of the best of the best.” Presently, Rachelle enjoys the camaraderie and collective musical talents of The Missionary Blues Band. She declares, “I just love it.” Rachelle speaks highly of the diverse group of individuals which includes Mike English -- the band lead singer, guitarist and songwriter. Rigel Crockett is the skilled bassist and Micah Goodman is the accomplished drummer. Rachelle surprises many crowds when she pulls out her harmonica and starts blowin’ out the blues. She says, “I was trained to be the secret weapon.” Rachelle admires several songs that were written and played over the years. Some of her favorites include, “Macon Georgia Blues,” written by Chris Hicks. Rachelle likes the funky beat of the song and notes, “I wish I had a dime for every time I played that song.” Rachelle shows a great deal of admiration towards Mike English, emphasizing, “Michael is a very good songwriter too.” He wrote “Ogeechee River Blues” and “Soak it in.” Rachelle feels that members of the band complement each other, stating, “We’re pretty—thank goodness—in tune with each other.” Surprisingly, Rachelle started out with a desire to play the drums. She laughs, however, saying that they were “too much work” to play. More so, she has written a song or two in her day, but her heart has always been in playing music rather that writing it. “I’m really good with coming up with the melody, not so much the lyrics,” she asserts. Nonetheless, she talks about one song in particular that she wrote for fun called “Jump into the River of Life,” which is a gospel song. It’s no surprise that Rachelle is so musically inclined when

www.ChathamIslesLiving.com | June/July 2015

“If you love music, you’ll know; if it’s a part of you, you’ll know.”

considering her upbringing and background. Her mother, Nancy Barlow, is a classical pianist, who could skillfully play all kinds of music, even the classical works of Mozart, Chopin and Beethoven. “I love that stuff too,” admits Rachelle. She says, “My mother is probably where I get my musical inclination from.” Rachelle is grateful for all those who have had a great impact on her life since she has been following her music career. She speaks of her Uncle Frank, who presented her with her first harmonica; he told her to “play it all the way from Mississippi to Macon.” She also talks about a couple of her mentors including Chris Hicks and Calvin Arline. She goes on to mention Kerry “Bones” Jones, who taught her how to properly ‘time’ her music within each song. Regarding all the individuals that she’s felt so privileged to perform with, Rachelle points out, “I’ve been real fortunate to share the stage with some big names and mega talent.” Rachelle is able to keep busy doing the very thing that she loves. She, along with the band, have been involved in several events like The Ted Talks at the Jepson Center, the Annual Georgia Conservancy Oyster Roast on Lebanon Plantation, an array of social club affairs, along with a host of other events around the area. Rachelle also plays individually at certain social affairs or other special events. With all the different dynamics encompassing Rachelle’s life as a musician, she still values her priorities in life—her family. She

32 May/June 2015 | www.ChathamIslesLiving.com

knows that she has to “give time to the things that really count.” She talks about several of the really important people in her life; her son, Zach Abney, and daughter, Cora Louise Diaz. She recalls a particular time when the two were small children and watched her perform. At the time, she noticed that both of them were in the audience laughing as they watched her dance around on stage. After the show, they told her the reason they were so tickled, pointing out, “You were flappin’ your arms like a chicken; you looked like a chicken about to take flight.” Rachelle understood the brutally honest nature of kids, and that they often say the darndest things. She insists, “I don’t do that chicken thing anymore.” Though Rachelle’s children are adults and have children of their own now, that little lesson she learned from them has stuck to this day. Moreover, she is proud to be the grandmother of six grandchildren. Rachelle, additionally, has a very high regard for her mother and really enjoys spending time with her. Rachelle has a lot of helpful advice for any up and coming musician. “If you love music, you’ll know; if it’s a part of you, you’ll know.” She adds, “Nothing comes easy; you got to work for it. You got to want it.” Rachelle goes on to say, “Be true to yourself.” As for her, she states, “It’s just like breathing for me; it’s part of who I am.”

www.ChathamIslesLiving.com | June/July 2015

ROBERT MORRIS

His Art Represents His World

story by mary ellen thompson

ith an unassumingly aristocratic air, Robert Claiborne Morris absorbs all that surrounds him, even the most mundane, and funnels it into art - be it his use of words, his poetry, or his paintings and assemblages. To listen to him speak, simply to converse, is to be inspired by his articulate vision. Robert attended the distinguished Sidwell Friends School in Washington DC, and Tulane University; he was a staff reporter for the Atlanta Journal Constitution, an editor at Atlanta Magazine, a features editor for Creative Loafing in Atlanta, and a speech writer for former Georgia Governor Roy Barnes. He has been a resident on Tybee Island for the past four years where he lives with his wife, Heather, and their children, Willam and Madeline; daughters Caroline, Mary Claire and Chandler are currently living in Atlanta. For the past thirteen years, Robert has been with the Georgia Ports Authority and from both vantage points he finds the beauty on the river that feeds his current artistic inspiration. In Sweetwater Creek, Anne Rivers Siddons describes light and water in a concise way: “People who live beside moving water have been given the gift of living light, and even if they never come to recognize it as such, any other light, no matter how clear or brilliant, is pale and static to them, leaving them with a sense of loss, of vulnerability, as if they have suddenly found themselves without clothes.” He’s known a lifetime of light reflected on rivers. Robert acknowledges, “I grew up on the Potomac, went to school on the Mississippi, lived on the Chattahoochee, and now live on Tybee Island at the mouth of the Savannah River; like a river rat - I’ve always lived on the water. On Tybee I’m surrounded by atmosphere; I feel like I’m immersed in the natural world. I follow the river home from work, often alongside the vessels plying the river; sometimes I chase them and sometimes they chase me. When I paint, I’m able to plug into this natural world, I have to sort of be a medium to do that, and then I look forward to seeing how it will turn out.” Senior Director of Corporate Communications for the Georgia Ports Authority, Robert’s position is as full of the hustle and bustle as one would expect in the largest single container terminal in North America. What he sees from his office window is a complex field of color and shape, texture and light. Those shapes are the containers waiting to be loaded onto ships to leave the port, or onto trucks after they have come into the port. It is a constant and orchestrated dance. Stacks of containers are on the ground and on the ships; there is the continual motion of cranes loading and unloading, trucks transporting them, and ships arriving into and leaving the port. Many containers have foreign names or unrecog-

34 May/June 2015 | www.ChathamIslesLiving.com

photos by natalie mccalister

nizable alphabet letters washing across their sides, as do some of the ships; some ships are too large to fit through the Panama Canal. All of the motion displays perfect synchronization, and to the casual observer, a field of excitement because the array of colors in motion is dizzying. From a certain distance, or height, they resemble children’s building blocks and the desire to play with, re-stack, rearrange, or reproduce them in an art form is tempting. And Robert has been so tempted. One source of inspiration has been the poet, Philip Levine. Robert explains, “Levine brought beauty, knowledge, awareness and insight to the industries in Detroit.” From a New York Times obituary of Levine earlier this year: “It was at an early age, while I was working in factories and also trying to write,” Mr. Levine said. “I said to myself, ‘Nobody is writing the poetry of this world here; it doesn’t exist!’ And it didn’t. You couldn’t find it.” Robert, himself, is making that same connection, but between his art and the maritime industry. “I get to bring the eye of an artist to an industry that has hard edges; I get to bring something for the soul along an industrial waterfront setting. Finding a way to bring my life’s work of art to my day job has been enriching, it brings me a sense of accomplishment and peace. Every day I’m inspired by what I witness: the commerce, the port is a working environment where real people are doing difficult jobs; it’s gutty and authentic. I love art that represents the world where we live and it is a tool to leave something to humanity that exemplifies who we were.” A show entitled Twenty debuted in Savannah at The Book Lady in 2008, an exhibit of twenty of Robert’s watercolor paintings of ships and the river. This show was remarkable in that it heralded his renewed passion for painting after a twenty year interlude. Eventually, the images had called him forth and presented themselves to him in dreams until he found himself, once again, with paintbrush in hand. In 2009, those watercolors were featured in the Presentation of Seaport Watercolor Paintings. There was sharp detour in Robert’s art that occurred in 2009 when his friend, Doug Blackmon, won a Pulitzer Prize for his book, “Slavery By Another Name: The Re-enslavement of Black Americans from the Civil War to World War II.” Robert was so inspired by this book, the history, and his own family’s deep Southern roots, that he created a forty piece collection of art assemblages that visually enriched the story. The highly acclaimed show, featuring Blackmon’s book, Robert’s art, entitled “Slavery By Another Name: Paintings and Assemblages,” and Sam Pollard’s PBS documentary, “Slavery By Another Name,” opened in May of 2009 at The Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum in Savannah and has been traveling around the country to prestigious museums ever since.

In March of 2014, “Savannah Calling: New Works by Robert Claiborne Morris and Charles Ellis,” opened at the Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum in Savannah. Robert showed ten paintings created along the thirty miles between the port terminal and the sea. In 2016 there will be part two of the exhibit at the Maritime Museum, entitled “Wonders In The Deep.” This upcoming show will explore the mystery and magic of what happens out there in the ocean and to the vessels that ply it. Robert explains, “Building out the skeletal essence of a ship is interesting because they are all different. A ship is either going to, or coming from, somewhere - they all have a port of call. Then add the way the ship moves from country to country, ocean to ocean; add the consequence of the tides, the ship’s weight, the weather, and how those factors affect the colors on its hull. Other variables that make each ship unique are the way the containers are stacked - by color, by size; they present a pointillist, cubist, and/or abstract variation. The backdrop is another feature - hue, texture, and atmosphere such as mist or rain. Questions arise, such as where does the horizon blur? I take a modernistic approach reaching into both abstract and realism. After I’ve built the skeleton, the spine, I allow the abstract to come into play. One of the wonderful things about painting a ship is my desire to use color and light; it is a place where the natural, light and water, and the manmade, ship, all connect.” Imagery ranging from forthright enormity of the container ships at night bearing down on you, through the romanticism of their setting out on their journey across the world cradled by sunrise colors, to the marsh and river abstracts that make you salivate with the intensity of their sensual motion and an aurora borealis-ness to their light and complexity, to the ethereal and wistful soft misty images of ships sliding through the fog as they go on about their business - all of it is captivating.

36 May/June 2015 | www.ChathamIslesLiving.com

All of these evocations conveyed and perceived are of huge hunks of steel sitting in the water and carrying cargo weighing hundreds of thousands of tons. Yet, Robert has managed to make them almost friendly, and certainly fascinating. Such are the complexities and intricacies of the man himself, efficient, businesslike, impeccably attired, his appearance is the face of his canvas. Add the paint and you will find the husband, the father, the friend. Mix up some of his secret recipe varnish and realize that for a published poet, his art is his visual poetry. The final sealing coat is his humor, his intellect, his awareness, and his spirituality that all combine to make his paintings raw and personal. Robert muses, “Many artists tend to head off to leafy fields. I get to work in a hectic, bustling maritime setting, and then take to the shores of Tybee Island and immerse myself in the natural world.” That world is where he can relax into the romantic and sentimental. He smiles softly as he recalls the story of his introduction to Heather. “We met two blocks from the house on the beach one afternoon four years ago when her son, William, 6 years old at that time, asked me to help him build a sandcastle. One year later, he walked his mother down the sandy isle and we were married in almost the exact location we had met. Today, we like to ride our bikes, with Madeleine in the bike carrier, up and down the beach, stopping to swim, find shells and watch sunsets. We have a garden by the beach where we grow oranges, lemons, pomegranates, tomatoes, peppers and figs. We often return to the place we all met to remind ourselves how lucky we are to have built that first sandcastle together.”

SPOTTED ON THE ISLANDS

1. Chatham Isles Living heading to the Wilmington Island Farmer’s Market 2. Wassaw Sound performing at the launch party for Chatham Isles Living. 3. Jeanne Paddison at the “unveiling” of Chatham Isle Living. 4. Sun and Fun on the beach! 5. An afternoon at Huck-A-Poos. 6. George Spriggs, owner of North Beach Grill, introducing our publisher, Julie Hales, at our launch party.

www.ChathamIslesLiving.com | May/June 2015

Abandoned Bandits

WILDLIFE RESCUE CENTER 1529 Walthour Rd., Savannah, Ga. 31410 912-596-1237 • Resuce@abandonedbandits.com

CONTACT THE WILDIFE RESCUE CENTER IMMEDIATELY IF: • The animal is obviously injured. • The mother is known to be dead. • There are flies around the baby and/or there are white or yellow clumps of fly eggs in the baby’s fur. • If maggots are already present, get the baby to the Wildlife Rescue Center as soon as possible. If the baby has suffered no injuries and the mother’s whereabouts are unknown, do not offer the baby food or water as this can harm the animal.

Educate Yourself. Save a Life. Does the animal really need rescuing, rehabilitation, or relocating? • WILDLIFE IN YOUR TRASH - Keep your trash cans in the garage or other enclosed area. Put trash out the morning of pick up instead of the night before. • WILDLIFE IN A DUMPSTER - Place a tree branch or a piece of lumber diagonally from the dumpster floor to the top. The animal will climb out when he deems it safe to do so. • WILDLIFE IN YOUR GARDEN - Put up a barrier fence using 1/4-inch hardware cloth. It should extend at least one foot below the surface and three feet above. This should deter rabbits and some burrowers. Commercial rodent repellents may also be useful. • WILDLIFE GNAWING YOUR TREES - You can protect fruit or ornamental trees by wrapping the bottom three feet of the trunk in hardware cloth. • WILDLIFE DIGGING IN YOUR YARD - Put up a perimeter fence that is at least 4 feet tall and extends at least 18 inches into the ground. Use an environmentally safe insect

control product to eliminate bugs as a food source. Place noise-making devices (pinwheels) around your yard. • WILDLIFE UNDER YOUR HOUSE, DECK OR PORCH Block off all access holes except one. Place dryer sheets in the area. Sprinkle baby powder or flour outside the remaining access hole. Check daily for activity. Once you are sure that the den is no longer being used, seal the access hole. • WILDLIFE IN YOUR CHIMNEY OR FIREPLACE - Hang a heavy rope from the top of the chimney in case the animal cannot get out the same way it got in. Place scented dryer sheets in the fireplace to deter the animal. • WILDLIFE IN YOUR HOUSE - If a wayward animal should make its way into your home do not attempt to catch it yourself. Close off access to the rest of your home and open as many doors and windows to the outside as possible. This will give the animal time to calm down and find its own way out.

Abandoned Bandits is a registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. We rely on private donations and volunteer assistance to carry out our mission. All donations are tax-deductible. Your generous support will help fund our efforts to preserve the wildlife in our area. Call us to donate or visit our website.

912-596-1237 www.savwildliferescue.com

38 May/June 2015 | www.ChathamIslesLiving.com

YOUR Favorite Community Magazines

www.effinghammagazine.com

www.poolermagazine.com

Whitemarsh, Oatland, Talahi, Wilmington

and Tybee

www.beaufortlifestyle.com

www.chathamislesliving.com

d un E un g F So Havin SSU aw And TS I 5 s s ic 1 a s W g Mu & ARne 20

yin Pla

I C M ay /

PUBLISHED BY:

www.idpmagazines.com Georgia 108 International Drive, P.O. Box 1742, Rincon,GA 31326 (912)826-2760 South Carolina 2015 Boundary Street, Suite 221, Beaufort, SC 29902 (843)379-8696 www.ChathamIslesLiving.com | May/June 2015

MEET MY TEAM

ristin Brookshire Brown, the creator of “It’s Island Time,” the Facebook page that is dedicated to happenings on Whitemarsh, Wilmington, Tybee, Talahi, and Skidaway Island, is an Associate Broker at Century 21 Fox Properties in Savannah, where she was born and raised. After living in Florida for a few years, she chose to come back to her hometown to raise her five children, who range in age from seven to 21. Kristin is involved in the schools and community and she donates a portion of each sale to the Ronald McDonald house, Savannah Crime Stoppers, Hospice Savannah and the Humane Society of Greater Savannah. She is a member of the Savannah Area Board of Realtors, the Distinguished Sales Society, and has practiced real estate for more than fifteen years. Licensed in both Georgia and Florida, Kristin is proud to serve those who serve our country by specializing in Military relocation as a Certified Network Affinity Specialist with CARTUS and USAA. Additionally, she has handselected a team that is designed to support her and her clientele throughout real estate transactions to make the experience stress free and smooth

as possible. Kristin’s team was coined Team Brookshire, and consists of her tech savvy assistant Danielle Rowley, also known as Kristin’s “righthand,” Tonya Jobe, an experienced Realtor who is knowledgeable and enthusiastic, and Pam Finocchiaro, a dedicated buyer’s agent committed to client satisfaction. Working with both buyers and sellers, Kristin is wellversed in all price ranges and property types from cozy cottages to deepwater delights, and was awarded the Quality Service Pinnacle award for outstanding client satisfaction. As a Century 21 agent, she is committed to exemplifying the gold standard by providing only the best for her clients, a practice that has resulted in many of her clientele becoming return customers. She attributes her success to dedication, strategic advertising, the ability to observe and adapt to changing market conditions and her hardworking team. Kristin also devotes time throughout the year to continuing education in real estate to ensure that she is informed of any changing laws or regulations so that she can stay ahead of the game. Kristin invites anyone with real estate questions to give her a call, text or email. She offers free services like comparative market analyses to determine the value of homes in today’s market,

Kristin Brown 912.844.2579 Kristin.Brown@Century21.com 40 May/June 2015 | www.ChathamIslesLiving.com

private viewings for potential buyers, and advice to anyone who seeks it. When selling a home through Kristin, you can expect to have all of your needs taken care of from listing to closing, her team will schedule professional photographers

and staging, and promote your listing on over 600 websites, social media sites, and in various printed publications. See what Kristin Brookshire Brown and Team Brookshire can do for you!

Buy or List With

KRiStin BRown

Call, text, or email me today! 912.844.2579 • Kristin.Brown@Century21.com www.Savannah-Realtor.com

137 RunneR Rd. Deep Water With A Private Dock $438,000

27 SapphiRe Deep Water $739,000

517 pointe South $229,900

109 WaSSaW Rd Completly Remodeled, New Roof, A/C, Flooring and Paint $134,900

3109 East Victory Drive Savannah, GA 31404 toll free: 888.352.2747 office: 912.352.2747

109 iSland CReek $189,900

3336 WhitemaRSh Way 1/1 with a balcany just listed $94,900 www.ChathamIslesLiving.com | June/July 2015

CENTURY 21® is a registered trademark licensed to Century 21 Real Estate LLC. Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated. Equal Housing Opportunity.

Do your kids have the acting bug? Think they have what it takes to make it to Hollywood or Broadway stardom? The Tybee Arts Association’s Summer Theatre Camp for Kids 2015 will give kids age 6-16 a chance to try out their chops and steal the spotlight at the Jim Ingham Black Box Theatre at Tybee Arts Center while learning from directors Renee’ DeRossett and Kim Trammell. The two week camp is from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Monday thorugh Friday from June 8-19. The cost is $250 and, according to the Tybee Arts Association, will allow children to study the art of theatre by “learning how to develop their own techniques and tools used in the craft of acting.” The camp will culminate in a final performance on the last day. Campers, who will learn the principles and techniques of acting, will audition for the play and be cast, and will study all aspects of the “art of the theatre” as they prepare for the final performance. Campers will develop their acting skills through study of various acting techniques, including improvisation, concentration, focus, movement, vocal exercises and theater

42 May/June 2015 | www.ChathamIslesLiving.com

games. In rehearsals, kids will learn such basic principles as stage movement, stage presence, prepping for a role, creative fantasy, character development and motivation, and the art of theater makeup and costumes. Though rehearsals and the perfomance will be at the Jim Ingham Black Box Theatre, many camp activities will be outside -- in surrounding parks and on Tybee Island’s north beach. Children don’t have to have acting experience to attend, and kids of all ages should “come away from this camp with the tools and knowledge they will need to better present themselves in whatever path they take in life,” according to the Tybee Arts Association. Applications are being accepted until June 1. To reserve a space, go to www.tybeearts.org and fill out the camp regisration form. For more information, call DeRossett at 912-596-4992 or Trammell at 912228-9357.

publisher’s pick

photograph by: Kelly Klotz

To submit your photo to be chosen as the next Publisher’s Pick, email your photo to Julie Hales at julie@idpmagazines.com. Amateur and Professional are both welcome to submit! www.ChathamIslesLiving.com | May/June 2015

TYBEE CALANDER OF UPCOMING EVENTS • Third Thursdays on Tybee May 21 at 5:30 p.m. at Tybrisa/Strand Roundabout Bring a chair, stroll the shops and enjoy a bite to eat as Tybee Island Development Authority/ Main Street Program continues to highlight artistic excellence with its Spring Series of Third Thursdays. • Fish Fry May 21 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Every third Thursday of the month the American Legion Post 154 at 10 Veterans Drive hosts a fish fry at the Legion Hall. Eat in or take out for $8, which gets you fish, fries, hush puppies, grits and cole slaw. Drinks and desserts are also available for purchase. For more info call Post 154 Commander Chuck Bolen at 912-257-0903. • Bingo at the Legion Hall May 22 from 8 to 10 p.m. It’s Bingo Night at the American Legion Hall, 10 Veterans Drive. Costs vary from $20-$22, but there’s a snack bar and $500 jackpot. For more information call 912-786-5356. • Market at the Lighthouse May 24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The annual Markets at the Lighthouse are back in swing in 2015 at the Tybee Lighthouse Grounds, 30 Meddin Ave. Parking is free, so head out to enjoy a day of shopping for unique handcrafted items created by local artists. Pottery, bags, candles, soap, jewelry, plants, honey, photography, fossils, gourmet foods, organic doggies treats and more are available, and vendors who may be interested in participating in the market are welcome to call 912-786-5081 and ask for Vikki. Dates are subject to change depending on weather. • Bingo at the Legion Hall May 29 from 8 to 10 p.m. It’s Bingo Night at the American Legion Hall, 10 Veterans Drive. Costs vary from $20-$22, but there’s a snack bar and $500 jackpot. For more information call 912-786-5356. • Chicken Dinner June 4 from 5:30 to 7:30 p .m. American Legion Post 154’s monthly chicken dinner at the Legion Hall at 10 Veterans Drive is a chance to help support the post and its programs. Dinners are $9 and include chicken, cole slaw and beans. Drinks and desserts are also available for purchase. For more information call 912-786-5356.

44 May/June 2015 | www.ChathamIslesLiving.com

• Bingo at the Legion Hall June 5 from 8 to 10 p.m. It’s Bingo Night at the American Legion Hall, 10 Veterans Drive. Costs vary from $20-$22, but there’s a snack bar and $500 jackpot. For more information call 912-786-5356. • Mayor’s Night In June 9 from 6 to 8 p.m. Discuss issues of concern and share ideas for a better community with Tybee’s mayor. Call the city clerk at 912-472-5080 in advance to sign up for the meeting. • Red Cross Community Blood Drive June 11 from 2 to 7 p.m. Help save a life by giving blood at this American Red Cross Community Blood drive at the Old School Cafeteria by the YMCA. You can schedule an apointment in advance by going to www.redcrossblood.org and entering sponsor code tlc. Someone in the U.S. needs blood every two seconds. By donating one pint you can save up to three lives. Donors must be at least 16 with parental consent, otherwise must be 17 or older, weigh at least 110 pounds and fulfill other requirements. • Tybee Flotilla “Float for a Cure” June 14, Alley 3 What better way to cool off than to float leisurely down Tybee’s rivers on an inner tube with members of the Tybee Floatilla. No worries, no time constraints -- relax and clear your mind and have fun. Fun for everyone from ages 5 to 105.

• Fish Fry June 19 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Every third Thursday of the month the American Legion Post 154 at 10 Veterans Drive hosts a fish fry at the Legion Hall. Eat in or take out for $8, which gets you fish, fries, hush puppies, grits and cole slaw. Drinks and desserts are also available for purchase. For more info call Post 154 Commander Chuck Bolen at 912-257-0903. • Bingo at the Legion Hall June 19 from 8 to 10 p.m. It’s Bingo Night at the American Legion Hall, 10 Veterans Drive. Costs vary from $20-$22, but there’s a snack bar and $500 jackpot. For more information call 912-786-5356. • Movies in the Park June 20 at 8:30 p.m. at 204 5th Street Every third Saturday means free family friendly movies at Memorial Park, courtesy the Tybee Island Development Authority/Main Street Program and partners. Movies will be projected on the side of the Tybee Gym. Get the whole family together and enjoy a night at the movies. • Beach Week Begins June 30 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Join the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Coastal Resources Division at Tybee Island’s Marine Science Center for the annual beach week, which includes activities and educational opportunities. DNR staffers are on hand for four days to educate visitors and residents alike about the beach environment and the critters that inhabit it.

Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Do Business

ON THE ISLANDS www.ChathamIslesLiving.com | June/July 2015

M AY 2 6 T H - AU G U S T 16 T H , 2 0 15

Summer Math Curriculum Offerings During the summer, many students lose 2 to 2.5 months of the math computational skills they learned during the school year.* Washington Post Mathnasium’s fun summer programs are all about preventing summer learning loss and helping our students prepare for what lies ahead. For some that means a solid review of previous material. Others beneft from previewing upcoming concepts. Most students will get some of both! Set your own fexible schedule!! Use 15 to 24 hours anytime to suit you, and drop in on the days you choose. Spread your visits through the summer, or complete in just a few weeks! Our programs include :

• Cure for counting with fingers • Jump start going into grades 1 through 5 • Master times tables! • Master fractions, decimals and percents! • Pre-algebra power math middle school review • High school readiness – Algebra, Geometry, Algebra 2, Pre-Calculus • SAT/ACT PREP

4 CONVENIENT LOCATIONS, DISCOUNTS FOR EARLY ENROLLMENT, RESERVE NOW!! SAVANNAH MIDTOWN

912-355-5678

(next to TJ MAXX)

SAVANNAH ISLANDS

912-898-3700

(Whitemarsh Isl next to Polka Dots)

POOLER

912-330-0666

FREE GAMES NIGHTS!

(next to Publix)

BLUFFTON

843-815-6284

(near Publix off Buck Island Rd)

www.mathnasium.com *Source: Washington Post, June 15, 2009

(912) 898-3700

#1001919149 (1/2 PG HORIZON(9.630000000000001in x 5in)) 03/24/2015 03:49 EST

www.mathnasium.com/savannahislands

107 Charlotte Drive (next to Polka Dots) Savannah, Georgia 31410

A Great Opportunity to Market Your Business...

Chatham Isles Living has a section designed for each issue to allow our advertisers to tell their stories. Chatham Isles Living has a section in our magazine that will enhance the presence of businesses in our area. This is a great way for your business to have consistent advertising and a feature story - all for a discounted price! ‘Let’s Do Business’ is a unique business section showcasing businesses in the islands and surrounding areas. This section offers two sizes of ads and business stories to suit every business’ needs. What better way to promote your business than on the pages of Chatham Isles Living. So, let’s do business! Julie Hales, Publisher/Sales (912) 657-4120 julie@idpmagazines.com

DiAnna Jenkins, Account Executive (912) 308-7408 dianna@idpmagazines.com Chatham Isles Living 108 International Drive P.O. Box 1742, Rincon, GA 31326 (912) 826-2760 Office (912) 826-2762 Fax

www.ChathamIslesLiving.com 46 May/June 2015 | www.ChathamIslesLiving.com

www.ChathamIslesLiving.com | March/April 2015

CHILL, RELAX, HANG OUT AND

EAT!

33 Meddin Drive Tybee Island, GA (912) 786-4442

Daily Food and Drink Specials

entertainment

May 22 May 23 May 24 May 28 May 29 May 30 May 31

Open Daily from 11:30 am - 10 pm

Smoking Guns Bottles n Cans Cicada Brothers Maggie & Jackson Eric Culbertson Charlie Fog American Hologram