…Tybee turned out big time for the one time Lighthouse grounds event honoring the men and women of our Armed Forces in Iraq. The words Thank You with an exclamation point and line underneath were spelled out with residents holding hands. Cullen Chambers of the Lighthouse came up with the big idea and circulated it in an Island notice asking for folks to sign-up. They did. "We had the right amount of people to spell out the greeting," he said excitedly. There is a story behind the story about this Tybee happening. While you were standing there Saturday morning May 17th, Theresa McGraw was overhead in that circling airplane shooting the scene. It meant a lot to her personally as her husband and son are military serving right now in Baghdad. Her boy may be there for yet another year while her husband is due back soon. Ms. McGraw is donating part of the proceeds for her Tybee picture to the American Red Cross, Savannah Chapter. She feels strongly saying the American Red Cross "has been there for our troops." Her photo was featured on Page 1 of the Stars and Stripes Middle East Edition. A warm Thank You to you Theresa from all of us and Godspeed to your fighting guys…

… And, Tybee turned out big time for the Crab Shack’s Belinda Flanigan…an Island record setting $75,532 dollars contributed to her Kiss a Pig 3 month campaign to fight diabetes. She didn’t get to kiss that 45 pound Vietnamese pig named Reba. Savannah School Superintendent John O’Sullivan won the smooch raising $105,952 dollars. They were the top two fund raisers by far. From Big Bad David Ring raising money by getting dunked and winning the Best Fannie on the Beach Pier Nakeddramarama to dances, booze cruises, and a blowout softball tournament, her Virginia Ward led campaign was fun filled, well orchestrated, and right on message. It all paid out in contributions made at the Silent Auction downtown held on the same day Tybee spelled Thank You at the Lighthouse. As we all know folks, our paradise patch of the universe is giving and generous. Belinda’s giant effort proved that once again…

…And, folks, get ready for the next piece of Tybee Splendiferous when the APBA Races come to town again for the July 4th celebration. Look for more racers as word on the Tybee event has gotten around nationally. Folks still talk about the sound generated by the speed boats and marvel that the event was staged just 1,800 feet off Tybee. Mike Scarbrough is active again organizing volunteers for race course, towing, and medical venues. He has also been recruiting workers in the wet and dry pit areas. The high tide configured race route is planned to move southerly this year staging behind The Grill Beachside at the Beachside Colony. Look for a VIP area there. The Tybee Shrine will also host events. Jet Angel heads marketing and he says this extreme racing is "NASCAR on the water" with the tight turns being the biggest danger to racers. There are 8 different classes of racers planned. The first year Tybee crowd was estimated by the APBA at 4,000. More are expected this year…

…Look for the new signs along the beach warning swimmers of bacteria health risks. This is federally ordered fecal coliform level testing and the Chatham County Health Department will make announcements about levels at Gulick Street, Center Terrace, 15th Street, and Chatham Avenue. The bacteria doesn’t cause disease itself. It is a sign there may be pathogens in the water. The contamination testing has been going on for a number of recent years. The health advice given is to move on if you see a sign indicating a high level of bacteria…

…High tide, no waves, and good times for all onboard Dr. Bill "Cool Hand" Sutlive’s B & B luxury yacht recently. The 3-hour Nassau Sound centered cruise was donated in a bid won by Tybee gonzo realtor Bonnie Gaster and administrative aide Bob Edleman at the American Cancer Society’s auction last year. It was excellently catered by Carrabba’s Italian Restaurant. Beer and wine came by donation from Savannah Distributing. Ms. Bonnie’s guests were treated to garlic based shrimp and chicken from heaven. Captain "Cool Hand" Sutlive and his lovely bride Betty will offer this cruise again next year to the highest bidder in the fight against cancer…

…Close to $8,000 dollars was generated in the auction and ocean celebration to benefit the Tybee Island Marine Science Center. Director Kellie Lewis said the bidding was very active with "more local arts and crafts this year." Both Kellie and Kathryn Williams thank the patrons attending. The Marine Science Center is sitting sweet after benefiting from SPLOST monies awarded this year as a non-profit organization. The work they do in educating us all to the precious nature of our coastal environment is priceless…

…Maybe it was the presence of Himself that did the deed for the annual St. Michael’s Auction. Father John Fitzpatrick returned to Tybee from Atlanta for the event that raised $13,000 dollars. Ms. Gina Stone says the money will go to student needs and school improvements. The former St. Mike’s pastor donated a Waterford Vase for bidding. Art, a dollhouse, and even a Poor Pat Electric Scooter were on the market.

...Pretty, kinda. That’s the buzz on Tybrisa Street on the new garbage farm that allows passers-by on the sidewalk more room to walk and visit shops. The prototype is located on the street east of Jamie’s Sundance Bicycle Shop, Just Chicken, the Irene Sullivan Gallery, and the Subway. A number of merchants urged the City to improve walking access as well as deal with the unsightly mess of spilling trash containers. City Manager Bob Thomson and Jimmy Brown got the job done. More are planned…

...DOCS Tap and Grill is not on Tybee Island. It is located in Hamilton, Ontario near Toronto. Garth and Sharon Turpin have owned "their" DOCS for 18 years and describe it much like "our DOC’s" on Tybrisa. "It is a neighborhood joint," says Garth. They were here for a second visit and this time met fellow owner, Wanda Parker on a stool just east of their own. They did the owner thing and traded T Shirts. Garth’s DOCS features a "regular" pool table and not bumper pool. Sharon told me their tap is "just down the street from Henderson Hospital so medical docs stop by still dressed in their white coats." Noted Tybee wag and man about town, Joe Rossiter, put this geographical mating in perspective after meeting the Turpin’s. "This could be the first, really cool, international bar relationship." That Joe. Always thinking. We quickly discussed a bus trip and Garth said they take tabs. Man. North to Canada, bubs.

…Where in the world is Pete Baker? Make that Tybee Pete…our Appalachian Trail Guy. Himself emailed to say he took three weeks off to visit his daughter and son and rest his weary knees. He is back on the Trail heading to Damascus, Virginia. When he gets there he will have walked over 450 miles. He says he meets people all the time along the Trail who know about Tybee. He said some even recognize the Doc’s Bar flags on his cap. Pete says he still plans on reaching Trail’s End at Mt. Katahdin in Maine by fall. Who knows? Maybe he’ll get the idea to hike to the other DOCS while he’s up north...

…The Breeze’s Captain Nelson Haslam passes on his congratulations to Donnie Bell and Patrick Lowe. The lads graduated from Benedictine Academy as members of the National Honor Society. You guys rock…

…I had a delightful chat with Linda Stafford Mahaffey in Tucson, Arizona. You remember her running Seascapes next to the Outback. Her floral arrangements were to kill for and people getting killed is what she is up to now as a first time author. She penned Arranging For Death set in a locale very much like our’s called Dolphin Island. The Arizona Daily Star says "she debuts as a skillful reporter of satisfying, old-fashioned mayhem." She is writing the sequel and takes on the character of Cloe Mitchell, a florist and part time sleuth. 4 books in this series are planned. It is based on characters found daily on Tybee and a fast read. The next book looks at what happened when the De Soto went down. She is in college for creative writing courses, holds down a full time job, and writes. She was raised in Thunderbolt and spent much of her time on Tybee. You can get the book through Xlibris. "I did it because there are so many interesting people on Tybee. They all come together when they really need to," she says. Linda keeps up with friends here. Fun read. You might spot yourself in the pages. She will be on Tybee for a book signing in late July at the Irene Sullivan Gallery. You can buy your copy there and greet Ms. Linda. The date is set for July 26th, a Saturday. Mark it down, now.

…And, you might find yourself getting your prescriptions and nutrition products right here on Tybee later this summer. A deal is done creating the Island Pharmacy run by a husband and wife team pharmacist and nutritionist. You’ll meet the couple in the July Breeze.

…Now…the much anticipated return of Ms. Toree Hogan and the top five worst parking ticket excuses heard on Tybee. You might remember the Breeze Column published Number 10 through 6 in the May edition.

Thanks Toree.
Keep your humor. We’ll want to hear this year’s offerings.

Finally, if you didn’t get a chance to see it yourself you can read about it here. For the Bum’s Parade, renowned Tybrisa Street pool table hawk, Howard "Sure Shot" Viar dyed his hair blue and purple. That was him at the Wind Rose Cafe getting you soaked. He had the big water blaster. Why? "I just did it," he says. Say goodnight, Howard.