The Pirates are Coming! Written by: Judy O’Neill Photo by: Wen McNally Weigh anchor and run for your lives to the 12th annual Tybee Island Pirate Fest. ‘Tis time again for rip-roarious fun for scoundrels and scalawags of all ages. Every October the pirates invade, bringing a touch of mayhem, adventure, and entertainment to all in our little piece of paradise. And every year ‘tis a pirate tradition to choose our pirate king and queen from the most deserving of those who support, serve, and give of themselves selflessly to Tybee Island. This year’s king and queen have been among us for many a year, often working behind the scenes and giving of their time, talents, and, frequently, even their own doubloons to help Tybee. Pour some grog and raise your glass to toast this year’s King Jodee Sadowsky and Queen Charissa Murray. A most fitting choice to lead all you wenches and swashbucklers in good hearted pirate fun for 2016. King Jodee has been the fearless leader of the World Breakfast Club for years and years. He felt the pull of the sand and the sea and found himself arriving on the shores of Tybee in 1983 where he and wife Cheryl would settle permanently and raise their own little pirates and build their successful business. An eggstraordinary adventure! Jodee’s involvement in what makes Tybee Tybee includes, among other things, being Big Kahuna of the wet and wild Beach Bum Parade back in 1999. The youngest Kahuna ever… and a Yankee to boot! Jodee and family are staunch Tybee supporters and go the extra mile, fathom, and knot to help any and all causes that benefit the island and its residents. If something needs doing or someone needs help, Jodee is the go-to guy. King Jodee comments that he really likes the fact that “this island can pull together to accomplish selfless acts of generosity of the first magnitude.” And in true swashbuckler fashion, Jodee can sail a boat, wield a knife, catch a fish, and then cook it for you. Queen Charissa is of royal pirate blood and has been a part of Tybee’s ruling pirates since settling on the island at the young age of 12. Charissa’s mother, Paula, and her husband Paul, were Tybee’s Pirate Queen and King in 2010. So, our little Pirate Princess now ascends the Pirate Queen’s throne. Charissa’s involvement with all things Tybee began when she first volunteered to help with the festival in 2006. She joined Tybee Fest, the festival’s creating group, as a full board member the next year and stayed on till its final year in 2011. Our Queen loves her pirates and her island and was the Chairman of Pirate Fest in 2010 and 2011. Charissa says she has worked every year of the festival in some manner or form even while nine months pregnant in 2014 with her second child. From decorations, vendors, and children’s activities to bars, she has done it all. Our queen is truly dedicated to bringing fun and festivities to benefit Tybee. So wenches and buccaneers, landlubbers and sailors, let us pay homage to this year’s King Jodee and Queen Charissa. Grab yer cutlass, don yer best pirate attire, polish yer boots, bring yer doubloons ‘n’ pirate booty, and come one, come all to the most fun you can have on this little island in the sun. The 12th Annual Tybee Island Pirate Fest. tybee island pirate fest | buccaneers bulletin | tybeeisland.com 7
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