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ho doesn’t’ love a good pirate’s story! I believe everyone at some point in their “childhood” put on a costume and pretended to be a pirate. And for the past 12 years, children of all ages have done just that on the second weekend in October for the Tybee Island Pirate Fest. Thanks to Paul DeVivo and Tybee Island SEABAR for having the vision and choosing the right time of the year to have it (Columbus Day weekend). Paul stepped down in 2010. He and wife Paula were the honorary King and Queen that year. Jenny Orr is now the Captain at the Helm, as president of Tybee Island SEABAR. W Each year the festival has been packed full of fun for every one of all ages. Thursday night, Oct. 6, at 6pm kicks off the Buccaneer Ball at the Crab Shack, with the Coronation of the King and Queen. Friday at 5pm south beach Strand parking lot will feature the Pirate Invasion Opening Ceremony, live music, Thieves Market, and Little Matey’s Cove for kids. There will also be a carnival outside of the main event area. Saturday, adding to the attractions is the Pirate Victory Parade at 3pm, along with musical headline act by Delbert McClinton from 9:15- 10:15pm, followed by fireworks. Sunday, 12-4pm the festival will be free to the public with the Thieves Market and Little Matey’s Cove and petting zoo. So whatever your age, there is fun to be had by all. With all that being said, on to the Royal Announcement. Just like a ship with its Captain leading the helm, Tybee’s Pirate Fest has a King and Queen leading the band of pirates: Queen Charissa Murray Daughter to King Paul and Queen Paula DeVivo (2010), Charissa is no stranger to the event. She was a volunteer in 2005 and became a member of the committee in 2007. She has managed and worked every aspect within the festival. And now she holds the honor of being the Queen. She started working with Paul and Paula in their business when it was known as DeVivo Marketing. They are now known as Discover Tybee. She sets up and assists in maintaining groups’ websites. And that’s not all. Charissa has worked on such events as Tybee Island Wine Fest, Tybee Post Theater, Savannah Food and Wine Festival and chaired the Tybee Island Mardi Gras committee for two years. She has done all this while raising two children – Meenah, almost 12 years old, and Maddox, almost 2. Meena’s birthday is this week, and Maddox has his the week after Pirate Fest. So, safe to say, her children were born into a pirate clan! Happy Birthday kiddos!! Charissa has been to both St. Augustine and New Orleans to see how they have put their Pirate Festivals together. She has met some “professional” pirates that come each year to Tybee to participate in our Pirate Fest. She is looking forward to the winter months, a new, less hectic year, and hopefully be able to relax with a good book. But for now – its work, a busy schedule, and two birthdays to plan. King Jodee Sadowsky Having known Jodee for close to 30 years, there’s a lot I just recently learned of him, by him. He was born and raised in Chicago (knew that). When Jodee was 14 years old, he started his first vegetable garden. He met his wife, Lady Cheryl, when they were kids in Vacation Bible School. Married 31 years, they have 2 children, Ryan and Danielle. Both work with him at his World Famous Breakfast Club. Jodee’s mom, Helen, opened it in 1976, and it’s still going strong after 40 years! When Jodee turned 18 years old, he left Chicago and joined the service. He was an honor graduate of the 82nd Airborne Division, of which he served for 4½ years. A hearty thank you, Sir, for your time served! In 1983, Jodee and Cheryl left Phoenix, Az. and their high-profile jobs, then moved to Tybee. This is when Jodee took up his culinary skills and started working with his mom. He is a graduate of The Culinary Institute of America in New York. In 1985, Mom Helen, turned over the “golden spatula” to Jodee and he became the owner/operator of The Breakfast Club. It’s still a family business, of course. Miss Helen still comes in most every day. Jodee’s brother, Nick, Cheryl, Ryan and Danielle all play their parts and run a tight ship! Other things I learned about Jodee: He likes to read and has learned much about Botany. He grows his own herbs and vegetables, and uses his own fresh ingredients in his sauces and other recipes. He makes his own sausage, and butchers up “primal” cuts of meat. He even recycles egg shells and coffee grounds for compost for his garden. In October, 1996, Jodee was awarded the task of Head Chef to John F. Kennedy, Jr. and Carolyn Bissette’s wedding, held on Cumberland Island, Ga., when Elizabeth Terry, of Elizabeth’s on 37th, had to pass up the task (Wow!!! I would have loved to have been a fly on Jodee’s chef hat!). In 1999, he was the youngest to be named Big Kahuna in Tybee’s Beach Bum Parade (in my eyes, Jodee, that’s the coolest). And now he’s the King! Jodee’s plans for the future: he’s just looking forward to when he can retire, find a fertile piece of land, and really be able to watch his gardens grow. Full Circle my friend! TYBEE BEACHCOMBER | OCT 2016 21


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