By Alaina Loughridge
We are going to mix things up this month with our Bartender of the
Month and start out with her go-to cocktail! If her life story won’t
keep you reading, her cocktail certainly will. It’s called the Schlender
Bender and is named after its namesake Amanda Schlender aka
“Miss Amanda.” Made with rum, peach schnapps and other fun
stuff that will make you happy, it is also pink and will have you going
back for just one more until you can’t get up anymore! Good times!
So, where did I find this bartender making this fabulous drink? You
can find Amanda at Spanky’s these days, but she has been around
for a hot minute. Let me tell you all about it:
Born and raised in Sumter, South Carolina, Amanda’s passion growing
up was dancing. Starting out in gymnastics and baton, tap, ballet,
and jazz dance with the Freed Spirits Dance Theatre, she excelled
and after graduating from Sumter High, went on a European tour
with the Extraordinary Students of America, dancing and singing
her way around Europe. After her return, she attended Sumter Area
Tech College for fashion merchandising, then the University of South
Carolina for General Studies. During her college years, she taught
dance and eventually opened her own studios in rural towns in South
Carolina while bartending nights and weekends.
Life happens and Amanda moved around a bit and tried different jobs,
including realty and insurance adjusting, before landing in Savannah
in 2000. Starting out at Cheers and a few years at Shamrocks, also
on Wilmington Island, she finally found her way to Tybee, working at
The Quarter. She also spent some time at Scandals and 9 years at
The Crow Bar. During her wandering around, she found the love of
her life, John.
The most important Life Questions to follow:
Tybee Life: Five years
Passion: Golf (18 handicapper) and College Football (Gamecock fan)
Grow Up: Pro Golfer on the Ladies Senior Tour
Spirit Animal: Boykin Spaniel: Fiercely loyal, loveable and
spoonable.
Super Power: Mind Reading
Super Power She Wished She Had: Raise the I.Q. of the general
population (amen, sister)
Amanda is fun and entertaining! She also makes one hell of a cocktail!
Stop by Spanky’s and get your Bender on. It’s a perfect cocktail to
start your morning … er … night off! I will see you there!
42 TYBEE BEACHCOMBER | MARCH 2020
Tybee Insurance Agency Inc.
Serving Tybee Island since 1987
• Homeowner’s Insurance
• Flood Insurance
• Renter’s Insurance
• Condo Owner’s Insurance
• All Commercial Insurance
Call Carrie Traeger
204 First Street
“Mrs. Jiggs” 912-786-5541
Pralines
Saltwater Taffy
Old Fashion Candy
Dole Whip
204 First St. • Tybee Island, GA • 912-499-4937