PRESERVING THE FUTURE

February’s Volunteer of the Month 2010
Frances Grayson

Tybee Island Light Station

If you visit the Head Keeper’s Cottage at the Tybee Lighthouse on the first or third Wednesday of any month you will most likely have the pleasure of meeting Frances Grayson.  Her gracious welcome to our visitors makes them feel right at home in the restored cottage.

Frances has volunteered at the Light Station since 1993 when she was recruited by Bob Adkins, a fellow church member at All Saints Episcopal Church.  She had lived on Tybee since 1978 and had recently retired from her job as Sales Coordinator at Atlanta Gas Light. She worked many volunteer hours in the Lighthouse and then moved over to the Head Keeper’s Cottage when its restoration was completed in 2001.  In addition to her volunteer hours at the Light Station Frances also served on the Tybee Island Historical Society Board of Directors for about ten years, retiring from the Board three years ago.

When Frances is in the Head Keeper’s Cottage she not only shares the history of the Light Station she also shares her love of Tybee Island.  She says she “can’t imagine living anywhere else.” We appreciate very much her dedication, dependability and her many volunteer hours.

Island Sports Wrap-Up

February 2010 Surfing Report

It’s been said before that the Tybee surfing community is lucky to have a local surfboard shaper and repairer.  But we are more than lucky, we are very fortunate that Jim Stephens happens to be our local shaper.  In fact, it’s fair to say that the heart of our local surfing community is Mr. Jim and his Underground Boardworks Surfshop.  For many folks, part of their trip out to Tybee for a few hours of surfing includes a stop, either on the way out or on their way back home, at Underground Boardworks (UGB) and a brief visit with Jim.  More likely than not, he is in his board shaping shop working to complete someone’s new board or repairing somebody’s ding.  Even on days when a trip out to Tybee isn’t in the plans, many local surfers and beachgoers will pull up Jim’s website just to see how Mr. Jim describes the daily surf forecast for the entertainment value alone!

Jim Stephens has been making surfboards for about 20 years, beginning by making them for himself and friends on a part-time basis.  Early on, Jim crafted boards in a small shaping and glassing room out on Dean Forest Road.  He would work awhile, blow the foam dust off his clothes, and go to work for an airline company out at the airport.  Before long, he was making boards for the “Alakai” surfboard label, and actually constructed the last few boards produced by Alakai.  Some of them are still around (there’s one in Atsushi’s quiver).  In 1999, Clay Culvert of Alakai told Jim of a garage available for rent on Tybee behind Huc-a-Poos where he might set up his own workshop; and from there, Underground Boardworks was born.  UGB was just that workshop until 2004 when an actual retail shop on the back side of Huc-a-Poos opened and Jim retired from the airlines.  Following the fire at Hucapoos in 2006, UGB moved across the parking lot to its present location.

Over the years, Jim has hand crafted about 800 surfboards.  Presently he is making around 8 boards per month.  There is no computer designing or pre-formed blanks involved in an UGB board.  Every one of Jim’s board is totally hand shaped from large foam blanks, cut and shaped by hand, diligently sanded, examined from all angles, and smoothed to perfection.  On the other side of his workshop, the board is hand glassed and painted.  Jim’s boards are built to last and don’t include cheap, thin glassing jobs that are common of many mass-produced surfboards.  That is one reason that you see so many UGB boards not only on Tybee but up and down the east coast now days.

Jim’s philosophy regarding surfboards reflects his philosophy regarding surfing: fun and enjoyable.  He makes “good, clean, functional boards” that work, are easy to surf, and designed with Tybee’s waves and those for most of the southeast coast in mind.  As an avid surfer himself, who has surfed all over the world, he knows what works here.  He makes lots of boards for the average surfer who is more interested in getting lots of rides rather than struggling to catch our size waves on a high performance board.  It’s all about fun, catching waves, and enjoying your surfing trip, according to Jim.  It’s no surprise that he has lots of repeat business and orders. Don’t get the idea that Jim makes just your standard surfboard.  He is constantly innovating.

More than once, I’ve waited to talk to Jim while he was on the phone with some well known, famous shaper in Hawaii or California discussing new designs, techniques or materials.  He was one of the first to produce epoxy boards (I’ve still got one of the first of those he made).  He’s been adding bamboo decks to some of his latest designs.  Just recently back from the surfing industry’s large trade show/convention Surf Expo, Jim noted that more and more of the larger board companies are now making shorter, wider, thicker shortboards for east coast surfing.  Jim has been doing that for at least a couple of years.

It’s not just his craftsmanship, though, that makes Jim Stephens and UGB the heart of our local surfing community.  He has been deeply involved in most of everything that has happened over the past 10 years.  Jim was one of the founding members of our local Surfrider Foundation Coastal Georgia Low Country Chapter a few years ago.  With his support and efforts, Tybee has hosted “International Surfing Day” in June the past few years.  People still talk about the great October beach and surfing day enjoyed by many a few years ago when Tybee celebrated its birthday.  That was Jim’s doing.   He has been a strong and constant supporter of our Georgia District Eastern Surfing Association surfers and organization, and has many times donated a new, hand crafted surfboard for them to use as a fund raiser.

Over the last year, our surfing community has held a couple of paddle outs in memory of some members we have lost: Tim Fuller and Ashley Mosely.  Jim was behind the organizing of these special ceremonies.  Probably more than any other single person, Jim Stephens is responsible for the “community” of our Tybee surfing community.

We are more than lucky, we are very fortunate indeed.

You can learn more about Georgia District Eastern Surfing Association by calling 912-897-6651, or e-mailing surftybee@aol.com, or by visiting: surfesa.org.

GOD-ABOUTS February 2010

The beautiful spring like weather, after two weeks of being unseasonably cold, encouraged The God Abouts Senior Adult Ministry of Chapel by the Sea Baptist Church, Tybee Island to select a tropical theme for their meeting, Hawaiian Luau.  Tuesday, Jan 19th, 107 guests gathered in the church Fellowship Hall for a covered dish lunch.  The entree, bread, and beverages were furnished by the ministry.  The husband and wife gospel music team of Robert and Shelby Jenkins from Hardeeville, SC, who call themselves “Saved by Grace,” provided the entertainment. The theme for the February meeting of The God Abouts will be “Showers of Love.”  Everyone is invited to join them for lunch at noon, February 16th in the church Fellowship Hall.  The meal will be furnished by the ministry and entertainment will be provided by vocalist, Wayne Turner.

For more information, please contact Betty or Jurell Davis at 897 2364.
Make a Friend…Be a Friend…Bring a Friend.

ALL Saints Episcopal “ANNUAL SHROVE-TIDE SUPPER

(Mardi Gras “Fat Tuesday” Celebration)

ALL SAINTS’ EPISCOPAL CHURCH -  806 Jones Avenue, Tybee, Island, GA WILL HOLD ITS ANNUAL “SHROVE TUESDAY PANCAKE & GUMBO SUPPER” BEGINNING AT 5:30 PM.- 7:30 PM. ON TUESDAY, FEB. 16. 2010.

THE ENTIRE ISLAND IS INVITED TO TAKE PART IN THIS FUN DAY OF CELEBRATION (ALSO KNOWN AS “FAT TUESDAY”),  AS WE CLEANSE OUR BODIES IN PREPARATION FOR LENT. THE MENU WILL INCLUDE YOUR CHOICE OF EITHER PANCAKES, SAUSAGE, AND APPLES, OR GUMBO ON RICE, WE WILL ONCE AGAIN BE FEATURING BETSY HOLLIS PLAYING PIANO AND SINGING ALL YOUR FAVORITE “DIXIELAND” SONGS.

THE COST WILL BE A $5.00 DONATION FOR ADULTS AND A $3.00 DONATION FOR CHILDREN UNDER AGE 12. ALL PROCEEDS WILL GO TOWARDS ONE OF ALL SAINTS’ LOCAL OUTREACH MISSIONS. PLEASE JOIN US FOR FOOD, FUN, FELLOWSHIP, AND DIXIELAND MUSIC ON THIS FESTIVE DAY OF CELEBRATION…QUESTIONS CAN BE DIRECTED TO DANNY HILL AT:  tybeebeachbum@bellsouth.net or phone at 912.786.6449.

Saint Michael’s 3rd Annual Reverse Raffle a Smashing Success!

Tybee Island, GA – The Saint Michael’s Catholic School annual fundraising event was held February 7th, 2010 – 12 noon to 4pm -  “Super Bowl Sunday” in Memorial Park.  Principal, Holly Lansford is reporting that the school cleared $60,000 between the reverse raffle, silent auction, and corporate sponsor banner ads.  “We are very relieved and so grateful to our Saint Michael’s Family and to the Tybee Community for supporting our wonderful school!” Lansford says.

She and organizer Ginny Murphy would like to especially thank the Saint Michael’s Men’s Club for their magnificent support; the Oyster Cooking Crew led by Walter Corish and Charlie Russo for supplying the delicious oysters; Saint Michael’s Women’s Club for their delicious baked goods
and faithful support; and all Corporate Sponsors. A word of deep appreciation also goes out to the families of Saint Michael’s School who worked so hard to make this event such an overwhelming success!

“LONG LIVE SAINT MICHAEL’S SCHOOL!”

Organizers would like to say “Thank You” to the following Corporate Sponsors:

PLATINUM LEVEL $1000
Dolphin Reef & Ocean Plaza
Lighthouse Pizza

GOLD LEVEL $500
Memorial Health
Hogan’s Marina
St Joseph’s/Candler Hospital

SILVER LEVEL $250
Corish & Company,
- Just Insurance
Savannah Outriders
Bahama Joe’s
Sting Rays

BRONZE LEVEL $100
Seaside Sweets
JJ’s Beach Café
The Dunes Inn & Suites
Captain Mike’s Dolphin Tours
The Tybee Times
Accountants on Tybee
Royal Palm
Tybee Island. Beach Bums
Tybee Island Insurance Agency
Sunrise Breakfast
Lazaretto Creek Seafood
Tim’s Beach Gear
Georgianne Inn
Bernie’s Oyster House

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