Tybee Remembers When

The Hosti sisters are the daughters of Ernest and Dot Hosti. Ernest was one of 9 children of Henri Leo Hosti of Strasbourg and Helen Elizabeth Hohnerlein of Berlichingen, Germany. 
 
Henri/Henry allegedly jumped ship in Savannah where he eventually met Helen. Henry was known to be a talented pianist and cook who was eventually employed by the Savannah Police Department. At the time of his WWI draft registration at 38 years old he was a naturalized citizen and working as a ship fitter. and Helen was largely a homemaker but also ran a neighborhood grocery store at times. 
 
The couple were devoutly Catholic and lived in Savannah but did come to Tybee at least once in their young adulthood. Many of their surviving children settled at Tybee following the post-WWII housing shortage and family business ventures with one brother establishing the Tybee Market. The family continues to live in the area today.
 
Learn more about the topics, voices and music in this episode:
Tybee Historical Society on Facebook
Tybee Historical Society on Instagram
Proudly produced by Dee Daniels Media - Podcast Production Company
 
You can help Tybee Island Light Station and Museum continue to provide its great services to the public. You would be contributing towards the continuing education of all people who walk through our doors. All of this wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of our supporters. Tap the donate link to help us continue to tell Tybee’s story – and share this episode with someone you know.
DONATE HERE
 
By becoming a supporter, YOU too will be a part of the story
Theme Music: "Tybee Where the Georgia Peaches Go"
This rendition of the 1926 song by Samuel B. Miller, originally sung by Dewey Holm and His Savannahians on Tybrisa Pavilion, was rerecorded by Turner Horton, TV and Film Composer for the “Tybee Remembers When” podcast in 2024.
Tap HERE for images of the original sheet music from the archives 
All recordings in this podcast are the thoughts and opinions of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of the Tybee Island Historical Society. Oral histories are, by nature, subjective accounts and should not be taken as unbiased fact without further verification.
 
FIND A FAVORITE SPOT IN THIS EPISODE:
00:00 Podcast Intro
00:43 Meet the Hosti Sisters
02:22 Why the Family Moved
04:38 Inside Tybee Market Days
05:40 Animals and Home Life
07:28 First Tybee Memories
10:58 Bonfires and Old Neighbors
14:04 Fort Play and Hurricanes
17:12 Attic Bands and Parties
20:41 Getting Around and School
22:53 Life at St Michaels
25:59 City Fun and Brass Rail
28:30 Triangle Drive In Hangouts
30:18 North End vs South End
32:13 Music Spots and Girl Scouts
39:09 Black Families and Aunt Bertha
44:07 Crabbing With Neighbors
44:56 Family Tales And Aunt Faye
46:24 Grandma Hosti Memories
47:26 Triangle Nights And Uncle Jack
49:28 Old Phones And Island Families
50:18 Mary Jones And Close Calls
51:24 How Tybee Changed
52:28 Bars Shrimpers And Lazaretto
57:01 Best Memories Cook Shack
59:24 Remembering Tybee Characters
01:04:55 Old Restaurants And Local Lore
01:07:09 Rules Crowds And Community
01:16:13 Tybee Identity And Rising Costs
01:20:48 Final Thanks And Support
 

Jay Burke, chairman of the Tybee Island St. Patrick’s Day Irish Heritage Committee, talks about founding and running the Tybee Island Irish Heritage Parade, with the 24th parade planned for 2027 on the Saturday before Savannah’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Burke explains how the parade began from a challenge, his goal to start Tybee’s tourist season earlier, and how volunteers, the Marine Rescue Squadron, Savannah parade adjutants, and the City of Tybee support logistics, safety, and food for kids and bands.
 
Learn more about the topics, voices and music in this episode:
Tybee Historical Society on Facebook
Tybee Historical Society on Instagram
Proudly produced by Dee Daniels Media - Podcast Production Company
 
You can help Tybee Island Light Station and Museum continue to provide its great services to the public. You would be contributing towards the continuing education of all people who walk through our doors. All of this wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of our supporters. Tap the donate link to help us continue to tell Tybee’s story – and share this episode with someone you know.
DONATE HERE
 
By becoming a supporter, YOU too will be a part of the story
Theme Music: "Tybee Where the Georgia Peaches Go"
This rendition of the 1926 song by Samuel B. Miller, originally sung by Dewey Holm and His Savannahians on Tybrisa Pavilion, was rerecorded by Turner Horton, TV and Film Composer for the “Tybee Remembers When” podcast in 2024.
Tap HERE for images of the original sheet music from the archives 
All recordings in this podcast are the thoughts and opinions of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of the Tybee Island Historical Society. Oral histories are, by nature, subjective accounts and should not be taken as unbiased fact without further verification.
 
FIND A FAVORITE SPOT IN THIS EPISODE:
00:00 Podcast Introduction
00:41 Meet Jay Burke
01:12 Parade Committee Basics
02:46 How It All Started
08:54 Keeping It Community
11:43 Growth And Safety
15:25 Food And Volunteers
16:35 Burke Family Roots
20:00 McElwees And DeSoto Days
23:53 North End Childhood
25:02 Tybee Changes Over Time
28:43 Irish Catholic Community
30:50 Work Life And City Growth
33:45 Island Faith Community
35:06 What Makes Tybee
36:25 Parade Family Tradition
38:00 Safety And Barricades
40:24 Launching Tybee Parade
42:45 Keeping It Small
44:44 Partners And Bands
47:27 Curveballs And Conflicts
53:05 Challenges And Committee
57:18 Teaching Irish History
01:01:13 Biggest Successes
01:04:09 Passing The Torch

Tony Heidt, born April 23, 1935, in Savannah (Telfair Hospital) recalls how his family began renting on Tybee before his father bought a raised Dr. Harris house for $2,700, sparking a lifelong attachment to Tybee. He describes courting stories, childhood summers barefoot on the island, and World War II memories: Coast Guard horseback patrols with submachine guns, Pearl Harbor at age six, rumors of spies, and exploring Fort Screven after restrictions lifted, including the Post Theater.
 
This video depicts Bones Tattnall and his son, Pompey, both mentioned in Mr. Heidt’s recollections: https://www.facebook.com/reel/757879720310909 
 
Depiction of signage in the 1950s-early 1960s: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/19RiRjJZZT/
 
 
Learn more about the topics, voices and music in this episode:
Tybee Historical Society on Facebook
Tybee Historical Society on Instagram
Proudly produced by Dee Daniels Media - Podcast Production Company
You can help Tybee Island Light Station and Museum continue to provide its great services to the public. You would be contributing towards the continuing education of all people who walk through our doors. All of this wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of our supporters. Tap the donate link to help us continue to tell Tybee’s story – and share this episode with someone you know.
DONATE HERE
By becoming a supporter, YOU too will be a part of the story
Theme Music: "Tybee Where the Georgia Peaches Go"
This rendition of the 1926 song by Samuel B. Miller, originally sung by Dewey Holm and His Savannahians on Tybrisa Pavilion, was rerecorded by Turner Horton, TV and Film Composer for the “Tybee Remembers When” podcast in 2024.
Tap HERE for images of the original sheet music from the archives 
All recordings in this podcast are the thoughts and opinions of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of the Tybee Island Historical Society. Oral histories are, by nature, subjective accounts and should not be taken as unbiased fact without further verification.
 

Savannah’s Prohibition story begins before national Prohibition. Georgia passed a statewide prohibition law in 1907, becoming the first southern state to do so, and Georgia remained dry until 1935, even after national repeal in 1933. Savannah…and the larger “Free State of Chatham,” however, remained “as dry as the middle of the Atlantic.” (or as wet as the highway on a king tide).  On Tybee bars, bootleg liquor, gambling, and dancing led the economy even in the off season. Tybee is a place you can go to escape, and it was a place to escape legal action well before it was a fully-fledged resort community. 
 
Tybee and Savannah’s riverfront, marshes, barrier islands, creeks, and inland routes created a near-perfect logistics network for rum running and saltmarsh moonshine-making. Historical accounts describe liquor arriving by larger vessels offshore and being moved inland by smaller boats that could slip through marsh channels and evade enforcement. That network was not merely local mischief. Federal reporting later identified Savannah as the site of a major conspiracy investigation, with more than fifty agents assigned during 1922 and 142 people sentenced by the summer of 1924. Local reporting on the August 1923 raid describes it as one of the largest bootlegging crackdowns in the country. 
 
Sherman “Moose” Helmy fell into the booze trade by accident, rigging cars for smuggling, but the marshes and waterways remained a part of his life and his bootlegging career was replaced with boating. Prohibition created demand for people who knew engines, boats, waterways, and concealment. Mechanics, boatmen, drivers, dockworkers, and coastal families formed the connective tissue of the illegal alcohol economy. When Prohibition ended, some of those same skills remained valuable in legal maritime work: vessel maintenance, navigation, tide knowledge, weather judgment, client handling, and risk management. He passed along the early history fish tales to his daughter, Judy, and passed along his knowledge of fishing as well. “Kicking fish tail,” since age 5 at her fathers’ side, Judy Helmy is one of the longest-operating women in the local maritime industry. 
 
This is her family’s story…
This is Tybee Remembers When...
Judy explains that her first boat was a batteau with an Evinrude motor. Batteaux were popular flat-bottomed rowboats that could be utilized with oars and/or a small motor. Edward “Bones” Tattnall rented batteaux from a Tybee fish camp, taking people out on the water as well. This video from our archives shows this type of vessel in action with Mr. Tattnall taking members of the Kaminsky family out on the water: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1AeYakr9ro/. These were popular boats for kids who wanted to navigate marshes and waterways close to home. 
Miss Judy has a history of their charter company with pictures on her charter website: https://missjudycharters.com/about-us/ and is the author of several books. 
 
Sherman Helmy’s draft card (VIEW PHOTO HERE). Sherman Israel Helmy is listed on the 1930 census as residing and owning a home on Savannah Beach (Tybee), although he would later move to Wilmington Island, Georgia. 
 
Learn more about Women in the Maritime Industry: https://www.nps.gov/safr/learn/historyculture/maritimewomenhistory.htm
 
Learn more about the topics, voices and music in this episode:
Tybee Historical Society on Facebook
Tybee Historical Society on Instagram
Proudly produced by Dee Daniels Media - Podcast Production Company
You can help Tybee Island Light Station and Museum continue to provide its great services to the public. You would be contributing towards the continuing education of all people who walk through our doors. All of this wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of our supporters. Tap the donate link to help us continue to tell Tybee’s story – and share this episode with someone you know.
DONATE HERE
By becoming a supporter, YOU too will be a part of the story
Theme Music: "Tybee Where the Georgia Peaches Go"
This rendition of the 1926 song by Samuel B. Miller, originally sung by Dewey Holm and His Savannahians on Tybrisa Pavilion, was rerecorded by Turner Horton, TV and Film Composer for the “Tybee Remembers When” podcast in 2024.
Tap HERE for images of the original sheet music from the archives 
All recordings in this podcast are the thoughts and opinions of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of the Tybee Island Historical Society. Oral histories are, by nature, subjective accounts and should not be taken as unbiased fact without further verification.

For Captains Cecil and Elizabeth Johnson, Tybee Island became more than a destination—it became home. In this episode, they share stories of growing up around Tybee, building a life on the water, launching a charter fishing business, and the lasting influence of legendary captain Charlie Walsh. From shrimp boats and offshore adventures to the origins of the Tour de Lights and unforgettable moments on the water, this conversation captures the people, traditions, and maritime heritage that helped shape modern Tybee.
This is Tybee Remembers When ... 
Cecil Johnson grew up coming to Tybee. Elizabeth Lynch grew up in Iowa…pretty far from the island where she makes a living and a life on the water alongside her husband Cecil. Learning from local legends like Captain Charlie Walsh, the couple founded Tybee Island Charters in 1985. They continue to boat, fish, and live life on the water.  Tybee Island Charters website: https://www.fishtybee.com/ 
Resources to learn more about boating safety: Boat-EDGeorgia DNR 
 
Learn more about the topics, voices and music in this episode:
Tybee Historical Society on Facebook
Tybee Historical Society on Instagram
Proudly produced by Dee Daniels Media - Podcast Production Company
You can help Tybee Island Light Station and Museum continue to provide its great services to the public. You would be contributing towards the continuing education of all people who walk through our doors. All of this wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of our supporters. Tap the donate link to help us continue to tell Tybee’s story – and share this episode with someone you know.
DONATE HERE
By becoming a supporter, YOU too will be a part of the story
Theme Music: "Tybee Where the Georgia Peaches Go"
This rendition of the 1926 song by Samuel B. Miller, originally sung by Dewey Holm and His Savannahians on Tybrisa Pavilion, was rerecorded by Turner Horton, TV and Film Composer for the “Tybee Remembers When” podcast in 2024.
Tap HERE for images of the original sheet music from the archives 
All recordings in this podcast are the thoughts and opinions of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of the Tybee Island Historical Society. Oral histories are, by nature, subjective accounts and should not be taken as unbiased fact without further verification.

FROM THE ARCHIVES: Mrs. Blanche Solomon of Tybee Island. Recorded April 17, 1986.  This is Tybee Remembers When ... 
TYBEE HISTORICAL SOCIETY GIVES A SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT THIS SEASON TO SOUTHERN BELLE VACATION RENTALS AND TYBEE REAL ESTATE COMPANY.
Learn more about the topics, voices and music in this episode:
Tybee Historical Society on Facebook
Tybee Historical Society on Instagram
Proudly produced by Dee Daniels Media - Podcast Production Company
You can help Tybee Island Light Station and Museum continue to provide its great services to the public. You would be contributing towards the continuing education of all people who walk through our doors. All of this wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of our supporters. Tap the donate link to help us continue to tell Tybee’s story – and share this episode with someone you know.
DONATE HERE
By becoming a supporter, YOU too will be a part of the story
Theme Music: "Tybee Where the Georgia Peaches Go"
This rendition of the 1926 song by Samuel B. Miller, originally sung by Dewey Holm and His Savannahians on Tybrisa Pavilion, was rerecorded by Turner Horton, TV and Film Composer for the “Tybee Remembers When” podcast in 2024.
Tap HERE for images of the original sheet music from the archives 
All recordings in this podcast are the thoughts and opinions of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of the Tybee Island Historical Society. Oral histories are, by nature, subjective accounts and should not be taken as unbiased fact without further verification.

Kathleen Burke went from Tybee to Oxford…and it all started at the Tybee Library. This is Tybee Remembers When ... 
TYBEE HISTORICAL SOCIETY GIVES A SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT THIS SEASON TO SOUTHERN BELLE VACATION RENTALS AND TYBEE REAL ESTATE COMPANY.
Learn more about the topics, voices and music in this episode:
Tybee Historical Society on Facebook
Tybee Historical Society on Instagram
Proudly produced by Dee Daniels Media - Podcast Production Company
You can help Tybee Island Light Station and Museum continue to provide its great services to the public. You would be contributing towards the continuing education of all people who walk through our doors. All of this wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of our supporters. Tap the donate link to help us continue to tell Tybee’s story – and share this episode with someone you know.
DONATE HERE
By becoming a supporter, YOU too will be a part of the story
Theme Music: "Tybee Where the Georgia Peaches Go"
This rendition of the 1926 song by Samuel B. Miller, originally sung by Dewey Holm and His Savannahians on Tybrisa Pavilion, was rerecorded by Turner Horton, TV and Film Composer for the “Tybee Remembers When” podcast in 2024.
Tap HERE for images of the original sheet music from the archives 
All recordings in this podcast are the thoughts and opinions of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of the Tybee Island Historical Society. Oral histories are, by nature, subjective accounts and should not be taken as unbiased fact without further verification.

This is the legacy of Johnny J. Anderson - locally known as "Rudy"! Tybee Remembers When ... 
TYBEE HISTORICAL SOCIETY GIVES A SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT THIS SEASON TO SOUTHERN BELLE VACATION RENTALS AND TYBEE REAL ESTATE COMPANY.
Learn more about the topics, voices and music in this episode:
Tybee Historical Society on Facebook
Tybee Historical Society on Instagram
Proudly produced by Dee Daniels Media - Podcast Production Company
You can help Tybee Island Light Station and Museum continue to provide its great services to the public. You would be contributing towards the continuing education of all people who walk through our doors. All of this wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of our supporters. Tap the donate link to help us continue to tell Tybee’s story – and share this episode with someone you know.
DONATE HERE
By becoming a supporter, YOU too will be a part of the story
Theme Music: "Tybee Where the Georgia Peaches Go"
This rendition of the 1926 song by Samuel B. Miller, originally sung by Dewey Holm and His Savannahians on Tybrisa Pavilion, was rerecorded by Turner Horton, TV and Film Composer for the “Tybee Remembers When” podcast in 2024.
Tap HERE for images of the original sheet music from the archives 
All recordings in this podcast are the thoughts and opinions of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of the Tybee Island Historical Society. Oral histories are, by nature, subjective accounts and should not be taken as unbiased fact without further verification.

Meet Shirley Sessions! Tybee Remembers When ... 
TYBEE HISTORICAL SOCIETY GIVES A SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT THIS SEASON TO SOUTHERN BELLE VACATION RENTALS AND TYBEE REAL ESTATE COMPANY.
Learn more about the topics, voices and music in this episode:
Tybee Historical Society on Facebook
Tybee Historical Society on Instagram
Proudly produced by Dee Daniels Media - Podcast Production Company
You can help Tybee Island Light Station and Museum continue to provide its great services to the public. You would be contributing towards the continuing education of all people who walk through our doors. All of this wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of our supporters. Tap the donate link to help us continue to tell Tybee’s story – and share this episode with someone you know.
DONATE HERE
By becoming a supporter, YOU too will be a part of the story
Theme Music: "Tybee Where the Georgia Peaches Go"
This rendition of the 1926 song by Samuel B. Miller, originally sung by Dewey Holm and His Savannahians on Tybrisa Pavilion, was rerecorded by Turner Horton, TV and Film Composer for the “Tybee Remembers When” podcast in 2024.
Tap HERE for images of the original sheet music from the archives 
All recordings in this podcast are the thoughts and opinions of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of the Tybee Island Historical Society. Oral histories are, by nature, subjective accounts and should not be taken as unbiased fact without further verification.

Meet Bill Lynch! Tybee Remembers When ... Fort Screven was developed, General George Marshall needed boots for the big parade, and half rubber was everyone’s favorite sport.
TYBEE HISTORICAL SOCIETY GIVES A SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT THIS SEASON TO SOUTHERN BELLE VACATION RENTALS AND TYBEE REAL ESTATE COMPANY.
Learn more about the topics, voices and music in this episode:
Tybee Historical Society on Facebook
Tybee Historical Society on Instagram
Proudly produced by Dee Daniels Media - Podcast Production Company
You can help Tybee Island Light Station and Museum continue to provide its great services to the public. You would be contributing towards the continuing education of all people who walk through our doors. All of this wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of our supporters. Tap the donate link to help us continue to tell Tybee’s story – and share this episode with someone you know.
DONATE HERE
By becoming a supporter, YOU too will be a part of the story
Theme Music: "Tybee Where the Georgia Peaches Go"
This rendition of the 1926 song by Samuel B. Miller, originally sung by Dewey Holm and His Savannahians on Tybrisa Pavilion, was rerecorded by Turner Horton, TV and Film Composer for the “Tybee Remembers When” podcast in 2024.
Tap HERE for images of the original sheet music from the archives 
All recordings in this podcast are the thoughts and opinions of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of the Tybee Island Historical Society. Oral histories are, by nature, subjective accounts and should not be taken as unbiased fact without further verification.