Early last Tuesday Teen Village loaded up in their air conditioned coach and headed East for Savannah, Georgia for a 3 day 2 night escape. They booked, four to a room, into Howard Johnson’s Admirals Inn on Tybee Island and prepared for a fun filled few days. First on the agenda was to get all dolled up for a dinner cruise where dining and dancing released stored energy from the long bus ride.
Savannah’s historic architecture is laid out in tree-filled squares, where the shade is deepened by the spanish moss dangling through the branches. This, along with loads if interesting facts, is what Teen Village experienced on their horse and carriage historical tour.
All were treated to an evening at the Historic Savanna Theater to see ‘Country Star Review’ a 2-hour salute to the music of the great country stars of the past 50 years-from Patsy Cline to Taylor Swift. Johnny Cash to Rascal Flatts, featuring a foot-stompin’ live country band and 7 vocalists.
Daytime activities included a refreshing swim in the ocean at Tybee Island and successful spotting on their dolphin boat tour. Of course several people were also spotted getting mani-pedi’s JJ?? while others shopped and explored the artwork in City Market. Many samples of famous Savannah pralines were eaten while wandering the touristy but interesting River Street.
Likely, the most impressive visit was that to the 3rd oldest synagogue in America, Mickve Israel Synagogue. Founded 1733 they are proud of over 275 years of history in Savannah. Their historic sanctuary was designed by New York architect Henry G. Harrison and built in 1876 in pure neo-Gothic style, reflecting the fashionable architecture of the Victorian era. It is the only Gothic-style architecture synagogue in America. The three story Sheftall Memorial Hall addition, opened in 2003, and houses a world class museum, library, Judaica shop, religious school and temple offices, as well as an impressive banquet room and full professional kitchen.
The last tour of note was the Ghost Tour, where they were taken to haunted sites and then to a warehouse-type building. Inside they were treated to all sorts of scary special effects that had the girls squealing and huddling together while the boys just laughed and rolled their eyes.
Late on Thursday evening the coach rolled back into Camp Blue Star with all aboard a little worn out, but full of fun stories of their 2011 Teen Village Savannah Ga. field trip.