Dee Skelly, a Savannah-Chatham County Public School teacher at Port Wentworth Elementary School, is releasing her debut album, Alphabet Train. Alphabet Train is an educational album for teachers and parents to use songs to teach basic skills for children in preschool through early first grade.

The songs presented on Alphabet Train introduce early childhood learning standards in the areas of reading, writing and math. As an early childhood teacher with 20 years experience, Skelly, who is known as “Miss Dee,” recognized the need for educators and parents to have more resources to develop children’s readiness for school and the positive way music is able to motivate children to get involved in the learning process. Research has shown that teaching through music develops speech and motor skills, promotes social skills and makes learning more memorable and enjoyable.

Skelly says the concept for Alphabet Train was derived from the importance of the railroad in Georgia’s history. The idea of the train is reflected in the album’s title, Alphabet Train, and highlighted in certain songs on the album. The album’s cover was inspired by a 1960s billboard that advertised the famous Georgia passenger train, the Nancy Hanks II, which ran from Savannah to Atlanta from the late 1940s to the early 1970s.The album’s cover paintings were created by Atlanta-based train artist Robert West. The album was recorded and produced in Savannah under Roundhouse Educational Company, LLC, in collaboration with local educators, musicians, singers and artists.

By singing and learning the songs on the CD, children will develop a fundamental understanding of phonics, counting, time, spelling, colors and more. These original songs, written and sung by Miss Dee, are presented in a fun sing-along format, making it easy for children to interact with the music.

Alphabet Train may be ordered for purchase or download at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/missdeemusic. The album is also available for download at the iTunes store or at Amazon MP3.

Nineteen-year-old Nicholas Roebuck, of Midway, was named the winner of the 2010 Youth Songwriting Competition on Oct. 9. The contest is a part of the annual Savannah Folk Music Festival, which is presented by the Savannah Folk Music Society.

Roebuck won a $500 gift certificate from event sponsor AMR Music and performed his winning song, “Wish Me Luck,” at the final festival event, “The Concert at Grayson Stadium.” He followed festival headliner Karla Bonoff to the stage.

Second place went to Cecelia Witt, 17, of Savannah, who is a veteran of the competition, She has now placed third two times and second two times. This was Roebuck’s first time in the competition and in his final year of eligibility. The contest is open to students 19 and under.

Third place went to Carolyn Gibbs, 15, of Savannah, in her first attempt in the contest.

The second-place winner received a $300 gift certificate from AMR Music and the third-place winner received a $200 gift certificate from AMR. Prizes were awarded by AMR Music Proprietor Tyler Roe.

Roebuck will be invited by the Savannah Folk Music Society to be a judge at next year’s competition, as is traditional for the winner.

By Lou Phelps

There’s a clever book out entitled the “Potato Chip Science Book” that comes in what looks like a big bag of potato chips!  But inside are interesting science experiments and a book that leads kids through 29 experiments that can be done with the materials in the bag, and other things found commonly around the home.

Written by A. Kurzweil & Son, and published by Workman Publishing of New York, the bag includes comical illustrations and labels such as “Warning: High in Saturated FACTS!” 

The experiments are from the fields of physics, biology, chemistry and earth science plus one “edible project.” Each experiment has clear illustrations on how to conduct the experiment and drawings of the materials that will be needed, or how to use the simple items contained in the bag.

It is hours of fun for kids to work through alone, or with a parent and teacher in a classroom setting.

Brewton-Parker College’s newest coach, head men’s soccer coach Michael Dye, is ready for the beginning of Barons soccer season next month. Student-athletes arrive on campus Aug.2.

Dye, 26, was the assistant coach for one year (2009-2010) at West Texas A&M Univ, where Dye’s soccer team ended the season with the program’s highest national ranking of #3 in the final regular season polls, a 15-2-2 record, and advanced to the second round of the NCAA National Tournament.

“My expectations are very high (for the Barons men’s soccer team),” said Dye. “I feel that the chemistry between the players is there. I think that’s very important for the team to succeed. We will take it game by game with the main focus on taking it to post-season (conference and the national tournament).”