Meet Dave Raczynski, better known in his twenties as Divin’ Dave. But more recently for his local celebrity in the “Thunderbird Blues Band” that frequently plays weekend gigs at bars and restaurants around the Golden Isles. I first met Dave in August of 2017 at the beginning of my daughter’s 8th grade year at Glynn Middle School where Dave works passionately as an 8th grade science teacher. Over the course of the school year, he quickly earned well-deserved favor with Olivia as her favorite teacher. When I began The Faces of St. Simons project I was brainstorming with my family for my first interviewees. Olivia’s suggestion was Mr. Raczynski! Turns out I didn’t have to travel far to catch up with him-just a bike ride around the corner-living in the same neighborhood unknowingly the whole time! Dave is a well-traveled, well-educated and well-storied type. I hope you enjoy reading his interview as much as I enjoyed interviewing him.
Q: What inspired you or led you to your current career?
A: “I had been working as a Scuba Instructor on Harbor Island, Bahamas since the age of 21. Even with my sights set on owning my own dive center and making my living in the realm of commercial recreation, I got tired of working every night, weekend and holiday as is the expectation and demand of living in a resort destination. I realized, though, that I really enjoyed the physics and the science behind diving and teaching others about it. Also, having lived a considerably sheltered life in the beginning I became through my later education and travels, that not every kid had the same chances and opportunities that I did growing up. A lot of them didn’t even have a family or parents at home to love them. So, I decided to go BACK to school to pursue a career in education, specifically science. Now I’ve been teaching for 20 years.”
Q: What is your favorite restaurant on St. Simons and what do you love there?
A: “Well, I’ll always love Fredrica House because I worked there for so many years. But my favorite is probably Tramici-anything on the menu, really. But, if you love really authentic Italian food, That’s Italian is the place to go.”
Q: How long have you lived or worked on St. Simons?
A: “Since 1995-straight out of college. But, I’ve lived in Glynn County since 1970.”
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here on St. Simons? And who would you like to see nominated for the Faces Of project?
A: “The 2 most interesting people weren’t from here but I did meet them here. The first would be Col. Bruce Hampton at Sunset Café. The second would be Steve Cropper, who collaborated with Otis Redding and other great musicians. As far as who I’d like to see interviewed? I think Richard Varnadoe. He works with his wife in her floral shop, Flowers By the Sea and sometimes drives trolly tours.”
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now where would it be and why?
A: “Aruba, Belize, Caymans, West Indies, Tortuga…..anywhere with great reef structure for diving.”
Q: What is your favorite movie or what is the first movie you remember seeing in the theatre?
A: “Well, my Dad showed me Easy rider at the inappropriately young age of 12. But it made a huge impression on me in regard to the world of counter culture.”
Q: What advice would you give to people?
A: “Life is short. Enjoy it while you can.”
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: “To go on a cage dive with Great Whites.”
Q: What is your favorite music or 3 bands you’d like to see dead or alive?
A: “Well, I’ve seen Grateful Dead like 69 times and Allman Brothers 38 times, I think. But I’d still like to see Duanne Allman, Willie Nelson, Jimi Hendrix and Jeff Beck.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about St. Simons?
A: “Southern Soul. I’ve known Harrison for 40 years and Griffin for 30. I’m just so proud of how hard they’ve worked. They’ve accomplished so much more than I think people ever expected.”
Q: Choosing anyone alive and a non-relative with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where would you take them?
A: Eric Clapton. Thanks to my father’s insistence he became a huge musical influence on me at a young age. I’d take him to Palm Coast, Echo or Ocean Lodge…I don’t know.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about St. Simons?
A: “I really appreciate the fact that it’s a barrier island and the captivating maritime forest that comes along with that. I love the Live Oaks and Spanish Moss.”
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
A: “Spending more time on the water and less time on the land.”
Q: Even for friend and family, what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
A: “I kicked a 35 year addiction to nose spray.”
Q: What three words or phrases come to mind when you think of the work “home”?
A: “Family, peace, and sunshine.”
