Fresh Loaf

(Photo by Joeff Davis)

Theodore Mortin, 74, is a volunteer water aerobics instructor for senior citizens at Atlanta’s East Lake YMCA.

“When I moved to Atlanta in 1995, a lady friend asked me to come with her to the YMCA. I took the water aerobics class, but they didn’t have a consistent teacher. I volunteered to fill-in when needed and have been a teacher for six years.”

“[Water aerobics] helps with arthritis, cardiovascular strength and stroke patients. The water loosens up the limbs, hips and knees.”

“A lady who had a stroke called me to let me know that for the first time in years she was able to walk up the steps at her daughters house without any problems. She was so excited.”

On being called Mr. Ted: “I introduced myself at Ted Mortin, but people just started calling me Mr. Ted. It’s even [Mr. Ted] on the schedule for classes [now].

His other nickname: “I’ve been called Teddy Bear by some of the ladies in the class.”

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Scotty Bilz is a professional clogger and clogging instructor. He performs all over the country, and teaches both traditional and modern clogging. His studio, Scotty’s Clog’n Company, is in Lawrenceville.

“Modern clogging is a fusion of every dance imaginable. We dance to everything from Hannah Montana to Led Zeppelin to Lil Jon.”

On his first clogging class: “My mom signed me up and I was very upset. I had no idea what clogging was.”

On his first clogging instructor: “[She] was 17 years old. I had an instant crush. I overheard her say I was her worst student ever. I went home, practiced and became better. I started doing really well. I was teaching on my own at the age of 11.”

“It’s definitely a female-dominated sport. About 10-to-1. I am one of the few guys around.”

“Many people think cloggers wear wooden shoes. That wouldn’t work. During the dance they would fly off and might kill somebody.”

(Photo by Joeff Davis)

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(Photo by Joeff Davis)

Dermatologist Dr. Scott Karempelis has been a tattoo-removal specialist at Dermatology Associates of Atlanta for 20 years. He uses a laser that breaks tattoo pigment into little pieces that are absorbed by skin.

How would you describe your job?

It’s very diverse and exciting without doing the same thing everyday. Each day I can work with skin cancer, wrinkles, liposuction or eyelids with people choosing to make the changes.

Who is your youngest client?

Thirteen years old, with a homemade knuckle tattoo. A lot of underage kids get tattoos from homemade ways, or by lying, or some unscrupulous person. The parents drag them in to get them removed.

What are some reasons for tattoo removal?

Gravel tattoos are when asphalt gets stuck in the skin from motorcycle accidents. We also remove the powder burns from a firecracker or black speckles from gun shots. These people are really happy that they can have these things removed.

Jewish people who were in Nazi prison camps like Auschwitz have come in for their prison tattoos to be removed. It is like removing a stigma from their body.

Has a tattoo artist ever gotten mad at you for desecrating his work?

Tattoo artists come in, not interested in removing their tattoos, but to change one area of a tattoo with mistakes. Many times we’ll knock out hearts with the name of the lover.

What is the most interesting tattoo you’ve removed?

This girl has the pink panther on her underwear line and it was the cutest tattoo. If you notice some of the African ladies have full ornaments tattooed on their neck and face from African tribes who come in to get them removed.

I removed the word “hot” and “cold” from a lady’s breasts.

What is the weirdest tattoo?
A guy with a gothic look had the devil outline tattooed to his face with the horns on the forehead.

If you could stand outside a tattoo parlor and give advice to someone about what they’re going to get, what would it be?

Don’t get it in the first place. But if you do, get a regular Indian ink outline without making it too deep. If you do get it, at least hide it on your butt or groin.

If you ever got a tattoo, what would it be?
Probably something artsy and small with some family emblem to it.

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