Fourth Estate face of the week

Rhomylly Forbes, a communication major set to graduate May 16, is a non-traditional student - in more ways than one. She is a wife and mother, a free -lance journalist and a published author. Forbes, 46, commutes daily from Manitowoc to finish her bachelor's degree in communication, emphasis in print journalism. "I am one of those middle-aged college students," Forbes said. "I started out twenty-some years ago fresh out of high school as a technical theater major." Forbes grew up in Kentucky and lived in the Baltimore area before moving to Ohio where her husband was finishing his doctorate, she said. "Then we spent four years in New Mexico, and last summer we moved to Manitowoc," Forbes said. "I started school again in New Mexico and now I'm finishing up here." One of Forbes' highlights of life at UW-Green Bay has been writing for the Fourth Estate. "I love working with these people," Forbes said. "It has been such a joy to be part of this creative and talented group. I've learned a lot and had a lot of fun." For the Fourth Estate, Forbes has wrote for the Opinion section. "I have never denied myself the luxury of a strong opinion," Forbes said. "It sounded like fun and it has been." Forbes is no stranger to writing for newspapers and magazines. "I have been a free-lancer for various magazines since 1997," Forbes said. "I started writing book reviews and doing interviews for a national magazine, and I've been working with them on and off ever since." After graduation, Forbes will continue in print journalism. "I plan to continue free-lancing," Forbes said. "Only doing more of it and hopefully doing it better." In March 2009, Forbes published her first book, "Make Merry in Step and Song," written under the pen name Bronwen Forbes. The book looks at traditional songs and dances from England. Forbes learned the songs and dances discussed in the book while growing up in Kentucky. "My parents were very active in the dance and folk community in the town where I grew up," Forbes said. "My dad was a music professor, so he was recruited to play at the community dances. We all started going along and got actively involved." In 1986, Forbes began teaching the dances at events, she said, and at the same time began writing articles about various songs and dances. "After 9/11 I decided I really needed to write this down and get it out there," Forbes said. "A lot of people realized things after 9/11, and this was one of mine." The preservation of these folk dances is something Forbes described as extremely important to her. "I grew up knowing this, but the American Pagan community doesn't know most of these things exist," Forbes said. "We've lost so much of the stories that make us who we are, and it's being forgotten." Forbes' husband, Alex Garmon, helped her with the creation of the book. "I would correct her history," Garmon said. "And help with the attribution of certain events to certain people." Garmon is a history professor at UW-Manitowoc. "My areas of specific study are ancient and medieval history, which is when these dances were believed to have been created and first danced," Garmon said. "Historical accuracy is the foundation of this type of book and it gives the work a stronger basis." "Make Merry in Step and Song" was published by Llewellyn Worldwide, LTD. Forbes acquisitions editor for the book was Elysia Gallo, who said she believes this book has an appeal for those interested in history and folklore. "Rhomylly definitely brought passion and lots of experience to this project, which was crystal clear from the moment she sent her manuscript to us," Gallo said. Forbes said patience was key in having the book published. Gallo agreed,"Although this book required lots of special attention because of the dance instructions, diagrams, music notation, lyrics and scripts, I really believe that everyone who worked on it was happy to expend the extra effort. This is only due to Rhomylly's kindness, appreciation, patience and excellent communication skills." Overall, Forbes believes the experience of writing a book was an interesting one. "They don't tell you when you sign a book contract that your life will change, and it will change for the weirder," Forbes said. "Suddenly, I was making phone calls to England, Ireland and Whales." No matter how weird life may have become, Forbes is ready to begin on a new writing endeavor. "I've signed a contract for a novel I'll be working on starting sometime next month," Forbes said. As Forbes leaves UWGB, she said she has enjoyed her undergraduate experiences. "It's absolutely been worth it," Forbes said. "And it's been fun."