From the time Stephanie Treece was a young girl growing up in Saltsburg, a small town outside of Pittsburgh, Pa., she knew she wanted to pursue a career in the sciences. She had no idea at the time she would eventually become one of the first women to serve on a U.S. Navy submarine.

“I’ve always been pretty good at math and science. In math, there is always an answer, so I knew I would be going into a technical field,” said Stephanie, who currently oversees defense contracts as program manager with PaR Systems at the Brunswick Port. “My dad started out as an HVAC tech. He had to work a lot on weekends, so he would take me on calls to spend time together. He would take me to inner-city Pittsburgh, and we would go up into the skyscrapers, that’s where I got my love for physics,” she said, adding thanks to her father, she also learned how to install tile, drywall and fix plumbing.

Mayor Kizzi, You have been Mayor of Woodbine, Georgia, since January—congratulations! What is an interesting component in being a leader in your community of 1500 people?
Thank you! I think the component that stands out the most is leading from the ground. I feel best being always at eye level with everyone; I’m not looking down from a platform, or from behind a traditional desk. My residents have clear access to me.

We understand, in your town, being mayor is a part-time job. What is your additional career and how do you make it all work?
I’ve been in law enforcement for over 14 years and child advocacy for the past five. Neither of my positions are considered “work” to me anymore. It feels like I’m just going out every day to make someone’s life a little better.

As the founder of MAD (Manifest A Deliverance), an motivational organization for women using discussions, events and music, and The Pink Group, a marketing and publishing company, Hashondra Jernigan-Smith, uses her past experiences to help women overcome obstacles that could be holding them back from living happy, independent lives.

It started from her book, Attached, that was published two years ago.

“It was basically me telling my story and what I learned over time as an adult from the emotional trauma of having sex too soon. I literally started writing at the age of 22 in the middle of the night,” she said. In between “life happening,” which included earning degrees in organizational management and medical coding, raising her first daughter, Cianie KaLeeah, getting married and having her daughter, KayLee, Hashondra continued to write, finally finishing the book at age 32. “So, you get to see what happened looking back through my eyes as a 32-year-old and what I’ve learned.”

Four years ago, Nicole Arnold was approaching graduation from Hilton Head Island High School and craving some adventure. After brainstorming a variety of ideas, her biggest passion led her on the greatest journey of her life so far. With a whole lot of planning, dreaming, and researching, Nicole set her goal: To bike across the United States.

For as long as Nicole can remember, she has been glued to a bicycle seat. Always an independent child, she would spend hours biking around her island neighborhood. When she road, she had a box on the back of her bike to keep her belongings in— little did she know, this would prepare her in achieving her dream while traveling with ease.

As the author of award-winning plays, including the widely acclaimed “Ferris Wheel,” and her work as an actress in New York City and beyond, you would think St. Simons Island resident Mary Miller’s theatrical work was in the cards from the beginning. But her long and successful career was originally her Plan B.

Plan A was a career as a professional tennis player. “I wasn’t a theatre kid in school. I played on the national tennis circuit all through high school at Westminster (in her hometown of Atlanta),” said Mary, who graduated with honors and was selected for the prestigious school’s Hall of Fame in honor of her rank as the No.1 female high school tennis player in Georgia. “My dad had gotten me into tennis when I was 8 or 9 years old.”

Riding east on Cannons Point Road, along a natural woodland path in northern St. Simons Island, you realize you’re in for a treat as you approach The Farm at Oatland North. This picturesque animal sanctuary, set among giant oaks, with its horse barn, corrals and pens is one animal haven we think Mother Nature would certainly approve. Meet Diana and Volunteers at The Farm…

Diana, tell us about the family who created The Farm at Oatland North…
Previously, the land was leased as a riding and boarding stable as part of the Murrah family farm. In 2003, Barbara and Bascom Murrah returned to St. Simons. Barbara and her daughter, Natalie, began saving animals, beginning with a horse named Lightning and two cows: Amanda and Panda. Soon The Farm became a haven for Little Saint Simons Island retired trail horses, and then began receiving abused and neglected farm animal cases from Glynn County Animal Control.

As the Coastkeeper with the Altamaha Riverkeeper, which is a non-profit dedicated to the “protection, defense and restoration of Georgia’s biggest river, Susan Inman spends much of her time in the great outdoors actively monitoring the health of the Golden Isles’ waters. This is perfect for her.

“My passion is being outside,” said the native of South Dakota/Minnesota. “I started out working on my uncles’ farms. Of course, when you do that for family, you don’t get paid,” Susan laughed. “That passion led me to work all over the United States to study animals and work on the environment.

Recently, we learned how many local adults are staying active while having fun­—they’re playing kickball! Co-Captain Sharonda Boggs, of the Just Kickin’ Kickball Team, gave us great insight into all the fun of adult kickball. You’ll get a kick out of Sharonda’s “play-full” information:   

Sharonda, are you an athlete by nature?
I played basketball and ran track and cross country in high school. I’m a school counselor and try to stay active.

Island resident and research genealogist Linda Olsen thinks having fun is not an option, but a necessity.

“My mom died from ALS at 53, and my dad died from lymph cancer at 68. My mom was always putting off doing things she wanted to do, saying she would do all that after she retired, and never got to retire,” said Linda, shaking her head. “That’s why I retired early. I try to live every day to the fullest. I don’t really have a bucket list. If I want to do something, I just do it.”

After years of working in digital equipment sales, first in Boston, then in Atlanta, Linda retired early and opted for the slower pace of St. Simons 11 years ago. “My brother Gary worked at FLETC with the DEA, and I used to visit him.” However, once her brother’s job was relocated to Quantico in Virginia, she said, “I lost my summer place. So, I bought a place on the Island in 1991.”

From the time Marjorie Campbell was born to a poor teen mother in Jamaica, she found herself constantly having to prove to people that she was not only going to survive, but thrive.

“I was born weighing only 2 pounds and was in the hospital for two months. I was sick a lot and we were poor, really poor,” said Marjorie, who later had three younger siblings. “I went to school hungry every day and with no shoes. The one thing my great-grandmother, grandmother and mother said was ‘education is the key to opening many doors. A good education will never decay and with a good education, you can also encourage others.’”

Marjorie and her siblings took that to heart. She and her two sisters became teachers and her brother is a business manager. “I give my mother (Jennifer Watson) the credit. Even though she didn’t graduate high school, all four of her children have college degrees,” she said.

German native and St. Simons resident Ute Kleemann-Sporftschuetz has a quote that has guided her entire life: “Don’t wait for an opportunity, create it,” she said with a bright smile. “That’s what I do.”

That philosophy has literally guided her around the world. As a teen in her hometown of Stuttgart, Germany, she began traveling as a member of the West Germany Olympic diving team. “I was the German champion in the one- and three-meter dives 20 times, but I didn’t make it to the Olympics in Montreal because they only chose to take divers who competed in all three events.”

Paisley’s theme for this month is #followyourheart. Have you always followed your heart?

Ever since I was a little girl, I followed my heart and did not let anything stand in my way. My dream was to play college basketball, and when my high school coach told me I would never be good enough, I did whatever it took to receive a college basketball scholarship to play ball. I became a teacher, coach and school counselor to help students follow their hearts and their dreams!

When Newark, New Jersey, native Dr. Oatanisha Dawson was studying engineering at Rutgers University, she never envisioned that 20 years later she would be the principal of an elementary school in a small, southeast Georgia town.

“I started at Rutgers and attended three years studying industrial engineering,” she said with a smile, while seated behind her office desk at Goodyear Elementary School in Brunswick. “I loved the idea of building plans and creating affordable housing. Then my life changed.”

26-year-old Caley Neely had just gotten out of the shower, dried her hair and put on her makeup for work. But something wasn’t right. Her usual headaches had intensified that week, creeping down her neck and persisting no matter what she took for the pain. Now everything was hazy, and she finally asked her husband to take her to the ER.

“I was going in and out,” said Caley, an occupational therapist who works in a hospital rehabilitating people after strokes and injuries. “I couldn’t answer questions or even speak. I just started bawling because in my mind I kind of knew what was going on in bits and pieces, but other times I had no idea.”

From the time she was a small child in Virginia, New York Times, Amazon, and USA Today best-selling author and St. Simons resident Claire Cook knew she wanted to be a writer. “I started writing when I was little, little. The first thing I had published was on a kid’s page when I was six years old,” she said smiling. “I majored in film and creative writing in college (Syracuse University). But when I graduated, I choked. I listened to all the negativity about how hard it was to be a writer and hid from writing for decades.”

Instead of pursuing her calling, she “followed her kids to school” and became a teacher for 16 years. “I wrote for some magazines and won awards for creative teaching, but it was as if I had buried my dream so deep, I almost couldn’t find it. I really loved the kids, but it just hit me one day that I could be one of those people who didn’t ever try. My procrastination finally became more painful than actually doing it.”

Sylvia Tervoort, who hails from the Netherlands, speaks with a wide smile, shakes hands with the grip of a titan and is an excellent ambassador for the world’s seafaring industry. Since 2008 Sylvia has been a Salvage Master with SMIT, one of the largest maritime salvage and towage organizations in the world. This job title, usually held by men, is held by only one woman in the world and it is Sylvia.

Since early September, Sylvia, along with approximately 50 SMIT salvage crew members and other first responders, including the US Coast Guard and State of Georgia professionals, have been in the Golden Isles handling the salvage operation of the capsized Golden Ray cargo ship, which is lying on its side in the St. Simons Sound. The almost new two-year-old massive ship is more than two football fields long and has capacity to carry up to 6,933 cars.

Debbie, how did you meet your husband, Scott?  What stirred your move to St. Simons Island in 2016? We met during my freshman year at Gordon College in Wenham, MA. I was pursuing an elementary education degree and looking for Mr. Right. I spotted a tall handsome boy from Brunswick, GA., during orientation and that was that.

We married after graduation and three years later left New England for the University of Georgia and grad school. Scott started working for The Coca-Cola Company after an internship there, and we moved to Atlanta. I found alternative ways of using my education degree in manufacturing, multimedia, distribution and even at the GAP with positions that allowed me to do corporate training, write operations manuals, conduct new hire orientation, and even accounting. When my babies came, I never hesitated to stay at home with them.

I worked for Fulton County Schools as a school assistant, substitute and front desk receptionist when our children entered elementary school and essentially went to work with them. Tyler (now 25) and Hannah (22) both graduated from UGA with degrees in public relations like their daddy. They live in Atlanta and Athens, have neat jobs with PR agencies and are successfully adulting!

Mary Monroe is the perfect example of a woman with strong faith, a positive attitude and serendipitous good sense. Since moving south from Lake Orion, Michigan, 17 years ago, her life path has led her to the best places at the right time.

Raised in a musical family, Mary attended Oakland University in Rochester Hills, Michigan, minoring in music (piano) and majoring in psychology. Soon she was a mother of four— Benjamin (23), Mary Kate (21), Grace (19) and Jack (14).  

Mary said she came here with nothing: “I made my way down here with my four kids and a prayer. I’ve prayed so long for clarity and direction, and I am starting to see it. I found myself here after a divorce. The kids were young, and it was not easy to leave, but it was a good time for me to reevaluate and make the move. We arrived and stayed with family—all four went through school here. Three are in college now and Jack is in ninth grade; they are all doing well.

Way back in the day, some six generations ago in McIntosh County, Jenkins’ family members often gathered to share their Gullah Geechee heritage in the form of the Shout, performing their ancestral stories through movement, word and song, especially during worship on Sundays. Today the McIntosh County Shouters continue to share this living history. Their performance of the Shout has been proclaimed by many as the roots of all music in America. Yes, ALL American music.

We sat down with nine of the ten member group, each one graced with a special purpose in honoring their ancestors. The Shouters are all cousins, who are descendants of London and Amy Jenkins, and have lived in McIntosh all their lives. L.C., Carolyn, Carletha, Freddie, Dennis, Kantressa, Carol, Brenton and Vanessa were happy to share views and stories of their nearly 40 years in public performance. Carletha spoke first: “We did not learn the Shout; it is in us. The old souls of our ancestors come right on out!”

Reneé Sutton is feeling fortunate after surviving two bouts of early stage breast cancer.

“With my first breast cancer, I found a lump in my right breast while taking a shower,” she said, adding she had a mammogram, which showed no signs of cancer, just three months before discovering the lump. “It was a small, non-aggressive tumor.”

Her treatment included a lumpectomy and radiation to eradicate the cancer, but a year later, a mammogram revealed a small tumor in her left breast. “They called it in-situ (earliest stage cancer, considered non-invasive).” With this second diagnosis, Reneé chose to have a bi-lateral mastectomy. “The second one was so small I didn’t need radiation.”

Virginia, AKA the “Consummate Communicator,” is President and CEO of The United Way of Coastal Georgia. She and her husband, Ed, moved to the area four years ago, first residing in Darien and now on St. Simons Island. With cell phone in hand, Virginia can administrate from any vantage point, like here, from a downtown Brunswick historical square. For her, being out in our community, which is full of extraordinary people, is far more important than being at her desk.

Charity Tyson is a woman on the move. Over the last 13 years not only has the divorced mother of three worked her way up the ranks at Lowe’s Home Improvement to the position of department supervisor, she accomplished this all while earning a college degree and overseeing her own business, It’s OK to by You, LLC, which includes writing self-help books. In addition she is close to earning her second degree, as well.

Growing up in small-town Americus, Georgia, Charity knew she wanted to get out into the world to expand her horizons. “Being raised as the oldest of three girls by a single mother, I knew I needed to step out on my own and experience the world and meet people from all different backgrounds.” After high school, she did just that by joining the Army National Guard where her upbringing came in handy.

Olivia Hutcheson Holland
Brunswick, Ga.
First United Methodist Church Duncan Sunday School Class

“An Apple A Day keeps the doctor away” is a very wise saying, but these days, maintaining a healthy lifestyle involves more than making an annual doctor's appointment. There’s more we all can do. Sharing the impact optimism has on personal health, experts agree that being naturally optimistic could add seven or more years to your life. (AARP Bulletin June 2018) And, having someone to share your life with is key; in other words, our family, friends and pets are our “apple cores!”

Meet Olivia Holland, who with the biggest of hearts, loves sharing her talents. She and her husband, Jon, never seem to waste a minute of time in giving back to others:

For St. Simons Island nurse practitioner Lauren Koncul, her path to a healthcare career began in childhood. “I grew up in a family where a healthy lifestyle and healthy eating were important. Nothing we ate came out of a box. We ate fresh whole food and sat down to eat as a family,” said Lauren, who was born in Atlanta but moved to Savannah with her family as a child. “My brother, Brendan, and I learned to cook at a very early age and helped our mom with the catering business she ran. We were also physically active.”

This conscious healthy lifestyle, combined with having a father who was a perfusionist —the professional who runs the heart/lung machine during open heart surgery—moved Lauren to know, as a child, she would choose a career in healthcare. “I always wanted to take care of people. When I was a teenager, my father would take me along to observe surgery. I loved it.”

Michelle Merrill
Musical Director and Conductor
The Coastal Symphony of Georgia

Conductor Michelle Merrill just completed her first season with The Coastal Symphony. And what a 2018-19 season it was: One of great variety and talent played by superb musicians, who smiled widely through each note created under Director Michelle’s baton. Always “in tune” with life and always on the go, Michelle took some time out with Paisley to share some insight and thoughts…

While Georgia has only 100 miles of coastline, the state has one third of the salt marshes along the entire U.S. Eastern Seaboard. “Marshes protect us from storms,” said Lea King-Badyna. “That’s why it is so important to keep them thriving and healthy.”

Keeping such an important resource vibrant is one of the missions of Keep Golden Isles Beautiful (KGIB), where Lea serves as Executive Director. The non-profit is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year and has five main areas of emphasis—litter prevention, water resource awareness, education, waste reduction, recycling and community greening.

Kim Campbell, site manager for Coastal Georgia Historical Society’s World War II Homefront Museum in the historic Coast Guard Station on St. Simons, has always been fascinated by history. “I like telling stories, especially about real people. I think it’s important to talk and learn about our past.”

After graduating high school, Kim chose Mercer University in Macon. “As a freshman at Mercer, I knew I was going to be a history major. I didn’t want to study anything else. My parents were very supportive.” She said unlike other people, her parents never asked the question of what she would do with a history degree—at least for her first two years of college. “In my junior year, my parents did ask that question,” she laughed. “In good millennial fashion, I Googled, ‘what do you do with a history degree?’”

Brunswick native Rev. Abra Lattany-Reed loves the life she leads. Since 2008, following in the footsteps of her grandfather, Rev. Abraham Wilson, a Baptist preacher, Abra is a Bi-vocation United Methodist Pastor at Harper Chapel UMC in Baxley, GA. She and her husband, Barry Reed, are parents to four adult daughters and six grandchildren. This dedicated servant leader stays energized by helping others discover God’s grace daily.
What was your life like growing up in Brunswick?

I grew up with supportive parents, seven siblings, and lived in a neighborhood that cared for one another. My summers were spent attending the neighborhood vacation bible schools and participating in community talent shows. I love music, and I love to dance. I’m a Glynn Academy Class of 1979 graduate, voted most talented and the Homecoming Queen for my senior class. Playing in the marching band and serving as Drum Major was the highlight of my youth; it helped me to be creative and appreciate the life which has unfolded for me.

For Brunswick resident Jennifer Rothe play isn’t just important for physical health.
“Being active creates endorphins, which produces a natural high and releases stress and anxiety,” she said. “The body, mind connection is so strong. Physical activity can help reduce depression symptoms.”

Although she had been active growing up as a runner and dancer, exercise took on a much greater importance for her in 2007. “Going to the gym was my outlet to relieve stress when my husband Kirt was deployed to Afghanistan,” said Jennifer, who was left behind to care for the couple’s young children. “It was a scary time. Going to the gym was definitely my solstice.”

Emily Ellison is a self-confessed workaholic, who admits she needs to spend more time participating in her favorite pastimes, nearly all of which are outdoors: gardening, hiking, biking, golfing, and kayaking. Happiest on long walks through forests and countrysides, Emily is a perfect fit with her job title: St. Simons Land Trust Development and Communications Director.

Emily, what is your life’s motto?
Make each corner of the world a little better than the way you found it. It’s something my parents did unconsciously. They transformed landscapes, planted gardens, rescued old houses, and improved communities. As a family we camped and hiked along stony creeks, loved the smell of earth and forest. It’s in my blood. If through my role at the Land Trust I can help in some small way to protect this island, I’m fulfilled.