Melinda Peterlin never had any doubts about what she wanted to be when she grew up. “I knew at 7-years-old,” said the pediatrician, who joined Southeast Georgia Physician Associates, St. Simons Pediatrics four years ago. “I knew I wanted to help kids. I have no idea what I would do if I didn’t do this. It was not really a choice for me,” she added, laughing.

After completing her training, Melinda practiced medicine in several locations, including two years near Heidelberg, Germany, and a memorable stint in northern Wisconsin. “We were in an area further north than parts of Canada; I couldn’t handle the weather. I worked in an underserved area, so it was a great experience, but the weather was crushing,” she said, laughing again. “I was not cut out for that!” 

Lunch Ladies Rock! Some of the fondest childhood memories people often share are of school days “Cafeteria Ladies.” Do these stories still ring true?
Yes, we hear it all. Everyone has their favorite “Cafeteria Lady” from some part of their childhood. My favorite is Ms. Grant from Glynn Academy High School. Her cakes were awesome. Her peanut butter cake was my favorite. It makes me smile and warms my heart when a student who has moved on from my school comes back to tell me hello and still recognizes me.

How big a task is it to feed 650-700 elementary students lunch everyday?
It’s a huge task! We serve 38 classes of students all with varying tastes each day. We offer three to four daily entrée choices, such as pepperoni pinwheel pizzas, hot dogs, chef salads and PBJs. And then there are two choices of veggies and desserts. Students choose from our menu lists each morning. Then, teachers email me their choices. I tally them up, so we know how much of each item to prepare. Then our work begins. 

When Kylie Dallas was in kindergarten, her teacher realized there was something special about the smiling, outgoing child.

“Her kindergarten teacher recognized she was gifted and had her tested,” said Brandie, her mom. “She’s been in the gifted program ever since.” Kylie recently completed eighth grade at Jane Macon with two high school credits—algebra and physical science—already under her belt. But school is hardly the only place where the straight-A student excels.

How did you all begin this extraordinary community band?
It started about three years ago when Sue bought a ukulele and talked Cathy and Ron into joining her to jam along with ukulele YouTube videos. It was a lot of fun. Cathy, who had never played a musical instrument in her life, was starting to get good at it. Soon, many of our friends were curious about the instrument, and slowly over the course of time, they decided to join the group and learn to play. We finally got up enough courage to go public and started performing for community groups, churches and assisted living facilities. We became relatively successful in our musical circuit but realized it was probably because we played for free, which is part of our mission: To learn to play a simple instrument, have fun and provide free community entertainment. We now have more than 60 members in our group.

Michael & Gail Cronan
Live: St. Simons Island     
From: Byron and Elko, Ga.

It’s clear you two have an unbreakable bond—how did you meet?
Gail: We’ve been married over 51 years. We met a long time ago on a blind date in Macon, Georgia, set up by my brother-in-law, Charlie. The guys worked together at Kroger when Michael didn’t even have a vehicle. When I first looked at him, I felt that he could be the one, and Michael said he felt the same way. We dated on and off for eight months and then we got married. So, we really did know!

Local cosmetologist, actress, golfer, and competitive poker player Joy Pozek feels she could talk for hours about her wonderful life, but this wasn’t always the case.

“I married very young, and all I did was work and take care of the house and the children (daughter Amber and son Matt). It was all my husband would ‘allow’ me to do,” Joy said. “I was in a very suppressive relationship. When I got to my 40s, I said ‘I can’t do this anymore,’ so I changed things.”

I love living in Darien and McIntosh County because... I like its people, the weather is warm and welcoming. I am amazed at the marshes, rivers, and mossy oak trees spreading romantically throughout the county, confirming our environmental treasure. There are historical, scenic, natural, and recreational areas for bird watching, fishing, crabbing, boating, kayaking and biking. Here, I can eat at the best fresh seafood restaurants. If I desire, I can take a ferry to Sapelo Island for a tour or picnic at one of their beautiful natural beaches. The picturesque scene of shrimp boats on Darien’s charming waterfront is also an enjoyable place to listen to the Darien and McIntosh Shouters. On a critter note, McIntosh squirrels are intelligent! I think they go to school because they peep into windows to see if you are looking before they proudly steal your nuts.

Meredith Millen Deal believes the world would be a better place if more people sat down together and got to know each other over cups of coffee. Or tea. Or, well, insert your favorite beverage here. That’s why Paisley’s regional director for all 10 years of the magazine’s existence often meets prospective advertisers at local coffee shops.

“I meet everyone over coffee. My approach to sales is that if you would be kind enough to meet me in person and share coffee, I can learn more about you and what you need from your advertising. Meeting someone face to face makes for good marketing partnerships,” said Meredith, whose favorite meeting spots are Wake Up Coffee (“both locations”), Palm Coast Coffee or other local coffee shops. “I will work with people over the internet and email, but the best way is over a cup of coffee. I can also explain what Paisley is all about.”

Describe this phase of life you two are enjoying now as mother and daughter, and your new upcoming roles:
Becky: I’ve always stressed family values and goals, while teaching Tora accepted norms and values of society. When Tora was younger, I would try and guide her to make the best decisions she could. (She didn’t always listen) Now, when she asks me for advice, I try to give her options. With a baby coming soon, I hope I can give her advice and support, but, that’s not to say she’ll take it.
Tora: When daughters become mothers and mothers become grandmothers, they say the relationship changes drastically. They say mothers don’t see their babies as babies anymore! In my case, I don’t see myself seeing my mother as a grandmother. I’m still going to be her baby, and she is still going to be my rock, my support and of course, my best friend.

Retired college professor Dr. Rebecca Yeomans’ home-base may now be a tidy coastal cottage near historic Fort King George in Darien, but from the kayaks outside, to the artifacts, photos and collection of well-worn passports inside, it’s apparent she is a citizen of the world. Her global travels began shortly after she graduated from college.

“I was inspired by President Kennedy to join the Peace Corps,” said Rebecca, who developed her love for animals and nature growing up on a farm outside of Jesup, GA. “I graduated from college in June, and in July, I was on a plane for my Peace Corps training in Hawaii.”

When did you know music was important to you? I come from generations of Bluegrass pickers and mandolin players. Also, my dad played blues guitar for his personal enjoyment. My Mom often would sing while dad played. Those were some sweet memories. At 6 years old, I wanted nothing more than to sing and perform. Nothing has changed; this desire which is still very real for me.
To me, music is like…a well-spring of water. If I can’t get to it, I dehydrate.

Tell us about The Blue Door and its roots: Unlike a bar, The Blue Door is a listening venue, where each artist can perform to a captive audience. The Blue Door started out as a rehearsal space I share with Enzo Centofanti (as well as creative design space, which it still is). After two years, we were drawn into creating a listening venue from the days of yore. I missed venues where I could go and feel I was somewhere special—to listen to an artist, or band, without having to hear the “conversations of the day” from the next table. When you can perform rather than play, it’s a whole new take on deliverance. Artists then connect with audiences on a totally different level. You can’t help but feel something special.

As a family involvement specialist with Glynn County Schools, Marihelen Newman works closely with families and school staff to ensure parents have the tools and information they need to be actively engaged in their children’s education at the 13 Title I Schools she covers. She believes her faith in God, her upbringing and life experiences led her to such a unique job.

“It’s a wonder I am even here. My mother was born during the 1918 flu pandemic and survived. Some 25 years later, my father was severely injured at Omaha Beach on D-Day. It’s a miracle either survived.”

When Jennifer Moore wanted to find a practical solution for a problem she encountered, she had no idea it would lead to her one and only invention and a full-time job.

“My invention came from my own personal experience. I have low blood sugar, so I always have a high protein snack with me,” Jennifer said. That snack is frequently Greek yogurt, and Jennifer wanted a way to keep her yogurt cold without packing a lunch every day. “I wanted to be able to carry it in my purse or briefcase.” And for the yogurt container to be non-bulky and collapsible. That ruled out hard plastic. She started working on her first prototype.

What makes you run—literally?
Mostly, I run because I like to eat. I was determined to be in better shape at age 60 than at age 40, so at 59, I started walking-running at intervals. Now I’m hooked. I run-walk our neighborhood streets, around and around when I’m training for a marathon.  I love the camaraderie of running friends, as when my sister and I ran Disney’s Dopey Challenge 5k together. And food, always food.

How did you become a writer and editor?
I have a nonscientific background. When I grew up, women were teachers, nurses, secretaries, and housewives, so I was going to be a secretary. That led into editing, and the American Physics Association was looking for an editor. I know nouns and verbs, and not much physics but somehow it has worked. I’ve worked with one of my current clients for almost 20 years now as a freelancer.

It was March 2017 when 61-year-old Cindy Foster received the phone call. A friend of a friend was putting a girlfriends’ trip together. As soon as Cindy was asked to be included, she said yes without hesitation. After all, she had 11-months to process, prepare and pine.

The destination: Africa, but not just regular stay-in-a-hotel-and-go-on-safari Africa. And, not a mission trip either. This was a trip for a group of women, who are normally more the Ritz crowd, to climb to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, the absolute highest point in Africa at 19,341 feet above sea level and the world’s highest, free-standing mountain.

Steve, what was your first impression of Eveyln? My sister and brother asked me to go bowling, and invited Evelyn, just because my sister hadn’t seen her in a few months. She was just so easy to talk to— non-assuming, no makeup, and wearing jeans, and had the prettiest smile. We met and after she ate all my fries that evening, I asked her to have lunch the next day—it was like we had known each other for years, even though it was only a week. It wasn’t love at first sight, and she didn’t really want to date me, because she was guarded, too. But one evening we were talking and she said, “ I think I love you”, and I replied, “I know I love you!”

After more than a decade of helping troubled families, Angel Tatum continues to love her work, despite the long hours and sometimes heart-breaking circumstances.

“I know what I do is impactful,” said Angel, who is currently a family specialist at Thornwell in Camden County, a nonprofit organization providing residential, family and educational support programs, as well as a foster care. Before transitioning to that position less than a year ago, she was the director of foster care at Morningstar Family and Children Services in Brunswick. “I may be tired, but when I interact with families and children, it gives me energy. Advocacy is very important for the families we work with for them to be restored.”

Professional horse trainer, aircraft mechanic, first mate, business owner, realtor, artist, yoga teacher and pilot—those are just some of the hats St. Simons resident Annie Harper has worn. “My mother loved everything I did. That’s why I’m so weird,” she said, with a laugh. “I’m serious!”

She currently splits her time between serving as pilot for the local Civil Air Patrol’s Sundown Patrol; first mate on the 71-foot restored yacht, the Cloister Belle; a realtor with Don Wright & Associates; and yoga instructor at Balance Wellness Studio.

Catina Tindall
President, First Coast Benefits Solutions, Inc
President Elect, Rotary Club of Brunswick
Board Member, Hospice of the Golden Isles

What does the phrase “The Sky’s the Limit” mean to you?
Opportunity is never limited.

What do you love most about your career and community volunteer work?
As an insurance broker, providing a client with a sense of relief and understanding is my ultimate goal. When someone ends a conversation and feels well informed, that gives me a personal sense of satisfaction, even if the news is not what they wanted to hear. Working with our clients to find solutions to what may be viewed as impossible situations is the most rewarding part of my job.  
Volunteering allows me to work with people and on projects I would never otherwise have access to. Volunteering gives more to me than I could ever give to it.

Everyone knows Tina Tyus-Shaw. She’s been the main news anchor on WSAV in Savannah for more than 20 years. As expected with that kind of longevity, she’s seen quite a few co-anchors come and go in the hot seat beside her, but she’s managed to keep her seat warm, which matches her heart perfectly.

Raised in Griffin, Georgia, Tina is the oldest of 12 children, a position she doesn’t take lightly. “It taught me to be a leader and be strong and how to love more. I adore them all,” she said, giving her parents credit for the close family bond that glues this large, blended family together. “My parents are genuinely good people.”

“There is a Hebrew word, ‘mitzvah,’ which means a good experience or a good deed. We named our dog Mitzi, short for Mitzvah, because she has been such a wonderful experience for us.” —Ray Mintz