Tina Toomer of Bluffton rises every morning at dawn, connects with the Lord through the Bible and prayer and lets God take the oars. Tina knows only too well that by placing her family, her marriage, and their family business in God’s hands, she must go with the flow.

To go with the flow is a metaphor that applies to navigating a river—to follow the current of the river rather than push against it. However, it doesn’t mean that one tosses the oars into the water to kick back in the boat, hoping for the best.

Sandra Boyd is now the matriarch of her family on Saint Helena Island. But she remembers very well growing up in New Rochelle, New York, and travelling by Greyhound bus or car twice a year to visit her grandparents, aunts, uncles. and cousins. She loved coming South, but back then, it had “interesting moments,” as she puts it.

Segregation was widespread in most states, particularly in the South. Blacks were not welcome to stay at motels, eat at restaurants, use water fountains or bathrooms. But there were “safe places” along the way, and Sandra shared that “South of the Border” in Dillon, SC, was one of those. Even then, her family always took baskets of their own food and drinks along for the long ride.

Mother and daughter duo Ann Shelp and Danielle Shelp Streitenberger are grateful to have a close relationship and shared interests. They both love to read, go to the beach, and seek adventure. They even look alike, although Danielle is 30 years younger than her mother: “Mom’s favorite compliment is when we’re asked if we are sisters.”

Throughout their lives, they feel the stars have consistently aligned suggesting their relationship is blessed by pure serendipity. Some interesting and fun examples of this include:

Michelle Allen arrived in the Lowcountry in August 1990. Born and raised in Durban, South Africa, Michelle left her homeland just one year out of high school. With an adventurous spirit, she set out for Paris to embark on the next phase of her life. She was soon reminded of the language barrier and needed to pivot. Michelle had just enough money to buy a ticket to the U.S. but never intended to move here. She began working in a restaurant, married, and in 1999, her daughter, Megan, was born.

Kathy Straughn grew up in a small town in Alabama where she learned about helping those in need and building a caring community. Her mother died when she was very young, so Kathy lived five years with her loving grandmother, Martha Paramore, an incredible woman who owned a dry goods store. Well-known as always being the first person to respond to anyone in need, she was a giving person, an angel on earth,” Kathy said. “She never asked for anything but helped everyone.” It only makes sense that Kathy was deeply impacted by her grandmother’s generous spirit and has emulated it throughout her life.

Ifetayo White is a lively 81-year-old phenomenon with a couple of cats, a tortoise, two daughters, and two grandchildren. She is a Reiki instructor and healer with a peaceful studio in her beautiful home on St. Helena Island. I was honored to get to visit with her in person, after a Zoom call earlier with her two daughters.

Ifetayo’s home is at the end of Coffin Point Road, which is down a couple of winding dirt roads, past a homemade sign of a hand with fingers pointing three different ways at the intersection of three more dirt roads. It’s a serene, quiet community, and just a short walk to the beach, passing homes with gardens, chickens, and horses.

Cheryl Crosby Phillips believes animals find their way to the people who “need” them, just as much as the animals need these people. Tucked beneath the sweeping oaks of Bluffton, on the same land her grandparents once owned and lovingly passed down, Cheryl has built more than a home—she’s created a sanctuary.

What began as a deep love for horses has quietly grown into a nonprofit rescue, Grace Farm Too, the second location of Grace Farms, that now shelters a lively, unlikely family: 15 horses including 3 miniature horses, chickens, goats, sheep, a rabbit, cats, and even Duke—the farm’s famously wire-hairy pig with the ability to sit on command for a taste of a delicious apple. Robin Boeke, her partner at the rescue lives in Islandton and runs Grace Farm in that location.

You are the president of the Hilton Head Island Land Trust,
tell us about the organization.
The land trust was organized in 1987 with a mission to preserve and protect the natural habitat and significant historical parcels of land on Hilton Head Island for future generations to come. We own or have conservation easements on more than 300 acres of land on Hilton Head.

The HHI Land Trust started the live “eagle cam” of the famous eagle duo, Harriet and Mitch and now, George and Gracie. How did that come about, and what was your role and vision? The opportunity for our first “eagle cam” was brought to us by local Russell Patterson. The idea was to share and educate viewers worldwide about bald eagles, Hilton Head Island, and the importance of how conserving and protecting natural habitats align with the Land Trust mission.

Christy Richard grew up on Hilton Head Island and attended K-12 public schools there. That was back in the ‘80s when parents would send children outside to play. It was also before kids had cellphones glued to their hands and were too distracted to go outdoors. She said, “I loved the outdoors and meeting the characters of the Lowcountry. Being outside was the best time and gave me my love of nature. Kids need to connect to nature and spend more time outdoors.”

Christy’s uncle survived an alligator attack in Sea Pines back in 2004. He had a landscape business and wore a spray pack on his back as he approached a lagoon. Christy said, “A 12-foot gator named Bruno grabbed his leg and, fortunately, let go. My uncle had some pretty cool scars. I learned everything I could about these crazy dinosaurs for my own protection. My uncle was very proud he survived, and his license plate read ‘Gator Bait.’”

Carol Hyde, or “Dr. Hyde” as she was known for most of her life, is an accomplished musician who truly deserves the best piano in the world.

Growing up in the Midwest, her parents, who were “good Catholics”, had eleven children altogether. Carol was number three, and they ordered her first musical instrument, a flute, from the JC Penney catalog. From this tiny seed her parents nourished, she went on to an illustrious career in music lasting several decades. Earning a doctorate in Music Education and a second doctorate in Piano Performance from the University of Illinois in Champaign, Carol spread the joy of music in her career as a band director in an award-winning high school in St. Louis, Missouri, taking her student musicians to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and Rose Bowl Parade several times.

Tiger Bye is a force and fan of nature. Growing up in the Sunshine State, Tiger (her given name) was born to encouraging parents who were both yogis. At a young age, Tiger was practicing yoga while spending time with her parents during their classes.

Tiger and her mother later moved to Brookline, Massachusetts, where Tiger fell in love with the Boston suburb’s studious atmosphere. There, she developed a self-proclaimed “unquenchable thirst for knowledge.” She always wanted to live in New York City and enrolled in and graduated from NYU with a BA in political theory. “It was a great place to figure out who I was and what I wanted,” recalled Tiger. “My 18-year-old brain felt all things were possible in New York.”

Life has a way of guiding people toward their calling, even if it’s not their career. What do you feel you have been called to do?
I have been called to help people become and stay active in all stages of life.

Every year, instead of making a New Year’s Resolution, you pick something to accomplish. Tell us about some of the things you have chosen and if they have stuck. What is your goal this year?
I’m 55 years old, so this list might be too long! I competed in a  sprint triathlon, got back into hunter/ jumper horseback riding, learned to surf, joined the Masters swim team, competed in a century cycling event, became a triathlon coach, learned shag dancing, got certified in dry needling, started Jiu Jitsu (I’m now a purple belt), got certified in scuba diving, got my concealed carry permit, started Swim HHI, swam an 8-mile ocean race, and competed in an Ironman distance triathlon. Last year, I learned how to be a military mom, and one year I started a support group for mothers who have Type 1 Diabetic children. This year I’m taking up beekeeping. I enjoy and continue the activities that involve family and friends. 

Erin Witt Fleifel is a strong young woman. She is a certified Pilates Master Trainer, who, after extensive training in California and Miami, has become both physically and mentally strong. But she is equally strong inside, and aside from the physical alignment she teaches others, she works just as hard to stay spiritually aligned with who she really is.

On Highway 21 coming into Beaufort from Charleston, you will see a large billboard with a beautiful picture of Erin from a few years ago, advertising C. T. Lowndes and Company, recognized as the state’s oldest insurance company, founded in 1850. Erin was a successful agent with this prestigious firm for about ten years, but she had dreams of working for herself in a totally different direction. In October of 2024, she took the leap and opened her own Pilates studio.

Like most of us, Anne Poirier grew up in a home with a scale in the bathroom. She recalls that bathroom was where her parents weighed themselves religiously every day.

As a child, Anne was taught that food was both a punishment and a reward. Both she and her brother were adopted, and she didn’t resemble anyone in her family. The difference boiled down to a few words: stocky, sturdy, husky, and her brother’s nickname for her—“Annie Fanny”. Anne’s clothes were always purchased in the husky section at Sears.

Nancy and Darrel Quinn, owners of Quinn’s Diamond Jewelers, were married on June 7, 1975—a date that marked the beginning of a love story that would become just as enduring as the diamonds they’ve spent a lifetime working with.

Nearly five decades later, their marriage is not only a romance—it’s also a partnership built on laughter, faith, resilience, shared purpose, and a deep belief in people. Together, they’ve created more than a business, they’ve built a legacy.

Columbia, SC, resident Catherine Herbkersman goes by Katie, which fits her personality, stature and spunk like a glove. She is a tiny tornado with a huge smile and a fun-loving heart. In her 92 years, she has made an indelible impact on people both far and wide. And like a tornado, Katie’s life has left a path that will be forever imprinted in the hearts of her family, friends, church, community and the world. This tiny tornado’s path is paved with faith, family, fun, and a whole lot of love.

Selina King-Daly was a 16-year-old teenager when she decided Gavan Daly would become her husband. Young love is often infatuation, especially when you are star-struck by a musician, but Selina followed her heart. Gavan was playing in his family’s cover band, Daly Planet, when Selina fell in love. Selina told her mother she was going to marry Gavan, and naturally, her mother told her she was too young to decide that.

Selina joked that she began stalking Gavan. She went to the play “Nunsense” where Gavan was dressed as a priest playing music behind a screen. She and her best friend were band groupies, and both were actually “stalking” a band member. One day Gavan saw Selina dancing on the stage and said, “That’s the girl stalking me.”

The word on the street is “You need to talk to Melissa!”

Why? Well, read on and find out. First allow me to introduce her: Meet Melissa Sharbaugh, one of the most fun, put-together, kind, smart Chicagoans to recently move to Beaufort. In her two short years here, she has moved her business, Innovative Interiors, to South Carolina, procured her S.C. General Contractor’s License (which she has had in Illinois for well over 20 years), built a home, got married, made fabulous new friends, and fell head over heels in love with Beaufort.

Hollie Udvornocky graduated from high school at age 17 and moved to California to launch acareer in real estate. After giving birth to her son, she relocated to South Carolina to be near her family in the greater Hilton Head Island area. In her 30s, Hollie began experiencing a wide range of health problems that medical professionals were unable to identify or treat.

Plagued by stomach issues, eczema, struggles to regulate her blood sugar, falling asleep sitting up, and her hair falling out in clumps, Hollie felt awful and was terrified. “No one could figure it out,” she shared. “I thought I was going to die.”

Jennifer Brewer was born and raised in West Virginia, the oldest of three girls. She earned a degree in marketing from Marshall University in Huntington, WV, and her dream was to get to a big city as fast as she could. She worked at retail giants Gap and Victoria’s Secret and was living in New York City on 9/11. Finding herself unhappy and dissatisfied, she came to Hilton Head Island with a friend – with no job and no plan, but she loved being in the sun rather than the gloomy, dismal weather and aftermath of 9/11 in New York. From Hilton Head, she moved to Asheville, NC, where she discovered yoga at a non-profit organization. “I took a full weekend immersion workshop that changed my life,” Jennifer said.

You and your husband, Jim, have spent a lot of time supporting your children at their school events. Tell us how your lives became all about Friday Night Lights?
We loved sitting by the band at Bluffton High football games. Our son Michael played the baritone and spent a little time on the bass drum, too. There was just something about seeing his smile when he was in the band. We went to all the games and so many band competitions. When he was named Homecoming King in his senior year, I’ll never forget McKenzie jumping up and down with excitement. McKenzie spent a little time in the May River band playing trumpet but decided it wasn’t for her. We surely miss those days of Friday night games with the music, the crowds, and the time together.

In 1973, Charles Fraser hired Bob Masteller as the vice president of human resources at Sea Pines. This move would later change the complexion of music on Hilton Head Island.

Neither Bob nor his wife, Lois, had previously visited Hilton Head, and friends and family thought the couple were crazy to move to the tiny and mostly undeveloped island. Upon arrival, Lois needed pillowcases and sought directions to the downtown area. She was directed to Coligny, where one drug store and a grocery store were located. Devoid of pillowcases, the Mastellers soon began making the monthly trek to Savannah for supplies.

Laura Morgan is effervescent, bubbly, and inspiring. This Southern girl’s laughter is contagious, and fun should be her middle name. Laura worked in city planning to revitalize and animate cities. She worked in Greenville, SC, for ten years and said, “Look at Greenville now. There was economic development, and we put heads in beds.”

Fifteen years ago, she used those skills to create Loco Motion, intending to get the Lowcountry in motion. But for what cause? She considered breast cancer, children, and animals. “If I chose animals, I’d end up with all the shelter animals in my backyard. With kids, I’d end up with the whole orphanage. So, boobs it was! We can even say ‘booby.’”

The young couple who came to meet me were right on time. Rachel McBride is the founder of “The Helianthus Project,” and along with her husband, they describe their organization as God’s Non-Profit and Advocacy, Latina (she’s from Texas) and Veteran (USMC) founded.

The word “Helianthus” is Greek for the sunflower plant. “The Helianthus, aka the sunflower, represents Truth, Strength, and Light. It’s unique in that it can grow and blossom in the face of the harshest environments. Regardless of where the seed has been cast, the Helianthus rises from the dirt, its face always towards the sun. In the moments it cannot find the sun, it looks to its neighbor, both of them providing light for each other until they can find the sun again.”

At the age of 17, Carly Anthony has quite a success story to tell.

Like many students her age, this Heritage Academy Senior leads an active lifestyle and loves the beach. Carly has played tennis since age 6 and plays competitively. And among her many admirable qualities is her passion for and great success in raising large sums of money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital located in Memphis, Tennessee.

Cappy, you are a Hilton Head legend, and you’ve built a life clowning around. Tell us what you love most about being a clown.
Imagine the joy when a wheelchair-bound child twists (with a little help) a balloon. A child battling serious illness laughs for a few minutes. A kid with autism learns a magic trick. A teen who lacks confidence learns how to paint. Teaching and inspiring confidence in kids is what makes my heart happy.

You have built a BBQ Empire in a stereotypical male dominated field; how have you managed to be successful?
Staying focused on daily success in this business is imperative. For me it includes consistency in the quality of my food, in my management style, and in being locked into my vision for One Hot Mama’s both now and in the future.

Has becoming a chef been a lifelong dream?
Have you had a mentor through it all?
It was my goal to open my own restaurant by the time I was 30 years old. Steve Carb, the OG of Hilton Head Restaurants and SERG Group, believed in me, and gave me the opportunity to shine and learn how to be a great restaurateur.

Pink readers, you know we love inspirational stories, and Carol Lynn Vrana’s is perhaps the most dramatic one you will ever read here. In a nutshell, she was walking across the street to open her brand-new business, when a commercial TRUCK HIT HER!
This story sounds so unbelievable. It sounds like a Hallmark movie, or a soap opera, or AI—completely made up. And yes, it will INSPIRE you! But first, the back story on Carol Lynn, the starring character.

Carol Lynn Vrana has always been a mover and a shaker. After a successful corporate career as a Home Healthcare and Hospice executive, she and her husband were faced with empty nest syndrome when their only child, Adam, graduated. Her husband, Marek, is a successful contractor, and while they enjoyed living in upstate South Carolina, they always loved visiting Beaufort. And Carol Lynn had an idea, a dream, a plan cooking…

Trinita Franklin has been cooking since she was in third grade. Both parents worked; her mother was a teacher and a nanny, and her father was an electrical engineer. Trinita had four siblings, and she was responsible for preparing their meals, and in doing so, a seed was planted that blossomed into a love of cooking.

Trinita hails from Birmingham, Alabama, and moved to Hilton Head at the end of the summer. She had worked her way up from kitchen supervisor to assistant sous chef at the The Westin Birmingham. The chef at The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort and Spa contacted Trinita because he had seen her work and hired her as a pastry chef.

Tabitha Arsenault is happy to call Bluffton home. This hometown girl and her family moved from South Jersey to Bluffton when she was 15 years old. “Watching the island grow and change over the years has been incredible,” said Tabitha. “Some things have stayed the same, like the close-knit community, while others have evolved with development and growth.”

Tabitha is one of four siblings: sister Janice, and brothers Nick and Jimmy. Tabitha’s family has always remained close, and she got Nick his job at the same company where she currently works. Jimmy, just 22 months younger than Tabitha, used to work with his big sister at Red Fish Restaurant in Hilton Head. “Red Fish is the only restaurant I ever worked at, and it has shaped my life,” mused Tabitha. “I became more knowledgeable about food and wine, and it gave me exquisite and expensive taste when dining out.”