Elizabeth Klosterman, a native of Charleston, moved to Beaufort seven years ago, returning to the place where some or her relatives were originally planters before relocating to Charleston.

For Janna Jones Kersh, the birth of Avery, last summer, was one of those epic moments that will stay with you for a lifetime. “It happened so fast,” Janna recalled. “When she was finally out, I took a long, deep breath and just enjoyed the moment.”

The story spread as fast as kudzu’s invasion into the Southeast. From the salons to the saloons, and places in between, locals were talking about Amanda Russ, the owner of Pomodori Italian Eatery on Hilton Head Island, who jumped into a lagoon and wrestled the dog she’s been caring for this past year from the jaws of an alligator. 

Mary Tatum is an outstanding example of a person who inspires others and makes a difference. When her friends or family are struggling with problems, she not only encourages them, she also tries to comfort them by sending her favorite message of hope from the Bible, quoting Isaiah 41:10: “Fear not, I am with you; do not look around you in terror, and do not lose courage for fear of what may happen, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you.”

A strikingly beautiful young woman walked alone into the lobby of the Sonesta Resort on Hilton Head Island.  She may or may not have noticed heads turning—it’s simply a fact of her life. She carried a curious looking tortoise shell box with a handle—neither a purse nor a briefcase. Later she explained, “It’s the carrying case for my crown and I’m officially required to take it wherever I go. I knew if I came down the elevator from my room and walked into the lobby actually wearing my crown, I’d never get to our interview because people would’ve continually asked to take their pictures with me.”

When Jessica and her husband Creg went to the 20-week ultrasound of their first child, they could have never expected the news they would receive and the amazing journey that laid ahead. “At 20 weeks we learned that [Payton] had stopped growing,” began Jessica. “The diagnosis was absent end diastolic flow and basically she was not getting enough nutrients. We knew then she was going to be a preemie.”

Beth Whiteford has a history—as a volunteer, that is. As a longtime volunteer in her home state of Massachusetts, it was important to her to find some way to help in her new community. Three years ago she saw a request for volunteers for Operation Safe Harbour, called their office and went in. It was a good fit and she has been there ever since.

June begins hurricane season. Already, there’s a force of nature swirling across the Lowcountry stirring things up.  Her name is Myla Lerner. If you’ve entered her force field, you’ll never forget it.

As assistant professor of literacy at the University of South Carolina, Beaufort, and a pivotal player in the United Way’s Early Grade Reading Program, Renarta Thompkins, Ph.D. is blazing an educational trail in our community and the “Corridor of Shame.”

Most people experience adversity in their lives, but some get a much larger dose than others.  Angel Flewelling was born to a Philippino mom and an American dad, who was stationed in the Philippines in the Navy. She was nine months old when her father was transferred to duty in California. The story of Angel’s early life is heartbreaking. She and her siblings suffered years of physical and emotional abuse. Although her mother could sometimes be extremely kind, she was prone to frequent outbursts of rage. Angel never felt safe.

Hope Haven of the Lowcountry is a nationally accredited not-for-profit Children’s Advocacy and Rape Crisis Center located in Beaufort South, Carolina and serving residents county-wide. Their mission is: “ to provide comprehensive services that lead to healing for child victims of abuse and adult victims of rape, sexual assault, and incest. We also strive to increase the community’s awareness of these issues through education and outreach.”

There’s an aura of self-confidence in Donna Klein that quickly comes across in conversation. She approaches topics in businesslike fashion, like she’s been around a meeting room table a few thousand times. Donna is comfortable talking about her accomplishments. Things that didn’t work out as planned are also open for discussion.

Success is often synonymous with fame, wealth and status and defined by an individual’s accumulation of money and material possessions. Let me introduce you to one of the most successful women I have ever met. Her story redefines the meaning of success.

Angela Maness arrived at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C., in April 1987 as a 24-year old recruit. Last November, after 28 years, she came full circle, returning as the top enlisted Marine, the sergeant major of the base.

One never knows exactly what spark will set our life on fire. As a teacher, Claire Sullivan lived all over the world and barely grasped a breath before another idea was in motion. Her thirst for knowledge and sharing it goes back to her childhood. “I grew up in Brooklyn, New York during difficult times. Mom was a homemaker, and my father was a self-made man. We were filled with curiosity about the world and greatly valued our Jewish heritage and its history and traditions.” Hilton Head was fortunate to capture Claire in 1992. She astutely observed Hilton Head’s educational system and was prompted to found the International Academy, now Heritage Academy. This school of excellence focuses on combining education, athletics and performing arts for international and local students. It thrives today having expanded from its original 17 students to more than 130.

On a bleak afternoon in February, as I searched the lunchtime crowd at Panera, a young woman  cheerfully said, “I think you’re looking for me.” I turned and had the weird sensation that the restaurant lights had gotten brighter.  There was a heightened TGIF energy in the atmosphere, but no one was more effervescent or radiant than Anna Ashdown.

Stars on her sweater and on her ears, but nothing compares to the star she is! A Renaissance gal and New England Patriots Fan of the Year, Karen Hourigan, met me and my golden retriever, Sassie, in her front yard. Immediately electrified, we entered her warm cozy home for three charged hours of fascinating facts about Karen’s star-studded life. Busying herself providing magazines, newspaper clippings and a barrage of New England Patriot photos, the Rhode Island native never sat down the first hour we talked. The mother of four and grandmother of 10, Karen bounced from table to huge memorabilia box, her famous sparkly red, white and blue hat struggling to maintain its spot on her perky, snow white head. Breathlessly, she related her thrilling journey to the title of  “Flag Lady” and winner of New England Patriot’s Fan of the Year award. “It all started with this sweater,” she said as she pointed to the stars. “I retrieved it from a pile of sweaters and thought it was a bit crazy, but it appealed to my patriotism. For fun, I bought it and wore it to the next Pats' game. Subsequently, someone gave me this (laughing, she tipped her glittering hat). People started noticing my patriotic game attire, including Patriots’ owner, Bob Kraft. I hoped it encouraged our team. Once, when he stopped by our seats, he told me he liked my outfit and it would be our good luck outfit!”

Aija Silina takes a different approach when chronicling her life.  While most of us typically mark time through major events—marriage, parenthood, relocating—Aija chooses to describe her journey through her “reinventions.” And the Hilton Head resident has become a maestro in the art of changing.

Meet Anna Schaffer, actress, dynamo and community servant. Anna grew up in Fuquay-Verina, a tiny tobacco-farming town in North Carolina. She is the only child of parents who have always supported her in following her dreams. Anna started piano lessons at age 5, performed her first solo at church at age 7, and was on stage playing character roles by age 9. Throughout high school, she studied and performed with the North Carolina Theatre Conservatory Production Company. Upon graduation in 2007, Anna headed off to Elon University to study performance. Midway through her sophomore year, she felt her creativity becoming more and more stifled as a result of the translation of her performances into grades by the professors. “There was no longer a personal connection. I wasn’t in love with the process,” she said. After some long and hard considerations, she left the department and switched majors to history and political science. She didn’t look at a piece of music for the next couple years. It would be another two years before she would be interested in performing again. Anna contemplated this hiatus and realized it was actually a gift.

When I met Ashley Hamlin, I was aware she won an award at a science fair. I knew she was good at math and science. Immediately, I was impressed with her calm and candid manner and pleased when her smile revealed dimples and a reserved humor. As a high school junior, she seemed atypical only in her lack of self-consciousness and the giggly giddiness common to teenage girls. She wore dark fingernail polish, cool rings and mentioned her boyfriend Andrew.

Little things mean a lot. For instance, how can something as small as a dollar bill and a gently used book change hundreds of lives? Read on to find out!

Magical and enchanting, gardens provide many exciting hours of pleasure. Whether it’s of our own creation or the enjoyment of others’ gardens, for those of us who love flowers, they enhance our lives and give us many seasons of memorable delights. Especially in springtime, gardens have a way of drawing people from their homes teaching them the wonders of nature and enriching their spirits.

Helen Price is on a mission to make a difference. “Our mission statement says it all: To enthusiastically educate our kids to learn about the value of clean water, while building scholarships for high school seniors entering into the field of environmental sciences,” said Helen, who is the founder of Watercookies. Watercookies is a relatively new charitable organization with a solid goal for the future. Read on to find out how this organization plans on flourishing.

Tall, slim 20-year-old Lake Charles, La., native Serina Benoit has energy and a smile that lights up a room.  
Now stationed at the Beaufort Marine Corps Air Station, she had other options in life. Instead, she chose the road less traveled, followed her childhood dream and became a U.S. Marine.

I met someone. Someone really impressive. It’s especially noteworthy because although the vast majority of those I meet have something interesting to say, at times, I need to squeeze them pretty hard to get to the flavor within.  Artist and Yogi Cindy Male simply radiates intense, vibrant flavor.

When Janaria Canada talks about cooking she lights up. She is articulate and matter of fact as only a creative and natural-born culinary expert can be.  Creating sauces, combining flavors, adding the right “something” for a unique taste—these things come so easily, she seems unaware of her gift and talent.  She explains, “I get my inspiration from thinking, ‘Oh that would make a pretty plate.’”  For a recent recipe she made her own sweet and sour sauce (a rich orange color). She used this as the base layer for seared scallops, topped with her own pesto sauce (an earthy green) and garnished with the zest of fresh lemon (bright yellow.)  She says, “I like the food to look elegant. “  And then with animated authority she bursts, “Presentation is everything.”

If you ask Betty Melkon how many careers she has had, she—like a true Southern woman—will grin and begin her story with “Well…” All told, she’s been a teaching administrator, a lobbyist and meeting planner for superintendents and principals, worked in securities, banking and real estate, owned a business called At Your Service, and is now a certified health coach and yoga instructor. Her across-the-board resume has nothing to do with her being flighty or lacking vision. In fact, Betty might be one of the clearest headed people you will ever meet. Her career path speaks well to anyone who knows the value of making ends meet, and bespeaks her resiliency to pursue her ultimate passion: helping people see food as medicine.

“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

Joan Davis tells me I’ll know her by the golf clothes and distinct knee socks she’ll be wearing. She’s sitting at a table outside of Starbuck’s in Pineland Mall; I recognize her instantly. (Later she will ask me if I think she looks like Shirley MacLaine. She really does.) I compliment her quirky wild socks before going in to get coffee. The barista says, “Oh you’re interviewing Joan today, right?” I ask if she knows her. “Only for 15 minutes, but we’re good friends already. Don’t you love those crazy socks she sells!”

Dr. Rick and Joni Vanderslice met on a blind date on Hilton Head Island in 1996. Their instant attraction led to marriage just a year later. Rick is the founder of the Urology Group on Hilton Head Island and Joni is the president and founder of J Banks Design group. They have two beautiful and accomplished daughters, Sarah, 16, and Grace, 14. They are a devoted family and support each other in everything they do. Their passion is to make a difference in the world.