It was a crisp fall day in Kansas City when third grader Debi West, dressed in a white Bee Gee’s inspired pantsuit, was introduced to art class. It’s no wonder this memory burns so bright for the artist, teacher, mother and entrepreneur. It was the beginning of a lifelong pursuit of art.

“I was always creative. I would make my mark in the steam on the shower door, or take my finger and make my mark on the side of dusty cars, and then I would pick up crayons and make my mark all over my parents’ dining room wall,” she says, her laugh echoing over the phone. “I was that kid.” For Debi, her elementary art class, bright and early in the morning, changed everything. It was a chance to be celebrated for making her mark.

Thankfully, for her family’s sake, Debi has stopped making her mark on dining room walls. The mixed media artist teaches art to both young and old, writes for the Art of Education University, acts as a graduate assistant, designs and sells jewelry and is president and founder of WESTpectations, an educational consulting business that promotes the importance of art.

What is your biggest passion?
My biggest passion is singing

How does singing make a difference in your life?
If I am sad or feeling any type of emotion, singing helps me cope with it and puts me in a better mood.

When did you start singing, and at what point did you know it was more than just “singing in the shower?”
I have always sang, but I started singing with a coach and taking it more seriously almost 6 years ago. I’m 12 (years old) now.

Have you ever had stage fright?
I most definitely have! When I’m about to go on stage, I have immediate anxiety, and to help with that, I usually breathe. Then, when I’m next to go up on stage, I feel regret, like I don’t want to do it, but then as soon as I get up on stage and start singing, it’s like I’m star struck.

Against all odds is this month’s theme and Christine Mikouchi is a young lady who knows a lot about it. Her story shows us how intention, persistence and patience can overcome even the most difficult situations.

Adopted at  age five, Christine left everything behind: Her birth family; language; Japanese culture; even her name. With this exodus, she also escaped an existence of extreme abuse. Finding her world turned upside down, Christine faced a mountain of obstacles. The first, and one of the most difficult, was the expectation to bond with a new mother, who was one of the few foreigners (American) she had ever seen. Unable to trust, and suffering from severe Attachment Disorder, Christine persevered as her new mother and therapist patiently guided her through barriers and resistance common to the bonding process.

Dr. Hilary Drammis
Hometown: Phillipsburg, NJ
Clinical psychologist,
Mother of a handicapped child

Biggest Passion: My children

What did you want to be when you grew up?
I always wanted to get my Ph.D in clinical psychology and be a psychologist.
Where did you actually land in your career? I achieved my doctorate and had a private practice in Chicago until my son, Evan, was diagnosed as autistic. Then I quit my practice to focus on helping/treat him.

Tell us about your son Evan (pictured above):
My son is currently 28 years old, is profoundly deaf (has a cochlear implant) and is severely autistic (non-verbal).

Growing up should be the easiest time of your life. It’s a time when your imagination is allowed to run wild. It seems that the world’s problems bounce right off your sense of youth and innocence. For Imelda Golden, her adolescent elasticity could not protect her from the harmful and dangerous vices that grip some parts of the world.

Imelda was born in Yuma, Arizona, right outside Phoenix. “Living in the projects comes with baggage: Drug deals; thugs lurking; people getting mugged and daily shootings, but that was just a run-of-the-mill day for me,” Mel explained. In addition to the daily storm of danger, a period of homelessness and living in the family car was added to her family of five before they moved to South Carolina in 2006. How did they get through all of these hardships? Mel looked to her mom to be her rock. Mel’s mother made sure Mel and her siblings didn’t know they were living in poverty, or a bad situation. “I thought all kids lived this way,” Mel said.

When Pink Magazine publisher Elizabeth Millen first met George and Jean Lumley, they were reading the newspaper together on a bench in the entryway of Bayshore Retirement Community. Not a particularly unusual sight, but Elizabeth was struck by the genuine affection and contentment they radiated as they sat together on the bench. She stopped and introduced herself and soon learned that this couple, nicknamed ‘the lovebirds’ by Bayshore residents and staff, was a success story to be sure, but one with a slightly later start than Elizabeth had imagined.

George, now 94 and Jean, now 100, have been happily married for 23 years, meaning that they were in their 70s before they ‘took the leap’ as George charmingly puts it. Long time neighbors before fate stepped in, George and Jean’s story shows it’s never too late for second chances.

Having passion for your life’s calling is a tribute to yourself. Wellness advocate and clinical expert, Erin Risius lives her passion every day, helping others achieve the essential balance between a healthy body and mind.

Since 2017, Erin has served as Director of Behavioral Health for Hilton Head Health (H3), an internationally known residential health and wellness retreat center. Her work helps identify and improve her clients’ obstacles to wellness through the psychology of eating and exercise. “I get to experience how people transform their relationship to self-care,” she says. “I witness awakenings.”

Nicole Gardner
Founder of The G-Free Spot,
Coligny Plaza, HHI
Hometown: New Paltz, NY

General Passion:
Quality Results: No matter what it is I’m working on or involved in, I’m committed to achieving quality results and to always learn and grow from every experience.

What brought you to the Lowcountry?
Our family fell in love with the Lowcountry after our very first visit and decided a little over eight years ago to make the move. We love the outdoors, water sports and the sun; it was an immediate perfect fit for us and has been the most amazing journey, thus far.

From the time she was 15 years old, Jerri Barden knew she wanted to become a doctor. This seemed like an impossible dream, considering she was born in a charity hospital to a poor family. However, Jerri was blessed with bright, empowering women in her family and a healthy streak of determination. Her high school summer job as a nurse’s aide introduced her to the world of medicine and inspired her to become a physician. Despite naysayers, Jerri graduated from high school and enrolled at Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg, Virginia, as a pre-med major. Nothing was going to stop her from realizing her dream! She continued her studies at the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond, where no female had been accepted for the previous 25 years. Jerri was about to break through the “glass ceiling” for her first time. The second occurred when she was introduced to medical research while in medical school. Her mentor obtained a National Institutes of Health (NIH) research trainee grant for her, which revealed and illuminated the path to her future. Jerri became passionate about research, and her first scientific research paper was published in The Journal of Arthritis and Rheumatology.

The color pink means joy. It is known as the universal color of love, harmony, inner peace and compassion. To Donna Bafundo pink means all of this and so much more.

When retiring to Hilton Head Island 13 years ago, Donna found her passion in helping the elderly, especially those who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, dementia, or other memory issues. “I love older adults; I always have. I honestly feel that I am doing what I always wanted to do, but didn’t have the time earlier in life with my family duties and responsibilities. Retirement has made my dreams come true.”

The first career of Candace Blair was interesting enough. Twenty years as a high-powered finance executive on the trading floors of Zurich and London kept her moving through an elite world that few will ever see. But her second career, and the journey that led to it, is even more fascinating.

“I left in Jimmy Choos and came back in a turban,” jokes Candace, who recently returned to the States to start her business Soul Fire Social, a platform on which she shares the healing and self-development techniques that have transformed her own life.

Patricia “Pat” Denkler is a lady who is comfortable: in her home; her retirement; and especially in her direction in life. She and her husband, Michael Harris, live in a beautiful home overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway, surrounded by antiques, books, fresh from the garden flowers, and a sweet old golden retriever. Her serene life now is very different from earlier years.

Encouraged by the late Commander John McCain to apply to the Navy Flight Program in 1977, Pat became one of first women Naval aviators. There were approximately 15 women accepted per year into the Aviation Officer Candidate School (AOCS), and the training was rigorous. In her boot camp platoon, there were only two women in a class of 25. In preparation for the grueling physical aspect of training, she ran three miles in the sand each day to build up her strength. 

What is your rank and job title? 
I am a Marine, a Captain, an F/A-18 WSO (Weapons and Systems Officer), and Assistant Maintenance Officer. The fastest and most understood way to describe my pilot job is “Goose” in Top Gun, I am in the backseat.

As a child did you always dream of flying?
I never dreamed of, or thought of, flying as a child. I was very poor and only had hope to get out of my situation one day. I joined the Marine Corps after college because I had a very strong calling, and God would not let go of my heart, despite my resistance. After joining, I actually tried getting out of my flight contract during basic Marine Corps training because I wanted to be in combat sooner with my buddies, but God had different plans for me and proved that He knows what’s best, because I never would have enjoyed anything as much as I have enjoyed flying Hornets.

Her vibe is pure; her voice, powerful and effortless. Surely the Queen of Soul herself, Aretha Franklin, smiles down when she hears this R & B songbird belt out one of her classics.

St. Helena Island’s own, Gwen Yvette, is an independent singer, songwriter, entertainer and educator, living out her dream with her soul’s full consent.

Gwen has raised the curtain for mega-stars Patti LaBelle, Jeffrey Osbourne and Kem this spring. She’ll open for the O’Jays next month and is jazzed to be a guest performer on the UK tour, Soul Jones Collective, this coming October!

Kathleen Bateson has been the President, CEO, and Executive Producer of the multi-award winning Arts Center of Coastal Carolina since October of 1998. When she and her husband first saw the dirt hole that was to become the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, she never imagined that within two years she would be invited to take the helm. Through her vision, determination and leadership throughout the years, the Arts Center has become the magnificent venue that it is today. On May 1, 2019, Kathleen was presented with the coveted   Elizabeth O’Neill Verner Governor’s Award for the arts in the individual category. Presented by the South Carolina Arts Commission, this award honors her for exceptional achievement and statewide impact through her leadership, support and advancement of the arts. The South Carolina Arts Commission is dedicated to developing and enhancing a thriving arts environment, which is essential to quality of life, education, and economic vitality for all South Carolinians. In 2006, Kathleen accepted the Elizabeth O’Neill Verner Governor’s award in the organization category on behalf of the Arts Center as a whole. Her list of achievements and accolades is astounding. She is a member and past president of the South Carolina Arts Alliance Board, has served as chair and founding co-chair of the Arts and Cultural Council of Hilton Head, and serves as chair of the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry’s Women in Philanthropy. 

Mary Rivers LeGree’s life has come full circle.

Born in the Coffin Point community on St Helena Island, Mary now lives a short distance from the bridge that connects downtown Beaufort with Lady’s and St. Helena Islands. Mary’s life has taken her on a journey through Harlem in New York City to Detroit and back home.

Mary moved to New York when she was 9 years old. Later, life took her to Detriot. The Detroit riots of 1967 led to the launch of many African American businesses. Mary worked for the president of First Independence Bank of Detriot, founded in 1970 and African-American owned. Her career path continued and landed her a position at Ford Motors, where she worked for 16 years. While with Ford she earned her B.A. at the University of Detroit. She later moved on to work for the UAW for another 10 years. Then in 2005, she had the opportunity to take a golden parachute and retire.

Sara Skaggs looks like a California beach girl, with curly blonde hair, a gorgeous tan and a beautiful smile. Actually, she admits to having grown up in San Diego. Her father was a career Marine, and they spent time at duty stations on both the East and West Coasts, finally deciding Beaufort is home. Sounds like a Pat Conroy novel, doesn’t it?

Sara and her family, Mom Sheri, Dad Russel, and her 4-year-old son Oliver, love spending time on the water. They enjoy Hunting Island State Park, a beach house in Ormond Beach, Florida, and boating and fishing in their aptly named boat, a 239 Key West, “Just One More.”

Nadja Gilchrist
Local Phenom Power Player All Grown Up
Career: Professional Tennis Player

Family:
Leroy & Eileen Gilchrist (parents); Gamal & Lisa Gilchrist (siblings)

Hometown:
Originally from Rochester, NY, but has been living on Hilton Head Island since the age of 12

How old were you when you first picked up a tennis racket?
I was seven years old when I first picked up a racket and I loved it! Tennis was an after school curriculum, and I decided to go and try it out. The coaches said I enjoyed hitting the ball as hard as I could, and I should start learning to play and take tennis lessons.

Janet has spent the majority of her life chasing her girlhood dream of being an “Ette.”  “I love life. I love to entertain. I like including others.”

It all started when she wanted to be a majorette in high school, but due to the band director’s insistence, she ended up in the marching band playing the clarinet, all while her sister twirled on the field. This did not deter Janet from chasing her dream.

In college, she formed the Sesqui-kettes, a chorus that performed to publicize the University of Michigan’s 150th birthday. She was also a member of the Ann Arbor Hockettes, a precision skating group that entertained between periods at the Michigan hockey games. Their performances took them to Madison Square Garden, and they were showcased in the opening credits of the television show, “Wide World of Sports.” Next came The Pulsettes. Janet organized this group with friends from an aerobics class.

I caught up with Tru Dee Bamberg on a beautiful Sunday afternoon at her seasonal, once a week job at The Greenery on Hilton Head Island. Here’s what I found: A pretty blonde wearing muddy jeans, a Greenery t-shirt, a green apron, gloves, rubber boots, red sunglasses and a big smile. She apologized for not shaking hands, as she was just getting finished with some potting, and her gloves were filled with dirt. Customers were milling around the lush flowers, shrubs, and plants, asking occasional questions, and Tru Dee never skipped a beat answering both their questions and mine.

She admitted up front to having killed more plants in her lifetime than she cared to admit. The part-time Greenery job, she also owned up to, is to support her plant addiction, but she ends up purchasing way more garden merchandise than her salary can cover. Tru Dee loves her plants, and is enthused about it!

“Your body is your most priceless possession. Take care of it.” Sage advice from the late Godfather of Modern Fitness, Jack LaLanne, who lived by example for 96 years! And now Hilton Head Island fitness professional Christina Lindstedt can make your journey of taking care of your most priceless possession both attainable and fun!

Peak Performance Fitness Center of Hilton Head is Christina’s new studio, which she proudly opened last October. She worked on the island for more than 16 years as a training professional until her dream of owning her own fitness studio came true. Her passion for reaching and surpassing her clients’ personal goals is her lifework.

The common stereotypical workplace is known to have a day-to-day routine, “desk- job” feel, as if you’re doing the same things on repeat each day, but Leah Arnold goes to work wondering what element of surprise will be dished up each day. She is the Director of Programs and Operations at the Hilton Head Island Recreation Center, overseeing everything that is not considered “athletic programs.” These programs include aquatic, youth, preschool, and senior programs, as well as all special events.

Leah didn’t start at the top. She moved to Hilton Head 16 years ago after she Googled the words “recreation internships,” and the Hilton Head Rec Center popped up. She was hired for the internship, not knowing this opportunity would mold her life. After graduating from Indiana State University, Leah moved to Hilton Head after accepting a full-time job at the Rec. She has made many huge strides in her career there. Her internship flourished into the youth and preschool director, and her dedication took her up the ladder to her current position. If you were to have a sneak peek into Leah’s schedule, it would be a menagerie of activities and meetings. “Every day is so different; I can be in meetings all day, and the next, I will be playing with our adorable toddlers in our preschool program called Discovery Club,” Leah said. She continued, “My job is fun. I get the best of both worlds. I get to be immersed in the business world and still get to play with the amazing kiddos we have the privilege to take care of each day.”

Dr. Cynthia Bolton-Gary and her daughter Olivia Gary, who is home for spring break from the University of South Carolina, met me for lunch recently at Skull Creek Marina. They are both longtime, hardcore Pink fans! They came armed with two of their favorite Pink issues from years ago. They were both from 2012, and contained pictures of Cynthia and Olivia, just a little girl then, attending Pink Partinis! “We have more issues at home!” Cynthia said, “but these are so great, especially the 100th issue one”, which featured all 100 covers.

Olivia and Cynthia have been fans of Pink since moving to the Island in 2008. Cynthia saw it as a way for newcomers to learn about their new home. (In fact, I saw my first copy of the magazine in her office at University of South Carolina Beaufort in 2010, and she graciously offered it to me to take and read. I couldn’t put it down.) Cynthia confided that for years she has torn out the quote pages and taped them up in the kitchen to inspire her. Cynthia’s favorite: “Everything will be okay in the end. If it’s not okay, it’s not the end,” by John Lennon. Olivia’s pick: “Breathe. It’s just a bad day, not a bad life,” by Post Malone.

Brian, you suffered a stroke at the very young age of 37. Tell us about that experience.
Were you in good health before it happened?
I believed I was in good health before my stroke occurred. I was only 37, didn’t smoke or drink, and was not overweight nor had previous health issues. One Sunday morning during our normal routine with the kids, I had sudden numbness in my left arm that quickly spread to my face and leg. I was having a hard time standing and was unable to communicate properly. This lasted about five minutes, and I told my wife what had occurred. She recognized the symptoms of stroke right away, and thankfully rushed me to the local emergency room, where they did a CT scan and MRI, discovering I had suffered multiple strokes.

On January 9th, a birthday celebration was going on at Reilly’s South on Hilton Head Island. This was no ordinary party though; it was dedicated to Dorothy “Dottie” Parker Patton as she celebrated her 85th year of life!

I had the honor of being a guest at the party, and after getting to know Dottie over the past six months, I realized she has quite a story to tell. Her authentic smile, genuine laugh, and kind heart have been through so much.

In 1934, Ernest and Edith Parker gave birth to their second daughter in Winchester, Mass. Dottie and her older sister, Betts, had a nice life in the Boston suburbs, where Dottie spent years as a dedicated Girl Scout. She was a goal setter from early on. Her Girl Scout troop was invited to spend seven-weeks in Europe as a Winchester, Mass., ambassadors. Ten girls and three leaders were heading to Winchester, England, but it was going to cost them each $700—an insurmountable amount of money then!

Joan Apple Lemoine is a citizen of the world. She has taken an active interest in everything from space policy to human trafficking to local high school trivia bowls. A particular passion is women’s equality, and the “book party” she throws each year on the anniversary of women’s suffrage is becoming legend—guests bring one or more books for young girls that Joan collects for a local nonprofit such as the Literacy Center. Last year’s party resulted in a donation of 200. Next on the to-do list: Engage Hilton Head in a sister-city program.

Joan recently retired as executive director of the World Affairs Council of Hilton Head, the local chapter of a nonpartisan, non-profit grassroots organization in the United States dedicated to educating and engaging the American public on global issues. Before that, she retired from a 30-year career in higher education administration that took her to four different universities, the last of which was USCB. But leisure is not something Joan knows too much about, so her work these days is mostly volunteer.

They have ridden the Sahara on camelback. Swam with elephants in Thailand. Scaled icebergs in Iceland and greeted the sunrise in Bali. They have visited ancient temples and camped out under the desert stars. Photographs of their adventures are awash in color—brilliant Moroccan blues, dazzling Grecian whites, vivid rainforest greens.  And scattered among the scenes are the photographers themselves—two young women, their faces brimming with excitement and wonder.

In August, Caitlyn Lankowski and Ariana Hudson embarked on a nine-month journey that has taken them throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America. The list of countries reads like a geography lesson, and the young women take turns reciting the names, laughing as they challenge each other to remember them all. I lose count, but they don’t. By the time they return in May, they will have visited 26 countries in all.

In January of this year you set off on a six-month cabin cruiser sea journey with your husband, Patrick, and your 3-year-old son, Luke. Where are you headed and why?
We are headed south to warmer weather! Instead of waiting for the summer temps, we are going to chase them down. It was only once we got underway that we decided to travel to the Keys first, then the Bahamas before we head back north.

What made you decide to document your adventure via Johnson’s Jaunt blog?
Two reasons really: I want to have a record of our trip as I experience it, and I want friends and family to follow along. It’s easier than having to update dozens of people. Oh, and my mom doesn’t have social media, so she needed a way to follow us.

Iris Ar-Raheem has a light about her; a gentle radiance that shines from her eyes and beautiful smile. Owner of Bhava Vibes on Hilton Head’s south end, Iris’ intentional love for others is a compliment to her profession as a natural, energy healer. Bhava, in Sanskrit translates to: worldly existence; becoming; birth. “Our world is spectacular,” she says. “There’s a collective consciousness that connects everyone to ourselves.”

This belief is rooted in her training as a Reiki Master, and Ho’oponopono Practitioner. Reiki originated in Japan; an alternative healing technique that uses one’s energy to encourage emotional and physical transformation. “Everyone is unique,” Iris states. “Mind, body and spirit work synergistically.” Ho’oponopono is a Hawaiian spiritual method of blessing others to correct and restore relationships. Meditation intersects these beliefs and is vital to her work. It brings order to disorder and provides wisdom. “Be still, wait, and breathe deeply,” she smiles. Both ancient healing practices require an open mindedness and a depth of love for oneself. “I aways want to give more than I receive, believe more than I doubt, and love more than I hate.”

When she was a young girl, Dr. Ravina Balchandani wanted to be a flight attendant. She thought it would be a glamorous career filled with travel and exciting adventures in exotic places. Two events had an impact on her decision to pursue a career in medicine instead. One was personal, and the other was an incident of epic proportion.

The personal part was the decision made by her father. He told Ravina she was a good student and would become a doctor. Although this turned out to be the correct path for the gifted, popular, and prominent Lowcountry cardiologist, the forced decision put a strain on their relationship for a time. A compromise was finally reached between the two: She would continue her education to the completion of her medical residency, and then she could do nothing with her degree if she so chose. Ravina continued her pursuit of a medical career. Now, passionate about her work and her patients, she thanks her father every day for making her stay in medical school.