Pooler Magazine January/February 2015

January/February 2015

Rodney Helaire

Going Above & Beyond

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CONTRIBUTORS SUBSCRIBE Paige Peebles-McDuffie is a freelance writer and blogger and relative newcomer to Effingham County. She is a life coach, motivational speaker and the owner of a small company providing international clients with personal and administrative assistance.

She is a graduate of East Georgia College and is currently working towards her Masters in Behavioral Analysis.

Paige Peebles-McDuffie

Todd Wood is a visionary photographer, director, and artist with an insatiable hunger for continued education in photography, film, social media and social art. His vision has no boundries.

As a photographer, Todd has won numerous awards from The Georgia Press Association for his photojournalistic images in sports, sport news and features. As a journalist, he has covered the Super Bowl and has been on assignment for ESPN Magazine. He has also received awards from the Georgia Press Association for sports writing.

Today he strives to combine his photography, videography and social media prowess in hopes of creating a more positive and creative community.

Todd Wood

Katrice Williams recently joined our team as a freelance writer. She is a married mother of two: Nio-14 and Mya-12. She graduated from Georgia Southern University in 1998 with a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree and consistently maintained a great literary acumen and a big interest in writing.

Katrice, thereafter, moved to the Atlanta Metropolitan Area to pursue business career endeavors. A few years later, her husband, Tony, received a job offer in our local area, and the family eventually moved to Pooler. After spending a fulfilling amount of time as an at-home mom, she decided to pursue an area of personal attraction—writing. In her spare time, Katrice enjoys the 3F’s: family, food, and fun!! She’s also fond of occasionally writing a bit of good poetry. Katrice can be reached at katricewilliams7@ gmail.com.

Katrice Williams

STAFF

Lea Allen

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The Savannah Country Day School Congratulates the Class of 2014 The Savannah Country Day School Congratulates the Class of 2014

The Class of 2014 has achieved an outstanding 70% admission rate to all schools. In addition, they have garnered nearly The Class of has achieved anaddition outstanding 70% admission all schools.

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Below is a sampling of admitting colleges and universities for the Class of 2014: Below is a sampling of admitting colleges and universities for the Class of 2014:

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www.PoolerMagazine.com | January/February 2015

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CONTENTS January/February 2015

features

specials

10 Rodney Helaire

Going Above and Beyond

29 InMeet The Professional Health and Wellness

16 Jerri Williams Balancing Motherhood

departments

and Staying Active

22 26

Helia Hall Healthy Foods, Healthy Bodies

Update on Zachary Pritchett

08 January/February 2015 | www.PoolerMagazine.com

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Publisher’s Letter

39

Let’s Do Business

44

Dining Guide

PUBLISHER’S Thoughts

Great Things in Store for 2015!

Julie Hales owner/publisher julie@idpmagazines.com Lane Gallegos graphic design lane@idpmagazines.com Lea Allen administrative assistant/circulation lea@idpmagazines.com DiAnna Jenkins account executive dianna@idpmagazines.com Shane Lasseter account executive shane@idpmagazines.com

Pooler Magazine is proudly produced by:

108 International Drive P.O. Box 1742 Rincon, GA 3126 (912) 826-2760

Happy New Year!

In my last Publisher’s letter, I mentioned that we have some exciting new plans for 2015. Well, it’s time to talk about these changes!

In the very near future, you will be seeing a brand new website for Pooler Magazine. It will be completely different than our current site. It has some pretty cool bells and whistles, and some great opportunities for more community involvement, as well as some super marketing opportunities.

We are very excited about this new site. The preliminary work looks fantastic and we can’t wait for it to go live.

You will also see some different layout designs, along with some newly designed special pages throughout the year. Our Graphic Designer has been hard at work to give us some fresh new things to see.

Julie Hales, PUBLISHER

This year will also mark the beginning of a new division of Independence Day Publishing, Inc. We are starting a Marketing and Graphic Design division. We have a full time staff dedicated and ready to help you with any of your marketing needs….logos, brochures, rack cards, specialty publications, business cards, newsletters….you name it, we can do it. And, we can also map out a marketing strategy for your business.

We are already working with several new clients on some major branding and marketing projects. If you have a need for this service, please give me a call at 826-2760. We will be happy to schedule a time to meet with you and show you how we can help you grown your business.

Here’s to 2015……

Circulation: Pooler Magazine is publlished bi-monthly (six issues a year), printing 10,000 copies and distributed to over 180 locations.

Reproduction in whole or in part in any manner without the written permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited.

about the cover Meet Rodney Helaire, the man that always goes above and beyond. This amazing man talks about his life, his career, his family and his connection with God. Cover Photo Taken By Lea Allen

www.PoolerMagazine.com | January/February 2015

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Rodney Helaire:

Going Above & Beyond • Story by KATRICE WILLIAMS

Photos by LEA ALLEN •

10 January/February 2015 | www.PoolerMagazine.com

www.PoolerMagazine.com | January/February 2015

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an you say non-stop? Mr. Rodney Helaire of RH Incorporated, which includes RH Fitness & Tanning, has continued to move full steam ahead in his bodybuilding career and other endeavors since he last graced the cover of Pooler Magazine. Rodney has continued to regard fitness, diet and exercise as a huge necessity in life. Consequently, he has long proven his spectacular athletic abilities on both national and international stages while also embracing several titles, including World Natural Bodybuilding Federation (WNBF) Champion. “I love what I do; I like how I feel. I like being healthy,” he states. He goes on to say, “I like the look, but I want to be healthy from the inside out.” With countless bodybuilding championships under his belt, this same attitude has allowed Rodney to go forth and compete at some of the highest levels possible.

Furthermore, perseverance and determination are not foreign concepts to this army veteran who consistently challenges himself to go beyond what’s expected and even what is often labeled as unachievable. In 2010, Rodney underwent a total hip replacement on his right hip, which stemmed from injuries as far back as his military career.

In a typical situation, this could bring about an abrupt end to one’s bodybuilding career. However, Rodney looked at this as a very temporary obstacle to overcome. After the surgery, Rodney was not content with the level of rehabilitation that he was receiving.

He knew he could do exceedingly greater things, so he began to rehabilitate himself in addition to his regular treatment. He pushed himself beyond the goals set by his therapists. “They wanted me to give them ten reps; I’d give them fifteen or twenty, because I wanted to push myself beyond what they wanted me to do.” He pushed past intense amounts of pain. He recalls thinking, “If I can get over the pain, then I can make a speedy and quick recovery.” He courageously pressed his way through the discomfort, always believing that complete healing was inevitable.

Amazingly, 9 ½ months later, he went on to win the Pro International Championship in New York where observers were in awe after learning about his recent recovery.

In 2012, Rodney had a second hip replacement done on his left hip. He later challenged himself to complete his reha-

12 January/February 2015 | www.PoolerMagazine.com

bilitation in half the time of the first. Being incomprehensible to most, he did just that and completed it in just 4 ½ months! That’s ordinarily unheard of. However, this “Comeback Kid,” a name given to him in a WNBF article, was far from ordinary. Rodney went on to win the Pro International Championship in Switzerland a short while later.

Presently, Rodney’s strength, endurance, and stamina have far from dwindled. “I believe I’m good enough to compete with individuals half my age,” he confidently asserts. Many people have something or someone that positively motivates them and drives them in life.

When asked about this, Rodney confidently quotes Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” He explains that his faith has helped him get through all his journeys in life, noting that, “It carries more weight than anything you could imagine…anything you could think of.” He then says, “Without it, I probably would’ve stopped a long time ago.” He humbly gives credit for all of his achievements to The Lord Jesus Christ. He tells, “God has given it to me; He has instilled a lot of things inside me to keep me going forward.” With a great level of humility, he says, “I have to give the glory and honor where it’s due.”

Rodney also knows that petty excuses work in total opposition to success, and he also believes that accountability is always necessary for personal growth.

This can only be established when individuals honestly evaluate themselves.

He comments, “Until I change that person in that mirror, I’m not going to go anywhere.”

It’s quite obvious that this champ is not merely brawn and burliness. Along with his courage and noteworthy character, he’s also an LPN-Licensed Practical Nurse (not actively practicing). He has been able to incorporate his nursing knowledge and skills into his present career. He’s able to better assess individual’s fitness goals in regards to their health; when necessary, this makes it possible to accommodate each individual’s personal needs. Though his nursing career played a significant role in his life, Rodney stepped out on a leap of faith into the bodybuilding arena. He knew that God hadn’t “gotten him this far for him to fail, but to succeed.”

Having opened his first gym in Pooler in 2008 and his second in Swainsboro in 2011, he has continued to promote health and wellness to his clients over the years. Still, he keeps a competitive spirit at all times. On March 21, 2015, RH Inc. will host its 6th Annual Iron Eagle Body Building Event. This competition is open to men and women of all ages, from the teenage division to the master’s division. Competitors from all over the world will attend. This year’s competition will be held at New Hampstead High School.

If that’s not enough, Rodney has been working on his first book.

Most anyone can benefit from reading this book. A big focus of it is to help its readers incorporate value-added principles into their daily lives. In the book, readers will see that Rodney often draws from personal experiences. It’s not a quick-fix for problems.

Instead, it will incorporate real truths and principles to help its readers experience growth and resolution in different aspects of their lives.

That’s not all! Rodney is in the process of launching his own clothing line, Natural By Choice Athletic Wear. He’s hopeful that all of his athletic accomplishments will inspire potential customers. Spending majority of his time in the gym, Rodney admits that active wear is his primary choice of clothing. He plans to market his products online and at competitive events.

With such a dynamic life and so many incredible endeavors, Rodney says that his mom is the basis of his inspiration and a huge role model. He talks about how well she always took care of him and his seven other siblings back in New Orleans, his hometown. He wants to always be there for her as well. “Every time I go home, I check the fridge; I check the freezer. I make sure everything is done before I leave.” His mom is quite appreciative for all that he does. “I love my mom,” he sincerely states. He says

that when she thanks him for anything, he insists, “Mom, you don’t have to say thank you.” Rodney greatly treasures his close relationship with his mom. His mom often compliments him on his tenacity and outstanding work ethic, which he says stems from his childhood. The two often talk about the jobs he did as a child, including mowing lawns and taking out trash for elderly neighbors. He knows that his mom played a vital role in shaping the person he is today.

It’s quite obvious that with such a stellar character, Rodney makes for a great role model. He had very positive words for his younger audience. He feels that it’s important for them to know the importance of obedience and making appropriate decisions.

He suggests, “Going out and doing the right thing…that’s important.” He later adds, “If you know it’s not right, don’t do it; sometimes you have to lose in order to gain.”

Rodney takes a moment to proudly talk about one of his biggest fans—his 16-year-old daughter, Micayela. “We’re really close; my biggest thing is being there for her as much as I can. She knows that her dad is always here for her,” he says. He insists that she will always be “daddy’s little girl.” He smiles, remembering a special time that they spent together at the gym working out. Jokingly, he states, “She can’t get married until she’s 90!” What a dad!

Rodney Helaire has achieved many spectacular things. He seems truly comfortable and happy with where he is today. In his own words, “I’m content; I don’t need the world to be happy. I’m happy because I have Jesus in my life.” He continues to give credit where credit is due.

www.PoolerMagazine.com | January/February 2015

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15

Jerri Williams

Balancing Motherhood and

Staying Active • Story by PAIGE PEEBLES-MCDUFFIE Photos by TODD WOOD •

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popular meme on the internet suggests a simple truth: “Loving your body only when it’s in perfect shape is like loving your kids only when they’re well behaved!” Local dance and fitness instructor and mother of six, Jerri Williams, can certainly relate.

Williams never planned to have six children. “I never imagined more than two kids. After I got married, I thought maybe four, but never six!” she exclaimed with a cheerful chuckle. She and her husband, Qwen, married in 1999 and following the advice of her mother-in-law, they waited seven years before trying to expand their family. “My mother-inlaw was wise. She said to wait awhile to have children so we could enjoy one another and being married. I’m glad we did.”

It would take them three years of trying and two miscarriages before their first daughter, Aleesa joined the family in 2006. Three more daughters and two sons followed over the next eight years and include six year old Diora, five year old Lillian, four year old Olivia, two year old Andrew and the newest member of the family, four month old Adrian.

This self-taught dance instructor has a pretty down-toearth approach about body image and weight. “I’m a size fourteen,” she says. “But I’m also in the gym daily, teaching a dance class somewhere. If I want rocky road ice cream, I’m going to have rocky road ice cream, but all in moderation.”

She encourages women to stop using the scale as their only guide to “fitness” and instead rely on common sense markers such as: are you active? do you fit into your clothes? can you participate in the activities you want to participate in? do you feel good about yourself? Most importantly, she urges women to “love the body you have, not the one you wish you had.”

Growing up in a military family, Williams moved around a lot and was often “the new girl” in class. Having a healthy self-esteem was essential to survival in an ever changing teen-world, and Williams and her older sister turned to dance as a confidence builder and a way to stay active. “I’ve never taken a dance class,” she admits, “but I watched a LOT of videos and instructional tapes as a teenager and we would practice practice practice!”

Williams would later attend community college on a dance scholarship and round out her fitness education over

16 January/February 2015 | www.PoolerMagazine.com

the next few years with fitness classes on the various military bases where her husband was stationed. Her dance styles include modern, ballet, jazz and hip-hop.

The Williams’ moved to Pooler in 2007 when Qwen accepted a job position with the Federal Aviation Administration. New to the community and new to motherhood, “I sort of took a year off that first year we lived here” she said. They purchased their first home in 2008, the year their second daughter Diora was born. By then, Jerri had found an outlet for her happy feet and was involved in teaching dance through the Praise Dance ministry at her church, Overcoming by Faith on Middleground Road in Savannah where she still teaches today.

She also joined the YMCA in 2008, and like so many mothers who are members, she found their free-to-members child-care amenities to be a selling point. Most moms with small children have a hard time resuming an active lifestyle, returning to the gym, or beginning a new fitness program to aid their return to post-partum fitness. Onsite provisions for childcare in a secure and trusted setting help provide peace of mind to moms and helps them carve out some time for self-care and a workout.

She found that the philosophy of the YMCA was aligned with many of her personal philosphies and wondered how she could be more involved with the organization. She asked her instructor if the YMCA was hiring, and within a few months she was substituting as a fitness and dance instructor at various local YMCA’s.

As babies Lillian, Olivia, Andrew and Adrian came along in quick succession, Williams kept teaching and kept dancing right through her eighth month of each pregnancy. “I never thought to stop!” she exclaims, before sharing that she had easy pregnancies and easy births, something she attributes remaining active during her pregnancies.

She says, “exercising is one of the BEST ways to relieve stress from everyday life and motherhood. I find that I have more energy to be a wife and mother after I have a great workout. It gives me such natural energy. It also gives you the confidence to strive to be a better you!”.

She also offers up a few bits of wisdom for expectant mothers who are considering whether or not to start an exercise regimen during pregnancy: Start where you are. Whatever your current fitness

www.PoolerMagazine.com | January/February 2015

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“Exercising is one of the BEST ways to relieve stress from everyday life and motherhood. I find that I have more energy to be a wife and mother after I have a great workout. It gives me such natural energy. It also gives you the confidence to strive to be a better you!” level is, that is where you should begin, and work towards a “more fit” goal.

Stay active. If you are already an active person, you can remain active during your pregnancy.

Communicate with your teacher. Tell your teacher as soon as you know you are expecting, as well as any time you feel uncomfortable or have difficulty in class. They should be able to help you modify your activity level and offer some safe options.

Modify as needed. As your pregnancy progresses, your center of gravity shifts, balance can be an issue, and things are a little more difficult to accomplish. Simple modifications can help you maintain your activity levels as long as your doctor feels that it is safe for you.

Listen to your body. Your body, especially your pregnant body, will always tell you when you are in pain, when something doesn’t feel right, when you need to stop and take a rest, or drink more water. Listen to it.

Follow your doctor’s advice. Your doctor can tell you if you are healthy enough to begin a new exercise program during your pregnancy or if it is safe for you to continue your current regimen.

Jerri and Qwen help their children channel some excess energy by encouraging exploration of the world around them, as well as

18 January/February 2015 | www.PoolerMagazine.com

sports activities. She laughs a little when she shares “people think we are crazy when we tell them our kids watch tv and play video games only on the weekend, and then only if they have time!”

The four oldest girls play on local soccer teams, while the two youngest boys have activity and play time during Mothers Morning Out at the YMCA. “I love Mothers Morning Out,” says Jerri. “Qwen and I have four hours to ourselves. Little minidates.”Those mini-dates help Jerri and Qwen stay connected as a couple and focused as a parenting team.

With the youngest Williams baby Adrian already four months old, Jerri is back in her groove, teaching hip hop, step, sculpt and total body blast, in addition to “Active Ageless” classes at the Pooler YMCA (West Chatham Branch), as well as some surrounding YMCA campuses.

“My average class size is about twenty and my students are from all walks of life, all fitness levels. That’s what so great about dance for fitness,” she says.

If you are interested in taking one of Jerri William’s dance or fitness classes, or you are interested in joining the YMCA, you can visit their website at http://www.ymcaofcoastalga.org/ymca/ or calling 912-748-9622. The West Chatham YMCA is located at 165 Issac LaRoche Dr., Pooler GA 31322.

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Healthy • Story by PAIGE MCDUFFIE

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ocal nutritionist and manager of the Pooler Farmers’ Market, Helia Hall can trace her interest in whole foods back to her agrarian childhood.

Born in Faial Azores, Portugal, Helia came to the US with her family when she was only four. Portugal is a sea-faring country with an abundance of fresh fish from the ocean and produce from family gardens.

“I grew up eating fresh homemade foods. Mom encouraged us to make everything we could from scratch.

Some of my fondest memories were made in the kitchen.

I learned how to butcher pigs, chickens, rabbits and was taught how to clean and filet fresh fish at a young age,” Hall recalls.

She continued the tradition of cooking with fresh ingredients after leaving home, growing her own vegetable gardens and helping family with their gardens, chickens, or other livestock. Then, she says, “life got crazy for a while and I started doing more processed and packaged foods which impacted my health.”

Foods, Bodies

Photos by TODD WOOD • alternative ways to address her mounting health problems. Eventually, she found a nutritionist in Savannah that started her on the road to recovery. Hall developed a strong interest in the connection between nutrition and wellness and enrolled in college and soon earned her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition.

“My positive experience with improving my health was reason enough to share my knowledge with others.” She credits one of her professors from Kaplan University, Dianne Richardson, with encouraging her to get involved in the local sustainable community. “She invited me to be a part of the Health Newsletter for the University. She encouraged me to go ahead and get involved locally and has shared her own experiences in starting and working a market.”

Hall has since gone back to the basics and now cooks and encourage others to cook and eat in a healthier way by using local markets and sustainably produced foods.

In her search for ingredients, she stumbled across the Pooler Farmer’s Market quite by accident and well before they opened.

Deteriorating health leads to wholesome food Growing a sustainable community Before volunteering with the Pooler Farmers’ Market, Helia worked from home and attended college. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutritional Science. “I have a love for food and how it affects our bodies. Food not only gives us basic nutrition but it can also heal us.”

Her own deteriorating health and well-being led her down the path of wholesome, local and sustainable food.

Hall was eventually diagnosed with hypothyroidism, fibromyalgia and depression as well as a hormonal imbalance. She developed paradoxical reactions to traditional therapies and found the side effects were worse than her original problems.

With no health coverage at the time, she looked for

22 January/February 2015 | www.PoolerMagazine.com

In 2013, Leslie Gallea founded a local non-profit, Growing Eden’s Education, Inc. The mission is to increase awareness about local sustainability in the Pooler community and neighboring towns, as well as promoting healthy lifestyle choices and alternatives to adults and children.

The Pooler Farmers’ Market grew as an outreach program of Growing Eden’s Education Inc., in order to achieve their mission to connect regional Farmers’ with the local community and opened for business earlier this year. The market serves the Pooler community’s sustainability initiative through education, outreach and farm to

www.PoolerMagazine.com | January/February 2015

23

Pooler Farmers Market Location: The market is located at 200 Preston Stokes Dr, in the Pooler Recreation Complex off Pooler Parkway (behind the YMCA).

Hours: The Pooler Farmers’ Market is closed for the season and will reopen on Wednesday, March 5, 2015. Market days are each Wednesday from 4 - 7 pm rain or shine until the season ends, usually in October.

Methods of Payment: The Pooler Farmers’ Market accepts cash, credit/debit cards and SNAP. There is also a token program used for non-cash payments.

Contact and Social Media: Email: poolerfarmersmarket@gmail.com Website www.poolerfarmersmarket.com, Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pooler-Farmers-Market

24 January/February 2015 | www.PoolerMagazine.com

table products by providing individuals with weekly access to local vendors, community gardens, non-profit organizations and educational resources.

Each week during the open season, the Market features regional farmers, local cottage industries, and community non-profits. Community volunteers provide music, sustainability lectures, art studios for youth, and cooking demonstrations. The market complements other area Farmers’ Markets such as Forsyth Farmers’ Market, the Wilmington Island Market and the Richmond Hill Market — as well as reaching people who may not be able to drive to those other places for locally farmed produce.

Education is a strong component of the Pooler Farmer’s Market, including teaching SNAP recipients on how to plan healthy meals on a limited budget. Speaking from experience, Hall says, “at one time both my husband and I were out of work and on SNAP. I hear many people say they can not afford to eat healthy or shop at a Farmers’ Market but I personally know through my experience that a family of four can eat clean and healthy on a tight budget. One of the series we do on our market website is share budget meals that can be done by purchasing items at the market.”

“Most of our farmers we find are into sustainable farming, using minimal pesticides or fertilizers,” Gallea says, adding “any regional farmer or producer that utilizes sustainable, local ingredients within 250 miles is welcome. We strive for GA producers, but do pull from SC.” All vendors must fill out an application that is reviewed by the Market Team, their businesses must provide insurance and application GA or SC business licenses for tax and retail purposes.

“We make every effort to visit our vendor’s place of business to ensure compliance with our Market Rules and Procedures,” she continues. Vendors who grow certified organic produce have signs stating such although some farmers’ also use organic farming practices without pursuing certification.

The Pooler Farmers’ Market differs from other local Farmers’ Markets in that it is staffed wholly by volunteers, and draws operating income from vendor booth fees and community donations. Gallea adds, “we promote our local Farmers’ and sustainable businesses and bring the public face to face with these fabulous individuals. We are different from farm stands and standing businesses due to our once a week, seasonal hours. Additionally, we cut out the middle man by bringing the consumer directly in contact with the product’s provider.”

As the Pooler Farmers’ Market approaches it’s second year, Gallea is excited to note that the market is still growing and is in the perfect location for growth. “We currently limit our offerings to only two vendors of the same type of items” she says. This keeps the selection diverse and encourages a wider variety of producers to participate.

Local community members are invited to participate in the first annual “5K to Market” Race sponsored by the Pooler Farmers Market. The fundraising event is schedule for January 24, 2015 and will be held near the Savannah/ Hilton Head International Airport at the Crosswinds Gold Course on 232 James B. Blackburn Drive.

Hall says, “we are raising money for to improve the market and provide some operating funds to start the year with. We are anticipating at least 100 runners and are hoping to raise $1200 - $1500 for the Market.” Entry forms can be found at the Pooler Market’s website (see sidebar) or by visiting www.savannahraces.com and choosing the “5K to Market” Race.

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25

Update on zachary PRITCHETT

26 January/February 2015 | www.PoolerMagazine.com

W

hen Zachary was born, it was immediately apparent that he needed medical intervention. Not only were his kidneys enlarged, they discovered he was born without an opening for his anus, a condition known as “imperforate anus.” His kidneys were enlarged because his ureters were twisted in the womb and his kidneys retained the amniotic fluid instead of expelling it.

With knotted ureters, Baby Zachary had no way to urinate in the womb and replenish the amniotic fluid, much less empty his kidneys so his kidneys grew larger and larger to store the amniotic fluid and waste.

Combined with his imperforate anus, Zachary had no way to rid his body of the building toxins. He was getting sicker by the minute.

Zachary would spend the first month and a half of his life in the hospital. The first thing the doctors in Augusta did for him was give him a ostomy bag and a nephrostomy bag to help his body start getting rid of waste and toxins. The extra amniotic fluid he retained in the womb killed his right kidney and damaged his left; he would not get a surgically created anus until he turned 1 year old. His left kidney continued to work until October 2013, when he started dialysis.

Kidneys have the job of filtering toxins out of the bloodstream and disposing of waste in the body. Healthy kidneys work around the clock filtering and cleaning the blood. When kidneys fail, the process of cleansing the blood is handled mechanically through a process called dialysis. Zachary spends twelve hours per day at home receiving dialysis. He has to maintain a very strict schedule in order to stay healthy.

From being featured in Pooler Magazine and by the news team at WJCL, Zachary’ has had so much support in the past year, his family believes 2015 is going to be a great year. While they had hoped to have a donor by Christmas, they aren’t giving up hope that one is on the way. They pray every night for a kidney for Zachary, and believe it is all in God’s timing. They have several events planned in the upcoming year to help raise awareness for Zachary and his search for a kidney. As of January 2, Zachary’s transplant nurse said there were three people that were almost done with their work up to see if they were a possible match. Everyone is working hard to find him a donor.

In the meantime, Zachary is going to get to meet his biggest hero and role model, WWE wrestler John Cena. John Cena says ‘Never give up’ and Zachary’s parents tell him that also often,

Zachary needs a kidney, here’s how YOU can help: Donate A Kidney Zachary is on a kidney transplant list and hopes to receive a kidney from a living donor. Living donors are preferred because the transplanted organs tend to live longer in the host body after transplant. Zachary needs a healthy donor over the age of 18, with type O blood. So far, nearly two dozen people have tested and been rejected as donors for Zachary. The screening process is thorough and the overall health, weight, age, and habits of the donor have to be considered, as well as other factors. Any one small mismatch can eliminate an otherwise good candidate from

it’s become his motto as well.

Because Zachary has been on dialysis for over one year, his now life-threatening condition makes him eligible to be granted a wish through the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

They have granted Zachary’s wish of going to WrestleMania in March. When he meets John Cena he wants to give him a Hi-five! “I can’t even speak on how exciting it is to get to go to WrestleMania,” he said.

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that particular search. Shannon says “don’t let that stop you if you want to donate a kidney. You might not be a match for Zachary, but maybe you can be a match for someone.”

To find out more about becoming a living kidney donor, visit http://www.grhealth.org/transplant-program/living-donor Donate Money As part of the eligibility requirements for receiving the transplant, the Pritchett’s have to create a “goodwill account” to show they can meet the financial requirements of maintaining the antirejection medications, follow-up medical care and long recovery required with an organ transplant. Their fundraising goal is $10,000 to help them get started on the journey.

A donation campaign has been set up at http://www.gofundme.com/AKidneyforZachary. www.PoolerMagazine.com | January/February 2015

27

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Meet Your Professional Pooler Magazine Presents

in Health and Wellness

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We are proud to feature these men and women who specialize in your health and wellness.

ADVERTISING SECTION

Meet Your Professional

Elena Pimanova, M.D.

R

in Health and Wellness

What is your specialty ?

Internal medicine (adults 18 and older).

What services do you offer your patients?

We provide outstanding comprehensive healthcare, including preventive medicine to keep you healthy, and diagnosis and treatment when you are sick. We also coordinate any specialty care you may need, such as appointments with specialists, medical screenings or home health. Together, we work closely with you to ensure you receive the care you need, every time you need it.

How do you think your patients would characterize you?

Honest, courageous, empathetic and courteous with a professional demeanor.

Why did you choose to practice in POOLER? We live in Pooler and my husband works at Gulfstream. I wanted to be able to care for the people I call my neighbors and friends.

Memorial Medical Associates at Pooler 101 West Mulberry Boulevard Suite 100 Pooler, Georgia 31322 (912) 350-6000 memorialhealth.com

Meet Your Professional

Dr. Steve Ranicki

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What is your specialty ?

My vision and focus is wellness, my specialty is Doctor of Chiropractic.

I emphasize wellness because my goal is to help optimize my patients’ potential in any and all dimensions of life – physical, mental, spiritual, social, family, career and financial. I help patients feel good and have their body function properly, without drugs or surgery, through chiropractic care.

What services do you offer your patients?

• Chiropractic Care - The most critical factor in achieving wellness is the peak performance of the nervous system, which is created through the chiropractic adjustment. But, patient education is the most valuable service I offer my patients. I love being able teach patients how to understand and achieve optimal health.

• Neurofeedback and Biofeedback - two very effective ways to retrain the brain for better function from stress reduction and mood improvement to learning or behavioral challenges.

• Massage Therapy – We have an excellent massage therapist who offers eight different types of massage from Deep-tissue to Swedish.

in Health and Wellness

How do you think your patients would characterize you?

A Compassionate Smart-aleck! I have an awesome family of patients who tend to stay with me for years and we banter back and forth each visit, but I take their care very seriously. The reality is that people come to me with some big health goals they are trying to achieve and I hold them accountable. When patients need to be pushed or called out on their excuses, I don’t back down from that. If changing your health was easy, everyone could achieve wellness. My patients who are “on board” are happier and healthier.

Why did you choose to practice in POOLER? When I ready to open my own practice 12 years ago, I researched the Savannah area and luckily saw the potential in Pooler. And I am very thankful that I chose here. Pooler has been a blessing to me and my wife.

1147 US Hwy 80 W Pooler, GA 31322 (912) 376-1506 www.RanickiChiropractic.com

Meet Your Professional

Sharon Lucas

R

in Health and Wellness

What is your specialty ?

Our specialty is to help you feel better and look better with a visit to our Salon and Spa. We have a very relaxing atmosphere and want to help you forget about the everyday stresses while you are being pampered.

What services do you offer your CLients?

We offer our clients the opportunity to receive a very professional service of a new or refreshed hair style, color, highlights, and/or perms. We provide services to Women, Men and children. We also provide manicures, shellac manicures, pedicures, waxing, facials and massage.

How do you think your CLients would characterize you?

I think they would say that I listen to what they would like from the services that I provide and that I care about them and their needs.

Why did you choose to practice in POOLER? About 8 years ago, God gave me the opportunity of a lifetime and provided a way for me to open Bella Salon and Spa. I knew that Pooler was going to experience tremendous growth and that it would be a great opportunity to service the people who would be moving to Pooler.

32 January/February 2015 | www.PoolerMagazine.com

115 Canal Street, Suite 301 Pooler, GA 31322 (912) 450-7700 bella-slonandspa.com

Meet Your Professional

Rodney Helaire

R

in Health and Wellness

What is your specialty ?

My speciality is health and fitness, I design fitness programs to cater to individuals of all ages , while ensuring itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s done safely also provide nutritional advice.

What services do you offer your CLients?

I provide one-on-one personal training. I teach group fitness clasees to those who arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t interested in personal training. I provide 24 hour access to gym goers with a large variety of equipment.

How do you think your CLients would characterize you?

My clients would categorize me as someone very dedicated to the cause, and someone who cares about their one-on-one success in their fitness programs.

RH

Fitandness Tanning RH Fitness and Tanning 1204 W.Highway 80 Pooler, GA 31322 Office: 912-748-6622 Cell: 912-695-0400

Why did you choose to practice in POOLER? Pooler chose me :) I saw the opportunity to be able to provide a quality fitness facility for residents of pooler and with my experience, I feel like I could help change and motivate individuals to adopt a healthier lifestyle.

www.PoolerMagazine.com | January/February 2015

33

Meet Your Professional

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Dr. Michael Ammermon & Dr. Myra Burnsed Ammermon

in Health and Wellness

What is your specialty ?

We provide veterinary medical care for the families and pets of Pooler and Greater Savannah.

What services do you offer your CLients?

Our services include Wellness and Preventative Care, Internal Medicine, Orthopedic and Soft Tissue Surgery, as well as a comprehensive Pharmacy.

How do you think your CLients would characterize you?

Our clients would characterize us as personable, compassionate, knowledgeable, and thorough.

Why did you choose to practice in POOLER? Pooler is a rapidly growing area with an abundance of animal lovers. We wanted to establish a practice that provides the highest quality of veterinary medicine and surgery possible. To do so, it is necessary that you have a clientele who views their pets as part of their family. When this culture exists, as it does in Pooler, pet owners will find the best care for their pets. They know premium quality health care leads to not only a longer life, but a better quality of life as their pets age. We are here to provide the high standard of care they expect. We really enjoy practicing and raising our family in this area.

34 January/February 2015 | www.PoolerMagazine.com

Pooler Veterinary Hospital 608 US Highway 80 East, Bloomingdale, GA 31302 Phone: (912) 748-0709 Fax: (912) 748-0703 Email: mail@poolervet.com

Meet Your Professional

Mike Robinson

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in Health and Wellness

What is your specialty ?

Our specialty is martial arts.

What services do you offer your CLIients?

We offer children and adult classes, beginner and advanced students. Classes include Taekwondo, Kickboxing, and Warrior Krav.

How do you think your CLients would characterize you?

Customers would characterize us as a family owned school that teaches self defense, focus, respect, and discipline in a fun family friendly atmosphere. Our friendly and professional instructors on staff are all certified and trained to teach Songahm Taekwondo.

Why did you choose to work in POOLER? We chose to open our business in Pooler 10 years ago because we are from the area and felt that their was room from growth here. This town was a small town 10 years ago but has grown to be a well populated area with great businesses and people in it. We feel like this has been the right community to be a part of.

Robinsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ATA Black Belt 22 Coleman Blvd Pooler, GA 31322 (912) 748-4505 www.poolermartialarts.com

www.PoolerMagazine.com | January/February 2015

35

Meet Your Professional

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in Health and Wellness

Jessica Del Valle & Katherine Chalker What is your specialty ?

We specialize in everything from weight loss, to sports nutrition, to general health and wellness. There’s definitely something for everyone. Our staff is extremely knowledgeable, and we can help you find the perfect supplements to meet your goals, whatever they may be.

There are countless options for proteins, fat-burners, and vitamins so choosing the right one can be overwhelming, we want to take the intimidation out and find you the right product. There’s no cookiecutter stack that will work for everyone, so all recommendations are personalized specifically for your needs.

What services do you offer your CLients?

Nutrishop offers personalized meal plans by our certified nutritionists. Cleaning up your diet is always going to maximize your health and fitness results, and we want to help you learn about proper nutrition. Plus, we all LOVE to eat, and can share some of our cooking and baking tips with customers. We want to guide customers in the right direction with everything health related; supplements, exercise, and nutrition. That means we allow customers to sample all of our exclusive lines before they purchase! You can test out pre-workouts, proteins, vitamins, and much much more to make sure you’re happy with your purchase! But honestly the main thing is we want to help you understand that no matter what your starting point is, you CAN achieve your goals. Jessica and I both have stories of weight loss and we love to share our stories to help inspire others to take better care of themselves.

36 January/February 2015 | www.PoolerMagazine.com

How do you think your CLients would characterize you?

Our biggest priority is providing everyone with an experience. We do this because we genuinely love this field and love helping others, so that definitely translates to our customer service. We are so passionate about fitness and we want everyone that walks out the door to feel better about themselves, and inspired to make any changes, or just renew their motivation.

Why did you choose to OPEN in POOLER? Such big things are happening in this town, and we want to be a part of that. Pooler has a very diverse population and we wanted to provide residents with an upscale supplement experience while still being very affordable. There’s a large fitness community here as well, so the location is very convenient for the people that used to travel to Savannah for their supplemental needs. Nutrishop is very new to the East Coast and Pooler is really becoming a hot spot for the Savannah and Greater Savannah area. We are incredibly happy to be here!

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43

The Port City Bar & Grille: A Diamond In The Rough • Story by KATRICE WILLIAMS

I

n a time where microwavable dinners and fast food drivethru restaurants are commonplace, it’s refreshing to know that good food that comes with an exceptional dining experience is right around the corner. The Port City Bar & Grille, part of the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites in Pooler, boasts some fresh and fabulous renovations. Sterling Dutton, Food & Beverage Manager, could not have joined the team at a better time. Being with the restaurant for just under a year, he came in just as the new make-over had been completed. He comments, “It was a perfect time for me to come in, because it was a new face to the restaurant.” Sterling is no stranger to the industry, having experience at a variety of establishments, both upscale and casual.

His experience has enabled him to know exactly what fine dining should be like, and it seems that he is incorporating the concept into everyday operations. He understands that change is necessary to stay on the cutting edge of business. “You always want to have the best, newest, freshest looking property,” he states.

The restaurant has a very unenclosed floor plan and provides a

44 January/February 2015 | www.PoolerMagazine.com

Photos by TODD WOOD • welcoming and warm atmosphere for customers. This is enhanced by the vibrant colors and beautiful artwork that accentuates the walls. It’s a very inviting space. Regarding the newer floor plan, Sterling points out, “It makes it more open; service flows easier, and nobody gets missed.” Making customers a priority seems to be quite important at The Port City Bar & Grille.

Sterling knows how important customer perception and opinion is in dining. Concerning this he declares, “If it looks like a messunorganized, dirty-then they’re not gonna want to eat.” He also says that keeping it “nice, fun, fresh and entertaining” attracts guests.

The entire restaurant staff is encouraged and expected to provide exceptional customer service on every level, whether it’s the waiters and waitresses or the cooks. Sterling talks about his staff, complimenting that “The people I work with are great.” He goes on to say, “We make you feel like you’re at home. We’re gonna get to know you; our servers, they’re gonna remember you.” In a time where subpar treatment can often seem like a rule in customer

P l a c e s to E at & D r i n k i n P o o l e r service rather than an exception, it’s nice to know that there are places that still believe in providing quality service.

Sterling states, “I want this to be your new, favorite place.”

In this profession, it’s always a huge necessity to be able to identify with customers and understand their needs. Sterling speaks of his traveling guests saying, “You don’t have to eat fast food for the second or third day in a row; you actually get to come have a meal prepared fresh for you.”

Whether breakfast or dinner, there’s an array of delectable dishes to choose from. A personalized omelet can be a great start to any day while a Salmon BLT, a customer favorite, makes for a scrumptious evening treat. Moreover, even the most tamed palate can be tempted with some of the mouthwatering desserts. Interestingly enough, he often encourages the cooks to be creative with many of the dishes, including the desserts. Whether it’s doing something extra special to the mini cheesecakes or making a unique and tasty pecan treat, customers should be able to easily find something to flatter their taste buds. Sterling knows that good tasting food and good looking food is very important. He emphasizes, “The food has to look good.” In addition, he often tells the cooks, “Prepare this like you’re preparing it for the most important person in your life and think… would I want to serve this to my mom?” He believes that the prices are reasonable especially for what you get. He says, “Compared to other restaurants around, you’re probably getting more food for less of a price.” He plans to make a new menu this year. Some of the popular items will be kept, but there will be several changes made. Additional seafood dishes, barbecue, and even some spicy cuisines may be added. The desire is for the new menu to have “a sort of low-country, southern flavor,” describes Sterling.

When asked what he feels to be one of the most important factors to customers when eating out, he states, “When you feel welcome. It doesn’t matter if it’s your first time here or your 100th time; you feel comfortable. When you leave, you have a full stomach.” He adds that he wants his guests to be able to relax and enjoy themselves. He explains that he likes for them to be happy with their experience there. About his job, Sterling asserts, “I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t like it.”

The restaurant, additionally, offers catering and meeting space for business customers, while welcoming luncheons, parties and business meetings. It also does military events, family reunions, and a host of other special functions.

Whether it’s plated dishes or buffet-style dining, Mr. Dutton explains that the entire event will be catered according to what the customer wants and their budget. Satisfying customers is the key!

There are many goals going forward. Sterling mentions that one of the biggest is to attract more local guests, agreeing that this can be challenging due to the restaurant being located inside the hotel and not in open view like many others are.

“I think we’re kind of a hidden gem,” he tells. Encompassing the principles that make for a hugely successful venue, a gem they are! Openly visible while driving around in Pooler, but it surely is “A Diamond in the The Port City Bar & Grille seems to have a lot to offer. It may not be openly visible while driving around in Pooler, but it surely is “A Diamond in the Rough.”

Port City Bar & Grille

103 San Drive, Pooler, GA 31322 (912)330-5100 Breakfast: M-F: 6 a.m.-10 a.m. • Sat & Sun: 6 a.m.-11 a.m.

Dinner: Sun-Sat: 5 p.m.-10 p.m.

www.PoolerMagazine.com | January/February 2015

45

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To Advertise in the dining guide, or to find out how to get your restaurant, pub or bar listed please call Julie at (912)657-4120 or DiAnna at (912)308-7408

Holiday Inn & Suites | Savannah Airport 103 San Dr. | Pooler, Ga 31322 Hotel: 912.330.5100 Fax: 912.330.5101 www.holidayinn.com/sav-pooler

Port City Bar & Grille

Located at the Entrance of the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport

950 C Morgan’s Corner Pooler, Georgia 31322 912-450-0887 or 912-450-0885

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46 January/February 2015 | www.PoolerMagazine.com

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