Pooler March April 2017 by JDelSUR Marketing Group

March/April 2017

Nate

Highers

Master Craftsman, Cabinet Maker

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CONTRIBUTORS

SUBSCRIBE is a married mother of two. She graduated from Georgia Southern University with a Business Administration Degree. Interestingly enough, at the time, she also had an interest in writing. She and her family moved to Pooler in 2003 from the Atlanta Metro Area. She later decided to pursue her writing interests. Katrice appreciates The Lord Jesus Christ and the many blessings that He has bestowed upon her. She loves spending time with her family.

Make sure you never miss a copy of Pooler’s only full-color lifestyle magazine. Sign-up on-line at www.PoolerMagazine.com

Kathryn Vandenhouten is a freelance writer who enjoys meeting new and interesting people. She earned her English degree at Georgia Southern University, and caught the travel bug while studying abroad in Costa Rica, where she received a minor in Spanish. After college, she worked briefly in Yellowstone National Park, where she enjoyed hiking and photographing the scenery and the wildlife. She now lives in Rincon and loves spending time with her husband, Sean, and two children, Turner and Emery.

Katrice Williams

on Facebook. Check-out our Facebook page and keep up with the exciting things happening in Pooler.You’ll find us at Pooler Magazine. We’re on twitter!

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WRITE US Tonya Chester Perry is a married mother of two children. She is a full time photographer with a studio based in Rincon. She graduated from college with a degree in business. She is originally from Louisiana. After living in different states, she now resides in Effingham County. She is a Maternity, Newborn, Child, High School Senior and Wedding Photographer. When not working, she enjoys spending her time with her husband and kids.

Cindy Burbage

is a native of Richmond Hill. She began writing in college and took a hiatus to raise her four beautiful children. Cindy enjoys traveling and is always ready for a road trip. She believes that faith is greater than fear.

Susan Lee

began her writing career more than 25 years ago when she served in the U.S. Air Force as a military journalist stationed in Washington, D.C. After completing her tour of duty, Susan stayed on as a civilian employee in Washington, working for more than 10 years as Public Relations Director for the Air Force’s Services Division. She moved from D.C. to Effingham County in 1996 after meeting her husband, Springfield native Wesley Lee. She has continued to work in public relations and marketing throughout the years and is excited to now focus more on her writing.

Shelia Scott is an Effingham County native and Salzburg descendent. She has been married to her husband, and best friend, for 6 years. Between them, they have 9 children and 4 grandchildren. She started dabbling in photography when her kids were little and fell in love. When not with her family, she’s off somewhere, camera in hand looking for the next amazing shot!

04 March/April 2017 | www.PoolerMagazine.com

Write to us and tell us what you think. Pooler Magazine welcomes all letters to the publisher. Please send all letters via email to Julie Hales at julie@idpmagazines.com, or mail letters to P.O. Box 1742, Rincon, GA 31326. Letters to the publisher must have a phone number and name of contact. Phone numbers will not be published.

ARTICLE SUBMISSIONS

Pooler Magazine welcomes story ideas from our readers. If you have a story idea, or photo essay you would like to share, please submit ideas and material by emailing Julie Hales at julie@idpmagazines.com Stories or ideas for stories must be submitted by email. Only feature stories and photo essays about people, places or things in Pooler.

www.poolermagazine.com

Hospice Savannah:

So Much More Than Hospice Care! Beth Logan, Hospice Savannah’s Director of Marketing and Volunteer Services.

or almost 40 years, Hospice Savannah’s mission has been to provide the best services and resources on living with a life-limiting illness, dying, death, grief and loss throughout Bryan, Chatham, Effingham, Liberty and Long counties. The fact that we are the only Joint Commission accredited hospice speaks to our focus on quality outcomes and focus on ethical business practices. We are also extremely proud to be the only hospice to have a Hospice House where our patients can come to have difficult symptoms treated or where they can choose to pay to live as a resident. It makes me sad when we have families who wait until the last minute to access our help. Too often, patients and doctors hold out hope for one more surgery or one more treatment and are not realistic about the prognosis of the terminal disease. It has been clinically shown that utilizing hospice and palliative care actually extends both the quality and the length of life, yet we regularly have patients die in the ambulance en route from the hospital or very shortly after their arrival to their own home or Hospice House. Families are being robbed of the opportunity to have the meaningful conversations needed to finish up the business of living – saying, “I love you,” “I’m sorry” and so on. Since 2,000 there has been an influx of conglomerate, corporate hospices into our community. Please realize there are differences in the quality and clinical expertise and that all hospices are not the same! Don’t be scared to research hospice care earlier rather than later by calling 912.355.2289 or visiting www. HospiceSavannah.org Additionally - did you know that because of community support and the work of our Foundation, we are much more than hospice? We offer hospital, home-based and clinic-based palliative care through the Steward Center for Palliative Care and I encourage folks struggling to cope with a loved one’s serious or chronic illness, to access their help by calling 912.354.8014. We can also provide help and support to you, the unpaid family caregiver, through the Edel Caregiver Institute by providing practical hands-on caregiving classes, “dealing with dementia behaviors” classes, caregiver support groups, deep relaxation sessions, and referrals to practical community resources. . The Institute’s help is free of charge, and they can be reached at 912.629.1331 www.EdelCaregiverInstitute.org. And finally, if you struggle with anxiety, sadness or distress because of the death of a loved one, whether by murder, suicide, or natural causes, I encourage you to find help through Full Circle Grief and Loss Center. Our bereavement counselors can meet with you in Savannah or in the United Way offices in Rincon. Again, there is no charge for counseling for children, teens or adults, and overnight and day camps for children are also available. Find out more by calling 912.303.9442 or visit www. HospiceSavannah.org/fullcircle.

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www.PoolerMagazine.com | March/April 2017

CONTENTS March/April 2017

features

departments

08 Master Nate Highers Craftsman and Cabinet

07 Publisher’s Letter

Maker

14 Budding Diane Klevinski Pooler Artist 18 Making Donna Davies A Difference One Stitch At A Time

22 Paying Evelyn Lipscomb It Forward At The Pooler Senior Center

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25 Pooler Sports

• Christian Smith Awesome Young Athlete • Pooler Recreation Spotlight Matt Lee

35 Mathnasium Let’s Do Business

PUBLISHER’S Thoughts

Our first Pooler Sports Section Julie Hales owner/publisher julie@idpmagazines.com Lane Leopard graphic design lane@idpmagazines.com Lea Allen administrative assistant/circulation lea@idpmagazines.com Wanda Hendricks Simmons account executive wanda@idpmagazines.com

Pooler Magazine is proudly produced by:

This month marks 11 years in business for Independence Day Publishing, Inc, publishers of your very own Pooler Magazine. The company was founded on March 1st of 2006. Pooler Magazine was the second publication in the IDP family, launching in November of that same year. We have certainly enjoyed our last 10 plus years in Pooler. The people in this city are amazing. We are very fortunate to be a part of this wonderful community. Our clients and readers have been very loyal and supportive over the years and we truly appreciate each of you. In my last Publisher’s Letter, I spoke about changes! Change is such a small word with such a huge meaning. It could be the simplest little thing... or something very massive. Julie Hales, PUBLISHER We promised changes in 2017 for Pooler Magazine. And, we plan to deliver. In this issue, you will see one of the many new changes to come. This issue boasts our very own sports section. We will have sports stories about Pooler residents in every issue!!! We are very excited about that. I pretty much grew up on a ball field as my father coached in this area for many years....then I played and the tradition continued. I am sure many of you grew up just like I did....chasing foul balls and loving the game. We are very excited about having this section as a part of Pooler Magazine. So, send those story ideas in....young, old.....baseball, football...it doesn’t matter. We want to hear them all. You can email me information about your favorite Pooler athlete to julie@ idpmagazines.com. And, make sure you are on the look out for our May/June issue. Our next exciting changes will be seen then. Until then, happy reading.

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

March/April 2017

ABOUT THE COVER

Nate

Highers

Master Craftsman, Cabinet Maker

Meet the super talented Nate Highers. Nate is the true definition of a craftsman. With a God given talent, this man creates beautiful pieces of art from wood. Read about his ability and his desire to keep this art alive.

www.PoolerMagazine.com | March/April 2017

Nate Highers MASTER CRAFTSMAN and CABINET MAKER

ate Highers was born an artist. He doesn’t work with paints and canvas, though. His medium is wood. He is a master craftsman and cabinet maker, and his custom furniture is pure art. From tables and chairs to hutches and buffets, Highers can do it all. His one-of-a-kind pieces are craftsmanship at its finest. His passion for woodworking started at a very young age. One of his earliest memories as a child was whittling a lighthouse when he was just six years old. As far back as he can remember, he has had a fascination with wood. He and his father camped a lot when he was younger, so Highers always had a pocket knife available, and his favorite way to pass the time was by carving. “It was the late 70’s early 80’s, so we didn’t have cell phones and all that other stuff, so I would just sit in the yard and whittle and carve and make all kinds of stuff,” he recalls. What’s even more amazing is that nobody ever taught him how to whittle or carve. He was a natural, and Highers knows it was what he was meant to do. “It’s what I dream about in my sleep,” he says. “I look at a piece of furniture like this and I see it explode in my mind. I see all of the parts and reassemble it.”

Story by KATIE VANDENHOUTEN Photos by TONYA CHESTER PERRY

He made his first piece of furniture when he was in seventh grade. “That was where I got into shop class, where I started getting real education on wood types and tools,” he says. His mother still has that first piece of furniture displayed in her living room: a rocking bassinet with a curved roof. And he’s been creating custom pieces ever since. When he was a sophomore, he had enough credits to go to trade school while he was still in high school, and there he learned even more about building and construction. More importantly for Highers, that’s where he could access the materials and power tools to hone his obsession. So that’s just what he did. He started working as soon as he could, and his hobby and passion quickly turned into a career. Unlike most people, Highers has never had a profession doing anything other than what he loves. “There are few people that have something they were born with the skills to do, and I was fortunate enough to always be able to do what I enjoy,” he says. “So in some way, shape or form, I’ve been able to work with wood.” “Cabinet maker” is Highers’ professional title, but it is a bit of a misnomer. It’s a common mistake for people

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to assume that he makes kitchen cabinets, but cabinet makers have actually been around longer than kitchen cabinets. “An empty piece of furniture with no door or drawers in it is a cabinet,” he explains. And cabinet makers are hard to find these days. “It’s much harder to find a true cabinet maker than it is to find a carpenter,” say Highers. “They are not the same.” In addition to cabinet making and custom furniture, Highers has worked in construction, doing trim work and anything that required lots of detail. As long as it involved woodworking, he’d gladly take the job. One of the highlights in his career was working for Stickley Furniture, one of the world’s best known names in high end furniture. “I learned from some of the best cabinet makers in the world when I did Stickley’s work,” says Highers. “Stickley’s is a global company, and they’ve been around forever. And people spend a lot of money on their furniture,”

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he adds. At one point, there were only five cabinet makers in the world that did custom work for Stickley, and Highers was one of them. What’s even more impressive is the fact that English royalty have purchased Highers’ work from Stickley. And even though Highers can brag about high end clientele, he puts just as much care and creativity into his everyday furniture. “My proudest achievement is the entertainment center in my mother’s living room,” he says. “Just because of the way it made her smile...Every time somebody walks into her house she has to walk them through and show them the pieces I’ve made for her.” Currently, he enjoys making custom furniture for the renowned 24e. Design CO. on Broughton Street in Savannah. The downtown store has been a prominent fixture in Savannah for thirty years, showcasing brilliant designs and international aesthetics coveted by furniture aficionados nationwide.

24e. Design CO. owner, Ruel Joyner, knows a thing or two about fine home furnishings. Showing, creating, and curating original designed furnishings and objects from all over the globe is his mission. “It’s been a pleasure to bring him on and have him be a part of what we do,” he says of Highers. “He’s very masterful in his woodworking, and he certainly knows what he’s doing.” He knows what he is doing because he has been doing it his whole life. When asked what the most difficult aspect of his job is, he says people can be a lot more difficult than the projects themselves. “People have great designs and people have great ideas, but sometimes they’re structurally not practical, but I do give the solutions,” Highers explains. Nevertheless, he always seems to find a way to bring clients’ unique designs to life. For example, when a client requested a large table made of one piece of wood, Highers found a way to do it. “It was an immensely huge table,” he recalls. “And it was so big I didn’t have saws or tools big enough to cut it. I had to plane it and cut it all by hand.” Depending on the labor and quality of materials, handmade furniture can be quite expensive, but Highers wants people to know that it doesn’t have to be. Custom furniture can be affordable, and it’s definitely worth it in the long run. He says he’d never buy a piece of mass produced, factory-made furniture. “I wouldn’t waste the three hundred dollars to buy it when I know I can make it in two days, and it’s something my kids can give to their kids,” explains Highers. “The furniture I build, you can drop out of a third story window and drag it back into the house. It’s just the quality, really. And the prices aren’t all that different. It’s not all that much more to buy a custom piece of furniture.” In a world more and more enamoured with instant gratification, craftsmanship and authenticity are falling by the wayside. He worries that masters of his trade are dying with the growth of technology. “Cabinet makers are a dying breed,” he laments. “It’s sad. It’s terrible. Jesus was a cabinet maker.” That is one reason why he is looking for an apprentice. His mentor at Stickley, an old Vietnamese man named Fu Trann, always used to tell him, “I die soon. You focus.” He taught Highers many invaluable skills of the trade. “He taught me a lot,” he says of Trann. “And I see it now. If he couldn’t pass it on to somebody, it would die with him.” He finds it disheartening that craftsmanship

“I look at a piece of furniture like this and I see it explode in my mind. I see all of the parts and reassemble it.”

and the classic trades are being forgotten by younger generations. He lists Pat Enwright as another mentor from Stickley who taught him that “they don’t make a tool for everything.” Enwright taught him to make his own jigs and fixtures and to think outside the box. Cabinet makers make furniture that gets handed down for generations, and Highers wants to pass on his skills to ensure that his trade lives on. “Maybe somebody can see what I’m doing and say ‘Oh, wow! I’d like to try that.’” he adds.

His spirituality influences him a great deal, and he considers his talent for woodworking a gift from God. “I knew early on that I was born with this. It wasn’t something that I did, by any means,” he explains. “It was all a gift. It was given to me.” He considers himself blessed to be able to to do what he loves, and he never takes it for granted. He is grateful to wake up each day and create beautiful works of functional art. He would love to have his own furniture line one day, but for now he

is content doing what he loves. Nate Highers is a craftsman who found his calling early in life. His fine woodwork will certainly be around for years to come for future generations to admire. “I just want to make as many people happy as I can and hopefully pass it on to somebody else,” he says. For more information, Mr. Highers can be reached at nhighers@gmail.com or via facebook.

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Dianne Klevinski:

BUDDING POO LER ARTIST

Story by SUSAN LEE Photos by TONYA CHESTER PERRY

ometimes your friends know best. They look past your objections, excuses and even fear to talk you into taking a certain path or doing something they know is just right for you. For Dianne Klevinski, it took almost a year for her friend and neighbor, Liz Kostora, to talk her into joining her for a painting class at the Pooler Senior Citizens Center, just a couple of streets away from their Sangrena Woods homes. “In my mind, I thought I was too young to go to a senior center, even though I was 62,” she says. “And I was very uncomfortable going to a paining class because I assumed everyone in the class would be so far advanced in their artistic abilities. I knew that I couldn’t even draw a straight line.” Fortunately, the painting class teacher made her feel welcome and worked with her and all the students individually. At that first class in August 2014, Dianne began by tracing and then painting a picture of rudbeckia flowers. “I couldn’t believe how hard it was to come up with the colors to mix the paint, then get it to look just as I wanted,” she recalls. “I was a bit overwhelmed. It took me a long time to do that picture but, in the end, I was happy with it.” Since then, she has regularly attended the painting class and, according to her teacher, is making great progress. “Like most new students, Dianne was very timid when she began painting,” says teacher Becky Marcussen, an accomplished and well-respected artist and instructor. “But

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she has perseverance, which is what you need to progress as an artist. She’s always eager to soak up new techniques and continues to work on paintings outside of class. She is really talented, and is becoming more creative as she continues to develop her skills.” Becky added that her student is meticulous in her work, and Dianne agrees that she probably spends too much time on each painting. “I tend to work a long time on every single detail, but Becky keeps re-

minding me that not every painting has to be a masterpiece,” she said. “She encourages me to just enjoy the experience and not worry about every single stroke.” Dianne’s progression as an artist is evident in her paintings, many of which are proudly displayed in her beautifully lit sunroom. Over time, she said she has developed a better understanding of blending colors and the effective use of shading. Several of her paintings have evolved and even changed drastically as she reworked the canvasses to get them just right. “I really enjoy doing the painting, but then I get frustrated throughout the process because it’s not exactly how in my mind I want it to look,” she said. “So I go

back and change it, even several times. But it’s never so frustrating that I don’t want to paint anymore.” Dianne admits she still doesn’t have enough confidence in her ability as an artist, despite having sold five of her paintings. One of her commissioned sales was an incredibly detailed pencil drawing of a 1963 Harley Davidson. Her friends and family also regularly request her work and are thrilled with her paintings. The painting class is held at the Pooler Senior Citizens Center every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to noon. The art teacher, Becky, provides all the basic supplies needed to become a part of this lively and welcoming group. “Although we have about 8 to 10 regulars, people join all the time,” she said. “And all of the students are pretty amazing.” It’s one of many activities and classes for seniors organized and offered by Susan Edwards, center director, and her staff. The monthly calendar includes BINGO, jewelry making, card games, crochet, talent shows, exercise and many other activities to keep the seniors active and socializing. The center also offers day trips to areas throughout the low country, including Bluffton, Statesboro and Brunswick, with plans for lunch, shopping and visits to local attractions. Dianne grew up in Savannah, but by the early 1980s she worked as an air traffic controller in Florida and later South Carolina. Until, that is, President Reagan’s mass firing of striking controllers left her without a career. After returning to Savannah for a period to care for her recently

www.PoolerMagazine.com | January/February 2017

widowed grandmother, Dianne moved to Hilton Head and was working there when she met her husband, Mark. The couple moved to North Carolina, Mark’s home state, and stayed for 25 years. Dianne worked for several years in the compliance division of Hanes Brands Hosiery and Mark had his own business servicing air pollution control equipment. In 2013, Dianne’s 88-year-old father, Henry Sullivan, asked them to move in with him in his Pooler home. They relocated and that summer settled into the Sangrena Woods neighborhood. A few months later, Liz and Arnie Kostora moved in across the street and a close friendship soon began. Sadly, Henry passed away in December of 2015, but not before he was able to enjoy some traveling with Dianne and Mark in their new 45-foot motor coach. The couple celebrated their 30th anniversary in their RV this past year on an 8-week cross country trek, through all of the southern states and then out west to Utah. In addition to many wonderful memories, Dianne brought back countless digital photos of breathtaking landscapes for inspiration in future paintings. “If someone had even hinted that I would be an artist one day, I would not have believed them,” she said. “As a fledgling artist, I enjoy so many things that I previously took for granted. Once you begin working with form, light and paint, you see the world differently.”

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“As a fledgling artist, I enjoy so many things that I previously took for granted. Once you begin working with form, light and paint, you see the world differently.” Above: Diane at home in her studio Below: Diane and art teacher Becky Marcussen at the Pooler Senior Citizen Center

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Donna Davies

Making A Difference One Stitch At A Time Story by CINDY BURBAGE Photos by SHELIA SCOTT

ime is one of the most precious commodities. It is something that escapes quickly and is not retrievable; however, when it is spent doing for others, it is at its highest value. Volunteering one’s time is selfless act with great rewards. Meet Pooler resident Donna Davies who donates her time and talent to the Pooler Senior Citizens Center. She has been a Pooler local for almost ten years, having resided in Springhill, Florida for many years before the death of her parents. She relocated here to be closer to her family: a son, daughter-in-law,

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granddaughter and a beautiful new great grandson. At the age of 30, Donna decided she wanted to learn to knit. “I just sat down one day and bought a book. I couldn’t find anyone to teach me how to do it. The book had pictures that showed you how to do it with the different stitches. And that is how I picked it up”, she confessed. However, knitting was not her first love with yarn. When she was just 9 years old, her Mom introduced her to their neighbor and a flair for crafts was born. “My parents and I lived in New Jersey, and the lady that lived behind us taught me. She was an elderly

lady and started me off with the basics, a granny square. I could never remember what to do when it came to those corners,” Donna reminisced. Over the years, Donna has knitted over a hundred different items, but her first piece has remained her favorite. “Soon after I first started, I did a napkin with the cable stitch. It took me awhile to pick up that stitch because you use the two main knitting needles and double pointed needles with that. But it turned out really pretty. After I finished it, I had a neighbor that loved it. I gave it to her and she started crying and even offered to pay for it,”

the knitter recalled. Donna began volunteering her time to teach the knitting class. “Susan Edwards, the director of the Senior Center, just called me up one day and asked if I would be interested in teaching. She had a couple of ladies that was interested in learning to knit. So I said sure, I will teach them what I know. They are learning the basics right now, knit 1, pull 1.” Class is at the Pooler Senior Center on Mondays from 10am-12pm. Yarn is not this crafty lady’s only talent. A few years ago, she taught a class at the Senior Citizen Center on making whirligigs out of plastic canvas. She discovered her admiration for this craft while living in Florida. “I used to get the Mary Maxim Craft Magazines and they carried the whirligig kits. When I got the kit, I made one and had so much fun. As soon as I could get one made, I had neighbors that would come around and would ask if they could buy one. So I started selling them.” Donna has been an active member of First Baptist Church of Pooler since 2009. It wasn’t until then that she discovered she could utilize her talents and love for crafts to help those across the world. The congregation participates

with The Samaritan’s Purse, a Christian organization that provides spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world. Operation Christmas Child is one of this organization’s mission projects. The gist of the maneuver is to pack needed and wanted items into a shoebox to send thousands of miles across the land. The items include personal hygiene (non-liquid), school supplies and toys. “I work on items for the Operation Christmas Child working throughout the year. Out of plastic, I have made 88 jewelry boxes, necklaces and bracelets. I also have crocheted 100 hats, plus washcloths and little pocketbooks. Just whatever we can get into a shoebox,” the talented lady explained. “One year I personally filled up over 300 shoe boxes. It’s something to be proud of. You are helping out a lot of children that wouldn’t get anything. Our church played a video of the children receiving their boxes. You see them crushing that shoe box to their heart with a big smile, it makes you feel really good doing something for someone else,” she concluded Donna’s continued dedication to her community has proven how just one volunteer can make a difference. www.PoolerMagazine.com | March/April 2017

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Evelyn Lipscomb Paying It Forward at the Pooler Senior Center “We make a living by what we get, but make a life by what we give.” ~Winston Churchill

velyn Lipscomb, a Candler County native, is a married mother of two adult children and grandmother of six. Evelyn moved back to this area almost five years ago after retiring from her career as an office administrator in New Jersey where she lived for most of her life. While in New Jersey, Evelyn received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology and earned a membership in Alpha Kappa Delta, an International Sociology Honor Society. She also acquired certifications in both project management and grant writing. Evelyn is presently working to attain her Master’s Degree in Professional Communication and Leadership. A while after retiring, Evelyn began to yearn for something that would allow her to be productive in some of her spare moments while also benefiting others. She soon became acquainted with the Pooler Senior Center after meeting its director Susan Edward. Evelyn spoke to Susan about volunteer opportunities, especially one particular project that would allow her to assist seniors in developing or enhancing their computer and banking skills. However, members had little interest. Interestingly enough, a crocheting class was being implemented into the program line-up. Evelyn welcomed the opportunity and agreed to teach the class each week, especially since she had wonderful crocheting skills.

22 March/April 2017 | www.PoolerMagazine.com

Story by KATRICE WILLIAMS Photos by SHELIA SCOTT

In fact, Evelyn has been crocheting since she was 19 years old. Most people think that the gift was inherited from her mom Emma who had remarkable crocheting skills. Evelyn states, “My mom was always doing little projects. She did the works— bedspreads, tablecloths--but I didn’t learn how to crochet from my mom.” Actually, as a young adult in New Jersey, Evelyn had a summer job where she worked around much older women. They did crocheting nearly every day at lunchtime while she read books. In time, she talked to the women, one of which was quite intrigued by Evelyn’s tremendous interest in reading. The lady asked, “Do you ever get tired of reading? Your brain has to be tired…all you do is read. Come over here and crochet with us; you’re going to love it.” Evelyn remembers being given a size eight crochet hook; it is her favorite crochet hook to use to this day. Over time, she learned to crochet all types of items-hats, scarves, blankets, kitchen towels and much more. If she had a pattern, she had a product. Evelyn put crocheting aside for a while as she began pursuing her degree in sociology. Over the years, crocheting became something done in her spare time. Evelyn has taught the crochet class at the Pooler Senior Center for about three years. The class is currently held every Monday at 10 a.m. Some of the seniors

are skilled participants, while others may desire overall learning and development; some just leisurely watch. Various items can be made starting from the basics like dish towels, scarves or beanie hats ranging to more complex pieces like throws and blankets. The majority of the crochet items used are donated to the center. Upon completion, the items go to very worthwhile causes. Evelyn and Susan speak of one cause in particular that the center supports—the Linus Project. Inspired by the blanket-carrying character Linus from Creator Charles Shultz’s Peanuts Comic Strip, the 100% volunteer-based non-profit organization donates blankets to establishments that help children in need from infants to teens; this includes places like hospitals, childhood cancer centers, orphanages and shelters to name a few. Individuals are encouraged to contact their local Linus Project Chapter to help the meaningful cause. Almost anyone can help and nearly all “new, hand-made and washable” items are welcomed. Evelyn enjoys her time spent with the ladies who attend her class at the center each Monday. All-in-all, it is a nice time to talk, build and share skills and have a relaxing time together. Further, she really likes the atmosphere. “Everybody is so laid back. I like the idea that you can encourage them and get them to do things that they wouldn’t ordinarily be wanting to do. It’s nice to be

able to deal with people, especially when they’re older than I am…just to talk to them,” Evelyn asserts. Evelyn knows that the center would not thrive without sound leadership. She feels that Susan is a great leader who really cares about the senior members and their well-being. Whether assuring that desired programs are in place or organizing fun trips for the seniors, Susan strives to enhance their overall quality of life. Evelyn insists, “She’s a good director. She’s very concerned about her people here—always trying to make people happy. She has a good heart.” Evelyn is thankful for all those who inspired and helped her over the years; she just wants to “pay it forward.” Upon

completing her degree, Evelyn aspires to donate some of her time to non-profit organizations that need help with services. Looking ahead, she has a vision of teaching small children on the nursery school level to crochet, starting their development in the craft at a very early age. Evelyn feels that all seniors, both “natives and out-of-towners,” should visit the center to see all that it offers. She is confident that they will not be disappointed. Evelyn believes that they will “be surprised how much their quality of life will improve.” She encourages seniors, “You really should come see all of the things for you to do.” Besides crocheting, Evelyn has sever-

al other interests. “I enjoy going to school…I always enjoy learning. I’m a walker…I walk a lot. I like shopping—looking for antiques. I love to travel,” she comments. In fact, Evelyn is looking forward to a big road trip with some friends where they will visit various sites, including the popular eatery Sweetie Pie’s, a nationally-renowned restaurant in Missouri. Evelyn is glad to share her time and talent with the seniors at the Pooler Senior Center. She refuses to take life for granted as she strives to “pay it forward.” She remarks, “I’m just thankful that I lived to be this age and that I’m still active and can do things. I’m just looking forward to tomorrow.”

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5 s t r o

r e l o o

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Christian Smith An Awesome Young Athlete Showing That Character Counts “Sports do not build character…they reveal it.” ~ John Wooden

Story by KATRICE WILLIAMS Photos by TONYA CHESTER PERRY

hristian Smith is a 17-yearold junior at Memorial Day School. He is a Savannah native who moved to Pooler about seven years ago, along with his parents Althea and Patrick, sister Kristhea and brother Christopher. Christian transferred to Memorial Day School from Calvary Day School following his freshman year. As a math enthusiast, he aspires to attain a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Georgia; he loves those Dawgs. Though his dad is an avid University of Florida Gator fan, Christian is a Dawg to the core. He asserts, “I just grew up a Dawg fan.” Moreover, Christian understands his priorities. He is enrolled in both advanced placement and honors courses; he is committed to maintaining a high degree of overall academic success. Christian began his athletic endeavors when he was only 4 years old. As football is his favorite sport, Christian has ambitions to play in the NFL or even the CFL one day, which are achievable goals for this remarkable young athlete. Presently, he is proud to be a Memorial Day Matador. In addition to football, Christian excels in baseball and basketball; he played all three sports over the past couple of years at Memorial and during his freshman year as a Calvary Day Cavalier. For most of his life, Christian has been a truly versatile athlete, capable of successfully playing a variety of positions whenever needed. In fact, throughout his high school career, he has played both offensive and defensive positions on the field, including defensive end, linebacker, safety, fullback

and kicker. Christian has earned a variety of athletic accolades over the years. He was recognized as Memorial Day School’s Athlete of the Semester, an exceptional honor, as it recognizes student athletes who maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher. Last season, Christian was honored to participate in All-Region for both basketball and football. He was grateful to receive MaxPreps’ Player of the Game Award, while also qualifying to compete for the Darien Award for being such a well-rounded athlete. Christian’s athletic ability is surpassed only by his noteworthy character. Most who are familiar with the stellar young man feel that he is a great example on and off the field. His self-respect, respect for authority and respect for others are values recognized by those who know him. Christian appreciates his teammates for their efforts and hard work throughout the seasons. He feels privileged to be a part of the Matador Basketball Team, who earned their participation in the Final Four Playoffs last season. Just as impressive, the Matador Football Team qualified to participate in the State Championship last season. Regarding all of his teammates, he states, “Without them, I wouldn’t be the athlete I am now. Everybody plays a part on the team,” he affirms. It’s obvious that behind all great players are great coaches—those leaders who challenge the player’s overall potential. Christian is immensely proud to be under Coach Michael Thompson’s leadership. “He’s the best coach I’ve had so far. When it’s time to perform on the field, he’s right there next to you. He was one of my

www.PoolerMagazine.com | March/April 2017

teachers—he pushes me in the classroom. He’s the best coach I could ask for,” he remarks. As Christian’s history teacher last year and as a current school administrator, Coach Thompson persists to ensure that Christian understands the importance in obtaining a good education. Coach Thomson knows that Christian is an extraordinarily talented athlete. He also feels that he is a bright example for other young people. Concerning Christian, he states, “He’s definitely a hard worker. His leadership skills are there. What I like about Christian is that he’s very coachable. As a person,

28 March/April 2017 | www.PoolerMagazine.com

he’s definitely a ‘yes sir, no sir’ guy—very respectable. We all know that will take him a long way in life, especially with his character. He has a great head on his shoulders. With him taking education seriously, he’ll always be successful.” Being recognized as one of the best players in the state, Christian was recently invited to represent “not only his community and state, but also country as a participant in International Sports Specialists, Inc.’s 29th Annual Down Under Sports Tournament in Australia” this summer. His invitation was sent directly to Coach Thompson this past December. Christian will be a member of the “East

Conference Football Team,” which will include high-caliber high school athletes from other states across the country. The players will “unite and play against an Australian team” in various tournament games. The “international event” will allow the players to travel to Australia, New Zealand and Hawaii. Christian is incredibly grateful for the opportunity and is looking forward to it. He comments, “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I’m just blessed. I’m glad to be a part of it. I want to bring home that trophy for the U.S.” Althea, who says that she is Christian’s “biggest fan,” is extremely proud of her son. She knows that the experience will be great for both Christian’s athletic and personal growth. “It’s big. It’s different, and it’s the opportunity of a lifetime,” she proclaims. Although Christian has already been selected for the team, the trip must be funded. Each participant is responsible for the cost of the trip. Understanding the financial requirements, the organization encourages players to acquire donations from family, friends, businesses and individuals within their communities. All donations are handled by Down Under Sports. Additional information can be attained by contacting the organization. Christian’s family whole-heartedly appreciates anyone who supports the phenomenal cause. Christian is thankful for all the individuals who have inspired him, especially two of his biggest inspirations—his mom Althea and his dad Patrick. “They support me 100%. They push me, knowing my abilities. They’re behind me no matter what…that’s family,” he insists. Football is surely a big deal in this family. “My brother played, and my little step-brother played. My daddy grew up watching football,” he reveals. Christian enjoys other interests in his spare time. He likes to listen to music, watch SportsCenter and catch a few games on television when possible. He wants all children to know that character, hard work and perseverance will take them a long way in life. To young people, he comments, “Follow your dreams.” Christian Smith is an impressive young man with a truly bright future. Whether athletically, academically or personally, there is no limit to his success. To make donations or for any questions, contact Down Under Sports: www. DownUnderSports.com/payment (435)753-4732

“They support me 100%. They push me, knowing my abilities. They’re behind me no matter what… that’s family.”

30 March/April 2017 | www.PoolerMagazine.com

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Matt Lee:

POOLER RECREATION SPOTLIGHT

Basketball Coach for Pooler Recreation Department

Story by CINDY BURBAGE Photos by SHELIA SCOTT

ooler resident, Matt Lee, has been giving his time to the children of his community for almost seven years. After marrying his beautiful sweetheart, Shannon Edwards, they moved to the Pooler area in 2004. Two years later, in 2006, they welcomed their bundle of joy, a son Logan Matthew Lee. “When Logan was 2 years old, we began playing baseball, basketball and football. By the age of 4, he was playing youth sports at the Pooler YMCA and I started volunteer coaching. When Logan turned 6 years old, we moved over to the Pooler Recreation Department and he asked me to be his coach,” a passionate Matt explained. Parents coaching their children’s team has become a way of life for many. The dedication that is needed to become an influential role model is endless and that drive of commitment is learned, by example. “I was raised in an Air Force family; we traveled from base to base until my father retired in Warner Robins, Georgia. We then moved to Savannah where he worked as a mechanic at Gulfstream. My father was always involved with mine and my brothers’ sports, which included baseball, basketball, football and track, until he passed away

32 March/April 2017 | www.PoolerMagazine.com

when I was eleven years old. At that point, my mother had to assume the responsibility of getting us to practices and games”, Matt remembered. Coaching is something that Matt Lee takes seriously and holds close to his heart. He explained, “Being an older father than most, I grew up without the electronic devices that are available to kids now. I’ve seen the decline which these technological advances brought to our youth, and I vowed that my child would not become entrenched in them. I’ve coached baseball, soccer and basketball throughout the years to follow. My involvement is mostly based on spending time with Logan, but I’ve realized that my beliefs needed to be shared. I do not win the most games. I am not the best X’s and O’s coach at the Rec Dept. I want kids to want to be here. I preach practice makes perfect. I will play to kids’ strengths and we must play as a team. I feel that ingame experience will teach kids more than the few practices they get before the season starts. As far as winning, it will come.” With several years of commitment to coaching for the Pooler Recreation Department and YMCA, Matt has had his fair share of memorable moments that he will treasure

“I want kids to want to be here. I preach practice makes perfect. I will play to kids’ strengths and we must play as a team. I feel that in-game experience will teach kids more than the few practices they get before the season starts. As far as winning, it will come.”

www.PoolerMagazine.com | January/February 2017

throughout his life. They include the wins, the losses and humorous adventures of children. “One of my funniest coaching experiences came from my 6U team this year. After every practice, the team would bring their hands in and I would say ‘Good job guys! Team on 3! 1-2-3 TEAM!’ After the last practice, I asked the kids what is our team name going to be? With a confused look in their eyes, they looked at me and said ‘Coach we have a name, it’s Team on 3’! It’s moments like these that keep me coaching,” he laughingly shared. Coach Matt Lee’s most cherished memory however, is watching Logan’s team (his son) win the District Tournament last year for the Pooler All-Stars. Whether he was participating, teaching or spectating, sports has played a major role in Matt’s life. A few of his favorite teams are Dallas Cowboys, Georgia Bulldogs, Atlanta Braves and last but not least, Duke Basketball. He has taken a few pointers from his favorite coach, Mike Krzyzweski from Duke University or Coach K, as he is lovingly referred. “He teaches team basketball; he mentors his kids about life outside of basketball.” Showing children how to apply rules and discipline plus comradery off the court and field, displays character. It builds a foundation for strong minds and bodies. Matt Lee’s goals as an instructor have evolved over time. “Over the last 4 years, my role as a coach has gone from wanting a better future for my child, to wanting a better future for all children,” the dedicated father revealed. “Youth sports is a large part of it. They’ll learn the value of teamwork, improve their social skills, and become healthier. The Pooler Rec Department is a great way to start doing just that,” he continued. “So parents, I challenge you to play with your kids more, put down the electronics, and live life.” To get your family involved with sports, The Pooler Recreation

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34 March/April 2017 | www.PoolerMagazine.com

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