When Beckey Bullard and Julie Lord met and became friends in seventh grade at Risley Middle School, they had no idea their friendship would not only survive, but also thrive, for decades.

“It was 39 years ago,” Julie said of the two meeting and becoming friends. “Oh my God. You had to put it in numbers! Uh!” Beckey added, laughing. “We had to do a book report together with some friends about Gandhi. Julie’s sister was married to a man from the Middle East, and she let us borrow some of the clothing they wear in Pakistan.”

“So that’s how we became friends—with a book report,” Julie said, smiling. “Homework brought us together, Beckey!”

When Dara Davis and Leslie Jackson met 18 years ago, they became the best of friends almost immediately. Now, nearly two decades later, their bond is stronger than ever.

“We were both in the Island Players’ production of (the musical) Irene. We played friends on stage and bonded almost immediately,” Leslie said. “We did hit it off quickly,” Dara added. “We laughed at the same things.”

They also both grew up singing and playing music and performing in musical theatre. “I play the piano,” said Leslie, who currently teaches music at Sterling Elementary. “I did musical theatre all through high school and college. My first musical was The Music Man.”

This group of fascinating women have been friends for nearly four decades! Calling themselves the Gang of Four (GO4), they have been through it all together. We asked them to describe their friendship and what they are roaring about!

How did the Gang of Four begin?
Cheryl (GO4 unofficial historian): In the fall of 1985, Nelljean taught a creative writing workshop in the evenings at Brunswick Junior College, and Dale and Kathleen were enrolled. I joined the class in winter 1986. We came together as writers, and our love of writing still binds us. After the workshop ended, we continued to meet at least weekly at Birdie’s Restaurant, a few blocks from the pier on St. Simons Island. We would chat endlessly about our lives, our creative projects, our work and our families. As I reflect on our 37-year friendship, I believe it is those delightful and incalculable hours we spent at Birdie’s that helped forge our enduring bond.

Brunswick native Amy Muggridge leads a full and happy life. She has a loving husband, two beautiful children and is surrounded by very close friends. Life for her now is good, and she is looking forward to even better things. But to get to this place, she had to weather and overcome years of abuse and the heartbreaking, back-to-back deaths of two of her closest family members.

“I want to share what I’ve gone through so I can hopefully help other people, especially women. There are good people out there who want to help you. You might think you can’t go on, but trust me, you can. You are stronger than you think.”

“My mom and father divorced when I was only18 months old, and my mother basically raised my half-sister and me as a single mother, working hard as a bartender and waiting tables to support us.” However, Amy’s life took a sinister turn after her mom remarried.

Thank you for sharing your breast cancer story with us. When and how did you first discover you had breast cancer?
On a Sunday evening I decided to sit in a different chair than I usually do. I reached over to get something and felt this pain under my arm. I immediately felt to see exactly where the pain was and felt a lump on the right side of my breast. I had never felt this lump or pain while taking showers, working out at the gym, dancing in Zumba class, playing tennis, or anything. My husband checked it out and told me I needed to call the doctor in the morning. I told him that I would just wait to see if it would go away. He didn’t accept that response, and I was at the doctor’s office the next day. The doctor examined me. I could see the concern on his face but didn’t think much of it; he sent me to the hospital for a mammogram.

What motivated you to start a practice of journaling?
I didn’t begin to put my words into physical journals until I turned 19 and became a new bride. Back in 1971, we were still writing letters to communicate, so writing was something we just did. I moved into married housing at my husband’s college and got my first real job. I couldn’t call my best friend every day and didn’t have my mom to run to. I wasn’t in college myself, so I went to the campus bookstore and bought a “composition” book— that kind with the black and white cardboard cover and pages bound together by string and black tape. I still have that one.

How has this practice enhanced your life?
My journals became the friends I ran to, cried with, screamed at and planned with. I’m not sure I would have fully discovered my passion for writing if I hadn’t turned to journaling early on. Eventually, I did go to college and earned an undergraduate degree in mass communications. I kept writing and soon found myself at Gannett Newspaper in Westchester County, NY, as a feature writer and editor. Their Sunday paper had a regional column called, “Slice of Life,” and I was fortunate enough to get several stories published in that—stories that had begun forming in my journal. Years later a publisher bought the rights to a book I had created from a collection of my first-person essays.

What motivated you to start a practice of meditation? 
About a year ago, the latest in a long line of medical diagnoses landed me in the hospital. I had experienced multiple severe panic attacks due to unresolved trauma that resulted in a four-day hospital stay due to severe health concerns.  At that time, my ex-best friend and I parted ways, which was more of a blow than any romantic breakup ever had been. A few months later, I left my job for health reasons, and life required an extensive reset. It’s what is known as a Tower moment, when things hit all at once like that. It was a time of upheaval that called for self-reflection and healing, resulting in a new life path. Because those medical issues directly impacted my heart muscle, I knew I had to change in order to extend my life.

How has this practice enhanced your life? 
My blood pressure and blood sugar have both improved, and my sleep quality is better.  Most of all, it has brought me clarity of mind.

We all have a choice to either think positive or think negative, what have you done to skew your mindset to positive thinking?
I help coworkers at school and at the hospital. I also help other church members with different projects.

How has this practice enhanced your life?
It helps me to become a better person. I was honored in July this year when the Southeast Georgia Health System presented me with the BEE Award. It stands for “Beyond Exceptional Expectations.” It was so nice to be recognized for my hard work and positive attitude. I don’t do those things for recognition, but it certainly made me feel good.

What motivated you to start exercising regularly?
My dad motivated me to start exercising regularly. He used to cycle around Georgia with a group of cyclists. He made cycling a hobby and a healthy habit. He loved being outside and enjoying nature. Since he passed before his time, I continue to keep his cycling routine going. I don’t know if I will ever get to cycle across Georgia like he did. He was a strong man, and he had an amazing motivation to be active. Listening to upbeat music while I cycle motivates me to challenge myself to go at a faster pace.

Tell us about your exercise regime:
I wake up around 8 or 9 and eat breakfast. When 11:00 am hits, I start getting ready to go cycling at 1:00 p.m. I usually ride for two hours or so. When I cycle from the north end of the island to the south, music helps me continue cycling.

What motivated you to become a healthy eater?
I grew up in a healthy eating environment. My dad was a vegetarian. As a young adult, I worked in a surgical weight loss center for eight years. Seeing the side effects of obesity brought me motivation for living a healthy lifestyle.

What does being a healthy eater look like?
It gives me the freedom to feel comfortable in my clothes. I get a boost of confidence.

Do you ever have French fries or dessert?
Yes. Moderation is the key.

Darien mama Ann Mason drew our attention with her stories of the adventures of her two "marshmaids," Mason and Danner. The trio seem to be having a terrific time on their homeschool journey together! We're so glad Ann agreed to answer our questions.

Tell us about your children.
My girls are fun to be around and funny. They are hard-working and get focused on and excited about whatever they’re doing in the moment. I have always loved that about them. They are helpful and kind, and are so much braver and more confident than I have ever been. They often have me feeling awestruck and awkward in comparison. I credit their homeschooling experiences thus far with so much of this, as they have been encouraged to blossom in their own ways as they grow and learn.

Aurora Pope, who was recently granted full tenure as an art professor at the College of Coastal Georgia (CCGA), never planned on a career in teaching. “I got my undergraduate degree in anthropology,” said Aurora, who moved to the Golden Isles from Tennessee in 2015 when her husband, Brian, was offered a professorship in psychology at CCGA.

However, during her senior year at the University of Georgia, her Plan A took a turn. “I had to participate in an excavation. We found human remains, and I freaked out!” said Aurora, laughing. “I thought then, ‘maybe anthropology isn’t the thing for me!”

Brunswick High School English teacher Jackie Archer’s first attempt at retirement didn’t work out, and she couldn’t be happier about it.

“I taught for 10 years in North Carolina, Savannah and South Effingham County. I retired, but it turned out I just needed a 10-year break,” she said, smiling. “I ended up working for a non-profit, and I realized I really was meant to be a teacher!”

But her road to becoming a teacher didn’t follow the traditional route. “I had always naturally gravitated toward teaching, but I wasn’t ready for college when I graduated high school, so I went to tech school, married and had two kids (her now grown sons Robert and Stephen).” Jackie eventually decided she really did want to teach and enrolled at Georgia Southern University, where she went on to earn a degree in theatre, before getting additional training and earning her teaching certification in English.

Cool art vibes saturate the air in every form and medium in Coastal Georgia, one of the most beautiful natural canvases on earth. With all the surrounding beauty, it’s no wonder Coastal Georgia is teeming with creative, talented artists. Some do it for fun. Some do it for a living. All do it to nourish their organic need to create.

How did you discover your talent?
After retiring, I had plenty of time on my hands. During Covid, I needed something to do while in isolation. I got the idea for the wreaths from my oldest daughter, who is a quilter. The fabric wreaths are a great way to use up leftover material. I also make “fits” to give at Kwanzaa. That started when I read the December 2021 Hissy Fit in Paisley. It inspired me to make these little creatures from yarn that one can throw when the need hits to throw a fit.

What’s the best encouragement you’ve ever received in pursuing your artistic talents?
Keep doing what you do. Never give up! If you fail today, try again tomorrow.

How did you discover your talent?
Mother and I were involved in fundraising in my early years in San Diego. She had us in an organization called M.A.D.C.A.P.S. It was instilled in me early on that giving to the world is the most perfect form of God’s love. When we leave this world, no one will remember us for our possessions, rather the moments of shared time and health in gifting to one another. Everyone is born with a purpose. Mine was to learn from my mother and father’s sacrifices for me. They gave everything of themselves. Philanthropic work and the creative expressions of art and music are the greatest accomplishments closest to the Spiritual calling. That’s why I was so honored to be asked by the Doves of Hospice of the Golden Isles to donate a large painting to be featured in a silent auction at Musgrove Plantation. The sale of that painting for $5000, combined with the honor of being asked to donate, gave me a foothold and the confidence to pursue painting again in a new community.

How did you discover your talent?
In 2016 I was faced with the death of my sister who died from cancer, and 40 days later my brother died of a heart attack on what would have been her birthday. I was overtaken by grief and sorrow. I needed an outlet to transmute this grief. I met a beautiful lady at this time, and she was an amazing artist. We talked about art, and when she showed me her work, I was impressed by what she created. She was so enthusiastic and happy. I knew I needed this change in my life. I decided I was going to give it a try, and I did, and the rest is my-story.

How do you get your “creative juices” flowing?
Meditation and Hypnosis have been a part of my creative journey and has allowed the creative power to flow through me. Sometimes in my meditations, I see images to paint; I love being inspired like this. Other times, I may paint a background and let it sit for a while, placing the painting in a spot where I see it as I pass by my studio. Then, one day, I see in my mind the next step as I align with spirit.

How did you discover your talent? 
I had planned to be an artist until I married a very talented artist, who convinced me that my talent lay in writing. I loved telling made-up stories to our four young children, which convinced my husband I could write children’s books and he could illustrate them. We were successful at selling illustrated stories, poems and articles to children’s magazines such as Jack and Jill, Children’s Playmate, and other national and regional publications. I wrote a book in verse that featured a little boy who wanted a menagerie of exotic stuffed animals to replace his old teddy bear. The illustrations my husband did were fantastic, but we never sold the book. From there I moved on to write adult poetry and later became a journalist, writing for newspapers and magazines. I worked as a reporter and later, an editor, for the Atlanta Journal Constitution until I retired in 2006. I have since written three non-fiction books, all published by the University of Georgia Press. The most recent, Following the Tabby Trail, just came out in June.

When did you discover your talent?
As long as I can remember, I have been an artist. I enjoyed drawing my ventures in crayon early on. Before I was school age, I would sculpt little animals out of marsh mud and hide them around the house for my family to discover. I have always enjoyed telling my story through my creations.

How do you get your “creative juices” flowing?
I feel the most creative after spending time outdoors. A walk along the edge of the marsh is my favorite. There’s always something in nature to inspire me. Visiting art galleries and artisan shops makes me want to try something new. My fellow artist/potter friends are an endless source of creative ideas and challenges.

You split your time between Brunswick and New Mexico. Why New Mexico?
My first trip here was in 1993, on a summer vacation with my young children and my travel friend Sister Andrea, a Catholic nun. Our first impressions were immediately positive: The landscape was outstanding and so was the wonderful food. We all fell in love immediately with sopaipillas served with honey, and the rice, beans and guacamole chicken enchiladas that are so delicious.

Our first stop was in Albuquerque, where we saw hot air balloons being inflated in the field outside our hotel, and where a mariachi band serenaded our table at dinner.
In Santa Fe, we found a children’s museum with wonderful interactive activities, including a rock climbing wall; and the art-tastic Canyon Road, where galleries are so numerous it takes more than a day to thoroughly see them all. Never had we viewed such brilliantly colored art, such exquisite Native jewelry and pottery, or such perfectly crafted statues!

On this first trip, we made friends, including the well-known Taos Pueblo painter and author Jonathan Warm Day and his girls. For years, we visited nearly every summer, enjoying the unique experiences that New Mexico offers in terms of art, food, hiking, people, and weather. Have I mentioned how incredibly blue the sky is?

For Tasha Williams and her family, finding and pursuing adventures is just a part of everyday life.

The family’s business, Turtle Tide Outfitters, offers families and groups kayak rentals and tours, as well as standup paddleboarding (SUP) rentals and instruction, along with surfing lessons and rentals on St. Simons and Jekyll islands. “There are so many great places to launch on Jekyll and St. Simons,” said Tasha, who also mentions that she really enjoys taking clients to Shark Tooth Beach on Jekyll. “We’ve done thousands of tours and they are all different. With kayaking, you can go out with no experience. We provide the instructions and make sure everyone is safe—we really stress how to stay safe on the water and go over safety. We take anyone out, from novice to expert. Now SUP is a totally different story,” she said, laughing. “That requires balance and a strong core.”

When retired educator Regina Johnson first became a mother in 1983, she said she soon made a discovery about what many refer to as balancing both a career and family.

“There’s no such thing as ‘balance.’ That’s just something in books and magazines. It really does take a village,” she said of successfully having a career and raising a family. “I had Larry Johnson, the number one love of my life and wonderful father by my side. I also had other family, the schools, church community and friends—all those helping hands. Together, with the help of her “village,” she and Larry, who passed away in 2015 after years of a happy marriage, raised three sons and a daughter—eldest son Creighton, followed by son and now Brunswick Mayor Cosby two years later, then, 15 years later, son James, then daughter Gabby.

Tell us about your children.
I have four children ranging from 19-months old to 13 years old! My 13-year-old, Emma, is a lover of all God’s creatures. She is active in church, youth group, soccer, softball, cross-country and most recently has volunteered her time for the local Penguin Project, which is a play put on by our area’s children with disabilities. She is in love with helping these children and always feels fulfilled and accomplished afterwards.  

My 11-year-old is my “bonus” daughter, Cayleigh. She loves her cats, friends and spending time with her family. She is active in band as a tuba player and plays softball. Cayleigh also likes to volunteer her time with our church on Sunday mornings in the children’s area.

Cole is 10, and he is my wild man! He is interested and active in anything that involves a ball! He loves to play baseball and can’t seem to get enough of it. Cole is the most social butterfly you will ever see and never meets a stranger, which can be scary at times.

Lainey is 19-months old and is the caboose of the family! She is easily the most laid-back child I have ever been around and just goes with the flow. Being that we are always on the move, she takes it all in stride and makes it an adventure. Lainey, being the youngest, never wants for anything because her brother and sisters are always at the ready, and I would say she is SPOILED ROTTEN! (If there is such a thing!)

How did House of DOLLS Foundation get its name? My original name of choice was Pampered Princess, but the LLC was already taken. I didn’t really have a second name picked out, so I asked my husband. He suggested to include the name Dolls in it, so we put our heads together, along with my mom, and came up with the House of Dolls. I didn’t understand the deeper meaning of dolls until God revealed it all to me: DOLLS is not a word, it is an acronym for “Destined Ordained Little Ladies for Success” for the younger generation and “Determined Ordained Leading Ladies of Success” for adult ladies. The House of DOLLS Foundation is to create, encourage and motivate young ladies to become DOLLS in every aspect of life.

Gardener and jewelry artist Sandy Anderson was a single mother, working full-time as a county extension agent while raising her daughter Amy, and then part-time for Emory University, before retiring to St. Simons Island in 2010.

The precision and organization required to pull that off is evident in her home and garden, as is her favorite color: blue. Sandy’s favorite plants include “Indigo Princess agapanthus, blue hydrangeas, plumbago, Blew-My-Mind and Tractor Seat plant.”

After we toured her small, but impeccably laid out garden, photographer Mike Force and I enjoyed a quick glass-blowing demonstration in Sandy’s home glass studio. She’s been making glass bead jewelry for twenty years, since Amy went off to college, and loves the challenge of always learning new techniques.

Growing up in Snellville, Georgia, Kaylan Collins loved the ocean.You read that right. A girl from a town hundreds of miles from the coast was fascinated by the sea.

Her dad Mike is a big reason for that. He grew up in Florida and loves to fish and get out on the ocean, so the family (including mom Sue Ellen and twin brother Kyler) spent most vacations fishing in Florida. Kaylan quickly learned she is prone to seasickness, but she wasn’t going to let that stop her!
When they weren’t on the water, the Collins family was still out in nature. “A big part of my childhood growing up involved camping at numerous state parks in the family camper,” Kaylan said. “We would go to Vogel State Park, Cloudland Canyon, Jekyll, Black Top Mountain, Duckett Mill, [all in Georgia] and Topsail Hill [Florida]… the list goes on! These experiences outdoors developed my love for being outside and my desire to find work in a related field as my career. Going fishing with my dad in the Gulf, on Lake Lanier, or at a park’s pond was what solidified my passion for working around the water and with its resources.”

Val Burnett can often be found outdoors. Whether riding her bike, hiking or paddling her kayak, she will more than likely be bird watching, too.

“Everything goes hand in hand,” said Val, laughing. “I try to expand my interests, but birding is so integrated in our family. I’ve bought the little ones (her grandchildren) binoculars so they can be a part of it too. We get to see nature at its most beautiful, its most peaceful.”

Val’s journey to becoming an avid birder began with another passionate pastime—photography. “I really started birding about 10 years ago, and it started because I really like to take pictures,” she said, adding that birds were among her favorite photography subjects. “I started using my photos to help identify birds and was hooked.” It also helped that Dan and D.C. Coleman, her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, were longtime, serious birders. “I just followed them around and learned from them,” she said, with a laugh. She also studied birding guides and uses Merlin, an app that helps birders identify birds by sight and sound. “It isn’t always 100 percent accurate, but it’s close. I’m really working on identifying smaller birds,” Val said. She also said those interested in birding should join an Audubon Society chapter and purchase and study birding books, “especially local birding books to learn what birds can be found in your area. Getting a national birding book can be overwhelming and confusing. I like to study local books and birding books from an area I’m planning to take a birding trip. I like to find lists from foreign countries before I go and quiz myself.”

Have you always had a green thumb?
Yes! I think I got it from my grandmother on my dad’s side. She lived in a small house in Johnson City, TN (which is where I grew up), and I remember it just being filled with houseplants. My favorite picture of her is at Easter, standing in her front yard, which was a perfect little English cottage garden.

What brought you to St. Simons Island?
My husband was offered a position at FLETC, and we knew we would retire here. We moved here in 2010. We looked at many neighborhoods, but when we drove through the gates into Stillwater, we knew it was where we wanted to be. And it is the perfect spot for walking the dogs—one big circle that is 1.3 miles around.

What is your favorite thing about working with plants?
The simplicity—water, light and some food now and then…and they will reward you with new growth and life.

When and why did you start teaching?
I started August 19, 1985 at Ballard Elementary, and I have many reasons for choosing to be a teacher:
• I have always worked with children through the church… It was a natural fit.
• I chose to teach elementary school because of the wonder in the children’s eyes and facial expressions as they learn something new… they are so engaging and so honest. They question everything, and I love how their minds are constantly thinking and connecting the dots of what and how they learn to their real worlds. They want to know how they fit in the world of school, home and friendships. They bring their honest opinions to the table and they expect you to give them your undivided attention to whatever conversations arise.
• They are sensitive to others and quick to give whatever they have to “make it better.” 
• When children enter the classroom, they don’t expect elaborate toys. They look forward to their teacher interacting with them. They eagerly await to see what’s new today! They look forward to a group of friends they have bonded with. They need their routine. They need the safety of rules and schedules. I just can’t imagine not having the opportunity to teach elementary children in my life. I was a classroom teacher for 19 years, and I have special memories of each of those years. I have taught at Ballard, Satilla Marsh and Golden Isles Elementary.