Ginger Craig

 

By NancyLee Honey Marsh
Photography by Christian Lee

Hilton Head has its own Martha Stewart and her name is Ginger Craig, a brown-eyed dynamo who has her hands in enough high-energy projects to live up to the celebrity Martha. Ginger, and her equally perky four-legged friend, Liza Jane, graciously welcomed me into her lovely, bright living room, where I had the pleasure of meeting Ginger's husband Tim. Accustomed to constant movement from her pet, Liza Jane, contently followed Ginger as she guided me about the elegant home. Every room was decorated with a variety of beautiful dust ruffles, draperies and portraits.

One of Ginger’s hobbies is cooking. She has created so many wonderful recipes that she produced a cookbook entitled, Ginger's Favorite Recipes, which served as delightful Christmas gifts for her family. With her knack in interior decorating, cooking and general good housekeeping, it is easy to see why Ginger has the Martha Stewart title. “Oh, one trait is missing,” she said. “I haven't been to jail.”

Definitely a Southern gal with a taste for the best, Ginger, whose formal name is Virginia, is from Charlotte. She recalled not only wonderful summers in North Carolina, but year-round living that was filled with wisdom and encouragement from her father.

“My father always taught me to look up to the stars and be positive every day,” Ginger recounted. “He said I should never tell him I couldn't do something, because he knew I could accomplish it if I wanted to bad enough. He also taught me to put others first.”

And that she has. Shortly after the Craigs moved to Hilton Head Island 17 years ago, Tim began his fight with Parkinson's disease. With a Master's in nutrition, Ginger continues to nourish Tim with healthy meals, along with providing mental and emotional support. She said even her doctor marvels and is puzzled over her high-energy level, considering all she has done at home, for her friends and at her part-time job at The Greenery.

A retired math/science teacher, Ginger taught seventh grade in Florida until she married and moved to New Hampshire, where Tim ran his own company. “It was quite a shock,” said Ginger, who married 35 years ago. After managing a flower shop for five years, she returned to teaching seventh grade at a small school. Once again, Ginger stepped outside the box, mentoring, counseling and nourishing her students.

“We baked cookies, pies and cakes together in my kitchen. I loved tennis and felt it would be beneficial to involve them actively in this great sport.” Ginger said she collected donations of equipment and coached tennis for about 15 years, where her players won a few titles along the way.

Ginger's talents are not confined to art, sewing, cooking, sports and gardening (she's a master gardener, too). She also excels in original and memorable practical jokes, easily leaving everyone in stitches, scrambling to match her capers. Her list of pranks would fill volumes.

Very pregnant in New Hampshire, Ginger said she was miffed when well-meaning friends felt she would be safer at home than at their bridge party. That proved to be a gigantic mistake. “I managed to get to a local slaughterhouse, obtained a pig's head, adorned it with long eyelashes, lipstick, earrings and topped it off with a colorful, flowered hat. It was delivered on a platter to my hostess’ front door by a truck driver, who rang the bell and scooted away,” she said, topping off the tale with a giggle.

On another occasion, Ginger managed to get a “dressed up” stuffed tiger onto her neighbor's roof and had them worrying over how she got up there. Her proudest prank was her 70th “surprise” birthday party, when Ginger was tipped off to the party shortly before it started. Ginger jumped into action gathering resources. Her arrival not only shocked the guests, but also created a great knee-slapper. In a tight, black leather skirt, generously stuffed pink blouse, feather boa, long blonde wig and black veiled hat, Ginger sashayed into the room as a hooker, bringing the crowd into fits of laughter.

An avid reader of non-fiction, Ginger said she loves trivia. “My mind is always running and I cannot be still. I count my blessings every day and love being able to do things for my children, 10 grandchildren and friends.” With a great sense of humor, compassion for others and a gift to turn the ordinary into extraordinary, Ginger Craig is one of those people who makes others feel better just by being around her.

 

Up Close:

Breathtaking: After only a few painting lessons, Ginger crafted amazing people and dog portraits.

Impressive: When asked by the University of New Hampshire what languages do you speak, Ginger said, “Hmm, I speak, Southern, Northern, Pig Latin, a little French and Italian.” She was hired and taught international students English in five months by posting printed notes on objects.

Shocker: She is not afraid of copperhead snakes, She has killed five and been bitten once.