Ross Vezin is a tall, lanky redhead with a big smile and a firm handshake. He greeted me wearing a crisp, ironed uniform, indicating he’s a Captain with the City of Beaufort and Town of Port Royal Fire Departments. He looks a little young to have already attained this rank, but he admits to being 30, has over 10 years of experience with the department, and holds a Master’s degree. He is definitely a young man with lots to give to the community and does he ever deliver!

Ross chose a career in firefighting after his best friend’s father, Captain Jim Dillon of Miramar (Florida) Fire and Rescue was killed in the line of duty in 2006. Dillon’s role model as a selfless public servant of the community inspired Ross to attend the Fire Academy in Florida. After graduation, Ross sent out applications all over the Southeast, and the City of Beaufort invited him for a physical agility test and interview. A few days later they offered him the job, and Ross moved and made Beaufort his hometown. 

Meet Kathleen Mirin
Pink's December Mademann Makeover Candidate

Age: 64
Married to Paul Brophy
for 30 years, 3 children
Been part of the HHI community for over 20 years:
* Past Editor of the Island Packet
* Taught French for 20 years
* Presently friendly food presenter at Publix

It was a beautiful autumn day when Kathryn Mademann had the pleasure of meeting Kathleen Mirin.

“A family friend wrote to us at Pink Magazine sharing Kathleen's story, so we contacted her for her lifestyle makeover.” Kathleen confessed she had been working her way out of a persistent type of funk by exercising more and seeing good results in weight loss. “I think this makeover will be just what I need!”

Motivation—that certain something that inspires us to do or be something we’ve never tried before – can come from many sources. It can come from inside, such as a childhood dream, or New Year’s resolution, or it can spring from the words and actions of others, such as a coach’s rousing locker room speech.

Not as dramatic, perhaps, but no less effective are those people who motivate others simply by showing up—quietly inspiring from the sidelines and helping us believe we can do the difficult or impossible.

David Pautler is one of those individuals.

Mike Holmes and John Duberley are not just client and trainer at the Powerhouse Gym in Bluffton. They are friends, and they are a team. Both contribute to the success of the other, and both feel that the other guy is the real hero.

Mike is 39, a Native American from Florida, a Naval Academy grad, and a retired Marine Corps F-18 pilot. Nine years ago, he had quite a different life path in mind until a snowboarding accident in Utah nearly took his life.  Hitting a tree caused a serious traumatic brain injury and paralysis on his left side. He was in a coma for two months, then a wheelchair for two years. Life was bleak, even with his wonderful wife, Meredith, and their little girl, Nora. 

I’m often asked by the Yankees I left behind up north,
“How can you stand the humidity down there?”

My favorite response is: “What humidity?”

 I’d never admit it to my buddies, who are shopping for winter coats about now, but the humidity really does get to me by the end of the summer. I have a powerful method of beating the heat, though. I use my “lemonade and vodka out of lemons” mentality to spin the stifling humidity into something “potable.” Okay, you really can’t drink humidity, but I gobble up the warmth with the appetite of one born and raised with four seasons. Well, it’s really two in New York, sweat and shiver, but who’s counting?

Meet Karla Weeden
Pink's September 2018 Mademann Makeover Candidate

51 years old
Married 26 years to Tom
2 Children ~ Emily and Charlie
Career: Ultrasound technician at Beaufort Memorial Hospital OBGYN Specialists

Karla wanted to…
> Update her hairstyle and color
> Get Makeup tips
> Wear a pretty dress
> Create a casual look, as well

Karla Weeden loves watching makeovers on television. You can only imagine her surprise when we called her out of the blue and invited her for the exclusive Pink-Mademann makeover experience. After talking with her and viewing an on-the-spot selfie she text us, we chose Karla because she was enthusiastic, open for suggestions, and most importantly, ready for a change.

“When I was in fifth grade students didn’t change classrooms, instead, the teachers came to us. One day one of the knuckle-headed boys decided to lock the English teacher out and run back to his seat before she arrived. Me, being of sound mind, figured I would politely unlock the door. To my mortification, the door stuck and wouldn’t open right as the teacher was arriving. I was so embarrassed because it looked like I had locked her out. Eventually, I got it unlocked, but the teacher gave me an accusing look. I never told her what actually happened.”

“Recently we added a doctor kit to our Home Living area of the classroom. I heard a little girl saying her “baby” was hot and needed her temperature to be taken. I looked over and she had the doll baby faced down, patting her on the back, telling her it’s ok and she would feel better, only to realize she was taking the baby’s temperature RECTALLY.”

When I met Sarah Bo Danzell she was full of energy, articulate, and charismatic. She shared with me her busy life, family, and passion for teaching. As we spoke, I realized that Sarah Bo has a depth in her life experiences and, as many single moms, she has a lot on her plate managing her kids, renovating a new house, teaching, and trying to fit some “me-time” in between it all. This summer, Sarah Bo realized that-—busy life notwithstanding —it was time to do something new in updating her “look” with a new hairstyle and some ideas for her wardrobe for the upcoming school year.

Often women look in the mirror and quietly think to themselves: “I would love to do something different with my look but how do I go about it?” and “Who can I trust with this transformation?”

I’m so glad our Pink Makeover folks found her!

I’m Southern charmed! Me, a hard core New Yorker, transplanted here to our beautiful Lowcountry. I have bitten Eden’s apple and it is sweet and unforgettable, melting my tough veneer, and planting a smile on my face that can’t be removed, in spite of a few bad traffic moments.

You had me at hello, Lowcountry—from the moment 30 years ago when I first stepped into your inner circle-—and now that I’ve called Hilton Head home for a full year, I’m grinning like an idiot and that’s hardly a bad thing!

You have an amazing background. Do tell. My life has had some unique twists and turns. After graduate school, I started my career in higher education and began a modeling career at the same time, the latter of which extended for more than 25 years. Within that period of time, I also founded two niche resort magazines, hosted a few television shows, including one that featured fashion makeovers called “On Trend.” Hosting this show resonated with me because I loved helping the women who wanted a makeover, and was also able to incorporate my fashion experience. It was rewarding when the makeover candidates put their trust in me. As a personal image stylist, I’ve worked with amazing individuals and business clients, charity events, and retailers both in the United States and Canada. One of my unique clients is Canyon Ranch Wellness Resort, where I’ve been a regular guest speaker. I also just signed on with Hilton Head Health (H3) in Shipyard Plantation. I’ll be offering my “Foundations of Fabulous Style” workshops and private consultations to their guests.

““Sis said I was being mean to a nurse at the hospital, but I was speaking up for my husband. She was asking too many questions.”

“A man was berating an elderly Walmart checker for asking to see his receipt for un-bagged items. He would not stop yelling at this old man. So I shot back, ‘What are you, the President? Do you have an important meeting to get to? Leave this man alone; he is doing his darn job, you jerk!’ He shut up, showed his receipt, and walked out with his tail between his legs.”

I’m having a heady experience, Lowcountry style. As I walk through our lovely neighborhood I am overcome by the scents of serenity. Wafting across my hungry palette, always ripe for whatever HHI has in store, are the intoxicating perfumes of the flora that define this part of the world.

The Magnolia tree is a wonder of tactile and effluvious beauty. The waxy white blooms, larger than an outstretched hand, are individual works of art. A bee’s paradise, their spicy citrus scent gives pause and makes me brazen enough to fight the buzzing for a chance to drink in that sweet, once-a-year nectar. How could Mother Nature have created such a splendid combination of the Magnolia tree’s profile and the production of a perfectly thick, perfumed flower? Hard to criticize her for being such a show off!

“My dad doesn't believe ladders belong on boats, and one day out on the sandbar we got caught in rough water with a storm approaching. The guys were helping boost us into the boat really quickly, and I gouged my knee severely on the propeller. Needless to say by the time we managed to get back to the landing, I was sporting a blood soaked bandana on my knee and pained expression after a rough ride in.”

“I was at the Hospice Care of the Lowcountry Yacht Hop in Harbour Town and walked into a boat’s bathroom, ripped my toenail off on the step and was bleeding all over the floor of this expensive yacht. The owner bandaged my toe and gave me a shot of tequila!”

“My Shi-poo, Kobe’s favorite snack is Cheez-Its and he can say “I love you!”

“In taking my son to school, the car door opened and Taylor, my black lab, ran out and into the school. I ran in and where did I find her? In the cafeteria! I was so embarrassed.”

“We all had pets growing up. I had the dog, Tippy. Little sister had the cat, Bootsie; middle sister got the short end of the stick with Popeye, the meanest, nastiest parakeet—he bit her a lot. But we all felt bad for Popeye the day he got loose. Heading in flight to bite his owner again, she ducked, and he landed in mom’s big pot of beef stew – feathers were flying—mom was screaming. Popeye survived and mellowed out after that!”

Often hailed “the most exciting two minutes in sports,” the Kentucky Derby has been exciting horse racing enthusiasts since 1875. A mere one-and-one-quarter miles of dirt track, Louisville, Kentucky’s legendary racetrack, Churchill Downs is gearing up for the 144th Run for the Roses on Saturday, May 5 at 6:34 p.m. Geared up is an understatement when describing local resident, Joseph Iaco’s anticipation. His devotion to following this time-honored, thoroughbred spectacle dates back to his youth and continues to this day.

"My very best round of golf was played in Freeport, Grand Bahama in brand new red shorts. We had a tropical downpour on the 17th hole. My white socks and shoes were pink by the 18th hole!"

"I won $100 from my husband when he said there was NO WAY I was going to hit my shot over a large body of water!"

"I made a hole-in-one and everyone was bowing down below and clapping. I was so busy talking up on top of the tee box, I never even realized it!"

It’s not every day a girl receives a pearl necklace, especially on her first encounter with a new friend. But it’s also not everyday one meets the charming Alan Chaput, a local book author with a real appreciation for the written word.  “I consider myself, first and foremost, a storyteller,” he smiles. Indeed! Our time together confirmed this, as speaking with him gave me a flavor of his writing style; he’s deliberate with his words and moved our conversation comfortably from one subject to the next. Originally from Cleveland Ohio, Alan moved to the Lowcountry in 2001, lured in by the beautiful beaches and warm surroundings.

Miss: "I had a goal to see a turtle lay her eggs. One afternoon I was walking the beach with a friend. She and I walked so far it got dark. When we turned around to walk back, we noticed a big rock that wasn’t there before. On a 16-foot retractable leash, my small dog ran over to the rock as we got closer. It wasn’t a rock; it was a huge turtle coming to lay her eggs. The two came nose-to-nose and checked each other out. My dog was gentle and curious, and I didn’t realize it was a turtle until she turned around and went back toward the surf. So close, yet so far.”

Miss: "My goal was to lose weight! I was supposed to start on the program January 2018 – not happening! It’s a 'miss.'”

Walking into meet 18-year-old Decker Paulmeier, I had no clue how I would feel interviewing someone closer to my age, but I soon realized, millennial to millennial, I was impressed. Decker sharpened my thoughts, made me think and left me refreshed, knowing I had probably just met the smartest teenager in my life.

Decker, a soon to be Bluffton High School graduate this spring, and I began relating on the subject of high school, and he lit up. “I love high school; I am very involved. I’ve been taking AP courses since freshman year, trying to do my best.” Decker is very involved indeed. He is a part of sports, student government and school clubs. He is the captain of the varsity lacrosse team, as well as a football player. He is involved in youth government, the president of the National Honor Society, on student council, Bluffton’s DECA chapter president, a member of Boys State, won first place at the Sea Island Science fair his freshman and sophomore year, and lastly, participates in quiz bowls for Bluffton High School.