I grew up in North Central Minnesota in the small town of Park Rapids – it is famous for being the closest town to the Headwaters of the Mississippi River. I come from a very large family. My Dad was #5 of 13. I moved to Simpsonville in July of 2009 from Eden Prairie, MN. We live in Neely Farm and enjoy traveling to the beach, mountains and anywhere else Scott’s Cheap Flights can take us. I am a die hard Minnesota Twins fan, I love going to Clemson Football games and the best part of being a parent to children who participate in sports is being able to cheer them on from the sidelines.
I am also Nana to a forever 3 1/2 year old. My Grandson Lucas gained his heavenly wings in February of 2020 after an 8 month battle with cancer. He was diagnosed after returning from a vacation to the beach. A mosquito had bit him on the jaw and it left a big welt. After a week of tests and scans and Doctor appointments, he was diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma. Treatment was 6 rounds of chemo followed by a stem cell transplant and then radiation and immunotherapy. Lucas gallantly sailed through the chemo and was a complete trooper through the stem cell transplant. But it’s often the complications of the treatment that cut short their lives, and that is exactly what happened to Lucas. He was in PICU from the day after Thanksgiving until the day after Christmas – basically all of his organs has started to fail. He battled back and was able to transfer back to the hospital to start the process for the radiation. Unfortunately another set of complications derailed his recovery. Too many things to overcome for his fragile body. I was able to spend his last night in the hospital in his room, reading, talking, singing and just holding his hand. I definitely know what a broken heart feels like. I miss that sweet little face every single day. Lucas is the reason why I now raise money and am a volunteer captain for Best Christmas Ever.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I have 6 siblings, I’m an Aunt to 15, Great Aunt to 9. I am incredibly lucky to have met my husband Keith, 22 years ago while living in Raleigh NC. I am blessed to have 5 amazing children; Erica; married to Justin, Kyle; married to Alisha, and Kilee-ann; married to Mike. I am lucky enough to be Nana to 5 beautiful grandchildren with #6 on the way. My 2 youngest children live at home – In April Zachary will turn 18 and just 5 days later Jaymee will turn 21.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I worked as a Marketing Coordinator for a building products company when I lived in Minnesota. I loved that job. I was able to work on a variety of projects and even got to create marketing collateral, travel to tradeshows and coordinated sales events. I have also been a caregiver for the elderly over the last 2 years. I enjoy spending time with them, assisting them with their daily needs, having conversations about their lives and getting to know the families that surround them. I also love to volunteer. I started out volunteering in the school when my two youngest started at Plain Elementary. Recently I have been a captain for the local chapter of Best Christmas Ever. We Bless families who have fallen on hard times through no fault of their own. In late December 2021, we were able to surprise a family that lives in Neely Farm with their own Best Christmas Ever. BCE gives families life changing gifts. Monetary donations, gifts for each family member and the family we blessed in 2021 are spending a few days at Walt Disney World. What I love most about this non profit is we bring the entire community together to help.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
El Tejano, Sidewall Pizza and 1885 which isn’t so much a restaurant but I love their beer selection and they have a really good pretzel – which for someone who doesn’t care for pretzels, that says a lot. I also enjoy spending time at the Warehouse at Vaughn’s – not only is it just a fun venue, but they are incredibly generous to the community. I also love the Ice Cream Station – it is a great location to meet neighbors and hang out.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
We moved from Eden Prairie, Minnesota into Neely Farm in Simpsonville on July 12, 2009.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
I cannot choose just one person. Neely Farm and the Simpsonville area is filled with incredibly generous, thoughtful, helpful and inspiring families. Living here makes being away from all of my family easier. We have great friends that have traveled with us to many places, tailgate with at Clemson Football games and watched our children grow up swimming for the Neely Farm Nitrofish.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
Italy and Greece. It has been a bucket list destination ever since I was in 9th grade and studied Greek Mythology and Italian cities. Growing up Catholic, visiting the Vatican has always been a dream of mine and attending Mass in St Peters Square.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Ask questions, be yourself, be kind, be patient and love with all your heart. Read as much as you can, take a nap on the screen porch when you have a chance and above all, travel as much as your budget allows. Your memories are more valuable than you can ever imagine.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
My bucket list is long….To start, I would love to travel to Germany, Poland and Czech Republic to find my ancestors. Both of my parents great grandparents immigrated from Europe. I would love to meet some of my family that still lives in their native countries.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
We chose Simpsonville because of the country feel and positive feedback on the schools. I feel lucky that we saw Martin Farm as an operating farm. It made me think of where I grew up, right across from a large dairy farm.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
I would love to meet with Laura Bush. She is elegant, southern, educated and an advocate for children. I think lunch at Sidewall Pizza and then walking across Main Street to have a sundae from Ice Cream Station would make for the perfect lunch.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
We have cows grazing in a field less than a mile from our neighborhood. Even though there are less and less trees and farmland and more and more houses and apartments, I still enjoy seeing the farm animals. Also our downtown area has become my favorite place to go. With the new businesses opening, the renovations happening and the events that are scheduled – it makes it seem like home.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Most likely living half the year in the south and the other half in Minnesota – so I can spend time with my Grandchildren.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I can tie a cherry stem into a knot with my tongue, well some of my family knows that. I can also touch the tip of my nose with the tip of my tongue, and so can all of my siblings except my little sister.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
St Thomas/St John USVI – we just went in January to celebrate my husbands 56th and my 55th birthday’s. We stayed in a villa that overlooked Hans Lolick and some of the British Virgin Islands. Beautiful as far as the eye could see.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My family – especially my grandchildren. They bring me such joy and that inspires me to bring joy to all those around me. I love spending time with them, I just wish they didn’t live so far away.
Q: Describe what “neighbor” means to you?
Being there for what ever it is you need…even if you didn’t know you needed it. We are incredibly lucky to have the best neighbors all around us. Gathering for dinner, drinks, holiday parties, birthday parties, talking for an hour at the end of the driveway as you get your mail.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Comfort; Family; Love
