A feature

about people

whose work

touches our lives

Joan

Kreikemeier

Tour guide at Brookgreen

Gardens in Murrells Inlet

Bio:

Native of Cincinnati, Ohio

Has lived in Pawleys Island

for 12 years

What do you enjoy about volunteering at Brookgreen?

I find Brookgreen Gardens to be the most inspiring place and I love sharing it with people.

I try to make sure they not only enjoy the animals, but don’t miss the other beautiful things about the gardens.

I usually give tours of the wildlife area of the gardens, which includes a zoo area.

Right now I am giving tours to almost 3,000 third graders from all over Georgetown and Horry counties.

They are coming to Brookgreen for Gullah Gullah Days until the end of this week.

What are Gullah Gullah Days?

We basically have programs that allow the children to become more knowledgeable about African and Gullah history and Gullah culture.

I’m impressed that most of the children’s minds are open to these experiences.

Most of them have not been aware of Gullah history and the history of Brookgreen Gardens.

A lot of them have never been to Brookgreen.

Why are Gullah Gullah Days held this month?

It is held each year during Black History Month.

Learning about Gullah culture during Black History Month gives the children a better feeling for cultures other than their own.

In a lot of cases, it allows children who come from the Gullah culture to learn more more about their own history.

With what other organizations are you involved?

I have been working with Habitat for Humanity for about 12 years.

I am also involved with Miss Ruby’s Kids, a mentoring program for 2 and 3 year olds, and Bike the Neck, which is working to put in a bike path from Murrells Inlet to Georgetown.

In these organizations, I mostly help with fundraisers and trying to promote awareness.

I enjoy being around people who worry about how to make the world a better place.

Can you tell me about your family?

My husband, Ken, is a sales engineering consultant with own business.

He is also very active with the Pawleys Island Lions Club and is on the Willbrook Architectural Review Board.

He is constantly working on projects in the community.

We have two children and two grandchildren who live in the Atlanta, Ga. area.

Our daughter, Heidi, is a physical therapist and our son, Skot, is a builder.

We also have two grandchildren, Kenny and Mackenzie.

— as told to Clayton Stairs