Many moons ago I worked as a marketing/sales/everything person for Matt Cohen at the New South Cafe on Skidaway Road. Knowing nothing about the restaurant world, my crash course led to writing this column, taking photos full time and meeting some of the best people in the culinary world.

Two of those people stand out, Suzy Johnson and Michelle Keller. Suzy for being a culinary queen and Michelle for being the nicest momma to everyone from the kitchen to front of the house. Hearing that Michelle passed away from cancer in 2021 was a shock.

Learning that her family holds an annual family fundraiser to keep her memory alive and raise funds to help someone in need is totally what I would expect because this woman was one class act. 

For Michelle, I break my Sunday no-work rule and head to Rudy Shirah’s The Islander on Wilmington Island on June 11 to catch up with Michelle’s family. 

Luckily, the first person I see is Michelle’s sister Beth Keller Ganley. The brunette reached out to me a few weeks ago to invite me out to the Keller family cookout and pulled me over to see a young lady that I instantly recognized. Hugging Michelle’s daughter Christine Maney, I realize it has been 15 years since I saw this now grown woman.

Walking inside the locals bar, I meet the owner of Doc’s and Tybee Time, Bethany Kellam. After talking about our mutual love of Mitchell “Mouse” Minick, Bethany tells me about Jamy Monroe, the recipient of today’s event who has worked for her for the past 19 years.

“Earlier this year Jamy’s husband Danny passed away then 13 days later her mother Judy Shearouse died unexpectedly. The raffle items, tickets and t-shirt sales will help Jamy and her family with their living expenses.” shares Bethany.

Hosting today’s event is the owner of The Islander, Rudy Shirah. Because Rudy is one of Greg Lard’s close friends, I know so much about the Savannah native that I hug him when he comes out from behind the bar.

Taking a seat in his customary roost at the back of the bar, Rudy cracks a few jokes while talking about his love of automobiles, car shows and bar life. 

“Next month will be 21 years here at The Islander and 49 years in the bar business,” shares the Savannah Christian grad.

Well look at this! Greg Lard is out and about on a Sunday and I am happy to report my close friend wants a pic with Rudy. Gathering the guys together with Jarrid Ferbert for a perfect pic, I head over to greet yet another of Greg’s good friends, Tripp Morales. 

You may know him from his 15 years at Savannah Smiles, the dueling piano bar in downtown Savannah. 

As a Wilmington Island resident and long time friend of Rudy and Jamy, Tripp tells me, “Savannah Smiles donated the food, Keith brought his trailer grill and we wrote her a check. Jamy is Smile’s family for life.”

Helping Tripp out today is his former chef Keith Hanna. 

Giggling when Keith tells me, “I was the big chef in a small kitchen so Tripp moved me to security.” 

A self described jack of all trades, the Boston native does not look 52-years-old, and when asked his nationality, tells me that his mother is Puerto Rican and his dad is Irish.

Leaving the uber nice guy to grab a fresh off the grill burger and homemade cookies, I put my plate down next to the raffle items to chat with Ashli  Kestner, her high school best friend Mishaun Coastes and new to Tybee Island, Angie Navarro.

The Harkleroad Jewelry sales rep tells me that she stumbled across The Islander last week then invited her friends to her newfound island treasure. Asking the ladies what they do for fun, I learn that Ashli loves tennis and is a clown fanatic, Mishawn loves paddle boarding and her Schnauzer/Border Collie, Flossie, while Angie loves the beach and collecting pens.

Next up is a flurry of photos. Holly Price waves me over for a pic with her husband Glen along with Gil Werntz then Beth walks me over to her brother Jimmy Keller’s table. After posing Jimmy with his wife Julie and daughters Grace and Delia, I grab a video of them for my WSAV segment and head over to Jamy’s table.

Sitting with Jamy is Olivia Tipton, a longtime bartender at McDonough’s who used to work here at The Islander with Jamy. 

“We did quarantine together,” shares Olivia before introducing me to her boyfriend Davis Autry.

After numerous attempts to get Olivia, Davis and Jamy to pose with Nancy Tipton, Misty Ferbert, Susan Spoyles and Sandi Henry, I finally got a fabulous pic. With my photos and video taken, I grab a seat and talk with Jamy.

“Everything was hush, hush then they told me two weeks ago that they were holding an event for me. I am humbled and thankful to have friends that want to help me,” shares the quiet lady.

I can tell Jamy isn’t comfortable with all the attention on her so I leave her surrounded with a bar full of people who showed up on a stormy Sunday evening to support a lady during a devastating year.

Making a final lap through the island bar, I see so many people from  different bars and restaurants who have worked together for decades. Knowing the small world of front line people is so tight knit and supportive of each other makes my heart happy and knowing that Michelle is still changing lives makes it even better — this is exactly what Michelle would have wanted.

This article appears in Jun 1-30, 2023.