Where are they now? Catching up on Delmarva's top stories

Thanksgiving is a time to gather with friends and family.

It's also a time to catch up and celebrate events and milestones of the last 11 months.

While there were many serious events in 2017 to consider, not all news on Delmarva was bad.

The Daily Times caught up with some of the people who have either had something positive come their way this year, such as a former Salisbury resident who won a national collegiate title, or were able to overcome some major circumstances in their life, like the Ocean Pines man who walked two days with his dog to get to the capital of Dominica after a hurricane devastated the area. 

Tim Hill

Tim Hill, of Long Neck, has been featured extensively in numerous stories by DelmarvaNow about his charity work.

Diagnosed five years ago with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis – commonly known as ALS or Lou Gherig’s disease – Hill organized a charity known as Ten Mile Miracle that aimed to donate necessary yet difficult-to-obtain supplies to others with the condition.

Since then, Hill has walked half-marathons, skydived from 13,500 feet and organized wrestling matches with former WWF stars, with Hill covering all administrative expenses personally and 100 percent of donations going to people in need.

“We’ve never turned anybody down and we haven’t run out of money, so we don’t worry about it,” he said. “We just help whoever needs it.”

RELATED: 'Body Slamming' event with WWF's Santana to benefit ALS

Since then, his condition has worsened – he uses a wheelchair full time and is beginning to feel weakness in his arms – but his ability to speak and breathe are so far unaffected by the disease. He still works at Wilgus Associates as its vice president and, as a “deeply religious person,” considers himself blessed by his continuing life.

“I didn’t pray for a cure but just prayed for time, and for the ability to help others with this condition, which I think we have,” he said. “It’s sort of a blessing to know that even if you won’t last long, you won’t die today, and we’ve been able to help so many people with the time I’ve had.”

— Reed Shelton 

Mike Hindi

After surviving Hurricane Maria on a small Caribbean island, Mike Hindi is in the process of getting his life back in order.

The Ocean Pines resident is preparing to launch a new business in the Manklin Station shopping center in Ocean Pines. The Sirius Pet Spa, named for the dog star system, will offer grooming and healthy, high-quality treats and food, with certified pet nutritionists on staff. 

Starting a new business since he returned home from Dominica has taken a lot of time and energy. He is working toward opening the shop this weekend.

“It’s a lot,” he said. “I’m trying to make up a lot of lost ground.”

In May, Hindi moved to Dominica to try to get the business started. He was still in the process of getting the necessary permits when Maria made landfall on Sept. 18.

RELATED: Maria survivor from Maryland: 'You just wanted to see the dawn'

Hindi and his dog, Dallas, rode out the storm as it ripped off roofs, flattened trees, knocked out power and washed out roads and bridges.

After a two-day trek to Roseau, the capital, Hindi and Dallas were able to get off the island.

Since he has been home, Hindi said he has kept up with friends in Dominica. Most people there are still without electricity, and communications are still a problem, too.

“I’m trying to stay in touch with the people I can find,” he said.

— Liz Holland

Morgan Phillips

Morgan Phillips accomplished more in her freshman year at West Virginia University than many athletes do throughout their entire career.

A member of the WVU rifle team, Phillips won a national championship in the smallbore category after compiling a 464.3 score in the 2017 NCAA Rifle Championship on March 11. The team itself won its fifth consecutive title and 19th in program history.

Nearly eight months later, Phillips, a Salisbury School alum, is back for her sophomore season, with her sights set on another national title.

“I think coming into this year, it was a little bit different trying to manage the expectations,” Phillips said. “I’m still working on a lot of the mental stuff. This year I’m really focusing on enjoying the process and going into every match with a good attitude. I think that really helps me perform well and focus on what I’m doing in the present.”

After eight matches this season, Phillips and the Mountaineers remain undefeated, averaging 4,727.6 points per contest.

RELATED: On target: Local sharpshooter lands national title

Specializing in the smallbore and air rifle categories, Phillips has remained solid throughout the season, putting up nearly 600 points in every division.

Her freshman year,Phillips focused on teamwork, building a solid group of shooters with strong chemistry. Losing just two members to graduation, Phillips said the group’s unity is stronger than ever, with the Mountaineers focused on bringing home another championship.

“It’s pretty similar to last year’s team,” Phillips said. “Everything’s been pretty smooth, and there’s a great team atmosphere.”

The team will have a brief break for the holiday season, returning to the targets on Jan. 14, 2018, against Akron.

But until then, Phillips continues to prepare, hoping to keep the Mountaineers streak going once the new year rolls around.

“I’m just going to keep the same mindset I have now,” Phillips said. “I’m enjoying what’s happening now, and just staying focused, because I’ve got some big individual matches coming up next year.”  

— Ricky Pollitt

Ava Vidovich

Ava Vidovich is smiling more these days. She's back to taking classes in a mainstream classroom. And her mother is considering enrolling her in a gymnastics class.

For years, a rare, debilitating disease robbed the young Salisbury girl of the normal things in life. With a stringent regimen of antibiotics and dietary supplements, the 8-year-old has perked back to life, her mother says.

“Much, much, much better," Melanie Hicks said. “The biggest change is she’s behaving more like a typical kid.” 

RELATED: Girl's serious disease may have started with strep

After one misdiagnosis after another, a local psychiatrist suggested that her troubles may have started with a case of strep throat. The bacteria may have tricked her body into attacking her brain cells, triggering wild emotional swings and disruptive behavior.

No one knows exactly how many children are affected by Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococcal Infection, or PANDAS. But by all outward appearances, Ava is now on the path to beating it.

— Jeremy Cox

J.D. and Jenny Schroen

When the cameras stopped rolling on J.D. and Jenny Schroen's "House Hunters" episode, the work was just beginning. 

In May, the couple brought the HGTV show to Salisbury. J.D. and Jenny were looking for their forever home: a 4,000-squarefoot home with five to six bedrooms and four bathrooms in the $550,000 to $600,000 price range. 

"House Hunters" is a reality show that films the process of homebuyers searching for their new home with the help of a realtor.  

The couple found a home near the Shad Point area for about half their budget, priced around $315,000. However, the home was not move in ready and the family of six wanted to make the home their own through renovation, Jenny said. 

RELATED: HGTV 'House Hunters' season to debut with Salisbury episode

With a renovation budget of about $225,000, the family embarked on a total renovation beginning in June, completely changing the interior and updating the exterior. As a graphic designer with a love for architecture, Jenny said getting the opportunity to make the home exactly what they want is better than buying a move-in ready home that's not exactly their style. 

"This is a dream for me," Jenny said.   

While construction did run into a few complications like a new septic system, drain field and well, Jenny said it'll be worth it in the end. The home's style will be mid-century modern, Jenny said, with a nod to J.D.'s traditional style through a fireplace. 

While the family won't be spending the holidays in their new home, Jenny said the most important part is being able to spend it as a family. The family of six is working together on their forever home hoping to move in by February. 

"We're all going through it together," she said. 

— Meg Ryan

Lisa Hawkins

Sometimes those who have experienced great need are most eager to give someone else a helping hand, once they are in a position to do so.

In December 2016, after living in a tent for several years with her service dog, Lisa Hawkins moved into a modest rental house in Salisbury once she was accepted by the city's Housing First initiative. 

RELATED: Out of the woods: From tent to tenant

Nearly a year later, her house is filled with life and her days are busy. 

Thanks to Pohanka of Salisbury's Pay It Forward initiative, Hawkins now owns a late-model car, giving her a mobility she has not had for several years. 

"Life is more secure, I guess I'd say," said Hawkins. She planted a garden last spring, but it didn't do as well as she'd hoped. 

"I learned what not to do for next year," she said, laughing. "I'm composting now to get the soil ready for spring."

"Right now, I'm helping a homeless family," she said. "I knew them before I moved in here. They had a place but lost it when the wife lost her job."

The family of seven — two parents and five children — is living in a hotel room, Hawkins said. So, she's taking the three school-age children to and from school in Laurel, the family's former home. 

"I'm hoping to have them over here for Thanksgiving," Hawkins said. "I know what it's like. It takes most of their money to pay for the hotel room. I just need to figure out Christmas for them.

"Whatever I can do, I will do it," she said.

— Susan Parker