by CYNTHI WEBSTER

“A STRONG WOMAN looks a challenge dead in the eye and gives it a wink.” We are not sure who first breathed these words, but it is certain that they were intended for two amazing women who are the next walkers to complete the Outdoor Adventure Club's 2021 Walking Challenge.  Ceci Dittmar and Lois Fultz are friends, walking buddies and are connected far beyond either friendship or exercise thru their Faith in God.

Lois, the youngest of 6 children from a Kentucky farm family, purchased her home in Savannah Lakes on August 30, 1997.  She and her husband, Fred, were looking for a place to retire - for him retirement meant living on the water and for her it meant living on a golf course.  Each had rewarding, but extremely busy careers, and had begun to plan for the time when they could relax.  Although they had spent their adult life in Ohio, they knew they wanted to live somewhere in the Carolinas.  After checking out places like Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach, they saw an article in a magazine on Savannah Lakes.  They visited, immediately purchased a lot, and then decided they better check out other Cooper Communities.  After doing so, they realized that SLV was indeed a stable investment and continued with their plans to move here.  In retrospect, this was a normal operating procedure for Lois who, while raising two sons, was also the Director of Sales and Marketing for the largest meeting and event planning firm in the United States.  During her 22 years with the company, she had the opportunity to visit nearly every five star resort in the US -- some not even on her "wish list."  In fact, Lois tells a humorous story about how the Westin Hotel Chain kept asking her to check out a hotel that they had just purchased in Alaska, but had not seen.  She kept refusing until Westin offered to make it a family deal and send her husband as well.  She still refused, but her husband accepted for the two of them and off they went to Alaska.  Both Lois and Fred realized, however, that our Savannah Lakes community offered the lifestyle they desired.   

Seven years ago Lois lost Fred, yet she considers this "their home."  The friends she has made, the activities she enjoys and the enthusiasm she brings to each new day keeps her life full and active.  Although she has been in several Green Curtain productions (she loves to take on roles and sometimes does it just as a "prank",) volunteers at Hickory Knob, golfs regularly, walks often, and participates in Bible study, her heart is in a group that she established for people who have lost their partners.  As an organizer, she saw a need after losing Fred, to bring others in the same situation together.  “SPLASH” (Single People Loving and Serving Him) has done just that, and as a result she knows she is living a much fuller life and believes that other members are also.

So how did Lois meet Ceci?  In 2012 Lois underwent open heart surgery.  Ceci, through her church, went to visit Lois in the hospital and immediately began a deep friendship.  After Lois was released from the hospital, Ceci and another friend went every morning to Lois' home and took her for a walk (more like a 3 mile hike.) Since that day, they have shared many adventures  including visiting one another's families, attending prayer rallies in Washington D.C. and participating in Bible Study together.

One last comment…
 Lois is probably, not only the 2021 Challenger who has lived in SLV the longest, but is also the oldest walker to take it on since she is now a few years beyond her 8th decade.

Ceci Dittmar is one of the most outgoing, spontaneous, energetic and uplifting people any of us will ever meet.  She is, to say the least, AWESOME!  Ceci is a military child and, like Lois, one of six children. Growing up she lived "all over the country" and says she has never met a stranger.  People on elevators, in the grocery store, at the park, are all potential friends.  She believes that military kids are either very outgoing or withdrawn. Ceci and her siblings are all the former.  Another side effect of being one of many and having to adjust to constantly changing environments is being a "tomboy."  Ceci married Charlie Dittmar, a Marine helicopter pilot who, later in life, was a systems engineer responsible for putting radar units on Navy ships. Together they had four children and have always lived an outdoor life.  In fact she lays claim to camping in every state except Hawaii.

In 2006, Charlie came home and announced that he had bought a house in Savannah Lakes.  She had not seen it prior to the purchase, and when she did she said that it would be fine with a few changes.  Over the next few years Charlie, primarily by himself, renovated the entire house and garden.  In 2010 they moved here full time from the DC area.  Ceci says it was time for them "to plant a tree and watch it grow."  Charlie passed away a few years ago, but those who knew him respected, loved and were often entertained by his uniqueness.

On February 19th, 2020, one month before Covid hit in earnest, Ceci underwent brain surgery.  She had not been feeling well for months, but the doctors could not identify what was causing her to feel shaky, forgetful and off balance.  Finally the situation became so pronounced that a brain scan was performed and a tennis ball size tumor was located on the left side of her brain. After it was removed, Ceci says she instantly felt better and today she is a walking, talking testimony to the power of God and modern medicine. She plays golf, volunteers at Hickory Knob, shares her singing talents as a member of the Lutheran Church Choir, is passionate about her Faith, and basically never stops doing and moving.  

Prior to this year, neither Ceci nor Lois had undertaken the OAC Challenge.  We can only suspect that Ceci is the one responsible for getting them started, but once they began Lois says she looked at it as a job and put it into her schedule as often as she could.  There is no doubt that Ceci, on the other hand, has done the entire walk twice because she would walk with Lois or go on her own.  If someone would call and ask her to walk with them she would go although, she may have already done the same walk twice before.  This writer can personally attest to her doing Savannah Point at least twice.  
Nearly six months remain in this year and the Outdoor Adventure Club would love to see ever more walkers. If you enjoy early morning or late (late) afternoon walks then this is the right time of year to start The OAC Challenge.  Ceci and Lois are truly powerful role models for all SLV residents who have yet to begin or complete this year's challenge.  They are a testament to what good humor, good intentions, good friends and good shoes can do.