Jane Magioncalda is a native of Queens, New York who moved south in 2003 with husband Joe Ficarra. The two met as graduate students at St. John’s University—she in law school and he in the MBA tract. Jane worked for the prestigious TIAA-CREF financial services organization for close to thirty years practicing Real Estate Law. A TIAA transfer brought them to Charlotte, North Carolina. She agreed to the move with two conditions: the New York Times and GOOD pizza had to be available.
Nine years ago, they discovered, like all of us, the wonders of Seabrook Island and they immediately settled into their part-time home in Summerwind. They share their homes with two Cornish Rex cats—Sugar and Smokey (Google the breed, it’s not your average house cat!). After retiring, she and Joe started spending more time here, especially in the summer during turtle season.
Jane is an active member of the Turtle Patrol, serving as Social Committee Chair, walking her zone twice a week, filling in as a substitute, working with PHAT (Pre -Hatching Assistance Team) monitoring nests fifteen days prior to hatch dates and participating in nest inventories.
The couple enjoy kayaking on area creeks and taking advantage of the Lake House Fitness Center. Jane participates in exercise groups, yoga and weight strengthening and plans to try the Get Ready for Golf program.
She and Joe also avail themselves of as many SINHG trips and evening programs as their part-time status allows.
Over the years, they have traveled widely often focusing on their interest in Nature. Jane says their trip to Kenya and Tanzania ranks at the top along with the Galapagos and western U.S. National Parks.
Jane is charter a member of the Seabrook Island Birders. Starting out like many us, having had back-yard feeders and a well-worn Peterson’s on the shelf, she has relished the variety of birds and learning opportunities here in the Lowcountry. Since joining SIB, she’s gone on many Learning Together ‘walks’ and other SIB activities, improving her expertise rating, in her words, from .05 to 1.0. Jane has been “encouraged and impressed by the inclusiveness and willingness to share knowledge” by more experienced SIBirders.
Article written by: Donna Lawrence
Photo credit: Joe Ficarra
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