Ancestors and Alchemy.

Unique Perspectives: The Soul Always Wants to Rise...

By Kim Stevens

Alchemy fascinates me. It’s a concept I return to often in my life and work—I like the idea of blending structure and magic to create something extraordinary. Whether I’m crafting a business strategy, fostering relationships, or creating a home, it’s about finding that secret sauce where practicality meets enchantment.

When I reflect on the alchemy within my own life, I inevitably think of my ancestors. The DNA they’ve passed to me is more than biology—it’s a legacy of values, stories, and experiences that shape who I am. In particular, I think of the great men in my lineage and how they embodied both structure and magic in their own lives.

James J. Herron: Grandaddy’s Legacy

My maternal grandfather, James J. Herron—Grandaddy to me—was born in 1909 into a family of modest means. He grew up as the only boy in a household of sisters, many of whom tragically passed away young. Life wasn’t easy, and money for college was out of the question.

But my grandfather’s story took a remarkable turn at a state fair. He bought a chance at a raffle to win a car. When the basket was spun and the first ticket drawn, it was his. But the prize went to the third ticket, and his name was tossed back into the mix. Disappointed but not defeated, he stayed. When the third ticket was drawn, fate smiled on him once more—it was his name again.

That car, once sold, paid his way to Ursinus College in Collegeville, Pennsylvania, where he not only studied but played football and wrote for the college paper.

A Life of Integrity & Influence

After graduating from Ursinus College, Grandaddy proudly served in the Navy during World War II, embodying the discipline and commitment that would define his life. His time in service reinforced the values of honor and perseverance that he carried into his career and that I so admired in him.

While in the Navy, he married my grandmother, Olivia Pearl Birdsong, a woman with a name as magical as her stories. Olivia was one of seven siblings who spent summers at Camp Oneka on Fairview Lake and roamed the valleys that would one day become Lake Wallenpaupack. She told me stories of visiting local farmers and even getting a squirt of fresh milk straight from the cows! Her father, Rosser Pellam Birdsong, was a peanut farmer in Virginia, and for a time, Grandaddy worked as a salesman for the family business.

In 1934, he began his career at Dunn & Bradstreet as a credit reporter. Over the years, he rose to the role of Senior Vice President at their headquarters in NYC, earning the respect of colleagues who marveled at his integrity. When he retired, they told him that his ethics were so unparalleled, they wouldn’t trust one person to fill his role. That level of respect was no surprise to me.

Grandaddy was a man of stature—not just his height, though at 6’5”, he was a commanding presence. His mental sharpness, emotional steadiness, and unshakable integrity made him a pillar of strength. He taught me lessons I carry to this day: how to treat people with respect, to lead with ethics, to discern wisely, to ask questions and to have the courage to focus on what is right, rather than who is right.

The Gumble Cottage: A Place of Magic

Early in their marriage, my grandparents began a love affair with Lake Wallenpaupack, owning three charming lakefront Gumble Cottages over the years. Their first was in Lynndale, followed by another on Simons Point. But the one etched into my heart—the Walker Cottage—was the 3rd. It was back in Lynndale near the cliffs. It was there as a young child, that I truly fell in love with the lake and life on it.

Gumble Cottages are magical. Those of you who’ve experienced one know what I mean. The tongue-and-groove wood walls, the stone fireplaces, the lofts, the log beams and railing, the screened porches—they embody warmth and simplicity. The Lynndale cottage had all that charm and more. I loved the faint smell of the fireplace as I walked into that cottage and I adored the loft. Us kids would love to snuggle up there with lots of blankets and even put on shows for the family gathered below.

We had an old-fashioned party-line phone, our number marked by three short rings. And there was a little guest cottage on the property where my brothers and I would take turns sleeping. Those nights were special—I’d wake early with my mom for nature walks, where we’d find treasures like moss, rocks, ferns and my favorite of all, the Indian pipes.

Alchemy in My Life Today

As I look back, I see how these experiences shaped me. The cozy warmth of the Gumble Cottage echoes in every home I’ve lived in both on and around Lake Wallenpaupack, from a log cabin to a timber framed lodge to a more modern eclectic haven. The lake’s magic runs through me, just as it did through my grandparents. And the lessons my grandfather instilled in me—about integrity, leadership, and the power of doing what is right—guide me every day as I helm my business.

I keep his photo on my desk, a constant reminder of where I come from and the values I do my best to carry forward. His presence is like the alchemy of structure and magic itself: solid, steady, and yet touched with something wondrous.

Because of him, I know that leadership isn’t just about running a business—it’s about creating something meaningful, something lasting. It’s about the courage to blend structure and magic in just the right way to turn the ordinary into something extraordinary.