Behind the Lens

eginning each year celebrating the beauty of our Lowcountry setting has become an annual Berkeley Experience tradition, as Elizabeth Angelone, member/ photographer captures exquisite views of our wildlife and nature. Immersed in the very setting of her subjects, most of her images are shot in her backyard, “early in the morning or late afternoon when the light is soft,” shares Elizabeth. Focusing on the light and what lies beyond adds to the interest and beauty of her work. “That’s what draws me to create an image that goes beyond a study, or a mere portrait,” she explains. With the experience that comes with knowing the Lowcountry’s rhythms, “I love when the fog is lifting off the lagoon, as the sun comes up and the steam rising up is really magical. In February, we get a lot of those kinds of mornings.” The ever-changing hues of nature form her palette, and here in this selection, she looks for changes in the color of the lagoon - sometimes black, sometimes blue and green, sometimes softly golden.

OF THE COVER: “This gorgeous great egret had been feeding at the end of the lagoon and was coming in toward the end of the day as it was getting dark, headed toward the Clubhouse to the trees by the 18th hole where they rest. I just happened to catch him skimming the water.”

See more of her images on Instagram at Elizabeth_Angelone_ Photography or at her website ElizabethAngelonePhotography.com

t was back in 2003 when Jeff and Julie Grime first heard about Berkeley Hall Club from one of their fellow club members in Virginia. “I was invited down to play in an invitational golf tournament in the Hilton Head Island area. Held around the time of the Heritage Classic, it was called the Non-Classic and we played on the North Course. It was my first time to Berkeley Hall and the courses and practice facility were exceptional,” said Jeff. “I won the tournament, which made it even easier to say – this is the place for me!” On that visit he purchased a lot and they started coming more often. “It always felt like holiday break, and when it was time to go, we just didn’t want to. Being here was like living in a resort, it still is.” So, they, sold their home in Virginia and moved here full-time in 2008. Before long, friends from their former Virginia club were joining them here for golf outings, staying in the golf cottages and falling in love with the Lowcountry. Pretty soon, they too became members. “What a great group, and we’re all still here,” laughs Julie. “The Virginia contingent – the Mancusis, Peases, Charlands, Gettings, Davises, (and Bucaros, who are not featured in photo). People are more comfortable making a decision, when you have friends

Jeff and Julie Grime who already have and like the decision they made,” adds Jeff. The pair first met in college, on a blind date. (Or semi-blind, as Julie had already had a peek). They dated every weekend after that, before setting the wedding date and making it official. With 30 years in the Air Force, their travels took them all over the world, as Jeff’s career brought them to seven foreign countries, and 21 moves altogether. After serving in Vietnam, their first overseas assignment together was in Okinawa, where both sons were born, with later moves to Germany, the Philippines, Canada, Norway, and Hawaii. Jeff also spent some time in Saudi Arabia, serving after Desert Storm as Commander of a no-fly zone. Today, this former fighter jet pilot who retired as a Major General, is happy to fly his Cirrus 22T, a fun little single engine airplane that’s comfortable to fly in. “Last year we flew up to Colorado Springs for Jeff’s 50th Air Force Academy reunion, making a little two-day trip out of it,” said Julie with a smile. “We’ve led an interesting life and we enjoy our life here,” said the couple. Avid golfers, they’re social at the Club and active in the community. Jeff’s served with the Boys and Girls Club of Bluffton as board president and is currently on the board of the Lowcountry Boys and Girls Club, where he formerly served as board president. “Over the years, you want to be in a community you love and that your family loves visiting. Our sons and their families enjoy spending time with us, and everything the Club offers,” shares Julie. “Once you’re part of Berkeley Hall and you have good friends, it’s really your community. We appreciate the beauty of the surroundings, the service, the friendliness of the staff, and dining and golf are big for us. Berkeley is just the best of all possible worlds

– we can’t imagine being anywhere else.”

Jeff points to USAF academy class crest commemorating their 50th reunion. Their motto in Latin means “To be, not to seem.”