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Helping build wealth on understanding Contact Gary Bezilla, Managing Director - Investments at 843 681 1400 400 Merchant Street, Hilton Head Island 29926 www.bezilla-kinney.wfadvcom Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC Member SIPC
The Bluffton Breeze
April 2014
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My Dear Bluffton Friends, First of all thank you for all your thoughts and prayers and concern as I was going through what seemed like a crazy dream. We always figure this kind of thing doesn’t happen to us… but it did, it happened to me. I was confused and lost, unconscious and doped up half the time and worst of all, unable to breathe. And breathing is a good thing, it keeps you alive and living is a good thing too :~) I’m home after two surgeries on my trachea and seem to be a model patient. The doctor likes the way I am healing and has nothing but positive reinforcement. I’m wearing the latest fashion trend in trach tubes with a cute little purple voice filter. Everyday life is a bit different than normal but I’m handling it. Its amazing what the human body, mind, soul and spirit can take if you have the right attitude. As always my glass is half full. I cannot tell you how much friends who loved and cared and believed in me played such an important part in my healing process. You guys touched my heart so tenderly that I will never forget the compassion of true friendship. Friendship Kindness and Life Horror gripped the heart of a World War-I soldier, as he saw his lifelong friend fall in battle. The soldier asked his Lieutenant if he could go out to bring his fallen comrade back…”You can go,” said the Lieutenant, “but don’t think it will be worth it. Your friend is probably dead and you may throw your life away.”The Lieutenant’s words didn’t matter, and the soldier went anyway. Miraculously, he managed to reach his friend, hoisted him onto his shoulder and brought him back to their company’s trench. The officer checked the wounded soldier, then looked kindly at his friend“, I told you it wouldn’t be worth it,” he said. “Your friend is dead and you are mortally wounded.” “It was worth it, Sir,” said the soldier. “What do you mean by worth it?” responded the Lieutenant. “Your friend is dead.” “Yes Sir,” the soldier answered, “but it was worth it because when I got to him, he was still alive and I had the satisfaction of hearing him say……. Man… “I knew you would come!” Let’s all be thankful for the friends that we have and value the time that we spend with them.
Find out how history shaped Bluffton. And how Bluffton shaped history!
Breeze H i s t o r y
Timeless Fashion By Kim Poovey
‘Elegantly dressed couples glided to and fro as silk gowns swept over the worn wooden floors of the dance hall like butterfly wings dusting the petals of a flower...’ Scenes such as this conjure up images of simpler, more genteel times where crinolines, corsets, petticoats, and parasols were the standard. From the hoop skirts of the 1860s to the bustling silks of the 1880s to the beaded elegance of Edwardian gowns, fashion has adorned generations with ever-changing hemlines, classic styles, and forgotten fads. Fashion has been a consummate passion for centuries, often evoking feelings of nostalgia and a sense of beauty. The study of architecture and notable events is a common thread amongst most historians; however, on May 15th the ladies of the Bluffton Historical Society will add a softer layer to the historic veil; one of silk, taffeta, and lace. A rainbow of vintage fashions will be modeled amongst the lush gardens of the Colcoch House. Guests will learn about the fashionable trends of yesteryear ranging from the 1850s to the roaring twenties. This outdoor event is sure to please a myriad of senses from the beauty of glorious gowns, to the scent of blooming spring flowers, to the taste of decadent desserts served alongside steaming cups of tea. A brief history of clothing styles will augment the fashion show as well as displays of authentic fans, jewelry, and ‘unmentionables’ which will be on exhibit inside the historic 1890s Colcoch House. For generations women have invested their time and talents consulting monthly periodicals and European designers for guidance and motivation regarding apparel. With the invention of the sewing machine in 1851 women had the opportunity
to construct clothing in a more efficient manner while creations by Worth, Doucet, and Pingat lead to the birth of haute couture shaping fashion into an art form. Ladies around the globe now had the ability to study patterns and fashion plates in order to fabricate more a elaborate wardrobe. Of course, fashionable attire was heavily influenced by economics as well as regional climate with styles varying from Europe to America, from north to south. As a living historian I am often queried about my habiliments, especially the layers of undergarments worn beneath my frilly frocks. Undergarments were a very important aspect of 19th century clothing not only for comfort but also to support the dress shape of the current fashion. The chemise, a garment resembling a cotton nightgown, was worn beneath the corset. The corset, also known as ‘stays’, was a very integral part of a ladies underpinnings in that it not only provided support for the torso but also created the beautiful silhouette for the dress. The next layer consisted of a set of drawers or a petticoat. A corset cover, something like a cotton camisole, went over the stays. In the 1860s hoops, or ‘caged crinolines’, were worn with a petticoat over top. Later eras used various designs of petticoats that molded the shape of the skirt style. “Aren’t you hot in all those layers?” many ask of me. Generally speaking I am quite comfortable as I follow the lead of past eras. Much like modern-day clothing, historic fashion was constructed with seasonal temperatures in mind. For The Bluffton Breeze
April 2014
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the frigid winter months wools or flannels came into play for undergarments as well as dresses and outerwear. Quilted petticoats were another means of keeping warm when temperatures outside dipped. For the sweltering days of summer underpinnings of cotton topped with dresses made of sheer or lightweight fabrics were worn. Even summer corsets were constructed of mesh materials. Men’s attire followed this trend with cotton or linen suits and straw hats for the sultry Lowcountry afternoons. As we enter the balmy months ahead many living historians will be clad in their sheer dresses, straw hats or bonnets, and cotton undergarments. To learn more please join us on May 15th at 2:00 for tea and dessert beneath the shade of ancient oaks as we discover our heritage through fashion. For more information or to purchase tickets to this special inaugural event please contact the Bluffton Historical Society. Seating is limited so order tickets today. Kim Poovey, author and living historian, will commentate the event and teach guests the language of the fan.
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www.blufftonbreeze.com
You’d have to leave Beaufort county to find beef as good as this! The only butcher in Beaufort county to bring you USDA prime beef. And fresh sausages made to order. We’re proud to bring you the best meat that you can get!
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1230 May River Road 843 757 3103
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Pelican and Morning Glory By Martha Worthy 1263-B May River Road • Old Town Bluffton 843.757.8185 • fourcornersframing@hargray.com www.FOURCORNERSGALLERY.com
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The Bluffton Breeze
April 2014
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Field of Dreams By Michele Roldán-Shaw It has been called our nation’s pastime, the all-American sport, and this seemed to hold true even during an era when not all Americans had equal share in the dream. For the little town of Bluffton at least, baseball was a heartstring of the community—and that tradition is being kept alive today at Eagles Field. “The history of the Bluffton Eagles comes from what we would call a semi-pro Negro league, though of course over the years it has been integrated,” said Fred Hamilton, enthusiast, town councilman and chair of the Bluffton Eagles Action Committee. “We have people from all walks of life playing today—Latinos, whites, blacks—and all of them are participating not only in the team but in the league.” Their roots can be traced to the 1960’s, when Bluffton area baseball teams such as the Buck Island Hawks and Troy’s Team combined to create the Eagles. In 1972 the all black South Carolina Baseball League was formed; Bluffton saw great competition from Charleston, Savannah, Hinesville, and a whole slew of teams in the Beaufort area: Burton Bombers, Stewart Point Trailblazers, Grays Hill Clippers, Jenkins Powerhouse, Beaufort Mets and more. “It was very much a culture,” said Hamilton, recalling how people would bring brown bag lunches to games and sit under oak trees in their folding chairs. “This was almost like a family reunion on Saturdays and Sundays. It was the greatest pas-
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time and entertainment for the community, and people cheered the teams on as if they were watching the Dodgers and the Yankees play.” Blufftonian Joe Green played with the Eagles for 40 years and was a member of their championship squad. “The games were a whole lot of fun,” he recalled. “You could listen to music, enjoy hot dogs, conversation and community. We had a lot of homeboys from right here in Bluffton, good dedicated ballplayers where it came to style, grace and playing well. We had good leadership and the Eagles won ten championships from ’77 until now, so that legacy deserves respect.” Investigating the lineage even further, Bluffton baseball dates back to the early 1900’s, when plantations such as Belfair and Live Oak Forest had their own teams and fields. A lot of the players actually worked on the plantations. “On weekends they wanted some type of entertainment that would relax them,” Hamilton explained, “a recreation they could look forward to. Baseball was a sport they found easy to organize without a lot of money, and at some point in the early days they were making their own equipment: balls out of yarns, bats out of an old tree, gloves out of leather. They were very creative about making the sport with pure talent.” Hamilton had the privilege of knowing his great-grandfather, Stephanie Frazier, who was manager of the Belfair team; and he also got to watch
his father, Fred Hamilton Sr., play as first baseman and a good hitter. Inspired by this example, young Hamilton Jr. joined the Rec League and played for the Little Eagles. He certainly wasn’t the only child to watch those early greats with stars in his eyes. “We had some VERY talented players who, if they had gotten some exposure, could have gone on to the major leagues,” asserts Hamilton. “In fact we had two players from Bluffton go to the minors: Jason Frazier and Henry Green. And two players from the Hilton Head Blue Jays—arch-rival opponents of the Eagles—made it to the major leagues: Dan Driessen and Gerald Perry. These players were hometown heroes.” One Bluffton Eagle whose memory endures is Sam “Boise” Bennett. “Baseball was his love,” says Bennett’s granddaughter, Sharon Brown. “Right up until he died of dementia, you could sit him in a chair and put on a baseball game and his eyes would just light up. He always said if young people didn’t have anything to do, their minds would wander and they’d get in trouble. So this was a way to keep them active and out of mischief. We as a community will continue to give the youth this field as a positive place to hold events.” Soon after Bennett passed in 2010, a baseball camp was held at Eagles Field in his honor. Last month the 2014 Sam Bennett Day provided various sporting opportunities to local youths, including a baseball clinic given by Hilton Head Islander and former major league player Dan Driessen. It was a fitting way to honor Bennett, considering Eagles Field owes its existence in large part to him. Back in the 1950’s the property was owned by Albert Green, known locally as “Poppa.” He grew cotton and corn on what is now Eagles Field, and at one point there was also a nightclub there. Then in ’59 his son-inlaw Sam Bennett saw a vision, and coaxed Poppa
into letting him have a portion of the property so he could get a team together. “He spent from 1959 to 1960 getting the field prepped,” said Johnnie Brown, pastor and grandson of Sam Bennett. “Bringing the clay in, bringing the grass in, because before that it was just dirt. My grandfather made all the sacrifices, because he would get off work and do all this himself, put in the lines and everything.” Eventually a number of young men came along to pitch in with the work, and by 1965 they had formed a team. During those years Sam Bennett was coach and manager; but for a lot of the players he was more than that, a role model and a father figure. He never missed a game, never arrived late, and happily provided transportation for the whole team in the back of his truck. “He was a very serious man about what he believed in,” Brown said. “Righteousness, integrity and family values. He believed that love could sustain everything, and he always said that a man should never abandon his dreams. He had a good sense of humor, but also a low tolerance for foolishness. And I think he was very strong-willed too, because if he set out to do something it would get done.” According to Fred Hamilton, however, the field was very nearly lost at one point due to taxes. It fell into the hands of the courts in 1991 before being purchased by a local businessman, and although the Eagles were still able to practice there, the future looked uncertain. An action committee was formed, but they were having trouble raising the necessary funds. Then in 1994 the Del Webb Corporation, which was just breaking ground on Sun City, began looking for ways to build partnership with the local community—the plight of the Eagles came to their attention, and they bought the field in order to deed it to the Action Committee, of which Fred Hamilton is currently chair. “We are looking to make it a field of dreams,” he said, “a sports complex for the whole community with an emphasis on the youth. But because of a lack of funds we plan to partner with the town, the county, and other local community organizations.” As to Sam Bennett Day 2014, Johnnie Brown was optimistic that it would bring the community together to work in concord around his grandfather’s vision. “I’m hoping this will wake up the people’s spirit to see what we have sitting right here in this field,” he said. “It’s so much more than just baseball.” The Bluffton Breeze
April 2014
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Breeze F e l l o w s h i p AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL Cambell Chapel A.M.E. 25 Boundary Street, 757-3652 Sunday School 8:45am Worship:10am ASSEMBLY OF GOD New River Worship Center Hwy 170 & Argent Blvd. (next to ESPY) 379-1815 Sunday: 10:30am Wednesday 7pm BAPTIST First Baptist Church of Bluffton Boundary at Church Street, 757-3472 Sunday School: 9am Worship: 10:30am & 6pm First Zion Baptist Wharf Street 757-3128 Sunday School: 9am Sunday worship: 10am May River Baptist Church SC-170, North of US 46, 757-2518 Sunday School: 9:45am Sunday Worship: 10am & 7pm St. John’s Baptist Church 103 Pritchard Street, 757-4350 Sunday Worship: 11am St. Matthew’s Baptist Church SC Highway 170, 757-3255 Sunday Worship: 11am Indian Hill Baptist Church Hwy 278 next to Eagle’s Point, 757-2603 Sunday School: 9:45am Sunday Worship: 11am JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES Kingdom Hall, SC 46, 815-4455 Sunday Public Talk: 9:30am & 3:30pm Spanish Public Talk: 12:30pm
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Bible Missionary Baptist Church Goethe Road Community Cntr, 815-5523 Sunday Worship: 11am Bible Study: 6pm CATHOLIC
METHODIST Bluffton United Methodist Church 101 Calhoun Street, 757-3351 Sunday School 9:45am Sunday Worship: 8:45am & 11am
St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church Church of the Palms United Methodist 333 Fording Island Road, 815-3100 1425 Okatie Highway, 379-1888 Sat. 4pm, 6pm Sun. 7:15am, 9am, 11am, 5pm, Sunday Worship: 10:30am Espagnol 1pm Mon-Fri 6:45am Chapel, 8:30am Church St. Luke’s United Methodist Church SC Highway 170 near Sun CIty, 705-3022 Sunday Worship: 8:30am and 10am ANGLICAN The Church of the Cross 110 Calhoun St, 757-2661 495 Buckwalter Parkway, 757-2662 Sunday Worship: 8am & 10am EPISCOPAL The Episcopal Church of Okatie At St. Luke’s Baptist Church Hwy 170 and Snake Road, Worship: 1st, 3rd and 5th Sunday, 8:30am GREEK ORTHODOX
St. Andrew By-The-Sea UMC Bluffton Campus One University Blvd. (USCB’s HHI Gateway Campus, Hargray Building) 843-785-4711 Sunday worship: 10:30 a.m. PRESBYTERIAN Lowcountry Presbyterian Church US 278 and Simmonsville Road, 815-6570 Sunday School: Adult 9:40am, Child 10:30 Sunday Worship: 8:30am & 10:30am
Holy Resurrection Church at St. Andrews Catholic Church 220 Pickney Colony Road, 837-4659 Orthros: 9:30am, Liturgy 10am
Grace Coastal Church (PCA) 1425 Okatie 15 Williams Drive (off SC170), 379-5521 Sunday School: 11am Sunday Worship: 9:30am
JEWISH
NON-DENOMINATIONAL
Temple Osah Shalom Live Oak Christian Church at Lowcountry Presbyterian Bluffton High School Auditorium 757-5670 278 Simmonsville Road, 705-2532 Kidstreet: 9:15am, Worship 10:15am Shabbat Worship 3rd Friday of month, 8pm LUTHERAN Lord of Life Lutheran Church 351 Buckwalter Parkway, 757-4774 Sunday School: 10am Sunday Worship: 8am, 9am, 11am
Lowcountry Community Church Bluffton Campus: 801 Buckwalter Parkway 836-1101 Sunday Worship: 8:30am, 10am, 11:30am
Experience matters An advisor’s value to a client starts with financial knowledge. But the added factor is experience. There is no substitute for it. Our team happens to have over 100 years of combined investment experience. We’ve seen ups and downs many times over. So please take advantage of our experience and see how we could go to work for you.
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Kenneth W. Huber Natural Wellness Restoration
Helping build wealth on understanding Contact Gary Bezilla, Managing Director - Investments at 843 681 1400 400 Merchant Street, Hilton Head Island 29926 www.bezilla-kinney.wfadvcom Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC Member SIPC
Lowcountrywellnessrestoration.com LCwellnessrestoration@gmail.com 843-816-3190
The
Village
Interior Bluffton’s leading interior designer, Michelle Pearson provides design services to give your home personality! Visit her showroom today! 843.815.6767 48 Pennington Dr Suite E Bluffton
Pasta Shoppe
Delicious homemade Italian dishes ready to heat and serve.
Enjoy home-made Italian dishes without paying restaurant prices. Bring us your dish (or use ours) and we’ll fill it up with authentic Italian favorites like Lasagne, Chicken Parmesan, Ziti, Eggplant Parmesan and more. We also have Fresh Pasta and many hard to find Italian deli products.
It’s like mom or grandma made it! 10B Johnston Way www.villagepastashoppe.com (opposite the Bluffton Post office) 843.540.2095
Tue - Fri 10am - 6pm, Sat 10am - 4pm
The Bluffton Breeze
April 2014
15
Life with Autism It is national Autism month and the right time to think about the many aspects of this frustrating condition. Despite the many challenges we should also celebrate the triumphs and amazing talents of autistic people. Through our two stories we also bring due attention to the great care given by the Bluffton community.
A Grandmother’s Story By Marylyn Staines
A beautiful sunny day, August 29, 1989 was one of the happiest days of my life. My daughter, Diane Nevins gave birth to triplets—William F. Nevins IV, Kelly Jean Nevins, and Bryan Joseph Nevins. She had lain in bed for months so they could attain a desirable birth weight, so when she left the hospital, they went home with her. U n f o r t u n a t e l y, our unbridled joy was not to last. At about a year we started to notice things weren’t going as they should. A diagnosis of autism dampened our hope for the future of the children. LOVE is the word that comes to me whenever I think of the boys— Billy and Bryan Nevins my autistic grandsons. Whatever successes and victories they made came because of a network of caring family and exceptional professionals. The simple difference between yes and no can take hours of ABA--- (Applied Behavior analysis). Bryan was my baby. I bounced him on my knee
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(he loved that); he loved praise and to be kissed. The aggressive behavior can be daunting, and come out of nowhere--but that’s autism! You don’t know when they are in pain or have a headache. Bryan had severe gastric problems. A drop of dairy could send him rolling on the floor in pain. They were good-looking boys and my daughter always dressed them cutely so people would be attracted to them and it worked. They were the favorites everywhere they went. Billy was higher functioning than Bryan, having attained speech (a criteria for autism) and amazingly enough, taught himself to read phonetically. Bryan had only a few words, mostly pertaining to food. While both were autistic, their personalities were so different. Billy was lazy and ate only chicken and French fries. Bryan was hyper and would eat anything that didn’t move. Bryan loved to swim (self-taught), while Billy was fascinated with numbers and words.
Early diagnosis is a very important factor in achieving the necessary life skills. I still can envision two little two year olds with their little back packs being put onto a school bus. After school, they had the services of Respite workers who taught them life skills—eating, washing, potty-training, etc. Autism is a harsh task master and a 24/7 job!
child or grandchild exhibits any of the following, please don’t delay in asking your pediatrician or family doctor for an evaluation:
At fourteen years of age we lost Bryan in an unfortunate accident. Kelly, the third triplet mourns him saying, “We’re a set. You can’t break up a set!” Even today you can’t mention his name without one of us breaking into tears. Kelly is a doting sister and spends every spare moment with her brother Billy, who lives at home.
• No babbling by 12 months
In May 2014 Kelly will receive her MS degree in Special Education graduating Magna Cum Laude from Molloy College in Rockville Centre, New York. She is an exceptional product of a difficult situation. She has spent every summer and weekend since she was 13 years old, working with handicapped children and adults. You would think that this was enough, but there’s more. On April 12, 2014, Kelly will be married to Sean Thomas McCabe, PhD., who also specializes in the treatment and counseling of kids enrolled in Special Education. A marriage made in heaven you say? “Absolutely!” They used to take her brothers out on dates with them. The biggest fear parents of handicapped children and adults have is “what will happen to them when we go?” My daughter, Diane and her husband, Bill, know in their hearts, Kelly and Sean will be there to pick up where they left off! What is Autism? According to AUTISM SPEAKS, autism and Autism spectrum Disorder (ASD) are both general terms for a group of complex disorders of the brain development. These disorders are characterized, in varying degrees, by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors. Autism can be associated with intellectual disability, and attention and physical health issues such as sleep and gastrointestinal disturbances. Autism statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identify around 1 in 88 American children as on the autism spectrum. The Signs of Autism The following “red flags” may indicate your child is at risk for an autism spectrum disorder. If your
• No big smiles or other warm, joyful expressions by six months or thereafter • No back-and-forth sharing of sounds, smiles or other facial expressions by nine months • No back-and-forth gestures such as pointing, showing, reaching or waving by 12 months • No words by 16 months • No meaningful, two-word phrases (not including imitating or repeating) by 24 months • Any loss of speech or social skills at any age
An Autistic Boy Clayton Smith is seven, in second grade and is Autistic. He was diagnosed at the age of three. Thanks to this early detection, Clayton has learned to overcome many of the difficulties in communication. His progress can be credited to a network of professional services, pediatric specialists and special programs offered at our public schools. When he was two and a half, it became apparent that Clayton was delayed in speech, capable of only two word sentences. He was referred by his pediatrician to the Lowcountry Autism Foundation for a series of tests that evaluated his motor skill, understanding of directions and ability to communicate. At that stage, Autism was considered a possibility and it was determined he would need further testing by pediatric specialists. Clayton then began to participate in a BabyNet’s The Bluffton Breeze
April 2014
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Breeze E n v i r o n m e n t
PHOTOGRAPH BY ERIC www.blufftonbreeze.com 20 HORAN
Part II: Birds with one toe in the water By Amber Hester Kuehn
Identifying last month’s wading birds is a snap compared to the smaller, fast moving, mostly white birds that call this estuary home. There are clues that will give you the environmental “May River Savvy” that you have been seeking. Add the Pelican and the Cormorant for good measure and you have completed this introduction to permanent May River residents that are large enough to spot and usually don’t hide.
Black and white birds with bright red-orange beaks… The Bluffton Breeze
April 2014
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Black and white patterns are very popular in avian fashion... A shocking beak in shades of red comes in all shapes and sizes. Courtship begins in APRIL. They nest on high sand bars and eggs incubate for about a month. Chicks leave the nest within a few days after hatching, and will be independent after two months. All of these birds are carnivorous with diverse hunting techniques. Winter plumage varies slightly, but let’s just concentrate on the basics‌.
Black Skimmer This is a very unique bird and the only skimmer in North and South America. It hunts by touch, so it can hunt in the dark! The beak is bright red with a black tip and the bottom is an inch longer than the top. It flies across the surface of the water with its razor thin lower beak skimming the surface. The beak closes when it strikes something. It is easily identified by this behavior, but also look for black feathers on top, white on the bottom, and short red legs. They nest on offshore sandbars in May and June. They are colonial nesters and can be found nesting near gulls and terns.
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Least/ Common/ Royal/ Caspian Terns Look for a forked tail as you will most likely see these birds in flight and diving for small fish. All of these are silver gray on top with white underneath, and have a black patch on their head. The least turn is the smallest and has a yellow beak with a white forehead. The common tern has a red orange beak with a black tip. The royal tern is always having a bad hair day with its shaggy black crested cap. The caspian tern is the largest and very similar to the royal tern, on a good hair day with less fork in the tail feathers. They may not be easy to discern at a distance, but if you know it is a tern, that is acceptable for “May River Savvy”.
American Oystercatcher A little harder to find, but they are easy to spot when out and about. These birds have a very long, straight, bright red beak that is flattened laterally to pry open and eat mollusks by clipping the adductor muscle that holds the two shells together. It also stomps around with stout, pink legs and feet to scare up shrimp, small crabs, and swarming insects. It digresses slightly from the fashion trend with the addition of some dark brown feathers on its back. It is more of a heavy bodied shore bird in comparison to the acrobatic terns and does not actually “catch” oysters… You will most likely see them walking around on sun bleached oyster rakes. The Bluffton Breeze
April 2014
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Good swimmers with big feet like ducks… These birds all have webbed feet and spend a lot of time on the water, but could not be more different in their daily business to find food - one swims and chases, one scavenges and steals, and the other dives and dips. They all begin courtship in the spring and eggs hatch in about a month, but time to independence tends to increase with the size of the bird. They look nothing alike, so this section should be an easy one…
Ring-billed/ Laughing/ Herring Gulls Double Crested Cormorant Cormorants are dark brown with an orange throat patch and a hooked yellow bill. They dive for fish from the surface of the water rather than the air and can actually swim underwater with their wings. They do not have oil in their feathers to trap air, which helps them stay underwater. Since their feathers are not water proof “like water off a duck’s back”, they are often seen standing with wings outstretched to dry. They mainly eat fish which may be tossed in the air to orient the fish head first down the throat. Sometimes they are called “snake bird” because of their long skinny necks bobbing along like a snake and less buoyant body submerged. Many are migratory during breeding season, but the year round population will nest near inland lakes in the Carolinas.
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Call it a sea gull if you want…these birds are highly successful because they are scavengers and eat a wide range of food. In flight, they all have a square tail so as not to be confused with a tern. Immature gull species are mottled brown and difficult to tell apart. Named by the master of the obvious, the ring- billed has a black ring on the end of its bill. The laughing gull is always belting out a noisy “Ha, ha, ha” and has a black head. The herring gull is the largest with pink legs and a red spot on its lower beak. You will see them gathering wherever there is a fish being cleaned or a potato chip being eaten. Occasionally, they will splurge, for a small live fish if they can hover or land on the water to pluck it from the surface. They are criminals and have even been known to steal a fish from the pelican’s mouth!
Brown Pelican Identification is easy as most of us are familiar‌ Adults are about 4 feet long with a 6 foot wing span and a bill that is over 2 feet long! Immature birds have a brown head which turns white as an adult (2 -5 years of age). It feeds by plunging bill first into the water from heights of 30 - 50 feet, and filling a gular pouch with fish and water. Water is expelled at the surface. Pelicans were never threatened for their feathers, but DDT pesticide almost wiped them out when thin eggshells resulted from ingesting this chemical bio-accumulating in fish. Adult pelicans have no predators. Contrary to popular belief, they do not go blind from constantly impacting their lenses on the water. Most pelicans die from interaction with fishing tackle and pollution. Oldest known pelican – 43 yrs. The Bluffton Breeze
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Love is in the air
High Flying Conservation
Lead Story: Andy Pitts By Jevon Daly Andy Pitts is one of the finest musicians Bluffton has to offer. At a very early age Andy was given a guitar by his mother. His mother played piano and was a music lover. Just yesterday Andy spoke of his mother crankin’ up the stereo on saturday cleaning days. Andy’s 2 sisters Heather and Nikki loved Van Halen, as well as lots of other music and made sure the young ‘Anderson’ heard lots. We met around 1990 or so and were soon playing in a band together. I heard about this young kid who could play Motley Crue guitar just like the record and i eventually went over and jammed. Andy is a master carpenter and fix anything guy by day. The Andy i know is a super talent that rarely says more than 2 sentences about anything. He just DOES things. His bass playing is equally as good as his guitar playing, and as a singer comes across as very much himself. Whether he singing a George Jones song in Lowcountry Boil, or bent backwards during a loud guitar solo in Silicone Sister he always owns what he is doing. This is the story of Andy Pitts. There are a lot of nicknames for Andy. Rich Miletic who played in LCBoil for a long time used to call Andy “Wayne”. As far as alter ego ‘Billy C’ in Silicone Sister
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is concerned, even he has nicknames like “the best” and “bomb” for his impeccable readings of Van Halen solos. There are many people across the globe that play Van Halen. I have seen some great impersonators. But when you are watching Andy play VH it is ferocious. Almost ‘animal like’ in the sound and attack musically. Come see for yourself sometime. Get up close to Andy and watch him play.There is a lot of sluffing in live music. People’s nerves get the best of them, or sometimes players get very cocky with very little talent or experience. Andy can play any type of music. He doesn’t mouth off about it. He just DOES it. His main guitar, a Martin D28 bought new for him by his grandmother in 2001 looks like it has been played for 50 years. Andy can appear to rip the strings off of it one minute, and the next minute coax a beautiful solo from it. I would probably say he represents guitar playing in all genres better than anyone i know. In an era where youtube videos reign supreme, Andy does things when it counts. LIVE. Onstage. Even after slicing his finger to the bone with a razor knife at work he came to work and we played. 4 hours. Blood covered the fretboard that night. He played way past the “played till his fingers bled” saying.
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ATHLETES OF BLUFFTON
CrossFit: A Way of Life By Jane Skager When I was first introduced to CrossFit, I found it to be the hardest workout that I’d ever done. It absolutely wiped the floor with me, and yet I fell in love with it immediately. The results that I have seen in my strength and physicality have been unparalleled to any other things I have ever done. I drank the CrossFit Kool-Aid. The people who love CrossFit really love CrossFit... and the rest of the world seems to think the “sport of fitness” is basically out to kill them. The truth is, you really don’t know what it’s all about until you try it. I must admit it was intimidating to take that first step through the door of what is not your average gym entrance. The buildings of CrossFit843 look rugged, we have all driven by and seen the monster tires, and for goodness sakes, the logo says “Are You Hard Enough”. I definitely thought to myself, “No way I am even ready for this, much less hard enough… no way.” But once I took the leap of faith, I was pleasantly surprised. A diverse group of friendly people were inside cheering each other on, talking about the hurdles they had conquered and the room was
full of high fives. I quickly realized “Are You Hard Enough” is all about attitude, not physicality. The truth is, any body type can “do” CrossFit. Not every person can. You don’t just show up to a class. CrossFitters know it’s the effort you make that counts. You don’t whine. You just get on with it. No one likes a whiner (in any arena). It’s made me mentally tougher and I get up every single day and I go. There’s no doubt or negativity. I love being a part of a gym where the youngest member is five and the eldest is 68. There is nowhere else in Bluffton that you can find the diversity that walks through the doors of CrossFit843. What brings us together? The quest to enhance our overall lifestyle. CrossFit is a social network of fun, interactive, goal oriented individuals. I sat down with the owner of CrossFit843, Martin Catalioto to find out what drove him to bring this fitness phenomenon to our little town of Bluffton. While pursuing Professional golf, Martin found The Bluffton Breeze
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“People view it as a “cult” because members are so dedicated to the sport of fitness and view it as a way of life. Is that a bad thing?” CrossFit workouts online and would perform the WODs (Workout of the Day) in his garage, hotel rooms and anywhere else to improve his technique and enhance his performance on the course. CrossFit is all about constantly varied functional movements. Okay, so what does that really mean to the rest of us? It means this technique of fitness not only applies to any sport, but everyday life as well.
stereotypes we all hear about CrossFit.
His perspective:
People view it as a “cult” because members are so dedicated to the sport of fitness and view it as a way of life. Is that a bad thing? People of all walks of life share the sport, from men with huge muscles to mothers and children to grandmothers. The beauty of CrossFit is you can’t lose, it’s you against yourself and you will always win.
“The skills we build are movements you do everyday like picking up your child or walking up stairs. Our goal is to make these movements better to enhance your overall lifestyle.” Many were surprised to see CrossFit Kids added to the regimen at 843. Martin makes a good point in saying, “Your child lifts a 50 lb. backpack everyday, why not teach them how to do it the correct way while instilling a value of fitness at an early age?” When I asked him about the greatest success story he has witnessed, I was blown away. Tim Malchak just celebrated losing his 115th pound in just 17 months! If that doesn’t scream hard work and dedication, what does? The key to CrossFit is the intensity, but hidden in that fact is that you’re inherently pushing yourself to do the most you can through each exercise in the workout. Everyone wants results, but not everyone puts in the effort. In a regular gym, it’s easy to cheat reps here and there or sneak a longer break than necessary, but because of how the CrossFit workout is tailored, there’s no option other than to max yourself out. And trust me, the coaches are ALWAYS watching you! You won’t get away with slacking. Of course such a popular fitness method comes with its critics. Martin faces many of the same
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It’s a cult. It’s only for men with huge muscles. It’s not for women. CrossFit causes injuries.
When asked, “How do you respond to the accusations that CrossFit hurts people?” Martin’s response was on the money, “It is our job as CrossFit coaches to become the most educated as possible to give you the mechanics and it is your job to up the intensity. CrossFit does not hurt people. Any form of activity has potential risks. However the benefit of activity far outweighs the risks.” My experience has been, it’s CrossFit and yes, it is going to hurt. But why put in the effort to workout if you won’t hurt the next day? As CrossFitters we relish in pain really. It means you did your job of maxing yourself out. After all, we can all agree “No pain, no gain”, right? So why are we different as CrossFitters? We care. Plain and simple. We share in our daily suffering thorough intense WODs together, train in a community and share a close camaraderie… it’s a pretty awesome and unique atmosphere. We grow together by cheering each other on to pursue our goals and succeed. We do not give up and feed off the positivity. That is what makes CrossFit successful.
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Memorandum 9 to 5: The Musical is a hilarious story of friendship and payback. When pushed to the limit, three female co-workers concoct a plan to get even with the sexist, egotistical hypocrite they call their boss. They conspire to take control of their company and learn there’s nothing they can’t do—even in a man’s world. Set in the late 1970s, 9 to 5: The Musical is the outrageous, thought-provoking and slightly romantic story about friends teaming up to “take care of business.”
Directed by Casey Colgan SPONSORED BY Island Events & Resort Rentals
APRIL
MAY
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You’ll fall in love... CrossFit843
Where Athletes Train
Ask about our new Interval Circuit Training Class and our referral discount! 184 Bluffton Rd • (201) 679-0825 crossfit843.com
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Breeze O V E R T H E B R I D G E S *Wheelchair accessible event. CLASSICAL EVENTS *Apr. 5 METOPERA – LIVE! presents Puccini’s “La Boheme” 12:55 pm $24 (Seniors $22) Encore: Apr. 9, 6:30 pm $22 (Seniors $20) *Apr. 26 METOPERA – LIVE! presents Mozart’s “Cosi fan tutte” Cinemark, 757-2859, 106 Buckwalter Pkwy, Bluffton.12:55 pm $24 (Seniors $22) Encore: Apr. 30, 6:30 pm $22 (Seniors $20) *Apr. 8 & 9 The Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra “Symphony Under the Stars”.concert venue under large canvas tent of the grounds of Honey Horn Plantation. The event provides a cordial and casual outdoor concert experience where people bring their own picnic followed by an evening of light classical and pops programing. Maestro John Morris Russell, Conductor. *Apr. 26 FINALE: GRIEG & MAHLER Savannah Philharmonic Orchestra. SCAD Box Office (All Events), 912-525-5050, Johnny Mercer Theatre, Savannah Civic Center, 301 W. Oglethorpe Ave., Sav. 7:30 pm $16-70 (For group tickets of $22.10 call Kay Long, 705-7449. DEADLINE Apr. 16; limit 12)
*Apr. 4-5 SAVANNAH RIVER STREET ART FEST celebrates the visual arts, music, theater, and dance! Rousakis Plaza will be filled with artisan exhibitors displaying an array of fine arts. Fri. 4-10 pm, Sat. 10 am -10 pm Free *Apr. 12-13 STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL AT OTTAWA FARMS Pig races, gunslingers, pony rides, inflatables, food & craft vendors, Friends of the Poultry Palace (featuring a dancing rooster and a piano playing chicken) on Sat. and Young Elvis and the Blue Suedes on Sun. 912-7483035. Sat. 9 am-6 pm and Sun. 1-6 pm. No alcohol, no pets please. Free parking. Admission ages 5 and up $5 *Apr. 19 SOFT-SHELL CRAB FESTIVAL Food & craft vendors, music, entertainment, crab race and classic car show along Parris Ave., Port Royal. Old Village Port Royal 843-470-1110 Noon-5 pm. Admission Free Apr. 25- 26 “NOGS” (NORTH OF GWINETT STREET) The Hidden Gardens of Savannah! Self-guided tour of private gardens.10 am-4 pm. A Southern Tea at the Green Meldrim House, 14 W. Macon Street on Madison Square. 2-4 pm Garden Club of Savannah, 912-961-4805. $40
*Apr. 28 THIS ENGLAND Boyce, Haydn, Handel. Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra, 8422055, First Presbyterian Church, 540 William Hilton Pkwy. (278), HHI, 8 pm (Pre-concert talk 1 hour prior to show.) $25, 40, 50 FESTIVALS & TOURS
Apr. 27 “SUNDAY SUPPER IN THE STRAWBERRY PATCH” Enjoy an informal dinner buffet with a fresh strawberry dessert at the Lakeside Pavilion. Silent auction. Proceeds benefit the Friends of Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens Reserve: (912) 921-5460, Bamboo Farm, 2 Canebrake Rd., Sav. Garden tour 4 pm; Dinner 5 pm Approx $30
*Apr. 4-5 7th ANNUAL HILTON HEAD SEAFOOD FEST Family-friendly event w. restaurants/chefs serving seafood specialties. Fri. 5-8 pm, Entertainment by Deas-Guyz; Sat. 11 am-5 pm The Headliners. Shelter Cove Community Park, 4 Shelter Cove. Adults $6 Under 10 free.
MUSICALS & THEATER SAVANNAH THEATRE 912-233-7764, 222 Bull St. $37.45 (Coupon $34.24, Group of 20 $30, Kids $18.19) Apr. 1-29 JUKEBOX! Nostalgic revue from the 50’s, 60’s & 70’s! Tues, Thurs. & Sat. 8 pm, Sat.
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4/26 3 pm & 8 pm Apr. 2-30 SAVANNAH LIVE High-energy song, dance, and comedy! Wed. & Fri. 8 pm, Sun. 3 pm (no show 4/20) *Apr. 3 ROBERT CRAY BAND Grammy Award winner and member of the Blues Hall of Fame, Robert Cray is one of the greatest guitarists of his generation. SCAD Box Office (All Events), 912-525-5050, Lucas Theatre, 32 Abercorn St., Sav. 8 pm $25-65 *Apr. 4-6 A DATE WITH PATSY CLINE Maggy Norden transforms into Patsy Cline & takes you on a musical journey through the singer’s life. Beaufort County ArtWorks, 379-2787, 2127 Boundary St., Beaufort (K-Mart Plaza). Fri, Sat. 7:30 pm, Sun. 3 pm $21 *Apr. 11, 13 PARALLEL LIVES: THE KATHY AND MO SHOW “A humorous romp with a feminist sensibility.” USCB Center for the Arts, 5214145, 801 Carteret St., Beaufort. Fri. 7:30, Sun 3 pm $22, Seniors 20, Students $15 *Apr. 19 FLY ME TO THE MOON A tribute to the music of ol’ blue eyes and more. USCB Center for the Arts, 521-4145,801 Carteret St., Beaufort, 7:30 $22. Seniors 20, Students 15 *Apr. 28-May 11 THE OUTGOING TIDE A family must quickly find common ground and come to an understanding about a man’s unorthodox plan to secure their future. THE FINAL SHOW AT South Carolina Repertory Company, 342-2057, 136B Beach City Rd., HHI. Tues.-Sat. 8 pm, Sun. 2 pm $32 (Seniors $30, FlexPass $27) HISTORY AND NATURE *Apr. 3 CIVIL WAR ERA Hilton Head Island was home to thousands of Union soldiers during the Civil War. Lecture and historic photographs, maps
and artifacts tell the story of HHI from 1861-1865. Coastal Discovery Museum, 689-6767, 70 Honey Horn Dr., HHI. Reservations req. 3-4 pm $7 *Apr. 9 LOWCOUNTRY ALLIGATORS Tom Murphy, will share his knowledge of alligators. Coastal Discovery Museum, 689-6767 70 Honey Horn Dr., HHI. Reservations required. 3-4 pm $7 *Apr. 13 HORSESHOE CRABS! Fascinating exploration of Horseshoe Crabs. Coastal Discovery Museum, 689-6767 70 Honey Horn Dr., HHI. Reservations required. 6:30 pm $15 *Apr. 23 OYSTERS Nancy Hadley of SCDNR will present an overview of oyster reefs, their importance, status and restoration. Coastal Discovery Museum, 689-6767, 70 Honey Horn Dr., HHI. Reservations required. 3-4 pm $7 BLUFFTON *Apr. 4 Four Corners Gallery “Man Show” 4-7pm.featuring works by Robert Highsmith, Jim Lewis, Garth Swift, Doug Corkern, Wayne Edwards, Jack Anderson, Amiri Farris. Live Demos Apr. 5. 11am-2pm. Refreshments. Free *April 19, Latitude Wine Bar 6-9pm - Joe Loves Lobster will be here preparing his delicacies. We will have a variety of wines designed to pair with lobster. April 26, 1-5pm - Wine Tasting featuring Spanish wines. bBffet selections paired accordingly with the wines. 6 Calhoun Promenade, (336) 267-4791 Apr. 26 The 2nd Annual Publix Lowcountry Roots, Rock, Reggae Run. Hilton Head Lakes, Hardeeville. 5K at 5pm, 10 K at 6pm. Beer Garden and Food Court 843-757-8520 Apr. 29 Chris Clayton is presenting an historic lecture at the Bluffton Library from 3-5 PM. It is called: “Sherman in South Carolina-The Battle Of Rivers Bridge”. Suggested donation $5.
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The
Bluffton Breeze Article idea? Photograph to submit? I come to you
Email: blufftonbreeze@gmail.com For $45 you can give someone special the spirit of Bluffton for a whole year! Call 843 757 8877 randolphblufftonbreeze@gmail.com Or send a check to the Bluffton Breeze at PO Box 472 Bluffton SC 29910.
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EDUCATING HUMANS On life, from a dog’s point of view! ON AGE I can’t find a way to sugar coat it, so I’m going to give it to you straight: my hum a n s , w h i l e wonderful, are old! There, I said it and it’s true. Yes, they are healthy and fit, but the fact of the matter is, they are ancient. It is truly wonder that they can even move anymore. I don’t know exactly how old they are but I know they are both over fifty. Can you believe that? Fifty! That’s about 350 years old I dog Years. I don’t know how they are doing it, but so far, they seem to have retained many of their faculties. They can still find their way home. They remember to feed me and they even take me for walks virtually every day. They both exercise every day and I’m sure that has helped, but I’m not sure how much longer I can count on them before I have to swing into fullscale therapy dog mode. ON POLITICS I am an apolitical Wonderdog, at least when it comes to human politics. Think about it for a moment: if the dog world were run like Capital Hill, where would we be today? In today’s age of political correctness, there would be no more sniffing butts. Lifting a leg and peeing in public would be a definite no-no. In the still racially charged world of the human, would we have to pit white dogs against black dogs, an if so, where do multicolored dogs fit in? If a dog wanted to dig a hole in his yard, would he have to get a permit? Would you have to have a license to chase a squirrel, or would you only be allowed to do so during certain months of the year? I love you humans but you really are a lot of work. If we don’t train you early it become very difficult to break you of bad habits. You’ve heard the
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old saying, “You can’t teach an old human new tricks”. ON VEGAS If forced to describe Vegas in a single word, I would have to pick “horrible”. Now that’s not to say I don’t understand the allure for many humans who absolutely love the place, but for dogs, Vegas is the opposite of a day at the beach. No grass, no windows, not much room for running and running, and humans who get upset when we decide to mark on a potted plant. What id you expect where there is so little vegetation around? The other part of the problem is all of the problem is all of the noise, noise, noise. If all of that clanging, beeping and yelling sounds loud to humans, how do you think it sounds to us dogs with the famous super-hearing. Vegas is also the land of confusion for us dogs. A friend of mine, who was working as an anti-anxiety companion dog for his human, was walking through a Vegas casino when he heard someone yelling, “Roll those Bones!” The poor dog almost turned himself inside out trying to find the bones. Tip to humans: when you’re talking about dice, why not just say the word dice? An additional tip to humans: if you need an anti-anxiety dog, maybe you shouldn’t be in Vegas. ON CAR RIDES How cool are cars? One thing I wish we dogs could do is drive. Picture me now: shades on, top down (of course), fur blowing in the breeze and driving down the highway. No sports car for ne though – perhaps a classic Rolls with lots of space to move around. One problem with me driving myself though, is that it’s really hard to drive with you head out the window. Murphy would have an even bigger problem because he typically has his head out the sunroof, so he could never reach the pedals. I can barely describe Murphy’s look of pure joy when he is riding in a car with his head out the sunroof. With his jowls full of wind, nose flaring and his ears flying straight out behind him, the Murphster is in canine heaven. We dogs experience much of the world through our noses and the smell of summer night air is
pure bliss. Hmm, maybe it’s not so bad having humans to chauffeur me around. Perhaps I could talk them into buying a Limo with two sunroofs. ON SPORTS-BASKETBALL Forty-eight minutes of constant running and jumping while everyone goes after one ball. There’s no doubt in my mind that a dog invented basketball. Aside from that human penchant to have hot dogs available at most sporting events, there is almost nothing not to like about basketball. Oh, I guess in a perfect world the ball might be a little smaller so it would fit in the players’ mouths better, or you could do away with the baskets so there would be less interruption in the running, but overall basketball is a cool game. Even the President like it, and besides, who wouldn’t like a game where dribbling is a good thing? When my brother Murphy was a puppy and would dribble in the house, he would get in trouble. In the NBA, he’d be a star. ON DOG CLOTHING If you learn only one thing from reading this article the following sentence may be as good as anything to highlight and remember. Do not dress your dog up in clothing! It is not cute. We do not look adorable, or at least not any more adorable then we already look; besides that, it is not funny.
It is a proven psychological fact that more dogs have been traumatized after being dressed up by crazy humans than at any other time. I know that some of you mean well by putting sweaters or jackets on dogs in the winter and if that were the only offense perhaps I could live with it. The fact of the matter is that the problem runs much deeper. I have seen dogs in dresses. I have seen dogs dressed like Elvis. I have even seen dogs dressed like angels and fairies and even worse dressed like preppies. Please stop it and stop it now! Dogs have the inalienable right to bite their humans if they dress them in stupid outfits! CATS There is no easy way to say this so I’m going to borrow from an Adam Sandler movie. Cats are the devil. Now, I’m not saying that all cars are evil. I actually grew up with a cat and he was a pretty cool little buy, but in general cats are not to be trusted. I don’t even think that cats trust other cats. It is my belief that most of them are schizophrenic. As dogs, we have an instinctive desire to chase cats. It is programmed into us much like the need for to collect shoes is programmed into the female humans or the desire to possess every issue of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition is genetically coded onto male humans’ DNA. The challenge with the primal need to chase cats if the age-old question: what do we do with them when we finally catch them? Most of us don/t really want to hurt them; we just want to teach them how to play properly. These excerpts Educating Humans are reprinted with the permission of Bugsy The Wonderdog’s kind humans, Jeff Ginn and Dr. Janice Elenbaas. Visit luckydogcuisine.com for more fun and important dog stuff. The Bluffton Breeze
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Breeze W i n e W i t h i n R e a c h
Will the wine make the party? By Michael Mavrogordato From a purely oenophilic point of view, I dread going to big parties. After squeezing through the crowd to get to the bar, I’m usually confronted with the choice between a cocktail made with premium brands, or a glass of lousy wine. Put another way, I’m forced to choose between getting a buzz from a stiff drink, or an instant headache from bad wine, and so predictably, the buzz wins every time. I realize that I may be biased towards good wine, but it puzzles me why hosts (or caterers) don’t hesitate to spend generously for premium liquor, but seem to skimp on their wine selection. My hunch is that hosts can easily discern premium versus “house” brands, but are less confident in choosing good party wines, and thus default to price as the determinant. Indeed, price should be factor when choosing wine in bulk, but there is a lot more that should go into the decision-making. Here are my tips for choosing wines for a party. Generalizations about gender behavior can be dangerous, but if the author of “Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus” can get away with it, so can I, but only as far as wine is concerned! Party behavior suggests that women prefer white wines over reds; because the white wine is treated like an aperitif a dry, crisp and floral white is preferred; and when women do adventure into reds, they are mostly drawn to New World pinot noirs, but then again it may be because they pinot’s stain teeth! Men, on the other hand, prefer reds, and look for hefty, structured wines which “fill the mouth”. Other attributes men like are fruit-forward (almost jammy) wines with high alcohol.
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Although these sweeping observations can be helpful when choosing party wines, they are not enough because whatever you buy for your party make sure it reflects your taste in wines, and that it shows that you care for your guests. You will not please everyone (tough) and the label-gawkers will make snap judgments of your wines even before trying them, but in my experience the best parties are those where the wines become a part of the conversation. In short, guests enjoy distinctive wines, and appreciate your efforts to find and serve them. How do you do this without breaking the bank? First, jug and box wines deliver false savings. I know that Woodbridge is immensely popular, but regardless of the varietal they offer (everything!), they are to wine what Muzak is to music: you go through the motion of drinking wine without the satisfaction from drinking it. I have also found that the next level up in jug wines, such as the Mondavi Private Selection are marginally better, but as you will see later, their merlot is ideal for a sangria. These are not bad wines, but they lack backbone, and have been manipulated to exaggerate attributes like smoothness and fruitiness. Box wines suffer the same affliction, but their packaging is great for beach and boat parties, and if you don’t mind a less crisp pinot grigio, the Bota Box California Pinot Grigio ($20 for 3L.) is a safe bet.
To simulate a reader preparing for a party, I poked around Kroger and here is what I found. All the wines are priced between $10 and $13/bottle and are strong candidates for something different and distinctive.
Freixenet Cordon Negro Brut
With peaches coming into season, I could not think of a better aperitif than the bellini. Mix peach nectar with this very dry cava ( ¼ juice to ¾ wine) and add a slice of fresh peach. It is a showstopper. Ruffino Orvieto Classico 2012
Why not serve the white wine that Italians prefer over pinot grigio! This Umbrian wine has been short-shifted in the US, for reasons I cannot fathom. Here is a blend of two lesser known varietals ,grechetto and trebianno, which deliver one of the freshest, smoothest, and delightful white wines anywhere. Robert Mondavi Fume Blanc ( Napa Valley) 2012
Sauvignon blanc is a hot varietal, and like anything which becomes popular, its quality will suffer. In the $10 range there are many Aussie and Kiwi selections, but a good California sauvignon blanc will invariably be more restrained ( less fruity), and balanced. This a very clean, crisp example and is sure to please. Parkers Estate Syrah 2011
Here is another varietal which has gotten squeezed out by the popularity of cabernet sauvignon, and yet frankly this wine will “outperform” cabs going for significantly more. The very best syrah’s are a luscious mix of chocolate, raspberry and pepper, and although this wine only hints of these, it is still a satisfying fullbodied wine.
337 Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 ( Lodi, California)
Forget testosterone therapy, just drink this! This is the quintessential modern wine, loaded with very concentrated fruit and alcohol ( 14.5%). Lodi is much warmer than Napa or Sonoma, which in turn allows the fruit ( and sugars) to become massive and plumb. It therefore comes as no surprise that Lodi is known for their super concentrated zinfandels, and this same trait comes across in this cab. Acacia Pinot Noir 2012
This is the perfect crossover wine. When served slightly chilled the subtle fruit and overall elegance of a pinot noir will become more obvious. This is an entry level wine, but on a hot night it will be a crowd-pleaser.
Talking about hot nights, let’s not forget Spain’s gift to the world, the sangria! Get a big jug, pour the Mondavi Private Selection jug merlot , throw in the wedges of 4 juice oranges, 2 limes and 2 crisp apples, add ½ cup of brandy ( Asbach available at Bill’s) and let chill a few hours. Just before serving, add sugar ( maybe one or two tablespoons) and about a cup of soda water. Serve with ice and fruit wedges and watch the accolades roll in. Finally, as of now I will be answering any questions about the world of wine. There are no dumb questions, so I encourage you to be bold, and write to me on BlufftonBreeze.com -- under Wine Enthusiast and I’ll post the response.
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Sugar and Water By Gene Cashman III
Breeze RRestaurant Breeze e s t a u r a n t GGuide uide AMIGO’S, MEXICAN BELFAIR TOWN VILLAGE 815-8226 MON-SAT 11-9
CORNER PERK, BREAKFAST, LUNCH, COFFEE, TEA BRUIN & BURNT CHURCH 816-5674 M-F 7AM-4PM SAT 8AM-3PM, SUN 9AM-2PM
BLUFFTON BBQ**, BARBEQUE PORK & RIBS PROMENADE 757-RIBS WED THU FRI SAT 11-Whenever
DOWNTOWN DELI, BURGERS& SANDWICHES DR MELLINCAMP 815-5005 MON-SAT 8-3
BLUFFTON FAMILY SEAFOOD HOUSE** 27 DR. MELLICHAMP DR. 757-0380 LUNCH/DINNER MON-SAT 11-9
FUJIYAMA, SUSHI/ASIAN CUISINE BI-LO CENTER 706-9907 MON-TH 11AM-10PM, F/S 11AM-10:30PM, SUN 12-10PM
BRITISH OPEN PUB, PUB, SEAFOOD, STEAKS SUN CITY & SHERIDAN PARK 705-4005 MON-SUN 8-9 SUN BRUNCH 8-1
GUISEPPI’S, ITALIAN KITTIES CROSSING 842-8333 MON-SAT 11AM-10PM SUN 11 AM-9PM
BUFFALO’S, CONTEMPORARY PALMETTO BLUFF VILLAGE 706-6630 LUNCH MON-SAT 11-4
HOGSHEAD KITCHEN 1555 Fording Island Rd 837-4647 MON-SAT11:30AM – 11:00PM SUNDAY CLOSED
CAHILL’S CHICKEN KITCHEN**, SOUTHERN HIGHWAY 46, 757-2921 LUNCH MON-SAT 11-3 SUPPER THU-FRI-SAT 5-9 SAT BREAKFAST 7-12 SUN BRUNCH 9-3
INN AT PALMETTO BLUFF, CONTINENTAL PALMETTO BLUFF VILLAGE 706-6500 DAILY 7AM -10PM
CAPTAIN WOODY’S**, SEAFOOD, SANDWICH, SALADS PROMENADE 757-6222 MON-SUN 11 - 10
JOE LOVES LOBSTER, SEAFOOD & SANDWICHES 2915 N. OKATIE HWY. RIDGELAND, SC Mon-Sat: 11:30 am-2:30 pm Thu-Sat: 5:00 pm-08:00 pm KATIE O’DONALD’S, IRISH AMERICAN KITTIES CROSSING 815-5555 MON-SUN 11AM-2PM
CLAUDE & ULI’S BISTRO**, FRENCH MOSS CREEK VILLAGE 837-3336 MON-SAT LUNCH & DINNER CORKS WINE CO.,CONTEMPORY, TAPAS THE PROMENADE, 815 5169 MON 5-10 TUES -SAT 5 -MIDNIGHT
**For more information see ad in the magazine
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LATITUDE WINE BAR, WINE & TAPAS 6 Promenade St. 706-9463 MAY RIVER GRILL**, SEAFOOD/CONTEMPORARY MAY RIVER RD., OLD TOWN 757-5755 MON-SAT 5-9 DINNER TUE-FRI 11:30-2 LUNCH
MOON MI PIZZA 15 State of Mind Street 757-7007 Mon-Sat 11AM-10PM MI TIERRA, MEXICAN DR. MELLINCHAMP 757-7200 MON-THU 11-9 FRI-SAT 11-10 MULBERRY STREET TRATTORIA, ITALIAN HWY 278 837-2426 TUE-SAT 11-3 & 5-10 SUN 10:30-9 NEO 1533 Fording Island Road 837-5111 MON-SAT11:30AM – 11:00PM SUNDAY CLOSED NAPOLI 68 BLUFFTON DRIVE 706-9999 MON-FRI 11:30AM - 10:00PM
OKATIE ALE HOUSE, AMERICAN SUN CITY 706-2537 LUNCH & DINNER 7 DAYS A WEEK
SAKE HOUSE, BEST BUY PLAZA ASIAN FUSION/SUSHI 706-9222 11:30AM-10PM, SUN FROM 12PM SIGLER’S ROTISSERIE & SEAFOOD CONTEMPORARY 12 Sheraton Park Circle 815-5030 MON-SAT 4:30-9:30 SIPPIN COW CAFÉ, DELI SANDWICHES/SWEETS MAY RIVER ROAD 757-5051 TUES – SAT 7AM – 3PM, SUN 9AM – 2PM TAVERN 46, AMERICAN Off HWY 46-KITTIES LANDING RD. 815-2327 MON 4-10PM, TUES-SAT 11AM-11PM SUN 11AM-9:30PM WEEKLY LIVE ENTERTAINMENT THE COTTAGE, BREAKFAST & LUNCH CALHOUN STREET 757.0508 BR. 8-11AM, LUNCH 11:30 - 3PM, SUN 8-2PM
THE VILLAGE PASTA SHOPPE, ITALIAN DELI 10 B JOHNSTON WAY (across from Post Office), 540-2095 TUES-FRI 10AM-6PM, SAT 10AM-4PM
OLD TOWN DISPENSARY, CALHOUN STREET 837-1893 MON-SAT 11AM-2AM SUNDAY BRUNCH
TRUFFLE’S, CONTEMPORARY BELFAIR VILLAGE 815-5551 DAILY 11AM-10PM LUNCH & DINNER
PEACEFUL HENRY’S CIGAR & WINE BAR 161 BLUFFTON ROAD 757-0557
VERITAS RESTAURANT, CONTEMPORARY 163 BLUFFTON RD UNIT F. 815-6900 Behind Bluffton Pharmacy MON-SAT 5-10PM
POUR RICHARD’S**, CONTEMPORARY BLUFFTON PARKWAY 757-1999 MON-SAT 5:30 - 10 R&D WINE BOUTIQUE, WINE & FOOD BEST BUY PLAZA 837-3747 THURS TO SAT, 11:30AM TO 9PM
VINEYARD 55, 757-9463 CALHOUN STREET CONTEMPORARY MON-TUES 4-CLOSE WED-SAT 11-CLOSE WILD WING CAFÉ, PLATTERS, SANDWICHES HWY. 278 837-WILD DAILY 11-1:30 AM
The Bluffton Breeze
April 2014
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Discover the Happiest Hour in Bluffton
we cate partie r large a s n small! d
House Made Duck Pate $5 Sautéed PEI mussels $6 Flash fried local shrimp cocktail $6 Truffle fries $4 Mini crab cakes $6 Porcini rubbed Lamb lollipops $7 All wines by the glass half off Well drinks $4 You’re invited to come to enjoy it all! 163 Bluffton Road, Unit F | 843.815.6900 | www.veritasbluffton.com
Behind the Bluffton Pharmacy.
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Bringing up n o r t h, do w n s o u t h
22 Fresh craft beers on tap A huge choice of wines By the glass or by the bottle Gourmet pizza and great dishes Bring your friends and relax Sink back in our couches Or sit on our famous porch.
Get the great taste of Old Bluffton! 55 Calhoun Street, Bluffton 843 757 9463. 7 Days a week from 11:30am. Music most nights.
THE Authentic NE Lobster Roll We only use the best parts of the lobster -- that’s pure knuckle and claw! Take one bite and you will be hooked! Check on our website for our cart’s daily location: www.joeloveslobster.com
... and beyond
1/2 lb. NY Reuben S. Philly Cheese Steak
2915 N. Okatie Hwy Ridgeland, SC Cnr. of Argent Rd., next to the Shell Station Mon-Wed: 11am-4pm, Thu-Sat: 11am-8pm
The Bluffton Breeze
April 2014
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Breeze G o l f R e p o r t
RBC HERITAGE: PLAID NATION
By Joel Zuckerman In regards to the staging of the RBC Heritage, there have been nearly as many ups-and-downs as a Phil Mickelson flop shot in the last 45 years, but the island’s “Spring Fling” of a golf event has been defying convention from the beginning. (Note: The first five events were held in autumn, but the event moved to March in 1974, and to it’s current April date in 1983.) When the event was set to debut, tournament organizers were cautioned that a Tour event wouldn’t cut it if located more than 15 miles from a major city. They were advised that a brand new golf course wouldn’t be appropriate, and that to hold an event in the south during football season, and even worse, over a holiday weekend, would be a death knell. But Palmer’s three shot victory came over Thanksgiving weekend in 1969, on an untested course that had just recently been completed in time to stage the event. Harbour
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Town has slowly but surely crept into the nation’s collective golf consciousness in the ensuing decades. The tournament has had more name changes than P Diddy. (Or is it just Diddy?) It began as the Heritage Classic in 1969. It morphed into the Sea Pines Heritage Classic a few years later. Then it was the MCI Heritage Classic, then the MCI Classic, then the Worldcom Classic, The Heritage, the Verizon Heritage, now the RBC Heritage. But with apologies to The Bard, a PGA Tour event at Harbour Town in springtime, by any other name, would smell as sweet. The subtleties of Pete Dye’s wonderful Harbour Town golf course design have been both a boon and a bane to the event’s popularity. The hard truth is the fields have weakened in recent years,
a twofold phenomenon. With the advent of the World Golf Championships and Fedex playoffs, Hilton Head has been sublimated by newer, richer and higher-profile events. But the other factor is the shot-making demands of the golf course. There are very few PGA Tour courses like Harbour Town, with its curving playing corridors and imposing hardwood canopy. Being in the fairway isn’t enough. One must be on the proper portion of the fairway to access Dye’s tiny, practically dead-flat putting surfaces. It’s a wonderful shot-making challenge, but the modern PGA Tour player is a “bomb-and-gouge” specialist---rifling 300 yard drives, and assuming a wayward tee ball, wedging up and over any obstacles from the rough. Harbour Town is not a course that can be overpowered in this way, and consequently the strength of field has slowly eroded in recent years. The roster of tournament victors through the first few decades of the event’s existence read like a “who’s who” of the game. Arnold Palmer was followed to the winner’s circle by a veritable Hall of Fame roster that includes names like Nicklaus, Irwin, Miller, Stewart, Zoeller, Watson, Norman, Faldo, Langer and Price. What’s more impressive? The fact that Harbour Town champs have won close to 70 Majors combined? Perhaps that 33 out of the 46 winners to date are also Major Champions? Or that these champions have won some 425 tournaments on Tour? “When we started the Heritage Classic Foundation in 1986, Sea Pines itself was close to bankruptcy,” recalls Angus Cotton, one of the founders of the charitable foundation. “We were trying to make payroll on Fridays, and every Thursday was
a scramble to find enough money to pay all the employees and keep the place running, and the tournament in place. Fortunately, the islanders started buying tickets in droves right after the first of the year, and the cash influx finally got us on firmer financial footing, but it was touch-and-go there for quite awhile, regarding whether we were even going to be able to stage the 1987 event.” Things have been touch-and-go a few times since, but now with the stability offered by title sponsor RBC and presenting sponsor Boeing, the event is on solid ground once again. This year’s luminaries include defending champ and former U.S. Open winner Graeme McDowell, who’ll be challenged by other Major champions such as Ernie Els, Davis Love III, David Toms, Vijay Singh, Justin Leonard, Martin Kaymer, Stewart Cink and Jim Furyk. Other top players
who have committed as of this writing include Matt Kuchar, Luke Donald and Brandt Snedeker, in addition to former champions such as Brian Gay, Carl Petterson and Boo Weekley, among others. The entire group will be shooting for first prize money of $1,044,000 from a total purse of $5,800,000. Regardless of the final tournament outcome, tens of thousands of golf-watching (and people-watching) spectators will roam the bucolic grounds at the southern end of Sea Pines for nearly a week’s time, enjoying the party atmosphere, the springtime weather, the views of the sparkling Calibogue Sound, the ultra-ritzy mega-yachts in the yacht basin, and the unmatchable ambience of the area’s premiere sporting event. For more information visit www.rbcheritage.com The Bluffton Breeze
April 2014
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Breeze G o l f C o u r s e G u i d e Golf Course
Designer, Course
Yds*
Rating*
Belfair Golf Club 200 Belfair Oaks Blvd, (843) 757 0715
Tom Fazio: East West
6,936 7,129
74.4 75.3
Berkeley Hall Golf Club 366 Good Hope Road, (843) 815 8444
Tom Fazio: North Tom Fazio: South
6,936 7,129
75.1 74.6
Callawassie Club 176 Callawassie Island Dr., (843) 987-2161
Tom Fazio
n/a
n/a
Chechessee Creek Club 18 Chechessee Creek Dr, (843) 987 7000
Coore & Crenshaw
6.606
71.8
Colleton River Plantation Club 60 Colleton River Drive (843) 837 3131
Jack Nicklaus Pete Dye
6,936 7,129
76.1 74.7
Crescent Pointe Golf Club 1 Crescent Pointe Dr, (843) 292 7778
Arnold Palmer
6,733
n/a
Eagle’s Pointe Golf Club 1 Eagle Pointe Dr, (843) 757 5900
Davis Love III
6,738
73.1
Hampton Hall Golf Club 89 Old Carolina Road, (843) 837 3131
Pete Dye
7,503
76.9
Hilton Head National Golf Club 60 Hilton Head National Dr, (843) 842 5900
Gary Player Bobby Weed
6,731
72.7
May River Golf Club, Palmetto Bluff 350 Mount Pelia, (843) 706 6579
Jack Nicklaus
7,171
75.4
Moss Creek Golf Club 1523 Fording Island Road, (843) 837 2231
George Fazio: South Tom Fazio: North
6,885 6,555
73.4 72.5
Island West Golf Club 40 Island West Drive, (843) 689 6660
Clyde B. Johnston Fuzzy Zoeller
6,803
73.2
Oldfield Golf Club 9 Oldfield Way Okatie, (843) 379 5052
Greg Norman
7,142
75.4
Old South Golf Club 50 Buckingham Plantation Dr, (843) 837 7375
Clyde B. Johnston
6,772
72.4
Pinecrest Golf Course 1 Pinecrest Way, (843) 757 8960
Rocky Rocquemore
7,489
n/a
Rose Hill Golf Club 4 Clubhouse Drive, (843) 757 9030
Gene Hamm
6,961
74.1
Sun City Golf Club 672 Cypress Hills Dr, (843) 705 4057
Mark McCumber: Hidden Cyprus Mark McCumber: Okatie Creek
6,946 6,724
73.2 71.9
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*Ratings for the longest tees
Course Notes The East course wanders through lakes and ponds and is very walkable. The West Course has subtle beauty with gnarled oaks, and sparkling lagoons. The North Course is a marvel of tranquil lakes, bold fairways and challenging bunkers. The South Course offers a classic parkland golf experience. Magnificent live oaks and magnolias, as well as freshwater ponds and the surrounding saltwater marsh, come into play on most holes. A timeless golf experience nestled within a landscape of ancient, mossy live oaks and long-leaf pine forests. Park and links settings for two of Golf Magazine’s top 100 courses. Pete Dye said it’s “the best I’ve ever built”. Home to the USGA Junior Amateur in 2015. Generous fairways but challenging elevated greens. Beach bunkers create an island experience. Water holes and huge oaks. Great golf for great value. Neither too long nor overly difficult with interesting boldly contoured greens. The course is routed through pines, oaks and native coastal wetlands. Relatively new, this links style golf course is well cared for and has generous fairways with challenging undulated greens. A collaboration between two designers this course is well accessible in every way. Enjoy the challenging final hole flanked by a marsh and elevated green. In the beautiful Palmetto Bluff compound, the course meanders through the May River Forest. Bermuda greens with undulating slopes are challenging. The “Devil’s Elbow” courses are lined by magnificent oaks and tall pines as well as salt marshes that change with the tides. Good for all levels of golf. The scenic design of Island West, with rolling fairways, elevated tees, preserved natural marsh areas, and large live oaks presents a magnificent experience. The Audubon Certified course runs through canopies of live oaks, broad savannahs and soaring pines up to the banks of the Okatie River. Rolls from an open pasture to dense forests, and views towards Hilton Head. Most holes are surrounded by nature and the course has a lot of character. Features tall pines, many challenging water hazards and picturesque holes. It has a good practice facility and is a good value. The course is enveloped in a peaceful setting of trees and blue lakes. It is well designed to be player friendly yet holds its challenges on the back nine. Okatie Creek lets the casual golfer enjoy golf, while Hidden Cyprus offers greater challenges. Both courses capture the magic of low country beauty. The Bluffton Breeze
April 2014
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The Bluffton Breeze
April 2014
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