The Bluffton Breeze (March) by The Breeze

MARCH 2015

The Bluffton Breeze

February 2015

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The Bluffton Breeze

February 2015

Cold Snap By the time this magazine hits the streets of Bluffton, the February cold will be gone. Or maybe not quite yet, if the Groundhog got it right. “At least we’re not in Boston” say our northern transplants. Or Nashville. Or Chicago. Most people expect our annual Low Country weather to be 90% warm to hot/ very hot, 9% a little too chilly for comfort, and only 1 % outright frigid and unbearable. Which means that so far 2015 has been out of whack. The golf course managers have scratched their collective heads on how best to protect those vulnerable greens. Small armies of attendants covered them up night after night. Hot toddies and hot chocolates were necessities. On the positive side, the joy of indoor activities were rediscovered -- a good scrabble contest, video games with the kids, or, for those who still read, a good book (or The Bluffton Breeze Magazine) by the fire. So now we’re approaching the aftermath of an extended cold snap. Will the golf courses play the way they’re meant to? Will the price of orange juice, post freeze, be higher than ever? Will we return to our usual optimistic selves? And will we put those books back on the shelf in case of future emergencies. Most likely yes. But while we can still remember the big chill, let’s take a moment to celebrate our weather. At its worst, it ranks among the best. We don’t live in Siberia or the Sahara. We outshine most of the US. And three unusually cold winters in a row? Unlikely. Here’s to Bluffton’s sunny spirit.

Eric & Randolph

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The

Bluffton Breeze The magazine of Bluffton FOUNDER Donna Huffman PUBLISHER Eric Einhorn ericblufftonbreeze@gmail.com EDITOR Randolph Stewart randolphblufftonbreeze@gmail.com 843 816-4005 SALES DIRECTOR Chierie Smith theblufftonbreeze@gmail.com 843-505-2732 CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Amber Hester Kuehn, Michael Mavrogordato, Art Cornell, Andrew Peeples, Elizabeth Robin Helen Stetson, Joan Morris, Gene Cashman Michele Rholdan-Shaw, Rachael Field Bill Newby, Francis Rupert Graves Nedra Mathias Brown PHOTOGRAPHERS Ed Funk PRINTER Accurate Lithograph CORPORATE OFFICE 12 Johnston Way, Suite 300 P.O. Box 472, Bluffton, SC 29910 843.757.8877

The Bluffton Breeze Magazine is published by The Bluffton Breeze LLC. All rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or stored for retrieval by any means without permission from the Publisher. The Bluffton Breeze Magazine is not responsible for unsolicited materials and the publisher accepts no responsibility for the contents or accuracy of claims in any advertisement in any issue. The Bluffton Breeze Magazine is not responsible or liable for any errors, omissions, or changes in information. The opinion of contributing writers do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the magazine and its Publisher. All published photos and copy provided by writers and artists become the property of the Bluffton Breeze Magazine. Copyright. 2014

Breeze CONTENTS March 2015, volume 13, no.3

Features

8 Grandpa Guilford’s Horseless Buggy 10 The Bluffton Chef 14 Oh yes we do... 20 Erin Go Bragh 22 Celabration of Spring Blooms 32 Leo’s Legacy 42 Gobble, Gobble,...gone

Departments

8 History 18 Tide Chart 26 Thoughts in the Breeze 29 Fellowship 30 Bulletin Board 34 Over the Bridges 36 Wine Within Reach 40 Music Town 44 Restaurant Guide 48 Golf Guide Cover Photo: Burrowing Owls Ed Funk

The Bluffton Breeze

February 2015

Grandpa Guidford’s

Horseless Buggy By: Andrew Peeples “Bluffton Boy”With Permission: Mildred Peeples Pemberton (Andrew’s Daughter) In that long-ago time when I was a small boy there were only three or four automobiles in Bluffton. Two of the owners of those horseless buggies were Grandpa Guilford and one of my uncles whose name I’d better not mention, because the first time my uncle drove his automobile up the main street it ripped the porch off Prince Riley’s barber shop, took a corner off Hagar Gadsen’s fence, and made Old Man Stone’s mule throw him out of the saddle and then run four miles into the woods before anybody could stop him. Standing in the front door of our store on the main street, Papa gave those noisy “machines” a jaundiced eye. “They’re nothing but a luxury,” Papa said. “The only advantage one has over a buggy is that it can get you to the poorhouse faster.” The poorhouse was in Beaufort, 70 miles from Bluffton, and since nobody in our family was in a hurry to make the trip over there we did without an automobile for a long time. “ Yes,” Papa said, “an infernal automobile is a luxury. And you children need learning more than you need luxury, and you can’t have both because it’s too expensive.” I guess Papa was right, because the way it turned out in the end he had to educate nine boys and three girls—with four of us in college at the same time for eight straight years—and it took a lot of luxury to pay for all that learning. Still, I would have gladly swapped my future

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learning for the luxury of an automobile like Grandpa Guilford’s chain drive, buggy-wheel model that cranked on the side and had a folding top like the one on our buggy. Uncle Charlie Guilford, my mother’s youngest brother, did the driving for Grandpa Guilford. Uncle Charlie had had a lot of driving experience. He had been driving Nancy, Grandpa’s longlegged runaway chestnut mare, for years, and he said a gasoline engine under a hood was a cinch compared to Nancy between the shafts. When Nancy was running away, he said, she was a lot faster than any automobile made, and if he could hold Nancy in the road he didn’t see why he would have any trouble with an automobile. I don’t know how much Uncle Charlie knew about automobiles. But I know he knew more about runaway horses than anybody else in Bluffton, because he said he did. Runaway horses,” he said, “are the best kind. One that won’t run away every now and then isn’t worth his medicine salt.” I saw Nancy run away one Sunday morning. It broke up a hell-and-damnation sermon in the Methodist Church on the main street. Grandpa and Grandma Guilford were sitting in the front pew that Sunday morning, and I think they thought Uncle Charlie was sitting somewhere behind them. But he wasn’t. He was in the buggy driving Nancy.

Breeze History I was in the church that morning. I was sitting at a window watching Uncle Sam Groves smoke a cigar on his front porch. I saw Uncle Charlie just as soon as he started riding around the loop. We used to call the main street and the back street to the east and the two end streets between them the loop. It was just about a mile around the loop I could see Uncle Charlie every time he passed the church. He was flicking the buggy whip on Nancy’s

her eye. The buggy was swaying like a kite’s tail in a wind storm, and Uncle Charlie was sawing the reins and the grin on his face was all the way back to his ears. I heard feet shuffling in the rear pew, and I didn’t have to look back to know that it was Tom Niver and Ollie Lowden. They always sat back there so they could sneak out ahead of us other boys any time something exciting happened. Mr. W. J. Fripp, who rang the bell for church and Sunday school and took up the collection every Sunday, woke up and blinked his eyes, and the preacher up in the pulpit thought Mr. Fripp was winking at him, I guess, because the preacher cut his sermon right off and said, “Let us sing together hymn number something –or-other, ‘Stand Up, Stand Up For Jesus!’ “ And by the time the buggy came around Mrs. Weatherson’s corner on two wheels the second time, Mama was playing the organ and everybody in the church was standing up, and that was when I crouched low and went out.

rump and grinning, and I had a feeling that Nancy was getting ready to run away. It got my mind off the sermon, which was too loud and too long anyway. Uncle Charlie was circling the loop the third time when Nancy broke to run. I heard her coming around Mrs. Weatherson’s corner. It wasn’t hard to tell a buggy turning a shell-street corner on two wheels. Grandma Guilford heard it too, because she looked back trying to see I guess, where Uncle Charlie was sitting in the church. I would have shaken my head sideways to let her know that he wasn’t there at all, but the buggy was already in front of the church and I had to look quick to see it go by. Nancy was running like a horse with a pine burr under his tail, except that her tail wasn’t clamped down tight; it was flying straight out over the singletree. Her ears were laid back on the top of her blaze-face head and I could see the white in

As soon as I got to the bottom step I saw where Tom Niver and Ollie Lowden had gone. They were in the next block watching a commotion alongside of Gus Miller’s fence, and I tore out in that direction as fast as I could run. Right off, I saw what had happened. Nancy had swerved the buggy up against the fence and a wheel hub had caught in a crack between two palings and brought Nancy to a dead stop. Uncle Charlie had jumped to the ground and grabbed Nancy by the bridle with both hands and was trying to keep her from rearing up in the shafts. She was foamy wet and trembling all over, and she was whickering and snapping her big teeth and trying, I guess, to bite Uncle Charlie’s head off. Uncle Charlie was still grinning. But it wasn’t all the way back to his ears like it was before, because Gus Miller and his wife were raising Cain about the hole in the fence. Uncle Charlie was trying to tell Gus Miller and his wife that he just wanted to see if he could stop Nancy before she ran out of breath. The fence, he said, was the only thing he could think of to stop her with. He said he couldn’t fix the hole today on account of it was Sunday and he wasn’t allowed The Bluffton Breeze

February 2015

to work on Sunday; he would have to come back first thing in the morning and fix it. But Gus Miller and his wife kept on raising Cain, even after Nancy quieted down and Uncle Charlie got back in the buggy and drove off toward home. I don’t think Papa ever rode with Uncle Charlie in Grandpa’s buggy. But he rode with him in Grandpa’s automobile one time. The way it happened, or at least the way I heard it told, Papa practically had to ride in that automobile whether he wanted to or not. Papa had been in Charleston several days serving on a federal grand jury or something and had returned by train to Hardeeville, expecting to ride the remaining 18 miles home in the mail buggy. Bluffton didn’t have a train because it had a river and two steamboats. Having no choice, Papa climbed into the back seat.

Papa said never mind. The clay road had been scraped that very day and was smooth as glass. As they sped through the night at nearly 12 miles an hour, Papa decided that Grandpa’s automobile was roomier and more comfortable than our buggy. He lighted a Charles Denby cigar and leaned back in the seat, and pretty soon he was puffing up the idea of a few thousand dollars invested in a “machine” to replace Mack and the old buggy. Without warning the car came to an abrupt stop with the front wheels high off the ground and the engine choked into silence. A bellowing bull floundered from under the axle, scrambled to his feet and ran off into the woods with his tail higher than his head. “Fool bull,” grinned Uncle Charlie, “would have seen those headlights if he hadn’t been dead asleep and looking the other way.” Then he picked up his grip and got out of the car. “You fellows go ahead with that infernal machine,” He said. “I’ll walk the rest of the way home.” It was a long time after that before we could even

He locked his grip on the floor between his feet and asked Uncle Charlie to stop grinning until they got home. But it was asking too much, because Uncle Charlie was born the night of the big earthquake and his funnybone, Grandma Guilford said, would never stop shaking. The kerosene headlamps outlined the road about two feet ahead of the car. Their main purpose, Uncle Charlie said, was to let things see him coming so they could get out of the way in time. Papa suggested that Uncle Charlie blow the bulb-horn all the way, but Uncle Charlie said the engine made more noise that the horn, unless he squeezed it with both hands at the same time, and

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The Bluffton Breeze

February 2015

If ever there is a development that says Bluffton is adding a sophisticated touch, it’s the Bluffton Room. With its “both sides” bar set in a stately building, it completes the Promenade square in an elegant way. “A little bit of New York in Bluffton”, some say. An eating destination for those with seasoned palates who like a break from Low Country food. So hats off to Margie Backaus and Jimmy Soules who made it happen. But what about the food itself? We thought it fitting to give due credit to the role of Chef Avery Early and were surprised by some of his down to earth perspectives that run somewhat counter to the buzz of this new restaurant.

The Bluffton Chef Eric Einhorn interviews Averly Early They say Bluffton now has a “big city” quality restaurant. How do you see it? I think it’s

a welcome change. There are many different restaurants -- but our style is different -- it’s more like you would go to at someone’s home. We do a lot of side dishes like you would do at home -- as opposed to a restaurant where everything comes out fully prepared. It’s definitely a family style atmosphere.

“Family style”? Not the first thing that comes to mind. Is that in the décor or what you serve?

It’s a combination of both.

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Start with the food. Well let’s say we go for a

particular flavor. We always have the freshest ingredients -- the best vegetables and prime meats. We want you to taste the natural seafood or whatever we are serving. We’re not a sauce driven restaurant -- we don’t cover up our food with sauces because we want you to taste the quality of the food we serve.

Which is a little bit different from classic cuisine – like French -- and also different from Low Country cuisine where things get thrown on top of everything! Yes because [in Low

I did in consultation with Margie and Jimmy who went around the world and picked the most memorable meals. They allowed me to be creative to use my expertise to enhance the dishes. But we’re very versatile -- so we can answer the special requests – like for vegan food. So nobody ever gets turned away! Jimmy is a chef himself? He has a lot of cooking experience. He wouldn’t qualify himself as a chef but the has the knowledge! Is that why he wears the white chef outfit all of the time? Yes because at any time he might have

to step in at a moment’s notice -- and that’s why he’s always ready. So he wants to be you? (Laughter) He has a great passion for cooking and I think he wants me to know that if he had to do it he could! OK – I have to ask you about the kale salad – the obligatory dish of modern cuisine? When was the first time you ever made one? First time

what right here in the Bluffton room -- I used to use kale for different purposes but never a salad. Back in the 70s and 80s it was only used as a garnish!

What about the Lobster Macaroni and Cheese?

Country cuisine] there is always gravy or sauces. Now we do make a sauce on command, but most of the people never ask for a sauce after tasting the quality of our food.

But you could make a Béarnaise sauce for me?

Absolutely and I’d do it quickly

Looking at the menu -- Beef Carpaccio, Italian, Tuna Sashimi, Japanese -- how many different nations do you have here? You can get a taste

of the world right here in Bluffton!

Did you plan and create the dishes yourself?

That’s a very popular one -- we only use top of the line lobster -- never precooked! We make it to order daily! Does the lobster squeal in your kitchen?

Yes, very loudly!

But you don’t hear it because of the buzz!

Exactly!

Coming back to the décor -- I see a pretty cool modern design that mixes Low Country brick with modern edges, wine racks etc. Is that really a family feeling? The Bluffton Breeze

February 2015

Family first -- but something else is going on. This is the place you come to and don’t expect to be rushed out. So it’s for the person who really wants the experience and doesn’t feel will be pushed out because we need their chair! And the cool bar? It’s great to see people flock to the bar from the outside. When I came to the building in the first place it was there and my reaction was “Wow”. Then I thought we were going to get killed ... from the flock of the people. But you managed? Well we had to turn people away at the start – and especially in season -- when the bar is by reservation only! What kind of comes here?

Washington -- training to be a trainer -- a CTR. A certified trainer!

So your job was to train people to cook? Was that fun or frustrating? I went to Bermuda when

the Marriott went on strike. It wasn’t a great experience because the workers saw us as the enemy who were messing up their bargaining power by working! So we were threatened on a daily basis.

And you, with all your charms, couldn’t win them over? Absolutely

not! As you know in life a lot of things come down to money!

You finally became a chef yourself at Hampton Hall. How did it feel to create your own dishes? Very

crowd

We’re versatile -- customers from Palmetto Bluff and Colleton to locals, tourists, celebrities, former sports stars ... Like whom? Well, a week ago Brooke Shields and her family came in. And Davis Love III has been here. And of course they demand to see the chef?

I always come out and add a personal touch! Celebrity

not?

Everyone’s a celebrity here!

Now what about your background? Give me the whole story -- how did you get to be the head chef in a brand new shiny restaurant in Bluffton? I am a southern

boy. I grew up in a small town call Hampton SC -we own the watermelon festival to which people come from all over the world. I’ve been on the HIlton Head area since 1980 with the Marriott Corporation and helped open up fifteen Marriotts worldwide. More recently I was the Sous-Chef at Hampton Hall. Marriott? That seems an unusual background for this kind of restaurant? I came up through

the Marriott system and learned to cook in

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liberating -- you’re taking everything you’ve learned over your entire career and are free to release all that knowledge ... and have the guests rave about how great it was. That’s better than any money could replace!

Tell me about your family and your personal life.

I’m married to a wonderful woman, have three grown children and eight grandchildren. On my day off the first thing I like to go do is fishing. I’m a fishing fanatic. That’s how I relax, stay calm and regenerate myself And do you throw ‘em back? Or do you take it home and cook it with a special sauce?

I usually give the fish to a friend!

Who taught you to cook in the first place? Your mama? Actually she probably was the most

influential person in my life. I was cooking for the family since I was twelve years old. We had seven – my parents and five siblings.

And they loved what you did? Or did they ever reject your offerings? They cleaned the plate

every time!

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The Bluffton Breeze

February 2015

Oh yes we do... By Amber Hester Kuehn It was time to watch the sunset, but everyone was busy eating blue crabs. My 10 year old patience threshold was maxed after picking just a couple of crabs, so I skipped to the bluff quickly as the sun touched the trees across the river. Mema always suggested that we shouldn’t miss the sunset. I noticed something swimming from the marsh, and across the river. It was moving too fast to be a crab trap illusion and was making way against the outgoing tide. It had a dark round head…not an alligator, and too big to be a cormorant. As it got closer, it disappeared like a Slinky® when it heard me shout “What is that?!” It surfaced at the end of the floating dock, then retreated underneath.

chicken through their pinchers. Not until I finished graduate school, would I be able to tell you that oyster shells recruit free swimming spats (oyster larva) and blue crabs had mouth parts. Another adult realization was that the “shelly poop” on the dock actually belongs to a semiaquatic mammal called a river otter that ingests crustaceans, marine invertebrates with calcareous shells. I digress.

Of course, there was no reaction from the screen house where the regular neighborhood attendees were gathered. And my mom responded with the feminine southern response: “Alright honey, be right there”, which meant that no one was coming.

After an investigation…at night, on the floating dock, barefoot, no life jacket, unaccompanied by an adult, I realized that it must live in the plastic hollow float under the wooden deck as I hung my ponytail over the dark water to look for it. It also occurred to me that this may explain the “missing minnow scenario” that I got blamed for. I was pretty sure that minnows didn’t “free Willy” over the edge of the bait box that I accidentally left open.

I deduced all environmental conundrums on my own which makes for some interesting explanations. Like, I assumed that oysters grew branches to make a cluster and blue crabs consumed raw

River otters are most active dusk to dawn, and I’ve actually seen more mink than otters on the mud flat over the years. But, oh yes we do have otters in the May River…

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Breeze Environment North American River Otter (Lontra canadensis) The river otter is a mammal and a member of the Mustelidea family, the most diverse family of carnivores. Other members include weasels, polecats, wolverines, badgers, ferrets, and mink. River otters have a thick dark brown coat of hair with lighter under parts. Males are about 4 feet long, weighing 25lbs and the females are slightly smaller. Their thick tail is 1/3 of their body length and their muscular neck is the same width as their head. They have webbed feet and are great divers inhabiting fresh and saltwater water bodies.

Wait…just in case: All mammals 1. Have hair 2. Bear live young (no eggs, one exception- the platypus) 3. Have mammary glands (nurse their young) 4. Are warm-blooded 5. Breathe air (have lungs). *Walruses, polar bears, sea otters, manatees, and dugongs are considered marine mammals along with whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, and sea lions.

natives for subsistence. Sea otters have bounced back before. They were hunted to near extinction for their fur in the late 1700s and 1800s. For this reason, fur trade is internationally managed by The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) enacted in 1975. It is the only global treaty to ensure that international trade in plants and animals does not threaten the survival of the species. “It provides a framework for cooperation and collaboration among nations to prevent decline in wild populations of animals and plants. Currently 176 countries (called Parties), including the United States, implement CITES. “(US Fish and Wildlife) I mean…it could happen If there were a sea otter in the May River, you could identify it by being the “biggest dang river otter you ever seen” and crossing the waterway on its back. Male sea otters may reach 100 lbs! (About four times bigger than the river otter). Their fur has two layers; the undercoat traps air causing them to be more buoyant and allowing their skin to stay dry. They float high in the water and swim belly up on the surface! It’s technical

They nest in dry dens, hollow trees, or manmade structures. Mustelids are reproductively unique. Females carry fertilized eggs in the uterus for about 9 months before they attach to the uterine wall and gestation only lasts about 60 days. In total, two to four kits are born almost a year after conception! Although they are born blind, they progress quickly and are swimming in 8 weeks. Males do not teach the offspring, but the kits will learn from their mother for six months to one year.

Although nation-wide, river otter populations are of conservation status: Least Concern, they are managed by CITES due to their resemblance to their federally protected cousin, the sea otter (MMPA and ESA protected). The American alligator also benefits from the same CITES protection, and appears on the Endangered Species List as Similar in Appearance/Threatened (SAT) for its resemblance to the American crocodile, a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

We’ve got RIVER Otters, not SEA Otters (Enhydra lutris) Sea Otters are the largest member of the Mustelidae family and the only one to be considered a marine mammal, protected by federal law under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Alaska’s coast is home to 90% of the world’s sea otters, although this population has declined over 50% since 1985. Reasons for the decline are oil spills, infectious disease, and illegal take. This Alaskan population segment of sea otters was added to the Endangered Species list in 2005. It is illegal to harvest sea otters except by Alaskan The Bluffton Breeze

February 2015

River otters have disappeared from 11 states since 1980. Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania are implementing ongoing efforts to reintroduce river otters to help retroact this decrease in range. SC Furbearing Hunting Season There is a hunting season, December â&#x20AC;&#x201C; February, for furbearing animals in South Carolina. Furbearing species include: River otter, beaver, bobcat, coyote, gray fox, red fox, mink, muskrat, opossum, raccoon, spotted skunk, striped skunk, and weasel. It costs $25 for a resident to have the license, but there are some exclusive rules regarding bobcats and otters. The CITES treaty requires that these two furbearing species must be individually tagged by licensed harvesters. An application to SCDNR for commercial harvest is required, and only 10 tags, purchased November â&#x20AC;&#x201C; April, are sold to any individual at one time. If captured alive, no tag is required. Otter kits are born in March, directly after hunting season. In South Carolina, the average number of otters harvested commercially over the past 20 years was 478. (SCDNR)

Otters are considered a keystone species which means that their population reflects the health of the environment. River otters have adapted to our presence by avoiding daytime activity. They are naturally diurnal, active during daylight hours. Many species have adapted their movements, and range due to development and habitat destruction. Adaptation is necessary for survival of the species. Bluffton is the fastest growing municipality in South Carolina. We need to do our best to support the Watershed Action Committee and legislation protecting our wetlands that naturally control balance in our salt water estuary. We should live amongst them... gently, share the night, and preserve our home.

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Bluffton Give the Breeze subscription for a gift For $65 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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The Bluffton Breeze

February 2015

Tide chart is calculated for the May River

Breeze March Tides Su 1

H L H

5:48 AM 12:02 PM 6:19 PM

L H L H

12:14 6:40 12:47 7:08

AM AM PM PM

L H L H

1:01 7:26 1:29 7:52

AM AM PM PM

L H L H

1:44 AM 8:08 AM 2:08 PM 8:32 PM

Th 5

L H L H

2:25 AM 8:46 AM 2:44 PM 9:09 PM

L H L H

3:04 AM 9:22 AM 3:18 PM 9:44 PM

L H L H

3:41 9:57 3:51 10:17

AM AM PM PM

L H L H

5:17 11:31 5:24 11:50

AM AM PM AM

L H L

5:54 AM 12:06 PM 5:59 PM

T 10

H L H L

12:24 6:32 12:43 6:36

Sa 7

Su 8

AM AM PM PM

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W 11

H L H L

1:04 7:14 1:27 7:18

Th 12

H L H L

1:52 AM 8:03 AM 2:18 PM 8:08 PM

F 13

H L H L

2:48 AM 9:01 AM 3:15 PM 9:08 PM

Sa 14

H L H L

3:50 10:07 4:16 10:17

AM AM PM PM

Su 15

H L H L

5:28 11:42 5:47 11:52

AM AM PM PM

M 16

H L H

AM AM PM PM

Su 22

L H L H

5:07 11:29 5:26 11.48

M 23

L H L

12:04 AM 6:06 AM 12:37 PM

Tu 24

H L H L

12:40 6:46 1:14 7:02

AM AM PM PM

W 25

H L H L

1:34 7:38 2:10 7:53

AM AM PM PM

Th 26

6:29 AM 12:39 PM 6:46 PM

H L H L

2:30 8:33 3:06 8:50

AM AM PM PM

F 27

lL H L H

7:26 12:51 7:42 1:32

H L H L

3:26 AM 9:36 AM 4:03 PM 9:52 PM

Sa 28

W 18

L H L H

8:19 AM 1:46 AM 8:35 PM 2:24 PM

H L H L

4:22 10:37 4:59 10:55

AM AM PM PM

Su 29

Th 19

L H L H

9:10 AM 2:40 AM 9:26 PM 3:13 PM

H L H L

5:18 11:35 5:54 11:53

AM AM PM PM

F 20

L H L H

10:00 3:32 10:17 4:01

AM AM PM PM

M 30

H L H

6:12 AM 12:26 PM 6:48 PM

Tu 31

L H L H

10:50 4:23 11:10 4:49

AM AM PM PM

L H L H

12:45 7:04 1:11 7:37

T 17

Sa 21

AM AM PM PM

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The Bluffton Breeze

February 2015

Erin go Bragh By Gene Cashman I sat at my grandfathers desk and surveyed its vast surface. It was piled high with letters from kids and grandkids, personal notes, significant newspapers, mounds of receipts, stacks of National Geographic and Life Magazines, rolls of maps and in particular shoeboxes full of old 4x6 photobooks. I picked up a stack labeled 1983 and some loose photos fell out. I thumbed through them quickly finally stopping on the last one in the group, a picture faded with age. I recognized the faces, smiling and youthful. Even though the picture was a little faded you could see a gleam of excitement and joy in the eyes of two boys. Arms linked over one another’s shoulders they both gave a thumbs up signal to the photographer. The boys, my cousin and myself, sat in the bed of a real life dump truck filled with sand. To the side of the truck were ladies, my aunt and grandmother, seated in aluminum folding chairs, well dressed with large shamrocks on their lapel. A dozen more pictures from that seemingly happy day slipped from the next labeled stack I picked out of the box. I put several in my shirt pocket and clicked off the drafters light angled over the large desk. I had to push my way through throngs of rowdy revelers as I made my way down Abercorn Street towards Forsyth Park. In the spirit of

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the day I wore green with a Hibernian Society patch pinned to my jacket. I wasn’t Irish or part of the society and neither was anyone in my family. However, my grandfather who was in the German Heritage Society was always invited to Hibernian events by his contemporaries. I wore the patch in honor of that history. The city was alive and warm with festivity and the start of spring. Being in the city always reminded me of my youth and afternoons spent walking and driving the streets of Savannah with my grandparents. My grandfather and my great grandfather had used their careers in construction to restore and preserve many of the stately landmarks and buildings I walked past. The walking tours I took with them were always living history events of Savannah’s past. As such I have always felt a kindred relationship to the city walking through the streets of Savannah, no more so than this day. Lost in thought and realizing I was not paying attention I pivoted on my heels and stopped to catch the street signs. As it turned out I was on course and headed to a spot on Abercorn near Gaston Street. I soon spotted what I was seeking out. Huddled shoulder to shoulder between a parking meter and street pole were nieces, nephews, sisters, parents, a cousin or two, my aunt and my

wife. Some seated in a few old aluminum chairs, a few elders sipped cocktails, many youngsters munched picnic food, most all constantly peered curiously up and out at the strange mass of humanity passing by. All were decked out in their Sunday best. I could hear pipers in the distance and knew the parade was underway. I quickly stepped out to cross over the street and whistled at everyone. As I was motioning a serviceman in desert fatigues caught my eye and gave a knowing nod. “Want me to take that for you” he said reaching for the camera in my hand. I had absent mindedly left it in the trunk of the car. I had to race back through the crowds

to get it. He laughed when he took it from me “how did you even find film for this thing?” I smiled “it was rubber banded to the camera.” In this man’s hands was a Kodak Tele-Ektralite 600 cartridge camera. It was my grandfathers and had been the camera used on that day back in 1983 and on so many memorable occasions thereafter. I took my place among family and next to my wife. “One, two three” he shouted over the crowd and approaching pipers “Happy St. Patrick’s Day!” We all smiled as the flash of grandad’s old camera captured the generations of life he started, celebrating together with a recreation of 1983 sans the dump truck.

The Bluffton Breeze

February 2015

Celebration of Spring Blooms By Michele Roldán-Shaw What a delightful time of year this is, an astonishing, exhilarating, enthralling, agreeable, pleasant, charming, attractive Lowcountry spring! Certain trees haven’t gotten their leaves yet, and the wind might still blow some days. But as warmth begins to tinge the air, crickets start cricketing and peeper frogs start peeping; old familiar friends are coming into bloom. At the top of that list are azaleas, one of the South’s signature garden plants, revered for showy displays that wake us up from the wintertime. There’s just nothing like the outrageous burst of an azalea hedge: shocking pink, blood red, pure white, or tropical island purple. Up in the mountains, flame azaleas light the deep woods with every shade of orange—whole bushes seem to burn all over with spring fever! Azaleas are closely related to, and sometimes confused with, rhododendrons; the two belong to one genus comprising 800 different species. A good way to tell them apart is that most azaleas have five or six stamens, whereas rhododendrons have ten. They are native to Asia, Europe and North America, and range from dwarf shrubs to 80-foot giants in Southeast Asia. Both indigenous and imported varieties thrive all over the South. Their leaves and nectar are so highly toxic that in old Victorian flower language a bouquet of azaleas in a black vase was considered a death threat! Native North American species are deciduous (meaning they lose their leaves each year) and can be white, pink, purple, red, orange or yellow. Asian azaleas are evergreen (meaning they keep their leaves all winter) and are found in the same colors with the exception of yellow. Many varieties are bicolor or carry flecks, stripes and gradations. Perhaps the most alluring of these flowers can be encountered in the wild, natural beauties like dwarf azalea and swamp azalea, which thrive in the understory of lowbottom and piney woods. Their pale pink and white blooms are so delicate as to give an impression of honeysuckle; the divinely sweet perfume they carry attracts clouds of swallowtail butterflies. Far more common are the introduced ornamentals, such as widely planted Azalea indica, native to Japan and imported to the United States for indoor cultivation during the 19th century. Our local landscape was to change forever in the 1830’s, when John Drayton of Magnolia Plantation in Charleston obtained some from

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a Philadelphia greenhouse to plant on the romantic gardens of his estate. Within a decade he had the largest and most stunning azalea collection in the country, which is still open today for public tours, and the entire Lowcountry was smitten with the flowers. Bred by humans for hundreds of years, there are 10,000 named cultivars in the rhododendron genus. Many have scientific names, Japanese names, or the names of their discoverers. But others prove more evocative: ambrosiana, moonbeam, lemon rind, Cherokee tears and spider azalea. Fire sprite, firefly, foxfire and flambeau. Royal crown, royal blazer and king’s treasure. Shy girl, slim Jim and southern charm. Reflecting the Asian influence, there’s satin robe, silver sword and brocade pillow. The Chinese call azalea “thinking-of-home bush,” and associate its blooms with the nostalgia of exile. We are told of an ancient king who intrigued with the wife of his minister, then felt so ashamed that he fled his own realm before turning into a cuckoo—according to legend, that is why these birds sing incessantly throughout the spring, mourning tragic loss of love until they spit blood to give azalea blossoms their color. A contemporary Chinese short story entitled “Sea of Blood-Red Azaleas” portrays the anguish of a servant far from home; and revered Japanese Zen poet Matsuo Basho penned the following haiku: “Rock azaleas/flushed red/by cuckoo’s tears.” They feature heavily in the work of classical Chinese poets like Han Yu, who wrote “Red azaleas bloom in silence, profuse with flowers/Unreturned is yet the imperial favor, unknown my place of death.” Azaleas like dappled sun and shade, and acid welldrained soil (such as is found under pines and live oaks) but they don’t do well in clay, alkaline conditions, or soil that gets too dry or boggy. They bloom in early spring here, late spring farther north, or even late summer in shady cool pockets of the Appalachian Mountains. Some varieties bloom a second time in fall. While they grow all over Bluffton, one of the best places to appreciate peak azalea glory is by taking a walk to the end of Myrtle Island Road. Another iconic plant of Lowcountry springtime is our state flower, Carolina jessamine, adored for its ambrosial scent and cheerful appearance. It’s a climbing vine that bursts to life with little yellow flowers, one of the first harbingers of spring, drenching the newly warmed air with intoxicating fragrance.Yet it’s highly poisonous—hummingbirds won’t go near it, and children have been known to die from trying to suck the nectar like honeysuckle! Nevertheless, no one disputes its selection as state flower. In 1924 the General Assembly put forth this reasoning: “It is indigenous to every nook and corner of the State; it is the first premonitor of coming Spring; its fragrance greets us in the woodland and its delicate flower suggests the pureness of gold; and its perpetual return out of the dead of Winter suggests the lesson of constancy in, loyalty to, and patriotism in the service of the State.” This truly is one of those plants that’s as at home in the wilderness as it is in the garden. It climbs and entwines The Bluffton Breeze

February 2015

blossoms that you can’t even see where they’re coming from. In town Carolina jessamine engulfs mailboxes, fence lines, patio chairs that have sat all winter, even entire homefronts! Its sister plant is Confederate jasmine, which also takes over whole areas with riotous creeping tangles and aromatic white flowers. However the name in this case is quite misleading: it is not a true jasmine (being more closely related to milkweed), nor does it have anything to do with the Confederacy (it’s native to Southeast Asia.) Finally in this group we’ll include night-blooming jasmine, which is as dangerously exotic as it sounds—the heady fragrance released after-hours might lure you into an illicit moonlight tryst! There are so many lovely things blooming this time of year, too numerous to mention. Wisteria makes hanging purple clusters that are like something out of an ancient Greek fresco, where nymphs play harps and cavort around white marble pillars and columns reaching to the clouds. Some wisterias are native to the Southeast, but imported Asian species tend to become invasive and choke out their more gentle-hearted cousins. Then there is dogwood: a whole tree of seemingly dead sticks that bursts to life each spring with hundreds of snow-white flowers! To come upon it in the forest is enchanting. Finally there is honeysuckle, delight of old-fashioned children—when was the last time you sucked its honey? In case it’s been a while, here are instructions: pluck a blossom, carefully break off the bottom of the trumpet, and where you see a thread sticking out (the pistil), pull it through to enjoy a tiny clear droplet of nectar at the end! Oh, and one last thing should be said: if you get into the swamp—at the Savannah Wildlife Refuge, or the New River perhaps—keep your eye out for purple irises!!

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Bluffton’s only local printer What you have to say is important. We’ll make it shine. Located in Bluffton, we bring you great service, fast turnarounds and outstanding quality through state of the art technology. We also offer design services. We’re proud to be associated with all businesses in our growing town -- like the Bluffton Breeze magazine.

43 Goethe Road Bluffton SC 29910 Near the Hwy 46 traffic circle accuratelith@hargray.com 843 757-2612 The Bluffton Breeze

February 2015

Thoughts in the Breeze If once you have slept on an Island, You’ll never be quite the same. You may look as you looked the day before, And go by the same old name. You may bustle about in street and shop, Sit at home and sew. But you’ll see blue water, and wheeling gulls, Wherever your feet may go. You may chat with the neighbors of this and that, And close to your fire keep, But you’ll hear ship whistle and lighthouse bell, And tides beat through your sleep. Oh! You won’t know why, and you can’t say how Such a change upon you came, But once you have slept on an Island, You’ll never be quite the same. Rachel Field

The beach was bare tonight, like an emptied bone white platter abandoned on the sideboard, as doors shut, lights turn on, and guests aim their cars homeward. A few gulls picked at the crumbs left behind, and a crust of moonlight sopped up the juices lingering by the rim. Bill Newby

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Like man’s desire this river is― It ebbs and flows, thins and grows, swiftly comes, as swiftly goes, draining itself of all it knows till, empty, it turns and follows back the self-same, time-eaten muddy track, sweeping and swelling each creek and cove with water like the caress of love, flooding the marsh-grass, pressing the land, tracing each curve of golden sand, yearning in vain for what it sees beyond its reach―tall restless trees that in their turn stretch arms on high, reaching and yearning for the sky, until limbs grow heavy and roots ache. River and trees and men! All hearts break. We pull at our roots or clutch the shore, with more than enough yet wanting more. And always we turn, as turn we must, flow with the tide or keep the trust. Only God knows―only God must! ― the strength of the roots, twined in dust. Like man’s desire this river is― Florence Rupert Graves 1932 rev. 1962 Used as lyrics for a song by J.S. Graves

A NEW BEGINNING Silver ripples on a late-day tide, Canvas awaiting a beginning Promises to start the year. Old is new again, for a while, And we wait, suspended briefly, Seeking warmth, seeking renewal. A new year on the Maye. Art Cornell

FIRST GEAR no one can drive in neutral yet we watch half the creatures on the planet disappear in forty years we shrug in offshore drilling just in case there’s more oil somewhere we turn away and they plough and widen channels for bigger tankers raze and build fresher and taller, to create jobs or whatever and a three hundred year old tree waits for something to put the world back in gear Elizabeth Robin

SONG OF THE MAYE a perfect love song I sit on the bluff absorbing the melody, hearing the lyrics that are not words. I sit on the bluff embracing the memories, claiming the sure peace that heads my way. And what does the lovely Maye sing this day? it’s an ageless, timeless lullaby, a refrain from the choirs of heaven. It’s a chorus of all that was, and is, and shall be. I close my eyes and listen.....woven in this song, I hear: • Sweet prayers whispered as precious ashes are scattered to the wind and over the waters. • Fading laughs and squeals of children as the sandbar dutifully pulls its blanket up for a daily nap. • Intimate sharing of promise and devotion exchanged by lovers young and old. • Lyrical chants of Gullah oystermen slowly lifting to the heavens with the morning fog. • The loud purr of the shrimp boats groaning with the weight of the day’s bounty. • The squawks and the coos of the river birds and, ofcourse, the cove owls adding their “whoooo”. • Majestic hymns floating forth from the church on the bluff. • And soulful rhythms rising from The Praise House. • The crescendo of all the countless storms that have passed, now softened and followed by soothing rustles of the palmetto fronds. I open my eyes and see dolphins rise and fall adding grace notes to this my perfect love song…… The song of the river, composed by the Almighty, given in private recital for my soul. I walk away and gently tuck this gift in my heart. Once more, courted by the Creator, I smile and sing silently my song of peace. Original poem by ~ Nedra Mathias Brown

We invite thoughts, poems, essays from our readers, young and old. Bluffton has a deep creative spirit, often eccentric, but also deeply caring, thoughtful and observant. We encourage submissions, and while we cannot guarantee publication, we will make every attempt to reflect the musings of our talented community. The Bluffton Breeze

February 2015

Pet Friendly Patio with a Fido Special

1263-B May River Road Old Town Bluffton 843.757.8185 fourcornersframing@hargray.com www.FOURCORNERSGALLERY.com

Phillip Robinowich charlie moore Ase certified ford certifications We diagnose most all problems

ALL MAKES TIRES TUNING REPAIRS & SERVICE

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Breeze Fellowship 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

Bible Missionary Baptist Church Goethe Road Community Cntr, 815-5523 Sunday Worship: 11am Bible Study: 6pm

LUTHERAN Lord of Life Lutheran Church 351 Buckwalter Parkway, 757-4774 Sunday School: 10am Sunday Worship: 8am, 9am, 11am

CATHOLIC St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church 333 Fording Island Road, 815-3100 Sat. 4pm, 6pm Sun. 7:15am, 9am, 11am, 5pm, Espagnol 1pm Mon-Fri 6:45am Chapel, 8:30am Church ANGLICAN The Church of the Cross 110 Calhoun St, 757-2661 495 Buckwalter Parkway, 757-2662 Sunday Worship: 8am & 10am The Church of the Holy Trinity (Grahamville) 2718 Bees Creek Road, Ridgeland, 726-3743 Sunday Worship: 8:30 and 11:00 am Sunday School for All Ages: 9:45 am Midweek Services: Wednesday, 6:30 pm 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 Holy Resurrection Church at St. Andrews Catholic Church 220 Pickney Colony Road, 837-4659 Orthros: 9:30am, Liturgy 10am

METHODIST Bluffton United Methodist Church 101 Calhoun Street, 757-3351 Sunday School 9:45am Sunday Worship: 8:45am & 11am Church of the Palms United Methodist 1425 Okatie Highway, 379-1888 Sunday Worship: 10:30am St. Luke’s United Methodist Church SC Highway 170 near Sun CIty, 705-3022 Sunday Worship: 8:30am and 10am 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 Grace Coastal Church (PCA) 1425 Okatie 15 Williams Drive (off 170), 379-5521 Sunday School: 11am Sunday Worship: 9:30am NON-DENOMINATIONAL Live Oak Christian Church Bluffton High School Auditorium 757-5670 Kidstreet: 9:15am, Worship 10:15am

JEWISH Temple Oseh Shalom Lowcountry Community Church at Lowcountry Presbyterian Bluffton: 801 Buckwalter Parkway836-1101 278 Simmonsville Road, 705-2532 Shabbat Worship 3rd Friday of month, 8pm Sunday Worship: 8:30am, 10am, 11:30am

The Bluffton Breeze

February 2015

$500 for the best local video of ...

- Fish caught in the Sound or our rivers - An eagle or osprey soaring or diving for fish - Kayakers catching fish in our marshes - Shrimp boats hauling in big catches - Supersized lobster or crab catches or oyster hauls - Dolphin families at play off our shores - Monster crab boil -- cooking or served - Foxes or deer crossing a local golf course - Time lapse series on the changing of our tides - Young (under 10) golfers in action on our courses - Or your favorite shot that will be a surprising element in a film to be set in Bluffton and on Port Royal Sound

*Mar.13 BUDWEISER CLYDESDALES Sponsored by the Old Town Dispensary in celebration of their 5-year anniversary starting at 2 pm on Calhoun St. The celebration continues with Zach Deputy at the Old Town Dispensary, 837-1893, 15 Captains Cove, Bluffton. 5-8 pm Free

The winner will be announced in April Runners up will also be announced and rewarded Please send an email description of your videos first with your name and email address. If your video is selected you can send it as an attachment or a CD. Send entries to theblufftonbreeze@gmail.com with title “Video Contest”

The Chamber is accepting applications and sponsors for the April 12 “Taste of Bluffton” Call 757-1010

The 2nd ANNUAL SAM BENNETT ALL SPORTS CLINIC

BLUFFTON HIGH SCHOOL ( Baseball Field) SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 2015 TIME: 2PM TO 5PM COST: $25 per youth AND $20 for SIBLINGS

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Breeze Bulletin Board

SUBSCRIPTIONS NOW AVAILABLE FOR THE 2014-2015 SEASON CALL 843-842-2055

The Museum will host Dr. Chris Marsh, of the Spring Island Institute, on April 22 at 3 pm. He will give a bird’s eye view of the biogeographical regions of the Carolinas. Reservations are required by calling 843-689-6767 ext. 223. The Museum is located at 70 Honey Horn Drive.

www.hiltonheadshorenotes.com Proceeds Benefit The Children’s Center

Forfuture futureannouncements announcementson onthe the For Bulletin Board call the Breeze Bulletin Board call the Breeze at843 843757 7578877 8877 at The Bluffton Breeze

February 2015

Leo’s Legacy

By Randolph Stewart One can tell the quality of the town by the people that live there when they open their hearts, arms and pocketbooks to help one of her own families in times of sorrow. On February 15, 2014 I received a call around midnight from an old friend that I have not talked to or seen in close to 8 years. “I lost my son today!” What? Who was this?,…as my mind cleared from sleep, what was he talking about? “I lost Leo today”. It is not supposed to happen this way. You are not supposed to have a child go before you. God, why not take me instead? Why so young? Why with such a horrible disease as Childhood Leukemia. I wish I could take his pain! On Feb. 15, 9-year-old Leo Vannoni lost his battle with Leukemia and a bone marrow transplant virus. One day the seven year old was happy and playing at a tennis camp in Bluffton…. and the next Sunday he was running a fever and could not walk. After a trip to the ER, and then the doctor referral and blood tests at Medical University of South Carolina, Leo’s mom, Kelly Vannoni, s single mom and teacher at Bluffton Middle School, was not prepared for what she was told. Who would be? Your mind thinks of all kind of things. Is it this, or is it that? But never when you hear the doctor at MUSC’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit tell you your

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child has acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).” How do you tell your child as you look into their innocent eyes. Following were surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatments - that did not show improvement. Then came the blessing of a bone marrow transplant match from his sister Gillian, in 2012. The following year had to be full of joy, yet still holding your breath as Leo went home to his dog Fleur, and his sisters, and Kelly even went back to teaching and giving to so many other children. Still, Leo lost his battle a bit over a year later.

When you talk about a child’s life it is hard to say that everything works out for the best. But Kelly, her mom, children Gillian and Katie, and so many friends and people that just want to help are determined to leave a legacy for Leo and others who have this horrible disease, so that he may live in spirit for all of us. This is our chance to help. Every press in town recognized his fight and brought it to the public. Family and churches joined together to ease the pain. Schools created “fun raisers”, the Bluffton Fire Department raised money and helped Kelly around the house. “Make a Wish” filled Leo’s wish to visit Disney, Sea World and Legoland. The students and teachers of Bluffton Middle School, and principal Patricia Freda raised $6,331 and presented it to “MakeA-Wish South Carolina”. Through a partnership “Trusted Choice” provided a matching donation as well. The community surrounded the family. Father Bosco of St. Francis Catholic Church was always there to provide spiritual help. Friends ran half marathons and marathons to raise funds. A website for donations and for friends to stay posted. Families made donations as well and his coach. Several Beaufort County Schools teamed up with community members and friends and formed a fundraiser called Laps for Leo. Someone even provided a vial of holy water and it was rubbed on Leo everyday. There are so many more outpourings of fellowship that goes to the very core of the people who live in Bluffton, what we are all about! Leo may be gone but not forgotten. His family and friends and Blufftonian’s are going to make sure of that. This month at Oscar Frazier Park they have banded together for a family fun day, complete with a 5K run, cookout, raffle and silent auction and three great bands. The funds raised will benefit

Bluffton Youth Sports, Bluffton Recreation BLHS Scholarship and MUSC Children’s Hospital. When asked why do we love Bluffton, you can point to so many things; the river, the historic district, and the beautiful environment. Let’s not forget to add all of the caring loving people who live here. Let’s begin Leo’s Legacy, as I feel sure on that day, Leo will be looking down at all who attend and show us that great caring smile. See you there! The Bluffton Breeze

February 2015

Breeze Over The Bridges *Wheelchair accessible event. BEAUFORT *Mar. 1 SONGWRITERS IN THE ROUND Carroll Brown, “Big Frank” Waddell, and Michael Reno Harrell return with their unique blend of music and humor. Beaufort County ARTworks, 379-2787, 2127 Boundary St., Beaufort (K-Mart Plaza). 3 pm $17 *Mar. 3-31 PORT ROYAL SOUND FOUNDATION MARITIME CENTER “TUESDAY TALKS” Check the website for topics. Port Royal Sound Foundation, 6557774, 310 Okatie Hwy., Okatie. 4 pm $8 Mar. 13 & 27 ECO-EXPEDITIONS on the Chechessee River. Capt. Amber of Spartina Marine Education Charters will lead an in-depth revelation of the Lowcountry waterways. It’s a classroom on a boat! Expeditions will last between 1½ and 1¾ hours. Call to reserve you seat. Port Royal Sound Foundation, 6457774, 310 Okatie Hwy., Okatie. 10 am, Noon, & 2 pm $40 (Ages 6-11 $30) *Mar. 19-21 A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM One of Shakespeare’s most popular plays, this time is set in 1967, the Summer of Love. USCB Center for the Arts, 521-4145, 805 Carteret St., Beaufort. Thurs.-Fri. 7:30 pm, Sat. 3 & 7:30 pm $20 (Students $15) HILTON HEAD ISLAND *Mar. 1 9TH ANNUAL COOKS & BOOKS FESTIVAL Great food, friendly competition, meet and greet your favorite Lowcountry authors. The Literacy Center, 815-6616. Held at Hilton Head Marriott Resort & Spa, 1 Hotel Cir. 11 am-2 pm $20 in advance, $25 at door (includes free food samplings) *Mar. 1-7 HILTON HEAD ISLAND SEAFOOD FESTIVAL Fundraiser for the David M. Carmines Foundation for Cancer Research. See Hilton Head Island Events or call 681-2772 ext.100 for locations and other details. Prices vary Mar. 4-Apr. 3 COASTAL DISCOVERY MUSEUM, 6896767 ext. 223, 70 Honey Horn Dr., HHI. Reservations required (except H.H. History Day). *Mar. 4 LOWCOUNTRY SNAKES Live snakes will be shown. 3 pm $7 Mar. 28 HILTON HEAD HISTORY DAY Hopon/hop-off buses each half hour starting at 10 am. Tour ends at 4 pm $10 *Apr. 1 NO-SEE-UMS The most irritating residents in the Lowcountry. 3 pm $7 Apr. 2-3 HORSESHOE CRABS, LIVING FOSSILS Includes field trip to a high density spawning beach. 6-8:30 pm $15

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*Mar. 6 VIVA LE PARIS! MUSICAL MASTERWORKS This concert promises to be tres magnifique! Hilton Head Choral Society, 341-3818, First Presbyterian Church, 540 William Hilton Pkwy. 8 pm $25, 30 *Mar. 7 PETER NERO The two-time Grammy Awardwinning pianist leads his unrivaled pops orchestra. Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, 842-2787, 14 Shelter Cove Ln., HHI. 8 pm $100 *Mar. 7 THIS JOINT IS JUMPIN’! The Shore Notes Annual Show. Tickets sell out early. Go to Hilton Head Shore Notes or call Barbara at 705-6852. H. H. High School Seahawks Cultural Center, 689-4800, 70 Wilborn Rd. 7 pm $20 *Mar. 9-14 HILTON HEAD INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION FOR YOUNG ARTISTS Tickets: 8422055 or hhipc.org. Mar. 9-12 ROUNDS I & II Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, 14 Shelter Cove Lane, HHI. See site for times. $20 Mar. 13 MASTER CLASSES AND LECTURE/RECITAL All Saints Episcopal Church, 3001 Meeting St., HHI. 9 am-1 pm $10 Mar. 14 FINALS First Presbyterian Church, 540 William Hilton Pkwy., HHI. 7 pm $35, 50, 65 *Mar. 9-15 30TH ANNUAL HILTON HEAD ISLAND WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL Experience chef showcases, wine tastings and education sessions, visual and performing artists, and more. See website. 686-4944. Most events at Sea Pines Resort, 32 Greenwood Dr. Prices vary *Mar. 11-12 CELTIC TENORS An international recording and touring phenomenon playing classical, folk, Irish, and pop. Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, 842-2787, 14 Shelter Cove Ln., HHI. 8 pm $61 *Mar. 12 THE PINK PARTINI PARTY! Music, appetizers, door prizes, and drink specials at NY City Pizza, 32 Shelter Cove Ln., HHI. It’s All Pink, 842-7465. 5:30-8 pm Free *Mar. 15 32ND ANNUAL HILTON HEAD ISLAND ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE Start at Coligny Circle and makes their way down Pope Ave. to Office Park Rd. St. Patrick’ s Day HHI, 384-4034 or 837-4956. 3 pm Free *Mar. 18 LUNCH WITH AUTHOR: ROSE SENEHI Dancing on Rocks is her seventh novel. USCB Lunch With Author Series, 521-4147, Sea Pines Country Club, 30 Governors Rd., HHI. Reservations required. Noon $42 (includes lunch) *Mar. 20-21 20TH ANNUAL HILTON HEAD ISLAND WINGFEST Kids’ zone, live music, and fun for all! Food/ drink tickets for sale. Hilton Head Island Wingfest, sponsored by the Island Rec. Center, 681-7273, Shelter Cove Community Park, 39 Shelter Cove Ln. Fri. 5-8 pm, Sat. 11 am-6 pm $6 (Kids Free)

*Mar. 20-29 SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK LIVE! Tracy, a teacher nervous about her first day of teaching, tries to relax by watching TV when various characters emerge from the set and show her how to win her students over with imagination and music. Main Street Theatre, 689-6246, 3000 Main St., HHI. 3/21, 22, & 29 2 pm, 3/24 & 28 7 pm $25 (Students $15) Mar. 20 Gala Fundraiser includes food, drinks, and the show. 5:30 pm $50 (Students $25) *Mar. 26-28 DISNEY’S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Presented by the Hilton Head Christian Academy, 6812878. Purchase tickets at hhcadrama.eventbrite.com or 1 hour prior to the show at the theater. Performance is at H. H. High School Seahawks Cultural Center, 6894800, 70 Wilborn Rd. Thurs.-Fri. 7 pm, Sat. 2:30 & 7 pm $15 (Seniors/Students/Kids $10) Daily: ZIPLINE HILTON HEAD, 682-6000, 33 Broad 10+). $89 SAVANNAH AND TYBEE ISLAND *Feb. 28-Mar. 29 SAVANNAH THEATRE, 912-2337764, 222 Bull St. Feb. 28-Mar. 1 BROADWAY ON BULL STREET Hit songs from musicals. Sat. 3 & 8 pm, Sun. 3 pm Mar. 5-31 SAVANNAH LIVE See website for days and times (3 pm or 8 pm) Mar. 11-29 JUKEBOX! LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL Wed. & Fri. 8 pm, Sun. 3 pm $39.59 (Coupon $36.38, Group of 20 $31, Kids $19.26) *Mar. 1 WILLIE NELSON & FAMILY Savannah Civic Center, 912-651-6550, Johnny Mercer Theatre, 301 W. Oglethorpe Ave. $35, 44.50, 57.50 *Mar. 5-7 SAVANNAH STOPOVER FESTIVAL Bands stop over in Savannah’s Historic District for a 3-day celebration of great music. Web siteor call 813 545-0357 for locations and other details. Mar. 6-7 SWEETS ON THE STREET A weekend full of local confectioners. River Street Savannah (Events/ Festivals), 912 234-0295, Rousakis Riverfront Plaza, 115 East River St. Fri. 9:30 pm, Sat. 10 am-10 pm *Mar. 6-8 SOUTHERN WOMEN’S SHOW Lots of shopping, fashions, and other activitities. Southern Shows, 800-849-0248, InternationalTrade & Convention Center, 1 International Dr., Sav. Fri. 10 am-8 pm, Sat. 10 am-7 pm, Sun. 11 am-6 pm Prices vary (Discounts for advanced purchase, Coupons available) Mar. 13-17 ST. PATRICK’S DAY FESTIVAL Fri.Mar. 14 Tara Feis Irish Celebration (Savannah Tara Feis, 912651-6417). 11 am-5 pm Free *Mar. 17 Official Parade. 10:15 am Free (Bleacher seats $25, 30). See website for details and additional events. 912-233-4804.

*Mar. 14 TYBEE ISLAND IRISH PRIDE The St. Patrick’s Day parade starts at the Tybee City Hall and proceeds down Butler Ave. to Tybrisa St, 912-786-5444. 3 pm *Mar. 14 SHEEP TO SHAWL FESTIVAL Observe and participate in the magical creation of a shawl from sheep shearing to carding, spinning, dying, and weaving the wool. Savannah Chatham (Schools/Other Educational Centers), 912-395-1500, Oatland Island Wildlife Center, 711 Sandtown Rd., Sav. 10 am-4 pm $7 (Seniors/Military/Kids $5, Under age 4 Free) *Mar. 14 CHAMBER CONCERT – SHOSTAKOVICH & BRAHMS SONATAS Brahms. The Savannah Philharmonic Orchestra, 912-525-5050, Lutheran Church of the Ascension, 120 Bull St., Sav. 5 pm $20 *Mar. 19-Apr. 04 SAVANNAH MUSIC FESTIVAL It is the largest musical arts event in Georgia and one of the most distinctive cross-genre music festivals in the world. Savannah Music Festival or SCAD Box Office (All Events), 912-525-5050. See websites or call for locations and other details. Prices vary *Mar. 20-22 OPERA IN SAVANNAH SMF and SVF present Puccini’s Suor Angelica & Gianni Schicchi. SCAD Box Office (All Events), 912-525-5050, Lucas Theatre, 32 Abercorn St., Sav. Fri. 7:30 pm, Sun. 2 pm $45-105 Mar. 20 Pre-event cocktails and elegant heavy hors d’oeuvres at 45 Bistro, 912-234-3111, 123 E. Broughton St., Sav. at 5:30 pm and post-event meet and greet on Lucas Theatre stage with opera cast and champagne toast at 10 pm $145 (including performance) Mar. 21 2015 ‘FAREWHALE’ FEST Celebrate the end of the calving season for the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale. Gray’ s Reef, 912-598-2345, Tybee Island Pier & Pavilion, Strand Ave. Noon-4 pm Free Mar. 26-29 80TH ANNUAL SAVANNAH TOUR OF HOMES & GARDENS Savannah Tour of Homes, 912234-8054. See website or call for details. $30-45 BLUFFTON *Mar. 8-19 CINEMARK, 757-2859, 106 Buckwalter Pkwy., Bluffton. Mar. 8 BOLSHOI BALLET presents Romeo and Juliet. 12:55 pm $18 (Seniors $17) Mar. 14 METOPERA – LIVE! presents Rossini’s La Donna del Lago. 12:55 pm $24 (Seniors $22) Mar. 18 MetOpera encore. 6:30 pm $22 (Seniors $20) Mar. 19 THE ROYAL BALLET presents Swan Lake. 7 pm $18 (Seniors $17) *Mar. 28 SHUCKIN’ & SHAGGIN’ IN OLD TOWN BLUFFTON Shag the night away with “City Lights” playing the best of rhythm & blues, rock & roll, and beach music! Bluffton Oyster Factory Park, 63 Wharf St. 5-9 pm $5 admission

The Bluffton Breeze

February 2015

Breeze Wine Within Reach

A short trip to discover

new tastes in wine!

Here are some pathways to both approaches: Comparing varietals: The purpose of this approach is to discern how different regions, with their unique terroir, and wine–making practices, deliver a varietal for the same price point. Take for example two cabs which won gold medals and sell for roughly $15: Bogle and Broquel. To my taste, the Bogle is a compromised cab. Aged in American oak, it is slightly spicy, sweet and lacks depth. The Broquel is a full-throated, structured and meaty cab. For whites, just try comparing an American Pinot Grigio (SeaGlass, Gold Medal) with an Italian Alto Adige entry, Ca’ Montini, which got lost in the Silver Medal shuffle. I will let you be the judge, but ask yourself which wine is more light, crisp, with subtle fruit (pear), and perfect for a hot day.

By Michael Mavrogordato For the past 30 years, Hilton Head has hosted its own wine and food festival. This year it will take place the week of March 9th, at the Sea Pines Resort, and If you plan to attend, which I urge you to do, here as some tips: Go to the website hiltonheadwineandfood. com and download the full list of wines in the competition (six pages!) The list has the best in show (like a dog show), best value, double gold medalists, single gold medalists, and silver medalists. As a nod to the distributors and other sponsors, every wine got at least a silver medal, which suggests that all the wines were above average and couldn’t possibly be relegated to a bronze medal, which of course, is nonsense. Grade inflation aside, use the list in one of two ways: Choose a varietal and start comparing or explore new varietals.

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Exploring varietals: While it is true that most people can get by very well on familiar wines that are promoted everywhere -- for reds, cabernet and pinot noir: for whites, chardonnay, sauvignon blanc and pinot grigio – they are missing out on the joys of hunting out less well known varietals. Despite their scarcity in the Low Country, many of these varietals are household names around the world, and have devoted following. I recommend that you try these wines: Nero d’Avola: Grown primarily in Sicily, this is as close to a tannin-free wine that you can find. It may remind you of a Shiraz. Gewurtztraminer: an off-dry, aromatic white wine which pairs beautifully with fatty foods and strong cheeses. The best examples are grown in Alsace. Vermentino: a sensational full-bodied Italian white. The best are grown in Sardinia. Barbera: From Piedmont, this is one of the “drinkable” reds around. Everything in this grape is muted; the fruit, tannins, and acidity blend into a terrific balanced wine. Rioja: Try the Faustino Gran Reserva. Ignore the goofy bottle, and savor the complexity of a good Rioja. Malbec: most Malbecs we get have been manipulated to a “global” taste bud, so why not try the real Mc Coy, the Broquel Malbec. It is one of Argentina’s most popular wines, and with reason. Riesling: most Rieslings found on our shelves, are sticky, sweet and insipid. Try a dry Riesling, which by the way, is what most Europeans drink. Viognier: from the Northern Rhone valley, t http:// img.thesun.co.uk/aidemitlum/archive/01573/ WINE-MAIN_1573379a.jpg his full-bodied white can be a smooth as silk. -Torrontes: Grown in the altiplano region of Argentina, this white is probably the most aromatic wine in the world. It is bright in color, taste and fruit. And finally, as you sip your way around the basin at Harbour Town, be sure to nibble on something salty between tastings. I know that the pundits will frown on this, but the fact remains that 99% of the time we enjoy wine with food, and salt is the foundation of just about everything we eat. The Bluffton Breeze

February 2015

PRESENTS

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