AuGuSt 2012
CHELSEA MEISSNER
she survived!! GET IN THE
WATER!
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YEARS OF CAKES, COOKIES AND CUPCAKES WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SAVINGS ON TAXES
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Arthur Hills Golf Club
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Features
Contents
august 2012
74
Guess who this is?
>> Features
P14 iSlAnD MAP Just in case the Maps app on your iPhone isn’t working—you know, because of the terrible cell phone service on hilton head Island… recalculating.
P50 SURVIVOR: An inSiDer’S looK Chelsea Meissner, local gal turned survivor contestant, talks to Courtney hampson about her experience in the south Pacific.
P60
on tHe wAter these days, with access to creature comforts such as restaurants and grocery stores, the water is no longer about survival. We have the luxury of making water all about adventure, exhilaration and fun.
P70
ConSiGnMent SHoPPinG StyliSH, SMArt once upon a good economy, people didn’t flinch when paying full retail for a designer label or think twice before purchasing an expensive outfit for their precious child who might wear it only a handful of times before outgrowing it. today, consumers are savvy and smarter with their hard-earned cash, and many are discovering consignment shopping.
P74
HAPPy AnniverSAry! signe celebrates 40 years of cakes, cookies and cupcakes.
P80 GreAt AlternAtiveS to A fouryeAr DeGree these spa careers have a better than average outlook
P90 DuMP your MutuAl funDS some of the disadvantages of mutual fund.
P92 DiSCiPlineD inveStinG HelPS KeeP eMotionS in CHeCK there are several timeless strategies that can help you eliminate the emotional component investing and get you on the right track.
P94 wHAt you neeD to Know About... saving money on taxes
P96
50
beHinD tHe GAteS Berkeley hall
>>> on our Cover Chelsea Meissner, local girl turned survivor contestant. Photography by Mark Staff. hair & Make-up by Christine Stephens gown from the Stock exchange. special thanks to joe Maffo and Mark Carianus for assisting with our reptilian “talent.”
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august 2012
eVerythIng eLse
CONTENTS
august 2012
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>> BusIness ProFILes
P44 tHe biG CHill Visit the restaurant on a hot summer night, try one of the colorful, icy daiquiris—the perfect antidote for summer sweat and swelter—and you’ll discover its popularity for yourself.
P56
froM DAy to niGHt skillets grill & Café: not just for breakfast anymore.
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P20
inDiGo PineS inDePenDent retireMent livinG sharing lives and laughter
eDitor’S note
P86
letterS to tHe eDitor Mungo Jerry vs. elton John
bluffton SCHool of DAnCe the passion to teach
P88
Get outSiDe outside hilton head provides adventure, team building and more
P102 HAHn’S Air SPeCiAliSt Just imagine, someone who actually reads air conditioning installation manuals, is fully certified, returns phone calls and may even invite you to inspect the source of your air conditioning problem yourself, if you don’t mind crawling around an attic in120-degree heat.
P106 CoAStAl HoMe by MArCo Polo Capturing the essence of laid back coastal style
P108 brAvo, brAvo! standing ovations for energy one america
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>> eVerythIng eLse
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P22
P26 A SerieS of fortunAte eventS your 15 minutes of fame
P28 A line in tHe SAnD Burgers or Dogs?
P32
Golf 101 the golf Paradigm
P36
junior PlAyerS Golf ACADeMy Building champions on and off the course
P38 CelebrAte AuGuSt “We’re having a heat wave, a tropical heat wave!”
P40 Hello My nAMe iS . . . gregg russell
P42 it’S five o’CloCK SoMewHere Drink recipes, nightly entertainment calendar, band spotlights & more reasons to stay up late.
P112 A worD froM tHe MAyorS Drew Laughlin and Lisa sulka update you on town happenings on hilton head Island and in Bluffton.
P114 DiSCountS! Why in the world would you not show your CH2 card to get these fabulous discounts? If your issue doesn’t have one, e-mail us your mailing address and we’ll send you one! Card requests to m.washo@celebratehiltonhead.com.
>>> on our Cover Chelsea Meissner, local girl turned survivor contestant. Photography by Mark Staff. hair & Make-up by Christine Stephens gown from the Stock exchange. special thanks to joe Maffo and Mark Carianus for assisting with our reptilian “talent.” august 2012
08 2012
FROM THE eDitor
2 Publisher / editor-in-Chief: MaggIe Washo Art Director: KeLLy strouD Art & Production CatherIne DaVIes Advertising Sales: ashton KeLLey KIM CrouCh CanDy eaZor executive Assistant hunter KostyLo Contributing writers: LInDa BeaCh KItty BarteLL FranK Dunne Jr. BeCCa eDWarDs Courtney haMPson DreW LaughLIn Pete PoPoVICh roBert star Mary FranCes stoCKs LIsa suLKa DeBBIe sZPanKa DaVID toBIas LeW WesseL Contributing Photographers / Artist: PhotograPhy By anne MarK staFF PhotograPhy Contributing Art Direction: toM staeBLer P.o.Box 22949 hilton head Island, sC 29925
I
was going to write about my transition from PC to apple for my editor’s note, but when I arrived at work this morning, another topic demanded my attention, via all devices. as much as I try to be light-hearted and celebratory in these notes (in keeping with our name), sometimes it is difficult. We have spent the better part of today awaiting more information on The Dark Night Rises shooting in aurora, Colo. When something so tragic happens, it seems like the world stands still for a moment, while the media regurgitates the latest breaking piece of information. regardless of how insignificant the new communication is, we all sit transfixed. a neighbor was interviewed, and reportedly the shooter “kept to himself and was creepy.” you don’t say. a man who opens fire on hundreds of people in a movie theater was “creepy.” as I ponder what could make someone act like this, I just keep going back to a person’s childhood. Is that where it all goes wrong? Does a child get bullied and picked on until one day (after graduating with a degree in neuroscience), he decides to buy a semi-automatic rifle and attack all those
PhotograPhy By anne
normal people and their kids watching the latest blockbuster movie? Could we as a society prevent such things by paying more attention to the warning signs in children? By just being nicer to people we see as odd or different from ourselves? or are people like this beyond help and need to be in a place where they can’t hurt others or themselves? I don’t know the answers, but it’s on my mind today. My heart goes out to all of the victims and their families. as with any tragedy that grips the nation, I guess the only thing we can take away with us is to appreciate the present and our loved ones, because who knows what could happen tomorrow?
843.689.2658 m.washo@celebratehiltonhead.com
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M. washo Publisher / editor-in-Chief
august 2012
Letters
to the eDItor...
The Strive to Thrive
Selecting a preschool Sending your child inTo The world To aTTend preSchool iS one of The firST of many mileSToneS in hiS or her liTTle life ThaT may cauSe Some, or even a loT, of SeparaTion anxieTy. while The preSchooler may experience Some anxieTy, iT iS ofTen The parenTS who are hiT hardeST. perSonally, i am an experienced Traveler on The road of SeparaTion-anxieTy producing evenTS and remember well The proceSS my huSband i wenT Through To SelecT our daughTer’S firST School here on hilTon head iSland. while Time haS given me many opporTuniTieS To build up my SeparaTion calluSeS, iT waS ThiS firST one ThaT i remember moST.
I
sland preschooler Kayla’s mom Jessica Blackwell describes it well. “It’s like having two voices—one telling me ‘send her here’ in one ear and the other telling me ‘send her there’ in the other. I want everything to be perfect,” she said. I remember that feeling. I had Practical Parent jabbering away in one ear telling me all the logical reasons for selecting one school over another. Then I had Puddle Parent (as in puddle of tears) reminding me that someone
else would now be meeting my child’s needs and wants in my absence. Until this point, her immediate family had provided her with all that she needed, but it was now time for her to begin understanding independence and autonomy. Having a checklist of what to look for in a preschool is helpful when trying to remain on track, even if what’s really going through your head resembles a debate between Practical and Puddle. The National Association for the
Dear editor, I am thrilled there are so many pre-school options in the area but would have loved to have had our very special and unique Junior Kindergarten program at hilton head Prep included in your recent article about choosing a preschool. our well established JK program offers a full and half day option for 4 years olds. hilton head Preparatory school’s Junior Kindergarten (JK) program offers a dynamic learning environment that balances developmentally appropriate academic skills with exploration. our curriculum is based on national and state standards combined with Montessori philosophy. the JK program is multi-sensory in nature and provides positive learning experiences in a warm, safe and supportive environment. educating the whole child includes focusing on the social, emotional, physical, moral and cognitive development of each student. our JK students develop a sense of belonging and a joy of learning through our child-centered and interactive curriculum. the collaborative partnerships we have established with local community specialists are also vital to our program. our teachers work with occupational therapists to develop best practices for fine motor and sensory development and have consultations with a nationally-recognized language therapist. the environmental specialists at Coastal Discovery Museum provide monthly local field trips with our JK students that enrich their educational experience at hilton head Prep. these programs enable us to offer of the most unique, leading research-based early education programs in the area. thanks Ch2 for all you do for our community. Best, jane inglis head of Lower school hilton head Preparatory school
An unfortunate Misspelling your July 2012 issue (page 27) notes the Inn at harbour town received a “Certificate of excellance.” While no explanation is offered why said award was conferred, one may safely assume it was not for spelling. as information, the correct word is excellence. tom treacy
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august 2012
“IN THE SU YOU THE MMER CAN WEA TIM EW ST TH WHE AND RETC ER IS HEN YOUN THE TOUCH RIGHTHIGH WEA H G HAVE WO OT WO THERTHE SKUP A D MEN MEN, ’S FI Y RIN ON N YO K, HA YOUR U GOTE WHA GO O VE A MIND D T YO UT AN RAFT IN THE U CAN D SE FIN E SUM D ELTOMERTI ” N JO ME HN
CELEBRATE BLUFFTON & BEYOND
JULY 2012
THE BIRTH OF GREATER BLUFFTON’S CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
SHOULD UNDERAGE DRINKING BE ALLOWED UNDER ADULT SUPERVISION? FRANK & COURTNEY WEIGH IN PRE-SCHOOL OPTIONS FOR NEW PARENTS
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THE ART OF BEING TWO-FACED
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onhead.com
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Ms. Washo, Who fact checks what you place on your cover? While elton John did record a version of “In the summertime”, the song was originally written by ray Dorset, the leader of the band Mungo Jerry. While it is highly likely that more of your readers would recognize the name elton John before they would Mungo Jerry or ray Dorset, that does not give CB2 the right to improperly credit a song to another artist. Doing so is an affront to journalistic integrity. regards, Michael lambuth
Jazzy martin lesch and bob masteller entertain on stage at the Jazz Corner in the village at Wexford.
Live it up Live
R&R may trump excitement during the daytime, but any 20-something-year-old will tell you that there is a lively nightlife on this island. It’s just kind of a secret, and it’s known by a name that sounds like a missing persons report: The Barmuda Triangle, located just before the Sea Pines gate. This place, a collection of tightly concentrated bars and restaurants, including The lodge, One Hot Mama’s, The Brew Pub, Reilleys and Jump & Phil’s, comes alive at night; the parking lot is typically packed, and live and piped music predominate. Just around the corner in the Park Center Plaza is the Electric Piano, a traditional piano bar—not dueling, usually, just one—where the night invariably leads to a group sing and some dancing.
For several years, The Jazz
Corner has ranked among The Top 150 Dear Maggie,
Jazz Clubs in The CounTry, aTTraCTing name TalenT like bob James and loCal FavoriTes like deas guyz, and Filling iTs 100 seaTs nearly nighTly.
I wanted to let you know how much we appreciate your including the Jazz Corner A little further up the road, about mid-island in The Village10 at Wexford, spot is not so in your “top Listanother of secret things tosecretdo” article anymore. For several years, The Jazz Corner has ranked among the top 150 jazz clubs in the country, attracting in the Julyname issue of CH2 and say a special, talent like Bob James and local favorites like Deas and filling its 100 seats nearly nightly. Bob and lois thank you. Guyz, David wrote terrifi cIsland article. Masteller have become fixtures a on the Hilton Head live music scene, and Bob can usually be coaxed onstage for a cornet cameo sometime during theIt evening, if he’s mentioned on one little correction... was hand, which is always a charming event. Also, be sure to check out Big Bamboo in Coligny and that we were ranked one ofincluding the top 150 the XO lounge at the Omnias for great live music, Beatles cover band, The Beagles, on Friday nights at Big jazz clubs aBamboo. in the country but it’s one of 150 jazz clubs in the world. again congratulations on a super issue and thank you for thinking of us. July 2012
sincerely, lois
august 2012
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conTinued
Letters
to the eDItor...
THE TIPPING POINT J U S T R E WA R D S
ARTICLE BY KITTY BARTELL
Dear Maggie, I appreciate Kitty Bartell’s article in this month’s Ch2 about tipping, and agree with her points. she correctly points out that a standard of 15% (20% for excellent service) is for the food/ beverage portion and does not include the tax portion of the bill. however, many Island restaurants cheat on this point. sometimes when there is low light, I have problems reading the fine print of the bill and therefore I will ask my server to “please add 20% gratuity.” In restaurants in new york and other major cities, the bills usually come back correct --- with 20% added to the pre-tax portion. But for some unknown reason, most hilton head places add the percentage to the tax portion also! this infuriates me, but when I complain they say it is standard. I realize this seems like a minor point, as the money is never too large, but that’s even more reason for the restaurants to get it right. Perhaps you could pass this along to your restaurant customers. Best, David Pardue sea Pines resident
august 2012
editor: on June 18, governor nikki haley signed a new law to address human trafficking, a lucrative, secretive and brutal criminal enterprise that occurs throughout the world, including the united states. her signature culminated months of hard work to bring south Carolina out of what a national organization had termed “the dirty dozen,” states without adequate laws to address exploitative labor practices and forced prostitution. For the first time, our legislature has clearly defined the crime of human trafficking and has convened a task force to implement a comprehensive strategy for combating it. among the many changes to state law, the courts can now seize assets from people convicted of human trafficking and the offender can be required to pay restitution to his or her victims. an extra 15 years of prison time can be tacked on if the victim of the crime is under 18-years-old. Many of the lobbying efforts for this important piece of legislation occurred at a grassroots level. Members of the Lowcountry Coalition against human trafficking and citizens across the state lobbied the legislature in-person and from afar. We would like to especially thank state sen. tom Davis, state rep. shannon erickson and state rep. andy Patrick for co-sponsoring the bill and for guiding it to passage. We are also grateful to solicitor Duffie stone for his public support of the bill and for working tirelessly for its approval. this law empowers investigators, prosecutors and the court system to root out and address human trafficking, but it will be up to all of us to learn the signs of this horrendous crime, to report it to the proper authorities and to help the victims rebuild their lives. janice Dyer President, Lowcountry Coalition of human trafficking hilton head Island
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C2
A SERIES OF FORTUNATE EVENTS
way to go! For the 17th consecutive year, The Hospital Auxiliary-Hilton Head Hospital/Coastal Carolina presented scholarship funds for Technical College of the Lowcountry students enrolled in Health Services Programs.
welcome to the team! Realtor Travis Hillis joins sales team at Weichert, Realtors® - Coastal Properties.
bundle of joy Proud Parents JT Roberts and Alli Neumann welcome Kingston Neumann Roberts, he was born January 28, 2012.
Welcome The Board of Directors of Veritas Academy in Savannah, Georgia is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Scott Taylor as the school’s headmaster.
A Big Achievement Susan Ketchum, Senior Vice President, recently celebrated 40 years with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management.
Moving IN Dr. Kelley LeBlanc, a chiropractic physician, has opened her new office, Kelley Chiropractic and Wellness, in the Village at Wexford where she provides gentle, researchbased chiropractic and nutritional counseling.
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Welcome to the Team! Jessica Martin has joined Photography by Anne as lead editor and second photographer for weddings and events. Jessica is a recent graduate of Savannah College of Art and Design, with a BFA in photography.
A new hire!
way to go!
Salon Karma would like to announce the addition of Lauren DeMarco to our team of hairstylists and makeup artists.
The Beaufort Inn was recently awarded Trip Advisor’s prestigious Certificate of Excellence, bestowed upon the “Best of the Best!” August 2012
August 2012
I JUST WANT TO DANCE! Cameron Hammel, Lizzie Hammel, Marcia Adair and Rue Williams all made it to the finals in the Savannah Dance Classic held over Memorial Day Weekend. Shown with their instructors from the Fred Astaire Dance Studio, Armando Asseneta and Sandro Virag.
BEST WISHES IN THE FUTURE! Joan Krone of The Hospital Auxiliary presents Bill Masterson, CEO of Coastal Carolina Hospital with a picture of the Lowcountry. A reception was held at Coastal Carolina honoring his tenure as he moves on to a larger facility in Rock Hill.
August 2012
Worth a Thousand Words The Camera Club of Hilton Head Island has been conducting a Peoples Choice Voting during its’ exhibition “Lowcountry through the Lens” at The Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn for the past two months. The First Place Winner is Robert Rommel for his exquisite image of a Great Egret fishing in the late afternoon entitled “Twilight Hunter.”
And the Award goes to… Glenn Stanford for Rotarian of the Year for 2012, Ken Raichele received the Distinguished Service Award, for his work with the positive reinforcement program at the School for the Creative Arts. Mary Briggs was awarded the President’s Award. Mike Jukofsky was recognized for his three-year leadership of the Heel to Toe Polio walks. David Tirard, outgoing president, was honored for taking the club to International recognition by way of the Changemaker award. Robert Onorato received international recognition by receiving the Service Above Self award. Pictured (left to right): Bob Raichele, Mary Briggs, David Tirard, Mike Jukofsky, and Glenn Stanford. To be included in our next Series of Fortunate Events, please email Ashton Kelley a PHOTO and A SENTENCE (not a paragraph) at a.kelley@celebratehiltonhead.com. Photos will not be accepted without a sentence. Sentences will not be accepted without a photo. Paragraphs will be edited down to one sentence. Get it? Got it! Good.
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A Line in the Sand
Photography By Anne
One subject. Two opinions.
Burgers or Dogs?
Courtney Hampson Frank Dunne Jr.
I
never knew there was such a thing as National Sandwich Month, but a few minutes of web surfing turned up enough references to convince me that it is indeed a recognized holimonth. By the way, I also learned that John Montagu,
the Fourth Earle of Sandwich, invented the sandwich in 1762. Did you know that? They say he liked to eat on the run, but carrying around a pile of meat is really sloppy. So he stuck it between two slices of bread
John Montagu, the Fourth Earle of Sandwich, invented the sandwich in 1762. Did you know that? They say he liked to eat on the run, but carrying around a pile of meat is really sloppy. So he stuck it between two slices of bread and voila! Portable meat.
and voila! Portable meat. Who knew that fast food predates the Declaration of Independence? No word as to whether Montagu was also the original owner of the Earle of Sandwich Pub in Coligny Plaza. But I’m getting off topic. Miss C. and
I
’m warning you now that this may offend some folks, namely vegetarians, and perhaps the local Hamburger Club. If it does offend you, I won’t be apologizing. I mean, really, what is the point of stating your opinion if you have to apologize for it later? I learned about seven years ago, once I crossed the Mason-Dixon Line, that everything I knew to be true about barbecuing was indeed false. My 30 years of barbecue experience was a misnomer. We Yankees would barbecue (verb) to celebrate the important benchmarks of summer: Memorial Day, July Fourth and Labor Day—and any day in between when there was cause for celebration and hotdogs and hamburgers were on sale at the Stop & Shop. Barbecue was the process by which we cooked on a grill. Turns out, however, that “barbecue” is a noun. It refers to the end
product of slow-roasting pork, not beef or shrimp or tofu or anything else, (an exception is made for chicken in the South) over hardwood coals. And it is spelled exactly as above, not BBQ, barbeque, Bar-B-Que or any of the dozens of others colloquialisms that have sprung up in various parts of the country over the years. Most people don’t make the distinction, but barbecue in the South, like football (and— genuflect—Tim Tebow), is a religion. All this is according to an old Southern gentleman, my former boss, who quickly showed me the wrongs of my Jersey ways. My Midwestern born and bred hubby (real quick, while I have your attention, I don’t see how Ohio is the Midwest, but we can debate that topic in a future month), uses the term “cookout” or “grill out” to refer to BBQ-ing. Jersey Tomato. Jersey Tomahto. Sounds like we are both wrong!
Frank Dunne Jr
I figured it would be fun to commemorate National Sandwich Month, so we’re going to argue the relative merits of hamburgers and hot dogs. I was hoping for a different direction, because I really wanted to share a story with you about Philly cheesesteaks, one that involves an “extra cheese with” and a former girlfriend sporting a Pat’s King of Steaks T-shirt and little else. But when I presented Courtney with the question “Pat’s I’m not saying that the hotdog hasn’t earned some degree of reverence in our culture, but it’s just not as deeply entrenched in the American psyche as the hamburger.
or Geno’s?” she had no idea what I was talking about, and she’s from New Jersey for crying out loud! Anyway, since an informed conversation about cheesesteaks would be impossible under those circumstances, we’re going with the burger vs. dog thing. My choice is the burger. I say that with deference to my friends Carey, Nicole and Shelby at Street Meet where I’ve gobbled down plenty of Fusion Dogs over the years (they’re spectacular); but in this case the numbers don’t lie. The burger wins in almost every possible way you could put the two head-to-head. First of all, empires have been built around the burger and fries. McDonalds, Burger King and Wendy’s come to mind, and their products wouldn’t even make anybody’s Top 10 Burgers list. The hotdog can make no such claim. I’m not saying that the hotdog 30
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hasn’t earned some degree of reverence in our culture, but it’s just not as deeply entrenched in the American psyche as the hamburger. I’ll score one for the hotdog on the portability and convenience factor. At the ballpark, you just stand up, hold up two fingers, pass your money down the line, and the guy throws you two hot dogs. I could see that becoming problematic with a cheeseburger, at least with one worth eating. On the golf course, the dog is a perfect grab-and-go at the turn. Just gobble it down and tee up at Number 10. However, that very aspect is also where the hotdog falls down in the face of the hamburger, because a good hamburger is a real meal that you experience with a range of emotions. When a good burger is placed before you, you don’t just grab it and gobble it down. You spend a moment admiring it, contemplating its simple beauty. You take in the aroma, and your mouth waters at the sight of the dripping juices. Then the moment of truth: You don’t just pick it up; you embrace it, raise it to your lips and take the first bite. It melts in empires have been built around the burger and fries. McDonalds, Burger King and Wendy’s come to mind, and their products wouldn’t even make anybody’s Top 10 Burgers list. The hotdog can make no such claim.
your mouth, and the world stops as you work your way to the end. If you’re lucky, it’s one of those ones that fall apart like at 5 Guys Burgers and Fries, but you don’t mind. You’re eating a burger and all is right with the world. Try that with a hotdog. August 2012
Courtney Hampson
So, as my season of barbecuing a.k.a. grilling hits its high point, I thought it only appropriate to debate the merits of the hotdog. Frank, as usual, took the easy side, arguing for the hamburger, which in terms of ingredients can be a much more palatable sell. But, never one to shy away from controversy, I shall tout the temptations of the hotdog, and negate the fallacies of the frank (how’s that for a double meaning, my friends). I mean, after all, on July Fourth, our country celebrates our independence with fireworks and the National Hotdog Eating Competition. What more proof do you need that the encased meat concoction is the country’s favorite? Hot dogs at first glance are pretty gross. But, in the instance of processed pork err, beef, err parts of something that had four legs, it is all about the accessories. It’s all about how you put it together. First, cook it on a charcoal grill. Buy the good charcoal. It comes with flavor all its own and may negate any unsavory pork parts. Next, burn that sucker to a crisp. It ain’t done until the exterior is black and blistered. Then, roast the bun to toasty perfection. More charcoal flavor. Pick your topping. There’s no compromising here. You’re either a mustard guy or a ketchup guy. Don’t be both. Pick one and stick to your guns. If you are a mustard guy/gal, which I hope you are (ketchup is just as gross as well, naked hotdogs), go spicy. Kick it up a notch with the horseradish mustard. Go big, or go home. Atop your mustard, you must layer your relish. If you happen to know local chef Trey Dutton, beg him for a taste of his grandmother’s cement pickle relish. It will August 2012
change your life—and your hotdog, for that matter. Finally, chase it with a beer, assuming you are over 21. (See the July column for this war of words.) Frank and I are such trendsetters I couldn’t believe that this debate has occurred before. In fact, this time last year Food Network debated the pros and cons of the burger and the dog. Some of the perks of the hotdog include the fact that the calories aren’t out of control; a regular sized (1.6-ounce) hotdog with ketchup or mustard and a bun only has a few hundred calories. On the flip side, you can quickly pile on the calories with big burger patties, mountains of cheese, bacon, mayo and other condiments and massive buns. Important to note: ground beef and other ground up proteins are also at higher risk for food bugs like E. coli. Eew. To be fair, the hotdog is typically highly processed, and most brands contain nitrites (yum!). However there are a number of healthy hotdog options. For example, you can actually buy nitrate-free or reduced fat dogs. If you have a hankering for a dog duo, skip the second bun and save yourself some calories. And, despite the olfactory offensiveness, sauerkraut is a low calorie topping for hotdogs that can help fill you up. If all of the above doesn’t convince you, go to Fenway Park. Even without toppings, somehow a Fenway Frank is the best tasting hotdog you’ll ever consume. Maybe it’s the beer; maybe it’s the buzz of Yawkey Way; maybe it’s the Yankee fans cursing you out; maybe it’s because there is no vendor in the stands trying to sell you a burger, but a frank at the ballgame is always going to hit the spot. It’s America’s pastime. Be American. Eat a hot dog. www.celebratehiltonhead.com
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Golf Tips From a Pro
Pete Popovich, Golf Performance Academy
The Golf Paradigm Photography by Anne
Paradigm: distinct concepts in any scientific discipline or other epistemological context; a new study that challenges the current evolutionary paradigm. Epistemology: a branch of philosophy that investigates the origin, nature, methods, and limits of human knowledge.
O
ur philosophy, as it relates to our origins, nature and methods of teaching, has led us to create the Golf Paradigm and also challenge the current paradigm. Our Golf Paradigm incorporates both playing well and enjoying the game. In many instances these two aspects of golf are separate and imbalanced but our method unites them. The golf paradigm is like the symbol of Yin and Yang. It is an ancient symbol of opposites, but they are balanced and united. According to an About.com report on the Taoist symbol, “the curves and circles of the Yin-Yang symbol imply a kaleidoscope-like movement. This implied movement represents the ways in which Yin and Yang are mutually-arising, interdependent, and continuously transforming, one into the other.” In our experience, nothing better defines the golf swing. Just as the Yin and Yang is comprised of five elements (metal, wood, water, fire and earth), there are five elements that comprise the golf swing: 1) swing mechanics, 2) proper club fit, 3) mental (learning style and prepara-
tion), 4) physical (strength and flexibility), and 5) integration of the first four. As in all nature, too much of one element destroys the balance of order. Most golf instruction focuses on swing mechanics and improving from a technical standpoint. Yet if the other elements are neglected, one’s efforts become sabotaged. For example, we have talked many times of instructors communicating in ways your brain does not comprehend. Often, teachers explain things technically with lines, angles and points. This is great for a technical minded (analytical) person but not for a creative (spatial) person. If the swing is explained in terms of path and arcs, it becomes great for a creative person but difficult for a technical person. Each student of golf requires his or her own delicate balance of all five elements in order to flourish in the game. Even if the teacher does convey information properly, a student’s clubs may not fit correctly, causing swing faults at no fault of the student. If a student has a physical limitation, e.g. tight hip flexors, excessive upper back curve, etc., he or she will be unable to perform the swing in a way that is being instructed. The five elements of golf 1. Swing mechanics. Mechanics refer to how the club works during the swing and how your body should move with it. Swing theories can be one- or two-plane, arm vs. body, rotational versus vertical, lateral vs. stationary, but
only one is best for you. And though mechanics is one of the least important elements in our paradigm, it is the one that most instructors dwell upon at the expense of more critical elements 2. Club fitting. Proper club fitting is critical. If the club does not fit you specifically, you will never reach your potential. Improperly fit clubs do not allow you to swing consistently. They force you to manipulate the club, and as we have said before, you cannot learn to manipulate consistently. Proper club fitting goes far beyond lie boards and shaft flex. (Most “club fitters” would argue this.) Misfit clubs create an imbalanced swing, which can also cause injury. 3. Learning style and preparation. This refers to how you best learn—visually, linguistically or kinesthetically—as well as how you, as an individual, process information. It also deals with how you prepare to play. Not only does information have to be given in a manner you can comprehend and process, the way you go about practicing and preparing must coincide with your learning methods. (Creative people should never hit the same shot repeatedly while practicing. It is contrary to how their brains work.) Each student must have a personal practice plan so he or she can progress at a consistent level. If a practice plan is not given or, worse yet, is given in the wrong manner, progress will stop or even regress. 4. Physical. Strength and flexibility—physical balance is essential to gain total swing balance. Again the Yin-Yang symbol applies. Are you too strong on one side? Less flexible on your left than on your right? A full assessment is required to know where you are physically imbalanced. If you have physical limitations, how are you going to improve your mechanics? It may be as simple as one side of a tight neck causing loss of rotation, which in turn leads to missed shots. 5. Integration. This refers to the student’s ability to finally understand, develop and blend the first four elements into a unity of form and function to produce a swing in which all facets are in harmony (like that kaleidoscope movement mentioned above). It also demands a teacher who can recognize the anomalies in any of the four basics and show the student how to proceed toward balance. You could have the best-fit clubs, be flexible and strong in all the right places, etc., but if you do not understand how and why information best works for you, you will have difficulty enjoying the game and lose half of the Golf Paradigm’s benefit. Learning how to utilize all five elements of the Golf Paradigm is essential to shooting lower scores and getting more enjoyment out of your game. It is important that an instructor understands how each element works and how they relate to one another. Simply knowing swing mechanics is not enough. At the Golf Performance Academy-Hilton Head, we take pride in our continued research. It is second to none. If you are not enjoying and improving your game or have not received answers to all your questions regarding the lack of improvement, contact the Golf Performance Academy-Hilton Head at 843-338-6737, e-mail pete@golfacademyhiltonhead.com or Facebook at Golf Performance Academy-Hilton Head. 34
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August 2012
JUNIOR PLAYERS GOLF ACADEMY b u i l d i n G
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c h a m P i o n s
he JPga, Junior Players golf academy is a worldrenowned academy teaching some of the best players from all over the world. We are offering a program to students in the hilton head area who are interested in taking their game to the next level. the premise of our program is to train each student during the week to prepare them for tournament golf on the weekend. With our limited student to teacher ratio, we are able to focus on individualized instruction. the JPga does not teach a strict swing method; our approach is to teach students individually, based upon their specific needs. the coaching staff is trained to identify each student’s individual needs in order to implement a plan for self-development. one of our goals is to teach the student to be his or her own best coach—be able to diagnose his/her own game and identify personal strengths and weaknesses. the JPga will increase the student’s knowledge level on the full swing, short game, mental side, and of course the most important aspect of all, learning how to score. golf is a game where one never stops learning. another integral part of our program is on-course instruction. the instructor reinforces swing thoughts and provides in-depth course management. the JPga educates the student on the importance of the “rules of golf.” taking the students on the course covers the more specific techniques that are used in course management and facilitates what is learned during practice to benefit performance. to become champion golfers, they must be capable of managing themselves on and off the course.
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the advanced instruction takes place in a scenic and secure setting on hilton head Island. the JPga academy is located at Palmetto hall golf Club, a 36-hole facility designed by arthur hills and robert Cupp, located within Palmetto hall Plantation. students who attend the JPga have access to play all seven courses owned and managed by the heritage golf group throughout hilton head Island. In addition to Palmetto hall, those courses include the Port royal golf Club, shipyard golf Club and oyster reef golf Club. through a supportive and competitive environment, the JPga develops the qualities of commitment, goal setting and confidence for each student’s personal and athletic growth. the dedication of the instructors to teaching and coaching, on and off the course, helps juniors become champions. the JPga program includes physical training, as it is vitally important to building golf athletes who can play more competitively. the tPI (titleist Performance Institute) Fitness Program is instrumental in each student’s performance. our Level III tPI certified trainer will implement a training program specific to each student. the goal is to offer juniors the opportunity to develop into accomplished athletes, successful at the collegiate level and beyond. We invite you to visit the JPGA and spend a day with us to see why our students are so successful. For more information, visit us online at jrpga.com or call (843) 686-3355.
AUGUST
2012 SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
UPCOMING EVENT? LET US HELP YOU GET THE WORD OUT! Email your event to: m.washo@celebratehiltonhead.com Subject Line: CH2 Calendar
WEDNESDAY
EVENTS THROUGHOUT AUGUST!
THURSDAY
2
THE STEPPING STONES Thursday Nights 6:30PM-8:30PM Coligny Plaza Kiosk Area
HARBOURFEST 2012
More Info: www.
Tuesdays - Ongoing Throughout Summer; 6-9:30p.m. Shelter Cove Harbor
colignyplaza.com/ entertainment
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
3 SC TAX FREE WEEKEND
4 7
August 3-5, 2012 Buy clothing, accessories (such as handbags, linens etc.), footwear, school supplies, computers and computer equipment and pay no taxes this weekend.
More Info: www.enjoyhiltonhead.com
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5 GREGG RUSSELL PERFORMANCES Harbour Town tree June 3-August 24 (every night except Saturday); 8pm More Info: ww.w. greggrussell.com/ bubblegum
DIG IT!
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June 12 - August 15 10:30AM-11:30AM, Coastal Discovery Museum Fun,interactive family program led by professional archaeologist! $10/person More Info:info@ coastaldiscovery.org or 843-689-6767
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MAIN STREET YOUTH THEATRE CAMP June 18 - August 10; 3 hrs a Day, M-F Main Street Youth Theatre Allows kids of all ages to be onstage,backstage or craft new skills. More Info: 843-689-MAIN
Every Tuesday Aug 7 -August 14; 7-10PM Shelter Cove Park Box Office: (843) 681-7273 or www.islandreccenter. org
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August 8; 8-9:30PM Arts Center of Coastal Carolina Join the Voices of El Shaddai to celebrate the release of their second CD. Admissions: $26 Adult/$19 Children More info: 689-3945
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August 15 and 29 7:3AM-9:30AM Coastal Discovery Museum Admissions: $12/ person More Info: 689*6767
More Info: info@ coastaldiscovery.org
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COASTAL CRABBING AND FISHING DAY CAMP August 9,2012 10:00AM-3:00PM Coastal Discovery Museum Admission Fee: $45/$60 per child More Info:843-689-6767.
16 BLUFFTON FARMER’S MARKET Every Thursday, 2-7PM Calhoun Street, Carson Cottages and Old Town Bluffton
10 SHANNON TANNER Shelter Cove Harbour Monday-Friday Through September 4; 6:30-7:30PM and 8:009:00PM More Info: www.hiltonhead. com/shannon-tannerdelights-generations-ofvisitors
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DOG DAYS OF SUMMER SUNSET PARTY
11 BEACH BUM TRIATHALON # 2 August 11; 8:00AM- 10:00AM Coligny Beach Beach Triathalon entirely on the hard flat beach of Hilton Head Island. More Info: (843)295-9565.
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August 17, 2012 5:30-9:30PM Bluffton Oyster Factory Park Admission Fee: $5/child 12& under FREE More Info:843-757-8520
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More Info: www. colignyplaza.com/ entertainment
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PARENTS NIGHT OUT, KIDS NIGHT IN
Shelter Cove Park $5 Ages 2-15 Adults FREE!
Pizza dinner, arts and crafts and the whole museum to explore!
More Info: 843-681-7273 or www.islandreccenter.org
More Info: crinehart@ thesandbox.org or 843-842-7645
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POSITIVE VIBRATIONS
Tuesday Night Reggae Music Show
A blessing of the animals by the pastors, and banana split social.
6:30PM-8:30PM Coligny Plaza Kiosks Area
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WATER FUN DAY
Every Thursday, 4-7PM
June 13 - August 29; 6PM - 9PM, The Sandbox
August 26, 2012 4:00-5:00PM First Presbyterian Church
More Info: 843-681-3696
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THE VOICES OF EL SHADDAI
BIRDING AT PICKNEY ISLAND
June 5th- August 31st 8:00PM-10:00PM Coastal Discvory Museum An evening lecture and beach walk .
Every Monday; 6:30PM-8:45PM Coiigny Kiosks
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SUMMER JAMS
TURTLE TALKS AND WALKS
MONDAY NIGHT MAGIC W/ GARY MAUER
BISCUITS & BLESSINGS
7&14
29 CANDACE WOODSON & THE DOMINO THEORY BAND Wedneday’s 6:30PM-8:30PM Coligny Plaza Kiosks Area
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24 HHI FARMERS MARKET April 6 - December 7 Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn. 8:30am - 1:00pm More Info: (843) 785-2767 or visit our website: farmersmarkethiltonheadisland.com
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POKER FOR PUPS FUNDRAISER FOR HH HUMANE SOCIETY August 25, 2012 Cheap Seats Tavern Registration begins at 4PM Live Music, Cornhole, Casino Night!
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HHI CELEBRITY GOLF THE GOLDEN DRAGON TOURNAMENT ACROBATS August 31 - September 2 Please join us for the 32nd annual Hilton Head Island Celebrity Golf Tournament and help change children’s lives.
More Info: http://hhcelebritygolf.com/
August 31 - September 2 Arts Center of Coastal Carolina Admissions: $40 Adult $30 Children More Info: 843-842-ARTS
Photography By Mark Staff
l l e s s u R Gregg (GR)
Gregg Russell, but my friends call me GR. You may have seen me in Harbour Town or on a DVD from the backseat of an Ohio van. I grew up in the boring/exciting town of Birmingham, Alabama. Hi, My name is
(circle one)
Mickey Mantle, but now Charles Fraser is the person I most admire. It’s been 36 years since I When I was five, my hero was
first came to Hilton Head Island, and to me, the
that I now live in my house, not my van.
biggest change is
If someone were to ask me for advice
making a difference, I would tell them to host a family from our Hilton Head Heroes program. My line of work is entertainment and I chose this profession because I saw the Beatles on TV and just knew that I wanted to make music. about
HHI/Bluffton, my first order of business would be to encourage the development of a quaint “downtown Hilton Head”and a permanent outdoor concert venue. If I were mayor of
(circle one)
My favorite time of the year on HHI/Bluffton, spring because of the Heritage golf tournament, the blooming azaleas and I get to return to Harbour Town. (circle one)
is
In closing, when you turn the page, I hope
that I’ve tried to be a good ambassador for the Sea Pines Resort and all of Hilton Head, but definitely not only as that guy under the tree who sings about finding a booger in your sugar. See ya! you remember
>>>
tHiS PAGe
PAGe 42
PAGe 46
venue: WarMIng uP to the BIg ChILL
niGHtly entertAinMent CAlenDAr For august 2012
toe to Heel: DrInK reCIPes Courtesy oF LoCaL DInIng estaBLIshMents
5 It’s
O’CLOCK
SOMEWHERE! >>>
Strawberry Shortcake 1.5 oz Amaretto 4 oz Strawberry Daiquri Mix 1 cup of whipped cream 1 1/2 cups of ice cubes
Pour AMAretto, StrAwberry DAiQuri MiX, wHiPPeD CreAM AnD iCe CubeS into blenDer. Put toP on AnD fire it uP. tHiCKen witH More iCe CubeS. Serve witH A toPPinG of wHiPPeD CreAM AnD freSH StrAwberry. tiP: wHen MAKinG frozen DrinKS, let iCe Soften At rooM teMPerAture before blenDinG.
THIS MONTH
THE CRAZY CRAB
PHotoGrAPHy by Anne
>>>
ALMOST EVERY RESTAURANT OR BAR HAS A SIGNATURE COCKTAIL. OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS WE ARE GOING TO “STEAL” THEIR SECRET RECIPES AND SHARE THEM WITH YOU.
Warming Up to the
It doesn’t take long for locals, their friends, neighbors, guests and the two million or so annual visitors to this 12-milelong by eight-mile-wide island to discover, bless, and support a great restaurant concept. Like all small businesses, success can be measured in months. And even before its late-March opening, The Big Chill made a splash on Hilton Head by winning first place in best-tasting wings at the 2012 Hargray Wingfest. That set the tone.
T
he Big Chill—the restaurant, not the movie—is already drawing big crowds on weekends when live bands like Cranford and Sons perform. Visit the restaurant on a hot summer night, try one of the colorful, icy daiquiris—the perfect antidote for summer sweat and swelter—and you’ll discover its popularity for yourself. Tucked away in a grove of trees on Target Road (between Palmetto Bay Road and Arrow Road), about a Tiger Woods five iron from the south end Publix and Starbucks and adjacent to Breakthrough Fitness, The Big Chill is far from the hubbub of Coligny. In fact, it’s just around the corner from Sea Pines circle and easily accessed from the north via the Cross Island Bridge. In other words, it takes a little bit of effort to find this Hilton Head oasis. However, The Big Chill has clearly been discovered and appears to be a success. Those who love a fascinating mix of frozen daiquiri drinks with a larger full bar, complemented by a good selection of wines, a complete menu, tapas, live music on
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weekends, friendly servers, and a welcoming indoor/outdoor social environment are declaring The Big Chill the newest southside hotspot. The two bars are appealing and popular with a wide range of ages, interests and tastes, especially on weekends when the place is hoppin’. On a particular Tuesday, early in the evening, the restaurant’s director of operations, Mike Taylor, is making magic. He’s mixing “Island Punch,” one of the restaurant’s more than one dozen unique featured frozen daiquiri drinks. Using a five-gallon bucket in which he’s placed the secret ingredients, August 2012
Big
A r t i c l e b y D av i d T o b i a s / /
Taylor points a commercial grade mixer toward the bottom of the bucket, turns it on, and lets it roar. The irony of this process is that it takes some serious sweat equity to produce a drink that’s chill—a frozen daiquiri concoction that will find its home at the front of the bar/restaurant in a colorful, constantly churning drum to be tapped out in 16-, 20-, 32- and 44-ounce cups, like high-test slurpies that range from a potency of 10 to 1, including a non-alcoholic version. The daiquiri drinks are also available in gallon jugs to go, for parties, as beach beverages, for boating cruises and golf outings. What better in the dog days of summer than a frozen drink with some zip? The Big Chill is owned by a sister-brother team out of Georgia and Tennessee. It is not a franchise, but a stand-alone concept, August 2012
Chill Photography by Anne
which is not new, but a bit unusual. As their marketing consultant indicates, “This duo, who have roots in the restaurant industry, wanted to create a casual atmosphere with elegant cuisine. The appeal is casual, so you can come in in beachwear and enjoy good food, drinks with a full bar and daiquiris made fresh. There are seasonal specials, sunset drinks and discounts; for example, well drinks are $3 all day every day. The outdoor patio bar was designed to be a special retreat, especially during the dog days. And, although there’s not a connection to the movie The Big Chill, you will find the movie’s posters on the walls.” Taylor, who’s been a Hilton Head Island area fixture since he managed Monkey Business several years ago, would even like to see Tom Berenger, who lives in Beaufort, come by sometime, to further secure the link. www.celebratehiltonhead.com
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Big Chill
“Working on it,” Taylor said. The Big Chill is also open for lunch and the entire menu is available for takeout, including a kids’ menu with items on it like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, which by popular demand have already migrated over to the regular (adult) menu. One of the favorite dishes, getting the most comments, is an unusual treatment of a classic southern tradition: shrimp and grits. “I’m not a big fan of shrimp and grits, but I’ve never had the combination like this and I love it,” Taylor said. Instead of shrimp mixed in with traditionally prepared grits or cheese grits, this preparation and presentation features what appears to be a grits cake, infused and topped with a variety of cheeses. It’s different, but extraordinarily good. Taylor also touts the onion rings as a specialty. The secret to building success for The Big Chill, according to Taylor, is to understand the yin and yang of the Hilton Head Island market and how critical a local endorsement is long-term. “We all make our recommendations to guests, friends and family: places to go to golf, play tennis, shop or eat,” Taylor said, “So it’s absolutely critical that we reach out
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to locals, encourage them to try us and suggest us to their guests, friends and family. That’s happening, but it’s summer, when we’re also supported by those who have found us in local magazines and online. We need to communicate that this is an upbeat, casual, fun place to meet friends, get a good meal, enjoy some local bands and feel welcome. “A lot of people come in just to look around, and end up staying two or three hours,” Taylor said. “That’s what we like to see; it means the concept is working.” The concept is working, and not only to the public or on site but for other special events. The restaurant was selected to cater the Chamber of Commerce Leadership Class of 2012 luncheon and is available to cater events, host events, book private parties, and prepare a variety of takeout items for lunch and dinner. Versatility and customer service are of key importance. It’s worth a look for some fabulous food and drink. The Big Chill is located at 6 Target Rd. For more information, call (843) 715-2779 or find them on Facebook at TheBigChillBarGrill.
August 2012
August 2012
www.celebratehiltonhead.com
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5 It’s
O’CLOCK
SOMEWHERE!
Kingfisher (upstairs) - Comedy show (8:30PM) Kingfisher (Downstairs) tableside Magic with Joseph (6pm), happy hour (4:307PM) the tiki HutJoJo squirrel & the homepickles (1-5PM) old fort Pub - happy hour (5 7PM)
black Marlin Hurricane bar happy hour (4 - 7PM)
black Marlin Hurricane bar happy hour (4 - 7PM) los jalapenos happy hour (4:30--7PM) old fort Pub happy hour (5-7PM)
frankie bones - $10 off any Bottle of Wine
frankie bones- Ladies night wild wings Cafeteam trivia(9:30)
San Miguels - Live Music (5:30-9:30PM)
w
wednesday
T
Tuesday
m
monday
sunday
s
black Marlin Hurricane bar happy hour (4 - 7PM)
the lodge - Kick the Keg night los jalapenos happy hour (4-7PM) San Miguels - Live Music (5:309:30PM) wise Guys- Ladies night
los jalapenos - happy hour (4-7PM)
the big bambooDJ Craig (10:30PM) San Miguels Live Music
black MarlinHurricane bar Drink specials (12-7PM) the jazz CornerDixieland Jam (2-5PM) Deas guyz(8PM)
(5:30-9:30PM) Skull Creek boathouse Monday nights sunset reggae Party with Patwa (7-10PM) the jazz CornerMartni Lesch ft. Whitney Deputy(8PM)
old fort Pub - happy hour (5-7PM) the boardroomsingle husband Band (9:30PM1:30AM) San Miguels - Live Music (5:309:30PM)
Mellow Mushroomtrivia night
the jazz Corner - Bob Mastellers Quartet (8PM)
wild wing Café Karaoke with Big B. $2 ritas $6 Mega-rita $4 skinny rita
Xo lounge- the groovetones (9PM-1AM)
the jazz Cornerthe earl Williams Blues Quartet(8PM)
Send your event/entertainment listing to c.davies@clebratehiltonhead.com
the electric Pianosterlin & shuvette (9:30-1:30AM) HH Prme- Chris Paul (5-7PM)
S
Saturday
F
Friday
thursday
T
Black Marlin Hurricane Bar - Happy Hour (4 7PM) Ela’s Blu Water Grille LIVE Music (Starting at 8PM) Kingfisher (Upstairs) Comedy Show Tuesdays - Sundays (not on tuesday nights with fireworks) (8:30PM)
The SmokehouseThe Simpson Brothers(9:30PM)
Skull Creek BoathouseEvery night kids activities (5-9PM)
Black Marlin Hurricane Bar - Drink Specials (12 - 7PM)
Black Marlin Hurricane Bar Happy Hour (4 - 7PM) Ela’s Blu Water Grille LIVE Music (Starting at 8PM) Kingfisher (Upstairs) Comedy Show Tuesdays Sundays (not on tuesday nights with fireworks) (8:30PM) The Jazz Corner- Lavon and Louise (8PM) Los Jalapenos - Happy Hour (4-7PM) Old Fort Pub - Happy Hour (5-7PM) San Miguels- Eric Daubert (5:30-9:30PM) Wild Wing Café - $2 Vodka Night The Smokehouse- Whitey Deputy & B-Town Project (Every Thursday 10PM)
The Jazz Corner- Julie Wilde & Bohemian Dream Band8PM Kingfisher (Downstairs) Happy Hour (4:30--7PM) Wild Wings Café- 7 Days a Week Happy Hour (4-8PM) $2 Beam $4 Red Stag XO Lounge-The Headliners (9-1AM) The Big Bamboo- Beagles (6:30PM)
Ela’s Blu Water Grille LIVE Music (Starting at 8PM) Kingfisher (Upstairs) Comedy Show (8:30PM) Happy Hour (4:30-PM) One Hot Mama’s - DJ and Dancing The Salty Dog Café Live Music (5 - 9PM) The Jazz Corner-Take Five-The Dave Brubeck Experience (8PM) Truffles Cafe - Happy hour food and drinks every night 4-7 pm The SmokehouseCranford & Sons (10PM) August 18th The PromenadeBackstage- The Original David Wingo Band (9PM)
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m » Survivor: a n
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he americanized version of the swedish expedition season 24 saw south Carolina girl Chelsea Meissner robinson reality tV game show first aired in the competing for the grand prize. so, we stalked her after the united states in May 2000. after months of relentless finale, and she agreed to share a behind the scenes look at promotion, fans were hooked before the first episode even america’s favorite reality tV show. aired. they tuned in week after week to watch the experiment a self-proclaimed “redneck,” Meissner likes to hunt and unfold. When during the finale, Midwestern tough girl/truck fish, drive big trucks, listen to country music, and sport a driver sue hawk scowled as she told finalist Kelly camouflage baseball cap. a hilton head girl until Wigglesworth, “If I ever see you in a desert, dying her family moved to a farm in Florence, sC, when “if i ever of thirst, I wouldn’t stop to give you a sip of water she was in 5th grade, Meissner walks the walk and See you in A …” a nation of reality tV addicts were appalled and talks the talk. she credits her farm-upbringing DeSert, DyinG to her success on the latest season of Survivor. secretly snickering. as america’s obsession with all things based never really an avid viewer of the show, it wasn’t of tHirSt, i on “reality” continues to grow, so do the viewer until after a friend was a contestant that Meissner woulDn’t stats of Survivor. survivor was the first highly rated started watching and thought, “Well, I could do StoP to Give and profitable reality show on broadcast television that.” you A SiP of in the u.s. With its 24th season recently in the can turns out, she was right. now a Charlestonian, wAter …” A and season 25 in production, it doesn’t seem to be Meissner made it to the final elimination ceremony going anywhere soon. on Survivor: One World, which aired on May 13. It nAtion of Producers gather a cadre of strangers was a long trip. In fact, the six-month application reAlity tv and strand them on a desolate island, in their ADDiCtS were process alone may have been just as difficult impractical bathing suits, with no amenities, and as the game itself. the 200-page application APPAlleD the challenge to find food, water, fire, and shelter required legal review and excruciating personal AnD SeCretly history and detail, including medical background, for themselves. as their bodies take a beating, they compete in challenges to earn either a reward, vaccination history, every past residence, 10 SniCKerinG. or immunity from exile and expulsion. as if that business references and 10 personal references doesn’t play with their minds enough, the last few (none of whom could be told what they were survivors then face a jury comprised of everyone they just references for), videos, pictures, you name it. once through the turned on and voted off, to select the winner of the game, initial application process, Meissner was flown to Los angeles the sole survivor who walks away with a million-dollar prize. for a week of interviews, where she had to assume an alias, each season comes with a new twist, making it difficult for make no eye contact with anyone, and follow a strict itinerary. contestants to strategize beforehand. show producers insisted upon solitude, dictated what time she
PhotograPhy By MArK StAff // artICLe By Courtney HAMPSon haIr & MaKe-uP By CHriStine StePHenS // goWn FroM tHe StoCK eXCHAnGe. sPeCIaL thanKs to joe MAffo AnD MArK CAriAnuS For assIstIng WIth our rePtILIan “taLent.”
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m was allowed to leave her room for meals, and allowed her just one hour of exercise each day (sounds like prison), all in an effort to keep the potential contestants a mystery until show time. After each interview, they would take a group, load ’em up on a bus and let them know they’d been cut. Meissner continued to survive the process and was told that she was one of 30 finalists before they sent her back home for the two-week wait. Two weeks came and went and Meissner resigned herself to the fact that she hadn’t made the cut. Then, two months later she got the call. She had two weeks to get her life in order and herself to Fiji. “I about threw up when I got the call,” Meissner said. Luckily her “awesome boss” (one of the few people she was allowed to let in on the secret) at the medical equipment company, where Meissner is in sales, told her, “It’s the opportunity of a lifetime. Go for it.” With just two weeks to prepare, Meissner increased her workouts to twice a day, changed her diet, and attempted to gain some weight. She was also instructed to send three bathing suits and three other outfits to be approved by producers for the show. When producers were surprised to receive a package with no camouflage, they quickly called and told her to send a piece of camo. Stereotypes are stereotypes, after all. When she boarded her flight, she was confident that she would do well. And then she sat in a holding pattern on the island of Samoa, in the South Pacific, for two brutal weeks. There, contestants were again instructed that they could not talk, could not make eye contact, and had to sit by themselves. No interaction. No swimming. No working out allowed. Nothing that might give anyone a little insight into his or her fellow competitors. It was a difficult existence for a young woman who is always on the move and hates to sit still. “It rained non-stop. We got no sleep. No exercise. It just broke you down mentally,” Meissner said. “At one point, Colton fell out of his chair, and even though it was a comic relief moment, no one laughed. We were afraid they would send us home if we did.” They kept their heads down and their mouths shut. Finally, some interaction occurred, yet, still not among the contestants. TV Guide came out and filmed some promotional video. Media conducted interviews. Group pictures were taken.
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m And producers started conducting interviews. “I was so emotional during the interviews,” Meissner said, “I was a wreck, a mess. Doing nothing was exhausting; we were going crazy out there.” Then, one morning, they were awoken early, handed an outfit (Meissner’s, of course, included a piece of camouflage), put on a bus, miked, and the game started. Just like that. And believe it or not, according to Meissner, what we saw on TV is damn near close to how things went down on the island. (It’s nice to know there is very little creative editing.) Meissner watched most episodes at home by herself, mostly because she got frustrated trying to watch with friends in a bar, where it was just too loud to hear anything. “It was an incredible experience to watch it on TV,” Meissner shared, mainly because the cast got along so well, and there were no horrifying moments. “Nothing hateful happened on the show; no one is bitter.” Meissner stays in regular (almost daily) contact with all but two of her cast mates. “Jeff Probst told us about seasons where they had to separate the cast to keep them from fighting,” she said. “Our season wasn’t like that. We did everything together.” Now that she is back to the “real” real world, she does get recognized, but “rarely in Charleston,” Meissner said. “When I am traveling, I get the most attention. I was recently in Miami, and four or five times a night people would come up to me and say, ‘aren’t you the chicken girl?’” an ode to her hunting prowess and success as a tribe provider and part of what got her to the end and just one elimination ceremony from the million. Meissner doesn’t appear all that upset that she didn’t win the million. In fact, she didn’t mention it once. Her goal from the get-go was to prove that a “country girl” is someone to reckon with. Point taken. Check mate. What did Meissner learn from all this? That’s easy. “Now I know I can do anything I want. I will never again be scared to try something new.”
crew handling these necessary “touch ups”? CM: There is no makeup crew and absolutely no toiletries. NOTHING!
In her words: An interview with Chelsea Meissner C2: What did you miss the most? Chelsea Meissner: Southern food and my dog Tyson.
C2: Biggest misperception that the viewers may now have about you? CM: They never showed how hard I worked around camp. There were a lot of lazy people out there, and I refused to be one of them. I was always in charge of hunting. Every day I went spear fishing, crabbing and chicken chasing. And I was usually successful in finding food for the tribe.
C2: What skill do you believe helped you the most? CM: My ability to stay calm and collected helped with the social aspect of the game. Being raised on a farm and knowing what hard labor is helped with handling the elements and work around camp. C2: Does Jeff Probst really wear the same outfit every day? CM: No, he always wears a different color shirt. C2: Do they tell the women to wear bikinis or would a more practical sports bra and pair of shorts fly with the producers? CM: Nope, they only allow swimsuits.
C2: What were your first impressions when you met your fellow contestants? CM: There were a lot of strong personalities, and everyone was in great shape. C2: Toughest challenge? CM: The challenge where we were over the water and had to hold on to a rope behind us. Every minute we were lowered and had to hold on through the pain. It didn’t seem too bad on TV, but it was very painful! (Writer’s note: It looked bad on TV!) C2: Sweetest reward? CM: I won the last reward challenge, and they definitely saved the best for last. The reward was an overnight stay on a yacht. There was a chef on board who prepared a three-course meal. We got to shower and had all of our clothes washed for us. I still have dreams about that day/night. It was one of the best days of my life, and I got to share it with Kim and Sabrina. C2: You were pretty confident going in. Did your confidence ever waver? CM: Not much. I was confident because I had trust in the people that trusted me. C2: As you watched the episodes unfold, what was the biggest surprise? CM: The biggest surprise was Colton. I had no idea he said the things he had to some of the guys. I had no idea how evil he was.
C2: First thing you did when you got home? CM: I didn’t get home until 2 a.m., so there wasn’t much to do except go to sleep. My dad went grocery shopping before I got back home, so I grubbed out before bed. C2: What book is on your nightstand? CM: No Opportunity Wasted by Phil Keoghan. I highly recommend it to everyone. It’s a book on how to create your own bucket list, and it really helped prepare me for Survivor.
C2: Most uncomfortable moment? CM: Having to go to the bathroom in the ocean. There is no privacy.
C2: Most played tune on your iPod? CM: “She’s Country,” by Jason Aldean
C2: Are you allowed to pack items for handling general grooming such as razors, tweezers, etc.? Or is there a makeup
C2: If Survivor All Stars comes calling, would you do it again? CM: Hell yes!
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From Day article by Kitty Bartell // Photography by Anne
to Night
Skillets Grill & Café is not just for breakfast anymore
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here is a sparkle in Amie Baima’s eyes as she talks about the changes that have been made to the menu at her Coligny Plaza restaurant, Skillets Grill & Café. Change and creativity are the cornerstones of this dynamic islander’s approach to her ever-evolving life as a restaurateur, and now there are even more reasons to visit Skillets for breakfast, lunch, dinner and more. An expanded appetizer menu is a tasty target aimed at bridging the hours between lunch and dinner, and a pancake and waffle bar concept has been incorporated into the breakfast offerings. Amie has other tantalizing ideas percolating and is looking forward to bringing some of them to fruition. An island resident since 1977, when the only grocery on the island was Coligny Plaza’s Red & White, Amie has worked in the business for as long as she can remember and knew she wanted to own and operate her own restaurant from the beginning. Having successfully owned Coligny Bakery and Just Pasta, two island favorites for many years, Skillets Grill & Café, opened in 1993, and is the culmination of her innate assets of optimism, creativity, and drive.
Along the way, Amie has experienced a few lumps in the gravy. However, she has learned to access her assets and use them to her advantage. In the early years she took some flak from her chefs because they questioned her credibility. “Chefs used to say, ‘What do you know; you’re not a chef?’” Amie said. Despite years of experience, a degree in food science, and possessing that elusive quality of just knowing how to make it work, Amie knew she wanted to quell the naysayers, so she went back to school and got a culinary degree from Johnson & Wales University. One of her greatest obstacles turned out to be a fire that caused the restaurant to close for three years between 2002 and 2005. Like great barbeque rising from the ashes, Amie sold her other interests and focused solely on reopening Skillets in a beautifully expanded new way. She also knew it was the right time to add dinner to their already popular breakfast and lunch menus. Seven years later, Skillets is welcoming and always creative, because Amie is continually evaluating how she can improve not only her menu, but also how to serve her customers better. “Last weekend we had 1,000 customers, and
stuffed French toast with the sweet and surprising apricot and cream cheese filling
Amie Baima, owner of Skillets Grill & Café with her son, Evan.
if 1 percent were unhappy, that could ruin your entire day. I have to remind myself that I made 990 customers happy and keep working to improve,” Amie said. “I measure my success by the personality of the customers, and this year folks have been very pleasant. People seem to be happy to be on vacation and want to enjoy each other.” They couldn’t find a better place than Skillets to do just that, and the latest changes to the menu make that even easier. Noshing and nibbling is a favored pastime for visitors and islanders, and Skillets is continuously open with offerings to satisfy any hunger. From sumptuous breakfast, lunch, and dinner fare, to their new appetizer menu, kids’ menu, early dining options, and a full-service bar, Skillets creatively manages to appeal to all tastes. With porch seating, Amie even appeals to the tastes of the canine persuasion by offering full water bowls and four doggie entrées by local pet food company Lucky Dog Cuisine. The latest additions to the Skillets Grill & Café appetizer menu make it an even more enticing drop-by neighborhood eatery. That in-between hunger is perfectly sated at Skillets. “If you’re coming off the golf course, you’re ending your beach day or the kids are starting to whine, and you want a little something to hold you over until dinner, come in and order one of our appetizers, choose a few things from the kids menu, or build a salad at the best salad bar on the island,” Amie said. Mouth-watering is an understatement when I think about my two favorites: fried dill pickle chips with ranch and key lime vinaigrette, a perfect four-way stop at the corner of sour and sweet and crunchy and refreshing; and beer batter fried grouper with spicy Southern tartar sauce, an outstanding sophisticated nod to fish sticks from another era. With continuous service from early morning to late evening, it is a fun endeavor to travel across the menu and sample from each inspired section. The newest breakfast option is an innovative approach to the possibilities of pancakes and waffles. This is the ultimate in having it your way. “You pick your pancakes or your waffles, you pick your toppings, and then you enjoy it exactly how you like it,” said Amie. Toppings include fruits, chocolate chips, nuts and cream, eggs and meats. This, in addition to a complete breakfast menu satisfies on every level, including Skillets’ famous skillet breakfast combinations, crepes, benedicts, and omelets. I intend to make a visit to try the new pancake-waffle concept, but in the meantime, I still would battle sandstorms to get to Skillets’ stuffed French toast with the sweet and surprising apricot and cream cheese filling. Lunch and dinner provide just as many opportunities to try familiar comfort food that has been elevated by innovative tweaks by Amie and her staff. From a variety of sandwiches and burgers offered with to-die-for homemade potato chips, French fries, coleslaw, or potato salad, to fresh salads, seafood, meats, chicken, pastas, stir fry, desserts, a well-selected wine menu, and full bar, nothing is forgotten on Skillets’ menu. Bucking the a la carte trend, Skillets also happily includes a fresh salad and roll with all dinner entrées. Amie’s culinary inspiration comes from many sources, one of which is her dad. Her mother and father join her in the restaurant for the summer season to help with all aspects of the business, but the best contribution may be her dad’s homemade soups. Delicious and creative, the collaboration begins at Amie’s home, “Dad and I will make 58
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something at home and then we’ll bring it in and make it for the restaurant. He made minestrone today,” Amie said, with a hint of pride and a lot of love in her voice. Ever dynamic and creative, Amie is always reaching in new directions. Her latest inspiration is Gourmet Burger Wednesday. Tempting combinations are being formulated and will soon be making taste buds dance. She also recently began a 12-part series of appearances on local television station WHHI’s The Restaurant Show, hosted by celebrity chef, and longtime colleague and friend, Orchid Paulmeier. Amie shares recipes and stories and continues to expand her reach. Whether you visit Skillets for an in-between nosh, a light meal, or a full feast, you will find Amie reaching toward you with delicious food and a welcoming spirit, inviting you to stop by any time and enjoy. Skillets Grill & Café offers live entertainment. • Sunday days and evenings: David Wingo • Tuesday and Wednesday evenings: David Bohn • Thursday and Saturday evenings: Joe Vickers Skillets Grill & Café is located at 1 North Forest Beach Drive, Hilton Head Island in Coligny Plaza, serving continuously, 7 days a week from 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Please visit online at skilletscafe.com.
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Water, Water, Everywhere: Photography Courtesy of Outside Hilton Head
O n It , I n It , N e a r It
A r t i c l e b y D av i d T o b i a s
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can’t swim a lick. In fact, I sink like a stone. Even when I’ve put on a few pounds and think the added chub might increase buoyancy, no dice. My fat doesn’t even float. I must have dense fat. Nice image, huh? So, since I am possibly the worst person to ask about activities that involve being fully submerged in water, I have decided to broaden this report slightly to include not only things you can do in water, but also those accomplished on water and even near water. At least that gives me a comfort zone in two out of three. On Hilton Head Island, everything starts with water. Every piece of history, culture and nature starts with one thing in common and that’s the water. Talk with those who have been around for a while, like Outside Hilton Head’s Mike Overton
or H2O Sports’ Brooke McCullough, and they will tell you that water is the link to ancestors as far back as you can go, and especially to Native Americans, and the Gullah—hunters and gatherers—who plied the waters to survive. Their sustenance was the water. Settlers focused on the waters; for plantation owners, it was all about the waters; water influences where people put their houses; and, of course, the waters are why people come here from places where their water doesn’t taste like salt. These days, with access to creature comforts such as restaurants and grocery stores, the water is no longer about survival. We have the luxury of making water all about adventure, exhilaration and fun.
Photography by Anne, Courtesy of Palmetto Dunes Outfitters
On the Water Kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding Thirty-three years ago, when Overton was just 19 (do the math), windsurfing was the craze. He knew at the time that the secret to success of any kind on the island was to be granted an audience with Charles Fraser, developer extraordinaire, and the granddaddy of all things environmentally sensitive. Overton’s vision resonated with Fraser, who saw windsurfing as one way to introduce visitors to recreational options on the water that would expose the beauty of ocean, sounds and backwater creeks. While windsurfing has largely gone away, it’s been replaced by pursuits such as nature-based kayaking and, more recently, stand-up paddleboarding, both of which combine a workout with peaceful exploration of the island’s nooks and crannies. It could be argued that kayaking is both in the water and on the water, but let’s not get technical. It’s still one of the best ways to get close to nature. Several outdoor outfitters on the island offer guided kayak tours and introductions to paddleboarding, or you can rent a kayak or paddleboard and go it alone. The best way to learn—especially paddleboarding—is to take a lesson, which is why you’ll see a lot of beginner paddleboarders navigating the waters on their knees at first, and then graduating to the upright position where the core exercise really happens. In addition to Outside Hilton Head and H2O, kayak rentals are available at Kayak Hilton Head, Island Watersports, Palmetto Bay Watersports, Waterdog Outfitters, Live Oac, Palmetto Dunes Outfitters, Sea Monkeys Watersports and Marshgrass Adventures in Bluffton. Kite surfing While there’s not a training ground for kite surfing on Hilton Head Island (the closest is Tybee Island or Charleston), the island certainly is a great place to catch some air if you already know what you’re doing. On a windy day or a day with a little chop, you can usually find kiteboarders/surfers skimming along the waves and performing a few acrobatics along South Forest Beach and the Folly Field area in particular. Wind is the power source for this sport, which can be highly entertaining for both spectators and participants alike. Keep your eyes to the skies. Parasailing Parasailing defies the on the water/in the water premise. It kind of fits into near the water, but the higher you go the less near you are. The name is perfect. It says exactly what you’re going to be doing, being pulled behind a powerboat at a high rate of speed with a parachute keeping you aloft. And you have choices. You can go high (about 800 feet) or low (about 400 feet); you can go alone or in tandem with a friend/family member or frenemy. The views are stunning, and you’ll have plenty of chances to take in miles of shoreline, the surrounding landscape and the Harbour Town Lighthouse, of course. Envirotours Charles Fraser would be proud. Guided tours of the area’s beauty, especially behind the scenes in secluded spots like Page Island or Bull Island near Daufuskie, have become very popular, especially when dolphins are involved. But the key is an informed and experienced guide/narrator, who can anticipate what you’ll be seeing and point you in the right direction. It’s best to book a trip that allows enough time to settle into the pace of island time—two or three hours at least. Some excursions include photo tours, with a knowledgeable photographer in the lead. These experienced professionals know where to look for bald eagles (more common than you might think) and alligators, where a telephoto lens is strongly recommended. Alligator and wildlife tours are offered inland as well as at the Sea 62
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Pines Nature Center. Tour guides can also point out loggerhead nesting areas when you take shore leave, and they will advise you on the importance of low light during nesting and hatch time. Sailing Wind power is a peaceful power that puts you in touch with the very essence of Hilton Head Island. The best way to relax is to put the captaining responsibility in the hands of a seasoned veteran. But sailboats, including catamarans, are also available to rent for those who are certified. Catamarans are especially familyfriendly, because they’re much more “beamy.” But both are fun, and they’re an elegant way to discover Hilton Head Island waters. Crabbing This is one of those pursuits accomplished from land (a dock will do) or sea (take a boat ride out of Shelter Cove Harbour or Broad Creek and compete for most crabs caught). Crabs have to be six inches from point to point to be a keeper, and they have to be male. How does one know the difference? C’mon, we’re not going to discuss that here; this is a family magazine. But here’s a hint: look for the “rocketship.” In the Water Life’s a beach If you can swim, there’s nothing like a saltwater outing first thing in the morning (I’ve been told) or a dash down the sand beach for a dive into the waves. All of the beaches on Hilton Head Island are public, but five roads lead to public parks and beach access: Pope Avenue ending at Coligny Beach; Folly Field Road leading to Folly Field and “Islanders Beach,” which is open to islanders and visitors; Burkes Beach Rd. off of William Hilton Parkway to Burke’s Beach; Alder Lane and South Forest Beach Rd. to Alder Lane Beach; and Bradley Beach Rd. off of William Hilton Parkway to Driessen Beach Park (Singleton Beach). Those are all technically Atlantic Ocean beaches, if you want to split hairs, but parks like Fish Haul Creek and Mitchelville Beach are also open to the public on Port Royal Sound, which, if you aren’t picky, looks a lot like ocean and is just as salty.
Photography by Anne, Courtesy of Palmetto Dunes Outfitters
Power boating Nothing is more utilitarian on the water than a powerboat. It can pull a tube, wakeboarders or skiers; it can serve as a head boat for individual fisherpeople or be decked out for a charter, usually for up to six passengers. It can take you out for shark fishing, stay inshore for redfish and trout or make a longer run for Spanish mackerel, king mackerel or tarpon. August 2012
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Offshore is an ambiguous term. For those just in from Ohio or Indiana, it might mean anything in the Atlantic, while others consider it deep water; the hard core might insist it’s nothing less than a trip to the Gulf Stream for more exotic species of fish. Prices for a day on the water—standing on, hooked to or towed by a boat—range anywhere from double-digit dollars to a hundred or so an hour for deep sea fishing. That’s when catching, rather than just fishing, gets to be a bit more important. Surfing You’d think that in the calm Atlantic Coast waters, surfing would be low on the list of appeals. But don’t discount it. Surfing those smaller waves is challenging and, as a result, in the last 10 years, Hilton Head Island has produced several East Coast surfing champions and a couple of surfers who are making a living at it. If you can surf a two-foot wave and make it look good, getting on a 10-foot wave is easy. Typically, the best waves are here in late August, September and October, the peak of the tropical storm season when we have offshore storms that are throwing waves our way. Near the water Life is indeed a Beach The most relaxing, easily accomplished sport on the island that requires very little equipment is beach bathing. It takes no skill, requires very little space and can be accomplished in minutes or hours, depending on available quantities of sunscreen. Hilton Head Island beaches are people-concentrated or not, depending on your interest in or willingness to walk or drive to popular or relatively remote access points. Beach amenities include restaurants nearby, a famous Tiki Hut, fountains and sprays, bicycle pathways leading to the beach and bicycle parking when you get there, comfortable and clean restrooms and, in some instances, changing facilities. The beach experience on Hilton Head Island is not your usual craziness. It’s somehow more refined, but not exclusive by any stretch—just relaxing, rejuvenating and refreshing.
Photography by Anne, Courtesy of Palmetto Dunes Outfitters
Restaurants and nightlife near the beach Ahhh, away from water: You’re still going to have lagoon views, sound views and ocean views, but you don’t have to be in it or on it. The perfect combination of both is a cute little floating ice cream stand that serves boaters in Broad Creek, but most restaurants are on dry land with a walkway to water, a dock, or a landing, if you’d like. Several dozen Hilton Head Island restaurants fit the “food with a water view” description and many incorporate outdoor dining into their specific appeal; it’s hard not to. Again, we’re on an island, and it’s all about water. 64
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Article by Debbie Szpanka Photography by Anne
Indigo Pines Independent Retirement Living: S h a r i n g
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ou better be alert when you sit down with this group Bennett shoots back, “I would look at him—just look at of ladies who live at Indigo Pines. Collectively, the him. I’m not dead yet.” friendship quadrant has more than 350 years of life And so it goes. Every day, the ladies are together eating, experience, and the volley of witty, sarcastic and touching playing cards and even drinking muscle milk. comments comes faster than a person a fraction of their ages When you ask a serious question between conversations can keep up. In the end, all you can do is surrender, smile and that could make sitcom writers rich, they are passionate about hope you have this kind of fun when you are life and where they live. 90, 89, 78 or even 99 years of age, as these “This place makes you young,” said women are. Oates, 89. She moved into Indigo Pines about She keeps It’s inspiring, it’s funny, and it’s hard to a decade ago with her husband whom she referring to imagine what it would be like to just sit around lovingly refers to as “Kevin from Heaven.” He people who with your good friends all day and laugh has since passed and, according to Oates, pass by as through the years. The friends, all widowed, this independent community has been a are like sisters, throwing loving darts at each “godsend.” Her friends make the time pass so her “drinking other and always ending up in a pile of smiles quickly, and she couldn’t ask for better friends buddies.” When and giggles. than the ones she has in her group. “We help pressed about Virginia Bennett is the picture of a each other,” Oates said, adding that one of her drink of Southern, Kentucky woman: attractive, fiery her group, Millie Macgeachie will celebrate her choice, she sense of humor and a fierce defender of 100th birthday in October. “The Lord kept her Kentucky football. She is also a woman in almost howls as here for us,” Oates said. “I believe her secret is love—with Spain’s prize professional tennis that she can do most everything herself, and she laughs and player, Rafael Nadal. says, “Muscle milk, she keeps shaking her finger at people.” She keeps referring to people who pass When Bennett first walked into Indigo right now; I love by as her “drinking buddies.” When pressed Pines, it was literally an “eye-opener,” she said. drinking muscle about her drink of choice, she almost howls as “There is always a lot of light; the community she laughs and says, “Muscle milk, right now; I areas are bright, and it just felt like home, milk.” love drinking muscle milk.” especially with all the happy faces.” It is “as During an hour-long conversation, her close to heaven as I am going to get,” she cell phone rings nearly 10 times. “I’m ignoring these calls; they added, mainly because of the staff. “From the housekeepers are all asking for money,” she laughs again and explains she is to the managers, we are treated as someone special.” one of nine children and her late husband is one of 13 in their One long-term employee, Sherri Lanunziata, is like a local Catholic families. “I’m only answering if it’s Nadal.” celebrity among the Indigo Pines residents. Her spicy Italian Her friend, Audrey Oates asks, “Yeah, what if it is him? personality and glamorous look keeps the residents’ social and What would you do with him?” activity schedule hopping.
“There’s no one like her,” Oates said. “If you are bored, that’s your choice. Sherris is always looking for fun activities for us to do, and she makes sure everyone feels like he or she is included.” Another concept that Indigo Pines uses to ensure that the community is a well-oiled machine is employing married couples as managers who live on the property. “This is the residents’ home, and we have to make sure it runs properly,” Jennifer Friedman, community sales leader, explained. “Since the managers live here, they eat the same food, walk the same halls and become a part of the community. The managers act as a gatekeeper of quality—if they aren’t happy with a detail, they are the first to correct it since it is their community, too.”
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Mike and Christina Lazaro have been working at Indigo Pines for nearly a year, and they love the experience. Together, the couple brings skill sets in restaurant management, home healthcare and pharmaceuticals. “It’s like having 100 grandparents,” Christina said. The diverse population of Indigo Pines has residents hailing from nearly half of the country’s states, most from the South, Northeast and Midwest, according to Christina. “What was a wonderful surprise was how our residents are so welcoming of each other’s differences, whether that’s in age, gender, disabilities or so on. It has really touched my heart how the residents look after each other,” she said.
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The concept behind the independent communities owned by Holiday Retirement is eliminating or greatly reducing daily pressures so the residents can enjoy their retirement years, Friedman explained. “When you have low stress, a lot of social support, and a wide range of choices of activities for your mind, body and spirit, you have a high quality of life,” she said. “That is our goal every day for every resident.” Activities offered at Indigo Pines range from seven dimensions of wellness: physical, emotional, spiritual, intellectual, creative, social and vocational. In addition, it’s a pet-friendly community. One unique perk of living at Indigo Pines is that its
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residents can travel and stay in a guest suite at any of the more than 300 other communities owned by Holiday Retirement throughout the United States and Canada. “The residents love that they can travel to many states and stay at a community that feels like home,” Mike said. “Mike and I love working here; it’s feels like you are taking care of your own family,” Christina added. Oates feels that special family-like treatment. “This is the place for me,” she said. For a tour, or to find out more information about Indigo Pines, call Jennifer at 843.476.4057.
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Classic Consgnments Find great household items at consignment prices.
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Chella D Fifty Shades of Gold Collection Jacket: Burberry London Evening Purse: Mary Francis Shoes: Prada Necklaces & Bracelets: Chella D Gown: DKNY
> Forever Young: Hilton Head’s newest consignment boutique featuring trendy clothes, shoes & accessories
> Vintage Market Home furnishings and unique accessories to add spice to your walls
Consignment Shopping Stylish, Smart d e s i g n e r
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nce upon a good economy, people didn’t flinch when paying full retail for a designer label or think twice before purchasing an expensive outfit for their precious child who might wear it only a handful of times before outgrowing it. Today, consumers are savvy and smarter with their hard-earned cash, and many are discovering consignment shopping. When you shop consignment, you are able to purchase designer clothing and accessories at greatly reduced prices, helping you stay within your budget. You will find amazing designer pieces at a fraction of their retail value. Consignment shops today are different from what they were in the past. Stores are no longer filled with old merchandise no one would be caught wearing or using. Most carry a wide selection of quality pieces in great condition. In fact, some items have never been used and still have tags on them.
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Most consignment stores have a primary focus such as women’s and men’s apparel, furniture and home accessories, or children’s clothing. They accept merchandise on a consignment basis, paying owners a percentage when and if the items are sold. Most pay consignors from 40 to 60 percent of the selling price and have a policy of displaying goods for anywhere from 60 to 90 days, although policies vary widely. Some resale shops also purchase additional items outright from individual owners and/or wholesalers. You never know what treasure you will find in a consignment shop or where an item may have originated. Whether it’s a statement necklace or a vintage handbag, you’ll find unique pieces no one else has. And wearing something unique that flatters you is what fashion is all about. It’s also the sustainable thing to do. Shopping consignment
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Furniture Solutions 151 “Frederick Remington” statue
Kathy’s Closet: Dooney & Bourke Valentine Bag will steal your heart
is one of the most efficient ways to recycle clothing, accessories and even furniture. It’s all about owning a quality item, in great condition for less. Consignment shopping is also perfect for special events. Black tie events and weddings often put us in a tizzy. Most women don’t have gowns or dresses that are appropriate for a special occasion just lying around. Who wants to spend a ton of money on something we will probably wear only once? Tips for successful consignment shopping: • Pay attention to the tags. Lots of resale shops use color-coded price tags to tell when an item was brought in to the shop, which relates to pricing. For example, all red tag items may be 50 percent off, all yellow tags 25 percent off, and blue tag items may be new arrivals selling for the full price on the tag. Ask a sales person to explain the store’s system. • Shop early in the season. For the best selection, shop early in the season. Resale shops take summer items starting as early as March, and if they are very busy, they may sell the best items before summer actually starts! • Try it on. Don’t trust the size on the item’s label. Different brands size their items differently, so you should always try on the items before buying, as most consignment shops have very strict return policies. Beyond clothes Fabulous furniture and household accessories can also be found in consignment stores. Furniture consignment stores (especially in the Hilton Head area) have great finds, including rugs, lamps, artwork, end tables, dining room tables and more that won’t break the bank. Here are some tips: • Carry a list of what you’re looking for with ideal dimensions for each piece. Be sure to measure the clearance of doorways and stairs in your house. Keep a measuring tape with you. • If the consignment store does not offer delivery of large pieces, you will need to arrange your own shipping. Ask the store for recommendations. Most stores will allow you to keep your purchase at the store for up to a week until you can arrange pick up. • Inspect furniture carefully. Sit on chairs to test for comfort, loose joints or wobbly legs. Open doors and drawers to check for any sticking, broken parts or damaged or missing hardware. Shop owners inspect merchandise before accepting it, but sometimes they miss something, so double check. 72
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Hilton Head consignments Fabulous finds like this bureau are readily available as well as men and womens clothing.
The Stock Exchange: Nanette Lapore fab dress with Valentino shoes
Value design above finish or upholstery, which can be changed. If it’s not an antique, imagine how paint or a slipcover can create a fresh personality. Be creative!
Consignment stores want to know you Relationships can go a long way toward making your furniture or clothing consignment store shopping experience a pleasant one. Form relationships with the owner or the staff—the people who are in the shop every day and can keep an eye out for sizes or styles that you are looking for. Sign up for the store’s mailing list to receive sale notices and other information.
Shops to check out locally: On Hilton Head Island: Chella D 841 Wm. Hilton Pkwy., Suite D ( South Island Square) 843.341.3999 Classic Consignments 122 Arrow Road (843) 842-4041 Fabulous Finds for U 1230B May River Rd. (Bluffton) 843.540.1221 Forever Young 51 New Orleans Rd. (Next to Asian Bistro) 843.785.9686 ForeverYoungHHI.com Furniture Solutions 151 151 Arrow Rd. 843.785.7560 furnituresolutions151.com
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Lists to Go A list of local consignment boutiques, thrift stores & coffee shops. List2Go.com My Sister’s Closet 1020 William Hilton Parkway 843.785.4988 mysistersclosethiltonhead.com The Stock Exchange 1401 Main Street Village 843.689.6777 TheStockExchangeInc.com In Bluffton: Hilton Head Consignment 1504B Fording Island Road 843.815.3300 Kathy’s Closet 16A Palmetto Way 843.706.6101 www.kathyscloset.biz Vintage Market: 4375 Bluffton Pkwy, Bluffton 843.757.9010 www.celebratehiltonhead.com
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Article by Earl Thomas // Photography by Anne
Signe’s Bakery Café Reaches
» 40 Years » then
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Signe becomes longest restaurant owner in Hilton Head history Signe Gardo remembers August 11, 1972 as a typical hot and sunny Hilton Head day, with thick puffs of white cumulus clouds hanging high above Calibogue Sound. For Gardo it was the first morning of her tiny new business that few could imagine would still be flourishing under her able hand, 40 years later, as one of Hilton Head Island’s most notable and beloved eateries.
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o local restaurateur has achieved such longevity in the same restaurant. And, Gardo still clearly remembers that first day as she sips on a frothy cappuccino with extra milk—a treat she gives herself nearly every afternoon at Signe’s Heaven Bound Bakery Café on Arrow Road. The beginnings The original café was called “Signe’s World—a world of good things,” and was more of an emporium of gourmet foods, including imported Swiss, Italian and French cheeses, English jams and jellies, Belgian chocolates, a variety of 74
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vitamins along with fresh-squeezed juice drinks (carrot and watermelon juice were among the choices), plus handmade sandwiches “where I would individually slice the meat for each order,” Gardo said. “We started out wearing long blue, six-gored navy blue skirts with white lace aprons and pink and white long sleeved blouses,” she continued. “I knew it was hot outside, but even though I was six months pregnant, I was feeling fresh and wonderful in that little Harbour Town cottage, which previously had been serving as the Sea Pines Library. We made $28 that day.” August 2012
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40 Years
Signe was featured with a full-page photo spread in Us Magazine, which called her “an erstwhile housewife who is baking up a storm in South Carolina.”
Gardo also remembers the first male who applied for a job. “His name was John Polumbo. I told him no, because he didn’t fit our uniform,” she said. “But, he kept insisting because he loved our food and even swore he would wear a dress to get the job. I finally relented, and he became our night manager, but he didn’t have to wear a dress.” Polumbo later finished Stanford Business School and eventually became president & CEO of AT&T’s consumer division. The applause “It was remarkable what a natural businesswoman Signe was,” Polumbo said recently from his San Francisco home. “She had an insightful ability to hire, train and give each employee, no matter what their background, a chance to learn and grow. She wanted all of us to succeed in life. I know that because I was one of those grateful trainees.” Keeping a restaurant going at a successful competitive level on Hilton Head is not for the faint of heart. Hundreds have failed over the past four decades, and Polumbo points out that Gardo’s success is especially noteworthy because she has never depended on the sale of beer, wine and alcohol—the prime profit makers for so many long-standing dining establishments. Sandy Beall, founder and CEO of the Ruby Tuesday restaurant chain, once lived on Hilton Head Island and encouraged Signe during those years to take her concept national. “Signe had a real sense for fresher, healthier meals that also had great flavor profiles and a contemporary flair,” Beall said. “She was like a great designer at Chanel.” By the 1980s, the little bakery café had gained a reputation that was reaching far beyond the island and earning Gardo glowing commentaries in national publications such as Southern Living and The New York Times. She was even featured with a full-page photo spread in Us Magazine, which called her “an erstwhile housewife who is baking up a storm in South Carolina.” Indeed, Signe’s Bakery Café was ahead of its time on many items, including the signature jumbo grandma style, chocolate chip cookies, which Gardo was serving years before Mrs. Fields, from a small oven that made a dozen at a time, for a line of customers that stood 10-deep at the Harbour Town cottage doorway. Some of those early sandwiches are still favorites, including the turkey/cranberry and sprouts on her original eight-grain bread and cucumber/cream cheese with watercress. “Signe has an incredible gift to be able to taste food with her eyes and in her mind before it is made,” said Laura Clark, now a bank manager, who served as kitchen manager for more than a dozen years. “She can imagine combinations and the chemistry of what it takes to create something that is delicious. She turned a light on in me about combining textures and flavors. She taught me how to create a recipe and how to write it down so someone else could prepare it. When I cook today for my family, I am still asking August 2012
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40 Years myself, what would Signe think? Is this the right combination of flavors? Are there enough layers of flavors?” In 1983 Gardo moved the café from its tiny Harbour Town location to its present location on Arrow Road to be more centrally located for islanders and provide more production space. At the time, she was providing several desserts to the Ruby Tuesday chain and needed bigger ovens and storage. However, as Ruby Tuesday expanded internationally, Gardo’s facilities couldn’t handle the support, so she needed to use her facilities for other things; and along came the expansion of Hilton Head as one of America’s foremost wedding destinations. Wedding cakes “We started making wedding cakes seriously in the late 1970s,” Gardo said, “but back then the decorations were mostly flowers, and weddings certainly weren’t like they are now with professional planners. It was mostly just family, and my focus was on making sure our cakes tasted good, like a dessert. But things changed dramatically in 1987 with Martha Stewart’s first book on weddings.” Gardo remembers when brides started coming to the bakery with the Martha Stewart book in their hands, and having to figure out how to use “rolled fondant.” Now there are several cable television shows featuring wedding cake makers, and Gardo has not only developed her own fondant recipe, but earned the affection of nearly 7,000 brides and the accolades of The Knot (the nation’s leading wedding publication), which has named her one of America’s top wedding cake providers in four of the past five years.
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“Every bride is important to me,” Gardo said, “no matter if their cake is $250 or $1,000. It is her special day, and I want to do my very best.” “But, it’s not just the brides,” Clark said. “It’s everyone. Countless times I would watch her interact with locals who have been coming to her for years, and although she might have nine irons in the fire, they will want to talk, and she always tries to take time for them. I don’t think she even realizes how much of their trip to Signe’s is about seeing her and talking with her. She has touched so many people in so many positive ways over the years. She always tries to show them that they matter.” “Some days it gets really physically tiring, but I don’t begrudge a day of it,” said Gardo, who just celebrated her own 71st birthday. “God has blessed me with a servant’s heart, and this is what I am gifted to do. That’s how I try to do it, always to His glory!”
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Article by Linda Beach
Great Alternatives to a FourYear Degree
T h e s e s pa c a r e e r s h av e a b e tt e r t h a n av e r a g e outlook!
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f you’re a recent college graduate, congratulations! Hopefully you have found a job you love and are working hard to pay off your student loans. However, statistics show a whopping 44 percent of 2010 college graduates hadn’t held even one job by the following spring. According to the Workforce Development Center at Rutgers University, those lucky enough to find a job had a median starting salary of $27,000, a decrease of 10 percent from 2008.
So why bother going to a four-year college at all? Good question. The U.S. Department of Labor reported that less than 45 percent of graduates under age 25 were in jobs that required a four-year degree. Where were the rest working? According to The New York Times, many are working in the food and beverage industry. While the Lowcountry may be populated with more restaurants than you can count, there are other options for both college graduates and those who are on the fence about embarking on the journey to a degree.
Massage therapist In as little as six months, anyone 18 years or older with a high school diploma or GED can qualify to become a licensed massage therapist in South Carolina. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the median wage in 2010 as $34,900, higher than the median wage of all U.S. occupations. If you think Americans are cutting back on massage therapy during these difficult economic times, think again. Employment of massage therapists is expected to grow by 20 percent over the next eight years. The demand for massage services will lead to more job opportunities as health-conscious baby boomers are looking for drug-free alternatives for the aches and pains that come with aging.
So why bother going to a four-year college at all? Good question. The U.S. Department of Labor reported that less than 45 percent of graduates under age 25 were in jobs that required a four-year degree. Where were the rest working? According to The New York Times, many are working in the food and beverage industry. During the recent recession, spas experienced a decline in the demand for luxury services. As with other industries, spa owners had to think outside the box and redesign menu offerings to focus on wellness instead of pampering. This astute marketing effort resulted in an increased awareness of the many benefits of massage therapy and a variety of new job opportunities in the field. Well over half of the massage therapists working in the U.S. are self-employed, allowing them the flexibility to work full- or part-time and set their own schedules. This is especially appealing to women with children in school, as they can work mornings and enjoy afternoons and weekends with family. A career in massage therapy typically appeals to men and women who have a strong desire to help others or who have found pain relief or rehabilitation from an injury through massage. Massage clinic franchises are popping up from coast to coast, offering affordable massages to a wide range of customers and, therefore, employment opportunities for therapists that often include salary, tips and benefits. However, while some resort spas and day spas are able to offer benefits such as vacation pay or health insurance, most will consider their massage staff independent contractors. There are many areas of specialty within the massage field, including the growing need for geriatric therapists and those specializing in sports injuries. Other therapists are capitalizing on the corporate trend of providing chair massage to employees as part of a company’s wellness program. Currently, 44 states require massage therapists to obtain a license in order to practice. Licensing increases credibility in the eyes of the public and cultivates a better understanding of the many benefits of massage therapy. Although there is not a national standard (licensing requirements vary from state to state), most states will allow a practitioner to transfer his or her license if the educational requirements are similar, making massage therapy an exceptionally portable career. 82
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Skincare specialist If you’ve always fancied yourself a “girly girl,” a career as a skincare specialist or esthetician might be exactly what you’re looking for. Estheticians evaluate the condition of the skin and offer facials, waxing and makeup services. Many states allow skincare specialists to administer body wraps, scrubs, laser treatments and spray tanning, adding versatility to any spa position. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for estheticians is extremely promising, with an expected growth rate of a whopping 38 percent between 2008 and 2018. With over 75 million baby boomers, there is a rising demand for anti-aging skin treatments and cosmetic procedures. While dermatologists and plastic surgeons fueled the initial flood of medical spas, today you will find general practitioners and even dentists adding spa services. While most states allocate Botox and injectable fillers to physicians, estheticians are essential to deliver the myriad skincare services that savvy consumers now demand. Estheticians earned an average annual salary of more than $32,000 in 2010 and the top-paying employers were doctors. Every state except Connecticut requires licensure, but the length of schooling varies widely. The South Carolina Board of Cosmetology requires 450 hours of training; North Carolina checks in at 600 hours; Florida only expects 260 hours and Georgia demands a whopping 1,000 hours! Esthetics training can be commenced after 10th grade and at only 16 years of age, making it a popular first career for perceptive young women. Nevertheless, women seeking a career change at any age are finding the skin care field appealing with the more mature and committed applicants obtaining the highest paying positions. (continued on next page) August 2012
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No better time Most career experts will affirm that there’s no better time than right now to change careers. A 2011 survey indicated that 84 percent of Americans planned to look for a new job when the economy improved. If you think you’re ready to pursue a career in the lucrative spa industry, do a little homework first. Here are some things to consider when choosing where to train: • Is the school licensed by the proper authorities for the programs it offers? Massage therapy schools in South Carolina fall under the jurisdiction of the Commission on Higher Education and skincare schools are regulated by the Board of Cosmetology. • If the school is located in a different state, will you be able to obtain a license in the state in which you reside? • How long will it take you to complete the course, become licensed and begin working in your new career? • How much does it cost and what are the available financing options? • How much of the program is hands-on and how much is lecture? How much homework can you expect? Are there out-of-class requirements? • What is the school’s pass rate for licensing exams? What percentage of graduates finds work in the field right away? • Does the school offer job placement assistance? Do they include business classes in their curriculum? • What is the school’s reputation in the community? Will they put you in touch with graduates so you can discuss their experience and success in the field? • What kind of training and experience do the instructors have? Are they currently working in the industry? • Does the school offer continuing education and advanced training classes? Do they stay current with industry trends and offer specialty training? Whether your desire is to work in a team environment or own your own business, the spa industry offers more opportunities than you can count. Massage therapists work with chiropractors, neurologists, psychologists and dentists, as well as in hospital settings, rehabilitation centers and in private clinics. Estheticians work in the professional offices of dermatologists and plastic surgeons, for large cosmetic companies and as makeup artists to the stars. Both licensees can find positions in resorts, spas, salons, day spas, medical spas, and on luxury cruise ships. Take a good look at where you are right now and ask yourself one question: At the end of the day, don’t you deserve to come home from a job you love? Linda Beach is the founder of the International Spa Institute, a training facility for massage therapists and estheticians, located in Bluffton, SC. Her newest venture, Island Bliss Mobile Spa, brings spa services and ahh-inspiring classes to residents and visitors of the Lowcountry. Linda has been a freelance writer, continuing education provider and instructor of massage and spa techniques since 1993. To find out more about a career in the spa industry, contact Beach at lbeach@isiSPAeducation.com or (843) 259-AHHH (2444).
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Article by Kitty Bartell
On Po nte T h e Passion to Teach
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he legendary Lyudmila Sakharova, former artistic director of the Perm School of Dance in Russia, said, “A teacher must possess many qualities: firmness and softness, patience and perseverance and sturdiness. But above all is love for children, desire to train them up—all of them, both weak and strong. And, creativity in one’s approach to one’s task is also above all.” Sakharova could have been speaking directly about Dawn Rosa, owner, president, and artistic director of Bluffton School of Dance and Performing Arts. Meeting Rosa, I would not have blamed her if she were wearing a tiara and held a scepter in her hand. Less than 48 hours earlier, she had been “crowned” Teacher of the Year, the evening of July 10, at the Tremaine Dance national convention finals gala in Orlando. This teacher is making a loud noise in the world of dance by winning this prestigious award at the young age of 31. “I didn’t have a clue. Previous winners were so far along in their careers,” Rosa said. “It was almost like a lifetime achievement award, and I feel like I’m on the other side. We’re just really getting started.” Rosa inherently speaks like a wise old sage, imparting insights and perspectives many twice her age could not. At Bluffton School of Dance, it all begins with the teachers. “Teaching with passion is contagious. The kids don’t even realize they’re learning. That is the only kind of teacher we hire here. It has to ooze. If the teacher is going into the class just as excited as the kids, you just can’t miss,” Rosa said.
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“I’m one of those lucky people who got that inkling of something I was supposed to be doing and then was brave enough to follow it. I understand how rare that is and how lucky I am,” Rosa said of her roles as tough teacher, patient second mom, and strong businesswoman. The school offers classes for students ages two through adult. “We’re very proud of our preschool program— getting them to use their gross motor
Dawn Rosa, owner, president, and artistic director of Bluffton School of Dance and Performing Arts.
“Teaching with passion is contagious. The kids don’t even realize they’re learning. That is the only kind of teacher we hire here. It has to ooze.” skills and fostering the love of dance at such an early age,” Rosa said. Classes are available to meet the skill level and time requirements for almost any student. Options include ballet, tap, jazz, hiphop, drama, acro, zumba, and company/ competition programs. The school’s company is a dedicated group of dancers who are nominated by their teachers to try out for the group as young as age five. Members represent the school at competitions and performances, locally and nationally. This year’s company earned three first and three second place finishes and one scholarship at the National Convention Finals. Rosa speaks proudly of former company members Katherine Stanas, who now dances with Carnival Cruise Line, and Ruthie Trask, who will attend Loyola Marymount in Los Angeles this fall to study dance. “It’s an exciting time to be a part of dance. There are so many
options for these kids,” Rosa said. Rosa is the embodiment of the creative, patient, and firm teacher that Sakharova described. As she stood to accept her Teacher of the Year Award and have her picture taken with the gala’s honorees, including dance and choreography greats, Debbie Allen, Kenny Ortega, and Dee Dee Wood, the kids at the school were foremost in her mind. “It will be an exciting year and I hope it rubs off on my kids,” she said. For more information please visit blufftonschoolofdance.com or e-mail blufftonschoolofdance@gmail.com.
Classes resume August 17. Visit during their Open House on August 11 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to register, meet the teachers, purchase dancewear, and enjoy refreshments.
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Article by: Rebecca Edwards
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ame any outdoor sport and chances are outside hilton head not only offers it but also leads the pack in it— from quality of equipment to personnel. Come to think of it, chances are you may know this firsthand. Maybe you have spotted a bottlenose dolphin while kayaking or tried yoga on a paddleboard or hooked a redfish with the outfitter. Maybe you have visited the shelter Cove retail location and bought your favorite go-to Prana dress. Maybe you have enrolled your child in one of outside’s interactive kid’s camp programs. But did you know that you could name just about any destination management, group adventure or team building request and outside could make it happen? “at outside, we are passionate about making lasting memories for our clients,” said Mike overton, president and owner. “you can choose from one of our signature events, like a getaway to our own private island, or let us help you customize an experience that is tailored to your needs and objectives.” team outside has become a premier resource for destination management in and around the Lowcountry and supplies more group ground transportation services than any other provider in the area. “We cover everything from a to Z,” overton said. under the direction of Dionne Pierce, a seasoned industry veteran, outside assists in linen and floral décor and lines up keynote or informational speakers, music and entertainment, and bilingual guides—just to name a few services. the group adventures are also comprehensive. no group is too small or too big, and all activities are customizable. outside’s endless selection includes kayaking, fishing, stand up paddle boarding, horseback riding, hunting and sporting clay shooting, beach olympics, and scavenger hunts. In an effort to capture
those milestone moments in life, outside will also coordinate special events such as anniversaries, birthdays, graduation, retirement, reunions and weddings. outside is also an ace at corporate team building. In a thank you letter to outside, the university of south Carolina at Beaufort writes, “great team builder! It’s amazing how much trust now exists between these students who did not know each other previously.” according to overton, much of this is thanks to his knowledgeable staff and partnerships with multiple vendors and venues such as Daufuskie Island and Palmetto Bluff. Plus, outside maintains its own tranquil piece of the Lowcountry—Page Island. “our Page Island growth Center provides the perfect backdrop to optimize your memorable moment,” overton said. “Whether you want to build your company or your family, outside will provide the tools and infrastructure to your success.” a few examples of team building initiatives include leadership development, strategic planning, building a culture of retention, sports team development, issue resolution, and mergers and acquisitions. each dynamic program is a response to what overton saw as a need in the area. “We wanted to better service the community and our clients by truly utilizing all that the Lowcountry has to offer,” he said. “offering these services only furthers our mission statement ‘to facilitate an outdoor experience that will have a positive impact on people by creating awareness, expanding knowledge, and developing a responsible understanding of nature and the environment.’” For more information, visit outsidehiltonhead.com, or call (800) 686-6996 for booking.
OUTSIDE HILTON HEAD PROVIDES ADVENTURE, TEAM BUILDING AND MORE
What you need to
know about
Savings on Taxes Ar ticle by Lew Wessel
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Photography by Anne
n the early 1980’s, the top income tax bracket was a whopping 50 percent. As onerous as that may sound, “tax shelters” were readily available to reduce the actual tax bite. These “shelters” were investments that typically generated huge non-cash losses that would reduce taxable income dollar-for-dollar; most were, to quote Professor Michael Graetz of the Yale Law School, “a deal done by very smart people that absent tax considerations would be very stupid.” Most of these investments involved rental real estate (commercial or residential), because buildings generated lots of depreciation—a non-cash expense. However, “shelter” investments also included boxcars, cattle breeding, oil and gas ventures, movie production and more. The tax shelter industry—and it truly was a multibillion-dollarper-year industry—came to a crashing, albeit temporary, halt with the passage of Ronald Reagan’s Tax Reform Act of 1986. This act was unofficially known as the “Tax Simplification Act of 1986,” because it significantly reduced the number of tax brackets, closed countless loopholes, and eliminated preferential treatment of capital gains and dividends. Unofficially, the law came to be known in the CPA world as “The Tax Accountant’s Relief Act of 1986,” because in order to eliminate tax shelters, it added a whole new layer of complexity to the tax world with the introduction of the concept of “passive activity income or loss.” A passive activity income or loss is one derived from real estate investments or any other investments where the investor does not “materially participate.” There are lots of factors in determining material participation, but essentially, at least a 500-hour-per-year commitment and a significant role in running the activity are a must. Under the new 1986 law, losses from a passive investment could no longer be used to offset any other type of income, e.g. from salaries, an actively run business, interest, dividends, etc. until the investment was sold. Poof: the end of tax shelters for doctors, lawyers and other high-income taxpayers. In return, taxpayers got a 28 percent top tax rate. Flash forward to today’s tax code. A lot has changed. The top tax rate is now 35 percent on taxable income in excess of $388,350 per year. Offsetting this increase is, of course, the preferential tax rate of 15 percent on both dividends and capital gains. What has not changed dramatically for individuals is the basic structure of the tax code since 1986, which is designed to inhibit the ability to shelter ordinary or investment income. So, how can you save on taxes today? Here’s (some of) what you need to know… Make less money. This is my usual obnoxious answer to the question of how to pay less tax. It’s fine to want to reduce your tax bill, and I’m happy to help you do just that. To paraphrase Judge Learned Hand, there is no obligation nor is it particularly patriotic to pay more taxes than you legitimately owe. Nevertheless, please don’t whine about being in the 35 percent tax bracket unless you want to get socked by someone in the bottom 99.4 percent of taxpayers who don’t earn enough to be in that bracket. Yes, it is a
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fact that only 0.6 percent of taxpayers are actually subject to the top tax bracket of 35 percent. Give it away. Giving money to an approved charity will get you a deduction and reduce your taxes. The smartest way to do so for many taxpayers is to donate an appreciated long-term asset such as shares of stock or a mutual fund directly to a charity or through a donor-advised fund such as the Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund. Donations made this way are deducted at full value, but the appreciation in the donated asset is not taxed. Giving away cars and other personal assets to Goodwill and the like are also great ways to reduce your taxes, but be aware that special rules have been put in place to curb many abuses in this area. Creation and donation of conservation easements on land you own is another powerful tool, but requires significant planning and documentation. Tax preferred investments. Income from dividends and long-term capital gains (investments held more than a year) are taxed at 0 percent for those in the 10 or 15 percent tax bracket (up to $70,700 for a married couple in 2012) and a maximum of 15 percent for those in the higher brackets. By contrast, interest income from corporate bonds or banks is taxed at the full rate. All things being equal, you will save taxes by shifting your safe CD money to dividend paying stocks; of course, you may lose all your money on a bad stock, so there’s that to consider. Municipal bonds are not taxed on your federal return, or on your state return if issued by your state. In other words, look for great bonds issued by the State of South Carolina or an entity within the state, such as Beaufort County, if you want totally tax-free interest income. Make sure to ask your broker if the municipal bond is subject to the AMT (we’ll discuss that some other time). Retirement accounts. Every dollar you put into an IRA, SIMPLE, SEP or a qualified retirement account such as a 410K reduces your taxable income for the year. This is actually a deferral of taxation, since these same dollars will be taxed at full rate when they are later withdrawn. Withdrawals, for you youngsters out there who may not be aware, are required to begin at age 70 and a half. Note: a contribution to a Roth IRA or Roth 401K does not reduce your current taxable income; the appeal here is that withdrawals are never required nor taxed if taken. A particularly powerful tax savings/deferral tool in this arena is a qualified “defined benefit plan” for small business owners and professionals. These are relatively expensive to set up and maintain, but, under certain scenarios, they can legally wipe out hundreds of thousands of dollars of taxable income for many years. Consult your tax and/or pension professional on this one. Oil and gas deals. These investment deals, usually available only to qualified investors (over $200,000 annual income and/or $1,000,000 investable assets) are as close to a classic tax shelter as most individual taxpayers can get. Unlike other passive investments, “losses” on these deals, in the form of intangible drilling costs, can be deducted immediately and can be used to reduce ordinary
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income. In addition, revenue from actual production is entitled to be offset by a 15 percent “depletion allowance.” Again, you can lose 100 percent of your investment in one of these deals, so don’t get blinded by the tax goodies. Master Limited Partnerships. MLPs are publicly traded partnerships that usually invest in oil and gas pipelines and storage facilities. Shareholders are actually partners, and dividends are actually distributions of partnership cash. As a partner, you receive an annual statement called a K-1 that tells you and the IRS how much income the partnership earned for you. What makes this a tax saver is that you are taxed on the income, not the distribution; that income is often zero or less, thus making your distribution non-taxable. MLPs are complicated, but based on the large number of my tax clients who have invested in them, they are becoming very popular. Rental real estate. The 1986 act stamped “passive” on all real estate, nevertheless, it allowed and still allows a deduction for losses from rental income for lower and middle-class taxpayers. If you actively participate in the rental activity and your adjusted gross income is less than $150,000, you can offset up to $25,000 of your rental losses against other income. Depreciation is always allowed to offset the income from the rental property, so even if you can’t deduct a loss, you can always reduce your rental income by this non-cash expense. Excess losses are not lost forever but are, instead, suspended and available on future tax returns to reduce rental income. Installment sales. The basic structure of our tax code has always included the concept of only taxing earnings that you have actually or constructively received. Thus, if you sell an asset and make a profit, you can stretch out the time you pay taxes by spreading out the time you are paid. Again, you incur a risk by not being paid up front, but that’s a decision you are allowed to make. Like-kind exchanges. Rather than sell a piece of real estate, pay taxes on the gain and then reinvest in another piece of real estate, the tax law, allows—actually prescribes—a tax-free exchange from one investment into another “like-kind” investment. The procedural rules are very strict in this area, but the concept of what constitutes like-kind is very flexible. For example, an investment in a piece of raw land in Pennsylvania can be exchanged tax-free for an office building on Hilton Head. Make sure to consult a tax professional before you contemplate this kind of transaction. Like-kind exchanges are also available for annuities and life insurance contracts. For instance, the cash value of a whole-life policy can be used to purchase an annuity without immediately recognizing the gain from cashing out the life policy. Again, the rules are very strict, so make sure to consult your tax advisor and/ or insurance agent. Green energy. The government, federal and state, is trying to promote alternative energy use and has some really neat tax incentives that can significantly reduce your taxes. Foremost among them is the 30 percent federal credit for installation of solar panels. South Carolina also allows a 25 percent credit, so, in total, over half of the cost can be subsidized. When the actual savings on utility bills is added in, this is a very attractive tax savings opportunity. Caveat emptor! Despite the Tax Reform Act of 1986, there is still a tax shelter industry trying to sell you its wares. Some of these shelters are legit; some are out-and-out frauds, and some are “iffy.” The IRS has developed a heightened awareness of abusive tax schemes, and the law now requires that a disclosure statement be attached to every return where an individual participates in a type of shelter transaction that the IRS deems to have a high potential for tax avoidance and evasion; i.e. the IRS demands to be alerted to any “clever” tax schemes in which you participate. Penalties are severe for both non-disclosure and/or participation in abusive tax shelters. The obvious point here is to be very cautious; if it sounds too good to be true, it is! Note: Many thanks to Donald L. Korb, Chief Counsel, Internal Revenue Service. Many of the ideas in this article are based on a paper he delivered to the University of Cambridge, Cambridge, England on 12/14/2005. To comment or for more information, e-mail lewwessel@ hargray.com. August 2012
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Disciplined Investing Helps Keep Emotions in Check
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nowing that financial markets are constantly changing, it’s often hard to gauge when the best time would be to jump in. Trying to time your investments in this way can cause you undue stress and cost you financially when you try to invest by guessing when the market has hit the “top” or the “bottom.” Fortunately, however, there are several timeless strategies that can help you eliminate the emotional component, and get you on the right track to successful investing. Think long term. While past performance is never a guarantee of future results, the markets have historically performed well over the long run. Investors who have developed the discipline and patience to stay the course over the long run, despite market fluctuations, have generally experienced more favorable results. Patiently accept volatility. Building on the last point, it’s important to realize that market highs and lows are a natural occurrence, and should be considered a normal part of investing. Once you accept that fact, you can prepare yourself to resist the emotional urges to jump in and out of the market based solely on its current direction. Stay in the market. Some investors attempt to time the market. When it’s down, they sit on the sidelines waiting for it to rally before they get in on the action. Conversely, when the market is up, they wait for a correction so they can buy at what they see as bargain rates. Moving in and out of the market by timing its ups and downs is a skill not even the most seasoned investment professionals have mastered. Consistent investment – in both up and down markets – should produce more reliable results over time. Diversify. Possibly one of the most important investment principles – and at the same time most overlooked – is the need for careful asset allocation. The popular adage that tells you
not to keep all your eggs in one basket is especially true when it comes to your investments. A well-diversified portfolio should include complementary asset classes, so they can cushion each other against the effects of market downturns and lower your portfolio’s overall risk. Watch your asset allocation. Even if you properly diversify your portfolio in the beginning, changing markets will affect the value of your investments and could alter your actual allocation. Consistent reviews will help you identify when your portfolio needs to be rebalanced, helping you maintain a proper asset mix. Bear in mind that asset allocation does not protect against fluctuating prices and uncertain returns. Pay yourself first. You may have heard this before, but it’s certainly worth repeating: Save first and then spend what you have left, rather than spending first and saving what you have left. Inevitably, if you attempt to do the latter, you’ll often find there’s nothing left to save. Reinvest dividends. Many quality companies have a history of paying dividends, regardless of overall stock market performance. Reinvesting these dividends offers you an excellent way to easily build your stock positions. Set goals. While this may seem like the most basic idea, it’s still one of the most important. When considering your investments, you need to have a clear idea of where you are, a goal in mind of where you want to go, and then put strategies in place to help you get there. By incorporating all of the abovementioned ideas, you will have a guide to help you in all your important investment decisions. This article was written by Wells Fargo Advisors and provided courtesy of Gary T. Bezilla, Managing Director-Investments in Hilton Head Island, SC at 843-681-1400.
Investments in securities and insurance products are: NOT FDIC-INSURED/NOT BANK-GUARANTEED/MAY LOSE VALUE Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC, Member SIPC, is a registered broker-dealer and a separate non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company.
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Dump Your Mutual Funds Article by Robert Star
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or the majority of individual investors, actively managed mutual funds seem like a great idea. You get the benefit of investing while letting someone else make the decisions. After all, they’re supposed to be experts in their field. This may sound like a good idea, but here are some of the disadvantages of mutual funds: 1) Failure to beat their markets. Historically, most mutual funds fail to beat their respective indexes. This doesn’t mean their managers are inept; it just means beating the market is hard to do when you have so many restrictions. Mutual fund managers have strict investment policy guidelines and usually have to be fully invested at all times. They may keep a small portion in cash, but the majority of funds will stay almost fully invested regardless of market conditions. When the market tanked in 2008, fund managers had to stay invested. This puts the onus on the investor to determine when it is a good time to be invested or sitting in cash. 2) Lack of flexibility. While an individual can buy anything that’s traded, mutual funds are often prevented from buying stock in companies that do not match their investment policy criteria. For example, a large cap manager cannot invest in small cap stocks, regardless of the opportunity. It is also difficult to trade a large fund. The bigger the fund, the less limber it is. I always use the example of steering a large ship versus a small boat. Large funds have large individual positions that take time to trade in and out. 3) Tax consequences. When investors panic and sell their mutual funds, seeking to redeem their shares, mutual funds are often forced to sell good stocks and realize capital gains in order to meet the redemption demand. This hurts those who have continued to hold the fund, since they must pay tax on the distributions, even if the overall value of their shares
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has dropped. Investors may have had no positive return on the fund but have a tax liability at the end of the year. This does not seem fair, but investors in the fund own shares of the fund, not the underlying stocks. If you are going to invest in mutual funds, keep them in your IRA to prevent this tax liability. 4) Management changes. You may be happy with the performance of your fund, but if your fund manager moves on or retires, he or she will be replaced. Miss that news, and you could be left wondering why your performance has changed. 5) Fees. In the worst-case scenarios, you may foolishly stock up on load funds, which charge you a hefty fee just to buy into the fund. Other funds clobber you on the way out. These would be A or B shares. But even funds without loads may charge big management fees or other egregious fees that do not get reported. Investors would be shocked to learn about the hidden fees generated when stocks are traded with markups instead of commissions. This is how the traders and fund managers pay back their brokers for expensive dinners and sporting events. It will usually cost you less to acquire stocks or ETFs through a broker than through a mutual fund. Alternatives to mutual funds Of course, your choices aren’t limited to traditional mutual funds. Here are some other alternatives when you don’t want to do your own management: 1) Index funds. While an index fund is a type of mutual fund, it’s a passive one. Since it merely tracks a given index, your results will come close to matching the index. There are fees, of course, but they tend to be very low. Index funds also do fewer redemptions in most cases, so your taxes are less likely to be a problem.
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2) Exchange traded funds. This is also a type of mutual fund, but one that is traded on the open market. As a result, you can sell exactly when you want to instead of having to wait for the day’s closing price, as with a mutual fund. There are exchange-traded funds that track a given index and hybrid products that try to throw in a little active management. 3) Closed end funds. Closed end funds are also traded on the market, but there are only a fixed number of shares. The price of the shares varies according to supply and demand, rather than just according to the performance of the market. As a result, the price of these funds can often drop substantially below their net asset value, allowing the savvy investor to pick up a bargain.
While an index fund is a type of mutual fund, it’s a passive one. Since it merely tracks a given index, your results will come close to matching the index. 4) A financial manager. You could just turn your money over to a company or a broker that will manage it for you. You can establish a separately managed account that allows you to have a manager buy and sell on your behalf, and you will see the actual shares in your account, not just the shares of a mutual fund. This way, if other investors want to sell, it will have no impact on your holdings or tax liabilities. You may also find a manager who is willing to pull you out of the market completely when the market is in a down cycle. This type of relationship usually requires a larger minimum than mutual funds but is a good alternative to outsourcing a financial manager. Conclusion Wall Street is full of investment products for retail investors. Sophisticated institutional investors do not invest in the funds available to retail investors. You have to be careful when a firm tries to sell you the “fund of the day” that it meets all of your short- and long-term goals. If you enjoy learning about the stock market and have the ability to master your emotions, you may be surprised at how well you can do by picking your own stocks. If stock picking isn’t for you, take a look at some of the alternatives to a traditionally managed mutual fund. But no matter which direction you go, remember that diversification is not just large cap and small cap stocks or even bonds versus stocks. Because when the overall market goes down there is usually no place to hide. Really good diversification calls for much more than mutual funds. Robert Star is managing director of EDI Financial Group. For more information, call (843) 815-6636. Photography By Anne
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Behind
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Berkeley Hall Article By Frank Dunne, Jr.
This is a continuation of a several part series on island living in gated communities.
When comparing and contrasting the higher-end private golf club communities in the Hilton Head/Bluffton area, it’s really hard to reach a conclusion. The simple fact is that all of them are pretty spectacular places to live, and choosing one over the others usually boils down to an intangible like the community’s “personality,” if you will, or a subtle detail that may not immediately reveal itself, but becomes more apparent as you spend time on the decision process. “Looking at the Berkeley Halls, Belfairs and Colleton Rivers, you’ll find that they’re more similar than different,” said Duke Delcher of Gateway Realty. “But if I had to point to one thing, I think something that comes up more often than not at Berkeley Hall is the attention to detail seen throughout the grounds, on the golf courses and with the staff. It’s the overall presentation that stands out.” “As you drive through, you can see the attention to detail and the quality that we offer our residents,” Berkeley Hall’s
director of marketing and member services, Bob Ring added. “From a realtor’s perspective, the best selling point that they have is when they bring somebody through. You get a ‘Wow!’ coming through the gate. And as you come across the bridge and see the clubhouse, you get another ‘Wow!’ And then you drive them around the community before you even start selling them houses. It shows them the level of quality that they would be buying in to.” At just over a decade old, Berkeley Hall is one of the newest private residential golf clubs in the area. It sits on over 900 acres, with nearly two miles of frontage along the Okatie River, and is about seven miles west of Hilton Head Island on Highway 278. Berkeley Hall’s most distinguishing characteristics are two Tom Fazio designed “core” golf courses on which members enjoy the game without interruption from interior streets and homes, and a grand 45,000 square foot Jeffersonian style clubhouse that serves as a hub for Berkeley
Hall’s casually elegant lifestyle. Links Magazine and Travel & Leisure Golf have both named Berkeley Hall “One of America’s 100 Premier Properties.” It is also home to the Players Amateur Golf Tournament, which was played last month. Although the amenity package resembles the offerings of a top-flight resort, Berkeley Hall is purely a residential community. “Approximately 70 percent of the homeowners are here for at least nine months out of the year, and 60 percent of the membership is still full-time employed,” Ring said, “so it’s not an all retiree situation for empty nesters. We do have families with children.” Home rentals are permitted, but only for the long term. “Rental is allowed for a minimum of a six-month term, but tenants don’t have membership privileges,” Ring said—that is, with the exception of Berkeley Hall’s Golf Cottages located near the Clubhouse, which may be rented for shorter terms. “They’re member-owned, and they’re there for members, family and friends of members and business associates of members. We don’t rent them to the general public. Anybody who is using a golf cottage has use of all the facilities.” Like most elite golf communities, equity club membership is automatic with property ownership in Berkeley Hall; however, the club has recently instituted two non-equity membership options. The National Membership is for applicants whose primary residence is outside of a 75-mile radius around Berkeley Hall. This membership offers full use of all club facilities for the
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whole family with a maximum of 30 golf days per year. The Individual Membership also offers unlimited use of club facilities to the individual member and family; however, family members must pay greens fees to play golf.
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Berkeley Hall’s two Tom Fazio core golf courses wind members are often heard remarking about the exquisite through the landscape with no interior homes or roads to maintenance of the courses. interrupt, so your golf round feels more like a walk in the park Berkeley Hall’s commitment the golf lover in so many of than a ride through the subdivision. “Tom Fazio designed its members continues with one of the most comprehensive Berkeley Hall so that there are no home sites on any golf course. practice and learning facilities you’ll ever see. The 30-acre That’s hugely unusual,” Ring noted. “There are Golf Learning Center, also designed by homes on the perimeter with fairway views, Fazio, includes four climate-controlled “Approximately but there is separation from the course. hitting bays, a “super bay” with video 70 percent of the Nothing sits on the border of the course. cameras and flat-screen monitors, a mobile homeowners are You’re never going to hit a house!” canopy structure to allow practice in all The North Course features tranquil lakes, here for at least nine weather conditions, four practice greens, bold fairways, challenging bunkers and large and a Tru-Putt indoor putting green. months out of the contoured bent grass greens. Its combination Overall, the facility is designed to let year, and 60 percent of elevation changes, open vistas, indigenous players recreate and practice any shot that of the membership grasses, water, and provocative bunkers might be encountered on the North and is still full-time prompted Fazio to call the North Course one South Courses. employed,” Ring said, of the most dramatic of his designs. Another popular touch in Berkeley The South Course, set against the Okatie Hall’s golf complex is the Fazio Room, a “so it’s not an all River backdrop, offers a classic parkland golf place to relax and socialize, play cards, retiree situation for experience, with a canopy of mature forest, watch the game, indulge in refreshments… empty nesters. tree-lined fairways, glistening lakes and boldly simply enjoy the ambience and camaraderie contoured greens. Both tracks present players of golf club living. with that coveted combination of a challenging day on the While the overall golf complex is probably Berkeley Hall’s course while taking in the Lowcountry in all of its splendor; most distinguishing feature, the club’s attention to detail is just as (continued on next page)
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Member Lori Delaney and her husband Steve were initially lured by Berkeley Hall’s topnotch golf facilities. “That was very important, especially for my husband,” she said, “but now that we’ve been here I’ll tell you that it’s the people that I love most about Berkeley Hall. We’ve found so many friends with similar tastes and interests…it’s just a great place to live. I always hear people say it just feels like home.” evident with the rest of its extensive amenity package. A 14,500-squarefoot spa and fitness center includes an indoor pool, whirlpool, cardiovascular strength equipment, sauna and steam rooms, spa treatment areas, and a coffee and juice bar. Adjacent are tennis courts, an outdoor pool with private cabanas, a children’s playground, basketball courts, and a sand volleyball court. Along with these facilities, the fitness center offers personalized fitness evaluations and physical training programs. Enjoying the Lowcountry’s natural
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surroundings is another high priority among those who live here, and Berkeley Hall’s location lends itself well to providing an arena to do just that. The Berkeley Hall River Park gives members a place to cruise or kayak in the Okatie River or do some crabbing or fishing from a community dock. On land, the Berkeley Hall Greenway is a network of leisure and nature trails, parks and nature exhibits that winds its way through the entire community. In total, there are 554 home sites in Berkeley Hall and, according to Ring,
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the community is 46 percent built out with 254 homes owned and occupied. If you buy a home or land, you can expect to have a wooded, golf or marsh view or some combination thereof. Mind you, because of the golf courses’ core designs, homes with fairway views will not be immediately adjacent to the course boundaries. “There are also private deep water lots that are on the market,” Ring said. Delcher estimates that there are approximately 24 homes currently for sale in Berkeley Hall. “Frankly, that’s not a lot of inventory,” he said, but pointed out that the full variety of styles and types of homes found in Berkeley Hall is represented in that number. For example, a Golf Cottage, Carolina Lifestyle Home or “lock-and-leave” Lifestyle Cottage may be found in the $400,000 - $500,000 range. Then you’ll see larger estate
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homes (3,000- to 4,000 plus-square feet) from about $600,000 to $900,000 or higher, especially if it’s something on a deep-water lot. All are resales. Berkeley Hall has been fully member owned and operated since 2005. Carolina Lifestyle Homes and Cottages are unique to Berkeley Hall. Their design is centered on a screened outdoor living space called the Carolina Atrium. Aside from that and the Golf Cottages, you won’t find anything that would be called a standard model in Berkeley Hall. “There are all sorts of different homes and home styles,” Ring said. “Every home in Berkeley Hall must have some uniqueness in its exterior design.” As one might guess from the impressive list of amenities, the lifestyle in Berkeley Hall is very active both recreationally and socially. “The members
are very much involved with the community,” Ring said. “Back in 2008, Berkeley Hall introduced a fundraising activity called the Berkeley Hall Charity Cup. In three years, the members have raised over $370,000 for local charities.” Member Lori Delaney and her husband Steve were initially lured by Berkeley Hall’s top-notch golf facilities. “That was very important, especially for my husband,” she said, “but now that we’ve been here I’ll tell you that it’s the people that I love most about Berkeley Hall. We’ve found so many friends with similar tastes and interests…it’s just a great place to live. I always hear people say it just feels like home.” For more information, visit Berkeley Hall online at BerkeleyHallClub.com or contact Bob Ring at (843) 815-8423 or bring@BerkeleyHallClub.com.
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A r t i c l e b y Dav i d To b i a s
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Photography by Anne
Hahn’s is Hot and Cool
It ’ s h o t ! H o w ’ s t h a t f o r a r e v e l a t i o n ?
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o be more specific, it’s hot outside. But what would you do if suddenly it were just as hot inside and you had no recourse, other than to step onto the verandah and pay tribute to our Southern ancestors by waving hand fans slowly enough to kick up a breeze (but not so fast as to produce a sweat—mercy!)? Oh yeah, and leave that ol’ front porch fridge door open a tad for a bit of mechanical cool. Fortunately, we have other options, and AC repair is one of them (besides, who still has a front porch fridge anyway?). But here’s where you have to be careful. There is such a thing as too many options when it comes to selecting someone to inspect and detect the neglect that may have led to an air conditioning unit finally giving up against the
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heat. There’s such a thing as fly-by-nights still out there, willing to do a quick job for a low rate with no guarantees. Choose one of them and, sooner than later, you’re just right back on the porch. Asking neighbors might help. Or paying close attention to testimonials for reputable heating and air conditioning companies posted online might be an even better way to go. If you choose that route, doing the right research and talking to the right people, you’ll likely not do better than selecting a relative newcomer to the business of air conditioning installation and repair on Hilton Head Island, in Bluffton and on Daufuskie. That person, and that company, is David Hahn and Hahn’s Air Specialists.
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Since 2009, Hahn’ s has grown to four full-time employees, plus Hahn and his fiancée, Isabel Kueng, who handles anything and everything related to office management.
Just imagine, someone who actually reads air conditioning installation manuals, is fully certified, returns phone calls and may even invite you to inspect the source of your air conditioning problem yourself, if you don’t mind crawling around an attic in 120-degree heat. Hahn, 35, trained for this gig with two of the most reputable companies on the island, in his opinion. He worked what amounted to a five-year apprenticeship before opening Hahn’s. His work in the real estate business allowed him to see enough inspection reports and repair bids to say, “What the heck?” about a few, questioning the integrity of some. It also started him thinking about a career that would 1) be recessionproof, 2) allow him to put his name on it and own his own business, and 3) build pride and a reputation for quality work and absolute honesty. The career shift was quite a departure from his two undergraduate degrees in commercial turf and golf turf management from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton, Ga. But, when he started noticing panel trucks with names on the side, he realized that, even in a down economy, owning his own heating and air conditioning company was something that had a better than average chance at success. It would also still satisfy the other requirements on his list. Clearly, it was time to make the change and the commitment. He started alone three years ago, passed the state mechanical test, and has attended the Ultimate Technical Academy for heating and air conditioning training twice in the past three years. Continuing education, he’s convinced, is a huge part of success in the business, because technology is changing the business so quickly. Since 2009, Hahn’s has grown to four full-time employees, plus Hahn and his fiancée, Isabel Kueng, who handles anything and everything related to office management. It’s a good thing he has Kueng, as Hahn describes himself as having “ADD” and wanting nothing to do with sitting behind a desk. “I’d rather be in the field working, making sure my clients are 100 percent satisfied,” he said. “Isabel is the light of my life and the most organized, detailed person you’ll find in any office,” Hahn continued. “If we need something to be interactive, she can do it, and if we need a form she can make it. She makes life easier by being the most qualified person I’ve ever seen in an office.” Hahn, on the other hand, thrives on being on the job with his
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team. “I ride them pretty hard at first because I like to do things right,” he said. “If someone on my team installs a thermostat and it looks crooked on the wall, I’m going to ask them to get a level. If it is crooked, I’m going to ask them to do it again to get it right. I think we go above and beyond what a lot of other people do.” Hahn is passionate about quality and integrity, even to the exclusion of pure profit. “Everybody talks about indoor air quality,” Hahn said. “It’s a great mark-up and a great business to be in. You can make a lot of money selling indoor air quality products.” But he cites UV lights as an example of a product about which the customer should be hesitant, skeptical and wary if it costs upwards of $1,000. “UV lights aren’t that expensive, and they do work,” Hahn said. “I believe in them. They reduce bio growth inside air handling cabinets and inside ductwork, but you have to be careful of companies that come in and say you absolutely need them because of mold growth. I can’t even say mold, because I can’t tell you absolutely that’s what it is. A lot of companies will prey on that mold thing now, but I don’t think there’s one company on the island that’s licensed to absolutely identify mold.” Hahn encourages consumers to take further precautions. “Look out for the constant sales pitch.” Hahn said. “If an air conditioning company is trying to sell you something every time they come out, the service tech is probably on commission. That’s something I don’t believe in. My service technicians are paid by the hour to properly diagnose and repair the problem at hand. “Some companies also try to charge a customer disposal fees when the heating and air conditioning company now actually makes money on disposals. Those companies are just trying to double-dip, and you have to be aware. Free second opinions are a good way to keep things in check,” he said. “My goal is to provide the best possible service and do the job right,” Hahn said. “We won’t be a small company forever, but don’t overlook the little guy. A customer has choices, and when it comes down to business building, thanks to the good work we’ve done, the last thing I want to do is do something bad that makes those who have recommended us look bad. Our reputation is at stake, and so is theirs.” Hahn is intensely tuned in to customer service and building a solid reputation for his company. He understands the constant cycle of real estate that drives his business and others that service homes—especially in a vacation destination—but resists the notion of becoming just like any other heating and air conditioning company. “My goal is to provide the best possible service and do the job right,” Hahn said. “We won’t be a small company forever, but don’t overlook the little guy. A customer has choices, and when it comes down to business building, thanks to the good work we’ve done, the last thing I want to do is do something bad that makes those who have recommended us look bad. Our reputation is at stake, and so is theirs.” Hahn is dedicated to not cutting corners. He said his goal is to do the job right and take a lot of pride in his company’s work. “All we ask for is the opportunity to be considered so that when a customer compares apples to apples on systems replacements we’ll have a shot,” Hahn said. “If they do that and choose us, they won’t be disappointed.” For more information, call (843) 683-4242 or visit hahnsairspecialists.com.
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A Coastal Lifestyle a r t i c l e
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he coastal style home is relaxing and inviting with a hint of whimsy. It evokes feelings of comfort among family and friends. It is a lifestyle attitude that says, “Curl up with a book and kick your feet up.” Coastal Home by Marco Polo captures the essence of laidback coastal style. Recently, its new location opened in The Bridge Center, directly across from Moss Creek. As soon as you walk in the door, you want to stay awhile. The feel of the store is updated and fresh with a good mix of classic and eclectic furnishings that complement the coastal lifestyle of the Lowcountry. Huge wicker woven obelisks stand at the entrance to welcome you into the showroom; it is this type of architectural yet relaxed accessory that tells buyers they are in for a fun, creative shopping experience! Whether you are looking for the perfect housewarming gift, comfortable furniture or that unique three-foot red metal compass to hang on your wall, this shop has something for you. Owners Bob and Martha Steele bought the business five years ago and evolved it into what it is today: a refreshed, updated, and Southern casual home-furnishing store. When they purchased the business (then known as Marco Polo), it was predominately wicker furnishings for indoor and outdoor use. With the new showroom in its very appealing location, the opportunity to update the name, the look and the inventory proved to be perfect planning. Coastal Home’s showroom contains a healthy mix of indoor and outdoor furniture. Whatever your vision of a coastal home—the rich warm tropical style, the
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light, airy cottage look, or a clean contemporary space— shopping at Coastal Home by Marco Polo will create a beautiful retreat to refresh the spirit and welcome family and friends. A huge part of a Lowcountry coastal lifestyle is a connection to the outdoors, where you can feel breezes blowing and look out at seemingly endless water views—a true mood enhancer. Keep those indoor/outdoor spaces casual with cushy seating, no-fuss accessories, and easy come, easy go style. The various collections of outdoor furnishings, from rocking chairs to colorful indoor/outdoor rugs, make it easy to find the perfect item to complete your porch or Carolina room. The Steeles keep their charming shop stocked with coastal inspired pieces, from comfortable chairs to ticking striped pillows, and what you don’t see on the showroom floor may only be an order away. They will help you find just what you are looking for from one of the many manufacturer lines they carry. With just the right balance of relaxed and tailored, streamlined pieces, Coastal Home by Marco Polo has something for everyone: whimsical accessories, artwork, furnishing and more. This is the store to frequent if you want to change your coastal house into your coastal home. Coastal Home by Marco Polo is located at 1528 Fording Island Road, Hilton Head, SC 29926. For more information call (843)837-4100 or visit online at marcopolohhi.com.
Energy One America offers mold prevention treatments with FortiCel™, which comes with a 25-year guarantee, and a polyurea application, a seamless waterproofing product ideal on flat surfaces like decks and flat roofs.
Spray foam insulation and closed crawlspace renovations result in significantly reduced energy costs and improved air quality, reducing allergens in the home.
Founder, John Guffey
Closed cell spray foam insulation is ideal in the Lowcountry’s hurricane prone climate, because it literally makes the structure stronger.
Operations manager, Jason Bayer
Foam to Go: An Energy One truck is loaded onto a barge headed for Daufuskie Island.
Standing ovation s f o r E n er g y One A m er i c a
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f Energy One America did all of their work in theaters or concert venues, the end of each project would result in a standing ovation. In reality, they do their work in some of the dirtiest, tightest, darkest places imaginable, and they still manage to earn standing ovations, if not literally, at least figuratively from their customers. A leading provider of energy-efficient spray foam insulation, closed crawlspace conditioning, and mold prevention, Energy One America is wowing the industry and their customers with one outstanding job after another. Upon visiting the site of an Energy One America spray foam application in progress at a home under construction on Hilton Head Island, I became acutely aware of the expertise of the technicians and the deceptive complexity of this product. At first glance, it looks like nothing more than an epic application of spray whipped cream, but there is much more to the products and the productions of Energy One America. Purchased and relocated to Bluffton in 2008 by local resident John Guffey, Energy One America was founded in 2001 in Claxton, Georgia. In the years since, the company has built a reputation for being the penultimate professionals in the industry. “Having the right equipment does not make you a professional, and Energy One America knows what they’re doing. They stand behind their products and their sales guys are on top of everything,” said Brian Quinn of The Twelve Oaks Group, a local premier building company. Having contracted with the company for over 15 custom home projects, Quinn is clear in his commitment. “I don’t call on anyone else,” he said. “They are simply the best.”
Article by Kitty Bartell
B r a v o Earning accolades begins with strengths of the company’s products and personnel. One could not succeed without the other, and their interdependence is critical to the company’s outstanding record. The process begins with an in-home or on-site evaluation and estimate, which the sales team of Brian Thompson, Clayton Colleran, and Robin Boeke strive to make comprehensive and understandable. Each project will have a project manager and a team of highly trained ABAA and OSHA certified professional installers. “We have tremendous talent in-house,” operations manager Jason Bayer said. Energy One America has one of the largest fleets in the Southeast originating from three hubs: Bluffton, Charleston, and Charlotte. “All of our technicians start out as apprentices with the ultimate goal of being a lead sprayer,” Bayer said. “The lead sprayers are assigned their own dedicated rigs and apprentices to be on their team. This means they know their rig and their team better than anyone and are able to work as a skilled unit.” With over 5,000 residential installations and myriad commercial projects, the services and products offered by Energy One America are the vehicles by which the company drives its success. To the untrained eye, spray foam insulation seems like a relatively simple concept, but it is actually produced by a highly delicate chemical process. “Our technicians are highly trained to make perfect foam every time. Two to three degrees in any direction or a 50-pound psi variation will drastically affect the foam, so very, very minute adjustments are made all day long to keep us producing. We are always chasing the perfect foam,” Bayer explained.
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Photography by Anne
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According to Colleran, who was a customer before joining the sales team a year ago, both open cell and closed cell spray foam insulation offer excellent insulating value and act as a good air barrier. However, closed cell insulation acts as a better moisture barrier and adds significantly to the strength of the structure. “In this area, closed cell insulation is used in crawl spaces, which helps protect wood floors from cupping and acts as an excellent sound barrier,” Colleran explained. Closed cell spray foam insulation is ideal in the Lowcountry’s hurricane prone climate, because it literally makes the structure stronger. “Closed cell foam is very rigid, so it is excellent for seismic activity and hurricane prone areas. Many architects and engineers will spec it into a structure and figure it into the design and engineering integrity of a building,” Bayer said. Spray foam insulation and closed crawlspace renovations result in significantly reduced energy costs and improved air quality, reducing allergens in the home. Both processes seal off areas of the home where mold and moisture breed. Research has established that spray foam insulation will reduce energy costs up to 40 percent, and closed crawlspace renovations will reduce energy use by 20 percent. Energy One America also offers mold prevention treatments with FortiCel™, which comes with a 25-year guarantee, and a polyurea application, a seamless waterproofing product ideal on flat surfaces like decks and flat roofs. In addition to traditional homes and business structures, Energy One America can work with almost any structure that can hold foam. Thinking of making your chickens more comfortable? Your coop can be treated. From gas stations to barns, there is an application for almost anything. According to Bayer, wine cellars are excellent candidates for their services. Any aficionado could tell you, maintaining the temperature of wine is critical to its care. As with all great shows, the audience is the true judge of a performance’s success, and Energy One America has nothing but admirers. Dr. Phil Miller of Augusta, Georgia purchased an incomeproducing property on Fripp Island and hired Energy One America to treat the home, which was in much need of renovation before it would be ready for renters. “We couldn’t get the temperature to even stay at 75 degrees in the house. They did a good job and had to come in behind someone who hadn’t done such a good job. I understand how difficult that can be. The temperatures now are easily controlled and comfortable,” Miller said. “They did an excellent job,” raved Jane Wild of the work done at her Hilton Head Plantation home. “They were on time, they were very neat, and they did excellent work. I would highly recommend them.” Wild touched on the neatness factor, which was possibly the most commented on feature of the jobs completed. According to Bayer, the crews work very hard to leave each job at least as clean as they found it, if not cleaner. Having purchased a 4,300-square-foot income-producing home in need of significant renovation in Palmetto Dunes, Indiana resident Jill Stolen is a huge fan. “We got a few foam insulation quotes, and Energy One was definitely more thorough in their evaluation and estimation process.” These clients began with having the crawl space renovated and were so pleased that, over the course of the first four months of 2012, they had all areas of the home treated. “Our electric bill for the month of June was half of what the bill was one year ago, and they completely cleaned up after themselves,” Stolen said. I could have had a dinner party 60 minutes after they completed the job. It was phenomenal!” It seems founder John Guffey was on to something. Starting as a highly satisfied customer, he was so intrigued by the product and the personnel of Energy One America that he did some research and decided to step out of retirement and purchase the company. Should Guffey be seated front and center at any performance by his company, he would find himself surrounded by the cheers of his customers giving his team a standing ovation.
Energy One America is located at 270 Red Cedar Street, Suite 104, Bluffton. For more information, call (843) 815-9931 or visit online at energyoneamerica.com. August 2012
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Drew Laughlin Hilton Head I s lan d Photography By Anne
Budgeting 101 Town council recently adopted our 2012-2013 fiscal year budget. We held numerous public meetings to review carefully the town manager’s proposed budget, and we discussed, at length, various revenue and expenditure items. No tax increase was proposed and no tax increase was adopted. The public, as always, was welcome to attend and speak. As I view this or any recent budget, we have to live within our means while maintaining service levels. What a concept! You’re probably thinking, “Mayor, that’s what I do at home.” I am sure most do budget this way, so it is disheartening to see major U.S. cities declare bankruptcy because they, for various reasons, failed to live within their means or failed to understand that economies expand and contract. We’ve kept expenditures in check, reduced staff, and created a reserve account years ago to get our island up and running again should disaster strike. More topically, we have approached the multi-million dollar requests we receive for private/public partnerships responsibly. Sometimes we’ve said “not yet.” Other times we’ve said, “Show us the money for study and operational costs if your project is ever built.” That doesn’t make council popular, but it does make us responsible and accountable to all residents. In Beaufort County, we face property reassessment later this year at a time when property values have declined since the last reassessment five years ago. Even though state law limits municipalities’ ability to raise taxes, council could have raised taxes this year but chose not to. So, we’re facing some pretty challenging times ahead, particularly when we are committed to maintaining our beautiful amenities in a first rate way while, at the same time, weighing proposals for cultural, social, and historical opportunities, including Mitchelville, an aquatics center, Island Recreation Center expansion, and performing arts venues and considering proposals for investment of public funds to stimulate revitalization and renewal. The good news is that tax increment financing dollars need to be spent before their expiration, and we are close to committing dollars to projects. We are also close to paying off some long-term debt, and we have refinanced other debt so that we’ll reduce debt payments going forward. Council has done a terrific job in this regard. This year, our most important budget item is for public safety, and we are devoting 24 percent of our expenditures to this category. That means fire, rescue, and law enforcement services will be operating at full strength and offering residents and visitors the best trained and prepared public safety personnel I know. Remember this: In our 1993/94 budget, 47 percent of revenues came from property taxes. Now, with greater emphasis on making those who use our services pay for the demands they place on such services, property taxes represent only 26 percent of the town’s revenues. 112
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August 2012
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Lisa Sulka B LU F FTON Photography By Anne
Do you recycle at home? The Town of Bluffton is participating in the SC Johnson Green Choices Recycling Challenge, and we need your help! Americans recycle only one-and-a-half pounds of the more than four pounds of waste they generate daily, adding unnecessary waste to our nation’s landfills. In an effort to help slow this trend and further inspire waste reduction efforts, today, the Town of Bluffton announced their participation in the SC Johnson Green Choices Recycling Challenge, a nationwide contest that aims to increase household recycling participation in 50 communities across the United States. The Challenge kicks off a new partnership with Recyclebank, the company that rewards people for taking everyday green actions with discounts and deals. Recyclebank has launched in Bluffton in collaboration with Waste Management. Bluffton is thrilled to be representing South Carolina in the SC Johnson Green Choices Recycling Challenge, as it is the perfect way to kick-start the new recycling rewards program and local participation. We encourage everyone to get involved—residents will have the opportunity to protect the environment, invigorate the local economy and help keep Bluffton clean, while earning everyday savings from Recyclebank and working toward the grant from SC Johnson. While the SC Johnson Green Choices Recycling Challenge aims to increase consumers’ recycling, it will also contribute to SC Johnson’s goal of becoming landfill neutral by 2016. Through their operational commitments as well as with the help of Recyclebank and communities across the country, the company will eliminate or divert more than 480 million pounds of waste from the nation’s landfills, which is equivalent to more than its U.S. waste footprint. Waste Management nominated the Town of Bluffton and the community of Sun City to represent South Carolina in the recent challenge from SC Johnson. What this means, is that the Town of Bluffton is one of 50 participants in a nationwide project to increase household recycling. The community with the highest reported recycling participation will receive a $100,000 grant to put toward a local sustainability project in their community! To participate, Bluffton and Sun City residents must go to the website www.recyclebank.com/greenchoices and set up an account for your household. Once you have verified that you are a Town of Bluffton resident or live in Sun City and set up your account, you can go in once a week to report your recycling efforts, which earns you points for simply participating! You earn rewards such as discounts and actual prizes once enough points are accumulated, and your activity counts toward Bluffton’s total participation in the challenge. The winning community will be announced in January 2013. For more information, please visit scjohnson.com/ greenchoices. August 2012
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THE LOCALS INDEX YOUR TOOL FOR FINDING THE BEST DISCOUNTS IN TOWN
EATS SWEETS & SPIRITS Captain Woody’s, p. 61 Palmetto Bay Marina, 785-2400, See Ad For Details Chocolate Canopy, Ltd., p. 103 Palmetto Bay Rd, 842-4567 10% Off Non-Sale Items (with minimum purchase of $10) CQ’s Restaurant, p. 112 Harbour Town, 671-2779 See Ad For Details Ela's Blu Water Grille, p. 63 1 Shelter Cove Marina, 843-785-3030 See Ad For Details Josie's Frozen Yogurt, p. 78 843-757-9648, www.JosiesYogurt.com (Best Buy Shopping Center) 20% Off
Old Fort Pub, p. 113 Hilton Head Plantation, 681-2386 See Ad For Details OKKO, pg. 27 95 Mathews Drive in Port Royal Plaza, Suite C (843)-341-3377 30% OFF Happy Hour, 15% OFF Early Bird Palmetto Bay Sunrise Cafe, p. 61 Palmetto Bay Marina, 686-3232 10% Off Monday-Friday Phillys Cafe and Deli, p. 110 55 New Orleans Road, 785-9966 15% Off with your C2 Card Salty Dog Cafe, p. 8 843-671-CAFE, www.saltydog.com See Ad For Details
Kingfisher, p. 89 Shelter Cove Marina, 785-4442 10% Off Food
San Miguels, p. 75 Shelter Cove Marina, 843-842-4555 See Ad For Details
La Hacienda, p. 39 25 Bluffton Road, 815-4540 11 Palmetto Bay Road, 842-4982 See Ad for Details
SERG Group Restaurant, p. 19 www.SergGroup.com See Ad For Details
Los Jalapenos, p. 110 Hwy. 278, Bridge Center, 837-2333 See Ad For Details Main Street Café & Pub, p. 103 843-689-3999, hiltonheadcafe.com 50% Off Apps (Monday - Thursday) Market Street Café, p. 24 Coligny Plaza, 686-4976 10% Off Entire Check Mellow Mushroom Pizza, p. 116 Park Plaza, 686-2474 10% Off
Skillets Café, p. 24 Coligny Plaza, 785-3131 See Ad For Details Sublime Prime, p. 39 163 Bluffton Road, Suite F, 843-815-6900 See Ad For Details The Big Chill, p. 49 6 Target Road, 843-714-2774 See Ad For Details Wild Wing Cafe, p. 4 Hilton Head - 843-785-9464 or Bluffton - 837-9453 See Ad For Details
SHOPS BOUTIQUES & MORE Black Market Minerals, p. 14-15 Coligny Plaza, 1. North Forest Beach Dr., Unit 124, 785-7090 See Ad For Details Chella D, p. 71 841 William Hilton Parkway, Suite D (South Island Square)341-3999 10% OFF Fresh Produce, p. 68 Coligny Plaza, 843-842-3410 10% Off Non-Sale Items with C2 Card GemJewelry, p. 107 Port Royal Plaza - HHI, 843-342-3663 See Ad For Details
Great Frame Up, p. 78 22 Plantation Park Dr., Suite 108, 815-4661 See Ad For Details Jamaican Me Crazy, p. 47 Coligny Plaza 785-9006 10% Off Non-Sale Items with C2 Card Luciana, p. 105 37 New Orleans Rd., Suite C 686-5620, 10% Off Nash Gallery, p. 78 13 Harbourside Lane, 2H, 785-6424 See Ad For Details
Palmettoes, p. 111 71 Lighthouse Road, Suite. 414-363-6800 See Ad For Details! Tail-Waggers, p. 58 The Village At Wexford 843-686-3707 10% Off With CH2 Card
ACTIVITIES Bluffton Farmers Market, p. 38 Calhoun St., Old Town Bluffton, 843-415-2447, Every Thurs. 2-7PM Country Club of Hilton Head, p. 34 Contact Catherine Daugherty at 843-681-2582, ext. 123 See Ad For Details Hilton Head National, p. 33 800-509-5993 www.golfhiltonheadnational.com See Ad For Great Deals! Lowcountry Golf Cars, p. 29 649 N. Okatie Highway, 987-8272 See Ad For Details North Ridge Cinema, p. 24 342-3800, See Ad For Details Quality Golf Cars, p. 35 212 Okatie Village Drive, Bluffton, 705-6655, See Ad For Details
SERVICES HIlton Head Boathouse, p. 61 843-681-2628, HHBoathouse.net 405 Squire Pope Road (Next to Celebration Events Catering, p. 25 Skull Creek Boathouse) 689-7526, Call For Details 100% Off Yamaha Full Annual Service Covert Aire, p. 23 Interior Motives, p. 101 7 Estate Drive - Bluffton 48 Pennington Drive, Suite E 706-5090, See Ad for Details 843-815-6747 E.A.C., p. 21 Call for your Free Consultation See Ad for Details Island Car Wash, p. 87 EnergyOne, p. 97 Hwy. 278, 785-9274, Kitties Crossings, 270 Red Cedar Street, Suite 104 815-4666 - $5 Off Gold Wash www.energyoneamerica.com Lowcountry Motors, p. 78 See Ad For Details www.lowcountrymotors.com Foundation Reality, p. 5 843-815-5100 www.HiltonHeadRealEstates.com See Ad For Details www.BlufftonRealEstates.com Mattress Firm, p. 17 686-4002, See Ad For Details 1172 Fording Island Road Hahn Air Specialists, p. 29, 97 837-FIRM (3476), 843-683-4242 See Ad For Details See Ad for Details American Paving Designs, p.9 See ad for details
Hargray, p. 2-3 1-866-533-6530 www.hargray.com See Ad for Details Healthy Environments, p. 103 Hilton Head: 363-6751, Bluffton: 757-5522 Ridgeland: 726-4729 Free Home Evaluation
HEALTH FITNESS & BEAUTY
Club Tan, p. 84 38-C New Orleans Road, 843-686-4826 10% Off For New Clients Comprehensive Family Care, p. 87 2 Greenwood Drive, Suite C, 843-341-3232 See Ad For Details Dermatology of the Lowcountry, p. 89 689-5259, Offices on Hilton Head, Bluffton/Okatie/Beaufort See Ad For Details European Spa, The, p. 83 The Barony Beach Club, 682-3915 10% Off, See Ad For Details Faces Day Spa, p. 82 The Village at Wexford, 785-3075 See Ad For Details Heavenly Spa by Westin, p. 85 2 Grasslawn Ave., Port Royal Plantation 681-1019, See Ad For Details Sanctuary, The - A European Day Spa, p. 85 Park Plaza, 843.842.5999 See Ad For Details Stephens Pharmacy, p. 107 Pineland Station, 843-686-3040 See Ad For Details Weniger Plastic Surgery, p. 81 25 Clarks Summit Drive, Suite 104 843-757-0123, 20% Off CoolSculpting Treatments
EXTREMELY EXTREMELY IMPORTANT IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER! DISCLAIMER! BECAUSE BECAUSE THERE THERE IS IS NO NO ACCOUNTING ACCOUNTING FOR FOR HUMAN HUMAN ERROR...ADVERTISERS ERROR...ADVERTISERS AND AND C2 C2 ARE ARE NOT NOT HELD HELD RESPONSIBLE RESPONSIBLE FOR FOR THE THE DISCOUNTS DISCOUNTS AND AND INFORMATION INFORMATION LISTED LISTED ON ON THIS THIS PAGE. PAGE.
NEED NEED A A C2 C2 CARD? CARD? CALL CALL 843.342.9190 843.342.9190 TO TO START START SAVING SAVING TODAY. TODAY.
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