CH2/CB2 February 2014 Issue by CH2/ CB2 : Celebrate Hilton Head / Celebrate Bluffton

CH’2 TH

ANNUAL PET ISSUE

FEBRUARY 2014

Bonnie is blind... but that doesn’t slow her down!

RUNAWAY BRIDE IN LOVE WITH BEING SINGLE TINY TOT FASHION ELIZABETH SMART, A DECADE LATER

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

February 2014

Contents 02.14

“

About two years ago, customs intercepted an entire container of pet medications heading to an Internet pharmacy. Upon investigation, they found out it had been stolen by Somali pirates.” - PAGE 86

P22 Happy Valentine’s Day! A little poetry and kissing to get your month off to a LOVEly start.

P24 Being Better The Benefits of Getting Comfortable Outside Your Comfort Zone

P28 Extraordinary Gentlemen of the South A look at some of the interesting characters who call the Lowcountry home

P46 tiny tot fashion What the little set is wearing these days

P54 Home Sweet Home Creating the perfect nursery

P77

P58

Meet Bonnie The winner of CH2’s 4th Annual Most Adorable Pet Facebook Contest

CH’2 TH

ON OUR CH2 COVER

ANNUAL PET ISSUE

FEBRUARY 2014

Bonnie is blind... but that doesn’t slow her down!

RUNAWAY BRIDE IN LOVE WITH BEING SINGLE

Photography by Anne Bonnie, the winner of CH2’s 4th Annual Facebook Pet Contest

TINY TOT FASHION ELIZABETH SMART, A DECADE LATER

ON OUR CB2 COVER Photography by Mark Staff Clothing by Sarah Jane in Savannah Styling by Kim Molloy Model: Ezra Young

My Story Elizabeth Smart a Decade Later

P62 8th Annual Beaufort International Film Festival Forrest Gump turns 20, BIFF turns 8

P64 runaway bride In LOVE with being single

pet section

P80 Famous Pets in Pop Culture Snoopy, Marmaduke, Lassie, Garfield, Sandy.

P82 Allergies and the Itchy Pet Instead of runny noses, sneezing, and congestion, allergies in pets can cause itchy skin.

P89 Tails of Success The feral cats of Hilton Head are seemingly everywhere—a stressrelieving visual distraction for locals and visitors alike.

P92 Saving Furry Friends and Dollars Too Tallulah Trice and Franny Gerthoffer get creative to save as many animals as possible

P96 The Rebirth of the Bluffton Dog Park Things are turning around for the four-legged crew in B-Town.

P100 Prep’s Godspell is Cause to Rejoice! While Jesus Christ Superstar defined the rock opera and stage spectacle, this sweeter, gentler variation of the Christ story fell right in line with the peace-love-hippie movement of the 1970

P104 The Power of Music Candace Woodson and the Domino Theory Band

P108 Island Plumbing Giving back with Words of Wisdom

P122 Back in Circulation When spine health is compromised

FROM THE EDITOR People Who Do Stuff ( we don’t know if they actually get paid or not) Complaint Department Director, Ridgeland Division Maggie Washo Empathy Coach & Caribbean Vacation Consultant Kelly Stroud The Nicest Person in the Office Catherine “yes, please, thank-you” Davies

SO M E

THOU G HTS

THE

SAVANNAH SMILES The February issue found us looking for inspiration in Savannah. We thought it was the perfect backdrop for a Runaway Bride to find love again - River Street and City Market provided a stunning scene on a sunny Sunday afternoon in January. Our stylist Kim Molloy also unearthed some hip threads over the Talmadge Bridge for our tiny tot fashion on page 46. I LOVE that we have big city (ok…medium size city) style just a few minutes away.

Pop Culture Historian & IT Specialist Hunter “The nerd” Kostylo The Playboy Tom “In bed by 8:30” Staebler Budget Director of the Yemen Branch Mame “where’s your receipt” Bowser Chief Negotiator & Fashion Consultant Ashton “No means No” Fons Director of Clandestine Meetings Kim Crouch Door to Door Sales Kandace Wightman Urgent Response Coordinator & Rocket Scientist Kaity Robinson

THE 5TH ANNUAL PET ISSUE According to our latest online survey, 60% of our readers have pets. To be honest, I thought that was a little low. In our office alone, the pet to non-pet owner ratio is 81 percent to 19 percent. For four years now, we’ve held a Most Adorable Pet Contest through CH2’s Facebook page, with the winner (the most LIKES on their photo) landing on the cover and receiving $300 cash. What amazes me every year is the viral capacity of this contest. According to our FB stats, our runner-ups photo (Jake Castelli, the pretty white Golden Retriever) was seen over 23,000 times. This is notable because we currently have around 5000 fans on Facebook. What does all this mean? That you love pets and I’m justified in all the pages we dedicate to talking about them every February.

Storytellers Kitty Bartell Lily Bartell Stacy Davidson, DVM Kirk Dixon, DVM Frank Dunne Jr. Me

Rebecca Edwards Andrea Gannon Kent Gochnauer Courtney Hampson Drew Laughlin

Just wanted to make sure you got one right on our “Pet Quiz,” see page 78.

Stacy O’Quinn, DVM Mary Frances Stocks

Lucy

Lisa Sulka Debbie Szpanka Katie Tait Picture Takers Photography by Anne Mark Staff Photography John Brackett Istvan Blair Photography Find Us HERE PO Box 22949 Hilton Head, SC 29925 843.689.2658 M.washo@celebratehiltonhead.com

M. WASHO

PUBLISHER / EDITIOR

LO V E

M ONTH

2014

CH2’S MOST ADORABLE PET WINNER Bonnie channeled Stevie Wonder at her photo shoot with Photography by Anne for the cover. She was born blind and had her eyes removed at about six months when the pressure started causing her pain. For more about this sweet pup, check out page 77.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ISTVAN BLAIR

Article By Kitty Bartell

(You are going the wrong way. Please make a legal U-turn.)

(Turn Here.)

Being Better The Benefits of Getting Comfortable Outside Your Comfort Zone

s the road less traveled your home address? Do your friends and family expect the unexpected from you? Would you describe yourself as confident, brave and fulfilled? If your answers are yes, yes, and yes, then you are a rare bird. You most likely have discovered how to unlatch the proverbial gilded cage, and have found your way out of your comfort zone to where the real magic in life happens. Statistics will confirm that making iron-clad resolutions to change behavior will likely result in failure. Behavior is a natural follower, a coat-tail rider, a wanna-be; and behaviorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s greatest wish is to find a dynamic leader who will provide an easy solution to a nagging concern. The problem is that the real meat in life, the biggest rewards, and the greatest possibility of being a bit better than we are today, comes only when behavior shakes off the mantel of follower and becomes a leader, and the only non-pharmaceutical way that I know to do this, is to get the heck out of our comfort zones.

Comfort zones are the places in our minds in which we reside where we perceive the risks and stresses of life to be manageable. Comfort zones disguise themselves in deceptively appealing ways: being nestled in a cozy chair sipping cocoa, watching reruns of TV shows and movies that you could quite nearly recite, or ensconced before a computer screen surfing across the ocean of web waves (a.k.a. the best friend of those with a proclivity for procrastination). Comfort zones may also be a job that pays the bills but provides little else, a hobby that has become a chore, or simply a habit repeated mindlessly despite its lack of purpose or fulfillment. The real enigma to comfort zones is that despite their benign appearance, they actually tend to create dissonance. Our brains crave both familiarity and change. Comfort zones are the familiar; however, when thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a little too much familiar, the internal battle begins. It is well known that great entrepreneurs are rarely in their comfort zone and embrace change more readily than

Identify your fears and then take small steps to test your limits.

most. They push boundaries and take great risks… often culling great rewards for their daring. What they have learned is that inside the comfort zone, life is a bit mediocre. While outside, they are more fulfilled, confident, and prosperous. They also know that with every foray outside the comfort zone, it becomes easier to do it again, and again, and again. While we are not all driven to become great entrepreneurs, we do all have the same brain chemistry that sends out the call to be better at being outside our comfort zones, and our job is to answer the call. The first few times you answer the call, you may find fear waiting on the other end of the line. Fear will find a way to tell you that you might fail. It may come in the form of being reminded of the mailbox full of bills that arrive each month, just as you are about to go part-time at work in order to devote more time to your children; or that the last time you tried hosting a dinner party you and your standing rib roast nearly burned down the kitchen. You may get booed in the middle of your inaugural karaoke set, or face-plant in a snow-bank in front of everyone sharing your first chair-lift ride. Why would you want to put yourself out there and risk the embarrassment that failure brings? One very compelling reason: the potential rewards are infinite. And we inherently know this; otherwise, we would not crave change when life becomes a little too mundane. Almost anything is possible once we get outside our comfort zone: new adventures, new hobbies, new work, new friends, new relationships, better health, prosperity, happiness, confidence, fulfillment, excitement, security... the possibilities are limitless. The leap from your comfort zone does not have to be monumental to realize the benefits. If fear is whispering in your ear that you had better maintain the status quo, or else, fight back by sneaking in a few being better victories that won’t rock the boat too much, but that will show you change is possible. 1. Do everyday things a little differently. Take the children to school via a different route. Go to a farmers market for your fresh fruit and veggies instead of the supermarket. Start your work day with tea instead of coffee. Do a crossword puzzle after dinner instead of the usual TV veg-fest. Volunteer for a short-term project at church or in the community rather than being overwhelmed at the prospect of an ongoing commitment. The possibilities truly are endless for who you may meet, what you may see, what you may learn, or what doors may be opened to you. 2. Make decisions differently. How do you make decisions? Are you one to make decisions quickly, or do you take your time? Now, do the opposite. If you are a snap-decision person, try mulling over your choices. Do some research and spend time simply thinking over your options. If you are slow to make decision, try trusting yourself and make some choices more quickly. Either way, you have some experience at making decisions; now trust yourself to do it a little differently. You may find solutions and answers that you had never imagined. 3. Identify your fears and then take small steps to test your limits. Fear of public speaking: practicing speaking up in meetings before volunteering to give the key note address at your company’s annual meeting. Fear of water: take beginning adult swimming lessons at the rec center before throwing yourself off of the high dive. Once you try these baby steps and experience a few small victories, don’t be surprised if you find yourself bungee jumping on your next vacation, spear-heading a Habitat for Humanity project, or launching your own business. As many of life’s great gurus have said, including my dear grandmother, “Everything in moderation,” which thankfully means we will always need our comfort zones to balance us. Stepping out of the comfortable places in our lives and our minds will encourage behavior to become the lead-dog on our journey to being better; with the reassuring knowledge that a cup of cocoa and a rerun, or Pinteresting the evening away now and then, just may be good for us too.  26

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

February 2014

february 2014

www.celebratehiltonhead.com 27

THESE MEN HAVE CONQUERED THEIR CRAFT AND OVER THE YEARS, HAVE BECOME VALUABLE MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY.

Photography by Anne

WE PRESENT TO YOU, THE 2014 EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN OF THE SOUTH.

Best Advice you’ve ever gotten: Believe in yourself; Do the right thing; and something my grandfather always told me...“No one can take away your education or your wisdom.”

My favorite part of living in the South is: The people. They’re just so pleasant, don’t seem rushed. They have a certain politeness and manner about them that I really love. My Mentor was: I was fortunate to have many great mentors, but I have to mention Dr. Lewis Goldfrank who is a Director of Emergency Medicine & Toxicology in New York City and confirmed the negative effects of Tylenol (acetaminophen poisoning) on the liver. Hickey Wellness Center 843.842.9960 drjosephhickey.com

Photography by Mark Staff

Name: Joe Hickey, M.D. Area of Expertise: Problem Solving & Connecting the Dots (i.e., Medicine) / Medical “Sleuth” (i.e., Internist) Years in Business: 34 Years in the South: 20

Biggest Accomplishment to Date: Marrying Lisa was one of the best things I ever did. Uncovering the probable cause of fibromyalgia was another. Favorite Vacation Spot: St. Martin - for its beautiful beaches, water and mountains. If I had chosen another career path, I would have been: There truly was no other choice for me, as medicine has always been my passion, but perhaps teaching. I’m really blessed that my current role allows me to serve as both doctor and teacher. Favorite Book, Movie or Television Show: The Bible and Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda.

Name: Kevin King Field of Expertise: Real Estate Years in Business: 30+ Years in the South: 56 Best Advice you’ve ever gotten: An old golf friend once told me “If you can’t make a living playing golf, don’t throw away all of your hard work. Get into a business where golf can help you make a living.” Biggest Accomplishment to Date: I would say qualifying for the Champions Tour in 2007 and selling my first $5,000,000 home top the list for now. But, I would like to think my greatest accomplishments still lie ahead of me! Favorite Vacation Spot: Los Cabos because it’s a place I like to visit every year when I’m healthy enough to travel! If I had chosen another career path, I would have been: An architect Favorite Book, Movie or Television Show: Anything OO7 (James Bond)

My Mentor was...Spain Kelley, who convinced me to leave the mortgage business in 1987 and join him in the real estate business.

Kevin King Real Estate Associates 843.384.9466 / 843.785.4460 www.kevinkingrealestate.com

Photography by Mark Staff

My favorite part of living in the South is: Sharing our Lowcountry lifestyle and southern hospitality with my clients and friends from around the world.

Name: Gary Reavis Area of Expertise: Owner of Teagues Men’s Store Years in Business: 20 / 42 Years on Hilton Head Years in the South: All my life! (Grew up in Charlotte, NC. Married and lived in Columbia, SC. Moved to Hilton Head in 1971.)

Teagues 843.842.9868

Photography by Anne

Best Advice you’ve ever gotten: 1. Do what you love/love what you do, 2. Create a business which makes lasting relationships, 3. Provide quality service and merchandise. Biggest Accomplishment to Date: Living and raising our family on Hilton Head. Owning our business. Selected Best Men’s Store numerous times. Favorite Vacation Spot: Ocracoke Island, NC If I had chosen another career path, I would have been: Working in Journalism, A sports writer. Favorite Book, Movie or Television Show: The Death of Santini or any Pat Conroy book. My favorite part of living in the South is: University of South Carolina football on Saturday and BBQ (North & South Carolina) My Mentor was…Richard Crose, Founder of Knickers

The Sales Team At Palmetto Bluff www.palmettobluff.com Years in Business: 71 Years in the Lowcountry: 203 (that is to say, all of them, for all of them) Best Advice you’ve ever received: We do everything our marketing manager tells us. Biggest accomplishment to date: Surviving the “Great Recession.”

Name: Keene Reese

Name: Bryan Byrne

Name: John Ussery

Name: Mike Haire

Name: Thomas Maybank

Favorite Vacation Spot: Caribbean/fishing for Tarpon If I had chosen another career path, it would have been: I’ll give you two...1) Baseball coach, 2) Actor Favorite book, movie or TV show right now: Movie, of course, Legends of the Fall, I’m a lot like Tristan. Book, I have two, Fearless and Unbroken. No TV, too many kids to deal with in the evenings. Favorite part of living in the South: Certainly the culture. Food/music/ college football and the integrity of the people and places. My Mentor was...my dad. Certainly the best and most respectful man I’ve ever known.

Favorite Vacation Spot: The Southwest of Ireland If I had chosen another career path, it would have been: Infomercial Host. I would sell juicers by the pallet load! Favorite book, movie or TV show right now: Atlas Shrugged (the movie and the book) Favorite part of living in the South: The people. Southern people represent the best of American culture. Family, hard work, community, food, and fun. My Mentor was...The guy who was overbearing and rude during an investment banking interview my senior year at William and Mary. He pushed me into the real estate business (unbeknownst to him) and changed my life forever. God bless that man (whatever his name is)!

Favorite Vacation Spot: There are some amazing places to explore, but I’ll take anywhere I can get quality time with Erin and our three boys. If I had chosen another career path, it would have been: Less fun. Favorite book, movie or TV show right now: Leverage (Hulu is slowly killing me one TV series at a time) Favorite part of living in the South: (in no particular order) Sweat tea, manners, biscuits and gravy, live oaks, tailing red fish, ACC basketball, strangers who wave, tide swings, oyster roasts, and a warm smile. My Mentor was...My father

Favorite Vacation Spot: Nantucket If I had chosen another career path, it would have been: Teaching Favorite book, movie or TV show right now: Born to Run Favorite part of living in the South: The weather My Mentor was...My high school baseball coach and math teacher, Charlie Owens

Favorite Vacation Spot: The boat If I had chosen another career path, it would have been: Pilot Favorite book, movie or TV show right now: Unbroken Favorite part of living in the South: Family My Mentor was...Courtney Hampson (she’s reading over my shoulder).

Photography by Anne

Name: Atul M. Gupta, MD Field of Expertise: Doctor Years in Business: 20 Years in the South: 11 Best Advice you’ve ever gotten: Treat everyone you come across as you would treat your mother. Don’t worry about the income…if you focus on the outcome, the income will be there. Biggest Accomplishment to Date: Providing my family with a loving, comfortable lifestyle filled with opportunity. Favorite Vacation Spot: Cat Cay, Bahamas If I had chosen another career path, I would have been A musician Favorite Book, Movie or Television Show: Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell; Movie: The Godfather series My favorite part of living in the South is: Being on the water and enjoying the food. My Mentor was my father and grandfather. Lowcountry Neuropathy 843.836.5111 www.lowcountryneuropathybluffton.com

Name: Andy Borgmeier Area of Expertise: Executive Chef Years in Business: 26 Years in the South: 22

Celebrations Catering & Events www.wecelebrateyou.com

Photography by John Brackett

Best Advice you’ve ever gotten: My dad always said to do what you love and give it your best. Biggest Accomplishment to Date: Personal – Meeting my wife Cathy and being blessed with two amazing children. Professional – Being responsible for up to 70 weddings a year with no boundaries on the menus. Favorite Vacation Spot: Jamaica – “Let’s get together and feel alright…” If I had chosen another career path, I would have been a professional tennis player. Favorite Book, Movie or Television Show: With two children, ages 3 and 6…currently it’s Despicable Me 2. My favorite part of living in the South is: Island life. We can all take it for granted, but anyone on the island can be at the beach in under 10 minutes. My Mentor was…Executive Chef Steve Felenczak, Hyatt Regency Hilton Head. He expressed to me the “Art “ side of Culinary Arts, even teaching me the fine art of ice carving.

Name: Dennis Jaworski Field of Expertise: Fashion Designer Years in Business: 44 Years in the South: 17

Name: Chuck Hall Area of Expertise: Women’s & Men’s Fashion Years in Business: 30 Years in the South: 18

Palmettoes 843.363.6800

Photography by Anne

Best Advice you’ve ever gotten: Be always positive, confident and keep negativity away! You can only do the very best you can in life! Biggest Accomplishment to Date: Still enjoying the clothing business and customers. I still love to meet people as well as enjoy the friends I have made. Favorite Vacation Spot: St. Barth’s, French West Indies If I had chosen another career path, I would have been: Doctor (saving lives) Favorite Book, Movie or Television Show: The Voice and NCIS (LA) My favorite part of living in the South is: the weather and friendly, kind people! My Mentor was… Stanley Marcus of Neiman Marcus Stores.

Best Advice you’ve ever gotten: Only worry about the things you can control. Biggest Accomplishment to Date: Having three very successful children and opening Palmettoes at a point where most are thinking retirement! Favorite Vacation Spot: Definitely, St. Barth’s If I had chosen another career path, I would have been: An architect and designer Favorite Book, Movie or Television Show Undercover Boss My favorite part of living in the South is: the friendly people who don’t shovel snow. My mentor was my first boss who kept “feeding me rope” until I hung myself...I didn’t.

Photography by Anne

Name: Keith Josefiak Field of Expertise: Chef Years in Business: 36 Years in the South: 19 Best Advice you’ve ever gotten: Cemeteries are full of irreplaceable people. Biggest Accomplishment to Date: Attended the School for American Chefs at Beringer. Favorite Vacation Spot: Lake Charlevoix, Michigan If I had chosen another career path, I would have been: Carpenter Favorite Book, Movie or Television Show: Top Chef - Bravo My favorite part of living in the South is: The culture My Mentor was...Madeleine Kamman Old Fort Pub 843.681.2386 www.oldfortpub.com

Name: Eric Thompson Field of Expertise: General Manager Years in Business: 18 Years in the South: 40

Favorite Vacation Spot: Saint Simons Island If I had chosen another career path, I would have been: Veterinarian Favorite Book, Movie or Television Show - Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives My favorite part of living in the South is: Watching the amazing sunsets and the beach My Mentor was...my parents! CQ’s Restaurant 843.671.2779 www.cqsrestaurant.com

Photography by Anne

Best Advice you’ve ever gotten: Life really is short so savor the good times. Each day is a gift. Biggest Accomplishment to Date: Culinary Degree and surviving Starkey International training with Charles Anderson.

Name: Mike Hostilo Area of Expertise: Lawyer Years in Business: 22 Years in the South: Most of my life Best Advice youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve ever gotten: Be a regular guy, work hard and have honor. Biggest Accomplishment to Date: Having a daughter. Favorite Vacation Spot: Southern California If I had chosen another career path, I would have been in the financial industry, or possibily a salesman. Favorite Book, Movie or Television Show: Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell My favorite part of living in the South is: My home, the weather, my family and the people you meet. My Mentor wasâ&#x20AC;ŚGeorge Zettler, and my dad. Michael Hostilo Attorney at Law 912.748.6453 www.getwhatsright.com

Photography by Mark Staff

Name: John Morris Russell Field of Expertise: Music Director and Conductor, Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra Years in Business: 15+ Years in the South: Eight Best Advice you’ve ever gotten: From L. Howard “Zeke” Nicar, Jr., Assistant Dean, Vanderbilt University: “Leadership is about knowing which butts to kick and which butts to pat.” Biggest Accomplishment to Date: Raising two affable children with my wife, Thea. Favorite Vacation Spot: Wherever there is a quiet beach, cold beer, a good book and an old deck of cards. If I had chosen another career path, I would have been: Archeologist - There is something thrilling about discovery; not just objects, but the untold stories and memories that those objects embody. Favorite Book, Movie or Television Show - Reading The Monuments Men, right now. As for film, it’s tough to choose, but To Sir With Love is way up there - Sidney Poitier is such an inspiration. I don’t watch TV. My favorite part of living in the South is: The innate friendliness and genuine warmth that so many folks share with one another.

Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra 843.842.2055 www.hhso.org

Photography by Anne

My Mentor was...Erich Kunzel, Conductor of the Cincinnati Pops. He is a great friend and responsible for some of the biggests ‘breaks’ in my career, including concerts for some of the biggest Musikverein in Vienna, Austria and ultimately as his successor at the Cincinnati Pops.

Name: James Wedgeworth Area of Expertise: Real Estate Agent Years in Business: 33 Years in the South: 63

My Mentor was…My grandmother who instilled in me the value of hard work. James Wedgeworth & Associates 843.785.4460 www.jameswedgeworth.com

Photography by Mark Staff

Best Advice you’ve ever gotten: JoAnn Callaway, a top producing Realtor in Phoenix, Arizona says to “always put the interest of your clients first”- something I strive to do every day in my business. Biggest Accomplishment to Date: The character of my four grown children. Favorite Vacation Spot: Hilton Head Islandthat’s why we moved here so many years ago. If I had chosen another career path, I would have been: I went to college to be a Petroleum Engineer. Favorite Book, Movie or Television Show: The Bible, The Blind Side and any sporting event with the Atlanta Braves. My favorite part of living in the South is: The poise and graciousness of Southern people.

Name: Dave Miller Area of Expertise: Mechanical Contractor / Owner of Superior Heating & Air Years in Business: 15 Years in the South: 20

Superior Heating & Air 800.828.2665 www.superior.ac

Photography by Mark Staff

Best Advice you’ve ever gotten: Believe half of what you see and none of what you hear. Biggest Accomplishment to Date: My life seems to be a bunch of small accomplishments, I am not sure any particular one would qualify to be listed any higher then the others. Running a business for 15 years under the same name is a “work in progress” accomplishment as it is the hardest thing I think I will ever do. (Part of me wants to say that my newborn son is my biggest accomplishment, but anyone can have a child... so I do not think I can check that off until we see how I do raising him. Check back with me in 18 years on this one.) Favorite Vacation Spot: If it’s a true vacation, then by definition wherever I am at that time. If I had chosen another career path, I would have been: Not sure if this is a path, but I am pretty sure that being famous would be a lot of fun. Favorite Book, Movie or Television Show: I am a huge fan of motivational books, so my top two are the E-Myth and The Millionaire Fast Lane. If I am able to watch TV then anything slapstick will work. My favorite part of living in the South is: The weather & the water. My Mentors are…Both my parents; they shaped me into the man I am today, and I never stop learning from them. If not for their guidance, I would not be where I am today-wherever that is!

Name: Mark Lynch Area of Expertise: Realtor Years in Business: 22 Years in the South: All my life Best Advice you’ve ever gotten: When negotiating don’t be afraid to walk away from a deal because if you are you’ve already lost. Biggest Accomplishment to Date: My wife and our two daughters. Favorite Vacation Spot: Manhattan If I had chosen another career path, I would have been: A Property Manager Favorite Book, Movie or Television Show: ESPN - College GameDay My favorite part of living in the South is: The weather, laid back attitudes & SEC football.

Photography by Mark Staff

My Mentor was…Mr. Roy Frazier. He was a coach, a leader, a guardian and a friend. Mark Lynch & Associates 843.842.0819 www.iSellHiltonHead.com

Name: John Rush Field of Expertise: Financial / Retirement Planning Advisor Years in Business: 17 Years in the South: 13 Best Advice you’ve ever gotten: Do the right thing- even when no one is watching! Biggest Accomplishment to Date: Marrying Lynette, my wife and business partner. It is truly a special relationship, and she is a special woman that can handle me 24/7.

Ameriprise Financial 843.837.1220 www.ameripriseadvisors.com/john.b.rush

Photography by Mark Staff

Favorite Vacation Spot: Wherever my family is vacationing- my entire family still vacations together like when we were kids but now there are in-laws & kids! If I had chosen another career path, I would have been: President- at least my momma always told me I could be president. Now that I am older, I don’t think I want the job! Favorite Book, Movie or Television Show: Book: Getting Naked (C’mon it’s a business book) Movie: Saving Mr. Banks (childhood memories of Mary Poppins) My mentor was Warren Buffet & Mister Rogers.

Hi l

ad Hearin He g

e ic rv

n to

Best Advice you’ve ever gotten: Jesus Christ “Love the Lord with all

rap ett hy b y John Brack

Mik

i e Szynsk

Show: The Bible because heaven & earth shall pass away, but God’s words will never pass away. My favorite part of living in the South is: Awesome weather. My Mentor was…Every person that has been put in my path since my birth. Hilton Head Hearing Services, Inc. 843.681.6070 www.hiltonheadhearing.com

Photography by Anne

Name: Dr. Michael J. Szynski Area of Expertise: Diagnostic testing, hearing aids/Audiologist Years in Business: 27 Years in the South: 13

your heart, mind and soul.” My Father “You can never out-give God.” My Mother “Expect nothing in return when you give.” Biggest Accomplishment to Date: Letting my actions speak louder than my words. Favorite Vacation Spot: Florida Keys If I had chosen another career path, I would have been a full time missionary. Favorite Book, Movie or Television

ot og

Name: Charles W. Hobart, II Field of Expertise: Dentistry Years in Business: 17 Years in the South: 44

First Dental of Bluffton 843.757.2828 www.firstdentalofbluffton.com

Photography by Anne

Best Advice you’ve ever gotten: “Treat your patient’s like they are family.” Biggest Accomplishment to Date: A happy family. Favorite Vacation Spot: Puerto Rico If I had chosen another career path, I would have been: A veterinarian Favorite Book, Movie or Television Show: White Fang by Jack London. My favorite part of living in the South is: The weather. We get to enjoy the great outdoors just about all year. My Mentor was...Dr. Perry N. Trakas

Name: Mark W. Staff Field of Expertise: Professional photographer / Custom Land Rover designer Years in Business: 26 years in photography and six years designing trucks Years in the South: 11 years, moved from Canada Best Advice you’ve ever gotten: Never a borrower or a lender be. I heard this from a client 25 years ago. Don’t buy anything you cannot afford to pay for today. Biggest Accomplishment to Date: Raising four children and being happily married for 26.5 years. Being able to create what my mind sees. Favorite Vacation Spot: The Cornish Coast in England and Snowdonia Wales. If I had chosen another career path, it would have been Racing cars or movie star. Favorite Book, Movie or Television Show- Book of Mormon, Gladiator and Downton Abbey

My Mentor was...did not have one. If anyone would have been, I guess it would have been my dad, for working hard to provide for his family. Mark Staff Photography www.markstaffphotography.com

Photography by Mark Staff

My favorite part of living in the South is: Not shoveling my driveway in the bitter January cold of Canadian winters.

Name: Mark Berglind Area of Expertise: Civil Litigation Years in Business: Seven Years in the South: 33 Name: Tabor Vaux Area of Expertise: Representing injured people. Years in Business: Five Years in the South: 30

Biggest Accomplishment to Date: Convincing my wife I was the man for her. Favorite Vacation Spot: A lazy day on Edisto Island.

Best Advice you’ve ever gotten: If you don’t like something, change it.

If I had chosen another career path, I would have been: A musician (luckily I am a lawyer, because I have NO musical talents).

Biggest Accomplishment to Date: My wife.

Favorite book, movie or TV show: Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

Favorite Vacation Spot: May River.

Favorite part of living in the South: Grits!

If I had chosen another career path, I would have been: My great-great-great-greatgrandfather, Roberts Vaux, became an American lawyer in 1808. I became one in 2008. This is the only thing I’ve ever wanted to do.

Vaux & Marscher, P.A. www.vaux-marscher.com 843-757-2888

Name: William F. Marscher, III (“Rick”) Area of Expertise: Attorney Years in Business: 29 Years in the South: 45-55 Best Advice you’ve ever gotten: You only get out of life what you put into it. Biggest Accomplishment to Date: My Wife and I have raised two healthy, happy, and successful sons. Favorite Vacation Spot: Edisto Island. If I had chosen another career path, I would have been: Research Biologist Favorite book, movie or TV show: The Old Man and Boy by Robert Ruark Favorite part of living in the South: The outdoors and the history. My Mentor was...My father, Bill Marscher.

Favorite book, movie or TV show: Lonesome Dove. What a classic.

Vaux & Marscher, P.A. www.vaux-marscher.com 843-757-2888

Favorite part of living in the South: The people and their personalities. My Mentor was...My father. Vaux & Marscher, P.A. www.vaux-marscher.com 843-757-2888

Name: Jim Scheider Area of Expertise: Attorney Years in Business: 34 Years in the South: 71 Best Advice you’ve ever gotten: Finish college. Biggest Accomplishment to Date: Marrying my lovely wife Taffy and putting our three children through college. Favorite Vacation Spot: Alaska.

If I had chosen another career path, I would have been: Family Practice Physician Favorite book, movie or TV show: Alaska: Life Below Zero Favorite part of living in the South: The people, the food & the culture. My Mentor was...My father, J. Pringle Scheider. Vaux & Marscher, P.A. www.vaux-marscher.com 843-757-2888

Name: Roberts Vaux Area of Expertise: Attorney Years in Business: 42 Years in the South: 68 Best Advice you’ve ever gotten: Never go to a meeting to count the vote (always know where you stand). Biggest Accomplishment to Date: Being a father to four incredible children. Raising a son who has joined me in the practice of law. Successfully defending a mentally handicapped man charged with murder.

Favorite Vacation Spot: The little sandbar on the May River. If I had chosen another career path, I would have been: A professional golfer Favorite book, movie or TV show: A Time to Kill (book & movie) Favorite part of living in the South: The people. My Mentor was...Randolph Murdaugh, Jr. Vaux & Marscher, P.A. www.vaux-marscher.com 843-757-2888 Photography by Mark Staff

Name: Russell Anderson Area of Expertise: Restaurant Business Years in Business: 14 Years in the South: All my life Best Advice you’ve ever gotten: “A person is judged by the lessons they learn.” “Change is the process to survival.” Biggest Accomplishment to Date: Of course our two Captain Woody’s, but the recent birth of my baby boy, Pryor Wright Anderson, by far trumps everything! Favorite Vacation Spot: New York City / Islamorada, Florida If I had chosen another career path, I would have been a Landscape Architect Favorite Book, Movie or Television Show: Into the Wild by Jack Krakauer My favorite part of living in the South: Is the cuisine, history, scenery, and hospitality. Photography by Mark Staff

My Mentor was…My dad, John T Anderson. If I can be half the man he was, then I will consider my life a success. Captain Woody’s Seafood Restaurant HHI: 843.785.2400 Bluffton: 843.757.6222 www.captainwoodys.com

Name: Kevin Quat, co-owner Absolute Island Management, Inc. Area of Expertise: Multifamily Housing, Property Management Years in Business: 7 Years in the South: 14

Kevin Quat http://AbsoluteIsland.com

Daniel Quat Photography

Best Advice you’ve ever gotten: Keep calm and chive on is a good one, but Teddy R said it best: “In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.” Biggest Accomplishment to Date: In my personal life, my son. It is pure joy to watch him learn and grow. For business, building a company that helps people find and enjoy their home. Absolute Island Management currently manages over 400 units in Hilton Head and Bluffton. Favorite Vacation Spot: 5 o’clock, sunset, a Hilton Head Beach; couple that with Reggae night at the Big Bamboo, and I am a happy man. “Red Stripe, ya mon!” If I had chosen another career path, I would have been an engineer, probably in the automotive industry. Solving problems is my strong suit, however designing solutions that have a global application truly inspires me. Favorite Book, Movie or Television Show: White Collar is great. While a tad unrealistic at times, it always makes me think through problems effectively and has inspired me to analyze all solutions no matter how random they may appear. My favorite part of living in the South is: That the people slow down to enjoy the day. This New Yorker enjoys the balance of slowing down to appreciate where I live and the people around me. My Mentor was…Rob Meyer. He is a developer and multifamily expert and he taught me the value of relationships in business. “People will always remember how you make them feel so make sure they like you,” he postured.

Best Advice youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve ever gotten: Treat people the way you would like to be treated (The Golden Rule).

Biggest Accomplishment to Date: My happy family life with my wife and three children. Favorite Vacation Spot: Any place there is a blue ribbon trout stream. If I had chosen another career path, I would have been a sports journalist or writer. Favorite Book, Movie or Television Show: Witness by Whittaker Chambers and The Office.

My favorite part of living in the South is: The sunshine. My Mentor wasâ&#x20AC;Śmy dad (also is a dentist). Bauer Dental Associates HHI: 843.686.5810 Bluffton: 843.757.2222 www.bauerdental.net

Photography by Anne

Name: Jeffrey C. Bauer Area of Expertise: Dentistry Years in Business: 14 Years in the South: Four

Name: Terry L. Tadlock, CIC, CPCU, CRIS Field of Expertise: President, Coastal Plains Insurance Years in Business: 34 Years in the South: All my life Best Advice you’ve ever gotten: Climbing the ladder of success is a worthy accomplishment, but true greatness is measured by how many people you brought on the journey with you. Biggest Accomplishment to Date: Assisting my wife in raising our two children into productive adults. Favorite Vacation Spot: San Galgano, the Tuscany Region of Italy

Coastal Plains Insurance 843.785.7733 www.coastalplains.com

Photography by Mark Staff

If I had chosen another career path, I would have been: An Architect Favorite Book, Movie or Television Show: The Energy Bus, a must read! My favorite part of living in the South is: The warm weather, beautiful beaches, plush golf courses...and don’t forget friendly people. My Mentor was...James T. Harrison, Jr. The smartest man I have ever known who took time to invest in me.

Name: Steve Plowden Area of Expertise: Realtor Years in Business: 25 Years in the South: All my life Best Advice you’ve ever gotten: My mom (a Realtor) told me not to be a sales person but to be a great educator and the sale will follow. Biggest Accomplishment to Date: I’ve had a few but I am hoping that the biggest is still to come. Favorite Vacation Spot: Anywhere in the Caribbean. If I had chosen another career path, I would have been in Advertising Favorite Book, Movie or Television Show: The Pep Talk by Keven Elkpo PhD My favorite part of living in the South is: Everything, including sweet tea!

Steve Plowden - Dunes Marketing Group 843.842.1111, ext. 822 steve.plowden@dunesrealestategroup.com

Photography by Anne

The person I admire most is my wife Lisa. She is the unsung hero-if you knew her you would admire her too.

Name: Dustin Wilder (left) Area of Expertise: Financial Planning Years in Business: 20 Years in the South: 10 Best Advice you’ve ever gotten: “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard” from Tim Tebow’s book, Through My Eyes. Biggest Accomplishment to Date: Finishing a half Ironman triathlon (a 70.3 mile race) in

Best Advice you’ve ever gotten: Whatever you want to do least, do first. Then everything is all downhill. Biggest Accomplishment to Date: By far my biggest accomplishment is my wife of 15 years and our three children. I couldn’t be more proud. In business, my biggest achievement is reaching Raymond James Chairman’s Club. This is the

times we will arrive before noon eat subs, play all day and stay until the sunsets. My Mentor was…My Father. I was blessed to grow up in a stable family with loving & supportive parents and a wonderful older sister. But my father instilled a great work ethic upon me by leading through his example. He is honorable man and filled with integrity. Much of my success today is attributable to my father, he truly is my mentor.

top achievement in my firm, and I couldn’t have gotten there by myself. I’m so fortunate to have the support of my family, friends, and clients. My business partner Dustin and I began our practice together 17 years ago, and over the years have built the “Dream Team” that we have today at CoastalStates Wealth Management. Favorite Vacation Spot: Besides Hilton Head I would have to say St. John USVI. I love the laid back culture of the island, the beautiful beaches, and their great food. If I had chosen another career path, I would have been: A Real Estate Developer. I would enjoy the transformation of my vision and hard work into something that would positively impact many peoples’ lives by creating a beautiful place to live, work, and play.

Favorite Book, Movie or Television Show: My favorite TV show is Top Gear and many reality shows. I love cars, and I love watching people be real and not scripted. My favorite part of living in the South is: It’s the weather and the friendly people. I’m from Columbus, OH and moved south to escape the dreary winters. I happened to fall in love with the beaches, the sandbars, and the water. My Mentor was…My father. He taught me to do well by doing well for others, and to always put your client first in business.

Coastal States Wealth Management of Raymond James 843.836.3320 dustin.wilder@raymondjames.com

Coastal States Wealth Management of Raymond James 843.836.3320 christopher.spires@raymondjames.com

Photography by Jim Sims

Name: Christopher Spires (right) Area of Expertise: Registered Investment Advisor Years in Business: 18 Years in the South: 10

under 5 hours this past fall in Augusta, GA. Favorite Vacation Spot: Skiing for a week in Beaver Creek, CO with my wife and four children. If I had chosen another career path, I would have been: A Fire Fighter Favorite Book, Movie or Television Show: My family & I are hooked on Duck Dynasty & American Idol. My favorite part of living in the South is: Spending long days at the beach with my immediate & extended family. It is not uncommon for my parents, my wife & four children, my sister-in-law along with my five nieces & nephews to hang all day on our wonderful beaches. Often

l Tot Tiny



Fashion

Phot0graphy By Mark Staff Styled by Kim Molloy Clothes provided by sarah Jane Children’s boutique in savannah Art Direction and design by Kelly Stroud Models: Gracyn Corn, Ezra Young, Jane Lynch, Maggie Lamkin, Daxton and Pierce Lynch

“A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous.” - Coco Chanel

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society.â&#x20AC;? - Mark Twain

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I want everyone to wear what they want and mix it in their own way. That, to me, is modern.â&#x20AC;? -Karl Lagerfield

“Some people think fashion is frivolous but it’s not... it’s just that some ideas come and go quickly, and that’s the nature of the language of fashion.” - Douglas Coupland

“Fashion should be a form of escapism, and not a form of imprisonment.” - Alexander McQueen

“Sometimes the eye gets so accustomed that if you don’t have a change, you’re bored. It’s the same with fashion, you know. And that, I suppose, is what style is about.” - Bill Blass

Article by Rebecca Edwards

o h ,B a b y:

The Ulti m ate M o dern Nur s ery

ccording to The New York Times, the most common birthday is September 16, and if you do the math, you realize it wasn’t just the fireplace getting hot over the holiday season. Over 9 percent of all babies are conceived in the month of December, making it truly “the most wonderful time of the year” for hopeful parents. Now it’s February, and designing the nursery can be as challenging as the 40 weeks of pregnancy— especially for moms-to-be with a full-blown case of the nesting bug. With my first, I remember often waking up in the middle of night, downing a quart of ice cold milk and a bag of ginger snaps dipped in peanut butter, online researching until the wee hours for just the thing for my wee little bundle of joy, and feeling like I was going to pop from binging on food and web content. You don’t have to be “that bump,” nor does your daughter, daughterin-law, sister, wife or best friend. Giving life to the ultimate modern nursery is actually a creative process that should be nurtured and enjoyed at every phase, made

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

affordable through a little ingenuity, and yes—thanks to the following insights and tips—simple. “I had convinced myself we were going to have a boy,” Ashley Lashbrook said. “For four months, I worked on an idea board designing our nursery based on the theme Where the Wild Things Are. And then we had a gender reveal party and found out we were having a girl. That’s when I did a total 180 and started reading about Montessori-inspired rooms.” The Montessori nursery is based on the method developed by Maria Montessori in 1907. Sea Pines Montessori Academy defines the technique as a “method structured for the developmental instincts of children that encourages his or her growth as a whole individual—intellectually, socially, spiritually and physically.” Elements of a Montessori-inspired nursery include child-sized furniture, a self-care station with a mirror and maybe a brush, low-level shelves and wall hooks (14-15 inches from the floor) with minimal articles so the child can learn to organize his or her things, artwork (like letters or family photographs)

at the child’s eye level, wooden trays (which, in an effort to not over-stimulate the child, are rotated in and out of the room) containing simple activities like using tongs, and last—and perhaps the most unconventional—a floor bed so the child can freely walk around the room. Because of its simplicity, a Montessori nursery will save expectant parents time, money and space. And as an added bonus, the Montessori mind frame allows the room to grow as the child grows. Rather than feeling constantly bombarded with superfluous and even toxic items like huge bins of plastic toys, parents can add needed gear and goodies as time, space, budget and developmental stages allow. Lastly, the Montessori-themed room activates the learning process from day one. “The driving design factors in designing our nursery were freedom and order, which may seem like

opposites, but we’ve found the more order we offer to Alessandra’s room, the more freedom she has to explore it. As the Montessori saying goes, ‘A place for everything and everything in its place,’” Lashbrook said. “For our family, the Montessori inspired nursery has fostered a healthy, confident independence in our daughter. Her attitude towards self-directed learning and quiet play is amazing to watch. “That said, we’ve had our ups and downs with the floor bed,” Lashbrook continued. “Nights were never a problem, but when Alessandra started crawling, her desire to explore overrode her need to nap. As parents, it is our responsibility to ensure our children receive the rest they need. We decided to borrow a crib for a few months until Alessandra adjusts to her newly discovered crawling and walking abilities.”

February 2014

o h ,B a b y:

The Ulti m ate M o dern Nur s ery

When designing your ultimate modern nursery, whether it’s Montessori-inspired or not, The Joyful Child author, Susan Stephenson advises, “Before the child is born, crawl around the child’s rooms to see what the child can reach or will be attracted to. Listen to the sounds. Can you hear the wind in the trees?”

According to Senny Powell of Island Child, Lashbrook defines the modern mom in many ways. “Moms today have a minimalistic mentality and they have specific thoughts about the Waldorf or Montessori-methods and specific preferences like using organic linens or unique color palates,” she said. Powell and her husband Steve have seven adopted children and have spent nearly the past three decades selling specialty nursery items. Both truly enjoy helping expectant parents and grandparents “make their nursery dreams come true,” and Powell is a powerhouse of baby-paraphernalia information—from what’s trending to what’s essential. Her top six recommendations for the ultimate modern nursery include a great crib like one made by Bratt Decor or Stokke, a glider, amazing bedding and linens like the bamboo line Aden and Anais, the Mamaroo swing (which mimics the way a parent moves when rocking a child, has an iPod plug-in and provides an array of ambient sounds), a changing table, and sleep aids like the Sleep Sheep and Gentle Giraffe, as well as sleep sacks, the Zen Swaddle, Blabla knit dolls, and Angel Dear blankies (which all three of my girls adore). When designing your ultimate modern nursery, whether it’s Montessori-inspired or not, The Joyful Child author, Susan Stephenson advises, “Before the child is born, crawl around the child’s rooms to see what the child can reach or will be attracted to. Listen to the sounds. Can you hear the wind in the trees?” Revisit this approach as the child enters each new phase to constantly assess safety measures. Also, from the start, think about turning the current door to the room into a Dutch door so you can easily keep an eye on Junior. As for monitors, I would recommend four models for four different reasons. The Angelcare Baby Movement and Sound Monitor is great for SIDs-terrified caregivers (like me) who feel compelled to constantly check to see if the baby is breathing or not. Though this does not have a video component, it does give you peace of mind during the nighttime (especially when you are sleeping). A sensor is placed under the mattress of either a floor or crib bed and an alarm will sound off if no movement or breathing is detected. The Summer Infant Baby Touch is the technological mother ship of monitors. This video and sound monitor has a huge 3.5-inch color video display, ability to connect to up to three additional cameras, hooks up to a TV with a USB port, and the camera can be controlled remotely, tilting up-and-down and side-to-side. The Motorola MBP33 Wireless Video Baby Monitor with infrared night vision and zoom 2.8-inch color LCD is a great overall monitor and the one I would buy if my 56

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

February 2014

hubby would ever say “yes” to round four. With this device, you can add up to three additional cameras, zoom in remotely (but not pan or tilt), talk to your baby over a speaker, and check the temperature of your baby’s room. For the budget minded folks who still want a high quality monitor, check out the Infant Optics DXR-5 2.4 GHz Digital Video Baby Monitor with night vision. Other must haves that are not so much safety-oriented but sure to guarantee mom and dad get some much needed sleep include a sound machine or iPod docking station and a humidifier. Also, seriously consider getting dark shades or lining your current ones and add an area rug to reduce the sound of creaking boards (and to make the floor more comfortable for tummy time and crawling). Tips for personalizing your ultimate modern nursery • Make your own mobile. See YouTube and Pinterest for how tos and clever ideas. • Include dear old dad. Check out tacticalbabygear.com, a local company that allows dad to build his own modular diaper bag. Start with the main bag and then add on other compartments like the bottle pouch, a utility pouch, a gadgets pouch for cell phones and keys, and the dump pouch for trash and dirty diapers. All components are made from Cordura® fabric (which is 1000 denier), a combat-quality material that makes these dude-totes “the toughest baby gear on the planet.” • If you take away one thing from the Montessori-inspired room let it be the toys. You don’t need a bunch of knickknacks, and often times you can “make your own toys” by having a tray with Tupperware or a small dustpan and broom. • Make it comfortable for the caregiver. Have a nightstand with a clock and coaster. Invest in a comfortable robe and cozy Boppy pillow to give your arms a break. • Bring in heirlooms. Nothing is more special than giving your child something from your childhood. • Liven up the walls. Use low VOC paint and then add details like decals. Dezignwithaz.com has a large selection of mirror decals that come in all sorts of shapes and sizes—from standard geometric shapes, to a map of the United States, to cupcakes and fairy trees. Place these decals low so baby can entertain him/herself for endless narcissistic hours. february 2014

www.celebratehiltonhead.com 57

Article by Lily bartell

MY STORY: Elizabeth Smart a Decade Later T

his November Elizabeth Smart made a book tour stop at Bowling Green State University, where I attend college. Her current book tour for her new memoir, My Story, about her 2002 abduction, has been creating quite the buzz. The purpose for Smart’s tour is to tell her story, educate people about child abductions, and give solace to anyone who has had a similar experience. I had the amazing opportunity to attend the speech and get a glimpse into her world nearly 10 years after her abduction. When she entered the lecture hall, a gradual hush flooded the packed room of more than 550 students and faculty. She began humbly stating that she felt she was more like the students who sat in front of her and not as though she was a celebrity. “I have to admit, looking out, I feel like I should probably be sitting out there, not really standing up here, but here I am. I feel very lucky to be here today,” she said. With this attitude or luck, she made it clear to the audience that her story, however horrific it may be, is only one of the numerous stories about abducted children. She pointed out that everyone has their own problems to deal with,

and problems are quite possibly one of the only things that everyone in this world has in common. Despite her painful situation, Smart had a certain confidence and uplifting demeanor about her, which made the speech seem less of a depressing tale and more of an inspiring and informative story. Before getting into the details of her abduction, Smart gave the audience some background information. She talked about being 14 years old, how excited she was for high school, and joked about her quarrels with her four brothers and sister. She then guided the audience through the summary of events from the day she was kidnapped to the day she was rescued. From Smart’s perspective, there was no way anyone could have seen this event coming and certainly could not have done anything to stop it. “Up until that point in my life, I really didn’t have anything to be afraid of,” Smart said of her home, which she felt was a safe haven. She described being awakened and taken from her home in Salt Lake City, Utah while she was sleeping in her bed. Her abductor took her at knifepoint

as her little sister lay in a bed beside hers. She described her lengthy trek through the mountains to her abductor’s campsite and the female accomplice she met there. Smart spoke about how her abductor led her into a tent and conducted a marriage ceremony; making them “man and wife.” “In my mind, that was not how marriage was supposed to work,” Smart said, describing her tremendous confusion about all that had ensued within a few hours. By this point, with hundreds of eyes set on her, the audiences’ emotions were hard to miss. It’s easy to believe that audience members’ thoughts ranged from shock, to sadness, to absolute disgust from hearing her story. She described how her male abductor proceeded to consummate their marriage by laying her down and raping her—something he did repeatedly for the entire nine months she was missing. “I was desperate to hold him off,” she said, but ultimately was unsuccessful. After this horrific event, she talked about how she laid in the tent feeling broken and uncertain of what to think

or do next. She tried to imagine being found, but feared that her family might not even want her back after what had happened. Her purity and innocence had been stolen from her—something she could never get back. “What is the point of anyone finding me now?” she questioned.

“Up until that point in my life, I really didn’t have anything to be afraid of,” Smart said of her home, which she felt was a safe haven.

After a great deal of thinking, Smart realized that because of her faith and her family’s faith, despite all that had happened, her family would still love her and all would be okay. She mustered up courage and decided to live no matter what. “I would do whatever it took to survive,” Smart told the audience. After she and her captors moved to California to escape Colorado’s winter, they talked about moving East, and Smart knew if there was any way anyone would find her, they would have to return to Salt Lake City. She talked about how she learned to play into her captor’s power and ego to convince him to return to Salt Lake City. On March 12, 2003, Elizabeth Smart was rescued from her abductors, Brian David Mitchell and Wanda Ileen Barzee. After being reunited with her family, her mother talked to her about what had happened and how to deal with it. “The best punishment you could ever give him is to be happy,” Smart’s mother said. Among Smart’s coping strategies were her mother’s words and her own determination not to allow Brian David Mitchell and Wanda Ileen Barzee to take away one more minute of one more hour of one more day of her life. Smart’s new book, My Story, and her current book tour has been an empowering journey for her as well as for others who have come to hear her speak. Now, she wants to help those who have been in similar situations to cope with their issues, and she wants february 2014

people to understand that she is not a victim, but in fact a victor. “I’ve come to the point in my life that I’m not sorry I was kidnapped,” Smart says about her life. She has also created organizations such as the Elizabeth Smart Foundation and Laura Recovery Center, and has partnered with programs such as radKIDS to empower young people and teach them how to feel safe in their communities. She talked about how over 80 percent of abductees who fight back get away from their captors, making these causes pertinent to her young audiences. After Smart’s speech, the audience seemed to be in a daze of emotions and information, which continued to sink in. For Senior Trey Cantrell, her composure stood out. “I was surprised by how candid she was. I expected her to be more reserved and somewhat emotional. She seems to have come to terms

with it all,” Cantrell said. Junior Patricia Holt also found Smart’s demeanor surprising and somewhat contradictory to the subject of her story. “I was surprised by how funny she was and how she made the situations as light as possible,” Holt commented about Smart’s smattering of jokes. When asked about why Smart believes it is important to talk about her abduction and educate people about safety, she expressed that after all the terrible things people hear about on the news, every now and then, there is a little light at the end of the tunnel. What’s next for Elizabeth Smart? She plans to continue the book tour, but travel home and spend as much time as possible with her husband and two dogs—a fairytale sort of ending for a strong woman with a powerful story. Or maybe it’s a fairytale sort of beginning. To conclude her speech, she smiled and stated, “We all need a happy ending sometimes.”

www.celebratehiltonhead.com 61

8th Annual

beaufort

international

film festival Forrest Gump turns 20, BIFF turns 8

id you see Forrest Gump on the big screen at its original release? Yes? Then this may make you feel a bit older than you care to admit: that was 20 years ago. It’s well known in these parts that most of the shooting for Tom Hanks’s classic took place…well…in these parts. Sounds like a no-brainer that there should be a birthday party right here in good ol’ Beaufort County, don’t you think? Folks at the Beaufort Film Society do, so they’re throwing a party February 12-16 at the 8th Annual Beaufort International Film Festival Not that Gump’s 20th anniversary is why there’s a film festival happening in Beaufort County. BIFF has been going on for eight years, and in the film festival universe it’s the real deal—an art and culture jewel right here in our own community, recognized by MovieMaker magazine as one of the “Top 25 Coolest General Film Festivals in the World.” Repeat those last three words to yourself out loud: “in the world.” Then listen to what prominent Beaufort columnist and editor (and thespian on the side) Margaret Shinn Evans says about BIFF: “We love it because there are so many fascinating people from all over the world—creative, brilliant people who just haven’t necessarily had their big break yet. They go from festival to festival to show their films. That’s what they do!”

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

BIFF is about those people, the “little guy,” trying to break into the movie business, but it serves another purpose as well. BIFF began in 2007 to give aspiring filmmakers and screenwriters a chance to show their stuff to the world, also to showcase South Carolina’s Lowcountry to the film industry. Successful films such as The Great Santini (1979) and The Big Chill (1983), both filmed in Beaufort, helped coastal South Carolina emerge as a favorite shooting location for mainstream movie studios throughout the 1980s and 1990s. The Prince of Tides, Something to Talk About, Rules of Engagement, The Patriot, The Legend of Bagger Vance, Full Metal Jacket, and The Fugitive are a handful of some 20 notable features shot at least partly in and around Beaufort County during that time. Today, Beaufort Film

Society president Ron Tucker sees BIFF as a vehicle to expose a rising generation of filmmakers to the Lowcountry and hopefully make it a star of the silver screen once again. BIFF 2014 kicks off Wednesday evening, February 12, with the traditional red carpet Opening Night Filmmaker’s Reception on the Old Bay Marketplace Rooftop (Who knows? You just might rub elbows with the next Steven Spielberg.) and wraps on Saturday night, February 15, with an awards ceremony at the University of South Carolina Beaufort’s Center for the Arts. The days between are packed with screenings of film entries from around the world, competing in animation, student, documentary, short, and feature genres. Unlike Forrest Gump’s box of chocolates where you never know what you’re gonna get, you can view trailers to get a taste of all the finalists’ films at BIFF’s website: BeaufortFilmFestival.com (click “Finalists 2014”). Spotlighting one film is a rare twist for BIFF. The inaugural event featured The Great Santini with stars Blythe Danner and Michael O’Keefe, as well as Pat Conroy (who authored the novel upon which the film is based) in attendance. “It made sense then,” Tucker said, “because it was our first festival and Santini is the one that started it all, but we’re careful to stay loyal

February 2014

Article by Frank Dunne, Jr.

to aspiring filmmakers and screenwriters looking for that big break rather than big movies and big stars.” “It’s just a really uplifting time to be reminded that there are great creative artists out there who are pursuing what they do despite the fact that it’s such a hard way to make a living,” Evans added. BIFF 2014 will give the Forrest Gump anniversary its due attention because of the film’s significance to the area, but it won’t overshadow the filmmakers and screenwriters. “We’re focusing on a themed format this year,” Tucker said. “It’s the 20th anniversary of Forrest Gump, so we have some events centered around that.” No, Mr. Hanks will not be in attendance, but knowing Beaufort folks’ flair for the whimsical, there’s a good chance that you’ll bump into a few Forrest and Jenny lookalikes around town. To celebrate the anniversary, two-time Academy Award winning film editor Arthur Schmidt will receive BIFF’s prestigious Jean Ribaut Award for Excellence. Schmidt earned Best Film Editing Oscars for Who Framed Roger Rabbit? as well as for Forrest Gump. Coal Miner’s Daughter, Back to the Future, Last of the Mohicans, and Cast Away are among his other credits. In addition to receiving his award, Schmidt will take part in Gump related activities throughout the festival. “On Friday afternoon we’re going to show the documentary, The Magic behind the Making of Forrest Gump, and later that evening we’ll have a screening of the actual movie,” Tucker said. “We figure that just about everybody in the audience will have already seen Forrest Gump, so we tried to make it more interesting. Usually you don’t get around to watching a ‘making of’ feature until after you’ve watched the movie. In this

february 2014

case you’ll see how they did this part and that part first; then when you watch the movie, you’re going to be looking at it totally differently.” (Spoiler Alert: if you suspected that Tom Hanks wasn’t strong enough to carry wounded Bubba to safety in one of the film’s Vietnam War scenes, filmed on Hunting Island, you might be on to something.) Following the screening, Schmidt will partake in a moderated discussion with others involved in the film’s production. “We’ve invited as many local people as we could find who were extras or had anything do with making Forrest Gump to be a part of it,” Tucker said. BIFF also hands down awards in a screenplay category, and aspiring screenwriters get their special recognition at the Screenwriters Workshop and Table Read on Thursday evening, February 13. This is where actors read selected scenes from a script in front of an audience…

and the script’s author. This is often the first time a writer hears the written words delivered by somebody other than himself, let alone professional actors. It can be a very exciting moment for budding screenwriters, and worthwhile to see for anybody interested in the art of filmmaking. Evans regularly participates in the table readings, and her company is a major BIFF sponsor, so it’s no stretch to say that she is one of BIFF’s most ardent supporters. “It’s so much fun for three or four days in the bleak winter month of February to hobnob with these fun, creative, dynamic people from all over. They love Beaufort, and they’re so appreciative. They can hardly believe that this little town brings such a big crowd of people together to view their films! I get very passionate about the Film Festival… can you tell?” To order Beaufort International Film Festival tickets online, visit BeaufortFilmFestival.com and click the “Tickets” tab; call (843) 522-3196 or (800) 889-6734 for more information.

www.celebratehiltonhead.com 63

bride in love with being single

Photography by Istvan Blair Photography

Make-Up by Emily Sanders/Salon Karma

Gowns Provided by Bleu Belle Boutique Savannah

Models: Lyndsey Rhode/Rise Model Management, Jack Gump, Martin Ronaszegi, Brian Lipscomb

Hair by Danielle Keasling assisted by Emily Sanders/ Salon Karma

Design by Catherine Davies

2 0 1 4

C2’S PET SECTION

“It's funny how dogs and cats know the inside of folks better than folks do, isn't it?” -Eleanor Porter, Pollyanna,1912

PAGES WITH PAW PRINTS P76 MEET BONNIE. C2’S PET OF THE YEAR P78 C2 PET CONTEST! P80 FAMOUS PETS IN POP CULTURE P82 ALLERGIES AND THE ITCHY PET

P84 COLD WEATHER AND OLD PETS P86 INTERNET PET PHARMACIES P88 TAILS OF SUCCESS P92 SAVING FURRY FRIENDS AND DOLLARS TOO P96 THE REBIRTH OF THE BLUFFTON DOG PARK

february 2014

www.celebratehiltonhead.com 76

C2’S PET contest WINNER!

2 0 1 4

Meet Bonnie, the winner of CH2’s 4th Annual Most Adorable Pet Contest When Monica Collins was paired up with a little blind pup for Noah’s Ark’s participation in last year’s Earth Day event, their fate together was sealed. “I just fell in love with her,” remembered Collins, who adopted her a short time later. Since that day last April they’ve been inseparable. Bonnie is a purebred pit bull, and just as sweet as she can be. She was a delight at the photo shoot in Photography by Anne’s studio – and the way she made her way around, you would never know she was blind. Bonnie won the vote on Facebook with over 1800 people “liking” her photo. Congratulations Cover Girl!

Photography by Anne

Pet winner

play to win

$IS1A0g0 ift V

! card

Whose

Pet

is THAT?

Everyone at CH2 magazine has a pet – but can you guess which furry friend belongs to whom? Write down your answers and email them to m.washo@celebratehiltonhead.com. The first one to get it right will receive a $100 VISA gift card!

Kelly’s pet is



*Family of CH2 employees are not eligible for this contest. Obviously.



Ashton’s pet is

greta

mattie

maggie’s pet is

mame’s pet is

Lucy

simon



Kandace’s pet is

Catherine’s pet is



Myla



Lucy

mylie

Bongo

 Kaity’s pet is

chopper



hunter’s pet is

february 2014

www.celebratehiltonhead.com 79

Article By Courtney Hampson

ç O

“A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.” -Josh Billings

ndeed. To know the love of a dog is to know true, unconditional love. As I sit to write this, in addition to a laptop, my lap is also draped with a blanket of a black and a yellow Labrador—a black and white cookie of puppy, if you will. As man’s best friend, it is no surprise that dogs have played an ever-present role in history and pop culture.

He’s been in the funny pages. The comic strip Little Orphan Annie made its debut in 1924 in the NY Daily News, and alongside Annie was Sandy, the orphan dog whom Sandy befriended on the streets. Then came Daisy (Dagwood & Blondie’s furbaby) in the 1930s, Snoopy and Marmaduke in the ’50s, and Odie in the ’70s. He’s been in the movies. Having been born half a century post-comic, my first exposure to Sandy and Annie was when the film Annie hit the big screen in 1982, and Annie bumped into Sandy

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

whilst attempting to escape Miss Hannigan, who was a tad pre-occupied taking a tumble with Mr. Bundles. But before Sandy, Toto was all a flutter with flying monkeys in the 1939 film Wizard of Oz. The famous romance of Lady and Tramp is a 1955 tear-jerker for those endeared to a good love story between the classes (mutt and pure bred, of course). Bruiser Woods went to Harvard Law School in Legally Blonde. And lest we forget Hooch, Beethoven, and more than 100 Dalmatians. He’s been on the billboard charts. The 1956 “Hound Dog” recording by Elvis Presley is ranked no. 19 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. “Who Let the Dogs Out?” Well, that was the Baha Men, and we kind of wish they hadn’t. Cat Stevens sang, “I love my dog as much as I love you. But you may fade; my dog will always come through.” And Johnny Cash sang about a “Dirty Old Egg Sucking Dog” raiding his hen house and his threat to send him to the big ol’ chicken house in the sky (which makes me like Johnny just a little less, but I assume he needed to rhyme so I will cut him some slack).

He’s been on television. The fourth longest running primetime series was Lassie, which ran from 1954 to 1973 and chronicled the unmistakable bond between a boy and his dog. The Bradys had Tiger, and for one tense episode we wondered if they would have to give him away; luckily Jan’s allergy was to Tiger’s flea powder, not the pup himself. Scooby Doo flew (high on whatever was cooking in that magic bus) onto the scene in 1969 and remained on the tube, on and off, through 2008. Frasier Crane’s father’s best buddy Eddie occupied a prominent spot in that ugly chair betwixt two psychoanalysts for the run of the series. Fans of Family Guy’s dog (i.e. doglike human who talks) Brian, raged when Brian was killed on the show. Luckily, through the magic of television, Stewie was able to travel back in time to save him. Whewie. He’s been at the White House. President Warren G. Harding gave his Airedale Terrier, Laddie Boy, a handcarved chair to sit in on highlevel cabinet meetings. FDR’s terrier Fala starred in a movie, was named an honorary Army private and had his own press secretary (which seems like a waste of tax payer dollars, but who am I to judge). JFK was the first U.S. president to request that his dogs Shannon, Clipper, Charlie, and Wolf come out to meet the presidential helicopter when he arrived at the White House.

He’s been on the NY Times Bestseller List. Writer John Grogan introduced the world to his Labrador Marley in Marley & Me. What started as his weekly newspaper column about the adventures of his dog blossomed into a wonderful story of his love for a rambunctious dog. (If you’ve seen the movie, do yourself a favor and go back and read the book. The book is always better.) In Thunder Dog, Michael Hingson and his guide dog, Roselle, saved dozens of lives by guiding him and his co-workers down 78 floors and out of Tower One just before it collapsed on 9/11. The momentby-moment account of their descent in the tower will take your breath away. And, in Until Tuesday: A Wounded Warrior and the Golden Retriever Who Saved Him, Captain Luis Carlos Montalvan, a U.S. Army Veteran and recipient of two Bronze Stars, the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal for Valor, and the Combat Action Badge, shares the perils of post-traumatic stress disorder, his struggles, and how Tuesday changed his life. All are worthy of your reading list. I could go on and on, but the reality is in Beaufort Country alone, thousands of dogs are abused, abandoned, and sadly euthanized each year. So, this is where I do my shameless plug. Adopt a dog. Fall in love. I promise you, you haven’t been loved until you’ve been loved by a dog.

February 2014

february 2014

www.celebratehiltonhead.com 81

Article By Stacy Davidson, DVM

Allergies

and the Itchy Pet

ogs and cats can have allergies just like people. Instead of runny noses, sneezing, and congestion, allergies in pets can cause itchy skin. All that scratching, biting, and licking can lead to secondary skin and ear infections. There are three types of allergies: flea, food and “seasonal,” also known as atopy. Some pets may have more than one type.

of over-grooming it can be difficult to find a flea. Using a safe and effective flea control product monthly is an easy way to prevent flea allergies from becoming a problem.

Flea allergies Flea allergies are the most common skin disease in dogs and cats. Pets with flea allergies usually chew at the base of their tail. Sometimes you may not think it is fleas, because you do not see them. If your pet is chewing at its tail base, 95 percent of the time, it is due to a flea allergy. It only takes a few bites to set off a sensitive pet, and because

Food allergies Dogs with food allergies often have an itchy face and feet as well as chronic ear infections. Cats usually have itching around the face or neck. Even if your pet has been eating the same diet, it could still have a

Pets with flea allergies usually chew at the base of their tail. Sometimes you may not think it is fleas, because you do not see them. If your pet is chewing at its tail base, 95 percent of the time, it is due to a flea allergy.

food allergy. Food allergies develop over time, because the immune system has to produce enough antibodies to trigger an allergic reaction. The allergen is usually a major protein or carbohydrate ingredient. Beef, dairy and wheat are the most common food allergens for dogs. Beef, dairy and fish are the most common allergens for cats. The best way to diagnose a food allergy is with a strict food trail on a prescription diet from your veterinarian. Even small amounts of an allergen from treats, people food, or contamination of the pet food during the manufacturing process can interfere with food trials.

“Seasonal allergies” or atopy “Seasonal allergies” or atopy are also common in this area. Atopy is an inherited condition in which pets develop sensitivities from exposure to

commonplace and otherwise harmless substances. This includes the pollen of weeds, grasses, and trees. Dust mites and molds in the house are also common allergens, so even strictly indoor pets can have atopy. Allergies worsen over time, and your pet’s “seasonal allergy” may eventually cause it to be itchy all year round. Pets with atopy tend to be itchy on the belly, underside of tail, and feet, they can also have chronic ear infections. Your veterinarian can perform allergy testing to diagnose atopy. Hyposensitization shots and/or medications can be used to help relieve atopy symptoms, but there is no cure. Allergies can be a frustrating issue for you and your pet. Your veterinarian can prescribe medications to give your pet relief from itching, secondary skin infections, and ear infections. Steroids help stop the itching but can have side effects if used regularly. Long-term management of allergies can include diet, medicated baths, antihistamines, omega fatty acids and other medications to control itching and secondary infections.  Dr. Stacy Davidson practices veterinary medicine at Heritage Animal Hospital, located at 130 Arrow Rd., Suite 101 on Hilton Head Island. For more information, call (843) 842-8331.

february 2014

www.celebratehiltonhead.com 83

Cold Weather and W

e all notice it as we get older. The cold weather feels like it is seeping into our bones, making all those old injuries moan and groan. It’s the same for our four legged family members. They just don’t tell us as clearly. How can you tell if your dog has arthritis? People often tell me their dogs aren’t painful because they don’t cry; but dogs generally cry only with surprising, sudden pain. They bear the chronic issues in silence. Larger dogs tend to struggle to stand up when they have been lying down. Where once they could hop up, seemingly on all four legs at the same time, now they get their front legs under them, lean forward, and eventually straighten their back legs under them. You may think old Fido is just slowing down, but he is actually showing you his discomfort. Smaller dogs tend to walk more “hunched” over in their back, with the hips tucked inward. Arthritis tends to manifest itself in the hips and knees, so their weight shifts toward the front, possibly with 84

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

Old Pets

their heads held lower when walking. You may also note a straighter appearance to the rear legs, as they are guarding their sore knees. Larger dogs tend to struggle to stand up when they have been lying down. Where once they could hop up, seemingly on all four legs at the same time, now they get their front legs under them, lean forward, and eventually straighten their back legs under them. How about cats? The most stoic of our domestic pets, cats cover up discomfort to the best of their ability. Often lameness is practically impossible to detect, even to the trained eye. An alteration in their usual behavior may be the only telltale sign. Cats may not jump on higher furniture as they once did. They may seek warm places to curl up and spend more time basking in the sun, letting the warmth soak into their aching muscles and joints. The astute observer

may note a shorter stride in the feline gait. Unfortunately, some cats show their discomfort by defecating or urinating in the house because it is just too much trouble to climb in and out of that litter box. So now that you know how to detect joint pain in your canine and feline friends, let’s discuss what we can do about it. My favorite first line of treatment is supplements. Glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM are commonly found in human and veterinary specific products. They are a safe way to give the body what it needs to put healthy cartilage back on those joint surfaces, allowing the joints to move more freely. Speaking of movement, exercise is a natural joint lubricant, keeping the joints fluid and more comfortable. So long leash walks with your dogs or “laser tag” play with your kitties can be a natural treatment. Therapeutic laser treatments, administered by your veterinarian, are also beneficial, stimulating the body’s natural healing abilities and increasing mobility and comfort.

Article By Stacy O’Quinn, DVM More obvious mainstream treatments generally include prescription medications called non-steroidal anti inflammatories, or NSAIDs. Dog- and cat-specific products are available, and far preferable to human medications. When NSAIDs are not enough, stronger pain medications such as tramadol, gabapentin, and opiates can be used to keep our furry family members comfortable. Most important, never treat your pet with any medication or supplement without first discussing it with your veterinarian! So ward off those cold weather maladies. Cuddle up in front of the fire with your purring bundle of comfort, make sure you are pressed up against your canine pal too, and stay warm this winter!  DR. Stacy O’Quinn practices veterinary medicine at Riverwalk Animal Hospital, located at 58 Browns Cove Rd. in Ridgeland. For more information, call (843) 9870844 or visit riverwalkvets. com. February 2014

february 2014

www.celebratehiltonhead.com 85

Internet Pet

Pharmacies: Article By Kirk Dixon, DVM

t happens thousands of times in our nation every day. A pet owner receives a package in the mail with pet medications in it. Or maybe they come home from the “big box” store with some flea medication they got at a “great” price. What benefit drove their action? Sometimes it is convenience, but most of the time it is to save money. The sad part is that in the long run, their total pet care costs are actually going to be more because of their apparent short-term savings. It is a simple math problem. The pharmacy accounts for 20-50 percent of the revenue for most veterinary practices. If veterinarians lose their pharmacies, one of two things will happen. Either all of the veterinarians will go out of business, which isn’t going to happen, or they will make up the lost revenue by raising all of the other prices. Veterinary medicine has been the best value in medicine, because we get revenue from several sources: exams, surgeries, pharmacy, laboratory, vaccines, boarding,

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

A Blessing or a Scourge? bathing, etc. When you start shrinking the revenue sources with vaccine clinics, spay neuter clinics and Internet pharmacies, it is the consumer About two years ago, customs intercepted an entire container of pet medications heading to an Internet pharmacy. Upon investigation, they found out it had been stolen by Somali pirates. who suffers. Look how specialized human medicine is with every area provided by a different business. Has that model made health care more affordable? Absolutely not! Not only is it less affordable, but the individuals (not the corporations) are making so little, the best and the brightest no longer want to pursue that career path. Every M.D. I know tells his or her children to choose any path other than medicine. That is very sad. Some may say that while there may not be savings, there will be greater efficiency.

It has been documented that up to 22 percent of all prescriptions filled by a pharmacy are done incorrectly. When I am the one filling my own prescription and then personally discussing its usage with the client, the odds of an error drop precipitously. In addition, the online pharmacies won’t tell you this, but they cannot buy most of the medications they sell from the manufacturer or their authorized distributor. This is because the pharmaceutical companies only sell directly to veterinarians. Hence, they either get the medications from the gray market, which is veterinarians selling their inventory to them, or off the black market, which can include stolen and counterfeit drugs. About two years ago, customs intercepted an entire container of pet medications heading to an Internet pharmacy. Upon investigation, they found out it had been stolen by Somali pirates. One of the largest online pharmacies has been fined tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars and placed on

probation by their state pharmacy board for violating many laws. It has been sued by its own shareholders for failing to disclose they can’t buy all of their products directly, and it has been banned from multiple states for predatory practices. As a veterinarian, I have signed many non-diversion contracts promising I will not sell my product to anyone outside of the doctor/ client/patient relationship. I have never violated those agreements, but others sell large quantities unethically to the online pharmacies. Some of the pharmaceutical companies put tracking numbers and bar codes on their product and make purchases from the Internet. Then they track it back to individual veterinarian and cut them off from ever buying their products in the future. There are many expectations from governing boards regarding exams, blood work and other monitoring with dispensed medications. I am always working my contacts to bring the price down for my clients so that many times there are no savings getting the drugs elsewhere. So the next time a friend or an advertisement tells you to buy online, think about the true cost of the purchase and get the best value for your money by going to your veterinarian.  Dr. Kirk Dixon is the founder and owner of Hilton Head Veterinary Clinics, with locations on Matthews Dr. on Hilton Head Island (843) 681-2890 and Okatie Village Dr. in Okatie (843) 705-9959. For more information, visit hiltonheadpet.com.

February 2014

Tails of success Article by Michael paskevich

he feral cats of Hilton Head are seemingly everywhere, wandering freely outside island homes and businesses, while providing vermin control and stress-relieving visual distractions for locals and visitors alike. While the roaming animals remain wild and only rarely cotton to human contact, they unknowingly rely on their two-legged friends to prevent overpopulation, epidemics and other problems that could turn a mostly peaceful coexistence into tragedy. True, not everyone is a fan of the free-living felines, but the untamed cats have plenty of nurturing human allies as the critters confront the dangers of existence in the always unpredictable outdoors. And tales, or rather ‘tails,’ of interactive success between species are not out of the question. “We had some cats in the area hanging out that we were feeding, and after there was a second litter, some of the babies ended up being run over by cars,” said Tracey Mancini, a wedding and events specialist for Celebrations Catering and Events, located off Marshland Road. “I talked to my coworkers, and we had to decide whether to leave them to the wild or help take care of them by getting them fixed,” she said. Mancini and company took action “We did some research and a local cat lady told us how to trap them,” Mancini said. The captive cats—“it’s easy to do … just get a carrier ready with food inside and don’t feed them for a day”—were spayed or neutered as needed, and the burgeoning colony nestled between commercial buildings has stabilized to everyone’s relief. Ongoing socialization has led one of the young cats to grow comfortable being handled, and one of Mancini’s coworkers has a nearby relative willing to launch a trial run at turning “Gray” into a household fixture. “She is still a feral cat, and who knows what will happen,” Mancini noted, “but I firmly believe she is ready for a home. She’s become our social kitty, and she takes eye drops and even gives kisses. I know some people complain about the problem of feral cats but I think it’s our responsibility to help them out.” Mame Bowser, an accountant at a local magazine (this one actually), tells a similar tale. As one of her two cherished German Shepherds approached death due to hip dysplasia a couple years back, Bowser’s spouse Dan reported hearing

the sounds of a baby crying outside their island home. “My first thought was he’d lost his mind, but it’s okay,” Bowser recalled with a laugh. The source of the off-putting sounds was a cat they now call “Sonny Boy,” a roving male with a notch in his ear that indicated he’d already been spayed/neutered before being returned to the wild. “We figured we’d feed him a little bit of tuna fish and he’d eventually move away from our back deck.” Hardly. Sonny Boy remained nearby, and despite understandable nerves over the ongoing war between cats and dogs, the Bowsers borrowed a carrier from a friend, “tricked him with treats” and took Sonny Boy to a vet for testing and necessary shots. He slowly became comfortable inside the Bowsers’ home and brought them no small amount of joy as their second shepherd slid closer to death due to the same malady caused by profit-minded breeders looking to market animals too large for their natural frames. “It seems like he just picked us,” Bowser said, “and I think he helped keep

our other dog company after losing his brother. It’s opened up a whole new world for us,” she added, noting that the longtime large dog aficionados have a new canine addition who gets on equally well with Sonny Boy. “Cats are a different breed, that’s for sure; he’s still not crazy about being picked up, and he usually just stares at you when you call him. But it’s a privilege to take care of him … you look at that little face and it just steals your heart away.”

“It seems like he just picked us,” Bowser said, “and I think he helped keep our other dog company after losing his brother. It’s opened up a whole new world for us.” Such stories are heartwarming if unusual, and the folks on the frontlines of feral cat control stress that controlling the population remains a high-priority problem. “Daufuskie Island had too many feral cats, and people in the community starting working on a feral program through us about five years ago,” said Franny Gerthoffer, executive director of the private, non-profit Hilton Head

Humane Association. “All of their cats were captured, spayed or neutered, and today they are being monitored and accounted for. It took five years of work and community involvement, but there are no longer kittens being born on Daufuskie Island. “It has worked out very well, and that’s the same goal we have on Hilton Head,” Gerthoffer added. “You just have to keep working at it, and we do rely on the community to help us trap the cats.” Those unwilling to get involved directly, although humane traps are readily available free of charge, can simply pick up the phone and report growing populations to taxpayer-funded Beaufort County Animal Services headed by director Tallulah Trice. Animal control officers will, as time allows, trap the cats and transport them to the county shelter where efforts are made to treat them for health problems, alter them to prevent further breeding and either release them back to the area or ready them for adoption, sometimes in other states with the help of Gerthoffer’s non-profit organization (see accompanying story on page 92). “They are tested for (feline) AIDS and leukemia, and if they test positive we don’t wake them up,” said (continued on next page)

Let’s Talk about Kibble

Article By Kent Gochnauer

he pet industry is growing stronger than ever, fetching about 50 billion dollars a year in the U.S. alone. A large portion of these sales is pet food. This part of the industry has grown at an incredible pace, and I am contacted a few times a month by dog food manufacturers about new foods on the market. It can be overwhelming to decide which brands to carry at our store as well as what to choose for your own pet, with so many options out there. I am not a nutritional expert, but there are some basic things that I look for when choosing a pet food to carry at our store. For me, it’s more about what ingredients to avoid. I stay away from foods with any meat by-products, corn, wheat or unspecified animal fat. There are other ingredients I avoid as well, but if a food doesn’t have what I’ve listed above, it usually doesn’t contain the others I watch out for. I have been fortunate to work with animals every day for the last eight years. We groom about 50 dogs weekly and have approximately 10 dogs boarding with us on a daily basis, as well as a couple of cats. This gives me the added

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

advantage of seeing the benefits of a good diet first hand. If a dog arrives for grooming with bad skin and coat, I’ll ask about its current diet. I’ve often started these customers with a better dog food to help end the skin problems. It’s amazing how many times an improved diet corrects these health issues. We have also seen these benefits with our boarding clients. We sometimes have clients request our nutritional house food to be fed to their pet during their visit. When a dog or cat is fed our nutritional boarding house food, as opposed to a lower quality food at home, we sometimes see an immediate change in the pet’s overall health and behavior. Months, sometimes years, of vet visits for chewing, scratching and hot spots due to food allergies can come to an end. We have had a great success rate by simply changing to a better diet, but some health problems can be environmental or from other issues. We encourage anyone with diet concerns to come in to our store and find the right food for your dog or cat. It really can make a difference! Kent Gochnauer is owner and operator of All About Pets, located at 130 Arrow Rd. on Hilton Head Island. For more information, visit allaboutpetshhi.com or call (843) 842-7387.

February 2014

Gerthoffer, noting that feral cats continue to be euthanized at the county facility at a far higher rate than their canine counterparts because of a female cat’s capacity to deliver up to four litters in a year. “Feral cats are still a problem, and our job is to go out and trap the mom to keep her from reproducing,” Trice said. “Otherwise, we’re not addressing the root of the problem.” A healthy and contained feral cat community also has unseen benefits such as reducing the need for using pesticides to control rats, thus putting poison into the local ecosystem which can lead to health woes for area owls and other wildlife. Likewise, the soothing and entertaining sight of cats frolicking independently in the outdoors remains a plus for a majority of humans. “Would you rather have a customer see a cat or a rat on the deck outside your restaurant?” Trice asked, recalling a restaurateur who asked the county to remove feral cats near his property. “A few weeks later, he started having rat problems and called us again, this time to ask: “Do you have any feral cats available?”

Einstein’s story

e’ve all been there, where 278 and 170 intersect. We’ve all been there in the pouring rain and glanced at the ditches to the left and right while thinking about the next item on our “to do” list. Here is where the story changes. On September 25, 2013 a Good Samaritan glanced over and spotted a 95-pound Mastiff mix lying in the ditch. She pulled over and immediately ran to check on the dog. Two other complete strangers pulled over and ran to check on the dog. Let’s backtrack: pouring rain, 95-pound Mastiff! They discovered a matted, tick covered, shivering, barely alive dog. Teamwork prevailed, and all three people lifted this gentle giant into one of their cars and made the frantic call that happens all too often to Franny Gerthoffer, executive director at the Hilton Head Humane Association. Within moments, “Einstein” arrived at HHHA’s door. The staff wrapped him in blankets until he was warm. He was quickly transported to the intake area and given a large soft bed to rest his tired body. Everyone marveled at his sweet demeanor and desire to be petted. The medical team assessed Einstein and discovered that he had a very serious systemic infection. He also tested positive for heartworms. The dog trainer came in and deemed Einstein “very affectionate.” HHHA will be treating (and loving) this big guy for a while. When he is “well,” we will send him on his way to a new life, and once again we will be amazed at the resilience of animals and what they can teach us all about unconditional love. The Hilton Head Humane Association is located at 10 Humane Way on Hilton Head Island. For more information, call (843) 681-8686. february 2014

www.celebratehiltonhead.com 91

Movin’ On Up

Article by Michael Paskevich Photography by Anne

(To the North, that is)

“I get car sick!”

“I heard it’s cold up there.”

“I’d rather go to Vegas.”

“I wanna live on Park Avenue.”

“I may just stay here.”

nimals who find themselves housed at the county shelter in Beaufort face a dire fate: death by lethal injection if they remain unclaimed after a five-day holding period. Many still undergo euthanasia, of course, but an aggressive recent collaboration between Beaufort Animal Control Services, the Hilton Head Humane Association and other animal lovers is upping the odds that captured, often abandoned or mistreated animals, find renewed lives and happy homes, sometimes far away from their original points of origin. Medical rehabilitation, low-cost spay and neuter options and an out-of-state transport program are helping to reduce the death rate for area animals while saving human tax dollars to boot. Tallulah Trice took over as director of the county shelter

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

two years ago, heralding a fresh approach that strives to eliminate euthanasia whenever feasible. “We had a lot of people, including county officials, who demanded a change in the way we were

Franny Gerthoffer & Tallulah Trice

doing things,” Trice said. “It was time to put our foot down on the old way.” Trice reached out to community organizations and like-minded individuals, finding a fan and fellow animal champ in Franny Gerthoffer, executive director of the Hilton Head Humane Association, where a no-kill

philosophy and adoption center were already in place. “She works in a kill environment but has a pro-life attitude,” Gerthoffer said of Trice. “She wants to save them and the mentality was not like that in the past. I still get calls from people saying they don’t want to take animals to Beaufort County because they kill everything; but thanks to her, I can now tell them that things are really changing for the better.” There are no limits to how long animals can remain at the private Hilton Head facility off Spanish Wells Road, where a healthy horde of feral cats roams the property on a permanent basis while temporary residents await a better future. Time, space and medical limitations are a given at the no-frills county shelter where more than 4,500 animals ended up last year. However, that tally is down

from a high of about 6,000 animals per annum; numbers reflecting growing compassion for abandoned animals that also saves taxpayers on the costs of capturing the animals and crucial programs such as countrywide rabies control. “We can’t move the animals (to new homes) from the shelter unless they are healthy,” Trice said, “and it’s hard to get an animal healthy in that environment. It’s a place where everyone dumps the unwanted animals, and at least 85 percent of dogs that come in beyond the age of three tests positive for (curable) heartworm.” Enter the Humane Association and veterinarians such as Laurel Berry and Matt Dixon who anchor the effort to save the lives of the less fortunate. They treat injured or unhealthy animals at the non-profit Association’s clinic, which February 2014

has X-ray and full-service surgical capabilities to rehab them for adoption or return to capable owners. One recent benefactor of their skills was Hammer, a mixed-breed terrier caught wandering Beaufort after slipping away from his grieving owner, a Marine stationed at the nearby Marine Corps Air Station. The lost animal had a damaged eye through no fault of his owner, and after the eye was removed

Tallulah Trice took over as director of the county shelter two years ago, heralding a fresh approach that strives to eliminate euthanasia whenever feasible. and he returned home, Hammer supplied some karmic payback and earned a flash of fame as well. The dog was the first to spot a Christmas tree on fire in the home over the past holiday season and nipped at his sleeping owner’s arm to alert him to the danger, saving him and making local newspaper headlines for his heroics.

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

Not all stories end on such an upbeat note, and animal welfare specialists continue to grapple with saddened owners unable to afford the price of having their animals returned in top condition. “Sometimes life happens,” Trice said, “and we have people who tell us they can’t even afford the gas to come and get their pets out of jail which is unfortunate.” But there’s still hope for these animals, who could find themselves at the Humane Association where they are checked medically, photographed, assessed for behavior traits and then put up for adoption locally or at public shelters stretching from Atlanta to Maryland. The transport program, funded in part by private donations and revenues from the Association’s Litter Box thrift store plus grants to the county from the nationwide ASPCA, allows paid drivers to move the animals to metropolitan areas where larger populations increase the demand for rescue animals. “We’re moving up to 30 at a time in vans to no-kill establishments that could use more animals,” Gerthoffer said. “Dogs and cats that sat here for months end up being adopted elsewhere in weeks.”

February 2014

The Hilton Head Humane Association’s Adoption Center staff is in constant contact with out-of-state facilities to help meet a growing need for household additions. Staff members also contribute to a worthy effort by picking up and holding wayward animals at the island facility even if they are technically county property. “If one of the plantations calls and they are holding a dog at the security office, we’ll go pick it up,” Gerthoffer said. “That is saving tax dollars by not using county vehicles to schlep to Hilton Head and pick up an animal that’s going to be picked up soon by its owner.” Trice confirmed the positive impact on the county budget for animal services. “Our fuel bill was $50,000 (in 2012), and this past year it was down to about $10, 000,” she said. Other encouraging signs include a steady increase in the number of people taking their pets to a low-cost spay and neuter clinic (SNAC) that fixes them in an ongoing effort to control the area’s animal population. Expanding cooperation between the county and the Hilton Head facility allowed 1,500 pets to find new homes last year under the travel program, up from a previous high of about 800 animals. Both Gerthoffer and Trice credit nearby kennel owners and concerned volunteers for aiding their steadily improving combined effort, noting that such folks are always willing to house animals temporarily when space is at a premium at the more time-flexible facility on Hilton Head. “We have a lot of good people around here who want to help,” Gerthoffer said. Perhaps most heartening, statistics bear witness to expanding life expectancies for animals arriving at the county shelter. “Excluding feral cats we have not euthanized anything that is treatable and adoptable,” Trice said. “Sixty-six percent of our animals end up being treated and released to good homes. Euthanasia is about 27 percent, but that’s mostly aggressive dogs and feral cats. Our department is part of (county) public safety, so it’s important that we don’t release anything that might cause public harm.” The dynamic duo’s symbiotic work continues, even if their shared goal of commuting death sentences for every captive animal remains a still-distant dream. “We’re trying to go out of business,” said a smiling Gerthoffer. “We can’t, but we sure want to.”  Hilton Head Humane Association is located at 10 Humane Way on Hilton Head Island. For more information, call 843-6818686 or visit hhhumane.org. february 2014

www.celebratehiltonhead.com 95

PARK

THE

AS LONGTIME SUPPORTERS OF A DOG PARK LOOKED ON IN MID-NOVEMBER…

…IT WAS THE MOMENT THEY KNEW THE PATH TO BUILDING A DOG PARK WAS SMOOTHING OUT BEFORE THEM.

ARTICLE BY DEBBIE SZPANKA

s the huge blade of the bush hog sucked the underbrush into its cavity and quashed, cut and diced it into mulch, a few acres of overgrown vegetation off of Buckwalter Parkway in Bluffton soon produced an outline that one day would be the Bluffton Dog Park. As longtime supporters of a dog park looked on in mid-November, it was the moment they knew the path to building a dog park was smoothing out before them. “I never knew dirt would look so good,” said Cheryl Raugh, president of the Bluffton Dog Parks. “It is a beautiful sight and site.” Since August of 2013, the new board of directors of the Friends of the Bluffton Dog Parks revamped the organization, established new policies and procedures, changed banks, changed PayPal accounts and produced a new website and Facebook page. Just as the bush hog took twisted overgrown vegetation and smoothed out an outline for the park, the new board also had its work cut out for it. Installed just four months ago, they had a mess to smooth out, and they have quickly plowed forward to build a park.

A tangled mess The six-year-old organization had raised nearly $19,000; that’s about half of what it needed for the fencing, irrigation and park amenities such as benches to build a dog park. The former president, William Grooms, embezzled nearly the entire account, leaving only $854.04. Once the former board members discovered the missing money, they took their findings to the police. According to records of the Friends of the Bluffton Dog Parks, most of the money was stolen in 2012; the remaining was stolen in 2013. Bluffton Police officers charged the president of the organization with stealing in June, 2013. In mid-July, Grooms committed suicide. Carl Brinkman, the new treasurer of the organization, spent countless hours combing through bank records and comparing them to the organization’s reports so the new board had a clear picture of what happened. “While Grooms stole thousands, it was paying for his rent with a check from the organization; that struck everyone as brazen,” Raugh said. Organizational bush-hogging Rewind to July of 2013 when the organization called a public meeting. The former board members decided they all needed to resign and ask the public for new officers. The future of the organization depended on people stepping up to carry on its mission. Raugh, a Hampton Hall resident who is a professional project manager for media companies, attended the meeting. She owns an extremely energetic golden retriever, Boone, whom she walks nearly three miles a day and her dog still has energy to burn. Raugh assessed the situation. “There are three components of every project: resources, budget and a timeline,” she said. “Sometimes the wheels of a project come off the track; the objective is to get everyone aligned, pointed in a forward-moving direction and taking one step at a time towards a common goal.” In the following weeks, Raugh reached out to several people who were at the July meeting who she thought would be “change agents.” Crescent resident Gary McCarney spoke publicly about being

willing to rebuild the website. Debbie Szpanka, owner of a retired greyhound racer, said she would head the organization’s public relations and fundraising efforts. Carl Brinkman, owner of two Great Danes and former chief financial officer of several Silicon Valley companies, stepped up to be the new board’s first treasurer. (Brinkman has since moved to Virginia.) Diana Radcliffe, former head of a statewide non-profit, said she would help in any way. Deborah Karambelas, owner of Karambelas Enterprises and several hunting dogs, also stepped up for a board position. Clearing the site By August 5, 2013, a new board was assembled. “Each new member of the board brought to the table a professional set of skills that complemented each other,” Raugh said. “We are diverse, professional and angry—those qualities combined were great motivators.” Within a month, the board revamped the organization, established strict financial policies and procedures, changed banks, changed PayPal accounts and produced a new website. “It was important to say to the community, ‘We are clearing the slate and starting again,’” Raugh said. “Trust had to be established as we took a running start out of the gate.” By November 2013, the new board had raised more than $19,000, replacing all the money raised in six years in just three months’ time. The new board plus a dedicated corps of supporters, organized the “Bark in the Park” fundraiser in Bluffton’s Promenade, held October 12. That event alone raised more than $10,000. “What has humbled me and the entire board is the dedication and generosity of supporters; we had so many silent auction items donated the day of the event, we didn’t have enough room to display them,” Raugh said. “We were overwhelmed with the community support and enthusiasm.” Several businesses have also provided tremendous support, which started a chain-reaction of more support. Ligato’s Fine Jewelers was the first business to step forward. Rose Ligato held a watch battery fundraiser, which brought in more than $1,000. Karambelas Enterprises has donated thousands of dollars’ worth of promotional items such as bumper stickers, banners, logo design and so forth. Morning Sock Studios, of Hilton Head Island, has also donated thousands of dollars of design work for posters, advertisements and flyers. Camp Greendog, a doggie daycare and kennel, has also given thousands of dollars in services and donations. Diana Bourgeois, owner of Magic Marketing U.S.A., a social media company, has spearheaded the organization’s social media efforts and joined the board. The organization also now has the dedication of strong supporters and each member is vital to a successful outcome. Ani Shields of Bluffton has been dubbed the organization’s “courier.” Since most of the board members work fulltime, Shields volunteers to run errands such as picking up silent auctions items, dropping off materials and so forth. “This means a lot to me, because a dog park is a sign of a healthy community,” Shields said. “To have a place where a dog can burn off excess energy is physically healthy for the dog and mentally-healthy for owners.” Lauren Porter, a professional dog masseuse, donated her services to the “Bark in the Park,” event. “Dog people are usually good people, and a local dog park helps good people gather together and share their experiences with dogs and with life,” she said.

prep’s

ARTICLE BY ANDREA GANNON // PHOTOGRAPHY BY Anne

godspell is a cause to

Rejoice I

n its winter production, Hilton Head Prep brings the hit musical Godspell to the Seahawk Cultural Center stage, February 20-23, offering a fresh new take on the beloved show about humanity and love. The original production was a collection of improvised scenes, based on the Gospel according to St. Matthew. The musical transferred for a 10week run to NYC’s La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club in 1971; then it moved to Broadway in June 1976, where it played until September 1977, with a total run of 2,600 performances. Godspell’s innovative 40th anniversary Broadway revival came to the stage in 2011, directed by Daniel Goldstein, who said that his goal for the audience was to experience through Godspell the “spirit

100

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

of community and the idea to always treat others as you would have them treat you.” While Jesus Christ Superstar defined the rock opera and stage spectacle, this sweeter, gentler variation of the Christ story fell right in line with the peace-lovehippie movement of the ’70s. In Godspell, a group of urbanclad young people fall under the spell of a gentle leader, who leads them on a path of spiritual enlightenment, all interposed with the phenomenal score by Stephen Schwartz, the Grammy and Academy Award-winning composer of “Wicked” and “Pippin.” Songs like “Day by Day” and “Prepare Ye…” became part of the ’70s songbook, and helped to define an era of Broadway musicals. Ken Davenport, producer

of the 2011 revival, described the show saying, “Godspell is one of those rare and unique breeds of shows that allows the company to use its creativity and unique gifts to mold and shape it into what they want it to be. By sharing stories about living good lives and singing about love, joy, gratitude, judgment and redemption, the group of disparate individuals band together with a common purpose to face challenges and obstacles as they are tested along the way.” Hilton Head Prep casts a spell With a cast of 19 students, the winter show is the second production under the school’s performing arts director, Peggy Trecker White, following an inaugural success with the

fall Shakespearean comedy, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Trecker White shares her vision for this production: “When I began thinking about Godspell, the image that kept recurring was a pile of old TV sets. Typically the story takes place in an abandoned city park, where a group of individuals congregate and begin to create community through the teachings of one very kind, loving, insightful and inspirational leader. So, the notion of things we abandon came through with those TVs. I have a tendency to think about all those things we throw away for something new and improved, the latest version, something better. “Audrey Hepburn’s quote comes to mind, ‘People, even more than things, have to

February 2014

“We search for the satisfaction that comes from hanging with a best friend and laughing and who knows what.”

be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed and redeemed; never throw out anyone.’ It seems to me that the goal of new technology is always sold as something that will bring us closer together. But you don’t have to search far to find multitudes of articles on how social media, apps, phones and new technology are doing the exact opposite. It is amazing to keep in touch with my friend traveling in Europe but odd that I am silently doing this in a room two feet away from my mother or husband who is perhaps also silently connecting with someone else. We miss what is right in front of us while searching for something at a distance. Obviously, this is not a new problem. Each time we throw out the old technology for the new and improved, it always seems to end up that the best connection is the face-to-face, person-to-person contact. “We search for the satisfaction that comes from hanging with a best friend and laughing and who knows what. And while we are throwing out the old for the new, we are responsible for creating a wasteland. Where does all this old technology go… to what warehouse, what landfill? With all the junk—literal junk—in our way, how much harder is it to physically get to one another? And maybe physically, it doesn’t take much, but spiritually, mentally, can we close the divide? Can we utilize the new and honor the old to stay in the present? I long for us all to grow and connect spiritually, philosophically and joyfully. I hope we take the time and space to put down the toys and tools in order to restore, revive and play. I hope that Godspell will communicate this through its incredible, uplifting score and underlying message.” Tickets for Godspell can be purchased with a credit card at hhprep.org and will also be available at the door using cash or check. Prices are $20 – adults; $15 – seniors (60 and older); and $10 - students. For additional ticket information and group rates (15 or more people), contact Jamie Berndt at (843) 341-9182.

What: Godspell Who: Presented by Hilton Head Preparatory School Where: Seahawk Cultural Center, Hilton Head Island High School When: February 20-22 @ 7:30 p.m. and February 23 @ 2 p.m.

102

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

February 2014

february 2014

www.celebratehiltonhead.com 103

isitors to Hilton Head Island have been keeping a bit of a secret, and it is high time everyone gets in on the action. Certainly smooth and sometimes funky, always fun and entertaining, Candace Woodson and the Domino Theory Band has been right under our collective nose for five years, primarily performing where island visitors are found. The band members are ready to create a little more balance in their lives by getting to know local audiences better and letting locals get to know them. “We’ve been able to create an identity for ourselves here on the island. We take pride in the fact that we are different because we are a variety band. That means we do all genres

of music. We cover it all,” Woodson said. That music comes from some deep musical roots for both Woodson and band founder and lead guitarist Tony Royster, Sr. Growing up a minister’s daughter, Woodson and her two sisters sang gospel together and performed as The Golden Tones, setting Woodson on a path that led to a music degree from Tennessee State University, where she was the first female to graduate with a business performance degree. “I learned the business side of music as well as the performance side,” Woodson said. With her commercial music know-how and a honey-smooth, made-forrecording voice, Woodson was a radio personality in Nashville for several years before bringing her talents to Hilton Head Island.

CANDACE WOODSON AND THE DOMINO THEORY BAND The Power of Music

Royster says he has always been into music. Starting in church playing gospel, he joined the Army just out of high school, and during his 20 year military career, guided his eldest son, Tony Royster, Jr. to a musical career. “He’s just a prodigy,” Royster said of the now-famous drummer. After Royster, Jr. took his career to California, Royster, Sr. retired and knew the time was right to put together a band. Playing mainly out of Savannah, Royster started to think his group needed a dynamite singer, when along came Candace Woodson. “She came to Savannah to see us play. She just popped in on her own. I invited her on stage to do a song thinking I’d give her a chance. She just blew the house away. My goodness, she can sing.”

Woodson wasn’t offered a spot in the band right away, but the two started talking about putting their own group together when fate stepped in. “We had a gig one night, and our lead singer couldn’t make it,” Royster said. “We needed a substitute for the night. She came down to sing, and the rest is history.” Candace Woodson and the Domino Theory Band was born. With Woodson on vocals, Royster on lead guitar, Maurice Primus on bass, and Michael Allen on drums, the group can be found performing at clubs, restaurants, private parties, and events across the Lowcountry, with a repertoire that includes R&B, pop, blues, jazz, Motown, and rock & roll. Most weekends, they can be found performing in the XO Lounge at the Omni

ARTICLE BY KITTY BARTELL // PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANNE

“To inspire and encourage others to fulfill dreams with a life of balance through the power of music.” —Mission Statement, Candace Woodson and the Domino Theory Band

Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort in Palmetto Dunes. “On New Year’s Eve, we played three straight hours,” Woodson said. “We rocked the house. Our ratings are so high, and people call the Omni looking just for us.” With the duo’s innate ability to read an audience and Royster’s military-trained attention to detail, the band prides itself on being professional and prompt, along with bringing a great show to every gig. “We make sure we accommodate the customer’s needs and wishes. We like to interact with the audience, bringing them in and engaging with them. When you come to see us, you’re not just going to see someone singing or someone playing; you’re going to see someone entertaining. Whether it’s one, one hundred, or one thousand, you’re going to get the same show,” Woodson said. “We do what we do because we love it. We want to see people’s lives change through our music. Our music, in some ways, is a ministry that we take pride in.” Woodson and Royster have woven themselves and their two younger sons into the fabric of Hilton Head. Both boys attend Hilton Head Prep, with the oldest working on a tennis career at the Van Der Meer Tennis Academy and the youngest following right in his footsteps, playing 106

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

basketball, tennis, and baseball. “They both have built good relationships on the island. We’re proud of them. They’re good boys. They’re good athletes. Their character says more than their athletic skill. A lot of times we’re known because of them and how well they’ve done,” Woodson said. With a great appreciation for the following they have among island visitors, it is their hope to merge that success with their heart for Hilton Head, and continue building on being one of the island’s premier bands in demand for everything from weddings and private parties, to sporting events, and local festivals. “We want to be more involved in the community.

We’d love to be part of local charities and local foundations,” Woodson said. In addition to Woodson and Royster’s commitment to growing their presence within their Hilton Head community, Woodson is on an exciting trajectory toward the big time. On February 2, 2014 she is trying out for The Voice. “It’s huge. They contacted me after seeing our video,” Woodson beamed. The next step is Los Angeles, and who knows? There just may be another Candace among the stars. “If Candace Glover can win American Idol, then Candace Woodson can win The Voice, Woodson joked, with a twinkle in her eye. Candace Woodson and the Domino Theory Band are in a good place, finding balance in their music and their lives. “We feel like we’ve been blessed beyond measure. It’s been God’s grace and His mercy that has sustained us this far, and the only thing we want to do is to help make the world a better place. And we hope we can do that through our music,” Woodson said. For more information, contact the Candace Woodson and the Domino Theory Band at (615) 415-8901 or (912) 980-3788, or e-mail woodson_candace@ yahoo.com. February 2014

Island Plumbing

OF HILTON HEAD

GIVING BACK WITH WORDS OF WISDOM ARTICLE BY KITTY BARTELL

hen the dust settles after a do-it-yourself project or home repair, many have murmured, whispered, or shouted, “The next time I will hire a professional” … and for good reason. Professionals have the training, experience, and tools, not to mention the insurance, to take on projects with confidence and take them to the finish line. Mike Casey, owner of Island Plumbing of Hilton Head, and long-time manager Willie Moore sat down to share a few insights, tips, and a bit of knowhow garnered during their nearly 30 years in plumbing, with the hope that their advice may help property owners save a bit of time, a bit of heartache, and a bit of money as well. Almost verbatim, most of what follows is the distillation of a conversation of what came from a well-formed outline set out by Casey. It is Casey and Moore’s hope that what they have to share will be of some benefit to property owners as they are faced with plumbing emergencies, general repairs, remodeling, or planning preventative maintenance.

Hire a professional If you have a neighbor or friend who says he can fix it, chances are that you will end up in a very awkward situation, and it happens all the time. Maybe he could fix it and once in a while it just may work. However, maybe he’s the one who tightens it a little too much, and when the next person comes along, it blows. There’s a reason why professional plumbers are skilled, licensed, and insured. If a friend of a friend knows a professional plumber who is doing jobs on the side, it’s a risky proposition. Chances are you will get him at the end of his regular work day, and even more troubling, he’s likely to not have insurance should anything go wrong. Finding yourself in one of these sticky wickets as a result of trying to save a few dollars could end up costing good neighbor relations and a lot of money.

Quality plumbing fixtures and supplies are a must When it comes to fixtures and supplies there is a significant difference between what the homeowner may purchase from a big box plumbing supply department, and what a professional plumber Know the location of your main water cutoff purchases from a plumbing supplier, and there’s a very good It is one of the simplest things but very few people know reason. The big box retailer knows how to get materials cheaper. where their main water cutoff is and if it is in good working Knowing what the doorder. This can save you it-yourselfer is willing thousands of dollars in damage to pay, the big box to your home and property. store is able to go to There’s nothing worse than the manufacturer and waiting for a plumber to arrive says this is how much while watching water flood we want to pay for this your home. particular faucet. If the Imagine, your water pipe manufacturer wants has burst; think about how to make the sale, they much water will be pumping do what is necessary out of that broken hose in the to keep the cost 30 minutes it may take for the down, and that usually plumber to arrive… and that’s constitutes substituting if he’s available and quick. hook-up materials that Now imagine not getting should be solid metal anyone there for two or three or brass with plastic. hours… disaster! Often buried When your plumber under pine straw, overgrown purchases fixtures from plantings, soil, or even lawn, a professional supplier, hopefully the plumber finds the you have both the cutoff quickly and that it’s in warranty provided by the good working order. manufacturer and the Don’t wait for this to warranty guaranteed by happen. If you need to schedule the plumbing company, a plumber for a general repair or along with superior remodel, or just an evaluation, fixtures. Remember, if ask him to locate your cutoff you purchase your own and show you how it operates. supplies from the big box If a new water shutoff valve and have a professional is needed, the money saved do the installation, you compared to the expense of even a half-inch of water in your top row from left: willie moore, mike casey chris brown, marty are still only covered by barnes and eric turner the big box. home will be well worth it.

Island Plumbing

Keep up with the age of your water heater Water heaters are one of the biggest causes of flood that Casey and Moore encounter. As a guideline, they recommend replacement every seven to 10 years, depending on the manufacturer. If you don’t, the water heater is going to let you know when it’s done, and it likely won’t be just a cold shower. The age of a water heater is usually in the serial number. To decode it, you may have to go online to the manufacturer’s website. Worth mentioning is Palmetto Electric’s water heater program. In an effort to give everyone the ability to have a well-functioning water heater, they will install and finance a new unit for property owners. For the latest on the program, give them a call. If you are remodeling, hire a contractor and get a permit Casey and Moore encourage property owners to embrace the permitting process with the town, because it is set up for the benefit and protection of the owner. There’s nothing to fear here. If the contractor and homeowner are committed to doing it right, the homeowner is assured that they have licensed, insured professionals working on their job.

110

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

However, an unpermitted project has no assurance of being insured properly, potentially unlicensed workers may be on the job, and significant issues may come to light during a future sale of the property. Further, should the town inspectors discover the project (a situation Casey and Moore see 40 or 50 times a year), the expenses and challenges to start over are significant. No nickel and diming Getting two or three quotes for a non-emergency plumbing job is encouraged. However, do not try to nickel and dime the quote you ultimately accept. Most professionals quote fairly. However, if the plumber is willing to cut his price, the money saved will be made up somewhere—like spending more time looking for materials in a disorganized truck. Get your quotes, ask your questions, select a plumber, and then let him do the work. Yin and yang describes how interactions influence the destinies of others. Setting out to change our plumbing fortunes, Casey and Moore are surely the yin and yang of Island Plumbing. For more information, please call (843) 842-3333 or visit islandplumbinghhi.com.

February 2014

DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE CALL A CAB 686-6666

O’clock

5 It’s

Superbowl XLVIII! Denver Broncos vs. Seattle Seahawks! (We predict Peyton Manning to win.)



Wednesday

The Broken SpokeFeb. 16: The Saturday Giant (8PM)

Tuesday

Ela’s Blu Water Grille- Live music (6:30-9:30PM)

Charbar Co.Live music with Reid Richmond!- Join us for half price happy hour from 4-7PM with live music outside (6-9PM)

Sunday

Monday

somewhere!

Mellow Mushroom (Bluffton)- Trivia Night (9PM)

The Lodge$1 Pasta Night. $1 for each bowl of pasta with sauce and slice of garlic bread, $1 for meatball, $1 for sausage – any combination you like. (Mondays, Begins at 5PM- All Night!) Charbar Co.Live music with Reid Richmond!- Join us for half price happy hour from 4-7PM with live music outside (6-9PM) Ruby Lee’s- Motown Mondays with open mic featuring Sterlin & Shuvette. (Every Monday)

Ruby Lee’s- Barbara Patterson (Every Tuesday) Riptides- Feb. 4: HH Shag Club Dance Lessons/ Ladies Night with DJ Brian Eason! $2 Martinis -Special Menu for Ladies- $100 Giveaway

WiseGuys- Ladies Night! Ladies enjoy $10 Never Ending Glasses of Champagne, $3 Select Martinis (Every Wednesday, Starts at 5PM) Charbar Co.Live music with Tommy Sims (Feb. 5& 12) Whitley Deputy( Feb. 19 & 26th) Enjoy half price happy hour from 4-7PM with live music outside! (7-10PM)

The Jazz CornerBob Masteller’s All-Star Quintet featuring Gina Rene’! Tickets-$5 (8:00PM)

Send your event/entertainment listing to c.davies@celebratehiltonhead.com

Old Fort Pub- Happy Hour(5-7PM) Ruby Lee’s- Reggie Deas & Lavon Stevens Duo Mellow Mushroom (Hilton Head)-Trivia Night (9PM)

Saturday

Friday

thursday

Ela’s Blu Water Grille - Live music (Starting at 8PM) Charbar Co.- Whitley Deputy (Feb 7&14th; 7-10PM) Tommy Sims (Feb. 21 & 28) Electric Piano- Feb. 7: The Suburban Love Junkies, Dueling Pianos! All Request Live! & $3 and $4 Shot Specials!

Riptides- Feb.

15: Sara Burns CD Release Party!

Vineyard 55Feb. 6: Ken Kolbe Feb. 13: Hannah Wicklund

Charbar Co.- Jason Damato, Sammy Passaloukas & Special Guest & All Day Football Specials

Charbar Co.- Live Music with Mike Bagenstose!Join us for half price happy hour from 4-7PM with live music outside (7-10PM) Electric Piano- Pinnacle Vodka Ladies Night & Charlie Denison All Request Show! Ruby Lee’s- Feb. 6, 20 & 27: Target the Band Riptides- Feb 6: Live Band Deaz Guys! (Every Thursday)

XO Lounge- Candace Woodson (Every Friday & Saturday 9-1AM)

Bomboras GrilleFeb. 14: Dierberg & Starlane Vineyard Wine Dinner 5 Wines, 4 Courses $79 pp (+tax and grat) Seating is limited and reservations required. Call to book your reservation today! (843) 689-2662

Ruby Lee’s- Earl Williams & Alexander Newton The Electric Piano- Feb. 1: Sterlin & Shuevette Feb. 8: Simpson Brothers Feb. 15: Sterlin & Shuvette Feb. 22: Simpson Brothers The Black Marlin- Feb. 15: Crab Cracking & Total Cluster Shuck (4:00PM-Until) Live Music by The Derrick Dorsey Band (6-10PM)

M AY o r

Drew Laughlin Hilton Head Isla n d

Photography By Anne

Observations of a Mayor

he greatest professional honor of my life was being elected as your mayor. Being mayor means you enjoy a unique seat at the table. You see and hear most of the table conversation. Though I came to the office with considerable community and town involvement, I have learned a great deal as mayor the last three years. A mayor is seemingly pulled in many directions by many people, but I have come to realize that so long as a mayor has a constitution, doctrine, or vision, he will never be pulled apart from his beliefs. This has stood me well these last three years. Here are some of my observations: Listen to people, whether you agree with them or not; they deserve a chance to weigh in on island issues. 2. Educate islanders on not only our accomplishments, but on emerging issues as well. 3. Let council members have their say and seek their advice. 4. Think and act regionally; we depend on others as they depend on us. 5. Focus the town’s energy on things that matter and things we can get done. 6. Trust, but verify, when well-meaning organizations propose an idea/project and promise the moon but come up short, with the town on the hook 7. Celebrate successes and acknowledge council, staff, and our public and private partners. 8. Lead man, lead! Avoid the temptation to vote or take action just because someone was the last to whisper in your ear or was the most vocal; rather, always ask: what is the best for the island? 9. Be willing to be unpopular at times, recognizing that not everyone gets their way, and that there are consequences to almost everything we do at town hall and not all those consequences can be satisfactorily resolved. 10. Be a cheerleader, be optimistic, look beyond the criticism and take time to look around and see what a beautiful island we have. 1.

2013 was an extraordinary year, and 2014 will be no different. We are creating a positive climate for business investment with a quarter billion private sector dollars to be spent in 2013 and 2014. We have enriched the lives of residents and guests by park development, more community events and festivals like the 350/30 Celebration. We’re upgrading public infrastructure and facilities, including new pathways, land purchases, and road improvements. We’re supporting dredging and beach renourishment efforts to make our island an enviable destination. Council continues to keep taxes low and services high. We’ve streamlined our permitting process, and through Land Management Ordinance (LMO) and policy changes, have migrated from the “land of can’t” to the “land of can.” Our tourism, real estate, and building permit revenues are all increasing, so we are on the move. Looking ahead, we need to finish the job of redeveloping the Coligny area with a USCB campus not far away. We need get on with Chaplin Linear Park and the LMO re-write.  114

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

February 2014

M AY o r

Lisa Sulka B LU FF TON

Photography By Anne

Bluffton: mobile and online

he Town of Bluffton uses many tools to keep residents, visitors, and future residents up-todate, informed, and sometimes entertained. First we have our websites: townofbluffton.sc.gov and blufftonpolice.sc.gov. The Town and Police websites have a combined average of over 11,000 visits per month and numerous more page views. The website homepages are always popular, but we also receive many visits to our employment, community events, town council, and news/ media pages. Our Christmas parade page received over 3,000 views in the month of December. With the continued growth of mobile device use, we have implemented a responsive design to the Town of Bluffton website. (Mobile device viewing of our websites has grown from less than 100 views per month to over 5,000.) Responsive design automatically resizes the website for optimal viewing, dependent on the device in use. This will provide a better experience for users viewing our site on a mobile device. The Bluffton Police Department website with the responsive design feature is in production now and will be implemented in the next few weeks.

Along with the Don Ryan Center for Innovation, the Town of Bluffton and Bluffton Police Department are now social! All have Facebook pages and Twitter accounts. Facebook and Twitter are updated frequently with information, pictures and community interest stories. This is the wave of the future and a must to keep up with all generations. Along with the Don Ryan Center for Innovation, the Town of Bluffton and Bluffton Police Department are now social! All have Facebook pages and Twitter accounts. Facebook and Twitter are updated frequently with information, pictures and community interest stories. This is the wave of the future and a must to keep up with all generations. Links to these sites are available on our websites. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Help us get a record number of likes and followers on both. We want to hear from you! Please use the Contact Us pages on the Town and Police websites to request information, report a problem, or even tell us what a great job we are doing. We respond to all contacts and look forward to hearing from you. ď&#x201A;?

february 2014

www.celebratehiltonhead.com 115

A Line in the Sand Photography By Anne

One subject. Two opinions.

Mary Frances Lowrey

electing a “Person of the Year” was much harder than I initially thought it would be. I can see why mainstream media picks them by categories, such as musician, business person, actor, politician, etc. It was hard to narrow down

CH2 Person of the Year

to only one person whom I thought deserving of this title (I found out later that Courtney selected multiple deserving people… she is pretty smart.). In order to narrow it down to one, I asked myself three questions: Did they influence others

for the greater good? Did they put others before themselves? Were they trailblazers? Malala Yousafzai, the youngest person ever nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize (2013), met all my criteria. Yousafzai was born on July 12, 1997, in Mingora, Pakistan, located in the country’s Swat Valley. She attended a school that her father, Ziauddin Yousafzai, had founded. After the Taliban began attacking girls’ schools in Swat, she gave a speech in Peshawar, Pakistan, in September 2008. The title of her talk was, “How dare the Taliban take away my basic right to education?” At the time, Yousafzai was only 11 years. In 2009, she began blogging under a pseudonym for the BBC against the Taliban and their

Courtney Hampson

n mid-December I needed a mental health break and decided to go into work late and have a little me time, which basically amounts to a leisurely walk with the dog, a full cup of coffee (not three slurps before rushing out the door) and more than 10 minutes of the Today Show. So, I tuned in for my daily dose of Al Roker. I must admit, I have a slight obsession with weathermen. Al is in good company with CNN Headline News’ Bob Van Dillen, but I digress... This isn’t about me, or Al, or Bob, or any other weather prognosticators. That morning, on the Today Show, they were revealing TIME’s person of the year, and it got me thinking about people here in the Lowcountry who had impacted my life in 2013. So, since we had zilch planned for our January column, which then got bumped to February, I was intent on identifying my (er, CH2’s) Person(s) of the Year. My counterpart couldn’t think of anyone local who did anything meaningful, which only fueled my fire. Alas, here we are.

The timing couldn’t have been more perfect, as the night before the Today Show / TIME revelation, I had the privilege of hosting an event to benefit Family Promise, a Beaufort County organization whose mission is to provide food, shelter, and support services for homeless families during their transition to permanent housing. Currently, 350 children in Beaufort County are homeless. Not something we think about often, is it? So, let’s. Think about this, that is. Think about the size of your child’s classroom. Multiple it by 15, and approximately that many kids are homeless in our community. Staggering. As part of the event, I had the privilege of meeting Family Promise board member Lakeisha Bennett. She made a huge impact on me as she stood in front of a crowd of 500 people and boldly shared her experience of being homeless and how Family Promise helped her and her family. From homeless to a board member for

Mary frances Lowrey

rules of no education for girls. Eventually her real identity became known and she became a target for the Taliban. Her courageous stand as an educational advocate for all children cost her dearly. On October 9, 2012, the Taliban boarded her school bus as she was headed for home and shot her in the head at point blank range. For 10 days, Yousafzai laid in a coma, 14 years old, her life hanging by a thread. She and her family were relocated to England where she underwent multiple surgeries and began her next phase of educational advocacy. Malala Yousafzai is my 2013 “Person of the Year,” because this child influenced change for the greater good of others. She highlighted a problem in our world. She

118

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

On October 9, 2012, the Taliban boarded her school bus as she was headed for home and shot her in the head at point blank range. For 10 days, Yousafzai laid in a coma, 14 years old, her life hanging by a thread. courageously carried on when she knew she was in danger. She bravely told her story and continued her platform to promote education for all children. Malala Yousafzai leads by example. She knows (and so does the Taliban) that education is the key to change, growth, prosperity, enlightenment and freedom. Despite the Taliban’s continued threats, Yousafzai remains a staunch advocate for the power of education.

February 2014

Courtney Hampson

the organization, Lakeisha only reinforced the importance of giving back, especially after receiving. Then, I started thinking about the other people in our community who impacted my life this year. Jake Walsh, the Army veteran who bravely told me his story of war, of sacrifice, and the difficulties associated with reintegrating into civilian life. Recognizing that he is not alone and that 30 percent of the 834,000 veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars have been treated in a VA hospital for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Jake set the wheels in motion to do something about it. With local support, he created Honor our Heroes, an organization committed to alleviating veteran’s stress and honoring their sacrifices. Their programs provide small business grants, short-term financial assistance, educational assistance, and mental health and wellness referrals to local veterans. Then, I thought about Joe Naughton and Jaison Horbar, two recovering addicts who brushed aside the stigma associated with addiction and decided to help others. With one in every three people (yup, look around; it is you or the two guys sitting next you) being affected by addiction, Joe and Jaison created a non-profit organization, Greener Grass, with a mission to ensure that no alcoholic or addict desperate and willing enough to seek help from a treatment facility is denied this life-saving opportunity due to their inability to pay either out of pocket or via insurance. Further, through Greener Grass, they want to work to lessen the burden of the family that has suffered alongside the afflicted by providing, where needed and when possible, financial assistance for such things as food and basic necessities. I think what strikes me most about Lakeisha, Jake, february 2014

Joe, and Jaison is that they have been there. They’ve been at the bottom. They were brave enough to ask for help, find their center, and are now dedicating their lives to helping others in similar situations. That is how you make an impact. That is what citizenship means. These are the people who define our community and are changing our community for the better. We all owe them a debt of gratitude. Now, you may have noticed (yes, I got your e-mail), that A Line in the Sand didn’t appear in the January issue, but I’m back baby, and I am looking for a new (friendly) foe. That’s right. This is a contest to find the right person to tow the other half of the line. Think you’ve got what it takes? Female writer, laden with sarcasm, and fueled by pizza, CrossFit, and margaritas seeks male with writing experience (or a brilliant command of the English language), quick wit, sense of humor, willingness to be photographed with kooky props, and ability to argue monthly. Submit your answers (and a writing sample or two) to the following questions to m.washo@ celebratehiltonhead.com and we’ll see who has what it takes. • Hamburger or hot dog? • Book or Nook? • Brittney or Miley? • Bruce or Bon Jovi? • How do you pronounce pecan? • Spend or save? • Dog or cat? • Most compelling Line in the Sand argument you’ve ever read? • Who would your person of the year have been and, why? Be creative. And may the best man win.  www.celebratehiltonhead.com 119

February

2014 Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

1st annual reunion for maranatha farm adopted dogs Twenty/20 Cafe

HHCA Auction & Gala

11AM-3PM

4-23 Don’t dress for dinner 8:00PM Arts Center $45/adult $31/child www.artshhi.com

Ashton’s Birthday!

ALL Month Long

Women’s association luncheon 11:00AM Sea Pines Country Club $30/member $38/guests www.wahhi.com

9-10AM & 3:304:30PM Monday-Friday Heron Point & Ocean Course $40/person

ALL Month Long

Farmers market in old town bluffton Every Thursday 12:00-4:00PM Calhoun Street farmersmarketbluffton .org

HHCA 11:00AM RSVP (843) 6812878

Tennis stoke of the daY

Mommy & Me Paint The Art Cafe 11:30AM

9-10AM Monday-Friday Sea Pines Racquet Club $27/ day

Save the Date! The little flower March 6, 2014 Main Street Youth Theatre 7:30PM $50/person (843) 689- 6246

6:30PM-10:00PM The Westin Hilton Head (843) 681-2878

79 Divorce & relationship recovery workshop Friday Evenings 7-9PM Central Church

27 HHCA Honors Recital 7:00PM HHCA Performing Arts Center Free Concert!

51 HHSO Young Concerto competition 1:30PM-5:00PM St. Luke’s Church (843) 842- 2055 mrebish@hhso.org

10 8 Hilton Head marathon/half marathon & 5K 8:00AM-2:00PM Jarvis Creek Park Entry Fee $25 - $75 (843) 757- 8520

13 Share the love luncheon & Open House

Golf Clinics

EVERY Thursday

Saturday

Happy Valentine’s Day!! Barbershoppers Deliver Singing Valentines 9-6 PM Cost is $25. hhibarbershoppers.org

20 American revolution roundtable Berkeley Hall Golf Club 11:30AM $24-$32 (843) 705-7575

Mardi gras dinner party Country Club of Hilton Head 6:30-10:00PM Tickets: $75 Event to benefit NAMI (843) 681-2200

22 Salty dog oyster roast 4:00PM- Until we run out of oysters! Live music & special kid’s entertainment! saltydog.com

30 28

14TH ANNUAL SAV. LOWCOUNTRY HOME & GARDEN SHOW Feb. 28-Mar. 2 For times and tickets: Savannahhomeand gardenshow.com

C i r c u back in

l a t i o n article by kitty bartell photography by mark staff design by catherine davies

he spine is quite literally an epicenter of our well-being, providing the body with the support it needs to stand upright and to bend and twist, all while protecting the spinal cord—the super-highway through which every nerve signal passes, carrying instructions for our daily physical operations. In the absence of pain signals, it is easy to take a well-performing spine for granted, that is until you experience a twinge, or a pinch, or a bring-you-to-your-knees stabbing pain. As a matter fact, if you are running, jumping, or swinging your way through life, or more specifically through mid-life, thank your lucky stars, because the aging process alone makes it highly likely that you have some degeneration in your spine; you just don’t know it. When spine health is compromised, quality of life can be

greatly diminished as movement may become painful and severely limited. Made up of 33 small bones, called vertebrae; stacked one on top of the other forming the natural curvature of the back, each vertebrae is separated by flexible discs, constructed much like a jelly-filled doughnut, with a solid but flexible outer ring surrounding a gelatinous center that acts as the spine’s shock absorbers. When something goes awry in this complex structure, it is the highly concentrated nociceptors, located on the back part of the spine, that pick up the pain, signaling for help, said spine specialist Dr. Charles J. Nivens. By the time Dr. Nivens sees a patient at his Bluffton practice, they are often already in a significant amount of pain. “It’s all about trying to get the inflammation under control,” he said. “My role

in life is to keep people out of surgery. It’s my passion” (a fact that may come as a pleasant surprise to many who may have avoided treatment with the belief that surgery will be their only option). “A relatively small percentage of the population actually needs spine surgery.” Inflammation drives pain, however, with the procedures available today, most pain can be reduced or eliminated without going under the knife. A course of treatment with Dr. Nivens typically involves three components: 1) An accurate diagnosis; 2) an injection of steroids; and 3) a course of physical therapy. “It’s all about the detail of the diagnosis, the accuracy of the diagnosis, and the accuracy of the injection,” Dr. Nivens said. That accuracy is now achieved nearly 100 percent of the time with the use of fluoroscopy (x-ray guided selective injections) and dye, to insure the injection goes exactly where it is needed. Once the pain is under control, rehabilitation begins. “Rehabilitation is a very important part of my practice; having the patient really more involved with their spine, more so than I am or anyone else,” Nivens said. Dr. Nivens and his wife Ingrid, a former physical therapist, opened their spine health practice in 2000, with the belief that they not only have to be good at what they do, but that given their

124

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

individual situation, the patient must have as good an experience as is possible within the practice. Dr. Nivens’ journey to medicine began just out of high school with a four-year tour as a corpsman in the Navy. As a medic he became an ear, nose, and throat technician and realized he had found his calling in a profession that would be encouraged by a series of mentors who believed in his desire to not only treat the patient, but make the experience more personal. At the core of his spinal practice philosophy, Dr. Nivens believes in medically and personally connecting with every patient. “When I see patients, I go over all the data with them so they clearly understand what’s wrong. I go over all the x-rays and MRIs. I read my own x-rays and MRIs,” said Dr. Nivens, which he believes is a critical component of his approach. “A radiologist does not have the benefit of having seen the patient and knowing exactly where the pain is coming from.” Dr. Nivens says that directly connecting the patient’s story with their test results is the most effective way to prescribe a successful course of treatment and rehabilitation and to develop important personal relationships. “I’ve been seeing some of my patients for over 10 years. We’ve grown up together

February 2014

Circu

back in

lation

and grown older together. I know them and their families. It’s interesting how many friends I feel I have within my practice. I hope they feel the same way. I think they do,” Dr. Nivens said. Despite all the hard work and passionate commitment to his patients, Dr. Nivens still admits to being a bit surprised by the success of his practice. “It’s something you don’t expect but you hope for. We work hard to provide a level of care that I think should be provided.” And with regard to the fortuitous path that brought him to spinal medicine, he said, “I couldn’t be happier. It’s funny how life is. I really thought I wanted to do surgery. Operating on people is very fun and exciting, but I don’t know if I would have been as happy doing that as I am now.” That contentment extends to the Dr. Nivens raising their family in the Lowcountry, where two of their three children attend St. Gregory the Great Catholic School near their Rose Hill home, and they spend much of their summers at their home-away-fromhome on the Whale Branch River. “We like to boat and fish. We crab and shrimp. We play in the water. We’re

february 2014

Dr. Charles Nivens, pictured here with his wife Ingrid, is co - founder of the Outpatient Surgery Center of Hilton Head Island and the Sport and Spine Institute at Moss Creek.

up there on the weekends because that’s where all the fun is—up on the river,” Dr. Nivens said. “I like to hunt as well. I only hunt what I’m going to eat. We have wild venison, wild boar, quail, dove, duck. I’ve yet to get a turkey; probably the most interesting thing that you’ll hunt in this area, and the most challenging for sure.” Appreciation for his Lowcountry life runs deep, “We love this area. It’s a beautiful place to raise a family and just be.” Like a weather antennae, the spine

acts as messenger for the body’s signals, sending warnings out when trouble is brewing. Of course early intervention is the best case scenario, Dr. Nivens said, and with treatment and physical therapy, most pain can be alleviated without surgery. Running, jumping, and swinging are encouraged. Dr. Charles J. Nivens - Spine Medicine is located at 3 Plantation Park Dr., Bluffton. (843) 7057471 or (877) 238-2013. For more, please visit nivensmdneckandbackpainspecialist.com.

www.celebratehiltonhead.com 125

social

Ultimate Bridge Event Feb. 3-9 The Low Country Classic Mid-Atlantic Bridge Conference Regional Tournament will be held Feb. 3-9 at the Marriott Resort and Spa. The event, which is the second

largest regional bridge tournament in the United States, is a popular draw for snowbirds and locals. The Hilton Head Island Bridge Club hosts the tournament every other year. “It’s a getaway from cold weather country, but there’s no doubt that everybody’s there for the competition,” said tournament chair, Lowry Miller. “For bridge players, this is one of the ultimate events for them to come to. We attract some of the highest caliber players in the country.” There is a special newcomer/ intermediate program for players with 0 to 5 master points with free play all day on Tuesday, Feb. 4. Intermediate/ novice organizer Merry Gerber says

that Hilton Head Island is indeed lucky to have a biennial regional tournament in its backyard. “To see the Marriott ballroom filled with bridge players is an incredible sight for newcomers to the game,” she said. The tournament costs $11 for each session, but no pre-registration is required. Some of the proceeds from the event will go to Deep Well and Memory Matters. For more information about the event, call Lowry at (843) 757-4505. To see the Hilton Head Island Bridge Club’s daily game schedule and winter class schedule, visit bridgewebs.com/ hiltonheadisland.

Sara Burns

Tony Lo Bianco in The Little Flower, March 6 Associate Producer Christopher Schembra has announced a one-night-only performance by veteran Broadway actor Tony Lo Bianco in The Little Flower. Lo Bianco’s award-winning portrayal of Mayor Fiorello H. LaGuardia, threetime mayor of New York City, is set in 1945 in La Guardia’s office on his final day in office. It offers a dramatic and historic look into the life and career of the beloved and flamboyant statesman. The one-man, one-act play will be presented Thursday, March 6, 2014, at 7:30 p.m. at the Main Street Youth Theatre on Hilton Head Island. All tickets are $50 (open seating) and may be purchased online at msyt.org or by calling the Main Street Youth Theatre Box Office at (843) 689-6246. All attendees are invited to meet Tony and Chris 126

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

Returns

From Broadway to Hilton Head Island … One Night Only

at a Champagne reception following the performance. Lo Bianco has performed and starred in over 100 movies and plays, including the Academy Award-winning film The French Connection opposite Gene Hackman, and the cult classic The Honeymoon Killers. Other film credits including Oliver Stone’s Nixon and 2011’s Kill the Irishman alongside Vincent D’Onofrio, Val Kilmer and Christopher Walken. On Broadway, Lo Bianco’s memorable performance as Eddie in Arthur Miller’s A View from the Bridge earned him a Tony Award nomination and an Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Actor. He won an Obie Award for Best Actor for the Off-Broadway production of Jonathan Reynolds’ Yanks-3, Detroit-0, Top of the 7th, among numerous other accomplishments. Visit tonylobianco.com for more information. Schembra, a former islander, realized his interest in theatre with Don Hite and the Performing Arts Department at Hilton Head Preparatory School. He moved to New York City and has been working for the past two-and-a-half years with Lo Bianco and The Little Flower, off-Broadway and on tour in venues throughout the country. Main Street Youth Theatre is located at 300 Main Street, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. A portion of The Little Flower proceeds will benefit the theatre. For information, contact Carol Schembra at (843) 384-4910 or (843) 785-2452 or cls3@hargray.com.

She was on our June Cover!

Sara Burns is back with a full-length album titled “Girl on the Run” set for release on Tues. Feb 11 on iTunes & Amazon MP3. CD Release Show to be held Sat. Feb 15, 8PM at Riptides (see details below). “Girl on the Run” CD Release Show: Date: Saturday, February 15 at 8pm Location: Riptides, HHI at 33 Office Park Dr. (843.342.5000) Special Opening Performance by Taylor Kent (acoustic set) Free admission/ All ages welcome (wristbands under 21) 'Girl on the Run' CDs $10 at event ($5 w/ Student ID) *First 25 guests receive free CD!* Visit saraburnsmusic.com for more info Facebook: Sara Burns - singer/ songwriter February 2014

Hilton Head Island Golf and Tennis Festival Spring fashions, clinics & more By JJ Gourley

tournaments,

free

The Island Packet, Hilton Head Island Golf & Tennis Festival, presented by The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa takes place February 27-March 2, 2014 at various locations throughout the island. One of the highlights of the festival is the Fashion Show Luncheon & Silent Auction, which will be held at Palmetto Hall on Friday, February 28, 2014, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., featuring local celebrity models sporting fashions for on and off the course and courts. According to Lisa Dahlstrom, Fashion Show chair and revenue director at Heritage Golf Group, “The Fashion Show Luncheon will feature some of the best fashion lines in golf and tennis that are carried at various retailers and pro shops throughout the area. For instance, one of our fashion show sponsors, Belk will be showcasing some Lilly Pulitzer spring golf apparel that hasn’t hit the stores yet but will be available during the show.” Silent auction items include a variety of luxury goods and gift certificates, from jewelry and art, to plastic surgery and golf/ tennis packages. Fashion Show Luncheon tickets are $50 per person or $450 for a table of 10. Several vendors will provide booths for shopping before, during and after the fashion show, with cash and carry. Retailers to be showcased include Spartina, Golf ETC, Belk and many more. Get some great buys on the latest fashion apparel, accessories, close-out deals and more! Proceeds from the Fashion Show Luncheon will benefit the Hilton Head Island, PGA Chapter’s, Junior Golfers’ Association (hhipga. february 2014

Children’s Relief Fund Presents An Evening of Love com/junior golf) and the Tennis Association of Hilton Head Island (tahhi.org). A series of free golf and tennis clinics will also be available during the festival at various locations on- and offisland, all with instruction from golf and tennis teaching professionals. Visit the festival website for the most up-to-date information on the free clinics and tennis exhibitions. Registration is required. The clinics will offer something for everybody, from a cardio-tennis clinic, to a golf short game clinic for adults, juniors, ladies, seniors and more! Special playing rates and stay & play packages are available for locals and visitors throughout the festival. The Island Packet, Hilton Head Cup Pro-Am Tournament, a PGA Carolinas sanctioned event, takes place on Friday, February 28 and Saturday, March 1 at the Sea Pines Resort, Harbour Town Golf Links and Heron Point Golf Courses, For more information, visit carolinas.pga. com. The Hilton Head Cup Tournament is almost sold out, so be sure to register now if you are interested in playing! Plans for the 2015 Festival are underway and will include a large, upscale consumer expo. The date is being reviewed for a possible late summer date (off-season), to better accommodate tennis play and golf at various resorts, tennis and golf academies and golf courses during a slower seasonal period. For tickets to the Fashion Show or more information regarding the free clinics or the tournament, visit hhigolfandtennisfestival.com or call (843) 686-3355.

February 14, Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island

The Children’s Relief Fund will present its 18th Annual Valentine Dinner Dance on Friday, February 14, at 6:30 p.m. at the Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island in Shipyard Plantation. This year’s theme, An Evening of Love, reflects the lush and romantic evening planned as a Valentine’s Day celebration. An Evening of Love includes a cocktail hour with hors d’oeuvres, dinner, music for dancing, and silent and live auctions featuring dozens of items. Surprise entertainment has been planned by chair Rose Fotia for the romantic Valentine love fest. Tickets are $125 per person. For 22 years, the Children’s Relief Fund, founded by Rose and Frank Fotia, has been helping the Lowcountry’s special needs children and their families. Straight from the Heart, one of the island’s most popular fundraising events, raises most of CRF’s annual revenue to support programs that include Special Olympics, Heroes on Horseback, Lowcountry Autism Foundation, a summer Strive Camp and Fish with Friends. The Children’s Relief Fund was the driving force behind the first handicapped accessible playground in our area. CRF fulfills both tangible and intangible needs for families, providing funding for much-needed equipment such as wheelchairs, prosthetics and medical supplies, and financial support for physical, occupational, behavioral and speech therapies as well as life-enriching programs. For information on tickets or personal or corporate donations/sponsorships, please call Rose Fotia at (843) 681-7668 or (843) 342-5267 or e-mail rtfotia333@yahoo.com.

www.celebratehiltonhead.com 127

social

HHSO offers a Lowcountry Celebration

On February 23 and 24, 2014, the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra will present the music of the Lowcountry in a concert entitled Lowcountry Celebration, under the direction of John Morris Russell with the Hilton Head Dance Theatre and Lavon Stevens. Throughout the history of South Carolina, music has evolved, from the Psalms sung by early Huguenots to today’s popular music scene with internationally known groups. In between, South Carolina has produced and nurtured many styles of music, including classical, spiritual, rock, country, and bluegrass. In 2001, the state assembly adopted “Beach Music” as the official state popular music. This type of music is based on rhythm and blues, and made popular the shag, a type of swing dance named as the official state dance. These styles became popular in the 1940s, especially in Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head Island and other beach areas. Perhaps the most influential official musical forms are the state opera, Porgy and Bess, and the state music, adopted in 1999, known simply as “The Spiritual.” Spiritual music originated along the coastal areas during the slave era. Based on the Bible, songs passed down through families orally. Still sung today, these songs are widely recognized nationwide. Popular tunes include “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands,” “This Little Light of Mine,” “Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen,” “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” and “Kumbayah.” Pat Conroy’s great novels have done much to awaken the world to the beauty of the Lowcountry. They have inspired music that represents its unique charm with their descriptions of the marsh, and pluff mud, oysters and shrimp boats. His powerful words have brought thousands of visitors to the area, many of whom have made the Lowcountry their home. We celebrate his influence with Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 from the movie Conrack and themes from James Newton Howard’s “The Prince of Tides.” The music scene of South Carolina today is vast and varied. Because folk traditions and music have long been a part of the history and culture here, it should come as no surprise that bluegrass, folk, and country music are alive and well on the cultural scene. For information call the HHSO at (843) 842-2055. february 2014

Literacy Volunteers’ Cooks & Books Set for February 23, 2014

The ticket includes unlimited tastings, access to the Lowcountry authors, the chefs’ competition and the opportunity to vote for a favorite tasting in “The The palate-pleasing combination of Peoples’ Choice.” signature food tastings from top local In addition to the Sunday festivities, restaurants will be paired with wellyou can kick off this weekend at the Cooks known Lowcountry authors and topped & Books Preview Party to be held on with an exciting “The Heat Is On” Friday, February 21, from 6-9 p.m. chefs’ competition at Literacy This gala event is held annually & Volunteers of the Lowcountry’s at TidePointe, a Vi Community— Books 8th Annual Winter Fundraiser, luxury retirement living on Hilton Cooks & Books, on Sunday, Head Island, which is also the February 23, 2014 from 11 a.m.-2 event’s Platinum Partner. This p.m. at the Hilton Head Marriott special soiree features a lavish Resort & Spa, the event’s buffet and an open bar. There will ChryslerPlatinum Partner. be a fabulous array of desserts Jeep-Dodge-Ram is Cooks & and a unique silent auction with Books’ Presenting Sponsor. a wide range of offerings. Guests Coordinated LVL’s by will have the opportunity to Friends of Literacy, Cooks & mingle and chat with some of the Books promises to be an afternoon of authors and chefs slated to appear at the culinary delights and entertainment. Sunday event. Tickets are $95 per person Sonny Dixon of WTOC-TV Channel 11 in advance and space is limited. in Savannah will serve as master of For additional event information, ceremonies. contact LVL at the Bluffton office at Admission to Cooks & Books is (843) 815-6616 or purchase tickets online $20 in advance and $25 at the door. at lowcountryliteracy.org.

Cooks

Literacy Volunteers of the Lowcountry

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2014 • 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM at the Hilton Head Marriott Resort & Spa Sample food tastings from popular Lowcountry restaurants Meet and greet your favorite authors Watch top chefs in “The Heat Is On” competition

Advance tickets $20 • At the door $25 Advance tickets available: www.lowcounryliteracy.org

Hilton Head Advance Ticket Locations: LVL Hilton Head, 4 Oak Park Drive • Burke’s Pharmacy, Main Street • Christie’s Hallmark, Shops at Indigo Run • Le Cookery, Wexford Village Bluffton Advance Ticket Locations: Markel’s Cards & Gifts, Kittie’s Crossing • Christie’s Hallmark, Belfair Towne Center • LVL Bluﬀton Oﬃce, 1-B Kittie’s Landing Way, Route 46

PLATINUM SPONSOR

PRESENTING SPONSOR

SUPPORTING PARTNER

www.celebratehiltonhead.com 129

Article By Katie Tait

The Top 7 Reasons You Should Go to the Hilton Head Island Wine & Food Festival You’ve probably been tapping your foot and waiting eagerly for Old Man Winter to creep back over the horizon so you can get out of the house and enjoy some of the delights Hilton Head Island has to offer. That surely includes one of the many festivals that have made the area as renowned for its hospitality as its natural beauty, but it’s tough to choose which events are worthy of your precious time. If the words wine and food weren’t enough to grab your attention, here are the top seven reasons why the 29th Annual Hilton Head Island Wine & Food Festival should be on your must-do list:

Don’t dress for dinner at the arts center! Resurrecting characters you loved in the Broadway and Arts Center hit BoeingBoeing, its equally funny sequel Don’t Dress for Dinner, is at the Arts Center February 4-23. Conceived by clever French playwright Marc Camoletti, this romp through the French countryside takes place in the 1960s, no coincidence that it was the era of sexual revolution! Bernard (remember him from Boeing-Boeing?) is first seen making the final touches on his romantic weekend plans with his mistress just before his wife

130

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

1. Discover new wines you probably would have never tried otherwise. The Hilton Head Island Wine & Food Festival’s International Wine Competition samples more than 850 different wines to find the very best. Plus, the Public Tasting, which is the East Coast’s largest tented public outdoor wine tasting, showcases more than 400 different wines. 2. Experience unique wine and food pairings created by the great chefs of Hilton Head Island. The festival’s Wine Dinners are the only place you’ll find these menus, specially crafted by some of our area’s culinary masters. Delectable local seafood and fresh produce coupled with some of the world’s finest wines is a recipe for perfection. 3. Check out one of the festival’s Wine Knowledge Sessions at the Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island and test your reputation as a wine expert or novice. With topics like “Napa vs. Sonoma” and “Everything You Wanted to Know about Zinfadel,” there’s a session to interest wine connoisseurs of all levels. 4. Bid on some fabulous deals at the festival’s Silent Auction. Great wine and food always puts us in a mood to shop. You’ll find award-winning cases of wine available, and your purchase will benefit

comes in. She has plans of her own to visit her mother, and Bernard can’t usher her out of the house fast enough. While he fetches the car, Robert, his best friend, phones to say he is just back from abroad and is arriving soon. This is news to Jacqueline, the wife, who is having an affair with Robert, who happened to have been the best man at Jacqueline and Bernard’s wedding. She calls her mother, feigns the flu (to see Robert on the sly), and the weekend takes off in a new, completely different—not to mention wild—direction! The shenanigans ensue further when this love quadrangle gets more complicated—and hilarious—by the second as the characters try to cover their tracks, setting the stage for a collision course of mistaken identities and outrageous infidelities. The fun is non-stop, and the perfect coldweather escape! See the Tony-nominated show the Chicago Sun Times calls pure, giddy pleasure! Preview tickets, Feb. 4-6, are $35 for adults and $25 for children 4-15; regular tickets for the remainder of the run are $45 for adults and $31 for children and may be purchased online at artshhi.com or through the Arts Center Box Office at (843) 842ARTS (2787).

the John and Valerie Curry Educational Scholarship Fund for students pursuing careers in the hospitality and tourism field. 5 Chat with two of the biggest names in the wine and food world. You can catch Eric Asimov, chief wine critic for The New York Times, at the festival’s Grand Tasting. Before becoming “America’s most trusted wine critic,” Asimov created The Times’ famous $25 and Under restaurant reviews. He is the author of How to Love Wine: A Memoir and Manifesto. If your fondest food memory involves making something fried and buttery in your grandmother’s kitchen, check out Christy Jordan, publisher of the popular food blog SouthernPlate.com and author of Come Home to Supper, at the Public Tasting. 6. Watch the fun as some of the best of Hilton Head Island’s hospitality industry compete for bragging rights. Waiters will vie for the title of Best Server, while the Grey Goose Bartender’s Challenge pits top mixologists against one another. With concoctions like “The Sweet Ninja” and “Bananaginns,” you’ll wish you were one of the judges. 7. Get the most bang for your buck by sampling some of the world’s finest wines at the Grand Tasting. You can try white wines that carry a price tag of $30 and up and red wines that usually retail for $50 and up. February 2014