CH2: Celebrate Hilton Head - June 2013 by CH2/ CB2 : Celebrate Hilton Head / Celebrate Bluffton

TENNIS BALLS FROM HEAVEN A SAD STORY WITH A HAPPY ENDING

JU NE

20 13

A Weekend in Savannah

The Wedding Issue FEATURING:

13 TRENDS FOR 2013 RELUCTANTLY RELATED: GETTING ALONG WITH YOUR MOTHER-INLAW TO BE ROSE HILL MANSION & SEAQUIN'S BALLROOM

FEATURES

CONTENTS

june 2013

>> Features

P86

P42 Tennis Balls From Heaven A sad story with a happy ending.

P54 Passionate, yet Practical Sara Burns, emerging singer-songwriter, is gearing up for her summer gig as an entertainer and generating a buzz from here to Nashville upon release of her recording debut.

>> wedding Section



68 A Family Affair Gowns for the entire wedding party

P74 Affairs to Remember Long-time veteran of the event rental business and local since 1999, Mike Wilson purchased Affairs to Remember just a few short months ago at the end of 2012.

P78

Wedding Cake Trends Are Changing for Local Brides

P82 Reluctantly Related How to get along with your Mother-inLaw to be

13 Trends for 2013 Wondering what’s trendy in weddings and how to incorporate some “of the moment” details into your big day? We’ve got answers!

P91

Seaquins Ballroom Husband and wife team Paul and Sondra Ammeen have created an event venue where elegant weddings, memorable parties, and meticulously-planned meetings take place.

P94 Rose Hill Mansion Aside from the fact that Rose Hill Mansion is the only fully restored antebellum property in the Hilton Head Island/Bluffton area, it also offers a private guest cottage for wedding preparations or a pre-honeymoon space for the newlyweds.

54 P52 Radiance in Harbourtown Wearable, comfortable and vibrant clothes for women

P58

P98

Hilton Head Community Church Averaging 350 attendees each Sunday, Hilton Head Island Community Church is leading by example, teaching others how to be good neighbors.

Travel Column A Weekend in Savannah

P65

>> Business profiles

P48 Gillan’s If it swims, they have it

Atlantic Spray Foam Place a phone call to Atlantic Spray Foam insulation in Okatie, and its owner T.J. Anderson answers, not an unknowing administrative assistant or another mindnumbing answering machine. >>> ON OUR COVER

photography by Anne 14

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

June 2013

06.2013

From the Editor

Istvan Blair Photography

PHOTOGRA PHY BY ANNE

Publisher / Editor-in-Chief:

> A clever way to say Save the Date.

maggie washo Art Director: Kelly stroud Art & Production Catherine Davies A unique mother and son dance.

Istvan Blair Photograph y

Advertising Sales: Ashton Kelley kim crouch Kandace wightman Executive Assistant Lily Bartell Hunter Kostylo Contributing Writers: kitty bartell Dr. Deanna Brann Frank Dunne Jr.

> My gan friend Mor t brough the house a down with yle karaoke-st rendition of Gretchen Wilson’s “Redneck Woman” at her the end of big day.

Rebecca Edwards Courtney Hampson Drew Laughlin MICHAEL PASKEVICH

It’s Showtime!

> Wedding

vows on a scroll?!?

Pete Popovich Mary Frances Stocks Lisa Sulka Edward Thomas Lew Wessel Contributing Photographers / Artist: Photography by anne Istvan Blair Photography Krisztian Lonyai photography Carrie Friesen photography Contributing Art Direction: Tom Staebler P.O.Box 22949 Hilton Head Island, SC 29925 843.689.2658 m.washo@celebratehiltonhead.com

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

I’ve been to many weddings—I’ve almost had a few of my own, but that’s a story for another day. What is so grand about weddings today is all of the personal touches Millennials are incorporating into their big day. Today’s wedding is a show, a big production number with choreographed dances, fireworks and hilarious surprises. Gone is the degrading dollar dance, the tasteless garter removal and the revolting bouquet toss. In the past two or three years, I’ve had three very close girlfriends get married (well, one is actually in the planning stages as we speak), and watching them inject their unique personalities into their special day was splendid. Ashton, currently in the planning stages, incorporated her fiancée’s favorite activity (with a fun play on words) into her Save the Date, which was a big surprise for everyone, because Ashton is pretty much the “girliest” girl you’ll ever meet. My friend Morgan brought the house down with a karaoke-style rendition of Gretchen Wilson’s “Redneck Woman” at the end of her big day. Then, as the guests exited Windows on the Waterway, they were handed cookies (in the shape of flip-flops) and milk for a bedtime snack. Lindsey and Brad’s stunning nuptials happened last November at the Ringling Brothers

Museum in Sarasota, Fla. The couple wrote their own vows, and after Brad recited his, there was not a dry eye in the place. “I have just a few things to say as well,” said Lindsey when it was her turn. Having the forethought to know we all might need some comic relief at that point, she pulled out a scroll, which rolled down the aisle to the delight of onlookers. The second surprise of the evening came during the reception, when it was time for Brad and his mom to take the dance floor. The strains of Carol King’s “Child of Mine” filled the air, and everyone looked on as the typical mom and son dance commenced. Then suddenly, mid-tune, the music changed to Psy’s “Gangnam Style” and the two were wearing sunglasses and busting out moves “no one’s ever seen before.” Even the bride wasn’t privy to that little secret! In closing, I wish you all an enjoyable wedding season, whether you are attending several or planning for one. And remember, these days, the bride & groom don’t want monogrammed towels. Get out your checkbook and help give them a honeymoon they’ll remember.

M. Washo Publisher / Editor-in-Chief

June 2013

A SERIES OF FORTUNATE EVENTS

Congratulations!

Welcome to the Team!

Christopher Corkern, with The Prudential Insurance Co. and president of The Corkern Group of Bluffton, was recently named a member of the Prudential Agency Distribution President’s Council.

Coastal Properties Brokers-in-Charge/ Owners, Joe and Karen Ryan, have announced the addition of Glenn Jacobsen to the agency’s sales team.

A Big Accomplishment

A New Hire

An annual ranking of the best tennis resorts in the world has once again named Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort to its Top 10 List.

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

Shear Miracle introduces Jessica Barberi, former manager of Regis Salon.

New Business!

The Fountain of Youth

DayBreak of the Lowcountry, providing in-home senior care, is now open. Using a holistic approach to encompass body, mind, and spirit, owner Lynda Lee creates a customized care plan for each of her clients in order to maximize quality of care. See www.daybreakcare.com for more info.

Dr. Jerry Renato, of Renato Health and Wellness, recently returned from a five day Anti-Aging and Longevity Seminar in Salt Lake City, Utah where he studied subjects such as “The Truth About Anti-Aging and Long life” taught by esteemed researchers and award-winning scientists. june 2013

June 2013

The Academy Awards of Hair Danielle Keasling, owner of Salon Karma was recently named a finalist for her work in hair extensions at the 2013 Stylist Choice Awards held in Chicago, Illinois. She was presented among hundreds of industry leaders and the most influential hair stylists in the business.

Go Speed Racer, Go! Longtime Hilton Head Island resident Tad Segars, 55, placed first in the SPO Class racing his own V-8 stock car in the Jim Stark Memorial SARRC races April 27-28 at Roebling Road Raceway in Bloomingdale, GA.

The Junior Jazz Foundation The Junior Jazz Foundation has an additional $6,200 for scholarships, music camps and instruments as a result of the outdoor evening concert at Palmetto Bluff, which drew an audience of more than 1,000 area residents and visitors earlier this month.

To be included in our next Series of Fortunate Events, please email Ashton Kelley a PHOTO and A SENTENCE (not a paragraph) at a.kelley@ celebratehiltonhead.com. Photos will not be accepted without a sentence. Sentences will not be accepted without a photo. Paragraphs will be edited down to one sentence. Get it? Got it! Good.

june 2013

www.celebratehiltonhead.com 19

M A Y or

Drew Laughlin Hilton H ead Island Photography By Anne

The Reality of Life in the Lowcountry

he beginning of June brings to close another school year, the beginning of summer, swimming, the beach, and the many outdoor activities we all enjoy. But with June also comes the start of hurricane season. With all the pleasures that come with living in the Lowcountry also comes the possibility of hurricanes. We at the Town of Hilton Head Island take that potential seriously and recommend everyone create or renew their emergency plans to safeguard themselves, family, home or business should we be impacted by a storm, and that includes evaluating your insurance coverage and knowing your evacuation routes if that becomes necessary. The town, like many local governments, has taken steps to improve our preparedness for and ability to respond to and recover from the impacts of severe weather. Our plans are regularly reviewed, updated and exercised, and our personnel are trained and ready. We have an emergency reserve account, established many years ago, to assure funds would be readily available to begin recovery efforts should a storm occur. While our town staff has and continues to prepare in every way possible, please remember that you are our most vital partner and that the plans you make to protect yourself and your family, home, and business do more than safeguard your loved ones and investments. The better prepared you are, the faster our communities will be able to recover. Numerous resources are available through the Town of Hilton Head Island and other government agencies to assist you in preparing and staying informed including: •

• •

•

• •

•

The National Hurricane Center has information on preparedness and hurricane activity: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/prepare and http://www.nhc. noaa.gov/?atlc The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) site for personal and business preparedness: http://www.ready.gov/ Beaufort County has several brochures on hurricane preparedness and insurance: http://www.co.beaufort.sc.us/about-beaufort-county/publicsafety/emergency-management/brochures.php South Carolina Emergency Management Hurricane Guide: http://www.scemd. org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=142:south-carolinahurricane-guide&catid=21:public-information South Carolina Hurricane Evacuation Routes: http://www.sctraffic.org/ evacroutes.html The town’s Citizen’s Guide to Emergency Preparedness folder is available at Town Hall, our Fire and Rescue facilities, and on our website: www. hiltonheadislandsc.gov/publicsafety/citizensguideemergencyprep.cfm The town’s free E-Subscription Service allows you to receive emergency alerts via email or text. Subscribe for this free service at http://www. hiltonheadislandsc.gov/publicsafety/emergencyalerts.cfm

Hopefully we’ll have a quiet summer and be able to enjoy all that Hilton Head Island and the Lowcountry has to offer. Take some time now to prepare in case Mother Nature decides to send a tropical storm our way. Remember: having a personal and a business emergency plan will help you and our community recover faster.  20

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

june 2013

M A Y or

Lisa Sulka B LU F FTON

Photography By Anne

Shrimp Boat Playground at DuBois Park

own officials and members of the 2013 Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce Leadership Class officially opened the Shrimp Boat Playground at DuBois Park this past month. In addition to the traditional ribbon cutting, the class and town officials asked residents, their children and their pets to join them for their first ever Bluffton celebratory dance called “The Shrimp Boat Shake.” The dance, modeled after YouTube Sensation “The Harlem Shake,” was led by the Bluffton High School Dance Team. Dance team members, dressed as shrimp boat captains, performed “The Shrimp Boat Shake,” as residents, their children and their pets served as the sea creatures for the dance. The beauty of Bluffton is that we love to celebrate our town. What better way to introduce our town’s children to their newest playground than having them be the sea creatures for a landlocked boat? It was the perfect day, the perfect festival and the perfect energy for Blufftonians to be creative and have fun.

“Sea creatures” celebrate the Town of Bluffton’s first-ever celebratory dance, “The Shrimp Boat Shake,” at the ribboncutting ceremony of DuBois Park’s Shrimp Boat Playground.

The 2013 Leadership Class raised more than $21,000 to fund the Shrimp Boat playground. A $5,000 parks and recreation development grant from the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism funded the new swing set at DuBois Park, adjacent to the Shrimp Boat playground. The Leadership Class is a year-long program, sponsored by the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce, which trains area professionals about each facet of the community such as the arts, environmental issues, growth management, law enforcement and so forth. The program is designed to prepare residents for community positions such as boards of directors, public office and other civic positions. DuBois Park is located at 48 Boundary Street (a few blocks away from the Heyward House) which is at the intersections of Boundary and Lawrence and Boundary and Lawton.  june 2013

www.celebratehiltonhead.com 21

JUNE

2013 SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

CHICAGO

THE SALTY DOG LIVE MUSIC

June 30-July 28 Arts Center Tickets are $44 for adults and $31 for children 4-15 Performances are at 8pm Tuesday-Saturday (excluding July 4) and at 2pm on 6/23, 7/7 and 7/21, and 7pm on 6/30, 7/14 and 7/28) More Info: www.artshhi.com

SOCIETY OF BLUFFTON ARTISTS PRESENTS FACES June 1-2, 2013 8:00AM SOBA Gallery More Info (843) 757-6586

DR. SEUSS’ SECRETS OF THE DEEP EXHIBITION

June 10-15 Reception June 14 Karis Art Gallery

6-9PM

16 HAPPY FATHER’S DAY

23 30

CHILDREN’S MUSIC WITH ANNELIZA

At the Salty Dog Cafe in the courtyard - Every Mon, Tues, Fri & Sat at 7PM & 8PM.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL Providence Presbyterian 9AM-12:30PM $10 per child/ week More Info: (843) 842-5673

Everyday (weather permitting) starting at 6PM-10PM. Music will be outside on the deck.

SALTY DOG FACE PAINTING

6 5

MAGIC OF GARY MAURER

7 Days a Week! You’ll be drawn to the courtyard by Jake’s Cargo for Salty Dog Chalk Art & face painting!

At the Salty Dog Cafe - Every Wed, Thurs, and Sun at 7PM & 8PM. Fun for everyone in the family!

PALMETTO BLUFF CONCERT SERIES Featuring Cranford & Sons Gates Open at 5PM Starts at 6:30PM $25/car palmettobluff.com

SHELTER COVE FARMERS MARKET May 1st- Oct. 30th, 2013 Every Wednesday from 9AM-1PM

NIGHTLY PALMETTO SERG FATHER’S FIREWORKS QUILT GUILD DAY BRUNCH HARBOURFEST MEETING Black Marlin 10-3pm, Shelter Cove Harbour Frankie Bones 1:00PM 9PM Every Tuesday 10-3pm, One Hot Two shows (6:30 & Palmetto Electric Mama’s Buffet Coop. 8:30) by Shannon 10-2pm, $5 visit fee Tanner at the Boathouse Buffet palmettoquiltguild.org Gazebo and more! 10-3pm

“WHERE DOES THE POWER PRENATAL COME FROM?” BREASTFEEDING Complimentary Golf CLASS Clinic, every Mon. at 4PM at Palmetto Dunes led by PGA Pro, Doug Weaver More Info: palmettodunes.com

www.celebratehiltonhead.com 22 22www.celebratehiltonhead.com

THURSDAY

Hilton Head Hospital Free last Monday of every month 7:00-9:00PM

KID’S ACTIVITIES & FACE PAINTING! 7 days a week! Salt Dog Cafe More Info: (843) 683-6465

6 NEW BEGINNINGS Support for anyone who has lost of a loved one. Every Thursday 3:00-4:30PM First Presbyterian Church

FISHING CAMP

Coastal Discovery 10:00AM-1:00PM June 13-27, 2013 Price: $35/child More Info visit: coastaldiscovery.org

20 FARMERS MARKET IN OLD TOWN BLUFFTON May 2- Dec. 19 2:00-7:00PM Calhoun Street

BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT GROUP Free Every Thursday 2:30-4:30PM Boardroom HH Hospital To reserve a spot: 1-877-582-2737

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

1 5

GREGG RUSSELL

MOTORCYCLE POKER RUN June 1- August 23 AND LUAU Every night except 12:00PM Saturday 5:00PM 8:00-9:30PM Orleans Plaza Liberty Oak Tree in More Info: Harbour Town (843) 342-4444

SPIRIT & SPOKES BOAT & BICYCLE RIDE Harbour Town to Coligny Starts at 9AM $40/person More info: kickinasphalt.info

SUMMER KICKOFF PARTY

Black Marlin & Hurricane Bar. Begins at 4PM - Til Live Music by Luke Mitchel and Cranford & Sons

FULL MOON LUAU PARTY

Skull Creek Boathouse. Begins at 4PM. Live Music by Frequency (7-11PM) and Fun Contests!

10 8 FRED ASTAIRE DANCE STUDIO PRESENTS “SUMMER TIME FUN” SHOWCASE

7:00PM HH High School (843) 837-6161

2013 ATTORNEY CHASE

Coligny Beach Admission: $25 5K Run/Walk More Info: lowcountrylegalaid. org

STEPPIN STONES

Every Saturday 7:30-9:30PM Liberty Oak in Harbour Town More Info; seapines.com

29 HILTON HEAD BEACH BUM TRIATHLON #1 8:00AM-10:00AM Coligny Beach More Info: (843) 338-1481

JUNE 2013 2013 June

O U R T o wn A ‘Try’ (that’s worth six points, sports fans) for Glory Hilton Head Rugby team competing in national championship M i c h a e l Pa s k e v i c h

ilton Head Rugby Club players are nursing the anticipated aches, breaks and bruises that come in a hard-hitting contact sport that’s still a mystery to most Americans. Yet the eclectic collection of athletes has time for healing, at least until next season, when it returns from this month’s national championships in Colorado as one of this country’s top teams, no matter the result. “We’re kind of like gladiators, although we all come from very different backgrounds,” said Coach Wells Fulton after a winning mid-May trip to the Southeast semifinals in Virginia. “We have an attorney (Mitch Thoreson), college students who played other sports, a property manager and military guys who discovered the game overseas. It’s all about the competition, the camaraderie and our love of the game.” The non-profit club, formed in 1974, has risen steadily in the national ranks, thanks to plenty of practice, ensuing hard knocks and the financial support of area

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

business sponsors—some of them former players whose ongoing support reflect the close-knit nature of the Britishborn sport that’s big news in many countries. “There’s a lot of networking and support that goes on among our players,” Thoreson said. “Every few weeks we get an e-mail from someone overseas who is coming here for an internship in the hospitality industry and wants to be part of this. They grew up playing the game as kids and we now have Hilton

Head rugby players scattered all over the world. It’s like being in a fraternity.” American-born athletes who played football and soccer remain the club’s core. And those who survive no-pads

from bigger populations than Beaufort County. The club climbed into the top 20 teams among more than 9,000 clubs nationwide, and players are optimistic about the future, comparing the sport’s current status to that of soccer or lacrosse not long ago. Colleges such as Penn State, Ohio State and UC Berkeley have elevated the sport beyond the club level and are drawing athletes who once focused on the holy trinity of commercial American sports: football, baseball and basketball.

“We’re kind of like gladiators, although we all come from very different backgrounds,” said Coach Wells Fulton after a winning midMay trip to the Southeast semifinals in Virginia.

tackles during open-invitation scrimmages begin to learn the game and its hidden nuances. “A lot of our new guys have that football mentality, and the first thing we do is try and break them of that,” Fulton said. “There’s a lot more that goes on than just hitting each other. There are set plays and, while it seems chaotic to those who don’t know what’s going on, it’s really more like contact chess. You have to stick to the game plan to win.” Strong defense is the team’s trademark, which led to its initial trip to the nationals against competition culled

“Rugby leagues are sprouting up across South Carolina and the entire country,” Fulton said. “There are elite athletes in America who haven’t been exposed to the sport, but I have the feeling that it won’t be long before it becomes more common to the average person.” Meanwhile, there are more matches to win, libations to share and ready excuses for knocking the heck out of opponents. “It’s a risky sport but we can get away with things that would land us in jail.”

june 2013

A Line in the Sand

Photography By Anne

One subject. Two opinions.

Frank Dunne Jr.

coming out of the closet Courtney Hampson

ere’s a smattering of what was going on in the world when some unheralded journeyman NBA center named Jason Collins announced to the world that he’s gay last April:

•North Korea threatened nuclear attacks. •Syria attacked its own citizens with chemical weapons. •Savage Islamic jihadist terrorists had just blown up the Boston

Marathon, killing three and wounding hundreds. •The U.S. economy remained mired in the muck with a pathetic 2.5 percent growth rate and unemployment still at Carter Administrationesque levels. •The president continued his litany of lies and obfuscations in an attempt to cover up his treasonous dereliction of duty during the September 11 terrorist attacks in Benghazi. The birdbrains in the media had a bigger fish to fry, though. “Active NBA Player Comes Out as Gay” was the headline story of the week all over print, TV, radio, and online media. Yawn. (continued on next page)

ast month, Frank and I debated desserts vs. appetizers—a total softball topic and a result of Frank being uncomfortable debating gay marriage. “No way. Not touching it. I’d lose friends. Realitychallenged friends who I love dearly, but realitychallenged nonetheless,” was his response to my prompt on the topic. Since my position was in favor of gay marriage and marriage equality, I’m going to go ahead and assume (I know, I know …) that Frank is against. What choice does he leave me, right? So, it is apropos that this month we get to tackle a related topic, one on which Frank was quick to state his sharptongued opinion. Last month, when NBA player Jason Collins announced

in Sports Illustrated that he was gay, he became the first professional athlete to do so. The Web lit up with commentary, as did the social media world. I thought, wow, good for him. Can’t be easy to come out… and to doing it via mass media to the entire world takes some real confidence. Then I asked Frank how he felt about it and he said, “I don’t feel anything, but this is what I think. I’ve never heard of him so I looked him up. Fifteen years in the league averaged 3.6 points a game and 3.8 rebounds. Career likely over. He’s a nobody trying to be a somebody, and trying to get a 30 for 30 movie made about himself. Boring.” Whoa Francis, settle down. That’s a

Frank Dunne Jr

Jason Collins is gay? So what? Carmelo Anthony is black. LeBron James jumps high. Jeremy Linn is Asian. Stephen Curry is small. Jason Kidd is old. Joakim Noah looks like a girl (but he can sure play like a badass), Steve Nash is Canadian. Who cares? If it seems like we’ve been here before—the media making horse’s asses of themselves over a nonnews item from the world of sports—you’re right; we have. Remember how Tim Tebow was mocked, ridiculed, and attacked for praying on the field and otherwise behaving in an openly Christian manner? Yup. That’s all he did, and he was savaged in the press, as were his fans. We wrote about it here. Courtney even used my favorite word and called Tebow an idiot. Well, I’m not going to call Collins an idiot. He’s not. I did a little bit of checking, and he seems like a pretty stand-up guy, running hoops camps for kids and donating money for disaster relief. He even taught Sunday school as a teenager. Wait a minute! Sunday school? Could he be a Christian? How did that slip by the press? Anyway, while I take issue with him and I’ll get to that shortly, Collins is no idiot. He did, however, unleash a parade of idiots. That would be the army of pantywaist political correctness sycophant so-called sports and news journalists who fawned over him for days and days after his “story” broke. It was amusing, but at the same time appalling, to witness all these media morons climbing over one another in psychotic zeal to offer the most profound paean to their hero. Missing 28

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

from the cacophony was anything resembling an original thought. One and all parroted identical politically correct talking points in an intellectual and journalistic equivalent to brain-dead North Korean army divisions goose-stepping across the square. Jason Collins, brave, courageous, and gutsy! What’s so brave about that? Apparently coming out as gay is the fastest track to media darling status. Collins even got a call from the president. Just say you’re gay, and the president’s got your back while the media beats a path to your door. But if you dare to be openly Christian, the media will kill you and the president will attack you as a “bitter clinger.” Coming out as gay looks like a pretty safe play to me. Collins said that he doesn’t want to be a distraction and that it’s always been about the team. Is that so? Then why did he steal the spotlight from the NBA as the playoffs got underway? Let’s look at the record. He hung around the league for 12 years because he’s a sevenfooter, a body to fill a hole. In 12 years, Collins played for six different teams (expendable?) and averaged 3.6 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. Now he’s a 34-year-old free agent. Turn out the lights, the party’s over. Or is it? Congratulations Jason Collins. You finally got your 15 minutes of fame. You got your call from the White House. Can a book deal and an ESPN 30 for 30 movie be far behind? Jason Collins is gay. So what? So are a bunch of other people, but most of them don’t get paid over $800,000 a year to perform their jobs as badly as he performed his.  june 2013

Courtney Hampson

pretty bold statement and an interesting reaction to boot. That’s like suggesting that Lamar Odom (career scoring average of 5.0 points) married Khloe Kardashian to elevate his playing potential. Or that Kris Humphries (career scoring average of 4.4) married Khloe’s sister Kim for the same reason. Wait a minute. I smell a conspiracy here. I say Bravo Jason Collins for choosing to stay true to who you are over marrying a Kardashian. I mean who wants to have to keep up with Bruce Jenner’s toy helicopter obsession and all that godforsaken plastic surgery. Sorry. Let’s focus. First it is important to know that I know nothing about basketball, so I had to do my research on the stats. Collins is a defensive player, thus making his role more blocking and stealing than scoring. Nonetheless, the average points scored this season for a player in the NBA is 8.8, based on 22 minutes of playing time. Collin’s played an average of nine minutes a game this season, so are his stats that horrendous? He’s been to the playoffs nine times in 12 seasons. To quote Ron Burgundy (which is by no means a scholarly source, but cracks me up), that feels like kind of a big deal. So, I’m trying to figure out why Frank is knocking the guy. According to a NCAA study conducted in 2010, the chances of even becoming a professional basketball player are .03 percent. Basically, of the 156,000 senior high school basketball players, only 44 will be drafted to the NBA. So, maybe we cut Collins some slack since the fact that he even made it to the NBA defies the odds. june 2013

In the Sports Illustrated story, Collins said, “The strain of hiding my sexuality became almost unbearable in March, when the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments for and against same-sex marriage. Less than three miles from my apartment, nine jurists argued about my happiness and my future. Here was my chance to be heard, and I couldn’t say a thing. I didn’t want to answer questions and draw attention to myself. Not while I was still playing.” Coincidentally, one of the four plaintiffs in the case for same-sex marriage is Jeff Zarrillo, a Brick, NJ boy and my high school classmate. I’ve watched Jeff’s journey in awe and admiration for the last few years as he and his partner Paul have fought for the right to get married. They don’t do it for the media attention. They don’t do it to advance their careers. They do it for love. I can’t believe that Collins would open himself up to such scrutiny in an effort to rejuvenate his NBA career. Instead, maybe we should be grateful that because of his role in the NBA, further attention will be brought to the fight for equality. And, let’s not forget that in the true spirit of team, Collins waited until after the season was over so that his teammates wouldn’t be affected by his announcement. Thank you Jason Collins for having the courage to speak your mind, for using your voice, and for being a role model to the thousands (millions?) of others who haven’t yet worked up the courage to do so themselves.  www.celebratehiltonhead.com 29

social

33 Park photography

Sea Pines Country Club Expands Membership Outside Of The Gates The residents of Sea Pines Plantation have voted to amend restrictive covenants that limited membership in Sea Pines Country Club to residential property owners of the community. With this change, the Sea Pines Country Club will be permitted to extend invitations to membership to individuals who reside outside of Sea Pines. In addition, the Club can now retain Club members who sell their Sea Pines Plantation residential property. The covenant amendment also allows Sea Pines Country Club to invite eligible Harbour Town boat slip owners to membership. The covenants were amended in a special referendum that was approved by the Sea Pines Resort, The Community Service Associates (CSA) and the Association of Sea Pines Plantation Property Owners (ASPPPO) and conducted by Sea Pines Country Club. The referendum was passed by a substantial margin with 92% of the 2,897 ballots returned voting for the change. The Covenants require that 75% of those property owners who vote approve of the amendment.

The Club will offer several membership categories for residents outside of Sea Pines including golf, tennis and clubhouse. The market expansion provides many exciting opportunities for Sea Pines Country Club. The provisions of the amendment are expected to reduce annual membership losses attributed to member relocation and open new market areas to the Club. The Club will offer several membership categories for residents outside of Sea Pines including golf, tennis and clubhouse. The Club remains private with membership by invitation only. Memberships from outside of Sea Pines are capped at 200. For information about the Club’s membership plans contact: Karen Fleming, Director of Membership at kfleming@seapinescountryclub.com.

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

 Swingin’ Medallions to Perform Friday, June 7 The Swingin’ Medallions, one of the most popular party bands to ever play across the Deep South, will perform at the Jasper County Farmers Market, Friday, June 7. Made famous by their number one hit single, “Double Shot of My Baby’s Love,” their high-octane style has been energizing crowds at colleges, festivals, reunions and beach venues almost continuously since the 1960s. “It’s always a treat having the Swingin’ Medallions back in Jasper County,” said Kendall Malphrus, executive director of the sponsoring Jasper County Chamber of Commerce. “Crowds love them. They appeal to a broad age group from boomers to teenagers, because they are terrific entertainers. No true classic rock and roll fan will want to miss this concert!” Gates open at 7 p.m.; concert starts at 8. Admission is $15 in advance, $20 at the door. VIP tables available for advance purchase. A portion of ticket sales will be donated to The United Way of the Lowcountry. Food and beverages will be available for purchase (no coolers). Drinking wrist bands are $10 each. Bring your own lawn chairs. Rain or shine. Jasper County Farmers Market is located on the south side of Ridgeland, which can be accessed from Interstate I-95 at Exits 18 or 21. Call (843-726-8126) for tickets or visit JasperCountyChamber.com for more information.

june 2013

social

Back row left to right: Nick Pfeifer, Shane Marstiller, Jack Wimberly, Tim Huser, Jonas Stephens, Chris Blankenship Front row left to right: Bryan Scharver, Steve Kenyon, CJ Steedley

Hilton Head Island Fire & Rescue 2012 awards Hilton Head Island Fire & Rescue has created an awards program that recognizes personnel who have gone above and beyond the call of duty. Following is a summary of the 2012 awards. • Dispatcher of the Year: Jenna Streeter, who excels in dispatcher training and customer service. • Firefighter of the Year: Tim Huser, who is a HazMat technician, Honor Guard member and class “F” licensed driver. • EMT of the Year: Bryan Scharver, who implemented new electronic patient care reporting. • Leadership Award: Lt. Chris Blankenship, who demonstrated exceptional leadership towards the goals of Fire & Rescue. • Chief’s Award: Public Safety Systems Administrator Stephen Ralston, who developed a plan of action to update all data systems and remove dozens of barriers in the computer processing system. • Pride of the Battalion Award: former CH2 Bachelor of the Year CJ Steedley, who demonstrated leadership, integrity, determination and good values during Firefighter Candidate School. • A Unit Citation: Dispatchers Norma Moore and Earnestine Reed, for exceptional handling of a 911 call involving a tragic shooting incident. • Star of Life Award: Senior Firefighter/Paramedic Jonas Stephens, who displays exceptional critical thinking and ability that leads directly to the saving of a patient’s life. norma moore

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

june 2013

Additional awards and recognition: •

• • •

•

Ashley McDonald & Jenna Streeter for their countless hours spent on- and off-duty updating the 911 training manual. Dawn Foust for coaching a caller through CPR, which saved a life. Steve Kenyon, a firefighter, who completed multiple classes in a short time in a positive and professional way. Dr. Mike Danoff, MD for taking the initiative to become a CPR instructor and for making it a mission to train as many citizens as possible in CPR and AED use. Earnestine Reed, for creating a visual aid for all dispatchers to use while learning team-based approach in treating cardiac arrest. Fire Apparatus Operator Shane Marstiller, Senior Firefighter Nick Pfeifer, Senior Firefighter Joe Edwards and Firefighter Jack Wimberly for their outstanding contribution to this year’s Haunted House. Lt./Paramedic Bill Horton and Captain/Paramedic Eric Lainhart who were honored this year by the local chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution.

june 2013

Joe edwards

dr. mike danoff, MD

Eric lainhart

Ashley mcdonald, jenna streeter & Dawn Foust

earnestine reed

www.celebratehiltonhead.com 33

Chicago Brings Razzle Dazzle to the Arts Center Set amidst the decadence during the 1920s, Chicago is the story of Roxie Hart, a housewife and nightclub dancer who maliciously murders her on-the-side lover after he threatens to walk out on her. Desperate to avoid conviction, she dupes the public, the media and her rival cellmate, Velma Kelly, by hiring Chicago’s slickest criminal lawyer to transform her crime into a barrage of sensational headlines, the likes of which might just as easily be ripped from today’s tabloids. With a book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb, Chicago garnered six 1997 Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival as well as the Grammy Award for Best Musical Cast Recording. But even if you’ve seen Chicago before, you haven’t seen it like this! According to director Russell Garrett, the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina’s production of Chicago will provide a richer experience of the show. “Most people who’ve seen Chicago on Broadway have seen the revival, and while that’s an incredible show in and of itself, it was brought back to the New York stage as a musical revue,” he explained. “Our version—still with the beloved Fosse dance styles and songs you know and love—will give the audience so much more to enjoy in what is already a thoroughly engaging, satisfying and current show. And, it will of course still have Chicago’s inherent sultry, sexy component to it.” Cast members include Caitlin Carter (Roxie Hart), who was Mona in the Broadway production, and also the show’s original dance captain; Jessica Lea Patty (Velma Kelly), who has performed in six Broadway productions and on five national tours; and David Sattler (Billy Flynn) who’s headlined a lengthy roster of European tours and within the U.S. at such renowned companies as the American Musical Theater, Ogunquit Playhouse and Paper Mill Playhouse. Having performed in Broadway’s Fosse, the talented Kathleen Watkins returns to the Arts Center stage. She also performed in the theater’s 2004 production of Chicago among numerous other Arts Center shows. With a stellar cast, clever staging and riveting story, the musical extravaganza will captivate, sizzle… and all that jazz, at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, June 19July 28.  Tickets are $44 for adults and $31 for children, (preview prices are $34/adult and $26/ child) and may be purchased by calling the box office at (843) 842-ARTS or by visiting online at artshhi.com. Groups of 10 or more enjoy reduced ticket prices as well as two free tickets! Find out more by calling the box office.

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

june 2013

The BoardroomWhitley Deputy (Every Tuesday)

Truffles Café- Happy Hour & Late Night $5 at the Bar (4-7PM & 9PM- close)

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

Old Fort Pub- Happy Hour (5-7PM)

The BoardroomCranford and Sons (Every Wednesday Kingfisher- Light Rock with David Wingo (Every Wednesday)

O’clock

It’s

Black Marlin Hurricane Bar Happy Hour (4 - 7PM)

Ela’s Blu Water GrilleLIVE Music (Starting at 8PM)

Old Fort Pub- Happy Hour (5-7PM) The BoardroomJo Vicars (Every Monday Night)

Frankie Bones Sunday Brunch (10AM-3PM) The BoardroomSin Night (Every Sunday)



Kingfisher- Joseph the Magician (Every Monday) The Salty Dog- Live Entertainment (5-9PM) Skull Creek BoathouseSunset Reggae Party $3 Red Stripes $4 Rum Punches Live music by Patwa (Every Monday Night 5:00-8:00PM)

Wednesday

One Hot Mama’s Sunday Blues Brunch Buffet (10:30AM-2PM)

Tuesday

Sunday

Monday

somewhere!

Palmetto Bluff Concert SeriesFeaturing Cranford & Sons on June 11th (Gates Open at 5PM, Concert starts at 6:30PM) $25 per car at the Gate Skull Creek BoathouseLive Music with Luke Mitchell (5-8PM)

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

WiseGuys- Bubbles Bubbles Bubbles Ladies’ Night (Every Wednesday Beginning at 5pm – All night long)

Mellow Mushroom (Hilton Head)Trivia Night (9PM)

CALL A CAB 686-6666

KingfisherEarl Williams, Jazz & Blues

Saturday

Friday

thursday

Ela’s Blu Water Grille - LIVE Music (Starting at 8PM)

Up the CreekJune 7th- Brad Wells June 14th- Jared Templeton June 21st- Horan Brothers June 28th- Wrong Way Up (8-11PM) Captain Woody’s(Bluffton)Hilton Head Island Ski Club Happy Hour (5-7PM)

The Lodge Craft Beer and Burger Bar

Up the CreekJune 1st-Chilakaya Reggae Festival June 15th-La Bodega June 22nd-Groove Town Assault June 29th -Dos Amigos (1:00PM-5:00PM)

$3 Premium Vodka Night Ela’s Blu Water Grille - LIVE Music (Starting at 8PM) The Electric Piano- Pinnacle Vodka Ladies Night! AND Classic Rock Beach Music & Motown with the Simpson Brothers. KingfisherPete Carroll, Acoustic Favorites (Every Thursday) CharBar Co.- Happy Hour and Live Music Daily (4-7PM) One Hot Mama’s-Kids Nights- $1.99 Kid’s Meal with each Adult Entrée purchase.

Electric Piano1st: Zack Stiltner Trio 8th: Quick Trixie 15th: The Simpson Brothers

SmokehouseJune 7th- Treble Jay June 14th- Kenny George Band June 21st- The Simpson Brothers June 28th- Shonuff (Starts at 10:00PM)

Riptides8th: David Wingo 15th: 4 Piece & A Biscuit 22nd: Bad Justice 29th : OCD Black Marlin & Hurricane BarSummer Kickoff Hurricane Party Begins at 4pm - Until Live Music by Luke Mitchell (1-4pm) Live Music by Cranford & Sons (6-10pm) Sponsored by Virgil Cain

 Golf Tips From a Pro

Pete Popovich, 2012 HHIPGA Player of the Year

How to select

Wedges

Photography by Anne

e have discussed at length the many benefits technology has brought to the modern era of golf. Yet with all the technological advancement, it can be difficult to determine which is best for your game. Determining which wedges to use is one decision many golfers get wrong. In fact, due to the constant strengthening (reducing the amount) of lofts on today’s irons, it is highly recommended that golfers carry multiple wedges in their bags. But if you carry three wedges, you also carry the potential to triple the normal confusion. Four of the most important wedge factors are: bounce, sole width, loft and heel grind. Wedges come in many shapes, sizes and even more importantly bounce angle. The amount of bounce on a wedge has a tremendous effect on how well, or not so well, you can utilize the club to your benefit. The many bounce options on today’s sand wedges range from 4-16 degrees, and choosing the proper one could be the difference in hitting it close or missing the green. Bounce Bounce was developed to bounce the club off/out of turf/sand and keep it from digging. As the leading edge enters the ground, the lower trailing edge “bounces” the club out of the ground and into an upward path. If a club has a high bounce (12-16 degrees) it is most effective out of soft sand and thick rough. If a club has a low bounce (4-10 degrees) it is most effective out of firm sand and tight fairways or fringe. Attempting to use a high bounce wedge off a closely mown fairway or firm sand will result in a shot hit thin, typically in the belly of the ball, and the ball traveling twice as far as desired. Use a low bounce wedge in soft sand or lush rough and the club digs too much, resulting in a ‘fat’ shot. Either way, it is important to have the amount of bounce on your wedge fit to both your

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

LOW BOUNCE

HIGH BOUNCE

specific swing and the type of conditions in which you play. Sole width Sole width is often confused with bounce. A club can have a wide sole but limited bounce and vice versa. Some teachers theorize that a wider sole will allow you to get the ball into the air easier. However, if the sole is too wide it could have an adverse effect. This is particularly true for those of you who play a golf course with firm conditions on a regular basis. The wider sole allows fewer margins for error, and if you are just slightly off, your chances to hit the ball the way you want are limited. Today’s wedges have plenty of loft and enough weight distributed throughout the head that a wide sole is not needed as much as it was 25-30 years ago. You will be much better off utilizing a medium to narrow sole, then matching the bounce to the conditions you play in as well as to the way you swing. Thick sole

medium sole

Thin sole

Loft There are 4 degrees of loft difference between each iron in your set, and it is highly recommended to keep that same difference between your wedges. If your PW is 48 degrees, it would be wise to have a Gap Wedge at 52 degrees, a SW at 56 degrees and a LW at 60 degrees. If you have a new set of golf clubs, chances are their lofts are

june 2013

 Choosing the correct wedges was once thought to be an easy task, but it was due to the minimal selection. In today’s world, there are many more options and some of these options can greatly improve your wedge game… if you choose the right ones.

stronger and your PW is likely to be 46 degrees. In that case, it is recommended your Gap Wedge be 50 degrees, your SW-54 degrees and your LW-58 degrees. Attempting to have more than 4 degrees between your wedges creates too much of a distance gap. Golf is a difficult game and consistency is critical in all phases from set-up to swing. Likewise, keeping a consistent separation in lofts through your set gives you an opportunity to improve instead of inhibiting that opportunity. Heel drag (heel grind) This is the least known of the four topics and typically the one that confuses golfers, teachers and club fitters alike. Heel grind refers to how much mass is at the base of the club on the heel. Most of today’s clubs have too much mass, which causes something known as heel drag through impact. Heel drag refers to the amount of resistance the heel of the club gets when contacting the ground, whether it allows the golfer to easily get through impact into his/her finish position, or if the ground slows down/alters the clubface through impact. Golfers can practice their wedge game for hours only to become lost as to why their proficiency with wedges has not improved. Few realize that improvement is rarely possible

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

No Heel grind if the bounce, sole Heel grind width, loft and heel of their wedges are not properly fit. As a rule of thumb, the less amount of mass there is on the backside of the heel the better. This works especially well when the golfer is adjusting the clubface for different shots around the green, i.e. opening the face. If you have the wrong heel grind, you could be doing everything correctly but still not getting the results you want.

Choosing the correct wedges was once thought to be an easy task, but it was due to the minimal selection. In today’s world, there are many more options and some of these options can greatly improve your wedge game…if you choose the right ones.  To learn more about which wedges you should be using, based upon your swing, playing conditions and science behind their design, contact the GPA-HHI at (843) 338-6737, by e-mail at pete@golfacademyhiltonhead.com or on Facebook at Golf Proformance Academy-Hilton Head.

june 2013

arby got sick just before Christmas. He was diagnosed with liver cancer, and the prognosis was grim. We did a shot of chemotherapy, steroids, anti-nausea meds and appetite stimulants, and we cooked homemade meals for him, all in an effort to keep him comfortable for the little bit of time he had left. We spent one last Christmas together; he even rallied that week and took a three-mile walk with us. He had a little surge, and then it was clear that he was fading fast. Our vet told us that Darby would let us know when it was time to say goodbye, and he did the first weekend in January. On Monday morning, we made the appointment for later that afternoon. That day, we lay on the bed together, me wrapped around him, and I told him the story of us. I told him about the first day we met and how he jumped right up and kissed me. How he ran so fast that his leash caught and he did a back flip in the

Darby

air. We talked about his first big splash in my momâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s swimming pool. I reminded him about the time he took off at breakneck speed to chase a after a black bear. I laughed thinking about him trying to catch snowflakes in his mouth. And I cried remembering how he never left my side when I would lie devastated over failed attempts to have a baby. When we moved to our house in Bluffton, he bounded through the front door and ran room to room, window to window, checking out each view. We talked about our many sandbar excursions and how he would swim right next to me. I asked him why he chose to never play fetch. I thanked him for being my best friend when I became single again. I reminded him how he scared the heck out of me when he got bit by a copperhead and his head swelled exponentially and how much I loved sharing the lounge chair in the backyard and soaking up sun. I talked about the hundreds and hundreds of walks weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d taken and the thousands of miles we traveled together on foot. I told him goodbye and



Darby at ten years old.

asked him to visit me every now and then. He snuggled in close, rubbed his head on my chin and said his own goodbye. How do you put your baby in the car and take him to die? It was one of the worst moments of my life. And wouldn’t you know it; he jumped into the backseat as if he was a puppy. When we got to the vet, they took him in the back to sedate him, and I wish I hadn’t let them. I can still hear him crying in the back, and it makes me angry. They brought him back into the room, all doped up, and he collapsed into my lap. It kills me that those few moments in “the back” may be the last he remembers. I wrapped my arms around him as they administered the final dose. He slipped away almost immediately. When the doctor said, “He’s gone,” I lost it. This was my best friend, and now he was gone. I didn’t know how I could recover. I lay there on the floor, with Darby in my arms, undoubtedly in some dog pee and blood, not knowing how I would go on. I will never forget that moment. And I’ll

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

never forget the look on the face of the little girl sitting in the lobby with her new golden retriever puppy as I walked out with mascara streaked cheeks. The worst moments came when I would get home from work at night and look at the second floor window and see no Darby, hear no “woof” greeting. Walking alone was gut-wrenching. For weeks I waited for a sign from Darby. I wanted him to visit me in my dreams. As each day passed, I got more and more upset. I want Darby back and as we started to talk about getting another dog, I of

course, was on a search to find a new Darby. I needed a male dog. I needed a black lab. I needed a dog who gives kisses. I needed a dog that would cuddle in bed. I needed a dog that would cock his head to the left and look at me questioningly. Knowing that thousands of dogs are euthanized annually in Beaufort Country alone, we were on a rescue mission. So we began our search with Lowcountry Lab Rescue (LLR), a 501(c) 3 animal welfare organization that rescues and rehomes stray and unwanted Labrador Retrievers from life-threatening situations. LLR takes in Labradors that are going to be euthanized in animal shelters because they are determined to be “unadoptable.” This could mean that the dog needs more medical care than the shelter can afford or that the dog needs obedience lessons or simply that the dog is black in color. (Black dogs are the last dogs to be adopted in animal shelters!) Annually, LLR rescues and rehomes between 150 and 200 dogs and provide referrals through their social

june 2013

www.celebratehiltonhead.com 45

Jack and blue palling around at the sandbar

Photography By anne

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

informing us it is time for dinner.

media network for countless additional dogs that would end up in shelters on death row. LLR rescues these labs, evaluates their medical history, identifies any medical issues and treats the issues, and places the dogs in “foster” homes within their network of dozens of homes in the Lowcountry. The organization is 100 percent volunteer run, and their network runs deep. When I started following their Facebook page, it was puppy panoply. We completed the adoption application and were approved. With so many dogs to choose from, I couldn’t make a decision, so I put it in my husband’s hands. Two days later, we were driving to Charleston to meet “Blue.” An hour later we were on our way home with 75 pounds of black lab, his ears blowing in the wind, and our foster parent paperwork on the dashboard. Together we were embarking on a twoweek test period to see if Blue would choose us. The folks at LLR told us that he was pretty chill. Doesn’t excite much. Well trained. He was the anti-Darby; I was surprised, but I kind of liked it. It wasn’t so bad having a dog that didn’t bark at every other dog, that didn’t sleep in bed between Dave and me, that didn’t want to chase the garbage truck or golf carts, and didn’t bark at my stepfather. But, I did miss the kisses. Blue’s disdain for dog toys was quickly evident; apparently he is too refined for such silliness. Fetch a ball? You fetch a ball, sister, I am comfortable here. Nope, Blue ran outside only to stop short and drop to the ground to feel the sun on his face. We couldn’t believe our good fortune. Two days into our two-week trial, we adopted him and celebrated with three cuts of filet. Blue’s former family (we call them the “suck family”) had him for four years (rescued him through LLR, in fact) before they decided that they just didn’t want a dog anymore. So, they dropped him off at a kill-shelter. Blue was one hour from death when LLR stepped in. They were able to step in and take Blue, because they had a temporary foster home for him. So, that got us thinking. How many other Blues are out there? How can we help? Timing was such that another “suck family” in Beaufort County decided they no longer wanted their pup of two years and dropped him off at Animal Control. Enter Jack, our current foster puppy. Jumping Jack flash. Jack attack. Jack pot. Jackson! Jack greeted me for the first time much in the way Darby did. He jumped up and planted a big ol’ wet one right on my smacker. Two nights later he crawled into bed with me. On our first walk past the golf course, he stopped, crouched down, and barked june 2013



Jack enjoying the beach

like crazy at a golf cart—and later at the garbage man. Jack had a lot of Darby in him, and I was in love. After just a few days, I looked at my husband and thought how could we ever give him to someone else? He shook his head and really had no words. So, I reached out to fellow fosterer (and one of LLR’s chief volunteers), Janell Gregory for answers. How do you not get attached? She said … “You do get attached Courtney. The beauty of it is seeing them live their happily ever after and knowing you gave them that chance. You will always get attached… what I think of is, I could have one dog for 15 years, or 15 dogs in one year. I would rather touch 15 lives and not have them than save just one life in 15 years. You did that for me when you took Blue, and you are doing it again for whoever ends up with Jack. You are a huge part of his happy ending. Get attached and stay attached; we’ll give you another one.” I sobbed. (I’m sobbing again typing it. I imagine you’re sobbing reading it.) I’m not one to believe in “signs.” But Jack did make me start wondering about why he found us. First Darby and the heaven debate, and now a dog has me thinking that everything may happen for a reason? The Earth must be off its axis. Sitting in the backyard last weekend, Blue and I were sunbathing, and Jack was begging to play fetch. Finally a dog who wants to play fetch! I must have thrown the tennis ball for 30 minutes and finally said enough. But Jack was relentless; he kept picking it up and putting it on my chair. So eventually I gave it to Dave to put in the garage. Not one minute later, Jack drops another tennis ball in my lap. Where did he find that? Same drill. Put it in the garage. I settled back in my chair, sun on my face, and plop, another tennis ball. This happened 11 times. Jack found 11 tennis balls in the yard. Allow me to mention again that Darby did not fetch. Blue does not fetch. And, I know I did not build this house on a former USTA training center. So, where the heck are the tennis balls coming from? As “new” foster parents, who “failed” at our first attempt and adopted Blue within 48 hours, we continue to struggle with the question, should we make our home Jack’s forever home? Do we adopt him too? Then we remember Janell’s advice and know how happy Jack will make another family, and we take solace in the fact that we helped save his life. But then he gives me a kiss. Or snuggles next to me on the couch. Or settles right into his crate when I grab my keys. Or sits at my feet as I blow dry my hair. Or barks a greeting from the upstairs window when I pull into the driveway. Or dances in circles when I grab the leash. And brings me another tennis ball. A tennis ball from heaven.  For more information on Lowcountry Lab Rescue and details on how to foster or adopt a pup, visit www. lowcountrylabrescue.org. june 2013

www.celebratehiltonhead.com 47

graphy By A to o

ich // P kev h as

[

Art ic

Michae by lP le

e nn

[

Gillan’s Fresh Seafood If i t s w i m s , we ’ v e g o t i t

Joe and Ned Gilleland honed their love of seafood in the most authentic manner possible. The brothers, Ohio transplants whose father (Ned Sr.) developed South Beach Marina in the late ’70s, were constantly on the water while growing up, cutting their own bait, serving as mates on charters and, at the end of the day, savoring the fresh-caught fruits of their labors.

< Chef Robert Ovens

The maturing Gilleland Brothers went on to become the biggest restaurant brokers in Beaufort County, developing and remodeling hundreds of area eateries, including a half-dozen of their own; the most recent was Eugene’s at Palmetto Bay Marina, which they sold about six years ago. “But we always had it in the back of our minds to one day do a real oyster bar,” Gilleland said, “and we finally found a spot with great frontage (on Highway 278) and an outdoor deck for dining and live entertainment. We wanted to create something that’s fun and casual, not a fancy-schmancy destination restaurant, because we’ve watched as Hilton Head has become much more family-oriented over the years. So we do

“We became instant seafood freaks and we’ve now been in the seafood and restaurant business since we were kids,” said Ned Gilleland, co-owner of Gillan’s Fresh Seafood & Oyster Bar, 841 Wm. Hilton Pkwy., where the brothers focus on serving customers the same fresh fare they fell in love with years back. “We hadn’t lived until we ate oysters

that had just been shucked. There’s no comparison because you still get the salt brine before they start drying out and the fresh taste and plumpness goes away. If you’re an oyster lover there’s no other way to eat them and a lot of people from out-of-state who think they’ve had great oysters, well, they really haven’t.”

“We hadn’t lived until we ate oysters that had just been shucked. There’s no comparison because you still get the salt brine before they start drying out and the fresh taste and plumpness goes away. If you’re an oyster lover there’s no other way to eat them and a lot of people from out-of-state who think they’ve had great oysters, well, they really haven’t.” -Ned Gilleland

a lot of discount specials and run a daily happy hour (4 to 6:30 p.m.) with 75-cent oysters, 40-cent shrimp and half-priced drinks. We serve happy hour throughout the restaurant, not just at the bar, and it’s a come-as-you-are place where it’s fine to wear shorts and flip-flops.” Mid-island Gillan’s, sporting a simplified version of the family name that twists its share of tongues, opened last July and has been luring a steady supply of knowing locals and learning vacationers. And while Gilleland agrees that the word 50

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

june 2013

[

Gillan’s Fresh Seafood If i t s w i m s , we ’ v e g o t i t

And while Gilleland agrees that the word “fresh” is tossed about too freely in the restaurant game, the siblings and staff simply won’t serve anything else.

“fresh” is tossed about too freely in the restaurant game, the siblings and staff simply won’t serve anything else. “We literally open the oysters as you order them and get them fresh daily from Oregon to Maine,” he said. “At any given time, we have three of four different oysters available, and the local ones began arriving in September. We serve them steamed, fried or raw, which nobody else does, and we’ll start getting local shrimp in June. We never use shrimp that are imported from overseas. “ Likewise, Gillan’s doesn’t stock socalled grouper from South America or domestic clam strips that arrive prebreaded in freezer-ready packaging. “We bread each clam ourselves and do everything from scratch; about the only thing you’ll find in our small freezer are the French fries and crab legs, which don’t come any other way these days.” All-youcan-eat steamed snow crab ($28.95) is available every Tuesday and Wednesday, with rotating specials such as Maine lobster dinners ($14.95) surfacing as well. The market-priced seafood roster is constantly changing, and a small shipment of striped sea bass from upstate recently made its way to a menu that’s influenced by seasonal changes and what actually lands in fishing boats. “We have about six or seven purveyors that we’re in constant contact with,” Gilleland said. “They’ll call us up, tell us what they’ve got and we’ll have it here by the next day. Almost everything comes from within june 2013

a 200-hundred mile radius of our local beach although products have been moving farther offshore due to overfishing. You can hardly get real American red snapper anymore, and the real stuff probably runs about 20 bucks a pound. But we’d want it so some of our people can enjoy something special,” he continued. “Our motto is: ‘If it swims we’ve got it’.” The intimate eatery at South Island Square seats 90-people indoors in a slightly rustic setting that features deep wooden booths and hanging copper lamps plus a collection of mounted sport fish that includes some caught by members of the Gilleland clan. A shaded outdoor deck has room for another 40 lunch and dinner patrons and will showcase performances by musician David Wingo from 6 p.m.

every Thursday and Friday through summer months, or inside near the icepacked oyster bar if the weather turns uncooperative. Brunch is served Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. with entrées priced from $8.95. “We’ve always got a lot of different things going on,” Gilleland said, “and we try to have a little something for everyone.” That means Chef Robert Ovens oversees a kitchen that also prepares select steaks, pasta, veal and chicken dishes for those who aren’t in the mood for even the freshest choices in seafood. “We make sure little Johnny can order a cheeseburger or chicken fingers, and if dad wants a five-pound live Maine lobster or a great steak, we’ll take care of that, too. Believe it or not, there are actually some folks out there who somehow don’t like seafood,” he added with a smile.  Gillan’s Fresh Seafood and Oyster Bar is located at 841 Wm. Hilton Pkwy., serving lunch Monday-Saturday 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m.; dinner daily 4-10 p.m., brunch Sunday 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. For more information, visit Gil lan’sfreshseafoodandoysterbar.com or call (843) 681-FISH.

www.celebratehiltonhead.com 51

Vibrant and Comfortable clothes for women Article by Rebecca Edwards

ou either are this woman or you have seen her. She is dressed smart in a trendy, new outfit. Her hair and her step have a certain carefree and feminine bounce. And her smile is contagious. She feels good. She looks good. She glows. “The name Radiance came from this whole concept,” said Linda Richards owner of Radiance, a hip clothing store in Harbour Town. “I think if you feel good about what you are wearing and how you look, you feel confident too.” Richards truly enjoys propelling that “you go girl” factor. Her clothes, like her, are polished and accessible. Any woman— regardless of age or body type—can walk out of Radiance with the afterglow of a little retail therapy. “Radiance’s look is for youngerminded, fun-loving people,” began Richards, who clarified her comment by adding that “younger-minded” is not about actual age, but a mindset. “We shouldn’t take ourselves too seriously. Radiance can dress women of all ages. A 50-year-old woman today is very different than when our mum’s (yes, Linda has a lovely English accent and said ‘mum’) were 50.” Looking at the clothes, you are instantly struck with the fact that retail items here are not only wearable and comfortable,

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

but also vibrant and reasonably priced. “I wanted to open a store where I would want to shop,” Richards explained. “Having affordable items was important to me. I wanted my customers to be able to feel good about buying several pieces without breaking the bank. “ Radiance is also a posh one-stop shop. You can literally get styled from head to toe here—from one-of-a-kind earrings (head) to Butter nail polish and trendy shoes (toe) and everything in between (think Hanky Panky underwear to resort-casual apparel). Try it sometime. Walk in, have Richards or one of her stylists outfit you, and know that you will walk out feeling fabulous. Much of the clothes reflect Richards’ own signature style. “My style is pretty casual. I enjoy wearing jeans with fun tops and, in the summer, easy dresses. I’m not one for making a fuss,” said Richards, who wears each of the lines. “I love Sanctuary for their shorts and pants— they fit perfectly—not too short but still fashionable. I live in Velvet tops; their fabrics feel great. Splendid has wonderful layering pieces. Darling provides me with special occasion dresses. And during the summer, when it is really hot, I live in the Prana dresses. They are so cool and comfortable,” Richards said.

 Radiance lines:

• Velvet • Three Dots • Aryn K • Prana • C. Luce • Glam • Sanctuary • Butter London nail polish • Hanky Panky undergarments • Hobo clutch bags/wallets • Belts, cool belt buckles • Splendid clothing and footwear • Darling of London • Beija-Flors Denim • Kensie • Jay Jewelry • Robin Goodfellow Designs Jewelry • Princess and Butch buckles and bracelets

Radiance is located at 149 Lighthouse Road, Suite A. Win a Radiance gift certificate by sharing their Facebook page (facebook.com/radiancehiltonhead). For more information, call (843) 363-5176 or stop by the store.

june 2013

www.celebratehiltonhead.com 53

photography by Krisztian Lonyai hair and makeup by Danielle Keasling of Salon Karma

The Passionate,

dress by Free People Saks 5th Ave

Yet Practical,

dress by Free People hat by Lola Saks 5th Ave

dress by Free People Saks 5th Ave

Her potential career paths are indeed diverse, yet the outgoing 20-year-old Sea Pines resident is confident that, whatever happens, she’s rightfully following her heart and remaining open to whatever fate and her talent might bring.

There’s Sara Burns the typical college student, happy to be home for a break after a rugged schedule of final exams as an accounting major at the University of South Carolina. Then there’s Sara Burns the emerging singer-songwriter, gearing up for her summer gig as an entertainer and generating a buzz from here to Nashville upon release of her recording debut. Her potential career paths are indeed diverse, yet the outgoing 20-year-old Sea Pines resident is confident that, whatever happens, she’s rightfully following her heart and remaining open to whatever fate and her talent might bring. “I always knew that I wanted to pursue music,” Burns said over coffee at local café, “but when I graduated from [Hilton Head] high school, I also knew that I needed to be practical and go to college. I didn’t want to become another starving musician, because the business is so tough and such an unpredictable game… but I’m young, and now is the best time to try and pursue a career in music.” And she’s off to an impressive start. The self-taught musician (“I’ve never had a singing or guitar lesson, because I guess I just don’t want anyone telling me what to do,” she laughed.) moved from Ohio “like everyone else here” at the tender age of 10 when her parents opted to make the family’s annual vacation destination permanent. “I was a public school girl and remember falling in love with country music, not the old-fashioned twangy stuff, but contemporary singers like Shania Twain.” However, Burns’ first public shows included a themed school production where she cranked out a version of Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love.” 56

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

dress by Free People Saks 5th Ave

june 2013

“I know it doesn’t show in my own music, but I’m a big fan of classic rock,” she said with an easy smile. “It’s my guilty pleasure, even though it’s hard to pull off Led Zeppelin while playing acoustic.” She soon scored sporadic gigs at area restaurants, including the Old Oyster Factory, her exclusive performance home this summer, meanwhile honing her personal songwriting style and focusing on late-90s cover songs by the likes of Alanis Morrisette and Jewel for the public. She credits her father, Brian, a property manager at Providence Presbyterian Church, for hounding church youth director Kevin Bruchert about his daughter’s growing skill as a songwriter. A one-time touring bassist for the The Fray among other credits, Bruchert eventually gave a listen to Burns’ pop and country rock-influenced material after admitted reluctance. “He tried to talk me out of it initially because of how tough the business is. A lot of people get hurt, and there are a lot of people who can sing; but he thought I had strong songwriting skills and picked out the songs he wanted me to record.” So Burns put down the vocals and guitar tracks at home and, with the magic of today’s digital recording process, Bruchert found Nashville-based musicians eager to augment the finished sound that’s became Past Tense. The three-track EP is a surprisingly mature and confessional compilation that showcases Burns’ convincing light-vibrato vocals and emotional honesty. The mid-tempo title track looks back on a failed relationship, while “Too Late” mines a rockier groove that contrasts with a straight-ahead love ballad (“When You Kiss Me”) that might make Taylor Swift envious. “I had a relationship that ended after about three years,” Burns said, “but I’m definitely not bitter about it. The songs are about how you grow and learn lessons, and they all have a positive message about recovery and moving on.” Nashville has taken note. Burns made her maiden trip to the mecca of country music in May to meet with producers, musicians and potential songwriting partners as Past Tense (available via iTunes, Amazon and Saraburns.com) continues to draw attention. A second pressing of physical copies is in the works as Burns settles in for summer shows as the featured artist at the Old Oyster Factory, performing Sunday through Friday evenings. “I can’t believe how much support I’ve gotten, and it’s been great,” she said. “I’ve been playing here for years, but a lot of people and friends didn’t even know about me and my passion for music… it’s kind of like I’ve been leading a double-life.” Yet Burns is keeping her dreams in perspective, fully aware of the fickle nature of the music business as she hones her skills and observes an uncertain media-driven market. “I don’t like most of today’s mainstream music because so much of it is performance-driven. But country music has pulled so much from [classic] pop and rock, and I get a great feeling from what they’re doing. I’d much rather be working in Nashville than L.A.” Her future remains in question, like everyone else’s of course, but the personable young woman shows no signs of worry as she prepares for a working summer and fall return to college for her graduation year. She’s already working on a back-up plan in accounting, and her expanding knowledge about finance should help her avoid the contractual and royalties disputes that have left more than one artist on the skids. “If I had a choice between the two, it would definitely be music,” she said. “It would be great if something happens with it but you have to be smart about what you do. I like money, I love math and I really enjoy accounting. I just wish it wasn’t so hard,” she smiled. “No matter what happens, I’d like to think that I haven’t been wasting my time.”  june 2013

www.celebratehiltonhead.com 57

Something Good in the Neighborhood

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world, indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” —Margaret Mead

Hilton Head Island Commu nit Church acts y locally with Projects in 30 30 Days

Article By Kitty Bartell



Simple geography makes us neighbors. Being a neighbor doesn’t mean always having the same view on politics, or child-rearing, or barbeque for that matter (I prefer mine sticky and sweet while my neighbor likes his with a vinegar kick). However, a good neighbor can provide a sense of consistency and sometimes even safety. You may chat in the driveway after a long day at work or borrow a cup of what’s missing from your pantry. But knowing your neighbors are there keeping an eye on your home when you’re away on vacation, or delivering a meal to someone just home from the hospital is truly neighborly.

a group of young people dressed up like they were going to a red carpet event for a Visionaries video premier that was held April 30 at the Sea Pines country club.

volunteers helped a neighbor with yard work by raking up pine straw, cleaning out gutters and powerwashing.

How we play the role of neighbor may take on any number of incarnations, and at Hilton Head Island Community Church, worshipers found a way to reach out to and meet the needs of their neighbors with an ambitious 30 days of outreach and volunteering during the month of April; changing the world locally under the leadership of the church’s ONE Community Director, Carrie Beck. According to Beck, the 30 Projects in 30 Days initiative came from a brain-storming session several months ago with Lead Pastor, Todd Cullen, and other key leaders. With Easter falling on the last day of March, and April conveniently having 30 days, the team felt it was a great fit with their vision. Knowing their outreach would be directed locally, Beck said, “The word ‘community’ is in our church’s name, so the community has to be a major focus of our outreach. In order to get out into the community, rather than establishing new

programs, we really wanted to identify projects that would either serve our neighbors or serve local organizations, whether non-profits or religious organizations that were serving certain segments of the community and doing that well. We had no need to reinvent the wheel here.” In an effort to offer volunteering options that met the diverse church community, Beck explains that the list of projects included a mix of on-site outreach as well as collection events. “We know some people have more time than money, and some people have more resources than time. We also wanted to contribute to organizations that served a variety of needs.” Beginning with “Big Give Sundays,” collections were taken up each of the month’s four Sundays, starting with diapers, then personal hygiene products to benefit Deep Well and Volunteers in Medicine, followed by a food collection to benefit St. Andrews by the

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

Sea United Methodist Church Soup Kitchen, Sandalwood Food Pantry, and Volunteers in Medicine, and culminating with a gift card and cash collection that was disbursed to various organizations who identified particular needs that had not yet been met. Getting out into the community encompassed an army of church volunteers who suggested project ideas and coordinated teams to complete the work. Some of the organizations and causes that benefited from the 30 Days projects included Sandalwood Food Pantry, Neighborhood Outreach Connection, Volunteers in Medicine, St. Andrews by the Sea United Methodist Church Soup Kitchen, Pregnancy Center & Clinic of the Lowcountry, local schools, Backpack Buddies and St. James Soup Kitchen, Hilton Head Early Childhood Development Center, Memory Matters, local beaches, and quite possibly you or your neighbor. “It was so great seeing the children get involved with

volunteers helped Clean up our beaches on earth day.

a church member assists a neighbor with yard work.

the beach clean-up on Earth Day, and the teenagers with the Memory Matters event,” Communications Director, Cynthia Cullen said. “The 30 Projects initiative was intended to kick-start our church into being more actively aware of how we can serve. Our goal is to build great partnerships with all the non-profits on the island. If someone is doing something well, we’re going to get behind them and support them.” Even though the month-long project is over, “This isn’t over for us. This is who we are,” she said.

Church member, project liaison, and board member at Sandalwood Food Pantry, Kelly Clendaniel said the initiative made some major improvements in the pantry’s ability to serve the hungry and homeless on Hilton Head Island. Volunteers built new shelving for the pantry. “This allows us to give those we serve more options and to be more organized,” Clendaniel explained. Describing the pantry as a free-choice type resource, where those in need make selections in a setting

june 2013

Volunteers installing shelving at Sandalwood Food Pantry.

much like a traditional grocery store, the newly organized inventory allows individuals to take better control of what they receive and more closely meet their particular needs. Clendaniel also coordinated a team that provided manpower to Hilton Head IB Elementary, painting picnic tables and installing landscaping. She simply called the school principal and asked what they needed. “We showed up and did the grunt work,” she said. “It just

june 2013

brings me joy to serve others and be a blessing to them.” Averaging 350 attendees each Sunday, Hilton Head Island Community Church is leading by example, teaching others how to be good neighbors. In addition to the local ONE Community concept, the congregation pursues global outreach programs as well. The church supports initiatives in Africa with nohungrychildren. org and is looking forward to an upcoming mission trip this

We become better versions of ourselves when we realize that in helping others we are helping ourselves.

summer to Belize with ROW KIDS, a locally-based missions organization (rowkids.org.) Given their momentum and creativity, this church will continue to do great things one neighbor at a time. As Beck said, “We get lost in the minutia of our lives that seems so important at the time. We’re just changing people’s perspective. It’s not about Hilton Head Island Community Church; it’s about the other people in our community.”

Leading by example, teaching strangers to become neighbors, results in neighborhoods becoming stronger. We become better versions of ourselves when we realize that in helping others we are helping ourselves. Beck summed it up, “This is not a new concept. The Bible teaches us to be a good neighbor. That was our desire and the whole point of the project.”  Hilton Head Island Community Church is located at 860 William Hilton Parkway. Sunday services are at 9:30 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. For more information, call (843) 6813399 or visit their website at hiltonheadislandcc.org.

www.celebratehiltonhead.com 61

It’s a Matter of Taste



New app for finding restaurants using local ingredients

sk any smart phone user if he or she has a favorite app, and they will probably tell you they have several. For those who enjoy a great meal, finding area restaurants that use locally grown ingredients is about to get a lot easier. On June 4, the South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA) will unveil the Fresh on the Menu (FOTM) restaurant app. Fresh on the Menu restaurants use at least 25 percent Certified SC Grown produce and products on their menus when in season. There are more than 300 FOTM restaurants across the state, and they source from a wide variety of South Carolina farmers, produce companies and breweries. Users can search the app by restaurant name, city or zip code to find a great place to eat in many towns across the state. Another great feature is the roots section. There, users can get information about farms and producers supplying FOTM restaurants. Red Fish, located on Archer Road, is one of the many restaurants featured on the FOTM app. Head Chef Chaun Bescos is a strong supporter of sourcing locally grown produce and seafood. “I grew up with good produce and livestock. For me, I like to know where my food comes from,” Bescos said. He is not alone. More and more people want to know more about their food, and the FOTM app will help with that effort. Red Fish is known for its nightly specials—dishes all based on fresh fish and produce Bescos finds on a daily basis and no more than 20 minutes from where Red Fish is located. When it comes to signature dishes, patrons will find Local Shrimp in Chorizo Gravy or Scallops with Lobster Mac-N-Cheese. The Fresh on the Menu app will be available starting June 4, by visiting www. freshonthemenuapp.com. Restaurants interested in joining the Fresh on the Menu Program can contact SCDA’s Ansley Rast Turnblad arast@scda.sc.gov or (803) 734-2207 

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

june 2013

owner T.J. Anderson

P l e n t y o f r e a s o n s f o r a c o m f o r ta b l e l i f e at h o m e

lace a phone call to Atlantic Spray Foam insulation in Okatie, and its owner T.J. Anderson answers, not an unknowing administrative assistant or another mindnumbing answering machine. “I’ve taken calls at 10 or 11 at night and I think that’s what people today really want,” Anderson said. “Like any other service business, this is about building relationships; and if a customer has questions or issues, I want them talking directly to me, the person who is on the job, instead of a manager who first reports to another manager.” Anderson began learning the business in Statesboro, Ga., relocating to Okatie in 2008 after tiring of a corporate approach to business. He and a trio of certified staffers handle the insulation needs of homeowners and contractors throughout Beaufort County providing solutions to mold or mildew problems, costly energy-loss issues, or needs for a clean and functional upstairs storage area. “Every house is different,” Anderson said, “so we give free estimates and comprehensive energy assessments using an infrared camera to see if there’s outside air coming in. We show them what we find, and that allows a homeowner to make a logical decision.” Jamie Kaye, owner of Hilton Head-based Elm Energy Group, began working with Anderson a few years back and praises his hard work and honesty. “T.J. and I work together

A r t i c l e B y M i c h a e l Pa s k e v i c h

almost everyday and he is constantly helping me find better ways of testing homes for energy efficiency. I feel confident recommending him, he’s not just looking to sell you a product and then install it.” Anderson explains that spray foam insulation started in 1970s as a heating-loss hedge against freezing Canadian winters. The process eventually migrated south to local climes where heat and humidity are big issues and cooling systems often struggle to keep homes comfortable in the summer. “If an air-conditioner is working upstairs where its 140 degrees, it’s not going to be as efficient and that has an impact on energy costs and the lifespan of the system,” he said. “What spray foam does in the north, it does for us in the south, and we can get the attic temperature down to around 85 degrees. It’s about being comfortable and enjoying your home yearround.” Blocking outside air flow likewise lowers humidity. A properly sealed home also improves air quality by cutting down dust and critical condensation that, if left unchecked, can lead to mold and mildew. “Mold can tear up your sheet rock, and that creates much bigger problems,” he said. “Although there are people out there who are trying to scare people about mold. We get it in our showers and that doesn’t hurt us. Some types of mold can be dangerous, and just spraying a chemical on it isn’t going to help. It’s just a band-aid, and it’s going to //

Carrie Friesen Photography

Anderson and family

come back. By going in and testing the root of the problem, we can permanently fix things before there’s real trouble.” Using a top-quality substance that’s environmentally safe and increasingly common in schools and hospitals, Anderson and company, unlike the majority of their competition, always remove existing fiberglass in older homes rather than just cover things up to save time and effort. The process takes a day or two, and Atlantic Spray Foam then uses Elm Energy’s Kaye for post-work infrared camera testing to assure a quality seal. “We want to get things right the first time so there won’t be any issues in the future. There are also times when we go in and have to fix somebody else’s work, too,” Anderson said. “There isn’t a new home being built today that doesn’t have some sort of spray foam insulation in it,” he added, “but there are a lot of older homes around here that still don’t have it.” The ensuing energy savings alone has even more people taking a closer look at upgrading their insulation and comfort levels. “The power bill is going to be cheaper because it keeps the heating and cooling inside,” he noted. “But I don’t sell just based on power issues, because everyone’s lifestyle is different.” Ben Kennedy of Brighton Builders in Bluffton is another fan of Anderson’s work. “Good insulation is a major improvement comfort-wise, and it really raises the resale value of a home,” Kennedy said. “What we especially appreciate about T.J. is that he’s so hands-on; he’s always there on the job site, and he really stands by the quality of his work.” Anderson runs the area-wide operation out of an industrial section of the New River Mall just off Highway 170 that divides Beaufort and Jasper counties. His fully-equipped trucks respond to inquiries and, of course, “anytime someone calls, they learn they’ll only be talking to me,” he said. “I believe little things like that are very important.”  Atlantic Spray Foam is located at 49 Browns Cove, Suite A2, Ridgeland, SC 29936 and is open weekdays 8 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information, call (843) 441-6690 or e-mail tj@ atlanticsprayfoam.net.

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

june 2013

www.celebratehiltonhead.com 67

hair and makeup by danielle keasling of salon karma models: kelly muhlenberg/tucker marcom agency, jordan rekeweg/rise model management, alexa slezak, amy allen & will snyder

photography by istvan blair

WEDDING DRESS BY MON CHERI FROM LUCIANA'S

WEDDING DRESS BY TADASHI SHOJI FROM THE PORCUPINE

WEDDING DRESS NICOLE MILLER, EARRINGS BY CHAN LUU, MOTHER OF THE BRIDE DRESS BY CATHERINE REGEHR, CLUTCH BY SONDRA ROBERTS BRIDEMAIDS DRESSES BY AMSALE ALL FROM THE PORCUPINE

WEDDING DRESS BY MON CHERI FROM LUCIANA'S

wedding section

Dreams really do come tr ue

Article by Kitty Bartell Photography By Anne he most perfect party is in progress. Music fills the air as spinning couples dance across a polished, wood floor under a spectacularly-lit, brilliant white tent, with peaks like meringue reaching into the starlit sky. Guests watch from linenladen tables where elegant crystal and silver set the mood, and it seems as if this mirage appeared out of nowhere, and that the clear, warm, Lowcountry, sky stretching over Calibogue Sound, is just an ordinary accompaniment to something actually quite out of the ordinary. However, the evening is not a mirage or grand illusion. It is the result of experienced professionals doing what they do best. And no one is doing it better than Mike Wilson and his team at Affairs to Remember by Coastal Event Rentals, a premier event and party rental company located on Hilton Head Island. Long-time veteran of the event rental business and local since 1999, Mike purchased Affairs to Remember just a few short months ago at the end of 2012. “I’ve always thought this business had tremendous potential,” Mike said, “and I had a lot of support from people I’ve known for a lot of years, both in the industry and not in the industry.” Business is booming already, and it can be attributed to both Mike’s local reputation for excellence and his understanding that people have a choice.

“We want to be the best we can be. We don’t worry about what the competition is doing. We worry about doing what we do to the best of our ability,” he said. The company’s strength lies in successfully executing the logistics of every event. You may have the best wedding planner in the business or the greatest friends putting your big day together, but if the tent doesn’t popup on schedule, the lights don’t light, or there aren’t enough dessert plates to serve your fluffy coconut wedding cake, your dream day won’t be quite right. According to Mike, for each event, whether a wedding reception for 500, a birthday party for 20, or a corporate outing, Affairs to Remember has one opportunity to make a first impression and two subsequent opportunities to build a rock-solid relationship with the client. When the client first makes contact with the company, “they are going to get someone who is knowledgeable, who is going to get information out to you in a timely manner, and who is going to guide you through the process,” he said. The next two opportunities are during the planning process, and finally during the execution of their work. The fortunate outcome to consistently delivering at all three opportunities has been a steady flow of referral clients. Whether the client is a referral or finds Affairs to Remember on their

website, the next step is a face-toface meeting or at a minimum a phone conversation. “There are so many moving parts to renting for an event, even for a party of 20, that you can’t do it justice by allowing the client to shop online, this is an emotion-driven decision that is more than a few mouse clicks. What you will find on Affairs to Remember’s elegant website is a listing of services, which should only be considered a jumping off point, along with information about the company, and inspiring photos of their work. Mike chose two fantastic companies to collaborate with on the website, Photography by Anne and HHI Computer Guys. To leverage their work and capitalize on the power of social media Mike is working with Swell New Media to integrate the website with Twitter, Pinterest and Facebook. According to Mike, “We’re seeing

Owner, Mike Wilson of Affairs to Remember by Coastal Event Rentals

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

june 2013

Dreams really do come true

Flawless events begin by finding everything the client’s heart desires, which is second nature to Mike and his team.

brides every week armed with an iPad and Pinterest boards reflecting their vision of the perfect wedding. “If you have found the event of your dreams, come talk to us, because we can make it happen,” he said. Flawless events begin by finding everything the client’s heart desires, which is second nature to Mike and his team. Knowing the right questions to ask helps determine what the client needs to achieve his or her goals, and collaborating with event planners, venues, and vendors, pulls all the components together. Whether utilizing their own inventory, finding an exact chandelier in New York, or sourcing the perfect china from a tabletop supplier in Florida, “We’re here to be a resource. It’s okay to be a little fussy and to want what you want. We’ve got more of a can-do attitude than a can’t-do attitude.” Executing each event requires logistics expertise to deliver the right products, in the right quantities, on time, and in the right way. When the Affairs to Remember shiny blue truck arrives at an event, they are prepared to make magic—or at least attend to every detail necessary to meet and exceed the client’s expectations so that it seems like magic. “If you think your event is perfect, it means your vendors did a good job. We don’t let them see us sweat. When a challenge pops up, we handle it. We don’t want to create day-of-event stress and would prefer to reduce it.” Already exceeding Mike’s expectations, business has been strong enough to grow the inventory at a faster rate than originally planned. However, slow growth will always be the long-term plan so that Affairs to Remember can continue to deliver on their commitment to excellence while increasing business, not only on the island, but in Bluffton, throughout Coastal Georgia, and into northern Florida. And speaking of growth, Wilson is thrilled to announce that Affairs to Remember has signed a three-year agreement with the Island’s premier car show, Concours d’Elegance, to act as the project manager for their events on Hutchinson Island and at Port Royal. “We haven’t figured out a new secret to customer service other than doing what we say we’re going to do when we say we’re going to do it and how we say we’re going to do it. It seems to be a pretty good recipe.” It is not magic or an illusion. It’s Affairs to Remember.  Affairs to Remember by Coastal Event Rentals is located at 154 Beach City Road, Suite E, Hilton Head Island. For more information, visit online at www.coastaleventrentals.com or call (843) 342-9338. june 2013

www.celebratehiltonhead.com 77

wedding section

> courtesy of brown sugar

Wedding Cake Trends Are Changing for Local Brides article By Edward Thomas

edding consultants and cake designers know that each bride is unique, and so is their preference for a wedding cake, including what they want it to look like and taste like. And the trends are shifting. No longer are brides confined to traditional three-layer, white cakes with flowers—and those bride and groom toppers disappeared several years ago. “We have come a long way since wedding cakes made their debut about 150 years ago with Queen Victoria’s daughters,” said Signe Gardo, a renowned local cake designer, and owner of Signe’s Heaven Bound Bakery-Café on Hilton Head Island. The bakery, which has been recognized for several years as among the best in the Southeast by The Knot in its “Best of Weddings” annual guide, is a popular stopping point for both brides and their wedding planners. > courtesy of Kim’s creations

Gardo created more than 200 custom wedding cakes over the past year, and says most brides today have very specific ideas of what they want their cake to look like. “They bring in pictures torn from bridal magazines or ones they have saved onto their Pinterest site on their iPad or smartphone.” Ashley Rhodes, owner of Ashley Rhodes Event Design, agrees. “We are into the age of Pinterest with these millennial brides (born in the 1980s and early 1990s) who show up with very specific thoughts about the details of their cake as well as most other things. “There was a time when the mother of the bride made lots of the suggestions about how the cake should look. But, I don’t see that much anymore,” Rhodes said. “Today’s brides often have a theme for their wedding, and all the elements are coordinated with that theme.”

wedding section

> courtesy of Signe’s Bakery

Today’s wedding cakes are also taking a spin on the color wheel. Manning and Rhodes agree. Lavender, rum pink, blush and shades of butterscotch and peach are some that are requested. Metallic cakes, with gold and bronze fondant ribbons contrasted against a soft eggshell or snow white background make a striking appearance.

A recent cake created by Signe’s Bakery at a very large Spring Island wedding “had an exterior of meringue that was toasted with a blow torch to provide a rustic look which blended perfectly with the wedding’s rustic theme,” Rhodes said. Rhodes received a recent request for a “naked cake” from a bride who is having her wedding this fall. Several national wedding bloggers have called naked cakes the hottest trend to hit wedding cakes since the cupcake rage. If you want to see examples, just check out Google. Essentially they are sponge cakes that remain un-iced or may have cream cheese icing or fruit between the layers and are then sprinkled with icing sugar and finally decorated with fresh fruit or flowers. Lisa Manning, a wedding planner for more than 18 years, and owner of Southern Weddings, explained that over the past couple of years, there has been a rise in brides wanting the cake designer to mimic the design of the lace on their wedding gowns onto the cake. “Brides are also leaning more toward sugar flowers for their cakes rather than fresh flowers,” she said. Manning points out sugar flowers can often be more expensive than regular flowers, and Gardo noted it is because “every petal needs to be hand crafted, which takes more time than one might think.” Today’s wedding cakes are also taking a spin on the color wheel. Manning and Rhodes agree. Lavender, rum pink, blush and shades of butterscotch and peach are some that are requested. Metallic cakes, with gold and bronze fondant ribbons contrasted against a soft eggshell or snow white background make a striking appearance. On Hilton Head Island, all agree that ocean-themed cakes remain popular with brides who live inland and want to reflect their ocean destination wedding experience. Seashell cakes frosted in ice blue or white, with the shells made from white chocolate and hand-painted various hues are the most popular. Groom’s cakes, generally served at the rehearsal dinner, are also a Southern tradition. They typically follow the theme of the groom’s favorite activity (often taking the shape of a game fish or sports car or golf bag) or sports team. Signe, who has made countless tiger paws, bulldog and gamecock insignias in recent years recently made a cake replicating the Superdome in New Orleans, with the “fleur de lis” on the top of the dome and real lights rimming it.  june 2013

www.celebratehiltonhead.com 80

wedding section

Making Room for Your Mother-in-Law article By Dr. Deanna Brann

edding season is almost here, and wedding preparations are in full frenzy. Brides have so much to think about and plan—invitations, dresses, showers, cake, flowers, ceremony location, reception details, and on and on. The list seems endless! Even so, one vital element for making the day flawless often gets forgotten: deciding how to “manage” your future mother-in-law. This relationship, after all, may feel a bit awkward at first. Your fiancé’s mother is not your mother, and she’s also not really your friend, yet she’s about to become a big part of what you hope will be the rest of your life. As if that wasn’t stressful enough, you have, no doubt, heard all sorts of stories about what an absolute nightmare mothers-in-law can be. It doesn’t exactly tempt you to embrace this near stranger with wild abandon, does it? To make things even more challenging, no two mothers-in-law are alike. Each one comes with her own personality, demeanor, and style based on her life experiences, personal history, and yes, her own personal emotional baggage. To make both your wedding and your future life with your mother-in-law go as smoothly as possible, it helps to know more about

the cards you’ve been dealt. With that in mind, below are descriptions of the four basic types of mothers-in-law. Figuring out which category she fits will go a long way toward helping you see the best way to handle any situation that arises with her—wedding or otherwise—so you can avoid stress or tension before it occurs. 1. Comfortable Carla: She has created a new identity for herself beyond that of “mother.” She is clear that her new role in her son’s life is secondary to his wife’s role.

3. Off-the-Wall Wanda: She comes across as mean, insensitive, and selfcentered. Everything is about her and what she feels, wants and needs. Her behavior is often extreme.

2.Mothering Margaret: She struggles with letting go of her mom role. She wants everything to be the way it’s always been, even though circumstances are now different. She not only wants to continue to mother her son, but she also views her daughterin-law as a “daughter,” which means she wants to mother her as well. 4. Uncertain Sara: She has let go of her son, but she is uncertain about her new role as a mother to an adult child and to a daughter-inlaw. Sometimes she tries too hard, and sometimes she just misses the mark.

Although sometimes these types can overlap a bit, chances are that one of them describes your future motherin-law best. Once you identify which type she is, dealing with her won’t be nearly as difficult as you fear, because you can better understand her motivations, her issues, and her needs. Sometimes, just being able to “see behind the curtain” can diffuse the tension enough for you to feel a bit of compassion. After all, chances are that she is not sure how things are supposed to be either. The situation is just as new to her as it is to you. Even if she has other daughters-in-law, the relationship she has with you will be unique to the two of you. And trust me, if she ends up feeling like a fifth wheel during the wedding festivities, that is not going to serve you very well in the future. Keeping your mother-in-law’s “type” in mind, now consider the following tips for starting out on the right foot and setting the tone for how your relationship will go: •

•

Decide what you will call her. Figuring out what you are comfortable calling your future motherin-law may not seem like a big deal to you, but it’s a really big deal to her. Once you’ve made the decision, talk with her about your choice so she can get used to it. Let her wear it for a while. Give her a piece of the action. Let her be part of the preparations as well as the wedding itself. You can assign her major duties or small tasks, but be sure to give her something to do that she can feel good about that will ensure she won’t feel pushed aside or ignored. Ask her for input. Remember, this is her child’s wedding, too. You don’t have to let her make the most critical decisions, but asking for her opinion now and then is a gracious gesture that will make her feel valued. Invite her to join in the fun. If you’re having a “nail” day or other excursion that includes your mother and bridesmaids, consider asking your future motherin-law to come along. You don’t have to ask her every time, but extending a few invitations assures her that you want her to be a part of your new life with her son. Share with her. Keep her updated on the wedding plans, and share some of the funny stories with her. Many mothers of the groom feel as though the wedding is happening around them, with them being merely passive observers instead of key players. Help her to have some special memories that she can share with her friends, too. Speak and act with kindness and compassion. Trust me, it never hurts to be gracious, and your efforts will go a long way toward ensuring that everyone lives happily ever after! 

Deanna Brann, Ph.D., is a leading expert in the field of mother-in-law/daughter-in-law relationships. She has over 25 years’ experience as a clinical psychotherapist and ran her own private practice for more than 18 years. Based in Knoxville, Tenn., Dr. Brann is a sought after speaker, author and seminar leader. She is the two-time author of Reluctantly Related: Secrets To Getting Along With Your Mother-in-Law or Daughter-in-Law and Mothers-in-Law and Daughtersin-Law Say the Darndest Things. www. drdeannabrann.com. 84

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

june 2013

wedding section

Wondering what’s trendy in weddings and how to incorporate some “of the moment” details into your Big Day? We’ve got answers! We sat down with Alison Weinman and Molly Kennedy from Celebrations Catering & Events and Nancy Heird and Angela Mandigo of Gardenia’s to discuss the hottest trends in weddings for 2013.

Good-Bye to the Garter. A handful of girls clobbering each other to catch a cluster of flowers or the sometimes raunchy display of the groom removing the bride’s garter in front of family and friends are two trends that are going away. These cringe-worthy rituals will not be missed. Twinkle, Twinkle. Lighting is a key element in setting the mood of any event. More and more lights are being incorporated—up-lighting, twinkling lights in trees, gels that reflect images onto a dance floor or wall, sparkling lit chandeliers hanging from branches or rafters... This trend is here to stay, because the pictures from the events are that much more spectacular. Celebrations Catering & Events works frequently with Hilton Head Event Lighting to achieve the desired effects. Gatsby Glamour. Roaring ’20s-style black-tie weddings with a vintage flare make for luxurious and fun events. Vintage accents are popping up in unexpected elements such as a place card with a vintage pin attached to it or an old roadster whisking the bride and groom away. Less Formal/More Intimate. Brides and grooms are hosting fewer seated dinners at receptions but more cocktail hours and small plate stations—events that say relax, eat and be merry with us. 86

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

Vintage is in when it comes to flowers as well, with “quaint” replacing the “bling” effect. The English Garden style of bouquets and arrangements, which is loose and more modest in size with natural soft tones of whites, creams and ivories with little or no greenery is trending. The cascade is once again becoming a requested style for today’s bride. The use of succulents with their wide array of shapes, sizes and colors is showing some staying power as is decorative burlap and lace. Many brides desire flowers reflecting their signature color(s) over naming specific flowers which allows the florist to be more creative and the end result, more budget friendly.

Beyond the Veil: The bride may take off the veil after the ceremony and change hair accessories for the reception—e.g. a beautiful flower, a brooch that was a family heirloom or feathers tucked into the hair. Her personality shines through these touches.

Mix and Match. Bridesmaids of the past were dressed identically, with matching hairstyles, dresses, shoes, even jewelry. Today’s bridesmaids are individuals. They may wear colors in the same color family, but their dresses and accessories reflect their most flattering style. When everyone feels good about how they look, it shows in their smiles. 6. Cocktails and Cookies or Sundaes at Sunset. A local trend is the late-night snack party. As a destination location for a wedding, the hosts want to entertain their guests who have traveled in but do not necessarily want to have a series of mini wedding receptions. This is a solution to limiting the attendance at the rehearsal dinner. Let the rehearsal dinner be for the wedding party and immediate family, followed by the cocktails and cookies party where all guests are invited. This starts the festivities for the wedding weekend and includes more guests without breaking the bank. The Music Playlist. Remember when you would only hear Motown, ’80s tunes and hits off the pop charts at weddings? That won’t be the case in 2013. It’s the iPod generation now: Brides have 5,000 songs on something the size of their thumb. The result? They are dancing to a more customized music experience. They want electronic dance music, then june 2013

Bruno Mars, Mumford & Sons, sexy Brazilian house or Bossa Nova. Another fun spin on the music scene is the silent disco, where a few guests put on headphones and dance to the music that only they can hear. It is funny and entertaining.

Pops of Color. Brides are kicking aside the classic white or ivory pumps in favor of bright pops of color, floral patterns, those bedazzled with bling, and even accentuated with feathers and lace. Most women stick with the traditional gown but go all out with their shoes to add an element of whimsy and reflect their personality. If towering neon heels are a little too wild for Grandma, it’s not like you’re going to see them all night long or in all the photos. All brides want people to remember specific details of

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

their day, like, “Did you see her hot-pink shoes?” The pop of color might be the signature color of the wedding and can be used in unexpected ways. Homestead Chic. It’s easy to see why “barn wedding” is one of the most-searched wedding-keyword combos on Google. Whether held at a farm, a plantation, a vineyard or a sunny garden, an outdoor wedding is sure to enchant. Simple rustic elements like burlap and twine are incorporated into decor and trimmings along with vintage and elegant accessories. 2013 weddings may be ultraelegant, but they won’t get too serious.

Photo Fun. Another popular trend is the playful photo, made possible by bringing in a booth or setting up a wedding wall backdrop of hanging empty frames. Let’s not forget that it is a celebration! Have fun!

Personal Touches. Regardless of the trend, it is crucial that your day reflects who you are as a couple. Play up those elements so that when your guests walk in the room, they automatically know they are in the right place, because the room or site looks exactly like you. For example, when a southern belle from Georgia married a fiery redhead, they gave guests as a “takeaway gift” a jar of peach and ginger jam, which they made and canned themselves. It reflected their creative personalities and their fun, easy going styles. Your personal touch is the best trend around! Celebration Catering and Events | www. WeCelebrateYou.com | (843) 689-7526.

june 2013

Article By Kitty Bartell

A venue beyond compare f eeling of calm gently washes over you when you enter Seaquins Ballroom. It is as though you are walking onto Monet’s paint palette when the paint is fresh and his canvas is new. The possibilities are endless, but what you feel, without a doubt, is that your event will be spectacular. Tucked back off of Fording Island Road in Bluffton, Seaquins Ballroom is a hidden gem—that is, for the time being. Like opening a fresh oyster and finding an exquisite pearl, this event destination holds a veritable sea of treasures. Husband and wife team Paul and Sondra Ammeen have created an event venue where elegant weddings, memorable parties, and meticulously-planned meetings take place. Opened in December of 2010, Seaquins Ballroom is the result of the Ammeens putting on their dancing shoes. Seven years ago, retired and enjoying time on the golf course, Sondra won four dance lessons at a charity auction. They decided to, literally, give it a whirl. Taking to dance like Martha Graham to the Met, the Ammeens competed across the country, but it wasn’t until Sondra was doing a little real estate research to help their dance teachers find new studio space that the couple brainstormed a brilliant idea. Seaquins Ballroom became an outlet for their

A 3,000-sq. ft. floating wood floor anchors the main ballroom, with stunning Spanish chandeliers hovering above, providing dazzling sparkle from each of their 750 crystals.

creativity and a template for their business acumen. “The original idea was: where does a bride go if she wants to have the most beautiful wedding of her life, but she can’t afford the large resort destination?” Sondra explained. Filling an untapped niche in the area’s event planning options, Seaquins

Ballroom, renovated from the ground up, is an affordable, flexible destination for weddings, receptions, events and meetings, fundraisers, luncheons and dinners, dances, or any imaginable celebration. A 3,000-sq. ft. floating wood floor anchors the main ballroom, with stunning Spanish chandeliers hovering

Every detail of the décor and the facilities was meticulously planned to create a place where the outside world could melt away. From the stunning ballrooms to the elegantly appointed restrooms, luxury is ever-present.

above, providing dazzling sparkle from each of their 750 crystals. Lighting is paramount when creating the right ambiance and is achieved with the room’s panoramic windows, reflecting the chandeliers, backlit sheer drapes, mirrored walls, and dimmable lighting. The colors throughout the main ballroom, the foyer, and hallways are subtle and from the sea, with peaceful creams and whites accented with shades of green and blue. The entire space can be utilized or divided by sound-proof sliding panels into three spaces: the Waterfall Ballroom, the Crystal Ballroom, and the Reflections Ballroom.

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

Moving to a more intimate space, the Seaquins Ballroom, distinctly different from the rest of the venue, is a fourth event option. With richly colored red walls, this space is often used to stage the food service or bar set-ups for large events or for hosting luncheons and meetings. Flowing into the final event space, the Gathering Room is the perfect space for serving dessert or hosting smaller parties. The acoustics and sound system throughout Seaquins are state of the art. Paul reports that bands who have performed there say it is one of the best spaces in which to play; and the bonus is that even when the band is in full swing,

you are able to hold a quiet conversation at your table. Mother Nature has also been taken into consideration in this thoughtful space. The lighting is eco-friendly, there are individual air cleaners in each of the five ballroom spaces, and the lovely water wall that is seen and heard from the foyer as well as the main ballroom, is the type used in hospitals to take the bacteria out of the air. Every detail of the décor and the facilities was meticulously planned to create a place where the outside world could melt away. From the stunning ballrooms to the elegantly appointed restrooms, luxury is ever-present. “I went over the top,” Sondra said,

june 2013

describing the details of the women’s room and dressing area. Stunning tile carpets are designed into the floor, mini chandeliers caste a flattering glow, and a towering mirror turns checking a bridal train or cocktail dress into an indulgent event. The men’s room isn’t far behind with its mirror ball casting magical light across the walls and ceiling. Even the gentlemen feel pampered.

june 2013

The highly flexible nature of Seaquins Ballroom is why affordable events are possible. As part of the cost for an event, the facility provides tables, chairs, tablecloths, and centerpieces, while the client provides the food, beverages, and decorations to suite their wishes and their budget. A catering kitchen is supplied with a commercial refrigerator, professional hot boxes, and an ice machine. An adjacent room provides ample space for plating and staging events for up to 350 people. Bringing it all together is Vickie Buckley, Seaquins Ballroom’s events coordinator. Buckley understands that some clients will have caterers, florists, and decorators all lined up, while others appreciate her ability to make recommendations based on their needs and budgets. She is also available for hire as a wedding/event coordinator, bringing her extensive experience and creativity to everything she touches. When planning a wedding or event, Buckley recommends that the client choose one thing they have always dreamed of having or simply cannot live without, and plan from there.

Along with the Ammeens, Buckley is a master at making dreams come true, and a venue like Seaquins provides the perfect place to begin. As a happy bonus, the Fred Astaire Dance Studio followed their former students to this lovely new space, leasing time, on arguably the best dance floor in the area, to run their studio. This ongoing relationship offers Seaquins Ballroom’s clients the option to hire dancers for demonstrations as one of their entertainment choices. Whether planning a wedding or celebration, putting together a business event or a luncheon, it is possible to exceed your expectations and stay within your budget at this spectacular Lowcountry oasis. “It’s a splash of elegance in a sea of options,” Sondra said. The possibilities are truly endless.  Seaquins Ballroom is located at 1300 Fording Island Road (Hwy 278), Bluffton. For more information, call (843) 2275929 or (843) 837-2268. Please visit their website at SeaquinsBallroom.com.

www.celebratehiltonhead.com 93

Photography by Anne

A r t i c l e B y Rebe c c a E d w a r d s

RH M Rose Hill Mansion

obin and Rusty White’s wedding will always remain a significant addition to Rose Hill Mansion’s long and celebrated timeline. The date was April 12, 1996 and the décor was bare, yet elegant and ethereal. Stunning oriental rugs cloaked exposed subflooring. Extension cords ran like magical vines to provide the only electricity for the venue. And what walls existed formed a fragile, nostalgic shell for the antebellum home (built by Bluffton founder James Kirk in 1858) that barely survived an electrical fire in 1987. “On the morning of my wedding, when most brides are doing their hair and makeup, I was running around with a screwdriver to install doors and give the house some semblance of a façade,” Robin said. Robin continues, describing her special and momentous day. A cousin officiated the ceremony. Opera and chamber orchestra members from Atlanta filled the space with music. And she wore a family heirloom—an ivory colored silk wedding dress from the 1940s with covered buttons down the back. The visual is there. For her. For me. For you. Rustic meets sophisticated, in this “rusticated” happily-ever-after tale. And yet, imagining how special that day must have been for the Whites only does it partial justice. On April 12, 1996, the Whites celebrated more than just their union. They also raised a glass to Robin’s 30th birthday, Robin’s first year being cancer-free, and the first year of the White family owning Rose Hill Mansion. “April 12 will always be a very significant day for us,” Robin said in a gentle, southern voice. “I can go on and on about that day.” It is obvious that Robin has a profound respect for Rose Hill Mansion, its history and, most importantly, the sanctity of marriage. The Whites worked hard to renovate the house to its original state and also reconnect with the descendants of its original occupants. In fact, a Kirk relative will be married there this month, and the Whites often host the Kirks and Sturgeons (another family that owned the mansion) for special events or reunions. It is this continuously building relationship that adds to the richness of Rose Hill Mansion. Each room is like an enclave for honoring the people who have enjoyed, are currently enjoying or will enjoy the estate. Take the gentlemen’s room, for example. Relics of the past, often retrieved by the renovation process or Robin digging in the dirt, are displayed purposefully in a glass-cased, wooden coffee table. Animal trophies accent the walls and mantle. And a brown, plush leather couch is as comfortable as it is masculine. This is, no doubt, where the groomsmen convene, awaiting the nuptials of their sons, brothers and best friends. “It’s really funny and predictable; usually the men are more nervous than the women,” Robin joked.

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

june 2013

RH M As she laughs about this, an image is evoked of men fraternizing as men do, complete with genuine sentiments veiled by masculine jokes, feet propped up on tables and crossed at the ankles. You imagine one of them realizing that he has forgotten a critical item like his socks, his cummerbund, or the wedding ring and the subsequent scramble that makes for a funny story down the line. This room is where memories are made, and it is one of many at Rose Hill Mansion. There is also the conservatory, where Rusty and Robin wed, the ladies parlor, the entrance, the dining room, the private cottage, and yes—the porch. Embraced by high Gothic cathedral arches, the porch is charming and, according to Robin, where most people opt to get married—and rightfully so. The space is wrapped in romance and a time long ago but not forgotten, with 200- to 500-yearold oaks draped in Spanish moss and quietly creaking wooden floorboards. “This is a great alternative to using a church,” Robin explained. “The walkway up to the house is like a scenic aisle. The steps tier the groomsmen and bridesmaids well. And the lawn can seat several hundred people,” Robin said. In addition to the main house, which is a comprehensive, living museum, Rose Hill Mansion offers some hospitality-minded additions like the working, circa 1880 grand piano and the quaint gift shop with classic gift ideas—especially for wedding parties. “We have so many wedding gift packages,” said Robin as she picked up a bar of the wedding cake soap. It smells soft and yummy like butter cream icing. “A lot of the time brides will give

june 2013

their bridesmaids jewelry or soap from the shop. We also put together lovely packages full of our jams and jellies or our own Rose Hill Mansion wine and goblets,” Robin said. “Our wine is made in Ridgeland by Grady Woods, owner of September Oaks Winery. He uses special old vines from the area.” Aside from the fact that Rose Hill Mansion is the only fully restored antebellum property in the Hilton Head Island/ Bluffton area, it also offers a private guest cottage for wedding preparations or a pre-honeymoon space for the newlyweds. “We want to provide a hassle free environment,” Robin said. “Though we are well-connected with florists, caterers, light technicians and transportation companies, we do not have an exclusive with any one vendor. That way, our wedding parties can pick exactly what they want and whom they want to do it. Also, because of the Equestrian Center, brides can ride in on a horsedrawn carriage—just like Cinderella.” Rose Hill Mansion’s endurance and strength for the past 155 years is a reminder to the key tenets that give marriage endurance and strength. Words like legacy, loyalty, love and faith come to mind when describing both. Once more, remembering her wedding day, Robin looks around the entranceway of the house. “This house has truly been a love affair for us,” she said. “I loved it and my husband at first sight.”  To learn more about Rose Hill Mansion, its history and/or event options, visit rosehillmansion.com or call (843) 757-6046.

www.celebratehiltonhead.com 97

A Weekend in Savannah

Day tripping

Where to stay and what to do in our neighboring city

t seems to be human nature to think that the further a destination is from home, the more cachet it holds as a vacation getaway. Too much shared geography, culture, and history can’t always compete with the thrill of visiting an exotic locale. A mere hour’s drive from Hilton Head Island, Savannah is sometimes overlooked as a getaway for these reasons; but a closer look at what this historic city has to offer will have you running for your travel bags. Savannah is a 300-year-old city steeped in history that encompasses the Revolutionary War and the Civil War, with the largest National Landmark Historic District, one of the oldest and most successful ports in

America, the first museum in Georgia, and (currently) the largest art school in the country—to name just a few of its vacation assets. The residential street plan of the Historic District, designed by General Oglethorpe who founded the city, is easily navigated on foot and abounds with shopping, dining, art and entertainment possibilities for the weekend visitor. But first, there are three simple rules I always tell visitors to remember about navigating Savannah streets: 1) Savannah is a walking city. You won’t need a car unless you decide to drive to Tybee beach. Park your car at your hotel and save on gasoline for the weekend; 2) Bring good walking shoes. The sidewalks are, for the Article By Janice Shay

most part, made of brick, tabby or cobblestones; they can be uneven and can trip visitors of any age. When friends ask about your trip, you’ll want to tell them about the fun you had, not explain the bruises you suffered from a fall; 3) Ignore any directions from local Savannahians. Depend on your phone GPS, your friends or your concierge instead. Locals remember directions based on landmarks from past history such as “turn right at Drayton where Harris Bakery used to be” or referring to MLK Boulevard by its former name, West Broad Street. Forgive us; it can be confusing. Savannahians don’t mean to be unhelpful, we just live in the past and assume that others do, too.

Where to stay Savannah offers a large choice of Historic District hotels, inns and holiday rental homes to meet your travel needs. These are a few of my favorites: • The Bohemian Hotel at Bay and Whitaker streets is a multi-story hotel overlooking the river and River Street. Built as part of Richard Kessler’s boutique hotel chain, the quirky elegance of the interior design adds to the fun of staying here. A nautical pirate theme extends to the rooms and the restaurant, where chandeliers and room decor are crafted from driftwood, metal and leather to achieve the feel of the 18th century port settlement. The rooftop bar has the best sunset view of the river and the city, so share a cocktail and get your bearings here before you head out to scout the city.

face the street and open to porches with rockers—a wonderful viewpoint to enjoy the street scene downtown. The hotel’s Bistro 45 is a good place to dine, and the bar is a popular meeting place and watering hole for locals and business people. • Savannah Villas offers Historic District rental homes with multiple bedrooms as well as individual rooms at one of their inns should you need something more than hotel accommodations. You’ll be able to experience beautiful historic architecture firsthand in these homes. • Ballastone Inn on Oglethorpe Avenue is a romantic bed and breakfast steeped in its own colorful history. Decorated throughout with Victorian antiques, guests are invited to enjoy daily tea, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres in the parlor or the elegant courtyard garden. The 16-room inn also serves a lavish breakfast, complete with a silver service that would make any Southern matron proud.

The Olde Pink House, built in 1789, is arguably the prettiest restaurant in the Historic District. The interior is a warren of lovely dining rooms, with one belowground bar and a new side bar that opens to tables on the street in good weather. Ask to be seated in the large newly decorated upstairs dining room exquisitely replete with period antiques and chandeliers. Oh, and the seafood is great, too!

Getting around

• The Andaz is a relatively new boutique hotel overlooking Ellis Square, with a fashionably clean, contemporary look and a wonderful bar and restaurant. They offer valet parking in the underground garage beneath Ellis Square. • The Marshall House, the oldest hotel in Savannah, meticulously renovated, is located on Broughton Street, the main street of downtown. Second floor rooms

Yes, it’s a walking town, but there are other enjoyable means of downtown travel besides your car. Carriage rides are available at Ellis Square and Trustees Garden (at East Broad and Bay Street), and pedicabs can be hailed almost anywhere in the downtown area. These bicycle rickshaws are a fun and cheap way to see the city or just get from point A to point B quickly. The rates are $25 per half hour; if you ride less than that time, you pay them what you choose to pay. What a concept!

Dining Circa 1875 is a bar and bistro with a French theme so convincing that you’ll think you’re in Paris. The bistro food is simple and good, with a laudable Steak Frites on the menu. As at any restaurant in Savannah, casual dress is acceptable.

The Lady & Sons—Paula Deen’s famous eatery at the corner of Whitaker and St. Julian Street. The sign is small, but you can recognize it by the lines waiting to get in. Don’t let that deter you. If you want to enjoy her famous Southern food,

A Weekend in Savannah

one of many SCAD galleries around the city. Show information can be found online at scad.edu. If you like antiquing, you will find much to browse along these squares. (Actually, you can find lots of great antique stores anywhere in the Historic District.) On the next square south on Bull Street, Monterey Square, you’ll find the Mercer House, made internationally famous in the bestselling book, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Behind the Mercer house is their Carriage House shop of antiques. Alex Raskin Antiques, a pirate’s trove of treasures, is two doors away at the corner of Bull and Gordon. This house was featured in the Julia Roberts film, Something to Talk About. Beyond Monterey Square lies Forsyth Park, a good place to pause on your walking tour to enjoy a drink and a great view of the floral display in the park. Choose from

put your name on the list for dinner—the wait isn’t as long as for lunch. City Market is a veritable groaning board of good places to eat, so cruise the pedestrian street and choose from pizza and burgers to award-winning fine dining. At night, City Market rocks with music and outdoor entertainment. Savannah boasts five colleges and 8,000 art students, so City Market draws a youthful crowd after the sun goes down.

Shopping and tours Ten years ago, the city made a concerted effort to improve Broughton Street and attract new businesses; since then, scores of interesting shops and boutiques have sprung up. Walking west on Broughton from Drayton Street, you will pass 24e., a large contemporary furniture store in an old, two-story space with the best window designs in downtown; Gaucho, an upscale

women’s clothing boutique; Levy Jewelers, in their new expanded location, features many contemporary designers; The Paris Market & Brocante is an incredibly beautiful store with a wide range of products, from soap to chandeliers, furniture and books;

Savannah Bee Company offers a range of award-winning local bee products that also make great gifts; and Zia Boutique, a contemporary international costume jewelry store. 100

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

Beyond Broughton, walk south along Bull Street, the spine of the Historic District that begins at City Hall on Bay Street and ends at Forsyth Park. You will see architecture, restaurants, galleries, theaters and shops that are too many to mention here, but make for an enjoyable Saturday saunter. Make one of your first stops at E. Shaver Booksellers, on Madison Square. The owner stocks a huge array of local guidebooks and Savannah history books if you want to read a bit more about the many things you’ll see on your trip or just experience a more guided tour of the Historic District. This square is also home to the Green-Meldrim House, a museum house that was the 1864 headquarters of General Sherman during his stay in Savannah. Tours are available at a number of museum houses, including this one. A good place to discover the wide variety of art that Savannah has to offer—the city was named one of the top Art 25 Destinations by American Style magazine—is ShopSCAD, the Savannah College of Art and Design’s store, featuring art, fashion, jewelry, and product design by students, faculty and alumni. The store is housed in Poetter Hall, which was the first SCAD classroom building, renovated in 1979. It is also home to Poetter Gallery,

the newly renovated Fort on Forsyth Park which offers sandwiches, beer and wine, or Casimir’s Lounge, the bar at the Mansion on Forsyth Park Hotel across Whitaker Street, overlooking the park. For something a little out of the ordinary, try an evening of dinner, live entertainment, and an unforgettable tour of Savannah on a Riverboat cruise. Tours can be booked online or call (800)-786june 2013

june 2013

www.celebratehiltonhead.com 101

on one tank

Resources:

6404 for assistance with reservations, group tour bookings, and private charters. Experience refreshing river breezes on a sightseeing harbor tour, deliciouslocal southern flavors, cultural entertainment, fun-filled dinner, magical moonlight, and lavish brunches. Have a special occasion, wedding, or reunion; let our Event planners are available to help with special occasions or weddings. A unique tour and cruise attraction that should be put on the itinerary. We have a saying: Remember the old adage about Savannah? In Atlanta, your host will ask, “What’s your business?”; in Charleston they will ask, “Who’s your family?”; in Savannah we ask what you’d like to drink. That’s just one of the reasons Savannah is called the Hostess City. Enjoy! 

102

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

• Bohemian Hotel, 102 W. Bay Street, bohemiansavannah.com • Andaz Savannah, 14 Barnard Street, savannah.andaz.hyatt.com • Marshall House, 123 E. Broughton Street, marshallhouse.com • Savannah Villas, 511 E. Broughton Street, savannahvillas.com • Olde Pink House, 23 Abercorn Street, (912) 232-4286 • Savannah Pedicab, www.savannahpedicab.com, (912) 232-7900 • Circa 1875, 48 Whitaker Street, www.circa1875.com, (912) 443-1875 • The Lady and Sons Restaurant, 102 W. Congress, ladyandsons.com, (912) 233-2600 • E. Shavers Booksellers, 326 Bull Street, eshaverbooks.com • The Green-Meldrim House, 14 W. Macon Street, (912) 233-3845 • The Mercer House, 429 Bull Street, and Carriage House Shop, 430 Whitaker Street, mercerhouse.com, (912) 236-6352 • Fort on Forsyth Park, 621 Drayton Street, (912) 233-7871 • Casimir’s Lounge, at the Mansion on Forsyth Park, 700 Drayton Street, mansiononforsythpark.com • Alex Raskin Antiques, 441 Bull Street, alexraskinantiques.com • Savannah River Boat Cruises, 9 East River St., Savannahriverboat.com

Janice Shay is co-author of Walking Tours of Old Savannah, available at local bookstores and online at amazon.com.

june 2013

What you need to

know about

Master Limited Partnerships (MLPs) Ar ticle by Lew Wessel

Photography by Anne

pril 15 marked the end, thank goodness, of another intense tax “busy season.” Although exhausting, each tax season, through the lens of hundreds of tax returns, also offers the tax practitioner a vivid inside look at what’s happening in the economy as well as emerging investing trends. This year, I saw a lot more completed real estate transactions and a lot fewer individual tax returns with massive capital losses. I also worked on an ever-increasing number of returns with K-1’s from Master Limited Partnerships (MLPs). As an early investor in these companies, I’m not surprised by their growing popularity. MLPs have been great performers over the past 10 years and, if you believe in the success of America’s energy business, they should do very well in at least the near future. Here’s what you need to know about this important investment opportunity. MLPs are equity investments traded throughout the day on stock exchanges much like any other investment. Unlike most publicly traded investments, however, MLPs are not structured as corporations. They are partnerships, with investors holding units instead of shares. When an MLP pays money out to its investors, it pays them in the form of distributions, not dividends (don’t worry—it is still cash). As with any partnership, an MLP is a tax conduit or pass-through entity; it does not pay taxes, but instead files an annual “information” tax return (Form 1065) and issues each investor a Form K-1, not a 1099-Div as with corporations. The K-1 represents each investor/partner’s share of the profits and other tax attributes of the MLP. Each partner must account for these on his/her own tax return. The vast majority of MLPs—80 percent, according to the National Association of Public Partnerships (NAPTP)—are in the energy field. This is due to the enabling section of the Internal Revenue Code (Section 7704) which restricts this preferential tax structure to companies that earn at least 90 percent of their gross income from dividends, interests, real property rents and income derived from just about anything to do with the exploration, transportation, processing, storage and marketing of natural resources such as oil, natural gas and ammonia. Much like real estate investment trusts (REITs), MLPs are required to pay out virtually all of their earnings to unit holders on a quarterly basis. This requirement favors a business with steady,

predictable earnings; thus most MLPs are basically “mid’-stream” toll-takers for the oil and gas business, i.e. they earn money for each mile a barrel of oil moves through its pipeline or each day a barrel is stored in its facility or each barrel of crude oil refined into higher grade. The price fluctuation of oil, natural gas, ammonia, etc. has, at worst, a muted effect on the earnings of these MLPs, as they are compensated solely by how many units of natural resource they transport, refine, store or market. As can be easily surmised, an investment in an MLP is primarily a play for current steady income. In this regard, most MLPs have been wildly successful. Not only do most generate steady returns of 3-8 percent, but these returns, in most cases have grown quarter after quarter. Further, as these distributions have increased and thus the yield of the MLP along with it, the price of the MLP has also risen—often dramatically. To wit: the total return (distributions plus price increases) of the Alerian Index of 50 MLPs has increased 396 percent over the past 10 years, 120.6 percent over the past five years, and 19.8 percent just since the beginning of 2013 (through April 21, 2013). But wait…there’s more! As if a steady return of 3-8 percent and substantial capital gains weren’t enough, consider also that much of this income is tax deferred. This deferral is due to the fact that, as a partner/unit holder, an investor is taxed on the “income” of the MLP, not the distribution. Income is the net bottom line of the MLP, and that bottom line, particularly for an oil pipeline MLP, includes large amounts of non-cash depreciation expenses on its pipeline assets. While a billion dollars of depreciation decreases income by a billion dollars, it has no effect on the amount of cash actually distributed to the unit holders. On average (not always!), only 20 percent of the cash distributed by an MLP is taxable income to its investors. So what’s not to like? The biggest drawback for MLPs is dealing with K-1’s instead of 1099-Dividend forms. As a CPA, I love K-1’s because there is no way in the world a non-tax professional can possibly figure out how to properly account for them on his/ her tax returns. So, issue one: if you invest in an MLP, count on using a tax professional to do your tax return and/or count on your current professional charging you more than he/she did in the past. Most tax pros charge for their time, and each K-1 is



106

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

june 2013

What you need to

know

about

going to take a tax pro 15 to 30 minutes. Another somewhat negative (and complicating) element is the fact that earnings from MLPs are currently taxed while losses are considered passive and cannot be deducted. Furthermore, as a publicly traded partnership, MLP losses cannot even be netted against earnings from other MLPs. Losses are deferred until the MLP is sold in its entirety; at that time, losses are released and netted against all other taxable income. To add to the complexity issue, a partial sale, say 50 of the 100 units you own in an MLP, should also release partial suspended losses, but the MLP will normally not be able to provide you with the necessary information to do so. As you might expect in the financial industry, there is an alternative solution to this complexity: invest indirectly in MLPs through ETF’s and mutual funds. The largest of these are Kayne Andersen (KYE), Tortoise Energy (TYG) and the family of Oppenheimer Steelpath mutual funds. With these funds, you receive a 1099 instead of a K-1, you avoid UBI issues (see below), and you will get professional management and instant diversification. You will also get some hefty fees. As a point of reference, the Oppenheimer Steelpath MLP Income Fund A (MLPDX) charges an upfront sales fee of 5.75 percent and an annual management fee of 1.35 percent (that’s about $700 in fees on a $10,000 investment). Another negative MLP issue is that the MLP tax benefit is a deferral, not a permanent tax savings. When you actually sell your investment in an MLP, there will be a recapture of the depreciation that saved you the taxes in the first place. This will create ordinary taxable income upon sale, not capital gains. Look for a special schedule from the MLP the year you sell and be prepared to fill out an IRS form you may not have seen before (Form 4797).

the MLP’s basic tax deferral benefit. Nevertheless, if IRAs are all you have, it still may make sense for you.

MLPs to consider I’m not a licensed stock broker and I don’t give investment advice. A good place to begin your own investigation would be your broker or the NAPTP website. As a starter, here are the largest MLPs by market cap (All four are midstream companies specializing in the transportation, processing and storage of energy products): • Kinder Morgan (KMP): Kinder Morgan is the largest midstream and the third largest energy company (based on combined enterprise value) in North America. It owns an interest in or operates approximately 73,000 miles of pipelines and 180 terminals. • Enterprise Products Partners (EPD): Enterprise Products owns 50,700 miles of pipelines, massive salt dome

storage facilities for natural gas, 25 processing plants, six off-shore drilling platforms, and more. • Williams Partners (WPZ): Williams’ pipelines deliver 14 percent of all the natural gas consumed in the United States. Its holdings include the 10,000 mile Transco natural gas pipeline running from Texas to the New York City metropolitan area. • Plains All-American Pipleline (PAA): Plains All-American handles over 3,500,000 barrels of crude oil, refined products and NGL each day. It has 16,500 miles of pipeline as well as nearly 100 million barrels of storage capacity. Before considering an MLP, consult with your investment advisor and tax professional to determine if the investment is appropriate for you.  To comment or for more information, e-mail lewwessel@hargray.com.

MLPs inside an IRA The income of an MLP is considered unrelated business income (UBI) and, if UBI inside an IRA totals $1,000 or more, the custodian of the IRA must file a special IRA form (990-T) and pay taxes. This is a complicated and controversial area of taxation, and my advice would be to consult your tax pro before investing in MLPs inside your IRA. Frankly, I’d be hesitant to invest in an MLP inside an IRA anyway, since doing so eliminates

june 2013

www.celebratehiltonhead.com 107

Behind

Gates the

Palmetto Bluff This is a continuation of a several par t series on island living in gated communities.

Article By Frank Dunne, Jr.

ou could make the argument that Palmetto Bluff doesn’t even belong in a series of articles titled “Behind the Gates.” It’s too out of character, and Sales Director Bryan Byrne would take no issue with that argument. “It’s not the typical master planned community like you’ve been reviewing here,” he said. “It’s Aspen, or Nantucket, or Carmel. It’s a place you go to.” All of those things are immediately evident when you arrive. No elaborately intrusive gateway monuments beckoning you to turn off the road, just a sign delicately inviting you to turn on to Palmetto Bluff road from SC 46 about 12 miles from Hilton Head Island. Along the four-mile drive toward the heart of town—yes, there is a town within Palmetto Bluff’s boundaries—it hits you what Palmetto Bluff’s creators mean when they say it is “a place, not a project.” At over 20,000 acres in area, it gives you a sense that you haven’t just entered a development

in Bluffton, South Carolina; you are now in a place that should have its own zip code. Welcome to Palmetto Bluff, South Carolina, or simply, The Bluff. Articulating the Palmetto Bluff lifestyle in a few words is a challenge, because it cannot be presented in a tidy little package such as, “We are a golf club and these are the amenities we offer.” Although meticulously planned by developer Crescent Communities, by design, everything in Palmetto Bluff appears to have sprung to life naturally—organically—as would any community with a purpose. Nothing feels contrived. The “amenity package” at Palmetto Bluff is really a little bit of everything one would expect to find in the South Carolina Lowcountry. A key ingredient to Palmetto Bluff’s character is an openness rarely seen in private community models. “To create a place,

110

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

june 2013

Palmetto Bluff

Throughout the year, events like Music to Your Mouth, a food, wine, and music festival, the Summer Concert Series, and the Garden & Gun Fishing Rodeo attract crowds from near and far.

not a project, we built a town instead of a clubhouse,” Byrne said. “And this little town we call Wilson is the gathering place, or ‘downtown,’ of Palmetto Bluff.” All are welcome to come in and enjoy Wilson, giving the community an energy and sense of place that private clubs cannot duplicate. On a daily basis, you’ll see locals from all over the Lowcountry dining in Wilson’s restaurants, browsing in shops, and strolling through Village Square or along the May River. Throughout the year, events like Music to Your Mouth, a food, wine, and music festival, the Summer Concert Series, and the Garden & Gun Fishing Rodeo attract crowds from near and far. Additionally, The Inn at Palmetto Bluff is a popular destination for

june 2013

vacationers and company retreats. “This is a place for our greater community to come and enjoy,” said Courtney Hampson, Palmetto Bluff’s marketing director. “Our owners and members like that.” “It makes it real,” Byrne added. Requisite to being all things Lowcountry is a communal relationship between a community’s human elements

and the natural surroundings. Situated at the May River’s headwaters and also touched by the Cooper and New Rivers, The Bluff is perhaps Beaufort County’s most pristine example of a place where people can live a modern day life in near complete harmony with the landscape. Residents and visitors travel The Bluff’s miles of trails—both land and water—and

www.celebratehiltonhead.com 111

Palmetto Bluff

historic roads through maritime forests, marshlands, and river shorelines by foot, bicycle, on horseback, in canoes and kayaks, or by automobile, although the five former are preferred to experience the Lowcountry as created by nature. Preserving that experience is a high priority for Palmetto Bluff, and as evidence of their commitment, Crescent established the Palmetto Bluff Conservancy in 2003 to protect the three rivers, prompting The Island Packet to declare, “In many ways, the degradation (of the May River) was forestalled by Palmetto Bluff’s decision to develop in a way even stricter than the town allowed…” The Conservancy has since expanded its role to include wetlands protection, wildlife preservation, and property owner education. The full menu of amenities (experiences is the preferred term) is substantial and, Wilson aside, there isn’t one that takes signature precedence, as is normally the case with other private residential communities. “On site now we have five restaurants; we’ve got a gourmet market and general store, a racquet club and a Jack Nicklaus

112

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

signature golf course, two riverfront pools, a fitness center, a boatyard, canoe club, and our unprecedented trail systems,” Byrne said. Add to that Longfield Stables, Palmetto Bluff’s 173-acre equestrian farm, River Road Preserve, a nature preserve spanning over a mile of riverfront, and the sandbar. Nearly every “experience” is enhanced with organized events and activities, expertly overseen by a roster

of “Guides to the Bluff” including golf and tennis pros, naturalists, equestrian experts and culinary professionals. Finally, since location is everything, while residents enjoy Palmetto Bluff’s pleasantly offthe-beaten-path privacy and seclusion, it is by no means remote or isolated. Old Town and Greater Bluffton, Hilton Head Island, Beaufort, and Savannah are all just minutes away.

june 2013

Byrne describes the demographic mix in Palmetto Bluff as “a very big tent. We felt that the place not the project model would appeal to families, would appeal to retirees, to working couples— and we’ve got that. We’ve got people with school-aged kids; we’ve got retired, near-retired and everything in between.” The split between full-time and parttime residents is about 50/50, but more

june 2013

importantly, Palmetto Bluff has reached the “established” community stage, i.e. more new owners are building and moving in from the local area (Lowcountry and Savannah) rather than mainly from outof-state. It’s always a healthy sign for a community when the locals start buying in, and The Bluff is there. Palmetto Bluff’s real estate market is unique among Lowcountry private communities in that it is defined by two distinct land planning types: Town and Country. “We have more of a village scale, higher density and walkable. Then we go all the way up to larger compounds where it’s much more rural in character. So we do that town and country idea, which I think really plays well to the marketplace,” Byrne said. The Town concept is based in six neighborhoods in and around Wilson. They include Wilson Village and Boat House Row, The Point, West Wilson, River Road, South Wilson, and Wilson Hayfields. These neighborhoods appeal to folks who enjoy being in the heart town

www.celebratehiltonhead.com 113

with its gas lit, live oak-lined streets and within walking distance of nearly everything, or more on the edge of town, close to the energy but with a bit more privacy. Outside of Wilson, the Country concept encompasses four neighborhoods featuring country estate style homes and home sites in a more rural setting. They are: Headwaters, Barge Landing, May River Forest, and Longfield Farms. The Country neighborhoods are aimed at homeowners who prefer a quieter lifestyle and more space away from the activity in town, but never too far from everything Palmetto Bluff has to offer. Architecturally you’ll find variety not seen in many other master planned communities, but every home fits the Palmetto Bluff character. “There’s something about what we’ve created here that I think inspires people with an appreciation for architecture. That’s probably one of the main things that’s most visible,” Byrne said. “Architecture drives value. So one of the decisions we made was let’s do traditional homes that never go out of style. We call it ‘relaxed Lowcountry architecture.’ It’s indigenous. I mean, if you came to this area 100 years ago, you’d see houses that look like these.” Variety is evident as you move from the Cottages of Wilson Village to Boat House Row where private residences rest atop specialty shops in a mixed-use construction style, then to larger square footage single family homes on the outskirts of town in South Wilson and Wilson Hayfields, and finally to country estate and farm style homes with more acreage like those you’ll find in Longfield Farms. Home prices in Palmetto Bluff begin in the mid $600,000s and range up to several million, the high end mostly in the Country land plans. Home sites are plentiful as The Bluff has a ways to go until it is built out. They start in the low $100,000s and can range into the several millions for high acreage sites. “From the very start, the goal was to define what makes a place and to create experiences and events that make this a living, breathing community,” Hampson said. “The first thing that everybody told me when I got here in 2003 was to forget everything I know about real estate development,” Byrne added. This is a place, not a property. That’s a bold statement.” Palmetto Bluff is that statement.  For more information, call (800) 501-7405 or visit online at PalmettoBluff.com.

114

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

june 2013