CH2/CB2 November Issue

FROM OUR HOUSE TO YOURS

NOVEMBER 2014

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NOVEMBER 2014

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CELEBRATE BLUFFTON & BEYOND

Annie GET YOUR GUN

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MAY RIVER THEATRE NOVEMBER 07 - 23

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www.celebratehiltonhead.com

OCTOBER 2014

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NOVEMBER

2014

CELEBRATE BLUFFTON & BEYOND

THE TEAM

(and what they are thankful for)

FROM THE

Publisher Maggie Marie Washo

DITOR

See Right F

Art Director George Thomas Staebler I am thankful for getting out of surgery without contracting Ebola.

Accounting Marion Elizabeth Bowser I am thankful for Dan Bowser, Sunny Boy and my beautiful dog Greta.

Managing Art Director Catherine Anne Davies I am thankful for the baristas who make my hot and cold drinks to perfection.

Junior Art Director Carolyn Hunter Kostylo I am thankful for Netflix, which allows me to watch my favorite shows for hours on end.

Director of Sales Ashton Kelley Fons I am thankful for my husband, family and friends and all of the support, love and happiness they bring to me.

Sales Executives Kim Conrad Crouch I am thankful that I have the honor to be the mom of my beautiful, smart, healthy son Jackson Crouch!

Kaity Elizabeth Robinson I am thankful for my healthy family and the new friends we have made here in South Carolina.

“Just Kandace” Wightman I am thankful for the Island life and Bongo!

Research & Development Lucille Rosita Gonzalez Washo I am thankful for Lamb Lung and Aunt Mame’s weeny treats.

Chief of Security Greta Von Bowser I am thankful for Lucy.

“The Media” Ginger Allen, Kitty Bartell Michael Bassett, Dr. Thomas C. Beller Gregg Bennett, Margot Brown Frank Dunne Jr. , Rebecca Edwards Andrea Gannon, Courtney Hampson Courtney Hillis, Linda S. Hopkins Anne Marie Feldman, Denise K. James Barry Kaufman, Drew McLaughlin Clayton Rollison, Lisa Sulka Stylist Kim Molloy

It’s the little things…

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t’s such a cliché to say, but it really is the smallest things in life that I am the most thankful for. I’ve always been a “glass is mostly full” kind of gal, but last month my sweet Lucy was having some health problems, and it rocked my world for a few weeks. It really takes someone getting sick or losing someone close to you to put everything in perspective— and I mean EVERYTHING. Just turn on the news or read theSkimm for a few minutes every morning, and you’ll get some perspective on just how much we have to be thankful for here in the USA. It’s not perfect. We have our problems. But (knock on wood) we do not currently have ISIS conquering our cities oneby-one. Ebola may have made it to our soil, but as of now, our talented physicians are keeping it contained. Our news is generally still dominated by which celebrity got married or had nude photos stolen, so it can’t be that bad, right?

Make a list of all the things you have to be thankful for. I’m betting that most of you aren’t going to write down “my Lexus” or “my new waterfront mansion.”

Here’s my “thankful” list: 1. All of my friends and family are healthy and (generally) happy.

2. I have a job that inspires me to be better and work harder every day—even after eight years.

3. My sweet Lucy is feeling better this week. I’m especially thankful for pet insurance.

“The Paparazzi” Mark Staff Photography Photography by Anne Butch Hirsch, Vitor Lindo

Find Us HERE PO Box 22949 Hilton Head Island, SC 29925 843.689.2658 m.washo@celebratehiltonhead.com

M. WASHO PUBLISHER / EDITOR IN CHIEF

4. I saw two new birds at my work feeder this week, which means the cooler weather I adore will be here soon.

5. The young ladies I have the pleasure of working with every day are kind, driven and vibrant. They inspire me to be a better leader.

6. One of my best friends is having a baby (her first!) this month, and I’m so thankful I get to be a part of that little one’s life.

7. Lastly, I’m thankful for the opportunity to “just be.”

Happy Thanksgiving!

Photography by Anne

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OCTOBER 2014

IS THIS KID REALLY OPPOSED TO THE “UNDER GOD” LANGUAGE, OR IS HE REALLY OPPOSED TO SCHOOL—AND TEACHERS, AND OTHERS WHO TRY TO MAKE HIM BETTER, AND SMARTER, AND READY FOR LIFE? I THINK THE LATTER.

A 1943 U.S. SUPREME COURT RULING STATES THAT STUDENTS HAVE THE FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT TO OPT OUT OF THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.

OCTOBER 2014

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C2 FASHION 11·2014

Cozy Looks for Cooler Temps

Don’t forget a POP of color!

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PREPSTER ADVENTUROUS CLASSIC

Printed Voile Popover Blouse - $64.50 (J Crew) Wool Bomber Jacket – $178 (J Crew) Blackwatch Pencil Skirt - $95 (J Crew) Gold Metallic Belt - $32.50 (J Crew) Rowan Black Wedge Booties - $178 (Copper Penny) Himalayan Wool Hat - $31 (Outside Hilton Head) Spartina Boutique Quilted Hipster Bag in Platinum - $138 (Lettrs) Dragon Girl by Nars Lipstick

Molly Gore Tall Frye Boot - $418 Rucksack No. 21 Medium Backpack - $175 Little Journey Brown Hat - $54 Aventura Glenora Turtleneck in Whisper White - $49 Prana Trinity Cord Pant in Tort - $79 Horny Toad Heartfelt Blanket Sweater - $62 (All available at Outside Hilton Head)

Adam Tucker Suede Pelican Bootie in Black - $111 Crossbody Clutch in Embo Stone - $170 7 for all Mankind Josefina Feminine Skinny Boyfriend Jeans - $204 Ella Moss Stripe Top in Oatmeal - $120 Tulle Open Wrap Coat - $111 Kate Spade Cat Eye Sunglasses - $150 (Kate Spade) (All available at Copper Penny Hilton Head - except sunglasses)

m

KIM MOLLOY, STYLIST EXTRAORDINAIRE FOR CH2/CB2 MAGAZINE

WHY ARE THOSE A MUST? a Since boots are all the rage for fall and winter, change them up with different boot socks. Now made for both low and high boots, these not only feel great, but there are a large variety of styles available to choose from, allowing you to customize your look.

COASTAL MUST:

BOOT SOCKS Miss Molly Grace & Lace Boot Socks in Light Grey - $38 (Available at Louette)

Recipe

Article By Clayton Rollison

H O W

TO

B R I N E

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T U R K E Y

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t’s November, which means it time to cook turkeys. A million magazines will tell you how to roast this silly bird. I’m going to give you the first step to add flavor to the turkey, which is to let it sit in brine. Brining your turkey will help the lean breast meat stay moist while the legs continue to cook. An added bonus to brining is that you can introduce new flavors to your turkey.

Following is a simple recipe I use, but you must plan ahead. It will take a total of five days to execute a proper brine with a thawed bird: one day to make the brine, two-three days to brine it and one day to air-dry the bird. You are also going to need a container to hold the bird in the fridge while it brines. If the container is really large, you will need to increase the amount of brine. I’m giving you a base water amount that should cover up to a 20-pound bird.

Recipe Yields 16 quarts 26 ounces fine sea salt 12 quarts water 4 quarts apple juice 1 bunch thyme (or one package from the grocery store) 1 bunch sage (or one package from the grocery store) 10 cloves garlic, smashed 1 cup black peppercorns 1/2 cup mustard seeds 1/4 cup fennel seeds Method Fold all the spices and herbs into a piece of cheesecloth and tie into a sachet. (A sachet is a fancy term for what looks like a beggar’s purse.)

Gently beat it with the back of your knife to release some of the oils from the herbs. Add the sachet and half of the liquid with all of the salt to a pot and bring to a simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and add the rest of the cold liquid. Let the brine cool down and then place in the fridge overnight. Once the brine is cool, add the turkey. The bird must be completely submerged in the brine. If it is trying to float, you can push it down with a couple of plates resting on top of the turkey. Let the turkey brine for 2-3 days. Remove turkey from brine and let it air-dry in the fridge overnight before roasting. A dry bird cooks better than a wet one.

Clayton Rollison is the chef/owner of Lucky Rooster Restaurant in South Island Square.

CORNBREAD DRESSING Recipe compliments of ELA’s Blu Water Grille INGREDIENTS: 1/2 cup butter 3 cups diced celery 1/2 cup chopped sage 3 cups cornbread crumbs 3 cups soft bread crumbs 4 large eggs slightly beaten 7 cups chicken broth 1 tablespoon freshly ground pepper PREPARATION: 1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat, add celery and onions, and sautee for 5 to 6 minutes or until tender. Stir in sage, and sautee for 1 minute.

2. In a mixing bowl, sift cornbread crumbs and bread crumbs together. Stir in eggs, chicken broth, pepper, and celery/onion/sage mixture until well blended.

3). Divide cornbread mixture between 1 lightly greased 13x9” baking dish and 1 lightly greased 8” square baking dish. Bake at 400 degrees for 45 to 55 minutes or until set and golden brown.

You can also add chorizo or bacon for flavor.

NEW KID IN TOWN

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elcome to The Bluffton Room, a new restaurant with a simple premise: to make guests feel as if they are joining an intimate dinner party. The classic American menu includes familiar favorites such as Caesar salad, local oysters, bone-in rib-eyes, fresh seafood and organic chicken, prepared in a way to highlight their natural flavors. Gas lighting, antique brick and hand-carved wood lend an inviting feel to the dining room, while tableside preparations add a touch of class. Stop in for craft cocktails or wine at the indoor/outdoor bar or experience a special evening out. The Bluffton Room looks forward to being your host.

The Bluffton Room is located at 15 Promenade Street, Bluffton; open Tuesday-Thursday 5-10 p.m. (5-11 p.m. on weekends). For more information, visit theblufftonroom.com; call (843) 757-3525 for reservations or book online at Open Table.

M A Y O R

Hilton Head Island > Mayor <

A Note from Drew Laughlin

THANKFUL TO LIVE ON HILTON HEAD ISLAND

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s Thanksgiving Day approaches, it is customary to reflect on what we are thankful for. As mayor, and as a longtime resident and businessman on Hilton Head Island, I would like to share with you what I am thankful for as it relates to our island—our community.

What better place to wake up than Hilton Head Island? Stop and think about being thankful for the loads of fun you can have here. Should I walk my dog through a neighborhood of roads adorned by live oaks or walk or drive a short distance to the beach? Do I play golf or tennis or ride a bike today? Do I catch a high school football, baseball, or basketball game today? Do I take my spouse or friend to the RBC Heritage Golf Tournament or maybe the Hilton Head Island Motoring Festival and Concours d’ Elegance? Shall we attend a play at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, or maybe attend a performance of the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra? Maybe there were opportunities like these where you came from, but could they have been more convenient than here? I don’t think so.

Do I check-out the annual Gullah Festival activities or one of the many festivals within minutes of home? Should I cast a rod or a shrimp net or go crabbing? We should be thankful for the fantastic array of wildly different but entertaining events and activities here. Before I travel, I look at my destination’s web page for “Things to Do.” When you

< Bluffton Mayor

M AY O R

A Note from Lisa Sulka

CUSTOMER SERVICE IMPROVEMENTS

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he Town of Bluffton is installing a new phone system. Our old phone system has reached the end of its usable life, pushing the resources it provided, which required a large amount of administrative complexity in both hardware and software.

The new Shoretel system was chosen for is renowned longevity, easy to use feature set, and strong administrative tools.

It will feature a full software suite on town computers to allow users to handle calls efficiently. It has the ability to see if another user is on the phone prior to transfer, direct messaging through the

phone system, and many more modern features. The new system has a great amount of built-in scale-ability, meaning as we grow, our phone system can too.

GIS The GIS office is working with several surrounding governments to develop a damage and safety assessment tool to improve our response in the event of a natural disaster. This app will allow inspectors to quickly enter data on a tablet that will be compiled online instantly for administrative review. This app will also work in disconnected mode in the event of a blackout or loss of Internet connection.

GOING PAPERLESS In the effort to go paperless and provide information to our citizens in a timely manner, all of our meeting agendas and supporting documents are posted on our website. Paperless agendas provide a savings to the town in staff time to make copies and paper usage.

If you would like to see an agenda for a 2014 meeting, simply click on the Meetings & Events calendar.

You can also view town council minutes as far back as 1990. Click on the Government page of our website, look for the Information column and click on Search Council Minutes. It’s interesting to see what was happening in our town back then.

A new monitor has been installed at town hall just outside of council chambers. This monitor will feature information such as meeting agendas, upcoming events, videos and pictures highlighting our beautiful town, announcements, etc.

TOWN OF BLUFFTON RECEIVES BUDGET AWARD The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) presented a Distinguished Budget Presentation Award to the Finance Department of the Town of Bluffton for its annual budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2014.

In order to receive this award, a governmental unit

think about all the things to do on Hilton Head Island, the list is endless.

The island is heavily populated with talented residents, and I am thankful for that. As a result, whether one is working or retired, or even a student, tons of nonprofit organizations represent the moral underbelly of our community. I have often written and spoken about the abundance of volunteers here.

A sociological examination of our island would reveal that we are educated, pro-active, and motivated to support our fellow islanders with dollars and time.

While the island receives awards on almost a monthly basis for our lifestyle, beaches, pathways, and natural resource protections, I wish there was a rating service that measured the heart of our community.

We would compare favorably to any town in the U.S., and I am most thankful for that.

I encourage all residents to focus their energies on the positives that Hilton Head Island offers. Stop, reflect for a moment on the opportunities here, embrace the extraordinary town you live in, and be thankful.

Thank you for all your support.

must publish a budget document that meets program criteria as a policy document, as an operations guide, as a financial plan, and as a communications device. This is the fourth consecutive year the town has received the award.

CHRISTMAS PARADE It’s time to register for this year’s Christmas parade. The parade will be on Saturday, December 6 at 10 a.m. Please visit townofbluffton. sc.gov to register.

Snapshots From

thanksgiving (DOES THIS LOOK FAMILIAR?)

Smile

“ M AY YO U R ST U F F I N G B E TAST Y M AY YO U R T U R K E Y B E P LU M P, M AY YO U R P OTATO E S A N D G R AVY H AV E N A RY A LU M P. M AY YO U R YA M S B E D E L I C I O U S A N D YO U R P I E S TA K E T H E P R I Z E , A N D M AY YO U R T H A N KS G I V I N G D I N N E R STAY O F F YO U R T H I G H S ! ” - ANONYMOUS

P HOTOGRAPHY BY MARK STAFF

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NO REAL TURKEYS WERE HARMED IN THIS SHOOT

“I hate turkeys. If you stand in the meat section at the grocery store long enough, you start to get mad at turkeys. There’s turkey ham, turkey bologna, turkey pastrami. Someone needs to tell the turkey, ‘man, just be yourself.’”

- Mitch Hedberg

“Here I am at 5 o’clock in the morning stuffing bread crumbs up a dead bird’s butt.”

- Roseanne Barr

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thanksgiving is an emotional time. People travel thousands of miles to be with people they only see once a year. And then discover once a year is way too often.â&#x20AC;?

- Johnny Carson

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thanksgiving dinners take 18 hours to prepare.

They are consumed in 12 minutes. Half-times take 12 minutes. This is not coincidence.â&#x20AC;?

- Erma Bombeck

HOLIDAY

Gift Guide FOR MEN

WATCH In titanium and blue by Bertucci Cost $155 Palmettoes in Sea Pines Center

SUNGLASSES OGI 8059 in Black/Silver Flash Mirrored Grey Lens $235 Spex at the Fresh Market Shoppes

GOLF SHIRTS Assorted colors by Southern Tide Striped $82, Solid $78 Knickers in Harbourtown

MESSENGER BAG A Satchel for his things,

by Cobalt Cost $365 Palmettoes in Sea Pines Center

MEN’S LOAFER In various styles Left by Donald Pliner $285, Right by Boemos $235 Palmettoes in Sea Pines Center

THE CLASSIC

BELTED

A turkey fan of colorful ties Assorted for $95 each Palmettoes in Sea Pines Center

True Flies Redfish Buckle Leather Belt Cost $170 Southern Drawl Outfitters in Moss Creek Village

FOR THE ADVENTURER Hero 4 by GoPro Cost $400 Outside Hilton Head in Shelter Cove Plaza

PETER MILLAR Classy separates for the well-dressed man Shirt $145, Sweater $198 Knickers in Harbour Town

EYE BOBS For the fashion-conscious, slightly sight-impaired Assorted for $65 each Palmettoes in Sea Pines Center

FOR THE “RON SWANSON” MANLY MAN Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake Knife Assorted knives with alligator and snakeskin sheaths ($385 each) Southern Drawl Outfitters in Moss Creek Village

THE BOWTIE For the Hipster on your list Assorted for $55 each Palmettoes in Sea Pines Center

PADRÓN CIGARS “The Little Hammer” Cost: $20 each Tobacco Rd. on Arrow Rd.

BIG GREEN EGG GRILL & EGGCESSORIES FOR YOUR GUY!

GET THE SHOT TaylorMade Driver $349 each Robert Trent Jones Golf Shop in Palmetto Dunes

OCTOBER 2014

Starting at $385.00 Casual Living Fireside & Grillin’

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FOR THE FLY FISHERMAN Sage Salt 9wt. rod $850 Tibor Light Back Country CL Wide reel $399 Southern Drawl Outfitters in Moss Creek Village

HOLIDAY

Gift Guide FOR MEN

CASUAL SUNDAY

READ THE GREENS

Checked Shirt by Alex Cannon $119 Grey denim by Alberto $185 Belt by Martin Dingman $135 Teagueâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in the Village at Wexford

Garmin with Approach in White $249 each Robert Trent Jones Golf Shop in Palmetto Dunes

TAKE IT WITH YOU Backpack by Ethnotek As shown, $189 Outside Hilton Head in Shelter Cove Plaza

FOR THE SOPHISTICATED MAN Red sweater vest by Raffi $95 Teague’s button-up dress shirt $98.50 Teague’s in the Village at Wexford

GOLF SHOES DNA by Foot Joy $199 in white Robert Trent Jones Golf Shop in Palmetto Dunes

FOR THE FOODIE A delicious twist to the classic Hoppin’ John.

The Concierge Chef

OCTOBER 2014

FOR THE SUN CITY CRUISER Club Car Precedent i2 Prices vary between new and used, $8,000 (new) Club Car Hilton Head

THE BEST COOLER IN THE WORLD Yeti in Assorted sizes ($250 as shown) Outside Hilton Head in Shelter Cove Plaza

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FOR THE EXPLORER

HOLIDAY

Gift Guide

Sojourn 135 Kayak Cost $1,449 Outside Hilton Head in Shelter Cove Plaza

FOR MEN

GOTCHA! Custom-tied fly box 12 flies for $75 Southern Drawl Outfitters in Moss Creek Village

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FOR THE MILLIONAIRE 2015 Grady White Express 370 Cost $484,150 Hilton Head Boathouse

OCTOBER 2014

FOR

TASTE OF THE SEASON...THAT IS

A

s the holiday season approaches, do you find the weeks seem to fly by? Before you’ve had a moment to enjoy this magical time of year, in an instant, it becomes another memory. That is, unless you save the date and join the festivities of Hilton Head Island’s official holiday kickoff event: Taste of the Season.

For one night only, Friday, December 5 from 6-9 p.m., join fellow foodies and celebrate a delicious start to the holidays. Now in its 25th year, the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce’s annual Taste

of the Season transforms the Hilton Head Marriott Resort & Spa ballroom into the culinary event of the season. Beloved as much for its variety of cuisine as for the festive mood it sets, Taste of the Season is Hilton Head Island’s can’t-miss holiday event.

Taste of the Season welcomes you with a feeling of relaxed Lowcountry elegance. Mingle with friends as you sample award-winning cuisine prepared by some of the island’s most popular chefs, and enjoy live jazz music and the evening’s festivities.

What makes Taste of the Season a not-to-be missed event? “It’s a one-of-a-kind opportunity to see what all our area restaurants have to offer,” said Andy Love, Old Oyster Factory’s executive chef. “You’ll try some great food and have a great time. It absolutely kicks off the holiday season for all who come.”

“I think it’s the fact that so many restaurants all get together offering different flavors and takes on seasonal food,” said Josh Castillo, executive chef at Marley’s Island Grille. “The atmosphere is amazing!”

Enjoy culinary favorites prepared by the area’s top chefs from more than 45 Lowcountry restaurants

ARTICLE BY ANN MARIE FELDMAN

eason S aste T ‘TIS THE

Guests enjoy last year’s Taste of the Season event, held at the Hilton Head Marriott Resort & Spa.

including WiseGuys, Black Marlin Bayside Grill, Marley’s and Old Oyster Factory. From haute cuisine to island classics, there’s something for everyone.

To add to the excitement of the night, Taste of the Season chefs are competing for the honor of best cuisine, bringing you a true sampling of the best of the best.

Enjoy this ultimate tapas experience as you bid on fantastic auction items, the perfect gifts for those on your list—or maybe even you! Both an online auction and popular silent auction include great spa and golf packages and fabulous travel getaways.

New this year, Patron tickets will include exclusive private seating and bar area for upscale lounge-style dining. Experience concierge services with beverage service and passed hors d’oeuvres to further elevate the ambiance of your evening.

As all holiday seasons do, this one will fly by all too fast, which is even more reason to take the time to slow down and enjoy incredible culinary offerings and a marvelous time at Taste of the Season. Just be sure to reserve your tickets early (It’s always a sell-out!) and, of course, bring your appetite!

Tickets are available at the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce’s headquarters, 1 Chamber of Commerce Dr., Hilton Head; at the chamber’s Bluffton office, 216 Bluffton Rd. and online at HiltonHeadBlufftonChamber.org.

Admission is $55; Patron tickets, $75.

Last year we commissioned Gary Palmer, an artist and illustration professor at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, to create a quirky Thanksgiving cover that reflected our Island. He came up with a multitude of turkeys – each with an element of something “Lowcountry-esqe.” The line drawings were elegant in their simplicity and creativity and we received many compliments on the November covers of CH2 & CB2.

Unbeknownst to us, Gary had assigned his students the very same task for this year as a project– to come up with a black & white sketch drawing for our November cover. We probably wouldn’t have known, if it weren’t for one of his students who emailed us his masterpiece. Of course, we just had to see the rest – and show them off to our readers. Well done students! If we hadn’t already chosen photography to grace this month’s cover, one of these may have made the cut!

ROBERT BATES

Greetings Maggie and Catherine, I regret to inform the both of you that I’m neither a 6’2”, tall, dark and handsome man with bright blue eyes, nor am I any good at bowling. Instead, I’m a 5’9” and pasty 31 year old with zero skill in chucking the rock. I am, however, a pretty good illustrator who’s open for freelance work.

You may or may not be aware of a man by the name of Gary Palmer, but he illustrated the cover for one of your Thanksgiving issues. He’s also one of my illustration professors and, for an assignment, he had the class put together a black and white drawing of a mock cover for CH. Thank you for your time, and I look forward to your thoughts.

Mengxi Fu

Rebecca Pinckney

Tanner Lail

Jeremy Rich

Eli Bowen

HEALTH & WELLNESS SECTION

TA B L E OF CONTENTS PAGE 47

PAG E 61

PAG E 79

Special Delivery New Women’s Pavilion designed for comfort of moms and babies

I Jumped on the Coconut Oil Bandwagon Here’s what happened

Dealing with Depression How one person’s kindness saved my life

PAG E 6 5

PAG E 8 2

Food as Medicine Eat your way to better health

MAKOplasty A new option for knee pain

PAG E 6 8

PAG E 74

Cough: Its relation to allergies and acid reflux

The Road to Wellness…

One Step at a Time with VIM

PAGE 50 Not Your Mama’s Hysterectomy New technology enables local surgeons to perform single incision hysterectomy

PAGE 52 O’Natural Mama Enlisting the services of a birth doula

PAGE 56 The Ups and Downs of Viagra A woman’s perspective

PAG E 70 Remembrance Photography Elegantly documenting a breast cancer journey

ARTICLE BY COURTNEY HILLIS

SPECIAL DELIVERY!

NEW WOMEN’S PAVILION DESIGNED FOR COMFORT OF MOMS AND BABIES

W

omen throughout the area are buzzing about the new Women’s Pavilion at Coastal Carolina Hospital. The facility is a welcome change, providing women the freedom to birth as they wish—a peaceful place, designed for the comfort of mothers and babies.

The center views Mom, Dad and baby as a whole and helps the family feel at home, even in a hospital environment.

Mothers throughout the Bluffton, Beaufort and Hilton Head area are excited about the new birthing facility, its

convenient location and open-minded staff. In fact, some women are changing physicians in order to deliver at the Women’s Pavilion.

ABOUT COASTAL CAROLINA HOSPITAL Coastal Carolina Hospital is part of Hilton Head Regional Healthcare, which also includes Hilton Head Hospital and Bluffton-Okatie Outpatient Center.

Coastal Carolina Hospital is an acute care facility with 41 beds, conveniently located in Hardeeville, S.C. at the intersection of Highway

THE NEW SPACE BOASTS AN EXPERIENCED STAFF, WITH EACH LABOR AND DELIVERY NURSE HAVING A MINIMUM OF FIVE TO SEVEN YEARS OF EXPERIENCE.

278 and Interstate 95. The hospital has been open since November 2004 and originally offered labor and delivery services, which were later shut down due to lack of demand.

However, a currently growing population and increase in younger demographics has led to the need for and opening of the new Women’s Pavilion at Coastal Carolina Hospital.

The decision to build the Women’s Pavilion was made in early 2013, with design beginning in early fall 2013 and construction starting in January of 2014. Two existing units were combined and remodeled to create the new labor and delivery facility. The pavilion opened its doors on July 1, 2014, and as of mid-July,

had over 50 births. Averaging about four births per day, the new complex already has a higher volume of births than its counterpart, Hilton Head Hospital.

The newly designed center has six large labor and delivery suites and 10 spacious postpartum rooms, all of which come with a sleeper pullout for Dad/partner. Three antepartum beds are available for expectant mothers in the beginning stages of labor to be monitored and evaluated.

Everything is brand new in the Women’s Pavilion, from the centralized fetal monitoring system to the beds to latest medical equipment. It is a lockdown unit, so each person entering the facility must be

¨

¨

ONE OF THE MOST UNIQUE FEATURES OF THE NEW FACILITY IS THE OUTDOOR COURTYARD WITH A WALKING PATH, WHICH ALLOWS LABORING MOTHERS TO STROLL OUTSIDE IN THE FRESH AIR.

THE NEWLY DESIGNED CENTER HAS SIX LARGE LABOR AND DELIVERY SUITES AND 10 SPACIOUS POSTPARTUM ROOMS, ALL WHICH COME WITH A SLEEPER PULLOUT FOR DAD/PARTNER.

buzzed in through a video intercom or have a keycard. Furthering the safety of the facility is an infant security system—a tag on each baby that allows the staff to know where every newborn is at all times.

The pavilion also has a 10-bed nursery.

One of the most unique features of the new facility is the outdoor courtyard with a walking path, which allows laboring mothers to stroll outside in the fresh air.

NEW BUILDING, EXPERIENCED STAFF According to Katie Mowery, director of women’s services, “It is a new space but not a new staff.” In fact, each labor and delivery nurse has a minimum of five to seven years of experience, and most of them have much more. “We have assembled a team to give the very best care, and it shows,” Mowery said.

Meg Sordi, who delivered at the Women’s Pavilion in July said, “The staff was sincere and genuine in their care and treatment…the staff was amazing.”

Expectant mother, Amber Boulware says she feels at ease at the Women’s Pavilion and is confident in the experienced staff.

The pavilion follows a laborist model, meaning that a doctor and anesthesiologist are in-house 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The facility also employs about 35 nurses, a midwife and lactation support. Riverside Women’s Care is one of the practices currently delivering at the Women’s Pavilion. With offices in Bluffton and Beaufort, the timing was perfect for Riverside Women’s Care, which was looking to offer more regional care, to join the pavilion. The addition of Riverside Women’s Center to Coastal Carolina Hospital added labor and delivery to the existing services of women’s health offered at the hospital, making it a full-service Women’s Center. Palmetto Pediatrics is the hospital’s practicing pediatric office.

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PATIENT CARE The Women’s Pavilion focuses on patient care and comfort, and this begins the moment the mother-to-be enters the hospital. She does not have to have wait in an emergency room and is instead brought immediately back to registration with minimum waiting. Soon patients will be able to preregister online to speed up the process even more.

Each laboring mother is greeted with a toiletry bag in her labor and delivery suite, a gift bag in her post-partum room and a comfortable terrycloth robe, which patients seem to enjoy much more than walking around in the typical hospital gowns. The luxury does not stop there.

Moms are also offered a post-partum celebration meal, consisting of filet mignon or chicken served as a candlelight dinner (battery powered, of course). Bella Baby Photography also offers it services to all new mothers by taking in-suite photographs of the newborn and family.

Some of these photos are on display in the waiting area of the pavilion.

Even with multiple births per day, the labor ward is quiet and homey. “Most women have never been in a hospital before. We do not want them to feel anxious. We don’t want it to feel like a hospital,” Mowery said.

The hospital focuses on letting each mother labor the way she wants to labor with the assistance of her doctor(s).

Medically assisted births, natural births, caesarean births and everything in between are supported. For natural births, birthing balls are offered, and walking during labor is encouraged with telemetry fetal monitoring. In fact, laboring mothers are allowed to walk with IVs. Large showers with benches are also provided in the labor and delivery suites so that laboring mothers can shower and find some relief.

Boulware, who is planning an allnatural birth says she feels like the staff is there for the moms and to do what the moms want. Sordi, experienced this supportive care firsthand during her delivery when offered options to walk around, shower, etc.

The Women’s Pavilion also supports baby bonding and the family as a unit.

Babies are kept in the labor room for all standard measuring and tests, most of which can even be done while the mother is holding the baby. Once the mother is in her postpartum suite, the staff supports room-in care, which means the baby will only be taken to the nursery upon request.

High-risk deliveries are rare, but when they happen (depending on severity of issue) the patient(s) is transferred to MUSC in Charleston. Nurses at The Women’s Pavilion at Coastal Carolina Hospital are trained to stabilize patients for transport to MUSC. The new labor and delivery facility also offers a selection of education courses for expectant mothers, including childbirth education, breastfeeding, sibling, baby care and preparing for childbirth. In addition, a breastfeeding support group meets on Monday evenings.

THE HOSPITAL GIVES BACK During the opening of this new state-of-the-art labor and delivery facility, the hospital held a baby shower, donating all gifts to Bluffton Self Help and Storks Nest. Over 2,000 diapers and other baby essentials, including onesies, burp cloths and blankets were given to families in need.

To learn more about the new Women’s Pavilion, take a virtual tour, or view the classes available, visit coastalhospital. com/en us/ourservices/medicalservices/ pages/labordeliveryservices.aspx.

OCTOBER 2014

Nurnberg Photography

Hyste rectomy NOT YOUR MAMA’S

ARTICLE BY MARIE MCADEN

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t wasn’t so long ago when women undergoing a hysterectomy faced a long, painful recovery, weeks of recuperation and an ugly scar across their bellies. Today, advanced robotic technology has made it possible to perform the surgery through a single small incision in the navel, speeding up healing and leaving patients with hardly a blemish.

Four Beaufort Memorial Hospital gynecologists are among the first physicians in the country performing the state-of-the-art procedure using an advanced version of the da Vinci Si Surgical System and new instrumentation designed specifically for singleincision surgery.

“The cosmetic ramifications of a hysterectomy, whether elective or not, can weigh heavily on women,” said Dr. Patricia Thompson of Beaufort Gynecology Associates, one of three physicians who received training this summer to perform the surgery. “This single-incision robot-assisted procedure now gives women a surgical option that leaves virtually no scar.”

The state-of-the-art procedure is an improvement even over minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery, which requires four to five dime-sized incisions in the abdomen. “With each incision, there is a risk of developing an incisional hernia, infection or bleeding,” said Dr. Gregory Miller of Beaufort Memorial Obstetrics & Gynecology Specialists, who also began performing the single-site hysterectomies this summer. “With only one incision, there is less risk of complications, less pain, faster recovery and better cosmetics.”

Cindy Jamison, an assistant merchandise manager at Home Goods on Hilton Head Island, never expected the results to be so good. “You can’t even see the scar,” said the 50-year-old, one of the first women in the area to opt for a single-site hysterectomy. “You would never know I had surgery.”

For Jamison, it was the quick and easy recovery that sold her on the procedure. She was able to return home the same day of surgery and had no need for pain medication by the following afternoon.

Hysterectomy, the surgical removal of the uterus, is the second most common surgery (after cesarean delivery) among American women. Some 600,000 hysterectomies are performed annually in the United States. By age 65, one in three women can expect to have a hysterectomy, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Up until the early 1990s, hysterectomies involved major abdominal surgery, requiring a five- to seveninch incision, either up and down or side to side across the belly. The procedure typically requires a four-day 50

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Drs. Claude Tolbert and Christopher Benson demonstrate the daVinci Si robotic surgical system. During surgery, the doctor sits at the console a few feet from the operating table manipulating the miniaturized wristed instruments to pinch, move up and down and left to right just like a hand. The movement is controlled by the physician’s thumbs and forefingers inserted into Velcro grips.

hospital stay and six weeks of recovery.

Even after the advent of laparoscopy, open surgery remained the most common approach to hysterectomy, accounting for about 65 percent of all procedures. It wasn’t until robot-assisted surgery was approved by the FDA in 2005 that the open hysterectomy rate began to drop.

Further advancements in the da Vinci surgical system brought

new opportunities to improve on the procedure. The latest version of the robot features wristed arms able to rotate almost 360 degrees, offering a dexterity and range of motion far greater than the human hand. Visualization also was enhanced dramatically with threedimensional, high-definition optics.

Surgeons now have a much clearer picture of the operating field.

“It’s as if you’re looking right inside the patient,” said Thompson.

OCTOBER 2014

Drs. Claude Tolbert and Christopher Benson (pictured above), along with their Beaufort Memorial colleagues Patricia Thompson and Gregory Miller, are among the first surgeons in the country to perform the new single-site hysterectomy procedure.

The increased precision of the new model made it possible to equip the robot with more advanced instruments. It wasn’t long before Intuitive Surgical Inc., developers of the da Vinci, introduced FDAapproved single-site instrumentation.

“Because the instrument is not wristed like those used in multi-port surgeries, it’s technically a little more difficult to perform,” Miller said. “But we wanted to be able to offer our patients an option that potentially provides better results.”

Beaufort Memorial purchased the new technology last year and began using it for gallbladder surgery. In July, Drs. Thompson, Miller and Christopher Benson received training to perform hysterectomies with the device. A fourth physician, Dr. Claude Tolbert, was trained in October and has begun performing the surgery as well.

Thompson is with Beaufort Gynecology Associates and Miller, Benson and Tolbert are all part of Beaufort Memorial Obstetrics & Gynecology Specialists. All four physicians are board-certified and see patients in both Bluffton and Beaufort.

Last month, Intuitive Surgical Inc. received FDA clearance for a singlesite wristed needle driver to facilitate suturing after removal of the uterus.

It can move the instrument tip up to 45 degrees in all directions for precise needle positioning.

“In a couple of years, all of the instruments used in single-site surgery will be wristed,” Miller said.

“The technology is only going to get better.”

For more information on single-site hysterectomy, visit beaufortmemorial. org or call (843) 522-5585.

NATURAL MAMA ARTICLE BY BECCA EDWARDS

F

rom the moment a woman sees a positive sign on a pregnancy test, she blooms with questions and emotions. I know. I’ve been there three times myself and assisted in seven births. Many times mamas-to-be recall images of women in excruciating pain or Carol Burnett’s quote, “Having a baby is like taking your lower lip and forcing it over your head.”

Here’s the truth. From conception to delivery, having a baby is an amazing journey. As more parents jump on the baby bump bandwagon of environmentally safe toys and bedding, BPA-free products, and organic foods, a disconnect remains between o’natural pregnancies and o’natural labors.

The empowered preggo rocking it out in a yoga class, painting the nursery in low VOC paint, and registering for an organic cotton ERGObaby carrier sometimes loses her momentum in the delivery room. Why? Many healthcare providers, researchers and, yes, moms say it’s because we tend to look at childbirth as a clinical procedure rather than an amazing physiological process.

Like a gender-reveal party, there’s good news. Hilton Head and Bluffton parents are welcoming more natural births. “At Coastal [Carolina Hospital], there is definitely a larger number of mothers delivering naturally,” said labor and delivery nurse Carla Heightland. She credits this to midwives like Dr. Elizabeth DuRant of Riverside Women’s Care.

Even still, many women are requesting induced labor, according to Heightland, who believes that with proper prenatal planning, more moms would feel prepared and empowered to go intervention-free. “Many women want to go naturally but haven’t prepared enough for it beforehand and get overwhelmed,” she said. “I feel that if a woman truly wants an un-medicated birth, she should educate herself for it as much as possible.”

Rather than poring over boring books like What to Expect When You Are Expecting and going cross-eyed browsing through websites, moms can enlist the services of a birth doula. “So, what the bump is a birth doula?” you might ask.

The Greek word “doula” means “woman caregiver.”

Mollie Kinard, a yoga instructor and birth doula, elaborated, “I offer physical and emotional support, breathing and relaxation techniques, position recommendations, and partner support.”

Art of Massage and Yoga owner April Lewis (who is also a Hypnobabies doula, placenta encapsulation specialist and herbalist) added, “I work with the mom and partner in advance on breathing, yoga poses and reflexology. I send them home with some essential oils to apply to reflex points. This also allows the father to feel much more involved.” Lewis also teaches techniques to ease back labor and talks about the benefits of red raspberry leaf tea in strengthening and toning the uterus.

For both Kinard and Lewis, their care begins during the prenatal phase— no matter how late or early in the pregnancy—and continues from delivery to postpartum recovery. Essentially, a doula’s objective should be any soon-tobe-parent’s objective: to have the mom feel supported and informed, especially during the birthing experience. “I became a doula because I am amazed at the things women are capable of doing and I want to empower them to realize those capabilities,” Kinard said. Likewise, Lewis said, “I became a doula to allow women to have the best birth that they see fit.”

Childbirth is divided into phases and stages—from pre-labor to the third stage, or the passing of the placenta.

Throughout this entire beautiful process, hormones play a big biological role.

According to Drs. Marshall Klaus and John Kennell, “Hormones have an effect on pain, are critical to an easy delivery, and are significant to the mother-baby connection.” Oxytocin, or the cuddle hormone, produces the contractions needed in the pushing stage of delivery and also plays an important role in breastfeeding. (When a mother induces labor, she is prescribed Pitocin, or the synthetic form of oxytocin.) Betaendorphin is a biological opiate and is secreted during times of stress and or pain to restore homeostasis. Evidence shows that with proper coaching and the implementation of the breathing and relaxation techniques practiced during pregnancy, the mother more readily produces beta-endorphin, enabling her to manage or even “get in front of” her pain and better enjoy her birth. Beta-endorphin also activates the production of meso cortico limbic dopamine; together these hormones work like a powerful dose of morphine to control pain.

“The natural production of these hormones during labor avoids the negative side effects of both injected and synthetic hormones and painkillers,” wrote Klaus and Kennell. Interventions such as an epidural can slow down labor, especially during the first stage. Here’s how: Mom orders the epidural. She anxiously waits for the anesthesiologist, anticipating that as soon as he/she walks in her pain will stop. (This can give false hope to some women, as the epidural effects everyone differently.)

Although receiving an epidural is a minor procedure, it requires several steps including the insertion of a very long and uncomfortable needle. Meanwhile, the woman is working through intense contractions and a whirlwind of emotions. I’ve watched doula clients’ blood pressure go up, their breathing become shallow, and their faces become flush during this process. They are in fight-or-flight mode, and their bodies are secreting cortisol, the stress hormone.

DONA International (the oldest, largest and most respected doula association in the world) cited the most recent systematic review and looked closely at how benefits of labor support varied by the type of person providing the support. The review found that the effects were strongest when the person received continuous support, especially from someone like a midwife or doula who was neither a member of the hospital staff or in the woman’s social network.

(This is not to say our local nurses don’t rock—because they do.) It also reported

NATURAL MAMA that these women were 28 percent less likely to have a cesarean section, 31 percent less likely to use synthetic oxytocin to speed up labor, 9 percent less likely to use pain medication, and 34 percent less likely to rate their childbirth experience negatively.

Kristin Magowitz recently delivered a healthy baby girl named Lila with the assistance of a doula. “There was no question in my mind I would give natural birth my best shot,” she said. “Fortunately, I was able to have a successful and beautiful drug-free birth.” Reiterating the words of Heightland, Kinard and Lewis, Magowitz added, “Unfortunately the birth experience is assumed by many people to be a trauma or something to be feared. I think this fear leads women to want to employ methods to avoid the experience or at least find a way around the parts that may be more uncomfortable. Also, I think that most women don’t have any idea the consequences of interventions like cesarean sections or epidurals. There are so many medical risks involved with interventions during and after the delivery.

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“There is a fine line though,” Magowitz continued. “How to deliver should be a decision made by the mother.” Magowitz wishes that doctors would give a little more information on the risks and benefits of all different options. “I think it is good to remain open to these interventions in case they are medically necessary or if the baby or the mother’s health is in danger,”—a view shared by everyone interviewed for this article.

When it comes to setting herself up for post-partum success, a mom can still be holistically minded. Lewis’ spa offers a Moor mud wrap that helps with lymphatic drainage and reduces water weight and swelling.

Kinard and Lewis both teach Mommy and Me yoga classes. Hilton Head Hospital and RN certified lactation consultant, Jean Magarelli offer a breastfeeding support group, which is crucial to getting the hang of things as well as creating a social network of moms going through the same new mama drama.

Holistic health coaches and nutritionists on Hilton Head Island and in Bluffton can inform moms about ways to naturally support the thyroid, immune system and breast milk production as well as cope with the effects of sleep deprivation. Sheila Stephens of Stephens Compounding Pharmacy sells a complete line of maternity products and provides oneon-one sessions to discuss supplementation and health goals. In addition, Facebook pages such as the Boob Group and Lowcountry Doula Co-Op offer forum-like benefits.

Ultimately, having a baby is awesome. Whether it is totally natural, medicated, or somewhere in between, Magowitz made a valid point. “I think a key factor in living a fulfilling and happy life is to trust yourself and feel empowered day-to-day,” she said. “One of the most important times to really work and focus on this is during pregnancy and motherhood.”

Becca Edwards is a DONA certified birth doula, IIN holistic health coach, yoga-Barre instructor, writer/blogger, and owner of b.e.well and b.e.creative (bewellbecreative.com).

OCTOBER 2014

ARTICLE BY HANNAH HANGADIK

HOW

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V RGRA

t’s Saturday afternoon. Shades are drawn, candles flickering, the phone disconnected. As I slip between the sheets and align my body next to my husband’s, the warmth of his touch brings a quiver of familiar excitement. What follows is predictable and satisfying: the kind of sex that comes from years of practice along with a connectedness that trumps the thrill of new.

The first time my husband’s erection failed was like sudden death—not a gradual decline to become accustomed to, adapt to or accept. Out of the blue, our afternoon delight became a source of mutual angst.

“Is it me? Are you bored? Do I need to learn some new techniques? Buy sexier underwear? Is there someone else?” I ask through my fears and tears.

“Of course not,” he assures, secretly freaking out in his manly way (minus the tears).

One failure leads to another, which is often the case once a man experiences the agony of defeat in the bedroom. Time to call in the special forces. (Nothing will get a man to the doctor faster than a problem with his middle leg, although he may need a courage injection to broach the subject.)

As a society, we are immune to the topic of erectile dysfunction—no longer shocked or even mildly surprised by images of blissful couples touting the miracle of “the little blue pill” (Viagra) and its contemporaries (Cialis, Levitra, Staxyn and Stendra). ED drugs are often the butt of the joke, yet the reality of the problem can be serious and life-changing for men and women alike.

While men pop their pills with ease, whispers among the ladies reveal a common struggle to shift gears in the bedroom.

With a sip and a swallow, the almighty penis is, once again, raring to go. Seems like a win-win until we look at the fallout.

It’s true that a reliable erection can be a nice perk for both partners, and it’s pretty safe to say that a confident lover is a better lover than a guy who’s worried about losing it. But for some women, a man’s renewed mojo imposes a degree of pressure to keep up, especially as we face our own aging process.

From the onset of peri-menopause, hormones are fluctuating; many women are coping not only with hot flashes and waning libido, but with vaginal dryness, thinning tissues and loss of elasticity, which can make hard, pounding intercourse painful (if not impossible) and the mere thought of prolonged thrusting (or a second round) a source of distress. Doctors can work with

t

HELPED MY SEX LIFE

us to help get our hormones in balance so that we can more fully embrace and enjoy our sexuality, but the solutions are much more complex and less certain than what is available to men.

Beyond the physical ramifications of ED drugs are the emotional consequences. As physical intimacy begins to revolve around the pill, women report feeling compelled to have “sex on demand,” either because they don’t want to waste a tablet (these drugs are not cheap) or because they don’t want to disappoint their partner.

Enter self-doubt and insecurity. What a lot of women need to be turned on is the feeling that they are desired. So with Viagra, they think, “It’s not me he wants; it’s just the pill.” Rest assured, ladies; it doesn’t work that way. ED drugs alone do not create erections. Desire and intent must be present for the medication to do its job.

Some wives also worry that revived virility will lead their husbands to look outside the marriage for sex. Plastic surgeons report that Viagra use is now another reason some women give when requesting breast implants, face-lifts and even vaginal rejuvenation.

Which is not to say that Viagra hasn’t ever led to straying, but not for the reasons most women think. If a wife or partner objects to ED drugs and the man is unable to have erections on his own, the relationship might be in trouble.

Then there are couples who have adjusted to life without sex. Perhaps the woman doesn’t really want it anymore, for one reason or another. An ED drug can throw that relationship seriously out of sync.

As a Viagra wife, I believe there is a time and place for the performance booster. It’s a little insurance policy for a man’s erection and ego, and if you anticipate an enjoyable experience, the timing and planning can actually heighten desire. Relax together while the drug takes effect, and embrace the ritual as part of your foreplay. What you’ve lost in spontaneity may just buy you more of the affection you crave without the urgency or rush to intercourse.

At the same time, we as women need to speak up about what we need and want from our partners—in and out of the bedroom—to keep our relationships healthy as we grow older together. We have to be clear about what works for us and what doesn’t and stop pretending to enjoy what we don’t. Most men are

VIAGRA eager to please us in bed, and we cheat ourselves out of good sex when we don’t communicate.

Let’s encourage our partners to explore with us the various avenues to orgasm and many routes to mutual pleasure and connectedness. After all, if we stick around on this planet long enough, most of us (male and female) will reach a point in life when sexual intercourse is no longer an option or even a goal.

It’s Saturday afternoon. Shades are drawn, candles flickering, the phone disconnected. With or without Viagra, it’s time to start making love again.

What men need to know about Viagra Viagra and other ED drugs work by increasing blood flow to the penis by blocking an enzyme, found mainly in the penis, that breaks down chemicals produced during sexual stimulation that normally produce erections. That is also why sexual stimulation is necessary for Viagra to work.

Viagra does not improve erections in normal men, only in those with difficulty in achieving or maintaining erections sufficient for sexual intercourse due to a true medical problem.

Viagra works best if taken about 30 to 60 minutes before sexual activity. Only one tablet should be taken per day, and it should be taken on an empty stomach. Increasing the dosage of Viagra beyond the recommended amounts will not improve the response and will only result in greater side effects, which can include facial flushing, headaches, stomach pain, nasal congestion, nausea, diarrhea, loss of hearing, ringing in the ears and dizziness.

Many men seek Viagra for recreational use, as studies have shown that the drug can shorten the time it takes to recover after sex and achieve another erection. What Viagra cannot do is increase your sexual appetite or make you ejaculate if you have problems reaching orgasm. The hormone testosterone is the force behind libido. Even with normal amounts of testosterone, Viagra will not give you an instant erection.

Although you may be tempted to order Viagra discreetly from one of the hundreds of websitesthat sell it, don’t. “Buying what you think is Viagra (sildenafil) on the Internet may be the perfect definition of fool’s gold,” said Michael Roizen, M.D., Cleveland Clinic’s chief wellness officer. “You have no idea what you’re getting. Analyses of fake Viagra pills report that some contain zero active ingredients. Others contain 200 percent of the normal dose. Neither is safe, and the latter could be very dangerous. Plus, these pills may be adulterated with substances like talcum powder, printer’s ink, and commercial paint.

Sound sexy to you?”

If you are experiencing ED, man up and see your doctor to determine the underlying cause. According to the National Institutes of Health, men experience ED for reasons ranging from narrowing of the blood vessels with age to high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and neurological problems.

Viagra may be the solution to your erection problem, and the medical examination could very well save your life.

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OCTOBER 2014

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COCONUT OIL

W ’S

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ARTICLE BY DENISE K. JAMES

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hanks to my dry skin and thirsty naturally curly locks, I’ve never been one to fear a little grease. Unlike most women, I’ll slather on creams and lotions with wild abandon while never worrying about zits, and I’ll happily leave a glob of conditioner in my hair longer than the recommended time—plus skip a few shampoos.

So when I started hearing all the hoopla from the media about coconut oil, I figured it was worth a try. We’ve all read the lists about how coconut oil can do everything from flavor your coffee to moisturize your skin to soothe your sunburn. How true is it? I wanted to find out.

Day One I begin my journey with a trip to Trader Joe’s, where I pick out a jar of extra virgin coconut oil. I examine it closely; it looks opaque and white, almost like the meat of a coconut. I take my jar home and, after reading the instructions to “store in a cool, dry place,” opt to keep it in my bedroom instead of the humid bathroom.

Later, my curiosity gets the better of me and I unscrew the lid of the jar, inhaling deeply. It smells like a Mounds candy bar, my grandmother’s favorite chocolate of all time. “This isn’t so bad—it’s kind of nostalgic,” I think to myself. I make plans for the next day to moisturize my face with it and maybe even whiten my teeth.

Day Two I approach the coconut oil jar and find that it’s no longer opaque and white but clear and oily. “Eww,” I mutter to myself, dipping my fingers inside and rubbing them together.

I decide to put it on my face post-shower, though its texture isn’t exactly reminiscent of my usual Olay Total Effects facial lotion. I slap a little bit on my cheeks and forehead, wondering if the stuff will somehow make my fine lines disappear. I smell like the first day of summer.

That evening, I gulp a mouthful from the jar to try “pulling,” a technique that has been lauded in most of the Internet articles about coconut oil as a way to disinfect your mouth and get whiter teeth. It’s pretty gross sloshing around in my mouth, but I keep at it for a few moments, entertaining myself by snapping a photo of the coconut oil jar and uploading it to Instagram.

To my amusement, the Instagram post gets tons of likes, practically right after I put it up.

“One of my favorite products!” enthuses my friend Leah.

“Are you doing oil pulling? Let me know if you love it!” says my friend Aubrey.

I feel mystified and delighted. The stuff has power over people, whether it’s mostly hype or not. I spit into the sink and run my tongue over my teeth. They feel slick.

I JUMPED ON THE COCONUT OIL BANDWAGON Day Three I wake up with a zit on my chin, thus I decide to take a break from the coconut goodness until that evening. Okay, here’s what really happened: the jar lid was too slippery for me to open. I got impatient. There, are you happy?

After my shower that night, I tackle the jar with gusto and yank it open, then slather the oily goodness all over my legs.

And even though I didn’t wash or condition my hair, I decide to grease my locks down with it. I’m shining like a rock star on stage, and I smell incredible. I’m guessing I should wash my sheets soon, though.

Day Four It’s time to try the stuff on my damp hair. I spread it evenly onto my sopping head after a wash and wonder if I should use a blow dryer (which I almost never do) or let it dry naturally as usual. I give up and put my hair into a bun. It really doesn’t seem to be doing anything differently.

Over lunch, I talk to one of my fellow freelance writers about the experiment with coconut oil to get her take on it.

“Oh, I love coconut oil,” she moans, a little too dramatically by my estimation. “I put it on my eyelashes every morning to make my eyelashes grow.”

“How?” I think to myself. “How do you not get it in your eyes and go blind? Do you have a coconut oil eyedropper? Is this for real?”

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HERE’S WHAT HAPPENED Day Five I finally decide I should cook with the stuff. As a die-hard fan of olive oil, using coconut oil to cook my eggs and my spinach seems sort of strange to me, but I pour a few dollops into my frying pan and get to work.

The eggs come out with crispier edges and everything smells great while it cooks. I plate the food and take it into the living room with a fork for the taste test.

Yum. It’s really good, but maybe I’m just really hungry. I can’t tell. Even so, I like that it smells good while you cook with it. Maybe I’ll try something sweeter next like French toast? (And yes, breakfast is about the only meal I can cook, in case you were wondering.)

Conclusion Coconut oil is definitely fun to have around, but I am not convinced that it can take the place of any other beauty product or cooking product. Sure, my skin feels and smells (and probably tastes) divine, but no more so than when I use lotion. My hair hasn’t gained much benefit, my mouth doesn’t feel all that much cleaner and I’ve got a total of two zits.

If you’re curious about coconut oil, give it a try. But proceed with caution; the stuff isn’t called “oil” for nothing. Like most beauty and health trends, it has its pros and cons.

OCTOBER 2014

ARTICLE BY REBECCA EDWARDS

S A D O O F E N I C I D E M T

his month you will read several health-inspired articles in CH2—from insights into erectile dysfunction, to allergies, to depression. As you learn about these timely issues, I also encourage you to go back in time. Way back. Like, 2300 years back. It was then that Hippocrates (you know, the father of modern medicine) said, “Let food be thy medicine.” From this culinary-curative POV, a container of Fage is no longer Greek yogurt—it’s a remedy for constipation. Raisins are no longer a lunchbox filler for your child, but good for cancer prevention.

And cabbage isn’t bland rabbit food, but rather contains a powerpacked compound that fights H. pylori (the bacteria that causes gastric and peptic ulcers).

According to nutrition researcher Paul Pitchford, “In 1988, food finally began to be recognized in the West as an important healing force. For the first time in United States history, the Surgeon General acknowledged the value of a good diet, while simultaneously condemning typical American eating patterns… and stating that fully two-thirds of all deaths are directly affected to improper diet.”

Today we call this S.A.D., or the standard American diet, and it is part and take-out parcel with chronic diseases.

Chronic diseases are long-term medical conditions that are often progressive and debilitating. Some of the most common forms are asthma, bipolar mood disorder, cancer, Crohn’s disease, diabetes, hypertension, and hypothyroidism—just to name a few.

The Center for Science in the Public Interest linked poor food choices to chronic disease and released a study in 2010 with some jaw dropping data. “Seven of every 10 Americans who die each year die of a chronic disease” and “More than 75 percent of the nation’s $2 trillion medical care costs are a result of chronic diseases.” The study further connected chronic diseases with obesity naming it “one of the most pressing health issues facing the country.”

A study led by the CDC in 2013 reported, “More than onethird of U.S. adults (over 72 million people) and 17 percent of U.S. children are obese.” A recent study from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine concluded that if we were to continue at the present rate, by 2048, all American adults would become overweight or obese.

OBESITY INCREASES THE RISK OF: • Coronary heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure • Type 2 diabetes • Cancers, such as endometrial, breast, and colon cancer • High total cholesterol or high levels of triglycerides • Liver and gallbladder disease • Sleep apnea and respiratory problems • Degeneration of cartilage and underlying bone within a joint (osteoarthritis) • Reproductive health complications such as infertility • Mental health conditions.

For the most part, we all know what we should and shouldn’t eat. Fast food bad. Wholesome, home cooked meals good. Sodas and, yes, even diet sodas bad. Water and beverages like no sugar added green tea good. Candy bars and, be honest with yourself, reduced fat cookies and snacks bad. Sweet-tooth satiating whole foods like apples and carrots good. For our overall health, if we focused on shopping the perimeter of the grocery store (which includes the produce, meat and seafood sections and cold cases containing foods like eggs and almond milk) we would be fueling up on food in its true form—rather than its boxed, bagged or otherwise packaged alternative—therefore using food as preventive medicine.

Sure, we all need to middle-aisleit at some point for olive oil or spices, peanut butter, or that canned or jarred good (I love jarred artichokes) that cuts our cooking time in half. And yes, sometimes I’ll be found in the snack section getting gluten-free pretzels for my kids. When venturing into these rows, I tell my clients to be an “F.B.I.” agent— or foodie behaving as an investigator.

Read your labels. Unsavory ingredients like sugar, MSG, high fructose corn syrup and other preservatives like to sneak into many products. Also, when it comes to meal planning, I like to teach my clients the theory of “crowding out.” Crowding out is a concept created by the Institute for Integrative Nutrition that encourages you to fill your plate with nutrient-dense foods, therefore leaving no room for nutrient-deplete options.

I would like to point out that not all people who suffer from a chronic disease are bad eaters. Sometimes the most health-conscious, kale-eating people get sick. Contributing to our overall health are issues like food allergies, lifestyle choices (high stress, low sleep, inactivity), our

environment and genetics. These factors can play a critical role in how we feel and even lead to chronic inflammation (which many experts say leads to chronic disease) and or other physical symptoms. What I am saying, though, is that you must be proactive—especially if you are experiencing a health challenge.

If you suffer from chronic disease and or chronic inflammation, you are not alone. The CDC reports nearly half of adults in the U.S. are living with at least one chronic illness. Narrowing the focus a little more, a recent Pew Research survey looking at just high blood pressure, lung conditions, heart conditions, diabetes and cancer found that 36 percent of adults in the U.S. say they are living with at least one of these five conditions, and 13 percent say they have two or more.

Now let’s sink our teeth into some good news. Nutritious food has the power to help heal. (Note: This article is not attempting to override your physician’s recommendations and make any claim that food alone will cure you.

It is simply “food for thought.”) Let’s look at three common conditions.

ARTHRITIS Arthritis and joint disease affect 43 million people in the United States—that’s almost 20 percent of the population—and this number is expected to surpass 60 million by 2020. Because this condition is an inflammatory response, an anti-inflammatory diet like the Elimination Diet or Whole30 Program can be beneficial.

Essentially, you want to look at omitting from your diet foods like dairy, soy, grains, gluten or sugar that might be triggering inflammation.

Also, look to foods like salmon and chia seeds that are high in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D and fruits and vegetables teeming with vitamin C (bell peppers), carotenes (butternut squash), and bioflavonoids (strawberries).

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE The CDC reported that only about half (47 percent) of the 67 million people suffering from high blood pressure have it under control, and this disease can lead to a heart attack, stroke or death. Channel your inner Popeye and pop some spinach into your mouth. This green, sweet-tasting, heart-healthy delight is low in calories but high in fiber, potassium, folate and magnesium. Bored of salad? Try a full serving of spinach in a smoothie or disguised in homemade muffins or lean chicken burger patties.

STRESS AND ANXIETY Depressive disorders occur in approximately 18.8 million American adults, or about 9.5 percent of the U.S. population age 18 and older. Again, you can’t go wrong with folate-rich foods like asparagus—try smoked salmon wrapped steamed asparagus—and antioxidant-rich foods like cranberries. (I make a mock wine with sparkling water and pure cranberry concentrate juice.) Also, opt for foods like avocado that are high in glutathione (a tripeptide made up of three amino acids– glycine, L-cysteine and L-glutamate that aids in repairing tissue and your immune system).

For more healing food insights, check out Paul Pitchford’s book, Healing With Whole Foods: Asian Traditions and Modern Nutrition.

Becca Edwards is a certified birth doula, holistic health coach, yoga and Barre instructor, writer/blogger, and owner of b.e.well and b.e.creative (bewellbecreative.com).

10 HEALING FOOD MUST HAVES

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Almonds Berries (assorted) Broccoli Coconut Oil Garlic Ginger Fresh Herbs (assorted) Kale Onion Salmon (or any fish high in Omega-3) OCTOBER 2014

THe

G H

C OU

ITS RELATION TO ALLERGIES AND ACID REFLUX

ARTICLE BY THOMAS C. BELLER, MD

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ough is the number one complaint in doctor’s offices in the United States and presents a significant burden to the medical field along with significant discomfort and embarrassment to patients. Some causes of cough can be attributed to infections and others to chronic conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, in many cases, a neuroinflammatory response contributes to cough. The term neuroinflammation is a relatively new term in medicine. It means nerves are contributing to an immune response in an effort to fend off infections. This neuroinflammatory response can be triggered by stomach acid, allergies or both.

The relationship between acid reflux and cough is already well established, but the details regarding cause and effect have been debated. Initial theories suggested acid might be traveling up the esophagus and then down the trachea into the airway directly causing irritation and inflammation. New theories suggest that nerves are involved, implying there is nervous communication between the stomach and the airway.

This communication involves the release of neuromediators that cause irritation, something that is being called neuroinflammation.

To understand how allergies may be playing a role in stimulating acid reflux and in amplifying this neuroinflammatory process, we have to explore what exactly it means to have an allergy. This will require some understanding of how our body is designed to deal with certain infections, specifically parasites.

For the purposes of this article, parasites can be defined as multicellular organisms that cause infections, as opposed to smaller infections like bacteria and viruses. Parasites are highly www.celebratehiltonhead.com

susceptible to heat and chemicals, and in many modern societies, we have essentially eradicated parasites by chlorinating the water and cooking our food. There is a common theory that suggests this eradication of parasites is what is leading to the epidemic of increasing allergies. In fact countries with the cleanest water supply have the greatest burden of allergic disease. The theory suggests that taking parasites out of our exposure patterns creates immunologic confusion. In essence, the immune system is looking for parasites and eventually finds other organic substances that have some structural similarity to the old parasites. Once our body makes antibodies to these other substances, such as pollen, mold spores, pet dander, etc., we have the immunologic mistake called allergy. In short, allergy is an anti-parasitic mistake.

There is a well-established correlation between allergies, allergic asthma, and acid reflux. However, establishing a definitive cause-effect relationship has been difficult. It becomes easier to see a theoretical cause-effect relationship once you realize that the main purpose of stomach acid is to kill parasites. This notion is supported by the fact that the acid pump in the stomach is activated by a histamine receptor (histamine can be thought of as a parasitic weapon). This receptor is called the H2 receptor, and is blocked by drugs like Zantac or Pepcid. If parasites activate stomach acid, this suggests that allergens may also activate stomach acid.

More important, parasites and allergens may also have direct effects on nerves that send neuroinflammatory signals to the airway. This means that patients with reflux-induced cough may not have excess acid, but rather that the nerves have become hypersensitive to normal amounts of stomach acid. This means that patients with “reflux induced cough” may not have true “reflux” at all. Rather

than the stomach being the source of the problem, the nerves may be where the problem lies. This fits with the finding that most patients with reflux-induced cough do not have indigestion.

Most patients with reflux-induced cough do not have indigestion. The initial evidence suggesting that nerves are participating in reflux-induced cough came from a group of researchers who noticed that many patients with chronic cough complained of a sense of irritation in the throat. The researchers assumed that a type of neuropathy (nervemediated irritation) was involved. They tried using a drug called gabapentin, which slows nerve conduction, in order to reduce or eradicate cough in these patients. The results were dramatic with complete resolution of cough in more than two-thirds of the patients. These researchers were not aware that they were actually treating cough related to acid reflux, but more recent data has revealed that gabapentin and high doses of antacids (proton pump inhibitors such as Prilosec, Nexium, etc.) both work to reduce cough in these patients.

A new paradigm is developing.

Allergies may be activating nerves that detect acid, thereby stimulating a neuroinflammatory signal that induces cough. Thus, allergies are stimulating cough as an expelling response to protect the body from parasitic invasion.

Of course, parasites are not involved.

Rather, allergens are false parasites, and cough is an appropriate response if we understand this immunologic mistake.

To better understand cough is to better understand one of the most common ailments afflicting us. This can only lead to better treatments and better outcomes. Our paradigm suggests many patients may not know their cough is related to activation of this reflux/neuroinflammatory pathway because they don’t have indigestion. It also suggests that patients with refluxinduced cough may benefit from a visit to an allergist.

OCTOBER 2014

I t t

B R E A S T

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diagnosis of breast cancer, or testing positive for the BRCA gene—the marker that indicates a significant likelihood of breast cancer emerging sometime in an individual’s future—ushers in an unwelcome, though not uncommon enough, dose of reality. There are medical questions to be answered, surgical and treatment options to be considered, physical limitations to be faced, and psychological matters to be addressed.

Medically, breast cancer is complex. The strains alone present myriad diagnostic and treatment issues: invasive ductal carcinoma, invasive lobular carcinoma, inflammatory breast cancer, Paget disease of the nipple,

C A N C E R

phyllodes tumor, angiosarcoma, adenoid cystic carcinoma, low-grade adenosquamous carcinoma, medullary carcinoma, mucinous carcinoma, papillary carcinoma, tubular carcinoma, metaplastic carcinoma, micropapillary carcinoma…oh my.

Will my diagnosis be accurate? Do I need surgery? Will chemotherapy or radiation be in my future? How quickly do I need to act?

The decisions required are not simple and are intrinsically linked with the psychological impact of the process.

Like a matching bookend to its medical complexity, breast cancer is equally complicated psychologically. Research has confirmed that the mind-body connection

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may be the key to positive outcomes in the face of illness. Most practitioners would agree that a tumor cannot be made to disappear through meditation or mind-control, however, surgical and treatment outcomes are markedly improved when the mind is strong, the focus is optimistic, and patient feels she has some control over the process.

The Internet and book stores are filled with stories of optimism in action with women throwing boobie bon voyage parties and dancing joyfully into surgery, happy to be getting on with getting better. Studies show that these women are recovering quicker and living longer. Wresting some control in an otherwise uncontrollable course of events is crucial to positive outcomes.

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A woman’s sense of self and of her femininity can be intimately connected to her breasts, and while the value of an individual is certainly only equal to the complex sum of her many parts, breasts are the very parts of a woman’s body that garner a great deal of attention. Growing up, most of us watched and waited for our “girls” to appear. For most, it couldn’t come soon enough. Books were written about it, encouraging us not to worry. Our ta-tas would one day arrive and we would be able to buy pretty bras and flirt more confidently with boys, and possibly be blessed to use them to feed our children.

Breast cancer threatens these darlings and, more seriously, threatens our lives.

Of the women who decide that breast removal is the best course toward getting healthy, some are commemorating this farewell to their “girls” by having pre-surgery remembrance photos taken of their bodies. “The prospect of surgery was overwhelming to me because I had never had any surgery. I had never had any stitches,” said Leslie, a Charleston attorney and real estate broker in the recovery stage from her August 2014 double-mastectomy, and who chose to have remembrance photographs taken prior to surgery. “I had delivered two healthy children but had never been operated on.

I just wanted some kind of record of what my body looked like before I had surgery and had scars.”

At 44 and a mother of two teenagers, Leslie says her diagnosis of ductile carcinoma was shocking. “There’s no family history. It was a complete surprise. I’m very healthy, eat right, eat organic, work out; I have never really been sick.” Making her surgical and treatment decisions came first, “I interviewed doctors all over town and called friends and family and other doctors to get recommendations. I felt really happy with my surgical team, the oncology team, and the plastic surgeon that I chose.”

Leslie then moved on to what she could do to improve her outcome by attending to her emotional needs. “Photography is a hobby of mine,” she said “I just wanted to document that part of my life before it changed. Now I say that I’m the new normal. I

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can’t wait to put this all behind me. (Leslie’s reconstructive surgery will be completed in December of this year.) I wanted a photographic record of that time.”

Leslie chose Hilton Head Island professional photographer Anne Caufmann of Photography by Anne after getting to know her when Anne opened a sister studio in Charleston. “I wanted to keep it very private. Not very many people have seen those photos. I also knew that Anne would understand that I wanted more of an art piece, not necessarily an anatomical photo. I knew that Anne was the right choice because I knew she would make it very artful.”

The decisions Leslie has made so far on her breast cancer journey stand as inspiration to others, and that is why she is sharing her story. With a daughter, two sisters, and a mother, Leslie was relieved when she tested negative for the BRCA gene prior to surgery. “Really what worried me was the effect it was going to have on my daughter.

She’s 13, and the choices we would have had to make regarding her health would have weighed heavily on me,” Leslie said. “Two women I know have said they scheduled their mammograms because of me, and they had let it go for a few years. That’s why I’m happy to talk about it. If I inspire one person to go get checked if they weren’t going to, then it is worth it.”

Leslie’s cancer diagnosis had a significant impact on both her son and daughter. “It’s scary for kids,” she said. “I was honest with them without going into all the gory details.

It is a reality check for them, especially for teenagers who think they are kind of invincible.” Making a positive out of her cancer negative is another example of how taking control whenever possible is empowering. “I talked to them about making healthy choices.

You don’t want to be too scary, but you do want them to understand that it is reality and it happens to a lot of people.”

In addition to her gratitude for her medical and surgical team, Leslie attributes a great deal of her successful recovery to the care her mother provided for her and her children, the generosity of family and friends—it was humbling she says—along with having a sense of humor. “About 10 days after my surgery was my 44th birthday. We had a Boobs and Booze party at my house.” Some guests came in costume and brought funny props. “It was only for about a couple of hours, because I wasn’t up for much. It was just fun; definitely having a sense of humor helps.”

Rebounding to the new normal, Leslie is back in Pilates class building strength and stamina and walking. She appreciates having her remembrance photos. “It has been seven weeks since the surgery, and I feel like I’ve come a long way because I’m getting my life back and getting back to normal,” she said.

“I look at those photos and think of a much more innocent time.”

OCTOBER 2014

Article by Ginger Allen

the road to wellness...

ONE STEP AT A TIME

T

he journey to a life of wellness begins with the smallest of steps—steps that rapidly accumulate, yielding extensive changes to one’s overall well-being of mind, body and spirit.

At Volunteers in Medicine Hilton Head Island (VIM), a dedicated group of patients are forging their own paths to a life of wellness through the newly implemented Women’s Walking and Weight Loss Program, laying the foundation for a lifelong commitment to health.

Research confirms that the burden of chronic disease is concentrated within low income patients such as those of our neighbors who rely on VIM for their healthcare needs. Furthermore, chronic disease and poverty often initiate a vicious cycle as the combination of both instigates a downward spiral of worsening poverty and disease. Although VIM’s patients do experience higher rates of chronic disease and risk factors for developing such, simple behavior modification and lifestyle changes can significantly reduce complications associated with chronic disease and decrease inherent risk.

VIM’s Women’s Walking and Weight Loss Group, comprised of more than 100 enthusiastic patient participants, walks together weekly at Jarvis Park. In addition, they have recently added a weekly Zumba

class to their regimen and participate in monthly healthy living education seminars that cover a variety of aspects of healthy lifestyles. The women are each equipped with downloadable FitBit pedometers and are armed with a strong will to succeed, a deeply shared camaraderie and peer group support.

According to Julie Copp, VIM’s director of patient care, “The group has now lost an impressive 1,000 pounds and walked a collective 70,000 miles. That’s a trek around the world almost three times!”

On Thursday afternoons, the group arrives at VIM, some of them relying on walkers or canes while others have young children and strollers in tow, to conduct their weekly weigh-ins as well as to have their FitBit progress downloaded and charted. For many of these women, the fellowship that this group offers may even prevail over winning a spot on the coveted wall of fame in the clinic that displays VIM’s “Biggest Losers,” those patients who have lost at least 10 percent of their body weight (two of whom have actually lost 20 percent) and walked considerable distances.

Responses to anonymous patient satisfaction surveys specific to VIM’s Women’s Walking and Weight Loss Group offer meaningful insight into the program’s capacity to dramatically alter all aspects of the patients’ well-being and are decidedly indicative of its abundant success. When asked what they like about the program, one patient mentions “the dedication of the staff to help us stay healthy. Everyone motivates you to exercise and is very positive.”

Another comments, “I just love being able to see the progress that I make and learning about the body and health.” When asked about how they have been changed by the program, patients’ responses include, “It makes me feel good about myself,” and “I get more exercise than ever before, learned how important health is and it makes me a happier person.”

“At VIM, we remain steadfastly committed to treating our patients for their acute needs, but the ultimate goal of this program is prevention, to get women and their families healthy, reducing their need for medical care,” said Dr. Raymond Cox, VIM’s executive director. “We believe that a comprehensive wellness and preventive care program can help patients make progress toward better health instead of continuing on to a diagnosis of debilitating disease.”

Over 20 years ago, Dr. Jack McConnell founded Volunteers in Medicine to care for some of the most medically underserved people in the United States. The success of those enrolled in VIM’s Women’s Walking and Weight Loss Program has inspired VIM’s ambition to permeate this initiative and message of wellness throughout the clinic.

“Our patients do not normally have access to preventive healthcare screening and diagnosis, because they usually visit the clinic only when they are already ill,” said Dr. Lisa Drakeman, VIM board chair. “Instead of waiting to treat the seriously ill, we need to reach out to all of our patients, screen them for risk factors and treat them as necessary. We actively encourage their participation in the weight loss, exercise and healthy living programs, with the walking for weight loss and exercise serving as the cornerstone of VIM’s Wellness Institute.”

Volunteers in Medicine has played a leading role in keeping our less fortunate neighbors healthy for more than 20 years. The achievements accomplished in the Women’s Walking and Weight Loss Group have spurred VIM’s motivation and provided the impetus to shift the clinic’s emphasis to taking care of its patients in their entirety so that they and their families may lead happier and healthier lives… one step at a time.

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DANCE FOR KIDS

Don’t miss Volunteers in Medicine Hilton Head Island’s premier fundraising event, Dance for the Kids, on Saturday, November 15 at the Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa, from 6-10:30 p.m.

The elegant evening includes a cocktail reception followed by a seated dinner with wine, silent and live auctions, music and dancing. For tickets or more information, please visit vimclinic.org, e-mail development@vimclinic.org or call (843) 689-6612.

OCTOBER 2014

I

O fe el

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de•pres•sion

a serious medical condition in which a person feels very sad, hopeless, and unimportant and often is unable to live in a normal way

ARTICLE BY LINDA HOPKINS

IME THE T E ALL

clothes, and bubbly personality. But what was brewing below the surface was a sense of desperation. Thoughts of suicide became less fleeting and more focused. I knew I was in trouble and needed help, but I wasn’t sure where to turn. After all, I was always the person other people came to with their troubles.

The next morning, forced out of bed by the call of my bladder and the cat’s cries for food, I talked myself into going to the gym. I thought it might help lift my spirits, as exercise often does. Squeezed into a corner

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t’s a Wednesday night in March.

I am reading the news about fashion designer L’Wren Scott who committed suicide by hanging herself with a scarf. “I could do that,” I think, pouring another glass of wine as a salty river of sparkly eye shadow and black mascara rushes down my cheeks.

I had been feeling down for a few months, a combination of physical pain and personal stresses collecting on my heart. If you saw me out and about or talked to me on the phone, chances are you never guessed. I hid it well behind my public smile, pretty

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of an overcrowded room, my sense of isolation grew stronger as I went through the motions of “taking care of myself,” all the while wondering, why bother? When class ended, I made my way through the maze of bodies, mats and barbells and headed toward the door. That’s when the miracle happened.

A young woman, whom I knew vaguely from a few brief conversations at the gym, spotted me and made a point of saying hello and asking, “How are you?” Instead of a perfunctory, “Fine, thanks, and you?” my answer surprised even me. “I’m not doing so well,” I said.

The conversation continued in the hallway, and as we took turns sharing our personal struggles with mutual understanding and empathy, something shifted. At the end of our chat, she put her arms around me, and with a warm hug, she said, “I knew there was something special about you from the first time I saw you.” What she didn’t know was that she had just saved my life.

“Wow,” I thought. “If a virtual stranger saw something special in me, who am I to think of ending my life?”

Touched by an angel, I mustered the courage to seek the professional help I needed to recover.

Unfortunately, not everyone is so lucky. According to the United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC), in the U.S. alone, someone commits suicide every 13.3 minutes. Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death. And the strongest risk factor for suicide is depression.

WHAT IS DEPRESSION? Many people use the word “depression” to describe reactions to life’s struggles, losses and disappointments. But depression is different from normal sadness in that it takes over your day-to-day life, interfering with your ability to work, concentrate, eat, sleep, and have fun.

T The feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, and worthlessness color the whole world gray.

Unfortunately, depression is hard for even mental health professionals to pinpoint and treat, since there are several different forms of the illness. Signs of depression can include extreme sadness, irritability, difficulty concentrating, and/or just a feeling of emptiness.

Yet some people can hide it, as I did. The typical stereotype of a depressed person is someone who mopes around with a melancholy or negative disposition. In a study funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, researchers from the University of Rochester Medical Center found that most people whose depression was successfully hidden from others were people who had an outgoing, agreeable, and extraverted personality. The patients spent exhausting days working up the energy to smile and laugh, while inside they were in mental pain and anguish.

The hopelessness that goes along with depression can make suicide feel like the only solution. Thoughts of death or suicide are a serious symptom of depression, so take any suicidal talk or behavior seriously. It’s not just a warning sign. It’s a cry for help.

ARE YOU DEPRESSED? The following signs and symptoms may indicate that you are depressed: • You can’t sleep or you sleep too much.

• You can’t concentrate or find that previously easy tasks are now difficult.

• You feel hopeless and helpless.

• You can’t control your negative thoughts, no matter how hard you try.

• You have lost your appetite or you can’t stop eating.

• You are much more irritable, short-tempered, or aggressive than usual.

• You can’t stop crying or you cry over things that wouldn’t normally move you to tears.

• You feel empty or numb.

• Nothing seems fun anymore. Activities you used to enjoy are no longer of interest.

• You’re consuming more alcohol than normal or engaging in other reckless behavior.

• You have thoughts that life is not worth living (seek help immediately if this is the case).* WHERE TO GET HELP If you are depressed, please seek help today, right now. Depression is not something to be embarrassed about or ashamed of. It is an illness much like heart disease or diabetes.

Without treatment, it is likely to get worse and even threaten your life. At the very least, it is robbing you of today’s joy.

A good place to start is with your family doctor, who can refer you to an appropriate specialist such as a psychologist or psychiatrist. If you do not have a family doctor or need help finding resources, please call the Coastal Empire Community Mental Health Center at (843) 681-4865 or visit online at cecmhc.org.

Most people can’t just “snap out of” a depression. You may need talk therapy, antidepressant drugs or a combination of the two. Feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness are part of the illness, and negative thinking will fade as treatment begins to take effect.

Meanwhile, you can do a few things to help yourself: • Reduce your stress by setting realistic goals.

• Assume a reasonable amount of responsibility that doesn’t overwhelm.

• Break large tasks into small ones, set some priorities, and do what you can.

• Try to get out among people.

• Confide in someone.

• Participate in activities that may make you feel better: mild exercise, going to a movie or a ballgame, or participating in religious, social, or other activities.

• Postpone important decisions until the depression has lifted. *If you are thinking of ending your life, go to the nearest emergency room or call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255). You’ll be connected to a skilled, trained counselor at a crisis center in your area, any time 24/7.

MAKOplasty

A NEW OPTION FOR KNEE PAIN

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MAKOplasty also results in a speedier recovery and shorter hospital stay than traditional total knee replacement surgery.

Take a look at these results comparing MAKOplasty to traditional knee replacement surgery.

Traditional Knee Replacement *

MAKOplasty ®

Average Hospital Stay

3-7 Days

1-3 Days

Average Recovery Period

6-8 Weeks

Approx. 2 weeks

Average Incision Length

8-10 Inches

2-3 Inches

Total Knee Replacement

Resurfacing of damaged bone/tissues only

Surgical Summary

(damaged & healthy bone/tissues)

HOW DOES MAKOPLASTY WORK? The RIO Robotic Arm Interactive Orthopedic System is a three-dimensional system. During surgery, the RIO provides the surgeon with real-time visual, tactile and auditory feedback to facilitate optimal joint resurfacing and implant positioning.

This level of precision can result in a more natural knee motion following surgery.

IF I HAVE MAKOPLASTY, WHAT CAN I EXPECT? MAKOplasty can be performed as either an inpatient procedure or on an outpatient basis, depending on what your orthopedic surgeon determines is right for you. Inpatient hospital stays average anywhere from one to three days.

In many cases, patients are permitted to walk soon after surgery, drive a car within two weeks and return to normal activities shortly thereafter.

WHAT IS THE LIFESPAN OF A MAKOPLASTY IMPLANT? The lifespan of an implant depends on several factors including your weight, activity level, bone strength and compliance with your physician’s orders. Using robotic surgery helps to ensure optimal alignment and position. This results in a longer lifespan for the implant, as well as decreased pain and a shorter recovery time.

The implants allow your physician to treat one or two of the three knee compartments that can potentially be affected by osteoarthritis. Because very little bone is actually removed during a MAKOplasty, procedure, the implants can be replaced in the future with another procedure, such as a total knee replacement, should that become necessary.

For more information, call (877) 866-9838.

OCTOBER 2014

*American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons

ired of living with constant knee pain due to osteoarthritis? Then you may be a candidate for MAKOplasty®, a new minimally invasive procedure available at Hilton Head Hospital.

According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, more than 21 million people in the United States suffer from knee osteoarthritis. A degenerative joint disease, and considered the most common type of arthritis, osteoarthritis is caused by the breakdown and eventual loss of cartilage in the knee, resulting in bones rubbing directly against each other.

This can lead to severe joint pain, deformity and loss of movement. Although the root cause of osteoarthritis is unknown, the risk of developing it is influenced by multiple factors such as age, gender and inherited traits that can affect the shape and stability of your joints. Other factors can include a previous knee injury, repetitive strain on the knee, improper joint alignment, being overweight and exercise-related stress placed on the knee joints.

WHAT IS MAKOPLASTY? MAKOplasty is a robotic arm-assisted surgical procedure designed to relieve the pain caused by joint degeneration due to osteoarthritis. At Hilton Head Hospital, MAKOplasty is currently being used to treat the damaged part of the knee, while sparing the surrounding healthy bone and ligaments. This procedure is referred to as partial knee resurfacing. During the procedure, the affected portion of the knee is resurfaced.

This spares healthy bone and surrounding tissue.

An implant is then secured in the joint to allow the knee to move smoothly again.

MAKOplasty partial knee resurfacing allows surgeons to precisely resurface only the arthritic portion of the knee and it preserves healthy tissue and bone. In addition, it relieves pain and restores range of motion while producing a more natural-feeling knee motion following surgery.

On The Road With

Cranford Hollow y

o ou came to hear music, and you will. But for the moment, a visual image consumes you— something you’ve seen a million times: a South Carolina moon rising over a Lowcountry tidal creek. Tonight we’ll call it a swamp. Everything goes dark, and all you hear is cicadas buzzing, frogs and God knows what else is out there. Something’s about to happen.

It’s hot and you’re sweating, but you want to stick around to see it.

A low buzz is coming from the stage—not yet a song, but a sound rising as if from out of the swamp.

Phil Sirmans taps lightly on his bass strings while John Cranford gently strums his guitar, wandering back and forth, seemingly lost in thought, deciding what to do next. “We rarely go out there with a set list,” Cranford will tell you. That’s it. Abide by the feeling of the moment. It’s hot and you’re sweating. Distant lightning promises rain to cool things off, but you want it to hold off, because rain could blow this whole thing up and you want to stick around to see it… hear it.

A soft orange glow silhouettes a pitch black landscape across the water just before its source, a giant orb in the sky, peeks over the treetops, rising slowly. From your vantage point, ancient live oak

Article By Frank Dunne Jr. Photography By Mark Staff

Cranford Hollow

On The Road With

boughs dripping with Spanish moss frame the scene. The rising moon clears the trees and, as if somebody just threw a switch…Bang! It turns beaming white and lays down a brilliant reflecting trail across the water, turning night almost into day.

Welcome to the Lowcountry.

On stage, Eric Reid draws his bow. A few notes on his fiddle and all those sounds that didn’t quite make sense start to take shape, slowly at first, then all hell breaks loose. Thundering guitar, bass and drums roar to life in a down tempo but rocking bluesy rhythm. Cranford approaches the mike to growl out “Hungry, Hungry Eyes.” And so it begins. Welcome to The Hollow.

“There’s some freedom that you have, 30 to 60 seconds of doing that before you’ve gotta kick it into fifth gear pretty quick,” said Cranford, guitarist, vocalist, spokesman and namesake for Cranford Hollow. Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past three or so years, you know full well there’s nothing hollow about a Cranford Hollow set, but damn that’s a cool sounding name for a band, don’t you think? Especially this one. For you rock dwellers’ edification, yes, these are the artists formerly known as Cranford & Sons. Seasons change. Bands evolve. This one did, and about a year ago, the time was right for a change.

Simple as that—water under the James F. Byrnes Bridge.

While the name contains no deep intrinsic meaning, (The band let their fans vote and Cranford Hollow just sounded the coolest to them.) it fits perfectly, evoking images of their adopted Lowcountry motif from their on-stage look—beards, shades, cool hats and archetypal attire (somewhere between ZZ Top minus the glam and the Robertsons minus the “reality TV” artificiality) to, more important, the sound. You might call it Southern rock, but there’s more to it than that. “It’s always really hard to explain where we are,” Cranford said. “There’s never a good term that hits the nail on the head.” For the time being, call it Lowcountry Stomp. Has a nice ring, but what the hell does it mean?

Rock ’n’ roll? Sure it’s rock ’n’ roll—more Southern rock than any other sub-genre but, with some exceptions like “Waitin’ on that Train,” not as heavy on boogie as The Allman Brothers or Lynyrd Skynyrd. Cranford Hollow’s sound is grittier. Reid’s brilliant fiddle playing throws a bluegrass layer over the whole thing that pays deep respect to bluegrass’s Celtic origins. “All the Southern Appalachian music was brought here by the Scots-Irish,” he said, speaking about the universe of genres and styles that inform Cranford Hollow’s music. “And we’ve got some rhythms that come from African music. It all kind of comes together.”

“Something that we touched on recently is this Eastern European thing,” Cranford added. “It’s like Russian, this classical sound of fiddle that Eric can very easily play.” Hear it in “Savannah,” the fourth track on Cranford Hollow’s new record, Spanish Moss & Smoke. Reid calls the sound Gypsy music.

Gypsy music. Three guys on a nomadic trek across the musical landscape, always on the lookout for something to help their music evolve and grow, while always faithful to their Lowcountry roots. But why try to define it?

It’s there to be heard, so just listen. You’ll have plenty of opportunities this winter.

Just like their live shows, the band’s career kicked into fifth gear over the past year or so. After hundreds of local gigs and months of relentless touring, culminating with the October release of Spanish Moss & Smoke,

their third studio record, Cranford Hollow is sticking fairly close to home for the better part of November and December before heading off to Colorado New Year’s Eve. The schedule includes four dates on Hilton Head plus a November 8 performance opening for 2012 American Idol winner Phillip Phillips at the Rock ’n’ Roll Marathon in Savannah. “That’s a great opportunity for us,” Cranford said. “We’ll be playing in front of about 20,000 people.”

That’s considered a bit of a break in the lives of Cranford Hollow. Sit down and talk to the guys about the road that they’ve travelled to get to this point and you’ll come away believing that this is the hardest working band in the land. “The biggest physical demand is the relentless hours of being on the Interstate,” Cranford said. “That’s the hardest thing about this, hands down, but it’s nice because at least we’re always going somewhere.

There’s rarely a time when we say, ‘Oh man! Why do we have to go there again?’” That said, you still have to wonder. Playing 19 shows over 30 days from Hilton Head Island to Savannah, Charleston, Atlanta, Memphis, Little Rock and Colorado as they did last December has to take a toll mentally as well as physically.

How do you get up for that night after night?

“When we get to a club we’re ready to do something besides sitting in the van,” Sirmans said with a laugh. “Anything.

It doesn’t matter!”

It might appear monotonous to the inexperienced, the nonmusicians among us, doing the same thing over and over. What a grind. But the view from the stage is quite different. A lot happens that we in the audience never see.

“There’s always that one show,” Cranford said. “And it usually happens in the middle of a big slew of shows. Even if the last three shows had issues, a song sounded weird or we had technical issues. There’s that one show that kind of brings you back and you say, ‘Oh yeah. That’s why we’re doing this.’” He recounted

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one such show; a crowd of about 450 packed into a small bar in Telluride, Colorado. The connection between audience and artist was right on that night, and a two-and-a-half hour show felt like nine hours—a good nine hours. There’s that one show. “It’s never not fun,” Reid added. “We could be getting back at 7 in the morning on two hours of sleep, but I’m still having fun playing with these guys.”

All three nod in agreement at the notion that one of the better aspects of being on the road is coming home—home to their own beds, their girlfriends, their pets, and Hilton Head in general, which begs a question. Why Hilton Head of all places? Why not L.A. or Nashville? Isn’t that where you’re supposed to go to pursue a music career? As usual, Cranford has an answer. Rather, multiple answers. “Well, if we were in Nashville, there’d be 10,000 bands.

Those guys that play on the strip play for four and a half hours and they play for tips. Four and a half hours, no break. Straight through. And people are shouting at you to play covers. I think we’re in a lucky spot where we’re close to a lot of big metropolitan areas, but it’s nice to be a big fish in a small pond.”

It’s hard to disagree with that, or this: “This town’s full of a bunch of great bars run by a bunch of great people who are willing to pay you money to come play music,” he continued. “It’s easy to make a life as a musician on Hilton Head as a full-time job.”

You can regularly find the guys at John’s Music when they’re not playing or recording, just hanging out with other local musicians, maybe sharing ideas for the next Swampfire collaboration. Swampfire Records is Cranford’s side project for getting local artists together to perform original material at area venues. The shows are recorded and CDs sold around town. It’s an example of how members of the local music scene support one another and another reason that Cranford Hollow believe in their choice to put down roots here.

“I think one of the things we were all looking forward to coming home from Colorado was sitting at John’s and seeing all of our buddies,” Cranford said.

Another thing is that music distribution isn’t what it used to be. Technology—the Internet, satellite radio—has changed everything. You don’t have to be in L.A. or Nashville to be “discovered” by a record company executive.

“It’s getting easier and easier to get your stuff out there with the Web,” Cranford said. “With things like Spotify, anybody can look us up and hear all our stuff. It doesn’t matter if you’re in Nashville or Indonesia or wherever.”

That means it’s easier for everybody, so there’s plenty of competition, and the airwaves are cluttered with aspiring musicians of every stripe. You’ve got to go out on the road a lot to stand out and be seen and heard. Might as well settle in a place that you’re happy to come home to. For Cranford Hollow, that’s Hilton Head Island.

The more you think about it, the more it makes sense. The story of how Cranford Hollow came to be would sound familiar to most Hilton Head Islanders. So many of us came here without a plan, or at least one different than the one we followed. The same is true for the band members. Cranford, from Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and Sirmans, from Milledgeville, Georgia are former chefs. Although he did pick up a fiddle early in life, Reid was more interested in slap shots and hat tricks as a kid in Southeast Michigan. Yet here they are, three guys with a plan and a common goal.

“The three of us really believe in what we’re doing, and we’re

just trying to make a go of it,” Cranford said. “We’re all lucky enough to be in a situation where we’re able to do this right now, and that might not be the case in a couple of years. We’re gonna go as hard as we can until we can’t go anymore.”

To do that, to keep it going, means shattering the illusion that being in a band is a constant party. It’s business. It’s work.

It’s a job. There’s stuff that needs to get done every day that has nothing to do with picking up a musical instrument. On stage, we see Sirmans playing bass, but behind the scenes, he drives, maintains the van, and fixes anything that needs fixing and directs loading equipment into the trailer (“It’s a big puzzle,” he said).

“I play the fiddle, and outside of shows, I do the finance and accounting stuff,” Reid said, “which is kind of weird because I’ve never been very organized. But this is forcing me to become more organized, which is good. Other than that, I sit shotgun and navigate for Phil when he’s driving.”

Cranford plays guitar and sings most of the vocals, sharing some of that with Reid, and runs the Cranford Hollow public relations machine. “In order for everybody to feel good and fair about their role, everybody has their jobs. It alleviates pressure off of the other guys. It sort of balances everything out,” he said.

What we also don’t see are the folks who don’t play or sing, but whom the guys consider members of the band just as well. Road manager Andrew Hetzel handles things like booking, merchandise sales and dealing with club owners. “We’re lucky to have a dude like Andrew,” Sirmans said. Cranford credits manager Nick Castricone, a former Xerox executive, with putting the band in a business frame of mind. “He’s really set up this sort of corporate structure, just treating this thing like a business every day.”

That business mentality, staying focused on a plan, is paying off for Cranford Hollow. It’s been a hell of a ride over the past three years for a band that arguably made the Hilton Head Island music scene’s biggest splash in years, and they’re driving forward, winning over audiences, selling records and navigating the bumps in the road like pros, personnel changes, for example.

Drummer Julius DeAngelis, who toured with the band for about a year and played on Spanish Moss & Smoke, concluded a great run with Cranford Hollow in October. By the time you read this, new drummer Dallas Ackerman will have a few gigs under his belt. It’s just part of the business that you have to deal with, and Cranford expects a seamless transition. “It’s important to be able to handle any situation,” he said.

On more of an upside, the new record, Spanish Moss & Smoke, marks an important milestone for the band from a financial perspective. Raising funds through a crowdfunding campaign enabled Cranford Hollow to produce the record without going into debt. “We covered the cost of the new record,” Cranford said, “so we don’t have to spend the next year paying it back. We now have something that is actually making us money.”

So with a little money in their pockets, Cranford Hollow rocks on…but where are they going? Cranford speaks of the vision for what “this thing” is supposed to be. Is it shooting for a Billboard number one? A Grammy? Cover of Rolling Stone? “That stuff would be fantastic, but is that a tangible thing that we should be reaching for?” he said. “It’s way more tangible to run a business, have a product that you believe in that’s a piece of art and be able to back that product up by playing a live show. So that’s the goal: make records and stay on the road.

“I’d rather stay on the road with these dudes for the next 10 years playing shows and making records, getting to the point where we’re at least making a really good living. I don’t need a million dollars and a Prevost…well, a Prevost bus would be nice.

Phil doesn’t want to drive forever! Anyway, I believe we can do it.”

Sounds like good work if you can get it.

For all things Cranford Hollow, visit CranfordHollowBand. com or Facebook.com/CranfordHollow.

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n its fall production, Hilton Head Prep brings the Tony award-winning Thoroughly Modern Millie to the Seahawk Cultural Center stage November 6-9, offering a thoroughly entertaining night of musical theatre and tap dancing. Set in the 1920s, the show harkens to an era when women were bobbing their hair, raising their hemlines, entering the workforce, and rewriting the rules of love.

Not only is Thoroughly Modern Millie a zany romantic spoof of the Roaring Twenties, it’s a song and dance filled musical that won an Oscar for Best Original Music Score. Based on the successful 1967 film of the same name, Thoroughly Modern Millie is the comedic tale of a small-town girl, Millie Dillmount (Whitaker Gannon), who comes to the Big Apple in search of a more exciting life. Believing herself to be “thoroughly modern,” she decides that, instead of marrying for love, she is going to marry for money. Her plan starts off well enough when she’s hired by an attractive albeit egotistical man whom she sets her sights on as her primary marriage prospect. However, when she meets a devil-may-care stock boy named Jimmy (Jack Dextraze), her heart gets in the way of her own well-laid plan.

While Millie quickly embraces the carefree flapper lifestyle, things go amiss when she checks into a hotel run by a washed up actressturned-hotelier, Mrs. Meers (Ava Nixon), who secretly plies the wicked trade of drugging unattached tenants and selling them to a couple of Chinese laundry men.

With a cast 31-strong, the fall show is the one of the largest the school has produced in recent years. At the helm is performing arts director Peggy Trecker White, following a successful debut 2013-14 season featuring A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Godspell.

Rounding out the production’s dream team is returning musical director Tim Reynolds, with lighting design by Brian Riley, costume design

by Kathy McGill and scenic design by Scott Sparr.

To be held at the Seahawk Cultural Center at Hilton Head High School, the show has a oneweekend only run, offering four chances to see this not-to-be-missed production: November 6 and 9 at 7 p.m. plus two convenient weekend matinees, November 8 and 9 at 2 p.m.

Tickets for Thoroughly Modern Millie are available now and can be purchased with a credit card at hhprep.org. Tickets will also be available at the door using cash or check.

Prices are $20 for adults; $15 for seniors (60 and older); and $10 for students. For additional ticket information and group rates (15 or more people), contact the Hilton Head Prep Arts Guild at (843) 785-8510.

Whitaker Gannon as small-town girl Millie Dillmount, who goes to the big Apple in search of a more exciting life.

LOOK FOR HER INTERVIEW ON THE NEXT PAGE

SHOW INFORMATION: What: Thoroughly Modern Millie Who: Presented by Hilton Head Preparatory School Where: Seahawk Cultural Center at Hilton Head Island High School When: November 6 & 9 @ 7:30 p.m.; November 8 & 9 @ 2 p.m.

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ilton Head Prep senior Whitaker Gannon is not just a profoundly talented artist in many disciplines and mediums, she is also a gifted critic and a true champion of the arts. Already a veteran of numerous stage productions and a few feature films, she is a versatile, expressive and savvy actress. She is also a skilled photographer, dancer, choreographer, singer, poet, journalist, editor and designer. The scope of her abilities is staggering. Indeed, she resembles the exaggerated polymath, Marcy from The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (a character Gannon brilliantly portrayed in a 2012 production of the show).

Gannon has been performing since she was a child. At age 17, she already as an impressive acting résumé, including turns in principle roles in the feature films Untouched and Killing Winston Jones, as well as the leading role in the horror movie The Hollow Oak. Gannon is incredibly dedicated to her craft and eager for creative growth, but she is not dizzied by dreams of celebrity. She labors in the words of Dylan Thomas, “Not for ambition or bread/ Or the strut and trade of charms/On the ivory stages/But for the common wages/Of their most secret heart.”

This story is one of a hometown girl who has made good, but it is also the tale of a young woman raised in the local arts scene who through all her success has stayed goodhearted and clearheaded. She is a testament to the power of the performing arts to enrich the lives of students in ways that promote selfawareness, emotional maturity, empathy and innovation.

To think of Gannon is to see her in many tableaux. I can picture her tap dancing advanced numbers with verve and flair in The Arts Center’s staging of 42nd Street and delivering one-liners in Godspell and rising like a small bright flame to warm audiences.

I also visualize her spreading her infectious openness, genuineness and passion as she organizes open mic nights, supports younger students and galvanizes volunteers for charity events in her leadership roles in the Interact and Zonta clubs.

For the past two years, I have worked with Gannon as part of Poetry Out Loud, the national poetry recitation contest. She has made it to state finals. To hear her perform “The Death of Allegory” by Billy Collins is to be confronted by a keen intelligence both warmly witty and bitterly angry. She conveys the poem’s sense of loss, its longing for an age charged with meaning rather than one marked by shallow materialism. For a few minutes, you are transported and totally forget you are listening to a high school student. Hearing her rendition of Stephen Dunn’s “Sweetness” makes me ache with gratitude for the fleeting tender moments of life.

Recently, I sat down with this extraordinary young woman to talk about creativity and the arts.

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From left to right: Sabina Vaughan as Ruth Shannon Hegarty as Ethel Peas Whitaker Gannon as Millie Dilmount Lily Neary as Gloria Standing Behind: Ava Nixon as Mrs. Meers

Michael Bassett: You can next be seen on stage in Hilton Head Prep’s production of Thoroughly Modern Millie, which runs November 6-9 at the Seahawk Cultural Center. Can you give us a brief account of the show?

Whitaker Gannon: The protagonist, Millie, is a youthful, naïve young adult who just moved from little Salina Kansas to the Big Apple with only a few suitcases and some big dreams. She aspires to be the perfect modern woman and hopes to find a wealthy boss to marry. She believes modern marriage is a ”business arrangement,” but slowly starts to realize that life is not that simple as she meets new people and explores a completely unfamiliar world outside her small hometown.

MB: Tell us about your role.

WG: Millie is a confident and powerful character, and getting to portray her starry-eyed spirit on stage is a privilege. The role is challenging with big tap dance numbers and energetic songs. I am so excited.

MB: What is some of the best advice or guidance you have received through you involvement with performing arts?

WG: I had an acting coach who used to say actors are “the warriors of the human condition.” That really resonated with me. This teacher also really emphasized that every trouble, every sad or difficult moment could be a tool, something used in the craft and alchemized into art. I also have to say that sometimes it is the mentor’s attitude rather than any specific advice. When I was dancing in 42nd Street, choreographer Kelli Barclay really believed in my ability to rise to the level of what was demanded of me. She treated me like an equal and didn’t just see my age.

MB: Do you think teenagers in general are not typically taken seriously enough by adults in our culture?

WG: Well, our culture certainly celebrates youth, but I think adults can emphasize experience, which is legitimate, but should not blind people to the importance of the freshness of ideas. Openness—newness of perspective is still valuable.

MB: How do your different creative mediums interact with each other? Are your talents compartmentalized or do they inform each other?

WG: They all pull at my creativity, which is fractal and goes in a bunch of different directions. Sometimes when I’m performing I am totally in the moment, but when I hear a song I don’t just hear it as itself. The lyrics make me associate, and I think of a dance routine or make music videos in my mind, which gives me an idea for a photography or the concept for a poem.

MB: Tell me about your photography.

WG: My uncle has a love and passion for photography. It frustrated me growing up, because he was always taking pictures of me. But he was my first inspiration.

There is so much more to photography than just recording, showing or confirming the way the world is. It is such a satisfying and amazing thing to make a visual reality that surprises or transports or accelerates someone else’s experience—maybe even changes their way of seeing for a while.

MB: Some critics of contemporary popular music like to berate it as soulless and trivial? What’s on your playlist that you would offer as evidence against these claims?

WG: Mumford and Sons. Their songs aren’t gimmicky; the lyrics are purposeful, OCTOBER 2014

Whitaker Gannon

well-chosen, and you can relate to them on a deep level. They are also full of allusions and rich references. Probably, Hozier as well.

The songs are really imagistic and sensuous, a combination of hollow sound with very pathos-laden lyrics.

MB: Who are some of the actors you admire?

WG: Hugh Dancy and Jessica Lange.

Lange has no self-consciousness; she just digs into the emotions. She is simultaneously vulnerable and strong. Her performances are real and moving and spectacular.

MB: What is your opinion on the influence of movies and other popular culture on the theater? What do you make of the idea that mainstream theatre has become too derivative, too influenced by Hollywood?

WG: All art forms are influenced by each other and not necessarily in negative or inauthentic ways. If you look with more than a passing glance, there is plenty of creative and provocative stuff happening in both worlds.

MB: You seem to wear your success so lightly. Do you have any commentary on the culture of achievement and all the pressure to measure worth in terms of accolades?

WG: Every achievement for me just serves to set the standards higher for the types of richer experiences I want to have. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s about becoming more skilled and nuanced in what you are communicating, not just checking things off a list.

MB: Why are the arts important in education?

WG: The arts are not a fun little activity to do when youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re bored or some cute pastime of make-believe. They teach you about identity and the human condition in intensely personal, profound and lasting ways. Acting especially teaches empathy and the ability to inhabit the point of view of different types of people in the world. Â?

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WELCOME!

GREG

BENNETT

WIN NEW CUSTOMERS AND GROW YOUR BUSINESS

ARTICLE BY GREG BENNETT

THE POWER OF WOW!

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f you want to survive and thrive as a business owner in a competitive economy, you better learn the power of wow, and how to “make wow happen” on a regular basis. What is “wow”? Something that makes your prospect or your customer say (maybe even out loud) “Wow…I didn’t expect that!” Wows are wonderful. Wows show you care.

Wows can quickly and powerfully separate you from the competition.

And wows can help you create the Holy Grail of marketing—raving advocates (vs satisfied customers) who will actively look for ways to tell everyone they know about you and your business.

A REAL WORLD EXAMPLE I was recently shopping for a small meeting room at local hotels.

The workshop I was planning was for 20 or so people, nothing big, and no accompanying room nights (something hotels find valuable).

In other words, I didn’t represent a huge piece of business. So I received the same sort of treatment from 99 percent of the hotels I visited: I arrive, someone from hotel catering comes out, hands me a hotel information packet and a card, and I take a quick tour of the various meeting rooms.

At the end of visit, the salesperson attempts a weak close, “So what do you think?”, and I respond with an equally weak, “Let me think about it and let you know.” I found the same exact process at every hotel—except for one.

One hotel and one hotel GM took an ordinary process and turned it into a wow moment. It was a Doubletree Hotel near my hometown in Colorado.

I was running late for my appointment, so I called and told the saleswoman that I’d be there in about 10 minutes. She said no problem, she’d be ready. I quickly parked, grabbed my notepad, and walked toward the entrance to the lobby, fully expecting the normal song and dance to commence. But something else awaited. It started with a long red carpet rolled out the front door and onto the sidewalk. At first I thought it was just part of the hotel entrance until I walked through the double doors. There in front of me was the entire staff of the hotel with a big sign saying, “Welcome Greg Bennett Sales Training!” and everyone at once exclaiming “Welcome!” I was speechless. I honestly thought I was like the thousandth customer, or maybe I’d walked in by accident when they were expecting the governor or some celebrity. No, it was just for me, a prospect looking for a small meeting room.

After booking my meeting room there, I asked the GM about his “wow moment” and how he pulled it off.

He said they do this for every person looking for a meeting space, from a small business looking for meeting space to brides looking for reception areas, to big conferences looking for large rooms and multiple room nights.

“We call it a scramble,” he said. “All available employees—me, bartenders,

maids, or back office people—gather with a big sign we create to welcome people to look at our hotel. It shows we’re different even before we get the business.” By the way, it’s no accident that the GM’s title on his card is “Manager of First Impressions.”

I’ve shared that story several times over the years in workshops with business owners and sales managers, and I always get the same reaction. Everyone loves the concept and may even have some ideas on how they could wow people in their world. They just aren’t sure how to pull it off on a regular basis. They get back to their offices and start thinking about the logistics, the training, the time, the perceived hassles, etc. and, in the end, most (99 percent) end up dropping the idea altogether. That’s okay. Part of the magic of wowing is being the one percent that’s unique and memorable.

FIVE TIPS FOR CREATING WOW MOMENTS 1. Seek to wow in small ways that make a big impact. Most companies interact with customers the same way or close to the same way; this is your chance to do it differently. If every waiter asks about dessert after customers have eaten, why not ask about it before? If every auto body shop has customers come and pick up their car, why not offer to drop it off at their office or home?

2. Design simple, easy-to-execute wows. One of the mistakes want-to-be-wow-creators make is they make it too complicated. If it takes a huge effort, or multiple steps, or just the right conditions to create a wow moment, it may be too difficult to pull off on a regular basis. Look for wows that can happen quickly without a great deal of training. The GM at the Doubletree said they simply send a text out to every available employee three minutes before a prospect arrives and, if the employees are able, they drop what they’re doing, assemble at the door and yell, “Welcome!”

3. Make sure your brand and culture support the wows. If your brand and culture aren’t steeped in an attitude of valuing customer relationships, then the wow moments won’t matter.

In fact, they may be a negative. For example, if after the wow welcome everyone at the Doubletree had been nasty, rude, or indifferent, or if the place had been dirty and unkempt, I would have thought “You can drop the big welcome if you don’t really care about quality everywhere else.”

4. Promote your wows. Look for ways to highlight how you wow. Talk it up. Take and post pictures. Promote wows on your website and in social media. Get testimonials from customers who have been wowed.

5. Train, educate, and reward your people around the wows. Once you make wow moments your “thing,” build your employee training around executing the wows with excellence and gusto! Nothing is worse than watching a bored employee going through a memorized script about something that’s supposed to make an establishment fun: “Hi, and welcome to the House of Fun (yawn)…we can’t wait to help you…have fun.”

The attitude and practice of wow has to start at the top, with ownership and management getting involved in whatever you’re doing to create it.

The key to success in a crowded market is differentiation. What makes you totally unique and interesting to clients? The answer may lie in the here and wow!

Greg Bennett is a nationally renowned sales and business author, speaker, trainer, and coach.

For information on his programs, visit SurgenceConsulting.com.

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ARTICLE BY KITTY BARTELL PHOTOGRAPHY BY VITOR LINDO

RODNEY VAUGHN AS FRANK BUTLER, MADI OGBURN AS ANNIE OAKLEY AND BILL ANDRUSIC AS CHIEF SITTING BULL

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nnie Get Your Gun was first written with Ethel Merman in mind for the lead role. Her good friend and New York librettist and writer Dorothy Fields, along with Dorothy’s brother Herbert Fields, wrote a fictionalized story of the real-life love and adventures of sharpshooters Annie Oakley and Frank Butler, and knew this vocal powerhouse would do Annie justice. Known for a voice so impressive that she rarely used a microphone

during her long career, Merman brought Annie to life in the show’s 1946 Broadway opening. Sixty-eight years, and approximately six months later, producer Ed Dupuis’ production of Annie Get Your Gun opens at May River Theatre in Bluffton on November 7, 2014, with a talented cast also equal to the task.

With timeless themes of American drive and grit, and love and rivalry, Annie Get Your Gun is as in-step with the

MADI OGBURN PLAYS ANNIE OAKLEY IN MAY RIVER THEATRE’S PRODUCTION OF ANNIE GET YOUR GUN.

times today as it was in 1946 and brings with it a rich musical score written

by Irving Berlin. Having just come off their successful musical collaboration on Oklahoma!, Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein had launched a production company, and had hired Jerome Kern to write the Annie Get Your Gun score.

Three days into the project, Kern passed away suddenly and Berlin fortuitously stepped in, writing musical numbers that most audience members will either sing along with, knowing the words by heart, or will say, “I didn’t realized this song was from this musical,” said May River Theatre’s veteran musical director Beth Corry. From its inception in 1999, Corry was the musical director for the first eight musicals put on at the May River Theatre under the leadership of founders Ed and Jodie Dupuis.

“It’s a real slice of Americana. Irving Berlin was very apt at really getting to the heart of the heartland and to the hearts of what people want to hear,” Corry said. “This musical has all the elements of Americana. Berlin’s music is really spunky and romantic. In a way, you can almost parallel this to My Fair Lady, where Eliza Doolittle comes from a very uneducated, unpolished background; Annie does too. And then, through being elevated, all of a sudden she becomes a very beautiful, glamorous woman who is quite capable.”

Like the original Broadway production, the right casting is bringing Annie to life. “We have just the perfect Annie Oakley. She just is Annie Oakley, and her counterpart Frank is doing a fabulous job. Their voices blend so nicely,” said director and choreographer Barbara K. Clark. A member of the Dupuis theatrical family from its Dunnagan’s Alley days on Hilton Head Island, Clark was also a part of the 1999 troupe that launched Bluffton’s May River Theatre and has acted in, directed and choreographed numerous shows at their venue in the Ulmer Auditorium at Bluffton Town Hall.

Clark and Corry are a Rodgers and Hammerstein theatrical match made in heaven, and they clearly love this show and each other. “We’re crazy about each other,” Corry said of her good friend Clark, “and we have a wonderful sense of community in our ensemble.”

It takes the kind of passion for local theatre that these two women have to take a group of volunteer actors and turn out productions that impress and entertain as absolutely as those at May River Theatre. “We almost have a company

here at May River Theatre. A lot of the ensemble people are in almost every musical we do,” Clark said. Taking the veterans and the new members of the cast, Clark and her team are reaching to exciting heights with this production. “The last number of the first act is always the big number,” Clark said of the recently choreographed piece. “The audience is going to be surprised!”

“I’ve worked with her in another show, and each time she just takes on the persona of the character like a pro,” Corry said of Madi Ogburn, the show’s Annie Oakley. A 17-year-old senior at Hilton Head High School, Ogburn has the résumé of a professional actor, which she hopes to be some day.

“My mamma says I’ve been singing since I was in the crib. I want to go to a music conservatory for college,” Ogburn said. “This summer I got to study opera in Italy. Classic voice is my thing. We studied with great choral directors and famous Italians.”

Of her character Annie, she says, “I love her. I love having a part that I had to do real historical research on, because she’s a real character. I love that she’s a girl, but she’s not real girlie. She’s a strong woman who has to take care of the kids, and she has to take care of herself. She’s haughty and she’s in love with Frank Butler, but she’s still an amazing shot, and she’s not going to let anybody get in her spotlight,” Ogburn said with a twinkle in her eye as she glances at her co-star Rodney Vaughn, who plays her love interest and professional rival Frank Butler.

In his tenth production at May River Theatre, Vaughn has immersed himself in the company’s culture. “I was so blessed to work with Jodie Dupuis (1934-2013). She was the person who put the spark in me to be all that I could be, and she said, no matter how small your role, make it your own. Make yourself the center of whatever is going on. I really do carry that with me,” Vaughn said.

In the six years since arriving from a small town in Kentucky, Vaughn has worked both behind the scenes and in front of the curtain. “I am also set designer for this show, and in my years with May River Theatre, I have done set design, costumes, and props, been assistant stage manager, and have acted,” he said.

“I knew I wanted this role. I didn’t know how the auditions would turn out, but I knew it was something that I really was aspiring to do,” Vaughn said. “And when Madi auditioned for Annie, I knew I really wanted her to be Annie. We have a great chemistry on and off the stage.

“It’s been natural the whole way,” Ogburn chimed in.

Ogburn and Vaughn are joined by a talented troupe, including Pat Morgan as Buffalo Bill, Donna Capps as Dolly, Bill Andrusic as Chief Sitting Bull, John LaVelle as Foster Wilson, and Robert Ryan as Pawnee Bill. The show has an excellent group of young actors as well, including Sadie O’Connor as Jessie, Mary Grace Swanson as Nellie, Adelaide Shirley as Minnie, and Anna Camden Shirley as Jake.

Certainly up to the challenge, and enjoying every minute, May River Theatre’s production of Annie Get Your Gun is not to be missed. Saddle up!

Reserved seating is available by calling the box office at (843) 815-5581. Box office hours are Monday through Friday 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tickets are $25.00.

Performances are Friday & Saturday evenings: November 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, and 22 at 8 p.m.

Sunday matinees are November 9, 16, and 23 at 3 p.m.

ARTICLE BY KITTY BARTELL

T H E

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANNE

R E W A R D

I N

DINING FINE HUGO’S SEAFOOD & STEAKHOUSE

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ugo Arrieta, Sr. knows a little something about creating a great restaurant guest experience, and his son Brandon Arrieta is building on that legacy at their restaurant Hugo’s. Emigrating from Argentina, Arrieta, Sr. spent eight years in New York working as a restaurant manager; joined Fitzgerald’s on Hilton Head Island when it opened its doors in the 1970s and managed it for 28 years, establishing it as a must-dine, ocean-side destination.

Shortly after closing the doors on its reign as one of the island’s finest restaurants, the Arrietas took the Fitzgerald’s model, made only a few changes to meet the changing island demographics, and opened Hugo’s in the Village at Wexford. “In the 1970s, the island was radically different. It was more of an exclusive place for golfers to go,” Brandon Arrieta said.

“There were just a handful of restaurants. You didn’t go to dinner. You went dining; and when you dined, it was a three- or four-hour event. At Fitzgerald’s you could have your whole evening prepared and served tableside; appetizers, Caesar salad, Steak Diane, Bananas Foster, cordials… fun, fun stuff.”

The Wexford location was the perfect launching pad to establish the restaurant’s character, maintaining a significant portion of the Fitzgerald’s menu—much to the delight of its legion of fans—while beginning work on their ever-evolving identity. “Dad understood how change must happen to stay alive in the restaurant business,” Arrieta said.

In 2011, Hugo’s relocated to South Island Square, where there was more room to stretch their culinary wings, and where the younger Arrieta knew it was the perfect time and place to initiate a rebranding of sorts. “Not a total overhaul, but a shift,” he said. Starting by adding linen tablecloths to the décor, Arrieta’s goal was to make people feel that any night could be a special night.

“We wanted the customer to have their cake and eat it too,” he said. “We wanted the experience to be more intimate. Anywhere you sit in the restaurant you are off in some little area. We were very deliberate with how we did the layout of the place. We want people to

THE TABLESIDE CART IS A HIGHLY ANTICIPATED FEATURE OF DINING AT HUGO’S; WITH A WINK TO ITS FINE DINING ROOTS THE CART ALSO PROVIDES THE TEAM WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO TEST IMAGINATIVE, NEW, MENU OFFERINGS. EVER-ENTERTAINING, THE FLAMING DESSERTS PREPARED ON THE CART PROVIDE A VARIETY OF TASTES, INCLUDING BANANAS, CHERRIES, APPLES, PEACHES, BUTTERSCOTCH AND CHOCOLATE.

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HUGO’S IS BUILDING A NEIGHBORLY RELATIONSHIP WITH THE ARTS CENTER OF COASTAL CAROLINA THROUGH THEIR SHOW NIGHTS VIP PROGRAM. MAKING A RESERVATION WITH HUGO’S FOR THIS EXPERIENCE INCLUDES YOUR SHOW TICKETS WAITING IN A GOLD ENVELOPE AT YOUR TABLE, A THREE COURSE MENU SELECTED TO BE RELATED TO THE SHOW, AND BEING PERSONALLY SEATED AT THE SHOW BY THE STAGE MANAGER.

feel like it’s their private time—like you’re in your own little world. There’s not a table that doesn’t have that feeling, and there’s still room for the tableside cart to cruise around.”

That tableside cart is a highly anticipated feature of dining at Hugo’s; with a wink to its fine dining roots the cart also provides the team with the opportunity to test imaginative, new, menu offerings. Ever-entertaining, the flaming desserts prepared on the cart provide a variety of tastes, including bananas, cherries, apples, peaches, butterscotch and chocolate. The latest incarnations of the cart are guacamole and crab dips, the perfect foil to the new surf & turf (think lobster and tenderloin), tacos, and personalsized, salt-encrusted snapper, served with a mallet for the customer to crack open the citrusy fish inside its little cocoon.

Another item on the menu that is so new it is still being vetted and doesn’t have a name yet is classic mac and cheese, elevated with lobster that is coated in a specially seasoned flour, deepfried, and served with a sherry cream sauce. “It’s interesting, it’s different, and no one else has it,” Arrieta said. “It has the Southern influence and then the almighty lobster. It’s amazing.”

Hugo’s really began flexing their penchant for innovation when, in 2012, they started entering food competitions and winning rather frequently. Garnering victories during Restaurant Week and at Taste of the Season, Arrieta and his team raise the bar with each competition. “For Taste of the Season this year, it’s going to be ever-more complicated,” Arrieta said. “I don’t know if we have a chance, but they won’t be able to say that it wasn’t absolutely amazing—the best one yet.”

Anchoring this steak and seafood house is some of the best beef offered on the island.

“Hugo’s is only one of two or three restaurants on the island that serves Certified Angus Beef,” Arrieta said. “Of those, I think we’re the only one that uses 100 percent Certified Angus Beef. With 100 percent certified, you know everything about that steak: how it was raised, where it was raised, how it was fed, how it was managed.” That translates to a win-win with fewer steaks being sent back to the kitchen and very satisfied customers.

Building on their Lowcountry identity, Hugo’s sources local ingredients as much as is possible. “We use Certified South Carolina Grown produce, Certified South Carolina local seafood. We’re getting anything we can that’s on our menu from South Carolina, or even more locally, from Beaufort County. About onequarter of our beef comes from South Carolina,” Arrieta said.

The catering division is finding a solid fanbase from their regular customers and word-ofmouth, and their catering prowess won Hugo’s the 2013 Island Packet’s Best Catering Award.

Hugo’s is also building a neighborly relationship with the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina through their show nights VIP program. Making a reservation with Hugo’s for this experience includes your show tickets waiting in a gold envelope at your table, a three course menu selected to be related to the show, and being personally seated at the show by the stage manager. Your server will be sure you have a superb dining experience and make it to the show on time.

According to Arrieta, it is all about an exceptional guest experience. “It starts there and it stops there.” Hugo’s’ legacy has been firmly established in the soft sands of Hilton Head.

Hugo’s is open for dinner seven nights a week from 4:30 p.m. – until, and for Sunday Brunch from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., offering lunch favorites, brunch classics and bottomless Mimosas. Early dining specials are offered nightly from 4:306 p.m., along with $17.99 Hugo Nights nightly specials. Hugo’s private dining room is available for special events. For more information or to make reservations, call (843) 785-HUGO (4846) or visit hugoshiltonhead.com.

ARTICLE BY FRANK DUNNE, JR. £ PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANNE

FRESH

Seafood SERVED HERE

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he boys are back, but only figuratively because they never actually left. What boys? Brendan, Thomas and Keith. The Reilley boys, plus chefs Shawn Ross and Josh Hull, who couldn’t be persuaded to change their names to Reilley, but could be persuaded to help develop a menu and concept for the newest addition to the Reilley family’s family of restaurants and watering holes. You know Reilley’s Grill & Bar; you know Aunt Chilada’s; you know The Boardroom; and you know The Crazy Crab. Now get to know Carolina Crab Company. It’s at Palmetto Bay Marina. You also know where that is.

Sensing a void in Palmetto Bay Marina left by Captain Woody’s departure, the guys secured the vacant unit with

a plan to bring a local favorite back to life in the Marina… with a new name, an original menu and local ownership that you’ve known and trusted for years. “It is a new restaurant,” Brendan explained, but it’s like we’re not new. We’re a familiar name. We’ve been around for 30 years.”

That doesn’t mean that they’re just repackaging other brands with Carolina Crab Company (C3), though. The three Reilleys, Ross and Hull set out to create a new unique menu, giving C3 its own signature.

Think, “Great Legs, Cold Beer.”

That’s meant to draw your attention to Buckets & Boils, the menu’s main event where you’ll find JJ’s Crab Boil (1/4 lb. snow crab legs, red potatoes, corn), a

Carolina Crab Company is located at Palmetto Bay Marnia

Lowcountry Boil (if you don’t know the ingredients you’re not a local and probably aren’t reading this anyway) and the star of the show, The Jack Pot (half Maine lobster, crab legs, oysters, shrimp, clams, corn).

There’s plenty over in the entrées column from the surf and the turf: fish tacos made with tilapia, shrimp and grits, barbecued pork shanks, a jumbo lump crab cake and live Maine lobster are a few examples. Not to mention a steak lover’s dream come true if there ever was one: the Marina Steak, blackened prime rib with blueberry moonshine glaze, cheese grits and corn.

“It’s Southern flair,” Thomas said, “but not all fried food in a basket.” Not that you can’t have that.

There is a Fried Shrimp Basket and Fried Shrimp Platter (shrimp, oysters, scallops and flounder) on the menu. “We’re serving Carolina grits, local little neck clams and beers from local breweries. We’re trying to get that feel that we’re supporting the local community and economy. Whether it’s from right here or Spartanburg, that’s still our area. I think it’s a refreshing feel.”

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“We’re using South Carolina product as much as we can,” added Ross with emphasis on local blue crabs, which according to the plan will soon be a permanent fixture on the menu. It makes the cream-based Carolina Crab Chowder with spices, bacon, potatoes and corn with two crab cake bites sound that much more appetizing, doesn’t it?

C3 opened in mid-July of this year, and it’s off to a good start in that relatively short period of time. That should come as no surprise considering the Reilley organization’s track record on the island. “We get a lot of feedback on the menu items,” Ross said, “and we already notice people coming back over and over.” That’s the plan: to create a place where locals, not tourists, are the focus of attention, where a regular crowd will shuffle in during all seasons, not just one. “We’re aimed at locals,” Keith said. That’s our focus. We’re not priced for tourists.”

Nothing against tourists, mind you. God bless ’em; we need ’em around here. But darned if we locals don’t like to sit outside and watch the sun go down over the harbor with a cool drink and some fresh local seafood as much as the folks visiting from Ohio do. And we like to do it surrounded by friends, neighbors and acquaintances rather than complete strangers and their screaming kids. The guys at C3 are creating that sort of environment.

“What we’re trying to do here is create the bar that we’d want to hang out at,” Brendan said. “It’s casual, but we’re definitely not casual about the product. It’s something we put a lot of care into; we put a lot of pride into what we serve, but we don’t charge an arm and a leg for it.”

The bar features six draft beers, including River Dog Red IPA from Bluffton and Coast IPA from Charleston, and 21 brands by the bottle or can including three from Mt. Pleasant-based Westbrook Brewing Co. All the usual varietals are represented on a list of 15 wines by the bottle or glass. “We serve high-end wells,” Thomas said. “I think we have the best well rack on the island. We want you to be satisfied with your drink.”

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From Left to Right: Brendan Reilley, Josh Hull, Thomas Reilley and Shawn Ross Everything is, as they said, priced for the local clientele, including the fruity “Fun-Coctions” such as the Fish Bowl; 4 liquors plus sweet-and-sour and Sprite served in…well…a fish bowl. Watch out for this one, it’s meant for 3-4 thirsty folks.

Carolina Crab Company is open 7 days a week from 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Weekend brunch is served Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. During football season, Sunday is “NFL Funday” with drink and food specials all day.

For more information, call (843) 842-2016 or find them on Facebook. Just search “Carolina Crab Company.”

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CAT ER

ING

MEET MOLLY KENNEDY...

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"I'm the Director of Catering at Celebrations Catering & Events.

But, my dream job is to have my own Reality Show. It would be called Catering Confidential, and would tell the tale of all the funny things that happen on the way to the 'big event.' Here’s just a taste of what can go wrong… as told by me!"

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The deep freeze in winter of 2003 was memorable, when a water main broke, flooding the wedding location hours before the ceremony.

Thanks to a very understanding bride and groom, the event was a happy one, despite the torrent.

Weddings are expensive affairs, generally speaking, with per person fees starting at around $50 and sometimes going up to $500 or more. You can imagine the dismay when, at one recent wedding, the director of transportation (the cabbie) decided to come in and help himself to the buffet. Good thing the wedding coordinator had some valium on hand for her mental breakdown.

Back in 2011, when we hosted a dinner for a group of attorneys, the ceiling fan had a minor malfunction, tossing one of its blades at the head of a guest and landing in the middle of the table. I mean really.

At a convention of lawyers…what are the odds? Good thing they were primarily divorce lawyers.

Sometimes Mother Nature makes the call as to when everyone’s had enough to drink. Like the time she blew an entire full bar off the back of a yacht in Shelter Cove Marina. The redfish were partying that night.

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successful event is a delicate balance of timing, pizzazz and the collaboration of the party professionals that are called in to play their part. A photographer must capture the right moments without being intrusive; the bartender must know when to cut off Uncle Druncle without causing a scene; the wedding planner has to keep things on schedule and the chef needs to make sure there is enough shrimp cocktail for 200.

Nine times out of ten, everything comes together without a hitch.

But it’s that one out of ten that makes for the best stories.

Take for instance, the time we happened upon the Father of the Bride in the catering closet… with the maid of honor. You can use your imagination from here.

Let’s just say he was happy to cut the check quickly at the end of the night—with a big tip for the staff.

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PSST, SHE'S THIS LADY

CAT ER

ING

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Every now and again, someone fails to come through for a scheduled event. DJ DitchedUs (name has been changed to protect the guilty) decided he couldn’t make an event one evening “because he was too tired from the night before.” Thank God the client hired him and not us!

Speaking of vendors who dropped the ball…did you hear the one about the florist who had written down the wrong date for a wedding? Good thing the bride was so pretty.

In my 20 years of doing this crazy wonderful job, every time I think I’ve seen it all, something happens to prove me wrong. Drama waits, hiding around every corner, just to make sure we are on our A-game. And you know what? I wouldn’t have it any other way. Every day we have an opportunity to make a simple or extravagant event memorable, and really touch someone’s life in a positive way. That’s why, despite the challenges, catering really is the coolest business ever.

Molly Kennedy is director of catering at Celebration Events Catering and has been making brides and corporate planners happy for over 20 years on Hilton Head Island. For more information, or to plan your next event or Christmas Party, call (843) 689-2658 or visit wecelebrateyou.com.

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OCTOBER 2014

Article by Kitty Bartell

H O N O R I N G FAT H E R T I M E

T

Being Better

he expression, “since the beginning of time” brings to mind images of the six days that God took to create the world. I envision swirling turmoil as the pieces to His earthly puzzle fell into place on our planet. I imagine the universe steaming and heaving and exploding, much like scientists say occurred during the Big Bang. That being said, I offer a caution: I am not here to discuss evolution, the theory of creation, or the beginning of time in relation to the universe, and I guarantee that any references I may make to scientific theory will have flaws. What I do want to talk about is time, and how the specter of its modern incarnation hovers, ever-present, over our days, and robs us of peace of mind and of gratitude for the gift of time itself, often until it is nearly, or literally, too late. As we find ourselves immersed in the holidays, the most holy of time-thieves, my being better goal is to face Father Time head-on and bring a sense of peace and gratitude to the time I am given.

It wasn’t until Greek astronomer Hipparchus (c. 190-120 BC) first proposed dividing a day into 24 equal hours that tangible limits were put on the concept of time. It is strange to imagine the centuries that passed where farmers, philosophers, kings, pharaohs, shopkeepers, warriors, and stay-at-home cavedwellers passed the days only marking time by the sun. We

OCTOBER 2014

mark time by calendars, clocks, appointments, anniversaries, and deadlines—a much less organic approach, and one that has generated the nearly guaranteed universal response to the inquiry: How are you? …. Busy.

I have tried to strike “busy” from my vocabulary. It is a self-inflicted state of being that individuals wear as a badge of courage, marking them as survivors of their nearly out-of-control lives. It is rarely someone else’s fault if we do not have enough time in our day. It is not the fault of Father Time, or our spouse, or our children, or our family, or our friends, or our boss (okay, sometimes it’s our boss’s fault). Despite the knowledge that we are always—ever since Hipparchus settled the issue—given a mere 24 hours to accomplish it all: work, play, love, education, nourishment, rest. Somehow, we just cannot get a handle on it.

I know that it is my fault if I say yes to one thing, knowing it will push the limits on the limited time the day presents; and the holidays are great time to say yes to what is meaningful and kindly beg-off from what will only push my limits.

My being better path will begin with a list of what is really important to me during the holidays. Because we are being better with a holiday orientation, I acknowledge there may be a few command performances over which you have little control,

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Being Better H O N O R I N G FAT H E R T I M E

other than your attitude. Children’s plays and performances are a must-attend. Bring your video recorder and be prepared to start the standing ovation. Your mother’s request that you make your famously yummy pecan pie for Thanksgiving dinner should be viewed as an honor rather than a chore. Accept the accolades and pass the whipped cream.

At the top of my “what is most important” list is to make time for what is most important to my daughter and husband during the holidays. Already making an effort toward being better last year, I knew there would be more requests for my time and energy than I would have to offer, so I asked what was most important to them. As they did for me, the answers just may surprise you if you take a couple of moments to ask your loved ones what is meaningful to them—what makes a holiday special. My daughter wanted to decorate a gingerbread house, and as was no surprise, my husband’s request involved cookies.

Over the years, we have decorated seven or eight premade gingerbread houses with gobs of icing and mountains of Dollar Store candy. The roofs were almost always an intricate, shingled pattern of Necco Wafers, with snowy paths made of coconut, and trims and decorations made with licorice, candy canes, gum drops, malted milk balls, and any manner of sugary treats. Apparently, what I believed had gone by the wayside of childhood was still an important memory for my daughter. Last year’s attempt had a few hiccups, but we made

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a valiant attempt at something I would never have known was important if I had not asked. Despite a rather tragic, but amusing outcome, it was well-worth the time it took from my “busy” schedule.

In my opinion, when Sesame Street was casting the part of Cookie Monster, they overlooked the most logical choice: my husband. Naturally, his holiday request was for our family’s oatmeal cut-out, buttercream frosted, and sugar and candydecorated cookies. At Easter, these cookies are shaped like bunnies and carrots; on St. Patrick’s Day they are shamrocks; on Halloween they are pumpkins; and at Thanksgiving, they are turkeys. For Christmas, they are trees, stockings, angels, candy canes, bells, and stars. Not only are the cookies divine, making them with my grandmother’s cookie cutters connects me to treasured memories and a little family history.

Sitting quietly, you can almost hear the grains of sand flowing through Father Time’s hourglass or the tick, tick, tock of Hipparchus’s 24-hour clock. It has been said that time is a thief, and that couldn’t be more true than during the holidays when we really, really, really, want to do it all. In the effort to find a little more peace this year and be a little better, I will honor time, express gratitude for my time here on earth, and make every effort to use it wisely. Ask the ones you love what’s important to them, and take time to answer that question for yourself as well. Your time will be well served.

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Shop local S H ELT ER C O V E H A R B O U R A R T I C L E B Y L I N D A S . H O P K I N S - P H O TO G R A P H Y B Y A N N E

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hether you are a resident or a visitor from out of town, if you love Hilton Head Island, there is something you can do to help our community thrive, and that is to spend your money in locally-owned businesses such as those at Shelter Cove Harbour. According to the American Independent Business Alliance, locally-owned independent business returns approximately 80 percent of each dollar back to the community.

And it has a multiplier effect. One dollar spent at a locally-owned business will return five times that amount within the community through school funding, social services, and contributions to local charities.

With the current availability of almost anything from almost anywhere, thanks to the Internet, it’s easy to lose sight of what we have right here on Hilton Head Island. Local businesses not only add to the character of our community, which attracts 2.5 million visitors every year, they offer personalized attention and superb customer service every day.

The merchants at Shelter Cove Harbour are local residents.

Most have lived here for at least a decade, and many have been in business for a quarter of a century or more. They have strong ties to the community and strong opinions about the importance of doing business locally.

According to Scott Laskowitz, owner of San Miguel’s Mexican Café, in business at Shelter Cove Harbour for 25 years,

it’s important to patronize local businesses because the money earned here stays here and doesn’t get funneled out to a large corporation out of state.

In addition to spending more of the revenue back into the local economy compared to chains and national companies, local businesses create more jobs and provide better wages, added Simon Mikhail, owner of Mediterranean Harbour Bar and Grill.

Earl Nightingale of Ela’s Blu Water Grill, a family-owned business, points out many ways in which his restaurant gives back to the community, from serving local produce and fresh local fish to purchasing products from other local vendors and hiring local musicians. “In a highly seasonal resort market like Hilton Head Island, we must support each other as we grow our businesses,” Nightingale said.

These are also the businesses that roll out the welcome mat for our annual visitors. “We take pride in serving our local community, and because we are local, we give 110 percent all year long,” said Kelly Montgomery, owner of Tradewinds Trinkets and Treasures, who opened in 1988 at the Mall at Shelter Cove and moved to Shelter Cove Harbour in 2012. “We care about our customers, and many return to visit us every year.”

“The bottom line is that local businesses enable the experiences that inspire the demand for individuals to visit, live

in, enjoy and grow a community,” said Daniel Moskowitz, Dunes Real Estate’s director of sales and marketing.

“Local community activities promote local economic growth, which, in turn, helps drive new homeowners to our area and provides opportunities for those already here.”

Cecile Eck, owner of Trident Villa Rentals, in business at Shelter Cove Harbour since 1984, agrees. “Small businesses are the backbone of Hilton Head Island, and their success is critical to the overall economic state of the island,” she said. “We are raising our families here and care deeply about the island and the people who live here.”

Local businesses are also known for their generous support of area charities and non-profits. All of the Shelter Cove Harbour businesses contribute dollars, services and time to community fundraisers throughout the year that directly benefit area non-profits such as the Island Rec Center, Deep Well, the Boys and Girls Club, The Children’s Center, Hospice Care of the Lowcountry and many more. During the holiday season, Dunes Real Estate is supporting a local soup kitchen by collecting food, clothing and toys for our community members in need. They invite you to drop off nonperishable food, unwrapped toys or new clothing items at their Shelter Cove office.

Shelter Cove Harbour will be hosting a special celebration on Black Friday, November 28, that includes shopping, dining and entertainment for the whole family. Decked out for the holidays, stores will be offering discounts, refreshments and other bonuses throughout the day.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29 IS SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY SO BE SURE TO GET OUT AND SHOP LOCAL!

Be sure to register for the drawing at Nash Gallery to win a piece of American artwork; stop by San Miguel’s for a “Wrap It” lunch special for $7.95; pick up a $100 gift card at Mediterranean Harbour and get an additional $25 gift card free; and save 10 percent on all merchandise in the Ship’s Store. If you’re ready to purchase a home here, Dunes Real Estate is offering a free home warranty on property purchased from one of their buyer’s agents Nov. 28-30.

Lynn Alexander, owner of Nash Gallery, in business here for 24 years, encourages all shoppers to come out for the festivities on Friday, November 28. If you can’t make it then, consider dropping by on Small Business Saturday®, sponsored by American Express, on November 29, she suggests.

While most of us embrace the idea of distinctive businesses, we often forget that their survival depends on our patronage. Be aware of the impact of your dollars and give the gift that gives back to our community.

This holiday season, take time to rediscover the unique shops, restaurants and other businesses at Shelter Cove Harbour.

For a complete listing of shops and restaurants at Shelter Cove Harbour, visit palmettodunes.com.

SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN’ TO SHELTER COVE! Kick off the holiday season on Friday, November 28 at Shelter Cove Harbour, where you’ll find unique gifts for everyone on your list. In addition to holiday sales and specials at all the shops and restaurants, enjoy music, refreshments and a variety

of children’s activities (moon bounce, train rides, Santa’s first stop on Hilton Head Island and more). Stores open at 10 a.m. Festivities begin at 11 a.m. with Santa arriving at noon aboard a Hilton Head Island Fire Department fire truck.

SHELTER COVE SALON •MEDITERRANEAN HARBOUR BAR & GRILL• LA FONTANA•ELA’S BLU WATER GRILLE• NEPTUNE’S NICHE•SEASONS•CHRISTMAS ON THE HARBOUR•NASH GALLERY•TAFFETA•TRADEWINDS•BISTRO 17•DUNES MARKETING GROUP•PARASAIL HILTON HEAD•SCOTT’S FISH MARKET•THE SHIP’S STORE•CAMP HILTON HEAD•TREASURE ISLAND•LA BELLE IMAGE GALLERY•FROSTY’S ITALIAN ICES & MORE•LEGACY DESIGN PHOTOGRAPHERS•HARBOURSIDE YACHT SALES AND SAN MIGUEL’S

E C2 A SERIES OF

FORTUNATE EVENTS

Mary Margaret Jones McGaughey cuts the ribbon at her new Copper Penny shop in Shelter Cove Towne Centre. Flanking Mayor Drew Laughlin (center) are Margaret Jones (left), Mary Margaret’s mother, and store manager Vanessa Hoffman (right). The local Copper Penny, located next to Poseiden, is a franchise of the successful Copper Penny shops in Charleston and Savannah.

Dr. Andrew S. Binamira, who has practiced medicine for over 20 years, is starting his own clinic at 800 Main Street, Suite 120, Hilton Head Island, SC beginning November 10, 2014.

Boys, Arnold & Company is proud to welcome Ann Miller, Gail Brown, and Kim Rock as the newest additions to their staff.

Miller, Brown, and Rock have joined the team as account administrators.

DayBreak Adult Care Services donates $500 to Moss Creek Marines for their “Operation Helping Heroes” program, which sends 100% of their funds to Marines deployed and wounded in combat

Counselors-therapists, Libby Hardy, MS, LMFT, Dawn Page, MA, LPCI, and Jack Hardy, MA, LPCI, have opened new offices in Bluffton at 29 Plantation Park, Suite 701 to work with individuals, couples and teens.

Anita Jennings has returned to Plantation Interiors’ design staff. Jennings worked for the firm in the mid `90s. Jennings has more than 25 years’ experience in the design industry. She has a strong foundation in space planning and color and furniture selection. Jennings has worked on projects on Hilton Head, South Florida, and the Caribbean and has traveled extensively to South America, Europe, the Caribbean, Canada and Hawaii. Alanna Frye has been named design assistant at Plantation Interiors. She recently completed an internship with Design Continuum Inc. in Atlanta, Ga.

“The Palmetto Animal League 2nd Annual Artisans Fur Animals Gala on October 10 truly was a win-win evening,” explained Fred Leibert, board chair. “The Gallery 95 Auction staff expertly ran the live auction of original cat and dog sculptures created by Savannah ceramic artist Jessica Broad and uniquely decorated by 25 well-known Lowcountry artists. Other artisans donated jewelry and various media for the large silent auction. The gala was great fun for the attendees and raised more than $20,000 for the Palmetto Animal League’s annual operations.

Cindi Loveall has become a sales agent with Gateway Realty. She was previously the front desk manager and administrative assistant at Gateway’s Berkeley Hall office.

Bob Casterline has joined Gateway Realty as a sales agent and marketing director for Rick Turner and Associates, a division of Gateway.

UniSource Mortgage Services of Bluffton is pleased to announce the addition of Dale Schwan as a mortgage consultant, specializing in loans for the newly formed Construction /Renovation division.

350 Fording Island Road, home to Weniger Plastic Surgery, May River Dermatology, and LUX~A Medical Spa, won first place in the Excellence in Design awards at the ASID Carolinas Fall Conference last month. The design was featured in the healthcare facility over 7000 square feet category. Designers Joni Vanderslice and Jenny Ladutko are from JBanks Design.

OCTOBER 2014

Frank Mackay has joined Gateway Realty as a sales agent specializing on Daufuskie Island where he and his wife, Sara Jane, have resided for the past 10 years. Frank was previously the owner of Maximum Response Group, a marketing consulting firm.

Tonya Barrett has joined Gateway Realty as an executive assistant for the Randy Fix Team of sales agents.

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COMEDY AND IMPROV ON THE ARTS CENTER STAGE WITH UPRIGHT CITIZENS BRIGADE

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elected from the country’s best improv comedians, the fast-ontheir-feet performers in Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB) are the next wave of comedy superstars, garnering a national spotlight for incredible improv, sketch and standup, and they’re at the Arts Center, taking the stage on November 8.

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www.celebratehiltonhead.com

The Upright Citizens Brigade began as a group of four brilliant comedians, Amy Poehler, Matt Besser, Ian Roberts and Matt Walsh, who launched their own sketch show, Upright Citizens Brigade, for three seasons on Comedy Central from 1998-2000.

During the success of the TV show,

UCB opened the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre and Improvisational and Sketch Comedy Training Center in New York City. In 2005, UCB expanded and opened the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre Los Angeles and began offering UCB Training Center classes on the West Coast.

Today’s origins of the current improv boom can be traced to 1999, when the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre opened. Back then, there were no permanent stages devoted to improvisational comedy in New York.

Now there are three. With a bustling school (2,500 students enrolled) helping to underwrite its prolific productions, the Brigade—whose recent alumni include the stars of Comedy Central’s new sketch show Broad City and Sasheer Zamata, the newest cast member of Saturday Night Live —has become the most influential name in improv today.

UCB wrote the book on improv . . . literally! After seven years of work, the troupe has codified its aesthetic and released The Upright Citizens Brigade Comedy Improvisation Manual.

A recent review about UCB, from the comedic, pop-culture Bust Magazine, said, “experiencing truly brilliant improv comedy is like sitting in the front car of a really smart roller coaster ride with no stretches of straight track. Right now in America, no one is offering a more exhilarating ride than the Upright Citizens Brigade.”

So don’t miss the ride! Tickets are $39 and are on sale now by calling the box office at (843) 842-ARTS (2787) or visiting artshhi.com.

OCTOBER 2014

It’s

5

O’CLOCK

SOMEWHERE!

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S Chow Daddy’s- Happy Hour Daily! (4-6PM) & NFL TICKET! Charbar Co.- FOOTBALL HEADQUARTERS! Game day snacks and drink specials!

Available during any NFL or NCAA game! Also during happy hour daily (4-7PM) Ruby Lee’s- Candace Woodson and The Domino Theory Band (Sundays) Mellow Mushroom- Happy Hour! (7 Days a Week)

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Truffles-Happy Hour $3 wells, $5 absolute cocktails, $2 premium cocktails, wine, beer and appetizers at bar.

(4-6:30PM)

T Charbar Co.Join us for half-price happy hour from 4-7PM & Reid Richmond (6:30PM) Mellow Mushroom (Bluffton)- Trivia Night (9PM) Ruby Lee’s-Candace Woodson And The Domino Theory Band (Tuesdays) Hudson’s- Happy Hour!

Beer, cocktails & bites (Daily 3-6PM) Captain Woody’s-Happy Hour!

(Daily 4-7PM Bar Only)

Charbar Co.- Join us for half price happy hour from 4-7PM. Mike Wilson & Dave Wingo (6:30PM) Holy Tequila- Happy Hour! $2.50 select liquors, beers, tacos & bar snacks! & MORE! (Daily 4-7PM) Hudson’s- Happy Hour! Beer, cocktails & bites (Daily 3-6PM)

Street Meet- Kitchen is Open til 1AM- Full Menu! (7 Days A Week)

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

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Charbar Co.- Join us for half price happy hour from 4-7PM AND Whitley Deputy (7:00PM) Ruby Lee’s- Nov. 5 & 19: Reggie Deas and Lavon Stevens, Nov. 12 & 26: Reggie Deas Street Meet- Kitchen is Open til 1AMFull Menu! (7 Days A Week) Truffles-Happy Hour: $3 wells, $5 absolute cocktails, $2 premium cocktails, wine, beer and appetizers at bar. (4-6:30PM) Hudson’s- Happy Hour! Beer, cocktails & bites (Daily 3-6PM) Mellow Mushroom(HHI)-Trivia Night (9PM)

Electric Piano- Smirnoff Vodka Ladies Night & Classic Rock Beach Music w/ the Simpson Brothers Nov 27: CLOSED THANKSGIVING Mellow Mushroom- Happy Hour!

(7 Days a Week) Ruby Lee’s- Nov. 6, 13 & 20: Target the Band Nov. 27: Earl Williams and Alexander Newton Street Meet- Kitchen is Open til 1AMFull Menu! (7 Days A Week)

Chow Daddy’s-Happy Hour Daily! $2 lagers, $3 well drinks, $4 select craft beers & house wine.

Salty Dog-Dave Kemmerly (Thursdays, 5:30-9:30PM) Hudson’s- Happy Hour! Beer, cocktails & bites (Daily 3-6PM)

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Holy Tequila- Happy Hour! $2.50 select liquors, beers, tacos & bar snacks! & MORE! (Daily 4-7PM)

ELA’s Blu Water Grille - Live music (Starting at 8PM) Electric Piano- Dueling Pianos-All Request Interactive, fun-filled Show! $4 Fireball shots and Red Stag. Happy Hour (8-9:30PM) Chow Daddy’s- NFL Special: $2 domestic lagers, $3 well cocktails!

(All day every day- Good Through Super Bowl Sunday 2014) Hudson’s- Happy Hour! Beer, cocktails & bites (Daily 3-6PM)

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Captain Woody’s (HHI)- November 8: Oyster Roast!

Live Music by The Chiggers. Fresh oysters, burgers, hot dogs and happy hour specials! (4-7PM) Charbar Co.- Nick Poulin, Derrick & Sammy (8:00PM) Chow Daddy’s- Happy Hour (4-6PM) The Electric Piano- Nov. 1: Quick Trixie Band Nov. 8:Dueling Pianos Nov. 15: Laiken Love and Willie Jones Motown and R&B dance party!

Nov. 23: The Simpson Brothers Classic Rock $5 Cover! (Doors at 8pm, Music at 9:30pm) Mellow Mushroom- College Football and Drink Specials!

(HHI)- Karaoke (10PM) Ruby Lee’s- Earl Williams And Alexander Newton (Saturdays)

NOVEMBER

2014 SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

SAVE THE DATE! SUN CITY CHORUS AND CONCERT BAND PRESENTS: A DICKENS OF A CHRISTMAS! Magnolia Hall, Sun City.

Shows are December 4, 5, and 6, at 7:00 pm, and December 7, at 2:30 pm.

Tickets are $23 and may be purchased by calling 843-368-3153. The public is welcome!

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THE 16TH ANNUAL SHORTBREAD SHOPPE HOLIDAY MARKET & CRAFT SHOW

THURSDAYS

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farmersmarketbluffton .org

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HILTON HEAD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: FATE AND VICTORY 4-6PM HHSO.org

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EVERY THURSDAY FARMERS MARKET IN OLD TOWN BLUFFTON Every Thursday 2:00-6:00PM Calhoun Street

Spanish Wells Clubhouse 1-4PM

www.celebratehiltonhead.com

FRIDAY

SHABBY CHIC PAINT CLASSES Revival Design & Decor 12-2PM RevivalDesigns HHI.com

BEN VEREEN Arts Center of Coastal Carolina 8PM Tickets: $100 artshhi.com

6 SPEX OPTICAL GRAND OPENING! Spex Optical 4:30pm to 8:00pm Register for our $1,000 “Spextacular Eyewear Shopping Spree!

13 SHABBY CHIC PAINT CLASSES Revival Design & Decor 2-4PM RevivalDesigns HHI.com

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MUSIC TO YOUR MOUTH All DAY EVENT; Palmetto Bluff We’ve gathered the best and the brightest chefs on the southern food scene, for a singular lip-smacking experience, right in the spectacular South Carolina Lowcountry. For more info and tickets: www.musictoyourmouth.com

TUESDAYS SHELTER COVE FARMERS MARKET through Oct. 28 Shelter Cove Community Park 4-7PM

SATURDAY

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MOTORING FESTIVAL & CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE Nov. 1-2 Port Royal Golf Club 9AM-4PM

hhiconcours.com.

STORY TIMES The Storybook Shoppe Club 4PM & 5PM No Cost, Ages 3 and Up www.thestorybook shoppe.com.

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THURSDAY

26 SALTY DOG HOMECOMING 7:00PM - 9:00PM Salty Dog Cafe Complimentary Lowcountry Boil saltydog.com

27 TURKEY TROT 8:00AM Starts at Chart House www.islandrec center.org

7-9 HILTON HEAD OYSTER FESTIVAL Shelter Cove Community Park This is an All Day Event 5-8PM Friday 11AM-5PM Saturday and Sunday.

843.681.7273 IslandRecCenter.org

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THE NUTCRACKER Seahawk Cultural Center Nov 14-16 & 21-23 $25/adults, $20 seniors, $15/ children 843.842.3262

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15

ARTS SALE

Hospice Care of the Lowcountry 8AM - Noon A sidewalk sale with framed art, singed prints, photographs and local artists.

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GREG RUSSELL THANKSGIVING CONCERT 7:30PM - 9:00PM Liberty Oak Tree in Harbourtown Complimentary.

843.842.1979

HARBOUR TOWN LIGHTS Nov-28-Jan 1.

Starts at 7:30PM Harbourtown

SALTY DOG CHRISTMAS VILLAGE Nov. 28 - Dec. 31 Salty Dog Free pictures with Santa on Fridays and Saturday nights until Christmas.

12TH ANNUAL FISHING TOURNAMENT 10AM - 12PM Sea Pines Forest Preserve Reservations are required 843.842.1979

OCTOBER 2014