Celebrate Bluffton & Beyond- June 2019 Issue

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY CH2’S SALUTE TO DADS PAPA’S GOT A BRAND-NEW BAG

HOW TWO LOCAL GUYS CHANGED FATHERHOOD FOREVER

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DRINKS WITH SEA TURTLE AMBASSADOR AMBER KUEHN JUNE 2019

MUSICIANS IN BATHROOMS FEATURING THE NICE GUYS

SUMMER’S MUST-HAVE ACCESSORIES

Plus LOWCOUNTRY HAIRSTYLISTS

DADPRENEURS MEET COVER MODEL AND FATHER, JIM BANNON, AS WELL AS SEVERAL OTHER AMAZING LOWCOUNTRY DADS

CB2’S SUMMER TRAVEL SECTION WITH TRIPS TO ICELAND, TOY STORY LAND AND ST. AUGUSTINE

8 Beach Bars Yo

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38 EIGHT BEACH BARS YOU CAN BIKE TO Join us on as we embark on a beach bike adventure, exploring all of the tasty spots you can hit as you bike your way from slightly north of Palmetto Dunes, all the way south to Sea Pines Resort.

WHAT’S INSIDE 26

A WORD FROM OUR MAYORS

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5 DRINKS WITH AMBER KUEHN

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MEN AND THE BALANCING ACT

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PAPA’S GOT A BRAND-NEW BAG

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A SALUTE TO DAD

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YOU + YOUR HAIRDRESSER: IT’S COMPLICATED

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LOWCOUNTRY HAIRSTYLISTS

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40 THINGS TO DO IN ICELAND

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THE NEW WORLD NOW: FRESH LOOKS AT AMERICA’S OLDEST CITY

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TOY STORY LAND AT DISNEY’S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS

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MUSICIANS IN BATHROOMS FEATURING THE NICE GUYS

53 DADPRENEURS The world is changing, and as a record number of women are balancing a career and childrearing, men are stepping up to the plate and doing their share in and out of the home.

We present local Dadpreneurs, in our Father’s Day issue.

73 SUMMER’S MUST-HAVE ACCESSORIES Shop the hottest summer accessories from your favorite local boutiques!

These brightly-colored beauties can be found at Gigi’s Boutique in Bluffton.

O N O U R C OV E R S HAPPY FATHER’S DAY

CB2 CELEBRATE BLUFFTON & BEYOND

CH2 CELEBRATE HILTON HEAD!

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY CH2’S SALUTE TO DADS

CH2’S SALUTE TO DADS PAPA’S GOT A BRAND-NEW BAG

HOW TWO LOCAL GUYS CHANGED FATHERHOOD FOREVER

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like these two handsome male “models!”

DRINKS WITH SEA TURTLE AMBASSADOR AMBER KUEHN

Here we c o me s u mme r !

MUSICIANS IN BATHROOMS

JUNE 2019

8 Beach

FEATURING THE NICE GUYS

SUMMER’S MUST-HAVE ACCESSORIES

Bars Yo

u can ike to b

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Plus LOWCOUNTRY HAIRSTYLISTS

DADPRENEURS

DADPRENEURS SUMMER’S MUST-HAVE ACCESSORIES FEATURING THE NICE GUYS

CH2’S SUMMER TRAVEL SECTION LOWCOUNTRY HAIRSTYLISTS

FIVE DRINKS WITH SEA TURTLE AMBASSADOR AMBER KUEHN JUNE 2019

Blake and Christina of Coastal Bliss and Coastal Bliss MEN take you to 8 Beach Bars You Can Bike To! Photography

by M.KAT.

JUNE 2019

JUNE 2019

MUSICIANS IN BATHROOMS

Plus

MEET COVER MODEL AND FATHER, JIM BANNON, AS WELL AS SEVERAL OTHER AMAZING LOWCOUNTRY DADS

CB2’S SUMMER TRAVEL SECTION WITH TRIPS TO ICELAND, TOY STORY LAND AND ST. AUGUSTINE

Beach Bars Yo

u can ike to b

Dadpreneur Jim Bannon and his daughter, Emma Grace.

Photography

by M.KAT

108 GOOD FOR WHAT AILS YOU The island’s best happy hour adds shot of healing power to its cocktail menu at Rockfish Steak & Seafood.

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Lucy, we are going to Walt Disney World!

I finally get to meet Pluto!

GENIUSES AT WORK

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Architect of Ideas Maggie Marie Washo Technology Mastermind Carolyn Hunter Kostylo Financial Warden Marion Elizabeth Bowser Strategic Partnership Overlord Ashton Kelley Harmon Influencer-In-Residence Kim Conrad Crouch Culture Maven “Just Kandace” Wightman In-house Jeweler on Retainer Kaila Jeffcoat Intimacy Mentor Lucille Rosita Gonzalez Washo The Gatekeeper Greta Von Bowser The Real Yard Cats Grey and Dae May The Cut & Paste Crew Jeff Cline Fran Sherman Robin Ross Monica “Mika” St. John Writing Specialists Becca Edwards Linda S. Hopkins Laura Jacobi Justin Jarrett Barry Kaufman John McCann Michele Roldán-Shaw Lucy Rosen Lisa Sulka Lighting Experts M. Kat Photography

Find Us Here PO Box 22949 Hilton Head Island, SC 29925 843.816.7022 kandace@celebratehiltonhead.com

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hortly after Hurricane Irma rolled through Florida and up our coast in September of 2017, Walt Disney World opened up four of their resorts to canine friends. What I was told by a cast member was that they had opened up their hotels for evacuating coastal-living Floridians, and it had sort of been a testrun for a dog-friendly initiative. I guess it went well, because the program is still going today. If you are traveling with Fido, you are welcome to stay at The Yacht & Beach Club, The Cabins at Fort Wilderness, The Art of Animation Resort, or Port Orleans (additional fees apply, of course).

As an annual passholder and frequent guest, this was even better news than the Galaxy’s Edge announcement in 2015 (and I am a huge Star Wars fan). I always loved getting away for a few days, but my heart sank a little every time I left Lucy behind.

Pets are a huge part of our lives, and a lot of resorts are getting wise to the fact many baby boomers are traveling with them as they see the States during their retirement years. We have several pet-friendly resorts on Hilton Head Island, and we visited one of them (The Sonesta Resort in Shipyard Plantation) in our big fashion spread this month, Eight Beach Bars You Can Bike to, page 38.

In this summer travel issue, we journey to some remote locations and hit a few a little closer to home. Rebecca Edwards takes us on her birthday trip to the north in 40 Things to Do in Iceland when you’re 40.

In a comprehensive list of eat, see and do, she shares what not to miss if you decide to fly 3,309 miles into former Viking country.

Michele Roldán-Shaw hits 1-95 South and lands in St. Augustine, America’s oldest city. Her article is like a mini-history lesson,

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coupled with highlights of her trip. Justin Jarrett and his family headed even further south in Florida to share with us what’s new in Hollywood Studios, with an in-depth look at Toy Story Land. If you are wanting to take the kids to Disney, June is a good time to go. You can find great discounts (25 percent off room rates) at Walt Disney World Resorts through the end of August. Just get there before Galaxy’s Edge opens!

For a heart-warming read, and perhaps a little chuckle, check out the adorable artwork submitted by the young students at Hilton Head Christian Academy and Red Cedar Elementary in our Salute to Dad section. We asked them to tell us why they love their dad and draw us an accompanying photo. Unfortunately, we could not fit all of them in the print edition, so head to our website to see all of the submissions.

Be sure to check out the profiles on all of our dadpreneurs as well, starting on page 53.

Have you ever wanted to break up with your hairdresser? Linda Hopkins tells you the right (and polite) way to do it in her article on page 79. And coincidentally, immediately following that article is a special section highlighting Lowcountry hairstylists, in case you just moved here and are looking for a new “do.”

Have a fantastic June. See you on the beach!

Special Online Content Alert! www.youtube.com/ celebratehiltonhead

MAGGIE WASHO Publisher / Editor-in-Chief

M A Y O R

A Note from John McCann

< Hilton Head Island Mayor

TRIBUTE TO A POSITIVE, GRACEFUL AND SUPPORTIVE LEADER

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“It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.”

—Harry S. Truman

hat’s one of my favorite quotes from President Harry S. Truman.

Whenever I think of it, I think of my wonderful colleague in our neighboring Town of Bluffton, Mayor Lisa Sulka. Each of month, we both get an opportunity to write about happenings in our towns to share with readers of CH2/CB2 magazine. This month, I chose to write about Mayor Sulka, because I owe her much thanks for mentoring me as I transitioned from being a town councilman to being mayor of the Town of Hilton Head Island.

Mayor Sulka, along with being one of the most rabid Clemson University fans and alumnae, is the most upbeat, positive person

Photography by M.Kat

< Bluffton Mayor

A Note from Lisa Sulka

SEECLICKFIX IN BLUFFTON: OUR TOWN’S HAPPENING NEW APP

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he Town of Bluffton has implemented SeeClickFix Bluffton.

This is a mobile and web-based app that allows citizens to request services from town staff and report nonemergency issues within the town’s jurisdiction. The app is free and gives citizens the ability to provide town staff with pictures, videos, and detailed descriptions.

It also provides valuable tools to get the 26

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M AY O R town to operate more efficiently and effectively.

SeeClickFix provides status updates on the progress of service requests, enabling citizens to track the progress of all service requests—not just the ones they report. The app also has the capability to keep the public in the loop on what is going on in the town, with updates tailored to specific areas or issues of interest.

“SeeClickFix Bluffton” is being utilized by the Engineering Department, which includes Public Works and Watershed Management and does not include Growth Management or Codes Enforcement at this time. This app can be used for the following issues: • Waste/recycling issues within the Town of Bluffton.

• Road maintenance of town-owned roads. Please note that the town has jurisdiction for only the following roads: Hampton Parkway, Calhoun Street, Lawrence Street, Thomas Heyward Street, Dr. Mellichamp Drive, Buckwalter Place Blvd., Green Street, Wharf Street/South of Bridge Street (Oyster Factory Park) and Innovation Drive.

• Town parks and facilities (DuBois Park, Oyster Factory Park, Pritchard Pocket Park, Oscar Frazier Park, New Riverside Trail, Rotary Community Center).

• Drainage concerns within the town’s watersheds.

• Illegal dumping of trash or harmful liquids within the town’s jurisdiction and watersheds.

• Problems with town-owned or maintained infrastructure.

• Landscaping maintenance at town-owned properties.

• Maintenance of town-owned sidewalks.

• Tree-related issues on town property.

The following issues are not supported by the app or are outside of Town of Bluffton jurisdiction: • Emergency police and medical services.

• Maintenance of properties owned by other government agencies or private property.

• Issues related to sewer/water or electric utilities.

The SeeClickFix mobile app is available for download on Android (Google Play) and iPhone (App Store). Please remember that SeeClickFix Bluffton is only for non-emergency issues within the town’s jurisdiction. For emergencies, please call 911. Issues not serviced by the town’s Engineering Department will be redirected to the appropriate town department or outside entity.

I hope you all take the time to download this app and be part of Bluffton’s success. 

SHE HAS SHARED WITH ME HER PERSPECTIVE ON HOW WE CAN WORK TOGETHER TO ADDRESS SUCH ISSUES AS GROWTH, WORKFORCE HOUSING, TOURISM, AND OUR EVER-BURGEONING TRAFFIC PROBLEMS ALONG THE U.S. 278 CORRIDOR. I know. The extensive list of accomplishments the Town of Bluffton has achieved under her tenure as mayor is reflective of her enthusiasm and leadership. But she’ll quickly point out that all the town has done is a result of the amazing town staff, team of councilmen, and citizens of Bluffton.

When I was elected mayor, Mayor Sulka was among the first to call and congratulate me for winning this esteemed position. Although I had served on the Hilton Head Island Town Council for six years and was familiar with some mayoral responsibilities, I knew I still had a learning curve. In a matter of days, I was swamped with new responsibilities—from reorganizing Town Council committees and meeting weekly with Town Manager Steve Riley and his staff to pitching at a little league baseball game season-opener and being fitted with a plaid jacket for the RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing.

Mayor Sulka offered to help me navigate these numerous tasks.

Thanks to her, my transition has been relatively smooth.

During my tenure in town government, I have met many persons who serve their community as I do. As you can imagine, there are persons you can agree with and others whose differing opinions can lead to contentious moments.

Regardless of issues that may arise or persons she may face, Mayor Sulka gracefully handles every issue and every person with a healthy dose of positivity. As I have gotten to know her, my admiration for her understanding of community challenges continues to grow. She is a former resident of Hilton Head Island and thus has a grasp on the issues that both of our communities face. She has shared with me her perspective on how we can work together to address such issues as growth, workforce housing, tourism, and our ever-burgeoning traffic problems along the U.S. 278 corridor.

With a sense of community pride, Mayor Sulka has led the Town of Bluffton through periods of both population and economic growth. I admire her leadership, her ability to tackle tough issues, her insight into complex matters, and her composure under fire. I also admire her style of engaging her community, keeping citizens informed through live Facebook feeds and appearances at community events, and managing Bluffton in the spotlight. She has definitely raised the bar for surrounding communities and has earned the respect of her constituents and colleagues.

It takes tenacity to be a great mayor. Mayor Sulka has been at the helm of Bluffton for nearly three terms. That in itself shows that she has what it takes to move a town forward. She couples this with a cheerful attitude and the belief that she can make a difference. Whenever we connect, she always reminds me that she is moving her town forward with the support of everyone who lives in Bluffton and in the region. To me, this is simply amazing.

Thank you, Lisa, for your leadership and friendship and for always being positive.  John McCann is the mayor of Hilton Head Island. JohnM@ hiltonheadislandsc.gov.

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This & That

C2 Magazine • June 2019 Edition A Series of Fortunate Events, interesting news and a hodge-podge of other items.

You know…this and that! If you would like to submit something for this special section, please email hunter@celebratehiltonhead.com. If we have room and it’s appropriate for public consumption, we’ll be happy to oblige.

On April 12, Hopeful Horizons hosted their annual fundraiser, An Evening with Hopeful Horizons, with 250 attendees at Hampton Hall.

The event included a live auction with local auctioneer Sonny Huntley chanting the bids, followed by an impact auction, highlighting three survivor stories. Over $145,000 was raised. Hopeful Horizons is a children’s advocacy, domestic violence and rape crisis center. Learn more at www.hopefulhorizons. org or by calling (843) 5240597. Reach the 24-hour crisis hotline at (800) 868-2632.

HARBOURFEST 2019 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

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n addition to the usual annual summer entertainment including Shannon Tanner and Cappy the Clown at Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina, part of Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort, an eleventh week and eleventh fireworks show has been added to the 2019 HarbourFest schedule.

Shannon Tanner show • Memorial Day Weekend — Saturday, May 25 & Sunday, May 26 — 6:30 p.m. & 8 p.m.

• May 27-August 30 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday 6:30 p.m. & 8 p.m.

• Labor Day Weekend — Saturday, August 31 & Sunday, September 1 — 7 p.m. (Parrot Palooza Caribbean Concert) Cappy the Clown • Memorial Day Weekend — Saturday, May 25 & Sunday, May 26 — 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm • May 27 — August 30 Monday through Friday — 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm • Labor Day Weekend — Saturday, August 31 & Sunday, September 1 — 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm Fireworks (11 shows in 2019—shows start at dusk) • Tuesdays: June 11, 18, 25 • Thursday: July 4 (no show on Tuesday, July 2) • Tuesdays: July 9, 16, 23, 30 • Tuesdays: August 6, 13, 20 Parrot Palooza—Jimmy Buffett Caribbean Concert with Shannon Tanner & the Oyster Reefers (shows start at 7 p.m.)

• Every Thursday from June 13 – August 22 (No Parrot Palooza show on Thursday, July 4) • June 13, 20, 27 • July 11, 18, 25 • August 1, 8, 15, 22 • Labor Day Weekend — Saturday, August 31 & Sunday, September 1 All events are family-friendly and open to the public, and admission is free. Events are weatherpermitting and subject to change. For more information, visit the Shelter Cove Harbour and Marina Facebook page or www.sheltercoveharbourfest.com.

The Southeast Entertainment Restaurant Group (SERG) is expanding another popular Hilton Head eatery to Bluffton’s Buckwalter corridor. Frankie Bones, best known for a menu of steaks, seafood and pasta and an atmosphere that pays homage to 1960s Rat Pack, is coming to Buckwalter Place, with an estimated opening in December.

Hilton Head Insurance and Brokerage is pleased to announce that Michele Kosto has joined their team. A Lowcountry resident for 25 years, originally from the Pittsburgh, Pa. area, Kosto has been working in the insurance industry for 14 years and specializes in personal lines insurance.

Mikkelson Law Firm, LLC was the proud co-sponsor with RLB Squared of the Youth Zone at the 2019 RBC Heritage presented by Boeing. The Youth Zone, designed for ages 3-15, was open Tuesday, April 16 through Sunday, April 21 at the seventeenth hole at Harbor Town Golf Links, featuring a six-hole miniature putt course and a new long-putt contest.

Youth Zone encourages young people to embrace the sport of golf.

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This & That

C2 Magazine • June 2019 Edition A Series of Fortunate Events, interesting news and a hodge-podge of other items.

You know…this and that! If you would like to submit something for this special section, please email hunter@celebratehiltonhead.com. If we have room and it’s appropriate for public consumption, we’ll be happy to oblige.

The Auxiliary Caring Touch (ACT) Program recently donated $9,000 to VIM Hilton Head and VIM Bluffton for patient medication. The funds were generated through proceeds from the hospital gift shops, which are managed and staffed by volunteers from The Hospital Auxiliary. The ACT program serves patients through VIM Hilton Head, VIM Bluffton, Hilton Head Hospital, and Coastal Carolina Hospital. The total budget for this program in 2019 is $40,000 Left Picture: Don Harrison, ACT Program Chairman; Ruth Spinello, VIM Nurse; Pam Toney, Director VIM Bluffton; Dave Hales, Auxiliary President.

Right Picture: Don Harrison, ACT Program Chairman; Ginger Allen, VIM Director of Development; Dave Hales, Auxiliary President.

2019 YOUTH COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD WINNERS The Foundation for Educational Excellence awarded 14 Innovative Teacher and School Resource Grants for spring 2019 to teachers from 10 different schools across Beaufort County.

These grants, totaling more than $18,000, will provide 4,600 innovative learning opportunities for students throughout the district at early childhood centers, elementary schools, middle schools and high schools.

Coastal Carolina Hospital is pleased to welcome Christina Brzezinski as its new chief nursing officer. Brzezinski brings more than 25 years of health care experience to the team and will provide strategic leadership as the senior executive responsible for all nursing and other designated patient care functions and services within Coastal Carolina Hospital.

Jeff Jones, senior vice president of Wells Fargo Advisors in Hilton Head, S.C., has been recognized as a 2019 Best in State Wealth Advisor by Forbes. Jones has 23 years of experience in the financial services industry and has been with Wells Fargo Advisors since 2002.

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he Women’s Association of Hilton Head Island (WAHHI) announced the 2019 Youth Community Service Award winners and WAHHI Charitable Fund Grant recipients at their spring luncheon, held at the Sonesta Resort on April 26.

Congratulations to the following students, who each demonstrated an active commitment to community volunteerism: Jacey Robinson, Hilton Head Christian Academy; Meaghan Lyons, Hilton Head Island High School; Perla Jimenez, Bluffton High School; Griffin Jones, Hilton Head Preparatory School; and Gabe McCall, May River High School. Each student will receive a $1,000 cash award.

This year’s special grant focus was on the cultural and environmental dimensions of the organization’s mission. Congratulations to the 2019 WAHHI Charitable Fund Grant recipients: Arts Center of Coastal Carolina; Hilton Head Island Sea Turtle Protection Project; Hilton Head High School Parent Teacher Student Organization (PTSO); Coastal Discovery Museum; The Outside Foundation; Gullah Museum of Hilton Head Island; Family Promise of Beaufort County; The Children’s Center; The Sandbox: A Hilton Head Area Children’s Museum; and Special Olympics SC Area.

To learn more about WAHHI, visit www. wahhi.org or follow on Facebook at facebook. com/wahhi.fun.

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This & That

C2 Magazine • June 2019 Edition A Series of Fortunate Events, interesting news and a hodge-podge of other items.

You know…this and that! If you would like to submit something for this special section, please email hunter@celebratehiltonhead.com. If we have room and it’s appropriate for public consumption, we’ll be happy to oblige.

THE MAIN STREET YOUTH THEATRE PRESENTS DISNEY’S HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL

Fast Fit Body Sculpting of Hilton Head was recently awarded the 2019 Golden Oyster Award, presented by the Bluffton Chamber of Commerce. The honor is bestowed on a “homegrown” company that provides an excellent product or service to the community and takes great care of its employees.

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he Main Street Youth Theatre is heading to high school this summer with Disney’s High School Musical! Based on the popular Disney movie, this high-energy production features Troy, Gabriella and the students of East High dealing with issues of first love, friends and family, while balancing their classes and extracurricular activities. If you aren’t familiar with the main storyline, basketball team captain and resident jock, Troy, discovers that the brainy Gabriella, a girl he met singing karaoke on his ski trip, has just enrolled at East High. They cause an upheaval when they decide to audition for the high school musical. Although many students resent the threat posed to the “status quo,” Troy and Gabriella’s alliance might just open the door for others to shine as well.

The show features a cast of 25 with six local high schools being represented. Stars include Daniel Harrington as Troy Bolton, Harper Krimm as Gabrielle Montez, Elliott Lentz as Sharpay Evans, Luke Herman as Ryan Evans, and many more. “This show embodies the fun, contemporary energy featured in the movie and is something that the whole family can enjoy,” MSYT board president Cinda Seamon said.

The show’s production team includes Hilton Head Christian Academy’s theater director Michelle McElroy (director), Cynthia Cullen (music director), Jamal Edwards (choreographer) and Logan Naddy (stage manager). “We couldn’t be more excited to have this production team together again,” Seamon said. “Their professionalism and collective creative vision ensure this will be nothing short of spectacular!”

Director Michelle McElroy is clearly excited as well. “‘We’re All in This Together’ is one of the well-known songs from the show, but it really rings true for us,” she said. “It’s great seeing the theater kids from different schools come together to create something special in the summer. I’m honored to once again be a part of it!”

There will be 10 performances total, June 19-30, with evening performances at 7 p.m. matinees and matinees at 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday (6/23 & 6/30). Tickets are $19 for adults and $12 for students and are available online via www.MSYT.org or by calling the box office at (843) 689-6246.

MSYT is a nonprofit organization established in 1997. For more information about MSYT, visit www.MSYT.org.

The Church Women of All Saints Episcopal Church hosted a fashion show on April 2nd featuring fashions by SoSandra Boutique. The models above are all members of the church surrounding owner, Sandra Ossie. The event raised $2,400. Heroes on Horseback and the Junior Jazz Foundation each received $1,200.

The Boys & Girls Club of Bluffton is excited to announce the opening of its new Literacy Center of Excellence, a 2,700 square foot expansion of its building and new site of the Club’s reading intervention program.

In January of 2014 the Boys & Girls Club of Bluffton launched a comprehensive reading intervention program. Since then Club staff members have seen direct improvements in participants’ reading skills, focus, motivation and self-esteem.

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amber O kuehn the island’s resident expert on sea turtles shares what you can do to help.

SHE’S DRINKING: WATER (IN HER DEFENSE, SHE WAS JUST GETTING OVER THE FLU, AND WATER IS KIND OF HER THING)

I’M DRINKING: CAFÉ AMERICANO

Article by Barry Kaufman Photography by M.Kat

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5 Barry Kaufman and Amber Kuehn at the Corner Perk in downtown Bluffton.

n the day we met up with fourthgeneration Bluffton local, marine biologist and passionate sea turtle advocate Amber Kuehn, sea turtles were on the front page of The Island Packet. A group of volunteers from Turtle Trackers had flooded the previous day’s Town Council meeting, calling on town leaders to enhance protection of the animals.

Mentioned in the story was a sea turtle ordinance Kuehn had drafted. Kuehn would make the newspaper again several days later when a rare Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle came ashore on the island.

The point being, this interview happened right as Kuehn was getting ready for the busiest time of her year. All signs were pointing to a very busy nesting season, putting her in front of a wave of incoming sea turtle nests.

Plus, with the launch of Sea Turtle Patrol Hilton Head as a federal 501(c)(3), Kuehn was diving deep into community involvement in her ongoing efforts to save the sea turtles.

BK: So, this is your last week before everything goes nuts. What’s a typical morning like for you during nesting season?

AK: Patrol starts at five in the morning, so we’re up by four, and we get to Islanders Beach Park by five to monitor 14 miles of beach. It takes three hours just to run the beach. If we find anything and have to move it, that takes 30 minutes, so you never know.

BK: What are you looking for?

AK: We’re looking for tracks. As soon as we find a track, we follow it to the top, then we locate an egg chamber and mark that.

If it’s below the spring high tide line, we’ll move it above that line just so it doesn’t get overwashed during the 60-day incubation.

BK: And then you mark it?

AK: Yeah, so no one builds a sandcastle on it or puts a tent pole through it. We’ll find it

before most people do because we’re out so early, but it’s no question that it’s a nest. It’s got an orange placard on it that says, “Federally protected species; do not tamper.” So, they should

...we get to Islanders Beach Park by five to monitor 14 miles of beach. It takes three hours just to run the beach. If we find anything and have to move it, that takes 30 minutes...

5 DRINKS WITH: amber kuehn know.

BK: Speaking of tent poles, that was among the laundry list of things that your volunteers brought up in the Packet this morning. What should we be doing better?

AK: I’ve been doing this for over 21 years.

Every turtle season, I’ve been on some beach or another. I have noticed in the last three to four years that the holes are tremendous. They’re big enough to swim in. The problem with that is when you excavate a hole and leave it open, the tide comes in and takes the excavation away.

Now you have nothing to fill the hole in with, so it stays there for weeks.

We just spent $20 million renourishing our beach in 2016. It’s very disrespectful to destroy something that’s public land.

Leaving your litter behind is disrespectful; it can entangle sea turtles and trap hatchlings. Hatchlings fall into the holes and can’t get out. Nesting females will fall into the holes, since they come out in the dark and can’t see it. And the other thing is abandoned property. People come to town; they buy the tent—they buy the things that didn’t fit in the car to bring back home— and they leave it there on the beach instead of putting it in an appropriate spot.

BK: You’d think people would be on board with cracking down on that. It bothers us, too.

AK: Well it’s completely obvious to us but I guess it’s not to them. There’s an issue with the trash cans, and that’s starting to be resolved by [the Town of] Hilton Head. The Turtle Trackers, a group

formed in every beachfront community except for Port Royal Plantation, go out each night and fill in these holes, pick up trash, educate the public, plus they give out red film stickers to people who have flashlights. They’ve been a tremendous help. That group started three years ago.

BK: What changes would you like to see town government make?

AK: A lot of our homes are beachfront rentals. There’s a clause in the previous ordinance that prohibits any light reflected on the beach, which doesn’t really make sense because that’s not the only light turtles can see, you know? They can see lights that you can see from the beach.

It doesn’t necessarily have to reflect on

the sand. There’s that, and then there are advancements in LED bulbs. Sea turtles can see red light, but they aren’t attracted to it. It might hinder females from nesting, but it won’t attract the hatchlings, which is a huge problem for us.

We have 15 permitted patrol staff, and we all have real jobs.

This is all volunteer. We don’t have time to go out every evening, and some of us don’t live on the island. So, they are doing their best to approach Town Council about this ordinance that might be implemented that would restrict the size of shovels on the beach. Because you can’t dig a six-foot diameter ten-feet-deep hole with this (mimics a tiny beach shovel).

I’m sure that will take a while to implement. But the lighting ordinance, which is what I’ve been working on for the last three years, is a revision of this ordinance that was implemented in 1990. The current one is super old and doesn’t reflect any new sea turtle biology. I’ve had it revised, and the Town Council is pushing it forward with the planning committee and will hopefully have that in the ordinance by hatching season, which is July 1.

BK: What have been some positive changes?

AK: We have a lot of projects going on for the public to see.

We’ve only really been focusing on this public education for three years. This year will be exciting, because we have some artwork that will show up at Coligny Beach; we have a retrofit of a beachfront home at 20 Ibis [Street] where we’re replacing exterior fixtures, putting in appropriate bulbs, shielding things and taking the boardwalk lights down and away from the beach.

It’s going to be something I’d like the whole community to be aware of so maybe they can follow suit.

And this year is our largest population. This population coming back is the largest population. We had very low nesting numbers last year (179 nests), which is ridiculously low, because of the snow. The snow killed a lot of the organisms the turtles would eat to get robust enough to nest. This year, those girls are coming back in addition to the large population, so it’s going to be a huge year. Hopefully, people will be respectful of how many there are and what they’ll see.

Find out more about Sea Turtle Patrol Hilton Head Island at SeaTurtlePatrolHHI.com.

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t’s no secret that one of the best ways to see Hilton Head Island is on two wheels. On Saturday mornings, you’ll see dozens of pickup trucks stacked with bicycles as crews hustle to deliver before that 4 p.m. check-in time. With over 100 miles of shared-use pathways on the island, it’s never been easier to get from point A to point B, while being eco-friendly in the process.

This month, however, we’re headed straight to the beach for a bike adventure. The CH2 crew went from slightly north of Palmetto Dunes all the way south to Sea Pines in search of the best beach bars you can bike to. We managed to hit eight happening spots just a few sandy steps from the beach. From must-try frozen cocktails to lite bites and house specialties, we share our adventures on the following pages.

F E AT U R I N G T H E C L O T H I N G O F C O A S TA L B L I S S A N D C O A S TA L B L I S S M E N | P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y M . K AT S T Y L I N G BY K A I L A J E F F C OAT | M O D E L E D BY C H R I S T I N A , B L A K E , J I M M Y A N D PAT R I C K O F C OA S TA L B L I S S D E S I G N B Y J E F F C L I N E | S P E C I A L T H A N K S T O H I LT O N H E A D O U T F I T T E R S F O R T H E B R I G H T R E D B I K E S

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SHIPYARD

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Patrick: LinkSoul Polo, LinkSoul Boardwalker Shorts Christina: Tart Collections Top, J Brand Skirt, and Nectar Sunglasses Jimmy: Southern Shirt Button Down, LinkSoul Boardwalker Shorts, Nectar Sunglasses Blake: BB Dakota Top, Tart Collections Shorts

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COAST, OCEANFRONT DINING (Located at the Sea Pines Beach Club)

Must Try Cocktail: Mango Madness Must Try Dish: Local Oysters on the Half Shell The shoreline of the south end of Hilton Head Island changed for the better several years back with the multi-million-dollar renovation of the Sea Pines Beach Club. As you stroll up the slotted wooden pathway towards the tantalizing smell of fried seafood and cheeseburgers, you’ll hear the gentle strumming of a guitar along with the laughter of guests already planted at tables, enjoying the ocean view with their frosty beverages. Coast, Oceanfront Dining offers al fresco dining on the patio or a more formal (and gorgeously decorated) inside dining room. We opted for the outside bar area on this trip, however, and ordered a mojito, an old-fashioned, a Moscow Mule and the Mango Madness frozen drink.

Russell Goldstein, Sea Pines Resort’s food and beverage operations manager, suggested we try the oysters to accompany our cocktails. Renowned for its locally sourced seafood, Coast, Oceanfront Dining offers a selection of large, meaty oysters harvested fresh from the unspoiled waters of Beaufort County’s marshes and creeks. The premium-select oysters include St. Helena Salts, yielding long, salty pieces of meat; Roddy Rocks, a Dawes Island variety with a sweet aftertaste that complements its initial briny flavor; and Lowcountry Cups, single, select oysters grown in South Carolina’s pristine ACE Basin.

These oysters on the half shell were to die for, with just the slightest spritz of lemon and a touch of horseradish.

We could have sat here for hours, just soaking in the atmosphere, but we were on a mission and it’s time to round up those bikes and pedal!

Patrick: Southern Tide Reyn Spooner Shirt LinkSoul Boardwalker Shorts Christina: Tart Collections Jumpsuit Blake: Show Me Your Mumu Dress Jimmy: Southern Tide Polo, J Brand Jeans All: Hari Mari Flip Flops

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2 BEACH MARKER 53/54

LOGGERHEAD LANDING (Located at the Marriott Grande Ocean Resort)

Must Try Cocktail: Frozen Coronita Light or the Tipsy Turtle Must Try EntrĂŠe: BBQ Pork Nachos Loggerhead Landing recently got an expansion with more deck seating for dining or sipping. We headed up the path past the firepit with Adirondack chairs and ordered some BBQ nachos to snack on while we contemplated the drink menu. The Marriott Grande Ocean Resort houses this beach bar, and Loggerhead Landing has that vacation vibe you want. Local musicians play most days in the busy summer months, and you can follow them on Facebook for updates and special events @ MarriottsGrandeOcean. After much contemplation, we decided on a Bananarama and a Blue Crush, two frozen drinks that were being offered on a special Bacardi Rum menu. We could have sat by that firepit in those Adirondack chairs all night if we didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to keep moving.

Christina: Z Supply Dress little fish BOATEAK Earrings Hari Mari Flip Flops Patrick: Travis Mathew Polo LinkSoul Boardwalker Shorts Hari Mari Flip Flops

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THE TIKI HUT (Located at the Beach House Hotel on South Forest Beach Rd.)

Must Try Cocktail: Mojito Our next stop is an island institution.

As we approached by bicycle, we spied hundreds of sunbathers soaking in the summer rays and watching the volleyball nets that get continuous play right next to the thatched roof of the Beach House’s Tiki Hut. Live music gets center stage here, with two bands playing most summer days (afternoon and evening). We grabbed a Corona and a mojito and took a time-out at the tables surrounding the stage. Locals love this hot spot as much as the tourists, and the bartenders are rock stars for handling the crowds. For a complete list of actual rock stars gracing the outdoor Tiki Hut stage, head over to http://tikihuthhi.com/hilton-headevents. Don’t forget to grab a few bottles of water for the rest of your ride. It’s time to get moving!

Blake: Cleobella Top, DL 1961 Shorts, and Kooringal Hat Christina: Z Supply Dress Jimmy: Southern Tide T-Shirt, Saxx Cannonball Bathing Swim Trunks with built in BallPark Pouch Patrick: Chaser T-Shirt, Saxx Cannonball Swim Trunks with built in BallPark Pouch

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4 BEACH MARKER 60A

POOL BAR JIM’S (Located in the Sea Crest on North Forest Beach Rd.)

Must Try Cocktail: Lava Flow Must Try Entrée: Sweet Tea Marinated Chicken Sandwich with Pimento Cheese If you haven’t had a fresh frozen drink whipped up by island icon “Pool Bar Jim,” have you even been to Hilton Head Island? Find Jim Lisenby and his delectable 1000page (slight exaggeration) drink menu at the Sea Crest, in a brandnew octagon-shaped bar, adjacent to the covered one that’s closer to the pool. When asked for his recommendations, Jim served us up a Painkiller (so we couldn’t feel the burn after peddling so far) and the house specialty, a Lava Flow.

Lisenby has teamed up with longtime islander and restaurateur Dave Peck (Lowcountry Backyard and soon-to-open Bad Biscuit) to serve up delicious sandwiches, salads and appetizers along with those famous cocktails. The sweet-tea-marinated chicken sandwich with pimento cheese was our favorite, along with the blackened grouper sandwich.

Christina: Tart Collections Romper, Nectar Sunglasses Blake: Cleobella Top, DL 1961 Shorts, Kooringal Hat

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HEYWARD’S & SEACREST TERRACE AND PATIO (Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island)

Must Try Cocktail: Blood Orange Cosmo Must Try Entrée: NY Strip with Crispy Potatoes, Demi-glace and Asparagus When you walk onto the Sonesta grounds (located in Shipyard Resort), the first thing you notice is how lush and tropical the landscaping is.

Meander past the wedding pavilion, around a large pond with a dancing water feature as you make your way to the bustling poolside area at the resort. There you will find two great options for dining—the more casual Seacrest Terrace and Patio, or the more formal Heyward’s during dinner and breakfast hours. We couldn’t resist the NY strip, as we had been cycling quite a bit up until this point.

Paired with a nice bottle of red wine, it was the perfect interlude before our journey continued. Pets are welcome at this hotel, so getting to visit with four-legged friends on the outside terrace is definitely a plus in our book.

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6 BEACH MARKER 82/82A

OCEAN BLU (Hilton Head Marriott Resort & Spa)

Must Try Cocktail: Cabana Fizz Must Try Entrée: Coconut Fried Rice Shrimp and the Tapas Sampler It’s not far to go for the next stop on our beach bike tour—the Hilton Head Marriott Resort & Spa. Yep, it’s that super-tall building, and we are headed there next to the Ocean Blu Café, which overlooks the beach, pool deck (registered guests only please!) and the ocean bar just steps from the sand. Grab a table, and your server will be there in moments with the kind of spectacular service that Marriott has always been known for. The gentleman waiting on us recommended we cool off with a Cabana Fizz, which was a delightful mix of New Amsterdam vodka, blueberry Reàl, elderflower syrup, lime juice and prosecco, topped with edible flowers as a garnish. Almost too pretty to drink. Ahem, almost. For appetizers, we tried the Tapas Sampler (hummus, marinated olives, housemade pickled vegetables, grilled naan bread), and coconut fried rice shrimp— all of which were unbelievably tasty and light. We recommend you get two orders of that shrimp, because you won’t want to share!

Christina: Cleobella Dress, little fish BOATEAK Earrings, Nectar Sunglasses Patrick: Southern Tide Shirt, LinkSoul Boardwalker Shorts Blake: Show Me Your Mumu Dress, little fish BOATEAK Earrings Jimmy: Southern Tide Reyn Spooner Shirt, johnnie-O Shorts

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THE DUNES HOUSE Must Try Cocktail: The Citrus Siren Must Try Entrée: The Fish Tacos (or the Greek salad, for those looking for lighter fare) You’ll see red umbrellas dotting the next stop on your beach bike crawl, the Dunes House, located in Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort, just a few steps down from the Hilton Head Marriott Resort and Spa. Lock up the bikes and head up the stairs for the best fish tacos on the beach. We paired ours with the recommended house cocktail, The Citrus Siren, made with Hilton Head Distillery’s toasted coconut rum, lemonade, piña colada and a blue Curaçao swirl finish. The open kitchen provides a fun distraction while you wait for your food to be prepared—fresh to order.

Listen to the fine musical stylings of Unicorn Meat (a band, for those not in the know) with Jevon Daly and Jos Vicars as you gaze at the ocean and celebrate all the life choices that got you to this exact moment in the sun. Follow @TheDunesHouse on facebook for entertainment schedules and other updates.

Patrick: LinkSoul Polo, LinkSoul Boardwalker Shorts Christina: Tart Collections Top, J Brand Skirt, and Nectar Sunglasses Jimmy: Southern Shirt Button Down, LinkSoul Boardwalker Shorts, Nectar Sunglasses Blake: BB Dakota Top, Tart Collections Shorts

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COCO’S ON THE BEACH Must Try Cocktail: Funky Monkey Must Try Dish: The Chili Cheese Dog Everything is colorful at Coco’s— from the giant logo drawn on a chalkboard at the back of the bar to the high-top tables and stools placed strategically for the best views of the ocean. Even the swimsuits worn by patrons as they march from the beach to order their colorful frozen cocktails complement the vibe. Bartender Justin was quick to recommend the Funky Monkey (Captain Morgan white rum, Bailey’s Original Irish cream and banana liqueur, served frozen with chocolate sauce stripes in the cup), the perfect drink for a hot Saturday afternoon. Not wanting the booze to go straight to our heads, we paired it with a chili cheese dog and the Black and Blu Burger with a side of chips. Check out the crowd before you go (or while jealously regarding tourists as you are sitting at your desk) by logging onto their beach cam at www.cocosonthebeach.com.

Chili Cheese Dog with a side of chips.

The Black and Blu Burger with pickle and a side of slaw.

Jimmy: johnnie-O Shirt, johnnie-O Shorts Blake: Buddy Love Top, J Brand Shorts, little fish BOATEAK Earrings

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MEN

and the

Balancing Act: How Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Dads are Doing it All

BY LUCY ROSEN

T

B

he balancing act. For years (if not decades), the term connotes the image of an often-harried mom trying to juggle and balance it all: a job, family obligations, spending time with her significant other/kids/in-laws â&#x20AC;Ś while seamlessly managing hearth and home. But more and more, society has come to realize that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not just moms doing the balancing, but an increasing number of dads who are navigating the work/ life balance as well and showing the world (and especially their kids) that they are as committed to balancing it all as their mom is.

Michael Perry with his daughters Audrey and Olivia.

Looking back to the 1960s and ’70s, dads were seldom seen on weekdays before coming home from work at 6 p.m.—leaving play date pick-ups, carpool duties, after-school sporting events and a host of other kid-centric activities pretty much all to moms. Today, however, things are far different in many families throughout the U.S. (and throughout the Lowcountry), with recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showing that in

Tom Curry Tom Curry points to his kids turning 12 years old as being the “magic number” for him as a dad committed to the work/ life balance. As the owner of Lowcountry Paver, a well-known hardscape products manufacturer, he wanted to involve his three sons in the business, working together with him. Each started working in the manufacturing plant whenever they were off from school.

“My kids were taught early on that there are no free rides, and thankfully, they really enjoyed it,” Curry said. “They all have

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2018, 63 percent of two-parent households with children under the age of 18 had two working parents. Whether juggling the work/family schedule of a two-parent household or taking on the full range of family responsibilities as a single dad while managing a career, one thing is clear: today’s dads are more involved than ever, and just like moms, are doing it all and doing it all well. Three local dads share how they are pulling it off.

their own ‘toys’ including a boat and wave runners, and my boys are required to do all their own maintenance and repairs on everything. I believe this has taught my kids not only how to be self-sufficient, but also to respect and care for their things and save money at the same time.”

Curry said one of the best decisions he and his wife Cheryl made was to start scuba diving as a family (they are all certified advanced scuba divers and take family trips every year.) The dives are a bonding experience, and what they see together spawns topics of conversation for days.

It’s worked for the Currys to have a “divide and conquer” working relationship with the three boys, with Cheryl focusing on the education and after-school activities and Tom focusing on the work ethic “teachings.” (Looking back, Curry admits that it was hard to make it to all the boys’ sporting activities, but he did the best he could.)

Now, at ages 21, 19 and 16, two of the boys are focused on taking over Lowcountry Paver when the time is right,

having devoted their blood, sweat and tears alongside their dad, and the oldest is off to get his doctorate in biochemistry at the University of Georgia.

Having purchased Lowcountry Paver at age 35, Curry said his children grew up in an entrepreneurial home. His phone is always on, and calls are always answered— whether on a dive trip or not. “However, I work and spend time with my family every waking moment,” he said.

Michael Perry Luckily for Michael Perry, owner of Papa Bear Charters and dad to two girls (ages 14 and 11), his busy season is the exact opposite of his wife’s. (Sarah Perry is coowner of the popular Village at Wexford’s Branches.) His girls know that when Dad smells like diesel fuel, it’s the smell of spending money, but when he smells like fish, it’s the smell of making money.

Perry caught the entrepreneurial bug at just nine years old, cleaning fish for 15 cents apiece at the dock where his dad was

a fishing guide. “I knew if I worked hard and was passionate about what I did, I would be successful, and that’s what I teach my girls every single day,” Perry said. “I’ve been known to drive two hours from my boat to watch two minutes of swimming or a gymnastics routine and then drive back,” he said. “My girls work hard at their sports, and I try to be as supportive as possible by showing up, even if it’s FaceTiming them on the pool deck or the gym floor.”

When it comes to leaving work at work, Perry does this well. “It would be really easy for me to bring it home with me—whether phone calls or emailing charters or finding out where the bite was that day—but I have to stop and have those moments with my kids,” he said. “I’m hot and tired on a July evening, but cuddled-up movie time on the couch with my girls (with the AC blasting) is the perfect way to end my day.”

He further noted the positive impact his work ethic and efforts to “do it all” have on his two daughters. “My girls see the hard work and focus that I put into my work, and my belief is they will do the same,” he said. “I work as hard as I can to be able to do what I love, and I want my girls to set that same goal for themselves. Staying true to yourself and doing what you love, no matter what anyone else thinks, is a powerful lesson, and I definitely think young women need to feel that power at a young age.”

Josh Hale

Josh Hale is the founder of Village, a company launched in 2012 that creates virtual reality tours, photorealistic renderings, and animations of built-forsale luxury homes and high-end buildings.

With six kids all under the age of 13 and a business that has grown steadily, Hale practices his balancing act daily, but he does struggle with the work-life balance, particularly when he has a slew of projects to complete businesswise. His kids are all home-schooled by his wife, but Hale actively participates in listening to their weekly presentations and helping with homework whenever needed.

Having six kids is a balancing act in itself, and Hale has found that simple things—like taking one or two of the kids to his office for a day or with him when he needs to run

an errand—provide some of the best quality time ever. His children are growing up with the same entrepreneurial spirit as Curry’s and Perry’s kids, and Hale is quick to point out that he hopes his kids can see that they don’t have to think within the paradigm and go out and simply get a job. “I want my kids to discover what they like and venture out and do it themselves,” he said.

In regard to the balancing act he has worked to create and maintain, Hale said it’s one of the reasons he wanted to be an entrepreneur. Being able to participate in regular field trips, attend evening activities with the kids and be a part of a large family is something he wouldn’t trade for anything, and having that “flexibility that allows for an afternoon walk on the beach” means everything to him. “Quality time with your kids is really the best thing you can provide for them. Being able to be flexible has been key in helping to make this quality time a reality for my family. It doesn’t matter if it’s at Disney World or in the backyard.”

Gone are the days when dads only did dad stuff—like working, mowing the lawn and other stereotyped “dad jobs.”

Today’s dads are truly stepping up to the plate, striking just the right balance between raising their kids and running their businesses, and are doing their best (as women do) to hit a home run when it comes to reaping the rewards of both.

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DADPRENEURS

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SPECIAL FEATURES

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Ben Andrews Alex Nightingale

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Jim Bannon

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Nathan Skager Robert Szypczak

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Josh Simpson

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Thomas M. Dowling Brian Quinn

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Marshall Sampson and Billy Watterson

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Marc Ricciardi Alex Haynes

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Kenny Nix

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Carey Basciano Steve Harmon

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Michael Ray

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BEN ANDREWS CLUB CAR OF HILTON HEAD How do you balance a successful business and still make time for your family?

I make them a part of it. Our kids love to run around the showroom! Having a family business, you have to mix the two.

What is your favorite daddy/child date?

Trips to Lowe’s.

What is one of the most important things you can teach your children in respect to sustaining a business?

Work hard and respect others. Treat others the way you would want to be treated, and the rest will fall into place.

When you first became a father, what was the one thing you were totally unprepared for?

How much they completely change your life (for the better)!

How many children would you have if finances were no object and your wife agreed?

Two! Ask your children what you do best or what their favorite activity is with you, and print their response here: Bike rides and morning walks to look for deer.

1484 Fording Island Road Bluffton, SC, 29910 (843) 837-2066 https://clubcarhhi.com/

ALEX NIGHTINGALE THE PEARL KITCHEN + BAR AND ELA’S ON THE WATER How do you balance a successful business and still make time for your family?

It can be difficult, but it’s possible by surrounding ourselves with great staff members who are trustworthy and have high expectations themselves.

Also, my wife Abbey is a complete rock star and deserves all of the credit; she is truly the rock of our family.

What is your favorite daddy/child date?

Love a beach day or fishing off our dock.

What is one of the most important things you can teach your children in respect to sustaining a business?

All great things take time, so stay patient, be persistent and maintain the course.

When you first became a father, what was the one thing you were totally unprepared for?

The insane number of times they need their diapers changed.

How many children would you have if finances were no object and your wife agreed?

However many my wife wants is fine by me.

Biggest parenting mistake you’ll fess up to in the name of assisting others?

I guess not putting a bat in their hands earlier as we were recently at a party and I witnessed my kids poking the piñata instead of swinging at it.

Ask your children what you do best or what their favorite activity is with you and print their response here: Maxx says breakfast (while eating breakfast); Raegan says golfing (I think we have only done putt-putt twice so … I don’t know).

55 Calhoun Street Bluffton, SC 29910 (843) 757-5511 www.ThePearlBluffton.com www.Elasgrille.com

JIM BANNON THE BANNON LAW GROUP, LLC

How do you balance a successful business and still make time for your family?

Flexibility is the key to finding a balance between work and life. When you work for yourself, sometimes you are burning the midnight oil or working on the weekends, and other times you are at the playground on a Tuesday afternoon with a happy little girl.

What is your favorite daddy/child date?

My daughter and I love to go to the playground and then stop and get ice cream.

What is one of the most important things you can teach your children in respect to sustaining a business?

Teaching kids that being dependable is the key to building a business. Your customers have to be able to depend on you and your business in all aspects:

depend that you are available, that you will show up on time, that you are honest, and that you have their best interests at heart at all times.

When you first became a father, what was the one thing you were totally unprepared for?

I was totally unprepared for not only how much fun it is to teach her new things, but also to re-experience activities I have loved all my life through her eyes.

How many children would you have if finances were no object and your wife agreed?

We have one child, and we would stay with one child.

I have nothing but respect for people who have more than one child as our only child wears us out.

Biggest parenting mistake you’ll fess up to in the name of assisting others?

Kids do crazy things, but just remember to always keep your cool and roll with the punches.

Ask your child what you do best or what her favorite activity is with you and print the response here: “Daddy is the best at cooking eggies and bacon on weekends!”

10 Westbury Parkway, Unit A Bluffton, SC 29910 (843) 815-4505 www.bannonlawgroup.com

NATHAN SKAGER

BIRD DOG HOME WATCH SERVICES How do you balance a successful business and still make time for your family?

Serving as a local firefighter while at the same time running a business has taught me to become very efficient with my time. Family will always come first, and I’ve learned to take advantage of down times throughout the day to focus on the business.

What is your favorite daddy/child date?

Taking the kids surfing and boogie boarding at the beach.

What is one of the most important things you can teach your children in respect to sustaining a business?

Perseverance. Running your own business often takes years of hard work and dedication before it becomes a success. Another important lesson I try to teach my children is to follow through with what you say you are going to do and take ownership when you make a mistake.

When you first became a father, what was the one thing you were totally unprepared for?

Sleep deprivation. I never truly realized how important sleep is to the human body until we had our first child!

47 Knollwood Dr. Hilton Head Island, SC 29926 (843) 290-9258 www.birddoghomewatch.com

ROBERT SZYPCZAK THE EYE SITE OF BLUFFTON / THE EYE SITE OF HILTON HEAD How do you balance a successful business and still make time for your family?

Life is busy, and every minute of the day seems like it is booked. The best way I find is to commit myself to some fun, yet eventful things like coaching. With coaching, I can teach them life lessons while getting to be a kid again myself and getting to play with them. Lately, I have been coaching baseball.

I love it, and my two boys love it too. I am lucky to have my wife work my weekend hours which allows me to be able coach.

I am thankful that she helps out so much and that she is such a great partner in life, business and parenting.

as the moms do all the hard work the first few months. Yet, what surprised me the most was how difficult it was to assemble all the baby shower gifts and necessities that come with having a new baby. The Pack ’n Play; the car seat latch hooks in our SUV were impossible to reach; the crib assembly was a frustrating endeavor with its picture puzzle of assembly instructions.

What is your favorite daddy/child date?

I love getting the boys out of the house.

Fishing is fun, trying out some new sports like tennis, or even hitting golf balls at the range. I love teaching them new sports and helping them find new talents and interests.

Biggest parenting mistake you’ll fess up to in the name of assisting others?

Always carry an emergency diaper and change of clothes. A “blow out” diaper will most definitely “blow up” your plans.

What is one of the most important things that you can teach your children in respect to sustaining a business?

Business is about putting in maximum effort every single day. They call it “work” for a reason. Responsibility rests on your own shoulders. You’ll need a great attitude to go with that effort. You’ll have bad days, but with hard work, a good attitude and maximum effort, you’ll create more good days than bad.

When you first became a father, what was the one thing you were totally unprepared for?

I’ll be the first to admit that when it comes to being new parents, the dads get off easy,

How many children would you have if finances were no object and your wife agreed?

Kids are all fun and unique in their own ways.

They are the joy of the earth. We would definitely go for a girl or two if we could!

Ask your children what you do best or what their favorite activity with you is and print their response here: “Daddy makes things fun and is a good teacher!”

Bluffton location: 104 Buckwalter Pkwy., Suite 1C Bluffton, SC. 29910 (843) 757-9588 www.theeyesiteofbluffton.com Hilton Head location: 25 Pembroke Dr. (Inside Walmart) (843) 681-3396 Hilton Head, SC 29926

JOSH SIMPSON SIMPSON CONSTRUCTION, LLC

How do you balance a successful business and still make time for your family?

I gave up sleeping 10 years ago.

That's not exactly true, but I do get up really early and try to knock out as much as possible before their feet hit the floor.

What is your favorite daddy/ child date?

Anything outside; I love seeing their fascination with nature and sharing those experiences with them.

What is one of the most important things you can teach your children in respect to sustaining a business?

I just hope these boys are lucky enough to find something they are passionate about and do what it takes to live a fulfilled life. But to better answer the

question, I hope they understand how important it is to give joyfully and what that means.

Listen to them and don’t assume. Don’t superimpose your thoughts, feelings or insecurities onto your children. They aren’t you.

When you first became a father, what was the one thing you were totally unprepared for?

People always tell you, “It will completely change your life.”

But they don’t mention that it can completely change it for the better! I want to give them the best version of me I can—still working on that...

Ask your children what you do best or what their favorite activity is with you, and print their response here: Henry: “Jumping on the trampoline and camping.”

Cooper: “I like everything fun I do with Dad, but I really like camping.”

How many children would you have if finances were no object and your wife agreed?

Two; the answer is two. A good question would be, “if mental health were of no concern.”

Biggest parenting mistake you’ll fess up to in the name of assisting others?

65 Lawrence St. Bluffton, SC 29910 (843) 247-2351 www.Simpson.Construciton Josh@Simpson.Construction

THOMAS M. DOWLING, CFA, CFP®, CIMA® A E G I S

How do you balance a successful business and still make time for your family?

It’s tough, but you need to work well with your spouse.

As with many other things, communication with each other is the key to making it work.

What is your favorite daddy/ child date?

“Bro-day”—when all the boys are together for the day.

What is one of the most important things you can teach your children in respect to sustaining a business?

You need to have the following qualities: intelligence, integrity and initiative in everything you do, especially in business.

When you first became a father, what was the one thing you were totally unprepared for?

How much you can get done in so little time.

C A P I T A L

C O R P .

How many children would you have if finances were no object and your wife agreed?

Same as we have now: two.

Biggest parenting mistake you’ll fess up to in the name of assisting others?

Losing my patience. I have worked hard over the years on being patient, but with two boys, sometimes it’s tough. I don’t lose my patience often, but when I do, I often look back and realize the situation could have been handled a lot more effectively with a little patience.

Ask your children what you do best or what their favorite activity is with you and print their response here: Dunking on them upstairs on our six-foot plastic rim.

1000 William Hilton Pkwy., Unit C5 Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 (843) 715-2239 www.aegisplanning.com

BRIAN QUINN T H E

T W E L V E

How do you balance a successful business and still make time for your family?

That is the toughest part. I try to assure that when I am home then it is family time and not work time.

I do not take calls or emails when I am with my girls. It’s our time together, and the phone goes away.

What is your favorite daddy/ child date?

We love taking our boat out and finding dolphins together. There is nothing more magical than seeing their faces when we find them.

What do you think is one of the most important things that you can teach your children in respect to sustaining a business?

I have beautiful little girls. I tell them two very important lessons: 1. They are very smart and polite; always stay this way.

2. Girls can do anything boys can do, but boys can’t do everything girls can do! I want them to know that the world is open to them for anything they wish to take on, and nothing can stand in their way as long as they act smart and polite.

When you first became a father, what was the one thing you were totally unprepared for?

Well, my whole home is covered in glitter, and I believe there is at least one pink unicorn toy in every single room of the house.

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I guess this is the “new normal” for me, but I don’t think I ever figured I would be the only male in the house … we even have a female dog.

How many children would you have if finances were no object and your wife agreed?

Did Heather put you up to this?

Biggest parenting mistake you’ll fess up to in the name of assisting others?

Never be afraid to ask for help.

Pick up a phone and call another dad. They don’t judge you for not knowing how to get yogurt out of your truck seats; they probably have figured it out before and can give you some tips.

Ask your children what you do best or what their favorite activity is with you, and print their response here: Ella Grace (age 5): “I love my Daddy and think he is the best builder.”

Rosie (age 3): “Daddy is magic.”

14 New Orleans Rd., Suite 14 Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 (843) 422-1661 www.TwelveoaksGroup.com

MARSHALL SAMPSON SANTA

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BILLY WATTERSON WATTERSON

How do you balance a successful business and still make time for your family?

I’m not sure I do. It’s a constant battle. I’m sure I’m 100 percent present when I’m with my family and make sure I get the most out of every moment.

What is your favorite daddy/ child date?

There are no dates right now.

With two in middle school, it’s basketball, soccer and gymnastics practices.

What is one of the most important things you can teach your children in respect to sustaining a business?

Whatever you do, give it 100 percent! I mean everything! Tying your shoe, taking out the trash, homework … I mean everything. If you practice giving 100 percent in everything you do, eventually that will just be what you do.

When you first became a father, what was the one thing you were totally unprepared for?

It’s a little foggy after 13 years, but we do have a three-year-old now, and I’m going to have to go with the lack of sleep. Both boys don’t seem to like sleep much.

Our daughter, on the other hand, would sleep through anything.

How many children would you have if finances were no object and your wife agreed?

I am truly blessed with three and can’t imagine any more or any less!

Biggest parenting mistake you’ll fess up to in the name of assisting others?

I did just miss a soccer game where my oldest scored three goals, because I was worried about being short-handed at the restaurant. He had not scored a goal all season! Goes back to that balancing act of home and work.

Ask your children what you do best or what their favorite activity is with you and print their response here: Dylan: “My favorite thing to do with my dad is train for sports.

We wake up early before school to work out, and after school he takes me to the gym to train for basketball.”

Aubrey: “My favorite thing to do with my dad is to play volleyball and basketball. I think he is the best at tennis in our family.”

807 William Hilton Parkway Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 (843) 785-3838 www.Santafehhi.com

How do you balance a successful business and still make time for your family?

When I moved to Hilton Head, I vowed to achieve more balance with family and business. I did this by determining which family activities and parental responsibilities were non-negotiable.

Once I created the list of nonnegotiables, I made a pact with myself that work would have to be fit around these opportunities to engage and be a daily part of my family’s lives. Once I made them my first priority, it was easy to say no to meetings that interfered with these commitments because my calendar was already blocked off.

What is your favorite daddy/child date?

My favorite is Daddy Daughter Doughnut Day every Friday morning before school.

What is one of the most important things you can teach your children in respect to sustaining a business?

The most important thing I can teach my children in regard to sustaining a business is to address their physical, mental and spiritual needs first.

Your business will only thrive in an environment where the leader is equipped, healthy and balanced.

When you first became a father, what was the one thing you were totally unprepared for?

I was completely unprepared for the commitment of time and care required to raise a child. As a young father trying to better my life and that of my new

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family, it was a bit like trying to run with weighted boots: you’ll eventually get there, but you have to stop and take more breaks than if you wore your sneakers.

How many children would you have if finances were no object and your wife agreed?

I have four children today, and while I have the desire to have more (some days), I find that four is a perfect balance. Two of our children are grown adults and two are eleven.

I’m not certain that I could manage effective communication and adequate involvement if we had more.

Biggest parenting mistake you’ll fess up to in the name of assisting others?

The biggest parenting mistake I’ve made over the years was not having boundaries related to my businesses.

I allowed the lack of boundaries to consume and interrupt every aspect of my life. I always put business first; I felt that the needs of my clients were more important than my own or that of my family.

Ask your children what you do best or what their favorite activity is with you, and print their response here: “Daddy is the best at building new companies.”

1201 Main Street Hilton Head Island, SC 29926 (815) 353-8387 billy.watterson@wattersonbrands.com

MARC RICCIARDI MCGRIFF INSURANCE SERVICES

How do you balance a successful business and still make time for your family?

Overall planning and coordination with a dedicated focus on being sure I don’t miss the important events my children and family experience.

Also, trying to live in the moment and be present in all the kids do.

What is your favorite daddy/ child date?

Both my children love being on the water. As a family, we spend many weekends boating and taking advantage of all the Lowcountry has to offer.

What is one of the most important things you can teach your children in respect to sustaining a business?

I think it’s important that my children be comfortable talking to and building relationships with peers, as well as older adults. In other words, put down the technology and connect with the people around them. Display kindness and show a genuine interest in other people.

When you first became a father, what was the one thing you were totally unprepared for?

All of it. I even read a book to prepare myself, but that provided little guidance. I find myself flying by the seat of my pants. Luckily, my wife and I have great friends who provide a tremendous support system.

How many children would you have if finances were no object and your wife agreed?

Two is plenty.

Biggest parenting mistake you’ll fess up to in the name of assisting others?

Losing track of a small witch (my daughter) on Halloween. Do you know how many kids dress up as a witch on Halloween? The worst question to ask random strangers on Halloween is: “Have you seen a little witch running around here?”

7 Arley Way, Suite 300 Bluffton, SC 29910 (843) 338-6156 mricciardi@mcgriffinsurance.com

ALEX HAYNES GENESIS CONSTRUCTION COMPANY

How do you balance a successful business and still make time for your family?

I have an excellent staff that takes a great deal of the work load off me. I trust them, and they trust me. They are always willing to help when I get overloaded. This allows me to spend a little more time with the family.

What is your favorite daddy/ child date?

Golf cart rides after work. It’s the best time to disengage from work and focus on them.

What is one of the most important things you can teach your children in respect to sustaining a business?

Our company culture is built on honesty, integrity, and trust. This is the foundation for building relationships.

Relationships are what makes Genesis Construction so successful. If my children learn that, they will succeed in life.

When you first became a father, what was the one thing you were totally unprepared for?

The love I would feel for my children. It is more intense than any other love I have experienced.

How many children would you have if finances were no object and your wife agreed?

Alison and I have always agreed to have two; if finances would allow, then we would adopt as many as we could afford.

Biggest parenting mistake you’ll fess up to in the name of assisting others?

Not being on the same page as my wife. If Alison tells them no, they will come to me, and I might say yes.

Communication between parents is key to avoid mixed signals and friction.

Ask your children what you do best or what their favorite activity is with you and print their response here: Both kids say they like going out on the May River in our boat.

33 Boundary Street Bluffton, SC 29910 (843) 757-8220

www.genesis-construction.com

KENNETH NIX NIX FLOORING AND DESIGN, LLC

How do you balance a successful business and still make time for your family?

I don’t. Small business ownership comes with a price, and that price is definitely time. My wife and daughters know that in a perfect world, I would spend every second with them. I do make it a point to attend all games, ceremonies and events, but I’m not going to lie and say we’re all sitting around the dinner table at 6:30 every night.

What is your favorite daddy/child date?

Our daughters have unique personalities and interests. Our oldest is almost 17.

Our time is centered typically around her softball career. Our middle daughter, who is 14, is an academic. We spend a lot of time engaging in conversations about travel and interesting subjects, particularly social studies, science, and her recent interest in fashion. Our youngest loves to read and dance. I enjoy watching her practice combinations and performances on the big stage!

What is one of the most important things you can teach your children in respect to sustaining a business?

Never try to be something you’re not, and never over-promise. My company is small because I’m very picky about my sales team and my install crew. I could produce a lot more, but I’m not trying to build a flooring empire. Too much going on at once leads to too many issues and a lot of stress.

When you first became a father, what was the one thing you were totally unprepared for?

Considering that I have all girls, the emotions. And I don’t mean that in a bad way. It’s been a blessing and has helped me develop more of an intuition and have better insight regarding the dynamics of relationships. They have definitely softened my heart. I learn a lot from the women in my life.

How many children would you have if finances were no object and your wife agreed?

Heather and I wanted four kids. But after our youngest was born, we just knew she completed our family. So, I can honestly say we are happy with what we have and wouldn’t change a thing!

Biggest parenting mistake you’ll fess up to in the name of assisting others?

Probably being too honest about life events with our kids. But at the same time, I don’t know if I consider it a mistake. We know we should protect them from certain information but don’t feel good about not being upfront with them either. I guess it’s a double-edged sword.

Ask your children what you do best or what their favorite activity is with you and print their response here.

Chandler: Singing in the car on the way to softball tournaments.

Rachel: Vacations when I disengage from work mode and let the calls go to voicemail.

Sami: Shopping—especially when I buy her new shoes and give her my full attention.

6983 North Okatie Highway Ridgeland, SC 29936 (843) 384-4599 www.nixflooring.com kenny@nixflooring.com

STEVE HARMON

CHARTER ONE REALTY - KEVIN KING ASSOCIATES How do you balance a successful business and still make time for your family?

When Campbell came into our lives, things changed forever. Business is important, but instinctually you understand that family always comes first. You become more productive with less time. If you work hard at both, success follows.

What is your favorite daddy/ child date?

Definitely our morning wakeup call. I wouldn’t trade that 6 a.m. smile for anything.

What is one of the most important things you can teach your children in respect to sustaining a business?

Hard work is the foundation, but I think it’s important to love what you do in order to be truly successful. I’ll encourage my daughter to explore different careers and passions and to take chances.

She’ll know that we’re always here to catch her if she falls.

When you first became a father, what was the one thing you were totally unprepared for?

COLIC. Hands down. Life is full of surprises, but this one is extra special.

How many children would you have if finances were no object and your wife agreed?

Probably two or three. However, just one can give us a run for our money at times!

Biggest parenting mistake you’ll fess up to in the name of assisting others?

It’s hard to know what mistakes you’ve made when you have no idea what you’re doing to begin with. My wife was always reading the “how to” books through pregnancy; I watched golf and thought “we’ll figure it out.” And you do.

Ask your children what you do best or what their favorite activity is with you and print their response here: I love when daddy sings goofy songs to me on the changing table. They make no sense, but they make me smile!

2 Colleton River Bluffton SC 29910 (843) 816-1035 Sharmon113@gmail.com

CAREY BASCIANO STREET MEET - AMERICAN TAVERN

How do you balance a successful business and still make time for your family?

Although I work a lot of hours, I am lucky in the fact that I am with my three daughters every morning before school. I can have an early dinner with them before I go back at night. I can always run home to say goodnight before bed. On days off, I try not to answer the phone.

What is your favorite daddy/child date?

My favorite dates have been on the road when each daughter played travel sports. They would be stuck in the car with Dad, and we would try to find local shops or places to eat all over South Carolina.

What is one of the most important things you can teach your children in respect to sustaining a business?

You have to love what you do, especially in the restaurant business. I try to teach them that family comes first then explain that the people who work at Street Meet are an extension of family. As well, serve your community and the environment around you.

When you first became a father, what was the one thing you were totally unprepared for?

Girls and the level of sound in our house.

How many children would you have if finances were no object and your wife agreed?

I did know I wanted at least three. If it was another place and time, perhaps five.

Biggest parenting mistake you’ll fess up to in the name of assisting others?

Buying them phones too young. Phones are helpful as they become teens and are more independent, but I recommend starting as late as possible.

Ask your children what you do best or what their favorite activity is with you and print their response here: “Dad is good at playing and having fun with us—at the beach, on road trips, practicing sports. He is always up for having fun with all three of us.”

95 Mathews Drive, D11 Hilton Head Island, SC 29926 (843) 842-2570 www.streetmeethhi.com

MICHAEL RAY

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M O R E T H A N J U S T YO U R IT D E PA R T M E N T

How do you balance a successful business and still make time for your family?

This was not easy, and it took a few years to figure it out. I had to set a schedule and live by it. I always set a goal to be home by 6 or 6:30 p.m. every day in order to be home in time for dinner. I also had to put my daughter’s events such as golf tournaments, soccer matches and martial arts classes on my schedule to help with time management. I never missed a game nor golf tournament, and this was because I had a great team at work that had my back. Having great employees helped with making my business successful and allowing me to be active with my daughter’s sports.

What is your favorite daddy/child date?

Our thing was out-of-town golf tournaments. This was our bonding time and was the one thing I really enjoyed doing with Sammie and truly miss a lot.

We would check into a hotel the day before a tournament and always have a great time. We would find cool places to eat, go see a movie, or go find an arcade.

After a great night of fun, I would get to watch my daughter play golf. Whether it

was a good tournament or not, we always made the most of it!

about a three-putt or not fighting well in a karate tournament.

What is one of the most important things you can teach your children in respect to sustaining a business?

Always be the first person in and the last person to leave. Always follow through with your work and be consistent and honest. Your client is your most valued asset, and you must treat them this way.

This will set the culture of the office.

Ask your children what you do best or what their favorite activity is with you, and print their response here: “My dad is the best at being a dad!

Simple as that. There has never been a time when my dad hasn’t been there for me. He was at every single school event, every golf tournament, every soccer match, and traveled the world with me for karate. He busted his butt at work to make sure I got whatever I needed. I would not be where I am today if it were not for the help and support my father gave to me!”

When you first became a father, what was the one thing you were totally unprepared for?

Being a father and knowing what that meant.

How many children would you have if finances were no object and your wife agreed?

Five or six.

49 Pennington Drive, Suite D Bluffton, SC 29910 (843) 757-7873 www.snstechnologies.net mike@snstechnologies.net

Biggest parenting mistake you’ll fess up to in the name of assisting others?

One of my biggest parenting mistakes was being an overly competitive dad.

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BAG

Papa’s Got a Brand-New

How two local guys changed fatherhood forever

BY BARRY KAUFMAN

T

hey say necessity is the mother of invention, but no one ever talks about invention’s father: the steadfast dedication necessary to bring an invention to life.

These long hours and late nights spent tinkering and perfecting an idea, willing it from abstract thought into concrete product, are no less important to an invention. And yet we only ever hear about necessity.

It’s often the same thing with parenthood. Not to detract at all from the vital role a mother plays in a child’s upbringing, it’s just that these days fathers have stepped up to the plate in a big way. Far from the dads of yesterday who might be good for a game of catch now and then, today’s fathers are in the trenches of parenthood, changing diapers, cooking meals, running carpools and helping shoulder the load.

But until a few years ago, those shoulders would inevitably be carrying something else: a frilly, pink diaper bag.

That is, until Tactical Baby Gear decided to change fatherhood forever.

“We were doing the ultrasound for our second child, and when the nurse said it was a girl, I just thought, ‘I have to carry that purple bag again?’” founder Beav Brodie said. With his wife Brandy working full-time and often late nights, C2 MAGAZINE

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Brodie was that dedicated dad who would handle dinner duty, daycare drop-offs and dirty diapers. But a flowery diaper bag just didn’t fit his sensibilities.

Digging around online yielded few promising results. And that’s when Brodie decided to make his own. With a background in upholstery from designing custom cars, he stitched together the first prototype Tactical Baby Gear bag, using tactical surplus and raw materials he found online. It was a hit and showed promise beyond his own needs.

“I’m surrounded by dudes like me who are really involved with their kids but don’t want to carry around a feminine diaper bag or single dads who are asking, ‘Why do I have to carry a flowery bag around when I’m the only one who’s using it?’” he said. “At that

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moment, I knew there was an idea there.”

However, that idea nearly stalled in the beginning. Selling his bags online as one-offs certainly worked as a side hustle, but eventually Brodie hit a crossroads. “I knew that wasn’t sustainable,” he said. He needed to scale up. And that’s when he found Alexander Kristoff. Or rather, when he reconnected with Kristoff.

The pair had both grown up on Hilton Head Island, shagging golf balls for extra spending money. Since then, Kristoff had gone off to Charlotte, where he’d pursued his entrepreneurial dreams. He had invented a type of disposable, collapsible liquor flask, but more important, he had taken it to market and transformed it into a viable business. “That business morphed into us doing licensing and expanding into the broader market

beyond liquor, and we wound up in Target,” Kristoff said.

It was his celebratory social media post showing his flask in Target that caught Brodie’s attention. He commented on the post that the pair should work together, and soon they were locked in a four-hour brainstorming session on the future of Tactical Baby Gear.

“I knew how to make things, but everything beyond that … he had more business knowhow than I did,” Brodie said.

“I was always passionate about building a business. I just loved the journey,” Kristoff added. Shortly after coming on board, Kristoff also found himself facing fatherhood for the first time— and the second and third times as well, thanks to a set of twins and a third shortly after. “Yeah, we got a little aggressive. We went from zero to 100.”

With Kristoff’s business savvy and newfound perspective as a dad guiding Brodie’s entrepreneurial spirit and ingenious designs, Tactical Baby Gear hit the next level: international distribution through a global ecommerce site, specialized manufacturing, an expanded product line, and sales that led to that most inevitable result of business success: imitators. These days, you’ll find any number of different labels selling diaper bags, baby carriers and accessories with a military look and feel, but Tactical Baby Gear led the way.

“We created a market in the baby bag industry that didn’t exist,” Brodie said, adding with a laugh, “we also catch a lot of flak for it.”

With the inevitable rise in imitators came the think pieces from the likes of Huffington Post and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, decrying the so-called toxic masculinity that gave rise to the manly diaper bag. “It’s surreal when you start to hit mainstream media platforms,” Brodie said. “I find most of the negative stuff comical. They spin it so far out it couldn’t be further from the truth.

We’re just trying to help dads be better dads.”

Part of that includes building a community of dads from all corners of the world, brought together by Tactical Baby Gear’s robust social media efforts, from videos to blogs to podcasts.

“It’s not just selling a product to people; it’s helping them be a more engaged parent,” Brodie said. “Doing podcasts and all of that is us educating parents along the way through our experiences and other people’s experiences…. There are communities out there. We want to head up a community like that.”

The community-building, social media marketing, and endless meetings with manufacturers, distributors and retailers have all been part of that hustle to take an idea and build an empire.

That’s the unspoken and oft unheralded father of invention: the dedication to see an idea through. It’s a long journey that Tactical Baby Gear has taken, and it’s only just beginning.

For more information, visit www.tacticalbabygear.com or call (843) 505-8658.

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SALUTE TO

DADS

Dads are truly real-life superheroes. In honor of Fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day, students at Red Cedar Elementary School and Hilton Head Christian Academy explain why their dads are the best and deserve all the thanks in the world. In the eyes of these children, their dad is the real Superman or Captain America. We salute the dads and father figures in our lives.

GO TO WWW.CELEBRATEHILTONHEAD.COM TO READ ALL OF THE ENTRIES!

SALUTE TO

DADS

! e z i r o s es

c c A

Prices change and human error occurs- please see store listed for official pricing on all items.

Things We Love to Complete your Look for Summer

STYLING BY KAILA JEFFCOAT | PHOTOGRAPHY BY M.KAT

Palmettoes

Donald Pliner raffia slides $175 Hobo wristlet $108 Sunglasses with blue lenses $19.95

Birdie James

Weekend Wayfarer silver and pink tassel tote $218 Weekend Wayfarer silver and pink tassel clutch $148 Mignonne Gavigan Beaded Bird earrings $250

Gigiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Havaianas pink and blue flip flops $26 Boca tassel bracelet $40 Jane earrings $46

Prices change and human error occurs- please see store listed for official pricing on all items.

Too Belles

MSC key ring $11.99 MSC leather clutch $13.99 Gold and blue tassel necklace $18.99

dluxe

Diane Cotton tassel necklace $240 Majo handbag $300 Beek leather sandals $340

F resh P roduce

Scout pink, blue and white crossbody $55 Charleston Shoe Co. blue and nude wedge $135 Shore Soap Co. body balm (for blister prevention) $10

Prices change and human error occurs- please see store listed for official pricing on all items.

Haskins & Co.

Kendra Scott pink earrings: $110 Mud Pie blue and white scarf $24 Corkcicle x Poketo wine chiller $24.95

Pink Pineapple Anu Handbag $79.95 Bueno yellow sandals $120 Christina Brampti statement necklace $149

So Sandra

Milagros multicolor/pattern handbag $68 Summer Vibes hat $29 Long tassel necklace $88 Wedges $62

A

ny woman who has ever changed hairdressers might tell you that it is one of life’s most traumatic events. (This could apply to a few men, although most men I know are pretty chill about their hair— unless it’s falling out.)

For me, any change that relates to my hair rates right up there with Halloween horror films, modern thrill rides, and large family gatherings. In fact, I think going to a new hairdresser should rank about number three on the Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale—less stressful than a death in the family or divorce, but at least as terrifying as imprisonment and just as likely to call for a few psych sessions.

Article by Linda S. Hopkins

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You + your hairdresser it's complicated

You + your hairdresser Making an appointment with a new hairdresser is like agreeing to go on a blind date, only your blind date doesn’t usually show up with sharp objects in his hands that can potentially destroy your self-image by changing the way you look for what may feel like eternity. The worst that can happen on the date is you endure a couple of hours of awkward conversation and then have to change your phone number, address, and identity.

When it comes to your hair, more is at stake. Once you walk through that salon door, you will be a captive in the hands of a stranger wielding powerful chemicals, razor-sharp tools, and hot appliances, the combination of which has the potential to force you into hiding should things not go quite as expected. (Before trying a new hairdresser, I recommend taking a mild sedative and booking a session with your therapist for the next day—you know, just in case you decide life is not worth living for the next four to six weeks.)

All joking aside, there are many reasons to change hairdressers or try someone new. For example, if you are blonde and your black and gray roots are out two inches while you are stuck in another city away from home, you might have to break down and get some color and highlights. (Ask your regular stylist for your color level and any tips he or she might share with a fellow professional.)

If your hairdresser is sick or has an emergency just prior to picture day or a big event, you may have to secure the services of another stylist. If you move, whether it’s to the next town or across the country, you probably want to find a hairdresser close by.

BREAKING UP IS HARD TO DO There also comes a time when the client/hairdresser relationship—for one reason or another—has reached its natural end. You know it’s time to go when: you’ve been unhappy with the last several color jobs; your hair isn’t behaving the way it once did, and the stylist hasn’t addressed the problem to your satisfaction; the stylist is misinterpreting your feedback; or you’re simply not getting what you want. Sometimes I think stylists and their clients get in a rut together; both are burned out and/or frustrated and ready for a breath of fresh air. Nobody wants to hurt anyone’s feelings, so we continue pretending everything is fine until we ride off into the sunset (a new salon), never to be seen or heard from again. I think the modern term for this is ghosting. It’s not polite.

Leaving your hairdresser can be a bit like a breakup or a divorce, only without the custody battle and division of property. The drama is real, because who knows you better than your hairdresser? He or she likely has some serious dirt on you. Yes, most hairdressers serve as quasipsychotherapists, whether they like it or not, and they pretty much know the scoop on local news and town gossip. Most are also professional enough to keep your personal business private. If not, it probably is time for a change.

According to every hairdresser I’ve ever spoken to about the topic of clients leaving, they are used to it and don’t take it personally. Nevertheless, hairdressers are human, and we owe them the courtesy of notice, especially when it’s been a long-term relationship. If you’re looking for a change or need to break up, good manners dictate a proper farewell. Thank your hairdresser for his or her service and move on. If you are brave, you can do this in person. If that seems uncomfortable, at least write a nice note and cancel any pending appointments far enough in 80

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Have realistic expectations HAIR TEXTURE, FACE SHAPES, AND SKIN TONES VARY. BE OPEN-MINDED TO THE STYLIST’S SUGGESTIONS IN REGARD TO WHAT WILL AND WON’T WORK WITH YOUR PARTICULAR FEATURES.

advance for those time slots to be filled. You can even send flowers or an extra tip if so compelled. It all depends on the length and the closeness of the relationship.

MEETING YOUR MATCH Finding a new hairdresser is going to require some work on your part.

Here are some tips for the hunt and a few suggestions for establishing a happy relationship with your stylist: Ask around. Take names and numbers from friends and acquaintances whose hair you admire.

Research online. Salon websites and social media pages are good starting points. Peruse outside reviews, then average them out. (Someone will always be unhappy, and the most dissatisfied customer is usually the most vocal.)

Make an appointment for a consultation. When you find a stylist you want to try, a conversation lays the groundwork for a successful relationship and the result you want. Be prepared with some inspiration photos, but don’t get too attached to a look that might be unachievable or unrealistic for your hair type. Discuss any challenges you have with your hair and expect honest feedback.

Book a blowout, a trim, or a few highlights. Maybe you’re not quite ready for the complete makeover or a full commitment. Start slowly and get to know your new stylist by making small tweaks to your existing color, cut, and style.

Have realistic expectations. Hair texture, face shapes, and skin tones vary. Be open-minded to the stylist’s suggestions in regard to what will and won’t work with your particular features. You will also want to have a frank discussion about your lifestyle—how much time you are willing to devote to daily styling and how much time and money you expect to invest in salon maintenance.

Don’t rush. Arrive on time and allow ample time for your appointment.

Trust your stylist. Once you’ve established a plan for your hair, try to relax. Hairdressers are artists who love making people look amazing. Sit still and let them do what they do best.

Consider purchasing the recommended products and styling tools.

Your stylist is not money-gouging but offering advice on how you can achieve healthy hair and salon results at home between visits.

Tip generously. Hairdressing is not an easy profession. It requires a great deal of education and continuing education plus long hours, patience, and people-pleasing skills. There is an old adage that salon owners should not accept tips. This simply isn’t the case anymore. Your hairdresser is in business to make a living. If you are happy with your hair, stop complaining about the price and, by all means, add a 20 to 25 percent tip. 

Hairstylists OF

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JULIE PARSLEY BARBERS OF THE LOWCOUNTRY

THE

LOWCOUNTRY

PG.8

PG.86

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ENLITEN SALON

TARAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S AT MOSS CREEK THE HAIR DESIGNERS

SHEAR MIRACLE MERLE NORMAN SALON

Julie Parsley

How did you get started?

I always wanted to be a hairdresser, even as a child. I took care of my dolls’ hair! Before going to beauty school, I set my sights on a successful hairdresser I admired and made a path that would allow me to work with him. After attending comprehensive classes and competing, I opened my first salon. A year later, John Paul Mitchell Systems (JPMS) offered me a position within the company, and the rest is history! It’s not a job for me; it’s an artistic career!

Who is your style icon?

Raquel Welch, Bridgette Bardot, Marilyn Monroe, Anna Wintour, and Claudia Schiffer, just to name a few—women who represent power, sex appeal, class and cutting-edge fashion.

What is your number one hair care tip?

Visit your hairdresser every six weeks and use the appropriate products for your individual needs. Hair should be beautiful, healthy and have movement. It’s your best accessory to complement your attitude and outfit.

Which hair/beauty products and tools are always in your kit?

Dry shampoo, working spray, Marula oil, hairpins, deluxe triple teasing comb, Velcro rollers, wand/smoothing iron, and a large round brush.

What was the biggest risk you’ve ever taken?

Probably moving here and starting over! LOL! I don’t know. I never considered anything a risk because I’m confident in my art!

What do you love most about being a stylist?

Completely changing a person’s attitude within themselves after having the privilege to create their hairstyle. Their reactions when I’m finished carving their hair say it all. That is fulfillment for me!

(304) 677-4968 @ Deo Valente Hair Salon

Brent and Louis Nelsen BARBERS OF THE LOWCOUNTRY

How did you get started?

Deep down, I have always been an entrepreneur and had a dream to work alongside my father, Lou. In November of 1997, it was time for us to make that move to open our own barber shop. On a shoestring budget, things started falling into place.

As scary as it was, it was just as exciting.

What is your number one haircare tip?

Use the right product. As a barber shop, we mostly deal with men. What we have noticed over 27-plus years in the industry is not only the need for men’s grooming products, but the lack of knowledge men have on grooming and styling. We like to recommend a product for a man’s hair or beard and teach him how to use it so he can duplicate the style, look and feel.

What was the biggest risk you have taken?

The biggest risk we took was moving our shop to Bluffton from Hilton Head in 2007. Although we lived in Bluffton, all we really knew was Hilton Head Island. But it was time. As a result of moving to Bluffton and completely changing the way we operated, we learned what was missing in the industry and the need men have for the perfect grooming and shaving products.

In developing a system of operation, hiring the perfect team and creating several unique revenue sources, it was only natural for us to begin franchising, which just began this year.

What do you love most about what you do?

I love being able to work with my father, and I also love providing an opportunity for barbers to grow in our system—not only in their skill, but careerwise. We love providing a place where men can feel like men and where women feel safe bringing in their little guys for their first haircut. It’s more about the experience for us. We are also fortunate that, as a result of our success, we are able to give back to the community in many different ways.

17 Sherington Dr., Suite F Bluffton, SC 29910 (843) 815-4423 www.BarbersOfTheLowcountry.com

R ac h e l M ay o h : E n l i t e n Sa lo n How did you get started?

I didn’t realize it at the time, but when I confessed to my dad that college was not for me, it proved to be life changing. He told me to find a career, so I picked cosmetology school. It was not an obvious choice since I wasn’t the girl who wanted to do everyone’s hair! But soon after I began, I knew my decision was the right one.

Who is your style icon?

Vidal Sassoon. He revolutionized the hair industry with his cutting techniques.

What is your number one hair care tip?

Work with your natural texture and take care of your hair!

Which hair/beauty products and tools are always in your kit?

Aveda Confixor, Kevin Murphy Shimmer Shine, at least one bobby pin, my favorite comb and, of course, my favorite shears!

What was the biggest risk you’ve ever taken?

My husband and I moved to Hilton Head Island from Chicago right after I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I left my title as creative director at a huge Aveda salon, my clients that I had for over 10 years, and all of my friends to be near my family and live near the beach. As if that wasn’t enough of a change, I opened my first salon when I arrived.

Now, 16 years later, I am

supported by the best team of stylists, staff and friends ever!

What do you love most about being a stylist?

I love making people feel great about themselves. Looking good and liking your hair can change the way you feel in an instant, and it is an amazing gift to be able to give.

Enliten Salon 37A New Orleans Road Orleans Plaza (843) 842-9200 enlitensalon.com

Jam ee Re e d: Tara's at Moss C reek

How did you get started?

I started working under Donna Helene in a little town of Milford, Pennsylvania.

Aquage sea salt spray (root lifter) and Aquage finishing spray

What is your number one hair care tip?

Keratin defrizzing treatment; it’s a must for the summers here.

What was the biggest risk you’ve ever taken?

Moving to Hilton Head in 2003, but it’s the best move I ever made.

Which hair/beauty products and tools are always in your kit?

What do you love most about being a stylist?

The Hair Designers

How did you get started?

Our aim has always been to provide our guests with a welcoming and satisfying experience. To achieve that goal, we have created a professional workspace for our stylists, where they feel integral to the business, enjoy opportunities for growth, and recognize the benefits in working as a team.

Who is your style icon?

We admire and value every person who is willing to change, to step out of their comfort zone and try something new. It doesn’t have to be a drastic leap. Our stylists bring expert knowledge and guidance in how to get that “new look” that will work best for each individual.

What is your number one hair tip?

Do not shampoo too often! Our stylists can explain how often to shampoo and what conditioner is best in order to keep hair healthy and color vibrant.

Which hair/beauty product and tools are always in your kit?

We are never without a great flat iron and a good comb.

With these two items, stunning styles are possible.

What is the biggest risk you’ve ever taken?

We have a philosophy that nothing is as much a risk as it is an opportunity, and we relish opportunities.

What do you love most about being a stylist?

We love the smiles we see on our guests’ faces when they leave the salon. Knowing that we have contributed to a person’s sense of self-esteem and encouraged a positive frame of mind is enormously gratifying. In essence, it’s why we do what we do. And all indications are that we do it well—and we love that.

1000 William Hilton Parkway The Village at Wexford, F1 Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 (843) 686-4247 http://thehairdesigners.net/

I love that feeling when you see how happy you have made someone feel—that you made that change they were looking for.

1533 Fording Island Rd., Ste 312 Hilton Head Island, SC 29926 (843) 837-5588 Taras310@hotmail.com www.tarasatmosscreekvillage.com

shear miracle beauty salon AMBER GALE

SCOTT SOERGEL

SALON OWNER CHRIS SPADO

SCOTT SOERGEL

AMBER GALE

How did you get started?

My first job was in my aunt and uncle’s salon. After three years in college, I decided to take a jump, so I left college, moved to Miami and went to Aveda South Florida.

How did you get started?

Growing up, one of my close friend’s mom was a hairdresser, and it always intrigued me.

Who is your style icon?

Rickey Zito and Phillip Wolff.

What is your number one hair tip?

Use professional shampoo and conditioner.

CONNIE BAKELS (843) 505-1874

Which hair/beauty products are always in your kit?

Moroccan Oil, Redken triple take 32 hair spray.

Which hair/beauty product or tool is always in your kit?

The Wet Brush.

Biggest risk you have taken?

Going to cosmetology school after going to USC for four years.

What do you love most about being a stylist?

All sorts of people sit in your chair, and growing a relationship with them is amazing. And highlights.

What do you love the most about being a stylist?

The relationships I have with my clients.

6 Bow Circle Street, A4 (843) 785-4333

ANNIE CARLIN EMISON (724) 612-3158

What is your number one hair tip?

Listen to your hairdresser.

6 Bow Circle Street, A4 (843) 785-4333 Adluppino@gmail.com

DAVID WEINRAUCH (843) 301-3283

BRITTANY MCDANIEL (843) 338-1804

M e rl e N orman Salon

How did you get started?

AE: I was inspired by a close family friend at a young age. Peter Lamar (beauty industry icon and stylist to Jackie Kennedy and celebrities) mentored and encouraged me in Los Angeles to work hard, discover my passion in this industry and NEVER stop learning.

CB: My mother was my inspiration. She was a cosmetologist in Europe while we were growing up.

BM: My sister is also a hairstylist, so my mom gave me a little nudge.

DW: I was inspired by a national awardwinning Michigan hair stylist to use my precision auto tool making skills and apply them to achieving awards for my own hair designs and techniques.

great stylists will keep you healthy!

CB: Use quality hair products.

BM: Don’t overdo it. Give it a break from heat, shampooing and styling.

DW: Listen to the client and assess their unique facial features to provide easy care and style.

What is your number one hair care tip?

AE: Keep your hair healthy, because healthy hair is always beautiful! Great products and

70 Pennington Drive, Suite 21 Bluffton, SC 29910 (843) 815-5412

ª

Owners, Ryan and Tiffany Mikkelson

MIKKELSON

LAW FIRM, LLC: REAL AND RELATABLE

BRINGING THE LAW TO LIFE

I

ARTICLE BY LINDA S. HOPKINS

f you’re a fan of television legal dramas, you may be under the impression that all attorneys get dressed up in designer suits and spend their days arguing in court. A visit to the offices of real-life lawyers Ryan and Tiffany Mikkelson, of Mikkelson Law Firm, LLC in Bluffton, will quickly dispel those fictional images.

The Mikkelsons are a more casual, relaxed, family-friendly firm. The attorneys, paralegals and support staff are people just like you—living, working, and raising their families right here in the Lowcountry and supporting local causes that matter.

Parents of five children between the ages of two and twelve, you’ve likely seen Ryan and Tiffany out and about. “You’re going to see us at charitable events, sports, and schools,” Tiffany said.

The Mikkelson Law Firm’s business mission is to help you “navigate your trials”—but not necessarily in a courtroom.

“Very often our clients come to us during the most stressful periods in their lives— be it a major home purchase, a business transaction, or divorce. From the very first interaction with our paralegals to the closing day with their attorney and every single interaction in between, we are here to guide them through the process,” said Ryan, whose focus is primarily on real estate law.

Tiffany, who specializes in family law, doesn’t need a billboard to solicit clients.

Applying her legal expertise, compassion, and problem-solving skills to each individual case, she is one of the area’s most sought-after confidantes for anyone going through a family situation requiring legal advice or intervention.

“I enjoy the counseling side of it, where it’s more than the legal issues. I help navigate people through a custody schedule or how to get the kids through the family transition. I can pull from my own life—offer ideas for managing and solving the daily, logistical family

problems. That’s what attracts me to this type of law as opposed to something more transactional,” she said.

According to Tiffany, most family law cases are settled before or in mediation— not in a courtroom. “The whole idea is to compromise and resolve their marital issues. We put the protections and framework in place for their family and their children rather than let a judge who doesn’t know them decide on those matters.”

What the Mikkelsons have set out to do in their practice is to offer more individualized service. “It’s easy for me on the family law side. I do get to know my clients on a personal level and hold their hands through a bad time,” Tiffany said. “Taking an outside view, I ‘talk them off the ledge,’ so to speak. And later, I get the privilege of seeing them flourish when things are all wrapped up and they’ve gotten their life back together.”

“Even from a simple real estate transaction, we try to make it more personal—get to know our clients rather than just treating them as a file that’s opened and shuffled around the office,” Ryan added.

When making serious life decisions that require legal support, doing business with someone you know, like and trust is paramount. And this is where the Mikkelsons shine. Thirteen-year Bluffton residents with deep family roots in the area, Ryan and Tiffany are here to stay. “We try to be a big part of the community—have a local presence,” Tiffany said. “We hope to make a difference in the community.”

To that end, the Mikkelsons are proud sponsors of dozens of clubs, organizations, and educational institutions, most recently co-sponsoring a Youth Zone on the seventeenth green at the RBC Heritage.

Their investment in the health and success of the local community, along with their unique client approach, most certainly

Mikkelsons are a more casual, relaxed, familyª The friendly firm. The attorneys, paralegals and support staff are people just like you—living, working, and raising their families right here in the Lowcountry and supporting local causes that matter.

sets them apart from other firms.

While the lawyers you see on TV might be entertaining to watch, when you’re looking for a lawyer who is real and relatable, look to Mikkelson Law Firm.

Mikkelson Law Firm is located at 214 Bluffton Rd., Bluffton. Areas of practice include real estate closings, family law, probate, estate planning, landlord/tenant disputes, and business development. For more information, visit www.blufftonlawfirm.com or call (843) 757-9330.

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SATIVA CYNTHIA GROFF AND HER CBD BOOTH

HEA LTH PRODUCTS

Is CBD the next wonder drug?

BY LINDA S. HOPKINS 90

JUNE 2019

C2 MAGAZINE

I

t all started with a storm and a frightened dog. Cynthia Groff first discovered the power of cannabidiol (CBD) when Hurricane Matthew blew through Hilton Head Island in October of 2016. Having safely evacuated the island and settled into an inland hotel, Groff got a call from concerned friends in Arizona. Everyone was fineâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; except for the dog, who was terrified, she told them.

A

The next day, a FedEx package containing some “special” dog biscuits arrived at the hotel. “I had a completely calm dog for the next three days,” Groff said. “No side effects. I was shocked!”

It wasn’t the pup’s usual thunderstorm anxiety medicine, but CBD-infused treats that did the trick.

Her curiosity piqued, Groff began an extensive and ongoing research project that would ultimately lead the seasoned medical professional to a new, independent business of her own, specializing in high quality CBD products for people and pets.

With 27 years of healthcare experience as a clinical assistant in pediatrics, pain management and family medicine practices, Groff is now the proud owner of Sativa Health Products, based on Hilton Head Island, with products available for purchase locally and online.

SO, WHAT EXACTLY IS CBD? CBD is a natural chemical compound derived from the hemp plant which has many health benefits. These are substances that occur naturally in cannabis, and they are able to interact with the endocannabinoid system because they closely resemble chemicals that the body produces naturally, Groff explained.

Although derived from the same plant, CBD is not medical marijuana nor is it a recreational drug for getting high. Hemp and marijuana are to cannabis as lemons and oranges are to citrus—two related but different plants from the same “family.”

Unlike its fellow cannabinoid THC, CBD does not have psychoactive effects. South Carolina law defines industrial hemp as any part of the plant with a THC concentration that does not exceed 0.3 percent. Anything

HEMP AND MARIJUANA ARE TO CANNABIS AS LEMONS AND ORANGES ARE TO CITRUS—TWO RELATED BUT DIFFERENT PLANTS FROM THE SAME “FAMILY.” above this percent is illegal in S.C., Groff explained. “Our products are not medical marijuana but are legal alternatives.”

However, she warns that a full-spectrum product will have a trace (as much as 0.3 percent) of THC, which can show up on drug tests. If you work for a zerotolerance company, a complete isolate or broad-spectrum, zero-THC product would be appropriate, whereas a full-spectrum product would put you at risk.

CBD varies per concentration, so getting a reliable brand and source is key.

“Knowledge is power,” Groff said, and she has made it her business to understand what she’s selling. “My company is on the Internet, too. But I am here. I am a resource, and my customers know I’m giving them accurate information,” she said. In the consultation phase, she always discusses the intended use—what results the potential client is looking for—as well as any existing medical conditions or medications he or she might be taking.

Groff’s mission, she said, is to share what she has learned and provide revolutionary products that have been tested for safety and quality. Through research and positive feedback from her customers, she has carefully chosen five providers out of the 92 companies she investigated. Products she currently carries include tinctures, capsules, vapes, topicals, edibles, and pet products, all designed to promote healthy living the natural way.

If you’re looking to get high, forget about it. When you consume CBD products, you will not experience impaired motor skills or get an uncontrollable case of the giggles or munchies. You’re more likely to experience reduced anxiety, pain relief, relaxation, and an improved mood.

Groff is both concerned and passionate about dosages and drug interactions. For sleep, she recommends 300 mg. CBD for four to six weeks. If it doesn’t work, then she might steer you towards a full-spectrum product. “You won’t get high. You won’t get stoned. But it will bring that plant into full effect,” she explained. “The whole plant is sometimes needed for certain conditions—sleep being one. Some companies are combining CBD

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: CBD HONEY, CBD GUMMIES AND CBD SUPPLEMENTS C2 MAGAZINE

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CYNTHIA GROFF’S CBD DISPLAY

with melatonin for a synergistic effect.”

If you are currently taking blood thinning medications, do not consider CBD without clearance from your doctor, Groff cautions. On the flip side, if you are taking gabapentin (Neurontin), Groff will tell you not to waste your money on CBD, because these drugs will counteract its positive effects. She always suggests asking your doctor. “The sad part is, most doctors have no idea. But we’ll get there. Education is going to come,” she said. “This is not like going to the drugstore and buying vitamin C. You are buying a CBD product that is going to interact in your body. You need to consult with somebody who is not going to just say, ‘Take a higher dose.’ It’s finding the right dose. More is not better. That’s not how it works, and CBD is not appropriate for everybody.”

Delivery method matters, too. Vaping works fastest but for a shorter period of time—good for anxiety or panic attacks; sublingual drops take about 30 minutes to kick in and typically last 4-5 hours; capsules 92

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C2 MAGAZINE

CBD SALVE AND CBD LIP BALM

“THE WHOLE PLANT IS SOMETIMES NEEDED FOR CERTAIN CONDITIONS— SLEEP BEING ONE. SOME COMPANIES ARE COMBINING CBD WITH MELATONIN FOR A SYNERGISTIC EFFECT.” and edibles take longer to get in the system, but effects can last 4-6 hours; topicals can be used every two hours as needed.

For now, Groff’s goal is less about selling and more about serving. She offers free community seminars and is available for private consultations. “You don’t have to buy from me to ask a question,” she said. “I am a medical professional, and I study CBD from a medical perspective. I’ve attended

medical cannabis conferences all over the United States. My knowledge is coming from the scientists and the doctors—not just something I read on the Internet.”

As for the naysayers who would cry, “snake oil,” because of the diverse benefits of CBD being touted, Groff compares it to aspirin, invented in the 1890s, the precursor of which was found in leaves of the willow tree over 2400 years ago. “You have a headache; you take aspirin. You have pain; you take an aspirin. You want to thin your blood; you take aspirin. So, we have aspirin that we use for all these things, and nobody is saying that aspirin is snake oil.”

Could CBD be the next wonder drug?

Time will tell.

For a complimentary consultation or more information, visit www.sativahealthproducts.com or call (843) 683-3692.

Watch for upcoming local seminars with Cynthia Groff, and find her at the Hilton Head Farmers Market at Honey Horn on Tuesdays from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

A R T I C L E BY B A R RY KAU F M A N

C

olors

W

of the

Sea

alking up to Signore Coastal Art in Bluffton’s Promenade and seeing their beautifully crafted signature fish from the outside, schooling in a rainbow of colors along the gallery walls, is a bit like standing before a giant aquarium. Walking in is like diving headfirst into that aquarium, marveling at the kaleidoscope of vibrant fish and discovering exquisite happiness. That sense of euphoria is very much by design.

“Both of us are into happy. It sounds goofy … but we want the fish to make you smile when you come in here,” said Chris Signore, who owns the gallery with his wife Kadie. “It’s really satisfying when people get excited about the fish and say, ‘These make me happy.’”

Indeed, it’s hard not to be drawn in by the couple’s colorful creations, hanging seemingly everywhere, in schools that run along the walls of both the gallery’s rooms. Bedecked with carefully crafted metal fins, each fish is an act of collaborative creation.

From their workshop in the back, the Signores cut metal, saw down reclaimed wood, and paint each piece by hand.

And each piece bears the unique style of each artist: look closely and you’ll see that Kadie’s fish exult in precise brush strokes, evoking sunlight sparkling through calm waters, while Chris’s streak back in impression of kinetic motion, mimicking the speed of a fish darting through the sea.

“We don’t have a set game plan for what a fish is going to look like,” Kadie said. “You know when it’s done, but you don’t know what it’s going to turn out to be.”

And do they have any favorites among their collection?

“Each fish we make is our favorite. When we finish it, we can’t get over how much we love it. We take pictures, and then we make a new one, and that one is the best fish we’ve ever made,” Chris said.

Here and there, among the fish, you’ll find the couple’s departures from their signature fish. A long eel wriggles playfully by

Find your happy place

among the jubilant colors and smiling fish of

Signore Coastal Art the entrance, crafted when Chris found himself with a broken staircase he couldn’t bear to part with. Jellyfish swarm on the wall with dangling metal and wood tentacles. Paintings hang on several walls, once again evoking the couple’s yin and yang outlook on art: Kadie’s serene impressionist beachscape and Chris’ dynamic painting of bait fish, schooling in a tight formation.

And, of course, the furniture. Made from the same reclaimed wood from which the couple sources their sculptures, these gorgeous coastal-inspired pieces carry a rustic charm imbued with authentic artistry. A grand table in the front room began its life as concrete forms, before the couple chipped away with sledgehammers and angle grinders to reveal the beautiful grain of the wood beneath. The result is a truly unique piece with a story to tell. And these stories are everywhere, told by end tables, corner cabinets and furniture throughout the gallery— stories of a dock washed up following Hurricane Matthew, rebuilt into an eye-catching coffee table (shaped like a fish, naturally). These stories illustrate how beauty is everywhere if you only care to look.

The sum effect of all of this—the vibrant, colorful fish, the original artwork, the handcrafted furniture, and the stories they tell—is a testament to this couple’s unbridled creativity.

It’s about the colors of the sea. It’s about finding creativity. It’s about making forgotten things beautiful.

And it’s about happiness.  Visit signorecoastalart.com for more information.

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40

THINGS TO DO IN

WRITTEN BY BECCA EDWARDS DESIGN BY MIKA STJOHN

ICELAND B

lack balloons, an open coffin with a skeleton dressed like a woman, a large sign that read, “Lordy, Lordy, Ellen’s 40!” and a look of total dismay on her face is what I remember when my mother turned 40 and everyone threw her a surprise party. An impressionable eight-year-old at the time, I vowed when I turned 40 I would go someplace far, far away.

I recently turned 40 and kept my promise to myself, going 3,309 miles (as the crow flies) to Iceland.

The months leading up to my 4-0, my husband Lee and I researched Iceland and made a list of 40 things to do under the categories “Eat,” “Drink,” “Stay,” and “See/Do.” As we set out to cross each item off our list in only nine days, we felt daunted by the task at hand, but—like true Vikings—we were ready for birthday battle.

D

EAT #1 FERMENTED SHARK Kæstur hákarl, or fermented shark, is a national dish that tastes as nasty as the name implies. As the unappetizing hákarl appetizer was placed on our table, both Lee and I involuntarily plunged our noses into our palms afraid to breathe or we might pass out.

But, before we could lose our nerve, we gulped in a large breath, clenched all airways, speared the cubed cured fish with toothpicks, and popped a bite into our mouths. The texture, surprisingly, was that of a firm brie, and the taste reminded us of Stilton cheese.

#8 SALMON CAVIAR Likewise, salmon caviar is plentiful in Iceland and sometimes added to dishes as an obligatory garnish, like parsley. Its vibrancy bespeaks its freshness, and each little egg bursts deliciousness in your mouth.

#9 PICKLED HERRING This was another misfire. Pickled herring is also served at the “every man for him/herself buffet breakfasts” and comes löksill (herring with onions), kryddsill (herring with spices) and senapsill (herring with mustard). The morning after my birthday, on which I was either jet lagged from getting there the day before, or hungover, or both, I tried one of each. They were all disgusting and haunted me for much of the morning; consider yourself forewarned.

DRINK #10 BRENNIVÍN

#2 WHALE Fiskmarkadurinn, or The Fish Market, is a must for all you foodies. We had tried whale in a pub earlier and savored its filet mignon-like texture and flavor, but at Fiskmarkadurinn, the jalapeno minke whale nigiri made the biggest splash on our taste buds.

#3 PUFFIN No, puffin doesn’t taste like chicken or even duck or quail. Beef filets are to filet mignon as puffin is to minke whale. With puffin, you need to actively use your dinner knife and be prepared to chew a few seconds longer than whale, but both have an iron-rich, butterylike quality.

#4 ICELANDIC CHOCOLATE Much of the food in Iceland is imported—it’s just the nature of the beast with remote, subarctic islands.

Look for chocolate that has Icelandic sea salt in it.

#5 ICELANDIC SEA SALT Icelandic sea salt, in all its varieties, proves salt is more than just salty. Our favorite purveyor, Saltverk, gets its salt from the Westfjords region and offers Arctic thyme salt, birch smoked salt, lava salt, licorice salt and seaweed salt.

#6 SKYR Icelanders love their Skyr, or yogurt. At every breakfast (which, quite often, is served buffet-style and means going elbow to elbow with Europeans who rarely exhibit spatial awareness), Skyr is accompanied by an array of health-boosting ingredients like flax, pumpkin seeds and berries. This creamy, cultured Icelandic staple is not sour like most plain yogurts and contains more protein and less sugar.

#7 SMOKED FISH If you like smoked salmon, Iceland offers some form of it at every meal—from smoked salmon omelettes to Nordic salad with smoked salmon, to smoked salmon smørrebrød (i.e. open-faced sandwich). In short, you will definitely get your Omega 3 on in Iceland.

Also known as Black Death, brennivín is the most traditional (and popular) Icelandic spirit and has been for centuries. It is made from fermented grain and potato mash and is flavored heavily with caraway. At first sip, Lee spit it up. I, however, hung in there for five, facecontorting sips and then opted for beer nuts and white wine.

#11 ICELANDIC WINE Not much to write home about here, but most places serve wine in mini bottles (like the ones you get on airplanes), and if you are a “wino,” it gets expensive real quick.

#12 ICELANDIC BEER There are, however, some breweries in Iceland and some pretty out-there ingredients like algae. Lee’s favorite was from the Bryggjan Brewery. Note: Icelanders do not mind letting you sample different styles/options before ordering.

STAY #13 IN AN AFFORDABLE HOTEL Sorry, this place actually does not exist in Iceland. Get ready to spend some króna (Icelandic money).

#14 IN A BUBBLE This actually does exist.

Nuzzled in a forest is a series of secluded, 360-degree view rooms in Reyholt. Note: In the winter, you can see the Northern lights, and it actually gets dark (unlike the summer when it is light 24 hours a day).

#15 IN AN ICELANDIC AIRBNB This is the closet option to “affordable lodging” with the added bonus of living like a local.

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D

O

#16 ICELANDIC SHEEP

#24 A BLACK BEACH

#34 HORNSTRANDIR NATURE RESERVE

Lounging roadside and in impossible conditions, these comical fluff balls are historically an integral part of Iceland and one of the first sights you will check off your list.

Also in the south, you will find Reynisfjara, which is located near a large volcano that is currently under ice and has been dormant for nearly 100 years. The black sand of the beach was formed when the volcano was still active, the lava floated across the beach, cooled down when it came into contact with the icy seawater, and broke apart. Between the grittiness of the black sand, the brine of salty air and the imposing mountains engulfing you, this beach walk is one to remember.

We signed up for an 11-hour, moderately difficult hike on Hornstrandir with a guide company. Ever since the 1950s, Hornstrandir has been devoid of permanent human residents—mainly because the climate and terrain are so formidable. However, you will find a plethora of flora and fauna.

#17 ICELANDIC HORSES

#17 Icelandic horses Do not be fooled by these pony-sized horses— Do not be fooled these pony-sized horses— they’re hardy and by hardworking.

Try riding one they’re and hardworking. Try riding one throughhardy the countryside. through the countryside.

#18 ARCTIC FOX In the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve, you can spot these cute canines’ bushy tails and hear their squeaky bark. On our hike through the reserve, one little guy followed us for a few miles. You can also visit the Artic Fox Center in Sudavik. Note: In Iceland, words like “center” and “museum” translate into “one-roomed exhibits with lengthy plaques and very few artifacts.”

#19 #19 PUFFIN PUFFIN

We intended to go to the Látrabjarg cliffs in We intended to go to the Látrabjarg cliffs in the the Westfjords, one of Iceland’s best puffin Westfjords, one of Iceland’s best puffin watching watching places, but our ferry broke down places, but our ferry broke down in Stykkishólmur. in Stykkishólmur. Thankfully, we spotted Thankfully, we spotted one bobbing in the ocean one bobbing in the ocean off the coast of off the coast of Ísafjörður. Ísafjörður.

#20 WHALES Sure, Iceland offers several whale watching excursions, but we wanted to see one on our own.

In a beautifully macabre way, we did. Much like we find horseshoe crab shells on our beaches, you can find whale bones on Iceland’s sandy shores. These bones range in size from a ribcage you can walk in, to small white vertebrae lying in black sand.

#21 TROLLS

Many Icelanders believe in trolls, as well as elves and other mystic beings. It is quite common to find a troll sculpture, and many of the land formations are believed to be formed by trolls.

The basalt rock formations in Reynisdrangar, which are situated along a scenic must-do drive along the southern coastline, are said to be trolls frozen in time.

#22 WATERFALL

This was Lee’s favorite waterfall, because it is the largest waterfall in the Westfjords and seemingly endless, as it consists of six other waterfalls.

#36 THE BLUE LAGOON

#25 GLACIERS

Literally a tourist hot spot, here you will be corralled like Along some of the beaches, you will actually see a school of krill in a strong current to the geothermal glacier chunks. The juxtaposition between the pool, get a mud mask applied to your face, and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with half of Europe (who beach and the ice is quintessential Iceland. are also wearing mud masks), while sipping alcohol. #26 COOL OLD STRUCTURE Surprisingly, you will not find many interesting Option two: Find a “hot pot” while seeing other parts old structures like castles in Iceland. Ísafjörður of Iceland. boasts some of the oldest (as in 1800s) dwellings, and occasionally you will find an old abandoned sheep farmer’s hut.

#27 REYKJAVÍK

#37 JÖKULSÁRLÓN All the subarctic scenes in Die Another Day were filmed here, and taking a Zodiac tour in the ice lagoon was our favorite tourist activity. Note: The color blue never looked so good as it does here.

The capital of Iceland, Reykjavík provides you with the most action, as most cities and towns in Iceland are fairly quiet. We stayed in the Center Hotel Plaza on Aðalstræti and highly suggest you do, too. It is centrally located, moderately #38 SKÓGAFOSS priced (by Icelandic standards), and really quite Another fantastic waterfall, Skógafoss froths with lore and often flaunts a rainbow. posh and plush.

#28 HALLGRIMSKIRKJA CHURCH #39 THE WORLD CUP IN A LOCAL BAR Architecturally awesome, this church was designed by Guðjón Samúelsson 1937, who was inspired by the funky shapes and forms created when lava cools into basalt rock. Construction of the church began in 1945 and ended in 1986.

Make sure to ride the elevator to the top and treat yourself with a panoramic view of Reykjavík.

#29 ÞINGVELLIR Only 40 kilometers from Reykjavík, Þingvellir (or Thingvellir) reminds us of Mother Nature’s sheer power as we venture between the rift valley created by the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. Rightfully a tourist destination, start here and complete the Golden Circle.

Over ten thousand waterfalls flow through and carve out Iceland’s rugged and yet ravishingly beautiful terrain. You can hike around or picnic below many; I recommend doing both.

#30 GULLFOSS

#23 LAVA FIELD

Gullfoss, or Golden Falls, completes the Golden Circle—a tour you can do in one day. Of all the waterfalls, this one was my favorite because of its massiveness, power, and stunning geological components. Note: Wear a raincoat.

The vast Eldhraun lava field in the south of the Icelandic highlands was created in one of the greatest eruptions in recorded history and is of the largest of its kind in the world. This is yet one more reason to drive along the southern coastline.

#35 DYNJANDI

#31 SNÆFELLSNES PENINSULA Not far from the Golden Circle, Snæfellsnes hosts an array of varying landscapes. Stay in Stykkishólmur, cross the expansive Breidafjörður Bay via ferry, and arrive in Brjánslækur to explore northern Iceland.

#32 ÍSAFJÖRÐUR Two gloved hands down, this was my favorite maritime town in Iceland and one of the best meals I have ever eaten was at Tjöruhúsið.

#33 WESTFJORDS REGION If you want to absolutely get away from it all and wear out your camera with stellar snapshots, this is your place. Note: Pack a snack.

Everywhere we went, Icelanders sported World Cup paraphernalia. In Reykjavík, we lucked into a street viewing party of Iran versus Spain, complete with gigantic TV screens and ample beer and cheer.

#40 SPEAK ICELANDIC

WE LEARNED 16 WORDS: Bær—Farm Bjór—Beer Brekka (sounds like Becca)—Slope Borg—City Drykkir—Drink Floss—Waterfall Góðan daginn—Hello Hvítvín—White wine Jökull—Glacier Nettó—Cheap grocery store Kaffi—Coffee Rauðvín—Red wine Takk—Thank you Te—Tea Vatn—Water Vínbúðin—Liquor store 

Florida motel

Castillo de San Marcos

Shrine to Nuestra Senora de La Leche

The

NEW WORLD Now: Fresh Looks at America’s Oldest City

Maritime forest trail

Florida motel

Old Florida roadside attractions

I

BY MICHELE ROLDÁN-SHAW

fell in love with St. Augustine while pedaling a sea foam beach cruiser bike around the old city and out Highway A1A to the Atlantic. I ate Florida “honeybell” tangelos from my backpack and gazed into a campfire after long days of adventuring. I dreamed myself into homes for sale with banana trees.

To me, St. Augustine was like the Lowcountry meets the Caribbean: all the charm of shrimp boats, live oaks and Gullah cottages, but with a Spanish flair. Like the cobbled streets and period homes of Savannah or Charleston over an old Spanish mission site in California. Like the Golden Era of Florida tourism with roadside citrus and seashell stands, mermaids, stucco and live gator attractions merging into the hip world-fusion surf culture of today. Or simply like Florida period, with its leathery snowbirds, tattooed teens, and a worker class that calls you darlin’. Youngbloods blaring Dirty South rap cruise past markers on the Civil Rights Trail in Historic Lincolnville, originally founded as a suburb for freed people of color.

Mommies in athletic spandex push strollers through gentrifying neighborhoods, where buckling cracker shacks under Spanish moss give way to trendy real estate with “Hate Has No Home Here” pickets in the yard. A grandparent buys a baby an ice cream cone and a pirate T-shirt in the colonial quarter. The affluent eat dressed up shrimp ’n’ grits at historic garden inns. Centuries fuse and meld.

Gopher tortoise at Anastasia Island State Park

Spanish Colonial architecture

Roiling blue-black surf at Anastasia Island

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Coffee at Relámpago on Spanish Street

Paddling Pellicer Creek

Nalus tropical takeout

Captain of the Curlew

Cottage in historic Lincolnville, originally a suburb for freed people of color

Nalus tropical takeout

It’s not hard to imagine what the coast around modern St. Augustine looked like at the time of Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon’s first landing in April 1513. When I visited, 506 lovely Aprils later, certain elements were still in place. I was intimidated by roiling blue-black surf under brewing thunderheads at Anastasia State Park, where a spot called “Blowhole” attracts wave-riders from up and down the East Coast. (Red flag surf advisory—I did not go in.) I ran up on gators and toasted my knees under a broiling sun when I kayaked Pellicer Creek, a brackish inlet of cordgrass and piney-wood banks that crosses under the US-1 overpass to become Cracker Branch, a cabbage palm and fern-choked swamp. I got, at brief intervals, bug-bitten, footsore, and rained out. I hiked a little nature trail through maritime woods—sublime if there’s a path cut, pure hell if there’s not—where retirees today walk their poodles, but conquistadors of yesteryear came down with strange fevers as they thrashed about in the pestilent undergrowth. There was no Fountain of Youth.

I always thought the name Florida (Spanish for “flowery” or “full of flowers”) was a tribute to the environment, conjuring happy images of hibiscus, citrus blooms and spider lilies. But actually, it’s a reference to the Easter “feast of flowers,” taking place at the time of the Spaniards’ first landing.

They had no love for Florida. To them, this was not an Eden but a noxious hole of insect plagues, dangerous reptiles, raging tempests, savage natives and festering climates—and if you were dropped in the woods there today, you’d probably agree.

“A country very difficult to travel and wonderful to look upon,” concluded Cabeza de Vaca in his 1542 narrative of the ill-fated overland expedition that killed off hundreds of his men. “We could not advance without much going about and a considerable increase of toil.” No gold, no life-giving waters, even their half-hearted attempts at crops failed miserably. Reports made to the Spanish Crown were that this land was not worth settling.

However, Northeast Florida was considered a valuable outpost on the route of treasure ships carrying looted Incan gold back to Spain, thanks to the Gulfstream that hurried them on their way—and so began America’s oldest city. At a quarry you can still visit, Spaniards mined coquina shells to build the Castillo de San Marcos, St.

Augustine’s iconic fortification overlooking the Matanzas River. “Matanzas” means slaughter in Spanish and commemorates a horrid massacre here of rival French settlers.

The twisted saga of greed, deceit and killing that constitutes early colonization is beyond the scope of this article—but we all know the British won, even if the Spanish left their mark here more than anywhere. Today, atrocities are forgotten.

I enjoyed a delicious latte at Relámpago Coffee Lab on Spanish Street (the name means “lightning bolt”), where I sat in the garden patio eavesdropping on two freshfaced young ladies discussing the future.

They would soon graduate from Flagler College, a prestigious liberal arts institution in the old Ponce De Leon luxury hotel, whereupon they planned to travel the world and do awesome things rather than live a conventional life.

In order to taste the once-wild coast, I spent two nights camping at Anastasia State Park, a barrier island off mainland St. Augustine that’s easily accessible via the historic Bridge of Lions. Campsites are hollowed out of the dense, luminous green maritime forest. From my lawn chair, sipping early morning tea, I watched squirrels chasing and grooming each other among salt-twisted oak limbs bursting with resurrection fern. I went for an eight-mile trudge along a nearly empty beach, just me and the shorebirds mostly—flocks of shrieking terns, a lone egret stalking the shallows, little sandpipers dashing in and out of the waves and pecking at the heads of dead jellyfish.

Just outside the park entrance is Nalu’s Tropical Takeout, the city’s first food truck, where I had wild-caught fish tacos with mango salsa. The owner is a soft-spoken man with a West Coast surfer-bro accent despite being a Florida native. He spent seven years on Kauai’s North Shore before bringing home his love of poke bowls and ahi sashimi, and in 2002 he opened the Hawaiian fusion taco truck, to the delight of local and vacationer lunch crowds alike. He is parked outside the Surf Station, another beloved institution established in 1984 that used to double as a filling station until it started doing enough business in boards and accessories. The boys inside were busy brainstorming jobs you could show up to with no shirt (one of them was shirtless), including lifeguard, personal trainer, and working at a car wash.

Shrine to Nuestra Senora de La Leche

After breaking camp at Anastasia, my hair still thick with salt and wood smoke, I headed into the city and took a room at the Florida Motel. This refurbished 1950s motor court has a retro pink mermaid sign, coral walls with turquoise trim, and orange doors accented by potted palms. The interiors of the tiny but immaculate rooms have been completely redone in vintage style, even down to the microwaves and mini-fridges. According to the owner, the motel had declined over the last 20 years into a shabby weekly rental before he and his wife purchased it, then brought in their SCAD-graduate daughter to revision the identity.

Now they manage it as an Airbnb rental, with use of the sea foam cruiser bikes included.

At Present Moment Café—a name aptly fitting the theme of my research—I ordered the collard wraps and asked the pleasant young waitress with watermelon hair and combat boots where I could kill a few hours without spending any money. She recommended the downtown shrine, which had its own free parking. “What’s it a shrine to?” I asked.

“Jesus,” she mumbled reluctantly, making the quotation mark gesture with her fingers. “But it’s a really peaceful place.”

How public sentiments change! Five centuries after the Spaniards’ cross-brandishing reign of terror, the girl at Present Moment wants nothing to do with their avatar. But when I went to the shrine, a shady oasis on the Matanzas riverbank with cool breezes rattling palm fronds over a tiny chapel covered in creepers, I found it was actually dedicated to Nuestra Señora de la Leche (Our Lady of the Milk) who watches over expecting mothers. History is all how you paint it: the modern Catholic Church now operating on the spot calls this “America’s Most Sacred Acre” and flaunts vainglorious oil paintings of conquistadors and native Timucuans erecting a wooden cross in ostensible friendship here at the old mission site. No mention is made of slaughters, but a sign claims that slaves and mistresses alike prayed to Our Lady of the Milk.

Few care to know that St. Augustine is only the oldest continuously inhabited settlement if you look at it from a European perspective— otherwise the honor goes to Oraibi, a Hopi Nation town in Arizona that’s been occupied twice as long.

A chance encounter led to free lunch and conversation aboard the Curlew, a fine old wooden boat tied to a private pier next to the Bridge of Lions. I had been pedaling my cruiser bike through a lazy beach neighborhood when I saw a man on a skateboard wearing thick leather gardening gloves. “Hey man, what’s with the gloves?” I shouted out, and he circled around to explain that they protected his hands when he fell. Soon he was inviting me to spinach salad and pasta on the 37-foot Curlew, his primary residence, which had been given to him (long story that he told me.) A cultured polyglot of Italian-Chilean descent, he spoke four languages and played alto sax in a psychedelic rock band. He’d lived in various countries and all over Florida and liked St. Augustine for its history. “You don’t find anything else like it until you get up to Savannah or Charleston,” he said. “The rest of Florida is too new to have any unique sense of place.”

His cat Señor Fuzzypants sprung aboard, and later I watched as he disembarked with a bold leap. Sometimes Fuzzypants fell in, the man said, but he clawed himself lightning-quick up the pier.

How happy life would be in St. Augustine! But a perfect April day rocking gently in the stern of the Curlew is hardly real life ... I suppose I’ll just go back and visit.

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“Well pull my string, you must be the new toys!”

ARTICLE BY JU

STIN JARRETT

WelcomingWoody

^

Writer Justin Jarrett and his son snap a selfie on the Alien Swirling Saucers ride in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

E

very trip to Walt Disney World comes with a mix of magical anticipation and anxiety-ridden trepidation, especially when young kids are in tow, and those competing emotions ramp up even more when a new attraction opens.

As Disney devotees, my family braved the opening weekend crowds last summer to check out the new Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and both the magic and the anxiety lived up to our expectations.

Two new attractions, a new quick-service dining option, and some of Disney’s finest “imagineering” to date bring Andy’s backyard to life, adding even more fun to what was already our family’s favorite of the four theme parks at Walt Disney World.

The concept—namely that guests are “shrunk down” to toy size upon entering Andy’s backyard (for the uninitiated, Andy is the toy owner from the Toy Story franchise)—is nothing new to regular visitors to Hollywood Studios. That was the idea behind the popular Toy Story Mania attraction— an interactive ride-through a 4D arcade game in which passengers compete against one another in carnival-style games like ring toss and target shooting.

Toy Story Land expands that theme from one attraction to 11 acres of glorious fun, giving visitors the sensation that they’re walking around in a world created

by Andy’s imaginative play, complete with massive Tinker Toys and blocks, as well as Christmas lights strung throughout the area.

ATTRACTIONS The star of Toy Story Land, as evidenced by the wait times, is the new Slinky Dog Dash rollercoaster, and it immediately claimed a place among our family’s favorite Disney attractions. Visiting on opening weekend, we had resigned ourselves to the fact that we might not get to ride Slinky Dog Dash, recognizing that wait times would be well over an hour. After seeing the ride in person, we decided we couldn’t wait and chose to brave a twohour wait in the name of new adventures. (Pro tip: Download the “Heads Up” smartphone app for a fun way to pass the time in long lines. If you check in at a Disney park, you can get a free Disney deck that’s appropriate for even the youngest players.)

This was a big leap for our family, because as (now former) annual pass holders and master FastPass manipulators, we are not long-line-waiters.

Nonetheless, we found Slinky Dog Dash worth the wait. The newest coaster can’t match the sheer thrills offered across the park at Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster, but it’s a whole lot of fun—and with a height requirement of only 38 inches, Alien wirling Saucers it’s a much-needed addition to the list of attractions the whole family can enjoy at Hollywood Studios. In fact, our five-year-old rated it the most fun coaster she can ride at Walt Disney World (she’s excluded from Space r Coaste og Dash Mountain, Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster, and Expedition Everest—the three Slinky D coasters that still rank ahead of Slinky Dog for our eight-year-old son).

As thrills go, it slots just below Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and just above Seven Dwarves Mine Train, but the overall experience (including the cuteness factor) moves it even higher up the list.

First off, you’re sitting aboard the adorable Slinky Dog, and ostensibly riding a coaster built by Andy himself. Slinky Dog shoots out of the gate and around a corner before hitting his first big drop, whooshing past the crowds entering Toy Story Land. At the midway point, the ride comes to a stop and begins backing up for another launch, which sends riders hurtling up the ride’s biggest hill, seemingly launching into space before cresting the hill and heading into a series of smaller humps. The ride finishes off with a fun twist as Wheezy the penguin serenades you with “You’ve Got A Friend in Me” as you glide back into the station.

We had so much fun on our first ride that we immediately got back in line.

Luckily, it was nearly time for the park to close, and the Fantasmic show had attracted much of the crowd, so we were able to get back through the line in less than 30 minutes.

Less popular, and less thrilling, is the new Alien Swirling Saucers ride, which is reminiscent of the carnival favorite, the Scrambler. Although Alien Swirling Saucers did not earn an immediate spot among our family’s favorites, it was enjoyable and another nice addition for smaller kids who previously didn’t have many options at Hollywood Studios.

Even Toy Story Mania got an upgrade, with a second track and a new entrance and exit that build on the experience of being “toy-sized” and hanging out in Andy’s room.

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Woody’ s Lu

nch Box

Breakfa

st Bowl

Buzz Lightgear greets children in Toy Story Land

DINING The biggest letdown to Toy Story Land is the inclusion of only one dining option (adding a Pizza Planet would have been a stroke of genius, but the park already includes PizzeRizzo for quick service pizza and Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano for table service Italian), but Woody’s Lunch Box is a nice addition to Hollywood Studios.

The biggest perk is that Woody’s Lunch Box is one of few options in the parks offering hot breakfast. If you’re staying off-property or trying to make it to the park for rope-drop, you might not have time to grab breakfast at the hotel, and this gives you a chance to beat the crowds to ride Slinky Dog Dash before settling in for breakfast.

(*Editor’s Note: At press time it was announced that a new table service was being added to Toy Story Land.)

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Army man parading the grounds

The menu is kid-friendly to the point that it could have been created by a child with culinary chops. The ChocolateHazelnut Lunch Box Tart is a Pop Tart on steroids, covered in maple fondant and candied bacon, and the S’more French Toast Sandwich and Banana Split Yogurt Parfait could serve as breakfast or dessert.

There are plenty of more traditional options like the BBQ Brisket Melt, Smoked Turkey Sandwich, and Grilled ThreeCheese Sandwich, as well as the inventive “Totchos”—tater tots coated with chili, shredded cheese and queso with tomatoes and corn chips, finished with sour cream and a sprinkle of green onions.

Woody’s Lunch Box also serves a full complement of Joffrey’s coffee drinks, as well as alcoholic beverages for the big kids. One bummer: all the seating is outdoors, so there’s no respite from the Florida heat here.

CHARACTER ENCOUNTERS This is where Toy Story Land really shines. All your Toy Story favorites can be seen meandering around Andy’s backyard—including Woody and Jessie, Buzz Lightyear, and the green army men, who march through Toy Story Land playing drums—and stop to interact with visitors and pose for photos.

We feared the heavy character presence might be exclusive to opening weekend, but we were pleased to learn otherwise on subsequent visits.

Fortunately, the crowds and the anxiety that comes with them did subside somewhat on our return visits.

In all, Toy Story Land is an excellent addition to Walt Disney World’s already impressive roster and a must-do on your next visit to the Happiest Place on Earth.

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GOOD FOR WHAT

AILS YOU

The islandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best happy hour adds a shot of healing power to its cocktail menu

BY BARRY KAUFMAN

Rodney Baker, Bar Manager at Rockfish Bomboras prepares a CBD cocktail for a guest at Happy Hour.

F

ollowing his historic win at The Masters, there was one question everyone was asking about Tiger Woods: was that CBD gum he was chewing? The aging phenom was chewing away nearly every time the cameras were turned to him, and that, coupled with his meteoric recovery from a debilitating back injury, had many speculating that Tiger had discovered the many beneficial and performance-boosting perks that can be derived from CBD.

YOU CAN’T REALLY TASTE THE CBD, SO IT DOESN’T AFFECT THE FLAVOR OF THE BEVERAGE

Beyond its anti-inflammatory properties, CBD boasts a slew of health benefits from pain relief to cardiovascular health to an increase in alertness. All of which come in handy when you’re playing at the highest levels of the sport. And even if you’re not hitting the links, CBD has been a godsend to those battling anything from neurological disorders to anxiety.

Want to try out the powerful new supplement that put Tiger back in the green jacket? Better yet, want to try it out while enjoying a delicious cocktail at the island’s best happy hour? Then head to Rockfish Seafood & Steaks, where the menu now boasts the island’s only CBD-infused cocktails.

“There are so many positive health benefits that come from CBD,” said chef and bartender Joe Gilleland. He’s been experimenting with the supplement, both in a pair of signature cocktails and as wellbeing-boosting shot in a drink the establishment offers. “We offer it as an add-on to beer, wine … everything. You can’t really taste the CBD, so it doesn’t affect the flavor of the beverage.”

STACEY’S BLUEBERRY LAVENDER LEMON DROP Deep Eddy Lemon Vodka, Blueberry Lavender Simple Syrup and Lemonade

CBD TOM COLLLINS Lemon, Bullrush Gin, Soda and CBD

Frozen Strawberry and Mango Margarita

Those signature CBD cocktails encompass a CBD Cosmopolitan made with Deep Eddy Vodka and a CBD Tom Collins made with Bulrush Gin. “I’m not a gin drinker, but it is smooth,” said Gilleland. He’s even offered CBD as an add-on to dinner items, by request only, drizzling a little bit of CBD goodness on everything from fish to seafood and steaks. As with the cocktails, diners must be 21 or older to order the CBD supplement to their dish. “When you’re having it with food, it really helps the digestive system.”

The addition of CBD oil to the menu not only captures a trend that is appearing on menus (and golf courses) worldwide, it also brings the Rockfish family somewhat full circle. Owner Rocky Whitehead was a pharmacist in Cincinnati for 40 years and still runs a pharmaceutical business with his son Taylor. “He’s really supported us adding CBD to the menu,” said daughter Stacey who works to market the restaurant. “And we’ve been finding a lot of success with it.”

It’s easy to see why. For just a few dollars more, you can give every delicious libation and mouthwatering dish you sample at Rockfish a health boost. And yes, we should probably address CBD’s origins. Derived from the cannabis plant, CBD delivers many of the same benefits that medical marijuana boasts but without any of the psychoactive properties.

“CBD is something we’ve seen on menus in places like Charleston, and it’s big out West, but no one was doing that locally,” Stacey said. “Especially with dad having a pharmaceutical background, it seemed like a perfect fit to start offering CBD as an add-on by request here at Rockfish.”

Because of its lineage, CBD has been somewhat unfairly demonized in the past, but it bears little resemblance to its currently illegal cousin.

That’s not to say some people don’t confuse the two.

“I’ve definitely had customers after a cocktail tell me they’re feeling pretty good, and I just have to break it to them that they’re not actually high. It’s all in their head,” Gilleland said with a laugh.

So, don’t expect to get stoned at Rockfish.

But do expect to enjoy a delicious cocktail during the island’s best happy hour with a dash of healthboosting CBD. Make a reservation at Rockfish Seafood and Steaks by visiting their website www.rockfishhhi.com.

CBD DELIVERS MANY OF THE SAME BENEFITS THAT MEDICAL MARIJUANA BOASTS BUT WITHOUT ANY OF THE PSYCHOACTIVE PROPERTIES.

CBD can be added to any cocktail for an additional charge, including beer.

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A Stage of Their Own VIBRANT MUSIC SCENE OF HILTON HEAD ISLAND FINALLY GETS MUSIC FESTIVAL ALL TO ITSELF

t seems like Hilton Head Island has a festival for everything under the sun.

There’s WingFest, VegFest, the Wine and Food Festival, the Chili Cook-Off, the Rib Burn-Off, at least a dozen art festivals….

And each one of these festivals has one thing in common: appearances by a few of the players that comprise Hilton Head Island’s rich music scene. And make no mistake, there is a scene. Some might say otherwise, but it’s hard to argue that we’re seeing more and more of these talented musicians making the leap from side gig to calling. More than just a haven for acoustic covers of Jimmy Buffett, the island is fostering original acts who are creating a distinctive sound all their own.

And now they have a festival all their own. The Hilton Head Island Music Festival will put the music center stage June 22 and 23 at Honey Horn for the first time. Featuring a slate of local and regional acts, the festival aims to give local music fans a place to focus on the sounds of our scene.

“Instead of the entrée being a food, this time it’s music,” said local music luminary Jevon Daly. “There’s more to Hilton Head Island than cover bands. Maybe this will change a little bit of that perception. There are a few talented songwriters around here and some big personalities.”

Not that you should take that as a knock on cover bands. In fact, Daly will perform both nights of the festival—Saturday’s

I

PLAYING SATURDAY during the Original Music Showcase: ARTIC L E BY B AR RY KAU F M AN

● Just Jevon ● Pretty Darn Original Music Showcase as Just Jevon and Sunday’s Rock, Reggae, Blues & Funk Night as part of Grateful Dead tribute band Shakey Bones. Having a foot in both worlds, the festival reflects the local music scene’s unique dichotomy. If you’re a musician around here, you almost have to balance your own material against playing covers in restaurants.

Nick Poulin knows this dual nature well.

In addition to performing originals with Pretty Darn bandmate Kyle Wareham, he performs regularly at Aunt Chilada’s.

“Most of us have our own material, and it’s tough to get a real reading on what people think of it,” Poulin said. “I try to put in some originals when I pay weekly gigs. To have a day dedicated to musicians who have their own material, I think it’s a really cool thing and hopefully a sign of things to come.”

Headliner Hannah Wicklund knows a thing or two about that balance as well.

Along with her band The Steppin Stones, she may be sharing the stage with the likes of Stone Temple Pilots, Bon Jovi and Peter Frampton as she gigs around the world these days, but her journey began at festivals and restaurants all over Hilton Head Island. “I’ve played my share of cover gigs on Hilton Head Island—probably around 2,000 or so,” she said. “It’s nice to come home.”

Like the other musicians who will take the stage at the Hilton Head Music Festival, Wicklund is excited not just for the chance to play, but for the possibilities the festival presents. “There aren’t many towns like this that have musicians playing at restaurants.

It’s something special Hilton Head Island has. [Giving them this] larger stage, showcasing and bringing in original music, I think it’s a way for Hilton Head Island’s culture to get a little more invigorated.”

The Hilton Head Music Festival is the brainchild of Mark Weisner, famed for his Bluffton Sunset Parties and Bluffton International & Craft Beer Festival. Live music has played an integral role in the popularity of his events, so creating a new one dedicated just to the stage was a natural next step. “There’s just a little less beer and a little more music,” he said. “I think Hilton Head Island has some really great entertainers, and I thought it was time to showcase some local talent and bring in some fun regional acts.”  Hilton Head Island Music Festival hits Honey Horn for two days, with 16 performances, June 22 and 23. For tickets and more information, visit www.hhimusicfest.com.

● John Brewster ● Stray Fossa ● Bobby Magyarosi ● LOZ ● C2 and the Brothers Reed ● Hannah Wicklund & The Steppin Stones

PLAYING SUNDAY during Rock, Reggae, Blues & Funk Night: ● Skinny Bike ● Vannah & The Rump Shakers ● CornBreD ● Shakey Bones ● Reggae Infinity Band ● Voodoo Visionary ● Eric Culberson Band

SHARING THE STAGE More than just live music, the Hilton Head Music Festival is a fullfledged festival atmosphere, with local artists in the “Artist Village” including painters, jewelers, potters, woodworkers and more. Palmetto Ocean Conservancy will be on hand with an educational booth, part of the festival’s dedication to sustainable practices. The official T-shirts for the festival will be made of eco-friendly organic cotton, and you won’t find any straws, plastic bags or singleuse plastic bottles here.And what’s a festival without food? While you rock out, you can feast on fare from vendors including Melly Mel’s, Tove’s Hispanic Cuisine, Hilton Head Brewing Company BBQ, Krazian Food Truck, Lowcountry Fire & Rice, New York City Pizza, Captain Woody’s, Grind Coffee Roasters, Kona Ice, Booze Pops and Gnam Gnam Gelato.

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he summer before sixth grade, my two best friends and I went to Girl Scout sleepaway camp and had the best time ever. I still remember most of the lyrics to the songs we sang, the names of our 19-year-old counselors (who seemed so old to us at the time) and that beautiful reprieve from everyday life as an 11-year-old like it was merely yesterday. We stayed up giggling all night, swam in the gigantic swimming pool all day, and wrote soulful letters to our mothers as if theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d never once reprimanded us.

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Adulthood, with its mortgages, day jobs and responsibilities, is not always what it’s cracked up to be, but summertime can and should still be an excuse to get back to those fun-filled basics of life. In fact, as of late, a number of adults-only summer camps have popped up in the United States, including a few in our region, all promising the wholesome, whimsical fun of those days gone by. Sure, you could opt for a Caribbean cruise or a bar crawl or some other “adult” break from reality, but doesn’t a week at camp sound better? After all, getting back in touch with our inner kid can refresh our outlook on life in a way that grownup vacations can’t.

Take it from Dave Kushner, one of the founders of Camp No Counselors, an adults-only camp founded in New York that has truly taken off since its inception in 2013. Kushner, who said he and his close friends were all summer camp enthusiasts as kids, was looking for a fun way to get everyone together and came up with the idea to rent a summer camp. “We invited a big group of 30 friends to make the cost of renting the camp feasible, and we ended up with 100 people that first year!” he said.

Because Kushner and his crew are camp renters instead of owners, they migrate around the country to different locations and have held fun-filled sessions everywhere from Tennessee to California to Florida to Colorado. They use real summer camps that kids attend during the summer—they just wait until the offseason. “We’ll plan our sessions for when the kids aren’t there, in early summer or late summer and into the fall,” Kushner said.

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So, what happens at a camp for grownups? Yes, there’s a bit of partying, but there’s also plenty of good, clean fun. “We have arts and crafts, play kickball and have a deejay at night,” Kushner said. “Our saying is, ‘Play like a kid and party like a grownup!’”

Mom and grandmother Susan Edgeworth from South Carolina recently enjoyed attending another camp meant for adults to cut loose: Camp Kid Again in Clayton, Georgia. “Camp Kid Again was an awesome experience for me to feel young again and allow my children who went with me to view me not as “Mom,” but as a kid just playing games and making new friends,” she said.

Got Cabin Fever Already?

Learn More Here!

CAMP NO COUNSELORS www.campnocounselors.com info@campnocounselors.com CAMP KID AGAIN info@campkidagain.com (720) 393-0717

(Just as a side note, I thoroughly intend to go to camp with Susan and her whole family very soon, maybe even this year, since I’m best childhood friends with her daughter, Kristi.

In fact, Kristi is one of the three I mentioned from the camp experience I had at age 11!)

Now, for the question I was dying to ask the adults “in charge” of these types of camps: are all the cabins co-ed?

Because, let’s face it, they were not in 1992, and with good reason—boys were icky.

“We give people the choice,” Kushner said, chuckling at my question. “We do get a lot of married couples who attend camp together.” (I had kind of forgotten about married people since I’m single, and I ruefully admitted that that made sense.)

For those of you living in the Lowcountry who are interested in attending a camp for grownups, there are a couple of options.

You could pack up and head to Camp Kid Again in Georgia or one of the more far-flung adult camps in the country such as yoga-heavy Soul Camp in New York or California, or you could convince Kushner and his crowd to bring Camp No Counselors closer to home. As of press time, the entire 2019 schedule had not yet been determined. There will be sessions in New York and in California this year, but the rest remains to be seen. That said, interested parties who are reading this article and thinking about how fun this sounds can send an email to Kushner and his crew. “Interested folks can email us and check our website and social media for updates on the plan,” he said, adding that campers frequently come “from all over.”

Susan, an enthusiastic adult camp convert, can’t wait to attend Camp Kid Again this fall. “Everyone needs to go at least once,” she said. “The friendships made will last a lifetime, and I will continue to go back every year for as long as I can. I will be 66 when we go again in September, and I can’t wait!” 

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Location: Sea Pines Resort House Rental/Rental Company: Destination Vacation Interior Design: Terri Puma Design, LLC Home Builder: Hammerhead Construction

I S C MUin bathroomsIANS MUSICIANS: NICHOLAS MYHRE (GUITAR/VOCALS) KEVIN MYHRE (VOCALS/BASS) DAVIS LENTZ (SAXOPHONE/KEYBOARDS) ANDREW MOONEY (DRUMS AND VOCALS)

BAND: THE NICE GUYS BAND

P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y M . K AT

Do you tweet, gram or book? What’s your handle?

NM: Instagram @nick_myhre DL: Active on all platforms; follow @bh.davis.

KM: Instagram @theniceguysband; Facebook @ TheNiceGuys-HHI AM: No. funk opz.

What’s your sign?

Nicholas Myhre: Cancer Davis Lentz: I have no idea.

Kevin Myhre: Cancer Andrew Mooney: Male Most underrated song that in your opinion should be a classic: NM: “Ocean Avenue” DL: Nothing by Cardi B KM: I cannot think of any songs but the most underrated band to me is Lawrence.

AM: “Butterfly,” Crazy Town Biggest compliment you’ve ever gotten from a fan?

NM: “I have never seen a band cover Waka Flocka; that was sick” DL: “You’re saxy.”

KM: Angie Aparo happened to be at our show one night, and he stayed after and complimented my falsetto. That really meant a lot to me.

AM: “You look like Jaden Smith.”

What is your favorite song to perform?

NM: “Let’s Go Crazy,” Prince DL: “September,” Earth, Wind and Fire KM: Right now, it is “Carry on My Wayward Son,” Kansas AM: “Wild Wild West,” Will Smith

Favorite cereal: NM: Captain Crunch DL: Cocoa Puffs KM: Reese’s Puffs AM: Fruity Pebbles (neon)

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At what venue do you most like to perform?

NM: Big Bamboo, since day one DL: Madison Square Garden, Staples Center, etc.

KM: I don’t choose favorites; I like all the places that we perform.

AM: Hilton Head Ice Cream Most requested song at shows: NM: “2112/Overture/The Temples of Syrinx” DL: “Free Bird” KM: “Free Bird” AM: “Free Bird”

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First instrument you learned to play: NM: Bass, but Kevin was better at it.

DL: Saxophone KM: Does the guitar from Guitar Hero count?

AM: Playing sick beats with my pencils in lower school.

Who do you like to perform with?

NM: Kevin, Davis, and Andrew DL: The Nice Guys, of course!

KM: Anyone that shares the love of music: The Nice Guys, my father’s band CornBreD, my acapella group…

AM: Will Smith Do you have a side gig?

NM: Finance major at College of Charleston.

So, I guess the Nice Guys?

DL: Twitch streamer KM: I sing in an acapella group for College of Charleston.

AM: Yeah, chillin’.

What animal do you most identify with?

NM: Scooby-Doo DL: I really don’t think I identify with an animal, but turtles are pretty cool.

KM: A bird; I love to travel.

AM: Male

Shout Out!

Place you go to get away from it all: NM: Java Burrito DL: My desk with a PlayStation controller in my hand KM: My bedroom AM: Highway 278 JUNE 2019

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With what famous musician would you love to sing a duet?

NM: Jack Black DL: Zachary Stevens KM: P!NK. AM: Michael Jackson

First concert you attended?

NM: Boston DL: Not too sure KM: Boston AM: Bluffton Noise Ordinance

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Who would star as you in the epic retelling of your life on film?

NM: I know Jack Black would do me justice.

DL: David Hasselhoff KM: Michael Cera AM: Will Smith or Stevie Wonder

Song you were thrilled to finally master: NM: “Through the Fire and Flames” on Expert level.

DL: “Carry on My Wayward Son,” Kansas KM: “I Believe in a Thing Called Love,” by The Darkness.

I have always loved the song, and I was stoked when we learned it as a band.

AM: “Carry on my Wayward Son,” Kansas

Song you sing in the shower?

NM: “Hot in Herre,” Nelly DL: I don’t really sing in the shower.

KM: “Stayin’ Alive,” the Bee Gees AM: “Sandstorm,” Darude

Favorite artist: NM: The Silver one in CornBreD DL: Dave Matthews KM: Either Claude Monet or Roy Lichtenstein AM: Salvador Dali

Finish this verse as if it were the hook of a song: “Sally went down to the bayou…”

NM: “She ain’t the sharpest tool in the shed.”

DL: “And there was vomit on his sweater already, Mom’s spaghetti.”

KM: “Gonna eat a lot of peaches.”

AM: “I’m good, lol.”

CATCH THE NICE GUYS AROUND TOWN THIS SUMMER: Mondays @ The Big Bamboo Porch Thursdays @ Coligny Plaza Stage Saturdays @ Jamaica Joe’z Beach Bar Sundays @ Harbour Town Stage

J U N E SUNDAY

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SHELTER COVE HARBOUR & MARINA FIREWORKS Tuesdays: June 11, 18, 25 All fireworks are weather dependent.

CAPPY THE CLOWN Through August 30 Monday- Friday 6-9pm

SHANNON TANNER Through August 30 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday Two shows at 6:30pm & 8pm

WWW. SHELTER COVEHA R B OUR FEST.COM

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THROUGH MY EYES II EXIBIT SoBA Gallery, 6 Church Street in Old Town Bluffton 3-5pm sobagallery.com

“WONDERFUL WINGS” Coastal Discovery Museum Tuesdays in June through August 10am & 11am (843) 689-6767 ext. 223.

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THE NICE GUYS Sea Pines Resort Sundays (through August 11); 7-9pm A variety of contemporary music that the whole family will enjoy.

(843) 842-1979

TUESDAYS

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WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY! Permanent Cosmetics/Sungate Medical Spa 5-7pm Blepharoplasty, Bubbles & Brows!

(843) 422-4141

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GREGG RUSSELL CONCERTS Under the Liberty Oak in Harbour Town Through August 23 Monday-Friday 8-9:30pm seapines.com

LEGALLY BLONDE: THE MUSICAL

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HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!

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13 MOVIE NIGHT IN THE PARK! Every Thursday night at 9pm!

Shelter Cove Community Park June 13: Guardians of the Galaxy I June 20: Hotel Transylvania 3 Summer Vacation June 27: Mary Poppins Returns Admission: free!

Beach chairs, blankets and take-out food from Shelter Cove Towne Centre merchants recommended!

SUMMER JAMS Shelter Cove Community Park 5-9:30pm Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy the fireworks! islandreccenter.org

PLAYING FOR PAWS TENNIS TOURNAMENT Indigo Run Tennis Center (Hilton Head) 9am Benefitting Hilton Head Humane Association

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2019 PRO LEAGUE FINALS Long Cove Club 6:30pm Spectators are welcome at no charge. Food and refreshments will be available for purchase.

SEA TURTLES OF HILTON HEAD ISLAND Sea Pines Resort 8-9pm Reservations required; contact (843) 842-1979

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Arts Center of Coastal Carolina June 26-August 4 www.artshhi.com

CAROLINA DREAMERS CAR CLUB CRUISE-IN Shelter Cove Lane 5-8pm No costs, no reservations carolinadreamers.info

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8 THE TD BANK KIDS TRIATHLON Island Recreation Center 8am & 9:30am Price: $25 gotrievents.com.

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SUNSET CELEBRATION JULIE’S JAM TENNIS SUMMER CONCERTS TOURNAMENT Shelter Cove Haig Point Community Park Tennis Center 7-10pm (Daufuskie Island) June 14: Deas-Guyz 9am June 21: The Headliners Benefitting Hilton June 28: Deas-Guyz Head Humane Admission: free!

Association Pet friendly!

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22-30 SOUTHEASTERN SUMMER THEATRE PRESENTS CABARET THE MUSICAL Hilton Head High School Tickets at (866) 749-2228

HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL Main Street Youth Theatre 3000 Main Street June 18-30 7pm & 2pm $12 for students $19 for adults msyt.org

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