SPRING BREAK FUN WITH KIDS DOESN’T HAVE TO BREAK THE BANK PROPERTY ENVY 2025
Colorful looks to MARCH into Spring
Take a look inside some of the most luxurious listings in town
Colorful looks to MARCH into Spring
New to the Market, this home is a once-in-a-lifetime Daufuskie retreat
Dancing
Photography by M.Kat
Styled by Kaila Jeffcoat
Caroline Molloy models an ensemble from Coastal Bliss
Photography by M.Kat
Styled by Kaila Jeffcoat Caroline Molloy models an ensemble from Birdie James
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Photography by Tristyn Sheaffer
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Boy, I never thought I would say this, but I am ready to be WARM again. Not sweltering with 100% humidity at “feels like 115 degrees,” but warm with a few less layers would be nice.
After one of the coldest winters I can remember, March is upon us, and with it, longer days for all the things Lowcountry locals like best – festivals! Jesse Blanco gives us the run-down on don’t miss events on page 133. Wingfest, The Hilton Head Island Food & Wine Festival and the 40th St. Patrick’s Day parade (see article on page 104) are right around the corner and I am ready!
And just because every good thing in the Lowcountry must be shoved into the coveted months of March, April, and October, Dancing with the Local Stars returns, also vying for a spot on your calendar. In Cheryl Ricer’s story on page 96, we meet the contestants. This year’s lineup promises to be as spectacular as last year’s, with Beaufort County Treasurer Maria Walls and Bluffton Chamber of Commerce’s CEO Natalie Osterman putting on their dancing shoes to raise money for the Kiwanis Club. Although at press time the event is sold out, WHHI will be live-streaming it again like last year.
Every March, we bring you our home and garden issue, and once again, Barry Kaufman returns with his recurring feature, “Property Envy,” in which we get a peek inside some of Hilton Head Island’s hottest listings (see page 33). It’s also time to get back out there and touch dirt – so put down those phones and head on over to Becca Edwards’ column about gardening and how to get started.
It's spring, and you know we love fashion around here. The florals are floral-ing harder than Blake Lively on an “It Ends with Us” press tour, and we got to see some of the latest looks from local boutiques at our Farmhouse Chic photoshoot. We also got to see a chicken or two,
EDITOR'S
NOTE MARCH 2025
with a side of fresh sourdough bread. A very special thank you to Erin Rollins, who hosted us on her lovely property.
Heather Quinn reminds us that amongst all the spring events and festivals, it’s also time to entertain the kiddos for spring break. Whether it’s a staycation or a trip (because if it’s with children, it is most definitely NOT a vacation), she has some suggestions. Cruise on over to page 111 for some laughs and suggestions for staying sane with the littles.
I will leave you with a quote, as this is a tradition my mentor had around the office, and one I think I’m going to start carrying on in my column every month.
“Ego is the enemy of what you want and of what you have: Of mastering a craft. Of real creative insight. Of working well with others. Of building loyalty and support. Of longevity. Of repeating and retaining your success. It repulses advantages and opportunities. It’s a magnet for enemies and errors. It is Scylla and Charybdis.” – Ryan Holiday Go ahead – google Scylla and Charybdis. I’ll wait.
MAGGIE WASHO Publisher / Editor-in-Chief
ARTICLE BY BARRY KAUFMAN
PROPERTY ENVY 2025
TAKE A LOOK INSIDE SOME OF THE MOST LUXURIOUS LISTINGS IN TOWN
Most all of us, in some form or another, have been carrying around the blueprints for our dream house in the back of our minds for our entire lives. Someday, we tell ourselves, someday we are going to have that multi-million-dollar mansion with the breathtaking ocean views. With the massive eight-car garage. With the THX-caliber screening room. With the 6,000-bottle wine cellar. With the fully functional Batcave and karate dojo.
(We will admit, that last one might feature on this writer’s own personal blueprints.)
The point is, while all of us walk around dreaming about this house, there are a lucky few who get to live it. In the rarified air of the rich and famous, these aspirational musings enter the realm of reality, attainable for the right price.
As envious as we are, we can’t help but be amazed. Here they are, all of our wildest real estate fantasies made manifest. These are the dream homes we’ve always conjured in our wildest fantasies, somehow conjured into reality
15 BALD EAGLE ROAD, $13,975,000
through stone and timber. Can we afford them? Probably not. Can we at least take a peek inside to stoke our sense of envy and tantalize ourselves with the possibility that someday it could be ours? Also probably not.
But we can always read about them!
15 Bald Eagle Road, $13,975,000
Boasting an interior that has been brilliantly curated by Sarah Lettice with Kelly Caron Designs, ASID, NCIDQ, this home has already enjoyed its time in the spotlight as a featured property in the pages of this very magazine. But you’ll have to forgive us for gushing, because this property represents one of the rarest opportunities on Hilton Head Island.
“The No. 1 highlight is that this is a brand-new house on the beach in Sea Pines,” said listing agent Tristan O’Grady
of COAST brokered by eXp. “It is very rare to see a spec house on the beach because the availability is so limited.”
Its status as the most substantial spec house offering ever made on Hilton Head is just the foundation. On top of that has been built a spectacle of modern coastal design, with sprawling outdoor living incorporating covered kitchen, misting system, fire pit, and infinity-edge pool; commercialgrade appliances in the gorgeous chef’s kitchen; multiple oceanfront suites; and two levels of covered porches. It is currently offered on the rental market as well, through BESTNEST by Beverly Serral.
28 Green Heron Road, $10,750,000
Back in 1958, the very first waterfront property was sold in Sea Pines. The price tag for this lavish lot was a staggering $5,350. Quite a few things have changed in the
intervening near-septet of decades, primarily the price tag. These days, the lot alone for a property like this would be north of $6 million. Taking that into consideration, listing this home at just under $11 million is a steal. Especially when you factor in what you get.
“It’s rare to come across a property like this. You have not only a full-size lot with incredible panoramic ocean views, but you also have a completely remodeled house top to bottom,” said Lorri Lewis, broker-in charge with Sea Pines Real Estate. “The additional square footage has added two more full beds and baths on the first floor, with decking across the back of both
floors to really maximize that ocean view.”
Beyond the expansion, these renovations have draped the home with all the refinements of modern luxurious coastal living, with wide-plank hardwood floors, magnificent chef’s kitchen, and a marble-strewn primary en suite bath that rivals any day spa in the world.
151 Inverness Drive, $9,000,000
Built into the natural curves of a swooping peninsula on the May River, this home epitomizes the natural beauty and sophisticated refinement of Palmetto Bluff. Each detail within the home was meticulously curated by Mike Reynolds of MJR Builders to create visions of timeless Lowcountry style. From the Savannah brick pavers that line the driveway to the custom-cut pine floors, it’s a masterclass in nailing each detail.
“The owner put three years of his life into it, and it is just one of the nicest houses I’ve ever sold,” said Kevin King with Charter One Realty. “It has a 180-degree a panoramic view of the marsh all the way to Port Royal Sound, the quality is second to none, and the floor plan and the details are all incredible.”
Among the highlights of its 7,834 square feet, you’ll find a huge open kitchen with dual islands set in leathered marble,
28 GREEN HERON ROAD, $10,750,000
151 INVERNESS DRIVE,
$9,000,000
grand formal dining room with custom-crafted ceiling, expansive wine cellar, library set in rustic timbers and brick, and fully equipped bar facing out on those breathtaking marsh views.
945 Mount Pelia Road, $8,250,000
Every property you’ll read about here offers more than its share of luxurious trappings, stunning views, and exquisite craftsmanship. But this might be the only one on our list that lets you live on a little piece of history.
“The property itself used to belong to a turpentine factory and was built on the landing where they would ship it from,” said Keene Reese with The Ussery Group. “You can still see some of the railroad structures. There’s a ton of history on the property, plus it’s a truly generational property.”
Embracing the Palmetto Bluff ethos of creating generational spaces, the compound incorporates six structures across the 1,600 feet of landing
it enjoys on Cauley’s Creek. Flanked by 120 acres of land protected by the North American Land Trust, its exquisite privacy is matched only by the timeless elegance of its classic Lowcountry design. Built for creating a legacy, it engenders possibilities that will pass down through the ages as each generation makes it their own.
“It’s really the perfect property for someone who truly appreciates what sets the Lowcountry apart,” added Reese.
6 Overlook Place, $8,200,000
No detail was spared in creating this
gorgeous 7,789-square-foot palace, set on an expansive 1.16-acre lot on the heel of Hilton Head Island in Port Royal. It’s brilliant Mediterranean-inspired exterior transitions to Lowcountry luxury inside, with elevated materials informing a layout that draws magnificent water views into each room.
“It’s one of the few double lot oceanfront homes in the Lowcountry,” said Kevin King with Charter One Realty.
It’s what the builders did with that space that excites King the most. “It has probably the nicest garage I’ve ever seen, because the owner was a car collector,” he said. “But beyond that, it’s the details you’ll find everywhere. In the bunk room, each bunk has a TV and a fan. It’s a fabulous piece of property.”
6 OVERLOOK PLACE, $8,200,000
945 MOUNT PELIA ROAD, $8,250,000
Photography by Ryan Greco
18 ARMADA STREET, $7,495,000
That eye for detail is matched by a wider lens that filled this property with the kinds of features that have always haunted our visions of a dream home. A 1,000-bottle wine cellar. Half-court basketball court. Private putting green gazing out toward the water. And, yes, a museumquality garage for housing all of our favorite toys.
18 Armada Street, $7,495,000
Towering above captivating ocean views, this sophisticated
oceanfront manor takes all the grandeur and elegance of classic Southern architecture and reimagines it as a thoroughly modern luxury home. The towering dual porches of the dramatic entryway evoke the stately beauty of the Old South, while the sprawling sun-drenched outdoor spaces echo the hospitable beauty of a five-star resort.
In between, homebuilding brilliance has imbued the elements of the Old World – grand winding staircases, dramatic open spaces, and soaring arched doors – with the subtle sophistication of modern design. The net result is a home offering the best of both worlds, soaking in elegant scenery through wide windows or boasting a sprawling garage perfect for keeping a dream car collection in pristine comfort.
“What sets this home apart is its incredibly stately appearance. The curb appeal of this house is unbelievable. Couple that with the outdoor areas, and you have a really special place,” said Jeff Hunt with Dunes Real Estate. “If somebody wants a property that they can truly make their own, this is it.”
Article by Barry Kaufman
Photography by John Brackett
ROOM TO GROW
EXPANSION FINALLY ALLOWS HILTON HEAD FURNITURE TO SHOW YOU EVERYTHING THEY CAN DO
The most complex tapestries begin with a single thread.
For the Setola family, that thread winds back through four generations who all worked their magic on a Singer sewing machine. It was Larry Setola Sr. who began weaving his thread of the family legacy in the Lowcountry when he opened Just Cushions Upholstery in 1994.
Then his son, Larry Setola Jr., who had been working for the family business for about 10 years, envisioned a completely different spin on the generational family business. He noticed the clientele of Just Cushions valued the company’s workmanship enough to have their cushions and older furniture recovered, and reasoned that it simply made sense to also offer an option for new furniture of the same quality – all in one convenient place.
He started small, for the first two years out of a catalog, then adding a piece or two into the small Just Cushions showroom. A couple of years later, the showroom expanded another 1,200 square feet, which included furniture vignettes with different options along with fabric, window treatments, and rug samples.
It was just enough room to give customers a taste of the kind of elevated custom quality the Setola brand was looking to provide to the community.
“In a smaller space, we had to really get creative as designers,” said Setola Jr. “We were forced to work more digitally as opposed to hands-on as we would put together digital look-books and go roomby-room to show customers what pieces we would recommend. For instance, for a guest bedroom, we would offer a bed, dresser, chest, and nightstand, in five or six different options for each.”
The first expansion helped cement Hilton Head Furniture as Larry Jr.’s new vision for the family business. But the digital look-books simply weren’t enough on their own. As they say, seeing is believing.
“Our entire emphasis is quality. I could show you images of dining room table options all day long, but you’re not able to see how well
Julie and Larry Setola Jr., owners of Hilton Head Furniture, pose in front of their showroom fabric gallery.
Sectionals, chairs and beds on display in the Hilton Head Furniture Showroom
Dining room vignettes in the showroom inspire clients to envision their purchases in a home setting.
Larry Setola Jr. poses on a reclining sectional in the Hilton Head Furniture Showroom
Julie Setola, lead designer and owner, stands in the fabric gallery section of the Hilton Head Furniture Showroom
The newly renovated Hilton Head Furniture Showroom
its built, and appreciate the custom wood finish unless you get to put see it in person and put your hands on it,” Setola Jr. said.
Further expansion became the name of the game. Now that it is complete, the change is truly remarkable.
Throughout the gleaming expanse of this re-branded new showroom, Hilton Head Furniture’s line of offerings have finally been given their proper spotlight. With rows of bedroom suites along one wall, dining room tables along the other, a central bank of sofas, sectionals, chairs, recliners, and custom cabinetry, all beckon to be browsed. As plentiful as this inventory appears, it represents just a fraction of the entire portfolio, which can still be browsed on their website and in person via their large showroom touchscreen kiosks.
“The expansion has allowed people to get a better idea of what we can offer them as a one-stop shop, and more importantly it shows off the quality and workmanship of our products,” Setola said. “For instance, you can see the beds that we display in the showroom, then you can also see that we have a thousand more to choose from on our website.”
In addition, the expanded space lets Hilton Head Furniture show off some of the elements they can bring to a house beyond traditional home furnishings. A massive 10-by-30 ft. showroom display boasts dozens of different window treatments, blinds, and shades. Stunning area rugs hang from towering industrial supports, opposite shelving that holds thousands of hanging fabric samples.
The custom window treatment display helps clients find the right look for their home.
In the freshly minted conference room, a built-in wall unit display and wet bar speak to the custom crafted cabinets they can offer to their clients.
By providing just an inspiration image, the team can build their custom cabinetry right onsite for the client, who can choose every feature – from the size, style, hardware, paint or stain, and type of wood – and these talented professionals will bring it to life. This not only adds to the extra convenience of a one-stop shop for furnishing an entire home, but it also creates a level of customization that’s hard to match.
“We just completed a project where we built a 14by-14 ft. wall unit with adjustable shelving, drawers, and custom lighting that we quoted on a Tuesday and completed by the following Thursday,” Setola Jr. said. “You cannot store-buy what we just made, let alone choose every detail of it. It must be custom made.”
It’s a testament to Setola’s ambition to grow his family legacy and create a place where you can get everything of the highest quality for your home in one place. And it is all built on a family foundation that prizes the customer above all else.
“Our relationship with our clients is paramount,” he said. “And the more people are able to discover what we can offer and understand the high standards we uphold ourselves and our products to, the deeper the trust we cultivate within the community as a reliable go-to option for all things home related.”
MEET THE INTERIOR DESIGNERS
The art of interior design is more than just simply picking out colors and arranging furniture. These skilled professionals aren’t just hanging art on the wall, they’re creating art with those walls as a canvas. Through their craft, the spaces within those walls are molded into a free-standing masterpiece, one that weaves together color, texture, and forms into a beautiful space.
With each layer, they create a visual language that can speak subtly or shout with excitement. The true art of it lies in letting each room express itself in its own way. There are rules, but like any rules they can be bent. They can be broken. They can be ignored altogether.
Because make no mistake, what the professionals on the following pages create is art. And each of them has unleashed their creativity in spaces big and small around the Lowcountry. Through their ingenuity, their practiced skill, and their passion for design, they have made each space they touch into a work of art.
JULIE SETOLA, CID, DSA
CHRISTINA DZENDZEL
BEVERLY SERRAL & COURTNEY MAY
BESTNEST BY BEVERLY SERRAL
COURTNEY MAY & BEVERLY SERRAL
What inspired you to get into this business? Our concept is a bit different from a traditional interior design firm. BESTNEST comprises three areas of focus: real estate brokerage, vacation rental, and interior design. I was inspired to design and renovate in earnest from a desire to craft a true vacation rental brand and also to become a one-stop-shop for our real estate buyers.
Tell us a little bit about the services you provide to clients. We renovate and design exclusively for our BESTNEST vacation rental home and villa owners. We often, though not always, work with the clients first to purchase the most ideal property, and then to design, outfit, and equip to both our standard and aesthetic, while
still giving a nod to the homeowner’s personality.
What is your favorite room in a house? We love a great living or gathering space. Especially for vacation, this is the heart of the home, and it is vital to us that it be classic and slightly sophisticated, but also comfortable and inviting.
What trends are you seeing for 2025? Color drenching is having a moment, but really it is classic and timeless. Middleism is also important. OK, I made up that term, meaning something between minimalism (too austere) and maximalism (too cluttered), while middleism is just right. And lastly, lots of eye level lighting - lamps over cans.
What one item or element in home design/ décor makes the most difference in a home?
Lighting. Keep the Kelvins consistent (don’t let your electrician talk you into anything over 3000K, and preferably 2700K) and use lots of interesting lamps (floor and table) with warm light bulbs.
What is your favorite color to use in a home?
Oddly, white! A soft white is the perfect backdrop for furnishings, which can also be shades of white, beige, and greige. Then, the art can really shine, not to mention our fabulous outdoor blue skies and greenery that often literally come right through the windows.
CHRISTINA DZENDZEL
What inspired you to get into this business?
My inspiration was growing up, from infancy, in a 100-year-old house under constant renovation. My dad was a contractor and master carpenter. (According to my mom, that’s how I became such a great sleeper – I could sleep through power tools and hammering.) I was four years old the first time I got on the roof from an extension ladder of a two-story house. At the age of 11, my family moved into a brand-new house on Hilton Head Island. It made me appreciate both renovation and new construction. I have been job shadowing a contractor my whole life. All the tagging along to various projects, inspecting the work, studying the plans, and learning the importance of a clean job site all led to my love for construction and design. My Aunt Allison (of Al-Harry Furniture) was an artist, and I suppose she was also an inspiration to the decor side of my brain.
What is your favorite room in a house? My favorite room to design is the kitchen and pantry. Bathroom design is a close second place. I love to cook and love the functionality and organizational aspect of designing a kitchen.
What trends are you seeing for 2025? Color, texture, and hardly any white walls. Elements that bring depth and character, whether it’s using wallpaper, fun eye-catching tile, or just color saturating with paint.
What one item or element in home design/ décor makes the most difference in a home? It’s impossible to say that there is one item or element. Interior design is the art and science of understanding people’s behavior in order to create functional spaces within a home, using the spaces efficiently while achieving a certain aesthetic. Interior designers may decorate, but decorators do not design. The real answer is an interior designer that is also a contractor. Stay tuned for the future of my design career.
Which do you prefer when working with a new client? Starting from scratch or incorporating existing pieces/ inspiration? I love getting to know the new client through pictures of inspiration and pictures of previous living spaces they may have had. This helps me direct my design to meet their lifestyle and aesthetics. A lot of my clients are retired from their lifelong careers, moving to Hilton Head from somewhere completely different. Most want a fresh start and a totally different look than their previous home. Some want something similar to what they had, but with an island twist. Either way, it’s the challenge that keeps things interesting for me.
What is your favorite color to use in a home?
I can’t say I have one favorite color to use in a home because every home is different. One question I ask every client is, “Are you a blue person or a green person?” Some answer quickly and know they are one or the other right away. Some are unsure, but this isn’t a deal breaker for me – it just gives the design nerd in me more of a challenge. Then I try to come up with different tactics during the material selections process to better understand the client. I like to carry one signature color or texture throughout the house in small ways that make a large impact on the design project as a whole.
Wife & mom to two adorable children + a German Shorthaired Pointer Cyclebar instructor in spare time Phne: 843.298.5068
Instagram @christinaddesigns
JULIE SETOLA, CID
NEW YORK INSTITUTE OF ART & DESIGN
What inspired you to get into this business?
My father. Growing up a carpenter’s daughter, I spent a lot of my childhood after school and on weekends with my dad, going from jobsite to jobsite. I believe a lot of that experience started and opened my creative mindset toward this industry.
What is your favorite room in a house?
The living room or family room. Growing up in a big Italian family, that is where a lot of memories were made for us. When designing, I always feel most inspired with this room in a home.
What trends are you seeing for 2025?
Goodbye, gray, and welcome back, wood tones! Whites and light primaries are still holding strong, but I am seeing lots of warm wood tones being reincorporated into home palettes. Vintage décor is also becoming popular, as well as large, colorful accent prints.
What one item or element in home design and décor makes the most difference in a home?
A functional aesthetic that is both visually appealing and equally conducive for how you use your space.
Which do you prefer when working with a new client –starting from scratch or incorporating existing pieces and inspiration?
I have a lot of experience with both, especially considering our company offers both options. I would say my answer to this question fluctuates. Once I have wrapped up a complete home furnish, it’s always fun when the next project is a bit more simplistic and relies more on incorporating existing items, as opposed to starting new from scratch with a blank canvas. However, I appreciate the diversity of both types of projects.
What is your favorite color to use in a home?
Aside from a neutral primary palette for the home, I like to pull accent colors from my clients’ existing art, photography, and décor. That way, we are incorporating accent colors that my client already likes to use or see in their home.
Article by Becca Edwards
GET YOUR GARDENING GAME ON
If you dig being healthy, then you will dig gardening. It offers numerous wellness-oriented benefits that help you thrive.
• Exercise: By squatting and lifting things like big bags of soil or mulch, gardening engages major muscles like your lower back, quadriceps, and hamstrings. Raking is a great core and upper-body workout. Using a trowel or spade strengthens your wrists, forearms, and biceps, while
pruning shears are good for engaging fine motor skills. Overall, gardening provides functional movement that aids in everyday life.
• Moving Meditation: Repetitive actions such as weeding can serve as a form of moving meditation, stimulating your parasympathetic nervous system. This part of the nervous system is responsible for the “rest and digest” response, reducing cortisol production (a leading cause of stubborn belly fat), lowering blood pressure, and potentially helping to regulate blood sugar levels. Additionally, moving meditation connects you with your breath, producing a profound calming effect.
• Communing with Nature: Being in nature also helps you breathe deeper and more fully, which clears out your lungs, improves your digestion, boosts your immune response, and increases oxygen levels in your blood. Practices like earthing, or grounding, might sound hippydippy but are backed by scientific research, suggesting that making direct contact with the earth can reduce pain and inflammation and enhance sleep quality. Also, being outdoors gives you a healthy dose of Vitamin D, which supports healthy aging, promotes healthier hair and nails, and improves mood and sleep.
• Stress Reduction: Beyond the relaxing effects of moving meditation and communing with nature, gardening helps you de-stress by providing a peaceful distraction. Scientific data also suggests gardening relieves both depression and anxiety.
• Better Eating Habits: Studies show people who garden tend to make healthier food choices because a
positive cycle occurs when you cultivate your own produce. You make choices about which fruits, herbs, and vegetables you like most and therefore would prefer to grow, feel a sense of agency over your food supply, experience accomplishment from growing your food, and subsequently grow and eat more whole foods.
• Social Connection: There are a few ways we flourish socially from gardening. From joining a farming or gardening co-op like the Sea Pines Heritage Farm Association, to trading bulbs with fellow gardeners, to joining garden associations like the Plantation Garden Club, and even
scrolling through online gardening chat groups, you can cultivate camaraderie and friendships by becoming a gardener.
Though there is no rule of thumb when it comes to having a green one, there are some simple and easy ways to get your gardening game on. So, roll up your sleeves and try these six tips.
1. Start Simple: If the plant – such as an orchid – requires special care, opt for the “unkillables,” like air plants or cactus plants. For those of you who truly prefer to practice handsfree gardening, try making a terrarium. You just need a
Start Simple: If the plant – such as an orchid –requires special care, opt for the “unkillables,” like air plants or cactus plants.
glass container, a little bit of soil, a few succulents, and maybe a decorative, Lowcountry-inspired object like a pretty shell found on the beach or a natural element like pinecones from your yard. The lid on the container creates a greenhouse effect, meaning minimal watering is required as long as your terrarium is near natural light.
2. Be Intentional About Placement: Be curious and explore various locations for your plants, such as a sunny spot in your backyard, indoor spaces with natural light, window boxes, potted plants on the patio, or hanging baskets, to name a few. If you decide to garden indoors, consider modular hydroponic systems like Lettuce Grow, which truly make gardening effortless and allow you to gradually increase the number of plants you grow. (Note: With pots, be mindful of your plants’ root systems.)
3. Make It Worth Your While: Grow items you can eat or use medicinally. To start simple, this could mean beginning with bean sprouts or broccoli sprouts. Sprouting seeds requires minimal investment and yields considerable results. You don’t need to buy any fancy gardening tools or soil. You just need a shallow container that can drain, and some water. An intermediate step is to try planting herbs. Herbs are essentially weeds, but they come with flavor and health benefits. Parsley, mint, basil, and cilantro are examples of herbs you can grow indoors or outdoors with very little effort. As you start to get your green groove on, experiment with root vegetables like parsnips and potatoes, which are fairly hardy, as well as leafy greens like kale and cabbage.
4. Learn As You Go: Visit nurseries like The Greenery or local shops like Branches that offer educational classes, or attend weekly plant clinics hosted by the Lowcountry Master Gardener program. I also highly recommend obtaining your master gardener certification. The process and certification provide an engaging and manageable way to learn everything you need to know about gardening. (The contact number for the Lowcountry Master Gardener Association is 843-2556060.) You can also follow knowledgeable gardeners on social media; apps like PlantIn are free, fun, and helpful. Lastly, believe it or not, there are several magazines out there about horticulture and floriculture.
5. Invest in Good Essentials: Every good gardener needs essentials like high-quality soil (your local nursery can advise you on which one is best for your gardening project), gardening gloves, and gardening tools. A good garden hose is another must-have – and do not skimp on the spray nozzle. You can find just about anything you need at helpful places like Grayco, and start with just the basics before going all in.
6. Set a Schedule: Make a master plan outlining how you want to go about things. Break it down into growing seasons and think about how you want to rotate your plants. This will keep things fresh and keep you learning. Also, set a watering schedule that fits your already busy schedule. You might want to eventually invest in an irrigation system, self-watering pots, or window boxes.
Targeted to begin construction in late 2025, with units available by 2027, the development will deliver thoughtfully designed workforce housing units for health care professionals, first responders, and other critical service industry workers.
NOVANT HEALTH ANNOUNCES WORKFORCE HOUSING PLAN TO SUPPORT ISLAND’S ESSENTIAL WORKERS
Novant Health has announced a transformative workforce housing initiative on Hilton Head Island, addressing the urgent need for affordable housing for the area’s essential workers. The project reflects Novant Health’s unwavering commitment to community wellness and workforce support while tackling critical housing challenges that impact health care and service industries.
Targeted to begin construction in late 2025, with units available by 2027, the development will deliver thoughtfully designed workforce housing units for health care professionals, first responders, and other critical service industry workers. This timeline is made possible through local partnerships and innovative building approaches that ensure high quality and efficient delivery of energy efficient, climate resilient, and economically viable homes.
A widespread community-based survey will be used to better understand the needs of the potential residents, which will help shape the design of the buildings and amenities. This collaborative approach ensures that the project reflects the unique needs of Hilton Head Island’s workforce while fostering a campus-style environment that encourages connection and well-being.
The initiative aligns with Hilton Head Island’s Workforce Housing Framework, offering a meaningful solution to the island’s housing shortage while reinforcing Novant Health’s role as a leader in fostering sustainable, community-driven growth. The project team will work diligently with the town to ensure all zoning and permit requirements are completed.
“This project underscores Novant Health’s mission to support the people who make Hilton Head a thriving community,” said Joel Taylor, market president for Novant Health and a key advocate
for the initiative. “Essential workers are the backbone of our community, and this development ensures they have access to stable, quality housing close to where they work and serve.”
Key features of the development include:
• Multiple buildings with a mix of one-bedroom, twobedroom and three-bedroom apartments designed for individuals and families earning between 80% and 150% of the area median income (AMI).
• Strategic location in proximity to Hilton Head Medical Center, providing convenient access for health care and essential workers.
• Community-centered design, to include a dedicated community center and clubhouse and amenities that foster a sense of belonging.
• Workforce priority: Novant Health will reserve a minimum of 30% of the units within the development for its workforce and maintain a right of first refusal on all units to prioritize access for hospital staff.
• Strong local stewardship: Abode Development, a Hilton Head-based firm, serves as the developer of record, ensuring alignment with community needs and regulatory requirements.
• Energy efficiency: Buildings will be certified to the highest standard of energy efficiency, unique to the region and size of project.
Novant Health collaborated closely with the Coastal Community Development Corporation (CCDC) to ensure the project aligns with the island’s housing priorities. Alan Wolf, president of SERG Restaurant Group and board member at CCDC, emphasized the importance of partnerships in addressing workforce housing challenges. “This development isn’t just about housing – it’s about supporting the people who are the heart of this island’s community and economy,” Wolf said. “Together, we’re creating a future where Hilton Head works for everyone.”
“This project is deeply personal for us. We live here, we raise our children here, and we care for our parents here,” said Keith Kostrzewski, partner at Abode Development. “It’s more than just a development. It’s about creating meaningful opportunities for those who make Hilton Head thrive. Novant Health’s leadership has been exceptional in their commitment to this community, and we’re proud to collaborate with such a forward-thinking team to bring this vision to life.”
Building on years of local experience, Brian Quinn, partner at Abode Development, explained the firm’s journey to address workforce housing. “As a Hilton Head builder, I recognized the housing challenge years ago and have been working diligently to develop solutions,” he said. “We’ve created specific strategies for sustainable, energy-efficient housing that is of the highest quality and meets our local climate needs.”
Abode Development is committed to using South Carolina contractors and suppliers, Quinn said, which means the project’s development dollars will strengthen the state and local economy.
Another strategic partner, Vantem Global, has worked closely with Novant Health, Abode, and CCDC to help address the project goals with building technology and sustainable practices.
“We are proud to help deliver homes working families in the Hilton Head community will be able to afford,” said George Satt, EVP of business development for Vantem. “These homes will be not only be affordable and high-quality, but also extremely energy-efficient making the development a leader in environmental stewardship.”
Hilton Head Island faces a significant shortage of workforce housing, with more than 14,000 workers commuting daily to meet the island’s employment needs. Rising housing costs have placed increased pressure on local employers, particularly health care systems like Novant Health, which faces challenges recruiting and retaining essential workers such as nurses and medical staff. The lack of affordable housing is a known driver of workforce instability nationwide.
Novant Health’s acquisition of Hilton Head Hospital in early 2024 included nearly 10 acres of land dedicated to this initiative. This project directly addresses the housing needs outlined in the Hilton Head Workforce Housing Framework, ensuring that the region’s essential workers have access to stable housing that allows them to thrive personally and professionally.
While not a complete solution, this project represents significant progress in creating sustainable, attainable housing for essential workers.
Colorful looks to MARCH into Spring
Photography by M.Kat
Special thanks to Erin Rollins for hosting our shoot
Styled by Kaila Jeffcoat
Caroline’s Hair & Makeup by May River Made Up
Ensembles modeled by:
Caroline Molloy
Kenneth St. Hillaire
McKendree Rollins
Gabriel Rollins
Adaline Rollins
Lydia Rollins Jevon Daly
Glasses available at Eyeland Optique
Ensemble available at Gigi's Boutique
Ensemble available at Southern
Tide
Ensemble available at Outside Hilton Head
Ensemble available at Coastal Bliss
Ensembles available at Lennie + Remi
Ensemble available at Maggie and Me
All ensembles available at Island Child
Ensemble available at
Palmettoes
Ensemble available at Outside Hilton Head
Ensembles available at
Ensemble available at The Haven, hat available at Brims on the Bluff
Ensembles available at Lennie
+ Remi
Hat available at Brims on the Bluff
Collage and Island Child
Ensembles available at Kelly Caron Curated and John Bayley
Ensemble available at Southern Tide
Ensemble available at Birdie
James
Ensemble available at Evelyn & Arthur
Ensemble available at
Southern Tide, belt available at John Bayley
Ensemble available at John Bayley
Nestled in the prestigious Sea Pines community, 58 N. Sea Pines Drive is the epitome of luxury coastal living. This stunning property offers an unparalleled blend of sophistication and relaxation, with breathtaking views, exquisite design, and top-tier amenities.
Spotlight on Beth DeAngelis & the Coastal Living Team
A Powerhouse in Hilton Head Real Estate
BB eth DeAngelis is more than just a real estate professional – she’s a powerhouse in the Hilton Head Island market. With many years of experience, a deep market knowledge, and an unwavering commitment to her clients, DeAngelis has built a reputation for excellence.
As the leader of the Beth DeAngelis Coastal Living Team, she is consistently ranked among the top 1% of agents locally and nationally, a testament to her results-driven approach and dedication.
Her journey in real estate began with a deep passion for connecting people with the perfect homes and communities to fit their lifestyles. Over the years, she has cultivated a strong network, staying ahead of market trends and using innovative strategies to give her clients a competitive edge. Whether working with first-time homebuyers, seasoned investors, or luxury sellers, DeAngelis’ approach is defined by her ability to anticipate client needs and deliver a seamless experience.
When we caught up with DeAngelis and her team to write this article, they were at 58 N. Sea Pines Drive, one of Hilton Head’s most breathtaking homes. The setting could not have been more fitting. As we walked through the exquisite property, DeAngelis and her team shared insights into what makes this home so special, how they market properties at this level, and why the Hilton Head market continues to thrive. Their passion for real estate was evident in every detail, from discussing architectural elements to highlighting the lifestyle that this home offers to prospective buyers.
A Premier Listing: 58 N Sea Pines Drive
Nestled in the prestigious Sea Pines community, 58 North Sea Pines Drive is the epitome of luxury coastal living. This stunning property offers an unparalleled blend of sophistication and relaxation, with breathtaking views, exquisite design, and top-tier amenities. From the expansive outdoor living spaces to the thoughtfully crafted interiors, every detail reflects the elegance and charm that make Hilton Head Island a much sought-after destination.
The open-concept main living area beautifully connects a spacious kitchen and dining area to a comfortable gathering space in front of the fire.
Meet the Team
Angelina Singleton, Beth DeAngelis and Joy Gentile
With its prime location just moments from the beach, this home is a dream for those who enjoy entertaining and a retreat for those seeking the ultimate Lowcountry lifestyle. The Coastal Living Team understands that a home like this isn’t just about square footage – it’s about creating an experience, a legacy, and a place where memories are made for generations. DeAngelis and her team take great pride in showcasing properties like this with the attention to detail and market positioning that luxury buyers expect. The Coastal Living Team Advantage
Real estate is a team effort, and the Coastal Living Team is a finely tuned machine. Each member brings a unique skill set, from marketing and negotiations to client relations and transaction management. Together, they provide seamless service, ensuring every buyer and seller feels confident and cared for. The team’s commitment to excellence and strategic approach to real estate make them the go-to professionals for those looking to buy or sell on Hilton Head.
At the heart of it all is a simple yet powerful philosophy: Who you work with matters. DeAngelis and her team don’t just help people buy and sell homes; they help them realize dreams, secure investments, and embrace the Lowcountry lifestyle to its fullest. Their hands-on approach, deep understanding of the market, and dedication to client success set them apart from the competition. Experience the Difference
DeAngelis and the Coastal Living Team bring a rare combination of expertise, integrity, and passion to every transaction. With a deep love for Hilton Head Island and an unwavering dedication to client success, they continue to set the standard for real estate excellence. Their personalized approach ensures that every client receives not only expert guidance but also an advocate who genuinely cares about their goals.
Whether you’re searching for your dream home or looking to make a strategic move in the market, DeAngelis and her team are the partners you can trust to guide you every step of the way.
The screened-in porch offers expansive golf course views and a stunning oyster shell fireplace for chilly Lowcountry nights.
Article by Barry kaufman
LIVING ON ISLAND TIME
NEW TO THE MARKET, THIS HOME IS A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME DAUFUSKIE RETREAT
Sometimes fate just has a way of working out.
Several months ago, while on a photoshoot for a special section in this magazine, CH2 Publisher Maggie Washo casually mentioned to Realtor Laura Leigh Miles that if she ever had a really unforgettable listing, it could find a home in the magazine.
As a specialist in Daufuskie Island real estate, having called the island home for more than 18 years, Miles would have had plenty to choose from. Her listings run the gamut of Daufuskie properties, from jaw-dropping manors to quiet, secluded beachside hideaways.
The great room features a wet bar, flexible seating, and opens to the screened porch.
Photography by Lowcountry Tide
A single slab was used to create the large kitchen island
With water views, the Carolina room is a favorite spot and features custom Sunbrella fabric to withstand the abundance of natural light.
But something about this house, and the unique circumstance in which it finds its way to market, told Miles that she’d found her feature story.
“It’s a really unique property for Haig Point, because it has all the right features and it was only finished in 2023,” Miles said. “Building in Haig Point is quite a commitment, so most of the time they don’t go back on the market so quickly. A fully furnished, brand-new home is something I haven’t seen in 18 years.”
Adding to the shockingly young age of the house is its prime location, with expansive water views across Calibogue Sound directly to Harbour Town. The lot is one of the highest elevations on the island, just a short walking distance from Calibogue Club and the ferry embarkation. Then, of course, there’s the sheer artistry that went into the home’s construction, evidenced beautifully in the photos here.
The outdoor family room is part of more than 1800 square feet of screened space and includes a fireplace and heaters for year-round use
The saltwater pool and hot tub provide relaxing views of the Calibogue sound, marsh and pond.
“There are no other lots with a view like this, and no homes that serve as a pure showcase like this,” Miles said.
Every detail inside speaks to the labor of love that was this home’s construction. Depending on transport via barges and ferries, the owners brought in tile from Savannah Surfaces, custom plantation shutters and shades from Budget Blinds, and the kind of unique local materials Osprey Construction prizes in their homes, such as the white oak mantel over the outdoor fireplace. Sourced from a Daufuskie Island tree that fell during Hurricane Matthew, it is one of the items in the home that didn’t need to be brought in across the tides.
So why put his much effort into building a home just to put it on the market a few years later?
“We’ve never been ‘forever home’ people,” said the owner of the home. “We’ve moved for jobs, we’ve moved for family, so we wanted to build something flexible enough
for our family but also for future buyers.”
Originally from Chicago, the owners had become used to entertaining large crowds of visitors since moving down in 2019. As such, they crafted this home with an eye on space, opening up vast sections of the main living space to screened-in outdoor living and creating a breezy flow from the great room and into quieter spaces.
“We tried to build so that no one ever feels like they’re on top of each other,” the owner said. “Occasionally we'll host 20-plus people, between family and friends. Everyone can seamlessly flow in and out, and with the heaters and fireplace in the outdoor spaces, it makes the whole area so livable. … Especially coming from Chicago, where you can’t be outside half the year.”
Beyond the screened spaces, an elevated deck provides an elegant framework for the amazing water views, allowing for crystal clear vistas across Calibogue Sound from the hot tub.
Inside, the owners worked with John Kilmer Interiors, as well as longtime family friend Janis Campbell of J and J Designs, to create a motif of light and easy beachside living, defined by textiles and window treatments that lend texture to classical Lowcountry elements of engineered white oak, polished brass, and veined quartz.
“The overall vibe we were looking for was one that incorporated a lot of natural elements but still had a sense of
fun and was a little adventurous,” the owner said. “Light, airy, and beachy without feeling sterile – that was the priority.”
That vibe toes the line between the casual grandeur of the great room, with its charcoal black shiplap on an accent wall, in the blazing cerulean of the bunk room, in the crisp mint stripes in one of the guest rooms, and in the marbled veins of the porcelain tile of the primary bath. These accents push the envelope, without working against each other or overpowering the beautiful simplicity of the home’s design.
This disciplined, thoughtful design, found in a home that’s just a few years old, with stunning water views, make this home a rarity. But there is one more element that makes this house one in a million. As Midwesterners, the owners couldn’t help but take advantage of the home’s high lot to add the closest thing you’ll find to a basement rec room in the Lowcountry.
“It would feel weird not to have some kind of space down there, and because our lot is one of the highest on Daufuskie, we knew we could utilize it,” the owner said. “We use the workout space every day. When the family is here, they can walk right outside to the pool deck and back into the rec room without being soaking wet in the house.”
There are rare homes, and then there are homes that show up once in a lifetime. This one showed up just in time.
The master bedroom provides additional access to the screened porch, a spa like bath and an adjacent office
Article by Lynne Hummell
by M.Kat
Young Artists Create Coloring Book of Peace to Benefit Hurricane Victims
In September 2024, local watches and warnings for Hurricane Helene shifted north from coastal South Carolina. The storm eventually tore through Augusta, Georgia, and parts of Western North Carolina, especially Asheville. Those who had been in the early path of the storm were relieved, but sad for those who lost their homes.
When classes resumed at Sea Pines Montessori Academy at Hilton Head Prep, and the ART Club (Altruistic Response Team) met again, teacher Debi West talked with her students, ages 7 to 10, about the effects of the storm on children in those areas.
“I asked them, ‘What if we came back to our school after a storm and all our art was gone?’” West said. “We talked about what that loss might feel like to other kids their age. Then, we talked about how we might help other schools after their losses.”
The group decided that they wanted to send inspirational messages, and they also wanted to raise money and donate it to other schools to help in their recovery from the storm’s damage. The next question was “Can we do both of those things to help others?”
“We were brainstorming for ideas and suddenly 8-year-old Tamara said, ‘I love coloring books!’” West said. “And we all knew that was the answer.”
Photography
“I was just thinking about the hurricanes and what we could do to raise money,” Tamara said of her inspiration for the project. “I thought we should send them peace and love.”
It was just the altruistic response West had expected from her students.
“This goes back to my philosophy of art with a purpose,” the veteran teacher said. “I can teach them about line, shape,
West and her students have been active in “selling” their coloring books for a $10 donation.
and subject, but I want them to be creative and purposeful with their art too.”
The students immediately got to work drawing coloringbook-style pictures – peaceful scenes, hearts, birds, flowers, a waterfall, a guitar, peace signs, and words of comfort.
West said that as the children made their drawings, they talked about their hopes for their counterparts in storm-
Teacher Debi West works with her art students at Sea Pines Montessori.
West said that as the children made their drawings, they talked about their hopes for their counterparts in stormdamaged areas.
damaged areas. The primary messages were “peace” and “love,” themes that appear throughout their book.
Asked about their thoughts and inspiration for the pictures they drew, ART Club members were ready with answers.
Dexter, age 9, created a scene of dolphins and a beach, “because the beach is peaceful,” he said. “It’s pretty crazy that we could do this to help others.”
Cami, also 9, drew outlined words of “peace,” “love,” and “joy” from stencils. “I always want to help people and I’m happy to help change their lives.”
“I like doing art and I like getting to share it with others,” said 7-year-old Sophie. “It makes me happy – and I hope they like our art.”
Nine-year-old Adrian drew a waterfall with the word “harmony” in the pool below it. “Harmony is quiet and peaceful and waterfalls are too,” she said. “It is sad to see some people lose all their things. I hope this will help them to not feel lost.”
Clouds of “peace” and “love” float above a field of flowers in 10-year-old William’s drawing. “It expresses a nice, peaceful feeling,” he said. “I think this project was a good idea.”
Ellie, 10, said peace signs are popular, “so I drew one, and I think people will enjoy coloring it,” she said. “I also have a bearded dragon, so I drew one for the book. Also a river.”
Nine-year-old Kaan said he chose to share positivity with the words “Have a Nice Day” above a drawing of a boy’s smiling face – adding a star to represent the “shine on his tooth.”
West collected the students’ drawings and realized her eight students had created more than 30 pages. They chose 24 of the drawings to be included in the “SPMA Coloring Book of Peace.”
West took the pages to Staples on Palmetto Bay Road. “The manager, Randy Chandler, was kind enough to listen to my story of this project,” she said. “Then he donated the printing of 50 books.”
West and her students have been active in “selling” their coloring books for a $10 donation. The first printing is nearly sold out.
“We were able to send out our messages of peace and love, as well as donate $500 to Beloved Asheville,” West said. Another donation is being collected for a school in Augusta.
The coloring book project is not the first altruistic effort of the ART Club. ART Team members have also made pinwheels for International Peace Day. They painted Kindness Rocks for a garden to be installed somewhere on the island. Club members also made art trading cards and traded them with students at Milton High School in Fulton County, near Atlanta.
A second printing of the Coloring Book of Peace is in the works, with proceeds continuing to go to hurricane survivors. For information and to purchase, email dewestudio@gmail.com.
Article by Patrick Flanary
WHEN IT COMES TO RUNNING, FORGET SPEED
this
doctor says ‘go at your own pace’
After completing her first marathon in January, Dr. Meredith Mitchell swore she would never lace up for another one. But by the next morning, she was already strategizing how to step up training for her next 26.2-mile road race.
Despite several years of daily discipline, running has never come easy for Mitchell, an obstetrician-gynecologist at Novant Health Riverside Women’s Care in Beaufort.
“You would not look at me and think that I could run a marathon,” she said. “People think of runners as fast and thin. I am not that person.”
Captions listed top to bottom, left to right: Dr. Meredith Mitchell holds her medal at the finish line of the Daufuskie Island Marathon in January; Dr. Mitchell poses with Christine Troutman, Halle Welch NP, Lynn Norton MD, and Joanna McGrath, NP at the Rose Hill Mansion after a 5K race; a celebratory selfie at the end of a 24-hour Ultramarathon; Dr. Mitchell at a Spartan race.
But she is persistent and patient, and much more so since she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) two years ago. The chronic autoimmune disease affects about 1 million people in the U.S., and affects each one differently. For Mitchell, MS has slowed – but not deterred – her running pace.
“I’m well-controlled, so I feel pretty good most of the time,” she said. “But when it takes you eight hours to finish a marathon, it’s hard. It did not feel great, but I did it.”
Fresh off her completion of the Daufuskie Island marathon in January, Mitchell offers pointers on how to get a jump on running and how to stick with it.
What’s your first piece of advice for someone who’s on the fence about taking up running, even if not for a marathon?
Do what feels good for your body, and then increase your distance slowly. Running has been a journey of several years for me. Don’t take on too much to start with, because it will hurt and you will hate it. And don’t worry about the time it takes or what your pace is. Don’t compare yourself to anyone else.
What’s the best way to get started without overdoing it?
It definitely takes time. Running puts me in a sort of meditative state. One of the nice things about living in South Carolina is that I can run outside almost every day of the year, depending on how much discomfort I’m willing to tolerate.
Find what you love. Maybe try dance or group fitness. Don’t put yourself in a box and say, “I have to be a runner to be healthy.” It’s not going to work if you don’t love it. There is no one perfect exercise. Any exercise has huge benefits in all aspects of life – cardiovascular health, osteoporosis prevention, dementia prevention, musculoskeletal
Running has been a journey of several years for me. Don’t take on too much to start with, because it will hurt and you will hate it. And don’t worry about the time it takes or what your pace is. Don’t compare yourself to anyone else.
strengthening, and mental health. I know my patients get sick of me talking about this at their visits!
Which benefits of running stand out most to you?
If you look at my body weight compared to what it was four or five years ago when I started running, it’s not that much different. But my body composition is a lot different because I’m a lot stronger than I used to be.
Paying a lot of attention to strength training and mobility is really important. People often think that running is terrible for your joints. But my knees feel 10 times better now than they did four or five years ago, because I’ve strengthened the muscles around them. Your tendons and ligaments adapt to that stress, especially when you do it consistently, and that helps prevent injury. I think a lot of people get injured when they either try to go too far too fast, or they’re not running consistently.
For me, the mental health benefits of running are the most important. Being outside, moving your body, and setting and attaining goals are great ways to relieve stress and elevate mood. My medical assistant says that she can always tell when I haven’t run in a few days!
What made you decide to train for a marathon?
I’m a busy working mom without a lot of time for exercise, but I knew I needed to make a priority for my
physical and mental health. So, I worked out with a trainer a couple of times a week. Also, my cousin had started a group in Beaufort called FiA (Females in Action), where women get together in the park three times a week and work out. At first, I couldn’t run around the park once without stopping. I later downloaded the Couch to 5K app, which is a great place to start. There are walk-run intervals for you to take at your own pace. I ran my first 5K on February 29, 2020, and that was my last group activity before the world shut down (during the COVID-19 pandemic). I just kept running. Later on, I did a 10K, and thought, “Maybe I could do a half-marathon, and see how that goes.” So I did, and I worked up from there. How does the “strength in numbers” approach keep you motivated?
It makes a huge difference. Our FiA group meets at 5:30 a.m., which is so early, but it’s nice to get your workout done first thing in the morning. Our group is very inclusive of all abilities. You can just modify any activity for what works for your body. We often sign up for races together. We don’t finish at the same time, but just having somebody else there, knowing that we’re doing the same thing, is hugely motivating.
How likely are you to run another marathon?
I was never very fast, but now I’m 47. I work the equivalent of two full-time jobs, I have kids and a family. I’m a very slow runner for multiple reasons: I am not a thin person and I also have multiple sclerosis. So that slowed me down. I did a longer race last October, 42 miles on a 1.65-mile dirt loop. The goal is to run around it as many times as you can in 24 hours. I made it about 17 hours before I was like, “I can’t do this anymore.” But I felt way less bad than I did after this marathon.
At 26.1 miles – literally 0.1 miles from the end – all of a sudden, I thought I was going to pass out. I felt really dizzy and lightheaded. My husband, my best friend, and my kids were all able to come to me. I had to sit down on the ground for a couple of minutes. They helped me get up and I was able to run across the finish line.
I had my best friend take a video of me lying on the couch after I finished. I was saying, “I’m never doing this again.” But I woke up the next morning thinking, “Well, maybe next time I’ll do this or that differently.” Working on a different fueling strategy for my next long run would be helpful, because I probably needed to eat more than I did.
How should we evaluate our progress and performance?
For me, part of it is being in medicine and constantly striving to be a little bit better. Could I work a little harder? Could I tweak things and have a better outcome? You’re always thinking about that as a physician.
If I do a surgery, even if it goes well, I look back at it and consider what went well and what I could change in the future. Same goes for running.
What’s the most important life lesson you took from running your first marathon?
You are running your race. It is your race, your training, and your experience. One of the things I had to do in this race was think about where I was in the exact moment. I couldn’t think about what everyone else was doing or how far ahead they were. I couldn’t think about how far I had already gone or how much I had left, because it felt too overwhelming. That’s a good thing to think about for life in general, focusing on where you are right now instead of getting too caught up in the past or the future.
Sean Ryan, owner of Wild BirdsUnlimited on Hilton Head Island, tries to catch a glimpse of sea birds at Fish Haul Beach Park.
Article by Cheryl Ricer
Photography by M.Kat
Backyards are For The Birds
Prepare your yard for spring at Wild Birds Unlimited
Of all the wildlife in the Lowcountry, birds are the easiest to see and enjoy – especially around your home. Whereas rabbits, snakes, alligators, and frogs use camouflage, silence, or nocturnal activity in order to avoid people, birds can be seen and heard all around us every day. Whether you live in the heart of the island, on the marsh, or out in the woods, bird-watching is a great way to relax and connect with nature.
On Hilton Head Island, bird-watching is one of the most non-discriminating outdoor activities there is. People of all ages and backgrounds can participate even if they are simply sitting on the back porch. With the right set-up and food, you can attract multiple species of birds to your backyard. That’s where Sean Ryan and the Wild Birds Unlimited store can help.
“Nesting season has begun,” Ryan said. “Lots of birds just find regular places to build their nests and lay eggs, like bushes and trees, even old hanging baskets left over from summer. I even found a nest in my grill, which obviously I hadn’t used in a while, and another one in the top of one of our stand-up heaters. So, you have to be aware that birds will pretty much just show up anywhere.”
Ryan advises that we stay aware. You might have to wait a bit to throw away that used up hanging basket or avoid
To learn more about Help Protect Our Shorebirds and how
you can help scan this qr code
using your outdoor grill until the babies have left the nest, but it’s worth it.
Some birds do need boxes in which to nest, though, such as the Eastern bluebird, who needs more of a cavity, as opposed to going and finding their own spaces, so it is helpful to put structures out for them to find.
Stock Up
“Wild Birds Unlimited is a hobby store,” Ryan said. “We help people get set up and maximize backyard bird feeding and bird-watching. We sell food, feeders, houses, and hardware for birds, along with a few specialty items for the humans who look out for the birds. Our mission is to help you put out the feeders and quality food to make sure the birds you want to see show up at your yard.”
At Wild Birds Unlimited, the bird feed leaves a positive impact. One of the best-sellers is the No-Mess seed –composed of pure seed, with no shells. Typically, birdseed includes the shells, which birds will spit out. This can lead to debris and weeds under the feeder.
The Wild Birds Unlimited No-Mess Blends are great near flower beds, patios, and decks. No hulls on the seeds makes for tidier feeding, since there’s no debris on the ground to clean up. Pound for pound, the No-Mess Blend birdseed offers the best value because the birds eat everything.
When those pesky squirrels and other critters put a damper on things by stealing your bird feed, try the hot pepper bird foods, including Fiery Feast and SunFire Chips, exclusive to Wild Birds Unlimited. Both are a mix of hot pepper and shell-less seeds. Birds are unable to sense the heat of capsaicin (the ingredient that makes peppers taste hot), but mammals like squirrels, raccoons, and deer sure can. These, too, are shelled sunflower seeds and perfect for your backyard besties such as chickadees, titmice, cardinals, and more.
“A lot of our feeders and houses are made from recycled milk jugs,” Ryan said. “We use, reuse, and recycle. The bird food and supplies we sell are the very best on the market and impact nature in the best way possible.”
Ask the Experts
Part of cultivating a hobby includes access to the experts in the field. At Wild Birds Unlimited, customers have opportunities to get advice from the Master Birders on staff. While every employee who works with Ryan has been through base-level training, there are others who are certified above and beyond the base level. These experts can guide you to the right products to ensure that you are attracting the birds you want to attract and repelling the wildlife you don’t want around.
“If birding is your hobby, then we want to help you enjoy it more,” said Ryan, who also owns Wild Bird Unlimited stores in Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee. “If you are having problems with pests, we help you fix those problems. If you’ve got squirrels, we’ve got decoys to deter them; if you have crows, we have ways to scare them humanely without harming them. Our practices are not simply to benefit birds. We do what we do to better the world and have positive impact, so even our approach dealing with pests is for the best interest of the human, the birds, and that particular animal.”
With the coming of spring, Ryan and his team can help you certify your backyard as “wildlife friendly,” a program from the National Wildlife Foundation (NWF). A backyard certified bird habitat is a yard that meets certain requirements to support birds and other wildlife.
The NWF certifies yards that provide at least three food sources, such as berries, nuts, pollen, and fruits. You can use native plants, bird feeders, or suet; provide a clean water source for drinking and bathing, such as a birdbath, pond, or stream; provide at least two places for wildlife to shelter, such as shrubs, thickets, or manmade shelters like birdhouses; provide at least two places for wildlife to mate
Sean Ryan takes a stroll near Fish Haul Park, the site of numerous bird walks held yearly by the folks at Wild Birds Unlimited. Visit the store online at hiltonhead.wbu.com/bird-walks for schedule.
and raise their young, such as mature trees, meadows, or dense shrubs; and use sustainable gardening practices, such as using native plants, reducing lawn areas, composting, and capturing rainwater.
“Spring is great time to reset your yard and get your feeders, nesting boxes, and bird baths up so that you can enjoy the coming season with your feathered friends,” Ryan said. Bird Walks
Wild Birds Unlimited also offers services outside the store – where the birds live and where the birders practice their hobby. One of the most popular, especially this time of year when the temperatures are more moderate, are the bird walks.
“On a Wild Birds Unlimited bird walk, our expert guides will lead you through one of our many island birding destinations,” Ryan said. “They can help you understand what specific birds look like and sound like, so that you can identify them on your own, whether in your backyard or out watching on your own time.”
For the past 30 years, Bob Speare, naturalist and Audubon Society member, has been leading birding tours, beginning with a career with the Massachusetts Audubon Society. When he first approached Wild Birds Unlimited about leading tours, the idea was inspired by their customers, who are bird enthusiasts who enjoy looking at birds, seeing them at their feeders, and are eager to learn how to bring more birds to their backyards.
“Birds walks are another way that people can enjoy their hobby,” Speare said. “Plus, there is a social side to it. You’re out on a nice, easy walk with like-minded people.”
The 60-minute bird walks are entry-level events and even those who are new to birding or who’ve never done anything like this before feel welcomed and not overwhelmed. The guides take folks around to local places that they might not have visited before, like Pinckney Island, Fish Haul Park, the old golf course near Port Royal Plantation, Jarvis Creek, and even Shelter Cove. All of these places offer good opportunities to see local birds with an experienced leader who can point out a variety of things about the birds, including the species history, different things to watch and listen for, and maybe even ways that you can attract them to your yard.
When you’re ready to get to know the Lowcountry’s feathered friends a little better or to create a bird haven in your backyard, Wild Birds Unlimited is the place to begin. For better birding, visit online at HiltonHead.WBU.com, in the store at 45 Pembroke Dr., Suite 130, or call (843) 802-2010.
Hilton Head Ballroom co-owner, Sandro Virag, poses with Beaufort County Treasurer, Maria Walls, in a promotional shoot for this year's Dancing with the Local Stars, a fundraiser for the Kiwanis Club.
Article by Cheryl Ricer . Photography by M.Kat
Dancing shoes + fancy moves
DANCING WITH THE LOCAL STARS RETURNS FOR SECOND ANNUAL CHARITY EVENT
When it comes to supporting great causes, there is no shortage of superpower in the Lowcountry, and no charity event is more sparkly and star-studded than Dancing with the Local Stars. This shimmering event will celebrate its second annual occurrence March 23 at 7 p.m. at Seaquins Ballroom in Bluffton. Twelve local celebrities have polished up their dancing shoes and their show-stopping moves with the intent to hit the floor in a winner-takes-all fundraiser benefitting the Bluffton Kiwanis Club. Armando Aseneta and Sandro Virag, owners of Hilton Head Ballroom Dance Studio, co-sponsors with Paul Ammeen, owner of Seaquins Ballroom, have provided a series of expert dance lessons to help contestants shine.
“Last year’s event was our first, and it sold out the first day tickets went live,” Virag said. “It was such fun and such a huge success that we’ve been very excited to repeat and exceed that success.”
This year’s local celebrities include Dr. Kevin Campbell of Optical Solutions; Dr. Cassandra Beard of Dermatology Associates of the Lowcountry; Maria Walls, Beaufort County Treasurer; Logan Cunningham, Beaufort County Council, District 7; Camille Copeland, general manager, Rollers Wine & Spirits; Lindsey Johnson, manager, Coastal States Bank; Brandon Irvin, owner, Bikram Yoga Hilton Head; Natalie J. Osterman, CEO, Greater Bluffton Chamber of Commerce; Dr. Richard Porcelli, DDS/ MD Biological Center for Dentistry; Tyler Scantling, fitness manager/personal trainer; Mandy Parsons,
Lindsey Johnson, Monica Bohrer, Armando
president and CEO, Boys & Girls Club of the Lowcountry; and Vanessa Coker, commodore, South Carolina Yacht Club.
The event is produced like the television series Dancing With the Stars, insomuch as the local celebrities are paired with professional dancers with whom they’ve been taking lessons and rehearsing for the past three months. During the competition, the couples will be dancing various styles of dance – salsa, cha-cha, waltz, swing, or rhumba – so the audience will enjoy a variety of dance styles and music, just like on the show.
Each couple will be judged by a panel of celebrity judges, including personalities from WHHI-TV, which airs the competition. Each couple’s score will be combined with the audience votes to determine the evening’s winners.
The winning pair will receive a beautiful trophy to commemorate the event, but the real winners are the charities supported by the Kiwanis Club, including the Boys & Girls Club of the Lowcountry, Bluffton Self Help, Family Promise, and the recipients of the Kiwanis Foundation scholarships.
Andrew Davis, news anchor and reporter for WSAV-TV, will oversee the event as the Master of Ceremonies.
Ammeen, a former competitive dancer, has been a member of the Kiwanis Club for many years, and since he
joined, he has made it his mission to be the club’s unofficial fundraiser.
“The objective of the Kiwanis Club is to improve the world, one community and one child at a time,” Ammeen said. “And we need money to do that. Because I own a ballroom and because I love dancing and because my late wife and I actually took lessons from Sandro and Armando – whose Hilton Head Ballroom Dance Studio is right here in my building – us putting this charity event together with Kiwanis just made so much sense. It has been so much fun, not only for us, the organizers, but also for the participants and the audience members. This thing sold out before it was even announced.”
Dr. Campbell, one of the celebrity dancers, became a contestant this year because of his association with the Kiwanis Club.
“Paul Ammeen is a patient of mine, and at one of his appointments, he asked me to come speak at a Kiwanis Club meeting,” Dr. Campbell said. “The next thing I knew, I was a Kiwanis member and helped them set up a program with the Boys & Girls Club. Now, every year we are able to give the kids at the Boys & Girls Club an eye exam and free glasses before they start school. Dancing with the Local Stars is a great way to raise funds for Kiwanis events like
Back Row: Camille Copeland, Maria Walls, Dr. Richard Porcelli, Mandy Parsons, Dr. Kevin Campbell, Julie Geiger, Meghan Green, Rashad Gadson, and Lauren Kirk Front Row: Lori Price, Sandro Virag,
Aseneta, and Natalie Osterman.
Lori Price will be dancing with Tyler Scantling a fitness manager and personal trainer.
Vanessa Coker, commodore, South Carolina Yacht Club, and Armando Aseneta, co-owner of Hilton Head Ballroom, will be performing together.
Dr. Richard Porcelli and Monica Bohrer
this, so I was happy to participate. My dancing skills have never been my strong suit, so to learn something new has been a lot of fun.”
“The Kiwanis Club occasionally meets at our studio, and many times our practice times overlap with their meeting times,” Virag said. “So, out of mutual interest and a shared space, we have been able to create this great Lowcountry
experience that involves so many interesting people. It’s not only the different dance styles and the great music that makes it so much fun for the audience, but also the hard work and determination of the dancers, who each really want to win!”
The excitement surrounding this second annual event runs deeper than local celebrities showing off moves in
Mandy Parsons and Armando Aseneta
Lindsey Johnson and Rashad Gadson
Armando Aseneta and Cassandra Beard
fancy attire with skilled and graceful dance instructors. It spills over into the audience and the energy that surrounds a community of people supporting several beloved community causes.
Ironically, Mandy Parson’s journey to the dance floor this year began with a phone call from Ammeen when he saw the announcement of Parson’s new role as CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs in CB2 magazine.
“The very first call he made to me wasn’t a ‘congratulations,’” Parsons said. “It was to ask me to participate in Dancing with the
Dancing shoes + fancy moves
Local Stars. I couldn’t say no. This event is not just about dancing – it’s about making a difference. Every step I take on that dance floor is dedicated to ensuring kids have a safe, supportive place to grow, learn, and thrive. I’m honored to be part of this effort and look forward to putting my best foot forward for a cause so close to my heart.”
Natalie Osterman and Rashad Gadson
Dr. Kevin Campbell and Meghan Green
Equally entertaining are the beautiful evening clothes the dancers wear. While a couple of the women competitors had dresses of their own, most of the women’s gowns are supplied by a company called Belle Ame. The company is owned by Rebecca Goodrich, a student at Hilton Head Ballroom Dance Studio for more than 20 years, and Meghan Green, a professional dance associate of Virag, who also teaches at the studio.
“For the women, getting all dressed up in fancy ball gowns is not really out of their comfort zone,” Virag said. “For the men, however, it’s been really fun to see what great sports they have been to put on their dance tuxedos, with the tightfitting, stretchy pants, the sparkly shirts, and the shiny shoes. It’s been so cool to see them just jump right in and go for it.”
“I’m definitely not a dancer, but I’m here to give it a try,”
Logan Cunningham said. “I did a couple of musicals in high school, that was about it. My partner, Julie Geiger, is definitely head and shoulders above me, but she has been patient with me and has shown me a lot of grace as we’re progressing along. We’re dancing a cha-cha to Ed Sheeran’s ‘Shivers.’ I look at this as an opportunity for me to give back and make sure we can raise as much as possible for the kids.”
Last year’s event raised $15,000 and this year, so far, projections are around $25,000.
“I never knew I could dance!” Maria Walls said. “When I was asked to volunteer, I was just happy to help an amazing organization raise money. I didn’t realize how much fun Sandro and Seaquins Ballroom would make the experience.”
While many of the local celebrities don’t have dance backgrounds, one does: Brandon Irvin studied dance in college, so he is celebrating a return to one of his first loves.
“I love to dance,” Irvin said. “While I haven’t danced in years, it’s been so much fun to learn this ballroom style and reconnect with this form of movement. Even better is the chance to meet some of my fellow community members and have a good time while giving back to the community.”
Vanessa Coker will be dancing the swing to “APT” by Rosé and Bruno Mars with Aseneta as her partner. “I’m beyond excited to be participating in this event,” she said. “Even though I’m not a dancer, I’ve been practicing hard, and I’m so grateful for my professional dance partner, Armando. His patience and encouragement as he works with me through every step (literally!) have made this experience amazing. I can’t wait to see how this journey unfolds!”
The journey will play out on the dance floor before the eyes of the audience and the judges, who will all cast their equal votes for the winners. This year’s panel of judges includes Ameen as head judge; Cinda Seamon of Hilton Head Fire Rescue; Jessa Jeremiah, general manager of WHHI-TV and one of last year’s contestants; Bluffton Police Chief Joseph Babkiewicz, another of last year’s contestants; and Debbie Cort, local real estate agent and wife of last year’s winner, Daniel Cort.
“It's important what the judges say, but every person in the audience will have a ballot on their table and all of the people witnessing the show will vote,” Ammeen said. “That's really what determines the winner and makes it all so much fun – the audience participation. I’m just so proud of this event and so proud to be able to share it with the community. It makes me happy that I got into dance in the beginning.”
To watch the show live, tune in to WHHI-TV at 7 p.m. March 23. To get into dance, visit HiltonHeadBallroom.com. To reserve the Seaquins Ballroom for your next event, visit SeaquinsBallroom.com.
ARTICLE BY LYNNE HUMMELL
PHOTOGRAPHY BY LYNNE HUMMELL &
GET YOUR IRISH ON AT THE HILTON HEAD IRELAND ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE MARCH 16
GRAND MARSHAL DIANE REILLEY TO LEAD THE PROCESSION
Stepping out for the 40th time on Sunday, March 16, at 2 p.m., the annual Hilton Head Ireland St. Patrick’s Day Parade promises many of the expected sights and sounds along Pope Avenue – a plethora of pipe and drum bands, scores of sporty cars, and gobs of giggly, green-outfitted kiddos and grownups.
There could be a few surprises as well. Those are never announced, as the leprechauns simply make them appear for spectators on parade day.
Leading the procession will be this year’s grand marshal, Diane Reilley, whose selection was announced in a sash presentation ceremony February 11 at Reilley’s Grill & Bar, the home base for the parade since its beginnings. In addition to her accolades as a dedicated volunteer for decades, Diane has been married to Tom Reilley, founder of the parade, since 1977, the year they arrived on Hilton Head Island.
Captions listed top to bottom, left to right: Town of Hilton Head Island Mayor Alan Perry and his wife Kathy hitch a cool ride in the lineup at the parade staging area; members of the Shipyard Men’s Club share some kazoo shenanigans along the parade route; Hilton Head’s first pharmacist, Joe Capin, was the 1992 Grand Marshal, and has been in nearly every parade since then; staff and volunteers from Hilton Head Humane bring adoptable pups to walk the parade route with them; volunteers with Second Helpings dressed like food products to emphasize their message; following her recent sashing ceremony, Grand Marshal 2025 Diane Reilley poses with her eldest daughter, Erin Reilley Booth, who has served on the parade committee for many years; the Battery Creek High School Marching Band impressed spectators with their music and their dance moves; a perennial favorite, the Wienermobile is one of the largest and most eyecatching entries in the parade.
“We knew our grand marshal this year had to be someone super special, someone we knew would represent the parade in the highest regard,” said Gabrielle Muething, chair of the parade, in her remarks during the sashing ceremony. “We chose someone who – like all of our previous grand marshals – has served our community in many ways, with never a thought about getting recognition for helping others, for serving the neglected, and supporting numerous people in need.”
Just five years after arriving on the island, the Reilleys opened their own restaurant – Reilley’s Grill & Bar, across the street from its current location on Greenwood Drive–in December 1982. Diane spent many days and nights in
GET YOUR IRISH ON AT THE HILTON HEAD IRELAND ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE MARCH 16
Past grand marshals congratulate the 2025 Grand Marshal Diane Reilley at her sashing ceremony February 11 at Reilley’s Grill & Bar. From left are Gloria LaCoe, 2020; David Lauderdale, 2019; Reilley; and Stan Smith, 2023.
the kitchen, cooking for customers, and making a special horseradish cheese spread for happy hour snacks.
Only three months later, the first St. Patrick’s Day Parade was held just across the way from the restaurant.
“In 1983, when Tom decided to gather some friends and let them know about his new venture, Reilley’s Grill & Bar, by parading down the street, he had no idea he was starting a tradition,” Muething said. “Now, 39 parades later, the event has become one of the most beloved on the island, and the oldest St. Patrick’s Day Parade in South Carolina.”
The parade is also the largest free family-friendly event on the island, drawing some 35,000 spectators and hundreds of participants.
On May 15, the afternoon before the main event, a free Irish concert will be held at the Tiki Hut stage at the Beach House at Coligny Circle, from 3 to 6 p.m. The headliner is Syr, a Celtic folk rock band from Columbia, who will be joined by S.W.I.G. Kirk O'Leary and at least one pipe and drum band.
Parking is available in the beach parking lot across from the Beach House. Attendees are invited to bring beach chairs and blankets, but pets and coolers are not allowed. Food and beverages will be available for purchase onsite.
Muething has been a volunteer for the parade committee since its very early years, along with a small cadre of other longtime volunteers.
“We love planning every one of them,” Muething said. “I have three favorite moments each year. The first is exactly at 2 p.m., when the first of the entries heads to the starting line. The color guard gets in place. The crowd hushes. And a beautiful voice rises into the silence, singing our national anthem.”
The second moment is when the first of many pipe and drum bands turns onto the route. “The pipes sing sweetly and the drums match your heartbeat –that’s when the event really becomes a parade to me,” Muething said. “And I think about after the parade, when we’ll see these bands converge at Reilley’s and play en masse. Everyone is Irish after experiencing this phenomenon!”
Muething’s third special moment is “when the last entry has headed toward the crowd full of joyful people and tired children, and I take a last look at the empty staging area and feel like singing, ‘People stay just a little bit longer. We want to play, just a little bit longer.’ Then I join the committee, hopping in our golf carts and heading down the parade route, waving to the crowd and thanking them for being here and loving this parade as much as we do. Their smiles and waves tell us all we need to know … it’s time to start planning the next parade and make it even more memorable.”
As is the case for previous grand marshals of the parade, Diane Reilley was selected in part for her service to the community. She has long had a yearning to help others, especially children and animals. Twenty years ago, she began volunteering through their church, St. Francis, with the Mustard Seed organization in Jamaica, first helping collect clothing and other necessities to be shipped out. The organization provides housing and care for children with mental and physical disabilities. It wasn’t long before she was going to Jamaica once a year on mission trips to help build and paint houses, make repairs – and once, she even helped dig a well. Her recent efforts have focused on Jacob’s Ladder, a program for older teenagers.
For someone who loves animals, volunteering to help rescue and shelter strays was an easy choice. First with Hilton Head Humane Association, then Rogue Rescue, and now Palmetto Animal League, Reilley has helped save hundreds of lives from certain death.
As for community involvement, as her son Thomas said during the sash ceremony, Reilley has “filled a lot of cups … as she has filled mine.”
Registration is open for participants from businesses, schools, churches, and other groups at hiltonheadireland.org. Volunteers are also needed and welcome to register on the website.
Article by Laney Sewell
Is it luck, or hard work, that matters?
Does luck have anything to do with anything? I mean, truthfully, I think people who are inherently lucky are 1. annoying or 2. exaggerating. This isn’t me having an issue with a holiday or the proverbial “luck o’ the Irish.” I love my redheaded friends, especially when we’re in costume and drinking green beer! I love a theme, y’all, but that is a story for another day. There really is no measure of luck in this life; it’s all about how hard you want to work. Let me just say on the record here, in front of all our friends, that I will work my butt off for pretty much anything, but I have never won a fabulous Instagram giveaway. Unfortunately for me, I usually end up buying the prize of said giveaway, because social media ads are targeted and I have next to no willpower. I could be buying far worse things than clothes, right? Right.
I’m a big fan of chasing someone across a parking lot, sending 16 follow-up emails, bribery (when appropriate) –and do not get me (or any Southern woman over the age of 30) started on a thank you note. Write your thank you notes, people! Seriously. And do not wait for someone to remind you to do it. Tough break on the day after Christmas when those envelopes better be stamped, addressed, and in the mailbox with the flag up if you want to play with your new Polly Pocket Raceway.
If that sounds oddly specific, 8-year-old me is shuddering somewhere. Thank goodness I had impeccable spelling and punctuation; otherwise, that thank you note would have been marked up with red ink and sent back by a lovely great-aunt who is giggling at this sentiment up in heaven.
There really is no measure of luck in this life; it’s all about how hard you want to work.
Say it with me: Nothing worth having comes easy. My friends who get yelled at by choice on Tuesdays and Sundays at Cyclebar hear this quite often. Truthfully, I don’t know if any opportunity I have ever had has been easy to get. There’s usually someone whose ear I have to talk off
IT'S NOT LUCK; IT'S
first. I don’t think anyone in the history of ever has gotten by unscathed.
Talk about luck – seeing no one your mom knows in the grocery store! A 10-minute Publix trip can very easily turn into two hours depending on how busy the milk aisle is.
So no, you are not unlucky. You probably aren’t trying hard enough. (Maybe I should read this in front of the mirror!)
Dedication is a gateway drug. Maybe if I wasn’t so dedicated to Amigos barbecue chicken salad and skinny coconut margaritas, they wouldn’t recognize my number when calling in an order. In this day and age, some of the biggest negotiations are done via email, Skype, and slack channels – I promise sending that risky text isn’t as deep as it seems.
And remember, if they don’t offer you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.
Happy March! Happy green everything! Happy spring. Things are looking up y’all – I can almost taste Heritage and sundress season.
SPRING BREAK FUN WITH KIDS DOESN’T HAVE TO BREAK THE BANK
Spring break is finally upon us! This exciting time of year looks different for everyone, depending on one’s stage in life. For example, if you are in college or in your 20s, this is your time to shine. On the other side of things, for parents of young children, you might want to sit down for this one, because we need to have an honest chat about what your spring break will look like.
There are a couple of hard truths that need to be acknowledged. First and foremost, you must understand that traveling with children isn’t quite the same as a vacation. It is more accurately described as a trip. Repeat it with me: “A vacation with kids is not a vacation, it’s a trip!”
This mantra is the key to a successful spring break with young kiddos. I can see seasoned parents nodding in agreement, but even the most experienced among us can get caught off guard, myself included. As a result, we must
take this a step farther: Not only is it a trip, but it’s essential to have realistic expectations.
My friends, the expectations are low – and I mean really low. Do not go into spring break envisioning your littles quietly building sandcastles while you and your significant other sip mai tais and joyfully engage in adult conversation. Such illusions of grandeur will just set you up for a major fail!
High hopes can spark disagreements between parents, epic meltdowns (from both adults and children), and could potentially derail the entire experience. This is a cautionary tale and comes without judgment because this is something I know from experience.
Understanding the difference between a vacation and a trip is crucial because, of course, there are exceptions when a family trip can feel like a true getaway, but the price tag is high. If your family is galivanting off to an all-inclusive
tropical resort or jaunting away to a luxurious hotel with childcare services, you are stepping into vacation mode.
But these scenarios are rare gems! Those vacations are like unicorns –magical and rare. If you’ve planned and been able to execute one of these unicorn vacays, please enjoy because (for the majority of us) they aren’t the norm. The “Good Enough” Spring Break
Let’s talk about spring break trips for those of us who haven’t had months to plan or who don’t want to travel far with tots in tow. I’m here to champion the idea of meaningful trips that are enjoyable but not extravagant – trips that are great but not grand in scale. There are no first-class flights or luxurious five-star hotels here. I’m talking about taking a trip with your family that gets you out of your routine, strengthens your bonds, and keeps your budget (somewhat) intact – without requiring extensive planning.
Let’s embrace the concept of a “good enough” spring break trip. Now, “good enough” does not mean “subpar.” These days it doesn’t necessarily mean “cheap” either! It simply means finding joy and satisfaction in where you are, with what you have, and who is with you.
You must read the room and know your audience. If your audience is an infant, maybe skip the plane ride – unless you are eager to experience feelings of shame and judgment at the mercy of strangers. Otherwise, car trips with
babies are far less demoralizing.
If your crew includes a toddler, a day trip might be more manageable. Toddlers can be both adorable and challenging travel buddies. They often need their familiar “stuff” nearby, can be picky eaters, have little patience, and one small misstep can lead to a meltdown. They are truly the toughest audience, no matter where you go.
I’ve been lucky enough to experience both once-in-a-lifetime vacations and simple family trips, and one thing is clear: Whether it’s a magical unicorn vacay or just a quick trip, the quality time spent with family is what truly matters. It is precious, no matter the destination. So, do not worry if your spring break plans are lacking. There are plenty of fantastic destinations within driving distance that can offer an unforgettable “good enough” spring break experience that doesn’t take months and months to plan! Following are a few of my picks.
Staycation: Hilton Head Island
If you feel like you’ve missed out on planning a spring break adventure because you’ve been buried in diapers and school drop-offs, don’t fret. You can still enjoy a fantastic staycation – right here at home.
There’s so much you can do! You could rent bikes and explore Sea Pines Resort, stopping off at the Gregg Russell Playground in Harbour Town. Or, if you’re in the mood for something more educational, pack a picnic and head to Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park, then take a walk down to Fish Haul Beach to collect shells and maybe even some shark teeth. Older kids might enjoy a visit to the Coastal Discovery Museum, which offers free exhibits of local art and artifacts, nature trails and gardens, and a butterfly habitat, as well as nature and cultural programs for a small fee.
The options are endless; just choose activities that break from your usual routine.
Good Enough Contingency Plan:
How about loading the kids into the car and treating them to ice cream for dinner at Hilton Head Ice Cream? Yep, you heard that right – ice cream for dinner! I once did this during a particularly chaotic phase when I was juggling toddlers and an infant, and my kids still talk about it. Do this multiple times throughout spring break and your kids will think you’re the coolest parent ever!
Amelia Island, Florida
Amelia Island is just a short drive, under three hours, from Hilton Head, making it a fantastic getaway not too far from home.
Amelia Island, Florida
While it shares some similarities with our island, Amelia boasts unique scenery and familiar family-friendly activities. If you’re after a resort vibe, the Omni Amelia Island is a great choice. This hotel is particularly great for kids, featuring a massive pool with fabulous ocean views, snack bars, cabanas for rent, and live music. It offers all the fun of a tropical resort without the distance of the tropical islands.
Good Enough Contingency Plan:
Prepare for potentially long lines at the poolside restaurant. During our visit, the kids were getting antsy, but we weren’t ready to leave the pool area. So, we decided to DoorDash Chick-Fil-A right to our lounge chairs. It was a lifesaver! I can’t say for certain if the hotel was on board with our little dining arrangement, but we kept our expectations low – what were they going to do, kick us out?
St. Simons Island, Georgia
Just a quick two-hour drive away, St. Simons is another great beach destination that is fairly close by. The Pier Village serves as the heart of the town, lined with an array of shops, restaurants, and attractions like the St. Simons Lighthouse and Neptune Park, which features fun water activities and mini golf for the kids. This area is easy to explore and, if you’re fortunate, your trip might coincide with the popular monthly Crafts in the Village market.
Good Enough Contingency Plan:
If you find yourself needing some entertainment after wandering around, head over to the Pier – meaning the actual pier that extends over the water. It’s bustling with fishermen who spend their day casting lines and reeling in all sorts of fish and even sharks, while pelicans dive into the water to snatch up leftover bait. The kids will be captivated by all the activity and eclectic mix of characters strolling by. It’s definitely a memorable stop on your St. Simons adventure. Beaufort
One of my favorite day trips with little ones is to the lovely city of Beaufort, which is super easy to reach from Hilton Head and Bluffton via Hwy. 170. The Waterfront Park is a fantastic stop, featuring a great playground that will keep the kids entertained. Surrounding the park are delightful restaurants and ice cream shops, making it simple to hop from one spot to another, especially with tiny tots in strollers. For a special spring break experience, consider taking a carriage ride or renting a golf cart to explore. Downtown Beaufort is perfect for strolling!
Good Enough Contingency Plan:
If you’re looking for an additional fun stop, just a short drive from downtown is the Kazoobie Kazoo Factory, which was a huge hit with my kids. I had no idea such a place existed, but it’s definitely a unique experience! The kids thoroughly enjoyed the factory tour, where they learned how kazoos are made and even got to create their own. It’s a fantastic pit stop either on the way to Beaufort or as you’re leaving.
ARTICLE BY BARRY KAUFMAN
GAME RECOGNIZING GAME
FIRST TEE – THE LOWCOUNTRY SALUTES LEADERS IN OUR COMMUNITY.
At the heart of everything First Tee – The Lowcountry does, driving all the work they do in teaching young people the game of golf while building their character, are their nine core values. Those values are honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, confidence, responsibility, perseverance, courtesy, and judgment; these tenets work in concert to lift up young golfers and guide them to a better life.
Again this year, First Tee – The Lowcountry will show what each of these values represents and how they can create leaders by recognizing members of the community at their Community Leadership Awards Banquet. Held April 15 at Sea Pines Country Club, this annual extravaganza puts the spotlight on those who uphold each of those core values in their own lives.
“Everyone who we recognize exemplifies one, if not more, of the core values of First Tee,” said Lynn King, who will co-chair the event with Bill Fuge. “It’s a win-win, because it not only gives us a chance to recognize them, it introduces them to what First Tee does.”
Honorees at this year’s banquet represent a crosssection of our community, running the gamut of backgrounds but all sharing in inspiring leadership. Being honored this year are Mike Nevil (honesty), Brennan Roedig (sportsmanship), Eric Boberg (perseverance), JR Richardson (confidence), Dr. Jane Upshaw (responsibility), Hardeeville Mayor Harry Williams (judgment), Missy Santorum (courtesy), Col. Neal Pugliese (integrity), and Molly Hornbeck (respect).
“I’ve known most of our recipients for a while,” King said. “It’s amazing because they’re all leaders in their own right.”
The event will also include the bestowing of three special awards to those who have gone above and beyond in their service to First Tee – The Lowcountry. Earning the Jim Ferree Legacy Award is John Bankhead, a national trustee for First Tee who has been an overwhelming force for good locally.
“To a large extent, John set up our scholarship fund through his role as a national trustee,” said Pat Zuk, First Tee executive director. “I don’t know how much bigger of a legacy you can have than that.”
Guests enjoy the reception at the First Tee Community Awards Banquet
In addition to being recognized as exemplifying the core value of honesty, Nevil will be given the Mike Davis Award at the banquet. “Mike is a volunteer who has been our lead coach up in Beaufort and does a tremendous job,” Zuk said. “He’s also helping us to find a more permanent home in the Beaufort area, so his work goes beyond coaching. He loves the program and he’s just a great guy.”
Another double honoree at the banquet will be Brennan Roedig, recognized for sportsmanship and being granted the Paul Caruso Award. “I’ve known Brennan and his twin sister since they were students. They were crazy kids when I met them and it’s amazing how they’ve matured,” Zuk said. “Watching the transformation of these two young people has been an absolute joy.”
First Tee – The Lowcountry’s Community Leadership Awards Banquet will be held April 15 at Sea Pines Country Club. Sponsorship and advertising opportunities are available. Visit firstteelowcountry.org to learn more.
10 Year Anniversary Award Winners
Article by Sheila Tucker . Photography by M.Kat
The Power of Curiosity: How One Question Can Change Everything
Instead of working, I’m looking out my window. I notice the sun streaming through the trees – they always cast such magical shadows on my office wall this time of day. I once tried to trace them. I was curious to see what they would look like on paper. Let’s just say I couldn’t quite capture their essence.
I hear the hum and swoosh of the traffic below. I wonder where all those people are going. Are they listening to their favorite songs on the radio? Catching up with a friend on the phone? Toting their pup with them for a few quick errands? Discussing dinner plans with their spouse? Listening to their child tell them about their day?
Sometimes, especially when I’m deep in procrastination mode, I’ll make up my own stories about the people I see and hear. But mostly, I’m curious.
I’m no stranger to curiosity. More than once, I’ve heard that I ask too many questions. Sometimes it’s verbal. Other times, it’s an audible sigh matched to a head tilt or shake.
Guilty.
I’ve always been curious and hungry to learn more. Who? What? When? Where? How? Why? Yes, please.
There are too many times to count that I remember “challenging” someone – their term, not mine. I was being curious or inquisitive. I had a genuine desire to learn or understand.
Like the time, when I was 10, that I challenged our pastor on the topics of divorce and whether dogs go to heaven. I left him speechless and stumped, and my grandmother embarrassed.
Or the time a boat captain friend capped me at a five-question maximum. I successfully used up all of my questions before we ever left the marina. In my defense, a charter fishing boat was pulling in with a rather large assortment of fish. I had questions.
And the time my high school English teacher, Coach West, invited me to join the debate team after a passionate discussion about the ending of a story.
Curiosity is one of the reasons I dove headfirst into psychology – I desperately wanted to understand why and how people could do or think the way they did.
For those of you who are (ahem) curious, the Oxford Dictionary defines “curiosity” as “a strong desire to know or learn something.”
It shows up in all areas of my life, especially in my role as a therapist.
I encourage my clients to become more curious, too. It’s a practice we begin early in therapy so they can learn more about what they’re thinking, feeling, believing, or telling themselves.
Curiosity invites you to slow down and listen.
The benefits of becoming more curious are endless. My favorite is in its power of possibility. Curiosity encourages you to detach from assumptions
The Power of Curiosity: How One Question Can Change Everything
and approach situations with openmindedness and understanding. This act can lead to a reduction in miscommunication. Imagine your life with fewer conflicts and a greater chance of better outcomes.
Curiosity can expand your creativity. Whether you’re putting paint on a canvas, words on paper, or creating in some other capacity, curiosity gives you permission to try something new. I think Bob Ross says it best: “We don’t make mistakes. We just make happy accidents.”
Curious people tend to be less defensive because our curiosity allows us to consider the other person’s point of view. You don’t have to agree with or like the other person’s point of view. It’s more the concept of accepting that there’s another way to look at things with an invitation for understanding.
Curiosity helps you to connect with others. The more curious you are about the other person, the more the other person will feel closer to you. As a bonus, you’ll also feel closer to the person you’re curious about.
Becoming more curious isn’t out of reach or even difficult to accomplish. Here are a few ways you can get started today.
• Be intentional. Approach conversations with a willingness to learn. You can do this by asking open-ended questions. My favorite is “Tell me more.” How did you come to know that? Pro tip: Avoid criticizing, minimizing, or trying to change the other person’s opinion.
• Pause when you feel reactive. When you feel reactive, that’s your cue to check in. Ask yourself what you’re thinking. What stories are you creating about the situation? What meaning and feeling have you attached to that story and your thoughts?
• Allow for grace. Recognize that your experiences shape your perceptions. That also means the experiences of someone
else are – you guessed it – shaped by their experiences.
• Clarify instead of assuming. If you’re in a relationship, you’ve probably fallen victim to assuming. These are the times when you think you know exactly how your partner will react, what they will say, and think. Then you act or react accordingly – without ever actually checking in. Asking – being curious –gives the other person a chance to weigh in on the conversation and clear up any unintentional miscommunications.
Here are a couple of examples to help you get started:
• When I heard you say ______, I told myself (whatever you thought). Is what you meant. Did I get that right?
• What do you think, feel, or how do you experience ______?
Curiosity doesn’t come without hurdles. The fear of uncertainty is one of the biggest. Social scientist and best-selling author Brené Brown puts it perfectly in Atlas of the Heart:
“Choosing to be curious is choosing to be vulnerable, because it requires us to surrender to uncertainty. We have to ask questions, admit to not knowing, risk being told that we shouldn’t be asking, and, sometimes, make discoveries that lead to discomfort.”
I believe the ability to transform how we communicate, connect, and grow outweighs the fear of uncertainty. If you do, too, I invite you to be curious.
Spring
forward into high fashion with a frame like this bright blue beauty by FHONE.
ARTICLE BY BARRY KAUFMAN . PHOTOGRAPHY BY M.KAT
MORE THAN JUST GLASSES A SPECTACLE
EYELAND OPTIQUE TAKES A CURATED APPROACH TO YOUR VISION ACCESSORIES
Your glasses are unique among any other accessory because they quite literally exist to see and be seen. With the right set, you look – and see – your best in every sense of the phrase.
This is where the mission of Eyeland Optique begins. An eyecare practice that elevates patient care along with a curated collection of eyewear, Eyeland is a unique partnership combining more than 40 years of optometric expertise and master opticianry. Their goal is to deliver best in class eye exams, eyewear and contact lenses.
“What we do here is marry a want with a need. Obviously, you need them to have great vision, but glasses/frames do so much more,” said Billy Simmons, manager for 10 years at Eyeland Optique. “Our clients want to look their best, whether it’s a first pair purchase or, in some cases, we help build a collection of multiple pairs of fashionable frames for dressy occasions, fun and, of course, the sun.”
Dr. Richard Spolzino hails from both private practice and boutique
eyewear locations, making him a perfect match with Simmons and Diane Fisher-Simmons, “yes, Billy’s real life other half.” Together this team combines state-of-the-art exam technology with individual attention to eye health, along with selecting that perfect frame.
Eyeland’s comprehensive eyecare approach is multilevel, from high-tech exams to a detailed approach to patient wellness such as vision challenges, dry eyes, migraines, eyestrain, and overall patient health. All of these factors, together with considering a patient’s lifestyle, are key to satisfying increasing vision demands.
“We prescribe the very latest in lens technology and treatments. These personalized lenses, especially for progressive wearers, are a game changer,” said Jeanine Lundstrom, Eyeland’s general partner. “This is especially true with our client base, who lead very active lifestyles here in the Lowcountry.”
Optimizing your eyesight while creating the perfect complement to any outfit takes a little more effort and a lot more dedication. That is something that this crew has kept their eye on since Day One. It is Eyeland’s goal to offer unique options through many independent eyewear designers as well as a few name brands that clients are seeking, such as Tom Ford and Robert Marc, among others.
These independent brands have great origins, and each has a story of unique craftmanship and high quality. Many of these brands have loyal followings, such as Lindberg from Denmark, with its lightweight, timeless metallics, the bold vibrant specs from LA Eyeworks, or customizable offerings from Tom Davies.
“We offer next-level options when it comes to providing personalized customized eyewear,” Simmons said. He explained that, through a couple of collections, he can create a frame that is 100% unique to his client. Choices from size, shape, fit, and color combinations bring to life exactly what a client is looking for.
“I love nothing more than the ‘wow’ moment when we deliver a frame that no one else will ever duplicate,” Simmons said. “We have countless clients that enjoy this process and have fun with all the options. We literally build the frame
Meet the Team
Dr. Rick Spolzino, Jeanine Lundstrom, Diane Fisher-Simmons and Billy Simmons
Local resident Tracey Edmonds stuns in beautiful frames from Eyeland Optique.
together on the computer and CAD drawings can show them what we will order.”
Most recently, Eyeland has added a precious metal collection from Lindberg as a few clients were seeking to elevate their collections. Again, the goal is to truly make their glasses their No. 1 accessory.
Personalized service is key to the success that drives this team to be as client-centric as possible. “Our warm, inviting location is designed to be comfortable and add to the fun of working with each client,” Fisher-Simmons said. “People love that when they walk through the door, we know them by name.”
As a way of elevating the experience, Eyeland offers shopping appointments. “Clients often want to set aside time to just shop in addition to their appointment with the doctor,” Lundstrom said. “We make it a very one-on-one process that lets us really take the time to marry fashion, function, and fit. This is our privilege to get to know each client and build a relationship.”
That dedication goes beyond the showroom, with Eyeland Optique weaving itself into the tapestry of our community. The team proudly supports community nonprofit organizations such as Pockets Full of Sunshine, the Hilton Head Choral Society, the Palmetto Bluff Women’s Association, and The Children’s Center.
Plus, Simmons and Fisher-Simmons are both active in the community’s theatre scene. Two years ago, Billy starred in “Footloose,” with Diane as the director and an actor – playing Billy’s wife. Last July, Diane co-directed “Oliver” and Billy was in the cast. This duo sees being trained in theatre and acting together has many crossover skills with their work at Eyeland Optique. “I’m able to use the skills that I learned in theatre with clients, because communication is key,” Billy said. Through better communication, dedicated service, a refined sense of fashion, and cutting-edge technology, Eyeland Optique is changing how you look at glasses. When you stop in, you will be able to see how much better the world looks through the right lenses, and how much better you look with the right frames.
Visit eyelandoptique.com to see some optical options.
Billy Simmons checks out the latest eyeglasses available in the Tom Ford Collection.
Locals
the
ARTICLE BY BARRY KAUFMAN
March in Coligny
You’d have to be mad to miss out on the fun this month
This time of year, there is a hum of excitement that you can hear on the breeze. Winter is finally –FINALLY – behind us, and the first soothing rays of the springtime sun hint at the season to come.
It’s the time when the island truly comes alive, and nowhere is this excitement more electric than Coligny, where every day brings fresh excitement.
Let’s start with the month-long tradition that gives the shops and restaurants at Coligny a chance at glory – and one lucky shopper $1,000! The annual Coligny March Madness event is back, this time with a twist. As in years past, you’ll be able to upload a picture of your receipt at colignyplaza. com/march and vote for your favorite shop or restaurant. You can vote as many times as you like – it not only helps your favorite spot advance, it also gives you another chance at the top prize, a $1,000 gift card good anywhere in Coligny.
The twist is that this year, rather than competing against one another, each store or restaurant will be assigned a “team” from the brackets. As a way of leveling the playing field, this ensures that your favorite shop and restaurant in Coligny has a fair shot at victory.
“This year is going to be interesting,” said Frosty Frog’s Rusty Jaquiss. “I have a pretty big customer base coming
through my place because of March Madness basketball. It really wasn’t fair to other shops that don’t get that same surge during the month. This is nice, and it will help other stores get recognized.”
Of course, NCAA basketball isn’t the only event that will pack the house at Frosty Frog. Coligny will be a sea of green on March 16 when it hosts the biggest party in the midst of the Hilton Head Island St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Live music starts at 11 a.m. with Groove Town Assault playing the main stage right outside Frosty Frog. It continues with Cranford Hollow at 3 p.m., with drink specials running all day long.
And of course, March also sees one of Coligny’s most enjoyable traditions, the Jevon Daly Kids Show, which debuts March 24. Running from 5 to 7 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays through April 11, this family-friendly musical extravaganza showcases Daly’s signature humor, whimsical storytelling, and musicianship in a show that lets kids join in on the fun.
This spring, we’re all ready to get back out there and enjoy our island home. And nowhere showcases what sets it apart like Coligny. Visit colignyplaza.com/events to learn more.
John Cranford and Eric Reid play to a big crowd at Coligny on parade day last year.
Lee Lucier, Maggie Washo and Jevon Daly pose for a photograph at FISH.
get into
spiritwearing green and toasting to a beautiful day at Coligny.
by M.Kat
A LINE IN THE SAND
COURTNEY’S THOUGHTS
My grandfather was an inspector for General Motors, and a Catholic. He was an Army Air Forces veteran of World War II, and a member of the Elks Lodge, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6180, and the American Legion. He preached two pieces of consistent advice. First, don’t buy a foreign car. Second (for his daughters and granddaughters), don’t date/marry an Italian.
His time working for GM, plus their generous family discount program, answers the first edict. But we were never clear on the anti-Italian sentiment. We can surmise that something happened on the streets of Newark, New Jersey, during his formative years, or overseas during the war that led to that opinion. We never received any supporting evidence, however we followed his rules, until his death. My stepfather is Italian, but that didn’t happen until Grandpa was resting in peace.
The economist Robert L. Heilbroner’s article “Don’t Let Stereotypes Warp Your Judgments” first appeared in Reader’s Digest in 1962. In the opening paragraph he asks a series of questions: “Is a girl called Gloria apt to be better looking than one called Bertha? Are criminals more likely to be dark than blond? Can you tell a good deal about someone’s personality from hearing his voice briefly over the phone? Can a person’s nationality be pretty accurately guessed from his photograph? Does the fact that someone wears glasses imply that he is intelligent?”
The answers to the above are obviously “no,” right? Or wrong? Our prejudices and stereotypes are a cycle. We create an oversimplified opinion of an individual based on characteristics (perceived or real). That opinion is a shortcut, formed without the facts, because – let’s be honest – if we actually took the time to get to know everyone, we would have little time for anything else. So, we use the shortcuts to speed us through our interactions, our days, our years, and we miss a lot.
Sweet Mr. Heilbroner died in 2005 and, fortunately for him, hasn’t had to bear witness to the past 20 years of a 24-hour news cycle, reality TV, or social media. His writings, at the time, spoke to a nation divided by the Civil Rights Movement. And yet, here we are six decades later.
Photography
A LINE IN THE SAND
What would he think?
Well, here is what I think. If you believed the stereotypes (in this case perpetuated by reality TV), a girl from the Jersey Shore would be focused on just three things – going to the gym, going to the tanning bed, and doing laundry. But if you asked questions and dug a little deeper, you would learn that all of the “characters” on the Jersey Shore were not from the shore. They were from north (nawth) Jersey and Long (hard G) Island. Look at me, stereotyping people not from the shore.
When a girl from Jersey moves to South Carolina, she faces the Yankee stereotype, while simultaneously trying not to jump to conclusions about Southerners. We drive too fast, we talk too fast … yes, perhaps. The first time I stood in the deli line at Kroger for a mere pound of turkey felt like the longest day of my life. The small talk. The taste test. The individual pieces of cellophane between each slice. I just wanted to make a sandwich, bless my heart.
Our perception – and oftentimes our misperception – is a result of what we have experienced in the world. Our perception becomes our reality, and that is where it can all go sideways. But hey, happy St. Patrick’s Day to my Irish brethren. We love to drink. We love to fight. We hate the British. We’re an extremely friendly bunch (unless you’re Italian). Cheers.
BARRY'S THOUGHTS
It’s hard not to tread in stereotypes sometimes, mostly because so many of us work so hard to fulfill them. I saw a meme on Facebook the other day that illustrated this beautifully. At the top was the sentence, “That had to be the worst Super Bowl halftime show ever.” Below it were 30 different profile pictures of people who, presumably, all seemed like the type of person who would share that opinion. Each wore mirrored sunglasses, and each profile picture was taken while seated in their car. That joke only works if that stereotype exists. And you need only spend about five minutes on Facebook to see that that’s true. Your more conservative Facebook friends are far more likely to have that exact profile picture. Clearly, the sentiment of the joke is that people who tend to hold conservative values and use Facebook as the main
Barry and his Scottish Hammer
No one likes to realize they’re a caricature. But at the same time, stereotypes can serve as a signal to other members of whatever tribe we’re in. If you’re one of those mirrored shades people, you’re probably going to give a little more benefit of the doubt to someone with a similar profile picture as you would to someone with a “RESIST” profile pic.
platform for their self-expression all tend to look the same. But the real question is, why?
Why is someone who holds conservative values more likely to make that their profile picture? It’s such a bizarrely specific trait for a group of people to all spontaneously share.
But maybe that’s all a stereotype is. It’s something that you just take for granted within your own circle that can be noticed only by outsiders. As people of Scottish descent, my family and I probably had no idea we sounded so funny until the first time we pronounced words correctly. As someone from Ohio, I didn’t realize you could drive in BOTH lanes until I moved down here.
And that’s probably why stereotypes are such a touchy subject. Because beyond their ability to dehumanize and belittle entire groups of people with one fell swoop, sometimes they hit too close to home.
I’ve seen follow-up posts from some of the 30 people picture in that meme and they were NOT happy. Not because they disagreed with the sentiment at the top of the meme, but because it had been suddenly pointed out to them that they’d been perpetuating a stereotype.
No one likes to realize they’re a caricature. But at the same time, stereotypes can serve as a signal to other members of whatever tribe we’re in. If you’re one of those mirrored shades people, you’re probably going to give a little more benefit of the doubt to someone with a similar profile picture as you would to someone with a “RESIST” profile pic. It’s all the same thing, just translated into the age of social media.
In the olden days, back when my ancestors were doing whatever people do in Scotland (deep frying things, mostly), going down to the pub was just how we built community. We’d all catch a little buzz as a village, we’d maybe catch a much larger buzz and start hammer fighting, and that would bind us together as a tribe. Then we emigrated to America and the Puritan locals all decided we were a bunch of drunks.
If you’re a mirrored sunglass person, be a mirrored sunglass person. If you’re a RESIST person, be a RESIST person. If you’re Scottish, I’ll see you at the pub. We can make fun of all those other stereotypes while getting good and pissed. I’ll bring the hammer.
GETTING READY FOR THE YEAR AHEAD ON HILTON HEAD ISLAND
It’s happening, y’all. Daylight hours are getting longer, and spring is about to, well, spring – on March 20, to be precise. I don’t know about you, but for me, each spring season is special because it symbolizes that time of year for new growth, a reemergence of the colorful and natural beauty of our home, and of course, awesome Hilton Head Island events that get most of us back outside after the chill of January and February. (I could call what we experience here “winter,” but I think our Northern- and Midwestern-born residents would just laugh at me.)
These events are wonderful opportunities to support our community, businesses, and overall local economy before the onslaught of the summer season, and to reconnect with all that this island has to offer.
The 30th annual Hilton Head Shamrock Run is scheduled for Saturday, March 15, from 8 to 10 a.m. This is a family tradition of promoting fun and fitness, and you can register for the run or find more information by visiting bearfootsports.com/shamrock-run.
The Hilton Head Ireland St. Patrick’s Day Parade will be held on Sunday, March 16, starting at 2 p.m. at the Coligny Beach parking lot and proceeding down Pope Avenue. The traditions, celebration, and fun that this event embodies each year aren’t to be missed. This is the 40th year for the parade, with Diane Reilley, wife of founder Tom Reilley, serving as Grand Marshal.
Our town council and staff will participate in the parade, there are awards for the best floats, and you might just get a surprise or two –something the parade organizers are known to do. To learn more about participating or attending, visit hiltonheadireland.org.
BLUFFTON: BUY LAND, REDUCE DEVELOPMENT, ADD
PARKS
Your goals are our goals.
During my time on town council and while running for mayor, many residents expressed a desire for less development and more green space. On behalf of town council, I can tell you we share that goal. However, there are two important factors to consider.
First, to reduce development, land must be purchased and preserved – either by the town or another entity. Secondly, just as homeowners have the right to build on or buy existing homes, commercial developers have the legal right to develop their property. Town council cannot simply restrict development when land is protected under legally binding development agreements, many of which were approved years ago.
Several members of town council have often repeated, “When we know better, we do better.” The town has to work within development agreements approved by previous councils years ago.
So, what can we do now? When opportunities arise, town council will continue to purchase land to preserve it. Currently, one land acquisition is already in motion, with another expected to follow soon.
The town has acquired 15-plus acres at the intersection of Buck Island Road and Bluffton Parkway, across from Eagles Field. This purchase eliminates the potential for nearly 90 residential units in that area. The $2.5 million acquisition,
A Note from Hilton Head Island Mayor, Alan Perry
MAYOR
A Note from Bluffton Mayor, Larry Toomer
These events are wonderful opportunities to support our community, businesses, and overall local economy before the onslaught of the summer season, and to reconnect with all that this island has to offer.
On Saturday, March 22, we have the return of Wingfest from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Lowcountry Celebration Park. Started 28 years ago, this springtime signature island event brings out some of our best restaurants for some healthy competition related to that game-time and picnic snack near and dear to so many of us. Add in some fun activities for kids, the town’s amazing park and playground, some great live music, and you’ve got yourself one heck of a Saturday.
So, let’s get outside, shed the weight of winter (a.k.a. January and February), and engage in nature’s annual celebration of color, warmth, and wonder.
completed in January 2024, was funded through the town’s general fund and will become a park and open space. Stay tuned for updates and opportunities to provide input on the park’s future design.
The second potential acquisition could remove up to 839,000 square feet of commercial development or nearly 700 residential units from being built in the town.
As you may recall, the Green Space sales tax was approved by voters in 2022. This tax has collected more than $111 million and is set to expire on March 1 of this year.
The town has applied for a portion of these funds to help purchase 239 acres between the Rose Hill, Woodbridge, Shell Hall, and Pinecrest neighborhoods. These two tracts are also within the May River watershed, so reducing development there will help protect the river and also provide permanent green space.
The town is seeking funding partners to purchase both tracts, which are near each other but not adjacent. As was the case with the purchase of Wright Family Park, which was made possible through a partnership with Beaufort County’s Rural and Critical Lands Preservation Program, the town hopes to secure similar support for these acquisitions.
If successful in securing Green Space Program funding, town leaders are required to place a conservation easement on the property to ensure it is never developed. The town is completing due diligence while working through the multiple steps necessary to seek approval for funding through Beaufort County’s Green Space Program. We encourage you to reach out to your Beaufort County Council representative if you support the preservation of this green space.
Bluffton’s parks are a key reason why residents love living here, and town leaders remain committed to enhancing our community by expanding and preserving these valuable spaces.
A Note from Larry Toomer continued
ARTICLE BY JESSE BLANCO
FOOD AND FESTIVALS AND FUN, OH MY!
If you were with us last month, then you have no trouble recalling my column that emerged from under four inches of snow. That was particularly brutal for a lot of people in this area. Those of you from “back home” go ahead, get the laugh out. I’ll wait.
What we didn’t know then was the fact that it would take nearly a week from all of that mess to be gone, and even then, it was spotty around town. Suffice to say – as I said last month – we can right well do without another situation like that for another five to seven years, thanks. This time around, I’m looking out the window at Carolina Coffee & Crumbs at Coligny Circle. Temperatures
WingFest judges pose for a photo with Island Rec Center's Joe Cain at the 2024 event, held in Lowcountry Celebration Park. From left to right: Jeff Laben, Maggie Washo, Patti DiSilvestre, Joe Cain, Mayor Alan Perry, Dana Millen, Dwayne Tornabene, Bryan Miller and Jesse Blanco.
are hovering in the 40s, and the sun is making random appearances. That’s enough to give us hope for the next couple of days – maybe weeks.
The truth is, my mental checkered flag on winter usually waves on Valentine’s Day every year. Sure, we may get some silly cold temps here and there, but the odds of stealing some actual pleasant weather begins to increase as well – which is good news for the March parade of festivals around here.
Hilton Head Ireland St. Patrick’s Day Parade will be held this year on Sunday, March 16, at 2 p.m. along Pope Avenue.
My personal favorite is Hilton Head Wingfest. For 28 years, the Island Rec Center has been putting on this show, the last few at Lowcountry Celebration Park on the south end. I tell anyone who will give me 15 seconds of their time that this is the best chicken wing event of the year for 100 miles in this area. The cost to get in is nominal ($10 this year) but where else will you find 20-25 of the island’s best chicken wing creations in one place?
The Hilton Head Island Wine and Food Festival is celebrating 40 years this year with another week-long set of events in a variety of price ranges.
I’ve been a judge for this event for nearly a decade, and I can tell you the competition is fierce. That means you can find great wings here. FYI, the admission ticket gets you in, but your wings are sold separately. Wingfest is Saturday, March 22, this year. You can find more info at hiltonheadwingfest.com.
The other major spring festival on the island officially begins the day after Wingfest. The Hilton Head Island Wine and Food Festival is celebrating 40 years this year with another week-long set of events in a variety of price ranges. Craft beers on the beach, the Sip and Stroll at Sea Pines, and, of course, the main event, if you will, the Public Tasting at Lowcountry Celebration Park on March 29. My personal favorite event this week is the Grand Tasting, held on Friday night, March 28. There will be some good juice at that party – as you might well imagine. You can find out more about the entire week now at hiltonheadwineandfood.com.
Of course, a conversation about frolic in March around here is not complete without a healthy nod to the Hilton Head Ireland St. Patrick’s Day Parade. It will be held this year on Sunday, March 16, at 2 p.m. along Pope Avenue. That route is about as family friendly and fun as you can imagine it would be.
Like the Wine and Food Festival, this parade is also celebrating its 40th event. Now, 40 years pales in comparison to Savannah’s 201st celebration, but it is fun to know that the Hilton Head parade is the longest-running St. Patrick’s parade in South Carolina. The festivities for the weekend get started on Saturday, March 15, with an Irish concert at the Tiki Hut at The Beach House. You can find all you need to know at hiltonheadireland.org.
Sláinte!
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 maggie@ch2cb2magazine.com. If we have room and it’s appropriate for public consumption, we’ll be happy to oblige.
“A Night on Broadway,” Hilton Head Choral Society’s spring concert, will be held Friday, April 4, at 7 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 540 William Hilton Parkway. Fans of iconic Broadway shows will enjoy this night of unforgettable music.
Join the Choral Society’s 75-voice chorus along with guest orchestra to celebrate the legendary musicals that made Broadway a cultural institution for more than 150 years. From The Sound of Music to Les Misérables to South Pacific, the concert will feature music that helped to define Broadway with famed hits such as “One Hand, One Heart” from West Side Story, “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly” from My Fair Lady, and “Where is Love?” from Oliver
The concert will take the audience on a journey through some of the most well-known Broadway shows. A highlight of the evening will feature music from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s hit shows – Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, Cats, Starlight Express, and The Phantom of the Opera. It promises to be an intimate yet grand experience filled with the excitement, energy, and vibrancy of Broadway.
Season tickets are available at hiltonheadchoralsociety.org. For more information or for assistance placing a ticket order, call (843) 341-3818 or email tickets@hiltonheadchoralsociety.org.
Sea Glass Stage Company will host “Stayin’ Live!,” its disco fundraising event, starting at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 29, at its home base in Coligny Theatre, 1. N. Forest Beach Drive on Hilton Head Island.
The event will feature disco dancing with funky lights, a dance contest, a costume contest, and the company’s now-famous big-ticket raffle with fabulous prizes. Music provided by a local disco DJ, with food catered by Skillets in Coligny.
Tickets are available at sgstage.org.
An exhibit of sacred art etchings and lithographs by Marc Chagall is on display at St. Luke’s Anglican Church, 50 Pope Ave. on Hilton Head Island.
Chagall (1887-1985) is known as perhaps the foremost visual interpreter of the Bible in the 20th century. Born to a humble Jewish family in the ghetto of Vitebsk, Russia, he was steeped in Hasidic culture.
In his 20s, Chagall studied art in Paris, developing his own artistic style. But he never abandoned the love of his Jewish traditions nor the Bible. His art is filled with his recurring symbols of visual memory and imagination. He said he did not see the Bible, but he dreamed it, even as a child.
An open house to view the art will be held March 23 from 2 to 5 p.m.
A speaker presentation at 3 p.m. will include Sandra Bowden, owner of the collection, and Rabbi Brad Bloom of Congregation Beth Yam on Hilton Head.
