CH2/CB2 Magazine: January 2021

JANUARY 2021

PLUS 5 PREDICTIONS FOR 2021 (THAT ARE PROBABLY WRONG)

Come gaze into the crystal ball and see what is definitely not in store for the coming year.

INVESTING IN THE NEW POLITICAL CLIMATE

GET SWOLE WITH PHIL MULLINS

22 NO MORE EXCUSES, GET MOVING Meet the fitness instructors who are going to help you get in shape in 2021!

WHAT’S INSIDE

30

PETER WEST: THE ISLAND’S PRESSURE POINT FRONTIERSMAN

38

LAVA 24 FITNESS: YOUR HILTON HEAD FAMILY FOR FUN AND FITNESS

46

AERIAL ELEMENTS: FITNESS TAKES FLIGHT

55

NOT THAT KIND OF BAR: COFFEE AND JUICE HOTSPOTS

65

TWIN BLESSINGS: BEAUFORT MEMORIAL’S COLLINS BIRTHING CENTER DELIVERS HEALTHY BABIES AT HEIGHT OF PANDEMIC

69

INVESTING IN THE NEW POLITICAL CLIMATE

77

SAFETY CALL: HOW ONE BEAUFORT RESIDENT WENT TIK TOK VIRAL AND SAVED LIVES IN THE PROCESS

94

A NOTE FROM OUR MAYORS

42 HEAR YE, HEAR YE Randy Rose of Rose Hearing Healthcare Centers isn’t just a hearing aid expert; he’s a client.

72 BUSINESS IS BLOOMING Now in its sixth year under new ownership, Flowers by Sue came out of 2020 smelling like a rose.

O N O U R C OV E R S

102 MUSICIANS IN BATHROOMS Featuring Ben Hughey Phil Mullins of Breakthrough Fitness Center Photography by M.KAT

Martin Catalioto of CrossFit843 Photography by M.KAT

Proof that I ran my first 5K with Kim Crouch at the 2020 Turkey Trot. That turkey is Joe Cain.

GENIUSES AT WORK Architect of Ideas Maggie Marie Washo

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Technology Mastermind Carolyn Hunter Kostylo Financial Warden Marion Elizabeth Bowser Influencer-In-Residence Kim Conrad Crouch Culture Maven “Just Kandace” Wightman The Boomerang Morgan O'Banion In-house Jeweler on Retainer Kaila Jeffcoat Intimacy Mentor Lucille Rosita Gonzalez Washo The Third Wheel Jevon Daly The Gatekeepers Greta Von Bowser Vincent Von Bowser The Cut & Paste Crew Jeff Cline Catherine Colby Writing Specialists Cheryl Alexander Jesse Blanco Linda S. Hopkins Barry Kaufman Marie Mcaden John McCann Michele Roldan-Shaw Lisa Sulka Tim Wood Lighting Experts M. Kat Photography Krisztian Lonyai Find Us Here PO Box 22949 Hilton Head Island, SC 29925 843.689.2658 m.washo@celebratehiltonhead.com

Well folks, we’ve made it to 2021. Let’s not screw it up.

We’re kicking this issue off with the gym—which is exactly where you should be on January 2. (I’ll give you January 1 to just sit at home hungover eating black-eyed peas.)

Trust me, your year will be better if you get that workout in, get enough sleep and eat the right foods. At least, that’s what I learned from Martin Catalioto, owner of CrossFit 843 in Bluffton, on page 25. He’s part of a feature highlighting locals in the fitness industry— from CycleBar to Pure Barre.

I actually learned quite a few things in this issue. Here are a few of my favorite tidbits, with absolutely no point of reference for you, dear reader. I did, however, include the page number in the event you’d like to know more: “The media plays the most monumental role in ‘diet culture.’ Body shaming and marathon dieting is more widespread than ever before.” PAGE 24.

“Drink water! Most people would be surprised to know that drinking water throughout the day significantly helps with weight loss and can increase caloric burn by over 30 percent. And it’s free.” PAGE 29 “It’s a concept the less enlightened and receptive may see as quack medicine and a practice that was even more foreign than

massage therapy to the Lowcountry around Y2K.” PAGE 31 “I don’t use any workout apps … because I don’t really work out.” PAGE 36 “I was at Fort Benning doing weapons familiarization on the 50 cal, and we all forgot to put our protection in.” PAGE 44 “I just opened a business during a pandemic; doesn’t that make me crazy? I am probably not the most qualified person to offer advice.” PAGE 57 “Depending upon where you choose to receive your information about the world, or depending upon the people you talk to, you’ve probably heard one of three things about the outlook for capital markets in 2021: 1) The market is going to crash, 2) The market is going to rebound, or 3) Nobody ever knows what will happen with the stock market.”

PAGE 69 “I’ve always said, anyone who uses the phrase “Uranus can innovate” is not someone you want to put a lot of faith in.” PAGE 89 Whatever you do, don’t skip Barry Kaufman’s article regarding predictions that probably won’t happen in the year 2021.

Because laughter is also a great way to start off a new year.

Love + Pixie Dust M.Washo

MAGGIE WASHO Publisher / Editor-in-Chief

Be sure to follow us on Social Media

Instagram - @ch2hhimag Facebook - facebook.com/ch2magazine TikTok - @ch2mag YouTube - youtube.com/celebratehiltonhead

RE O M SES O N CU EX

GET MOV ING! BACK IN FIGHTING SHAPE

You might say it every year, but this year is definitely the year you crush those fitness goals.

L

ook, we get it. We’ve all been through this past year, and we know what it did to your fitness goals. First it was the COVID 19, and by that we don’t mean the virus, but the 19 pounds you gained in lockdown. There’s no shame in it; there was nothing to do for a solid month at one point but watch Netflix and stress eat takeout food.

Then it was working from home, getting a little too comfortable in those sweatpants. Sure, the gyms all reopened, but mustering up the willpower to go is hard enough as is. When there are masks and social distancing involved, it became entirely too easy to just let your membership fees go to waste for a little while.

So, the COVID 19 became the COVID 20 or 25. And since no one was going to judge your beach body when their own was getting increasingly flabby, you let it slide.

Well, that ends right now. It’s a brand-new year and a fresh chance to do it right. You’ve said it every year, and even though you’re playing from behind, you mean it this year. You’re going to get in shape.

These are the people who are going to help.

ARTICLE BY BARRY KAUFMAN PHOTOGRAPHY BY M.KAT PHOTOGRAPHY DESIGN BY JEFF CLINE

Phil / /

MULLI NS

HO M E BAS E : Breakthrough Fitness S P EC I A LT Y: Hypertrophy, transformation specialist

How long have you been in the business of physical fitness? I have been in the business for eight years.

Teach us one thing a person trying to lose weight might be surprised to learn.

When consulting or training someone with the goal of losing weight, the first thing I do is train them to eat with the purpose of building a furnace, to strengthen the metabolism. Most people are surprised by how much and often they have to eat.

Did you play a sport in school?

I played football and tennis in high school.

What is the primary reason you work out?

Training is like breathing to me; it is my art, my expression, my life’s work.

What is your number one “get hype” song during your workouts? “Ain’t It Different” by Headie One Favorite local fitness instructor? Give someone a shout-out.

No doubt, I love and enjoy the versatility of Alyssa Petro.

Jen / /

EDWARDS

H OME BASE: Shelter Cove Community Park and Island Rec Center SP ECIALTY: Outdoor cardio & strength bootcamps for men and women of all ages and levels

How long have you been in the business of physical fitness?

I’ve been a fitness lover since high school but became a certified group fitness instructor while in graduate school 22 years ago!

Teach us one thing a person trying to lose weight might be surprised to learn?

There are many different diets and weight loss philosophies out there, from low-carb to low-fat to shake diets, but one thing remains the same: your body requires a caloric deficit of 3,500 calories to burn one pound of fat. So, it’s not necessarily what you eat but how much you consume compared to how much you burn through exercise and daily activity.

People are often looking for a magic prescriptive eating and exercise plan that will take the weight off and keep it off, but the bottom line is simple math: calories in versus calories out.

Did you play a sport in school?

Yes, I played four years of varsity singles tennis. My sophomore year I decided to join the track team to stay in shape during the off-season tennis. I was a pretty slow runner, but that disciplined track training got me hooked on fitness.

According to an analysis from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the average American man now stands at 5-feet-9 1/4 inches tall and weighs 196 pounds—up 15 pounds from 20 years ago. For women, the change has been even more striking. The average female today stands 5-feet-3 3/4 inches and weighs 169 pounds. In 1994, her scale read 152 pounds. What do you think is to blame for this trend, and how can we combat it as a society?

Great question. I think we are an instant gratification and convenience society. If we can save time by making a packaged processed meal (typically higher in calories) or grabbing something through a drivethru (also calorie-dense), we do it. If we can jump in a taxi or subway instead of riding our bike to work, we do it. With computers and cell phones, you barely have to leave your office desk or couch to get things done. So, it comes back to that simple math I mentioned above. In general, as a society, we are moving less, and consuming more, and unfortunately, the statistics show that.

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THE BOTTOM LINE IS SIMPLE MATH: CALORIES IN VERSUS CALORIES OUT.

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I’m not sure if she’s still teaching classes anywhere on Hilton Head, but Kristin Dillon has led me through some amazing cycling workouts.

It takes a certain instructor to be able to get more out of you than you can get out of yourself. I try to give my clients that extra push to go harder when they don’t think they can, and Kristin did that for me many a morning.

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Favorite local fitness instructor?

Give someone a shout-out.

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I like to play a lot of different genres of music at SWEAT, but you can’t beat “Push It” by Salt-N-Pepa or “SexyBack” by Justin Timberlake to really get the party started!

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What is your number one “get hype” song during your workouts?

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To sweat out daily stress! Working out releases your body’s natural feel-good endorphins. Whether I’m teaching a class or on vacation with my family, one hour of fitness is a non-negotiable part of my day.

••

What is the primary reason you work out?

How long have you been in the business of physical fitness?

I started teaching Pure Barre during my senior year of college at High Point University in 2016. I opened my first Pure Barre studio in Frederick, Maryland a year after graduation. After a year in Maryland, my heart was calling me back to the island, so I sold that studio to purchase the Pure Barre on Hilton Head Island. I have been the owner and an instructor here for two years.

Teach us one thing a person trying to lose weight might be surprised to learn.

I take an untraditional approach to the weight-loss topic. I believe that when we workout for an exterior goal only, our motivation will rise and fall drastically if the results are not immediate. At Pure Barre HHI, I encourage my clients to love and honor the skin they are in so that they show up from a place of gratitude and acceptance. Choosing to love our body and choosing to strengthen and tone it is not mutually exclusive. It is my mission for our energy to reflect that.

Did you play a sport in school?

I was an equestrian and a basketball player from the age of three up until high school graduation.

Jenna / /

IRVIN

HOME BASE: Pure Barre Hilton Head Island S PECIALTY: Pure Barre Classic, Reform, and Empower

What is the primary reason you work out?

My “why” behind showing up to my workouts has shifted this year. I went through a phase of life where, in all honesty, I worked out to maintain a certain look and shape. In this season, I work out because my team and my clients deserve a strong leader— both mentally and physically. The heart of this community leaves me in awe, and [my clients] have carried my passion and drive during a year that has challenged that at every corner.

What is your number one “get hype” song during your workouts? I always listened to “The Champion” by Carrie Underwood and Ludacris before every high school basketball game, and it feels nostalgic and motivating when I need that extra push.

Favorite local fitness instructor? Give someone a shout-out.

I can’t pick just one because my entire team is the heart and soul of my day-to-day, so the biggest love shout-out to: Ellen Maloney, Kathleen Mayers, Erin Rinehart, Celia Carroll, and Haley Stone.

One more shout-out to Marwin Kline of Marwin Kline Speed and Sport Performance.

According to an analysis from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the average American man now stands at 5-feet-9 1/4 inches tall and weighs 196 pounds— up 15 pounds from 20 years ago. For women, the change has been even more striking. The average female today stands 5-feet-3 3/4 inches and weighs 169 pounds. In 1994, her scale read 152 pounds. What do you think is to blame for this trend, and how can we combat it as a society?

The media plays the most monumental role in “diet culture.” Body shaming and marathon dieting is more widespread than ever before. Our bodies intuitively know what we need and how often we need to move. I’m a believer that getting on the right side of this consists of tuning in more and logging in less. Recognizing, accepting, and honoring our differences is the centerpiece of living in a world that sees beauty before shame.

THE HEART OF THIS COMMUNITY LEAVES ME IN AWE, AND [MY CLIENTS] HAVE CARRIED MY PASSION AND DRIVE DURING A YEAR THAT HAS CHALLENGED THAT AT EVERY CORNER.

Martin /

CATALIOTO

H OME BASE: CrossFit 843

How long have you been in the business of physical fitness? I have been in the business of physical fitness since 2012 when I started CrossFit 843. The first location was in Old Town Bluffton. We outgrew that space, and in 2018, we built a new facility on Scott Way.

Teach us one thing a person trying to lose weight might be surprised to learn.

Most people would be surprised to learn that if you’re trying to lose weight, your order of importance for weight loss should be: first and foremost, sleep (quantity and quality), then nutrition, then exercise. If you don’t think of it in this way, in this order, your body will be fighting against itself.

YOUR ORDER OF IMPORTANCE FOR WEIGHT LOSS SHOULD BE: FIRST AND FOREMOST, SLEEP (QUANTITY AND QUALITY), THEN NUTRITION, THEN EXERCISE.

Did you play a sport in school?

I played a lot of sports when I was kid—anything and everything. But in high school, my focus was solely golf.

I had the privilege of receiving a full scholarship to play collegiate golf for Clemson.

What is the primary reason you work out?

I work out because it makes me happy, keeps me centered, and clears my head. I think giving myself that outlet for an hour a day makes me a better husband, father, coach and person.

What is your number one “get hype” song during your workouts?

Best get hype music is anything loud and upbeat.

Favorite local fitness instructor? Give someone a shout-out. I would have to say my favorite coaches are all the CrossFit 843 Coaches. I am so proud of our staff. While they all are super knowledgeable, highly motivating, and lead-by-example kind of people, they all also bring their own teaching style and flair to their classes, which in my opinion is so valuable for our members. These are the coaches who motivate me, push me to be a better version of myself, keep me out of my comfort zone, and make fitness fun.

According to an analysis from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the average American man now stands at 5-feet-9 1/4 inches tall and weighs 196 pounds—up 15 pounds from 20 years ago. For women, the change has been even more striking.

The average female today stands 5-feet-3 3/4 inches and weighs 169 pounds. In 1994, her scale read 152 pounds. What do you think is to blame for this trend, and how can we combat it as a society?

I feel that many people have become lazy and more complacent. Many have gradually, over the years, become less active in their life—some days doing zero physical activity throughout the day. People (adults and children) are too busy watching TV, playing video games or are glued to the phone instead of partaking in outside “play.”

We are all a product of our daily routines and habits. The mirror doesn’t lie. So, if you’re not happy with what you see, it’s up to you to make the changes.

GET MOV

MOST PEOPLE STRUGGLING WITH WEIGHT LOSS ARE ACTUALLY EATING TOO LITTLE IN GENERAL AND NOT ENOUGH OF ANYTHING THAT WOULD HELP THEM MAKE PROGRESS.

How long have you been in the business of physical fitness?

I’ve been in the fitness industry for over five years, starting with my TeamEstrada coaching business in 2016 as a full-time personal trainer; previously, I had been a part of a live-in weight loss facility here on the island for over a year as well.

Teach us one thing a person trying to lose weight might be surprised to learn.

Something most people I’ve helped lose weight are surprised to learn is that you will lose weight by eating more of the right thing instead of eating less of anything. Most people struggling with weight loss are actually eating too little in general and not enough of anything that would help them make progress. You do not need to be hungry to lose weight!

Did you play a sport in school?

Yes! I’ve played multiple sports in high school like lacrosse, basketball, and track and field. But the thing that I loved the most was the weightlifting, so I focused on that and got into bodybuilding competitions starting at the age of 16/17.

What is the primary reason you work out?

I honestly started working out to boost my selfconfidence and be more comfortable with myself.

To this day, I still use it as a way to continue improving myself and as personal therapy when I’ve had a long day and need a way to let go of stress.

You’d be surprised how much working out can help improve your mood and energy after you finish.

What is your number one “get hype” song during your workouts?

Luis / /

This is dependent on my mood for the workout. I love metal/hard rock for heavy days, so I always turn on “Machine” by Born of Osiris. It’s gotten the job done multiple times for setting personal records on most exercises.

ESTRADA

HOME BASE: Cynergy Fitness SPECIALTY: Bodybuilding contest prep, weight loss, and strength training

Favorite local fitness instructor? Give someone a shout-out.

I have to give a special shout-out to my own coach, Chris Hobbs. He took me in as an athlete and protégé when I was 18 and has taught me the foundations to everything I do/use now as an athlete and a coach.

He actually recently won his IFBB Pro Card, and I was incredibly happy for him. He absolutely deserved it and needs to know I appreciate the time he’s taken with me over the last five years to do the same very soon. Thank you, Chris!

Katie / H OME BASE: CycleBar / SP ECIALTY: Indoor cycling

KNOWLES

How long have you been in the business of physical fitness?

My entire life. I love movement; it is extremely important to keep me both mentally and physically healthy. I began touring with a national dance company and teaching dance classes. My passion for movement transitioned into the barre industry in Chicago, and I continued as an instructor for a variety of Core Fitness classes in the New York Metro area. I opened CycleBar in 2016 and love the cardio fitness CycleBar provides!

Teach us one thing a person trying to lose weight might be surprised to learn.

I don’t often focus on weight loss. I find myself being able to stay healthy and strong if I’m moving/exercising at least 30 minutes or more a day and eating healthy foods that energize my body.

Did you play a sport in school?

Yes, I was on the varsity volleyball team. In college, I was accepted into a dance program where the training regimen would be similar to any college sports team of training seven days a week.

What is the primary reason you work out?

Exercising helps me feel healthy! It makes me feel energized and able to conquer my day.

What is your number one “get hype” song during your workouts?

Any type of remix song. I love all music genres, but I am really drawn to remixes for my cycling classes.

Favorite local fitness instructor? Give someone a shout-out. The entire CycleStar instructor team! This talented group has done amazing things for many riders’ health over the past four years; they inspire me.

GET MOV ING!

Brandon / /

IRVIN

HOME BASE: Bikram Hot Yoga Hilton Head S PECIALTY: Hot Yoga/Hot Pilates

How long have you been in the business of physical fitness?

I started in the fall of 2009, so 11 years!

Teach us one thing a person trying to lose weight might be surprised to learn?

Everything works the same on a molecular level. To change the shape of anything, one must add heat. This is exactly what we offer at my state-of-the-art studio, equipped with far infrared radiant heat panels, UV cleansed air, and 24-hour circulation.

Did you play a sport in school?

I played tennis and golf (easy transition to the island life).

What is the primary reason you work out?

To maintain youth longer. Yoga gives me energy and vitality. It is my preventative medicine (it’s been over 10 years since I’ve been to a doctor). The yogi never becomes old.

What is your number one “get hype” song during your workouts?

“Adieu” by Tchami

Favorite local fitness instructor?

Give someone a shout-out Kaitlen Groetzinger, longtime friend and student. But what makes Kaitlen special is that she does a little bit of everything i.e., Pilates, yoga, and therapeutics. That wide array of experience really shows up in her teaching, and she is so good at conveying that knowledge to all of her students in a fun, lighthearted way.

YOGA GI VES ME ENER GY AND VI TALI TY. I T I S MY PR EVENTATI VE MEDI CI NE (I T’S BEEN OVER 10 Y EARS SI NCE I ’VE BEEN TO A DOCTOR).

How long have you been in the business of physical fitness?

I’ve been in industry for 23 years.

Teach us one thing a person trying to lose weight might be surprised to learn.

Drink water! Most people would be surprised that drinking enough water throughout the day significantly helps with weight loss. Drinking water prior to a meal has been proven to increase caloric burn by over 30 percent. And it’s free.

Did you play a sport in school? No What is the primary reason you work out?

I’d being lying if I didn’t say a big part is for vanity reasons. However, I have learned (especially with age) that movement is vital in order to keep moving. Also, there is nothing like a hardcore run or weight session to work out all the stressors that life can throw at you!

Stacey SARITELLI

/

H OME BASE: Breakthough Fitness & Peak Performance / SP ECIALTY: Functional fitness, strength conditioning, and lifestyle weight management

What is your number one “get hype” song during your workouts?

It’s hard to pick one. I love rock, alternative, etc.

“Everlong” by Foo Fighters is one of my favorites and is currently in heavy rotation on my playlist.

Favorite local fitness instructor?

Give someone a shout-out.

Christina Lindstedt. Her hard work and dedication has enabled the success of Peak Performance. Christina’s passion for health and fitness is evident in the positive experience and results her clients (ages 15-95) enjoy. Plus, she is the best party planner I know!

According to an analysis from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the average American man now stands at 5-feet-9 1/4 inches tall and weighs 196 pounds—up 15 pounds from 20 years ago.

For women, the change has been even more striking. The average female today stands 5-feet-3 3/4 inches and weighs 169 pounds.

In 1994, her scale read 152 pounds. What do you think is to blame for this trend, and how can we combat it as a society?

The reason for the drastic increase is simple: the food industry. The industry provides overly processed, chemical-laden, high-caloric foods that are easily available. These products can dominate most people’s choices and make it difficult for them to eat “real food.”

GET MOV

Peter West THE ISLAND’S PRESSURE POINT FRONTIERSMAN

this is Ya’ll, e for Chines health!

Hilton Head’s first licensed massage therapist and acupuncturist has forged a roadmap to holistic healing.

I

f he had let his name be his compass, the Lowcountry “As I talked and listened to my clients, I realized what and the world of holistic medicine may have never been was ailing them was more than just the muscles, deeper blessed with his talents. Truth be told, Peter West didn’t than just a physical touch,” he said. “I knew nothing about set out to become an acclaimed healer and acupuncturist. acupuncture, but just from understanding the nervous His middle-child Pittsburgh upbringing did not foreshadow system, I sensed that if you stuck a needle in my back, I’d feel his path toward Eastern medicine. Fresh out of college and better. It was an obscure thought. I’d never had acupuncture. with a rapid disdain for the business world career path he My grandmother had had it once, and I remembered the was on, West acted on a series of well-timed whims that impact. A friend had just finished school and suggested I changed his life. do it. By 1997, I could see the “I bought a lottery ticket resorts heading more toward on a lark and won $5,000. So, a spa setup, and I knew that I decided to leave Pittsburgh wasn’t for me. So, I followed and head to Florida and go to another impulse.” massage therapy school out West dove into schoolof desperation,” West said work based on the teachings of the 1990 move that sent of J.R. Worsley, a pioneer him South. “I knew I could credited with bringing fivelive cheap; school was half of element acupuncture to the that $5,000, and I was going Western world in the midto figure the rest of it out. But 1900s.

I never figured this would be “I thought this might be my focus 30 years later.” too holistic for me, too far out.

After three years of But friends of mine had said intensive training, one of his the results were amazing, Florida clients recommended and when I dove in, I quickly he make a call to a Hilton understood why,” West said.

Head Island resort looking This system is centered CH2’s own Hunter Kostylo takes some pokes for for help. “The Hyatt was around the fundamental five the camera. Nothin‘ to it. Feels fine! increasing their amenity elements in nature—fire, earth, focus. Massage therapy was just starting to take off in the metal, water and wood—observed by Chinese practitioners early ’90s, so there were very few licensed masseuses,” over centuries. It’s a concept the less enlightened and West said. “The woman hired me over the phone. I hopped receptive may see as quack medicine and a practice that was in my 1980 Ford Fairmont that was willed to me when my even more foreign than massage therapy to the Lowcountry grandparents passed, hit the road on a Thursday, found an around Y2K. Likewise, South Carolina was one of the slower apartment on Sunday and started work Monday.” states to embrace licensing acupuncturists.

As only the second licensed massage therapist on “There was no acupuncture board. The laws were Hilton Head Island in 1993, West quickly built a loyal clientele archaic then; you needed to work under the supervision of at both the Hyatt and the Westin hotels and enjoyed the laida traditional doctor at that point,” West said. “It was very back resort lifestyle and the variety of the folks he met daily. disrespectful to our industry.”

But three years in, he began to feel that his hands were only West became one of the first five licensed acupuncturists part of the healing work he could do. in the state and the first on Hilton Head Island in 2000 and

A RT I C L E B Y T I M WOOD | D ES IGN BY J EFF CLINE

Hickey explains West’s work as being a master electrician of the body.

“Everything is interconnected in our bodies. That energy, it’s circuitry, not much different than how we wire power in a house,” Hickey said.

“Peter has better knowledge and ability to keep the energy flowing through the body’s circuit board than anyone I’ve ever seen. He’s part psychiatrist, part physical healer. He gets behind the fear, the negative energy that blocks us and finds the formula for clearing the clogs.”

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set out to introduce the practice in common sense terms. “When I first meet patients, I focus less on the technical terms and more on the concept of treating mind, body and soul,” he said. “Life is energy, and the stresses and fears in our lives can cause physical and emotional blockages of that energy running through our bodies. I spend two hours with new patients because I need to hear what is causing those blockages to truly know how and where to place the needles. It’s never treating one thing. You may come to me with a sore back, but I will also treat your liver and lungs. The more you treat the whole body, the more you improve energy flow and allow the body to heal itself.”

One of West’s earliest island converts was Dr. Joseph Hickey, a doctor who had begun his career in traditional medicine as a general practitioner in upstate New York before moving to Hilton Head, where he evolved a more holistic approach.

“It was a chance meeting. We met at Gold’s Gym in the late ’90s.

He was part of the Heritage practice, had four kids, young twins and was feeling a lot of stress,” West said. “One of his friends recommended acupuncture, and after his first session, he thought it was the best thing ever—really responded to the needle points we hit.”

Hickey said the timing was kismet as he was looking to build his own practice of holistic healers. “He’s a very learned man; he knows the body upside and down. The more we talked, the more I realized I’d met my career soulmate,” he said of his 25-year relationship with West. Hickey sponsored West’s license petition and recruited him to work at his newly opened Wellness Center, first in Shelter Cove (now the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office) and in the current New Orleans Road location. “He’s a unique and vital tool in treating both myself and my patients. I’ve had acupuncture at least once a week for 15 years, and Peter has been 40 feet away from me in the offices for 25 years.”

“He’s more the science guy and I’m more the intuitive one. It’s a great pairing, we work so well off of each other,” West said of his friendship with

Hickey. “I’ll work with him until he retires, and then I don’t know what I’ll do. I can’t imagine this path without him.”

Hickey explains West’s work as being a master electrician of the body. “Everything is interconnected in our bodies. That energy, it’s circuitry, not much different than how we wire power in a house,” Hickey said. “Peter has better knowledge and ability to keep the energy flowing through the body’s circuit board than anyone I’ve ever seen. He’s part psychiatrist, part physical healer. He gets behind the fear, the negative energy that blocks us and finds the formula for clearing the clogs.”

The 58-year-old’s personal path to this evolved approach has been a decades long journey. West gave up alcohol 30 years ago, calling it “a rat poison that needed to be gone.” He replaced partying with hardcore exercise and has become a long-distance runner and Ironman competitor.

Hickey marvels at his friend’s ability to run 26 miles and pivot right into a 200-mile bike ride. West said it’s simply what works for his body and soul.

“I’m a boring guy. Not married, no kids. I have cats. When I’m not with my exercise crew, I’m with the cats. The exercise is what clears my energy, for sure. I have a nine-mile loop from the office to the beach and back that’s my daily cleansing,” West said. “The first time I meet clients, they usually say, ‘Hey, you’re the guy I see jogging down the parkway every day.’”

West is constantly learning new techniques to evolve his practice and has added treatments such as cupping, cold laser treatment, foot reflexology and ear acupuncture to his healing arsenal through the years.

“I feel blessed by this life, by my work with Dr. Hickey and by living this island life, so of course I’m always going to be learning,” he said. “Maybe when I’m 75 I’ll move to Florida, play golf and tennis with my older brother and enjoy his family’s company. I told my mom I’ll be buried in the backyard with all my feral cats. But until then, I’ve found what I’m meant to do and where I’m meant to be. And it’s been a fun journey.”

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hype p lay l i st THE CH2 TEAM SHARES THEIR FAVORITE “GET HYPE” WORKOUT TUNES AND FITNESS APPS

Maggie

Morgan

App: Seconds for interval training, but mostly the fitness app that works with my Apple Watch

App: Nike Run Club

“Gangsta’s Paradise” (Coolio) “Work from Home” (Fifth Harmony) “Shape of You” (Ed Sheeran) “Music” (Madonna) “Right Here, Right Now” (Fat Boy Slim)

Hunter

“Put It All on Me” (Ed Sheeran) “NASA” (Arianna Grande) “Burn” (Ellie Golding) “Knock You Down” (Keri Hilson) “Glory and Gore” (Lorde) App: It’s not really a fitness app, but I use Houseparty to do group workouts with my friends who live in different cities.

“Forever” (Chris Brown) “Jump” (Kris Kross) “Something Like This” (The Chainsmokers & Coldplay) “The Fighter” (Keith Urban, Featuring Carrie Underwood) “Whatever It Takes” (Imagine Dragons)

Kim

“Sexy Back” (Justin Timberlake) “Fergalicious” (Fergie) “Ride with Me” (Nelly) “Jumpin’, Jumpin’” (Destiny’s Child) “Suit & Tie” (Justin Timberlake, Featuring Jay Z) App: Asana Rebel

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hype p lay l i st

Kaila

“Closer” (The Chainsmokers) “Raising Hell” (Kesha) “Survivor” (Destiny’s Child) “I’m the One” (DJ Khaled) “Holy” (Justin Bieber) App: My Plate, which allows me to track intake of calories, fat and nutrition to make sure I’m getting my full amount needed each day, especially being on the go, and my Apple Watch fitness tracker for movement.

Jevon Kandace

“Yeah” (Usher) “Level-Up” (Ciara) “Bring Em Out” (T.I.) “Good as Hell” (Lizzo) “Don’t Stop the Music” (Rihanna) App: I don’t use any workout apps because I don’t really work out.

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“Sleepless Nights” (Dokken) “Shabba” (A$AP Ferg) “You’re in Love” (Ratt) “In a Simple Rhyme” (Van Halen) “Yesterday Don’t Mean Shit” (Pantera) App: ipod (editor’s note: Mr. Daly is up in years and unfamiliar with the term “app.”)

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LAVA

Your Hi lton Head Fitness fam i ly for fun an d fitn ess ×

THE LAVA 24 FITNESS TEAM

L

et’s be honest. The abundance of gyms, workouts and fitness options can be overwhelming, especially to someone who is a beginner, new to the area, or even

just scrolling through social media. That’s why keeping things simple, user-friendly and goaland lifestyle-oriented are the cornerstones at LAVA 24 Fitness on Hilton Head Island.

ARTICLE BY CHERYL ALEXANDER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY M.KAT | DESIGN BY JEFF CLINE

Nate Dixon, DPT (Doctor of Physical Therapy) and owner of LAVA, has a lifelong interest in health, exercise, and rehabilitation as well as a lot of first-hand experience with the formats and programs he leads at LAVA Fitness.

“As a high school football player, I tore ankle ligaments playing football, which required surgery and physical therapy to enable me to return to sports,” Dixon said. “I was also a gym rat and became the Ohio state powerlifting champ my senior year.”

Dixon went on to play two years of college football as a walk-on and graduated from Ohio University with a bachelor’s degree in exercise science. He earned an associate’s degree in physical therapy at Kapiolani Community College in Hawaii, then his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania.

In 2001, Dixon moved to Hilton Head Island and began his physical therapy career working in nursing homes. Soon after, he opened his first business on the island, LAVA Physical Therapy. In 2005, he opened LAVA 24 Fitness, with a mission to provide a great gym where people can learn to work out properly and feel comfortable whether they are just getting started or are well into a routine.

“LAVA’s goals are to provide both physical therapy as needed, and fitness programs that are fun and help to make people strong and happy,” Dixon said. “Chances are you don’t live to exercise. We understand that, for many people, exercise is a way to maintain or improve their quality of life. And that’s why our focus at LAVA is functional fitness.”

Functional fitness exercises are designed to train and develop your muscles to make it easier and safer to perform everyday activities such as carrying groceries or playing a game of basketball with your kids.

Functional fitness exercises train your muscles to work together and prepare them for daily tasks by simulating common movements you might do at home, at work or in sports. While using various muscles in the upper and lower body at the same time, functional fitness exercises also emphasize core stability.

“For example,” Dixon explained, “a squat is a functional exercise because it trains the muscles used when you rise up and down from a chair or pick up low objects. By training your muscles to work the way they do in everyday tasks, you prepare your body to perform well in a variety of common situations.”

So how does LAVA accomplish its mission and manage to stand out from the competition? “Primarily, we offer the cleanest, most optimal gym experience with over 15,000 square feet of great equipment and padded floor space,” Dixon said. “And we offer a brand-new cycle program with Life Fitness ICG-7 bikes, because we know cyclists like the best.”

LAVA 24 Fitness offers Hilton Head Island a wide range of programs that meet the needs of every experience level. “Our Gold program offers clients access to a class called LAVA Fusion, which is our new crosstraining fitness program designed to rev up your heart rate and build muscle with a fun variety of machines,” said Myranda McAfee, LAVA’s general manager and CPT (certified personal trainer).

Those machines include: Technogym SkillMills, the first versatile and complete functional training product that can simultaneously train power, speed, resistance and agility; Marpo Ropes, designed specifically to increase strength and conditioning, cardiovascular condition and anaerobic conditioning with virtually no impact to the joints; SkiErgs, which make the sport of Nordic skiing available to everyone—one of the

“With our first round of Power Plant Health Coaching, we helped three individuals each lose more than 30 pounds in 12 weeks, Throughout the program, each client was monitored by their doctor and able to be taken off blood pressure and cholesterol medications.” - myranda McAfee

toughest workouts around, developing both strength and endurance, and exercising the legs, arms and core; TRX, suspension training that makes gravity your resistance, so adjusting the level of difficulty is as easy as moving your hands or feet, and progression is limitless; ElevateRows, the only rower that emulates a rowing movement on an incline using adjustable bodyweight resistance to produce a full-body workout, integrating a strength component into a traditional cardio machine; Life Fitness Assisted Pull-ups/Dips, provides assisted resistance to allow for the user to perform dips or chin ups. The loaded weights act to counterbalance your own bodyweight; and much more.

“Those who engage in this program can count on a full-body workout, customized daily to target different muscles throughout the week,” McAfee continued. “All the exercises are adjustable and customizable, and

LAVA

Fitness

clients can monitor their heart rate on the big screens throughout the workout.”

Due to the current climate driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, LAVA now also offers an extremely successful and popular virtual program. This option includes livestream classes, a library of on-demand workouts, meal plans and nutrition guides. New clients can start with a free virtual assessment.

A unique focus on nutrition is another strength at LAVA 24 Fitness. “In 2014, we transitioned to a plant-based, whole food lifestyle focus, which is important for those who are working to reverse the effects of diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, auto-immune diseases, and other diseases that can be prevented or reversed using plantbased nutrition,” Dixon said.

“With our first round of Power Plant Health Coaching, we helped three individuals each lose more than 30

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A big element of the LAVA success story comes from the fact that they offer more than just a workout or a weight-loss plan. They work daily to create a lifestyle and a community led by what they consider to be the best staff of trainers on the island.

pounds in 12 weeks,” McAfee shared. “Throughout the program, each client was monitored by their doctor and able to be taken off blood pressure and cholesterol medications.”

A big element of the LAVA success story comes from the fact that they offer more than just a workout or a weight-loss plan. They work daily to create a lifestyle and a community led by what they consider to be the best staff of trainers on the island.

“Our team of personal trainers and certified coaches keeps the adrenaline high, the motivation unmatched, and the party never-ending,” McAfee said. “We look for professional individuals who are committed to all aspects of health and fitness including nutrition.”

That professionalism translates to LAVA clients as unwavering motivation and support, professional feedback and

guidance, on-going analysis of client success, and accountability every step of the way.

“Our trainers are awesome,” Dixon said. “All of our staff members are accountability coaches in the sense that we make sure our members continue to push toward what they originally walked in our doors to achieve by offering monthly coaching check-ins.”

Further, Dixon invites all trainers on the island to come work at LAVA. “We provide a supportive environment. Just like we help our clients transition to a healthy lifestyle, we also help our trainers transition to our methodology and formats.”

LAVA 24 Fitness works with the intention to build and maintain a community where members become the best version of themselves. One of those who can attest to their success is client Caitlyn Livingston. “My favorite thing is the feeling within the gym. From the trainers and staff to the others in the group fitness classes, LAVA feels like a close family where everyone wants the best for each other. I love how the trainers push, encourage, help, and hold me accountable. I love the group fitness classes where I get to be social and have fun while working out,” she said. “Physically, I have lost some weight, but overall, I have toned up and gained strength. Mentally, I am so much happier, more positive, and have less stress and anxiety.

Lifestyle habits I have cleaned up include my diet. I have formed a healthy relationship with food, drink tons of water, get more sleep, and have overcome my bad habits.”

If you are looking for a community that will push you to your limits so that you can be the best version of yourself and become the next LAVA Fitness success story, visit Lava24.com or call (843) 842-3225 for more information.

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H

earYe, earYe e H Randy Rose

OF ROSE HEARING HEALTHCARE CENTERS ISN’T JUST A HEARING AID EXPERT; HE’S A CLIENT. ARTICLE BY BARRY KAUFMAN PHOTOGRAPHY BY M.KAT DESIGN BY CATHERINE COLBY

A

nyone who has suffered from tinnitus knows how debilitating it can be. Far more than just an annoyance, the constant ringing can drown out conversations, lead to permanent hearing loss and create a sense of overall frustration.

If you frequently experience tinnitus, there is some good news: it’s all in your head. “With information that we do have, we’ve found that the sound you are hearing is generated by your brain,” said Randy Rose of Rose

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Hearing Healthcare Centers. As the only certified tinnitus specialist in South Carolina, he’s delved deep into the science behind this affliction. In layman’s terms, the ringing that you’re hearing is nothing more than a signal sent out by your own brain in a misguided attempt to correct the hearing issue. The brain overcorrects, resulting in the ringing.

The good news is there are ways to hack your brain. If you ask Rose about it, he’ll pull out his phone and show you the app connected via Bluetooth to his hearing aid. “I’m hearing Zen music in my ears even right now, though I can still hear you,” he explained.

“Eventually I won’t hear it, but my brain will still be trying to track a pattern in the music.”

The specialized music, an ambient soundscape of different tones and varying patterns, essentially shorts

R Randy Rose of Rose Hearing Healthcare Centers.

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HearYe HearYe

The Rose Hearing Team (from left to right): Randy Rose, Caryn Rose, Bitsy Pheiffer, Rebekah Campbell, and Steve Krehbiel.

out the brain’s tinnitus response. “There is no set pattern to the music, but the brain keeps trying to find one. While it’s doing that, it stops creating the tinnitus signal,” Rose explained.

The neurological science behind it is something Rose has acquired over 42 years in the hearing aid business. The hearing aid itself is something he acquired due to his service in the U.S. Army Reserve.

“I was at Fort Benning doing weapons familiarization on the 50 cal, and we all forgot to put our protection in,” he said. (For the uninitiated, a 50 cal is a very large, extraordinarily loud gun.) “The ringing started that night. I lost hearing for four to five hours. It eventually got better, but then in my mid-40s it came back with a vengeance.”

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Fortunately, Rose was already quite familiar with hearing aids at that point, having started on a journey that would see him open nine hearing health centers across California. When he made the journey to South Carolina three years ago, it was initially to retire. It didn’t last long.

“I don’t golf, I don’t fish, I don’t hunt,” he said. “So, after four months I said, ‘I need to get back to work.’”

He opened Rose Hearing Healthcare Centers on Main Street, allowing him to get back to what he loved: helping others hear better. As he had done for years in California, he brought to his new practice an insatiable thirst for new advancements in hearing aid technology.

The app on his phone doesn’t just calm his tinnitus. It’s packed with different features that enable better hearing in a variety of situations, from one-on-one conversations to crowded rooms. And it’s just one of the dozens of different options available to help combat hearing loss.

S

Patient waiting room at Rose Hearing Healthcare Centers’ Bluffton location.

“We have all different sizes of hearing aid, whether it tucks behind the ear or goes in the ear. It all depends on the level of hearing loss,” he said. “And we carry all the different manufacturers.”

One new advancement he’s particularly excited about is the new Widex models with the ZeroDelay pure sound technology.

Rose Hearing Healthcare Centers was among the first in the nation to get them. “It’s been an amazing product,” Rose said. “People love it, and the sound quality is probably the most natural sound I’ve worked with.”

The marvel of this new tech is the way it cancels out the echo effect that has plagued past hearing aid models.

“Think of it like when you’d watch an old kung fu movie and the lips don’t always match up with the words,” Rose explained.

“It’s been the same way with hearing aids. People have complained about echoes and occlusions, but with the technology we have and the speed of this new platform, it’s been pretty amazing.”

This new technology couldn’t have come at a better time.

“Because of the pandemic, people have realized how much of their ability to hear comes from their ability to read lips,” he said.

“Regardless of what people think, we all read lips.”

Rose points out that one of his basic hearing tests involves having patients close their eyes. “If I let them open their eyes, they’ll get the words right just watching the way I talk,” he said.

“But if I have them close their eyes, nine times out of ten they’ll get a pretty poor score because they hear the vowel sounds and not the consonants.”

For those relying on lip reading, it obviously becomes much harder to do when everyone is wearing a mask. As a result, Rose has had one of his busiest years to date. “It’s been unbelievable.”

Thankfully, if the masked reality of the new normal has you struggling to hold up a conversation, there is hope. You’ll find it at Rose Hearing Healthcare Centers.  Find out more at rosehearinghealthcarecenters.com.

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A E

AERIAL ELEMENTS

Fitness takes flight

T

wenty years ago, if you had told Lorrie Lancaster, owner of Aerial Elements in Bluffton, that she would be teaching aerial silks and performing aerial arts with skills like those she’d seen in Cirque du Soleil, she’d have told you that you were crazy.

“I’ve never been big into exercising,” Lancaster said. “I love doing fun things that are physical, but I’ve always avoided general fitness classes and working out. Unless someone is pushing me or training me one-on-one, I’ll do it, but I don’t like it.”

Lancaster already had a career in medical aesthetics. She started as a makeup artist, then moved into the salon/spa industry, obtaining a teaching license and training other aestheticians for a medical instruments company.

Now, Lancaster owns Envision Med Spa Services and works with Dr. David Remigio, oculoplastic surgeon.

So how did this aesthetician begin to fly on silks and dance on trapezes?

“I’ve always loved the aerial silks in Cirque du Soleil,” Lancaster explained, “but never in a million years did I ever think it was something I could do because I’m naturally pretty weak and inflexible, not to mention a bit clumsy.”

Lancaster’s med spa was participating in a diabetes fundraising event, and her table was next to a hospital nutritionist who invited Lancaster to an aerial silks class at a place called Move and Motion. Lancaster

did not hesitate—though she had never imagined doing anything of the sort—and her life was literally turned upside down.

At Move and Motion, Lancaster met owner Suzette Springer, a former Big Apple Circus and Cirque performer. “I was like, sign me up,” Lancaster said. “In my first class, my strength and flexibility were pathetic; my splits looked like cartwheels, and I couldn’t climb at all, let alone do a pull up. But I loved the inversions and spinning.”

As a child, she loved hanging upside down and spinning on anything, and with the aerial silks, she discovered it was so much fun that it did not seem like exercise at all. Suddenly, she was getting fit simply by practicing all the new things she was learning to do. She credits Springer for instilling within her a desire to keep at it and for her success as a performer.

“Suzette was an amazing coach who never gave up on me, even with my lack of skill and clumsiness,” Lancaster said. “And after about a year of hard work, to my complete surprise, she asked me to perform, which previously I had no desire to do.”

Lancaster reluctantly agreed, feeling like she owed it to her coach. What she learned was that the reward for her perseverance and practice to step outside her comfort zone had a two-fold payoff: “Not only was performing fun, but I actually began to work harder so I wouldn’t embarrass myself!”

From left to right: Lucia, Lorrie and Jonathan

ARTICLE BY CHERYL ALEXANDER P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y M . K AT DESIGN BY JEFF CLINE

A E

“ Those who have a natural physical playfulness about them will really enjoy the practice even if it ’s challenging.

You ’ll step outside your comfort zone, but sometimes that ’s exactly what we need.”- Lorrie Lancaster

Lancaster soon began assisting Springer with classes, progressing to becoming an assistant coach, and eventually teaching and coaching private sessions and group classes on her own using Springer’s techniques, progressions, and methodology.

In 2016, Springer relocated to Atlanta and closed Move and Motion. The closest aerial silks studios were Charleston or Jacksonville. “My fellow student and performer (and now business partner) Michelle Boniface and I were faced with either stopping doing what we loved or opening our own place,” Lancaster said. “We decided to sublet space, start a small studio, and keep our local aerial community alive.”

Finding a suitable space with matted floors and high ceilings and the appropriate beams for rigging was a challenge since most of those spaces are large warehouse spaces. The duo got lucky when John Juarez, owner of Riptide MMA, had some extra space and available time that worked for the aerial classes and performance troupe rehearsals. And so Aerial Elements was born. (Shout-out to Juarez for his flexibility and continued support during the pandemic.)

Nowadays, Lancaster says aerial silks is her hobby and passion more than a business. “The business came out of the necessity to pay the overhead in the space so that we can continue to do what we love,” she explained.

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Though she did not discover circus and aerial arts until her 40s, Lancaster said her body feels younger now (10 years into her practice) than when she started. She encourages anyone who is interested in learning new skills and experiencing their body in new ways to try it.

“Those who have a natural physical playfulness about them will really enjoy the practice even if it’s challenging. You’ll step outside your comfort zone,” Lancaster said, “but sometimes that’s exactly what we need.”

Aerial silks and aerial yoga are different, Lancaster explained.

Aerial yoga is yoga with the assistance of the hammock. Aerial silks are a circus art form where the student progressively learns skills, tricks, and movements that can be done alone, sequentially or in choreography—eventually off the ground and up in the air.

With time, the practice of aerial silks will make the student more flexible and stronger. Some of the movements in aerial yoga are also practiced in aerial silks class to warm up or increase flexibility, but the similarity ends there.

Lancaster also believes that working on aerial silks is a great confidence builder because the student is constantly doing things they never thought they could do. It also speeds up the journey to flexibility due to the support of the silks. Core and upper body strength are enhanced, and circus arts have been found to be healthy for brain function.

“It’s like learning to play an instrument or speak a new language,” she said. “Learning fabric theory—the ins and outs of weaving the body into intricate patterns and hitching safely to get to the desired endpoint—is a mind and body exercise.”

Additionally, learning aerial silks is not affected by weather, requires no expensive equipment, and there is no need to drive out of the area. And for some, it can become a creative outlet and art form.

“Our performance troupe performs at community events, fundraisers and private events,” Lancaster said. They also offer fire performances, stilt-walking, juggling, LED props, flow props,

AE RIAL E LE ME NTS

Fitness takes flight

and Polynesian dance.

“My goal is to motivate my students in the way that my coach motivated me—to keep learning, and have fun, and to inspire a desire to perform. I hope as well that those who watch our performances find us interesting, enjoyable, and entertaining and that we connect with them in some way.”

Aerial Elements group classes are for kids 12 and up on Fridays at 6 p.m. and Saturdays at 2 p.m. Adult classes are on Tuesdays at 1 p.m. and Saturdays at 3 p.m. Polynesian Dance class is on Sundays at 4 p.m. As things normalize with COVID-19, Lancaster hopes to add more classes to the schedule.

Private lessons are available for all ages, booked by appointment, weekdays and weekends. Private group classes (fun for birthdays, bachelorette groups and team building) are also available. Children under 12 can learn in private lessons and possibly progress to group classes, depending on the skills they attain and their ability to follow through with safety instructions without constant one-onone coaching.

Single aerial classes are $25 or purchase five for $100. Single Polynesian Dance classes are $15 or get 10 for $100. Private lessons (immensely popular during COVID) are $60 an hour and can be split with a friend for $30 per person or get six one-hour private sessions for $300.

Aerial Elements is located at 36 Persimmon St., # 303B, in Bluffton. For more information about Aerial Elements or to book a performance, call (617) 775-3320, email aerialelements@yahoo.com or visit aerialelementsbluffton.com. Lancaster is also available for private lessons and seasonal classes at SEGA gymnastics on Hilton Head Island.Lancaster is also available for private lessons and seasonal classes at SEGA gymnastics on Hilton Head Island.

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GET FIRED UP AT B U R N B O O T C A M P B L U F F T O N HOT NEW FRANCHISE OFFERS WORKOUTS DESIGNED TO IGNITE HEALTH TRANSFORMATION, EMPOWER WOMEN

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fist pump, a high-five, a cheer, a shout-out … sometimes a simple gesture can be the encouragement you need to run a little faster, lift a little extra, finish the race or complete the round. At Burn Boot Camp Bluffton, it’s that full-on enthusiasm and support that keeps participants coming back for more—that and the phenomenal results they are getting from the balanced workouts, nutritional guidance, and mindset coaching.

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More than just a place to sweat off a few calories, Burn Boot Camp Bluffton is a group fitness class where like-minded women come together to build confidence and inspire one another. “We all work out together. It doesn’t matter how old you are or if you are overweight or underweight; there is no judgment. We’re there to lift one another up—to encourage and support each other. When you walk through our doors, you are part of our family,” local franchise owner Laura Lutz said.

Lutz, who first joined Burn Boot Camp in 2014 in Charlotte, N.C., traded a 20-plus-year career as a pharmacist for business ownership. “I had a burning desire to help people lead a healthy lifestyle through proper nutrition and exercise as opposed to just coming to the pharmacy for a quick fix,” she explained.

“I wanted to be able to motivate and help people instead of pushing drugs all day.”

Strong in her faith, the busy wife and mother of three prayed

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for the right opportunity. “I truly wanted to be able to empower women. And then it came to me one day that I could be part of [Burn Boot Camp] and do exactly that,” she said. She became a franchise partner in 2016, opening the Bluffton gym in July 2017.

“I have a lot of passion and excitement for the brand. I believe in it!” Lutz said. “It’s an outlet for people. There’s tons of medical science that shows that exercise boosts your immune system and helps with your mindset—and we all need that right now.”

The workout can best be described as personal training in a group setting because of the level of individual instruction offered. “You have accountability. You have a trainer who is right there to challenge you, help with modifications, correct your form … and you never do the same workout twice,” Lutz said.

In addition to unlimited access to camps, membership includes one-on-one focus meetings with a certified trainer to

“WE’RE THERE TO LIFT ONE ANOTHER UP—TO ENCOURAGE AND SUPPORT EACH OTHER. WHEN YOU WALK THROUGH OUR DOORS, YOU ARE PART OF OUR FAMILY.”- LAURA LUTZ

set personal goals, review progress, talk about nutrition, and more. All members, including those participating in the free seven-day trial membership, also have access to child-watch services as well as full access to any Burn Boot Camp gym at no additional cost.

SAFETY FIRST Following the CDC’s COVID-19 guidelines with limited camp capacity, Burn Boot Camp Bluffton provides a safe workout environment. Upon arrival, you will be greeted with a contactless check-in experience, and masks are required for entry. You will then be assigned your designated spot on the signature floating floor (designed to protect your joints and prevent injury), with your own dedicated equipment to ensure proper distancing between members. The schedule has also been adjusted to

allow plenty of time for cleaning between each camp. Eight camps are offered daily, and if you can’t come to the gym, you can participate via Zoom.

Lutz invites you to join Burn Boot Camp Bluffton’s family of strong, fit women. Whether it’s an air high five after you finish burpees or applause when you complete the finisher, constant encouragement is part of the package, motivating, inspiring, and helping you meet and exceed your fitness goals. Burn Boot Camp Bluffton is located at 270 Red Cedar St., Suite 103. For more information, visit burnbootcamp.com/locations/ bluffton-sc/, follow on Facebook at BurnBootCampBluffton, or call (843) 949-0033.

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NOT that kind of BAR...

COFFEE & JUICE HOT SPOTS Featuring JOE’S ICE CREAM AND BEVERAGE CO. • ISLAND NUTRITION CORNER PERK BRUNCH CAFE

JOE’S ICE CREAM & BEVERAGE CO. JOE O’ROURKE V

Describe your venue in three words.

Simple. Organic. Local There are a few small coffee/juice shops in the area. What do you feel sets you apart from the others?

Attention to detail...from the moment you step on premises to your first sip or scoop. Specifically, the detail in your cup: our specialty grade, organic, single-origin coffees are sourced from some of the most decorated estates, family-owned farms, and farmer cooperatives in the world. We select these coffees to highlight specific flavor notes of a single growing region. Each region represents a unique expression of flavor that results in your “not so average cup of Joe.” We hope you enjoy your cup as much as we enjoy making it happen!

Why did you want to open a juice bar/ coffee shop?

I wanted to do something entirely different

from what I knew. I grew up in my family’s small business, and after a quick jaunt in corporate, I wanted back to my roots: small business. The goal was to create the ultimate hang out spot for the community, centered around specialty coffee, ice cream, and alcoholic ice cream (21+).

Aside from running your business, what are some personal hobbies or local activities you enjoy?

I love being in nature! I really enjoy anything outside that resets the mind (hiking, exploring, traveling, etc.).

What advice would you give to someone who is dreaming of opening their own small business?

You have to be okay with losing it all. (“All” is more than just money.)

Do you have any favorite blends or origins?

Tough Q: I would have to say our “go-to” single origin, only because it is insanely versatile (espresso, drip, cold brew, pourover, etc.). It is fantastic in any brewing method and loved amongst light and dark drinkers alike.

What’s your most popular drink?

I hate this question because it is impossible to answer (the locals understand). The combinations between our coffees, boozy shakes, and liquors available make the options endless. If you are looking for the best of both worlds: The Black Label Drink or Cold Brew Shake (coffee + ice cream).

15 Bruin Rd. Bluffton, SC 29910 (843) 707-9514 joesicecreambeverage.com

ISLAND NUTRITION MELONIE HACKMAN

Describe your venue in three words: Nutrition. Energy. Community.

There are a few small coffee/juice shops in the area. What do you feel sets you apart from the others?

Our tea and shake combos are truly one of a kind. When you arrive, you get to build your order based on your nutritional needs and wants.

You can pick boosters such as a fat burner, probiotic, or an immunity booster.

Why did you want to open a juice bar/coffee shop?

Originally from Indiana, then moving to Atlanta in 2020 to continue my corporate banking career, life changed dramatically for me when COVID-19 happened. I quickly decided that Atlanta was not where

I wanted to be during a quarantine, so I came to Hilton Head Island.

During quarantine, I realized that I didn’t want to be in the corporate world anymore, and so many things were changing. I found this concept and fell in love with it immediately.

The uniqueness of the business and the fact that its focus is on health was extremely exciting to me. Hilton Head Island is a place where people value nutrition and a healthy lifestyle so it felt like a perfect fit.

Aside from running your business, what are some of the personal hobbies or local activities you enjoy?

Happy hour, dining out at all the local spots, live music, and beach walks.

What advice would you give to someone who is dreaming of opening their own small business?

I just opened a business during a pandemic; doesn’t that make me crazy? I am probably not the most qualified person to offer advice. LOL. Do you have any favorite blends or origins?

You have to try the Coffee and Donuts. I love the Cake Batter shake.

Hot lemon tea with cranberry aloe is also a favorite. I have so many….

What is your most popular drink?

We rotate Mega Tea specials, and those seem to be the most popular.

South Island Square 841 William Hilton Parkway #R Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 (843) 298-3169 Instagram/Facebook: @islandnutritionhhi

CORNER PERK BRUNCH CAFE JOSH COOKE

Describe your venue in three words.

Artfully crafted goodness What sets you apart from other coffee shops?

Everything we make, whether it be food or drinks, is prepared with love and care, and hand-crafted in house. All of our coffee beans are carefully inspected and then roasted personally, by me, just down the street on May River Rd. One of the big things that makes us unique is that all of our syrups and sauces used in our drinks are also made in-house. We use real, all-natural ingredients and no preservatives or artificial colors/flavors. As a personal touch, you will also find that each latte has a perfect heart or other artwork poured on the top.

I’ve even seen some of our baristas pouring more personal artwork for some of their favorite local guests!

Why did you open a coffee shop?

Bluffton is my heart. I’ve spent most of my life in Bluffton and care deeply for it and its community. When we opened in 2009, there was really nowhere for the community to just get together with their friends, family, or business partners and build relationships with each other. So that’s what we did. We opened for the community, for the people of Bluffton. We opened for old friends to gather and for new friends and relationships

to be made. We opened for small businesses and local organizations to have a meeting space and for teenagers to have a safe place to hang out. We opened for the community almost 12 years ago and are still here for the community (and expanding communities) today.

Aside from running your business, what are some personal hobbies or local activities you enjoy?

I love to spend time with my wife and two beautiful daughters, and I love doing anything having to do with the May River.

I grew up out on that river. I love to be out on the boat or hang out on the sandbar or on Daufuskie with friends. Wake-boarding is a favorite hobby of mine, though I don’t go out as often as I used to. You can also find me enjoying live music and a good bourbon at our listening lounge, Roasting Room, right above Corner Perk.

What advice would you give to someone who is dreaming of opening their own small business?

Go for your dreams and never take no for an answer. It is difficult work ... extremely hard at times. But don’t give up. The work is great, but the reward is much greater.

Anything is possible when you put your mind to it. Oh, and make sure to listen to your customers.

Do you have any favorite blends or origins?

Our coffees change seasonally, but I love our Ethiopian Yirgacheffe, Sulawesi, and our Sumatra. As far as blends go, definitely need to grab a bag of our Pluff Mud (house blend) or support the Lowcountry Autism Foundation by picking up a bag of Jack’s Roast. I brew by pour over every morning.

What’s your most popular drink?

As a standard, probably our Caramel Macchiato or our Cold Brew. However, our seasonal lattes are hugely popular, especially our Campfire S’mores with real toasted marshmallows on top or our Peppermint Mocha made with crushed peppermints and organic cacao.

1297 May River Rd. Bluffton 29910 (843) 816-5674 6a Young Clyde Ct. Okatie, SC 29909 (843) 304-1164 1628 Paris Ave. Port Royal, SC 29935 (843) 298-0716

ARTICLE BY BARRY KAUFMAN . PHOTOGRAPHY BY M.KAT

COMPOUNDING INTEREST AT BLUFFTON PHARMACY, THE LATEST PHARMACEUTICAL TREND IS SOMETHING THEY’VE BEEN PERFECTING FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS.

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t’s a fact of life, particularly as you get older. You have to take your medicine.

And as much as the current state of medicine seems like the realm of science fiction, with new advancements lengthening lifespans and letting us live healthier lives, there are a few notable areas where the science falls short.

For example, the medications we take. While they achieve miracles, they are by necessity not tailor-made by the manufacturers for each individual patient. Some of us experience adverse effects like stomach aches from taking medication orally. Some of us have allergies to the secondary ingredients in our medications such as dyes, lactose and gluten.

It’s an inevitable function of massmanufacturing, one that has allowed more people to get the medicines they need. But when it comes to your

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individual needs, it could be that the one-size-fits-all approach simply doesn’t work.

Thankfully, the rise of compounding pharmacies has given us more options for the medications we have to take. Through their expertise, they can reformulate your medications to create something uniquely yours. That could mean compounding it into a different medium—turning a pill into a liquid or a topical, for example.

Whatever it takes to customize your medications to your own needs.

In recent years, their popularity has skyrocketed, with about 7,500 compounding pharmacies nationwide.

For Bluffton Pharmacy, it’s nothing new.

“Compounding has been a part of what we do since Bluffton Pharmacy was founded in 1988,” owner Rob Vaughn said.

“There’s a lot of experience here in that realm. When you look at compounding

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Jim Sauter, Alexis Wonser and Rob Vaughn

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COMPOUNDING INTEREST S

The CBD products on display at Bluffton Pharmacy encompass two different brands, each with their own targeted results. The majority of them come from a company called Charlotte’s Web, a supplier that the pharmacy arrived at after exhaustive research in the market.

medications … there’s a lot of attention that needs to go in for each individual.

That’s something that really needs to be taken into consideration.”

With this year being the year we all pay a little more attention to our health, it’s an amazing tool. “If you want to take whatever medication you’re on but in a different form, we can compound those and really make your medications work for you so you can keep your health and wellness on track,” Vaughn said.

One aspect of compounding that is helping push new frontiers of science is hormone compounding, boosting vitality by re-introducing to our

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bodies the hormones we naturally lose as we age. “We certainly do a lot of hormone replacement and things that people need in order to feel young and a little bit more alive than they typically would,” Vaughn said. “It’s a tricky thing, but it’s very effective and something we’ve done for so long.”

For an aging population, these hormone therapies have been a godsend, turning back the hands of time and helping to reclaim some of that lost youth. “It’s part of the aging process, but people are really starting to come around to the fact that it doesn’t have to be,” Vaughn said.

And it’s not just humans that benefit from the versatility a compounding pharmacy offers. “We’ve just entered into a relationship with a wholesaler that does specific veterinary medicines,” Vaughn said. “The range of what we can do in that world has expanded quite

S

Epione packs powerful antioxidants, natural ingredients, antiaging peptides and patented technologies into each bottle. It is also gluten free, paraben free, fragrance free, cruelty free and is tested by dermatologist to deliver results.

bit. Anything you need, for your pet mouse up to your horse, we can compound medications that might otherwise be hard to find.”

Not only do these new medications help treat a greater variety of animals; they help pet owners treat their finicky cats and dogs. Anyone who has ever tried to sneak a pill into a piece of cheese, only to see their dog spit out the pill after enjoying their treat, knows what a big deal this is.

“We can do so much with this medication,” Vaughn said.

“We can do treats or chews, or we can compound it into a liquid then flavor it with chicken or beef or bacon. They just lap it up.”

And if there was ever a town that knew the importance of keeping their pets healthy, it’s Bluffton. “I’ve never seen a place so tied to their animals,” Vaughn said. “It’s like treating another member of the family.”

So, whether you’re looking to work on your own health and wellness this year or that of your furry friends, compounded medicine offers an entirely new world of options customized for you. At Bluffton Pharmacy, you’ll find more than 30 years of experience in this brave new frontier of medicine.  Bluffton Pharmacy is located at 167 Bluffton Rd., Suite B, Bluffton. For more information, visit blufftonpharmacy.com, or call (843) 757-4999.

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A R T I C L E BY M A R I E M C A D E N

Tiffany and Mike Bersani at home with Ellis and Eleanor.

Photo by Charlotte Berkeley.

TWIN blessings

perfection x2

B E A U F O R T M E M O R I A L P H Y S I C I A N D E L I V E R S H E A LT H Y B A B I E S A T T H E H E I G H T O F PA N D E M I C

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s an OB-GYN with Beaufort Memorial Obstetrics and Gynecology Specialists, Dr. Tiffany Bersani has reassured her share of anxious expectant mothers.

But it wasn’t until she was pregnant herself that she experienced first-hand the worry and concern that comes with carrying a baby—or two, in her case. Not only was Bersani pregnant with twins; they were due at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic last April.

“I was a nervous Nellie through my entire pregnancy,” the 31-year-old conceded. “I had so many things going through my mind.”

Now nine months after delivering a beautiful boy and girl at Beaufort Memorial’s Collins Birthing Center, Bersani still frets about the health of her babies. “My motherhood

instincts have kicked in, and I worry about everything,” she said. “Did the babies poop? How much did they eat? How much did they sleep? I’m on it all.”

As a child growing up in a small town in Upstate New York, Bersani was always interested in science. By the time she got to high school, she had decided on a career in medicine. After graduating summa cum laude with a B.S. degree in biology from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Albany, she enrolled at SUNY Upstate Medical University with the dream of becoming either an OB-GYN or pediatrician.

“In my first year of med school, I shadowed a physician and watched him deliver triplets by caesarian section,” she said. “He let me do some cutting and suturing, which made

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Bersani’s parents, Frank and Shelley Bush, saw their new grandchildren for the first time through a hospital window.

me feel like I was really involved. It cemented my decision to become an OB-GYN.” It was during her years at the Syracuse med school that she met her husband, Michael, at an Irish pub. “He was standing in front of where you hang your jackets and he says I knocked into him,” Bersani recalled. “I swear there wasn’t a bump, but we’ve been together ever since.”

The couple married in 2017 in the middle of her fouryear residency at New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Fresh from her medical training, she started her first job in the summer of 2019, working with four other physicians at Beaufort Memorial Obstetrics and Gynecology Specialists, seeing patients in both the practice’s Beaufort and Bluffton offices. A month later, she got the good news that she was pregnant.

“I took a home pregnancy test and called Mike into the bathroom to check it with me,” she said. “We both thought it was positive, but we weren’t 100 percent sure. So, we went and bought four different pregnancy tests, and all of them came back positive.”

Over the course of the next several months, she rotated through all of her partners for her prenatal care. Bersani had planned to work until she was ready to deliver but altered her plans when COVID-19 began spreading throughout the U.S. “In the beginning of the pandemic, we were operating blindfolded,” she said. “We didn’t know how the disease would affect pregnancy or if it could be transmitted to the baby.”

Not wanting to take a chance of being exposed, she stepped back from the practice around the end of March. “I wish I knew then what I know now,” Bersani said. “Today, I can tell my patients 66

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TWIN blessings that studies have shown the overall risk of COVID-19 to pregnant women is low.

But because the immune system is a little suppressed during pregnancy, there is an increased risk of getting infections. That’s why we recommend getting a flu shot.”

A day before her official due date, Bersani’s water broke, sending her into labor that morning. She pushed through her contractions for 16 hours, determined to deliver the twins vaginally. Unfortunately, her cervix wouldn’t dilate, forcing her to have a cesarean section. “The recovery after a vaginal delivery is much quicker so I was stubborn about it,” she said. “I finally threw in the towel at 1 a.m.”

Dr. Christopher Benson, who was on call that day, delivered Ellis at 1:16 a.m. and Eleanor four minutes later. Due to visitor restrictions at the birthing center, only Bersani’s husband was allowed to enter the hospital. Her parents were left to see their new grandchildren through a hospital window. Two days after the birth, the new parents took their tiny babies home.

“Nothing quite prepares you for caring for newborns, let alone newborn twins,” Bersani said. “The 24-hour-shifts I worked during my residency didn’t come close to the sleep deprivation I experienced feeding two babies every two hours.”

While Bersani continues to nurse her babies, she is back at work and in a more normal routine. “I’m always tired, but it is so worth it,” she said. “This is my life now, and I love it.”  C2 MAGAZINE

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Investing in the New Political Climate A R TI CLE BY KEN T THU N E

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here are as many different opinions about politics as there are people.

There are also countless outlooks and forecasts on the economy and stock market. But if one can look beyond competing opinions and political narratives, which is no easy task at present time, the picture of politics and investing in 2021 is not difficult to see.

One thing that everyone can agree on is that the political climate in 2021 will look different than it did in 2020. But how will this affect saving and investing in the New Year?

Depending upon where you choose to receive your information about the world, or depending upon the people you talk to, you’ve probably heard one of three things about the outlook for capital markets in 2021: 1) The market is going to crash, 2) The market is going to rebound, or 3) Nobody ever knows what will happen with the stock market.

While the third perspective is the wisest, you’re not reading this article to hear, “nobody knows; so, just roll the dice and see what happens.” At the same time, it’s not wise to make predictions about things that are unpredictable. Fortunately, we have a happy medium to provide clues about what to expect in the future. This medium is called history.

As Mark Twain so eloquently said, “History doesn’t repeat itself, but it often rhymes.” Thus, we can look back in time and find the rhyme that can help us look ahead to the political and economic climate of 2021.

Let’s begin our use of history by removing a disputed argument about politics and investing. Which is best for stocks, Republicans or Democrats? The collective herd of investors, commonly referred to as “the market,” does not prefer one political party over the other.

This indifference is likely due to the fact that

the stock market has performed about the same for each party over time.

In a recent study conducted by Jurrien Timmer, Director of Global Macro for Fidelity Management & Research Company, the average historical return for stocks is a statistical tie between the two major political parties. Looking back to 1789 (yes, investing took place back then), the study found that the average four-year annualized return during any given presidential term was 8.6% for Republicans and 8.8% for Democrats.

Perhaps more noteworthy, the investor herd prefers gridlock to domination by any particular party. This is because investors like a predictable stalemate (and perhaps the limited ability for politicians to screw up the economy). Taken alone, this rhyme of history shines a positive light on 2021 now that the Democrats have a narrower majority in the House of Representatives and the Republicans have fewer seats in the Senate.

In summary, 2021 appears to be a year when politics will be relatively harmless to the economy and reasonably predictable for investors, who appear to be comfortable with the new political makeup in Washington,

Let’s get to the bottom line: the most important factor that investors consider is not politics but the health and mood of the American consumer.

This is because consumer activity is two-thirds of the U.S. economy. A happy and spending consumer translates to better corporate earnings, a healthier economy, and a growing stock market.

D.C. For example, as President-Elect Joe Biden named his cabinet in November and December, the market did not react negatively.

With names that are familiar to investors, particularly Janet Yellen for Secretary of Treasury, and other cabinet members that are throwbacks to the Obama administration, investors are not spooked by these familiar, predictable decision makers.

As for specific policy that could affect the stock market in 2021, the odds are slim that any major legislation could be passed that would do damage to the macro-economy. With that said, it’s clear that President-Elect, Joe Biden favors an increase in tax for individuals earning more than $400,000 per year, an increase in the corporate tax rate to 28%, and an increase in capital gains and dividend income above $1 million at the 39.6% income tax rate.

It’s unlikely these new taxes will be enacted in 2021, nor will they impact the vast majority of Americans in the short term.

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Let’s get to the bottom line: the most important factor that investors consider is not politics but the health and mood of the American consumer. This is because consumer activity is twothirds of the U.S. economy. A happy and spending consumer translates to better corporate earnings, a healthier economy, and a growing stock market.

What would make the American consumer happy in 2021?

Low interest rates, an opening economy, and lower unemployment rates. All three of these are lined up for the New Year. The Federal Reserve has all but guaranteed its low-rate policy through 2023; Dr. Anthony Fauci has predicted that any American who wants a vaccine will have one by June; and unemployment rates are predicted to continue their decline.

Further underscoring the potential for consumer activity in 2021 is a three-word phrase you are certain to hear more as the

Investing in the New Political Climate

year progresses: pent-up demand. For example, since not many Americans traveled anywhere last summer or over the holidays, you can bet that they will be doing so in the summer of 2021. This sets the stage for a massive jump in consumer cyclical stocks such as those related to travel and entertainment in the second half of 2021.

Also, consumers don’t generally think about which political party is in power before ordering goods on Amazon, and they don’t think of politics when choosing a vacation destination. If the consumer is spending, the economy is growing and stock prices are climbing.

With all that said, prudent investing and wealth management is about much more than politics and short-term market trends.

Portfolio construction will primarily be based upon the investor’s financial goals and tolerance for risk.

Also, remember that time in the market beats timing the market. For a long-term investor, it’s wise to stay invested through all market environments. Keep in mind that 80-90% of gains for stocks occur on less than 10% of trading days. You can’t afford to be completely on the sidelines during these days.

Most important, remember that life is not about making money; money is about making a life.  Kent Thune has 22 years of experience as an investment advisor and wealth manager, helping clients navigate three of the worst bear markets in history. Thune is a Certified Financial Planner® and is the owner of a Hilton Head Island investment advisory firm, Atlantic Capital Investments. The information in this article is provided for discussion purposes only and should not be misconstrued as investment advice. Under no circumstances does this information represent a recommendation to buy or sell securities.

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 A peek through a window into the Flowers by Sue storefront on Arrow Road.

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e think we can speak for everyone when we say that this year, the phrase Happy New Year carries a little bit more meaning.

Now no longer just a simple greeting for the first few weeks of January, Happy New Year feels a little bit more like a blessing.

Yes, 2020 was … well, we don’t need to tell you what 2020 was. You were there. But 2021 has the power to be so much more. With every person you wish a Happy New Year, you’re encouraging them to draw a line under the last 12 months and embrace the endless possibilities that the turning of the calendar embodies.

BUSINESS IS BLOOMING Now in its sixth year under new ownership, Flowers by Sue came out of 2020 smelling like a rose.

ARTICLE BY BARRY KAUFMANN PHOTOGRAPHY

BY M.KAT DESIGNED BY CATHERINE COLBY

Kelli Corn is photographed at Flowers by Sue during the holidays.

It’s a time to spread joy. And nothing spreads joy like flowers.

“Flowers are always a positive thing, even if it’s a sad occasion,” Kelli Corn of Flowers by Sue said. “They just lift your spirits.”

A celebrated event planner in her own right, Corn is currently holding down the fort at Flowers by Sue for the time being while her mom, Deborah Lamp, is away from the shop. And while she’s just minding the store, she has a deep knowledge of Flowers by Sue through the many events and celebrations she’s masterminded at which the store’s arrangements were a constant presence.

“Flowers by Sue has been around for more than 30 years at this point,” Corn said. “When we purchased the store from Ed and Sue, we didn’t want to change anything.”

Having earned accolades of every kind, Flowers by Sue is a true fixture of Hilton Head Island. The picturesque retail shop on Arrow Road has been the go-to for weddings, funerals and everything in between for years, and we can testify that it has helped get at least one husband out of the doghouse with a beautiful arrangement.

When Lamp took over the shop six years ago, she was taking on a storied legacy.

“I feel like we’ve done a pretty good job,” Corn said. “Things are going very well.”

That includes this past year, with Flowers by Sue surviving a pandemic that closed down the large celebrations and gatherings that had been its hallmark for years. Thankfully, in addition to event floral, Flowers by Sue has a thriving retail component that helped see them through.

“We have the retail shop, which sells flowers, gifts and home décor, and we do a lot of custom pieces for a dining room table or a foyer,” Corn said. “Plus, we were getting a lot of orders from 74

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people who couldn’t travel here this year but wanted to do something nice for a loved one on the island.”

With the promise of a new year also comes the prelude to one of the busiest flower-buying days of the year.

And if you’re looking to wow that special someone on Valentine’s Day this year, you’d better get started now.

“People should definitely start preordering for Valentine’s Day now,” Corn said.

“We’ve already ordered roses, and since our deliveries are already up quite a bit this year, we’re definitely encouraging people to think ahead and get their order in.”

There’s never been a better year to go all out for Valentine’s Day, but then, generally speaking, there’s never been a better year to go all out. And why not?

We’ve all been through a heck of a year, and we could all use the little pick-me-up that comes from a surprise bouquet.  Get this year started off right by visiting Flowers by Sue at 72 Arrow Road. For more information, or to place an order, call (843) 842-8778 or visit flowersbysue.com.

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ARTICLE BY BARRY KAUFMAN DESIGN BY CATHERINE COLBY

Safety Call HOW ONE BEAUFORT RESIDENT WENT TIKTOK VIRAL AND SAVED LIVES IN THE PROCESS

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hey are only known by the TikTok handles, but each of them has a story to tell. One who goes by @noelanijanglee was walking after dark when she felt a presence. Turning to see someone following her, she pulled up a video she’d seen earlier, one of many marked with the hashtag #safetycall.

In the dark, her phone was the only light. The face shining forth from her screen was that of Beaufort resident Mendy Perdew. As Perdew spoke, carrying on half of a conversation that has been shared with millions, noelenijanglee improvised the other half.

a MENDY PERDEW

THE VIDEO THAT COULD SAVE YOU!

“It’s pretty dark. Hold the phone out so I can see,” recited the voice from her phone. She complied, waving the phone pointedly toward her pursuer so that Perdew could “see” the surroundings.

And with that, the pursuer peeled off from the chase. The 18-yearold TikToker was safe.

She’s not alone. Another user based in Singapore, who goes by the handle @omgits_her_, warded off a potential stalker at a bus stop just after midnight by playing Perdew’s “safety call” video. “Thank you so much!!! I think I could have been robbed or worse!!!” she commented. Another, Ms. America, saved the calls to her phone and had her younger sisters do the same after being stalked by a co-worker after dark.

The premise of the calls is simple: adopting her best “strictmom” voice, Perdew has staged dozens of mock phone calls,

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PROOF THAT THIS VIDEO REALLY WORKS! #SAFETYCALL

stringing along conversations with users to keep them talking through open ended questions. The result, for those caught alone after dark with unwanted attention, is the illusion of someone on the other line.

“I’m an anal-retentive parent, so I’ve had these conversations with my kids all the time,” Perdew said with a laugh. “I’ve played these for my daughter, and she said, ‘That sounds just like you.’”

While it has since become a global phenomenon, the initial safety call came about because, in Perdew’s words, “I’m lazy and didn’t wake up in time.”

She’s being a bit harsh on herself. As a heavy sleeper, she was well under one night when she missed a late-night phone call from a worried friend. “I have a friend who’s a dog walker, and she walks in a lot of dark places at all hours of the night,” she said. “I’ve missed

Safety Call a couple of calls where she just wanted to be on the phone with someone so it didn’t sound like she was wandering in the dark alone.”

Perdew filmed the first video for her friend to have as a backup and then sent it to a few of her other friends just to be safe. And if it weren’t for the growing toxicity of Facebook, it would have died there.

“On Facebook, everyone is so mean,” Perdew said. “I didn’t want to see all of that anymore. I went on TikTok just to see people dance and be positive … I uploaded the video thinking it will help the maybe 20 followers I had. And then it blew up.”

She uploaded the video in June, and by July those 20 followers had grown to 200,000. What began as a somewhat popular video with 500 views has snowballed, amassing 18.6 million views as this story was being written.

“I made more, and then people started requesting it in other languages. I would post something like, ‘Does anyone speak Dutch? German? It went all over the place,” she said.

You’ll now find #safetycall videos in a slew of different languages, including Spanish, Italian and even Farci. Even Englishlanguage TikTok users have launched their own versions with regional accents from Australian to New Englander. There are even closed-captioned videos for the hearing impaired and a particularly ingenious one that ends with Perdew asking, “Can you put on your earbuds? I can’t hear you,” allowing the viewer to keep a conversation going as long as necessary.

While hers was the first and fastest-growing of the Safety Call videos, Perdew credits the global hivemind of TikTok with making it a movement. “They’re the ones who started spreading it to other countries,” she said. “All of a sudden, you had men and women of every race and culture agreeing that … we all have the ability to take one minute to help strangers. That was so cool.”

The great masses of TikTok have also helped inspire the unique spins on the Safety Call video that she’s put onto subsequent entries. “I’m a regular person, so trying to think of things like this is tricky. I suck at acting,” she said.

What she’s great at, however, is improvisation. Which came in handy when her viral fame landed her on Good Morning America, and she had to think on her feet with the entire world watching.

“We were just about done [with the interview]; I think I had about 15 minutes left and then Boom, the power goes out,” she said. “I had to do rest of the interview over by the window to keep some light on my face. By the grace of God, I had a full charge on my tablet. All I could do was laugh.”

With TikTok fame has also come the opportunity to serve as an influencer. Perdew recently partnered with Invisiwear, smart jewelry that acts as a covert panic button in case of an emergency.

“It’s not some big company; it’s just two ladies who started it because one of them had been in a situation where she needed to call 911,” Perdew said. The company sent her a necklace to demonstrate for fans, and even a few of Perdew’s followers who had similar harrowing tales.

It’s not the only way Perdew has given back. As a TikTok content creator, she gets compensation from the app based on the popularity of her content as well as regular cash gifts from fans. Rather than spend it, she pays it all forward.

“We set up on Venmo so we could randomly select people to send a Christmas blessing to. This week I’ve given away $20. I know it’s not going to make a big impact on Christmas, but if it renews faith in humanity, it’s enough,” she said. “2020 has been hard.”

Thanks to Perdew and the movement she helped spark, it’s been a little easier for anyone who finds themselves alone in the dark in need of a friend.

“It was just a random post,” Perdew said. “I didn’t think anything would happen.”  C2 MAGAZINE

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G OO O D S EN N SEE S PEE NDD IN NG The best remodeling jobs for a solid return on your investment

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efore taking on your next home remodeling project, it’s a good idea to get your ducks in a row by doing some important preliminary work. First, do some research about the professionals you’ll want to hire. Browse their websites to find out how long they’ve been in business, the areas where they’ve worked, and to see pictures of their projects. Then compile a list of questions to ask when you interview them.

For example, find out if they are fully insured, ask for an estimated timeline and project cost, find out who will handle the permits for the job, and ask for references.

Next, take the time to review what current real estate research shows. Each year, surveys are conducted by various real estate organizations revealing the average

return on investment (ROI) of popular home renovations. Contractors nationwide are canvassed to find out how much these upgrades cost to complete. This data is compared with how much real estate agents estimated these features would boost a home’s market price. This year’s answers may surprise you. Rather than make you pour over the research, we’ve done the work for you.

The results overwhelmingly show that if you’re going to spend money, do it where everyone will notice—on the front of your house. Any real estate professional will tell you that curb appeal is key to selling a home, and the numbers from this year’s reports prove it. Curb appeal projects freshen and update a home’s look, helping to increase its value and maybe even bring a faster sale.

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THE TOP THREE The top three projects, in terms of cost recouped, are garage door replacement, manufactured stone veneer installation, and entry door replacement. Each of these projects boasts a rate of over 90 percent in terms of cost recoup, and these are the least costly to undertake, making curb appeal projects an allaround payoff. The neighborhood and homeowner benefit from an improved aesthetic, and the home itself increases in value, all while recouping almost all the initial investment.

The renovation offering the best return is a new garage door, which is low-cost on the front end but offers 98 percent return on investment when factored into the resale value of

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the home. The garage door sets the visual tone for your entire home. Not only will a run-down or dented garage door detract from your home’s appeal, but it will plant questions in the minds of potential buyers as to how well you’ve maintained the rest of your property.

Second is installing manufactured stone veneer, returning 97 percent of its initial cost in resale. New siding is a great way to freshen curb appeal. While any type of siding offers an updated look, masonry veneer will give you the best bang for your buck.

Choose from dozens of styles of either brick or stone veneer, and have it professionally installed for the best appearance and resale value.

Front door replacement, especially steel, rounds out the top three. If your home’s shabby, worn entry door is visually unappealing, put a new steel entry door at the top of your remodeling list. It will liven up your home’s facade, and you’ll recoup a whopping 90 percent of your investment when you sell your house. Solid wood entry doors are beautiful, but a steel door offers the most security and the best ROI. OTHER PROJECTS THAT ADD ROI Other projects that will boost your home’s curb appeal are also worthy of consideration. When it’s time for an appraisal, a new roof will give you a 69 percent return on dollars spent (the average cost is $21,000) when the old shingles are replaced with new asphalt shingles (with a 25-year warranty). A shabby roof will deter potential buyers and discourage a mortgage company from lending those potential buyers money, so definitely replace that old roof if you plan to sell your home soon.

Replacing outdated, drafty double-hung windows is another upgrade that will increase your home’s curb appeal and

energy efficiency. Today’s windows offer double or triple panes, low-e coatings, argon gas and easy-to-open casements. These projects have a cost recoup of 74.3 percent (vinyl) and 69.5 percent (wood), and they both have an average cost of under $20,000. New, energy-efficient windows also provide savings on utility costs.

If it is time to go ahead with the bigger budget remodels, the following information will help you to prioritize.

Many Americans are choosing to age in place, which means that the demand for accessible homes is rising. These upgrades include wider doorways and hallways, lever-style doorknobs and flush or recessed thresholds. They can improve the quality of life for your family member and realize a 68 percent return on your investment.

In many cases, buyers’ “must have” lists now include upgraded outdoor spaces. If a new deck is also something you’ve been dreaming about, consider that a well-designed deck is now a top selling point. A composite deck will give you a 65-70 percent return on your money, while cedar, redwood or other wood decks are netting an 83 percent ROI. Adding attic insulation is a project that will consistently net a homeowner a good return. The biggest loss of heat literally goes through the roof, so upping your insulation will boost your energy savings as well as your home’s value. The average cost to insulate an attic with fiberglass insulation is approximately $1,300, but the project increases resale value as much as $1,400, which means that you could recover up to 105 percent of the cost when you sell.

MORE CONSIDERATIONS Elaborate master suites are a major selling point in many of today’s new homes. A master suite addition is a pricey project, running $100,000 to $250,000 or more, but it could net from 65 percent to 80 percent ROI. On-trend master suite amenities are separate bathing and changing areas, his-and-her walk-in closets, and smart-home functionality.

If your master bath is lackluster, then consider a makeover.

Start by replacing that worn-out tub and adding a tile surround.

Small-scale upgrades such as luxury vinyl flooring or ceramic tile and a new sink and vanity are not only affordable, they’ll give you a full 100 percent return on your investment. To finish off, choose inexpensive to mid-range fixtures because high-end fixtures don’t pay off.

The kitchen is another expensive room to fully remodel, but a minor kitchen renovation offers an 80 percent ROI. A minor renovation can mean replacing cabinet doors and drawer fronts and perhaps refacing the existing cabinet base. Adding new countertops and a new sink will make a more dramatic statement, but even just adding new hardware can make a difference in how your kitchen looks and feels. By comparison, a full remodel (complete tear-out and replacement), will net only a 65 percent return.

Converting the attic into a spare bedroom (or more) can return as much as 93 percent of the project’s cost. Opting to convert that space into a new bedroom or two—plus an extra bathroom, if possible—will give you a greater ROI than creating a game room, kid’s den, or loft. Homes are listed in the real estate market by the number of above-grade bedrooms, so adding two bedrooms in the attic of a three-bedroom home boosts your classification to a five-bedroom, which in turn, will raise the home’s value and increase its marketability.

When you’re ready to sell—be it next month or next year— rest assured that making these improvements can add tens of thousands of dollars to your resale value, which is a great incentive to commence on your home improvement project.

Still not sure where to start? Remember this hard and fast rule of renovation: in most cases it’s better to replace or repair than add or remodel. So, go ahead and fix that old siding or replace that shoddy roof before you add a master suite or completely overhaul the kitchen.

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ARTICLE BY BARRY KAUFMAN PHOTOGRAPHY BY M.KAT

×

AirDuct SouthEast team cleans an air duct at a rental house in Sea Pines.

×

× Chris Donelson and his son Mark.

Mark prepares to clean an out-of-reach air duct.

DUCT AND COVER YOU THINK THE ALLERGENS OUTSIDE ARE BAD? WAIT UNTIL YOU FIND OUT WHAT’S INSIDE YOUR AIR DUCTS. THEN GIVE AIR DUCT SOUTHEAST A CALL AND BREATHE EASY.

I

f you’re like us, your house is spotless at this point. Trapped inside during the last few months, you’ve taken the extraordinary measure of giving everything a deep clean— waxing floors, polishing brass, wiping baseboards, and going through box after box of Magic Erasers.

We hate to break it to you, but your house is still dirty, and in the worst place possible.

You can’t see this dirt and grime, but it’s there, circulating every time your air conditioning is on. And when it issues forth from your vents, it’s undoing all the hard work you’ve put into making your home spotless.

“A lot of homes around here are getting to be 15-20 years old, and the insulation around ducts tends to crack,” Chris Donelson, owner of Air Duct SouthEast said. “At that point you get a lot of growth inside the duct, from the humidity and the high dew point, not to mention the storms we’ve had the last few years.”

Donelson, a natural entrepreneur who also helps put up Christmas lights each year including the lights at Shelter Cove Towne Centre, founded Air Duct SouthEast on a simple premise: helping Lowcountry homes and their occupants breathe better.

“I moved here from San Diego where we never used the air conditioning. After I moved here, I started coughing and sneezing and I didn’t know why,” he said. A visit to an ENT later, he discovered that the Lowcountry’s allergens were wreaking havoc on his system.

And like every horror movie ever made, the allergens were coming from inside the house.

“If you don’t clean your ducts out once every five years or so, then that dirt and dust build-up just sits there,” he said. “Once the A/C kicks in, it blows that dirt and pet dander all over.”

His system goes far beyond the brush cleaning you’ll typically find utilized by HVAC companies. In fact, he does quite a bit of duct repair for customers whose ducts have been scraped up by the harsh bristles. Instead, Air Duct SouthEast cleverly uses your system’s own current to help deliver a deep clean.

“My friend David Harter invented it,” Donelson said. “There’s so much pressure from the A/C, he thought let’s use that. The pressure from the compressor, the airflow from the system and the suction from the vacuum all work as one.”

Beyond dirt and moisture growth, Donelson has pulled all sorts of entertaining things from vents all over the Lowcountry, including crayons, socks, underwear (“I don’t ask,” he commented with a laugh) and even, on one memorable occasion, a tape measure that had been left there during construction. It all comes out in the cleaning, dropping into collection boxes the team at Air Duct SouthEast places on the vents.

“Customers get to see all of that flying out of there into the box,” he said. “It’s a good show.”

Beyond the entertainment factor, it’s a reminder that your house is never really clean until it’s clean inside and out. And helping you get that inside and out clean is what Air Duct SouthEast is all about.

To learn more, call (843) 6453828 or visit airductse.com.

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ARTICLE BY SWAMI BARRY KAUFMAN, MASTER OF THE MYSTIC ARTS

(That Are

Probably Wrong)

PREDICTIONS FOR 2021 Come gaze into the crystal ball and see what is definitely not in store for the coming year.

A

fter a year like 2020, I think we’re all in need of some good news. Thankfully, the media-industrial complex (the real home of the whopper) has been hard at work to bring you that good news, bloviating across thinkpiece after thinkpiece on how all of this past year’s trials and tribulations are going to evaporate like some kind of simile about evaporation.

(We would have thought up some kind of simile about evaporation, but if there is one tradition the media-industrial complex holds dearer than the annual “things to come” thinkpiece, it’s completely phoning it in for most of December. So, you get what you get).

As I write this from the waning hours of 2020, I notice that the prediction thinkpieces have come early this year, possibly due to the bag of flamin’ hot dog doo that 2020 has left on our collective front porch. More than any other year, it seems like 2020 is the year we all want to get a jump start on forgetting. Which is why you get predictions like the following, which almost certainly won’t come true.

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Prediction: Fortune says face masks will be worn on New Year’s Eve 2021.

Always the sexiest of financial magazines, Fortune recently unveiled its list of predictions for 2021. And while some of them seem feasible (Donald Trump launching his own media empire, Chadwick Boseman receiving a posthumous Oscar for Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom) or at least so great we want them to be true (2021 becoming a new “summer of love” as people recongregate), some just seem hilariously misguided.

For example, their prediction that we’ll still be sporting chin undies when the ball drops again. According to Fortune, “regions that have seen widespread, airborne, infectious diseases ravage their communities tend to keep wearing them even after the immediate danger has passed. So don’t be surprised if face masks remain a part of your daily routine.”

Why it’s bunk: People aren’t even wearing them now.

Prediction: The Daily Star says the mullet will return.

Always the stewards of high-class journalism, England’s Daily Star recently made the bold prediction that the mullet will make its grand return in 2021 as the hottest new hairstyle trend. The Kentucky Waterfall (or as it’s delightfully known in England, the “Barmy Barnet”) reached its cultural zenith in the darker parts of the ’90s when icons like Billy Ray Cyrus and John Stamos wore one.

But according to Daily Star, new icons like Joe “Tiger King” Exotic and Cara “I’m not 100% sure I know who this is” Delevingne have made the mullet the new fashion statement for 2021. Maybe it’s our deep-seated need for nostalgia; maybe we’ve just run out of other ways to make our heads look funny. Who knows?

Regardless, the Daily Star assures us that the mullet is back.

Why it’s bunk: Guys, barber shops have been able to reopen for a while now. You really don’t need to cut your own hair anymore.

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Prediction: Forrester says depressing pandemic advertising will continue.

Common sense might tell you that we’re all a little sick of giant corporations assuring us that we’re all suffering right now, especially as they do so through ads paid for with the billions in stimulus funds we as taxpayers provided them. Hey, Frito-Lay, I’m really glad that your company has been “focused on people,” but what does that have to do with the price of chips? Sadly, the geniuses at Forrester think we’re just getting started.

Yes, according to the venerated market research firm, “Cue the somber piano music and the ‘we’re all in this together’ declarations. We’re now entering the mass-market phase of pandemic advertising.”

For some companies, this is a natural fit. Taco Bell should discuss social distancing in their advertising, because no one wants to be within six feet of anyone who has recently eaten Taco Bell. For others, it’s a stretch. Remember that Keurig commercial from earlier this year where a soulful piano piece played over images of people having fun at home because something something coffee? Do we need more of those?

Why it’s bunk: This whole “pandemicwashing” thing was played out back in March when McDonald’s separated the golden arches as an act of … solidarity? I guess? Anyway, point is, the faster we bring back those ads where people happily eat from a chocolate fountain, the quicker we put this year behind us.

Prediction: Vogue says philosopher babies will rule the class of 2039 (because planets).

Speaking to Vogue magazine, a woman known as “Fashion’s Favorite Astrologer Susan Miller” gave a few of her more spacebased predictions for the coming year, utilizing the scientifically sound measurement of giant rocks millions of miles away and their influence on babies.

Starting off her predictions with the credential-killing caveat, “I didn’t see the pandemic coming because I didn’t look for it,” Miller predicts that the coming Mercury retrograde will result in a slew of “philosopher babies” being born in the early part of 2021.

She also assures that everything will be okay after Jan. 12, owing to the fact that Jupiter and Pluto will be further than eight degrees apart and that a renewed focus on cleaning up the environment will happen, “because Uranus can innovate and come up with ways to save the planet.”

Why it’s bunk: I’ve always said, anyone who uses the phrase “Uranus can innovate” is not someone you want to put a lot of faith in. I think we all know where that prediction was pulled from. That said, if Philosopher Babies turns out to be a TV show featuring adorable little versions of Nietzsche and Socrates, I am all in.

Prediction: C2 says that people of all creeds and nations will come together in a sense of unity.

If we may pen our own quatrain into this year’s edition of Les Prophéties, we can’t help but feel like this year will be one of togetherness. We all spent this past year diving into our own bubbles, soothed by the reassuring tones of our echo chambers even as those songs turned us against those on the outside.

Everyone is guilty of it to some extent.

But this is the year we break out of those bubbles. This year will come like a sudden drawing open of the curtains, bathing our cocoon-like viewpoints in the harsh sunlight. Seeing how insular we’ve become, we will seek out other opinions and points of view, reconciling them with our own perspectives.

We’ll realize there is more binding us together than separating us, and a new golden age will emerge.

Why it’s bunk: Nothing that happened in 2020 makes us think that’s true. But it’s worth a shot, right? 

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pacific northwest

ADVENTURE ARTICLE BY MICHELE ROLDAN-SHAW DESIGN BY MIKA STJOHN

T

he Pacific Northwest: land of totem poles and towering trees, ravens and brooding skies, wild beaches and dense temperate rainforests bursting with day-glow moss and ferns. In the valleys, rivers run with salmon, and tidy homesteads have mountain ranges as a backdrop. Elk, bear and mountain lions make regular appearances. Bald eagles are a dime a dozen. In the regional hubs of Portland and Seattle, you can come around a city street and suddenly see a 14,000foot glaciered volcano pop up in the sky like a giant postcard. And at every turn there’s water: the Pacific, the Puget Sound, the mighty Columbia and numerous other rivers, bays, lakes, streams, sloughs and hot springs. This is the remotest corner of the contiguous U.S., the last area to be settled. It’s still wild, still far out, still at the edge of the American scene.

A trip here truly feels different.

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Summer is a great time to be in the Pacific Northwest. It’s the dry season, and the air smells like ripening blackberries, fresh cut herbs and grass, sunbaked rocks and marine algae. The days are long, with first light breaking as early as 4 a.m. and lingering as late as 10 p.m. Everybody who can do so is getting outdoors, making up for the long sun-starve of the rainy season that starts as early as September and ends as late as June. Northwest folk are a hearty tribe, descended of pioneer stock and more in tune with Chief Joseph and Lewis & Clark than they are with General Sherman or the Founding Fathers.

They hike, camp, climb, bike, paddle and swim in the 52-degree waters of the Pacific, or the still chillier alpine lakes. Later, they have lattes and microbrews. But if it ever gets over 75 degrees, they act like they have heat stroke.

I recently visited my mom and her husband in Sequim, Washington, on their little farm nestled between the Olympic Mountains and the Dungeness River Valley. The nearby shores of the Strait of Juan de Fuca have beaches comprising untold millions of blue-grey pebbles that get rolled and smoothed by the wave action, receding after each tumble with a sound like a rainstick.

Across the Strait is Canada, which you can see from my mom’s kitchen window, past the apple orchard and the barn. My request on every visit is that they take me up to the high country for a hike. The Olympics top out just below 8,000 feet, nowhere near as high as the Cascades or the Rockies, yet impressive in their own right and snow-capped much of the year. My old goats, as I call them, are quite at home in this terrain. They trudge up steep trails with their little packs, ford rushing snowmelt by hopping across slick rocks, and bushwhack through primeval undergrowth in search of edible mushrooms.

Pretty good for over 70.

Our hike on the old Tubal Cain Mine trail began by driving nearly two hours deep into the hills—beyond the isolated farmsteads and national forest campgrounds, beyond cell reception, curving ever upward into the trees via a network of gravel logging roads. We parked at the trailhead and were soon in the Buckhorn Wilderness, climbing through forests drenched in frigid mist, where all was silent but for drops dripping from the spruce tips.

Among boulders splotched with moss and lichens, we stopped to eat our sandwiches in the shadow of hulking cliffs where mountain goats caper and occasionally gore hikers before being netted and removed by helicopter.

At last we broke out into alpine meadows scattered with wildflowers—fiery red Indian paintbrush, purple dwarf lupine, little showy orange tiger lilies and others I couldn’t name. We were, in fact, limited to this myopic vision, because the panoramic views we should have seen—across to adjacent slopes dark with evergreen trees, down to the sunny valley, out to a sparkling blue strait and beyond to Vancouver Island—were completed veiled by the looming, clinging clouds that so often enshroud these peaks.

The neat thing about the Olympic Peninsula is that when you come down the mountain and out of the woods, you are almost immediately by the sea.

On the western, windward side of the Olympics is the rain-soaked, rock-stacked Pacific Coast made famous by the Twilight series; on the eastern, leeward side is the intricately ragged shoreline of Hood Canal, a scenic drive with about a thousand curves and views; and to the north where my old goats live is the strait. It was here that we chose to have our day by the seashore at Salt Creek Recreation Area, a picturesque little beach surrounded by cliffs and bluffs. I braved the icy waters for a few minutes just to bring my cells to life, but mostly we contented ourselves to walk along, toedabbling and checking the tidepools for critters.

Leaving my old goats and traveling the length of the state on two-lane roads that are often the only way in and out of these isolated regions, I reached the Oregon line. I crossed the epic four-mile Astoria-Megler Bridge, the highest span of which can be felt swaying in storm gusts as huge China-bound freighters pass below. Half a dozen ships might be seen anchored off the Port of Astoria, Oregon, at any time, awaiting orders to head upriver to Portland and offload their cargo, or before heading back out to sea on return voyages to exotic ports of origin. The ships are part of the town’s identity. Occasionally bar pilots can be seen performing the highly dangerous job for which they are well paid: climbing slippery ladders up the side of the massive freighters—even in gale conditions!—to board and help their captains navigate this treacherous stretch of shifting river bars, upstream or out the mouth to the “Graveyard of the Pacific.”

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Ancient cedars spared by the lumberjacks inthe gritty town of Astoria, WA.

Astoria is a gritty town of lumberjacks and fishermen’s wives, built over old cannery rows and log stockade forts of fur traders.

Secret footpaths wend between brambles and wooden houses precariously wedged against the hills. It’s equally a town of poets, artisans, activists and people who listen to classical music. The various persuasions coexist in a truly Northwest blend. In the oldest sections, grand Victorian mansions once housed prominent sea captains of the day. I was in Astoria to see a friend, and we spent a pleasant week together strolling the coastal forests and tranquil backwater sloughs, drinking coffee by the pier, or gathering fresh fodder at the Sunday Market. In the seasoned hands of my friend, these items became a feast of classic Northwest summer fare: fresh pesto over Roma beans and yellow squash, pork loin sautéed with sweet peppers, chanterelle mushrooms, and finished with arugula microgreens and peach chutney, plus raspberries and sweet Washington cherries for dessert.

One day, she took me to see some ancient red cedars that had somehow been spared during the heyday of logging, back when the job was done with axes and crosscut saws. Hidden away in the Willapa Bay National Wildlife Refuge, down a barely marked track off a remote twisting two-lane that might still see Sasquatch crossings, the trees were true behemoths. Estimated to be as much as a thousand years old, their bases would take many pairs of encircling arms to hug. Conifers dominate Northwest forests— Douglas fir, Sitka spruce, western hemlock—and when they fall, they become “nurse logs,” sprouting hundreds of new little seedlings as they rot into the fecund dampness. But these venerable cedars, groves unto themselves, will remain long after we are gone.

Returning again to the Washington side, I visited the rainlashed, fog-bound Long Beach Peninsula. This desolate spit of land has 30 miles of continuous sand beach on the ocean side, tidal marshes of the Willapa Bay on the inland side, and between them a string of little hard-luck logging and fishing towns. I hiked out to the wild, somewhat dangerous beach at Beard’s Hollow, where the surf is continuously hazardous and incautious explorers can get stranded among the sharp, salt-encrusted rocks by a swift incoming tide. Coast Guard rescue teams have to fly in and pluck them off the cliff as punishing waves explode around them. Suffice it to say the Northwest Coast is not for the tan-seeking Margaritaville beach novel types—Beard’s Hollow was named for an old sea captain whose body washed up here after a wreck.

When July and August have spent themselves, Indian Summer arrives: that last golden time in September before the rains set in, when the leaves turn crisp and the first woodstove fires are lit, but sunny days at the river are still to be had. I was home in the Lowcountry by then, facing hurricanes and wistfully recalling a Northwest summer.  92

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M A Y O R

Hilton Head Island Mayor Photography by M.Kat

A Note from John McCann

WELCOME 2021: TOWN COUNCIL WORKSHOP KICK’S OFF NEW YEAR

W

elcome 2021. I say this with an abundance of caution after the year we had in 2020 and with hope that this year will be better for all of us. As we continue dealing with COVID-19, I’m hoping that the vaccines now available will bring the level of protection we need for our health. It would be great to return 100 percent to the normalcy we had before COVID-19 entered into the picture.

This will be another busy year for the Hilton Head Island Town Council. We’ll kick-off the new year with our annual workshop on January 28 and 29. This two-day gathering will take place locally at the Westin Resort. Because of COVID-19, we will have to limit the number of attendees from the public. We are planning to broadcast the meeting live through the Beaufort County Channel and on the town’s Facebook page. As we get closer to the date of the workshop, we’ll share more details on how you can view Town Council’s discussion around various topics. Julia Novak, the consultant who led last year’s workshop, will again facilitate this gathering.

At the workshop, we plan to focus on our recently adopted 2020-2040 Comprehensive Plan. This blueprint for our island’s future is filled with myriad ideas for sustaining our quality of life.

We now have to dig deep into the plan and decide as a council how

< Bluffton Mayor

to prioritize these ideas, pay for projects and measure our performance in carrying them out. We also plan to revisit the hiring of a permanent town manager.

We also will use our workshop as a time to discuss and determine our top goals for the year— the things we want to make the center our attention

A Note from Lisa Sulka

M AY O R

SECRET TO SUCCESS

H

ave you ever noticed when someone paints a house, the actual painting doesn’t seem to take very long? What takes the most time is getting ready to paint. We call it “the story of the blue tape.” You know that blue tape that comes off really easily? When someone is going to paint a house—if they are going to do it right—they spend a lot of time with that blue tape. They put that tape everywhere. They cover up everything that could cause a problem down the road. Every window is wrapped in plastic and taped with that blue tape. I bet if it takes a week to paint a house, five of the seven days are spent on the prep work. That’s where the time is spent.

If you like to paint, you’re anxious to get to the painting portion. You don’t really want to do the prep work. But doing all of that prep work makes the painting so much better. It goes so much faster, and the job has a much better chance of turning out like you want it to. Plus, you don’t have to go back later on and fix mistakes where you didn’t do the prep.

It’s like that in business too. At the Don Ryan Center, when we’re working with the companies in our Startup and Growth programs, we spend a lot of time at the beginning doing the prep work, using our own type of “blue tape.”

We tell entrepreneurs that they may get frustrated in the beginning because it might not seem like we’re making a lot of progress in our first few meetings.

But what we’re doing is the prep work. We’re thinking ahead of where we want

Photography by Krisztian Lonyai

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over the next 11 months. Last year, our three areas of focus included exceptional quality of life, prosperity and innovation, and best-in-class services and facilities. Our successes in these categories included adopting amendments in our land management ordinance for zoning related to the development of workforce house and protection of family land in the Island’s Gullah Geechee neighborhoods. Along with adopting the comprehensive plan, we completed and adopted a master plan for parks and recreation.

As for best-in-class in facilities, we were so excited to open our Lowcountry Celebration Park last month. This amazing 10-acre park is a nod to our history, our arts and culture, and our environment. It is a well-planned park with a playground including the re-imagined Adventure Ship, designed after the ship Captain William Hilton was on when he discovered Hilton Head Island; the Sandbox Children’s Museum that will open in the spring; a pavilion and lawn for events and festivals; a perimeter walking path; Wi-Fi, lights, security cameras, restrooms and more. It is truly top-notch.

I hope our list of priorities for 2021 will yield more successes for our community.

A Note from Lisa Sulka continued to be, of where we want to paint, of how we want to paint, and of how we want the job to turn out.

But new entrepreneurs are anxious. They want to get that product out there. They need to start generating revenue. They want to see the marketing materials and the website, and so do we. But none of this matters if you haven’t prepared for it.

It’s not just about releasing the product or service. It’s about knowing what your product really is and if the market wants it. What is the vision three to five years from now? It’s about knowing your strengths, and weaknesses. What are the first big opportunities you have to capitalize on to get going?

How is the organization going to be structured? Who is your customer? What is your beachhead market? This is all part of the preparation.

Now don’t get us wrong. We are not saying don’t try to get the product to market as soon as you can so you can find out what works and what doesn’t. Just don’t launch blindly. By doing this work at the beginning, we are setting companies up to be more successful and to be able to scale faster when the eventual growth comes. Doing all of this prep work is almost a self-fulfilling prophecy, making the company’s chances to succeed that much better. So, when you are thinking about starting your own business, don’t skip on the preparations.

Better yet, contact us. We have boxes of tape…. 

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This & That

C2 Magazine • January 2021 Edition A Series of Fortunate Events, interesting news and a hodge-podge of other items.

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

The Women’s Association of Hilton Head Island continues to celebrate its sixtieth anniversary by hosting its 2021 Author Series on Zoom. All sessions are free to WAHHI members. WAHHI encourages women of all ages to consider membership by visiting its website at www.wahhi.org. To register for one of the sessions, visit wahhi. org/calendar-of-events.

WAHHI’s ZOOM webinars are all scheduled at 5 p.m.

January 21: Marie Bostwick - The Restoration of Celia Fairchild & Hope on the Inside February 18: Susan Meissner - The Nature of Fragile Things March 18: Patti Callahan Henry - Surviving Savannah April 15: Kristy Woodson Harvey - Under the Southern Sky May 20: Kirk Neely - December Light 1916

Lisa Hodge has joined Community Foundation of the Lowcountry as a program associate. In this position, Hodge will support grant and scholarship applicants; serve as liaison to giving circles, nonprofit agencies and scholarship funds; perform general accounting functions and work in various data management platforms.

SOUP WORTH THE DRIVE Article By Jesse Blanco

H

as it been cold enough for you? It is, of course, winter. Those few weeks of the year where the transplants we have down here laugh at us, as we chuckle at the thought of being locked inside of our homes because of a seven-foot snowdrift at our front door. Different strokes for different folks, but it has been a wee bit chilly, y’all.

The chili recipes are getting a workout as are those stews. A lot of people, meanwhile, like to hide behind a bowl of good soup. I have found in my travels that, like wings, burgers or fried chicken, everyone has a favorite. You could ask 10 people where they get their favorite soup, and you are very likely to get 10 different answers—certainly a good problem to have if you enjoy variety. There is one Savannah soup that is very much a part of that city’s fabric. If you don’t know about it, then it is time you do.

SOHO South Cafe on Liberty Street in the heart of Savannah’s Historic District has been in that spot for well over a decade. Back around the turn of the century (did I just write that?), it was a tiny little cafe nestled inside an art gallery-looking souvenir shop. A husband-and-wife team owned and operated it—like so many others, she up front and he making magic in the kitchen.

SOHO South was one of those places that if you didn’t know, you’d walk by hundreds of times without giving it a second thought. I know from experience; I lived next door for a few years and never even so much as stuck my head inside for a minute.

SOHO had a following; eventually that included me. Largely sandwiches and soups at lunch time, it was a very comfortable spot for a meal. The most popular soup back then? Tomato Basil Bisque.

Years later, the husband and wife behind SOHO were ready to move on. In walks a local restaurant group, and the sale was done. The executive chef at the incoming restaurant group admitted she wasn’t exactly thrilled at first. “I was terrified,” she told me.

“I didn’t want to take over a menu that was known for a soup.”

Chef admits she wanted to move on to something else when it came to soup. “I wanted to, but when you look at the numbers?” she said. “We sold 3,900 gallons of tomato basil soup last year.”

To give you an idea of how massive that is, she offers a comparison that a lot of restaurants may go through one to five gallons a day, depending on the season and the menu. So yeah, the Tomato Basil Bisque at SOHO South was and remains a big deal.

“He had the recipes all in his head,” Brandy said, referring to the orientation she went through ahead of the sale. “It isn’t complicated at all, but I just wrote everything he was doing down.” So important was that recipe, that it was included in the terms of the sale of the restaurant.

It would be easy to say the soup has taken on a life of its own, but it has been that popular for years. Any visit to Yelp, and reviewers are usually suggesting that you try the soup. A server told me she guesses that roughly 9 out of 10 of her lunchtime customers order the soup in some form, whether it be a cup alongside something else or a full bowl with a sandwich. Their most popular item at SOHO is the Combo—the soup served with a wonderfully crispy grilled cheese sandwich and pimiento aioli.

Wintertime is sluggish around here. There aren’t a lot of events going on, especially during current times. So, if you are up for the day trip for something amazing, the Tomato Basil Bisque at SOHO South in Savannah is worth your time. Another I would put at the top of my list is the Gumbo at River Road Café in Bluffton. Absolutely outstanding. Soup lovers should also keep the ‘Souper Bowl’ Charity event at Coligny Plaza in mind. Held every year on Super Bowl Saturday. This year that is February 6, 2021.

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This & That

C2 Magazine • January 2021 Edition A Series of Fortunate Events, interesting news and a hodge-podge of other items.

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

The Coastal Discovery Museum will host ONDAS, an initiative to monitor marine diversity, with Dr. Laura May Collado, on January 27 at 2 p.m. ONDAS examines the role of marine protected areas in preserving marine biodiversity and argues the need for novel tools to evaluate their effectiveness. Dr. May Collado introduces her ONDAS project, an initiative for coordinated long-term and standardized monitoring of marine communities in Central America.

May Collado is an integrative marine biologist with a research focus on sound as a tool to study marine communities and marine mammal communication and behavior.

The program is $7 for in-person attendance and $5 for virtual viewing. Reservations are required and may be made by calling (843) 689-6767 ext. 223. The museum is located at 70 Honey Horn Drive on Hilton Head Island. The museum is open Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

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Permanent Cosmetics HHI, Beauty Box and Healing Hands have collaborated with Dr. Atul Gupta, creating Micro Med Spa. Sarah Rhoads offers all permanent cosmetic options from natural eyebrows, eyeliner, and lip blushing to scar camouflage and areola pigmentation for post-breast cancer patients.

Amanda Ellis of Beauty Box pampers clients with specialized facials, microneedling, dermaplane, all waxing services, brow and lash tinting, airbrush tanning as well as bridal services. Ellie Stewart, owner of Healing Hands, creates custom massages and specializes in deep tissue work. Dr. Gupta is supervising physici

This & That

C2 Magazine • January 2021 Edition A Series of Fortunate Events, interesting news and a hodge-podge of other items.

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

After nearly 40 years of service to the Harbour Town Yacht Basin and The Sea Pines Resort, Nancy Cappelmann will retire as harbourmaster at the end of 2020. During her tenure as one of the most recognized figures among the Atlantic coast boating community, Cappelmann forged a deep network and long-lasting relationships with boaters, slip owners, charter operators, transient boaters and staff members by providing outstanding service with passion, enthusiasm and heart. She worked her way up from dockhand to harbourmaster, with one of Hilton Head Island’s iconic views from her office window.

Leslie Whitener, assistant harbourmaster, has been promoted to the position of harbourmaster. Whitener has been with the Harbour Town Yacht Basin for 36 years and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the job. Warren Holland, a veteran of the marine and charter industry, will assume the assistant harbourmaster position.

Women in Philanthropy announces a special COVID-19 Recovery grant opportunity to assist Beaufort County nonprofits fund a new major impact program to assist in recovery from the pandemic in one of three areas: medical and mental health issues; education K-5 (including special needs); employment issues.

No more than four grants will be awarded, each in the $20,000-$25,000 range, with a project timeline of May 2021 through April 2022. Grant applications must be submitted online to the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry by Friday, January 15, 2021. For more information, contact Andi Purple, chair, Women in Philanthropy Grants Committee at andipurple@aol.com.

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This & That

C2 Magazine • January 2021 Edition A Series of Fortunate Events, interesting news and a hodge-podge of other items.

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

The Coastal Discovery Museum will host Winter Raptors on January 4 at 2 p.m. Aaron Palmieri from the Palmetto Bluff Conservancy will introduce us to fierce avian predators found throughout Beaufort County during the winter.

Palmieri is the educator for the Palmetto Bluff Conservancy where he leads nature hikes, provides educational lectures, and assists with research and land management that occurs throughout Palmetto Bluff.

The cost is $5 for this virtual presentation; reservations are required by calling (843) 689-6767 ext. 223.

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Krista Flanders, who recently celebrated five years of sobriety, is pleased to announce the founding of Recovery Island Co., offering merchandise such as T-shirts, hoodies and car decals featuring inspirational messages and quotes that have helped her along the way. Follow her on Facebook and shop online via her Etsy shop, Recovery Island Design.

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O M N I B E N

S U N H U G H E Y

SPECIAL THANKS TO JOHN CRANFORD AND COLIGNY PLAZA FOR HOSTING OUR SHOOT.

P H O T O G R A P H Y

B Y

M . K A T

A Q&A Series with Local Artists

What’s your sign?

My zodiac sun sign (the main sign) is Virgo; my moon sign is Sagittarius; and my rising sign is Capricorn.

Most underrated song that, in your opinion, should be a classic?

“Eleventh Earl of Mar” by Genesis. Early Genesis deserves way more attention.

Biggest compliment you’ve ever gotten from a fan?

“Your voice sounds like thunder.” I don’t know what that means or even if it’s good or bad, but I like it.

What do you sing in the shower?

“Rubber Duckie Song” from Sesame Street.

Favorite cereal?

Honey Bunches of Oats with bananas and oat milk.

What is your favorite piece to perform?

“Head over Heels” by Tears for Fears.

At what venue do you most like to perform?

Big Bamboo. I love the atmosphere, and I get to play outside on the porch overlooking Coligny.

Most requested song at shows?

“Old Man” by Neil Young First concert you attended?

KISS, when I was nine years old! I painted my face as Paul Stanley.

Favorite artist(s)?

Tame Impala, Fleet Foxes, M83, Pink Floyd, Sigur Rós Place you go to get away from it all?

Nature and novels. Reading is teleporting to another world in your brain.

Do you tweet, gram, or book?

Yes. IG: omni.sun; FB: Omni Sun; Twitter: benhughey52 Finish this verse as if it were the hook of a song: “Sally went down to the bayou...”

To drink some moonshine with her gator friends.

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

Elon Musk or Idris Elba, for sure.

First instrument you learned to play?

The acoustic guitar, when I was eight years old.

Song you were thrilled to finally master?

“Kung Fu Fighting” ... yes, “Kung Fu Fighting.”

What do you wish you knew more about?

I wish I knew more about ancient civilizations like the Incas in Peru and the ancient Egyptians.

What animal do you most identify with?

A bird. Any flying and singing bird really, but I do have a sparrow tattooed on my left arm.

If you got super-famous and had to change your name, what would your new name be?

The Panda King.

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JANUARY 2021 SAVE THE DATE! NOISES OFF Performances Feb 2 - 28 Called the funniest farce ever written, Noises Off is a play-within-a-play about an ambitious director and his troupe of mediocre actors. https://www.artshhi.com/theater-series/ noises-off

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

MAGGIE & ME WINTER SALE 25% - 50% off select merchandise 6 Bruin Rd - Bluffton (843) 707-9083

EVERY TUESDAY! SEA PINES FARMERS MARKET

FARMERS MARKET AT HONEY HORN

Sea Pines Shopping Center 10am-2pm

Coastal Discovery 9am-1pm

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FIRST THURSDAYS ART MARKET

Shops at Sea Pines Center 4-6:30pm Meet the Artists of Sea Pines

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NATIONAL HOUSEPLANT APPRECIATION DAY! 17

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ALL MONTH LONG!

OLD TOWN BLUFFTON FARMERS MARKET Calhoun Street Thursdays 12-5pm (843) 415-2447

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2 FAMILY FUN NIGHTS The Sandbox at Tanger 2 6-8pm Free Event! thesandbox.org

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CHIPANDGUS: A COMEDY WITH BALLS Available for streaming starting Friday, January 8 Tickets: $20 https://www.artshhi. com/secondstage

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PRIVATE SOUND HEALING CLASSES

Pure Salt Studios Shelter Cove Habour & Marina 3-8pm (843) 715-2825

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NATIONAL CHEESE LOVERS DAY! 24

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NATIONAL GREEN JUICE DAY! Grab a juice at a local juice bar!

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30 HILTON HEAD SNOW DAY Shelter Cove Community Park 11am-4pm $5 ages 2-17, adults free

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