CH2 Magazine December 2023 by CH2/ CB2 : Celebrate Hilton Head / Celebrate Bluffton

SPARKLE + SHINE

Dynamic Duos FUN AND GAMES The boys of Pretty Darn open up on their friendship

TAYLOR & MICHAEL WITHROW

Pair of brothers turn sibling rivalry on its head, create thriving business

Check out our guide to everything the women in your life want this holiday season!

HERE COMES SANTA CLAUS

Santa Claus finds a home on Hilton Head Island

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BRANCHING OUT Wild Birds Unlimited steps outside with services into your backyard

FUN AND GAMES

The boys of Pretty Darn open up on their friendship, their songwriting, and how they keep each other grounded

WHAT’S INSIDE 42

TAYLOR & MICHAEL WITHROW: PAIR OF BROTHERS TURN SIBLING RIVALRY ON ITS HEAD, CREATE THRIVING BUSINESS

DYNAMIC DUOS

LINE IN THE SAND: KIDS THESE DAYS

COLIGNY HILTON HEAD ISLAND GIFT GUIDE

INVESTING IN THE COMMUNITY: HILTON HEAD REGIONAL HEALTHCARE BRINGS NEW PROVIDERS, SERVICES, AND TECHNOLOGY TO THE LOWCOUNTRY

BRANCHING OUT: WILD BIRDS UNLIMITED STEPS OUTSIDE WITH SERVICES INTO YOUR BACKYARD AND BEYOND

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GENTLE, FUN WAY TO EXERCISE IS PERFECT FOR ALL AGES, BODY TYPES

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HILTON HEAD PREPARATORY SCHOOL: SHAPING THE SCHOOL TO MEET THE FUTURE

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GIVE YOURSELF THE BEST PRESENT: SHOP GIFTED, WHERE YOU CAN BUY ALL YOUR GIFTS IN ONE PLACE

ON OUR COVERS

SPARKLE + SHINE!

Check out our guide to everything the women in your life want this holiday season! Find this handbag at Palmettoes.

HERE COMES SANTA CLAUS Santa Claus finds a home on Hilton Head Island

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THE BELLE OF THE BALL ONCE AGAIN

ON THE CH2 COVER Nick Poulin and Kyle Wareham make up the Dynamic Duo known as Pretty Darn

ON THE CB2 COVER

The Dynamic Duo of Courtney Hampson and Barry Kaufman return with A Line in the Sand

Grace, Palmetto Bluff’s Iconic motor yacht, debuts after extensive restoration

GENIUSES AT WORK The Referee Maggie Marie Washo Master of Coin Marion Elizabeth Bowser Rainmaker Kim Conrad Crouch Master Handshaker “Just Kandace” Cunningham Lead Door Knocker Morgan Ambler Talent Delivery Specialist Kaila Jeffcoat The HelpHER Jevon Daly Mascot in Training Buoy Conrad Crouch Pritchard The Gatekeepers Greta Von Bowser Vincent Von Bowser The Cut & Paste Crew Catherine Davies Hunter Kostylo Aspiring Novelists Cheryl Alexander Teresa Fitzgibbons Courtney Hampson Linda S. Hopkins Paul W. Horgan Lynn Cope Hummell Barry Kaufman Alan Perry Cheryl Ricer Lisa Sulka Sheila Tucker Lighting Experts Krisztian Lonyai Photography Photography by M.Kat Find Us Here PO Box 22949 Hilton Head Island, SC 29925 843.816.6247 maggie@ch2cb2magazine.com

hey both look great, although not very holiday-ish. That might actually be refreshing to readers who are already burned out with seasonal overkill! I hope you have a picture of yourself and all the girls + boy in holiday garb for your Editor’s Note page.” This was a note from our dear and longtime copyeditor, Linda Hopkins, when I sent her the covers to proof last night. I’m going to miss these little encouraging notes from her, because after being with me since almost the beginning, she’s about to hang up her pen and start enjoying the next phase of her life. Linda made sure our t’s were crossed and our i’s were dotted and all the terribly written submissions for our This & That page were cleaned up properly. She is one of my favorite writers; every time she contributed a piece to this magazine, it was heartfelt, deeply researched and insightful. If I had a dollar for every nice note someone sent me about her articles, I could retire with her. I’m going to miss our monthly chats about how late Barry Kaufman is with his stories every month. ( JK Barry.) I know I’ll still be calling her on the regular just to fill her in on all the CH2/CB2 drama. Love you, Lindy Hop! Speaking of Barry, and Courtney, they are two of many Dynamic Duos featured in this, our last issue of 2023. They are also featured on the cover of our comical Bluffton edition, with Courtney winning that round of A Line in the Sand, now back monthly for as long as Ms. Hampson decides she would like to do it. A Line in the Sand started in the early days of CH2/CB2, although it was formerly called He Said/She Said. In it, Barry and Courtney take a mutually agreed upon topic and argue over it. But if we’re being honest, many times, they actually agree. Swing on over to page 63 to see how they feel about “Kids these Days” now that they are both old curmudgeons. And speaking of regular columns, I’m so sad that this issue features the last one from outgoing Bluffton mayor, Lisa Sulka. Back in 2008, we featured Lisa on a stroll around famous Bluffton landmarks just as she was getting into off ice. She has been a strong

EDITOR'S NOTE December 2023 advocate for that lovable, quirky town and its residents for years, and I’m looking forward to hanging out with her on Friday as we recap her time in office for a big spread in our January issue. Despite the covers not appearing very “holiday-ish,” there is much to make merry about. Of course, we have the returning Gift Guide for HER, featuring all our local boutiques. Remember to shop small this holiday season; our f riends and neighbors keep this little economy flowing in the off-season. Linda and Casey Hodnett contribute to the Christmas cheer in Leamington in Here Comes Santa Claus on page 91. They’ve collected over 800 Santas throughout the years, and we popped in to check out the collection. Dynamic Duos returns after a four-year hiatus, with features on people who have found their person in business (and sometimes in life, too!). Be sure to check out the spread on Pretty Darn, the brothers of Island Head, and many more locals who have found the yin to their yang and whose customers are benefitting. That section begins on page 36. Sheila (Tucker) Critchley, our resident mental health expert, tells you that sometimes it’s okay to boycott Christmas—especially if you’re dealing with a dysfunctional family and people who aren’t respecting your boundaries. At least that’s what I heard. Ha ha! Cruise on over to page 85 for more helpful life tips. As we make our way into 2024, I leave you with these insightful words from my Louise Hay calendar (a holiday gift from my mom every year): “If I hear a negative story, I say, ‘It may be true for them, but it is not true for me.’” Stay delulu my friends; make 2024 whatever you think it should be. Warmest wishes for a happy holiday. See you next year! 

MAGGIE WASHO

Publisher / Editor-in-Chief

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

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THIS YEAR’S HOLIDAY LIGHTS DISPLAY AT SHELTER COVE HARBOUR & MARINA ACROSS FROM PALMETTO DUNES OCEANFRONT RESORT ON HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C., IS THE MOST EXPANSIVE YET, DELIVERING A DAZZLING FAMILY DISPLAY TO SAVOR AND REMEMBER.

helter Cove Harbour & Marina is making the 2023 holiday added memories, when you snap a selfie or a photo at the Shelter season the most memorable yet, with a stunning light Cove Harbour & Marina light display, feel free to hashtag it with display to help everyone ring in the season. As you #ShelterCoveChristmas and tag @ShelterCoveHarbourMarina make merry and shop local this year, be sure to take in on Facebook. Check out ShelterCoveHiltonHead.com/santa to the winter wonderland at Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina. Stroll enjoy a preview of the dazzling holiday light displays. along down the promenade for a festive, colorful affair, as the marina is decorated with holiday lights, and enjoy everything a The entrance to Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina is decked Lowcountry “winter” has to offer. Over 125,000 lights have been out with festive lights and hanging ornaments. installed, as well as 16 2D displays including boat dock entrances, 54 multi-color changing orbs and over 1,100 feet of garland. For

Itatecum quassi ullorit et eum facest, sandel enda nulparum cum autem faccusa dita

ARTICLE BY BARRY KAUFMAN PHOTOGRAPHY BY M.KAT

N FaUND

M A G ES THE BOYS OF PRETTY DARN OPEN UP ON THEIR FRIENDSHIP, THEIR SONGWRITING, AND HOW THEY KEEP EACH OTHER GROUNDED

f you ever want to know the power of a single song, ask any married couple what was playing on the radio when they met. Odds are good they’ll be able to tell you. Just as a single sound can trigger an avalanche, the right song can open a door you didn’t know existed in your heart, inviting someone to walk in and make themselves at home.

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Nick Poulin and Kyle Wareham, the musical duo whose meteoric rise as Pretty Darn has drawn the entire local music scene forward with its gravity, can tell you exactly what song brought them together. “The night we met each other, I was playing a gig at Aunt Chilada’s, and he just started singing harmony with me,” Wareham said. “I was playing a song called ‘Washed by the Water’ by a band called NEEDTOBREATHE, which is not a very well-known song. He just started singing the harmony to it from the audience, perfectly, the whole time. I decided in my head at that moment to go find out who this kid was.” Wareham invited his unsolicited rhythm section on stage, inadvertently creating the f irst Pretty Darn performance in history. “I was kind of looking at it like, ‘this is my gig,’” Poulin said, prompting them both to laugh. Which happens a lot when they get around each other. “In hindsight, I would

probably frown on anyone getting up on stage with the musician.” This meet cute worthy of a Hollywood rom-com gets even more serendipitous when you find out that the Aunt Chilada’s gig Wareham was playing had previously been Poulin’s. He’d given it up just as he’d decided to wind down his local playing gigs and see what else there might be out there for a young musician. “Playing music around here isn’t necessarily real life as far as what the rest of the country would consider playing music or being in a band. It’s mainly three-hour cover gigs and not really having a reason to have music of your own,” Poulin said. “I was teetering on moving away from Hilton Head, and funny enough, it was as he was moving into town.” Wareham had come to the island from Philadelphia, where he had been highly involved in the music scene. Fate had brought him to Hilton Head, but only (at the time) temporarily. Helping his dad set up a business, he’d decided CH2CB2MAGAZINE.COM

DECEMBER 2023

to see what the island had to offer. “I missed playing music, and I wanted to explore that,” he said. After meeting Poulin, Wareham realized he had the perfect way to not only explore the island but plumb the depths of his own creativity. “I think I kind of forced myself into his gigs, playing the cajon or the djembe just

DECEMBER 2023

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to accompany him. He was kind enough to let me do that, and so we wound up hanging out a bunch outside of the music and just found out we really liked each other.” That harmony on stage had grown into a harmony between two dear f riends, made all the closer when Wareham’s wife Nikki and Poulin’s f iancée Iva turned

That chemistry that drew them together on stage serves them equally well when crafting their tunes. Currently at work on another album, they find themselves falling into their roles easily. out to enjoy each other’s company equally. In fact, both women in Pretty Darn’s respective lives turned into valuable songwriting partners as the band gelled. “My wife actually wrote all my best verses. She’s an incredible songwriter—better than me. But it’s always been kind of a family deal,” Wareham said. “It was all just very easy. Almost like … not destiny or fate, but this was what was supposed to happen for all of us right now.” Poulin, on the verge or leaving the island, and Wareham, intending to just stay for a short while before moving on, both decided there was something worth staying here for. Following a trip up to Philadelphia, where they drew their bands name from copy on the side of an iced tea bottle, the boys were officially a band. If you’ve been to one of their shows, you know they made the right decision. Quickly becoming one of the most popular live acts in the Lowcountry, with adoring fans now singing along to songs they wrote, Pretty Darn has come a long way from their individual trajectories as gigging musicians. Two studio albums, a live album, a series of special “firepit sessions” releases, and a handful of singles later, they have established themselves as not just a great live act, but superbly talented songwriters. That chemistry that drew them together on stage serves them equally well when crafting their tunes. Currently at work on another album, they find themselves falling into their roles easily. “Music especially is such an emotional thing in itself. When you combine trying to write it with somebody else, especially when you’re friends, just trying to navigate different opinions and ideas of what things should be gets delicate,” Wareham said. “It gets easier as you get to know each other, to call each other an (expletive) and get over it, which I think is healthy.” That comfort level has f ine-tuned the balance of a songwriting pair that exudes duality. On stage as in the studio, Poulin is the happy-go-lucky party starter, while Wareham is more the perfectionist, attacking his art with a laser-like focus. “I sometimes have this idea that you can either care a lot and try really hard at things, or you can have fun,” Wareham said. “I sometimes forget those things can definitely cross over.” “That’s the balance, because maybe I have a little too much fun, or don’t really focus on a six-month plan or a year plan and he reins me in,” Poulin said. “Of course, today, he was the one who initiated the goofy outfits.” That would be the superhero outfits sported by the boys in the photos seen here. Shot in Wareham’s in-home music studio/playroom for his two children, it’s hard to picture a better representation of these two amazing musicians. It’s a balance of levity and sincerity, a harmony of two different voices, and a fortunate mingling of two musicians who were fated to become something bigger than themselves.  CH2CB2MAGAZINE.COM

DECEMBER 2023

Michael and Taylor Withrow are photographed at one of the Island Head locations on 18 Simmons Rd.

Article by Barry Kaufman Photography by M.Kat

Taylor & Michael Withrow Pair of brothers turn sibling rivalry on its head, create thriving business

he dynamic between brothers can be complicated. Most guys would take a bullet for their brother. Most guys can also relate at least one story of brotherly roughhousing that could legally be considered assault. A brother is someone who stands up to bullies on your behalf, but sometimes solely because they don’t like the competition. On the spectrum of fraternal harmony, the dynamic between any two brothers usually rests somewhere between The Property Brothers and Cain and Abel. But when two brothers can harness that energy and apply it toward a common goal, they can put the entire world on notice. Just look at what Taylor and Michael

Withrow were able to do with their brotherly bond. As co-founders of Island Head, they took their company from a single seasonal parasail boat to a year-round experiential empire on the strength of their bond as brothers. Expanding into the short-term rental business, they can now offer a turnkey vacation experience that encompasses kayak tours, paddleboard tours, pontoon boat rentals, tubing charters, waterski and wakeboard charters, year-round ferry service to Daufuskie Island, and sunset hibachi dinner cruises. So, what is their secret for keeping their brotherly dynamic on task? “We just kind of figured it out as we went,” Michael said. “When it was a single boat, there was so much stress on every single booking and every single dollar. That put a lot of pressure on the dynamic, but the dynamic was just always, ‘We’re in this together, so let’s figure this out.’ And luckily, it’s built up and grown.” The pair grew up with a four-and-a-half-year age difference, which can be a pretty wide gulf for brothers—especially on the basketball court. “He thought he ran the town, but it was just because he was playing me and my friends,” Taylor said. “He thought he was MJ out there on the court.”

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Shrimp and veggies are cooked in the salty outdoor air during a Hibachi Sunset Cruise. These dinner cruises have rapidly become an Island Head favorite, with guests booking weeks out to reserve their spot. Kayak and paddleboard tours, pontoon boat rentals and year-round ferry service to Daufuskie Island are just a few of the Island Head offerings.

The brothers both agree that Taylor’s height now gives him an advantage in a one-on-one situation, but they’re more focused on the larger game at hand: growing their business together. And that application of sibling rivalry, turning it toward their mutual goals, has made a massive difference in their success. Where some family membersturned-business partners have trouble balancing the family dynamic against the needs of a business, for the Withrows, it seems to be their greatest asset. “It’s definitely matured over the years where we’re not really competing against each other,” Michael said. “It’s evolved to where we’re on the same team, and that competitive spirit is driving us to find out how we can grow the business and how we can make things better.” Directing that competitive spirit outward lets the brothers move forward without ego, sharing responsibilities as the company has grown with seamless cooperation. To take things back to the basketball court, they take on the challenges of running their business together in more of a “zone” defense than man-on-man. “In a weird way, we operate as one person in two people, if that makes sense,” Michael said. He points out how he’ll work on payroll with input from Taylor on audits, marketing expenditures, expenses, and staff gratuity. Or how Taylor will work with rental management companies, trusting that Michael is putting a second set of eyes on it and immediately tagging in during emergencies. “We’re both very involved in the day-today operations. And we’re constantly working together on things, but separately.” It definitely helps that, along with a healthy sense of competition, the brothers share a die-hard work ethic. “We both have those expectations for a joint effort. We aren’t going to sit around in the busy season drinking piña coladas,” Taylor said. “We’re working hard together to achieve that goal and hold each other accountable.” It isn’t just about the bottom line, however. As two guys who admit they would probably be traveling the world if they’d hadn’t stumbled into such immense success with Island Head, it’s important to remember they’re in the business of having a good time. And business is good. “We expect that out of our staff, too. We want our staff to work hard to the best of their ability. But we also built this company around the expectation that you’re not going to work 30 days straight in the summer,” Michael said. “Take your days off; go traveling; go enjoy yourself. We tried to pass that down to anybody that’s working with us.” The bond between brothers is among the most unbreakable. It’s also the one most likely to be used as a blunt instrument. With their success in co-founding Island Head and the seemingly effortless way they work together, Michael and Taylor Withrow are proving it can be something else. It can be a tremendous way for two brothers to pave their path forward together. 

Jeff and Patrick whip up cocktails for regulars on a busy night at Captain Woody’s in Bluffton.

Photos provided by Montage Palmetto Bluff

Article by Barry Kaufman Photography by M.Kat

JEFF WONG AND PATRICK NELSON Teamwork keeps good times flowing

o see a bar in the weeds is to witness what sets bartenders apart from any other profession. No disrespect to doctors or air traffic controllers, but there’s a certain mental acuity that you’ll only find in a seasoned bartender. And they need every ounce of that brain power to keep drinks flowing, keep the vibe upbeat, and keep dozens of revolving orders straight regardless of how many are shouted at the same time. It’s a mental juggling act that is second only to the physical act of bartending. When the crowd is pressing in, the glasses are stacking up, and space is at a premium, good bartenders know to always keep at least one eye on their surroundings and tread gracefully. To see this dance as the artform it is, head upstairs at Captain Woody’s Bluffton location on pretty much any night of the week. Between the regulars, the passersby stopping in for a drink after Promenade shopping, the sports fans, and the folks who come out for the regular lineup of musicians, it’s usually quite a spectacle. And at the center of it all, weaving in and out of the crowd and behind the bar, you’ll usually find the dynamic duo of Patrick Nelson and Jeff Wong.

The pair of them have been teamed behind the bar for nearly 12 years; Wong was an OG, there since Woody’s opened, with Nelson joining a few years after. And while they are occasionally paired with some of Captain Woody’s other bartenders (shout out to Frank and Gunner), there’s a definite chemistry when these two are holding down the open-air bar atop the Bluffton institution. “You learn pretty quickly how to move around each other,” Nelson said. “It’s the bartender waltz. It’s beautiful.” “Some people are easier to dance with behind the bar than others,” Wong added. The pair of them have been teamed behind the bar for nearly 12 years; Wong was an OG, there since Woody’s opened, with Nelson joining a few years after. And while they are occasionally paired with some of Captain Woody’s other bartenders (shout out to Frank and Gunner), there’s a definite chemistry when these two are holding down the open-air bar atop the Bluffton institution. “We’ve all got our strengths and weaknesses, and we’ve all worked together at least a decade,” Nelson said. “Eventually you just get used to each other’s (style).” Besides an innate ability to navigate a busy bar while each is pinballing between customers clamoring for drinks, there’s a mesh to their personalities that adds to the neighborhood bar feeling at Woody’s. Nelson is the showman of the pair, breaking out quips and somehow carrying on distinct conversations with multiple patrons all at once while never spilling a drop. Wong is the font of knowledge, blessed with a prodigious wealth of sports stats, a nearly omniscient grasp on where everyone is and who needs a drink, and a bottomless well of one-liners.

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As an example, when asked what Nelson brings to the duo, Wong simply replied, “height.” “Nobody sees him back here, so I have to do all the work,” Nelson quickly retorted. “Everyone thinks I’m alone back here.” “He’s the only one who can see over the cups that he stacks this high,” Wong fired back, signaling a ponderous tower of Styrofoam at the other end of the bar. It’s a back-and-forth that the two fall into naturally, bickering like an old married couple in a way that only those who respect each other truly can. And if you really want to see the stakes get raised, you should see the two of them behind the bar on trivia nights. Part of bringing Nelson in after he’d been alternating between the island and Bluffton location was a need to add another bartender during the busy Wednesday trivia night. Beyond just adding another body, it created a team-up of bartenders who, between the two of them, could usually run the table (if they were allowed to play). As the years have gone on, regulars now know who to approach when they’re stumped on a particular question. “We’re full of useless knowledge,” Nelson said. “But I’m older, so I just have more stuff I have to sift through. It’s there; I just have to get to it,” Wong added. “He’s young, so his memory’s sharper.” It’s at this point in the interview that one of the regulars points out (loudly) how Wong was the only person in the bar who was able to identify the seagull from The Little Mermaid. In his defense, he does have a young daughter. But the ribbing is all part of the show for the regulars. For them, the ones who come to Woody’s day in and day out, who don’t even have to speak the name of their chosen drink out loud anymore, that’s where Nelson and Wong truly shine as a team. They’re here to serve you a drink, sure. But more than that, they’re here to make you feel at home, like you’re just as much a part of the team as they are. And even if you’re not one of the regulars, it won’t be long until you are. “All the bartenders here are like that,” Wong said. “I just know he takes care of business, and he knows I take care of business.” And whether that means seeing over cups, remembering dozens of drink orders at once, or sharing their knowledge of The Little Mermaid, it’s a business that these two bartenders have turned into an artform. 

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roy & Walt disney. Jobs & Wozniak. Ben & Jerry. Orville & Wilbur Wright. chip & Joanna Gaines Whether inventing the first flying machine, renovating homes, changing personal computers as we know them, entertaining millions or just making great ice cream- the sky is the limit when you find the yin to your yang in business.

c i m a n y D s O DU We present Dynamic Duos in Biz, a who’s who of local entrepreneurs who have discovered their perfect counterpart and the customer is winning as a result.

Dynamic duo

Jeff Hunt and Jenny Filkins Jeff Hunt & Associates 6 Queens Folly Road Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 (843) 422-5933 jeffh.dunesrealestate.com

hey say first impressions are everything. Just a few weeks into her tenure working alongside Realtor Jeff Hunt, Jenny Filkins, also a licensed Realtor and Jeff’s personal assistant, did something that, even a year later, continues to impress her boss. The pair of them were loading bikes at the north end Walmart for delivery to children around the Lowcountry. This massive undertaking is something Hunt does every year, purchasing hundreds of bicycles to donate to Deep Well, The Boys & Girls Club of Bluffton, and Antioch in Jasper County.

“It’s a simple thing, but Jenny noticed that some of the bikes had some rust on them from sitting outside, so she came to me and said she was going to get something to clean them up,” Hunt said. “That is really something special to me, that she wanted to make sure the bikes were perfect for those children. She recognized the problem, acted, and made things better for other people. It really speaks to who she is as a person. This attitude of making sure everything is done right spills over into her work in real estate. She is extremely detail oriented, holds a high ethical standard, and is well-versed on the ins and outs of real estate contracts.” For Filkins, it’s just a reflection of Hunt’s generous spirit, something that brings joy to her job. “It does make it feel like the work we’re doing is not just for us, but it’s something that we’re doing for the community,” she said. “It is the same, whether donating bikes or working with someone trying to buy or sell a home. It is all about care and integrity. Some people think Jeff only works with high-end clients, but he puts so much care and diligence into every transaction, whether they are selling a multi-million home or something as simple as a quarter share. Jeff respects all people and all their investments equally.” That initial impression proved to Hunt that Filkins had been the perfect hire for his firm, and it has led to a professional relationship built on trust, mutual admiration, and a shared outlook that’s pure optimism. “Jenny has been a breath of fresh air,” Hunt said. “Her attitude toward not just work, but life, is very similar to mine. It is just positivity. That has really inspired and energized me. Plus, she is always ready, willing, and able to spring into action.” The feeling is completely mutual. “It is really refreshing to work with someone who is so kind, hardworking, resolution-oriented, and always able to see the sunny side. He has taught me that every problem has a solution; sometimes you just need patience and to think outside of the box,” Filkins said. “In my time working with Jeff, he has taught me so much about both real estate and life. He’s somebody I’m proud to work with.”

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Dynamic duo

Matthew and Christopher Curry

f there’s a genetic marker for creating opportunity, you’ll definitely find it in the Curry bloodline. Look at how Tom Curry saw the opportunity in a cinder block plant, transforming it into Lowcountry Paver and creating a massive local business in the process. Fast forward 20 years, and his sons Matthew and Christopher have now found their own avenue for planting their flag at CurryCrete. “A lot of our customers at Lowcountry Paver are concrete

CurryCrete 535 Stiney Road Hardeeville, SC (843) 540-5386 lcpaver.com/currycrete

Barry and Lamar Johnson Johnson & Davis, PA The Victoria Building, Suite 200 10 Pinckney Colony Road Bluffton, South Carolina 29909 (843) 815-7121 www.jdwpa.com 52

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or more than 40 years, life-long Beaufort County resident Barry Johnson has built a legendary law career in everything from litigation to land use and development matters. As the firm he helped build, Johnson & Davis, PA, has grown, so has his reputation as one of the area’s most esteemed attorneys. But the thing he’s perhaps proudest of building is a legacy, one that has continued since his son, Lamar Johnson, joined him.

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finishers, and the only reason they didn’t buy concrete from us was that it wasn’t an option we provided,” Matthew said. Like their father before them, Matthew and Christopher have constructed a plant for ready-to-mix concrete, using their extensive knowledge of the industry and endless youthful energy to take it to new heights. But unlike their father, the Curry boys are entering into this new business venture alongside a partner they’ve known their whole lives. The brothers have been hands-on parts of Lowcountry Paver starting from a young age and have developed the perfect dynamic for running a business together. “We’ve always had our own separate roles,” Christopher said. “He’s always been the more mechanically inclined one, while I’ve always done more of the money handling and office duties. As business partners, it’s still that same dynamic.” It’s a dynamic that ensures the Curry dynasty of self-determined success will continue into the next generation.

“It takes the parent-child relationship to a greater level of parity,” Barry said. “We work together to do the right thing in the right way. I like history, tradition and legacy, and we’re building on those things.” Now in his fifth year as an attorney, Lamar joined the firm with an eye on continuing the life-long lessons he received from his father. “Our relationship hasn’t changed an extraordinary amount save for growing into more of a mentorship. It’s an excellent benefit for me to continue learning under my dad,” Lamar said. “I couldn’t see working for anybody else. We’re a close-knit firm.” What’s perhaps most astounding about Lamar following in his father’s footsteps is that it was never a given, never an expectation. “I needed to make sure he was A) making an independent decision and B) knew the work and uncertainty ahead,” Barry said. While he never pushed his son into the law, when you set the kind of example Barry Johnson has, it’s easy for a son to follow suit. “You make decisions when you’re young, and then your decisions make you,” Lamar said. “I would make this decision again in a heartbeat.”

Dynamic duo

Dr. Heather Hinshelwood and Henry Criss The Fraum Center for Restorative Health 1403 Main St. Hilton Head Island, SC 29926 (843) 779-2670 fraum.com

tepping into and continuing a three-decade legacy of delivering patient-centered and relational care, Dr. Heather Hinshelwood and Henry Criss are taking the helm at the Fraum Center for Restorative Health, committed to improving patient outcomes and expanding services to reach as many people as possible with pioneering wellness care. Hinshelwood and Criss are engaged—as a couple in their personal relationship—and professionally, in this joint venture to merge their shared experiences and training, and their yinyang of complementary skillsets to build the business. “Heather brings a great deal of technical knowledge and skill as a board-certified physician for more than 20 years,” Criss said. “I’m always impressed with her vast understanding of what’s happening in her field and how to interact with patients and meet their needs. My organizational management experience from public and private sectors builds the practice around those skills, assuring an organization capable of accomplishing what we set out to do.”

“Henry has a background in military and public service, which means he understands mine as an emergency physician and naval vet,” Hinshelwood said. “That makes him the perfect complement to build this business. I can be the best doctor, but if I’m not good at the business side of the house, who’s going to benefit from that care? There’s an empty space in wellness, but our ability to move into that space is limited if not for his expertise.” At the Fraum Center for Restorative Health, already the premier clinic in the Southeast under the 30-year leadership of Dr. Brad Fraum, the couple’s plans focus on “a personal guarantee of relational capital” that Hinshelwood has established with her patients along with a reputation for advanced services and expertise. “We continue to add new and innovative tech and tools to our tool chest every three to four months: a comprehensive neuropathy program, laser and pain relief modalities, moving into peptides—helping people by hearing them and having a plan for the best resources that call on the body’s innate ability to heal itself,” Hinshelwood said. “People see our success and think these outcomes are easy, but it’s born of how established we are in this field and how high we’re reaching to make elite treatments available to and successful for our patients.”

CH2CB2MAGAZINE.COM

DECEMBER 2023

Dynamic duo

Leslie Bigwood and Ashley Cubbage Now We’re Talking Therapy Services 1536 Fording Island Rd Unit 105 Hilton Head Island, SC 29926 (843) 837-2080 nwt-therapy.com/

hey say talent attracts talent. What’s always interesting, however, is the way in which that happens. Sometimes they’re drawn to each other, and sometimes they fall into each other’s orbit through happenstance. Such was the case when Leslie Bigwood found her son needing a speech therapist and was introduced to Ashley Cubbage. With her background in speech therapy and her current position as owner of a comprehensive outpatient

pediatric private practice in Georgia, Bigwood quickly knew Cubbage was the best around. Right away, the possibilities opened up for these two talented professionals. “We decided to pool our resources, with Leslie having that knowledge of the business and with my investment in the Bluffton and Hilton Head communities,” Cubbage said. They founded Now We’re Talking Therapy Services, which has since grown to a team of 20 professionals dedicated to offering quality pediatric speech, occupational, and physical therapy. “We are yin and yang for sure. I’m like the front of the house and she’s the back of the house.” Bigwood said. “Our team members say, ‘If you want a warm hug, find Ashley. If you want an answer, find Leslie.’” Their shared laughter in telling this proves they both know it, and both realize how strong it makes them as a team. That give and take has helped fuel the practice’s expansion, with a freshly signed lease ready to usher them into 2,000 additional square feet to serve more children in need of speech, occupational, and physical therapy.

Kori Brett McKeithan McKeithan said. Her practice areas skew more toward the real estate side of things, while and Joseph DuBois closings DuBois’s lean toward personal to better serve our clients,”

Liberty Oak Law Firm 71 Lighthouse Road, Suite 230 Hilton Head Island SC 29928 (843) 671-5550 www.libertyoaklaw.com

he best marriages are those in which each person finds not just love, but a sense of completion in one another. The famous line in Jerry Maguire, “You complete me,” sums it up perfectly. And when a married couple can take what makes them complete and apply that toward the practice of law, you get something amazing. Just look at the way husband-and-wife team Kori Brett McKeithan and Joseph DuBois turn marital bliss into seamless teamwork at Liberty Oak Law Firm. “People ask how you can work with your spouse, but we do such different things at the firm. So rather than micromanage each other, we’re able to collaborate

injury, worker’s compensation and medical malpractice. “One thing about Kori Brett, she’s not only the most motivated, she’s also a very good attorney. She’s able to take a comprehensive look at transactions from a legal perspective and give her clients the full view,” DuBois said of his spouse. She’s equally effusive in praise of her husband and legal partner. “Joe is truly brilliant and also extremely motivated, so much so that he just passed the Georgia bar exam to expand into that region,” she said. “The way he commands a courtroom is amazing to watch.” This blessed union of talents shows that a great marriage can make for a great dynamic in and out of the courtroom.

Dynamic duo

Frederick G. Weniger, MD, FACS & Carmen A. Traywick, MD, FAAD LUX ~ A Medical Spa Bluffton: 350 Fording Island Road, Suite 101 Hilton Head: 24 Shelter Cove Lane, Suite 50 info@luxhhi.com luxhhi.com

ometimes a duo works well because of their chemistry. Sometimes they work because of a shared vision. In rare cases, a duo simply works because the combination of their skills, talents and expertise creates something more than the sum of its parts. When looking at the respective careers of Drs. Frederick G. Weniger and Carmen A. Traywick, you can see that they work for all those reasons. Professionally, they came together over mutual admiration of one another’s expertise in their respective fields. They quickly found they both shared a vision of a medical spa built on a foundation of exceptional experience. And they realized that vision together, creating LUX - A Medical Spa, a premier medical spa informed by Dr. Weniger’s expertise as a plastic surgeon and Dr. Traywick’s renowned skill as a dermatologist. Together, they could offer the entire continuum from medical dermatology to plastic surgery, with LUX representing the expansive cosmetic crossover

between these fields. No other facility could offer every skin and cosmetic solution in one location. “Dr. Traywick provides the solution for many of the particular skin-related concerns that are outside of my expertise,” Weniger said. “In fact, she provides LUX patients a resource for even their most unusual or rare skin conditions that plastic surgeons aren’t at all familiar with.” “Dr. Weniger provides the surgical expertise at LUX, being aware of the limitations of non-surgical approaches and the knowledge of the start-to-finish top-notch cosmetic experience,” Traywick said. It was that recognition of their mutual skills that brought them together, and that deep shared talent pool that has turned LUX – A Medical Spa into a destination for health and beauty. Now, patients can experience the only location where they can be directed straight to the most appropriate specialty even when they don’t know who to go to. The only medical spa in the Lowcountry owned by a plastic surgeon and a dermatologist, LUX has grown in the 10 years since its inception into the premier medical spa in the Southeast, with locations on Hilton Head Island and in Bluffton.

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DECEMBER 2023

Dynamic duo

Ryan and Lisa Lockhart group46 Marketing 1323 May River Rd #202 Bluffton, SC 29910 (843) 258-5943 grp46.com

“A

nybody can do it like everybody.” Standing far and above that standard is a dynamic duo holding court on a historied corner of downtown Bluffton: Ryan and Lisa Lockhart, the professional “brand navigators” behind the full-service marketing and brand development agency, group46. What started as a knack for founder and owner Ryan Lockhart, grew to a distinct ability that would ultimately set his intuitive influence and the agency apart. In a story known to clientele from around the world, Ryan originally came to the States on a student visa “with nothing more than a backpack, credit card, and a one-way ticket.” That spirit of adventure would lead him down a path toward helping business owners get discovered, heard, and known. It would also lead him to his life and business partner Lisa (Lewellen) Lockhart, who would bring the missing piece to the business with her expertise in accounting, leadership, and organizational management. As a brand visionary and innovator in the advertising landscape, Ryan invests his diverse sales and marketing experience as a coach and fractional CMO for brands and businesses, mentoring and training clients with consistent tools 56

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and practices that help them find and stay focused on their true north. Fulfilling their mission at every turn, Lisa and Ryan leverage partnerships and resources to work with and for you, “to change the course of your company, craft smart brands, create the path to success, cultivate the means to get there, and connect your brand and ideal client in the most profitable engagement experience.” Lofty objectives, yes. But this is a couple that spends their weekends reaching tremendous mileage goals through “section hiking,” conquering trails marked “extremely difficult” with their Labradoodle, Mate. Just as they completed the Georgia Appalachian Trail this year before forging into N.C., they know the gains of making progress one mile at a time, reminding clients, “Simple things done consistently over time create extraordinary results.” Brand development, digital solutions, strategic planning—it’s all part of the package when you “raise your game with group46,” conquering those measurable goals while they guide you higher, toward your most meaningful goals. With Lisa who handles ever-changing needs, making sure promises get kept, and Ryan with a far-reaching rep as the “Brand Whisperer,” together they guide their roster of clients—new businesses and established brands— beyond perceived ambitions, on a search and discovery mission for the “best true thing to say.”

Dynamic duo

Dr. Timothy and Melissa Gross Dr. Timothy Gross’ Dental Excellence 15 Bow Circle, Suite 104 Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 (843) 342-7700 www.drtimgross.com

hile most people only know Dr. Timothy Gross for his 14 years serving patients with his trademark dedication and dental expertise in the Lowcountry, most don’t know that his time here is, in fact, his career’s second act. Prior to his move here, he spent 18 years building a successful practice in Pittsburgh. So, what’s his secret to more than three decades atop the dental field? “I stand on the shoulders of giants,” he said. “None of us can do what we’re doing in this office alone. There’s a lot of mutual appreciation because we only accomplish these things together.” When he says it, he’s speaking of his entire staff. But one staff member in particular has provided a shoulder for 19 years in his practice, and in his life since the fourth grade. That would be his wife Melissa, who has stood by his side for 25 years in sickness and in health, during office hours and beyond. “My title is technically bookkeeper, but over the years that has morphed and changed,” she said. Melissa had previously worked in banking, and when her husband found his practice

with an urgent need of someone with her business savvy, she didn’t hesitate. “Tim was great about setting the tone right away. With me not knowing dentistry, but knowing banking, he was a very patient teacher and a great leader.” Nineteen years in, she has become one of Tim’s most valuable team members and a great sounding board. While some couples might draw a strict line in the sand on business hours, the Grosses see dentistry as more than just a business. “We’ll talk about work sometimes right up until we go to sleep at night and sometimes when we wake up,” Tim said. “Dentistry is just a huge part of our life.” And Melissa has played a key role in the growth of Dr. Gross’ practice as he has enjoyed his second act here in the Lowcountry. Whether it’s routine cleanings, cosmetic or comprehensive dental care, or even braces or Invisalign, Dr. Gross is able to give each patient his utmost attention due to two factors. The first is a focus on keeping patient loads light to allow his expertise to truly shine through with each visit. The second is a woman who won his heart, supported his dream, and paved the way for his success. “Nobody puts their heart into it like Melissa,” Tim said. “It’s really just worked.”

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DECEMBER 2023

Dynamic duo

Charles and Ingrid Nivens Bluffton Aesthetics 3 Plantation Park Drive Bluffton, SC 29910 (843) 505-0584 blufftonaesthetics.com

harles and Ingrid Nivens have always made the perfect pair and have been the perfect complement to one another in everything 58

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they set out to build - Family (1997), Charles J. Nivens, MD Spine Medicine (2000), and now since 2017, sharing space with Charles’ medical clinic, Ingrid Nivens’ Med Spa, Bluffton Aesthetics. Bluffton Aesthetics naturally evolved after years of Ingrid playing a key role in her husband’s practice where feedback from that clientele unearthed the need

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for “professional, yet economical, aesthetic skincare.” Ingrid specifies, “There are so many options beyond injectables and surgery that many people are not aware of. We love educating our patients about noninvasive options that give you that refreshed look with little to no down time. Caring for our complexion is similar to tending to a well-planned garden. At home, gardens require hydration, fertilization and constant upkeep, but we really don’t have the tools to give the same care to our skin” – tools for anti-aging services like injectables, microneedling, photorejuvenation, laser treatments and medical grade skin care products. What makes this partnership thrive as the duo behind an increasingly influential medical presence in Bluffton? Charles credits the complement of their shared medical backgrounds with the yin and yang of his dogmatic, regimented approach versus her fun-loving creativity. Ingrid summarizes, “I’m the calm; he’s the storm.” Together, they’re moving mountains.

Dynamic duo

Dennis Jaworski and Chuck Hall Palmettoes The Shops at Sea Pines Center 71 Lighthouse Rd # 414 Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 (843) 363-6800 How long have you known each other, and how did you meet initially? Dennis Jaworski: We met in the 1998. Chuck was a customer of mine at Acorn (formerly a men’s and women’s store in Sea Pines Center), and he became a friend. At what point did you decide to work together and why? DJ: Once I learned of Chuck’s background as a buyer for Neiman Marcus, I thought there might be an opportunity there. I asked if he would assist me in the buying for

Acorn. He decided to come on, and that was the beginning of a long friendship and work partnership.

Chuck has become the lead on the floor, making sure our customers feel welcome and well taken care of.

What strengths do you each bring to the business? DJ: My background was in menswear and Chuck’s was in womenswear, so we were able to meld those two specialties together to create a winning team. In 2005, we decided to break away and start our own business, and Palmettoes was born. I can’t believe it’s been almost 20 years.

What advice do you have to people going into business together? First of all, be sure you have compatible personalities so you understand each other’s strengths and weaknesses. I tend to be really good at merchandising (dressing the floor in an attractive way to bring customers in). Chuck is charming and fun to be around, and that is really an asset to the store.

What happens when you both strongly disagree on something? How do you work through that? DJ: This most often happens when we are on buying trips. If we don’t both agree on a line or an issue, we pass on it. We’ve found that things just work better if everyone is on the same page.

Tell us one thing about the other that makes you really enjoy working together. DJ: Becoming known as “the boys” in the community—as the faces of Palmettoes. CH: We work great as a team and strive to make people happy in our store.

How have your individual roles evolved since you started working together? DJ: My role has changed in that it now involves a lot more office time. CH2CB2MAGAZINE.COM

DECEMBER 2023

Dynamic duo

to be interviewing me, but I’m pretty sure he just talked about himself the whole time. What strengths do you each bring to the business? JD: Business? I bring the monkey business and Maggie basically “gives me the business,” although recently I have noticed less friction while we are on the job. And yes, we fly by the seat of our pants. MW: Jevon is good at staying current with pop culture and being abreast of what people are talking about. That probably comes from actually engaging with every single person he meets—everywhere. He’s very curious and genuinely interested in people. You learn a lot that way. He’s also good at bringing levity to any stressful situation. My strengths are too many to list on this tiny page. What happens when you both strongly disagree on something? How do you work through that? JD: Strongly disagreeing is something we do daily. The more I learn about great groups of people who have worked together over the years (like bands, I suppose, or marriages), I have found something. These people strongly disagreed, famously, and we never knew till the memoir came out. MW: Ooof! Those first few years were rough. Agree to disagree maybe? And try to understand where the other person is coming from based on past experience … and childhood trauma. Also seeing a therapist together once a day helps. We recommend Sheila (Tucker) Critchley. See her column on page 84. How have your individual roles evolved since you started working together? JD: Our individual roles have kinda flipped and flopped over the last almost four years. Sometimes I’m doing the “reeling in” on ideas. I know. Hard to believe that sometimes I think Maggie Washo has an edgy idea. I now know her ideas are great, and very different from mine. Or exactly the same. MW: This business is constantly evolving as are the roles. Now that there’s a level of trust there, I find myself deferring some of the creative control. There was a time when I thought the only good ideas were mine.

Maggie Washo and Jevon Daly CH2/CB2 MAGAZINE

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How long have you known each other, and how did you meet initially? Jevon Daly: We met initially as part of a music interview, I believe. Was that 2008? Ew. That year stunk in a lot of ways. I spent most of it curled up in the position (not the fetal position). Maggie Washo: I met Jevon early in my Lowrey Group marketing days—I think maybe at the Boathouse. I remember a child playing the banjo was part of his band at the time. (He wasn’t the child, for the record). I want to say I had to take a photo of Lowcountry Boil for our newsletter, which is a bit ironic because Jevon just asked me to photograph the most recent incarnation of LCB last month. At what point did you decide to work together and why? JD: I wear people down. Remember the kid that wanted to fit in, so he started doing other kids’ book reports? That was me, only the beautifully written book report usually got a D-. In 2020, Maggie and I started working together after I warned her of what happens when you fall behind in the social media world. Now look what I did, Mom. MW: The creative sparks always kind of flew when we were in the same room together. I like the weird way Jevon’s brain works. It’s important to have those off-the-wall thoughts that explode into something remarkable once refined. It was February or March of 2020, and he reached out on Instagram (probably to tell me what I posted was dumb). One conversation led to another, and suddenly I was sitting in the CH2 office doing a live stream. He was supposed 60

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What advice do you have to people going into business together? JD: If you are going in business together, be careful what you say to one another when the baby is awake at 4 a.m. the night before your big meeting. Words hurt people’s feelings these days, but more importantly, kill great moments on the reg, worldwide. There is usually a rainbow over the next hill, ya grouch. MW: You can’t do everything by yourself, although I have definitely tried and almost killed myself doing it. Find someone you like and respect and, like Jevon said, someone who doesn’t always agree with you. I remember my mentor Pierce Lowrey used to tell me, “If you and I agreed on everything, there would be no reason for you to be here.” Tell us one thing about the other that makes you really enjoy working together. JD: Food. That is one thing that makes working with Maggie better. MW: Jevon makes me laugh 88% of the day. The other 12% … Is Jevon as cool as he seems? JD: Jevon can be cool. Jevon can be a fool. The guy is human. Humans are sometimes not cool and need to be hugged or forgiven. Mainly forgiven. MW: Of course. Wait. Is that a real question? Did anyone else get that question?

Photography by M.Kat

A LINE IN THE SAND As Carol Anne said in Poltergeist III...

“WE’RE BACK!”

COURTNEY’S OPINION: Kids These Days...

blame Whitney Houston, rest her soul. In 1986, she told us the children are our future. The children she was singing about are my contemporaries and parents themselves now—parents of the “kids these days” that have us (me!) shaking our heads on the regular. An October 2019 journal article in Science Advances tells us that generations have been alluding to inferior generations since at least 624 BC. This tells me two things. One, Barry and I have yet to have an original idea to debate. And two, history does indeed repeat itself. Two thousand six hundred and forty-seven years after the first group of 33-50 year olds were annoyed by the next generation, we still find ourselves stupefied by kids these days. This same article said, “We view kids these days unfavorably, especially on traits at which we excel, partly because we have a biased view of the past.” Specifically, “Authoritarian people especially think youth are less

respectful of their elders; intelligent people especially think youth are less intelligent; well-read people especially think youth enjoy reading less.” While attempting to f ind scholarly support for my opinion, this research supports the opinion that our opinions are basically just our opinions, based on our own experiences. Based on this experience, this is probably the last time I will conduct research for this column. (By the way, we’re back! A Line in the Sand has officially returned.) Instead, I will just tell you what I know. I don’t have children, but I do have “kids.” My kids are the college students who have walked across my classroom threshold for the last 21 years. The vast majority have been traditionally aged college students, 17-22 years old, uncomfortable with public speaking yet forced to take the required course I teach. Some have impressed the hell out of me, and I have loved watching them grow—beyond my classroom, beyond their college years, into adulthood, and now even parenthood. Those are the ones that give me hope: Chelsea, Chavis, Fox, Benji, Megan … and more— all with whom I am still in touch in some way because we connected.

Perhaps we connected based on our shared desire to overachieve, get stuff done, do better next time, and chart a course. Of the more than 1000 students I have taught, why is it that just a small sliver remain in my sphere? Probably because the other 900+ had me shaking my head. But shouldn’t they? In eighth grade, when I got a C in English because, according to my teacher, I was hanging out with the wrong crowd and trying to be cool not smart, my parents were shaking their heads. When I discovered beer and got a 2.0 GPA my first semester of college, my parents were shaking their heads. When I graduated from college with a social work degree (and a 3.5 GPA) and decided I didn’t want to be a social worker, my parents shook their heads. I shake my head when a student skips a class or an assignment and then shrugs at a zero. I shake my head when a first-time job applicant doesn’t include a cover letter (I love words people!). I shook my head when my husband and I had some of his colleagues over to our house. The crowd included new firefighter recruits (barely in their 20s) and the salty old guys (in their 40s and 50s). Two of the new recruits were found peeing in our front yard because it was easier than asking where the bathroom was. Kids these days. We shake our heads. “Kids” make bad choices, say shocking things, hurt our feelings, and surprise us with their behavior. We might feel better if we expect nothing less. It’s a messy and complicated world. Kids haven’t found their way yet. They don’t know what to say, what they want to do or be, or what the future looks like. I didn’t either, and look at me. I turned out just fine. 

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BARRY’S OPINION: The Younger Generation...

great person once asked, “What is happening to our young people? They disrespect their elders; they disobey their parents. They ignore the law. They riot in the streets, inflamed with wild notions. Their morals are decaying.” Of course, that great person was Plato, and he asked that almost 2,400 years ago. Those young people of Ancient Greece, far from pulling society apart at the seams, simply dared enjoy their youth in the presence of crusty old philosophers. I think about Plato a lot when people complain about the kids these days. But not as much as I think about another great philosopher, who did as much to pierce the veil of mystery around the human condition as Plato ever did. I speak, of course, of Carl the Janitor from The Breakfast Club who said, “The kids haven’t changed. You have.” Wise words, Carl the Janitor. I’m sure you have a last name, but I’m too lazy to look it up. The fact is, people have been complaining about the younger generation for as long as there have been younger generations—which, I’m assuming, came pretty early in human history. We watch them as their certainty about the world around them grows, and we mistake their confidence for arrogance. We expect them to give

us respect, then call them contemptuous when we do nothing to earn it. We lament their lack of morals, despite it being our job to instill them. When we complain about the kids, all we’re really complaining about is the crappy job we did raising them. And boy did kids these days get the short end of the stick there. My generation invented helicopter parenting. We invented play dates. We didn’t invent car seats that are more complicated than the space shuttle, but we made sure we used them. Our kids were raised on heavily padded and sterile playgrounds where no one could ever be injured. Which is what gives me a lot of faith in the kids these days. Because despite my generation whipping up a strict regimen of the worst parenting techniques in human history, they seem to be doing okay. I think back to when I was a teenager, back when all the cool kids smoked. Sure, it made your mouth taste like an ashtray, your clothes smell like a structure fire, your teeth look like candy corns and your lungs shrivel from the inside out, but that’s the price you pay for looking cool. Kids these days don’t smoke. Sure, some of them vape, but at least no one thinks they look cool for doing it. Back then, we’d listen to bands like Limp Bizkit, sure that flipping up double birds and setting things on fire was the best way to let everyone know you were a solid badass. Kids today listen to … well, I don’t know what they listen to, but it’s gotta be better than Limp Bizkit. And most of all, kids these days are actually kind of nice to each other. Again, there are jerks, but not like when I was a kid. Back in my day, if you weren’t treating everyone around you like absolute garbage, you weren’t cool. Because the worst anyone could do back then, if they got offended, was try to fight you in the parking lot. That was as bad as it got. Ask any teen these days, particularly after an active shooter drill, how bad it can get these days. Kids these days are tougher than my generation was. They’re smarter than my generation was. And maybe most important, they’re kinder than my generation was. And to be clear, my generation had nothing to do with that. They did that on their own, proving once again that Plato didn’t know what he was talking about. But Carl the Janitor may have. Reed! Carl Reed. I knew I’d figure that out.  CH2CB2MAGAZINE.COM

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY M.KAT

SPARKLE + SHINE CHECK OUT OUR GUIDE TO EVERYTHING THE WOMEN IN YOUR LIFE WANT THIS HOLIDAY SEASON!

Prices change and human error occurs. Please see boutique listed for final pricing on all items.

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1. Pajamas worn by Caroline available at En Dentelle.; 2. Handcrafted Clutch $65 each, available at Binya; 3. NOON Aesthetic Micro-Cleanser $59, available at Savage Skin; 4. Pearls & Camo Merry Red Sweater $118, Na Lei Boho Clothier Woven Snake Hat $154, available at Maggie and Me; 5. Bottle Stoppers $32 each, available at Binya; 6. Perfume Large $80; Travel Size $20, available at Southern Tide; 7. Blue Sweatshirt $136, available at Palmetto Dunes Robert Trent Jones Golf Shop; 8. Chan Luu Charm Necklace $295, available at The Haven *Prices change and human error occurs. Please see boutique listed for final pricing on all items.

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1. Able Brown Leather Jacket $398, Able Green Leather Clutch $102, available at Coastal Bliss; 2. Sapphire & Diamond ring, see Quinn’s Diamond Jewelers for pricing and availability; 3. Dusty Rose with Lace and Pearl Bra $154, Pearly Pink Checker Pattern Bra $146, Nippies Skin Lift Nipple Covers $33, Nippies Basic Heart Nipple Covers $12, En Dentelle Gift Card Available in Any Amount, all available at En Dentelle; 4. Credit Card Holder Vertical $29.99, Credit Card Holder Petite $29.99, Eyeglass Case with Side Zip $22.99, all available at GIFTED Hilton Head; 5. l.a. Eyeworks $425, available at Eyeland Optique; 6. Winter Pom Hats $29 each, available at Palmetto Dunes Robert Trent Jones Golf Shop; 7. Oyster Shell Ornament, Handmade Locally $38, available at Birdie James *Prices change and human error occurs. Please see boutique listed for final pricing on all items.

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1. Juke Joint Sweets Sweet Potato Spiced Pecans $5.95, “We Island” Horseradish Cocktail Sauce Spice $8.50, HHI Map Oyster Shell $50, Sterling Silver Bolo Necklace with Spiny Oyster Cabochon $325, available at Hilton Head Community Market; 2.Grey jumpsuit and slippers worn by Caroline, available at Maggie and Me; 3. Twine & Twig Tribal stack bracelet $40, available at Collage; 4. Cassey Cardigan $218, Jumpsuit $148, Trucker Hat $28, available at CycleBar Hilton Head; 5. Champagne or Wine Sleeves $19 each, available at Kelly Caron Curated; 6. Burnt Church Coffee $30 The Grind Costa Rican Honey Process $30, available at The Grind; 7. Beaded Necklace $150, available at Binya; 8. Cherry Balsamic Sauce $12 each, available at Hilton Head Oils *Prices change and human error occurs. Please see boutique listed for final pricing on all items.

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1. Palmetto Dunes Corkcicle, White: $28, Purple: $30, Pattern $30, available at Palmetto Dunes Robert Trent Jones Golf Shop; 2. Twine & Twig Layers Necklace, Set of 5 in Black $60, Twine & Twig Mid Shell Pendant Necklace Domino $150, Twine & Twig Stacked Classic Necklace $175, available at Collage; 3. Veggie Cookies for Dogs $4.99 each, available at WoofGang; 4. l.a. Eyeworks $425, available at Eyeland Optique; 5. Chan Luu Bracelets $125 each, available at The Haven; 6. Molly G Black Leather Hatch Detailing Sling Bag $345, available at The Haven *Prices change and human error occurs. Please see boutique listed for final pricing on all items.

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DECEMBER 2023

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1. Pajamas worn by Caroline, available at Kelly Caron Curated; 2. Virtue Mother of Pearl and Swarovski Crystal Necklace $40, Virtue Earrings $45, Virtue Chain Bracelet $60, Virtue Beaded with Large Silver Bead Bracelet $65, available at J. Parker LTD.; 3. Colf Cart Locking glovebox $335, available at Club Car Hilton Head; 4. LUX Gift Cards - amounts range from $50-$1000, available at LUX; 5. Bella Face Moisturizer $42.50, Restore Bio-Therapy $104, Bella Serum $63, available at Bluffton Aesthetics; 6. Hat $88, Bag $218, Scarf $38, Necklace $34, available at Outside Hilton Head; 7. Diamond Necklace, see Quinn’s Diamond Jewelers for pricing. *Prices change and human error occurs. Please see boutique listed for final pricing on all items.

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1. Get your favorite MOJO’s merch and the Swiftie on your list everything she needs in anticipation of the REPUTATION release date, available at MOJO’S Island Records; 2. NOON Aesthetics Anti-Aging Starter Kit $99, available at Savage Skin; 3. PJs worn by Caroline, available at Haskins & Co.; 4. Dog Collar $$25.99, Dog Leash $30.99, available at Woof Gang; 5. Flamingo Dog Plushie $21.99, available at Woof Gang; 6. David Yurman - Thoroughbred Collection Sterling silver and 18K yellow gold loop bracelet, see prices at Forsythe Jewelers; 7. Love of Fashion Scarf $34, Makana Coconut Milk Soy Candle $34, Able Silver Clutch $95, available at Haskins & Co.; 8. Chan Luu Earrings $225, available at The Haven *Prices change and human error occurs. Please see boutique listed for final pricing on all items.

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1. Pajamas worn by Caroline, available at Coastal Bliss; 2. Barbour Vest, varied colors available $150, Barbour Scarf $55, Sheila Fajl Earrings $52, available at Gigi’s; 3. Anna Beck Turquoise Charm Necklace $275, Anna Beck Earrings $325, available at Birdie James; 4. Ceramic Tray $40, S’mores Peanut Butter $9, Soy Candle $25, Happy Howlidays Boxed Set of 6 Holiday Cards $20, Coasters $8, Nautical Rope Bowl $26, available at Hilton Head Community Market; 5. Miniature Dasher Reindeer Figurine Set $79.95, available at Le Cookery; 6. Wreath Enamel Tray $59.95, available at Le Cookery; 7. Merry & Bright Wooden Ships Holiday Sweater $150, Meriel Stud Earrings, available in a variety of colors $42, each, available at Copper Penny *Prices change and human error occurs. Please see boutique listed for final pricing on all items.

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DECEMBER 2023

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 1. Maven West Navy Dress $228, Joh Apparel Coat $168, available at Birdie James; 2. Pajamas worn by Caroline, available at J Parker LTD.; 3. White mother-of-pearl and hand-painted black Italian enamel with white stones set into rhodium-plated, nickel allergy-free, 925 sterling silver. $745, available at Heritage Jewelers; 4. Maui Jim Sunglasses, $379; available at Southern Tide 5.Beck’s Bum Bag, Available in Black and Brown $165, available at Collage; 6. Roberto Coin - Obelisco Collection - 18K yellow gold hoop earrings with geometric pattern, see Forsythe Jewelers for pricing; 7. Pajamas worn by Caroline, available at Southern Tide *Prices change and human error occurs. Please see boutique listed for final pricing on all items.

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DECEMBER 2023

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1. Diamond Bracelet, see Quinn’s Diamond Jewelers for pricing; 2. Pajamas worn by Caroline, available at Birdie James; 3. Reed Diffuser $35, Island Time Coffee $17, Customizable Oyster Shell Ornament $22, Ice Dyed Scrunchie $5, Sea Turtle Plushie $10, Artisan Soap $9, available at Hilton Head Community Market; 4. E Newton Bracelets, Top $64, Middle $64, Bottom $98, available at GIFTED Hilton Head; 5. Jenny Bird Earrings $108, Jenny Bird monogram necklace $88 each, Jenny Bird Bangle Bracelets $140 each, Jenny Bird Chain Bracelet $98, available at Kelly Caron Curated; 6. HHB Brown Leather Handbag, Made in Italy $375, available at Palmettoes; 7. Santa Appetizer Plate $30, available at Hilton Head Oils 8. Pink Blazer $215, Hobo Crossbody $188, available at Island Girl, Prices change and human error occurs. Please see boutique listed for final pricing on all items.

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Article by Sheila Tucker . Photography by M.Kat

M a i n t a i n i n g

W e l l n e s s :

Coping with Holiday Stress

is the season to be jolly. But is it really? Uh, not so much for everyone. The holidays bring expectations, like finding the perfect gifts, their potential financial impact, and ensuring that magical little tattle-tale elf has epic (and sometimes questionable) adventures. Oh, and the lights. I love how they sparkle. Especially when someone else puts them up and takes them down. Then there are the “peopling” obligations—balancing the time between work events, family gatherings, and appetizers with f riends, not to mention prepping the house for guests or packing to be the guest. The holidays can become even more overwhelming when adding in existing anxiety, depression, chronic illness, and financial or family issues. It’s a lot. Simply thinking about it is exhausting. No wonder the American Psychological Association reports a 38 percent increase in stress during the holiday

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season among the people surveyed. Honestly, I’m shocked the percentage isn’t higher. It’s a whole lot of juggling for the jingle. And it’s one of the reasons I boycotted the holidays one year. For full disclosure, I was in my 20s and did not have children, creating an accessible boycotting opportunity. My parents divorced when I was five, so I’ve spent many years volleying between houses and experiencing multiple iterations of the same holiday. I mean, the extended holiday celebrations weren’t all that bad when I was younger. But as I became older, the back and forth, family discord and the stress of planning grew stale. There was only a glimpse of fun in our dysfunctional family. Much to the dismay of my family, I tapped out of the usual hot-mess Christmas gymnastics that had me traveling, consoling, and playing nice. It didn’t go over well, but neither did holidays past. Only this stand would be more like ripping off the Band-

Aid than slowly pulling out each hair one at a time. The pleas and crying soon turned to accusations of me being selfish and some other forms of passive-aggressive forte which some of my family members execute with gold medal Olympian precision. I held fast to my decision through it all, knowing I’d made the best choice that year. It wasn’t all tears and insults, though. The other half of my family nearly high-fived me through the phone for standing up for my wants and needs. There was a sense of solidarity and pride that they raised an independent thinker who was not afraid to buck the system. Families are fascinating that way. Boycotting the holidays isn’t for everyone. Over the years, I’ve spent holiday celebrations with amazingly close, connected, and loving families where there was a lot of ease, and the stress melted away. These fun humans would immediately break out into holiday songs and expect full household participation. Okay, maybe living in a holiday musical was slightly stressful. If you’re part of the 38 percent, feeling the stress and pressures of the holidays combined with an increase in your anxiety or depression response, here are a few ways to prioritize your mental health and well-being: Set boundaries, but with a twist. I’m suggesting you set boundaries with yourself first by prioritizing what matters most to you while trying not to let guilt drive your decisions. What do you realistically and energetically have the time to do? How much can you realistically afford to spend during the holidays? How do you want to feel this holiday season? How do you want your family to feel? What do you want to experience? How about your family? Then, assess how you want others to treat you during the holidays. For example, plan an exit strategy ahead of time or what you’ll say to that one person with a history of crossing the line during holiday functions.

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Embrace the imperfections instead of chasing down a nearly unattainable social media ideal. For those who need to hear this, you have permission to say no this holiday season. You have permission to decline any engagement or perceived obligation. Repeat after me, “I’m sorry I can’t make it this year. But thank you so much for including me.” Check those expectations. Embrace the imperfections instead of chasing down a nearly unattainable social media ideal. Again, assess your time and energy. Then, determine if what you want is realistic or attainable. If all is in check, it’s a priority, or upholds a value, then go for it. Consider creating a new tradition. Is there something you currently do for the holidays that you could tweak to alleviate just a tad of pressure and stress? Maybe something you could simplify? Work in a few moments of self-care. Or don’t abandon your existing routines that already work for you. Examples of self-care include having lunch, chatting, or walking with a friend. It could also look like walking the dog, reading, listening to a

podcast, napping, or working out. Don’t let time be your enemy. It doesn’t have to be for an extended amount of time. And I say this a lot: Only you know what self-care is for you. Seek support. Openly communicate your feelings and concerns. Reach out to friends, family, or a therapist for support—especially if you’re grieving. In the end, my mental well-being won out. Honestly, I didn’t know how being “alone” for the holidays would go. However, I experienced one of the calmest, most stress-free, and soothing holidays. It was light and leisurely, spending time with a few close friends and immersing myself in an entertaining read. Let’s face it: As much as we would all love the holiday season to be a time of joy, connection, and rejuvenation, for many, it’s just not. It’s far more complicated and stressful. It may include grief and more than likely elicits an eye roll at the thought of being “holly jolly.” Nowadays, I acknowledge the various holiday stressors that arise and do what I can to ensure I don’t over-commit. Creating boundaries, setting realistic(ish) expectations, simplifying, maintaining routines, implementing other forms of self-care, and seeking support are significant steps toward reducing holiday stress and pressure. Wishing you a very peaceful holiday season.  Sheila Tucker is a licensed marriage and family therapist and founder of Heart Mind & Soul Counseling. She empowers clients who overthink, worry, and experience their fair share of anxiety to become more rooted in peace, ease, and confidence. When not in the office, you’ll find her walking her pups or planning her next mountain getaway with her husband.

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DECEMBER 2023

PHOTOGRAPHY BY M.KAT

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Guide 4. CRUISE ON OVER TO HILTON HEAD ISLAND’S DOWNTOWN TO FIND SOMETHING ON YOUR LIST FOR HIM, HER AND EVERYONE 5. *Human error occurs and pricing changes. Please see store listed for final pricing on all items.

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1. Beautiful Platters and Delicious Boards $27.95, available at Tee Hut; 2. Bee Plushie $22.99, available at Hilton Head Toys; 3. Urban Tea Tumbler $32.99, available at The Spice and Tea Exchange; 4. Wooden Ships Christmas Sweater $158, available at Fresh Produce; 5. Gingerbread Men Slippers $31.99, available at Mingles; 6. Lobster Claw Large Tote $180, available at Sea Bags; 7. Sarong $16.95, available at Black Market Minerals; 8. Creator Legos $19.99, available at Hilton Head Toys; 9. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer $18.99, available at Tee Hut; 10. Assorted Soaps $11 each, available at House of Honey; 11. Necklace $84, available at Black Market Minerals; 12. Bee Shirt $25, available at House of Honey; 13. Large Calcite Lamp $1200, available at Black Market Minerals; 14. Fire Truck $34.99, available at Hilton Head Toys; 15. Dog PJ Bottoms $32.99, available at Mingles; 16. Corduroy Jacket $215, Hobo Bag $328, available at Island Girl; 17. Jolly Roger Duffel $195, available at Sea Bags; 18. Fish Puzzle $23.99, available at Mingles; 19. Sunflower Honey $20, Raw Unfiltered Honey with Comb $24, Whipped Honey with Lemon $20, available at House of Honey; 20. Glow Candles $29.99 each, available at Wax and Beyond; 21. Fuzzy Slippers $19.99, available at Hilton Head Toys; 22. Hammitt Bag $295, available at Fresh Produce; 23. Herbal Teas $12.29-$15.89, available at The Spice and Tea Exchange; 24. Java Joe’s Gourmet Coffee (Assorted Prices), available at Tee Hut; 25. Mila & Rose Tutu Dress $42, Christmas Tree Headband $26, available at Island Girl

ARTICLE BY CHERYL RICER

H E R E

PHOTOGRAPHY BY M.KAT

C O M E S

Santa Claus S A N TA C L A U S F I N D S A H O M E I N H I LT O N H E A D

side from Scrooge (who finally came around), who doesn’t love Christmas? The real question might be, who loves Christmas most? Well, if Santa himself were judging, no doubt Hilton Head Island residents Linda and Casey Hodnett would win, hands down. For 30 years they’ve been collecting Santa Claus décor. With more than 800 Santas in their Christmas display, which takes more than two weeks to hone to perfection, this couple’s affection for the jolly one rivals that of Mrs. Claus, the elves, and the reindeer—even Rudolf. Linda began collecting Santas primarily because Christmas is her favorite holiday. “I always host Thanksgiving,” she said, “and because my grandmother passed away around Christmastime, I always wanted to make sure my mom was in the holiday spirit. So, I started decorating for Christmas at Thanksgiving with the most happy, jolly Santas I could find.” While the Hodnetts have bought many Santas for themselves, their friends and family take advantage of any and every occasion to add to the couple’s collection. Linda’s first Santa Claus was a gift from a family friend, which now proudly views the holiday festivities from a high perch that overlooks the kitchen, dining room, and den.

Linda and Casey Hodnett at home in Leamington. Within that space lives the majority of the couple’s assortment, with a few notable collections. The 10-foot Christmas tree is adorned with almost 300 Santa ornaments on a tree whose base slowly spins to ensure that every ornament receives its due adoration. Some of these feature Santa singing, Santa mechanically descending the chimney, Santa with his sleigh and reindeer lighting up the sky, and more. A guest could study the tree for an hour and possibly miss something; it’s that ornate. Also notable is that Linda individually unwraps and then rewraps each ornament on the tree, a task that requires about two days, factoring in the hanging and taking down of each ornament and light. The rest of the home’s common area is decorated to perfection with similar figurines grouped together. For example, there is a group

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of first responder Santas, Santas with children, Santas on motorcycles, Santas with Mrs. Claus, Texan Santas (the couple lived in Houston for a time), and more. In the kitchen, there are cooking Santas; at the bar, there are drinking Santas; there are Santas hanging f rom the chandelier and relaxing on the screened porch. In the bedroom, there are sleeping Santas and Santas in pajamas, and in the master bath, you’ll find Santa taking a bubble bath. Up the stairs, a collection of Santas lines the banister, and in the man cave, Santa is doing all the manly things. The doorknobs are hung with portraits

of Santa Claus, and Linda even removes some of the art from the wall and replaces it with fun and fabulous art featuring Jolly St. Nick. Each of these groups is punctuated by two distinct recognizable collections. The largest is from Possible Dreams. Since 1985, Possible Dreams has presented new Santa designs annually, made from stiffened Clothtique fabric and featuring f ine detailing. The Hodnetts also have a stunning collection of Jim Shore Santas, a brand known for capturing the essence of traditional themes and patterns of American and European folk art with everyday and seasonal figurines and other household items. Linda’s parents, though, gave the couple their favorite Santa of all—a lifesize Coca Cola Santa, more than 60 years old, that now greets friends from their front window. That Santa is especially sentimental. He formerly greeted patrons at the Kroger, where Linda’s dad worked for many years. Both Linda and Casey had careers in the grocery industry before retiring, many of those with Kroger. Good friends introduced them to Hilton Head Island, and after visiting the island several times, they decided it would be a great place to live. They bought their lot in Leamington in 2017, built their house in 2021, and are now full-time residents. The couple doesn’t keep all of this to themselves. They love to entertain, and they host several holiday parties—the biggest one worthy of all their effort and sure to fill their stockings with the finest of Christmas cheer. For this annual festivity, Casey photoshops his and Linda’s faces into a holiday movie marquee. Over the years, they’ve “starred” in everything from their first, White Christmas, where Casey was superimposed as Bing Crosby and Linda was Rosemary Clooney, to this year’s Holiday Inn, where Casey is Fred Astaire and Linda is Marjorie Reynolds. Now you know, if Santa is delayed in his arrival at your house this year, he’s likely not stuck in anyone’s chimney or at anyone’s table eating extra cookies. He’s probably at the Hodnett’s in Leamington admiring all the renditions of himself. And he may just be there a while! 

CH2CB2MAGAZINE.COM

DECEMBER 2023

Dr. Steven Thies and the Da Vinci Robot at Coastal Carolina Hospital

A r t i cl e by Ch e r y l Ri ce r . P h o to g rap hy by M.Kat

Investing in the Community Hilton Head Regional Healthcare brings new providers, services, and technology to the Lowcountry

ilton Head Regional Healthcare (HHRH) has been serving the Lowcountry for 48 years and takes pride in offering a distinguished family of nurses, doctors, staff and volunteers to care for the families of this community. “This is our home, too,” Kelli Edwards, business development manager at HHRH said. “Caring, nurturing and helping to heal friends, loved ones and neighbors is our passion, and we’re honored to have the opportunity to serve our community.” Hilton Head Regional Healthcare provides an array of services including emergency, cardiology (including an open heart program), orthopedic and spine care, advanced stroke treatment, obstetrics, urology and more. The professionals at HHRH are focused on providing expert care along with a healthy dose of attentiveness and support. To that end, HHRH is introducing several new providers, services, and technology to the Lowcountry over the next few months and is excited to share the news with their patients, friends, and neighbors. “I want to highlight our continued commitment to Beaufort County, Jasper County, and the surrounding communities we serve,” Joel Taylor, CEO of Hilton Head Hospital said. “If you look at the investment that we as a health system have made in just the last 12 months, it’s a substantial expansion to the breadth of services we offer. We have brought in seven new physicians over the last year to serve this wonderful and growing area.” HHRH has expanded Women’s Services with the additions of Dr. Shelby Griffith and Dr. Jo Ann Csakany to Riverside Women’s Care, both OB/GYN physicians. Dr. Griffith is joining Riverside Women’s care as an office-based and hospital-based provider. Dr. Csakany was previously in the area and has now returned to join Riverside Women’s Care as a hospital-based OB/GYN physician. The expansion of Cardiology Services includes the addition of Dr. John Perry (cardio-thoracic surgeon) to Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery Associates and

Dr. Timothy Alikakos (interventional cardiologist), Steve Pearce (APRN), and Erin Sullivan (APRN) to Hilton Head Heart. Additional expansion of cardiology care includes new technology to support electrophysiology, which allows for growth of cardiac ablation procedures, and Watchman program. Watchman is a minimally invasive procedure to treat A-fib. Other service expansion includes the addition of Dr. Steven Thies (general surgeon) to Southern Surgery Specialists, and Dr. Christopher Culpepper (general surgeon) to Hilton Head General & Laparoscopic Surgery. Primary Care Services have also expanded with Dr. Kayo Perley joining Medical Associates of the Lowcountry. Hilton Head Regional Healthcare is also excited to announce the expansion of Orthopedic Services in 2024. HHRH will be adding multiple orthopedic sub-specialties including Dr. Ted Samaddar (hand & wrist specialist), Dr. John Prather (foot and ankle specialist), Dr. Trey Ochsner (sports medicine), Dr. Evan Siegall (pediatric orthopedics), and Dr. Robert Dow Hoffman (shoulder & knee specialist). Technology is another sign of the growth and commitment at HHRH. In addition to a new operating room at Coastal Carolina Hospital, the facility has purchased a second Da Vinci Robot (a $2 million investment) that arrived in November, giving surgeons additional access to robotic assisted, minimally invasive surgeries. Patients will benefit by enjoying quicker recovery time, shorter hospital stays, and less pain. “We have had a Da Vinci Robot at Coastal Carolina Hospital since 2014,” Edwards said. “In fact, earlier this year, we hit our three-thousandth robotic surgery case.

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So, adding a second one to further expand the services to our patients is quite exciting.” “We are in the process of building another operating room set to open in the summer of 2024,” Ryan Lee, CEO of Coastal Carolina Hospital said. “We are really excited about it because it allows us bandwidth to continue to recruit top quality surgeons to our area.” The new operating room will be the fourth at Coastal Carolina Hospital, and with the inclusion of additional staffing, facilities, and other advancements, this is a $7 million self-funded investment by the hospital. This OR expansion along with a second da Vinci surgical system will allow for expansion of minimally invasive robotic services which will now include thoracic procedures to be performed by Dr. John Perry.

Investing in the Community Dr. Timothy Alikakos, Dr. Kayo Perley and Dr. Christopher Culpepper.

HHRH Imaging Services are also expanding. Diagnostic Imaging Services (including diagnostic mammogram) will now be offered on Hilton Head at Hilton Head Hospital, a service formerly only available in Bluffton. The expansion of both staff and facilities underscores the HHRH commitment to providing comprehensive services in the areas in which they have traditionally performed exceptionally well. “We are committed to bringing high quality positions to our community as one of our main focuses for the future,” Lee said. “Beyond creating new positions, we are doing some creative recruitment,” Taylor said. “We’re offering sign-on bonuses like never before, we’re increasing pay rates, and really investing in the best physicians and staff we can find. For example, we now have a loft at Coligny Beach that we are offering to full-time clinical staff, which is something unique. It’s an exciting and dynamic environment, and I’m proud of our team that we continue to attract the best and brightest.” Comprised of Coastal Carolina Hospital, Hilton Head Hospital, the Bluffton Medical Campus, the Bluffton Okatie Outpatient Center and the Tidewatch Emergency Department, Hilton Head Regional Healthcare is dedicated to providing our local community and visitors with compassionate, quality, extraordinary care close to home. 

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DECEMBER 2023

Sean Ryan, owner of Wild Birds Unlimited

Article by Cheryl Ricer . Photography by M.Kat

BRANCHING OUT Wild Birds Unlimited steps outside with services into your backyard and beyond

ecause our island is a wildlife habitat where a variety of species are revered, many people who call the Lowcountry home enjoy hobbies outdoors where they can observe the animals who also call this place home. A large majority of those animals are birds, and a large majority of those people are “birders.” Interestingly, every year in December, the Audubon Society enlists volunteers to inventory the feathered creatures in the Western Hemisphere. In 2022, the Hilton Head Island chapter of the Audubon Society counted 27,609 birds of 135 species. The counters included 379 participants—the largest group the Hilton Head chapter has had to date and the third-highest number of volunteers in all the count circles in the Western Hemisphere. Of that number, 280 were field observers, 99 were feeder watchers, 20 were fifth graders, and 12 were high school students. Also interestingly, the group was one of the few in which some volunteers carried out their mission on golf carts. Most of those volunteers are “backyard birders” whose hobby includes attracting birds to their backyard sanctuaries. Many of them shop at Wild Birds Unlimited for products and food to stock their backyard feeders, so they can watch them from the comfort of their Carolina rooms and back patios. “Wild Birds Unlimited specializes in bringing people and nature together through the hobby of backyard bird feeding and nature products,” Sean Ryan, owner of Wild Birds Unlimited, said. “Our store offers the highest quality products including bird food, bird baths, and bird houses.” Until recently, interactions with Wild Birds Unlimited were limited to store visits where you might breeze in and out with a bag of

specialty food that would hopefully attract some feathered friends or maybe a quick chat with expert birders about particular feeders and particular food for particular fowl. And you can still do that, for sure. But that’s not all. Now, Wild Birds Unlimited is branching out to include services outside the store—where the birds live and where the birders practice their hobby. One of the most popular, especially this time of year when the temperatures are more moderate and in anticipation of the Audubon Society’s annual the Christmas Bird Count in December, are the bird walks. “On a Wild Birds Unlimited bird walk, our expert guides will lead you through one of our many island birding destinations and help you understand what specific birds look like and sound like so that you can identify them on your own—whether in your backyard or out watching on your own time,” Ryan said.

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Maggie Washo captures a group of Marbled Godwits hunting for dinner on a birding adventure to Fish Haul Beach Park Naturalist Bob Speare points out a circling vulture and Kandace Cunningham and Deb Sadlon track it with binoculars. For the past 30 years, Bob Speare, Naturalist and Audubon Society member, has been leading birding tours, beginning with a career with the Massachusetts Audubon Society. When he first approached Wild Birds Unlimited about leading tours, the idea was inspired by their customers, who are bird enthusiasts who enjoy looking at birds, seeing them at their feeders, and are eager to learn how to bring more birds to their backyards. “Birds walks are another way that people can enjoy their hobby, plus, there is a social side to it,” Speare said.

“You’re out on a nice, easy walk with like-minded people.” One such person is Deb Sadlon, a Connecticut transplant who has been birding for 30 years, five of those on Hilton Head with Wild Birds Unlimited. Even though she’s an experienced birder, because the birds are different here, she found there was still much to learn. “The Bird Walk guides at Wild Birds Unlimited are very knowledgeable,” Sadlon said. “They explain everything thoroughly and give great little tips to help solidify the knowledge they impart, allowing participants to recognize birds either by sight or sound. For example, sound cues might be that a brown-headed nut hatch sounds like a squeaky dog toy or the cat bird actually ‘meows.’ Some great sight cues involve markings on birds in flight, such as a black vulture has white on its wing tips, but the turkey vulture has white along the bottom edge of the wings.” The 60-minute bird walks are entry level events, and even those who are new to birding feel welcome and not overwhelmed. The guides take folks around to local places like Pinckney Island, Fish Haul Park, the old golf course near Port Royal Plantation, Jarvis Creek, and even Shelter Cove— all places providing good opportunities to see local birds. “Bird walks are also an opportunity to learn about birds that don’t come to your feeder,” Speare said. “For example, there are birds that only eat insects, so you won’t find them in a seed feeder. But you might find them at your bird bath, or you might just see them in and around your yard eating bugs. People also benefit from our walks by learning about the habitats of different birds and how important these habitats are to the whole environment.” While the wild habitats are essential and abundant on Hilton Head, Wild Birds Unlimited now offers “feederscaping” services that enable you to create wonderful backyard spaces for birds. “With feederscaping, we come to your yard and make sure your feeders are set up where they need to be in order to attract an abundance of birds,” Ryan said. “Whether it’s advising on what hardware you should use, what kind of feeders attract certain birds, where in the yard to place the feeder, and what type of food to use, we take the guesswork out.” Wild Birds Unlimited also offers a feeder cleaning service. Bring your dirty feeders to the store and they will clean them for a nominal fee. “Lots of people don’t like cleaning feeders, so we take that task off your hands,” Ryan said. “Clean feeders protect the birds, plus birds are like people, in that no one wants to eat from a dirty plate. Birds will return to clean feeders and avoid dirty ones. The same is true for your bird baths.” Another new service is feeder filling. If you’ve got bird feeders in your backyard and you travel for any length of time, one of the pros at Wild Birds Unlimited will come to your yard and fill your feeders so that the birds don’t go find somewhere else to feed. To take it to the next level, Wild Birds Unlimited can help you get your backyard Wildlife Certified by the National Wildlife Foundation. “The certification requires that you provide the birds a source of water, a couple different sources of food, and a source of shelter for birds,” Ryan said. “We can guide you through that entire process.” When you’re ready to get to know the Lowcountry’s feathered friends a little better or to create a bird haven in your backyard, Wild Birds Unlimited is the place to begin. For better birding, visit online at HiltonHead.WBU.com, in the store at 45 Pembroke Dr., Ste. 130, or call (843) 802-2010.  CH2CB2MAGAZINE.COM

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Article by Lynne Cope Hummell Photography by M.Kat

Gentle, Fun Way to Exercise Is Perfect for All Ages, Body Types

t sounds almost too good to be true: There is a simple, stress-free way to change the way your body looks and feels at the same time you are building core strength and improving your health. There’s no magic pill, no rigid diet plan, and no painful exercise regimen. The process has been around since the 1920s and has continued to prove successful for bodies of all ages, shapes and sizes. The secret is there is no secret. In fact, Martha Stichweh is eager to share with anyone the benefits she has experienced personally, as well as the benefits her clients of all ages have seen. Stichweh, 76, is the founder and owner of Pilates Hilton Head, located in the Village at Wexford. She opened the studio in 2019, after 10 years of practicing the gentle form of resistance-based exercise that she took up to ease pain in her hip. “I took up Pilates when I was 62 because I had hip bursitis,” Stichweh said. “My doctor wanted me to go see a hip expert up at MUSC … but by the time I could get an appointment, it was going to be three months. I had had bursitis since January that year, and I wasn’t going to see him until August. So, in July, I started taking a beginners Pilates class, and by the time I saw the doctor, I didn’t need the shot. Now, he tells all his patients to go to Pilates.”

Kelsey Watson Reid, Martha Stichweh and Leslie St. Amant

Pilates Tip: When you get in your car (in the driver’s seat), sit up very tall and look at your rearview mirror. Adjust your mirror so you can see out of it properly. Then, every time you get in the car, you’re going to know if you’re sitting tall or not. If you are, you’ll feel a lot better.

St. Amant trained in Pilates in the early 2000s, with a focus on Pilates for people with breast cancer.

Stichweh continued her Pilates practice and came to love it. The following year, she trained to become a certified instructor and then taught at a local studio. In 2018, at age 71, she retired. But she missed teaching, and she missed the people. As life threw its curve balls, she reconsidered her path. Her partner was very ill, and she wanted to have something she could fall back on if or when he passed away. “I loved Pilates, and all I could think of was a studio that would keep me busy and keep me active,” she said. “And not only that, but I would see people all day long.” Stichweh envisioned an intimate space for a limited number of clients at a time. The perfect location came available in the Village at Wexford, and she took it. She purchased some equipment from a studio in Charlotte that was closing and stored it in her garage. “When I started, I had absolutely no clue as to what I was doing. It was all by the seat of my pants,” Stichweh said. But the process proved to her that “you’re never too old to start anything.” Pilates Hilton Head opened Nov. 4, 2019. Following the traditional teachings of Joseph Pilates, creator of the exercise techniques and equipment, Stichweh operates as a “pure” studio. “Pilates is meant to be done in the quiet,” she said. Clients are guided by cues from the instructor to stay in touch with their mind and body as they move gently. The same kind of equipment that Pilates created is still used today. Joining Stichweh in teaching classes and individual clients are certified instructors Kelsey Watson Reid and Leslie St. Amant. Reid, who grew up on Hilton Head Island, won a raffle that gave her free lessons at the studio just after it opened in 2019. “I was working next door at the pet shop, so I would come in and take an 8 a.m. class with Martha, then go over to work,” she said. “I fell in love right away. It was the first time I had ever truly loved doing some kind of physical exercise.” 104

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It wasn’t long before she knew she wanted to become an instructor. In January 2022, Reid began training with the same instructors Stichweh worked with in Asheville, N.C. By August, she was doing student teaching back at home. Once she attained the required hours, Reid completed f inal training and started taking on clients and teaching classes. She said she especially likes the therapy aspect of Pilates, which works well with the clientele at Pilates Hilton Head, especially the older clients. “Hearing people say how much better they feel is really rewarding,” she said. “I didn’t realize how special it would feel to help make somebody feel better.” St. Amant trained in Pilates in the early 2000s, with a focus on Pilates for people with breast cancer. She was also a personal trainer. The day after 9/11, St. Amant quit her full-time insurance company job and focused full time on exercise as a lifestyle. Her training expanded to work with people with all types of cancer and other chronic diseases. In 2017, she and her husband bought a second home on Hilton Head. They came down f rom Connecticut whenever their children had breaks from school. After COVID, St. Amant was ready to retire from her personal training career. In 2021, during a stay on the island, she was looking for a Pilates studio where she could practice. “And then I read Martha’s website,” she said. She turned to her husband and said, “Oh, I don’t think I want to retire anymore.” The description of the studio and its philosophy resonated with St. Amant. “There’s just something you can tell about a person, the way they describe their studio, and how they work and how they teach,” she said. “So I knew it was someplace where I’d like to be.” She joined the team in March 2021. The three women share a passion for helping others reach their fitness goals through the gentle and mindful practice of Pilates. “It’s the connection between the mind and the body that happened with me that made me really love Pilates,” Reid said.

“I fell in love right away. It was the first time I had ever truly loved doing some kind of physical exercise.” - Kelsey Watson Reid

“I’ve had a number of cancer success stories of people with remission, strength, and working through treatment and seeing an improvement in their numbers,” St. Amant said. “I can’t say it’s all for Pilates because obviously they’re taking medication too, but it’s also the mind-body connection and feeling like they’re doing something productive and improving their health.”

“The fun thing about Pilates and the most rewarding thing too,” Stichweh said, “is that you can start somebody out as a very beginner, and then as they advance, you can change the exercise to make it a little more difficult or, in the case of somebody who’s injured, you can modify it, and they can still do it correctly.” The instructors emphasize that Pilates is an excellent exercise option for all ages. Their oldest client is 87-year-old Fran. “She comes because she wants to be able to get up off the floor should she fall,” Stichweh said. The instructors remind clients—and potential clients— of something Joseph Pilates, creator of this form of exercise, believed and shared: “After 10 sessions you will feel the difference; after 20 sessions you will see the difference; and after 30 sessions you will have a whole new body.” Group classes at Pilates Hilton Head include no more than six individuals at a time. Private and duet sessions are available as well.  Pilates Hilton Head is located at 1000 William Hilton Pkwy., E-2, in the Village at Wexford on Hilton Head Island. Hours are Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Friday 9 a.m.noon. For more information, visit pilateshiltonhead.com or email info@pilateshiltonhead.com. All newcomers must visit the studio before signing up for classes. Call (843) 7154545 to make an appointment.

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ARTICLE BY PAUL W. HORGAN, HEAD OF SCHOOL PHOTOGRAPHY BY M.KAT

Hilton Head Preparatory School

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rom the first days children attend school to their graduation days, their school environment is the place where they will spend most of their waking hours. It is there that they will develop their intellectual abilities, their social skills, their abilities to collaborate, their abilities to play, and the resilience they will need to succeed in a changing world. Creating the environment that will lead them to success is a task that schools must thoughtfully consider when designing the spaces where students will live out these formative days. What do parents want for their children? What type of learning will best prepare the students for college? Amidst a rapidly changing future, what skills will students need to be nimble and capable of adapting to those changes? The answers to

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these questions are complex, yet many things are easily predicted when considering them. Parents want their children to be challenged, supported, and happy. Collaborative learning spaces where children are known and valued will prepare them for many different college and work environments. Excellent communication skills and strong computer literacy will set them up for success in a future which will be impacted by artificial intelligence and rapidly increasing unpredictability. Schools have the privilege and responsibility to consider all these things as they create the environment which children walk into each day. Over the past year, Hilton Head Prep has invested in the future by transforming all the academic spaces on campus into modern, bright,

An Evolving Campus: Over the past year, Hilton Head Prep has invested in the future by transforming all the academic spaces on campus into modern, bright, uncluttered collaborative spaces with flexible furnishings and state-of-the-art technology. The playground was replaced and built to encourage active play, with obstacle courses, a small turf field, a tower, and a playhouse for the younger kids.

uncluttered collaborative spaces with flexible furnishings and stateof-the-art technology. The playground was replaced and built to encourage active play, with obstacle courses, a small turf field, a tower, and a playhouse for the younger kids. Technology has been upgraded to provide support for a slate of new computer science classes including coding, beginning in grade three, Artificial Intelligence electives in middle and upper school, and AP Computer Science in upper school. It is designed to be a campus where students can experience joy and friendship while being seen and challenged throughout their days. The Office of College Counseling is another space that has been transformed to meet the needs of our students. Here, too, the space was designed with our values in mind—a place where students can be comfortable and known. It was relocated to a central area where upper school students can easily access it on a regular basis. Our professional full-time college counselor meets at a conference table with families and students as they strategically seek to find the best fit for each student. College representatives meet with students

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Professional development is a priority at Hilton Head Prep and faculty are encouraged and supported to seek ways to sharpen their skills and identify new ways to prepare kids for the future.

in a collaborative and comfortable space. Course selections are carefully and individually planned throughout the high school years with the guidance of our counselor. In addition to the highly visible updates to the campus, Hilton Head Prep has also made a large investment in school security and has significantly upgraded both the security inf rastructure and the security protocols and personnel. A school environment where teachers and students can work together,

knowing that the school values their safety above all else, contributes to a high level of comfort and confidence. At the core of this work is the creation of spaces where great teachers and mentors can do their best work with their students. The faculty is the foundation of our school, and it is our goal and philosophy to provide them with every tool and space they need to maximize the hours we have together with the students. Professional development is a priority at Hilton Head Prep and faculty are encouraged and supported to seek ways to sharpen their skills and identify new ways to prepare kids for the future. As parents drop their children off in the car line each morning, they do so with incredible hope and trust that the hours on our campus will provide the challenges, joy, and growth they will need as they move through school. Once older, the kids drive themselves to campus each day, trusting that the adults in their lives are doing all they can to push them and point them in the right direction. Once they all walk through the doors, they are met with a curriculum and space that is designed to do just that and one they can take pride in. The work of imagining their futures and meeting their needs is never ending, yet creating an environment that can cultivate the skills we know they’ll need is a labor of love that is underway at Hilton Head Prep. Current work on a five-year strategic plan seeks to envision the next campus steps, to ensure excellence in the faculty and remain student-focused while seeking to expand the school’s impact on the Hilton Head Island community. 

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Photos provided by Montage Palmetto Bluff

ARTICLE BY MORGAN STEWART

The Belle of the Ball Once Again GRACE, PALMETTO BLUFF’S ICONIC MOTOR YACHT, DEBUTS AFTER EXTENSIVE RESTORATION

n November 2023, the next chapter in the remarkable story of Grace, one of the last existing pre-World War I gas-powered yachts, began on the picturesque May River that runs through the heart of Bluffton, South Carolina. Under the guidance of The Grace Club—a newly formed founder/member sponsored, notfor-profit organization—after extensive restoration, the beautiful antique motor yacht built for the purposes of commuting across New York Harbor, returned in all her glory to her home at Palmetto Bluff. Named in honor of Grace Graham Vanderbilt, the sister of the original owner of Palmetto Bluff, Richard T. Wilson Jr., and wife of Cornelius Vanderbilt III, the iconic vessel is ready for her next act. Grace’s story began in 1913 when Joseph B. Cousins contracted the New York Yacht, Launch and Engine Company to build a motor yacht for his personal use. Built in Morris Heights, New York along the Harlem River, after completion, the yacht was delivered to Cousins in Brooklyn, where she was used for recreation and travel back and forth to New York City. The original name of the yacht was Sispud II, and she was built in the style referred to as a Double Ender Commuter Yacht. At 60x12.5 feet, the framework was constructed with steam-bent white oak ribs with a white oak keel as the base; the planking below the waterline was yellow pine, while the above planking was cedar. Her original motor was a four-cylinder, 50-horsepower gasoline engine with a top speed of 12 miles per hour. Located in the engine room were two bunks, a toilet, and a

sink for the two-person crew required to operate the vessel. The remainder of the below-deck area consisted of a stateroom with a twin bed, a salon with a dining area, and a galley. Cousins eventually sold the Sispud II in 1925 to James Adams and his wife Gertie, owners of the James Adams Floating Theater, who used the vessel as their live-aboard while traveling the Eastern Seaboard from the Chesapeake Bay to North Carolina. The 800-seat floating theater was built on a barge and pulled along the waterway by tugboats to coastal towns of the South, bringing music, shows, and vaudeville acts to isolated areas. In 1926, Edna Ferber, a noted novelist, traveled with the theater during the summer season and wrote the novel, Show Boat, based on her experiences traveling with the troupe and living aboard Sispud II. The novel became an award-winning Rodgers & Hammerstein Broadway show and later a motion picture. Adams sold his interest in the theater to his brother in 1930, but continued ownership of the yacht. Sispud II had two additional owners: Dr. Jay Paul Jeter, a dentist from Philadelphia (1937-1960) and Richard M. Tunis from Kennett Square, Pennsylvania (1960-1963). In 1963, Henry and Stella Szablewski from Lansdale, Pennsylvania, purchased Sispud II and renamed the vessel Acquilla from the Latin for “Eagle.” They sailed her in Chesapeake Bay but, after Henry’s death, Stella could not manage the vessel herself and eventually abandoned her at Swan Creek Marina in Rock Hall, Maryland in 1980. In 1990, Earl McMillen, III of Newport, Rhode Island, owner of McMillen Yachts, Inc. which restored and maintained a fleet of classic wooden ships, found Acquilla being used as an out-of-water residence. After learning that The Cloister at Sea Island, Georgia was looking for such a yacht, McMillen’s team undertook a two-year restoration project, finishing in 1996. Acquilla was renamed Zapala, in homage to the name of the personal yacht of The Cloister’s developer, Harry Coffin, in the 1920s. After Palmetto Bluff opened in 2004, the community was looking for a period piece from the Wilson Family era at the turn of the century until 1926. As the yacht was built in 1913—two years before the Wilson mansion was

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The Grace takes guests of Palmetto Bluff out for a tour of the May River.

completed—it was a perfect fit. Palmetto Bluff purchased the yacht in 2004, and the vessel was renamed Grace, after the youngest sister of R.T. Wilson, Jr., the wealthy New Yorker who purchased the 18,000 acres he named Palmetto Bluff in 1902. The vessel’s namesake, Grace Graham Wilson, was married to Cornelius (“Neily”) Vanderbilt III and was a society hostess in New York and Newport. For 15+ years, Grace provided a unique member experience on the May River, affording guests incredible views of the property, the Town of Bluffton, and surrounding waterways. In December 2020, Grace experienced a main engine overheat which caused a cracked block, beginning a period of slow deterioration which resulted in the yacht being placed on land. In December 2022, a Palmetto Bluff Club member formed Operation Saving Grace to f ind a path forward towards putting her back into service. In partnership with Southstreet Partners, one of the largest owners and operators of private residential club and resort communities in the United States (including Kiawah Island, Palmetto Bluff, The Cliffs, Naples Grande, Barnsley Resort and Residences at Salamander) and the management team of the Palmetto Bluff Club, they worked collaboratively for the past year toward this shared objective. Under the guidance of The Grace Club, the iconic ship has been brought back to her former glory. Built on the solid foundation of the partnership structure that was created between The Grace Club founders and Southstreet, a full-speed-ahead approach to restoring

Grace was adopted. Restoration work included replacing the engine, repairing hull damage, refinishing and repainting the hull and exterior, refinishing the interior, replacing the navigation system, and acquiring recertification by the U.S. Coast Guard. The Grace Club requested the use of purpleheart wood, renowned for its durability and rot resistance, to use in Grace’s restoration. Southstreet’s commitment to the endeavor included transferring title of Grace to The Grace Club, providing long-term, rent-free access to the Grace Dock, and supplying ongoing marketing and communications support for The Grace Club operations. “Grace is an elegant and iconic motor yacht with a storied background and rich history spanning 110 years. A dedicated group of homeowners felt compelled to bring her back into service for the benefit of our neighbors and the larger Bluffton community,” Lee Leonard, president of The Grace Club said. “Working together with Southstreet Partners, a group of Palmetto Bluff members formed Operation Saving Grace, to return her to her full glory. I’m proud to say she is standing tall and became available for scheduled cruises, as well as private charters, in November of 2023.” “We are grateful to The Grace Club for their dedication and partnership in protecting Grace—one of Palmetto Bluff’s iconic symbols—and we are happy to have been able to support this worthy endeavor,” Rob Duckett, president of operations for Southstreet Partners said. The Grace Club will provide operational oversight and have responsibility for all maintenance of Grace. Their primary goal will be to operate Grace for the benefit of all Palmetto Bluff members and their families, Montage hotel guests, and the greater Bluffton community including charitable organizations and youth groups. 

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They removed the part of her brain that was triggering the seizures, and she has been seizurefree for six years. Dana Smith, owner of Nutrishop of the Lowcountry in Port Royal Plaza.

ARTICLE BY CHERYL RICER

A Journey to Healing

n 2014, Dana Smith, who grew up an adventure junkie in Orange County, California was stopped dead in her tracks—but not by any risky undertaking of her own choosing. “There are times that are meant to make or break us, and I have experienced a lot that could’ve broken me but didn’t,” she said. Smith, who now lives on Hilton Head Island and owns Nutrishop of the Lowcountry explained. “The time that was meant to break me was one summer night in my backyard by the fire under the stars. I leaned my head back and closed my eyes, taking it all in. The next thing I remember, I couldn’t move or even open my eyes.” Those around Smith at that moment were scared to the point they called EMS, who took her to the hospital. Within a couple of months, she

was diagnosed with epilepsy. Going from medication to medication with no reprieve, her quality of life was diminishing. She tried to stay positive and keep good health at the forefront of her daily choices. She went to the gym regularly, had a clean diet, and just kept putting one foot in front of the other. But things didn’t improve. They worsened. She lost jobs due to the frequency of seizures; she had a seizure while driving and wrecked her car; and she was no longer able to live alone and had to move in with her mom. At her worst, Smith was experiencing 200 seizures a day, and she truly believed she was going to lose her life to her condition if she didn’t take extreme measures. So, she did. In 2017, Smith elected to undergo an invasive surgical procedure that would help to precisely locate the source of her seizures. “In my kitchen the night before my surgery, I shaved my head, prayed for answers, and never looked back,” Smith said. After that procedure, her neurosurgeon informed her that based on the findings, they could operate again, this time removing the part of the brain that was causing the seizures. However, side effects such as losing all her memories, losing motor skills, and more, were possible. For Smith, an adventureseeker from childhood, the surgery was worth it for the hope of a better life. “In September 2017, I entered the hospital for a temporal lobectomy, more scared of this risk than of any other I had ever taken,” Smith said. “I prepared for the worst. I wrote letters to everyone in my family and placed them in a folder on my computer in case I didn’t wake up.” As she was waiting to be taken to the ER, a young resident doctor who had played a big part in her getting to this point came in, held her hand, and prayed over her. In that moment, Smith knew that God had a plan for her and that she was going to be okay. They removed the part of her brain that was triggering the seizures, and she has been seizure-free for six years. Best of

For 20 years, Nutrishop has helped individuals achieve various health and fitness goals by offering top-quality dietary and nutritional supplements and services coupled with unparalleled personalized attention—all at guaranteed low prices. all, Smith has all her memories and is fully functioning without any issues. “Because I trusted in God and my amazing medical team who believed in me, I didn’t take no for an answer,” Smith said. “I am a born fighter, and I was not about to let my condition dictate my life and allow myself to be a victim of my circumstance.” Smith’s story doesn’t end there. After years of being unable to fully live her life and enduring the beating her body took from all the medications and surgeries, she was determined to reach her full potential. Through her ordeal, her weight was up to 230 pounds, so she returned to the gym, and went to Nutrishop, where she had

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always turned for her general health and fitness needs. Through working out, eating healthy, and using the right supporting supplements, she now sits 80 pounds lighter and is healthier than she’s ever been. “With my second chance at life and some unexpected events that happened, like losing my dad during Covid, I took a big leap and moved across the country to South

Carolina to begin a new chapter,” Smith said. She found personal and professional happiness moving to the Lowcountry and decided to open a Nutrishop franchise, where she now offers her new community a source for quality supplements and a place to find support for their daily lives. For 20 years, Nutrishop has helped individuals achieve various health and f itness goals by offering top-quality dietary and nutritional supplements and services coupled with unparalleled personalized attention—all at guaranteed low prices. Their focus is on your results, with free 45-second body composition scans that allow you to discover what you’re made of and how to enhance yourself naturally, along with free customized meal plans. Their NutriGuide® is a personalized DNA testing kit designed to identify genetic variations and offer specific dietary and nutritional supplement suggestions, lifestyle changes, and more. “I was given a heart to help people,” Smith said, “and after everything I’ve been through, I know firsthand how important it is to take care ourselves. I know that I was given all the challenges I faced in order to provide me the tools to think outside the box and inspire others.” Smith’s challenge now is encouraging others who may have been dealt some hard cards in life to understand that those events do not have to define the future. And her purpose through Nutrishop is to share her story, inspire people, support them, love on them, and show them just how beautiful life can be after the hard times.  To be inspired, supported, and strengthened in your own personal journey, visit Nutrishop, located in Port Royal Plaza, 95 Mathews Dr., Suite D8 or online at nutrishoplowcountry. com. For more information, email lowcountrynutrishop@ gmail.com or call (843) 686-6500.

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Article by Cheryl Ricer . Photography by M.Kat

Give Yourself the Best Present S

SH O P G I F TE D, WH E RE YO U CAN B UY AL L YOU R GIF TS IN ON E PL AC E

ince opening 12 years ago, Gifted Hilton Head has been voted the number one gift shop on Hilton Head, which is no small feat on an island bursting at the seams with a variety of gift stores. In 2011, while owning two stores in Pittsburgh, Meredith Taylor fulfilled a long-time dream and opened Gifted in the Village at Wexford. Her onestop shop for every kind of gift quickly became an island favorite, and she hasn’t looked back. Several distinctions elevate Gifted above the competition. Taylor attributes the success of the store to a dreamy selection of unique items for everyone you know (and even yourself!), unbelievable prices and quality, and fantastic customer service. “We carry the widest selection of gifts on the island for any occasion or any person—hostess, wedding, baby, girlfriend, boyfriend—with many custom Hilton Head items found only at Gifted,” Taylor said. The store is so full of great merchandise, you can find something for everyone on your list. Top brands are a big draw and one reason people return to the shop over and over. So, what are the favorites this year? E Newton jewelry. This brand is super-hot because these stretchy bracelets fit everyone. You can swim in

it, sweat in it, shower in it. The bracelets are made of 14 karat gold filled or sterling beads, and they stack beautifully, with prices starting at $38. When it’s time for that holiday party, don’t forget the one-size-fits-all wraps, shawls, and ponchos at Gifted. They make a perfect gift and are available in all price points, starting at $24.99. Even the 100 percent cashmere ponchos are only $79.99 and come in gorgeous colors. The “Pull-Through Wrap,” which sells for $39.99, allows the wearer to pull the bottom of the wrap through a shoulder strap, so that it cozies up on itself. Another great gift is the one-size-fits-all touch screen gloves ($19.99), which allow users access to their phones without removing the gloves. They are available in a variety of colors and patterns. The Magnetic Broach, which can be used to hold a scarf together or transform a shawl into a poncho is another bestseller. With shapes that include reindeer, tree of life, turtle, and starfish and a price point under $20, you can get one for all your girlfriends. And the best part is they don’t pierce clothing. Nora Fleming serveware will put a smile on the face of every hostess because the interchangeable platters and minis save space and expense. With a huge selection of base pieces and fun minis, each

Captions listed top to bottom, left to right: GIFTED, Hilton Head has something for everyone on your list this year. Griff’s Toffee is a crowd-pleaser and makes for a delicious stocking stuffer. Touch screen gloves are a win for the person in your life who always seems to be on their device. Shrimp, Collards and Grits by Pat Branning will delight the kitchen connoisseurs and a gift from the Nora Fleming collection is sure to put a smile on the face of every hostess because the interchangeable platters and minis save space and expense. Poppy handcrafted popcorn is another delicious bestseller. It is made in Asheville and comes in everyone’s favorite holiday flavors, plus pimento cheese and salted caramel.

A beautiful magnetic broach to elevate a holiday shawl. dish and mini allows for personal expression—especially when entertaining—which is part of the fun. And because the pieces are all mix-and-match, you can gift them or collect them as you please. You can’t have just one! For the readers in your life, Gifted also offers a nice selection of books curated by Taylor, who is an avid reader. Many are adult fiction (great beach reads), and many are by local authors, including Katherine Wall. There is also Pat Branning’s fabulous anniversary edition of Shrimp, Collards, and Grits, a lifestyle cookbook featuring Southern stories, artists, and recipes. For your “littles,” Gifted carries the cutest stuffed animal collection called “Warmies.” These are stuffed with organic French lavender, which means they are extra cuddly. Then, when they are heated in the microwave, the scent is even more soothing. Your child will love the turtle, crab, and Golden Retriever. To add some flavorful excitement to your holiday parties, you’ll find specialty food items at Gifted, an assortment that includes Taylor’s personally taste-tested favorites.

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E Newton jewelry. This brand is super-hot because these stretchy bracelets fit everyone. The bracelets are made of 14 karat gold filled or sterling beads, and they stack beautifully. When it’s time for that holiday party, don’t forget the onesize-fits-all wraps, shawls, and ponchos at Gifted. They make a perfect gift and are available in all price points, For the readers in your life, Gifted also offers a nice selection of books curated by Taylor, who is an avid reader.

“Griff’s Toffee is made in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and it is the best I’ve ever put in my mouth,” she said, “and at just $10.99, it also makes a great hostess gift. We sell out every single month.” Poppy handcrafted popcorn is another delicious bestseller. It is made in Asheville and comes in everyone’s favorite holiday flavors, plus pimento cheese, salted caramel, and more. “It’s pure and simple popcorn happiness,” Taylor said. “There is just no comparison to grocery store popcorn, and it makes a great stocking stuffer.” In addition to the exclusive holiday presents customers love at Gifted, the customer service is unparalleled. The

“Gifted Gals” make shopping a fun and special experience. “Not only do we want to be the first place you go when you need a gift, but we want every experience in Gifted to be special,” Taylor said. “Super-friendly customer service is really a top priority.” Plus, there’s the bonus of gorgeous free gift wrapping on all items; during Christmas, customers love the distinctive signature red Swiss dot wrapping paper. “We are so thankful for all of our wonderful customers,” Taylor said. “We hope that you can come into Gifted and find a gift for any person and any occasion because we have every category anyone could possibly need. Additionally, you can walk out with them all beautifully gift-wrapped for free—which is just the icing on the cake. Gifted is truly a one-stop gift shop.”  To find the perfect gift for all your special people and occasions, visit Gifted in the Village at Wexford and follow Gifted on Facebook and Instagram.

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A D V E R T I S E M E N T

ARTICLE BY AMY BARTLETT PHOTOGRAPHY BY M.KAT

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here’s a reason why Julie Parsley, life-time career artist of hair and style, specifically refers to herself as a “hairdresser.” She considers herself a sort of dressmaker/designer who works with the “fabric” of hair. This is why her clients never see themselves as simply getting their hair cut but gaining a personalized designer creation that’s perfectly runway ready. With where she’s been and what she has accomplished over the past 35+ years, Parsley is less about turning out cookie-cutter cuts and more about cutting in line to create current, edgy, and innovative styles. “When people come to me, they’re ready for something new,” she said, introducing her ideal client. “If you’re happy with a dated style, I’m probably not your gal, and that’s okay. I’m not the perfect fit for everyone. But if you’ve been wondering what your hair could be like and want to see what’s possible, have a seat and let’s take a look.” Parsley says this, knowing that the look speaks volumes. It’s her walking calling card. “I know my name and reputation are worked into your hair, and I take that seriously. I start with taking in the whole canvas—the head shape, face shape—and begin to drape the fabric of the hair and see how it falls, how it moves,” she said, explaining that she doesn’t just cut blunt or with traditional layers but cuts “inside the hair,” and therefore styles 100 percent on dry hair. A life-long career woman, Parsley has always known her brand. “I figured out early who I was, what I liked, and what I was here to do. I didn’t even have

Julie Parsley (right) sits in her cozy and artistic home with client Pamela Mode (left).

dolls. I had Barbies because Barbies were adults I could style, and I knew that’s where I thrived.” This innate ability got her noticed and scouted by Paul Mitchell for her skill and potential for influencing others. “What I do, I can teach others,” she said, “but you have to have the eye to begin with.” Parsley was naturally gifted with that sense of style and artistry, which she painstakingly worked into a notable career with a recognizable roster of salons, training platforms, and profiles in print publications. She spent several decades as a salon and spa owner/operator and nearly half the years on her résumé as a platform artist and educator with John Paul Mitchell Systems. Parsley is one who pours her aesthetic and creativity into every element of who (and where) she is. It’s a je ne sais quoi that you can see in everything she puts her

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hand to including each carefully curated room of her artful home in Bluffton, in her personal sense of style and fashion, and in each client’s customized, creative, and well-balanced form. Balance is a word she uses frequently about her art. “When I design hair, I’m not going for even, I’m going for balance,” she said, pairing two words others might think are similar, but not to Parsley. “It’s not about matching lengths and layers in your hair; it’s about working them together into the perfect balance,” she explained. She dresses your tresses with a decorator’s sense of feng shui. From the first cut to making the cut in international settings, “Julie Parsley Hairdresser” invests her time and expertise in staying ahead of the game. Having freelanced abroad in London, England and Berlin, Germany, Parsley has continued to push the envelope, pairing her formidable

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

foundation of learned skills with an innovative artistic sensibility that is pure Parsley—exploring current styles and techniques as well as changing culture and aesthetics, a reputation that has landed her in Modern Salon and other national salon magazines. “All my haircuts have memory,” she said. “You can go in and find the expression your hair is meant to have, what we discovered with the fabric of your hair before, and drape that winning look around you. Or we could create a whole new you. I tell people, ‘You don’t know the half of what your hair could look like until you’ve left.’ I help clients who are on a journey of discovery of finding happiness they didn’t know they could have with their hair—in my chair, and in my care.” Currently renting a chair and working her magic from the south side of Hilton Head Island at Coco Coiffure Salon,

51 New Orleans Road, Suite 1A, she keeps her client list down to three days a week. “I’m a beach girl,” she said. “Some people golf three days a week. Hairdressing is my passion and my art. I’ve done all the things you can do in this field. I’ve owned salons, I’ve taught internationally. I don’t want to retire; I love what I do, and I love what it does for the people who come to me.” It’s all about the balance for her though, which is why the other days of the week she can be found seaside, often at Pool Bar Jim’s, striking up conversation or having what she calls “meet-and-greets” over Tito’s and soda. “I’m here in the Lowcountry to raise the bar, break rules, connect with people and disconnect them from what’s keeping them stuck in old styles,” she said. Asked how her style would be defined in a word or two, she answers without skipping a beat, “Bohemian Collection.” It’s a ‘balance’ of words that makes you look around her home, no matter the room, and understand what she’s created. In her ethereal, cozy-balconied home, she balances ornate antiques (like a set of patina-colored doors from Furniture Solutions 151 on the island) with a complete set of galleried contemporary art, which used to hang in one of her salons, and a faux-fur sofa as steel gray as the Atlantic in December. She knows who she is, and what she can do, and she has built a life on elevating what others believe their hair can do—or what their hair can do for them.  Julie Parsley works her magic at 51 New Orleans Rd., Suite 1 A, on Hilton Head Island (inside Coco Coiffure Salon). For an appointment or more information, call (304) 677-4968.

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“Life may not be a party— but we sure act like it is!” —Frosty the Frog, aka Patrick Taylor, 1961-2023

Article by Teresa Fitzgibbons

Remembering

PATRICK TAYLOR

wenty-five years ago, a little frog with a big dream hopped his way south to Hilton Head Island. It didn’t take long for that frog to find a new home in Coligny Plaza and to make his dream a reality. He wanted a daiquiri bar where he could serve his frothy, frozen concoctions, and The Frosty Frog, now an island institution, was born! “The Legend of Frosty on the menu is Pat’s story,” his widow, Angie Taylor said. “Pat was Frosty the Frog. His dream was to have a little beach bar that he could ride his bike to every day.” The Taylors arrived on the island in the late 1990s in search of warmer weather, a beachy vibe, and a place where Patrick could wow both locals and visitors with his delicious and colorful 190-proof grain alcohol daiquiris swirling behind the bar. “I told him he was crazy when he showed me the spot he chose,” longtime friend and Coligny neighbor/Piggly Wiggly

owner David Martin, said. “I said that place is just a hole in the corner where nothing lasted very long.” The Frosty Frog didn’t just survive in that little corner, it thrived. Within 20 years, that “hole in the corner” would expand and evolve into one of the most successful and family-friendly dining experiences on the island. The original Frosty Frog had only five tables, nine flavors of daiquiris, and a menu of burgers, wraps, sandwiches, and salads. “In the early years, we had to be a late-night place to survive, and the drinks were the draw,” manager Shaun Brockway said. “But we always had great food.” It didn’t take long for word to spread that the food was as delicious as the frozen drinks, and before long, there were lines out the door, which was not surprising. Pat was a foodie, and he loved to cook for family, friends, and customers. He was devoted to quality. Martin recalled visiting multiple food shows with Pat in his quest to find the perfect pepperoni before adding his specialty pizzas to the menu. “Pat loved good quality food and generous portions, and that’s what he gave his customers,” Brockway said. “And while Pat may not be present in the kitchen, his spirit is still there.” “Everything we make here, we make from scratch,” Angie said. “We still use Pat’s recipes.” Over the years, Pat acquired adjacent properties, creating an indoor-outdoor seating area where customers could dine while dipping their toes into the tiki bar area or enjoy live music on the patio. He invented dozens of new daiquiri flavors and expanded the menu, eventually adding non-alcoholic frozen drinks for the kids and a dog menu for the furry clientele.

Later, he added Frosty’s Closet, a Frosty themed gift store selling island mementos, and opened the Frosty Frog Express on West River Street in Savannah. As Angie emphasized, Pat was always a big thinker with a vision for The Frosty Frog that became a reality. “The decision to take The Frosty Frog in a family-centered direction was deliberate,” Brockway said. Pat’s daughter had been born in 2005, and fatherhood soon followed for Jaquiss and Brockway as well. “We all became more family conscious and wanted a place where we could bring our families and kids—a place we’d all be proud of.” Success continued to follow. But success for himself and his family was not enough for Pat. He wanted to see that success extend to his employees at The Frog. Some of them have described Pat as a friend, others as a mentor, and still others as a father figure. “Everything I know I learned from Pat—and not just about business, but life lessons,” Brockway said. “He wanted to see other people become just as successful or better yet, even more successful than he was. If he could help someone, he did.” That help included savvy financial advice about everything from paying student loans to purchasing stocks or real estate. He helped employees obtain U.S. citizenship or find better housing conditions. He shared his wealth of knowledge and experience with them; he encouraged employees to better their career prospects, and he celebrated their successes. It wasn’t just his staff he looked out for; he also loved mentoring other entrepreneurs. “I had years of food and beverage experience, and it was Pat who inspired me to open my own restaurant,” Erika Waronsky, owner of The Sandbar and Pat’s niece by marriage said. “I knew how to run a restaurant, but I didn’t know how to run a business.

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Pat had so much knowledge, and he helped me immensely with the practical and financial side of things.” Jeff Zigelstein, owner of Stu’s Surf Side would agree. “I was looking for an exit strategy from the corporate world. Pat was just this invaluable resource who gave his time so freely. He has impacted so many people in so many ways,” Zigelstein said. “Patrick Taylor always had a smile on his face and a kind word for everyone,” J.R. Richardson, CEO/owner of Coligny Plaza recalled. “Pat was a f ixture in Coligny. He enjoyed mentoring other small business owners, especially his successors Rusty [Jaquiss] and Shaun.”

“Pat never said no when it came to helping the community,” Jaquiss said. “And it’s something he really instilled in Shaun and me.” The Frosty Frog supports local schools, youth athletics, and the Island Rec Center among many other charitable and community organizations. The Frosty Frog partnered with the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office each holiday season to collect toys for officers to keep in their cars to calm traumatized children and to donate to The Boys and Girls Club and other local charities and families in need. The Frosty Frog also holds an annual golf tournament and reception to raise money and awareness for the program. Pat’s generosity went well beyond The Frosty Frog and Coligny Plaza. “Anything I supported, he supported too,” Martin said. When I got involved with the Lowcountry Alliance for Healthy Youth, he donated to it and supported it, too. It was the same with other things like scholarship funds and the Sandalwood Food Pantry. His generosity knew no bounds.” Pat was at The Frosty Frog every day. He loved his loyal locals and annual guests alike. “He remembered families from one year to the next,” Jaquiss said. “He wanted them to have a place here that felt like home—a place where families made memories together.” He really enjoyed spending time with people and getting to know them. He once met a family that hailed from his hometown, and he invited them to join him on his boat and a tour of Daufuskie Island. He often invited friends—or even acquaintances in need of relaxation—to join him at his rustic Daufuskie cottage. When he wasn’t at The Frog, he enjoyed relaxing with a Cuervo on Daufuskie, where he was known to blast Christmas music from his golf cart year round. “He was a holiday guy,”

Angie said, “but Christmas was his favorite.” He was known to go a bit overboard both with his generosity and decorations during the holiday season. At Halloween, he enjoyed pulling pranks with other Coligny businesses; each Fourth of July the Frosty Frog holds a hotdog eating contest; New Year’s Day was celebrated with his annual croquet tournament on Daufuskie. Of course, nothing was more important to Pat than his wife Angie—the love of his life—and his daughter Allison Daisy—the apple of his eye and now a freshman at Ole Miss. “His whole life’s purpose changed when she was born,” Angie said. Despite his demanding food and beverage schedule, he made it to all her school and extracurricular functions. Family is what drew the Taylors to Hilton Head. Pat’s late mother Carol had a home here, and he had nieces and nephews here, many of whom worked for Pat at one time or another. Waronsky referred to Pat as the “rock” of her family. “He was the one always bringing us together,” she said. And, of course, no mention of his family would be complete without including his beloved dogs, Oakley and Melrose, often referred to as “Little Patricks.” Rusty and Shaun intend to continue Pat’s legacy with the Frosty Frog and the community. He will also live on through Allison Daisy. As a father, Pat focused on teaching her about the privilege of being able to help others and what he considered the most important life lessons: to love unconditionally, to give selflessly, and to cherish every moment with loved ones. “Patrick loved life. He always said life is for the living,” Angie said. “He enjoyed his relationships with people. He’d just want us all gathering together to remember him— sharing a meal and continuing to enjoy the laughter.” 

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M A Y O R

A Note from Hilton Head Island Mayor, Alan Perry

HAPPY HOLIDAYS, HILTON HEAD ISLANDERS

M AY O R A Note from Bluffton Mayor, Lisa Sulka

LOOKING BACK

Photography by Krisztian Lonyai

unning for political office was not something I had on any bucket list growing up. But the influence my parents had on me and my siblings, to always help others and to pay it forward, was strong. So, part of my decision to run for Town Council in 2004 had to do with my upbringing—that, with a lot of peer pressure from my two close friends, Oscar Frazier and Bill Herbkersman. Note to self: Allow yourself to take on new challenges and not always stay comfortable on your current path. Overall, it has been a rewarding 20 years of my life, and looking back, while there are issues we are dealing with, I am very proud of what I was able to be part of and will always cherish the time I had in local government. Advice to any future leaders in our town: Don’t have an agenda—pure and simple. I said this a lot over my time as mayor, that anyone to succeed in any elected position should “love, live for, and believe in your town” (in this instance Bluffton). If you do, then you are serving others and trying to bring value and pride to everyone who lives here, and that will bring you so much joy and happiness in being part of an elected body. Over the years, as a council woman and then mayor, I found my place and my passion, which was encouraging and mentoring young people, and working very hard to make a place that our younger population would yearn to return to at some point in their lives. To focus on that goal, I made a concerted effort to work on jobs, housing, recreation, educational opportunities and more. Some of this has been accomplished by the recruitment to bring CareCore (now Evicore/Cigna) to our town, along with the development of Palmetto Bluff. These are the two largest employers in our town and offer a variety of jobs to our residents. More on this front is coming soon, and I am excited to play a role in that with our Beaufort County Economic Development Corporation and the Don Ryan Center for Innovation. I have supported the town investing in parks, developing our historic district, events throughout the year, affordable/workforce housing, our May River/environmental initiatives and have been a vocal supporter of public and private schools. 130

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Photography by M.Kat

his festive holiday season is a wonderful opportunity to create lasting memories with loved ones, share joy, and spread love. We eagerly anticipate the holiday events featured on our town calendar and look forward to celebrating this special time with you. The holidays remind us of the significance of family, community, and shared values. Our island’s uniqueness shines as we showcase diverse celebrations that highlight our appreciation of cultures coming together. The holidays are also a chance for us to collectively embrace the spirit of giving back and positively impact our community. On December 1, we will illuminate the Christmas tree at Lowcountry Celebration Park, accompanied by local performers, carols, a family-friendly holiday movie, and hot cocoa. Santa, escorted by Hilton Head Island Fire Rescue, will grace the event. In addition, residents can connect with representatives from local non-profits and discover ways to give back to the community during this season. Beyond the event, you can return to the park, bask in the aura of holiday lights, and capture your photos by the Christmas tree. Our celebration continues December 7 when we gather again at Lowcountry Celebration Park to recognize the Jewish holiday, Hanukkah. The festivities include the Menorah lighting, indulging in latkes and sufganiyot (traditional Hanukkah food), playing dreidel games, enjoying live music, and more. We invite the public to contribute to a holiday collection supporting those in need. I take pride in our Fire Rescue Department’s initiative to spread holiday magic. Every November, Fire Rescue staff members deck out Fire Station Three. What a fantastic display! They invite the public to see this display and donate new, unwrapped toys for children ages one to 12 and non-perishable food for families in need. Visit Fire Station Three, next to First Presbyterian Church off William Hilton Parkway, to explore this dazzling light display and drop off your donations, benefiting the Deep Well Project. The holidays are also the perfect time to express appreciation to our residents for their contributions to the town. We owe a great deal of thanks to our citizens who have served alongside us on various boards and committees. We have a host of residents who contribute their time to help multiple island organizations and events. Together, we make an incredible difference in the lives of people who live and work here, and we showcase the beauty of this island we call home. 2023 will be remembered as a successful year—my first as mayor. We made several positive moves, including announcing a workforce housing community, constructing long-awaited pickleball courts, launching our short-term rental initiative, and more. As we bid farewell to 2023, let’s reflect on our blessings and embrace the promises and opportunities the upcoming

year holds. On behalf of my fellow town council members and my family, I extend warm wishes for a safe and wonderful holiday season. Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah! Find a complete list of town holiday events at www.hiltonheadislandsc.gov. 

A Note from Lisa Sulka continued During my tenure as mayor, this town has become transparent and easily accessible through online business licenses, live-streamed meetings, online finances, easily accessible strategic and comprehensive plans, and a public information effort that consistently provides information to our local media, our county, and our own social media. We have also made investments in our employees to ensure they are happy and healthy. We have dealt with hurricanes, floods, deaths of young residents, COVID, and rapid growth. And through these challenges, we have achieved amazing accomplishments: providing water and sewer to all of Buck Island/Simmonsville Road and the historic district; rehabilitating several historic structures to ensure their stories will always be told; seeing medical services starting to invest here; developing the New Riverside area where the greatest amount of our growth lies; partnering with the county and other groups to get properties that lie in our watershed off of septic; earning a AAA bond rating (we are one of five towns in S.C. to have this rating); and creating strong partnerships with our neighboring municipalities, counties, non-profits and utility companies. And at the end of the day, we have made Bluffton a place where people want to move to, and our young population wants to stay or come back home. We live in an amazing town that lies in the best area of the country; we have an incredible staff and talented, hardworking residents. For that I am grateful. The help and support so many of you have given me over the years will never be overlooked, and please know how appreciative I am. While I will no longer be mayor at the beginning of 2024, I promise I will not stop helping others, including doing what I can to help this, and future councils continue our progress. Bluffton is in amazing hands with our staff and a council and mayor who truly love this town. Looking through my photos, I took a trip down memory lane and thought a few of these would put a smile on your face: Jumped out of an airplane. The Bachelor f ilmed one of its nights in Bluffton, and I was in one of the scenes. Watched our PD chase buffalo across Pinecrest and U.S. 278. Allowed Tom Tom the goat permanent residence in Historic Bluffton. Welcomed dozens of presidential candidates to our town. Rode with the Clydesdales in two Bluffton parades. Celebrated with Lee Jean making top nine on American Idol. Toured Boeing with Bluffton students. Met a family who loved our town so much they named their son Bluffton.  CH2CB2MAGAZINE.COM

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C2 Magazine • December 2023 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 maggie@ch2cb2magazine.com. If we have room and it’s appropriate for public consumption, we’ll be happy to oblige.

For the past 10 years, the “coffee ladies” of Port Royal Plantation have been kicking off the holiday season by donating treats to send to troops in Niger, West Africa. According to Patti Soltys, who leads the initiative, the project is a way of “connecting with members of the military who are far from home to keep us safe.”

Pictured left to right: Melissa Pender (Coosa Elementary Principal); April Bryant (District Teacher of the Year); Linda Navorska (Foundation Board Member); and Carole Ingram (Foundation Board Member). On October 25, members of The Foundation for Educational Excellence Board presented the 2023 Beaufort County School District Teacher of the Year, April Bryant, with the Wayne Carbiener “Above & Beyond” Award along with a $1,000 grant for use in her classroom. Bryant is a fifth grade teacher at Coosa Elementary School. The award is presented annually to the Beaufort County School District’s Teacher of the Year in honor of former Beaufort County Board of Education member and Foundation for Educational Excellence supporter, Dr. Wayne Carbiener. Each year, his family honors his profound commitment to our teachers by awarding the grant that reflects his support and admiration for Beaufort County’s public school teachers.

The Hilton Head Shore Notes are pleased to announce that they have changed their name to Shore Notes A Cappella Chorus. A chartered member of Sweet Adelines International, the chorus has entertained audiences throughout the Lowcountry for 25 years. This holiday season, they are delighted to perform free concerts on Hilton Head Island, in Bluffton and in Beaufort: December 3 at Island Lutheran Church, Main Street, Hilton Head Island; December 9 at Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Buckwalter Pkwy., Bluffton; and December 10 at First Presbyterian Church, Beaufort. They also look forward to singing at the Hilton Head Island tree lighting on December 1 as well as caroling at all the island’s retirement homes. Learn more at shorenotes.com.

Christopher Corkern

Christopher Corkern, with The Prudential Insurance Company and president of May River Financial Group, has been named to Top of the Table, the highest designation of the international Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) that recognizes the world’s leading insurance and investment financial services planners. Only a small percentage are named as members and less than one percent qualify each year for MDRT. Corkern is also on the top 250 financial security professionals wealth advisor list in the United States by Forbes magazine.

C2 Magazine • December 2023 Edition

Palmetto Animal League is hosting a Holiday Open House at their Adoption Center, 56 Riverwalk Boulevard, in Okatie, Saturday, December 9 from 1 to 5 p.m. Guests are invited to drop by for cookies, hot cocoa, coffee, and good cheer. PAL is waiving adoption fees for cats, kittens, and adult dogs during the event as a part of their monthlong Season of Second Chances. As a part of their mission, PAL is collecting much-needed food and other supplies for less fortunate pets, including cat and dog food, toys, treats, pet beds, and cozy blankets. PAL will distribute the donated items to area pantries to help pet owners experiencing food insecurity.

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Coastal Carolina Hospital has started a new tradition for NICU grads and their families. Each NICU graduate dons a tiny, crocheted graduation cap before they leave, celebrating their incredible resilience and journey through the Level II Special Care Nursery. Parents are proud to have this milestone recognized, celebrated, and commemorated with a special photo shoot.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will be at the Palmetto Bluff Holiday Farmers Market on Sunday, December 17 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., on the Village Green at Palmetto Bluff in Wilson Village. The market will feature holiday offerings from local artisans, live music, and brunch with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Buy last-minute gifts for family and friends, taste festive creations from Palmetto Bluff’s culinary team, and even submit lastminute holiday wishes in a letter to Santa. This event is open to the public. Guests can tell the gate at Palmetto Bluff they are attending the Palmetto Bluff Farmers Market.

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C2 Magazine • Dec. 2023 Edition

The Foundation for Educational Excellence awarded 12 Innovative Teacher Grants and seven School Resource Grants to teachers across Beaufort County f rom 13 different schools. These grants, totaling over $25,000, were awarded to teachers and schools for innovative learning opportunities and projects that go beyond the regular school district budget.

Lowcountry Food Bank announced that Hendrick Automotive Group donated $130,000 to Lowcountry Food Bank on November 15 to help feed food-insecure neighbors in the Charleston Tri-County area. As part of the event, volunteers from the company packed meals for distribution to 750 families.

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Harbour Town Yacht Basin has been awarded South Carolina Clean Marina Program certification, recognizing its commitment to preserving the environment and enhancing the water quality for recreational boaters throughout the state of South Carolina. This voluntary certification program is a testament to Harbour Town Yacht Basin’s dedication to implementing best management practices that reduce pollution and protect the marine environment.

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DECEMBER 2023 HOLIDAY LIGHTS, SHELTER COVE MARINA Enjoy holiday lights and decorations. View more holiday happenings at ShelterCoveHiltonHead. com/santa.

SHORE NOTES A CAPPELLA CHORUS Island Lutheran Church; 3PM. Free admission

GAME DAYS AT FRASER’S TAVERN Every Sun. 1-4PM. For more, visit seapines.com/ events.

BRUNCH WITH SANTA Alexander’s Restaurant & Wine Bar. Reservations required. Visit alexandersrestaurant. com

HOLIDAY NIGHTS AND LIGHTS Dec. 2-4; 6-8PM Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park. Annual drive-thru event with a holiday theme. For more information visit exploremitchelville.org.

HANUKKAH CELEBRATION 5:30-7PM, Lowcountry Celebration Park. Free admission.

NUTCRACKER 5K December 8 at 8AM. Meet in the Wexford parking lot for the start. Visit Hilton Head Running for more.

SOUTH BEACH CHRISTMAS VILLAGE Thousands of lights go on nightly at dusk. Enjoy an evening strolling the docks. Take a selfie with the island’s “greenest” tree.

HOLIDAY TRIVIA WITH SANTA Hilton Head Library. Call (843) 255-6525 for more info.

CHESS CLUB 3:30-5PM, Hilton Head Library. Informal, all levels. Call (843) 255-6525 for more info.

SPARKLE, SIP, & SHOP December 7, 4-7PM at Coastal Bliss in Shelter Cove Town Center!

HARBOUR TOWN LIGHTS Now through January 1. For more visit seapines.com/ events.

POLAR PINES HOLIDAY EXPRESS WAGON RIDE December 16, Festive wagon ride, crafts, activities, hot chocolate and treats. Visit seapines.com/events or call (843) 842-1979 for more info. / reservations.

DOG ADOPTION EVENT - H.H. HUMANE 11AM-1PM at Jarvis Creek General Store

BLUFFTON CHRISTMAS PARADE 10AM Bluffton Historic District

SHORE NOTES A CAPPELLA CHORUS Lord of Life Lutheran Church. 3:30PM; free admission.

JEVON DALY’S KIDS’ SHOW Every Saturday in December. Coligny 11:30AM-1PM.

SWING INTO THE SEASON 6:30-9PM. Hilton Head Beach & Tennis Resort. (508) 320-6440.

PET PICS WITH SANTA 12-2PM, at Hilton Head Humane. Learn more at hhhumane.org

CHRISTMAS IN COLIGNY Learn how you can win $1,000 by shopping at Coligny! For more visit Colignyplaza.com/ Christmas-at-coligny

OYSTER SHELL SANTA ORNAMENTS Hilton Head Library, 3PM. Call (843) 255-6525.

ANNUAL CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT To register email hhibbc@gmail. com

SANTA & S’MORES SATURDAYS 2:30-3:30PM. South Beach Every Sat. but 12/30

JINGLE JINGLE BRIDGE RUN 5K and 10K races commence and conclude at Crossing’s Park. Holiday costumes encourages. Visit bearfootsports.com or call (843) 757-8520 to register.

HOLIDAY INN THE MUSICAL Now-Dec. 24 at The Arts Center of Coastal Carolina. The perfect heartwarming holiday show for the whole family. For tickets and more info., visit artshhi.com or call (843)842-2787.

FAMILY NIGHT AT THE FIRE HOUSE December 16, Fire Station #4. Watch The Grinch and see Santa in his sleigh.

HOLIDAY LIGHT DISPLAY & TOY AND FOOD DRIVE All month long in December. Hilton Head Island Fire Station #3. Enjoy a sparking light display all month long. Drop off new & unwrapped toys in the marked Deep Well container.

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