t’s July, the second official month of summer, and the Lowcountry is heating up in every which way it can (yes, that was a nod to our 100-degree temps). We’ve got a vibrant issue devoted to helping you make the most of the month, whether you’re a visitor on vacation or a local who forgot to book their cabin in the mountains.
Our issue kicks off with a nod to our local bike ambassadors, whom you might have seen in their day-glo vests traversing the island’s bike paths. These volunteers spend their free time helping you stay safe on our pathways, while assisting lost visitors with maps and other bits of info like where to enjoy the best seafood with a view.
They are on a mission to share Hilton Head Island’s new Bike Safety Etiquette guidelines, which you can find on page 26. In an effort to assist the cause, Heather Rath and the Coligny Plaza crew commissioned our in-house famous local musician, Jevon Daly, to write a song about bike safety. We’ll be debuting this fun video on our social media channels sometime this month, starring a few of our friends at the Bluffton Boys & Girls Club.
Also in these pages is an article about the Breeze Trolley, Hilton Head Island’s very own complimentary trolley service, which operates seasonally. Check out page 30 for more info on how this came to be, and head to breezetrolley.com to find the list of areas it services.
When I go on vacation, I like to shop. I know you all probably find this shocking. ;-) Don’t you just love perusing local boutiques and stores that have unique things you can’t find anywhere else? Any items purchased on vacation now have a story that lives on when you return home, whether it’s a sexy
new sundress, a colorful piece of art, or an album purchased in a cool eclectic record store. To this end, we thought we’d feature local shops that were born in the Lowcountry – and highlight the people that started them. The section starts on page 34 of this issue – and we hope it encourages you to Shop Local.
Our Neighborhood Stroll returns this month, with a feature on peaceful Callawassie Island. The Tiki Hut recently got a remodel and we’ve got photos of the stunning transformation and the grand opening festivities on page 74. Courtney and Barry take on the Man vs. Bear debate that’s been breaking the internet for a few months now, and we spend an evening at HarbourFest, now in its 35th year, eating Top Dawg pizza and listening to Shannon Tanner rile up the crowd.
If you’re looking to escape the heat, we’ve got features on two fantastic theatre productions, Southeastern Summer Theatre Institute’s Gypsy and Sea Glass Stage Company’s rendition of The Great American Trailer Park Musical at Coligny Theatre. Chicago is also at the Arts Center this summer – so if you’re looking for culture, we’ve got it!
Last but not least – Happy Birthday, America!
MAGGIE WASHO Publisher / Editor-in-Chief
Wear a Helmet! The children of the Boys & Girls Club Bluffton get their helmets on for safety before getting on bikes and starring in a music video about Bike Safety. Follow CH2 Magazine on social media to watch!
Article by Lynne Hummell . Photography by M.Kat
Bicycle Safety
Make It a Habit
Whether you’ve been on Hilton Head Island as a resident or visitor for many years or just a few, you might have noticed that lots of folks of all ages enjoy riding bicycles. Moreover, it’s likely you have ridden a bicycle to and from somewhere, sometime – or perhaps you ride everywhere, all the time.
It makes sense that so many riders enjoy cycling here. Not only is Hilton Head Island a beautiful place, but it is a gold standard Bicycle Friendly Community, first designated by the League of American Bicyclists in 2011 as silver level. Currently, Hilton Head Island is the only town in South Carolina with a gold designation.
Along with growing numbers of annual visitors and full-time residents, the island’s biking community has seen tremendous growth as well. For starters, the availability of leisure paths for bikers, runners, and walkers has grown to 134 miles of multi-use public and private pathways, and that doesn’t include our 12 miles of beaches.
With so many people and paths, it makes sense that we need rules to help keep everyone safe. What exactly are they?
There isn’t an easy answer, because there are a lot of rules.
A visit to the Town of Hilton Head Island web page on the topic (hiltonheadislandsc. gov/pathways) shows a detailed list, starting with “Obey all traffic signals and pathway markings.” One stand-out section makes clear that motorized vehicles, golf carts, and Class 3 e-bikes are NOT allowed. Exceptions are power wheelchairs, Class 1 and 2 e-bikes (max speed of 20 mph), emergency vehicles, and authorized maintenance vehicles.
As a League Cycling Instructor certified by the League of American Bicyclists, Linda Warnock teaches classes in bicycle safety. She reviews a list of 20 tips and guidelines for people new to the island or to bicycling.
The tip list includes the need for all cyclists to wear a helmet; obey all traffic signs and signals; make eye contact with motorists and other cyclists at intersections; and ride predictably, in a straight line at a steady speed.
“That list of 20 tips is still valid, but the likelihood that someone will read through them all is low,” Warnock said. “Most folks believe they already know how to be safe riding a bike or walking our pathways.”
Frank Babel, known in many circles as Mr. Bicycle HHI, is a member of Bike Walk Hilton Head, a group that began in 2011 as the Bicycle Advisory Committee when the town got its first silver bicycle friendly
designation. He chaired that first committee and has been at the forefront of spreading the bike safety gospel ever since.
While the focus of the group was bikers, there was another segment of the population in danger. After the island earned its gold status as a bike friendly community, Babel said the group started to observe that throughout the country, there was an epidemic of pedestrians getting hit by cars and killed.
Bike Ambassadors Tim Harriger, Sue Rapp, Bruce Huester, Tom Hopkins, John Witherspoon, Frank Babel, Joe Darwal, Marie Watters, Ray Morton and Clarke Jones (front)
“Part of it is because of angry people, and part of it is because they’re making roads more efficient, people are driving faster – and the other part is the front ends of these cars now can mow down people. They’re huge!” Babel said. “If you got hit before, like 10 years ago, you just kind of were thrown in the air, but now if you get hit, the odds of surviving are very small.”
That was the impetus for the name change and a renewed focus.
“Our mission now is helping make Hilton Head Island safer and more bike and pedestrian friendly,” Babel said. “We’re trying to address the issue of walkers, so that brings me to where we are about safety.”
Cyclists were not paying attention nor adhering to the long list of safety guidelines made available.
“One of the things that we have observed is there seems to be a direct relationship between the lack of interest in the number of rules that are out there, and lack of retention by anyone who reads them,” Babel said.
Over the past couple of years, the group distilled the long list into an abbreviated message: “Use bicycle etiquette.”
“We felt shifting users’ mindset to etiquette – how they can be courteous to others while enjoying the unique pathways of the island – encourages more people to stop and take in the message,” said Warnock, who is also a member
Bicycle Safety
Bicycle Friendly Businesses (BFBs)
Any type of business can be a BFB. Bike Walk HHI hosted a class for interested businesses and six bike shops applied. They were awarded the status in May 2024. They join the Palmetto Dunes Property Owners Association, which was recognized as a BFB at the Silver level in 2018.
THEY ARE:
The Bike Doctor – Silver Hilton Head Bicycle Company – Silver Avocado Bicycles – Bronze Island Life Bike Rentals – Bronze South Beach Bike Rentals – Bronze Wheelz of Hilton Head – Bronze
of Bike Walk HHI. “The goal was a consolidated list with fewer words, but a big impact.”
The message is being posted on all the Island Pathways map kiosks located around the community. The town has produced pocket-sized cards to be distributed through bike rental shops and vacation rental agencies.
The simplified etiquette message is:
• Keep right, pass left
• Announce to pass
• Watch your speed (12 mph limit)
• Keep the way clear
• Approach intersections with caution
• Wear a helmet
• Be kind
To help keep riders and pedestrians safe on the pathways, the volunteer Bike Walk Ambassadors provide their services on a regular schedule during the summer.
Bike Walk Ambassadors
To help keep riders and pedestrians safe on the pathways, the volunteer Bike Walk Ambassadors provide their services on a regular schedule during the summer, and on a more relaxed basis year-round. The program was created in 2013.
“The idea of the Bike Ambassador Program basically was to have a physical presence of people who knew something about biking and had an interest in safety and, most importantly, trying to make the experience of the people who were visiting here a really good experience,” Babel said. “A lot of [the visitors] just didn’t know where to go, what to do. They had a bike and they had a pathway, but where do we go, what do we do?”
Kiosks with bike etiquette and maps are posted in various locations around the island to help our visitors find their way and stay safe.
Babel said about 200 people were trained to be Ambassadors in the first six or seven years. They carry maps, basic first aid kits, and offer their extensive knowledge of island sights, highlights and activities. Ambassadors also hand out the safety cards.
Ambassadors can be found on primary pathways and at the pathway’s many kiosks from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays and Mondays. This service is active from Memorial Weekend through the first week in August.
In addition, “freelancers” are those experienced Ambassadors who help out year-round on their own. “They just put on their shirt and ride around and help out whenever and wherever they want,” Babel said.
The Ambassadors are available only on the 64 town-owned public pathways. On the remainder of the pathways, within gated communities, the etiquette guidelines should still apply but might not be officially accepted. Still, it’s a good idea to ride as safely as possible.
Babel said there are hopeful plans in the works to add simple graphics to the pathways to aid cyclists, such as stripes in the middle to remind bikers that the pathway is similar to an American highway – with drivers on the right. Or maybe “little emblems that show a circle with an arrow that pictures a biker and next to it will be a circle with an arrow that shows a pedestrian, side by side on one side of the pathway,” Babel said. “And, sooner or later, these people who haven’t ridden a bike in 30 years are going to realize, ‘Hey, I should be on the right-hand side.’”
Babel, who started Pedal for Kids about 17 years ago, hopes to have all cyclists and pedestrians on the same page eventually, exploring the pathways with the same guidelines and courtesies. And he hopes that more people will start to ride their bikes to the beach and shopping and work, and maybe help ease vehicle traffic congestion on the roads.
“I love biking and I just love the joy of seeing these families get on their bikes and just enjoying this island,” Babel said, “because that’s the best way to see it.”
For more information, visit bikewalkhiltonheadisland. com.
Article by Cheryl Ricer . Photography by Mike Ritterbeck
It’s nice to reduce our carbon footprint.
It’s nice to have fewer vehicles on the already crowded streets.
It’s nice not to have to rely on navigation.
It’s nice to have a designated driver when you need one.
It’s nice to share a piece of nostalgia with our kids.
It’s nice to be able to visit with the family during the ride.
It’s nice not to have a car full of sand after a day at the beach.
It’s nice to save on my commute on and off the island to work.
It’s so EASY!
And it’s FREE!
Depending on perspective, reasons why locals and visitors love hopping on and off a Palmetto Breeze trolley or bus are about as varied as the states and cities from which we hail. Regardless, though, Palmetto Breeze Transit, the regional Public Transportation Authority on Hilton Head and throughout the area, offers a valuable service that many people use to make their vacations more enjoyable, to make our roadways less crowded, and even to facilitate their livelihoods.
As one of South Carolina’s regional transit authorities, Palmetto Breeze is a designated recipient for federal and state transportation dollars for public transportation services. Palmetto Breeze regions cover a five-county area, which includes Beaufort, Allendale, Colleton, Jasper, and Hampton counties. This large area is somewhat unique, based on the diversity of economics and community.
Quickly approaching its 50-year anniversary, Palmetto Breeze began life as the Beaufort-Jasper Regional Transportation Authority. Its initial operations were strictly commuter services to Hilton Head for “worker bees” (who would take what were then converted school buses) who lived in outlying destinations to get to and from their jobs on the island.
Today, the commuter service remains active and is much larger. It has expanded to include moving workers not only on and off the island, but also to Bluffton and Beaufort, for one daily shift every day of the year except two –Christmas and Thanksgiving. With numerous commuter buses now running every day, transporting upwards of 250 people back and forth – some for two hours each way – the rides are much more comfortable, using charter coaches with lounge seats and air conditioning.
“Our commuter buses are now – thankfully – very comfortable because for most, it’s a long-haul route,” said Brian Sullivan, director of marketing and communications for Palmetto Breeze and the Breeze Trolley. “Some commuters will ride for two hours to get to work and then two hours home at night, which makes for a very long day.”
Sullivan said the commuter routes start early, by 7:30 or 8 a.m., in an attempt to get ahead of heavy traffic onto the island. Return trips begin at 4 p.m.
“Many of our riders are transit dependent, relying on public transportation services for their livelihoods,” Sullivan said. “For some of our folks, in Estill, Walterboro, or Allendale, there just isn’t that much work out where they live.”
The 2010 census catapulted the Hilton Head-Bluffton region into a new realm of geography – small urban funding, shifting Palmetto Breeze from 100% rural funding on the federal level to some important and impactful urban funding based on population. The population had grown to the point where the region now qualified for additional funds.
Around the same time, the Town of Hilton Head Island had completed a study assessing the congestion on the island during the high season seeking solutions that didn’t require more roadways.
“Forget the bridge,” Sullivan said. “By this point in our growth, now you get to the island on those busy days and it’s already overly congested. The city conducted a ‘Circle to Circle’ study – Coligny, Greenwood, Pope – and the consensus was to incorporate seasonal public transportation. Hence, the birth of the iconic Breeze Trolley.”
The Breeze Trolley
The “trolley” concept was created to fit in with the Hilton Head vibe and Lowcountry atmosphere. While the trolleys are buses that are made to look like an old-time trolley in some way, shape, or form, they were (and are) expensive. Fortunately, as the local transit authority, Palmetto Breeze had access to extra funds due to the population of the region.
The first season of the Breeze Trolley was launched in mid-July 2018 and ran through October and was very well received, even with the $1 per trip fare. The second season (April-September 2019) was also a success. The trolley service has continued to expand ever since.
The Breeze Trolley launched two seasonal routes in 2021 – the Mid-Island and South Island routes. The Mid-Island is connected to the South Island route (the main trolley route) but is primarily meant to take passengers from the Folly Field Road area all the way to the west and then Coggins Point Road, connecting folks who are interested in exploring the other routes without them having to drive at all.
Sullivan said 2021 was a watermark year for the service.
“Ridership went through the roof,” he said. “We offered free fares during COVID, and we kept free fares in 2021. The island experienced a high occupancy rate that year due to limited travel elsewhere (other states, overseas, etc.), so people discovered the trolley who had never discovered it before.”
Getting the Word Out
Advertising is a challenge for many public service agencies, and in the case of transit, they can’t take money that should be used on maintenance or operations and put it towards magazine or billboard advertising. They rely heavily on word of mouth, social media, and partnerships.
“We get the word out any way we can, leveraging free or very inexpensive media, whatever that may be,” Sullivan said. “Facebook and Instagram (even X) are our primary focus from a social media standpoint. Initially, our Facebook following was about 80% regional. Then, we began
promoting on Hilton Head and Lowcountry group pages, and currently we have more followers than Savannah’s entire transit authority. We are obviously proud of that because we’re just a seasonal service.”
Sullivan attributes this success partly to the obvious allure of Hilton Head and the fact that everybody treasures planning their time here. Now, about 80% of Palmetto Breeze and Breeze Trolley followers are from outside the local area. This underscores the fact that visitors want to see it in their feed, learn more about the system, and plan their trips using the Breeze.
“This boils down to one of the basic premises of the Breeze Trolley service to begin with,” Sullivan said. “The service must prove to enhance the island experience for visitors as well as residents. With so many people from outside the area now following and using the service, we can work like a trip itinerary planning department. For example, when we see various questions come in on social media platforms, we quickly answer them to help [users] navigate how they can use the trolley to get to and from their vacation destinations without having to clog the roadways.”
As well, the trolley vehicles themselves are nostalgic and fun for multiple generations. Kids of all ages love to see and ride the trolleys, and not only do they blend in with the island vibe, but they also act as rolling billboards for the service.
Sullivan said that having both locals and visitors embrace the trolley has been key to the partnerships they rely on. The town of Hilton Head Island provides local match funding that is required for the Palmetto Breeze to receive federal and state funds. Without a local match, they can’t even apply for annual funds each year.
“We cannot do this without the town’s financial support – period,” Sullivan said. “And any kind of growth, in terms of extending the season or adding routes, all must come with a commensurate increase in local match so that we can access federal and state funds. Generally, for every 20% of local funds, we get 80% federal and state funds.”
The Town of Hilton Head Island and the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce have been fantastic partners from the start, Sullivan said, not only through the financial support, but also through promotions and spreading the word. This year, along with the town and the chamber, the trolley enjoys 21 partnerships – advertisers and supporters who advertise in the Rider’s Guide, the 24-page pamphlet size brochure with all the details folks need to navigate. All the information is also available on the website.
The Palmetto Breeze also has a sister operation called the Bluffton Breeze, which is a year-round, weekday service that circulates Bluffton Parkway, Buckwalter Parkway, and Highway 278 up to the Walmart in Hardeeville. It runs from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and is meant to serve working commuters, but also shopping trips, medical appointments, and getting folks from Sun City.
The mission of Palmetto Breeze Transit is “To provide regionally the safest, most innovative, cost efficient, multimodal public transportation system possible. As the transportation authority we will work relentlessly to achieve coordination and pursue customer service satisfaction while providing freedom of mobility and independence to our residents and visitors in an environmentally friendly manner.”
The Breeze vehicles are ADA accessible, with wheelchair lifts on busses and low ramps on trolleys.
Hopping on and off on Hilton Head has never been easier or breezier. To plan your trolley ride, visit BreezeTrolley.com or pick up a Rider’s Guide from any of the more than 150 island destinations that offer them.
One of the best things about a beach vacation is the unique shopping options that abound in coastal towns.
LOCAL SHOP THIS SUMMER!
Every item purchased on vacation has a story - and when you gaze at it once you’re back home again, the mind floods with memories of a pleasant journey and the treasures found.
In the following pages, we highlight homegrown shops and boutiques and introduce you to the local people behind the brands.
FEATURING
PG. 35 ~ Gigi’s Bluffton
PG. 36 ~ The Haven Boutique
Binya Gullah Gifts & More
PG 37 ~ B- Jack’s Deep South Mercantile
PG 38 ~ MoJo’s Island Records
Pure Salt Studios
PG. 39 ~ Birdie James
HHI Golfe Shoppe
Gigi’s Bluffton
As the granddaughters of a legendary Beaufort boutique owner, you’d imagine that Anna Pepper Hewett and Emily Burden would have been immersed in the world of fashion from a young age. And you’d be right. Sort of.
In their youth, the pair of them spent many a day out shopping with their mother, Mary. That’s not to say they didn’t find room for improvement when out enjoying some retail therapy.
“My mom didn’t actually like shopping. And Emily didn’t like spending money,” said Anna Pepper, eliciting laughter from both sisters. “So, we always tried to find a store that had good price points and something for all of us.”
When they couldn’t find one that satisfied all three savvy shoppers, Anna Pepper and Emily decided to create their own. Naming their boutique Gigi’s to honor their grandmother, they opened their doors in 2008.
“From the beginning— and this has been true for the entire 16 years that we’ve been open— we’ve been a store that we wanted to shop at with our mom,” said Emily.
That meant finding lines that were not only endlessly fashionable, but ran the
gamut from sundresses to fashionable tops.
“The key is wearable, because Bluffton is very understated and effortless,” said Emily. ”We don’t want anything that’s just going to sit in someone’s closet. We want them to get something that can be casual or dressy by accessorizing it in different ways.”
“We like to have higher end lines, but we also want to have a variety of prices,” added Anna Pepper. “We are all on a different budget and we want everyone to feel comfortable - we want to be somewhere approachable for everyone.”
Striking that balance, according to Anna Pepper and Emily, is just a matter of paying attention. “Listening is key,” said Anna Pepper.
“For us, it’s all about relationships –with our customers, our employees, and with each other,” added Emily. “We want people to feel at home when they come into the store. We don’t want it to feel pretentious or stuck up; we really want it to feel comfortable, like anybody is welcome and belongs here.”
Sixteen years in, having survived the doldrums of the great recession and the gnawing uncertainty of the pandemic, that relationship with the customers has established Gigi’s as a bona fide Bluffton icon. It’s also given them a chance to build on the family tradition Gigi started. As they opened, Emily was pregnant with her first child. In the ensuing years, each sister has been blessed with four children. Now entering their teen years, those
children are helping chart the boutique’s future.
“As I was driving here today, one of Anna Pepper’s girls called me with something we needed to carry because it’s sold out everywhere,” said Emily. “My oldest had us bring in an accessory she liked. I didn’t understand it, but those little $10 things have been selling like crazy.”
As the fourth generation prepares to put their own stamp on Bluffton’s stylish sensibilities, Gigi’s Bluffton continues bringing customers in and welcoming them to the family tradition.
At the heart of Bluffton’s burgeoning fashion district, The Haven Boutique represents something a little more daring. It’s a sensibility forged by the delicate materials and rich neutral tones of modern Southern flair, infused with a fearless streak of denim, and framed by approachable accessories for casual comfort that dazzles.
“Denim is my main vibe,” said owner Tracy Moss. “It really adds such a great casual element to an outfit that really elevates the entire look.”
Indeed, it’s an entire look that has come to define the fashion of Old Town Bluffton in this new era. She began curating this style half a decade ago, opening The
Binya Gullah Gifts & More
There’s one word in the name of Lola Campbell’s shop, Binya Gullah Gifts & More, that carries more weight than one might realize. It’s the “more.”
Because, while you can meet Campbell at markets and pop-ups across the Lowcountry, it’s really when you step into her shop that you realize what “more” means.
“It’s retail, it’s a shop, but it’s so much more than that. It’s the story and the experience you get when you come in,” Campbell said. “I find myself telling customers the story of why the shop is where it is – on land that’s been in my family for at least five generations.”
Through Binya, Campbell is telling her own family’s stories, and the stories of all the families who called this island home long before the first bridge. It’s
Haven to serve women like her who were seeking that same balance of refined and laidback fashion. Hitting the fiveyear mark this August, she has established her store as one of the vanguards of Old Town’s renaissance.
“We’ve grown along with Old Town. It’s become a real destination in itself,” Moss said. Joining her in this dream is a staff of seven who share her dedication to The Haven’s approachable elegance. “I’ve built this fantastic team who truly supports me,” Moss said. “None of this happens without them. I’ve started bringing them with me to market, and it’s something I want to start doing more of.”
6 State Of Mind St, Bluffton, SC 29910
M-Sat 10-6pm Sun 12-5pm (843) 707-9198
the real story of Hilton Head Island, told by someone whose family was there from the first chapter.
It’s also giving others a chance to tell their own stories, with Campbell stocking the shelves at Binya with locally crafted goods from artisans all over the Lowcountry. “We have so many talented people, but they can go to only so many of the markets,” Campbell said.
“This is a way to give their items a permanent home, possibly their only permanent home.”
It’s retail. It’s a way for Campbell to tell her family’s story. And it’s a platform for sharing stories of families just like hers.
That’s why the word “more” might be the most important word in Binya Gullah Gifts & More.
556 Spanish Wells Rd, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
Tues-Sat 11 am - 6 pm (843) 715-9003
www.binyahhi.com
B- Jack’s Deep South Mercantile
When you venture out into the rivers and creeks that stretch away from Bluffton toward adventure, you’ll find a sportsman’s paradise. Salt water and freshwater fishing, boating, kayaking, golf courses galore, and sporting clays.
Finally, Old Town Bluffton has a place that prepares you for your next venture out into the local natural environment, B-Jack’s Deep South Mercantile.
“I’d been living in Old Town and was seeking a place where guys could get clothing like that,” said owner Michael Gonzalez. What clothing is that, you might ask? “Basically, all the stuff that I wear.”
An avid outdoorsman, Gonzalez named B-Jack’s after his sons Braeden (the sporting
clays enthusiast) and Jack (the fisherman). And he filled his store with items that let guys and gals explore the wilds of the south, like Charleston’s Free Fly Apparel, rods and reels from Toadfish, golf wear from Bald Head Blues, items from Onward Reserve as well as extensive offerings from William Murray (founded by Charleston resident and comedy icon Bill Murray).
“We’re also a sip and shop with
an extensive collection of bourbon,” added Gonzalez, showing that he understands what the Southern man wants (and many ladies). We want to hit the beach, the golf course or the outdoors in comfort and style. But we never say no to a sip of bourbon first.
16 Church Street, Suite 101
Bluffton, SC 29910
(843) 816-2624
Mojo’s Island Records
There was a time when music lovers had a place to hang out, play rare tracks, argue over which bands were legends and which were overrated, and simply bask in the soundtrack to their lives. They were called record shops, and somewhere in our mad rush to digitize, everything we seem to have forgotten how much our love of music was heightened by the experience of discovering it.
It’s something we didn’t even realize we’d lost, until owners Josh & Monica Duvall brought it back for an encore at Mojo’s Island Records. The shop’s name comes from the melding together of Mo + Jo, and like the name, the store perfectly blends Monica’s sense of style and their mutual love of music. The classic tactile experience of rifling
Pure Salt Studios
Since opening its Shelter Cove Marina location, Pure Salt Studios has given residents of the Lowcountry a chance to breathe in the healing magic that is pure Himalayan Salt, indulging in halotherapy that not only relaxes and soothes, but also provides a welcome respite from our area’s aggressive pollen.
“Halotherapy is great for the mind, body, and soul,” said Lindsay Sales, who took over as owner in April. “We use pharmaceutical grade salt that breaks down inflammation throughout the body, helping everything from asthma and allergies to digestive and skin disorders. Not to mention the incredibly deep relaxation and stress release you can feel after just one session.”
As an instructor, Sales’ yoga classes add to a menu of healing
through stacks of wax, looking for that rare release or album we haven’t heard in years. The joy of talking music with other fans (and, if you’re lucky, with the local musicians who spend the odd Saturday working the counter). Discovering new obsessions and sharing our own favorites.
It’s an experience that we’ll simply never get from clicking “add to cart,” and you’ll find it here, fueled by Duvall’s massive collection of vinyl.
“I want somebody to come in here and see that we have a lot, where some record stores don’t,” Duvall said. “I choose the records that I would want to see when I used to go into record stores.”
24 Palmetto Bay Rd Unit D1, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 Tues-Sat 12pm-5pm (843) 533-0725
mojosislandrecords@gmail.com
that includes meditation and chromotherapy, among other offerings. They also boast a retail spread that includes clothing, health and wellness products and natural goods, striving to be all American made.
“At Pure Salt Studios, we are thrilled to offer services that directly impact our community’s overall health and wellness,” Sales said. “We consider it a real honor and privilege to serve both our fellow neighbors and island visitors on their journey toward better health.”
Come enjoy on Monday mornings at 9 a.m. for guided meditation in the salt room, and Wednesday mornings at 9 a.m. for yoga in the Shelter Cove Pavilion.
9 Harbourside Ln Suite B, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
Well known for its versatile fashions (as showcased extensively in the pages of this very magazine), the style of Birdie James has come to define Lowcountry chic. At its flagship Hilton Head Island location, it launched with lines that reflected the island’s laid-back sophistication, a subdued style that has evolved over the years to encompass some more vibrant pieces.
It’s a style that owner Michelle Taylor will soon evolve once again, developing two distinct lines as she prepares Birdie James for a great migration to a brand new second location in Bluffton’s Washington Square sometime this month.
HHI Golf Shoppe
There’s a long-standing stereotype that everyone who lives on HHI is a scratch golfer. While most of us fail to live up to visitors’ expectations of our low handicaps, our passion for the game more than makes up for our occasional bogey.
However, one local’s passion for golf has brought a new store to the island.
HHI Golf Shoppe owner Kyle Putkonen opened his doors in March 2023, continuing a career that started on the local links before moving into the retail world. He loves everything about golf and is happy to share his knowledge of the game, area courses, and new products with anyone who visits his store.
“We’ve been really well received on the island by residents as well as visitors,” Putkonen said. “Not everyone
“I’m excited to open out in Bluffton to let people see Birdie James in a different light, so they can see how multi-dimensional we can be,” Taylor said.
Regular shoppers might have noticed a bit more color over the past few months at the flagship location, which has served as a preview of sorts for the new shop’s brighter aesthetic. “Bluffton is going to be a little punchier and more vibrant, while we’re going to be taking Hilton Head back to its more seasonless, neutral-forward roots,” Taylor said. “From there, our goal will be to listen to our clients to know what they want more or less of, and what they dream of.”
28 Shelter Cove Ln #111
Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 M-Sat 10-6pm Sun 12-5pm (843) 842-2622 thebirdiejames.com
wants to go all the way to Bluffton to shop, so we’re saving people time and money.”
That’s time saved by having to travel only to the Fresh Market Shoppes where his store is located, and that’s money saved by the Golf Shoppe’s low prices on all the top brands, thanks to Putkonen’s extensive relationships in the golf world. They will match any competitor’s price on clubs, and even offer custom club fittings free of charge.
When you shop at HHI Golf Shoppe you’re saving time, you’re saving money and you’re reinforcing the island’s long-standing reputation as a home to passionate golfers –as well as supporting a locally owned small business.
890 William Hilton Pkwy Suite 66, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 Mon - Sat 9am - 6pm Sun 10am - 6pm (843) 715-0427
hhigolfshoppe.com
Beth Castelli with Coligny Hardware’s official greeter, Charlie the Great Pyrenees.
Article by Cheryl RIcer . Photography by M.Kat
Coligny Hardware:
A HILTON HEAD INSTITUTION
While some might be bigger and flashier, there is likely no more iconic hardware store for miles around than
Coligny Hardware, a true Hilton Head institution. There’s hardly a local or a vacationer who hasn’t visited the store at least once, and in most cases several times, whether they’re buying something or not.
“We have a good crowd in here all the time,” said Beth Castelli, who owns the store with her husband Jeff. “Everybody is so happy. It is just the best thing in the world to come into work every day.”
It’s that attitude that keep folks coming back year after year, trip after trip. Oh, and the big white dog … more on that later.
As the second oldest retail business on the island (only Piggly Wiggly is older), the original store was a Western Auto, which the Malphrus family opened in 1969. In 1982, Charles Castelli bought the store and renamed it Coligny Hardware.
“When my father-in-law had the store, he was an older gentleman, and of course, times were a bit different,” Beth said. “There were no big name, big box stores around anywhere close where people could go for building supplies, so his approach to business was strictly man-oriented, a nuts-and-bolts sort of inventory.”
Charles owned and operated Coligny Hardware for 20 years before he decided to retire and sell the business. In 2002, Jeff and Beth decided to buy it. Since neither of them had been involved with the hardware store previously, it was a sentimental decision that turned out to be a great business decision.
“When we bought the store, I started adding some items that might appeal to women, too,” Beth said. She began to carry gift items, home and lifestyle items, and colorful beach-y things.
“Women are the ones who typically pick out the beach chairs and such, so I added lots of color
and a variety that was missing before,” she said. “I wanted to make the store fun, make everybody feel welcome, and create a great environment.”
In 2017, Coligny Hardware underwent another change – this time a change of location to 3 Lagoon Road, where the The Goldsmith Shop was located for 36 years. The new location is a bit smaller than the previous one, so the Castellis had to adjust their inventory. They took into consideration that the demand for hardware, at least from a mom-andpop hardware store like theirs, had changed, mainly due to more competition.
Christmas ornaments to remind you of a beach vacation on Hilton Head Island are on display in the back of the store.
Coligny Hardware has beach chairs, toys, and souvenirs, as well as beach carts, wagons, coolers, and rafts – which they inflate for you at the store.
If someone is working on a big project, they’ll likely cross the bridge. But for smaller projects, Coligny Hardware is still your go-to. They have a small plumbing section, a small electrical section, a small gardening section. They still have all the things the former location stocked, just in smaller quantities. There is a home section that includes kitchen items and home décor.
They also have all the beach chairs, toys, and souvenirs, as well as beach carts, wagons, coolers, and rafts – which they inflate for you at the store. Their beach towel section is full of colorful and high-quality towels.
Coligny Hardware’s cheery exterior on Lagoon Road across from Coligny Plaza.
There is something for everyone, even your furry friends … which brings us back to the famous white dogs.
When the Castellis bought the store, they had Jake, a white Golden Retriever that they purchased from Holland.
“Jake was our little Dutch boy – just a love,” Beth said. “At seven-and-a half years old, he was diagnosed with cancer, which came as a total surprise. So many of the American Goldens were being diagnosed with cancer, so we thought that a European dog would be less likely to get cancer because they have government regulations on breeding. But for four years, he battled, going through chemotherapy, everything.”
To help pay Jake’s veterinarian bills, Castelli started the White Dog Trading Company. She created T-shirts with Jake’s picture on it. Once Jake passed away (on June 28, 2014), she decided to pay forward the kindness of her patrons by continuing to sell the White Dog Trading Company designs in her store and donating 20% of every sale of the White Dog merchandise to a charity whose mission is to research the causes of canine cancer.
“The charity is the Morris Animal Foundation, and Betty White was their spokesperson,” Beth said. “They’re wonderful. They’re not only researching the causes of cancer in dogs, but they’re also looking for answers to what dog owners can do differently to prevent cancer from striking their fur babies.”
After mourning Jake, the Castellis adopted a ninemonth-old named Maverick, a Great Pyrenees that became Beth’s best friend and store mascot. In 2022, Maverick, too, lost his battle with cancer. Then, Hilton Head locals and visitors alike mourned for Maverick at a celebration of his life. Remembered as a “lot of people’s best friend,” Beth said Maverick’s spirit still lives at Coligny Hardware.
And just when she thought she’d never love another white dog, Jeff brought home a puppy on Valentine’s Day 2023. Charles Henry Valentine, or Charlie, as the new Coligny Hardware “PR guy” is called. To make it even more special, Charlie is Maverick’s nephew.
“Charlie is just the funniest little thing,” Beth said. “He just makes my heart melt. He’s a sweet, sweet soul and having him is a really good thing. I’m so thankful.”
Along with the white dogs, Beth loves being a part of the Coligny Beach community and says that Coligny Hardware is like a vacation every day because everyone is so happy and having so much fun.
“I see people with kids that I first met when the kids were in diapers, and now they’re graduating from high school,” Beth said. “It’s the most wonderful thing. … I feel like I’m on holiday every day. I have a lot of faith in God, and I believe things work as they are supposed to. Coligny Hardware is the best job a person could ever have because people love to visit here. I’m so blessed.”
To visit the Castellis and love on Charlie, visit Coligny Hardware at 3 Lagoon Road.
Babbie Guscio stands on the front porch of The Store on Calhoun Street in Old Town Bluffton.
Article by Barry Kaufman Photography by M.Kat
More Than a Store
ABluffton institution, The Store hardly needs an introduction. But even after 46 years, it still yields surprises with every visit.
Long before Babbie Guscio first came to Bluffton in 1971, the front porch of The Store she now owns had already been enshrined as a town landmark. With its history stretching back to the sepia-toned past of 1904, when Calhoun Street was less a street and more an illdefined expanse stretching toward the river, this porch was the axle around which the town’s 700 or so residents spun.
“When I moved here in 1971 … it was one square mile and everyone was local because, as they said, ‘If my feet won’t take me, I’m not gonna go,’” Guscio said with a chuckle.
On this porch, patriarchs and matriarchs of the great Bluffton families – the Heywards, the Pinckneys, the Peepleses – would hold court, greeting all who passed with a familiar “hello.” After serving as the town’s post office, a barbershop, and a general store at various points, that porch drew people in out of habit, even after Luke Peeples had shuttered his general store.
When the bundle of energy that is Babbie showed up, looking to open an odd boutique of local art, antiques, rare finds, and curiosities, a few long-timers had their doubts.
“People would always ask me, ‘Why are you doing this?’ I told them because I was here, and this was what I wanted to do,” Guscio said. “I was an oddity, but everyone would come down in the afternoon and tell me stories about growing up here.”
Opening a store selling an eclectic blend of bric-a-brac and odds and ends in a town of a few hundred might have been a bold stroke in 1978, but 46 years later the business model has proven to have staying power.
“It changes all the time because people’s tastes change. In the beginning, Bluffton had a lot of what you might call ‘itinerant’ artists, so I’d have some of
Opening a store selling an eclectic blend of bric-a-brac and odds and ends in a town of a few hundred might have been a bold stroke in 1978, but 46 years later the business model has proven to have staying power.
their art with some antiques, and people gave me some really cool things to sell,” Guscio said. Today, there is still the same unrepentantly eccentric mix of this and that, sprinkled here and there with fascinating upscale items to reflect Bluffton’s changing character.
And along the way, Guscio’s unconventional outlook proved infectious, defining Bluffton as a safe haven for expressing yourself how you see fit. From that front porch, she launched many a street festival – primary among them the celebrated Mayfest, cementing Bluffton as a State of Mind. And as Bluffton has evolved into something a little more – dare we say – sophisticated, she has kept the porch light on for everyone who remembers when Bluffton dared to be different.
And she shares that light with everyone who stops by to browse her wares or simply share a story.
“I’ve just enjoyed meeting people and seeing them,” she said. “I miss all the people who were here. I wish everybody could know them.”
If you want to meet them, or at least hear a few of their tall tales and remarkable stories, Guscio is more than happy to welcome you to The Store.
Article by Regina J. Baker
Photography by M.Kat
GIRLS JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN
And there’s no better way to do that than by grabbing your bestie and heading to Coligny this summer.
Every once in a while, you just need a girls’ day out, just a few hours in the sunshine to reconnect with your girlfriends. Like a spa day for the soul, these are the days when you can spend hours talking about nothing at all and everything important. The key ingredient is that it needs to be somewhere amazing.
It needs to be a place where the food is endlessly Instagram-able (not to mention delicious), where live music mingles with lively conversation, and the opportunities for retail therapy are abundant.
You know where we’re going with this - to Hilton Head’s Downtown, Coligny!
Where you’ll run into old friends and make new ones too, where the beachside selection of locally-owned shops and restaurants is unmatched, where the scenery is ever-changing, and where you and your squad can truly let your hair down.
Join us on a girls’ trip through Coligny, then grab your girls and start planning your own adventure.
day
Thoroughly caffeinated, it is now time to start modeling some fierce new looks. Point your girl squad toward Fresh Produce for eyecatching sundresses and accessories that get you beach ready.
Start the
by fueling up with an iced latte and island-inspired fare at Sweet Al’s Cafe, because every good girls’ day starts with coffee talk.
While you’re here, sneak in a little treat for yourself (or gifts for the family) with a stop at The Island Fudge Shoppe. The aroma of fresh chocolate may trigger your sweet tooth, but save that chocolate alligator for later. This is a whole girls’ day, and you need to pace yourself. (OK, one bite).
For even more fetching fashions, pop into Island Girl to find that perfect summertime look.
Next stop, some inspired home décor from Fire & Pine to give you a constant reminder of the day you spent with your besties.
After a quick beach walk and some shopping, it’s time to refuel at Skillets Cafe & Grill. Be sure to try the crabcake benedict with a side of Mimosas and Bloody Marys.
No time to dilly dally over lunch, there’s more shopping to do. A stop by the Hilton Head House of Honey is a sweet way to grab something for later, or find that perfect hostess gift for your next soiree.
Relaxation Required! Grab a cold one from FISH Casual Coastal Seafood and make your way to Coligny Cay! The perfect place for perusing local cookbooks (found at Mingles) and people-watching in the heart of Coligny.
The cornerstone of any good girls’ day is a fashion show. Next stop, bring the girls by Haskins & Co. to see who can find their new look fastest.
The midday sun can be daunting on Hilton Head Island, but our girls found the perfect remedy with fashionable
There are plenty of ways to escape the sun, but our top pick—and we think your crew will agree—is slipping into Big Bamboo. Enjoy the delightful South Pacific ambiance, delicious food, and of course, something refreshing to sip on.
With bags already overflowing with fresh finds, it’s time for a little shopping break. Grab some prime seats at Coligny Center Stage and enjoy free live music every night of the week, featuring Hilton Head Island’s best live and local musicians. Support the local music scene while you relax and unwind!
There’s always room for more accessories. For your next stop, we’re taking the girls over to Sea Bags for something that will look amazing on your arm.
We wrap up our our girls’ day at The Sandbar for one more mouth-watering meal and a round of cold delicious cocktails amid outdoor splendor.
sunhats from Bennali’s Coastal Wear.
Long-time instructor
Ashlyn LaRiche, who was recently named studio director.
ARTICLE BY BARRY KAUFMAN PHOTOGRAPHY BY M.KAT
Stars WRITTEN IN THE Stars
ALLIANCE DANCE ACADEMY SPARKS IMAGINATION IN YOUNG PERFORMERS
Asingle star can sparkle. But a constellation shines. It’s the same in the heavens as it is on earth. And it’s particularly true in the world of dance, where finding your people has never been more important to making a career in movement.
“After COVID you stopped seeing so many open auditions, so it’s really become more about who you know,” said Rochelle Clarkson, owner of Alliance Dance Academy and longtime veteran in the world of competitive dance. “Now it’s just easier to call a choreographer and ask for recommendations rather than hold auditions, so it’s really important for a teacher to know the choreographers and be able to introduce them to your kids.”
It’s a new reality in the wider dance world, but from the start Clarkson has built her studio and her dancing life on forging deep connections. Ask any parent whose child attends Alliance and they’ll tell you – this isn’t a studio, it’s a family. It’s a cohesive bond formed between parents, children, teachers, and students that truly sets Alliance apart. Or, at least, it’s one of the many things that sets Alliance apart.
“That’s part of what happens here,” Clarkson said. “If you’re a teacher, you’re all in. You have to be a part of our culture, because we all believe the same things and we’re all here for the same reason. Lord knows parents have plenty of choices in dance studios, and this is the studio that’s a family.”
Long-time instructor Ashlyn LaRiche, who was recently named studio director, knows that better than almost
everyone. She joined Alliance during its second year in operation, leading Saturday classes part time after coming down from Ohio where she danced and taught. Today, she teaches various styles of classes as well as classes at local daycare centers, while keeping that standard of cohesive instruction held high.
“One of the most important things that Miss Rochelle taught me was to lead with love first. It’s about leading from
One of the new endeavors that LaRiche spearheaded is Alliance’s Teacher Apprentice Program (TAP). The idea behind this project is to give students the tools they need to find a career in dance outside of learning steps and techniques.
Rochelle Clarkson, owner of Alliance Dance Academy and longtime veteran in the world of competitive dance.
the heart, understanding why we are doing this,” LaRiche said. “The goal is, we want everyone to find their passion. Maybe not everyone will find that with dance, but we want them to find that.”
LaRiche found her passion in cultivating the familial atmosphere at Alliance, following the model that Clarkson established.
“Ashlyn is just great at what she does. And she reminds me of me – we have the same love for what we do and the same joy in sharing it with our kids,” Clarkson said. “And she has all the energy in the world. She’s always coming up with new ideas, which is great because it’s good for expanding what the studio offers, but more so because it’s great for the kids to have the benefit of her energy.”
One of the new endeavors that LaRiche spearheaded is Alliance’s Teacher Apprentice Program (TAP). The idea behind this project is to give students the tools they need to find a career in dance outside of learning steps and techniques.
“We’re mentoring our older students to be student teachers, so that they when they get to college, they can find a job in a studio doing whatever needs done, whether it’s teaching or working the front desk,” Clarkson said. “Not only will that give them a higher-paying job during college, but it helps them build their post-graduate resume while continuing to enjoy their passion.”
For the young stars who stay the course, this program provides a clear path to finding their constellation. Giving students those opportunities has always been a crucial part of Alliance Dance Academy’s philosophy, helped immensely by Clarkson’s extensive history in the dance world.
Through her connections, she has brought in some of the world’s most sought-after choreographers to work with her dancers at the Bluffton studio. She has connected students with a wider network, allowing them to pursue their dreams. And she has nurtured instructors like Ashlyn LaRiche, passing on her uncanny ability to tie a child’s ability to their passions, thus allowing them to shine.
Both instructors feel more like proud parents than teachers.
“Family here is everything,” LaRiche said. “I want to come in on weekends because I love being here. Because Rochelle has taken my own family in and taken them under her wing. We mesh very well and we end up doing life together.”
“She’s a mini-me,” said Clarkson with a chuckle.
Together, they are giving kids a chance to shine on their own, nurturing their passion for dance or simply helping them find where their passions may lie, then pointing their way toward the heavens. And when these stars finally shine for themselves, they’ll do so as part of a family, a constellation if you will, that will continue to support them no matter where their starlight takes them.
ARTICLE BY MORGAN STEWART
KEEPERS OF THE FLAME
ACCLAIMED BASKET MAKERS HEADLINE ARTS INITIATIVE AT PALMETTO BLUFF
The Arts Initiative at Palmetto Bluff was conceived to inspire and enrich lives through art in all its forms.
Each year, notable Southern masters of their craft are invited to address varied themes that tie to the community’s values as they immerse themselves in the local culture and lead workshops.
Starting in July, The Arts Initiative will host its first Artist in Residence Summer Sweetgrass Series, featuring acclaimed basket sewers Michael Smalls and Dino Badger in July and Jery Taylor in August. Tickets for the events are available at PBArtsInitiative.com.
“We are truly honored to have such venerated practitioners as Michael, Dino and Jery leading this first Artist in Residence Summer Sweetgrass Series at Palmetto Bluff. The Arts Initiative was founded to forge a broader Lowcountry community and the ability to participate in workshops that
explore such important aspects of Gullah heritage are vital to this mission,” said Maggie Hackett, director of marketing at Palmetto Bluff.
Sweetgrass basket sewing is an artisan craft that originated in Sierra Leone and was brought to the Lowcountry with those who were enslaved. According to the College of Coastal Georgia, the art is practiced in coastal and barrier island communities from North Carolina to Florida, a region known as the Gullah-Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor. The Gullah-Geechee are the descendants of enslaved West Africans who worked on coastal plantations. Though today the baskets are considered works of art, they were originally used for more practical purposes such as storing food, carrying crops from the fields, and fanning rice.
The basket-making process requires patience, dedication, and creativity as there are no set patterns
Sweetgrass sewer Jery Taylor at work in her Savannah studio. Photo courtesy of Joel Caldwell for Acres of Ancestry Initiative/ Black Agrarian Fund.
Sweetgrass basket sewers Dino Badger (L) and Michael Smalls (R) with some of their creations.
and each piece is unique. Every basket starts with a knot, and moistened sweet grass or pine needles are repeatedly coiled and wrapped with strips of palmetto fronds. The word “sew” is used to describe the technique rather than “weave” because it more accurately describes the process of stitching together the coils rather than plaiting or braiding.
As these intricate baskets now serve more of a decorative purpose, makers have developed increasingly embellished designs whose patterns are created without dyes but instead by alternating the natural colors of the dried yellowish green sweetgrass, reddish brown-black needlegrass rush, and green longleaf pine needles.
This incredible tradition has been kept alive by passing the basket sewing techniques from generation to generation, as exemplified by Smalls, a seventh-generation basket sewer from Mount Pleasant. He said he learned the craft at around age 7 from his great-grandmother, Lucinda Pringle, whose mother was an enslaved worker on Laurel Hill Plantation. Badger is Smalls’ former apprentice and now partner whose family is from Round O. The pair are devoted to pursuing and preserving this beloved facet of Gullah heritage and they often pray for the well-being of the basket’s future owner as they sew.
As The Arts Initiative at Palmetto Bluff’s July artists in residence, Smalls and Badger will lead a sweetgrass basket sewing workshop on July 11, in collaboration with the Palmetto Bluff Conservancy, at the Conservancy Classroom in Moreland Village. The duo will share insights into the rich
history of the Gullah Geechee culture as they work with sweetgrass and instruct participants in the historical and spiritual art of sweetgrass basket-sewing, culminating in the completion of individual baskets.
Smalls’ and Badger’s work will be on display and available for purchase at FLOW Gallery + Workshop during July. Their baskets can also be seen at The Gullah Sweetgrass Gallery in the Discovery House at the Coastal Discovery Museum on Hilton Head.
The extraordinary artistry and exchange of ideas will continue with masterful folk artist Jery Taylor, the August artist in residence. Taylor began learning the art of
Sweetgrass baskets sewn by Dino Badger and Michael Smalls
Sweetgrass basket sewer Jery Taylor, is The Palmetto Bluff Arts Initiative’s August Artist in Residence.
sweetgrass sewing from her grandmother at the age of 5 on the Boone Hall Plantation grounds in Mount Pleasant. As she continued to learn and grow, so did her dedication to Gullah-Geechee culture and arts. Her work has been featured on HGTV and the Discovery Channel and included in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian and private collections.
On August 2, Taylor will continue cultivating and creating with the culturally significant medium she has practiced throughout her career. Participants in her workshop at Wilson Village’s FLOW Gallery will learn handson how to create sweetgrass hanging art. Taylor’s work will
be on display and available for purchase in FLOW Gallery + Workshop during August as well as at Jery’s Baskets, an artist studio located in the heart of Savannah’s City Market.
“Having learned this art form from my grandmother, I am excited to be able to share this incredible part of my culture with the residents and guests of Palmetto Bluff,” Taylor said.
Showcasing a diverse curation of artists, craftsmen, musicians, and makers, the Arts Initiative at Palmetto Bluff’s vibrant collaboration and Artist in Residency program fosters creativity while striving to forge a broader Lowcountry community united by hands-on educational experiences for residents and guests of Palmetto Bluff as well as neighbors from the greater Bluffton, Hilton Head Island, and Savannah environs.
The innovative programming engages and challenges audiences through shared dialogues and the beauty of the Bluff itself. The Arts Initiative is built upon three foundational pillars: inspiration (embodied by the Artist in Residence Program); invitation (manifested in FLOW Gallery + Workshop, the charming exhibition space in Wilson Village); and installation (building a permanent collection and rotating exhibitions set amidst the Palmetto Bluff landscape).
FLOW Gallery + Workshop features a series of exhibitions, workshops, and events. It showcases work from the visiting artists in residence and a curated collection of prominent and emerging Southern artists. FLOW welcomes members and guests to foster immersive, hands-on interactions and a deeper appreciation for the artists whose work represents the elements that comprise Palmetto Bluff.
ARTICLE BY CHERYL RICER
NEIGHBORHOOD STROLL:
CALLAWASSIE ISLAND
FIND WARMTH, BALANCE, AND CONNECTION WITHIN THIS ISLAND COMMUNITY
Located just 10 miles inland from the Atlantic Ocean, Callawassie Island is situated at the confluence of Callawassie Creek and the Little Chechessee, Okatie, and Colleton rivers. Entirely surrounded by salt marshes and tidal creeks, and with deep-water access to Port Royal Sound via the Colleton River, there is no shortage of opportunities to get out and enjoy the Lowcountry waters and all its wonders.
This 880-acre island community currently boasts 550 families – most of whom are full-time residents – with a maximum build-out around 650 homes. Homesites range from about a half-acre to full acre and offer a variety of beautiful views, whether on the marsh, the Colleton River, or the golf course. Like many other wonderful communities in the area, amenities and natural beauty abound, so sometimes drawing distinctions can be challenging.
When you talk to Callawassie Island residents and staff, however, they strongly believe that their experience is unique in a variety of notable ways, beginning with the balance they’ve struck between their community and its
surroundings. Callawassie Island holds the distinction of being the first certified Community Wildlife Habitat in South Carolina. As you travel through the community, the preservation of its natural beauty is a testament to the stewardship of people who originally developed the community to prioritize the trees and the wildlife. And now, the current members are equally dedicated to celebrating and fostering that natural environment.
“Our community is vibrant, with an amazing natural environment and a wonderful group of people dedicated to preserving it,” said Emily Kearney, an active resident and Realtor in Callawassie. “We’re grateful to those before us for their mindful stewardship. Because this is a private island with limited land, making decisions for the community’s longevity is both special and unique.”
“We are a true island, with some pretty serious natural beauty,” said Jeff Spencer, general manager and COO. “Gated communities are one thing, but a gated community with a quarter-mile causeway is a whole different animal and a big draw for anyone who visits, along with the security
Callawassie offers, the serenity, and the peace and quiet. Also, we’re an Audubon Certified community, and everyone who lives and works here is committed to maintaining and caring for our unique environment.”
The warmth of their neighbors is something Callawassie residents value greatly, holding one another in the highest regard. Their beautiful backdrop is more illuminated by their noticeable hospitality.
Lindsey Cooler recently celebrated her 17th anniversary as Callawassie Island communications and membership director.
“What makes Callawassie a standout are the people,” Cooler said. “Our members make living in this community an absolute delight. We’re in a beautiful area of the U.S. among a lot of beautiful communities, but it’s extra special here. When I park my car each morning, as soon as I get out, members are waving, ‘Good morning. How are you?’
They ask how I’ve been, what I’ve been up to, and how my family is doing.”
Spencer agrees that the one of the bigger benefits to Callawassie is that it’s a nice tight community with a lot of nice people – those who live there and those who work there.
“The people that work here are just as committed to the exceptional lifestyle as the members,” Spencer said. “We have a quality staff and provide a happy work environment for the people who are employed here. It’s helpful for all of us to maintain quality people who enjoy longevity with us. Several of our staff have worked here for quite some time, which demonstrates a commitment on both ends, and that kind of continuity is a nice thing for any community to offer.”
The security director on Callawassie has been in that post for more than 25 years; the director of tennis recently retired after 28 years; and some of the kitchen staff are at the 30-year mark. Maintaining that kind of continuity of staff
Callawassie Island holds the distinction of being the first certified Community Wildlife Habitat in South Carolina.
With more than 50 active clubs, Callawassie’s golfers, paddlers, tennis players, fishermen, gardeners, and others are encouraged to share in their interests, delve into their crafts, and socialize through island-wide events and activities.
Golfers can enjoy three impeccably maintained nine-hole courses on Callawassie Island – The Dogwood, The Palmetto, and The Magnolia.
Entirely surrounded by salt marshes and tidal creeks, and with deep-water access to Port Royal Sound via the Colleton River, there is no shortage of opportunities to get out and enjoy the Lowcountry waters and all its wonders.
The captivating landscape of Callawassie Island lends itself as a means for members to fully enjoy the great outdoors.
lends an air of competence and trust for the membership. They know the members by name and the members feel safe and know they can rely on the team who cares for their investment.
Callawassie Island POA board member Pam Rape and her husband moved to the island from Charlotte after previously owning a home in Kiawah Island, where they thought they wanted to retire. After owning the Kiawah house for a few years, they realized that the community
didn’t have enough full-time residents to give it the “warmth” factor that they finally found on Callawassie. They visited Callawassie in 2014 on a “Discovery Trip,” bought a lot and moved into their forever home in 2016.
“One of the things we really enjoy most about Callawassie are our neighbors – most of whom live here full-time, like we do, and there aren’t a lot of rentals,” Rape said. “My husband is a college football official, and so he’s gone on a lot of weekends. We wanted someplace where
I could still feel comfortable while he’s away. The sense of community here allows me to just call up some girls and say, ‘Hey, let’s go have dinner at the club,’ or even if I walked in by myself, I could sit down with somebody and enjoy a meal. The people really are special here, which is why we chose Callawassie, and we haven’t been disappointed.”
Connection is another distinguishing factor of life on Callawassie Island. As soon as you cross the island’s causeway, you’ll feel at ease and connected with your surroundings, neighbors, and even yourself. Though they live on an island, residents value their location and its proximity to all things Lowcountry.
“Callawassie is strategically located in the heart of Beaufort County,” Kearney said. “We enjoy a distinct advantage being equal distance from Bluffton and Beaufort. Whether it’s shopping, dining, or other activities, we simply turn right or left depending on our needs. Additionally, with Hilton Head, Savannah, and Charleston nearby, it’s easy to plan a staycation. Our community was made for travel enthusiasts, as both Hilton Head and Savannah airports are nearby.”
Whether recent retirees, young professionals, or those choosing to have a second home, all residents share connections. The private, welcoming, and relaxed setting promotes strong relationships. With more than 50 active clubs, Callawassie’s golfers, paddlers, tennis players, fishermen, gardeners, and others are encouraged to share in their interests, delve into their crafts, and socialize through islandwide events and activities. Everything you might need to enjoy Lowcountry living to the fullest can be found within your reach, and the wide range of amenities and facilities were designed to help members connect with one another in a relaxed environment, all while enjoying the surrounding natural landscape.
The Callawassie Island River Club, situated on the banks of the Colleton River, offers sweeping water views and year-round waterfront dining.
GOLF
Golfers can enjoy three impeccably maintained nine-hole courses on Callawassie Island – The Dogwood, The Palmetto, and The Magnolia – all of which loop back to the pro shop. All are designed by the legendary Tom Fazio, and while they may differ in difficulty, each offers an enjoyable game as well as stunning views. Golf professionals are onsite year-round to offer clinics and help members sharpen their games, and the pro shop is stocked with everything you might need for your round. An active golf community hosts several events to encourage people to fall in love with the game of golf.
WELCOME CENTER
The friendly local sales team at the Welcome Center will help you explore and are experts on every aspect of Callawassie Island living. Stop by to enjoy the magnificent views from the Welcome Center windows that offer a taste of the community’s natural scenery. A visit here offers your first glimpse into the relaxing, warm atmosphere cultivated on the island.
CLUBHOUSE
Surrounded by mossy oaks and picturesque water views, the spacious and newly renovated Callawassie Island Clubhouse exudes coastal charm and classic Lowcountry style. Designed for members to gather with friends, family, and neighbors, the Clubhouse also sets the scene for the many active island clubs to meet, socialize, and host events. Whether you’re looking to grab post-golf refreshments, Sunday brunch, or a more formal dining experience, the Clubhouse is the perfect spot. The Clubhouse is also home to many community events, including trivia nights, wine tastings, ecology presentations, and more.
RIVER CLUB
The Callawassie Island River Club, situated on the banks of the Colleton River, offers sweeping water views and year-round waterfront dining. In addition to a casual dining restaurant, this comfortable community clubhouse also includes a family swimming pool, sundeck, and fire pit outside. Built in 2019, the River Club is an ideal place to gather and spend time with loved ones while soaking in the sunshine and stunning river views.
FITNESS CENTER
The Fitness Center offers a private, personalized workout setting. State-of-the-art cardiovascular and strength training equipment, free weights, and certified trainers on-site make it easy to focus on your health and goals. The fitness director and staff are happy to help with the proper use of equipment and offer personal training and various group classes. Nutritional programs, physical therapy, and massage therapy sessions are also available. If you prefer to get your exercise in the fresh air, there are two swimming pools, as well as opportunities for scenic walking and biking throughout the island.
RACQUET SPORTS FACILITY
You can find a very active racquet sports community playing matches or practicing their skills on six Har-Tru tennis courts. Equipped with professional-grade ball machines, members can sharpen their swings with the help of an on-site pro if necessary. You’ll also find a patio and pavilion, perfect for socializing before and after a match, along with four Pickleball courts to enjoy.
The captivating landscape of Callawassie Island lends itself as a means for members to fully enjoy the great outdoors. While the stunning surroundings might be what first captures your attention, you’ll find it’s the friendly, warm way of life here that sets the community apart. They’ve struck the perfect balance of a relaxed yet active lifestyle, and they share in a deep appreciation for one another and the island they call home. On Callawassie, neighbors quickly become lifelong friends and the island quickly feels like home.
The pro shop is stocked with everything you might need for your round.
Jana Crochet Dress in Coconut Milk
Article by Amy Barlett
SWEET GRASS MEETS SWEET LIFE
Spartina 449 Introduces its Callawassie Collection
Around these islands there are names we know as well as the tides. Names, families, phrases, brands – familiar words that play like lyrics to our Lowcountry theme song and ring a sensory bell of Southern charm. These are words we recognize as chapter headers in the stories of people, place, and peaceful pace.
Spartina 449 is a little bit of all the above, telling the whole story in the story behind its name.
Daufuskie-originated Spartina 449 – the women’s brand that “embodies the true spirit of island living” – was created on an island for an island lifestyle. If ocean breezes could be your personal stylist, if the Lowcountry islands had a tartan, it would all be Spartina.
Their brand story plays out in collections like a charm bracelet of favorite sights, sounds, destinations, and towns, named for things that are our icons – Lighthouse, Calm Waters, Marsh Hens – and spots on our geographical treasure map, like Atlanta, Blue Ridge, Charleston, Historic Savannah, and of course, Hilton Head Island.
SWEET GRASS MEETS SWEET LIFE
Right: Sunita Linen
Dress Callawassie Coral
Embroidery
Left: Liza BiStretch
Skort Callawassie
Jacobean, Keira Zip Tank in Peony Pink
Now they’ve added a new leaf of a neighboring locale with the creation of the Callawassie line of clothing and accessories named for the sea island situated just 10 miles inland from the Atlantic Ocean, at the confluence of Callawassie Creek and the Little Chechessee, Okatie, and Colleton rivers.
The Spartina brand, named for the area’s spartina grass, was built on imagining a regionally reflective look where “linen and leather married with colorful patterns and timeless island stories.” Continuing in that refined spirit of reflection, the tints, tones, and textiles of Spartina’s
Spartina 449
Island Fringe
Dress Sugar Damask Cream
Callawassie line pay a bright and lively homage to the beauty that lies just beyond its trademark causeway.
The connection between Callawassie and Spartina is more than just a random pairing of two local legends. There’s a longstanding relational history with the brand’s founder and CEO Kay Stanley to both the island community and residents. After Stanley visited the island years back as a guest speaker for the Callawassie Island Women’s Club, she connected with member Claire Parkinson, who inquired about getting a few fellow islanders involved with events like Spartina’s well-known Friends and Family and Warehouse sales. That partnership of participation between local Spartina lovers serving a locally owned business grew from a handful the first year to a thriving “Callawassie Crew” in subsequent years, and a symbiosis was established.
It was through this spirit of connection that the seed was planted for Spartina to design six collections named after Callawassie. In creating the inspiration pieces for the line, Spartina honored Callawassie’s continuous “focus on connecting its community to its natural surroundings.”
Callawassie is an island whose residents have been committed to conservation and stewardship both historically and as a key component in the contemporary brand behind the exclusive resort community built on “warmth, balance, and connection.” On Callawassie, there isn’t a seat in the house that doesn’t see what on the island came first – the wildlife, the waterways, the wonder of it all.
That’s where Spartina creators turned for the look of their new line, describing the new textiles thus: “Our Callawassie collection features warm floral patterns and signature Lowcountry icons, inspired by the flora and fauna of the island.”
Earlier this spring, the line was featured at a fundraising fashion show on its namesake Callawassie Island, with standing room only and a great deal of excitement by those who had played an ongoing role in the budding
relationship. Parkinson has continued to celebrate the line with on-island publicity: “In their Spring-Summer catalogue are all the Callawassie collections, which are all available at the [Callawassie] pro shop. When you first open the catalog, you immediately get a description of Callawassie and where it’s located. I recommend reading the descriptions behind the different names: Calm Waters, Hamilton, Callawassie, River Club, Marsh Hens, and Sugar Mill. The history of the island is so well depicted, and the people of the island are mentioned.”
That description reflects the personal intentionality Stanley infuses throughout her brand.
“I was told by Kay when I emailed her about having a fashion show here after hearing about the line, that she wanted to honor the women of this island who have done so much to promote her business,” Parkinson said. “Plus, the ticket sales revenue for the warehouse sale is distributed to various charities. A few years ago, Spartina even gave the Friends of Callawassie Island a sizable donation. I was impressed and pleased when we received that, but feel especially honored as a resident here that she developed this whole line which is the largest, most comprehensive line they’ve developed so far.”
The fashion show itself was a raging success, with
The connection between Callawassie and Spartina is more than just a random pairing of two local legends. There’s a longstanding relational history with the brand’s founder and CEO Kay Stanley to both the island community and residents.
lunch provided by the community’s celebrated Executive Chef RJ Dye and island representatives working closely with Christy Sheets from Spartina. Whereas that was a one-day event, the here-to-stay release of the Callawassie Collection is something to celebrate by the brand’s broad audience, yearround with any of the 100-plus items that bear the island’s name. Shoppers will find dresses in hibiscus stripe, seafoam flowers, palmetto patterns from neutrals to succulent blossom reds, pink pineapples and khaki cane prints – and you can’t get much more Carolina isles than the straw basket handbag selections, in every size and style from crossbody and drawstring to wristlet and tote.
When the sweet swaying splendor of Spartina meets the calm waters of Callawassie, what grows from that pairing is a line of perfect peace you can wear on your sleeve. With a brand as innovative as the one created on the “bridgeless island” in cottage No. 449, there’s always a new look, a new line, a new love, and it usually comes with a matching bag.
View the new or tour them all at spartina449.com/collections/capsulewardrobe-callawassie to shop the “relaxed-luxe” look for yourself and live lavishly in the lush look of the Lowcountry.
Article by Barry Kaufman
Photography by M.Kat
TIkI HUT rENOVaTION PrESErVES ITS ICONIC VIBE
It can be daunting to mess with an icon. For years, The Tiki Hut, the sprawling outdoor bar on the sand behind Beach House Hilton Head Island, has occupied a singular spot in Hilton Head Island’s heart. For visitors, it’s that place they dream of during those long, cold, northern winters – the happy place around which they plan their entire vacation. When they’re here, they plant their toes in the sand and create a memory they can hold on to tightly until their next holiday.
For locals, it’s the place where you truly solidify your islander bona fides. We get to see our favorite bands, not only enjoying their music but getting to know them as one local to another. We get to share in the joy visitors feel when getting a tiny taste of the life we lead every day. For many of us, it was on this very deck where we first decided to call this island “home.”
The Tiki Hut staff and island locals come out in force to celebrate the Grand Re-Opening and ribbon-cutting with Chamber of Commerce’s Bill Miles, Beach House General Manager Jay Wiendl and Hilton Head Island Mayor Alan Perry.
Live entertainment has always been a staple at the Tiki Hit, and the show goes on with a new stage and even more cozy spaces to sit and listen. Or, if you’re feelimg energetic a big sandy dance floor to show off your moves.
When it was announced that this beloved institution would be undergoing a complete reimagining, we as a community waited with bated breath. Sure, we all knew that what emerged from the renovation project would be an upgrade (for $11 million, it had better be, we reasoned), but change can be alarming. Especially when what’s being changed is so fundamental to our island life.
But then the Tiki Hut reopened its doors, revealing a magnificent new profile that took the entire experience and gave it just the right amount of polish, and we breathed a sigh of relief. The Tiki Hut as we know it and love it was still there – all of it. There was just so much more to love.
“Our company purchased the project in March of 2022. At that time, we knew we were going to take an asset and push it forward to the next level for added value,” said General Manager Jay Wiendl. “We took a long hard look at the Tiki Hut to see what we could do to make improvements but keep that same vibe that people have embraced since 1977.”
For one thing, they literally raised the roof, creating a vast Polynesian-style meeting house feeling that amplified the island vibe (while giving hot air a place to rise. The temperature difference while sitting at the new bar cannot be overstated).
Built by a firm called Big Tiki Cypress, whose artisans were taught their craft by local Seminole tribes, the new roof is as impressive to behold as it is authentic. “It’s a true tiki structure. It’s amazing,” Wiendl said.
On top of that, new bathrooms and a kitchen created convenience for guests and staff, and live music acts had been moved to create an evershifting backdrop of beach scenery behind the show. As part of the Tiki Hut’s heritage of supporting local acts, they’ve added another daily show, with three musicians appearing during the day.
“When the crowd gets big, it’s so energizing,” Wiendl said. “The new setup has already served as the biggest dance floor that I’ve ever seen at the Tiki Hut.”
“Where else can you hear live music, put your toes in the sand, and eat an omelet?”
- Manager jay Wiendl
Opening weekend at the newly remodeled Tiki Hut was a success, with guests celebrating the new vibe.
drinks line up at the bar, waiting to
Adding new live shows is just one of the ways that this new Tiki Hut energy adds to the storied ambience that made it an icon. Firepits on the beach and chaise lounges right in the sand create new ways to laze away a summer afternoon and take the party straight on into the evening. They eliminated smoking inside the hut itself, much to the relief of non-smokers, who would rather smell sea breezes than smoldering tobacco.
And on Sundays, there’s an entirely new way to Tiki.
“I’m super excited for the Sunday brunch we’ve rolled out,” Wiendl said. This new offering pairs the entertainment that made the Tiki Hut famous with a morning medley of Bloody Marys and Lowcountry-inspired menu items. “Where else can you hear live music, put your toes in the sand, and eat an omelet?” Wiendl posited.
Clearly, we have been doing breakfast wrong our entire lives and didn’t even realize it.
Change can be scary. Evolution isn’t always an improvement. But with what they’ve done to The Tiki Hut, Beach House Hilton Head Island has shown that they understand what has made this place a gem. They just added the right amount of polish.
“It’s the only beach bar truly built on the beach and it’s been that way for many years,” Wiendl said. “All we did was dress it up a little bit.”
Frozen
satisfy thirsty patrons.
Article by Sheila Tucker . Photography by M.Kat
Rewriting Your Inner Script: The Stories We Tell Ourselves
By the time I was old enough to read, I would sneak away and hide in the spare bedroom closet at my grandmother’s home. Book in one hand, flashlight in the other. Nestled on a bed of pillows and blankets to make myself comfy. My own personal secret fort.
I’ve always loved a good story. And it’s a good thing, because I have a running dialogue inside my head most of the time. I tell myself stories about everything. Sometimes, it’s a creative endeavor that I sink into, but mostly, the stories are about myself and my experiences.
Often, it’s like my college philosophy class all over again – if this, then what? The deductive logic of conditional arguments is oddly exciting and satisfying.
Rewriting Your Inner Script: The Stories We Tell Ourselves
It often appears as, if this thought happens, then what will I do? My go-to answer is “be prepared.” I’ve never been in the Scouts but being prepared was a motto imprinted onto my mental psyche sometime in my early years.
I talk to my clients a lot about the stories they tell themselves. If they get still and quiet for a moment, what do they notice they’re saying to themselves or about themselves? What do they observe?
Most of us will recognize that our thoughts are usually negative. In her book Bird by Bird (Doubleday, 1994), Anne Lamott refers to these thoughts as two channels of persona chatter on our personal radio station, which she calls “KFKD.”
“If you are not careful, station KFKD will play in your head twentyfour hours a day, nonstop, in stereo,” Lamott warns.
She continues: “Out of the right speaker in your inner ear will come the endless stream of self-aggrandizement, the recitation of one’s specialness, of how much more open, and gifted and brilliant and knowing and misunderstood and humble one is.
“Out of the left speaker will be the rap songs of self-loathing, the lists of all the things one doesn’t do well, of all the mistakes one has made today and over an entire lifetime, the doubt, the assertion that everything one touches turns to poop, that one doesn’t do relationships well, that one is in every way a fraud, incapable of selfless love, that one has no talent or insight, and on and on and on.”
Yep, that sums it up.
Think about it. We tell ourselves stories throughout our entire day. When someone pulls out in front of you, you have thoughts. When
someone you care about doesn’t text back right away, you’ve got a story about that. When you feel unmotivated, or it seems like someone else is more motivated than you, you’re telling yourself a story about that, too.
The problem with stories is created when we become hooked into them, like the plot of a good book. Or we incessantly replay them like a favorite song.
Sheila Tucker is a licensed marriage and family therapist and owner of Heart Mind & Soul Counseling.
First, you believe the hype without fact-checking. The story is no longer a creative rendition of your thoughts and feelings – it has become the truth. Then you take action. This action could be yelling or withdrawing, minimizing the situation, blaming, giving yourself a high five, or waiting.
The way you react is determined by many factors. One factor is the meaning you make out of the story, which is why the stories you tell yourself matter. They shape how you see the world and, more importantly, how you see yourself.
If you want to learn more about the stories you’re telling yourself, I invite you to try this exercise: Notice.
This is my very favorite first step for almost everything.
“But how do I notice?” you ask.
When or after you’ve experienced charged emotions, whether you consider them positive or negative, think back to what you told yourself in the moment. What is creating the feelings or reactions you’re experiencing?
Now, use noticing to take an inventory of what you tell yourself throughout the day. Notice if you consider your stories good, hopeful, helpful, or if they’re negative or unhelpful. Try to recognize when you become hooked on a story or stuck on replay.
What if you get stuck replaying an unhelpful story? Here’s a suggestion.
Introducing the helpful skill creatively called “STOP.”
(S)top – as in be still – if you can. Or take a moment to pause when you revisit the story later.
(T)ake a breath. Yes. Literally. Sigh, take a deep breath, count your breaths. The goal here is to intentionally breathe.
(O)bserve. What are you telling yourself? How does this story make you feel about yourself or others? What do you typically do in these situations? Notice that your stories are merely words that are put together to create sentences. Your collection of sentences becomes stories. It’s only when you infuse meaning into those words that they become something you believe to be true and react to.
(P)roceed. Now that you’re more aware of what’s playing in the background. You’re better positioned to scroll past KFKD (or at least tune it out) and respond in a way that better serves you. This is where you ask yourself what do I want to do? What other story might I tell myself?
Side note: In case you’re wondering, no, you can’t stop thinking and crafting mental stories. Your mind’s function is to think – that’s what our minds do. But what you can do is begin to change the narrative.
As with most experiences in life, there will be progress and setbacks. The trick is to avoid telling yourself the same old story. Instead, create a new story, one that acknowledges the setback and ends with a call to try again tomorrow. Something like, “Ugh. I fell back into my old story trap. Tomorrow is a new day.”
To repeat what I said earlier, the stories you tell yourself matter. They not only color the way you view the world around you but also the way you see yourself. Stay curious, notice what you say about yourself and others, and choose your stories wisely.
Photography by M.Kat
“I’ve never been
so
popular!” - The Bear
A LINE IN THE SAND
COURTNEY’S OPINION:
Man vs. Bear...I prefer my chances encountering a bear.
The debate began on TikTok, a channel to which I do not subscribe. So, I had to wait until friends started sharing it on Instagram for the comments to reach me. But it was not until the debate hit newspapers (Long live print media!) that I went down the proverbial rabbit hole, diving for and interested in the answers.
An April USA Today story that recapped the 100,000 opinions on the bear vs. man debate included this particular response from Diana, who had asked her sisterin-law what she would do – “I asked her the question, you know, just for giggles. She was like, ‘You know, I would rather it be a bear because if the bear attacks me, and I make it out of the woods, everybody’s gonna believe me and have sympathy for me,” she said. “But if a man attacks me and I make it out, I’m gonna spend my whole life trying to get people to believe me.’”
Diana’s sister-in-law, wherever you are, you are my spirit sister. I get you.
As an early riser and a fan of outdoor activity, I’ve spent a fair amount of time alone in the woods, here in Bluffton in the horse trails of my neighborhood, hiking
and/or running in other states while on vacation, and as a slow and cautious skier, when I often find myself alone on the double-green trails without another human in sight. I choose these things.
But despite my joy when I am outside, I am also keenly aware of the state of the world. And fueled by decades of Law & Order episodes, I am hyper-vigilant. Just this morning, as I ran before the sun was up, a white van slowed beside me. Per usual, I made direct eye contact with the driver (so I could describe him to a sketch artist later), memorized the license plate, and started to finger the
“...if a man attacks me and I make it out, I’m gonna spend my whole life trying to get people to believe me.’”
A LINE IN THE SAND
four bracelets that I never take off as I know those will be the breadcrumbs I leave for investigators if push comes to shove, and I lose the shove.
But it is not just deep in the forest where men can be creeps. Last fall at a local event, I was shaking a male acquaintances’s hand when he pulled me to him, kissed me half on the lips (half because I was able to quickly turn my head and get some cheek in there), and said, “I love you.” I share this to prove that this happens in public, surrounded by hundreds of people, to CEOs of organizations, like me.
And sadly, men like that ruin it for the rest of men. Is that right? Probably not. But our perception becomes our reality.
And my reality is based on a handful of bad experiences with men who overstepped, overtouched, over-slurred.
You do whatever peels your potato, but my default position is to protect myself at all costs. So, alone in the woods, I prefer my chances encountering a bear over a man.
BARRY’S OPINION:
I getchu ladies, but a bear is the real “monster” in this debate
We realize we’re a little late to the debate on this one, but if there was ever a subject that begged to be tackled by Courtney and me, it’s the recent “man or bear” debate.
For the uninitiated, the debate originated where all divisive and pointless arguments start – on the internet. In
Special thanks to Anderson Kaufman for being a spectacular bear stand in.
Statistically, if you encounter a man out in the woods, he’s going to be your typical guy. In fact, he’s probably just as lost as you are, he’s just not going to admit it.
it, people air their views on which option they’d prefer to wander into while lost in the forest – a man or a bear.
A lot of women chose the bear.
And I guess I can’t fault them. When you look at the numbers, who commits the majority of murders, assaults, and robberies? Humans – and more specifically, men. At worst, the really criminal bears will just steal your picnic basket. (I checked and, while those Charmin ads are repulsive and irritating, they don’t constitute criminal or predatory behavior.)
So, it’s safer to encounter a bear in the woods than a man, right? Of course not. A bear is a vicious wild animal that will absolutely rip you to pieces if it feels like it. Sure, you have those dopey bears that run away if you wave your arms around, but there are dummies in every corner of the animal kingdom.
And humanity is no exception. Yes, you absolutely do have those dopey men who would attack a woman if they happened to find one wandering in the woods. Yes, there are some men who have given women every reason to fear all of us.
But I’ll let the fairer sex in on a little secret – we men are terrified of those jerks, too. Our bravado mandates that we choose the man over the bear in this scenario, but only because (a) we’re even more scared of bears and (b) society demands that we never let on that we fear our fellow man. Instead, we need to act as if an encounter with a dangerous man in the woods would be just the thing we need to bust out our fighting skills. (We also need to act as if we have fighting skills, regardless of whether or not we do.)
But really, that’s not why I choose the man in this debate. I choose the man because I know men, and the odds of getting one of the dangerous ones are lower than you think. Statistically, if you encounter a man out in the woods, he’s going to be your typical guy. In fact, he’s probably just as lost as you are, he’s just not going to admit it.
For the most part, we men are a pretty peaceable bunch. Outside of football season or election years, we’re easy to get along with as long as you have beer. If you meet us in the woods, we’ll probably ask if you know the way out. If you don’t, we’ll probably try and help if we can. Obviously, first we’ll ask if you have any beer.
You really think a bear is going to give you that same help? They don’t even like beer.
Article by Barry Kaufman . Photography by M.Kat
THE RISING TIDE OF
HarbourFest
Celebrating the timeless joy of a community coming together
Nearly everywhere else you go, Tuesday is just another day.
As days go, it lacks the freewheeling panache of the weekend, and isn’t even as much of a standout as the other five workdays.
Friday, obviously, is a day to get your ducks in a row for the weekend’s festivities (especially on Hilton Head Island. If you need proof, try getting anyone on the phone after 3 p.m. on a Friday). On Mondays, we can all commiserate over the start of a work week. Wednesday we can all at least bask in our shared accomplishment of surviving half the work week.
Fireworks light up the sky in early June on the first night of HarbourFest at Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina, now in its 35th year.
That leaves Tuesday on an island of its own. Well, in most places. Because here on Hilton Head Island, for the past 35 years, Tuesdays have been the day when we pull out all the stops and simply celebrate this magnificent place we call home.
At the heart of this weekly celebration is HarbourFest, the massive blowout of live music, fireworks, and fun that has turned Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina into the biggest multi-week event on the island every summer since 1989. The best part is, it’s tradition – one that has been running long enough for three generations to remember.
The heart of the experience, naturally, is the bombastic fireworks display. Rivaling any Fourth of July pyrotechnics, this dazzling show is impossible to miss, soaring into the sky and visible across the whole of the island. But that’s just the grand finale.
Before the first fuse is lit, HarbourFest fills Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina with unforgettable experiences, whether it’s live music from Shannon Tanner, face painting and balloon animals with Cappy the Clown, jumping in the bounce houses, or a ride on the festival’s iconic train. “That train we have on fireworks nights … I see a lot of parents who are just as excited to ride as their kids are,” said Brad Marra, COO of Palmetto Dunes Resort. “It’s a big deal.”
The entirety of HarbourFest has evolved since the event was first launched at the dawn of the ’90s. And with each new offering, it has grown from a way to simply bring people in on a typically slow day into a tradition embraced by locals and visitors alike. Families often enjoy group photos next to the iconic 12foot Neptune statue, the world’s largest working sundial.
“Especially since 2016, we’ve really expanded the experience with so many things to do, we’ve upgraded the vendor that we use for fireworks, and the whole setup has been fine-tuned,” Marra said.
Thirty-five years in, at least on Hilton Head Island, Tuesday has gone from an also-ran weekday into the prime spot on the social calendar.
“We love to see crowds of families gather all along the marina promenade from one end to another. Our thirty-fifth
Cappy the Clown poses with Maeve and Nora Donovan from Pennsylvania, whose family has been visiting Hilton Head Island for almost 40 years.
Shannon Tanner delights the crowd with his high energy antics and covers of beloved songs like The Unicorn Song and Country Roads by John Denver. One of the highlights of the show is when he brings young guest stars up to sing their special renditions of the latest Taylor Swift song or Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.
A family from Kentucky has a swell time in the Unicorn Rainbow Bounce House set up outside Top Dawg Pizza while parents supervise with a brew in hand.
year of HarbourFest continues to be a memorable evening for all generations to enjoy,” Marra said. “Last year’s USCB study showed HarbourFest to be the largest multi-week event on Hilton Head Island. In terms of the people we bring in, it makes a huge impact to so many businesses around here.”
The businesses will back him up. Obviously, the many shops and restaurants around the marina benefit from the crowd of people who flood Shelter Cove to experience this quintessential community experience every Tuesday.
“Our staff looks forward to Tuesday nights,” said Maryanne Laskowitz, owner of San Miguel’s. Occupying a broad stretch of waterfront to one side of the harbour, this island institution’s outdoor dining space represents some of the best real estate for taking in the show.
“There’s a good energy and we’ve got 41 people scheduled to work at the restaurant each Tuesday night,” Laskowitz said.
That’s a direct benefit to the restaurants, but it goes well beyond that.
“You’ll see all kinds of charters from all over out there on the water every Tuesday letting people watch the fireworks from the water,” Marra said. “This goes well beyond our own marina.”
Grace Van Guyse with Outside Hilton Head has run a brisk business kayaking out onto Broad Creek on Tuesdays
since joining the company around two years ago.
“The barge is right out there on the water with us, so it’s a really neat experience to have the best seat in the house,” she said. “Even if I’m not working that day, I’ll still come down and watch the fireworks.”
These ancillary benefits to the entire town are a large part of why sponsors have been so generous in helping HarbourFest grow over the past 35 years.
“We are incredibly fortunate to have so much commitment to the community, from the Palmetto Dunes POA to the Town of Hilton Head Island,” Marra said. “That
commitment from the community has allowed us to continue this tradition for 35 years and it will help us carry it into the future.”
HarbourFest returns every Tuesday during the summer, with entertainment starting at 6 p.m. and fireworks starting when the sky is dark. For more information, visit ShelterCoveHarbourFest.com . Visit the Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina Facebook page (@ ShelterCoveHarbourMarina) for show updates throughout the summer.
Train rides around the Harbour as the sun sets on a Tuesday night.
Shannon Tanner performs family shows at 6:30 and 8 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays through August 21. On Thursdays through August 22 (plus Aug 31-Sept 1), Tanner shifts into the Parrot Palooza Sunset Celebration featuring his Oyster Reefer band.
Fellow Lowcountry legend Cappy the Clown entertains children with face painting, balloon animals, sand art, glitter tattoos, and more from 6-9 p.m. Monday through Friday through August 30, as well as Labor Day weekend, August 31-September 1.
For HarbourFest’s special 4th of July fireworks show, Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina offers free shuttle service from the parking lot of the Hargray Building on William Hilton Parkway near the Fresh Market Shoppes. Parking is free, with several shuttles running continuously from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m.
To ensure guest safety, anyone walking or biking to Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina must use the pedestrian underpass that passes beneath Hwy. 278. The bridge is located near the entrance to Palmetto Dunes (on the right side of the road if you are exiting) and is connected to the bike path.
4th of July Schedule:
- Shannon Tanner Family Show, 6:30-7:15 p.m.
- Parrot Palooza Sunset Celebration from 7:15 p.m. through fireworks
- Cappy the Clown with kids activities, 6-9 p.m.
- Train rides and bounce houses (for an additional cost), 6-9 p.m.
- Fireworks begin when the sky is dark.
An Italian Sub with a side of pepperoni pizza and a brew or two from Top Dawg Pizzeria at Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina.
IArticle by Barry Kaufman . Photography by M.Kat
TOP DAWG TAVERN’S
New Pie in the Sky Idea
f you’re not going to be the first to the party, you’d better make the biggest entrance.
Top Dawg Tavern proved that when it opened in Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina three years ago, becoming the latest addition to the growing family of restaurants.
Launching in Athens – home of the University of Georgia and the inspiration for the restaurant’s name – this brainchild of Renee and Brett Summers proved an immediate success for its family-friendly sports atmosphere, serving a large selection of classic American fare and full-service bar with an unabashed dedication to fun.
When the Summerses opened their first Hilton Head Island location, on a picturesque stretch of Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina looking out over the boats and the pavilion where Shannon Tanner entertains families during the summer, the success was more than immediate. For weeks before they opened the restaurant itself, they were able to open the outside bar and quickly amass a following.
And then they opened for full food service, giving families visiting Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina the ideal spot to bring the whole crew out with the assurance they’d find something to love. They had struck gold in Athens, but Hilton Head Island quickly proved to be the motherlode.
Parents appreciated the wallet-friendly price point
and the outstanding food. Kids fell in love with the Lil Dawg House, a dedicated kids’ area with interactive games – an idea their then 7-year-old daughter, Genevieve, came up with. The space was carved out by the Summerses from a spot where the previous tenant had installed a pizza oven. (Let’s be honest: Parents fell in love with it too, as it gave kids something to do when they inevitably wolfed down their meal within four minutes of being served.)
The Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina location offered a unique opportunity to try something new.
“We’ve expanded into the spot next door, so now we have a huge outdoor bar and more indoor seating,” Renee said of their doubled capacity. “We just love being in Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina, and when that spot became available, we started asking ourselves, ‘what is something that people were saying they’d like?’”
The answer had been staring them in the face when they moved in – even though they got rid of the answer to put in the kids’ area.
“It’s ironic that we took one pizza oven out, just to put another one in,” Renee said with a laugh.
Adding pizza to the menu was a no-brainer. Not only was it one of the few items not represented by the array of restaurants across the harbour, but it gave the Summerses a chance to add to the already proven Top Dawg Tavern formula.
“We’re going into a whole new arena. Brett has
been in food and beverage since he was 14, from bussing tables to management, but never worked in pizza,” Renee said. “But he always said there’s never a bad day for pizza.”
But creating something that could live up to Top Dawg Tavern’s standards – crafted with quality ingredients, but still approachable and wallet-friendly – required some homework.
“There was a lot of testing, just playing around with how long the dough needed to proof, the timing of it, the temperature of it … we were down there just focused on getting it right,” Renee said. Their patience paid off, resulting in a light and fluffy crust. And on top? Like everything else
on the menu, nothing but the best. “Most of our ingredients come from an Italian company, because it was important to us that everything was quality,” she said.
Their 12- and 18-inch pies have quickly justified all of that hard work, delighting diners and bringing an entirely new dynamic to the restaurant. You want to talk about respecting your wallet? How about a $9 lunch special offering a side Caesar or house salad and a slice of either cheese or pepperoni? “And the slice is off of an 18-inch pizza, so it’s huge,” added Renee.
If you’re hungry to try the hottest new pie on the island, you don’t even technically need to stop in. Like any good
Genevieve, Brett & Renee Summers in front of their new restaurant in Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina, Top Dawg Pizzeria.
The new pizza place boasts plenty of seating inside and out, with a bar overlooking the marina.
pizza, it’s available for delivery via DoorDash or Uber Eats, or you can just stop right by their new tent during HarbourFest.
“While people are out there enjoying the Shannon Tanner show, we’ll be in the tent selling slices to go as well as entire hot-and-ready pies, along with soda, water, beer, and wine,” Renee said. “It takes the stress out of getting dinner ready after the show, and it’s also great if you’re just there for the show and you’re hungry.”
And even if you’re not hungry, nothing will get you hungry like the alluring aroma of pizza wafting with the breeze.
“We’ve really enjoyed it so far. We wanted to build a true pizzeria, and our focus is on the pizza there,” Renee said. “We’re excited to have people come in and taste the pizza. And who knows, maybe we’ll start putting it at other locations.”
To those other five locations, all we can say is “you’re welcome.” We weren’t the first to the Top Dawg Tavern & Pizzeria party, but thanks to us, the rest of you might soon get to enjoy the hottest new pizza on Hilton Head.
Article by Kate Glaser . Photography by M.Kat
SSTI’s ‘Gypsy’ Features Outstanding Talent From Across the Country
Smile, baby!”
Long before Toddlers and Tiaras or Dance Moms graced our television screens, there was Mama Rose, the infamous “stage mom” depicted in the 1959 Tony Award-winning Broadway musical Gypsy. Based on a true story, Gypsy follows the story of Rose and her quest to push her two growing daughters into stardom, despite the children’s best interests or the casualties along the way.
Containing some of the most well-known songs in the musical theatre canon, Gypsy comes to Hilton Head Island as the closing production of the Southeastern Summer Theatre Institute’s 17th season.
Southeastern Summer Theatre Institute (SSTI) was founded by Hilton Head’s Ben Wolfe, and has become a Lowcountry staple, and as synonymous with summer as the tunes of Gregg Russell or Saturday traffic on the bridge. For local audiences, the productions offer the opportunity to see the next generation of Broadway talent taking their first steps into the professional realm.
SSTI is to Broadway as minor league baseball is to the Yankees. Wolfe’s annual endeavor brings in nearly 150 artists to the Lowcountry – and not just performers, but carpenters, designers, electricians, and even a full orchestra direct from New York City.
SSTI is an endeavor that takes a full year to execute, and one that is uniquely offered to the residents of the Lowcountry. “
“I often get asked at talkbacks ‘Where are you going next?’ I think that people don’t often initially understand that this endeavor is uniquely built for the Lowcountry,” Wolfe said. “We’re able to do what we do only because of the many relationships we’ve formed through our years here on Hilton Head. This is a special place, and the community rallies behind us by continuing to support our productions and bringing new friends into the SSTI family each summer.”
This year, the season launched with a production of the Bob Fosse classic Sweet Charity. The production team was led, for the first time, by a Tony Award-nominated director, Jane Lanier. As a member of Bob Fosse’s ensemble in the 1986 production on Broadway, Lanier brought a unique and storied perspective to the piece – and audiences raved.
Based on a true story, Gypsy follows the story of Rose and her quest to push her two growing daughters into stardom, despite the children’s best interests or the casualties along the way.
Longtime SSTI director and Broadway veteran Jacob Brent will return for this production, fresh off last season’s hit production of A Chorus Line.
For Gypsy, a team of New York designers has been hard at work developing a gigantic production, complete with a scenic design that features a theatre-within-a-theatre turntable that rotates to allow audiences to witness seamless transitions from the onstage world of Gypsy Rose Lee to the backstage antics of her mother, Rose.
Longtime SSTI director and Broadway veteran Jacob Brent will return for this production, fresh off last season’s hit production of A Chorus Line. For Brent, SSTI provides an opportunity to annually reunite with favorite collaborators and nurture the next wave of talent.
“SSTI’s motto is ‘Feels Like Home,’ and it really does,” Brent said. “Every year, though the staff varies from season to season, the dedication to not only quality work, but the commitment to quality people in a supportive community keeps me coming back. I can’t imagine a summer without SSTI and Hilton Head Island.”
Audiences seeking to experience SSTI and Gypsy can make their way to the Seahawk Cultural Center on the campus of Hilton Head Island High School. Performances are July 26, 27 and August 2, 3 at 7:30 p.m. and July 28 and August 4 at 1 p.m. Tickets are available at HHISummerMusicals.com.
ARTICLE BY LYNNE HUMMELL
Looking For Laughs?
Come Visit the ‘Trailer Park’ Looking For Laughs?
Come Visit the
‘Trailer Park’
If you’re looking for some fun this summer, head on down to the Armadillo Acres
Trailer Park in Starke, Florida, where you are likely to get caught in a hysterical love triangle, a shoot-out, or a shake-down before the night is over. Doesn’t sound like fun? Understood. But you would probably enjoy the crazy stories told (and sung) by the off-beat residents of the fictional trailer park, as shared onstage in “The Great American Trailer Park Musical,” scheduled for every weekend in July. The comedy musical is the third production by the nonprofit Sea Glass Stage Company in their new home at Coligny Theatre.
“We wanted to bring a light-hearted comedy to Sea Glass Stage,” said director Alex Clark, who is a founding member of the organization. “When we were talking about a fun musical for our summer play, this was our first choice.”
“It’s hilarious!” said Mark Erickson, also a founding member, who plays Norbert in the musical. “We think audiences are going to really love this show. It’s so outrageous, it just makes people laugh.”
The off-beat residents of Armadillo Acres in The Great American Trailer Park Musical are, front row, from left: Pickles (Meagan Berger), Betty (Marisa Martucci), and Lin (Allison Manning); back row, from left: Jeannie (Margaret Crenshaw), Norbert (Mark Erickson) Duke (Justin Stone), and the Park Princess (Mia Hlywa). Not pictured is Pippi (Candice Skingley).
High school sweethearts Jeannie (played by Margaret Crenshaw) and Norbert (Mark Erickson) are struggling in their marriage, in large part because Jeannie hasn’t stepped outside their trailer in 20 years – since their young son was kidnapped. Their anniversary is coming up, and Norbert tries to coax Jeannie out with tickets to the Ice Capades, but she tosses them to the ground and Norbert walks out.
Sneaking in and out of scenes, Mia Hlywa plays the Park Princess and other occasional roles.
Jeannie does try to overcome her fear, practicing a little bit every day to take one more step than the day before. Tying her life preserver to the door seems to help. Each day, she is “One Step Closer.”
When Norbert’s brother tricks him into going to a local bar, he meets a new resident of the trailer park – Pippi (Candice Skingley), a stripper on the run from her dangerous ex-boyfriend. Pippi had been looking for a place to live that’s cheap and “where folks have so many problems of their own that they won’t notice mine.” She found it – and she happened to run into Norbert, who was running from Jeannie. Sparks fly and the two end up spending a lot of time together.
Jeannie becomes aware of the liaison and feels like her love has been “Flushed Down the Pipes.”
The three resident gossips convene often to share the latest trailer park news. Whatever her duties might be, park manager Betty (Marisa Martucci), holder of the master keys and of secrets, finds plenty of time to chat with her neighbors Lin (Allison Manning) and Pickles (Meagan Berger), both of whom have their own issues. Occasionally, the park princess (Mia Hlywa) shows up to add to the fun.
The hard-driving Lin (short for “Linoleum,” because she was born on the floor) thinks she has found a way to spare her husband on death row by hijacking the town’s electric power. She
figured out Earle can’t be executed if the electric chair isn’t getting any juice.
The ditzy Pickles is experiencing a hysterical pregnancy that results in a big surprise. When a scary customer makes demands of her at the flan shop where she works, she alerts Pippi and her trailer park posse that a “Storm’s A-Brewin.’”
Meanwhile, Pippi’s marker-sniffing boyfriend Duke (Justin Stone), who might not realize she considers him an “ex,” is hot on her trail, driving recklessly enough to mow down “Road Kill” along the way. He eventually finds his way from Oklahoma to Starke, and specifically Armadillo Acres.
Duke’s threats along the way don’t seem to work – until he surprises all the residents at once. Panic sets in, heated words are exchanged, and a fight ensues.
However, nobody dies. In fact, many issues are resolved, a lost love reappears, new relationships are formed, and life at Armadillo Acres settles back into its quirky rhythm – on “This Side of the Tracks.”
It might be difficult to visualize the story from this outline, so it’s a better idea to just come see the live performance and enjoy the hilarity.
Experienced members of this cast and crew know how to deliver the crazy. “We have history with this show!” Clark said. She stage managed the show with a former theatre company and is excited about directing it for the first time.
Erickson and Skingley have both performed in previous productions of the show with other theatres. Crenshaw, a 50year resident of Hilton Head Island, began her community theatre career as a child with Hilton Head Playhouse. The remainder of the cast have been onstage with various theatres in the Lowcountry, including Main Stage Community Theatre, May River Theatre, and Seahawk Stage Company.
This production was choreographed by Dawn Rosa Miller, owner of Bluffton School of Dance since 2003. She has choreographed numerous theatre shows in the area and has won awards for her work.
Music director is Anna Marie Kuether, director of music and worship arts at Church of the Palms in Okatie. She also was a choral music teacher at H.E. McCracken Middle School in Bluffton.
The Sea Glass Stage Company, formed in late 2023, continues to make history with each production. This is the largest cast (eight) so far, and the longest run (12 performances).
The musical runs each weekend in July – at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $35 and are available at sgstage.org/tickets.
The trio of gossips at Armadillo Acres take their regular places in their lawn chairs to discuss happenings in the trailer park. From left are Pickles (Meagan Berger), Betty (Marisa Martucci), and Lin (Allison Manning).
JULY MARKS THE START OF TOWN’S NEW BUDGET YEAR
Welcome to our new year – our new fiscal year, that is!
As of July 1, the Town of Hilton Head Island’s annual budget cycle has begun. I am proud to announce that we approved the town’s $166.9 million consolidated budget for fiscal year (FY) 2025, once again without increasing property taxes. Our community thrives because we adopt budgets that support our policies and programs, ensuring we continue delivering high quality public services to our residents, businesses, workforce, and visitors.
The FY 2025 budget, effective through June 30, 2025, maintains Hilton Head Island’s millage rate at a low 21.4 mills. This budget advances the town council’s priorities, including beach renourishment, growth management, workforce housing, traffic and transportation solutions, infrastructure enhancements, economic development, resiliency, recreation, and public safety. The budget is composed of six funds. For those interested in a deeper dive into the numbers and budget priorities beyond the snapshot I provide in this column, I encourage you to visit the town’s website at hiltonheadislandsc.gov/budget/FY2025/ for detailed information, presentations, and video overviews by Town Manager Marc Orlando.
Here are the quick highlights from our six funds: General Fund: $60.9 million
This fund covers the Town’s basic operations, public safety, and affiliated agency funding. Some of the key allocations include:
• Fire Rescue operations: Professional development, fleet management, repairs, and maintenance.
• Continued support for Sewer Connection and Home Safety and Repair programs.
• Short-term Rental Program, town code compliance, beach operations, and public safety.
• Workforce housing and land acquisition priorities.
• The second annual BMI Island Jams songwriter festival.
• Support for affiliated agencies: Island Recreation Association, Heritage Classic Foundation, University of South Carolina Beaufort Event Management/Ambassadors, 14th Circuit Solicitor, Coastal Discovery Museum, Historic Mitchelville, Beaufort County Economic Development Corporation, Sea Turtle Patrol HHI, and Lowcountry Rural Transportation Authority (Palmetto Breeze). Capital Projects Fund: $74.4 million
This fund focuses on highly visible projects for our pathways, roadways, beaches, parks, facility and equipment, feet, land acquisition and stormwater. A few examples of budgeted items are:
• $10.3 million for corridor safety and functionality improvements, including dirt road acquisition and paving; roadway enhancements (William Hilton Parkway and Main Street); and landscape, lighting, and safety enhancements.
MAYOR
WHAT DOES THE NEW TOWN BUDGET MEAN TO YOU?
Town leaders know that many residents’ eyes glaze over when we speak of the three main ingredients to the town’s annual workplan. It may sound like “government speak” when budgets, strategic plans, and action items are mentioned. While the terms might seem boring, the projects that the town’s workplan produces might excite you. Let me break down the new fiscal budget, which began July 1, and how it might relate to you.
The new approximately $90.6 million dollar budget aims to enhance various public services and infrastructure projects, reflecting the town’s commitment to maintaining its charm and improving the quality of life for its residents.
One of the most notable aspects of the new budget is the stability in property taxes. Since 2014, Bluffton has managed to keep property taxes steady, even reducing the millage rate in 2019 and 2023. For a typical house appraised at around $390,500, the town portion of the tax bill will remain approximately $677.32. This consistency provides financial predictability for homeowners, ensuring that the costs associated with property taxes do not increase unexpectedly.
The budget supports new projects such as the town’s new Welcome Center, which will be located at the Squire Pope Carriage House in Wright Family Park. The new Welcome Center is expected to open in early 2025. The Welcome Center will give residents and visitors an overview of Bluffton’s history, culture, spirit, natural resources, and attractions.
The Squire Pope Carriage House is among Bluffton’s “contributing resources” with its historic significance of being one of the few structures that survived the 1863 Burning of Bluffton.
Thanks to a $1.35 million dollar federal grant and town funds, the Bluffton Police Department will replace its aging equipment, which will further equip the police department to provide safety, security, and more partnerships and events with the community.
A Note from Hilton Head Island Mayor Alan Perry
A Note from Bluffton Mayor Larry Toomer
• $5.5 million for construction of new pathway segments (Jonesville Road, William Hilton Parkway, Dunnagan’s Alley, Cordillo Parkway at Pope Avenue).
• $21.6 million for beach maintenance and improvements, including the start of beach renourishment.
Stormwater Utility Fund: $7.5 million
This fund supports resiliency planning and routine and corrective maintenance of stormwater infrastructure, protecting the island from flooding, safeguarding watersheds, and sustaining water quality.
Housing Fund: $4 million
This fund supports initiatives such as:
• Northpoint Public Private Partnership
• Muddy Creek neighborhood stabilization
• Bryant Road Public-Private Partnership
• Town’s partnership in the Beaufort-Jasper Housing Trust Debt Service Fund: $16.7 million.
Key elements include:
• $12.6 million for debt reduction.
• Maintaining the current 5.5 debt service millage rate to keep property taxes low.
• Establishing a mid-island tax increment finance district.
Gullah Geechee Historic Neighborhoods Community Development Corporation Fund: $3.4 million.
This fund continues supporting the organization’s operations and community investment, focusing on economic opportunity and quality of life improvements for historic neighborhoods. It includes loans for small business development, neighborhood and community development, and capital outlay for land/easement acquisitions and public infrastructure.
A Note from Larry Toomer continued
Residents will also see significant investments in public infrastructure. The Capital Improvements Program (CIP) Fund, totaling $32.3 million, prioritizes parks, stormwater, and sewer projects. This includes the Historic District sewer projects, Pritchard Street Drainage and Bridge Street Streetscape Improvement projects. Stormwater and sewer infrastructure projects, especially for the few town neighborhoods that weren’t pre-planned communities, protect the town’s and region’s natural resources.
The Riverside Barn Park, the town’s largest park with more than 37 acres, is expected to open in late 2024, with the barn opening for events the following year. A much-anticipated splash pad will be installed at Oscar Frazier Park this summer. The New River Linear Trail will also receive a multi-million-dollar upgrade to pave half the width of the trail, making it more accessible to walkers, bikers, and those with mobility issues.
The new budget also underscores Bluffton’s dedication to affordable housing. Projects like the Housing Assistance Program will continue to receive support, assisting income-qualified residents with necessary “safe and dry” home repairs. This program combats the compounding housing crisis, prevents blight, and keeps residents in safe homes.
Economic development is another key focus, with incentives available for businesses to locate in the fastest growing areas of Bluffton and the ongoing support for the Don Ryan Center for Innovation, the town’s economic development department and business incubator.
The Town’s Economic Development Incentive Program (EDIP) provides a reduction in fees and utility costs for businesses that are relocating or locating west of Buckwalter Parkway, in an effort to bring more services to Bluffton’s fastest growing areas.
As a reminder, the town is among five municipalities in the state with the highest bond rating for a town or city. This means the town can borrow money, if needed, at lower rates; this status gives credence to the town’s healthy financial status.
Town officials thank each resident it serves as we strive continually to increase our high quality of life. We all enjoy projects that protect our natural resources, create parks and open spaces for neighbors to gather, and help each other when needed.
Article by Jesse Blanco
Photography by M.Kat
These Odd Birds Can Bake
Iam always amused by the island crowd that refuses to leave said island unless it’s absolutely necessary. Maintenance on your car? Maybe a quick run to Sam’s or similar.
I know some of you aren’t afraid to cross that bridge to grab something to eat, and you are to be applauded. Those of you who’d rather starve than go over the bridge, well, I’m here for your needs as well. Even if I am rolling my eyes at you.
I believe you can never have too many bakeries, particularly on an island the size of Hilton Head. I’ve made no secret over the years of the fact that I am a huge fan of Hilton Head Social Bakery – I think it is the island’s best bakery. I love what Sprout Mama Kim and her family are doing on the south end, and I have enjoyed some of the bites at French Bakery in Shelter Cove, as well as at Harbour Town Bakery and Cafe in Sea Pines. I don’t usually promote chains, but the bread program at Publix is an excellent value. I’m a big fan of all of it.
Sweets though? It’s generally slim pickin’s out there, but now you have one more spot to eat it and like it. Trust me, you will.
Odd Bird Bakes is a small grab-and-go bakery production kitchen in the Village at Wexford. They opened just a few months ago on the island but have been growing their following from their Bridge Center location for almost four years.
“That was an interesting time,” co-owner and baker Lesli Shelly told me a few weeks back.
She and her business partner, Lynn Vinall, friends for nearly two decades, had decided to “go for it” and open a cafe. Well, then 2020 happened, but they were already in the buildout phase. They had to open. They did so in September 2020.
The goods were great. Of that there was no question, but the location was a challenge, and
The blueberry muffins are maybe their most popular and they are simply perfect.
people just weren’t out and about as much as normal back then. We all remember that.
Still, there was growth. But it was slow. Almost every time I’d see the ladies somewhere, I’d ask about their traction. “We are doing better, but it’s sooo slow,” I was told more than once.
Still, I knew that if enough people made the effort to find them, they’d be just fine. Well, I guess you can say it’s going well, especially considering they’ve opened a second location with a hopeful eye on developing a wholesale side of the operation.
Of course, I’ve chosen to invest this much time in sharing their story because their baked goods are absolutely fantastic. I’ve been noshing on goodies from Odd Birds for a few years now and there is nothing I have eaten that I didn’t love – even the roasted white chocolate hazelnut scones Lesli had during my recent visit. I don’t at all refer to myself as a “scone guy” – I could take ’em or leave ’em, don’t care. But these were delicious. While I was there, she was making apricot and pistachio scones for the next day.
You get the picture: This is real deal, handmade, craftswomanship (my word) every single day. And it’s fantastic.
The chocolate chip cookies are among the best I’ve ever had. The blueberry muffins are maybe their most popular and they are simply perfect.
Have I gushed enough? Because I could go on all day here, as long as I have a double espresso with a splash of milk – which they can make for you too.
One thing to know about the Wexford location if you’d been to their cafe is that there are no sandwiches or seating in this location. This is simply grab-and-go sweets and coffee. Lesli said she’ll be getting into some bread soon. As soon as she finds some spare time.
Go see these ladies at the Village of Wexford. You hesitant islanders now have no excuse. There are no bridges involved.
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.
Beautique Medical Aesthetics, currently located in the heart of Bluffton, is co-owned by Jessica Lowther, a nurse practitioner, and Amanda Ellis, a licensed esthetician. What sets this medical spa apart is its commitment to providing an unparalleled client experience. It’s not just a beauty boutique, but a sanctuary where every guest is welcomed with open arms.
Exciting news is on the horizon as the Beautique prepares to relocate to a new space at Washington Square, Bluffton’s premier live, work, and play development. This move signifies a new chapter for the spa, promising an even more luxurious environment and expanded service offerings. Whether you’re a longtime patron or discovering Beautique Medical Aesthetics for the first time, prepare to be captivated by their blend of expertise, warmth, and sophistication. Step into a world where aesthetics meets technology, and experience skincare excellence like never before.
May River Coffee Roasters, owned by Leslie Rohland of The Cottage, has launched a new coffee, Bluffton State of Mind.
A multi-region roast, the beans feature dark, nutty, syrup-y wine and dark chocolate notes. The coffee is available at The Juice Hive and The Cottage in Bluffton.
Vist mayrivercoffeeroasters. com to learn more!
Regi Johnson has joined the team at Moul, Realtors as transaction coordinator. She is known for her unwavering commitment to providing personalized service.
Johnson enjoys adventuring through the Lowcountry with her two dogs. She can be reached at (843) 940-8007. Moul, Realtors is a boutique real estate firm focuses on providing the best client experience in the industry. Learn more at robertmoul.com.
Outside Brands has launched its annual Fireworks and Nature boat cruises in conjunction with the summer HarbourFest fireworks displays. The tours are offered every Tuesday starting at 7:30 p.m. through August 20.
Departing from Shelter Cove Marina, each three-hour tour starts with a 90-minute Dolphin Eco Tour and ends with front-row seats for the fireworks display over the salt marsh of Broad Creek.
HarbourFest at Shelter Cove Harbour and Marina is a weekly celebration during the summer with live music, arts and crafts, kids’ activities, and fireworks.
For more information, visit outsidebrands.com.
Dr. Kevin Muthersbaugh has joined the health care team at The Fraum Center. He brings more than 25 years of specialized experience in chiropractic care to the practice. A graduate of Life University with a Doctorate in Chiropractic, Dr. Muthersbaugh has dedicated his career to enhancing patient health through personalized and effective chiropractic treatments. Throughout his career, Dr. Muthersbaugh has cultivated a comprehensive approach that combines a deep understanding of body mechanics with a holistic view of health. His methods have proven effective for a wide demographic, from newborns to the elderly. Dr. Muthersbaugh is now available for appointments.
Barbers of the Lowcountry (BOTLC) has introduced the ABC Experience, a luxury treatment that uses fire to encourage a healthy scalp and stimulate hair growth.
The purpose of this treatment to is to close off the end of the hair shaft after it has been cut, thereby strengthening the keratin in the hair and prevent future split ends.
The process takes about 40 minutes and includes a haircut, fire treatment using a dripless candle, pre-shampoo treatment, shampoo and rinse, followed by a vigorous scalp massage and then a style.
The treatment was created for individuals with dry, brittle ends looking to stimulate hair growth. It represents one of the “secret” protocols developed by Antica Barbieria Colla in Milan, Italy. ABC is one of the oldest and most prestigious shops in Milan and is known for its tradition of Italian gentleman style, as well as matching innovation and performance. ABC barbers were able to mentor and teach BOTLC barbers firsthand on their recent trip to Italy.
The ABC Experience will be offered at all three BOTLC locations, in Bluffton, Beaufort, and Pooler.
David Johnson has been promoted to sales executive at Palmetto Bluff Real Estate Company
Since joining the PBREC team in 2019 as an associate sales executive, he has worked closely with clients, skillfully guiding them through the listing, marketing, and purchasing process.
Johnson’s diverse background and extensive experience in all facets of the business equip him with a solid foundation for advising and assisting families. He will be the company liaison at the new sales office in the Discover Center of the Montage Palmetto Bluff, representing the only firm with access to show the private Palmetto Bluff Club and market directly to guests of the resort.
Johnson was raised in Lewisburg, West Virginia, and attended Marshall University, where he earned a BBA in finance and an MBA with a concentration in finance. After completing his studies, he began his career in luxury resort communities by joining the real estate team at The Greenbrier Sporting Club in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.
During his leisure time, Johnson can be found, accompanied by his wife, Ashley, and their chocolate lab, Koa, savoring all the outdoor activities that Palmetto Bluff and the Lowcountry have to offer.
C2 Magazine • July 2024 Edition
Mark Goodwin has been promoted to director of sales and marketing at The Sea Pines Resort Goodwin, who joined the resort in 2011, most recently served as director of sales, catering and conference services, and previously was director of group sales as well as senior sales manager. Goodwin’s career in the hospitality industry includes extensive experience on Hilton Head Island with Crowne Plaza Hilton Head Island Beach Resort, Heritage Golf Group, and Hilton Oceanfront Resort & Spa; and with Hilton Savannah DeSoto. For more about The Sea Pines Resort, visit seapines.com or call (866) 561-8802.
Dill Dinkers, an established leader of indoor pickleball clubs, has announced its first facility on Hilton Head Island will be opening this fall.
The 20,500-square-foot space is at located at 95 Mathews Drive, replacing a portion of the former Sam’s Club in Port Royal Plaza.
The club will have eight indoor Pro- Cushion courts with fences, an event space, a ball machine, a pro shop, and a state-of-theart reservation system for members and visitors.
The location will also offer clinics, private and semi-private lessons, open play, round robins, leagues, and rentals for private events for players. The club will also provide business advertising, a corporate wellness program, and the opportunity to host employee and client events for local businesses.
Dill Dinkers Hilton Head will be operated by Graeme Joffe, the prominent local pickleball pro from South Africa, who has been teaching pickleball and tennis on the island for more than seven years.
Visit dilldinkers.com/sc/hilton-head/mathews-drive for more information.
JULY 2024
GREGG RUSSELL CONCERTS 47th season!
Monday-Thursday 8-9:30 p.m. Liberty Oak in Harbour Town
FARMERS & MAKERS MARKET Tuesdays
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
The Shops at Sea Pines Center
HARBOURFEST @ SHELTER COVE
6 p.m. Tuesdays, Shannon Tanner, Cappy the Clown. Fireworks at dusk
HARBOURFEST
@ SHELTER COVE
6 p.m. Tuesdays, Shannon Tanner, Cappy the Clown. Fireworks at dusk
JEVON’S KIDS SHOW
RICK HUBBARD’S KAZOOBIE KAZOO SHOW 8-9:30 p.m. Music, comedy Liberty Oak in Harbour Town
SEA PINES DOLPHIN DASH 5K - 11TH, 18TH,
HARBOURFEST
@ SHELTER COVE
6 p.m. Tuesdays, Shannon Tanner, Cappy the Clown. Fireworks at dusk
GABRIEL & CO. TRUNK SHOW Forsythe Jewelers 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
“CHICAGO” JULY 2 - AUGUST 18
HARBOURFEST
@ SHELTER COVE
6 p.m. Tuesdays, Shannon Tanner, Cappy the Clown. Fireworks at dusk
HARBOURFEST
@ SHELTER COVE
6 p.m. Tuesdays, Shannon Tanner, Cappy the Clown. Fireworks at dusk
HILTON HEAD COMMUNITY MARKET Saturdays
9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Shelter Cove Community Park Local artists, makers, farmers
GULLAH HERITAGE FESTIVAL
Coligny Plaza Mainstage 6:30 p.m HAPPY 4TH OF JULY! WATCH THE FIREWORKS ON THE ISLAND AND MORE!
12 Georgianna Dr. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. gullahmuseumhhi. org
JULY 5 - 28
Fourth of July Parade - 9:30AM at Harbour Town
Fireworks at Harbour Town - Music, food and fun! Fireworks at 9PM
Fireworks at Shelter Cove Harbour - Shannon Tanner at 6:30PM, Parrot Palooza at 7:15PM, Fireworks start at dark!
